Clipper Detachable Handle for Disposable Cups
A detachable cup handle apparatus enables a user to conveniently carry a cup by hand without touching the cup. The apparatus offers a clip that allows the user to securely hold all types of insulated cups with a lip. The apparatus comprises a loop with a protrusion clip that hooks onto the cup while the clip presses against the edge to retain the apparatus on the cup. The apparatus is light-weighted and compact and ensures against toppling of the cup being held when the cup is placed atop a surface. Further, the apparatus provides commercial coffee/tea houses an economical and convenient add-on offering to their customers when purchasing beverages of extreme temperatures being contained in insulated cups. Thus, the apparatus enhances the user's safety, significantly minimizes burning injuries, and reduces the liability of the commercial coffee/tea houses.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/732,663 filed on Sep. 18, 2018.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to cup handles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a detachable cup handle adapted for securing to a hot disposable cup so that a user can conveniently carry the disposable cup by hand. The clipper detachable handle for a disposable cup containing a hot liquid provides the user with a stable grip while the disposable cup is held in the user's hand, thus preventing undesirable heat transfer to the hand of the user. The clipper detachable handle can help people with hand arthritis holding a paper cup or any insulated cup with liquid in it. Further, the detachable handle of the present invention is reusable so that the user can detach it from a used cup and attach to a new cup for use again.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEvery year thousands of people are burned by hot coffee, tea and water. Nowadays, most hot drinks, especially those drinks served to go, are often served in disposable insulated cups. Normally, these cups do not have handles. They may have insulating sleeves made of cardboard paper, or other materials. One problem associated with these cups is that the hot liquid may cause up to third degree burns when spilled onto a user's hand, arm, or skins of other body parts. Another problem has always existed in that hot or cold drinks are uncomfortable to the touch even with some type of additional insulator. The insulating sleeves that a lot of commercial coffee/tea houses offer are not totally effective since extreme temperatures of the liquids contained in these cups can still migrate through the insulation. What is needed is a handle that keeps the user's hand from being in direct contact with the hot surface of the disposable cup.
Generally, a handle is part of a container such as a cup, a mug, or a bottle, in the form of a protrusion. The protrusion may be a loop or an integral member of the container for the user to grasp with the user's hand. The handle being an integral part of the container normally cannot be removed or reused for another container. Thus, the handle is disposed of along with the container. The hot or cold drinks served to go by most commercial coffee/tea houses do not justify the added cost for the handle even in a simplest form. Additionally, the integral handle of a container usually has a predetermined shape and size configured for an average sized hand. Thus, the handle may not be comfortable or convenient for the user with hands that are either larger than average or smaller than average. Furthermore, many handles are either too heavy and may bend or cause damage to the disposable cup, or too light and flexible for the user to securely hold the disposable cup.
An objective of the present invention is to provide the user with a comfortable and efficient handle to grasp when holding an insulated cup containing a liquid of extreme temperature. The handle, also named “Clipper Detachable Handle” offers a clip that allows the user to securely hold all types of insulated cups with a lip at the opening. More specifically, the clipper detachable handle is configured generally in the shape of a loop with a protrusion that hooks onto the inside edge of the disposable cup while the clip presses against the outside edge of the disposable cup opening to retain the handle on the disposable cup. The clipper detachable handle can be easily removed by the user, reused on other cups with a lip, or stored away conveniently. Specifically, the clipper detachable handle is light-weighted and compact, thereby allowing the user to save space whether in use or storage and ensuring against toppling of the disposable cup being held when the disposable cup is placed atop a surface. Additionally, the clipper detachable handle has a shape designed for the comfort of the user and can be made in various sizes to fit different sizes of hands. The clipper detachable handle can help people with hand arthritis holding a paper cup or any insulated cup with liquid in it. Furthermore, the clipper detachable handle provides any commercial coffee/tea house an economical and convenient add-on offering to their customers when purchasing beverages of extreme temperatures being contained in insulated disposable cups. Thus, the clipper detachable handle, as an add-on, enhances the user's safety, significantly minimizes burning injuries, and reduces the liability of the commercial coffee/tea houses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA detachable cup handle apparatus is adapted for securing to a hot disposable cup so that a user can conveniently carry the disposable cup by hand without touching the cup. The apparatus provides the user with a stable grip while the disposable cup is held in the user's hand, thus preventing undesirable heat transfer to the hand of the user. The apparatus offers a clip that allows the user to securely hold all types of insulated cups with a lip at the opening. The apparatus is configured generally in the shape of a loop with a protrusion that hooks onto the inside edge of the disposable cup while the clip presses against the outside edge of the disposable cup opening to retain the handle on the disposable cup. The apparatus can be easily removed by the user, reused on other cups with a lip, or stored away conveniently. Additionally, the apparatus is light-weighted and compact, thereby allowing the user to save space whether in use or storage and ensuring against toppling of the disposable cup being held when the disposable cup is placed atop a surface. The apparatus can be made in one or more materials and has a shape designed for the comfort of the user. The apparatus can be made in various sizes to fit different sizes of hands. The clipper detachable handle can help people with hand arthritis holding a paper cup or any insulated cup with liquid in it. Furthermore, the apparatus provides any commercial coffee/tea house an economical and convenient add-on offering to their customers when purchasing beverages of extreme temperatures being contained in insulated disposable cups. Thus, the apparatus, as an add-on to a cup, enhances the user's safety, significantly minimizes burning injuries, and reduces the liability of the commercial coffee/tea houses.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
