Canteen cup cover

Abstract

The apparatus of the present invention implements a cover that can be deployed in conjunction with the standard military issue canteen and cup. The canteen cup cover is most preferably manufactured from a durable and flexible food-grade material. The cross-section of the cover features a ridge and groove arrangement that has been specifically configured to receive the edge of the canteen cup, which typically defines approximately a 45.degree. angle with the body portion of the canteen cup. The cover may be selectively attached to and removed from the canteen cup, thereby providing enhanced functionality for the canteen cup.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the use of portable water storage devices and more particularly to an apparatus used in conjunction with a standard canteen.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] The use of portable water storage containers such as the flask and the canteen is well known, with many varieties being made available for use all over the world. One of the most well known versions is the standard military issue canteen employed by the military forces of the United States of America and other countries as well. The standard design of this canteen has not changed for decades and is well known to all those who have served in the various branches of the military. The canteen is used to store and transport water or other beverages so that the user of the canteen will have ready access to liquids on an as-needed or as-desired basis.

[0005] In one of the most commonly known embodiments of the standard military issue canteen, both the canteen and the cup have a substantially rounded kidney-shaped or reniform cross section, thereby adapting the canteen for deployment in conjunction with a belt to be worn on the hip. In this most basic form, the canteen is typically fitted with a screw on lid and the canteen is removably placed into the form-fitting cup portion that can be used to contain liquid poured from the canteen, thereby providing liquid for consumption. The reniform cross section provides a canteen may be worn against the waist/hip of a human and thereby provides for a canteen that can be comfortably carried on the hip in close proximity to the body.

[0006] While the basic design of the standard military issue canteen has been broadly accepted over the years, the presently known military canteen is not without certain drawbacks. This situation is evidenced by the large number of accessory objects that have been developed for use with the standard military issue canteen. For example, cups with foldable and/or retractable handles have been implemented. Various types of canteen covers, including insulated covers to keep the contents of the canteen hot or cold, have also been developed and implemented with some degree of success. In addition, various types of heating elements, drink-through-the-cap straws, etc. have also been adopted in a wide variety of applications.

[0007] While these various adaptations for improving the functionality of the canteen have shown various levels of adoption, some shortcomings remain. For example, once a liquid is poured into the canteen cup, there is no way to cover the liquid contained in the cup. This can be a problem in those instances where a campfire is present or where dust and debris are airborne, allowing for possible contamination of the liquid contained in the cup. Additionally, the use of the cup to contain liquid poured from the canteen also leaves the liquid subject to "sloshing" out of the cup, thereby reducing the amount of liquid available for consumption.

[0008] Accordingly, without some additional improvements in the state-of-the-art for standard canteens, including the well-known military issue canteen, access to and consumption of liquid from the canteen will continue to be sub-optimal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The apparatus of the present invention implements a cover that can be deployed in conjunction with the standard military issue canteen and cup. The canteen cup cover is most preferably manufactured from a durable and flexible food-grade material. The cross-section of the cover features a ridge and groove arrangement that has been specifically configured to receive the edge of the canteen cup, which typically forms approximately a 45.degree. angle with the body portion of the canteen cup. The cover may be selectively attached to and removed from the canteen cup, thereby providing enhanced functionality for the canteen cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended wherein like designations denote like elements and:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a prior art canteen and cup combination; and

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sidewall of a canteen cup; and

[0018] FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a canteen cup cover in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention engaging the sidewall of the canteen cup of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The apparatus of the present invention implements a cover that can be deployed in conjunction with the standard military issue canteen and cup. The canteen cup cover is most preferably manufactured from a durable and flexible food-grade material. The cross-section of the cover features a ridge and groove arrangement that has been specifically configured to receive the edge of the canteen cup, which typically defines approximately a 45.degree. angle with the body portion of the canteen cup. The cover may be selectively attached to and removed from the canteen cup, thereby providing enhanced functionality for the canteen cup.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, a standard military issue canteen 110 and cup 120 are shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body of canteen 110 is formed so as to be removably inserted into cup 120 whenever cup 120 is not in use. This allows cup 120 to be easily carried with canteen 110 and provides a certain ease of use when storing the combination of canteen 110 and cup 120. The combination of canteen 110 and canteen cup 120 are typically carried in a belt container that is worn around the hips of the user.

[0021] Lid 130 is typically a screw-type lid that can be removed to provide access to the interior of canteen 110. In normal usage, lid 130 is removed from canteen 110 and a liquid is poured into canteen 110. Then, lid 130 is replaced, thereby securing the contents of canteen 110. Whenever the user wants to dispense liquid from canteen 110, lid 130 is removed and the liquid contained within canteen 110 can be consumed directly from canteen 110 or poured into canteen cup 120 and then consumed from canteen cup 120. In either case, lid 130 will then be placed back into position on canteen 110.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will recognize that canteen cup 120 typically has a flared "lip" around the rim that protrudes outwardly from the body of canteen cup 120 at approximately a 45.degree. angle. This lip serves several purposes. First, the outward protrusion of the lip provides an opening that is tapered and slightly larger at the top than at the bottom of canteen cup 120. This allows canteen 110 to be easily inserted into the open mouth portion of canteen cup 120. As canteen 110 is inserted into canteen cup 120 by exerting a downward pressure, the slightly narrowing body of canteen cup 120 will frictionally contact the surface of canteen 110, thereby providing a snug "holster" for canteen 110. Additionally, the outwardly protruding lip or edge of canteen cup 120 provides a more functional drinking cup for the user of canteen cup 120.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a canteen cup cover 200 in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in FIG. 2, the most preferred embodiments of canteen cup cover 200 will be substantially reniform in shape and will be sized to fit over the opening of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1. The size and shape of canteen cup cover 200 are carefully selected so as to ensure that canteen cup cover 200 will fit snugly and tightly over the opening of canteen cup cover 200, thereby protecting the contents of canteen cup 120 from accidental spillage or inadvertent contamination due to airborne contaminants and/or other adverse environmental conditions.

[0024] Canteen cup cover 200 is most preferably manufactured from a food-grade plastic or silicone-type material that is both durable and flexible. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many plastic and plastic-like materials may be suitably employed for the fabrication of canteen cup cover 200. The use of a durable material in fabricating canteen cup cover 200 is desirable so as to permit long-term usage of canteen cup cover 200 without undesirable degradation of the performance of canteen cup cover 200. The use of a flexible material in fabricating canteen cup cover 200 is desirable so as to ensure that canteen cup cover 200 will fit snugly and securely over the opening of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, a plan view of a canteen cup cover 300 in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In addition to the previous characteristics of canteen cup cover 200 described in conjunction with FIG. 2, canteen cup cover 300 most preferably comprises an access spout 310. Access spout 310 is provided to permit access to the contents of canteen cup cover 300 without the necessity of removing canteen cup cover 300. In the most preferred embodiments of canteen cup cover 300, access spout 310 comprises a sealing mechanism placed over an aperture or opening formed in canteen cup cover 300.

[0026] In the most preferred embodiments of canteen cup cover 300; access spout 310 is also fabricated from a food-grade plastic or silicone-type material that is both durable and flexible. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many types of access spouts suitable for deployment in conjunction with canteen cup cover 300 and any such access spout known to those skilled in the art may be utilized. For example, access spout 310 may comprise a hinged flap that is resealably positioned over the aperture formed in canteen cup cover 300.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of a canteen cup cover 200 of FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of canteen cup cover 300 of FIG. 3 is depicted. As shown in FIG. 5, Access spout 310 is provided to permit access to the contents of canteen cup cover 300 without the necessity of removing canteen cup cover 300. As shown in FIG. 5, access spout 310 is a repositionable access spout and can be rotated up and away from canteen cup cover 300. Those skilled in the art will recognize that repositionable access spouts are presently available in products such as sports bottles and the like.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, a sectional view of canteen cup cover 200 of FIG. 2 is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, a narrow groove 610 is fabricated into the interior portion of canteen cup cover 200. Groove 610 is formed at substantially a 45.degree. angle with reference to top surface 605 and bottom surface 615 as well as each sidewall surface 625. Given that the overall perimeter length of groove 610 is slightly less than the perimeter of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1, canteen cup cover 200 can be manipulated into place only by slightly stretching the material that comprises canteen cup cover 200 and forcing the flared lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1 into groove 610.

