Abstract:
A modular beverage-glass kit consists of a glass cup, a stem support structure, and a base support structure. The glass cup may have a cup portion and a male threaded portion. The cup portion and the threaded portion are integrally formed in one piece so as to resist accumulation of residue during washing. The stem support structure and the base support structure have different sizes and shapes but have the same female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. The female threaded portion may be constructed separately and assembled into the support structure for improved manufacturing efficiency and flexibility of use. The components of the kit may be located in a box, such as a display case, for marketing and storage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to glassware, including a kit or set of glassware pieces that may be assembled together to form a multi-use glass cup. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The prior art includes various multi-component glassware products. Please refer to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,140,504 and 2,169,426, U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2013/0334166, 2011/0174763, and 2003/0098311, and European Design Registration No. 002122903-0001. The prior art does not disclose or suggest, however, a multi-component glassware product that is constructed in accordance with the present invention, where a glass-cup portion has integrally-formed male threads for selectively connecting the cup portion to matching female threads of different support structures. Compared to the present invention, the prior art products are disadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, the prior art products are more difficult to maintain (in particular, more difficult to keep clean) and they cannot be easily reconfigured for different settings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art are overcome to a significant extent by the present invention, which relates to a modular beverage-glass kit made up of a glass cup, a stem support structure, and a base support structure. The glass cup may have a cup portion and a male threaded portion. The cup portion and the male threaded portion are preferably integrally formed in one piece. The stem support structure may have a top portion and a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. The base support structure may have a cradle portion and a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup as well. 
         [0004]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure, and the cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure. Moreover, the stem support structure may have a columnar middle portion that is narrower than its top portion, and the cradle portion of the base support structure may have a concave curved surface that conforms to a curved surface of the glass cup. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the invention, the components of the modular beverage-glass kit, including at least the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure, are located in an enclosure, such as a suitable box, which may be a display case. 
         [0006]    Further, the present invention relates to a method of making a modular beverage-glass kit. The method includes a plurality of steps as follows: (1) providing a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece; (2) providing female threaded nuts, a stem support structure, and a base support structure; (3) locating a first one of the threaded nuts in a top portion of the stem support structure, such that the support structure has a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and (4) locating a second one of the female threaded nuts in the base support structure, such that the base support structure has a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the female threaded nuts are essentially identical to each other. 
         [0007]    Among other advantages, a separable glass cup constructed in accordance with the present invention does not tend to accumulate residue from washing. 
         [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment, the set of pieces may include a glass cup that can be selectively connected to support structures by threads, to provide a completely solid, modular architecture. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the invention may include a drinking glass element that has a glass screw located in a base thereof, and stem/support structure parts with built-in threaded nuts (e.g., stem receivers) on their top sides. In operation, the drinking glass element may be detachably assembled to one of the support structure parts by screwing the glass screw into the corresponding threaded nut, and then the drinking glass element may be detached from the stem/support structure and connected to another stem/support structure for use in serving a different beverage. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the screw portion of the glass cup has male threads that can be threaded into assembling joints of corresponding support structures. The glass cup is preferably completely solid and compact, without any hole. As a result, the glass cup does not retain liquid, during washing, at any assemblage point. 
         [0011]    The support structures may serve different functions in different applications. For example, one of the supports may be a lower/smaller one, in which case, when assembled, the product is configured for use in drinking whisky, gin, or the like. On the other hand, if the support that is employed is a taller/bigger one, then, when assembled with the glass cup, it would be configured for use in drinking wine, water, or the like. 
         [0012]    When the parts of the set are disassembled, the glass cup and the support structures may be stored in a compact enclosure such as, but not limited to, a padded box or display case. The set may include at least three complementary pieces—the glass cup and two different support structures—and all of the pieces may be stored or marketed together in an appropriate box or case. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a glass cup constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the glass cup of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a stem support structure constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the stem support structure of  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a base support structure constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the base support structure of  FIG. 5 , taken along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the glass cup of  FIGS. 1-2  joined to the stem support structure of  FIGS. 3-4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the glass cup of  FIGS. 1-2  joined to the base support structure of  FIGS. 5-6 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a boxed kit that contains the glass cup of  FIGS. 1-2 , the stem support structure of  FIGS. 3-4 , and the base support structure of  FIGS. 5-6 , constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Turning now to the drawings, where like elements are represented by like reference numerals, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a glass cup  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The glass cup  10  has a cup portion  12  and a threaded portion  14 . The cup portion  12  and the threaded portion  14  may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be a transparent material such as, but not limited to, glass, plastic, or crystal. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the interior  16  of the glass cup  10  may be configured to hold a liquid beverage such as, but not limited to, wine, water, gin, and whiskey. 
         [0023]    The opening  18  of the glass cup  10  may be defined by a circular rim  20 . The cup portion  12 , the rim  20 , the interior  16 , and the opening  18  are all axially symmetric about a central axis  22 . The bottom surface  24  of the threaded portion  14  may be flat (with no opening). The bottom surface  24  is preferably perpendicular to the glass-cup axis  22 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a stem support structure  40  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The support structure  40  has a top portion  42 , a middle portion  44 , and a bottom portion  46 . The support structure  40  is axially symmetric about a central axis  48 . The top portion  42  has a cylindrical surface  50 . The middle portion  44  has a cylindrical columnar surface  52 . The bottom portion  46  has a frustoconical surface  54  with a circular bottom surface  56 . The outer diameter of the bottom surface  56  is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface  50 , which is greater than the outer diameter of the columnar surface  52 . 
         [0025]    The top portion  42 , the middle portion  44 , and the bottom portion  46  may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be different from the material of the glass cup  10 . The bottom surface  56  may be flat, and configured to rest on a table or countertop surface (not shown) to support the stem support structure  40  in the upright position shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 . The top portion  42  of the stem support structure  40  has female threads  58  ( FIG. 4 ) located in a socket  60  for receiving the threaded portion  14  of the glass cup  10 , for fixedly (but detachably) joining the glass cup  10  to the stem support structure  40 , for serving and drinking wine, water, or the like. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a base support structure  70  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The base support structure  70  has a cradle portion  72  ( FIG. 6 ), a middle portion  74 , and a bottom surface  76 . The base support structure  70  is axially symmetrical about a central axis  78 . The middle portion  74  has a circular top opening  80 , a circular bottom opening  82 , and a curved surface  84  located between the top and bottom openings  80 ,  82 . The concave curvature of the surface  84  matches the convex curvature of a bottom curved portion  86  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) of the cup portion  12 . 
         [0027]    The bottom opening  82  ( FIG. 6 ) opens downwardly into a cylindrical socket  88  with female threads. The configuration of the threaded socket  88  is preferably essentially the same as that of the female threads  58  of the stem support structure  40 . The cradle portion  72 , the middle portion  74 , and the bottom surface  76  of the base support structure  70  may be integrally formed in one piece of a suitable material, which may be different from the material of the glass cup  10 , but the same as that of the stem support structure  40 . The bottom surface  76  may be flat and configured to rest on the table or countertop surface to support the base support structure  70  in the upright position shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 . In operation, the male threads  14  of the glass cup  10  are received in the female threaded socket  88 , to fixedly (but detachably) join the glass cup  10  to the base support structure  70 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows the glass cup  10  joined to the stem support structure  40 . In the  FIG. 7  configuration, the central axes  22 ,  48  of the glass cup  10  and the stem support structure  40  are aligned and coaxial with each other. The product shown in  FIG. 7  may be suitable for serving and drinking wine, water, or the like. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows the glass cup  10  joined to the base support structure  70 . In the  FIG. 8  configuration, the central axes  22 ,  78  of the glass cup  10  and the base support structure  70  are aligned and coaxial with each other. The product shown in  FIG. 8  may be suitable for serving and drinking whisky, gin, or the like. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows the glass cup  10 , the stem support structure  40 , and the base support structure  70  located together in a suitable enclosure, for example, a box  100 . The box  100  may be, for example, a padded or fitted display case. 
         [0031]    According to one aspect of the invention, the purpose of the glass set  10 ,  40 ,  70 ,  100  is to provide improved functionality, modularity, and portability. The components  10 ,  40 ,  70  that are stored and/or displayed in the box  100  may be used for multiple purposes with a simple reconfiguration of pieces. Thus, the invention provides an upper reusable cup or glass  10  for serving and/or drinking wine, water, gin, whisky, etc. The ultimate use of the invention may be chosen by the user in a self-service mode. In other words, the user may select the desired support structure  40 ,  70  for use with the glass cup  10 . 
         [0032]    The present invention includes several functional and technical innovations. Among other things, the multi-use set  10 ,  40 ,  70  solves a persistent problem which is the difficulty associated with cleaning a glass with a big stem in a dishwashing machine, due to the size and fragility of the conventional long-stemmed glass (not shown). A modular glass product constructed in accordance with the present invention can overcome this constraint, because it enables the glass cup  10 , which is easy to put in the dishwashing machine, to be split from the stem  40  and the base  70 . The cup  10  may be easily connected to the stem  40  and the base  70  by a threaded connection  14 / 58 ,  14 / 88 . The cup  10  may be split from the stem  40  by unscrewing the cup portion  12  from the top portion  42  of the stem support structure  40 . 
         [0033]    Moreover, the multi-use glass set  10 ,  40 ,  70 ,  100  may be used for different functions according to the selected stem/support structure  40 ,  70 . For example, the tall stem  40  may be connected to the cup  10  to drink wine, while the lower stem (base)  70  may be more suitable for drinking gin. The present invention may be used to create a glass product with multiple configurations according to the specific purpose, changing only the support  40 ,  70 . 
         [0034]    Additionally, with the modular architecture of the present invention, it may possible to employ different materials for the cup  10  on the one hand and for the support structures  40 ,  70  on the other hand. As a result, the invention may be applicable to different lines of products, including high-end (relatively rare and/or expensive) products, with cups of crystal, and stems and other support structures of gold and silver. Alternatively, the components may be constructed of more common and/or inexpensive products. For example, the glass cup  10  may be made of a single piece of glass or plastic, and the support structures  40 ,  70  may be made of wood, thermoplastic, and/or silicone materials. The material of the stem support structure  40  is preferably the same as the material of the base support structure  70 . 
         [0035]    An important aspect of the present invention is the assemblage mechanism  14 / 58 ,  14 / 88 . According to a preferred embodiment, the male screw  14  is installed as part of a single piece component  10  at the bottom of the cup and not in the stem/support structure  40 ,  70 . This technical differentiation of making the male screw  14  and the rest of the glass cup  10  from a single piece of material has the advantage of not retaining liquid (or other residue) in or around the assemblage point, unlike what would happen if the glass cup  10  had a female screw/nut. 
         [0036]    Additionally, providing the male threaded portion  14  as part of the glass cup  10  makes it possible to leverage the value of the support structures  40 ,  70 , which do not need to be cleaned in the dishwashing machine (not shown). The stem  40  and the base  70  may be constructed, for example, of gold or silver materials. Even though such metals may require specific cleaning methods, the glass cup  10  may be cleaned in a washing machine (a conventional dishwashing machine). Moreover, a top-level restaurant may use the invention to automate its beverage glass-cleaning process, in order to become more efficient. 
         [0037]    According to another aspect of the invention, the female screw  58 ,  88  may be inlaid within the stem/support structure  40 ,  70 , meaning that the piece  58 ,  88  is produced and installed in the several types of stems  40  and bases  70 , which in turn can be made of different types of materials. The female screw  58 ,  88  may be constructed separately, as threaded nuts  102  with outer cylindrical surfaces  104 . One of the nuts  102  may be assembled into the top portion  42  of the stem support structure  40 , and another, identical nut  102  may be assembled into the middle portion  74  of the base support structure  70 . 
         [0038]    The present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments, devices, and instrumentalities that are described above and shown in the drawings. Instead, the scope of the invention should be defined according to the claims which follow. What is claimed is: