Magnetically Stabilized Beverage Container

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to drinking vessels and other containers which attach magnetically to a metallic surface, and specifically to drinking vessels having double-wall construction with a basal magnet between the walls.

2. Description of the Related Art

Beverage containers are subject to spills for a variety of reasons. One such reason is when the surface on which the container rests is subject to motion, as on motor vehicles and heavy equipment such as bulldozers, tractors, etc. Various types of containers or holders for containers have been devised; these are mounted on or attached to the vehicle in different ways. McBride (U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,350) discloses a holder for beverage containers having a basal magnet secured to a steel anchor plate. Hanson (U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,459) discloses a combination of a serving tray and dishes, both of which have permanent magnets attached to them. Similarly, Henry (U.S. Pat. No. 2,217,514) discloses tableware in which magnets are embedded in recesses in the bottom of the dishes. Nothing in the prior art, however, discloses the elements or the same combinations as found in the improved magnetically-stabilized container described below.

The present invention is a magnetically-stabilized container for beverages, designed to remain in place even on lurching tractors, construction equipment, etc. The container has double walls, with a trapped layer of air or inert gas between the walls which forms an insulating barrier between the container's contents and the outside air. Different embodiments of the invention include cylindrical and tapered shapes. The double-wall construction is accomplished by forming an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion; both are open at one end and closed at the other end by a floor section. A space exists between the floor sections as well as between the wall sections.

Magnetic stabilization is achieved by a flat, disc-shaped magnet disposed between the floor sections. A post extends upward from the outer floor section, and engages an orifice in the center of the magnetic disc to hold the disc in position.

When the container is placed on a ferrous-metal surface, or on any surface attractable by a magnet, the magnetic disc clamps the container to the surface, preventing the container from overturning except under the most severe circumstances. A close-fitting lid cooperatively prevents the container's contents from sloshing out.

Based on the above, it is an object of this invention to provide a container for beverages which will magnetically clamp itself to a metallic surface.

A further object is to provide a magnetically-stabilized beverage container which is insulated and which has a close-fitting lid to further minimize spills.

Further objects are to achieve the above with devices that are compact, durable, simple, and reliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses, and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, the different views of which are not necessarily scale drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the container showing its major components.

FIG. 2 is a cross section on View 1--1 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the container,

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on View 2--2 of FIG. 4, showing a section through the central portion of the container.

FIG. 6 is a cross section on View 3--3 of FIG. 4, detailing structure between the two floor is portions.

To aid in the correlation of the elements of the invention to the exemplary drawings, the following catalog of the elements is provided:

10 container

12 outer wall

14 inner wall

16 insulating space

18 outer floor portion

20 inner floor portion

22 magnet

24 orifice

26 post

28 handle

30 lid

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a cutaway view of the magnetically stabilized container 10. FIG. 2 is a cross section on view 1--1 of FIG. 3. The container 10 has an inner wall 14 and outer wall 12. Inner wall 14 and outer wall 12 are dimensioned so they can be nested together and bonded at their upper extremities to form an integral container. Bond 32, at the upper extremities of the wall portions, is formed during the assembly process. As the two sections are assembled, an insulating space 16 is enclosed between them to retard heat flow in either direction.

The container walls are substantially cylindrical as shown in the drawings, or may taper inward from top to bottom to make the container easier to grip and to hold. Each wall has an integral floor portion. The insulating space 16 between the walls is continued between the inner floor section 18 and the outer floor section 20.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a magnet 22 is disposed in the space between the floor sections 18 and 20. The disc-shaped magnet 22 includes an orifice 24 in its center. A post 26 extends from the center of one of the floor portions, preferably the outer one. The post 26 engages orifice 24 in the magnet to retain the magnet 22 in position. A plan view of the post and magnet is seen in FIG. 6, which is a cross section on view 3--3 of FIG. 4. Another function of the post 26 is to provide support for the inner container.

Alternatively, the magnetic disc 22 may be retained in position by an annular ridge around its perimeter. The ridge is molded into an interior surface of the outer floor portion 18.

In another embodiment of the invention, the magnet is adhesively bonded to an interior surface of the outer floor section 18. This type of assembly leaves a space between the upper surface of the magnet and the inner floor section 20, so that the insulating space is uninterrupted. Attachment between the magnet and the floor section is achieved by chemical bonding or thermal bonding.

Magnet 22 is preferably of the ceramic type; the magnet may be molded so that its surface conforms to the contours of the floor section. In an alternate method of manufacture a ferrous-metal-impregnated plastic is poured into the base of the outer wall section and allowed to solidify while exposed to a magnetic field. The resulting magnet rests on outer floor portion 18, and is integral with the container so that its weight serves as ballast while the magnetic field clamps the container to a metallic surface.

Container 10 is completed by a handle 28 and a lid 30, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Lid 30 is sized to fit closely into the container's top, and is held in place by friction. A tab, shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, is positioned above handle 28; the tab is used to push lid 30 off the container. FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the container 10 and the handle 28 near its middle. FIG. 6 is cross section below the handle, on view 3--3 of FIG. 4, showing the magnet in position in the base of the container.

The restrictive description and drawings of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications can be made in the construction, material, arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of my invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.