BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE BASE AND CONTAINER COVER

Abstract

A beverage container comprising a stem having an upper and a lower end, a cup having an upper opening and a lower bowl portion, and a base having a tapered upper end with a diameter that widens evenly along its length towards a lower end until the diameter is at least equal to a diameter of the upper opening of the cup. The upper end of the stem is attached to the cup at a point centered on the bowl portion of the cup. The upper end of the base is removably attached at to the lower end of the stem, the lower end of the base being capable of securely covering the upper opening when not attached to the stem.

Description

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/344,840 filed Jun. 2, 2016 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous examples of beverage containers with detachable bases. This feature is advantageous for stacking of beverage containers that are shaped in such a way that they can be nested. This provides for a reduced space requirement for a given amount of cups when compared to those that are not nested. Often nesting plastic cups can be seen in stadium type environments, and large venues where there is a high turnover of plastic cups and limited storage space available. Often these venues use a stemware style cup of some shape for a better quality service. Party supply stores also often carry these cups for retail sales. When the cups are ready for filling the bases are attached and the cups are filled. When these cups are in a stadium or hospitality environment they are often filled in large quantities and delivered to the consumer. In this scenario the cups are covered with a plastic film wrap to prevent spilling or contamination prior to or during the delivery process. Whether it is a few being carried by a patron or many being carried by a vendor, in both cases the ability to carry an amount sufficient to meet the requirements is often hampered by the lack of stability and difficulty of carrying more than a few without spillage even with the aid of plastic wrap. Often egg-crate type trays are used to assist in the carrying but still present limitations in their effectiveness.

In other environments cups are often pre-sealed for a pre-prepared single serving. In this scenario like the stadiums, space, spillage, contamination and freshness are concerns.

In all the prior examples, a removed base serves no purpose other than allowing the empty cups to be stacked. Consequently, the removed bases are often prone to being lost when removed from the container body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base removed;

FIG. 3 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base functioning as a cover;

FIG. 4 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster secured to the base portion;

FIG. 5 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the coaster functioning as a cover;

FIG. 6 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with a coaster that is screwed onto the cup portion;

FIG. 7 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base portion secured within a coaster screwed onto the cup portion;

FIG. 8 depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the stem removably attached to both the cup and the base;

FIG. 9A depicts a front view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base removably attaching directly to the cup and functioning as a cover; and

FIG. 9B depicts a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A in which the base removably attaches directly to the cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a beverage container with removable base and cover is disclosed. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

In an effort to address the above described problem, a beverage container with a removable base is disclosed, the removed base itself functioning as a cover for the cup portion of the container or having a detachable component that functions as a secure cover for the cup portion of the container. The beverage container, in one embodiment, is made of clear or colored plastic, such as food grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In other embodiments, the beverage container may be made of other suitable materials including other plastics, glass, or any other appropriate material known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

The shape of the beverage container can be varied based on the type of fluid to be contained. For example, in one embodiment, a beverage container for holding a red wine can be shaped to have a wide round cup with a substantially large upper opening in order to increase the amount of surface area of the wine exposed to air thereby increasing the rate of oxidation of the red wine. In other embodiments, the shape of the beverage container can be designed to direct the beverage to a specific portion of a consumer's tongue.

In FIG. 1, a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment is depicted. As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage container with removable base and cover 100 is comprised of at least a cup 101, a stem 102, and a base 103. The cup 101 having an upper cylindrical portion 101A depending from an upper opening 101B. The upper cylindrical portion 101A having a substantially uniform diameter before tapering down into the stem 102. The cup 101 also includes an edge 101C running along the full perimeter of the upper opening 101B.

The stem 102 includes a tapered upper portion located near the bottom of the cup 101 with a diameter that narrows along its length towards the base 103.

The removable base 103 is shown attached to the end of the stem 102 that is opposite the bottom of the cup 101. In this configuration, the base 103 functions to support the beverage container 100 when it is seated on a flat surface such as table top. The upper end of the base 103 includes a tapered upper portion located near the end of the stem 102 with a diameter that widens along its length towards the lower end of the base 103. The diameter of the lower end of the base is substantially equal to the diameter of the edge 101C on the upper opening 101B of the cup 101. The base 103 also includes a lip 103A extending downward from a lower edge 103B of the base 103 and the running along the full perimeter of the lower edge 103B.

The cup 101 and the stem 102 are each substantially hollow such as to form a beverage cavity 104. The volume of the beverage cavity 104 is mostly disposed in the cup 101 with a remainder portion located in the stem 102. Locating a portion of the beverage cavity 104 in the stem 102 helps to lower the center of gravity of the beverage container 100 and thereby promoting stability.

In FIG. 2, a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment is depicted with the base detached from the stem. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 103 includes a recess 103D centered on the base 103 and depending from an upper edge 103C on the base 103. The depth of the recess 103D not extend beyond the lip 103A of the base 103 as to insure the stability of the beverage container while seated on a flat surface.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the lower end 102A of the stem 102 is sealed as to define the beverage cavity 104. The lower end 102A includes a ridge 102B from which the lower end 102A is further tapered to fit within the recess 103D of the base 103, the ridge 102B resting against the upper edge 103C of the base 103. The lower end 102A of the stem 102 is dimensioned to fit securely within the recess 103D in order that provides the stability needed to support the beverage cavity 104 when filled with a liquid.

A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of removably attaching the stem portion 102 to the base portion 103 are possible while clearly remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, complementary threads may be positioned on the outer surface of the lower end 102A of the stem 102 and on the inner surface of the recess 103D of the lower portion such that the lower end 102A of the stem 102 securely screws into the recess 103C on the base 103.

As another example, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the lower end 102A of the stem 102 and on the inner surface of the recess 103D of the base 103 such that the lower end 102A of the stem 102 securely and removably clicks into the recess 103C of the base 103.

In FIG. 3, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base functioning as a cover is depicted. As shown in FIG. 3, the diameter at the lower edge 103B of the base 103 is substantially equal to the diameter of the rim 101C (not shown) on the upper portion of the cup 101. As such, with the base 103 position such that its lower edge 103B is resting on the rim 101C of the cup 101, the lip 103A of the base 103 extends over and presses against the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 101A of the cup 101. The width of the lip 103A may adjusted as to increase, decrease, or totally eliminate any friction between the lip 103A and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 101A of the cup 101. This allows the base 103 to be seated securely against the rim 101C (not shown) with a greater amount of friction or loosely against the rim 101C (not shown) a lesser amount of friction.

A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of removably securing the base over the upper opening of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, complementary threads may be positioned on the outer surface 101A of the cylindrical portion 101A and on the inner surface of the lip 103A such that the base 103 screws onto the cylindrical portion 101A of the cup 101 and so securely covers the upper opening 101B.

As another example, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface 101A of the cylindrical portion 101A and on the inner surface of the lip 103A of the base 103 such that the base 103 securely and removably clicks onto the cylindrical portion 101A of the cup 101 to securely cover the upper opening 101B of the cup 101.

A removable base functioning as a cover provides the benefit of preventing a liquid within the beverage cavity from spilling out through the upper opening when the beverage container is shaken when in a person's hand. A removable base also affords the benefit of allowing the empty cup portions to be nested. Specifically, with the base removed, the beverage containers may be stacked with the stem the each beverage container resting within the beverage cavity of another beverage container. This allows for efficient use of the limited space within a shipping box, the removed base portion being stored in other and usually unusable areas within the same shipping box.

In another embodiment of the present invention that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, a coaster may be removably attached to the base and may be used as a cover when detached from the base. In FIG. 4, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster attached to the base.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base 103 is identical to the above-described version in that it includes a tapered upper portion 103C with a diameter that widens along its length towards a lower end edge 103B. A lip 103A extends downward from the lower edge 103B and runs along its full circumferential length. The diameter of the lower edged 103B is equal to the diameter of the edge 101C on the upper opening 101B of the cup 101.

The coaster 401 is comprised of a lower surface 401A and a lip 401B, the lip 401B rising perpendicularly from the edge of the lower surface 401B and running the full circumferential length of this edge. The inside diameter 403 of the coaster 401 is large enough to allow the base 103 to fit snugly inside the lip 401B of the coaster 401 and rest securely against the inner face of the lower surface 401A of the coaster 401.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the coaster 401 includes a flexible retaining tab 401C running along the inner surface of the lip 401B. The retaining tab 401C functions to secure the coaster 401 to the base 103 when they are attached to each other. Specifically, the coaster 401 is secured to the base 103 by pushing them towards each other with sufficient force to push the lower edge 103B of the base 103 passed the retaining tab 401C of the coaster 401. In this position, the lower edge 103B of the base 101 sits securely sandwiched between the lower surface component 403 and the retaining tab 401C of the coaster 401.

Similarly, to separate the coaster 401 from base 103, each are pulled away from each other with a sufficient force to pull the lower edge 103B of the base 103 passed the retaining tab 401C of the coaster 401.

The coasters may further include a water or a refrigerant gel of liquid sealed within the flat surface and lip of the coaster, the coaster providing for the cooling of a liquid with the cup while positioned to securely covering the upper opening of the cup. The coaster may be placed in a freezer for a specified period of time to re-freeze the liquid or refrigerant gel or liquid.

In FIG. 5, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster functioning as a cover. As shown in FIG. 5, the coaster 401 is positioned over the upper opening 101B of the cup 101 such that the inside face of the lower surface component 401A is pressed directly against the rim 101C of the upper opening 101B of the cup 101. The inside diameter 403 of the coaster 401 is dimensioned such that the edge 101C of the upper opening 101B fits snugly inside the lip 401B of the coaster 401 and then rests securely against the lower component 401A of the coaster 401.

In the same manner as the base 103, the retaining tab 401C functions to secure the coaster 401 to the upper opening 101B of the cup when they are attached to each other. Specifically, the coaster 401 is secured over the upper opening 101B by pushing them towards each other with sufficient force to push the edge 101C on the upper opening 101B passed the retaining tab 401C of the coaster 401. In this position, the edge 101C sits securely sandwiched between the lower surface component 401A and the retaining tab 404 of the coaster 401.

Similarly, to detach the coaster 401 from the upper opening 101B, the coaster 401 is pulled away from the cup 101 with sufficient force to pull the edge 101C on the upper opening 101B passed the retaining tab 401C of the coaster 401.

In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the coaster may be modified to allow it to screw onto the cup when functioning as a cover. In FIG. 6, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster screwed onto the cup. As shown in FIG. 6, a set of screw threads 602D are positioned on the outer surface of the cup 602 in an indented segment 602E near the edge 602C of the upper opening 602B. A set of complementary threads 601D are positioned on the inner surface of the lip 601B of the coaster 601 below the retaining tab 601C.

The length of the indented segment 602E of the cup 602 is substantially equal to the length of the inner surface of the lip 601B of the coaster 601. Moreover, the depth of the indented segment 602E of the cup 602 is substantially equal to the thickness of the lip 601B of the coaster 602. As such, the when the coaster 601 is screwed onto the cup 602, their respective outer surfaces are flush with each other and the retaining tab 601C helps form a seal against the outer surface of the cup 602.

In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the coaster may be further modified to provide additional benefits for shipping of the beverage container while containing a liquid. In FIG. 7, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the base secured within the coaster when screwed onto the cup. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower edge 103B of the base 103 is seated on the edge 101C of the upper opening 101B of the cup 101. In this position, the base 103 fully covers the upper opening 101B and so helps prevent spillage of liquids from within the beverage cavity 104.

As also shown in FIG. 7, the inner surface of the lip 701B on the coaster 701 has been extended to be inclusive of the height of the screw threads 602D on the outer surface of the cup 602 plus the additional height of the base 103 when seated on the edge 602C of the upper opening 602B of the cup 101. In this configuration, when the 701 is screwed onto the cup 101, the lower surface 701A of the coaster 701 pushes down the upper edge 103C of the base 101 thereby helping to secure the base portion 101 in place over the upper opening 602B of the cup 101.

A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of securing the base over the upper opening of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the coaster may attach to the cup without the use of complementary threads but rather with the inner surface of the lip of the coaster pressing up against the outer surface cup portion. Similarly, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the cup and on the inner surface of the lip such that the coaster clicks securely onto and off of the cup.

In this embodiment, the beverage container 700 may also be shipped with liquid in the beverage container 104. The upper opening 602B of the cup 602 may be sealed by a foil (not shown) or any other appropriate means known to one of regular skill in the art including lift and peel, induction, etc.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the beverage container 700 may include a removable wrapper (not shown) which helps retain the coaster 701 over the upper opening 602B of the cup 602. The wrapper may have vertically disposed perforations which facilitate removal of the wrapper. The wrapper may cover the entire beverage container 700 or only a portion of the beverage container 700 which still helps retain the coaster 701 over the upper opening 602B of the cup 602. The wrapper may skink wrap made of a material sufficiently strong to retain the coaster 701 and stay in place over the beverage container 700 prior to removal.

In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the stem may be removably attached to the cup as well as the base. In FIG. 8, a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the stem removably attached to both the cup and the base is depicted. As shown in FIG. 8, the beverage container 800 in this embodiment includes a stem 801 that is removably attached to both the cup 802 and the base 803. Specifically, the upper end of the stem 805 removably attaches to a point centered on the blower bowl portion of the cup 804. Similarly, the lower end of the stem 806 removably attaches to the upper end of the base 807. Furthermore, in this configuration, the upper end of the base 807 may be removably attached to the point centered on the blower bowl portion of the cup 804.

A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that multiple methods of removably attaching the stem to the cup and the base may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the stem may be attached to the cup and the base with the use of complementary threads or extruding tabs and complementary depressions.

In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the base removably attaches directly to the cup without a stem while also functioning as cover a cover. In FIG. 9A, a front view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base connecting directly to cup is depicted. As shown in FIG. 9A, the beverage container 900 includes a cup 901 and a base 902. The cup 901 includes and upper opening 905 and a bottom surface 906. The bottom surface 906 is flat such that the cup 901 rests securely upright when placed on a flat surface such as table top. The circumference of the bottom surface 906 may be equal to or less than the circumference of the upper opening 905. Similarly, the circumference of the top surface of the base 901 may be equal to or less than the circumference of the bottom surface of the base 901.

The base 902 includes an upper depression 903 in the upper surface of the base 902 and a lower depression 904 in the lower surface of the base 902. The inner circumference of the upper depression 903 is large enough to encompass the outer circumference of the bottom surface 906 of the cup 901. When the bottom surface 906 of the cup 901 is inserted into the upper depression 903 of the base 902, the inner surface of the upper insert lip 907 comes into contact with the outer surface of the cup 901 adjacent to the bottom surface 906. In this configuration, the base 902 functions as a coaster positioned under the bottom surface 906 of the cup 901.

The inner circumference of the lower depression 904 is large enough to encompass the outer circumference of the upper opening 905 of the cup 901. When the upper opening 905 of the cup 901 is inserted into the lower depression 904 of the base 902, the inner surface of the lower insert lip 908 comes into contact with the outer surface of the cup 901 adjacent to the upper opening 905. In this configuration the base 902 functions as a cover positioned over and fully encompassing the upper opening 905 of the cup 901.

The cup and base may each be dimensioned such that the pressure of the inner surface of either the upper depression lip 907 or the lower depression lip 908 against the outer surface of the cup 901 is sufficient to secure the base 902 to the cup 901 as either a coaster or a cover.

Moreover, a person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of securing the base over the upper opening or under the bottom surface of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the base may attach to the cup with the use of complementary threads on the inner surface of each of the lips of each depression and the outer surface of the cup. Similarly, complementary tabs and depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the cup and on the inner surface of each of the lips such that the base clicks securely onto and off of the cup.

In a variation of this embodiment, the upper depression is moved from the upper surface of the base to the bottom of the cup. In FIG. 9B, a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A in which the base removably attaches directly to the cup is depicted. As shown in FIG. 9B, the structure of the beverage container 900 is similar that shown in FIG. 9A except that a depression 903 is now included in the bottom surface 906 of the cup 901. The upper surface of the base 92 is flat without a depression and is dimensioned to fit inside the depression 903 in the lower surface 906 of the cup 901.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising:

a stem having an upper and a lower end;

a cup having an upper opening and a lower bowl portion;

a base having a tapered upper end with a diameter that widens evenly along its length towards a lower end until the diameter is at least equal to a diameter of the upper opening of the cup;

the upper end of the stem attached to the cup at a point centered on the bowl portion of the cup; and

the upper end of the base removably attached at to the lower end of the stem, the lower end of the base capable of securely covering the upper opening when not attached to the stem.

2. The beverage container of claim 1 further comprising:

a coaster removably attached to the lower end of the base, the coaster capable of securely covering the upper opening when detached from the base.

3. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein the coaster includes a flat surface component and a lip rising perpendicularly from an edge of the flat surface component and running the full circumferential length of the edge.

4. The beverage container of claim 3 wherein an inner surface of the lip and an outer diameter of the upper opening each include a set complementary screw threads configured to engage with each other.

5. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the lower end of the removable base includes a lower edge and a lip extending downward from of the lower edge and the running along the full perimeter of the lower edge;

wherein the cup includes an upper edge that defines the upper opening; and

wherein the lower edge of the removable base rests directly on the upper edge of the cup when it is positioned to securely and fully cover the upper opening.

6. The beverage container of claim 5 wherein the lip has a sufficient height such that the coaster fully encompasses the removable base positioned over the upper opening, and

wherein the coaster pushes the lower edge of the removable base against the upper rim of the cup so as form a seal when the complementary threads fully engaged.

7. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the cup, the stem, and the base are made of a clear see through material.

8. The beverage container of claim 1 further comprising: a seal covering the upper opening of the cup.

9. The beverage container of claim 1 further comprising: a wrapper substantially covering the cup.

10. The beverage container of claim 9 wherein the wrapper is made of material resistant to UV light.

11. The beverage container of claim 9 wherein the wrapper includes perforations.

12. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein the coaster includes water or a refrigerant gel of liquid sealed within the flat surface and lip of the coaster, the coaster providing for the cooling of a liquid with the cup while positioned to securely covering the upper opening of the cup.

13. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the upper end of the stem removably attaches to a position centered on the bowl portion of the cup.

14. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the center of the bowl portion includes a flat surface capable of supporting the cup upright when seated on a flat surface with the stem removed from the cup.

15. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the base removably attaches to the position centered on the bowl portion of the cup with the stem detached from both the cup and the base.

16. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the upper end of the stem is permanently attached to the center of the bowl portion of the cup.

17. The beverage container of claim 16 wherein the cup has a beverage cavity that extends through the stem and terminates at or prior to the lower end of the stem.

18. A beverage container comprising:

a cup having an upper opening and a flat bottom surface;

a base having an upper depression and a lower depression;

the base functioning as a coaster when the bottom surface of the cup is inserted directly into the upper depression of the base; and

the base functioning as a cover when the lower depression of the base is positioned over and fully encompasses the upper opening of the cup.