US20210198006A1 - Beverage container formed of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments - Google Patents
Beverage container formed of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments Download PDFInfo
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- US20210198006A1 US20210198006A1 US16/729,134 US201916729134A US2021198006A1 US 20210198006 A1 US20210198006 A1 US 20210198006A1 US 201916729134 A US201916729134 A US 201916729134A US 2021198006 A1 US2021198006 A1 US 2021198006A1
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- container
- beverage
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
- B65D21/023—Closed containers provided with local cooperating elements in the top and bottom surfaces, e.g. projection and recess
- B65D21/0231—Bottles, canisters or jars whereby the neck or handle project into a cooperating cavity in the bottom
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to beverage containers and particularly to containers for high quality beverages such as wine.
- This invention relates more particularly to containers utilized in the storing and dispensing of such high quality beverages. While the inventive container is particularly advantageous for use in storing and dispensing high quality beverages such as wine, it is also suitable for use with other liquid materials and other flowable materials.
- Wine is a family of beverages that has enjoyed a long history having been made during ancient times and continuing to be extremely popular throughout the world today. While the majority of wines are generally made using grapes of various types, many wines are also made utilizing other fruits such as various berries and other plants. Additionally, certain popular wines are made using rice or the like.
- an improved beverage container it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container, particularly suited to providing a wine container, formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking container segments each of which supports a single serving of wine. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved wine container that supports a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments that combine to form a conventional wine bottle for ease of transport and storage.
- a beverage container comprising: a first container segment including; a first confined interior beverage-receiving volume defining, a first upper engagement portion, a first lower engagement portion, and a first bottleneck; and a second container segment including; a second confined interior beverage-receiving volume, a second upper engagement portion, a second lower engagement portion, and a second bottleneck, the first container segment being removably joined to the second container segment by the engagement of the first lower engagement portion and the second upper engagement portion to form the beverage container in which the first and second confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of the first and second container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
- the present invention further provides a beverage container comprising a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments, each of the container segments including; a confined interior beverage-receiving volume, an upper engagement portion, a lower engagement portion, and a bottleneck; a plurality of the container segments formed in a stacked array in which each container segment is removably joined to a container segment below it by the engagement of its lower engagement portion to the upper engagement portion of a container segment below it to form said beverage container in which the confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of the container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
- FIG. 1 sets forth a side elevation view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 3 sets forth a top perspective view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 4 sets forth a side elevation view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 5 sets forth a section view of the illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 4 taken along section lines 4 - 4 therein;
- FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating an alternative number of container segments;
- FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of a pair of illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention joined together,
- FIG. 8 sets forth a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention and formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments;
- FIG. 9 sets forth a perspective assembly view of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 sets forth a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 11 sets forth a side elevation view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 12 sets forth a section view of the illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown in FIG. 11 taken along section lines 12 - 12 therein;
- FIG. 13 sets forth a section view of a pair of illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown in FIG. 8 joined together.
- FIG. 1 sets forth a side elevation view of a beverage container, constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10 .
- beverage container 10 is formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 and 15 .
- container segments 1 through 15 are formed to provide a combined shape and appearance which corresponds to a conventional wine bottle. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art however that beverage container 10 may be comprised of a plurality of container segments 11 through 15 which are shaped in a different manner to provide an alternative shape and appearance without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- each of the container segments are substantially identical and are, therefore, interchangeable.
- each of container segments 11 through 15 provides a sealed single-serving container segment which is particularly suited for use in providing a wine container.
- Container segments 11 through 15 may be fabricated of a selected material in accordance with the container needs. For example, in order to replicate typical wine bottles, beverage container 10 may utilize container segments 11 through 15 that are formed of glass. Alternatively, container segments 11 through 15 may be formed of other materials of the type often used to fabricate wine containers such as high quality plastic or the like.
- FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective assembly view of beverage container 10 showing container segments 11 through 15 separated from each other.
- FIG. 2 shows container 10 formed of five container segments
- the number of container segments may be varied or adjusted to suit consumer preferences, usage and needs.
- FIG. 6 a total of four container segments (container segments 11 through 14 ) are combined to form beverage container 10 .
- beverage container 10 is initially assembled in accordance with FIG.
- container segment 15 may be removed from the remaining container segments and utilized in the manner described below leaving a total of four container segments to form beverage container 10 .
- container segment 14 may be removed and utilized leaving container segments 11 through 13 to reform beverage container 10 , and so on, as each individual container segment is used.
- each container segment not yet used remains sealed and uncompromised until it's eventual cork removal and use.
- container segment 11 receives a cork 21 which seals container segment 11 .
- Cork 21 is installed during wine bottling and typically remains within container segment 11 when container segment 11 is assembled to container segment 12 within beverage container 10 .
- container segments 12 through 15 each receive a respective cork 22 through 25 during the wine bottling process.
- Corks 12 through 25 remain within container segments 12 through 15 when the container segments are assembled within beverage container 10 .
- each of container segments 11 through 15 remains sealed when combined within beverage container 10 until the container segment is removed from beverage container 10 and until the cork seal of the container segment is removed to access the container segment contents.
- the user is able to access the wine within one or more segments while the freshness of the wine within the remaining unused container segments remains intact for future use.
- FIG. 3 sets forth a top perspective view of a typical container segment generally referenced by numeral 11 .
- container segment 11 is illustrative of the basic fabrication of the container segments shown herein as utilized in beverage container 10 (seen in FIGS. 1 through 7 ). Accordingly, the descriptions and illustrations of container segment 11 will be understood to be equally illustrative of and descriptive of and apply equally well to the remaining container segments, such as container segments 12 through 15 (seen in FIG. 1 ).
- container segments 11 through 15 are substantially identical and each includes an upper portion which is shaped and configured to resemble the upper bottle surface and bottle neck of a typical wine bottle.
- container segment 11 is generally cylindrical in shape and thus includes a cylindrical wall 31 joined to an upper edge 32 and a bottom edge 37 .
- Upper edge 32 further supports a generally domed surface 34 from which a neck 35 extends upwardly and defines an upper edge 38 and a neck passage 36 .
- the latter extends into the interior of container segment 11 to facilitate depositing wine into and pouring wine from the container segment.
- a cork 21 is inserted into neck passage 36 to seal and close container segment 11 .
- the outer surface of neck 35 supports a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 40 through 42 (connector tab 43 seen in FIG. 4 ).
- the structure of neck 35 is set forth below in greater detail in the section view of FIG. 5 in greater detail.
- neck 35 of container segment 11 is preferably centered on centerline axis 33 (seen in FIG. 4 ) of the container segment and extends upwardly from domed surface 34 .
- Connector tabs 40 through 43 function to provide a threaded attachment between container segment 11 and another container segment, such as container segment 12 (seen in FIG. 2 ).
- container segment 11 also defines a bottleneck receptacle which is able to receive the neck of a container segment in the manner seen in FIG. 7 This, in turn, facilitates the interlocking of container segments which allows the container segments to be combined to form the inventive beverage container.
- cork 21 resides within neck 35 and thus provides a seal and airtight closure of container segment 11 .
- an apparatus such as a conventional corkscrew may be utilized to remove cork 21 from neck 35 thereby allowing the contents of container segment 11 to be poured out through neck passage 36 .
- FIG. 4 sets forth a side elevation view of container segment 11 .
- container segment 11 includes a cylindrical wall 31 , a bottom edge 37 and an upper edge 32 .
- container segment 11 includes a domed surface 34 which, in turn, supports an upwardly extending neck 35 .
- Neck 35 defines an upper edge 38 and supports a plurality of connector tabs 40 through 43 (connector tab 42 seen in FIG. 3 ).
- connector tabs 40 through 43 connector tab 42 seen in FIG. 3 .
- container segment 11 defines a centerline axis 33 and that cylindrical wall 31 , domed surface 34 and neck 35 are centered and aligned along centerline axis 33 .
- FIG. 5 sets forth a section view of container segment 11 taken along section lines 5 - 5 in FIG. 4 .
- container segment 11 includes a cylindrical wall 31 extending between a bottom edge 37 and an upper edge 32 .
- a domed surface 34 extends upwardly from upper edge 32 and supports a a neck 35 having a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 40 , 41 , 42 and 43 (connector tabs 41 and 43 seen in FIG. 4 ).
- Neck 35 further includes a neck passage 36 .
- a cork 21 is received within neck passage 36 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 11 further defines a neck receptacle 51 having a domed surface 52 extending upwardly from bottom edge 37 and a neck socket 53 .
- Neck socket 53 defines a passage 54 having a closed top 55 .
- a plurality of helical ribs such as ribs 56 , 57 and 58 are formed upon the surface of passage 54 near closed top 55 .
- Container segment 11 also defines an interior volume 39 which is formed within cylindrical surface 31 , domed surface 34 and neck 35 . Interior volume 39 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 51 . Thus, access to and closure of interior volume 39 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion of cork 21 within passage 36 . In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure.
- the operation and function of neck receptacle 51 and a cooperating neck from another container segment is set forth below in FIG. 7 .
- domed surface 52 , neck socket 53 , top 55 and passage 54 are shaped and sized to receive the bottleneck and domed surface of a cooperating container segment.
- the connector tabs of the cooperating container segment engage helical ribs (such as ribs 56 , 57 and 58 ) in a threaded engagement to secure the upper portion of the cooperating container segment within neck receptacle 51 .
- FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating an alternative number of container segments. It will be recalled by temporary return to FIGS. 1 and 2 , that beverage container 10 may accommodate different numbers of container segments as desired by the user. It will also be recalled that beverage container 10 is able to continue to provide the appearance of a wine bottle notwithstanding the removal of one or more container segments from the beverage container.
- a beverage container generally referenced by numeral 50 is formed of four container segments 11 , 12 , 13 and 14 . It will be noted that FIG.
- FIG. 6 also shows an intermediate step in the combining of container segments to form the beverage container in which container segments 13 and 14 are joined while container segments 11 and 12 are not.
- beverage container 50 apart from having a different number of container segments is substantially identical to beverage container 10 set forth and described above.
- FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of a pair of container segments 11 and 12 which illustrates the attachment of container segments used to form a beverage container in accordance with the present invention.
- each container segment is “self sufficient” in that each container segment provides a closable vessel which may house a quantity of wine in a closed airtight environment.
- a small size beverage container may be constructed by simply utilizing a single container segment or by combining a pair of container segments which would assume the configuration shown in FIG. 7 . This illustrates the flexibility provided by the present invention beverage container.
- FIG. 7 a pair of container segments 11 and 12 are joined to illustrate the attachment between segments provided by the present invention. Accordingly, the attachment shown in FIG. 7 between container segments 11 and 12 and descriptions thereof will be understood to be equally illustrative of and descriptive of the attachment between any container segments. It's important to note that whether a single container segment or small number of container segments are joined, the beverage container resulting in each case provides an overall shape and appearance similar to a wine bottle.
- container segment 11 includes a cylindrical wall 31 extending between a bottom edge 37 and an upper edge 32 .
- a domed surface 34 extends upwardly from upper edge 32 and supports a a neck 35 having a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 40 , 41 , 42 and 43 (connector tabs 41 and 43 seen in FIG. 4 ).
- Neck 35 further includes a neck passage 36 .
- a cork 21 is received within neck passage 36 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 11 further defines a neck receptacle 51 having a domed surface 52 extending upwardly from bottom edge 37 and a neck socket 53 .
- Neck socket 53 defines a passage 54 having a closed top 55 .
- Container segment 1 also defines an interior volume 39 which is formed within cylindrical surface 31 , domed surface 34 and neck 35 . Interior volume 39 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 51 . Thus, access to and closure of interior volume 39 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion of cork 21 within passage 36 . In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure.
- container segment 12 includes a cylindrical wall 71 extending between a bottom edge 77 and an upper edge 72 .
- a domed surface 74 extends upwardly from upper edge 72 and supports a a neck 75 having a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 80 and 82 .
- Neck 75 further includes a neck passage 76 .
- a cork 22 is received within neck passage 76 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 12 further defines a neck receptacle 91 having a domed surface 92 extending upwardly from bottom edge 77 and a neck socket 93 .
- Neck socket 93 defines a passage 94 having a closed top 95 .
- Container segment 12 also defines an interior volume 79 which is formed within cylindrical surface 71 , domed surface 74 and neck 75 . Interior volume 79 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 91 .
- a plurality of container segments each filled with a quantity of beverage, such as wine, which are each sealed by a cork seal, are joined in a stacked array in the attachment shown in FIG. 7 to form a beverage container manner shown in FIG. 1 .
- this attachment is provided by the insertion of neck 75 of container segment 12 into passage 54 of neck socket 53 within container segment 11 .
- the attachment is secured by the threaded engagement of connecting tabs, such as tabs 80 and 82 and helical ribs such as ribs 56 , 57 and 58 formed within passage 54 of neck socket 53 of container segment 11 .
- neck 75 of container segment 12 may be secured within neck socket 53 of container segment 11 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- the thread disposition between neck 75 of container segment 12 and neck socket 53 of container segment 11 may be switched providing a plurality of helical ribs upon neck 75 of container segment 12 and a plurality of extending connector tabs within the interior of passage 54 of container segment 11 .
- Further variations of engagement mechanisms may be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which may for example include cooperating conventional threads.
- the important aspect with respect to the present invention is the resulting structure which provides a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments which, in combination, provide the appearance and shape of a conventional wine bottle.
