Title of Invention

LID FOR A DRINK CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING AN INFUSION DRINK

Abstract The invention proposes a lid for a beverage container for holding a decoction beverage, preferably a disposable tea container with a base plate (2) and a covering (3) arranged at a distance from the base plate (2) in which case between the base plate (2) and the covering (3) a holding space (5) bounded on the sides by a surrounding side wall (4) is formed, a first opening (6) being provided in the base plate (2) through which a decoction unit (20) holding decoction materials can be guided and a second opening (7) smaller than the first opening (6) being formed in the covering (3) or in the region of the covering (3) through which a section of the decoction unit can be guided, the holding space (5) being of dimensions such as to hold at least part of the decoction unit. This lid is especially suitable for covering beverage containers in which decoction beverages, especially for "sale on the street" are to be prepared. A decoction unit may be used without having to remove the lid from the beverage container.
Full Text LID FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER TO HOLD A DECOCTION BEVERAGE
The invention concerns a lid for a beverage container for holding a
decoction beverage, preferably for a disposable teacup.
It is known that hot beverages, e.g., can be sold to be taken out at kiosks
or other sales outlets set up for this purpose. In such cases the hot beverage is
typically sold in a disposable drinking container, e.g., of cardboard or
Styrofoam. These disposable cups or containers in such cases are usually
closed with a lid which, on the one hand, is supposed to keep the hot liquid
from spilling, and on the other, to keep it hot.
Such cup-lid combinations are known, e.g., for coffee where the lid for
such a coffee container is usually a simple plastic lid with a clamping edge
around its circumference. In this case either a single opening or a raised
drinking spout with an opening is provided near the edge of the lid through
which the hot coffee can be drunk from the container without removing the lid
The goal of the invention is now to make it possible to sell tea in a
manner comparable to the above mentioned "street sale" of hot coffee to be
consumed off the premises. At the same time the tea must satisfy certain
quality requirements, especially it must be possible to have tea brewed with
fresh tea leaves.
The problem of the invention is therefore to devise a lid for a beverage
container to hold a decoction beverage with which tea or another decoction
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beverage can be prepared and can be securely closed in a beverage container
and sold to a customer on the street.
This problem is solved by the lid according to claim 1.
Advantageous modifications of the lid are reported in the dependent
claims 2-9. Claim 10 finally describes a unit consisting essentially of such a lid
and a decoction unit arranged in the lid.
According to the invention, the lid has a base plate as well as a cover
arranged at a distance from the base plate. Between the base plate and the
cover a holding space is formed which is bounded by side walls surrounding it
on the sides. In the base plate a first opening is provided. The latter is of such
dimensions that a decoction unit containing decoction material can be guided
through it. In the cover or in the region of the same a second opening is
formed smaller than the first opening formed in the base plate. This opening is
of such size that at least one section of the decoction unit can be guided
through it. Finally the holding space is dimensioned to hold at least part of the
decoction unit.
With the lid according to the invention a decoction unit, preferably a
decoction pouch containing tea leaves, can be suspended through the opening
formed in the base plate in the interior space of the beverage container,
especially a disposable tea container. In this case is envisioned that a section
of the decoction unit, especially a handle is affixed which passes through the
second opening formed in the cover and is affixed to the lid in a suitable way.
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The decoction unit passes through the opening formed in the base plate of the
lid advantageously to such a length that it extends into the beverage container
far enough that it comes in contact with the hot water or other brewing liquid
contained in it. After the end of the brewing time the decoction unit can be
grasped on the section extending through the opening formed in the covering
and pulled out through said opening. At this time the part of the decoction unit
extending through the opening formed in the base plate is at least partially
pulled into the holding space formed between the base plate and the cover. In
particular, at this time the decoction unit is pulled far enough out of the
beverage container that it is no longer in contact with the decoction liquid,
especially the hot water or the decoction beverage formed in the meanwhile
In this way the lid according to the invention fulfills at least two functions.
On the one hand it covers the beverage container with the decoction beverage
contained in it reliably so that an inadvertent spilling as well as premature
cooling is avoided in the case when a hot decoction beverage is involved. On
the other hand, the lid according to the invention serves for simple manipulation
of a decoction unit which can extend through said lid for the preparation of a
decoction beverage in a decoction or brewing liquid and then without lifting the
lid can also be removed from it in a simple way.
In particular it is possible with the lid according to the invention to
prepare tea in the form of tea leaves in a decoction pouch for preparation of a
high-quality tea in a disposable tea container, e.g., for "street sale".
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The lid is preferably fabricated from a plastic, especially by deep
drawing. Alternatively the lid, however, may also be formed from a paper or
cardboard material by a suitable shaping process. The lid is preferably formed
of two elements, one part representing the cover, the remaining part being
fabricated as one piece.
According to an advantageous variant of the invention described in claim
2 the second opening is formed as a slit. In this way the opening formed in or
in the region of the cover is of a particularly small dimensions so that both the
risk of spilling of the contents of the beverage container through said opening
as well as the possibility of premature cooling of a hot beverage contained in it
is reduced. Especially preferably the slit shaped opening can be further
covered by a tongue-like or tab-like part of the cover and be essentially closed
in a resting position.
Another advantageous modification of the invention (claim 3) envisions
that the lid has a preferably encircling clamping edge for clamping onto the
beverage container. With such a clamping edge the lid can be safely and
reliably affixed to the beverage container without the risk that the lid may
become inadvertently detached from the beverage container or fall off.
In another variant of the invention (claim 4) it is envisioned that the
covering is arranged sloping at an acute angle to the base plate. By this type of
arrangement a holding space with a wedge-shaped cross-section is created.
Such a wedge-shaped holding space is advantageous, on one hand, for
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holding the decoction unit, and also satisfies the purpose of guiding the
decoction unit when it is pulled in as will be explained in more detail later with
reference to the description of the example of embodiment.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention (claim 5) the
lid displays guiding surfaces sloping with respect to the base plate for guiding a
section of the handle of the decoction unit. Such sloping guiding surfaces
provide support during the wedging of the decoction unit in the holding space
after it has been pulled through the opening in the bottom plate. As a result the
decoction unit, on one hand, is "wrung out" by squeezing and on the other, it is
held in the holding space.
The acute angle enclosed between the base plate and the guiding
surfaces is advantageously larger than the acute angle between the bottom
surface and the cover (claim 6).
If the lid is also constructed according to the advantageous variant
shown in claim 7 the latter can be pulled along a plane running obliquely
through the holding space through the first opening and second opening
respectively. In this way the possibility arises of pulling a larger section of the
decoction unit into the interior of the holding space than if the two openings in
the base plate and the covering were arranged aligned with each other. The
rest arranged in the region of the base plate lyfng opposite the second opening
for a part of the handle of the decoction unit creates the possibility of affixing
the decoction unit to the lid in a position in which it extends as far as it can
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through the opening in the base plate so that it cannot pass completely through
the opening in the base plate.
Advantageously the lid has a drinking opening in a region of the edge
which forms a connection to the inner space of the beverage container when
the lid is seated on the beverage container. Such a drinking opening permits
the contents of the beverage container to be consumed without having to
remove the lid from the beverage container.
The drinking opening is preferably arranged diametrically opposite the
second opening arranged in an edge region of the lid (claim 9). In this way
during drinking through the drinking opening any influence by the section of the
decoction unit protruding out of the second opening is avoided.
Finally in claim 10 a unit composed of a lid according to the invention
and a decoction unit is claimed. Such a unit may be kept on hand already
assembled in order to simplify the preparation of a decoction beverage. A
decoction beverage can be prepared by introducing a decoction liquid,
especially hot water for tea, into a beverage container, e.g., a disposable tea
container and subsequently putting on the lid, already assembled with the
decoction unit, e.g., the tea pouch. The beverage can be handed over to the
consumer directly in this constellation. The latter after a certain time
determined by himself can remove the decoction unit by pulling the section
extending out of the second opening out of the decoction liquid and enjoy the
freshly prepared decoction beverage.
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Other advantages and features of invention may be derived from the
following description of examples of embodiment with reference to the
appended figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a lid according to the invention,
Figure 2 shows the lid in figure 1 from above;
Figure 3 is a cross-section through the lid shown in Figures 1 and 2
Figure 4 shows the lid according to the invention without the cover, in a
three-dimensional view;
Figure 5 lid without cover, top view;
Figure 6 is a sectional representation along line A-A in Figure 5, and
Figure 7 (a) through 7 (c) schematically illustrate the use of the lid
according to the invention together with a decoction unit in three different
sectional representations.
The figures show an example of embodiment of a lid according to the
invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numbers.
To describe the lid according to the invention first reference is made to
Figures 1 through 6 taken as a whole. The lid according to the invention is
generally denoted in the figures by 1. This lid 1 has a bottom plate 2 and a
cover 3. Between the bottom plate 2 and the cover 3 bounded on the side by a
surrounding side wall 4 a holding space 5 is formed. The cover 3 is arranged
sloping at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plate 2.
