Patent Application
20210244215
This invention relates to a cup; more particularly, a cup having an integrated straw for efficient stacking and convenient use.
Disposable cups are a common item at fast service restaurants. The disposable cups normally require a separate straw for proper drinking. Integrating a straw with a cup normally will interfere will the ability to stack cups efficiently. In addition, providing an efficient means of drinking from a straw while also allowing for a lid cover of the cup is not achievable with current designs.
There is a need for a cup with integrated straw which is configured for efficient stacking and drinking, with or without a lid.
The disclosure concerns a cup with integrated straw. The cup includes a body having first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body comprises an upper edge disposed at the first end and a base disposed at the second end. A channel is disposed to a portion of the body extending from the upper edge to the base. An integrated straw is coupled to the channel at a center portion.
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, and a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
For purposes herein, the term “perforation” means a small hole or row of small rows punched so that a part can be easily torn off.
The term “channel” means a groove or furrow.
The term “flange” means a rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object.
The term “periphery” means an outer limit or edge of an area or object.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In a first embodiment, a cup with integrated straw is disclosed. The cup with integrated straw comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body has an upper edge comprising an upper edge periphery disposed at the first end and a base comprising a base periphery disposed at the second end. A channel disposed at a portion of the body extends from the upper edge to the base, and the channel includes a left side and a right side. An integrated straw having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the distal end is coupled to the channel at a center portion.
In a preferable embodiment, the cup with integrated straw further comprises a first flange extending from the proximal end at the left side to the upper edge periphery, and a second flange extending from the proximal end at the right side to the upper edge periphery.
Generally, the upper edge periphery is greater than the base periphery.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a straw exterior, and
wherein a portion of said straw exterior is visible outside the body.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a distal aperture disposed at the distal end. The distal aperture is configured to receive liquid contained within an interior.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw further comprises a proximal end extension coupled to the proximal end such that a straw aperture is at least 0.5 inches from the first and second flanges.
In some embodiments the body, channel, and integrated straw comprise a monolithic piece.
In some embodiments, the cup with integrated straw further comprises a lid configured to couple to the upper edge. The lid comprises a straw cap configured to engage the proximal end of the integrated straw.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a cap holder aperture disposed on a lid surface, said cap holder aperture configured to couple with the straw cap.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element is configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder aperture and thereby allowing access to a straw aperture of the integrated straw.
In some embodiments, the flexible element further comprises a plurality of perforated edges. The plurality of perforated edges is coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.
In another embodiment, a lid for engaging with a cup with integrated straw is disclosed. The lid comprises a lid surface having a lid periphery and a straw cap disposed at a portion of the lid periphery. The straw cap is configured to engage with a proximal end of an integrated straw. A straw holder aperture is disposed on the lid surface and is configured to couple with the straw cap. The lid further comprises a flexible element coupled to the lid surface and further coupled to the straw cap. The flexible element is configured to rotatably move the straw cap to couple with the cap holder thereby allowing access to a straw aperture.
In some embodiments, the flexible element further comprises a plurality of perforated edges, the plurality of perforated edges is coupled to the lid surface and configured to tear and detach from said lid surface.
In some embodiments, the lid further comprises a plurality of lid-flanges extending from the straw cap to the lid periphery.
A function of the cup is to provide an integrated straw which can be stacked efficiently. The invention is further differentiated by having an optional lid which can cover the integrated straw while not in use and a convenient mechanism for uncovering the integrated straw when user wants to take a sip.
Generally, the cup and integrated straw is made of paper common in the fast service industry. However, in the alternative, the cup may be made from plastic, for example, using blow molding or a similar technique.
Generally, the cup and integrated straw are fabricated as a monolithic single piece. The lid is a separate piece, configured to engage and attach with the upper edge periphery of the cup with integrated straw.
Each of the components of the cup and integrated and related accessories described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
In some embodiments, the integrated straw (120) comprises a straw exterior (123) which is exposed and visible from outside of the body (110).
Both the upper edge periphery (115) and base periphery (114) are characterized as having a predominantly circular periphery with an indented portion comprising a first flange (133), a second flange (134), and an integrated straw (120) due to a channel (130) disposed on the body extending from the upper edge to the base. Because the base periphery is smaller than the upper edge periphery, the integrated straw is angled inwardly similar to the body coupled therewith. The integrated straw has a proximal end (121) and a distal end (122) opposite the proximal end. Disposed at the proximal end is a straw aperture (124) for drinking. Disposed at the distal end is a distal aperture (125) which initially receives a liquid for drinking. A user places their mouth around the integrated straw at the straw aperture, in addition with the first flange and second flange. Liquid contained within the cup enters the distal aperture at the base of the cup and travels upward through the integrated straw and out the straw aperture. The integrated straw is coupled to the channel at a center portion (135), thereby having the first flange be equal in size and opposite in direction to the second flange.
In some embodiments, an indentation of the upper edge periphery (116) created by the channel (130) comprises a portion less than or equal to 60 degrees of the predominantly circular periphery. Additionally, an indentation of the base periphery (114) created the channel comprises a portion less than or equal to 60 degrees of the predominantly circular periphery.
The lid (200) additionally includes lid-flanges (240) which are similar to a first flange (
In a preferable embodiment, a distal end (122) of the integrated straw (120) includes a distal aperture (125) which is tangent with the base (113) so as to maximize consumption of liquid contained therein.
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/975,654, filed Feb. 12, 2020; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62975654 | Feb 2020 | US |
