SINGLE-USE CUP

Abstract

A cup assembly including a body having an open upper end for receiving a fluid within an interior portion of the body defined by a generally continuous sidewall and a closed lower end. A filter assembly is disposed within the interior portion, and divides the interior portion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter assembly includes a perimeter portion fixedly engaging the sidewall, and a filter portion through which the fluid is capable of passing when the fluid moves between the upper and lower chambers. The perimeter portion includes a plurality of flanges disposed about a perimeter of the filter assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to cups. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single-use cup for brewing beverages.

There are a number of ways by which an individual can brew a hot beverage, such as coffee. A common method involves brewing an entire pot of coffee through use of a coffee maker/brewing machine (using such methods as percolation or drip brewing) which will yield at least several cups of coffee. This is a very efficient way to make several cups of coffee, especially if the pot of coffee is intended to be shared by several individuals or if a single person desires several cups of coffee. Likewise, if tea is the desired beverage, an individual can brew tea in a teapot. However, the foregoing methods are not very efficient if all an individual desires is just a single cup of a hot beverage.

If an individual desires to brew a single cup of a hot beverage, the individual does have options. For example, if an individual desires to brew a single cup of tea, the individual can brew a single cup of tea by placing a teabag in a ceramic cup filled with hot water. Likewise, if the individual desires to brew a single cup of coffee, the individual can brew a single cup of coffee by placing an amount of instant coffee in a ceramic cup filled with hot water. However, both of the foregoing options require the individual to keep ceramic cups handy as well as containers for holding teabags, packets of coffee, or the like.

Different types of devices have been proposed that can be used to brew a single cup of a hot beverage. However, such devices have their limitations and can always be improved.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cup assembly capable of brewing a single cup of a hot beverage. There is also a need for a cup assembly to accommodate the individual tastes and needs of the hot beverage drinking public. There is an additional need for a cup assembly that may be used with a variety of brands, types, and/or flavors of coffee, tea or the like. There is a further need for a disposable, single-use cup assembly. Additionally, a cup assembly is needed that is economical and easier to manufacture, and assemble. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY

The cup assembly illustrated herein provides an improved device capable of brewing a single cup of a hot beverage. The cup assembly illustrated herein also provides accommodation to the individual tastes and needs of the hot beverage drinking public. The cup assembly illustrated herein may be used with a variety of brands, types, and/or flavors of coffee, tea or the like. Also, the cup assembly illustrated herein provides a disposable, single-use cup. Additionally, the cup assembly illustrated herein is economical and easier to manufacture, and assemble. The cup assembly illustrated herein satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

In an illustrative embodiment, a cup assembly includes a body having an open upper end for receiving a fluid within an interior portion of the body defined by a generally continuous sidewall and a closed lower end. A filter assembly is disposed within the interior portion, dividing the interior portion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter assembly includes a perimeter portion fixedly engaging the sidewall, and a filter portion through which the fluid is capable of passing when the fluid moves between the upper and lower chambers. The perimeter portion includes a plurality of flanges disposed about a perimeter of the filter assembly.

The filter assembly further includes an upper portion having a central opening, a lower portion having a central opening, and the filter portion being disposed between the central openings. A portion of the upper portion comprises the perimeter portion. The upper portion is fixedly engaged to the lower portion by heat pressing.

The body can be made from a material, and the perimeter portion, if not the entire upper portion, can also be made from the same material. The lower portion can also be made from that same material.

The filter assembly can be fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing. Each flange can also be fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing.

An infusible material can be disposed within the lower chamber for infusion with the fluid. The infusible material can be a plant material.

The cup assembly also includes a lid releasably attachable to the body over the open end.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various present embodiments now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features with reference to the drawings of various embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. These drawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a cup assembly illustrating an embodiment of the present invention with a lid;

FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded perspective view of a filter assembly of the cup assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIG. 1B as components of the filter assembly are being heat pressed together, with arrows indicating general directions in which portions of the heat press compress against one another with the filter assembly disposed therebetween;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the cup body, material to be brewed, and the filter assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the cup assembly of FIG. 1A as the filter assembly of FIG. 1B is heat pressed to a body of the cup assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cup assembly of FIG. 1A, a faucet from which water flows into the cup assembly, and material to be brewed in a lower chamber of the cup assembly; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cup assembly of FIG. 1A, with a beverage therein brewed from the material in the lower chamber of the cup assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention may have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other elements found in single-use cups. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the pertinent arts.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6 for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of the present invention resides in a cup assembly 10. The cup assembly 10 includes a body 12 defining an inner cavity or interior portion 16 used as a chamber for holding a fluid 100 (e.g., water) and infusible material 400. The body 12 may be in the form of a polyethylene paper cup (e.g., a type of cup made from paper with a polyethylene film on one or two sides of the paper). The body 12 includes an open upper end 14 for receiving the fluid 100 within the interior portion 16 of the body 12. The open upper end 14 also provides a user access to the interior portion 16. The interior portion 16 is defined by a generally continuous inner surface wall or sidewall 18, and a closed lower end 20. A diameter of the interior portion 16 may be generally constant between the top and bottom of the interior portion 16 or the diameter of the interior portion 16 may vary between top and bottom of the interior portion 16, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 3-6. The term “diameter” is used in a general sense in that the cross-sectional shape of the interior portion 16 can be circular, triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, septagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape with the “diameter” being the distance between the inner surface wall(s) 18 on opposite sides of the interior portion 16 as measured through a center of the body 12. In a particular embodiment, the body 12 is generally frusto-conical in shape (with the interior portion 16 likewise being generally frusto-conical in shape) with a generally flat lower surface portion 22 for resting upon a surface. In this manner, the inner diameter of the interior portion 16 changes between the upper and lower ends 14, 20 of the body 12.

The interior portion 16 of the body 12 is divided into an upper chamber 24 and a lower chamber 26 by a filter assembly 30 disposed within the interior portion 16. The filter assembly 30 includes a perimeter portion 32 fixedly engaging the sidewall 18, and providing a water-proof seal therewith. The filter assembly 30 provides fluid communication between the upper and lower chambers 24, 26.

The filter assembly 30 includes an upper portion 34 having a central opening 36, and a lower portion 38 having a central opening 40. A filter portion 42 having a filter 44 is disposed between the upper and lower portions 34, 38. The filter 44 may be various materials including, without limitation, a NYLON mesh, filter paper, non-woven fabric, metallic mesh (e.g., a silver mesh) or the like. The upper, lower, and filter portions 34, 38, 42 are each generally disc-shaped and appear generally circular when viewed from above or below. The filter 44 is disposed between the central openings 36, 40. When the fluid 100 moves between the upper and lower chambers 34, 38, the fluid 100 passes only through the filter 44 of the filter portion 42 (e.g., if made from NYLON mesh, the mesh of the filter 44 is smaller than the size of the particles of infusible material 400). The upper portion 34 includes the perimeter portion 32. The perimeter portion 32 surrounds a central portion 35 of the upper portion 34. The perimeter portion 32 includes a plurality of flanges (wings or flutes or teeth) 46 disposed about a periphery of the upper portion 34 of the filter assembly 30. At least one set of slits or notches 48 are disposed between adjacent flanges 46 for assisting each flange 46 to bend independent of adjacent flange 46. The flanges 46 are of single-piece construction with the upper portion 34 with each flange 46 pivotally attached to the upper portion 34 by a living hinge 50 and biased to engage the inner surface wall 18 of the body 12 such that the flange 46 pivots to accommodate varying diameters of the body 12 as the filter assembly 30 is positioned within the interior portion 16 to the point where a diameter of the central portion 35 of the upper portion 34 is about the same as a diameter of the interior portion 16, as seen in FIG. 1A and 4-6.

The filter assembly 30 is disposed within the body 12 such that a top surface of the upper portion 34 faces upwardly towards the open end 14 of the body 12. The open end 14 of the body 12 includes a rim 28 over which a removable closure, cap or lid 52 can be secured such that the lid 52 is releasably attachable to the body 12 over the open end 14. The lid 52 comes in various forms including, without limitation, a snap-fit lid (as seen in FIGS. 1A and 6 where the lid 52 snap-fit engages the body 12).

The body 12, upper portion 34, and lower portion 38 made be made from various materials including, without limitation, paper, plastic (including, without limitation, a cellulose-based plastic), bio-degradable materials, polystyrene, or the like. One particular material that may be used is a polyethylene film coated paper. In one particular embodiment, the body 12, upper portion 34 (or at least the perimeter portion 32), and lower portion 38 are made from the same material in the form of a polyethylene film coated paper.

