CA1257209A - Drinking vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

DRINKING VESSELS

ABSTRACT

A drinking vessel comprises a first vessel member adapted to hold a liquid and a second vessel member associated with, but separated from, the first vessel member to form a barrier against the formation of conden-sation on the exterior surface of the second vessel member when a cold liquid is contained in the first vessel member. In one embodiment, the first vessel member comprises a removable insert which conforms generally to the configuration of the second vessel member to form a double-walled drinking vessel. Advan-tageously, a sanitary lip extends downwardly from the top edge of the insert and is proportioned and oriented to prevent a person's lip from contacting the second vessel member when the person takes a drink. Also advantage-ously, the drinking vessel includes ribs or serrations, or, preferably, a plurality of protuberances and engage-ment ridges, ridge segments or recesses associated between the insert and the second vessel member to pro-vide a secure friction fit therebetween yet permit re-moval of the insert for disposal and subsequent replace-ment. In another embodiment, the first vessel member comprises a bowl member for holding a liquid and the second vessel member is a hollow stem member supporting the bowl from its base. A collar-like ridge is formed generally at the junction of the stem for collecting any condensation and directing it into the stem. The struc-ture may be formed in two-piece structure or an essentially unitary structure. The structure may, however, include a detachable stem base portion or 2 stopper-plugged hole in the stem base to facilitate removal of the accumulated moisture.

Description

( ~ 5~2 DRINKING VESSELS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The presen~ invention relates generally to -drinking vessels, and, more particularly, to drinking vessels which provide an exterior sur~ace por~ion that is virtually free of condensation and to reusablel disposable drinking vessels which prov~de a sanitary ¦ -~rface for drinking.
There have been many proposzls for making -various types of drinking containers or vessels, each adapted to sati.sfy a particular need. For ex~mpie, there are containers which incorporate disposable liners, such a~ disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,352,449, to permit re-use of a permanent con~ainer. I~ other devic~s, suc~l as disclose~ in U.S. Paten~ No. 973,085, or I -3,o33,863, or 4,040,535, ~ coast2r or ~.older 2rr~ngement is provided for snugly holding a tumbler a~d collecting, r.~ithin the coaster, condensation ~orming on the t~bler.
Although such structure may prove satisf~c~ory for their particular intended purpose, ~he~ fa l to provide a drin~ing vessel with a sanî~ary disp~sable insert which ~onforms ~o the configura~ion of a per~anent vessel member and provides a thermally nsulative barrier as welL as a condensation barrier, all l~ a simple-to-fabricate struct~re. Fur~hermore, there i3 ~0 teaching i~
of a condensation-~ree stemware plece.
It would appear desirable, thererore~ ~o provide a drinxing vessel with disposable ins~rts r~hich provides a thermally insulative b~rrier to help maintain the temperature of subs ances co~ai~ed ~herei~, to prolong 3~

- 2 - ~ ,72~9 -the life of ice cuhes when contained therein and, further, to shield the user from any dripping due to condensation forming on the vessel.
More importantly, as there is currently great concern for the transmission of various bacteria and infectious viruses and germs (particularly herpes simplex which can be readily transmitted through improperly sterilized drinking containers at restaurants, bars and other publically accessible establishments), there is a growing need for an attractive drinking vessel which can be used repeatedly yet assure germ-free drinking sur-faces. Thorough sterilization requires expensive and well maintained machinery, as well as the time and effort of employees in collecting used glasses, stacking them for sterilization, operating the machinery and removing them after sterilization. It is, therefore, desirable to provide not only a condensation-free disposable drinking vessel but also one which provides protection agains-t the transmission of infectious germs, viruses, bacteria and the like, all in an attractive and easy to make structure.
The present invention seeks -to provide a new and improved drinking vessel having e~terior surface portions essentially free of condensation.
The invention also seeks to provide a new and improved drinking vessel having condensation-free exterior surface portions and a -thermally insulative barrier for helping diminish heat loss or gain in any substance contained by the vessel. In addition, the invention seeks to provide a reusable drinking vessel of the foregoing type that permits reuse of a permanent drinking vessel member wi-thout requiring s-terilization of V'3 the permanent member. Still further, the invention seeks to provide a drinking vessel of the foregoing type which is easy to fabricate and yet forms an attractive drinking container.
The invention also seeks to provide a new and improved stemware structure which provides an essentially condensation-free exterior surface for handling, ye-t permits an elegan-t design to be incorporated in the stemware. Still further, -the inven-tion seeks to provide, in whole or in part, a disposable s-temware structure which has an essentially condensation-free surface.
The foregoing specific indications and advan-tages of the invention are illustrative of those which can be achieved by the present invention and are not intended to exhaust the possible advantages which can be attained. Thus, these and o-ther indica-tions and advan-tages of the invention can be learned by prac-tice with the invention as embodied herein or as modified in view of variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel parts, construc-tions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspec-t of the invention there is provided a drinking vessel adapted -to provide an exterior surface portion substan-tially free of condensa-tion, which comprises a first vessel member having an open top and being adapted to receive and contain any desired substance such as a liquid to be consumed, and a second vessel member associated wi-th but generally separated from the first vessel member -to form a thermal _ 3 _ ~ 20~

air space therebetween. The second vessel member is adapted to provide a barrier against formation of conden-sation on an exterior holding surface of the drinking vessel, and includes vent means for communicating the thermal air space with the ambient surroundings of the drinking vessel to permit thermal expansion and contrac-tion of air within the thermal air space due to the presence of hot or cold substance within the first vessel member. Drip means is associated with the vent means for substantially preventing moisture within the thermal air space from spilling through the vent means when the drinking vessel is tilted during use, such that a person can hold the drinking vessel along the exterior holding surface of said second vessel member substantially without contacting any condensation and without any condensation dripping out of said drinking vessel.
In another aspect of the invention the vessel is constructed as a two-part drinking vessel having one part adapted to be reused without requiring washing for sanitary reuse and to provide an exterior surface sub-stantially free of condensation; in this aspect the first vessel member comprises a disposable insert member having a lip extending downwardly from its open top rim, the lip being proportioned to space a person's lip from the exterior surface when drinking from the drinking vessel.
Each insert member includes means permitting a plurality of insert members to be stacked, in inverted orientation, one on top of another, substantially without sticking together. The second vessel member is reusable and adapted to receive an insert member.
The vessel may particularly include a grasping means between the inwardly facing surface of the insert ., - 3a ~ 2~

member lip, and the upper exterior portion of the second vessel member permits releasable engagement between the insert member and the second vessel member, such tha-t when the second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of the insert members and thereafter lifted, one insert member is releasably grasped by the second vessel member and can be removed from the stack of insert members without sticking to any other insert member in the stack yet it can be removed from the second vessel member when desired with relative ease for replacement by another insert member by repeating the thrusting motion.
In a particular embodiment the grasping means comprises a plurality of discrete spaced-apart, generally bead-like protuberances formed on one of the members and a ring-like ridge formed on the other of the members, the protuberances and the ring-like ridge being proportioned and positioned relative to each other to releasably secure the insert member within the second vessel member, such that when the second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of the insert members and thereafter lifted, one insert member is releasably grasped by the second vessel member by cooperation between the protuberances and the ridge to permit removal from the stack of insert members, without the sticking.
In still a further aspect of the invention the insert member includes a step-like indentation generally near its bottom to form an reduced diameter portion thereat with an interior shoulder formed at the step-like indentation; the shoulder provides a first support surface facing the insert bottom and a second suppor-t surface facing the insert top rim, the reduced diameter portion having an interior diameter, as measured r~7~

