U.S. patent application number 10/021923 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for beverage container accessories.
Invention is credited to Cheng, Peter.
Application Number | 20030111475 10/021923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21806868 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030111475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng, Peter |
June 19, 2003 |
Beverage container accessories
Abstract
A holder is mounted on a tapered container having a rim. Radial
portions on the holder extend past the rim and serve as fingerholds
to support the container, and as a splash guard to resist spillage
from the container's contents. A cylindrical skirt on the holder
bounds an annular space with the container for increased thermal
insulation.
Inventors: |
Cheng, Peter; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kirschstein, Ottinger, Israel & Schiffmiller, P.C.
489 Fifth Avenue
New York
NY
10017-6105
US
|
Family ID: |
21806868 |
Appl. No.: |
10/021923 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 ;
229/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3876
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 ;
229/403 |
International
Class: |
B65D 003/00; B65D
025/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An accessory for a container having an annular side wall and an
annular rim projecting outwardly from the side wall, comprising: a)
an annular body portion circumferentially surrounding the side wall
about an axis; and b) an extension portion foldably connected, and
movable relative, to the body portion from an unfolded position in
which the extension portion extends axially parallel to the axis,
to a folded-out position in which the extension portion extends
radially of the axis past the rim, the extension portion
maintaining itself in the folded-out position and resisting
movement back to the unfolded position.
2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the extension portion includes
at least one extension section foldably connected along a curved
fold line to the body portion.
3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the fold line is convexly
curved.
4. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the at least one extension
section lies in a curved plane in the folded-out position.
5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the extension portion includes
a pair of extension sections equiangularly spaced apart around the
axis and foldably connected along respective curved fold lines to
the body portion.
6. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the extension portion includes
another pair of extension sections equiangularly spaced apart
around the axis and foldably connected along respective curved fold
lines to the body portion.
7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the body and extension
portions are constituted of a corrugated board having
axially-extending corrugations, and wherein the curved fold line
extends across the corrugations.
8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the annular body portion
includes a skirt extending axially of the axis away from the
extension portion.
9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the body and extension
portions and the skirt are constituted of a liner board and a
fluted sheet of a corrugating medium having corrugations.
10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the annular body portion and
the extension portion are integrally formed on an elongated strip
having opposite end regions which have interlocking parts to form
the body portion and the extension portion into an annular
shape.
11. An accessory for a container having an annular side wall which
bounds an interior that narrows in cross-section from an open end
to a closed end of the container, comprising: a) a cylindrical body
portion circumferentially surrounding the side wall about an axis,
and constrictingly engaging the side wall about an annular contact
region adjacent the open end of the container; and b) a skirt
circumferentially surrounding, and bounding with, the side wall an
annular space that varies in radial cross-section in a direction
away from the body portion, the contact region being the only
engagement between the accessory and the side wall for
constrictingly holding the accessory on the container.
12. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the body portion and the
skirt are constituted of a fluted material having corrugations.
13. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the container has an annular
rim projecting outwardly from the side wall; and further comprising
an extension portion foldably connected, and movable relative, to
the body portion from an unfolded position in which the extension
portion extends axially parallel to the axis, to a folded-out
position in which the extension portion extends radially of the
axis past the rim, the extension portion maintaining itself in the
folded-out position and resisting movement back to the unfolded
position.
14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein the extension portion
includes at least one extension section foldably connected along a
curved fold line to the body portion.
15. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the skirt is integral with
the body portion.
16. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the skirt is cylindrical and
extends axially away from the body portion.
17. An accessory for a container having an annular side wall which
bounds an interior that narrows in cross-section from an open
circular end to a closed circular end, and an annular rim
projecting outwardly from the side wall at the open end, the
accessory comprising: an annular member having a circular opening
through which the closed end of the container is insertable along
an axis until the annular member abuts against the rim, the
circular opening having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the
open end of the container to enable the annular member to
constrictingly engage the side wall and hold itself in abutting
engagement with the rim, the annular member extending radially of
the axis past the rim.
