HK1198755B - Spouted cup and method for making a vessel - Google Patents

Description

Cup with spout and method of making a container

Divisional application

The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application having application number 201080030125.9 entitled "container and method of manufacturing container" filed on 11/6/2010.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial No.61/186,458, filed on 12/6/2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to containers and methods of making the same, and more particularly to drinking containers constructed of flexible materials.

Background

It is known in the art to provide disposable liquid containers such as paper cups. These cups are generally coated with a substance that prevents the paper container from absorbing or leaking the liquid contained therein. Furthermore, in restaurant settings such as fast food restaurants, coffee shops, and the like, a separate lid, e.g., a plastic lid, is provided in addition to such cups, for example, to help prevent spillage of the hot beverage. The lids are often plastic lids and some have an opening for inserting a straw, while others form a narrow opening that is conducive to direct consumption by the user.

However, because these cups are often found in a variety of sizes, a restaurant or coffee shop will typically be required to stock lids having multiple sizes to fit the various cup sizes. Accordingly, providing consumers with various cup sizes in the form of devices known in the art requires the use of separate items (i.e., cups and corresponding lids), which are typically made of different materials, and further requires the mating and assembly of these items prior to serving the customer. Further, more organizations are seeking to provide environmentally safer products such as 100 percent recyclable cups, which may be more difficult to push for cups made of materials different from their respective lids.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cup with a spout, comprising: a base region; a bottom secured into an opening in the base region; the method is characterized in that: the base region comprises two flaps extending directly from the base region and bounded by a score path, the two flaps being opposite one another; the flaps are configured such that when both flaps are closed: the outer edge of each tab coincides with the scoring path on the opposite tab; the flaps define a single elevated drinking portion having a spout formed between the extension of the base region and at least one of the two flaps.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a container, comprising: the sheet of flexible material is cut, scored, rolled and glued so as to assume the shape of the container as described above.

In a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a container comprising a sheet of flexible material that is cut, rolled and affixed to form a frusto-conical base region. When rolled, the sheet also includes an upper region having two opposing flaps. Each flap is defined by the sheet along its scored path from the remainder of the sheet. When folded along their respective paths, the flaps define a single elevated drinking portion having a spout formed between an extension of the base region and at least one of the two flaps.

One of the two flaps may be an outer flap and the other flap may be an inner flap, such that when the two flaps are folded, the outer flap overlies the inner flap. The outer flap has a first edge shaped to approximately coincide with the path of the score in the inner flap when the flap is folded. The outer flap may also include a closure tab formed as part of the sheet. The closure tab projects from a score line along the first edge of the outer flap. The score line allows the closure tab to be folded to overlie a portion of the base region. The closure tab can also be removably attached to the portion of the base region, and can include an adhesive layer.

The inner flap includes a second edge shaped to approximately coincide with the path of the score in the outer flap when the flap is folded. The inner flap optionally includes an opening tab formed as part of the sheet. The opening tab projects from a second score line along the second edge of the inner flap. The second score line allows the opening tab to be folded along the second line to project upwardly from the plane of the surface of the inner flap. The upwardly projecting opening tab facilitates unfolding of the inner flap after it has been folded.

The outer and inner flaps are also shaped to define a vent opening in an upper region of the container opposite the spout when the flaps are folded.

In a related embodiment, the container includes a bottom formed from the second sheet of material affixed in the opening of the base region to enable the container to hold liquid placed therein via the opening in the upper region that exists when the flap is unfolded. The bottom is substantially circular. The bottom may be formed of a material that is part of the first sheet of material. The bottom may also be folded into a circular flat bottom surface with a circumferential wall attached to an inner portion of the base region.

In another related embodiment, the container includes a barrier disposed on at least one of the opposing flaps to inhibit the contents of the container from flowing between the flaps and leaking from the container. The barrier may include at least one pair of engaging embossments in the flap material. The barrier may comprise a bead of the second material.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a container having a frustoconical portion and a covered spout. The frustoconical portion and the spout are formed from a single sheet of material. The covered spout is formed by folding a pair of flaps constituting a part of a sheet, and the container is stackable when the flaps are unfolded.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of making a container comprising cutting a sheet of flexible material, scoring, rolling and gluing the sheet into a container having a frustoconical base region. The container will also include an upper region having two opposing flaps. Each flap is defined by the sheet along its scored path from the remainder of the sheet. When folded along their respective paths, the flaps define a single elevated drinking portion having a spout formed between the extension of the base region and at least one of the two flaps.

Drawings

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drinking vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1 with one flap open and one flap closed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sheet of flexible material for forming the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate different sized bottoms for the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is another side view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1;

figure 13 is a bottom view of the drinking vessel of figure 1.

Detailed Description

And (4) defining. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless the context requires otherwise:

"attaching" a sheet of material is forming a connection between the sheet and another surface. Such a connection may be made using a tie layer applied between overlapping portions of the sheets or across adjacent portions and the other surface being connected. Alternatively or additionally, the connection may be achieved by crimping, fusing or welding the sheet to another surface under conditions including, for example, the application of one or more of pressure and heat.

A "covered spout" of a container is a spout formed from a container material that defines and completely surrounds an aperture so that when the spout is inserted in the mouth of a user using the container to drink, the lips of the user can come into contact with the material over the entire 360 degree angle of the material disposed around the perimeter of the aperture.

"frustoconical" shape includes a shape similar to the frustum of a cone, including, for example, a pyramidal portion having rounded edges, thereby approximating the frustum of a cone.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drinking vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration. The drinking vessel 100 illustrated in fig. 1 features a frustoconical base 101. The frusto-conical base allows a user to hold the container 100 in a comfortable manner and allows the container to be easily retained in the cup holder, such as in an automobile. The container 100 includes a top or lid formed from two overlapping flaps. In the current view, the flap 103 is visible because it is an outer flap in this embodiment. The container has a raised drinking portion comprising drinking spout 104. The overlapping flaps form part of the drink spout 104. The drinking spout is configured such that when the spout is inserted in the mouth of a user drinking from the container, the lips of the user may come into contact with the material over a full 360 degree angle of the material disposed around the periphery of the aperture. The spout allows the user to easily drink from the cup, but helps prevent spillage of the beverage contained in the container. Unlike conventional gable-top milk boxes, such as that provided in U.S. patent No.2,826,349, which can be opened to form a spout for pouring, the container of the present invention is designed such that the user can completely surround the aperture in the spout with her lip as the contents of the container are consumed.

The overlapping tabs also form part of the air release aperture 105. The flap 103 comprises in this embodiment a closing tab 102. The closure tab 102 is formed as an integral part of the sheet from which the container is formed and protrudes from the edge of the flap 103. The sheet includes a score line 124 at the intersection of the closure tab 102 and the flap 103 to facilitate folding of the tab. The tab may include adhesive on a side adjacent the base when folded to help maintain the overcap in the closed configuration.

The flap 103 in this embodiment also includes a central score line 106 and a straight side score line 126. The central score line 106 may be pre-formed into the flap 103 to facilitate folding of the flap into a closed configuration that is suitable for the geometry of the container. In particular, the central score path 106 defines a relatively flat region 120 therebetween, and the path 106 defines raised regions 121 and 122 outside the flat region 120.

When the flap 103 is folded into the closed position, the tab 102 will overlie a portion of the base region. In embodiments in which the tab comprises an adhesive, the tab will adhere to the portion of the base region on which it overlies. The adhesive on the tab will have a viscosity that allows the tab to remain attached to the base region of the container when pressed towards the base. However, the adhesive will also allow the tab to be released when a user applies sufficient force.

The container illustrated in fig. 1 is typically made of a flexible material such as paper. However, other embodiments may be provided in which the container is constructed of other flexible materials suitable for being formed into a container capable of holding liquids and having a similar structure to the container 100. In embodiments where the container is constructed of a material such as paper, the container may be coated on one or both sides with a water resistant coating such as wax or polyethylene. Further, the coating may be applied before or after the container is formed from the blank.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1 with one flap open and one flap closed. Fig. 2 further illustrates how the tabs overlap each other. In fig. 2, the flap 103 is unfolded and the flap 113 is folded. As illustrated, the tab 113 may also include a tab 112. The tab 112 facilitates reopening the flap 113 after the flap 113 has been folded down into the closed position. The tab 112 avoids the need to grasp the edge of the flap 113 adjacent to the unfolded flap 103 when attempting to open the flap 113. To open the flap 113, the user simply grips and pulls the extension tab 112, which is folded along the path 125.

The formation of the drinking spout 104 and the louvre 105 is further illustrated in fig. 2. The flaps 103 and 113 each form part of both the drinking spout 104 and the louvre 105. The drinking spout 104 and the venting aperture 105 are opposite each other in the upper region of the container. Accordingly, tilting the container 100 in order to consume the beverage contained therein through the spout 104 moves the beverage away from the vent aperture, thereby reducing the likelihood that liquid will flow through the vent aperture while the user is consuming the contents of the container. In some embodiments, the container may include a lid for the drink spout 104.

Each of the flaps 103 and 113 may include a barrier 127 over either or both of the drink spout end of the flap and the air venting end of the flap. The barrier helps prevent the contents of the container from transferring between the flaps and leaking from the container. This transfer may be caused by sloshing of the contents during movement of the container or simply by using a spout to drink from the container. The barrier 127 may be formed by adhering a continuous or short-cut edge strip of a separate material, which may be a biodegradable material, such as polyacrylic acid or polylactide, to one or both of the flaps to adhere the flaps to each other or to at least provide an obstacle to the flow of contents between the flaps. Alternatively, the barrier 127 may be created along the path using at least one pair of joining embossments in the surface of the flap material. For example, one or more ridges or depressions, or both, may be embossed in the material of the tab along such a path by stamping, scoring, or other methods for raising or lowering the surface of the material. The embossing may be designed such that the protrusion in one flap fits into the recess of the other flap. Alternatively, or even additionally, the embossing may be arranged such that the protrusions in one flap are immediately adjacent to the protrusions in the other flap. In each case, the embossings are mutually engaged. Further, the ridges and depressions may be formed in a staggered pattern having a circular or other geometric shape or a single shape that extends the entire length of the path exemplified by barrier 127. Barriers created by modifying the surface of the flap material or made using separate strips of material may be formed in a complementary manner on flaps 103 and 113 so that their structures interlock with each other when the flaps are overlapped into the closed configuration illustrated in fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drinking vessel of figure 1 in an open configuration. The container 100 has two flaps 103 and 113 in the deployed position in fig. 3. The flaps, which in this configuration are opposite each other, are more clearly seen as an integral part of the container wall. Each extending directly from the frustoconical base portion 101. As shown, the tabs 102 and 112 of each respective tab may, in some embodiments, incorporate a unique shape. The distinctiveness may indicate which flap should be folded first or which flap is the inner flap and which flap is the outer flap. Such indication may be used in conjunction with some additional marking or indicia on the tab or flap.

When both flaps of the container are unfolded, successive containers may be stacked on top of each other as illustrated in fig. 3. Such a stack allows for compact storage of a large number of containers and facilitates easy removal of a single container from such a stack.

Figure 4 illustrates a sheet of flexible material for forming the drinking vessel of figure 1. As illustrated, the container is contoured to be an asymmetric design that can be formed into a container, having a frustoconical shape with a flat bottom, and further including a top. To form the container, the profile may be cut along the perimeter, scored along paths 118, 106, and 126, rolled, and affixed. In the illustrated embodiment, the contour includes a tab 117. When the container 100 having this profile is removed from the sheet and rolled or formed into the configuration illustrated in fig. 1, the tabs 117 are secured to the opposite edges of the profile. The tab may include an adhesive layer for attaching the tab in a manner that forms a leak-free barrier. The bottom edge 110 of the profile forms the base of the container 100. The rim 110 has an oval shape which allows the container to have a substantially flat base when formed. The paths 106, 118, and 126 may be scored prior to formation of the container to guide folding of the container into the appropriate configuration. When the container is rolled and both flaps are closed, the outer edge of each flap coincides with the scoring path 118 on the opposite flap.

Fig. 5-7 illustrate different sized bottoms of drinking vessels. The substantially circular bottom may have different diameters based on the size of the container. For example, to increase the volume of the container, the dimensions may be modified and the bottom may have a larger diameter. Fig. 5 illustrates a bottom for a 12 ounce (oz.) container, while fig. 6 and 7 illustrate bottoms for 10 ounce and 8 ounce containers, respectively. When the sheet is rolled up, the bottom of the container may be affixed in an opening in the lower region of the frusto-conical base portion 101. This enables the container to hold a liquid placed therein via the opening in the upper region of the container when the flap is unfolded. In certain embodiments, the bottom may be part of the same sheet that forms the container.

Figures 8-13 illustrate different views of the drinking vessel of figure 1. Figure 8 is a top view of the drinking vessel. In this figure, the drinking spout 104 and the air bleed aperture 105 are visible. As illustrated, the drinking spout and the air relief aperture are located at opposite ends of the container 100 and are formed by folding a flap, wherein the flap 103 is visible. The folded flaps also form an integral lid for the container 100. The score path 106 of each flap is substantially aligned with the score path 106 of the opposing flap when the flaps are folded closed.

Figure 9 is a front view of the drinking vessel. The front side in this specification refers to the side with the elevated drinking portion and drinking spout 104. Further, fig. 9 illustrates sample sizes for adjusting the container to an alternative volume. The adjustment includes changing the length and bottom diameter of the container sidewall.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the drinking vessel of fig. 1. The container is shown in a schematic side view in this figure from the side of the outer flap on the outside of the container with the tab 102. As further illustrated in this outline view, the drinking spout 104 is formed like a cup that facilitates the sucking of a beverage through a narrow opening. FIG. 12 is another side view of the drinking vessel 100 from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 10.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the drinking vessel of fig. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the louvre 103 is at a lower elevation than the drinking spout 104 relative to the base of the container. Further, the seam 107, as shown in the illustration, represents the overlap of the tab 117 with the opposing edge of the container 100 shown in FIG. 4.

Figure 13 is a bottom view of the drinking vessel of figure 1. Once the bottom is secured, for example by gluing, to the opening in the base region 101 of the container 100, the container will be able to contain without leakage the liquid placed therein.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only; many variations and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is intended to embrace all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention as defined in any appended claims.

Claims (44)

1. A mug with a spout, comprising:

a base region (101);

a bottom secured into an opening in the base region (101);

the method is characterized in that:

two flaps (103; 113) extend directly from the base area (101) and are delimited by a scoring path (118), the two flaps (103; 113) being opposite each other;

the flaps (103; 113) are configured such that, when both flaps (103; 113) are closed:

the outer edge of each tab (103; 113) coincides with the scoring path (118) on the opposite tab; and is

The flaps (103; 113) define a single elevated drinking portion having a spout (104) formed between an extension of the base region (101) and at least one of the two flaps.

2. A mug according to claim 1, wherein the flap (103; 113) is further shaped to define a vent (105) opposite the spout in an upper region of the mug when the flap is folded.

3. A mug according to claim 1, wherein the flap (103; 113) comprises an outer flap (103) and an inner flap (113), and wherein the outer flap (103) comprises a closing tab (102), the closing tab (102) protruding from an outer edge of the outer flap and being scored along a first line where the closing tab protrudes from the outer edge of the outer flap to allow the closing tab (102) to be folded along the first line to overlie a portion of the base region (101).

4. A mug according to claim 3, wherein the closure tab (102) is removably attachable to the portion of the base area (101).

5. A muzzle cup in accordance with any of claims 3-4, wherein the closure tab (102) comprises an adhesive layer (123).

6. A muzzle cup in accordance with any of claims 1-2, wherein the flap (103; 113) comprises an outer flap (103) and an inner flap (113), and wherein the inner flap (113) comprises an opening tab (112), the opening tab (112) protruding from an outer edge of the inner flap and being scored along a second line where the opening tab protrudes from the outer edge of the inner flap, to allow the opening tab (112) to be folded along the second line so as to protrude upwards from the plane of the surface of the inner flap (113), to facilitate unfolding of the inner flap (113) after the inner flap (113) has been folded.

7. The muzzle cup of claim 6, further comprising a barrier (127) disposed on at least one of the opposing fins (103; 113) to inhibit the flow of the cup's contents between the fins (103; 113) and leakage from the cup.

8. A muzzle cup in accordance with claim 7, wherein the barrier (127) comprises at least one pair of engaging embossments.

9. A muzzle cup in accordance with any of claims 7-8, wherein the barrier (127) comprises a biodegradable material.

10. A muzzle cup in accordance with any of claims 7-8, wherein the barrier (127) adheres the flaps (103; 113) to each other.

11. The muzzle cup of any of claims 1-4, wherein the cup is waterproof.

12. The muzzle cup of any of claims 1-4, wherein the cup is configured to contain a liquid.

13. The muzzle cup of any of claims 1-4, further comprising a tab folded down to reinforce the muzzle.

14. A method of manufacturing a cup comprising:

cutting a sheet of flexible material, scoring, rolling and gluing said sheet of flexible material, thereby assuming the shape of a cup according to claim 1.

15. A spout cup for holding and dispensing a substance, the cup comprising:

a base region comprising an inner surface sidewall and having an opening at a lower end of the base region;

a bottom secured in the opening;

a first flap extending from the base region, the first flap having a first curved edge and including a first spout forming region;

a second flap extending from the base region, the second flap having a second curved edge and including a second spout-forming region;

the first and second flaps are configured such that when the flaps are folded:

the second flap overlying the base region such that at least a portion of the second flap overlies at least a portion of the first flap;

whereby at least a portion of the second spout forming area overlies at least a portion of the first spout forming area to form a spout that extends to a first height above the bottom edge of the base area.

16. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein:

the first flap further comprises a first vent forming area; and is

The second flap further comprises a second vent forming area such that when the flap is folded:

at least a portion of the second vent forming area overlies at least a portion of the first vent forming area to form a vent that extends to a second height above the bottom edge of the base area, the first height being greater than the second height.

17. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein the second flap comprises a closure tab scored along a first line in which the closure tab protrudes from the second curved edge to allow the closure tab to be folded along the first line to overlie a portion of the base region.

18. The muzzle cup of claim 17, wherein the closure tab is removably attached to the portion of the base region.

19. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein the first flap comprises an opening tab protruding from the first curved edge and scored along a second line where the opening tab protrudes from the first curved edge to allow the opening tab to be folded along the second line to protrude upward from the plane of the surface of the first flap to facilitate unfolding the first flap after the first flap has been folded.

20. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second flaps comprises a barrier configured to inhibit the contents of the cup from flowing between the flaps and leaking from the cup when the flaps are folded.

21. The muzzle cup of claim 20, wherein the barrier comprises at least one pair of engaging embossments in the material of the flap.

22. The muzzle cup of claim 20, wherein the barrier comprises a rim of the second material.

23. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein the cup is configured to hold and dispense a liquid.

24. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein the second flap overlaps the first flap such that when the first and second flaps are folded, the first curved edge is shaped to approximately coincide with a path along which the second flap is scored from the base region, and the second curved edge is shaped to approximately coincide with a path along which the first flap is scored from the base region.

25. The muzzle cup of claim 15, wherein the first and second flaps are folded to form an integral lid for the cup and a coupling area extends between the first and second spout forming areas, wherein the first, second and coupling areas form a covered drink spout.

26. A muzzle cup configured to hold liquid contents, the cup comprising:

a flexible flashing material shaped to define sidewalls of a frustoconical base region having an opening at a lower end of the base region;

a bottom secured in the opening such that the sidewall and the bottom form a container containing a liquid; and

a pair of opposing flaps of flexible material extending from an upper end of the base region, each flap being bounded from the base region by a corresponding curved scored path such that when the flaps are folded along their respective paths, the flaps are configured such that:

at least a portion of an outer edge of one flap coincides with at least a portion of the scored path of the opposing flap; and is

The fins are adapted to define a raised drinking portion having an aperture-containing spout formed between at least one of the two fins and an extension of the base region.

27. The muzzle cup of claim 26, wherein the flap is further shaped to define a vent in an upper region of the cup opposite the spout when the flap is folded.

28. The muzzle cup of claim 26, wherein the flap comprises an outer flap and an inner flap, and wherein the outer flap comprises a closure tab that protrudes from an outer edge of the outer flap and is scored along a first line in which the closure tab protrudes from the outer edge of the outer flap to allow the closure tab to be folded along the first line to overlie a portion of the base region.

29. The muzzle cup of claim 28, wherein the closure tab is removably attached to the portion of the base region.

30. The muzzle cup of claim 28, wherein the closure tab comprises an adhesive layer.

31. The muzzle cup of claim 26, wherein the tab comprises an outer tab and an inner tab, and wherein the inner tab comprises an opening tab that protrudes from an outer edge of the inner tab and is scored along a second line where the opening tab protrudes from an outer edge of the inner tab to allow the opening tab to be folded along the second line to protrude upward from a plane of a surface of the inner tab to facilitate unfolding of the inner tab after the inner tab has been folded.

32. The muzzle cup of claim 26, wherein at least one of the opposing flaps comprises a barrier configured to inhibit the contents of the cup from flowing between the flaps and leaking from the cup when the flaps are folded.

33. The muzzle cup of claim 32, wherein the barrier comprises at least one pair of engaging embossments.

34. The muzzle cup of claim 32, wherein the barrier comprises a biodegradable material.

35. The muzzle cup of claim 32, wherein the barrier adheres the fins to each other.

36. The muzzle cup of claim 26, further comprising a tab configured to fold down to reinforce the spout.

37. A method of manufacturing a cup comprising:

cutting a sheet of flexible material, scoring, rolling and gluing the sheet of flexible material, thereby forming a cup according to claim 26.

38. A spout cup adapted to hold and dispense a liquid, the cup comprising:

a flexible material shaped to define sidewalls of a frustoconical base region having an opening at a lower end of the base region;

a bottom secured in the opening such that the sidewall and the bottom form a container; and

an inner flap extending from an upper end of the base region, the inner flap having a first curved edge and including a first spout-forming region;

an outer flap extending from an upper end of the base region, the outer flap having a second curved edge and including a second spout-forming region;

the inner and outer flaps are configured such that when the flaps are folded:

at least a portion of the outer flap overlies at least a portion of the inner flap,

the inner and outer flaps are adapted such that at least a portion of the second spout forming area overlies at least a portion of the first spout forming area and is adapted to form a spout having an aperture that extends to a first height above a bottom edge of the base area.

39. The muzzle cup of claim 38, wherein at least one of the inner and outer flaps comprises a barrier configured to inhibit the contents of the cup from flowing between the flaps and leaking from the cup when the flaps are folded.

40. The muzzle cup of claim 38, wherein:

the inner flap further comprises a first vent forming area; and is

The outer flap further includes a second vent forming area such that when the flap is folded at least a portion of the second vent forming area overlies at least a portion of the first vent forming area to form a vent that extends to a second height above the bottom edge of the base area, the first height being greater than the second height.

41. The muzzle cup of claim 38, further comprising a tab disposed between two of the flaps and configured to fold downward to reinforce the muzzle.

42. The muzzle cup of claim 38, wherein the inner and outer flaps are folded to form an integral lid of the cup and an extension of the base region extends between the first and second spout forming regions, wherein when the flaps are folded, the first, second and extension of the base region form a covered drinking spout.

43. The muzzle cup of claim 42, wherein the extension of the base region further comprises a tab disposed between two of the flaps and configured to fold down to reinforce the spout.

44. A spout cup adapted to hold and dispense a liquid, the cup comprising:

a flexible material shaped to define sidewalls of a frustoconical base region having an opening at a lower end of the base region and the base region including an inner surface sidewall;

a bottom secured in the opening such that the sidewall and the bottom form a container;

an inner flap extending from an upper end of the base region;

an outer flap extending from an upper end of the base region;

the inner flap and the outer flap are configured such that: when the flap is folded, at least a portion of the outer flap overlies at least a portion of the inner flap to form a first spout extending above the bottom edge of the base region and a second spout extending above the bottom edge of the base region.