EP1690805B1 - Lid for a container for infusion drinks - Google Patents

Abstract

A mug of tea sold from a mobile vending station is prepared by the release of hot water into a mug containing a tea bag suspended from a draw string under a plastic lid. The lid has a stepped central detent and an aperture through which the tea bag may be withdrawn onto the step when the tea has brewed to the desired concentration.

Description

The invention relates to a lid for a beverage container for receiving an infusion beverage, preferably for a disposable tea mug.

It is known to offer hot drinks, for example, at kiosks or specially set up for sale takeaways. The hot drinks are typically offered in disposable cups, for example made of cardboard or polystyrene. These disposable cups are regularly closed with a lid, on the one hand prevent spillage of the hot content and on the other hand should cause a warming effect.

Such cup-lid combinations are known, for example, for coffee, wherein the lid for such coffee mugs are usually simple plastic lid with a circumferential clamping edge. In this case, either a simple opening or a raised drinking spout with an opening is provided at a location near the edge of the lid, through which the hot coffee can be drunk without removing the lid from the cup.

The aim of the invention is now to provide the aforementioned "street sale" of hot coffee to go comparable Möglitnkeit for the sale of tea. Here, the tea should meet a certain quality standards, in particular should be used with fresh tea leaves brewed tea.

The document US 6460725 B discloses a lid having a cover in which an opening is formed through which a portion of the infusion unit is passable.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a lid for a beverage container for receiving an infusion beverage, by means of which a tea or other infusion beverage can be easily prepared and delivered in a street sale to a customer beverage container can be reliably closed.

This object is achieved with a lid according to claim 1.

Advantageous developments of the lid are given in the dependent claims 2 to 9. Claim 10 finally describes a unit consisting of such a lid and an infusion unit arranged in the lid.

According to the invention, the cover has a base plate and a cover arranged at a distance from the base plate. Between the base plate and the cover, a receiving space is formed, which is bounded by a laterally encircling side wall. In the base plate, a first opening is provided. This is dimensioned such that an infusion unit-containing infusion unit can be guided through it. In the cover or in the area thereof, a second opening which is smaller than that of the first opening formed in the base plate is formed. This opening is dimensioned such that at least a portion of the infusion unit can be guided therethrough. Finally, the receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the Aufgusseinheit is sized.

With the lid according to the invention, an infusion unit, preferably an infusion bag containing tea leaves, can pass through the opening formed in the base plate can be hung inside the beverage container, in particular a disposable tea beaker. It is provided that a portion of the Aufgusseinheit, in particular a handle projects through the second, formed in the cover opening and is fixed in a suitable manner to the lid. The infusion unit advantageously extends through the opening formed in the base plate of the lid to such an extent that it reaches into the beverage container so far that it is in contact with hot water or another brewing liquid located therein. After the end of a brewing time, the brewing unit can then be gripped on the section protruding through the opening formed in the cover and pulled through this opening. In this case, the part of the infusion unit projecting through the opening formed in the base plate is at least partially drawn into the receiving space formed between the base plate and the cover. In particular, the infusion unit is pulled out of the beverage container so far that it is no longer in contact with the infusion liquid, in particular the hot water or the now formed infusion beverage.

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 infusion beverage contained therein reliably, so that accidental spillage is avoided or early cooling when using a hot infusion beverage is also prevented. On the other hand, the lid according to the invention is used for easy handling of an infusion unit, which can penetrate through this lid for preparing the infusion beverage into an infusion or brewing liquid, without lifting the lid then can be easily removed from this.

In particular, it is possible with the lid according to the invention, for example tea in the form of tea leaves in a tea bag to prepare a high quality To prepare teas in a disposable tea cup eg for "street vending".

The lid is preferably made of a plastic, in particular by deep drawing. Alternatively, however, the lid can also be designed from a paper or cardboard material by appropriate shaping. Preferably, the lid is formed of two elements, one part is the cover and the remaining lid is made in one piece.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention described in claim 2, the second opening is formed slit-shaped. In this way, the opening formed in or in the region of the cover is dimensioned particularly small, so that both the risk of spillage of the contents of the beverage container through this opening and the possibility of premature cooling of a hot beverage therein is reduced. Particularly preferably, the slot-shaped opening can be further covered by a tongue or lug-shaped part of the cover and be substantially closed in a rest position.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention (claim 3) it is provided that the cover has a preferably circumferential clamping edge for clamping on the beverage container. With such a clamping edge of the lid can be safely and reliably set on the beverage container without the risk that the lid is accidentally accidentally released from the beverage container or drops.

In a further development of the invention (claim 4) it is provided that the cover is arranged inclined at an acute angle to the base plate. By this type of arrangement, a wedge-shaped receiving space is created in cross-section. On the one hand, such a wedge-shaped receiving space is advantageous for the holding of the infusion unit and also fulfills the purpose of guiding the infusion unit when pulling the same, as will become more apparent later, in particular with reference to the description of the embodiment.

