Can holder tumbler

Abstract

Apparatuses and devices for storing different beverages and maintaining different environment for these beverages are disclosed. A cup section and a detachable insulated section may be maintained at separate temperatures. A lid may engage with the cup section with an aperture for opening the cup enabling a user to drink the beverage contained within the cup section. The detachable insulated section may be attached at the bottom of the cup section for containing a can therewithin.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates generally to containers containing liquids such as beverages. More specifically, the invention relates to insulated container apparatuses and devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Liquids such as water, tea, coffee, soda drinks, soft drinks, hard drinks whether hot or cold can be stored or packed in different containers such as sealed cans or bottles or cups. Such containers often have a tendency to lose hotness or coldness of the stored liquids when kept for some time after opening the containers stored therein. In addition, the containers containing hot beverages may get heated due to transfer of heat of the hot beverage to the walls of the containers, hence it may be inconvenient for persons to hold such containers in hands thereof. In another scenario where the container contains cold beverage, the container may be too cold to hold the container. To counter such situations, the container may have an insulation coating to prevent loss of heat and keep the beverages intact at their original temperature for a long time.

[0003] However, such containers have a drawback to keep only one type of beverage. Moreover, the whole beverage is kept at the same temperature depending on whether the container is insulated or not. This limits the container usage for a single beverage at a particular temperature. In case two persons need to have different beverages or the same beverage at different temperatures, they need to carry two containers containing beverages of their choice and at a suitable temperature. For example, for carrying water and a soft drink, different containers (e.g. bottles) need to be carried. Further, if a person likes chilled soft drink and another person prefers soft drink at a normal temperature, they again need different bottles.

[0004] Therefore, there exists a need for a container capable of carrying different liquids and maintaining different temperatures for these liquids.SUMMARY

[0005] The invention, in embodiments thereof, provides a beverage container for containing different beverages and maintaining different environment for these beverages.

[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, a beverage container configured to contain different beverages at different temperatures is disclosed. The beverage container comprises a cup section configured for containing a first beverage at a first temperature. The beverage container also comprises a detachable insulated section configured to contain a beverage can storing a second beverage at a second temperature, wherein the detachable insulated section is configured to be attached with the cup section from a bottom side of the cup section. The beverage container further comprises a lid configured to engage with the cup section from an upper side of the cup section, the lid comprising an aperture configured to have an arrangement to expose the cup section in an open configuration enabling a user to drink the first beverage and seal the cup section in a closed configuration.

[0007] As appropriate, the cup section comprises an insulated container configured to minimize the heat loss from the first beverage maintaining it at first temperature for a long time.

[0008] As appropriate, the cup section comprises a non-insulated container.

[0009] As appropriate, the insulated section may comprise a double-walled construction having an outer layer and an inner layer made of an insulating material.

[0010] As appropriate, the insulated section comprises a single-walled construction having a layer made of an insulating material.

[0011] As appropriate, the first temperature and the second temperature may be same or different temperatures.

[0012] In another aspect, the beverage container further comprises one or more additional insulated sections attached to the bottom of the insulated section, wherein each additional insulated section is configured to contain a beverage can storing different beverages at different temperatures.

[0013] As appropriate, the cup section comprises a first engagement mechanism at the upper side and a second engagement mechanism at the bottom side, wherein the first engagement mechanism enables the cup section to engage with a corresponding third engagement mechanism of the lid provided on its bottom side.

[0014] As appropriate, the second engagement mechanism enables the cup section to engage with a corresponding fourth engagement mechanism of the insulated section provided on its upper side.

[0015] As appropriate, the second and the fourth engagement mechanisms are similar to the first and the third engagement mechanisms.

[0016] As appropriate, the second and the fourth engagement mechanisms are different from the first and the third engagement mechanisms.

[0017] As appropriate, the first engagement mechanism comprises a first set of grooves and the third engagement mechanism comprises a second set of grooves, wherein the second set of grooves are configured to be engaged with the first set of grooves and rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise direction for attaching or removing the lid, respectively, from the cup section.

[0018] As appropriate, the first engagement mechanism comprises an upper connecting part and the third engagement mechanism comprises a gripping ring, wherein the gripping ring is configured to be engaged with the upper connecting part to form a male and a female connector.

