Patent Publication Number: US-2017347819-A1

Title: Beverage container with removable base and container cover

Description:
The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/344,840 filed Jun. 2, 2016 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There are numerous examples of beverage containers with detachable bases. This feature is advantageous for stacking of beverage containers that are shaped in such a way that they can be nested. This provides for a reduced space requirement for a given amount of cups when compared to those that are not nested. Often nesting plastic cups can be seen in stadium type environments, and large venues where there is a high turnover of plastic cups and limited storage space available. Often these venues use a stemware style cup of some shape for a better quality service. Party supply stores also often carry these cups for retail sales. When the cups are ready for filling the bases are attached and the cups are filled. When these cups are in a stadium or hospitality environment they are often filled in large quantities and delivered to the consumer. In this scenario the cups are covered with a plastic film wrap to prevent spilling or contamination prior to or during the delivery process. Whether it is a few being carried by a patron or many being carried by a vendor, in both cases the ability to carry an amount sufficient to meet the requirements is often hampered by the lack of stability and difficulty of carrying more than a few without spillage even with the aid of plastic wrap. Often egg-crate type trays are used to assist in the carrying but still present limitations in their effectiveness. 
     In other environments cups are often pre-sealed for a pre-prepared single serving. In this scenario like the stadiums, space, spillage, contamination and freshness are concerns. 
     In all the prior examples, a removed base serves no purpose other than allowing the empty cups to be stacked. Consequently, the removed bases are often prone to being lost when removed from the container body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base removed; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base functioning as a cover; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster secured to the base portion; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the coaster functioning as a cover; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with a coaster that is screwed onto the cup portion; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base portion secured within a coaster screwed onto the cup portion; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the stem removably attached to both the cup and the base; 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a front view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base removably attaching directly to the cup and functioning as a cover; and 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A  in which the base removably attaches directly to the cup. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of a beverage container with removable base and cover is disclosed. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     In an effort to address the above described problem, a beverage container with a removable base is disclosed, the removed base itself functioning as a cover for the cup portion of the container or having a detachable component that functions as a secure cover for the cup portion of the container. The beverage container, in one embodiment, is made of clear or colored plastic, such as food grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In other embodiments, the beverage container may be made of other suitable materials including other plastics, glass, or any other appropriate material known to one of reasonable skill in the art. 
     The shape of the beverage container can be varied based on the type of fluid to be contained. For example, in one embodiment, a beverage container for holding a red wine can be shaped to have a wide round cup with a substantially large upper opening in order to increase the amount of surface area of the wine exposed to air thereby increasing the rate of oxidation of the red wine. In other embodiments, the shape of the beverage container can be designed to direct the beverage to a specific portion of a consumer&#39;s tongue. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the beverage container with removable base and cover  100  is comprised of at least a cup  101 , a stem  102 , and a base  103 . The cup  101  having an upper cylindrical portion  101 A depending from an upper opening  101 B. The upper cylindrical portion  101 A having a substantially uniform diameter before tapering down into the stem  102 . The cup  101  also includes an edge  101 C running along the full perimeter of the upper opening  101 B. 
     The stem  102  includes a tapered upper portion located near the bottom of the cup  101  with a diameter that narrows along its length towards the base  103 . 
     The removable base  103  is shown attached to the end of the stem  102  that is opposite the bottom of the cup  101 . In this configuration, the base  103  functions to support the beverage container  100  when it is seated on a flat surface such as table top. The upper end of the base  103  includes a tapered upper portion located near the end of the stem  102  with a diameter that widens along its length towards the lower end of the base  103 . The diameter of the lower end of the base is substantially equal to the diameter of the edge  101 C on the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101 . The base  103  also includes a lip  103 A extending downward from a lower edge  103 B of the base  103  and the running along the full perimeter of the lower edge  103 B. 
     The cup  101  and the stem  102  are each substantially hollow such as to form a beverage cavity  104 . The volume of the beverage cavity  104  is mostly disposed in the cup  101  with a remainder portion located in the stem  102 . Locating a portion of the beverage cavity  104  in the stem  102  helps to lower the center of gravity of the beverage container  100  and thereby promoting stability. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a front elevated view of a beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment is depicted with the base detached from the stem. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  103  includes a recess  103 D centered on the base  103  and depending from an upper edge  103 C on the base  103 . The depth of the recess  103 D not extend beyond the lip  103 A of the base  103  as to insure the stability of the beverage container while seated on a flat surface. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower end  102 A of the stem  102  is sealed as to define the beverage cavity  104 . The lower end  102 A includes a ridge  102 B from which the lower end  102 A is further tapered to fit within the recess  103 D of the base  103 , the ridge  102 B resting against the upper edge  103 C of the base  103 . The lower end  102 A of the stem  102  is dimensioned to fit securely within the recess  103 D in order that provides the stability needed to support the beverage cavity  104  when filled with a liquid. 
     A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of removably attaching the stem portion  102  to the base portion  103  are possible while clearly remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, complementary threads may be positioned on the outer surface of the lower end  102 A of the stem  102  and on the inner surface of the recess  103 D of the lower portion such that the lower end  102 A of the stem  102  securely screws into the recess  103 C on the base  103 . 
     As another example, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the lower end  102 A of the stem  102  and on the inner surface of the recess  103 D of the base  103  such that the lower end  102 A of the stem  102  securely and removably clicks into the recess  103 C of the base  103 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover according to one embodiment with the base functioning as a cover is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the diameter at the lower edge  103 B of the base  103  is substantially equal to the diameter of the rim  101 C (not shown) on the upper portion of the cup  101 . As such, with the base  103  position such that its lower edge  103 B is resting on the rim  101 C of the cup  101 , the lip  103 A of the base  103  extends over and presses against the outer surface of the cylindrical portion  101 A of the cup  101 . The width of the lip  103 A may adjusted as to increase, decrease, or totally eliminate any friction between the lip  103 A and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion  101 A of the cup  101 . This allows the base  103  to be seated securely against the rim  101 C (not shown) with a greater amount of friction or loosely against the rim  101 C (not shown) a lesser amount of friction. 
     A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of removably securing the base over the upper opening of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, complementary threads may be positioned on the outer surface  101 A of the cylindrical portion  101 A and on the inner surface of the lip  103 A such that the base  103  screws onto the cylindrical portion  101 A of the cup  101  and so securely covers the upper opening  101 B. 
     As another example, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface  101 A of the cylindrical portion  101 A and on the inner surface of the lip  103 A of the base  103  such that the base  103  securely and removably clicks onto the cylindrical portion  101 A of the cup  101  to securely cover the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101 . 
     A removable base functioning as a cover provides the benefit of preventing a liquid within the beverage cavity from spilling out through the upper opening when the beverage container is shaken when in a person&#39;s hand. A removable base also affords the benefit of allowing the empty cup portions to be nested. Specifically, with the base removed, the beverage containers may be stacked with the stem the each beverage container resting within the beverage cavity of another beverage container. This allows for efficient use of the limited space within a shipping box, the removed base portion being stored in other and usually unusable areas within the same shipping box. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, a coaster may be removably attached to the base and may be used as a cover when detached from the base. In  FIG. 4 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster attached to the base. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  103  is identical to the above-described version in that it includes a tapered upper portion  103 C with a diameter that widens along its length towards a lower end edge  103 B. A lip  103 A extends downward from the lower edge  103 B and runs along its full circumferential length. The diameter of the lower edged  103 B is equal to the diameter of the edge  101 C on the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101 . 
     The coaster  401  is comprised of a lower surface  401 A and a lip  401 B, the lip  401 B rising perpendicularly from the edge of the lower surface  401 B and running the full circumferential length of this edge. The inside diameter  403  of the coaster  401  is large enough to allow the base  103  to fit snugly inside the lip  401 B of the coaster  401  and rest securely against the inner face of the lower surface  401 A of the coaster  401 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 4 , the coaster  401  includes a flexible retaining tab  401 C running along the inner surface of the lip  401 B. The retaining tab  401 C functions to secure the coaster  401  to the base  103  when they are attached to each other. Specifically, the coaster  401  is secured to the base  103  by pushing them towards each other with sufficient force to push the lower edge  103 B of the base  103  passed the retaining tab  401 C of the coaster  401 . In this position, the lower edge  103 B of the base  101  sits securely sandwiched between the lower surface component  403  and the retaining tab  401 C of the coaster  401 . 
     Similarly, to separate the coaster  401  from base  103 , each are pulled away from each other with a sufficient force to pull the lower edge  103 B of the base  103  passed the retaining tab  401 C of the coaster  401 . 
     The coasters may further include a water or a refrigerant gel of liquid sealed within the flat surface and lip of the coaster, the coaster providing for the cooling of a liquid with the cup while positioned to securely covering the upper opening of the cup. The coaster may be placed in a freezer for a specified period of time to re-freeze the liquid or refrigerant gel or liquid. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster functioning as a cover. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the coaster  401  is positioned over the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101  such that the inside face of the lower surface component  401 A is pressed directly against the rim  101 C of the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101 . The inside diameter  403  of the coaster  401  is dimensioned such that the edge  101 C of the upper opening  101 B fits snugly inside the lip  401 B of the coaster  401  and then rests securely against the lower component  401 A of the coaster  401 . 
     In the same manner as the base  103 , the retaining tab  401 C functions to secure the coaster  401  to the upper opening  101 B of the cup when they are attached to each other. Specifically, the coaster  401  is secured over the upper opening  101 B by pushing them towards each other with sufficient force to push the edge  101 C on the upper opening  101 B passed the retaining tab  401 C of the coaster  401 . In this position, the edge  101 C sits securely sandwiched between the lower surface component  401 A and the retaining tab  404  of the coaster  401 . 
     Similarly, to detach the coaster  401  from the upper opening  101 B, the coaster  401  is pulled away from the cup  101  with sufficient force to pull the edge  101 C on the upper opening  101 B passed the retaining tab  401 C of the coaster  401 . 
     In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the coaster may be modified to allow it to screw onto the cup when functioning as a cover. In  FIG. 6 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the coaster screwed onto the cup. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a set of screw threads  602 D are positioned on the outer surface of the cup  602  in an indented segment  602 E near the edge  602 C of the upper opening  602 B. A set of complementary threads  601 D are positioned on the inner surface of the lip  601 B of the coaster  601  below the retaining tab  601 C. 
     The length of the indented segment  602 E of the cup  602  is substantially equal to the length of the inner surface of the lip  601 B of the coaster  601 . Moreover, the depth of the indented segment  602 E of the cup  602  is substantially equal to the thickness of the lip  601 B of the coaster  602 . As such, the when the coaster  601  is screwed onto the cup  602 , their respective outer surfaces are flush with each other and the retaining tab  601 C helps form a seal against the outer surface of the cup  602 . 
     In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the coaster may be further modified to provide additional benefits for shipping of the beverage container while containing a liquid. In  FIG. 7 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover is depicted with the base secured within the coaster when screwed onto the cup. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lower edge  103 B of the base  103  is seated on the edge  101 C of the upper opening  101 B of the cup  101 . In this position, the base  103  fully covers the upper opening  101 B and so helps prevent spillage of liquids from within the beverage cavity  104 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 7 , the inner surface of the lip  701 B on the coaster  701  has been extended to be inclusive of the height of the screw threads  602 D on the outer surface of the cup  602  plus the additional height of the base  103  when seated on the edge  602 C of the upper opening  602 B of the cup  101 . In this configuration, when the  701  is screwed onto the cup  101 , the lower surface  701 A of the coaster  701  pushes down the upper edge  103 C of the base  101  thereby helping to secure the base portion  101  in place over the upper opening  602 B of the cup  101 . 
     A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of securing the base over the upper opening of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the coaster may attach to the cup without the use of complementary threads but rather with the inner surface of the lip of the coaster pressing up against the outer surface cup portion. Similarly, extruding tabs and complementary depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the cup and on the inner surface of the lip such that the coaster clicks securely onto and off of the cup. 
     In this embodiment, the beverage container  700  may also be shipped with liquid in the beverage container  104 . The upper opening  602 B of the cup  602  may be sealed by a foil (not shown) or any other appropriate means known to one of regular skill in the art including lift and peel, induction, etc. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the beverage container  700  may include a removable wrapper (not shown) which helps retain the coaster  701  over the upper opening  602 B of the cup  602 . The wrapper may have vertically disposed perforations which facilitate removal of the wrapper. The wrapper may cover the entire beverage container  700  or only a portion of the beverage container  700  which still helps retain the coaster  701  over the upper opening  602 B of the cup  602 . The wrapper may skink wrap made of a material sufficiently strong to retain the coaster  701  and stay in place over the beverage container  700  prior to removal. 
     In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the stem may be removably attached to the cup as well as the base. In  FIG. 8 , a front elevated view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the stem removably attached to both the cup and the base is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the beverage container  800  in this embodiment includes a stem  801  that is removably attached to both the cup  802  and the base  803 . Specifically, the upper end of the stem  805  removably attaches to a point centered on the blower bowl portion of the cup  804 . Similarly, the lower end of the stem  806  removably attaches to the upper end of the base  807 . Furthermore, in this configuration, the upper end of the base  807  may be removably attached to the point centered on the blower bowl portion of the cup  804 . 
     A person of reasonable skill in the art will know that multiple methods of removably attaching the stem to the cup and the base may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the stem may be attached to the cup and the base with the use of complementary threads or extruding tabs and complementary depressions. 
     In yet another embodiment that may include any previously disclosed structural elements, the base removably attaches directly to the cup without a stem while also functioning as cover a cover. In  FIG. 9A , a front view of the beverage container with removable base and cover with the base connecting directly to cup is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 9A , the beverage container  900  includes a cup  901  and a base  902 . The cup  901  includes and upper opening  905  and a bottom surface  906 . The bottom surface  906  is flat such that the cup  901  rests securely upright when placed on a flat surface such as table top. The circumference of the bottom surface  906  may be equal to or less than the circumference of the upper opening  905 . Similarly, the circumference of the top surface of the base  901  may be equal to or less than the circumference of the bottom surface of the base  901 . 
     The base  902  includes an upper depression  903  in the upper surface of the base  902  and a lower depression  904  in the lower surface of the base  902 . The inner circumference of the upper depression  903  is large enough to encompass the outer circumference of the bottom surface  906  of the cup  901 . When the bottom surface  906  of the cup  901  is inserted into the upper depression  903  of the base  902 , the inner surface of the upper insert lip  907  comes into contact with the outer surface of the cup  901  adjacent to the bottom surface  906 . In this configuration, the base  902  functions as a coaster positioned under the bottom surface  906  of the cup  901 . 
     The inner circumference of the lower depression  904  is large enough to encompass the outer circumference of the upper opening  905  of the cup  901 . When the upper opening  905  of the cup  901  is inserted into the lower depression  904  of the base  902 , the inner surface of the lower insert lip  908  comes into contact with the outer surface of the cup  901  adjacent to the upper opening  905 . In this configuration the base  902  functions as a cover positioned over and fully encompassing the upper opening  905  of the cup  901 . 
     The cup and base may each be dimensioned such that the pressure of the inner surface of either the upper depression lip  907  or the lower depression lip  908  against the outer surface of the cup  901  is sufficient to secure the base  902  to the cup  901  as either a coaster or a cover. 
     Moreover, a person of reasonable skill in the art will know that other methods of securing the base over the upper opening or under the bottom surface of the cup are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. As an example, the base may attach to the cup with the use of complementary threads on the inner surface of each of the lips of each depression and the outer surface of the cup. Similarly, complementary tabs and depressions may be positioned on the outer surface of the cup and on the inner surface of each of the lips such that the base clicks securely onto and off of the cup. 
     In a variation of this embodiment, the upper depression is moved from the upper surface of the base to the bottom of the cup. In  FIG. 9B , a variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A  in which the base removably attaches directly to the cup is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 9B , the structure of the beverage container  900  is similar that shown in  FIG. 9A  except that a depression  903  is now included in the bottom surface  906  of the cup  901 . The upper surface of the base  92  is flat without a depression and is dimensioned to fit inside the depression  903  in the lower surface  906  of the cup  901 .