Multi-use glass cup system

Abstract

A modular beverage-glass kit consists of a glass cup, a stem support structure, and a base support structure. The glass cup may have a cup portion and a male threaded portion. The cup portion and the threaded portion are integrally formed in one piece so as to resist accumulation of residue during washing. The stem support structure and the base support structure have different sizes and shapes but have the same female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup. The female threaded portion may be constructed separately and assembled into the support structure for improved manufacturing efficiency and flexibility of use. The components of the kit may be located in a box, such as a display case, for marketing and storage.

1 . A modular beverage-glass kit, comprising:
 a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece;   a stem support structure having a top portion and a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and   a base support structure having a cradle portion and a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup.   
     
     
         2 . The modular beverage-glass kit of  claim 1 , wherein the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The modular beverage-glass kit of  claim 2 , wherein the cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The modular kit of  claim 3 , wherein the stem support structure has a columnar middle portion, and wherein the middle portion is narrower than the top portion of the stem support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The modular kit of  claim 4 , wherein the cup portion of the glass cup has a convex curved surface, and wherein the cradle portion of the base support structure has a concave curved surface that conforms to the curved surface of the glass cup. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a box, and wherein the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure are located in the box. 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a modular beverage-glass kit, comprising:
 providing a glass cup having a cup portion and a male threaded portion, the cup portion and the male threaded portion being integrally formed in one piece;   providing female threaded nuts, a stem support structure, and a base support structure;   locating a first one of the female threaded nuts in a top portion of the stem support structure, such that the stem support structure has a female threaded portion for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup; and   locating a second one of the female threaded nuts in the base support structure, such that the base support structure has a threaded socket for receiving the male threaded portion of the glass cup, and wherein the first and second ones of the female threaded nuts are essentially identical to each other.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the stem support structure is taller than the base support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a cradle portion of the base support structure is wider than the top portion of the stem support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of locating the glass cup, the stem support structure, and the base support structure in a box.