U.S. patent application number 12/586035 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for magnetically stowable drinking cup.
Invention is credited to Stevan P. Vasic.
Application Number | 20110062160 12/586035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43729482 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110062160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vasic; Stevan P. |
March 17, 2011 |
Magnetically Stowable drinking cup
Abstract
A magnetically stowable and stackable drinking cup having a
bottom, a side wall, and a magnetic element, the magnetic element
being affixed to a magnetic element seat on the side wall or the
bottom or imbedded in the side wall or the bottom. The liquid
chamber and side wall tapering provide for stacking.
Inventors: |
Vasic; Stevan P.; (Midsale,
UT) |
Family ID: |
43729482 |
Appl. No.: |
12/586035 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/483 ;
206/509 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2200/106 20130101;
A47G 19/2205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/483 ;
206/509 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/24 20060101
B65D025/24; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A magnetically stowable drinking cup comprising: a) a bottom
having a bottom periphery; b) a side wall having a side wall base,
the side wall base being affixed to and sealed to the bottom
periphery, forming a liquid chamber; and c) a magnetic element
affixed to the side wall.
2. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 1
wherein the magnetic element is imbedded in the side wall.
3. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 1
wherein the side wall has an exterior surface and a magnetic
element seat on the exterior surface and the magnetic element is
affixed to the magnetic element seat.
4. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 1
wherein the side wall is tapered to provide for stacking of the cup
with other cups.
5. A magnetically stowable drinking cup comprising: a) a bottom
having a bottom periphery; b) a side wall having a side wall base,
the side wall base being affixed to and sealed to the bottom
periphery, forming a liquid chamber; and c) a magnetic element
affixed to the bottom.
6. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 5
wherein the magnetic element is imbedded in the bottom.
7. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 5
wherein the bottom has an exterior surface and a magnetic element
seat on the exterior surface and the magnetic element is affixed to
the magnetic element seat.
8. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 5
wherein the side wall is tapered to provide for stacking of the cup
with other cups.
9. A magnetically stowable drinking cup comprising: a) a bottom
having a bottom periphery; b) a side wall having a side wall base,
the side wall base being affixed to and sealed to the bottom
periphery, forming a liquid chamber; and c) a magnetic element
imbedded in the bottom or in the side wall.
10. The magnetically stowable drinking cup recited in claim 1
wherein the side wall is tapered to provide for stacking with other
cups.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Caretakers of children and particularly caretakers of small
children face a daily challenge of many demands being placed on
their time to meet the needs of the children. One of those demands
is the steadily growing collection of soiled dishes. Another demand
is assisting small children in obtaining basic necessities such as
getting a drink of water or other beverage.
[0002] One objective of the present invention is to provide a
drinking cup that can be readily stowed after use, reaccessed and
reused by an individual to whom the cup is assigned.
[0003] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
drinking cup with a magnetic element which provides for stowing of
the cup for re-use on a refrigerator or other ferro-magnetic
surface.
[0004] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a
magnetically stowable drinking cup which is stackable for storage
during periods of non-use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The magnetically stowable and stackable drinking cup of the
present invention has a bottom, a side wall, and a magnetic
element, the magnetic element being affixed to magnetic element
seat on the outside surface of the side wall or the outside surface
of the bottom, or being imbedded in the side wall or the bottom.
The bottom has a bottom periphery which is affixed to and sealed to
the side wall base of the side wall, thereby forming the liquid
chamber of the cup. The liquid chamber of the cup is tapered, the
liquid chamber radius and the side wall radius from the center axis
increasing from the bottom to the lip of the cup. The liquid
chamber and side wall tapering, which is a common feature of
drinking cups to provide for stacking will also provide for the
stacking of the cup of the present invention. The extent to which a
cup of the present invention may be inserted in another cup of the
present invention for stacking purposes will depend on the position
and the size of the magnetic element and magnetic element seat. The
magnetic element may be positioned on the side wall or the bottom
of the cup. The magnetic element may be imbedded in the side wall
or the bottom of the cup for appearance, durability and ease of
cleaning purposes.
[0006] Positioning of the magnetic element near the side wall base
together with the side wall tapering, facilitates the stacking of
the cups when the cups are not in use. Positioning the magnetic
element near the side wall base also facilitates stowing of the
cups on a vertical ferro-magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator
door, in an inverted configuration and reduces interference with
the ordinary use of the cup for drinking purposes. If the magnetic
element is of sufficient size and strength, the stowage orientation
of the cup may be selected by the user without regard to the
position of the magnetic element.
