US20220240697A1

US20220240697A1 - Drinking containers with ice retaining features

Info

Publication number: US20220240697A1
Application number: US17/591,076
Authority: US
Inventors: Keith A. Walter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-02
Filing date: 2022-02-02
Publication date: 2022-08-04

Abstract

A drinking container includes: a base; a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the base and the sidewall define a cavity; and an ice retaining structure in the cavity, the ice retaining structure including a shield member held adjacent an adjacent portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the shield is connected to and/or abuts the sidewall at two spaced apart connection locations. The ice retaining structure and the sidewall define a single laterally extending gap therebetween, and the ice retaining structure is positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity and to permit liquid to pass through the gap when the drinking container is tilted relative to vertical.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/144,644, filed Feb. 2, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A common problem associated with the consumption of a beverage containing ice cubes is that the ice cubes float on the surface of the beverage and therefore come in contact with the lips and/or mustache of the drinker. In addition to this problem, the ice cubes often substantially impede the flow of the beverage into the drinker's mouth, frustrating the drinker's desire simply to drink the beverage, rather than maneuver around the ice cubes with his or her lips. When one tilts the glass to enhance the flow of liquid, the ice may come rushing toward the drinker, spilling the contents of the container on the drinker, particularly when the drinker is attempting to consume the final sip or two of the beverage and tilts the container at a high angle relative to vertical. This may be especially frustrating and wasteful when the beverage is an expensive liquor, such as certain scotches or tequilas. Alternatively, a straw can be used but that is less desirable for some and potentially wasteful. Many straws are not environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a drinking container comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of: a base; a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the base and the sidewall define a cavity; and an ice retaining structure in the cavity. The ice retaining structure comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of a shield member held adjacent an adjacent portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the shield is connected to and/or abuts the sidewall at two spaced apart connection locations. The ice retaining structure and the sidewall define a single laterally extending gap therebetween, and the ice retaining structure is positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity and to permit liquid to pass through the gap when the drinking container is tilted relative to vertical.
In some embodiments, the shield is arcuate. The shield may be convex relative to the adjacent portion of the inner surface of the sidewall. The shield may be concave relative to a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall that is diametrically opposed to the adjacent portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.
In some embodiments, the two spaced art connection locations are circumferentially spaced apart by an arc angle of 120 degrees or less.
In some embodiments, the shield and the sidewall define a center opening that is sized and configured to receive ice cubes therethrough. The center opening may have a diameter and/or a width of 2 to 4 inches. The center opening may have a diameter and/or a width of at least 3 inches.
In some embodiments, the sidewall extends upwardly from the base and terminates in a lip. The ice retaining structure may be positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity and to permit liquid to pass through the gap and over the lip when the drinking container is tilted relative to vertical. The ice retaining structure may be positioned closer to the lip than the base.
In some embodiments, the shield includes a bottom and a top that is closer to the adjacent portion of the inner sidewall than is the bottom.
Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a drinking container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another top perspective view of the drinking container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the drinking container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the drinking container of FIG. 1 tilted relative to vertical, illustrating an ice retaining feature that retains ice in the container and allows flow of liquid beverage out of the container.

FIG. 5 illustrates the drinking container of FIG. 1 further tilted relative to vertical, with the ice retaining feature preventing an ice cube from exiting the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It is noted that any one or more aspects or features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The terms “glass” and “glasses” as used herein refer to drinking containers that, unless otherwise defined, are not required to be made of glass and may be made of other materials such as various ceramic or polymeric materials.
The term “ice cube” as used herein means a block shaped piece of ice but is not necessarily cube-shaped.
Generally speaking, embodiments of the present invention are directed to containers such as cups and glasses that retain ice while permitting flow of liquid beverage from the container. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to containers having an ice retaining feature that is configured to retain ice in the container while permitting liquid beverage to flow out of the container when the container is tilted relative to vertical.
A drinking container 10 according to some embodiments is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The container 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a base 12 and a sidewall 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 and terminating in a lip 16. The base 12 and the sidewall 14 define a cavity C.
An ice retaining structure 18 is in the cavity C. The ice retaining structure 18 comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of a bar or shield 20 held adjacent an inner surface 15 of the sidewall 14. More specifically, the shield 20 can be connected to and/or abut the sidewall 14 at two spaced apart locations 22. The shield 20 and the sidewall 14 define a gap 24 between the locations 22.
The gap 24 may have an average length L1 of between 0.5 and 2.5 inches or between 1 and 2 inches in various embodiments. The gap 24 may have an average width or thickness W1 of between 0.1 and 0.5 inches or between 0.1 and 0.25 inches in various embodiments.
As will be described in more detail below, the shield 20 is positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity C and to permit liquid beverage to pass through the gap 24 when the drinking container 10 is tilted. As will also be described in more detail below, the shield 20 and the sidewall 14 define a center opening 26 through which ice cubes (or a single large ice cube or sphere) may be inserted downwardly into the cavity C.
The container 10 has a height H1. The height H1 may be between 3 inches and 5 inches, making the container 10 suitable for use as a cocktail glass, a rocks glass or a liquor glass. In some other embodiments, the height H1 may be between 5 inches and 7 inches, making the container 10 suitable for use as a highball glass or a glass for ice tea, soda and the like.
At least one ice cube and liquid beverage may be received through the opening 26. The opening 26 is sized to easily receive the at least one ice cube (e.g., an oversized cocktail ice cube). FIG. 4 is a digital image illustrating the drinking container 10 tilted relative to vertical. As shown, the shield 20 is positioned and configured such that the ice cube 28 is retained in the cavity C below the shield 20 and liquid beverage 30 passes through the gap 24 and over the sidewall lip 16 when the container 10 is adequately tilted relative to vertical. FIG. 5 is a digital image illustrating that a drinker may tilt the container 10 up to about 90 degrees or more relative to vertical such that substantially all the liquid beverage 30 flows out of the container 10 while the ice cube 28 is retained in the container 10 by the shield 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the center opening 26 is sized and configured to receive at least one (oversized) ice cube or a plurality of ice cubes therethrough. The container 10 has an average diameter D1. In various embodiments, the diameter D1 may be between 2 and 6 inches, between 3 and 5 inches, and at least 3 inches. The container 10 has an average width dimension W2 spanning from the shield 20 to the sidewall 14. The width dimension W2 may be 2 and 6 inches, between 3 and 5 inches, and at least 3 inches. Thus, the opening 26 is sized to receive relatively large ice cubes. The opening 26 may be sized to easily receive oversized “cocktail” ice cubes that have a side dimension of 2 inches or more. This may be difficult with some known glasses with ice retaining features, such as a ring member that spans the entire circumference of the glass.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shield 20 may be arcuate. The shield may be convex with respect to the adjacent sidewall 14 and may be concave with respect to a major portion of the cavity C or the opening 26. This configuration may help prevent liquid from splashing on the drinker. The connection locations 22 may be circumferentially spaced apart by 135, 120, or 90 degrees or less (arc angle or central angle defined by the two connection locations).
The shield 20 includes a bottom or bottom surface 20B and a top or a top surface 20T. The bottom 20B may be closer to the sidewall 14 than is the top 20T.
The shield includes first and second opposite surfaces 20S1 and 20S2. The first surface 20S1 faces the adjacent portion 14A of the sidewall 14 and the second surface 20S2 faces a major portion of the cavity C or the opening 26 or a portion 14B of the sidewall 14 that is diametrically opposed to the adjacent portion 14A of the sidewall 14.
The drinking containers described herein may be formed of any suitable material for a drinking container. In some embodiments, the drinking container is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material that is suitable for a formal drinking container such as a cocktail glass.
In some embodiments, the drinking container is glass and may be formed by melting and forming (e.g., blowing or molding) as understood by those skilled in the art. In some other embodiments, the drinking container is plastic and may be formed by melting and molding (e.g., compression molding or injection molding) as understood by those skilled in the art. In some other embodiments, the drinking container is formed by additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. In some other embodiments, the drinking container is metal. For example, the drinking container may be copper and resemble a “Moscow Mule” cup or mug. In some other embodiments, the drinking container is formed of more than one material. By way of example, the housing may be glass and the ice retaining structure may be plastic or vice versa. By way of further example, the housing may be glass and the ice retaining structure may be metal or vice versa.
The ice retaining structure or shield may be integrally formed with the drinking container housing or may be separately formed. The housing 11 and the shield 20 may be integrally formed, such as by using the processes described above. Alternatively, the shield 20 may be formed separately and may then be adhered or otherwise attached or connected to the sidewall 14. In some embodiments, the sidewall 14 may include connection features and the shield 20 may be releasably connected to the sidewall 14 using the connection features or vice versa.
If the shield is separately formed, the shield may also be received and held in the container cavity by an interference fit. For example, the container sidewalls may flare outwardly from the base to the lip (e.g., as with a common pint glass), and the shield may be received and held in the container cavity by an interference fit at a desired height or level.
The shield may have substantially the same appearance and/or color as the rest of the container, which may help obscure the shield. The shield and/or the container housing may be transparent or semi-transparent, also helping to obscure the shield. Moreover, the shield generally resides adjacent to the inner sidewall and, together with the sidewall, defines a relatively large center opening, and therefore the shield is relatively unobstructive and can be hidden from view by others.
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drinking container comprising:

a base;

a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the base and the sidewall define a cavity; and

an ice retaining structure in the cavity, the ice retaining structure comprising a shield member held adjacent an adjacent portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the shield is connected to and/or abuts the sidewall at two spaced apart connection locations;

wherein the ice retaining structure and the sidewall define a single laterally extending gap therebetween, and wherein the ice retaining structure is positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity and to permit liquid to pass through the gap when the drinking container is tilted relative to vertical.

2. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the shield is arcuate.

3. The drinking container of claim 2 wherein the shield is convex relative to the adjacent portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.

4. The drinking container of claim 2 wherein the shield is concave relative to a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall that is diametrically opposed to the adjacent portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.

5. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the two spaced art connection locations are circumferentially spaced apart by an arc angle of 120 degrees or less.

6. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the shield and the sidewall define a center opening that is sized and configured to receive ice cubes therethrough.

7. The drinking container of claim 6 wherein the center opening has a diameter and/or a width of 2 to 4 inches.

8. The drinking container of claim 6 wherein the center opening has a diameter and/or a width of at least 3 inches.

9. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the sidewall extends upwardly from the base and terminates in a lip, and wherein the ice retaining structure is positioned and configured to retain ice in the cavity and to permit liquid to pass through the gap and over the lip when the drinking container is tilted relative to vertical.

10. The drinking container of claim 9 wherein the ice retaining structure is positioned closer to the lip than the base.

11. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the shield comprises a bottom and a top that is closer to the adjacent portion of the inner sidewall than is the bottom.