NZ299997A - Drinking vessel with dividing means which enables simultaneous consumption of separated beverage components - Google Patents

Description

299 9Q 1 Patents Form No, 5 Our Ref: JC207312 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 299997 Filed: 23 December 1996 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A DRINKING VESSEL I, LARRY MATTHEWS, a citizen of the United States of America of 256B Wicksteed Street, Wanganui, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: .. 1 .

N.Z. PATENT OFHOE 4 DEC 1997 PT0596692 A DRINKING VESSEL Ui This invention relates to a drinking vessel containing a dividing means which is suitable for separating components of a consumable nature.

Many different types of cups or bowls are currently available. Generally speaking, cups or bowls which are currently available do not contain an insert or a dividing means to separate the contents of a consumable nature.

It is considered there is a need for such a drinking vessel to provide an alternative to presenting a drink, which may be a mixture of consumables.

There may also be instances where it is necessary to keep two components of a drink or beverage separate, until moments prior to consumption.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking vessel which at least provides the public with a useful alternative over known drinking vessels.

Other objects of tha invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drinking vessel, which comprises a body with a dividing means substantially vertically disposed across the body of the drinking vessel, the dividing means being adapted to enable consumption of separated beverage components simultaneously from the drinking vessel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a drinking vessel which comprises: a body having a generally cylindrical rim portion above a generally cylindrical base portion, a dividing means which is disposed generally vertically across the diameter of the drinking vessel, in which the dividing means extends essentially from the cylindrical rim portion to the cylindrical base portion, and in which the dividing means is shaped to mould against the inside walls of the drinking vessel, the dividing means being adapted to enable consumption of separated beverage components simultaneously from the drinking vessel.

Preferably the dividing means is of a shallow "S" shape or of an alternative convex/concave curve shape.

The drinking vessel may be in combination with a handle and/or a saucer.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a drinking vessel, the method comprising the step of forming a dividing means and disposing the dividing means substantially vertically across the body of a drinking vessel.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. This description is given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure la: Is a top view of a drinking vessel containing a shallow "S" dividing means according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb: Is a side view of a drinking vessel shown in Fig la; Figure 2a: Is a top view of the drinking vessel containing a concave or convex dividing means according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b: Is a side view of a drinking vessel shown in Fig 2a.

Referring to figures 1 and 1a, the present invention provides a drinking vessel 1. The drinking vessel comprises a body, which includes a substantially cylindrical rim portion 2 and a shallow "S" dividing means 3. The drinking vessel comprises spaces 4a and 4b for holding the components of the consumable drink. The internal base of the drinking vessel is indicated by the numeral 5. The dividing means 3 fits against the inside wall of the drinking cup to a point 6. Preferably the dividing means extends up to approximately 1cm from the rim of the drinking vessel or a sufficient distance to allow comfortable drinking. 29Q997 Referring to figure 1b, the essentially cylindrical base portion is indicated by the numeral 7.

A drinking vessel according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs 2a and 2b. The drinking vessel comprises a body which includes a substantially cylindrical rim portion 9 and a convex or concave dividing means 10. The drinking vessel comprises spaces 11a and 11b for holding the components of the consumable drink. The internal base of the drinking vessel is illustrated as 12. The dividing means 10 abuts against the inside wall of the drinking vessel at point 13. Preferably the dividing means extends up to approximately 1cm from the rim of the drinking vessel or a sufficient distance to allow comfortable drinking.

Referring to figure 2b, the essentially cylindrical base portion is indicated by the numeral 14.

The drinking vessels of the present invention may be employed to provide an alternative option to presenting coffees, lattes, soups, desserts, milkshakes, alcoholic beverages or hot chocolates. In a preferred embodiment, a latte or coffee drink is prepared by pouring the milk portion of the drink into one side of the drinking vessel and pouring the coffee/chocolate portion of the drink into the drinking vessel on the other side of the dividing means.

It is also envisaged that milkshakes, soups or desserts may be separated into components or flavours to provide the consumer with a choice in preparing and presenting such consumables.

The consumer may control the flow of each consumable component by rotating the drinking vessel around the point 6, to provide the desired mixture, flavour or temperature.

The preferred embodiments of the drinking vessel enables the consumer to receive substantially equal portions of the consumable components. The consumer simply has to drink from the rim at the point where the upper cylindrical rim portion is directly above point 6 where the dividing means meets the inside wall of the drinking vessel. ^ v* kj It is envisaged that the drinking vessel may be prepared from ceramics, stainless steel, plastics, metallic alloys, glass, Arcaroc™ or disposable products such as polystyrene.

The dividing means 3 may be made of the same material as defined for the drinking vessel itself, or may be made out of a porous material or chocolate, to allow for a transfer of components or flavours through the dividing means. For example, it is envisaged that the dividing means may be made as an insert to be fitted into an existing bowl or cup. The insert may be made of chocolate, plastics, ceramics material, metal, glass, porcelain, polystyrene or the like. This may provide the consumer with an additional dimension in flavour when consuming beverages and the like.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a drinking vessel which is capable of providing a consumer with a manner of presenting drinks, and which provides the consumer with an additional choice of drinking vessels.

Where reference has been made to components or intergers having known equivalents, then those equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

- 6 - WHAT 1/^CLAIM IS:* On r A ^;/s U f j 4* is _

1. A drinking vessel, which comprises a body with a dividing means substantially vertically disposed across the body of the drinking vessel, the dividing means being adapted to enable comsumption of separated beverage components simultaneously from the drinking vessel.

2. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, which comprises: a body having a generally cylindrical rim portion above a generally cylindrical base portion, a dividing means which is disposed generally vertically across the diameter of the drinking vessel, in which the dividing means extends essentially from the cylindrical rim portion to the cylindrical base portion, and in which the dividing means is shaped to mould against the inside walls of the drinking vessel, the dividing means being adapted to enable consumption of separated beverage components simultaneously from the drinking vessel.

3. The drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1 or claim .2 in which the dividing means is of a shallow "S" shape or of an alternative convex/ concave curved shape.

4. The drinking vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in combination with a saucer.

5. The drinking vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the drinking vessel is further adapted to provide a handle on an outside wall of the drinking vessel.

6. The drinking vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the drinking vessel is constructed from a ceramic material, plastics, metal, glass, porcelain or polystyrene. - 7 -

7. A dividing means as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, in which the dividing means is constructed from a ceramic material, plastics, metal, glass, porcelain or chocolate and is inserted into an existing vessel.

8. A method of constructing a drinking vessel, the method comprising the step of forming a dividing means and disposing the dividing means substantially vertically across the body of a drinking vessel, the dividing means being adapted to enable consumption of separated beverage components simultaneously from the drinking vessel.

9. A method of constructing a drinking vessel, as claimed in claim 8, in which the dividing means is formed and disposed across the body of the vessel simultaneously at the time of forming the body of the vessel.

10. The drinking vessel, substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of the accompanying figures.

11. A method of constructing a drinking vessel substantially as herein described. LARRY MATTHEWS CSPEC95554