generally at the interior shoulder, at least slightly less than the outer diameter at the insert bottom to permi-t a plurality of the inserts to be stacked, in inverted orientation, one on top of another, with the first support surface of one insert abutting the second support surface of the next adjacent insert to provide non-sticking stackability of insert members in a rela-tively compact stack of inserts.
Thus, briefly described, the drinking vessel according to the present invention comprises a first vessel member adapted to hold a liquid or other desired substance and a second vessel member associated with, but separated from, the first vessel member to form a barrier against the formation of condensation on an exterior surface of the second vessel member when a cold liquid or substance is contained in the first vessel member. In one embodiment, the first vessel member comprises a removable insert which conforms generally to the con-figuration of the second vessel member to form a double-walled drinking vessel with a space between the insert and the second vessel member. Advantageously, a sanitary lip extends downwardly from the top edge of the inser-t and is proportioned and oriented to prevent a person's lip from contacting the second vessel member when the person takes a drink. Also advantageously, the drinking vessel includes grasping means (in the form of a plurality of rib-like members or a band of serrations, or, as preferably embodied, a plurality of pro-tuberances and cooperating engagement means) associated between the insert and the second vessel member to provide a secure pressure/friction fit therebetween yet permit removal of the insert for disposal and subsequent replacement by 2~!3 - 4a -thrusting the second vessel member, open-side down, onto a stack of inverted inserts.
As preferably embodied, the grasping means include a plurality of protuberances formed on one of the vessel members, and engagement means formed on the other vessel member for cooperating with the protuberances -to enable releasable locking engagement between the ,, o9 two vessel members. The engagement means may comprise a ring-like raised rib or ridge agaillst which the protuberances can abut to resist separation of the two '~
members or a ring-like recess ad~pted to register with S and receive the protuberances. Alternatively, the engagement means may comprise a series of screw thread segments (in the form of either raised ridge segments or recess segments) adapted to permit threaded engagement by the protuberances when one vessel member is turned or screwed do-~n relati~e to the other. In any of the foregoing embodiments or grasping means, the protuberances are preferably formed on the replaceable insert member (preferably on the interior surface of the lip) for ease of mass fabrica~ion and ~he engagement means are formed on the permanent vessel member (preferably on its exterior surface~
Advan~ageously ar.d as preferably embodied, each insert includes a reduced-diameter lower portion, formed by a step-like indentation which provides an interior ledge or shoulder to abut the bottom of another insert when stac~ed adjacent each other and prevent them from sticking together. Also as preferably embodied9 the second vessel member is formed with vent means for preventing a~y pressure ~ncrease or deerease (due to contraction or expansion of the insert when subjected to cold or hot liquids) by permitting air to enter or exlt the thermal space between the insert and second - I
vessel. To facilitate molding in a two-part mold, the vent is formed in the bottom of the second vessel member, a~d the second vessel bottom is preferably raised slightly to ensure that the vent is not blocked l~
--e.g., by forming a concave bottom or by extending the side walls of the vessel (in wnich case the vent ~ 2 09 .. . .
should have a small tubular wall or ridge to prevent the passage therethrough o~ any condensation accumulated in the bottom of the second vessel).
In another embodiment, the invention may be adapted to provide a condensation-free stemware structure.
The stemware structure comprises a bowl member fGr holding a liq~lid and a hollow stem member supportin~ the bowl from its base. A collar-like ridge is formed generally ~;
at or near the junction o the stem and bowl members and is in communication with the hollow s~em or collecting any condensation traveling downwardly ~rom the bo~
member and directing it into the stem. The stemware structure may be formed in a two piece structure wherein the ~owl member includes a stem portion adapted ~o fit into an opening at the top of the stem member which thereby forms the collar-like ridge. Alternatively, I
the stemware structure may be an essentially unitary structure with openings in the wall of the hollou stem !~
adjacent the collar-like ridge which provides a ring-like trough that acts like a catch basin to collect condensation flowing down the bowl member and permit it to 10w from the collar trough into the interior of the stem member. The unitary stemware ~ay include a detachable stem base portion or a stopper-plugged ', 25 hole in the stem base to facilitate removal of accumulated -~
moi~ture.
It will be apparent rrom the foregoing general description as well as the following detailed description, that ~he objects and advantages specifically enumerated herein are achieved by the present invention. ~or ex~mple, by providing an insert conforming to the configu~ation l -~
of a permanent vessel member, an interior space is (~ :
~ 2~9 ., - .
provided which acts both as a thermal insulating barrier to liquid contained in the insert and as a shield against the formation oE condensation on the exterior surface of the permanent vessel member. In addition, by providing S ~he lip on such inserts, a shield is automatically formed to prevent the transmission of germs, bacteria, etc.
from one user to the next when the insert is replaced, yet permit re-use of the permanent vessel member in a perfectly sanitary condition without requiring steriliza~ion or washing.
By fabricatin~ the inser~ so as to be disposable, the permanent vessel member can be re-used repeatedly without requiring any sterilization, yet the combination provides a sterile drinking vessel for different users of the permanent vessel. In addition, the grasping means associated ~etween the insert and permanent vessel facilitates con~enient storage of a stack of inserts while permitting the permanent member to be quickly ~nd easily combined wi.h a fresh insert. ~loreover, the ins2rt can be adapted to conform to the shape of virtually any drinking vessel, e.g., a tumbler, a stemware ¦-piece, etc.
lt will also be understood that-by forming a series of protuberances on one vessel member and engage-ment means in the form of either a raised ridge structureor a recess or indentation arrangement (whether in continuous ring-like fashion or as a series of segments - ,~
adapted to threadably engage the protuberances), a secure locking engagement will be achieved between the two vessel members while release of the members can De efected with relati~e ease. Ln addition, forming the protuberances on the disposable insert member, preferably on tne interior surface of the lip formed will facilitate mass production by conventional two-part molding techniques and permit the inserts to be ccnveniently stacked on top of each other, yet will space the stacked inserts from each other to keep adjacent ones from sticking together when one is removed from the stack.
By forming a step-iike discontinuity near the bottom of the insert wi~h the interior diameter ~-at the step being smaller than the outer diameter of the insert bottom, a plurality of inser~s can be inverted and stacked on top of each other with the reduced-diameter step ~roviding a ledge or shoulder to abut the bottom on the insert below it so tha~ when the second v~ssel is thrust against the stack, only one insert is lifted off the stack, without any of the other inserts in the stack becoming wedged together. '-In addition, by prov-ding vent means in the -second vessel member (preferably so as to be spaced from the table top or like supporting surface), air is free to exit or enter the interior thermal space to relieve any build-up or decrease of pressure therein and thereby prevent cracking of the insert due to `~
expansion or contraction when subjected t~ hot or cold ¦-substances. Also, by providing a raised interior rim ~`
or ridge on the vent, any condensation collected within the second vessel member will not leak out.
By pro~iding a stemware structure with a hollow stem and a collar-like ridge in communication with the hollow stem, any condensation forming o~ the exterior of the bowl will flow into ~he hollow stem to pro~ide a dry surface on the exterior of the stem for holding Ir~-the stemware. In addition~ the stemwal-e structure 9 ~s~o~ :

according to ~he invention can be formed as a totally permanent, a partially disposable or a totally disposable drinking vessel.
It will b~ appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general descrip~ion and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not intended tc be res~rictive thereof. Thus, the accompanying drawin~s, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate preferred embodiments o ~he invention, and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

i i.
1, - 10 - ~ 72 ~9 ., ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is ~ ~ront isometric view of one embodiment of a drinking v~ssel aceording to the present invention.
FIGU~ 2 is a fron. isometric view of the j~
outer, or pe~manent, vessel member o~ the embodiment of Figure 1.
- FIGURE 3 is a fron~ isometric view of the inner vessel member, or inser~, o~ the embodiment of Figure 1.
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3. l:
FIGURE S is a sectional view, similar to Figure 4, of only the outer vessel member, showing a slightly ~-modified embodiment.
FIGURE 6 is a front elevation view of the outer vessel member in the embodi~ent of Figure 1 showing -still another modified embodi~ent.
FIGURE 7 is a sectional view, taken generally through the middle, of an insert mem~er according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention. l-;
FIGURE 7A is a sectional view taken along lines 7A-7A of Figu~e 7. - ¦
FIG~E 8a is an isometric view of a preferred r' embodiment of 2 permanen~ vessel, or holder, for the insert member according to the present invention. j-FIGURE 8b is an eleva~ion view, with partial cut-away~ of a modi~ied version of the permanent vessel illustrated in Figure 8a. l~
FIG~E 8c is an elevation view, with partial ' --cut-away, of another modifiPd version of the permanent vessel illustrated in Figure 8a.

i ( ~ 2 ~

FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of still another modified version of the permanent vessel member.
FIGURE lO is an isometric view of a preferred embGdiment of insert member according to the p~esent invention.
FIGURE ll is an elevation view of a stack of inserts according to the present invention, showing assembly of the insert and permanent vessel.
FIGU~E lla is a partial sectional view of two abutting inserts in the stac~ of Figure ll.
FIGURE 12 is a partial sectional view taken through an assembled insert and permanent member according to the in~ention.
FIGURE 13 is a front isometr~c view of an embod;ment of a stemware structure according to the present invention.
FIGURE 13a is a partial front isometric view wi~h par~ial cut-away section, of a modified verslon of tne embodime~t of Figure 13.
FIGURE 14 is a front isome~ric view of a modified embodiment of stemware according to he present invention.
FIGURE 14a is a partial front isometric view of a ~odified version of the embodiment il~ustrated in Fig~lre ll.
FIGURE 14b is a partial front isome~ric view of another modified version of the embodiment of Figure 14.

- 12~ 5~2 ~

~ .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Turning now to the embodiments'of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there is shown in Figures 1-12 various features according to one basic embodiment of the presen~ in~ention.
Referring more pa.ticularly to Figures 1,

3 and 4, there is shown an embodiment of a drinking vessel according to the present invention which comprises an outer, or permanent, vessel member 10 which can b`e a tumbler-like vessel made of a permanent material such as, e.g., glass. Insert member 12 is proportioned to - -be received within outer vessel member 10 for receiving and containing any desired'liquid or other substance.
As preferably embodied, insert i2 is proportioned to conform generally to the configuration of the outer vessel, yet provide a spacing (indicated generally at ~' 11) between the adjacent sidewalls and bottom walls of the outer vessel and the insert. The spacing ll serves as a thermally in,ulative buffer to help reduce 20 the thermal effect of tne ambient atmosphere on the !-contents of insert 12. Advantageously, then, insert member 12 is proportioned to taper slightly in a direction from its top to its bottom relative to the sidewalls of permanent vessel 10 so as to make essentially only line contact with vessel 10 at it~ top opening, Also advantageously, insert 12 includes an exterior lip 12a depending from the entire top open edge, or upper ri~, of the insert and extending downwardly towards the bottom of the insert. As preferably embodied, lip 12a is proportioned and angled relative to the exterior sidewall OI permanen~ vessel 10 so as to substantially prevent a person's lip from contacting ( ( ~

_ 13_ ~ 720~

any exterior surface of vessel 10 when the person drinks from the insert. To this end, the width of lip 12a (i.e., the distance between the upper rim of the insert and the distal free end edge of the lip) may be from about 3l8" to about 1/2" (or even up ~o about 3/4") 2nd may form an angle of up to about 35 witn respect to the sidewalls of insert 12 to form an angie of up to about 30 with respect to the sidewall of vessel portion 10. In a particularly useful embodiment, insert lip 12a can be about 1/2" wide and extend at an angle of from abou~ 3.5 to about 5 relative to the exterior wall of the second vessel ~ember.
It will thus be ~derstood by those skilled in the art that the width of lip 12a and the angle it forms with respect to the sidewall of vessel 10 cooperate to keep a person's lip spaced from the vessel sidewalls so as to pre~ent physical contact ~herewit~. As a result, by adapting insert 12 so as to be disposable, the com~ination of insert 12 with permanent vessel 10 permits repeated re-use of the permanent vessel 10 without requiring sterilization, simply by replacing the used insert with a fresh one. Since the user's lips do not touch vessel lO, the passage of orally transmissive germs, bacteria and virus (e.g., herpes simplex) is effectively prevented, and the time, effort and cost of washing vessel lO after every use is avoided. `
In order to hold insert 12 sufficiently securely-to vessel lO while retaining a liquid therein, means are provided for forming a pressure-fit, between insert 12 and vessel 10. As shown in Figures 3 and ~, the pressure-fit means comprise raised ribs 12b formed on the exterior surface of insert 12, for providing a pressure/friction fit with the co. responding interior O 1:
surface portions of vessel 10. Advantageously, ribs , -12b are located substan~ially at or near the top of insert 12 (i.e., at about the widest part of the insert) for maximizing the pressure~fit generated between the !~
insert and vessel 10. Also, by locating the ribs 12b adjacent the top edge of insert 12, a plurality of such inserts can be conveniently stacked one-on-another for minimizing the space they occupy while ensuring that adjacent inserts in the stack will not tend to stick t together when the top insert is being removed.
Alternatively (or concurrently), raised ribs (shown at lOb in Figures 2 and 5) could be fo~med on the interior surface of vessel 10, substantially near --or at its top edge so as to form a pressure/friction fit between the ribs lOb and a corresponding exterior surface of insert 12 (ei~her against a smooth surface or in cooperation with ribs 12b). In still a further modification, ribs ~not shown~ could be formed on the interior-faring surface of lip 12a (alone or in combination with ribs 12b and/or lOb described above), substar.tially at ~he ~op edge of the insert, so as to form a ?ressure/
friction fi, with the corresponding exterior surface j~
o~ vessel 10 at its top edge. It will be ~ppreciated tha~ by forming pressure/friction fit ribs as disclosed 25 herein, a vessel 1O can be thrust, open top facing down- ~
wardly, onto a stac'~ of inverted inserts and thence raised, ~aking only one resh insert from the stac~
to hold any desired liquids or other substances and then ~e removed for disposal after use. 1 In still a further modified embodiment of the invention, pressure/friction fit ribs, or radially inwardly extending fins (indic.ated at lOa in Fi~ure 6) can be formed on ~he interior surface o vessel 10, ~ ~ 5 ~ O~

