A Tumbler Handle

Abstract

The invention is embodied in a beverage container. In many respects, this beverage container is similar to an ordinary beverage container. The big difference is that this beverage container comprises a removable handle. The removable handle allows a crafter to decorate the surface of the container without interference from the handle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage containers with handles. More specifically, this invention relates to customizing a stainless-steel tumbler with a handle.

BACKGROUND

Customizing beverage containers is possible. But there are problems, particularly when customizing a beverage container with a handle. Handles on beverage containers typically get in the way of customizing the beverage container surface. Many times, the beverage container handle cannot be removed.

Another problem is even if the handle is removable, there are divots or extrusions left behind where the screws go in that gets in the way of decorating the entire tumbler. As a result, users cannot convert existing handled tumblers to handle-less tumblers without them looking aesthetically ugly.

What is needed is a solution that allows a crafter to remove a handle for customizing, but reconnecting the handle after the beverage container has been customized.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention can be incorporated into a removable handle for a beverage container. For the purposes of this specification, a “beverage container” broadly refers to a beverage container, such as a tumbler, made of stainless steel, plastic, or glass. The beverage container of this invention is similar in many respects to its conventional counterpart: it can be used for both hot and cold drinks, it comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can have lids and straws. One big difference is that the beverage container of this invention comprises a removable handle.

The handle is positioned between the top of the vessel and the lid. The handle comprises a ring with a threaded inside surface at the top and a threaded outside surface at the bottom. In this way the handle can be removed from the container. Yet the lid of the container can still mate directly with the container itself. But, when the handle is mated to the top of the container, the lid will also mate to the top of the handle.

In this way, the handle can be removed for customizing the container and replaced on the container without the handle interfering with the customizing process. In addition, the removable handle allows the container to be used with or without the handle.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a beverage container with smooth outside walls and a removable handle. This way, crafters don't have to work around the handle, but the end-user can use the handle. A beverage container comprising a stainless-steel exterior makes the container durable and allows for customizing the container with epoxy and sublimation and eventually engraving.

This invention can also be incorporated into a customizable tumbler with a handle and most any other container having a handle.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the handle of FIG. 1, with the handle separated from the tumbler;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates the tumbler of FIG. 1 with the handle removed but the cap ready to be mated with the tumbler base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A clear understanding of the key features of the invention is referenced to the appended drawings that illustrate the invention. It should be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope regarding other embodiments that the invention is capable of contemplating.

The invention is embodied in a beverage container 10. FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a beverage container 10. As shown, container 10 is a stainless-steel insulated tumbler. But other materials like glass or plastic could also work. Other container shapes and styles could also work. And the walls of the container could be insulated or not.

The preferred beverage container 10 comprises an open top vessel 12. The open top vessel 12 comprises a first outside face 14, a first inside face 16, and a first threaded connection 18 positioned on the first inside face 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred handle 20. The handle comprises a ring 22. The preferred handle 20 has a second outside face 24, a second inside face 26 and a first bottom extension 28. The first bottom extension has a second threaded connection 30. The second threaded connection 30 is configured to mate with the first threaded connection 18. The second inside face 26 comprises a third threaded connection 32 on the second inside face 26. The second outside face 24 has a surface that creates a smooth transition between the first outside face 14 and the second outside face 24 when the ring 22 is mated to the vessel 12.

It is preferred that the top of the ring has threads on the inside face, and the bottom of the ring have threads on the outside face. But the orientation could be reversed. The top of the ring could have threads on the outside face and the bottom of the ring could have threads on the inside face that the handle would still function for its intended purpose. The key is that the top and bottom of the ring have threading on opposite faces so that the cap can connect to the container with or without the handle.

In addition, it is preferred that the second outside face 24 of the ring has the same outside diameter as the vessel 12 (i.e, the first outside face 14). Alternatively, if the diameter is not the same, it is preferred that the ring continue the style of the container so that it creates a smooth transition between vessel 12 and ring 22.

It is preferred to have a cap 40 that can mate with either the handle 20 or the vessel 12. The preferred cap 40 comprises a second bottom extension 42. The second bottom extension 42 has a fourth threaded connection 44 configured to mate with either the first threaded connection 18 or the third threaded connection 32.

As shown, container 10 is like an ordinary beverage container. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a container with straight walls and a removable handle 20. The big difference is that this beverage container 10 comprises a removable handle 20.

The removable handle 20 enables a crafter to separate the handle 20 from the container 10. This feature allows a crafter to customize the container without interference from the handle 20. In operation, a user can remove the handle 20 from the container to customize the container 10. In addition, the user can use container 10 without the handle 20 by mating the cap 40 with the vessel 12 directly as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, a user can add the handle 20 to the vessel 12 anytime by mating the ring 22 of the handle 20 with the vessel 12, and mating the cap 40 to the ring 22 as shown in FIG. 3.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising an open top vessel, the open top vessel comprising a first outside face, a first inside face, and a first threaded connection positioned on the first inside face,a handle comprising a ring, the ring comprising a second outside face, a second inside face and a first bottom extension, the first bottom extension comprising a second threaded connection, the second threaded connection configured to mate with the first threaded connection,the second inside face comprising a third threaded connection,the second outside face comprising a surface that creates a smooth transition between the first outside face and the second outside face when the ring is mated to the vessel,a cap comprising a second bottom extension, the second bottom extension comprising a fourth threaded connection configured to mate with either the first threaded connection or the third threaded connection.