BEVERAGE DRINKING CONTAINER

Abstract

A beverage drinking container may include two or more apertures. A first aperture may be located proximate to a lower surface of the beverage drinking container. The first aperture may be configured to allow liquid within the beverage drinking container to flow therethrough. A second aperture may be located proximate to an upper surface of the beverage drinking container. The second aperture may be configured to enable the user to consume the liquid therethrough and also permit air to enter the beverage drinking container while the liquid flows through the first aperture to be consumed by the user. The beverage drinking container may be used to drink a beverage normally, for example, through the second aperture proximate to the upper surface of the beverage drinking container and to shotgun the beverage, for example, through the first aperture proximate to the lower surface of the beverage drinking container.

Claims

1. A beverage drinking container comprising: a body defining an outer wall and a lower surface, the outer wall and the lower surface defining a cavity configured to hold a beverage, the body defining a first aperture proximate to the lower surface; a cap configured to be removably secured within the first aperture; and a lid assembly configured to enclose the cavity and prevent the beverage from spilling from the cavity, the lid assembly defining a second aperture, the lid assembly comprising a cover configured to be operated between a closed position where the cover covers the second aperture and an opened position where the second aperture is not covered; wherein the cap is configured to be removed from the first aperture and the cover is configured to be operated to the opened position to enable air to enter the cavity as the beverage flows out of the beverage drinking container through the first aperture.

2. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the cap defines threads that engage corresponding threads within the first aperture.

3. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the body defines a substantially cylindrical shape.

4. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the body, the cap, and the lid assembly comprise one or more of metal, plastic, glass, or rubber.

5. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the body further defines an inner wall such that the body is vacuum insulated between the outer wall and the inner wall.

6. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is recessed into the outer wall.

7. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to remain secured within the first aperture as the cover is operated to the opened position to enable drinking the beverage from the second aperture.

8. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the beverage drinking container is configured to hold up to 24 ounces of the beverage.

9. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the beverage drinking container is configured to hold up to 40 ounces of the beverage.

10. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, wherein the body is configured such that the beverage drinking container can fit within a standard cupholder.

11. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, further comprising a guard that is configured to prevent chunks of ice, fruit, and/or other solids from exiting the first aperture when the cap is removed.

12. The beverage drinking container of claim 1, further comprising a sloped drain surface that eliminates a gap between the first aperture and an inner surface of the outer wall.

13. A beverage drinking container comprising: a body defining an outer wall and a lower surface, the outer wall and the lower surface defining a cavity configured to hold a beverage, the body defining a first aperture proximate to the lower surface; an upper surface defining a second aperture; and a cover configured to be operated between a closed position where the cover covers the second aperture and an opened position where the second aperture is not covered; wherein the first aperture is configured to be opened or closed such that the beverage can flow out of the first aperture when the first aperture is opened and the beverage cannot flow out of the first aperture when the first aperture is closed, and wherein the cover is configured to be operated to the opened position to enable air to enter the cavity as the beverage flows out of the beverage drinking container through the first aperture.

14. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, further comprising a cap configured to be removably secured within the first aperture.

15. The beverage drinking container of claim 14, wherein the first aperture is closed when the cap is secured within the first aperture and the first aperture is opened when the cap is removed from the first aperture.

16. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, wherein the body defines a substantially cylindrical shape.

17. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, wherein the body further defines an inner wall such that the body is vacuum insulated between the outer wall and the inner wall.

18. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, wherein the first aperture is recessed into the outer wall.

19. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, further comprising a guard that is configured to prevent chunks of ice, fruit, and/or other solids from exiting the first aperture when the first aperture is opened.

20. The beverage drinking container of claim 13, further comprising a sloped drain surface that eliminates a gap between the first aperture and an inner surface of the outer wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example beverage drinking container.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side cross-section view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear cross-section view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a side partially exploded view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1, with the cap removed.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a top view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1 with a cover in a closed position.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 1 with the cover in an opened position.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example beverage drinking container with a top lid removed.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a front view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a side view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0019] FIG. 14 is a top view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded perspective view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded side view of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an example side lid of the example beverage drinking container shown in FIG. 11.

[0023] FIG. 18 is a front view of the example side lid shown in FIG. 17.

[0024] FIG. 19 is a side view of the example side lid shown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1-10 depict an example beverage drinking container 100 for containing and dispensing a liquid. For example, the beverage drinking container 100 may be used to drink a beverage. The beverage drinking container 100 may include two or more apertures. A first aperture 116 (e.g., a shotgun aperture) may be located proximate to a lower surface 114 of the beverage drinking container 100. For example, the first aperture 116 may be located close to the lower surface 114 of the beverage drinking container 100. The first aperture 116 may be configured to allow liquid (e.g., a beverage such as beer, a mixed drink, a cocktail, etc.) within the beverage drinking container 100 to flow therethrough to be consumed by a user. A second aperture 136 (e.g., a sipping aperture) may be located proximate to an upper surface 132 of the beverage drinking container 100. The second aperture may be configured to permit air to enter the beverage drinking container 100 while the liquid flows through the first aperture to be consumed by the user.

