U.S. patent application number 11/294630 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for drinking cup.
Invention is credited to Ricky R. Lambert, Bryan D. Mansfield.
Application Number | 20060169699 11/294630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35730975 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060169699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mansfield; Bryan D. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2006 |
Drinking cup
Abstract
The invention provides a shot glass or similar cup for drinking
have an outside wall that tapers downwardly outward. The design
allows for nesting of cups and thermal insulation of the fluid
containing chamber. For aesthetic purposes, construction is with
transparent plastic and an array of rings protruding into the inner
chamber enhances the appearance of liquids poured therein.
Inventors: |
Mansfield; Bryan D.; (Myakka
City, FL) ; Lambert; Ricky R.; (Sarasota,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK DOUMA ESQ.
1001 MANNING STREET
GREAT FALLS
VA
22066
US
|
Family ID: |
35730975 |
Appl. No.: |
11/294630 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11255572 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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11294630 |
Dec 5, 2005 |
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29241046 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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11294630 |
Dec 5, 2005 |
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29241047 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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11255572 |
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60633359 |
Dec 3, 2004 |
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60634953 |
Dec 10, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/506 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20130101;
A47G 23/0208 20130101; A47G 19/2205 20130101; A47G 2019/122
20130101; B65D 1/265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/506 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/36 20060101
B65D001/36 |
Claims
1. A cup for drinking comprising: a) a chamber having a bottom
connected to a chamber side wall extending upwardly from said
bottom and terminating in an upper rim that forms the periphery of
a generally open top; and b) a separate supporting side wall
extending downwardly from said upper rim having an outward taper
and extending at least to the level of said chamber bottom and
terminating in a support rim that supports said cup.
2. The cup of claim 1 wherein said support rim is disposed at least
about 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) below said chamber bottom.
3. The cup of claim 1 further comprising an array of projections
disposed along said chamber wall and projecting into said
chamber.
4. The cup of claim 3 wherein said projections have cross sections
that are chordal segments of a circle whereby an optical illusion
of enlargement is created.
5. The cup of claim 4 wherein said chordal segment segments project
into said chamber by an amount in the range of 0.002-0.007 in.
(0.05-0.2 mm).
6. The cup of claim 5 wherein said projected amount is about 0.007
in (0.2 mm) whereby the optical illusion is enhanced.
7. The cup of claim 1 wherein said cup has an inner outline and an
outer outline and the two outlines geometrically match so that two
or more cups can be nested in a stack.
8. The cup of claim 7 further comprising nesting stops disposed
between said chamber wall and said supporting wall so that 100%
nesting is prevented, but at least 75% is allowed.
9. The cup of claim 1 wherein said support side wall has slope of
about 7.degree. so that pouring fluids into said chamber without
tipping said cup is facilitated.
10. The cup of claim 1 wherein the liquid volume of said chamber is
in the range of about 1 oz. (30 ml) to 1.5 oz. (45 ml).
11. A cup for drinking comprising a chamber having a bottom
connected to a chamber side wall extending upwardly from said
bottom and terminating in an upper rim that forms the periphery of
a generally open top, said side wall having an outer side that
extends downwardly with an outward taper, further comprising an
array of projections disposed along said chamber wall and
projecting into said chamber.
12. The cup of claim 11 wherein said projections have cross
sections that are chordal segments of a circle whereby an optical
illusion of enlargement is created.
13. The cup of claim 12 wherein said chordal segment segments
project into said chamber by an amount in the range of 0.002-0.007
in. (0.05 mm-0.2 mm).
14. The cup of claim 13 wherein said projected amount is about
0.007 in. (0.2 mm) whereby the optical illusion is enhanced.
15. The cup of claim 1 wherein said support side wall has slope of
about 7.degree. so that pouring fluids into said chamber without
tipping said cup is facilitated.
16. A system for serving drinks comprising: a tray having a bottom
and a top, said top having a plurality of bosses having a lateral
outline distributed thereon; a plurality of cups, each having at
least one chamber for holding fluids and a bottom, said bottom
having an upwardly extending space sized to match the lateral
outline of said bosses.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said cups comprise: a) a chamber
having a bottom connected to a chamber side wall extending upwardly
from said bottom and terminating in an upper rim that forms the
periphery of a generally open top; and b) a separate supporting
side wall extending downwardly from said upper rim having an
outward taper and extending beyond the level of said chamber bottom
and terminating in a support rim that supports said cup.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein said cups further comprise an
array of projections disposed along said chamber wall and
projecting into said chamber.
19. The system of claim 16 wherein said cups comprise plural
chambered drinking cups comprising: a) an outer chamber having an
annular bottom with an outer edge and an inner edge, said outer
edge terminating in an upwardly extending outer side wall sloping
substantially continuously outwardly, said outer wall terminating
in an uppermost outer chamber rim that forms the periphery of an
open top; b) an inner chamber disposed entirely within and
substantially concentric with said outer chamber and having a
circular bottom with an outer edge terminating in an upwardly
extending side wall sloping substantially continuously outwardly,
said inner chamber wall terminating in an uppermost inner chamber
rim that forms the periphery of an open top; and c) an outer
chamber inner side wall extending upwardly from said outer chamber
bottom inner edge sloping substantially continuously inwardly, said
inner side wall terminating at said inner chamber rim and defining
an inter chamber nesting space between it and said inner chamber
wall wherein said inner chamber wall and rim and outer chamber
inner side wall of a substantially identical cup can substantially
nest within said inter chamber nesting space.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said inner chamber rim is
disposed below said outer chamber rim by at least about 5/16 in.
(0.8 cm).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/633,359, filed on Dec. 3, 2004; U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/634,953, filed on Dec. 10, 2004; U.S.
non-provisional application No. 11/255,572, filed on Oct. 21, 2005;
and U.S. design application Nos. 29/241,046 and 29/241,047, both
filed on Oct. 21, 2005, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to drinking vessels.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For serving alcoholic beverages, a drinking vessel, commonly
know as a shot glass, has been known for some time. These contain a
fluid volume that can range from about 7/8 oz. (26 ml) to 1.75 oz
(52 ml), with the middle of the range being more common. Typically,
these are made of glass of thicknesses ranging from about 1/16 in.
(1.5 mm) to as much as 1/4 in (6 mm) and the thickness may be
variable. The overall height ranges form about 2-3 in. (51-76 mm)
with an average diameter ranging from about 1.5-2 in. (38-51 mm).
To aid being picked up and held in a hand, the outside walls
usually taper upwardly outward. To prevent tipping, some shot
glasses are provided with a lower base that is massive compared to
the glass and contents. The weight of glass shot glasses ranges
from about 2-4 oz. (55-110 g).
SUMMARY
[0004] Disclosed, is drinking cup that may be used as an improved
shot glass with a chamber having a bottom connected to a chamber
side wall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating in an
upper rim that forms the periphery of a generally open top and
having a separate supporting side wall extending downwardly from
the upper rim with an outward taper and extending at least to the
level of the chamber bottom and terminating in a support rim that
supports the cup. In a preferred embodiment, the support side wall
has slope of about 7 degrees so that pouring fluids into the
chamber without tipping the cup is facilitated.
[0005] In one embodiment, the support rim is disposed at least
about 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) below the chamber bottom so that the chamber
is thermally insulated from a table.
[0006] In another embodiment, there is an array of projections
disposed along the chamber wall and projecting into the chamber.
These projections preferably have cross sections that are chordal
segments of a circle whereby an optical illusion of enlargement is
created. Preferably the chordal segments project into the chamber
by an amount in the range of 0.002-0.007 in. (0.05-0.2 mm) and,
still more preferably, the projected amount is about 0.007 in (0.2
mm) whereby the optical illusion is enhanced.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the cup has an inner outline and
outer outline matched geometrically match so that two or more cups
can be nested in a stack. Preferably, there are nesting stops
disposed between the chamber wall and the supporting wall so that
100% nesting is prevented but at least 60% is allowed.
[0008] Although not a limitation on the invention, typically, the
liquid volume of the chamber is in the range of about 1 oz. (30 ml)
to 1.5 oz. (45 ml) for use as a shot glass.
[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the chamber has a bottom
connected to a chamber side wall extending upwardly from the bottom
and terminating in an upper rim that forms the periphery of a
generally open top. In this one, there is no separate supporting
side wall, but the chamber side wall has an outer side that extends
downwardly with an outward taper.
[0010] This last embodiment can be produced with all the variations
of the separate supporting wall embodiment except for nesting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
invention will become better understood after inspection of the
following description, claims, and appended drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates a top plan view of a reverse taper
drinking cup;
[0013] FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-section of the cup shown in FIG.
1A;
[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom plan view of the cup shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 1D illustrates a side elevation view of the cup shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0016] FIG. 1E illustrates an enlarged portion of the cross section
shown in FIG. 1B;
[0017] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross section of another embodiment of
the invention without the space and inter-wall cavity shown in FIG.
1B;
[0018] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section of still another
embodiment of the invention without the surface effects shown in
FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 2C illustrates a cross section of another variation
which is the embodiment in FIG. 2B with the addition of a
space;
[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates a top plan view of a serving tray for
one or more of the drinking cups illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 2C;
and
[0021] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-section of the serving tray
illustrated in FIG. 3A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 1A shows a top plan view of the invented drinking
cup having a chamber 12 with a side wall 18 leading to a top rim 22
that connects to wall 24. (Herein, "top" and "bottom" refer to the
usual gravity determined orientations that apply when drinking cups
are used.)
[0023] FIG. 1B shows a cross section of the cup 11 having the
chamber 12 with bottom 14 connected to the side wall 18 on which
are surface effects 20 (discussed further below) leading up to the
top rim 22. This is in turn supported by support wall 24 that
terminates in a bottom rim 26. Normally, unless picked up, the cup
rests on bottom rim 26. (The dimple 16 in the center of bottom 14
is a typical injection point when injection molding is used to make
the part.) Below chamber 12 is an elevation space 28 and to the
side is an inter-wall cavity 30.
[0024] Preferably, the outline of the outside of the cup 11
substantially matches the outline of the inside of the cup
surrounding elevation space 28 and inter-cavity chamber 30. This
makes it possible to nest cups and save on storage space. However,
if there is an exact match, separating cups can be difficult due to
an attraction between cups. The rib 32 extending below rim 22
between walls 18 and 24 in the notch 30 prevents the apex of the
rim 22 from being inserted all the way into the notch 30 of another
cup. Preferably, there should be at least three ribs equally spaced
around the circumference of the notch 32 as illustrated in the
bottom view in FIG. 1C.
[0025] FIG. 1D shows a side elevation view with the top rim 22 and
a bottom rim 26. The knurled band 34 is not essential, but provides
a finger gripping surface.
[0026] It is well know that, for consumer items, injection molded
plastic parts can be made with lesser production costs than many
other methods. Typically, a cavity inside a mold having two dies is
injected with hot plastic that is allowed to cool and the two dies
are pulled apart to let the plastic part fall out. This is not
possible for all designs. As is very well known, the dies must
define a plane (or planes) through the part that, when viewing the
part perpendicularly away from the plane in both directions, no
overhanging structure is encountered. The perimeter of such a plane
is defined as a parting line. When a cross section of the part is
viewed edge-on to the parting line, it forms a single straight line
from one extreme edge of the cross-section to the other with no
overhangs or undercuts perpendicular to the parting line on either
side of it. For any given cross section, CAD/CAM software is
available to determine a parting line, if one exists. Thus, a
parting line is a geometric construct that limits the design of the
part.
[0027] Without the surface effects 20, the cup illustrated in FIG.
1B has a parting line that runs across the bottom, tangent to the
rim 26. This makes it possible to use injection molded plastic
construction.
[0028] As is well known by injection molders, to separate the part
from the dies, the angle that walls make with respect to the
parting line, called draft angles, are preferably at least
0.5.degree., more preferably 3.degree.. (FIG. 1B illustrates draft
angles of about 7.degree..) At the same time, it is highly
desirable that, when the two dies are separated, the part is pulled
out of the "A" side of the die with the "B" side of the die and
then ejected from the B side. The almost universal solution is to
provide a small inconspicuous projection, know as a puller, into
the B die that provides a slight undercut of about 0.002-0.003 in.
(0.05-0.075 mm). Even with the undercut, a thin walled plastic part
will deform enough to be ejected from the B die. For this
particular design, for some reason, one ring in the volume 12 was
found to be not quite enough. It was estimated that two or three
rings would be. However, it was decided that it might look
interesting to have a continuous complete array 20 of projections
cover the entire inside wall to produce a distinctive washboard
appearance.
[0029] FIG. 1E is a 10X cross-sectional enlargement of the circled
portion of FIG. 1B. On the wall 18, there is an array of
projections 21 spaced apart by flat portions of the wall 19. The
need to eject the part from the B die places a limit on how far the
projections 21 can extend from the flat portion 19. The larger the
draft angle or slope of the wall 18, the greater this can be.
[0030] A working example was constructed from injection molded
polystyrene. This had a liquid volume of about 1.25 oz. (37 ml).
The overall diameter across the top rim 22 was about 1.8 in. (46
mm) and across the bottom rim 26 was about 2.2 in. (56 mm). The
rim-to-rim height was about 1.75 in. (44 mm). The overall diameter
of the inner chamber was about 1.5 in. (38 mm). It should be
straightforward to obtain any desired volume by varying the
dimensions.
[0031] In this example, the projections of array 21 were chordal
segments of a circle with base of 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) and a
projection into chamber 12 of 0.007 in. (0.2 mm). These were spaced
on 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) centers so that flat portions of the wall 19
between projections were also 1/32 in. (0.8 mm). The slope of walls
18 and 24 were both about 7.degree.. This reduced the undercut due
to the projections to about 0.002 in. (0.05 mm). Fortunately, even
with the large number of undercutting rings, the part could still
be ejected from the B die.
[0032] In this working example, the thickness of bottom 14 and
walls 18 and 24 were all about 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) thickness. The
weight of the part was only about 0.7 oz. (20 g).
[0033] Informal tests were run by pouring various fluids into the
shot glass. In spite of the light weight, it was very stable and
did not tip in response to fluid momentum. Also, surprisingly, when
filled with fluid, the chamber 12 looked larger than expected. Most
likely, this is due to the array 20 having some sort of optical
properties.
[0034] The invention has various other advantages over what is
currently available. An example of a non-obvious one is the
following. The air space 28 below the chamber 12 acts as a good
thermal insulator against the environment. Combined with the thin
walls, the fluid in chamber 12 can be kept at a more constant
temperature.
[0035] Although the inventors prefer injection molding,
consideration should be given to thermoforming as a construction
method. It is believed that this would produce a less expensive,
but less durable and less attractive cup. When made from injection
molded plastic, two materials can be considered. So-called crystal
polystyrene is inexpensive and easy to work, but not as durable as
polycarbonate. This art is fairly well developed and making the cup
should present no difficulty to anyone with ordinary skill in
it.
[0036] The shot glass could be made from glass, but the thickness
of walls 18 and 24 would usually be more than that shown or
indicated and the weight of the cup greater. One of the advantages
of the invention is that it is stable, in spite of its light
weight. The cup could be made from a variety of materials as this
is not critical in some applications.
[0037] Although not essential, the substantially matching inner and
outer outlines mean that cups can be stacked. This reduces storage
space requirements. The function of the ribs 36 to space apart
nested cups can be provided with protrusions in a variety of places
on the cup.
[0038] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross section of another embodiment
11A of the invention without the space and inter-wall cavity shown
in FIG. 1B. In this case, the base 44 and walls 46 are solid and
this design cannot be nested. However, the wall 46 retains the
non-traditional downward outward taper of the previous embodiments.
Since this design is heavier, it might be advantageous to use the
knurled ring 34 that was illustrated in FIG. 1D. One potential
problem is that he projections of the array 20 may have to be
reduced because the walls are thicker and less flexible.
[0039] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section of still another
embodiment 11B of the invention without the array 20 shown in FIG.
2A.
[0040] FIG. 2C illustrates a cross section of another variation 11C
which is the embodiment in FIG. 2B with the addition of a space 48
in the bottom base 44. The use of this particular space is
discussed next.
[0041] Another major advantage of some of the embodiments has to do
with the difficulty that serving persons have in carrying drinks to
patrons in crowded bars. When trays are used, as is often the case,
there is always a chance of tipping the serving containers off the
tray and losing the drink or worse, drenching a patron. FIGS. 3A
& 3B illustrate a solution to this problem that may be unique
to this shot cup design. As show in FIG. 3A, a tray 50 is provided
that can securely transport one or more cups 11. In the figure,
there is one cup in the center and six disposed on a circle 52, but
the layout is not critical. FIG. 3B shows a cross-section with
bosses 54 and 58 disposed around the base of the tray 50. As can be
seen, the bosses are shaped to match the inside space 28 of cup 11
or space 48 of cup 11C. Higher bosses could be used, if
necessary.
[0042] Having described the best modes of the invention, several
variations can be mentioned. First, the slope of the walls need not
be 7.degree.. When made with injection molded plastic, draft angles
as small as 0.5.degree., can theoretically be used. However, a
small draft angle would produce a more vertical taper that may not
be as stable and would reduce the amount that projections could
extend form the inside walls. A nested design may be difficult. On
the other hand, slopes much larger than 7.degree. could be clumsy
to hold in a hand.
[0043] Second, the cup need not be circular. For example, ovals or
polygons could be used. The walls need not be a single segment, but
could be stepped as long as undercuts were not too large for
molding. Of course, metals cups made on a lathe would have a
different set of constraints.
[0044] Third, with respect to nesting, the cups illustrated herein
nest up to about 60%, i.e., 40% of a one cup protrudes from the cup
below.
[0045] Lastly, although the working example only had a fluid volume
of 1.25 oz., the same principles could be applied to larger cups of
several ounces or more.
[0046] Having described various embodiments, those skilled in the
art will be able to produce equivalents that are within the scope
of this invention which is limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *