Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specified indicator structure
Patent
1999-07-07
2000-10-31
Wu, Daniel J.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specified indicator structure
3403841, 3406935, 206217, G08B 2508
Patent
active
061409324
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to novelty drinking container, and more particularly to a drinking container adapted to display pictorial ornamentation and have related sound playback capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous types of liquid containers, cups, mugs, glasses, steins, chalices, etc. are known in the art. Such containers are often decorated or otherwise configured to resemble or portray action events such as sporting events or other entertainment happenings such as concerts, symposiums, conferences, and so forth. However, to Applicant's knowledge, no such containers have heretofore included the capability of playing back pre-recorded audio sound directly related to the container ornamentation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved drinking vessel which, in addition to displaying visually pleasing graphics, also includes pre-recorded audio playback capability intended to re-enforce the enjoyment of the graphics depicted on the container.
Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a two-part structure with an upper part forming a drinking cup and a lower or base part forming a chamber for containing electronically recorded data and means for using the recorded data to generate an audible message and/or music segment. The two parts are removably connected together to form a single unit. Affixed to the exterior of the unit by direct attachment, modeling, molding, painting, silk-screening or other graphics replication process is the depiction of a memorable sports event or the like, forming artistic decoration for the cup. Pre-recorded and stored in electronic form within the base component is a sound track related to the depicted event and an electronic mechanism which, upon user actuation, plays back or otherwise regenerating the sound track so as to enable the cup user to relive the experience or event depicted.
IN THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a partially broken elevational view illustrating certain details of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a simplified electrical schematic illustrating the audio circuit included in the illustrated embodiments;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative configuration of the lower component in what Applicant refers to as a "hockey puck" configuration.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing the top of the lower component; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the several elements of the lower component.
IN THE SPECIFICATION
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown at 10 an elevational view of a drinking cup assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention broken apart at a lower portion to illustrate certain electrical and mechanical details thereof. The cup assembly is comprised of an upper component 12 forming a liquid vessel or container that is open at the top 14, and a lower component 16 forming a closed chamber for housing an electronic sound playback subassembly 18.
The upper component 12 is essentially a frusto-conically configured, open-top liquid container closed at the bottom by a circular web 20 molded integral with the side walls 12. A vertically extending segment of the lowermost extremity of the upper component is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 22, and is provided with an external circumscribing rib 24.
The lower component 16 is also generally frusto-conical in configuration with a cone angle matching that of the upper component 12. The diameter of the upper extremity is chosen to match that of the diametrically reduced lower portion of component 12 and includes an internal groove 26 for receiving the annular rib 24 when the upper extremity of component 16 is mated with the lower extremity of component 12. This "snap-on" engagement secures the lower component 16 to the upper component 12. The lower extremity of c
REFERENCES:
patent: 4765465 (1988-08-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 4932542 (1990-06-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5070539 (1991-12-01), Cheng
patent: 5339548 (1994-08-01), Russell
patent: 5439103 (1995-08-01), Howes
patent: 5485504 (1996-01-01), Ohnsorge
patent: 5489893 (1996-02-01), Jo et al.
patent: 5536196 (1996-07-01), Sternberg
patent: 5550754 (1996-08-01), McNelley et al.
patent: 5553735 (1996-09-01), Kimura
patent: 5664745 (1997-09-01), Hadaway
patent: 5739758 (1998-04-01), Driska et al.
Frank Marshall P.
Isralow Leslie J.
CrunchTime, Inc.
Hamrick Claude A. S.
Huang Sihong
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Pictorially adorned drinking container having integral audio pla does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pictorially adorned drinking container having integral audio pla, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pictorially adorned drinking container having integral audio pla will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2057026