18. The accessory of claim 17, and a skirt circumferentially
surrounding, and bounding with, the side wall an annular space that
varies in radial cross-section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to beverage
containers for serving hot or cold drinks and, more particularly,
to accessories for comfortably holding a container in one's hand
without spilling the beverage, without dropping the container, and
without the discomfort associated with extreme temperatures and
condensation.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Wax-covered paper and polystyrene have been used in beverage
containers for many years by consumers, fast food restaurants and
take-out stores. Polystyrene is an excellent thermal insulator, but
is not easily recyclable or biodegradable. Paper is more recyclable
and biodegradable, but is a poor thermal insulator and, as a
result, paper cups filled with a hot beverage, such as coffee, tea
or soup, are difficult to handle comfortably. Many a drinker has
dropped a paper cup filled with hot coffee, or spilled coffee
therefrom, due to the discomfort associated with the elevated
temperature of the contents of the paper cup.
[0005] In an effort to provide adequate insulation for comfortable
handling of a paper cup, the art has proposed, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,205,473 and No. 5,425,497 to provide an insulating
sleeve for holding the cup. Experience has shown, however, that the
insulation provided by such sleeves could be improved. Also, since
the known sleeves are configured to closely embrace the paper cup,
they are not of great assistance in affirmatively preventing a cup
from being dropped, or from spilling the contents of the cup.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One object of this invention is to improve the thermal
insulation between a user's hand and a hot liquid contained in a
cup held by the user.
[0007] Another object of this invention is to increase the
grippability of a cup.
[0008] Still another object of this invention is to reduce the
likelihood that a beverage cup will be dropped, or its contents
spilled.
[0009] Yet another object of this invention is to enable a user to
comfortably hold a beverage cup.
FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In keeping with these objects and others which will become
apparent hereinafter, one feature of this invention resides,
briefly stated, in an accessory for a container, especially a
coffee cup, having an annular side wall and an annular rim
projecting outwardly from the side wall. The accessory includes an
annular body portion circumferentially surrounding the side wall
about an axis; and an extension portion foldably connected, and
movable relative, to the body portion from an unfolded position in
which the extension portion extends axially parallel to the axis,
to a folded-out position in which the extension portion extends
radially of the axis past the rim. The extension portion maintains
itself in the folded-out position and resists movement back to the
unfolded position.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment, the extension portion includes
at least one extension section foldably connected along a convexly
curved fold line to the body portion. It is advantageous if four
extension sections are foldably connected along respective fold
lines around the body portion.
[0012] In accordance with this feature of the invention, each
extension portion, which is self-maintained in the folded-out
position, performs several functions. First, each extension portion
serves as a stop to abut against the rim and position the accessory
snugly against the rim. The accessory cannot slide off the
container in an upward direction toward and past the rim. Secondly,
at least one of the extension portions serves as a fingerhold to
abut against a user's finger and resist the container from dropping
from the user's hand. The convex curvature of each extension
portion engages and conforms to the user's finger and,
advantageously, a pair of extension portions on opposite sides of
the container engages the forefinger and thumb of the user's hand
for a secure grip of the container. Thirdly, each extension portion
serves as a splash guard to resist the beverage within the
container from spilling out onto the user's fingers and wetting
them, or possibly burning them if the container held a hot
beverage. Fourthly, by holding the container at the extension
portions, the user's fingers are thermally insulated.
[0013] In accordance with another feature of this invention, rather
than using movable extension portions, an annular member or ring
can be employed to perform the above-described stop, fingerhold,
splash guard and thermal insulation functions, especially in the
case where the container is tapered, that is, where the annular
side wall bounds an interior that narrows in cross-section from an
open circular end to a closed circular end. The ring has a circular
opening through which the closed end of the container is insertable
along an axis until the ring abuts against the rim. The circular
opening has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the open end of
the container to enable the ring to constrictingly engage the side
wall and hold itself in abutting engagement with the rim. The ring
extends radially of the axis past the rim and is preferably
flattened and lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis.
[0014] In accordance with yet another feature of this invention,
the body portion is cylindrical and constrictingly engages the side
wall of the tapered container about an annular contact region
adjacent the open end of the container. A skirt circumferentially
surrounds, and bounds with, the side wall an annular space that
varies in radial cross-section in a direction away from the body
portion. The annular space is filled with air and serves as an
insulator to shield a user's fingers from the temperature of the
beverage within the container. The skirt is preferably cylindrical
and integral with the body portion.
[0015] Advantageously, the accessory is constituted of a fluted
material having corrugations, such as single-face corrugated board.
In the prior art, beverage container holders are also made of
corrugated board, and air fills the corrugations to serve as a
thermal insulator. However, the known air-filled corrugations of
the prior art are pressed snugly against the side wall of the
tapered container along the entire height of the holder, typically
about 66 mm. As a result, the temperature of the container's
contents are directly conducted through the holder. By contrast,
the skirt of this invention is spaced from the container along the
entire height of the skirt. The contact region is the only
engagement between the accessory and the side wall of the
container. Preferably, the contact region is about 3 mm high. This
represents about a 95% reduction of the contact area between the
container and the accessory and limits the thermal transfer from
the container's contents to the user's fingers.
[0016] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of
the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of specific embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an accessory
prior to assembly and mounting on a container;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment after
assembly;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of another embodiment of an
accessory during its mounting on a container;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the FIG. 3 embodiment after
being mounted on the container;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of
an accessory during use;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of yet a further embodiment of an
accessory; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the FIG. 7 embodiment
mounted on a container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of
an accessory for a beverage container prior to its being formed
from a flattened state into an annular shape as depicted in FIG. 2
and thereupon mounted on the container as described below.
Accessory 10 is constituted of a paper material, preferably
corrugated board or heavy weight paper. Single- or double-face
corrugated paper having one or two liners adhered to one or both
sides of a fluted sheet may be employed. The liner may be adhered
to the fluted sheet by a variety of adhesives, especially a
biodegradable glue.
[0026] Accessory 10 includes a plurality of corrugated body
sections 12, 14, 16, 18 arranged in a row. End section 18 has
interlocking walls 26, 28 bounding an S-shaped slot 20. Section 12
has an end flap 22 also provided with an S-shaped slot 24 for
lockingly receiving the walls 26, 28 as shown in FIG. 2. Crease
lines 30, 32, 34, 36 are parallel with one another and with the
flutes, all of which extend in a vertical direction. The crease
lines assist the accessory to assume the annular shape when the
walls 26, 28 are received in the slot 24.
[0027] Corrugated body sections 12, 14, 16, 18 respectively include
extension portions 42, 44, 46, 48 foldably connected to the
respective corrugated body sections along convexly curved fold
lines 40. Each extension portion is movable relative to its
respective body section about the respective fold line, as
discussed below.
[0028] In a second embodiment, rather than mechanically
interlocking the end section 18 and the end flap 22, the S-shaped
slots 20,24 are eliminated, and the fluted sheet removed from the
end flap 22. Thereupon, the end flap, which now consists only of
liner paper, is glued onto the end walls 26,28 of the end section,
thereby resulting in the annular configuration for the accessory 10
depicted in the lower part of FIG. 3.
[0029] A container 50 is shown in the upper part of FIG. 3. The
container 50 is preferably a cup made of paper, for serving either
hot or cold beverages, for example, coffee, tea, soup, soda and the
like. Container 50 is conventional and has an annular side wall 52
which bounds an interior that gradually narrows in cross-section
from an open, larger circular end 54 to a closed, smaller circular
end 56. An annular rim 58 projects outwardly from the side wall 52
at the upper end 54 and is preferably formed by rolling the upper
edge of the side wall 52 around itself or a circular bead. The
closed end 56 is shown not at the bottom of the container, but
raised therefrom. The closed end 56 includes a circular disc having
a bent, annular lip 60 around which a lower edge of the side wall
52 is folded and adhered. Other container configurations, other
than the tapered, frusto-conical cup shown, are contemplated.
[0030] The annular accessory 10 is slid onto and past the lower end
of the cup 50 in the direction of arrow 38 in FIG. 3 until the
diameter or cross-section of the open end of the accessory matches
the diameter or cross-section of the tapered side wall 52 of the
cup. This may occur anywhere along the height of the cup, but
preferably occurs at, or just below, the rim 58 as shown in FIG. 4.
The accessory is frictionally held in place by a wedged,
interference fit between the accessory and the tapered cup.
[0031] Either prior to, during, or after the accessory is mounted
on the cup, each extension portion is moved from its initial,
unfolded position in which the respective extension portion extends
axially parallel to an axis of symmetry of the annular accessory,
to a folded-out position in which the respective extension portion
extends radially of the axis past the rim 58 as shown in FIG. 4. In
the initial position, each extension portion is vertical and merges
smoothly and continuously with its respective body section. In the
folded-out position, each extension portion lies in a convexly
curved plane where a central portion of each extension portion is
elevated relative to end portions of the respective extension
portion.
[0032] Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, a user's fingers, especially the
thumb and the forefinger, hold the container by engaging the raised
central portions of a pair of extension portions on opposite sides
of the container. The curvature of each extension portion follows
the curved fold line 40 and generally conforms to the contour of
the user's thumb and forefinger in the held position of the
container.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the preferred embodiment of the
accessory 10 includes two opposite pairs of extension portions
around the entire periphery of the rim 58. Each extension portion
maintains itself in the folded-out position and resists movement
back to the initial, unfolded position. This is not only due to the
thickness of the material used to fabricate the accessory, but also
due to the curvature of each extension position where the end
portions of a respective extension portion are moved through a
greater distance, and past, the central portion of the respective
extension portion. The weight of the contents of the cup are
insufficient to move the end portions of the extension portion back
past the central portion. Hence, the outwardly flared configuration
of all the extension portions are maintained when the container is
used to serve a beverage.
[0034] The outwardly flared extension portions perform various
functions. First of all, they abut against the rim to firmly and
snugly position the accessory thereagainst and prevent the
accessory from being moved past the rim. Secondly, they serve as a
fingerhold of complementary contour to a user's fingers to allow
the user to obtain a firm grasp. Thirdly, since they extend past
the rim, the extension portions serve as splash guards and resist
any beverage initially within the container from spilling out over
the rim onto the user's fingers. Fourthly, since the user's fingers
do not directly engage the container, but instead, engage the
accessory, any conduction of heat from the beverage to the user's
fingers is minimized because the accessory, and especially the air
contained within the flutes of the accessory, act as a thermal
insulating barrier.
[0035] To provide still further thermal insulation, the body
sections 12, 14, 16, 18 extend axially for a predetermined distance
to form a cylindrical skirt 62 integral with, and extending axially
away from, the body sections. As best seen in FIG. 4, the
cylindrical skirt 62 surrounds, and bounds with, the side wall 52
an annular space 64. The annular space 64 increases in radial
cross-section in a direction away from the extension portions. The
annular space 64 is filled with air and serves as a thermal
insulator in addition to the insulation provided by the air within
the flutes of the accessory.
[0036] In a modification, the skirt need not be cylindrical, but
can, for example, be conical with a taper or angle greater or less
than the taper or angle of the side wall 52. The space 64 could
even decrease in radial cross-section in the direction away from
the extension portions.
[0037] The skirt need not even be integral with the body sections.
Instead, the skirt may be a separate, discrete piece.
[0038] The additional volume of air within the space 64 also
creates a chimney effect as a result of air rising upwardly through
the space 64 toward the rim and radially outwardly between the
container and the accessory.
[0039] The body sections, as previously noted, constrictingly
engage the side wall 52 about an annular contact region adjacent
the open end of the container. This contact region serves as the
only area of surface engagement between the accessory and the side
wall, thus insuring minimal heat conduction to the user's fingers.
As noted above, the approximate 3 mm height for the contact region
represents a 95% reduction of the contact area between the
container and the accessory.
[0040] A comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 reveals that the skirt 62 may
have an extended height of about one-half of the height of the
container as shown in FIG. 4, or have a reduced height as in FIG.
5. In each case, the skirt is cylindrical, and the container is
conical, thereby creating the diverging air space 64. In prior art
holders, the accessory has a conical shape which matches that of
the container and actually increases heat conduction.
[0041] FIG. 7 depicts an annular member or ring 70 having a central
opening 72 through which the closed end of the tapered container 50
is axially inserted until the ring makes an interference fit with
the annular side wall 52, preferably just underneath the rim 58
against which the ring abuts. The ring 70 is flat and, when mounted
against the rim, extends radially past the rim. The ring 70 serves
as a stable platform for one's fingers to hold the container, and
also serves as a splash guard to protect the user's fingers from
spills from the contents of the container. A separate skirt, as
described above, could be slid onto the container and mounted
thereon below the ring 70.
[0042] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, also may find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0043] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a beverage container accessory, it is not intended to
be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and
structural changes may be made without departing in any way from
the spirit of the present invention.
[0044] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations
should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and
range of equivalence of the following claims.
[0045] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *