Beverage mug and method for making the same

Abstract

A beverage mug includes a beverage receptacle having a coaster recess defined therein. An elastomeric coaster insert is positioned in the coaster recess and extends outwardly from the beverage container. A method of making a beverage mug is also disclosed.

1 . A mug comprising: 
 a beverage receptacle comprising a flat bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from the flat bottom, the beverage receptacle having formed therein a coaster recess which extends from the flat bottom and up a portion of the sidewall, and    a coaster insert positioned in the coaster recess so as to extend outwardly from the flat bottom.    
     
     
         2 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the coaster insert is constructed from an elastomer.  
     
     
         3 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the coaster insert comprises a material that is flexible relative to the beverage receptacle.  
     
     
         4 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the coaster insert comprises a ring-shaped hub secured to the flat bottom of the beverage receptacle.  
     
     
         5 . The mug of  claim 4 , wherein the coaster insert further comprises a plurality of projections extending from the ring-shaped hub and up a portion of the sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . The mug of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of projections extends from the flat bottom to engage a surface for supporting the mug.  
     
     
         7 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the coaster insert has a thickness that is greater than the depth of the coaster recess such that when the mug is positioned on a support surface, the flat bottom of the beverage receptacle is spaced apart from the support surface.  
     
     
         8 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the beverage receptacle comprises a base and a cylindrically-shaped body secured to one another, and    the coaster recess is defined in the base.    
     
     
         9 . A mug comprising: 
 a beverage receptacle comprising (i) a flat bottom, (ii) a sidewall extending upwardly from the flat bottom, and (iii) a rounded transition wall positioned between the flat bottom and the sidewall, the beverage receptacle having formed therein a coaster recess which extends from the flat bottom and up a portion of the transition wall, and    a coaster insert positioned in the coaster recess so as to extend outwardly from the flat bottom and up the portion of the transition wall.    
     
     
         10 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the coaster insert is constructed from an elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the coaster insert comprises a material that is flexible relative to the beverage receptacle.  
     
     
         12 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the coaster insert comprises a ring-shaped hub secured to the flat bottom of the beverage receptacle.  
     
     
         13 . The mug of  claim 12 , wherein the coaster insert further comprises a plurality of projections extending from the ring-shaped hub and up the portion of the transition wall.  
     
     
         14 . The mug of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of projections extends from the flat bottom to engage a surface for supporting the mug.  
     
     
         15 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the coaster insert has a thickness that is greater than the depth of the coaster recess such that when the mug is positioned on a support surface, the flat bottom of the beverage receptacle is spaced apart from the support surface.  
     
     
         16 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the beverage receptacle comprises a base and a cylindrically-shaped body secured to one another, and    the coaster recess is defined in the base.    
     
     
         17 . A method of making a beverage mug, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a coaster recess in a beverage container such that the coaster recess extends from a flat bottom of the beverage container and up a portion of a sidewall of the beverage container, and    securing a coaster insert in the coaster recess such that the coaster insert extends outwardly from the flat bottom of the container and up a portion of the sidewall of the beverage container.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the securing step comprises securing an elastomeric coaster insert in the coaster recess.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the securing step comprises adhesively securing the coaster insert in the coaster recess.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the securing step comprises molding the coaster insert into the coaster recess.