Wine bottle convertible to wine glass

Abstract

A wine bottle convertible to a wine glass permitting the consumption of the wine directly therefrom is provided. The convertible wine bottle comprises four main elements which are assembled and filled with wine in a bottling process. The wine bottle has basically four integrated components with ancillary structure. These four components are assembled and filled with wine at a bottling plant. Once bottled, the convertible wine bottle may be packaged in 4-, 6-, or 8-packs, as well as individually. The wine bottles can be transported and sold. These four integrated components are manipulated by the consumer to transform the wine bottle into a wine glass with an appropriate portion of wine therein. Such a convertible bottle of wine would give users the pleasure of drinking their wine from a stemmed glass. Once completed, the structure may be reassembled and recycled.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A bottle which can be converted into a stemmed drinking container comprising: 
 a) a base having an elongated stem,    b) a bottom element having a bottom and a first sidewall extending from said bottom, said sidewall having a first threaded connection means,    c) a container portion having a second sidewall defining a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion of said second sidewall having a second threaded connection means which mates with said first threaded connection means, said bottom portion having a neck portion and said neck portion having an opening;    d) a closure which mates with said neck portion to form a fluid tight seal; and wherein said bottom element is connected to said container portion by screwing said first threaded connection means onto said second connection means, said bottom element and said container portion thereby forming a sealed reservoir which may be filled with a fluid, and said stem may be affixed to said container portion.    
     
     
         2 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein said stem may be affixed to said container portion via attachment to said closure.  
     
     
         3 . The bottle of  claim 2  wherein said stem snap-fits onto said closure.  
     
     
         4 . The bottle of  claim 2  wherein said closure is a screw cap.  
     
     
         5 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein said container portion further comprises a lip top end of said top portion and said second sidewall has a thickened band in the area of the second threaded connection means.  
     
     
         6 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein said base, said bottom element, said closure and said container portion are made of one of plastic or metal.  
     
     
         7 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein said container portion is made of glass and said bottom element, said base and said closure are made of one of plastic or metal.  
     
     
         8 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein said container portion, said bottom element and said base are made of plastic and said closure is made of metal.  
     
     
         9 . A method of converting a bottle into a stemmed drinking container, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a bottle comprising 
 i) a base having an elongated stem,  
 ii) a bottom element having a bottom and a first sidewall extending from said bottom, said sidewall having a first threaded connection means,  
 iii) a container portion having a second sidewall defining a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion of said second sidewall having a second threaded connection means mated with said first threaded connection means, said bottom portion having a neck portion and said neck portion having an opening; and  
 iv) a closure mated with said neck portion to form a fluid tight seal;  
   b) attaching said elongated stem to said neck portion;    c) removing said bottom element from said container portion by unscrewing said first threaded connection from said second threaded connection.    
     
     
         10 . The bottle of  claim 9  wherein said stem may be affixed to said container portion via attachment to said closure.  
     
     
         11 . The bottle of  claim 10  wherein said stem fits onto said closure by an interference fit.  
     
     
         12 . The bottle of  claim 10  wherein said closure is a screw cap.  
     
     
         13 . The bottle of  claim 9  wherein said container portion further comprises a lip top end of said top portion and said second sidewall has a thickened band in the area of the second threaded connection means.  
     
     
         14 . The bottle of  claim 9  wherein said base, said bottom element, said closure and said container portion are made of one of plastic or metal.  
     
     
         15 . The bottle of  claim 9  wherein said container portion is made of glass and said bottom element, said base and said closure are made of one of plastic or metal.  
     
     
         16 . The bottle of  claim 9  wherein said container portion, said bottom element and said base are made of plastic and said closure is made of metal.  
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a bottle which can be converted into a stemmed drinking container, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a base having an elongated stem, and a bottom element having a bottom having a recess and a first sidewall extending from said bottom, said sidewall having a first threaded connection means,    b) inserting said base into said recess of said bottom;    c) mating said bottom element to a container portion, said container portion having a second sidewall defining a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion of said second sidewall having a second threaded connection means mated with said first threaded connection means, said bottom portion of said second sidewall having a neck portion and said neck portion having an opening; and    d) installing a closure onto said neck portion to form a fluid tight seal.