Novelty Shot Glass

Abstract

The invention disclosed is a drink container of the general size of a single, double, or other size shot glass for drinking liquors and spirits having the aesthetic shape and features of a prophylactic condom. The drink container may be made of a rigid plastic or resilient material, such as silicone rubber. The drink container is formed of side walls extending into a rounded closed basal end, with an opening at the opposite lip end, and can include text or graphic labels on the exterior surface. The resilient drink container is inter-convertible between an extended and collapse conformation, and may be packaged in a flat, square-shaped sealed wrapper.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/555,869 filed Nov. 4, 2011, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a novelty and promotional item for containing approximately between one and three ounces of liquid, i.e. a shot glass for drinking alcoholic liquors and spirits.

In the past, a variety of collapsible drinking containers have been produced. One type of such a container is formed of a series of concentric rings that collapse upon one another to take on a storage conformation, or are extended to create a drinking “glass” that is 4 to 5 times taller than the collapsed container. Other drink containers can be collapsed for storage, such as bladders, or plastic bottles formed of polyethylene or the like. A commercial liquid bladder sold under the name “Camelback” provides a plastic bladder that stores in a flat conformation, and when full provides for gravity or suction feed delivery of liquid, from a drinking tube. Other similar bladders or bottles provide caps and open tops for consumption.

The present invention utilizes the flat storage conformation that is known in the art, but combines the flattened “glass” into a novelty or promotional item. Thus, while functioning as a glass, the new invention provides the opportunity for entertainment, advertising, or use as a promotional giveaway in educational campaigns, along with the other functional features.

Furthermore, there are many advocacy groups, members of the medical profession, and others that wish to promote the use of prophylactic methods for preventing the transmissions of sexually transmitted diseases. Countless studies have shown that people are less likely to engage in these preventative measures during sexual activity that coincides with or follows closely from alcohol consumption. This is true despite repeated efforts by many to increase the awareness of the problem. Therefore, an object of the current invention is to provide a novelty or promotional drink container that can be used to promote safe sex awareness, even during alcohol consumption. Another object of the current invention is to provide a drink container product that may be sold and used as a novelty and entertainment item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is embodied in a drink container comprising side walls formed of rigid material with an interior surface defining a liquid container area and an exterior surface forming a generally cylindrical body having a closed basal end with a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface, and a lip end with an opening surrounded by a lip, with the walls, basal end and lip end together providing a generally cylindrical drinking container in the shape of a prophylactic condom. The rigid material may be comprised of formed, molded, extruded, or other hard plastic so as to not collapse when the liquid container area is filled with liquid and tilted for drinking.

Another aspect of the current invention encompasses a wide variety of shapes, styles, and features, such as the inclusion of a reservoir tip extending outwardly from the basal end convex exterior surface, one or more extrusions, such as ribs or studs, extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes, variations of side wall diameter along the drink container length, and combinations thereof. The drink container may also include text, graphics, or a combination of both displayed on the side wall exterior surface.

The drink container may also be configured with side walls formed of resilient material with an interior surface defining a liquid container area and an exterior surface forming a generally cylindrical body having a closed basal end with a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface, and a lip end with an opening surrounded by a lip, the walls, basal end and lip end together providing a generally cylindrical drinking container in the shape of a prophylactic condom. The lip may serve as an axis for wrapping the walls around the lip such that the drink container can be inter-converted between a collapsed conformation and an extended conformation. The drink container can also be inter-converted between a collapsed conformation and an extended conformation, the collapsed conformation comprised of the drink container folded in half length-wise and secured in position by an adhesive strip attached to both the lip end and basal ends.

Another aspect of the invention includes the drink container in any appropriate collapsed conformation assuming a generally flat shape and can be packaged into a sealed wrapper that approximates the packaging of a prophylactic condom. The drink container can include features such as a reservoir tip extending outwardly from the basal end convex exterior surface, one or more extrusions, such as studs or ribs, extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes, or combinations of such features.

The rigid or resilient drink containers are preferably configured such that the overall liquid capacity is either 1.5 fluid ounces or 3 fluid ounces plus a small extra volume to avoid spillage, but can take on other volumetric properties.

A further aspect of the invention is embodied in a method of using a prophylactic condom shaped drink container in connection with a safe sex awareness campaign comprising the steps of packaging a drink container with safe sex informational materials and distributing it to a user as a reminder to take prophylactic measures prior to engaging in any sexual activity. The method can also include the step of labeling the prophylactic condom shaped drink container on an exterior surface with a safe sex reminder, slogan, or graphic prior to packaging the drink container, or packaging the drink container with safe sex informational materials and a complimentary prophylactic condom. Alternatively, the new drink container may be marketed, packaged, and sold as a novelty and entertainment item for social gatherings, use as a gag gift, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present apparatus, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the drink container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the drink container;

FIG. 3 is a basal end view of a further embodiment of the drink container shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the drink container;

FIG. 5 is a lip end view of the embodiment of the drink container shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a basal end view of the embodiment of the drink container shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a further embodiment of the drink container;

FIG. 8 is a lip end view of the embodiment of the drink container shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an extended conformation of an embodiment of the drink container comprised of resilient material;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a packaged embodiment of the drink container in a collapsed conformation;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a packaged embodiment of the drink container in a folded collapsed conformation;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a packaged embodiment of the drink container in a folded collapsed conformation;

FIG. 13 is a front view of several attached packaged drink containers in collapsed conformation;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a packaged embodiment of the drink container in a rolled collapsed conformation; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of a set of packaged drink containers comprised of rigid material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is embodied as a drinking container formed as a novelty “shot glass.” The shot glass is, in general, useful for entertainment purposes as a novelty item for containing approximately between one and three ounces of liquid such as alcoholic liquors and spirits. In form, the drink container is configured to resemble, in several recognizable manners and varieties, a prophylactic condom. The drink container can optionally be supplied in a generally flat, square package, with the drink container in a collapsed conformation. After opening the package, the drink container can be unrolled or unfolded, similar to the manner in which a condom is unrolled over a banana, and in the extended conformation, the drink container can then act to contain a drink for consumption. It is clear that essentially all prophylactic condoms are not free-standing when unrolled, and in general, a thick wall able to contain several ounces of fluid is disfavored for prophylactic condoms.

The drink container may optionally be formed of resilient material such as latex or silicone rubber. The external shape of the drink container is a cylindrical tube-like appearance, with a lip at the open end of the container. The cylinder is capped with a hemispherical end with a teardrop shaped tip, or reservoir. The drink container can be formed as an approximately 4-inch tall 3-ounce “double shot” or a 3-inch tall 1.5-ounce “single shot” container.

The drink container may also be optionally formed of rigid material such as formed, molded, or extruded hard plastic. The plastic material is not collapsible, but may be made to resemble a prophylactic condom, and has the advantage of being more readily and economically imprintable with text, graphics, or the like.

It should be noted that the drink container is expressly not embodied in a form that is useful or usable as an actual prophylactic condom. The Food and Drug Administration classifies condoms as Class II medical devices. As such, they are subject to the appropriate rules and regulations related to use and labeling. The present invention cannot be used as a condom.

Turning to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the drink container is shown, generally, at 10. Resilient side walls 11 make up the a generally cylindrical, condom-shaped enclosure with a rounded basal end 12 closing off one end of the cylinder to form and define a liquid container area, accessible via an opening 13 at the lip end. The opening 13 at the lip end can be circumscribed a lip 14, mimicking the features of a prophylactic condom, or functionally aiding in inter-conversion of conformations, as described in more detail below. The interior surface 15 of the basal end is convex and defined the bottom boundary of the liquid container area and the exterior surface 16 of the basal end is concave. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also is comprised of an optional reservoir tip 17, which can either receive liquid poured into the liquid container area through an opening at its contact surface with the basal end 12 exterior surface 16 as at 18, or can be separate from the liquid container area and present for purely aesthetic purposes.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also depicts a text or graphics area 19, generally defined as any surface of the product that is suitable for the placement of indicia, trademarks, slogans, information, combinations thereof, or the like. For example, the drink container can be manufactured with the seller's trademark or tradename, or multiple entertaining slogans can be manufactured for the purposes of collection or variety. When used in campaigns to promote awareness and thoughtfulness of safe sex, the exterior surface can be used to print reminders to use safe practices when engaging in sexual behaviors in temporal proximity to the use of alcohol—an objective that is often not met by existing safe sex campaigns. The characteristics of the drink container, e.g., its liquid carrying capacity or “shot size,” is yet another example of the information that can be placed on the drink container. Other embodiments of the invention are shown that do not employ this feature, such as the drink container 40 shown in FIG. 4, for example, although surface 42 would be suitable for such an area. Likewise, side wall 21 described in connection with FIG. 2 would be suitable as well, in addition to other surfaces on the various embodiments depicted and described herein. The text and graphics may be embossed, printed, screened, or the like, onto the material. The appropriate method will depend upon the precise material chosen for manufacturing and will be readily known to those skilled in the art.

