Drinking vessels and methods of drinking

Abstract

A drinking vessel made of a metallic material and having a body including a bottom surface and a tapered side wall rising from the bottom surface to a top edge. The tapered side wall defines a cavity for holding a beverage. The shape of the body of the drinking vessel provides a geometry that allows a stack of drinking vessels to be formed by inserting one drinking vessel into another drinking vessel.

Description

DRINKING VESSELS AND METHODS OF DRINKINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 487,530, filed 28 February 2023 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 582,698, filed 14 September 2023, the entirety of each is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to drinking vessels, and more particularly to a coated aluminum shot cup.2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Shot glasses are traditionally small vessels, in the shape of a drinking glass, which are used to serve a small amount, typically 1.0 or 1.5 oz, of liquor. They are conventionally made of thick glass from which liquor is either drunk directly or poured into another glass to make a mixed drink.

[0004] There are two main conventional types of small ounce drinking vessels, or “shot glasses” used in the alcohol industry. One is a disposable variety, typically made of a thin-walled plastic material, and another is a reusable variety typically made of molded or blown glass, stainless steel, or ceramic.

[0005] While plastic is ideal for low-cost venues and applications, it has a significantly higher thermal resistance than that of glass, disadvantageously impacting a consumer’s drinking experience for “Ice Cold Shots” or drinks meant to be served cold.

[0006] The plastic variety also has a shorter sustainability life. Because plastic versions are typically blown with thin walls, they also crush easily giving the impression that they are not “premium” in comparison to any reusable shot cups.

[0007] Alternatively, “shot glasses” made of glass have a good user experience keeping drinks cool, feeling cold to the touch when filled, and feeling premium in a consumer’s hand. However, they are costly, difficult to store due to their weight / poor stacking and can be easily broken in bar environments. These attributes also make glasses more difficult to distribute. Glass has alsobecome more difficult to recycle in many districts due to the challenge of separating various glass colors.

[0008] Thus, a need yet exists for a specially coated, durable, cost effective, infinitely recyclable, thin-walled shot cup. It is to such a beneficial shot glass that the present invention is primarily directed.

[0009] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.SUMMARY

[0010] Disclosed embodiments may include a drinking vessel made of a metallic material and having a body comprising a bottom surface and a tapered side wall rising from the bottom surface to a top edge. The tapered side wall may define a cavity for receiving a liquid, such as a beverage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying Figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below. In the drawings:

[0012] FIG. l is a side view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel without liquid in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel containing liquid in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary drinking vessel showing exemplary dimensions in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4A is a top view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4B is a side view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a bottom view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a stack of exemplary drinking vessels in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an exemplary drinking vessel in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 7A is a side view of an exemplary drinking vessel fit onto the top of a bottle in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 7A is a side view of an exemplary stack of drinking vessels fit onto the top of a bottle in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

[0027] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality ofcomponents. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

[0028] Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0029] Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” one particular value and / or to “about” or “approximately” or “substantially” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value.

[0030] Similarly, as used herein, “substantially free” of something, or “substantially pure”, and like characterizations, can include both being “at least substantially free” of something, or “at least substantially pure”, and being “completely free” of something, or “completely pure”.

[0031] By “comprising” or “containing” or “including” is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

[0032] It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified.

[0033] The materials described as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

[0034] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example drinking vessel 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The drinking vessel 100 includes a bottomsurface 102. The bottom surface 102 may be rigid flat surface that may have a round shape. For example, in some embodiments, the bottom surface 102 may be a circular shape. The bottom surface 102 may be attached to a tapered side wall 104 that rises from the bottom surface 102 to a top edge 106. In some embodiments, the tapered side 104 wall may be in the shape of a tapered cylinder. In other words, the tapered side wall 104 may be in the shape of a ring that has an ever- increasing diameter as the tapered side wall 104 extends from the bottom surface 102 up to the top edge 106. Thus, in some embodiments, the bottom surface 102 may have a first diameter than is less than a second diameter of the top edge 106.

[0035] According to some embodiments, a drinking vessel 100 may be referred to as a “shot cup.” The present shot cup may have a size, shape, and material make-up to present a good user experience keeping drinks cool, feeling cold to the touch when filled, and feeling premium in a consumer’s hand. Further, for both consumers and manufacturers, the present shot cup may be specially coated, durable, cost effective, infinitely recyclable, and thin-walled.

[0036] According to some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the top edge 106 may include a rolled upper edge that extends outwards from the top of the tapered side wall 104. Such a rolled upper edge may advantageously provide the consumer with a larger smooth surface for drinking, while also improving the drinking vessel’s overall durability / strength. According to some embodiments, a bottom edge of the bottom surface 102 can include a rounded radius intended to enhance the strength of the cup.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the body of the drinking vessel 102, which may include the bottom surface 102, the tapered side wall 104 and the top edge 106 may be made of a rigid material. The drinking vessel 102 may be made of a material that is recyclable. Preferably, the material is an infinitely recyclable material. A most preferred material is metal, and more so, aluminum. The present drinking vessel 102 may be made of a material that is safe to approach the mouth, or is otherwise fully or partially coated with an FDA compliant coating to maintain the safety of the present invention as a drinking vessel. The present design is (relatively) rigid, resisting flex in normal single use, and for storage, stacking, packaging and shipping. Thus, it is not easily dented as compared to conventional plastic cups. Further, the present design is durable and not easily broken as compared to shot glasses made of glass material.

[0038] According to some embodiments, due to the high thermal conductivity and thin wall of the present design, the consumer may feel the “coldness” of the beverage in the drinking vessel 102 more than that of a common plastic shot glass. Due to the heat transfer properties of the present drinking vessel 102, it helps a beverage remain cool in a similar manner to that of glass.

[0039] FIG. 2A depicts an example drinking vessel 200a that shows that the tapered side wall 204a defines a cavity 202a for receiving and containing a beverage or other liquid. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tapered side wall 204b of the drinking vessel 200b along with the bottom surface of the drinking vessel 200b form a rigid container with which to hold a liquid 208b.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts an example drinking vessel 300 showing example dimensions. For example, as shown, in some embodiments, the drinking vessel 300 may have a bottom surface having an outer diameter of approximately (i.e., plus or minus 0.20mm) 32.80mm and an inner diameter of approximately (i.e., plus or minus 0.20mm) 29.50mm, the tapered side wall may have a height of approximately (i.e., plus or minus 0.40mm) 43.20mm and the upper edge may have a diameter of approximately (i.e., plus or minus 0.20mm) 45.40mm. According to some embodiments, the drinking vessel 300 may have a size and shape of those embodied by a conventional “shot glass.” According to some embodiments, the cavity defined by the body of the drinking vessel 300 may be sized to hold approximately (i.e., plus or minus 1.5mL) 45.5mL of liquid. It should be understood that the dimensions provided herein are merely exemplary, and it is contemplated that in other embodiments the drinking vessel may have different dimensions. For example, in various embodiments it is contemplated that a drinking vessel of a similar body shape may have dimensions in which the cavity of the drinking vessel is respectively sized to hold loz, 1.5oz or 3oz of liquid when filled, respectively.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the drinking vessel 300 weight per ounce of liquid held may be notably less than those of conventional glass. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a drinking vessel 300 with a 1.5oz capacity weighs less than 5g.

[0042] The present drinking vessel may or may not include measurement lines identifying how much beverage is at different levels of the cup. For example, as shown by FIGS. 4A-4D, in some embodiments, a drinking vessel 400 having a body including a bottom surface 402, tapered side wall 404 and top edge 406 may further include one or more measurements lines 408a, 408b integrated into the tapered side wall 404. According to some embodiments, the one or moremeasurement lines 408a, 408b may each be an indentation in on the inner side of the tapered side wall 404 positioned at height within the drinking vessel 400 that corresponds to a particular volume of liquid that would be present in the drinking vessel 400 when the drinking vessel 400 is fdled with liquid to a respective height of the one or more measurement lines 408a, 408b. For example, in an embodiment where the drinking vessel 400 is of dimensions such that the cavity formed by the body of the drinking vessel 400 is sized to hold 3oz of liquid, a first measurement line 408a may correspond to loz of liquid and a second measurement line 408b may correspond to 1.5oz of liquid. In other words, in such case, a user may conveniently and easily measure out loz of liquid by filling the drinking vessel 400 up to the first measurement line 408a, may measure out 1.5oz of liquid by filling the drinking vessel 400 up to the second measurement line 408b or may measure out 3.0oz of liquid by filling the drinking vessel 400 up to the top edge 406. It will be understood that the volumes described herein in association with the measurement lines 408a, 408b are merely examples and any number of measurement lines corresponding to any amounts of desired volumes of liquid that are less than the maximum capacity of the drinking vessel 400 may be incorporated into a drinking vessel 400 according to various embodiments.

