U.S. patent application number 15/353513 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for drinking apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alexander A. Jorge. Invention is credited to Alexander A. Jorge.
Application Number | 20170055743 15/353513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58103318 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170055743 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jorge; Alexander A. |
March 2, 2017 |
Drinking Apparatus
Abstract
A reusable beverage container contains an insulated cup, a lid,
and a straw. The beverage is stored in the insulated cup and an
opening of the insulated cup is covered with the lid. The lid is
removably attached to the insulated cup with an inner locking lip
and an outer locking lip. A gasket can also be used to attach the
lid to the insulated cup. The straw traverses into the insulated
cup through a straw-receiving hole. The straw is positioned in the
straw-receiving hole such that a bias-cut edge of the straw is
positioned within the insulated cup and a straight-cut edge of the
straw is positioned outside the lid. A stoppage band of the straw
prevents the straw from coming out of the lid.
Inventors: |
Jorge; Alexander A.;
(Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jorge; Alexander A. |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58103318 |
Appl. No.: |
15/353513 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14710575 |
May 12, 2015 |
9526363 |
|
|
15353513 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/18 20130101;
B65D 2231/022 20130101; A47G 19/2266 20130101; A47G 19/2222
20130101; Y02W 30/807 20150501; B65D 47/06 20130101; Y02W 30/80
20150501; A47G 19/2272 20130101; A47G 19/2288 20130101; B65D
81/3865 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 47/06 20060101 B65D047/06; B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; A47G 21/18 20060101 A47G021/18 |
Claims
1. A reusable beverage container comprises: an insulated cup,
wherein the insulated cup comprises an opening, a base section, and
a lateral wall, wherein the lateral wall is perimetrically
positioned around the base section, wherein an outer brim of the
insulated cup is delineated by the lateral wall and oppositely
positioned from the base section across the lateral wall, wherein
the opening is internally delineated by the outer brim, the lateral
wall, and the base section; a lid; a straw; the lid comprises a
straw-receiving hole, an inner locking lip, and an outer locking
lip; the straw traversing into the insulated cup through the
straw-receiving hole; and the inner locking lip and the outer
locking lip being removably attached to the outer brim of the
insulated cup.
2. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the lid further comprises a gasket; the outer locking lip being
perimetrically positioned around the lid; the straw-receiving hole
being positioned within the outer locking lip; the inner locking
lip being positioned in between the outer locking lip and the
straw-receiving hole; the inner locking lip being concentric to the
outer locking lip; the gasket being concentrically positioned with
the inner locking lip and the outer locking lip; and the gasket
being positioned in between the inner locking lip and the outer
locking lip.
3. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the straw comprises an annular body, a bias-cut edge, and a
straight-cut edge; the bias-cut edge and the straight-cut edge are
oppositely positioned from each other across the annular body; the
annular body being concentrically positioned with the
straw-receiving hole; the straight-cut edge being externally
positioned from the lid and the insulated cup; and the bias-cut
edge being positioned within the lid and insulated cup, adjacent to
the base section.
4. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
the straw further comprises a stoppage band; the stoppage band
being positioned between the bias-cut edge and the lid; the
stoppage band being perimetrically connected around the annular
body; and the stoppage band positioned adjacent the bias-cut edge
of the straw, wherein the straw is characterized by an outer
diameter of about 13 mm and an inner diameter of about 11 mm.
5. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the straw comprises an annular body, a first straight-cut edge, and
a second straight-cut edge; the first straight-cut edge and the
second straight-cut edge are oppositely positioned from each other
across the annular body; the annular body being concentrically
positioned with the straw-receiving hole; the first straight-cut
edge being externally positioned from the lid and the insulated
cup; and the second straight-cut edge being positioned within the
lid and insulated cup, adjacent to the base section.
6. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the straw further comprises a stoppage band; the stoppage band
being positioned between the second straight-cut edge and the lid;
the stoppage band being perimetrically connected around the annular
body; and the stoppage band positioned adjacent the second
straight-cut edge of the straw, wherein the straw is characterized
by an outer diameter of about 13 mm and an inner diameter of about
11 mm.
7. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the straw-receiving hole being concentrically positioned with the
outer locking lip and the inner locking lip.
8. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, a
diameter ratio between the straw-receiving hole and the outer
locking lip is about 1.5:10.
9. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the insulated cup is transparent.
10. The reusable beverage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the lid is transparent.
Description
[0001] The current application is a continuation-in-part (OP)
application of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No.
