Today in 1906, US Patent D38248 S was issued, an invention of William Helmer, for his “Design for a Drinking-Glass or Similar Article.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The ornamental design for a drinking glass. I have invented a new, original, and ornamental Design for a Drinking-Glass or Similar Article.
Today in 1972, US Patent 3692202 A was issued, an invention of Thomas J. Parlagreco, for his “Beer Can Stein with Attached Handle.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
A metal beer can having a pull tab opening on the upper end thereof so to permit a person to drink directly therefrom, the beer can instead of being cylindrical in shape being slightly tapered upwardly so to resemble the configuration of a beer stein, and the outer side of the can having a flat strap placed adjacent thereto, the center of the strap being able to be pulled away from the can so to form a convenient handle for being held in the hand while drinking.
Today in 2012, US Patent 8240155 B2 was issued, an invention of Kevin Dale, for his “Method of Presenting Beer.” Here’s the Abstract:
A method for serving beer from a font includes the steps of first chilling a glass for the beer to a temperature of below, at least, −5° C. and then filling the glass with beer from the font, so that crystals of frozen beer are present in the drink below the head of foam on the beer that is created when the beer is poured.
Today in 1998, US Patent 5788111 A was issued, an invention of Alan Grenville and Clive Waugh, for their “Drinking Vessel.” Here’s the Abstract:
An inside surface of a drinking vessel is treated with a material suitable for providing nucleation sites to encourage the formation of bubbles in a liquid containing a gas such as carbon dioxide or CO2 / nitrogen mixture. The material may be printed upon the internal surface.
Today in 1887, US Patent 366207 A was issued, an invention of Fred E. De Jean, for his “Beer-Pitcher.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
This invention relates to pitchers into which frothy drinking liquids-such as ale, beer, &c.aredrawn, and from which they are poured for consumption.
It is well known that in drawing beer, etc., from a barrel much froth is formed on its surface, which causes delay in pouring the same into tumblers and tankards, and time has to be allowed for the beer to settle, and in no case is the beer perfectly clear and liquid.
My invention has for its object to obviate these annoyances, and to cause the beer or other liquid to be strained and settled immediately, and to be drawn from the bottom of the pitcher in any desired quantity, free from froth or any annoyance.
Today in 1912, US Patent 1031950 A was issued, an invention of Walter J. Miller, for his “Sanitary Vacuum Beer-Mug.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The main object of the invention is to provide a device especially adapted for use as a beer mug, in which the beer will be retained in fresh and sparkling condition for considerable time.’
Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which, to a real extent, safeguards the liquid contained therein from contamination.
Another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary beer mug or drinking vessel which can be readily washed or cleaned both inside and out.
Today in 1966, US Patent 3256627 A was issued, an invention of James Eugene Adair, assigned to Fishlove & Co., for his “Ornamented Drinking Glass.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The principal object of the invention is to provide an aesthetic, entertaining or amusing novelty item in the form of an ornamented drinking glass such as is commonly used for mixed drinks, beer, highballs, or the like, the glass having an opaque side wall but being provided with one or more transparent portions or peep holes, and also having ornamentation on regions thereof opposite the peep holes, such ornamentation being visible through the peep holes, transversely of the glass and through liquid such as the glass may contain. Such liquid produces effects of magnification and distortion, especially when transparent solids such as ice cubes are immersed therein, so that the ornamentation as viewed through the peep holes has an enlarged and/or animated appearance.
Today in 1860, US Patent 28771 A was issued, an invention of Oliver Z. Pelton, for his “Beer-Pitcher.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it states that Pelton has “invented a new and Improved Beer-Pitcher,” with additional information:
A represents a beer pitcher or can constructed of tin, britannia or any other suitable material, and of any desirable size. cover B, is attached to the body of the same by means of a hinge a., and a knob b, serves to open and close said cover.
The cover shuts down into a rim c, on the top edge of the pitcher, and in order to make it close tight, it is provided with a groove (Z, near to its edge to receive a ring e, of india rubber or any other suitable material. This ring projects slightly beyond the surface of the cover, and if the cover is closed, it shuts down perfectly tight, so that no part of the contents of the pitcher can escape.
The contents of the pitcher are poured out through the spout C, which is furnished with a strainer f in the usual manner. Behind the spout is the movable partition D, which tits into grooves or gnides g, so that it can be drawn out and put in at pleasure. Instead of making this partition to fit into the guides g, it might, however, be attached with a hinge or in any other convenient manner, enabling the same to be brought into such a position that it can easily be cleaned. I prefer, however, to arrange it in such a manner that it can be taken out altogether, so that the inside of the pitcher, as well as the partition itself, can be reached everywhere.
Sunday’s ad is for Owens-Illinois Glass, 1958. Owens-Illinois is still a going concern, making glass worldwide. It’s a big company. According to Wikipedia, “Approximately one of every two glass containers made worldwide is made by O-I, its affiliates, or its licensees.” In the late 1950s, they were trying to persuade people that “The wife most likely to be kissed … always puts Beer on her shopping list. Especially in “No-Deposit, No-Return Bottles.” Of course, this was also a time when it was “her shopping list” and not just “the shopping list.”
Today in 1943, US Patent D135747 S was issued, an invention of Joseph Austin, assigned to the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company, for his “Design for a Holder for Beer Foam Scrapers.” There’s no Abstract, though it’s described incredibly simply in the application, stating only that it’s an “ornamental design for a holder for beer foam scrapers, substantially as shown and described.” Which is funny, because that’s about the only description there is.
