Abstract:
An application for a drinking vessel has one or more deflectors positioned along the top rim area of the vessel, just far enough below the rim such that liquid from the vessel passes around the deflectors and into a user&#39;s lips when drinking and ice or other solid materials in the liquid is blocked by the deflector, keeping the solid materials away from the user&#39;s lips.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of drinking liquids and more particularly to an apparatus for drinking liquids, the liquids containing ice. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are many devices for drinking liquids such as bottles, cups, mugs, tumblers, glasses, etc. Even wooden box-shaped containers are used to drink sake in Japan. The present set of drinking vessels is adequate for liquids alone, but when solid objects such as ice, olives, etc, are introduced into the liquid, it is difficult to drink the liquid without the solid object hitting your lips and, sometimes, finding its way into your mouth when you are not prepared for acceptance of the solid object. 
         [0003]    This problem has been recognized in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,198,059 to Conrad Pistorius from 1940 proposes a strainer-like attachment to a cup or glass to prevent ice from within the glass from hitting the user&#39;s lips and teeth. This device is added onto the glass. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a device that will reduce a user&#39;s exposure to ice or other solid objects while drinking from a drinking vessel such as a glass. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention includes a drinking vessel with one or more deflectors positioned along the top rim area of the vessel, just far enough below the rim such that liquid from the vessel passes around the deflectors and into a user&#39;s lips when drinking and ice or other solid materials in the liquid is blocked by the deflector, keeping the solid materials away from the user&#39;s lips. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a device for consuming liquids is disclosed including a drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall and a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom. There is one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls. The deflectors are positioned at a depth below the rim and face inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method of consuming a liquid, having solid materials suspended within the liquid is disclosed including providing a device for consuming the liquid that is a drinking vessel with a bottom connected to a side wall, and having a rim located on an edge of the side wall located distal from the bottom. One or more deflectors are positioned on an inside surface of the side walls. The deflectors are at a depth below the rim and face inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking the liquid from the drinking vessel. The method includes filling the drinking vessel with the liquid and solid materials and positioning the rim against one&#39;s lips, one of the deflectors is aligned with the lips. The drinking vessel is tilted until the liquid flows into the lips for consumption, whereby the solid materials are blocked from reaching the lips by the one of the deflectors. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, device for consuming liquids is disclosed including a mechanism for holding a liquid including a bottom connected to a side wall. A rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom. Within the mechanism is/are a device/devices for deflecting solids floating in the liquid. The device(s) for deflecting solids is/are positioned on an inside surface of the side walls at a depth below the rim and face inward. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a second drinking vessel of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple deflectors. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple deflectors. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple types of deflectors. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors stacked together. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a drinking vessel  10   a  of the present invention is shown. In this, a tumbler like drinking vessel  10   a  is shown having a base  14   a , tubular side wall  12   a  and a rim  16   a . In normal use, the tumbler  10   a  is filled with a liquid  20  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the rim  16   a  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the tumbler  10   a  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the tumbler  10   a  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0021]    The tumbler  10   a  of the present invention includes a deflector  18   a  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see  FIG. 9 ) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . To use the tumbler  10   a  that is filled with a liquid  20  having solid materials  21 , the rim  16   a  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of the deflector  18   a  and the tumbler  10   a  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the tumbler  10   a  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 . The solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the deflector  18   a  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a second drinking vessel  10   c  of the present invention is shown. In this, a glass  10   c  is shown having a base  14   c , tubular side wall  12   c  and a rim  16   c . In normal use, the glass  10   c  is filled with a liquid  20  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the rim  16   c  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the glass  10   c  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   c  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0023]    The glass  10   c  of the present invention includes a deflector  18   c  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see  FIG. 9 ) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . To use the glass  10   c  that is filled with a liquid  20  having solid materials  21 , the rim  16   c  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of the deflector  18   c  and the glass  10   c  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   c  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 . The solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the deflector  18   c  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of a third drinking vessel  10   b  of the present invention is shown. In this, a mug  10   b  or cup  10   b  is shown having a tubular side wall  12   b  and a rim  16   b . In normal use, the mug  10   b  is filled with a liquid  20  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the rim  16   b  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the mug  10   b  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the mug  10   b  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0025]    The mug  10   b  of the present invention includes a deflector  18   b  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see  FIG. 9 ) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . To use the mug  10   b  that is filled with a liquid  20  having solid materials  21 , the rim  16   b  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of the deflector  18   b  and the mug  10   b  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the mug  10   b  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 . The solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the deflector  18   b  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0026]    Although the above examples show three specific types of drinking vessels  10   a/b/c , any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , perspective views of a third drinking vessel  10   d  of the present invention with multiple deflectors is shown. In this, a glass  10   d  is shown having a base  14   d , tubular side wall  12   d  and a rim  16   d . In normal use, the glass  10   d  is filled with a liquid  20  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the rim  16   d  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the glass  10   d  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   d  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0028]    The glass  10   d  of the present invention includes multiple deflectors  18   d  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see  FIG. 9 ) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . Although three deflectors  18   d  are shown, any number of deflectors  18   d  is anticipated. To use the glass  10   d  that is filled with a liquid  20  having solid materials  21 , the rim  16   d  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of any of the deflectors  18   d  and the glass  10   d  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   d  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 . The solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the selected deflector  18   d  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, all deflectors  18   d  are recessed to the same depth from the rim  16   d , while on other embodiments, some deflectors  18   d  are recessed to a different depth than other deflectors  18   d , accommodating users with different physical mouth/lip  22  features. 
         [0030]    Although shown with a glass  10   d  type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a top perspective view of a third drinking vessel  10   e  of the present invention with multiple types of deflectors is shown. In this, a glass  10   e  is shown from the top rim  16   e . As with the other vessels/glasses, in normal use, the glass  10   e  is filled with a liquid  20  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the rim  16   e  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the glass  10   e  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   e  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0032]    The glass  10   e  of the present invention includes multiple deflectors  18   e/f/g  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc—see  FIG. 9 ) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . Although three deflectors  18   e/f/g  are shown, any number of deflectors  18   e/f/g  is anticipated. To use the glass  10   e  that is filled with a liquid  20  having solid materials  21 , the rim  16   e  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of any of the deflectors  18   e  and the glass  10   e  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10   d  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 . The solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the selected deflector  18   e/f/g  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, all deflectors  18   e/f/g  are recessed to the same depth from the rim  16   d , while on other embodiments, some deflectors  18   e/f/g  are recessed to a different depth than other deflectors  18   e/f/g , accommodating users with different physical mouth/lip  22  features. Three different shapes of deflectors  18   e/f/g  are shown, an arc-shaped deflector  18   e , a pyramid-shaped deflector  18   f  and a decorative-shaped deflector  18   g . Many different shapes are anticipated and it is anticipated that in some embodiments, all of the deflectors  18  of a particular vessel  10  will have the same shaped deflectors  18  while in other embodiments, the deflectors  18  of a particular vessel  10  will have different shaped deflectors  18 , in any combination. 
         [0034]    Although shown as a glass  10   e  type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, tea cups, coffee mugs, thermos bottles, mason jars, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , perspective views of a fourth drinking vessel of the present invention with multiple of deflectors  16   h  is shown. For certain vessels  10 , it is desired to stack the vessels  10 , one inside the other such as a stack of tumblers or a stack of paper cups. When such is desired, the deflectors  16  as shown in the prior examples would limit or impede one vessel  10  from fitting well inside of another like vessel  10 . 
         [0036]    The vessels  10   h  of  FIGS. 7 and 8  have deflectors  16   h  that are formed at the end of slits  17   h . The slits  17   h  are indentations formed in the side of the vessel  10   h , preferably during the molding process. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the deflector  16   h  of the outer vessel  10   h  aligns and fits within the slits  17   h  of the inner vessel  10   h  up until the deflector  16   h  of the outer vessel  10   h  rests against the deflector  16   h  of the inner vessel  10   h , thereby permitting stacking of the vessels/tumblers  16   h.    
         [0037]    Although shown with a tumbler  10   h  type drinking vessel, any size, shape, and construction of drinking vessel is anticipated including, but not limited to, plastic tumblers, crystal glassware, glasses, Styrofoam cups, paper cups, etc. It is acknowledged that it is not practical to stack drinking vessels that have handles. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of a drinking vessel of the present invention in use will be described. As with the other vessels/glasses, in normal use, the glass  10  is filled with a liquid  20  and the rim  16  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  and the glass  10  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20  through their lips  22 . 
         [0039]    The glass  10  of the present invention includes at least one deflectors  18  for deflecting solid materials  21  (e.g. ice cubes, pieces of crushed ice, fruit such as olives and cherries, ornamental products, etc) when such solid materials  21  are present in the liquid  20 . When the rim  16  is brought to a user&#39;s lips  22  in the local of any of the deflectors  18  and the glass  10  is tilted until the liquid  20  in the glass  10  reaches the user&#39;s lips  22  and the user sips the liquid  20 , the solid materials  21  in the liquid  20  are pushed to the sides of the deflector  18  to reduce contact with the user&#39;s lips  22 . 
         [0040]    The deflectors  18  are positioned at a depth below the rim  16  creating a gap between the deflector  18  and the user&#39;s lips  22  such that the liquid  20  passes around the deflector  18  and into the user&#39;s lips  22  while blocking the solid materials  21  from reaching the user&#39;s lips. Although a range of gaps from ¼ inch to 1½ inch is anticipated, a ¾ inch gap works for most users. In such, a typical user&#39;s lips overlap the rim by approximately ½ inch, leaving ¼ inch of gap between the user&#39;s lips  22  and the deflector  18  for the liquid  20  to flow. 
         [0041]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0042]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.