Lip sink
This invention involves the new idea of modifying beverage and other containers so the people can grasp them without looking when they are positioning the opening for drinking and/or pouring.
Not applicable. However, it is noted that this nonprovisional application is related to a previous provisional filing 60/577,020.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTFederally sponsored research and development not involved.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention generally concerns beverage preparation and presentation for consumption and more specifically beer and pop cans (206/139), including hand held liquid containers in general. I am unaware of any references, information or documents related to my invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention involves the addition of raised, indented, or other attributes to hand held beverage (and other) containers that allow the user to physically locate with the grasping hand the position of the outlet hole without looking at the container. The purpose of this is to allow users to avoid diverting their eyes from objects other than the container when drinking/pouring, 2) avoid diverting their thoughts from other endeavors when drinking/pouring, and 3) automatically bring to their attention any incorrect grasping position.
These, in turn, help in 1) avoidance of spilling because of misalignment of the discharge hole while drinking or pouring and 2) avoidance of other types of accidents because of being visually or mentally distracted while aligning the opening with ones mouth or glass. Results of these latter accidents include such things as physical harm, property damage, and oral misunderstandings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGNot applicable
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThis invention involves manufacturing liquid containers (that utilize asymmetrical discharge holes at the top) so that they contain raised and/or lowered areas that allow users to identify the location of such discharge holes with their hands, lips or tongues.
Such raised or lowered areas could be imparted on the raw stock being used in the manufacturing process, imparted as the containers are being formed, and/or imparted after the containers have been formed. These areas could be made from the container material or utilize extraneous material(s).
These areas could, for example, be in the form of ridges, indentations of any size or shape, or raised areas of any size or shape.
They could be placed in any area(s) of the container, including its rim, as long as 1) the hand holding the container when aligning the opening comes in contact with these area(s) and/or the mouth, lips and/or tongue can utilize them to line up with the opening.
Examples of these modifications include 1) ridges running down the side of the container on the opposite side of the container from the opening which would be felt by the user's fingers and/or 2) indent(s) just below the opening utilized by the mouth, lips, and or tongue. These examples I classify as my “preferred embodiments”.
Other examples include 1) reforming the container to fit the hand compfortably only when the opening is placed correctly and 2) gluing a strip of material on the side of the container in lieu of the previously mentioned ridges.
It is noted that these examples are just that My invention includes all other configurations of container modifications that accomplish the goal of allowing container alignment without eye contact.
It is also noted that that my invention is not limited to containers made from any specific material or only to containers that are meant to hold liquids for human consumption.
Claims
1. The essence of my invention involves modification(s) of liquid containers, including beer and pop cans, so that they can be grasped in position in one's hand for drinking and/or pouring without eye contact.
- This involves changes to the containers so that the holding hand and/or body parts related to the mouth can feel when the container's opening is in the right position for drinking and/or pouring.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2005
Inventor: Michael Graham (Omaha, NE)
Application Number: 11/103,330