Container with hand-gripping bands and stainless steel flask

Abstract

A container has a main chamber defined by a stainless steel flask. The flask may be vacuum insulated. A bottom cap is attached to the bottom of the flask. A cup and a stopper can be attached to the top of the flask. Threads for attaching the cup and the stopper can be formed directly on the flask. One or more elastomeric bands can be positioned around the exterior of the flask to facilitate gripping of the container by the user. The elastomeric bands can be positioned between raised ridges formed on the flask to protect the bands from damage and wear and to keep the bands in position during use.

1 . A container for holding beverages comprising: 
 a flask defining a main chamber with an opening in the top of flask for accessing the main chamber, the flask having an exterior surface that a user can grip when holding the container;    a cup attached to the top of the flask;    a stopper attached to the top of the flask for sealing the opening and retaining and dispensing the beverage;    an elastomeric band situated on the exterior surface of the flask and extending circumferentially around the flask, the elastomeric band facilitating gripping of the container by the user.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the flask is vacuum insulated and comprises: 
 an interior shell and an exterior shell and a vacuum insulated space between the interior shell and the exterior shell, the exterior surface being formed on the exterior shell.    
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the interior shell and the exterior shell are made from stainless steel.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 raised ridges formed on each side of the elastomeric band, the raised ridges being integrally formed as part of the exterior shell of the flask; and    wherein the thickness of the exterior shell is approximately uniform at the raised ridges and at the other portions of the exterior shell.    
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a bottom cap covering the bottom portion of the flask  21 , the bottom cap having a generally flat and smooth surface.    
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the cup has threads for attaching to the flask, and the flask has mating threads formed directly the exterior shell and as an integral part of the exterior shell.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the cup is made from a generally transparent plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 raised ridges formed on each side of the elastomeric band, the raised ridges being integrally formed as part of the exterior shell of the flask; and    wherein the thickness of the exterior shell is approximately uniform at the raised ridges and at the other portions of the exterior shell.    
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a bottom cap covering the bottom portion of the flask, the bottom cap having a generally flat and smooth surface.    
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the cup has threads for attaching to the flask, and the flask has mating threads formed directly the exterior shell and as an integral part of the exterior shell.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the cup is made from a generally transparent plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the container comprises at least two elastomeric bands, each elastomeric band being situated on the exterior surface of the flask and extending circumferentially around the flask, and each elastomeric band facilitating gripping of the container by the user.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 raised ridges formed on each side of the elastomeric bands, the raised ridges being integrally formed as part of the exterior shell of the flask; and    wherein the thickness of the exterior shell is approximately uniform at the raised ridges and at the other portions of the exterior shell.