U.S. patent application number 13/107845 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for drinking vessel.
Invention is credited to Mitchell Bangert.
Application Number | 20110297688 13/107845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46209749 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110297688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bangert; Mitchell |
December 8, 2011 |
DRINKING VESSEL
Abstract
A drinking vessel is disclosed which channels aromatic vapors of
the beverage to the nose of the drinker. The vessel has a generally
barrel-shaped body which has a bottom, a belly and a top, along
with a front and back. An opening at the top of the body extends
upwardly along a plane from the front of the body to the back of
the body at an angle .alpha.. The diameter of the belly is greater
than the diameter of the vessel at its bottom or at the opening of
the body. When provided with a handle, the vessel serves as a
coffee cup. Made of glass without a handle it serves as a spirits
glass. When provided with a stem it serves as a wine glass.
Inventors: |
Bangert; Mitchell; (Golden,
CO) |
Family ID: |
46209749 |
Appl. No.: |
13/107845 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29389378 |
Apr 11, 2011 |
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13107845 |
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61397046 |
Jun 7, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/710.5 ;
220/703 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2400/045 20130101;
A47G 19/2205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/710.5 ;
220/703 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A coffee cup comprising: a coffee holding vessel having a
generally barrel shape and having a bottom, a belly and a top; an
elliptical opening at the top of the vessel formed along a plane
extending at an angle .alpha. from a line extending from a front
point parallel to the bottom, to a back point of the vessel; a
handle on one side of the vessel; and wherein the diameter of the
vessel at the belly exceeds the diameter of the bottom and the
diameter of the vessel at the line extending from the front point
parallel to the bottom.
2. A coffee cup as in claim 1 wherein the vessel is made of a
ceramic.
3. A coffee cup as in claim 1 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 20 degrees.
4. A coffee cup as in claim 1 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 24 degrees.
5. A coffee cup as in claim 1 wherein the angle .alpha. is in the
range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
6. A drinking vessel comprising: a body having a generally barrel
shape and having a bottom, a belly and top; an elliptical opening
at the top of the body formed along a plane extending at an angle
.alpha. from a line extending from a front point parallel to the
bottom, to a back point of the body; and wherein the diameter of
the vessel at the belly exceeds the diameter of the bottom and the
diameter of the vessel at the line extending from the front point
of the body parallel to the bottom.
7. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 wherein the vessel is made of
glass.
8. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 wherein the vessel is made of a
ceramic.
9. A drinking vessel as in claim 8 wherein a handle is affixed
along one side of the body.
10. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 20 degrees.
11. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 24 degrees.
12. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 wherein the angle .alpha. is in
the range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
13. A drinking vessel as in claim 7 wherein a stem extends from the
bottom of the vessel.
14. A drinking vessel comprising: a barrel-shaped body having a
bottom, a belly and top and having a front and back; an opening at
the top of the body extending upwardly along a plane from the front
of the body to the back of the body at an angle .alpha. relative to
a line parallel to the bottom of the body; and wherein the diameter
of the body at the belly exceeds the diameter of the bottom of the
body and exceeds the diameter at the top of the body along a line
extending from the front of the body parallel to the bottom.
15. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 wherein the vessel is made of
glass.
16. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 wherein the vessel is made of
a ceramic.
17. A drinking vessel as in claim 16 where a handle is affixed
along one side of the body.
18. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 20 degrees.
19. A coffee cup as in claim 14 wherein the angle .alpha. is
approximately 24 degrees.
20. A coffee cup as in claim 14 wherein the angle .alpha. is in the
range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
21. A drinking vessel as in claim 15 wherein a stem extends from
the bottom of the vessel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority and is a
continuation of provisional patent application No. 61/397,046 filed
on Jun. 7, 2010 and design patent application Ser. No. 29/389,378
filed on Apr. 11, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to the field of drinking vessels, and
in particular an improved coffee cup and other drinking glasses
which engage a drinker's sense of smell while drinking the
beverage.
[0004] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various prior art cups and glasses have included features to
enhance effects of the aroma of the beverage. None, however,
provide as complete an involvement of the sense of smell while
drinking a beverage as experienced with the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the invention a coffee cup is described
which includes a coffee holding vessel having a generally barrel
shape. The vessel has a bottom, a belly and a top. An elliptical
shaped opening is provided at the top. It is elliptical in shape
because the opening extends from the front of the cup at an angle
to the back of the cup. In particular the opening is formed along a
plane extending at an angle .alpha. from a line extending from a
front point of the cup parallel to the bottom of the cup, to a back
point of the cup. Since the cup is barrel shaped, the maximum
diameter of the cup, at the belly, exceeds the diameter of the cup
at the bottom and at the opening of the cup.
[0007] The barrel shape and the angled opening away from the front
of the cup maximize the aroma of the coffee as it is being drunk.
The barrel shape provides increased coffee holding capacity and, at
the belly of the cup a greater surface area for coffee vapors to
emanate. The barrel shape and the angled opening have the effect of
funneling or channeling the fumes from the coffee to the drinker
when the drinker sips his coffee and promotes the engagement of the
drinker's nose with the coffee.
[0008] The back of the cup extends higher, relative to the drinker,
than the front of the cup. Since the back of the cup maintains the
barrel-shape it curves inwardly, all of which helps to direct
aromatic vapors to the drinker's nose.
[0009] In the case of a coffee or tea cup, a handle is provided at
one side of the cup. The present invention is also applicable to
other drinking vessels besides coffee. For example, the present
invention can be used for glasses for brandy, scotch, bourbon and
other alcoholic beverages. It can also be used for wine
glasses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a prospective view of an improved coffee cup in
accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the right side of the improved
coffee cup of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the left side of the improved
coffee cup of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the improved coffee cup of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a back view of the improved coffee cup of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the improved coffee cup of FIG.
4
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the improved coffee cup of FIG.
5.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention as a spirits glass.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention as a wine glass.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Human sense of smell is many times more sensitive than our
taste buds. The "nose" or aroma of any number of beverages is often
touted as one of the joys of drinking some beverages. Recently
there has been a great interest in premium and exotic coffee with a
corresponding interest in the appreciation of coffee aroma while
drinking coffee. So it is an object of the invention to enable a
user's nose to become a more active participant process and
therefore create a more enjoyable drinking experience.
[0020] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a coffee cup 10 which embodies the
present invention. The coffee cup has a body or vessel 11 which is
generally barrel-shaped. It has a bottom 12, an opening 14 and a
wider belly portion 16 in-between. As used in this application
barrel-shaped it is not intended to be a perfectly shaped barrel.
Rather, as show in FIG. 3, by barrel-shaped it is meant that the
maximum diameter of the coffee cup at its belly 16, d.sub.2,
exceeds both the diameter d.sub.2 of the coffee cup at its bottom
12 as well as the diameter of the coffee cup d.sub.3 at the opening
14. Diameter d.sub.3 is shown in FIGS. 2 & 3 as a line
extending from a front point 18 at the front 20 of the coffee cup,
parallel with the bottom 12 of the cup.
[0021] The opening 14 extends from the front 20 of the cup to the
back 22 of the cup. Dashed lines 24 complete an outline of a full
barrel-shaped vessel. This can be seen in FIG. 2. The opening 14
can be viewed as lying in a plane extending from the front point 18
to a back point 26. The angle of this plane relative to d.sub.3,
parallel to the bottom 12 of the vessel, is angle .alpha.. This
gives the opening 14 an elliptical shape. A handle 28 is provided
on a side of coffee cup 10.
[0022] The larger diameter d.sub.2 of the belly of the cup, the
angle .alpha. of the opening 14 and the inwardly curving back 22 of
cup 10 all cooperatively function to channel the aromatic vapors to
the drinker's nose while drinking the coffee. The barrel shaped
belly of the cup provides a large reservoir and surface area for
the evaporation of coffee vapors. The effect of the angled opening
extending from the front of the cup to the back of the cup is to
capture and channel the vapors to and around the drinker's nose to
fully engage the drinker's sense of smell while drinking.
[0023] The coffee cup 10 is made from any suitable material such as
fired clay or ceramic materials. In the preferred embodiment the
angle .alpha. is approximately 20 degrees. In another embodiment
the angle .alpha. is approximately 24 degrees. A range of
approximately 18 degrees to 22 degrees provides a suitable angle of
the opening 14. In a preferred embodiment the diameter d.sub.1 of
the bottom is approximately 2 inches, the diameter d.sub.2 at the
belly, and the widest point of the cup, is approximately 33/4
inches, and the diameter d.sub.3 at the front point 18 of the cup
is 31/4 inches.
[0024] In the embodiment described the height of the cup from the
bottom to the front point is approximately 3% inches and the height
to the back point is approximately 4% inches. The length of the
opening 14 as measured from the front point 18 to the back point 26
is approximately 31/2 inches.
[0025] Of course a coffee cup of the present invention may be made
of any size while incorporating the principles of the present
invention. Nor is the present invention limited to drinking coffee.
For example FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the present invention as
a glass 10.sup.1 to drink spirits such as scotch, bourbon and
brandy. Such a glass has no handle. FIG. 9 shows a wine glass
10.sup.11 which has a stem 30 and a base 32 extending from the
bottom 12 of the vessel 11. Typically both the spirits glass and
wine glass are made of glass.
[0026] There has been broadly outlined more important features of
the invention in the summary and in the detailed description above.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon
which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis
for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for
carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is
important therefore, that claims be regarded as including such
equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0027] The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best
mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the
inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete
disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not
desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,
dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various
modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents
will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed
as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials,
components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,
functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above
description and illustration should not be considered as limiting
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
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