US 20110297688A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0297688 A1
Bangert
(43) Pub. Date:
Dec. 8, 2011
(54)
DRINKING VESSEL
(76) Inventor:
Mitchell Bangert, Golden, CO
(Us)
(21) Appl. No.:
13/107,845
(22) Filed:
May 13, 2011
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
Int. Cl.
A47G 19/22
(52)
us. c1. .................................... .. 220/710.5;220/703
(57)
(2006.01)
ABSTRACT
A drinking vessel is disclosed Which channels aromatic
Related US. Application Data
(63)
Continuation of application No. 29/389,378, ?led on
Apr. 11,2011.
(60)
Provisional application No. 61/397,046, ?led on Jun.
7, 2010.
vapors of the beverage to the nose of the drinker. The vessel
has a generally barrel-shaped body Which has a bottom, a
belly and a top, along With a front and back. An opening at the
top of the body extends upwardly along a plane from the front
of the body to the back of the body at an angle 0t. The diameter
of the belly is greater than the diameter of the vessel at its
bottom or at the opening of the body. When provided With a
handle, the vessel serves as a coffee cup. Made of glass
Without a handle it serves as a spirits glass. When provided
With a stem it serves as a Wine glass.
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 8, 2011
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Patent Application Publication
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Patent Application Publication
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FIG. 9
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DRINKING VESSEL
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001]
This patent application claims priority and is a con
tinuation of provisional patent application No. 61/397,046
?led on Jun. 7, 2010 and design patent application Ser. No.
29/389,378 ?led on Apr. 11,2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to the ?eld of drinking vessels,
and in particular an improved coffee cup and other drinking
[0014]
FIG. 1.
[0015]
of FIG.
[0016]
of FIG.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a back vieW of the improved coffee cup of
FIG. 6 is a bottom vieW of the improved coffee cup
4
FIG. 7 is a bottom vieW of the improved coffee cup
5.
FIG. 8 is a side vieW of an embodiment of the
present invention as a spirits glass.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side vieW of an embodiment of the
present invention as a Wine glass.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
glasses Which engage a drinker’s sense of smell While drink
[0019]
ing the beverage.
than our taste buds. The “nose” or aroma of any number of
[0004] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various prior art cups and glasses have included
features to enhance effects of the aroma of the beverage.
None, hoWever, provide as complete an involvement of the
sense of smell While drinking a beverage as experienced With
the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance With the invention a coffee cup is
described Which includes a coffee holding vessel having a
generally barrel shape. The vessel has a bottom, a belly and a
top. An elliptical shaped opening is provided at the top. It is
elliptical in shape because the opening extends from the front
Human sense of smell is many times more sensitive
beverages is often touted as one of the joys of drinking some
beverages. Recently there has been a great interest in pre
mium and exotic coffee With a corresponding interest in the
appreciation of coffee aroma While drinking coffee. So it is an
object of the invention to enable a user’s nose to become a
more active participant process and therefore create a more
enjoyable drinking experience.
[0020] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a coffee cup 10 Which embodies
the present invention. The coffee cup has a body or vessel 11
Which is generally barrel-shaped. It has a bottom 12, an open
ing 14 and a Widerbelly portion 16 in-betWeen. As used in this
application barrel-shaped it is not intended to be a perfectly
shaped barrel. Rather, as shoW in FIG. 3, by barrel-shaped it
is meant that the maximum diameter of the coffee cup at its
of the cup at an angle to the back of the cup. In particular the
opening is formed along a plane extending at an angle 0t from
a line extending from a front point of the cup parallel to the
bottom of the cup, to a back point of the cup. Since the cup is
barrel shaped, the maximum diameter of the cup, at the belly,
exceeds the diameter of the cup at the bottom and at the
belly 16, d2, exceeds both the diameter d2 of the coffee cup at
opening of the cup.
[0007] The barrel shape and the angled opening aWay from
to the back 22 of the cup. Dashed lines 24 complete an outline
of a full barrel-shaped vessel. This can be seen in FIG. 2. The
opening 14 can be vieWed as lying in a plane extending from
the front of the cup maximiZe the aroma of the coffee as it is
being drunk. The barrel shape provides increased coffee hold
ing capacity and, at the belly of the cup a greater surface area
for coffee vapors to emanate. The barrel shape and the angled
opening have the effect of funneling or channeling the fumes
from the coffee to the drinker When the drinker sips his coffee
and promotes the engagement of the drinker’s nose With the
coffee.
[0008] The back of the cup extends higher, relative to the
drinker, than the front of the cup. Since the back of the cup
maintains the barrel-shape it curves inWardly, all of Which
its bottom 12 as Well as the diameter of the coffee cup d3 at the
opening 14. Diameter d3 is shoWn in FIGS. 2 & 3 as a line
extending from a front point 18 at the front 20 of the coffee
cup, parallel With the bottom 12 of the cup.
[0021]
The opening 14 extends from the front 20 of the cup
the front point 18 to a back point 26. The angle of this plane
relative to d3, parallel to the bottom 12 of the vessel, is angle
0t. This gives the opening 14 an elliptical shape. A handle 28
is provided on a side of coffee cup 10.
