U.S. patent application number 09/888184 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for beverage container and closure therefor which can serve as a coaster.
This patent application is currently assigned to Regale Corporation. Invention is credited to Gale, Gregory W..
Application Number | 20010042729 09/888184 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23523403 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010042729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gale, Gregory W. |
November 22, 2001 |
Beverage container and closure therefor which can serve as a
coaster
Abstract
In the combination of a beverage container and a closure
therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster. The
beverage container comprises a bowl having a generally
hemispherical base and an axis and an upstanding wall circular in
cross-section adjoining the generally hemispherical base and being
inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip lying in a
plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the hemispherical base
and providing an opening providing access to a space within the
bowl. The closure comprises a circular rim lying in a plane and
having a wall circular in cross-section adjoining the rim and
extending downwardly and outwardly and being sized to cover the
opening of the container. A cooperative seal is carried by the
closure and the container for forming an air-tight seal between the
rim of the closure and the lip of the bowl. A band secures the
closure to the container to maintain a sealing engagement between
the o-ring and the closure and the o-ring and the bowl.
Inventors: |
Gale, Gregory W.; (Napa,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLEHR HOHBACH TEST ALBRITTON & HERBERT LLP
Suite 3400
Four Embarcadero Center
San Francisco
CA
94111-4187
US
|
Assignee: |
Regale Corporation
Napa
CA
|
Family ID: |
23523403 |
Appl. No.: |
09/888184 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09888184 |
Jun 22, 2001 |
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09385913 |
Aug 30, 1999 |
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6277422 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/228 ;
215/246; 215/393; 220/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/228 ;
215/246; 215/393; 220/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 023/06; B65D
041/56; B65D 055/08 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. In the combination of a beverage container and a closure
therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster, the
beverage container comprising a bowl having a generally
hemispherical base with an axis and an upstanding wall circular in
cross-section adjoining the generally hemispherical base and being
inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip lying in a
plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the hemispherical base
and providing an opening giving access to a space within the bowl,
the closure comprising a circular rim lying in a plane and having a
wall circular in cross-section adjoining the rim and extending
downwardly and outwardly and being sized to cover the opening of
the container, cooperative sealing means carried by the closure and
the container for forming an air-tight seal between the rim of the
closure and the lip of the bowl and securing means for securing the
closure to the container to maintain a sealing engagement between
the o-ring and the closure and the o-ring and the bowl.
2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein the securing means is in the
form of a retention band extending over the closure and the
container.
3. A combination as in claim 2 wherein said band is formed of a
heat shrinkable material.
4. A combination as in claim 1 for use with a flat surface wherein
said hemispherical base is provided with a punt to provide a flat
exterior surface whereby the container can be placed on the surface
to hold itself in a vertical position.
5. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said closure is provided
with an inwardly depending cup-shaped portion to utilize the ullage
in the container.
6. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said closure is provided
with a circular lip lying in a plane that is adapted to rest upon a
surface so that the cup-shaped recess faces upwardly and is adapted
to receive the hemispherical base of the bowl.
7. A combination as in claim 1 further including a label secured to
the exterior of the bowl.
8. A combination as in claim 7 wherein said label extends
underneath the downwardly extending wall of the closure.
9. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said container and said
closure are formed of glass.
10. A beverage container comprising a bowl having a generally
hemispherical base having an axis and an upstanding wall circular
in cross-section adjoining the hemispherical base and being
inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip providing
an opening lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of
the hemispherical base.
11. A beverage container as in claim 10 further including a punt
formed in the hemispherical base to provide a bottom surface which
can be utilized for supporting the beverage container in an upright
self-supporting position.
12. A beverage container as in claim 10 further including a label
adhered to the upstanding wall and extending up to near the
lip.
13. A beverage container as in claim 12 wherein said label
circumscribes the wall.
14. A closure for use with a beverage container having a
hemispherical base and lip comprising a circular rim lying in a
plane and having a wall adjoining the rim and extending downwardly
and outwardly from the rim and providing a lip which lies in a
plane which is parallel to the plane of the rim.
15. A closure as in claim 14 further including a cup-shaped portion
adjoining the rim and providing a recess extending downwardly below
the rim, said cup-shaped portion serving to consume ullage when
used as a closure for the beverage container, said closure also
being suitable to serve as a coaster for supporting the container
at the rim.
16. A closure as in claim 14 further including sealing means
underlying the rim and adapted to engage the lip of the container
to form an air-tight seal with respect thereto.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a beverage container and enclosure
therefor which can serve as a coaster.
[0002] Various types of beverage containers have heretofore been
provided for providing individual servings of liquor. However,
heretofore containers have not been provided for providing
individual servings of wine and which also can be utilized as a
drinking vessel.
[0003] In general, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a combination of a beverage container and enclosure
therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster.
[0004] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the enclosure consumes ullage
space.
