Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Clasp – clip – support-clamp – or required component thereof – Having gripping member formed from – biased by – or mounted on...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-06-19
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
Having gripping member formed from, biased by, or mounted on...
C024S003100, C210S469000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247212
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device for retaining solids such as ice cubes, fruit, etc. in drinking glasses. In particular, the device comprises grid or filter that is maintained at a certain depth into the glass and joined to it via a clamp that secures the whole device to the edge of the glass. The function of the device is to filtrate and keep the solids away from the user's mouth as the glass is inclined for drinking. The device keeps the solids from hitting the drinker's mouth, thus preventing discomfort and spillage.
2. The Prior Art
There are some devices for keeping solids in the glass that have been used in the past, but all of them suffer from various drawbacks. Many of them comprise several pieces that need to be coupled together. One device is a folded device, but it comprises three or four different parts that are connected by two or three joints. None of these devices provide a stable configuration.
Spanish Utility Model No. U-9601515 discloses a solids retainer for drinking glasses that overcomes some of the drawbacks of the prior art, but also suffers from drawbacks of its own. In particular, the device is not easy to handle and requires an excessive amount of room for packaging, storage and shipment. It also lacks hygiene when the final consumer affixes it to their glass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solids retainer from a drinking glass that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and is molded from one piece.
It is another object of the invention to provide a solids retainer that is compact in structure and easy to operate.
It is another object of the invention to provide a solids retainer that can be folded flat for ease of packaging and shipping.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a solids retainer for a drinking glass comprising:
The device according to the invention presents a new structure that allows a simple transition from an initial planar configuration for shipping to another configuration that represents the solids retainer. This has the advantage that it very simple to manufacture, and cuts the manufacturing time, since the mold is a simple design. The manufacturing mold is also very versatile and can accommodate design changes. In addition, the amount of room needed for packaging is reduced, as are the shipping costs.
The device comprises a horizontal grid that is introduced into the glass and secured to the glass by a clamp with a handle. The handle allows the handling of the whole device without touching the pieces that are in contact with the liquid or foods. This is a much more sanitary configuration than the prior solids retainers. The device is also simple and more comfortable to operate.
The invention is preferably a single piece that forms two solid parts: the clamp and the grid. The clamp and grid are connected by a hinge. The hinge is preferably a living hinge, i.e., created by a decrease in thickness of the material between the grid and clamp, thus allowing the entire device to be manufactured in one piece. There is an axis of rotation along the hinge which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of the device, and allows for effortless articulation of the two parts. The rotation of the two components along the hinge can be accomplished by a single movement into the correct position. Once the operating position is achieved, the device has a stable configuration and will not bend back into the flat shape. Thus, it is maintained firmly and safely during normal usage of the device, even when it is reused in another glass.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 315478 (1991-03-01), Liggens
patent: 2106453 (1938-01-01), Exdahl
patent: 2357063 (1944-08-01), Swing
patent: 2744631 (1956-05-01), Toombs
patent: 2766889 (1956-10-01), Rey
patent: 4020532 (1977-05-01), Lichter
patent: 5727712 (1998-03-01), Costello
patent: 9601515 U (1996-05-01), None
Collard & Roe P.C.
Sandy Robert J.
Triliouris George
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