U.S. patent application number 14/061685 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for bracket for a cup.
The applicant listed for this patent is DIANA GARCIA. Invention is credited to DIANA GARCIA.
Application Number | 20150108150 14/061685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52825266 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150108150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GARCIA; DIANA |
April 23, 2015 |
BRACKET FOR A CUP
Abstract
A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a
cup. The bracket includes an upper support band mechanically
coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around
an upper cup portion. A lower support band is mechanically coupled
to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a
lower cup portion. An upper support band pocket is attached to the
upper support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a
utensil. A lower support band pocket is attached to the lower
support band configured to accommodate a lower portion of the
utensil. The bracket provides structural support for the cup while
accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the cup.
Inventors: |
GARCIA; DIANA; (PARAMOUNT,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GARCIA; DIANA |
PARAMOUNT |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52825266 |
Appl. No.: |
14/061685 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/735 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0216 20130101;
B65D 25/2847 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/735 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20 |
Claims
1. A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a
cup; the bracket comprising: an upper support band mechanically
coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around
an upper cup portion; a lower support band mechanically coupled to
the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower
cup portion; an upper support band pocket attached to the upper
support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a
utensil; and a lower support band pocket attached to the lower
support band configured to accommodate a lower portion of the
utensil; wherein the bracket provides structural support for the
cup while accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the
cup.
2. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a left folding handle
attached to the vertical support; and a right folding handle
attached to the vertical support; wherein the left folding handle
and the right folding handle accommodates human figures that can be
used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
3. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a left folding handle
attached to the vertical support; and a right folding handle
attached to the vertical support; wherein the left folding handle
and the right folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid
geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs that
accommodate human fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus
the cup.
4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the upper support band has an
upper support band diameter; and the lower support band has a lower
support band diameter; wherein the upper support band diameter
which is greater than the lower support band diameter.
5. A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a
cup; the bracket comprising: an upper support band mechanically
coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around
an upper cup portion; a lower support band mechanically coupled to
the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower
cup portion; a left folding handle attached to the vertical
support; and a right folding handle attached to the vertical
support; wherein the left folding handle and the right folding
handle accommodate human figures that can be used to move the
bracket and thus the cup.
6. The bracket of claim 5, wherein the left folding handle and the
right folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry
that contains a series of mirror image arcs that accommodate human
fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The embodiments herein relate generally to accessories used
in the transportation and service of food.
[0002] Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, when a cup
of instant soup was filled with hot water, the cup became weak and
flimsy. As a result the cup could spill its hot contents perhaps on
a user causing an injury. Embodiments of the disclosed invention
solve this problem.
SUMMARY
[0003] A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to
a cup. The bracket includes an upper support band mechanically
coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around
an upper cup portion. A lower support band is mechanically coupled
to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a
lower cup portion. An upper support band pocket is attached to the
upper support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a
utensil. A lower support band pocket is attached to the lower
support band configured to accommodate an lower portion of the
utensil. The bracket provides structural support for the cup while
accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the cup.
[0004] In some embodiments, a left folding handle attached to the
vertical support. A right folding handle is attached to the
vertical support. Both the left folding handle and the right
folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry that
contains a series of mirror image arcs that accommodate human
fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
[0005] In some embodiments, the upper support band has an upper
support band diameter. The lower support band has a lower support
band diameter. The upper support band diameter is greater than the
lower support band diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] The detailed description of some embodiments of the
invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures,
wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the
figures.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is perspective view of an embodiment of the invention
rotated 180.degree. to illustrate the folding handles.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention illustrating the folding handles in the deployed
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0011] By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one
embodiment of the bracket is designed to surround cup 12. The
bracket comprises upper support band 14 mechanically coupled to
vertical support 18. Vertical support 18 is mechanically coupled to
lower support band 16. Cup 12 will have a known geometry, but
typically cup 12 comprises an upper cup portion wider than a lower
cup portion. Cup 12 can be filled with contents for human
consumption. To accommodate this upper support band 14 has an upper
support band diameter which is greater than a lower support band
diameter.
[0012] Turning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, vertical support 18
is mechanically coupled to left folding handle 24 and right folding
handle 24. The folding handles 24 have a modified cylindrical
toroid geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs which
can be effective for accommodating human fingers. As shown in more
detail in FIG. 4, folding handles 24 are deployed by folding along
left folding line 26 and right folding line 26.
[0013] Upper support band 14 is mechanically coupled to upper
support band pocket 20. Upper support band pocket 20 has a raised
trapezoid shape with a hollow bottom. Lower support band 16 is
mechanically coupled to lower support band pocket 22. Lower support
band pocket 22 is an extruded arc that extends outward from lower
support band 16. Upper support band pocket 20 accommodates an upper
portion of utensil 28 while lower support band pocket 22
accommodates a lower portion of utensil 28. In this manner, utensil
28 can be stored and shipped with the bracket and thus with cup 12.
While utensil 28 is pictured as a spork, minor variations can
result in any utensil being shipped which can include a spoon,
knife or chopsticks with minor geometrical changes.
[0014] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that
numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the
functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide
variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the
present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the
breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments
described above.
* * * * *