TWO-PIECE DRINKWARE HAVING AN OUTER SHELL AND A DISPOSABLE INNER LINING

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to dinnerware and drinkware for holding food and drinks. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a two-piece integrated drinkware item having a decorative outer shell and a disposable inner liner whereby the inner liner can be easily attached to and removed from the outer shell.

BACKGROUND

Drinkware comes in many shapes and sizes and is used for holding various types of drinks or beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, juice, water, alcohol, etc. Also, drinkware can be produced using many different types of materials, such as ceramic, glass, stainless steel, plastic, paper, etc. Normally, after use of many types of drinkware, the drinkware can be washed or otherwise sterilized by handwashing or by running the drinkware, along with other dishes and the like, in a dishwasher. Each dishwasher cycle takes a certain amount of time and consumes a certain amount of electricity. In some situations, such as large parties and family get-togethers, running a dishwasher multiple times can be inconvenient or time-consuming. Also, this can use lots of soap and water resources. Therefore, in some cases, disposable dishware can be utilized. After use of a disposable cup (e.g., plastic cup, Styrofoam™ cup, etc.), there is no longer a need to wash the cup, of course, but it can contribute to the overwhelming amount of waste put into landfills. Therefore, there is a need for a drinkware item that does not need as many dishwashing cycles and also does not produce as much waste as conventional disposable cups.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to drinkware items used for holding beverages and allowing a user to easily drink from them. In one implementation, a drinkware item includes an outer shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a relatively flat base, and an upper rim, the outer shell defining an interior space. Also, the drinkware items include a liner having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a relatively flat base, and an upper lip section, the liner defining an interior space. It may be noted that, in some embodiments, the outer shell and liner may be manufactured separately. The liner is configured to be removably connected to the outer shell by engaging the upper lip section of the liner with the upper rim of the outer shell. When the liner is connected to the outer shell, the exterior surface of the liner is arranged in contact with the interior surface of the outer shell and the relatively flat base of the liner rests on the relatively flat base of the outer shell to allow the outer shell to physically support the liner when a substance is introduced into the interior space of the liner.

In some embodiments, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner may be configured to surround the upper rim of the outer shell, whereby, during normal use of the drinkware item, a user's lips do not touch the outer shell. The upper lip section of the liner, for instance, may include a ring indentation configured to engage with a ring protrusion extending from the upper rim of the outer shell. Thus, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner may engage with the upper rim of the outer shell by a snap-on action. In addition, the upper lip section of the liner, in some embodiments, may include one or more spiral indentations configured to engage with one or more spiral protrusions extending from the upper rim of the outer shell. Thus, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner may engage with the upper rim of the outer shell by a screw-on action.

According to some implementations, the upper lip section of the liner may include one or more installation portions configured to assist a user with connecting the liner to the outer shell and one or more sanitary contact portions configured to contact the lips of the user during use. For example, the one or more installation portions may include locking elements configured to lock the upper lip section of the liner onto corresponding locking elements of the upper rim of the outer shell. When multiple liners are stored in a storage container, for example, the one or more installation portions of adjacent liners may be configured to contact each other while separating the one or more sanitary contact portions of adjacent liners from each other.

It may be noted that the liner is configured to separate the substance from the interior surface of the outer shell, whereby the substance may be a drink, food, soup, or other consumable thing. The liner may be a disposable item and can be replaced with another liner, whereby the liner may include a minimal amount of material (e.g., less waste) and is intended to provide minimal physical strength on its own. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the liner may include a cleaning agent separated from the interior surface of the liner. In some cases, a handle may be formed on the external surface of the outer shell. Also, the external surface of the outer shell may include one or more decorative or aesthetic features, which, in some cases, can be used to distinguish one cup from another. In some embodiments, a wall thickness of the outer shell may be defined by a distance between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the outer shell, whereby the upper rim of the outer shell may include an enlarged lip portion having a width greater than the wall thickness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings. Like reference numbers are used to denote like components/steps, as appropriate. Unless otherwise noted, components depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an outer shell of a dinnerware item, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another outer shell of a dinnerware item, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a liner of a dinnerware item, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of the dinnerware item whereby the liner is installed on the outer shell, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating cross-sectional side views of first and second upper portions of the dinnerware item when the liner is installed on the outer shell, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of an upper portion of the integrated dinnerware item where the outer shell is configured with a ring protrusion and the liner is configured with a ring indentation for snap-on connection, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of an upper portion of the integrated dinnerware item where the liner is configured with an installation portion having a locking element, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the outer shell having locking tabs, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the liner having installation portions having locking elements configured to connection with the locking tabs of the outer shell shown in FIG. 9 for twist-on connection, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a top portion of the outer shell having spiral protrusions configured for screw-on connection with the liner, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a top portion of the liner having spiral indentations configured screw-on connection with the spiral protrusions shown in FIG. 11, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to drinkware items, such as cups, mugs, tumblers, etc. As described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the drinkware items are configured as integrated drinkware assemblies having two separate and distinct parts. A first part in an “outer shell,” which is configured to provide physical strength to the drinkware assembly and may include decorative or aesthetic elements on the outside surface thereof, which can be used for identifying the user of the specific drinkware assembly. A second part of the integrated drinkware assembly is a disposable “liner” (or lining), which may be disposable. In order to use the drinkware assembly, a user may install, engage, or connect the liner onto the outer shell and then the drinkware assembly can be filled with a beverage or the like. After use, the user may disconnect or remove the liner from the outer shell and discard it. Then, a new liner may be installed, and a new beverage may be consumed.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the features of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the various embodiments that will be described herein. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be capable of other implementations and configurations and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes described in the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments may include various equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an outer shell 10 of a dinnerware item or assembly. In this embodiments, the outer shell 10 includes an exterior wall 12, an interior wall 14, a base element 16, and an upper rim 18. The outer shell 10 may include substantial strength to hold a substance (e.g., liquid) and to sustain a certain amount of external force while keeping the exterior wall 12 intact and/or undamaged.

The outer shell 10 may include any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, some suitable materials may include stainless steel (e.g., single-wall, insulated double-wall, etc.), ceramic, glass, plastic, silicone, bamboo, enamel, etc. Stainless steel, for instance, may be durable and rust-resistant, can maintain temperatures (especially when insulated), and is often lightweight. Ceramic may include porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and the like, may be durable, heat-retentive, microwave-safe, and/or often dishwasher-safe, and may be beneficial for retaining heat, such as when used for hot drinks like coffee or tea. Glass (e.g., tempered glass, borosilicate glass, leaded crystal, etc.) is transparent, which can have certain benefits, and can be heat-resistant depending on its type. Enamel may be used as a coating for metal and may provide durability.

In some embodiments, a decorative or aesthetic feature 20 may be printed, painted, etched, laser-etched, or otherwise applied to or formed in the exterior wall 12. The decorative or aesthetic feature 20 may include any picture, name, logo, design, etc., and may be customized for a particular user to distinguish it from other drinkware assemblies having different names, pictures, etc.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an outer shell 24 of a dinnerware item or assembly. In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 1, the outer shell 24 also includes a handle 26.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a liner 30 of a dinnerware item or assembly. In this embodiment, the liner includes an exterior wall 32, an interior wall 34, a base element 36, and an upper lip section 38. The liner 30 may be configured as a disposable item and may therefore include biodegradable materials. Also, the liner 30 may include a minimal amount of material to thereby reduce waste when it is thrown out.

According to some embodiments, the liner 30 may include one or more materials, such as paper, wax-covered paper, plastic-lined paper, compostable paper, foam, plastic, etc. The liner 30 is configured to handle beverages that are hot (e.g., coffee, tea, etc.) or cold (e.g., chilled water, ice-cooled soda, etc.). The liner 30 may also include insulative properties to somewhat shield the outer shell 10 from hot or cold temperatures. Paper material may include paperboard with a thin plastic (polyethylene) lining to make it waterproof and able to hold liquids. The liner 30 may include one or more layers, whereby each layer may include a different type of material.

The liner 30 may include a thin layer and may have minimal physical strength. Instead, since the liner 30 is configured to be inserted into the interior space of the outer shell 10, it acts simply as a barrier between the beverage and the interior wall 14 of the outer shell 10. As such, the beverage does not soil the outer shell 10 and hence washing of the outer shell 10 is not necessarily needed after every use.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a dinnerware assembly 42 in which the liner 30 is installed on the outer shell 10. In particular, the liner 30 is placed in an interior space defined by the outer shell 30. Also, the upper lip section 38 of the liner 30 can be pushed down onto the upper rim 18 of the outer shell 10 to join the two pieces together. The upper lip section 38 and upper rim 18 may be configured according to various embodiment to include corresponding features that allow the liner 30 to be connected to, engaged with, or installed on the outer shell 30. In some embodiments, the two pieces remain in contact simply by frictional forces. When the liner 30 is connected to the outer shell 10, the exterior wall 32 of the liner 30 lies in contact with the interior wall 14 of the outer shell 10. Also, when installed, the base element 36 of the liner 30 rests on the base element 16 of the outer shell.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating cross-sectional side views of first and second embodiments of upper portions of the dinnerware assembly 42 when the liner 30 is installed on the outer shell 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper rim 18 of the outer shell 10 may include a rounded edge 50. The upper lip section 38 of the liner 30 may include an interior portion 52 configured to come in contact with the beverage. The upper lip section 38 in this embodiment also includes a curved lip portion 54 that surrounds the rounded edge 50 of the upper rim 18 of the outer shell 10. The curved lip portion 54 may be configured to come in contact with a user's lips while he or she is drinking. The upper lip portion 54 may include an installation edge 56 configured to assist with installing the liner 30 over the rounded edge 50 and to remove the liner 30 when it is time for it to be disposed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper rim 18 of the outer shell 10 may include a square edge 60. The upper lip section 38 of the liner 30 may include an interior portion 62 configured to come in contact with the beverage. The upper lip section 38 in this embodiment also includes a curved lip portion 64 that surrounds the square edge 60 of the upper rim 18 of the outer shell 10. The curved lip portion 64 may be configured to come in contact with a user's lips while he or she is drinking. The upper lip portion 64 may also include an installation edge 66 configured to assist with installing the liner 30 over the square edge 60 and to remove the liner 30 when it is time for it to be disposed.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the upper portions of the integrated dinnerware assembly 42 when the liner 30 is installed on the outer shell 10. In this embodiment, an upper rim 72 of the outer shell 10 includes a ring protrusion 74 (shown as a half-circle in cross-section). Also, the liner 30 includes a lip section 76 that has a ring indentation that corresponds to the ring protrusion 74 for accepting the ring protrusion 74 when the liner 30 is pushed down on the outer shell 10. In this embodiment, the integrated dinnerware item utilizes the ring protrusion 74 and corresponding ring protrusion to enable a snap-on connection. According to additional and/or alternative embodiments, as further depicted in FIG. 7, the upper rim 72 of the outer shell 10 may additionally (or alternatively) include an enlarged lip portion 75. A wall thickness of the outer shell 10 may be defined by a distance between its exterior surface 12 and interior surface 14, wherein the enlarged lip portion 75 has a width greater than this wall thickness. Also, to accommodate the enlarged lip portion 75, the liner 30 may further include an enlarged snap-on feature 78 configured for snap-on connection with the outer shell 10.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the upper portions of the integrated dinnerware assembly 42. An upper rim 80 of the outer shell 10 includes a locking tab 82 that extends outward from the exterior wall 12. An installation section 84 of the liner 30 in this embodiment is configured as an installation piece, which is intended for installation purposes and not necessarily a portion where a user would normally wish to drink from. Instead, the installation section 84 may include a tab surface for a user to press with his or her finger or hand to rotate the liner 30 with respect to the outer shell 10 during installation. The installation section 84 of the liner 30 includes a slot 86 through which the locking tab 82 can be slid. The pieces may be held together by frictional force between the locking tab 82 and the inside of the slot 86. Thus, the locking tab 82 and slot 86 may form a locking mechanism for keeping the liner 30 in place. The rotating action of the liner 30 to envelope the locking tab 82 is shown with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of an embodiment of the outer shell 10 having locking tabs 82a, 82b on two opposite sides. It may be noted that the outer shell 10, according to this embodiment, may include any suitable number of locking tabs 82. FIG. 10 shows a top view of the liner 30 having installation sections 84a, 84b on two opposite sides. Again, it may be noted that the liner 30 may have any suitable number of installation sections 84 to correspond with the locking tabs 82. Again, the locking tabs 82 and installation sections 84 are configured as locking elements for connection of the liner 30 with the outer shell 10. The embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 8-10 may be used for a twist-on or rotating connection between the liner 30 and the outer shell 10.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a top portion of the outer shell 10 having spiral protrusions 92 below the upper rim 18. FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a top portion of the liner 30 having spiral indentations 96 that correspond with the spiral protrusions 92 of the upper lip section 38 of the outer shell 10. In this arrangement, the liner 30 can be twisted with respect to the outer shell 10 such that the spiral indentations 96 are aligned with the spiral protrusions 92 for a screw-on connection.

Therefore, according to various embodiments, a drinkware assembly (or drinkware item) may include two main pieces. The drinkware item may include an outer shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a relatively flat base, and an upper rim, the outer shell defining an interior space. The drinkware item may also include a liner having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a relatively flat base, and an upper lip section, the liner defining an interior space. The liner is configured to be removably connected to the outer shell by engaging the upper lip section of the liner with the upper rim of the outer shell. When the liner is connected to the outer shell, the exterior surface of the liner is arranged in contact with the interior surface of the outer shell and the relatively flat base of the liner rests on the relatively flat base of the outer shell to allow the outer shell to physically support the liner when a substance is introduced into the interior space of the liner.

In some embodiments, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner may be configured to surround the upper rim of the outer shell, whereby, during normal use of the drinkware item, a user's lips do not touch the outer shell. The upper lip section of the liner may include a ring indentation configured to engage with a ring protrusion extending from the upper rim of the outer shell, wherein, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner engages with the upper rim of the outer shell by a snap-on action. The upper lip section of the liner may include one or more spiral indentations configured to engage with one or more spiral protrusions extending from the upper rim of the outer shell, wherein, when the liner is connected to the outer shell, the upper lip section of the liner engages with the upper rim of the outer shell by a screw-on action.

The upper lip section of the liner may include one or more installation portions configured to assist a user with connecting the liner to the outer shell and one or more sanitary contact portions configured to contact the lips of the user during use. The one or more installation portions may include locking elements configured to lock the upper lip section of the liner onto corresponding locking elements of the upper rim of the outer shell. When multiple liners are stored in a storage container, for example, the one or more installation portions of adjacent liners may be configured to contact each other while separating the one or more sanitary contact portions of adjacent liners from each other.

In some embodiments, the liner may be configured to separate the substance from the interior surface of the outer shell, wherein the substance may be a drink, food, soup, broth, or other consumable item. The liner, for example, may be a disposable item and can be replaced with another liner, wherein the liner may provide minimal physical strength on its own and have little effect on the environmental when disposed, particularly less than the amount of material that would normally be used with conventional cups. The exterior surface of the liner may include a cleaning agent separated from the interior surface of the liner. In some embodiments, a handle may be formed on the external surface of the outer shell. The external surface of the outer shell may also include one or more decorative or aesthetic features.

In other embodiments, similar embodiments may be envisioned for other items beyond the realm of drinkware. For example, similar two-piece sets may be conceived for creating dinnerware, dishes, plates, bowls, kitchenware, tableware, dinner set, dining set, dining ware, service bowls, containers, etc. A sturdy base can be used for structural support while a disposable thin liner may be applied to the base by snapping on, screwing on, etc. Again, after use, the disposable liner can be thrown away with minimal waste and the base (with normal use) might not need to be washed after each use since it is protected by the liner, but it can be reused multiple times without the need for wasteful dishwashing practices. Throwing away a small layer can also be used in a sterile or hygienic manner, such as in hospital.

According to some embodiments, a shell can be sturdy and can provide physical support for food or drink. It may include a decorative outer surface that, in some cases, can be distinguished from other shells. For example, multiple shells may be customized with the names of family members (using any aesthetically pleasing fonts or styles), or may include some decorative emblem, logo, image, graphic, etc. The rim is designed with a feature that allows the liner to be easily installed thereto or removed therefrom.

The liner is configured to line an inside portion of a cup or mug or lines the top of a plate or bowl where food or drink would normally touch on a conventional container that does not have this liner. It can be used for sanitary purposes, can be a one-time use item, or limited-time item. It is configured to fit snugly on the shell, providing little physical strength since the shell itself will provide this support. It is designed to include as little material as possible. It can snap (or screw) onto the shell easily and can be removed easily as well. It includes an edge with a fitted lip that snaps (or screws) onto a corresponding lip or edge of the shell. The liner can be coated with wax, plastic, paper, and/or any other suitable material, which can be ecofriendly. Also, it is somewhat resistant to extreme hot or cold temperatures of foods and drinks.

The outer portion of the liner which contacts the inside surface of the shell may include a material (e.g., cloth) and/or a cleaning agent that can be used to easily clean the inside of the shell. Also, the cleaning material or agent can be used after normal use of the liner but before it is thrown away. For example, the cleaning material or agent can be used for cleaning the handle of the shell and/or cleaning the exterior wall 12 of the shell if food or drink spills on it. Again, this can help reduce the need for unnecessary dishwashing. In that way, when the user removes the liner, they can quickly clean the portions of the shell that might need cleaning, particularly the handle that the user touches or an outside of the shell. The disposable item and the added cleaning agents can be used to kill germs.

In some cases, the liners may be purchasable in a set. For example, a box of any number (e.g., 50) liners may be purchased, where the box may include the liners stacked in a nested fashion. Also, in the embodiments in which the liners include the installation section 84 (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10), the installation section 84 may have a depth that allows the liners to have a bit of space between them. In this way, when one liner is removed from the box, the upper lip section 38 is not contacted, thereby reducing the spread of germs from one's hands to the cup and then to the mouth. With the installation sections 84 providing contact portions for the user's hands, the user can then drink normally from the non-contact portions (i.e., other parts of the upper lip section 38) to reduce the spread of germs.

In one particular use case, suppose a family is having an event at their house, such as a party, multi-family meal, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or whatever. The event might last several hours or even multiple days. In this situation, everyone at the event may have their own individual outer shell 10 with their names, specific design, graphic, style, etc. displayed on the outside. This will help everyone to be able to identify their own drinkware item. During the event, each person might try different types of drinks. For example, for a Christmas dinner, someone might drink tea during the meal. After this, they might drink some eggnog. Later on (e.g., the next day), they might drink some punch or alcoholic beverage. Instead of constantly running the dishwasher to clean multiple cups or glasses and/or instead of constantly throwing away multiple disposable cups over the course of this event, the family can limit dishwasher usage (saving dishwasher soap, electrical energy for powering the dishwasher, human time for loading and unloading the dishwasher, etc.) and reduce the amount of trash that is thrown away, since the liners are configured to use considerably less material than conventional disposable cups, which contribute less to landfills and is ecofriendly.

Another advantage is that the shell can be designed with long-term thought and can include much more decorative elements compared to most drab-looking disposable cups. Also, the concept of customizing each person's shell can be a fun activity and can be a reminder of fun family events. Conventional methods of using disposable cups sometimes involve writing a person's name on the outside of the disposable cup with permanent marker. Of course, this would not provide as aesthetic of a look as a well-designed and reusable outer shell 10.

While the present disclosure has been detailed and depicted through specific embodiments and examples, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications can perform equivalent functions or yield comparable results. Such alternative embodiments and variations, which may not be explicitly mentioned but achieve the objectives and adhere to the principles disclosed herein, fall within its spirit and scope. Accordingly, they are envisioned and encompassed by this disclosure, warranting protection under the claims associated herewith. Additionally, the present disclosure anticipates combinations and permutations of the described elements, operations, steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, modules, etc., in any manner conceivable, whether collectively, in subsets, or individually, further broadening the ambit of potential embodiments.