14/710,575 filed on May 12, 2015. The U.S. non-provisional
application Ser. No. 14/710,575 claims a priority to a U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/992,151 filed on May 12,
2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to drinking
containers. More specifically, the present invention is a drinking
container for bubble tea or other similar beverages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tumblers are widely used by individuals who prefer to carry
a beverage while traveling from one place to another. Moreover,
tumblers help minimize the use of plastic beverage containers which
is beneficial to the environment. Tumblers are used with both hot
beverages and cold beverages and can be made from a variety of
materials. Stainless steel and plastic are among the most preferred
materials for tumblers. In most instances, stainless steel tumblers
are used to carry a hot beverage and plastic tumblers are used to
carry a cold beverage. Even though the existing tumblers have a
series of advantages in terms of convenience, they also have
distinct disadvantages.
[0004] With the growing demand for bubble tea and increased
awareness for environment preservation, the need for an
environmentally friendly beverage container is clearly evident. In
order to satisfy the demand for bubble tea, these containers need
to have the ability to receive a straw with a larger diameter. The
larger diameter is essential to draw out the tapioca pearls,
commonly known as boba, from the bubble tea.
[0005] Tumblers are used to carry a variety of beverages that can
be, but are not limited to, coffee, tea, and bubble tea. The
drinking method for the tumblers varies according to the beverage
that is stored within the tumbler. As an example, a straw is
utilized when drinking most cold beverages. When drinking bubble
tea, the straw is also used to draw out the tapioca pearls from the
bubble tea. Therefore, a larger diameter straw needs to be
utilized. However, most plastic tumblers do not have the ability to
accommodate the larger diameter straw along with the lid. In other
words, the diameter of the straw-receiving hole of the lid is
generally smaller than the diameter of the straw. Therefore,
consumers currently do not have the ability to drink bubble tea
with any of the existing tumblers.
[0006] The objective of the present invention is to address the
aforementioned issues. In particular, the present invention
introduces an insulated drinking container such that minimum heat
transfer occurs between the beverage within the insulated drinking
container and the atmosphere. Resultantly, the temperature
properties of the beverage remain unchanged. A straw introduced in
the present invention is sufficiently sized in order to maximize
the delivery of the beverage and the tapioca pearls stored within
the insulated drinking container. To receive a larger sized straw,
the present invention contains a sufficiently sized straw-receiving
hole and an appropriately sized lid. In particular, the straw
snugly fits within the straw-receiving hole while the lid conceals
the insulated drinking container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the straw.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid.
[0010] FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the lid, wherein the gasket is
positioned in between the outer locking lip and the inner locking
lip.
[0011] FIG. 4B is a perspective exploded view of the lid and the
gasket.
[0012] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the insulated cup.
[0013] FIG. 5B is a side view of the insulated cup.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is side view of the present invention, wherein the
insulated cup and the lid are transparent.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the
first straight-cut edge and the second straight-cut edge are
illustrated.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0018] The present invention introduces a reusable beverage
container. In particular, the present invention is intended to be
used for bubble tea. However, the present invention can be used
with other similar beverages such as iced coffee and ice tea.
[0019] As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises an
insulated cup 1, a lid 6, and a straw 10. The insulated cup 1 holds
bubble tea in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the
insulated cup 1 can hold any other beverage. The insulation of the
insulated cup 1 helps maintain the thermal properties of the
beverage. For instance, when a cold beverage is stored within the
insulated cup 1, the insulation helps maintain the temperature of
the cold beverage. In particular, the insulation prevents the cold
beverage from absorbing heat from the atmosphere. The lid 6
conceals the beverage stored in the insulated cup 1 and also
receives the straw 10 which is used by the user to consume the
beverage. In order to conceal the beverage, the lid 6 comprises an
inner locking lip 8 and an outer locking lip 9. The inner locking
lip 8 and the outer locking lip 9 are removably attached to an
outer brim 5 of the insulated cup 1 such that the lid 6 is
removably attached to the insulated cup 1. The lid 6 further
comprises a straw-receiving hole 7 which serves as an insertion
point for the straw. Since the present invention is intended for
bubble tea, the straw 10 is also utilized to draw out the tapioca
pearls from within the insulated cup 1. However, if the present
invention is utilized with a different beverage, the straw 10 is
utilized solely for drawing out the beverage. In order to do so,
the straw 10 traverses into the insulated cup 1 through the
straw-receiving hole 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, both the lid 6
and the insulated cup 1 are transparent in one embodiment of the
present invention. However, the material properties of the lid 6
and the insulated cup 1 can vary in different embodiments of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is are illustrations of the insulated
cup 1 that stores the beverage. As illustrated, the insulated cup 1
further comprises an opening 2, a base section 3, and a lateral
wall 4 in addition to the outer brim 5. The beverage is poured into
the insulated cup 1 through the opening 2 as the opening 2 is
internally delineated by the outer brim 5, the lateral wall 4, and
the base section 3. The diameter of the opening 2 can differ in
different embodiments of the present invention depending on the
volume of the insulated cup 1. When the present invention is used
for bubble tea, the tapioca pearls are placed in the base section 3
and the remainder of the beverage is filled to the height of the
lateral wall 4. In order to do so, the lateral wall 4 is
perimetrically positioned around the base section 3. The height of
the lateral wall 4 can vary in different embodiments of the present
invention, where the different heights determine different volumes
for the insulated cup 1. The outer brim 5 is delineated by the
lateral wall 4 and oppositely positioned from the base section 3
across the lateral wall 4. Therefore, when the lid 6 is attached,
the lid 6 is also positioned opposite of the base section 3 and
along the lateral wall 4.
