Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 ~ 3~
5'~ .
BACKGROUND !:)F THE INVENTION
,
8The present invention relates generally to drinking
9 vessels, and, more particularly, to drinking vessels which
provide an exterior surface portion that is virtually free of
~1 condensation and to reusable/dispos~ble drinking vessels which
12 provide a sanitary surface for drinking.
This applica-tion is a division of Canadian Patent
Applica-tion Serial No. 448,357, filed February 27, 1984.
13 ¦ There have been many proposals for making various
14 1 types of drinking containers or vessels~ each adapted to
~5 satisfy a particular need. For example, there are containers
16 which incorporate disposable liners, such as disclose~ in ~.S.
17 Patent NoO 3,352,4~9, to permit re-use of a permanent
18 container. In other devices, such as disclosed in U.S Patent
lg No. 973,0~5, or 3,633,~63, or 4r040r535~ a c~aster or holder
arrangement i5 provided for snugly holding a tumbler and
21 collecting, within the coaster, condensation forming on the
22 tumbler~
23 Although such structures may prove satisfactory for
24 their particular intended purposet they fail to provide a
drinking vessel with a sanitary disposable insert which ~onforms
26 to the configuration of a permanent vessel member and provides
~7 a thermally insulative barrier as well as a condensation
28 barrier, all in a simple-to~fabricate stru~ture. Furth~rmore,
29 there is no teaching of a condensation-free stemware piece~
It would appear desirable, therefore, to provide a
.
~' .
..` ! : ,,,
~ 3~
1 drinking vessel with dis~os2ble inserts ~hich provides a
2 thermally insulative barrier to help maintain the temperatu~e
~ of substances cont~ined therein, to prolons the life of ice
4 cubes when contained therein and, further, to shield the user
from any dripDing due to condensation forming o~ the vessel.
6 More importantly, 2S there is current~ gr~at concern
7 ~or the transmissi4n of various bacteria and i~ecti~us viruses
~ anQ serms (particularly herpes simplex which can ~e readily
9 transmitted through improperly sterilized drinking containers
lC at res~aurants, bars anà other publically accessible
11 establishments), there is a gro~ing need for an atkractive
~ drinking vessel which can be ~sed repeate~ly yet assure
13 germ-~ree drinking surfaces. Th~rough sterilization requires
1~ expensive and well maintaine~ machinery, as well as the time
an~ effort of empl~yees in collecting used ~lasses, stacking
16 them f~r sterilization, ~perating the machinery and remoYing
17 them 2~ter sterilization. It is, therefore, desirable to
provide not only a condensation-free disposable drinking vessel
19 but also one which provides protection against the t~ansmission
23 of in~ectious germs, viruses, bacteria and the like, all in an
21 attractive and easy to make structure.
22 Accordingly, it is an object of the preserlt invention
~3 to provide a new and impr~ved drinking vessel having exterior
2~ surface portions essentially ~ree of condensation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new
26 and improved drinking vessel having condensation-free exterior
27 sur~ace portions and a thermally insulative ~arrier for helping
diminish heat loss or gain in any substance contained by the
29 vessel. In addition, it is an object of the invention to
provide a re-usable drinking vessel of the foregoing type that
~ 32
1 permits re~use of a perr,anent drinkins vessel member without
2 requixing ster.liza~ion of ths ~ermanent member I is a
further object of ,he invention to provide a drinking vessel of
the ~oregoing t~pe w~ich is easy to fabricate and yet forms an
attractive dxinking container.
6 It is also an object of the invention to provide a new
~ and improved stemware structure which proviQes an essentially
8 condensation-~ree exte-ior surface for handling, yet permits an
Q elegant design to be incorporated in the stemware. It is
1n another Dbject ~f the .in~ention to pro~i~e, in whole or in
11 partr a disp~sable stemware structure which has an escentially
1~ condensatiDn-free sur~ace.
13 The foregoing specific objects and advantages of the
14 invention 2re illustrative ol those which can be achie~ed b~
the present invention an~ are not intended ~ exhaust t~e
16 possible aavantages which can be attained Thus, these and
17 other objects and advantages of the invention can be learned by
1~ pra~tice s~ith ~he in~enti~n as emb~died herein or as modified
19 in view o~ variations which will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the
21 presant invention resi~es in the n~vel parts, constructions,
22 arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and
23 described.
