Abstract:
A gas dissolving apparatus that combines a gas at first pressure into a working fluid, the working present at a second pressure equal to or greater than the first pressure. The device includes a molecular mixing chamber which is designed as a truncated conical chamber located between an inlet and an outlet. The device can include a plurality of inlets for the gas to enter into the mixing section, and a plurality of passages through the truncated conical chamber. The truncated conical chamber is surrounded by a cylindrical chamber leading to the outlet of the chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is directed to a beverage container such as a wine glass that can be sealed with a seal or lid that can be removed prior to consumption. The present invention also relates to assemblies of multiple beverage containers in direct connected, attached configuration. 
     Beverages are commonly sold to consumers in containers such as glass or plastic bottles, aluminum or steel cans, cardboard or plastic cartons; or devices that include bladders containing the beverage. The beverage contained therein can be transferred to a suitable drinking glass composed of a suitable material including but not limited to glass, plastic, or the like for consumption. In certain situations, users prefer drinking beverages from individual serving containers such as cans, juice bottles and the like. However many consumers prefer drinking certain types of beverages from glasses having wide mouths to enhance the aroma and, therefore, the flavor of the beverage. 
     It would be desirable to provide individual servings of various beverages in sealed wide-mouth containers to enhance the aroma and taste of the beverage during consumption. It is also desirable to provide individual serving containers that can be positioned together into multi-serving container packages for sale or distribution. 
     SUMMARY 
     A beverage container is defined herein that includes a vessel body and a lid. The vessel body has a base, a side wall, and a rim that defines a chamber. The base has a defined perimeter. The side wall is connected to the base and extends upward therefrom. The rim is defined on the side wall distal from the base. The side wall has a side wall median located midway between the base and the rim. The side wall also has an outwardly projecting central section having a maximum circumference greater than the perimeter of the base. The maximum circumference of the side wall is located at a position on the side wall between the side wall median and the respective base or rim. The lid has a first face oriented toward the vessel body when the lid is on position relative to the vessel body and an opposed second face. A seal region is defined on the first face of the lid and at a location corresponding to the rim of the vessel body in releasable contact therewith. 
     An assembly of beverage containers as previously described. The assembly includes at least two beverage containers, each container having a vessel body and a lid. Each container has a beverage serving located in a sealed chamber defined in the vessel body and the attached lid. A base of at least one first beverage container releasably engages the rim of a second beverage container such that the lid of the second beverage container is interposed between the respective rim and base. The interposed lid is in sealed engagement with the second beverage container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the beverage container as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detail view of an embodiment of a rim elevation of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the 5-5 line of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of an embodiment the rim portion of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of the bottom region of the beverage container of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 9  is detail view of the lip region of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view an embodiment of a beverage container assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of a beverage container assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a detail view of the junction between two of the beverage containers in the beverage container assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a beverage container as disclosed herein as an assembly with an embodiment of a removable beverage container accessory; 
         FIG. 14  is a detail view of the assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of the beverage container assembly of  FIG. 11  when encompassed by a box; and 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of the beverage container assembly of  FIG. 11  when encompassed by a shrink wrap. 
         FIG. 16A  schematically shows a material that adheres to a seal region of a beverage container of  FIGS. 1 and 10 ; and 
         FIG. 16B  schematically shows a material that adheres to a seal region of a beverage container of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in the exemplary drawing figures, and referring particularly for  FIG. 1 , a beverage container  10  includes a beverage vessel body  12  and a removable lid  14  sealingly affixed to the beverage vessel body  12 . The beverage vessel body  12  can be constructed of any suitable material. In various embodiments, the beverage vessel body  12  can be made of a suitable moldable polymeric material. Where desired or required, the material can be transparent. In specific embodiments, the material employed can be any material that is suitable for use with food stuffs. The material can be one that is dimensionally stable but can provide minor deformation in specific applications. In applications where the beverage container  10  contains wine, the beverage vessel body  12  can be composed of a suitable transparent polymeric material. The lid  14  can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to foil, plastic and the like. The material employed in the lid  14  can be made of a material that is the same or different from the material of the vessel body  12 . In some applications, it is contemplated that the material employed in the lid  14  will be more deformable than that employed in the vessel body  12  and will be able to conform to suitable dimensional contours by crimping or the like. 
     The beverage vessel body  12  includes a base  16  that has a circumference C B  as measured at the outer perimeter of a surface contacting regions that has of a first defined value (see  FIG. 7 ). The beverage vessel body  12  also has a side wall  20  that terminates in a rim  22 . The side wall  20  and base  16  define a chamber of a specified volume. As such, the side wall  20  will have a suitable height H. The side wall also has a side wall median M. 
     In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figure, the side wall  20  has a curvilinear outer contour that creates at least one outwardly protecting bulbous region  24  that extends beyond the perimeter created by the base  16 . The side wall  20  has an inwardly tapering region  26  immediately above bulbous region  24 . Tapering region  26  terminates in rim  22 , the geometry of which will be described in greater detail subsequently. In the embodiment depicted, the side wall  20  has bulbous region  24  located below the side wall height median M. Bulbous region  24  has a circumference C W  greater than the circumference C B  of base  16 . The side wall  20  curves upward from base  16  to the circumference maxima at C W . The side wall  20  then enters a gentle inward curve that proceeds contiguously into tapering region  26 . Circumference maxima at C W  can be any percentage greater than that of the circumference C B  of base  16 . In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the circumference maxima C W  can be between 10 and 50% greater than the circumference C B  of base  16 . 
     The side wall  20  has an inwardly tapering region  26  between the bulbous region  24  and the rim  22 . In the embodiment depicted, the rim  22  has a circumference maxima C R  equal to or less than the circumference C B  of the base  16 . In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the outer circumference or circumference maxima C R  of the rim  22  will be between 0 and 15% less than the circumference C R  of base  16 . In certain embodiments, the maximum circumference C W  of side wall  20  will be between 5% and 50% greater than the circumference C B  of base  16 . 
     Side wall  20  can have a suitable inner face  28  opposed to a curvilinear outer face outer face  30 . In certain various embodiments, the inner and outer faces will be parallel. Thus the internal chamber defined in vessel body  12  will have greater volume in the regions below the median M. 
     The internal volume of the vessel body  12  generally will be suitable to contain a suitable beverage serving. The vessel body will be proportioned in a manner that provides the suitable volume. In certain embodiments it is contemplated that the base  16  will have a cross-sectional diameter between 2 and 4 inches. The outer diameter of rim  22  will be sufficient to permit releasable engagement between rim  22  of one container  10  and base  16  of a second container. The inner diameter of the rim  22  will be sufficient to permit the beverage to be consumed from the vessel body  12 . The maximum diameter of side wall  20  in the bulbous region  24  can be between ¼ inch and 1 inch greater than the diameter of base  16 . The total height of the beverage container will be one that approximates the height of a 6 oz. beverage glass in certain applications. 
     Rim  22  is contiguously joined to the upper region of side wall  20 . As depicted, rim  22  includes a body  32  with a lip  34  projecting axially outward therefrom to a defined distance. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the lip  34  extends to provide an outer surface that can be received in a suitable orifice defined in the base  16  of a corresponding beverage vessel. In certain embodiments, the outer diameter of rim  22  is essentially equal to an inner diameter defined by base  16 . The rim  22  also has an upwardly oriented surface that can include at least one upwardly oriented surface or bead  36  projecting therefrom. 
     Rim  22  is configured to be placed in mating contact with the lid  14  in a manner that facilitates establishment of a removed seal. Lid  14  can contact rim  22  in any suitable manner. In certain embodiments, the lid  14  is configured with a suitable edge region that is affixed to the rim  22  to maintain the beverage inside that vessel body  12 . The lid  14  can be attached to the rim  22  in any suitable manner including, but not limited to crimping adhesives and the like. Where an adhesive material  100  is employed, the suitable adhesive material will be one that is suitable for use with food stuffs. Note that an adhesive material is inherently a material that includes an adhesive that is a sticky substance that can adhere or stick to another material. The adhesive material can be present as a layer, bead, or other structure that is interposed between the rim  22  and the interior facing side of lid  14 . Where desired or required, the interposed adhesive can be positioned such that it contacts all or a portion of the upper surface of rim  22 , such as bead  36 . Note that adherence of the adhesive material  100  is schematically shown in  FIG. 16A , wherein the items shown in  FIG. 16A  are not meant to be limited to a particular shape or dimension. 
     The lid  14  can have any suitable configuration to sealingly engage the rim  14  and span the opening defined in the vessel body  12 . In various embodiments, the lid  14  can be a thin planar member that can conform to and cover the defined opening. When in sealing engagement, the lid  14  can deflect inward into the opening defined in the vessel body  12 . The lid  14  can have a suitable peripheral region proximate to its outer edge that can be configured to conform to at least a portion of the rim  22 , wherein the peripheral region can be thought of as a seal region. 
     The desired beverage can be sealed in the vessel body  12  by lid  14 . The volume of beverage will be such that the height of the beverage comes to a suitable fill line F. When the vessel body is composed of a suitable transparent polymeric material, the beverage will be visible through the vessel body  12 . 
     The rim  22  can have any configuration that will facilitate sealing engagement between the lid  14  and the vessel body  12 . In the embodiment depicted, the rim  22  can be configured with a plurality of steps  40 ,  42  positioned on interiorly and exteriorly oriented surfaces relative to bead  36 . It is contemplated that adhesives or other sealing material can be interposed between the interiorly oriented steps  40 ,  42  and lid  14 . Note that an adhesive is inherently a material that is a sticky substance that can adhere or stick to another material. As used herein the term “adhere” is taken to include connection facilitated by direct rim-to-lid adhesion as well as interposition of a suitable adhesive layer  100  between the rim  22  and the lid  14  as shown in  FIG. 16A . Where a line of adhesive is used, it is contemplated that the adhesive line can be deployed so as to contact the bead  36  of rim  22  and, if desired, the adhesive can be disposed such that the adhesive contacts multiple planar surfaces defined in the inwardly oriented surface of the rim  22 . 
     It is also within the purview of this disclosure to configure lid  14  to conform to one or more of the geometric ridges and/or shelves defined in the upper surface of the rim  22 . Conformance can be accomplished during manufacture of lid  14  or during attachment of lid  14  to associated rim  22 . Conformance fitting may be augmented by adhesives where desired or required. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4-6 , the rim  22  has at least one shoulder  38  radially interior of the bead  36 . The shoulder  38  is has a maximum height or peak below bead  36 . Shelf  40  is located radially interior to shoulder  38  and is positioned contiguous thereto. Shelf  40  terminates in downwardly projecting inner wall  28 . 
     Where desired or required, the rim  22  can have suitable outer geometric details. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4-6 , the rim  22  has a shoulder  42  radially outward of bead  36  and positioned below the bead  36 . A shelf  44  is positioned radially outward of the shoulder  42  and is contiguously joined to it. The contours of the various shelves  40 ,  44  and shoulders  38 ,  42  will be sufficient to permit contact with lid  14  but will be small enough to permit an enjoyable drinking experience. 
     The outer edge  46  of shelf  44  defines a downwardly extending wall region  48  that terminates in an inwardly curved lower region  50 . In the embodiment depicted, the inwardly curved lower region  50  terminates in a cylindrical band portion  52  that is interposed between the rim  22  and the uppermost portion of side wall  20 . Side wall  20  and cylindrical band portion  52  can be contiguous to one another or can have a suitable intermediate region  54  interposed between them. In the embodiment depicted in the various drawing figures, an inwardly tapered is interposed between the intermediate region  54  inwardly curved lower region  50  and the cylindrical band portion  52 . 
     The vessel body  12  can also include a transitional region  55  interposed between band portion  52  and the upper region of side wall  20 . 
     The base  16  of vessel body  12  can be configured to releasably engage with rim  22  of a similarly configured beverage vessel  10 . In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the base  16  includes at least one arm member  56  having an outwardly oriented side  58  contiguously connected to the lower region of the side wall  20  at a location on vessel body  12  opposed to the rim  22 . The arm member  56  defines an inwardly oriented detent  60  generally opposed to outwardly oriented side  58  that terminates in bottom wall (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The size, number and positioning of arm member(s)  56  is that sufficient to releasably engage the rim  22  of a corresponding beverage container  10 . As depicted in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , the device has one arm member  56  that extends continuously around the circumference of the base  16  and defines a surface contacting region  64 . 
     The detent  54  can have any suitable internal wall configuration sufficient to receive and maintain at least a portion of rim  22  of an associated beverage device  10  in engaged relationship. In the embodiment depicted, the internal wall of detent  60  has a concave configuration that can releasably engage the corresponding rim  22 . In the embodiment depicted, the inner wall of detent  60  contacts the shoulder  50  associated with rim  22 . 
     The arm member  56  can be either of solid or hollow construction depending on the specific application. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, arm member  56  is a continuous solid circular body contiguously positioned relative to side wall  20  and bottom wall  62 . Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the solid continuous arm member  56  provides stability to the associated vessel body  12 . It is further believed that solid continuous arm member  56 , when employed with solid rim  22  as further associated with curve linear side wall  20  provides a structurally robust beverage container  10 . 
     The bottom wall  62  (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 2 ,  8  and  9 ) can have any suitable geometric configuration. In the embodiment set forth in the drawing figures, the bottom wall  62  has an inwardly curved geometry having a lowest region proximate to arm member  56  and a maximum inwardly oriented point proximate to the radial center of the device  10 . The arc defined by curved bottom wall  62  is between 1 degree and 30 degrees from planar. 
     Engagement between rim  22  and the arm member  56  generally occurs at a junction point located at a lower portion of detent  60  and rounded shoulder region  50  of the respective elements. While the present disclosure has presented engagement between two beverage containers  10 , it is also considered within the purview of the present disclosure to provide releasable engagement between a beverage container  10  and a suitable accessory. 
     One non-limiting example of a suitable accessory is wine glass stem  100  depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Wine glass stem  100  includes a suitable head  110 , base  112  and stem  114  interposed between head  110  and base  112 . Head  110  is configured to releasably engage a suitably configured base  16  of beverage container  10 . In the embodiment depicted, head  110  of wine glass stem  100  includes a suitable rim  122  configured to matingly contact arm member(s)  56 . In the embodiment illustrated, rim  122  is matingly received in the orifice defined by continuous circular arm member  56  in the manner described previously. Other accessories are contemplated, including but not limited to Pilsner stems as well as plate members and the like. 
     When the beverage container  10  is employed with an accessory such as wine glass stem  100 , the stem  100  can be attached when desired. Typically the stem  100  will be attached to base  16  of beverage container  100  prior to removal of lid  14 . 
     The present disclosure also contemplates an assembly of beverage containers such as those previously described the assembly including at least two beverage containers each having a vessel body  12  and a lid  14 . Each beverage container  10  has a serving of a given beverage located in a sealed chamber defined in the vessel body  12 . The serving size can be a predetermined amount. In applications where the beverage container  10  is configured to contain wine, the serving size can be between 2 oz. and 6 oz. by way of example. In the assembly  200 , as depicted in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the base  16  of at least one first beverage container  10  releasably engages the rim  22 ′ of a second beverage container  10 ′ such that a lid  14 ′ of the second beverage container  10 ′ is interposed between the respective rim  22 ′ and base  16 . 
     The assembly  200  can be composed of any number of beverage containers  10 ,  10 ′. Certain assemblies can be composed of even multiples of beverage containers with assemblies of two and four being typical in certain applications. The assembly  200  can further include an outer covering member as shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B . Non-limiting examples of an outer covering include boxes ( FIG. 15A ) and shrink wrap ( FIG. 15B ) and the like. Note that the shape and dimensions of the box  300  shown in  FIG. 15A  (see dashed lines) and the shrink wrap  302  shown in  FIG. 15B  are not meant to depict particular shapes and dimensions. They are shown for depicting the general idea of using a box or shrink-wrap to contain the assembly  200  and, thus, are for illustrative purposes only. 
     The beverage containers  10 ,  10 ′ etc. can be dimensioned to approximate the height and maximum width dimensions of a standard wine bottle. Thus an assembly  200  of four beverage containers  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ positioned in stacked end-to-end relationship will have the approximate height of a standard wine bottle. The assembly can contain four servings of the same or different wines. Each container can be accessed by removing the respective lid. The contents can be consumed from the opened beverage container which can be used as a drinking glass. Note that a possible attachment of a lid to rim  22  of  FIG. 11  via an adhesive  100  is schematically shown in  FIG. 16A  and a possible attachment of a lid to rim  22 ′ of  FIG. 11  via an adhesive  100  is schematically shown in  FIG. 16B . Note that adherence of the adhesive material  100  is schematically shown in  FIGS. 16A-B  wherein the items shown in  FIGS. 16A-B  are not meant to be limited to a particular shape or dimension. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.