Abstract:
A measuring container includes first and second vessels each having a base and upwardly extending sidewalls defining an interior space. The first and second vessels are selectively connectable to one another at the base so that one may serve as a platform for the other, and are removable so that one may nest inside the other. Volumetric markings are incorporated onto an inclined sidewall of one or both vessels.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/159,282, filed Mar. 11, 2009 and incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to measuring devices, particularly including devices that can be used for measuring small volumes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    Measuring small volumes can be a challenge, particularly for volumes that are larger than standard measuring spoons but smaller than typical measuring cups. The smaller measuring containers can be difficult to hold, measure, and pour. For certain volumes, the standard practice is to either repeatedly fill and pour multiple teaspoons or tablespoons, resulting in a lengthy and repetitive practice that may be inaccurate, or to fill a fraction of a much larger measuring cup, resulting in a measured volume that is likely to be inaccurate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    The exemplary measuring device includes one or more vessels that are configured for measuring relatively small volumes. Though perhaps best suited for measuring small volumes as described in the preferred version, other embodiments of the invention may be used for larger volumes. 
         [0005]    In the illustrated example, first and second vessels are shown, the first and second vessels being separable from one another. The first and second vessels each include a base and upwardly extending sidewalls defining an interior space. Though each of the vessels may have any desired volume within the interior spaces, in a preferred example the first vessel has a volume of about one ounce and the second vessel has a volume of about two ounces. The invention is ideally suited for such smaller volumes, which are too small to be accurately or conveniently measured in larger measuring cups, yet too large to be readily measured by measuring spoons. 
         [0006]    In some examples of the invention, one or both of the vessels includes volumetric markings. Ideally, the vessels include a sidewall having at least one inclined surface, with the volumetric markings being incorporated onto the inclined sidewall so that they are visible and discernable when read from above. 
         [0007]    As a further option, the vessels each include a magnet incorporated into the base, with the magnets being oriented such that they are attracted to one another when the outer surfaces of the bases are adjacent one another. In this fashion, the rim of one vessel may serve as a base for the other vessel, providing a more stable platform for measuring small volumes. 
         [0008]    These and other examples of the invention will be described in further detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]    Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container having a first vessel and a second vessel, shown with the bases of each vessel attached to one another. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vessels of  FIG. 1 , indicating internal magnets in phantom. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the vessels of  FIG. 1 , shown with a smaller vessel nested within a larger vessel. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a preferred vessel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred vessel, illustrated with the vessel oriented such that the rim is resting on a horizontal surface and the base is above the rim. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective exploded view of two preferred vessels, including a first vessel above a second vessel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    The exemplary measuring device includes a first vessel  10  and a second vessel  20 , the first and second vessels being selectively attachable to and separable from one another. The first and second vessels each include a base and upwardly extending sidewalls defining an interior space. Though each of the vessels may have any desired volume within the interior spaces, in a preferred example the first vessel has a volume of about one ounce and the second vessel has a volume of about two ounces. The invention is ideally suited for such smaller volumes, which are too small to be accurately or conveniently measured in larger measuring cups, yet too large to be readily measured by measuring spoons. 
         [0017]    No particular shape is required of each of the vessels, though in a preferred version each of the vessels has a base that is generally planar and substantially circular. The base transitions to sidewalls that extend upwardly to a rim  12 ,  22 , and in each case the rim is in the form of oval or an ellipse. The oval or elliptical shape of the rim allows for easier pouring from either side of the vessel. In addition, the oval shape at the rim defines a generally oval shape for the majority of the vessel as well. As a result, the vessel is taller for a given volume than would be the case if the vessel were configured with a circular rim and an overall shape that is closer to a regular cylinder. 
         [0018]    The vessel is formed from a clear ABS plastic material in one example, though it may be manufactured from other materials, whether clear or opaque. In the version as shown, portions of the sidewalls of the ellipse are over-molded with a santoprene or other material. The generally elliptical rim of the vessel has a major axis y and a minor axis x. In the version as shown, the major axis is approximately twice as long as the minor axis. The santoprene material is over-molded along the opposing sidewalls at the ends  27   a,    27   b  of the major axis but not covering portions of the opposing sidewalls at the ends ( 29   a  is visible; the opposing surface not being shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the minor axis, thereby forming the vessel with portions of the sidewalls that are clear and portions that are opaque. The clear portions preferably extend substantially all the way to the base, and allow the user to see the volume of liquid or other measurable item contained within the vessel. 