24
SUM~hRY O~ THE_IN~ENIION
26 Briefly described, the drinking vessel according to
27 the present inventioI~ comprises a first vessel member adapted
28 to hold 2 liquid or other ~esired substance and a second vessel
29 member associated with, but separated ~rom, the ~irst vessel
3~ member to fQrm a barrier against the ~ormation of condensation
. ~ 3~
L on an exterior surface of the second vessel member when a cold
liquid or substance is contained in the first vessel member.
3 In one embodiment, the first vessel member comprises a
4 removable insert which conforms generally to the configuration
o~ the second vessel member to form a double-walled drinking
6 vessel with a space between the insert and the second vessel
7 member. Advantageously, a san.itary lip extends downwardly from
~ the top edge o~ the insert and is proportioned and oriented to
9 prevent a person's lip from contacting the second vessel member
when the person takes a drink. Also advantageously, the
11 drinking vessel includes grasping means ~in the form of a
12 plurality o~ rib-~ike members or a band of serrations, or, as
13 preferably embodied, a plurality of protuberances and
14 cooperating engagement means) associated between the vessel and
the second insert member to provide a secure pressure/~riction
16 ~it therebetween yet permit removal of the insert for disposal
17 and subsequent replacement by thrus~ing the second vessel
18 member, open side down, onto a stack o inverted inserts.
19 As perferably embodied, the grasping means include a
plurality of protuberances formed on one of the vessel members,
21 and engagement means ~ormed on the other vessel member for
22 cooperating with the protuberances to enable releasable locking
23 enga~ement between the two vessel members~ The engagement
24 means may cornprise a ring like raised rib or ridge against
which the protuberances can abut to resist separation of khe
26 two members or a ring-like recess adapted to r~gister with and
27 receive the protuberances. Alternatively, the engagement means
28 may comprise a series of screw thread seyments (in the ~orm of
29 either raised ridge segments or recess segments) adapted to
permit threaded engagement by the protuberances when one vessel
~ 2~2
1 member is turned or screwed down relative to the other. In any
2 of the foregoing embodiments of grasping means, the
3 protuberances are preferably formed on the replaceable insert
4 member (preferably on the interior surface of the lip~ for ease
of mass fabrication and the engagement means are formed on the
6 permanent ~essel member ~preferably on its exterior surface)~
7 In another embodiment, the invention may be adapted to
8 provide a condensation-free stemware structure. The stemware
9 structure comprises a bowl member for holding a liquid and a
hollow steln member supporting the bowl from its base. A
11 collar-like ridge is formed generally at or near the junction
12 of the stem and bowl members and is in communication with the
13 hollow skem for collectin~ any condensation traveling
14 downwardly from the bowl member and directing it into the
stem. ~he stemware structure may be ~ormed in a two piece
16 structure wherein the bowl member includes a stem por~on
17 aZapted to fit into an opening at the top of the stem member
18 which thereby forms the collar-like ridge. Alternatively, the
19 stemware structure may be an essentially unitary structure with
21
22
23
26
27
2B
I
. ~ t~
! openings in the ~all of the hollow stem adjacent the
2 collar-like ridge which provides a ring-like tro~gh tha~ ac~s
~ li~e 2 catch basin to collect condensation flowing do~n the
4 bowl member and permit it to ~low from the collar trough into
the interior of the stem member. The unitzry stemware may
6 inc~ude a detachable stem base portion or a stopper-plugged
7 hole i~ the stem base to facilitate removal of accumulated
8 moisture.
~ It will be apparent from the foregoing general
description, as well as the ~ollowing detailed ~escription,
ll that the objects and advanta~es specifically enumerated herein
l~ are achieved b~- the present invention. P~r example, by
13 ptoviding an insert conforming to ~he con~iguration of a
14 permanent vessel member, an interior space is provide~ which
acts both as a thermal insulating barrier to liguid contained
16 in the insert and as a shield against the formation of
17 condensation on the exterior surface of the permanent vessel
lB memberO In addition, by providing the lip on such inserts,
l9 shield is automatically formed to prevent the transmission of
germs, bacteria, etc. from one user to the next when the insert
21 i5 replace~, yet permit re-use of the permanent vessel member
22 in a perfectly sanitary condition without re~uiring
23 sterilization or washing.
2L By fabricating the insert so as to be disposable, the
permanent vessel member can be re-used repeatedly ~ithout
26 requiring any sterilizationr yet the combination provides a
27 sterile drin~king vessel for different users of the permanent
28 vessel. In ~ddition, the grasping means associated between the
2~ insert and permanent vessel facilitates convenient storage of a
3~ staclc of inserts while permitting the permanent member t~ be
3;~
l 1~ qlickly and easily combined with a fresh insert. Moreover, the
2 insert can be adapted to conform to the shape of virtually any
3 drinking vessel, e.g., a tumbler, a stemware piece~ etc.
4 It will also be understood that by forming a series
S of protuberances on one vessel member and engagement means in
the form oE either a raised ridge structure or a recess or
7 indentation arrangement (whether in continuous ring-like
8 fashion or as a series of segments adapted to threadably engage
9 the protuberances), a secure locking engagement will be
achieved between the two vessel members while release of the
ll members can be eEfected with relative ease. In addition,
12 ¦ forming the protuberances on the disposable insert member,
13 preferably on the interior surface of the lip formed
14 will facilitate mass production by conventional two~part
molding techniques and permit the inserts to be conveniently
16 stacked on top of each other, yet will space the stacked
17 inserts from each other to keep adjacent ones from sti~king
18 together when one is removed from the stack.
l9 By providing a stemware structure with a hollow stem
and a collar-like ridge in communication with the hollow stem,
21 any condensation forming on the exterior of the bowl will Elow
22 into the hollow stem to provide a dry surface on the exterior
23 of the stem for holding the stemware. In addition, the
24 stemware structure according to the invention can be Eormed as
25l a totally permanent, a partially disposable or a totally
26 disposable drinking vessel.
27 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
28 that the foregoing general description and the following
29 detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the
invention but are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
1 Thus, the accompaying drawings, referred to herein and
2 constituting a part hereof, illustrate preferred embodiments of
3 the invention, and, together with the detailed description,
4 serve to explain the principles of the invention.
6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.~ ... ..
7 FIGURF 1 is a front isometric view o one embodiment
8 of a drinking vessel according to the present invention.
9 FIGURE 2 is a front isometric view of the outer, or
permanetlt, vessel member ~E the embodiment of Figure 1.
11 FIGURE 3 is a front isometric view of the inner
12 vessel member, or insert, oE the embodiment of Figure 1.
13 FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of
14 Flgure 3.
L5 FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 4, of
16 only the outer vessel member, showing a sli~htly modified
17 embodiment.
18 FIGURE 6 is a frc)nt elevation view of the outer
19 vessel member in the embodiment of Figure 1 showing still
another modi~ied embodiment.
21 FIGURE 7 is a sectional view, taken generally through
22 the middle, of an insert member according to another preferred
23 embodiment of the invention.
~4 FIGU~E 7A is a sectional view taken along lines 7A-7A
of Figure 7.
26 FIGURE 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 of a
27 preferred embodiment of a permanent vessel, or holder, for the
28 insert member shown in Figure 7.
29 FIGURE 9 is also a view similar to that of Figure 7
o a modified version of the structure shown 1n Figure 8.
lZ4~Z3Z
1 FIGURE lO is a front isometric view of an embodiment
2 of a stemware structure according to the present inventionO
3 FIGURE lOa is a partial front isometric view with
4 partial cut-away section, of a modified version of the
S embodiment of Figure lO.
6 FIGURE ll is a front isometric view of a modified
7 embodiment of stemware according to the present invention.
8 FIGUR~ lla is a partial fron~ isometric view of a
9 modified version of the embodiment illustrated in Figure ll.
~I~URE llb is a partial front isometric view of
11 ano her modified version of the embodiment of Figure ll.
12
13 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
14 Tur~in~ now to the embodiments of the invention
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there is shown in
16 Figures l-9 various features according to one basic embodiment
17 of the present invention.
18 Referring more particularly to Figures l, 3 and 4,
l9 there is shown an embodiment of a drinking vessel according to
the present invention which comprises an outer, or permanent,
21 vessel member lO which can be a tumbler-like vessel made o a
2~ permanent material such as, e.g., glassO Insert member 12 is
23 proportioned to be received within outer vessel member lO for
24 receiving and containing any desired li~uid or other substance.
As preferably embodied, insert 12 is proportioned to conform
26 ~enerally to the conEiguration of the oute. vessel, yet provide
27 a spacing (indicated generally at ll) between the adjacent
28 sidewalls and bottom walls of the outer vessel and the insertO
29 The spacing ll serves as a thermally insulative buffer to help
reduce the thermal effect of the ambient atmosphere on the
1 contents of insert 12. Advantageously, then, insert member 12
2 is proportioned to taper slightly in a direction frorn its top
3 to its bottom relative to the sidewalls of permanent vessel 10
4 so as to make essentially only line contact with vessel 10 at
its top opening.
