SINGLE-USE WINE GLASS
Wine glasses and wine glass assemblies with improved durability. In some examples, wine glasses/assemblies include a vessel, a stem, and a base that can be assembled together. In some examples, one or more annular protruding ribs can provide strength to the wine glasses or wine glass assemblies while reducing the amount of material required to manufacture the wine glass/assembly.
Single-use or disposable wine glasses are used to save costs in manufacturing and shipping. Such wine glasses are commonly used for functions involving a large number of people, functions taking place in public or open spaces, and functions at which there is a tendency for more expensive wine glasses to break, get lost, or get stolen.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to improvements in wine glasses.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are described in connection with single-use wine glasses. By “single-use” is not meant that the wine glass may be used only once, but rather that the intended life cycle is for the wine glass to be used once or a small number of times (e.g., fewer than thirty times) and then discarded. Single-use wine glasses can alternatively be thought of as disposable wine glasses, but again that term is somewhat of a misnomer, since any wine glass is technically disposable. Rather, the purpose of a single use/disposable wine glass is its relatively low cost to manufacture and ship, an attribute that makes it more amenable to disposal after only a small amount of use. To keep costs low for both manufacturing and shipping, single-use wine glasses typically are not made out of glass, but rather out of less expensive and lighter materials, such as polymeric materials or paper based materials.
Although aspects and features of the wine glasses disclosed herein will be described in the context of disposable wine glasses specifically, it should be appreciated that certain aspects disclosed are readily applicable to conventional (non-disposable) wine glasses, as well as other beverage containers.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a wine glass assembly, the assembly including a liquid vessel, a stem, and a base, the liquid vessel having a first mating feature, the base having a second mating feature, and the stem having a vertical axis, a first end having a third mating feature, and a second end opposite the first end on the vertical axis and having a fourth mating feature, the third and fourth mating features having identical configurations such that each of the third and fourth mating features is complementary to the first and second mating features. In some examples, the first and second mating features are female features, and the third and fourth mating features are male features. In some examples the first mating feature is an upward projecting recess in a bottom wall of the vessel. In some examples, the second mating feature is a downward projecting recess in a top surface of the base. In some examples, the stem is symmetrical about a horizontal axis of the stem that bisects the stem and is perpendicular to the vertical axis.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a wine glass having a wall defining a liquid vessel, the liquid vessel having an open top and a closed bottom, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface projecting outwardly in at least one rib around a horizontal cross-section of the vessel between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the vessel. In some examples, the outer wall projects outwardly in at least two annular ribs, each around a horizontal cross-section of the vessel between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the vessel. In some examples, a first portion of the wall is thicker than a second portion of the wall, the first portion of the wall being above the second portion of the wall, and the second portion of the wall being above or below the at least one rib. In some examples, a width of the vessel narrows from the open top to the closed bottom.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a wine glass having a wall defining a liquid vessel, the liquid vessel having an open top, a closed bottom, and a round horizontal cross-section that varies in diameter from the open top to the closed bottom, a horizontal cross-section of largest diameter being disposed between the open top and the closed bottom, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface projecting outwardly in at least one annular rib around a horizontal circumference of the vessel at a vertical position selected from: a horizontal circumference between the open top and the horizontal cross-section of largest diameter; a horizontal circumference between the closed bottom and the horizontal cross-section of largest diameter; and the horizontal cross-section of largest diameter. In some examples, the outer surface projects outwardly in at least two annular ribs, each rib being disposed around a horizontal circumference of the vessel at a vertical position selected from: a horizontal circumference between the open top and the horizontal cross-section of largest diameter; and a horizontal circumference between the closed bottom and the horizontal cross-section of largest diameter.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a wine glass, the wine glass having a vertical height, an empty weight, and a material density and comprising a wall defining a liquid vessel, the liquid vessel being defined by an inner volume and a break resistance and having an open top and a closed bottom, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface projecting outwardly in at least one rib around a horizontal cross-section of the vessel between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the vessel, wherein the vertical height is greater than or equal to a vertical height of a reference wine glass and/or wherein the empty weight is less than an empty weight of the reference wine glass, and wherein the break resistance is greater than or equal to a break resistance of a liquid vessel of the reference wine glass, and wherein the material density is greater than or equal to a material density of the reference wine glass, and/or wherein the inner volume is greater than or equal to an inner volume of the liquid vessel of the reference wine glass. In some examples, the material density is determined by excluding the at least one annular rib; that is, the at least one annular rib can have a different material density than the rest of the vessel. In some examples, one or more of the foregoing parameter comparisons is true more generally as between one or more components of a wine glass assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, and the corresponding component or components of a reference wine glass assembly. For example, the “vertical height” as used above can alternatively refer to the vertical height of an entire wine glass assembly including a vessel, stem and base, with that vertical height, in some examples, being greater than or equal to the corresponding vertical height of a reference wine glass assembly having a liquid vessel, stem and base.
As used herein, the term “break resistance” refers to a minimum amount of force to be applied, under predefined conditions (e.g., predefined temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.) to a predefined location on the wine glass in order to break the liquid vessel of the wine glass. Thus, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, a disposable wine glass is provided that is stronger and lighter than a reference disposable wine glass made of the same material (e.g., both the disclosed wine glass and the reference wine glass can be made entirely of one of polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc.) and having equal or greater dimensions than the reference wine glass. It should be appreciated, therefore, that some advantages of the disclosed wine glasses include lower manufacturing and shipping costs, due to the wine glasses' relatively lower weight and use of relatively less material, without sacrificing, or with minimally sacrificing, or in some cases improving, the strength of the wine glass.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Referring to
The bottom wall 106 includes a mating feature 112. In this example, the mating feature 112 is an upward projecting recess in the bottom wall 106. In this example, the mating feature 112 has a horizontal cross-section that is circular and radially symmetric with respect to a central vertical axis V of the vessel 100. In this example, the projecting nature of the mating feature 112 upward into the interior volume 110 can also function as a wine aeration mechanism when wine is poured into the vessel and is caused to splash against the mating feature 112. In alternative examples, the mating feature 112 does not project into the interior volume 110, and is simply a recess within the bottom wall 106.
The side wall 108 has an inner surface 116 abutting the interior volume 110, and an outer surface 118 at the exterior of the vessel 100. The outer surface 118 projects outward, i.e., horizontally away from the interior volume 110, in one or more ribs 114. In the example vessel 100, two ribs 114 are shown. In other examples, one rib, or three, four, five or more ribs can be provided. In the example shown, the ribs 114 are shown as annular ribs continuous about an entire horizontal circumference of the vessel 100; however, in other example, the ribs do not extend around the entire horizontal circumference. The projecting nature of the one or more ribs 114 can provide structural strength to the vessel 100, even if portions or all of the remainder of the side wall 108 and/or the bottom wall 106 are relatively thin. The one or more ribs 114 can be formed (e.g., molded) integrally with the remainder of the vessel 100. Alternatively, the one or more ribs 114 can be attached (e.g., with adhesive) to the side wall 108 after manufacture of the vessel 100. In some examples, the one or more ribs 114 are made of a different material than the remainder of the vessel 100.
In the example vessel 100, towards the top 102, the side wall 108 includes a thickened portion 120 about the entire horizontal circumference of the vessel 100. The thickened portion 120 is an optional feature that can be provided in addition to the one or more ribs 114 and can provide further rigidity or structural strength to the vessel 100.
The stem 200 includes a shaft 202. At either end of the shaft 202 is a mating feature (204, 206). In this example, the two mating features 204 and 206 are identical tapered projections extending vertically (i.e., along the vertical axis y of the stem) in opposite directions from opposing ends of the shaft. The mating features (204, 206) can be formed integrally with the shaft 202, e.g., from the same material in the same molding process.
In this example, the stem shaft 202 is symmetrical about the horizontal axis x that bisects the shaft 202. Moreover, because the mating features 204 and 206 are structurally identical, the wine glass assembly can be assembled using either of the two vertical orientations of the shaft 202. The symmetry of the stem 200 can thus simplify assembly of the wine glass, as well as reduce manufacturing costs (e.g., the mold be simpler and therefore less costly) and shipping costs (e.g., symmetrical stems can take up less space and therefore be packed more efficiently in large numbers than asymmetrical stems).
Each of the mating features (204, 206) can be configured to mate with the mating feature 112 of the liquid vessel 100 in a secure manner, e.g., via an interference fit, a spring-clip grip, etc.
The base 300 includes a horizontally flat or at least partially horizontally flat bottom surface 302 configured to rest on a surface, e.g., a table. That is, the base 300 is configured to provide a stand for the stem 200 and the liquid vessel 100 when the wine glass assembly of the vessel 100, the stem 200, and the base 300 is assembled. The base 300 includes a top surface 304. The top surface 304 includes a mating feature 306. In this example, the mating feature 306 is a centrally located downward projecting recess in the top surface 304 of the base 300. The mating feature 306 is configured to mate with either of the mating features 204, 206 of the stem 200. Thus, for example, the mating feature 206 is mated with the mating feature 306, and the mating feature 204 is mated with the mating feature 112 to form a wine glass assembly. In some examples, the vessel 100, the stem 200, and the base 300 can be reversibly assembled such that they can be disassembled and re-assembled after an initial assembly. The mating between the mating feature 306 and the mating feature 206 can be any suitable form of mating connection, e.g., a frictional fit, a spring clip fit, etc.
Each of the vessel 100, the stem 200, and the base 300 can be manufactured separately and shipped in large quantities. Shipping containers can be configured to hold a plurality of all three of the components 100, 200, 300 or alternatively a plurality of just one or two of the components.
Referring to
The vessel 400 has circular horizontal cross-sections that vary in size from the top 402 to the bottom 404. In this example, the largest horizontal cross-section is labeled in
The outer surface 408 projects outwardly in a horizontal annular rib 418. In this example, one horizontal annular rib 418 is provided. However, two, three, four or more parallel or substantially parallel annular ribs can alternatively be provided. In this example, the annular rib 418 is continuous about an entire horizontal circumference of the vessel 400. In alternative examples, the horizontal annular rib 418 can be discontinuous. In the example shown, the horizontal annular rib 418 is positioned above the maximum diameter of the vessel 400 (i.e., above the imaginary line E) and below the top 402. In other examples, the horizontal annular rib can be positioned between the imaginary line E and the bottom 404, and/or one or more horizontal annular ribs can be provided above the line E and one or more horizontal annular ribs can be provided below the line E.
The projecting nature of the one or more ribs 418 can provide structural strength to the vessel 400, even if portions or all of the remainder of the wall 406 are relatively thin. The one or more ribs 418 can be formed (e.g., molded) integrally with the remainder of the vessel 400. Alternatively, the one or more ribs 418 can be attached (e.g., with adhesive or via an interference fit) to the wall 406 after manufacture of the vessel 400. In some examples, the one or more ribs 418 are made of a different material than the remainder of the vessel 400.
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In some examples, because of the durability imparted to the wine glass assembly 600 on account of the one or more ribs 606, for a given material composition of the liquid vessel 602, one or more of the following are true: a) the height h2 is greater than or equal to the corresponding height of a liquid vessel of a reference wine glass assembly X, the liquid vessel of the reference wine glass assembly X having the same or more dense material composition as the vessel 602; b) the diameter d1 is greater than or equal to the corresponding diameter of the liquid vessel of the reference wine glass assembly X; c) the diameter d2 is greater than or equal to the corresponding diameter of the liquid vessel of the reference wine glass assembly X; and/or d) the volume v of the interior volume 604 is greater than or equal to the corresponding interior volume of the vessel of the reference assembly X; and in addition, at least one of the following is true: e) the weight w is less than the empty weight of the reference assembly X; and/or f) the break resistance of the vessel 602 is greater than or equal to the break resistance of the liquid vessel of the reference assembly X.
As used herein, that the “material composition” of the vessel 602 and the vessel of the reference assembly X are the same or the that the material composition of the vessel of the reference assembly X is less dense than that of the vessel 602 means that the material density of the vessel 602 is greater than or equal to the material density of the vessel of the reference assembly X.
Although various embodiments are described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications may be made thereto within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the disclosure in any way be limited by the examples provided.
Claims
1. A wine glass comprising:
- a liquid vessel, the liquid vessel having an open top and a closed bottom and comprising a bottom wall and a side wall integral with the bottom wall, each of the bottom wall and the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and the side wall defining an interior volume for containing liquid;
- wherein the outer surface of the side wall projects outwardly in at least one rib surrounding a perimeter of a horizontal cross-section of the vessel between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the vessel; and
- wherein the outer surface of the bottom wall includes an upwardly projecting recess; and
- wherein the inner surface of the bottom wall includes an upward projection.
2. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein the outer surface projects outwardly in at least two of the ribs, the at least two ribs being separated vertically from each other.
3. (canceled)
4. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein a width of the vessel narrows from the open top to the closed bottom.
5. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein the at least one rib comprises a hollow portion.
6. The wine glass of claim 5, wherein the hollow portion is disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface.
7-15. (canceled)
16. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein the at least one rib is manufactured integrally with the rest of the liquid vessel.
17. (canceled)
18. A wine glass assembly comprising:
- a liquid vessel comprising a first mating feature;
- a base comprising a second mating feature; and
- a stem, the stem comprising a vertical axis, a first end having a third mating feature, and a second end opposite the first end on the vertical axis, the stem further comprising a fourth mating feature, the third and fourth mating features having identical configurations such that each of the third and fourth mating features is complementary to the first and second mating features;
- wherein the liquid vessel has an open top and a closed bottom and is defined by a side wall and a bottom wall integral with the side wall, each of the bottom wall and the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and the side wall defining an interior volume for containing liquid;
- wherein the outer surface projects outwardly in at least one rib surrounding a perimeter of a horizontal cross-section of the vessel between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the vessel; and
- wherein the first mating feature comprises an upwardly projecting recess in the outer surface of the bottom wall and an upward projection of the inner surface of the bottom wall.
19. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second mating features are female mating features and the third and fourth mating features are male mating features.
20. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein the second mating feature is a downward projecting recess in a top surface of the base, and the stem is symmetrical about a horizontal axis of the stem that bisects the stem and is perpendicular to the vertical axis.
21. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the wall extending from the at least one rib to the open top is thickest at the open top.
22. (canceled)
23. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein an upper portion of the wall extending from the at least one rib to the open top is thickest at the open top.
24. (canceled)
25. The wine glass of claim 5, wherein the hollow portion is in open communication with the liquid vessel.
26. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein the upwardly projecting recess and the upward projection define a mating feature.
27. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall is flat.
28. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the bottom wall is flat.
29. The wine glass of claim 1, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall is flat, and wherein a portion of the outer surface of the bottom wall is flat.
30. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall is flat.
31. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the bottom wall is flat.
32. The wine glass assembly of claim 18, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall is flat, and wherein a portion of the outer surface of the bottom wall is flat.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 18, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Inventor: Hyman Kramer (Bronx, NY)
Application Number: 15/409,061