U.S. patent application number 12/099440 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for method & device for enhancing aroma from beverage cup.
Invention is credited to M.L. Tridhosyuth Devakul, Larry Kaufman.
Application Number | 20090250479 12/099440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41132323 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090250479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaufman; Larry ; et
al. |
October 8, 2009 |
METHOD & DEVICE FOR ENHANCING AROMA FROM BEVERAGE CUP
Abstract
An aroma enhancing method and device for use when drinking from
a beverage cup has a receptacle member with a porous surface for
holding a sample of fresh beverage material therein, and a mounting
member for mounting on or near the rim of the beverage cup in
proximity to the user's nose to smell the aroma of the fresh
beverage material when sipping a liquid beverage from the cup. A
first embodiment is formed as a two-part lid for a cup with outer
and inner receptacle covers that nest together. A second embodiment
is formed as a plastic top with a receptacle pocket and a hinged
cover member that can be swung to cover the pocket. A third
embodiment is formed as a clip-on container attachment with a
spring clasp for mounting on the rim of a mug. Providing the aroma
of the fresh grounds or tea leaves provides the beverage drinker
with a richer flavorful experience.
Inventors: |
Kaufman; Larry; (Honolulu,
HI) ; Devakul; M.L. Tridhosyuth; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEIGHTON K. CHONG;PATENT ATTORNEY
133 KAAI STREET
HONOLULU
HI
96821
US
|
Family ID: |
41132323 |
Appl. No.: |
12/099440 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2400/045 20130101;
A47G 2400/04 20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101;
B65D 2543/00046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A method for enhancing aroma when drinking from a beverage cup
comprising: providing a receptacle member having a receptacle body
for holding a sample of fresh beverage material therein and
provided with a receptacle cover adapted to be opened to expose the
receptacle body to receive the sample of fresh beverage material
therein and to be closed during use of the receptacle member when
the user sips liquid beverage filled into the cup, wherein the
receptacle cover has a porous surface provided with perforations or
screen holes having a hole size small enough to retain the fresh
beverage material in the receptacle body but porous enough to allow
the aroma of the fresh beverage material to be released therefrom
during use, in order to thereby allow the user to smell the aroma
of the fresh beverage material held in the receptacle member; and
mounting the filled receptacle member on or near the rim of the
beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose for enhancing the
aroma a user experiences when sipping liquid beverage from the
cup.
2. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 1, wherein the
receptacle member is formed by a covering portion and a receptacle
body respectively formed in outer and inner receptacle covers that
are nested one on top of the other and attached on the rim of a
cup.
3. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 2, wherein the
outer and inner receptacle covers are made of die-stamped plastic
for attachment to a standard type of styrofoam beverage cup.
4. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 1, wherein the
receptacle member is formed in a plastic top having a receptacle
pocket and a hinged cover member for covering the receptacle
pocket, and a lower portion that is attached to the rim of a
cup.
5. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 4, wherein the
plastic top is formed of molded plastic and the hinged cover member
is formed as a plastic element that is attached to the molded
plastic top.
6. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 1, wherein the
receptacle member is formed by a container member and a screen top
that is locked for covering the container member, and has a clasp
for mounting on the rim of a cup.
7. A method for enhancing aroma according to claim 6, wherein the
clasp is a flexible spring-type metal clasp that can clip onto the
rim of a standard type of beverage mug.
8. A device for enhancing aroma when drinking from a beverage cup
comprising: a receptacle member mountable by a mounting member on
or near the rim of the beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose
when sipping a liquid beverage from the cup, said receptacle member
having a receptacle body for holding a sample of fresh beverage
material therein and provided with a receptacle cover adapted to be
opened to expose the receptacle body to receive the sample of fresh
beverage material therein and to be closed during use of the
receptacle member when the user sips liquid beverage filled into
the cup, wherein the receptacle cover has a porous surface provided
with perforations or screen holes having a hole size small enough
to retain the fresh beverage material in the receptacle body but
porous enough to allow the aroma of the fresh beverage material to
be released therefrom during use; and a mounting member coupled to
the receptacle member for mounting the receptacle member on a
beverage cup in proximity to the position of a user's nose while
sipping the liquid beverage filled into the cup.
9. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 8, wherein the
receptacle member is formed as a two-part lid for a cup having an
outer receptacle cover with a sip hole formed on one side and a
covering portion formed with perforations holes or a screen on an
opposite side thereof, and an inner receptacle cover with a
matching sip hole similarly formed on one side and a receptacle
pocket on an opposite side thereof which is used to hold a small
amount of fresh beverage material therein.
10. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 9, wherein the
outer and inner receptacle covers have matching contours adapted to
allow them to be nested closely one on top of the other, with the
covering portion overlying the receptacle body, and attached on the
rim of a cup.
11. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 9, wherein the
outer and inner receptacle covers are made of die-stamped plastic
for attachment to a standard type of styrofoam beverage cup.
12. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 8, wherein the
receptacle member is formed in a plastic top having a sip hole on
one side and a receptacle pocket on an opposite side, and a hinged
cover member having an area with perforation holes or a screen and
can be swung from one side to the other to expose and to cover the
receptacle pocket.
13. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 12, wherein the
plastic top has a lower part for attaching to the top of a plastic
beverage cup.
14. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 13, wherein the
plastic top is formed of molded plastic and the hinged cover member
is formed as a plastic element that is attached to the molded
plastic top.
15. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 8, wherein the
receptacle member is formed as a clip-on container attachment that
is mounted with a spring clasp onto the rim of a standard shaped
mug for drinking hot beverages.
16. A device for enhancing aroma according to claim 15, wherein the
container attachment has a container body and a screen top with a
swivel locking device that can be unlocked for loading a small
sample of fresh beverage material into the container body and
locked to retain the screen top in its cover position over the
container body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for
enhancing the aroma of a beverage sipped from a beverage cup, such
as for brewed coffee or tea.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The prior art has shown various types of cup devices for
enhancing a taster's experience of a brewed beverage. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,450 to DiGiorgio discloses a cup lid in which
coffee grounds are held in a containment pocket between upper and
lower filter screens for pouring hot water through and drip-brewing
coffee into the cup while retaining the grounds in the pocket near
the drinker's nose for inhaling its aroma while sipping.
[0003] Other types of devices similarly enable a tea bag or sachet
used for steeping coffee or tea in a cup to be retained in a
position on the lid where its aroma can be smelled, as described
for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,460,725, 6,464,099, 6,729,494,
6,742,670, 7,140,510, and 7,299,940, and in U.S. Published Patent
Applications 2003/0031759, 2003/0057216, 2004/0217119, and
2006/0273093. German Patent Application DE20103241 to Herbig
discloses a cup having a receptacle on top of its handle near the
rim for holding a tea or coffee bag where its aroma can be smelled.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,859 and Published Application 2008/0000921 to
Leon disclose a cup lid with perforations to allow the aroma of a
beverage inside the cup to reach the user's nose.
[0004] However, these prior devices limit the user's experience to
inhaling the smell of already steeped grounds or leaves, which is
not as flavorful as the aroma of fresh coffee grounds or fresh tea
leaves. It would be desirable to provide a device for a beverage
cup in which the user can smell the aroma of fresh coffee grounds
or tea leaves same as used to brew the beverage in the cup.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, an aroma enhancing
device for use when drinking from a beverage cup comprises a
receptacle member mountable by a mounting member on or near the rim
of the beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose when sipping a
liquid beverage from the cup, said receptacle member having a
receptacle body for holding a sample of fresh beverage material
therein and provided with a receptacle cover adapted to be opened
to expose the receptacle body to receive the sample of fresh
beverage material therein and to be closed during use of the
receptacle member when the user sips liquid beverage filled into
the cup, wherein the receptacle cover has a porous surface provided
with perforations or screen holes having a hole size small enough
to retain the fresh beverage material in the receptacle body but
porous enough to allow the aroma of the fresh beverage material to
be released therefrom during use, in order to thereby allow the
user to smell the aroma of the fresh beverage material held in the
receptacle member mounted by the mounting member in proximity to
the user's nose while sipping the liquid beverage filled into the
cup. The invention also encompasses the related method of using the
receptacle member and mounting member for enhancing aroma when a
user sips liquid beverage filled into a cup.
[0006] In a first embodiment of the aroma enhancing device, the
receptacle member is formed as a two-part lid for a cup. An outer
receptacle cover has a sip hole formed through the cover on one
side and a covering portion on an opposite side of the cover. An
inner receptacle cover has a matching sip hole similarly formed
through it on one side and a receptacle pocket on an opposite side.
The receptacle pocket is used to hold a small amount of fresh
beverage material. The covering portion of the outer receptacle
cover has perforations (or a screen mesh) over an area that
overlies the receptacle pocket of the inner receptacle body. The
perforations (or screen holes) allow the user to smell the aroma of
fresh beverage material in the receptacle pocket while sipping
liquid beverage in the cup through the aligned sip holes.
[0007] In a second embodiment of the aroma enhancing device, a
plastic top is formed with a sip hole on one side and a receptacle
pocket on an opposite side, and a hinged cover member that can be
swung from one side to the other. The hinged cover member has an
area perforated with through-holes for releasing the aroma of fresh
beverage material held in the receptacle pocket. The plastic top
has a lower part for attaching to the top of a plastic beverage
cup. When a sample of fresh beverage material is placed in the
receptacle pocket, the hinged cover member is swung to the side
covering the receptacle pocket. The end of the hinged cover member
has a clasp which snaps over the outer edge of the plastic top to
retain the hinged cover member in the covering position.
[0008] In a third embodiment of the aroma enhancing device, a
clip-on container attachment is mounted with a spring clasp onto
the rim of a standard shaped mug for drinking hot beverages. The
container attachment has a container body and a screen top with a
swivel locking device that can be unlocked for loading a small
sample of fresh beverage material into the container body and
locked to retain the screen top in its cover position over the
container body.
[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be explained in the following detailed description
of the invention having reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1A to 1C show a first embodiment of the aroma
enhancing device of the present invention in the form of a two-part
lid for a cup.
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B show top views of the outer receptacle cover
and inner receptacle body, respectively, of the two-part lid of the
first embodiment.
[0012] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a second embodiment of the
aroma-enhancing device in the form of a plastic lid as the
receptacle member.
[0013] FIGS. 4A to 4D show the progression of swinging the hinged
cover member to expose the sip hole and cover the receptacle pocket
after fresh beverage material is loaded into it.
[0014] FIGS. 5A to 5E show a third embodiment of the aroma
enhancing device formed as a clip-on container attachment to a
standard shaped mug for drinking hot beverages.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0015] In the following detailed description of the invention,
certain preferred embodiments are described in order to provide
specific details of examples of their implementation. However, it
is to be recognized that the detailed examples are provided for
purposes of illustration only and not in any way limiting the scope
of the disclosed principles of the invention.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a first embodiment of the
aroma enhancing device has a receptacle member formed as a two-part
lid for a cup including an outer receptacle cover 10 with annular
walls 10a (with truncated cone cross-section) that fit onto similar
annular walls 20a of an inner receptacle body 20. The outer
receptacle cover 10 has a standard type of crescent-shaped sip hole
10b formed through the cover on one side (left side of the figure)
and a covering portion 10c on an opposite side (right side of the
figure) of the cover. The inner receptacle body has a matching sip
hole 20b similarly formed through it on one side and a receptacle
pocket 20c on an opposite side therefrom. The outer receptacle
cover 10 is shaped with an upper surface contour similar to that of
the inner receptacle body 20 so that the two parts can nest tightly
together when positioned one on top of the other. The receptacle
pocket is sized to hold a small amount of fresh beverage material
22, such as fresh coffee grounds or fresh tea leaves.
[0017] As shown in top views in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the outer
receptacle cover 10 is formed with a ridge 10d that is offset from
its center axis and provides a lip space on one side of the sip
hole 10b. The ridge 10d is used to align the outer receptacle cover
10 with a similar ridge 20d formed on one side of the sip hole 20b
of the inner receptacle body. The covering portion 10c of the outer
receptacle cover 10 is formed with perforations 10e (or a screen
mesh) over an area that overlies the receptacle pocket 20c of the
inner receptacle body 20. The perforations (or screen holes) have a
hole size small enough to retain the fresh beverage material in the
receptacle pocket during use.
[0018] A bottom skirt 20e is provided on a lower part of the inner
receptacle body 20. The bottom skirt 20e is a mounting member that
fits tightly in a spill-proof manner onto the rim of a cup 25 of a
standard size matched to the dimensions of the two-part lid. With
the outer and inner receptacle parts nested tightly together, the
covering portion 10c covers the receptacle pocket 20c on one side,
and the sip holes 10b, 20b are aligned and mated together on the
other side so that the user can sip through the two-part lid
without dribbling. While sipping through the aligned sip holes on
one side, the user's nose is positioned in proximity to the
perforated receptacle cover for the receptacle pocket to allow the
aroma of the fresh beverage material therein to be smelled.
[0019] The cup may be of a standard type formed of insulated
paperboard or styrofoam for hot beverages. The outer and inner
receptacle parts can be formed from die-stamped plastic material as
is standard for disposable covers in the fast food industry. As an
alternative, the sip hole for the outer receptacle cover may be
formed as an openable, hinged tab that exposes a sip aperture, and
can be re-seated to cover the sip aperture to prevent spilling
while carrying the cup. The sip hole for the inner receptacle body
in this case is die-cut and removed to expose the inner sip
hole.
[0020] The covering portion 10c of the outer receptacle cover 10
has perforations or screen holes of a pore or hole size small
enough to retain the fresh beverage material in the receptacle body
but porous enough to allow the aroma of the fresh beverage material
to be released therefrom during use. For retaining either fresh
coffee grounds or tea leaves in the receptacle pocket, the porous
surface of the covering portion can be a wire or plastic screen
mesh with perforations or mesh holes of a size of about 1.0 mm (100
mesh holes per sq. cm) or smaller. For a cup lid to be used only
for tea beverages, the perforations or mesh holes may be larger
such as about 2.0 mm (50 mesh/sq.cm).
[0021] For use of the aroma-enhancing method and device for coffee,
a user (or purveyor) first grinds fresh coffee beans for the type
of coffee beverage to be made. A portion of the fresh coffee
grounds is kept aside in a closed container to retain freshness,
while the remainder is used to brew the coffee beverage. To prepare
an aroma-enhancing cup, the user or purveyor places a small sample
of the fresh coffee grounds that have been retained into the
receptacle pocket of an inner receptacle cover, then covers it with
a matched outer receptacle cover. After brewed coffee has been
filled into the cup, the mated receptacle cover (inner and outer
covers nested together) is mounted onto the rim of the cup. As the
user sips coffee from the aligned sip hole of the cover, the aroma
from the sample of fresh coffee grounds held in the receptacle
pocket can be inhaled.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a second embodiment of the
aroma enhancing device has a plastic top 30 formed with annular
walls 30a, a sip hole 30b, a receptacle pocket 30c, and a hinged
cover member 30d. The hinged cover member 30d has an area
perforated with perforation holes or a screen 30e for releasing the
aroma of fresh beverage material held in the receptacle pocket 30c.
In FIG. 3A, the hinged cover member 30d is on the side covering the
sip hole 30b and exposing the receptacle pocket 30c so that a
sample of fresh beverage material 32 can be filled in. Shown in
side view in FIG. 3B, taken along view lines B-B in FIG. 3A, the
plastic top 30 is attached to the top of a plastic beverage cup 35
by a threaded lower skirt 30f which mates with a threaded rim 35a
of the cup 35. The fitted plastic top can thus be screwed into the
threaded rim of the cup to cover the cup after brewed beverage has
been poured in.
[0023] A sample of fresh beverage material can be placed in the
receptacle pocket 30c when the hinged cover member 30d is swung to
the side covering the sip hole and exposing the receptacle pocket.
The hinged cover member 30d can then be swung to the opposite side
to cover the receptacle pocket. In FIG. 4A, the plastic top 30 is
shown with its hinged cover member 30d swung to the opposite side
so that it covers the receptacle pocket 30c and exposes the sip
hole 30b. FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D, taken along view lines B-B in FIG.
4A, show the progression of swinging the hinged cover member 30d to
cover the receptacle pocket 30c after a sample of fresh beverage
material is loaded into it. In its covering position, the
perforated or screen area 30e of the hinged cover member 30d
overlies and covers the open end of the receptacle pocket 30c. The
end of the hinged cover member 30d has a clasp 30g which snaps over
a ridge on the outer edge of the annular walls 30a of the plastic
top to retain the hinged cover member in the covering position over
the receptacle pocket. The plastic top can be formed as a single
piece by injection molding, and the hinged cover member can be
formed as a separate plastic element and attached to the plastic
top by a snap-in groove or detent tabs.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E, a third embodiment of the aroma
enhancing device is formed as a clip-on container attachment 50 to
a standard shaped mug for drinking hot beverages. It has a
container body 50a covered by a screen top 50b and a flexible
spring-type clasp 50c for attaching onto the rim of the mug. The
screen top 50b has a swivel locking device 50d that can be unlocked
for loading a small sample of fresh beverage material into the
container body 50a, and locked to retain the screen top 50b in its
cover position over the container body, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B
to 5E. The container attachment is mounted by the spring clasp 50c
onto the rim of the mug in a position of about 90 degrees from the
mug handle, so that as the user sips liquid beverage from the mug
at an opposite side from the attachment position (270 degrees), the
user's nose is in proximity to the container to smell the aroma of
the fresh beverage material in the container.
[0025] In summary, the aroma-enhancing method and device seeks to
enhance the aroma that a brewed beverage drinker will smell while
drinking a cup of freshly brewed beverage, such as coffee or tea.
The receptacle member is used to hold a small sample of the fresh
beverage material, such as fresh coffee grounds or tea leaves. The
porous covering top retains the fresh beverage material in the
receptacle, while allowing the aroma to be released. The receptacle
with the sample of freshly ground coffee or tea leaves is mounted
on the rim or lid of the cup where the drinker's nose will be in
close proximity to smell the aroma of the fresh grounds or tea
leaves while the drinker sips from the cup. The aroma of the fresh
grounds or tea leaves is stronger and more flavorful than already
steeped grounds or leaves, and therefore provides the drinker with
a richer flavorful experience.
[0026] It is understood that many modifications and variations may
be devised given the above description of the principles of the
invention. It is intended that all such modifications and
variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of this
invention, as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *