U.S. patent application number 12/136860 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for drinking cup attachable to a beverage container.
Invention is credited to Charles E. Berglund, David N. Berglund.
Application Number | 20080302795 12/136860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094907 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302795 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berglund; David N. ; et
al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Drinking Cup Attachable to a Beverage Container
Abstract
A drinking cup that is selectably attachable to a beverage
container. A generally annular body of the drinking cup has a
sidewall, an open end and an opposing closed end. A recessed
connector portion is formed in the closed end, the connector
portion being sized and shaped to detachably couple the drinking
cup to a top portion of the beverage container. The drinking cup is
capable of containing at least one of fluids and ice before being
attached to the beverage container, while attached to the beverage
container, and after being detached from the beverage
container.
Inventors: |
Berglund; David N.; (Marvin,
NC) ; Berglund; Charles E.; (Richardson, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELEY LAW FIRM CO.
7870 OLENTANGY RIVER RD, SUITE 311
COLUMBUS
OH
43235
US
|
Family ID: |
40094907 |
Appl. No.: |
12/136860 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60933925 |
Jun 11, 2007 |
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 1/265 20130101; B65D
2543/00055 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00685
20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 21/0213 20130101; B65D
43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00638
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/00 20060101
B65D043/00 |
Claims
1. A drinking cup selectably attachable to a beverage container,
comprising: a generally annular body having a sidewall, an open end
and an opposing closed end; and a recessed connector portion formed
in the closed end, the connector portion being sized and shaped to
detachably couple the drinking cup to a top portion of the beverage
container, the drinking cup being capable of containing at least
one of fluids and ice before being attached to the beverage
container, while attached to the beverage container, and after
being detached from the beverage container.
2. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the connector portion is
generally annular in shape and includes a rim formed therein, the
rim being generally oriented at a predetermined acute angle with
respect to a plane surface of the closed end, and wherein the
connector further includes a recessed surface oriented generally
parallel to the plane surface, the recessed surface and plane
surface being spaced apart by the rim.
3. The drinking cup of claim 2 wherein the rim is contiguous with
the plane surface and the recessed surface.
4. The drinking cup of claim 2 wherein the rim further comprises at
least one protuberance.
5. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the drinking cup is formed
from at least one of plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon,
corn starch, paper and polystyrene material.
6. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the material thickness of
the drinking cup is selected to provide a predetermined gripping
force between the connector and the beverage container.
7. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the drinking cup forms at
least a partial lid seal for the beverage container when coupled
thereto.
8. The drinking cup of claim 1, further comprising a cover
configured to selectably close off the open end of the drinking
cup.
9. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the drinking cup is sized
for a maximum capacity of one of 9, 12, 16, 20 and 24 fluid
ounces.
10. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the beverage container is a
beverage can.
11. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the beverage container is a
bottle.
12. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the closed end comprises a
plurality of connector portions.
13. The drinking cup of claim 1 wherein the connector portion of
the drinking cup provides a snap-fit to the top portion of the
beverage container.
14. A drinking cup selectably attachable to a beverage container,
comprising: a generally annular body having a sidewall, an open end
and an opposing closed end; and a generally annular recessed
connector portion formed in the closed end, the connector portion
being sized and shaped to detachably couple the drinking cup to a
top portion of the beverage container, the connector portion
including a rim formed therein, the rim being generally contiguous
with a plane surface of the closed end and oriented at a
predetermined acute angle with respect to the plane surface, and
wherein the connector further includes a recessed surface
contiguous with the rim and oriented generally parallel to the
plane surface, the recessed surface and plane surface being spaced
apart by the rim, the drinking cup being capable of containing at
least one of fluids and ice before being attached to the beverage
container, while attached to the beverage container, and after
being detached from the beverage container.
15. The drinking cup of claim 14 wherein the rim further comprises
at least one protuberance.
16. The drinking cup of claim 14 wherein the drinking cup is formed
from at least one of plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon,
corn starch, paper and polystyrene.
17. The drinking cup of claim 14 wherein the material thickness of
the drinking cup is selected to provide a predetermined gripping
force between the connector and the beverage container.
18. The drinking cup of claim 14 wherein the drinking cup forms at
least a partial lid seal for the beverage container when coupled
thereto.
