MX2013013519A - Beverage glass and beverage glass assembly. - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage container assembly including a first beverage container having a first vessel body that has a first base having a first perimeter and a first side wall connected to the first base, wherein the first side wall includes a connecting member. The first beverage container including a first rim defined on the first side wall distal to the first base. The assembly further including a second beverage container that includes a second vessel body that has a second base having a second perimeter and a second side wall connected to the second base. The second side wall includes an engagement member that engages with the connecting member so that the first beverage container is attached to the second beverage container.

Description

DRINK CUP AND DRINK CUP ASSEMBLY This application is a continuation request in part of 1) Design Patent Application of E.U.A. Serial No. 29/411, 983, filed January 27, 2012, which is a continuation request in part of the US Patent Application. No. 13/111, 454, filed May 19, 2011, and 2) Patent Application of E.U.A. No. Series 13 / 111,454, filed on May 19, 2011, the full contents of each of which is incorporated herein for reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a beverage container such as a wine cup that can be sealed with a seal or lid that can be removed prior to consumption. The present invention also relates to assemblies of multiple beverage containers in a connected, direct connected configuration.

Beverages are commonly sold to consumers in containers such as glass or plastic bottles, steel or aluminum cans, cardboard or plastic boxes; or devices that include bladders that contain the drink. The beverage contained therein can be transferred to an appropriate glass cup composed of an appropriate material including but not limited to glass, plastic or the like for consumption. In certain situations, users they prefer to consume drinks from individual serving containers such as cans, juice bottles and the like. However, many consumers prefer to drink certain types of glass goblets that have wide mouths to improve the aroma and, therefore, the taste of the drink.

It should be desirable to provide individual portions of various beverages in sealed wide mouth containers to improve the aroma and taste of the beverage during consumption. It is also desirable to provide single portion containers that can be placed together in multi-portion container packages for sale or distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention relates to a beverage container assembly that includes a first beverage container having a first container body having a first base having a first perimeter and a first side wall connected to the first base, wherein the first side wall includes a connecting element. The first beverage container includes a first flange defined in the first side wall distal to the first base. The assembly further includes a second beverage container that includes a second container body having a second base having a second perimeter and a second side wall connected to the second base. The second side wall includes a coupling element that engages with the connecting element of such so that the first beverage container is fixed to the second beverage container.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly including a first beverage container having a first container body having a first base having a first perimeter and a first side wall connected to the first base; and a first flange defined in the first side wall distal to the first base. The first beverage container includes a first lid having a first seal region, the first seal region removably attached to the first flange. The assembly further includes a second beverage container having a second container body having a second base having a second perimeter; a second side wall connected to the second base and a second flange defined in the second side wall distal to the second base. The second beverage container is releasably coupled by the first base of the first beverage container such that the lid of the second container is interposed between the flange of the second container and the base of the first container. The second beverage container additionally includes a second lid having a second seal region, the second seal region removably attached to the second flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will be more apparent with reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the beverage container as described herein; FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the beverage container of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top view of the beverage container of the FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one embodiment of a flange elevation of the beverage container of FIG. 1; FIG. 5, is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the flange portion of the beverage container of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the beverage container of the FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a detail view of the lower region of the beverage container of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the edge region of the beverage container of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 schematically shows a second embodiment of a beverage container that couples another beverage container according to the present invention; FIG. 11 schematically shows a third embodiment of a beverage container that couples another beverage container according to the present invention; FIG. 12 schematically shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a beverage container that couples another beverage container according to the present invention; FIG. 12A schematically shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of the beverage container engaging a second beverage container of FIG. 2; FIG. 12B schematically shows a top cross-sectional view of the beverage container coupling a second beverage container of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage container assembly as described herein and in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 14 is a front view of the beverage container assembly of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a detailed view of the connection between two of the beverage containers in the beverage container assembly of FIG. 13; FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage container assembly system, wherein the beverage container assembly of FIG. 13 includes a removable cover in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 17 is a front view of the beverage container assembly system of FIG. 16; FIG. 18 is a top view of the beverage container assembly system of FIG. 16; FIG. 19 is a top view of the beverage container assembly system of FIG. 16; FIG. 20 is a side view of a beverage container as described herein as an assembly with an embodiment of a removable beverage container accessory; FIG. 21 is a detailed view of the assembly of Fig. 20; FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the containers of the FIGS. 10-15 altered ones that have connection elements and coupling elements; FIG. 23 is a top view of a first possible configuration of four beverage containers of FIGS. 1-15 using the connecting and coupling elements of FIG. 22; Y FIG. 24 is a top view of a second possible configuration of four beverage containers of FIGS. 1-15 using the coupling and connecting elements of FIG. 22 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in the example of the exemplary drawing figures, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, a beverage container 10 includes a beverage container body 12 and a removable lid 14 sealingly attached to the beverage container body 12. The beverage container body 12 can be constructed of any suitable material. In the various modalities, the beverage container body 12 can be made of an appropriate moldable polymeric material. Where desired or required, the material can be transparent. In specific embodiments, the material employed can be any material that is suitable for use with food. The material may be one that is dimensionally stable, but may provide less deformation in specific applications. In applications where the beverage container 10 contains wine, the beverage container body 12 may be composed of an appropriate transparent polymeric material. The lid 14 can be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, thin sheet metal, plastic and the like. The material used in the lid 14 can be made of a material that is the same or different from the material of the container body 12. In some applications, it is contemplated that the material used in the lid 14 will be more deformable than that used in the body of the container. container 12 and will be able to conform to appropriate dimensional contours by crimping or the like.

The beverage container body 12 includes a base 16 having a circumference CB as measured on the outer perimeter of a surface by contacting the region having a first defined value (see FIG 7). The beverage reservoir body 12 also has a side wall 20 terminating in a rim 22. The side wall 20 and the base 16 define an interior chamber of a specified volume. As such, the side wall 20 will have an appropriate height H. The side wall 20 also has a medial side wall M as shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiments illustrated in the drawn figures, the side wall 20 has a curvilinear outer contour that creates at least one bulbous outwardly protective region 24 that extends beyond the perimeter created by the base 16. The side wall 20 has a taper region 26 immediately above bulbous region 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The tapered region 26 ends at the rim 22, the geometry of which will be described in greater detail subsequently. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 20 has the bulbous region 24 located below the median height side wall M. The bulbous region 24 has a circumference Cw greater than the base CB circle 16 as shown in FIG. 7. The side wall 20 curves upwards from the base 16 towards the maximum circumference in Cw. The side wall 20 then enters a smooth inward curve that proceeds contiguously inward from the tapered region 26. The maximum circumference in CW may be any percentage greater than that of the CB base 16 circumference. embodiments, it is contemplated that the maximum circumference Cw may be between 10 and 50% greater than the CB circumference of base 16.

The side wall 20 has an inwardly tapered region 26 between the bulbous region 24 and the rim 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the rim 22 has a maximum circumference CR equal to or less than the circumference CB of the base 16. In the illustrated embodiment in the drawn figures, the outer circumference or the maximum circumference CR of the flange 22 will be between 0 and 15% smaller than the circumference CR of base 16. In certain embodiments, the maximum circumference Cw of sidewall 20 will be between 5% and 50% greater than the circle CB of base 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 20 can have an appropriate inner face 28 opposite a curvilinear outer face 30. In certain various embodiments, the inner and outer faces will be parallel. In the case of the inner and outer parallel faces, the internal chamber defined in the container body 12 will be larger than the volume in the regions below the median M.

The internal volume of the container body 12 contained in the internal chamber will generally be appropriate to contain an appropriate beverage portion. The container body 12 will be provided in a manner that provides the appropriate volume. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the base 16 will have a cross-sectional diameter between 5.08 and 10.16 centimeters (2 and 4 inches). The outer diameter of the flange 22 will be sufficient to allow releasable engagement between the flange 22 of a container 10 and the base 16 of a second container. The inside diameter of the flange 22 will be sufficient to allow the beverage to be consumed from the container body 12. The maximum diameter of the side wall 20 in the bulbous region 24 can be between 0.635 and 2.54 centimeters (1/4 inch and 1 inch). inch) greater than the diameter of base 16. The total height of the beverage container will be one that approximates the height of a beverage cup of 0.177 liters (6 ounces) in certain applications.

The rim 22 is attached contiguously to the upper sidewall region 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 the rim 22 includes a body 32 with an edge 34 projecting axially outwardly from there to a defined distance. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the edge 34 extends to provide an exterior surface that can be received in an appropriate hole in the base 16 of a corresponding beverage container. In certain embodiments, the outer diameter of the rim 22 is essentially equal to an inner diameter defined by the base 16. The rim 22 also has an upward facing surface which may include at least one upward facing surface or bead 36, which is project from there.

The rim 22 is configured to be placed in mating contact with the lid 14 in a manner that facilitates the establishment of a removed seal. The lid 14 can make contact with the rim 22 in some appropriate manner. In certain embodiments, the lid 14 is configured with an appropriate edge region that is fixed to the flange 22 to hold the beverage within that container body 12. The lid 14 may be attached to the flange 22 in any suitable manner including, but not limited to, curly adhesives and the like. Where an adhesive material is employed, the appropriate adhesive material will be one that is suitable for use with food. The adhesive material may be present as a layer, bead, or other structure that is interposed between the rim 22 and the inwardly facing side of the lid 14. Where desired or required, the interposed adhesive may be placed in such a way that it makes contact with all or a portion of the upper surface of the rim 22 such as the cord 36.

The lid 14 can have any suitable configuration for sealingly engaging the flange 14 and encompassing the opening defined in the container body 12. In various embodiments, the lid 14 can be a thin flat element that can be shaped and cover the defined opening. For example, the lid 14 can be made of a sheet-like material having a tab extending beyond the cord such that the user can grasp the tab and remove the lid 14. When in sealed engagement, the lid 14 it may deviate inwardly in the opening defined in the container body 12. The cover 14 may have an appropriate peripheral region proximate its outer edge which may be configured to conform to at least a portion of the flange 22.

The desired beverage can be sealed in the reservoir body 12 by the lid 14. The volume of the beverage will be such that the height of the beverage arrives to an appropriate filling line F. When the container body is composed of an appropriate transparent polymer material, the beverage will be visible through the container body 12. Note that in addition to liquids, the container body 12 may contain other types of liquid. objects, such as solid foods.

The rim 22 may have any configuration that facilitates sealed engagement between the lid 14 and the container body 12. In one configuration, the rim 22 may include a generally vertical neck portion with a cord present at one end thereof. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the rim 22 can be configured with a plurality of passages 40, 42 placed on the interior and exterior facing surfaces relative to the cord 36. It is contemplated that the adhesives or other sealing material can be interposed between the interiorly oriented passages 40, 42 and lid 14. As used herein, the term "adhere" is taken to include the connection facilitated by direct flange-to-lid adhesion as well as the interposition of an appropriate adhesive layer between flange 22 and lid 14. Where a line of adhesive is used, it is contemplated that the adhesive line may be used to contact the cord 36 of the flange 22 and, if desired, the adhesive may be interposed in such a manner that the adhesive contacts the multiple surfaces flat defined on the surface facing inwardly of the flange 22.

It is also within the scope of this disclosure to configure the cover 14 to conform to one or more of the geometric ridges and / or ledges defined on the upper surface of the flange 22. Conformance can be achieved during the manufacture of the cover 14, or during the fixing from lid 14 to the associated edge 22. Compliance adjustment can be increased by adhesives where desired or required.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4-6, the rim 22 has at least one radially inner shoulder 38 of the cord 36. The shoulder 38 has a maximum or peak height below the cord 36. The shelf 40 is located radially inside the shoulder 38 and is positioned adjacent to it. . The shelf 40 terminates in an upper portion projecting down the inner wall 28.

When desired or required, the edge 22 may have appropriate exterior geometrical details. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4-6, the rim 22 has a shoulder 42 radially outwardly of the cord 36 and placed below the cord 36. A shelf 44 is positioned radially outward of and below the shoulder 42 and is unites contiguously to be. The contours of the various shelves 40, 44 and shoulders 38, 42 will be sufficient to allow contact with the lid 14 but will be small enough to allow a pleasant drinking experience.

Although an adhesive fixation between the cover 14 and the associated flange 22 has been described above, other types of fixing are possible. For example, an outer edge of the lid 14 could be curled similar to a lid of beer bottle for coupling an outer side of the rim 22. Another possibility is to lightly melt the upper layer of the rim 22 and / or the lower part of the lid 14 before placing the lid 14 on it in such a way that it is formed between the cover 14 and flange 22.

The outer edge 46 of the shelf 44 defines a wall region extending downward 48 that terminates in an inwardly curved lower region 50. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the lower inwardly curved region 50 terminates in a cylindrical band portion 52 which is interposed between the rim 22 and the upper portion of the side wall 20. The side wall 20 and the cylindrical band portion 52 may be contiguous each other or may have an appropriate intermediate region 54 interposed therebetween. In the embodiment illustrated in the various figures drawn, an inward taper is interposed between the bottom curved region 50 of the intermediate region 54 and the cylindrical band portion 52.

The reservoir body 12 may also include a transition region 55 interposed between the band portion 52 and the upper region of the side wall 20.

The base 16 of the container body 12 can be configured to releasably engage the rim 22 of a similarly configured beverage container 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9, the base 16 includes at least one arm member 56 having an outward facing side 58 connected contiguously to the lower region of the side wall 20 at a location in the container body 12. opposite the edge 22. The arm member 56 defines an inwardly facing detent 60 generally opposite to an outward facing side 58 that terminates in the bottom wall (shown in dashed lines in FIGS 8 and 9). The size, number and placement of the arm member (s) 56 is sufficient to releasably couple the rim 22 of a corresponding beverage container 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the device has an arm element 56 that extends continuously around the circumference of the base 16 and defines a surface contact region 64.

The retainer 60 may have any suitable internal wall configuration sufficient to receive and maintain at least one flange portion 22 of an associated beverage device 10 in coupled relation. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner retainer wall 60 has a concave configuration that can releasably couple the corresponding flange 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall of the retainer 60 contacts the shoulder 50 associated with the rim 22.

The arm element 56 can be either solid or hollow construction depending on the specific application. In the mode illustrated in the figures drawn, the arm element 56 is a continuous solid circular body placed adjacent to the side wall 20 and the lower surface 62. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the arm element solid continuous 56 provides stability to the associated container body 12. It is further believed that the solid continuous arm element 56, when employed with the solid flange 22 as associated additionally with the curved linear side wall 20 provides a structurally robust beverage container 10.

The lower surface 62 (shown in dashed lines in FIGS 2, 8 and 9) can have any suitable geometric configuration. In the embodiment set forth in the figures drawn, the lower surface 62 has an inwardly curved geometry having a lower region next to the arm member 56 and a point oriented inwardly close to the radial center of the device 10. The arc defined by The lower curved surface 62 is between 1 degree and 30 degrees from the plane.

The engagement between the flange 22 and the arm member 56 generally occurs in a joint portion located in a lower portion of the retainer 60 and the rounded shoulder region 50 of the respective elements.

Note that other connections between a base 16 of a beverage container 10 and a flange 22 'of another beverage container 10' are possible. For example, an interior side surface of the base 16 of a beverage container 10 of FIGS. 1-9 can be altered to have a threaded pattern 80 which is threadably coupled by a threaded pattern 82 formed on an outer surface of the rim 22 'of another beverage container 10' as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the beverage containers 10 and 10 'are threaded together. Of course, the fixing scheme can be reversed where the threaded pattern 80 is formed on an outer surface of the base 16 and the threaded pattern 82 is formed on an inner surface of the flange 22 ', the base 16 dimensioned in such a way that the threaded patterns can be coupled together. Thus, in summary, the bases and flanges of each of the beverage containers 10, 10 'of FIGS. 1-9 can be altered to include the threaded coupling described above.

Another possible fixing scenario is shown in FIG. 11. In particular, the base 16 of FIGS. 1-9 is thus altered an inner surface 84 of a lower portion of the side wall 20 defines a vertical surface. A lower surface 62 is formed above the lower edge 86 of the inner surface. As shown in FIG. 11 a channel 88 is formed in the inner surface 84, wherein an end 90 of the channel 88 is formed in the lower edge 86 in such a way that access to the channel 88 in the lower edge 86 is possible. The channel 88 rises at an angle from the lower edge 8 and then is leveled at another end 92. Prior to leveling, the channel 88 includes a protrusion 94. The channel 88 and the protrusion 94 are sized and structured in such a way that when a projection 96 formed in the rim 22 of another container moves along the channel 88, the projection 96 is trapped at the end 92 after the projection 96 passes the protrusion 94.

With the above structure in mind, fastening the rim 22 of one container to the base 16 of another container is achieved by inserting the rim 22 of one container into the interior surface 84 of another container. Then, the two containers are rotated together in a first direction until a projection 96 on the rim 22 of a container is inserted into the channel 88 f of the other container and the protrusion 94 passes. The containers are secured effectively each other until relative rotation between the two containers is performed in a direction opposite to the first direction. If sufficient torsional force is applied, the projection 96 will pass the protrusion 94 and feed towards the lower edge of the container where the flange 22 can be released.

Another possible fixing scenario is shown in FIGS. 12A-12B. In particular, the base 16 of FIGS. 1-9 is altered in such a way that the lower portion at the lower edge extends approximately 180 ° to be C-shaped. Thus, in practice, the lid 22 'of a container slides inside the retainer 60 until the rim 22 'reaches the rear portion 98 of the base 16. The rim 22' and the base 16 are secured together using a protrusion and channel system similar to that described with respect to FIG. 11. The structure of the channel formed in the interior of the side wall where the retainer 60 is present is basically the same as that described with respect to the channel 88 of FIG. 11. One difference is that unlike the protrusion 94 of FIG. eleven, the protrusion is formed on the side of the channel 88 and not on the bottom as shown in FIG. 11. With the channel described above, blocking between the rim 22 'and the base 16 is achieved by sliding the rim 22' inside the retainer 60 and then twisting the rim 22 'and the base 16 relative to each other until a protrusion formed in the rim 22 'it slides into the channel and ascends the channel until it moves on the protrusion into an end portion of the channel where the rim 22' and the base 16 are secured. Twisting in the opposite direction with sufficient torsional force will release the projection from the channel in the manner similar to that described above with respect to FIG. eleven.

The present disclosure contemplates an assembly of beverage containers such as those described above, the assembly including at least two beverage containers each having a container body 12 and a lid 14. An example of such assembly when beverage containers of FIGS. 1-9 are used shown in FIGS. 13-15. Each beverage container 10 has a portion of a given beverage located in a sealed chamber defined in the container body 12. The size of the portion may be a predetermined amount. In applications where the beverage container 10 is configured to contain wine, the portion size may be between 0.059 and 0.177 liters (2 ounces and 6 ounces) as an example. In assembly 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the base 16 of at least one first beverage container 10 releasably couples the rim 22 'of a second beverage container 10' in such a way that a lid 14 'of the second beverage container 10' is interposed between the respective flange 22 'and the base 16. Also, note that the beverage container at the top of the stack may include a plastic cap to cover the lid.

The assembly 200 can be composed of any number of beverage containers 10, 10 '. Certain assemblies can be composed of even multiple beverage containers with assemblies of two and four being typical in certain applications. The assembly 200 of FIGS. 13-15 it may further include an outer cover element. Non-limiting examples of outer cover include boxes and shrink wrap and the like.

An example of a possible outer covering is shown in FIGS. 16-19. The outer cover 300 is made of a flexible plastic material, such as PET, having an opening at both ends thereof. The assembly 200 of FIGS. 13-15 is inserted into the first end of the bottom through the opening such that the cover 300 and the assembly 200 define a covered assembly of beverage containers 302. In the case of using PET for the cover 300, the cover 300 and the assembly combination are placed in a steam tunnel or similar, which results in the retractable cover and taking the form of the beverage container assembly. As shown in FIGS. 16-17, the material takes the outer form of the assembly 200 along the sides. At the top, an annular ring can be formed around the outer edge of the plastic lid attached to the lid 14 and the rim 22. At the bottom, an annular portion 306 is centered around the center of the base 16. Note that the cover 300 may contain several features. For example, the cover 300 may include an opening 308 such that an observer can determine the content within the cover 300. The cover 300 may include an opening device 310 that includes an area extending along the length of the assembly 302 and the area is thus weakened that when a user pulls a tab area 308 in the upper part and along the length of the opening device the area is divided to reveal the beverage containers therein. As it is shown in FIGS. 16-17, the area includes two parallel lines of holes, wherein each hole 312 is approximately 1 mm in diameter and there are approximately 7 holes per centimeter along the length of the area. The lines of the holes are separated from each other by approximately 8 mm. When the tab area 308 is pulled down, the material along one of the lines of holes and between the holes in that line is separated. The same process occurs with the other line of holes in such a way that a similar opening-groove is formed between the lines of holes.

The beverage containers 10, 10 ', etc. They can be sized to approximate the maximum width and height dimensions of a standard wine bottle. Thus, an assembly 200 of four beverage containers 10, 10 ', 10", 10"' placed in an end-to-end stacked relation will have the approximate height of a standard wine bottle. The assembly may contain four portions of the same or different wines. Each container can be accessed by removing the respective lid. The content can be consumed from the open beverage container which can be used as a cup.

Although the present disclosure has presented coupling between two beverage containers 10, the scope of the present description is also considered to provide releasable coupling between a beverage container 10 and an appropriate accessory. A non-limiting example of an accessory suitable to be coupled by the beverage container 10 of FIGS. 1-9 is a wine cup holder 100 illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21.

The wine cup holder 100 includes an appropriate head 110, base 112 and cup foot 114 interposed between the head 110 and the base 112. The head 110 is configured to releasably couple an appropriately configured base 16 of the beverage container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 110 of the wine cup holder 100 includes an appropriate flange 122 configured to make contact in a matching manner with the arm element (s) 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim 122 is received in a manner that coincident in the hole defined by the continuous circular arm element 56 in the manner described above. Other accessories are contemplated, including but not limited to Pilsner cup feet as well as plate elements and the like.

When the beverage container 10 is used with an accessory such as the wine glass holder 100, the holder 100 can be fixed when desired. Generally the holder 100 will be fixed to the base 16 of the beverage container 10 before removal of the lid 14.

As described above with respect to the beverage containers 10 and the system 200 of FIGS. 1-15, fixing between the lids / flanges of one container with the base of another container is possible. Additional fixings are possible. As shown in FIG. 22 it is contemplated that the container 10 of FIGS. 1-15 is adapted to include one or more connecting elements 402 in the side wall 20. Such connecting elements 402 are adapted to be coupled with coupling elements 404 of another container 10 '. For example, it is contemplated that the element of connection 402 could be a male element of a snap and the fastener 404 could be a corresponding female element of the snap. Of course, other coupling structures for elements 402 and 404 are possible.

Note that the lateral coupling described above allows a variety of packing configurations, one of which is shown in FIG. 23. Another pattern could be to connect each container 10 side by side along a line using the elements 402 and 404 as shown in FIG. 24. If one of the non-fixed sides has a sufficient shape, such as a flat surface, the entire line of fixed containers could be rotated in such a way that the unfixed side mentioned above was placed on a surface in such a way that the line of containers extend vertically from that surface to define a stack similar to those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Although the invention has been described in relation to what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described modalities, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover several modifications and equivalent arrangements included within of the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which is agreed to be the broadest interpretation to cover all the modifications and equivalent structures that are permitted under the law.

Claims (40)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A beverage container assembly comprising: a first beverage container comprising: a first container body, the first container body comprising: a first base having a first perimeter; a first side wall connected to the first base, wherein the first side wall comprises a connection element; and a first flange defined in the first side wall distal to the first base; a second beverage container comprising: a second container body, the second container body comprising: a second base having a second perimeter; a second side wall connected to the second base, wherein the second side wall comprises a coupling element that engages with the connecting element such that the first beverage container is fixed to the second beverage container.

2. The beverage container assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the first side wall comprises a median side wall and a center section having a maximum circumference greater than a circumference of the first base, the maximum circumference located in a position on the first side wall between the first median side wall and the base; and a cap having a seal region, the seal region removably attached to the first flange.

3. The beverage container assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the first rim comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the first rim in annular parallel relation spaced from one another.

4. The beverage container assembly according to claim 3, further characterized in that the lid has a region configured to be sealed in a sealed manner to at least one of the plurality of ridge elements.

5. The beverage container assembly according to claim 2, further characterized in that the first rim comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the first rim in annular parallel relation spaced apart from each other.

6. An assembly comprising: a first beverage container comprising: a first container body, the first container body comprising: a first base having a first perimeter; a first side wall connected to the first base; and a first flange defined in the first side wall distal to the first base, the first side wall comprises a median side wall and a center section having a maximum circumference greater than a circumference of the first base, the maximum circumference located in a position in the first side wall between the medial side wall and the first base; and a first cover having a first seal region, the first seal region removably affixed to the first flange; a first material adhering to the first seal region and the first flange such that the first seal region is removably fixed to the first flange; and a second beverage container comprising: a second container body, the first container body comprising: a second base having a second perimeter; a second side wall connected to the second base; and a second flange defined in the second side wall distal to the second base, wherein the second flange is releasably attached to the first base of the first beverage container such that a second cap of the second beverage container is interposed between the flange of the second beverage container and the base of the first beverage container; and the second cap has a second seal region, the second seal region removably attached to the second flange; and a second material that adheres to the second seal region and the second flange in such a manner that the second seal region is detachably fixed to the second flange.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the second flange comprises a threaded pattern engaging a threaded pattern formed in the first base.

8. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the first base comprises a channel that slidably receives a male element formed in the second flange.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, further characterized in that the male element is secured in position within the channel.

10. The assembly according to claim 8, further characterized in that the channel comprises a protrusion, such that when the male element passes the protrusion the male element is secured in the position within the channel.

The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the second cover is slidably received in a channel formed in the first base.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further characterized in that the second cover is secured in position within the channel.

13. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the first beverage container and the second beverage container each include a portion of wine.

14. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized by additionally comprising a cover enclosing the first beverage container and the second beverage container, the cover comprises an opening device that when operated manually provides access to at least one of the first beverage container and second beverage container.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, further characterized in that the opening device comprises two lines of holes formed in the cover and a tongue area formed in the cover, wherein the holes and the tongue area are structured in such a way that when the tongue area pulls the material down along at least one of the lines of holes and between the holes in the line it is separated in such a way that a groove-like opening is formed between the lines of holes.

16. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the first base of the first beverage container comprises a lower surface and an arm element extending downwardly from the first side wall, the arm element comprising: a side oriented towards in; one side facing outward; a region of contact with the surface; and a retainer region defined on the inward facing side.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, further characterized in that the first flange comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the first flange in annular parallel relation separated from one another.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that the first beverage container and the second beverage container each include a portion of wine.

19. The assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a cover element.

20. The assembly according to claim 19, further characterized in that the cover element is selected from the group consisting of shrink wrap and a box.

21. The assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that the first base comprises an inwardly concave surface and the retainer region is located between the region of contact with the surface and the lower surface.

22. The assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that the first side wall has a cylindrical portion and the arm member extends around a lower periphery of the first side wall.

23. The assembly according to claim 18, further characterized in that the first lid has a region configured to be sealed in a sealed manner to at least one of the plurality of ridge elements.

24. The assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that the first flange comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the first flange in annular parallel relation separated from one another.

25. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that a liquid is present within an interior of the first container body, wherein when the first cover is completely sealed towards the first flange the liquid directly contacts the first container body. .

26. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that a liquid is present within an interior of the second container body, wherein when the second lid is completely sealed towards the second flange the liquid directly contacts the second container body. .

27. The assembly according to claim 6, further characterized in that the first container body is identical in shape to the second container body.

28. The assembly according to claim 16, further characterized in that the second flange releasably couples a portion of the retainer region.

29. The assembly according to claim 16, further characterized in that the releasable attachment between the second flange and the portion of the retainer region is achieved by the second flange which contacts the portion of the retainer region.

30. A method for providing access to the contents of a container, the method comprises: providing an assembly comprising: a first container comprising an interior volume that includes a liquid and a releasable lid to provide a seal to prevent the liquid from being removed from the interior volume; and a second container releasably coupled with the first container; and decoupling the first container from the second container; and decoupling the lid of the first container in such a way that the liquid is accessible.

31. The method according to claim 30, further characterized in that a base of the second container releasably couples a flange of the first container.

32. The method according to claim 30, further characterized in that said liquid comprises alcohol.

33. The method according to claim 32, further characterized in that said liquid is wine.

34. A beverage container comprising: a container body, the container body comprising: a base having a perimeter; a side wall connected to the base; and a defined rim on the side wall distal to the base, the side wall comprising a medial side wall and a center section having a maximum circumference greater than a circumference of the base, the maximum circumference located at a position on the side wall between the median side wall and the base; and a cap having a seal region, the seal region removably fixed to the first flange; a material that adheres to the seal region and the flange such that the seal region is removably fixed to the flange; and a liquid that is present within an interior of the container body, wherein when the lid is completely sealed to the flange the liquid makes contact directly with the container body.

35. The beverage container according to claim 34, further characterized in that the base comprises a lower surface and an arm element extending downward from the side wall, the arm element comprising: one side facing inward; one side facing outward; a region of contact with the surface; and a retainer region defined on the inward facing side.

36. The beverage container according to claim 35, further characterized in that the base comprises an inwardly concave surface and the retainer region is located between the region of contact with the surface and the bottom surface.

37. The beverage container according to claim 35, further characterized in that the side wall has a cylindrical portion and the arm member extends around a lower periphery of the side wall.

38. The beverage container according to claim 35, further characterized in that the rim comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the rim in annular parallel relation spaced apart from each other.

39. The beverage container according to claim 38, further characterized in that the lid has a region configured to conform in sealed manner to at least one of the plurality of ridge elements.

40. The beverage container according to claim 35, further characterized in that the rim comprises a plurality of ridge elements oriented on the rim in annular parallel relation spaced apart from each other.