Universal cup

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a universal cup or mug that is configured for use by both able-bodied individuals and upper limb amputees. The universal cup of the present disclosure includes a handle designed to enable an upper limb amputee to insert a portion of their arm (e.g., their forearm) through the handle to operate (e.g., pick up, drink from, and put down) the cup such that single arm operation of the cup is easy, efficient, and effective. The handle is configured to keep the cup stable and secure while in use (e.g., when the cup is filled with liquid, lifted off a surface, and titled to enable the user to drink) for easy operation by the user. Furthermore, the handle is also configured to enable easy use for able-bodied users. Thus, the handle of the present disclosure enables the cup to be universal in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cup comprising:
 a cylindrical portion including a closed end and an open end to receive a liquid; and   a handle coupled to an outer wall of the cylindrical portion, the handle including a first portion, a section portion and a third portion, the first portion having a first end coupled to the outer wall and a second end coupled to a first end of the second portion at a first predetermined angle, a second end of the second portion coupled to a first end of the third portion at a second predetermined angle and the second end of the third portion coupled to the outer wall,   wherein the first predetermined angle is greater than the second predetermined angle.   
     
     
         2 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is configured at a third predetermined angle relative to the outer wall of the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         3 . The cup of  claim 2 , wherein the third predetermined angle is in the range of about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The cup of  claim 3 , wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and a width w of the handle is defined by the formula w=d/2.5. 
     
     
         5 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and a width w of the handle is defined by the formula w=d/2.5. 
     
     
         6 . The cup of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness of the third portion being greater than the thickness of the first portion and the thickness of the second portion to lower a center of gravity of the cup. 
     
     
         7 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness of the third portion being greater than the thickness of the first portion and the thickness of the second portion to lower a center of gravity of the cup. 
     
     
         8 . The cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping means coupled to the closed end of the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cup of  claim 8 , wherein the gripping means is at least one of circular member and/or an annular member. 
     
     
         10 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the handle includes an aperture configured to receive a thumb of a user while the handle is being gripped. 
     
     
         11 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle is at least one of an oval shape and/or a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The cup of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness is ¼ of the width w. 
     
     
         13 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical portion is foldable upon a cease formed thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The cup of  claim 13 , wherein the handle comprises first and second handles, each of the first and second handles including the first portion, the section portion and the third portion. 
     
     
         15 . The cup of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second handles are spaced apart by a predetermined width w. 
     
     
         16 . The cup of  claim 15 , wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and the predetermined width w is defined by the formula w=d/2.5.