O
near its bottom, to contact the corresponding exterior surface at the.bottom of insert 12. Since insert 12 is preferably more tapered tnan vessel 10, ribs lOa shouldproject sufficiently far into the interior of vessel 10 to grasp the insert. Alternati~ely~ although not shown, pressure/friction fit fins could be formed on, and project radially outwardly from, the exterior .
surface of inser~ 12 near its bottom. Thus, as the insert is lowered in~o the per~anent vessel 10 (preferably being tapered), the fins will engag2 the interior wall surface of vessel lO until a secure pressure ~it is formed.
It will be readily ap?reciated by those skilled in the art that the double-walled drinking vessel according to the present invention, as disclosed by the foregoing description with reference ~o Figures 1_6, provides .
a thermally insulated container wherein, e.g., a cold liquid or liquid-and-ice comDination contained within insert 12 will experience prolonged temperature 20 maintenance (for ir.creased ice cube life) due to the 1.
thermal air barrier between insert 12 and permanent .vessel 10. In addition, because the exterior surface of vessel 10 is physically separ2ted and nsulated from liquid-containing insert 12, any condensation resulting ~.
from a cold liquid in insert 12 w-ll form on the exterior surface of the insert, not vessel lO, for ultimate collection within the interior of vessel 10, thereby eliminating the spotting and annoyance due to moisture dripping from the drinking ~essel.
It will further be appreciated that Lhe orientation and configuration of the insert lip permits .
re-use of a permanent drinking vessel.without requiring ~ 2 -16 ~
~, :
sterilization. After use, the disposable insext is simply removed and thrown out. The permanent vessel can merely be wiped dry and then thrust down onto a stack of replacement inserts, whereupon, as indicated abo~e, only one insert is grasped by the permanent vessel to instantly provide a clean and sanitary drinking vessel.
It will be understood that since insert 12 is preferably adapted to be disposable, it can be made of any known inexpensive plastic, such as, e.g., a material sold by E.I. duPont under the trademark designation "LUCITE" or similar material. The insert is preferably made of a transparent material to help create the impression that the insert/vessel combination is a traditional zll-glass structure. In addition, raised ribs lOb or 12b could take the form of a band relatively small serrations on insert 12 and/or permanent member 10. It may, however, be prererable to f~-m such serrated band on the interior surface of vessel 10 for grasping a smooth surface on the inserts for grea~er ease in fabricating inserts in large quantities and further ensuring that only one insert is removed from a stack at a time.
Turning now to Figures 7-~, there are shown various embodiments of the insert and vessel combinaLion incorporating preferred grasping means according to the invention for releasably locking insert 12 to vessel member 10. As here preferably embodied, the grasping means comprise a series of protuberances (each design~ted 13) formed on the inwardly facing surface of lip 12a, with engagement means (described hereinafter) formed on the second vessel member for permitting r~leasable locking engagement therebetween for retaining the insert member within the permanent vessel member. Advantageously, protuberances 13 are generally.hemispherical and substantially solid o othel~-ise formed so that the opposite exterior:surface of lip 12a is essentially s~oo~h. In ~his way, not only will the insert lip have an attractive exter-ior appearance, but also the protuberances will serve to space the adjacent inserts slightly from each other when stacked on top of each other for ensuring that the top-most inser~ will not 10 stick to the next one when the permanent vessel member :`
is thrust downwardly onto an inverted stack of inserts.
According to one preferred embodiment, the engagement means on vessel member 10 comprises a ring-like rib, or ridge, (ind~cated at lS in Figure 8a) projecting outwardly from, and extending completely around, the exterior surface of vessel 10. Ridge 15 is proportioned and located so as ~o allow the protuberances 13 to ride over its crest (or apex) to bear against the lower surface portion of the ridge and thereby releasably lock the insert within the per~anent vessel. Howe~er, because of the resilience of the lip, the insert can be disengaged from the vessel ~.
simply by exerting a sufficient pulling force to cause the protuberances-to ride back over the crest of ridge j~
15.
A par~icularly useful embodiment of the vessel/
insert combination utilizes ~he preferred grasping means of the in~ention with a tumbler-type drinking receptacle~
In this embodiment, permanent vess21 10 may be about 3 1/2" tall and about 3 1/4" i~ circumference, and the insert is proportioned to f t within the permanent vessel, allowing a space (11) of from about 1/8" to about 1/4"
between the two vessel members. Ring-like ridge lS

' ~ 2 is for~ed on the exterior surface of vessel 10, at a poin~ approximately 0 311 ~rom the upper r~m of vessel 1l.
10. The cross-sectional configuration of ridge 15 is generally bead-like, or semi-circular, having a radius of about 0.032". (The hemispherical protuberances 13 1-similarly have a radius of about 0.032".) Advantageously, t the upper portion (indicated at lOa) of vessel 10 has a slight outward flare be~ween its upper lip and ~he ridge 15 in order to accomodate the flare of insert lip 12a. It will be understood tha~ the provision of such flare on vessel 10 w~ll also provide a so-called ~ ~
"negati~e draft" to facilitate formation of ridge 15 ¦ ;
on vessel 10 by conventional two-part molding techniaues.
The side wall of insert 12 may be at angle of about 3.5~ to about 4 (preferably abou~ 3.7) relative to ~he vertical, and lip 12a flares outwardly at an angle of about 4.5 to about 5 (preerably about 4.7P) j;
relative to the vertical. The lip is about 1/2" wide and the distal free end edge o~ the lip 12a is ?reIerably 20 rounded to prevent any possibility of cutting a user. ¦~
The distance between protuberances i3 and the interior surface of the arched segment (designated 12d) which joins lip 12a to the insert sidewalls, and-thus ~or~s the upper rim of insert 12, is also approxi~ately 0.3" -25 but preferably slightly larger than the corresponding - -dimension on vessel 10 to ensure ~hat, once the insert is fully seated in the vessel, the protuberances will abut the underside of ridge 15 to keep the insert captive in the vessel. Advantageously, the lip and protuberances ~-~
may be proportioned so that the protuberances wili bear against thP lower surface portion of ridge 15, just ~-below the apex, to urge lip 12a sl.ghtly outwardly and thereby generate a slightly greater flare for spacing .. ..

- 19~ 20~

O
a user's lip farther fro~ the exterior surface of vessel 10, as illustr~ted in Figure 12.
Referring now to Figure 9, ~here is shown an alternate embodiment of engagement means on vessel 10 for cooperating with protuberances 13 formed on inse~t 12. In~tead o~ a continuous ring-like ridge 15 around vessel 10, a series of ridge segments (each designated 17) can be formed at generally the same upper e~terior surface portion of vessel 10. It will be understood ~hat there should be the same number o ridge segments as there are protu~erances on insert 12.
Advantageously, each ridge segment is at a sligh~ angle relative to the uppex rim of vessel 10 for permitting threadable engagement with the protuberances.
To facilitate proper threaded engagement, the uppermost end of each ridge segment should be closer to the upper -rim of vessel 10 than the corresponding distance between the protuberances and the arched portion 12d of the insert, while the lowermost end of each ridge segment Z0 is spaced a slightly greater distance from the upper rim of vessel 10 thar such corresponding distance. As a result, thread~ble engagement between the protuberances ~nd the ridge segments is ensured, and there need not be any overlap (along the vertical direction) between any portions of adjacent ridge segments, thereby permitting fabrication of vessel 10 by conventional two-part molding techniques.
In operat-ion of the latter embodiment of engage-ment means, the insert is placed within vessel 10 and turned until each protuberance abuts the underside of a ridge segment. The insert will thus be locked in ,--place within the permanent vessel, ready for use. By tightening the insert slightly, the protuberances will ~ i -20 - 1~20~ ll 1, ride up along the underside of the ridge segmentC thereby increasing the flare of insert lip 12a slightly, in essentially the same way as explained above. After use, the insert is unthreaded by turning it in the opposite direction and simply li~ted out of the vessel after the protuberances are clear of the ridge segments.
It will be understood by those skilled in ~`
the art that, instead of the ring-like ridge or ridge f segments described above, t'ne engagement means formed 1, 10 on vessel 10 for lockably engaging the protuberances i`~
could be in ~he form of indentations, or recesses, ~-positioned and proportioned to register with and receive the protuberances. In addition, the protuberances could be formed on other portions of the insert, with the 15 engagement means formed o-n a corresponding portion of the permanent vessel. If desired and mass fabrlcation '~
techniques warrant, the protuberances could be formed on permanent vessel 10 and the engagement means formed on the inserts. However, for economy and ease o ~0 fabrication and or the advantages set forth above, it is preferred that the protuberances be formed on ~`
the inserts.
Referring now more particularly~to F~gures :
8b, 8c and 10-lla, there are illustrated certain further -25 preferred aspects of the present invention.
Figures 8b and 8c illustra~e two versions 1-of permanent vessel 10 which are adapted to incorporate vent means for relieving ~ressure in the internal thermal ' space 11. As illustrated in Figure 8b, the bottom of 3Q the permanent vessel is generally concave and vert means, 1-in the form of openin~ 18, is ~,rmed at the apex o~
the concave bottom. Opening 18 permits air to leave or enter irte~nal thermal s~ace 11 due to any expansion -(:

-21 _ ~ 2~2 0 ~7 or con~raction of insert 12 caused by the presence of any hot or cold su~stances in insert 12. The vent prevents either an increase or decrease (i.e., a vacuum-like condi~ion) of pressure within thermal space 11 caused by relative.ly large temperature differences which - might otherwise contribute to cracking of the insert.
(It should be understood that when insert 12 is fully r seated within permanent vessel lO, a fair~y fluid-ti~ht seal can be formed along their upper edges.
Because opening 18 is formed at the apex of the concave bottom, any condensation accumula~ed within ! .
the permanent vessel 10 will collect at the lower-most corners of the v~ssel, away from the opening. Even as the combined vessel structure is tilted during use, none ~f the accumulated condensation will drip out of opening .18 because of its raised upper rim.
Fi~lre 8c shows a modified embodimer.t of the vented permanen, vessel 10 wherein an opening (here indicated at 19) is formed in a flat bottom of vessel 10. The vent here also includes an upwardly projecting wall l9a which surrounds opening 19 and serves to prevent any accumulated condensation from dripping through the opening 19, whether the vessel is resting on a hori~ontal surface or being Lilted by a person to take a drink.
Advantageously, the bottom of the insert includes spacer means to raise its bottom surface from a table top or like support surface. Here 7 the sidewalls of ~essel -10 project slightly beyond the bottom surface of the vessel bottom to space the bottom surface from any support r 30 sur~ace and ensure that the opening l9 is not blocked 2nd to Pnsure that no condensation "ring" is ormed on the table top. (It will also be understood that other convenien' spacing means could be us~d, such zs !
3 ,;

i ~ ~ 2~ 2 ~.~
- 2~ - !

O
protuberances formed on the bottom surface of the vessel bottom.) The opening 19 and wall l9a may be offset from the center of the vessel botto~ to facilitate molding in a two-part mold.
Figures 10-lla illustrate a preferred embodiment of insert 12 which is adapted to ensure no-stick stackability. To this end, insert 1~ (which is otherwise 11 essentially the same as described above) is formed with ¦"
a step-like discontinuity 15 near its bottom to form a stacking ledge on the interior surface of the insert.
Advantageously, the interior diameter of the insert at (or just slightly below) the step 16 is at least !
slightly less than the exterior diameter of the bottom of the insert. It will thus be undPrst~od that the step 16 provides a stacking ledge or shoulder for abutting the bottom of another insert to prevent further insertion of that insert b~yond the ledge, and thereby be supported by the ledge in a stack, as illustrated by Figure lla.
It will be understood that the taper of insert 20 12 can be greater above step 16 than below it. In fact, ;~
the taper of the lower portion can be at the minimum draft angle needed to ~emove the insert from the mold and thereby maximize the outer di~meter of~the insert i bottom.
Figure 11 shows how a plurality of inserts 12 of the type illustrated in Figure 10 can be stacked for easy assembly with permanent vessel 10. The inserts i~
are stacked in an inverted orientation, one on top of another with the botto~ of or.e abutting the ledge formed on the insert above it. The permanent vessel 10 is thrust, open and down, onto the stack of inserts, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 11. Once the open end 10a of the permanent vessel is fully seated within the ^~3 ~ O~

v annular slot formed by flange 12a on insert 12 (as illustrated by Figure 12), the permanent ~essel 10 can simply be lifted back up with an i~sert secured thereto.
Since the botto~ of the next insert abuts the ledge 5 rormed by step 16, only the top insert is removed, and 1-none of the other inserts become wedged toge~her, leaving all of them free to be removed one at a time.
Advantageously, therefore, the distance between the step 16 and the insert bottom is generally about equal 1~ to or greater than the height of insert flange 12a to ensure that ~wo adjacent inserts cannot become wed~ed together. ~Of course, it can be somewhat less than the lip height so long as the wedging effect is prevented).
It will also be understood that tlte reduced diameter portion of the bottom of each insert will facilitate removal of an insert after it has been used.
Because of the relatively secure attachment of the insert to the ?ermanent vessel, the easiest way to remove an insert is simply to push upwardly against the insert 20 lip 12a at one point, thereby causing an angular 1-displacement between the insert and the permanent vessel.
The reduced diameter at the bottom of the insert wiil facilitate such angular displacement.
In an exemplary embodiment, the insert is ~5 about 3 inches tall and about 3 inches in diameter at its upper rim. The lip 12a is about 1/2 inch in height and the step 16 is formed about 11/16 of an inch from the bottom. The insert is made of a crystal styrene plastic material (and can range in thickness from aDout 0.0i1" to about 0.030"). With the vented permanent vessel of the type disclosed above, (which can be made o~ an S.A.N. plastic), this insert can withstand hot - 24~ 20~ ' , ~, .
liquids up to 190F ~the ma~imum temperature at which most hot beverages are s~rved) wi~hout cracking.
Turning now to Figure 13 there is shown a two-piece embodiment of a stemware structure adapted ~o provide a condensaticn-free exterior surace in accordance with the present invention. As here embodied, the s~emware s~ructu~e comprises bowl member 20 which may be in any desired ccnf-guration just like traditional !` `
glass stemware ~e.g., as a champagne-style glass, a wine-style glass, continental-style glass, etc.) and a stem member 24 adapted to support the bowl member.
Advantageously, stem 24 is generally hollow and is adapted to be attached to bowl 20 by releasably engaging bowl stem portion 2_ (formed on the bottom of 20) when inserted into tke open top of the stem. Advantageously, a gap is formed between ste~ 24 and stem portion 22 when coupled together to allow any condensation forming on the bowl to drop into the hollo~ stem. To this end, the interior surface of stem 24 near its open upper end is provided with rib members 26 (much like the ribs described above the reference of Figures 1-6) which are proportioned to form a pressure/friction fit with stem portion 22 of bowl 20, yet leave gaps between the upper interior ~`-wall of stem 24 and the exterior of stem por~ion 22.
In use, bowl member 20 is attached to stem -~
24 by inserting bowl stem portion 22 into the opening '~
of hollow stem 24 until a snug pressure fit is formed '~
between stem portion 22 and ribs 26. (To this end, stem portion 22 may taper slightly from its juncture 30 with bowl 20 to its bottom and the radially interior 1-surfaces of ribs 26 may be either substantially vertical i`
or inclined so that the rib bottoms project inwardly ¦-a little more than the rib tops to ensure a snug fit i -25 - ~ ~ 5~ O.9 .~ .
at some point during insertion.) When a cold liquid or other substance is placed in bowl 20r any condensation forming on the bowl will roll down its ~ides and onto stem portion 22 from which it drips harmlessly into the hollow chamber within stem 24.
Advantageously, and as preferably embodied, the walls of stem 24 diverge from each other ~from top-to-bottom) so that as a person tips ~he s~emware to drink from bowl 2Q, condensation collected with stem 24 will not spill out. ~s illustrated in Figure 13a, stem 24 could also include an interior cylindrical lip 27 depending from the open top of stem 24 to help further prevent the chance of moisture spilling out while the stemware is tipped. Ribs 26 could, therefore, be formed 15 on the interior of cylindrical lip 27 or on stem portion -22. In either event, the top edges of ribs 26 are preferably located below the top edge of stem 2~ to -ensure that downwardly flowing mois~ure ~annot flow o~-er the edge and onto the exterior surface of stem 24.
After one or more fillings, bowl 20 can be de~ached from stem 24 and the ~ondensation therein spilled OUto It will be understood, then, that stem ~4 can be made of glass or otherwise adapted to be permanent ~5 (like vessel 10 described above) 9 while bowl 20 can either be disposable or permanent. (A disposable bowl 20 will obviate the need for sterilization, etc., like insert 12.) It will further be ur.derstood tha~ because stem 24 is separated from bowl 2Q, the exterior surface of stem 24 will be virtually free of condensa~ion to provide a dry surface portion for holding the stemware.

