lllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllll
`US005586676A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,586,676
`
`Lynd
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`[54] BEVERAGE CONTAINER CAP WITH
`STIRRER
`
`1181715
`
`6/1959
`
`France ................................... 220/735
`
`_
`lnventor: L. Grant Lynd, Canal Winchester,
`Ohio
`
`[75]
`
`Primary Examiner—Stephen Cronin
`Attorney’ Agent, or F,',.m_»Biebe] & Frgnch
`
`[73] Assignce: National Packaging Corporation,
`C01UmbU5=Oh10
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 546,337
`
`Oct‘ 20’ 1995
`Filed:
`[22]
`Int. Cl.“ ................................................... .. B65D 41/56
`[51]
`[521 U.S. Cl.
`........................ .. 220/212; 220/703; 220/735;
`215/228; 215/387; 215/390
`___._‘_
`_
`__
`.-_
`220/212 703
`220/735. 215/228 387 390 391
`’
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`[58] Field of Search
`
`[56]
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`215/228 X
`10/1939 Banks
`2 175 735
`220,735 X
`10/1949 Marcus
`2,485,303
`1/1988 Wu .......................................... 215/228
`4,717,032
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A drinking container cap is provided having an exterior
`surface, and an interior surface, with the interior surface
`having a stirrer depending downwardly therefrom. Prefer-
`ably the interior surface has formed thereon a stirrer recep-
`tacle, with the stirrer receptacle itself being generally cylin-
`drical The stirrer mechanically engages with the stirrer
`receptacle» errd re derecheb1erhcrefrcrrr- The stirrer recep-
`tacle has an inner and an outer surface, with an indentation
`in its inner surface. The stirrer has a shank end and a
`terminal end, with the shank end having a bulged area which
`engages with the indentation, and the terminal end having a
`bowl portion. In the preferred embodiment of the invention
`the stirrer receptacle has two notches formed therein, and the
`stirrer has two projections extending outwardly from the
`shank end, with the notches being on opposite sides of the
`stirrer receptacle and the projections being on opposite sides
`Or the Shrrer
`
`537851
`
`5/1922
`
`France ................................... 220/735
`
`16 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`h—m—
`‘fut. '1: it
`
`
`
`5
`"'.‘."‘L.l2’
`
`o
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1037
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1037
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`5,586,676
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,586,676
`
`F/G‘3
`
`F/G-4
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,586,676
`
`OI;92 m
`
`I\
`
`so»
`L:
`
`:95
`
`0/0/
`
`5
`
`9%
`
`

`
`1
`BEVERAGE CONTAINER CAP WITH
`STIRRER
`
`5,586,676
`
`2
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to beverage con-
`tainers caps, and more particularly to such devices which
`have a stirrer attached thereto.
`
`Beverage containers have enjoyed a proliferation in the
`marketplace. This is especially true of plastic beverage
`containers. Over the past couple of decades, sales of plastic
`squeeze bottles and newly designed plastic cups have
`soared. One reason why plastic cup sales have shown such
`strong growth is related to the increased frequency of finding
`beverage holders in automotive vehicles.
`Convenience stores and fast-food establishments have
`marketed the accessibility and the desirability of enjoying a
`cup of coffee while driving. However, significant problems
`exist for coffee-drinking drivers. These problems result from
`having to stir the coffee upon the addition of cream and/or
`sugar. One significant problem relates to the accumulation
`and disposal of the attendant trash. Typical stirrers often
`have to be removed from a plastic sheath-like container,
`which container then has to be disposed of as trash. Then,
`following the stirring, the stirrer itself must be thrown away.
`If the user cannot readily dispose of the container and/or the
`stirrer the aesthetics of the vehicle’s interior are compro-
`mised.
`
`Another significant problem relates to those individuals
`who reuse their stirrer. This often occurs if a spoon is kept
`in the car especially for this purpose. However, instead of
`being thoroughly cleaned after each use, it is often left in the
`vehicle where it can be subjected to airborne contaminants.
`Additionally, whatever liquid is left on the spoon, whether it
`be coffee or saliva, provides a breeding ground for bacteria.
`In addition to the above problems, a coffee drinker who
`uses cream and/or sugar is placed in a dilemma if he forgets
`or misplaces the stirrer. Then, fingers, keys, pens or pencils,
`or other equally unsanitary objects often are used as stirrers.
`Or, the liquid is sloshed around in a closed cup in the hope
`that the movement of the liquid will evenly distribute the
`sugar and/or cream.
`It is thus apparent that the need exists for an improved
`beverage container cap for use with existing beverage con-
`tainers, which beverage container caps obviate the problems
`associated with traditional stirrers.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The problems associated with prior drinking container
`caps are overcome in accordance with the present invention
`by the providing of a drinking container cap having an
`exterior surface, and an interior surface, with the interior
`surface having a stirrer depending downwardly therefrom.