[0021] As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the outer locking lip 9 is
perimetrically positioned around the lid 6. Therefore, when the lid
6 is attached to the insulated cup 1 the outer brim 5 is in between
the outer locking lip 9 and the inner locking lip 8. The outer
locking lip 9 and the inner locking lip 8 are sufficiently sized
such that the outer brim 5 snugly fits in between the outer locking
lip 9 and the inner locking lip 8. In order to secure the outer
brim 5, the inner locking lip 8 is positioned concentric with the
outer locking lip 9 as the inner locking lip 8 is positioned within
the outer locking lip 9. As shown in FIG. 4A, the straw-receiving
hole 7 is positioned within the inner locking lip 8 and the outer
locking lip 9. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the straw-receiving hole 7 is concentrically positioned
with the outer locking lip 9 and the inner locking lip 8 so that
the straw 10 can be centrally inserted into the insulated cup 1.
More specifically, the inner locking lip 9 is positioned in between
the outer locking lip 9 and the straw-receiving hole 7. However, in
another embodiment of the present invention, the straw-receiving
hole 7 can be positioned elsewhere on the lid 6 as long as the
straw-receiving hole 7 is positioned within the inner locking lip
8.
[0022] As seen in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the lid 6 further comprises
a gasket 100. The gasket 100 is integrated into the lid 6 in
between the inner locking lip 8 and the outer locking lip 9 such
that the gasket is positioned in between the inner locking lip 8
and the outer locking lip 9 and is concentrically positioned with
the inner locking lip 8 and the outer locking lip 9. As a result,
when the lid 6 is removably attached to the insulated cup 1, the
gasket 100 is pressed against the outer brim 5. The secure seal
between the lid 6 and the insulated cup 1 ensures that the thermal
properties of the beverage remain unchanged over a lengthy time
period. The gasket 100 is preferably a rubber gasket. When
attaching the lid 6 to the insulated cup 1, the lid 6 is pushed
against the outer brim 5. As a result, the gasket 100 is compressed
such that the beverage within the insulated cup 1 is secured.
[0023] In order to allow the user to establish a secure connection
with the lid 6, the outer locking lip 9 can comprise a plurality of
protrusions that is extended along an outer lateral surface of the
outer locking lip 9. In such instances, the plurality of
protrusions is vertically extended along the outer lateral surface
and radially positioned around the outer brim 5. The plurality of
protrusions is beneficial to provide a gripping surface to the user
when handling the lid 6.