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In the bottom plate 2 a first opening 6 is formed. This opening 6 is
essentially rectangular with rounded off corner regions. In a first direction
viewed along the shorter length of the essentially rectangular opening 6 the
opening 6 lies in the center of the bottom plate 2. In the direction of its longer
dimension the opening 6 extends essentially over the entire width of the bottom
plate 2.
In the region of the cover 3, more precisely, between the bottom side of
the cover 3 and the side wall 4 a second opening 1 is located. This opening 7
is essentially formed as a slit and is covered by a flap-shaped extension of the
cover (flap 13).
The lid 1 has a surrounding clamping edge 8 with which it can be affixed
on a beverage container, preferably a disposable tea container. In a region
outside of the side wall 4, therefore, starting at the side wall 4 running in the
direction of the clamping edge 8 a drinking opening 11 is arranged in the upper
edge of the lid 1. The bottom plate 2 in one section has a rest 10 whose
function will be explained later.
The cover 3 is placed on a resting edge 12 formed as a ledge in the side
wall 4.
The lid 1 is constructed entirely of two parts, the cover 3 being a
separate component. The rest of the lid is fabricated in one piece by deep
drawing of plastic. For final assembly of the lid 1 the cover 3 is placed on the
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resting edge 12 and there affixed in a suitable way, e.g., by gluing, welding or
the like.
The figures 7 (a) through 7 (c) show how the lid 1 according to the
invention is used in connection with a decoction unit 20. Figure 7(a) shows how
a decoction unit 20 is inserted in the lid 1. The decoction unit 20 has a pouch
part 21 in which decoction material such as tea leaves is held The pouch part
21 is arranged on a handle 22. The handle 22 is plate shaped and preferably
formed from paper or cardboard material. The pouch part 21 is formed on
handle 22 in such a way that sections of the handle 22 extend on both sides of
the connection site between the pouch part 21 and handle 22 , i.e. the grasping
section 23 and a supporting section 24.
To insert the decoction unit 20 the latter is inserted with the gripping
section 23 in front from the bottom through the opening 6 into the lid 1 until the
gripping section 23 passes through the opening 7. At this time the handle 22 is
guided during the insertion on the guiding surface 5 so that the gripping section
23 can be securely passed through the opening 7. In this first step, as shown
in Figure 7 (a) the flap 13 is bent around. The direction of motion is indicated in
Figure 7 (a) by an arrow. When the entire supporting segment 24 of the handle
22 is located on the far side of the edge of opening 6 lying opposite opening 7
the handle 22 is swiveled and pushed so far back into the holding space 5 that
the supporting section 24 lies with its edge on the outermost end of the rest 10.
This is shown in Fig. 7(b), the direction of movement being indicated by the
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arrow. In this position the decoction unit 20 is securely fixed to the lid 1 and the
pouch part 21 extends by the maximal length out of opening 6 of the bottom
plate 2 of the lid 1. The pouch part 21 of the decoction unit 20 can therefore,
e.g., extend jointly into hot water located in a disposable drinking container on
which the lid 1 with a decoction unit 20 inserted is seated and serve to prepare
the decoction beverage
If the decoction beverage is already prepared, the handle 22 on the
gripping section 23 is grasped and pulled out in the direction of the arrow
shown in Fig. 7 (c) from the opening 7. At that time the pouch part 21 of the
decoction unit 20 is pulled into the holding space 5. The pouch part 21 is then
at least partially enclosed in the holding space 5. In this step the pouch part 21
is also squeezed and "wrung out" so that decoction beverage still held in the
pouch part 21, e.g., in the case of a disposable drinking container, runs back.
In particular, the pouch part 21 after the gripping section 23 is pulled our or the
pouch part 21 pulled into the holding space 5, is no longer in contact with the
decoction beverage so that, for example, in the case of tea one cannot draw
too long and too much bitter substances out of the tea into the hot water or
decoction.
The decoction unit 21 then remains in the last-mentioned position. The
decoction beverage held in the beverage container can be drunk through the
opening 11 without having the decoction beverage come into further contact
with the pouch part 21 of the decoction unit 20. This means the lid need not be
10

taken off in order to remove the pouch part 21 from the decoction beverage but
can remain on the beverage container and prevent spilling or premature cooling
of the beverage.
