Cup and method of use

Abstract

Disclosed is a cup including a base and a sidewall. The sidewall includes an in-use upper sidewall portion that extends to an in-use upper rim of the cup. The sidewall also includes an in-use lower sidewall portion. The upper and lower sidewall portions are separated by an internal rim. The lower sidewall portion defines a lower portion of the cup, and the upper sidewall portion defines an upper portion of the cup. The cup also includes an internal lid for the cup lower portion. The internal lid is arranged in use to locate at the internal rim. The cup further includes an elongated tab which in use extends from the lid and projects beyond so as to enable the tab to hook over the upper rim of the cup.

1 . A cup comprising:
 a base and a sidewall, the sidewall including an in-use upper sidewall portion that extends to an in-use upper rim of the cup, and an in-use lower sidewall portion, the upper and lower sidewall portions being separated by an internal rim, the lower sidewall portion defining a lower portion of the cup and the upper sidewall portion defining an upper portion of the cup;   an internal lid for the cup lower portion, the internal lid arranged in use to locate at the internal rim; and   an elongated tab which in use extends from the lid and projects beyond so as to enable the tab to hook over the upper rim of the cup.   
     
     
         2 . A cup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal rim is substantially perpendicular to each of and connects the lower and upper sidewall portions to form an internal ledge. 
     
     
         3 . A cup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal rim traverses a perimeter of the cup to define an annular ledge surface. 
     
     
         4 . A cup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal lid is configured to be releasably bonded around its periphery to the internal rim to define the cup lower portion as a lower compartment. 
     
     
         5 . A cup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the lower compartment is arranged to hold a comestible substance therein. 
     
     
         6 . A cup as claimed in  claims 1 , wherein the elongate tab is configured to abut or closely face an inner wall of the upper sidewall portion in use. 
     
     
         7 . A cup as claimed in  claim 1 , the cup further comprising an upper lid arranged to releasably locate about the upper rim of the cup to define the cup upper portion as an upper compartment. 
     
     
         8 . A cup as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the in-use elongate tab is secured under the upper lid in use. 
     
     
         9 . A cup as claimed in  claim 1 , the cup further comprising a plurality of spaced ribs projecting outwardly from the sidewall and extending for at least a portion of a length of the sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . A cup as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of spaced ribs extend generally vertically in use of the cup when its base is oriented generally horizontally. 
     
     
         11 . A cup as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend from the base, and wherein each rib terminates at an un-ribbed region of the upper sidewall portion. 
     
     
         12 . A cup as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each rib projects outwardly from an outer wall of the lower sidewall portion, an outer wall of the upper sidewall portion and an outer portion of the internal rib to define a single rib that has an elongate distal edge that is generally parallel to at least the upper sidewall portion. 
     
     
         13 . A cup as claimed in  claim 9 , the cup further comprising an externally mounted sleeve configured to be located with respect to the ribs such that the sleeve is spaced from the sidewall adjacent to the ribs, the sleeve extending for at least a portion of the length of the sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . A cup as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve extends for a length of the sidewall beyond the ribs. 
     
     
         15 . A cup as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve extends for a full length of the side wall, from the base to the in-user upper rim of the cup. 
     
     
         16 . A cup as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve is further configured so as to function as a label for the cup. 
     
     
         17 . A cup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the internal lid is releasably bonded around its periphery to the internal rim to form a hermetic seal between an underside of the internal lid and an upward surface of the internal rim. 
     
     
         18 . A method for preparing a beverage in a cup as set forth in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 opening the cup at the upper rim thereof;   pouring a liquid into the open cup;   releasing the elongate tab from its hooked position over the upper rim;   pulling the elongate tab to remove the internal lid from the internal rim of the cup to expose a lower portion of the cup to the liquid.   
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein a comestible substance is located in a lower portion of the cup whereby, when the lower portion of the cup is exposed to the liquid, the comestible substance combines with the liquid to form a beverage. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein opening the cup at the upper rim includes removing an upper lid from the cup upper rim.