[0026] The beverage drinking container 100 may include a body 110, a lid assembly 130, and a cap 120. The body may define an outer wall 112 and the lower surface 114. The body 110 (e.g., the outer wall 112 and the lower surface 114) may define a cavity 115 configured to hold the liquid. The body 110 may comprise a double walled vacuum insulated shell. The body 110 may be metallic. The lid assembly 130 may be configured to be removably attached to the body 110. The lid assembly 130 may be configured to enclose the cavity 115 and may prevent the beverage within the beverage drinking container 100 from spilling from the cavity 115. The lid assembly 130 may comprise plastic and/or rubber, for example, to prevent leaking. The lid assembly 130 may define the second aperture 136. The lid assembly 130 may include a cover 134. The cover 134 may be configured to cover the second aperture 136. The cover 134 may be operated to expose at least a portion of the second aperture 136. For example, the cover 134 may slide between an opened position and a closed position. The body 110 may define a collar with threads. The lid assembly 130 may be removably attached to the body 110 via the threads on the collar. For example, the lid assembly 130 may define corresponding threads that engage the threads on the collar to enable the lid assembly 130 to be screwed on and off the body. It should be appreciated that the lid assembly 130 may be removably attached to the body 110 via alternative securing means, for example, such as an interference fit (e.g., a press fit or friction fit). The beverage drinking container 100 (e.g., the body 110, the lid assembly 130, and/or the cap 120) may comprise metal, plastic, glass, and/or rubber.

[0027] The cap 120 may be configured to cover the first aperture 116 proximate to the lower surface 114. The cap 120 may define external screw thread and a pull ring. The external screw thread may be configured to engage internal screw thread within the first aperture 116. For example, the cap 120 may be configured to be screwed into the first aperture 116. The cap 120 may comprise plastic and/or rubber, for example, to provide a seal. The cap 120 may be configured to be recessed within the first aperture 116 (e.g., when fully inserted within the first aperture 116). The pull ring may fold out from a position proximate and substantially parallel to an outer surface of the cap 120 to a position distal from and substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the cap 120. The pull ring may enable leverage when applying a force to screw and/or unscrew the cap 120 from the first aperture 116. The beverage drinking container 100 may include a guard 140 (e.g., within the first aperture 116). The guard 140 may prevent chunks of ice, fruit, and/or other solids from exiting the first aperture 116 while a user is drinking the beverage through the first aperture 116 and/or the beverage is flowing through the first aperture 116.

[0028] The beverage drinking container 100 may be configured to hold up to 24 ounces or up to 40 ounces of the beverage. The beverage drinking container 100 (e.g., the body 110) may be configured such that the beverage drinking container 100 can fit within a standard cupholder. Although the beverage drinking container 100 (e.g., the body 110) is shown in the figures as having a substantially cylindrical external shape overall, a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the external shape of the beverage drinking container 100 (e.g., the body 110) is not limited to a substantially cylindrical external shape, and the beverage drinking container 100 (e.g., the body 110) may define a polygonal, spherical, or some other external shape.

[0029] The beverage drinking container 100 may be used to drink a beverage normally, for example, through the second aperture proximate to the upper surface of the beverage drinking container 100. For example, a user may operate the cover to the opened position (e.g., while the cap remains within the first aperture) to drink from the second aperture.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the beverage drinking container 100 may be used to shotgun the beverage, for example, through the first aperture 116 proximate to the lower surface 114 of the beverage drinking container 100. The beverage drinking container 100 may be configured to be tilted such that the first aperture 116 is higher than the second aperture 136. The cap 120 may be removed from the first aperture 116. The beverage drinking container 100 may be tilted upright and the cover 134 may be operated to the opened position to enable airflow through the second aperture 136 while liquid flows through the first aperture 116. For example, air may enter the beverage drinking container 100 through the second aperture 136 while the beverage is being drunk from the first aperture 116. The beverage drinking container 100 may include a drain surface 118 (e.g., between the first aperture 116 and the lower surface 114) that allows for full drainage of the beverage from the cavity 115 when drinking from the first aperture 116. The drain surface 118 may be a sloped surface that eliminates a gap between the first aperture 116 and an inner surface 113 of the outer wall 112.

[0031] FIGS. 11-19 depict an example beverage drinking container 200 for containing and dispensing a liquid. For example, the beverage drinking container 200 may be used to drink a beverage. The beverage drinking container 200 may include two or more apertures. A first aperture 216 (e.g., a shotgun aperture) may be located proximate to a lower surface 214 of the beverage drinking container 200. For example, the first aperture 216 may be located close to the lower surface 214 of the beverage drinking container 200. The first aperture 216 may be configured to allow liquid (e.g., a beverage such as beer, a mixed drink, a cocktail, etc.) within the beverage drinking container 200 to flow therethrough to be consumed by a user. A second aperture (e.g., a sipping aperture such as the second aperture 136 shown in FIGS. 1-10) may be located proximate to an upper surface 232 of the beverage drinking container 200. The second aperture may be configured to permit air to enter the beverage drinking container 200 while the liquid flows through the first aperture 216 to be consumed by the user.

[0032] The beverage drinking container 200 may include a body 210, a top lid assembly (e.g., such as the lid assembly 130 shown in FIGS. 1-10), and a side lid 250. The body 210 may define an outer wall 212 and the lower surface 214. The body 210 (e.g., the outer wall 212 and the lower surface 214) may define a cavity 215 configured to hold the liquid. The body 210 may comprise a double walled vacuum insulated shell. The body 210 may be metallic. The top lid assembly may be configured to be removably attached to the body 210. The top lid assembly may be configured to enclose the cavity 215 and may prevent the beverage within the beverage drinking container 200 from spilling from the cavity 215. The top lid assembly may comprise plastic and/or rubber, for example, to prevent leaking. The top lid assembly may define the second aperture. The top lid assembly may include a cover (e.g., such as the cover 134 shown in FIGS. 1-10). The cover may be configured to cover the second aperture. The cover may be operated to expose at least a portion of the second aperture. For example, the cover may slide between an opened position and a closed position. The body 210 may define a collar with threads. The top lid assembly may be removably attached to the body 210 via the threads on the collar. For example, the top lid assembly may define corresponding threads that engage the threads on the collar to enable the top lid assembly to be screwed on and off the body 210. It should be appreciated that the top lid assembly may be removably attached to the body 210 via alternative securing means, for example, such as an interference fit (e.g., a press fit or friction fit). The beverage drinking container 200 (e.g., the body 210, the top lid assembly, and/or the side lid 250) may comprise metal, plastic, glass, and/or rubber.

[0033] The side lid 250 may be configured to cover the first aperture 216 proximate to the lower surface 214. The side lid 250 may be referred to as a cap. The side lid 250 may define a plug having an external screw thread and a collar. The external screw thread may be configured to engage internal screw thread within the first aperture. For example, the side lid 250 may be configured to be screwed into the first aperture 216. The side lid 250 may comprise plastic and/or rubber, for example, to provide a seal. The side lid 250 may be configured to be recessed within the first aperture (e.g., when fully inserted within the first aperture). The collar may enable leverage when applying a force to screw and/or unscrew the cap from the first aperture 216. The beverage drinking container 200 may include a guard (e.g., within the first aperture 216) for example, such as the guard 140 shown in FIGS. 1-10. The guard may prevent chunks of ice, fruit, and/or other solids from exiting the first aperture 216 while a user is drinking the beverage through the first aperture 216 and/or the beverage is flowing through the first aperture 216.

[0034] The beverage drinking container 200 may be configured to hold up to 24 ounces or up to 40 ounces of the beverage. The beverage drinking container 200 (e.g., the body 210) may be configured such that the beverage drinking container 200 can fit within a standard cupholder. Although the beverage drinking container 200 (e.g., the body 210) is shown in the figures as having a substantially cylindrical external shape overall, a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the external shape of the beverage drinking container 200 (e.g., the body 210) is not limited to a substantially cylindrical external shape, and the beverage drinking container 200 (e.g., the body 210) may define a polygonal, spherical, or some other external shape.

[0035] The beverage drinking container 200 may be used to drink a beverage normally, for example, through the second aperture proximate to the upper surface of the beverage drinking container 200. For example, a user may operate the cover to the opened position (e.g., while the side lid 250 remains within the first aperture 216) to drink from the second aperture.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the beverage drinking container 200 may be used to shotgun the beverage, for example, through the first aperture 216 proximate to the lower surface 214 of the beverage drinking container 200. The beverage drinking container 200 may be configured to be tilted such that the first aperture 216 is higher than the second aperture. The side lid 250 may be removed from the first aperture 216. The beverage drinking container 200 may be tilted upright and the cover may be operated to the opened position to enable airflow through the second aperture while liquid flows through the first aperture 216. For example, air may enter the beverage drinking container 200 through the second aperture while the beverage is being drunk from the first aperture 216. The beverage drinking container 200 may include a drain surface (e.g., such as the drain surface 118 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, between the first aperture 216 and the lower surface 214) that allows for full drainage of the beverage from the cavity 215 when drinking from the first aperture 216. The drain surface may be a sloped surface that eliminates a gap between the first aperture 216 and an inner surface of the outer wall 212.

[0037] Although features and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements.