Measuring cup

A measuring cup comprising:

• a sidewall that is generally vertical and encircles a space, the sidewall having an upper periphery and a lower periphery;
• a spout disposed along the upper periphery of the sidewall or the lower periphery of the sidewall;
• a reference member disposed within the space encircled by the sidewall, the reference member having volumetric indicia and an indication of a unit of measure associated with the volumetric indicia;
• and
• a receptacle capable of receiving a substance, the receptacle formed by a portion of the space between the reference member and the sidewall, wherein the volumetric indicia indicate an amount of the substance deposited in the receptacle as the substance is inserted into the receptacle;
• wherein the reference member extends into the space from a lower portion of the measuring cup;
• wherein an outer periphery of the reference member is affixed to the sidewall.

A measuring cup comprising:

• a sidewall that is generally vertical and encircles a space, the sidewall having an upper periphery and a lower periphery;
• a handle extending from the sidewall;
• a reference member disposed within the space encircled by the sidewall;
• a receptacle capable of receiving a substance, the receptacle formed by a portion of the space between the reference member and the sidewall;
• and
• volumetric indicia engraved, embossed, stenciled, or printed on the reference member, wherein the volumetric indicia indicate a volume of the substance deposited in the receptacle as the substance is inserted into the receptacle;
• wherein the reference member extends into the space from a lower portion of the measuring cup;
• wherein an outer periphery of the reference member is affixed to the sidewall.