Drink Cup Baffle Device and Drink Cup System

Abstract

A drink cup baffle device and system are configured to control fluid from a drink cup to a drinker. The disclosed cup may comprise at least one of a convexity and a concavity on its inside circumference to hold the baffle device. The baffle device may include a first circular baffle insertable into the cup making first contact with fluid in the cup. The first baffle forms a seal against the inside wall of the cup and defines a first plurality of openings. The baffle device further includes a channel formed adjacent to the first baffle around the full circumference of the first baffle to receive fluid from the openings of the first baffle. The baffle device also includes a second circular baffle configured adjacent to the channel forming a seal against the inside wall of the cup and defining a second plurality of openings.

1 . A drink cup baffle device configured to control fluid from a drink cup to a drinker, comprising:
 a first circular baffle insertable into the drink cup to make first contact with fluid in the drink cup, the first baffle configured to form a first seal with the drink cup and to define a first plurality of openings;   a channel formed adjacent to the first baffle around the full circumference of the first baffle to receive fluid from the openings of the first baffle, the channel configured to balance fluid flow from the first openings; and   a second circular baffle configured adjacent to the channel, the second baffle configured to form a second seal with the drink cup and to define a second plurality of openings to transfer fluid from the channel to the drinker.   
     
     
         2 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of openings and an inside surface of the cup together form a passageway for the fluid from the cup to the channel and each of the second plurality of openings and the inside surface of the cup together form a passageway for the fluid from the channel to the drinker. 
     
     
         3 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of openings are non-concentric with the second plurality of openings to provide a path for balancing the fluid from the first plurality of openings to the second plurality of openings dependent on the channel through all angles of position of the drink cup. 
     
     
         4 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 2 , wherein the second plurality of openings may be larger from one opening relative to another opening in the second baffle and wherein the second plurality of openings may each be larger relative to the first plurality of openings to prevent backup of fluid flow in the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The drink cup device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second baffles is configured to form a supporting common wall extending from the channel through the center of the baffle device. 
     
     
         6 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 6 , wherein the first plurality of openings are spaced around a perimeter of the first baffle and wherein the second plurality of openings are located only on a portion of the second baffle, and conversely wherein the first plurality of openings are located only on a portion of the first baffle and wherein the second plurality of openings are spaced around the perimeter of the first baffle. 
     
     
         7 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are circular, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, and/or otherwise geometrically configured to allow passage of fluid through the respective first and second baffles. 
     
     
         8 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one perforated geometry configured to create an aperture with the inside wall of the cup for the passage of fluid from the first baffle and the channel to the drinker when the drinker breaks the perforation. 
     
     
         9 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first baffle seal and the second baffle seal share a common device surface and wherein the channel formed therebetween is toroidal, the toroidal channel balancing fluid flow between the first baffle seal and the second baffle seal. 
     
     
         10 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated portion of the second baffle protruding toward the drinker configured to enable the drinker to pull the baffle device from the cup. 
     
     
         11 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal and the second seal result from a deformation of the drink cup wall and/or a deformation of the baffle device perimeter and thereby form a mechanical bond between the drink cup and the baffle device. 
     
     
         12 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first baffle seal and the second baffle seal are friction fit to the drink cup. 
     
     
         13 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first baffle seal and/or the second baffle seal further comprise a material to increase friction between the drink cup baffle device and the drink cup. 
     
     
         14 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first baffle seal and the second baffle seal further comprise at least one o-ring disposed between the drink cup baffle device and the drink cup. 
     
     
         15 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the drink cup device is comprised of a plastic material, a rubber compound, a recyclable plastic, and/or a recyclable paper product, the drink cup device therefore flexibly configurable to the inside diameter of commercially available drinking cups. 
     
     
         16 . The drink cup baffle device of  claim 1 , wherein the first circular baffle, the channel and the second circular baffle are discrete and interchangeable parts of the drink cup device, each interchangeable part attachably configurable in various positions to vary a flow rate and a volume of fluid delivered from the drink cup to the drinker, the drinker able to dial-in the desired flow rate and the fluid volume by aligning larger or smaller holes in the first and second baffles. 
     
     
         17 . A drink cup baffle device configured to control fluid from a drink cup to a drinker, comprising:
 a cylindrical disk insertable into the drink cup, the disk having,   a bottom surface defining a first plurality of openings,   a top surface defining a second plurality of openings, and   a sloping sidewall forming a channel between the bottom and top surfaces, the sloping sidewall configured to form a water tight seal against the inside wall of the cup to control the transfer of the fluid from the cup to the drinker through the channel.   
     
     
         18 . A drink cup baffle system configured to control fluid from the drink cup to a drinker, comprising:
 a drink cup comprising at least one of a convexity and a concavity on its inside circumference; and   a baffle device insertable into the drink cup to make contact with the at least one convexity and concavity to form a semi-permanent placement of the baffle in the drink cup, the baffle device comprising;   a first circular baffle making first contact with the fluid and configured to form a seal with the cup and to define a first plurality of openings;   a channel juxtaposed with the first baffle and formed around the full circumference of the first baffle to receive fluid and balance fluid from the openings of the first baffle; and   a second circular baffle configured adjacent to the channel, the second baffle configured to form a seal with the cup and to define a second plurality of openings to transfer fluid from the channel to the drinker.   
     
     
         19 . The drink cup baffle system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one convexity may comprise a continuous raised bead extending around the inside circumference of the cup, and/or discontinuous sections of raised beads and discrete bumps, and wherein the at least one concavity may comprise a continuous dimple extending around the inside circumference of the cup, and/or discontinuous sections of dimples and discrete dimples, and alternating sections of convexities and concavities. 
     
     
         20 . The drink cup baffle system of  claim 18 , wherein the drink cup baffle system further comprises at least one high viscosity coating for slowing fluid flow along an inside wall of the drink cup and through the drink cup baffle openings and channel. 
     
     
         21 . The drink cup baffle system of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of the surfaces of the system are embossed with patterns comprising crenellated, triangular and round protuberances of various sizes to affect the flow of fluid.