US20150047999A1 - Beverage Container With Interchangeable Indicia - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid container includes a base having a wall extending upwardly from the base. The wall has an interior surface for containing a fluid and an oppositely-facing exterior surface. The wall terminates in an edge defining a lip for accommodating the drinking of fluid from the container. A receptacle is formed in the wall's exterior surface that is configured to interchangeably mount an insert having indicia displayed thereon. In a one embodiment, a receptacle side wall has a notch formed therein for accommodating a utensil for prying said insert from the receptacle. The receptacle interior wall can have a ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon that retains the insert against the receptacle interior wall when the insert has a corresponding ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/867,030 filed Aug. 17, 2013 entitled “Beverage Container with Integral Receptacle for Interchangeable Insert”. The '030 provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to beverage containers and, in particular, beverage containers with interchangeable indicia. In some embodiments an integral receptacle holds the interchangeable decorative inserts. In other embodiments the indicia is wrapped around the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In food and beverage establishments, it is common to use beverage containers that display on their exterior surface various brand names, logos, sports team names and decorative indicia generally. Such conventional beverage containers commonly have such indicia permanently printed or embossed on their exterior surfaces such that new containers are required when the establishment transitions to a different motif. For example, a sports bar may wish to promote a particular baseball team during the spring and summer when baseball is in season, and then switch to promoting a particular football team in the fall and winter. The beverage glasses with the baseball team's name and logo have to be switched out and stored when football season begins and the bar wants to use the beverage glasses with the football team's name and logo.
• Instead of switching out permanently printed beverage containers, it would be advantageous to use the same container and switch out the printed labels displaying indicia normally printed or embossed directly on the container's exterior surface. The problem encountered with the use of interchangeable labels is their inability to remain adhered to the containers for a sufficiently long period of time. Even when adhered, labels can become scratched and pitted, diminishing the quality of the container's appearance and message intended to be conveyed by the label.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The above and other shortcomings of conventional container designs are overcome by a fluid container comprising:
• • (a) a base having at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, the at least one wall having an interior surface for contacting the fluid and an oppositely-facing exterior surface, the at least one wall terminating in an edge defining a lip for accommodating the drinking of the fluid from the container; and
  • (b) a receptacle formed in the at least one wall exterior surface, the receptacle configured to interchangeably mount an insert having indicia displayed thereon.
• In one embodiment, the receptacle has a side wall with a notch formed therein for accommodating a utensil for prying the insert from the receptacle.
• In some embodiments, interior surface of the container is cylindrical. In other embodiments, it is multisided.
• In one embodiment, the interior wall of the receptacle has a ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon. The ferromagnetic substance retains the insert against the receptacle interior wall when the insert has a corresponding ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon. In other or the same embodiment, the side wall of the receptacle contains the ferromagnetic substance.
• In some embodiments, the receptacle interior wall has an adhesive substance deposited thereon that retains the insert against the receptacle interior wall.
• In some embodiments, at least one receptacle side wall is at least partially convex such that the insert is capable of being press-fitted and retained within the receptacle.
• In one embodiment, the receptacle side wall is circular and the insert is a circular disc. In another embodiment, the receptacle side is made up of a plurality of walls and the insert is polygonal. When the plurality of receptacle side walls comprises four receptacle side walls, the receptacle accommodates a rectangular insert.
• Shortcomings of conventional designs are also overcome by making a fluid container with an integral receptacle for interchangeably mounting an insert having indicia displayed thereon. The method comprises forming a receptacle in an exterior surface of the container. The receptacle comprises a recessed interior wall and at least one side wall interconnecting the receptacle interior wall and the container exterior surface. The receptacle is configured to interchangeably mount an insert having indicia displayed thereon.
• In some embodiments the receptacle is not recessed with respect to the exterior surface of the container. Instead the receptacle can protrude outward from the exterior surface so the receptacle and the indicia it holds are raised with respect to the exterior surface of the container.
• In some embodiments, the method further comprises forming a notch in the at least one receptacle side wall. The notch accommodates a utensil for prying the insert from the receptacle.
• In one embodiment, the method further comprises depositing a ferromagnetic substance on the receptacle interior wall. The ferromagnetic substance retains the insert against the receptacle interior wall when the insert has a corresponding ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon. In some embodiments, the method further comprises depositing an adhesive substance on the receptacle interior wall. The adhesive substance retains the insert against the receptacle interior wall.
• In one embodiment of the method, a receptacle side wall is at least partially convex such that the insert is capable of being press-fitted and retained within the receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1A-1F illustrate a first multisided beverage container showing, left to right from the top: a top view, front view, side view, perspective view, bottom view, and enlarged cutaway view of the integral receptacle for mounting an interchangeable insert.
• FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a second, smaller multisided beverage container showing, left to right from the top: a top view, front view, side view, perspective view, bottom view, and enlarged cutaway view of the integral receptacle for mounting an interchangeable insert.
• FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate a substantially cylindrical beverage container showing, left to right from the top: a top view, front view, side view, perspective view, bottom view, and enlarged cutaway view of the integral receptacle for mounting an interchangeable insert.
• FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate a beverage mug showing, left to right from the top: a top view, front view, side view, perspective view, bottom view, and enlarged cutaway view of the integral receptacle for mounting an interchangeable insert.
• FIG. 5 is a side view of a beverage container with an exterior receptacle for attaching an interchangeable insert.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a beverage container with an integral receptacle for mounting an interchangeable band.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
• Turning first toFIGS. 1A-1F,fluid container110 has a plurality ofcurved side walls112 extending upwardly frombase115.Fluid container110 can be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastics, glasses, ceramics and metals. Injection moldable thermoplastics are particularly advantage materials formanufacturing container110.Receptacle120 is formed in the exterior surface ofcontainer110. Inother embodiments receptacle120 can protrude from the exterior surface ofcontainer110.Receptacle120 has recessedinterior wall120candside wall120ainterconnecting the receptacle interior wall and the container exterior surface. As shown in the lower-right cutaway illustration,receptacle120 is configured to interchangeably mountinsert130 having indicia displayed thereon.
• As further shown inFIGS. 1A-1F, notch120bis formed in a receptacle side wall.Notch120baccommodates a utensil for pryinginsert130 fromreceptacle120.
• Interior wall120ccan have a ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon. The magnetic substance retainsinsert130 against receptacleinterior wall120cwheninsert130 has a corresponding magnetic substance deposited on its interiorly facing surface.Interior wall120ccan also have an adhesive substance deposited thereon. The adhesive substance retains insert30 against receptacleinterior wall120c.
• Receptacle side wall120acan be formed at least partially convex such thatinsert130 is capable of being press-fitted and retained withinreceptacle120.
• Turning now toFIGS. 2A-2F,fluid container210 has a plurality ofcurved side walls212 extending upwardly frombase215.Receptacle220 is formed in the exterior surface ofcontainer210.Receptacle220 has recessedinterior wall220candside wall220ainterconnecting receptacleinterior wall220cand the container exterior surface. As shown in the lower-right cutaway illustration,receptacle220 is configured to interchangeably mountinsert230 having indicia displayed thereon.
• As further shown inFIGS. 2A-2F, notch220bis formed in a receptacle side wall.Notch220baccommodates a utensil for pryinginsert230 fromreceptacle220.
• As withcontainer110 inFIGS. 1A-1F,interior wall220cofreceptacle220 can have a magnetic substance deposited thereon. The magnetic substance retainsinsert230 againstinterior wall220cwheninsert230 has a corresponding magnetic substance deposited on its interiorly facing surface.Interior wall220ccan also have an adhesive substance deposited thereon. The adhesive substance retainsinsert230 againstinterior wall220c.
• Receptacle side wall220acan also be formed at least partially convex such thatinsert230 is capable of being press-fitted and retained withinreceptacle220.
• Turning now toFIGS. 3A-3F,fluid container310 has a plurality ofcurved side walls312 extending upwardly frombase315.Receptacle320 is formed in the exterior surface ofcontainer310.Receptacle320 has recessedinterior wall320candside wall320ainterconnecting receptacleinterior wall320cand the container exterior surface. As shown in the lower-right cutaway illustration,receptacle320 is configured to interchangeably mountinsert330 having indicia displayed thereon.
• As further shown inFIGS. 3A-3F, notch320bis formed in a receptacle side wall.Notch320baccommodates a utensil for pryinginsert330 fromreceptacle320.
• As withcontainer110 inFIGS. 1A-1F,interior wall320ccan have a magnetic substance deposited thereon. The magnetic substance retainsinsert330 against receptacleinterior wall320cwheninsert330 has a corresponding magnetic substance deposited on its interiorly facing surface.Interior wall320ccan also have an adhesive substance deposited thereon. The adhesive substance retainsinsert330 against receptacleinterior wall320c.
• Receptacle side wall320acan also be formed at least partially convex such thatinsert330 is capable of being press-fitted and retained withinreceptacle320.
• Turning now toFIGS. 4A-4F,mug410 has a plurality ofcurved side walls412 extending upwardly frombase415, as well as handle410a.Receptacle420 is formed in the exterior surface ofmug410.Receptacle420 has recessed interior wall420candside wall420ainterconnecting receptacle interior wall420cand the container exterior surface. As shown in the lower-right cutaway illustration,receptacle420 is configured to interchangeably mountinsert430 having indicia displayed thereon.
• As further shown inFIGS. 4A-4F, notch420bis formed in a receptacle side wall.Notch420baccommodates a utensil for pryinginsert430 fromreceptacle420.
• As withcontainer110 inFIGS. 1A-1F, interior wall420ccan have a magnetic substance deposited thereon. The magnetic substance retainsinsert430 against interior wall420cwheninsert430 has a corresponding magnetic substance deposited on its interiorly facing surface. Interior wall420ccan also have an adhesive substance deposited thereon. The adhesive substance retainsinsert430 against interior wall420c.
• Receptacle side wall420acan also be formed at least partially convex such thatinsert430 is capable of being press-fitted and retained withinreceptacle420.
• Turning now toFIG. 5,fluid container510 has a plurality ofcurved side walls512 extending upwardly frombase515.Magnetic plate520 is attached to the exterior surface ofcontainer510.Magnet570 is attached tomagnet cover580 which allowsmagnet cover580 to attach tomagnet plate520.Magnet cover580 can have indicia displayed thereon.
• Turning now toFIG. 6,fluid container610 has a plurality ofcurved side walls612 extending upwardly frombase615.Integral receptacle620 is configured to receive band630 (not shown) having indicia displayed thereon. In some embodiments, band630 can consist of flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within a plastic cover. This type of band is often described as a slap bracelet. In other embodiments band630 can be made of a material with elastic properties such that the band can be stretched intointegral receptacle620.
• While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid container comprising:

(a) a base having at least one wall extending upwardly from said base, said at least one wall having an interior surface for contacting said fluid and an oppositely-facing exterior surface, said at least one wall terminating in an edge defining a lip for accommodating the drinking of said fluid from said container; and

(b) a receptacle formed in said at least one wall exterior surface, said receptacle comprising a recessed interior wall and at least one side wall interconnecting said receptacle interior wall and said container exterior surface, said receptacle configured to interchangeably mount an insert having indicia displayed thereon.

2. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall has a notch formed therein for accommodating a utensil for prying said insert from said receptacle.

3. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one wall is cylindrical.

4. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one wall is multisided.

5. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said receptacle interior wall has a ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon, said ferromagnetic substance retaining said insert against said receptacle interior wall when said insert has a corresponding ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon.

6. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said receptacle interior wall has an adhesive substance deposited thereon, said adhesive substance retaining said insert against said receptacle interior wall.

7. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is at least partially convex such that said insert is capable of being press-fitted and retained within said receptacle.

8. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is circular and said insert is a circular disc.

9. The fluid container ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is a plurality of receptacle side walls and said insert is polygonal.

10. The fluid container ofclaim 9, wherein said plurality of receptacle side walls comprises four receptacle side walls for accommodating a rectangular insert.

11. A method of making a fluid container with an integral receptacle for interchangeably mounting an insert having indicia displayed thereon, the method comprising forming a receptacle in an exterior surface of said container, said receptacle comprising a recessed interior wall and at least one side wall interconnecting said receptacle interior wall and said container exterior surface, said receptacle configured to interchangeably mount an insert having indicia displayed thereon.

12. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising forming a notch in said at least one receptacle side wall, said notch accommodating a utensil for prying said insert from said receptacle.

13. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising depositing a ferromagnetic substance on said receptacle interior wall, said ferromagnetic substance retaining said insert against said receptacle interior wall when said insert has a corresponding ferromagnetic substance deposited thereon.

14. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising depositing an adhesive substance on said receptacle interior wall, said adhesive substance retaining said insert against said receptacle interior wall.

15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is at least partially convex such that said insert is capable of being press-fitted and retained within said receptacle.

16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is a circular side wall and said insert is a circular disc.

17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle side wall is a plurality of receptacle side walls.

18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein said plurality of receptacle side walls comprises four receptacle side walls for accommodating a rectangular insert.

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