U.S. patent application number 15/795064 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-15 for universal lid system and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mighty Leaf Tea. Invention is credited to Jill Portman, Gary Shinner.
Application Number | 20180042411 15/795064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46046871 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180042411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Portman; Jill ; et
al. |
February 15, 2018 |
UNIVERSAL LID SYSTEM AND METHODS
Abstract
A universal lid system and methods for use with any of a
selection of teapots for quick and sanitary beverage preparation.
More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system
and methods including a lid sized and shaped to facilitate the
storage of a retention element such as a tea bag. The retention
element may be held out of contact with the beverage by a retention
element stabilizing component.
Inventors: |
Portman; Jill; (San Anselmo,
CA) ; Shinner; Gary; (San Anselmo, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mighty Leaf Tea |
San Rafael |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46046871 |
Appl. No.: |
15/795064 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13292811 |
Nov 9, 2011 |
9826849 |
|
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15795064 |
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61411748 |
Nov 9, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/145 20130101;
A47G 19/14 20130101; A47J 31/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/14 20060101
A47G019/14; A47J 31/20 20060101 A47J031/20 |
Claims
1. A universal lid comprising: a lid wall comprising a non-elevated
section and an elevated storage element, the non-elevated section
includes a generally horizontal linear surface, the elevated
storage element includes one or more generally curved sloped
surfaces defining a storage space, the storage space configured to
store a retention element, a wall outlet comprising an outlet
border defining an outlet space, the wall outlet positioned on the
elevated storage element, the outlet space configured for a tag
attached to the retention element to pass through, and a tag
receptacle positioned on the lid wall, the tag receptacle including
a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle wall, the tag
receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the retention
element.
2. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the outlet
border comprises two or more arced borders.
3. The universal lid according to claim 2, wherein the two or more
arced borders form a lune-shaped outlet space.
4. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the outlet
border comprises two or more linear borders.
5. The universal lid according to claim 4, wherein the two or more
linear borders form a triangular outlet space.
6. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the non-elevated
section further comprises a second wall outlet.
7. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the elevated
storage element further comprises a second wall outlet.
8. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid wall
comprises a second elevated storage element.
9. The universal lid according to claim 8, wherein the second
elevated storage element comprises a second wall outlet.
10. The universal lid according to claim 1, wherein the tag
receptacle is positioned on the non-elevated section of the lid
wall.
11. The universal lid according to claim 1, further comprising a
closure component attached to the lid wall, the closure component
configured to releasable connect the lid wall of the universal lid
to a container.
12. The universal lid according to claim 11, wherein the container
is a teapot.
13. The universal lid according to claim 11, wherein the closure
component includes one or more male threads.
14. The universal lid according to claim 11, wherein the closure
component comprises an oblique wall.
15. A universal lid comprising: a lid wall comprising a
non-elevated section and an elevated storage element, the elevated
storage element includes one or more generally curved sloped
surfaces defining a storage space, the storage space configured to
store both a first retention element and a second retention
element, a first wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining a
first outlet space, the first wall outlet positioned on the
elevated storage element, the first outlet space configured for a
first tag attached to the first retention element to pass through,
and a second wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining a
second outlet space, the second wall outlet positioned on the
elevated storage element, the second outlet space configured for a
second tag attached to the second retention element to pass
through.
16. The universal lid according to claim 15 further comprising a
tag receptacle positioned on the lid wall, the tag receptacle
including a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle wall, the
tag receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the retention
element.
17. The universal lid according to claim 16, wherein the tag
receptacle is positioned on the non-elevated section of the lid
wall.
18. A universal lid comprising: a lid wall comprising a
non-elevated section and two or more elevated storage elements,
each elevated storage element comprising a storage space configured
to store a retention element, each of the two or more elevated
storage elements further comprising a wall outlet comprising an
outlet border defining an outlet space configured for a tag
attached to the retention element to pass through.
19. The universal lid according to claim 18 further comprising two
or more tag receptacles positioned on the lid wall, each tag
receptacle including a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle
wall, each tag receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the
retention element.
20. The universal lid according to claim 18, further comprising a
closure component attached to the lid wall, the closure component
configured to releasable connect the lid wall of the universal lid
to a teapot.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/292,811 filed Nov. 9, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/411,748 filed Nov. 9, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to a system and methods by
which a beverage or other liquid may be prepared and dispensed
quickly and sanitarily. More particularly, the invention relates to
a universal lid system and methods that are designed to facilitate
the preparation of a beverage using retention elements such as tea
bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many beverages are prepared by allowing a composition to
come in contact with a liquid for a sufficiently long period of
time so that the characteristics such as flavoring, sweetening,
and/or coloring components from the composition go into solution.
For example, certain types of tea are prepared by placing the
leaves or other portions of the plant Camillia sinensis in water
for a sufficiently long period of time so that the desirable
soluble components from the plant material enter the liquid through
the process called infusion. Other types of "tea"--also known as
herbal tea, tisane, or ptisan--are made by using portions of
plants--such as fresh or dried flowers, fruit, twigs, seeds, or
roots--other than that from the Camillia sinensis bush. The
beverage coffee is made by allowing dried and ground coffee
beans--that is, the seeds of the Coffea arabica or Coffea canephora
var. robusta plant or another species of the genus Coffea--to come
into contact with a liquid. For purposes of this application, the
many types of beverages that can be made from plant
material--regardless of the source of the plant material--will be
generically termed "tea" and the plant material--regardless the
type or source of the material--will be generically termed
"leaves". Tea is typically prepared using a liquid such as water,
although other starting substances that are used in combination
with the tea (collectively termed "starting substance") are
contemplated. For purposes of this application, the term "water"
will mean any starting substance.
[0004] Historically, water was combined with the leaves from which
the tea was to be made--such as putting the leaves into the water
or by pouring the water onto the leaves. The water was then
decanted and/or the leaves and water were separated by straining
the leaves from the water to produce a beverage for service. The
vessel or container--within which the leaves were placed and the
leaves and water were mixed to produce tea for service--is commonly
known as a "teapot". For purposes of this application, the term
"teapot" will mean any size, shape, or type of container in which a
beverage of any type or source may be prepared and/or served.
[0005] To facilitate the separation of the leaves and the water, a
variety of components and devices were developed. These devices and
components will be generally identified in this application as a
"separator". One type of separator is a device that allowed the
leaves to be strained from the water. In some cases, such
"strainers" were used with teapots or added to teapots. Strainers
added to teapots included narrowed areas of the spouts of the
teapots that prevented the leaves from being discharged from the
teapot when the beverage was served. Strainers included also
filtering structures positioned near the teapot spout area that
were intended to catch the leaves but allow the beverage to be
poured.
[0006] Other devices that facilitated the straining of leaves from
water were not fixed to the teapot. With time, a wide variety of
separators were developed that could retain leaves yet were
sufficiently porous so that the water could easily flow through the
separator thereby allowing the soluble flavoring and coloring
components from the leaves to go into the solution and a tea
beverage to be prepared. One group of such devices is a basket-like
structure--known by many terms including "tea strainer"--sized and
shaped for the positioning of the leaves over the opening or mouth
of a container. Water is poured over the leaves, and the resultant
beverage drips or cascades into the container. For consumption of
the beverage, the tea strainer--within which the wetted leaves are
retained--may be easily removed. A personal sized container for
which tea strainers were developed is known as a "teacup". Tea
strainers that are sized and shaped to be positioned with the area
of a teapot near its top are often termed "brewing baskets" or
"infusing baskets".
[0007] Another type of device that facilitated the separation of
the leaves from the water is generically termed a "tea infuser".
Tea infusers are known by many different names such "teaball", "tea
egg", or "tea maker". A tea infuser includes a perforated component
that is sized and shaped to hold leaves and to be positionable in a
cup, teapot, or other container, so that water can come into
contact with the leaves through the perforations and can be easily
extricated from the cup or pot after the beverage has been
prepared. To allow the perforated component of the infuser in which
the leaves are retained to be easily removed from the container, a
chain, rod, or even a handle is attached to the perforated
component.
[0008] An additional type of device that separates the leaves from
the water is a tea bag. A tea bag largely performs the same
function as a tea infuser. A tea bag is a separator made from thin
material that is sufficiently inexpensive so that the bag can be
discarded after a single or a limited number of uses. Such thin
materials from which tea bags are made include paper, silk, muslin,
and nylon. The thin material may be shaped to define a wide variety
of overall bag shapes--such as square, rectangular, circular, and
pyramidal--but in all cases specifically to define an inner bag
volume for enclosure of the leaves. The thin material from which
the bags are made has sufficient porosity so that water can flow
readily in and out of the inner bag volume. For purposes of this
application, tea strainer, brewing basket, infusing baskets, tea
infuser, or tea bag will be termed "removable separators". For
purposes of this application, the element of a removable separator
in which the leaves are retained will be termed "retention element"
for purposes of this application.
[0009] Certain retention elements are attached to a component that
permits it to be positioned into water stored in a teapot and moved
about and removed from the teapot--so that a person can have
limited or no contact with the water during the beverage
preparation process. Such a component will be termed "manipulation
component" for purposes of this application. One example of a
"manipulation component" is the string/tag arrangement of a tea
bag. Other examples of a manipulation component are a chain, rod,
or handle of tea infusers.
[0010] In a manipulation component including a string/tag
arrangement, a string typically is attached at one end to the tea
bag and a tag is attached at the opposite end of the string. The
tag permits easy and sanitary positioning of the bag in the water
from which the tea will be made and removal when the preparation
process has been completed. The tag is typically sized and shaped
so that it can easily be grasped between the thumb and forefinger
of the consumer. Such size, however, allows the tag to also carry
information identifying, for example, the type of tea leaves within
the bag and one or more trademarks or images or other information
identifying the source of the bag.
[0011] Other retention elements may be used to prepare a beverage
and are not attached to a manipulation component. A user may remove
the retention element from the beverage, for example, by using
their fingers to pull it out or using a utensil such as a spoon to
remove the retention element from the beverage.
[0012] Removable separators permit consumers to control the
steeping process. Once a consumer has determined that a beverage of
the proper flavor and strength has been prepared, the consumer can
remove the retention element or entire removable separator from the
beverage, thereby preventing the beverage from becoming overly
strong in taste and possibly preventing the more acidic components
of the leaves from becoming solubilized. A serious drawback to the
use of removable separators, however, is that once they are removed
they are often dripping wet, or at the least, moist. This condition
in most cases prevents the infuser or bag from being placed on a
surface that will be affected by such moisture. For this reason, a
receptacle of some sort--such as a dish or tray or even sink--must
be immediately available to receive the dripping infuser or wet tea
bag. The need to find a receptacle for the dripping infuser or wet
tea bag has additionally limited the conditions in which tea can be
prepared and served.
[0013] Lids designed to facilitate the preparation and service of
tea in a wide variety of conditions are known. Some other lids may
be made from thicker material and are intended to simply slow down
the rate at which the tea within the container covered by the lid
reaches an ambient temperature--that is, the temperature outside
the container. Other lids are thin components intended primarily to
prevent the beverage from splashing or flowing out of the
container. Some other lids are more complex designs that facilitate
the preparation of tea with a tea bag and allow the tea to be
consumed through the lid. These lids, for example, allow the tea
bag to be pulled by the string to an elevated position at or in the
lid and releasably held there so that the tea can be consumed
without separation of the tea bag from the lid while still in
positioned on the beverage container. Such complex arrangements
include a drinking aperture through which the beverage can be
consumed.
[0014] Teapots are intended for the preparation of a volume of
beverage, typically more than a single cup and often for more than
one consumer. The lids for teapots are intended to help slow the
process by which the beverage within the teapot reaches ambient
temperature. For this reason, teapot lids are not made from the
thin inexpensive material suitable for one time use, then easy
disposal--such as the lids used with "take away" cups--but more
substantial material suitable for the task of reusing the lid and
teapot and retaining the temperatures developed within the vessel
portion of the teapot. For this reason, lids for teapots include no
opening or, at the most, a single aperture--"pin" size in
dimension--through which air may be drawn to prevent "vacuum" like
conditions from being developed within the teapot as the beverage
is being served from it. Overall, teapot lids do not include any
features by which a removable separator can be moved from a
steeping position to a position elevated relative to the beverage
so that the leaves are no longer steeping yet the bag is stored for
any length of time so no additional receptacle for the wet infuser
or bag is necessary. A teapot lid with features by which a
removable separator can be moved from a steeping position to a
position elevated relative to the beverage would permit the wider
usage of teapots and therefore the additional receptacle for the
wet infuser/bag would be obviated.
[0015] A demand therefore exists for a lid that facilitates the
preparation of a beverage from a retention element and permits the
retention element to be moved to a position separated from contact
with the beverage but releasably held by the lid to permit service
of the beverage. The present invention satisfies the demand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] For convenience of description, terms such as "above",
"below", "upper", "lower", "outer", "inner", "horizontal", and
"vertical" are used to refer to the system and the components of
the system in an orientation illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. However, it will be understood that the embodiments of
the invention described in this application advantageously can be
used in a variety of orientations.
[0017] The present invention includes a universal lid system and
methods for using the same with a teapot to prepare a beverage
using leaves retained in a retention element. As described above,
after the beverage has reached a desired state, a user typically
wishes to remove the retention element from the beverage. A
universal lid system advantageously includes a retention element
stabilizing lid wall configured to receive and stabilize a
retention element in a position not in contact with the beverage.
Embodiments of a retention element stabilizing lid wall include a
lid wall having a retention element stabilizing component.
[0018] Embodiments of a lid wall are sized and shaped to meet with
or connect to a teapot, or more specifically, a rim of a teapot. A
rim of a teapot defines a teapot opening through which the inside
of the teapot and any water stored within may be accessed. A lid
wall may be positioned relative to the teapot rim such that the
teapot opening is covered or partially covered--a position of the
lid wall termed a "closed position" for purposes of this
application. Embodiments of a lid wall may be sized and shaped to
meet with or connect to a teapot rim of various sizes and shapes. A
lid wall generally may include an upper lid wall, a lower lid wall,
and a side lid wall. A lid perimeter is the outermost border of the
lid wall.
[0019] A retention element stabilizing component may be configured
to permit stabilization of the retention element such that the
retention element may be positioned to not have contact with the
beverage but releasably held within the lid wall to permit service
of the beverage while the lid wall remains in a closed position.
Such a retention element stabilizing component obviates the need to
remove the retention element from the teapot or lid and find an
additional receptacle for the wet infuser/bag. In certain
embodiments, a retention element stabilizing component is
configured to stabilize the retention element relative to the lid
wall such that the user may remove the lid wall and stabilized
retainer element from the teapot. Embodiments of retention element
stabilizing component may include, for example, structural
components of the lid wall such as wall surfaces or an opening in
the lid wall, or a combined arrangement of surfaces and opening in
the lid wall.
[0020] In embodiments of a retention element stabilizing component
including, a structural component typically is formed from various
wall surfaces. Such wall surfaces may include generally horizontal
surfaces, generally vertical surfaces, generally linear surfaces,
generally curved surfaces, or generally sloped surfaces. A
generally horizontal surface in a lid wall is approximately 180
degrees or parallel relative to a flat plane on which lid wall may
be positioned. A generally vertical surface in a lid wall is
approximately 90 degrees or perpendicular relative to a flat plane
on which a lid wall may be positioned. A generally linear surface
in a lid wall is a substantially flat surface. A generally curved
surface in a lid wall is any non-linear surface including, for
example, a gently curved surface, sharply curved surface, convex
curved surface, concave curved surface. A sloped surface in a lid
wall includes a gradient relative to horizontal. Embodiments of a
lid wall may include one or more combination surfaces. For purposes
of this application, a "combination surface" may be a generally
horizontal linear surface, a generally vertical linear surface, a
generally horizontal curved surface, a generally vertical curved
surface, a generally sloped linear surface, or a generally sloped
curved surface.
[0021] In certain embodiments of a retention element stabilizing
lid wall, the wall surfaces may be configured to form an elevated
storage element in the lid wall in which a retention element may be
stored for any length of time after removal from beverage in a
teapot. An elevated storage element may be formed from one or more
sloped linear surfaces, one or more sloped curved surfaces, two
generally vertical surfaces and a horizontal surface, or any other
arrangement of surfaces or combination surfaces that form a storage
space sized and shaped to store and hold a retention element. The
elevated storage element may be generally elevated relative to the
lid perimeter, or, in certain embodiments, the elevated storage
element may be elevated relative to a teapot fill line--that is,
the level to which the beverage is typically filled in the
teapot--when the lid wall is in a closed position.
[0022] An elevated storage element may be sized and shaped to
permit storage of one or more retentions element or one or more
manipulation elements.
[0023] Embodiments of elevated storage elements may be sized and
shaped such that the wall surfaces tightly enclose the entirety of
a retention element or a portion of a retention element.
Embodiments of an elevated storage element may be sized and shaped
to loosely enclose the entirety of a retention element or a portion
of a retention element. Embodiments of an elevated storage element
may be sized and shaped to stabilize a retention element during
pouring while a lid wall is in a closed position. In such
embodiments, a wall surface may block the forward movement of the
retention element while the teapot and corresponding lid are in the
pouring orientation.
[0024] An elevated storage element also may facilitate the
expulsion of liquid from the retention element through urging a
retention element against a surface of the lid wall.
[0025] In certain embodiments of a retention element stabilizing
component, the structural components may retain a retention element
above a beverage in a number of additional configurations. For
example, structural components may include a support member such as
a structure positionable between the lid wall and the teapot rim
and configured to support a retention element. Structural
components also may include a receptacle sized and shaped to
receive the manipulation component or some portion of the
manipulation component such that the manipulation component
positioned in a receptacle assists in holding the retention element
above the beverage.
[0026] In certain embodiments, a retention element stabilizing
component includes an opening in a lid wall such as a wall outlet.
A wall outlet includes an outlet border that defines an outlet
space. An outlet border may include various borders having
particular shapes such as an arced border, curved border, or a
linear border. In certain embodiments, a wall outlet may be
configured to receive and hold at least a portion of a retention
element. The outlet borders hold a retention element by tension or
pressure on the retention element. Outlet borders may include
tension components, outlet flank components, or anything else to be
configured to receive and hold the retention element in an elevated
position. A retention element may be pulled partially through the
wall outlet such that some of the leaves in the retention element
are positioned above the upper lid wall.
[0027] In certain embodiments, a wall outlet may be configured to
facilitate positioning a retention element. Such positioning may
include positioning the retention element in water within a teapot
on which the lid wall is positioned, may include removing the
retention element from water within a teapot on which the lid wall
is positioned, may include positioning the retention element in
storage space defined by an elevated storage element, may include
positioning the retention element in an outlet space defined by
outlet borders, or may include positioning the retention element in
another embodiment of a retention element stabilizing
component.
[0028] In certain embodiments, when a lid wall is in a closed
position and forms a generally continuous surface with the teapot,
the outlet space may be the only opening through which the
retention element may be lowered into the teapot without removing
the lid wall. In such embodiments, a manipulation component may
remain outside of the teapot/lid wall arrangement such that the
manipulation element remains accessible to a user.
[0029] In certain embodiments, a wall outlet is configured to be
used with a retention element having a manipulation component such
as a string/tag arrangement in which the first end of the string
may be connected to the tag and the second end of the string may be
attached to the retention element. In such embodiments, while the
lid wall is not in a closed position, a user may pass the tag
through the outlet space of a wall outlet sized and shaped for the
same purpose. Then, the lid wall may be positioned in the closed
position. In the closed position, the retention element may be
positioned generally below the lid wall, which permits easy
insertion into the water held within the teapot, and the tag may be
positioned generally above the lid wall, which permits easy access
to the tag to pull the tag/string arrangement up and remove the
retention element from the tea.
[0030] Certain embodiments of the wall outlet may be sized, shaped,
or positioned to reduce the ease with which a tag may pass back
through the wall outlet after having passed through in one
direction. For example, a non-linear shaped outlet space may reduce
the ease with which a linear tag may pass back through the outlet
space. In another example, any outlet space sized smaller than a
tag with which the system will be used will likely reduce the ease
with which a tag will pass back through. Yet, a tag may be bent,
flexed, collapsed, folded, or otherwise achieve a reduced profile
to fit through the outlet space. After the tag passes through the
outlet space, the tag may expand and achieve an expanded profile
such that the tag does not easily pass back through the outlet
space. Such an expanded profile may include the tag becoming, for
example, un-bent, unflexed, uncollapsed, or unfolded.
[0031] In certain embodiments, a retention element stabilizing
component includes wall surfaces and openings configured in
combination to releasably hold a retention element out of contact
with a beverage. In such embodiments, an outlet wall may be sized
and shaped to permit positioning the retention element in an
elevated position. Such embodiments may include a lid wall having a
wall outlet and an elevated storage element. In such embodiments, a
tag thread through the outlet space may be used to facilitate
positioning the retainer element within the storage space of the
elevated storage element.
[0032] Embodiments of the lid wall also may include a wall outlet
configured or positioned to reduce the rate at which the
temperature within the teapot on which the lid wall is positioned
reaches an ambient temperature. In such embodiments, a wall outlet
may include an outlet flank component. An outlet flank component
may be configured to permit a portion of or all of a manipulation
component or a portion or all of a retention element to pass
through the outlet space, while minimizing the amount of ambient
air exchanged between through the outlet space. Certain embodiments
of outlet flanks also may be configured to receive a retention
element and hold the retention element in an elevated position. An
outlet flank component may be made from a flexible material, for
example, rubber, synthetic resin, plastic, latex, cotton,
polyester, spandex, or any combination and may be positioned along
the outlet borders.
[0033] Embodiments of a universal lid also may include a closure
component. A closure component may be configured to permit the lid
wall to meet with or releasably connect to a teapot, or more
specifically, to a teapot rim. Embodiments of a closure component
may be connected to a lower lid wall, upper lid wall, or a side lid
wall. In certain embodiments, a closure component may be connected
to both a lower lid wall and an upper lid wall such that the lid
wall may achieve a closed position in which either side wall is in
contact with the teapot rim, and accordingly, is reversible.
Certain lid wall embodiments include a closure component
complementary to a teapot closure component such as threading and a
thread-path, a male snap component and a female snap component, an
adhesive, a locking mechanism, hinge, or any other configuration
resulting in a releasable connecting the lid wall to the teapot
rim. A closure component also may be configured to merely meet with
a teapot closure component such that the components are not
fastened together.
[0034] Embodiments of a lid wall may be configured for use with
certain forms of tea bags. Tea bag designs may include a packet, a
holder, or other design, each of which may be used with a
tag/string arrangement or other manipulation component. Certain
embodiments of a lid wall may include a receptacle configured to
receive a tag or other manipulation component. One embodiment of a
receptacle such as a tag receptacle is configured as an indentation
in the lid wall such that the tag may be positioned in the
indentation and may not be removed merely by the force exerted by
the retention element. Accordingly, since the tag is attached to
the string, which is attached to the retention element, this
position of the tag may reinforce the position of the retention
element above the beverage if the size of the string does not
permit the tag to be positioned in the indentation and the
retention element to be positioned in the beverage at the same
time. In other embodiments, an indentation is sized and shaped to
receive parts of a string as well such that the position of the
retention element above the beverage is reinforced. Further, a tag
positioned in a tag receptacle may increase the ease with which the
information on the tag--such as a trademark or other product
information--may be viewed.
[0035] Embodiments of a lid wall may be shaped to permit easy
stacking for cost effective shipping and storage. Other embodiments
of a lid wall may be configured in a simplified construction such
that the lids are easy to manufacture, clean, and reuse.
[0036] Embodiments of the universal lid system may be formed from
materials such as ceramic, porcelain, metal, alloy, glass, crystal,
plastic, or any other material suitable for retaining the
temperatures developed within the teapot. A universal lid system
made from such materials is useful for the service of beverages in
restaurants, institutions, in the homes of consumers, or any other
location where repeated use of the lid in connection with a teapot
may be desired.
[0037] One advantage of the present invention is that a universal
lid system is sized and shaped to facilitate quick and easy
beverage preparation.
[0038] Another advantage of the present invention is that a
universal lid system may be used with a retention element such as a
tea bag to easily make a beverage. Another advantage of the present
invention is that a universal lid system may permit the storage of
a retention element in an elevated storage element, which obviates
the need to have a receptacle to place aside or dispose of or a
retention element immediately after removal from water in
teapot.
[0039] Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention is
that the elevated storage element in a lid wall allows a consumer
to store a greater volume of liquid in a teapot than if the
retention element had to be stored in the teapot, yet not in
contact with the water.
[0040] Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention is
that an outlet space may be sized and shaped to minimize the amount
of air exchanged between the teapot and outside of the teapot when
the lid wall is in a closed position, therefore facilitating
maintenance of a cool or warm environment inside of the teapot.
[0041] Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention is
that the universal lid system may be used with teapots of a variety
of sizes and shapes.
[0042] Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention is
that lid walls may be easily stacked thereby reducing
transportation costs and decreasing the need for costly storage
space.
[0043] An additional advantage of the present invention is that its
simplified construction is easy to manufacture, store, clean, and
reuse.
[0044] It is, accordingly, a general object of the present
invention to provide a universal lid system by which a beverage may
be prepared from one or more retention elements quickly, easily,
and sanitarily.
[0045] It is another object of this invention to provide a
universal system lid which permits expulsion of excess liquid from
retention element.
[0046] It is an additional object of this invention to provide a
universal lid system which may be used in a variety of orientations
and with teapots having a variety of shapes and sizes.
[0047] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
universal lid system according to the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
universal lid system;
[0050] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A and additionally shows a retention element and a
manipulation component;
[0051] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2B and includes the universal lid system in a position to be
received by one type of a teapot;
[0052] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
universal lid system and additionally includes retention elements
and a manipulation components in a raised position;
[0053] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the
universal lid system of FIG. 3A and additionally includes retention
elements and a manipulation components in a partial pull through
position;
[0054] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of
a universal lid system and includes a retention element and a
manipulation component;
[0055] FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are perspective views of the embodiment
of FIG. 4A showing the manipulation component in different
positions;
[0056] FIG. 5A perspective view of an additional embodiment of a
universal lid system shown with a retention element and a
manipulation component;
[0057] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5A and includes the universal lid system in a position to be
received by a teapot;
[0058] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of
a universal lid system shown with retention elements, manipulation
components, and a support member;
[0059] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of an additional
embodiment of a universal lid system shown with retention elements,
manipulation components, and a support member;
[0060] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
universal lid system;
[0061] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of
a universal lid system and a protective element;
[0062] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a universal lid system and
a protective element positioned relative to the lid wall;
[0063] FIG. 8C is a top view of a protective element; and
[0064] FIG. 8D is a top view of a universal lid system and a
protective element positioned relative to the lid wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0065] An embodiment of the universal lid system 10 according to
the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A universal lid
system 10 includes a lid wall 100 having an upper lid wall 106, a
lower lid wall 108, and a side lid wall 110. The lid wall 100 shown
in FIG. 1 has a generally circular shape, although other shapes are
contemplated. The embodiment of a lid wall 100 in FIG. 1 also
includes a lid handle 70 having a knob 72 and a neck 74.
[0066] Embodiments of a lid wall 100 may include a wall outlet 200.
The wall outlet 200 in FIG. 1 includes an outlet border 201 that
define an outlet space 210. In the embodiment of a lid wall 100
illustrated in FIG. 1, the outlet borders 201 form part of the lid
perimeter 118. The outlet border 201, which defines the wall outlet
200, includes a first outlet border 202, a second outlet border
204, a third outlet border 206, and an open border 208. In certain
embodiments, the outlet borders 201 may be used as a surface
against which a retention element 300 may be urged to expel any
excess water stored within. A retention element 300 or manipulation
component 350 may be positioned in or through the outlet space 210.
Certain embodiments of a lid wall 100 include no opening to permit
a beverage to be consumed through the lid wall 100, and a wall
outlet 200 is configured not to permit a beverage to be consumed
through the lid wall 100.
[0067] In certain embodiments, an outlet border 201 may include
various borders having particular shapes such as an arced border,
curved border, or a linear border. Certain embodiments of outlet
borders 201 may be configured to achieve an outlet space 210 of a
desired shape such as to minimize air passage through the space or
to receive a retention element 300. Such an embodiment may include
an outlet border 201 including a first arced border 212 and a
second arced border 214 that meet at a first juncture 216 and a
second juncture (not shown), as illustrated in FIG. 2A--FIG. 2C.
This embodiment of an outlet border 201 forms a lune-shaped outlet
space 128. A lune-shaped outlet space 128 has a generally minimized
outlet space 210 such that less air may be exchanged through that
space, therefore lessening the dissipation of the temperature
developed in the teapot 400 while the lid wall 100 is in a closed
position relative to the teapot 400.
[0068] Further, the lune-shaped outlet space 128 may be shaped to
permit a manipulation component 350 such as a tag 352 to pass
through the wall outlet 200 in an arc-aligned orientation. An
"arc-aligned orientation" is an orientation in which the tag 352 is
bent or flexed to complement the shape of the lune 128 such that
the tag 352 may pass through the wall outlet 200. Typically, after
passing through the lune-shaped outlet space 128, the pressure to
bend or flex is released and the tag 352 returns to a non-bent or
non-flexed orientation. The tag 352 in a non-bent orientation may
achieve a generally flat orientation 354. In the embodiments in
FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, the retention element 300 is attached to the
tag 352 by a string 356.
[0069] The lid wall 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A--FIG. 2C also
includes a non-elevated section and an elevated storage element
122. The non-elevated section includes a generally horizontal
linear surface 127. The elevated storage element 122 includes a
first generally curved sloped surface 123 a second generally curved
sloped surface 125. An elevated storage element 122 defines a
storage space 124 in which a manipulation component 350 and/or a
retention element 300 may be stored in a "raised position" 126. A
"raised position" 126 is achieved when a retention element 300 is
completely above the beverage in a teapot 400 when the lid wall 100
is in a closed position.
[0070] In certain embodiments, a portion of a retention element 300
may overflow through the wall outlet 200 to achieve a "partial pull
through position" 131, as shown in FIG. 2C. In the "partial pull
through position" 131, the retention element 300 effectively may
plug or partially plug the wall outlet 200, which, advantageously,
slows the process of the beverage reaching an ambient temperature
when the lid wall 100 is in a closed position. In the "partial pull
through position" 131, the retention element 300 typically is
positioned completely above the beverage in a teapot 400 when the
lid wall 100 is in a closed position.
[0071] Embodiments of a lid wall 100 may include a tag receptacle
132 or other type of receptacle in the lid wall 100. As shown in
FIG. 2A, the tag receptacle 132 includes a side receptacle wall 135
and a lower receptacle wall 136. As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C,
the tag 352 may be positioned in the tag receptacle 132. In this
position, a tag 352 may reinforce the raised position of the
retention element 300 and may increase the ease with which
information that may be on the tag 352--such as a trademark or
other product information--can be viewed.
[0072] Embodiments of the universal lid 10 also may include a
closure component 134 attached to the lid wall 100, which may
permit the lid wall 100 to meet with or releasably connect to a
teapot 400. The closure component 134 illustrated in FIG. 2A--FIG.
2C includes a male threading 136 including a first thread 138 and a
second thread 140. FIG. 2C also includes a teapot 400 and its
complementary teapot closure component. The illustrated teapot 400
includes an inner surface 408 having a thread path 416 defined by a
first teapot thread 418 and a second teapot thread 420. A first
thread 138 can be threaded through a thread path 416 to releasably
connect the lid wall 100 to a teapot 400. FIG. 2C additionally
shows the teapot rim 406 defining a teapot opening 404.
[0073] Embodiments of a lid wall 100 may include more than one wall
outlet 200 to permit one or more retention elements 300 to be
positioned in a raised position 126, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG.
3B. A first wall outlet 218 and a second wall outlet 220 may be
positioned in an elevated storage element 122 defining a storage
space 124. The outlet border 201 of each of the wall outlets 200
illustrated in FIG. 3A and
[0074] FIG. 3B include only a curved border 152.
[0075] The retention elements 300 may be configured as packets 302
or holders 204, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B respectively. Also,
retention elements 300 may achieve a number of raised positions
126. FIG. 3A includes an illustration of the retention elements 300
in the storage space 124 in a "fully raised position" 130.
[0076] A "fully raised position" 130 is achieved when a retention
element 300 is positioned in the storage space 124 of the elevated
storage element 122, and no part of a packet 302 is positioned
above the lid wall 100. In addition, FIG. 3B includes an
illustration of the retention elements 300 in a partial pull
through position 131. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A and
FIG. 3B additionally includes a closure component 134 configured as
an oblique wall 148. A lid wall 100 including an oblique wall 148
may be positioned on teapots with various sized teapot rims 406
since the oblique wall 148 includes a sloped surface 149 that may
meet a teapot rim 406 at a variety of diameters. In FIG. 3A and
FIG. 3B, the oblique wall 148 includes a flat section 162 such that
when the lid wall 100 is positioned on a teapot, the lid wall 100
may not cover the whole teapot opening 404. Accordingly, the space
in front of the flat section 162 may function as an egress
component and allow pouring of beverage.
[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, embodiments of a lid
wall may include a vent 121 to prevent a "vacuum" like conditions
within a teapot 400 when beverage is being dispensed. Although
other embodiments are shown without a vent 121, it is contemplated
that any other embodiment may include a vent 121.
[0078] Embodiments of a lid wall 100 may be configured for use with
certain designs of a retention element 300 or manipulation element
400. For example, the embodiment of a lid wall 100 illustrated in
FIG. 4A--FIG. 4C includes outlet border 201 configured with three
generally linear borders, which form an outlet space 210 that is
generally triangular shaped 222. An embodiment of a lid wall 100
may be used with a manipulation component 350 having collapsible
sides 364 and shaped as a tetrahedron 362. In this embodiment, the
collapsible sides 364 may flex such that the tetrahedron 362 may
pass through the outlet space 210 easily in its "collapsed"
orientation 366. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the collapsible sides
364 may flex back to its "uncollapsed" orientation 368 after
passing through the wall outlet 200 such that the tetrahedron 362
may not pass through the wall outlet 200 easily. In such
embodiments, a string 356 may attach the retention element 300 to
the manipulation component 350 as shown in FIG. 4A--FIG. 4C.
[0079] FIG. 4A also includes an illustration of an embodiment
including a closure component 134. In this embodiment, a closure
component 134 includes a flange 154 such that a flange 154 may be
positioned on a rim 406 or other element of a teapot 400.
[0080] Certain embodiments of a lid wall 100 include a wall outlet
200 having an outlet flank 230 made of a flexible material. An
outlet flank 230 may be configured to allow retention elements 300
or manipulation components 350 of various sizes and shapes to pass
through the outlet space 210, while minimizing the amount of
ambient air exchanged through the space 210. The outlet flank 230
illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B includes a first flank 232 and a
second flank 234 connected to the outlet border 201. Outlet flanks
230 may also be configured to receive or retain a retention element
300 or manipulation component 350. As shown in FIG. 5A, a tag 352
and part of a string 356 may be thread through the outlet space 210
between the first flank 232 and second flank 234 to achieve a fully
raised position 130. As shown in FIG. 5B, a retention element 300
may be thread partially through the outlet space 210 between a
first flank 232 and second flank 234 to achieve a partial pull
through position 131.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, in certain
embodiments, an entire lid wall 100 may form an elevated storage
element 122. The elevated storage element 122 may be comprised of a
first generally vertical surface 117 and a first generally
horizontal surface 119.
[0082] The lid wall 100 further includes a closure component 134
with a slanted wall 156. FIG. 5B includes an illustration of the
slanted wall 156 positioned on the rim 406 of a teapot 400. The
teapot 400 additionally includes of a teapot handle 410 and a
teapot spout 412. A teapot 400 also may include a teapot fill line
414 which may indicate the amount of liquid that the teapot 400 is
configured to hold.
[0083] Certain embodiments of a universal lid system 10
additionally include a support member, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG.
6B. A support member 500 may include an upper support side 502 and
a lower support side 504. A support member 500 may be positioned
between the lid wall 100 and the rim 406 of a teapot 400. A support
member 500 may be configured to support a retention element 300 on
its upper support side 502. Embodiments of a support member 500 in
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are configured with a perforated resting level
506 on which a retention element 300 may rest and an aperture 508
through which a retention element 300 may be raised, lowered, and
otherwise moved around. In FIG. 6A, a first packet 306 is shown
passing through an aperture 508. A second packet 308 is shown
resting on the perforated resting level 506.
[0084] Also shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a wall outlet 200 may be
configured to be used with more than one retention element 300 at
the same time. Such an embodiment may include an outlet border 201
including a first arced border 212, a second arced border 214, a
first rounded border 219, and a second rounded border 221. The
juncture between the first arced border 212 and the first rounded
border 219 and the juncture between the second arced border 214 and
the first rounded border 219 forms a narrow passageway through
which the string 356 may be positioned. Similarly, the juncture
between the first arced border 212 and the second rounded border
221 and the juncture between the second arced border 214 and the
second rounded border 221 forms a narrow passageway through which a
manipulation component 350 such as a string 356 may be positioned.
A string 356 also may be positioned in the round outlet 160. In
certain embodiments, a round outlet 160 may be sized and shaped to
permit storage of a specific size string 356 such that upon
entering the round outlet 160, the string 356 may be held in that
position by tension.
[0085] The embodiment in FIG. 6B includes a support member 500
having support fastener components 510 such that a support member
500 may be removably fastened to a lid wall 100. In such an
embodiment, the lid wall 100 additionally includes lid fastener
components 510. Fastener components 510, 512 may be any mechanism
through which a lid wall 100 and support member 500 may be
removably fastened. In FIG. 6B, the support fastener components 510
are snap protrusions 514 and the lid fastener components 512 are
snap inlets 516. A snap protrusion 514 may snap into a snap inlet
516.
[0086] Embodiment of a universal lid system 10 may also include a
protective element 164 configured to cover all or part of the
closure component 134, as shown in FIG. 7. The protective element
164 may be a soft, spongy, or flexible material such that the
protective element 164 protects the closure component 134 when it
is positioned relative to a teapot rim 406 in a closed position.
The protective element 164 may include a securing component 166
such that the protective element 164 may be removably secured to a
teapot rim 406. The securing component 166 may be shaped as a first
enlargement 141, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The protective element
164 also may include an extension 168. An extension 168 of the
protective element 164 may further secure the lid wall 100 to a
teapot 400 and provide leak protection for a finger or thumb which
may be placed nearby during pouring. An extension 168 also may
provide a surface which may be used to separate the lid wall 100
from a teapot rim 406.
[0087] Also, the embodiment of a lid wall 100 in FIG. 7 includes an
elevated storage element 122. The elevated storage element 122 may
be formed from a first gently curved sloped surface 150 and a
second gently curved sloped surface 151.
[0088] An embodiment of a lid wall 100 with a closure component 134
and a protective element 164 are shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.
Embodiments of the protective element 164 may be sufficiently
flexible to fit snugly with respect to the closure component 134 as
shown in a side view in FIG. 8B and a top view in FIG. 8D. FIG. 8C
includes an illustration of a top view of the protective element
164 without the lid wall 100.
[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the protective
element 164 may include an outer perimeter 172, a first generally
horizontal annular surface 171, a second generally horizontal
annular surface 173, a first generally sloped annular surface 175,
a first generally vertical annular surface 177, and a second
generally vertical annular surface 179. The first generally
horizontal annular surface 171 connects to the first generally
sloped annular surface 175 along a first edge 170. The first
generally sloped annular surface 175 connects to the second
generally horizontal annular surface 173 along a second edge 181.
The second generally horizontal annular surface 173 connects to the
second generally vertical annular surface 179 along a third edge
183. The first generally vertical annular surface 177 defines the
outer perimeter 172. The inner diameter 185 of the protective
element 164 is defined by the third edge 183 in this
embodiment.
[0090] The closure component 134 in the illustrated embodiment
includes a closure wall having an outer closure wall 142 and an
inner closure wall 144. The illustrated embodiment of the outside
closure wall 142 includes a first enlargement 141, second
enlargement 143, inter-enlargement wall 145, protuberance 146, and
a relatively vertical closure wall 147. The first enlargement 141
may be continuous with the lid wall 100. The inter-enlargement wall
142 is positioned between the first enlargement 141 and the second
enlargement 143. In this embodiment, the second enlargement 143 is
positioned generally below the first enlargement 141. Each
enlargement 141, 143 includes a section of the closure wall having
a greater diameter than the rest of the closure wall.
[0091] In certain embodiments, the first edge 170 of protection
element 164 may be sized and shaped to fit around the
inter-enlargement wall 145 such that the protection element 164 may
be securely positioned relative to the closure component 134. The
inner diameter 185 of the protective element 164 may be flexible
enough to be positioned around the protuberance 146 to achieve the
snugly fit position as illustrated.
[0092] The protuberance 146 may be sized and shaped to facilitate
maintaining the lid wall 100 in the desired position relative to a
teapot rim 406. In certain embodiments, a protuberance 146 is sized
and shaped to extend from a section in the closure wall, as shown.
In other embodiments, multiple protuberances 146 may extend from
the closure wall. When the lid wall 100 is in a closed position,
the protuberance 146 is generally positioned below the teapot rim
406 and is configured to decrease the likelihood of the lid wall
100 separating from the teapot 400. In such embodiments, the
consumer must tilt the lid wall 100 relative to the teapot rim 406
to remove the lid wall 100 from the teapot rim 406. Such a tilted
position is unlikely to be achieved while the teapot 400 is
oriented for pouring.
[0093] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG.
8D, the outlet border 201 includes a first arced border 212, a
second arced border 214, a third arced border 211, and a fourth
arced border 213. The outlet space 210 forms a rounded arc
shape.
[0094] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present
invention, which have been described, are illustrative of some of
the applications of the principles of the present invention.
Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *