Patent Publication Number: US-2011048128-A1

Title: Double Conical Measuring Beaker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/239,444 filed Sep. 3, 2009, which is incorporated hereby by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a kitchen volumetric measuring beaker with newly-developed features which add to its visibility and usefulness. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conical measuring beakers with volume markings are known in the art. These conical beakers are individual cones and tend to be about 1 L to 2 L in volume. Conical beakers are more accurately read than cylindrical beakers, particularly at lower volume measurements. These prior conical beakers are graduated down to measurements as small as 50 milliliter (ml) to 100 ml (or several ounces) but are still difficult to read near the bottom of the conical vessel. The present invention addresses this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The double conical measuring beaker of my invention is made by attaching the smaller truncated ends of two conically shaped vessels of different volumes. One vessel has a larger volume than the other, and the ratio of the volumes between the two is on the order of 2:1 to 4:1. The small truncated ends of the conical vessels are permanently attached, forming a sort of uneven or asymmetrical hourglass shape. Both the larger and smaller conical vessels are marked internally with volume markings. 
     The larger of the two conical vessels is graduated for larger volume measurements and can be easily read. Smaller volume readings can be easily measured in the smaller cup which would be made with a lower conical angle than the larger cup, making the volume markings easier to see. The large conical cup portion serves as a stable base for the beaker when the small cup is in use, and the small cup serves as a stable base for the beaker when the large cup is in use. This double measuring beaker assembly may be made of various types of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, glass, ceramic, or plastic materials. Volume markings may be applied to an interior sidewall by popular techniques such as laser, acid etch, embossing or molding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the combined conical measuring beaker of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the combined conical measuring beaker of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 3-5  are side elevation views of the conical measuring beaker of the invention with  FIGS. 3 and 4  being in cross section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, the combined conical measuring beaker  2  of the present invention is shown. The combined measuring beaker  2  comprises two truncated conically shaped vessel portions, namely, a smaller conically shaped portion  4  and a larger conically shaped portion  6 . The conically shaped portions or cups  4  and  6  are joined together along a common diameter  8  of the smallest diameter of either portion. The volumetric ratios of each of the portions  4  and  6  can vary wherein the ratio of the volume between the larger conically shaped portion  6  and the smaller conically shaped portion  4  is preferably between about 2:1 to 4:1. 
     Each of the conically shaped portions  4  and  6  of the measuring beaker  2  have sidewalls which flare outwardly from the common diameter  8  to open rims  10  and  12 . The sidewalls of each of the portions  4  and  6  carry volume markings  14  and  16 , preferably on the inside of the respective sidewalls to indicate the volumetric amount of a particulate food product to be measured.  FIG. 3  shows volume markings  14  and  16  in cups and tablespoons while  FIG. 5  shows volume markings  14 ′ and  16 ′ in ml values.  FIG. 3 , for example, depicts the larger conically shaped portion  6  as measuring between ½ and 2 cups while the smaller conically shaped portion  4  measures between 1 tablespoon and ½ cup.  FIG. 5 , by way of further example, shows the larger conically shaped portion  6  as sized for measuring between 100 ml and 500 ml, while the smaller portion  4  measures between 25 ml and 100 ml. Hence, there is a continuum of volumetric measurements between portions  4  and  6 . In other words, the largest volumetric measurement shown for the smaller conical portion  4  (½ cup in  FIG. 3 ; 100 ml in  FIG. 5 ) is the same as the smallest volumetric measurement for the larger conical portion  6  (½ cup in  FIG. 3 ; 100 ml in  FIG. 5 ). 
     The flared rims  10  and  12  of the conically shaped portions or measuring cups  4  and  6  have respective diameters, particularly the diameter of the smaller portion  4  which is large enough to support the beaker  2  when it is placed on a horizontal surface, such as a kitchen countertop. For example, the rim diameter at rim  12  of the smaller conically shaped portion  4  is of a sufficient dimension, for example about  4  inches, so that it will support the beaker  2  in a stable manner when the larger conically shaped portion  6  is in an upright position and a particulate food product is being poured therein. Conversely, the larger conical portion  6 , when inverted, will support the smaller conically shaped portion  4  when inverted in a stable manner. The diameter at rim  10  may be on the order of about 5 inches. 
     In this way, the volumetric markings  14  and  16  on both of the conical portions or measuring cups can easily be read by virtue of their differing conical angles. The larger cup  6  has a higher conical angle α, making the volume markings  16  easier to read, while the conical angle β of the smaller cup  4  has a lower conical angle, making the volume markings  14  also easier to read, and more accurately, when lower volumetric amounts are being measured. By way of example and in no way limiting, the conical angle α of the larger cup  6  is about 70° while the conical angle β of the smaller cup  4  is about 50°. Conical angle α may range between about 65°-75° and angle β may range between about 45°-55°,  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The relative volumetric ratios between the larger and smaller conically shaped portions of between about 2:1 to 4:1 will dictate the final dimensions of the beaker  2 . 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.