| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A mixing device comprising: a cup having interior and exterior surfaces; and a stir stick temporarily attached to an exterior surface of the cup; wherein the stir stick is detachable under force of the hands and fingers and can thereafter be used to stir any contents of the cup. 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the stir stick has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. 3. The device according to claim 2 wherein imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick is parallel within 20 degrees to the imaginary elongate central axis of the cup in the imaginary plane containing both imaginary axis. 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cup has a lip region at its upper opening; and wherein the stir stick temporarily attaches to the exterior of the cup in a region completely below lip region of the cup. 5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the stir stick has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup.; whereby, by definition, the stir stick temporarily attached to the exterior of the cup in the region completely below the lip region of the cup is shorter than is an imaginary extension of the imaginary axis of the mounted stir stick to a top of the cup, making in common parlance that the stir stick is shorter than is the exterior of a sidewall of the cup. 6. Devices according to claim 5 that are stacked with (1) a base portion of the body of a cup, plus (2) the complete stir stick attached to the exterior of the cup, are within a hollow interior of a next lower cup in the stack. 7. The stacked devices according to claim 6 wherein the cups are tapered, and fit together when stacked at their rim regions were the attached stir stick is not present; and wherein the attached stir stick internal to each cup in the stack, save the lowermost and outermost, occupies a void space between successive cups in the stack, and is there protected against such mechanical forces to the stacked devices as would serve to detach a stir stick from its associated cup. 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any beverages of the group consisting essentially of coffee, tea, and cocoa, and: wherein the detached stir stick is suitable to stir any beverages of the group. 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any slurries of the group consisting essentially of soup, pudding, cereals including oatmeal, and yogurt; and wherein the detached stir stick is suitable to stir any slurries of the group. 10. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the cup and the stir stick are made of plastic. 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the cup and the stir stick is cellulosic, meaning of paper or wood. 12. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: adhesive attaching the stir stick to the cup. 13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the adhesive is food safe. 14. A beverage delivery system comprising: a multiplicity of tapered cups (1) each with an interior and an exterior having a truncated frustoconical surface, and (2) stackable so that a lower cup in the stack contacts only an upper region of next higher cup within the stack, a void existing between a lower interior surface portion of each such lower cup within the stack and a lower exterior surface portion of the next higher cup within the stack; and an equal multiplicity of stir sticks each removably attached to the lower exterior surface portion of an associated cup; wherein when the cups are stacked the stir sticks fit into the void spaces between the cups, and are not subject to such forces during either stacking or un-stacking of the cups as results in detachment of the stir sticks from the cups. 15. The beverage delivery system according to claim 14 wherein the stir sticks are attached to the cups by a frangible adhesive bond so that any stir stick may be forcibly separated from its associated cup under only force of the hands and fingers, and subsequently use to stir any contents of the cup. 16. A package for delivering a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff, the package comprising: a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with an elongate implement temporarily attached to the to the side of the cup substantially along a central axis of the cup and there removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup before consumption by the consumer, the elongate implement having and presenting features intentionally adapted to engage and interlock complimentary features on other elongate implements removed from other cups so that toy models and structures can be assembled from the implements after their use to stir and/or extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup. 17. A toy sold as a unit and usable with a multiplicity of like toys to construct toy structures, the toy comprising: a cup with (1) a cylindrical body defining a reservoir and with (2) an extending lower lip, the lower lip having and defining a plurality of apertures into any ones of which a complimentary feature of an elongate object may be entered so as to mechanically engage the cup and the object, while the body has and defines a plurality of locations whereat apertures like as to the lip apertures may be created by puncture, any ones of these apertures when created likewise permitting a complimentary feature of an elongate object to be entered so as to mechanically engage the cup to the object, wherein the body retains integrity of hold liquid until and unless apertures are made in the body. 18. A unit suitable for dispensing by a beverage vending machine comprising: a cup having interior and exterior surfaces; and a stir stick/spoon/straw temporarily attached to an exterior surface of the cup; wherein the stir stick/spoon/straw is detachable under force of the hands and fingers and can thereafter be used to stir any contents of the cup. 19. The unit according to claim 18 wherein the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the stir stick/spoon/straw has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. 20. The unit according to claim 19 wherein imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw is parallel within 20 degrees to the imaginary elongate central axis of the cup in the imaginary plane containing both imaginary axis. 21. The unit according to claim 20 wherein the cup has a lip region at its upper opening; and wherein the stir stick/spoon/straw temporarily attaches to the exterior of the cup in a region completely below lip region of the cup. 22. The unit according to claim 21 wherein the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the stir stick/spoon/straw has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup.; whereby, by definition, the stir stick/spoon/straw temporarily attached to the exterior of the cup in the region completely below the lip region of the cup is shorter than is an imaginary extension of the imaginary axis of the mounted stir stick/spoon/straw to a top of the cup, making in common parlance that the stir stick/spoon/straw is shorter than is the exterior of a sidewall of the cup. 23. Units according to claim 22 that are stacked with (1) a base portion of the body of a cup, plus (2) the complete stir stick/spoon/straw attached to the exterior of the cup, are within a hollow interior of a next lower cup in the stack. 24. The stacked units according to claim 23 wherein the cups are tapered, and fit together when stacked at their rim regions were the attached stir stick/spoon/straw is not present; and wherein the attached stir stick/spoon/straw internal to each cup in the stack, save the lowermost and outermost, occupies a void space between successive cups in the stack, and is there protected against such mechanical forces to the stacked devices as would serve to detach a stir stick/spoon/straw from its associated cup. 25. The unit according to claim 18 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any beverages of the group consisting essentially of coffee, tea, and cocoa, and: wherein the detached stir stick/spoon/straw is suitable to stir any beverages of the group. 26. The unit according to claim 18 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any slurries of the group consisting essentially of soup, pudding, cereals including oatmeal, and yogurt; and wherein the detached stir stick/spoon/straw is suitable to stir any slurries of the group. 27. The unit according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the cup and the stir stick/spoon/straw are made of plastic. 28. The unit according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the cup and the stir stick/spoon/straw is cellulosic, meaning of paper or wood. 29. The unit according to claim 18 further comprising: adhesive attaching the stir stick/spoon/straw to the cup. 30. The unit according to claim 29 wherein the adhesive is food safe. 31. A beverage delivery system comprising: a multiplicity of tapered cups (1) each with an interior and an exterior having a truncated frustoconical surface, and (2) stackable so that a lower cup in the stack contacts only an upper region of next higher cup within the stack, a void existing between a lower interior surface portion of each such lower cup within the stack and a lower exterior surface portion of the next higher cup within the stack; and an equal multiplicity of stir sticks each removably attached to the lower exterior surface portion of an associated cup; wherein when the cups are stacked the stir sticks fit into the void spaces between the cups, and are not subject to such forces during either stacking or un-stacking of the cups as results in detachment of the stir sticks from the cups; wherein the cups and attached stir sticks so stacked are located in an automatic vending machine, and dispensed one combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw at a time. 32. The beverage delivery system according to claim 31 wherein the stir sticks are attached to the cups by a frangible adhesive bond so that any stir stick/spoon/straw may be forcibly separated from its associated cup under only force of the hands and fingers, and subsequently use to stir any contents of the cup. 33. A package for delivery by vending machine of a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff, the package comprising: a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with an elongate implement temporarily attached to the to the side of the cup substantially along a central axis of the cup and there removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup before consumption by the consumer, the elongate implement having and presenting features intentionally adapted to engage and interlock complimentary features on other elongate implements removed from other cups so that toy models and structures can be assembled from the implements after their use to stir and/or extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup; wherein combination cups and attached elongate implements are (1) stacked and (2) located in an automatic vending machine so that they may be automatically dispensed one combination cup and implement at a time. 34. An integral cup and stir stick device comprising: a cup formed from flexible planar material bent in a circle and connected with and by a longitudinal seam so as to form a substantially frustoconical body; with the planar material continuing after the longitudinal seam to a longitudinal tear line in the planar material, beyond which tear line a lesser amount of the planar material that was used to form the cup body is tightly formed into an elongate member attached to the cup body by the longitudinal tear line; therein to create in the elongate member a relatively stiffer region of the planar material that can be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body and thereafter used as a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup. 35. The device according to claim 34 wherein the flexible planar material is paper; wherein the tear line is a line of perforations; and wherein the planar paper material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is (1) perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, and then (2) bent, meaning folded, at least one time (2a) first backwards at or near the longitudinal perforations, and (2b) then at least one time again forward along an imaginary line spaced parallel to, and slightly separated from, the longitudinal perforations, therein so as to form an accordion fold, with paper of the folds of the at least one accordion fold being glued together; therein to create by the accordion folding and by the gluing a relatively stiffer elongate region of pleated glued paper material that may be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal perforations, and thereafter used as a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup. 36. The device according to claim 35 wherein the cup has in its frustoconical body an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the accordion fold of glued pleated paper that serves as a stir stick when detached also has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the accordion fold and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. 37. The device according to claim 36 wherein imaginary elongate axis of the accordion fold of glued pleated paper is parallel within 20 degrees to the imaginary elongate central axis of the cup in the imaginary plane containing both these imaginary axis. 38. The device according to claim 34 wherein the flexible planar material is plastic. 39. The device according to claim 38 wherein the tear line is perforated. 40. The device according to claim 38 wherein the tear line is scored in the plastic material. 41. The device according to claim 38 wherein the planar plastic material at the outside of the cup body after the seam and after the tear line longitudinal to the body, is then rolled in a tight spiral; therein to create in the tight spiral of planar plastic material a relatively stiffer elongate region of plastic material that may be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal tear line, and thereafter used as a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup. 42. The device according to claim 34 wherein the flexible planar material is plastic; and wherein the planar paper material at the outside of the cup body after the seam and after the tear line, is then (1) folded backwards at or near the longitudinal tear line, and (2) cut into the substantial contour of a shallow spoon upon the surface of the cup body; therein to create by the folding and the cutting a relatively stiffer elongate region of plastic material in the shape and contour of a shallow spoon that may be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal tear line, and thereafter used as both a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup and a spoon to evacuate the contents of the cup. 43. The device according to claim 34 wherein the cup has a lip region at its upper opening; wherein the integral stir stick temporarily attaches to the exterior of the cup in a region completely below lip region of the cup. 44. The device according to claim 43 wherein the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis; wherein the stir stick has an imaginary elongate axis; and wherein an imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the integral stir stick and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup.; whereby, by definition, the integral stir stick temporarily attached to the exterior of the cup is so attached in a region completely below the lip region of the cup, and is shorter than is an imaginary extension of the imaginary axis of the mounted stir stick to a top of the cup, making that, in common parlance, the stir stick is shorter than is the exterior of a sidewall of the cup. 45. Devices according to claim 44 that are stacked with (1) a base portion of the body of a cup, plus (2) the complete stir stick attached to the exterior of the cup, are within a hollow interior of a next lower cup in the stack. 46. The stacked devices according to claim 45 \\\ wherein the cups are tapered, and fit together when stacked at their rim regions were the attached stir stick is not present; and wherein the attached stir stick internal to each cup in the stack, save the lowermost and outermost, occupies a portion of a void space between successive cups in the stack, and is there protected against such mechanical forces to the stacked devices as would serve to detach a stir stick from its associated cup. 47. The device according to claim 34 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any beverages of the group consisting essentially of coffee, tea, and cocoa, and: wherein the integral stir stick when detached is suitable to stir any beverages of the group. 48. The device according to claim 34 wherein the cup is suitable to contain any slurries of the group consisting essentially of soup, pudding, cereals including oatmeal, and yogurt; and wherein the integral stir stick when detached is suitable to stir any slurries of the group. 49. The device according to claim 34 wherein the cup and the stir stick are cellulosic, meaning made of paper or wood. 50. The device according to claim 34 wherein the planar material continuing after the longitudinal seam is folded to produce a multi-layer stir stick. 51. The device according to claim 50 wherein at least some folds of the multi-layer stir stick are affixed to each other with adhesive so as to make the stir stick more rigid, 52. The device according to claim 51 wherein the adhesive is food safe. 53. The beverage delivery system according to claim 50 wherein the integral stir sticks are, as well as along the tear line, also attached to the cups by a frangible adhesive bond so that any stir stick may be forcibly separated from its associated cup under only force of the hands and fingers, and subsequently use to stir any contents of the cup. 54. A package for delivering a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff, the package comprising: a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with an elongate implement (1) integrally formed with the cup, and (2) temporarily attached to a side of the cup, there being removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup by the consumer, the elongate implement having and presenting features intentionally adapted to engage and interlock complimentary features on (A) other elongate implements removed from other cups, (B) or cups after the associated stir sticks have been detached, or both © detached stir sticks and cups, so that toy models and structures can be assembled from the implements after their use. |
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS The present invention is related to U.S. patent application serial numbers 12/584,751 filed September 10, 2009, for a DISPOSABLE CUP AND STIR STICK PACKAGED AS A UNIT, WITH COMPONENTS REUSABLE AS TOYS; 12/657,917 filed January 30, 2010 for DISPOSABLE CUP AND INTEGRAL DETACHABLE STIR STICK, SPOON OR STRAW, FORMED AND DELIVERED AS A UNIT; and 12/657,916 filed January 30, 2010 for a DISPOSABLE CUP AND STIR STICK PACKAGED AS A UNIT FOR
DISPENSING BY VENDING MACHINES. All related applications are to the selfsame inventor as is the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally concerns disposable cups such as are most generally used in food service establishments, particularly including cups for (1) beverages such as coffee and tea and cocoa, and for (2) slurries such as soup and pudding and cereals (including oatmeal) and yogurt that are sold, stirred, and consumed in the cup.
The present invention particularly concerns the construction of (1) a disposable cup, and (2) a stir stick or spoon ["stir stick/spoon"] that may be used to stir, and/or to spoon, the liquid, or slurry, contents of the cup, as an integral unit. Still more particularly the present invention concerns an integral cup and stir stick/spoon dispensed (optionally, and most normally, as filled with liquid contents) as a unit - either over-the-counter, or by automated beverage vending machines. After the dispensing, a consumer-purchaser separates the stir stick/spoon from the cup, and uses it to stir or to spoon the contents of the cup. The present invention further particularly concerns the combinatorial packaging of (1) a disposable cup, and a (2) stir stick, or spoon, or straw that can be used to stir, or to transfer, or to siphon, the liquid, or slurry, contents of the cup, so that both cup and stir stick, or spoon, can be dispensed as a unit by existing beverage vending machines, particularly during the vending of hot coffee and/or tea.
The present invention still further particularly concerns extension of the useful lifetime of a disposable cup and/or stir stick/spoon (whether detached, or still attached), and deferral of the entrance of either or both into the waste stream, Both the cup and the stir stick/spoon
(whether detached or still attached) are normally disposable, but provisions can be made to use either or both as parts for assembled toys, as gaming pieces, as prizes, or as ornaments.
2. Background of the Invention
2.1 General need for the dispensing of stir sticks in accompaniment to the sale of comestibles that may be stirred or spooned in disposable cups
Americans, and other nationalities, buy, circa 2010, a great number of comestibles in disposable cups. In America these comestibles include (1) beverages, primarily of the group consisting essentially of coffee, tea, and cocoa and (2) slurries, primarily of the group consisting essentially of soup, pudding, cereals (including oatmeal) and yogurt.
In America circa 2010 the principal item among these comestibles is coffee which is sold in disposable plastic and paper cups. This coffee may be mixed with, most commonly, any of (1) sweeteners both artificial and natural (i.e, sugar and honey) as are most commonly granulated solids, and (2) creamers both artificial and natural (i.e., cream or milk) as are commonly either powders or liquids, by act of (A) adding the additional items, and (B) stirring with a separate stir stick.
This stir stick is normally - but not necessarily - also disposable. Since the addition of sweeteners and/or creamers to the coffee is optional, these relatively inexpensive (relative to the price of the coffee) items are additives are commonly separately dispensed, most commonly in small containers or bins located at a side counter or other region within a store selling coffee in disposable cups. Since a customer who does not wish to add anything to his coffee does not require a stir stick, these sticks are also commonly situated at the side counter, and most commonly in bins where large numbers of stir sticks reside spaced-parallel either vertically or horizontally. So situated the stir sticks are subject to (1) being contaminated by the fingers of persons extracting the sticks, (2) being damaged before being dispensed if, for example if someone spills or sloshes beverage into the bin, and/or (3) being taken in greater numbers that required because they can be difficult to count, and to extract, in precision quantities. Indeed, as to factor (3), inspection of the material waste of an American fast food outlets dispensing coffee in disposable cups circa 2009 indicates that many people apparently take several stir sticks even should they require but one, and many stir sticks are discarded as waste without ever having apparently been used. Such is the nature of the modern American "fast food" society circa 2010, which some environmentalists consider to involve high levels of packaging waste.
The present invention will be seen to involve disposable cups with attached, or integral, stir sticks or spoons or straws, and vice versa. In these combination units the integral or attached stir stick or spoon or straw is removed from the cup for subsequent use by any purchaser who desires to use the same in stirring, spooning or sucking the contents of the cup (and any added contents), as the case may be. The cup contents can be consumed totally without removal of the stir stick.
In the system, device, and scheme of the present invention it will be seen that some purchasers who neither require nor desire a stir stick will get one attached to the disposable cut containing their beverage purchase anyhow. The stir stick, whether still attached to the cup or no, and if detached whether used or no, is most commonly discarded along with the disposable cup. However, the present invention will also be seen to make it very enticing to re-cycle the dispensed stir sticks, whether used or not, for after-market consumer assembly and use as toys. Moreover, whether the system of the present invention ends up using more, or less, stir sticks than results from the separate stir stick dispensing of the prior art is, of course, a function of the existing level of "stir stick waste" occurring from traditional, existing, dispensing of stir sticks along with, most commonly, beverages, most commonly coffee, in disposable cups. Perhaps curiously, in some environments it is believed by the inventor that accompanying each disposable cup with a stir stick— regardless of whether needed and/or wanted and/or used or not - will actually end up with the discarding of fewer stir sticks as trash waste. Still further, as will be seen, the present invention advances certain strategies to reduce detached stir sticks from entering the trash waste stream. Most particularly cup-attached stir sticks in accordance with the present invention can be (1) double (or even triple) functioning, where a stir stick also serves as a "slosh stick" (next discussed) or as a ruler, (2) printed or embossed or molded with humorous and/or inspirational and/or practical and/or ecological messages, and/or (3) re-usable as toys ranging from the game of "pick up sticks" to full support for the construction of interlocking "stick" structures, such as "toy log cabins". These advanced concepts and features will be seen not to be necessary for the essential function of the present invention, nor essential to its implementation. However, a reader of the present specification should be alert during the ensuing explanation of the present invention to comprehend that the user convenience offered by the invention need not necessarily come at the cost of economic and/or ecological waste but rather that, especially in its advanced embodiments, the present invention may actually show how to reduce the cost, and the ecological impact, of the dispensing of disposable stir sticks.
2.2 How a useful and recently invented item supporting the improved sale, transport and consumption of comestibles in disposable cups has encountered disfavor in America because it cannot be demonstrated to be "ecologically correct" As reported on the article "Ad Track: Starbucks splash stick says no to sploshing" by Laura Petrecca, Theresa Howard and Bruce Horovit appearing in USA TODAY for April 14, 2008, Starbucks (SBUX) has had enough complaints about coffee spurting from the sip holes in its lids to do something about it [I]t began quietly rolling out "splash sticks"— plastic plugs for sip holes with tops in the shape of the Starbucks siren.
"Extra impetus for the splash sticks came from Starbucks' new MyStarbucksIdea.com social-networking site— where Starbucks lovers and haters can rant or rave.
"More than 200,000 votes for product or store ideas have been cast on the site since it launched March 19, (2008) says Chris Bruzzo, chief technology officer at Starbucks" circa April, 2008, or but one month later.
Splash sticks started appearing at Starbucks in April 2008, but as of one year later are still held behind the counter, and are not in general distribution. This is possibly because of the aversion to the plastic waste presented by the new "splash sticks". MyStarbucksIdea.com suggests that customers save and reuse their splash sticks "to help minimize waste."
As an example of what has apparently turned out to be such ecological aversion to what is otherwise an apparently sound and useful idea so as to cause Starbucks to all but abandon distribution, an article of even date (April 14, 2008) appeared under the title "Starbucks starts rolling out "splash sticks"; watch for more litter in your neighborhood" at the independent web site starbucksgossip.typepad.com/ It there stated that "splash sticks ~ plastic plugs for sip holes with tops in the shape of the Starbucks siren— should be at all Starbucks stores by the end of the week," referencing the above-quoted USA Today story.
"The blogger at Visions and Revisions Blog writes: "All I have to say is WOW. Another excellent use of our natural resources. Instead of encouraging people to stop driving around with their goddam coffee, or (still more unthinkable) sitting in the cafe to drink it, we're creating a whole new line of useless plastic toys that we'll find littered in the street along with the already-too-prevalent cups, sleeves, and lids."
The meaning of this is clear. The ecological impact of fast food service in America is currently so high that any additional waste, no matter how justifiable as to utility or economy, serves as a "lightning rod", bringing down the disdain the criticism of "greens" at a level not easily countenanced by public-image-conscious American business circa 2009. Again, the present invention will be seen to add convenience for the consumer while, in the end analysis, potentially reducing the number of stir sticks that reach American landfills as plastic, or as wood, waste. 2.3 A particular prior art patent
KOREAN PATENT application number: 1020060007723 filed 25.01.2006 and published as Publication number 1020060121090A on 28.11.2006 to Applicant Kyu Joo Lee for
PAPER CUP COMPRISING SPOON INSTALLED ON WALL SURFACE THEREOF WHOSE SIDE PAPER IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WIDTH OF SPOON TO BE USED TO STIR BEVERAGE is directed to a purpose remotely similar to the purpose to which the present invention will be seen to be directed.
In the Korean application a paper cup has a spoon installed on an expanded and extended wall surface thereof in order to permit a user to stir beverages including coffee conveniently without procuring and using a separate spoon.
The paper cup of the Korean patent application has a spoon installed on the wall surface thereof in an area where the side paper of the cup is expanded to encompass the width of the spoon. A detachable spoon is located on the end part of the side paper at the outside of the seam along which the two sides of the cup are joined. A folding line is formed down the centerline of the spoon, while the circumference of the spoon is defined by perforated-cut, dotted lines. The spoon that is so located on the extended wall surface of the paper cup is easily detached by user's hand. The detached paper spoon is used to stir a beverage within the cup, such as coffee.
Beverage vending machines Beverages may be usefully, conveniently and economically dispensed by vending machines. Some powdered beverages, and coffees and teas, are dispensed mixed in open-top cups in order that any of (1) the mixed strength of the beverage, and/or the addition of ingredients such as creme and sugar, may be selectively controlled, (2) the brewing and filling may transpire before the patron/s eyes, ensuring freshness, and/or (3) the beverage, especially when brewed and when hot, may be delivered fresh with maximum aroma. Beverages dispensed in cups by vending machines may usefully be stirred with stir sticks and like utensils for reasons going beyond mere blending of ingredients, which may or may not be adequately accomplished in the preparation and dispensing process. A consumer may desire to stir a hot beverage to more quickly cool it. A consumer may wish to add ingredients, or still more ingredients - such as creme and sugar to a beverage such as hot coffee— at a time after the vended dispensing. Finally, some consumers simply enjoy the tactile and aromatic pleasures of stirring or otherwise fiddling with their vending-machine-dispensed beverages. Accordingly a stir stick is useful for many beverages dispensed in cups by a vending machines, most notably including hot coffee and tea.
2.5 An exemplary prior art vending machine Beverage dispensing machines that operate by automatically dispensing and filling disposable cups are well known. For example, United States Patent Application publication number 20090127277 to Morris Douer for a CUP DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING A WIDE
RANGE OF CUPS IN A VENDING MACHINE concerns a cup dispenser that dispenses a wide range of cup sizes and cup types. The dispenser comprises a suctioning device that adheres cups by creating a sufficient pressure differential to overcome the weight of a cup to be dispensed. The suctioning device is attached to a mechanism for raising and lowering the same and is thereby lowered to receive a cup and subsequently raised to dispense it. Other embodiments for dispensing cups include a belt that tightens around a cup and a pair of biasing pins that exert pressure against the walls of a cup. This very machine will be presented as advanced, but exemplary, in the present specification as being suitable to dispense combination cups and stir sticks (or spoons) in accordance with the present invention. 2.6 Lincoln Logs and Erector Sets
In significant quantities the parts of the combination integral cup and stir stick/spoon in accordance with the present invention will be seen to, in various configurations and adaptations, emulate both Lincoln Logs and Erector Set toys. The more that is understood about the many variants, and the immense and enduring successes, of these toys the better it can be understood how to adapt the present invention so as to delivery to the consumer- purchaser at least some of the modular piece components which may, when assembled by the consumer, serve to emulate at least some of the functions of these toys.
As reported by Wikipedia, the encyclopedia of the Internet, circa 2010, "Lincoln Logs are a toy consisting of notched miniature logs, about ¾ inches (1-2 cm) in diameter. Analogous to real logs used in a log cabin, Lincoln Logs have notches in their ends so that small model log buildings can be built. In addition, a Lincoln Logs set has windows and doors to make the buildings more realistic. More modern sets also come with figures of humans and animals that match the scale of the buildings. "Lincoln Logs were invented in 1916 by John L. Wright, a son of the notable architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1918, they were marketed by the Red Square Toy Company and by John Lloyd Wright, Incorporated of Chicago, Illinois. While it is often assumed that the name of the toy relates to President Lincoln, it is also a reference to the inventor's father, since Frank Lloyd Wright's given middle name was "Lincoln". Lincoln Logs originally came with instructions on how to build Uncle Tom's Cabin as well as Lincoln's log cabin.
"The architecture of the Imperial Hotel basement in Tokyo, designed by John's father, which used a unique foundation of interlocking beams to make the structure "earthquake proof, assisted in the designing of the toy logs
"The sets were originally made of 100% wood, with varying colors of roof pieces, but by the 1970s almost all the wood had been replaced by plastic. However, in more recent years, they have reverted to real wood on all their sets." HASBRO and it's logo and LINCOLN LOGS are trademarks of Hasbro
The Erector Set toy is also of relevance to the present invention. Again as reported by Wikipedia circa 2010, "[t]he Erector Set was invented by A.C. Gilbert in 1911, and was manufactured by the A. C. Gilbert Company at the Erector Square factory in New Haven, Connecticut, from 1913 until its bankruptcy in 1967. The Gabriel company of Lancaster,
Pennsylvania bought the Erector name, and continued to make nearly-identical sets into the 1970s and 1980s.
Currently sold "Erector" sets are actually Meccano sets manufactured by Meccano S.N. of France, part of the Nikko Group of Japan. They do not have the flanged beams of the original Gilbert Erector Sets. In the U.S., since Jan. 2006, these Erector sets have been distributed by Nikko America.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a disposable cup and integral detachable stir stick, spoon or straw packaged as a unit. The unit is dispensable by vending machines . Its components are usable as toys
1. The stir stick or spoon or straw, and its temporary attachment to the cup
A (2) stir stick or spoon or straw used with the present invention may be of conventional construction, or may be made integrally with the cup, as hereinafter explained. Regardless or whether made separately from the (1) disposable cup, or integrally therewith, the (2) removably attached stir stick or spoon or straw is commonly made either of (A) plastic, most commonly by process of extrusion followed by sectioning, or of (B) wood or wood composite. In detail the (2) stir stick or spoon or straw is an elongate body that may be (A) either hollow or solid, and that is most commonly of (B) rectangular, or else ellipsoid or circular, cross section. This (2) stir stick/spoon/straw is substantially aligned to a longitudinal axis of the cup, and is temporarily removably attached to the exterior surface of the cup at, most commonly and preferably, but one single spot that is, most commonly and preferably, substantially central spot to the stir stick and to the exterior surface of the cup. The stir stick/spoon/straw is preferably removably so attached to the cup (A) by a drop of food-safe adhesive, but may also be attached (B) by a small overlying frangible adhesive sticker typically in the form of a dot, or (3) by fitting through perforations in a small tab made from the material of the cup, for example a tab made at the end of the paper wrap that forms a paper cup in a like manner (but much smaller) that some paper cups have and present integral fold-out fold-in paper handles. When the (2) stir stick so attached is grabbed by the fingers, most commonly at the upper extremities thereof, and is bent away from the cup, then but scant force suffices to break the adhesive affixation, and to free the stir stick from the cup. In the preferred affixation, a small amount of adhesive residue normally remains on the side of the cup. This action normally need not be specially engineered because the retention of the adhesive drop by the cup is most often the normal occurrence when the surface of the cup is more rough and/or porous than is the stir stick or spoon or straw, which is commonly the case for plastic that is possessed of a slick surface.
The detached (2) stir stick/spoon/straw may subsequently be used to stir or spoon or siphon the liquid or slurry contents of the cup until, at some point, it is set aside and potentially discarded - as soon will be also the disposable cup.
The (2) stir stick/spoon/straw is sufficiently strongly adhesively attached to the cup so as to stay reliably attached to the cup when the cup is both empty and full, and under all under all conditions normally encountered by the (1) cup, and its attached (2) stir stick, during transport and dispensing and use. The stir stick/spoon/straw will in particular remain attached during vending operations. Exactly how the (1) cup and (2) stir stick/spoon/straw are preferably mechanically related so as to ensure this reliable affixation will be discussed in the next, and in following, paragraphs. But it will be understood that, ultimately, the adhesive affixation is not so strong as realistically hazards spilling the contents of the cup - which may be, for example, hot coffee - during intentional detachment. The cup and its contents are normally restrained with a one hand and fingers during the detaching of stir stick by use of, most normally, the other hand. In operative practice this is not difficult to achieve as the world food packaging and service industry is completely familiar with frangible seals and detachable attachments, and the temporary and breakable adhesive attachment of a cup to a stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is, especially when both components are made of plastic, routine of realization.
2. The combination cup and attached stir stick or spoon or straw
The combination (1) cup and attached (2) stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is intended to be "zero fault" and "zero failure" in use, meaning that when billions of combination cups and attached stir sticks/spoons/straws are delivered into final use no cup will lack its stir stick/spoon/straw because the stir stick/spoon/straw has unintentionally "fallen off - possibly to turn into floor litter ~ at some earlier point. To help ensure this, the (2) stir stick/spoon/straw (A) is preferably of a particular length less than the side surface of the cup (equivalently, the side surface of the cup is longer than is the stir stick), and (B) the stir stick/spoon/straw is preferably attached to this cup side surface starting from the base of the cup and extending upwards to a location below any thickened lip region of the cup, therein to © appear substantially within the void between successive tapered cups when the cups are stacked. The combinatorial disposable cup with temporarily-attached stir stick/spoon/straw thus requires no more volume than the cups alone. The preferred embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured at a new in-line stations on existing disposable cup production lines. They may be delivered in compact stacks inside sanitary bags to sites of use, and placed into dispenser jigs for orderly dispensing, exactly as disposable cups are handled at present.
This subtle dimensional relationship between the sizes, and geometries, of cup and of stir stick/spoon/straw deserves study, and appreciation. First, even though the stir
stick/spoon/straw is normally and preferably but slightly shortened (from maximum, of the full longitudinal length of the angled exterior surface of the cup), the stirring function of the stir stick/spoon/straw is not significantly negatively impacted. This is true even when the stir stick/spoon/straw by the fingertips and unable to reach the very bottom of the cup, because agitation of the contents of the cup by stirring generally suffices to effectively blend the entire contents of the cup.
Second, and more importantly to the reliability of temporary affixation, the preferred location of the stir sticks within the void regions between successive cups in a stack makes that neither (1) stacking nor the un-stacking of cups, (2) compression (or decompression) of a stack of cups, (3) bending of a stack of cups, and/or (4) insertion/extraction of a stack of cups into/from a sanitary bag, exerts any substantial contact with, nor force to, any attached stir sticks, save perhaps that of the outermost cup of the stack. Even at this outermost cup of the stack the stir stick/spoon/straw is unlikely to be prematurely dislodged save but that it is intentionally so dislodged. Accordingly, the inventor maintains that the present invention can be correctly realized on high speed disposable cup production lines so that it is essentially problem free in use.
3. A package for delivering beverages in cups, including from vending machines In yet another of its aspects the present invention may be considered to be embodied in a package for delivering a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff.
The package includes (1) a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with (2) an elongate implement temporarily attached to the to the side of the cup and substantially along a central axis of the cup . This elongate implement is removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup before consumption.
Still furthermore, the combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention may be used as post-initial-consumer components of toys. Various interlocking structures involving the (used) stir sticks alone, or the stir sticks with the cups, may be fabricated from the used cups and stir sticks, adding value to the consumer and postponing entrance of the stir sticks and cups into the waste stream.
The components are safe even for children. Quite large and fanciful structures both realistic and fanciful may be assembled limited only by the skill and imagination of the party doing the assembly. Some constructed structures position the cups so as to permit of there being filled with liquid that sets to solid form such as plaster of Paris, or cement, providing thereby a semipermanent structure that may have practical utility such as a small stand.
In one particular embodiment the stir stick, particularly as marked by indicia and colored, is intended to be used as an inexpensive Christmas tree ornament. As changed each Yuletide season, the stir sticks cum ornaments may even prove collectible. Even though it is expected that the combination stir sticks and coffee cups in accordance with the present invention will prove quite popular for their essentially "no extra cost" ancillary uses as (1) toys and (2) Christmas ornaments, it should be noted that neither the stir sticks nor cups nor both together may easily be stolen from a retail establishment vending the same because the only normal way to come into possession of the combination stir stick/spoon/straw and coffee cup is to purchase a beverage. The ancillary uses of the stir stick/spoon/straw and/or coffee cup thus become marketing, and promotional, tools.
These "after-use" features of the combination stir stick/spoon/straw and coffee cup in accordance with the present invention are not perceived to be mere niceties, and enhancements - even though they are that, to be sure. The combination stir stick/spoon straw and coffee cup of the present invention is intended to be ecologically sound, and it is suspected that it will prove susceptible of proof that an establishment using the present invention will generate less waste than heretofore.
4. A mixing device
Therefore in one of its aspects the present invention may be considered to be embodied in a mixing device consisting of (1) a cup having interior and exterior surfaces, and (2) a stir stick/spoon/straw temporarily attached to an exterior surface of the cup. The stir stick/spoon/straw is detachable under force of the hands and fingers and can thereafter be used to stir any contents of the cup.
The cup may be considered to have an imaginary elongate central axis, and the stir
stick/spoon/straw an imaginary elongate axis, so that an imaginary plane exists containing both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. In less precise terms, the stir stick/spoon/straw is attached upright on the outer surface of the cup, even if the cup is tapered and this surface angled. In fact, even considering the angled surface of a taper cup, the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw is preferably parallel within 20 degrees to the imaginary elongate central axis of the cup in the imaginary plane containing both imaginary axis.
In an important variant the cup has a lip region at its upper opening while the stir
stick/spoon/straw temporarily attaches to the exterior of the cup in a region completely below lip region of the cup. In this case the cup may again be considered to have an imaginary elongate central axis; the stir stick/spoon/straw to have an imaginary elongate axis, and an imaginary plane to exist that contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick/spoon/straw and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. In this geometry, by definition the stir stick/spoon/straw temporarily attached to the exterior of the cup in the region completely below the lip region of the cup is shorter than is an imaginary extension of the imaginary axis of the mounted stir stick/spoon/straw to a top of the cup. In common parlance this is but to say that the stir stick/spoon/straw is shorter than is the exterior of the sidewall of the cup.
Now the variant device so constructed can be stacked so that (1) a base portion of the body of a cup, plus (2) the complete stir stick/spoon/straw attached to the exterior of the cup, are within a hollow interior of a next lower cup in the stack.
Morever, and importantly to this variant, if and when the cups are tapered, and fit together when stacked at their rim regions where the attached stir stick/spoon/straw is not present, then the attached stir stick/spoon/straw internal to each cup in the stack (save for the lowermost and outermost cup) occupies a void space between successive cups in the stack. There situated it is there protected against such mechanical forces to the stacked devices as would serve to detach a stir stick/spoon/straw from its associated cup.
In certain devices the cup is suitable to contain any beverages of the group consisting essentially of coffee, tea, and cocoa, while - as might logically be expected - the detached stir stick/spoon/straw is suitable to stir any beverages of the group. Alternatively, in other devices the cup is suitable to contain any slurries of the group consisting essentially of soup, pudding, cereals (including oatmeal) and yogurt. Quite logically, the detached stir stick/spoon/straw is now suitable to stir any slurries of this group.
At least one, and potentially both, of the cup and the stir stick/spoon/straw can be made of plastic. Alternatively, at least one of the cup and the stir stick/spoon/straw can be cellulosic. Sometimes both are, meaning that the cup is made of paper and the stir stick/spoon/straw of wood.
The device may, and preferably does, further include adhesive attaching the stir
stick/spoon/straw to the cup. When used, the adhesive is preferably food safe.
5. A foodstuff delivery package including a stir stick/spoon/straw usable as a toy
component In yet another of its aspects the present invention may be considered to be embodied in a package for delivering a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff.
The package includes (1) a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with (2) an elongate implement temporarily attached to the to the side of the cup and substantially along a central axis of the cup wherein (3) the elongate instrument, the disposable cup, or both the elongate instrument and disposable cup support of being mechanically connected together so as to serve as a toy/ The elongate implement is removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup before consumption.
6. A beverage delivery package including a stir stick/spoon/straw usable as a Christmas ornament
In yet another of its aspects the present invention may be considered to be embodied in a package for delivering a beverage into the hands of a consumer of the beverage where the package includes a stir stick/spoon/straw that, after use for stirring the beverage contents of the package, is further immediately and without modification (1) susceptible of being affixed to a Christmas tree, and (2) there usable as an ornament.
7. An integral stir stick or spoon or straw, and its temporary attachment to a cup
In its most basic embodiment the present includes a stir stick, or spoon, or straw for use with a disposable cup. The attached stir stick, or spoon, or straw is constructed integrally with the cup, and delivered into service to a consumer while still removably attached to the cup. The consumer removes the integral stir stick, or spoon, or straw under force of the hands and fingers, and uses it to stir, or to spoon, of to suck the contents of the cup.
The integral stir stick or spoon may be imprinted with indicia, or otherwise decorated, including as provide any of (1) directions for use of the contents of the cup, (2) admonitions to dispose of the cup and stir stick or spoon or straw properly, (3) proof of purchase, (4) use as a game piece, or (5) use as an ornament, or keepsake. Some of these functions have previously been realized by separate stickers adhesively attached to the cup. In accordance with the present invention they can now be realized at potentially lower cost.
8. A first preferred, paper, embodiment of the combination cup and integrally attached stir stick or spoon or straw In one of its aspects the present invention is embodied in an integral, combined, paper cup and stir stick, spoon or straw. "Integral" means simply that the paper cup and the stir stick or spoon or straw are made at the same time, and substantially from the same material, and are, of course, attached to each other. A first preferred embodiment of the combination device is constructed from paper, and includes both cup and stir stick or spoon or straw sections. The cup section is conventionally formed from a template of flexible planar paper material bent in a cylinder about a mandrel, and with its surfaces at each end connected with and by a longitudinal seam - normally by gluing - so as to form a substantially frustoconical body. However, in accordance with the present invention - and unlike as would occur for a convention paper cup - a length of the planar paper material continues after this longitudinal seam. This "added" length of the same planar material that was used to form the cup body is tightly formed into an elongate member either by being longitudinally (1) bent or folded in upon itself, or (2) rolling in a spiral.
Finally, this longitudinal member that is created by folding or by rolling the "excess", or "added", planar material extending from the seam of the cup is distinguished from the cup, to which it remains attached, by creation of a separation line - normally perforations or scoring or a like feature that serves to weaken the paper material - along which this excess material (as is bent or folded or rolled) may ultimately be forcibly separated from the cup.
Thus the bending or folding, or the rolling or winding, creates an elongate, relatively stiffer, region of the planar material - the elongate member variously in the form of a stir stick, or spoon, or straw. This elongate member can be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body and thereafter used in various variants as (1) a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup, as (2) a spoon to spoon the contents of the cup, or as (3) a straw to suck the contents of the cup. In one variant combination cup and integral stir stick made from flexible planar paper material this planar paper material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is (1) perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, and is (2) bent, meaning folded, back upon itself but one single time. The paper of the fold is normally glued together, but this is not absolutely essential depending upon how thick and stiff is the paper material, and what is its memory to assume and retain a folded position once so folded. Furthermore, various factors including (1) how thick and stiff is the planar paper material, and how stiff is the elongate member or stir stick desired to be, (2) how long is the elongate member, or stir stick, so formed, and (3) how difficult is it to stir the liquid or slurry contents of the cup, must be assessed to determine whether or not this single fold variant is even adequate, be the folds glued together or not. Normally this rudimentary single-fold variant is not adequate but that a premium, even overly, stiff and thick paper be used for the cup, increasing costs and potentially wasting the paper from which the planar paper material of construction is made. Accordingly, in yet another variant combination cup and integral stir stick made from flexible planar paper material, the planar paper material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is (1) still perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, but is (2) now folded more than one time, normally (2a) first backwards at or near the longitudinal perforations (or like feature), and (2b) then at least one time again forward along an imaginary line spaced parallel to, and slightly separated from, the longitudinal perforations (or like feature), therein so as to form an accordion fold, with paper of the folds of the at least one accordion fold being glued together. This accordion folding is preferably accompanied by gluing the folds together, creating a relatively stiffer elongate region of pleated glued paper material. This elongate region, or elongate member, or stir stick, can be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal perforations (or like feature), and thereafter used as a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup.
Geometrically, in this variant the cup has in its frustoconical body an imaginary elongate central axis while the accordion fold of glued pleated paper that serves as a stir stick when detached also has an imaginary elongate axis. An imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the accordion fold and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. This imaginary elongate axis of the accordion fold of glued pleated paper is preferably parallel within 20 degrees to the imaginary elongate central axis of the cup in the imaginary plane containing both these imaginary axis. 9. A preferred plastic embodiment of the combination cup and integrally attached stir stick, or spoon, or straw
In one of its aspects the present invention is embodied in an integral, combined, plastic cup and stir stick device. "Integral" means simply that the plastic cup and the stir stick are made at the same time, and substantially from the same material, and are, of course, attached to each other.
In this second preferred embodiment of the combination device both cup and stir stick sections are constructed from flexible planar plastic material. The excess, or "added" plastic material beyond the cup's seam may be folded as before, but the planar plastic material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is preferably (1) perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, and then (2) rolled in a tight spiral. This tight spiral of planar plastic material forms a relatively stiffer elongate region of plastic material that may be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal perforations, and thereafter used as a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup, or in versions that are wound somewhat larger, a straw to suck the contents of the cup.
In one major variant of the plastic embodiment the planar plastic material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is (1) perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, and then (2) folded backwards at or near the longitudinal perforations, and (2b) cut into the substantial contour of a shallow spoon upon the surface of the cup body. This folding and the cutting creates a relatively stiffer elongate region of plastic material in the shape and contour of a shallow spoon. This integrally attached spoon can be detached by force of the hands and fingers from the Frustoconical cup body along the longitudinal perforations, and thereafter used as both a stir stick to stir the contents of the cup and a spoon to evacuate the contents of the cup. In another major variant of the plastic embodiment the planar plastic material at the outside of the cup body after the seam is (1) perforated along a line longitudinal to the body, and then (2) wound in the cross-section of a spiral at or near the longitudinal perforations, therein to form a stir stick or straw. In accordance with the different purposes of a stir stick and a straw, (1) the stir stick is tightly wound, and will preferably admit but little or no liquid to its interior during use, while (2) straw is open to its interior - but still preferably tightly wound at its exterior - as permits that liquid may be sucked through a central bore of the curled plastic straw during use.
A scoring, embossing, partial cutting, or other relieving of the cup material along a line may substitute for the line of perforations. The function and intent of the longitudinal line is simply to provide a tear line along which the stir stick, soon or straw may be separated from the cup. For example, the line may be created by partial cutting with a knife or comb, such as by pressing a knife or comb against the cup during manufacture.
10. Integral cup and detachable stir stick/spoon/straw usable in either or both portions as parts for assembled toys, as gaming pieces, as prizes, or as ornaments
In still yet another of its aspects the present invention contemplates the either or both portions of the integral disposable cup and/or the stir stick/spoon/straw of the present invention may optionally be variously adapted for, and find consumer-purchaser use post any consumption of the contents of the cup as parts for assembled toys, as gaming pieces, as prizes, or as ornaments. To these ends certain of the above-described embodiments of combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention present innate advantages.
An embodiment of the present invention wherein the stir stick is an elongate flat and stiff member of folded plastic - like as to a miniature timber, or board, presents an element that is a natural for the construction of models, like as in the famous Erector sets once made by the Gilbert company, and presently, circa 2010, manufactured by Meccano S.N. of France, part of the Nikko Group of Japan.
Another embodiment wherein the stir stick or straw is a tightly coiled elongate member - like as to a miniature timber, or pole - presents an element that is a natural to serve as the "log" of a constructed structure like as to those that can be made with the Lincoln Log model construction kit of Hasbro Corporation, [HASBRO and it's logo and LINCOLN LOGS are trademarks of Hasbro.]
The attached integral stir sticks of the combination integral cup and stir stick/spoon of the present invention also present, as folded or coiled, interior regions that are concealed from view during dispensing. These regions can be printed with indicia so as to serve as gaming pieces, or as tickets for the award of prizes.
It is even possible to combine (1) folded, substantially rectilinear, stir sticks and (2) substantially tubular stir sticks, and straws, as may appear on different embodiments of the present invention. As an example, rectilinear stir sticks may be used to model a 3D toy car, with tubular stir sticks and straws serving as attachment members, axles, etc.
Finally, and of the cups, stir sticks, straws and even spoons may be decorated for post- consumer-delivery use as ornaments.
11. Preferred embodiments of combination cups and integrally attached stir sticks in
accordance with the present invention can be stacked, and automatically dispensed in and by vending machines
In yet another of its aspects the present invention of an integral, combined, cup and stir stick device includes (1) a cup having a lip region at its upper opening, while (2) the integral stir stick temporarily attaches to the exterior of the cup in a region completely below lip region of the cup. This geometry, and relationship, facilitates problem-free stacking.
More preferably, the cup has an imaginary elongate central axis while the stir stick also has an imaginary elongate axis. An imaginary plane contains both the imaginary elongate axis of the attached stir stick and the imaginary central elongate axis of the cup. Now, by definition, the stir stick that is temporarily attached to the exterior of the cup in the region completely below the lip region of the cup is shorter than is an imaginary extension of the imaginary axis of the mounted stir stick to a top of the cup. This is but to say that, in common parlance, the stir stick is shorter than is the exterior of a sidewall of the cup.
Now when cups and integral stir sticks so constructed are stacked with (1) a base portion of the body of a cup, plus (2) the complete stir stick attached to the exterior of the cup, then this integral attached stir stick can be within a hollow present between the exterior of the one cup and the interior of a next lower cup in the stack.
The cups are tapered, and fit together when stacked at their rim regions were the attached stir stick is not present. The attached stir stick internal to each cup in the stack, save the lowermost and outermost, occupies a portion of a void space between successive cups in the stack, and is there protected against such mechanical forces to the stacked devices as would serve to detach a stir stick from its associated cup.
12. A beverage delivery system
In still yet another of its aspects the present invention is embodied in a beverage delivery system. The system includes a multiplicity of tapered cups (1) each with an interior and an exterior having a truncated frustoconical surface, and (2) stackable so that a lower cup in the stack contacts only an upper region of next higher cup within the stack, a void existing between a lower interior surface portion of each such lower cup within the stack and a lower exterior surface portion of the next higher cup within the stack; and an equal multiplicity of stir sticks each removably attached to the lower exterior surface portion of an associated cup. When the cups are stacked the stir sticks fit into the void spaces between the cups, and are not subject to such forces during either stacking or un-stacking of the cups as results in detachment of the stir sticks from the cups.
13. A package for delivering a foodstuff
In still yet another of its aspects the present invention is embodied in a package for delivering a foodstuff into the hands of a consumer of the foodstuff. The package includes (1) a disposable cup containing the foodstuff delivered into the hands of the consumer of the foodstuff; along with (2) an elongate implement temporarily attached to the to the side of the cup substantially along a central axis of the cup and there removable by the consumer under force of the fingers so as to thereafter be used to stir or to extricate or to both stir and extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup before consumption by the consumer, the elongate implement having and presenting features intentionally adapted to engage and interlock complimentary features on other elongate implements removed from other cups so that toy models and structures can be assembled from the implements after their use to stir and/or extricate the foodstuff contents of the cup.
These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will become increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings and accompanying specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure la is a perspective view of a most preferred, first, "short stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention. Figure lb is a detail view of a variant of the most preferred, first, "short stir stick",
embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure la, this variant being called "short stir stick/spoon/straw attached at the base of the cup's exterior surface".
Figure 2a is a detail view of a second, "long stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2b is a detail view of a variant of the second, "long stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 2a, this variant being called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with indicia". Figure 2c is a detail view of the second, "long stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 2a with the stir stick/spoon/straw component now mounted diagonally (relative to an imaginary central axis of the cup) upon the exterior surface of the disposable cup.
Figure 2d is a detail view of another variant of the second, "long stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 2a and 2b, this variant called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with holes to support later assembly and use as a toy". Figure 3a is a detail view of a third, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with clip", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3b is a detail view of a variant of the third, "long stir stick/spoon with clip", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 2a, this variant being called "long stir stick/spoon with clip and indicia".
Figure 3c is a detail view of another variant of the third, "long stir stick/spoon with clip", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 3a and 3b, this variant being called "long stir stick/spoon with clip and indicia and holes to support later assembly and use as a toy".
Figure 3d is a detail view of another variant of the third, "long stir stick with clip", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 3a-3c, this variant being called "long stir stick/spoon with wide base suitable to permit use as a splash stick". Figure 3e is a detail view of a variant of the second, "long stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 2d, this variant having a "splash guard" like as to the variant of the third embodiment previously seen in Figure 3d, this variant embodiment being called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with wide central regions suitable to permit use as a splash stick".
Figure 4a is a detail view of a fourth, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with prong", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 4b is a detail view of another variant of the fourth, "long stir stick/spoon with prong", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 4a, this variant being called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with prong and multiple holes to support later assembly and use as a toy".
Figure 5 is a detail view of a fifth, "long combination stir stick/spoon/straw and spoon", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6 is a cut-away front plan view of the stir stick/spoon/straw component only of a fifth, "assemblable notched stir stick", embodiment of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure la.
Figure 7 is a cut-away front plan view of a nested stack of the first, "short stir stick", embodiment of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure la.
Figure 8 is a cut-away front plan view of the stir stick/spoon/straw component only of the fifth, "assemblable notched stir stick", embodiment of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 6 now assembled to a number of like fifth embodiment stir sticks. Figure 9 is a side plan view, partially in cut-away, of how the stir sticks and cups of the fifth embodiment of the present invention - the notched stir sticks alone having been previously seen alone in Figures 6 and 8, can be used to affix each other, as in the creation of a toy.
Figure 10 is a detail cut-away plan view of the areas so marked in Figure 9, the detail showing how the stir sticks and cups of the fifth embodiment of the present invention affix each other, as in the creation of a toy.
Figure 11 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a cup component of the combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention, the cup showing imprinted, embossed, or otherwise created marks and regions that can, under mechanical force such as from a knife, be turned into slits what will receive and retain stir sticks.
Figure 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first, relatively more abstract, sculpture realizable with diverse embodiments of stir sticks in accordance with the present invention along with, most preferably, the second embodiment disposable cup previously seen in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second, relatively less abstract, sculpture realizable with diverse embodiments of stir sticks in accordance with the present invention along with, most preferably, the second embodiment disposable cup previously seen in Figure 11. Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portion of an indefinitely large structure realizable with, most preferably, the fifth embodiment of a stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 6 and 8, in combination with, most preferably, the second embodiment disposable cup previously seen in Figures 11-13.
Figure 15, consisting of Figures 15A through 15C, show diagrammatic perspective views of a sixth, "Christmas ornament", embodiment of a stir stick/spoon/straw component of the combination stir stick/spoon/straw and disposable cup in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a prior art cup dispenser apparatus in accordance with prior art patent application serial number 12/274,102 in use for dispensing the new combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a first variant of a preferred first, paper, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 18 is a detail view of the first- variant preferred-first-embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 17.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of a second variant of the preferred first, paper, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 20 is a detail view of the second-variant preferred-first-embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 3.
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a second variant of the preferred second, plastic, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 22 is a detail view of the second-variant preferred-second-embodiment of a
combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 21, the elongate extension region being coiled to form a stir stick.
Figure 23 is a perspective view of a preferred paper or plastic, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral spoon in accordance with the present invention. Figure 24, which should be compared with Figure 22, is a detail view of the second-variant preferred-second-embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figure 21, the elongate extension region now being coiled to form a straw.
Figure 25 is a plan view of a template of planar material used to make a combination disposable cup and integral stir stick or straw in accordance with the present invention/
Figure 26 is a cross sectional view through a cup forming mandrel of a cup manufacturing machine first showing a forming of such planar sheet material of Figure 25 (as will constitute both cup and integral stir stick or straw) about the mandrel by upwardly moving wings, a roller or spray head for the application of adhesive also being shown.
Figure 27 is a cross sectional view through a cup forming mandrel of a cup manufacturing machine now showing a partial forming of the planar sheet material of Figure 25 and the partial formation of the cup and integral stir stick or straw of the present invention, the extension region from which a stir stick or straw will be formed being visible.
Figures 28 and 29 are cross sectional views through a cup forming mandrel of a cup manufacturing machine now showing a how extensible members operate on the extension region of the cup in order to form a stir stick.
Figure 30 is a side plan view of a cup manufacturing machine now showing a how a "tuning fork" member operates on the extension region of the cup in order to form a straw.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A perspective view of a preferred, first, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw 1 in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 1. This embodiment is called the "short stir stick" embodiment. As illustrated, an elongate stir stick/spoon/straw 11 is removably attached to a cup 12 by, most preferably, a drop of food safe adhesive 13. The cup 12 may be made from plastic or coated paper. The stir
stick/spoon/straw 11 may be made from plastic or wood. The adhesive 13 is most preferably food safe adhesive as is generally commercially available. Notably in the preferred construction shown in Figure 1, the cup 12 has an upper region 121 that is thickened, and the attached stir stick/spoon/straw 11 extends from the bottom of the cup only 12 only so far as to be below the lower boundary of this thickened upper region 121. In Figure la the stir stick/spoon/straw 11 is clearly illustrated to be well below this thickened upper region 121 of the cup 12. The length of the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 is clearly less than that of the sidewall 122 of the cup 12. This length, and this mounting location, of the stir stick/spoon/straw 11 will be seen to be interactive with way that the combination cups and stir stick/spoon/straw 1 in accordance with the present invention stack, as will be later shown in Figure 6.
A detail view of a variant la of this most preferred, first, "short stir stick", embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw 1 la in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure lb. This variant being is called "short stir
stick/spoon/straw attached at the base of the cup's exterior surface" which, by observation of Figure lb, it clearly is.
A detail view of a second, "long stir stick", embodiment lc of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2a. The long stir stick l ib extends nearly the length of the entire side 122 of the cup 12,
A detail view of a variant of this second, "long stir stick", embodiment lc of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2b. This variant embodiment lc is called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with indicia", the indicia 1 Icl being printed, etched, embossed, molded or otherwise place on what is, most preferably, the exposed, outward, linear surface of a long stir stick/spoon/straw 11c when attached to the cup 12. The indicia 1 Icl may show symbols or may contain text saying, by way of example: "Hot coffee makes me a hard charger", or "Reusable. Be Green. Don't litter.".
A detail view of another variant of this second, "long stir stick", embodiment Id of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2c. This variant embodiment Id is called "long stir
stick/spoon/straw with holes to support later assembly and use as a toy". By way of example, one such hole 1 ldl is illustrated. There can be any number, of any sizes but most typically as will accept an integral number of inserted stir sticks as various angles. The end of another like stir stick/spoon/straw l id may be stuck into either hole 1 ldl (and yet still another stick into a remaining hole 1 ldl) to construct model buildings and the like, particularly as resemble log cabins, using these "long stir sticks with holes to support later assembly and use as a toy". Notably this "after-market" use is totally acceptable to the initial seller of the food that was within the combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw because (1) it keeps the stir
stick/spoon/straw out of the immediate waste stream; (2) potentially provides added value to some customers particularly as may have children; and (3) does not induce that people should "steal" the stir sticks l id because these stir sticks are normally not provided in bins, but only come with purchases, one per cup l id.
The fondest hope of the retailer of, for example, a beverage, perhaps coffee, sold in the combination stir stick/spoon/straw and cup embodiment Id, and still other embodiments as will be discussed, is that children should collect the stir sticks l id (and/or later embodiments to be discussed), inducing their parents to purchase the beverage and removing used stir sticks Id (and other embodiments to be discussed) from the waste stream.
A detail view of a third, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with clip", embodiment le of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 3a. The "clip" of the stir stick/spoon/straw l ie wraps around the extended bottom lip of the cup 12. It alone may be sufficient to retain this third embodiment stir stick/spoon/straw l ie upon the surface 122 of the cup 12, obviating any need for adhesive 13 (shown in Figure la). A detail view of a variant embodiment of the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 If (previously shown in Figure 3b) is shown as variant embodiment stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lg in Figure 3c. This embodiment 1 lg has at least one hole 1 lgl and indicia 1 lg2 as well as a clip like to clip 1 lfl of embodiment 1 If of t]he combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure bb. This variant embodiment 1 lg is called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with clip and indicia and hole(s)". As before, the indicia 1 lg2 may bear various sorts of messages.
As before, in the embodiment 1 lg one more holes 1 lgl support hand insertion of the detached stir sticks (often after use) 1 lg one into the next, permitting the laying up of models, or sculptures, made from discarded stir sticks. Notably the clip (like as to, for example, clip 1 lfl) permits the assembly attachment of stir sticks 1 lg along a one interconnection axis, while the one or more holes 1 lgl support interconnection along another, perpendicular, axis. These clip and hole features, and their numbers and arrangements and alignments are by way of illustration only, and , in accordance with the well known art of making toys from assembled components including linear components of the substantial aspect ratio of stir sticks, are not intended to be inclusive. Rather, the illustrated features are illustrative of a general principle, and that principle is this: the cup-attached stir sticks of the present invention can readily be adapted to support of an after-market use as component pieces of toys and models that are assemble from pieces. Indeed, it is not too fanciful to imagine, that should the after-sale use of stir sticks as toy pieces prove popular, that wheels and decals and still other elements might even be dispensed as "bonus pieces" - possibly attached to lids - by the original seller of the foodstuff contained within the cup with attached stir stick.
A detail view of another variant embodiment 1 lh of the third, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with clip", variant of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 3d. This variant is called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with plug to support use as a splash stick". The wide base 1 lhl of the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lh is complimentary to the sipping hole within a lid (not illustrated) to the cup 12 (shown in, for example, Figure la), and this base 1 lhl may be stuck within this complimentary lid hole (lid not shown) - with the remainder of the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lhl disposed downward into the cup 12 contents or upward into air - in order to prevent outflow of liquid contents of the cup due to sloshing during movement of the cup 12 and its contents.
A detail view of a fourth, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with prong" embodiment 1 li of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 4a. The extension "prong" 1 lil of the stir stick/spoon/straw Hi - extends through a complimentary hole in the bottom lip 122 of the cup 12, and temporarily attaches the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 li to the cup 12 until it is pried loose.
A detail view of another variant embodiment 1 lj of the fourth, "long stir stick/spoon/straw with prong" embodiment of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 4b. This variant embodiment 1 lj is called "long stir stick/spoon/straw with prong and multiple holes to support later assembly and use as a toy". Like as the interconnection of previous embodiments l id and 1 lg of the stir sticks 11 used as toys, the prong 1 lj 1 of a one stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lj can fit within a hole 11 j 1 of another stir stick/spoon/straw 11 j .
A detail view of a fifth, "long combination stir stick/spoon/straw and spoon", embodiment 1 lk of a combination disposable cup with affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 5. Note that clever contouring of the "spoon" portion 1 lkl of the "long combination stir stick/spoon/straw and spoon" over the lower lip of the cup 12 permits of the formation of a true bowl, as will hold liquid, to this "spoon" portion 1 lkl .
A cut-away front plan view of the stir stick/spoon/straw component only of a fifth,
"assemblable notched stir stick", embodiment 111 of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention (previously seen in Figure la) is shown in Figure 6. The use of the multitude of notches 1111 will become increasingly clear in Figure 8, and thereafter. Note that the notches 1111 , or any ones of them, could be located at an angle theta that varies from 0 to 90 to 180 degrees relative to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the fifth embodiment 111 of the stir stick. A cut-away front plan view of a nested stack of the first, "short stir stick", embodiment 11 of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw 11 in accordance with the present invention that was previously seen in Figure la is shown in Figure 7. The effect of this construction illustrated in the cut-away front plan view of a nested stack of the
combination disposable cups and affixed stir sticks in accordance with the present invention (previously seen in Figure 1) is to create void spaces between the lower regions of adjacent cups 12 in the stack. The "short" stir sticks 11 attached to the cups 12 as illustrated make that when the cups 12 are stacked then their short stir sticks 11 fit into these void spaces between the cups 12. There so located the stir sticks 11 are not subject to such forces during either stacking or un-stacking of the cups 12 as might result in an unwanted detachment of a stir sticks 11 from the a cup 12.
A cut-away front plan view of the fifth, "assemblable notched stir stick", embodiment 111 of the combination disposable cups and affixed stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention (previously seen in Figure 6) is shown assembled to a number of like fifth embodiment 111 stir sticks ib Figure 8. The stir sticks 11L clearly interlock in diverse patterns..
A side plan view, partially in cut-away, of how the fifth embodiment stir sticks 111, previously seen in Figures 6 and 8, may also be used to interlock cups 12 is shown in Figure 9. A detail marked as "FIG. 10" in Figure 9 is shown in cut-away expanded plan view in Figure 10.
Although the entire structure of Figure 9 is held together by compressive friction, adhesive (not shown) may be externally applied so as to stabilize the structure, and make it more permanent, Clearly the structure illustrated in Figure 9 is but arbitrary, and exemplary, and the fifth embodiment notched stir sticks 111 and cups 12 can variously affix each other, as in the creation of a toy.
After many embodiments of the stir stick/spoon/straw 11, a new, second, embodiment of a disposable cup 12a of the combination disposable stir stick/spoon/straw and cup in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 11. The disposable cup 12a is imprinted, embossed, or otherwise made with marks and regions 12al that can, under mechanical force such as from a knife (not shown), be turned into slits what will receive and retain stir sticks.
This will immediately become increasingly clear upon reference to (1) Figure 12 where is shown a diagrammatic perspective view of a first, relatively more abstract, sculpture realizable with diverse embodiments of stir sticks in accordance with the present invention, and also to (2) Figure 13 where is likewise realizable a second, relatively less abstract, sculpture realizable with diverse embodiments of stir sticks in accordance with the present invention. Both sculptures of Figures 12 and 13 preferably use the second embodiment disposable 12a previously seen in Figure 11. Slits are fashioned as required as is aided by the markings or embossings 12al (shown in Figure 11). A diagrammatic perspective view of a portion of an indefinitely large structure realizable with, most preferably, the fifth embodiment of a stir stick/spoon/straw 1 la in accordance with the present invention previously seen in Figures 6 and 8, in combination with, most preferably, the second embodiment disposable cup 12a, previously seen in Figures 11-13, is shown in Figure 14. Clearly the dimensions are adjustable and the structure extensible. And entire piece of furniture, such as a bar or a chair, may be built, especially as the structure is made more rigid and greatly strengthened by addition and setting of Plaster of Paris, or cement, or the like. Note that the structure may be inverted to "fill" it by "pouring" it in sections.
Diagrammatic perspective views of a sixth, "Christmas ornament", embodiment 1 lj of a stir stick/spoon/straw component of the combination stir stick/spoon/straw and disposable cup in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 15, consisting of Figures 15A through 15C. The embodiment 1 lj preferably has the "clip 1 lfl" first seen in the third embodiment stir sticks 1 lg through 1 lh respectively seen in Figures 3 A through 3C. The ornament itself is preferably adhesively attached to the cup bottom surface (not shown) in order to preserve the tight stacking previously seen in Figure 7. Once removed, adhesive ornament itself may be adhesively affixed to the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lj as illustrated in Figures 15a through 15c, or otherwise used. In application to the stir stick, the ornamental portion is then displayed as a Christmas ornament: the "clip" region 1 lfl grabbing first the cup 12, and, after removal and use as a stir stick, a twig of a Christmas tree for support. The clip region 1 lfl of the stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lj thus provides a means for hanging attachment of a planar adhesive ornament to an irregular surface, such as the twigs or needles of a tree.
The "ornament" embodiment 1 lj of the stir stick/spoon/straw may bear indicia, be colored and decorated, and otherwise made fancy insofar as safety in use with food packaging is preserved. The ornament portion of the "ornament" embodiment stir stick/spoon/straw 1 lj may have an adhesive backing, and may be pulled from the stick for later affixation to a surface, such as a window, for decorative purposes. As before, food safety is preserved in all components. The "ornament" embodiment may be marked with the year's date, and form a collectible series. Even if not embraced by the public, the "ornamental" stir sticks 1 lj are at least useful for tree, holiday and/or festival decorations upon the premises of the original seller of a beverage using, and within, the combination disposable stir stick/spoon/straw and cup in accordance with the present invention.
Further in accordance with the present invention, the combination of disposable cup 12 and attached stir stick/spoon/straw 11 is loadable to, and dispensable from, automated vending machines. A perspective view of a prior art cup dispenser apparatus 4 in accordance with patent application serial number 12/274,102 in use dispensing a combination cup and stir stick/spoon/straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figurel6. In this prior art cup dispenser apparatus a cup 12 is sectionally adhered to a inflation/deflation pump.
As explained is said patent application serial number 12/274,102, in the prior art dispenser 4 cup storage compartments 40a, 40b, 40c are accessed by a suspended cup elevator 44 partially extending from an elevator guide 42. The elevator 44 includes a suctioning device, which provides suction for lifting cups.
In Figure 16 the elevator 44 within the elevator guide 42 is shown aligned with a cup storage compartment 40a. The suctioning device is secured within the elevator 44 and is provided with a suction hose descending therefrom. The distal end of the hose comprises a downward facing suction nozzle or vacuum suction cup for sectionally adhering cups and/or containers. The pump is preferably entirely encased within the cavity of elevator 44 and only the suction tip 46 protrudes therefrom. A cup 12 is sectionally adhered when a pressure differential is generated by the suctioning device such that it causes a cup to be drawn to, and adhere to (as a result of sucking action) a nozzle, suction cup, vacuum cup or similar opening that is in communication with the suctioning device Again as explained is said patent application serial number 12/274,102, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any pump that creates suction such as, but not limited to, peristaltic pumps, impeller pumps and transfer pumps may be utilized for adhering cups. Furthermore, the distal end of a hose descending for a suctioning device could be provided with any of a variety of possible attachments for assisting in tightly adhering cups. These include suction cups and vacuum cups and are referred to generally herein as "suction tips." Alternatively, the terminal end of suction hose could be utilized for suctioning cups without the assistance of any other devices. Still further, it will be understood that a suctioning device may be configured to directly contact a cup surface without the need for an intermediary such as a suction hose and/or suction cups. Alternatively, a suction cup or vacuum cup could be in direct contact with a suctioning device for contacting and adhering cups.
Suctioning devices such as inflation/deflation, or peristaltic, pumps typically have an uneven distribution of weight. Thus, when suspended from a cord, the pump would tend to list toward its heavier side and a result the suction tip descending therefrom would possibly miss its target in the center of the cup. In one embodiment of the invention this is resolved by affixing the pump to a guide such as an elevator. Such an elevator 44 serves to counter-balance the weight of a suctioning device and to guide the suction tip 46 into and out of cup storage compartments 40 and the elevator guide 42.
In the exemplary embodiment of a cup dispenser 4 shown in Figure 16 a standard
inflation/deflation pump 45 having a 12V motor is utilized for generating suction. The deflating end of the pump generates an area of low pressure extending from the suction hose that creates a suctioning force powerful enough to separate and lift a cup as large as a 64 oz. Popcorn cup from its nested position in a stack. It should be noted that although there may be some adhesive force between an uppermost cup 12 and the cup 12 there below (e.g. due to frictional forces, and/or the tight fit of a cup within another), the suctioning force of the pump 45 described herein overcomes any such cup-to-cup adhesion.
Optionally, however, to help ensure that the upper most cup successfully separates from the one there below, an air blower may be directed to the general area at which lips of two nested cups align. Blowing action of such air blower assists in the separation of the cups. In one embodiment, the air blower comprises the inflation end of an inflation/deflation pump 45.
It will be under stood by those of ordinary skill in the art that pump 45 may be secured within an elevator or it could be tethered directly to a cord 43 or any other z motion mechanism.
As still further shown in Figure 16, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, stacks of combination cups 12 and stir sticks (or spoons) 11 in accordance with the present invention are positioned in the vending machine in a top-down orientation, leaving the bottom surfaces of the cups 12 accessible to the suctioning device tip 46. The stacks are preferably stored in columnar storage compartments 20 inside the cabinet of a vending machine. As shown, a vending machine may have a plurality of separate storage compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, each of which comprises an enclosure sized to accommodate a stack of combination cups 12 and stir sticks 11 of a particular diameter and is formed by a series of walls which extend vertically to surround the stack of combination cups and stir sticks. Columnar storage compartments 20 may comprise partial walls, or complete walls. Storage compartments may further be constructed in various sizes and/or shapes to correspondingly accommodate various sized and/or shaped combination cups and stir sticks.
Further discussion of the programmed software control of the cup dispenser 4, and manifest sensors attending the dispensing, refilling and fault-detection processes, are discussed within said U.S. patent application serial number 12/274,102.
In general, all that needs to be understood for the present invention is that combination cups 12 and stir sticks 11 in accordance with the present invention are clearly and simply adaptable for dispensing by vending machines and, if need be, features such as the above-mentioned air blower may readily be added by practitioners of the vending machine design arts to ensure flawless dispensing of the combination cups and stir sticks of the present invention.
Moreover, although this principle has been illustrated by reference to cups 12 combining stir sticks 11, it will be understood that combination cups and spoons, and combination cups and straws, are equally suitable to automatic vending.
A perspective view of a first variant of a preferred first, paper, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick la in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 17. A detail view of this first- variant preferred-first-embodiment of the combination disposable cup with integral stir stick la in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 18. As is best observed in Figure 18, the sidewall material lal 1 of the cup portion lal is perforated along longitudinal line la2, and is then continued into an extension region la3. This extension region la3 is folded in this first variant embodiment but a single time to make, when detached along said perforation la2, a stir stick la3.
The cup portion lal is normally glued along a longitudinal seam la4, and the extension flap, or stir stick, portion la3 is likewise normally glued along its interior surface la5. The glue at la5 may be of a non-permanent contact type that may be pried apart under force of the nails and fingers to reveal the interior surfaces of the stir stick region la3. These regions may bear indicia as a game piece, or as a token for a contest. The exterior of both the cup portion lal, and the stir stick portion la3, may likewise be printed and decorated, as at lal 2 and la32. A perspective view of a another variant of the preferred first, paper, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick lb in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 19. A detail view of the second-variant preferred-first-embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick lb in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 20. As is best observed in Figure 20, the sidewall material lbl 1 of the cup portion lbl is perforated along longitudinal line lb2, and is then continued into an extension region lb3. This extension region lb3 is twice folded in this second variant embodiment lb make, when detached along said perforation lb2, a stir stick lb3. If the same sheet material - which may be paper or plastic - is used for the multi-fold stir stick lb3 of the second variant embodiment combination cup and integral stir stick lb as was used for the single-fold stir stick la3 of the first variant embodiment combination cup and integral stir stick la (shown in Figures 17 and 18), then this second stir stick lb3 will be thicker, and stiffer, and stronger than the stir stick la3 (shown in Figures 17 and 18). In general the detachable stir stick may be made of so many folds as are required or desired for adequate durability and stiffness and strength in use for stirring the contents (not shown) of the combination cup and integral stir sticks la, lb. The paper sheet materials lal 1 and lbl 1 of the respective combination cup and integral stir sticks la, lb may be either standard, or coated, paper as is variously made from wood, rice and other cellulosic source materials.
The cup portion lb3 of the second variant embodiment combination cup and integral stir stick lab is again normally glued along a longitudinal seam lb4, and the extension flap, or stir stick, portion lb3 as is now folded multiple times in an accordion pleat is again normally glued along its several interior surfaces lb5. The glue at these surfaces lb5 may again be of a non-permanent contact type that may be pried apart under force of the nails and fingers to reveal the interior surfaces of the stir stick region lb3. These regions may bear indicia as a game piece, or as a token for a contest. Note that winning a contest may be made dependant upon which of multiple frangible glue "seals" is opened first and only. The exterior of both the cup portion lbl, and the stir stick portion lb3, may again likewise optionally be printed and decorated (not shown).
A perspective view of a preferred second, plastic, embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick lc in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 21. A detail view of this preferred second embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral stir stick lc is shown in Figure 22. As is best observed in Figure 22, the sidewall material lcl 1 of the cup portion lcl is perforated along longitudinal line lc2, and is then continued into an extension region lc3. This extension region lc3 is now coiled, as illustrated. The coil may incorporate a varying number of turns as required or desired, more turns in general producing a stronger and stiffer stir stick lc3 when manually detached from cup portion lcl . As before, glue may be conventionally used on the seam of the cup portion lcl at seam lc4, or certain plastic materials of construction may be conventionally thermostatically "welded".
When detached the coiled stir stick lc3 has, regardless of being made of plastic or paper, the substantial shape of a miniature log, and may subsequently be so assembled and used in games or toys like as to the famous Lincoln logs, particularly for children. .
A perspective view of a preferred, paper or plastic, third embodiment of a combination disposable cup with integral spoon Id in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 23. Construction principles are like as to before, the major change being that outlined shape of a spoon must be stamped from the planar paper or plastic stock from which the combination disposable cup with integral spoon Id is made in order to form the detachable spoon region, and spoon, ld3.
Cross sectional views through a cup forming mandrel of a cup manufacturing machine as serves to form the cup and integral stir stick of the present invention are shown in Figures 26- 29, and a side view of the enhanced machine is shown in Figure 30. The illustrated machine is like the one taught in United States Patent 5,839,653 to Zadravetz for a container with corrugated wall. The Kadravetz patent shows and describes a method of forming a paper container uses a three ply corrugated material having at least one inner or outer sheet of paper that may be stretched or compressed circumferentially to permit subsequent rolling of the corrugated material about a mandrel. A flattening of the upper and lower edges of the corrugated material permit rolling and seaming operations to be used to assemble the bottom to the cup and to form a lip in the upper edge. The contents of this patent are incorporated in the present specification by reference. Figures 25-29 may be compared with Figure 10 of the Kadravetz patent.
A plan view of a section of planar material used to make a combination disposable cup and integral stir stick or straw in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 25. Note that the "blank IX" extends further in a one direction, shown cross-hatched, than the other. A first cross sectional view through a cup forming mandrel 2 of a cup manufacturing machine I shown in Figure 126. The blank IX is used for form a cup is formed about the mandrel 2 by upwardly moving wings 4. A roller, or spray head, 4 for the optional application of adhesive is also shown. A cross sectional view through a cup forming mandrel 11 of a cup manufacturing machine, now showing a partial forming of the planar sheet material IX of Figure 25 into the partial formation of the cup and integral stir stick or spoon, or straw of the present invention is shown in Figure 27. The extension region 1X3 from which a stir stick or straw 1 Al, 1B1, 1C1 (shown in Figures 17-23) will be formed is visible. Another cross sectional view through the cup forming mandrel 2 of a cup manufacturing machine now showing a how extensible members 5 operate on the extension region 1X3 of the cup 1X1 in order to form a stir stick is shown in Figures 28 and 29. The extensible members 5 selectively sequentially extend and retract to permit the placement of bends, or folds, into the extension region 1X3. According to these variations, and still others within the skill of a practitioner of the packaging arts, the present invention should be considered in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solely on accordance with those embodiments within which the invention has been taught. For example, the term "cup" should be broadly constructed as a hand-held vessel from with fluids and slurries are dispensed for ingestion, and may be configured as a small rectilinear container such as commonly contain fruit juices in America circa 2010.
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