- 26 - ~;~57;~0~3 :

Turning then to Figure 14 there is shown a modified embodiment of ste~ware according to the present invention. The stemware structure of Figure 14 is adapted to be made of glass or otherwise adapted to be per~anent S in its entirety. As here embodied, this stemw~re structure includes bowl 30 (which may be in any desired ooniguration) mo~nted to stem 32 which has a hollow interior portion (indicated at 34). A plurality of holes 36 are formed in stem 32 near its junction with bowl 30 to provide flow communica~ion between the exterior surface of s~em 32 and hollow stem chamber 34.
A ring-like collar 38 is formed on stem 32 substantially adjacent holes 36. Advantageously, collar 38 generally encases holes 36 and forms a hollow ring~
like troug:~ (indicated at 38a) around the por~ion of the stem wherein holes 36 are formed for collecting any condensatio~ which drops down from bowl 30, as will /:
be e.Ypla~ned in greater detail hereinafter. As preferably l -embodied, collar 38 terminates in an edge spaced only very slightly from the exterior surface of stem 32, leaving only a narrow gap 38b therebetween sufficiently j -wide to pe mit dripping condensation to pass through the gap ar.d in.o trough 38a.
In use, cold liquid or other substance is l-25 placed in bowl 30, as described above. Condensativn -j fcrming on the exterior surface of bowl 30 will travel down that surface under the influence of gravity and onto the upper portion of stem 32. The travelling j~
condensation then ~as~es through g~p 38b for collection within ring-like trough 38a. The moisture collecting in trough 38a then ~ends to drip harmlessly into hollow :

_27 _ ~ X ~.~

~, .
stem chamber 34. Advantageously, holes 36 are located at the bottom of the trough to ensure tnat virtually all the condensation collected ~herein falls into stem chamber 34.
It will be understood that by terminating the upper edge of collar 38 near the ex~erior surface of stem 32, moisture in trough 38a canno~ flow out when a person tips the stemware to drinX liquid in bowl 30.
Similarly, the portion of stem 32 below collar 38 can be somewhat divergent (li~e stem 24 described above) to ensure that any moisture in stem chamber 34 will i not spill ou~ of holes 36 when the ste~ware is tipped for drinking. In addition, coll~r 38 can be formed with a decorative exterior pattern to camoflauge its 15 functional advantages, and, since gap 3~b is relatively narrow, it will be somewhat diffLcult to determine that there are f~nctional features ir.corporated into the stemware. Thus, the condensation-free ste~ware of the invention can be incorporated in a structu e wh.ch is 20 as attractive and elegant as most conventional stemware L
pieces. , After several uses, the accumulated condensation in chamber 3~ can be removed simply by hol~ing the stemware ~
upside-down to permit draini~g, or by holding it by ~ -the stem base and swinging it away from oneself.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 14a the bottom of stem 32 at the base of the stemware may be removably attachable to the remainder of the piece, as by threaded interconnection. Thus, the lowe~ portion may simply be removed to permit quick and si~ple cf the accumulated moisture.

~ 2 0 _28 _ ~, As illustrated in Figure 14b the bottom of the stem base may, instead, have a. small hol~ 40 with a removable.stopper member 42 to permit drainage o~
chamber 34. The bottom surface (43) of the stem base 5 may preferably be raised.slightly.so that stopper 42 -does not interfere with the normal standing of the stemware piece.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention in its broader aspec~ is }O not limited to the particular embodiments herein shown `
and described and that variations may be made which l;
are within the scope of ~he accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without .
sacrificing its chief advantages. For ex~mple, ribs, or radially inwardly projecting fins, may addltionally be formed at the bottom interior of vessel 10 disclosed i~-in Figures 1-5 in combination with ribs 12b or iOb to enhance the grasping of insert 12. Simil~rly, the upper end 3f s~em 24 (Figure 13) may be formed with a collar 20 simiiar to collar 38 (Figure 14), and, openings could ...
also be formed in the adjacent wall of stem 24 (instead of ribs 26 and the resultant gaps) to provide ~low comm~lication in~o the interior oî stem 24.
It will further be appreciated by those skiiled ;
in t'ne ~r~ in view of the foregoing description that the lipped insert according to the present invention can be made to conform to the shape of the bowl cf a .:~
s~emware piece so that the stem of the stemware piece need not be hollow as described with reference to Figu es ~0 13-14.
j..

Claims (74)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A drinking vessel adapted to provide an exterior surface portion substantially free of condensation, comprising:
a first vessel member having an open top and being adapted to receive and contain any desired substance such as a liquid to be consumed;
a second vessel member associated with but generally separated from said first vessel member to form a thermal air space therebetween, said second vessel member being adapted to provide a barrier against formation of condensation on an exterior holding surface of said drinking vessel, said second vessel member including vent means for communicating said thermal air space with the ambient surroundings of said drinking vessel to permit thermal expansion and contraction of air within said thermal air space due to the presence of hot or cold substance within said first vessel member, said second vessel member further including drip means associated with said vent means for substantially preventing moisture within said thermal air space from spilling through said vent means when said drinking vessel is tilted during use, such that a person can hold said drinking vessel along the exterior holding surface of said second vessel member substantially without contacting any condensation and without any condensation dripping out of said drinking vessel.

2. A drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein said first vessel member comprises a removable insert member proportioned to conform generally to the configuration of said second vessel member, said insert member being receivable within said second vessel member to form a generally double-walled drinking vessel having said thermal air space between said insert member and said second vessel member, such that any condensation forming on said insert member tends to collect within said thermal air space while the exterior surface of said second vessel member remains substantially free of condensation, and, further, that said thermal air space tends to provide a thermally insulative gap to help maintain the temperature of any substance contained within said insert member.

3. A drinking vessel according to Claim 2, wherein said insert member includes a lip along its open top, said lip extending towards the bottom of said insert member and being proportioned to substantially prevent a person's lip from contacting said second vessel member during use, such that, after use, said insert member can by removed from said second vessel member and replaced by another said insert member to enable re-use of said second vessel member without requiring sterilization of said second vessel member yet provide a clean and sani-tary drinking vessel.

4. A drinking vessel according to Claim 3, wherein the length of said lip and its angle relative to said second vessel member, along its exterior surface, cooperate to prevent contact of a person's lip with the exterior surface of said second vessel member.

5. A drinking vessel according to Claim 3, wherein said insert member is tapered to a greater degree from its open top to its bottom than said second vessel member, and which further includes grasping means associ-ated between said insert member and said second vessel member for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of said insert members and thereafter lifted, one said insert member is grasped by said second vessel member yet can be removed therefrom when desired with relative ease for replacement by another said insert member.

6. A drinking vessel according to Claim 5, wherein said grasping means is adapted to provide a releasable friction engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member.

7. A drinking vessel according to Claim 6, wherein said grasping means is located generally near the top opening of said insert member.

8. A drinking vessel according to Claim 6, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of relatively small raised rib-like members.

9. A drinking vessel according to Claim 6, wherein said grasping means comprises a band of serra-tions.

10. A drinking vessel according to Claim 8, wherein said rib-like members are formed on and project outwardly from an exterior surface of said insert member.

11. A drinking vessel according to Claim 9, wherein said band of serrations is formed on an interior surface portion of said second vessel member generally near its open top.

12. A drinking vessel according to Claim 5, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of fin-like members formed on said second vessel member generally at the bottom thereof and projecting radially inwardly, said fin-like members being proportioned to releasably grasp said insert member by their radially interior edges.

13. A drinking vessel according to Claim 5, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of fin-like members formed on said insert member and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, said fin-like members being proportioned to releasably grasp interior surface portions of said second vessel member by their radially outward edges.

14. A drinking vessel according to Claim 1, which comprises a stemware structure wherein said first vessel member comprises a bowl member with a stem portion extending downwardly therefrom, and wherein said second vessel member comprises a stem member having a generally hollow upstanding member which is open at its top and a base portion at its bottom, said stem portion of said bowl member being receivable within said stem member for connection therewith and providing access to the hollow interior of said stem member such that any con-densation forming on any exterior surface of said bowl member tends to drip down along the exterior of said bowl member, onto said stem member and into the hollow interior of said stem member.

15. A drinking vessel according to Claim 14, which further includes grasping/spacer means associated between said bowl stem portion and said stem member, said grasping/spacer means being adapted to provide a releasable friction-type engagement between said bowl stem portion and said stem member yet provide access to the interior of said hollow stem base.

16. A drinking vessel according to Claim 15, wherein said grasping/spacer means comprise a plurality of rib-like projections.

17. A drinking vessel according to Claim 16, wherein said rib-like projections are spaced along an interior surface of said stem member and are proportioned to grasp the bowl stem portion along radially inward edge portions of said rib-like projections, the spacings between the rib-like projections providing slot-like openings to permit the entry of condensation into the hollow interior of said stem member.

18. A drinking vessel according to Claim 17, which further includes an interior cylindrical lip extending downwardly from the open top of said stem member, said rib-like projections being formed on interior surface portions of said cylindrical lip.

19. A drinking vessel according to Claim 17, wherein the uppermost portions of said rib-like projec-tions are below the top edge of said stem member.

20. A drinking vessel according to Claim 14, which further includes a ring-like collar at the top of said stem member, said ring-like collar providing a trough-like recess for collecting condensation travel-ling down along said bowl member, and still further includes means providing flow communication between said trough-like recess and the hollow interior of said stem member for permitting moisture in said trough-like recess to flow into said hollow stem member.

21. A drinking vessel according to Claim 15, which further includes a ring-like collar at the top of said stem member, said ring-like collar providing a decorative ring around said stem member to help conceal internal structures helping keep said stem member con-densation free.

22. A drinking vessel according to Claim 17, wherein said stem member is divergent in configuration from its top to its bottom to help prevent moisture in said hollow stem member from spilling out when said drinking vessel is tipped.

23. A drinking vessel according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second vessel members are joined together in an essentially integral structure and wherein said second vessel member comprises:

a stem member which is hollow, at least in part, and which is coupled at its top to said first vessel member generally at its bottom, at least one opening formed in said stem member to permit fluid flow into said hollow stem member, and deflecting means extending around said stem member and located generally adjacent each said opening to direct fluid into each said opening, such that con-densation forming on any exterior surface of said first vessel member can flow down along said first vessel member to said deflecting means for flow into said hollow stem member through each said opening.

24. A drinking vessel according to Claim 23, wherein said deflecting means comprises a ring-like collar formed integrally with and around the stem member, said collar providing a ring-like trough for collecting condensation and wherein each said opening is located generally at the bottom of said trough.

25. A drinking vessel according to Claim 24, which includes a plurality of said openings and wherein said collar and said openings are in close proximity to said first vessel member.

26. A drinking vessel according to Claim 23, which further includes release means associated with said stem member for releasing accumulated moisture in said stem member.

27. A drinking vessel according to Claim 26, wherein said release means includes a portion of said stem being removable to permit fluid therein to be released.

28. A drinking vessel according to claim 26, wherein said release means includes a hole in said stem member, generally at its bottom, to release moisture therein when desired, and removable stopper means for plugging said hole to allow moisture to collect in said stem member yet permit release of moisture when removed.

29. A two-part drinking vessel having one part adapted to be reused without requiring washing for sanitary reuse and to provide an exterior surface substantially free of condensation, said drinking vessel comprising:
a first vessel member comprising a disposable insert member adapted to contain any desired substance such as a liquid, said insert member having a lip extending downwardly from its open top rim, said lip being pro-portioned to space a person's lip from said exterior sur-face when drinking from said drinking vessel, said insert member also including a step-like indentation generally near its bottom to form a reduced diameter portion thereat with an interior shoulder formed at said step-like indentation, said shoulder providing a first support surface facing said insert bottom and a second support surface fac-ing said insert top rim, said reduced diameter portion hav-ing an interior diameter, as measured generally at said interior shoulder, at least slightly less than the outer diameter at the insert bottom to permit a plurality of said inserts to be stacked, in inverted orientation, one on top of another, with the first support surface of one insert abutting the second support surface of the next adjacent insert to provide nonsticking stackability of insert members in a relatively compact stack of inserts;

a reusable second vessel member adapted to receive a said insert member, said second vessel member being proportioned to provide a thermal air space between said second vessel member and said insert member when said insert member is seated within said second vessel member, said thermal air space providing insulation for any sub-stance within said insert member to prevent condensation from building up on said exterior surface; and grasping means associated between said insert member and said second vessel member for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of said insert members and there-after lifted, one said insert member is releasably grasped by said second vessel member and can be removed from said stack of insert members substantially without sticking to any other insert member in said stack yet it can be removed from said second vessel member when desired with relative ease for replacement by another said insert member by repeating said thrusting motion.

30. A drinking vessel according to claim 29, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of spaced apart generally bead-like protuberances formed on one of said member and engagement means formed on the other of said members, said engagement means being proportioned and positioned to cooperate with said protuberances for releasably locking said members together when said insert member is fully seated within said second vessel member.

31. A drinking vessel according to claim 30, wherein said protuberances are formed on said insert member and said engagement means are formed on said second vessel member.

32. A drinking vessel according to claim 31, wherein said engagement means comprises a ring-like ridge formed on said second vessel member.

33. A drinking vessel according to claim 32, wherein said protuberances are formed on said lip along its interior surface, and wherein said ring-like ridge is formed on said second vessel member on its exterior surface generally near its upper rim edge.

34. A drinking vessel according to claim 33, wherein said protuberances are positioned on said lip so as to bear against said ring-like ridge, generally along its bottom surface portions, for retaining said inert member within said second vessel member when fully seated therein.

35. A drinking vessel according to claim 34, wherein said protuberances and ridge are positioned such that, when said protuberances and ridge are lockably engaged, said pro-tuberances abut said ridge to cause said insert lip to flare outwardly slightly more than when not lockably engaged.

36. A drinking vessel according to claim 31, wherein said engagement means comprises a series of ridge segments formed on said second vessel member, each said ridge seg-ment extending at a relatively small angle relative to the upper rim edge of said second vessel member to permit threadable engagement between said members.

37. A drinking vessel according to claim 36, wherein said protuberances are formed on said lip along its interior surfaces, and wherein said ridge segments are formed on said second vessel member on its exterior surface generally near its upper rim edge.

38. A drinking vessel according to claim 37, wherein the number of said protuberances is equal to the number of said ridge segments.

39. A drinking vessel according to claim 31, wherein said engagement means comprises a ring-like recess formed on said second vessel member, said recess being adapted to receive said protuberances releasably lockably retaining said insert member within said second vessel member when fully seated therein.

40. A drinking vessel according to claim 31, wherein said engagement means comprises a series of recess segments formed in said second vessel member, each said recess seg-ment extending at a relatively small angle relative to the upper rim edge of said second vessel member for receiving said protuberances to permit threadable engagement between said members.

41. A drinking vessel according to claim 29, wherein the height of said reduced diameter portion is generally at least about equal to the height of the insert lip to ensure that adjacent inserts do not become wedged together.

42. A drinking vessel according to claim 29, wherein said second vessel member includes vent means therein to relieve any pressure increase or decrease in said spacing between said insert member and said second vessel member and said second vessel member further including drip means associated with said vent means for substantially preventing moisture within said second vessel member from spilling through said vent means when said drinking vessel is tilted during use.

43. A drinking vessel according to claim 42, wherein said drip means of said second vessel member comprises an upwardly extending generally concave bottom which forms a generally convex interior bottom surface in said second vessel member and wherein said vent means comprises an opening in said concave bottom, generally at its apex, such that any moisture collecting within said second vessel member will accumulate along the radially outermost portion of said second vessel bottom away from said opening.

44. A drinking vessel according to claim 42, wherein said vent means comprises an opening in said second vessel members and wherein said drip means comprises an upwardly extending wall closely surrounding said opening to prevent any condensation accumulated in said second vessel member from exiting through said opening.

45. A drinking vessel according to claim 44, which further includes spacer means for raising the bottom surface of said second vessel member off a support surface.

46. A two-part drinking vessel having one part adapted to be reused without requiring washing for sanitary reuse and to provide an exterior surface substantially free of con-densation, said drinking vessel comprising:
a first vessel member comprising a disposable insert member adapted to contain any desired substance such as a liquid, said insert member having a lip extending down-wardly from its open top rim, said lip being proportioned to space a person's lip from said exterior surface when drinking from said drinking vessel, each said insert member including means permitting a plurality of insert members to be stacked, in inverted orientation, one on top of another, substantially without sticking together;
a reusable second vessel member adapted to receive a said insert member, said second vessel member being pro-portioned to provide a thermal air space between said second vessel member and said insert member when said insert member is seated within said second vessel member, said thermal air space providing insulation for any substance within said insert member to prevent condensation from build-ing up on said exterior surface, said second vessel member including vent means in its bottom wall for relieving any change in pressure in said thermal air space due to the presence of a hot or cold substance in said insert member and drip means associated with said vent means to sub-stantially prevent any condensation accumulated in said second vessel member from spilling through said vent means when a person tilts said drinking vessel to drink there-from; and grasping means associated between the inwardly facing surface of said insert member lip and the upper exterior portion of said second vessel member for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of said insert members and thereafter lifted, one said insert member is releasably grasped by said second vessel member and can be removed from said stack of insert members without sticking to any other insert member in said stack yet it can be removed from said second vessel member when desired with relative ease for replacement by another said insert member by repeating said thrusting motion.

47. A drinking vessel according to claim 46, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of spaced apart generally bead-like protuberances formed on one of said members and engagement means formed on the other of said members, said engagement means being proportioned and positioned to cooperate with said protuberances for releasably locking said members together when said insert member is fully seated within said second vessel member.

48. A drinking vessel according to claim 47, wherein said protuberances are formed on said insert member and said engagement means are formed on said second vessel member.

49. A drinking vessel according to claim 48, wherein said engagement means comprises a ring-like ridge formed on said second vessel member.

50. A drinking vessel according to claim 49, wherein said protuberances are formed on said lip along its interior surface, and wherein said ring-like ridge is formed on said second vessel member on its exterior surface generally near its upper rim edge.

51. A drinking vessel according to claim 50, wherein said protuberances are positioned on said lip so as to bear against said ring-like ridge, generally along its bottom surface portions, for retaining said insert member within said second vessel member when fully seated therein.

52. A drinking vessel according to claim 51, wherein said protuberances and ridge are positioned such that, when said protuberances and ridge are lockably engaged, said pro-tuberances abut said ridge to cause said insert lip to flare outwardly slightly more than when not lockably engaged.

53. A drinking vessel according to claim 46, wherein said insert member being proportioned to conform generally to the configuration of a permanent container so as to be receivable within said second vessel member, said lip being further proportioned to permit a plurality of said insert members to be stacked on top of each other, said insert member also including a step-like indentation generally near its bottom to form a reduced diameter portion at the bottom of said insert, with an interior shoulder formed at said step-like indentation, said shoulder providing a first support surface facing a bottom of the insert member and a second support surface facing said top rim; said reduced diameter portion having an interior diameter, as measured generally at said interior shoulder, at least slightly less than the outer diameter at the insert member bottom, to permit a plurality of said inserts to be stacked, in inverted orienta-tion, one on top of another, with the first support surface of one insert member abutting the second support surface of the next adjacent insert for substantial non-sticking stackability of inserts in a relatively compact stack of insert members, such that when a second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of said insert members and there-after lifted, one said insert member is releasably grasped by the second vessel member and can be removed from said stack of insert members substantially without sticking to any other insert members in said stack yet it can be removed from the second vessel member when desired with relative ease for replacement by another insert member by repeating said thrusting motion.

54. A drinking vessel according to claim 53, wherein the width of said lip and its angle relative to the exterior surface of said second vessel member cooperate to prevent contact of a person slip with the exterior surface of said second vessel member.

55. A drinking vessel according to claim 53, wherein said insert member is tapered to a greater degree from its open top to its bottom than said second vessel member and which further includes grasping means for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of inverted insert members and thereafter lifted, one said insert member is grasped by said second vessel member yet can be removed from said second vessel member when desired.

56. A drinking vessel according to claim 55, wherein said grasping means is located generally near the top opening of said insert member.

57. A drinking vessel according to claim 56, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of relatively small raised rib-like members.

58. A drinking vessel according to claim 57, wherein said rib-like members are formed and project outwardly from exterior surface of said insert member.

59. A drinking vessel according to claim 53, wherein said insert member includes a plurality of protuberances formed thereon, said protuberances being adapted to co-operate with engagement means formed on the second vessel member for releasably locking said insert to the second vessel member and for permitting a plurality of said inserts to be stacked on top of each other while enabling only one insert to be removed when the second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of inverted insert members.

60. An insert member according to claim 59, wherein said protuberances are formed on said lip, generally along its interior-facing surface.

61. A drinking vessel according to claim 60, wherein said protuberances are proportioned to engage said engage-ment means such that said lip is caused to flare slightly more when said insert is fully seated in the second vessel member than when not seated therein.

62. A drinking vessel according to claim 59, wherein said lip extends at an angle of between about 4.5° and about 5° relative to the vertical when said insert is standing on a horizontal surface.

63. A drinking vessel according to claim 62, wherein the height of said reduced diameter portion is generally at least about equal to the height of the insert lip to ensure that adjacent inserts do not become wedged together.

64. A two-part drinking vessel having one part adapted to be reused without requiring washing for sanitary reuse and to provide an exterior surface substantially free of condensa-tion, said drinking vessel comprising:
a first vessel member comprising a disposable insert member adapted to contain any desired substance such as a liquid, said insert member having a lip extending down-wardly from its open top rim, said lip being proportioned to space a person s lip from said exterior surface when drinking from said drinking vessel, each said insert member including means permitting a plurality of insert members to be stacked, in inverted orientation, one on top of another, substantially without sticking together;
a reusable second vessel member adapted to receive a said insert member, said second vessel member being pro-portioned to provide a thermal air space between said second vessel member and said insert member when said insert member is seated within said second vessel member, said thermal air space providing insulation for any substance within said insert member to prevent condensation from building up on said exterior surface; and grasping means associated between said lip of said insert member, along its interior surface, and a generally oppositely disposed surface portion of said second vessel member for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member, said grasping means comprising a plurality of discrete spaced-apart, generally bead-like protuberances formed on one of said members and a ring-like ridge formed on the other of said members, said protuberances and ring-like ridge being pro-portioned and positioned relative to each other to releasably secure said insert member within said second vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of said insert members and thereafter lifted, one said insert member is releasably grasped by said second vessel member by cooperation between said protuberances and said ridge to permit removal from said stack of insert members substantially without sticking to any other insert member in said stack yet it can be removed from said second vessel member when desired with relative ease for replace-ment by another said insert member by repeating said thrust-ing motion.

65. A drinking vessel according to claim 53, which further includes grasping means for permitting releasable engagement between said insert member and said second vessel member, such that when said second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of inverted insert members and thereafter lifted, one said insert member is grasped by said second vessel member yet can be removed from said second vessel member when desired.

66. A drinking vessel according to claim 65, wherein said grasping means comprises a plurality of protuberances formed thereon, said protuberances being adapted to cooperate with engagement means formed-on the second vessel member for releasably locking said insert to the second vessel member and for permitting a plurality of said inserts to be stacked on top of each other while enabling only one said insert to be removed when the second vessel member is thrust down onto a stack of inverted insert members.

67. A drinking vessel according to claim 66, wherein said protuberances are formed on said lip, generally along its interior-facing surface.

68. A drinking vessel according to claim 67, wherein said protuberances are proportioned to engage said engage-ment means such that said lip is caused to flare slightly more when said insert is fully seated in the second vessel member than when not seated therein.

69. A drinking vessel according to claim 29, wherein said second vessel member includes a bottom wall and a side-wall member upstanding therefrom, which, collectively, pro-vide a holder for the insert member, said second vessel member including vent means for releiving any pressure increase or decrease in the spacing between said second vessel member and the insert member when received therein, due to the presence of a hot or cold substance in said insert member.

70. A drinking vessel according to claim 69, which includes an upwardly extending generally concave bottom and wherein said vent means comprises an opening in said concave bottom, generally at its apex.

71. A drinking vessel according to claim 69; wherein said vent means comprises an opening in said bottom and which further includes an upwardly extending wall surrounding said opening to prevent any condensation accumulated in said second vessel member from exiting through said opening.

72. A drinking vessel according to claim 71, which further includes spacer means for raising the bottom surface of said second vessel member off a support surface.

73. A drinking vessel according to claim 69, which further includes engagement means for permitting releasable lockable engagement with said insert member.

74. A drinking vessel according to claim 73, wherein said engagement means comprises a ring-like ridge formed on said vessel member, generally near its upper lip.