US2861716A - Drinking receptacle - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1958 M. J. KRAMER DRINKING RECEPTACLE Original Filed May 14, 1948 FIG- INVENTOR. Matthew J. Kramer BY M A'IZT ORNEY DRINKING RECEPTACLE Matthew J. Kramer, Denver, Colo.

May 14, 1948, Serial No. 27,022.

Original a plication P 1954, Serial Divided and this application December 3, No. 472,842

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-90.4)

This invention relates to receptacles, and more particularly to a receptacle adapted to contain liquid and to be used for drinking purposes. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 27,022, filed May 14, 1948, and entitled Drinking Receptacle, now forfeited, of which my copending application Serial No. 528,056, filed August 12, 1955, now U. S. Patent No. 2,815,161, is a continuation-in-part.

Receptacles such as glasses, cups and the like, adapted to contain water or a beverage such as coffee, milk, or non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage, are generally open at the top and utilized for drinking purposes by tipping the same, with the mouth of the user in engagement with the upper end or rim of the receptacle. When such receptacles are used during airplane flights, or in other conveyances such as trains or automobiles, the contents are quite likely to be spilled or projected out of the receptacle, as by a sudden movement of the user, or a sudden drop when the plane hits an air pocket, with the result that the contents may be spilled over the clothing of the user. Also, when receptacles such as beverage glasses are utilized at bridge tables or other places in which a person may accidentally strike and topple the receptacle over, the contents immediately are discharged, sometimes onto a persons clothing, or perhaps onto a card table or onto an expensive rug. In addition, cups or glasses for use by infants, particularly during early training periods, may be knocked over, waved about, or tipped to a position in which'the liquid wouldordinarily be discharged therefrom.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a receptacle which is adapted to contain liquid and to be used for drinking purposes, but the contents of which are difficult to spill; to provide such a receptacle wherein access is readily obtained to the liquid contents, as for sfl'rring or placing sugar, cream or the like in a beverage such as coffee or tea; to provide such a receptacle which is also readily filled with liquid; to provide such a receptacle which may be made of different materials, and which may take any one of several forms; and to provide such a receptacle which is relatively readily manufactured and is convenient to use. Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

In general, the principles of this invention may be applied to a receptacle adapted to contain liquid and to be used for drinking purposes and the like, such as a cup or glass, and comprises the combination of a transverse slot in the side wall of the receptacle above the normal level of liquid, with a partition adapted to extend through the slot and substantially across the inside .of the receptacle, the partition being movable in the slot from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position. The receptacle is also provided with an outwardly extending flange, as at one end of the slot, into which a portion of the partition fits when'in closed position. The

glass may be made of any suit-able material, such as glass '2 or plastic, or even paper, preferably coated with parafiin or other liquid impervious material. In closed position,

the partition preferably provides a restricted space for the flow of a small amount of liquid, as in drinking. Preferably, this space provided by the partition is opposite the slot, so that when the cup or glass is tipped for drinking, there will be no leakage through the slot, m

case the partition does not form a complete seal at the slot. Thus, in the open position, relatively free access to the liquid in the cup or glass is obtained, and in closed position, the partition tends to prevent the spilling of the entire contents, or the upward movement or ejection of liquid from he cup or glass as a consequence of a sudden downward movement thereof, as when -an airplane hits a downdraft, air pocket or the like. The receptacleand partition may, of course, be made of different ma--' terials, and the invention may be embodied in several different forms, example of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a drinking receptacle constructed in accordance With this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top' plan view of the receptacle of Fig. l, partly in section along line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 isa side elevation of a further embodiment of this invention, illustrated partly in section along line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 3;:

and

Fig. 5 is a side view, partly in section to show the interior construction, of a preferred construction of the partition of Figs. 3 and 4.

As shown in the drawing, the principles of this inven tion may be applied to a glass or cup G, conventionally provided at its upper end with a rim 27, which may flare outwardly, as shown, or may be straight. Beneath the rim 27, and preferably just above the normal level of liquid to be placed in the glass G, is a transverse slot 28, which may extend for slightly less than around the side wall of the glass G. A partition 26 of Fig. 2 or 26' of Fig. 4 is'disposed within the slot 28, and is adapted to be moved from a substantially closed position, shown in full lines, to a substantially open position, or to an intermediate position. The front side or edge 29 of the partition 26oppo-site the slot 28fmay be cut square across, .as shown, or may be curved inwardly, as in the case of edge 30 of Fig. 4, to provide a restricted space through which liquid may flow during drinking, while the lateral edges 31 of the partition may be curved to correspond to the curvature of the inside of the glass, to provide a better seal around the partition. However, the front edge may be an arcuate curve having a radius greater than that of the inside of the cup at that elevation, or may have a radius more nearly approaching that of the inside of the glass at the elevation of the partition, thus leaving a smaller space. The partition 26 maybe made of any suitable material, such as plastic when the glass or cup G is made of glass or plastic, or of cardboard or the like when the glass itself is made of paper, so as to be disposable after being used once.

To permit the partition 26 to be moved readily from open position to closed position, and vice versa, the partition preferably extends outwardly from-the glass, even in closed position, thereby forming a rear tab 32 which may be grasped by the user in moving the partition to the desired position. This tab may have the form shown in Fig. 2, in which the rear edge is arcuate, or a form in which the rear edge is straight. Also, a transverse ledge or shoulder 19 may be provided at each side, to assist in positioning the partition in the slot, by engagement with the inner edges of the slot slightlybefore or simultaneous- Patented Nov. 25, 1958 1y with abutment of the sides of front edge 29 or 30 with the inside of the cup.

As will be evident, with the partition in closed position, only a small space at the front of the cup is open. Thus, upon a sudden downward movement of the cup, the cen-. tral spout of liquid, which is normally ejected from the cup, will be restrained by the partition. Although a very small amount of liquid may be ejected through the space at the front of the cup, this liquid does not tend to be discharged from the confines of the cup, but rather to flow over onto the partition and then back into the cup, beneath the partition.

To facilitate movement of the partition from open to closed position, and vice versa, and more specifically to accommodate the curved lateral edges 31 during such movement, the side wall of glass G may be provided with a radially projecting bulge 33 having an internal groove forming a continuation of the slot 28, which groove has a greater radius where it adjoins the slot and may extend any suitable distance around the cup. In the form shown, the groove inside bulge 33 has a radius of curvature corresponding to the maximum outward movement of the adjacent lateral edge 31, so that the partition may be moved either directly rearwardly, or by twisting about the opposite end of tab 32, so as to move the partition to the dot-dash position 34 of Fig.4, in which it is conveniently held in the slot 28. In either instance, a substantially open position is provided in which access to the interior of the receptacle is readily obtained, either for filling the same with liquid, stirring the liquid therein, or the like. Also, in the closed position, sudden ejection of the contents is prevented, as explained above. A more complete seal around the partition is of advantage when the glass is to be placed on a table, or other support, particularly where it is likely to he accidentally dislodged and knocked over. In general, due to the slightly heavier weight of the tab 32, the glass tends to fall with the tab down, so that the spilling of even a small amount of liquid is oftenavoided. Of course, if the glass should be accidentally knocked over and land with the front edge of the partition down, some of the contents will begin to flow out through the opening. However, a sudden ejection of all'the contents is prevented, and the small amount which may bespilled ismuch more readily wiped up.

When the cup or glass is used for drinking purposes, the tab 32 also forms a convenient ledge under which the uppermostfinger of the user can rest, thereby tending to prevent slippage or droping of the glass. When the glass or cup is provided for infants use, it is normally provided with a handle, which, of course, would be placed beneath the right hand end of slot 28, as viewed in Fig. 2, and in a corresponding position in the remaining embodiment. The partition 26 may be provided withadvertising or similar material imprinted thereon. Also, the fiat upper surface of the partition is a convenient place to put marks identifying a club or the like, or private owner, such as a monogram or other decorative figures.

In the embodiment of Figs. 3-5, the partition 26' is provided with a mirror 35 disposed centrally thereof, which enables a feminine user, for instance, to ascertain the condition of her coiffure, make-up or the like, While using the receptacle. The mirror 35 may be provided by a suitable black coating on the underside of a glass or plastic partition, although the construction shown in Fig. is preferred, in which a separate glass mirror 35 is embedded in a plastic partition.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the drinking receptacle of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. As is apparent, when in substantially closed position, the partition of each embodiment prevents the sudden discharge of the entire liquid contents of the receptacle, and minimizes the tendency for any of the contents to be spilled.

This is particularly true in the case of a sudden downward movement, or a sudden downward and upward movement of the receptacle, which would ordinarily cause the entire contents to be ejected. Also, the amount of liquid which will be spilled before the receptacle can be righted, after accidental tipping or knocking over, is limited. The slot and partition are preferably spaced below the top of the receptacle, to provide sufficient space above the partition to permit the nose of the user to extend into the space while drinking, and thereby avoid tipping the head back an uncomfortable or inconvenient amount.

When in substantially open position, the partition permits ready access to the interior of the receptacle, as for filling, for stirring the contents, or placing sugar, cream or the like in a beverage. The partition is also readily removed, for cleaning purposes, although held relatively tightly during use by friction against the edges of the slot. As indicated previously, a relatively wide range of materials maybe utilized, as well as various different forms and shapes, particularly of the partition.

Although different embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that features of one embodiment may be used in another, that other embodiments may exist, and that numerous changes may be made, in addition to those described, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a receptacle adapted to contain liquid and to be used for drinking purposes and the like, the combination of a transverse lot in the side wall of said receptacle and, at one end of said slot, a radially outwardly projecting bulge having an internal groove forming a continuation of said slot; and a partition normally extending through said slot and at least substantially across the inside of said receptacle, said partition having a tab extending outwardly from said receptacle with said partition in closed position, said partition being movable between a substantially open position in which access to the liquid in said receptacle is provided and a substantially closed-position in which said partition tends to limitthe ejection of liquid from said receptacle as a consequence of asudden movement of said receptacle, said partition and receptacle being so constructed and arranged to provide, in said closed position, at least one restricted opening adjacent the Wallof said receptacle, for flow of liquid during drinking and the like.

2. In a receptacle, as defined in claim 1, wherein said partition has a front edge constructed and arranged to provide, in said closed position, said restricted opening for flow of liquid; andsaid partition also has arcuate convex edges at each side of said front edgeand conforming in shape to the inside of said receptacle.

3. In a receptacle, as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid tab of saidpartition is provided at each side with a shoulder respectively adapted to engage said bulge and the opposite end of said slot.

4. In a receptacle, as defined in claim 1, wherein said slotextends "for less than around said receptacle.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 324,427 Steinbach Aug. 18, 1885 347,398 Towns Aug. 17, 1886 "566,563 .Derr Aug. 25, 1896 678,325 'White July 9, 1901 897,458 Dickeson Sept. 1, 1908 1,231,356 Houge June 26, 1917 1,319,024 Warfield Oct. 14, 1919 1,756,249 Kaufman Apr. 29, 1930 2,012,113 Thompson Aug. 20, 1935 2,357,063 Swing Aug. 29, 1944

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