CHEMILUMINESCENT STEMMED DRINKING GLASS

Abstract: A stemmed drinking glass with an upper cup (18) supported by a hollow stem (6) and connected to a base (4) uses a chemiluminescent light stick (36) inserted into the hollow stem (6) to provide illumination. A demountable cup (18), demountable base, or hole extending upward through the bottom of the base (4) and incorporating a plug facilitates insertion, containment, and removal of lightstick (36).

Description: Potent Application of Kris R. Diehl for CHEMILUMINESCENT STEMMED DRINKIN6 6LRSS BRCK6R0UND-FIELD OF INUENTION This inυention relates to stemware, specifically to an illuminated stemmed drinking glass such as a mine or champagne glass. BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR RRT Seueral inventions have utilized electrical incandescent means to provide illumination for a lighted beverage gloss. Evidence of this is disclosed in U.S. Patents: Stott U.S. Patent No. 3,735,113; Douglas U.S. Patent No. 3,878,306; Ditto et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,344,113; Dietz et al. U.S. Potent No. 4,922,355; Uleller U.S. Patent No. 5,070,435; Mokoωsky U.S. Potent No. 5,119,279; Tipton U.S. Potent No. 5,211,699. Problems of cost, difficulty of mashing for reuse, and the need for battery replacement ore probably reasons for their unpopularity. Chemiluminescent light sticks mode by American Cyanamid Company, UJayne, Neiv Jersey and under the trademark CVRLUME provide an alternate means of illumination. U e see this utilized by Neuicomb et al. U.S. Potent No. 4,563,726. Chemical light sticks consist of a flemble tube sealed at both ends, and housing tivo isolated chemicals, one of which is inside its own gloss vial. Upon bending the flexible tube, the glass vial contained inside is broken thereby miHing and activating both chemicals to create cold light. R problem arises when occasionally the light stick mentioned is bent and fractured to a point of leakage. Although the chemicals are non-toHic they are contaminated with small particals of glass in their activated state. This can present a safety hazard particularly in designs that house a light stick in the actual drinking cup of a drinking vessel. In designs just mentioned, the vertical holloui tube used to house a light stick inside the cup may fail in its sealing capability, and actual liquid to be consumed can become contaminated. Another problem involving stemware arises in cleaning. Certain stemware requires βHpensive custom washing rocks used with dishwasher machines, porticuioriy glosses with longer stems. The problem is solved by the cup portion of sold stemware being detachable from its stem and base portion thereby reducing the overeall height. OBJECTS AND ADUANTABES It Is on object of the present invention to provide illumination in a stemmed drinking glass without incorporating electronics and batteries for economical and aesthetic reasons. It is olso on object to provide illumination in a stemmed drinking glass incorporating a chemiluminescent light stick. It is onother object to provide o means to isolate the predescribed light stick totally from the drinking cup of o drinking vessel for safety and aesthetic reasons. It is a further object to provide an illuminated stemmed drinking glass whereby the stem in its entirety will radiate equally distributed light intensity. It is still a further object to provide a stemmed drinking glass that dis¬ mantles to enoble insertion, containment, and removal of a predescribed chemical light stick. It is yet another object to provide a method whereby a stemmed drinking glass dismonties to fit any size washing rack from commerciol dishwasher machines. SUMMAAV OF INDENTION The above and other objects and advantages are accomplished with the present invention by o stemmed drinking gloss comprising: (o) on upper cup supported by a hollow stem, (b) o bose portion joining the lower most CHtremity of said stem, (c) a chemiluminescent light stick method for illumination whereupon in activated state is inserted inside hollow stem, (d) o demountable cup, demountable base, or hole extending upward through the bottom of the bose and joining the hollow stem incor¬ porating a plug, to focilitαte insertion, containment, and removal of light stick, 96/24007 PC17US96/ 1572 (e) α drinking vessel totolly isolating light stick from beverage for safety and and aesthetic reasons, ond (f) α demountoble cup portion of vessel to ollow long stemmed glosses to fit any size woshing rack from commerciol dishwasher machines. In preferred embodiments, the stemmed drinking gloss is