Beverage Container Kit
A beverage container kit that includes a metal, glass or ceramic beverage container with a smooth upper edge, at least one removable lid and at least one outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is configured to fit around the beverage container so that the container's upper edge is exposed. The outer sleeve includes external threads formed on its upper edge that engages internal threads formed on the lid. The lid includes a sealing ring that presses against the upper edge of the beverage container. In one embodiment, both the beverage container and the outer sleeve are conical. The outer sleeve has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the upper section of the container below the upper rim. When the lid and outer sleeve are tightened, the outer sleeve is pulled upward and the lid downward and the sealing ring is pressed against the container's upper rim.
This utility patent application is based upon and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application (Application No. 61/663,054) filed on Jun. 22, 2012.
COPYRIGHT NOTICENotice is given that the following patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to beverage containers, and more particularly, to beverage containers kits that include a universal container with a smooth, upper edge that can be used by itself to drink hot or cool beverages, with and outer sleeve, and with or without a lid.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most adult coffee and tea drinkers prefer to drink hot and cood beverages from a beverage container that have a round, upper smooth edge so that the drinker's lips can be pressed tightly against the outer surface of the container and prevent drips.
Today, most households have home coffee makers that allow consumers to easily and quickly make their favorite hot or cold beverages at home and if desired, take them when commuting. Two problems associated with commuting with hot and cold beverages are: (1) the beverage container may be too hot to handle or become wet due to condensation; and (2) leaks and tip over spills.
What is needed is a container kit that includes a rigid beverage container with a smooth upper rim without external structures, such as threads, that can be used by itself, or used with an outer protective cover that allows the beverage container to be comfortably gripped, or used with a removable lid that securely prevents leaks or spills if the beverage container falls over.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAt the heart of the invention is the discovery that hot and cool beverage drinkers prefer to drink from metal, glass or ceramic beverage containers with smooth upper rims without external threads, and that lids for the containers are sometimes needed to prevent leaks and fall over spills.
Disclosed herein are several beverage container kits each includes a rigid beverage container with conical-shaped side walls and a smooth upper rim or edge. In the preferred embodiment, the beverage container is made of metal, glass or a ceramic but should be understood it can be made of other materials. Each kit includes at least one outer sleeve designed to fit around the sides of the beverage container. The outer sleeve has a configuration that prevents the outer sleeve from being pulled entirely upward over container. The upper edge of the outer sleeve terminates below the beverage container's upper rim or edge thereby exposing the upper portion of the beverage container. During use, a user may place his or her lips against the beverage container's upper rim or edge when the outer sleeve is attached to the beverage container.
Each kit also includes at least one removable lid that extends over the beverage container's top opening and connects to the outer sleeve. When tightened, the lid is forced downward and presses against the beverage container's upper rim or edge. The lid includes pendent side walls that extend downward around the exposed section of the beverage container. Formed on the inside surface of the side walls are internal threads that connect to external threads formed on the outer sleeve. When assembled, a sealing surface on the inside surface of the lid is tightened onto the outer sleeve and is pressed firmly against the top rim on the beverage container.
Various kits containing different outer sleeves and different lids are presented.
Referring to
Each outer sleeve 30, 40, 40′, 50, and 60 includes external threads 38, 48, 48′, 58, and 68, respectively, formed on its upper edge that engages the internal threads on a lid. In one embodiment, the outer sleeve 30 is a cup-like structure designed to be placed around a beverage container 20 with diverging sidewalls 22 that match the diverging sidewalls of the beverage container 20. The outer sleeve 30 has flat end wall. In a second embodiment, the outer sleeve 40 is conical shape with compound outer surface that includes a straight side wall and an indented bottom surface. In a third embodiment, denoted 40′, the outer sleeve has a compound outer surface with a flat bottom surface. In a fourth embodiment the outer sleeve 50 is a ring or collar-like body structure with a height shorter than the second and third embodiments of the outer sleeve 40, 40′.
Each kit 10A-10F includes at least one lid 70, 80, 90, or 100 each designed to attach to the upper external threads on one of the embodiments of the outer sleeve 30, 40, 40′, 50 and 60. Each lid 70, 80, 90, 100 is cylindrical with a top planar surface and perpendicularly aligned, pendent side walls. The side walls are sufficient in length to extend downward and overlap over the top portion of the outer sleeve when the outer sleeve is placed around the container 20. Formed on the side walls are internal threads 76, 86, 96, 106 configured to mesh and engage the external threads 38, 48, 58, 68 on the outer sleeve 30, 40, 40′, 50, or 60, respectively. Each lid 70, 80, 90, and 100 also includes a sealing surface presses against either the upper rim of the beverage container 20. In the embodiments shown, the sealing surface is a rubber or silicone o-ring 65 attached to the inside surface of the top planar surface.
In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A beverage container kit, comprising:
- a. a rigid, conical-shaped beverage container configured to hold a hot or cold beverage, said beverage container includes upward diverging side walls, a closed lower end, and a smooth upper rim;
- b. at least one outer sleeve configured to extend around said side walls of said beverage container, said sleeve includes an upper edge with external threads formed thereon; and,
- c. at least one lid with internal threads that mesh and engage said first set of threads formed on said outer sleeve; and
- d. means for sealing said upper edge of said beverage container against said lid when said lid is attached to said outer sleeve.
2. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve has a closed end wall and straight, upward diverging side walls that extend over said beverage container, said outer sleeve contains external threads configured to mesh with said internal threads to tighten said lid over said container.
3. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid is a cold beverage lid with a removable cap.
4. The kit as recited in claim 1, where said lid is a hot beverage lid.
5. The kit as recited in claim 3, further includes a hot beverage lid.
6. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve has compound side wall, a closed end, and external threads located near its upper edge.
7. The kit as recited in claim 5, wherein said outer sleeve has compound side wall, and a closed end and external threads located near its upper edge.
8. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve has compound side wall, a closed end, and external threads located near its upper edge.
9. The kit as recited in claim 1, further including a handle that extends around said outer sleeve.
10. The kit as recited in claim 1 wherein said lid includes a detachable cap.
11. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve includes an elongated window.
12. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve includes a plurality of holes.
13. The kit as recited in claim 1, further including a slot formed in said outer sleeve and a handle that extends through said slot.
14. The kit as recited in claim 1, further including handle attached to said outer sleevie.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 24, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 26, 2013
Inventor: Ryan Savage (Bothell, WA)
Application Number: 13/925,690
International Classification: B65D 81/38 (20060101);