Removable cooling device and integrated vessels

Abstract

In one embodiment, a beverage container comprises a vessel having an interior that is adapted to hold a beverage. The vessel has a closed bottom end and an open top end. The bottom defines a cavity that is fluidly filled from the interior of the vessel. A cooling element is configured to fit within the cavity. A base comprises a bottom member and a stem extending vertically upward from the bottom member. The base includes a connector that is configured to be coupled to the bottom end of the vessel and to enclose the cooling element within the cavity.

1 . A beverage container, comprising: 
 a vessel having an interior that is adapted to hold a beverage, wherein the vessel has a closed bottom end and an open top end, and wherein the bottom end defines a cavity that is fluidly sealed from the interior of the vessel;    a cooling element that is configured to fit within the cavity;    a base comprising a bottom member and a stem extending vertically upward from the bottom member, wherein the base includes a connector that is configured to be coupled to the bottom end of the vessel and to enclose the cooling element within the cavity.    
   
   
       2 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a threaded end on the stem, wherein the cavity includes a threaded section, and wherein the threaded end is configured to be screwed up into the cavity using the threaded section.  
   
   
       3 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is generally cylindrical in geometry and extends vertically upward into the interior of the vessel, and wherein the cooling element comprises a cylinder that is filled with a cooling substance.  
   
   
       4 . A beverage container as in  claim 2 , wherein the connector and the vessel are constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of glass, hard plastic, and glass coated with hard plastic.  
   
   
       5 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel has a shape selected from a group consisting of a mug, a regular wine glass, a red wine glass, a white wine glass, a martini glass, a tumbler, a stein glass, a margarita glass, a brandy snifter and a champagne glass.  
   
   
       6 . A beverage container comprising: 
 a vessel having an interior that is adapted to hold a beverage, wherein the vessel has a closed bottom end and an open top end, and wherein the bottom end defines a generally hemispherical cavity that is fluidly sealed from the interior of the vessel;    a generally hemispherical cooling element that is configured to fit within the cavity;    a base having a connector that is configured to be coupled to the bottom end of the vessel and to enclose the cooling element within the cavity.    
   
   
       7 . A beverage container as in  claim 6 , wherein the bottom end includes a generally hemispherical surface that partially defines the interior of the vessel.  
   
   
       8 . A beverage container as in  claim 7 , wherein the connector comprises threads on the base, and wherein the bottom end of the vessel includes threads to permit the base to be screwed into the vessel.  
   
   
       9 . A beverage container kit comprising: 
 a vessel having an interior that is adapted to hold a beverage, wherein the vessel has a closed bottom end and an open top end, and wherein the bottom end defines a cavity that is fluidly sealed from the interior of the vessel;    a cooling element that is configured to fit within the cavity;    a base comprising a connector that is configured to be coupled to the bottom end of the vessel and to enclose the cooling element within the cavity;    a tray having a plurality of holding regions for holding cooling elements, whereby the tray may be placed in a freezer to cool the cooling elements.    
   
   
       10 . A kit as in  claim 9 , wherein the tray includes a plurality of recesses integrally formed in the tray to define the holding regions.  
   
   
       11 . A kit as in  claim 10 , wherein the recesses are in a shape selected from a group consisting of semi-cylindrical and semi-spherical.  
   
   
       12 . A kit as in  claim 9 , wherein the base further comprises a bottom member and a stem extending vertically upward from the bottom member.  
   
   
       13 . A kit as in  claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises a threaded end on the stem, wherein the cavity includes a threaded section, and wherein the threaded end is configured to be screwed up into the cavity using the threaded section.