made of a transparent or tronsluscent material such as glass, plastic, or a combin¬ ation thereof. The bose and cup portions of the vessel may be demountoble by threoded or other means to facilitate insertion, containment, ond removal of a chemiluminescent light stick which is housed inside the hollow stem. A simplified model incorporates a hole extending upward through the bottom of the bose ond joining the hollow stem, and plug to facilitate insertion, containment, ond removal of said light stick. Upon insertion of an activated light stick inside the hollow stem, a delightful glow of Illumination is experienced with equolly distributed light intensity through a portion or entirety of hollow stem. An exterior or interior vessel surfoce encompassing radially smooth, ongulor, flat, curvaceous, ond faceted nature may be used to occentuote oppeαl and Illumination along with o full range of colors for light sticks and material of construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAUJIN6S Fig. 1 Is a vertical sectional view of the present invention incorporating α demountable and remountable cup. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the present invention incorporating α demountable and remountable base. Fig. 3 is α verticol sectional view showing non-demountable construction. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of base portion of vessel. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the plug portion of vessel. Fig. 6 shows an individual chemiluminescent light stick. Fig. 7 shows o chemiluminescent light stick with integral plug. Fig. 0 is a verticol sectional view of the present invention incorporating o demountable ond remountable cup, the modification being to accept chemiluminescent fluid and alleviate the need for a light stick. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the present invention incorporating a demountable ond remountable base, the modification being to accept chemiluminescent fluid ond alleviate the need for a light stick. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectionol view of the present invention showing Integral construction, the modificotlon being to accept chemiluminescent fluid ond alleviate the need for a light stick. AEFEAENCE NUMEAALS IN DAAUIIN6S 2 bottom bose rim 4 bose 6 hollow stem 8 hollow cavity 10 separation point 12 threads 14 cup outer wall 16 cup inner wall 18 demountable cup O 96/24007 PC17US96/01572 20 cup rim 22 plug 24 gripping lip 26 hole 20 decreosing radius 36 light stick 38 demountable bose 40 cup 42 integral plug 44 0-ring seal 46 chemiluminescent fluid DESCRIPTION OF THE POEFEAAED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of the chemiluminescent stemmed drinking gloss is shown incorporating o demountoble cup It. fl inner wall 16 of cup IB totally isolotes drinking fluid from o chemiluminescent light stick 36. R threaded means 12 focilitotes seporotion and reottochment of cup IB from a hollow stem 6 at separation point IB ond allows insertion, contain¬ ment, ond removal of light stick 36 which is housed inside said stem 6 during operation. Cup 18 ond stem 6 ore supported by a bose 4 generally tapering upward in a decreasing radius to join stem 6 in integral fashion. Referring to Fig. 2, a modification of Fig. 1 is shown whereby o threaded means 12 facilitates separation of o demountable base 38 at separation point IB from stem 8. This allows insertion, containment, ond removal of light stick 36 by o detachable ond reottochoble bose meothod. Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a modificotlon of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown whereby the present invention is shown in non-demountoble form. A cup 48 Integrally connects to hollow stem 6 in a continuous extension to bose 4. A clrculor hole 26 extends upwardly and centrally from bottom of base 4 to Interconnect with hollow stem 8. A light stick 36 may be inserted through hole 26 ond be housed in a hollow covity 8 of stem 6. A removable plug 22 seats in hole 26 ond facilitates access for insertion, containment, and removal of light stick 36. A concave decreasing radius 28 extends upwardly and inwardly from a bottom bose rim 2 to hole 26. This allows clearance between plug 22 ond bottom base rim 2. Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a gripping lip 24 enables plug 22 to be held firmly in hole 26 to contain liyht stick 36. Referring to Fig. 7, a integral plug 42 mates with light stick 36 to alleuiate the need for plug 22. The operation procedure consists of inserting a activated light stick inside the hollow stem 6 by removal of demountoble bose 38, demountable cup 18, or plug 22. Aeattochment of said cup, bose, or plug provides containment of light stick 36. A pleasing glow of colored illumination with equally distributed light intensity through potentially the entirety of stem 6 is accomplished by light stick 36 means. A liquid tight relationship between said cups, and said stem are accomplished by inner wall 16 ond totally isolates light stick 36 from beverage to be consumed thus preventing contamination. By separating demountoble cup 18 from stem 6, the height of the glass is reduced and will allow ease of cleaning and eliminate the need for expensive custom washing racks used with commerciol dishwasher machines. Bef erring to Fig. 8, Fig. 9, ond Fig. 10 we show a modification of Fig. 1 , Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 respectfully whereby the need for a light stick is alleviated ond is replaced by chemiluminescent fluid fully described in the modification of the present invention. MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTION In the olternαtlve embodiment of Fig. 6, the improvement being that Illumination is provided not by a light stick but by a chemiluminescent fluid 48 which is directly deposited inside hollow cavity 8 upon removal of demountable cup 18. R o-ring seal 44 prevents leakage. This system allows solid material of hollow stem 6 in its entirety to magnify equally distributed light along with portions of cup 18 for a more pleosing effect. Referring to Fig. 9, on alternative embodiment is shown whereby demountoble baes 38 allows insertion, containment, ond removol of chemiluminescent fluid 48 by a detachable ond reottachoble bose method. Referring to Fig. 10, a modification is shown whereby the present invention is in non-demountable embodiment. Plug 22 seats in hole 26 ond focilitotes insertion, containment, and removol of chemiluminescent fluid 46. Not shown is an embodiment of the present invention incorporating both a demountable cup and demountable base method for ease of cleaning. RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE While particular examples of the present invention ore described and shown, it is obvious that changes ond modifications may be mode threin without departing from the spirit ond scope of the invention.

Claims: Cloims: I Cloim: 1. 0 chemiluminescent stemmed drinking gloss comprising: o cup supported by α hollow stem and connected to a base, said hollow stem being illuminated in its entirety or partiality by a chemiluminescent light stick means, said cup being isolated from a chemiluminescent means of illumination whereby a fracture of said cup containing a beverage could not lead to beverage contamination from a chemiluminescent substance, said hollow stem being made of a transparent or tronsiuscent material of contraction not witholding colored properties thereof, and said cup, said hollow stem, and said base having a interior or exterior surface encompassing a plurality of textures and shopes not witholding radially smooth, angular, flat, faceted, curvacious, scalloped, swirled, ond combinations thereof. 2. The apparatus of claim 12. further including a hole extending upwardly and centrally through sold base and joining said hollow stem, and a plug means to focilitote insertion, contoinment, ond removal of said chemiluminescent light stick. 3. The apparatus of claim 12. further including a detachable meons and a reattachable means in relation between said cup ond said hollow stem. 4. The apparatus of claim 12. further including a detachable meons and a reattachable means in relation between said hollow stem and said bose. 5. The αpporatus of cloim 12. further including o hole extending upward ond centrally through said bose ond joining said hollow stem, ond accepting a chemiluminescent light stick with a plug means Incorporated on a chemiluminescent light stick to facilitate its insertion, containment, and removol. 6. The apparatus of claim 14 further including a detachable means ond reattachable meons in relation between said bose ond said hollow stem. 7. A chemiluminescent stemmed drinking gloss comprising: a cup supported by a hollow stem and connected to a bose, said hollow stem being illuminated in its entirety or partiality by a chemiluminescent meons whereby illumination is magnified, sold cup being isolated from said chemiluminescent meons whereby a fracture of said cup containing a beverage could not lead to beverage contamination from a chemiluminescent substance, said hollow stem being mode of a transparent or tronsiuscent material of construction not witholding colored properties thereof, and said cup, said hollow stem, and said base having a interior or exterior surf oce encompassing a plurality of textures ond shopes not witholding radially smooth, angular, flat, curvacious, faceted, scalloped, swirled, and combinations thereof. 8. The apparatus of claim 18. further including a hole extending upwardly ond centrally through said base and joining said hollow stem, and a plug means to facilitate insertion, containment, and removal of said chemiluminescent means. 9. The apparatus of cloim 18. further including a detachable means and o reattachable means in relation between said cup and said hollow stem. 10. The apparatus of claim 10. further including a detachable means and o reattachable means in relation between said hollow stem ond said bose. 11. The apparatus of cloim 20 further including a detachable means and reattachable meons in relation between said base and said hollow stem. AMENDED CLAIMS [ received by the International Bureau on 11 July 1996 ( 11 .07.96) ; original claims 1 -11 replaced by amended claims 1 -7 ( 1 page)] 1. fl chemiluminescent stemmed drinking gloss comprising: α cup portion supported by a hollow stem portion which in turn is supported by o bose portion; said hollow stem portion being illuminated at least partially by a chemiluminescent meons; and said hollow stem portion being mode of either a transparent or translucent material. 2. The apparatus of claim 1. further including a hole extending upwardly and centrally through said base portion communicating with a hollow cavity within said hollow stem portion, and a plug means in relation to said hole to facilitate insertion, containment, and removal of said chemiluminescent means used to illuminate said hollow stem portion. 3. The apparatus of claim 1. further including a meons for detaching and reattaching said cup portion to said hollow stem portion. 4. The apparatus of claim 1. further including a means for detaching and reattaching soid hollow stem portion to said base portion. 5. The apparatus of claim 3. further including a meons for detaching and reattaching soid base portion to said hollow stem portion. 6. The apparatus of claim 1. further including a magnification means whereby the illumination from said chemiluminescent means is magnified. 7. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein said hollow stem portion is said chemiluminescent means. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 The original claims had two independent cloims being very similar in nature [ claim 1, and 7] . Cloim 1. defined a Chemilumnescent Stemmed Drinking Glass whereby the stem portion is illuminated by a chemiluminescent lightstick meons. Cloim 7. defined a Chemilumnescent Stemmed Drinking Gloss whereby the stem portion is illuminated by a chemiluminescent means, the "means" including chemiluminescent fluid deposited in the hollow cavity of the hollow stem portion of the vessel. Since "chemiluminescent means" could be a chemical lightstick, chemiluminescent fluid, or a host of chemiluminescent devices, it was decided to use just one independent claim incorporating "chemiluminescent means" as the illumination meathod in order to broaden the claim and simplify them as well. The original claim 1. also specified certain surfaces of the invention which narrowed the cloim and would have colled for more drawings. The amended claim 1. does not specifg any particular surface ond this broadens the cloim and simplifies it as well, thereby not impacting the description or drawings. Amended dependent claims 2, 3, 4, and 5 hove been shortened ond are more clearly written than their corresponding original state thereby more clearly defining the invention. They are extremely similar to the original dependant cloims, and the changes do not impact the description or drawings. The omended cloim 6. includes a magnification means whereby illumination from chemiluminescent means is magnified. This will not effect the specification and is clearly explained on page 4 of the specification just preceding the Brief Description of the Drawings. The amended claim 7. clearly defines a certain scope of the invention whereby the hollow stem portion is the chemiluminescent meons. It is possible to percieve this in some of the original drawings therby amended claim 7 does not impact the description ond the drawings. PCT Chapter Two will be filed soon.

Inventors: DIEHL KRIS R, DIEHL, KRIS, R.
Applicants: DIEHL KRIS R, DIEHL, KRIS, R.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F21V33
IPC codes: A47G19