CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/888,945, filed Jul. 8, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/749,393, filed Aug. 4, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a drinking cup assembly that is convertible into a bullhorn. Specifically, the invention relates to a drinking or beverage cup having a base separation apparatus to easily remove the base of the cup that is better suited for inexpensive or disposable cups and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable cups fall under three major categories: paper cups, plastic cups and foam cups. Today's paper cups are generally made of a paperboard produced at a mill in large rolls. The large rolls are placed on an extrusion line, and a thin layer of polyethylene coats the paperboard. The polyethylene layer gives the cup a gloss, and once it is applied, the paper is sealed inside a resistant shell. When this process is finished, the rolls are cut, and heat is used to seal and form the cups.

Plastic cups are made of either polystyrene, the same base material as in foam cups, or polyethylene terephthalate, which makes a clear cup. Plastic cups are generally manufactured by thermoforming. This process involves placing the cups on a mold and using heat to create the rim diameter, product thickness, color, rigidity, weight, and overall appearance of the cup.

Foam or polystyrene cups are produced by different methods, depending on the type of foam being manufactured. Thicker foam is produced on a foam cup machine that fits to a mold, much like the manufacture of plastic cups. These thinner foam cups are also called small bead. Thin foam cups are produced in large sheets, from which blanks are made. These are then wrapped around molds to shape the cups.

Frequently at sporting events, individuals in attendance are able to purchase beverages in such disposable cups, which, in order to show support for a team or athlete, typically include displays or indicia, such as team logos, or other symbols representative of the event.

To further support a particular team or athlete, it may be desirable to amplify the human speaking voice at these events. Portable amplification instruments may be used, such as megaphones and bullhorns. With either instrument, a user can amplify their voice and cheer for an individual or team. While both of these devices are useful for voice amplification, they require the user to transport them to and from the event.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,103 discloses an apparatus, which is convertible from a container such as a drinking cup, into a megaphone, and thereafter back to a container. One end of the cup has a porthole that includes threads for receiving the plug portion. The plug portion is designed to fit snugly within the porthole of the body portion, thus making it possible to utilize the apparatus as a container for objects such as liquid refreshments. The plug includes threads, which mate with threads on the inner surface of the body portion proximate to the porthole. The plug is inserted through the bottom of the hollow coaster and screwed into the porthole.

Due to its complexity, the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,363 is relatively expensive to manufacture, and therefore not well suited for mass distribution, or in disposable form, as is the cup of the present invention. The cup is described therein as a reusable â€œsouvenirâ€ cup. Thus, it would most likely be of a type for which participants at a sporting event pay a premium, or that would only be offered as a special promotion (i.e., â€œsouvenir cup nightâ€ ).

Heretofore, there has been no reasonably inexpensive means to combine a cup with a voice amplification device in a way that would be better suited for regular or disposable distribution with beverages at sporting events, and the like. The bullhorn cup of the present invention provides such a means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a beverage cup or container that is convertible to a bullhorn device. The cup is preferably made of a disposable material, such as paper, molded plastic, or foam. The cup has a hollow body portion, shaped to form a cylinder or cone, preferably having the geometry of a conical frustum, with an open first end, and a second end located distal from the first end. The second end has a removable base portion. The removable base portion may comprise a detachable base mated to the body portion to form a seal.

The seal may incorporate a separation apparatus that can be pulled or actuated to separate the base portion from the body portion. For example, the separation apparatus may be a pull string made out of string material, thin paper or plastic, that is disposed between the removable base portion and the body portion. The pull string can be pulled from in between the removable base portion and the body portion to break the seal and to release the base portion from the body portion, thereby opening the second end. One end of the pull string preferably has a small protrusion outside the base portion and second end of the body portion so that it can be grasped and pulled to aid in the string's removal. The resulting cylindrical shape, or cone shape (wherein the first end may be wider than the second end), formed by the body portion, together with the open first end, and now open second end, forms the bullhorn that has been converted from the beverage cup.

The body portion has an inside and an outside, and may further comprise handles folded against the outside of the body portion, wherein the handles can be unfolded for use in holding the container during either drinking from the cup or during use as a bullhorn.

In another embodiment, the second end has a selectively removable portion formed by a perforation in the base portion. Instead of a pull string, the separation apparatus may comprise a pull tab to be pulled or actuated to separate the removable portion from the base portion.

In another embodiment, instead using a perforation or pull string, the base portion is selectively removable from the second end of the body portion by providing a weaker seal than normal between the base portion and body portion. The weak seal may be provided by using less glue to form the seal or a thinner bead of glue between the base portion and the body portion. Thus when a pull tab on the base portion is pulled, the most likely part of the cup to break is the weak seal between the base portion and the body portion, to thus remove the base portion from the body portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the bullhorn cup;

FIG. 2 is a top isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup having unfolded handles;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the bullhorn cup showing the unfolded handles;

FIG. 4 is a left hand view of bullhorn cup and with the handles unfolded;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bullhorn cup with folded handles formed against the outside of the body portion of the bullhorn cup, with a protruding portion of a tear-out or pull string shown as when the bottom or base portion is in place before removal;

FIG. 6 is a top isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup, with the handles shown still folded as formed around the outside of the body portion;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the bullhorn cup with the handles shown still folded around the outside of the body portion;

FIG. 8 is a left hand view of the bullhorn cup, with the handles shown folded around the outside of the body portion;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the bullhorn cup, with the handles shown folded around the outside of the body portion, and with the pull string still attached to bottom or base portion still inserted in the body portion;

FIG. 10 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup, with the handles shown folded around the outside of the body portion, with the pull string shown removed from bottom after being pulled to remove the base portion;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the bullhorn cup having a perforated base portion and pull tab; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1, according to the embodiment of FIG. 11, showing a portion of the base portion formed by the perforation having been removed form the cup.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the bullhorn cup having a base portion and pull ring;

FIG. 14 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1, according to the embodiment of FIG. 13, showing a portion of the base portion having been removed form the cup after actuation of the pull ring; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of the bullhorn cup having a body, base portion and a removable band to separate the base portion from the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawing figures, a beverage cup or container that is usable as a bullhorn device is disclosed. The cup is preferably made of a disposable material, such as paper, molded plastic or foam. The cup has a hollow body portion, shaped to form a cylinder or cone, preferably having a conical frustum shape, with an open first end, and a second end located distal from the first end. The second end has a selectively removable portion. A seal between the base portion and the body portion may be broken by a pull string to remove the base portion from the bullhorn cup. Alternatively, a removable part of the base portion may be formed by a perforation in a base portion, or a weakened seal may be provided between the base portion and the body portion. A pull tab may be provided to aid in separation of the removable portion from the body portion.

With reference to FIG. 1, a top view of the bullhorn cup 1 is shown. The cup 1 comprises a beverage cup that is usable as a bullhorn device. The cup 1 is preferably made of a disposable material, such as paper, molded plastic, or foam.

The bullhorn cup 1 has handles 3, which are stored in a folded position against the cup 1, when not in use. The handles 3 are shown in FIG. 1 in the unfolded position.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1 having unfolded handles 3. The cup has a hollow body portion 2, having an inside, and an outside, shaped to form a cylinder or cone, preferably having a conical frustum shape, with an open first end 10, and a second end 12 that is closed before removal of a base portion disposed in the body portion 2 at the second end 12.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the bullhorn cup 1 having the first end 10 and the second end 12. The handles 3 are shown unfolded from the body portion 2.

FIG. 4 is a left hand view of bullhorn cup 1, having the first end 10 and the second end 12. The handles 3 are shown unfolded from the body portion 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bullhorn cup 1, with handles 3 folded against the outside of the body portion 2. A bottom or base portion 5 is in place within the inside portion of the second end 12 of the body portion 2. A protruding portion of a tear-out, or pull, string 4 is shown that can be grasped to facilitate removal to thereby cause separation of the base portion 5 from the body portion 2. The pull string 4 may be integrated or form part of the seal, and can be made out of string material, thin paper, plastic, or foam, which depend on the material used to manufacture the bullhorn cup 1.

FIG. 6 is a top isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1 having a cylindrical body portion 2, which has the first end 10 and the second end 12, wherein the first end 10 may be wider than the second end 12 to form a funnel shape typical of beverage containers. In FIG. 6, the handles 3 are shown in the folded position.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the bullhorn cup 1, having a first end 10 and second end 12, with the handles 3 shown still folded around the outside of the body portion 2. A crease 6, at four locations on the body portion 2 facilitates folding and unfolding of the handle 3.

FIG. 8 is a left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1, with the body portion 2 having the first end 10 and the second end 12. In FIG. 8, the handles 3 are shown still folded around the outside of the body portion 2.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view, showing the second end 12, of the bullhorn cup 1, with the handles 3 shown folded around the outside of the body portion 2, and with the pull string 4 still inserted between the bottom or base portion 5 and the body portion 2. One end of the pull string 4 preferably has a small protrusion outside the base portion 5 and second end 12 of the body portion 2 so that it can be grasped and pulled to aid in the removal of the string 4.

FIG. 10 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1 showing the body 2 having the first end 10 and the second end 12. The handles 3 are shown in the folded position around the outside of the body portion 2. The pull string 4 is shown having been pulled and thereby removed from in between the base portion 5 and the inside of the body portion 2. The act of pulling the pull string 4 facilitates separation of the base portion 5 from the second end 12 of the body portion 2, which opens the second end 12 so that the cup 1 can be used as a bullhorn.

In this regard, the removable base portion 5 comprises a detachable base mated to the body portion 2 to form a seal. The pull string 4 is integrated into the seal in such a way that pulling of the pull string 4 causes the seal to be broken, and the base portion 5 to be detached from the body portion 2. The resulting cylindrical, cone or conical frustum shape formed by the body portion 2, together with the open first end 10, and now open second end 12, forms the bullhorn.

Also shown in FIG. 10 are two alternative shapes, 6 and 7, that can be carved out from the base portion 5. With the alternative shapes, 6 and 7, the pull string is not disposed between the base portion 5 and the body portion 2, but is used to separate a pre-cut shape from the base portion 5 when pulled. In FIG. 10, one alternative shape 6 is circular, and another alternative shape 7 is oval.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the bullhorn cup 1 showing the second end 12 with the handles 3 shown folded around the outside of the body portion 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the separation of the base portion may be aided using a pull tab 32, instead of a pull string. In some embodiments, a perforated edge 30 is provided around the outside edge of the base portion 5 during manufacture of the bullhorn cup 1. The perforated edge 30 provides a pre-cut shape that easily separates from the seal formed by the body portion 2 and the base portion 5.

During manufacture of the embodiment of FIG. 11, the paper, plastic or foam used to form the bottom portion 5 may be put through an extra step of perforation to form the perforated edge 30. There are several systems currently available that may be configured to provide this extra manufacturing step, including the Scorer/Perforator, Model SP100, which can be obtained from Office Zone of Kaysville, Utah.

When made of thermoformed plastic or molded form, the mold used to form the bullhorn cup 1 may contain protrusions where the base portion 5 of the cup is formed that are spaced to form the perforated edge 30.

After the body portion 2 and base portion 5 of the bullhorn cup 1 are formed, the pull tab 32 may then be glued to the bottom portion 5 by spreading glue on a portion of the surface area of the pull tab 32 that is to be contracted with the base portion 5. The partial application of the glue allows for the non-glued portion to be grasped and flipped-up by the user of the bullhorn cup 1 to facilitate pulling the pull tab 32 to remove the perforated portion of the base portion 5.

In embodiments where the perforation 30 may make the bullhorn cup 1 susceptible to leakage during use as a beverage container, a wax sealant, or other sealant known to those skilled in the art of disposable cup manufacture, may be used on the inside of the body portion 2 to prevent such leaking. With respect to plastic and foam molded cups, preventing leakage may be accomplished by careful shaping of the mold and by using the proper thickness of plastic or foam in order to provide a perforation 30 that does not leak.

FIG. 12 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1, according to the embodiment of FIG. 11, showing the body portion 2 having the first end 10 and the second end 12. The handles 3 are shown in the folded position around the outside of the body portion 2. The pull tab 32 is shown having been pulled to thereby remove the perforated portion of the base portion 5, consistent with the perforated edge 30, from the inside of the second end 12 of the body portion 2. The second end 12 is then open so that the bullhorn cup 1 can be used as a bullhorn.