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To use the present invention, the user acquires the clipper detachable handle 10 and clips it onto the disposable cup 90 that the user chooses, as seen in
The clipper detachable handle 10 may be designed and manufactured in various shapes and sizes to comfortably fit hands of different sizes and for different sizes of insulated disposable cups.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup comprising:
- a grip;
- a retainer;
- a cup support;
- the grip comprising a first grip, a side grip, and an arched grip;
- the side grip being positioned between the first grip and the arched grip;
- the retainer being terminally positioned on the first grip opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the retainer comprising an upper clip, a lower clip, and a rim hook for detachably securing to a rim of the disposable cup;
- the rim hook being terminally positioned on the first grip opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the upper clip being perpendicularly attached to the first grip adjacent the rim hook;
- the lower clip being terminally and perpendicularly attached to the arched grip; and
- the cup support being terminally positioned on the arched grip opposite the lower clip of the retainer.
2. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grip, the retainer and the cup support are integrally formed of at least one material.
3. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- wherein the lower clip of the retainer is resilient;
- wherein the lower clip is movable to engage and disengage with the upper clip; and
- wherein the retainer is securely attached to the rim of the disposable cup when the lower clip is engaged with the upper clip.
4. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the upper clip of the retainer comprising an upper clip hook;
- the upper clip hook being terminally positioned on the upper clip;
- the lower clip comprising a lower clip tab and a lip retainer;
- the lip retainer being terminally positioned on the lower clip opposite the cup support across the lower clip for engaging a lip of the disposable cup;
- the lower clip tab being terminally positioned on the lower clip adjacent the lip retainer; and
- wherein the lower clip tab is movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position with the upper clip hook.
5. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the lower clip of the retainer comprising a release slot for a user to move the lower clip between engaging and disengaging the upper clip; and
- the release slot being positioned on the lower clip opposite the lip retainer.
6. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the retainer comprising a front retainer wall and an end rib;
- the front retainer wall being terminally positioned on the first grip of the grip;
- the front retainer wall being oriented perpendicular to the first grip;
- the end rib being a portion of the first grip;
- the end rib being positioned between the front retainer wall and the upper clip; and
- wherein the front retainer wall, the end rib, and the upper clip form the rim hook for removably securing the retainer on the rim of the disposable cup.
7. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the cup support comprising a linear support and a peripheral support;
- the linear support being terminally positioned on the cup support opposite the lower clip of the retainer for linearly supporting an exterior side of the disposable cup;
- the peripheral support being terminally positioned on the cup support adjacent the linear support; and
- the peripheral support being oriented perpendicular to the linear support for supporting a circular surface of the disposable cup.
8. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the cup support comprising a linear support and a peripheral support;
- the linear support being terminally positioned on the cup support opposite the lower clip of the retainer for linearly supporting an exterior side of the disposable cup;
- the peripheral support being terminally positioned on the cup support adjacent the linear support; and
- the peripheral support being oriented perpendicular to the linear support for supporting a cylindrical surface of the disposable cup.
9. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 8, wherein the peripheral support is sized substantially larger than the linear support.
10. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front retainer wall and the end rib are laterally curved to fit the cylindrical surface of the disposable cup.
11. A detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup comprising:
- a grip;
- a retainer;
- a cup support;
- the grip comprising a first grip, a side grip, an arched grip, and a grip loop;
- the side grip is positioned between the first grip and the arched grip;
- the retainer being terminally positioned on the first grip and the arched grip, opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the retainer comprising an upper clip, a lower clip, and a rim hook for detachably securing to a rim of the disposable cup;
- the rim hook being terminally positioned on the first grip opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the upper clip being perpendicularly attached to the first grip adjacent the rim hook;
- the lower clip being terminally and perpendicularly attached to the arched grip;
- wherein the lower clip of the retainer is resilient;
- wherein the lower clip is movable to engage and disengage with the upper clip; and
- wherein the retainer is securely attached to the rim of the disposable cup when the lower clip is engaged with the upper clip; and
- the cup support being terminally positioned on the arched grip opposite the lower clip of the retainer.
12. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 11, wherein the front retainer wall and the end rib are laterally curved to fit the cylindrical surface of the disposable cup.
13. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 11 comprising:
- the upper clip of the retainer comprising an upper clip hook;
- the upper clip hook being terminally positioned on the upper clip;
- the lower clip comprising a lower clip tab and a lip retainer;
- the lip retainer being terminally positioned on the lower clip opposite the cup support across the lower clip for engaging a lip of the disposable cup;
- the lower clip tab being terminally positioned on the lower clip adjacent the lip retainer; and
- wherein the lower clip tab is movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position with the upper clip hook.
14. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 11 comprising:
- the lower clip of the retainer comprising a release slot for a user to move the lower clip between engaging and disengaging the upper clip; and
- the release slot being positioned on the lower clip opposite the lip retainer.
15. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 11 comprising:
- the retainer comprising a front retainer wall and an end rib;
- the front retainer wall being terminally positioned on the first grip of the grip;
- the front retainer wall being oriented perpendicular to the first grip;
- the end rib being a portion of the first grip;
- the end rib being positioned between the front retainer wall and the upper clip; and
- wherein the front retainer wall, the end rib, the upper clip, and the lower clip form the rim hook for removably securing the retainer on the rim of the disposable cup.
16. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 11 comprising:
- the cup support comprising a linear support and a peripheral support;
- the linear support being terminally positioned on the cup support opposite the lower clip of the retainer for linearly supporting an exterior side of the disposable cup;
- the peripheral support being terminally positioned on the cup support adjacent the linear support; and
- the peripheral support being oriented perpendicular to the linear support for supporting a circular surface of the disposable cup.
17. A detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup comprising:
- a grip;
- a retainer;
- a cup support;
- the grip comprising a first grip, a side grip, an arched grip, and a grip loop;
- the side grip is positioned between the first grip and the arched grip;
- the retainer being terminally positioned on the first grip and the arched grip, opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the retainer comprising a front retainer wall, and end rib, an upper clip, a lower clip, and a rim hook for detachably securing to a rim of the disposable cup;
- the rim hook being terminally positioned on the first grip opposite the side grip of the grip;
- the upper clip being perpendicularly attached to the first grip adjacent the rim hook;
- the lower clip being terminally and perpendicularly attached to the arched grip;
- wherein the lower clip of the retainer is resilient;
- wherein the lower clip is movable to engage and disengage with the upper clip; and
- wherein the retainer is securely attached to the rim of the disposable cup when the lower clip is engaged with the upper clip;
- the front retainer wall being terminally positioned on the first grip of the grip;
- the front retainer wall being oriented perpendicular to the first grip;
- the end rib being a portion of the first grip;
- the end rib being positioned between the front retainer wall and the upper clip;
- wherein the front retainer wall, the end rib, the upper clip, and the lower clip form the rim hook; and
- the cup support being terminally positioned on the arched grip opposite the lower clip of the retainer.
18. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 14 comprising:
- the upper clip of the retainer comprising an upper clip hook;
- the upper clip hook being terminally positioned on the upper clip;
- the lower clip comprising a lower clip tab and a lip retainer;
- the lip retainer being terminally positioned on the lower clip opposite the cup support across the lower clip for engaging a lip of the disposable cup;
- the lower clip tab being terminally positioned on the lower clip adjacent the lip retainer; and
- wherein the lower clip tab is movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position with the upper clip hook.
19. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 16 comprising:
- the lower clip of the retainer comprising a release slot for a user to move the lower clip between engaging and disengaging the upper clip; and
- release slot being positioned on the lower clip opposite the lip retainer.
20. The detachable handle adapted to removably attach to and safely support a disposable cup as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the cup support comprising a linear support and a peripheral support;
- the linear support being terminally positioned on the cup support opposite the lower clip of the retainer for linearly supporting an exterior side of the disposable cup;
- the peripheral support being terminally positioned on the cup support adjacent the linear support; and
- the peripheral support being oriented perpendicular to the linear support for supporting a circular surface of the disposable cup.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 18, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 19, 2020
Inventor: Gonzalo Navarro (Boynton Beach, FL)
Application Number: 16/575,037