While multiple embodiments are described herein, the use of a hard, extruded, molded, or formed plastic is consider the current best mode of the invention. Actual per unit production costs using this method are lower than with resilient materials, as are the costs associated with printing graphics and text directly onto the drink containers. It should be noted that the material used in constructing the drink container may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, depending upon the desired characteristics. For example, FIG. 2 depicts the use of a generally transparent plastic material to form drink container 20, allowing the liquid to be viewed through the side wall 21. The volume of the liquid poured into the drink container 20 can be measured through the use of measuring indicia, as shown with major indicia 22 indicating a single shot size (1.5 fl. oz.) and minor indicia 22′, 22″, and 22′″ indicating lesser amounts thereof. FIG. 2 shows a fluid level 23 of less than one shot—around ⅔ of a standard 1.5 fluid ounce drink.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the uncommon characteristics of the invention in relation to conventional drinking containers. The irregular reservoir tip 17 of FIG. 1 and the rounded, concave exterior surface of the basal end 24 of FIG. 2 are not suitable for maintaining the drinking containers upright when placed on a flat surface—a common feature of beverage containers. Note also that, along with other figures described in more detail below, the exact shape of the invented drinking container may vary. The current disclosure teaches the production of drinking containers that resemble prophylactic condoms and, in general, there are many variations known in the art. For example, the drinking container 10 of FIG. 1 depicts a cylindrical side wall 11 of generally constant diameter, ending at the basal end 12 with a reservoir tip 17. Some condoms, however, do not utilize a reservoir tip, and the embodiment of the drinking container 20 in FIG. 2 mimics the profile of those.

The embodiment 40 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, depict yet another variation, a combination of a reservoir tip 41 and multiple extrusions about the lower half of the drink container 40, as at 41. These multiple extrusion mimic the studs employed by some enhanced prophylactic condoms. Enhanced prophylactic condoms carry features extraneous to their primary prophylactic function, such as but not limited to, protruding ribs or studs designed to enhance the pleasure of sexual activity. Similarly, other condom profiles may be mimicked without departing from the scope of this disclosure, such as a cylindrical body with two or more sections separated by their varying diameters (i.e., a larger bottom half).

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view from the basal end of the drink container 40 shown in FIG. 4 (shown inverted in that figure). The reservoir tip 46 employed in this embodiment appears closest to the viewer, followed by the concave contour of the basal end 45 of the side wall 42. Extrusions are shown, as at 41, extending outwardly from side wall 42. The portion of the lip 43 positioned at the lip end completes the profile.

FIG. 5 depicts a top view from the lip end of the drink container 40. The lip 43 is shown closest to the viewer's perspective, with the side wall 42 profile and exemplary extrusion 41 shown in phantom and positioned behind the lip 43. The interior surface 44 of the drink container 40 defines the liquid container area, into which liquid is poured for consumption.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict yet another variation of a prophylactic condom as drink container 70, being sized smaller than that shown in FIG. 4. The drink container's 70 length—viewed from basal end to lip end—is shorted than that of drink container 40 relative to the average cylindrical body diameter. This compact configuration is shown in FIGS. 6-8 as a variation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6 in that a portion of the sidewall 42 is rolled over the lip 43, creating the thicker, larger diameter lip 72 shown in FIGS. 7-8. This configuration is useful for limiting the liquid capacity of the drink container to about, for instance, 1.5 fluid ounces. Note that, when inverted vertically prior to pouring liquid into the drink container 70, the stud extrusions show in this embodiment, as at 71, are also useful for providing extra grip when holding the drink container 70. The rollable configuration is useful for providing liquid capacities of varying sizes in a single product. Note that, smaller versions—e.g., 1.5 fluid ounce versions—of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, for instance, can be manufactured with smaller relative length and width characteristics to those shown in FIG. 1, thereby producing a smaller version that looks proportionally similar, as opposed to producing a shorter version, as shown in relation to FIGS. 4 and 7. The same is true for creating large versions of each embodiment of the drink container disclosed herein.

Turning to FIG. 9, a drink container 90 is shown, being gripped by a user's hand 91 shown in phantom. The drink container 90 is comprised of a resilient material, such as a silicone rubber that is pliant, but returns to its original shape when at rest. The user's grip exerts enough force that the side walls are compressed, deforming slightly, as at contact areas 92 and 93. Note that it is advantageous to leave a small volume of the liquid container area devoid of liquid, as at 94, to allow for the compression of the total drink container area due to side wall deformation, so as to avoid liquid spillage prior to consumption.

An advantage of using a resilient material in the manufacture of the drink container, such as drink container 90, is the manner of packaging that may be used. Turning to FIGS. 10-14, various configurations of packaging are shown in connection with drink containers made of resilient material. FIG. 11 shows what is currently considered the best mode of presenting the resilient drink container. While FIG. 9 depicts an extended conformation of such a drink container 90, FIG. 11 illustrates a collapsed conformation 110 that is prepared for packaging. In this embodiment, the drink container is folded in half length-wise and generally flattened. The fold axis is shown as the top edge 111 of the conformation 110. In this conformation, the drink container can be wrapped in packaging and sealed about a sealed edge 112. Alternatively, an adhesive strip 120 or similar mechanical securing means may be implemented to reversibly keep the resilient material from returning to its original form during the packaging steps. The inventor has found that using an adhesive strip, such as 120, is preferred when packaging the resilient material version of the invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a packaged drink container from the side, generally, at 100. Similar in appearance to a standard individual prophylactic condom wrapper, the sealed edge 101 is relatively thin compared to the middle of the packaging, which swells slightly from the sealed edge plane to contain its contents, as at 102. FIG. 13 illustrates several drink containers 131-134 connected at perforated seams 135-137. Packaged drink container 133 is shown slightly separated at seam 137 from packaged drink container 134 for illustrative purposes. Note also that the individual packaging provides the manufacturer with an opportunity to imprint further textual or graphical art in the imprint spaces, as at packaging surface 138.

