Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/10—Jars, e.g. for preserving foodstuffs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G19/00—Table service
  • A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
  • A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/22—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
  • B65D1/26—Thin-walled containers, e.g. formed by deep-drawing operations
  • B65D1/265—Drinking cups
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
  • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
  • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
  • B65D21/0213—Containers presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper or lower edge of at least two opposite side walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/10—Handles
  • B65D23/102—Gripping means formed in the walls, e.g. roughening, cavities, projections
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/02—Wrapped articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
  • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G2400/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G19/00-A47G23/16
  • A47G2400/04—Influencing taste or nutritional properties
  • A47G2400/045—Influencing taste or nutritional properties by releasing wine bouquet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
  • B65D2203/02—Labels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2221/00—Small packaging specially adapted for product samples, single-use packages or échantillons
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to improvements in wine glasses which may be constructed from relatively lightweight and cost efficient plastic materials. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved wine glass of modular or unitary construction, wherein the assembled wine glass is easily grasped and is shaped to facilitate inspection of the bouquet and visual characteristics of a selected wine, and further wherein a plurality of wine glasses or modular components thereof are shaped for relatively compact stacking for convenient shipping and/or storage.
• plastic molded cups are relatively inexpensive and thus suitable for disposal following a single use.
• such molded plastic cups have incorporated surface features designed to enhance the various visual, olfactory and taste characteristics of wine. See, for example, U.S. Patents 6,409,374 and 6,644,846, which are incorporated by reference herein.
• such molded plastic cups are commonly formed with an upwardly expanding cross sectional shape so that the cups can be shipped and stored in a compact stacked array, but this upwardly expanding shape does not concentrate the wine bouquet.
• plastic molded cups have generally been incompatible with optimally displaying to best advantage the full range of characteristics attributable to a particular vintage, and do not optimize the presentation and enjoyment of the wine. [Para 5]
• the present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.
• a wine glass constructed from molded and preferably transparent plastic comprises an upper body defining an upwardly narrowed flume for concentrating the wine bouquet, in combination with a contoured lower base defining an annular moat surrounding a central punt for enhanced visual inspection of the wine.
• the upper body of the wine glass further includes a notched indent at an outboard side thereof defining a generally horizontal and upwardly presented shelf for facilitated fingertip grasping and manipulation of the assembled glass, to correspondingly facilitate close inspection of bouquet and visual characteristics of wine contained therein.
• the upper body and lower base of the wine glass comprise separately formed modular components formed as by injection molding or the like.
• the modular upper body is adapted for quick and easy, substantially leak-proof assembly with the modular lower base to form an assembled wine glass having the upwardly narrowed flume in combination with the lower annular moat surrounding a central punt.
• This central punt may have an upwardly convex, generally hemispherical shape for enhanced visual inspection wine contained within the annular moat.
• the modular upper body and lower base are adapted for quick and easy disassembly for respective compact stacking of the separated modular components.
• the upper body and lower base of the wine glass are formed with a unitary or one-piece construction as by blow molding or the like to define the upwardly narrowed flume in combination with the lower annular moat surrounding a central punt, and further defining the external notched indent.
• the central punt may circumscribe an upwardly concave central inner cup of predetermined or metered volumetric capacity for pour-in reception of a measured quantity of wine.
• the one-piece glass is adapted for compact stacking in a filled or unfilled state by reception of the upwardly narrowed flume at least partially into an annular cavity formed at the underside of the lower base of an overlying glass in the stack, at an inboard or radially inward position relative to the adjoining annular moat.
• the wine glass of the present invention provides a convenient and compact commercial unit which may be marketed containing a serving of a selected wine or other beverage within a plastic or foil-based pouch or bag.
• the pouch or bag is initially contained within the wine glass in a position with a label on the pouch or bag visible through the transparent glass for easy external viewing.
• a seal member such as a removable cap is provided for normally closing the top of the wine glass with the pouch or bag therein to maintain product sanitation.
• the seal member is removed for access to and removal of the pouch or bag, which is then opened and the contents thereof dispensed into the wine glass. After use, the entire commercial unit may be economically disposed.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a module wine glass constructed in accordance with one preferred form of the present invention
• FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the module wine glass taken generally on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 , and further illustrating a removable lid in exploded relation thereto;
• FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of the components forming the modular wine glass
• FIGURE 4 is an enlarged and fragmented sectional corresponding generally with the encircled region 4 of FIG. 2;
• FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating multiple upper body components for a plurality of wine glasses arranged in compact stacked relation
• FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating multiple lower base components for a plurality of wine glasses arranged in compact stacked relation
• FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but depicting an alternative preferred form of the present invention.
• FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a plurality of wine glasses constructed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 7 in compact stacked relation;
• FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmented sectional view corresponding generally with the encircled region 9 in FIG. 8;
• FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmented sectional view corresponding generally with the encircled region 1 0 in FIG. 8;
• FIGURE 1 1 is a front perspective view showing a wine glass constructed in accordance with the invention in combination with a pouch or bag containing a single serving of wine or the like contained therein;
• FIGURE 1 2 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 1 1 , but showing the pouch or bag removed from the wine glass having the contents of the pouch or bag dispensed into the wine glass.
• a wine glass referred to generally in FIGURE 1 by the reference numeral 1 0 is constructed from molded plastic.
• the wine glass has a modular construction defined by separately formed modular components adapted for quick and easy assembly to provide a leak-proof drinking vessel (FIGS. 1 -4) particularly suited for drinking and/or sampling wine, and wherein these plastic modular components are further adapted in an unassembled state for compact nested stacking (FIGS. 5-6).
• FIGS. 1 -6 a leak-proof drinking vessel
• FIGS. 5-6 a leak-proof drinking vessel
• FIGS. 5-6 an unassembled state for compact nested stacking
• a modified wine glass 1 10 has a unitary or one-piece construction adapted for relatively compact and partially nested stacking in a filled or unfilled state. Either embodiment may be integrated into a convenient commercial unit 200 (FIGS. 1 1 -1 2) wherein a transparent wine glass 210 is provided in combination with a serving of wine or other beverage contained within a flexible pouch or bag 260.
• a convenient commercial unit 200 FIGS. 1 1 -1 2
• the wine glass of the present invention is formed with a geometric shape designed for enhanced enjoyment of substantially the full range of characteristics attributable to a specific wine. More particularly, the wine glass incorporates an upper flume 1 2 of upwardly narrowing cross sectional shape for concentrating the wine aroma or bouquet.
• a lower region or bottom of the wine glass includes a contoured lower base 14 defining a central upstanding punt 1 6 surrounded by a recessed annular moat 1 8, wherein the punt 1 6 and moat 1 8 accommodate enhanced visual inspection of a small quantity of the wine contained and/or swirled within the moat 1 8.
• the wine glass incorporates an external notched indent 20 defining a relatively shallow, upwardly presented and substantially horizontal exterior shelf 22 sized for convenient fingertip engagement, thereby facilitating fingertip grasping and manipulation of the wine glass. All of these features are provided in a relatively simple and cost-efficient construction suitable for formation by plastic molding processes. [Para 26] As viewed in FIGS.
• the illustrative modular wine glass 10 includes an upper shell-shaped body 24 in combination with the lower base 14, wherein these two components or modules are each adapted for construction by plastic molding or the like and subsequent assembly in substantially leak-proof relation. While a variety of different plastic materials may be used, one preferred plastic material comprises a substantially transparent polystyrene or the like having a density, strength and clarity conducive to close visual inspection of a beverage such as wine contained in the assembled glass, and suitable for relative economic production of the modular components as by injection molding or the like.
• the upper body 24 has a generally circular cross sectional shape extending upwardly from a lower end, with at least some radially inward taper to accommodate formation by injection molding processes, with quick and easy release of the molded body 24 from an appropriately shaped mold cavity or die (not shown).
• an upper region of this generally cylindrical tapered upper body defines the flume 1 2 having a more sharply or more significantly radially inwardly tapered cross sectional shape, corresponding closely with the inwardly tapered upper flume zone of a conventional wine glass constructed from a fragile glass material, terminating in an open upper mouth 26 of reduced cross sectional size.
• This flume 1 2 of upwardly narrowing cross sectional area beneficially concentrates the aroma or bouquet of wine contained within the assembled modular glass 1 0.
• At least one annular seal rib 28 (shown best in FIG. 4) is formed within the interior of the upper body 24 at a location spaced closely from a lower end thereof. This seal rib 28 is sized and shaped for interference, preferably snap-fit reception into a generally matingly shaped seal groove 30 (FIGS. 3-4) formed on the outboard side of a generally cylindrical outer wall 32 on the lower base component 14. A radially outwardly protruding lip 34 may be formed at a lower margin of the outer wall 32, for overlying and bearing against a lower margin of the upper body 24, when the two components are snap-fit assembled together.
• the seal rib 28 and associated seal groove 30 are sized and shaped to provide a substantially sealed or leak-proof interconnection or joint that may thus be disposed below the level of liquid contained within the assembled glass.
• the positions of the seal rib 28 and seal groove 30 may be reversed, i.e., that the seal rib 28 may be formed on the outer wall 32 of the lower base 14 for interference, substantially snap-fit reception into the associated seal groove 30 formed within the upper body 24 near the lower end thereof.
• one or both of the seal rib 28 and the seal groove 30 may be coated with a thin film seal agent, such as a thin coating of a curable silicon-based gel or similar resilient seal material.
• An upper margin of the outer wall 32 of the lower base 1 4 is molded integrally with a radially inwardly extending base plate defined by an outer annular segment 36 which cooperates with the axially centered and preferably upwardly convex, half-round or hemispherical punt 1 6 to form the upwardly open recessed annular moat 1 8 therebetween.
• the vertical dimension of the punt 1 6 preferably extends at least a short distance above the plane of the outer segment 36.
• the outer annular segment 36 effectively cooperates with the shape of the recessed moat 1 8 and the central punt 1 6 to form a radially stiff construction for the lower base component 1 4. Accordingly, radially inward pressure applied to the lower base 14, by pressing inwardly on the upper body 24 in the region of the seal Mp 28, does not result in radially inward deformation of the lower base 14. Such radially inwardly deformation of the lower base 1 4 would undesirably deflect the interfitting seal rib 28 and seal groove 30, with resulting potential for undesirable leakage of liquid past the seal structure.
• the stiff geometry of the lower base 14 functions to prevent such leakage from occurring.
• a plurality of plastic molded upper body components 24 can be assembled in a compact nested or stacked array for convenient, space-efficient shipment and/or storage.
• a plurality of plastic molded lower base components 1 4 can be stacked in a compact nested array for similarly compact shipment and/or storage.
• These components 24 and 26 can be snap-fit assembled when desired, quickly and easily, to form the assembled modular wine glass 1 0.
• the plastic glass 10 can be discarded, or, if desired, disassembled for appropriate cleaning and compact storage preparatory to re-use.
• the upper body component 24 incorporates the indented notch 20 at the outboard side thereof, preferably at a position near a vertical midpoint of the assembled modular glass 1 0.
• This indented notch 20 is defined in part at a lower end thereof by the substantially horizontal shelf 22 having a relatively narrow but sufficient horizontal depth to accommodate convenient fingertip grasping as by the tip of a person's thumb.
• An outboard margin of this shelf 22 may include a short upstanding and generally horizontally elongated rib 38 for further enhanced fingertip grasping and control. Accordingly, the assembled modular wine glass 10 can be readily grasped and manipulated with the fingertips, such as with the thumb and forefinger, in the course of inspecting and drinking wine contained therein.
• the shelf 22 with rib 38 is readily grasped by the thumb, while lifting the assembled glass 1 0 with the forefinger and/or middle finger engaging the lower base 14 and/or engaging a lower peripheral margin or edge generally at the Mp 34, for easy and convenient lifting of the assembled glass 1 0 substantially to eye and nose level for optimal inspection of wine contained within the glass.
• the fingertip-grasped modular glass 1 O can be held and manipulated easily by means of the notched shelf 22 and associated rib 38 for holding the glass 10 near the person's nose in the course of enjoying and/or grading the bouquet of the wine contained within the glass.
• the notched shelf 22 facilitates further manipulation of the glass for swirling close to the holder's eyes for visually inspecting a small quantity of wine contained within the lower end thereof, within or substantially filling the annular moat 1 8, particularly due to enhanced lighting effect attributable to the punt 1 6.
• such manipulation and lifting of the wine glass 10 may occur substantially in the absence of grasping or smudging any extended surface area of the upper body 24 or the lower base 14.
• fingertip handling of the glass 1 0 minimizes surface area contact between the person's body and the glass, thereby also minimizing undesirable heat transfer from the person to the wine or the like contained within the glass.
• the shelf 22 further accommodates handling of the modular glass 1 0 in the course of drinking the wine.
• a removable lid 40 may also be provided as a third component formed from molded plastic as by injection molding or the like, and adapted for removable mounting as by snap-fit connection onto the upper body component 24 to close the mouth 26 of the assembled glass 1 0.
• This lid component 40 is shown in FIGS. 2-3 in the form of a generally circular disk having a size and shape to overlie the open mouth 26, and further includes a depending annular Mp 42 sized for snap-fit reception into the mouth 26.
• the lid component 40 can be assembled and disassembled with the glass, as desired.
• the lid 40 (or the upper body 24) may also carry a label (not shown) or include a writable frosted region (also not shown) for identifying the vintage contained within the glass.
• a plurality of lid components 40 can also be stacked in a compact array (not shown) for convenient shipping and storage.
• FIGS. 7-1 0 illustrate an alternative preferred form of the invention wherein a modified wine glass 1 10 has a unitary or one-piece construction but otherwise incorporates structural and functional features identified by reference numerals common to the embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 1 -6.
• the modified wine glass 1 10 comprises an upper body 24 having a generally cylindrical cross sectional shape generally conforming with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 -6, to include the upwardly narrowing upper flume 1 2 terminating at an upper edge or margin in the open mouth 26.
• a lower edge or margin of the upper body 24 is joined integrally with a one-piece construction to the lower base 1 4.
• the upper body 24 further includes the notched external indent 20 defining the shallow shelf 22 and associated raised rib 38.
• This one-piece wine glass 1 10 is also preferably constructed from a lightweight and relatively economical and preferably transparent plastic material such as a plastic material suitable for blow mold processes such as PET plastic and the like.
• the lower base 1 4 of the one-piece wine glass 1 10 includes the annular moat 1 8 defined cooperatively at the lower periphery of the glass interior volume between a lower region of the upper body 24 and a central upstanding punt 1 6.
• the punt 1 6 defines an upstanding annular wall formed to extend angularly upwardly and inwardly at a relatively steep angle from a lower margin of the upper body 24, whereby the moat-defining walls diverge upwardly from each other at an included angle on the order of about 10 - 20 degrees.
• This geometry provides extensive and improved viewing of the visual characteristics of wine contained within the moat 1 8.
• the inboard moat-forming wall defined by the punt 1 6 is joined at an upper marginal edge thereof in circumscribing relation with an upwardly open, upwardly concave central inner bowl or cup 44 of predetermined or metered liquid volumetric capacity for pour-in reception of a measured quantity of wine.
• This central cup 44 is defined by a downwardly convex geometry that functions as a refracting or reflecting lens to enhance the light passing through wine contained within the cup 44, for correspondingly enhanced visual inspection of the wine color, clarity and meniscus.
• the upstanding punt 1 6 shown in FIGS. 7-8 may have an upwardly convex shape as shown in FIGS. 1 -6, or that the punt 1 6 shown in FIGS. 1 -6 may incorporate the central cup 44.
• the modified wine glass 1 10 shown in FIGS. 7-8 is adapted for pour-in reception of a metered quantity of wine into the upwardly open central bowl or cup 44.
• the wine glass 1 10 can be grasped and manipulated as described previously with respect to FIGS. 1 -6, for visually inspecting the wine within the cup 44.
• the wine glass can be manipulated to tip and thereby transfer the wine from the cup 44 into the surrounding moat 1 8 for further visual and olfactory inspection as previously described.
• Such manipulation of the wine glass 1 1 0 is accomplished easily by grasping the glass with minimal surface area contact between the person's fingertips and the glass, e.g., with the thumb and forefinger (and/or middle finger) respectively at the indented notch 20 and a lower marginal edge defined by the juncture of the upper body 24 and the upwardly extending wall forming the punt 1 6, substantially without distorting wine viewing with fingerprints or other smudges.
• the central cup 44 is designed to receive a liquid beverage such as wine for the purpose of improved viewing, measuring and tasting of the beverage.
• the central cup 44 defines a relatively broad upwardly presented and upwardly open surface area aligned generally with the open upper mouth of the glass, so that the beverage can be poured from above directly into the central cup 44, substantially without any significant portion of the beverage splashing or otherwise into or otherwise filling the surrounding moat 1 8.
• the circumferential opening defined by the cup 44 is generally coaxially aligned with the mouth 26 and has a circumferential size of at least about Vi and preferably substantially equal to the circumferential size of the mouth 26.
• the tapered flume geometry of the upper body 24 at least partially and preferably completely overlies the surrounding moat 1 8 so that direct-pour of the beverage through the mouth 26 and into the moat 1 8 is substantially precluded. That is, the moat 1 8 is, in the preferred form, positioned substantially in an undercut position relative to the rim of the glass defining the mouth 26, with the uppermost margin of the punt 1 6 aligned generally vertically with the glass rim.
• the central cup 44 defines a liquid volume or capacity for receiving a sufficient yet limited and preferably metered quantity of the beverage for appropriate visual and olfactory inspection and judging, etc.
• a preferred capacity for the central cup 44 is within the range of from about V ⁇ ounce to about 2 ounces, and most preferably about 1 ounce.
• the central cup 44 accommodates manipulation of the glass 1 1 0 to swirl the beverage therein during this inspection process.
• the glass can be tipped from a vertical orientation to an angle on the order of about 45 so that the beverage can be swirled and spilled slowly over the uppermost margin of the punt 1 6 in a controlled or regulated flow into the surrounding moat 1 8.
• This process beneficially facilitates and enhances examination and judging characteristics such as color and viscosity of a beverage such as wine, and thereby increases enjoyment of the beverage.
• the glass 1 1 0 is especially suited for beverage examination and analysis, e.g., at a wine tasting event.
• the one-piece wine glass 1 1 0 is also adapted for relatively compact stacking as viewed in FIG. 8. That is, the underside of the lower base 14 of each glass 1 10 defines an annular cavity 46 between the upstanding wall of the punt 1 6 and the downwardly convex central bowl or cup 44, wherein this cavity 46 has a size and shape for substantially nested partial reception of the upwardly narrowing flume 1 2 on the upper body 24 of an underlying glass 1 1 0 in the stack.
• the upwardly narrowing taper of the flume 1 2 is sized and shaped to substantially match the upwardly and inwardly tapered geometry of the punt wall, whereby these components are shaped and sized and essentially aligned vertically for relatively snug and substantially stable slide-fit interconnection when stacked.
• multiple glasses 1 10 can be stacked in a secure and stable manner in a partially filled condition, i.e., containing wine within the central cup 44 of each stacked glass 1 10 for convenient and rapid distribution to individuals, or alternately stacked in a secure and stable manner in an unfilled condition for relatively compact shipment and/or storage prior to or between uses.
• this detent channel 52 may be defined by a plurality, typically three or more, of circumferentially spaced shallow detent protrusions 54, although persons skilled in the art will recognize that an annular detent protrusion may be used if desired.
• the snap-fit interlocked stack of glasses 1 1 0 thus provides a stable array wherein the glasses 1 10 can be pre-filled each with a measured quantity of wine or the like, and with each underlying glass in the stack being substantially closed and sealed by the immediately overlying glass snap-fit attached thereto.
• the rounded bead 50 on the uppermost glass 1 1 0, or on each glass in an unstacked array may be used for snap-fit mounting of a cap 40 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9) of the type shown and described in FIGS. 2-3.
• the pre-filled stacked glasses 1 10 can thus be prepared in advance for distribution yet maintained substantially sealed until actual distribution which may occur in a convenient and rapid manner.
• the curved, downwardly convex shape of the inner bowl or cup 44 cooperates with the externally convex shape of the body 24 to magnify the liquid contents of the one- piece glass 1 1 0 under certain conditions.
• liquid such as wine contained within the cup 44 is magnified when viewed from the top of the glass 1 10, thereby permitting facilitated and closer inspection of the characteristics of the liquid.
• a focal zone is believed to be created within a region extending generally from about V ⁇ inch above the top of the central bowl or cup 44 to about V ⁇ inch below the beaded upper rim 50 lining the mouth 26.
• FIGS. 1 1 -1 2 show a wine glass 210 which may be constructed in accordance with the foregoing described embodiments of the invention, wherein this wine glass 21 0 is provided as an integral portion of a commercial unit 200 which further includes a beverage such as a serving of wine contained initially within a sealed plastic or foil-based pouch or bag 260.
• the wine glass 210 (FIGS. 1 1 -1 2) is shown generally in conformance with the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7-10, with the exception that the notched indent 20 and related exterior shelf 22 (shown in FIGS. 7-8) are omitted.
• the illustrative wine glass 210 has a one-piece construction comprising an upper body 24 of generally cylindrical sectional shape and tapering upwardly to define the narrowing upper flume 1 2 terminating at an upper edge or margin in the open mouth 26.
• a lower edge or margin of the upper body 24 is joined integrally with a one-piece construction to the lower base 1 4.
• the lower base 14 of the one-piece wine glass 21 0 includes the annular moat 1 8 defined cooperatively at the lower periphery of the glass interior volume between a lower region of the upper body 24 and a central upstanding punt 1 6. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the central punt 1 6 defines an upwardly open, upwardly concave central inner bowl or cup of predetermined or metered liquid volumetric capacity for pour-in reception of a measured quantity of wine.
• the one-piece wine glass 210 is again constructed from a lightweight, economical and transparent plastic material.
• FIG. 1 1 shows the commercial unit 200 including the wine glass 21 0 in an initial configuration including the sealed pouch or bag 260 mounted therein.
• the pouch or bag 260 comprises a flexible plastic or foiled-based structure containing a selected beverage, such as a selected wine, preferably in an amount representing a single serving.
• a label 262 on the pouch or bag 260 is readily visible through the transparent plastic upper body 24 of the wine glass to permit easy external viewing and reading of the contained beverage type, quantity, and source identification.
• a seal member 40 such as a lid or the like of the type shown and described in FIG. 2 normally closed and seals the pouch 260 within the glass 210 in a manner maintaining internal glass sanitation.
• the seal member 40 is removed from the mouth 26 of the glass 210 for access to and removal of the pouch or bag 260 contained therein.
• the pouch 260 can then be opened in a normal manner, as by manually tearing an upper strip 264 as viewed in FIG. 1 2. With the pouch 260 opened, the pouch contents can be dispensed by pouring quickly and easily into the wine glass 210. After use, the entire commercial unit 200, including the glass 210, the pouch 260, and the seal member 40 can be economically discarded.
• a variety of further modifications and improvements in and to the improved modular wine glass 1 0 and/or the unitary wine glass 1 10, and/or the commercial unit 200 of the present invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art.
• the modified wine glass 1 1 0 may also incorporate a label or writable frosted zone (not shown) on the upper body 24.
• a label or writable frosted zone not shown
• persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the wine glass 210 and/or the associated seal member 40 may take a wide variety of different geometric configurations. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2007
  • 2007-01-29 US US11/668,046 patent/US20070119726A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2008
  • 2008-01-14 EP EP08727641A patent/EP2109385A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-01-14 CA CA002676924A patent/CA2676924A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-01-14 WO PCT/US2008/050990 patent/WO2008094747A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-01-14 JP JP2009548355A patent/JP2010516584A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-01-14 AU AU2008210914A patent/AU2008210914A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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