Combination Beverage Cup and Lid or Base

Abstract

Disclosed is a design for a combination cup and base structure, including cooperating structural features such that the cup snaps into the base structure. Disclosed are embodiments for a combination cup and lid which include features such that the lid may act as a lid, a coaster, and a stable supporting base for the beverage cup in different configurations, including a single or multi-beverage tray, or stacked beverages. In a disclosed combination design cup and base, the cup includes an annular bead on a protruding edge of the bottom of the cup. The base design includes an inner annular protrusion sized to guide the annular bead on the bottom of the cup into an annular grove on the top inside surface protrusion. The annular groove is sized to fit the bead firmly, forming a stabilizing structure for the beverage cup.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to the field of beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops often serve hot and cold beverages in disposable cups with lids. Conventional designs include a plastic lid and paper cup. Conventional designs for the cup itself generally have a rolled paper opening, forming a lip or bead on the upper edge. In order for cups to be packable in large numbers these types of cups are generally formed in a tapered conical shape with the top opening of the cup of a larger diameter than the bottom diameter of the cup. When filled with a liquid, this shape of the cup raises the center of gravity, making the cup highly unstable.

Hot beverages pose a potential danger for consumers because they may be at or near scalding temperatures. Many conventional designs have been proposed to mitigate this danger by: insulating the body of the cup from burning the hand of the drinker; increasing the structural strength of the cup to prevent the cup from collapsing; and reducing scalding accidents with more secure lid designs. Beverages are frequently carried on slick plastic trays, making spills a common problem when carrying multiple beverages or beverages and food in typical top heavy disposable cups.

Tabletop stains from beverage cups are generally prevented with coasters on the tabletop. A few designs have been proposed for combining the functions of a lid and coaster together. These designs share a common problem of being unstable and have not enjoyed adoption by consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a design for a combination cup and base structure, including cooperating structural features such that the cup snaps into the base structure.

Disclosed are embodiments for a combination cup and lid which include features such that the lid may act as a lid, a coaster, and a stable supporting base for the beverage cup in different configurations, including a single or multi-beverage tray, or stacked beverages.

In a disclosed combination design cup and base, the cup includes an annular bead on a protruding edge of the bottom of the cup. The base design includes an inner annular protrusion sized to guide the annular bead on the bottom of the cup into an annular grove on the top inside surface protrusion. The annular groove is sized to fit the bead firmly, forming a stabilizing structure for the beverage cup.

In various embodiments, both the top edge or rim of the cup and the bottom edge include an annular bead. In various embodiments, the beaded top and bottom edges are formed by a rolled edge of the cup's paper based material. The base design includes an inner annular protrusion sized to guide the annular bead on the bottom of the cup into an annular grove on the top inside surface protrusion. The annular groove is sized to fit the bead on the cup firmly, forming a stabilizing structure for the beverage cup. In various embodiments which include acting as a lid, the base design includes an outermost annular groove on the bottom surface of the base (lid). The groove is sized to snap tightly over the bead on the annular rim of the cup to form a cup and lid combination in this configuration. Both the cup and base (lid) are stackable when they include these disclosed structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cup and base (lid) fitted in the base (coaster) configuration.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the cup with the base, showing the stabilizing structure.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cup and base (lid) fitted in the lid configuration.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the cup with the base acting as both a lid and a base fitted to two stacked cups.

Shown in FIG. 5 is a perspective view of part of a multi-beverage carrier tray utilizing the stabilizing cup and base structure.

Shown in FIG. 6 is a top view of part of a base structure with a limited annular groove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a combination of cooperating structures for a cup and base which create a stabilizing platform for the cup. Various disclosed embodiments include a base which also acts as a lid, and a base which is embedded in a multi-beverage tray or food and beverage tray.

In various embodiments the cup has a annular bead around the bottom of the cup which firmly cooperates with an annular groove in the base.

In various embodiments, the cup has annular beads on the upper and lower edges so forming rim beads which fit either into or over annular grooves in a base and lid. The base and lid may be the same piece.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cup 101 which has been fitted into the base 103. The cooperating cup bottom rim bead and base annular groove are not visible in this view. In the embodiment shown, the cup includes an upper rim annular bead 102 which is utilized in to attach a lid. Shown are the bottom rim annular bead 104, and the base/lid elements—the annular grove 105 and annular protrusion 102 which fits the cup base/lid when in the base configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a cup 201 with a base 202 acting to secure and stabilize the cup. The bottom rim annular bead 203 of cup 201, which is extended below the bottom 207 of the liquid container portion of the cup 201 is shown fitted against the cooperating inner annular grove 204 of the base 202. In order for the bottom rim to be more easily fitted into base, the annular protrusion of the base 205 is designed such that the inner surface of the protrusion is tapered 206 to guide the annular bead 203 into the base groove 204.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cup 301 with its base (lid) 303 in the lid configuration. The cooperating cup upper rim bead and lid (base) groove are shown 305. The cup lower rim annular bead 304 is visible in this configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of two cups 401A and 401B with a base (lid) 402 acting as base and lid for the upper and lower cups, respectively. In this detail, the manner in which the base (lid) is fitted to the cups for both configurations is apparent. The bottom rim annular bead 403 of cup 401A, which is extended below the bottom of the liquid container portion of the cup 402 is shown fitted against the inner annular grove 404 of the base (lid) 405. The upper annular rim bead 407 of cup 401B is shown fitted against the outer annular groove 406 of the base (lid) 405. In order for the bottom rim 403 to be more easily fitted into base (lid) 405, the annular protrusion of the base 408 is designed such that the inner surface of the protrusion is tapered 409 to guide the annular bead 403 into the base groove 404.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the cup 502 and base 503 with base structure affixed to or embedded in a carrier tray 501. In various embodiments, the carrier tray may be a food and beverage tray or a multi-beverage tray, or both. In embodiments with the base structure embedded in the tray carrier, the base structure may be formed to be stackable with other trays. In various embodiments, the tray may be manufactured of various materials which are reusable including metal or plastic, or may be manufactured of disposable or recyclable material.

In various embodiments with the base formed from a reusable material such as in a hard plastic tray, the annular groove in the base is designed to allow the cup bottom bead to deform enough to fit into the groove. In various embodiments, this is provided by the design of the groove curvature, or by the annular extent of the groove. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment with a limited annular groove. Depicted in the figure is a top view showing the outer 601 and inner 603 edges of the base protrusion, with the grooved formed by a limited number of annular embedded structures 602 which fit over the lower annular bead of the cup as it is pushed into the base.

In other embodiments, the cup is manufactured from material which is capable of forming a rolled bead at the upper and lower rims of the cup. In various embodiments, the cup and lid/base are constructed of disposable materials. In other embodiments, the cup and lid/base are composed of materials suitable for reuse.

In certain embodiments, the base (lid) may extend flat and outward from its outer annular groove such that the base (lid) forms a platform of increased stability on highly unstable surfaces such as sand. In other embodiments, the base (lid) is composed of a material which is absorbent of liquids such that the base (lid) has improved properties as a coaster or base which may also act to resist sliding of the base across the surface on top of which it rests.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative of the invention and that many other embodiments are applicable. The principal features highlighted herein may be employed in many embodiments within the scope of the claim.

Claims

1. A cup and base comprising:

a cup wherein the cup includes an open end and a closed end wherein a lower rim of the cup extends below the closed end and has an annular bead shape;

a base wherein the base includes a circular protrusion which fits the closed end of the cup and an annular groove inside the circular protrusion where the groove shaped to fit said cup lower rim bead from below;

whereby the cup is stabilized by fitting the cup bead into the base groove.

2. A cup and base as in claim 1 wherein one or more bases are part of a single carrier platform.

3. A cup and base as in claim 1 wherein the base groove is formed by one or more segments which are partial segments of the full circumference of said circular protrusion.

4. A cup and base as in claim 1 wherein:

said cup has a tapered shape from a larger open end to a smaller closed end;

said cup includes a second annular bead on a rim of said open end of the cup;

said base includes a second annular groove of a larger diameter than the first groove wherein said second groove is on a bottom surface of the base and cooperates by firmly fitting the bead on the open end of the cup;

whereby said base may act as either the base or a lid of the cup.

5. A cup and base as in claim 1 wherein a least a portion of the base is formed of a liquid absorbent material.

6. A cup and base as in claim 1 wherein the base includes a non-slip element forming at least part of the base.

7. A cup carrier comprising:

one or more cylindrically shaped receptacles shaped to receive the bottom of a cup;

an annular groove at the bottom periphery of the indentation;

wherein the receptacles are configured to guide an annular bead on the bottom of a cup into the annular groove at the bottom of the indentation, and wherein the annular groove is configured to accept the annular bear of the cup and to removably hold the cup in the carrier.

8. A cup carrier as in claim 7 wherein the carrier is configured with an element for receiving food containers.

9. A cup holder comprising:

a base;

wherein the base structure includes a means for removably attaching the base to the bottom of a cup.

10. A cup holder as in claim 9 wherein said base includes a means for removably attaching said base to the top of said cup.

11. A cup holder as in claim 9 further comprising:

one or more additional bases configured as part of the cup holder structure, wherein each additional base structure includes the same means for removably attaching the additional base to the bottom of additional cups.

12. A cup holder as in claim 9 further comprising:

one or more additional bases configured as part of the cup holder structure, wherein each additional base structure includes the same means for removably attaching the additional base to the bottom of additional cups, wherein the means for removably attaching the base is a groove structure configured to accept a bead on a bottom edge or the cup, wherein after accepting the bead the groove restricts upward movement of the cup.

13. A cup holder as in claim 9 wherein base structure includes means for stacking multiple bases together.