Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to novelty drinking cups and particularly to novelty drinking cups having rotating elements. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Many drinking cups that have novelty displays to attract children have been developed over the years. Novelty straws have also been designed. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention is a drinking cup that has a removable lid. He lid had three different types of drink delivery novelties. The first is a rotary drive dispenser that can be either fluid or air driven. In this design, fluid in the lower cup is drawn up in a straw. At the top of the straw is a rotary arm. The arm is attached to the straw so that it is free to rotate. As the fluid is brought up through the straw, it is forced out of holes formed in the rotary arm. The holes are oppositely disposed so that as the fluid leaves the rotary arm, the arm spins around the straw. As it rotates, the fluid is dispensed into a sump where a drinking straw is used to remove it for drinking. 
   The second embodiment does not have a rotary arm. In this design, the fluid rises up through the straw where it exits the straw like a fountain spray. The top of the lid is curved so that as the spray of fluid strikes the lid, it is dispersed down the sides of the lid into a sump, where it can be removed for drinking. 
   The third design has a tall tube extending up from the lid. A ball sits in the tube. As the fluid is brought up, it causes the ball to be propelled upward inside the tube. A release valve is placed in the top of the tube to release the suction from the ball when it reaches the top of the tube. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partially sectioned side view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the fluid drive rotary arm. 
       FIG. 2  is a partially sectioned side view of the second embodiment of the invention showing the air drive rotary arm. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the rotary arm showing the arm turning and the fluid or air being dispersed. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a top plan view of the rotary arm showing the arm with small jet planes attaches to the rotor. 
       FIG. 3   b  is a top view of a rotor disk that is an alternative to the rotor arm of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3   c  is a top view of a cover disk that is an alternative to the rotor arm that shows an advertising message printed on the cover disk. 
       FIG. 3   d  is a side view of the alternative rotor disk assembled for use. 
       FIG. 4  is a partially sectioned side view of the third embodiment of the invention showing the fluid fountain effect. 
       FIG. 5  is a partially sectioned side view of the fourth embodiment of the invention showing the fluid drive ball tube. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a top section view, taken along the lines  5   a - 5   a  of  FIG. 5 , showing the guides inserted in the upper tube. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a top section view, taken along the lines  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5 , showing an alternative guide construction formed in the upper tube. 
       FIG. 5   c  is a side view of an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5   d  is a can-shaped structure as an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5   e  is a cube structure as an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5   f  is a pyramid structure as an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a partially sectioned side view of the fifth embodiment of the invention showing the air drive ball tube. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail view of the top of the air-drive ball tube showing the release valve mounted in the top. 
       FIG. 8  is a modification for the first and second embodiments wherein the modified lid can be used as part of a game. 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view of an alternative rotor that is wired for lighting. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail of the wired rotor and the lid that attaches to a battery to provide power for the lighting in the rotor. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a partially sectioned side view of a fluid drive rotary arm cup lid. In this embodiment, a rotary arm turns in the lid when the fluid in the cup is drawn out through a straw.  FIG. 1  shows a cup  10  that has an elongated hollow body. The top of the cup  10  has a formed lip  11  that seals the lid  12  to the cup  10 . 
   The lid  12  has a number of components. The lid  12  has a shell  13  that has a lower lid  14  that mates with the lip  11  on the cup. The two lips, when mated, make an airtight seal. A sump straw  15  extends down from the lid to the bottom of the cup a shown. The sump straw  15  has an open top. A rotor arm  16  is placed on the open top of the sump straw as shown. The rotor arms rests on a ridge  15   a  formed on the sump straw. The rotor arm  16  rests on the ridge when the device is not in use. Because the rotor rides up on a cushion of air or fluid, there is very little friction affecting the rotor. Because of this, when the device is used as a game spinner, the ridge  15   a  acts as a “brake” to slow the rotor down after the user has stopped drinking. Once the drinking is stopped, the rotor descends and contacts the ridge, where the increased friction stops the rotation after a few seconds. Otherwise, the rotor could turn for several minutes, which would severely affect the ability to play a game. 
   The rotor arm  16  has to outlet ports  17  (see also  FIG. 3 ). The shell  13  of the lid  12  has a bulge  18  at the top as shown. A point bearing  19 , formed on the top of the rotor arm  16  sits in the bulge  18  as shown. The point bearing allows the rotor arm to spin freely in the lid. The bulge and point bearing also keep the rotor arm in place on the top of the sump straw when fluid is extracted. 
   As fluid is drawn up from the cup, it is passed through the rotor arm, where it exits through the outlet ports  17 . As it does so, the rotor arm spins around (see  FIG. 3 ). The fluid that leaves the rotor arm is collected in a sump  20  formed in the bottom of the lid. A straw  21  is used to draw the collected fluid from the sump so that a user can drink the liquid. A return arm  22  is formed on the sump straw as shown. Ball valve  23  is used to control the escape of fluid from the sump back into the cup. The ball  23  is retained by narrow openings formed above and below the ball. Thus, when the user sucks on the straw  21 , fluid is drawn up through the sump straw. The ball  23  is also drawn up to seal the opening  24 . The fluid is dispersed into the lid and collected in the sump for drinking. As long as suction is applied to the straw  21 , the fluid is delivered to the user through the sump. As soon as the suction is removed, the rotor arm stops and the ball  24  drops. This allows any remaining fluid to drop back into the cup through the return arm  22 . 
   In practice, the vacuum formed when drinking is not relieved until the fluid flows back down out of the straw  21 . Thus, during the time between the last drink and the vacuum is released, a small portion of the fluid keeps flowing into the rotor housing chamber reservoir until the fluid level reaches the sump line outlet. A finger hole  25  helps to maintain a vacuum while drinking. When drinking, the user covers this hole. Once the user has finished drinking, the user removes his or her finger, which allows ambient atmosphere into the chamber. This allows the user to drink any overflow from the sump without causing more fluid to be drawn up into the chamber. 
     FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment. In this design, the rotor arm is tuned by differential air pressure rather than liquid flow. Here, the device has a cup  30 . As before, the cup has an upper lip  31 . The lid  33  has a corresponding low lip  34  that mates with the lip on the cup. A straw  35  passes through the lid, through an airtight opening, into the cup. The lid has an air exit hole  36  that allows air to pass from the lid into the cup. An air-inlet tube  37  extends from outside of the lid into the lid as shown. The tube bends up to support the rotor arm  38 , which has outlet holes  30  as before. The rotor arm is secured with the point bearing  35  as in the case of the first design. Unlike the first design, the rotor is not turned by liquid. It is turned by air. As the user sucks on the straw, the user pulls liquid up through the straw. As this happens, air is pulled from the lid down into the cup through the air exit hole  36 . This creates a partial vacuum, which then causes air to enter the air-inlet tube  37 . Air then passes up through the rotor arm  38  where it exits the outlet holes  39 , causing the rotor arm to spin. In this design, fluid does not enter the lid at all. 
     FIG. 3  shows a top view of a lid showing the rotor arm applicable to either of the two embodiments discussed above. Here, the outlet ports  17  are shown with fluid exiting (the straight arrows), which causes the rotor arm to turn in the direction of the curved arrows. Note that although the numbers are for the liquid-driven rotor arm, the structure of the rotor arm is the same for the air-driven design. 
     FIG. 3   a  is a top plan view of the rotary arm showing the arm with small jet planes attaches to the rotor. Here, the rotor  16  and hub  19  are shown as before. However, two small jet plane forms  17   a  have been attached to the rotor  16  as shown. The jet plane figures add interest to the rotor for the amusement of the user. Of course, any other similar type of form can be added to the rotors as desired. 
     FIG. 3   b  is a top view of a rotor disk that is an alternative to the rotor arm of  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the rotor is replaced by a pair of disks.  FIG. 3   b  shows the lower disk  101  that has a channel  102  formed in it as shown. The channel is angled at the ends for form two pullets  104 . An opening  105  in the base of the disk allows the fluid to enter the channel so that it can be propelled by the disk as it rotates. 
     FIG. 3   c  is a top view of a cover disk  105  that shows an advertising message  106  printed on the cover disk. The point bearing  106  is shown in the center of the cover disk. Note that the message can be of any form and any message desired. 
     FIG. 3   d  is a side view of the alternative rotor disk assembled for use. Here, the sump straw  15  and the ridge  15   a  are shown. The alternative rotor is shown in place on the sump straw  15 , ready for use. 
     FIG. 4  is a partially sectioned side view of the third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, there is a lower cup  40  having a top lip  41 , which is generally identical to that of the first embodiment. This embodiment has a lid  42 . The lid  42  has a shell  43  and a lower lid  44 , which mates with the lip  41  on the cup. The two lips, when mated, make an airtight seal. In this embodiment, the shell  43  is generally curved and smooth, forming a semispherical surface. 
   A sump straw  45  extends down from the lid to the bottom of the cup a shown. The sump straw  45  has an open top. Unlike the first embodiment, this embodiment has no rotor arm. As fluid is drawn up from the cup (indicated by the arrows on the figure), it is discharged upward from the top of the sump straw  45 . As it does so, it strikes the curved shell, producing a fountain effect. The fluid drains down over the curved surface where it is collected in a sump  46  formed in the bottom of the lid. This sump differs from the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Here, as before, straw  47  is used to draw the collected fluid from the sump so that a user can drink the liquid. However, there is no return arm formed on the sump straw, or ball valve used to control the escape of fluid from the sump back into the cup. As the user sucks on the straw  47 , fluid is drawn up through the sump straw. The fluid is dispersed into the lid and collected in the sump for drinking. As long as suction is applied to the straw  47 , the fluid is delivered to the user through the sump. Unlike the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a finger hole  48  is provided to allow the remaining fluid to be removed from the sump without causing more fluid to rise into the lid (without the finger hole, fluid continues to enter into the sump from the sump straw and cannot be completely drained. The finger hole  48  provides a release mechanism that allows the excess fluid to be drained from the sump by drinking it through the straw  47 . 
   Note that either the ball valve system shown in  FIG. 1  or the finger hole can be used to drain the sump. They are interchangeable and it is understood that any of the embodiments shown herein can have either the ball valve or the finger hole, as desired. 
     FIG. 5  is a partially sectioned side view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, there is a lower cup  60  having a top lip  61 , which is generally identical to that of the first embodiment. This embodiment has a lid  62  that has a shell  63  that has a lower lid  64  that mates with the lip  61  on the cup. The two lips, when mated, make an airtight seal. In this embodiment, the shell  64  is generally flat with an elongated tube  65  extending upwards from the lid as shown. A ball  66  is positioned in the tube as shown. The ball is free to move up and down within the tube. 
   A sump straw  67  extends down from the lid to the bottom of the cup a shown. The sump straw  67  has an open top. Unlike the first embodiment, this embodiment has no rotor arm. Rather, as fluid is drawn up from the cup, it is discharged upward from the top of the sump straw  67 . As it does so, it strikes the ball  66 , which causes the ball to rise in the tube as it floats on the fluid stream. As the fluid leaves the sump straw, it drains down from the tube and is collected in a sump  68  formed in the bottom of the lid. This sump and related components are identical to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 4 . A straw  69  is used to draw the collected fluid from the sump so that a user can drink the liquid. A return arm  70  is formed on the sump straw as shown. A ball valve  71  is used to control the escape of fluid from the sump back into the cup. A ball  72  is retained by narrow openings formed above and below the ball. Thus, as the user sucks on the straw  69 , fluid is drawn up through the sump straw. The ball  72  is also drawn up to seal the opening  73 . The fluid is dispersed into the lid and collected in the sump for drinking. As long as suction is applied to the straw  69 , the fluid is delivered to the user through the sump. As soon as the suction is removed, ball  72  drops. This allows any remaining fluid to drop back into the cup through the return arm  70 . As noted above, this system can be replaced with a finger hole shown in  FIG. 4 , if desired. 
     FIG. 5  also shows a number of guides  110  that are positioned in the tube  65 . The guides hold the ball  66  in the center of the tube and ensure that it rises and falls smoothly within the tube. 
     FIG. 5   a  is a top section view, taken along the lines  5   a - 5   a  of  FIG. 5 , showing the guides  110  inserted in the upper tube  65 .  FIG. 5   a  shows the guides  110  as being round rods.  FIG. 5   b  is a top section view, taken along the lines  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5 , showing an alternative guide construction formed in the upper tube. Here, the guides  110   a  are shaped members that either are attached to the interior of tube  65  or are formed when the tube is made. These guides  110   a  operate in the same manner as the rods of  FIG. 5   a.    
     FIG. 5  shows the ball  66  as being an ordinary round ball. However, the ball  66  need not be so limited. For example,  FIG. 5   c  is a side view of an alternative device for the ball. Here, the ball is replaced by an egg-shaped body  66   a .  FIG. 5   d  is a can-shaped structure  66   b  as an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . The can shaped structure can be decorated or covered with advertising logos (e.g., COKE or PEPSI logos can be printed on it).  FIG. 5   e  is a cube structure  66   c  as an alternative device for the ball shown in  FIG. 5 . Finally,  FIG. 5   f  is a pyramid structure  66   d  as an alternative device for the ball. Note that all of these can be decorated or imprinted with symbols, or logos. Moreover, these devices are not limited to those shown. 
     FIG. 6  is a fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the ball  88  is air driven instead of fluid driven. In this embodiment, there is a lower cup  80  having a top lip  81 , which is generally identical to that of the first embodiment. This embodiment has a lid  82  that has a shell  83  that has a lower lid  84  that mates with the lip  81  on the cup. The two lips, when mated, make an airtight seal. In this embodiment, the shell  83  is generally flat with an elongated tube  85  extending upwards from the lid as shown. Unlike the previous embodiment, there is no sump straw. The tube  85  is seated to the top of the lid. The lid has an air inlet tube  86  attached, which penetrates into the tube  85 . The air inlet tube  86  bends upward inside the tube  85  as shown. An air outlet tube  87  is attached to the top of the tube  86 . The air outlet tube  87  extends down to the lid, where it penetrates into the lid. A ball  88  is positioned in the tube as shown. The ball is free to move up and down within the tube. Again, a finger hole  73  is provided to allow the remaining fluid to be removed from the sump without causing more fluid to rise into the lid. 
   A straw  89  passes through the lid and extends down into the cup. As the user drinks from the cup, fluid is pulled from the cup through the straw. This causes a partial vacuum in the tube, which causes the ball  88  to be propelled upward. The air inlet tube allows replacement air to be pulled into tube. Air then passes from the tube  85  into the air outlet tube  87 , where it then enters the cup through the lid. 
     FIG. 7  shows a detail of the top of the tube  85 . Because the ball  88  is drawn up to the air outlet by the suction force, it can get stuck and held there. If that occurs, the device freezes up. To prevent this, a pop valve  89  is attached to the air outlet tube as shown. It the ball is drawn up to the top, it strikes the pop valve, which then opens to release the vacuum. This keeps the ball  88  from becoming stuck on the air inlet tube. 
     FIG. 8  is a top detail view of a modified lid used with the first two embodiments. Here, a rotor arm  91  is shown, positioned in a lid  92 . One end  93  of the rotor arm is colored or marked to act as an indicator. A series of indicators, such as numbers  94 , symbols  95  or colors  96 , is positioned around the circumference of the lid as shown. As shown, all three, numbers, colors and symbols are in place on the lid. In practice, all numbers, all symbols, or all colors would be used (but need not be so limited). The lid can then be used as a game spinner. In this case, the user activates the rotor arm by taking a drink (or if the cup is empty, can simply pull air though the cup). As the fluid leaves the cup, the rotor arm spins. When the user stops drinking, the rotor arm spins for a brief time before stopping at a particular position. The marked end  93  of the rotor arm is then aligned with one of the numbers  94 , indicating a number for play, e.g., indicating the number of spaces to move in a board game. Moreover, the lid can be used without having to take a drink as simply sucking on the straw causes the rotor to turn. In this way, the lid can be used in a number of games as a game spinner. 
     FIG. 9  is a detail view of an alternative rotor that is wired for lighting. In this embodiment, the rotor  120  has a lower shaft  121  that sits on the sump straw as before. Two rotor arms  122  extend out from the shaft as shown. The exit ports  123  are shown on the rotor arm (one in dashed lines on the opposite side of the rotor). The top of the rotor forms the point bearing as before, however, here, it is wired for light. A pair of low voltage led bulbs  124  are placed on the ends of the rotor arms  122  as shown. Wires  125  and  126  are run from the bulbs to electrical contacts  127  (positive) and  128  (negative) as shown. Note that the negative contact is actually a band that runs completely around the point bearing. 
     FIG. 10  is a detail of the wired rotor and the lid that attaches to a battery to provide power for the lighting in the rotor. Here, the rotor  120  is shown beneath the top of the lid  130 . The lid  130  has a receptacle  131  for the point bearing. The receptacle has a positive terminal  132  and a negative terminal  133  that connect to a battery  134  by wires  135  and  136  as shown. When the rotor is placed in the lid and the user drinks, the rotor rises into the receptacle, where the contacts on the rotor make electrical contact with the terminals in the lid. This causes the lights to illuminate. 
   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.

Technology Category: 7