U.S. patent application number 10/803022 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for glass lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Anchor Hocking Inc.. Invention is credited to Blank, Harold R., Brode, Clifford P., Minner, Robert R., Saunders, Daniel T., Taylor, Daniel J., Thune, Gregory R..
Application Number | 20050077303 10/803022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34426144 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050077303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minner, Robert R. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Glass lid
Abstract
A pressed glass lid with an attachable knob. A threaded post is
molded in glass for purposes of attaching a knob. The threaded post
is integrally formed on a surface portion of a lid. The surface
portion may be a lid or formed of a conical body. The internal
threaded channel of the knob has a diameter greater than the
diameter of the threaded post.
Inventors: |
Minner, Robert R.; (London,
OH) ; Thune, Gregory R.; (Westerville, OH) ;
Brode, Clifford P.; (Lancaster, OH) ; Taylor, Daniel
J.; (Winchester, OH) ; Saunders, Daniel T.;
(Rockbridge, OH) ; Blank, Harold R.; (Lancaster,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Anchor Hocking Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34426144 |
Appl. No.: |
10/803022 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60509938 |
Oct 10, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574 ;
215/371; 215/377; 220/212.5; 220/630 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2255 20130101;
A47G 19/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/574 ;
220/212.5; 215/377; 215/371; 220/630 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02; B65D
025/28; B65D 090/02; A47G 019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A molded glass lid comprising an external surface portion and an
externally threaded post disposed on said surface portion, said
threaded post being formed integrally with said surface
portion.
2. The molded glass lid of claim 1, wherein said threaded post is a
solid.
3. The molded glass lid of claim 1, further comprising an
internally threaded knob having an internal diameter that is
greater than the diameter of the threaded post.
4. The molded glass lid of claim 1, wherein said externally
threaded post is a solid.
5. The molded glass lid of claim 1, wherein said externally
threaded post is disposed on a center position of the surface
portion.
6. The molded glass lid of claim 3, wherein said threaded post is a
screw threaded post and said internally threaded knob is a screw
threaded knob.
7. The molded glass lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is a cake
dome.
8. The molded glass lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is a lid to a
casserole dish.
9. A candle holder comprising a molded glass surface portion in the
general form of a conical body, having an externally threaded post
disposed on said surface portion, said threaded post being formed
integrally with the surface portion, and an engagement piece
comprising an internally threaded channel that has a diameter that
is greater than the diameter of the threaded post.
10. The candle holder of claim 9, wherein said engagement piece is
a base.
11. A container comprising a molded glass surface portion in the
general form of a conical body, having an externally threaded post
disposed on said surface portion, said threaded post being formed
integrally with the surface portion, and an engagement piece
comprising an internally threaded channel that has a diameter that
is greater than the diameter of the threaded post.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said molded glass surface is
a drinking cup.
13. The container of claim 11, wherein said engagement piece is a
base.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein said base is a base
pedestal.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein said base pedestal is
selected from the group consisting of an aluminum base pedestal, a
wooden base pedestal, a glass base pedestal and a metal base
pedestal.
16. The container of claim 11, comprising at least one sleeve that
surrounds the threaded post and threaded channel.
17. A cake plate comprising a molded glass surface portion having
an externally threaded post disposed on said surface portion, said
threaded post being formed integrally with the surface portion, and
an engagement piece comprising an internally threaded channel that
has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the threaded
post.
18. The cake plate of claim 17, wherein said engagement piece is a
base.
19. The cake plate of claim 18, wherein said base is a base
pedestal.
20. The cake plate of claim 19, wherein said base pedestal is
selected from the group consisting of an aluminum base pedestal, a
wooden base pedestal, a glass base pedestal and a metal base
pedestal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/509,938, filed on Oct. 10, 2003, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a threaded assembly system
and more particularly, to a molded threaded post configuration that
engages an internally threaded object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Prior art methods for making glass knob/lid configurations
typically involve either the use of sag glass and a mechanical
means for attaching a knob to the lid, or the use of pressed glass
that has a glass knob directly molded into the lid. However, there
are problems with these conventional lids. For example, the sag
glass lid often comprises a centrally located hole through which a
screw is inserted that affixes the knob to the lid. Because the
underside of the lid has a mechanical fastener, it is not a smooth
surface and therefore it is difficult to clean.
[0004] Furthermore, the opening in a typical sag glass lid is
relatively small so washers have to be used in order to distribute
the force over a larger area. Such a construction, however, is not
economical for entry-level products because of the additional cost
associated with shipping and labor in assembling these parts.
[0005] Likewise, a conventional pressed glass lid is also
problematic. Although a conventional pressed glass lid is more
economically feasible than a sag glass lid, and the risk of food
contamination from hard to clean surfaces is reduced in a pressed
glass lid, the incidence of burn injury from such a lid is
greater.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method of
attaching any knob to a glass lid without a screw or other
fastener. Such a lid configuration would be less expensive and
easier to clean, and reduce the risk of a burn injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a threaded post system,
preferably a threaded-lock connector assembly comprising a molded
glass surface portion having an externally threaded post disposed
on the surface portion, the threaded post being formed integrally
with the surface, and an engagement piece comprising an internally
threaded channel that has a diameter that is greater than the
diameter of the threaded post. In one embodiment, the externally
threaded post is a solid. In another embodiment, the threaded post
is a screw threaded post and the internally threaded channel is a
screw threaded channel.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a molded
glass lid comprising a surface portion and an externally threaded
post disposed on the surface portion, the threaded post being
formed integrally with the surface portion. Preferably, the
externally threaded post is a solid and is disposed on a center
position of the surface portion. In one embodiment, the molded
glass lid further comprises an internally threaded knob having an
internal diameter that is greater than the diameter of the threaded
post. Preferably, the threaded post is a screw threaded post and
the internally threaded knob is a screw threaded knob.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the instant invention relates to a
candle holder that comprises the threaded lock connector assembly
described herein, wherein the molded glass surface portion is a
molded glass surface in the general form of a conical body. In a
preferred embodiment, the engagement piece of the threaded lock
connector assembly is a base.
[0010] The present invention also describes a container comprising
the threaded lock connector assembly disclosed herein. Preferably,
the molded glass surface portion is a drinking cup. Also preferred,
the engagement piece of the threaded assembly is a base and more
preferably, a base pedestal. The base pedestal may consist of an
aluminum base pedestal, a wooden base pedestal, a glass base
pedestal or a metal base pedestal. In one embodiment, the container
comprises at least one sleeve that surrounds the threaded post and
threaded channel.
[0011] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary
embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described
below.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and exemplary only, and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art sag glass
lid.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a molded glass lid according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the molded glass lid of FIG.
2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the molded glass lid of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a molded glass lid of
FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a votive candle according to
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a torch according to the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a drinking glass according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a prior art lid 1 made of sag glass that has an
opening 6 cut into it for attaching a knob 8. A stainless steel
screw 2, a stainless steel washer 4 and a rubber washer 5 are
placed through the opening 6 from the underside of the lid 1.
[0024] FIGS. 2 to 5 show a first preferred embodiment of a molded
glass lid 16 according to the present invention. In this
embodiment, the molded glass lid 16 has an exterior surface portion
18 and an externally threaded post 10 disposed on said surface
portion 18, threaded post 10 being formed integrally with surface
portion 18. It is also preferred that the externally threaded post
10 is disposed on a center position of the exterior surface portion
18.
[0025] The molded glass lid 16 preferably further comprises an
internally threaded knob 12 having an internal diameter that is
greater than the diameter of the externally threaded post 10. The
knob 12 can be made of glass, metal (such as chrome), plastic,
wood, or other thermally insulated material. Glue or another
adhesive may be applied to the internal threads.
[0026] The externally threaded post 10 is preferably a solid. In
other words, the threaded post 10 preferably does not have an
opening that faces the internally threaded knob 12. However, the
externally threaded post 10 may be hollow.
[0027] While it is preferred that the threaded post 10 is a screw
threaded post 10, and the internally threaded knob 12 is a screw
threaded knob 12, other thread assembly systems are contemplated.
For example, twist-lock, cam-lock and snap-on designs are also
suitable for use in the present invention.
[0028] The molded glass lid 16 can be used to cover a casserole
dish 22, a cake plate 38 or other cookware, bakeware, serving
dishes or storage containers, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5,
respectively.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention in which a threaded lock connector assembly is provided.
This system preferably comprises a molded glass surface portion 18
having an externally threaded post 10 with threads 11 disposed on
said surface portion 18, the threaded post 10 being formed
integrally with the surface portion 18, and an engagement piece 24A
comprising an internally threaded channel 26 that has a diameter
that is greater than the diameter of the threaded post 10.
[0030] In this embodiment, the externally threaded post 10 is
preferably a solid and the threaded post 10 is a screw threaded
post and the internally threaded channel 26 is a screw threaded
channel.
[0031] The molded glass surface may be in the general form of a
conical body 34. Preferably, the molded glass surface in the
general form of a conical body 34 holds a votive candle 37.
[0032] Of course, it is also contemplated that the candle holder of
the present invention can be attached to a wide variety of
engagement pieces, including the engagement piece 24 of FIG. 6.
Indeed, the engagement piece can be a wide variety of bases 24A,
24B and hangers, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0033] Wall sconce candleholders and wall mounted candles secured
to a mounting surface by the threaded lock connector assembly are
also described herein. A filled candle with the inventive assembly
system would prevent the candle from being knocked off its mounting
surface. Similarly, outdoor tiki candle holders 50 that have a
threaded post 10 allows for a secure attaching system, as can be
seen in FIG. 7. The user can then remove the candle holder 50 from
the pole 55 for cleaning, storage and replacement.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is similar to the second embodiment described
herein except the molded glass surface in the general form of a
conical body 34 is a drinking cup 30. Optionally, the container 28
has a sleeve 32 that encloses the externally threaded post 10 and
internally threaded channel 26. However, the molded glass surface
in the general form of a conical body 34 may be a glassware bowl
that can engage any type of stand or base. This allows for vast
customization, as well as the benefit of easy replacement if it
breaks. Furthermore, the removable stand or base 24A, 24B allows
the user to easily store and clean the drinking cup 30, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0035] Another embodiment of the present invention is a plate that
comprises the threaded lock connector assembly described herein, as
seen in FIG. 5. For example, a cake plate 38 can have the
externally threaded post 10 formed integrally with the plate 38,
and an engagement piece 24 comprising an internally threaded
channel 26 that has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of
the threaded post 10. The plate 38 can then be screwed into a base
24A, 24B.
[0036] Currently, the best way to manufacture the threaded lock
connector assembly is to use a press operation to form the threaded
post. The threaded post may also be manufactured by a pressed and
blown process. The threaded lock connector assembly may also
include gaskets, adhesives and sealants.
[0037] A threaded-lock assembly system made of molded glass permits
the attachment of an internally threaded knob to a lid without the
use of a mechanical fastener. Thus, the need for a hole is
eliminated and the cost of lid assembly is reduced. Also, a lid
that has a uniform and smooth surface is easier to clean and
structurally stronger than a lid with an opening. The threaded
assembly system also allows for greater customization of the lid
with any knob, such as a knob made of thermally insulated
material.
[0038] The threaded lock assembly system described herein can also
be used to put other items together, such as votive candle holders,
containers, tiered stands, glassware bowls and plates, cake domes,
outdoor Tiki candle holders and wall sconce candle holders.
[0039] Of course, the present invention can be practiced by
combining one or more of the features of one of the embodiments
with one or more of the features of the other embodiment.
[0040] It will be appreciated that various embodiments are
attainable. One skilled in the art will understand that the present
invention can be practiced by combining one or more of the features
of one of the embodiments with one or more of the features of a
different embodiment.
[0041] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered exemplary only.
* * * * *