[0043] In some embodiments, the one or more measurement lines 408a, 408 may be etched or stamped into the tapered side wall 404 or inserted using any other known manufacturing techniques sufficient to create an indentation in a metallic surface. In some embodiments, one or more measurement lines 408a, 408b may be in the shape of a horizontally oriented straight line. In some embodiments, instead of being indentations, the one or more measurement lines 408a, 408b may protrude outwards from the inner surface of the tapered side wall 404.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the drinking vessels disclosed herein may have a body shape that provides a geometry that allows a stack of drinking vessels to be formed by inserting one drinking vessel into another drinking vessel. For example, FIG. 5 shows a stack 500 of nine drinking vessels that snuggly fit together by inserting a bottom surface of one drinking vessel into a cavity formed by the tapered side wall of another drinking vessel. According to some embodiments, the drinking vessels may have a body size and shape such that when multiple drinking vessels are placed in a stack 500, the difference in height between a first top edge 502 of a first drinking vessel and a second top edge 504 of a second drinking vessel that has been placed inside the first drinking vessel as part of the stack 500 will not be more than 5mm, advantageously allowing for compact stacking of multiple drinking vessels. While durable (as to material) instacking, the geometry lends itself to be highly stackable, with a rise of less than for example 5mm per stacked unit. This is more stackable than reusable glass material shot glasses. Such compact stacking is advantageous because it allows for many drinking vessels to be packaged and / or stored while taking up a minimal amount of space.

[0045] According to some embodiments, one or more surfaces of a drinking vessel as disclosed herein may be coated in an FDA compliant coating that may be with or without color. FIGS. 6A- 6C show various embodiments with different configurations of coating. For example, FIG. 6A shows a drinking vessel 600a having a coating on inner surface 602 of the tapered side wall, FIG. 6B shows a drinking vessel 600b having no coating and FIG. 6C shows a drinking vessel 600c having a coating on an outer surface 604 of the tapered side wall. It will be appreciated that these are merely examples and any combination of interior and exterior surfaces of the bottom surface, the tapered side wall and / or the top edge may be coated with an FDA approved coating. In some embodiments, every surface of the drinking vessel may be coated with an FDA approved coating. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, an FDA approved coating may provide a safe surface from which a human may consume a beverage.

[0046] The material of the present drinking vessel (for example, aluminum) and / or any coating provided the drinking vessel, can be with or without color. In a first exemplary embodiment, a coating is used, and is tinted gold on both the internal and external surfaces. In another exemplary embodiments, a coating is used, and is tinted green on both the internal and external surfaces. It will be understood that these are merely examples and it is contemplated that any combination of different colors may be utilized to coat various portions of the drinking vessel.

[0047] The present drinking vessel may or may not include branding. Branding may be executed using embossing or print or other ways. Branding can be present and / or visible from any or more (or none) of the following surfaces: Inside bottom, outside sidewall, outside bottom.

[0048] Further, the present drinking vessel may or may not include artwork for targeted promotions. For example, gold or green or other color cups can have the color completely within the interior, and fully printed on the outside surface before stamping. The present invention uses an innovative approach so that a pre-distorted print that when the cup forms, the print nonetheless gets to the correct shape upon stamping.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7A, in some embodiments, a drinking vessel 704 may have a body shape that allows it to be conveniently placed over the top of a bottle 702a, such as a bottle of alcohol for example. According to some embodiments, the angle and height of the tapered side wall of the drinking vessel 704 may be of dimensions that are sized to allow the drinking vessel 704 to fit snuggly onto a cap of a bottle 702a. Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7B, a stack 706 of drinking vessels may be configured to be placed over the top of a bottle 702b in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG. 7A. In this way, one or more drinking vessels may be conveniently stored with a bottle. Further, in some embodiments, one or more drinking vessels may be positioned on top of a bottle as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and may be incorporated into a paper packaging together for transportation and / or sale as a unit.

[0050] Thus, for example, a number of the present drinking vessels can be marketed / sold as a “Cap Shot” in a specially designed box, for example, designed out of paper to snugly fit a number of drinking vessels on top of a lid. According to some embodiments, these could be from three to five to any manageable number of drinking vessels in a nest formation on top of the accompanying bottle. This packaging design can utilize a printable, folded material (paper in this case) to affix drinking vessels to a lid so that the lid of the bottle may insert into the body of the drinking vessel minimizing the amount of space the bottle / cup combo takes in transit / on shelf.

[0051] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the drinking vessel can incorporate changing indicia to indicate temperature of the liquid contained there, level of the liquid contained therein, and other aspects that present the pourer and the consumer a dynamic picture of one or more changing qualities / quantities of the contained liquid.

[0052] For example, in some embodiments, the drinking vessel can have a surface temperature indication feature. This feature may be the material (or a chemical component thereof) of the drinking vessel (e.g., temperature-sensitive ink such as thermochromic leucocyde) or a coating located on any external surface (e.g., heat-sensitive paint or thermochromic paint containing pigments such as leuco dyes and / or thermochromatic liquid crystals) of the drinking vessel. Purposes of the feature may include to indicate (1) that a small volume beverage “shot” is being served at a temperature within the specified serving range and / or (2) for revealing hidden brand imagery or messaging to create greater consumer awareness / engagement. Such coatings or chemical components can be tuned or configured to change color when there is a temperaturechange within the drinking vessel (e.g., a change of 6-10°F) or to change color when the drinking vessel reaches a specific temperature (e.g., -18°C).

[0053] In some examples, disclosed drinking vessels may involve one or more of the following clauses:

[0054] Clause 1 : A drinking vessel comprising a metallic material and having a body comprising: a bottom surface; and a tapered side wall rising from the bottom surface to a top edge, the tapered side wall defining a cavity.

[0055] Clause 2: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein a shape of the body provides a geometry that allows a stack of drinking vessels to be formed by inserting one drinking vessel into another drinking vessel.

[0056] Clause 3: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the top edge comprises a rolled upper edge.

[0057] Clause 4: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the metallic material comprises a recyclable material.

[0058] Clause 5: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the metallic material comprises aluminum.

[0059] Clause 6: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein one or more of an inner surface of the bottom surface, an inner surface of the tapered side wall, the top edge, an outer surface of the tapered side wall and an outer surface of the bottom surface is coated with an FDA compliant coating.

[0060] Clause 7: The drinking vessel of clause 6, wherein the FDA compliant coating provides a safe surface from which a human may consume a beverage.

[0061] Clause 8: The drinking vessel of clause 7, wherein the FDA compliant coating is configured to provide a visual indication based on a temperature of a liquid held by the drinking vessel.

[0062] Clause 9: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the metallic material is configured to provide a visual indication based on a temperature of a liquid held by the drinking vessel.

[0063] Clause 10: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises a round surface having a first diameter and the top edge comprises a round edge having a second diameter.

[0064] Clause 1 1 : The drinking vessel of clause 10, wherein the first diameter comprises approximately 38.2mm, the second diameter comprises approximately 45.4mm and a height of the tapered side wall comprises approximately 43.2mm.

[0065] Clause 12: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the tapered side wall comprises one or more measurement lines.

[0066] Clause 13: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the cavity is sized to hold approximately 1.5oz of liquid.

[0067] Clause 14: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the cavity is sized to hold approximately 3.0oz of liquid.

[0068] Clause 15: The drinking vessel of clause 2, wherein when a first drinking vessel is stacked inside a second drinking vessel, a difference in height from a top edge of the second drinking vessel to a top edge of the first drinking vessel is no more than 5mm.

[0069] Clause 16: The drinking vessel of clause 1, wherein the drinking vessel comprises a print that is manufactured by placing a pre-distorted print on a surface of the drinking vessel prior to stamping the drinking vessel such that upon being stamped the pre-distorted print takes on an undistorted form.

[0070] Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A drinking vessel comprising a metallic material and having a body comprising: a bottom surface; and a tapered side wall rising from the bottom surface to a top edge, the tapered side wall defining a cavity.

2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein a shape of the body provides a geometry that allows a stack of drinking vessels to be formed by inserting one drinking vessel into another drinking vessel.

3. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the top edge comprises a rolled upper edge.

4. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the metallic material comprises a recyclable material.

5. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the metallic material comprises aluminum.

6. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein one or more of an inner surface of the bottom surface, an inner surface of the tapered side wall, the top edge, an outer surface of the tapered side wall and an outer surface of the bottom surface is coated with an FDA compliant coating.

7. The drinking vessel of claim 6, wherein the FDA compliant coating provides a safe surface from which a human may consume a beverage.

8. The drinking vessel of claim 7, wherein the FDA compliant coating is configured to provide a visual indication based on a temperature of a liquid held by the drinking vessel.

9. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the metallic material is configured to provide a visual indication based on a temperature of a liquid held by the drinking vessel.

10. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises a round surface having a first diameter and the top edge comprises a round edge having a second diameter.

11. The drinking vessel of claim 10, wherein the first diameter comprises approximately 38.2mm, the second diameter comprises approximately 45.4mm and a height of the tapered side wall comprises approximately 43.2mm.

12. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the tapered side wall comprises one or more measurement lines.

13. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the cavity is sized to hold approximately 1.5oz of liquid.

14. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the cavity is sized to hold approximately 3.0oz of liquid.

15. The drinking vessel of claim 2, wherein when a first drinking vessel is stacked inside a second drinking vessel, a difference in height from a top edge of the second drinking vessel to a top edge of the first drinking vessel is no more than 5mm.

16. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the drinking vessel comprises a print that is manufactured by placing a pre-distorted print on a surface of the drinking vessel prior to stamping the drinking vessel such that upon being stamped the pre-distorted print takes on an undistorted form.

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