Drinkware Accessories and Drinkware Assemblies Including Drinkware Accessories

Abstract

Drinkware acessories and drinkware assemblies incorporating the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drinkware accessory includes a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachment band and extends to a free end. The pliant fabric includes a first width evaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end, where the second width is greater than the first width.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Application Serial No. 29/439,525, filed Dec. 12, 2012 and titled “Caped Drinkware”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates drinkware accessories that are attached to drinkware.

BACKGROUND

Drinkware may have a variety of forms, and may be used for holding beverages for ease of consumption. Conventional drinkware, however, may lack features that distinguish one user's drinkware from another user's drinkware.

Accordingly, certain drinkware accessories may be desired.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a drinkware accessory includes a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachment band and extends to a free end. The pliant fabric includes a first width evaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end, where the second width is greater than the first width.

In another embodiment, a drinkware assembly includes a drinkware and a drinkware accessory that is coupled to the drinkware. The drinkware includes an interior volume and an exterior surface. The drinkware accessory includes a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric coupled to the resizable attachment band and extending to a free end. The pliant fabric includes a first width evaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a rear view of a drinkware accessory according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a rear view of a drinkware accessory according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; and

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Drinkware accessories according to the present disclosure may include a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachment band. The pliant fabric may extend to a free end at a location away from the resizable attachment band. The pliant fabric includes a first width that is evaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end. The second width may be greater than the first width such that the pliant fabric has a generally trapezoidal shape. These and other embodiments will be described in more detail below in reference to the appended drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a drinkware assembly 90 that incorporates a drinkware accessory 100 is depicted. The drinkware assembly 90 may include a drinkware article 92 having a shape as conventionally known. The drinkware article 92 may include an interior volume 94 that is adapted to maintain the position of a fluid, for example, a beverage. The interior volume 94 of the drinkware article 92 may be sized to accommodate a variety of drink volumes, ranging, in general from about 1 fluid ounce to about 20 fluid ounces. In some embodiments, the interior volume 94 of the drinkware article 92 may extend beyond 20 fluid ounces. The drinkware article 92 may also include an exterior surface 96 that is positioned outside of the interior volume 94.

The drinkware assembly 90 may also include a drinkware accessory 100. The drinkware accessory 100 may be removably coupled to the exterior surface 96 of the drinkware article 92. As depicted in FIG. 1, the drinkware accessory 100 may include a resizable attachment band 110 and a pliant fabric 120 that is coupled to the resizable attachment band 110. The pliant fabric 120 may be coupled to the resizable attachment band 110 at an attachment position 122. The pliant fabric 120 may extend downwards from the resizable attachment band 110 to a free end 124 that is positioned distally from the attachment position 122 of the pliant fabric 120. The free end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 may hang free from coupling with the resizable attachment band 110 and the drinkware article 92.

The resizable attachment band 110 may couple the drinkware accessory 100 to the drinkware article 92. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the resizable attachment band 110 extends around a circumference 102. The resizable attachment band 110 may be made from a material having a high amount of elasticity, such that the resizable attachment band 110 can be expanded in diameter to pass over portions of the drinkware article 92 and contract to provide an attachment between the drinkware accessory 100 and the drinkware article 92. In one embodiment, the resizable attachment band 110 may be a silicone band.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pliant fabric 120 may have a variety of forms. In the depicted embodiment, the pliant fabric 120 has a first width 126 that is evaluated at a position proximate to the attachment position 122. The pliant fabric 120 may also have a second width 128 that is evaluated at a position proximate to the free end 124. The drinkware accessory 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 free of the drinkware article, and depicts in greater detail the first width 126 that is evaluated at the attachment position 122 and the second width 128 that is evaluated at the free end 124. As depicted in FIG. 2, the second width 128 is greater than the first width 126, such that the pliant fabric 120 of the drinkware accessory 100 has a generally trapezoidal shape.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the free end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 may have a pre-determined shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the free end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 has a scalloped edge 130 that includes a plurality of intersecting arcs that terminate one another.

The pliant fabric 120 may be made from a variety of materials, including woven textiles or non-woven textiles. In one embodiment, the pliant fabric 120 may be made from woven nylon. In one embodiment, the pliant fabric 120 may be made from flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, commonly sold under the brand name of TYVEK (R).

In some embodiments, the pliant fabric 120 may include indicia 140 that is incorporated onto the pliant fabric 120. In some embodiments, the indicia 140 may be printed onto the pliant fabric 120. The indicia 140 may be of an indicia color 142 that contrasts with a field color 132 of the pliant fabric 120 that surrounds the indicia 140, such that the indicia color 142 and the field color 132 contrast with one another. In other embodiments, the indicia 140 may have a texture that contrasts with the texture of the pliant fabric 120, such that the indicia 140 and the pliant fabric 120 texturally contrast with one another.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly 190 is depicted. In this embodiment, the resizable attachment band 210 of the drinkware accessory 200 includes a repositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 that is coupled to the pliant fabric 120. The repositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 may be selectively attached and detached from itself, and selectively increases and decreased in length to pass over certain sections of the exterior surface 96 of the drinkware article 92, while being configured to be secured to the drinkware article 92 at certain locations. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the repositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 extends around an enclosed circumference, such that the repositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 can be secured around the desired circumference of the drinkware article 92.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly 290 is depicted. In this embodiment, the resizable attachment band 310 of the drinkware accessory 300 includes an interrupted and repositionable band 312. The interrupted and repositionable band 312 may be modified in shape such that the interrupted and repositionable band 312 can be opened or closed by a user to selectively pass over certain sections of the exterior surface 96 of the drinkware article 92, while being configured to be secured to the drinkware article 92 at certain locations. In one embodiment, the interrupted and repositionable band 312 may be made from a low-strength metal strip that can be manipulated by hand by a user. As depicted in FIG. 4, the interrupted and repositionable band 312 may extend around a portion of a circumference that is less than the whole circumference.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the drinkware accessory 400 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware accessory 400 includes a pliant fabric 420 that has a first width 426 that is evaluated at a position proximate to the attachment position 422. The pliant fabric 420 may also have a second width 428 that is evaluated at a position proximate to the free end 424. As depicted in FIG. 5, the second width 428 is greater than the first width 426, such that the pliant fabric 420 of the drinkware accessory 400 has a generally trapezoidal shape. Still referring to FIG. 5, the free end 424 of the pliant fabric 420 may have a pre-determined shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the free end 424 of the pliant fabric 420 has an arcuate edge 430 that includes a sweeping arc along the free end 424.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly 490 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware assembly 490 includes a drinkware article 492 and a drinkware accessory 500 that is coupled to the drinkware article 492. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the drinkware article 492 includes a handle 498 that is coupled to the exterior surface 496 of the drinkware article 492.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly 590 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware assembly 590 includes a drinkware article 592 and a drinkware accessory 600 that is coupled to the drinkware article 592. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the drinkware article 592 includes a lid 599 that is selectively and removably coupled to the drinkware article 592. The lid 599 may enclose the interior volume 594 of the drinkware article 592, such that the drinkware article 592 may be selectively opened or closed.

It should now be understood that drinkware accessories and drinkware assembly incorporating the same according to the present disclosure may include a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachment band. The pliant fabric may be coupled to a drinkware article at a position proximate to the resizable attachment band and may hang freely downward such that the free end of the pliant fabric may be decoupled from the drinkware article at positions spaced apart from the resizable attachment band. Incorporation of the drinkware accessory to the drinkware assembly may designate one user's drinkware article from another user's drinkware article.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A drinkware accessory comprising:

a resizable attachment band; and

a pliant fabric coupled to the resizable attachment band and extending to a free end, the pliant fabric having: a first width evaluated at an attachment position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band; and a second width evaluated at the free end, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

2. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizable attachment band extends around a circumference.

3. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizable attachment band comprises silicone band.

4. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizable attachment band comprises a repositionable hook-and-loop strap.

5. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizable attachment band extends around a portion of a circumference less than the whole.

6. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the pliant fabric comprises a woven textile.

7. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the pliant fabric comprises a non-woven textile.

8. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, further comprising indicia printed on the pliant fabric in a color that contrasts to a field color of the pliant fabric that surrounds the indicia.

9. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the free end of the pliant fabric comprises a scalloped edge.

10. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the free end of the pliant fabric comprises an arcuate edge.

11. A drinkware assembly comprising:

a drinkware article comprising an interior volume and an exterior surface; and

a drinkware accessory coupled to the drinkware article, the drinkware accessory comprising: a resizable attachment band; and a pliant fabric coupled to the resizable attachment band and extending to a free end, the pliant fabric having: a first width evaluated at an attachment position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band; and a second width evaluated at the free end, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

12. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein the interior volume of the drinkware article is in a range from about 1 fluid ounce to about 24 fluid ounces.

13. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein the drinkware article further comprises a handle coupled to the exterior surface.

14. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, further comprising a lid that is removably attachable to the drinkware article to enclose the interior volume.

15. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkware accessory extends around a circumference of the drinkware article.

16. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkware accessory comprises silicone band.

17. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkware accessory comprises a repositionable hook-and-loop strap.

18. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkware accessory extends around a portion of a circumference of the drinkware article that is less than the whole.

19. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the pliant fabric of the drinkware accessory comprises a woven textile.

20. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the pliant fabric of the drinkware accessory comprises a non-woven textile.

21. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, wherein the drinkware accessory further comprising indicia printed on the pliant fabric in a color that contrasts to a field color of the pliant fabric that surrounds the indicia.