DRINKS RECEPTACLE

Abstract

A wine glass comprising a bowl connected to a stem which is connected to a base, wherein the stem is arranged to be movable relative to the bowl between first and second configurations.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a drinks receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinks receptacles come in many different shapes, sizes and styles.

In terms of drinking wine, cocktails or champagne, the receptacle comprises a bowl standing on a stem above a base. The general term ‘stemware’ is sometimes used. This allows the beverage to be held without being warmed by the drinker's hands.

The receptacle can be of any shape, although the term ‘bowl’ is used throughout and is intended to cover goblet, cocktail and flute shapes also The receptacle can be of any material, but is typically glass, crystal glass or plastics material.

In certain situations, for example on aircraft or trains, the motion of travel can cause the beverage to be knocked-over or spilled. In aircraft, in particular, turbulence is a common cause of drinks being spilled over passengers. Storage of stemware in bulk, e.g. in an aircraft for passenger use, is also inconvenient because of the shape which does not lend itself to particularly efficient use of space.

It is possible to buy a drink receptacle, typically in the form of a plastic wine glass, which has wine already in the bowl and sealed within the bowl by a foil wrap extending over the top of the the bowl. The receptacle is purchased after which the foil lid is peeled off to access the wine. The receptacle is usually thrown away after use. Whilst such receptacles are suitable for non gaseous liquids, such as wine and water, they are not suitable for carrying gaseous drinks such as sparkling wine or Prosecco™.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides a liquid receptacle comprising a bowl connected to a stem which is connected to a base, wherein the stem is arranged to be movable relative to the bowl between first and second configurations.

In one embodiment, the stem is arranged to be collapsible, for example in a telescopic manner.

In another embodiment, the stem is hingedly connected to the bowl, so that in use the stem and base can rotate relative to the bowl. The arrangement of the stem and base may be such that it is movable between a first position in which the base and stem are beneath the bowl, and a second, stowed position in which the base overlies the opening of the bowl to provide a cover. In the second position, the stem can be held in position within a recess formed in the outer surface of the bowl, e.g. using a friction fit.

In another embodiment, the bowl comprises a sleeve extending inwardly from the bowl's lower external surface within which the stem is connected and movable selectively between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.

In the collapsed configuration, the majority of the stem's length may be within the sleeve.

The interior surface of the sleeve may comprise upper and lower spaced-apart locking portions and the outer surface of the stem comprises a locking member which, in use, engages with one or other of the sleeve locking portions in the extended and collapsed configurations.

An elongate guide groove or flange may extend between the upper and lower locking portions on the interior surface of the sleeve to guide the stem locking member between said locking portions.

The outer surface of the stem may comprise upper and lower locking members, spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the sleeve upper and lower locking portions, such that, when in the extended configuration, the upper locking member is engaged with the lower locking portion, and in the collapsed configuration, the upper and lower locking members are engaged with the upper and lower locking portions respectively.

A pair of upper and a pair of lower sleeve locking portions may be provided and the stem comprises a pair of upper locking members arranged to engage, in the extended configuration, with the pair of lower locking portions and, in the collapsed configuration, with the pair of upper locking portions.

The stem may further comprise a pair of lower locking members arranged to engage the pair of lower sleeve locking portions in the collapsed configuration.

The upper and lower locking portions may comprise an L-shape or bayonet -type engagement for the stem locking member(s).

The or each stem locking member may comprise a pair of protrusions on opposite sides of the stem.

A further aspect of the invention may comprise a drinks receptacle comprising a bowl with an interior sleeve extending from the lower surface of the bowl base, and a stem shaped so as to be at least partially locatable within the sleeve, wherein one or more L or bayonet -type locking portions are provided so that the stem in use can be selectively locked, e.g. using a twisting motion, in an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.

The sleeve may be arranged in both configurations to provide a liquid-retaining space, e.g. for holding frozen liquid. The sleeve may be arranged such that the liquid-retaining space is adjacent the wall of the sleeve, and extends around the majority of said wall.

The rim of the bowl may comprise a lid engagement portion, e.g. a screw thread, on the interior surface.

The receptacle may further comprise a removable lid for sealing the bowl by means of a cooperating engagement portion on its exterior surface.

The removable lid may comprise a recessed upper surface with a gripping member extended upwardly from the recessed upper surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, to accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views of a first embodiment drinking receptacle in the form of a wine glass;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the first embodiment wine glass;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are side views of a second embodiment drinking receptacle in the form of a wine glass;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the second embodiment wine glass;

FIGS. 5(a) to (c) are perspective, side and cross-sectional views of a third embodiment wine glass in an extended configuration;

FIGS. 6(a) to (c) are perspective, side and cross-sectional views of the FIG. 5 wine glass in a collapsed configuration;

FIGS. 7(a) and (b) are perspective and cross-sectional views of the stem and base portion of the FIG. 5 wine glass;

FIGS. 8(a) and (b) are perspective and cross-sectional views of the bowl portion of the FIG. 5 wine glass;

FIGS. 9(a) to (c) are cross-sectional, side and perspective views of a lid part for connection to the FIG. 5 wine glass; and

FIGS. 10(a) and (b) are perspective views of a tumbler without and with a lid part connected.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1(a), an item of stemware according to a first embodiment is provided in the form of a wine or champagne glass 1, although it can take any form and can be made of any material or combination thereof. For ease of explanation, the term ‘wine glass’ will be used throughout.

The wine glass 1 comprises a bowl 3 having an opening 4 at the top into which liquid can be poured and drunk from. From a distal end of the bowl 3 extends an elongate stem 5 which can be of any cross-sectional shape. At the distal end of the stem 5 is a base 7 which is horizontal relative to the stem and is used to support the wine glass 1 on a flat surface.

The stem and bowl may be formed from the same material or may be different materials. For example the bowl may be made from plastic and the stem from aluminium.

The wine glass 1 shown in FIG. 1(a) is configured to be collapsible from the shown configuration into the configuration shown in FIG. 1(b). This is by means of the stem 5 being telescopic, i.e. with at least one portion of the stem being tubular and arranged to receive, within its interior, part of another stem portion. As shown in FIG. 1(b), this telescopic stem 5 arrangement allows the bowl 3 to be movable downwards towards the base 7 which lowers the centre of gravity and makes spillage, e.g. due to aircraft, train or car motion, less likely. It also permits easy storage. For the avoidance of doubt, note that the shape or capacity or integrity of the bowl 3 does not change.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the stem 5 in this case comprises first, second and third stem portions 11, 13, 15. The first portion 11 is telescopically located within a bottom opening of the second portion 13, which is tubular. The second portion 13 is telescopically located within a bottom opening of the third stem portion 15, which is also tubular. In this case, the third stem portion 15 may also telescopically locate within a hollow base section 17 which extends from the lower outer surface of the bowl 3.

Any number of telescopic sections may be provided.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show a wine glass 20 in first (use) and second (stowed) configurations. In FIG. 3(a), the wine glass 20 comprises a bowl 21 with upper opening 22. An elongate stem 23 extends from the bottom of the bowl 21 to a base 25, in an eccentric manner with the stem being off-centre with a general C-shape. The connection between the stem 23 and the base 25 is by a hinge or pivotable connection, which enables the stem and base to rotate relative to the bowl 21 into the configuration shown in FIG. 3(b). The connection between the stem 23 and base 25 is reinforced by a fillet 28.

The outer surface of the bowl 21 has an elongate slot-like recess 26 formed therein, shaped and dimensioned so that the stem 23, when fully rotated to the FIG. 3(b) position, will locate neatly within the recess as shown, and the base 25 will locate over the opening 22 to provide a cover. The stem 23 and recess 23 may together be dimensioned so that there is a friction fit between the two, which holds the wine glass 20 in the FIG. 3(b) position, without gravity causing the reverse motion. Rather, user force is required to re-assume the FIG. 3(a) position.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show perspective views corresponding to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b).

Thus, it will be appreciated that, in the presence of aircraft, train or car motion, spillage can be avoided or minimised by rotating the stem 23 and base 25 to the stowed configuration, in which case the base covers the opening 22, and the wine glass 20 can be hand-held until the motion, e.g. turbulence, subsides, at which point the initial configuration can be returned-to for standing the glass on a tray.

Third and fourth embodiments will now be described.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a third embodiment wine glass 30 is shown in respective extended and collapsed configurations.

FIGS. 5(a)-(c) show different views of the glass 30 in the extended form, comprising a bowl 31, stem 33 and base 35. The stem 33 and base 35 are integrally formed but can be formed separately and connected together. An optional lid 37 is also provided which has a lower projecting collar with a thread on its outer surface for engaging the inner circumferential surface of the bowl 31 having a corresponding thread.

As shown particularly in FIG. 5(c), the bowl 31 has an integrally formed hollow sleeve 39 projecting inwardly and upwards from the bowl's base, into the interior space of the bowl. The sleeve 39 has an internal channel 40 which is sealed from the bowl's interior so that no liquid can pass from the bowl to the channel.

The stem 33 and channel 40 are dimensioned such that the stem can move up and down in the manner of a piston-and-cylinder, thereby providing the extended and collapsed configurations (see also FIG. 6(c)). The cross-sectional shape of the channel 40 and stem 33 are the same or similar to ensure a reasonably tight fit, and in this case are circular but can be of any shape. As FIG. 6(c) shows, the length of the stem 33 and channel 40 are dimensioned so that the stem is almost entirely within the sleeve when collapsed.

A locking system is arranged for selectively and temporarily locking the relative position of the stem 33 within the channel 40 in the extended and collapsed configurations. This system will now be described, although it will be appreciated that alternatives are possible. In overview, the outer surface of the stem 33 comprises upper and lower protrusions, longitudinally spaced apart, which engage with indentations within the channel 40 to secure the stem in place in each position.

First, as shown clearly in FIGS. 5(c) and 6(c), there are two sets of indentations formed in the inner surface of the channel 40; a lower locking portion 41 comprises two pairs of indentations or shallow recesses formed near the base of the sleeve 39, and an upper locking portion 43 comprises two pairs of indentations formed near the top of the sleeve. Each pair of indentations so referred to, are diametrically-opposed either side of the channel 40. The use of two such pairs provides stability but in theory single pairs can be employed.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a close-up of the stem 33 is shown. A lower locking member 51 comprises a single pair of diametrically opposed protrusions or studs formed on the outer surface of the stem 33. An upper locking member 52 comprises two pairs of diametrically opposed protrusions or studs likewise formed on the outer surface, in the corresponding plane to the lower member 51.

It will therefore be apparent that, in the extended position shown in FIG. 5(c), the two pairs forming the upper locking member 52 locate within the correspondingly-positioned recesses of the lower locking portion 41. In the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 6(c), said pairs of the upper locking member 52 locate within the recesses of the upper locking portion 43; at the same time, the pair of studs forming of the lower locking member 51 locate within the lower-two recess of the lower locking portion 41, providing an overall secure fit.

Travel between the two positions is by means of sliding travel along an internal longitudinal groove, and locating the locking parts together is by means of a twist, or bayonet-type engagement. Referring to FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the stem 33 is first fed into the channel 40 by means of sliding the upper locking studs 53 within a pair of insertion grooves 54 on opposed parts of the inner surface of the channel 40. The stem 33 is then rotated counter-clockwise (as indicated by the arrows) and the studs 53 locate into recesses of the lower locking portion 41 ready for use in the extended configuration. A further set of longitudinal grooves 55, opposed on the inner surface of the channel 40, extend between the lower and upper portions 41, 43. The grooves 55 are entered by means of rotating the stem 33, again counter-clockwise, causing the studs 53 to pass through corresponding circumferential or helical channels, at which point they can then slide upwardly through grooves 55 towards the upper portion 43. In this position, locking is achieved by rotating the stem 33 clockwise, thereby causing the studs 51, 53 to rotate back through a further set of circumferential/helical channels, away from the grooves 55, and into the locked position shown in FIG. 6(c). The relative twist motions are indicated by I, II and III in FIG. 8b.

It will therefore be appreciated that selective movement between the extended and collapsed configurations can be achieved simply by user twist action. In either configuration, the engagement between the stem 33 and bowl 31 is stable.

A further feature of the third embodiment glass 30 is that the inner space within the stem 33, which his hollow, can accept and store a quantity of fluid such as water. This permits water to be frozen within the channel 40 for chilling drink, e.g. wine or champagne, in the collapsed configuration without diluting it.