FIG. 14 depicts an alternative method of packaging a resilient material drink container 140, in which the lip 141 serves as an axis about which the side walls are wrapped in a fashion similar to known prophylactic condom packaging methods, as at 142. As shown, the thickness of the rolled side walls 142 about the lip 141 increases because of the wrapping of wall material 142 about the lip. Thus, the roll thickness is greater than the diameter of the lip. This circular collapsed conformation can then be packaged in a generally square-shaped wrapper as described in connection with FIGS. 10-13 above. It should also be noted that any basal end or reservoir is collapsible into the void created beneath them interior to the lip 141.

Finally, FIG. 15 depicts a method of packaging rigid material drink containers, generally at 150. Three drink containers 151-153 are shown packaged in clear plastic 154, which can be configured as one compartment, one compartment with three sub-compartments separated by two heat-sealed seams 155-156 (as shown in FIG. 15), or individual clear plastic compartments. An advertising/label component 157 is used to close the top of the plastic 154 for shipping and retail display, and carries an imprint space 158 for further textual of graphical displays.

While the apparatus has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure may not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application the US measurement system is used, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred to herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A drink container comprising side walls formed of rigid material with an interior surface defining a liquid container area and an exterior surface forming a generally cylindrical body having a closed basal end with a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface, and a lip end with an opening surrounded by a lip, with the walls, basal end and lip end together providing a generally cylindrical drinking container in the shape of a prophylactic condom.

2. The drink container of claim 1 wherein the rigid material is comprised of formed, molded, or extruded plastic so as to not collapse when the liquid container area is filled with liquid and tilted for drinking.

3. The drink container of claim 2 further comprising a reservoir tip extending outwardly from the basal end convex exterior surface.

4. The drink container of claim 2 further comprising one or more extrusions extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes.

5. The drink container of claim 3 further comprising one or more extrusions extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes.

6. The drink container of claim 2 further comprising text, graphics, or a combination of both displayed on the side wall exterior surface.

7. The drink container of claim 6 wherein the overall liquid capacity is either 1.5 fluid ounces or 3 fluid ounces.

8. The drink container of claim 7 further comprising: a reservoir tip extending outwardly from the basal end convex exterior surface; and one or more extrusions extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes; and text, graphics, or a combination of both displayed on the side wall exterior surface.

9. A drink container comprising side walls formed of resilient material with an interior surface defining a liquid container area and an exterior surface forming a generally cylindrical body having a closed basal end with a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface, and a lip end with an opening surrounded by a lip, the walls, basal end and lip end together providing a generally cylindrical drinking container in the shape of a prophylactic condom.

10. The drink container of claim 9 wherein the lip serves as an axis for wrapping the walls around the lip such that the drink container can be inter-converted between a collapsed conformation and an extended conformation.

11. The drink container of claim 9 wherein the drink container can be inter-converted between a collapsed conformation and an extended conformation, the collapsed conformation comprised of the drink container folded in half length-wise and secured in position by an adhesive strip attached to both the lip end and basal ends.

12. The drink container of claim 10 or 11 wherein the drink container in collapsed conformation assumes a generally flat shape and is packaged into a sealed wrapper that approximates the packaging of a prophylactic condom.

13. The drink container of claim 12 further comprising a reservoir tip extending outwardly from the basal end convex exterior surface.

14. The drink container of claim 12 further comprising one or more extrusions extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes.

15. The drink container of claim 13 further comprising one or more extrusions extending outwardly from the drink container side walls so as to resemble enhanced prophylactic condom shapes.

16. The drink container of claim 15 wherein the overall liquid capacity is either 1.5 fluid ounces or 3 fluid ounces.

17. A method of using a prophylactic condom shaped drink container in connection with a safe sex awareness campaign comprising the steps of packaging a drink container with safe sex informational materials and distributing it to a user as a reminder to take prophylactic measures prior to engaging in any sexual activity.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of labeling the prophylactic condom shaped drink container on an exterior surface with a safe sex reminder, slogan, or graphic prior to packaging the drink container.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the drink container is packaged with safe sex informational materials and a complimentary prophylactic condom.