[0007] Positioning of the magnetic element on the bottom of the cup
provides for stowing the cup in an inverted configuration beneath a
horizontal ferro-magnetic surface. Such a horizontal ferro-magnetic
surface may be provided by the installation of a thin plate of
ferro-magnetic material beneath a counter top, cabinet or the
like.
[0008] The cup of the present invention may have a circular bottom,
a circular side wall and a circular liquid chamber. However, other
embodiments utilizing other shapes, such as a square with rounded
corners, may be utilized. Regardless of the shape, stacking may be
facilitated by side wall tapering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the cup of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view cross-section detail of the magnetic
element installation for the preferred embodiment of the cup of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view cross-section detail of an embodiment
of the magnetic element installation for the preferred embodiments
of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG., FIG. 7,
FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 15.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view cross-section detail of an embodiment
of the magnetic element installation for the preferred embodiments
of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG., FIG. 7,
FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 15.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view cross-section detail of an embodiment
of the magnetic element installation for the preferred embodiments
of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG., FIG. 7,
FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 15.
[0014] FIG. 6. is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the cup of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the cup of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view cross-section detail of the magnetic
element installation for the preferred embodiment of the cup of the
present invention shown in FIG. 7 and for the preferred embodiment
shown in FIG. 14, left view.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view cross section detail of an embodiment
of the cup of the present invention having a circumferential
magnetic element as shown in FIG. 14.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view cross section detail of an alternative
embodiment of the cup of the present invention having a
circumferential magnetic element as shown in FIG. 14, the
circumferential magnetic element having a series of flat magnetic
element facets.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the cup of the present invention having a vertical strip
magnetic element.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view cross-section detail of the magnetic
element installation for the preferred embodiment of the cup of the
present invention shown in FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is vertical front view of embodiments of the present
invention magnetically stowed on a vertical ferro-magnetic
surface.
[0022] FIG. 14 is vertical front view of embodiments of the present
invention magnetically stowed on a vertical ferro-magnetic
surface.
[0023] FIG. 15 is vertical front view of embodiments of the present
invention magnetically stowed on a vertical ferro-magnetic
surface.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the cup of the
present invention having a bottom magnetic element as shown in FIG.
18.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the cup of the
present invention having a bottom peripheral magnetic element as
shown in FIG. 19.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a side view cross-section of an embodiment of the
cup of the present invention having a bottom magnetic element as
shown in FIG. 16.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a side view cross-section of an embodiment of the
cup of the present invention having a bottom peripheral magnetic
element as shown in FIG. 17.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a top view cross-section detail of an imbedded
magnetic element 77 installation for the embodiments of the cup of
the present invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2., FIG. 11, and FIG.
12.
[0029] FIG. 21 is a side view cross-section detail of an imbedded
magnetic element installation for the embodiments of the cup of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and
FIG. 14.
[0030] FIG. 22 is a side view cross-section detail of an imbedded
magnetic element installation for the embodiments of the cup of the
present invention shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and
FIG. 14.
[0031] FIG. 23 is a front view cross-section detail of an
embodiment of an imbedded magnetic element installation for the
embodiments of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 18.
[0032] FIG. 24 is a front view cross-section detail of an
embodiment of an imbedded magnetic element installation for the
embodiments of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 17
and FIG. 19.
[0033] FIG. 25 is a front view cross-section detail of an
embodiment of an imbedded magnetic element installation for the
embodiments of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 18.
[0034] FIG. 26 is a front view cross-section detail of an
embodiment of an imbedded magnetic element installation for the
embodiments of the cup of the present invention shown in FIG. 17
and FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Referring first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
magnetically stowable and stackable drinking cup 1, hereinafter
referred to as the "cup", is shown. This embodiment of the cup 1
has a bottom 3, a side wall 5, a magnetic element seat 7, and a
magnetic element 25 affixed to the magnetic element seat. The
bottom 3 has a bottom periphery 83 which is affixed to and sealed
to the side wall base 29 of the side wall 5, thereby forming the
liquid chamber 11 of the cup. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
the bottom 3 is circular or approximately circular having a bottom
radius 9. For this specification and including the claims, the use
of the term "circular" shall be defined to mean circular or
approximately circular. Referring also to FIG. 2, the liquid
chamber 11 of the cup which is confined by the side wall inside
surface 13 and the bottom inside surface 15 is tapered 23, the
liquid chamber radius and the side wall radius 17 from the center
axis 27 increasing at a uniform or approximate uniform slope 23
from a minimum side wall inside radius 19 at the bottom to a
maximum side wall inside radius 20 at the cup lip 21.
