Abstract:
Attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket type accessories having a clip on one side for allowing the shot glass type accessories to securely clip onto exterior edges of larger beverage containers, such as glasses, plastic container, paper and cardboard cups, while keeping top of the shot glass and the liquid contents in the shot glass level with the top of and the liquid contents in the larger beverage container, such as beverage glasses, coffee and tea and beverage cups, on insulation sleeves on cups, and the like. The shot glass can hold extra liquids, such as alcohol and non-alcohol therein, as well as hold sweeteners, creams, and the like. The shot glass is attachable to containers of other edible substances, such as desserts to hold toppings in the shot glasses. Shot glasses can be used to hold paints clipped on a container holding painting supplies, such as brushes.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/937,115 filed Feb. 7, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/970,604 filed Mar. 26, 2014. The entire disclosure of each of the applications listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to beverage container accessories, and in particular to attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket type accessories having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass type accessories to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass while keeping liquid contents in the shot glass level with liquid contents in the larger beverage glass. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Shot glasses have generally been known to be small generally conical shaped flat bottomed glasses that can hold a shot of a beverage such as a shot of alcohol. Attempts have been made over the years to try to hang small shot glasses from a larger beverage glasses with a hook portion. However, these hanging shot glasses have problems making their usefulness not desirable. 
     For example, the hook hanging shot glass generally have inwardly tapering round exterior surfaces, which tend to cause the narrower diameter bottom of the shot glass to swing to an non-level and loose position against the tapering wall of a beverage glass, which can cause the contents of the shot glass to easily tilt and spill out. Additionally, the hook portions form a loose attachment point where the shot glass itself can easily fall off from the beverage glass. 
     Furthermore, the loose fitting hook and shape of the hook hanging shot glass does not allow for the larger beverage glass to be safely moved with the hook hanging shot glass hanging from one side. The loose attachment and shape of the hook hanging shot glass can easily result in the contents of the shot glass falling out and/or the shot glass easily falling from the larger beverage glass that it is being hung from. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket type accessories having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass type accessories to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass while keeping liquid contents in the shot glass and pocket level with liquid contents in the larger beverage glass. 
     A secondary objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, which can increase sales of liquids being sold within the shot glasses and/or beverage glasses. 
     A third objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, and the shot glass and pocket being branded for advertisements. 
     A fourth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, with the clip and shot glass and pocket being able to match the radius of the lip of any tapered beverage container. 
     A fifth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, where the shot glass and pocket can stand alone as a 2 ounce drinking container. 
     A sixth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, where the shot glasses and pockets are nestable with identical shot glasses and pockets for both easy packaging and reduced storage space needs. 
     A seventh objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage glass, having a softened rounded edge on the clip radius of the drinking side of the shot glass and pocket. 
     An eighth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of coffee and tea cups. 
     An ninth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of paper and cardboard cups and plastic cups. 
     A tenth objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a food cup, such as a yogurt cup, parfait cup, and the like. 
     An eleventh objective of the invention is to provide attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket having a clip formed on one side for allowing the shot glass and pocket to securely clip onto exterior edges of a container that holds painting supplies where the glasses and pockets can hold different colors of paint therein. 
     An attachable and detachable shot glass, can include a container having a front wall and a rear wall, the rear wall tapering outward from an upper edge to a base, the rear wall having an elongated clip formed thereon for allowing the shot glass to securely clip onto exterior edges of a larger beverage container while keeping liquid contents in the shot glass level with liquid contents in the larger beverage container. 
     The elongated clip can have a generally convex curved outer side for matching to a concave curved lip of the larger beverage container. The elongated clip can have both a generally convex curved inner lip, and convex curved upper wall. 
     The rear wall can have a generally convex curved exterior surface and the front wall with a generally convex curved exterior surface. 
     The container can further include tapered sides for allowing the shot glass to be stacked with another shot glass. 
     The shot glass can have a height of approximately 1.801 inches, a depth of approximate 1.069 inches, and a rear wall having a length of approximately 2.461 inches. 
     The container can have a front convex shaped wall and a concave rear wall. 
     The larger beverage container can hold at least approximately 8 ounces of fluid. The larger beverage container can hold at least approximately 12 ounces of fluid. The larger beverage container can be a paper cup, coffee cup, and the like. 
     The shot glass can be formed from molded plastic. The shot glass can be formed from translucent material. The shot glass can be formed from paper. The shot glass can be formed from cardboard. 
     The shot glass can have an interior volume for holding approximately 2 ounces. The front wall can taper inward from the upper edge to the base. The rear wall can have a generally convex curved exterior surface and the front wall with a generally convex curved exterior surface. The elongated clip can have a generally convex curved outer side for matching to a concave curved lip of the larger beverage container. The elongated clip can have both a generally convex curved inner lip, and convex curved upper wall. 
     The shot glasses can be clipped about other containers, such as bowls, buckets, and the like, holding food products, such as yogurt, parfaits, ice cream, and the like, with the shot glasses holding toppings. 
     The shot glasses can be clipped about other containers holding painting supplies, such as paint brushes with the shot glasses holding different paint colors. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is a front upper right perspective view of the attachable and detachable shot glass with clip formed on a rear side. 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear lower right perspective view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a left side view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a front view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2D  is a rear view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2E  is top view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2F  is a bottom view of the shot glass of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge of a large beverage glass. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the beverage glass with clipped on shot glass of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of the beverage glass with clipped on shot glass of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge of a coffee cup. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the coffee cup with clipped on shot glass of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge of an insulation sleeve around a coffee cup. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the coffee cup and sleeve with clipped on shot glass of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of another embodiment with the shot glasses of the preceding figures attached about the rim of a yogurt/parfait cup. 
         FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of another embodiment with the shot glasses of the preceding figures attached about the rim of bowl holding painting supplies. 
         FIG. 8  is an upper front perspective view of the shot glass of the preceding figures with a removable lid. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. 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 convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     The components of the figures will now be described.
       1  shot glass     10  front convex curved wall tapers down to base     12  right convex curved wall     14  left convex curved wall     16  rim     20  base     26  edges     30  rear wall     32  side edges     34  bottom edge     36  upper edge     42  rear clip     44  upper curved edge of clip     100  beverage glass embodiment     110  inward tapering side walls of beverage glass     112  upper edge(rim) of beverage glass     200  coffee cup embodiment     210  inwardly tapering side walls of coffee cup     220  insulation sleeve on coffee cup     222  upper edge of insulation sleeve     300  parfait/yogurt container     310  sidewalls     312  upper edge(rim)     400  paint supplies container     410  sidewalls     412  rim     500  removable lid/cover embodiment     510  removable lid   

       FIG. 1A  is an upper front right perspective view of the attachable and detachable shot glass  1  with clip  42  formed on a rear side  30 .  FIG. 1B  is a rear lower right perspective view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2A  is a left side view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2C  is a front view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2D  is a rear view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2E  is top view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2F  is a bottom view of the shot glass  1  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2F , the shot glass  1  can include a front convex curved wall  10  with upper rim  16  which tapers down to base  20  ( FIG. 2A ) at an angle of approximately 76.44 degrees, and a right convex curved wall  12  which also tapers from upper rim  16  down to base  20 , and left convex curved wall  14  with upper rim  16  which tapers down to base  20 . The upper rim  16  can be slightly larger in thickness (approximately 0.042 inches) than the thickness (approximately 0.032 inches) of the front wall  10  and side walls  12 ,  14 . The base  20  can have a substantially flat upper and lower surface with rounded curved edges  26 . The rear wall  30  can be a concave curved wall with tapers outward from the upper edge  36  to lower edge  34  at an angle of approximately 76.44 degrees. The rear wall  30  can include a rear bottom edge  34  and the rear upper edge  36  can both have rounded edges and have a generally concave configuration. Extending rearwardly from the shot glass  1  can be a downwardly protruding clip  42  having an upper convex curved portion which attaches to a mid portion of the rear upper edge  36 . The clip  42  can have a generally concave curved configuration being parallel to the concave curved rear wall  30 . 
     The novel shot glass can have a height of approximately 1.801 inches, a thickness between rear convex curved wall  30  and exterior convex curved front wall  10  of approximately 1.069 inches, along the top of the shot glass  1 . The width between the left side  14  and right side  12  of the upper portion of the shot glass  1  can be approximately 2.461 inches, which tapes down to a width between the left side  14  and the right side  12  on the bottom of the shot glass  1  of approximately 1.832 inches. The thickness of the walls of the shot glass can have a thickness of approximately 0.032 inches and the width of the rim  16  can have a thickness of approximately 0.042 inches. The term approximately can include +/−10% of the values listed. In addition the dimensions can be increased and decreased depending on the size of the shot glass application used. 
     The molded on upper edge  44  of the clip  42  can have a width of approximately 1.538 inches where the clip  42  is attached to the upper rear wall  36  of the shot glass  1 , with the clip  42  having a rounded upper edge  44  and exterior facing tab portion having a length of approximately 1.366 inches, with the clip  42  having a generally convex curved shape parallel to the inner concave curved wall of the shot glass itself. The radius R 1  of the upper rear edge  36  is approximately 1.514 inches and the radius R 2  of the lower rear edge  34  is approximately 1.681 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2F , the novel shot glass  1  can be molded from clear translucent plastic, and have an interior volume that can hold approximately 2 ounces of liquid therein. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass  1  can be used as an easy to slide-on 2 ounce plastic shot glass, with a 1.75 ounce fill line, that introduces a simple up-sell opportunity for eating and drinking establishments which provide the ability to increase the sales of distilled beverage purchases. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass can create a conversation between the server and the patron about its appearance on the glass. 
     The novel attachable/detachable shot glass  1  has a unique ability to raise the visibility of any premium distilled beverage because it can be branded with any company&#39;s logo. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass  1  can be germane to any ancillary product that can go on a glass; it can be filled with distilled beverages, such as alcohol, as well as other beverages such as non-alcoholic beverages, including soda, juice, and the like, as well as specialty beverages, such as but not limited to energy drinks, and the like. 
       FIG. 3A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass  1  of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge(rim)  112  of a large beverage glass  100 .  FIG. 3B  is a side view of the beverage glass  100  with clipped on shot glass  1  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3C  is a top view of the beverage glass  100  with clipped on shot glass  1  of  FIG. 3A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-3C , the shot glass  1  can be clipped on so that the upper portion  44  closely fits onto the rim  112  of the beverage glass  100  and the clip  42  fits into the upper edge of the side walls  110  of the beverage glass  110 . The rear side  30  of the shot glass  1  which tapers outward from top to bottom rests against the inwardly tapering sidewalls  110  of the beverage glass  100 . The novel configuration of the shot glass  1  allows for the rim  16  of the shot glass  1  to remain level with the rim  112  of the beverage glass  100  when the shot glass  1  is clipped onto the rim  112  of the beverage glass  100 . This level arrangement is able to keep the contents in the shot glass  1  from spilling out, especially when the beverage glass  100  is transported with the shot glass  1  while both the beverage glass  100  and shot glass  1  are filled with liquids., such as when carried or on a serving tray and the like. 
     The larger beverage glass can be larger than an 8 ounce glass, 12 ounce glass, 16 ounce glass, 20 ounce glass, and the like, and be formed from glass material. Alternatively, the beverage glass can be formed from plastic, and the like, or cardboard, and the like, or some other variation of a paper product, and the like. 
     The novel attachable/detachable shot glass  1  can also be disposable and recyclable or the end-user can take it home as a souvenir/novelty. 
     The novel shot glasses are nestable with one another to allow for plural shot glasses to take up less storage space when not being used. The shot glasses can be stacked on top of one another with the base of one shot glass fitting into the upper opening of the shot glass below. The bottom edge of the clip of one shot glass can rest on the rim edge of a lower shot glass. 
     A novel step-by-step example of using the novel attachable/detachable shot glass will now be described.
         1. The customer orders a beverage.   2. The bartender pours a beverage in a glass and slides on an empty attachable/detachable shot glass then serves it to the customer.   3. The customer asks about the empty attachable/detachable shot glass on the side of the glass thus giving the bartender the opportunity to up-sell with a premium shot of a distilled beverage.   4. The customer requests said premium shot to be added to the order.   5. The bartender pours the shot into the attachable/detachable shot glass while it is still on the side of the glass.   6. The customer removes the attachable/detachable shot glass from the side of the glass and drinks from the attachable/detachable shot glass.       

     The novel attachable/detachable shot glass has many unique features that include allowing for the shot glass to fit on any tapered beverage container. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass has a slide-on clip is designed with 1 degree of draft so the shot glass sits securely on the edge of a beverage container. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass can be made from FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved plastic. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass can be designed to match the radius of the lip of any tapered beverage container. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass has can stand alone as a 2 ounce drinking container. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass has the ability to nest with itself for easy packaging. 
     The novel attachable/detachable shot glass can be branded by any company to promote their product. The novel attachable/detachable shot glass has as a softened edge on the radius of the drinking side. 
       FIG. 4A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass  1  of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge of a coffee cup  200 .  FIG. 4B  is a side view of the coffee cup  200  with clipped on shot glass  1  of  FIG. 4A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the plastic shot glass  1  of the preceding figures can be clipped on the upper edge(rim)  212  of a coffee cup  200 , which has inwardly tapering side walls  210 . The outwardly tapering rear wall  30  of the shot glass  1  can rest against the inwardly tapering side wall  210  of the coffee cup  200  allowing for both the rim  16  of the shot glass  1  to be level with the rim  212  of the coffee cup  200 . 
     In this embodiment, the novel shot glass  1  can be used to hold cream, milk, other liquids and the like. Additionally, the shot glass  1  can hold condiments such as loose sugar or low calorie sweeteners, as well as packaged condiments and the like, as well as a stir. The cup  200  can be used for other beverages, such as but not limited to holding hot chocolate, tea, and the like As such, the shot glass  1  can hold other liquids such as lemon juice, tea bags, and the like. 
     In addition, the novel shot glass  1  can be used as a receptacle for light trash, such as used bags of sweeteners, a stir, new or used tea bag(s), napkins, and the like. While the cup is referred to a coffee cup, the cup can be a tea cup or any type of beverage cup, and the like. 
       FIG. 5A  is an upper perspective view of the shot glass  1  of the preceding figures clipped to an upper edge  222  of an insulation sleeve  220  around a coffee cup  200 . FIG.  5 B is a side view of the coffee cup  200  and sleeve  220  with clipped on shot glass  1  of  FIG. 5A . When desired, the shot glass  1  can be clipped on the upper edge  222  of the insulation sleeve  220 , and be used to hold liquids, and/or condiments, and/or utensils, such as a plastic or wood stir, spoon, and the like, as well as be a receptacle for loose trash. 
       FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of another embodiment with the shot glasses  1  of the preceding figures attached about the rim  312  of a yogurt/parfait container  300 , which can include a cup, bowl, and the like. The clips  42  overhang the side walls  310  of the cup  300 . The cup  300  can be used to hold yogurt or parfait or ice cream or other deserts, foods, and the like. Each of the shot glasses  1  can hold different add-on toppings, and the like, such as but not limited to granola, chocolate, cherries, candy, and the like. Users can dispense the contents of the container  300  and selectively take different add-ons from each of the shot glasses  1 . 
       FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of another embodiment with the shot glasses  1  of the preceding figures attached about the rim  412  of a container  400  such as a bucket, large bowl and the like, for holding painting supplies in the individual shot glasses  1 . The inside of container  400  can hold supplies such as paint brushes, small squeezable paint holders, while the shot glasses  1  can each store different colors of paint, so that this embodiment can be used for different groups such as children, students and the like, as well as for a single artist. 
       FIG. 8  is an upper front perspective view of a covered shot glass embodiment 500 the shot glass  1  of the preceding figures with a removable lid  510  that can be removed by being peeled off and the like. The lid  510  can be formed from a water proof type paper used with small creamers, or be of other materials, such as but not limited to aluminum foil, and the like. The lid  510  can also be a snap on plastic lid, and the like. The covered shot glass  1  with lid  510  can store liquids, or solids inside, such as but not limited to food items, beverage items, condiments, and the like, as well as any other storable item, and the like. 
     Although the preferred embodiments describe the shot glass as being molded from plastic, the shot glass can be formed from glass material as well. The novel shot glasses can also be formed from paper material with or without a water sealing layer, as well as made out of cardboard material and the like. 
     While the rigid formed shot glasses formed from glass material, plastic, paper, cardboard, and the like, can be nestable with one another. The pliable materials such as paper, cardboard, and the like, can allow for the shot glasses to be flattened when not being used. 
     Although preferred sizes of the shot glasses are described above, the shot glass can be made smaller to hold as low as approximately an ounce of fluid or solid materials, as well as larger to hold a few ounces of liquid or materials as needed. 
     While the clip is described as being molded on the shot glass, the clip can be applied by fasteners, such as adhesives, and the like. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.