On July 16, 1996, U.S. Patent No. 5,536,196, issued to Harry W. Sternberg on a Drinking Vessel with Sound Effects — the mug generates a burping sound when it is put down.

The patent was assigned to Fun-Damental Too, Ltd., a novelty company whose schtick was novelties with sound effects. Trademark litigators may recognize another of Fun-Damental Too’s products: the toilet bank that makes a flushing noise:

Unfortunately, Fun-Damental Too was confronted with an infringing toilet bank with flushing noises, which resulted in Fun-Damental Too, Ltd. v. Gemmy Indus. Corp., 111 F.3d 993, 42 U.S.P.Q.2D 1348 (2nd Cir. 1997)(affirming a preliminary injunction in favor of Fun-Damental Too).