[0036] The liquid chamber and side wall tapering 23, which is a
common feature of drinking cups to provide for stacking will also
provide for the stacking of the cup of the present invention. The
extent to which a cup of the present invention may be inserted in
another cup of the present invention for stacking purposes will
depend on the position and the size of the magnetic element 25 and
magnetic element seat 7. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
magnetic element and magnetic element seat are located near the
side wall base 29. Also for this embodiment the magnetic element is
a relatively small diameter circular disk 31. Obviously other
shapes of the magnetic element may be used for this embodiment such
as square or rectangular. The width or diameter 33 will be
determined based upon the size and weight of the cup and the
magnetic strength of the magnetic element. Referring also to FIG. 3
and FIG. 4, for this embodiment the magnetic element seat 7 is
preferably a flat area 37 on the side wall outside surface 39. The
adhesion of the magnetic element to a ferro-magnetic surface will
be maximized if the magnetic element contact surface 41 is flat.
Referring also to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the magnetic element 25
is shown with a curved magnetic element attachment surface 35.
Since the preferred embodiment of the magnetic element, based upon
technology, is a relatively thin wafer 43 of resilient and flexible
magnetic material, the presentation of a flat magnetic element
contact surface is facilitated by a flat magnetic element seat. The
embodiments of the magnetic element seat 7 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
4 require that the manufacturing process for the cup provide for a
variation 36 in the side wall outside surface 39 to provide for a
flat magnetic element seat while maintaining a minimum side wall
thickness 38. The embodiment of the magnetic element 25 shown in
FIG. 5 may provide for ease and economy in manufacturing the cup in
comparison to the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
respectively.
[0037] As mentioned above, the positioning of the magnetic element
near the side wall base together with the side wall tapering,
facilitates the stacking of the cups of the present invention when
the cups are not in use. Referring to FIG. 13, the inventor prefers
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention with the
magnetic element positioned near the side wall base 29 to
facilitate stowing of the cups on a ferro-magnetic surface 47 in an
inverted configuration 45 as shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore the
inventor prefers the positioning of the magnetic element away from
the cup lip 21 so as not to interfere with the ordinary use of the
cup for drinking purposes. Depending upon the size and strength of
the magnetic element, the user of the cup may be able to select the
stowage orientation of the cup regardless of the position of the
magnetic element on the cup.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, depending upon the magnetic element
seat protrusion 49 and the magnetic element thickness 51, the
stacking feature of the cup of the present invention may be
preserved even if the magnetic element is positioned between the
side wall base 29 and the cup lip 21 as shown in FIG. 6. Although
as indicated above, the inventor believes the stowage and stacking
features of the present invention are best facilitated by
positioning the magnetic element on the side wall near the side
wall base, the magnetic element may also be positioned near the cup
lip as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This embodiment is best suited
for a user who prefers to stow the cup in an upright configuration
53 as shown in FIG. 13. However, depending upon the size and
magnetic strength of the magnetic element, this embodiment of the
cup may be stowed in an inverted position or other configurations
desired by the user.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 9, a horizontal cross-section of an
embodiment with the circumferential magnetic element 67 affixed to
the side wall outside surface 39 of the cup side wall 5 is shown.
The advantage of this embodiment is that it does not require the
user to rotate the cup to position the magnetic element for contact
with the ferro-magnetic surface. The circumferential magnetic
element can be positioned near the sidewall base or just beneath
the lip as shown in FIG. 14. This is particularly advantageous for
use by a small child as it will ordinarily simply require the child
to stow the cup or invert and stow the cup as shown in FIG. 14.
Other embodiments may also incorporate a circumferential magnetic
element located at a position between the sidewall base and the
lip. Referring to FIG. 9, because of the limited contact area
between the magnetic element and the ferro-magnetic surface, it is
unlikely that the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with the
circumferential magnetic element positioned near the base of the
side wall can be used to stow the cup in an upright configuration.
Similarly it is unlikely that the embodiment with the
circumferential magnetic element positioned near the lip as shown
in FIG. 14, can be used to stow the cup in an inverted
configuration due to the limited contact area.
[0040] The foregoing limitations resulting from the limited contact
area for a circumferential magnetic element is addressed by the
embodiment of the circumferential magnetic element 39 shown in FIG.
10, which presents a series of flat magnetic element facets 55, the
contact area 57 between the magnetic element and the ferro-magnetic
surface will be increased for the circumferential magnetic element.
By increasing the facet width 59 or increasing the facet width, the
contact area can be maintained while improving the ease of use of
this embodiment. In particular, increasing the height and
decreasing the width of the facets will make the embodiment of the
cup more suitable for use by small children and improve the ability
of the cup to be stowed in a configuration of the user's choice
without regard to the position of the magnetic element on the cups.
As with the magnetic element shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic element
shown in FIG. 10 may be positioned at the base of the side wall,
near the cup lip, or any other position on the cup side wall.
Obviously the stacking feature of the present invention will be
enhanced by minimizing the thickness of the magnetic element and
the protrusion of the magnetic element seat positioning the
circumferential magnetic element just beneath the lip of the cup
enhances the stackability of the cups.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an embodiment of the
cup 1 of the present invention is shown with a vertical magnetic
element 71. This embodiment provides for the stowing of the cup in
an inverted configuration 45 or an upright configuration 53 as
shown in FIG. 15. The embodiments of the magnetic element seat 7
and the magnetic element 25 shown in FIG.'s 3-5 may be used for the
embodiment of the cup shown in FIG. 11.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 16 and FIG. 18 an embodiment of the
cup 1 of the present invention is shown with a bottom magnetic
element 73 positioned on the bottom 3. This embodiment provides for
the stowing the cup in an inverted configuration beneath a
horizontal ferro-magnetic surface 79 as shown in FIG. 18. Such a
horizontal ferro-magnetic surface may be provided by the
installation of a thin plate of ferro-magnetic material 85 beneath
a counter top, cabinet or the like. The embodiment shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 18 has a circular magnetic element 25 positioned more or
less in the center of the bottom. However, the magnetic element can
be other shapes and can be positioned at any location on the bottom
as desired for convenience in manufacturing or to satisfy other
concerns. A further embodiment shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 19 has a
bottom peripheral magnetic element 75 which extends around the
periphery 83 of the cup bottom.
[0043] The magnetic element seat 7 may be recessed for any of the
embodiments of the present invention, thereby reducing the
protrusion of the magnetic element. These embodiments may also
provide greater protection for the magnetic element.
[0044] Referring now to FIG.'s 20-26, details of embodiments of the
cup of the present invention wherein the magnetic element 25 is an
embedded magnetic element 77 embedded in the side wall 5 or the
bottom 3 of the cup. These embodiments provide for enhancing the
durability of the cup and the magnetic element and facilitate the
cleaning of the cup. FIG. 20 shows a detail of an imbedded magnetic
element 77 for the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2., FIG. 11,
and FIG. 12. FIG. 21 shows a detail of an imbedded magnetic element
77 for the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,
and FIG. 14. FIG. 22 shows details of an imbedded magnetic element
77 for the embodiments shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,
and FIG. 14. FIG. 23 and FIG. 25 show details of an imbedded
magnetic element 77 for the embodiments shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.
18. FIG. 24 and FIG. 26 show details of an imbedded magnetic
element 77 for the embodiments shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 19. The
embodiments of the embedded magnetic element 77 shown in FIG. 25
and FIG. 26 also provide for a uniform inside bottom surface 81 and
a uniform outside bottom surface 87 which further enhance the
appearance, durability and cleaning of the cup.
[0045] While the embodiments of the cup 1 and the details of the
cup 1 of the present invention shown in FIG.'s 1-26 are all
illustrated with a cup having a circular bottom 3 and a liquid
chamber 11 with a circular cross section, it will be obvious to
persons skilled in the art that other shapes and cross-sections may
be utilized. The various embodiments of the magnetic element 25
shown in FIG.'s 1-26 may be incorporated in embodiments with other
shapes and cross-sections. Regardless of the shape, stacking will
be facilitated by a uniform liquid chamber and side wall tapering
23.
[0046] Other embodiments and other variations of the embodiments
described above will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
Therefore, the foregoing is intended to be merely illustrative of
the invention and the invention is limited only by the following
claims and the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *