BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cup apparatus that allows the same straw you drink from to also function as a conduit to blow, pump, transfer, convey fluid into another separate cup or chamber, thus creating a way to produce a delicious and amusing ice cream float by mixing a flavored drink with ice cream. How this process works is by a using a secondary chamber upper cup that can store either ice cream or fluid and first fluid chamber housing lower cup pressed together to form a semi or air tight seal between the two cups that are linked and or adjoined together by two straws that act as a conduit to blow, pump, transfer, move either air or fluid and/or both. The seal between the secondary chamber upper cup and first fluid chamber housing lower cup is not limited to how the seal adjoins the two together and could have a compressible seal or “O” ring between the two cups or have an interference fit between the two cups when one is placed into the other therefore creating a seal between the outer circumference of one cup and the inner circumference of the other cup. When the first fluid chamber housing lower cup is pressurized by blowing into the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw, by the operator, fluid flows up in a conveyor pumped effect from the first fluid chamber housing lower cup and enters the secondary chamber upper cup by way of the secondary tube, pipe pump straw that links and adjoins the two cups together, thus allowing fluid to enter the secondary chamber upper cup creating either an exciting interactive ice cream float or mixed drink in the secondary chamber upper cup. It should be noted that the pump straw could be integrally molded into the secondary chamber upper cup thus making both the upper cup and pump-straw a unitary molded or vacuum formed apparatus.
The secondary chamber upper cup has two holes for straws to be inserted that link the secondary chamber upper cup and first fluid chamber housing lower cup together. One hole is used for the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw and the other hole for the secondary tube, pipe pump straw. The outer circumference around the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip and secondary tube, pipe pump straws, when inserted into the secondary chamber upper cup, have an interference fit between the outer circumference of the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip and secondary tube, pipe pump straws and there surrounding secondary chamber upper cup insertion holes thus allowing for a semi or air tight seal between the straw and secondary chamber upper cup. When the straws are inserted into either of the two holes in the secondary chamber upper cup an air tight or semi air tight seal forms between the secondary chamber upper cup and first fluid chamber housing lower cup thus eliminate, other than the opening of the straw itself, air passing from the ambient exterior of the cup to the inner chamber of the first fluid chamber housing lower cup. The two semi and or air tight straw openings and their adjoining straws are as follows: The first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw is the drinking straw that can be used for drinking fluids out of the first fluid chamber housing lower cup, and can also be used for drinking out of the secondary chamber upper cup that has either a separate drink, food, and/or ice cream float by pulling up the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw from the first fluid chamber housing lower cup and entering the secondary chamber upper cup. The first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw is also used to blow and pressurize the first fluid chamber housing lower cup causing positive pressure to build up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup. The positive pressure built up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup, from blowing into the sip/blow straw, causes the fluid in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup to be pumped up into the secondary tube pipe pump straw that is adjoined to the secondary chamber upper cup. Once the fluid travels up the secondary tube, pipe pump straw it exits into the secondary chamber upper cup thru the fountain spray nozzle or spout creating either a fountain or dripping effect into the secondary chamber upper cup thus creating either/or an ice float or a mixed drink.
The purpose for the sealed straw openings and air tight seal between the two cups is to allow the consumer to blow air into the first fluid chamber housing lower cup causing pressure to build up thus allowing fluid to be pushed up the secondary straw that enters the upper ice cream holding cup to create an exciting ice cream float. Thus also allowing the same straw to be able to sip the fluids being held in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup. The new innovation allows for a consumer to blow into the straw and pump soda into the top cup that could contain either ice cream or another type of drink thus allowing for either and/or a mixed drink or create a cool volcano effect ice cream float. With the same straw you can also sip the drink only from the first fluid chamber housing lower cup just like a regular soda. You now have a soda and ice cream float all in one and kids love to blow the bubbles and watch it make a swirling volcano effect ice cream float. One or more straws can now be used to drink from multiple cups or holding containers holding the same and/or different fluids.
2. Description of Prior Art
Traditional ice cream floats are made by mixing ice cream with soda in the same cup. A problem with this method is that once the ingredients have intermingled for a few minutes, the individual contents become indistinguishable, resulting in a cup filled entirely with a melted ice cream drink. It is impossible to then drink any unmixed, fizzy soda, since it has all been mixed with the ice cream and lost its original carbonation. A significant need exists to improve the ice cream float to allow the consumer to selectively drink only the beverage, and also be able to mix an ice cream float within the same cup holding apparatus. The purpose of this invention is to create a portable ice cream float cup that is joined together from two cups holding drink liquids and/or foods like ice cream. Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claim, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
FIG. 1 Is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention cup apparatus and first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw in its entirety when assembled and ready for end user.
FIG. 2 Is a cross sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the three sections of the cup assembly adjoined together and revealing the inner parts via hidden lines.
FIG. 3. Is a top view of the secondary chamber upper cup taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4. Is a side view of the secondary chamber upper cup.
FIG. 5 Is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the three sections of the cup disassembled.
FIG. 6. Is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention cup apparatus and First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw in its entirety when assembled and ready for end user.
FIG. 7 Is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment made from transparent clear materials of the present invention showing the three sections of the cup disassembled.
FIG. 8. Is a view looking down of the alternate embodiment taken along line A-A of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 Is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment made from transparent clear materials of the present invention showing the three sections of the cup disassembled.
FIG. 10. Is a cross sectional view of the pump chamber.
FIG. 11. Is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment made from transparent clear materials of the present invention showing only the lower and secondary chamber upper cup assembled with the drink check valve in the deployed open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as further defined in the appended claims. In the preferred embodiment, the cup as shown in FIG. 1 is made of any moldable substance with memory such as rubber, urethane, nylon, plastic, polyvinyl. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the attachment to be made of flexible but strong plastic such as Mylar, polypropylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the required characteristics.
In summary,
A first singular tube, pipe, pipe, straw, conveyor that is used to sip, drink, consume from and also be used to blow air pressure into thus creating positive pressure into the first fluid chamber housing that contains, stores, houses a consumable liquid product that is adjoined, linked attached to a secondary separate chamber housing by way of a tube, straw, conveyor that contains, houses, stores, holds the same and/or different type of consumable food product thus when the first fluid chamber is pressurized with a positive air source that was transferred from the first singular tube, pipe the fluid will transfer to the adjoined secondary chamber, by way of a secondary tube, pipe, straw, conveyor thus creating another type of mixed consumable food.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown in its entirety assembled cup assembly 777 the three sections adjoined together to form a two chamber cup with air tight sealed straws.
Referring to FIG. 2. there is illustrated in a perspective cross sectional view between the upper lid cap 411, secondary chamber upper cup 511, and first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711. When upper lid cap 411, secondary chamber upper cup 511, and lower cup 711 are assembled together they combine to form the complete assembly as shown in FIG. 1. Other than the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip 903 and secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902 the secondary chamber upper cup 511 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711 have an air tight seal between the two chambers via secondary chamber upper cup lip seal 802 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup lip 999. When assembled an end user can blow into the First singular tube, pipe, blow/sip straw 903 causing pressure to build up into the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711 first fluid chamber housing lower cup chamber 921. The built up of pressure in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup chamber 921 causes fluid that resides and housed in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup chamber 921 to flow into the secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902 secondary tube, pipe pump straw outlet hole 977 and flow up and exit the fountain spray nozzle 904 that fills up the secondary chamber upper cup 511 secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 807 thus creating either an ice cream float, if ice cream is housed in the secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 807, or a mixed drink if another type of drink is housed or placed into the secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 807. The same First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 can also be used to sip and drink, like a normal straw is used, drink/fluid that is housed in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711 first fluid chamber housing lower cup holding chamber 921 thru First singular tube, pipe blow/sip inlet/exit hole 873 at the end of First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw. The same First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw can have at the end of the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip inlet/exit hole 873 a spoon shaped straw 877 thus allowing the same straw to also be used to scoop out ice cream from secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 511 when pulling out the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw from the secondary chamber upper cup 511 secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw inlet 805 and inserting the spoon type straw into the opening of the upper lid cap access hole 987 to gain access to ice cream housed in secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 807.
The upper lid cap 411 has a lower cap lip 914 that seals against secondary chamber upper cup 803. Upper lid cap hole 987 allows the consumer to drink and/or spoon the contents out of the secondary chamber upper cup 511. The secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw support channel 810 and secondary chamber upper cup pump support channel 910 are shown that houses the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 and secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902 via an interference air tight fit between the outside diameter of the straws and the inside diameter of the support channels 810 and 910. Upper lid cap 411 has a lower cap lip 914 that has a water tight seal when adjoined to secondary chamber upper cup 511 secondary chamber upper cup lip seal 803 thus allowing sipping from the upper lid cap access hole 987. first fluid chamber housing lower cup lip 802 is shown that adjoins to first fluid chamber housing lower cup upper lip 999 to ensure a pressurized air tight fit between secondary chamber upper cup 511 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711. It should be noted that a third chamber and fourth chamber and other chambers could be utilized for consumable liquid therefore allowing the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw to gain access into these other chamber cups to access other types of drinks by pulling the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 and placing them into the other chambers and/or could have more than one first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 thus allowing access into other drink chambers like secondary chamber upper cup 511. The same can be said for the secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902 that could be adjoined to other chambers like secondary chamber upper cup 511 or could have more than one secondary tube, pipe pump straws that access to these chambers like secondary chamber upper cup 511. It should be noted that this patent is not limited by the amount of straws and or chambers that can have access to several different drinks by way of either one or more first singular tube, pipe straws that could remain static, stationary or require pulling the tube, straw to gain access into one or more holding chambers like 511 that contains one or more types of consumable food items. Again stated one or more first singular tube, pipe straws can have access to one or more chambers and/or pulling one or more first singular tube, pipe straws and placing them into one or more secondary chambers that holds one or more consumable foods or have more than one first singular tube, pipe type straws that remain static yet have also access to more or more chambers that the pipe can be sipped to gain access to more or more chambers.
First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 can be seen inserted into the secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw support channel 810. It should be noted that also loose fitted straws can be used as a means to allow excess air to blow by the loose fitted First singular tube, pipe blow/sip 903 and/or secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902 thus eliminate excessive pressure causing the secondary chamber upper cup from blowing off the first fluid chamber housing lower cup. It should also be noted that First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw is not limited by the type or shape of the straw and can either be an accordion type bendable straw and/or spoon straw for ease of removing ice cream from the secondary chamber upper cup 511. Also, a relief hole 307 could be incorporated to possibly eliminate either too much pressure that could build up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup chamber 921 causing fluid to come back into the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 or blow off the secondary chamber upper cup 511 from first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711.
Referring to FIG. 3. Illustrates a top down view of the assembled cup assembly 777. Secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw inlet 805 and fountain spray nozzle 904 in fountain spray housing 804 are shown. Upper lid cap access hole 987 can vary in shape from cylindrical, square, rectangular or any other shape thus allowing access to the secondary Chamber upper cup chamber 807. Thus shown is an elliptical shape to eliminate any spillage from the fountain spray nozzle 904 and also allow access to secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw inlet 805. It should be noted that the blow sip straw could also be inserted in the wall of the secondary chamber upper cup lip as shown in FIG. 5. Also, the upper lid cap 411 can be adjoined to the secondary chamber upper cup 511 thus making a one piece unitary part that is both a lid and secondary chamber upper cup.
Referring to FIG. 4. there is illustrated in a perspective view of the secondary chamber upper cup 511 without the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip and secondary tube, pipe pump straws. Secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw inlet 805 allows for the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 903 to enter the secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw support channel 810. An air tight seal is created between the outside circumference and the inside circumference of items 805 and 810. Ice cream and/or fluids reside in secondary chamber upper cup chamber 807. Liquids could be poured into secondary chamber upper cup chamber 807 by either fluid coming from the fountain spray housing 804 fountain spray nozzle 904 or poured directly from above from the secondary chamber upper cup opening 933 from FIG. 3's upper lid cap access hole 987. Secondary chamber upper cup pump support channel 910 forms an air tight seal for not shown secondary tube, pipe pump straw 902. Secondary chamber upper cup lip seal 803 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup lip 802 are shown and used to seal the secondary chamber upper cup to both the upper lid cap and first fluid chamber housing lower cup.
Referring to FIG. 5. there is Illustrates all three components in a disassembled view. Upper lid cap 411 is above secondary chamber upper cup 511 and above first fluid chamber housing lower cup 711.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown in its entirety the three sections adjoined together to form a two chamber cup with air tight sealed straws.
Referring to FIG. 7. there is illustrated in a perspective cross sectional view of an alternate but similar system with the secondary chamber upper cup 200 residing on top of the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 300. When upper lid cap 100, ice cream cup 200, and liquid container cup 300 are pressed together they combine to form the complete assembly as shown in FIG. 6. The upper lid cap 100 has a lower cap lip 101 that seals against secondary chamber upper cup lip 203. Upper lid cap hole 103 allows the consumer to drink or spoon the contents out of the secondary chamber upper cup 200. Secondary chamber upper cup pump support channel 205 is shown that houses the secondary tube, pipe pump straw 302 via an interference air tight fit between the straw and the spray hole housing 204 thus ensuring the fluid goes into the secondary chamber upper cup chamber 206. Secondary chamber upper cup lip 203 allows for a press fit between the upper lid cap lip 101 and secondary chamber upper cup upper lip 203. Secondary chamber upper cup lower lip 202 is shown that adjoins to first fluid chamber housing lower cup upper lip 301 to ensure a pressurized air tight fit between secondary chamber upper cup 200 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup 300. First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303 can be seen inserted into secondary chamber upper cup First singular tube, pipe blow/sip air tight seal 201. It should be noted that a loose fitted straws can also be used as a means to allow excess air to blow by the loose fitted First singular tube, pipe blow/sip 303 and/or secondary tube, pipe pump straw 302 thus eliminate excessive pressure causing the secondary chamber upper cup from blowing off the first fluid chamber housing lower cup. Also, a relief hole 307 could be incorporated to also eliminate either too much pressure built up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 300 that can also cause fluid to come back into the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303. Secondary tube, pipe pump straw inlet 305 allows fluid to travel secondary tube, pipe pump straw 302 thus allowing fluid to be pumped into secondary chamber upper cup holding chamber 206 when air pressure is blown into First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303 therefore building pressure causing fluids to exit secondary tube, pipe pump straw inlet and coming out of fountain spray nozzle 207. The bottom underside of the secondary chamber upper cup 757 can be various shapes e.g. convex, concave, cylindrical, flat etc. thus reduce any excessive pressure build up or cause fluid to spill out of first fluid chamber housing.
Referring to FIG. 8. Illustrates a top down view of the assembled cup assembly 401. Fountain spray nozzle 204 and upper lid cap hole 103 and lower cap lip 101 and is cylindrical in shape.
Referring to FIG. 9. there is illustrated in a perspective view of an alternate system to move fluid from the liquid container cup 300 to the ice cream cup 200 thru T-Chamber 402. T-Chamber 402 comprises of T-Chamber First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw inlet 405 that adjoins to T-Chamber mid-section 404 that stores liquid and T-Chamber liquid inlet 403 and T-Chamber ice cream cup straw outlet 402. When the consumer is sipping from first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303, fluid comes thru T-Chamber inlet 303. When blowing into first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303, the fluid stored in T-Chamber mid-section 404 is moved out to ice cream cup straw 302 and into ice cream cup 200. Also the fluid passing in the T-Chamber causes a venturri effect drawing fluid from T-Chamber liquid inlet 403. Also shown is an alternate version of the upper lid cap 136 that has a upper lid inlet opening 122 that is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. The upper lid flange boarder 135 has a concaved apex shaped raised flange thus allowing the fluid leaving the secondary tube, pipe pump straw 302 to bounce off the underside of the upper lid flange boarder allowing the fluid to deflect back into the secondary chamber upper cup 200. The advantages to the upper lid flange boarder allows for the first singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw exit, exhaust opening 145 to not be constrained thus allowing larger amounts of fluid to be spilled into the secondary chamber upper cup 200. The singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw exit, exhaust opening 145 can be accomplished several different ways and not limited in this invention and could include closing or sealing off the end of the singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw exit and having holes placed at the end of the singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw thus when fluid is being pumped out makes a fountain effect.
Referring to FIG. 10. there is Illustrated an alternate embodiment to the T-Chamber with check valves to improve the flow of fluid to and from the ice cream cup 200 and liquid container cup 300. Inlet check valve 502 will open and outlet check valve 501 will close when a consumer sips from First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 303 allowing a continuous flow of fluid. When the consumer blows inlet check valve 502 will close and outlet check valve 501 will open moving the fluid out of the T-Chamber 402. Inlet check valve 502 is open in the static position.
Referring to FIG. 11. There is illustrated a cross sectional view of another alternate design of the secondary chamber upper cup whereas the secondary chamber upper cup 700 has a inward cone shaped funnel 703 and opening 707 allowing drink to be filled into the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717 that secondary chamber upper cup 700 sits on top of. The advantage of this alternate design is that one can fill up the first fluid chamber housing lower cup chamber 721 via opening of funnel 707 and being forced past check valve 712 with drink without removing the secondary chamber upper cup 700 from the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717. In this alternate configuration ice cream or another type of drink is filled in chamber 704 that is separated from the funnel drink fill chamber 707 by separating wall 721 thus separating the drink inlet funnel 703 from the ice cream holding chamber 704. It should be noted that this separating wall 721 could be a funnel shaped wall in the center of the secondary chamber upper cup 700 or splitting the secondary chamber upper cup into two chambers depending on the configuration selected. A center shaped funnel would assist the end user to fill up the first fluid chamber housing lower cup when using a soda fountain machine. Sealing lip 710 creates an airtight seal between secondary chamber upper cup 700 and first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717. Secondary chamber upper cup 700 sits on top of the lower drink cup 717. Funnel 703 has a check valve 712 at the bottom of the funnel that is adjoined to a hinge 701 that attaches to the secondary chamber upper cup 700 and adjoined to the funnel shaped inlet 707 at the lower end of the funnel opening thus allowing drink to enter the first fluid chamber housing lower cup via a one way check valve 712 that is closed in the stowed position therefore stopping any air from escaping the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717 when First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw has positive pressure applied to it via end user blowing into straw, and the check valve can open or deploy when being pushed down from the secondary chamber upper cup when a force is applied like fluid drink is being filled into the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717 thru inlet funnel 707. Check valve is adjoined to a preloaded hinge 701 that is adjoined to the bottom of secondary chamber upper cup 700 and sealed accordingly with an air tight seal around the check valve and surrounding hole that is located in the secondary chamber upper cup. When pressure is built up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717 by the end user blowing into the First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 709 the check valve 712 is in the stowed closed position, pressure will build up in the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717 causing fluid to exit the secondary tube, pipe pump straw 708 and exit the fountain spray hole 718 thus mixing with either ice cream or drink that is located in chamber 704. It should be noted that several different types of check valves can be used for this application and could consist of silicone ring concave verses convex construction and the claim would indicate a one way valve that stops air from escaping the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 700 and exiting the funnel shaped inlet 707 when being pressurized and also allow fluid to enter the first fluid chamber housing lower cup when the pressure is not being applied into the first fluid chamber housing lower cup 717. It should be noted that 733 and 734 are illustrating both air tight seals between First singular tube, pipe blow/sip straw 709 and secondary tube, pipe pump straw 708 between upper 700 and first fluid chamber housing lower cups 717 as described in detail per FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 straws and there interface with the upper and first fluid chamber housing lower cup.
Patent Application
20110127258
