Beverage container/drinking vessel

• US 6,164,473 A
• Filed: 04/08/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Waldrip R. Leland
• Original Assignee: Waldrip R. Leland
• Inventors: Waldrip, R. Leland
• Primary Examiner(s): Weaver, Sue A.
• Application Number:
  US09/056,862
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 215/2, 215/377, 215/DIG. 7, 215/378, 215/400, 220/630
• US Class Current: 215/378
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2205 Drinking glasses or vessels A47G19/23 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2255 Details related to the connection between the liquid containing part and the supporting part
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/06 with closable apertures at bottom
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/04 Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents thermally insulated B65D81/3837
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/001 Supporting means fixed to the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/249 the closure being specifically formed for supporting the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/36 adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/07 with drinking cup

Abstract

A container can be configured as either a bottle or a drinking vessel. The bottle has a base which is detachable. A drinking vessel is formed by removing the base from the hollow body of the bottle, inverting the hollow body of the bottle, and reattaching the top of the bottle to the base. In the bottle configuration, a locking band connects the base of the bottle to the hollow body of the bottle. The locking band also acts as a tamper-evident seal.

Claims

1. A container configurable as a bottle or a vessel comprising:

an open-ended hollow body having first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end forming a bottom of the bottle and the second axial end having a reduced pouring neck forming a top of the bottle, the first axial end having a first detent;

a base detachably connected to first axial end, the base having a mating detent for mating with the first detent;

a detachable locking device circumferentially enclosing the first detent and the mating detent for connecting the base to the first axial end and for providing stability for the container while configured as a bottle;

a cap detachably connected to the second axial end; and

means for connecting the second axial end to the base to form a vessel.

2. A configurable container according to claim 1, wherein the detachable locking device is a tear-off locking band.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the locking device includes a pull tab.

4. A container according to claim 2, wherein the cap includes an externally threaded side wall and the base includes a central, internally threaded socket which engages the externally threaded side wall of the cap.

5. A container according to claim 2, wherein the second axial end of the container has an externally threaded side wall and the cap has an internally threaded side wall which engages the externally threaded side wall of the container.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the base has an internally threaded socket which engages the externally threaded side wall of the container.

7. A configurable container according to claim 1, wherein the second axial end of the container includes an externally threaded side wall, and the base includes an internally threaded socket which engages the externally threaded side wall of the second axial end.

8. A configurable container according to claim 7, wherein the internally threaded socket is formed on an inside surface of the base.

9. A configurable container according to claim 1, wherein the first detent is a locking ridge and the mating detent is a groove.

10. A configurable container according to claim 9, further comprising an elastomeric seal disposed between the base and the first axial end of the container.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein the base is press-fit against the first axial end of the body of the container.

12. A container configurable as a bottle or a vessel comprising:

an open-ended hollow body having first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end forming a bottom of the bottle and the second axial end having a reduced pouring neck forming a top of the bottle, the first axial end having threads on its exterior;

a base detachably connected to first axial end;

a detachable locking device for connecting the base to the first axial end and for providing stability for the container while configured as a bottle, wherein the detachable locking device is a threaded sleeve that threads onto the threads on the exterior of the first axial end;

a cap detachably connected to the second axial end;

means for connecting the second axial end to the base to form a vessel.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the threads on the exterior of the first axial end are non-continuous threads.

14. A method of converting a bottle into a vessel, the bottle having an open-ended hollow body having first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end forming a bottom of the bottle and the second axial end having a reduced pouring neck forming a top of the bottle, a detachable locking device for connecting a detachable base to the first axial end and for providing stability for the container while configured as a bottle;

the method comprising;

removing the detachable locking device;

removing the base from the first axial end of the hollow body; and

attaching the second axial end of the hollow body to the base, thereby forming a vessel, the base having a receptacle with means for connecting to the second axial end.