[0019] As appropriate, the first engagement mechanism comprises first screw threads and the third engagement mechanism comprises second screw threads, wherein the second screw threads are configured to be engaged with the first screw threads and rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise direction for attaching or removing the lid, respectively, from the cup section.

[0020] As appropriate, the first engagement mechanism comprises a first pattern and the third engagement mechanism comprises a second pattern configured to engage as a male-female connector, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern may comprise one or more of a regular matrix, an irregular matrix, slits, shape-oriented modules, or a combination thereof.

[0021] As appropriate, the first engagement mechanism and the third engagement mechanism comprise protrusions and indentations-based engagement mechanism.

[0022] As appropriate, the lid further comprises one or more foldable covers configured to cover a small part of the cup section and tightly fit the lid over the cup section in a closed configuration.

[0023] As appropriate, the aperture of the lid comprises a flip section configured to be lifted up to open the lid and expose the cup section in the open configuration enabling the user to drink the first beverage.

[0024] As appropriate, the aperture of the lid comprises a slidable switch configured to slide to open the lid and expose the cup section in the open configuration enabling the user to drink the first beverage.

[0025] As appropriate, the insulated section comprises a plurality of insulated compartments configured to hold different beverage cans.

[0026] As appropriate, the lid is configured to be attached to the upper side of the insulated section enabling the user to drink the second beverage from the beverage can.

[0027] As appropriate, the cup section further comprises a handle configured for holding the beverage container.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] For a better understanding of the embodiments and to show how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of selected embodiments only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several selected embodiments may be put into practice.

[0030] As used in this specification, the singular indefinite articles “a”, “an”, and the definite article “the” should be considered to include or otherwise cover both single and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. In other words, these articles are applicable to one or more referents. As used in this specification, the term “or” is generally employed to include or otherwise cover “and / or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] In the accompanying drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of beverage container 100 including a cup section 102 for containing a beverage, a handle 104, a lid 106 including a closable drinking aperture 108, and a detachable insulated section 110 configured to contain a can therewithin;

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the beverage container 100;

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the beverage container 100;

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side view of the beverage container 100;

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a right-side view of the beverage container 100;

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded front view of the beverage container 100 showing the lid section, the cup section and the insulated can-holder section;

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the beverage container 100;

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of beverage container 100 including multiple detachable insulated sections;

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the beverage container 100;

[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of the beverage container 100;

[0042] FIG. 11 illustrates the beverage container 100 with the lid 106 attached to the cup section 102 through a hinge;

[0043] FIG. 12A illustrates an isometric view of the insulated section divided into vertical compartments;

[0044] FIG. 12B illustrates the lid 106 covered on the insulated section 110;

[0045] FIG. 12C illustrates a different lid 126 covered on the insulated section 110;

[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the beverage container 110′ having a gripping ring engagement mechanism between the lid and the cup section; and

[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the beverage container 110″ having protrusions and indentations-based engagement mechanism between the lid and the cup section.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage container 100 for containing beverages. The beverage container can be a can, glass, covered glass, a tumbler, a flask, a cup, a bottle, an expandable container and the like. The container 100 includes a cup section 102 for containing a beverage. The cup section 102 may be an insulated container configured to insulate the contained beverage minimizing the heat (or coldness) loss and keeping the beverage hot or cold as per the requirement for a long time. The insulation may be provided, for example, through a double-walled construction (not shown) having an outer layer of stainless steel and an inner layer of insulating material like copper or aluminum. Alternatively, the outer layer is made of plastic and inner layer of insulating material like copper or aluminum. The insulation may also be provided through a single-walled construction. It should be clearly understood that insulation may be provided using any available technology and material without limiting the scope of the invention. The cup section 102 may not be an insulated container and made of material such as plastic, rubber, metal, alloy, polypropylene, and / or combinations thereof. The cup section 102 comprises a handle 104 for holding the beverage container 100.

[0050] The beverage container 100 also comprises a lid 106 including a closable drinking aperture 108. The aperture 108 is configured to have an arrangement to expose the cup section 102 in an open configuration enabling a user to drink the contained beverage and seal the cup section 102 in a closed configuration. Such an arrangement may be achieved by having different mechanisms involved in the lid 106. In a particular aspect, the aperture 108 includes a flip section 108′ which can be lifted up to open the lid 106 and expose a certain part of the cup section 102 as shown in FIG. 1. In another aspect, the aperture 108 includes a slidable switch which can be configured to slide to open and close the lid 106. Such mechanisms of the lid 106 enable exposure of the cup section 102 when accommodated in the beverage container 100 in an open configuration and seal thereof in a closed configuration. In the preferred embodiments, the lid 106 may be made up of soft flexible materials selected from a group consisting of one or more of polymer, rubber, silicone, and / or combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the lid 106 is made of the same material as the cup section 102.

[0051] The lid 106 is configured to comprise a mechanism to engage and disengage with an upper part of the cup section 102. The lid 106 may be detached from the cup section 102 for drinking, cleaning, viewing inside, or any other purpose. In a particular aspect, the cup section 102 and the lid 106 may comprise grooves which engage with each other by rotating the lid 106 with respect to the cup section 102 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction for attaching and removing the lid 106, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. The grooves 112 of the lid 106 engage with the grooves of the cup section 102 which are provided within its top inner portion (not shown). In another aspect, the lid 106′ comprises a gripping ring 128 on an inner wall 130 to hold the upper portion 132 of the cup section 102′ as shown in FIG. 13. The gripping ring 128 may be engaged with the upper portion 132 of the cup section 102′ to form a male and female connector. According to an embodiment, the lid 106 may first be introduced onto the upper portion 132 of the cup section 102′. The gripping ring 128 may produce a vacuum therein and a suction to hold the cup section 102′. In a further aspect, the lid 106 is attached on the top portion of the cup section 102 and tightly fitted to it through foldable covers provided on its both ends which extends from the lid 106 to a small part of the cup section 102 in a closed configuration (not shown).

[0052] In some aspects, the inner mechanism of the lid 106 comprises a snug fit of the top portion of the cup section 102. In such an aspect, the lid 106 has a larger diameter as compared to that of the top portion of the cup section 102 and holds the cup section 102 without requiring the gripping ring. In yet another aspect, the inner mechanism of the lid 106 includes an inner wall having a first coupling mechanism which is configured to engage with and an outer wall of the cup section 102 having a second coupling mechanism. In some aspects, the first coupling mechanism comprises a first screw thread and the second coupling mechanism comprises a second screw thread configured to engage with the first screw thread to form a male-female connector when the lid 106 is turned in a clockwise direction about the cup section 102.

[0053] Alternatively, the lid 106 and the cup section 102 may have the engagement mechanism as patterns on the lower surface and the upper surface, respectively, to engage as the male-female connector. The pattern of the lid 106 may be configured to interlock with the pattern of the cup section 102 such that the two patterns snap-fit into each other. Examples of the patterns may include such as, but are not limited to, an irregular matrix, slits, and any shape-oriented modules configured for connecting, and so on. The cup section 102 and the lid 106 may include any other mechanism to engage with each other and should not limit the scope of the invention.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the lid 106 is attached to the cup section 102 and is not completely detached from it as shown in FIG. 11. The lid 106 is attached to the cup section 102 through a hinge 118 provided on its edge. The lid 106 can be opened or removed from the cup section 102 to fill the liquid in the cup section 102.

[0055] The beverage container 100 further comprises a detachable insulated section 110 configured to contain a can therewithin. The insulated section 110 is attached at the bottom of the cup section 102. The insulated section 110 may be attached to the cup section 102 with a similar or different mechanism as that of the lid 106. In a particular aspect, the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110 may comprise grooves which engage with each other by rotating the insulated section 110 with respect to the cup section 102 for attaching and removing the insulated section 112 as shown in FIG. 6. The grooves 114 of the insulated section 110 engage with the grooves 112 of the cup section 102 which are provided within its bottom inner portion (not shown). In another aspect, the insulated section 110 comprises a gripping ring on an inner wall to hold the first portion of the cup section 102. The gripping ring may also be engaged with the first portion of the cup section 102 to form a male and female connector.

[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a beverage container 110″ having protrusions and indentations-based engagement mechanism between the lid 106″ and the cup section 102″. The lid 106″ comprises a series of protrusions and indentations 134 arranged around its outer rim. Similarly, the cup section 102″ includes a corresponding series of indentations and protrusions 136 likewise arranged around its inner rim. Accordingly, the attachment mechanism connecting the lid 106″ and the cup section 102″ is formed by placing lid″106″ over the cup section 102″ such that the protrusions of the lid″106″ align with the corresponding indentations of the cup section 102″ and engage therewith. It should be noted that the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110 may include any other mechanism to engage with each other and should not limit the scope of the invention. The engagement mechanism between the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110 may be similar or different from the engagement mechanism between the lid 106 and the cup section 102.

[0057] The insulated section 110 may be constructed from a hard material selected from a group consisting of one or more of metals, alloys, polypropylene, and / or combinations thereof. The insulated section 110 is configured to contain a can for holding a beverage and keeping it cold or hot as per the requirement for a long time. The insulation may be provided, for example, through a double-walled construction of the insulated section 110 (not shown) having an outer layer of stainless steel and an inner layer of insulating material like copper or aluminum. Alternatively, the outer layer is made of plastic and inner layer of insulating material like copper or aluminum. The insulation may also be provided through a single-walled construction. It should be clearly understood that insulation may be provided using any available technology and material without limiting the scope of the invention.

[0058] The provision of the insulated section 110 along with the cup section 102 enables the beverage container 100 to store different liquids and maintain different temperature for these stored liquids. For example, the cup section 102 may be used to store normal water, and the insulated section 110 may be used to contain hot coffee. The coffee will remain hot for a long time without affecting the temperature of water in the cup section 102. In case the cup section 102 is also insulated, two different liquids may be maintained at different temperatures in the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the beverage container 100 may contain multiple insulated sections. FIG. 8 illustrates two insulated sections 110a and 110b provided at the bottom of the cup section 102. The insulated sections 110a and 110b are configured to store different beverages and maintain different temperatures of these stored beverages. The beverage container 100 of the invention may contain any number of insulated sections without limiting the scope of the invention.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the insulated section 110 may be divided into multiple compartments configured to hold different beverage cans at same or different temperatures. FIG. 12A shows an insulating section 110′ vertically divided into two compartments 110′a and 110′b through a vertical wall 120. The wall 120 may be an insulating wall provided, for example, through a double-walled construction having an outer layer of stainless steel and an inner layer of insulating material like copper or aluminum. The insulation may also be provided through a single-walled construction. The provision of the insulated wall 120 enables the compartments 110′a and 110′b to store different beverage cans and maintain different temperature for these stored liquids. Alternatively, the vertical wall 120 may not be insulated. In such a case, heat is exchanged between the liquids stored in the compartments 110′a and 110′b and the two liquids may attain a common temperature after a certain duration of storage.

[0061] In a particular embodiment, the lid 106 is configured to be attached to the insulated section 110 for drinking the beverage from the can of the insulated section 110. The lid 106 is detached from the cup section 102 and attached to the insulated section 110 as shown 12B. To enable the lid 106 to be attached to the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110, the upper cross section of both the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110 needs to be of similar diameter. The lid 106 may be directly attached to the can for drinking the stored beverage. Alternatively, the lid 106 may be made up of soft flexible materials selected from a group consisting of one or more of polymer, rubber, silicone, and / or combinations thereof so that it is configured to be attached to the cup section 102 and the insulated section 110 having different diameters of the upper cross section.

[0062] In an alternative embodiment, the insulated section 110 may comprise its own lid, separate from the cup section 102, configured to enable drinking the stored beverage from the can of the insulated section 110. FIG. 12C shows the insulated section having a lid 126 configured to have an arrangement to expose the insulated section 110 in an open configuration and seal the insulated section 110 in a closed configuration. The lid 126 may be directly attached to the can for drinking the stored beverage. The lid 126 includes a slidable switch 122 which can be configured to slide to expose the opening 124 and enable a user to drink the stored beverage. Alternatively, the lid 126 may comprise a closable drinking aperture similar to the lid 106 as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, a straw (not shown) may be inserted in the opening 124 to drink the stored beverage.

[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the beverage container 100 containing the cup section 102 for containing a beverage, the handle 104, the lid 106 including the closable drinking aperture (not visible), and the detachable insulated section 110 configured to contain a can therewithin.

[0064] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a rear view, a left-side view and a right-side view of the beverage container 100, respectively in accordance with different aspects of the invention.

[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded front view of the beverage container 100 showing the lid section 106, the cup section 102 and the insulated can-holder section 110 containing a can 116. The can 116 may be covered with an insulated cover (not shown) to protect the loss of heat (or coldness) to the cup section 102. The grooves 114 of the insulated section 110 fit with the grooves (not shown) provided at the inner bottom of the cup section 102 to tightly fit the insulated section 110 with the cup section 102. Similarly, the grooves 112 of the lid section 106 fit with the grooves (not shown) provided at the inner top of the cup section 102 to tightly fit the lid 106 with the cup section 102. The cup section 102, lid 106 and the insulated section 110 may comprise any other known mechanism to fit with each other.

[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the beverage container 100 showing different components.

[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the beverage container 100 showing the lid 106, the handle 104 and the closable drinking aperture 108. The closable drinking aperture 108 is shown to comprise a flip section 108′ which can be lifted up to open the lid 106 and expose a certain part of the cup section 102 as explained above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of the beverage container 100 showing the cup section 102, the handle 104, the lid 106 and the insulated section 110.

[0069] While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the above detailed description, the invention is not limited thereto. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The embodiments described herein are, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A beverage container configured to contain different beverages at different temperatures, the beverage container comprises:a cup section configured for containing a first beverage at a first temperature;a detachable insulated section configured to contain a beverage can storing a second beverage at a second temperature, wherein the detachable insulated section is configured to be attached with the cup section from a bottom side of the cup section; anda lid configured to engage with the cup section from an upper side of the cup section, the lid comprising an aperture configured to have an arrangement to expose the cup section in an open configuration enabling a user to drink the first beverage and seal the cup section in a closed configuration.

2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the cup section comprises an insulated container configured to minimize the heat loss from the first beverage maintaining it at first temperature for a long time.

3. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the cup section comprises a non-insulated container.

4. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the insulated section comprises a double-walled construction having an outer layer and an inner layer made of an insulating material.

5. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the insulated section comprises a single-walled construction having a layer made of an insulating material.

6. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature may be same or different temperatures.

7. The beverage container of claim 1 further comprises one or more additional insulated sections attached to the bottom of the insulated section, wherein each additional insulated section is configured to contain a beverage can storing different beverages at different temperatures.

8. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the cup section comprises a first engagement mechanism at the upper side and a second engagement mechanism at the bottom side.

9. The beverage container of claim 8, wherein the first engagement mechanism enables the cup section to engage with a corresponding third engagement mechanism of the lid provided on its bottom side.

10. The beverage container of claim 8, wherein the second engagement mechanism enables the cup section to engage with a corresponding fourth engagement mechanism of the insulated section provided on its upper side.

11. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first engagement mechanism comprises a first set of grooves and the third engagement mechanism comprises a second set of grooves, wherein the second set of grooves are configured to be engaged with the first set of grooves and rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise direction for attaching or removing the lid, respectively, from the cup section.

12. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first engagement mechanism comprises an upper connecting part and the third engagement mechanism comprises a gripping ring, wherein the gripping ring is configured to be engaged with the upper connecting part to form a male and a female connector.

13. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first engagement mechanism comprises first screw threads and the third engagement mechanism comprises second screw threads, wherein the second screw threads are configured to be engaged with the first screw threads and rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise direction for attaching or removing the lid, respectively, from the cup section.

14. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first engagement mechanism comprises a first pattern and the third engagement mechanism comprises a second pattern configured to engage as a male-female connector.

15. The beverage container of claim 14, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern may comprise one or more of a regular matrix, an irregular matrix, slits, shape-oriented modules, or a combination thereof.

16. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first engagement mechanism and the third engagement mechanism comprise protrusions and indentations-based engagement mechanism.

17. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises one or more foldable covers configured to cover a small part of the cup section and tightly fit the lid over the cup section in a closed configuration.

18. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the lid comprises a section configured to open the lid and expose the cup section in the open configuration enabling the user to drink the first beverage.

19. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the insulated section comprises a plurality of insulated compartments configured to hold different beverage cans.

20. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the lid is configured to be attached to the upper side of the insulated section enabling the user to drink the second beverage from the beverage can.

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