Referring to FIGS. 9(a)-(c) the cap 37 is shown in more detail. The cap 37 comprises a rim 61 joined to a base 62 via a frusto-conical surface 63. A collar-like bezel 64 projects downwards from the rim 61 and carries a screw-thread 65 for removably engaging with a like-formed thread 67 disposed on the inner upper rim of the bowl 31 (see FIG. 8). In this way, the drinking surface on the outer of the bowl's rim is not affected. A handle 66 projects upwardly from the centre of the lid's base 62 to enable convenient and selective screwing and unscrewing.

The cap 37 therefore permits selective sealing and unsealing of the glass 30, which is useful if used on a flight, in a car or on a train journey where spillage may occur. This in addition to the collapsible state of the glass (which lowers its centre of gravity) prevents or reduces the chances of spillage.

FIGS. 10(a) and (b) shows the cap 37 used on an alternative form of glass 70, which is non-stemware, but rather a tumbler.

As mentioned, the receptacles of the embodiments can be employed with different sized and shaped bowls, and formed of any material, whether plastics material, glass or crystal glass, for example. The material can be of any colour and not necessarily transparent.

As noted, the bowl of all embodiments can be provided with a separate lid, for example a screw top lid, which connects to or over the rim of the bowl by means of co-operating spiral threads provided on the rim.

A crown cap can be used.

In addition, or alternatively, the bowl can be provided with a removable seal which is initially adhered to the rim. A pull-tab can be provided to facilitate the user removing the seal to facilitate opening. The product can be provided with both the separate lid and the seal underneath, with the seal being disposable, and the lid reusable. The seal can be formed of aluminium foil, or similar material.

The bowl can have a lip on the rim.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

1. A liquid receptacle comprising a bowl connected to a stem which is connected to a base, wherein the stem is arranged to be movable relative to the bowl between first and second configurations, wherein the bowl comprises a sleeve extending inwardly from the bowl's lower external surface within which the stem is connected and movable selectively between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein the interior surface of the sleeve comprising upper and lower spaced-apart locking portions and wherein the outer surface of the stem comprises upper and lower locking members, spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the sleeve upper and lower locking portions, such that, when in the extended configuration, the upper locking member is engaged with the lower locking portion, and in the collapsed configuration, the upper and lower locking members are engaged with the upper and lower locking portions respectively.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, arranged such that, in the collapsed configuration, the majority of the stem's length is within the sleeve.

3. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein an elongate guide groove or flange extends between the upper and lower locking portions on the interior surface of the sleeve to guide the stem locking member between said locking portions.

4. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein a pair of upper and a pair of lower sleeve locking portions are provided and the stem comprises a pair of upper locking members arranged to engage, in the extended configuration, with the pair of lower locking portions and, in the collapsed configuration, with the pair of upper locking portions.

5. The receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the stem further comprises a pair of lower locking members arranged to engage the pair of lower sleeve locking portions in the collapsed configuration.

6. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower locking portions comprise an L-shape or bayonet-type engagement for the stem locking member(s).

7. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein each stem locking member comprises a pair of protrusions on opposite sides of the stem.

8. A drinks receptacle comprising a bowl with an interior sleeve extending from the lower surface of the bowl base, and a stem shaped so as to be at least partially locatable and movable within the sleeve between extended and collapsed configurations, wherein one or more L or bayonet-type locking portions are provided so that the stem in use can be selectively locked in each of the extended and collapsed configurations.

9. The receptacle according to claim 8, wherein the sleeve is arranged in both configurations to provide a liquid-retaining space, e.g. for holding frozen liquid.

10. The receptacle according to claim 8, wherein the sleeve is arranged such that the liquid-retaining space is substantially adjacent the wall of the sleeve, and extends around the majority of said wall.

11. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the rim of the bowl comprises a lid engagement portion, e.g. a screw thread, on the interior surface.

12. The receptacle according to claim 11, further comprising a removable lid for sealing the bowl by means of a cooperating engagement portion on its exterior surface.

13. The receptacle according to claim 11, wherein the removable lid comprises a recessed upper surface with a gripping member extended upwardly from the recessed upper surface.