STACKABLE CUP

Abstract

Disclosed is a stackable cup including a cup with a conical handle which is open at the top and includes space to receive the handle of an overlying cup, whereby the handle is provided with at least one set of stacking elements or which are each other's complement when stacking.

Claims

1. Stackable cup (1) comprising a cup (2) with a handle (3) which is open at the top and comprises space to receive the handle (3) of an overlying cup (1), wherein the handle (3) is provided with at least one set of complementary stacking elements (18, 13) or (19, 22) to stack two cups in a certain discrete position.

2. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the handle (3) is provided with a supporting edge with notches (18, 19).

3. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 2, wherein one or more notches (18) are provided at the bottom underside (11) of the handle (3).

4. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 2, wherein the handle (3) is provided with a widened collar (6) which when stacking rests on the collar (6) of the underlying cup (1), whereby one or more notches (19) are provided at the bottom rim (20) of the collar (z).

5. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 2, wherein the handle (3) comprises one or more complementary notches (13, 22).

6. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 5, wherein a stacking lug (13) is provided on the inner contour of the handle (3).

7. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 5, wherein the widened collar (6) is provided on the inner contour (21) with at least one complementary lug (22).

8. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 2, wherein several notches (18, 19) are provided for every discrete position of the cup (2) in a stacking.

9. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 8, wherein notches (18,19) are provided at an angle of 60, 72, 90, 120 and/or 180 degrees in relation to each other.

10. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein stacking elements (18,13) or (19,22) are provided for a stacking of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 cups in discrete positions.

11. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stacking elements (18,19) are dimensioned such that a stacked cup (1) can be twisted with little force without lifting.

12. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the handle (3) is conical.

13. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup (2) is provided with stacking lugs (12) at the inner contour to receive the bottom of an overlying cup (2), whereby one stacking lug (12) opposite the handle is provided on the furthest inner side of the cup (2).

14. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the handle (3) at the inner contour is provided with stacking lugs (13) to receive the bottom of an overlying handle, dimensioned such that there is clearance between the handles (3) when stacked.

15. Stacking of two or more stackable cups (1) according to claim 1, wherein the respective cups (1) are stacked on each other in discrete positions which in relation to each other can form an angle of 60, 72, 90, 120 or 180.

16. Stacking according to claim 15, wherein a basic stacking consists of six cups at 60 from each other, five cups at 72, four cups at 90, three cups at 120 or two cups at 180.

17. Stacking according to claim 16, comprising several basic stackings on each other.

18. An ice cream cup or beer cup comprising the stackable cup (1) according to claim 1.

19. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 2, wherein one or more notches (18) are provided at the bottom underside (11) of the handle (3), on the outer contour.

20. Stackable cup (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup (2) is provided with stacking lugs (12) at the inner contour to receive the bottom of an overlying cup (2), whereby the cup (2) is provided with three stacking lugs (12) at an angle of 120 in relation to each other, whereby one stacking lug (12) opposite the handle is provided on the furthest inner side of the cup (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of a stackable cup is described hereinafter, by way of an example without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a stackable cup according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a stackable cup of FIG. 1;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a stackable cup of FIG. 1;

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a stack of two cups according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 5 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a cup with lid;

[0082] FIG. 6 shows a cup of FIG. 5 with breakaway lid;

[0083] FIG. 7 shows a side view, cross-sectional view and a top view of a first embodiment of a stackable cup;

[0084] FIG. 8 shows a detail of the notches on the bottom of the handle;

[0085] FIG. 9A shows a view of the different notches with indication of their angular position in relation to each other;

[0086] FIGS. 9B-F show the notches for a stacking of a number of cups;

[0087] FIG. 10 shows a side view, cross-sectional view and a top view of a second embodiment of a stackable cup;

[0088] FIG. 11 shows a detail of the notches at the bottom of the widened collar of the handle;

[0089] FIG. 12 shows a stacking of five cups; and

[0090] FIG. 13A shows a top view of the stacking of five cups according to FIG. 12, and analogously FIGS. 13B-E show a top view of a stack of two, three, four and six cups.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a stackable cup 1 according to a preferred embodiment. The stackable cup 1 consists of a conical cup 2 and a conical handle 3 which are connected via a flat part 4. The horizontal connecting piece is strengthened via vertical ribs 5.

[0092] The conical cup 2 and handle 3 have a smaller diameter towards the bottom.

[0093] The cup 2 is provided with a widened top rim or collar 6, but this is not a requirement.

[0094] The top rim of the cup has a rim 7 over the entire contour, which may partly protrude or not.

[0095] The oblong handle 3 has an open top 9 such that a handle 3 stacked on top fits in the opening 9 and slides down. At the same time an overlying cup 2 slides down into the opening 8 of an underlying cup 2.

[0096] When put down on a surface the cup 2 and the handle 3 both rest on the surface in this embodiment. Preferably, the bottom 10 of the cup 2 and the bottom 11 of the handle 3 have the same height. That strengthens the firmness of the stackable cup 1 as a whole when put down on a surface and it ensures a more uniform stacking.

[0097] The bottom 10 of the cup 2, respectively the bottom 11 of the handle 3, has a smaller diameter than the top 7, 8 of the cup, respectively the top 9 of the handle. Normally the overlying cup and handle slide to the bottom of the cup and the handle. Consequently, the cup and handle would be difficult to separate due to a lack of clearance between the stacked cups and handles. This is prevented by the stacking lugs 12, 13 in the cup and the handle.

[0098] As you can see in FIG. 2, on the inner contour in the bottom part the cup 2 comprises three stacking lugs 12 separated 120 from each other. On the inner contour in the bottom part the handle 3 comprises three stacking lugs 13 separated 120 from each other.

[0099] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the stackable cup 1 and the stacking lugs 12, 13. The stacking lugs 12 project inwards from the inner contour of the cup 2. At the top the stacking lugs 12 have a wider surface such that they can receive the bottom of the overlying cup and stop it from sliding further to the bottom.

[0100] The handle 3 also comprises three stacking lugs 13 the top 13 of which is at the same height as the top 12 of the stacking lugs of the cup. Consequently, the handle 3 of an overlying handle 3 slides to the same depth/height as the cup 2.

[0101] Preferably, the stacking lugs 12 in the cup 2 are conical, the bottom of which is smaller. The stacking lugs 13 in the handle 3 have a straight shape and are as wide at the top as the bottom. The stacking lugs 13 can also be made conical or any other form which permits a stacked handle 3 to rest on the stacking lugs 13.

[0102] By providing the stacking lugs, enough air is provided between the cups in relation to each other and the handles in relation to each other. Both between the stacked cups 2 and between the stacked handles 3, a clearance 14 is provided between the walls, as is shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, it is possible without any problems to separate the stacked cups 1.

[0103] The bottom of the stacked cup/handle reaches against the top of the stacking lugs 12, 13 of the underlying cup/handle. Consequently, there is a clearance between the walls of both cups/handles respectively.

[0104] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a stackable cup 1 with lid 15 according to a preferred embodiment. The stackable cup 1 has the form and characteristics of a stackable cup described above. The cup 2 with lid 15 can be used for soup.

[0105] The top rim 7 of the soup cup is made with a lid 15. To this end, the top rim 7 possibly is shaped such that it can receive a lid 15.

[0106] The lid 15 is secured via a system of a break-away closure 16, 17. Such closure is known whereby a breakable or snappable part 17 is secured via point connections 16 that can be broken off to open the closure and remove the breakable part. On the rim of the cup 2 only the point connections 16 remain, but they are not a problem when drinking.

[0107] Preferably, the soup cup has a closure which is detachable over the entire contour of the top rim. In this way the cup can also be used to drink soup.

[0108] FIG. 7 shows a side view, a cross-sectional view and a top view of a stackable cup 1 according to a first embodiment with notches 18 at the bottom 11 of the handle 3.

[0109] The cup 2 has three stacking lugs 12. The handle 3 has two stacking lugs 13 which act as a second stacking element. In an alternative embodiment the handle 3 only has one stacking lug 13.

[0110] The stacking lugs 13 in the handle 3 act as a complementary stacking element with the notches 18 in the handle 3. The engaging of the stacking lugs 13 with certain notches 18 means the stackable cup 1 will take a certain discrete position in a stacking.

[0111] The function of the stacking lugs 13 in the handle is also to balance a stacking of cups for storage, this is when both the cup 2 and the handle 3 are stacked into each other. In this case the bottom 11 of a stacked handle 3 supports on the stacking lug 13 of the handle 3 below.

[0112] FIG. 8 shows a detail of the notches 18 on the bottom 11 of the handle 3. The notches 18 have a bevelled edge. The notches 18 in this example have a width of 1 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm. Consequently, it is possible with little force to click the stacking lug 13 in or out of a notch 18. Lifting the cup 1 is no longer necessary because of the limited depth of the notch 18.

[0113] FIG. 9A shows a top view of the different notches 18 with indication of their angular position in relation to each other. FIGS. 9B-F show the notches 18 that are used when 6 (60), 5 (72), 4 (90), 3(120) or 2(180) cups are stacked in a balanced stacking. Consequently, the discrete positions of the cups in the stacking are determined.

[0114] The notches 18 can also be used to stack the cups 1 in a random position.

[0115] In analogy with the FIGS. 9, the notches 19 at the bottom of the collar of the second embodiment are positioned in a same way.

[0116] FIG. 10 shows a side view, a cross-sectional view and a top view of a stackable cup 1 according to a second embodiment with notches 19 at the bottom 20 of the widened collar 6. This is an example of a beer mug.

[0117] The cup 2 has three stacking lugs. The handle 3 has no stacking lugs in this example.

[0118] The complementary second stacking element is provided as a lug 22 in the inner contour of the collar 6 of the handle 3. The lug engages with one of the notches 19 of the collar of a stacked cup.

[0119] Alternatively, there may also be two lugs 22 in the collar, e.g. at 180 in relation to each other, or at a different relative angle.

[0120] In an alternative embodiment the handle 3 has one or more stacking lugs 13 aimed at the balanced storage of a stack of cups 1.

[0121] FIG. 11 shows a detail of the notches 19 at the bottom 20 of the widened collar of the handle 19. The notches 19 have a bevelled edge. The notches 19 in this example have a width of 1 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm. Consequently, it is possible with little turning force to click the stacking lug 13 or lug 22 in or out of a notch 19. Lifting the cup is no longer necessary because of the limited depth of the notch.

[0122] In case a stacking lug 13 is used as second stacking element in this embodiment, the stacking lug 13 will be higher up in the handle 3, such that a complementary interaction with the notches 19 at the bottom 20 of the collar 6 is possible.

[0123] FIG. 12 is an example of a stacking of five cups, stacked in a tower. The advantage of the (positioning of the) notches 18, 19 is that the cups can be stacked in such a way that they always remain in balance and that the weight is uniformly distributed around the axis of the handle.

[0124] Consequently it is always perfectly possible to keep stacking and to safely hold the tower of cups in one hand.

[0125] FIG. 13A shows a top view of the stacking of five cups at an angle of 72 in relation to each other according to FIG. 12.

[0126] Analogously, FIGS. 13B-E show a top view of a stacking of two, three, four and six cups at respective angles of 180, 120, 90 and 60.

[0127] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a stackable cup according to the invention as defined by the claims can be realised in all kinds of variants without departing from the scope of the invention.