BEVERAGE CONTAINER COMPRISING CONNECTABLE SEGMENTS

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a beverage container which includes a plurality of interconnecting segments. In a specific embodiment, a plurality of stainless steel segments may be threadedly connected to form a drinking glass having a customizable exterior graphic design. The graphic design may be altered by swapping out one or more segments.

Claims

1. A segmented beverage container, comprising: a base member including a bottom panel and a base member wall extending from a perimeter of said bottom panel; a rim member having rim member wall; and at least one intermediate member disposed between said base member and said rim member when said segmented beverage container is in an assembled configuration, said at least one intermediate member having an intermediate member wall; wherein said base member is removably attachable to said at least one intermediate member via a first set of threads extending from said base member wall and a corresponding second set of threads extending from said intermediate member wall, and wherein said at least one intermediate member is removably attachable to said rim member via a third set of threads extending from said intermediate member wall and a corresponding fourth set of threads extending from said rim member wall; wherein said bottom panel and said base member wall collectively define a first volume, said intermediate member wall defines a second volume, and said rim member wall defines a third volume; wherein, when said segmented beverage container is in said assembled configuration, said first volume is in fluid communication with said second volume and said second volume is in fluid communication with said third volume such that said first, second, and third volumes collectively define a central cavity having an opening extending through said rim member, said central cavity operable to receive and retain a beverage.

2. The segmented beverage container of claim 1, further comprising a reference axis normal to said bottom panel, wherein each of said base member, said rim member, and said at least one intermediate member is centered around said reference axis.

3. The segmented beverage container of claim 2, wherein said opening is the only fluid passageway between said central cavity and an exterior environment when said segmented beverage container is in said assembled configuration.

4. The segmented beverage container of claim 3, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of said rim member is larger than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of said base member.

5. The segmented beverage container of claim 2, wherein an exterior surface of said intermediate wall is tapered outward toward said rim member such that an outer diameter of said intermediate wall is larger at a first location near said rim member than at a second location near said base member.

6. The segmented beverage container of claim 5, wherein an interior surface of said intermediate wall is tapered outward toward said rim member such that an outer diameter of said central cavity is larger at said first location than at said second location.

7. The segmented beverage container of claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of said central cavity at a first location along said reference axis is larger than at a second location along said reference axis, wherein said second location is nearer said bottom panel than said first location.

8. The segmented beverage container of claim 2, wherein said at least one intermediate member comprises at least two intermediate members.

9. The segmented beverage container of claim 8, wherein a first intermediate member of said at least two intermediate members has a thickness in a direction parallel to said reference axis that is different than a thickness in said direction of a second intermediate member of said at least two intermediate members.

10-12. (canceled)

13. The segmented beverage container of claim 1, wherein at least said at least one intermediate member comprises one of aluminum and stainless steel.

14. (canceled)

15. The segmented beverage container of claim 13, wherein said at least one intermediate member comprises a vacuum chamber disposed between an exterior surface of said intermediate wall and an interior surface of said intermediate wall.

16. (canceled)

17. The segmented beverage container of claim 1, further comprising, an additional member, wherein said additional member may be substituted for said at least one intermediate member such that said at least one intermediate member is omittable from said container in said assembled configuration; and graphically-designed exterior dcor, wherein a first graphic design on said additional member is different than a second graphic design on said at least one intermediate member.

18. (canceled)

19. The segmented beverage container of claim 17, wherein said first and second graphic designs comprise screen printed ink.

20. The segmented beverage container of claim 17, wherein said first and second graphic designs comprise powder-coating.

21. The segmented beverage container of claim 17, wherein said first and second graphic designs comprise etched recesses.

22. The segmented beverage container of claim 17, wherein said first and second graphic designs comprise paint.

23. (canceled)

24. The segmented beverage container of claim 1, wherein seams formed between each of said base member, said at least one intermediate member, and said rim member are flush.

