Cup and warming cup holder for a vehicle
A beverage holder for mobile usage in a vehicle having a container having a base and an opened end opposite the base. The base has an enclosure, a heating element contained within the enclosure; and a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of the heating element. The container receives a heatable cup that is capable of retaining a heatable beverage cup. A beverage holder for a vehicle console having a container having a base and an opening opposite the base. The beverage holder has a heating pad disposed in the container proximate the base. The base has an enclosure, a heating element contained within the enclosure; and a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of the heating element. The container is fully embedded in and electrically integrated into the vehicle console. A cup assembly for a beverage holder having a heatable cup, a lid and an outer shell.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/642,546 filed on Jan. 10, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a cup and a cup holder that can be used as a beverage warmer for a vehicle. Particularly, the invention relates to a cup and a cup holder that can be used as a beverage warmer that is either built into or secured to the console of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCurrently, there does not exist a convenient and safe beverage warmer for a vehicle that can accommodate different types of cups. When travelers have purchased a cup of a warm beverage, such as coffee or tea, there is no means of keeping the beverage warm for extended periods of time inside of a vehicle. The paper or wax cup does not provide adequate insulation to maintain the temperature of the beverage at a desired level. Further, should travelers bring a mug or a thermos style cup of a warm beverage from their home or consumption in a vehicle, there does not exist a fully integrated or portable beverage warmer to maintain the temperature of the beverage.
Accordingly, there is a need for an automated cup holder and a beverage warmer that accommodates different types of cups and is safely secured to a moving vehicle or electrically integrated into a vehicle's console.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA beverage holder for mobile usage in a vehicle having a container having a base and an opened end opposite the base. The base has an enclosure, a heating element contained within the enclosure; and a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of the heating element. The container receives a heatable cup that is capable of retaining a heatable beverage cup.
A beverage holder for a vehicle console having a container having a base and an opening opposite said base. The beverage holder has a heating pad disposed in the container proximate the base. The base has an enclosure; a heating element contained within the enclosure; and a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of the heating element. The container is fully embedded in and electrically integrated into the vehicle console.
A cup assembly for a beverage holder having a heatable cup, a lid matingly received on the cup and a shell. The cup is matingly received in the shell.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSOther and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure:
Referring to
Surround 16 is made from an insulating material such as tempered glass, ceramic, porcelain, thermoplastic or any such material that has similar insulating properties. Alternatively, surround 16 could also be made from a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or any metal alloy suitable for such purposes. The insulating material must be made from a temperature resistant material that is capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 110° F. to 220° F., or greater.
The heating element of this embodiment is contained within an enclosure that is located beneath the inner liner. The heating element is a conventional resistive heating element that is activated by a switch after the vehicle is in operation. The temperature of the heating element is regulated by a temperature sensor or a thermostat. The thermostat will prevent the temperature of the heating element from exceeding a predetermined limit and will eliminate the possibility of the heating element, the cup and/or the beverage warmer from becoming overheated.
Heating element 14 is contained within enclosure 18 that is embedded in the vehicle's console or other vehicle location. Heating element 14 is a conventional resistive heating element that is activated by a switch after the vehicle is in operation. The temperature of heating element 14 is regulated by a temperature sensor 19 or a thermostat. Sensor 19 or thermostat will prevent the temperature of heating element 14 from exceeding a predetermined limit and will eliminate the possibility of heating element 14 and cup holder 10 from becoming overheated.
The cup holder 10 of the first embodiment is embedded in and electrically integrated into a vehicle electrical system 25. Cup holder 10 is activated upon ignition of the vehicle. The warmer circuit 21 is powered by the vehicle's battery 22 and has a dedicated fuse in the vehicle's fuse bus 23. The circuit is connected to a switch such that when the switch is activated, heating element is energized to warm a beverage. The circuit is properly rated to accommodate the current that the heating element with draw.
Referring to
Heating element 44 of this embodiment is contained within an enclosure 48. The heating element 44 is a conventional resistive heating element that is activated by a switch 46 after the vehicle is in operation. The temperature of heating element 44 is regulated by a thermostat or a temperature sensor. The thermostat or sensor will prevent the temperature of the heating element from exceeding a predetermined limit and will eliminate the possibility of the heating element 44 and cup holder 40 from becoming overheated.
