METHOD OF WRAPPING A GLASS AND THE WRAPPED GLASS PRODUCED
A method of wrapping a drinking glass having a rim and the wrapped glass so produced. The method of wrapping a drinking glass is performed by providing a segment of flexible material for use in wrapping the glass; encircling the flexible material at least partially around a lower portion of the glass, drawing the flexible material taut upwardly, across and around the glass and securing the flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass.
The present invention relates generally to identifying and individually decorating items which may be otherwise indistinguishable, and more particularly to identifying and decorating a stemmed or other drinking glass with a flexible material, such as a ribbon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany stemmed drinking glasses are formed in a pleasing functional shape, but are otherwise non-descript and indistinguishable from other glasses of the same design. Common examples of stemmed drinking glasses include: wine glasses, sherry glasses, champagne coupes, champagne flutes, cocktail glasses, martini glasses, and brandy snifters. This lack of uniqueness among glasses of the same design can present a number of limitations. One common problem occurs when, during the course of a gathering where stemmed glassware is used, several of the attendees set their used glasses down in the same general location. When an attendee returns to retrieve his or her glass it can be difficult to determine to whom each glass belongs.
The wrap may also be used in conjunction with extra-large display wine, champagne, martini glasses, etc. These larger glasses may be used, for example as trade show display models, larger as larger decorative displays for use in conjunction with themed events.
To alleviate this problem a number of apparatuses have been designed to assist in identifying individual stemmed glasses. A number of these ideas have been patented. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,034, issued Sep. 25, 2001 to Skapyek, entitled “Stemware Identification Bracelets and Method of Use,” which discloses a stemmed glass charm constructed of a ring of spring steel that has opposing and abutting ends which may be momentarily separated in order to place the ring around the stem of a wine glass. Another example includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,150, issued May 25, 2004 to Holmes, entitled “Wine Glass Charm.” Holmes describes an identifying charm in which a magnetic coupling is used to connect two portions of a flexible coupling around the stem of a wine glass.
Other designs include U.S. published patent application 20095/0145014, published Jun. 11, 2009 entitled “Re-Usable Identification Device.” This application discloses a charm which 5 adheres to the bowl of a stemmed glass via a two magnets, one on each side of the glass.
Still other designs focus more on the decorative aspect. One such design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,608, issued Mar. 27, 2001 to Hunter, entitled “Decorative Assembly,” depicts an assembly which hangs from the rim of a stemmed glass and contains a candle and dangling jewel. Alternative approaches to distinguishing and decorating stemmed glasses which also emphasize a decorative aspect include creating a set of glasses where each glass is of a different shape, or where each glass is hand painted with a different color or thematic scheme. Although these designs can be very unique, they can also be costly and some can suffer from problems related to damage in shipment and handling. Moreover, these decorative aspects are permanent in nature. In spite of the various existing options for identifying and decorating stemmed drinking glasses and other vessels, there is still room for significant improvement in this area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes using a compact stemmed glass wrap of inexpensive design to decorate and customize stemmed and other drinking glasses or cups. Wraps for stemmed glasses extend from stem to rim. Wraps for glasses or cups having handles extend from below their handles to above their handles. The invention also includes a glass wrap and an item of stemware, a cup or glass including such a glass wrap.
While described and depicted herein in relation to an item of stemware such as a stemmed drinking glass it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to other vessels and containers that have a narrower supporting member adjacent a bowl that is larger in diameter than the narrower supporting member. This includes but is not limited to punch bowls, urns and decorative plant and flower pots.
A wrap according to a first embodiment of the invention is typically comprised of a length of flexible material, such as a ribbon, for use in wrapping a stemmed drinking glass. The glass is wrapped by first positioning the length of flexible material such that it is approximately longitudinally centered on the stem of a drinking glass. The flexible material is then wrapped around the stem of the glass such that it encircles the stem of the glass at least once. The two ends of the flexible material are pulled taut across and upwardly on the bowl of the glass and secured by a knot or other similar structure near the rim of the drinking glass.
A wrap according to a second embodiment of the invention is typically comprised of a loop of flexible, preferably elastic material such as material, such as a ribbon, for use in wrapping a stemmed drinking glass.
The glass is wrapped by first looping the around the stem of a drinking glass. The flexible material is then wrapped around the stem of the glass such that it encircles the stem of the glass at least once. The loop is then pulled taut across and upwardly on the bowl of the glass and secured by a knot or other similar structure near the rim of the drinking glass.
According to either of the above embodiments, a retaining clip, hook or loop may be secured to the rim of the stemware glass to secure the flexible material in place near the rim of the glass. Additionally, decorative items, such as a silk flower or other decorative piece may be optionally attached to the flexible material generally near the rim of the glass.
The stemware wrap decorates a stemmed drinking glass from stem to rim. The wrap does not interfere with the function of the glass or consumption of a beverage contained in the glass. It can be removed for washing, maintenance, storage, and reuse. The wrap is compact, lightweight, and durable for ease of shipping. It is cost effective to manufacture, and can be produced to fit stemmed glassware of a variety of different shapes and sizes.
A wrap according to a third embodiment of the invention is typically comprised of a loop of flexible, preferably elastic material such as material, such as a ribbon, for use in wrapping a drinking glass cup or mug having a handle. Examples of cups or glasses suitable for use in this embodiment of the invention include footed pilsner glasses and some children's drinking cups. The glass or cup is wrapped by first looping the around the base of the glass, below the handle. The flexible material is preferably wrapped around the glass at least once. The free end of the loop is then pulled taut across and upwardly around the bowl of the glass and secured by stretching it over the top of the handle. A retaining ring, clip or hook is not needed in such applications of the invention.
Once a glass is or cup is wrapped with the flexible material it makes a statement about the event or the user of the glass. The wrap can add color, style, and customization to any table setting or event. Examples include: using gold wraps with miniature Oscars attached for the Academy Awards, using a pink ribbon for Susan G. Komen For the Cure dinners, or using black and white colored ribbons with lace and a miniature bowtie to match a bride and groom at a wedding reception. The wrap is highly visible in photographs, television, video, as well as live events, and can be used for promotional purposes. A wrap according to the invention can be customized to any event or individual.
A stemware wrap according to a first embodiment of the invention is indicated as 100 in
The stemmed drinking glass 12 typically includes a glass bowl 20 which has an upper rim 24. The glass bowl 20 is supported by a stem 22 which is joined to a horizontal surface engaging base 23.
The flexible material 10 is depicted as a length of ribbon; however numerous other types of flexible material may be employed. A nonexclusive list of examples of such materials includes: ribbon, fabric, beading, sequins, rope, and flexible metal. The flexible material 10 is generally between 1 to 2 feet in length when measured longitudinally, and can substantially vary in width when measured laterally. As depicted in
One example of a retaining clip 30A or 30B, as depicted in
An alternative embodiment of clip 30A is design 30B. Clip 30B presents three outer surfaces 37A, 37B, and 37C, and three inner surfaces 36A, 36B, and 36C. An eye 38 can be joined or integrally formed with surfaces 36C and 37C. Like the previous embodiment, clip 30B can be flexible, rigid, and semi-tacky.
As illustrated in
Knot 10F can be large and decorative as depicted in
The flexible material 10 can be secured to the stemmed glass 12 though a series of steps. An example method for wrapping a stemmed drinking glass includes: first, positioning the flexible material 10 such that it is approximately longitudinally centered on the stem 22 of stemmed glass 12. The flexible material 10 is wrapped in a manner that causes it to encircle the stem 22 of stemmed glass 12 at least once. Each end of the flexible material 10 is then drawn taut upwardly and across the bowl 20 of the stemmed glass 12 toward rim 24. The flexible material 10 is then secured in place by a knot made near the rim 24 of the stemmed glass 12.
The increased diameter of bowl 20 of stemmed glass 12 where the bowl 20 joins to the stem 22, keeps the flexible material 10 from sliding upwards past the stem; thereby allowing the flexible material 10 to remain taut. When flexible material 10 is taut, the edge of rim 24 provides enough interference or friction to keep bowl portions 10B and 10C of the flexible material 10 in place about bowl 20. Alternately, retaining clip 30A or 30B may be secured to flexible material 10 in place at the rim 24.
When using retaining clip 30A or 30B, the clip is first placed over the rim 24 of the stemmed lass 12. When placed over a stemmed glass 12 the two abutting ends 34A and 34B (in the case of retaining clip 30A), or internal surfaces 36A and 36C (in the case of retaining clip 30B), make contact with the rim 24 of the glass. A portion of flexible material 10 or a separate tie can be passed through the inner portion of 30A or the eye of 30B to anchor the flexible material 10 to the rim 24 of the stemmed drinking glass 12.
Clips, rings and hooks such as those illustrated in
Once the ends of the flexible material 10 have been fastened together and secured in place a decorative flower 16 or other decorative material 16 may be attached.
Because the wrap is formed as a loop, its length cannot be adjusted by tying its ends together as in the embodiment of
To fit most martini glasses, a length C1 of about 8 inches, a center width A1 of about 1¼ inches and end widths B1 of about 1¾ inches will suffice. The size of the finished piece will be somewhat reduced due to the width of the seams.
Other patterns may be used as needed to fit other types of glasses and cups. The above specific embodiments should thus be considered exemplary rather than limiting in conjunction with the claims below. Use of the term “glass” does not imply that the glasses as described are made of glass. They may be made of plastic, wood metal, glass or other appropriate material.
Claims
1. A method of wrapping a drinking glass, having a rim, comprising:
- providing a segment of flexible material for use in wrapping the glass; encircling the flexible material at least partially around a lower portion of the glass;
- drawing the flexible material taut upwardly, across and around the glass; and
- securing the flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the glass is a stemmed glass having a stem and a bowl, wherein the lower portion of the glass around which the material is wrapped comprises the stem.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein securing flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass comprises securing a fastening means for engaging the flexible material to the rim of the glass and engaging the flexible material with the fastening means.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises a hook, clip or ring.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein securing flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass comprises securing a fastening means for engaging the flexible material to the rim of the glass and engaging the flexible material with the fastening means.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible material comprises a loop of stretchable material.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein securing flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass comprises securing a fastening means for engaging the flexible material to the rim of the glass and stretching the material to engage it with the fastening means.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible material comprises a length of material having free ends and wherein securing the material adjacent to the rim comprises attaching the free ends to one another.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein securing flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass comprises securing a fastening means for engaging the flexible material to the rim of the glass and engaging the free ends with the fastening means.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein securing flexible material adjacent to the rim of the glass comprises securing a fastening means for engaging the flexible material to the rim of the glass and knotting the free ends.
11. A wrapped drinking glass, having a rim, comprising:
- a segment of flexible material encircling the glass at least partially around a lower portion of the glass;
- wherein the flexible material is drawn taut upwardly, across and around the glass; and secured adjacent to the rim of the glass.
12. The glass of claim 11, wherein the glass is a stemmed glass having a stem and a bowl, wherein the lower portion of the glass around which the material is wrapped comprises the stem.
13. The glass of claim 12 wherein the flexible material is secured adjacent to adjacent to the rim of the glass by a fastening means for engaging the rim of the glass and engaging the flexible material.
14. The glass of claim 13 wherein the fastening means comprises a hook, clip or ring.
15. The glass of claim 10 wherein the flexible material is secured adjacent to adjacent to the rim of the glass by a fastening means for engaging the rim of the glass and engaging the flexible material.
16. The glass of claim 10 wherein the flexible material comprises a loop of stretchable material.
17. The glass of claim 16 wherein the material is stretched to engage it with the fastening means.
18. The glass of claim 10 wherein the flexible material comprises a length of material having free ends and wherein the free ends are attached to one another.
19. The glass of claim 18 wherein the flexible material is secured adjacent to adjacent to the rim of the glass by a fastening means for engaging the rim of the glass and engaging the flexible material.
20. The glass of claim 9 wherein the free ends are knotted.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2013
Inventor: Michelle MacCormick (Excelsior, MN)
Application Number: 13/586,128
International Classification: A47G 19/22 (20060101);