PORTABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A personalized cooler (10) includes a hollow container body (12) in which a liquid is stored. A cap (14) is threadably screwed onto an open top of the container to prevent the liquid contents of the container from being spilled. A U-shaped handle (18) has ends received on bosses (16) formed on opposite sides of the container body in carrying the container. An artistic pattern such as dots is imparted onto an outer surface of the container body, for example, by heat transfer printing. The artistic pattern can include geometric patterns such as dots, squares, rectangles, hexagons, etc., as well as grids, zigzag lines, and other designs. The same or other patterns and artistic motifs can be imprinted on other components of the cooler.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 62/028,520 filed Jul. 24, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to handheld beverage containers; and, more particularly, to a container to which a decorative motif can be applied to the outside of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Beverage containers for holding water, coffee, tea, sodas, etc. are known in the art. These containers, which are typically of a molded plastic design, usually are solid in color. While the containers are available in a wide range of colors, a drinker may prefer a container that is other than a single color since having such a container would be both distinctive and also reflect the owner's personality. The present invention provides people with an inexpensive and easy way to apply an artistic cover to a beverage container by which individuals can make their containers not only stand out but also be stylish.

[0004] Other objects of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container of the present invention; and,

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cover which is applied to the outer surface of the container.

[0008] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0009] Referring to the drawings, a handheld beverage container indicated generally 10 includes a hollow container body 12 into which a liquid (water, coffee, tea, soda, etc.) is poured and from which the liquid is either poured out, or drunk. The top of the container body is threaded for receiving a cap 14 which prevents the contents in the container from being spilled. In some instances the cap also serves as a receptacle into which the container contents are poured for drinking. On opposite sides of the container body bosses 16 are formed for receiving the ends of a generally U-shaped handle 18 used to carry the container. Container 10 and its constituent components are of a molded plastic material and all may be of one color; or, as shown in FIG. 1, some components may be of one color while other components are of a different color.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, an artistic pattern or motif such as the dots 19 (or polka dots) shown in FIG. 2 is imparted to the outer surface of container body 12. This is accomplished, for example, by heat transfer printing. To accomplish this, first a high resolution image or picture of the dots is made. Next, the image is transferred onto a heat transfer film 20 using a thermal heat transfer process. Finally, the dot pattern on the film is transferred or printed onto the outer surface of container body 12 using a hot stamping process.

[0011] Those skilled in the art will understand that the dot pattern and color shown in FIG. 2, is exemplary only. For example, other geometric patterns such as squares, rectangles, hexagons, etc., can be used. The pattern can also include a grid, zigzag lines, or other designs. Further, all the dots do not have to be the same color. Different color arrangements including a random arrangement can also be imprinted on the container body using a similar technique. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the heat transfer process can also be used to apply the same, or another artistic pattern, to other parts of the container such as the cap 14. If desired, one artistic pattern can be applied to one portion of a container component and a different pattern to another portion thereof.

[0012] The above described technique is relatively low cost, thereby enabling a purchaser to readily personalize their container.

[0013] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

Claims

1. A personalized cooler comprising: a hollow container body in which a liquid is stored; a cap threadably screwed onto an open top of the container to prevent the liquid contents of the container from being spilled; a generally U-shaped handle the ends of which are received on bosses formed on opposite sides of the container body for use in carrying the container; and, an artistic pattern imparted onto an outer surface of at least one component of the cooler by heat transfer printing.

2. The container of claim 1 whose constituent components are of a molded plastic material.

3. The container of claim 1 in which the heat transfer printing first includes making a high resolution image or picture of the artistic pattern.

4. The container of claim 3 in which the heat transfer printing next includes transferring the image onto a heat transfer film using a thermal heat transfer process.

5. The container of claim 4 in which the heat transfer printing further includes printing the film with the image onto an outer surface of container body using a hot stamping process.

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