U.S. patent application number 11/124879 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing air mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet.
Invention is credited to Alfred Festa.
Application Number | 20060249518 11/124879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37393169 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Festa; Alfred |
November 9, 2006 |
Drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing air mixed
into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet
Abstract
A drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing air
mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine.
In an embodiment, the drinking glass includes a bowl that contains
a physical obstacle to the wine during the swirling, which
optimizes the air mixed into the wine. In another embodiment, the
drinking glass further includes a stem that depends from the bowl,
terminates in a base, and facilitates the swirling and observations
thereof by not having the bowl visually obstructed during the
swirling.
Inventors: |
Festa; Alfred; (Upper Saddle
River, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
37393169 |
Appl. No.: |
11/124879 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/669 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2205 20130101;
B01F 2215/0072 20130101; A47G 2400/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/669 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing air
mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine,
comprising: a bowl; wherein said bowl has therein a physical
obstacle to the wine during the swirling, which optimizes the air
mixed into the wine.
2. The glass as defined in claim 1, wherein said physical obstacle
of said bowl is said bowl being indented so as to form an indent
therein.
3. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said bowl has an outer
surface; wherein said bowl has an inner surface; and wherein said
indent in said bowl provides a concave surface of said outer
surface of said bowl at said indent in said bowl and a convex
surface of said inner surface of said bowl at said indent in said
bowl so as to eliminate need for providing extra glass material on
said inner surface of said bowl to form said physical obstacle of
said bowl.
4. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said indent in said
bowl is substantially linear.
5. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said indent in said
bowl is inwardly extending.
6. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said indent in said
bowl is curved.
7. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said indent in said
bowl is skewly-oriented more vertical than horizontal.
8. The glass as defined in claim 2, wherein said bowl has a lower
half; and wherein said indent in said bowl is disposed in said
lower half of said bowl.
9. The glass as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
10. The glass as defined in claim 2, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
11. The glass as defined in claim 3, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
12. The glass as defined in claim 4, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
13. The glass as defined in claim 5, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
14. The glass as defined in claim 6, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
15. The glass as defined in claim 7, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
16. The glass as defined in claim 8, further comprising a stem;
wherein said stem depends from said bowl; wherein said stem
terminates in a base; and wherein said stem is for facilitating the
swirling and observations thereof by not having said bowl visually
obstructed during the swirling.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a drinking glass for
containing wine, and more particularly to a drinking glass for
optimizing air mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance
bouquet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art:
[0004] Swirling, the act of making subtle circular motions with a
glass of wine, exposes the wine to more oxygen so as to allow the
more oxygen to get into the wine oxygenating the wine. Swirling
aerates the wine and gives it a better smell by releasing volatile
chemicals, i.e., esters, ethers, and aldehydes, that combine with
the oxygen to yield the bouquet of the wine and which smooths taste
of the wine.
[0005] Swirling wine is a key feature when smelling and tasting
wine. Swirling and twirling allows air to soften the wine and
increases surface area of the wine by allowing it to move up the
sides of the glass. Swirling the wine aids in a sniffing process,
like decanting, it exposes the wine to air, which increases
intensity of the aroma and softens tannins.
[0006] There are more than 500 aromatics in wine alone. Although no
one can detect them all, swirling greatly increases the number of
smells detectable. Swirling pushes the flavor aromas to interact
with the air n the glass. Swirling helps circulate the wine so that
its aromas spread and are absorbed into the air in and around the
glass, which benefits the next most important step of the tasting,
the actual smelling of flavors and aromas that the wine
embodies.
[0007] To get technical about tasting, stemware can be chosen based
on varietal. For example, a burgundy glass for Pinot Noir and a
Bordeaux glass for Cabernet and Bordeaux blends.
[0008] To swirl wine it is suggested to fill the wine glass no more
than 1/2 full, then firmly hold the stem of the wine glass, and
gently swirl the wine in the bowl for 10-20 seconds. The glass
should be held parallel to the ground and only the wrist should be
used to make subtle, circular motions.
[0009] Under some circumstances, swirling the wine doesn't merely
increase its aromas but may actually yield different scents not
found in unswirled wine. This may seem strange, but the explanation
is simple enough. Fine wines offer a variety of scents, including
aromas that come from natural fruit in wine, scents that stem from
a wine maker's hand, such as the use of oak barrels or yeasts that
impart recognizable smells, and the so-called "bouquet," elusive
characteristics that develop with age in the bottle. Some of these
elements are more volatile than others, and those are aromas that
gain impact when the wine is swirled. By taking a sniff before
swirling, then checking again after giving the glass a spin, one is
offered a deeper insight to analyzing the wine.
[0010] Swirling also has another purpose. It let's one assess color
and body of the wine. This is an important indicator of age,
varietal, and wine making style. For example, if one is swirling a
white wine and notices it to be a little green around the edges, it
indicates youth. On the other hand, it can also mean it is a
certain varietal. Only sniffing will help one know what the answer
is. A thicker body may determine higher alcohol content or even
greater sweetness before the wine is tasted.
[0011] After swirling a little wine in a glass, the pattern of the
streaks of wine that run down inside the glass are called "wine
legs." The pattern of wine legs is particular to the variety and
the quality of the wine. Heavy wines have thinner wine legs,
lighter wines leave wide "sheets" of liquid.
[0012] One can see that the effects of swirling is an important
part of wine enjoyment. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a
wine glass that optimizes the air mixed into the wine during the
swirling to enhance the bouquet of the wine.
[0013] Numerous innovations for wine glasses have been provided in
the prior art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for
the specific individual purposes which they address, they each
differ in structure and/or operation and/or purpose from the
present invention, in that they do not teach a drinking glass for
containing wine and for optimizing air mixed into the wine during
swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine, and therefore would not be
suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore
described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to
provide a drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing air
mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine
that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0015] In one embodiment, the drinking glass includes a bowl that
contains a physical obstacle to the wine during the swirling, which
optimizes the air mixed into the wine to enhance the bouquet of the
wine. In another embodiment, the drinking glass further includes a
stem that depends from the bowl, terminates in a base, and
facilitates the swirling and observations therefrom by not having
the bowl visually obstructed during the swirling.
[0016] The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in claims appended hereto. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the drawing accompanying the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The figures of the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment
of the drinking glass of the present invention containing wine and
optimizing air mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance
bouquet of the wine;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the
drinking glass of the present invention per se shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic right side elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 3 in FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 4 in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic back elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in
the direction of ARROW 6 in FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic bottom plan view taken generally in
the direction of ARROW 7 in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another
embodiment of the drinking glass of the present invention
containing wine and optimizing air mixed into the wine during
swirling to greatly enhance bouquet of the wine;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the
drinking glass of the present invention per se shown in FIG. 8;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic right side elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 10 in FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 11 in FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic back elevational view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 12 in FIGS. 10 and 11;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in
the direction of ARROW 13 in FIG. 9; and
[0031] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic bottom plan view taken generally
in the direction of ARROW 14 in FIG. 9.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
An Embodiment
[0032] 20 drinking glass of present invention for containing wine
22 and for optimizing air mixed into wine 22 during swirling to
greatly enhance bouquet of wine 22 [0033] 22 wine [0034] 24 bowl
[0035] 26 lower half of bowl 24 [0036] 28 outer surface of bowl 24
[0037] 30 inner surface of bowl 24 [0038] 32 physical obstacle in
bowl 24 [0039] 34 indent in bowl 24 [0040] 36 concave surface of
outer surface 28 of bowl 24 at indent 34 in bowl 24 [0041] 38
convex surface of inner surface 30 of bowl 24 at indent 34 in the
24
Another Embodiment
[0041] [0042] 120 drinking glass [0043] 124 bowl [0044] 136 stem
for facilitating swirling and observations therefrom by having bowl
124 not visually obstructed during swirling [0045] 138 base
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0046] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, which is a
diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of the drinking
glass of the present invention containing wine and optimizing air
mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine,
an embodiment of the drinking glass of the present invention is
shown generally at 20 for containing wine 22 and for optimizing air
mixed into the wine 22 during swirling.
[0047] The configuration of the drinking glass 20 can best be seen
in FIGS. 2-7, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic front
elevational view of the drinking glass of the present invention per
se shown in FIG. 1, a diagrammatic right side elevational view
taken generally in the direction of ARROW 3 in FIG. 2, a
diagrammatic left side elevational view taken generally in the
direction of ARROW 4 in FIG. 2, a diagrammatic back elevational
view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4,
a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in the direction of
ARROW 6 in FIG. 2, and, a diagrammatic bottom plan view taken
generally in the direction of ARROW 7 in FIG. 2, and as such, will
be discussed with reference thereto.
[0048] The drinking glass 20 comprises a bowl 24 with a lower half
26, an outer surface 28, and an inner surface 30. The bowl 24 has
therein a physical obstacle 32 to the wine 22 during the swirling
of the wine 22.
[0049] The physical obstacle 32 of the bowl 24 is the bowl 24 being
indented so as to form an indent 34 therein. The indent 34 provides
a concave surface 36 of the outer surface 28 of the bowl 24 at the
indent 34 a convex surface 38 of the inner surface 30 of the bowl
24 at the indent 34 so as to eliminate need for providing extra
glass material on the inner surface 30 of the bowl 24 to form the
physical obstacle 32 of the bowl 24.
[0050] The indent 34 in the bowl 24 is inwardly extending, and
preferably substantially linear, preferably curved, preferably
skewly-oriented more vertical than horizontal, and preferably
disposed in the lower half 26 of the bowl 24.
[0051] Another embodiment of the drinking glass 120 can best be
seen in FIGS. 8-14, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic
perspective view of another embodiment of the drinking glass of the
present invention containing wine and optimizing air mixed into the
wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the wine, a diagrammatic
front elevational view of the drinking glass of the present
invention per se shown in FIG. 8, a diagrammatic right side
elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 10 in
FIG. 9, a diagrammatic left side elevational view taken generally
in the direction of ARROW 11 in FIG. 9, a diagrammatic back
elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 12 in
FIGS. 10 and 11, a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in
the direction of ARROW 13 in FIG. 9, and, a diagrammatic bottom
plan view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 14 in FIG. 9,
and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
[0052] The drinking glass 120 is similar to the drinking glass 20,
but with the addition of a stem 136 the bowl 124, terminating in a
base 138, and for facilitating the swirling and observations
therefrom by not having the bowl 124 visually obstructed during the
swirling.
[0053] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above or two or more together may also find a useful application in
other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0054] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a drinking glass for containing wine and for optimizing
air mixed into the wine during swirling to enhance bouquet of the
wine, it is not limited to the details shown, because it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions,
and changes in the forms and details of the drinking glasses
illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0055] Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can by applying
current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly
constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
the invention.
* * * * *