TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to drinking apparatuses with amusement features and more specifically to amusement features that provide entertainment while fluid is being consumed from the drinking apparatus.
BACKGROUND
Various drinking apparatuses with amusement features have been known for some time. In some examples, an entertainment feature attached to a rotor with paddles, fins, or vanes spins as the fluid in said drinking apparatus interacts with the rotor while said fluid is being consumed. In other examples, the entertainment feature is a figurine attached to said spinning rotor. In such apparatuses, the rotor is encased in a housing or an enclosure in a way that is impractical or impossible for a user to access and clean said rotor and encompassing piping and plumbing, resulting in mold, algae, hardwater deposits, or other debris or unwanted matter from settling and remaining in said enclosure.
In other examples, the entertainment feature is an image imprinted or otherwise attached to a disc, whose spinning motion is activated by friction forces of the fluid acting on the top and bottom surface of said disc as the fluid is being consumed. Such apparatuses can be made easier to disassemble for cleaning by the user, but the friction or drag driven disc is not very effective at supporting and inducing rotational motion of an object other than the disc, such as a figurine.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drinking apparatus with amusement feature that avoids these and other problems.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus with a mechanism that exhibits a spinning motion of a figurine under a user's consumption of fluid from said apparatus, while allowing for the apparatus to be readily assembled and disassembled by the user for routine cleaning.
A drinking apparatus with amusement feature in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a housing comprised of a first housing-half and a second housing-half; a first fluidic-port on the first housing-half and a second fluidic-port on the second housing-half; an internal-volume created by the first housing-half joining with the second housing-half; a channel routed between the first fluidic-port and the second fluidic-port passing within the internal-volume; a vaned-rotor or impleller located within the internal-volume with the vanes of the rotor situated in the channel such that fluid passing though the channel during consumption from the drinking apparatus directly induces rotation of the rotor about a central axis; a central-shaft affixed to the rotor and passing through an orifice in the first housing-half such that a figurine is mountable to the distal side of the central-shaft and such that the figurine rotates in unison with the rotor as fluid is being consumed from the drinking apparatus; at least one alignment feature to enforce orientation of the housing upon joining the first housing-half with the second housing-half; an annular, threaded cap for joining the first housing-half to the second housing-half, while allowing for assembly and disassembly of the apparatus for cleaning.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a drinking apparatus with amusement feature that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art apparatuses.
A second objective is to provide a drinking apparatus with amusement feature wherein the apparatuses is readily assembled and disassembled for routine cleaning.
A third objective is to provide drinking apparatus with a spinning figurine as an amusement feature.
Another objective is to provide a drinking apparatus with amusement feature that has a low part-count and a low-cost assembly.
An additional objective is to provide a drinking apparatus with amusement feature that excites and motivates users, especially younger users, in a novel and unexpected way to use the apparatus thereby resulting in the users consuming healthy fluids to stay hydrated.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader, and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view thereof.
FIG. 3A is a perspective top view of the example embodiment.
FIG. 3B is a perspective bottom view thereof.
FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the first housing-half of an example embodiment.
FIG. 4B is a top view of the second housing-half thereof.
FIG. 5A is side, sectional view of the example embodiment.
FIG. 5B is a sectional view bisecting the channel and first fluidic-port of the example embodiment.
FIG. 5C is a detail view of the fluidic channel of the example embodiment, showing how the channel is formed in part by the first housing-half and in part by the second housing-half, and bisected by the mating junction.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the rotor of the example embodiment.
FIG. 6B is a top view of the rotor thereof.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the example embodiment attached to the lid of a cup, in its assembled state, and with the lid removed from said cup.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the example embodiment attached to the lid of a cup, in its disassembled state, for cleaning.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram for a method for disassembling and assembling the drinking apparatus with amusement feature, for cleaning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present application, showing a fused or bounded housing.
FIG. 10B is an exploded, perspective view thereof.
FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present application, showing a fastener-retained housing.
FIG. 11B is an exploded, perspective view thereof.
FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present application, showing a thumb-screw-retained housing.
FIG. 12B is an exploded, perspective view thereof.
FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram for a method for disassembling and assembling the drinking apparatus with amusement feature for cleaning, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present application.
DESCRIPTION
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-6 illustrates a drinking apparatus with amusement feature 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Of course, the ornamental designs and specific arrangements of the various structures and elements may be used to provide different aesthetic qualities and/or structural properties without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.
In one embodiment, a first housing-half 110 includes a first fluidic-port 112 and a second housing-half 120 includes a second fluidic-port 122, such that the first housing-half 110 and the second housing-half 112 join together to comprise a housing 130 (see FIG. 1, FIG. 5A), thereby forming an internal-volume 132 (see FIG. 5A) that is partitioned from any external-volumes, and such that the first fluidic-port 112 and the second fluidic-port 122 provide a means of communication between the internal-volume 132 and any external-volumes. A first tubing or straw 113 is mountable to the first fluidic-port 112 and a second tubing or straw 123 is mountable to the second fluidic-port 122 (see FIG. 1), for extending the reach and access to said ports. One skilled in the art understands the formation of internal-volumes housings and enclosures and the distinction between internal and external-volumes.
A gasket or O-ring 134 is situated and seated between the first housing-half 110 and the second housing-half 112 for providing a sealing-partition for the internal-volume 132 from any external-volumes at the mating junction 136 (sees FIG. 5A-5C, for example). One skilled in the art understands the proper use of gasket and O-rings as a form of sealing between components, parts, and housings.
A threaded, annular cap 140, sized and shaped to concentrically engage matching threaded-features 116 (see FIG. 2, FIGS. 5A-5B) on the first housing-half 110. The cap 140 engages and retains the second housing-half 120 at the second housing-half's perimeter 126 (see FIG. 2, FIGS. 5A-5B) and is securable about the first housing-half's threads 116 such that the second housing-half 120 is mechanically fastened to the first housing-half 110. Securing the cap 140 to the threads 116 engages and compressed the O-ring 134 for providing the necessary seal between the first housing-half 110 and the second housing-half 120. The cap 140, second housing-half 120, O-ring 134, and threaded features 116 are concentric and coaxial with an axis 142 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 7).
At least one alignment feature pair 138A/138B is located between the first housing-half 110 and the second housing-half 120, to enforce proper orientation of the housing 130. In one embodiment, a cylindrical boss 138A serves as the first alignment element of the alignment feature pair 138A/138B, and extends out from the first housing-half 110 toward the second housing-half 120. An orifice 138B, sized and shaped to receive the cylindrical boss, first alignment element 138A, serves as the second element of the alignment feature pair 138A/138B. In one embodiment the orifice 138B is open on the end that interfaces with the cylindrical boss 138A and is closed at the distal end so as to provide a closed surface for the internal-volume 132. In another element, the orifice 138B is open on both ends, wherein another means of closing off the internal-volume 132 is employed at the alignment feature pair 138A/138B, such as an O-ring and/or an interference fit between the cylindrical boss 138A and the orifice 138B. One skilled int the art understands that, in other embodiments, other geometries and alignment features may be used, or no alignment features may be used, wherein the housing-halves may be aligned through other means, without departing from the scope and essence of the invention.
A central-axis 150 is situated proximal to housing 130, such that a channel 160, may be formed within the internal-volume 132, and at least partially routed concentric with the central-axis 150, and with the first leg 160A of the channel 160 extending to the first fluidic-port 112 and the second leg 160B of the channel 160 extending to the second fluidic port-122 (see FIGS. 4A-4B, for example), such that fluid within travels between the first fluidic-port 112 and the second fluidic-port 122 via the channel 160. One skilled in the art understands that, in another embodiment, the axis 142, cap 140, second half-housing 120, and O-ring 134 can be arranged to be concentric and coaxial to the central-axis 150, without departing from the scope and essence of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 5B-5C, in an embodiment of the present invention an elbow-bend 162 in the channel 160 is formed by both the first housing-half 110 and the second housing-half 120. Wherein, a first portion of the elbow 162A is formed by the first housing-half 110 and a second portion of the elbow 162B is formed by the second housing-half 120 and is bisected by the mating junction 136. One skilled in the art understands that while said routing and bisected-formation of the channel 160 and elbow 162 provides a convenient, moldable, and readily manufacturable design, in another embodiment, a different routing of the channel may be implemented without departing from the scope and essence of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B, in an embodiment of the present application, the geometry of the internal orifice 128 of the first fluidic-port 112 and the second fluidic-port 122 is ovalized., such that flow entering the portion of the channel 160 that is concentric with the central-axis 150 is persuaded to maintain a path through the channel 160. One skilled in the art understands that, in another embodiment, the internal port geometry may not be ovalized but rather be of another geometry, for example of a round geometry, without departing from the scope and sprit of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the present application, a rotor 170 is situated within the internal-volume of housing 130 such that it is rotationally movable about the central-axis 150. The rotor 170 includes a plurality of paddles, fins, or vanes 172 arranged on the rotor 170 such that the vanes 172 are situated within at least a portion of the channel 160, and such that fluid flowing between the first fluidic-port 112 and the second fluidic-port 122 induces a rotation of the rotor 170 about the central-axis 150 through interaction of the fluid with said plurality of paddles, fins, or vanes 172. The rotor 170 includes spokes 176 extending from the rotor hub 174 to the vanes 172 (see FIG. 6A-6B), such that spokes 176 allows for a reduced surface on the face 178 of the rotor 170, for reduction of fluidic drag forces on the surface 178. One skilled in the art understands the relationship between fluids, fluid-flow, drag forces and object-motion upon their mutual interactions. One skilled in the art also understand that a non-spoked rotor or a rotor with a different vane geometry or number of vanes may be employed without departing from the scope and essence of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A, a central-shaft 180 is arranged coaxial to the central-axis 150 and affixed to the rotor 170, such that the rotor 170 and the central-shaft 180 spin in unison about the central-axis 150. A first-side of the central-shaft 182 protrudes thorough the first housing-half 110 via a first orifice 114. A cylindrical, first bushing 115, aligned coaxial to the central-axis 150 and retained by the first orifice 114, serves as a radial bearing-surface for the central-shaft 180. A second side 184 of the central-shaft 180 is axially supported by a cylindrical, second bushing 125, with the second bushing 125 retained by a second orifice 124, located in the second housing-half 120 and coaxial with the central-axis 150, such that the second bushing 125 serves as a thrust bearing-surface for the central-shaft 180. One skilled in the art understands the function of bushings and bearing-surfaces on shafts and rotational motion and that, in another embodiment, the first orifice 114 may itself serve as the radial bearing-surface for the central-shaft 180, and a surface on the second housing-half 120, in place of the second orifice 124, may serve as the thrust bearing-surface for central-shaft 180, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a toy, statue, or figurine 190 is mounted to the first-side 182 of the central shaft 180, such that the figurine 190 rotates in unison with the central-shaft 180 and with the rotor 170 when fluid flows between the first fluidic-port 112 and the second fluidic-port 122 via channel 160, as fluid is being consumed from the drinking apparatus.
Referring now to FIG. 7, in one embodiment of the present application, the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 100 is permanently or semi-permanently mounted to a translucent lid 210 of a cup 200 via an attachment feature 118, proximal to the base of the figurine, (see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A-3B, for example), such that the figurine 190 is visible through the lid 210, and such that the first straw 113 protrudes through an orifice 230 in the lid 210, allowing access to the first fluidic-port 112 from the outside of the cup 200. Upon placement of the lid 210 to a base 220 of the cup 200, the second straw 223 is routed into fluid-containing portion of the base 220, such that consumption of fluid from the cup 200 via the first straw 113 provided a rotational motion of the figurine 190 that is visible through the translucent lid 210. One skilled in the art understands that, in another embodiment, the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 100 may be mounted to a cup lid through another means or to another location on the lid or the cup, or that the drinking apparatus with amusement feature can itself serve as the lid for the cup, without departing from the scope and essence of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 8, removing the lid 210 from the base 220 provides access to disassemble the present embodiment of the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 100 for cleaning, wherein a method 600 (see FIG. 9) for disassembling, accessing the internals, and reassembling the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 100 includes the steps: unscrewing and removing the cap 602; removing the second housing-half 604; removing the O-ring 606; accessing the internals of the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 608; replacing the O-ring 610; replacing the second housing-half 612; and replacing and screwing-down the cap 614.
Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B, in an alternate embodiment of the present application, a drinking apparatus with amusement feature 300 contains a first housing-half 310 that is fused, bonded, or otherwise permanently attached to the second housing-half 320 at the mating junction 336, without the need for a sealing gasket or O-ring.
Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, in yet another alternate embodiment of the present application, a drinking apparatus with amusement feature 400 contains a first housing-half 410 is joined to the second housing-half 420 at the mating junction 436, with a plurality of screws 498 located around the perimeter. A gasket 434 is seated between the first housing-half 410 and the second housing-half 420, such that their joining by the plurality of screws 438 provides a seal between the first housing-half 410 and the second housing-half 420.
Referring to FIGS. 12A-12B, in a third alternate embodiment of the present application, a drinking apparatus with amusement feature 500 contains a first housing-half 510 is joined to the second housing-half 520 with a plurality of thumb screws 598. The thumb screws 598 pass through an orifice 538B in the second housing-half 520 and thread into receiving threads 540 in a cylindrical alignment feature 538A on the first housing-half, thereby joining the first housing-half 510 is joined to the second housing-half 520. An O-ring 534 is seated between the first housing-half 510 and the second housing-half 520, such that their joining by the plurality of thumb screws 598 provides a seal between the first housing-half 510 and the second housing-half 520. In one embodiment, a gasket, O-ring, or seal 599, located at the threaded-side of the thumb screw head, provides a seal at the at the alignment feature pair 138A/138B.
FIG. 13 presents a method 700 for disassembling, accessing the internals, and reassembling the alternate embodiment of the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 500, wherein the steps include: unscrewing and removing the thumb screws 702; removing the second housing-half 704; removing the O-ring 706; accessing the internals of the drinking apparatus with amusement feature 708; replacing the O-ring 710; replacing the second housing-half 712; and replacing and screwing-down the thumb screws 714.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20240245240
