U.S. patent application number 13/016387 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for theme mug with timepiece.
This patent application is currently assigned to TIMEMUG LLC. Invention is credited to Brian G. Meehan.
Application Number | 20110132908 13/016387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43501857 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110132908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meehan; Brian G. |
June 9, 2011 |
THEME MUG WITH TIMEPIECE
Abstract
A mug (10) includes an outer transparent casing (40) having an
open bottom end. A cup (11) is received in the casing (40). A
display member (60) is positioned in a space (44) between the
casing (40), and the cup (11) and images thereon can be seen
through the casing (50). A threaded hub (16) is formed at the
bottom of the cup (11), and a cap (64) engages the hub (16) to
close the bottom of the casing (40). In this manner the cap (64)
can be removed for access to the display member (60) should it be
desired to change the display member (60). A timepiece (50) is
carried by the casing (40) and a lid (20) may be attached to the
cup (11). A cup (70) may be provided to engage the lower portion
(43) of the casing (40) and to cover the cap (64).
Inventors: |
Meehan; Brian G.;
(Fairfield, CT) |
Assignee: |
TIMEMUG LLC
Spring Valley
NY
|
Family ID: |
43501857 |
Appl. No.: |
13/016387 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11511903 |
Aug 29, 2006 |
7878365 |
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13016387 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.3 ;
220/367.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2200/18 20130101;
A47G 19/2227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.3 ;
220/367.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A lid for a beverage container, comprising: a lid body having a
drink opening and an air vent formed therethrough; and a cover
member pivotally supported by the lid body and having a stopper
member and a plug member supported by the cover member, wherein the
cover member is configured to pivot relative to the lid body
between a first position in which the stopper member closes the
drink opening and the plug member closes the air vent, and a second
position in which the drink opening and the air vent are open.
22. The lid of claim 21, wherein the lid body further comprises a
downwardly extending skirt.
23. The lid of claim 22, wherein the downwardly extending skirt
includes at least one external thread.
24. The lid of claim 21, wherein the lid body further comprises an
upwardly extending skirt.
25. The lid of claim 21, wherein the cover member comprises a base
portion pivotally supported by the lid body, each of the stopper
member and the plug member being supported by the base portion.
26. The lid of claim 25, wherein the cover member further comprises
a hook portion connected with the base portion.
27. The lid of claim 21, further comprising an elongated recess
extending across an upper surface of the lid body, wherein the
cover member is at least partially received in the elongated recess
when the cover member is pivoted in both the first and second
positions.
28. The lid of claim 27, wherein the drink opening and the air vent
communicate with the elongated recess.
29. The lid of claim 24, wherein the upwardly extending skirt is
interrupted proximate the elongated recess.
30. The lid of claim 21, further comprising a beverage container
having a closed end and an open end, wherein the lid is
positionable to close the open end of the container.
31. A lid for a beverage container, comprising: a lid body having a
drink opening and an air vent formed therethrough, a downwardly
extending skirt and an upwardly extending skirt; an elongated
recess extending across an upper surface of the lid body; and a
cover member pivotally supported by the lid body and having a
stopper member and a plug member supported by the cover member,
wherein the cover member is configured to pivot relative to the lid
body between a first position in which the stopper member closes
the drink opening and the plug member closes the air vent, and a
second position in which the drink opening and the air vent are
open.
32. The lid of claim 31, wherein the downwardly extending skirt
includes at least one external thread.
33. The lid of claim 31, wherein the cover member comprises a base
portion pivotally supported by the lid body, each of the stopper
member and the plug member being supported by the base portion.
34. The lid of claim 33, wherein the cover member further comprises
a hook portion connected with the base portion.
35. The lid of claim 31, wherein the cover member is at least
partially received in the elongated recess when the cover member is
pivoted in both the first and second positions.
36. The lid of claim 31, wherein the drink opening and the air vent
communicate with the elongated recess.
37. The lid of claim 31, wherein the upwardly extending skirt is
interrupted proximate the elongated recess.
38. The lid of claim 31, further comprising a beverage container
having a closed end and an open end, wherein the lid is
positionable to close the open end of the container.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a beverage container mug such as
would be used to hold coffee or the like. More particularly, this
invention relates to such a mug which has a timepiece integrally
associated therewith and which can be provided with a variety of
decors to suit the desire of the user.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Beverage containers, such as coffee mugs or the like, which
have a timepiece associated therewith are known in the art. These
mugs are usually plain and unadorned, but they enable the user to
conveniently observe the time of day. However, it is not known in
the art to provide such a mug with the capability of being
selectively adorned as may be desired by the user. Thus, a hunter
or a soldier might like a mug with a camouflage pattern, a golfer
might like a mug which carriers a picture of a golf hole, and the
like. Or, a person may wish to periodically change the theme or
adornment on his mug.
[0003] To date, there is no known mug which has the ability to
allow the user to select a theme, design or pattern to be displayed
on the body of the mug, and also such a mug which has the
capability of displaying time.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
mug which can be provided with an adornment selected by the
user.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
mug, as above, which is provided with an integral timepiece.
[0006] These and other objects of the present invention, as well as
the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will
become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by
the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
[0007] In general, a mug made in accordance with one aspect of the
present invention includes an outer transparent casing having an
open bottom end. An inner cup is received in the casing and is
spaced from the casing. A display member is positionable in the
space between the casing and the inner cup. A threaded hub is
formed on the bottom of the inner cup, and a cap has threads to
engage the threaded hub and to close the bottom of the casing.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a mug
has a transparent casing and a display member positioned adjacent
to the casing providing indicia viewable through the casing, the
display member being replaceable by the user. A timepiece is
carried by the casing.
[0009] A preferred exemplary mug according to the concepts of the
present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying
drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and
modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the
invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the
details of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a mug made in accordance with
the present invention and shown with a camouflage adornment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof taken substantially along
line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
5-5 of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the components of
a mug made in accordance with the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] A mug made in accordance with the concepts of the present
invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. Mug 10 includes
an inner cup, generally indicated by the numeral 11, which has an
open upper end and is adapted to receive the liquid material, such
as coffee, to be consumed by the user. Cup 11 can be made of a
rigid impact plastic material such as SAN plastic, ABS or
polycarbonate, and includes a generally cylindrical sidewall 12
which may be somewhat tapered inwardly as it extends downwardly, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. An enlarged peripheral lip 13 is formed at
the top of sidewall 12 around the open upper end. Interior threads
14 are formed at the top of the inside of sidewall 12 at the area
of lip 13. A bottom surface 15 closes the bottom of cup 11 and
carries a circular hub 16 having external threads 17 as will be
more fully discussed hereinafter.
[0017] Mug 10 can include a lid generally indicated by the numeral
20. Lid 20 can be of a conventional configuration but is shown as
having a cover surface 21 having a circular skirt 22 with external
threads 23 extending downwardly therefrom, and a gripping skirt 24
extending upwardly therefrom. Threads 23 of lid 20 are adapted to
engage threads 14 of cup 11 to attach lid 20 to cup 11. An O-ring
25 may be received around skirt 22 above threads 23, and when the
lid 20 is attached to cup 11, O-ring 25 may rest on the top of lip
13 of cup 11, as shown in FIG. 5, to seal lid 20 to cup 11. Skirt
24 may be provided with a plurality of external ribs 26 which not
only enhance the ability to grip and turn lid 20 when tightening
threads 23 on threads 14, but also provide an aesthetic feature to
lid 20.
[0018] Skirt 24 is shown as being circumferentially interrupted, as
at 27, and a recess 28 is formed in cover surface 21 at that
location. Recess 28 extends diametrically across lid 20 and is
sloped downwardly toward a drink opening 29 (FIG. 5) at one end of
recess 27 through which the liquid in the mug 10 may pass even when
lid 20 is closing cup 11. The other, upper end of recess 28 may
include a pin 30 to which one end of a chain 31 is swivelably
attached. As will hereinafter be described in more detail, chain 31
assures that lid 20 is carried by mug 10 when it is removed from
the threaded engagement previously described. A small air vent 32
can be provided generally centrally in recess 28 which permits
easier flow of the liquid in cup 11 through drink opening 29.
[0019] Lid 20 includes a cover, generally indicated by the numeral
33, which can be formed of plastic or neoprene. Cover 33 includes a
base portion 34 which is pivotally carried, as at 35 (FIG. 5), by
lid 20. Base portion 34 can thus be pivoted in recess 28 to a
position in the end of recess 28 over pin 30. In this position,
drink opening 29 and air vent 32 are open such that liquid can
conveniently pass through opening 29. The underside of base portion
34 includes a plug 36 and a stopper 37. When cover 33 is pivoted so
that base portion 34 is in the other end of recess 28, stopper 27
closes opening 29 and plug 36 closes air vent 32, as shown in FIG.
5. Cover 33 also includes a tab 38 extending upwardly from base
portion 34. A hook 39 is formed at the end of tab 38 and can engage
the top of skirt 24 when cover 33 is closing opening 29. To open
lid 20, the user need only grasp hook 39 and pivot cover 33 from
the position shown in the drawings to a position over pin 30, as
previously described.
[0020] Mug 10 includes an outer casing, generally indicated by the
numeral 40, which can be formed of a transparent plastic material,
such as SAN plastic, ABS or polycarbonate. Casing 40 includes a
generally cylindrical sidewall, generally indicated by the numeral
41, having an upper portion 42 with an open upper end, and a lower
portion 43 having an open lower end. It should be noted that both
portions 42 and 43 taper inwardly as they extend downwardly, and as
such, the overall configuration of sidewall 41 matches that of
sidewall 12 of cup 11. However, sidewall 41 is of a slightly larger
diameter than sidewall 12 so that cup 11 may be received in casing
40. As best shown in FIG. 5, when so positioned, the upper edge of
casing 40 is received beneath lip 13 of cup 11, and a small
cylindrical space 44 is formed between cup 11 and casing 40. It
should also be noted that upper portion 42 is of a slightly larger
diameter than lower portion 43 of sidewall 41 thereby forming a
step 45 at the transition point between them.
[0021] Upper sidewall portion 42 may be provided with a tab 46 to
which the other end of chain 31 may be attached. Thus, as
previously described, when lid 20 is removed to fully open mug 10,
it remains carried by mug 10 in view of the chain attachment.
[0022] Upper sidewall portion 42 is also shown as carrying a
timepiece generally indicated by the numeral 50. Timepiece 50 may
include a conventional clock 51 having a face 52 which can display
the time of day and/or other information. Timepiece 50 may also
include a simulated watch band 53 to enhance the realistic nature
of the timepiece, rendering its appearance as being much like a
wrist watch. Band 53 may carry a small lug 54 (FIG. 4) on each side
of clock 51 which may be snapped into apertures 55 formed in upper
sidewall portion 42 of casing 40 to attach timepiece 50 to sidewall
portion 42. In the event that timepiece 50 would need to be removed
from casing 40 for repair, replacement, or the like, an aperture 56
is provided in sidewall portion 42 to gain access to clock 51 or to
otherwise enable one to push on timepiece 50 to separate it from
sidewall portion 42.
[0023] As best shown in FIG. 5, a display member, generally
indicated by the numeral 60, is received in the space 44 between
the outer casing 40 and the cup 11. Display member 60 is shown as
being in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, and its outer surface 61
is designed to provide a theme and other indicia for mug 10. It may
be made of paper, cardboard, fabric, or the like as long as at
least its outer surface 61 is capable of carrying some sort of
indicia. Thus, the outer surface 61 shown is provided with a
camouflage pattern 62 to give mug 10 a hunting or military theme.
It should be noted that consistent with this particular theme,
clock 51 may display military time. Because display member 60 is
removable, as now will be described, mug 10 can take on any theme
desired by the user. For example, display member 60 could take on
the form of one's favorite picture, or depict one's hobby so that,
for example, a mother's mug could depict her children, a
grandmother's mug could depict her grandchildren, or a golfer's mug
could depict a golf scene.
[0024] To assemble mug 10, display member 60 may be received around
sidewall 12 of cup 11, and then cup 11 and display member 60 may be
inserted into outer casing 40. Display member 60 is prevented from
falling out of casing 40 by a ledge 63 which is formed around the
periphery of the bottom open end of lower sidewall portion 43. Then
a cap, generally indicated by the numeral 64, may be utilized to
close the bottom of casing 40. Cap 64 includes a circular head 65
which carries a collar 66 having internal threads 67. Threads 67
are adapted to engage threads 17 formed at the bottom of cup 11
which, when tightened, fully assembles mug 10 with the display
member maintained therein. A hex-shaped opening 68 (FIG. 5) may be
positioned in head 65 so that by engagement with a tool, such as an
alien wrench, the cap 64 may be easily tightened or loosened.
[0025] If desired, a cup, generally indicated by the numeral 70,
may be received around lower portion 43 of sidewall 41 of casing 40
to cover cap 64. When so positioned, the upper lip 71 of cup 70
rests against step 45 of sidewall 41 of casing 40, and cup 70 is
maintained thereon by a friction fit. Cup 70 may be adorned with
ribbing 72 or the like, which not only adds to the aesthetics of
mug 10, but also provides a gripping area for the user when it is
desired to overcome the friction fit and remove cup 70. When so
removed, cup 70 can provide an additional drinking vessel, if
desired.
[0026] It should be noted that, as shown, cup 70 covers the
transparent lower sidewall portion 43 of casing 40, and thus, any
portion of display member 60 exposed through lower sidewall portion
43 would be covered. However, if the depiction of the lower portion
of display member 60 were important, mug 10 could be utilized
without cup 20, or a display member 60 having indicia showing
through only the transparent upper sidewall portion 42 of casing 40
could be utilized. Also, conveniently, one display member 60 could
actually carry two displays. That is, a first display might
normally be seen through upper sidewall portion 42, and a second
display, which would normally, otherwise be seen through lower
sidewall portion 43, is covered by the cup 70. But to quickly
change the theme, mug 10 could be disassembled and the display
member 60 inserted in the other direction so that the second
display is now observable through the transparent upper sidewall
portion 42. Such disassembly, to replace or change display member
60, can quickly be accomplished by removing cup 70 and loosening
cap 64 for access to display member 60.
[0027] In view of the foregoing, it should be evident that a mug
constructed as described accomplishes the objects of the present
invention and otherwise herein substantially improves the art.
* * * * *