Ergonomic Receptacle Having Viscoelastic Skin

Abstract

An ergonomic receptacle has a viscoelastic skin peripherally about a vessel that provides a conformable grip both comfortable to use and slippage resistant. The viscoelastic skin may be monolithic or composite, sleevelike or baglike. The vessel advantageously may be a drinking vessel.

1 . An ergonomic, softly conforming to the hand receptacle, comprising:
 a vessel having walls defining a receiving void;   a flexible skin provided about the vessel to cover at least a major portion of its peripheral surface;   said flexible skin exhibits no flow when in steady-state, is soft to the touch and conforms to take a negative imprint of a hand gripping the vessel displacing the flexible skin between the hand and confronting surface of the vessel to allow the hand to comfortably and securely grasp the confronting wall portion of the vessel, and returns towards its condition of undeformed equilibrium when released.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a cup and the receiving void serves to contain a drink. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible skin is a viscoelastic skin provided about at least a major portion of the peripheral surface of said vessel is monolithic. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3 , when the monolithic viscoelastic skin is baglike. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 3 , when the monolithic viscoelastic skin is sleevelike. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible skin is a viscoelastic skin provided about at least a major portion of the peripheral surface of said vessel is composite; wherein said composite viscoelastic skin includes a flexible outer layer of flexible sheet material that, together with the confronting wall of said vessel, defines a chamber; and wherein said chamber is filled with a viscoelastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 6 , when the composite viscoelastic skin is baglike. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 6 , when the composite viscoelastic skin is sleevelike. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 3 , wherein the viscoelastic skin and vessel include at least one interface defined by confronting skin and vessel surfaces, and wherein the monolithic viscoelastic skin and vessel are permanently attached by bonding said confronting surfaces of said at least interface therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 3 , wherein the viscoelastic skin and vessel include at least one interface defined by confronting skin and vessel surfaces, and wherein the monolithic viscoelastic skin and vessel are attached by mechanical attachment of said confronting surfaces of said at least interface therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the viscoelastic skin and vessel include at least one interface defined by confronting skin and vessel surfaces, and wherein the composite viscoelastic skin and vessel are permanently attached by bonding said confronting surfaces of said at least interface therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the viscoelastic skin and vessel include at least one interface defined by confronting skin and vessel surfaces, and wherein the composite viscoelastic skin and vessel are attached by mechanical attachment of said confronting surfaces of said at least interface therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel has a bottom and wherein a bottom cap is attached to the bottom of the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said bottom cap has a flat profile. 
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said bottom cap has a dimpled profile. 
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said bottom cap has an apertured profile. 
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said skin is translucent. 
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 17 , when the vessel has an outside surface and wherein said outside surface is patterned. 
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 18 , wherein said patterned outside surface is patterned with structural features. 
     
     
         20 . The invention of  claim 18 , wherein said patterned outside surface is patterned with decorative features. 
     
     
         21 . The invention of  claim 18 , wherein said patterned outside surface is patterned with information bearing features.