19. A method for selectably attaching a drinking cup to a beverage
container, comprising the steps of: forming a generally annular
body having a sidewall, an open end and an opposing closed end;
forming a recessed connector portion in the closed end, the
connector portion being sized and shaped to detachably couple the
drinking cup to a top portion of the beverage container; and
selectably urging the connector portion against the top portion of
the beverage container to attach the drinking cup to the beverage
container, and urging the connector portion away from the top
portion of the beverage container to detach the drinking cup from
the beverage container, the drinking cup being capable of
containing at least one of fluids and ice before being attached to
the beverage container, while attached to the beverage container,
and after being detached from the beverage container.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of forming
the connector portion in a generally annular shape with a rim and a
recessed surface formed therein, the rim being generally oriented
at a predetermined acute angle with respect to a plane surface of
the closed end and the recessed surface being oriented generally
parallel to the plane surface, the recessed surface and plane
surface being spaced apart by the rim.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
selecting at least one of plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate,
nylon, corn starch, paper and polystyrene material for the drinking
cup.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/933,925, filed Jun. 11, 2007, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to drinking cups, in
particular to drinking cups configured to be detachably coupled to
a beverage container.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many consumers of canned beverages prefer to dispense the
contents of the can into a cup, rather than drinking directly from
the container. A drinking cup is particularly desirable when filled
with ice to chill the beverage. In addition, ice may be used to
dilute a strong or highly carbonated beverage, making the beverage
more palatable.
[0004] One drawback of using a drinking cup with a beverage
container is that it can be unwieldy for a user to hold both the
cup and the container while moving about. Furthermore, there are
certain inefficiencies associated with separately serving a
beverage container and a drinking cup. One example is when
refreshments are dispensed to airline passengers by flight
attendants, wherein a beverage container and a cup containing ice
are typically separately provided to each passenger. Serving the
beverage container and the cup in this manner takes more time than
serving a single container. While not significant when serving a
small number of passengers, the cumulative extra time to separately
serve a beverage container and a drinking cup becomes substantial
when considering large flights with hundreds of passengers.
SUMMARY
[0005] A drinking cup is disclosed according to an embodiment of
the present invention. A connector portion is formed in a bottom
portion of the cup and is configured to be detachably coupled to a
top portion of a beverage container. The container and cup may then
be served as a single unit. Once served, a user may urge the
drinking cup away from the beverage container to detach the cup
from the container. The contents of the beverage container may then
be dispensed into the cup by the user. The drinking cup is easily
attachable to, and detachable from, the beverage container,
allowing the cup to be filled with ice before serving with little
risk of spilling the ice from the cup.
[0006] An object of the present invention is a drinking cup that is
selectably attachable to a beverage container. A generally annular
body of the drinking cup has a sidewall, an open end and an
opposing closed end. A recessed connector portion is formed in the
closed end, the connector portion being sized and shaped to
detachably couple the drinking cup to a top portion of the beverage
container. The drinking cup is capable of containing at least one
of fluids and ice before being attached to the beverage container,
while attached to the beverage container, and after being detached
from the beverage container.
[0007] Another object of the invention is a drinking cup that is
selectably attachable to a beverage container according to another
embodiment. The drinking cup comprises a generally annular body
having a sidewall, an open end and an opposing closed end. A
generally annular recessed connector portion is formed in the
closed end, the connector portion being sized and shaped to
detachably couple the drinking cup to a top portion of the beverage
container. The connector portion includes a rim formed therein, the
rim being generally contiguous with a plane surface of the closed
end and oriented at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the
plane surface. The connector further includes a recessed surface
that is contiguous with the rim and is oriented generally parallel
to the plane surface, the recessed surface and plane surface being
spaced apart by the rim. The drinking cup is capable of containing
at least one of fluids and ice before being attached to the
beverage container, while attached to the beverage container, and
after being detached from the beverage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further features of the inventive embodiments will become
apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments
relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement of a drinking cup
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the drinking cup of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevational view in section of the drinking cup
of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the drinking cup of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the drinking cup of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section,
showing details of a connector portion of the drinking cup of FIG.
2 being coupled to a beverage container;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section,
showing the drinking cup of FIG. 2 attached to a beverage
container;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view in section of a connector portion of a
drinking cup according to another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a view in section of a connector portion of a
drinking cup according to yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the discussion that follows, like reference numerals are
used to depict like structures in the various figures.
[0019] The general arrangement of a drinking cup 10 is shown in
FIGS. 1-6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
body of drinking cup 10 is generally annular in shape, having a
sidewall 12 and a contiguous bottom portion 14. Bottom portion 14
further includes a connector portion 16.
[0020] Further details of connector portion 16 may be seen with
particular reference to FIGS. 4-6. Connector portion 16 is
generally annular in shape and is recessed in bottom portion 14,
extending into the interior of drinking cup 10. Connector portion
16 further includes a rim 18 formed therein, the rim being
generally oriented at a predetermined acute angle "A" with respect
to a plane surface 20 of bottom portion 14. A recessed surface 22
is oriented generally parallel to plane surface 20, the recessed
surface and plane surface being spaced apart by rim 18. It should
be noted that connector portion 16 is closed off to prevent the
transfer of fluid between the interior of drinking cup 10 and
beverage container 24. In other words, rim 18, plane surface 20 and
recessed surface 22 are contiguous and together close off bottom
portion 14.
[0021] Drinking cup 10 may be formed in any convenient manner, such
as by molding or machining, and made be made from any convenient
material. Suitable materials may include, without limitation, one
or more of plastics such as polystyrene, polyethylene, nylon,
polycarbonate or any other material available in the art that is
suitable for use as drinking cups. For example, biodegradable
materials such as paper and corn starch may also be selected. The
material thickness of drinking cup 10 may be uniform, or may vary
as desired. For example, the thickness of drinking cup 10 and/or
the various elements of connector portion 16 may be selected to
provide a desirable amount of rigidity and, in turn, a desirable
amount of gripping force of the connector portion when drinking cup
10 is attached to (or detached from) a beverage container 24, as
generally shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments the gripping force
of connector portion 16 may be in the form of an interference fit
or press-fit between the connector portion and a top portion 26 of
a beverage container 24 so that the connector portion provides a
"snap-fit" to the top portion of the beverage container. That is,
drinking cup 10 snaps onto top portion 26 of beverage container 24
when attached thereto, and snaps off the top portion of the
beverage container when detached therefrom.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 6, in use, drinking cup 10 may be
attached to a beverage container 24 by placing the drinking cup
proximate top portion 26 of the beverage container such that
connector portion 16 of the drinking cup is generally over the top
portion. Drinking cup 10 is then urged against beverage container
24, causing connector portion 16 to engage top portion 26, thereby
coupling the drinking cup to the beverage container as generally
shown in FIG. 7. If desired, drinking cup 10 may be filled with ice
28 through an opening 30 either before or after coupling the
drinking cup to beverage container 24. The assembly of drinking cup
10 and beverage container 24 may then be easily and simultaneously
served as a unit.
[0023] With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the contents
of beverage container 24 is to be consumed a user urges drinking
cup 10 away from the beverage container, thereby causing connector
portion 16 to detach from top portion 26 and allowing the drinking
cup to be moved away from the beverage container. The contents of
beverage container 24 may then be poured into drinking cup 10
through an opening 30 (FIG. 2). Drinking cup 10 may optionally be
re-attached to beverage container 24 in the manner previously
described, if desired.
[0024] As can be seen from the foregoing, drinking cup 10 is
capable of containing at least one of fluids and ice before being
attached to beverage container 24. Likewise, drinking cup 10 is
capable of containing at least one of fluids and ice while attached
to beverage container 24 and after being detached from the beverage
container.
[0025] As previously indicated, the prior method of serving a
beverage container 24 and a drinking cup 10 is to either use one
hand to pass the container and the other hand to pass the cup, or
to first pass the container and then pass the cup (or vice versa)
with the same hand. The former is cumbersome if one or both hands
are needed for other tasks. The latter requires two actions. Both
methods represent a risk of spillage. The present invention allows
a beverage container 24 and a drinking cup 10 to be joined together
to form a single unit. This increases the efficiency and safety of
passing or transporting both the drinking cup 10 and the beverage
container 24. The present invention also allows a user to
efficiently perform the task of passing a beverage container 24 and
a drinking cup 10 as a unit and in less time than serving them
separately, with reduced risk of spillage from an open container,
even when the user is performing unrelated tasks with their other
hand.
[0026] When a beverage container 24 is opened and not fully
consumed it poses a short term storage problem with a risk of
spillage. There is a risk that, in the time between opening and
fully emptying the container, it will be shaken or tipped in such a
manner that its contents will spill. Drinking cup 10, when attached
to a beverage container 24 in the manner previously described (see
FIG. 7), forms at least a partial lid seal on the top portion 26 of
the beverage container which protects the user from accidental
spillage of beverage. The seal between connector portion 16 of
drinking cup 10 and an open carbonated type of beverage container
24 may also function as a pressure barrier to maintain a higher
carbonation level in the container for a greater period of time
than may be achieved with a beverage container that is simply left
open.
[0027] In addition, many beverages have high sugar content, which
tends to attract insects. Insects have been known to contaminate
such beverages when stored in open beverage containers 24. For
example, bees and wasps often enter containers and subsequently
sting users when they attempt to dispense the remaining beverage
from the container. Drinking cup 10, when attached to a beverage
container 24 in the manner previously described (see FIG. 7), forms
at least a partial lid seal on top portion 26 of the beverage
container to deter the entrance of insects.
[0028] It should also be noted that the present invention allows
drinking cup 10 to be stored securely to top portion 26 of beverage
container 24 when not in use. This maximizes the available space on
small tables by reducing the footprint of the two drinking
containers to just that of the beverage container.
[0029] The present invention may be used to advantage in a number
of situations where drinks are served in beverage containers along
with drinking cups. Examples include, without limitation, airline
flights, boat rides, car rides, parties, sporting events and
picnics.
[0030] As described, drinking cup 10 has a generally annular body
having a sidewall 12, an open end 30 and an opposing closed end
(i.e., bottom 14). The drinking cup 10 of this configuration may be
altered in size and/or shape to fit the top portion of any size of
beverage container 24 now known or later conceived, such as metal
soft drink and alcoholic beverage cans of various fluid capacities.
Non-limiting examples of drinking cup 10 include standard 9, 12,
16, and 24 ounce maximum fluid capacities. In addition, connector
portion 16 (FIG. 6) may be altered in size and/or shape to fit the
top portion of any size of glass or plastic bottle now known or
later conceived, the top portion of the bottle being similar in
structure to top portion 26 of beverage container 24 (FIG. 6).
[0031] A drinking cup 100 is shown in FIG. 8 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment rim 18 of
connector portion 16 may include one or more protuberances 32 that
are sized and shaped to affect in a predetermined manner the
gripping force of the connector portion when drinking cup 100 is
coupled to a beverage container 24 in the manner shown in FIG. 6.
For example, in some embodiments protuberances 32 may be sized and
shaped to increase the gripping force of connector portion 16 when
drinking cup 100 is attached to a top portion 26 of a beverage
container 24 by increasing the amount of interference between the
connector portion and the beverage container top portion. In some
embodiments a single protuberance 32 in the general shape of a lip
or ring may extend about rim 18. In other embodiments rim 18 may
include a plurality or series of protuberances having shapes such
as, without limitation, rectangular prisms, cones, spheres, cubes,
pyramids, cylinders, ellipsoids and other three-dimensional
geometric shapes as desired. Drinking cup 100 is otherwise similar
to drinking cup 10 and thus will not be elaborated further
here.
[0032] The general arrangement of a drinking cup 200 is shown in
FIG. 9 according to yet another embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment bottom portion 14 of drinking cup 200
includes a pair of connector portions enumerated 16A and 16B, each
connector portion being sized and shaped to detachably couple to a
predetermined size and/or type of top portion 26 of a suitable
beverage container, the connector portions having corresponding
rims 18A, 18B, plane surfaces 20A, 20B and recessed surfaces 22A,
22B. In this way drinking cup 200 may be attached to a plurality of
sizes and/or types of beverage containers, providing flexibility in
the combinations of drinking cups and beverage containers that may
be used together in the manner previously described. Although two
connector portions 16A, 16B are described here, various embodiments
of drinking cup 200 may have a greater number of connector portions
if desired. Drinking cup 200 is otherwise similar to drinking cup
10 and thus will not be elaborated further here.
[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention a removable
cover 34 (FIG. 7) may be attached to drinking cup 10, 100, 200 to
selectably to close off opening 30. Cover 34 functions to deter
spillage of fluids and/or ice from the drinking cup, as well as to
increase sanitation by deterring contamination of the contents
therein. In addition, drinking cup 10, 100, 200 may be pre-filled
with fluids and/or ice 28, then attached to beverage container 24
in the manner previously described. The assembled drinking cup 10,
100, 200 and beverage container 24 may also be stored prior to use
with cover 34 in place, such as in refrigerated storage. Cover 34
may also include one or more slits, apertures or openings 36 for
sipping and/or to receive a straw inserted therethrough.
[0034] While this invention has been shown and described with
respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail thereof
may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the
invention.
* * * * *