Patents by Inventor Jill Portman

Jill Portman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180042411
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 9826849
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20140158693
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. Certain embodiments of the apparatus include a generally even profile retention structure sized and shaped such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 8651316
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. The apparatus may include a drinking aperture, an even retention structure profile, and a bag retention aperture that is openable such that at least a portion of the bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a depressed wall section sized and shaped such that, when a bag is secured by the bag retention aperture, the bag is prevented from blocking a drinking aperture even when the container is rotated for drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 8613375
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a full profile retention structure sized and shaped such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20120205390
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. The apparatus may include a drinking aperture, an even retention structure profile, and a bag retention aperture that is openable such that at least a portion of the bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a depressed wall section sized and shaped such that, when a bag is secured by the bag retention aperture, the bag is prevented from blocking a drinking aperture even when the container is rotated for drinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 8181817
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner, Michael Barry
  • Publication number: 20120118887
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: JILL PORTMAN, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20120099393
    Abstract: A system and methods by which a first substance may be added to or produce a desired effect in a second substance, where the substances can be maintained separately before mixing. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system including at least two vessels such as an additive vessel and a receiving vessel. An additive vessel may be configured with active control elements or passive control elements and may be nested in the receiving vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20080298168
    Abstract: A system and methods for maintaining separation between substances such that the substances can be mixed as needed. The substances may be a liquid or a solid and may be edible or non-edible. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and methods that include an apparatus including at least two vessels, an additive vessel and a receiving vessel, for maintaining the separation of the substances and facilitating the mixing of the substances as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20080128437
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a full profile retention structure sized and shaped such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 7299940
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is open and alterable such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20060273093
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is open and alterable such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 7140510
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20040217119
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 6742670
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 6729494
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Publication number: 20030057216
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner, Michael Barry
  • Publication number: 20030031759
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner
  • Patent number: 6464099
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner, Michael Barry