Patent Application
20240000248
The present invention relates to beverage service containers and, more particularly, a handle-less pitcher with multiple spouts.
Pitchers with one handle and one spout can pose unexpected challenges to some users; for example, for user who may be pouring drinks cups randomly spread out at a social gather where people are socializing as opposed to paying attention, and where alcoholic libations may be on tap. When using a single-handled pitcher, such situations may put the user's arm in awkward, contorted positions trying to pour from the single spout into disparate cups. Also, the drinks being poured may be chilled, causing the pitcher to be covered with condensation, making the grip of the pitcher slippery if the user forgoes using the fixed handle to tackle the above situation. As a result of one or all of these conditions, the user may spill when pouring or the pitcher may slip out of their hand if they choose not to use the handle to accommodate the repeated pouring at different, awkward angles. Furthermore, a protruding handle may knock over other containers when moving the pitcher.
As can be seen, there is a need for a handle-less pitcher with radially spaced apart spouts that act as a gripping structure. The critical spacing and shape of the spouts makes placing and pouring the pitcher independent of a particular orientation as the plurality of spouts makes it convenient to grab the exterior surface of the pitcher and pour from the most-handy presented spout of the plurality of spouts. Especially when placing the pitcher in cavities (like espresso machine) where it is difficult to visually locate the handle or the spout.
The present invention, with the plurality of spouts evenly spaced apart along the entirety of the pitcher's outer surface, renders the need for exact placement of the pitcher moot. The plurality of spouts' dimensionality, thickness, and radially spacing enable the spouts to act as an insulator as well as a grip, acting as a buffer for the hand against the temperature of the very hot or very cold contents.
In one aspect of the present invention, a handle-less pitcher includes a sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of a bottom surface to an upper rim; and a plurality of spouts radially spaced apart along the sidewall, wherein each spout extends substantially from the upper rim to said periphery.
In another aspect of the present invention, the handle-less pitcher further includes wherein the plurality of spouts is approximately equally spaced apart, wherein the plurality of spouts is five spouts defining a quasi-pentagonal cross-section orthogonal a longitudinal axis of the sidewall, wherein the plurality of spouts is spaced apart and adapted so that an average-sized human hand engages three spouts of the plurality of spouts when single-handedly gripping the sidewall, wherein each spout is a tapering triangular prism shape, wherein the tapering triangular prism shape has rounded edges, and wherein the sidewall is transparent or semi-transparent and provides incremental measuring hashes.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a handle-less pitcher having a plurality of spouts radially spaced apart along the pitcher's sidewall. Each spout substantially extends from the upper rim of the handle-less pitcher to the base surface of the handle-less pitcher. The spacing and the dimensions of the tapering-triangular prism shaped spouts facilitates the manual control of the handle-less pitcher so that an average human user can single-handedly engage three of the spouts when gripping the exterior of the handle-less pitcher.
Referring now to
The sidewall 30 defines a plurality of spouts 16, wherein the plurality of spouts 16 is radially spaced apart, which in some embodiments may be equally spaced apart (as shown in the Figures); though, in other embodiments, the plurality of spouts 16 may be unevenly spaced apart along the upper rim 28. Each contoured portion 18 of the sidewall 30 that forms the spouts 16 may substantially extend from the upper rim 26 to the periphery of the bottom surface 12.
Each spout 16 may have a tapering triangular prism shape wherein the three vertices converge to a singular point, thus the tapering aspect. Though the edges of the tapering triangular prism shape may be rounded as shown in the Figures. The height of the tapering triangular prism shape is approximately equal to the distance between the upper rim 26 and the bottom surface 12. In certain embodiments, there are five spouts 16 radially spaced apart equally along the periphery of the circular bottom surface 12, defining a quasi-pentagon, wherein the difference between the circumradius and the inscribed circle radius (of the bottom surface 12) of the quasi-pentagon is the maximum distance the spout 16 radially extend from the profile of the circular bottom surface 12.
The thickness of the sidewall 30 may range between more than zero and approximately one inch. The interior bottom surface 22 may have a thickness complementary that of the sidewall 30, through along its periphery the interior bottom surface 22 may add a curvature as it transitions to the vertical sidewall 30, thereby the thickness thickens at such interfaces. The sidewall 30 may provide fluid measurement hashes 20A and 20B.
The inscribed circle radius, the circumradius, as well as the radial spacing of each spout may be dimensioned and adapted so that the average adult human hand (approximately 7.5 inches in length) contacts at least three of the spouts 16 when gripping the handle-less pitcher 10. This tactility of three successive spouts 16—i.e., their capability of being felt or touched by an average sized human hand, affords the manual control of the user through providing, in effect, ‘gripping texture’ along exterior surface of the handle-less pitcher 10.
The present invention may be made via additive manufacture or injection molding with various plasticized, metallic, transparent, opaque, or other materials. The rounded edges shown in the figures are optional, as the edges may be more linear or angular.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. The handle-less pitcher 10 disclosed above may be provided. A beverage may be retained in the interior space 14 of the handle-less pitcher 10. Thereafter, each of the plurality of spouts 16 make for a smooth pour as well makes it easy to pour no matter how the handle-less pitcher 10 and/or the receiving cup is held. Furthermore, the spouts 16 shape act as both a grip and an insulator against a beverage of an uncomfortable temperatures.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 90% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
