U.S. patent application number 13/677528 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for drinking vessel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeff Steininger. Invention is credited to Jeff Steininger.
Application Number | 20140131230 13/677528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50680645 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140131230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steininger; Jeff |
May 15, 2014 |
Drinking Vessel
Abstract
A drinking vessel is described, and which includes a container
defining a neck region, and having an internal cavity which
encloses a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a removable cover
which has a drinking passageway, and which extends therethrough,
and wherein the removable cover releasably mates with the
container; and a foraminous container for enclosing a food product,
and which is releasably coupled to the removable cover, and which
is received in the internal cavity of the container, and wherein
source of the liquid passes through the food product before exiting
the container by way of the drinking passageway.
Inventors: |
Steininger; Jeff; (St.
Mary's, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Steininger; Jeff |
St. Mary's |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50680645 |
Appl. No.: |
13/677528 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/221 ;
215/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2205
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/221 ;
215/6 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A drinking vessel, comprising: a container defining an internal
cavity, and having a neck which communicates with the internal
cavity; a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with
the neck of the container, and which further has a drinking
passageway formed therein, and wherein the removable cover has an
inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface; and a foraminous
enclosure having an internal cavity, and which is releasably
coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the removable cover, and
which is further inserted through the neck, and into the internal
cavity of the container, when the removable cover is releasably
coupled to the container.
2. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:
a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at least in
part, within the internal cavity which is defined by the foraminous
enclosure, and wherein the porous main body is located, at least in
part, between the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and
the neck of the container, and wherein the drinking passageway
communicates in fluid flowing relationship relative to the porous
main body of the strainer.
3. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising:
a source of a food product which is deposited and enclosed within
the internal cavity of the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the
internal cavity of the container encloses a source of a liquid to
be consumed, and wherein the source of the liquid passes out from
the internal cavity of the container, and through the foraminous
container, where the source of liquid comes into immediate contact
with the source of the food product which is enclosed within the
foraminous container, and wherein the source of liquid then passes
through the strainer, and out through the drinking passageway.
4. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the
container is defined by a sidewall which has an inside facing
surface, and an outside facing surface, and wherein the inside
facing surface defines the internal cavity of the container, and
the outside facing surface of the container, in the region of the
neck, has a screw thread formed therein, and which facilitates the
releasable, coupling of the removable cover to the container.
5. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the
removable cover has a peripheral edge, and wherein a first
circumscribing sidewall depends downwardly from the peripheral
edge, and which has an inside facing, and an outside facing
surface, and wherein a screw thread is defined by the inside facing
surface of the first circumscribing sidewall, and which is operable
to matingly, threadably cooperate with the screw thread that is
defined by the outside facing surface of the container so as to
facilitate the releasable coupling of the removable cover with the
neck of the container.
6. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the
removable cover further has a second depending, and circumscribing
sidewall which extends downwardly from the inside facing surface of
the removable cover, and which is further spaced radially,
inwardly, relative to the first, circumscribing sidewall that
depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the removable
cover, and wherein the second, depending sidewall has an inside
facing surface which defines a screw thread, and which is operable
to matingly, screwthreadably engage, and secure the foraminous
enclosure to the removable cover.
7. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the source
of the food product comprises a multiplicity of small particles of
the food product, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer
defines an internal cavity, and wherein the porous main body of the
strainer is telescopingly received within the internal cavity which
is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the porous main
body of the strainer has a bottom surface, which has formed
therein, a multiplicity of apertures which individually inhibit the
passage of the small food particles, which form a part of the
source of the food product, from moving into the internal cavity of
the porous main body, of the strainer, and which further allows the
source of the fluid to pass therethrough, and wherein the porous
main body of the strainer further includes a circumscribing flange
member which has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and which
facilitates the passage of the source of the liquid,
therethrough.
8. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the
drinking passageway is telescopingly received, at least in part,
within the internal cavity which is defined by the porous main body
of the strainer, and wherein the circumscribing flange member which
forms a part of the main body of the strainer, defines, at least in
part, a passageway which allows the source of the fluid passing
through the respective apertures formed in the circumscribing
flange member to move between the inwardly facing surface of the
removable cover, and then travel, and be received into the internal
cavity which is defined by the porous main body of the
strainer.
9. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the
circumscribing flange member which is made integral with the porous
main body of the strainer further includes a circumscribing rib
member which spaces the inside facing surface of the removable
cover a predetermined distance from the circumscribing flange
member so as to define the passageway, and which further
facilitates the passing of the source of the fluid between the
inside facing surface of the removable cover, and the
circumscribing flange member, and then into the internal cavity
which is defined by the porous main body of the strainer.
10. A drinking vessel, comprising: a container defining an internal
cavity, and which encloses a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and
wherein the container is defined by a sidewall having an inside
facing surface, and which further defines the internal cavity, and
an outside facing surface, and wherein the sidewall of the
container forms, at least in part, a neck, and wherein the neck
further defines an aperture which allows access to the internal
cavity of the container, and wherein the outside facing surface of
the neck further defines an outwardly facing engagement member; a
removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of
the container, and which further selectively occludes the aperture
defined by the neck, and wherein the removable cover further has a
drinking passageway formed therein, and which has a first, and a
second end, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly and an
outwardly facing surface, and wherein the engagement member which
is made integral with the neck matingly cooperates with the inside
facing surface of the removable cover; a source of a food product
which is formed from a multiplicity of small, solid matter pieces,
and which further has a portion which can be mixed with the source
of the fluid, and which is enclosed within the internal cavity of
the container; a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity,
and wherein the source of the food product is enclosed within the
internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and
wherein the foraminous enclosure has an end, which is releasably
coupled to the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and
wherein the foraminous enclosure is sized so as to pass through the
aperture defined by the neck of the container, and be received, at
least in part, within the internal cavity defined by the container;
and a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at
least in part, within the internal cavity that is defined by the
foraminous enclosure, and which communicates in fluid flowing
relation relative to the internal cavity of the container, and
wherein the porous main body of the strainer has a flange member
which is captured, at least in part, between the foruaminous
container, and the inside facing surface of the removable cover,
and which further secures the porous main body of the strainer
within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous
enclosure.
11. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the
internal cavity of the container has a predetermined volume, and
the foraminous container, has a volume which is less than about 50%
of the volume of the internal cavity of the container.
12. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the
source of the fluid passes from the internal cavity of the
container, and into the internal cavity of the foraminous
container, and wherein the portion of the food product which can be
mixed with the source of liquid comingles with source of the liquid
to form a comingled solution, and which then passes through the
strainer, and is received within the drinking passageway for
dispensing.
13. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the
flange member of the strainer has an inside, and an outside facing
surface, and wherein a multiplicity of apertures are formed in the
flange member, and which permits the source of the fluid to pass
therethrough, and wherein the flange member further includes a
circumscribing rib which is made integral with the outside facing
surface of the flange member, and which is operable to engage the
inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which locates the
outside facing surface of the flange in spaced relation relative to
the inside facing surface of the removable cover so as to define a
resulting passageway therebetween, and wherein the resulting
passageway defined between the removable cover, and the flange
member allows the source of the fluid to pass through the apertures
formed in the flange member, and along the passageway for receipt
into the porous main body of the strainer.
14. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the
removable cover has a peripheral edge, and wherein a first
circumscribing sidewall depends downwardly from the peripheral
edge, and which further has an inside facing, and an outside facing
surface, and wherein the inside facing surface is operable to
matingly, cooperate with the engagement member which is made
integral with the outside facing surface of the container so as to
facilitate the releasable coupling of the removable cover with the
neck of the container.
15. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the
porous main body of the strainer defines an internal cavity, and
wherein the porous main body of the strainer is telescopingly
received within the internal cavity which is defined by the
foraminous enclosure, and wherein the porous main body of the
strainer has a bottom surface, which has formed therein, a
multiplicity of apertures which individually inhibit the passage of
the small, solid matter pieces, which form a part of the source of
the food product, from moving into the internal cavity of the
porous main body, and which further allows the source of the fluid,
and the comingled solution to pass therethrough.
16. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the
strainer further includes a multiplicity of longitudinally
extending, and radially oriented spacing components, which are made
integral with outside facing surface of the porous main body of the
strainer, and the inside facing surface of the flange member, and
wherein the spacing components substantially centrally orient the
porous main body of the strainer within the internal cavity as
defined by the foraminous container.
17. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the
removable cover further has a second depending, and circumscribing
sidewall which extends downwardly from the inside facing surface of
the removable cover, and which is further spaced radially,
inwardly, relative to the first, circumscribing sidewall that
depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the removable
cover, and wherein the second circumscribing sidewall is operable
to matingly, engage, and releasably secure the foraminous enclosure
to the removable cover.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking vessel, and more
specifically to a drinking vessel which is useful for enclosing a
source of a fluid to be dispensed, and which further receives, and
encloses a solid food product within the drinking vessel, and which
is additively combined, at least in part, to the source of the
fluid which is dispensed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Drinking vessels, and more specifically, personal hydration
bottles, are used widely by consumers to dispense various aqueous
based consumable drinks. Such hydration bottles have been used to
dispense, for example, water, energy drinks, soft drinks,
fruit/vegetable juices, and assorted other stimulant beverages.
[0003] As of late, it has become quite popular for consumers to
consume various types of so-called energy drinks. These drinks may
include various water-based constituent elements which are used to
replace vitamins, minerals, and various body nutrients, such as
sodium, and which may have been lost while a consumer was engaged
in vigorous athletic activities, or other events. Additionally,
many health conscious consumers have been looking for various means
for consuming ever increasing amounts of water, and other aqueous
based drinks, to improve their health, and day-to-day living. Many
consumers may have two or more hydration bottles which may be left
at various locations so that they have ready access to water or
another aqueous-based drinks during their day-to-day activities.
The prior art hydration bottles typically utilized by consumers are
usually fabricated from thermo-moldable plastics, and sometimes,
stainless steel or the like.
[0004] While these various hydration bottles and drinking
containers which have been fabricated in the past have operated
with varying degrees of success, they have shortcomings which have
detracted from their usefulness. Chief among the shortcomings
associated with the prior art hydration or other drinking vessel
designs is the propensity for such containers, or vessels, to
sometimes change the flavor of the liquid or fluid, which is to be
dispensed, in a manner which is unsatisfactory to the consumer. For
example, in the case of hydration bottles or other drinking vessels
fabricated from synthetic polymers of various types, such
containers, on occasion, may absorb a small portion of a previous
liquid drink that was stored in the vessel. The taste of this
previous drink is then imparted to the new drink which is stored in
the container. Moreover, if the drink is stored for a significant
period of time in the container, consumers often sense that the
flavor of the drink is now somewhat stale, or altered, and not as
refreshing as when it was first poured into the hydration bottle or
drinking vessel.
[0005] Attempts have been made in the prior art to alter, change,
or somewhat freshen the taste of various aqueous based drinks in
order to remove the effects that the storage container has on the
drink, or further due to the flavor of the drink as it was
delivered to the container. For example, tap water from some
municipal supplies, often has an undesirable taste. Such efforts to
alter the taste of a liquid or fluid have included the addition of
various fruits, and/or vegetables including limes, oranges,
cucumbers, and the like to the water. The addition of these fruits
and/or vegetables sometimes significantly changes the taste of the
water so that it is much more pleasing and palatable to a consumer.
Typically, in the case of consumers using hydration bottles, often
this water is prepared in a pitcher or other container where the
fruits and/or vegetables are added. Thereafter, the water is then
delivered into a hydration bottle, as needed. Usually, the fruit
and/or vegetables are not added to the hydration bottle because of
the difficulties associated with the later removal of the fruit
and/or vegetable material after use from the inside of the
container or bottle. However, in the case where a consumer might
repeatedly refill a hydration bottle during a day's activities,
water which may have been otherwise prepared by being exposed or
treated with various fruits and/or vegetables, quickly is depleted
and subsequent water added to the container will often not have
that same flavorful and refreshing taste.
[0006] Therefore, a hydration bottle which addresses these and
other shortcomings in the prior art containers which have been
utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a
drinking vessel which includes a container defining an internal
cavity, and having a neck which communicates with the internal
cavity; a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with
the neck of the container, and which further has a drinking
passageway formed therein, and wherein the removable cover has an
inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface; and a foraminous
enclosure having an internal cavity, and which is releasably
coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the removable cover, and
which is further inserted through the neck, and into the internal
cavity of the container, when the removable cover is releasably
coupled to the container.
[0008] Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a
drinking vessel which includes a container defining an internal
cavity, and which encloses a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and
wherein the container is defined by a sidewall having an inside
facing surface, and which further defines the internal cavity, and
an outside facing surface, and wherein the sidewall of the
container forms, at least in part, a neck, and wherein the neck
further defines an aperture which allows access to the internal
cavity of the container, and wherein the outside facing surface of
the neck defines an outwardly facing engagement member; a removable
cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of the
container, and which further selectively occludes the aperture
defined by the neck, and wherein the removable cover further has a
drinking passageway formed therein, and which has a first, and a
second end, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly, and an
outwardly facing surface, and wherein the engagement member which
is made integral with the neck matingly cooperates with the inside
facing surface of the removable cover; a source of a food product
which is formed from a multiplicity of small, solid matter pieces,
and which further has a portion which can be mixed with the source
of the fluid which is enclosed within the internal cavity of the
container; a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity, and
wherein the source of the food product is enclosed within the
internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and
wherein the foraminous enclosure has an end which is releasably
coupled to the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and
wherein the foraminous enclosure is sized so as to pass through the
aperture defined by the neck of the container, and be received, at
least in part, within the internal cavity defined by the container;
and a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at
least in part, within the internal cavity that is defined by the
foraminous enclosure, and which communicates in fluid flowing
relation relative to the internal cavity of the container, and
wherein the porous main body has a flange member which is captured,
at least in part, between the foraminous container, and the inside
facing surface of the removable cover, and which further secures
the porous main body of the strainer within the internal cavity
that is defined by the foraminous enclosure.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described, below,
with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the drinking vessel of
the present invention and which is shown in an assembled
arrangement, and with some underlying surfaces shown in phantom
lines.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view taken
from a position along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded, side elevation view of a foraminous
container; strainer, and removable cover, all of which form
individual features of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a removable cover which forms a
feature of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the
removable cover which forms a feature of the present invention, and
which is taken from a position along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a strainer which forms
a feature of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a bottom, plan view of a strainer which forms one
feature of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of an
assembled combination of a foraminous container; strainer; and
removable cover, all of which form individual features of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 depicts the structure as seen in FIG. 8, and which
further illustrates a source of food product enclosed within the
foraminous container.
[0020] FIG. 10 depicts a greatly enlarged, partial, longitudinal,
sectional view of the structure as seen in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] This disclosure of the present invention is submitted in
furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. patent laws
"to promote the progress of science and useful arts." (Article I,
Section 8).
[0022] Turning now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the drinking
vessel of the present invention is generally indicated by the
numeral 10, therein. More specifically, the drinking vessel 10
includes a container 11 which has a main body 12, and which is
defined by a sidewall 13. The sidewall has an outside facing
surface 14, and an opposite inside facing surface 15. The inside
facing surface further defines an internal cavity which is
generally indicated by the numeral 20. Still further, the main body
12 has a first end 21, and a second end 22, which defines, at least
in part, a neck region. A bottom surface 23 is attached to the
sidewall 13, and forms a substantially leak-proof container 11.
Still further, the neck region, or second end 22, defines an
aperture 24 which permits access to the internal cavity of the
container 20. Additionally, a screw thread 25 or other engagement
member, is formed in the outside facing surface 14 of the neck
region 22 of the container 11. The screw thread or engagement
member 25 is operable to releasably, matingly couple the container
11 to a removable cover, and which will be discussed in greater
detail, hereinafter. The internal cavity 20, of the container 11,
encloses a source of a liquid to be dispensed, and which is
generally indicated by the numeral 26, in FIG. 1, and
following.
[0023] The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention includes a
removable cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck
22 of the container 11. The removable cover is defined by a main
body 31, and which has a peripheral edge 32, and which further has
opposite, inside and outside facing surfaces 33 and 34,
respectfully. Additionally, a drinking passageway 35 is formed
therein, and extends therethrough. The drinking passageway has a
first end 36, and an opposite, second end 37.
[0024] The removable cover 30, as earlier disclosed, has a drinking
passageway 35. The drinking passageway 35 is defined by a sidewall
that is generally indicated by the numeral 40. As seen in FIG. 2,
and following, the sidewall 40 has formed therein liquid intake
apertures 41, which are located near the first end 36, of the
drinking passageway 35. Still further, the drinking passageway 35
has a liquid exhaust aperture 42, and through which the source of
the liquid 26 passes out from, and which can then be consumed by a
user, not shown. Additionally, and as seen in FIG. 2, the drinking
passageway 35 is defined, at least in part, by a central sealing
post 43, and which extends from the first end 36, and in the
direction of the second end 37. The central sealing post has a
first end 44, which is located near the first end 36 of the
drinking passageway 35, and a remote, second end 45, which extends
outwardly relative to the second end 37. As seen in the drawings, a
moveable end cap 46 is operable to matingly engage, and cooperate
with, the drinking passageway 35. The moveable end cap 46 has a
passageway formed therein (not shown), and through which the
central sealing post 43 may extend. By longitudinally moving the
moveable end cap 46 relative to the central sealing post 43, the
moveable end cap 46 is operable to open or close the drinking
passageway 35. This particular arrangement is well known in the
art, and a further discussion regarding its features, are not
warranted.
[0025] As seen by studying FIG. 5, and following, the removable
cover 50 includes a first circumscribing sidewall 50, which depends
downwardly from the peripheral edge 32, and which further has an
inside facing surface 51, and an outside facing surface 52. As seen
in the drawings, the first circumscribing sidewall has a screw
thread 53, formed on the inside facing surface 51, and which is
operable to matingly, threadably cooperate with the screw thread or
engagement member 25 that is defined by the outside facing surface
of the container 11 so as to facilitate the releasable coupling of
the removable cover 30, with the neck 22 of the container 11.
Additionally, and as seen in the drawings mentioned, above, the
removable cover 30 further has a second, depending, and
circumscribing sidewall 60, which extends downwardly from the
inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and which is
further spaced radially, inwardly, relative to the first
circumscribing sidewall 50, and which depends downwardly relative
to the peripheral edge 32 of the removable cover 30. The second,
depending sidewall 60 has an outside facing surface 61, and an
opposite, inside facing surface 62. The inside facing surface 62
defines a screw thread 63, and which is operable to matingly,
screwthreadably engage, and secure a foraminous enclosure to the
removable cover 30. The foraminous disclosure will be discussed in
greater detail in the paragraphs which follow. Additionally, and as
seen in the drawings, mentioned, above, a gap 64 is defined between
the outside facing surface 61, of the second depending
circumscribing sidewall 60, and the inside facing surface 51 of the
first circumscribing sidewall 50. As seen in the drawings, this gap
64 provides a convenient location for receiving an O-ring resilient
seal 65, therein. The O-ring seal 65 provides a means for sealably
securing the removable cover 30 to the container 11 in a manner
well known in the art. Additionally, and as will be recognized in
the drawings, a gap 67 is defined between the inside facing surface
33 of the removable cover 30, and the top of the screw threads 63,
which are formed in the inside facing surface 62 of the second
depending, circumscribing sidewall 60. This gap 67 is operable to
receive, at least in part, a portion of a strainer and which will
be also be discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs which
follow.
[0026] The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention further
includes a foraminous enclosure 70, which is formed of a main body
71, and which further has a first end 72, and an opposite second
end 73. A bottom surface 74 is located at the second end 73, and
which is sealably coupled to a generally upstanding foraminous
sidewall 75. The sidewall 75 has a multiplicity of foramens or
apertures formed therein and which allows the source of the liquid
26 to pass therethrough. The foraminous sidewall 75 has an inside
facing surface 80, and an outside facing surface 81. The inside
facing surface 80 defines the internal cavity 76 of the foraminous
enclosure 70. Additionally, the foraminous sidewall 75, at the
second end 73, defines a neck region 82. The neck region 82 forms
an aperture 83 through which a source of food products, as will be
described below, pass so as to be received within the internal
cavity 76 of the main body 71. Additionally, and as will be seen in
the drawings, a circumscribing rib 84 is affixed to the outside
facing surface 81 of the foraminous sidewall 75, and provides a
convenient means for limiting the screwthreadable advancing
movement of the main body 71, as it is moved into screwthreadable
engagement with a removable cover 30, as will be described, below.
Additionally, and as will be seen in the drawings, a screwthread 85
is formed in the outwardly facing surface 81 of the foraminous
sidewall 75, and which is located at the second end 73. This
screwthread 85, is operable to threadably mate and cooperatively
engage the screw threads 63, which are formed on the inside facing
surface 62 of the second depending and circumscribing sidewall 60,
and which is further made integral with the removable cover 30. As
noted above, the internal cavity 76, of the main body 71, is
operable to receive a source of food products, as will be described
in the paragraphs, below.
[0027] The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention further
includes a strainer, which is generally indicated by the numeral
90. The strainer has a porous main body 91, which has a first end
92, and an opposite second end 93. The porous main body is defined
by an outside facing surface 94, and an opposite inside facing
surface 95. The inside facing surface 95 defines an internal cavity
96. The porous main body 91 is located, at least in part, between
the inside facing surface 33, of the removable cover 30, and the
second end of the foraminous container 70, and wherein the drinking
passageway 35 communicates in fluid flowing relative to the porous
main body 91, as will be described below.
[0028] The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention, as
described above, includes the strainer 90. The strainer, as earlier
described, has a porous main body 91, and which has a bottom
surface 100, which is further located within the internal cavity
76, as defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The bottom surface
of the porous main body 91 has formed therein a multiplicity of
apertures 101, which have a given size, and which further permits
the passage of the source of the liquid 26, therethrough, but
otherwise prohibits the passage of large portions, or significantly
sized particles of a food product, as will be described in greater
detail, below. The strainer 90 further includes a circumscribing
flange member 102, which is located at the second end 93 of the
porous main body. The flange member 102 has a top surface 103, and
an opposite bottom surface 104. Still further, a plurality of
apertures 105 are formed in the circumscribing flange member 102,
and extend therethrough, and which further permit the source of the
liquid 26 to pass therethrough. Additionally, and as seen in the
drawings, it will be noted that a circumscribing rib member 110 is
mounted on the top surface of the circumscribing flange 102 and
extends upwardly therefrom. The circumscribing rib 110 is operable
to engage the inside facing surface 33, of the removable cover 30,
so as to space the top surface 103 a predetermined distance from
the inside facing surface 33 to provide a gap or passageway 111,
which allows for the movement of the source of liquid 26
therebetween, and be received back into the internal cavity 96, as
defined by the porous main body 91 (FIG. 10). Additionally, and as
seen in the drawings, the strainer 90 has a multiplicity of
longitudinally extending spacer components 112, (FIGS. 6 and 10)
and which are mounted on the outside facing surface 94, of the
porous main body, and which further have a portion which is
attached to the bottom surface 104 of the circumscribing flange
102. The multiplicity of longitudinally extending spacing
components 91 are individually operable to position the porous main
body 91, substantially centrally within the internal cavity 76
which is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. Therefore, it will
be seen by studying the drawings that the strainer 90 has a porous
main body 91, which is received, at least in part, within the
internal cavity 76, as defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The
porous main body communicates in fluid flowing relation relative to
the internal cavity 20, as defined by the container 11. As
illustrated, the porous main body has a circumscribing flange
member 102, which is captured, at least in part, between the
foraminous enclosure 70, and the inside facing surface 33 of the
removable cover 30. This relationship secures the porous main body
of the strainer 91 within the internal cavity 76 and which is
defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. As earlier described, the
foraminous enclosure 70 releasably, screwthreadably, and matingly
couples to the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover
30.
[0029] As illustrated in the drawings, the foraminous enclosure 70
is operable to receive, within the internal cavity 76, a source of
a food product 120, and through which the source of the liquid to
be dispensed 26, passes through, and comingles with, before being
received in the drinking passageway 25. In this regard, the source
of a food product 120 may include assorted fruits and vegetables,
some of which may be put in whole, or some of which may be
segmented or divided into small portions, or particles, 121, which
are then received in the internal cavity 76 of the foraminous
enclosure. The source of the food product 120 is provided for
purposes of flavoring or otherwise additively combining a portion
of the food product, such as the juices provided by the fruit or
vegetables, to the source of the liquid 26 to be dispensed. This
portion of the food product is then mixed with the source of the
liquid to produce a comingled liquid, before it is received within
the drinking passageway 35, and then consumed by a user, not shown.
Therefore, it will be seen in this arrangement, that a user of the
drinking vessel 10 is provided with a convenient means by which the
source of the liquid that they consume can be easily tailored to
meet their tastes, and to further replenish various body fluids
which they may have lost through vigorous athletic activity, or the
like.
[0030] The source of the liquid 26, which is received within the
container 11, moves along a bifurcated path of travel from the
internal cavity 20 of the container 11. More specifically, the
bifurcated path of travel 122 includes a first course of travel
123, where the source of the liquid to be dispensed 26 moves from
the internal cavity 20, through the foraminous container 70, and
into contact with the source of the food product 120, where it is
flavored. Thereafter, the comingled or flavored source of liquid 26
moves through the strainer 90, where it is then received within the
drinking passageway 35, where it moves from the first end 36, to
the second end 37, thereof. The bifurcated path of travel 122
includes a second course of travel 124. The second course of travel
extends from the internal cavity 20 of the container 11, and into
the foraminous container or enclosure 70, where the source of the
food product 120 may flavor the source of the liquid 26 passing
therethrough. Thereafter, the flavored source of liquid moves
through the plurality of apertures 105, which are formed in the
circumscribing flange 102, which is located at the second end 93 of
the porous main body 91 of the strainer 90. Once the source of the
liquid passes through the circumscribing flange 102, the source of
the liquid then moves along the passageway 111, which is defined
between the top surface 103 of the circumscribing flange 102, and
the second, inside facing surface 33 of the removable cap 30. The
source of the liquid 26 then moves along the passageway 111, where
it is then received in the internal cavity 96, of the porous main
body 91, of the strainer 90. The source of the liquid then moves
into the first end 36 of the drinking passageway 35 where it is
then dispensed.
[0031] It should be recognized that the construction of the present
drinking vessel 10 provides many conveniences inasmuch as the
removal or screwthreadable detachment of the removable cover 30
allows the foraminous enclosure 70 to be easily retrieved from
inside of the container 11. Further, the foraminous enclosure may
be easily, screwthreadably detached from the removable cover 30,
and thereafter allows a user to easily retrieve, and clean the
strainer 90. Further, the present invention provides a convenient
means whereby the user may quickly replenish the source of the
liquid 26, and then easily reinsert the foraminous enclosure 70,
and reattach the removable cover 30 with a minimum of effort.
Operation
[0032] The operation of the described embodiment of the present
invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly
summarized at this point.
[0033] In its broadest aspect, the drinking vessel 10 of the
present invention includes a container 11 which defines an internal
cavity 20, and which further has a neck 22, which communicates with
the internal cavity 20. The drinking vessel 10 further includes a
removable cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck
22 of the container 11, and which further has a drinking passageway
35 formed therein. The removable cover 30 has an inwardly, and an
outwardly facing surface 33 and 34, respectively. The drinking
vessel 10 further includes a foraminous enclosure 70, having an
internal cavity 76. The foraminous enclosure is releasably coupled
to the inwardly facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30. The
foraminous enclosure is further inserted through the neck 22, and
into the internal cavity 20, of the container 11, and then the
removable cover 30 is releasably coupled to the container 11.
[0034] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
drinking vessel 10, and which includes the container 11. The
container 11 defines an internal cavity 20, and which encloses a
source of a fluid 26 to be dispensed. The container 11 is defined,
at least in part, by sidewall 13, having an inside facing surface
15, and an outside facing surface 14. The sidewall 13 of the
container 11 defines a neck 22. The neck 22 further defines an
aperture 24, which allows access to the internal cavity 20 of the
container 11. The outside facing surface 14, of the neck 22,
defines an outwardly facing engagement member 25, here shown as a
screw thread. The drinking vessel 10, also includes a removable
cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck 22, of the
container 11, and which further selectively occludes the aperture
24, which is defined by the neck 22. The removable cover 30 further
has a drinking passageway 35 which is formed therein, and which has
a first, and a second end 36 and 37, respectively. The removable
cover 30 has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface 33 and
34, respectively. The engagement member 25, here shown as a screw
thread, is made integral with the neck and matingly cooperates with
the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and more
specifically the first, circumscribing sidewall 50. A source of a
food product 120, which is formed from a multiplicity of small,
solid matter pieces 121, and further which has a portion, such as
juice, which can be mixed with the source of the fluid 26, is
enclosed within the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. The
drinking vessel 10 includes a foraminous enclosure 70, having an
internal cavity 76. In this arrangement, the source of the food
product 120 is received within the internal cavity 76, that is
defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The foraminous enclosure 70
has one end 73, which is releasably coupled to the inside facing
surface 33 of the removable cover 30 by means of the second,
depending and circumscribing sidewall 60. The foraminous enclosure
70 is sized so as to pass through the aperture 24, which is defined
by the neck 22 of the container 11, and be received, at least in
part, within the internal cavity defined by the container 11. The
drinking vessel 10 also includes a strainer 90, having a porous
main body 91, and which is received, at least in part, within the
internal cavity 76, which is defined by the foraminous enclosure
70, and which communicates in fluid flowing relation, relative to
the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. The porous main body 91
has a flange member 102, which is captured, at least in part,
between the foraminous enclosure 70, and the inside facing surface
33 of the removable cover 30, and which further secures the porous
main body 91 of the strainer 90 within the internal cavity 71, as
defined by the foraminous enclosure 70.
[0035] The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention, and more
specifically the internal cavity 20 of the container 11, has a
predetermined volume, and the foraminous enclosurer 70 has a volume
which is less than about 50% of the volume of the internal cavity
of the container 11. Additionally, and as should be understood from
the drawings, the source of the fluid 26 passes from the internal
cavity 20 of the container 11, and into the internal cavity 76 of
the foraminous container 70. The portion 121 of the food product
120, which can be mixed with the source of the fluid 26 commingles
with the source of the fluid 26 to form a comingled liquid solution
and which then passes through the strainer 90 and is received
within the drinking passageway 30 for dispensing to a user, not
shown. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the porous main
body 91 of the strainer 90 defines an internal cavity 96. The
porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 is telescopingly received
within the internal cavity 76, which is defined by the foraminous
enclosure 70. The porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 has a
bottom surface 104, which has formed therein a multiplicity of
apertures 105, which individually inhibit the passage of the small
solid matter pieces 121, which form a part of the source of the
food product 120 from moving into the internal cavity 96 of the
porous main body 91. This further allows the source of the fluid 26
and the comingled solution to pass therethrough, and be received in
the drinking passageway 35.
[0036] Therefore, it will be seen that the present drinking vessel
provides many advantages which are not available in the prior art.
The current drinking vessel arrangement 10 is easy to utilize.
Further the foraminous enclosure 70 is quickly filled with food
product, and further the invention provides a convenient, and very
easy means by which a user may flavor their desired drinks with
fruits and/or vegetables in a manner not possible heretofore.
[0037] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been
described in language more or less specific as to structural and
methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the specific features shown and
described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms
of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore,
claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper
scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in
accordance with the doctrine of equivalence.
* * * * *