US20040144791A1

US20040144791A1 - Insulated goblet

Info

Publication number: US20040144791A1
Application number: US10/349,115
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Gluck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-23
Filing date: 2003-01-23
Publication date: 2004-07-29

Abstract

A goblet includes a plastic body and a metal liner. The body has the general configuration of a stemmed drinking glass with a cavity portion and a supporting stem which terminates in a base. The metal liner is spaced away from the surface of the cavity forming an air gap and the top portion of the liner covers the top edge of the cavity forming a drinking lip. A metal shaft is connected to the liner and is centrally mounted in the stem. The base includes a metal plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of drinking cups and more particularly, to an insulated goblet which is adapted for drinking chilled spirits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art related to drinking cups includes various examples of insulated drinking cups. Typically, the prior art insulated drinking cups are adapted for hot liquids and include a lid which reduces the loss of heat from the liquid and which also provides a drinking lip.

Despite the developments of the prior art, there remains a need for an insulated cup which is adapted for serving chilled spirits.

When chilled spirits are served in conventional glassware, contact with the glassware which is typically stored at room temperature, results in heat from the drinker's hand warming the liquid and reducing the enjoyment of the drink. If the user attempts to chill the glassware prior to use, holding the chilled glassware in the hand while drinking is uncomfortable and reduces the enjoyment of the drink.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated goblet which is capable of maintaining the temperature of a chilled liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated goblet which includes a metal liner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated goblet which includes a metal drinking lip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated goblet which includes a reinforced stem portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated goblet which includes an insulating air gap.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated goblet which comprises a relatively small number of component parts which can be manufactured economically in volume resulting in a relatively low unit cost.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an insulated goblet which includes a plastic body and a metal liner. The body has the general configuration of a stemmed drinking glass with a cavity portion and a supporting stem which terminates in a base portion. The metal liner is spaced away from the inside surface of the body thereby forming an insulating air gap. The top of the liner covers the top edge of the body forming a drinking lip.

The bottom of the liner is connected to a metal shaft which is centrally mounted in the stem. The base includes a metal plate which is attached to the base by an adhesive layer.

During use, the metal liner quickly approaches the temperature of a chilled liquid which is poured into the cavity and presents a chilled drinking lip. The body is made of a plastic material which, in combination with the air gap, insulates the chilled liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: [0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulated goblet made according to the present invention; [0015]
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the insulated goblet of FIG. 1; [0016]
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the insulated goblet of FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the insulated goblet of FIG. 1; [0018]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line [0019] 5-5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line [0020] 6-6 of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line [0021] 7-7 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings in which like reference numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 an insulated goblet generally designated by [0022] reference number 10, made in accordance with the present invention.
The insulated [0023] goblet 10 includes a liner 12, a shaft 14 and a body portion 16. The overall configuration of the insulated goblet 10 resembles a conventional stemware goblet and includes an integrally formed hollow cup portion 18, a stem portion 20, and a foot portion 22.
The [0024] liner 12 which forms a key feature of the present invention includes a rounded bottom portion 23, the inner surface 24 of which is generally semi-spherical, a generally cylindrical intermediate portion 26, and a top portion 28.
As shown in FIG. 2, the [0025] top portion 28 of the liner 12 includes a rounded portion 30 which covers the top portion 32 of the hollow cup portion 18 and a generally cylindrical portion 26 which covers the outer portion 34 of the hollow cup portion 18. The outer surface 36 of the liner 12 and the outer surface 38 of the hollow cup portion 18 form a smooth continuous surface 40 having a closely fitting interface 42. The rounded portion 30 and the cylindrical outer portion 26 of the liner 12 provide a smooth and comfortable drinking lip 44.
The [0026] lower portion 45 of the liner 12 has a projecting boss 46 which has a threaded portion 48 which accepts the threaded upper end 50 of the shaft 14. The shaft 14 projects through the stem portion 20 with the lower end 54 of the shaft 14 flush with the bottom surface 56 of the foot portion 22. The shaft 14 is centrally disposed relative to the stem portion 20.
The [0027] outer surface 58 of the cup portion 18 is concave in configuration. This shape tends to generally fit the hand of the user thereby increasing the user's level of comfort in holding the goblet 10.
The [0028] inner surface 60 of the cup portion 18 includes a relatively short cylindrical portion 62 which makes contact with the liner 12 and a recessed portion 64 which is spaced away from the outer surface 66 of the liner 12 thereby providing an air space, or air gap 68 which augments the insulating properties of the cup portion 18. The lower portion 70 of the cup portion 18 is convexly rounded.
The [0029] lower portion 72 of the stem portion 20 is outwardly flared thus providing a smooth transition to the foot portion 22.
The [0030] foot portion 22 includes a metal plate 76 which is attached to the bottom surface 56 of the foot portion 22 by an adhesive layer 78.
The [0031] liner 12, the shaft 52, and the plate 76 are advantageously made of metal. The body portion 16 is advantageously made of plastic.
During use, a chilled liquid such as chilled spirits, is poured into the [0032] cavity 80 formed by the liner 12. The thin metal liner 12 drops in temperature and quickly approaches the temperature of the chilled liquid. The rounded portion 30 and the cylindrical outer portion 36 of the liner 12, which make contact with the user's lips while drinking, also quickly approach the temperature of the chilled liquid thereby adding to the enjoyment of the drink. The insulating properties in combination with the insulating properties of the air space 68 aid in maintaining the temperature of the chilled liquid. The metal shaft 14 and the plate 76 augment the mechanical strength of the stem portion 20 and the foot portion 22.
While the present invention is particularly suited for serving chilled liquids, it is clear that the present invention may also be used with warm liquids. [0033]
The foregoing specific embodiment of the present invention as set forth in the specification herein is for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention without departing from the main theme thereof [0034]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An insulated goblet comprising:

a body portion having a cavity, a lower portion and a lip portion,

a liner with said liner projecting into said cavity and disposed covering said lip portion.

2. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said body portion comprises a stem portion with said stem portion disposed supporting said body portion.

3. The insulated goblet according to claim 2 in which said body portion further comprises a base portion with said base portion disposed supporting said stem portion.

4. The insulated goblet according to claim 3 in which said body portion, said stem portion and said base portion are integrally formed.

5. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said liner is made of metal.

6. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said body portion is made of plastic.

7. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said body portion comprises a recess portion formed between said body portion and said liner.

8. The insulated goblet according to claim 2 further comprising a shaft member with said shaft member disposed in said stem portion.

9. The insulated goblet according to claim 8 further comprising connecting means disposed connecting said liner and said shaft member.

10. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said lip portion comprises an outer surface and in which said liner is closely fitted on said outer surface of said lip potion.

11. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said liner comprises a generally semi-spherical bottom portion and a projecting boss.

12. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said projecting boss comprises a threaded portion.

13. The insulated goblet according to claim 2 in which said base portion comprises a metal plate.

14. The insulated goblet according to claim 13 further comprising an adhesive layer connecting said base portion and said metal plate.

15. The insulated goblet according to claim 11 in which said liner comprises an outer surface and in which said projecting boss is centrally disposed relative to said bottom portion.

16. The insulated goblet according to claim 1 in which said body portion comprises an outer surface with said outer surface having a concave portion.