Beverage container and closure therefor which can serve as a coaster

Abstract

In the combination of a beverage container and a closure therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster. The beverage container comprises a bowl having a generally hemispherical base and an axis and an upstanding wall circular in cross-section adjoining the generally hemispherical base and being inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the hemispherical base and providing an opening providing access to a space within the bowl. The closure comprises a circular rim lying in a plane and having a wall circular in cross-section adjoining the rim and extending downwardly and outwardly and being sized to cover the opening of the container. A cooperative seal is carried by the closure and the container for forming an air-tight seal between the rim of the closure and the lip of the bowl. A band secures the closure to the container to maintain a sealing engagement between the o-ring and the closure and the o-ring and the bowl.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . In the combination of a beverage container and a closure therefor which can serve as a drinking vessel and a coaster, the beverage container comprising a bowl having a generally hemispherical base with an axis and an upstanding wall circular in cross-section adjoining the generally hemispherical base and being inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the hemispherical base and providing an opening giving access to a space within the bowl, the closure comprising a circular rim lying in a plane and having a wall circular in cross-section adjoining the rim and extending downwardly and outwardly and being sized to cover the opening of the container, cooperative sealing means carried by the closure and the container for forming an air-tight seal between the rim of the closure and the lip of the bowl and securing means for securing the closure to the container to maintain a sealing engagement between the o-ring and the closure and the o-ring and the bowl.  
     
     
         2 . A combination as in    claim 1    wherein the securing means is in the form of a retention band extending over the closure and the container.  
     
     
         3 . A combination as in    claim 2    wherein said band is formed of a heat shrinkable material.  
     
     
         4 . A combination as in    claim 1    for use with a flat surface wherein said hemispherical base is provided with a punt to provide a flat exterior surface whereby the container can be placed on the surface to hold itself in a vertical position.  
     
     
         5 . A combination as in    claim 1    wherein said closure is provided with an inwardly depending cup-shaped portion to utilize the ullage in the container.  
     
     
         6 . A combination as in    claim 5    wherein said closure is provided with a circular lip lying in a plane that is adapted to rest upon a surface so that the cup-shaped recess faces upwardly and is adapted to receive the hemispherical base of the bowl.  
     
     
         7 . A combination as in    claim 1    further including a label secured to the exterior of the bowl.  
     
     
         8 . A combination as in    claim 7    wherein said label extends underneath the downwardly extending wall of the closure.  
     
     
         9 . A combination as in    claim 1    wherein said container and said closure are formed of glass.  
     
     
         10 . A beverage container comprising a bowl having a generally hemispherical base having an axis and an upstanding wall circular in cross-section adjoining the hemispherical base and being inclined upwardly and inwardly to define a circular lip providing an opening lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the hemispherical base.  
     
     
         11 . A beverage container as in    claim 10    further including a punt formed in the hemispherical base to provide a bottom surface which can be utilized for supporting the beverage container in an upright self-supporting position.  
     
     
         12 . A beverage container as in    claim 10    further including a label adhered to the upstanding wall and extending up to near the lip.  
     
     
         13 . A beverage container as in    claim 12    wherein said label circumscribes the wall.  
     
     
         14 . A closure for use with a beverage container having a hemispherical base and lip comprising a circular rim lying in a plane and having a wall adjoining the rim and extending downwardly and outwardly from the rim and providing a lip which lies in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the rim.  
     
     
         15 . A closure as in    claim 14    further including a cup-shaped portion adjoining the rim and providing a recess extending downwardly below the rim, said cup-shaped portion serving to consume ullage when used as a closure for the beverage container, said closure also being suitable to serve as a coaster for supporting the container at the rim.  
     
     
         16 . A closure as in    claim 14    further including sealing means underlying the rim and adapted to engage the lip of the container to form an air-tight seal with respect thereto.