Technical Field
This invention relates to drinking containers for holding refreshments. In particular, the invention relates to a double-barreled beverage container.
State of the Art
Simple containers for drinking are ubiquitous personal articles in all societies. Drinking containers are used many times daily by essentially all persons. Traditional drinking containers, however, have a simple design and limited capacity which has changed relatively little throughout Western societies over the last five hundred years. An example of a drinking container of traditional design is a water glass. It is desirable, in many situations, that a water glass hold as much liquid as possible. This is accomplished be increasing the size dimensions of the glass, so as to increase the volume of liquid which can be held by the glass. A larger glass has a larger capacity.
Increasing a glass's capacity, however, creates problems for a user of the glass. First, a large-diameter glass is more difficult to hold, particularly by someone with relatively small hands. Second, when a large glass is filled to its capacity, it is heavier, possibly much heavier, than a smaller glass. A large glass with the capacity to hold a relatively large volume of liquid, therefore, is simultaneously more awkward to hold in the user's hand and heavier than a smaller glass with a smaller capacity. This situation increases user discomfort, fatigue, and additionally increases the risk of spillage, dropping the glass, and the like.
Accordingly, what is needed is a drinking container with a substantially increased capacity over many drinking containers found in the prior art which is simultaneously 1) more comfortable to hold; and 2) easier to hold securely with less hand strength when filled to or near to its capacity.
Disclosed is a double-barreled beverage container comprising a first glass; a second glass; a bridge coupled to the first glass and the second glass; and a flow hole, wherein the flow hole communicates with the first glass and the second glass. Embodiments of the invention include two drinking containers coupled together with interior volumes remaining in fluid continuity with one another, about twice the volume of a liquid comestible may be consumed from the invention as with a similar-sized conventional drinking glass or other drinking container.
Disclosed is a double-barreled beverage container comprising a first glass comprising a first interior volume bounded by a first side, a first closed end, and an open first open end; a second glass comprising a second interior volume bounded by a second side, a closed second closed end, and an open second open end; and a bridge coupled between the first side and the second side and comprising a flow hole, wherein the flow hole fluidly comprises the first interior volume and the second interior volume.
In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a handle coupled to the bridge. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a second handle coupled to the bridge opposite the first handle. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a handle coupled to the first side. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a handle coupled to the second side. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a handle coupled to the first side and a handle coupled to the second side. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container further comprises a base coupled to the closed first end and the closed second end. In some embodiments, the double-barreled beverage container comprises a plurality of flow holes.
Disclosed is a method of forming a double-barreled beverage container comprising the steps of providing a first drinking glass comprising a first interior volume which fluidly communicates with a first hole in a first side and a second drinking glass comprising a second interior volume which fluidly communicates with a second hole in a second side; interposing a bridge comprising a third hole between the first glass and the second glass; aligning the third hole with the first hole and the second hole to form a flow hole, wherein the first interior volume fluidly communicates with the second interior volume through the flow hole; and coupling the bridge between the first drinking glass the and second drinking glass to form a double-barreled beverage container.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises coupling a handle to the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises coupling a plurality of handles to the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the bridge. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the first drinking container. In some embodiments, a first handle is coupled to the bridge and a second handle is coupled to the bridge opposite the first handle. In some embodiments, the first handle is coupled to the first drinking container and a second handle is coupled to the second drinking container opposite the first handle. In some embodiments, the method further comprises coupling a base to the first drinking container and the second drinking container.
Disclosed is a method of using a double-barreled beverage container comprising the steps of filling the double-barreled beverage container with a liquid comestible; and tipping the double-barreled beverage container wherein gravity causes the liquid comestible to flow from a first glass into a second glass through a flow hole.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step grasping a handle of the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step simultaneously grasping two handles of the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the liquid comestible comprises a yeast-fermented beverage.
As noted herein above, the present invention relates to a double-barreled beverage container. Specifically, the invention relates to drinking containers for comestible beverages which facilitate consumption of a relatively large volume of a comestible beverage from a single drinking container by a user. Embodiments of the invention include two drinking glass-type containers joined in a side-by-side configuration by a bridge. The bridge comprises at least one flow hole proximate to the bottom of each glass. Tipping of the glass causes the liquid, such as a comestible beverage, to flow from the upper glass to the lower glass from which a user drinks. Various embodiments of the invention enable the user to consume double the quantity of beverage possible versus use of a traditional glass or mug. Additionally, the invention may provide a whimsical but functional device for party or other use reminiscent of a “two-fisted drinking” activity, wherein a person holds a glass or mug in each hand and alternates drinking from each container. The invention, therefore, may enable one who wishes to alternate drinking from two glasses at once to drink from a single device.
First glass 110 comprises a first side 111 coupled to a first closed end 112 defining a first interior volume 114. A first open end 113 communicates with the first interior volume 114, as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, (not shown in the drawing figures), first side 111 and second side 121 are formed as a double-walled side containing a liquid or semi-liquid gel with a lower freezing temperature than water, such as liquids of semi-liquid gels used in many commercially available “freezer packs,” sealed within and contained between the double walls. In such embodiments, double-barreled drinking container 100 may be frozen in the freezer prior to use, wherein the liquid or semi-liquid gel freezes and remains frozen for an extended time after double-barreled drinking container 100 is removed from the freezer and filled with a cool, liquid comestible. The liquid or semiliquid gel increases the overall thermal inertia of double-barreled drinking container 100, wherein the refrigeration temperature the liquid comestible contained within is maintained for a longer time period. In some embodiments, first glass 111, second glass 121 and a bridge 103 comprise a unitary body with a double-wall throughout first glass 111, second glass 121 and bridge 103. In some embodiments, only first glass 111 and second glass 121 comprise double-wall construction filled with liquid or semi-liquid gel while bridge 103 is not double walled or not filled with liquid or semi-liquid gel. Some non-limiting examples of a liquid or semi-liquid gel with a freezing point lower than water known in the art include hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, vinyl-coated silica, and other commercially available gels and liquids with similar thermal properties.
First glass 110 and second glass 120 are joined in a side-by-side configuration along the length of first glass 110 and second glass 120 at bridge 103. Bridge 103 functions to couple first glass 110 and second glass 120 together. Accordingly, in some embodiments, bridge 103 provides rigid support and bears a substantial portion of the weight when double-barreled beverage container 100 is lifted while filled with a comestible liquid for drinking. Bridge 103 rigidly couples first glass 110 to second glass 120. In some embodiments, first glass 110, second glass 120, and bridge 103 are a unitary body formed from a molded material, such as glass, polycarbonate, other moldable materials, and the like.
The components defining any double-barreled beverage container 100 may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of double-barreled beverage container 100. For example, the components may be formed of: glass, polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as titanium, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, first glass 110, second glass 120, and bridge 103 are formed as separate structures and later coupled using a coupling means, such as rivets, snaps, other fasteners, and the like; adhesives; annealing; and any other suitable coupling means to form double-barreled beverage container 100.
Furthermore, any or all of components of any double-barreled beverage container may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include polishing, powder coating, and/or painting the components for example.
Flow hole 104 is a communication between first glass 110 and second glass 120 through bridge 103, and allows the fluid level of a comestible or other liquid contained in double-barreled beverage container 100 to equilibrate between first interior volume 114 and second interior volume 124. Thus, when a user tips double-barreled beverage container 100 to drink from either first glass 110 or second glass 120, the comestible freely passes from the upper glass to the lower glass, from which the user is drinking. When a user tips double-barreled drinking container 100 to drink from either first glass 110 or second glass 120, fluid levels of the liquid comestible in first glass 110 and second glass 120 continuously equilibrate to remain the same because gravity causes constant free-flow of liquid between first glass 110 and second glass 120 through flow hole 104. Flow hole 104 is located proximate to first open end 113 of first glass 110 and second open end 123 of second glass 120, as shown by
In the example embodiment shown in
Base 106 is formed as a unitary body with first glass 110, second glass 120, and bridge 103, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, base 106 is formed separately and coupled to first closed end 112 and second closed end 122 using interlocking surface features of base 106, first closed end 113 and second closed end 123. Adhesives, such as glues or epoxies; or other suitable means of attachment are used, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, base 106 is reversibly coupled to first glass 110 and second glass 102 such that base 106 may be easily replaced, or so that bases 106 of different colors, designs, or shapes may be interchanged on single double-barreled beverage container 100.
Providing step 210 comprises providing a first drinking glass comprising a first interior volume which fluidly communicates with a first hole in a first side and a second drinking glass comprising a second interior volume which fluidly communicates with a second hole in a second side. The first drinking glass and the second drinking glass may be of any shape, size, and form, without limitation. Some examples include beer mugs, shot glasses, drink cups, water glasses, and the like.
Interposing step 220 comprises interposing a bridge comprising a third hole between the first drinking glass and the second drinking glass. The bridge is of a shape to conform to the surface features of the first drinking glass and the second drinking glass in the general region of the first hole and the second hole, in some embodiments.
Aligning step 230 comprises aligning the third hole with the first hole and the second hole to form a flow hole, wherein the first interior volume fluidly communicates with the second interior volume through the flow hole. Aligning step 230 establishes fluid communication between the first and second interior volumes of the first and second drinking glasses respectively.
Coupling step 240 comprises coupling the bridge between the first drinking glass and the second drinking glass to form a double-barreled beverage container. The bridge serves both to couple the first glass to the second glass and to provide additional rigidity to the double-barreled drinking container. Means of coupling include, but are not limited to, injection molding the first glass, the second glass, and the bridge as a unitary body, annealing, fastening, snapping together complementary surface features, and the like.
In some embodiments, method 200 additionally comprises a step of coupling a handle to the double barreled beverage container. Means of coupling include, but are not limited to, injection molding the handle as a unitary body with the bridge, the first drinking glass, the second drinking glass, or any combination thereof; annealing; fastening; snapping together complementary surface features; and the like. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the bridge. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the first drinking glass. In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the bridge and a second handle is coupled to the bridge opposite the first handle. In some embodiments, the first handle is coupled to the first drinking glass and a second handle is coupled to the second drinking glass opposite the first handle. In some embodiments, this step comprises coupling a plurality of handles to the double-barreled beverage container.
In some embodiments, method 200 additionally comprises a step coupling a base to the first drinking glass and the second drinking glass.
Filling step 310 comprises filling a double-barreled beverage container with a comestible liquid. In some embodiments, the comestible liquid comprises a yeast-fermented beverage, such as beer or mead, for example.
Tipping step 320 comprises tipping the double-barreled beverage container wherein gravity causes the liquid comestible to flow from a first glass into a second glass through a flow hole. Because the flow hole or a plurality of flow holes allows the comestible liquid to flow freely between a first drinking glass and a second drinking glass of the double-barreled beverage container, the fluid level of the comestible liquid remains equal between the first drinking glass as the second drinking glass, allowing the user to consume around twice the volume of comestible from the double-barreled beverage container as a conventional drinking glass without pouring out or otherwise spilling comestible from either drinking glass of the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step grasping a handle of the double-barreled beverage container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step simultaneously grasping two handles of the double-barreled beverage container.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above.
This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/204,632, filed Aug. 13, 2015 and entitled “Double-Barreled Beverage Container,” which is incorporated entirely herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62204632 | Aug 2015 | US |