[0024] The lid 6 can also be attached to the insulated cup 1
through a screw mechanism. In order to do so, the outer locking lip
9 can comprise a first plurality of threads. To engage with the
first plurality of threads, an outer surface of the outer brim 5
can comprise a second plurality of threads. Therefore, the user can
engage the first plurality of threads with the second plurality of
threads in order to attach the lid 6 to the insulated cup 1.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid
6 diameter can be 100 millimeters (mm). Even though the lid 6
utilized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
flat in shape, the lid 6 can be a different shape in other
embodiments of the present invention. As an example, the lid 6 can
have a dome-shape. The dome-shape provides extra space in addition
to the space provided by the insulated cup 1. The outer locking lip
9 constructs the outermost edge of the lid 6. Therefore, the
diameter 200 of the outer locking lip 9 is also about 100 mm. Since
a larger diameter straw 10 is utilized within the present
invention, the diameter 300 of the straw-receiving hole 7 is about
15 mm. As a result, the straw-receiving hole 7 diameter 300 and the
outer locking lip 9 diameter 200 has a ratio of about 1.5:10. Since
the straw 10 snugly fits within the straw-receiving hole 7, the
straw 10 has an outer diameter of about 13 mm and an inner diameter
of about 11 mm. However, the outer diameter and the inner diameter
can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. The
large diameter of the straw 10 is beneficial when drawing out
tapioca pearls from the insulated cup 1. However, in another
embodiment of the present invention, the lid 6, the straw-receiving
hole 7, and the straw 10 can have different dimensions.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the straw 10 comprises an annular body 11, a
bias-cut edge 12, and a straight-cut edge 13. However, the straw 10
can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. As an
example, in another embodiment of the present invention the straw
can comprise of two straight-cut edges. The height of the straw 10
is determined by the height of the annular body 11. The user draws
out the beverage at the straight-cut edge 13. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the bias-cut edge 12 is
beneficial to draw in tapioca pearls into the straw 10 from the
beverage. The bias-cut edge 12 eliminates the need to lift up the
straw 10 from the beverage to draw out the tapioca pearls. In order
to effectively transfer the beverage from within the insulated cup
1 to the mouth of the user, the bias-cut edge 12 and the
straight-cut edge 13 are oppositely positioned from each other
across the annular body 11. When the straight-cut edge 13 and the
bias-cut edge 12 are extended along a cross-sectional plane of the
straw 10, an acute angle is created between the straight-cut edge
13 and the bias-cut edge 12. When the straw 10 is positioned within
the straw-receiving hole 7, the annular body 11 is concentrically
positioned with the straw-receiving hole 7 initially. However,
since the straw-receiving hole 7 has a larger diameter 300 than the
straw 10, the user can conveniently move the straw 10 within the
straw-receiving hole 7. When the straw 10 is appropriately placed,
the straight-cute edge 13 is externally positioned from the lid 6
and the insulated cup 1. Moreover, the bias-cut edge 12 is
positioned within the lid 6 and the insulated cup 1, adjacent to
the base section 3 as seen in FIG. 1.
[0027] The straw 10 further comprises a stoppage band 14 which is
also illustrated in FIG. 2. The stoppage band 14 stops the straw 10
from completely coming out of the insulated cup 1. In order to do
so, the stoppage band 14 is perimetrically and externally connected
around the annular body 11 and positioned between the bias-cut edge
12 and the lid 6. Preferably, the stoppage band 14 is positioned
adjacent the bias-cut edge 12 such that the straw 10 can be moved
in a wider range.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, in another embodiment of the present
invention, the straw 10 can comprise a first straight-cut edge 400,
a second straight-cut edge 500 in addition to the annular body 11,
and the stoppage band 14. In such instances, the first straight-cut
edge 400 and the second straight-cut edge 500 are oppositely
positioned across the annular body 11. When positioned as required,
the stoppage band 14 is positioned between the second straight-cut
edge 500 and the lid 6. Similar to the preferred embodiment, the
stoppage band 14 is positioned adjacent the second straight-cut
edge 500, wherein the straw 10 diameters are characterized by an
outer diameter of about 13 mm and an inner diameter of about 11 mm.
When the straw 10 is positioned within the insulated cup 1, the
annular body 11 is concentrically positioned with the
straw-receiving hole 7 so that the first straight-cut edge 400 is
externally positioned from the lid 6 and the insulated cup 1.
Moreover, the second straight-cut edge 500 is positioned within the
lid 6 and the insulated cup 1 adjacent to the base section 3.
[0029] Preferably, the present invention is intended to be used
with bubble tea, milk tea, and boba tea. These beverages can
include, but is not limited to, juices, smoothies, tea, coffee, or
a fruit based beverage. The straw 10 which has a larger diameter
allows the user to draw out either the tapioca pearls, flavored
jellies, pudding/custards, or cut fruit pieces from within the
insulated cup 1. The present invention can be similarly used with a
beverage with caffeine or a beverage with no caffeine.
[0030] When utilizing the present invention, the following steps
are preferably followed. Initially, the beverage is poured into the
insulated cup 1 through the opening 2. Next, the opening 2 is
covered with the lid 6 such that the outer brim 5 of the insulated
cup 1 is positioned in between the outer locking lip 9 and the
inner locking lip 8. To consume the beverage, the straw 10 is
positioned in the straw-receiving hole 7. In doing so, the bias-cut
edge 12 is positioned within the insulated cup 1 such that the
straight-cut edge 13 is positioned outside the lid 6. When
consuming the beverage within the insulated cup 1, the user draws
the beverage at the straight-cut edge 13. Consequently, the
beverage enters the straw 10 at the bias-cut edge 12 and travels
along the annular body 11 towards the straight-cut edge 13. The
larger diameter of the straw 10 allows the user to easily draw the
tapioca pearls in bubble tea.
[0031] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *