Mug having interchangeable indicia tiles
OwnerBryan W. Peterson, Arturo De Rojasinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drinking vessel having an open face slot defined by the wall of the vessel for holding a selected tile from a plurality of interchangeable tiles bearing indicia for conveying a selected message, wherein the tiles have dimensions corresponding to the dimension of the slot for slidably engaging the slot, and whereby the tiles each have indicia embodying a different written expression or design such as a generic human face which is neutral with respect to gender, race, or nationality, and which is adapted to reflect a particular human mood, feeling, condition, or disposition.
Claims21
A mug for conveying selected messages, said mug comprising:
- a vessel having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a nominal wall thickness therebetween, said wall thickness extending upward from a closed bottom end a predetermined height and forming an open top end for receiving fluent materials therein;
- a slot opening defined by a portion of said wall thickness removed from said outer surface;
- a plurality of interchangeable tiles each having dimensions corresponding to said slot for slidable engagement with said slot and each bearing a different indicia for conveying a selected message, each said tile having an exterior surface bearing said indicia for displaying said indicia from within said slot, said tiles adapted to be slidably and removably disposed in said slot, said slot having an open top end proximal said vessel open top end to facilitate convenient insertion and removal of said tiles from said slot;
- means for slidably securing said tiles in said slot, said securing means being defined by said slot and each said tile for permitting slidable insertion and removal of said tiles;
- and
- means for storing said tiles, said storing means comprising a substantially planar base structure and elevated walls extending from said base structure to form an enclosure defining a volume adapted for receiving and storing said tiles, said enclosure further providing a support surface for mounting said mug thereon.
A mug for conveying selected messages, said mug comprising:
- a vessel having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a nominal wall thickness therebetween, said wall thickness extending upward from a closed bottom end a predetermined height to form an open top end for receiving fluids therein;
- a slot defined by a portion of said wall thickness removed from said outer surface, said slot comprising an open top end substantially contiguous with said vessel open top end, an open front side in substantial alignment with said outer surface, a rear wall opposing said open front side and being formed between said inner surface and said outer surface, a base wall below said slot open top end, and side walls joining said open front side with said rear wall and said slot open top end with said base wall, said side walls converging from said rear wall toward said outer surface so as to interchangeably and mechanically lock tiles in said slot and permit slidable insertion and removal of said tiles from said slot, said side walls and said base wall defining said open front side;
- said tiles comprising a plurality of interchangeable tiles each bearing a different indicia for conveying a selected message, each said tile having an exterior surface bearing said indicia for displaying said indicia from within said slot and through said open front side, said tiles adapted to be slidably and removably disposed in said slot, said slot open top end facilitating convenient insertion and removal of said tiles;
- and
- a handle associated with said outer surface to facilitate grasping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.