Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DRINKING VESSELS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The presen~ invention relates generally to -
drinking vessels, and, more particularly, to drinking
vessels which provide an exterior sur~ace por~ion that
is virtually free of condensation and to reusablel
disposable drinking vessels which prov~de a sanitary ¦ -
~rface for drinking.
There have been many proposzls for making -
various types of drinking containers or vessels, each
adapted to sati.sfy a particular need. For ex~mpie,
there are containers which incorporate disposable liners,
such a~ disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,352,449, to permit
re-use of a permanent con~ainer. I~ other devic~s,
suc~l as disclose~ in U.S. Paten~ No. 973,085, or I -
3,o33,863, or 4,040,535, ~ coast2r or ~.older 2rr~ngement
is provided for snugly holding a tumbler a~d collecting,
r.~ithin the coaster, condensation ~orming on the t~bler.
Although such structure may prove satisf~c~ory
for their particular intended purpose, ~he~ fa l to
provide a drin~ing vessel with a sanî~ary disp~sable
insert which ~onforms ~o the configura~ion of a per~anent
vessel member and provides a thermally nsulative barrier
as welL as a condensation barrier, all l~ a simple-
to-fabricate struct~re. Fur~hermore, there i3 ~0 teaching i~
of a condensation-~ree stemware plece.
It would appear desirable, thererore~ ~o provide
a drinxing vessel with disposable ins~rts r~hich provides
a thermally insulative b~rrier to help maintain the
temperature of subs ances co~ai~ed ~herei~, to prolong
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-the life of ice cuhes when contained therein and,
further, to shield the user from any dripping due to
condensation forming on the vessel.
More importantly, as there is currently great
concern for the transmission of various bacteria and
infectious viruses and germs (particularly herpes simplex
which can be readily transmitted through improperly
sterilized drinking containers at restaurants, bars and
other publically accessible establishments), there is a
growing need for an attractive drinking vessel which can
be used repeatedly yet assure germ-free drinking sur-
faces. Thorough sterilization requires expensive and
well maintained machinery, as well as the time and effort
of employees in collecting used glasses, stacking them
for sterilization, operating the machinery and removing
them after sterilization. It is, therefore, desirable to
provide not only a condensation-free disposable drinking
vessel but also one which provides protection agains-t the
transmission of infectious germs, viruses, bacteria and
the like, all in an attractive and easy to make
structure.
The present invention seeks -to provide a new
and improved drinking vessel having e~terior surface
portions essentially free of condensation.
The invention also seeks to provide a new and
improved drinking vessel having condensation-free
exterior surface portions and a -thermally insulative
barrier for helping diminish heat loss or gain in any
substance contained by the vessel. In addition, the
invention seeks to provide a reusable drinking vessel of
the foregoing type that permits reuse of a permanent
drinking vessel member wi-thout requiring s-terilization of
V'3
the permanent member. Still further, the invention seeks
to provide a drinking vessel of the foregoing type which
is easy to fabricate and yet forms an attractive drinking
container.
The invention also seeks to provide a new and
improved stemware structure which provides an essentially
condensation-free exterior surface for handling, ye-t
permits an elegan-t design to be incorporated in the
stemware. Still further, -the inven-tion seeks to provide,
in whole or in part, a disposable s-temware structure
which has an essentially condensation-free surface.
The foregoing specific indications and advan-
tages of the invention are illustrative of those which
can be achieved by the present invention and are not
intended to exhaust the possible advantages which can be
attained. Thus, these and o-ther indica-tions and advan-
tages of the invention can be learned by prac-tice with
the invention as embodied herein or as modified in view
of variations which will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the
present invention resides in the novel parts, construc-
tions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein
shown and described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspec-t of the invention
there is provided a drinking vessel adapted -to provide an
exterior surface portion substan-tially free of condensa-
tion, which comprises a first vessel member having an
open top and being adapted to receive and contain any
desired substance such as a liquid to be consumed, and a
second vessel member associated wi-th but generally
separated from the first vessel member -to form a thermal
_ 3 _ ~ 20~
air space therebetween. The second vessel member is
adapted to provide a barrier against formation of conden-
sation on an exterior holding surface of the drinking
vessel, and includes vent means for communicating the
thermal air space with the ambient surroundings of the
drinking vessel to permit thermal expansion and contrac-
tion of air within the thermal air space due to the
presence of hot or cold substance within the first vessel
member. Drip means is associated with the vent means for
substantially preventing moisture within the thermal air
space from spilling through the vent means when the
drinking vessel is tilted during use, such that a person
can hold the drinking vessel along the exterior holding
surface of said second vessel member substantially
without contacting any condensation and without any
condensation dripping out of said drinking vessel.
In another aspect of the invention the vessel
is constructed as a two-part drinking vessel having one
part adapted to be reused without requiring washing for
sanitary reuse and to provide an exterior surface sub-
stantially free of condensation; in this aspect the first
vessel member comprises a disposable insert member having
a lip extending downwardly from its open top rim, the lip
being proportioned to space a person's lip from the
exterior surface when drinking from the drinking vessel.
Each insert member includes means permitting a plurality
of insert members to be stacked, in inverted orientation,
one on top of another, substantially without sticking
together. The second vessel member is reusable and
adapted to receive an insert member.
The vessel may particularly include a grasping
means between the inwardly facing surface of the insert
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member lip, and the upper exterior portion of the second
vessel member permits releasable engagement between the
insert member and the second vessel member, such tha-t
when the second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack
of the insert members and thereafter lifted, one insert
member is releasably grasped by the second vessel member
and can be removed from the stack of insert members
without sticking to any other insert member in the stack
yet it can be removed from the second vessel member when
desired with relative ease for replacement by another
insert member by repeating the thrusting motion.
In a particular embodiment the grasping means
comprises a plurality of discrete spaced-apart, generally
bead-like protuberances formed on one of the members and
a ring-like ridge formed on the other of the members, the
protuberances and the ring-like ridge being proportioned
and positioned relative to each other to releasably
secure the insert member within the second vessel member,
such that when the second vessel member is thrust down
onto a stack of the insert members and thereafter lifted,
one insert member is releasably grasped by the second
vessel member by cooperation between the protuberances
and the ridge to permit removal from the stack of insert
members, without the sticking.
In still a further aspect of the invention the
insert member includes a step-like indentation generally
near its bottom to form an reduced diameter portion
thereat with an interior shoulder formed at the step-like
indentation; the shoulder provides a first support
surface facing the insert bottom and a second suppor-t
surface facing the insert top rim, the reduced diameter
portion having an interior diameter, as measured
r~7~
generally at the interior shoulder, at least slightly
less than the outer diameter at the insert bottom to
permi-t a plurality of the inserts to be stacked, in
inverted orientation, one on top of another, with the
first support surface of one insert abutting the second
support surface of the next adjacent insert to provide
non-sticking stackability of insert members in a rela-
tively compact stack of inserts.
Thus, briefly described, the drinking vessel
according to the present invention comprises a first
vessel member adapted to hold a liquid or other desired
substance and a second vessel member associated with, but
separated from, the first vessel member to form a barrier
against the formation of condensation on an exterior
surface of the second vessel member when a cold liquid or
substance is contained in the first vessel member. In
one embodiment, the first vessel member comprises a
removable insert which conforms generally to the con-
figuration of the second vessel member to form a double-
walled drinking vessel with a space between the insert
and the second vessel member. Advantageously, a sanitary
lip extends downwardly from the top edge of the inser-t
and is proportioned and oriented to prevent a person's
lip from contacting the second vessel member when the
person takes a drink. Also advantageously, the drinking
vessel includes grasping means (in the form of a
plurality of rib-like members or a band of serrations,
or, as preferably embodied, a plurality of pro-tuberances
and cooperating engagement means) associated between the
insert and the second vessel member to provide a secure
pressure/friction fit therebetween yet permit removal of
the insert for disposal and subsequent replacement by
2~!3
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thrusting the second vessel member, open-side down, onto
a stack of inverted inserts.
As preferably embodied, the grasping means
include a plurality of protuberances formed on one of the
vessel members, and engagement means formed on the other
vessel member for cooperating with the protuberances -to
enable releasable locking engagement between the
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o9
two vessel members. The engagement means may comprise
a ring-like raised rib or ridge agaillst which the
protuberances can abut to resist separation of the two '~
members or a ring-like recess ad~pted to register with
S and receive the protuberances. Alternatively, the
engagement means may comprise a series of screw thread
segments (in the form of either raised ridge segments
or recess segments) adapted to permit threaded engagement
by the protuberances when one vessel member is turned
or screwed do-~n relati~e to the other. In any of the
foregoing embodiments or grasping means, the protuberances
are preferably formed on the replaceable insert member
(preferably on the interior surface of the lip) for
ease of mass fabrica~ion and ~he engagement means are
formed on the permanent vessel member (preferably on
its exterior surface~
Advan~ageously ar.d as preferably embodied,
each insert includes a reduced-diameter lower portion,
formed by a step-like indentation which provides an
interior ledge or shoulder to abut the bottom of another
insert when stac~ed adjacent each other and prevent
them from sticking together. Also as preferably embodied9
the second vessel member is formed with vent means for
preventing a~y pressure ~ncrease or deerease (due to
contraction or expansion of the insert when subjected
to cold or hot liquids) by permitting air to enter or
exlt the thermal space between the insert and second - I
vessel. To facilitate molding in a two-part mold, the
vent is formed in the bottom of the second vessel member,
a~d the second vessel bottom is preferably raised
slightly to ensure that the vent is not blocked l~
--e.g., by forming a concave bottom or by extending
the side walls of the vessel (in wnich case the vent
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.. . .
should have a small tubular wall or ridge to prevent
the passage therethrough o~ any condensation accumulated
in the bottom of the second vessel).
In another embodiment, the invention may be
adapted to provide a condensation-free stemware structure.
The stemware structure comprises a bowl member fGr holding
a liq~lid and a hollow stem member supportin~ the bowl
from its base. A collar-like ridge is formed generally ~;
at or near the junction o the stem and bowl members
and is in communication with the hollow s~em or collecting
any condensation traveling downwardly ~rom the bo~
member and directing it into the stem. The stemware
structure may be formed in a two piece structure wherein
the ~owl member includes a stem portion adapted ~o fit
into an opening at the top of the stem member which
thereby forms the collar-like ridge. Alternatively, I
the stemware structure may be an essentially unitary
structure with openings in the wall of the hollou stem !~
adjacent the collar-like ridge which provides a ring-
like trough that acts like a catch basin to collect
condensation flowing down the bowl member and permit
it to 10w from the collar trough into the interior
of the stem member. The unitary stemware ~ay include
a detachable stem base portion or a stopper-plugged ',
25 hole in the stem base to facilitate removal of accumulated -~
moi~ture.
It will be apparent rrom the foregoing general
description as well as the following detailed description,
that ~he objects and advantages specifically enumerated
herein are achieved by the present invention. ~or ex~mple,
by providing an insert conforming to the configu~ation l -~
of a permanent vessel member, an interior space is
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., - .
provided which acts both as a thermal insulating barrier
to liquid contained in the insert and as a shield against
the formation oE condensation on the exterior surface
of the permanent vessel member. In addition, by providing
S ~he lip on such inserts, a shield is automatically formed
to prevent the transmission of germs, bacteria, etc.
from one user to the next when the insert is replaced,
yet permit re-use of the permanent vessel member in
a perfectly sanitary condition without requiring
steriliza~ion or washing.
By fabricatin~ the inser~ so as to be disposable,
the permanent vessel member can be re-used repeatedly
without requiring any sterilization, yet the combination
provides a sterile drinking vessel for different users
of the permanent vessel. In addition, the grasping
means associated ~etween the insert and permanent vessel
facilitates con~enient storage of a stack of inserts
while permitting the permanent member to be quickly
~nd easily combined wi.h a fresh insert. ~loreover,
the ins2rt can be adapted to conform to the shape of
virtually any drinking vessel, e.g., a tumbler, a stemware ¦-
piece, etc.
lt will also be understood that-by forming
a series of protuberances on one vessel member and engage-
ment means in the form of either a raised ridge structureor a recess or indentation arrangement (whether in
continuous ring-like fashion or as a series of segments - ,~
adapted to threadably engage the protuberances), a secure
locking engagement will be achieved between the two
vessel members while release of the members can De efected
with relati~e ease. Ln addition, forming the protuberances
on the disposable insert member, preferably on tne
-- 8
interior surface of the lip formed will facilitate mass
production by conventional two-part molding techniques
and permit the inserts to be ccnveniently stacked on
top of each other, yet will space the stacked inserts
from each other to keep adjacent ones from sticking
together when one is removed from the stack.
By forming a step-iike discontinuity near
the bottom of the insert wi~h the interior diameter ~-
at the step being smaller than the outer diameter of
the insert bottom, a plurality of inser~s can be inverted
and stacked on top of each other with the reduced-
diameter step ~roviding a ledge or shoulder to abut
the bottom on the insert below it so tha~ when the second
v~ssel is thrust against the stack, only one insert
is lifted off the stack, without any of the other inserts
in the stack becoming wedged together. '-
In addition, by prov-ding vent means in the -
second vessel member (preferably so as to be spaced
from the table top or like supporting surface), air
is free to exit or enter the interior thermal space
to relieve any build-up or decrease of pressure therein
and thereby prevent cracking of the insert due to `~
expansion or contraction when subjected t~ hot or cold ¦-
substances. Also, by providing a raised interior rim ~`
or ridge on the vent, any condensation collected within
the second vessel member will not leak out.
By pro~iding a stemware structure with a hollow
stem and a collar-like ridge in communication with the
hollow stem, any condensation forming o~ the exterior
of the bowl will flow into ~he hollow stem to pro~ide
a dry surface on the exterior of the stem for holding Ir~-
the stemware. In addition~ the stemwal-e structure
9 ~s~o~ :
according to ~he invention can be formed as a totally
permanent, a partially disposable or a totally disposable
drinking vessel.
It will b~ appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the foregoing general descrip~ion and the
following detailed description are exemplary and
explanatory of the invention but are not intended tc
be res~rictive thereof. Thus, the accompanying drawin~s,
referred to herein and constituting a part hereof,
illustrate preferred embodiments o ~he invention, and,
together with the detailed description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is ~ ~ront isometric view of one
embodiment of a drinking v~ssel aceording to the present
invention.
FIGU~ 2 is a fron. isometric view of the j~
outer, or pe~manent, vessel member o~ the embodiment
of Figure 1.
- FIGURE 3 is a fron~ isometric view of the
inner vessel member, or inser~, o~ the embodiment of
Figure 1.
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines
4-4 of Figure 3. l:
FIGURE S is a sectional view, similar to Figure
4, of only the outer vessel member, showing a slightly ~-
modified embodiment.
FIGURE 6 is a front elevation view of the
outer vessel member in the embodi~ent of Figure 1 showing -
still another modified embodi~ent.
FIGURE 7 is a sectional view, taken generally
through the middle, of an insert mem~er according to
anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention. l-;
FIGURE 7A is a sectional view taken along
lines 7A-7A of Figu~e 7. - ¦
FIG~E 8a is an isometric view of a preferred r'
embodiment of 2 permanen~ vessel, or holder, for the
insert member according to the present invention. j-
FIGURE 8b is an eleva~ion view, with partial
cut-away~ of a modi~ied version of the permanent vessel
illustrated in Figure 8a. l~
FIG~E 8c is an elevation view, with partial ' --
cut-away, of another modifiPd version of the permanent
vessel illustrated in Figure 8a.
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FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of still another
modified version of the permanent vessel member.
FIGURE lO is an isometric view of a preferred
embGdiment of insert member according to the p~esent
invention.
FIGURE ll is an elevation view of a stack
of inserts according to the present invention, showing
assembly of the insert and permanent vessel.
FIGU~E lla is a partial sectional view of
two abutting inserts in the stac~ of Figure ll.
FIGURE 12 is a partial sectional view taken
through an assembled insert and permanent member according
to the in~ention.
FIGURE 13 is a front isometr~c view of an
embod;ment of a stemware structure according to the
present invention.
FIGURE 13a is a partial front isometric view
wi~h par~ial cut-away section, of a modified verslon
of tne embodime~t of Figure 13.
FIGURE 14 is a front isome~ric view of a modified
embodiment of stemware according to he present invention.
FIGURE 14a is a partial front isometric view
of a ~odified version of the embodiment il~ustrated
in Fig~lre ll.
FIGURE 14b is a partial front isome~ric view
of another modified version of the embodiment of Figure
14.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Turning now to the embodiments'of the invention
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there is shown
in Figures 1-12 various features according to one basic
embodiment of the presen~ in~ention.
Referring more pa.ticularly to Figures 1,
3 and 4, there is shown an embodiment of a drinking
vessel according to the present invention which comprises
an outer, or permanent, vessel member 10 which can b`e
a tumbler-like vessel made of a permanent material such
as, e.g., glass. Insert member 12 is proportioned to - -
be received within outer vessel member 10 for receiving
and containing any desired'liquid or other substance.
As preferably embodied, insert i2 is proportioned to
conform generally to the configuration of the outer
vessel, yet provide a spacing (indicated generally at ~'
11) between the adjacent sidewalls and bottom walls
of the outer vessel and the insert. The spacing ll
serves as a thermally in,ulative buffer to help reduce
20 the thermal effect of tne ambient atmosphere on the !-
contents of insert 12. Advantageously, then, insert
member 12 is proportioned to taper slightly in a direction
from its top to its bottom relative to the sidewalls
of permanent vessel 10 so as to make essentially only
line contact with vessel 10 at it~ top opening,
Also advantageously, insert 12 includes an
exterior lip 12a depending from the entire top open
edge, or upper ri~, of the insert and extending downwardly
towards the bottom of the insert. As preferably
embodied, lip 12a is proportioned and angled relative
to the exterior sidewall OI permanen~ vessel 10 so as
to substantially prevent a person's lip from contacting
( ( ~
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any exterior surface of vessel 10 when the person drinks
from the insert. To this end, the width of lip 12a
(i.e., the distance between the upper rim of the insert
and the distal free end edge of the lip) may be from
about 3l8" to about 1/2" (or even up ~o about 3/4")
2nd may form an angle of up to about 35 witn respect
to the sidewalls of insert 12 to form an angie 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
of from abou~ 3.5 to about 5 relative to the exterior
wall of the second vessel ~ember.
It will thus be ~derstood by those skilled
in the art that the width of lip 12a and the angle it
forms with respect to the sidewall of vessel 10 cooperate
to keep a person's lip spaced from the vessel sidewalls
so as to pre~ent physical contact ~herewit~. As a result,
by adapting insert 12 so as to be disposable, the
com~ination of insert 12 with permanent vessel 10 permits
repeated re-use of the permanent vessel 10 without
requiring sterilization, simply by replacing the used
insert with a fresh one. Since the user's lips do not
touch vessel lO, the passage of orally transmissive
germs, bacteria and virus (e.g., herpes simplex) is
effectively prevented, and the time, effort and cost
of washing vessel lO after every use is avoided. `
In order to hold insert 12 sufficiently securely-
to vessel lO while retaining a liquid therein, means
are provided for forming a pressure-fit, between insert
12 and vessel 10. As shown in Figures 3 and ~, the
pressure-fit means comprise raised ribs 12b formed on
the exterior surface of insert 12, for providing a
pressure/friction fit with the co. responding interior
14
O 1:
surface portions of vessel 10. Advantageously, ribs , -
12b are located substan~ially at or near the top of
insert 12 (i.e., at about the widest part of the insert)
for maximizing the pressure~fit generated between the !~
insert and vessel 10. Also, by locating the ribs 12b
adjacent the top edge of insert 12, a plurality of such
inserts can be conveniently stacked one-on-another for
minimizing the space they occupy while ensuring that
adjacent inserts in the stack will not tend to stick t
together when the top insert is being removed.
Alternatively (or concurrently), raised ribs
(shown at lOb in Figures 2 and 5) could be fo~med on
the interior surface of vessel 10, substantially near --
or at its top edge so as to form a pressure/friction
fit between the ribs lOb and a corresponding exterior
surface of insert 12 (ei~her against a smooth surface
or in cooperation with ribs 12b). In still a further
modification, ribs ~not shown~ could be formed on the
interior-faring surface of lip 12a (alone or in combination
with ribs 12b and/or lOb described above), substar.tially
at ~he ~op edge of the insert, so as to form a ?ressure/
friction fi, with the corresponding exterior surface j~
o~ vessel 10 at its top edge. It will be ~ppreciated
tha~ by forming pressure/friction fit ribs as disclosed
25 herein, a vessel 1O can be thrust, open top facing down- ~
wardly, onto a stac'~ of inverted inserts and thence
raised, ~aking only one resh insert from the stac~
to hold any desired liquids or other substances and
then ~e removed for disposal after use. 1
In still a further modified embodiment of
the invention, pressure/friction fit ribs, or radially
inwardly extending fins (indic.ated at lOa in Fi~ure
6) can be formed on ~he interior surface o vessel 10,
~ ~ 5 ~ O~
O
near its bottom, to contact the corresponding exterior
surface at the.bottom of insert 12. Since insert 12
is preferably more tapered tnan vessel 10, ribs lOa
shouldproject sufficiently far into the interior of
vessel 10 to grasp the insert. Alternati~ely~ although
not shown, pressure/friction fit fins could be formed
on, and project radially outwardly from, the exterior .
surface of inser~ 12 near its bottom. Thus, as the
insert is lowered in~o the per~anent vessel 10 (preferably
being tapered), the fins will engag2 the interior wall
surface of vessel lO until a secure pressure ~it is
formed.
It will be readily ap?reciated by those skilled
in the art that the double-walled drinking vessel according
to the present invention, as disclosed by the foregoing
description with reference ~o Figures 1_6, provides .
a thermally insulated container wherein, e.g., a cold
liquid or liquid-and-ice comDination contained within
insert 12 will experience prolonged temperature
20 maintenance (for ir.creased ice cube life) due to the 1.
thermal air barrier between insert 12 and permanent
.vessel 10. In addition, because the exterior surface
of vessel 10 is physically separ2ted and nsulated from
liquid-containing insert 12, any condensation resulting ~.
from a cold liquid in insert 12 w-ll form on the exterior
surface of the insert, not vessel lO, for ultimate
collection within the interior of vessel 10, thereby
eliminating the spotting and annoyance due to moisture
dripping from the drinking ~essel.
It will further be appreciated that Lhe
orientation and configuration of the insert lip permits .
re-use of a permanent drinking vessel.without requiring
~ 2
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sterilization. After use, the disposable insext is
simply removed and thrown out. The permanent vessel
can merely be wiped dry and then thrust down onto a
stack of replacement inserts, whereupon, as indicated
abo~e, only one insert is grasped by the permanent vessel
to instantly provide a clean and sanitary drinking vessel.
It will be understood that since insert 12
is preferably adapted to be disposable, it can be made
of any known inexpensive plastic, such as, e.g., a
material sold by E.I. duPont under the trademark
designation "LUCITE" or similar material. The insert
is preferably made of a transparent material to help
create the impression that the insert/vessel combination
is a traditional zll-glass structure. In addition,
raised ribs lOb or 12b could take the form of a band
relatively small serrations on insert 12 and/or permanent
member 10. It may, however, be prererable to f~-m such
serrated band on the interior surface of vessel 10 for
grasping a smooth surface on the inserts for grea~er
ease in fabricating inserts in large quantities and
further ensuring that only one insert is removed from
a stack at a time.
Turning now to Figures 7-~, there are shown
various embodiments of the insert and vessel combinaLion
incorporating preferred grasping means according to
the invention for releasably locking insert 12 to vessel
member 10. As here preferably embodied, the grasping
means comprise a series of protuberances (each design~ted
13) formed on the inwardly facing surface of lip 12a,
with engagement means (described hereinafter) formed
on the second vessel member for permitting r~leasable
locking engagement therebetween for retaining the insert
- 17-
member within the permanent vessel member. Advantageously,
protuberances 13 are generally.hemispherical and
substantially solid o othel~-ise formed so that the
opposite exterior:surface of lip 12a is essentially
s~oo~h. In ~his way, not only will the insert lip have
an attractive exter-ior appearance, but also the
protuberances will serve to space the adjacent inserts
slightly from each other when stacked on top of each
other for ensuring that the top-most inser~ will not
10 stick to the next one when the permanent vessel member :`
is thrust downwardly onto an inverted stack of inserts.
According to one preferred embodiment, the
engagement means on vessel member 10 comprises a ring-
like rib, or ridge, (ind~cated at lS in Figure 8a)
projecting outwardly from, and extending completely
around, the exterior surface of vessel 10. Ridge 15
is proportioned and located so as ~o allow the
protuberances 13 to ride over its crest (or apex) to
bear against the lower surface portion of the ridge
and thereby releasably lock the insert within the
per~anent vessel. Howe~er, because of the resilience
of the lip, the insert can be disengaged from the vessel ~.
simply by exerting a sufficient pulling force to cause
the protuberances-to ride back over the crest of ridge j~
15.
A par~icularly useful embodiment of the vessel/
insert combination utilizes ~he preferred grasping means
of the in~ention with a tumbler-type drinking receptacle~
In this embodiment, permanent vess21 10 may be about
3 1/2" tall and about 3 1/4" i~ circumference, and the
insert is proportioned to f t within the permanent vessel,
allowing a space (11) of from about 1/8" to about 1/4"
between the two vessel members. Ring-like ridge lS
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is for~ed on the exterior surface of vessel 10, at a
poin~ approximately 0 311 ~rom the upper r~m of vessel 1l.
10. The cross-sectional configuration of ridge 15 is
generally bead-like, or semi-circular, having a radius
of about 0.032". (The hemispherical protuberances 13 1-
similarly have a radius of about 0.032".) Advantageously, t
the upper portion (indicated at lOa) of vessel 10 has
a slight outward flare be~ween its upper lip and ~he
ridge 15 in order to accomodate the flare of insert
lip 12a. It will be understood tha~ the provision of
such flare on vessel 10 w~ll also provide a so-called ~ ~
"negati~e draft" to facilitate formation of ridge 15 ¦ ;
on vessel 10 by conventional two-part molding techniaues.
The side wall of insert 12 may be at angle
of about 3.5~ to about 4 (preferably abou~ 3.7) relative
to ~he vertical, and lip 12a flares outwardly at an
angle of about 4.5 to about 5 (preerably about 4.7P) j;
relative to the vertical. The lip is about 1/2" wide
and the distal free end edge o~ the lip 12a is ?reIerably
20 rounded to prevent any possibility of cutting a user. ¦~
The distance between protuberances i3 and the interior
surface of the arched segment (designated 12d) which
joins lip 12a to the insert sidewalls, and-thus ~or~s
the upper rim of insert 12, is also approxi~ately 0.3" -
25 but preferably slightly larger than the corresponding - -
dimension on vessel 10 to ensure ~hat, once the insert
is fully seated in the vessel, the protuberances will
abut the underside of ridge 15 to keep the insert captive
in the vessel. Advantageously, the lip and protuberances ~-~
may be proportioned so that the protuberances wili bear
against thP lower surface portion of ridge 15, just ~-
below the apex, to urge lip 12a sl.ghtly outwardly and
thereby generate a slightly greater flare for spacing
.. ..
- 19~ 20~
O
a user's lip farther fro~ the exterior surface of vessel
10, as illustr~ted in Figure 12.
Referring now to Figure 9, ~here is shown
an alternate embodiment of engagement means on vessel
10 for cooperating with protuberances 13 formed on inse~t
12. In~tead o~ a continuous ring-like ridge 15 around
vessel 10, a series of ridge segments (each designated
17) can be formed at generally the same upper e~terior
surface portion of vessel 10. It will be understood
~hat there should be the same number o ridge segments
as there are protu~erances on insert 12.
Advantageously, each ridge segment is at a
sligh~ angle relative to the uppex rim of vessel 10
for permitting threadable engagement with the protuberances.
To facilitate proper threaded engagement, the uppermost
end of each ridge segment should be closer to the upper -
rim of vessel 10 than the corresponding distance between
the protuberances and the arched portion 12d of the
insert, while the lowermost end of each ridge segment
Z0 is spaced a slightly greater distance from the upper
rim of vessel 10 thar such corresponding distance. As
a result, thread~ble engagement between the protuberances
~nd the ridge segments is ensured, and there need not
be any overlap (along the vertical direction) between
any portions of adjacent ridge segments, thereby permitting
fabrication of vessel 10 by conventional two-part molding
techniques.
In operat-ion of the latter embodiment of engage-
ment means, the insert is placed within vessel 10 and
turned until each protuberance abuts the underside of
a ridge segment. The insert will thus be locked in ,--
place within the permanent vessel, ready for use. By
tightening the insert slightly, the protuberances will
~ i
-20 - 1~20~ ll
1,
ride up along the underside of the ridge segmentC thereby
increasing the flare of insert lip 12a slightly, in
essentially the same way as explained above. After
use, the insert is unthreaded by turning it in the
opposite direction and simply li~ted out of the vessel
after the protuberances are clear of the ridge segments.
It will be understood by those skilled in ~`
the art that, instead of the ring-like ridge or ridge f
segments described above, t'ne engagement means formed 1,
10 on vessel 10 for lockably engaging the protuberances i`~
could be in ~he form of indentations, or recesses, ~-
positioned and proportioned to register with and receive
the protuberances. In addition, the protuberances could
be formed on other portions of the insert, with the
15 engagement means formed o-n a corresponding portion of
the permanent vessel. If desired and mass fabrlcation '~
techniques warrant, the protuberances could be formed
on permanent vessel 10 and the engagement means formed
on the inserts. However, for economy and ease o
~0 fabrication and or the advantages set forth above,
it is preferred that the protuberances be formed on ~`
the inserts.
Referring now more particularly~to F~gures :
8b, 8c and 10-lla, there are illustrated certain further -
25 preferred aspects of the present invention.
Figures 8b and 8c illustra~e two versions 1-
of permanent vessel 10 which are adapted to incorporate
vent means for relieving ~ressure in the internal thermal '
space 11. As illustrated in Figure 8b, the bottom of
3Q the permanent vessel is generally concave and vert means, 1-
in the form of openin~ 18, is ~,rmed at the apex o~
the concave bottom. Opening 18 permits air to leave
or enter irte~nal thermal s~ace 11 due to any expansion
-
(:
-21 _ ~ 2~2 0
~7
or con~raction of insert 12 caused by the presence of
any hot or cold su~stances in insert 12. The vent
prevents either an increase or decrease (i.e., a vacuum-
like condi~ion) of pressure within thermal space 11
caused by relative.ly large temperature differences which
- might otherwise contribute to cracking of the insert.
(It should be understood that when insert 12 is fully r
seated within permanent vessel lO, a fair~y fluid-ti~ht
seal can be formed along their upper edges.
Because opening 18 is formed at the apex of
the concave bottom, any condensation accumula~ed within ! .
the permanent vessel 10 will collect at the lower-most
corners of the v~ssel, away from the opening. Even
as the combined vessel structure is tilted during use,
none ~f the accumulated condensation will drip out of
opening .18 because of its raised upper rim.
Fi~lre 8c shows a modified embodimer.t of the
vented permanen, vessel 10 wherein an opening (here
indicated at 19) is formed in a flat bottom of vessel
10. The vent here also includes an upwardly projecting
wall l9a which surrounds opening 19 and serves to prevent
any accumulated condensation from dripping through the
opening 19, whether the vessel is resting on a hori~ontal
surface or being Lilted by a person to take a drink.
Advantageously, the bottom of the insert includes spacer
means to raise its bottom surface from a table top or
like support surface. Here 7 the sidewalls of ~essel -
10 project slightly beyond the bottom surface of the
vessel bottom to space the bottom surface from any support r
30 sur~ace and ensure that the opening l9 is not blocked
2nd to Pnsure that no condensation "ring" is ormed
on the table top. (It will also be understood that
other convenien' spacing means could be us~d, such zs
!
3 ,;
i
~ ~ 2~ 2 ~.~
- 2~ - !
O
protuberances formed on the bottom surface of the vessel
bottom.) The opening 19 and wall l9a may be offset
from the center of the vessel botto~ to facilitate molding
in a two-part mold.
Figures 10-lla illustrate a preferred embodiment
of insert 12 which is adapted to ensure no-stick
stackability. To this end, insert 1~ (which is otherwise 11
essentially the same as described above) is formed with ¦"
a step-like discontinuity 15 near its bottom to form
a stacking ledge on the interior surface of the insert.
Advantageously, the interior diameter of the insert
at (or just slightly below) the step 16 is at least !
slightly less than the exterior diameter of the bottom
of the insert. It will thus be undPrst~od that the
step 16 provides a stacking ledge or shoulder for abutting
the bottom of another insert to prevent further insertion
of that insert b~yond the ledge, and thereby be supported
by the ledge in a stack, as illustrated by Figure lla.
It will be understood that the taper of insert
20 12 can be greater above step 16 than below it. In fact, ;~
the taper of the lower portion can be at the minimum
draft angle needed to ~emove the insert from the mold
and thereby maximize the outer di~meter of~the insert i
bottom.
Figure 11 shows how a plurality of inserts
12 of the type illustrated in Figure 10 can be stacked
for easy assembly with permanent vessel 10. The inserts i~
are stacked in an inverted orientation, one on top of
another with the botto~ of or.e abutting the ledge formed
on the insert above it. The permanent vessel 10 is
thrust, open and down, onto the stack of inserts, as
indicated by arrow A in Figure 11. Once the open end
10a of the permanent vessel is fully seated within the
^~3 ~ O~
v
annular slot formed by flange 12a on insert 12 (as
illustrated by Figure 12), the permanent ~essel 10 can
simply be lifted back up with an i~sert secured thereto.
Since the botto~ of the next insert abuts the ledge
5 rormed by step 16, only the top insert is removed, and 1-
none of the other inserts become wedged toge~her, leaving
all of them free to be removed one at a time.
Advantageously, therefore, the distance between the
step 16 and the insert bottom is generally about equal
1~ to or greater than the height of insert flange 12a to
ensure that ~wo adjacent inserts cannot become wed~ed
together. ~Of course, it can be somewhat less than
the lip height so long as the wedging effect is prevented).
It will also be understood that tlte reduced
diameter portion of the bottom of each insert will
facilitate removal of an insert after it has been used.
Because of the relatively secure attachment of the insert
to the ?ermanent vessel, the easiest way to remove an
insert is simply to push upwardly against the insert
20 lip 12a at one point, thereby causing an angular 1-
displacement between the insert and the permanent vessel.
The reduced diameter at the bottom of the insert wiil
facilitate such angular displacement.
In an exemplary embodiment, the insert is
~5 about 3 inches tall and about 3 inches in diameter at
its upper rim. The lip 12a is about 1/2 inch in height
and the step 16 is formed about 11/16 of an inch from
the bottom. The insert is made of a crystal styrene
plastic material (and can range in thickness from aDout
0.0i1" to about 0.030"). With the vented permanent
vessel of the type disclosed above, (which can be made
o~ an S.A.N. plastic), this insert can withstand hot
- 24~ 20~ '
,
~, .
liquids up to 190F ~the ma~imum temperature at which
most hot beverages are s~rved) wi~hout cracking.
Turning now to Figure 13 there is shown a
two-piece embodiment of a stemware structure adapted
~o provide a condensaticn-free exterior surace in
accordance with the present invention. As here embodied,
the s~emware s~ructu~e comprises bowl member 20 which
may be in any desired ccnf-guration just like traditional !` `
glass stemware ~e.g., as a champagne-style glass, a
wine-style glass, continental-style glass, etc.) and
a stem member 24 adapted to support the bowl member.
Advantageously, stem 24 is generally hollow and is adapted
to be attached to bowl 20 by releasably engaging bowl
stem portion 2_ (formed on the bottom of 20) when inserted
into tke open top of the stem. Advantageously, a gap
is formed between ste~ 24 and stem portion 22 when coupled
together to allow any condensation forming on the bowl
to drop into the hollo~ stem. To this end, the interior
surface of stem 24 near its open upper end is provided
with rib members 26 (much like the ribs described above
the reference of Figures 1-6) which are proportioned
to form a pressure/friction fit with stem portion 22
of bowl 20, yet leave gaps between the upper interior ~`-
wall of stem 24 and the exterior of stem por~ion 22.
In use, bowl member 20 is attached to stem -~
24 by inserting bowl stem portion 22 into the opening '~
of hollow stem 24 until a snug pressure fit is formed '~
between stem portion 22 and ribs 26. (To this end,
stem portion 22 may taper slightly from its juncture
30 with bowl 20 to its bottom and the radially interior 1-
surfaces of ribs 26 may be either substantially vertical i`
or inclined so that the rib bottoms project inwardly ¦-
a little more than the rib tops to ensure a snug fit
i
-25 - ~ ~ 5~ O.9
.~ .
at some point during insertion.) When a cold liquid
or other substance is placed in bowl 20r any condensation
forming on the bowl will roll down its ~ides and onto
stem portion 22 from which it drips harmlessly into
the hollow chamber within stem 24.
Advantageously, and as preferably embodied,
the walls of stem 24 diverge from each other ~from top-
to-bottom) so that as a person tips ~he s~emware to
drink from bowl 2Q, condensation collected with stem
24 will not spill out. ~s illustrated in Figure 13a,
stem 24 could also include an interior cylindrical lip
27 depending from the open top of stem 24 to help further
prevent the chance of moisture spilling out while the
stemware is tipped. Ribs 26 could, therefore, be formed
15 on the interior of cylindrical lip 27 or on stem portion -
22. In either event, the top edges of ribs 26 are
preferably located below the top edge of stem 2~ to
-ensure that downwardly flowing mois~ure ~annot flow
o~-er the edge and onto the exterior surface of stem
24.
After one or more fillings, bowl 20 can be
de~ached from stem 24 and the ~ondensation therein spilled
OUto It will be understood, then, that stem ~4 can
be made of glass or otherwise adapted to be permanent
~5 (like vessel 10 described above) 9 while bowl 20 can
either be disposable or permanent. (A disposable bowl
20 will obviate the need for sterilization, etc., like
insert 12.) It will further be ur.derstood tha~ because
stem 24 is separated from bowl 2Q, the exterior surface
of stem 24 will be virtually free of condensa~ion to
provide a dry surface portion for holding the stemware.
- 26 - ~;~57;~0~3 :
Turning then to Figure 14 there is shown a
modified embodiment of ste~ware according to the present
invention. The stemware structure of Figure 14 is adapted
to be made of glass or otherwise adapted to be per~anent
S in its entirety. As here embodied, this stemw~re structure
includes bowl 30 (which may be in any desired
ooniguration) mo~nted to stem 32 which has a hollow
interior portion (indicated at 34). A plurality of
holes 36 are formed in stem 32 near its junction with
bowl 30 to provide flow communica~ion between the exterior
surface of s~em 32 and hollow stem chamber 34.
A ring-like collar 38 is formed on stem 32
substantially adjacent holes 36. Advantageously, collar
38 generally encases holes 36 and forms a hollow ring~
like troug:~ (indicated at 38a) around the por~ion of
the stem wherein holes 36 are formed for collecting
any condensatio~ which drops down from bowl 30, as will /:
be e.Ypla~ned in greater detail hereinafter. As preferably l -
embodied, collar 38 terminates in an edge spaced only
very slightly from the exterior surface of stem 32,
leaving only a narrow gap 38b therebetween sufficiently j -
wide to pe mit dripping condensation to pass through
the gap ar.d in.o trough 38a.
In use, cold liquid or other substance is l-
25 placed in bowl 30, as described above. Condensativn -j
fcrming on the exterior surface of bowl 30 will travel
down that surface under the influence of gravity and
onto the upper portion of stem 32. The travelling j~
condensation then ~as~es through g~p 38b for collection
within ring-like trough 38a. The moisture collecting
in trough 38a then ~ends to drip harmlessly into hollow
:
_27 _ ~ X ~.~
~, .
stem chamber 34. Advantageously, holes 36 are located
at the bottom of the trough to ensure tnat virtually
all the condensation collected ~herein falls into stem
chamber 34.
It will be understood that by terminating
the upper edge of collar 38 near the ex~erior surface
of stem 32, moisture in trough 38a canno~ flow out when
a person tips the stemware to drinX liquid in bowl 30.
Similarly, the portion of stem 32 below collar 38 can
be somewhat divergent (li~e stem 24 described above)
to ensure that any moisture in stem chamber 34 will i
not spill ou~ of holes 36 when the ste~ware is tipped
for drinking. In addition, coll~r 38 can be formed
with a decorative exterior pattern to camoflauge its
15 functional advantages, and, since gap 3~b is relatively
narrow, it will be somewhat diffLcult to determine that
there are f~nctional features ir.corporated into the
stemware. Thus, the condensation-free ste~ware of the
invention can be incorporated in a structu e wh.ch is
20 as attractive and elegant as most conventional stemware L
pieces. ,
After several uses, the accumulated condensation
in chamber 3~ can be removed simply by hol~ing the stemware ~
upside-down to permit draini~g, or by holding it by ~ -
the stem base and swinging it away from oneself.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 14a the bottom
of stem 32 at the base of the stemware may be removably
attachable to the remainder of the piece, as by threaded
interconnection. Thus, the lowe~ portion may simply
be removed to permit quick and si~ple cf the accumulated
moisture.
~ 2 0
_28 _
~,
As illustrated in Figure 14b the bottom of
the stem base may, instead, have a. small hol~ 40 with
a removable.stopper member 42 to permit drainage o~
chamber 34. The bottom surface (43) of the stem base
5 may preferably be raised.slightly.so that stopper 42 -
does not interfere with the normal standing of the stemware
piece.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the invention in its broader aspec~ is
}O not limited to the particular embodiments herein shown `
and described and that variations may be made which l;
are within the scope of ~he accompanying claims, without
departing from the principles of the invention and without .
sacrificing its chief advantages. For ex~mple, ribs,
or radially inwardly projecting fins, may addltionally
be formed at the bottom interior of vessel 10 disclosed i~-
in Figures 1-5 in combination with ribs 12b or iOb to
enhance the grasping of insert 12. Simil~rly, the upper
end 3f s~em 24 (Figure 13) may be formed with a collar
20 simiiar to collar 38 (Figure 14), and, openings could ...
also be formed in the adjacent wall of stem 24 (instead
of ribs 26 and the resultant gaps) to provide ~low
comm~lication in~o the interior oî stem 24.
It will further be appreciated by those skiiled ;
in t'ne ~r~ in view of the foregoing description that
the lipped insert according to the present invention
can be made to conform to the shape of the bowl cf a .:~
s~emware piece so that the stem of the stemware piece
need not be hollow as described with reference to Figu es
~0 13-14.
j..
