Apparatus for Making Ice Glasses, Bowls and Candleholders AND a

Holder

Description TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to an apparatus for making ice glasses, bowls and candleholders. The present invention refers to a tumbler designed both to hold an ice glass and to serve as a bottle for selling beverages.

BACKGROUND ART

On certain occasions, such as parties and other events, hosts or guests or the general public wish to use glasses or bowls that are made of ice, mainly for serving alcoholic beverages, ice creams, fruit salad and so on. The use of glasses and bowls made of ice is a decorative gimmick for any event. In addition, in many cases, and as part of the event's decoration scheme, there is a desire and interest to use ice candleholders in which lit candles are placed.

The present invention is an apparatus for making ice glasses, bowls and candleholders. For the sake of fluency, the expression "ice glass" refers, in this application, to a glass or bowl or candleholder, according to the context.

On certain occasions, such as parties and events, hosts or guests or the general public wish to use glasses made of ice, especially for serving alcoholic beverages, ice cream, fruit salad and so on. The present invention refers to a tumbler designed to hold an ice glass. In addition, the tumbler can also serve as a bottle for selling beverages.

THE INVENTION

(The numbers in parentheses refer to the corresponding numbers in the drawings)

The present invention refers to an apparatus (1) for making ice glasses, bowls and candleholders. The apparatus (1) is depicted in Drawing No. 1 and is shaped like a cylindrical nipple with a round base. The upper part of the apparatus is shaped like a

cylindrical nipple (11) with a dome-shaped head. The nipple (11) gradually become wider towards the base (12) of the apparatus (1). The base (12) of the apparatus (1) has a raised lip (13), which constitutes the upper edge of the side (14) of the base (12). The apparatus (1) is round and symmetrical, as depicted in the drawings.

Drawings Nos. 2a, 2b and 3 depict the mode of use of the apparatus. To made an ice glass, use is made of some kind of regular glass (possibly even a disposable plastic, foam, or paper cup).

The steps for using the apparatus are as follows: (a) The glass (2) is first filled with water, but preferably not to the rim, for reasons explained later on in the application, (b) After filling the glass (2) with water, the apparatus (1) is inserted into the glass (2) so that the nipple (11) faces the bottom of the glass (2). (c) Then, the glass (2) is turned upside down so that the rim of the glass (2) faces down, and the nipple (11) now faces up. To execute this step properly, the glass (2) and the apparatus (1) must be held in the hands or fingers of one hand so they are tightly connected and joined to one another, and pressure is applied

on them both in order to keep them tightly connected and joined, (d) The glass (2), into which the apparatus (1) was inserted, is now in "freezing mode" and is placed in the freezer, (e) After the water in the glass has frozen and has become ice, the glass (2) and the apparatus (1) are removed from the freezer and separated, so that the water that was in the glass [in the space between the glass (2) and the apparatus (I)], and which is now ice, is shaped like glass made of ice.

The final shape of the ice glass is determined by the shape of the apparatus (1) and of the glass (2). In other words, the exterior shape of the ice glass is determined by the interior shape of the glass (2) whereas the interior shape of the ice glass is determined by the exterior shapes of the nipple (11) and base (12) of the apparatus (1).

When the water level (5) in the glass (2) in freezing mode is higher than the tip of the nipple (11), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 2a, then the ice will

be shaped like a glass. When the water level (5) is lower than the tip of the nipple (11), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 2b, then the ice will be shaped like a hollow cylinder that can serve as a candleholder in which a lit candle can be placed. Candleholders commonly used today are made of glass or any other material and are usually transparent or semi-transparent. Such candleholders are cylindrical, with closed bottoms and open tops, and candles can be placed in them. Light from the candle reflects through the sides of the candleholder, which, as mentioned, is made of glass or of a transparent or semi- transparent material. When the invention is implemented as a candleholder, the ice is not impermeable to light and therefore light from the candle can reflect through the ice candleholder, and the more the ice melts and the wall grows thinner, the more intense will be the reflection of the candle's light. The candleholder should be open at the bottom to enable the melted water to drain. The candleholder should also be placed in a matching bowl to collect the said water.

The base (12) of the apparatus (1) is uniform so as to fit any rim of any kind of glass (2), provided the rim of the glass (2) is uniform (in height).

The apparatus (1) can be used to make ice glasses from all kinds of glasses (2), due to the fact that the base (12) of the apparatus (1) slopes in such a way that it fits any diameter of any glass (2), provided the diameter of the glass (2) is smaller than the diameter of the rim (13).

When the glass (2) is filled with water, as mentioned above, it must not be filled to the rim for several reasons. First, when the apparatus (1) is in freezing mode, air remains in the space between the bottom of the glass (2) and the top of the apparatus, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 3. This creates vacuum and enables the apparatus (1) to remain tightly connected and joined to the glass (2), even when upside down [in freezing mode], as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 3. Second, during freezing, the water expands into the

said space and does not apply pressure on the glass (2) or apparatus (1). The fact that the apparatus is designed so that it is used in freezing mode [the glass (2) is upside down] enables to made ice glasses with smooth and uniform rims, which is the preferred form.

A hole (15) may be added at the bottom of the apparatus (1), and in general, the apparatus (1) may be manufactured hollow, both so as to enable stacking of several apparatuses for storage, and to enable the apparatus to be used to cover a beverage bottle (4), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 6.

The apparatus (1) can be made from any material, although it is the inventor's experience that the apparatus should preferably be made from a soft and flexible material, such as rubber or silicon so that when the ice expands, it compresses the body of the apparatus and thus prevents cracks in the ice itself.

In order to use the ice glasses more efficiently, they should be held in a holder, similar to metal holders used to hold hot beverage glasses made of glass. Holders can be made of metal or plastic or any other material. In order to improve the aesthetics, the glass holder can be illuminated from the bottom so that the light is projected into the ice, thus adding a color effect to the invention.

The advantages of the apparatus (1) for making ice glasses are many, and include: (a) The apparatus constitutes a single unit rather than a number of integrated units, (b) The apparatus is suitable for use with almost any glass found in any standard kitchen, (c) The apparatus makes ice glasses with a smooth and uniform rim.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that

this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Drawing No. 7 depicts another implementation of the apparatus (1), subject of the invention. In this implementation of the invention the tip of the nipple (11) has a concavity (16) designed to create an air pocket that will serve as a cavity for the expansion of the water during freezing so as to prevent the apparatus (1) from separating from the glass. In other words, the glass (2) is filled with water and the apparatus (1) is placed in the glass. The glass (2) is inverted along with the apparatus (1) and is placed in the freezer. The air in the concavity (16) rises and creates a cavity into which the water will expand during freezing.

Drawing No. 6 depicts the apparatus (1) whereby it is designed to be combined with a bottle (4) in such a way that the apparatus (1) serves as a kind of cover or

stopper for the bottle (4). The said combined bottle can serve as a sale promotion tool for beverages. Drawing No. 8 depicts another option of integrating the apparatus (1) into a bottle (1) whereby the apparatus (1) is attached (by screwing or by any other means such as pressure) to the concavity at the bottom of the bottle (4), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 8.

The present invention refers to a tumbler (1) designed to hold an ice glass (3). In addition, the tumbler (1) can also serve as a bottle for selling beverages. The tumbler (1) is depicted in the drawings attached to the application.

The tumbler (1), subject of the invention, is shaped like a cylinder with a closed circumferential side, a closed bottom, and an open top. The tumbler (1) is designed to contain liquid without any of it leaking out; In other words, the tumbler is impervious except for the opening at its top.

The tumbler (1) includes a top opening that is surrounded by a round circumferential rim (2). The upper rim (2) slants downward and into the tumbler (1) so as to stabilize the ice glass that is inserted into the top opening of the tumbler (1). It is preferable and recommended that the edge of the said inward slanting top rim (2) be sharp so that the tumbler (1) has a firm grip on the ice glass (3). Drawing No. 1 depicts the tumbler (1), subject of the invention. Drawing No. 2 depicts the tumbler (1) with an ice glass (3) inserted into it.

The tumbler (1) can be made of a variety of materials, although it is recommended that it be made of a slightly flexible plastic or even of glass (naturally rigid), which are fully or partially transparent. It is possible and recommended that the tumbler (1) include an internal illumination mechanism (4) so as to enable the tumbler to be illuminated from within while being used with an ice glass (3) and a beverage. As mentioned above, the use of an ice glass and the tumbler (1), subject of the invention, is intended mainly for parties

and special events at which a special atmosphere is desired. The distribution of beverages or food in ice glasses (3), which are inserted into tumblers (1) and which, in turn, are illuminated from within in a variety of colors (white, yellow, blue, red, and so on), creates a special atmosphere for any occasion. The illumination mechanism (4) can be built into an internal recess (5) in the bottom of the tumbler (1). Drawing No. 3 depicts the tumbler (1) with a recess (5) that contains an illumination mechanism (4) [as well as a power source (battery) and a light bulb].

The tumbler (1) can also serve as a bottle for selling beverages, whereby its cover (stopper) is in fact an accessory (10) for making ice glasses. The inventor of the invention, subject of the present application, has also file a patent application for the accessory (10) for making ice glasses. The accessory (10) is depicted in Drawing No. 4.

The combination of the accessory (1) for making ice glasses and the tumbler (1), subject of the present invention, which serves as a special holder for an ice

glass, and their joint functioning as a bottle that contains a beverage (for instance an alcoholic beverage) constitutes a marketing device and gimmick for beverage companies, particularly due to the fact that the consumer can keep both the stopper [the accessory (10)], in order to make ice glasses (3), and the bottle [the tumbler (I)], as a holder for the ice glasses. The stopper (10) can be used to seal and close the bottle (1) in a variety of ways. Thus, for instance, the bottle may be closed by using an inner thread on the accessory (10) and a corresponding outer thread on the bottle (1), as depicted in Drawing No. 5, or vice versa, as depicted in Drawing No. 6.

The combination of the accessory (10) and the tumbler (1) as a beverage bottle or shaker can be augmented by the presence of a disposable nipple (6) whose function is to serve as a funnel for pouring the beverage from the bottle [i.e. the tumbler (I)], which has a relatively wide upper opening. The nipple (6) is in fact a stopper that can be made of any kind of material, such as cork, rubber or

plastic, whose bottom part is attached to the circumference of the tumbler's upper lip (2) and which has a narrow opening at the top through which the beverage can be poured. The nipple (6) is depicted, for instance, in Drawing No. 7.

When the tumbler (1) is used to hold an ice glass (3), water from the slowly melting ice glass accumulates at the bottom of the tumbler (1). When drinking from the ice glass, the user tips the tumbler. In order to prevent the water at the bottom of the tumbler from spilling out of the tumbler's upper opening, the bottom of the tumbler (1) should be wider relative to the upper part, which gradually becomes narrower. In addition, an obstructing "wall" (7) can be added to the interior of the tumbler. The obstructing wall (7) is in fact an additional wall, preferably extending along half of the circumference of the tumbler, so that when the user drinks from the ice glass, the melted water will

tip toward the obstructing wall (7), which will prevent the melted water from spilling out as mentioned. On the other hand, when the user wishes to pour the beverage contained in the tumbler (when the tumbler is used as a beverage bottle and is not holding an ice glass), the user must pour and tilt the tumbler in the opposite direction, as depicted in Drawing No. 8.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. As mentioned, the tumbler (1) includes a top opening that is surrounded by a round circumferential rim (2). The upper rim (2) slopes downward and inward into the tumbler (1) and its inner rim (21) is depicted in Drawings 8 and 8A.

Drawing No. 9 depicts another implementation of the tumbler (1) .In this implementation of the invention, the inner rim (21) of the tumbler (1) has a serrated edge (22). The serrated edge (22) of the inner rim (21) is designed so as to enable melted fluid from the upper part of the ice glass (3) to drain downward into the tumbler (1).

Drawing No. 10 depicts another implementation of the tumbler (l).In this implementation of the invention, the tumbler (1) has an inner rim (21) that extends downward like a sleeve (23), ending in an inward- and downward- facing opening. The sleeve (23) can be composed either of a single, closed piece or of strips, or it can have a mesh-like structure. The sleeve (23) is made of a flexible and stretchable material (such as thin flexible plastic) so as to enable the sleeve to grip the glass (3). In other words, when the glass (3) is sufficiently wide, it is held and stabilized in the tumbler (1) on the inner rim

(21); however, when the glass (3) is relatively narrow, it is held and stabilized by the sleeve (23). To enable fluids to drain into the tumbler (1), the sleeve can have perforations (24) around the bottom part of the sleeve (23).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings attached to the application are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the possible ways of its application. The drawings are intended only to illustrate the invention and constitute only one of many possible ways of its application.

Drawing No. 1: Drawing No. 1 depicts the apparatus (1) including the nipple (11), base (12), rim (13), and side (14).

Drawing No. 2: Drawing No. 2a depicts the apparatus (1) in freezing mode, whereby it is tightly joined to a regular glass (2), which is filled with water to a level (5) that is higher than the tip of the apparatus's nipple. Drawing No. 2b depicts the same situation as depicted in Drawing No. 2a but the water level (5) is lower than the tip of the apparatus's nipple.

Drawing No. 3: Drawing No. 3 depicts the apparatus (1) in freezing mode, whereby it is tightly joined to a regular glass (2), which is filled with water to a level (5) that is higher than the tip of the apparatus's nipple. The glass (2) is held by hand so that the apparatus does not become separated from the glass.

Drawing No. 4: Drawing No. 4 depicts the apparatus (1), including a hole (15) in its bottom part.

Drawing No. 5: Drawing No. 5 depicts a longitudinal section of the hollow apparatus (1), including the nipple (11), base (12), rim (13), and side (14).

Drawing No. 6: Drawing No. 6 depicts the apparatus used to cover a bottle (4).

Drawing No. 7 depicts the apparatus (1) with a concavity (16) at the tip of the nipple (11).

Drawing No. 8 depicts the apparatus (1) whereby it is integrated into the bottom of a bottle (4).

Drawing No. 1 depicts the tumbler (1). Drawing No. 2 depicts the tumbler (1) holding an ice glass (3). Drawing No. 3 depicts the bottom part of the tumbler (1), including the recess (5) that contains an illumination mechanism (4). Drawing No. 4 depicts the accessory (10) for making ice glasses. Drawing No. 5 depicts the tumbler (1) whereby it is closed using the accessory (10) - external thread.

Drawing No. 6 depicts the tumbler (1) whereby it is closed using the accessory (10) - internal thread. Drawing No. 7 depicts the nipple (6).

Drawing No. 8 depicts the tumbler (1) with the obstructing wall (7).

Drawing No. 9 depicts an overhead view of the tumbler (1) with the serrated inner rim (22).

Drawing No. 10 depicts a cross-section of the tumbler (1) with the sleeve (23).