- each container segment maintains a sealed quantity of wine or other suitable beverage.
- the inwardly extending bottleneck of each container segment and the seal cork disposed therein facilitate this stacked array of sealed container segments.
- FIG. 8 sets forth a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention beverage container generally referenced by numeral 110 .
- FIGS. 1 through 7 and FIGS. 8 through 13 it will be apparent to those skilled in the art by comparison of beverage container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 and beverage container 110 shown in FIGS. 8 and 13 that the container segments are substantially identical with the exception of the locations of the attachment apparatus used to join the container segments.
- the container segments forming beverage container 10 utilize pluralities of connector tabs extending outwardly from the connector segment necks cooperating with pluralities of helical ribs ported within the interior of the container segment neck sockets.
- the container segments forming beverage container 110 utilize pluralities of connector tabs extending outwardly from the connector segment conical surfaces cooperating with pluralities of helical ribs supported within the interior of the container segment neck receptacles.
- beverage container 10 and beverage container 110 are substantially identical.
- beverage container 110 is formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments 111 , 112 , 113 and 114 .
- Container segments 11 through 114 may be fabricated of a selected material in accordance with the container needs. For example, in order to replicate typical wine bottles, beverage container 110 may utilize container segments 11 through 114 that are formed of glass. Alternatively, container segments 111 through 114 may be formed of other materials of the type often used to fabricate wine containers such as high quality plastic or the like.
- FIG. 9 sets forth a perspective assembly view of beverage container 110 showing container segments 111 and 112 separated from each other and container segments 113 and 114 joined together.
- container 110 formed of four container segments
- the number of container segments may be varied or adjusted to suit consumer preferences, usage and needs.
- FIG. 1 it will be noted in FIG. 1 above that a total of five container segments (container segments 11 through 15 ) are combined to form beverage container 10 .
- Container segment 111 receives a cork 121 to seal the container segment.
- container segments 112 and 113 also receive respective corks 122 and 123 .
- container segment 114 also receives a cork 124 in a similar fashion. In this manner, the sealed airtight integrity of each of container segments 111 through 114 is maintained.
- FIG. 10 sets forth a top perspective view of a typical container segment generally referenced by numeral 111 .
- container segment 111 is illustrative of the basic fabrication of the container segments shown herein as utilized in beverage container 110 (seen in FIGS. 8 through 13 ). Accordingly, the descriptions and illustrations of container segment 111 will be understood to be equally illustrative of and descriptive of and apply equally well to the remaining container segments, such as container segments 112 through 114 (seen in FIG. 8 ).
- container segments 111 through 114 are substantially identical and each includes an upper portion which is shaped and configured to resemble the upper bottle surface and bottle neck of a typical wine bottle.
- container segment 111 is generally cylindrical in shape and thus includes a cylindrical wall 131 joined to an upper edge 132 and a bottom edge 137 .
- Upper edge 132 further supports a generally conical surface 134 from which a neck 135 extends upwardly and defines an upper edge 138 and a neck passage 136 .
- the latter extends into the interior of container segment 111 to facilitate depositing wine into and pouring wine from the container segment.
- a cork 121 is inserted into neck passage 136 to seal and close container segment 111 .
- the outer surface of conical surface 134 defines a wall 145 which in turn supports a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 140 through 142 (connector tab 143 seen in FIG. 11 ).
- neck 135 of container segment 111 is preferably centered on centerline axis 133 (seen in FIG. 11 ) of the container segment and extends upwardly from conical surface 134 .
- Connector tabs 140 through 143 function to provide a threaded attachment between container segment 111 and another container segment, such as container segment 112 (seen in FIG. 9 ).
- container segment 111 also defines a bottleneck receptacle which is able to receive the neck of a container segment in the manner seen in FIG. 13 This, in turn, facilitates the interlocking of container segments which allows the container segments to be combined to form the inventive beverage container.
- cork 121 resides within neck 135 and thus provides a seal and airtight closure of container segment 111 .
- an apparatus such as a conventional corkscrew may be utilized to remove cork 121 from neck 135 thereby allowing the contents of container segment 111 Ito be poured out through neck passage 136 .
- FIG. 11 sets forth a side elevation view of container segment ′ 11 .
- container segment ′ 11 includes a cylindrical wall ′ 31 , a bottom edge ′ 37 and an upper edge ′ 32 .
- container segment ′ 11 includes a conical surface 134 which, in turn, supports an upwardly extending neck 135 .
- Conical surface 134 further defines a wall 145 which supports a plurality of connector tabs 140 through 143 (connector tab 142 seen in FIG. 10 ).
- Neck 135 defines an upper edge 138 .
- container segment 111 defines a centerline axis 133 and that cylindrical wall 131 , conical surface 134 and neck 135 are centered and aligned along centerline axis 133 .
- FIG. 12 sets forth a section view of container segment 11 taken along section lines 12 - 12 in FIG. 11 .
- container segment 111 includes a cylindrical wall 131 extending between a bottom edge 137 and an upper edge 132 .
- a wall 145 extends upwardly from upper edge 132 and supports a conical surface 134 which in turn supports a neck 135 .
- Wall 145 includes a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 140 , 141 , 142 and 143 (connector tabs 141 and 143 seen in FIG. 11 ).
- Neck 135 further includes a neck passage 136 .
- a cork 121 is received within neck passage 136 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 111 further defines a neck receptacle 151 having a conical surface 152 extending upwardly from bottom edge 137 and a neck socket 153 .
- Neck socket 153 defines a passage 154 having a closed top 155 .
- a plurality of helical ribs such as ribs 156 , 157 and 158 are formed on the interior surface of neck receptacle 151 near bottom edge 137 .
- Container segment 111 also defines an interior volume 139 which is formed within cylindrical surface 131 , conical surface 134 and neck 135 . Interior volume 139 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 151 . Thus, access to and closure of interior volume 139 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion of cork 121 within passage 136 .
- neck receptacle 151 and a cooperating upper portion from another container segment is set forth below in FIG. 13 .
- conical surface 152 , neck socket 153 , top 155 and passage 154 are shaped and sized to receive the bottleneck and conical surface of a cooperating container segment.
- the connector tabs of the cooperating container segment engage helical ribs (such as ribs 156 , 157 and 158 ) in a threaded engagement to secure the upper portion of the cooperating container segment within neck receptacle 151 .
- FIG. 13 sets forth a section view of a pair of container segments 111 and 112 which illustrates the attachment of container segments used to form a beverage container in accordance with the present invention.
- a pair of container segments 111 and 112 are joined to illustrate the attachment between segments provided by the present invention.
- container segment 111 includes a cylindrical wall 131 extending between a bottom edge 137 and an upper edge 132 .
- a wall 145 and a conical surface 134 extend upwardly from upper edge 132 .
- Conical surface 134 supports a neck 135 .
- Wall 145 ports a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 140 , 141 , 142 and 143 (connector tabs 141 and 143 seen in FIG. 11 ).
- Neck 135 further includes a neck passage 136 .
- a cork 121 is received within neck passage 136 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 111 further defines a neck receptacle 151 having a conical surface 152 extending upwardly from bottom edge 137 and a neck socket 153 .
- Neck socket 153 defines a passage 154 having a closed top 155 .
- a plurality of helical ribs such as ribs 156 , 157 and 158 are formed within neck receptacle 151 near bottom edge 137 .
- Container segment 111 also defines an interior volume 139 which is formed within cylindrical surface 131 , conical surface 134 and neck 135 . Interior volume 139 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 151 .
- access to and closure of interior volume 139 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion of cork 121 within passage 136 . In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure.
- container segment 112 includes a cylindrical wall 171 extending between a bottom edge 177 and an upper edge 172 .
- a conical surface 174 and wall 185 extend upwardly from upper edge 172 .
- Conical surface 174 supports a neck 175 .
- Wall 185 supports a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 180 and 182 .
- Neck 175 further includes a neck passage 176 .
- a cork 122 is received within neck passage 176 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.
- Container segment 112 further defines a neck receptacle 191 having a conical surface 192 extending upwardly from bottom edge 177 and a neck socket 193 .
- Neck socket 193 defines a passage 194 having a closed top 195 .
- a plurality of helical ribs such as ribs 196 , 197 and 198 are formed upon the interior surface of neck receptacle 191 near bottom edge 177 .
- Container segment 112 also defines an interior volume 179 which is formed within cylindrical surface 171 , conical surface 174 and neck 175 . Interior volume 179 is further defined by the surfaces of neck receptacle 191 .
- a plurality of container segments each filled with a quantity of beverage, such as wine, which are each sealed by a cork seal, are joined in a stacked array in the attachment shown in FIG. 13 to form a beverage container manner shown in FIG. 8 .
- this attachment is provided by the insertion of neck 175 of container segment 112 into passage 154 of neck socket 153 within container segment 111 .
- the attachment is secured by the threaded engagement of connecting tabs, such as tabs 180 and 182 and helical ribs such as ribs 156 , 157 and 158 formed within neck receptacle 151 of container segment 11 .
- the important aspect with respect to the present invention is the resulting structure which provides a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments which, in combination, provide the appearance and shape of a conventional wine bottle.
- each container segment maintains a sealed quantity of wine or other suitable beverage.
- the inwardly extending bottleneck of each container segment and the seal cork disposed therein facilitate this stacked array of sealed container segments.
- beverage container when access to a serving of the wine is desired, the user simply separates the bottom most container segment from the beverage container and removes the cork seal therefrom in a conventional manner.
- the quantity of wine disposed within the open container segment is fresh and unaffected in the same manner as the wine within a newly opened conventional wine bottle.
- the user then is able to distribute and consume the contents of the open container segment by pouring the contents into a conventional wine glass, and so on.
- the seal cork may be replaced within the container segment neck to restore the container seal if any unused portion remains.
- the size of the container segments is chosen to constitute the anticipated single-serving quantity which a typical user would consume thereby avoiding the need to attempt to reseal the container segment.
- the point of the invention is to provide the individual single-serving container segments. The separation and opening of a container segment from the remaining container segments does not affect the sealed environment of the remaining container segments. Accordingly, the user is able to access one or more container segments and return the remaining container segments in an unaffected and fresh condition to storage for an indefinite period.
- a novel beverage container formed of a stacked array of interlocking single-serving container segments which allows indefinite storage of the container segments and which facilitates access to the beverage contained within a selected container segment without compromising the remaining quantities of the beverage.
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Abstract
A beverage container is formed of a stacked array of interlocking single-serving container segments which allows indefinite storage of the container segments and which facilitates access to the beverage contained within a selected container segment without compromising the remaining quantities of the beverage
Description
- This invention relates generally to beverage containers and particularly to containers for high quality beverages such as wine. This invention relates more particularly to containers utilized in the storing and dispensing of such high quality beverages. While the inventive container is particularly advantageous for use in storing and dispensing high quality beverages such as wine, it is also suitable for use with other liquid materials and other flowable materials.
- Wine is a family of beverages that has enjoyed a long history having been made during ancient times and continuing to be extremely popular throughout the world today. While the majority of wines are generally made using grapes of various types, many wines are also made utilizing other fruits such as various berries and other plants. Additionally, certain popular wines are made using rice or the like.
- Not surprisingly, a virtually endless variety of wines are available today to suit a correspondingly extensive variety of consumers. Wines are often made in lower cost varieties, such as table wines available to the consumer at reasonable prices. Such wines may be traditional and are often locally produced. In many instances, wines form a basic staple in the local diet. Wines are often prevalent throughout a given region due in part to scarce and relatively unreliable, or even unavailable, sources of clean pure drinking water. The fermentation process and resulting alcohol content of wine often ensures that wines made from grapes grown in regions having contaminated or otherwise compromised water sources are nonetheless safe for consumption.
- In addition to being a staple in the diets of many people living in lower income circumstances, wines also continue to be popular among the vast numbers of middle-class or middle income consumers who tend to have various preferences in wines. It is not uncommon for such consumers to have a particular appreciation for wines produced in a chosen region. Such consumers often exercise substantial effort and expend substantial amounts of money in pursuit of high quality and desirable wines.
- At the upper end of the wine quality spectrum are the “fine wines” which are highly regarded and perceived to be of special qualities. These finer wines are usually more rare and highly sought after by consumers that have sufficient incomes to support paying higher prices for their wines. In addition to regional preferences, wines often acquire higher status and desirability when certain vintages, or years of production, gain a reputation or acceptance by which they are considered to have been produced during optimum conditions for the grape harvest. Above and beyond the various qualities of fine wines which lead wine connoisseurs to pursue the so-called superior vintages, a status quality is also frequently assigned to certain wines and certain vintages of wines.
- One aspect common to virtually all wines is the process by which the wines are bottled for transport, sale and use. While recent years have shown attempts by some winemakers to utilize other types of containers, the vast majority of wines ranging from lower-cost table wines to high cost finer wines are still bottled in glass bottles. Many table wines and lower cost wines are bottled in half gallon bottles. Medium and higher-quality wines tend to be bottled in bottles having approximately one liter or one quart size. Regardless of the bottle size, the enjoyment of wines tends to be subject to several problems arising primarily from the characteristic by which wines tend to be degraded over time once the bottle has been opened. It seems that wines tend to lose flavor and bouquet following exposure to open air. Since it is not unusual for the consumer to consume a portion, but not all, of a wine bottle at one sitting, effective storage of the remaining contents for future use becomes a problem. While various methods of preserving the unused portion of a wine bottle have been tried, they have thus far proven unsuccessful and as a result most consumers have been compelled to accept the diminished flavor and bouquet of the wine as the remaining bottle contents are consumed in successive sittings.
- There remains therefore an unresolved need in the art for a more effective wine container which avoids the loss of bouquet and flavor of unused portions of wine. There remains a further unresolved need in the art for apparatus in the form of a container which facilitates more convenient transport, carrying and use of wine.
- Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container, particularly suited to providing a wine container, formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking container segments each of which supports a single serving of wine. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved wine container that supports a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments that combine to form a conventional wine bottle for ease of transport and storage.
- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a beverage container comprising: a first container segment including; a first confined interior beverage-receiving volume defining, a first upper engagement portion, a first lower engagement portion, and a first bottleneck; and a second container segment including; a second confined interior beverage-receiving volume, a second upper engagement portion, a second lower engagement portion, and a second bottleneck, the first container segment being removably joined to the second container segment by the engagement of the first lower engagement portion and the second upper engagement portion to form the beverage container in which the first and second confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of the first and second container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
- The present invention further provides a beverage container comprising a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments, each of the container segments including; a confined interior beverage-receiving volume, an upper engagement portion, a lower engagement portion, and a bottleneck; a plurality of the container segments formed in a stacked array in which each container segment is removably joined to a container segment below it by the engagement of its lower engagement portion to the upper engagement portion of a container segment below it to form said beverage container in which the confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of the container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
- The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
-
FIG. 1 sets forth a side elevation view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 3 sets forth a top perspective view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 4 sets forth a side elevation view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 5 sets forth a section view of the illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention shown inFIG. 4 taken along section lines 4-4 therein; -
FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating an alternative number of container segments; -
FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of a pair of illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments of a beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention joined together, -
FIG. 8 sets forth a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention and formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-serving container segments; -
FIG. 9 sets forth a perspective assembly view of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 sets forth a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 sets forth a side elevation view of an illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 12 sets forth a section view of the illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segment of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown inFIG. 11 taken along section lines 12-12 therein; and -
FIG. 13 sets forth a section view of a pair of illustrative stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments of the alternate embodiment of the beverage container shown inFIG. 8 joined together. -
FIG. 1 sets forth a side elevation view of a beverage container, constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced bynumeral 10. In further accordance with the present invention,beverage container 10 is formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-servingcontainer segments beverage container 10 may be comprised of a plurality ofcontainer segments 11 through 15 which are shaped in a different manner to provide an alternative shape and appearance without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. However, in the preferred fabrication of the present invention, each of the container segments are substantially identical and are, therefore, interchangeable. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, set forth below in greater detail, each ofcontainer segments 11 through 15 provides a sealed single-serving container segment which is particularly suited for use in providing a wine container.Container segments 11 through 15 may be fabricated of a selected material in accordance with the container needs. For example, in order to replicate typical wine bottles,beverage container 10 may utilizecontainer segments 11 through 15 that are formed of glass. Alternatively,container segments 11 through 15 may be formed of other materials of the type often used to fabricate wine containers such as high quality plastic or the like. -
FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective assembly view ofbeverage container 10 showingcontainer segments 11 through 15 separated from each other. It will be noted that whileFIG. 2 showscontainer 10 formed of five container segments, it will be understood that, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the number of container segments may be varied or adjusted to suit consumer preferences, usage and needs. Thus, for example, it will be noted inFIG. 6 below that a total of four container segments (container segments 11 through 14) are combined to formbeverage container 10. This illustrates this important aspect of the present invention in which the number of container segments may be altered or changed in accordance with consumer preference or to accommodate consumer use. By way of example and not limitation, in theevent beverage container 10 is initially assembled in accordance withFIG. 2 and thus utilizes a total of fivecontainer segments 11 through 15,container segment 15 may be removed from the remaining container segments and utilized in the manner described below leaving a total of four container segments to formbeverage container 10. Asbeverage container 10 is put to further use,container segment 14 may be removed and utilized leavingcontainer segments 11 through 13 to reformbeverage container 10, and so on, as each individual container segment is used. Importantly, each container segment not yet used remains sealed and uncompromised until it's eventual cork removal and use. - In accordance with a further important aspect of the present invention, it will be noted in
FIG. 2 thatcontainer segment 11 receives acork 21 which sealscontainer segment 11.Cork 21 is installed during wine bottling and typically remains withincontainer segment 11 whencontainer segment 11 is assembled tocontainer segment 12 withinbeverage container 10. In a similar manner,container segments 12 through 15 each receive arespective cork 22 through 25 during the wine bottling process.Corks 12 through 25 remain withincontainer segments 12 through 15 when the container segments are assembled withinbeverage container 10. Thus, it will be understood that each ofcontainer segments 11 through 15 remains sealed when combined withinbeverage container 10 until the container segment is removed frombeverage container 10 and until the cork seal of the container segment is removed to access the container segment contents. As a result, the user is able to access the wine within one or more segments while the freshness of the wine within the remaining unused container segments remains intact for future use. -
FIG. 3 sets forth a top perspective view of a typical container segment generally referenced bynumeral 11. It will be understood thatcontainer segment 11 is illustrative of the basic fabrication of the container segments shown herein as utilized in beverage container 10 (seen inFIGS. 1 through 7 ). Accordingly, the descriptions and illustrations ofcontainer segment 11 will be understood to be equally illustrative of and descriptive of and apply equally well to the remaining container segments, such ascontainer segments 12 through 15 (seen inFIG. 1 ). By way of overview, it will be noted that in the preferred fabrication of the invention,container segments 11 through 15 are substantially identical and each includes an upper portion which is shaped and configured to resemble the upper bottle surface and bottle neck of a typical wine bottle. - More specifically,