         [0019]    The sidewalls at each end of the major axis are inclined from the base to the rim because the major axis at the rim is greater than the diameter of the base. In the version as shown, the base is substantially circular, having a diameter that is somewhat less than the length of the minor axis. Along the inclined sidewalls, a series of volumetric markings  30  are provided to indicate the volume of the interior space of the vessel at various locations from the base to the rim. The volumetric markings are formed on the sidewalls such that they contrast with the over-molded material. In one example, the volumetric markings  30  are provided in a color that contrasts with a color of the over-molded sidewall material, enhancing the visibility of the volumetric markings. Depending on the sizes of the vessels, the volumetric markings may have units of fractions of a cup, fractions of an ounce, numbers of tablespoons or teaspoons, fractions of a liter, or other quantities. 
         [0020]    In one version, the base of the first vessel and the base of the second vessel are each formed in a complementary fashion to allow one of the vessels to be inverted so that the bases of the vessels may be attached to one another. As illustrated, the first vessel  10  has a volume of one ounce while the second vessel  20  has a volume of 2 ounces. The base  14  of the first vessel forms a shallow upright cylinder, having a planar bottom surface  15  and upright sidewalls  16 . The base  24  of the second vessel forms a generally cylindrical perimeter with a recessed region  26  that is sized and shaped to snugly receive the upright cylinder of the base  14  of the first vessel. Accordingly, the two vessels may be attached to one another by joining the bases together. In one version, the complementary sizing of the bases of the two vessels is such that the snug fit allows the two vessels to be frictionally held to one another. 
         [0021]    It should be appreciated that the complementary nature of the bases may be reversed, such that the larger vessel has an upright cylinder at the base and the smaller vessel includes a recessed region for receiving the upright cylinder. Likewise, shapes other than an upright cylinder may be used to provide surfaces on the two bases that engage one another to allow the two vessels to attach to one another. In yet other versions, the bases of each of the two vessels may simply be flat at the bottom so that one may rest atop the other. 
         [0022]    In another preferred version, magnets are used to facilitate the attachment of the first vessel to the second vessel. In one example, each vessel includes a small button or nib magnet  18 ,  28  embedded within the base. The magnets are arranged such that the north and south poles of the magnets will attract one another when the bases are attached to each other. Thus, in one of the two vessels the north pole faces upward, toward the rim, while the south pole faces downward, toward the base. In the other vessel the north pole faces downward, toward the base and the south pole faces upward, toward the rim. When the outer surfaces of the bases are placed adjacent one another, the north pole of one of the magnets will be facing the south pole of the other of the magnet, thereby attracting one another and helping to hold the bases of the vessels against one another. In this configuration the magnets will repel one another when the two vessels are placed in a nested position with one vessel inside the other. 
         [0023]    In other versions, multiple magnets may be used. In one such version, two button or nib magnets may be incorporated into the base of each vessel, with one of the magnets arranged with its north pole oriented toward the rim and the other of the magnets arranged with its south pole oriented toward the rim. Preferably, the two magnets are arranged in line with one another, for example lying below opposite ends of either the major axis or the minor axis of the rim. In this configuration, when the bases of the two vessels are placed adjacent one another, the bases can be rotated until each of the two magnets from one vessel overlies each of the two magnets from the other vessel, with opposing poles placed adjacent one another to urge the bases of the vessels toward one another. In the nesting position, the vessels can likewise be arranged such that the poles of the magnet will attract one another, urging the vessels toward one another in the nested position. 
         [0024]    In the version as shown, the first vessel is preferably sized and shaped such that the exterior sidewalls of the first vessel fit within the interior sidewalls of the second vessel. In addition, the height of the first vessel is approximately equal to the height of the interior portion of the second vessel, defined from the inner surface of the base to the rim. This allows the first vessel to be received within the second vessel in a nested configuration for convenient storage, with the rim of the first vessel being at about the same height as the rim of the second vessel. 
         [0025]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.