Multi-piece vessel

Abstract

A multi-piece vessel includes a receptacle and a base. The securing of the receptacle to the base can be facilitated by one or more steps engaging the receiving portion such that the receptacle and the base, once secured to each other, tend not to become inadvertently separated. The vessel may include a base having a receiving portion defining a receiving aperture. The vessel may also include a receptacle having an upper portion and an insertion portion, the insertion portion including one or more steps. The steps are adapted to secure the insertion portion to the base when the insertion portion is inserted into the base.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A multi-piece vessel comprising: 
 a base having a receiving portion including an aperture having a first aperture portion having a first inner diameter;    a receptacle having an upper portion and an insertion portion;    said insertion portion including at least one step;    said step being adapted to pass through said first aperture portion and engage said receiving portion to secure said insertion portion in said base when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , said receiving portion of said base further including a retention wall, wherein said retention wall abuts said step of said receptacle when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.  
     
     
         3 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 2 , wherein said step is formed as an integral part of the receptacle.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , said receiving portion further having a shoulder stop, said insertion portion further having a shoulder wall, wherein said shoulder stop abuts said shoulder wall when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 3 , wherein said base is substantially planar.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one step comprises multiple discontinuous sections.  
     
     
         7 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one step is a continuous band encircling said insertion portion.  
     
     
         8 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said step is rounded.  
     
     
         9 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said step is elongated.  
     
     
         10 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 8 , wherein one or more edges of said step is rounded.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is inserted into said base at an insertion direction; 
 said step having an edge upstream of the insertion direction, wherein said edge is rounded.    
     
     
         12 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said step is located at the tip of the insertion portion.  
     
     
         13 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion portion is tapered.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said base and said receptacle are formed of plastic.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said multi-piece vessel is formed in the shape of a martini glass.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said multi-piece vessel is formed in the shape of a margarita glass.  
     
     
         17 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said multi-piece vessel is formed in the shape of a wine glass.  
     
     
         18 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is adapted to be stacked with other receptacles.  
     
     
         19 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one step consists of two steps.  
     
     
         20 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one step consists of one step.  
     
     
         21 . The multi-piece vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture of said base includes a second aperture portion having a second inner diameter smaller than said first inner diameter of said first aperture portion.  
     
     
         22 . A base for use with a receptacle having an upper portion and an insertion portion, said insertion portion having a first outer diameter and including one or more steps, said base comprising: 
 a receiving portion having a first aperture portions having a first inner diameter smaller than said first outer diameter;    said first inner diameter being adapted to have a portion of said receiving portion pass therethrough;    said receiving portion being adapted to engage said one or more steps of the receptable to secure the insertion portion in said base when the insertion portion is inserted into said base, and forming a multi-piece vessel.    
     
     
         23 . A receptacle for use with a base having a receiving portion having a first inner diameter, said receptacle comprising: 
 an upper portion and an insertion portion;    said insertion portion having a first outer diameter including one or more steps;    wherein said first outer diameter is larger than said first inner diameter;    said one or more steps being adapted to engage the receiving portion of the base to secure said insertion portion in the base when said insertion portion is inserted into the base, and forming a multi-piece vessel.    
     
     
         24 . A method of making a multi-piece vessel for holding a liquid, said method comprising: 
 providing a base having a receiving portion having a pirst aperture portion having a first inner diameter;    providing a receptacle having an upper portion and an insertion portion;    said insertion portion including at least one step;    said step being adapted to engage said insertion portion to secure said insertion portion in said base when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said receiving portion further has a shoulder stop, said insertion portion further having a shoulder wall, wherein said shoulder stop abuts said shoulder wall when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said receiving portion of said base further including a retention wall, wherein said retention wall abuts said step of said receptacle when said insertion portion is inserted into said base.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said step is formed as an integral part of the receptacle.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said base is substantially planar.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said one or more steps are peripheral steps.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said base and said receptacle are formed of plastic.