Source: http://www.freshpatents.com/Cup-and-cup-like-container-dt20060921ptan20060207410.php
Timestamp: 2013-05-25 13:28:52
Document Index: 640761923

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'arts 1', 'art 14', 'art 114', 'art 303', 'art 302', 'art 307', 'arts 603', 'arts 603', 'arts 603', 'arts 603', 'art 603', 'art 613', 'arts 308', 'art 504', 'art 414', 'art 405', 'art 405', 'art 413', 'art 407', 'art 709']

Cup And Cup-like Container Inventor Store
Patents sorted by company.	Monitor | RSS | Browse: Prev - Next Cup and cup-like container Abstract: A cup-like container made of one or more of a plurality of materials. A sensor unit is provided for sensing a conducting current caused by a specific resistance depending on a state and component of contents that are filled into the container. A circuit unit is provided for storing melodies and sound selected by a user. A power source is provided. A speaker is placed in an inner portion of the container and adapted to use a thin metal piece as part of a vibration device. In this manner, the user is informed of the sate or component of the contents by issuing at least one of music, melody and voice, which are stored in the circuit unit and desired by the user, through the speaker according to a signal from the sensor unit. ...
Agent: Arent Fox PLLC - Washington, DC, USInventors: Yong-Soo Kim, Tae-Uk NamUSPTO Applicaton #: #20060207410 - Class: 084600000 (USPTO) - Related Patent Categories: Music, Instruments, Electrical Musical Tone GenerationThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207410, Cup and cup-like container.
[0002] The present invention relates to a cup and a cup-like container
(hereinafter, designated as "cups"), in which the cups have a single or
double-walled structure, a predetermined space is formed to fit the
elements of a product regardless of the material of the cups, and
sensors, and a record-only chip and a music-only chip are placed in the
lower end portion or lid of the cups, so that the cups provide a user
with previously stored music or previously recorded personal voice so as
to inform the user of the state and component of contents contained in
[0004] Cups, which are generally sold, are manufactured to have single or
double-walled structures, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In more detail,
cups having double-walled structures, include metallic double-walled
cups, plastic double-walled cups, and cups manufactured by coupling inner
and outer parts that are made of metal and plastic, respectively. In
contrast, cups having single-walled structures include cups that are
manufactured of metal, plastic, ceramic, porcelain and the like.
[0005] The cups are differently manufactured in terms of size and shape
according to purpose. They may be used to lengthen the time for which the
warmth and coldness of beverages can be maintained using lids. The chief
function of the cups is merely to contain beverages for a short period
and allow users to drink the beverages.
[0006] The internal temperatures of cups are not generally sensed by
users. In the case of double-walled cups, the internal and external
temperatures thereof are different from each other because internal heat
is not transferred to the outsides of the cups well. Accordingly, the
case where a user suffers burns by mistake occurs frequently.
Furthermore, in the case of the single-walled cups, there are cases where
the high heat of the cups surprises users while they try to grasp them.
[0007] Furthermore, in the case of metal and opaque cups, since users
cannot sense to what extent the cups are filled with contents, there are
cases where contents overflow the cups while the contents are poured into
[0008] To overcome the disadvantages and the simple functions as described
above, the present invention provides cups, which are called super magic
cups, which can delight users when the cups are used and are most
visually and audibly pleasing. The cups of the present invention have the
[0009] When the cups are filled with beverages and a predetermined
temperature is reached, they inform users that the contents thereof have
reached a certain temperature using sweet and soft music, melody or
voice. Furthermore, the cups allow music play such that the users are yet
more delighted and relieved when using them.
[0010] Meanwhile, the present invention may be adopted to cups that are
combined with a straw, which are manufactured for children's use. In this
case, when the children drink health beverages for their growth using the
cups combined with straws, they provide music to the children according
to a specific beverage or the concentration of the beverages.
Accordingly, the children can use them with delight.
present invention is to provide a cup-like container, which provide a
user with previously stored music or previously recorded personal voice
so that the user is informed of the state and component of contents in
the cup-like container, in which the cup-like container has a single or
elements of a product regardless of the material of the cup-like
container, and sensors, a record-only chip and a music-only chip are
placed in the lower end portion or lid of the cup-like container, so
that, when the first control sensor of a control unit transmits a signal
to the music-only chip after performing sensing operations according to
the use thereof, the users' desire, the temperature, conducting
resistance and characteristic concentration of the contents or specific
components contained in the contents, a power source is connected to a
circuit unit storing music, the circuit unit is operated and, therefore,
the stored music is issued, and in which the record-only chip is
constructed such that personal voice besides previously stored music and
voice is stored therein, and the second control sensor is placed such
that the user can be informed of the internal temperature of the cup-like
container and the amount and concentration of the contents and the
issuance of sound can be selectively adjusted, and the location of a flow
sensor or resistance sensor is changed so that the switch thereof is
connected when the user wants, so that the issuance of the sound can be
selected, personal voice can be recorded without inconveniencing others
and the recorded voice and the stored music can be heard when desired,
thus providing the user with pleasure and comfort.
[0012] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention
provides a cup-like container. In the case of double-walled structures,
predetermined spaces are formed between the inner and outer parts of the
cup-like container, respectively. In the case of metal, the double
coupling portions of the inner and outer parts are jointed together by
welding or double rolling. In the case of plastic, the inner and outer
parts are assembled in a screw or an insertion fashion, so that the
outward shape of a container is accomplished. In the case of a cup-like
container employing a first sensor, a temperature sensor is placed as the
first sensor so that a power source is connected or disconnected to a
chip by sensing a temperature of contents, and melodies and music, which
are stored, are emitted due to the first sensor when a sensed temperature
reaches a predetermined temperature according to the users' desire. In
the case of a cup-like container employing first and second sensors, a
signal, which is conducted by a first sensor and caused by the inflow of
the contents into the interior of the container, firstly allows the power
source to be connected, a signal, which is conducted by the second sensor
and caused by the leaning of the container, is secondly transmitted to an
operation switch and, therefore, stored sounds or personally recorded
voices are issued to the outside through sound holes.
[0013] A single-walled structure of a cup-like container manufactured
using a variety of materials employs a first sensor or first and second
sensors. In the case of a cup-like container employing the first sensor,
a temperature sensor is placed as the first sensor so that a power source
is connected or disconnected to a chip by sensing a temperature of
contents using the first sensor, melodies and music, which are stored,
are issued by sensing the flow of the contents. In the case of a cup-like
container employing the first and second sensors, the first sensor senses
temperature and conducting resistance caused by the contents which are
poured into the cup-like container, and allows a circuit unit storing
music to enter into an operation stand-by state by connecting a power
source to it, and the second sensor is placed to sense the concentration
of the contents and the user's intentional touch, and the circuit unit
receives signals generated by the second sensor and allows sounds stored
therein to be issued to the outside through a speaker and resonant holes.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional double-walled
[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a conventional plastic, metal or
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a typical ceramic or porcelain
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a double-walled cup-like
container according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another double-walled cup-like
container, which is manufactured such that a plastic or metal bottom is
attached to and detached from a body, according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another cup-like container
having a sound-generating device, in which the metal inner and outer
parts thereof are jointed together by double rolling, according to the
[0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing another cup-like container
having a sound-generating device, in which the inner and outer parts
thereof are manufactured using a plastic material, according to the
[0022] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a lid, in which a
sound-generating device is placed, according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a view showing the assemble of a lid, in which a
sound-generating device is placed, and a body;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another cup-like container
having a double-walled structure, in which a sound-generating device is
placed and the inner and outer parts thereof are made of plastic and
metal, respectively, according to the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a coffee cup made of ceramic,
in which a sound-generating device is placed, according to the present
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with
reference to accompanying drawings below.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a cup-like container in which
the circuits and structure of the present invention are provided inside
an integrated double-walled warmth-keeping body the inner and outer parts
of which are entirely made of metal. The outer part 1 of the cup-like
container having a double-walled structure and the inner part 2 of the
cup-like container are coupled to each other by welding, so that a
predetermined space is formed between the inner and outer parts 1 and 2.
A record-only chip 9 and a music-containing chip 7 are connected to each
other, and are allowed to be operated by a single power source. A
record-only microphone 3 and a recoding microphone 4 are placed in a grip
5 and are connected to the output terminal of a record-only circuit board
10. A first temperature sensor 6 is placed under the interior of the
cup-like container, and is connected to a first power source and an
operation sensor. A flow sensor 11 is connected to the circuit of the
music-containing chip 7 for the exclusive use of melody and voice, and is
used as a second control sensor. A speaker 12 is placed on a waterproof
part 14 having a resonance sound emission hole 13 and is connected to the
output circuit unit of the music-containing chip 7.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, the inner and outer parts of a cup-like
container are made of metal, and are jointed together by welding. A
concave groove 113 is formed in the lower end portion of the cup-like
container and conforms to the plastic or metal bottom of the cup-like
container by having a part of the lower end portion of the body cut out
in a predetermined form. First and second sets of circuits and control
sensor units identical to those of FIG. 4 are placed inside the end
portion of the cup-like container. A conductor 102 is placed in a space
between the inner and outer parts of the cup-like container. A
temperature-variable paint 104 is applied on the outer part of the
cup-like container, so that the shape of the applied paint can deform
according to temperature variation. A rubber seal 112 is provided in the
lower end portion of the cup-like container, thus waterproofing the
bottom of the cup-like container and assembling it to the other parts of
the cup-like body. To prevent external air from flowing into the bottom
of the cup-like container, a rubber seal 116 is provided on the upper end
of a speaker fastening part 114, and the output terminal of a
music-containing chip 110 is connected to a speaker.
[0029] The cup-like container of FIG. 6 is placed using the same method as
in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, a method of joining the inner and outer parts of a
cup-like container is performed by inserting the inner part into the
outer part and simultaneously rolling the inner and outer parts.
[0030] The operation of the cup-like containers of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 among
the cup-like containers of the present invention is described in detail
[0031] A first operation is performed in such a way that each of the first
control sensors 6, 109 and 206 for detecting the temperature of contents
in each of the cup-like containers first detects the temperature of
contents that are poured into each of the cup-like containers, and allows
first power sources to be connected to the circuits of the chips 7, 110
and 207, respectively, so that previously stored music is issued to the
outside through each speaker.
[0032] A second operation is performed in such a way that the individual
chips 7, 110 and 207 enter into a power stand-by state by connecting
power sources to the circuits of the chips 7, 110 and 207, respectively,
when the first control sensors 6, 109 and 206 have sensed the temperature
of the contents, and the second control sensors 11, 108 and 210 each
sense the slight variation in resistance caused by currents conducted
when the bodies are moved or when the users' lips touch the upper end
portions of the bodies, and transmit a signal to operation switches of
the circuits of the chips 7, 110 and 207, respectively, and, therefore,
the sounds previously stored are issued. Furthermore, the present
invention provides a recording function. For example, when a button 4 is
pressed to record a user's voice, the user's voice is stored in the
recording-only chip 9 via a microphone 3. In this case, when the contents
are poured into the individual cup-like containers, a previously recorded
voice is first issued to the outside. Accordingly, the recorded voice can
be immediately reproduced after the recording is finished.
[0033] In the plastic double-walled cup-like container of FIG. 7, the
inner part 303 and outer part 302 of the cup-like container are made of
plastic, and are jointed together in a screw fashion. A conducting
resistance sensor 306, that is, a first control sensor, is connected to a
circuit 305 storing music and melodies, and a resistance sensor 304 for
sensing variation in concentration and resistance is used as a second
control sensor. The circuit unit 305 is connected to a speaker 308. The
speaker 308 is placed on a waterproof part 307. A rubber seal 308 is
disposed to block the inflow of external air.
[0034] In the case of the cup-like container of FIG. 10 in which inner and
outer parts 603 and 605 are made of plastic and metal, respectively, the
inner and outer parts 603 and 605 are jointed with a fastening hole 602.
The inner and outer parts 603 and 605 are sealed using a waterproof
rubber seal, and then the inner and outer parts 603 and 605 are assembled
with each other. An interior structure is arranged in a space formed
inside the inner plastic part 603 in the same way as in FIG. 7.
Specifically, a sensor 601 for sensing conducting current caused by the
inflow of contents is used as a first control sensor, and a sensor 607
for sensing variation in resistance is used as a second control sensor,
and is connected to a circuit unit 608 containing a melody voice chip.
The circuit unit 608 is connected to a speaker 611 that is placed in a
resonance sound emission hole 614 and a waterproof part 613. The upper
end portion of the speaker 611 is sealed by a rubber seal 615 to block
the inflow of external air.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 10, the operation of the
double-walled cup-like containers in which the inner parts are made of
plastic is described in detail below.
[0036] When contents are poured into the cup-like containers having the
plastic inner parts, the first control sensors 306 and 610 generate
signals according to the sensing of the contents and the second control
sensors 304 and 607 then allow the circuit units 305 and 608 storing
music to operate, so that music is issued through speakers 308 and 611.
At the request of the user, the cup-like containers having double-walled
structures may be constructed to be operated in such a way that power
sources are connected to the circuit units 305 and 608 that contain
music, respectively, by signals generated from the first control sensors
306 and 610, the circuit units 305 and 608 each enter into a stand-by
state, second circuit switches are then closed when receiving signals
caused by variation in resistance from the second control sensors 304 and
607, respectively and, therefore, the circuit units 305 and 608 operate
and, therefore, the music stored in the circuit units 305 and 608 is
issued to the outside through the speaker 308 and 611 secured to
waterproof parts 308 and 613.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, sound-generating devices are placed in
lids, and a body 505 is molded in the form of a single-walled structure.
A spiral part 504 is formed on the surface of the upper end portion of
the body, and is formed to correspond to a spiral part 414 formed on the
surface of the lower end portion of the lid of FIG. 8. The lid of FIG. 8
is divided into an upper end portion 401 and a lower end portion 408, and
a predetermined space is formed between the two portions 401 and 408. A
circuit unit 411, on which a chip 406 storing music is mounted, is
coupled to a lower end portion 408 in the predetermined space, and a
Light Emitting Diode (LED) 412 is coupled to a lower end portion 408 in
the predetermined space and operates simultaneously with the sound of
music. A waterproof part 405 is formed at the upper end portion of the
lid, and a speaker is then coupled by the waterproof part 405. A straw is
formed to be separated into an internally inserted straw 503 and an
externally protruding straw 501. A sensor 404 for sensing a conducting
current is placed within a hole 403 for fastening the externally
protruding straw 501. A lower end portion fastening part 413 and an upper
end portion fastening part 407 are coupled to each other.
[0038] The operation of the cup-like container exclusively for use with a
straw is described in detail below.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 9, the body and the lid are assembled together.
The externally protruding straw 501 is fitted into a fastening hole 403,
and the internally inserted straw 503 is connected to the fastening hole
403 through the through hole 409 of the lower end portion of the lid. In
this case, when contents flow into the connected straw, the internal
sensing control signal of the sensor 404 is transmitted to the circuit
unit 406, a power source is connected to the circuit unit 406 in response
to the transmitted signal, the circuit unit 406 enters into a stand-by
state, stored music is issued to the speaker by a sensing switch located
on the opposite side of the circuit unit or in the outside, and the
stored music is issued, so that it is possible to selectively listen to
music. Furthermore, a plurality of switch pins may be disposed, and a
plurality of pieces of music corresponding to the individual pins may be
contained in the circuit unit, so that various pieces of music are
selectively issued by touching the individual pins.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a coffee cup made of ceramic,
[0041] A predetermined space 707 is formed in the lower end portion of the
body of a coffee cup (or a bowl shape of a cup) made of ceramic. A sensor
706 for sensing a conducting current and a sensor 702 for sensing
variation in resistance are placed in the formed space. The sensors 706
and 702 are used as first and second control sensors, respectively. A
music-storing chip 703 is connected to a speaker 708 by the operation of
the sensors 706 and 702. The speaker 708 is coupled to a waterproof part
[0042] The operation of the cup made of ceramic is described in detail.
[0043] When contents are poured into the cup made of ceramic, the first
and second control sensors 706 and 702 sense an internal temperature of
the cup and variation in conducting resistance, respectively, and
transmit signals to a circuit unit 704. Thereafter, the signals are
transmitted to the music-containing chip 703 through a switch unit 705
detecting the signals, and music or melody stored in the chip 703 is
emitted through the speaker 708 and is issued to the outside through the
internal holes of the waterproof part 709. Accordingly, the users can
listen to music or melodies when using the cup. Furthermore, the external
surface of the cup is printed using paint, the color of which varies with
an internal temperature. As a result, the users can drink beverages while
simultaneously enjoying audible and visual effects.
[0044] As described above, in accordance with the present invention, since
a first control method using the first control sensor and a second
control method using the first and second control sensors are performed
according to the contents of a cup-like container and the users' desire,
power consumption caused by a stand-by current and natural discharge can
[0045] Furthermore, at the time of the inflow of contents, the power
source is connected due to the operation of the first control sensor, and
the second control sensor operates in conformity with a conducting
current reaction operation caused by a slight variation in resistance or
concentration and by the physical properties of a specific beverage.
Accordingly, information on the contents can be provided to users, the
users can personally record thankful messages for a specific date, stored
background music can be automatically played by operating a pulse
conversion switch after finishing the recording, and children can enjoy
listening to a selected sound without inconveniencing others because they
can selectively listen to children's songs, melodies, parents' voices or
the like while drinking milk, health beverages or the like. Furthermore,
the present invention can be used for a business public relations (PR),
and as a gift as a return favor at weddings and the like.
[0046] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have
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