6 Also advanta~eously, insert 12 includes an exterior
7 lip 12a depending from the entire top open edge, or upper rim,
8 of the insert and extending downwardly towards the bottom of
9 the insert. ~s preferably embodied, lip 12a is proportioned
and angled relative to the exterior sidewall of permanent
11 vessel 10 so as to substantially prevent a person's lip from
12 contacting any exterior surface of vessel 10 when the person
13 drinks from the insert. To this end, the width of lip 12a
14 (i.e., the distance between the upper rim of ~the insert and the
lS distal ~ree end edge of the lip) may be from about 3/8" to
16 about 1/2" (or even up to about 3/4") and may ~orm an angle of
17 up to about 35 with respect to the sidewalls of insert 12 to
18 form an angle of up to about 30~ with respect to the sidewall
of vessel portion 10~ In a particularly useful embodiment,
insert lip 12a can be about 1/2" wide and extend at an angle o
21 from about 3.5 to abo~t 5 relative to the exterior wall of
22 the second vessel member.
23 It will thus be understood by those skilled in the art
24 that the width of lip 12a and ~he angle it forms with respect
to the sidewall of vessel 10 cooperate to keep a person's lip
26 spaced from the vessel sidewalls so as to prevent physical
27 contact therewith. As a result, by adapting insert 12 so as to
2a be disposable, the combination of insert 12 with permanent
29 vessel 10 permits repeated re-use of the permanent vessel 10
without req-liring sterilization, simply by replacing the used
.:`.. ;... I .,. I'
1 insert ~ith a resh one. Since the user~s lips do not touch
2 vessel 10, the passage of orally ~ransmissive germs, bacteria
n~ virus (e.g., herDes simplex) is eEfectively prevented, and
the ~ime, effort and cost of washing vessel 10 a ter every use
5 is avo id ed .
6 In order t~ hold insert 12 sufficiently securely to
7 vessel 10 while retaining a li~uid therein, means ~re provided
8 ~or forming a pressure-fit, or friction-fit, between inser~ 12
~ and vessel 10. ~s sht7wn in Pigures 3 and 4, the pressure-fit
means comprise raised r bs 12b formed on the exterior surface
11 of insert 12, for providins a pressure/friction fit with the
1~ corresponding interior surface portions of vessel 10~
13 Advantageously, ribs 12b are located subs~antially at or near
1~ the top of in~ert 12 (i.e., at about the wiàest part o~ the
1~ insert) for maximizing the pressure~fit generated between the
16 insert and vessel 10. Also, by locating the ribs 12b adjacent
17 the top edge of insert 12, a plurality of such inserts can be
1~ conveniently s~acked one-on-another for minimizing the space
19 they occupy while ensuring that adiacent inserts in the stack
will not tend to stick together when the top insert is being
21 remove~.
22 Alternatively (or concurrently), raised ribs (show at
23 lDb in Figures 2 and 5) could be formed on the interior surface
24 of vessel 10, substantially near or at its top edge so a~ to
2~ ft?rm a pressure/friction fit between the ribs lOb and a
26 cDrresp~r,~ing exterior surface of insert 12 (either against a
27 smooth surface or in cooperation with ribs 12b). In still a
28 further mo~ification, ribs (not shown) could be formed o~ the
29 interior-facing surface of lip 12a (alone or in combination
~0 with ri b~ lZb and/or lOb described above~, substanti ally at the
~L2~3;~
1 top e~ge of the insert, so 25 to form a pressure/~rictio~ ~it
2 ~ith the corresponding exterior surface of vessel 10 at its top
3 eage. It will be a~preciated that by forming pressure/friction
.~ fit ribs as disclosed herein, ~ vessel 10 can be thrust, open
S top facing do~Jnwardly, onto a stack of inverted inserts and
6 thence raised, taking only one fresh insert from the stack to
7 hold any desired liquias or other substance ~nd then be removed
8 for dispos~l after use.
n In still a ~urther modi.ied embodiment o~ the
ln invention, pressure/friction fit ribs, or radially inwardly
il extending fins (indicated at lOa in Pigure 6) can be ~ormed on
1~ the interior surface OL vessel 10, near its bottom, t~ c~ntact
~3 the corresponding exterior surface at the b~ttom of insert 12.
i~ Since insert 12 is preferably more tapered than vessPl 10, ribs
lOa should project su~ficiently far into the interior of vessel
16 10 to grasp the insert. Rlternatively, alth~ugh not shGwn,
17 pressure/friction fit fins could be formed ~n, and project
1~ radially outwardly from, the exterior sur~ace of insert 12 near
19 its bottom. Thus, as the insert is lowered lnto the permanent
vessel 10 (preferably being tapered), the ~ins will engage the
21 interior wall surface of vessel 10 ~ntil a secure pressure fit
22 is formed.
23 It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the
2~ art that the double walled drinking vessel according to the
present invention, as disclosed by the foregoing description
26 with re~erence to ~igures 1-6, proviaes a therm211~ insulated
27 container wherein, e.g., a c~ld liquid or li~uid-and-ice
28 combination contained within insert 12 ~ill experience
29 prolonged temperature maintenance (for increased ice cube life)
due to the thermal air barrier between insert 12 and permane~t
1 vessel 10. In addi~ion, because the exterior surface of vessel
2 10 is physic211y separated and insulated from liquid containing
insert 12, any condensation resulting from a cold liquid in
insert 12 will form on the exterior sùrface of the insert, not
vessel 10, for ultimate collecti~n ~ithin the interior of
6 vessel 10, thereby eliminating the spotting and annoyance due
7 to moi~ture dripping from the drinking vesselO
~ It will further be appreciated that the orientation
g and confi~uration of the insert lip permits re-use of a
permanent drinkin~ vessel without requiring sterilization.
11 Ater use, the disposable insert is simply r~moved and thrown
~ out. The permanent vessel can merely be wiped dry and thDn
13 thrust down onto a stac~ of replacement inserts, whereup~n, as
~ indica~ed above, only one insert is grasped by the permanent
lS vessel to instantly provide a clean and sanitary drinki~g
16 ~essel~
17 It will be understood that since insert 12 is
1~ preferably adapted to be disposable, it can be made of any
19 known inexpensive plastic, such as, e.g., a material sold by
E.I. duPont under the trademark desiqnation "L~CI~E~ or similar
21 material. The insert is preferably made of a transparent
22 matexial to help create the impression that the insert/vessel
23 combination is a traditional all-glass structure. In addition,
2~ raised ribs lOb or 12b could take the form of a band relatively
small serrations on insert 12 and/or permanent member 10. It
26 may, however, be preferable to form such serrated band on the
27 ir,terior surface of vessel 10 for grasping a smooth sur~ace on
2~ the inserts for greater ease in fabricating inserts in large
29 quantities and further ensuring that only one insert is removed
3D from a stack at A time.
. ~ 13 -
1 Turning now to Figures 7 9, there are shown various
2 embodiments of the insert and vessel combination incorporating
3 preferred grasping means according to the invention for
4 releasably locking insert 12 to vessel member 10. As here
preferably embodied, the grasping means comprise a series of
6 protuberances (each designated 13) formed on the inwardly
7 facing surface of lip 12a, with engagement means (described
8 hereinafter) formed on the second vessel member for permitting
9 releasable locking engagement therebetween for retaining the
insert member within the permanent vessel member.
11 Advantageously, protuberances 13 are generally hemispherical
12 and substantially solid or otherwise ~ormed 50 that the
13 opposite exterior surface of lip 12a is essentially smooth. In
14 this way, not only will the insert lip have an attracti~e
lS exterior appearance, but also the protuberances will serve tD
16 space the adjacent inserts slightly from each other when
17 stacked on top of each other for ensuring that the top-most
18 insert will not stick to the next one when the permanent ~essel
19 member is thrust downwardly onto an inverted stack of inserts.
According to one preferred embodiment, the engagement
21 means on vessel member 10 comprises a ring-like ribr or ridge,
22 (indicated at lS in Figure 8) projecting outwardly rom, and
23 extending completely around, the exterior surface of vessel
24 10. Ridge 15 is proportioned and located so as to allow the
protuberances 13 to ride over its crest (or apex) to bear
26 ¦ against the lower sur~ace portior of the ridge and thereby
27 releasably lock the insert within the permanent vessel~
28 ~owever, because of the resilience of the lip, the insert can
29 be disengaged from the vessel simply by exerting a sufficient
pulling f4rce to cause the protuberances to ride back over the
~ .
1 crest of ridge 15.
2 A particularly useful embodiment of the vessel/insert
3 combination utilizes the preferred grasping means of the
4 invention with a tumbler-type drinking receptacle. In this
embodiment, permanent vessel 10 may be about 3 1/2" tall and
6 about 3 1/4" in circumference, and the insert is proportioned
7 to fit within the permanent vessel, allowing a space (11) of
8 from about 1/8" to about 1/4" between the two vessel members.
9 Ring-like ridge 15 is ~ormed on the exterior surface of vessel
10, at a point approximately 0.3" from the upper rim oE vessel
11 10. The cross sectional configuration of ridge 15 is generally
12 bead~like, or semi-circular, having a radius o~ about 0.03~".
13 (The hemispherical protuberances 13 similarly have a radiu~ of
14 about 0.032~.) Advantageously, the upper portion (indicated at
lOa) of vessel 10 has a slight outward flare be~ween its upper
16 lip and the ridge L5 in oxder to accomodate the flare of insert
17 lip 12a. It will be understood that the provision of such
lB fLare on vessel 10 will also provide a so-called "negative
19 draft" to facilitate formation of ridge 15 on vessel 10 by
conventional two-part molAing techniques.
~1 The side wall of insert 12 may be at angle of about
22 3.5 to about 4 (preferably about 3.7) relative to the
23 vertical, and lip 12a flares outwardly at an angle of a~out
24 4~5 to about 5 (preferably about 4.7) relative to the
vertical. The lip is about 1/2" wide and the distal free end
26 edge of the lip 12a is preferably rounded to prevent any
27 possibility of cutting a user. The distance between
28 protuberances 13 and the interior surface of the arched segment
29 (designated 12d) which jvins lip 12a to the insert sidewalls,
and thus forms the upper rim of insert 12~ is also
1 approximately 0.3" but preferably slightly larger than the
2 correspotlding dimension on vessel 10 to ensure that, once the
3 insert is fully seated in the vessel, the protuberances will
4 abut the underside of ridge 15 to k,eep the insert captive in
S the vessel. Advantageously, the lip and protuberances may be
6 proportioned so that the protuherances will bear against the
7 lower sur~ace portion of ridge 15, just below the apex, to urge
8 lip 12a slightly outwardly and thereby generate a sllghtly
9 greater flare for spac.ing a user's lip farther from the
exterior surface of vessel 10.
11 Referring no~ to Fi~ure 9, there is shown an
12 alternate embodiment of engagement means on vessel 10 for
13 cooperatin~ with protuberances 13 formed on insert 12. Instead
14 of a co;ntinuous ring-like ridge 15 around vessel 10, a series
of ridge seglnents (each designated 17) can be formed at
16 generally the same upper exterior surface portion of vessel
17 10. It will be understood that there should be the same number
18 of ridge segments as there are protuberances on insert 1~.
1~ Advantagously, each ridge segment is at a slight
angle relative to the upper rim oE vessel 10 ~or permittlng
21 thraadable engagement with the protuberances. To facilitate
22 proper threaded engac~ement, the uppermost end of each ridge
23 segment should be closer to the upper rim o~ vessel 10 than the
24 corresponding distance between the protuberances and the arched
portion 12d of the insert, while the lowermost end of each
26 ridge segment is spaced a slightly greater distance from the
27 ¦ upper rim of vessel 10 than such corresponding distance. As.a
~8 result, threadable engagement bet~een the protuberances and the
29 Lidge segment:s is ensured, and there need not be any overlap
~along the vertical direction) between any portions o~ adjacent
1;2 ~923~
1 ridge segments, thereby permitting fabrication of vessel 10 by
2 conventional two-part molding techniques.
3 In operation of the lakter embodiment of engagement
4 means, the insert i5 placed within vessel 10 and turned unkil
S each protuberance abuts the underside of a ridge segment. The
6 insert will thus be locked in place within the permanent
7 vessel, ready for use. By tightening the insert slightly, the
8 protuberances will ride up along the underside of the ridge
9 segments thereby increasing the flare of insert lip 12a
sligh~ly, in ~ssentially the same way as explained above.
11 After use, the insert is unthreaded by turning it in the
12 opposite direction and simply lifted out of the vessel after
13 the protuberances are clear of the ridge segments.
14 It will be understood by those skilled in the art
that, instead of the ring-like ridge or ridge segments
16 desclibed above, the engagement means formed on vessel 10 f~r
17 lockably engaging the protuberances could be in the forrn of
18 indentatiorls, or recesses, positioned and proportioned to
register with and receive the protuberances. In add~tion, the
protuberances could be formed on other portions of the insert,
21 with the engagement means formed on a corresponding portion of
22 the permanent vessel. If desired and mass fabrication
23 techniques warrant, the protuberances could be formed on
24 permanent vessel 10 and the engagement means formed on the
inserts. However, for economy and ease of fabrication and for
26 the advantages set forth above, it is preferred that the
27 protuberances be ~ormed on the inserts.
28
29
~ 32
1 Turning n~w ~o Figure 10 there is shown a ~wo~piece
2 embodiment o a stemw-2re structure adap~ed to provide a
condensation-free e~terior surface in accordance wi~h the
present invention. h.s here embodied, the stemware structure
comprises bow' member 20 which may be in any desired
6 confiauration just like traditional gl~ss stemware (elg., as a
7 champagne-~tyle glass, a wine~style glass, continental-style
glass, etc.) and a stem member 24 ada~ted to support the bowl
~ member. ~avantageously r stem 24 is generally hollow and is
ada~tea to be attached to bowl 20 b~ rele2sably engaging bowl
11 stem portion 22 (formed on the bottom of 20) when inserte~ into
1~ ~he open top of the stem. hdvantageously, a gap is formed
13 between stem 24 and stem portion 22 when coupled together to
1~ all3w any condensation forming on the bowl to drop into the
hollow stem. To this end, the interior sur~ace of stem 24 nPar
16 its open upper end is provided with rib members 26 ~much like
17 the ribs aescribed above with reEerence to Figures 1~) which
18 are proportioned to form a pressure/~riction fit with stem
po~tion 22 of bowl 2D, yet leave gaps between the upper
~0 interior wall of stem 24 and the exterior o~ stem portion ~2.
~1 In use, bowl member 20 is attached to stem 24 by
22 inserting bowl stem portion 22 into the opening of hollow stem
23 2~ until a sn~g pressure fit is formed between stem portion 22
24 alld ribs 26. ~To this end, stem portion 22 may taper slightly
~rom its juncture with bowl 20 to its bottom and the radially
26 interior surfaces of ribs 2~ may be either substantially
27 vertical or inclined so that the rib bottoms project inwardly a
2~ little more than the rib tops to ensure a snug fit at some
29 point durin~ insertion.) When a cold liquid or other substance
is placed in bowl 2D, any condensation forming on the bowl
1 will roll down its sides and onto stem porti~n 22 from which it
2 drips harml~ssly into the hollo~ chamber within stem 2~
3 ~dvantageously, and as preferably embodied, the walls
of stem 24 diverge from each other (from top-to-bottom) so tha~ .
S as a perSQn tips the stemware ~o drink from bowl 20,
6 ccndensation collected ~ithin stem 24 will not spill cut. As
7 illustrated in Figure 7a, stem 24 could also include an
... interior c~lindric21 lip 27 depending from the open top of stem
q 24 to help ~urther prevent the chance o~ moisture spilling out
1n while the stemware is tipped. Ribs 26 could, therefore, be
11 formed on the interior of cylindric~l lip 27 or ~n stem portion
1~ 22. In either event, the top edges of ribs 26 are prefer~bl~
13 located bel~w the t~p edge of stem 24 tD ensure that d~wnwardly
1~ flowing moisture cannot flow over the edge and ont~ the
exteri~r surface of stem 24.
16 Af ter one or more fillings, bowl 20 can be detached
1/ ~rom stem 24 and the condensation therein spilled out. It ~ill
18 be understoDd, then, that stem 24 can be made of ~lass or
19 otherwise adapted to be permanent (like vessel 10 described
above), while bowl 20 can either be disposable or permanent.
21 (A disposable bowl 20 will obviate the need for sterilization,
22 etc., like insert 12.) It will further be understood that
23 because stem 24 is separated from bowl 20, the exterior surface
2~ of stem 24 will be virtually free of condensation to provide a
~ry surface pDrtion for holding the stemware.
26 Turning then to Figure 11, there is show~ a modi~ied
27 embodiment of stemware according to the present invention. The
2B stemware structure of Figure 11 is adapted to be made of glass
29 or o~herw.ise adapted to be permanent in its entirety. As here
3D embodi.ed, this stemware structure includes bowl 30 (which may
-19'-
~ ~ 3~
1 be in any desire~ configuration) mounted to stem 32 which has a
2 ho 1 lo~ interior portion (indicated at 34). A plurality of
3 holes 36 are ~ormed in stem 32 ne~r its junction with bswl 30
4 to prDvide flDw communication betwee~ the exterior surface o~
stem 32 and hollow stem chamber 34.
6 A ring-like collar 38 i5 formea on stem ~2
7 substan.ially adjacent holes 36. ~dvantageously, collar 38
8 generally encases holes 36 and forms 2 hollow ring-like trough
q (indicated at 38a) around the portion of the ste~ wherein holes
36 are formed for collecting any condensation which drips do~n
11 frGm bowl 30, as will be e~plained in greater detail
1~ hereinafter. ~s preferably embodied, collar 38 terminates in
13 an edge spaced only very slightly from the exterior surface of
1~ stem 32, leaving only a ~arro~ gap 38b therebetween
suf~iciently wide to permit dripping condensation to p2~S
16 through the gap and into trough 3RaO
17 In use, cold li~uid or other substance is placed in
18 bowl 30, 2s described above. Condensation forming on the
19 exterior sur~ace of bowl 30 will travel down that surface unàer
the influence of gravity and onto the upper portion of stem 320
21 The travelling condensation then passes through gap 38b for
22 collection within ring-like trough 38a. The moisture
~3 collecting in trough 38a then tends to drip harmlessly into
26 hollow stem chamber 34~ A~vantageously, holes 36 are located
at the bottom of the trough to ensure that virtually all the
26 condensation collecteo therein falls into stem chamber 3~.
27 It will be understood that by terminatin~ the upper
2~ edge of collar 3B near the exterior surface of stem 32/
29 moisture in trough 38a cannot flow out when a person tips the
30 stemware to drink liquid in bowl 30. SimiIarly~ the portion of
- 21~ ~
32
1¦ s.em 32 below collar 38 _an be somewhat ~ivergent (like stem 24
21 oescribed above) to ensure that an~ moisture in stem chamber 34
3 ~ill not spill out of holes 36 when the stemware is tipped for
drinking~ In addition, collar 38 can be ~ormed witb a
decorative exterior pattern to camoflauge its functional
6 advantages, and, since g2p 38b is relatively narro~, it will be
7 somewhat difficult to determine th~t ~here ~re ~unction21
~ ~eatures incorpor2t~à into the stemware. Thus, the
g condensation-free stemwzre of the invention can be incorp~rated
n in a structure which is 2S attractive and elegant as most
11 conventional stemware pieces.
~ Aftex several uses, ~he accumulated c~ndensation in
13 chamber 34 can be removed simply by holding the stemware
i4 upside-down to permit draining, or by holding it by the stem
lS base and sw.inging it away ~rom onesel~O Alkernatively, as
16 illustrated in Figure lla, the bottom o~ stem 32 at the base oF
17 ,he stemware may be re~lovably attachable to the remainder ~f
18 tbe piece, as by threaded interconnection~ Thus, the l~wer
19 portion may simply be removed t~ permit ~uick and simple o~E the
accumulated moisture.
21 As illustrated in Figure llb, the bottom of the stem
22 base may, instead, have a sm211 hole 40 with a removable
~3 stopper member 42 to permit drainage of chamber 340 The b~ttom
24 surface (43) of the stem base ~,ay preLerably be raised sli~htly
so that skopper 42 d~es not inter~ere with the normal standing
26 of the stemware piece.
27 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
2~ that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the
29 particular ernbodiments herein shown and described and that
variatlons may be made which are within the scope of the
- 21 -
. ~ . ; ` ! ~
l accompanying claims, wi.hou. departing from the principles of
2 tr,e invention and without sacri~icing its chief advantages9
3 For example~ ribs, or radially inwar~ly projecting fins, may
4 additionally be formed at the bo~,om interior of vessel lO
S disclosed in Figures l-S in combination with ribs 12b or lOb to
6 enh2nce the grasping of insert l~. Similarly, the upper end o.
7 stem 24 (Figure 10) may be formed with 2 collar similar to
~ collar 3B (~igure ll),and, openings c~uld also be ~ormed i~ the
q adjacent wall of stem 24 (instead of ribs 2h and the resultant
gaps) to provide flow communication into the interior o~ stem
ll 2~.
It will further be appreciated by those s~illed in the
13 art in view of the foregoing description that the lipped ins~rt
l~ according to the present invention can be made to ~onform to
the shape of the bowl of a stemware piece so that the stem of
16 the stemware piece need not be hollow as described with
17 reference to ~igures lO-11.
22
26
~7
2~
29 .
_ 22 _
