Abstract:
Embodiments are presented herein that provide a beverage container made of a beverage holder and a base, wherein the base can be detached from the beverage holder and reattached repeatedly without rendering the base incapable of reattachment. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the beverage holder is retained in an aperture in the base by an interference fit. The removability of the base from the beverage holder allows a plurality of bases to be stacked together and a plurality of beverage holders to be stacked together, for ease in storage and transport.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/610,602, filed on Mar. 14, 2012, and incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the invention relate to beverage containers and methods of making beverage containers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Some beverage containers consist of only a beverage holder; this includes, for example, a traditional cup or mug. Optionally such containers may include a handle or handles. Many other beverage containers, however, include a base that extends beyond the periphery of the beverage-holding portion of the beverage container. The base may be designed to help the beverage holding portion of the container maintain an upright position either with or without the inclusion of a beverage in the container. This may be important when a container is “top heavy,” or when the bottom of the container tapers to the extent that the container could not be expected to reliably remain upright without additional assistance. In other cases a base may not be necessary to the function of the beverage container but might still be desirable from an aesthetic point of view. 
         [0006]    Often the base is integral to the beverage container. This can present a number of complications. First, many beverage containers are made by either injection molding or blow molding. The use of these techniques to prepare a base/container combination is technically challenging, may require additional equipment, and is not always successful. Second, the inclusion of a base integral to a container may make storage and shipping of multiple containers difficult and/or expensive, because the containers are not easily stackable, if they are stackable at all. 
         [0007]    A number of solutions have been proposed to solve these problems. For example, containers have been designed so that the base is a separate element from the container. The base is then attached to the container by a press or screw fit. Another proposed solution is presented by U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,504, to Baron. The &#39;504 patent proposes a container including an axial, beverage-holding extension. This extension may be placed within a complicated, blow-molded base. Unfortunately, the base of the &#39;504 patent is difficult or indeed impossible to stack when alone, and when combined with a container the base may be difficult or impossible to remove while keeping both the base and the container intact. Furthermore, the blow-molding process is expensive and time-consuming. 
         [0008]    Some beverage containers have a separate base that can be attached to the beverage-holding portion, however, once assembled, often the assembly is permanent and the base and the beverage-holding portion cannot be detached and reassembled. This makes it difficult to transport this type of beverage container after assembly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Embodiments are presented herein that provide a beverage container comprising a beverage holder and a base. We provide beverage containers including a beverage holder and a base, wherein the base can be detached from the beverage holder and reattached repeatedly without rendering the base incapable of reattachment. The removability of the base from the beverage holder allows a plurality of bases to be stacked together and a plurality of beverage holders to be stacked together, for ease in storage and transport. The beverage holder typically has a bottom and at least one sidewall connected to the bottom, which allows the container to hold a beverage. The base may be a ring, a portion of a cone, or another shape sufficient to prevent or help prevent the beverage holder from tipping when the container is filled with a beverage. The base has an aperture in its center for the attachment of the lower end of the beverage holder to the base. Although circular is a common shape for the beverage holder and base, other shapes are also possible. 
         [0010]    In embodiments of this invention, the base is deformable to a sufficient extent to allow introduction of the bottom of the beverage holder into the aperture in the base. Once the bottom of the beverage holder has been placed in the aperture, it is retained by an interference fit. The base and holder may be separated at the convenience of the user and repeatedly reconnected. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of this invention, a beverage container comprises a beverage holder and a base. The beverage holder has a bottom, at least one sidewall connected to the bottom, an upper end, a lower end, and an extension at the lower end that terminates in a lip that is slightly larger in size than the perimeter of the lower extension. The sidewall(s) and extension join to form a shoulder. The base has an inner perimeter surrounding an aperture, an outer perimeter defining the edge of the base, an upper end, a lower end, and an extension at the upper end. The base extends beyond the outer perimeter of the extension of the beverage holder and the base connects to the beverage holder by engaging the lip of the extension of the beverage holder. The base is detachable from the beverage holder without rendering the base incapable of reattachment to the beverage holder; thus, the base can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the beverage holder. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the beverage container has a beverage holder that is a cylinder, a right circular cylinder, a frustum of a cone, or a non-circular cylindrical shape. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the sidewall of the beverage holder decreases from top to bottom. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment, the bottom of the beverage holder does not extend any further into the base than is necessary to allow the beverage holder to be retained in the base. 
         [0015]    In another preferred embodiment, the sidewall has a top ring. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the base helps the beverage holder remain in an upright position. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, the base is ring-shaped or has the shape of a frustum of a cone. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the base has a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or irregular shape. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, the aperture and the outer perimeter of the base are both circular in shape. 
         [0020]    In yet another embodiment, the aperture and the outer perimeter of the base do not have the same general shape. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the beverage holder and said base are independently made from a material that is the same or different and is one of polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, or glass. 
         [0022]    In yet another embodiment, the appearance of the beverage holder and the base is the same or different and can be transparent, translucent, or opaque, or combinations thereof. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the beverage holder and base are made in the same way or in a different way and are independently made from either injection molding or blow molding. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, the base is deformable to a sufficient extent to allow the introduction of the bottom of the beverage holder into the aperture in the base such that the beverage holder contacts the base and is retained by an interference fit. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the beverage container has at least one handle. 
         [0026]    In yet another embodiment, the beverage container has a design on the surface of the beverage holder and/or the base. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, the beverage holder is stackable with at least one other beverage holder when the base is separated from the beverage holder. 
         [0028]    In yet another preferred embodiment, the base is stackable with at least one other base when not attached to the beverage holder. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the base is frustoconical. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0030]    In the accompanying drawings we have shown certain preferred embodiments of our beverage container in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a beverage container of the invention, including both the base and the holder in their combined orientation. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a beverage container of the invention, this time with the base and the holder separated. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a beverage container of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a beverage container of the invention, with the beverage holder and base separated. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of a beverage container of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the separated beverage container components. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the beverage container of the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom view of the separated beverage container components. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 9-12  show detailed views of multiple bases of the invention in different colors. 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  shows additional embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    We have found that a useful and aesthetically pleasing beverage container may be made by inserting the bottom of a beverage holder into an aperture in a base. Typically both the base and the beverage holder are separately injection molded. 
         [0042]    The appearance of the beverage holder and the base may be separately selected from transparent, translucent, opaque, or some combination of those. A label or design may be attached or incorporated on a surface of the base or holder to indicate the type of beverage or may communicate some other message, for example an advertisement. 
         [0043]    The shape of the beverage container may be, but is not required to be, reminiscent of or otherwise similar to those that consumers already associate with particular beverages. For example, the holder may be a shape traditionally useful for distribution and consumption of a pilsner, lager, milkshake, or soda. In other embodiments the shape of all or part of the beverage container may be ornamental; for example, it may have a character shape. In some embodiments the container may have a handle. The shape of the base may also vary. For example, when the container is character-shaped, the base may be shaped like feet. 
         [0044]    Although various embodiments are described in the context of beverage containers, containers for other liquids may also be made according to various embodiments of the invention. For example, laboratory “glassware” and/or medical containers may be replaced by a stackable container of the invention. 
         [0045]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the attached figures, which may be reviewed to assist with a better understanding of the invention. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  show views of a typical embodiment of the invention. A beverage container  1  includes a beverage holder  3  and a base  5 . The beverage holder  3  includes a bottom  9 , at least one sidewall  7  connected to the bottom  9 , an upper end of beverage holder  19 , a lower end of beverage holder  21 , and a lower extension  23  at the lower end of beverage holder  21  having a lower extension outer perimeter  11  which terminates in a lip  33  that is slightly larger in size than the lower extension outer perimeter  11  of the beverage holder  3 . The at least one side wall  7  and lower extension  23  join to form a shoulder  25 . 
         [0047]    The base  5  includes a base inner perimeter  13  surrounding an aperture, a base outer perimeter  15  that defines the edge of the base, an upper end of base  27 , a lower end of base  29 , and an upper extension  31  of base  5  at said upper end of base  27 . The base  5  extends beyond the lower extension outer perimeter  11 . The upper end of base  27  has an aperture essentially equal to the size and shape of the lower extension  23  of the beverage holder  3  for receipt of the lower extension  23  of the beverage holder  3  when the beverage holder  3  and the base  5  are combined. The base  5  connects to the beverage holder  3  by engaging the lip  33  of the lower extension  23  of the beverage holder  3 . The base  5  is detachable from the beverage holder  3  without rendering the base incapable of reattachment to the beverage holder. The base  5  and the beverage holder  3  can be repeatedly connected and disconnected. 
         [0048]    The beverage holder may be made of a number of materials. For example, it may be polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, or polystyrene. Other plastics, polymers, glass, metals, and wood, among other materials, are also acceptable. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 4 , the lower extension  23  of the beverage holder is shown as circular. Although this is the preferred shape of the bottom, other shapes are possible so long as a corresponding aperture may be formed in the base. For example, the bottom may be oval, square, rectangular, or irregularly shaped. 
         [0050]    The preferred embodiment is shown wherein the beverage holder has a single sidewall that takes the shape of a frustum of a cone. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the container may be a cylinder, including a right circular cylinder or other non-circular cylindrical shape. The sidewall may also be ornamental; for example, it may have a character shape. In some embodiments the sidewall has a top ring  17 . 
         [0051]    The base may also be made of a number of materials. These material used for the base may be, but is not required to be, the same as that of the beverage holder. Preferably the base is deformable to the extent necessary to allow the outer perimeter of the bottom of the beverage holder to be placed into the inner perimeter of the base and then be held by an interference fit. Of course, the base should not be so deformable that it is unable to support the beverage holder in a desired position when it is filled with a beverage. 
         [0052]    The inner perimeter and outer perimeter of the base do not need to have the same general shape. In preferred embodiments they are both circular. The base material between the inner and outer perimeters of the base may be straight or curved. The base may have a circular slot able to engage the lip that runs around the lower extension outer perimeter of the lower extension of the beverage holder. 
         [0053]    Embodiments are described herein may offer one or more significant advantages over the prior art. The bases and beverage holders are easily stacked, assembled, shipped, stored, and disassembled. Typically the bottom of the beverage holder does not extend any further into the base than is necessary to allow the beverage holder to be retained within the base. 
         [0054]    This design solves a number of issues presented by the prior art. For example, by having the bottom extend only a short way into the base, the possibility that the bottom will snap off within the base is eliminated. This is a significant risk with some of the art, for example, the container shown in the &#39;504 patent, that when a sideways force is applied to the beverage holder the bottom of the holder will snap off and remain lodged in the base, thereby ruining the container. This is not a concern with embodiments of this invention, where placing a lateral force against the holder will, at best, remove it intact from the base, ready to be used again. 
         [0055]    Additionally, the use of the aperture in the base provides substantial benefits to manufacturing. Without the aperture in the base, construction of the base would require complicated and expensive tooling. The alternative might be a “press fit,” which is less satisfactory as well. 
         [0056]    Those skilled in the art will recognize with the advantage of this disclosure that both the base and the beverage holder may be injection molded. The beverage holder may also be blow molded if necessary. Significantly, bases used in a number of embodiments of the invention lack a return, which eliminates or curtails the necessity to blow mold the base. 
         [0057]    While we have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of our beverage container and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of making and using the same, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in the art with the benefit of the disclosure made herein. 
         [0058]    Patents, patent applications, publications, scientific articles, books, web sites, and other documents and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the inventions pertain, as of the date each publication was written, and all are incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. Inclusion of a document in this specification is not an admission that the document represents prior invention or is prior art for any purpose.