With the lid 1 according to the invention it is possible to prepare
decoction beverages of high-quality, especially high-quality teas and especially
to offer them in disposable drinking containers for sale on the street.
11

List of reference numbers
1 lid
2 bottom plate
3 covering
5 4 side wall
5 holding space
6 opening
7 opening
8 clamping edge
10 9 guiding surface
10 rest
11 drinking opening
12 resting edge
13 flap
15 20 decoction unit
21 pouch part
22 handle
23 gripping section
24 supporting section
20
12

Claims
1. Lid for a beverage container for holding a decoction beverage, preferably for
a disposable tea container with a base plate (2) and a cover (3) arranged at a
distance from the base plate (2), a holding space (5) being formed between the
base plate (2) and covering (3), bounded on the side by a circumferential side
wall (4), a first opening (6) being provided in the base plate (2) through which a
decoction unit (20) containing a decoction material can be guided and a second
opening (7) smaller than the first opening (6) being formed in the cover (3) or in
the region of the cover (3), through which a section (23) of the decoction unit
(20) can be guided, said holding space (5) being of such dimensions as to hold
at least part of the decoction unit (20).
2. Lid as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the second opening (7) is
formed as a slit.
3. Lid as in one of the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that it
displays a preferably circumferential clamping edge (a) for clamping on the
beverage container.
4. Lid as in one of the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that the cover
(3) is arranged sloping at an acute angle to the base plate (12).
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5. Lid as in one of the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that it
displays guiding surfaces (9) slanted with respect to the base plate (2) for
guiding a section of a handle (22) of the decoction unit (20).
6. Lid as in claims 4 and 5, characterized the fact that the acute angle
enclosed between the base plate (2) and the guiding surfaces (9) is larger
than the acute angle between the base plate (2) and the cover (3).
7. Lid as in one of the foregoing claims, characterized the fact that viewed in
cross-section the first opening (6) in the base plate (2) is arranged
approximately in the center and that the second opening (7) in the direction of
the edge is offset relative to the first opening (6) in the cover (3) or in the region
of the cover (3) and that in a region lying diametrically opposite the second
opening (7) the base plate (2) has a rest (10) for a part (24) of the handle (22)
of the decoction unit (20).
8. Lid as in one of the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that it
displays a drinking opening (11) in an edge region which creates, when the lid
(1) is seated on the beverage container, a connection to the inner space of the
beverage container.
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9. Lid as in claims 7 and 8, characterized by the fact that the drinking opening
(11) is arranged diametrically opposite the second opening (7).
10. Unit consisting of a lid according to claims 1 through [9] and a decoction
unit (20) preferably with a pouch containing tea leaves, arranged in the lid (1),
penetrating the base plate (2) through the first opening, with a gripping section
(23) guided out of the holding space (5) through the second opening (7).
10. Unit consisting of a lid as in claims 1 through 9 and a decoction unit (20),
preferably with a pouch containing tea leaves, arranged in the lid (1) passing
through the base plate (2) through the first opening, guided with a handle
section (23) through the second opening (7) out of holding/receiving space (5).
15

The invention proposes a lid for a beverage container for holding a
decoction beverage, preferably a disposable tea container with a base plate (2)
and a covering (3) arranged at a distance from the base plate (2) in which case
between the base plate (2) and the covering (3) a holding space (5) bounded
on the sides by a surrounding side wall (4) is formed, a first opening (6) being
provided in the base plate (2) through which a decoction unit (20) holding
decoction materials can be guided and a second opening (7) smaller than the
first opening (6) being formed in the covering (3) or in the region of the covering
(3) through which a section of the decoction unit can be guided, the holding
space (5) being of dimensions such as to hold at least part of the decoction
unit.
This lid is especially suitable for covering beverage containers in which
decoction beverages, especially for "sale on the street" are to be prepared. A
decoction unit may be used without having to remove the lid from the beverage
container.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=A8R6mHEe7//LIye0d7CEEg==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 271750
Indian Patent Application Number 3047/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 10/2016
Publication Date 04-Mar-2016
Grant Date 02-Mar-2016
Date of Filing 20-Aug-2007
Name of Patentee HALSSEN & LYON GMBH
Applicant Address PICKHUBEN 9, 20457 HAMBURG
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BURCHARD, JORN FRESCHENHAUSENER WEG 30, 21220 SEEVETAL
PCT International Classification Number B65D 85/812
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2005/011212
PCT International Filing date 2005-10-19
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 05002924.8 2005-02-11 EUROPEAN UNION