Today in 2010, US Patent 20100304005 A1 was issued, an invention of James M. Beale, for his “Pouring Spoon For Producing Layered Beverages.” Here’s the Abstract:

A pouring spoon (301) is provided which comprises a bowl (303) and a handle attached to said bowl. The handle has first (321), second (323) and third (325) segments, wherein said second segment is attached to said first segment by way of a first bend (322), wherein said second segment is attached to said third segment by way of a second bend (324), and wherein said third segment is attached to said bowl by way of a third bend (326).

Today in 1985, US Patent 4555034 A was issued, an invention of Ludwig Gerhards, for his “Beer Mug.” Here’s the Abstract:

A beer mug is formed of the mug container and a lid made out of wood. The lid is hingedly connected to the handle secured to the mug container and can be releasably attached to the handle by a snapping connecting device which includes a connecting element of an elastic plastics on the lid and a hinge mounted on the handle and provided with a pivot which can be snapped into a slot formed on the end portion of the elastic connecting element.

Today in 1953, US Patent 2660039 A was issued, an invention of Carl D. Newell, for his “Drinking Glass Construction.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide drinking glasses and other relative glass matching items wherein the main body or base thereof is constructed of a plastic composition such as fine porcelain or china, pottery or other ceramic materials capable of withstanding the intense heat used in firing patterns or designs, to the end that drinking glasses and relative glass items may be provided with designs or patterns identical with the designs or patterns used on dinner or dish sets constructed of porcelain or pottery or ceramic materials thereby completing the set even to the drinking glasses.

Another object of the invention is to provide drinking glasses and relative glass matching items constructed of porcelain, pottery or other ceramic materials, and having a part or liner of glass or similar material extending beyond the upper edge of the body or base portion of the drinking glass, providing a lip engaging portion so that the person using a drinking glass will get the same effect in drinking from the glass as he would from the usual glass tumbler.

Today in 1943, US Patent D136684 S was issued, an invention of George L. Kearney, for his “Design for a Drinking Glass.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

The ornamental design for a drinking glass, and ornamental Design for a Drinking Glass, substantially as shown.

Today in 1902, US Patent D36124 S was issued, an invention of Louis Bessiere, for his “Design For A Drinking Vessel.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My design is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, referred to herein, which shows a drinking: vessel with the design thereon. The piece A consists of three ornaments composed of curved lines connected by a small transverse bar at the center. The ornamental leaves is repeated a number of times to form a continuous band or border extending around the vessel.

The body X of the vessel is otherwise plain and rounded at the bottom. It is supported by a slender stem X, terminating at the disk shaped base The shape of the vessel, however, is not new, and it will be apparent that the ornamentation above described may be placed on differently-shaped vessels.

Today in 1992, US Patent 5156283 A was issued, an invention of Susan R. Sampson, for her “Wooden Stein With Responsive Emblem.” Here’s the Abstract:

A beer stein is made of wood, which imparts no disagreeable flavor to the beer, and creates a faint pleasant aroma. The stein has an insert on its front surface which contains some active display reactive to the environment, such as a thermochromic emblem or a swirling snowflake scene.

Today in 1934, US Patent 1975241 A was issued, an invention of John C. Sampson and Phil J. Werber, for his “Drinking Vessel.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

In serving cold or hot beverages, it is desirable to maintain the beverage at the ‘required temperature when set. on the table before the consumer. In serving ice-cold beverages, such as beer, the container, which may be a glass, a stein or the like, has to be chilled before using and has to be replaced after each use since it absorbs heat and becomes warm and renders the beverage warm and flat. Furthermore, condensation takes place on the exterior of such vessel and renders the table on which it stands damp and unpleasant in appearance. The glasses or steins are heavy and are liable to break, while copper mugs and the like require constant polishing and cleaning.

One of the main objects of the invention is the provision of a drinking vessel having insulated walls thereby maintaining the beverage contained therein aty its proper temperature for a long period of time without requiring replacing or chilling of the vessel after each use and without causing condensation on the surface of the vessel. Another object of the invention is to provide a drinking vessel having insulated walls to preserve the original temperature of the beverage, said vessel being so constructed that. it is light in weight, is practically indestructible, and can be readily cleaned.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a drinking vessel having an inner member or cup and having an outer shell member, said members being held in spaced relation with each other and the space therebetween being filled with suitable insulating material to prevent transmission of heat between said members.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a drinking vessel for ice-cold beverages, such as beer, comprising an inner or cup member formed of a single piece of metal and enclosed by an outer or shell member formed of formica, hard rubber, or other heat insulating material, the upper end of said inner member being turned outwardly and downwardly to t over the upper edge of said shell member and form a rubber.