Coaster Cup

Abstract

A beverage container configured to substantially inhibit the formation of condensation wherein the formation of condensation is reduce through the reduction of thermal transfer between the first member of the beverage container and the second member of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member are cylindrical in shape and the first member is operable to be releasably secured within the interior volume of the second member. A portion of the first member extends beyond the opening of the second member subsequent the first member being releasably secured within the interior volume of said second member. The second member of the beverage container is manufactured from a material that has a low thermal conductivity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid beverage container, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a drinking vessel having a first member and a second member wherein the first member is operable to receive and store a liquid for consumption and the drinking vessel is configured to substantially inhibit condensation from forming on the second member of the vessel.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individuals utilize a variety of styles of cups and glasses to store a desired liquid beverage for consumption. Common drinking vessels such as but not limited to plastic cups or glasses are often used in a variety of social setting to store and make available a dispensed beverage such as but not limited to water. These current vessels are manufactured in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors to suit the desired need of the individual.

One problem with conventional style plastic cups or glasses is their inability to prevent condensation from forming on the exterior surface thereof. As is known in the art, if a cold beverage is dispensed into a glass the surface temperature of the exterior of the glass often will be reduced to a temperature such that the temperature is below that of the external surroundings of the glass. When the temperature of the exterior surface of the glass reaches a temperature that is below the dew point temperature of the external environment, condensation will form on the glass. In environments of high humidity the dew point can often be in eighty-five to ninety degree range. As condensation on the glass forms, this can create many issues for the user of the glass during consumption of the beverage. First, the condensation can be transfer to the surface on which the glass is superposed which can potentially cause damage to the surface. Secondly, the condensation can drip onto the user's clothing during consumption of the beverage and potentially stain the clothing of the user.

Another issue with conventional drinking glasses is their inability to maintain the temperature of the beverage that is disposed inside. Plastic cups and glasses have poor insulation capabilities and users of these types of vessels will often experience the rapid temperature gain of the cold beverage that was poured therein.

Accordingly, there is a need for a beverage container that has a first member and a second member wherein the first member is operable to receive a beverage and the second member is operable to substantially inhibits the formation of condensation on the exterior surface thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a drinking vessel having a first member and a second member that are releasably secured wherein the first member is substantially disposed within the interior volume of the second member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel having a releasably secured first member and a second member wherein the drinking vessel is operable to inhibit the formation of condensation on the exterior surface of the second member.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel wherein the second member has a low thermal conductivity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel that includes a first member disposed within a second member that is manufactured from a material suitable to receive a liquid.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel having a releasably secured first member and second member wherein the first member and second member are of similar shape.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel having a releasably secured first member and second member wherein a portion of the first member extends above the upper edge of the second member.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a drinking vessel that is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member being substantially disposed within the second member; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a beverage container 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

Referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, the beverage container 100 includes a second member 10 that is generally cylindrical in shape having a wall 55 formed with a bottom 15 wherein the wall 55 and the bottom 15 are integrally formed using suitable durable techniques so as to define an interior volume 45. The second member 10 includes an opening 17 proximate end 19. The opening 17 is generally annular in shape and provides access to the interior volume 45 of the second member 10. While no particular size of the opening 17 is required, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the opening 17 is of suitable size to receive therein the first member 50. The interior volume 45 of the second member 10 is configured to receive and store the first member 50. While the embodiment illustrated herein of the beverage container 100 has a second member 10 that is generally cylindrical in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second member 10 could be formed in numerous different shapes. The second member 10 is manufactured from a material that has a low thermal conductivity such as but not limited to polystyrene. The wall 55 of the second member 10 functions to inhibit the transfer of heat to the first member 50. This heat transference limitation is operable to substantially reduce the formation of condensation on the exterior surface 11 of the second member 10 subsequent a cold beverage being dispensed within the interior volume 35 of the first member 50. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second member 10 is manufactured from a flexible material. A flexible material of the second member 10 would assist a user in more easily releasable securing the second member 10 to the first member 50. Additionally, this would assist with storage as the second member 10 could be stored within the interior volume of the first member 50 in a cabinet or the like so as to reduce the overall diameter of the beverage container 100 while being stored.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the beverage container 100 is illustrated therein. The first member 50 further includes a wall 51 that is manufactured from a suitable durable, non-porous material such as but not limited to plastic. The wall 51 is integrally formed with a bottom 53 so as to form interior volume 35. The first member 50 further includes opening 57 generally annular in shape and defined by wall 51 wherein the opening 57 is proximate the first end 59 of the first member 50. The first member 50 is operable to be releasably secured within the interior volume 45 of the second member 10. Subsequent the second member 10 being substantially disposed within the first member 50 a void 47 is formed. This void 47 has contained therein, trapped air, which assists in the thermal isolation of the second member 10 from the first member 50. This thermal isolation formed by the void 47 and the material of the second member 10 are operable to reduce the formation of condensation on the exterior surface 11 of the second member 10. The releasable securing of the first member 50 and the second member 10 allows either the first member 50 or second member 10 to be replaced upon either the first member 50 or second member 10 being structurally compromised. Additionally, the releasably securing of the first member 50 within the second member 10 facilitates the removal of the first member 50 for cleaning via an automated method such as but not limited to a dishwasher. This allows the first member 50 to be manufactured from a more durable material that can be subsequently removed from the second member 10 for easier cleaning thereof.

Ensuing the releasable securing of the second member 10 and the first member 50 a portion 41 of the second member 10 extends above the upper perimeter edge 43 of the second member 10. The portion 41 facilitates improved engagement by a user wherein the portion 41 is of reduced thickness. The reduced thickness and lack of any elements such as but not limited to threads for an external cap reduces the development opportunity for dribbling of the beverage as it is being consumed by a user. While no particular size of the portion 41 is required, good results have been achieved having a portion 41 that is at least one inch in length.

As shown in particular in FIG. 2, subsequent operable connection, intermediate the second member 10 and the first member 50 is void 47. The void 47 provides an additional thermal barrier so as to assist in reducing the transfer of thermal energy. The void 47 further promotes the maintenance of the temperature of the beverage disposed within the interior volume 35 of the second member 10 and additionally assists in ensuring that the exterior surface 11 of the second member 10 is maintained at a temperature that is equal to or greater than the dew point temperature of the environment in which the beverage container 100 is located so as to substantially inhibit the formation of condensation on the exterior surface 11 as a result of a cold beverage being dispensed into the interior volume 35.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising:

a first member, said first member having at least one wall and a bottom formed to create and interior volume, said first member having an opening;

a second member, said second member having at least one wall and a bottom formed to create an interior volume, said second member being formed in a mateable shape with said first member, said second member having an opening; and

wherein said first member is substantially disposed within said interior volume of said second member and wherein said first member is configured to be releasably secured to said second member.

2. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, and further including a void, said void intermediate said first member and said second member subsequent said first member being disposed within said second member.

3. The beverage container as recited in claim 2, and further including a lip, said lip being formed by said first member, said lip extending above said opening of said second member.

4. The beverage container as recited in claim 3, wherein said first member further includes a first end and a second end, said second end of said first member being formed of a diameter that is less than that of said opening of said second member.

5. The beverage container as recited in claim 4, wherein said first member and said second member are generally cylindrical in shape.

6. The beverage container as recited in claim 5, wherein said void is operable to reduce thermal conduction between said first member and said second member.

7. The beverage container as recited in claim 6, wherein said second member is manufactured from polystyrene.

8. A beverage container operable to reduce condensation on the exterior surface thereof comprising:

a first member, said first member having at least one wall and a bottom formed to create an interior volume, said first member having an opening, said first member having a first end and a second end;

a second member, said second member having at least one wall and a bottom formed to create an interior volume, said second member being formed in a mateable shape with said first member, said second member having an opening, said second member having a first end and a second end, said at least one wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and

wherein said first member is substantially disposed within said interior volume of said second member and wherein said first member is configured to be releasably secured to said second member.

9. The beverage container as recited in claim 8, and further including a void, wherein said void is intermediate said at least one wall of said first member and said at least one wall of said second member.

10. The beverage container as recited in claim 9, wherein a portion of said first member extends above said opening of said second member so as to form a lip.

11. The beverage container as recited in claim 10, wherein said lip is at least one inch in length.

12. The beverage container as recited in claim 11, wherein said second member is manufactured from material having a low thermal conductivity.

13. The beverage container as recited in claim 12, wherein said void is operable to reduce thermal conduction between said first member and said second member.

14. The beverage container as recited in claim 13, wherein said second end of said first member being of a diameter that is less than that of said opening of said second member.

15. A beverage container having an exterior surface wherein the beverage container is configured to maintain the temperature of the exterior surface at a temperature that is greater than that of the dew point temperature of the environmental surroundings comprising:

a first member, said first member having a first end and a second end, said first member having a wall and a bottom forming an interior volume, said wall of said first member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said first member being cylindrical in shape, said first member having an opening proximate said first end;

a second member, said second member having a wall and a bottom forming interior volume, said second member having a first end and a second end, said second member having an opening annular in shape proximate said first end, said second member being formed in a mateable shape with said first member, said wall of said second member having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and

wherein said first member includes a portion that is substantially disposed within said interior volume of said second member and wherein said first member is configured to be releasably secured to said second member.

16. The beverage container as recited in claim 15, and further including a void, wherein said void is intermediate said interior surface of said second member and said exterior surface of said first member, wherein said void is further present intermediate said bottom of said second member and said bottom of said first member so as to surround said portion of said first member that is disposed within said second member.

17. The beverage container as recited in claim 16, wherein said void is operable to reduce thermal conduction between said first member and said second member.

18. The beverage container as recited in claim 17, wherein a portion of said first member extends above said opening of said second member so as to form a lip.

19. The beverage container as recited in claim 18, wherein said second member is manufactured from a flexible material.

20. The beverage container as recited in claim 19, wherein said second member is manufactured from material having a low thermal conductivity.