In another embodiment, instead using a perforation 30 or pull string 4, the base portion 5 is selectively removable from the second end 12 of the body portion 2 by providing a weaker seal than normal between the base portion 5 and body portion 2. The weak seal may be provided by using less glue to form the seal or a thinner bead of glue than normal between the base portion 5 and the body portion 2. Thus when a pull tab 32 on the base portion 5 is pulled, the most likely part of the cup 1 to break is the weak seal between the base portion 5 and the body portion 2, to thus remove the base portion 5 from the body portion 2.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the bullhorn cup 1 showing the second end 12 (see FIG. 14 to view the location of the second end 12 relative to the body 2 of the cup 1) with a removable membrane mechanism similar to those used in the fitment of screw top spouts commonly found on contemporary milk or orange juice cartons. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the base portion 5 is selectively removable from the second end 12 of the body portion 2 by providing a membrane 35 molded integrally with the second end 12 of the body portion 2. The central portion of the membrane 35 may be concave. The outer edge 36 of the membrane 35 that joins the membrane 35 and the second end 12 of the body portion 2 is thinner relative to the rest of the membrane 35, such that the outer edge 36 comprises a line of weakness at a separation point.

If the cup 1 is made out of cardboard or plastic, the membrane 35 may be made out of the same material. As in the case of typical fitments on milk and orange juice cartons referred to above, the membrane 35 may be made of plastic that is molded with a thicker center, and a thinner outer edge 36. However, if the cup 1 is made of paper, then the membrane 35 may comprise a first paper layer reinforced in the middle by a second paper layer pasted or glued into place, leaving the outer edge 36 a single layer to delineate the line of weakness.

One portion of membrane 35 may contain an upward post or gusset 38 connected to a horizontal pull ring 34 which is located between the thin edge 34 of the membrane 35. When the user grips the pull ring 34 and pulls away from the cup 1, the outer edge or tear line 36 breaks to remove the membrane 35.

FIG. 14 is a bottom isometric left hand view of the bullhorn cup 1, according to the embodiment of FIG. 13, showing the body portion 2 having the first end 10 and the second end 12. The handles 3 are shown in the folded position around the outside of the body portion 2. The tear line 36 has been broken after the user has pulled the pull ring 39, to thereby remove the membrane 35 of the base portion 5, consistent with the tear line 36, from the inside of the second end 12 of the body portion 2. The second end 12 is then open so that the bullhorn cup 1 can be used as a bullhorn. As shown, the user may have been assisted in grasping the pull ring 39 by means of the post or gusset 38, although in some embodiments, the post or gusset 38 is not necessary because the pull ring 39 itself may be sufficient for grasping and pulling without the gusset 38.

FIG. 15 is a side view of bullhorn cup 1, having the first end 10 and the second end 12, according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the mechanism for removing the base portion 5 from the body 2 of the cup 1 comprises a removable band 38 circumscribing a portion of the body 2 of the cup 1, near the second end 12, with a pull tab 44 protruding from the removable band 38. The removable band 38 is delineated from the rest of the body by two weakened bands, 40 and 42, circumscribing the body 2 of the cup 1 located above and below the removable band 38.

The weakened bands, 40 and 42, comprise portions of the body 2 that are thinner in relation to the rest of the body 2 and the removable band 38, such that when the tab 44 is pulled, the body 2 is biased to break along the weakened bands, 40 and 42.

This mechanism may be similar to those used to remove tops of contemporary gallon-size milk containers. If the cup 1 is made out of cardboard or plastic, the removable band 38 and the weakened bands, 40 and 42, may be made out of the same material, with the weakened bands, 40 and 42, molded to be thinner than the body 2 and the removable band 38. However, if the cup 1 is made of paper, then the body 2 and removable band 38 may each comprise a first paper layer reinforced in the middle by a second paper layer pasted or glued together, leaving the weakened bands, 40 and 42, a single layer to delineate the line of weakness.

Finally, in many of the above described embodiments, and other embodiments not herein described in detail, the base portion 5 may comprise more than just a portion of the bull horn cup 1 to be discarded. For example, the base portion may comprise a keepsake such as a sports memorabilia card that can be collected or traded by fans using the bull horn cup 1, or a round or cut-out business card promoting a sponsor of an event. The base portion may alternatively contain a pocket in which keepsakes or souvenirs may be stored for collection by the user once the base portion 5 is separated. One such keep sake or souvenir may comprise, for example, a mini-compact disk containing a media presentation promoting a sports event or team. The base portion 5 itself may comprise, at least in part on the bottom side, a patch that can be sewn onto clothing after separation from the bull horn cup 1.

While there has been shown and described preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of central attributes thereof. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.