U.S. patent application number 10/235992 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for insulated beverage container and lid assembly.
Invention is credited to Bielecki, Andy, Furlong, Brian, Jensen, Michael, Nowack, Tim.
Application Number | 20040040962 10/235992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31887704 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bielecki, Andy ; et
al. |
March 4, 2004 |
INSULATED BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND LID ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An insulated beverage container (100) has a tumbler (110), a
handle assembly (120) including a collar (122) attached to the top
of the tumbler, and a valved lid assembly (200). The tumbler has
multiple wall construction, wherein the inner two walls (114, 116)
define an insulating volume (118) therebetween that may be
partially evacuated. The valved lid assembly includes an upwardly
biased valve (240), near the top of the lid assembly, that may be
moved from a closed position wherein the valve abuts a valve seat
(214) in the lid assembly, and an open position wherein the valve
is spaced apart from the valve seat. A non-skid base (102) with
integral, upwardly extending grip elements provides a grip to
facilitate handling of the tumbler.
Inventors: |
Bielecki, Andy; (Chicago,
IL) ; Furlong, Brian; (Westchester, IL) ;
Jensen, Michael; (Roselle, IL) ; Nowack, Tim;
(Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
31887704 |
Appl. No.: |
10/235992 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.1 ;
220/254.8; 220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2288 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101; A47J 41/0022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.1 ;
220/254.8; 220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A valve assembly for a beverage container, the valve assembly
comprising: a lower body; an upper body attached to the lower body,
the upper body including a downwardly-facing valve seat, wherein
the upper body and the lower body cooperatively define a fluid
channel; an upwardly-biased valve member disposed below the valve
seat, the valve member having an upwardly disposed sealing surface
adapted to engage the valve seat such that the valve member blocks
the fluid channel; and a gear assembly disposed below the valve
member and attached to the valve member, the gear assembly having a
closed position wherein the upwardly-biased valve member engages
the valve seat, and an open position wherein the upwardly-biased
valve member is disposed away from the valve seat.
2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member
comprises a generally disc-shaped body portion having a peripheral
edge, and an elastomeric sealing ring attached to the peripheral
edge such that the sealing ring engages the valve seat when the
gear assembly is in the closed position.
3. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the valve member further
comprises an upper button portion and further wherein the gear
assembly is adapted to alternate between the open and closed
position by depressing downwardly on the upper button portion.
4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower body further
comprises a cylindrical center channel, and wherein the gear
assembly is disposed in the center channel.
5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the upper body further
comprises a generally cup-shaped upper surface.
6. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a means for
sealingly attaching the valve assembly to a beverage container.
7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper body is
releasably attached to the lower body such that the upper body and
lower body can be disassembled to facilitate cleaning the valve
assembly.
8. A beverage container comprising: a tumbler having a lower end
and an upper end; an annular collar attached to the upper end of
the tumbler; and a valve assembly releasably attachable to the
collar, the valve assembly comprising: (i) a lower body, (ii) an
upper body attached to the lower body, the upper body including a
downwardly-facing valve seat, wherein the upper body and the lower
body cooperatively define a fluid channel, (iii) an upwardly-biased
valve member disposed below the valve seat, the valve member having
an upwardly disposed sealing surface adapted to engage the valve
seat such that the valve member blocks the fluid channel, and (iv)
a gear assembly disposed below the valve member and attached to the
valve member, the gear assembly having a closed position wherein
the upwardly-biased valve member engages the valve seat, and an
open position wherein the upwardly-biased valve member is disposed
away from the valve seat.
9. The beverage container of claim 8, wherein the annular collar
further comprises a generally L-shaped handle portion.
10. The beverage container of claim 8, wherein the tumbler
comprises a first wall portion and an inner cup portion nested
generally within the first wall portion and wherein the first wall
portion and inner cup portion define a sealed insulating volume
therebetween.
11. The beverage container of claim 10, wherein the tumbler further
comprises an outer wall portion disposed generally around the first
wall portion.
12. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the tumbler further
comprises a non-skid base attached at the lower end of the
tumbler.
13. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein the non-skid base
further comprises a plurality of elongate, upwardly extending grip
elements that are attached to the outer wall of the tumbler to
facilitate gripping the beverage container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to beverage
containers and, more particularly, to insulated beverage containers
with closable lids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Personal beverage containers, such as coffee tumblers, mugs,
and the like, are used by beverage lovers everywhere. Although such
personal beverage containers have traditionally been primarily for
use at fixed locations, such as at home or at the office, more and
more frequently, consumers are finding it desirable to have a
beverage during transitions, for example, while traveling from home
to work or during driving excursions. Specialty coffee stores
serving premium coffees and other beverages--for example, those
sold under the Starbucks.RTM. trademark--are finding widespread
popularity.
[0003] Certain considerations are particularly relevant when the
user intends to consume the beverage, at least partially, while
traveling from one place to another. For example, it is typically
desirable to maintain the temperature of the beverage, i.e., to
keep hot beverages hot and/or cold beverages cold. Oftentimes the
consumer will purchase the beverage at one location and travel to a
second, possibly distant location, to consume the beverage. It is
desirable that the beverage be maintained close to the preferred
temperature for sufficient periods of time. Also, it is generally
desirable to include a lid in order to reduce the likelihood of
splash or spillage of the beverage during travel. Finally,
particularly for reusable beverage containers, the container must
be rugged enough to withstand the inevitable bump or fall.
[0004] Very often personal beverage containers are designed to be
used once and then disposed of. Disposable cups with lids are well
known in the art. Many consumers, however, prefer a beverage
container that is sturdier than these disposable cups and that can
be cleaned and reused. Another advantage of reusable beverage
containers is that it reduces the burden on landfills and the like
by reducing the use of disposable cups and lids. Reusable beverage
containers are also known in the art and are frequently made from
metal, glass, and/or plastic.
[0005] When a reusable beverage container is intended for use while
traveling, it is usually provided with a lid that includes some
mechanism that permits the user to consume the beverage without
removing the lid. For example, the lid may simply include a small
aperture, similar to the lid design on disposable beverage
containers. In order to further reduce the likelihood of spillage,
and to improve the insulating properties of the container, a
mechanism such as a sliding plate or a removable stopper may be
provided to close the small aperture when desired. However, such
devices typically will still allow some spillage or leakage, for
example, if the reusable beverage container is inverted. Although
solid lids, i.e., lids that must be removed to access the contents
of a container, can provide a very good seal, it is quite
inconvenient to have to remove a lid that must then be carried
separately. Moreover, a removable lid is subject to becoming
separated from the reusable container and potentially lost.
Therefore, it is useful to have a lid for a reusable beverage
container that permits the user to access the contents of the
container without removing the lid, wherein the lid is also capable
of providing a good seal to hold the liquid in the reusable
beverage container.
[0006] Valved lids for reusable beverage containers have been
contemplated wherein the container lids are capable of providing a
good seal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,218 to Toida et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,967 to Satomi et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.
5,495,966 to Won all disclose various valved lids for bottle-type
containers. These patents all describe devices that provide a
convenient push-button mechanism for opening and closing the valve.
In all of the disclosed devices, however, the valve itself is
located at the very bottom of the lid assembly, and therefore even
when the valve is in the closed position, a relatively deep channel
remains, open at the top, in which fluids or other debris may
accumulate. Moreover, it will be appreciated that this open channel
is relatively inaccessible and difficult to see, so the user may
not even be aware if undesired material accumulates therein. Also,
if the valve is moved to the closed position while the bottle is
tilted, some of the contained beverage may remain above the valve
seat and not be visible to the user. This may result in undesirable
spillage. Similarly, foreign debris may find its way into the open
channel, and such foreign debris may be hidden from the user by the
upper portion of the lid assembly.
[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for a valved lid for a
reusable beverage container wherein the valve is disposed near the
top of the valved lid, generally in plain view of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A reusable beverage container having a valved lid assembly
is disclosed wherein the valved lid assembly can be alternated
between an open position and a closed position by simply depressing
the valve. The valve is disposed near the top of the valved lid
assembly and is visible so that the user can easily see if the
valve is in the open or the closed position, and such that any
fluid or debris above the valve is easily seen. The disclosed
beverage container avoids the deep, open channel or cavity that is
found in prior art valved lid assemblies.
[0009] The disclosed valve assembly for the lid comprises a lower
body portion and an upper body portion that are releasably
interconnected. The upper body portion includes a downwardly facing
valve seat adapted to receive the valve, and the upper and lower
body portions cooperatively provide a flow path through the valve
when the valve is in the open position. An upwardly biased valve is
provided below the valve seat, the valve having an upwardly
disposed sealing surface that can be moved to engage the valve seat
to close the flow path. A gear assembly is attached to the valve,
below the valve, the gear assembly being operable to selectively
move the valve between the closed position, upwardly biased against
the valve seat, and an open position spaced apart from the valve
seat.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the valve includes an
annular, elastomeric sealing element that sealingly engages the
valve seat when the valve is in the closed position.
[0011] An embodiment of the invention further includes a tumbler
having an insulating sidewall, a non-skid base portion at the
bottom of the tumbler, and a collar fixedly attached to the top of
the tumbler. The collar includes a groove that is adapted to
receive corresponding projecting members on the valved lid
assembly, such that the valved lid assembly can be removably
secured to the collar and tumbler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reusable beverage
container that is an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled reusable
beverage container shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the reusable
beverage container shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the valve mechanism shown as a
component of the reusable beverage container shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 5A-5D are simplified developed elevation diagrams
illustrating the gear assembly of the valve component of the
reusable beverage container shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5A shows an
exploded view of the gear elements; FIG. 5B shows the gear in the
closed position; FIG. 5C shows the gear during transition; and FIG.
5D shows the gear in the open position;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the tumbler component
of the reusable beverage container shown in FIG. 1, shown in the
open position; and
[0019] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the tumbler component
of the reusable beverage container shown in FIG. 1, shown in the
closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers
reference like elements, a particular embodiment of the present
invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a
reusable beverage container 100 having a valved lid assembly 200.
FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of the assembled beverage container
100, showing the details of the valved lid assembly 200. FIG. 3
shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the reusable beverage
container 100. In this document the invention and the preferred
embodiment disclosed herein will be described with reference to the
orientation shown in the figures--that is, with the beverage
container 100 in the upright position. Therefore, terms such as
"upper," "lower," "upwardly," "downwardly," "top," "bottom," and
the like shall refer to the apparatus in the upright position,
although it is obviously intended that the beverage container 100
may be disposed in various orientations, and in particular that the
user will rotate the beverage container 100 during use.
[0021] The reusable beverage container 100 includes a tumbler
portion 110 defining a volume, open at the top, for holding a
liquid, and includes a non-skid base 102. The nonskid base 102
preferably includes a plurality of upwardly-extending elongate
fingers 104, that may be glued or otherwise affixed to the tumbler
outer cup or wall 112, for example, in depressions in the outer
wall 112. The elongate fingers 104 improve the gripping
characteristics of the tumbler portion 110. A handle assembly 120,
including an annular collar or rim 122 and an integral, generally
L-shaped handle 124, is permanently attached at the upper end of
the tumbler portion 110. Although a handle 124 is provided in the
disclosed embodiment, it is also contemplated that the beverage
container may be made without a handle, that is, utilizing a collar
without an L-shaped handle. The valved lid assembly 200 engages the
annular collar 122 to form a seal, whereby the interior of the
tumbler portion 110 may be closed. As discussed below, the
disclosed valved lid assembly 200 includes an upper body portion
210, a lower body portion 212, a gear assembly 220, and a
disk-shaped valve 240 attached to the gear assembly 220. The valve
240 is movable between an open position, wherein the user can pour
out the contents of the tumbler 110, and a closed position, wherein
the interior of the tumbler 110 is generally sealed.
[0022] The tumbler portion 110 of the preferred embodiment is a
three-wall construction including an outer cup 112 having an
aesthetically pleasing appearance, a middle wall 114, and an inner
cup 116, that define the interior wall of the tumbler 110. As shown
in the figures, outer cup 112, middle wall 114, and inner cup 116
of the disclosed embodiment are concentrically nested, slightly
tapered, generally cylindrical elements, although it will be
obvious to persons of skill in the art that other shapes are
possible. The middle wall 114 and inner cup 116 are closed at their
bottom ends 114a and 116a, respectively. The middle wall bottom end
114a further includes an annular foot 115 extending generally
downwardly to contact the base 102. The middle wall upper end 114b
and inner cup upper end 116b are joined along a sealed end 117,
such that the middle wall 114 and inner cup 116 define a sealed
volume 118 therebetween. The sealed end 117 may be achieved, for
example, by soldering, brazing, welding, epoxying, or co-forming
the middle wall 114 and inner cup 116. It will now be appreciated
by persons of skill in the art that the sealed volume 118 may be
partially evacuated prior to sealing the volume 118, whereby the
middle wall 114 and inner cup 116 cooperatively form an insulating
wall for the tumbler 110. Evacuation of the sealed volume 118 may
be accomplished in any number of ways as are well known in the
art-for example, by attaching a tube (not shown) to the middle wall
bottom end 114a to form a fluid couple to the volume 118, using a
vacuum pump to partially evacuate the volume 118 and then sealing
the tube while maintaining the partial vacuum.
[0023] The outer cup 112 of the preferred embodiment has a bottom
end 112a that abuts or otherwise connects to the base 102. The top
end 112b is attached to the middle wall 114 near the middle wall
top end 114b. As seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the tumbler portion
110 includes a circumferential S-shaped profile 113 near the top
that is adapted to receive a corresponding interior profile 123 in
the collar 122 of the handle assembly 120, thereby mechanically
locking the handle assembly 120 to the tumbler portion 110. It will
be appreciated that the handle assembly 120 may be attached to the
tumbler portion 110 by pressing the handle assembly 120 thereto,
preferably with the tumbler portion 110 cooled and/or the handle
assembly 120 heated to facilitate assembly.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the three walls 112, 114, and
116 are all metal, such as stainless steel, although it is
contemplated that other materials may alternatively be used,
including, for example, various plastics. Metal construction
provides a rugged product that is generally able to withstand the
occasional bumps and mishaps that may be expected, particularly for
a transportable beverage container.
[0025] As seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the lower body portion 212
of the valved lid assembly 200 includes an outer threaded wall 216,
that is adapted to threadably engage an inwardly threaded wall 206
of the upper body portion 210, such that the upper body portion 210
and lower body portion 212 can be interconnected or selectively
disconnected--for example, to facilitate cleaning, repairing, or
replacing components of the lid assembly 200. Also, the upper body
portion 210 further includes outwardly disposed tabs 208 that are
adapted to engage interior helical slots 128 in the collar 122,
whereby the assembled valved lid assembly 200 can be releasably
attached to the tumbler portion 110 through the handle assembly
120. An O-ring 204 is preferably provided on the upper body portion
210 to provide a good seal between the tumbler portion 110 and the
valved lid assembly 200.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4 (an exploded view showing the lower
body portion 212, gear assembly 220, and valve 240), the lower body
portion 212 includes an externally threaded upper ring 215, and an
internally threaded center portion 217 that is adapted to receive a
screw-on extension 219. A plurality of large apertures 213 provides
a flow path to permit the beverage (not shown) to flow through the
assembly when the valve 240 is in the open position. The center
portion 217 and extension 219 define an enclosure that
substantially houses the gear assembly 220. Although the extension
219 of the disclosed embodiment screws on to the lower body portion
212, it is contemplated that the extension 219 may be alternatively
connected to the lower body portion 212--for example, by gluing the
pieces together after inserting the lower and upper gear members
221 and 231, respectively.
[0027] The lower gear member 221 includes a plurality of paired
teeth elements 223 that are separated by vertical slots 225. The
vertical slots 225 are sized to slidably receive vertical tabs 218
formed on the interior of the extension 219 (See FIGS. 6A-6B). A
generally cylindrical portion 227 extends upwardly from the teeth
elements 223. The upper gear member 231 includes a tubular portion
237 that is adapted to slidably engage the cylindrical portion 227
of the lower gear member 221. The bottom of the upper gear member
231 includes a plurality of generally pointed teeth 233 that are
adapted to engage the teeth elements 223 of the lower gear member
221. A connecting tube 239 is provided at the top of the upper gear
member 231, that is adapted to attach to the valve 240.
[0028] The valve 240 of the disclosed embodiment is generally
disc-shaped, and comprises a lower button portion 242 having a
peripheral edge 243 that is adapted to receive an annular
elastomeric seal 246. A hollow center post 244 extends upwardly
from the lower button portion 242, the post defining an aperture on
the bottom side (not shown) for receiving the connecting tube 239
of the upper gear member 231, and a post on the upper side for
attachment of an upper button portion 248. In the disclosed
embodiment, the upper gear member 231 connects to the lower button
portion 242 with a friction or interference fit, and the upper
button portion 248 similarly connects to the lower button portion
242 with a friction fit. However, it will be apparent to one of
skill in the art that these elements may be interconnected with any
number of alternative connecting elements, such as with glue or
separate connecting hardware. Alternatively, two or more of these
components may be unitarily formed.
[0029] A compression spring 205 is provided in an axial location in
the center portion 217 of the lower body portion 212, and below the
lower gear member 221, such that the lower gear member 221 is
biased upwardly toward the upper gear member 231. This upward bias
is therefore promulgated through the upper gear member 231 to the
valve 240. It will be appreciated from FIG. 4, that the upward
motion of the lower and upper gear members 221, 231 is restricted
by the tapered upper end of the extension 219.
[0030] The operation of the gear assembly 220 will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 5A-5D and FIGS. 6A-6B. FIGS. 5A-5D show a
fragmentary developed view of the gear train elements of the gear
assembly 220. The pointed teeth 233 of the upper gear member 231
and the paired teeth elements 223 of the lower gear member 221, are
disposed generally in the extension 219 (only a horizontal strip of
the extension 219 is shown in FIGS. 5A-5D). FIG. 5A shows an
exploded view of these gear elements in a developed planar
view.
[0031] As discussed above, the extension 219 includes a plurality
of tabs 218 that are sized and spaced apart to slidably accommodate
the vertical slots 225 on the lower gear member 221. The position
of these gear elements 223, 233, and 218 when the valve is in the
upper or closed position (See FIG. 6B) is shown in FIG. 5B. In the
closed position, the teeth elements 223 are aligned with the
extension tabs 218, such that the teeth elements 223 of the
upwardly biased lower gear member 221 are positioned between the
tabs 218. When the user presses the top of the valve 240 (See FIG.
2), the pointed teeth 233 of the upper gear member 231 transmit
that force to the teeth elements 223 of the lower gear member 221,
as indicated by the downward arrow in FIG. 5B, against the biasing
force of the compression spring 205 (not shown in FIG. 5). The
teeth elements 223 are initially constrained by the tabs 218 on the
extension 219 to move vertically in response to the downward force.
The pointed teeth 233 will cause a sideways (or circumferential)
force on the lower gear member 221, however, due to the slopes face
of the teeth elements 223, such that when the lower gear member 221
has moved sufficiently to clear the tabs 218 the lower gear member
221 will rotate a fixed amount (i.e., move to the left in the
developed drawing in FIG. 5B), as indicated by the horizontal arrow
in FIG. 5C.
[0032] When the user then releases the pressure on the valve 240,
the upward bias provided by the compression spring 205 will move
the gear members 221, 231 upwardly, as indicated by the vertical
arrow in FIG. 5D, and the tabs 218 acting against the sloped face
of the teeth elements 223 will cause the lower gear member 221 to
rotate a further fixed amount. Due to the rotation of the lower
gear member 221, the teeth elements 223 are no longer aligned with
the tabs 218, and the tabs 218 therefore blockingly engage the
teeth elements 223, restricting the lower gear member from
returning to the closed position, leaving the valve 240 in the open
position as shown in FIG. 6A.
[0033] It will be apparent from FIGS. 5A-5D and the description
above, that depressing the valve 240 again will generally repeat
the process, wherein depressing the valve 240 will cause the lower
gear element 221 to rotate again, realigning the teeth elements 223
with the tabs 218, such that when the valve 240 is released, it
will return to the closed position shown in FIG. 5B and FIG.
6B.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, in the disclosed embodiment
the upper body portion 210 of the valved lid assembly 200 has a
generally cup-shaped annular upper surface 211. The underside of
the upper body portion 210 defines an annular, downwardly facing
sealing surface or valve seat 214. When the valve 240 is in the
open position, as shown in FIG. 6A, the valve 240, and in
particular, the elastomeric seal 246, is disposed away from the
valve seat 214. The gear assembly 220 is held in this open position
by the vertical tabs 218 on the extension 219, as described above.
The upper body portion 210 and lower body portion 212 therefore
provide a flow path whereby the fluid in the tumbler portion 110
can flow out of the tumbler portion 110 through the valved lid
assembly 200, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 6A. It will
be appreciated that the fluid will flow out upon tilting or
overturning the tumbler 110.
[0035] By depressing the valve 240 sufficiently to engage the gear
assembly 220, the lower gear member 221 rotates to align the paired
teeth elements 223 with the tabs 218. The compression spring 205
will then bias the valve 240 to the closed position shown in FIG.
6B wherein the valve 240 and, in particular, the elastomeric seal
246 abuts and sealingly engages the valve seat 214 of the upper
body portion 210. This seal prevents the fluid contained in the
tumbler portion 110 from flowing out of the container, even if the
tumbler portion 110 is inverted.
[0036] It will now be appreciated that, in use, the user typically
removes the valved lid assembly 200 from the tumbler portion 110 to
fill the beverage container 100 with the desired fluid. The valved
lid assembly 200 is then attached to the collar 122 by screwing the
outwardly disposed tabs 208 into the helical slots 128 in the
collar 122. To drink or pour the fluid from the beverage container,
the user simply depresses the valve 240 against the biasing force
of the compression spring 205, locking the valve 240 in the open
position, spaced apart from the valve seat 214. To close the valve
240, the user again depresses the valve 240, whereby the spring 205
returns the valve 240 to the closed position, sealing the valved
lid assembly 200. It will now be appreciated that the present
invention provides a valve 240 that is disposed generally at the
top of the valved lid assembly 240, the upper portion of which is
visible to the user. The triple-wall construction of the disclosed
embodiment, with the inner two walls providing an evacuated volume
therebetween, provides good insulation of the beverage contained in
the container 100. A non-skid base 102 with integral grip fingers
104 extending upwardly and attached to the outer wall 112 of the
tumbler portion 110 provides a comfortable gripping surface for the
user. An optional handle 124 integral with the collar 122 provides
additional gripping options.
[0037] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *