BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are known many different types of beverage containers, including a large variety of single-person beverage containers, such as metat cans, and plastic and glass bottes. Such containers hold between about 300 mi to 500 mt and are intended for one-time use. This type of container is not readily resealed, as opposed to family-size containers which are usually provided with a screw cap.

The contents of these small containers are normally consumed by drinking directly from the lip of an opening, or by use of a straw. Alternatively, it may be preferred to dispense the contents of the container into a drinking utensil, such as a drinking glass, or cup. Such drinking vessels are, however, not always to hand. It is to be noted that large quantities of drinks are sold through dispensing machines, which supply a beverage in its container, but generally without a drinking cup.

Many US patents refer to beverage containers, US Patent Nos. 4,573,597 to Adams et al, and 5,312,013 to Bridges, being examples. Among the many subjects covered are internally contained drinking straws and tear tab designs for cans.

Among the known art, none provides a drinking utensil together with a beverage container in a satisfactory manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention thus seeks to provide a beverage container, such as may be used for beer, wine and soft drinks which, after opening, is convertible into a drinking cup, thereby to obviate disadvantages of known art.

More particularly, the present invention seeks to provide a bottle which may be easily converted into a drinking utensil, and which preferably may also be closed after use.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a beverage container convertible to a drinking utensil, including:

a hollow body for containing a beverage, having first and second opposing ends, the first end having a width of a first magnitude and the second end having a width of a second magnitude, greater than the first magnitude, such that the first end is a relatively narrow end, and the second end is a relatively wide end; a base portion configured for extending across the wide end of the hollow body, and operative to support the beverage container in a generally upright position on a generally horizontal support, so that the narrow end faces generally upward, away from the base portion; and apparatus for sealingly fastening the base portion to the wide end of the hollow body so as to prevent dispensing of the beverage therethrough, and operative to facilitate selectable detachment of the base portion from the wide end of the hollow body, wherein detachment of the base portion from the wide end of the hollow body when the container is in a generally upright position and with the base portion facing upwards, facilitates access to the beverage via the wide end thereof, thereby converting the container into a drinking utensil.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening apparatus includes a shaped lip portion formed at the wide end of the hollow body, which is revealed upon detachment of the base portion from the wide end of the hollow body.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base portion has formed therein a shaped recess which is configured to seat therein the narrow end of the hollow body, and further has formed thereon a generally planar portion so as to facilitate placement onto a generally horizontal support of the container converted into the drinking utensil.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the hollow body and the base portion are made from a polymer, and the fastening apparatus includes a molded polymer strip joining the base portion to the wide end of hollow body, removable by tearing.

Alternatively, however, the fastening apparatus includes first and second selectably engageable screw threads formed on the base portion and on the wide end of the hollow body, respectively.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the base portion is formed of an outer portion for attachment to the wide end of the hollow

body; and an inner portion having formed thereon a shaped recess which is configured to seat therein the narrow end of the hollow body, wherein the outer and inner portions are formed separateiy and are configured for fitting together.

These portions may be optionally formed of different materials, such as plastic and metal.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for sealingly fastening includes at least one screw-type engagement portion formed on the base portion, and at least one corresponding grippale surface feature formed on the wide end of the hollow body, which are selectably engageable by the at least one screw-type engagement portion, by means of a relative rotation between the hollow body and the base portion.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the fastening apparatus includes at least first and second snap-fitting portions formed on the base portion and on the wide end of the hollow body, respectively.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the narrow end of the hollow body is a molded, closed end, and, therefore, does not require any sort of closure member or cap thereat.

Typically, however, the narrow end has provided thereat an opening for selectable dispensing of the beverage therethrough, and so there is also provided a closure member for selectable removal therefrom.

It will be appreciated that the closure member and the shaped recess are formed so as to provide a desired, tight, mating fitting therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a side view of a convertible beverage container constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first extreme operative position, prior to being opened;

Fig. 1B is a further view of the convertible beverage container of Fig. 1A, showing inversion thereof and removal of a base portion from a relatively wide end thereof, thereby to reveal a drinking lip; Fig. 1C is a further view of the convertible beverage container of Figs. 1A and 1 B, prior to seating of a narrow end of the container in the removable base portion of the container; Fig. 1D is a further view of the convertible beverage container of Figs. 1A-1C, in a second extreme operative position, after seating of the narrow end of the container in the removable base portion, so as to complete conversion of the beverage container into an aesthetic drinking utensil which may be placed onto a flat surface; Fig. 2A is a side elevation of a convertible beverage container having a tear strip and a screw thread at its narrow end in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and seen in its first operative position; Fig. 2B is a partially cut-away side view of the convertible beverage container of Fig. 2A, seen in its second operative position; Fig. 3A is a partially cut-away side view corresponding to the view of Fig. 2B, but wherein the narrow end of the beverage container has a crown-type closure, and the base portion is selectably detachable from the remainder of the container via a screw thread; Fig. 3B is an enlarged detail of the portion indicated"B"in Fig. 3A; Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a beverage container constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, in exploded view and after conversion into a drinking utensil, respectively; Fig. 4C is a side view of a hollow container body, generally similar to that of Figs. 4A and 4B, except having surface depressions formed adjacent its drinking lip; Figs. 5A and 5B are detailed views showing different snap-type connections of the removable base portion to the main body of the beverage container, prior to detachment therefrom; and Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a convertible beverage container, formed in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the container is configured for opening at its wide end only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Fig. 1A, there is seen a convertible beverage container 10, typically intended for single-person consumption. The container 10 has a hollow body, referenced 11, which is preferably shaped as a bottle, and configured to contain a volume of drink in the range of typically 300-500 ml, when closed at its lower end.

The body 11 may be made of any suitable polymer resin, for example polyethylene terephthalate, glass, or a ceramic material, for example.

In the present embodiment, body 11 has two open ends, namely, a relatively small diameter, narrow end 14, which is initially closed by means of a removable cap or other closure 12, and a relatively large diameter, wide end 18, which is initially closed by means of a base portion 16. The provision of closure 12 provides a user with the option of opening and using the container 10 in the conventional manner as is done with prior art beverage containers. Closure 12 is however not opened where the user chooses to convert the container 10 of the present invention into a drinking utensil, as described hereinbelow.

Removal of base portion 16 from wide end 18 of body 11 reveals thereat a lip 19 (Figs. 1B, 1C, and 1D), enabling use of the container 10 as a drinking utensil.

Referring now to Fig. 1B, however, it is seen that, prior to removal of base portion 16 from body 11, it is necessary to invert or upend the container, thereby to prevent sillage of its beverage contents, and so as to expose the beverage for consumption.

Referring now also to Figs. 1C and 1D, it is seen that base portion 16 has formed therein a recess 20, which, as seen in Fig. 1 D, is shaped so as to tightly, and matingly seat therein the cap 12 and narrow end 14 of the body 11. In the present example, recess 20 is formed in a face 22 which, prior to removal of base portion 16 from body 11 faces outwards, so as not to be exposed to the beverage contents of the container 10. It will be appreciated, however, that recess 20 may be alternatively formed on the opposing, inward-facing side 23 of base portion 16. It is of course necessary, regardless of the side on which the recess is formed, that a support rim 25 defines a flat plane 25' (respectively denoted 125 and 125'in Fig. 2B) generally perpendicular to an axis of symmetry S (Fig. 1D) of the container 10. Flat plane 25'is also not intersected by any portion of the base portion 16, so as to provide an upright support for container 10.

More specifically, recess 20 is configured so as to engage and grip the narrow end 14 and closure 12, so as to properly support the body 11 and its beverage contents after assembly into the second extreme position, as seen in Fig. 1D, such that base portion 16 forms a base of a drinking utensil, which, of course, already contains a beverage to be consumed. In the illustrated embodiment, body 11 is configured such that, when inverted and assembled with base portion 16, the container 10 takes on the appearance and function of a beer glass, sometimes referred to as a parfait glass.

Referring now to Figs. 2A and 2B, there is shown a container, referenced generally 110, in which specific details of various portions of container 10 (Figs.

1A-1D) are illustrated. Accordingly, portions of container 110 which have counterpart portions shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 1A-1D, are denoted by the same reference numerals, but with the addition of a'1'prefix, and are not specifically described again herein, except as may be required for understanding of the present embodiment.

Referring now to Fig. 2A, the base portion 116 and body 111 of container 110 are formed of a suitable polymer, and container 110 is manufactured such that base portion 116 is attached to wide end 118 of body 111 via a molded polymer band or tear strip 128. Accordingly, separation of base portion 116 from body 111 is effected by grasping a free end 129 of strip 128, and by pulling the strip 128 away from the container 110, until the tear strip is completely removed therefrom. It will also be appreciated that this type of attachment is advantageous in protecting against tampering. In the present embodiment, narrow end 114 is provided with a screw thread 115 (Fig. 2B), and cap 112 is thus a suitable, metal or plastic screw cap.

Fig. 2B shows container 110 after removal of base portion 116 from body 111, and insertion of otherwise unopened body 111 into seating recess 120 by means of screw cap 112. As seen, the screw cap 112 preferably has an external screw thread 117a formed thereon, and recess 120 has a matching, female screw thread 117b formed therein, so as to enable a preferably tight, threaded connection between the screw cap 112 and base portion 116, when employed as a support base for the container in use as a drinking utensil. Alternatively, in place of the female screw thread 117b, recess 120 may have formed therein a ribbed inward-facing surface, thereby enabling the screw cap 112 to be preferably tightly press-fitted thereinto.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3A, in which details of various portions of container 10 (Figs. 1A-1D) are illustrated, in accordance with an altemative embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, portions of container 210 which have counterpart portions shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 1A-1D, are denoted, where shown, by the same reference numerals, but with the addition of a'2' prefix, and are not specifically described again herein, except as may be required for understanding of the present embodiment.

Beverage container 210 is formed preferably of glass, and wide end 218 of body 211 has an external screw thread 219a, and base portion 216 has a corresponding female screw thread 219b, so as to enable base portion 216 to be detached from and reattached to body 211 by a simple screwing action. It is further seen that narrow end 214 has a plain rim 215 to which a cap 212, typically taking the form of a crown cap, is attached, so as to seal it closed. Recess 220 has a matching, configuration, having formed therein typically a single rib 217 for gripping the edge 219 of cap 212, as seen more easily in the enlarged detail of Fig. 3B, thereby enabling the narrow end 214 of body 211 and crown cap 212, to be tightly press-fitted into recess 220.

Referring now to Figs. 4A and 4B, there is shown a container, referenced generally 260, which is generally similar to that detailed in Figs. 3A and 3B, except that base portion 266 of the container is a composite member, and the nature of the screw attachment to wide end 268 of body 261 is particularly aesthetic. Accordingly, container 260 is described herein specifically, only with regard to these features.

Referring now initially to Fig. 4A, in which is seen an exploded view of container 260, and wherein base portion 266 thereof is shown in cross-section, it is seen that the base portion is formed from inner and outer portions, respectively referenced 267a and 267b. More particularly, inner portion 267a is made of a polymer and is formed, for example, by blow molding, and is configured so as to seat the illustrated exemplary crown top closed end 264 of body 261. Details of this seating may be, for example, as shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 3A and 3B, and are thus not described herein, specifically.

Inner portion 267a is formed with an outwardly extending, typically circular flange 271, which is operative to fit inside outer portion 267b, as illustrated. Outer portion 267b may be made from a non-polymer material, preferably folded metal sheeting, such that inner portion 267a fits tightly thereinside. Furthermore, outer

portion 267b is formed with an outer folded flange, referenced 273, which is operative to provide a screw-type fitting onto a plurality of discrete fastening elements, referenced 275, exemplified herewith as small protrusions formed on the exterior of wide end 268 of body 261. These protrusions may be, for example, hemispherical, such that, while affording adequate gripping of body 261 by flange 273 of base portion 266, even when the beverage is pressurized.

Referring now to Fig. 4B, in which is shown the container 260 of Fig. 4A after conversion to a drinking utensil, it is seen that the provision of discrete fastening elements 275 in the form of a small number of a very small protrusions as a means of attaching the base portion 266 to body 261, facilitates provision of a wide end 268 and lip 269 which are substantially smooth, being substantially free of non-aesthetic surface features which might otherwise reduce the enjoyment of use of the container as drinking utensil.

Referring now briefly to Fig. 4C, there is seen a container body 261'which is almost identical to body 261, shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 4A and 4B, except that, in the illustrated embodiment, discrete fastening elements 275' formed on body 261'are small grooves or depressions. Accordingly, while depressions 275'are grippale by flange 273 of base portion 266, so as to provide adequate sealing of a container, of which hollow body 261'forms a part, prior to conversion into a drinking utensil, they are almost totally unfelt when a user places his lips thereon when drinking from wide end 268'.

Referring now to Fig. 5A, there is seen an alternative embodiment of base portion 16 (Figs. 1A-1D), in which it is formed from a resilient material such as a suitable plastic, preferably an elastomer, in which it can be stretch-or snap-fitted to a bottom edge portion 319 of wide end 18 of body 11. In the present embodiment, bottom edge portion 319 is seen to be inwardly recessed, and to end in a free edge 321, and an edge portion of base portion 16 is formed so as to have an outer rim 325 and inner rib 327, which are arranged to fit about free edge 321 so as to form a liquid-tight seal therewith. This type of connection between base portion 16 and body 11 is particularly suitable for non-carbonated beverages where no significant vapor pressure is present.

Referring now briefly to Fig. 5B, there is shown a base portion 16 which is similar to that shown and described above in conjunction with Fig. 5A, but having outer rim 325 only, thereby facilitating an optionally shallower base portion 16.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is seen a container 410, which is generally similar to container 10, shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 1A-1D, except that narrow end 414 is molded closed, not having an opening thereat, so as not to require any sort of cap or closure thereat, and thus saving in manufacturing and assembly costs. Accordingly, hollow body 411 has a single opening, namely, at wide end 418, which is initially closed by base portion 416. Furthermore, base portion 416 has formed therein a recess (not shown), similar to any of recesses 20,120, and 220, (Figs. 1A-1D, 2A-2B, and 3) which is formed so as to seat narrow end 414 in any suitable fashion, for example, in any of the ways shown and described hereinabove in conjunction with any of Figs. 1A-3.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow.