Bookbinding: process and apparatus – Apparatus – Book working apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-29
2004-01-06
Weinstein, Steve (Department: 1761)
Bookbinding: process and apparatus
Apparatus
Book working apparatus
C426S077000, C426S115000, C426S120000, C426S110000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06672817
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices and mixes for preparing relatively small quantities of a beverage within a container, and more specifically to various embodiments of a beverage container which includes a quantity of water and a separate quantity of a beverage mix or preparation (powdered drink mix, tea, etc.) therewith. The present container is relatively low and wide with a relatively large mouth to facilitate the consumption of heated beverages therefrom, and to retain heat more efficiently than other container shapes. The consumer mixes the beverage mix provided with the water contained within the container and heats the mix as desired, or vice versa, to produce a heated beverage.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flavored beverages of all types have become increasingly popular, with dozens of different flavors, containers configurations, and quantities available at almost every retail outlet in the U. S. In addition to such flavored beverages (sodas, fruit drinks and ades, tea, etc.), bottled spring water has also become increasingly popular.
It is generally recognized that at least in the case of some beverages (e. g., tea), that preparation of the beverage immediately before consumption results in a fresher and higher quality drink. Yet, all such prepackaged beverages of which the present inventor is aware, are provided in a premixed state in their containers. Moreover, while some beverages which have been traditionally served heated in the past are also provided chilled or at room temperature (with tea again serving as an example), the present inventor is unaware of any beverages sold in sealed containers at the retail level, which have containers adapted for heating the beverage therein.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a combination beverage preparation and dispensing container, which includes a quantity of water and a separate beverage mix (e. g., tea bag, powdered drink mix or syrup, etc.) which is to be mixed with the water in the container at the time the beverage is to be consumed. The present container is also specifically adapted for heating, particularly in a microwave oven, and for consuming a heated beverage therefrom without hazard to the consumer.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 180,132 issued on Jul. 25, 1876 to Benjamin F. Hoard et al., titled “Bottle Attachment,” describes a bottle for containing a liquid (medicine, etc.). The bottle has a relatively narrow neck and a concave side with flanges extending therefrom, along which a cooperating lid may be slid into place. The resulting receptacle provides for the insertion of an information or advertising brochure or other document therein. The bottle and external container of the present invention differ in that (1) no separate rigid closure need be provided, as the present closure is formed by the bottle label; and (2) the mouth of the present container is considerably wider, for convenience in consuming a heated beverage directly from the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,489,806 issued on Apr. 8, 1924 to Harry C. Anderson, titled “Paper Container Or Receptacle,” describes various shapes of perforated paper elements for holding tea and for submersing in a container of hot water for brewing tea. The Anderson tea containers teach away from the “tea balls” of the prior art, which are formed as openable rigid, hard, perforated metal shells. However, Anderson does not provide a sealed container having water or other liquid therein along with his tea infuser device, as is provided by the various embodiments of the present beverage preparation and dispensing container invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,465 issued on Sep. 3, 1963 to Lewis Montesano, titled “Leak-Proof Packaging Infusion Unit,” describes a telescoping tubular device in which the outer sleeve forms a cover for the perforated inner sleeve surrounding the tea contents therein. The outer sleeve is extended beyond the inner perforated sleeve, and the perforated sleeve is immersed in the water to diffuse the tea therein. As in the devices of the Anderson '806 U.S. Patent, the Montesano device does not include a string or other means allowing it to be released in a container; rather, the Montesano device must be held in the container during the time the tea is steeping. This renders the Montesano device unsuitable for use in heating the container and beverage in a microwave or other heating device, while the present beverage container and contents are particularly configured for microwave heating. Also, Montesano does not provide a sealed container of water with his tea infuser, whereas the present invention includes both water and beverage mix in a single package.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,388 issued on Oct. 10, 1967 to Frederick P. Andrews et al., titled “Tea Packet,” describes a specially formed tea bag having a toroidal configuration. While the Andrews et al. tea bag is configured for use in a tea cup (column 1, lines 46-47), Andrews et al. do not provide a sealed container of water along with their tea bag in a single package, as is provided by the present beverage preparation and dispensing
U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,989 issued on Jul. 6, 1971 to John C. Wittwer, titled “Protective Bottle Display And Shipping Container,” describes a double bottle type container, in which a glass container is encased within a liquid filled plastic container for shock absorption purposes. Wittwer discloses other articles encased in a separate compartment within an outer bottle, but the receptacle is in the center of the bottle, rather than being formed in the outer wall of the bottle, as in the case of the present invention. Moreover, the Wittwer bottles all have relatively narrow necks which result in difficulty in consuming a heated beverage therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,994 issued on Apr. 25, 1972 to Norman W. Post, titled “Combination Container And Dispenser,” describes a small, double walled container which hooks over the edge of a cup. The two walls are perforated, and may be turned relative to one another to align the perforations for allowing a drink mix contained therein to be diffused through the liquid in the cup. The Post device does not include a sealed beverage container which already includes water for mixing the beverage, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,999 issued on May 15, 1973 to Rodney G. Rounkles, titled “Bottle With External Compartment,” describes a bottle having a hinged lid for closing over a compartment formed in the side of the bottle. The device is more closely related to the bottle of the Hoard et al. '132 U.S. Patent discussed further above, than to any of the embodiments of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,284 issued on Jan. 21, 1975 to Albert D. Costello, titled “Cup Lids For Use With Teabags And The Like,” describes various lid embodiments having a wide, flat protrusion for holding a conventional flat tea bag therein. The tea bag is lowered into the water in the cup and allowed to steep, then drawn back upwardly into the protrusion by means of the conventional string on the tea bag. It should be noted that in each of the embodiments of the Costello cup lid, that the upstanding portion of the lid intended for holding the beverage mix packet (i. e., tea bag) communicates directly with the underlying volume within the cup or container. Even if the Costello lids were configured for sealed installation to the underlying cup to seal a quantity of water therein, the liquid within the cup would mix with the beverage mix in the upstanding portion of the lid during movement of the container, e. g. during shipping and handling, causing the beverage to be mixed before dispensing or purchase.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,343 issued on Nov. 25, 1980 to Harold E. Thompson, titled “Container Assembly,” describes a group of three bottles, with the larger bottle having depressions in opposite sides for seating two smaller bott
Litman Richard C.
Weinstein Steve
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