MULTI-USE GLASS CUP SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular beverage-glass kit consists of a glass cup, a stem support structure, and a base support structure. The glass cup may have a cup portion and a male threaded portion. The cup portion and the threaded portion are integrally formed in one piece so as to resist accumulation of residue during washing. The stem support structure and the base support structure have different sizes and shapes but have the same female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. The female threaded portion may be constructed separately and assembled into the support structure for improved manufacturing efficiency and flexibility of use. The components of the kit may be located in a box, such as a display case, for marketing and storage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to glassware, including a kit or set of glassware pieces that may be assembled together to form a multi-use glass cup.

BACKGROUND

The prior art includes various multi-component glassware products. Please refer to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,140,504 and 2,169,426, U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2013/0334166, 2011/0174763, and 2003/0098311, and European Design Registration No. 002122903-0001. The prior art does not disclose or suggest, however, a multi-component glassware product that is constructed in accordance with the present invention, where a glass-cup portion has integrally-formed male threads for selectively connecting the cup portion to matching female threads of different support structures. Compared to the present invention, the prior art products are disadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, the prior art products are more difficult to maintain (in particular, more difficult to keep clean) and they cannot be easily reconfigured for different settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art are overcome to a significant extent by the present invention, which relates to a modular beverage-glass kit made up of a glass cup, a stem support structure, and a base support structure. The glass cup may have a cup portion and a male threaded portion. The cup portion and the male threaded portion are preferably integrally formed in one piece. The stem support structure may have a top portion and a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. The base support structure may have a cradle portion and a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup as well.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure, and the cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure. Moreover, the stem support structure may have a columnar middle portion that is narrower than its top portion, and the cradle portion of the base support structure may have a concave curved surface that conforms to a curved surface of the glass cup.

According to another aspect of the invention, the components of the modular beverage-glass kit, including at least the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure, are located in an enclosure, such as a suitable box, which may be a display case.

Further, the present invention relates to a method of making a modular beverage-glass kit. The method includes a plurality of steps as follows: (1) providing a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece; (2) providing female threaded nuts, a stem support structure, and a base support structure; (3) locating a first one of the threaded nuts in a top portion of the stem support structure, such that the support structure has a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and (4) locating a second one of the female threaded nuts in the base support structure, such that the base support structure has a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the female threaded nuts are essentially identical to each other.

Among other advantages, a separable glass cup constructed in accordance with the present invention does not tend to accumulate residue from washing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set of pieces may include a glass cup that can be selectively connected to support structures by threads, to provide a completely solid, modular architecture.

According to one embodiment, the invention may include a drinking glass element that has a glass screw located in a base thereof, and stem/support structure parts with built-in threaded nuts (e.g., stem receivers) on their top sides. In operation, the drinking glass element may be detachably assembled to one of the support structure parts by screwing the glass screw into the corresponding threaded nut, and then the drinking glass element may be detached from the stem/support structure and connected to another stem/support structure for use in serving a different beverage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the screw portion of the glass cup has male threads that can be threaded into assembling joints of corresponding support structures. The glass cup is preferably completely solid and compact, without any hole. As a result, the glass cup does not retain liquid, during washing, at any assemblage point.

The support structures may serve different functions in different applications. For example, one of the supports may be a lower/smaller one, in which case, when assembled, the product is configured for use in drinking whisky, gin, or the like. On the other hand, if the support that is employed is a taller/bigger one, then, when assembled with the glass cup, it would be configured for use in drinking wine, water, or the like.

When the parts of the set are disassembled, the glass cup and the support structures may be stored in a compact enclosure such as, but not limited to, a padded box or display case. The set may include at least three complementary pieces—the glass cup and two different support structures—and all of the pieces may be stored or marketed together in an appropriate box or case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a glass cup constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the glass cup of FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a stem support structure constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stem support structure of FIG. 3, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a base support structure constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base support structure of FIG. 5, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the glass cup of FIGS. 1-2 joined to the stem support structure of FIGS. 3-4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the glass cup of FIGS. 1-2 joined to the base support structure of FIGS. 5-6; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a boxed kit that contains the glass cup of FIGS. 1-2, the stem support structure of FIGS. 3-4, and the base support structure of FIGS. 5-6, constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, where like elements are represented by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 a glass cup 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The glass cup 10 has a cup portion 12 and a threaded portion 14. The cup portion 12 and the threaded portion 14 may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be a transparent material such as, but not limited to, glass, plastic, or crystal. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the interior 16 of the glass cup 10 may be configured to hold a liquid beverage such as, but not limited to, wine, water, gin, and whiskey.

The opening 18 of the glass cup 10 may be defined by a circular rim 20. The cup portion 12, the rim 20, the interior 16, and the opening 18 are all axially symmetric about a central axis 22. The bottom surface 24 of the threaded portion 14 may be flat (with no opening). The bottom surface 24 is preferably perpendicular to the glass-cup axis 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a stem support structure 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The support structure 40 has a top portion 42, a middle portion 44, and a bottom portion 46. The support structure 40 is axially symmetric about a central axis 48. The top portion 42 has a cylindrical surface 50. The middle portion 44 has a cylindrical columnar surface 52. The bottom portion 46 has a frustoconical surface 54 with a circular bottom surface 56. The outer diameter of the bottom surface 56 is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface 50, which is greater than the outer diameter of the columnar surface 52.

The top portion 42, the middle portion 44, and the bottom portion 46 may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be different from the material of the glass cup 10. The bottom surface 56 may be flat, and configured to rest on a table or countertop surface (not shown) to support the stem support structure 40 in the upright position shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7. The top portion 42 of the stem support structure 40 has female threads 58 (FIG. 4) located in a socket 60 for receiving the threaded portion 14 of the glass cup 10, for fixedly (but detachably) joining the glass cup 10 to the stem support structure 40, for serving and drinking wine, water, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a base support structure 70 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The base support structure 70 has a cradle portion 72 (FIG. 6), a middle portion 74, and a bottom surface 76. The base support structure 70 is axially symmetrical about a central axis 78. The middle portion 74 has a circular top opening 80, a circular bottom opening 82, and a curved surface 84 located between the top and bottom openings 80, 82. The concave curvature of the surface 84 matches the convex curvature of a bottom curved portion 86 (FIGS. 1-2) of the cup portion 12.

The bottom opening 82 (FIG. 6) opens downwardly into a cylindrical socket 88 with female threads. The configuration of the threaded socket 88 is preferably essentially the same as that of the female threads 58 of the stem support structure 40. The cradle portion 72, the middle portion 74, and the bottom surface 76 of the base support structure 70 may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be different from the material of the glass cup 10, but the same as that of the stem support structure 40. The bottom surface 76 may be flat and configured to rest on the table or countertop surface to support the base support structure 70 in the upright position shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8. In operation, the male threads 14 of the glass cup 10 are received in the female threaded socket 88, to fixedly (but detachably) join the glass cup 10 to the base support structure 70.

FIG. 7 shows the glass cup 10 joined to the stem support structure 40. In the FIG. 7 configuration, the central axes 22, 48 of the glass cup 10 and the stem support structure 40 are aligned and coaxial with each other. The product shown in FIG. 7 may be suitable for serving and drinking wine, water, or the like.

FIG. 8 shows the glass cup 10 joined to the base support structure 70. In the FIG. 8 configuration, the central axes 22, 78 of the glass cup 10 and the base support structure 70 are aligned and coaxial with each other. The product shown in FIG. 8 may be suitable for serving and drinking whisky, gin, or the like.

FIG. 9 shows the glass cup 10, the stem support structure 40, and the base support structure 70 located together in a suitable enclosure, for example, a box 100. The box 100 may be, for example, a padded or fitted display case.

According to one aspect of the invention, the purpose of the glass set 10, 40, 70, 100 is to provide improved functionality, modularity, and portability. The components 10, 40, 70 that are stored and/or displayed in the box 100 may be used for multiple purposes with a simple reconfiguration of pieces. Thus, the invention provides an upper reusable cup or glass 10 for serving and/or drinking wine, water, gin, whisky, etc. The ultimate use of the invention may be chosen by the user in a self-service mode. In other words, the user may select the desired support structure 40, 70 for use with the glass cup 10.

The present invention includes several functional and technical innovations. Among other things, the multi-use set 10, 40, 70 solves a persistent problem which is the difficulty associated with cleaning a glass with a big stem in a dishwashing machine, due to the size and fragility of the conventional long-stemmed glass (not shown). A modular glass product constructed in accordance with the present invention can overcome this constraint, because it enables the glass cup 10, which is easy to put in the dishwashing machine, to be split from the stem 40 and the base 70. The cup 10 may be easily connected to the stem 40 and the base 70 by a threaded connection 14/58, 14/88. The cup 10 may be split from the stem 40 by unscrewing the cup portion 12 from the top portion 42 of the stem support structure 40.

Moreover, the multi-use glass set 10, 40, 70, 100 may be used for different functions according to the selected stem/support structure 40, 70. For example, the tall stem 40 may be connected to the cup 10 to drink wine, while the lower stem (base) 70 may be more suitable for drinking gin. The present invention may be used to create a glass product with multiple configurations according to the specific purpose, changing only the support 40, 70.

Additionally, with the modular architecture of the present invention, it may possible to employ different materials for the cup 10 on the one hand and for the support structures 40, 70 on the other hand. As a result, the invention may be applicable to different lines of products, including high-end (relatively rare and/or expensive) products, with cups of crystal, and stems and other support structures of gold and silver. Alternatively, the components may be constructed of more common and/or inexpensive products. For example, the glass cup 10 may be made of a single piece of glass or plastic, and the support structures 40, 70 may be made of wood, thermoplastic, and/or silicone materials. The material of the stem support structure 40 is preferably the same as the material of the base support structure 70.

An important aspect of the present invention is the assemblage mechanism 14/58, 14/88. According to a preferred embodiment, the male screw 14 is installed as part of a single piece component 10 at the bottom of the cup and not in the stem/support structure 40, 70. This technical differentiation of making the male screw 14 and the rest of the glass cup 10 from a single piece of material has the advantage of not retaining liquid (or other residue) in or around the assemblage point, unlike what would happen if the glass cup 10 had a female screw/nut.

Additionally, providing the male threaded portion 14 as part of the glass cup 10 makes it possible to leverage the value of the support structures 40, 70, which do not need to be cleaned in the dishwashing machine (not shown). The stem 40 and the base 70 may be constructed, for example, of gold or silver materials. Even though such metals may require specific cleaning methods, the glass cup 10 may be cleaned in a washing machine (a conventional dishwashing machine). Moreover, a top-level restaurant may use the invention to automate its beverage glass-cleaning process, in order to become more efficient.

According to another aspect of the invention, the female screw 58, 88 may be inlaid within the stem/support structure 40, 70, meaning that the piece 58, 88 is produced and installed in the several types of stems 40 and bases 70, which in turn can be made of different types of materials. The female screw 58, 88 may be constructed separately, as threaded nuts 102 with outer cylindrical surfaces 104. One of the nuts 102 may be assembled into the top portion 42 of the stem support structure 40, and another, identical nut 102 may be assembled into the middle portion 74 of the base support structure 70.

The present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments, devices, and instrumentalities that are described above and shown in the drawings. Instead, the scope of the invention should be defined according to the claims which follow. What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A modular beverage-glass kit, comprising:

a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece;

a stem support structure having a top portion and a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and

a base support structure having a cradle portion and a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup.

2. The modular beverage-glass kit of claim 1, wherein the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure.

3. The modular beverage-glass kit of claim 2, wherein the cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure.

4. The modular kit of claim 3, wherein the stem support structure has a columnar middle portion, and wherein the middle portion is narrower than the top portion of the stem support structure.

5. The modular kit of claim 4, wherein the cup portion of the glass cup has a convex curved surface, and wherein the cradle portion of the base support structure has a concave curved surface that conforms to the curved surface of the glass cup.

6. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a box, and wherein the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure are located in the box.

7. A method of making a modular beverage-glass kit, comprising:

providing a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece;

providing female threaded nuts, a stem support structure, and a base support structure;

locating a first one of the female threaded nuts in a top portion of the stem support structure, such that the stem support structure has a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and

locating a second one of the female threaded nuts in the base support structure, such that the base support structure has a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup, and wherein the first and second ones of the female threaded nuts are essentially identical to each other.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of locating the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure in a box.