BEVERAGE TUMBLER

Description

BACKGROUND

The drinking of beverages is not only a necessity for sustaining life, it can also be one of life's great pleasures. Sipping a cup of coffee in the morning from a favorite mug can provide a momentary feeling of joy to the sipper that is hard to duplicate.

However, life is busy and hectic, and individuals do not always have the time and opportunity to enjoy a beverage in their ideal environment and from a chosen cup. Accordingly, a person will often need to drink a beverage on the go, and this has given rise to a multi-billion-dollar travel beverage container industry. Beverage tumblers, also known as travel mugs or to-go drink containers, have been around for decades and have mostly been developed for the purpose of maintaining the temperature of a beverage so that it keeps hot drinks hot and/or cold drinks cold for as long as possible. Conventional beverage tumblers come in a variety of styles, with the primary focus of the design being temperature preservation. The tumblers have insulated walls that surround a beverage reservoir where a beverage to be consumed by a user is contained. Typically, a lid or top will be provided to help further maintain the desired temperature of the beverage in the beverage reservoir, with varying degrees of success.

While conventional beverage tumblers are generally effective when it comes to temperature maintenance, they are often lacking in other areas. For example, existing tumblers tend to be very utilitarian and generally provide a less-than-ideal drinking experience, particularly when it comes to the enjoyment of a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea. Typically, a beverage tumbler comes with a lid or top that has a small hole through which a beverage being contained within the beverage reservoir can flow as it is being consumed by a user. The act of drinking through the hole can be unsatisfying for some users, though. The feel on the user's lips is not the same as the feel on the lips when sipping out of a traditional mug or cup. In addition, the aromas of the beverage do not rise unimpeded to the nose of the user just before and during the sip. Furthermore, the flow of the beverage into the user's mouth is dependent on the size and shape of the hole more than the opening of the user's lips and tilt of the cup.

In order for a user to provide himself or herself with an enjoyable sipping experience, the user will sometimes remove the lid and drink out of the tumbler as if it was a normally rimmed cup. However, this process has its own problems. Without the lid attached, the beverage in the beverage reservoir becomes more exposed to the ambient temperature and as a result more quickly loses its heat or coldness. The lidless tumbler loses stability and can also be a spilling hazard, especially if the beverage is being sipped while the user is moving or riding in a car. To help maintain the temperature or reduce spillage, a user must go through the arduous process of taking the lid off and placing it back on with each sip. A removed lid can also become easily misplaced. Moreover, lids are also often ill-fitting, poorly insulating, and/or are problems in terms of the environmental waste they create.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved beverage tumbler. There is a further need for an improved beverage tumbler that creates a more enjoyable sipping experience for a user. There is a further need for a beverage tumbler that provides a rim-based sipping experience of a beverage while maintaining the temperature of the beverage in the tumbler. There is a further need for a beverage tumbler that helps maintain the temperature of a beverage without the need for a lid with a drinking hole.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies one or more of these needs. In one aspect of the invention, an improved beverage tumbler is provided

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler is provided that creates a more enjoyable sipping experience for a user.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler provides a rim-based sipping experience of a beverage while maintaining the temperature of the beverage.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler helps maintain the temperature of a beverage without the need for a lid with a drinking hole.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a beverage storage chamber that is in flow communication with a sipping chamber, the beverage storage chamber being designed to contain a beverage in a manner where there is no direct contact between the beverage in the beverage storage chamber and an ambient temperature.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a beverage storage chamber that is in flow communication with a sipping chamber, the beverage storage chamber being designed to contain a beverage in a manner where there is no direct contact between the beverage in the beverage storage chamber and an ambient temperature, and wherein a sipping chamber valve system allows a user to selectively fill the sipping chamber with beverage from the beverage storage chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of sipping a beverage comprises providing a beverage tumbler as described herein and using the beverage tumbler as described herein.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a tumbler body comprising a sidewall and a bottom that define a tumbler body interior; and a partitioning system within the tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber, wherein a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a tumbler body comprising a sidewall and a bottom that define a tumbler body interior; and a partitioning system within the tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber, wherein a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature, wherein the sipping chamber comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a rim portion over which beverage from the sipping chamber can flow when being sipped, and wherein beverage in the beverage storage chamber passes through the lower portion of the sipping chamber before flowing into the upper portion of the sipping chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a tumbler body comprising a sidewall and a bottom that define a tumbler body interior; and a partitioning system within the tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber, wherein a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature, wherein the sipping chamber comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a rim portion over which beverage from the sipping chamber can flow when being sipped, wherein beverage in the beverage storage chamber passes through the lower portion of the sipping chamber before flowing into the upper portion of the sipping chamber, and wherein the lower portion of the sipping chamber is surrounded horizontally by the beverage storage chamber when the beverage tumbler is in an upright orientation.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler comprises a tumbler body comprising a sidewall and a bottom that define a tumbler body interior; and a partitioning system within the tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber, wherein a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature, wherein beverage in the beverage storage chamber flows into the sipping chamber through a communication channel at or near a bottom of the beverage storage chamber, and wherein a sipping chamber valve system controls the flow of beverage from the beverage storage chamber to the sipping chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler insert is adapted to be insertable into a tumbler body, the beverage tumbler insert comprising a partitioning system removably insertable into a tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber when the beverage tumbler insert is positioned within the tumbler body, wherein when the insert is positioned within the tumbler body a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature.

In another aspect of the invention, a beverage tumbler insert is adapted to be insertable into a tumbler body, the beverage tumbler insert comprising a partitioning system removably insertable into a tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber when the beverage tumbler insert is positioned within the tumbler body, wherein when the insert is positioned within the tumbler body a beverage within the beverage storage chamber can flow into the sipping chamber, and wherein the beverage in the sipping chamber can be sipped by a user without directly exposing beverage in the beverage storage chamber to ambient temperature, wherein the sipping chamber comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a rim portion over which beverage from the sipping chamber can flow when being sipped, and wherein beverage in the beverage storage chamber passes through the lower portion of the sipping chamber before flowing into the upper portion of the sipping chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of sipping a beverage from a beverage tumbler comprises providing a beverage tumbler comprising a tumbler body comprising a sidewall and bottom that define a tumbler body interior and a partitioning system within the tumbler body interior, the partitioning system comprising walls that divide the tumbler body interior into a beverage storage chamber and a sipping chamber, manipulating a valve to allow beverage in the beverage storage chamber to flow into the sipping chamber, and sipping the beverage in the sipping chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary features of the invention. However, it is to be understood that each of the features can be used in the invention in general, not merely in the context of the particular drawings, and the invention includes any combination of these features, where:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic sectional side view through a longitudinal midline of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a filled condition and an upright position;

FIG. 2B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 1A in a filled condition and a tilted position;

FIG. 3A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention in a separated configuration;

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 3A in an inserted configuration;

FIG. 4A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic top view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 5C is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 5D is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 6C is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 6D is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic partially sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 7B is a schematic partially sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 7A in a beverage storage configuration and with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 8A is a schematic partially sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 7A filled with a beverage and with a valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 8B is a schematic partially sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 7A filled with a beverage in a ready to sip configuration and with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 9A is a schematic partially sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 7A following a sip and with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 9B is a schematic partially sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention in a ready to sip configuration and with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 10A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 10B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 10A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 11A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 11B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 11A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 12A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 12B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 12A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 13A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 13B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 13A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 15A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 15B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 15A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 16A is a schematic sectional side view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 16B is a schematic sectional side view of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 16A with the valve system in an unactuated position;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention with a valve system in an actuated position;

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of a portion of the beverage tumbler of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view of another version of a beverage tumbler of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a beverage container. In particular, the invention relates to a reusable or disposable beverage tumbler that helps maintain the temperature of a beverage. Although the invention is illustrated and described in the context of being useful for containing and allowing the sipping of a hot and/or cold beverage, the present invention can be used in other ways, as would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited just to the examples and embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a version of a beverage tumbler 100 according to the present invention. By tumbler it is meant any beverage container, such as a cup, mug, stein, or glass, that is intended to contain a beverage in a manner that allows the beverage to be sipped by a user of the tumbler. The user can be a single individual, a plurality of individuals, an individual that is providing a sip of the beverage to another individual, and/or a user that is receiving a sip of the beverage under the assistance of another individual. Tumblers are often, but not necessarily, characterized by having a stemless flat bottom, and are typically, but not necessarily, made of one or more of stainless steel; plastic, such as polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and high density polyethylene; paper product, such as carboard and wood pulp; ceramic materials, such as glass, porcelain, clay; and the like. The beverage tumbler 100 can be reusable or disposable. The beverage tumbler 100 includes a tumbler body 105 made up of a sidewall 110, a bottom 115, and an open top 120. Together the sidewall 110 and the bottom 115 define a tumbler body interior 125. The open top 120 provides access to the tumbler body interior 125. In the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the beverage tumbler 100 is a travel beverage tumbler 130 designed for allowing a user to drink a beverage on the go and also commonly referred to as an insulated tumbler, a travel mug, a portable mug, an insulated cup, a to-go cup, an on-the-go cup, a thermal mug or cup, a thermos mug or cup, and the like. The beverage tumbler 100 in the form of a travel beverage tumbler 130 can include an insulating system 135 that is designed to reduce the transfer of heat through at least a portion of the sidewall 110 and/or the bottom 115 when compared to a beverage tumbler 100 without the insulating system 135. The insulting system 135 can be provided, for example, by a sidewall 110, bottom 115, and/or other mechanisms that are designed to prevent or reduce heat transfer so that a beverage contained within the tumbler body interior 125 is maintained at a desired temperature for a period of time. Various designs of the insulating system 135 are available, including for example, one or more of making the sidewall 110 and/or bottom 115 out of insulating material, such as a ceramic and/or a foam material, inserting insulating material within a sidewall 110 and/or bottom 115, using a double wall construction for the sidewall 110 and/or bottom 115, and the like, all of which are conventionally known in the art. The travel beverage tumbler 130 may optionally include additional systems or items for maintaining the temperature of a beverage, such as active heating and/or cooling elements that are incorporated into the or positionable in proximity to the beverage tumbler 100.

As can also be seen in the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, within the tumbler body interior 125 of the beverage tumbler 100 is a partitioning system 140. The partitioning system 140 can be an integral part of the beverage tumbler 100, or the partitioning system 140 or a portion thereof can be a separate part, as will be discussed below. The partitioning system 140 is provided to separate the tumbler body interior 125 into a plurality of separated chambers. For example, in the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the partitioning system 140 separates the tumbler body interior 125 into a first chamber, a beverage storage chamber 145, and a second chamber, a sipping chamber 150. The beverage storage chamber 145 includes an interior reservoir 155 defined by the partitioning system 140 and/or the tumbler body 105 that is designed to serve as a beverage reservoir in which a beverage to be sipped can be contained and/or stored in a manner that preserves the temperature of the beverage within the beverage storage chamber 145. The beverage storage chamber 145 feeds a beverage within the beverage storage chamber 145 to the sipping chamber 150 either naturally or under the control of the user in one or more manners, as will be explained. The sipping chamber 150 is designed to contain a portion of the beverage that is to be sipped by a user. In the version shown, the sipping chamber 150 includes a lower portion 160 that is positioned generally within beverage storage chamber 145 and an upper portion 165 that is positioned generally above the beverage storage chamber 145.

The sipping chamber 165 can be sized, shaped, and/or positioned to suit a particular design or desire. In the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 is a funnel-shaped and/or frustoconical portion with the lower portion 160 having a smaller horizontal cross-sectional dimension than the upper portion 165. The lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 includes or is made up of a stem 170 that is insertable at least partially into the beverage storage chamber 145. In the version shown, the stem 170 is an elongated member that is surrounded horizontally by, or at least mostly surrounded horizontally by, the beverage storage chamber 145. The stem 170 includes a stem sidewall 175 that defines a hollow stem interior 180 that is adapted to contain a portion of a beverage that is to be sipped. In the particular version shown, the stem 170 is at least partially cylindrically shaped, but it can have any other shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the stem 170 and/or stem sidewall 175 can be round, circular, oval, ovate, ovoid, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, and/or any combination thereof. The upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 is positionable above the beverage storage chamber 145 when the beverage tumbler 100 is upright. The upper portion 165 includes an upper portion interior 185 defined by the partitioning system 140 and/or the tumbler sidewall 110. The upper portion interior 185 is in flow communication with both the stem interior 180 and the open top 120 of the tumbler body 105. At the open top 120 of the tumbler body 105 and forming the upper extent of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 is a rim portion 190, as will be described in more detail. At or near the bottom of the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 and/or at or near the bottom of the stem 170 is a communication channel 195 that allows the beverage storage chamber interior reservoir 155 and the stem interior 180 to be in flow communication at a position below the upper portion 165 and in the version shown at or near the bottom of the lower portion 165. In the version shown, the stem 170 and/or the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 is positioned generally in or near the horizontal center of the beverage tumbler 100. Alternatively, the stem 170 and/or the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 can be positioned eccentrically. In one particular eccentric version, the stem 170 and/or lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 can contact or be at least partially formed by a tumbler body sidewall 110. In one such version, the beverage storage chamber 145 horizontally surrounds at least 50 percent, or at least 75 percent, or at least 90 percent of the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150.

Operation of the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows the beverage container 100 at least partially filled with a beverage 200 to be sipped by a user. As can be seen, the beverage 200 is contained both within the interior reservoir 155 of the beverage storage chamber 145 and in the stem interior 180 in the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150. In the version shown, the communication channel 195 is a free-flowing passageway 205 that allows the beverage 200 to flow freely between the beverage storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150. Because a liquid will tend to flow to find a common level when not acted on by outside forces, in this version, the beverage storage chamber beverage height 210 is approximately the same as the sipping chamber beverage height 215 when the beverage tumbler 100 is in an untilted, ready-to-sip, upright position as shown in FIG. 2A. The beverage 200 can be prefilled, filled by pouring through the sipping chamber 150, or filled in manners that will be discussed hereinbelow. The walls 220 of the partitioning system serve to create and/or separate the storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150.

To sip the beverage 200, a user tilts the beverage tumbler 100 as shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows a tilted position of the beverage tumbler 100 just before the beverage 200 in the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 will spill into the upper portion interior 185 of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150. As the beverage tumbler 100 is tilted from the upright position of FIG. 2A to a tilted position such as the one shown in FIG. 2B, a bottom wall 225 of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 serves to close the top of the storage chamber 145 and prevents the beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 from being poured out of the top of the beverage tumbler 100. In particular, in the version shown, the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 forms a top barrier for the beverage storage chamber 145. The only exit for beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 is through the sipping chamber 150. With continued tilting beyond the tilt of FIG. 2B, the beverage 200 in the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 will begin to flow into the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 and will then flow towards the rim portion 190. A small vent hole or the like, such as a hole on the order of 1 mm diameter in the bottom wall 225 of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150, can be provided into the storage chamber 145 to help facilitate the flow of beverage from the storage chamber 145 into the sipping chamber 150.

The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B and shown in operation in FIGS. 2A and 2B offers several unique advantages over existing tumblers. For example, when a place the user's lips on the rim portion 190 to receive the beverage 200 from the sipping chamber 150 into the user's mouth, a rim-based sipping experience is created for the user. The rim-based sipping experience involves the pressing of a user's lips against the rim portion 190 and a cascading of the beverage 200 over the rim portion 190 in a way that is more like sipping from a traditional cup or mug than the sipping experience with a conventional beverage tumbler where beverage flows through a hole in a lid. With the beverage tumbler 100 of the invention, a user can feel the beverage on the lips and can control the flow into the mouth by controlling the opening of the lips and/or the tilt of the beverage tumbler 100. In addition, the user can better smell the beverage both before the beverage is sipped and during the sip because there is no barrier between the user's nose and the beverage 200 that is in the sipping chamber 150. When the beverage is a hot beverage, the user can feel the heat on the user's face and/or through the user's nose. In addition, when the beverage is a extremely hot beverage, the sipping chamber 145 can act as a cooling chamber bringing the temperature of just the amount to be sipped down to a drinkable temperature while keeping the portion of the beverage in the beverage storage chamber 145 hot for a longer period of time.

The maintenance of the temperature of the beverage in the beverage storage chamber 145 prolongs the sipping experience. The sipping experience provided by the sipping chamber 150 of the beverage tumbler 100 is thus further enhanced by the beverage storage chamber 145 which serves to keep the beverage 100 at a desired temperature. Unlike a traditional mug or a conventional travel tumbler with a removed lid where the entire surface area of the beverage 200 is exposed to ambient temperature, with the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, only the surface at the top of the beverage 200 that is in the sipping chamber 150 is directly exposed to ambient temperature. The beverage 200 that is in the beverage storage chamber 145 is insulated from the ambient temperature in that no portion or surface of the beverage 200 that is within the beverage storage chamber 145 is directly exposed to ambient temperature. The beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 is instead surrounded and/or enclosed by the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105, the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105, a portion of the partitioning system 140, and/or beverage 200 that is near the bottom of the sipping chamber 150. Each of these components that directly contact the beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 can serve to insulate the beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 from ambient temperature. To increase the temperature maintaining ability, the beverage tumbler 100 can include an insulating system 135, as discussed above. In addition, the one or more of the walls 220 and/or surfaces of the partitioning system 140 can be provided with insulating properties, such as those described above for the insulating system 135 to further reduce the heat transfer associated with a beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145.

In the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the parts of the beverage tumbler 100 are integrally connected. For example, the tumbler body 105 and the partitioning system 140 are integrally or permanently connected to one another so as to form an interconnected device. The beverage tumbler 100 in its integrally connected form can be a single-use device that is made from one or more materials intended to be disposed of or recycled, or the integrally connected form can be a multi-use device made of one or more materials that are cleanable.

In another version, such as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the beverage tumbler 100 can have one or more separable components. For example, in the version shown, the partitioning system 140 is in the form of an insert 300 that is selectively insertable into a tumbler body 105. With the insert 300, a traditional tumbler body 105 can be converted into a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention that includes a beverage storage chamber 145 and a sipping chamber 150. The insert 300 can be inserted into the tumbler body 105 during use as dual chamber beverage tumbler 100 and can be removed from the tumbler body 105 for cleaning and/or to revert the tumbler body 105 to its traditional use. In this version, a coupling mechanism 305 can be provided that allows the insert 300 including at least a portion of the partitioning system 140 to be selectively and separably coupled to the tumbler body 105. The coupling mechanism 305 can be in the form of a friction fit, a snap fit, and/or can include a rotational attachment system, such as thread or a bayonet connector, and the like. The coupling mechanism 305 selectively couples the insert 300 to the tumbler body 105 in a way that allows the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 to be removed from the tumbler body 105 for cleaning or the like. Furthermore, the separation of the partitioning system 140 allows the tumbler body 105 to be used as a traditional cup if desired and/or to allow a beverage to be cooled to a desired temperature before reinsertion of the insert 300.

The rim portion 190 of the beverage tumbler 100 can be provided on the tumbler body 105, as shown in the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, or can be provided as part of the insert 300 and/or the partitioning system 140, as shown in FIG. 3A. In the version of FIG. 3A, the portion of the partitioning system 140 that forms the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 can include an upwardly extending portion 310 that extends upwardly to form or include the rim portion 190 of the beverage tumbler 100.

Whether provided on the tumbler body 105, on the partitioning system 140, or elsewhere, the rim portion 190 can be sized and shaped to simulate a traditional mug or cup. The rim portion 190 can have a radius of curvature that is the same or different from the radius of the open top 120 of the tumbler body 105. The transverse radius of curvature and/or the thickness of the rim portion 190 can be selected to mimic a traditional mug or cup. For example, in one version, the rim portion 190 can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. In particular versions, the rim portion 190 can be designed to mimic a paper cup and can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 4 mm. In another version, the rim portion 190 can be designed to mimic a china cup and can have a thickness of from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. In another version, the rim portion 190 can be designed to mimic a stone mug and can have a thickness of from about 4 mm to about 6 mm.

In the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B and in the version of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rim portion 190 is shown to extend 360 degrees around the top of the beverage tumbler 100. In another version, such as shown in FIG. 4A, the rim portion 190 can extend circumferentially less than the entire circumferential extent around the top of the beverage tumbler 100. For example, the version of FIG. 4A shows a cover member 405 that is provided as part of the insert 300 and/or the partitioning system 140, or as a separate part, to cover at least a portion of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150. The cover member 405 serves to further help to maintain temperature within the beverage tumbler 100 and/or to help keep debris out of the sipping chamber 150. As shown in FIG. 4A and in the top view of FIG. 4B, the rim portion 190 is provided along a circumferential arc of the top of the beverage tumbler 100. The arc is sufficiently long to provide the rim-based sipping experience, as discussed above. Accordingly, in one version, the circumferential arc of the rim portion 190 extends a circumferential distance of at least about 0.5 inches, or at least about 1 inch, or at least about 1.5 inches. In one version, the rim portion 190 extends circumferentially from about 15 degrees to about 360 degrees, or from about 30 degree to about 360 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 200 degrees, or from about 30 degrees to about 120 degrees around the top of the beverage tumbler 100.

The beverage tumbler 100 of the invention not only has the advantage of providing an improved sipping experience, it also has the advantage of being able to maintain the temperature of a beverage 200 contained within the beverage storage chamber 145 without the need for a lid that covers the open top 10 of the tumbler body 105. As discussed above, the partitioning system 140 and/or the sipping chamber 150 serve the purpose of covering the beverage storage chamber 145. By not requiring a lid, there are fewer parts to make, fewer parts to misplace, and less waste created. In addition, there is no longer a need to frustratingly sip the beverage 200 through an inconvenient hole in the lid. That being said, in another version, a cover member, such as a detachable cover member, can be optionally provided. Advantageously, if provided, the cover member for the beverage tumbler 100 does not need to be provided with a hole for sipping. The cover member can provide an additional layer of temperature preservation for a beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 and/or can help prevent the loss of desired temperature of a beverage 200 in the sipping chamber 150. The lack of a hole contributes to the temperature preservation. Also, even if the cover member is misplaced, the beverage tumbler 100 continues to maintain the temperature of the beverage 200 in its absence.

The components of the beverage tumbler 100 can be sized and shaped in any suitable manner. For example, the relative sizes and/or volumes of the temperature beverage storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150, in particular the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150, can be selected to provide a desired drinking experience and can be tailored to best suit a particular shape and/or to best contain and distribute a particular beverage. In one version, the volume of the beverage storage chamber 145 can range from about 5 ounces to about 30 ounces or from about 8 ounces to about 24 ounces. The volume of the sipping chamber 150, and/or the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 can be from about 0.5 ounces to about 3 ounces, or from about 0.75 ounces to about 2 ounces, or about 1 ounce. In one version the ratio of the volume of the beverage storage chamber 145 to the volume of the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 can be from about 2:1 to about 30:1, or about 5:1 to about 30:1 or from about 12:1 to about 20:1.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show other versions of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are similar to the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B but with differently shaped sipping chamber 150 configurations. For example, whereas in the version of FIG. 1B, the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150, the bottom surface 405 of the upper portion 165 which extends from the stem 170 to the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105 is upwardly sloped, in the version of FIG. 5A, the bottom surface 405 is flat or horizontal when the beverage tumbler 100 is in its upright position. In the version of FIG. 5B, the bottom surface 405 is downwardly sloped so as to be a an inverted frustoconical shape. In the version of FIG. 5B, the downwardly sloped bottom surface 405 creates a beverage cavity 410 within the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150. When the beverage cavity 410 is provided, a user has the option of prefilling the beverage cavity 410 with a portion of the beverage that was in the stem interior 180. This can allow a hot beverage to cool before sipping, can provide a larger volume of beverage for aroma enjoyment, and/or can allow the beverage to be sipped without as much necessary tilting of the beverage tumbler 100. FIG. 5C shows a version of the sipping chamber 150 similar to the version of FIG. 1B with an upwardly sloped bottom surface 405 but with more smooth curves in the transition from the upper portion 165 to the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150, thereby forming a curved frustoconical shape. This design can result in smoother and/or less turbulent flow of beverage to be sipped. The version of FIG. 5D shows a curved sipping chamber 150 design in an inverted, curved frustoconical shape that includes a beverage cavity 410.

In the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the stem 170 of the lower portion 160 of the sipping chamber 150 is generally cylindrical in shape. However, the stem 170 can take on one or more other geometric shapes, such as one of or a combination of the shapes shown in the versions of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. In these versions, the stem 170 includes a stem sidewall having a flared lower portion 605.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. In this version, the beverage tumbler 100 includes a sipping chamber valve system 700 that allows a user to selectively fill the sipping chamber 150 with beverage from the beverage storage chamber 145 as desired. The sipping chamber valve system 700, as shown schematically and conceptually in FIG. 7, includes a flow blocking mechanism 705 that is capable of blocking the flow of beverage from the beverage storage chamber 145 to the sipping chamber 150 when actuated and capable of allowing flow when the flow blocking mechanism is unactuated. The sipping chamber valve system 700 also includes an actuating mechanism 710 that is manipulatable by a user to selectively control the sipping chamber valve system 500. FIG. 7B illustrates the beverage tumbler 100 of FIG. 7A with a beverage 200 contained within the beverage storage chamber 145 and with the sipping chamber valve system 500 in a closed position 715 where the flow blocking mechanism 705 is actuated to block flow between the storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150. As can be seen in FIG. 7B, with the sipping chamber valve system 500 in the closed position 715, no beverage 200 is allowed to flow into the sipping chamber 150 from the storage chamber 145. FIG. 7B is a storage configuration where substantially the entirety of the beverage 200 is contained within the beverage storage chamber 145 where its temperature is maintained for a period of time until it is ready to be sipped. The beverage 200 is sealed and/or secure in the beverage storage chamber 145 regardless of the position or tilt of the beverage tumbler 100.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the version of FIGS. 7A and 7B in operation being placed in a ready-to-sip configuration. First, a user manipulates the actuating mechanism 710 to place or move the blocking mechanism to an unactuated position and thereby placing the sipping chamber valve system 700 in an open position 805 where the blocking mechanism 705 is moved to a position where beverage 200 from the beverage storage chamber 145 is allowed to pass into the sipping chamber 150, as shown in FIG. 8A. If left in the open position 805 for a sufficiently long period, the sipping chamber valve system 700 will act like the free-flowing passageway 205 of FIG. 2A and allow the beverage 200 to flow freely between the beverage storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150. Because a liquid will tend to flow to find a common level when not acted on by outside forces, as with FIG. 2A, the beverage storage chamber beverage height 210 will be approximately the same as the sipping chamber beverage height 215 when the beverage tumbler 100 is in an untilted position. The user can then manipulate the actuating mechanism 710 to cause the blocking mechanism to actuate and thus move the sipping chamber valve system 700 to its closed position 715, returning the blocking mechanism 705 to its blocking position where there is no passing of beverage 200 between the beverage storage chamber 145 and the sipping chamber 150, as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8B thus shows the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B in a ready-to-sip, upright position.

FIG. 9A then shows the beverage tumbler 100 of FIG. 8B after one or more sips have been taken by the user. From the position of FIG. 8B, the user tilts the beverage tumbler 100 as shown in FIG. 2B to a tilt angle where some of the beverage 200 that was in the sipping chamber 150 is caused to cascade over the rim portion 190. Following the sip and a return of the beverage tumbler 100 to an upright position, as shown in FIG. 9A, the volume of beverage 200 in the sipping chamber 150 has been reduced by the amount of beverage that was sipped or that otherwise was removed from the beverage tumbler 100. From the position of FIG. 9A, the user has the option of continuing to sip the beverage 200 that remains in the sipping chamber 150 or again opening the sipping chamber valve mechanism 700 to refill the sipping chamber 150 to a higher level.

FIG. 9B shows an alternative process for a beverage tumbler 100 that has a beverage cavity 510 in the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150, such as the version of FIG. 5B. In this process and with this version, from the position of FIG. 8B, the beverage tumbler 100 can be tilted to fill the beverage cavity 510. The user can then sip the beverage 200 from the beverage cavity 510.

In another alternative sipping process, the sipping chamber valve system 700 can be placed in an open position 805 while the beverage in the sipping chamber 150 is being sipped. In this regard, the beverage tumbler 100 will operate in similar manner as the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B and as shown in use in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This manner of use allows the sipping chamber 150 to be constantly refilled by beverage 200 from the beverage storage chamber 145 during the sip. This allows a larger volume of beverage 200 to be consumed by the user in a shorter time period, which may be desirable, for example, when a user is quenching a thirst with a cold beverage.

As discussed above, FIG. 9A illustrates a condition where a portion of a beverage that had been in the sipping chamber 150 has been sipped and a portion that was not yet sipped remains in the sipping chamber 150. FIG. 9A also illustrates a situation where the sipping chamber 150 is not completely filled with beverage from the beverage storage chamber 145. In this version, FIG. 9A shows a condition when the sipping chamber filling process is stopped before the sipping chamber 150 is completely filled. For example, in filling the sipping chamber 150 from the condition of FIG. 7B, the user can cause the sipping chamber valve system 500 to be in its open position 805 for a shorter period of time than would be necessary to fill the sipping chamber 150 to the level of FIG. 8A. Once the fill level is to a desired height, such as the height shown in FIG. 9A, the user can cause the sipping chamber valve system 500 to move to its closed position 715, thus preventing the passage of any more beverage 200 from the beverage storage chamber 145 to the sipping chamber 150.

The beverage 200 that is contained and that is to be sipped from the beverage tumbler 100 can be any beverage desired by the user. In many instances, the beverage 200 will be a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea. However, a cold beverage, such as water, soda, a fruit drink, iced coffee, iced tea, and/or the like, that is desired to be kept cold and sipped over time can also be contained in the beverage tumbler 100. In the case of a cold beverage, a chilling medium can be provided optionally be provided within or in proximity to the beverage storage chamber 145. For example, the beverage storage chamber 145 may have a freezeable chilling medium, such as a freezeable gel within the beverage storage chamber 145. With this version, a user may place the beverage tumbler 100 in a freezer or other cold space prior to it being filled with a beverage 200. In addition or alternatively, pieces of ice can be contained within the beverage storage chamber 145 so the ice can contact the beverage 200 within the beverage storage chamber 145 to help keep it chilled. With this version, the beverage tumbler 100 has the additional advantage of separating out at least a portion of the ice from the sipped beverage by preventing at least a portion of the ice from entering the sipping chamber 150.

In another use, the beverage tumbler 100 can be used to contain an alcohol-containing beverage, such as beer, wine, or a spirit. The beverage tumbler 100 can be used to keep the beer, wine, or spirit chilled to a desired temperature and/or to prevent the beer, wine, or spirit from heating up above a desired temperature in a hot ambient temperature environment. Wine, in particular, has an olfactory component that many find necessary for its complete enjoyment. Accordingly, the beverage tumbler 100 of the invention is particularly useful for sipping wine since the user can enjoy the aromas of wine in the sipping chamber 150 within a lid or cover impeding the aromas. In addition, the storage of wine in the beverage storage chamber 145 can help prevent large amounts of oxygen from contacting the wine and causing degradative oxidation. Also, when the wine to be sipped is a sparkling wine containing carbon dioxide, the beverage storage chamber 145 can help contain the carbon dioxide in the wine and thus help to preserve the bubbles of the sparkling wine.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is similar to the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B. In the version of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the sipping chamber valve system 700 is provided by having the sipping chamber 150 be moveable relative to the beverage storage chamber 145, such as by making the stem 170 moveable relative to the tumbler body 105. In the version shown, the stem 170 is moveable by having the partitioning system 140 be moveable. For example, the partitioning system 140 can be provided as an insert 300, and the insert can be moveable relative to the tumbler body 105 to move the stem 170 relative to the tumbler body 105. FIG. 10A shows the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 fully inserted into the interior 125 of the tumbler body 105 so that a bottom 1005 of the stem 170 contacts a portion of the tumbler body 105, such as the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105, in a manner that blocks the flow of beverage 200 from the beverage storage chamber 145 into the sipping chamber 150. This blockage of the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 thus forms the blocking mechanism 705 of the sipping chamber valve system 500, and FIG. 10A shows the sipping chamber valve system 700 in its closed position 715. A seal, such as an o-ring or the like, may be provided to help block the flow. A user can then cause the sipping chamber valve system 700 to be in its open position 805 by causing the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 to move upward relative to the tumbler body 105, as shown in FIG. 10B. The upward movement of the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 causes the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 to be moved away from the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105 to create a flow passageway 1010 that allows beverage 200 in the beverage storage chamber 145 to flow into the sipping chamber 150 a desired amount. The user can then move the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 back to the position shown in FIG. 10A to move the sipping chamber valve system 500 back to its closed position 715 and again block the flow. The movement of the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 relative to the tumbler body 105 thus makes up the actuating mechanism 710 of the sipping chamber valve system 700 in this version of the beverage tumbler 100.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 11A and 11B is similar to the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 10A and 10B. In the version of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the relative movement of the stem 170 and the tumbler body 105 is provided by way of a threaded engagement 1105 between the insert 300 and/or partitioning system 140 and the tumbler body 105. In the version shown, the threaded engagement 1105 includes outer threads on the partitioning system 140 that engage inner threads on the tumbler body 105. As the partitioning system 140 is screwed into the tumbler body 105 the partitioning system 140 moved longitudinally relative to the tumbler body 105 and the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 is moved relative to the tumbler body 105 to open or close the sipping chamber valve system 700, as discussed in connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B. The version of FIGS. 11A and 11B is advantageous for several reasons. For example, the partitioning system 140 is securely but removably positioned within the tumbler body 105. Also, due to the action of the threaded engagement 1105 small amounts of separation of the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 from the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105 can be achieved to make the flow of beverage through the flow passageway 1010 adjustable. In another version, the partitioning system 140 can include an overlapping portion that overlaps the top of the tumbler body 105 with the overlapping portion engaging outer threads on the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105. In alternative versions, the threaded engagement 1105 can be replaced by a friction fit, a bayonet connection, or the like.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 12A and 12B is similar to the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B and the version of 10A and 10B. In the version of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the sipping chamber valve system 700 involves the contacting of the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 with the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105 or other part of the tumbler body 105, as in the version of FIGS. 10A and 10B. However, in the version of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the length of the tumbler body 105 is adjustable to thereby open or close the sipping chamber valve system 500. To that end, the tumbler body 105 in the version of FIGS. 12A and 12B includes a removable bottom cap 1205 that is connectable to the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105. In the version of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bottom cap 1205 includes the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105 including whatever the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 abuts against when the sipping chamber valve system 700 is in its closed position 715. The bottom cap 1205 is thus moveable longitudinally relative to the rest of the tumbler body 105 and relative to the stem 170. In the particular version of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bottom cap 1205 and the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105 have a bottom cap threaded engagement 1210 by which the bottom cap 1205 can be screwed onto and off of the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105. When the bottom cap 1205 is screwed on it creates a water-tight seal with the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105 and therewith forms the beverage storage chamber 145. When the bottom cap 1205 is screwed off it can be separated from the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105 so the tumbler body 105 can be turned upside down and easily filled with a beverage 200. The threaded engagement 1210 also allows the sipping chamber valve system 500 to be actuated and unactuated by the rotation of the bottom cap 1205 and the subsequent longitudinal movement of the bottom cap 1005 and the bottom 1005 of the stem 170.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 13A and 13B is similar to the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B and the version of 12A and 12B. In the version of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the blocking mechanism 705 of the sipping chamber valve system 700 is portion of an arced bottom wall 1305 that makes up the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105. In the version shown, the arced bottom wall 1305 is a bistable member that is stable and biased towards its arced configuration shown in FIG. 13A. In the configuration of FIG. 13A, the arced bottom wall 1305 contacts the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 in a manner than blocks the flow of beverage from the beverage storage chamber 145 to the sipping chamber 150 thus effectuating an actuated position 515 of the sipping chamber valve system 700. To move the sipping chamber valve system 700 to its open position 805, the bottom arced wall 1305 can be pulled downwardly by the user to the position shown in FIG. 13B where the arced bottom wall 1305 becomes spaced from the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 to create the flow passageway 1010. A loop 1310 or the like can be provided to assist in the movement of the arced bottom wall 1305. When the pulling force is released by the user, the arced bottom wall 1305 can return to its blocking position of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 shows a particular version similar to the version of FIGS. 11A and 11B. In the version of FIG. 14, a seal member 1405 is provided to help prevent that passing of beverage from the storage chamber 145 into the sipping chamber 150 when the sipping chamber valve system 700 is in a closed position 715, as shown. The sealing member 1450 can be a silicone or rubber seal, such as an o-ring, or the like, that the bottom 1005 of the stem 170 presses against when in the closed position 715. In the version shown, the sealing member 1405 can be positioned in a sealing member recess 710 in the bottom 115 of the tumbler body 105. Optionally, an additional seal can be provided by an insert member 1415 to provide a seal between the insert 300 and the tumbler body 105. In the version of FIG. 14 shown, the bottom surface 505 of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150 has a curved shape similar to the one shown in FIG. 5C. Alternatively, the bottom surface 505 can assume any shape, as discussed herein. The version of FIG. 14 can also alternatively include a sipping chamber valve system 700 as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B or FIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 15A and 15B is similar to the beverage tumbler 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B. In the version of FIGS. 15A and 15B, the sipping chamber valve system 700 comprises an aperture 1505 in the stem sidewall 175. A blocking member 1510 sealingly blocks the aperture 1505 when the sipping chamber valve system 700 is in its closed position 715 as shown in FIG. 15A. An actuator rod 1515 is connected to the blocking member 1510 and can move the blocking member 1510 away from the aperture 1505 so that flow can occur through the aperture 1505 in an open position 805 of the sipping chamber valve system 700, as shown in FIG. 15B. A button member 1520 can be provided on the end of the actuator rod 1515. The button member 1520 and a portion of the actuator rod 1515 extend out of the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105. A user can press the button member 1520 toward the sidewall 110 of the tumbler body 105 to open the aperture 1505 and thus the flow passageway 1010 and place the sipping chamber valve system 700 in the open position 805 as shown in FIG. 15B.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show another version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The version of FIGS. 16A and 16B is similar to the version of FIGS. 15A and 15B, but in the version of FIGS. 16A and 16B a biasing mechanism 1605 is provided to bias the actuator rod 1515 outwards and towards the actuated position of FIG. 16A. The biasing mechanism 1605 is provided in the particular version shown by a spring 1610 that contacts a bias surface 1615 portion of the actuator rod 1515 and biases the actuator rod 1515 outwardly. To move the sipping chamber valve system 700 of the version of FIGS. 16A and 16B to the open position 805, a user can press against the button member 1520 with sufficient force to overcome the bias of the spring 1605 and cause the actuator rod 1515 to move the blocking member 1510 to the open position 805 shown in FIG. 16B. Upon the removal of the user's force on the button member 1520, the spring 1610 returns the actuator rod 1515 and the blocking member 1510 to the closed position 715 shown in FIG. 16A.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a version of a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention similar to the version of FIGS. 16A and 16B. In the version of FIGS. 17A and 17B, the sipping chamber valve system 700 is provided on a removable bottom cap 1205. This allows the beverage tumbler 100 to be filled by removing the bottom cap 1205 and filling the storage chamber 145 with beverage.

FIG. 18 shows another version of an insert 300 that can be used to convert a tumbler body 105 to a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. In this version, the insert 300 includes one or more outward extension 1805 that are adapted to contact an upper edge of the tumbler body 105 to prevent over insertion of the insert 300. Also in the version of FIG. 18, an insert seal member 1415 comprises a ring 1810 around the outer periphery of the upper portion 165 of the sipping chamber 150. The ring 1810 is designed to contact an inner surface of the tumbler body 105 to sealingly engage the insert 300 and the tumbler body 105. This arrangement both helps to secure the insert 300 in the tumbler body 105 and helps to separate the storage chamber 145 from the sipping chamber 150. In one version, the ring 1810 is flexible and/or comprises insulating foam or the like.

FIG. 19 shows another version of an insert 300 that can be used to convert a tumbler body 105 into a beverage tumbler 100 of the invention. The version of FIG. 19 is similar to the version of FIG. 18 but with the one or more outward extensions 1805 replaced by a radial extent 1905 of the insert 300 being adapted to contact a inner ledge 1910 of the tumbler body 105.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible, and alterations, permutations and equivalents of the versions shown will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, the cooperating components may be reversed or provided in additional or fewer number, and all directional limitations, such as up and down and the like, can be switched, reversed, or changed as long as doing so is not prohibited by the language herein with regard to a particular version of the invention. Like numerals represent like parts from figure to figure. When the same reference number has been used in multiple figures, the discussion associated with that reference number in one figure is intended to be applicable to the additional figure(s) in which it is used, so long as doing so is not prohibited by explicit language with reference to one of the figures. Also, the various features of the versions herein can be combined in various ways to provide additional versions of the present invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. Throughout this specification and any claims appended hereto, unless the context makes it clear otherwise, the term “comprise” and its variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” should be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, limitation, or step but not the exclusion of any other elements, limitations, or steps. Throughout this specification and any claims appended hereto, unless the context makes it clear otherwise, the term “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” should be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, limitation, or step and the exclusion of any other elements, limitations, or steps or the exclusion of any other essential elements, limitations, or steps, respectively. Throughout the specification, any discussion of a combination of elements, limitations, or steps should be understood to include (i) each element, limitation, or step of the combination alone, (ii) each element, limitation, or step of the combination with any one or more other element, limitation, or step of the combination, (iii) an inclusion of additional elements, limitations, or steps (i.e. the combination may comprise one or more additional elements, limitations, or steps), and/or (iv) an exclusion of additional elements, limitations, or steps or an exclusion of essential additional elements, limitations, or steps (i.e. the combination may consist of or consist essentially of the disclosed combination or parts of the combination). All numerical values, unless otherwise made clear in the disclosure or prosecution, include either the exact value or approximations in the vicinity of the stated numerical values, such as for example about +/−ten percent or as would be recognized by a person or ordinary skill in the art in the disclosed context. The same is true for the use of the terms such as about, substantially, and the like. Also, for any numerical ranges given, unless otherwise made clear in the disclosure, during prosecution, or by being explicitly set forth in a claim, the ranges include either the exact range or approximations in the vicinity of the values at one or both of the ends of the range. When multiple ranges are provided, the disclosed ranges are intended to include any combinations of ends of the ranges with one another and including zero and infinity as possible ends of the ranges. Therefore, any appended or later filed claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein and should include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.