U.S. patent application number 10/763675 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for reusable cup identification clip.
Invention is credited to Shelstad, Scott A..
Application Number | 20050161459 10/763675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34795101 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050161459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shelstad, Scott A. |
July 28, 2005 |
Reusable cup identification clip
Abstract
A clip for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in
identifying that cup is disclosed. The cup includes an opening that
is defined by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim. The clip
includes a body having an attachment portion configured for
engaging at least a part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim in
a way which supports the body on the cup. The clip can be supported
on the cup without applying continuous resilient biasing forces to
the cup.
Inventors: |
Shelstad, Scott A.;
(Longmont, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRITZKAU PATENT GROUP, LLC
993 GAPTER ROAD
BOULDER
CO
80303
US
|
Family ID: |
34795101 |
Appl. No.: |
10/763675 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/694 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/807 20150501;
Y02W 30/80 20150501; B65D 25/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/694 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a user
in identifying that cup, said cup having an opening that is defined
by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim, said apparatus comprising:
a body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at
least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way
which supports the body on the cup.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment portion defines
at least one rim receiving aperture for capturing an engaged part
of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cup includes a sidewall
extending to said rim, said sidewall including a sidewall
thickness, wherein said enlarged, annular peripheral rim includes a
rim thickness which is greater than the sidewall thickness, and
wherein said attachment portion defines an entrance opening leading
into said rim receiving aperture having an entrance opening width
that is less than the rim thickness of the enlarged, annular
peripheral rim.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attachment portion is
further configured to resiliently deform upon passing the rim
thickness through the entrance opening of the rim receiving
aperture.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attachment portion is
further configured to resiliently deform when said enlarged,
annular peripheral rim is flexed.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attachment portion
includes at least one tab configured to at least partially surround
said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tab is arcuate in
shape.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tab is angular in
shape.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tab includes a distal end
and wherein said attachment portion further includes at least one
protrusion configured to extend at least generally toward said
distal end in a way which cooperates with the distal end to define
said entrance opening.
10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attachment portion is
configured for slidingly engaging said enlarged, annular peripheral
rim without a need for a continuous biasing force on said enlarged,
annular peripheral rim.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enlarged, annular
peripheral rim includes a rim curvature, and wherein said
attachment portion is arcuately configured to at least
approximately conform to said rim curvature.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body further includes an
identification portion that is connected with said attachment
portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said attachment portion and
said identification portion are integrally formed.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said cup includes a sidewall
connected with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and wherein
said identification portion is disposed adjacent to the sidewall
when the attachment portion is in engagement with the enlarged,
annular peripheral rim.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said identification portion
is customizable to aid said user in identifying the cup.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body is formed of
plastic.
17. An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a
user in identifying that cup, said cup having an enlarged, annular
peripheral rim which defines an opening, said apparatus comprising:
a body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at
least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim without
application of a continuous, resilient biasing force to said
enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body
on the cup.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said attachment portion is
configured for slidingly engaging said part of said enlarged,
annular peripheral rim.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said cup includes a sidewall
connected with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and wherein
said body further includes an identification portion that is
connected with said attachment portion, said identification portion
being configured such that said identification portion is disposed
adjacent to said sidewall when the attachment region is in
engagement with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
20. An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a
user in identifying that cup, said cup having a sidewall connected
with an enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening,
said apparatus comprising: an attachment portion configured for
engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim
in a way which supports the body on the cup, said attachment
portion including at least one tab configured to at least partially
surround said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral
rim, and at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with said
tab such that said attachment portion is engaged with said engaged
part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim; and an
identification portion, connected with the attachment portion, such
that the identification portion is positioned adjacent to the
sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
21. A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in
identifying that cup, said cup having an opening that is defined by
an enlarged, annular peripheral rim, said method comprising:
attaching a body to said cup, said body including an attachment
portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged,
annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the
cup.
22. A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in
identifying that cup, said cup having an enlarged, annular
peripheral rim which defines an opening, said method comprising:
attaching a body to said cup, said body including an attachment
portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged,
annular peripheral rim without application of a continuous,
resilient biasing force to said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in
a way which supports the body on the cup.
23. A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in
identifying that cup, said cup having a sidewall connected with an
enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening, said
method comprising: attaching an apparatus to said cup, said
apparatus including an attachment portion configured for engaging
at least a part said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way
which supports the body on the cup, said attachment portion
including at least one tab configured to at least partially
surround said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral
rim, and at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with said
tab such that said attachment portion is engaged with said engaged
part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and an
identification portion, connected with the attachment portion, such
that the identification portion is positioned adjacent to the
sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to drinking vessels
and, more particularly, to an apparatus removably engageable with a
drinking vessel for distinguishing that drinking vessel from other
drinking vessels. The phrases drinking vessel, beverage container
and cup may be used interchangeably and are intended to refer to
any one of a variety of containers such as, but not limited to,
disposable foam, plastic and paper cups.
[0002] A large variety of disposable drinking vessels are readily
available on the market today. The ubiquity, light weight and low
cost of disposable cups make these disposable drinking vessels
ideal for use at venues where drinks are served to a large number
of people such as, for instance, cafeterias, parties and
cook-outs.
[0003] However, disposable beverage containers have a disadvantage
in that a given batch of these beverage containers are virtually
identical so that, especially at large gatherings, it may be
difficult for an individual user to distinguish his or her cup from
that of another user. For example, at a birthday party at which
fruit punch is served to all of the guests in blue plastic cups,
one guest may easily confuse his or her cup with that of another
guest during the course of the party. As a result, each guest may
request a beverage refill in a new container every time he or she
loses track of his or her original cup, thereby leading to excess
waste and as well as extra cost to the event host.
[0004] A number of ways to personalize disposable beverage
containers have been devised in order to prevent the aforementioned
problems. One possibility is to use some type of pen or marker to
make an identifying mark on the beverage container. For instance, a
user may write his or her name on a plastic cup using a pen. This
approach is disadvantageous in that such marks may be rubbed off
during handling of the cup and, if the beverage container is
damaged, the process must be repeated on a new cup.
[0005] In another approach, a clothespin-type clip may be attached
to the rim of the drinking vessel to provide a visual cue for
identifying the cup of a particular user. Such clips may be
ornamented with designs or shapes and, additionally, they may
readily be transferred from one cup to another. Various designs of
these clothespin-type clips are produced, for example, by That Wine
Is Mine.RTM.. However, these clothespin-type clips have a
disadvantage in that they protrude above the rim of the drinking
vessels when attached thereto, thereby possibly tipping these
lightweight containers, particularly when the contents are low or a
user accidentally brushes against the clip.
[0006] Attention is now directed to the figures, in which like
components are indicated by like reference numerals. First
referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a Drink Clip, which is generally
indicated by a reference numeral 10, is basically a folded-over
piece of plastic and is available from Crate and Barrel.RTM. [a
commercial description of this Drink Clip is available, for
example, on the Internet at http://www.crateandbarrel.com/-
itemgroups/19194.sub.--0.asp]. Drink Clip 10 includes a circular
tag 12 and a tab 14 and is designed to slip onto a sidewall 15 of a
beverage container 16. Clip 10 is configured such that circular tag
12 and tab 14 resiliently bias against sidewall 15 so as to capture
sidewall 15 therebetween. That is, Drink Clip 10 attaches to
beverage container 16 by pinching the sidewall of beverage
container 16 between circular tag 12 and tab 14 in a way which
continuously applies resilient biasing forces to the sidewall. The
Crate and Barrel.RTM. Drink Clips, however are disadvantageous for
a number of reasons. Bias forces between circular tag 12 and tab 14
will vary with thickness of sidewall 15. Also, due to the clip's
smooth design and constant pressure being applied to the walls of
the glass, a vibration or impact, like setting the glass on a hard
surface one or multiple times, can make the clip slip up and off
the glass. Furthermore, since many types of cups include an
enlarged, annular peripheral rim, the presence of such a rim on a
cup may interfere with the operation of the Drink Clip. For
example, Drink Clip 10 may break apart if circular tag 12 and tab
14 are sufficiently separated to pass over an enlarged, annular
peripheral rim. Still further, once the Drink Clip is attached, a
section of the clip generally protrudes above the rim of the glass,
making it easier to topple by incidental contact with either a hand
or article of clothing. Similarly, handling or gripping the glass
may cause the fingers of the user to apply pressure to the bottom
of the clip, which may also make the clip slip up and off the
glass. The Drink Clip can also slip off if the glass is dropped.
Additionally, by advertised statements, the Drink Clip is meant to
be used with glass containers only and will likely damage or weaken
the rims of paper, plastic and foam cups by creasing or denting the
rim that is meant to strengthen and stabilize the container. By
limiting the clip to a single shape and having only eight different
colors, parties of nine or more people would have to use multiple
clips to ensure personal identification, thereby increasing the
problems mentioned above and possibly ending up with two or more
identical drinking vessels that support the same color clip.
[0007] The present invention provides an identification clip and
associated method which serves to reduce or eliminate the foregoing
problems in a highly advantageous and heretofore unseen way and
which provides still further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] As will be disclosed in more detail hereinafter, there is
disclosed herein an apparatus for use in association with a cup for
aiding a user in identifying that cup, which cup having an opening
that is defined by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim. In one
aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a body including an
attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body
on the cup.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a
body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at
least a part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim without
application of a continuous, resilient biasing force to the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body
on the cup.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention, the apparatus
includes an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a
part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which
supports the body on the cup. The attachment portion includes at
least one tab configured to at least partially surround the engaged
part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and at least one
protrusion configured to cooperate with the tab such that the
attachment portion is engaged with the engaged part of the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim. The apparatus further includes an
identification portion, connected with the attachment portion, such
that the identification portion is positioned adjacent to the
sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the
enlarged, annular peripheral rim.
[0011] In still another aspect of the invention, a method for use
in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that
cup, which cup having an opening that is defined by an enlarged,
annular peripheral rim, is disclosed. The method includes attaching
a body to the cup, where the body includes an attachment portion
configured for engaging at least a part of the enlarged, annular
peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup.
[0012] In a further aspect of the invention, the method includes
attaching a body to the cup, where the body includes an attachment
portion configured for engaging at least a part of the enlarged,
annular peripheral rim without application of a continuous,
resilient biasing force to the enlarged, annular peripheral rim in
a way which supports the body on the cup.
[0013] In a still further aspect of the invention, the method
includes attaching an apparatus to the cup, where the apparatus
includes an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a
part the enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports
the body on the cup. The attachment portion includes at least one
tab configured to at least partially surround the engaged part of
the enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and at least one protrusion
configured to cooperate with the tab such that the attachment
portion is engaged with the engaged part of the enlarged, annular
peripheral rim. The body further includes an identification
portion, connected with the attachment portion, such that the
identification portion is positioned adjacent to the sidewall when
the attachment portion is in engagement with the enlarged, annular
peripheral rim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention may be understood by reference to the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings briefly described below.
[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrammatic illustrations of a prior
art drink clip.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrammatic illustrations of a drink clip
of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrammatic illustrations of one embodiment
the drink clip of the present invention when attached to a cup.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is
provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the
generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments.
Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent
with the principles and features described herein.
[0019] Turning again to the drawings, attention is now directed to
FIGS. 2A-2D, which illustrate a reusable, identification (ID) clip
100 formed in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 2A-2D
respectively provide front, rear, cross section and top views of
identification clip 100. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, ID
clip 100 is integrally formed of a single piece of plastic and
includes a tag portion 102 and a clip portion (enclosed by a dashed
box 104). Clip portion 104 includes two tabs 106' and 106" and a
protrusion 108 on rear of an upper region of tag portion 102. As is
most readily seen in FIG. 2C, ID clip 100 is generally in the shape
of an inverted "J", where tabs 106' and 106" form the curved
portion of the inverted "J" cooperating with tag portion 102 to
form the elongated, leg portion of the inverted "J". As can be seen
in the top view of FIG. 2D, ID clip 100 can also be arcuate in
shape so as to follow the contour of the beverage container
opening, although this feature is not a requirement of the ID clip
of the present invention. In particular, clip portion 104 may be
configured to at least approximately conform to the curvature of
the cup with which the ID clip is to be engaged.
[0020] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2A-2D, tabs 106' and 106"
cooperate with tag portion 102 to define a pair of apertures 111'
and 111" , respectively. The tabs are designed to exhibit
sufficient strength and stiffness for retaining the original
circular shape of apertures 111' and 111" while being resilient
enough to be able to be manually flexed for fitting onto and pulled
off of the lip (or an enlarged, annular peripheral rim) of a
beverage container. Furthermore, the tabs may be formed of a
flexible enough material to accommodate possible flexing of the
cup. Tabs 106' and 106" are curved to approach tag portion 102 in a
way which defines a gap or mouth 112 defined the tips of tabs 106'
and 106" and tag portion 102 so as to be able to accommodate a lip
of a cup therein, as will be described in detail immediately
hereinafter in reference to FIGS. 3A-3C.
[0021] The positioning of ID clip 100 when engaged with a cup 200
is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
3A-3C, cup 200 includes an enlarged, annular peripheral rim (or
annular lip) 202 connected with a sidewall 204. It is noted that
enlarged, annular peripheral rim 102 may be in various orientations
with respect to sidewall 204. For example, rim 204 may be moved
inward or outward with respect to the sidewall while not affecting
the utility of ID clip 100. ID clip 100 is shaped in a way such
that ID clip 100 follows the general shape of cup 200 when attached
thereto. That is, when in engagement with cup 200, ID clip 100 does
not excessively protrude from the shape of the cup itself such that
ID clip 100 does not significantly interfere with the normal
function of the cup as a drinking vessel or aid in accidentally
tipping or spilling the contents of the cup by inadvertent contact
with, for example, a hand or a piece of clothing. This low-profile
attachment position of ID clip 100 onto cup 200 is considered to be
advantageous.
[0022] The details of the attachment configuration of ID clip 100
onto cup 200 are shown in FIG. 3C, which is an enlarged view within
the dashed circle as shown in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 3C, curved
tab 106' (and, by analogy, tab 106") of ID clip 100 basically
engages at least a portion of lip 202 of cup 200, while protrusion
108 prevents ID clip 100 from being accidentally pulled off of the
lip of the cup. Gap 112 is smaller than a rim thickness (indicated
by a letter "t" in FIG. 3C) but curved tab 106' is formed of a
resilient material with sufficient shape memory such that curved
tab 106' flexes enough to let lip 202 slip through gap 112. Once
curved tab 106' has been hooked over lip 202, curved tab 106'
returns to its original shape such that curved tab 106' and
protrusion 108 cooperate to hold ID clip 100 onto cup 200.
Conversely, ID clip 100 may be readily removed by a user by pulling
on tag portion 102 and forcing curved tab 106' to flex slightly to
slide curved tab 106' and protrusion 108 over lip 202.
[0023] Curved tab 106' and protrusion 108 are disposed so as to
prevent unintentional removal of ID clip 100 from cup 200. In fact,
although a continuous biasing force between curved tab 106' and
protrusion 108 may be applied to resiliently capture cup 200
therebetween, such a biasing force is not required because the
design of the curved tabs and the protrusion may be such that lip
202 is loosely or slidingly captured within apertures 111' and 111"
of the inverted "J" without a need for additional biasing force.
That is, the annular rim of cup 200 can rest in apertures 111' and
111" of ID clip 100 without a need for the application of
continuous biasing forces. The diameter of apertures 111' and 111"
may be (i) less than, (ii) equal to, or (iii) greater than
thickness t of lip 202 and still allow ID clip 100 to be engaged
with cup 200. Tabs 106' and 106" and tag portion 102 may be
configured in any suitable way so long as they cooperate to define
gap 112 and at least one receiving aperture for receiving the rim
of the cup therein in a manner consistent with the teachings set
forth above. For example, a single curved tab, in cooperation with
protrusion 108, may be sufficient to hold ID clip 100 onto cup 200.
Alternatively, protrusion 108 may be eliminated for simplicity of
manufacture if, for example, the curvature of tabs 106' and 106"
and the size of apertures 111' and 111" are adjusted
accordingly.
[0024] It is emphasized that, while the prior art drink clips
discussed in the Background section require continuous biasing
force to hold the drink clips in place on the cup, the ID clip of
the present invention does not require the application of such a
continuous biasing force since the curvature of tabs 106' and 106"
and the size of apertures 111' and 111" as well as the location of
protrusion 108 cooperate to capture lip 202 within apertures 111'
and 111" . Since most disposable beverage containers available
today include some sort of an enlarged, annular peripheral rim for
strength and stability, the design of the ID clip of the present
invention is considered particularly advantageous.
[0025] Although each of the aforedescribed embodiments have been
illustrated with various components having particular respective
orientations, it should be understood that the present invention
may take on a variety of specific configurations with the various
components being located in a wide variety of positions and mutual
orientations and still remain within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Furthermore, suitable equivalents may be used in
place of or in addition to the various components, the function and
use of such substitute or additional components being held to be
familiar to those skilled in the art and are therefore regarded as
falling within the scope of the present invention. For example, the
ID clip of the present invention may be formed or molded out of a
variety of materials such as, but not limited to, metal such as
stainless steel, non-toxic plastic, polypropylene, carbon or
composite thereof as long as the material provides sufficient
resilience and shape memory so as to securely but removably attach
to the drinking vessel. The ID clip of the present invention may be
formed, for example, by injection molding, if made of plastic, or
by stamping, if made of metal. The ID clip may be integrally formed
as a single piece, or, for instance, the clip portion may be formed
separately from tag portion 102 then joined together in an
appropriate way. As another example, although the ID clip of the
present invention is shown to be in the shape of an inverted "J" in
FIGS. 2C and 3C, the ID clip of the present invention may
alternatively be in the shape of a shepherd's crook or question
mark. In particular, the use of a protrusion may be eliminated in
an ID clip in the form of a question mark because the curvature of
the tabs and the position of the tag portion may be configured such
that the tag portion prevents the ID clip from being easily slipped
off of the lip of the cup. Alternatively, tabs 106' and 106" may be
boxy in shape (i.e., having planar sections) rather than being
curved (i.e., rounded) in shape. As yet another alternative, the
protrusion may have a shape other than the circular shape shown in
the figures of the present application. Furthermore, the ID clip of
the present invention may be manufactured in bulk with low cost
materials so as to be disposable after use or with more durable
materials such that the ID clips can be washed and reused. As
another example, the tag portion of the ID clip of the present
invention may be formed in one of a variety of shapes and colors
and designs. For instance, the tag portion may be imprinted with a
company logo and/or an event name for advertising and promotional
purposes. In fact, the tag portion may be of various colors
resulting from a variety of treatments including, but not limited
to, molded-in color(s), paints, decals, stickers or markers. The
tag portion may also be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes
while being unobtrusive enough to not interfere with the normal
function of the cup as a drinking vessel.
[0026] Therefore, the present examples are to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References