According to a further advantageous feature of the invention (claim 5), the cover to the base plate inclined guide surfaces for guiding a portion of the handle of the Aufgusseinheit. Such inclined guide surfaces assist in wedging the infusion unit in the receiving space after insertion through the opening in the bottom plate. As a result, the infusion unit is held on the one hand by squeezing "wrung out" to the other in the receiving space.

Advantageously, the included between the base plate and the guide surfaces, acute angle is greater than the apex angle between the base and the cover (claim 6).

If the lid is further constructed in accordance with the advantageous development specified in claim 7, this can be pulled through the first opening and the second opening, respectively, along a plane running obliquely through the receiving space. This results in the possibility to draw a larger portion of the Aufgusseinheit in the interior of the receiving space, as if the two openings in the base plate and the cover would be arranged one above the other in alignment. The support arranged in the region of the base plate opposite the second opening for a part of the handle of the brewing unit makes it possible to fix the brewing unit in a position in which it protrudes maximally far through the opening in the base plate, so that it can not completely pass through the opening in the base plate.

Advantageously, the lid has a drinking opening in an edge region which creates a connection in the interior of the beverage container when the lid is placed on the beverage container. Such a drinking opening allows the To be able to enjoy the contents of the beverage container 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, an influence by the protruding from the second opening portion of the Aufgusseinheit is avoided when drinking through the drinking opening.

Finally, claimed in claim 10, a composite of a lid according to the invention and a Aufgusseinheit unit. Such a unit may be pre-combined stocked in order to facilitate the preparation of an infusion beverage. An infusion beverage can then be prepared by introducing an infusion liquid, in particular hot water for tea, into a beverage container, for example a disposable tea cup and subsequent placement of the lid already preassembled with the infusion unit, for example the tea bag. In this constellation, the beverage can be delivered to the consumer. This can then remove the infusion unit by pulling on the projecting through the second opening portion of the infusion liquid and enjoy the freshly prepared infusion beverage after a certain time determined by himself.

Fig. 1

in dreidimensionaler Ansicht einen erfindungsgemäßen Deckel;

Fig. 2

den in Fig. 1 dargestellten Deckel von oben;

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch den in Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigten Deckel;

Fig. 4

den erfindungsgemäßen Deckel ohne Abdeckung, in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht;

Fig. 5

den Deckel ohne Abdeckung in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

eine entlang der Linie A - A in Fig. 5 genommene Schnittdarstellung; und

Fig. 7(a)

schematisch die Verwendung des erfindungsgemäßen

bis 7(c)

Deckels zusammen mit einer Aufgusseinheit in drei unterschiedlichen Schnittdarstellungen.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1

in three-dimensional view a lid according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the in Fig. 1 illustrated cover from above;

Fig. 3

a cross section through the in Fig. 1 and 2 shown lid;

Fig. 4

the cover according to the invention without cover, in a three-dimensional view;

Fig. 5

the lid without cover in a plan view;

Fig. 6

one along the line A - A in Fig. 5 taken sectional view; and

Fig. 7 (a)

schematically the use of the invention

to 7 (c)

Lids together with an infusion unit in three different sectional views.

In the figures, an embodiment of a lid according to the invention is shown. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

For the description of the lid according to the invention is first on the FIGS. 1 to 6 in their entirety. The lid according to the invention is generally designated 1 in the figures. This cover 1 has a bottom plate 2 and a cover 3. Between the bottom plate 2 and the cover 3, bounded laterally by a circumferential side wall 4, a receiving space 5 is formed. The cover 3 is inclined relative to the bottom plate 2 at an acute angle.

In the bottom plate 2, a first opening 6 is formed. This opening 6 is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. In a first, seen along the shorter extension of the substantially rectangular opening 6 direction, the opening 6 is located centrally in the bottom plate 2. In the direction of its longer extension, the opening 6 extends substantially over the entire width of the bottom plate. 2

In the region of the cover 3, more precisely between the underside of the cover 3 and the side wall 4, a second opening 7 is left. This opening 7 is substantially slit-shaped and is covered by a tab-like extension of the cover (tab 13).

The lid 1 has a circumferential clamping edge 8, with which it can be fixed on a beverage container, preferably a disposable drinking cup. In a region outside the side wall 4, that is, starting from the side wall 4 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 has in a section on a support 10, the function will be explained later.

The cover 3 is placed on an offset in the side wall 4 formed Auflagerand 12.

The cover 1 is a total of two parts, wherein the cover 3 is a separate component. The rest of the lid is made in one piece by deep drawing of plastic. For final assembly of the lid 1, the cover 3 is placed on the support edge 12 and secured there in a suitable manner, for example by gluing, welding or the like.

In the FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) It is shown how the lid 1 according to the invention is used in connection with an infusion unit 20. In Fig. 7 (a) It is shown how a Aufgusseinheit 20 is inserted into the lid 1. The infusion unit 20 has a bag part 21 in which an infusion material, for example tea leaves, is located. The bag part 21 is arranged on a handle 22. The handle 22 is plate-shaped and preferably formed from a paper or cardboard material. The bag part 21 is formed on the handle 22 so that on both sides of the connection point between the bag part 21 and handle 22 sections of the handle 22 extend, nämlicn the handle portion 23 and a support portion 24th

To insert the Aufgusseinheit 20, this is with the handle portion 23 ahead from below through the opening 6 in the Cover 1 inserted until the handle portion 23 passes through the opening 7 therethrough. The handle 22 is guided during insertion on the guide surfaces 9, so that the handle portion 23 can be safely passed through the opening 7. At this first step, as in Fig. 7 (a) is shown, the tab 13 is bent. The direction of movement is in Fig. 7 (a) indicated by an arrow. When the entire support portion 24 of the handle 22 is located beyond the opening 7 opposite edge of the opening 6, the handle 22 is pivoted and so far pushed back into the receiving space 5 of the lid 1 until the support portion 24 with its edge at the extreme end of Edition 10 rests. This is in Fig. 7 (b) shown, wherein the direction of movement is indicated by the arrow. In this position, the Aufgusseinheit 20 is securely fixed to or in the lid 1, and the bag part 21 protrudes by a maximum length of the opening 6 of the bottom plate 2 of the lid 1 out. The bag part 21 of the Aufgusseinheit 20 can thus protrude, for example, in a disposable cup on which the lid 1 is placed with Aufgusseinheit 20 inserted, located hot water and serve for the preparation of the infusion beverage.

Once the infusion beverage has been prepared, the handle 22 is grasped on the gripping portion 23 and moved in the direction of the in Fig. 7 (c) drawn arrow from the opening 7 pulled out. In this case, the bag part 21 of the infusion unit 20 is drawn into the receiving space 5. The bag part 21 is then at least partially received in the receiving space 5. In this step, the bag part 21 is simultaneously squeezed and "wrung out", so that even in the bag part 21 retained infusion beverage in the beverage container, such as the disposable cup, runs back. In particular, the bag part 21 is no longer in contact with the infusion beverage after pulling out the handle portion 23 or pulling the bag part 21 into the receiving space 5, so that, for example, in the case of tea is prevented, that this excessively draws and too many bitter substances from the tea get into the hot water or the infusion.

In this last-mentioned position, the infusion unit 21 then remains. The infusion beverage in the beverage container can be drunk through the opening 11 without the infusion beverage continuing to come into contact with the bag part 21 of the infusion unit 20. That the lid does not need to be removed from the infusion beverage to remove the bag part 21, but may continue to remain on the beverage container and prevent the beverage from spilling or premature cooling.

With the lid 1 according to the invention it is possible to prepare infusion drinks of high quality, especially high-quality tea infusions and to offer them especially in disposable cups in street vendors.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cover

2

baseplate

3

cover

4

Side wall

5

accommodation space

6

opening

7

opening

8th

clamping edge

9

guide surface

10

edition

11

drinking opening

12

supporting edge

13

flap

20

infusion unit

21

bag part

22

handle

23

handle portion

24

support section

Claims (10)

1. Lid for a drink container for receiving an infusion drink, preferably for a disposable tea cup, having a base plate (2) and a cover (3) spaced from the base plate (2) and where between said base plate (2) and said cover (3) is formed a reception area (5) laterally bounded by a circumferential side wall (4), where a first opening (6) is provided in the base plate and through which can be passed an infusion unit (20) containing an infusion material and where in the cover (3) or in the vicinity of said cover (3) is formed a second opening (7) smaller than the first opening (6) and through which can be passed a portion (23) of the infusion unit (20) and where the reception area (5) is dimensioned for receiving at least part of the infusion unit (20).
2. Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the second opening (7) is slot-like.
3. Lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a preferably circumferential clamping rim (8) for clamping onto the drink container.
4. Lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) is inclined under an acute angle to the base plate (2).
5. Lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has guide surfaces (9) inclined relative to the base plate (2) for guiding a portion of a handle (22) of infusion unit (20).
6. Lid according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the acute angle formed between base plate (2) and guide surfaces (9) is larger than the acute angle between base plate (2) and cover (3).
7. Lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, considered in cross-section, the first opening (6) in base plate (2) is positioned roughly centrally and that the second opening (7) is displaced towards the rim with respect to the first opening (6) in cover (3) or in the vicinity of cover (3) and that in an area diametrically opposite to the second opening (7) the base plate (2) has a support (10) for part (24) of handle (22) of infusion unit (20).
8. Lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a marginal area it has a drinking opening (11) which when the lid (1) is fitted onto the drink container creates a connection to the interior of said container.
9. Lid according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the drinking opening (11) is diametrically opposite to the second opening (7).
10. Unit comprising a lid according to one of the claims 1 to 9 and an infusion unit (20) located in lid (1), penetrating base plate (2) through the first opening and led out of the reception area (5) through second opening (7) with a gripping portion (23), preferably with a bag containing tea leaves.

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