Beverage container having an inner structure

Abstract

A beverage container may include an inner structure which received and holds a crystal or other display piece within the container. The inner structure may be a mounting structure which includes a slot for receiving a portion of a crystal to hold the crystal in place while the beverage container is being used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage container having a mounting structure disposed on a lower portion thereof, the mounting structure being configured to releasably hold a crystal. 
     
     
         2 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure includes a slot for receiving the crystal. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure includes an upper portion and a base member, the upper portion being adjustably connected to the base member. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container according to  claim 3 , wherein the upper portion and the base member are in threaded engagement with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container according to  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion includes an annular flange and wherein the base member includes a post which extends upwardly within the area circumscribed by the annular flange. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container of  claim 5 , wherein the upper portion includes a slot and wherein rotating the upper portion causes the post to extend into the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure is generally transparent. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a crystal disposed in the beverage container. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage container according to  claim 8 , wherein the crystal has a groove formed therein adjacent a lower end of the crystal. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage container according to  claim 9 , wherein the crystal has an annular groove. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage container according to  claim 8 , wherein the crystal has a base configured to slide into the slot in the mounting structure. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage container according to  claim 8 , wherein the crystal can be removed from the beverage container without removing or damaging the mounting structure. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure includes a slot defined by at least one arm. 
     
     
         14 . A method for removably holding a crystal in a beverage container, the method comprising:
 selecting a beverage container having a mounting structure disposed therein; and   sliding a portion of the crystal into the mounting structure such that the mounting structure holds the crystal within the beverage container.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method includes selecting a crystal having a groove formed in the crystal and wherein the mounting structure includes a slot for receiving a portion of the crystal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting structure includes an upper portion and a base member which are adjustably attached to one another, and wherein the method includes adjusting the attachment between the upper portion and the base member to secure the crystal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the upper portion has an annular flange which extends into a void in the base member and wherein the base member has a post which is circumscribed by the annual flange, and the method includes rotating the upper portion until the post comes into contact with the crystal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising loosening the mounting structure and removing the crystal. 
     
     
         19 . A beverage container having:
 a housing with an upper opening and a lower opening;   a top cap attachable to the housing to cover the upper opening; and   a bottom cap attachable to the housing to cover the bottom opening; the bottom cap including a mounting structure for receiving a crystal, the mounting structure including a an upper portion and a lower portion with a void formed therebetween, and wherein at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion is movable with respect to the other of the upper portion and the lower portion to secure the base portion of the crystal between the upper portion and the lower portion.   
     
     
         20 . The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein the upper portion of the mounting structure is threadedly attachable to the lower portion of the mounting structure.