Abstract:
A drinking vessel has a sidewall formed of multiple structured layers. The sidewall includes an open spout and a closed base. A circumference of the side wall at the base is larger than a circumference of the side wall at the open spout to provide the drinking vessel with a lowered center of gravity than a traditional drinking vessel with the closed base narrower than the open spout. The sidewall includes multiple structured layers to form a scaffold structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/355,855 filed Jun. 28, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to cups, mugs and liquid vessel, and more particularly to a stable liquid vessel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The structure of traditional cups with a narrow diameter base, wide diameter spouts and single layer lining are not designed with stability or safety in mind. This presents a problem for young children, our elderly population and any individuals with age related decreased awareness of temperature sensitivity as well as health conditions resulting in reduced sensitivity or muscle strength and fine motor function deficits of the hands, which disallows them from using traditional cups properly. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, the claimed invention proceeds upon the desirability of providing a stable drinking vessel which minimizes spillage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Therefore, an object of the claimed invention is to provide a stable drinking vessel which minimizes spillage or being inadvertently tilt over. 
         [0006]    Another object of the claimed invention is to provide aforesaid drinking vessel which changes the center of gravity as compared to traditional drinking vessel. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, a drinking vessel comprises a sidewall formed of multiple structured layers. The sidewall comprises an open spout and a closed base. A circumference of the side wall at the base is larger than a circumference of the side wall at the open spout to provide the drinking vessel with a lowered center of gravity than a traditional drinking vessel with the closed base narrower than the open spout. The sidewall comprises multiple structured layers to form a scaffold structure. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid scaffold structure comprises an outer shell that comes into contact with a user, an inner shell, an outer lining, an inner lining that holds content of the drinking vessel, and an air pocket insulation between the inner shell and the outer lining. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid drinking vessel comprises vents on the outer and inner shells of the sidewall to facilitate heat-cold air exchanges to regulate a temperature of the outer shell. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid vents on the outer shell provide an uneven gripping surface to prevent slippage. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid vents facilitate evaporation and drainage of water forming on the outer shell. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid scaffold structure comprises an inner base and an outer base rim to double layers of the closed base, thereby increasing a surface area of the closed base. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid air pocket insulation of the scaffold structure decreases a heat/cold transfer from the content of the drinking vessel to the outer shell. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid air pocket insulation of the scaffold structure decreases condensation on the outer shell caused by a heat/cold exchange between the content of the drinking vessel and outside, thereby a minimizing wet slippery outer shell surface. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid drinking vessel is stackable unto a second drinking vessel. The narrow end of the scaffold structure of the drinking vessel is insertable into the wide end of a scaffold structure of the second drinking vessel to provide stacking for a compact storage. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the aforesaid drinking vessel is a mug, a drinking glass, a drinking bottle, a tumbler or a bowl. 
         [0017]    Various other objects, advantages, and features of the claimed invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The following detailed description, given by way of example, and not intended to limit the claimed invention solely thereto, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a gravity cup in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of a gravity cup in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a gravity cup comprising vents in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a gravity cup comprising vents in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a gravity cup comprising the scaffold safety/security structure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates stacked gravity cups in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the cup  100  comprises a sidewall  150  with a base  600  that is wider than a cup spout  700 . That is, the claimed cup  100  has a design that is inverted from the traditional cup which has wider cup spot than the base. The cup  100  comprises a scaffold safety/security structure  800  formed of multiple structured layers: an inner lining  200 , an outer lining  300 , an inner shell  400  and outer shell  500 . 
         [0026]    By taking the ergonomics of the hand into consideration, as well as the center of gravity of a cup filled with any substance, the claimed invention proceeds on a desirability to fill a need that exists in the marketplace for a safer and more stable cup. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the diameter of the cup base  600  is increased over the traditional cup while decreasing the diameter of the cup spout  700 , and adding structural layers to the cup to create a new, more ergonomic and safer cup  100 . 
         [0027]    By changing the cup&#39;s center of gravity along with other structural improvements as detailed herein, whether full or empty, the claimed cup  100  with wider cup base  600  is more stable resting on any surface over the traditional cup. A filled cup  100  of the claimed invention allows the majority of the volume of the liquid to sit closest to the base of the cup  600 , thereby adding weight and enhancing stability while sitting or resting on the surface. 
         [0028]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cup  100  comprises multiple structural layers to create a scaffold safety/stability structure  800 . The scaffold safety/stability structure  800  is created by the multiple structural layers of the outer shell  500 , the inner shell  400 , an outer lining  300  and an inner lining  200  in conjunction with the air pocket insulation  900 . The scaffolding stability structure  800  has multiple functions that improve safety and convenience. 
         [0029]    Firstly, as exemplary shown in  FIG. 2 , the scaffold safety/stability structure  800  doubles the layers of the base  600  of the cup  100  with an inner base  1000  and an outer base rim  1100 . This provides additional contact points to increase the surface area of the cup  100 , thereby increasing the friction between the cup  100  and the resting surface, e.g., a table. When this scaffolding stability structure  800  is combined the wider base  600  of the cup  100 , the circumference of the base  600  being larger than the circumference of the cup spout  700 , it is even more difficult to accidentally tip over or knock down the cup  100 . 
         [0030]    As exemplary shown in  FIG. 5 , the addition of the scaffold stability structure  800  has an added benefit of providing insulation  900  by allowing a pocket of air to exist between the outer lining  300  and the inner shell  400  of the cup  100 . This insulates the outer shell  500  of the cup  100 , where the user&#39;s hands and mouth make contact with the cup  100 . This advantageously protects the user from potentially harmful radiant temperature exchanges from within the inner lining  200  to the outer shell  500 . 
         [0031]    The insulation  900  resulting from the scaffolding stability structure  800  also advantageously decreases the chance of injury to persons with decreased physical or mental awareness of temperature changes, e.g., persons with Alzheimers, Peripheral Neuropathy, Raynauds Syndrome, Stroke, Arthritis, Dementia and/or age related reduced hot/cold awareness, such as for children and the elderly. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the claimed invention decreases the chance of injury or discomfort by decreasing the heat/cold transfer from the substances, e.g., liquid drinks, within the inner lining  200  to the outer lining  300  and to the outer shell  500 . For example, when hot tea is within the inner lining  200 , the outer shell  500  of the cup  100  remains insulated by the multiple structural layers of the scaffold safety structure  800 , which includes the inner lining  200 , the outer lining  300 , the inner shell  400  and the outer shell  500  in conjunction with the insulation  900  between the inner shell  300  and the outer shell  400 . That is, in the claimed invention, when a user holds the cup  100 , the user&#39;s hand will not make contact with the hot surface of the traditional cup, but rather with an insulated surface  300 , e.g., outer shell  500 , of the cup  100 . The outer shell of the traditional cups is not insulated and do not decrease the heat/cold transfer of the substance contained in the cup, therefore potentially, rending the cup unsafe particularly for children and elderly. The single shell layer structure of the traditional cup does not decrease the radiant temperature exchanges occurring from inside the traditional cup to the external surface of the traditional cup. 
         [0032]    Further, the multiple structural layers of the scaffold safety/stability structure  800  and insulation  900  reduces condensation on the outer shell  500  of the cup  100  by reducing the temperature exchange between the atmosphere and the temperature of the substance contained within the inner lining  200  of the cup  100 . Condensation on the outer shell  500  of the cup  100  creates slippery surfaces also can potentially cause spillage and accidents. The claimed invention advantageously reduces the condensation problem associated with the traditional cups. 
         [0033]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the air pocket insulation  900  resulting from the scaffolding stability structure  800  reduces the extreme temperature transfer from the contents, e.g., hot coffee, of the cup  100 . This assist in preventing burning, freezing or numbness and discomfort experienced by the user holding the traditional cup filled with hot or frozen drinks, which can result in the user releasing or dropping the traditional cup in response to the discomfort. This potentially may lead not only to spills, but to burns and injury. 
         [0034]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the scaffolding stability structure  800  provides a novel way to the stack a plurality of cups  100  for storage and/or travel despite the increased base diameter and decreased spout diameter of the cups  100 . 
         [0035]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the cup  100  comprises vents  1200  on the outer shell  500  of the cup  100  allowing for intake of cold air and exhaust of hot air for hot substances, thereby facilitating heat-cold exchanges to regulate the temperature of the outer shell  500 . Similarly, vents  1200  allow intake of warm air and exhaust of cold air for cold substances. The vents  1200  can be any shape and it is not limited to the circular and elongated shape shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Additionally, the vents  1200  provides uneven surface for easier gripping of the cup  100 , thereby preventing slippage while holding the outer shell  500  of the cup  100  by the user. Further, the vents  1200  advantageously facilitates easy cleaning and evaporation by reducing the condensation and/or allowing for the drainage of the water, for example, when the cups  100  are washed. That is, the cups  100  can be easily dried when placed on their side, base  600  or spout  700 . 
         [0036]    Although the claimed invention has been shown and described with a cup, the claimed invention is not limited to cups and is applicable to any vessels used for holding liquids, such as mugs, drinking bottles, drinking glasses, tumblers, containers, bowls and the like. 
         [0037]    Various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing specification, but instead is given by the appended claims along with their full range of equivalents.