A CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container arranged to couple with a vessel.

Background of the Invention

The present Inventor is the Inventor of a plunger for brewing a drink described in International Publication No. WO 02/30249 Al. The plunger is used for brewing a drink in a cup or vessel from which the drink is to be consumed. The plunger is dimensioned so that it resides within the cup as the drink is being consumed. A benefit of the plunger is that it enables the brewing and consuming of a drink from one and the same vessel. As a result, it is easier for consumers to make and brew drinks such as coffee at locations remote from their residential kitchen such as at the workplace or at picnic or sports grounds.

The present invention was devised to further enhance the portability of a system for making a brewed drink.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising: a receptacle having an opening and defining a space for containing a volume of a substance; a lid releasably attachable to said receptacle to close said opening; and, a coupling system to couple said container to a vessel in a manner so that said receptacle is carried by the vessel.

In one embodiment the coupling system couples the container to the vessel in a manner where the receptacle is disposed in the vessel. However in an alternate embodiment the coupling system couples the container to the vessel in a manner so that the receptacle depends from the vessel . In this alternate embodiment the receptacle may be formed of an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the vessel . Further the receptacle may be configured to act as an adaptor for the vessel to enable the vessel to be retained in a cup holder by sealing of the receptacle in the cup holder.

The coupling system may comprise a recess provided in said lid for engaging a rim of said vessel.

The coupling system may be configured to engage the rim: with an interference fit; with a snap fit; by a bayonet mount; or by screw thread engagement .

Alternately, or in addition, said coupling system may comprise an engagement device for engaging a handle of said vessel.

The engagement device may comprise a hook that hooks onto the handle . However in an alternate embodiment the engagement device may comprise a socket that snaps onto the handle .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a drink system comprising: a vessel having a bottom wall, a side wall extending from said bottom wall, and a rim; and, a container comprising: a receptacle having an opening and defining a space for containing a substance for making a drink; a lid releasably attachable to said receptacle to close said opening; and, a coupling system for coupling the container to the vessel in a manner so that the receptacle is carried by the vessel.

The drinking system may further comprise: a plunger, said plunger comprising a body configured to fit within said vessel when said container is coupled to said vessel; a filter attached to said body; and, a seal formed about said body to abut, and form a seal against, an inside surface of said side wall, said filter, body, and seal arranged so that liquid in said vessel between said filter and said bottom wall must pass through said filter in order to be consumed from said vessel.

In one embodiment the plunger may be dimensioned so that when the plunger is pushed to a deepest position within the vessel, the body is disposed wholly inside of the

vessel. However in an alternate embodiment the plunger may be provided with a handle which when the plunger is in the deepest position, is located near a mouth of the vessel .

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic section view of an embodiment of the container in use in a drinking system which also incorporates a vessel and a plunger; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a receptacle of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cut-away view of the container in the drinking system depicted in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from the top of a lid of the container shown in Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from the bottom of the lid shown in Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 6 is a view of section A-A of the lid shown in

Figure 5; Figure 7 is an enlargement of detail B shown in Figure 6;

Figures 8A-8E depict a lid for an alternate embodiment of the container;

Figure 9 depicts a further embodiment of the container,- and, Figure 10 depicts yet a further embodiment of the container .

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the container 10 incorporated in a drinking system 12 which also includes a vessel 14 and a plunger 16. The vessel 14 is in the form of an ordinary coffee or tea cup or mug having a bottom wall 18, a side wall 20 extending from the bottom wall 18 and a rim 22 extending about an end of the side wall 20 distant the bottom wall 18. The vessel 14 is also provided with an exterior handle 24.

The container 10 comprises a receptacle 26 (Figure 2) having an opening 28 and defining a space 30 for containing a substance, such as coffee grounds or tea leaves (not shown) . The container 10 further comprises a lid 32 and a coupling system 34. The lid 32 is releasably attachable to the receptacle 26 for closing the opening 28. The coupling system 34 is supported by the lid 32 and couples the container 10 to the vessel 14 in a manner such that the receptacle 26 is disposed within the vessel 14.

Examining the container 10 more closely, it can be seen that the receptacle 26 is formed with a cylindrical side wall 36 extending from a circular base or bottom wall 38. The opening 28 is defined by the free end of the side wall 36. A continuous rib or lip 40 is formed on the outside of the side wall 36 about the opening 28 to facilitate the releasable attachment of the receptacle 26 with the lid 32.

The lid 32 comprises a planar circular wall 42 of a diameter equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the side wall 20 of the vessel 14, and a skirt 44 depending

from the wall 42 inboard of a circumferential peripheral edge 46 of the wall 42. A concave recess 48 is formed in an inside of the skirt 44 adjacent the wall 42. By- appropriate dimensioning of the concave recess 48 and receptacle 26, the rib 40 can be received with a snap fit into the concave recess 48 to releasably attach the lid 32 to the receptacle 26. The snap fit is further facilitated by forming one or both of the receptacle 26 and the lid 32 from a resilient material.

The skirt 44 flares radially outwardly in a direction away from the wall 42. This assists in alignment of the receptacle 26 and subsequent engagement with the lid 32.

The coupling system 34 in this particular embodiment comprises both a recess 50 provided in the lid 32 for receiving the rim 22 of the vessel 14; and, an engagement device in the form of a hook 52 for hooking onto the handle 24 of the vessel 14. The recess 50 is created by depending a second circumferential skirt 54 from the edge 46 of the wall 42. Typically, the skirt 54, and indeed the skirt 44, would be formed integrally with the wall 42. The recess 50 is in the form of an annular space defined between the skirts 54 and 44. Depending on the width of the recess 50 and the thickness of the wall 20 adjacent the rim 22, the recess 50 may firmly engage the vessel 14, i.e. with an interference fit, so as to hold the lid 32 and the container 10 to the vessel 14. However, due to variations in the size of vessels 14 particularly when made from a ceramic material, only one of the skirts 54 and 44 is likely to abut an adjacent side of the wall 20 with some degree of force or resilient deflection. A series of protrusions 56 may be provided which project

into the recess 50 from a side of the skirt 54 facing the skirt 44 to reduce looseness of fit of the recess 50.

The hook 52 depends from an arm 58 extending radially from the wall 42 and is formed of a resilient material. The hook comprises a tongue 60 which curves upwardly toward the wall 42 between a free end 62 of the tongue and its opposite end 64 to form opening or space 65 for capturing the handle 24. When the handle 24 passes through opening 65 it resiliently deflects and "clicks over" the tongue 60.

It should be appreciated that the coupling system 34 may comprise either one or both of the recess 50 and the hook 52. This arises as the recess 50 can couple to the container 10 via the wall 20 about rim 22, while the hook 52 can couple the container 10 via the handle 24.

The drinking system 12 also includes a plunger 16 of a form substantially in accordance with that described in

International Publication No. WO 02/30249 Al, the contents of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. More particularly, the plunger 16 is similar to the plunger 10' ' depicted in Figures 9A - 9C of the aforementioned International publication.

Referring to Figure 3, the plunger 16 comprises a body or frame 66 in the general form of a cylindrical wall 68 provided with a plurality of evenly spaced cut outs 70. As a result of the cut outs, the wall 68 can be considered as being constructed from two rings 72 and 74 joined by integral posts 76. Some of the posts 76 are provided on their outer surface with ribs 78 which depend

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longitudinally from the ring 72 centrally along the post 76. Each rib 78 has an upper length of constant radial thickness before tapering to reduce in radial extent in a direction from the ring 72 to the ring 74. When the plunger 16 is inserted into the cup 14, the ribs 78 contact the inside surface of the wall 20 deflecting the associated posts 76 inwardly. This lifts a portion of the ring 72 on either side of the post 76 from the surface of the wall 20 to enable the plunger 16 to be easily gripped by a person' s fingers and pulled from the vessel 14.

A perforated plate 80 extends across the ring 74. An identical performed plate 82 underlies the plate 80 and supported by a plurality of depending legs 84. A filter mesh or screen (not shown) is sandwiched between the plates 80 and 82. The filter screen or mesh will typically be in the form of a stainless steel, polyester or nylon mesh (although other materials are possible) and is provided with a plurality of pores or holes of a dimension to substantially prevent the passage therethrough of particulate material. The particulate material is envisaged as comprising coffee grounds or tea leaves which may initially be held within the container 10 and used for brewing a drink such as tea or coffee within the vessel 14. The legs 84 space the filter screen from the bottom wall 18 to provide a space for retention of that particulate material .

The wall 68 and plate 80 comprise a first component of the body 66 while the plate 82 and legs 84 comprise a second component of the body 66. These components can be attached together by any suitable means for the purposes of sandwiching the filter screen therebetween. This may

include for example the use of mechanical fasteners, or clips integrally formed with the respective parts of the body 66. Alternatively the filter screen may be injection moulded with the body 66. A recess or groove 86 is formed between the two components which seats a seal 88 that projects radially outward from the groove 86. The seal 88 is configured to abut, and form a seal against, an inside surface of the side wall 20 so that any liquid within the vessel 14 between the filter screen and the bottom wall 18 must pass through the filter screen in order to be consumed from the vessel 14.

A typical use scenario of the container 10 and drinking system 12 will now be described.

The lid 32 of the container 10 is detached from the receptacle 26 to allow the receptacle 26 to be filled with a substance such as, coffee grounds or tea leaves. The lid 32 is then reattached to the receptacle 26. Depending on the nature of the substance held within the receptacle 26 a plunger 16 may or may not be required. For example if the substance within the receptacle 26 is a liquid, e.g. milk or granular substance which fully dissolves such as instant coffee, the plunger 16 may not be required to make and consume a drink using the substance within the receptacle 26. In the event however that the plunger 16 is or may be required, it is placed within the vessel 14 prior to coupling of the container 10 to the vessel 14.

The container 10 is coupled to the vessel 14 by seating the rim 22 within the recess 50 formed in the lid 32. In addition, in the event that the hook 52 is provided, the container 10 can be rotated about its vertical axis so

that the hook 52 engages the handle 24. A consumer may then easily carry the drinking system 12 from place to place forming in effect a self-contained travelling coffee/tea brewing system. For example a consumer may typically fill the receptacle 26 each morning and take the entire drinking system 12 with them to work or on the road.

When it is desired to brew a drink using say coffee grounds held within the receptacle 26, the container 10 and plunger 16 are removed from the vessel 14. The container 10 is then opened and a quantity of coffee grounds removed from the receptacle 26 and deposited into the vessel 14. Hot water is then poured into the vessel 14. If desired, contents of the vessel 14 may be stirred with a teaspoon, pop-stick or other stirring device. The plunger 16 is then inserted into the vessel 14 and maintained at a position such that the filter screen is approximately at the level of liquid within the vessel 14. After a time sufficient to brew the coffee, the plunger 16 is pushed down toward the bottom wall 18. The seal 88 contacts the inside surface of the wall 20 so that the liquid within the vessel 14 passes through the filter screen as the plunger 16 is depressed. The depression of the plunger 16 is effected by a teaspoon or other implement such as a pop-stick or other stirrer pushing on the plate 80. The descent of the plunger 16 is halted by abutment of the legs 84 with either the bottom wall 18 or the coffee grounds .

Any additional ingredients such as milk, sugar or cream can be poured into the vessel 14 and stirred prior to consumption of the drink. Once the drink has been

consumed, the user can easily remove the plunger 16 by gripping by hand the ring 72 on either side of a post 76 provided with one of the ribs 78. Alternately, the user may use a spoon, pop stick or other stirrer to hook under or otherwise engage that part of the ring 72 to withdraw the plunger 16 from the vessel 14. The plunger 16 and vessel 14 can then be cleaned ready for the next use, the plunger 16 placed back in the vessel 14 and the container 10 re-engaged or coupled with the vessel 14.

Now that an embodiment of the invention has been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the receptacle 26 and lid 32 can be configured in many different ways in order to be mutually releasably detachable. For example, both may be provided with mating screw threads or a bayonet type coupling can be provided. In addition, as indicated previously, it is not an essential requirement that the coupling system comprise both a recess 50 and the hook 52. Either one by themselves will be sufficient to couple the container 10 to a vessel 14. However it is envisaged that providing both will enable a single configuration or design of container 10 to couple with a greater number of differently shaped and configured vessels 14.

Further, the engagement device which in Figures 1 - 7 is depicted as the hook 52 may be formed in many configurations For example, the engagement device may be in the form of a loop or socket of resilient material depending from the arm 58 and provided with an opening opposite the arm 58 of a size smaller than the width of

the handle 24. The engagement device can then be pushed onto and pulled off of the handle 24 by flexure of the opening formed in the loop or socket.

Figures 8A-8E illustrate one possible embodiment of this modification. In these figures, instead of the engagement device being in the form of a hook it takes the form of a socket 53 comprising a pair of spaced apart shell-like structures 55. The shell-like structures 55 each include a concavely curved portion configured to receive a side of the handle 24 of the vessel 14. In use, the socket 53 clips on with a snap fit over the opposite sides of the handle 24.

In a further variation, the coupling system may be configured to couple the container to the vessel indirectly via the plunger 16. For example, the receptacle 26 may be provided with depending hooks which can engage the plunger 16. Due to the construction of the plunger 16, in particular the seal 88 and ribs 78, it is held with an interference fit inside the vessel 14. With the vessel 14 empty, the plunger 16 may be placed to the very bottom of the vessel 14 so that it abuts the bottom surface 18. One or more hooks may depend from the receptacle 26 to hook onto or otherwise engage the plunger 16. As the plunger 16 is held with an interference fit within the vessel 14, it effectively couples the container 10 to the vessel 14. In such an embodiment, the skirt 54 of the lid 32 may be omitted.

Figure 9 depicts a further alternate embodiment of the present invention applied to a travel mug. In this embodiment, the container 10 is provided with an

additional or intervening lid 59 for closing the receptacle 26, the lid 59 also coupling to the inside of the lid 32 of the travel mug 14. In this particular embodiment, the lid 59 is attached to the receptacle 26 by way of an interference fit, and is received on an underside of the lid 32 with a snap fit in the recess 48 formed on the inside of the skirt 44. This embodiment will for example enable a camper or bushwalker to remove lid 32 from the travel cup 14 thereby removing the container 10; decouple the container 10 from the lid 32; remove the lid 59 from the container 10; add coffee from receptacle 26 and water to the travel cup 14; replace the lids 59 and 32 while maintaining the ensemble of the lid 32 and container 10 separate from the travel mug 14; insert and depress the plunger 16 (in the event that the drink brewed is one that requires a plunger) ; drink the drink from the vessel 14; and thereafter remove the plunger 16 (if used) , wash the cup 14 and plunger 16; reinsert the plunger 16; and, attach the lid 32 (with previously attached lid 59 and receptacle 26) to the vessel 14.

In the above embodiment depicted in Figure 9, the lid 59 is described as press fitting onto the receptacle 26 and snap fitting into the lid 32. However any type of coupling between the lid 59 and receptacle 26; and, lid 59 and lid 32 can be provided. However it is advantageous if the lid 59 preferentially separates from the lid 32 when removing the receptacle 26. This will minimise the risk of the receptacle 26 being separated from the lid 32 without also taking with it the lid 59. To this end it may be preferential for the lid 59 to be screw coupled to the receptacle 26 and either snap or press coupled to the

lid 32 .

In yet a further alternate embodiment, where the plunger

16 is configured to include an upright arm which extends along an inside of the vessel 14 (perhaps within a groove or recess formed on the inside surface of the wall 20) with a tab extending laterally of the arm and outward of the vessel 14, the hook 52 of the container 10 may be configured to engage that tab. (A structure equivalent to the above described upright arm and tab is shown as handle

17 and grip 19 respectively in Figure 10) .

Figure 10 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the drinking system 12. In this embodiment, the drinking system incorporates a vessel 14 and a container 10 as in the previous embodiments, however this embodiment differs by virtue of the container 10 being coupled to the vessel 14 in a manner so that the container 10 is on an outside of the vessel 14. More particularly, the container 10 depends from the bottom wall 18 of the vessel 14. The container 10 is dimensioned so as to enable the vessel 14 to be retained in a cup holder, for example as provided in vehicles, by seating of the container 10 within the cup holder. Thus in effect the container 10 can convert or adapt a vessel 14 to be in a similar form to a regular travel mug as shown in Figure 9.

As with the previous embodiments, the coupling system 34 enables coupling of the container 10 to the vessel 14. In this embodiment, the coupling system 34 couples the container 10 to a rim 22 formed about and on an outside of the bottom wall 18. More particularly in this embodiment, the coupling is by virtue of the rim 22 being curved

inwardly to form a concave recess and the lid 32 shaped to form the coupling system 34 in a manner so that it can snap fit into the concave recess formed by the rim 22. The drinking system 12 in Figure 10 may also be provided with a plunger 16 identical to the plunger depicted in Figures 1 - 7, or with a modified plunger which further comprises a handle 17 (shown in phantom line) that extends on an inside of the vessel 14 and has a thumb or finger grip 19 that is located near a mouth 21 of the vessel 14. Indeed, the vessel 14 may be provided with a channel on an inside of the side wall 20 as well as a recess on the mouth 21 for seating the handle 17 with its grip 19. As shown in Figure 10, when the plunger 16 is depressed to its deepest location within the vessel 14 so that it is adjacent the bottom wall 18, the handle 17 is located so that the grip 19 rests on the recess formed on the mouth 21 of the vessel 14. Further, in this embodiment, a separate lid 23 can be provided for the vessel 14. The lid 23 may be formed to engage in the side surface of the side wall 20 so as to retain itself within the mouth 21 of the vessel 14. The lid 23 in this embodiment may act primarily as a mechanism for retaining heat in a liquid retained within the vessel 14 when in use.

In yet a further variation a drinking system may be formed as a combination of the systems shown in Figures 10 and 1 - 9 where the system comprises two containers, one disposed within the vessel 14 as depicted in Figures 1 - 9 and a second coupled to the outside of the bottom wall 18 as depicted in Figure 10. It would be appreciated that in this embodiment, the vessel 14 in effect comprises two rims one about the mouth 21 of the vessel 14 and the other about an outside of the bottom wall 18 as shown in Figure

9 .

All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary, implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.