Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-10
2001-01-23
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C062S457400, C062S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176100
ABSTRACT:
I. TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to insulated containers and more particularly to insulated containers having an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir surrounding a beverage chamber, the upper and lower reservoirs communicating with one another by means of at least one passageway equipped with a two-way valve. A liquid located in the lower reservoir is permitted to flow into the upper chamber through the valve. The liquid transports heat from the hot beverage in the beverage chamber to both itself and away from the Device. After the hot liquid reaches a satisfactory drinking temperature, the liquid may then be allowed to flow back through the valve into the lower reservoir. In the preferred embodiment, the air in the upper reservoir maintains the beverage at a proper temperature for consumption.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
It is often desirable to maintain beverages at a temperature suitable for drinking over an extended period of time. The problem, of course, is that left alone, a hot beverage in a container will continually cool until it reaches ambient temperature. Over the years, several attempts have been made to maintain the temperature of liquids in a container. The most notable example is the Thermos® insulated container. Generally, this device, and others like it, keep liquids at relative constant for extended periods so that they can be consumed at a later time. Also, hot liquids are often prepared and poured at extremely high temperatures, too hot for consumption, and must be cooled before they can be consumed. While these types of devices work well in situations in which a beverage is not to be immediately consumed, they are not effective for use when the beverage is to be consumed almost immediately upon being poured into the container: traditional insulated containers keep the liquids at too extreme a temperature for enjoyment.
Over the years, attempts have been made to create containers that alter the temperature of beverages before they are consumed. One example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,076 to Anthony which discloses and claims a spill and scald resistant container designed to lower the temperature of a liquid before it is consumed. The device works in conjunction with a conventional cup. The cup, complete with liquids, is placed into the device in an inverted fashion and the device is sealed and inverted. The liquid in the cup then flows to an opening through a gap created between the device and the cup. The container itself draws heat from the liquid to lower the liquid's temperature. While this device recognizes the problems associated with cooling hot liquids before consumption, it is not without its shortcomings. A first shortcoming of this device is that it is difficult to use in that a conventional cup must be inserted into the device and the device inverted. This requires an appropriately sized cup, which may not be readily available. More importantly, there is an increased risk of spilling the hot liquid. A second shortcoming of this device is that it does not maintain the liquid at a desirable drinking temperature inasmuch as the device is constantly cooling the liquid.
Other examples of devices designed to alter the temperature of liquids in a container are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,680,330, 2,838,916, 1,721,311, and 929,389. These devices all address the cooling of liquids before consumption.
There is need, therefore, for a simple self-contained device which permits a hot liquid to be cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature and maintains that temperature for a period of time.
III. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for beverages which enables the cooling of a hot liquid to a comfortable drinking temperature.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container which further maintains an acceptable drinking temperature for an extended period of time.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a device that is self-contained.
IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objects of the invention are provided for in a thermally reversible container. The container comprises a beverage chamber for holding liquids, the beverage chamber having a reversibly sealable drip proof lid. The side wall of the beverage chamber is surrounded by an upper reservoir. At the bottom of the beverage chamber is found a lower reservoir. The upper reservoir and the lower reservoir communicate with one another via at least one passageway equipped with a two-way valve. The upper and lower reservoirs are sealed and contain within them a liquid at room temperature. For purposes of this invention, room temperature is defined as about 50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit
In use, the two-way valve is opened allowing the liquid to flow into the upper reservoir by inverting the device or mechanically forcing the liquid. After the fluid is in the upper reservoir, the valve is closed the Device righted. A hot beverage, such as coffee, tea, or a soup, is then placed into the beverage chamber. The liquid in the upper reservoir transport heat from the hot liquid, thereby cooling the liquid to a comfortable consumption temperature. The two-way valve is once again opened and the now heated thermal liquid flows back into the lower reservoir.
A combination of the warm thermal liquid in the lower reservoir and the air in the upper chamber maintains the beverage at a comfortable drinking temperature for a period of time sufficient to consume it. A method of use is also provided.
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patent: 5607076 (1997-03-01), Anthony
Becke Paul
Kremesec Garrick
Doerrler William
Knechtel Demeur & Samlan
Shulman Mark
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