[0022] The larger diameter d2 of the belly of the cup, the
angle 0t of the opening 14 and the inWardly curving back 22 of
cup 10 all cooperatively function to channel the aromatic
vapors to the drinker’s nose While drinking the coffee. The
barrel shaped belly of the cup provides a large reservoir and
surface area for the evaporation of coffee vapors. The effect of
helps to direct aromatic vapors to the drinker’s nose.
the angled opening extending from the front of the cup to the
[0009]
back of the cup is to capture and channel the vapors to and
around the drinker’s nose to fully engage the drinker’s sense
In the case of a coffee or tea cup, a handle is pro
vided at one side of the cup. The present invention is also
applicable to other drinking vessels besides coffee. For
example, the present invention can be used for glasses for
brandy, scotch, bourbon and other alcoholic beverages. It can
also be used for Wine glasses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a prospective vieW of an improved coffee
cup in accordance With the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side vieW ofthe right side ofthe improved
coffee cup of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side vieW of the left side of the improved
coffee cup of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front vieW of the improved coffee cup of
FIG. 1.
of smell While drinking.
[0023] The coffee cup 10 is made from any suitable mate
rial such as ?red clay or ceramic materials. In the preferred
embodiment the angle 0t is approximately 20 degrees. In
another embodiment the angle 0t is approximately 24 degrees.
A range of approximately 18 degrees to 22 degrees provides
a suitable angle of the opening 14. In a preferred embodiment
the diameter d1 of the bottom is approximately 2 inches, the
diameter d2 at the belly, and the Widest point of the cup, is
approximately 3% inches, and the diameter d3 at the front
point 18 of the cup is 3% inches.
[0024] In the embodiment described the height of the cup
from the bottom to the front point is approximately 3% inches
and the height to the back point is approximately 4% inches.
Dec. 8, 2011
US 2011/0297688 A1
The length of the opening 14 as measured from the front point
18 to the back point 26 is approximately 31/2 inches.
4.A coffee cup as in claim 1 Wherein the angle 0t is approxi
mately 24 degrees.
Of course a coffee cup of the present invention may
5. A coffee cup as in claim 1 Wherein the angle 0t is in the
be made of any siZe While incorporating the principles of the
present invention. Nor is the present invention limited to
drinking coffee. For example FIG. 8 shoWs an embodiment of
range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
6. A drinking vessel comprising:
a body having a generally barrel shape and having a bot
tom, a belly and top;
an elliptical opening at the top of the body formed along a
[0025]
the present invention as a glass 101 to drink spirits such as
scotch, bourbon and brandy. Such a glass has no handle. FIG.
9 shoWs a Wine glass 1011 Which has a stem 30 and a base 32
extending from the bottom 12 of the vessel 11. Typically both
the spirits glass and Wine glass are made of glass.
[0026] There has been broadly outlined more important
features of the invention in the summary and in the detailed
description above. Those skilled in the art Will appreciate that
the conception upon Which this disclosure is based readily
may be utiliZed as a basis for the designing of other structures,
methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of
the present invention. It is important therefore, that claims be
regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar
as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0027] The above disclosure is su?icient to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides
the best mode of practicing the invention presently contem
plated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full
and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction, dimensions, relationships, or operations as
described. Various modi?cations, alternative constructions,
changes and equivalents Will readily occur to those skilled in
the art and may be employed as suitable Without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes
plane extending at an angle 0t from a line extending from
a front point parallel to the bottom, to a back point of the
body; and
Wherein the diameter of the vessel at the belly exceeds the
diameter of the bottom and the diameter of the vessel at
the line extending from the front point of the body par
allel to the bottom.
7. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 Wherein the vessel is
made of glass.
8. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 Wherein the vessel is
made of a ceramic.
9. A drinking vessel as in claim 8 Wherein a handle is
a?ixed along one side of the body.
10. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 Wherein the angle 0t is
approximately 20 degrees.
11. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 Wherein the angle 0t is
approximately 24 degrees.
12. A drinking vessel as in claim 6 Wherein the angle 0t is in
the range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
13. A drinking vessel as in claim 7 Wherein a stem extends
from the bottom of the vessel.
14. A drinking vessel comprising:
a barrel-shaped body having a bottom, a belly and top and
having a front and back;
an opening at the top of the body extending upWardly along
might involve alternative materials, components, structural
a plane from the front of the body to the back of the body
arrangements, siZes, shapes, forms, functions, operational
at an angle 0t relative to a line parallel to the bottom of the
features or the like. Therefore, the above description and
illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention, Which is de?ned by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A coffee cup comprising:
a coffee holding vessel having a generally barrel shape and
having a bottom, a belly and a top;
an elliptical opening at the top of the vessel formed along a
plane extending at an angle 0t from a line extending from
a front point parallel to the bottom, to a back point of the
vessel;
body; and
Wherein the diameter of the body at the belly exceeds the
diameter of the bottom of the body and exceeds the
diameter at the top of the body along a line extending
from the front of the body parallel to the bottom.
15. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 Wherein the vessel is
made of glass.
16. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 Wherein the vessel is
made of a ceramic.
17. A drinking vessel as in claim 16 Where a handle is
a?ixed along one side of the body.
18. A drinking vessel as in claim 14 Wherein the angle 0t is
a handle on one side of the vessel; and
approximately 20 degrees.
Wherein the diameter of the vessel at the belly exceeds the
diameter of the bottom and the diameter of the vessel at
approximately 24 degrees.
the line extending from the front point parallel to the
bottom.
2. A coffee cup as in claim 1 Wherein the vessel is made of
a ceramic.
19. A coffee cup as in claim 14 Wherein the angle 0t is
20. A coffee cup as in claim 14 Wherein the angle 0t is in the
range of 18 degrees and 26 degrees.
21 . A drinking vessel as in claim 15 Wherein a stem extends
from the bottom of the vessel.
3.A coffee cup as in claim 1 Wherein the angle 0t is approxi
mately 20 degrees.
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