Mug

Abstract

A mug includes a rigid inner shell to contain a liquid and a compressible outer surface about a lower portion of the rigid inner shell. The compressible outer surface is compressible by at least 0.125 inches to adapt to differently configured cup holders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mug comprising:
 a rigid inner shell to contain a liquid;   a compressible outer surface about a lower portion of the rigid inner shell, the compressible outer surface being compressible by at least 0.125 inches to change shape to increase surface area contact with an interior of differently configured cup holders.   
     
     
         2 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising an air chamber between the compressible outer surface and the rigid inner shell. 
     
     
         3 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a foam between the compressible outer surface and the rigid inner shell. 
     
     
         4 . The mug of  claim 1 , where the compressible outer surface comprises an elastomeric wall having a Shore A durometer of less than 60. 
     
     
         5 . The mug of  claim 1 , the compressible outer surface comprises a rubber-like wall having a Shore A durometer of less than or equal to 50. 
     
     
         6 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a bottom, where the compressible outer surface extends at least 4.2″ inches vertically above the bottom. 
     
     
         7 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a bottom, wherein the compressible outer surface extends no greater than 4.5 inches vertically above the bottom. 
     
     
         8 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a bottom, wherein those portions of an outer surface of the rigid inner shell between 2.5 inches and 4.2 inches above the bottom are at least partially covered by the compressible outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a bottom, wherein the compressible outer surface has lower portion adjacent the bottom and an upper portion distant the bottom, wherein the upper portion has a first uncompressed diameter and wherein the lower portion has a second uncompressed diameter less than the first uncompressed diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the first uncompressed diameter is between 3.9 inches and 3.1 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The mug of  claim 9 , wherein the second uncompressed diameter is between 3.1 inches and 2.4 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a bottom, wherein the compressible outer surface has lower portion adjacent the bottom and an upper portion distant the bottom, wherein the lower portion is inwardly compressible to a first extent and wherein the upper portion is inwardly compressible to a second extent greater than the first extent. 
     
     
         13 . The mug of  claim 12 , wherein the lower portion is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the lower portion by at least 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The mug of  claim 12 , wherein the upper portion is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the upper portion by at least 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible outer surface has an uneven outer surface to facilitate gripping within a cup holder. 
     
     
         16 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid inner shell comprises an inner shell wall to contact the liquid and an outer shell wall radially spaced from the inner shell wall. 
     
     
         17 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising a chamber between the compressible outer surface and the rigid inner shell, the chamber filled with a particulate material. 
     
     
         18 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising at least three spaced grippers extending from the rigid inner shell, each of the spaced grippers comprising the compressible outer surface. 
     
     
         19 . The mug of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid inner shell tapers inwardly towards a bottom of the mug. 
     
     
         20 . The mug of  claim 1  comprising an annular ring about the rigid inner shell and vertically spaced from a bottom and a top of the rigid inner shell, the annular ring having an outer surface formed by the compressible outer surface.