Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Drinking device
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-11
2001-11-06
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Drinking device
C220S714000, C220S719000, C220S501000, C220S367100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311863
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to covered beverage containers including single use paper and plastic cups and lids as well as reusable plastic, metal and/or ceramic covered beverage containers, and, more particularly, to a covered beverage container that directs beverage vapor in a predetermined direction. Such containers are typically used for coffee, tea and soft drinks. Such containers allow the aroma of the beverage to be enjoyed while drinking from a container while the cover or lid of the container remains on, thereby reducing the risk of spilling and, for hot beverages, retaining the heat of the beverage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that the aroma of a beverage comprises a large part of the flavor of the beverage. While the taste buds sense only sweet, salt, sour and bitter, the nose can distinguish between approximately 10,000 distinct odors.
Typically, covered beverage containers sacrifice to a significant degree the aroma of the beverage when the beverage is drunk while the lid of the container remains in place. Other covered beverage containers allow for aroma laden air vapor to travel through drink openings or other small openings for venting air.
However, because the vast majority of the container must remain covered in order to achieve the benefits of a lid (such as reduced risk of spilling and retaining the heat of hot beverages), traditional lidded beverage containers have resulted in far less of the aroma laden air from the beverage reaching the nostrils of the drinker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a vapor directing beverage container comprises a lidded beverage container with an internal baffle. The lid has a drink opening to allow beverage to pass through the lid while the lid remains attached to the container and at least one vent opening in addition to the drink opening to allow vapor within the container to pass through the lid. The baffle is sized and shaped so that when it is inserted into the container, the baffle seals against the container side walls and extends down into the container so that the bottom of the baffle is near to the bottom of the container. The space between the bottom of the baffle and the bottom of the container allows liquid in the container to flow freely from one side of the baffle to the other side of the baffle. The baffle sealably attaches to the lid of the container and is further positioned between the drink opening and the vent opening so as to divide the space within the container into two chambers. When the container is tipped to allow beverage to flow out the drink opening, vapor within one chamber is forced out openings in the lid while air from outside the container is simultaneously drawn into the container through openings on the other side of the baffle. The precise location and shape and number of the openings through which vapor is directed can vary depending upon the size and shape of the lid and container in order control the direction and speed of the vapor.
In accordance with the present invention, a covered beverage container is provided for pumping vapor from within the container to the vicinity of the user's nose when the container is tipped from the level position to the drinking position or from the drinking position back to the level position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beverage container includes a lid through which beverage can be drunk with the lid still in place, thereby reducing the amount of spillage from the container and retaining the heat of a hot beverage while the container remains at rest.
An important feature of the present invention is a baffle that, when the container is tipped, allows the rising liquid level in one half of the container to force vapor out openings in the lid towards the user's nose.
An important advantage of the present invention is that it provides a new mechanism beyond volatilization by which the aroma of the beverage can be enjoyed by the user.
The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Goodloe, Jr. R. Reams
Moy Joseph M.
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