Hand-Held Drip-Catching Gelato Cup

Abstract

One embodiment of a hand-held, drip-catching food cup having a vessel ( 20 ) and a flange ( 22 ) that are joined along a contiguous connection ( 40 ) to form a drip-catching channel ( 24 ). The innermost rim ( 48 ) of said vessel functions as a scraping surface for the dispensing of food into said vessel. Said vessel and flange are rigidly connected, allowing them to function in one unit as a single cup. Other embodiments are described and shown.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cup, comprising:
 a. a vessel and flange, said vessel having a rim and said flange having a rim,   b. the horizontal cross-sectional area enclosed by the rim of said flange being greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area enclosed by the rim of said vessel,   c. said vessel being joined contiguously to said flange,   whereby a channel exists between said vessel and said flange.   
     
     
         2 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein the outermost surface of said cup is impermeable to liquids. 
     
     
         3 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein the height of said rim of said vessel is greater than the height of said rim of said flange. 
     
     
         4 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said vessel and said flange are joined circumferentially. 
     
     
         5 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said flange extends upward and outward from a means of connection around a perimeter of said vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein said vessel and said flange diverge from a single base. 
     
     
         7 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein an insert with a smaller cross-sectional area than said vessel extends upward from a connection within said vessel, 
       whereby the outer edge of said vessel forms said flange. 
     
     
         8 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein:
 a. a complete cup having a base and walls serves as said vessel, 
 b. another complete cup having a base and walls serves as said flange, 
 
       whereby said complete cups are joined by a means of connection. 
     
     
         9 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein the rim of said vessel extends outward and downward, then outward and upward, forming said flange along a connection around said rim. 
     
     
         10 . The cup of  claim 1  wherein a portion of said cup serving as a boundary between said vessel and said channel includes holes. 
     
     
         11 . A means for containing fluids, comprising:
 a. a vessel for containing fluids,   b. an outer flange for catching drips,   c. means for connecting said vessel to said outer flange   
     
     
         12 . The cup of  claim 11 , wherein the rim of said vessel is at a greater height than the rim of said flange.