The second embodiment of the cup holder of the present invention is intended for portable use. Cup holder 40 is made to be placed on a flat fixed surface. Cup holder 40 can be secured to a flat surface by retaining surface 49 such as a hook and eye connector, such as Velcro, a suction pad, a high friction surface or any other similar method such as a bracket that will ensure stability on either a desktop or a moving vehicle. Preferably, cup holder 40 is secured to surface by threading. Cup holder 40 preferably has male threadings on an outer surface thereof that mate with female threads connected to a supporting surface, although the female threads could be disposed on the cup holder 40 with male threads on the supporting surface without impacting functionality.
Referring to
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Cup 70 is configured to receive a styrafoam paper or store bought cup 74. Alternatively, the cup 70 can receive compatibly sized ceramic mug or a stainless steel thermos style cup brought from the user's home. Furthermore, cup 70 can also receive fluid directly such as coffee, tea, soup or a chilled beverage.
Referring to
Cup 70 and store bought cup 110, when placed inside of shell 100, will extend past bottom of shell 100 and above top of shell 100, respectively. The lower portion of cup 70 that is exposed will come in direct contact with heating pad 12 of cup holder 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention or heating pad 42 of cup holder 40 of the second embodiment of the present invention. The portions of heating pad that extend in a vertical direction will ensure heating of cup 70 not only at its base, but also along its sides. To further contain store bought cup within shell, a hollow lid similar to lids 80 and 90 that are sized to fit over the extending portion of store bought cup can also be used. In this alternative, lid 80 or 90 would not be secured to top of cup 70.
While this invention has been described with respect to an automobile, it can also have applicability to other vehicles such as boats, trucks or trailers. Further, while this invention is described with respect to insulating heated beverages, the materials used for the cup and the embodiments of the cup holder can also be used to maintain the temperature of chilled beverages.
While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A beverage holder for mobile usage in a vehicle comprising:
- a container having a base and an opened end opposite said base, said base comprising an enclosure; a heating element contained within said enclosure; a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of said heating element; and a heatable cup capable of being retaining in said container,
- wherein said container is fully integrated into a console of the vehicle.
2. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said heatable cup contains a heatable beverage cup.
3. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said container is fully portable for removal from the vehicle.
4. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said heating element temperature is controlled by a thermostat or sensor to prevent overheating during usage.
5. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said heating element is operatively connected to a circuit controlled by the vehicle battery.
6. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said is container is electrically embedded in said vehicle.
7. The beverage holder of claim 3, further comprising an electrical cord that is connectable to said container to enable said container to be operable away from said vehicle.
8. The beverage holder of claim 3, further comprising a shell surrounding said heatable cup for manual movement of said heatable cup from said container.
9. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said heatable cup is made from a material selected from the group comprising glass, tempered glass, ceramic or porcelain, thermoplastic material, aluminum, stainless steel or any combinations thereof.
10. The beverage holder of claim 8, wherein said shell is made from a material selected from the group comprising glass, tempered glass, ceramic or porcelain or thermoplastic material, aluminum, stainless steel or any combinations thereof.
11. The beverage holder of claim 8, wherein said heatable cup is matingly received in said shell.
12. The beverage holder of claim 8, further comprising a lid matingly/rotatably secured to said heatable cup.
13. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said container further comprises a heating pad proximate said base.
14. A beverage holder for a vehicle console comprising:
- a container having a base and an opening opposite said base
- a heating pad disposed in said container proximate said base;
- said base comprising: an enclosure; a heating element contained within said enclosure; and a sensor capable of controlling the temperature of said heating element, wherein said container is fully embedded in and electrically integrated into the vehicle console.
15. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said container further comprises a heatable cup that is received within said container.
16. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said heating element is a resistive heating element.
17. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said heatable cup is received in a shell for transporting said cup.
18. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said heatable cup is capable of receiving a cup, a thermos or a fluid.
19. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said heatable cup threadingly receives a lid thereon.
20. The beverage holder of claim 14, wherein said heatable cup is threadingly received in a shell.
21. A cup assembly for a beverage holder comprising:
- a cup; said cup being a heatable cup;
- a lid matingly received on said cup;
- a shell,
- wherein said cup is matingly received in said shell.
22. The cup assembly of claim 21, wherein said heatable cup receives one of a store bought cup, a thermos or a fluid.
23. The cup assemble of claim 21, where said cup and said shell are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, tempered glass, ceramic or porcelain, thermoplastic material or a metal.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 10, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: William Lore (Greenwich, CT)
Application Number: 11/329,340
International Classification: A47K 1/08 (20060101);