Device, System, & Method to Provide Premium Water For Use With Contents of A Beverage Cartridge
The inventive concept discloses a portable container comprising a bottle and at least one compartment integral to, and sealed off from, the bottle. The bottle contains a first liquid (in the preferred embodiment, premium drinking water). The compartment is structured with dimensions and profile corresponding to a beverage cartridge of the type which is typically used for single-serve coffee containers, such as the K-Cup®. A means for secure retention of the beverage cartridge within the compartment is provided, dependent on the contours of the beverage cartridge. The processed essences of teas, chocolates, cocoas, dairy-based beverages, and fruit concentrates are also suitable for the disclosed concept. The first liquid and the beverage cartridge are kept separate until a user removes the beverage cartridge and opens the bottle for combining the liquid and the contents of the beverage cartridge in the desired manner of preparation of a beverage.
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION (1) Field of the InventionConsiderable research and trials have been given to the most efficient ways to brew beverages, in particular, coffee and tea. Experience has shown that an excellent grade of coffee or tea can be effectively ruined for consumption by improper methods of preparation, and/or the use of unsuitable water. A high quality and most enjoyable coffee or tea beverage is obtained when it possesses fine characteristic aroma, flavor, and the fullness of body of the specific blend chosen, along with good quality water.
Importantly, many consumers have come to appreciate the many varied options available with respect to coffee and tea products, such as variables in the strength, taste nuances, and flavors. There is a wide variety of coffee options and tea options (regular tea, chai-tea, and green teas). However, especially in a commercial/industrial setting such as restaurants, fast-food industry, workplace, hospitals, the quality of the water used should be one of the most important considerations.
“One of the 2016 coffee trends revolves around the quality of water used.” “2016 will see the industry as a whole looking more closely at water and using the ingredient in different ways. We're really not far off from coffee shops offering a coffee brewed with as many as three different water sources, or even water that measured several different levels of Total Dissolved Solids. After all, coffee is just 2% of the beverage with water making up the remainder 98%.”
http://camanoislandcoffee.com/2016-coffee-trends-whats-hot-this-year/.
(2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,278 Jan. 24, 2012; Drink bottle with a promotional object, characterised by the plastic or glass body (1) of the drink bottle being on at least one point provided with a concave recess (2), into which a object (3) is inserted and at least a past of the surface of the drink bottle with the object (3) is covered with wrapping (4), constituting namely the drink bottle label, when the cover (4) is advantageously made of shrink-wrap.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,072 Jul. 6, 2004; System for making and delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer having a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store and the user interface, wherein the customization director includes executable instructions for determining a user's customized formulation; and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director, wherein the beverage delivery system includes executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product. Method for delivering a customized beverage product to an individual including the steps of obtaining consumer preference data; determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data; and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the customized beverage formulation, utilizing one or more of delayed dilution, delayed mixing, and delayed filtering, in any order.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,797 Jul. 10, 2015; A disposable pod adaptor assembly for use in a single serve beverage brewer. The assembly is designed for use in brewers configured for cup-shaped beverage extract cartridges. The assembly includes a receptacle and a cover configured to engage with the receptacle. The receptacle includes a raised portion in its' interior, which raised portion is adapted to push a beverage pod residing inside the receptacle upward against the cover to create a tamping effect. In some implementations, the receptacle and raised portion are molded as a single piece to provide a low cost disposable pod adapter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe general object of the present invention is to provide the immediate availability of the combination of high-quality “premium” water and at least one packaged beverage cartridge for immediate and convenient use by a consumer. This combination will be packaged in a specialized container, whether as an instant mixing combination, or for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. One particularly preferred aspect of the present invention is coffee beverages. As well understood, coffee beverages comprise an aqueous solution of the water-soluble (and sometimes insoluble) constituents of the roasted and ground beans of various families of coffee trees. For cold coffee beverages, a small packaging of freeze-dried coffee can be contained in essentially a small beverage cartridge.
It is also a general object of the present invention to more readily utilize a fresh-brewed beverage extract after the extract has been stowed and held as a “brew-ready” product in a beverage cartridge. Such beverage cartridges are typified by the K-Cup® marketed by Keurig, Inc. and beverage pods or cartridges from other producers which are made available to consumers.
These objectives are readily accomplished by co-locating the premium grade water and the beverage cartridge in a common, portable container unit. The disclosed inventive concept is exemplified by a specially constructed container to incorporate both the premium quality water and the beverage cartridge. The beverage cartridges, as disclosed in this inventive concept, are utilized for the storage of the “essence” of a consumable beverage or food item, whether, soluble essence, ground essence, crystal form of the essence, or powdered/granulated form of the essence. The essences of the beverages may be prepared by freeze-drying, spray drying, or other processes currently existing or to be developed in the future.
The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawing. The drawings, totaling twelve figures, show the basic components and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures. For illustrative and explanatory purposes only, the disclosures in this inventive concept will be directed primarily toward providing the components for the brewing of coffee.
It most be noted that the disclosures and embodiments shown are, in most instances, equally applicable to the preparation of other beverages utilizing mini-pods or beverage cartridges. Experience has shown that an excellent grade of coffee or tea can be effectively ruined for consumption by the use of unsuitable water. A high quality and most enjoyable coffee or tea beverage is obtained when it possesses fine characteristic aroma, flavor, and the fullness of body of the specific blend chosen, along with good quality water. “Good quality” water, for the purposes of these disclosures, generally encompasses water bottled from pure mountain spring sources and will be referred to as “premium” water.
The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with
In viewing
The round bottle 2 as illustrated in
Beverage cups or cartridges of the type disclosed in this inventive concept are particularly adapted for preparing individual servings of coffee or other beverages in specialized brewing machines. The access aperture 17 of
By way of illustration, and by no means constituting limitations,
The contents or the container unit 1 may also be used for direct cold mixing of the contents of the beverage cartridge and premium quality water, or other internally-stored liquid. For secure retention during handling and shipping, as well as the convenience of an ultimate user, there must be a means to secure the beverage cartridge 20 within the base compartment 10 of the round bottle 2.
As shown in
The second rim 15 transitions to a concentric third rim 16. The third rim 16 transitions to a cylindrical barrier 11, which culminates by intersection with a lateral barrier 12. In summation, there is a continuous structure formed by the first rim 14, the second rim 15, the third rim 16, the cylindrical barrier 11, and the lateral barrier 12, thereby forming the compartment 10. The base compartment 10 thus separates the water contents of the round bottle 2 and simultaneously provides a custom fit for the beverage cartridge 20.
Again referring to
In other embodiments, either a transverse compartment 40, or a base compartment 10, may be constructed as a cartridge-conforming compartment protruding outwardly from any part of the exterior surface of a round bottle 2, rectangular bottle 30, or any other geometrical shape of a bottle for the containment of liquid. The cross-section of any bottle utilized as a component of the containers disclosed in this inventive concept may be of any continuous, or even variable geometric cross-section.
In
In
The transverse compartment 40 thus separates the liquid contents of the rectangular bottle 30 and simultaneously provides a custom fit for the beverage cartridge 20.
Again referring to
In
For illustrative purposes only,
In viewing
A beverage cartridge 20 may also be secured by the use of a plurality of longitudinal segments of silicone 25 adhesive placed lengthwise onto the cylindrical barrier 11 of the compartment 10. Other means of securing a beverage cartridge 20 to a compartment 10, 40 include, but are not limited, to hook-and-felt fasteners, hinged, circular-shaped seals, snap-and-lock circular lid, adhesive-backed seals, and linearly-arranged adhesive strips.
While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, chances, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.
Claims
1. A container for the storage of a liquid, having a closeable opening to access the liquid, and further having at least one compartment with an access aperture which is integral to the periphery of said container, said compartment constructed with interior dimensions, structure, and contour approximately corresponding to the exterior dimensions and contour of a beverage cartridge the type commonly used for storage of the concentrated essence of coffee, tea, or other food items.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a cylindrically-shaped, or round bottle, and a compartment constructed concentric with, and interiorly to the bottom surface of said bottle.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and further, the recessed compartment is constructed interiorly transverse to one face of said rectangular-shaped bottle.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and at least two recessed compartments constructed interiorly to one or more faces of said rectangular cross-sectioned bottle.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the compartment further comprises a means of securing the beverage cartridge within the confines of said compartment.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the exemplary dimensions, structure, and contour of said beverage cartridge comprise a cylindrically shaped wall, a conjoined bottom surface, a flange extending circumferentially from the top edge of said wall, and a covering attached to the top surface of said flange.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a bottle for storage of a liquid, wherein the at least one compartment is permanently attached to, and protruding outwardly from, at least one exterior surface of said bottle, the attached compartment constructed with interior dimensions, structure, and contour approximately corresponding to the exterior dimensions, structure, and contour of a beverage cartridge of the type typically used for mini-brewing of coffee or tea.
8. A container for the mutual, but separated, storage of both a quantity of drinking water and a beverage cartridge of the type having contents commonly used for brewing of coffee, tea, and other beverages, further comprising:
- a bottle constructed with a closeable opening for access to the drinking water;
- at least one internal, recessed compartment integral to, and encompassed within the outer surface of the bottle, said recessed compartment hollowed inward, having an access aperture, and constructed with interior dimensions, structure, and contour approximately corresponding to the exterior dimensions, structure, and contour of a beverage cartridge of the type having a cylindrically shaped wall, a conjoined bottom surface, a flange extending circumferential from the top edge of said wall, and a covering attached to the top surface of said flange; and
- a means for detachably securing said exemplary beverage cartridge within the recessed compartment.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein (a) the bottle is round, or cylindrically-shaped, (b) the recessed compartment is constructed interiorly to the bottom surface of said bottle, with at least two stair-stepped concentric rims such that the beverage cartridge, when inserted into the compartment, is inverted relative to the bottle, and (c) the lower surface of the flange abuts the outer surface of an inner rim; and
- the means for securing said beverage cartridge within the recessed compartment is selected from the group consisting of a sealer in the shape of a disc having adhesive material around one peripheral surface of said disc, at least one wad of silicone adhesive placed on the interior of said compartment, and retainers integral to, and protruding from, the inner surfaces of the cylindrical barrier of the compartment.
10. The container of claim 8, wherein (a) the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, (b) the recessed compartment is constructed interiorly to one face of said rectangular-shaped bottle, and (c) the means for securing said beverage cartridge within the recessed compartment is selected from the group consisting of a sealer in the shape of a disc having adhesive material around one peripheral surface of said disc, at least one wad of silicone adhesive placed on the interior of said compartment, and retainers integral to, and protruding from, the inner surfaces of the slanted barrier of the compartment.
11. The container of claim 8, wherein (a) the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, (b) at least two recessed compartments are constructed interiorly to one or more faces of said rectangular-shaped bottle, and (c) the means for securing said beverage cartridges within the recessed compartment is selected from the group consisting of a sealer in the shape of a disc having adhesive material around one peripheral surface of said disc, at least one wad of silicone adhesive placed on the interior of said compartment, a hinged, flip-top sealer, and retainers integral to, and protruding from, the inner surfaces of the slanted barrier of the compartment.
12. A beverage preparation system for readily storing, within a single container, a quantity of drinking water and at least one beverage cartridge, said beverage cartridge having the sealed processed essence of a food item, with the resultant purpose being the immediate availability of the drinking water and contents of said beverage cartridge for preparing a beverage, the system comprising:
- a bottle constructed of semi-rigid material and having a closeable opening for access to the drinking water;
- at least one internal, recessed compartment integral to, and encompassed within the outer surface of the bottle, said recessed compartment hollowed inward, having an access aperture, and constructed with dimensions, structure, and contour approximately corresponding to the exterior dimensions, structure, and contour of a beverage cartridge of the type having a cylindrically shaped wall, a conjoined bottom surface, a flange extending circumferential from the top edge of said wall, and a covering attached to the top surface of said flange; and
- a means for detachably securing said at least one beverage cartridge within the at least one recessed compartment.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the container further comprises a cylindrically-shaped, or round bottle, and said compartment constructed concentric with, and interiorly to the bottom surface of said bottle.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and further, the recessed compartment is constructed transverse and interiorly to one face of said rectangular-shaped bottle.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the container former comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and at least two recessed compartments constructed transverse and interiorly to one or more faces of said rectangular cross-sectioned bottle.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the means of detachably securing the beverage cartridge within the confines of said compartment is selected from the group consisting of a scaler in the shape of a disc having adhesive material around one peripheral surface of said disc, at least one wad of silicone adhesive placed on the interior of said compartment, a hinged, flip-top sealer, and integral retainers protruding from the inner surfaces of the slanted harrier of the compartment.
17. A method for making readily accessible in a single container, both a quantity of drinking water and at least one beverage cartridge, said cartridge having the sealed processed essence of a food item, thereby enabling a user to prepare a beverage by mixing or brewing of the contents of said cartridge, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a bottle constructed with a closeable opening for accessing the drinking water;
- constructing, integral to said bottle, at least one internal, recessed compartment integral to, and encompassed within the outer surface of the bottle, said recessed compartment hollowed inward, having an access aperture, and constructed with dimensions, structure, and contour approximately corresponding to the exterior dimensions, structure, and contour of a beverage cartridge of the type having a cylindrically shaped wall, a conjoined bottom surface, a flange extending circumferential from the top edge of said wall, and a covering attached to the top surface of said flange; and
- providing a means for detachably securing said at least one exemplary beverage cartridge within the at least one recessed compartment;
- placing the beverage cartridge within said at least one recessed compartment; and
- applying the means for detachable securing the beverage compartment directly to the aperture of said at least one recessed compartment.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the container further comprises a cylindrically-shaped, or round bottle, and said compartment constructed concentric with, and interiorly to, the bottom surface of said bottle.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and further, the recessed compartment is constructed transverse, and interiorly to, one face of said rectangular-shaped bottle.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the container further comprises a bottle having a rectangular-shaped cross-section, and at least two recessed compartments constructed transverse, and interiorly to, one or more faces of said rectangular cross-sectioned bottle.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2016
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2018
Inventors: Donald Alton Nisbet (Greensboro, GA), Francini Retana Rodriguez (Greensboro, GA)
Application Number: 15/395,020