[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the drinking vessel provided by the
beverage container is provided with a punt in the hemispherical
base so that it can stand on its own.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the drinking vessel can be placed
on the closure which serves as a coaster.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which a label is provided on the beverage
container.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the container and enclosure are
formed of glass.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the label is positioned so that it
underlies the closure and prevents glass-to-glass contact.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which an air-tight seal is provided
between the closure and the beverage container.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the wine within the container is at
a level which is an appropriate height for initial consumption of
the wine from the container when used as a drinking vessel.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which a skirt or a band is provided for
retaining the closure in engagement with the beverage container
prior to use.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character in which the skirt or band can be readily
removed.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a combination
of the above character which can be economically manufactured.
[0015] Additional objects and features of the invention will appear
from the following description in which the preferred embodiments
are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view looking downwardly toward the
top of the combination beverage container and closure therefor.
[0017] FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the combination beverage
container and closure therefor looking upwardly toward the
bottom.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the container being used
as a drinking vessel standing by itself.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the closure of the present
invention positioned for use as a coaster.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing the drinking vessel
being supported by the coaster.
[0022] In general, the combination of a beverage container and a
closure therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster
is comprised of a beverage container and a closure. The beverage
container is comprised of a bowl having a generally hemispherical
base and an upstanding wall which is circular in cross-section
adjoining the generally hemispherical base and being inclined
upwardly and inwardly to a circular lip defining an open end lying
in a plane perpendicular to an imaginary axis extending through the
hemispherical base. The closure comprises a circular rim
corresponding generally to the size of the circular lip of the
container. A wall which is circular in cross-section extends
downwardly and outwardly from the rim and is sized to extend over
the upwardly and inwardly inclined wall of the container. Means
carried by the rim and extends inwardly and downwardly from the rim
and is sized to be able to fit within the open end of the beverage
container for displacing ullage when the container has a beverage
therein. A cooperative sealing means is carried by the closure and
the container for forming an air-tight seal with respect to the
closure and the container. Means is provided which surrounds the
closure and the container to retain the closure in sealing
engagement with the container.
[0023] More in particular as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 of the
drawings, the combination of the present invention consists of a
container 11 and enclosure 12, both being preferably formed of a
suitable material such as glass which can be transparent but which
may be colored if desired.
[0024] The container 11 consists of a bowl 16 having a generally
hemispherical base 17 and an upstanding inwardly inclined wall 18
which is circular in cross-section adjoining the hemispherical base
and being inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip
19 lying in a plane perpendicular to a central axis 20 (see FIG. 3)
extending through the center of the hemispherical base 17. The lip
19 defines an opening 21 which opens into the interior space 22
provided within the bowl 16.
[0025] This space 22 is sized so as to provide a space for a
predetermined quantity of wine as for example 250 ml of wine or 1/3
of a standard 750 ml wine bottle. This is in contrast to a typical
small airline bottle which contains approximately 187.5 ml. It
should be appreciated that the container 11 can be sized to hold
any desired quantity of a liquid. Increases in size can be achieved
without destroying the pleasing effect created by the bowl-shaped
container 11.
[0026] In order that the bowl 16 of the container 11 can stand by
itself, a punt 26 is created in the hemispherical base 17 by
creating a push-up in the base 17 as shown particularly in FIGS. 2
and 3. This punt 26 is centrally disposed in the bowl and is
concentric with the imaginary axis 20 extending through the bowl
perpendicular to the plane of the lip 19. By providing such a punt
26 it can be seen that a bottom circular surface 27 is provided
which lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the imaginary axis
20 and also parallel to the plane in which the lip 19 lies. As
hereinafter explained, the bottom surface 27 provides an adequate
surface so that the bowl can be seated on a flat surface such as
that provided by a table to stand by itself. The punt 26 also
increases the strength of the bottom of the container 11 so that
the container is less fragile.
[0027] The closure 12 is comprised of a circular rim 31 which is
generally semi-circular in cross-section and which has a rounded
outer surface 32 and an inner semi-circular recess 33. A wall 36
which is circular in cross-section adjoins the circular rim 31 and
extends downwardly and outwardly from the rim 31 and has a
conformation which fits over the upstanding wall 18 of the bowl 16
when the recess 33 of the circular rim 31 is seated over the lip 19
as shown particularly in FIG. 3. The wall 36 extends downwardly for
a suitable distance as for example approximately one-third of the
height of the vessel or container 11. A cup-shaped well or recess
41 is formed within the interior of the circular rim 31 by a
cup-shaped portion 42 having a downwardly and inwardly extending
wall 43 circular in cross-section which adjoins the circular rim 31
at its upper extremity and which adjoins a bottom wall 44 extending
in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the circular rim 31
and terminates in a circular lip 47 that lies in a plane which is
generally parallel to the plane in which the circular rim 31 lies.
The bottom wall 44 lies in a plane in which the bottom surface 46
of the wall 44 does not extend below the plane defined by the lip
47 and preferably slightly above the lip 47. The cup-shaped portion
41 performs a significant function as hereinafter explained in that
it is designed to consume the ullage space in the bowl 16 of the
container 11.
[0028] As hereinbefore explained, the space 22 within the bowl 16
can be filled with a suitable liquid as for example wine to a
desired level. Since it is intended that the bowl 16 forming the
container 11 will be used as a drinking vessel as hereinafter
described, the wine 51 is typically filled to a level as for
example 1", from the lip to prevent spilling of the wine when the
closure 12 is removed and also to prevent spilling upon initial
consumption of wine from the bowl 16. The cup-shaped recess portion
41 is sized so that the remaining space in the bowl is occupied by
the cup-shaped portion 42 whereby the wine in the vessel
substantially completely fills the vessel so that there is very
little if any remaining space in the vessel after the closure 12
has been put in place. Since there is very little if any air space
remaining in the vessel, preservation of the wine in the bowl 16 is
aided.
[0029] Means is provided for forming an air-tight seal between the
closure 12 and the container 11 and consists of suitable means such
as an o-ring 56 formed of a suitable material such as a food-grade
silicone. The o-ring 56 is sized so that in cross-section as shown
particularly in FIG. 3 the o-ring engages the circular lip 19 of
the bowl 16 and is seated within the semicircular recess 33
provided in the rim 31.
[0030] A printed label 61 formed of a suitable material such as
paper and carrying printing 62 is provided on the outside surface
of the upwardly and inwardly extending wall 18 and is dimensioned
so that it extends from the lip 47 upwardly to near the top of the
lip 19. This paper label 61 extending between the upper extremity
of the upstanding wall 18 and the downwardly extending wall 36
prevents glass-to-glass contact between the closure 12 and the
container 11.
[0031] The seal provided by the o-ring 56 is maintained by applying
retention forces between the closure 12 and the container 11 and
consists of a securing skirt or a band 66 formed of a heat
shrinkable transparent plastic material which is placed over the
closure 12 and extends downwardly around the bowl 16 past the
region of largest diameter to securely retain the closure 12 on the
container 11 while not obscuring the label 62. Other types of
securing means can be utilized if desired. Alternatively a paper
label (not shown) can be provided on the closure 12 as shown. Also
instead of a paper label, lettering such as "FINE WINE" can be
placed on the wall 36 of the closure 12.
[0032] Use of the combination container and closure 11 and 12 may
now be briefly described as follows. Let it be assumed that the
container 11 has been filled with an appropriate liquid as for
example the wine 51 and the closure 12 put in place with the o-ring
56 forming a sealing engagement between the closure 12 and the
container 11 to form an air-tight seal and that it has been closed
by the securing band 66.
[0033] Let it be assumed that such a combination of the container
and closure has been supplied to an ultimate consumer through
appropriate channels of trade. It should be appreciated that the
combined container and closure can be refrigerated if that is
desired for the wine contained therein. When it is desired to
consume the wine within the vessel as for example on an airline
flight, the closure can be removed by breaking the band 66 in an
appropriate manner such as by cutting it with a knife or scissors
or alternatively merely by pulling the band off of the container 11
and the closure 12. As soon as this has been accomplished, the
container 11 can be placed on a flat surface as for example that
provided by a table with the bottom surface 27 provided by the punt
26 serving to maintain the container 11 in an upright position and
supporting itself on the surface.
[0034] The closure 12 can then be lifted upwardly off of the
container 11 taking with it the o-ring 56 contained underneath the
rim 31. This closure 12 can then be placed on the same flat surface
with the circular lip 47 resting upon the surface so that the
cup-shaped recess 41 extends upwardly. After this has been
accomplished the container 11 can be lifted from the surface and
placed in the closure 12 which now serves as a coaster. The
hemispherical base 17 seats within the cup-shaped recess 41 and
serves to support the container 11 in a vertical position whereby
the container 11 and its contents are insulated from the surface by
the coaster 12 and at the same time retaining the container 11 in
an upright position so that it cannot tip over.
[0035] The container 11 can now be used as a drinking vessel by the
consumer grasping the container with his or her hand on raising the
container 11 and bringing it to his or her mouth and drinking the
wine therefrom as with a conventional wine drinking vessel. The
paper label 61 aids in gripping of the container and at the same
time the label provides insulation between the fingers of the
consumer and the wine within the vessel which may or may not be
chilled.
[0036] After the wine has been consumed, the container 11 and the
closure 12 can be disposed of after a one-time use as for example
on an airline. Alternatively, the container 11 and closure 12 can
be saved and reused by the consumer when desired. The container 11
and the closure 12 also have the capability of being reused if that
is desired.
[0037] From the foregoing it can be seen that there has been
provided a combination container and closure therefor which can be
utilized as a drinking vessel and a coaster. In addition to being
utilitarian, the combination has an attractive appearance which
particularly lends itself to the packaging of wine. The combination
is simple to use and can be economically manufactured and
packaged.
* * * * *