U.S. patent application number 10/923423 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for rotating ring graphics.
Invention is credited to Dennis L. Davis, Bryan R. Ogle, Chungkin Yee.
Application Number | 20060040581 10/923423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35910214 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060040581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Dennis L. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2006 |
Rotating ring graphics
Abstract
A beverage container having a reconfigurable graphics display
comprising: (a) a container adapted to receive a beverage for
consumption, the container including at least one incomplete image
visible from an exterior thereof; and, (b)a first ring mounted to
and rotatable about the container, the first ring including at
least one graphic associated therewith and adapted to provide a
complete image upon rotational alignment of the at least one
graphic with the at least one incomplete image.
Inventors: |
Davis; Dennis L.;
(Springfield, OH) ; Yee; Chungkin; (Beavercreek,
OH) ; Ogle; Bryan R.; (Miamisburg, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT, STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
SUITE 1800
425 WALNUT STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202-3957
US
|
Family ID: |
35910214 |
Appl. No.: |
10/923423 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/0815 20130101;
A63F 9/001 20130101; A63F 9/0811 20130101; A63F 2009/0013 20130101;
A47G 19/2227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/071 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. A beverage container having a reconfigurable graphics display
comprising: a container adapted to receive a beverage for
consumption, the container including at least one incomplete image
visible from an exterior thereof; and a first ring mounted to and
rotatable about the container, the first ring including at least
one graphic associated therewith and adapted to provide a complete
image upon rotational alignment of the at least one graphic with
the at least one incomplete image.
2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein: the container
includes a plurality of incomplete images visible from the exterior
thereof; and the first ring includes a plurality of graphics.
3. The beverage container of claim 2, wherein: at least two of the
plurality of incomplete images include at least one portion of an
animated character; and at least two of the plurality of graphics
include at least one corresponding graphic of the animated
character adapted to be aligned with at least one portion of the
animated character to provide a coherent picture of the animated
character.
4. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein: a first incomplete
image of the at least two incomplete images includes a portion of a
first animated character; a second incomplete image of the at least
two incomplete images includes a portion of a second animated
character; a first graphic of the at least two graphics includes a
corresponding graphic of the first animated character; a second
graphic of the at least two graphics includes a corresponding
graphic of the second animated character; the portion of the first
incomplete image is adapted to be aligned with the corresponding
graphic of the first graphic to provide a coherent picture of the
first animated character; and the portion of the second incomplete
image is adapted to be aligned with the corresponding graphic of
the second graphic to provide a coherent picture of the second
animated character.
5. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the incomplete image
of the container is positioned at least one of wholly above the
first ring, wholly below the first ring, and divided by the first
ring.
6. A reconfigurable graphics display for a container comprising: a
first ring coupled to and rotatable about a container, the first
ring having at least one graphic displayed thereon; and a second
ring coupled to and rotatable about the container, the second ring
having at least one graphic displayed thereon; wherein the at least
one graphic of the first ring is repositionable with respect to the
at least one graphic of the second ring to create a different
display by rotating the first ring with respect to the second
ring.
7. The reconfigurable graphics display of claim 6, wherein: the
first ring is at least partially received within a first trench at
least partially circumscribing the container; and the second ring
is at least partially received within a second trench at least
partially circumscribing the container.
8. The reconfigurable graphics display of claim 6, wherein: the
first ring includes a plurality of graphics displayed thereon; and
the second ring includes a plurality of graphics displayed
thereon.
9. The reconfigurable graphics display of claim 8, wherein: the
plurality of graphics of the first ring include at least one
portion of an animated character; and the plurality of graphics of
the second ring include at least one corresponding portion of the
animated character adapted to be aligned with the at least one
portion of the animated character to provide a coherent picture of
the animated character.
10. The reconfigurable graphics display of claim 9, wherein: at
least two of the plurality of graphics of the first ring include at
least one portion of a different animated character; and at least
two of the plurality of graphics of the second ring include at
least one corresponding portion of each different animated
character adapted to be aligned with the portion of the different
animated character to provide a coherent picture of the different
animated character and collectively to provide at least two
coherent pictures of different animated characters.
11. The reconfigurable graphics display of claim 10, wherein: the
first ring is separated from the second ring by a panel of the
container, the panel of the container having a plurality of
representations corresponding to the graphics of the first ring and
the second ring, where the first ring and the second ring are
rotatable in relation to the panel and are adapted to provide the
at least two coherent pictures of the different animated characters
upon alignment of the graphics and representations.
12. A beverage container having a rotating graphics display adapted
to be manipulated by children to rearrange elements of one or more
images viewable from the exterior of the beverage container
comprising: a container including a first panel exhibiting visible
graphics; a first rotating member coupled to and rotatable with
respect to the container, the first rotating member having a first
set of graphics associated therewith; and a second rotating member
coupled to and rotatable with respect to the container, the second
rotating member having a second set of graphics associated
therewith; wherein the first rotating member and the second
rotating member are repositionable with respect to each other to
align the first set of graphics with the second set of graphics and
concurrently align the first set of graphics and the second set of
graphics with the visible graphics of the container to provide a
coherent picture.
13. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein the first panel at
least partially separates the first rotating member from the second
rotating member.
14. The beverage container of claim 13, wherein: the first panel is
integrally formed into the container; the first rotating member is
adapted to travel at least partially within a first channel within
the exterior of the container; and the second rotating member is
adapted to travel at least partially within a second channel within
the exterior of the container.
15. The beverage container of claim 14, wherein: the first channel
is at least substantially parallel to the second channel; the first
panel is bounded at least in part by the first channel and the
second channel; the first rotating member includes a first ring
structure having at least two circumferential rails adapted to
slide against the first channel to rotate the first rotating member
with respect to the container; and the second rotating member
includes a second ring structure having at least two
circumferential rails adapted to slide against the second channel
to rotate the second rotating member with respect to the
container.
16. The beverage container of claim 15, wherein: the first ring
structure includes at least three circumferential guides positioned
along an internal circumferential surface adapted to face the first
channel; and the second ring structure includes at least three
circumferential guides positioned along an internal circumferential
surface adapted to face the second channel.
17. The beverage container of claim 16, wherein: the at least three
circumferential guides of the first ring structure float within the
first channel during rotation of the first rotating member; and the
at least three circumferential guides of the second ring structure
float within the second channel during rotation of the second
rotating member.
18. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein the first panel is
rotatable about the container.
19. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein at least two of the
visible graphics, the first set of graphics, and the second set of
graphics include elements of an animated character.
20. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein the visible
graphics, the first set of graphics, and the second set of graphics
each include an element of an animated character.
21. The beverage container of claim 12, wherein the visible
graphics, the first set of graphics, and the second set of graphics
each include elements of animated characters.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to reconfigurable graphics
associated with a beverage dispenser, and more specifically to
rotating ring graphics for a beverage dispenser that may be
selectively manipulated to change the appearance of the beverage
dispenser.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Manipulation of graphics is well known in the art and has
been the focus of such toys as Rubik's cube and other games where
graphics plays a role in aligning random configurations. More
specifically, typical screen savers displayed on computer monitors
provide insight into the attention drawn to changing graphics and
images. However, such manipulation of graphics has not generally
been frequently adapted for functional items such as beverage
dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to reconfigurable graphics
associated with a beverage dispenser, and more specifically to
rotating ring graphics for a beverage dispenser that may be
selectively manipulated to change the appearance of the beverage
dispenser. The rotating ring graphics are adapted to be
reconfigurable to provide a multitude of different images available
from the multitudes of different positions possible. As will be
discussed in more detail below, the rotating ring graphics are
discussed with respect to an exemplary embodiment for use in a
child's sippy cup.
[0006] The rotating ring graphics of the present invention comprise
at least one resilient ring that is repositionable about a beverage
dispenser to provide a multitude of images. The ring and the
dispenser may include graphics that are adapted to correspond with
each other to relay a particular message or design, only to be
reconfigurable to display another message or design. For example,
the dispenser may include the heads and below waist features of
various animated characters, with the rotating ring including the
chest features of such animated characters. The child may then
rotate the ring to make silly new animated characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment
incorporating rotating ring graphics in accordance with the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an overhead view of an exemplary rotating ring in
accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment
taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
4 with the rotating rings in different positions than in FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
described and illustrated below to encompass systems and methods
for manipulating images or graphics associated with a beverage
dispenser. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art that the preferred embodiment discussed below is
exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from
the scope of the present invention. However, for clarity and
precision, the exemplary embodiment includes one or more optional
features that one of ordinary skill may recognize as not being a
requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0013] Referencing FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary sippy cup 10 in
accordance with the present invention includes a lid 12 having a
spout 14 from which a child may withdrawal liquid therefrom. The
lid 12 is coupled to a container 16 utilizing techniques known to
those of ordinary skill to fluidically seal the liquid therein,
such as, without limitation, threaded seals.
[0014] The overall shape of the container 16 is one resembling an
hourglass to facilitate grasping by a child. A taper 18 from the
top of the container 16 flows gradually inward to decrease the
internal diameter of the container 16 until reaching the trough 20,
and thereafter the internal diameter of the container 16 increases
until reaching the crest 22. The outer circumference of the
container 16 slopes inward until reaching a circumferential base
24. Two circumferential channels 26, 28 are formed into the
exterior of the container 16 and are likewise apparent on the
inside of the container as inward protruding circumferential mounds
mirroring the topography of the channels 26, 28.
[0015] Referencing FIGS. 1-3, the circumferential channels 26, 28
are adapted to be occupied by rotating rings 30, 32, respectively.
The rotating rings 30, 32 float within the channels 26, 28 to
enable continuous rotation (360 degrees) about the container 16.
Each ring 30, 32 includes a top flange 34 and a bottom flange 36
that ride within circumferential grooves 38 within the channels 26,
28. A plurality of alignment posts 40 are circumferentially
distributed about the interior circumferential surface 42 of each
ring 30, 32. The alignment posts facilitate vertical and horizontal
alignment of the rings 30, 32 within the channels 26, 28. An outer
nipple 44 of each alignment post 40 is adapted to be received
within a furrow 46 in the middle of each channel 26, 28. However,
it is not required that all or some of the alignment post nipples
44 be in contact with the furrow 46 at any given point along the
channel 26, 28.
[0016] Referencing FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 16 may include one
or more fixed graphics 48 that may or may not correspond directly
to one or more rotatable images 50 attributable to the rotating
rings 30, 32. By way of example, and not of limitation, the fixed
graphics 48 may include portions of a series of animated characters
distributed about the container 16. It is preferred that such fixed
graphics 48 be spaced and aligned to account for rotation of one or
more of the rings 30, 32, such that if one of the fixed graphics 48
is aligned with one of the rotatable images 50, the remainder of
the fixed graphics 48 will likewise be aligned with corresponding
rotatable images 50. However, it is not required that such
alignment be perfect or precise.
[0017] Above the first ring 30, a series of animated character
heads (optionally including head gear) may be circumferentially
distributed about the container 16 to comprise portions of the
fixed graphics 48. The first ring 30 itself may include rotatable
images 50 comprising segments of animated character torsos having
arms or other upper appendages, optionally shown grasping
something, such as, without limitation, a flag, a star, a rainbow,
etc. The middle section 52 interposing the first ring 30 and second
ring 32 may include portions of the fixed graphics 48
circumferentially distributed about the container 16 such as,
without limitation, the remainder of the animated character torsos.
The second ring 32 may include rotatable images 50 such as, without
limitation, legs of animated characters shown wearing different
pants, such as blue jeans, shorts, baggy pants, etc. Finally, below
the second ring 32, portions of the fixed graphics 48 may be
circumferentially distributed about the container 16 to include,
such as, without limitation, animated character shoes or feet, such
as, without limitation, roller skates, ice skates, sandals, tennis
shoes, army boots, etc.
[0018] It is also within the scope of the present invention to
provide a single rotating ring or more than two rotating rings
mounted to and rotatable about a beverage dispenser. Likewise, it
is also within the scope of the present invention to provide
channels in which the rotating rings float that are not
horizontally aligned. It is further within the scope of the present
invention to provide channels not parallel to one another that
enable rotation of the rings seated therein about the container. It
is still further within the scope of the present invention to
provide channels that are adjacent to one another, thereby
positioning the rotating rings adjacent to one another, where the
rotating rings interlock and slide against one another. It is even
further within the scope of the present invention to provide
graphics that do not include animated characters and instead
include scenery that may be manipulated to provide, such as,
without limitation, a different horizon, a different sky condition,
etc. It is likewise within the scope of the present invention to
provide rotating rings that rotate about the container and rotate
about each other, where one or more rings include transparent
portions that enable the build-up of images or graphics along a
single rotational course, such as without limitation, a first ring
that provides a background color, as second ring overriding the
first ring that provides outlines of images, and a third ring
overriding the second ring that provides specific details to
incorporate into the outlined images.
[0019] Following from the above description and invention
summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that, while the apparatus described herein constitutes an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention
contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and
changes may be made to such embodiment without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it
is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and
it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the
exemplary embodiment set forth herein are to be incorporated into
the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or
element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that
it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages
or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall
within the scope of any one of the claims, since the invention is
defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen
advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may
not have been explicitly discussed herein.
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