[0030] Once positioned over the lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG.1, canteen cover 200 will be held in place by the interaction of oppositional forces stretching groove 610 over the lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1. Additionally, given that the angle of groove 610 is manufactured to match the angle of the flared lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1, the inner edge and the outer edge of the flared lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1 are engaged and covered by the face of groove 610. In this fashion, the interior surface of groove 610 is able to form a tight and substantially leak-proof seal along the surface of both the inner and the outer surface of the lip of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 7, a sectional view of a flared lip 705 of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1 is depicted. As shown in FIG. 7, flared lip 705 has both an inner surface 720 and an outer surface 710. Flared lip 705 will generally gradually angle away from the interior of canteen cup 120, forming various angles with respect to the body of canteen cup 120. As shown in FIG. 7, this includes an overall angle that is substantially equal to 45.degree.. This orientation of flared lip 705 provides an engagement means for selectively attaching and removing canteen cup cover 200 to canteen cup 120, thereby protecting the contents of canteen cup 120.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 7A, a sectional view of flared lip 705 of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1 with canteen cover 200 of FIG. 1 in place is depicted. As shown in FIG. 7A, groove 610 of canteen cup cover 200 of FIG. 6 has engaged flared lip 705 of canteen cup 120 of FIG. 7. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the body of canteen cup 120, including flared lip 705, is slightly larger than the width of groove 610. By stretching groove 610 over flared lip 705, a comparatively tight seal can be obtained. Additionally, as previously explained, the perimeter of canteen cup 120 is slightly larger than the linear length defined by groove 610. Stretched in place, groove 610 is in substantial contact with both inner surface 720 and an outer surface 710, thereby ensuring a snug fit and tight seal.

[0033] In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, canteen 110 and canteen cup 120 of FIG. 1 will be offered in a kit form including canteen cup cover 200 of FIG. 2 or canteen cup cover 300 of FIG. 3. Alternatively, canteen cup cover 200 of FIG. 2 and/or canteen cup cover 300 of FIG. 3 will be available for purchase separately as after-market products.

[0034] In summary, the present invention provides an effective and efficient means of covering the liquid contained in a canteen cup. The canteen cup cover of the present invention comprises a unique ridge and groove that is specifically designed to receive the flared edge or lip of a standard metal canteen cup. In this fashion, the liquid or other contents of the canteen cup can be secured against inadvertent spillage or undesirable contamination from environmental sources such as airborne dirt and debris.

[0035] Lastly, it should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments are preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A substantially reniform-shaped canteen cup cover comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a plurality of sidewall surfaces; and a groove, wherein said groove forms an angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove being configured to engage a canteen cup, thereby forming a seal between a canteen cup and a canteen cup cover.

2. The canteen cup cover of claim 1 wherein said angle is approximately 45.degree..

3. The canteen cup cover of claim 1 wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone.

4. The canteen cup cover of claim 1 further comprising: an aperture formed in said canteen cup cover; and a resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.

5. The canteen cup cover of claim 1 further comprising: a canteen cup; and a canteen, said canteen being removably inserted into said canteen cup.

6. The canteen cup cover of claim 5 wherein said canteen cup defines a perimeter and said groove defines a length and wherein said perimeter is slightly longer than said length.

7. The canteen cup cover of claim 5 wherein said canteen cup further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and at least a portion of said groove contacts both of said inner surface and said outer surface.

8. The canteen cup cover of claim 1 further comprising an access spout.

9. The canteen cup cover of claim 6 wherein said access spout comprises a repositionable access spout.

10. A method comprising the steps of: placing a liquid in a canteen cup; and covering said canteen cup with a canteen cup cover, said canteen cup cover comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a plurality of sidewall surfaces; and a groove, wherein said groove forms an angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove being configured to engage a canteen cup, thereby forming a seal between said canteen cup and said canteen cup cover.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of covering a canteen cup with a canteen cup cover comprises the step of stretching said canteen cup cover over said canteen cup so that at least a portion of said groove contacts both an inner surface of said canteen cup and an outer surface of said canteen cup.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said canteen cup cover further comprises a repositionable access spout.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: removing said canteen cup cover from said canteen cup; and consuming said liquid contained in said canteen cup.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said canteen cup cover further comprises: an aperture formed in said canteen cup cover; and a resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: repositioning said repositionable and resealable hinged flap; and consuming said liquid contained in said canteen cup.

17. A canteen kit comprising: a canteen cup, said canteen cup comprising an outwardly flared lip, said outwardly flared lip comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a canteen, said canteen being removably insertable into said canteen cup; and a substantially reniform canteen cup cover, said canteen cup cover comprising: a groove; a top surface; a bottom surface; and a plurality of sidewall surfaces; wherein said groove forms substantially a 45.degree. angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove engaging said inner surface and said outer surface of said canteen cup thereby forming a seal between said canteen cup and said canteen cup cover; an aperture; and an access spout in said canteen cup cover.

18. The canteen kit of claim 17 wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone.

19. The canteen kit of claim 17 wherein said access spout comprises a repositionable and resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.