25. A method for using a segmented beverage container, comprising: providing a base member comprising a bottom panel and a first set of threads, wherein said base member is free of apertures; providing an intermediate member comprising an intermediate wall annular in shape and forming a first aperture through said intermediate member, said intermediate member further comprising second and third sets of threads, wherein said second and third sets of threads are disposed at opposite ends of said first aperture; providing a rim member comprising a rim member wall annular in shape and forming a second aperture through said rim member, said rim member further comprising a fourth set of threads and a smooth surface disposed on an opposite end of said second aperture from said fourth set of threads; assembling said segmented beverage container by engaging said first set of threads with said second set of threads and engaging said third set of threads with said fourth set of threads; pouring a beverage into a central cavity formed by said first aperture and said second aperture.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: disposing said beverage container on a horizontal surface such that a portion of said bottom panel contacts said horizontal surface.

27. (canceled)

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said intermediate member comprises at least two distinct segments interconnected via threads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a segmented beverage container.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the container.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the container.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of a cross-section of the container.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a top view of the container.

[0032] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a side view cross-section of a tapered wall.

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a flared intermediate member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The following description is not intended to limit the invention to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention.

[0035] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an overview of an exemplary segmented beverage container 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. Base member 101, and more specifically bottom panel 107 may serve as the foundation for the beverage container 100 and may define the bottom thereof. Rim member 102 may define the top of the beverage container 100. The rim member 102 includes an opening 104 into the central cavity of the container. Between the base member 101 and rim member 102, any number of tubular intermediate members may be disposed. In the illustrated embodiment, three intermediate members 103a-103c are provided. Reference axis 113 passes through the center of the opening 104 and center of the base member 101.

[0036] FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a cutaway cross-section of the beverage container 100. Intermediate member walls 110a, 110b, and 110c correspond to intermediate members 103a, 103b, and 103c, respectively. Base member wall 108 is illustrated with a small section of base member wall that is unthreaded disposed between bottom panel 107 and a threaded portion of the base member wall. In this regard, a volume of space between the bottom of the base member threads and the bottom panel may be included in the total volume of the central cavity 106. In other embodiments, the entirety of the base member wall 108 may be threaded such that the adjacent intermediate member seats against the bottom panel 107 such that the base member 101 effectively contributes no additional volume to central cavity 106. Rim member wall 109 in the illustrated embodiment is entirely threaded. It should be appreciated that the rim member wall 109 may be constructed with a greater height such that a portion of the rim member wall 109 may not be threaded. Rim member 102 also includes a drinking surface 111 that is disposed opposite the rim member threads 105b. The drinking surface 111 is substantially smooth and free from protrusions (e.g., threads) to facilitate consumption of a beverage from the central cavity 106.

[0037] As shown, each member (i.e., component or segment) of the beverage container 100 may be connected to one or more adjacent members by corresponding sets of threads. One such pairing is labelled, set of threads 105a on rim member wall 109 is engaged with set of threads 105b of intermediate member wall 110a. It should be appreciated that although illustrated with set of threads 105a being exterior in relation to set of threads 105b, the relative positioning of the sets of threads may be reversed. Such an arrangement may similarly be used for each of the other corresponding sets of threads as well. Furthermore, a gasket may be positioned within each joint formed by adjacent members such as gasket 112 disposed between intermediate members 103a and 103b.

[0038] It should be appreciated that although the described embodiment utilizes threads to connect adjacent segments, alternative means are contemplated. For example, one or more latches may be provided on the exterior surface to attach adjacent segments to one another.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the beverage container. Bottom panel 107 may be seen through opening 104 of rim member 102 (see FIG. 1) with drinking surface 111 extending around the opening 104.

[0040] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate two embodiments of intermediate members having tapered walls. In FIG. 6A, intermediate member 603a has a tapered wall housing a recess with threads 605a. Corresponding threads 605b extending from intermediate member 603b may selectively engage threads 605a to secure intermediate member 603a to intermediate member 603b. Similarly, FIG. 6B illustrates an alternative embodiment of intermediate members 603a, 603b in which the recess of 603a has dual threaded walls 605c and the extension from intermediate member 603b has corresponding dual threaded walls 605d. Notably, the mating structure of the illustrated embodiments (a recess and corresponding extension) could also be used in embodiments of intermediate members with walls that are not tapered.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an intermediate member 703 that has a flared section that transitions from a small size to a larger size. In this regard, intermediate member 703 may be disposed between a base member or intermediate member having a first cross dimension (e.g., diameter) and a rim member, lid, or second intermediate member having a second cross dimension.

[0042] The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain known modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.