Apparatus for consuming liquids

Abstract

An application for a drinking vessel has one or more deflectors positioned along the top rim area of the vessel, just far enough below the rim such that liquid from the vessel passes around the deflectors and into a user's lips when drinking and ice or other solid materials in the liquid is blocked by the deflector, keeping the solid materials away from the user's lips.

1 . A device for consuming liquids, the device comprising:
 a drinking vessel, the drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; and   one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls, the deflectors positioned at a depth below the rim, the deflectors facing inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein the depth is ¾ of an inch. 
     
     
         3 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector is of pyramid-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim. 
     
     
         4 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector is of arc-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim. 
     
     
         5 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector is of decorative shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim. 
     
     
         6 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector is formed of a slit, the slit formed in the side wall, the slit starting at the bottom and continuing along the side to the deflector. 
     
     
         7 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein there is exactly one deflector. 
     
     
         8 . A method of consuming a liquid, solid materials suspended within the liquid, the method comprising:
 providing a device for consuming liquids, the device comprising:
 a drinking vessel, the drinking vessel having a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; 
 one or more deflectors on an inside surface of the side walls, the deflectors positioned at a depth below the rim, the deflectors facing inward such that the deflectors reduce solid material build up around a user drinking from the drinking vessel; 
   filling the drinking vessel with the liquid and solid materials;   positioning the rim against one's lips, one of the deflectors aligned with the lips; and   tilting the drinking vessel until the liquid flows into the lips for consumption, whereby the solid materials are blocked from reaching the lips by the one of the deflectors.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the depth is ¾ of an inch. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solid materials are ice cubes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solid materials are olives. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the deflector is formed of a slit, the slit formed in the side wall, the slit starting at the bottom and continuing along the side to the deflector. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein there is exactly one deflector. 
     
     
         14 . A device for consuming liquids, the device comprising:
 a means for holding a liquid, the means for holding a liquid comprising a bottom connected to a side wall, a rim located on an edge of the side wall that is distal from the bottom; and   a means for deflecting solids floating in the liquid, the means for deflecting solids on an inside surface of the side walls, the means for deflecting solids positioned at a depth below the rim, the means for deflecting solids facing inward.   
     
     
         15 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 14 , wherein the depth below the rim is ¾ of an inch. 
     
     
         16 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 14 , wherein the means for deflecting solids is of pyramid-like shape having a flat surface facing toward the rim. 
     
     
         17 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 14 , wherein the means for deflecting solids includes a slit means, the slit means formed in the side wall, the slit means starting at the bottom and continuing along the side. 
     
     
         18 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein means for deflecting solids comprises on deflector. 
     
     
         19 . The device for consuming liquids of  claim 1 , wherein means for deflecting solids comprises three deflectors.