container segment 11 is generally cylindrical in shape and thus includes acylindrical wall 31 joined to anupper edge 32 and abottom edge 37.Upper edge 32 further supports a generallydomed surface 34 from which aneck 35 extends upwardly and defines anupper edge 38 and aneck passage 36. The latter extends into the interior ofcontainer segment 11 to facilitate depositing wine into and pouring wine from the container segment. Acork 21 is inserted intoneck passage 36 to seal andclose container segment 11. The outer surface ofneck 35 supports a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs 40 through 42 (connector tab 43 seen inFIG. 4 ). The structure ofneck 35 is set forth below in greater detail in the section view ofFIG. 5 in greater detail. However, in accordance with conventional bottle fabrication techniques,neck 35 ofcontainer segment 11 is preferably centered on centerline axis 33 (seen inFIG. 4 ) of the container segment and extends upwardly fromdomed surface 34. -
Connector tabs 40 through 43 function to provide a threaded attachment betweencontainer segment 11 and another container segment, such as container segment 12 (seen inFIG. 2 ). Suffice it to note here that, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, described below in detail and seen inFIG. 5 ,container segment 11 also defines a bottleneck receptacle which is able to receive the neck of a container segment in the manner seen inFIG. 7 This, in turn, facilitates the interlocking of container segments which allows the container segments to be combined to form the inventive beverage container. It will also be noted thatcork 21 resides withinneck 35 and thus provides a seal and airtight closure ofcontainer segment 11. When the consumer desires to removecontainer segment 11 frombeverage container 10 and access the contents ofcontainer segment 11, an apparatus such as a conventional corkscrew may be utilized to removecork 21 fromneck 35 thereby allowing the contents ofcontainer segment 11 to be poured out throughneck passage 36. -
FIG. 4 sets forth a side elevation view ofcontainer segment 11. As described above,container segment 11 includes acylindrical wall 31, abottom edge 37 and anupper edge 32. As is also described above,container segment 11 includes adomed surface 34 which, in turn, supports an upwardly extendingneck 35.Neck 35 defines anupper edge 38 and supports a plurality ofconnector tabs 40 through 43 (connector tab 42 seen inFIG. 3 ). It will be noted thatcontainer segment 11 defines acenterline axis 33 and thatcylindrical wall 31,domed surface 34 andneck 35 are centered and aligned alongcenterline axis 33. -
FIG. 5 sets forth a section view ofcontainer segment 11 taken along section lines 5-5 inFIG. 4 . As described above,container segment 11 includes acylindrical wall 31 extending between abottom edge 37 and anupper edge 32. Adomed surface 34 extends upwardly fromupper edge 32 and supports a aneck 35 having a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs connector tabs FIG. 4 ).Neck 35 further includes aneck passage 36. Acork 21 is received withinneck passage 36 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 11 further defines aneck receptacle 51 having adomed surface 52 extending upwardly frombottom edge 37 and aneck socket 53.Neck socket 53 defines apassage 54 having aclosed top 55. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs passage 54 near closed top 55.Container segment 11 also defines aninterior volume 39 which is formed withincylindrical surface 31,domed surface 34 andneck 35.Interior volume 39 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 51. Thus, access to and closure ofinterior volume 39 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion ofcork 21 withinpassage 36. In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure. The operation and function ofneck receptacle 51 and a cooperating neck from another container segment is set forth below inFIG. 7 . However, suffice it to note here that,domed surface 52,neck socket 53, top 55 andpassage 54 are shaped and sized to receive the bottleneck and domed surface of a cooperating container segment. In this cooperative arrangement, the connector tabs of the cooperating container segment engage helical ribs (such asribs neck receptacle 51. -
FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating an alternative number of container segments. It will be recalled by temporary return toFIGS. 1 and 2 , thatbeverage container 10 may accommodate different numbers of container segments as desired by the user. It will also be recalled thatbeverage container 10 is able to continue to provide the appearance of a wine bottle notwithstanding the removal of one or more container segments from the beverage container. Returning toFIG. 6 , an example is set forth therein in which a beverage container generally referenced bynumeral 50 is formed of fourcontainer segments FIG. 6 also shows an intermediate step in the combining of container segments to form the beverage container in whichcontainer segments container segments beverage container 50 apart from having a different number of container segments is substantially identical tobeverage container 10 set forth and described above. -
FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of a pair ofcontainer segments FIG. 7 . This illustrates the flexibility provided by the present invention beverage container. - In the example shown in
FIG. 7 , a pair ofcontainer segments FIG. 7 betweencontainer segments - More specifically, as described above,
container segment 11 includes acylindrical wall 31 extending between abottom edge 37 and anupper edge 32. Adomed surface 34 extends upwardly fromupper edge 32 and supports a aneck 35 having a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs connector tabs FIG. 4 ).Neck 35 further includes aneck passage 36. Acork 21 is received withinneck passage 36 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 11 further defines aneck receptacle 51 having adomed surface 52 extending upwardly frombottom edge 37 and aneck socket 53.Neck socket 53 defines apassage 54 having aclosed top 55. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs passage 54 near closed top 55. Container segment 1 also defines aninterior volume 39 which is formed withincylindrical surface 31,domed surface 34 andneck 35.Interior volume 39 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 51. Thus, access to and closure ofinterior volume 39 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion ofcork 21 withinpassage 36. In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure. - Similarly,
container segment 12 includes acylindrical wall 71 extending between a bottom edge 77 and anupper edge 72. Adomed surface 74 extends upwardly fromupper edge 72 and supports a aneck 75 having a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs 80 and 82.Neck 75 further includes aneck passage 76. Acork 22 is received withinneck passage 76 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 12 further defines aneck receptacle 91 having adomed surface 92 extending upwardly from bottom edge 77 and aneck socket 93.Neck socket 93 defines a passage 94 having aclosed top 95. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs Container segment 12 also defines an interior volume 79 which is formed withincylindrical surface 71,domed surface 74 andneck 75. Interior volume 79 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 91. - As mentioned above, in the anticipated use of the present invention, a plurality of container segments, each filled with a quantity of beverage, such as wine, which are each sealed by a cork seal, are joined in a stacked array in the attachment shown in
FIG. 7 to form a beverage container manner shown inFIG. 1 . In the example shown inFIG. 7 , this attachment is provided by the insertion ofneck 75 ofcontainer segment 12 intopassage 54 ofneck socket 53 withincontainer segment 11. The attachment is secured by the threaded engagement of connecting tabs, such astabs 80 and 82 and helical ribs such asribs passage 54 ofneck socket 53 ofcontainer segment 11. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative methods of attachment may be employed to secureneck 75 ofcontainer segment 12 withinneck socket 53 ofcontainer segment 11 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the thread disposition betweenneck 75 ofcontainer segment 12 andneck socket 53 ofcontainer segment 11 may be switched providing a plurality of helical ribs uponneck 75 ofcontainer segment 12 and a plurality of extending connector tabs within the interior ofpassage 54 ofcontainer segment 11. Further variations of engagement mechanisms may be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which may for example include cooperating conventional threads. - The important aspect with respect to the present invention is the resulting structure which provides a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments which, in combination, provide the appearance and shape of a conventional wine bottle. Within the array of container segments, each container segment maintains a sealed quantity of wine or other suitable beverage. The inwardly extending bottleneck of each container segment and the seal cork disposed therein facilitate this stacked array of sealed container segments.
-
FIG. 8 sets forth a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention beverage container generally referenced bynumeral 110. By way of overview, and with concurrent reference toFIGS. 1 through 7 andFIGS. 8 through 13 , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art by comparison ofbeverage container 10 shown inFIGS. 1 through 7 andbeverage container 110 shown inFIGS. 8 and 13 that the container segments are substantially identical with the exception of the locations of the attachment apparatus used to join the container segments. - Thus, the container segments forming
beverage container 10 utilize pluralities of connector tabs extending outwardly from the connector segment necks cooperating with pluralities of helical ribs ported within the interior of the container segment neck sockets. Conversely, the container segments formingbeverage container 110 utilize pluralities of connector tabs extending outwardly from the connector segment conical surfaces cooperating with pluralities of helical ribs supported within the interior of the container segment neck receptacles. Apart from these differences,beverage container 10 andbeverage container 110 are substantially identical. - Returning specifically to
FIG. 8 ,beverage container 110 is formed of a plurality of stackable, interlocking single-servingcontainer segments Container segments 11 through 114 may be fabricated of a selected material in accordance with the container needs. For example, in order to replicate typical wine bottles,beverage container 110 may utilizecontainer segments 11 through 114 that are formed of glass. Alternatively,container segments 111 through 114 may be formed of other materials of the type often used to fabricate wine containers such as high quality plastic or the like. -
FIG. 9 sets forth a perspective assembly view ofbeverage container 110 showingcontainer segments container segments FIG. 9 showscontainer 110 formed of four container segments, it will be understood that, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the number of container segments may be varied or adjusted to suit consumer preferences, usage and needs. Thus, for example, it will be noted inFIG. 1 above that a total of five container segments (container segments 11 through 15) are combined to formbeverage container 10.Container segment 111 receives acork 121 to seal the container segment. Similarly,container segments respective corks FIG. 9 , it will be understood thatcontainer segment 114 also receives a cork 124 in a similar fashion. In this manner, the sealed airtight integrity of each ofcontainer segments 111 through 114 is maintained. -
FIG. 10 sets forth a top perspective view of a typical container segment generally referenced bynumeral 111. It will be understood thatcontainer segment 111 is illustrative of the basic fabrication of the container segments shown herein as utilized in beverage container 110 (seen inFIGS. 8 through 13 ). Accordingly, the descriptions and illustrations ofcontainer segment 111 will be understood to be equally illustrative of and descriptive of and apply equally well to the remaining container segments, such ascontainer segments 112 through 114 (seen inFIG. 8 ). By way of overview, it will be noted that in the preferred fabrication of the invention,container segments 111 through 114 are substantially identical and each includes an upper portion which is shaped and configured to resemble the upper bottle surface and bottle neck of a typical wine bottle. - More specifically,
container segment 111 is generally cylindrical in shape and thus includes acylindrical wall 131 joined to anupper edge 132 and abottom edge 137.Upper edge 132 further supports a generallyconical surface 134 from which aneck 135 extends upwardly and defines anupper edge 138 and aneck passage 136. The latter extends into the interior ofcontainer segment 111 to facilitate depositing wine into and pouring wine from the container segment. Acork 121 is inserted intoneck passage 136 to seal andclose container segment 111. The outer surface ofconical surface 134 defines awall 145 which in turn supports a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs 140 through 142 (connector tab 143 seen inFIG. 11 ). The structure ofneck 135 is set forth below in greater detail in the section view ofFIG. 12 in greater detail. However, in accordance with conventional bottle fabrication techniques,neck 135 ofcontainer segment 111 is preferably centered on centerline axis 133 (seen inFIG. 11 ) of the container segment and extends upwardly fromconical surface 134. -
Connector tabs 140 through 143 function to provide a threaded attachment betweencontainer segment 111 and another container segment, such as container segment 112 (seen inFIG. 9 ). Suffice it to note here that, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, described below in detail and seen inFIG. 12 ,container segment 111 also defines a bottleneck receptacle which is able to receive the neck of a container segment in the manner seen inFIG. 13 This, in turn, facilitates the interlocking of container segments which allows the container segments to be combined to form the inventive beverage container. It will also be noted thatcork 121 resides withinneck 135 and thus provides a seal and airtight closure ofcontainer segment 111. When the consumer desires to removecontainer segment 111 frombeverage container 110 and access the contents ofcontainer segment 111, an apparatus such as a conventional corkscrew may be utilized to removecork 121 fromneck 135 thereby allowing the contents ofcontainer segment 111 Ito be poured out throughneck passage 136. -
FIG. 11 sets forth a side elevation view of container segment ′11. As described above, container segment ′11 includes a cylindrical wall ′31, a bottom edge ′37 and an upper edge ′32. As is also described above, container segment ′11 includes aconical surface 134 which, in turn, supports an upwardly extendingneck 135.Conical surface 134 further defines awall 145 which supports a plurality ofconnector tabs 140 through 143 (connector tab 142 seen inFIG. 10 ).Neck 135 defines anupper edge 138. It will be noted thatcontainer segment 111 defines acenterline axis 133 and thatcylindrical wall 131,conical surface 134 andneck 135 are centered and aligned alongcenterline axis 133. -
FIG. 12 sets forth a section view ofcontainer segment 11 taken along section lines 12-12 inFIG. 11 . As described above,container segment 111 includes acylindrical wall 131 extending between abottom edge 137 and anupper edge 132. Awall 145 extends upwardly fromupper edge 132 and supports aconical surface 134 which in turn supports aneck 135.Wall 145 includes a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs connector tabs FIG. 11 ).Neck 135 further includes aneck passage 136. Acork 121 is received withinneck passage 136 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 111 further defines aneck receptacle 151 having aconical surface 152 extending upwardly frombottom edge 137 and aneck socket 153.Neck socket 153 defines apassage 154 having aclosed top 155. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs neck receptacle 151 nearbottom edge 137.Container segment 111 also defines aninterior volume 139 which is formed withincylindrical surface 131,conical surface 134 andneck 135.Interior volume 139 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 151. Thus, access to and closure ofinterior volume 139 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion ofcork 121 withinpassage 136. In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure. The operation and function ofneck receptacle 151 and a cooperating upper portion from another container segment is set forth below inFIG. 13 . However, suffice it to note here that,conical surface 152,neck socket 153, top 155 andpassage 154 are shaped and sized to receive the bottleneck and conical surface of a cooperating container segment. In this cooperative arrangement, the connector tabs of the cooperating container segment engage helical ribs (such asribs 156, 157 and 158) in a threaded engagement to secure the upper portion of the cooperating container segment withinneck receptacle 151. -
FIG. 13 sets forth a section view of a pair ofcontainer segments container segments - More specifically, as described above,
container segment 111 includes acylindrical wall 131 extending between abottom edge 137 and anupper edge 132. Awall 145 and aconical surface 134 extend upwardly fromupper edge 132.Conical surface 134 supports aneck 135.Wall 145 ports a plurality of outwardly extendingconnector tabs connector tabs FIG. 11 ).Neck 135 further includes aneck passage 136. Acork 121 is received withinneck passage 136 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 111 further defines aneck receptacle 151 having aconical surface 152 extending upwardly frombottom edge 137 and aneck socket 153.Neck socket 153 defines apassage 154 having aclosed top 155. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs neck receptacle 151 nearbottom edge 137.Container segment 111 also defines aninterior volume 139 which is formed withincylindrical surface 131,conical surface 134 andneck 135.Interior volume 139 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 151. Thus, access to and closure ofinterior volume 139 is controlled entirely by the removal or insertion ofcork 121 withinpassage 136. In this manner, the quantity of wine contained within each of the container segments may be maintained in an airtight sealed closure. - Similarly,
