Patent Application
20240415304
In humid environments, cups containing cold liquids often “sweat” along their side walls where the temperature of the air adjacent the wall decreases to the dew point of the air. This condensation can be a nuisance, especially when left on a wooden surface where it can soak into the wood and create rings.
Traditionally, coasters or paper napkins are used to set a cup on so that the condensation from the cup does not drip onto the surface below. However, the condensation can still drip from the cup when the cup is lifted from the coaster.
Various implementations include a cup. The cup incudes a bottom, at least one wall, and a shroud. The bottom has a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface opposite and spaced apart from the first bottom surface. The at least one wall has a first wall end and a second wall end opposite and spaced apart from the first wall end. The second wall end is coupled to the bottom, and the first wall end extends away from the first bottom surface. The at least one wall further has an outer wall surface extending between the first wall end and the second wall end and an inner wall surface opposite and spaced apart from the outer wall surface. The shroud has a first shroud end coupled to the outer wall surface, a second shroud end opposite and spaced apart from the first shroud end, an outer shroud surface extending between the first shroud end and the second shroud end, and an inner shroud surface opposite and spaced apart from the outer shroud surface. The second shroud end extends toward a plane defined by the second bottom surface. A coupling space is defined between the outer wall surface and the inner shroud surface.
In some implementations, the shroud is a living hinge that is biased toward a first position and urgable toward a second position. In some implementations, the second shroud end is closer to the outer wall surface in the first position than it is in the second position.
In some implementations, the shroud extends at least partially around the at least one wall in a direction parallel to a parametrical edge of the bottom. In some implementations, the shroud extends fully around the at least one wall in the direction parallel to the parametrical edge of the bottom.
In some implementations, a length of the shroud as measured from the first shroud end to the second shroud end is at least half the length of the at least one wall as measured from the first wall end to the second wall end. In some implementations, the second shroud end extends to a plane defined by the first bottom surface. In some implementations, the second shroud end extends to the plane defined by the second bottom surface.
In some implementations, the cup includes a polymer. In some implementations, the shroud includes a transparent material. In some implementations, the shroud includes a translucent material. In some implementations, the shroud and the wall are integrally formed.
In some implementations, the outer shroud surface defines at least one window opening extending to the inner shroud surface.
Various other implementations include a cup system. The system includes a cup as described herein and a napkin. The napkin has a first napkin surface, a second napkin surface opposite and spaced apart from the first napkin surface, and at least one napkin edge extending between the first napkin surface and the second napkin surface. At least one of the at least one napkin edge is disposed within the coupling space to couple the napkin to the cup.
In some implementations, the shroud is a living hinge that is biased toward a first position and urgable toward a second position. In some implementations, the second shroud end is closer to the outer wall surface in the first position than it is in the second position.
In some implementations, the shroud extends at least partially around the at least one wall in a direction parallel to a parametrical edge of the bottom. In some implementations, the shroud extends fully around the at least one wall in the direction parallel to the parametrical edge of the bottom.
In some implementations, a length of the shroud as measured from the first shroud end to the second shroud end is at least half the length of the at least one wall as measured from the first wall end to the second wall end. In some implementations, the second shroud end extends to a plane defined by the first bottom surface. In some implementations, the second shroud end extends to the plane defined by the second bottom surface.
In some implementations, the cup includes a polymer. In some implementations, the shroud includes a transparent material. In some implementations, the shroud includes a translucent material. In some implementations, the shroud and the wall are integrally formed.
In some implementations, the outer shroud surface defines at least one window opening extending to the inner shroud surface.
In some implementations, the at least one of the at least one napkin edge is a first napkin edge. In some implementations, the napkin further includes a second napkin edge. In some implementations, the napkin extends around at least a portion of the second bottom surface, and the second napkin edge is disposed within the coupling space to further couple the napkin to the cup.
Example features and implementations of the present disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Similar elements in different implementations are designated using the same reference numerals.
The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein provide for a cup with a built-in napkin holder. The cup includes a shroud that can be coupled to or integrally formed with the side wall of the cup. The shroud is coupled to an upper portion of the cup and extends down toward the base of the cup. The shroud can be made of a flexible or a rigid material. One or more portions of a napkin can be disposed between the outer surface of the side wall of the cup and the inner surface of the shroud to couple the portion or portions of the napkin to the cup.
In configurations in which the napkin extends under the cup, the napkin acts as a semi-permanent coaster for the cup. However, since the napkin is coupled to the cup by the friction of the shroud and the cup side wall, the napkin can be removed from the cup by applying force to the napkin. The napkin can then be used separately from the cup.
The cup can also allow the napkin to be visible, either directly or through the shroud material. This allows logos, text, or other information to be shown for informational or aesthetic purposes.
Various implementations include a cup. The cup incudes a bottom, at least one wall, and a shroud. The bottom has a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface opposite and spaced apart from the first bottom surface. The at least one wall has a first wall end and a second wall end opposite and spaced apart from the first wall end. The second wall end is coupled to the bottom, and the first wall end extends away from the first bottom surface. The at least one wall further has an outer wall surface extending between the first wall end and the second wall end and an inner wall surface opposite and spaced apart from the outer wall surface. The shroud has a first shroud end coupled to the outer wall surface, a second shroud end opposite and spaced apart from the first shroud end, an outer shroud surface extending between the first shroud end and the second shroud end, and an inner shroud surface opposite and spaced apart from the outer shroud surface. The second shroud end extends toward a plane defined by the second bottom surface. A coupling space is defined between the outer wall surface and the inner shroud surface.
Various other implementations include a cup system. The system includes a cup as described herein and a napkin. The napkin has a first napkin surface, a second napkin surface opposite and spaced apart from the first napkin surface, and at least one napkin edge extending between the first napkin surface and the second napkin surface. At least one of the at least one napkin edge is disposed within the coupling space to couple the napkin to the cup.
The bottom 120 has a first bottom surface 122 and a second bottom surface 124 opposite and spaced apart from the first bottom surface 122. The bottom 120 shown in
The wall 130 shown in
The second wall end 134 is coupled to the bottom 120 and the first wall end 132 extends away from the first bottom surface 122 to create a cup 110 that is open only at the first wall end 132.
The shroud 140 has a first shroud end 142 coupled to the outer wall surface 136 and a second shroud end 144 opposite and spaced apart from the first shroud end 142. The shroud 140 further has an outer shroud surface 146 extending between the first shroud end 142 and the second shroud end 144 and an inner shroud surface 148 opposite and spaced apart from the outer shroud surface 146. The second shroud end 144 extends toward a plane defined by the second bottom surface 124, the first bottom surface 122, or both. The shroud 140 extends fully around the wall 130 in a direction parallel to the parametrical edge of the bottom 120 to form a continuous annular shape around the wall 130. However, in some implementations, the shroud extends only partially around the wall in the direction parallel to the parametrical edge of the bottom such that the shroud forms a partial clip, as discussed below. In some implementations, the cup includes a first shroud and a second shroud that each extends only partially around the wall and are spaced apart from each other in the direction parallel to the parametrical edge of the bottom. In these implementations, the first shroud and the second shroud form two separate clips. In some implementations, the cup includes three or more shrouds.
The length of the shroud 140 as measured from the first shroud end 142 to the second shroud end 144 is at least half the length of the wall 130 as measured from the first wall end 132 to the second wall end 134. However, in some implementations, the length of the shroud can be shorter or longer depending on the use of the shroud. For example, in some implementations, the second shroud end extends to a plane defined by the first bottom surface. In some implementations, the second shroud end extends to the plane defined by the second bottom surface.
The shroud 140 is slightly spaced apart from the outer wall surface 136 such that a coupling space 150 is defined between the outer wall surface 136 and the inner shroud surface 148. In some implementations, the coupling of the first shroud end to the outer wall surface can form a living hinge. The living hinge is biased toward a first position and urgable toward a second position. The second shroud end is closer to the outer wall surface in the first position than it is in the second position.
The shroud 140 further defines a finger opening 154. The finger opening is a portion of the shroud 140 that allows a user or manufacturer to insert their finger through the shroud 140 for easier placement of a napkin 160 or other item to be inserted into the coupling space 150. The finger opening 154 extends from the outer shroud surface 146 to the inner shroud surface 148. The finger opening 154 shown in
The cup 110 shown in
The polymer from which the shroud 140, the wall 130, and the bottom 120 are formed in
The napkin 160 has a first napkin surface 162 and a second napkin surface 164 opposite and spaced apart from the first napkin surface 162. The first napkin surface 162 includes text (e.g., for advertisement or informational). The first napkin surface 162 and the second napkin surface 164 shown in
As shown in
Although the systems 100, 300, 400, 500 shown in
In some implementations, the wall of the cup has a thickness as measured from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface. In some implementations, the thickness varies from the first wall end to the second wall end. In some implementations, the thickness changes at the portion of the wall where the first shroud end is coupled to the outer wall surface such that the thickness of the wall adjacent the second wall end is less than the thickness adjacent the first wall end. Because the thickness decreases where the first shroud end is coupled to the outer wall surface, the outer shroud surface is flush with the portion of the outer wall surface adjacent the first wall end such that the portion of the outer wall surface adjacent the first wall end seamlessly blends with the outer shroud surface. Because the thickness of the wall decreases where the first shroud end couples to the outer wall surface, the portion of the outer wall surface adjacent the second wall end is spaced apart from the inner shroud surface, creating a coupling space defined between the outer wall surface and the inner shroud surface.
A number of example implementations are provided herein. However, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various implementations, the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific implementations and are also disclosed.
Disclosed are materials, systems, devices, methods, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are products of the disclosed methods, systems, and devices. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these components may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a device is disclosed and discussed each and every combination and permutation of the device are disclosed herein, and the modifications that are possible are specifically contemplated unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in methods using the disclosed systems or devices. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific method steps or combination of method steps of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination or subset of combinations is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63508024 | Jun 2023 | US |