As seen in FIG. 2, the filter assembly 30 is formed by joining together the upper and lower portions 34, 38 (with the filter portion 42 is disposed between the upper and lower portions 34, 38). The lower portion 38 is placed upon a lower portion 202 of a heat press 200. The filter portion 42 is placed on top of the lower portion 38, and the upper portion 34 may be placed on top of the filter and lower portions 42, 38. The upper portion 34 is fixedly engaged to the lower portion 38 by heat pressing (i.e., by an upper portion 204 of the heat press 200 pressing downwardly on the upper and lower portions 34, 38 to hold them together and using heat (shown as squiggly lines) to bond the portions 34, 38 to each other). One or both of the lower and upper portions 202, 204 of the heat press 200 may include heated heads 206, 208 sized and shaped to engage the filter assembly 30 at a fixed radius from a center of the filter assembly 30. With the upper and lower portions 34, 38 both being made from polyethylene film coated paper, the heated heads 206, 208 bond the upper and lower portions 34, 38 together by essentially ‘melting’ them together (e.g., a heated head ‘melts’ at least a portion of the polyethylene film of one or both of the upper and lower portions 34, 38 to bond them together). For example, the bonding of the upper and lower portions 34, 38 may be accomplished by heat treatment with a soldering head at a temperature of 130-140 degrees Centigrade. The heads 206, 208 may be heated such that the heads 3206, 208 can heat the paper material of the upper portion 34 and/or lower portion 38 to at least the melting point of the polyethylene film but below a temperature that will cause damage to the paper material (e.g., a temperature that would burn the paper material).

As seen in FIG. 4, the filter assembly 30 may also be fixedly engaged to the sidewall 18 of the body 12 by heat pressing the perimeter portion 32 to the sidewall 18. With the filter assembly 30 positioned within the interior portion 16 to the point where a diameter of the central portion 35 of the upper portion 34 is about the same as a diameter of the interior portion 16, as seen in FIG. 1A and 4-6, each flange 46 is fixedly engaged to the sidewall 18 by heat pressing. For example, a frusto-conically shaped (or any shape sized and shaped to match the shape of the interior portion 16) heated head portion 302 of a heat press 300 is lowered into the interior portion 16 to the point where the heated portion 302 presses the flanges 46 against the sidewall 18 of the interior portion 16 to hold them together and using heat (shown as squiggly lines) to bond the flanges 46 to the sidewall 18. With at least the flanges 46 of the upper portion 34, 38 being made from polyethylene film coated paper (the body 12 also being made from polyethylene film coated paper), the heated head 302 bonds the flanges 46 and sidewall 18 together by essentially ‘melting’ them together (e.g., the heated head 302 ‘melts’ at least a portion of the polyethylene film of one or both of the upper portion 34 and sidewall 18 to bond them together). For example, the bonding of the upper portion 34 and sidewall 18 may be accomplished by heat treatment with a soldering head at a temperature of 160-170 degrees Centigrade. The head 302 may be heated such that the head 302 can heat the paper material of the upper portion 34 and/or sidewall 18 to at least the melting point of the polyethylene film but below a temperature that will cause damage to the paper material (e.g., a temperature that would burn the paper material).

An infusible material 400 is disposed within the lower chamber 26 for infusion with the fluid 100. The infusible material 400 can be various materials including, without limitation, a plant material (e.g., tea leaves, coffee grounds, botanicals, medicinal herbs, cannabis, vanilla beans, powdered materials (e.g., instant coffee, cocoa), and other mixtures), or the like.

The cup assembly 10 may be assembled by manufacturing a paper cup in the form of the body 12 as part of a process of manufacturing the cup assembly 10 (the filter assembly 30 can be assembled (as discussed above) either concurrent with the manufacture of the body 12 or at a different time). In the alternative, a plurality of pre-made cups (e.g., a pre-made cup being a paper cup with polyethylene film on one or both sides of the paper) may be used for the body 12. The pre-made cups can be purchased from a supplier. When a pre-made cup is used, assembly of the filter assembly 30 (as discussed above) can occur prior to receipt of the pre-made cups, at the time the pre-made cups are received, and/or after receipt of the pre-made cups. Regardless of whether the body 12 is made from scratch or is a pre-made cup purchased from a supplier, infusible material 400 is then placed in the bottom of the body 12. The filter assembly 30 is fixedly connected to the interior portion 16 of the body 12 (as discussed above), enclosing the infusible material 400 in the lower chamber 26. A lid 52 can then be placed on the open end 14 of the body 12, and the cup assembly 10 packaged.

In use, a user removes the lid 52 of the cup assembly 10, and adds a fluid 100 (e.g., water) to the interior portion 16, as seen in FIG. 5. As illustrated, the fluid 100 comes from a faucet connected to a water supply (e.g., the fluid 100 may be hot or cold water). Alternatively, the fluid 100 can come from a variety of sources including, without limitation, bottled or packaged water, water boiled in a pot or other container, or the like. The fluid 100 passes through the filter assembly 30, and into the lower chamber 26 where the fluid 100 comes into contact with the infusible material 400. The fluid 100 may be added until the level of the fluid 100 nears the open end 14 of the body 12. If the fluid 100 is a hot fluid, the user can allow the material 400 to steep in the hot fluid to create an infused fluid. The filter 44 of the filter assembly 30 prevents most, if not all, of the infusible material 400 from entering the upper chamber 24, as the material 400 may float upwards once the lower chamber 26 is filled with the fluid 100. Infused fluid freely moves between the upper and lower chambers 24, 26. The lid 52 may be placed over the open end 14 to limit heat loss from the body 12 as the material 400 continues to steep. A user may use a spoon, stirring stick or other instrument (not shown) to stir the non-infused and/or infused fluid as the material 400 continues to steeps and infuses the fluid 100. Infusion begins when the fluid 100 (e.g., hot water) is poured into the interior portion 16. A user may wait for a period of time (e.g., one or more minutes after pouring the fluid 100 into the interior portion 16) for sufficient infusion of the fluid 100. The user may add various materials into the interior portion 16 including, without limitation, sweeteners (e.g., natural (e.g., sugar, honey), artificial, or the like), dairy and non-dairy products (e.g., whole milk, half and half, creamers (e.g., natural, artificial, or the like), flavorings (e.g., lemon juice, flavoring syrups, or the like), or the like to adjust the infused fluid to the user's individual tastes.

Although the present invention has been discussed above in connection with a single-use container, the present invention is not limited to that and may also be adapted to be re-usable. Likewise, the present invention is also not to be limited to use in connection with hot beverages as it may be adapted for use with cold or room-temperature beverages. For example, the cup assembly 30 may be used with cold water if soluble vitamins are disposed within the lower chamber 26.

In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may be constructed in miniature versions or for use in very large-scale applications in which the same or similar principles of motion and friction control as described above would apply. Likewise, the length and width of the cup assembly is not to be construed as drawn to scale, and that the lengths/widths of the cup surface areas may be adjusted. Furthermore, the figures (and various components shown therein) of the specification are not to be construed as drawn to scale.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Consequently, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.

Claims

1. A cup assembly, comprising:

a body having an open upper end for receiving a fluid within an interior portion of the body defined by a generally continuous sidewall and a closed lower end; and

a filter assembly disposed within the interior portion, dividing the interior portion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

wherein the filter assembly comprises a perimeter portion fixedly engaging the sidewall, and a filter portion through which the fluid is capable of passing when the fluid moves between the upper and lower chambers, and wherein the perimeter portion comprises a plurality of flanges disposed about a perimeter of the filter assembly.

2. The cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly further comprises an upper portion having a central opening, a lower portion having a central opening, and the filter portion disposed between the central openings.

3. The cup assembly of claim 2, wherein a portion of the upper portion comprises the perimeter portion.

4. The cup assembly of claim 2, wherein the upper portion is fixedly engaged to the lower portion by heat pressing.

5. The cup assembly of claim 2, wherein the body comprises a material, and the upper portion comprises the material.

6. The cup assembly of claim 5, wherein the lower portion comprises the material.

7. The cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing.

8. The cup assembly of claim 1, wherein each flange is fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing.

9. The cup assembly of claim 1, further comprising an infusible material disposed within the lower chamber for infusion with the fluid.

10. The cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the infusible material comprises a plant material.

11. The cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a material, and the perimeter portion comprises the material.

12. The cup assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lid releasably attachable to the body over the open end.