Combination closure-cup assembly

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to beverage bottles, and more particularly, to a combination closure-cup assembly for securing to a bottle and allowing users to receive drinks at a greatly enhanced convenience when traveling or engaging in sports activities.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hundreds of thousands of people carry around bottles of liquid beverages with them each day. It is a big imposition and inconvenience to carry around a cup as well especially to sport events, activities, driving, tours or travels. The present invention seeks to eliminate this disadvantage by combining a bottle closure with a cup. The invention thereby allows consumers to close a standard bottle with this unique device which can then be used as a cup. In addition, the present invention is capable of being used with a straw, and has a means in place to transporting the straw therein. Therefore, the present invention is advantageous over the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,247 to Ears discloses a bottle closure-cup assembly for use with a bottle having a rotatably removeable cap.

U.S. Pat. Application No. 2004/0159625 to Kwon discloses a dual chambered beverage bottle made of synthetic resin.

While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to produce a means for conveniently sealing and closing a bottle, while easily drinking from the same apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means for eliminating the inconvenience of carrying a cup along with a bottle for a drinking beverage to sport events, activities, driving, tours or travels.

It is an object of the invention to provide a rotatably, removable and reusable beverage cup.

It is another object of the invention to provide a closure-cup assembly including a cup that is adapted to be used as an easy to grip and open handle by users.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means for including a straw within the closure cup assembly.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an annual peripheral flange for stopping excessive rotation of the cup when it seals the bottle.

This invention is a combination closure-cup assembly including a rotatably removable cup for securing to a bottle. The bottle having an inner cavity, frusto-conical neck and spout including external threading, and an annual peripheral flange extending outwardly from the frusto-conical neck below the external threading. The cup has a first end having a circular flat bottom including a scalloped rim, a second end, and a frusto-conical neck portion connecting the first and second end. The cup includes an outer surface, an internal cavity having threading, an inwardly recessed straw aperture, and a leak proof seal. The outer surface has a plurality of axial ribs.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a combination bottle and closure-cup assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a bottle for use with the present invention having a liquid filled inner cavity a spout having external threads.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the combination closure-cup assembly of the present invention, wherein the closure-cap assembly is in use receiving a bottle and straw.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of the combination closure-cup assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a straw for use with the combination closure-cup assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the closure-cup of the combination closure cup assembly being filled with a liquid beverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a closure-cup assembly 10 constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention. The closure-cup assembly 10 is used in conjunction with a bottle 30, and is capable of closing and sealing the bottle. Preferably, the closure-cup assembly 10 is made out of plastic or aluminum, and can be used with small and wide neck bottles, as well as, plastic, glass and/or aluminum bottles.

The closure-cup assembly 10 includes a rotatably removable cup 12 having a frusto-conical neck portion 14 connecting a first end 16 and second end 18. The cup includes an outer surface 12A. The first end 16 includes a circular flat bottom 20 which includes a scalloped rim 20A ideal for easy griping. The outer surface 12A of the second end 18 of the cup 12 is formed with a plurality of axial ribs 22 for assisting in engaging with a bottle, holding during drinking and being used as a lip while drinking from the cup 12. The scalloped rim 20A is adapted to be used as an easy to grip handle by users.

FIG. 2 illustrated the bottle 30, which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a frusto-conical neck 32 and spout 34. The spout 34 includes external threading 36. An annual peripheral flange 38 extends outwardly from the frusto-conical neck 32 just below the external threading 36. The bottle 30 includes an inner cavity 39.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial view of the cup 12 after receiving the bottle 30. The cup 12 has an internal cavity 40 for receiving the spout 34 and frusto-conical neck 32 of bottle 30. The cup 12 is available in different embodiments and shapes in order to receive different bottles having differing neck widths.

FIG. 4 illustrates the cup 12 just prior to receiving the bottle 30. The internal cavity 40 of the cup 12 includes threading 42 for receiving and interlocking with the external threading 36 of the bottle 30 such that the cup 12 securely closes the bottle 30 and holds liquid therein. The threading 42 of the cup 12 is covered with a leak proof seal 44, which covers over an inwardly recessed straw aperture 46. The annual peripheral flange 38 of the bottle 30 is used for stopping excessive rotation of the cup 12 when closing the bottle 30 therewith.

FIG. 5 illustrates a standard flexible straw 50, having accordion ridges 52 for selectively lengthening and shortening. The straw in FIG. 5 is shown extending outwardly from the inner cavity 39 of the bottle 30 upwardly through the spout 34. The straw 50 extends upwardly through the leak proof seal 44 and into the inwardly recessed straw aperture 46. Preferably, the straw 50 is shortened and inserted into the inwardly recessed straw aperture 46 and closed within the inner cavity 39 of the bottle 30 during manufacturing. After cup 12 is removed from the spout 34 of the bottle 30 the straw 50 is separated and pulled out from the inwardly recessed straw aperture 46 and lengthened for regular use as the straw 50. The closure-cup assembly 10 can be used with or without the straw 50.

FIG. 6 illustrates the cup 12 in use as a standard drinking cup being filled with liquid beverage 11 from the inner cavity 39 of the bottle 30. In use, a user twists off the cup 12 from the bottle 30 by gripping the scalloped rim 20A of the cup and allowing the external threads 36 of the bottle to unlock from the threading 42 of the cup 12. Then, the cup 12 is turned upside down such that the circular flat bottom 20 of the first end 16 is against a table or flat surface. Next, the user pours the liquid beverage 11 from the bottle 30 into the internal cavity 40 of the cup 12. Then, the user can drink the liquid beverage 11 directly from the cup 12 using the axially ribs 22 as a lip, or alternatively, drinking from the straw 50 as it extends upwardly through the inwardly recessed straw aperture 46 and leak proof seal 44. Once the user's thirst is exhausted, the user simple replaces the cup 12 onto the bottle and selectively closes the bottle 12 by twisting the scalloped rim 20A causing the threading 42 of the cup 12 to interlock with the external threads 36 of the bottle 30. The annual peripheral flange 38 prohibits excessive rotation of the cup 12.

In conclusion, herein is presented combination closure-cap assembly 10. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.