Abstract:
A beverage container having a reconfigurable graphics display comprising: (a) a container adapted to receive a beverage for consumption, the container including at least one incomplete image visible from an exterior thereof; and, (b)a first ring mounted to and rotatable about the container, the first ring including at least one graphic associated therewith and adapted to provide a complete image upon rotational alignment of the at least one graphic with the at least one incomplete image.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to reconfigurable graphics associated with a beverage dispenser, and more specifically to rotating ring graphics for a beverage dispenser that may be selectively manipulated to change the appearance of the beverage dispenser.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0004]     Manipulation of graphics is well known in the art and has been the focus of such toys as Rubik&#39;s cube and other games where graphics plays a role in aligning random configurations. More specifically, typical screen savers displayed on computer monitors provide insight into the attention drawn to changing graphics and images. However, such manipulation of graphics has not generally been frequently adapted for functional items such as beverage dispensers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is directed to reconfigurable graphics associated with a beverage dispenser, and more specifically to rotating ring graphics for a beverage dispenser that may be selectively manipulated to change the appearance of the beverage dispenser. The rotating ring graphics are adapted to be reconfigurable to provide a multitude of different images available from the multitudes of different positions possible. As will be discussed in more detail below, the rotating ring graphics are discussed with respect to an exemplary embodiment for use in a child&#39;s sippy cup.  
         [0006]     The rotating ring graphics of the present invention comprise at least one resilient ring that is repositionable about a beverage dispenser to provide a multitude of images. The ring and the dispenser may include graphics that are adapted to correspond with each other to relay a particular message or design, only to be reconfigurable to display another message or design. For example, the dispenser may include the heads and below waist features of various animated characters, with the rotating ring including the chest features of such animated characters. The child may then rotate the ring to make silly new animated characters. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment incorporating rotating ring graphics in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of an exemplary rotating ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4  with the rotating rings in different positions than in  FIG. 4 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass systems and methods for manipulating images or graphics associated with a beverage dispenser. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiment discussed below is exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiment includes one or more optional features that one of ordinary skill may recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0013]     Referencing  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary sippy cup  10  in accordance with the present invention includes a lid  12  having a spout  14  from which a child may withdrawal liquid therefrom. The lid  12  is coupled to a container  16  utilizing techniques known to those of ordinary skill to fluidically seal the liquid therein, such as, without limitation, threaded seals.  
         [0014]     The overall shape of the container  16  is one resembling an hourglass to facilitate grasping by a child. A taper  18  from the top of the container  16  flows gradually inward to decrease the internal diameter of the container  16  until reaching the trough  20 , and thereafter the internal diameter of the container  16  increases until reaching the crest  22 . The outer circumference of the container  16  slopes inward until reaching a circumferential base  24 . Two circumferential channels  26 ,  28  are formed into the exterior of the container  16  and are likewise apparent on the inside of the container as inward protruding circumferential mounds mirroring the topography of the channels  26 ,  28 .  
         [0015]     Referencing  FIGS. 1-3 , the circumferential channels  26 ,  28  are adapted to be occupied by rotating rings  30 ,  32 , respectively. The rotating rings  30 ,  32  float within the channels  26 ,  28  to enable continuous rotation (360 degrees) about the container  16 . Each ring  30 ,  32  includes a top flange  34  and a bottom flange  36  that ride within circumferential grooves  38  within the channels  26 ,  28 . A plurality of alignment posts  40  are circumferentially distributed about the interior circumferential surface  42  of each ring  30 ,  32 . The alignment posts facilitate vertical and horizontal alignment of the rings  30 ,  32  within the channels  26 ,  28 . An outer nipple  44  of each alignment post  40  is adapted to be received within a furrow  46  in the middle of each channel  26 ,  28 . However, it is not required that all or some of the alignment post nipples  44  be in contact with the furrow  46  at any given point along the channel  26 ,  28 .  
         [0016]     Referencing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the container  16  may include one or more fixed graphics  48  that may or may not correspond directly to one or more rotatable images  50  attributable to the rotating rings  30 ,  32 . By way of example, and not of limitation, the fixed graphics  48  may include portions of a series of animated characters distributed about the container  16 . It is preferred that such fixed graphics  48  be spaced and aligned to account for rotation of one or more of the rings  30 ,  32 , such that if one of the fixed graphics  48  is aligned with one of the rotatable images  50 , the remainder of the fixed graphics  48  will likewise be aligned with corresponding rotatable images  50 . However, it is not required that such alignment be perfect or precise.  
         [0017]     Above the first ring  30 , a series of animated character heads (optionally including head gear) may be circumferentially distributed about the container  16  to comprise portions of the fixed graphics  48 . The first ring  30  itself may include rotatable images  50  comprising segments of animated character torsos having arms or other upper appendages, optionally shown grasping something, such as, without limitation, a flag, a star, a rainbow, etc. The middle section  52  interposing the first ring  30  and second ring  32  may include portions of the fixed graphics  48  circumferentially distributed about the container  16  such as, without limitation, the remainder of the animated character torsos. The second ring  32  may include rotatable images  50  such as, without limitation, legs of animated characters shown wearing different pants, such as blue jeans, shorts, baggy pants, etc. Finally, below the second ring  32 , portions of the fixed graphics  48  may be circumferentially distributed about the container  16  to include, such as, without limitation, animated character shoes or feet, such as, without limitation, roller skates, ice skates, sandals, tennis shoes, army boots, etc.  
         [0018]     It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a single rotating ring or more than two rotating rings mounted to and rotatable about a beverage dispenser. Likewise, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide channels in which the rotating rings float that are not horizontally aligned. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide channels not parallel to one another that enable rotation of the rings seated therein about the container. It is still further within the scope of the present invention to provide channels that are adjacent to one another, thereby positioning the rotating rings adjacent to one another, where the rotating rings interlock and slide against one another. It is even further within the scope of the present invention to provide graphics that do not include animated characters and instead include scenery that may be manipulated to provide, such as, without limitation, a different horizon, a different sky condition, etc. It is likewise within the scope of the present invention to provide rotating rings that rotate about the container and rotate about each other, where one or more rings include transparent portions that enable the build-up of images or graphics along a single rotational course, such as without limitation, a first ring that provides a background color, as second ring overriding the first ring that provides outlines of images, and a third ring overriding the second ring that provides specific details to incorporate into the outlined images.  
         [0019]     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the apparatus described herein constitutes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and changes may be made to such embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiment set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any one of the claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.