`Preferably the interior surface has formed thereon a stirrer
`receptacle, with the stirrer receptacle being generally cylin-
`drical. The stirrer mechanically engages with the stirrer
`receptacle, and is detachable therefrom.
`The stirrer associated with this invention has a shank end
`
`and a terminal end, with the terminal end having a bowl
`portion. The stirrer receptacle has an inner and an outer
`surface, with an indentation in its inner surface. The shank
`end has a bulged area which engages with the indentation of
`the stirrer receptacle. The stirrer receptacle has at least one
`notch formed therein, and the stirrer has at least one pro-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`jection extending outwardly from the shank end, with the
`projection configured to fit within the notch. Preferably there
`are two notches formed therein, and the stirrer has two
`projections extending outwardly from its shank end, with the
`notches being on opposite sides of the stirrer receptacle and
`the projections being on opposite sides of stirrer.
`There is also disclosed a drink container cap having an
`exterior surface, and an interior surface, with the interior
`surface having a stirrer receptacle which engages with a
`stirrer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the
`stirrer receptacle is generally cylindrical. Additionally, pref-
`erably the stirrer is detachable from the stirrer receptacle.
`The stirrer receptacle has an inner and an outer surface, with
`the stirrer receptacle also having an indentation in its inner
`surface. The stirrer has a shank end and a terminal end, with
`the shank end having a bulged area which engages with the
`indentation, and the terminal end preferably having a bowl
`portion.
`Preferably the stirrer receptacle has at least one notch
`formed therein, and the stirrer has at least one projection
`extending outwardly from the shank end, with the projection
`configured to fit within the notch. In the preferred embodi-
`ment of the invention the stirrer receptacle has two notches
`formed therein, and the stirrer has two projections extending
`outwardly from the shank end. Moreover, the notches are on
`opposite sides of the stirrer receptacle and the projections
`are on opposite sides of the stirrer.
`There is also disclosed a drink container cap having an
`exterior surface, and an interior surface, with the interior
`surface having a stirrer receptacle engaging with a stirrer.
`The stirrer receptacle has an inner and an outer surface, with
`the stirrer receptacle having an indentation in its inner
`surface. The stirrer has a shank end and a terminal end, with
`the shank end having a bulged area which engages with the
`indentation, and the terminal end having a bowl portion.
`Preferably the stirrer receptacle has two notches formed
`therein, while the stirrer has two projections extending
`outwardly from the shank end. The notches are on opposite
`sides of the stirrer receptacle and the projections are on
`opposite sides of the stirrer.
`It is a primary object of the present invention to provide
`a drinking container cap which overcomes the problems
`with stirrers.
`
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`drinking container cap which is relatively inexpensive to
`fabricate, and which can be used with existing drinking
`containers.
`
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`stirrer which is reusable, thus cutting down on problems
`with trash.
`
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`apparent from the following description, the accompanying
`drawings and the appended claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container cap
`embodying my new invention in its operative position atop
`a beverage container.
`FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3
`of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view.
`FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view on a greatly enlarged
`scale of the stirrer receptacle shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is front elevational view of the stirrer associated
`
`with the present invention.
`
`

`
`5,586,676
`
`3
`FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken from the right side of
`FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken on a greatly enlarged
`scale of the shank portion of the stirrer.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Having reference to the drawing figures, attention is first
`directed to FIG. 1 which discloses a beverage container cap
`embodying the invention with the beverage container cap
`being designated generally by the numeral 10. It will be
`noted that the beverage container cap assembly 10 is shown
`as being used on a particular type of beverage container 15,
`namely a mug or cup, preferably having a handle 19.
`However, FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only, and thus
`it should be understood that other types of beverage con~
`tainers could be used with the cap of this invention. Addi—
`tionally, other specific cup or mug structures could be used
`with a cap which embodies this invention. Regardless of the
`specific configuration, as can be appreciated from compar-
`ing FIGS. 1 and 2, the beverage container would comprise
`a container sidewall 20 having a container outer surface 21,
`a container top edge 23, and a container bottom 25.
`The cap itself is formed having an outer sidewall 30 which
`inclines upwardly and inwardly, a curved upper edge 32 at
`the apex of the outer sidewall 30, a sloped inner sidewall 34
`which slopes downwardly and inwardly from the curved
`upper edge, and an inclined base 36 at the bottom of the
`sloped inner sidewall. This inclined base 36 includes a cap
`vent hole 38, which is preferably circular and which is
`located a distance centrally of the juncture of the sloped
`inner sidewall and the inclined base. The inclined base also
`includes a drink aperture 40 which is preferably a curved
`opening or slot immediately adjacent the juncture of the
`sloped inner sidewalland the inclined base. As can best be
`appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap
`vent hole 38 and the drink aperture 40 are preferably on the
`same axis, with the cap vent hole being offset from the actual
`center of the inclined base.
`
`The cap 10 also is shown having a cap flange member 45
`which assists in the removal of the cap 10 from the beverage
`container 15. This cap flange member 45 is at outer sidewall
`bottom edge 42, and preferably is on the same axis as the cap
`vent hole 38 and drink aperture 40.
`As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, the cap has an inner
`surface 50, with a stirrer 55 downwardly depending there-
`from. The stirrer is attached to a stirrer receptacle 57 which
`preferably is formed as part of the inner surface 50 of the cap
`10. Preferably the stirrer receptacle is generally cylindrical.
`The structure of the stirrer receptacle can be best appre-
`ciated from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4. The stirrer
`receptacle 57 is formed having a stirrer receptacle sidewall
`60. The stirrer receptacle has an upper surface 62, with the
`thickness of the inclined base 36 directly above the upper
`surface 62 being the stone as the thickness of the inclined
`base adjacent the juncture of the sloped inner sidewall 34
`and the inclined base.
`
`The stirrer receptacle has both an inner surface 65 and an
`outer surface 66, with a groove or indentation 68 in the inner
`surface located at approximately the vertical mid-point of
`the stirrer receptacle. A pair of notches 70 and 71 are located
`at the bottom edge 72 of the stirrer receptacle 57.
`The structure of the stirrer 55 associated with this inven-
`
`tion may best be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 2,
`5, 6, and 7. It has a shank end 75, a terminal end 80 and a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`shaft portion 85. The shaft portion is located between the
`shank end and the terminal end, and connects the two.
`The stirrer 55 has a top 90, and a sidewall 92. A bulge 95
`in the sidewall 92 is located a short distance below the top
`90, with that distance being less than the distance between
`the top surface 62 and the groove 68. Additionally, the shank
`end 75 of the stirrer has at least one, and preferably two,
`nubs 100 and 101 projecting outwardly from the stirrer. In
`the preferred embodiment of the invention, at the terminal
`end 80 of the stirrer 55 is a bowl portion 105.
`The two hubs 100, 101 are preferably located the same
`distance from the bulge 95 as notches 70, 71 are from the
`indentation 68. Additionally,
`the two hubs 100, 101 are
`preferably located on opposite sides of the stirrer. Similarly,
`the two notches 70, 71 are preferably located on opposite
`sides of the stirrer receptacle. In the preferred embodiment
`of the invention the assembled cap has the stirrer 55
`mechanically engaged in the stirrer receptacle 57 with the
`bulged area 95 positioned in the groove 68, and with the
`nubs 100, 101 positioned in the notches 70, 71 respectively.
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire
`beverage container cap and stirrer is fabricated from plastic,
`preferably polypropylene. The choice of manufacturing
`material permits the product to be fabricated using existing
`technology as well as from a relatively inexpensive starting
`material. The choice of plastic should be one which will be
`resistant to the heat of the beverage.
`The preferred dimensions associated with this invention
`include a distance from the container top edge to the
`container bottom edge of approximately 5.9", and an inner
`diameter across the top of the open container of 3.84". The
`diameters associated with the outer sidewall of the cap are
`an inner diameter of about 3.98" and an outer diameter of
`about 4.17 “. The outer sidewall is inclined upwardly and
`inwardly 15° from vertical, while the sloped inner sidewall
`is inclined upwardly and outwardly 15° from vertical. The
`vertical distance from the upper edge to the outer sidewall
`bottom edge is about 0.67".
`The diameter across the cap at its upper edge is about
`3.6l". The inclined base has a preferred inclination of 2°
`from horizontal, with the vertical distance from the upper-
`most edge of the inclined base to the upper edge of the cap
`being about 1". The cap flange member is about 0.75" wide
`and extends outwardly from the outer sidewall about 0.25".
`The cap vent hole has a diameter of about 0.185", and the
`drink aperture is about 0.17" wide and extends along the
`inclined base at its juncture with the sloped inner sidewall
`through an arc of about 30°.
`The stirrer receptacle has an inner diameter of about
`0.125", an outer diameter of about 0.21", and extends
`downwardly from the inner surface of the cap a distance of
`approximately 0.55". The indentation in the stirrer recep-
`tacle is located about 0.175" from the bottom of the recep-
`tacle, and the notches extend upwardly a distance of about
`0.06“.
`
`The stirrer is about 4.8" long and about 0.125" in its outer
`diameter. The bulge is about 0.36" from the top of the shank
`end, and the nubs are about 0.51" from the top of the shank
`end. The nubs preferably are 0.05" in diameter, and extend
`outwardly from the sidewall of the stirrer a distance of about
`0.04“. The bowl portion of the stirrer is preferable generally
`oval in shape with a width of about 0.77", a heighth of about
`1", and a depth of about 0.35".
`In actual use, once a beverage is deposited into the
`beverage container, if it needs stirring, the cap itself., prior
`to replacing it atop the beverage container, may be held like
`
`

`
`S
`
`6
`
`5,586,676
`
`a handle as the stirrer is made to pass through the beverage.
`When the stirring process is completed, the cap is replaced.
`For thorough cleaning of the cap, the stirrer is detached from
`the stirrer receptacle, the cap and stirrer are cleaned, and the
`cap is reassembled.
`While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes
`a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be under-
`stood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of
`apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without
`departing from the scope of the invention which is defined
`in the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A drink container cap, said cap comprising
`an exterior surface, and
`an interior surface, said interior surface having a stirrer
`depending downwardly therefrom, said stirrer having a
`shank end, said cap having formed therein a stirrer
`receptacle having an inner surface, said stirrer being
`mechanically retained within said stirrer receptacle by
`cooperation between said shank end and said inner
`surface, said stirrer receptacle having a bottom edge,
`said stirrer receptacle having at least one notch formed
`in said bottom edge, said stirrer having at least one
`projection extending outwardly therefrom, said projec-
`tion configured to fit within said notch.
`2. The drink container cap according to claim 1 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle is generally cylindrical.
`3. The drink container cap according to claim 2 wherein
`said stirrer is detachable from said stirrer receptacle.
`4. The drink container cap according to claim 1 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle has two notches formed therein, and
`said stirrer has two projections extending outwardly from
`said shank end, said notches being on opposite sides of said
`stirrer receptacle and said projections being on opposite
`sides of said stirrer.
`
`5. The drink container cap according to claim 1 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle has an indention in its inner surface,
`said shank end has a top, said shank end has a bulged area
`located a distance below said top, said bulged area engaging
`with said indentation.
`
`6. The drink container cap according to claim 5 wherein
`said stirrer has at least one projection extending outwardly
`therefrom, said projection configured to fit within said notch,
`said projection located the same distance from the bulged
`area as said notch is from said indention.
`
`7. The drink container cap according to claim 1 wherein
`said bottom edge is spaced apart from said interior surface.
`8. A drink container cap, said cap comprising
`an exterior surface, and
`an interior surface, said interior surface having a stirrer
`receptacle formed therein having an inner surface, said
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`S0
`
`stirrer receptacle engaging with a stirrer, said stirrer
`having a shank end, said stirrer being retained within
`said stirrer receptacle by cooperation between said
`shank end and said inner surface, said stirrer receptacle
`having a bottom edge, said stirrer receptacle having at
`least one notch formed in said bottom edge, said stirrer
`having at least one projection extending outwardly
`therefrom, said projection configured to fit within said
`notch.
`
`9. The drink container cap according to claim 8 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle is generally cylindrical.
`10. The drink container cap according to claim 8 wherein
`said stirrer is detachable from said stirrer receptacle.
`11. The drink container cap according to claim 8 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle has two notches formed therein, and
`said stirrer has two projections extending outwardly from
`said shank end, said notches being on opposite sides of said
`stirrer receptacle and said projections being on opposite
`sides of said stirrer.
`
`12. The drink container cap according to claim 8 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle has an indention in its inner surface,
`said shank end has a top, said shank end has a bulged area
`located a distance below said top, said bulged area engaging
`with said indentation.
`13. The drink container cap according to claim 12 wherein
`said stirrer has at least one projection extending outwardly
`therefrom, said projection configured to fit within said notch,
`said projection located the same distance from the bulged
`area as said notch is from said indention.
`
`14. The drink container cap according to claim 8 wherein
`said bottom edge is spaced apart from said interior surface.
`15. A drink container cap, said cap comprising
`an exterior surface, and
`
`an interior surface, said interior surface having a stirrer
`receptacle engaging with a stirrer, said stirrer receptacle
`having an inner and an outer surface, said outer surface
`located below said interior surface, said stirrer recep-
`tacle having an indentation in its inner surface, said
`stirrer receptacle having a bottom edge spaced apart
`from said interior surface, said stirrer having a shank
`end and a terminal end, said shank end having a top in
`addition to a bulged area located a distance below said
`top, which bulged area engages with said indentation,
`said terminal end having a bowl portion.
`16. The drink container cap according to claim 15 wherein
`said stirrer receptacle has two notches formed therein, and
`said stirrer has two projections extending outwardly from
`said shank end, said notches being on opposite sides of said
`stirrer receptacle and said projections being on opposite
`sides of said stirrer.