US20210244215A1

US20210244215A1 - Cup with integrated straw

Info

Publication number: US20210244215A1
Application number: US17/175,292
Authority: US
Inventors: Ron Pritchett; Nancy W. Pritchett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-12
Filing date: 2021-02-12
Publication date: 2021-08-12

Abstract

The disclosure concerns an improved cup for use by restaurants and other servicing entities. The improvement includes an integrated straw, and orientation of the integrated straw for enabling nesting of cups in a stackable manner. In some embodiments, a lid is utilized to cover the cup and integrated straw while no in use. The lid may also include a flexible element which allows the integrated straw to be conveniently uncovered when desired.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/975,654, filed Feb. 12, 2020; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cup; more particularly, a cup having an integrated straw for efficient stacking and convenient use.

Description of the Related Art

Disposable cups are a common item at fast service restaurants. The disposable cups normally require a separate straw for proper drinking. Integrating a straw with a cup normally will interfere will the ability to stack cups efficiently. In addition, providing an efficient means of drinking from a straw while also allowing for a lid cover of the cup is not achievable with current designs.
There is a need for a cup with integrated straw which is configured for efficient stacking and drinking, with or without a lid.

SUMMARY

The disclosure concerns a cup with integrated straw. The cup includes a body having first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body comprises an upper edge disposed at the first end and a base disposed at the second end. A channel is disposed to a portion of the body extending from the upper edge to the base. An integrated straw is coupled to the channel at a center portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cup with integrated straw in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the cup with integrated straw in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lid and cup with integrated straw in accordance with a second illustrated embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a right cross-section view of the lid and cup with integrated straw in accordance with the second illustrated embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of stacked cups with integrated straw in accordance to a third illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, and a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
For purposes herein, the term “perforation” means a small hole or row of small rows punched so that a part can be easily torn off.
The term “channel” means a groove or furrow.
The term “flange” means a rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object.
The term “periphery” means an outer limit or edge of an area or object.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.

General Description of Embodiments

In a first embodiment, a cup with integrated straw is disclosed. The cup with integrated straw comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body has an upper edge comprising an upper edge periphery disposed at the first end and a base comprising a base periphery disposed at the second end. A channel disposed at a portion of the body extends from the upper edge to the base, and the channel includes a left side and a right side. An integrated straw having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the distal end is coupled to the channel at a center portion.
In a preferable embodiment, the cup with integrated straw further comprises a first flange extending from the proximal end at the left side to the upper edge periphery, and a second flange extending from the proximal end at the right side to the upper edge periphery.
Generally, the upper edge periphery is greater than the base periphery.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a straw exterior, and
wherein a portion of said straw exterior is visible outside the body.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a distal aperture disposed at the distal end. The distal aperture is configured to receive liquid contained within an interior.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a proximal end extension coupled to the proximal end such that a straw aperture is at least 0.5 inches from the first and second flanges.
In some embodiments the body, channel, and integrated straw comprise a monolithic piece.
In some embodiments, the cup with integrated straw further comprises a lid configured to couple to the upper edge. The lid comprises a straw cap configured to engage the proximal end of the integrated straw.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a cap holder aperture disposed on a lid surface, said cap holder aperture configured to couple with the straw cap.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element is configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder aperture and thereby allowing access to a straw aperture of the integrated straw.
In some embodiments, the flexible element further comprises a plurality of perforated edges. The plurality of perforated edges is coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.
In another embodiment, a lid for engaging with a cup with integrated straw is disclosed. The lid comprises a lid surface having a lid periphery and a straw cap disposed at a portion of the lid periphery. The straw cap is configured to engage with a proximal end of an integrated straw. A straw holder aperture is disposed on the lid surface and is configured to couple with the straw cap. The lid further comprises a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element is configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder thereby allowing access to a straw aperture.
In some embodiments, the flexible element further comprises a plurality of perforated edges, the plurality of perforated edges is coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a plurality of lid-flanges extending from the straw cap to the lid periphery.
A function of the cup is to provide an integrated straw which can be stacked efficiently. The invention is further differentiated by having an optional lid which can cover the integrated straw while not in use and a convenient mechanism for uncovering the integrated straw when user wants to take a sip.

Manufacturing

Generally, the cup and integrated straw is made of paper common in the fast service industry. However, in the alternative, the cup may be made from plastic, for example, using blow molding or a similar technique.
Generally, the cup and integrated straw are fabricated as a monolithic single piece. The lid is a separate piece, configured to engage and attach with the upper edge periphery of the cup with integrated straw.
Each of the components of the cup and integrated and related accessories described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

First Illustrated Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cup with integrated straw (100) in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment. The cup comprises a body (110) having a first end (111) and a second end (112) opposite the first end. A base (113) having a base periphery (114) is disposed at the second end, and an upper edge (115) having an upper edge periphery (116) is disposed on the first end. At a portion of the body is a channel (130) which extends from the upper edge to the base. An integrated straw (120) is coupled to the channel at a center portion. The integrated straw having a proximal end (121) and a distal end (122) extends from the upper edge to the base of the body. Disposed at the proximal end is a straw aperture (124) for consuming liquid contained within the cup. A first flange (133) extends from the proximal end of the integrated straw towards a left side (131) of the upper edge periphery. Likewise, a second flange (134) extends from the proximal end of the integrated straw towards a right side (132) of the upper edge periphery. The first and second flange provides a feature for closing lips against a combination of the first flange, second flange, and integrated straw for providing an efficient drinking of contents within the cup.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw (120) comprises a straw exterior (123) which is exposed and visible from outside of the body (110).
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the cup with integrated straw (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. The cup includes an upper edge (115) and a base (113), and a body (110) extending therebetween. The upper edge has an upper edge periphery (116) and the base has a base periphery (114). Both the upper edge periphery and base periphery have a common shape, however the upper edge periphery is greater in size compared with the base periphery. This allows for efficient stacking of multiple cups with integrated straw. Stacking is important because cups may be made of paper and intended for single-use followed by disposal. As such, food and beverage vendors may require many cups to service their customers, and the many cups must be shipped in an efficient manner to maintain a low-per-unit cost.
Both the upper edge periphery (115) and base periphery (114) are characterized as having a predominantly circular periphery with an indented portion comprising a first flange (133), a second flange (134), and an integrated straw (120) due to a channel (130) disposed on the body extending from the upper edge to the base. Because the base periphery is smaller than the upper edge periphery, the integrated straw is angled inwardly similar to the body coupled therewith. The integrated straw has a proximal end (121) and a distal end (122) opposite the proximal end. Disposed at the proximal end is a straw aperture (124) for drinking. Disposed at the distal end is a distal aperture (125) which initially receives a liquid for drinking. A user places their mouth around the integrated straw at the straw aperture, in addition with the first flange and second flange. Liquid contained within the cup enters the distal aperture at the base of the cup and travels upward through the integrated straw and out the straw aperture. The integrated straw is coupled to the channel at a center portion (135), thereby having the first flange be equal in size and opposite in direction to the second flange.
In some embodiments, an indentation of the upper edge periphery (116) created by the channel (130) comprises a portion less than or equal to 60 degrees of the predominantly circular periphery. Additionally, an indentation of the base periphery (114) created the channel comprises a portion less than or equal to 60 degrees of the predominantly circular periphery.

Second Illustrated Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lid (200) and cup with integrated straw (100) in accordance with a second illustrated embodiment. The lid is configured to coupled to an upper edge (FIG. 2, 115) of a body (110). The lid comprises a lid surface (210), a lid periphery (220), and a straw cap (230). The straw cap is configured to engage with a proximal end (121) of an integrated straw (120). The integrated straw is disposed at a channel (130). The channel runs along the body and creates an indentation extending from upper edge to a base. The lid also includes a cap holder aperture (260) disposed on the lid surface and configured to receive and couple with the straw cap. A flexible element (250) is also disposed on the lid surface and coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element has a plurality of perforated edges (251) which allows a user to break a portion of the flexible element from the lid, allowing the flexible element to rotate the straw cap off the integrated straw and into the cap holder aperture. This configuration allows a user to remove the straw cap and drink from the integrated while keeping the straw cap and flexible element away from the user's face. Since the straw cap is coupled to the flexible element, misplacing the straw cap is no longer a concern.
The lid (200) additionally includes lid-flanges (240) which are similar to a first flange (FIG. 1, 133) and a second flange (FIG. 1, 134) which are both disposed on the upper edge. This allows the lid to easily couple to the cup with integrated straw (120) comprising a unique and irregular shape. The lid-flanges also provide similar function as the first and second flange do in regards to providing efficient means of drinking.
FIG. 4 shows a right cross-section view of the lid (200) and cup with integrated straw (100) in accordance with the second illustrated embodiment. The cup has a body (110), an upper edge (115), and a base (113). The lid covers the cup at the upper edge and additionally covers an integrated straw (120), wherein the integrated straw is coupled to a portion of the body. A straw aperture (124) located at a proximal end (121) of the integrated straw and is enclosed by a straw cover (230) of the lid. A flexible element (250) is disposed at a lid surface (210) and additionally coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element is configured to partially detach from the lid surface and temporarily relocate the straw cap into a cap holder aperture (260) for temporary holding while a user drinks from the cup. When the user finishes drinking, the straw cap is pulled from the cap holder aperture via the flexible element and the straw cap is rotated back for covering the integrated straw. Once the straw cap has reengaged with the integrated straw, the flexible element returns to its position relative with the lid surface and provides a sealed covering such that liquids contained in an interior (117) of the cup cannot easily escape and enter an exterior (118).
In a preferable embodiment, a distal end (122) of the integrated straw (120) includes a distal aperture (125) which is tangent with the base (113) so as to maximize consumption of liquid contained therein.

Third Illustrated Embodiment

FIG. 5 Show a plurality of stacked cups with integrated straw (300) in accordance to a third illustrated embodiment. Cups of the plurality of cups are nested within each other which allows for efficient stacking. As shown, each of the plurality of cups comprise a body (110), an upper edge (115), and a base (113). The upper edge includes an upper edge periphery (116) and the base includes a base periphery (114), wherein the upper edge periphery is greater than the base periphery such that the body angles outwardly from the base to the upper edge. This allows for easy and efficient stacking. A channel (130) is disposed on each cup at the body, extending from the base to the upper edge. Coupled to the channel is an integrated straw (120). A first flange (133) and second flange (134) each extend from the upper periphery to a proximal end (121) of the integrated straw. The integrated straw additionally includes a proximal end extension (126) such that s straw aperture (124) is disposed a distance from the proximal end, upper edge, and first and second flanges. In a preferable embodiment, the distance is equal to or greater than 0.5 inches. As shown, the proximal end extension (126) allows for easy sipping, however a lid (FIG. 3, 200) is not configured to coupled therewith without significant redesign of said lid.

FEATURE LIST

- cup with integrated straw (100)
- body (110)
- first end (111)
- second end (112)
- base (113)
- base periphery (114)
- upper edge (115)
- upper edge periphery (116)
- interior (117)
- exterior (118)
- integrated straw (120)
- proximal end (121)
- distal end (122)
- straw exterior (123)
- straw aperture (124)
- distal aperture (125)
- proximal end extension (126)
- channel (130)
- left side (131)
- right side (132)
- first flange (133)
- second flange (134)
- center portion (135)
- lid (200)
- lid surface (210)
- lid periphery (220)
- straw cap (230)
- lid flange (240)
- flexible element (250)
- plurality of perforated edges (251)
- cap holder aperture (260)
- plurality of stacked cups with integrated straw (300)

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cup with integrated straw comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end,

the body having an upper edge comprising an upper edge periphery disposed at the first end and a base comprising a base periphery disposed at the second end;

a channel disposed at a portion of the body extending from the upper edge to the base, the channel includes a left side and a right side; and

an integrated straw having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the distal end;

wherein the integrated straw is coupled to the channel at a center portion.

2. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1 further comprising:

a first flange extending from the proximal end at the left side to the upper edge periphery; and

a second flange extending from the proximal end at the right side to the upper edge periphery.

3. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, wherein the upper edge periphery is greater than the base periphery.

4. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, the integrated straw further comprising a straw exterior, and wherein a portion of said straw exterior is visible outside the body.

5. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, the integrated straw further comprising a distal aperture disposed at the distal end, the distal aperture configured to receive liquid contained within an interior.

6. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, the integrated straw further comprising a proximal end extension coupled to the proximal end such that a straw aperture is at least 0.5 inches from the first and second flanges.

7. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, wherein the body, channel, and integrated straw comprise a monolithic piece.

8. The cup with integrated straw of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to couple to the upper edge, the lid comprising a straw cap configured to engage the proximal end of the integrated straw.

9. The cup with integrated straw of claim 8, the lid further comprising a cap holder aperture disposed on a lid surface, said cap holder aperture configured to couple with the straw cap.

10. The cup with integrated straw of claim 9, the lid further comprising a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap, the flexible element configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder aperture thereby allowing access to a straw aperture of the integrated straw.

11. The cup with integrated straw of claim 10, the flexible element further comprising a plurality of perforated edges, the plurality of perforated edges coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.

12. A lid for engaging with a cup with integrated straw, comprising:

a lid surface having a lid periphery;

a straw cap disposed at a portion of the lid periphery and configured to engage with a proximal end of an integrated straw;

a straw holder aperture disposed on the lid surface and configured to couple with the straw cap; and

a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap, the flexible element is configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder thereby allowing access to a straw aperture.

13. The lid for engaging with a cup with integrated straw of claim 12, the flexible element further comprising a plurality of perforated edges, the plurality of perforated edges coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.

14. The lid for engaging with a cup with integrated straw of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of lid-flanges extending from the straw cap to the lid periphery.