U.S. patent application number 10/156436 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for beverage container with integrated noisemaker.
Invention is credited to Jenkins, John.
Application Number | 20030224689 10/156436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29582261 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030224689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenkins, John |
December 4, 2003 |
Beverage container with integrated noisemaker
Abstract
The present invention relates to a food or drink container
integrated with a noisemaking device. According to a preferred
embodiment, the device comprises an enclosure containing at least
one pellet which makes noise when shaken as the fan cheers for a
sports team or at a concert. The enclosure is a preformed shape
with sufficient dimensions to be affixed to or formed with a food
or beverage container sold at the concessions stand at stadiums and
arenas. A fan may then consume food and drink and utilize the
noisemaker concurrently therewith. The fan may then detach the
noisemaker and throw away the food or beverage container thereby
retaining the noisemaker as a souvenir and for future use at other
events.
Inventors: |
Jenkins, John; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS YEE & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
|
Family ID: |
29582261 |
Appl. No.: |
10/156436 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 5/00 20130101; B65D
81/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/74 |
International
Class: |
A63H 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A beverage container with integrated noisemaker comprising: a
beverage container; a noisemaker enclosure; and, means for
attaching the beverage container and noisemaker enclosure to the
beverage container.
2. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
further comprising at least one pellet confined within the
noisemaker enclosure.
3. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
further comprising at least one whistle confined within the
noisemaker enclosure.
4. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
further comprising at least one bell confined within the noisemaker
enclosure.
5. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the means for attaching the noisemaker enclosure to the
beverage holder comprises is by threaded screw.
6. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the means for detaching the noisemaker enclosure to the
beverage holder comprises is by threaded screw.
7. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the means for attaching the noisemaker enclosure to the
beverage holder comprises at least one locking tab.
8. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the noisemaker enclosure and the beverage holder are formed
as a single unit.
9. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the integrated noisemaker includes a logo formed
thereon.
10. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1
wherein the integrated noisemaker includes at least one fluorescent
pellet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a noisemaking device. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a noisemaking device
which may be integrated with a beverage container for purchase and
use by fans at sporting or entertainment events.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Sporting and entertainment events are commonly held in
stadiums and halls of various sizes which are capable of seating
thousands of fans. These events may include sports and music
concerts. Professional and collegiate sport teams are very popular
and draw thousands of spectators at each game. Many spectators
bring special banners, costumes and noisemakers to the games to
show their support for their team.
[0005] During games, concessions are usually operated providing
fans with food and drink while at the game. Many fans consider the
food and beverages served at the stadium or arena an enjoyable and
indispensable part of the experience and fun associated with
watching the game. Advertisers utilize concession drink containers
to market the hometown team and other local businesses and sell
souvenirs or memorabilia along with the purchase of food and drink
at the event.
[0006] However, the nature of consuming food or drink at an event
and participating by applauding or cheering with a noisemaker is
somewhat difficult, if possible, to perform at the same time. Due
to the limited space in seating, most spectators must hold their
food and drink in both hands, place it in their laps, or set the
containers on the ground in order to applaud or shake a noisemaker.
Some spectators place their drinks or noisemakers on the ground
which tend to get knocked over by foot traffic of persons moving
around the rows of seats in the stadium. Sometimes fans become
excited when viewing a crucial moment in the game and knock over
their food or drinks setting on the ground. In order to avoid
spilling a beverage, one must then hold onto the beverage container
which inhibits participation by clapping hands or otherwise
expressing approval thereby detracting from the enjoyment of the
sporting experience.
[0007] There is a substantial need in the art for a food or
beverage container which may be incorporated with a noisemaking
device whereby a fan may enjoy his or her food or drink and at the
same time cheer and operate the noisemaker. There is a further need
in the art for a noisemaker which may be easily bundled with
concession products and allow a fan to make a single purchase to
obtain food, drink and a noisemaker souvenir. There is a further
need in the art for a reusable noisemaker which may be reaffixed to
food or drink containers purchased by a fan at future events.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a beverage container
integrated with a noisemaking device. According to a preferred
embodiment, the noisemaking device comprises an enclosure
containing small pellets which may be shaken to make noise when
cheering for a sports team or at a concert. The enclosure is a
preformed shape with sufficient dimensions to be fixably attached
to or formed as a one-piece unit with a food or beverage container
as generally sold at concession stands in stadiums and arenas. A
person may then consume food and drink and, at the same time,
utilize the noisemaker concurrently therewith. After the event is
over, the fan may then detach the noisemaker, dispose of the food
or beverage container, and retain the noisemaker as a souvenir
and/or for future use at other events.
[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a food or container with an integrated noisemaking device
that may be used concurrently with the ingestion of food or drink.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
noisemaker which may be detached from the food or drink container
and kept by the fan as a souvenir and reused at future events if
desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical beverage container
with integrated noisemaker constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention wherein the noisemaker is attachable and
detachable from the beverage container by threaded screw mechanism;
and,
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention wherein the noisemaker is attachable and
detachable from the beverage container by locking tab
mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] With regard to FIG. 1, there is shown a beverage container
with integrated noisemaker 10 constructed in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the
beverage container with integrated noisemaker 10 is composed of a
typical beverage container 12 integrated with noisemaker enclosure
14 which contains pellets 16. Partition 18 separates the fluid
contained in beverage container 12 and pellets contained in
noisemaker enclosure 14. In this embodiment, one may hold and
consume a liquid refreshment and, at the same time, generate noise
by shaking the noisemaker. It is contemplated that the beverage
container with integrated noisemaker 10 may be formed and
constructed as a one-piece plastic unit by apparatus and methods as
generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0015] FIG. 2 represents an alternative embodiment of the present
invention providing an attachable/detachable noisemaker enclosure
14. Beverage container 12 may be preformed with a threaded base 20.
Noisemaker enclosure 14 may be preformed with partition 18
structured below the threaded inner circumference 22 of the
noisemaker enclosure 14. In this embodiment, the fan may simply
screw or unscrew the noisemaker enclosure 14 from the beverage
container 12. The ability to attach and detach the noisemaker
enclosure 14 from the beverage container 12 allows a fan to discard
the beverage container 12 and retain the noisemaker enclosure 14
for further. This allows the user to utilize the noisemaker
enclosure 14 alone at subsequent events or he or she may purchase
another beverage container 12 and then attach the noisemaker
enclosure to the beverage container 12 for subsequent use.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 3, another alternative embodiment of the
present invention is shown whereby noisemaker enclosure 14 may be
attached/detached to beverage container 12 by locking tabs 24. In
this embodiment, beverage container 12 may be preformed with tabs
24 at the base of the beverage container 12 and capable of
receiving noisemaker enclosure 14. When pressed together, beverage
container 12 and noisemaker enclosure 14 will be held together by
locking tabs 24. Other mechanisms for attaching and detaching work
pieces are commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art and
may be applied to various other potential embodiments of the
invention disclosed herein.
[0017] As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, beverage
container with integrated noisemaker 10 may be fabricated to
include ornate advertisements, sports team logos and other forms of
promotional material. The device 10 may be fabricated from a
variety of materials, including plastic, metal or wood and
combinations thereof. Likewise, pellets 16 maybe fabricated from
glass, plastic, wood or metal and be formed in various sizes and
shapes commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For
example, pellets 16 may be round, square, spherical or rectangular
in shape and any combination of thereof. For the sake of brevity
and description, pellet is a general term describing various
materials and shapes used as to produce noise as is generally known
in the art and is not to be construed as a limitation on the size,
shape or material comprising pellet 16. It is contemplated that a
variety of other noisemaking devices, such as a whistle or bell
apparatus, maybe incorporated into the invention disclosed herein
in lieu of or along with pellet 16. Furthermore, glow sticks or
fluorescent materials may be incorporated into the noisemaking
enclosure to enhance the experience. The present invention also
contemplates incorporating the noisemaking device into containers
designed to hold food products or possibly other sorts of
memorabilia.
[0018] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art.
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