Abstract:
A container for containing generally flowable solid or liquid materials and capable of being hung in an inverted position is provided. The container includes a container body and a protruding hook-shaped handle, wherein the hook-shaped handle is arranged in L-shaped or inverted-hook configuration according to which a hooking space is formed oriented towards a top rim of the container. By hanging the container in an inverted position, the container is able to rapidly rinse and dry out after washing, while keeping the container top rim in the air and avoiding contamination of the container. The hook-shaped handle further allows the container to be conveniently and temporarily hung from a bowl sidewall, taking up no countertop or table space. The hook-shaped handle preferably protrudes from the base of the container to contribute to container stability when placed in an upright position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly, to a container in the form of a cup, jar, bowl, mug or the like that can be used for storing flowable solid or liquid materials to be transferred from one place to another, with the container having an inverted-hook handle configuration that facilitates hanging the container in an inverted orientation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the latter half of the Nineteenth Century, the Domestic Science Movement arose to apply scientific principles to various aspects of running and maintaining a household. This scientific approach was referred to as Home Economics, and is now known as Family and Consumer Science. The Movement was furthered by the Morrill Act in 1862, and gave rise to the establishment of cooking schools throughout the United States. 
     One significant development of the Domestic Science Movement was the introduction of standardized measurements in household activities, particularly in cooking. For most of history, most cookbooks did not specify quantities precisely, instead talking of “a nice leg of spring lamb”, a “cupful” of lentils, a piece of butter “the size of a walnut”, and “sufficient” salt. Informal measurements such as a “pinch”, a “drop”, or a “hint” (soupçon) were common (and in some instances still used today). 
     In the late 1800&#39;s, standard measures by weight were impractical due to the unreliability and expense of scales at the time. Consequently, measurement by volume was used. In the US, Fannie Farmer introduced the more exact specification of quantities by volume in her 1896  Boston Cooking - School Cook Book . Developed at the same time was the graduated measuring cup with indicia representing a scale marked in cups and fractions of a cup. The graduated cup allows the cook to use a single container to measure various quantities, eliminating the need for multiple cups. 
     Measuring cups may be made of plastic, glass, ceramics, or metal. Transparent (or translucent) cups can be read from an external scale; metal ones only from a scale marked on the inside. Measuring cups often feature a handle to facilitate filling, transfer, and emptying of the cup. Known handles typically take the form of a bar extending downwardly from the top of the cup, or a loop attached to the top and bottom of the cup. 
     Known measuring cups provide many benefits, but at the same time present several drawbacks. For example, known measuring cups do not provide a means by which they can be conveniently and cleanly stored in anticipation of use. Further, known measuring cups fail to provide any means by which they can be hung for draining between uses or after washing. 
     Accordingly, there is an established need for a container, and for a measuring cup in particular, that can be conveniently and cleanly stored in anticipation of use, and that can be hung for draining between uses or after washing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a container for containing solid or liquid flowable substances, such as, but not limited to, a cooking ingredient measuring cup. The container in accordance with the invention is capable of being hung upside down with the container opening facing downward, for easy storage of the container, convenient hanging of the container onto a bowl sidewall when not in use, or rapid rinsing and drying after washing the container. Such inverted-hanging capability is provided by a hook-shaped handle, serving a double function: on one hand, the handle provides a gripping portion to be grasped by a user for manipulating the container, as known in the art; on another hand, the handle is substantially hook-shaped and arranged in an inverted configuration for the hood to be oriented upwards, towards a bowl rim, allowing to serve as a hook through which to hang the container on a bowl, bar, peg, rope or the like. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a container for containing flowable material, said container comprising: 
     a container body having a top rim, a bottom, and at least one side, the container body being adapted and constructed to contain flowable material; and 
     a handle, comprising:
         a connecting portion extending outwardly form the container body in a first direction, and   a gripping portion extending from said connecting portion in a second direction different to said first direction, said gripping portion terminating in a free end, wherein   said connecting portion and said gripping portion are arranged in a hook-like configuration; whereby       

     a hooking space is delimited between said container body, said connecting portion and said gripping portion, said hooking space being oriented towards the container body top rim. 
     In a second aspect, the connecting portion extends outwardly from the bottom of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the connecting portion extends radially from the container body. 
     In another aspect, the gripping portion extends axially towards the container body rim. 
     In another aspect, the container further comprises a spout formed on the top rim of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the spout is arranged radially oppositely to the handle. 
     In another aspect, the container further includes a base comprising a bottom surface for stably resting on a flat surface. 
     In another aspect, the handle connecting portion extends at least partially from the base. 
     In another aspect, the handle connecting portion comprises a bottom surface that is coplanar to the bottom surface of the base. 
     In another aspect, the base protrudes radially outwardly from the bottom of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the container is formed from at least one of glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, porcelain, rubber and any combination thereof. 
     In another aspect, the container handle and the container body are integrally formed. 
     In another aspect, the container further comprises indicia defining graduated measurement markings on at least one side of the container body. 
     Introducing a second embodiment of the invention, the invention consists of a container for containing at least one solid or fluid material, said container comprising: 
     a container body having an open top defining a top rim, a closed bottom, and at least one side wall, the container body being adapted and constructed to contain at least one solid or fluid material; and 
     a hook-shaped handle protruding from the body and oriented towards the top rim, where a free end of the hook-shaped handle is arranged closer to the top rim than a connecting portion between the handle and the container body, said hook-shaped handle defining an inner hooking space oriented towards said top rim. 
     In a second aspect, the connecting portion extends radially from the container body and the gripping portion extends axially towards the container body rim. 
     In another aspect, the handle connecting portion extends at least partially from a bottom surface of said closed bottom, and coplanar to said bottom surface. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a container for containing solid or fluid substances, said container comprising: 
     a container body having a base, side walls and a top rim, the container body being adapted and constructed to contain solid or fluid substances; and 
     a handle formed integral to the container body, said handle consisting of:
         a connecting portion extending outwardly from the container body, and   a gripping portion extending from said connecting portion, wherein   said connecting portion and said gripping portion are arranged in a L-shaped configuration; whereby       

     a hooking space is delimited between said container body, said connecting portion and said gripping portion, said hooking space being oriented towards the container body top rim. 
     In a second aspect, the handle connecting portion extends outwardly from the base of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the handle connecting portion comprises a bottom surface that is coplanar to a bottom surface of the base. 
     In another aspect, the base protrudes radially outwardly from the bottom of the container body. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents a side elevation view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents an isometric view of the container of  FIG. 1 , arranged hanging from a bowl in an inverted position; 
         FIG. 4  presents a cross-sectional view of the container and bowl of  FIG. 3 , the section having been carried out along the section plane indicated by  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  presents an isometric view of the container of  FIG. 1 , arranged hanging from a wall-protruding bar; and 
         FIG. 6  presents a cross-sectional view of the container and bowl of  FIG. 5 , the section having been carried out along the section plane indicated by  6 - 6 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a container for containing flowable material, the container being provided with an inverted handle allowing the container to be held normally when in use, and to be hung upside down when not in use or after having been washed. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a container  10  is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container  10  includes a container body  12 , here illustrated as having a generally frustoconical shape. The container body  12  includes a top rim  14 , a side wall  16  and a bottom  18 , together defining an interior and an exterior of the container body  12 . The container  10  is adapted and constructed to contain flowable material, such as a liquid or flowable solid, and particularly indicated for storing edible substances such as water, milk, flour, sugar, cocoa, or other cooking ingredients. 
     The container  10  includes a handle  20 . In accordance with the invention, the handle  20  presents a hook-like configuration or shape, and extends outwardly from the container body  12  defining an inner hooking space  21 . The handle  20  is provided with a connecting portion  22  and a gripping portion  24 . The connecting portion  22  and gripping portion  24  are arranged in different directions to form a hook-like configuration, the hooking space  21  being delimited between container body  12 , connecting portion  22  and gripping portion  24 . In accordance with the invention, hooking space  21  is oriented towards the container body top rim  14 . In the present embodiment, the connecting portion  22  extends generally radially outwards from the bottom  18  of the container  10 , and the gripping portion  24  extends generally axially upwards from the connecting portion  22 , the connecting portion  22  and gripping portion  24  being thereby arranged in a substantially L-shaped configuration. The handle  20  has no connection to the top of the container body  12 . The gripping portion  24  is terminated in a free end  25 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the container  10  includes an annular base  26 . The base  26  protrudes radially outwards from the container bottom  18  and includes a bottom surface  27  configured to contact and stably stand on a flat horizontal surface, lending stability to the container  10  when the container  10  is placed on a horizontal planar surface, such as a counter, tabletop, or other work surface. The handle connecting portion  22  includes a container bottom connection portion  28  connected to the side wall  16  of the container body  12 , and a base connection portion  30  connected to the base  26  of the container  10 . In the present embodiment, both the container bottom connection portion  28  and the base connection portion are integrally formed with the side wall  16  and base  26 , respectively. 
     Preferably, as best shown in  FIG. 2 , the base connection portion  30  of connecting portion  22  features a bottom surface  31  that is coplanar to the annular base bottom surface  27 , in order to render the container more stable. When the container  10  is placed in a usable position ( FIG. 2 ), both the handle connecting portion bottom surface  31  and the annular base bottom surface  27  will simultaneously and stably stand on a flat horizontal surface, such as a kitchen counter or the like. In the present embodiment, the handle connecting portion bottom surface  31  is in fact a continuation of the annular base bottom surface  27 , providing a sleek bottom design that is also less prone to become unclean, as water or solid particles will not tend to accumulate between said surfaces  31 ,  27 , 
     In order to facilitate using the container  10  as a measuring cup, indicia  32  are preferably provided on the side wall  16  of the container  10 . For example, the indicia  32  can define graduated measurement markings on a side wall  16  of the container body  12 , and facilitate the process of accurately filling the container with desired amounts of material. 
     In the present embodiment, a spout  34  is formed on the top of the container body  12 , allowing the user of the container  10  to pour flowable material from the container  10  in a clean and controlled manner. The spout  34  is preferably formed on the open top of the container body  12  at a location radially opposite to the handle  20 , as shown, to facilitate pouring the materials from inside the container  10  by gripping the handle  20  and tilting the container  10 . 
     The container  10  can be fabricated from any suitable material. It is contemplated that suitable materials include glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, rubber, or other suitable material or combination thereof. If the container  10  is fabricated from an opaque material such as metal or ceramic, the indicia  32  can advantageously be provided on an interior surface of the side wall  16  of the container body  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the container  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides convenient placement onto vertical or sloped surfaces, in a way not achievable with previously known containers. Specifically, the container  10  is shown in an inverted position, hooked to an exemplary mixing bowl  100 . This hooked position has been achieved by flipping the container  10  over with respect to its upright position of  FIG. 1 , inserting a curved side wall  110  of bowl  100  in the container hooking space  21 , and allowing the container handle connecting portion  22  to rest on the curved side wall  110  by effect of gravity. The ability to hang in an inverted position as shown in the figures provides several significant advantages. In the first place, while cooking or carrying out other applicable tasks, the container  10  can be temporarily hung and kept within ready reach for subsequent use. In addition, after washing the container, the container  10  can be hung to rinse and dry out as shown; the open top of the container  10  facing downwardly allows the container  10  to drain and thus require less time to dry out and be ready for the next use. Moreover, if the container  10  is hung from a sufficiently tall bowl  100 , the container  10  according to the invention is able to hang without the top rim  14  touching a horizontal surface  120  on which the bowl  100  stands, preventing potential contaminants from setting into the interior of the container  10 . 
     The container  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention can be stored in further ways not achievable with previously known containers. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the “inverted” construction of the handle  20  allows the user to employ a method of hooking the handle  20  of the container  10  on an elongate element extending horizontally from a generally planar vertical surface, here shown as a peg  210  extending from a wall  200 . In this storage position, the peg  210  remains partially inside the container hooking space  21  while the handle gripping portion  24  and connecting portion  22  rest on the peg  210 . In turn, the top rim  15  and open top of the container  10  face downwardly, while the container body  12  and top rim  14  hang in the air. Again, such an inverted hanging arrangement provided by the invention not only allows the container  10  to drain, but also guarantees the container is kept clean and non-contaminated while stored or dried out in a hanged position. 
     In the present embodiment, the container handle  20  is integrally formed with the container body  12 , providing a mechanically robust yet cost-effective solution for constructing a container body  12  capable of being hanged from a container handle  20  in an inverted position. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.