container segment 112 includes a cylindrical wall 171 extending between abottom edge 177 and an upper edge 172. A conical surface 174 and wall 185 extend upwardly from upper edge 172. Conical surface 174 supports a neck 175. Wall 185 supports a plurality of outwardly extending connector tabs 180 and 182. Neck 175 further includes a neck passage 176. Acork 122 is received within neck passage 176 to provide an airtight and liquid tight seal.Container segment 112 further defines aneck receptacle 191 having aconical surface 192 extending upwardly frombottom edge 177 and aneck socket 193.Neck socket 193 defines a passage 194 having aclosed top 195. A plurality of helical ribs such asribs neck receptacle 191 nearbottom edge 177.Container segment 112 also defines aninterior volume 179 which is formed within cylindrical surface 171, conical surface 174 and neck 175.Interior volume 179 is further defined by the surfaces ofneck receptacle 191. - As mentioned above, in the anticipated use of the present invention, a plurality of container segments, each filled with a quantity of beverage, such as wine, which are each sealed by a cork seal, are joined in a stacked array in the attachment shown in
FIG. 13 to form a beverage container manner shown inFIG. 8 . In the example shown inFIG. 13 , this attachment is provided by the insertion of neck 175 ofcontainer segment 112 intopassage 154 ofneck socket 153 withincontainer segment 111. The attachment is secured by the threaded engagement of connecting tabs, such as tabs 180 and 182 and helical ribs such asribs neck receptacle 151 ofcontainer segment 11. The important aspect with respect to the present invention is the resulting structure which provides a beverage container formed of a plurality of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments which, in combination, provide the appearance and shape of a conventional wine bottle. Within the array of container segments, each container segment maintains a sealed quantity of wine or other suitable beverage. The inwardly extending bottleneck of each container segment and the seal cork disposed therein facilitate this stacked array of sealed container segments. - In accordance with the anticipated use of the present invention beverage container, when access to a serving of the wine is desired, the user simply separates the bottom most container segment from the beverage container and removes the cork seal therefrom in a conventional manner. The quantity of wine disposed within the open container segment is fresh and unaffected in the same manner as the wine within a newly opened conventional wine bottle. The user then is able to distribute and consume the contents of the open container segment by pouring the contents into a conventional wine glass, and so on. The seal cork may be replaced within the container segment neck to restore the container seal if any unused portion remains. However, in the preferred fabrication of the invention, the size of the container segments is chosen to constitute the anticipated single-serving quantity which a typical user would consume thereby avoiding the need to attempt to reseal the container segment. The point of the invention is to provide the individual single-serving container segments. The separation and opening of a container segment from the remaining container segments does not affect the sealed environment of the remaining container segments. Accordingly, the user is able to access one or more container segments and return the remaining container segments in an unaffected and fresh condition to storage for an indefinite period.
- What has been shown is a novel beverage container formed of a stacked array of interlocking single-serving container segments which allows indefinite storage of the container segments and which facilitates access to the beverage contained within a selected container segment without compromising the remaining quantities of the beverage.
- While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (3)
1. A beverage container comprising a plurality of stackable, interlocking, single-serving container segments, each of said container segments including;
a confined interior beverage-receiving volume,
an upper engagement portion,
a lower engagement portion,
a bottleneck, and
a bottleneck receiving receptacle,
said plurality of said container segments constructed to be joined in a stacked array in which each container segment is removably joined to a container segment below it by the engagement of its lower engagement portion to the upper engagement portion of a container segment below it to form said beverage container in which said confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of said container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
2. A beverage container comprising:
a first container segment including;
a first confined interior beverage-receiving volume,
a first upper engagement portion,
a first bottleneck receptacle extending upwardly into said first confined interior beverage receiving volume;
a first lower engagement portion, and
a first bottleneck;
a second container segment including; and
a second confined interior beverage-receiving volume, a second bottleneck receptacle extending upwardly into said second confined interior beverage receiving volume;
a second upper engagement portion,
a second lower engagement portion, and
a second bottleneck,
said first container segment being removably joined to said second container segment, such that said second bottleneck extends into said first bottleneck receptacle, by the engagement of said first lower engagement portion and said second upper engagement portion to form said beverage container in which said first and second confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual scaled containment and in which each of said first and second container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
3. A beverage container comprising:
a first container segment including;
a first confined interior beverage-receiving volume,
a first centered upwardly extending neck;
a first bottleneck receptacle extending upwardly into said first confined interior beverage receiving volume;
a first lower engagement portion, and
a second container segment including;
a second confined interior beverage-receiving volume,
a second centered upwardly extending neck;
a second bottleneck receptacle extending upwardly into said second confined interior beverage receiving volume;
a second lower engagement portion;
a third container segment including;
a third confined interior beverage-receiving volume,
a third centered upwardly extending neck;
a third bottleneck receptacle extending upwardly into said third confined interior beverage receiving volume;
a third lower engagement portion,
said first container segment being removably joined to said second container segment by the engagement of said first lower engagement portion and said second upper engagement portion and said second container segment being removably joined to said third container segment by the engagement of said second lower engagement portion and said third upper engagement portion, said first, second and third container segments combining to form said beverage container in which said first, second and third confined interior beverage receiving volumes each maintain a quantity of beverage in an individual sealed containment and in which each of said first, second and third container segments may be removed from an engaged container segment to allow access to a single confined interior beverage receiving volume.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/729,134 US20210198006A1 (en) | 2019-12-27 | 2019-12-27 | Beverage container formed of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/729,134 US20210198006A1 (en) | 2019-12-27 | 2019-12-27 | Beverage container formed of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20210198006A1 true US20210198006A1 (en) | 2021-07-01 |
Family
ID=76547281
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US16/729,134 Abandoned US20210198006A1 (en) | 2019-12-27 | 2019-12-27 | Beverage container formed of stackable interlocking single-serving container segments |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20210198006A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220315282A1 (en) * | 2021-03-30 | 2022-10-06 | Heinrich Reindorf Malm | Stackable/nested container |
US20240017884A1 (en) * | 2022-07-14 | 2024-01-18 | Summit Project, LLC | Reconfigurable container system |
-
2019
- 2019-12-27 US US16/729,134 patent/US20210198006A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220315282A1 (en) * | 2021-03-30 | 2022-10-06 | Heinrich Reindorf Malm | Stackable/nested container |
US20240017884A1 (en) * | 2022-07-14 | 2024-01-18 | Summit Project, LLC | Reconfigurable container system |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |