EP3245910B1 - Beverage service comprising a beverage identification accessory and associated beverage identification method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of the art of the table and more particularly to beverage services for serving beverages such as hot drinks such as coffee or tea or cold drinks or iced soda or iced tea kind.

More particularly, the invention relates to a beverage service comprising at least one container, such as a cup, a cup or a glass, intended to contain said beverage and manipulated by a user to allow the latter to consume said beverage, and Optionally a support element, such as a saucer or a coaster, for supporting said container.

The invention also relates to a method for identifying a beverage contained in a container, such as a cup, a cup or a glass, said container being manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said beverage and forming part of it. a beverage service optionally comprising a support member, such as a saucer or a coaster, for supporting said container.

Beverage services, such as a set of cups, bowls, glasses, etc. are particularly essential to be able to share, with guests, a friendly moment, for example by serving them coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soda. But, depending on the choice of guests, the host is often faced with a problem of differentiation of drinks once they are in the different containers (for example a cup). In other words, the host can be brought, if the drinks chosen by his guests are visually close (for example a coffee and a decaf) to no longer know which drink is in which container.

This problem is nowadays accentuated by the widespread use of machines and devices for preparing a plurality of different drinks from disposable individual elements such as pods, capsules, sachets, etc. This is particularly the case with certain coffee machines that make it possible to prepare different coffees, having different flavors, different intensities, etc. from different individual capsules.

But the use of these products that offer the opportunity to offer and then prepare diners a plurality of variations of drinks, accentuates the problem associated with the identification and / or recognition of different versions of prepared drinks. For example, on a panel of different guests, everyone can select a different drink declination, for example, in the case of a coffee, a very strong coffee, a very soft coffee, a coffee flavored with vanilla, a decaffeinated etc. (the choice offered can sometimes go up to several dozens of variations). It is then easy for the host to prepare all these variations of beverage (in this case coffee variations) thanks to the equipment available (coffee machine and different capsules). But, once the different drinks are prepared, that is to say placed in the different cups, the host, or at least the person who prepared the drinks, does not have any means allowing him to distinguish the various declensions of drink, so that it is no longer able to identify which declination of coffee is in which cup with all the disadvantages that this causes.

To remedy this problem, some people, including service professionals (such as restaurant servers, bars, etc.) have developed some tips to enable them to identify and / or distinguish the various variations of drink. For example, in order to differentiate a normal coffee from a decaffeinated coffee, the servers will turn the spoon in one case and not in the other. But these tips have many disadvantages, including uncertain reliability, especially if the person who brings the drink table is not the same person who prepared the drink. In addition, the tip referred to above is particularly uncertain insofar as the spoon then remains particularly unstable and may fall, this risk being particularly accentuated in public institutions (bars, restaurants, etc.).

This problem, explained above with the particular example of coffee, is also present with many other drinks that have different but visually similar combinations, such as tea, hot chocolate, wine, soft drinks (which sometimes have no visual difference, for example between a light version and a normal version of a soda, etc.).

The document DE 20 2012 005 505 U1 discloses a beverage service including accessories to differentiate containers from each other.

The objects assigned to the present invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a new beverage service intended to serve a drink to consumers which makes it possible to easily, quickly and reliably identify the beverage at inside a service container, while improving the functionality of the service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new beverage service that can be used with individual preparation elements such as pods or capsules.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new beverage service that is particularly practical and functional.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new beverage service that is particularly suitable for tasting hot drinks such as coffee.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new beverage service that is particularly aesthetic and elegant.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new beverage service that is particularly flattering, original, surprising and fun for users.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new beverage service that is particularly intuitive and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new beverage service which is particularly robust, reliable and resistant.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method of identifying a beverage contained in a beverage service that is particularly simple, intuitive and quick to implement.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method for identifying a beverage contained in a beverage service that is particularly robust and reliable.

• au moins un récipient, tel qu'une tasse, un gobelet ou un verre, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson,
• optionnellement un élément support, tel qu'une soucoupe ou un dessous de verre, destiné à supporter ledit récipient,

ledit service comprenant une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson, chacun desdits accessoires comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires entre eux, chacun des accessoires étant conçu pour pouvoir être inséré, au moins partiellement et temporairement, à l'intérieur d'une zone évidée dudit récipient et / ou dudit élément support, chacun desdits moyens visuels de différenciation étant associé à une boisson particulière pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire inséré à l'intérieur de la zone évidée l'utilisateur puisse identifier la nature de la boisson contenue dans le récipient, lesdits accessoires présentant en outre tous une même conformation qui leur permet d'assurer, en plus de ladite fonction d'identification, une fonction supplémentaire d'usage utile à la consommation de ladite boisson, chacun desdits accessoires pouvant assurer par lui-même ladite fonction supplémentaire d'usage, lesdits accessoires d'identification de boisson étant compris dans un kit comprenant une pluralité de doses unitaires de préparation destinées à la préparation de différentes déclinaisons de boisson.The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a beverage service comprising:

• at least one container, such as a cup, a cup or a glass, intended to contain said beverage and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said beverage,
• optionally a support element, such as a saucer or a coaster, for supporting said container,

said service comprising a plurality of beverage identification accessories, each of said accessories including a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories from each other, each of the accessories being designed to be able to be inserted, at least partially and temporarily within a recessed area of said container and / or said support member, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular beverage so that at the sight of the accessory inserted within the recessed area the user can identify the nature of the beverage contained in the container, said accessories further having the same conformation that allows them to provide, in addition to said identification function, an additional function useful for consumption of said beverage, each of said accessories being able to ensure by itself said additional function of use, said beverage identification accessories being included in a kit comprising a plurality of unit doses of preparation intended for the preparation of different variations of beverage.

• une étape préalable de choix d'une boisson à consommer,
• une étape de sélection, parmi une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson d'un accessoire en particulier en fonction de la boisson choisie, chacun desdits accessoires comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires entre eux, chacun desdits moyens visuels de différenciation étant associé à une boisson particulière, lesdits accessoires d'identification de boisson étant compris dans un kit comprenant une pluralité de doses unitaires de préparation destinées à la préparation de différentes déclinaisons de boisson,
• une étape d'insertion temporaire à l'intérieur d'une zone évidée dudit récipient et / ou dudit élément support, d'au moins une partie dudit accessoire pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire inséré à l'intérieur de la zone évidée l'utilisateur puisse identifier la nature de la boisson contenue dans le récipient,
• une étape d'utilisation dudit accessoire d'identification de boisson pour une fonction supplémentaire d'usage utile à la consommation de ladite boisson, en plus de la fonction d'identification, lesdits accessoires présentant en outre tous une même conformation, chacun desdits accessoires pouvant assurer par lui-même ladite fonction supplémentaire d'usage.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a method of identifying a beverage contained in a container, such as a cup, a cup or a glass, said container being manipulable by a user for allow the latter to consume said beverage and part of a beverage service according to one of claims 1-13 optionally comprising a support member, such as a saucer or a coaster, for supporting said container, the process comprising:

• a preliminary step of choosing a drink to consume,
• a selection step, among a plurality of beverage identification accessories of an accessory in particular depending on the beverage chosen, each of said accessories comprising a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories between them, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular beverage, said beverage identification accessories being included in a kit comprising a plurality of unit doses of preparation for the preparation of different beverage combinations,
• a temporary insertion step within a recessed area of said container and / or said support member, at least a portion of said accessory so that at the sight of the accessory inserted inside the area the user can identify the nature of the drink contained in the container,
• a step of using said drink identification accessory for an additional function useful for the consumption of said beverage, in addition to the identification function, said accessories further having the same conformation, each of said accessories being able to to ensure by itself said additional function of use.

• La figure 1 représente un service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention dans lequel l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction de repose-cuillère.
• La figure 2 représente un autre service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention dans lequel l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction de repose-cuillère.
• La figure 3 représente un autre service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention dans lequel l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction de « touillette ».
• La figure 4 représente différentes vues du service à boisson visible à la figure 3, et notamment une vue de dessus, avec différentes positions de l'accessoire d'identification de boisson.
• La figure 5 représente un autre service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention dans lequel l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction de « touillette », selon différentes vues et différentes positions de l'accessoire d'identification de boisson.
• La figure 6 représente un autre service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention dans lequel l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction d'isolant thermique.
• La figure 7 représente en vue de dessus et en détail différents assemblages possibles entre l'accessoire d'identification et le récipient visibles à la figure 6.
• Les figures 8 et 9 représentent d'autres services à boisson tels que définis par l'invention dans lesquels l'accessoire d'identification de boisson permet d'assurer une fonction de sachet à sucre ou à édulcorant ou de distributeur de sucre d'où d'édulcorant.
• Les figures 10 et 11 représentent différents accessoires visuels de différenciation tels que définis par l'invention ainsi que leurs positionnements sur différents récipients.
• La figure 12 représente une capsule destinée à la préparation d'une boisson sur laquelle se trouve un accessoire d'identification de boisson tel que défini par l'invention ainsi qu'un service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention.
• La figure 13 représente différents récipients issus de différents services à boisson tels que définis par l'invention qui comportent chacun une soucoupe comportant elle-même une ou plusieurs zones évidées destinées à recevoir au moins un accessoire d'identification de boisson.
• Les figures 14 à 16 représentent différents récipients issus d'un service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention, chacun des récipients comportant une anse dans laquelle est destiné à se placer un accessoire d'identification de boisson tel que défini par l'invention.
• La figure 17 représente un autre récipient issu d'un service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention qui comporte plusieurs espaces évidés dans l'anse d'un récipient destinés à recevoir différents accessoires d'identification de boisson.
• La figure 18 représente un autre récipient issu d'un service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention qui comporte un élément support intégré audit récipient et dans lequel est destiné à se placer une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson tels que définis par l'invention.
• La figure 19 est une vue de dessus du récipient visible à la figure 18.
• La figure 20 représente un autre service à boisson tel que défini par l'invention qui comporte un élément support distinct du récipient et dans lequel est destiné à se placer une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson tels que définis par l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge and will appear in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

• The figure 1 represents a beverage service as defined by the invention in which the drink identification accessory makes it possible to ensure a function of spoon rest.
• The figure 2 represents another beverage service as defined by the invention in which the drink identification accessory makes it possible to ensure a function of spoon rest.
• The figure 3 represents another beverage service as defined by the invention wherein the drink identification accessory makes it possible to provide a " tuck " function.
• The figure 4 represents different views of the visible drink service at the figure 3 , and in particular a view from above, with different positions of the drink identification accessory.
• The figure 5 represents another beverage service as defined by the invention in which the drink identification accessory makes it possible to provide a " tuck " function, according to different views and different positions of the beverage identification accessory.
• The figure 6 represents another beverage service as defined by the invention wherein the drink identification accessory ensures a thermal insulation function.
• The figure 7 represents in top view and in detail different possible assemblies between the identification accessory and the container visible in FIG. figure 6 .
• The Figures 8 and 9 represent other beverage services as defined by the invention in which the drink identification accessory makes it possible to ensure a function of sugar or sweetener bag or of sugar dispenser from which sweetener.
• The Figures 10 and 11 represent different visual differentiation accessories as defined by the invention as well as their positioning on different containers.
• The figure 12 represents a capsule for the preparation of a beverage on which there is a beverage identification accessory as defined by the invention and a beverage service as defined by the invention.
• The figure 13 represents different containers from different beverage services as defined by the invention which each comprise a saucer including itself one or more recessed areas for receiving at least one drink identification accessory.
• The Figures 14 to 16 represent different containers from a beverage service as defined by the invention, each of the containers having a handle in which is intended to be placed a drink identification accessory as defined by the invention.
• The figure 17 represents another container from a beverage service as defined by the invention which comprises a plurality of spaces recessed in the handle of a container for receiving different accessories identification drink.
• The figure 18 represents another container resulting from a beverage service as defined by the invention which comprises a support element integrated in said container and in which is intended to be placed a plurality of beverage identification accessories as defined by the invention.
• The figure 19 is a top view of the container visible at the figure 18 .
• The figure 20 represents another beverage service as defined by the invention which comprises a support member separate from the container and wherein is intended to be placed a plurality of beverage identification accessories as defined by the invention.

The invention relates as such to a beverage service 1, that is to say a set of elements to serve, offer or offer to one or more users one or more drinks, so that this or these may (s) consume the drink (s). The term " drink " means any element, preferably sufficiently liquid to be drunk, that could consume a user, and preferably a human being. Thus, in an illustrative and nonlimiting manner said drink may include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, milk, wine, soda, fruit juice, etc. Thus, said drink can have different natures (coffee, tea, soda, etc.), each of which can advantageously be declined in different variations.

Preferentially, the expression " nature of the drink " thus denotes both different types of drinks, such as those mentioned above (tea, coffee, soda, wines, fruit juices, etc.) than the different variations that each of them can take. For example, if said drink is coffee, it may be in a variety of variations, such as for example strong coffee, light coffee, decaffeinated coffee, coffee latte, flavored coffee, etc. If the said beverage is soda, the latter may be in different forms such as for example soda flavored with orange, peach, any other fruit, lightened soda, etc. If said drink is wine, the latter can be broken down into a plurality of variations generated by different vintages, different producers, different grape varieties, etc. Generally for each of these drinks, said variations are visually similar, that is to say they have little or no visual differences: their color and appearance are generally very close, especially with the examples mentioned above. Thus, the illustrative example of a drink called " coffee " and another drink called " decaffeinated " illustrates two drinks of different nature, but whose visual appearance is perfectly identical, so that it is very difficult, if not impossible, for a user to visually distinguish these two drinks. Of course, this problem is exacerbated when substantially opaque, or at least non-transparent, containers 11 are used, including for beverages that are not visually close.

According to the invention, said beverage service 1 comprises at least one container 11 intended to contain said beverage and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said beverage. In other words, the shape and dimensions of said container 11 are such as to allow on the one hand to contain said drink, and on the other hand to a user, and preferably a human user, to manipulate, advantageously to the using one of his hands, and more particularly with the help of his fingers, said container 11 to include it to his mouth in order to consume, that is to say drink, said drink contained in the container 11.

Advantageously, said container 11 is made of a material rigid enough to allow it not to deform, or under the action of the drink it contains, or under the action of the hand of the user when the latter manipulates said container 11. For example, and in a manner known per se, said container may be made, in whole or in part, of mineral material (such as glass, ceramic, terracotta, etc.), of material organic (plastic, paper, etc.) or material metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). Preferably, said container 11 is heat-resistant and thus makes it possible to contain a hot beverage, for example whose temperature is close to 100 ° C., a temperature particularly required for the preparation of beverages such as tea.

In an illustrative and nonlimiting way, the term " container " can refer to objects such as a cup, a cup or a glass, a bowl, etc. Preferably, said service 1 comprises a plurality of substantially identical containers 11, advantageously at least 6.

Advantageously, and as illustrated in the various figures, said container 11 has a general shape of revolution, such as a substantially cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, etc. Advantageously, the diameter of said form of revolution is of the order of a few centimeters, or even about ten centimeters over a height that is substantially of the same order of magnitude. Alternatively, said container 11 may also have an angular shape, such as a cubic shape, prismatic, etc. or to present a combination of different shapes, for example by providing an external shape different from the inner shape (for example an outer surface of cubic shape associated with an inner surface of cylindrical shape).

Preferably, said container 11 comprises a main body defining a cavity 111 intended to contain said beverage. Advantageously, said cavity 111 extends from a first end of said container 11 to a second opposite end, so as to give the container 11 a wall of a minimum thickness, preferably of the order of a few millimeters. In the advantageous case where said container 11 has a general shape of revolution, said cavity 111 also has the same general shape of revolution, thus constituting for example the interior of the cup, the cup, the glass, the bowl, etc.

Preferably, said container 11 comprises a gripping element 112, that is to say a means advantageously designed to facilitate and optimize the gripping of said container 11 by the user, and particularly by the hand and / or fingers of the user, as can be seen in the different figures. The said element gripping 112 advantageously projects from said container 11, more precisely from its main body, and even more specifically said gripping member 112 projects radially from the external lateral wall of said main body, as illustrated in the various figures. For example, said gripping element 112 comprises a loop that protrudes from said container 11. Preferably, said gripping element 112 has an ergonomic shape and dimensions (for example a height of between 1 and 5 cm, for a thickness of centimeter order), so as to optimize the contact with the fingers of the user. Optionally, and in a manner known per se, said gripping element 112 has a through-hole, advantageously allowing the user to place a finger inside (for example his index finger) of said hole, in order to easily and firmly grasp and firmly said container 11.

Alternatively, said gripping element 112 may also comprise a specific ergonomic zone, for example one or more recesses, directly integrated with said main body of the receptacle 11.

Alternatively, said gripping element 112 may also comprise a removable element designed to be placed around or on either side of said container 11 and whose specific shape, for example by proposing a handle or handle shape, allows the user can easily, securely and firmly grasp said container 11.

Said drinking service 1 also optionally comprises a support member 15 intended to support said container 11. More specifically, the service may optionally provide, associated with each receptacle 11 of said service 1, a support member 15 designed to support said receptacle 11, in particular in order to to improve the comfort of use of the user vis-à-vis said service 1, for example by providing better stability, insulation or a zone to ask other elements belonging to said service, such as a spoon 3 for example, as is known as such.

Thus, in an illustrative and nonlimiting manner, the term " support element " can designate objects such as a saucer, or a plate, or a coaster intended to support said container 11, as can be seen on the figures 13 , 18, 19 or 20 . Such objects are generally independent of the container 11 while still being designed to interact with the latter.

Advantageously, said support member 15 is sufficiently rigid and resistant to support said container 11, including when the latter is filled with said beverage. Regardless, said support member 15 may have a form of revolution such as a disk or, on the contrary, a substantially parallelepipedal shape (from a square for example), since said support element is advantageously substantially in the form of a plate, that is to say a solid whose thickness is small in relation to its length and width (or its diameter, in the case of a piece of revolution).

Alternatively, said support element 15 may also comprise a removable element designed to be placed around or on either side of said container 11 and whose specific shape, for example a shape substantially complementary to the shape of said container 11 can support this last. According to a particular case, said support element 15 and said gripping element 112 may possibly be merged and / or formed by the same part.

Alternatively, said support member may form an integral part of the container, for example coming from material with the latter, as illustrated for example by the Figures 18 and 19 . In other words, according to this particular example, the support element 15 is inseparable from the container 11.

Still according to the invention, said service 1 also comprises a plurality of drink identification accessories 12, and / or beverage differentiation. In other words, said service comprises several accessories 12, that is to say several elements, objects, or means, to identify a drink (ie to differentiate a drink among others), and particularly the beverage inside said container 11 as will be detailed later.

Preferably, said drink identification accessory 12 is a substantially rigid accessory such as a token which has substantially the shape of a coin, as can be seen in FIG. figure 16 , or the shape of a parallelepiped as one can see especially on Figures 1 and 2 or 17 to 20 . Other forms, whether geometric or not, such as a prism, a cube, a pyramid, a stick, a cone, etc. can naturally be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. Advantageously, the drink identification accessory 12 has a complex shape, such as for example the shape of a logo or includes a logo affixed to it.

Alternatively, said accessory 12 may be a substantially flexible accessory, such as a label, a ribbon, a fabric, a piece of silicone or rubber, etc.

Advantageously, said accessory 12 is made, in whole or in part, of mineral material (such as glass, ceramic, terracotta, etc.), of organic material (plastic, paper, wood, etc.), of material metallic (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), or made from a bio-sourced material.

According to the invention, each of said accessories 12 comprises a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 from each other. Advantageously, said visual differentiation means is sufficiently visible and recognizable so that it can be immediately and easily identified by any user, including by users (such as small children) who can not read. Preferably, said visual differentiation means comprises the color and / or the shape. Advantageously, said color is similar to the color of a unit dose of preparation 2, of the capsule type, as detailed below.

Thus, in the preferred example illustrated by the various figures, the visual means that allows the user to distinguish the accessories 12 between them is the color. More specifically, the figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention in which the service 1 comprises a plurality (in this case 8) of accessories 12 of similar shapes (rods of rectangular section) but which are declined in a plurality of different colors, occurrence 8, ranging from orange to brown, blue and green. The figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the service 1 comprises a plurality (in this case 24) of drink identification accessories 12 of similar shapes (sticks of rectangular section) but declining in a plurality of different colors, some colors being used by several accessories 12. In fact, it is perfectly conceivable, when serving several drinks to several users or guests, that many of them choose precisely the same kind of drink, so that it is quite desirable that the service 1 contain several identical accessories 12. The Figures 3 to 5 illustrate, for their part, another embodiment of the invention in which the service 1 comprises a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12 of similar shapes (round-section stems) but which come in a plurality of different colors, some colors being used by several accessories 12, and for the reason explained above.

Preferably, the shape and / or the color are used to differentiate the accessories 12 from each other, it being understood that at least a portion of the shape of said accessories 12 is common to all the accessories 12 to enable them to perform the function. of use.

Still according to the invention, each of said visual differentiation means is associated with a particular beverage, thus enabling the user, by identifying said identification accessory 12, to identify the nature of the beverage contained in the container 11. the preferred example illustrated by the figures wherein the visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 between them is the color, each of the different colors used is associated with a particular drink. Thus, for example, in the case where the drink is coffee, a light color of the accessory 12 (for example yellow) will preferably be associated with a soft coffee, while a dark color of the accessory 12 (by example of brown) will preferably be associated with a strong coffee, it being understood that it will advantageously be possible to use a progressive color variation associated with a variation of beverages. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment and which will be detailed later, each of the colors used to differentiate the accessories 12 is associated with the color of a unit dose of preparation 2 (for example a pod or a coffee capsule).

In addition, said accessories 12 all have the same conformation, that is to say a specific and identical shape, the latter being advantageously preformed and substantially indeformable, or at least elastically deformable (temporarily) but not plastically (permanently). For example, said conformation may comprise a simple form of stick preferably of square or rectangular section as illustrated for example by Figures 1, 2 or 17 to 20 or a stem shape preferably of round section and possibly substantially curved as illustrated for example by Figures 3 to 5 , or a form of plate or disk as illustrated respectively by figures 10 , 14 or 15 and 11 , 12 or 16 . But said conformation may also comprise more complex forms, such as for example the shape of a plate folded on itself so as to form a U such as illustrated for example in FIG. figure 6 or 7 or the shape of a logo.

According to the invention, each of the accessories 12 is designed to be inserted, at least partially and temporarily, inside a recessed area of said container 11. For example, the " recessed area " corresponds to an area where the material has been worked, advantageously by removal of material, or shaped (by construction or subsequent processing) so as to form an empty volume of reception, for example a hollow, a counterbore, a through hole or not, a cavity, a groove, a groove, an imprint, etc., which can serve as housing for all or part of the accessory 12 concerned.

Thus, thanks to the invention, in the view of the accessory 12 inserted inside the hollowed area the user can identify the nature of the drink contained in the container 11.

Preferably, and as illustrated in the various figures, said recessed area comprises a complementary recessed space 14 which has, at least partially, a shape substantially complementary to the conformation of said drink identification accessory 12. In other words, said complementary recessed space 14 is a substantially hollow space, which may constitute all or part of said recessed area, the shape of which resumes, at least partially, the conformation, that is to say the shape of said accessory 12, so that they are complementary, that is to say so that it is possible to place said accessory 12, at least partially within the space 14, while ensuring its immobilization within said space 14 as illustrated for example by the different FIGS. In other words, taking into account the complementary shape of said space 14, when said accessory 12 is inserted, even partially, inside the latter, said accessory 12 is held in place, immobilized, attached and / or fixed to said space 14 and therefore to said container 11. Thus, thanks to this remarkable feature, it is possible for the user to manipulate the container 11 with the accessory 12 attached to the latter, without the accessory 12 does not move, does not come off or falls, for example when the user carries the container 11 to his mouth to consume the drink it contains or even when the user transports the container 11, for example from the place of preparation of the drink (for example a coffee machine, a tea machine or a soda machine located in the kitchen) instead of consumption (for example a sofa in the living room).

For example, Figures 1, 2 , 8, 9 , or 17 to 20 illustrate a drink identification accessory 12 whose shape is that of a rectangular parallelepiped. In other words, the accessory 12 represented by these figures has substantially the shape of a stick, or a bar of square or rectangle section. Therefore, the shape of the complementary hollow space 14, which is substantially complementary to the shape of said accessory 12, thus has a recess, a hole or a cavity of the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Preferably said space 14 comprises a bottom which makes it possible to avoid, advantageously in a substantially vertical direction, that the accessory 12 does not fall, in particular under the action of gravity while providing at least one opening allowing the insertion of the accessory within said recessed space of complementary shape 14.

Advantageously, the dimensions of said space 14 are very slightly greater (for example from several tenths of millimeters to one millimeter) than those of said accessory 12 so as to be able to introduce, at least partially, said accessory 12 inside said space 14, as illustrate the different figures cited. In other words, the adjustment defined by the insertion of said accessory 12 in said space 14 is an adjustment with clearance, so as to facilitate said insertion and / or extraction of said accessory 12. In this case, the immobilization of said accessory 12 within said space 14 is then advantageously ensured by the gravity, which allows said accessory 12 to remain in the complementary hollow space 14.

• au moins un récipient 11, tel qu'une tasse ou un gobelet, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson,
• au moins un élément support 15, tel qu'une soucoupe, destiné à supporter ledit récipient 11,
• une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson 12, chacun desdits accessoires 12 comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires 12 entre eux, chacun des accessoires 12 étant conçu pour pouvoir être attaché de manière amovible audit élément support 15, chacun desdits moyens visuels de différenciation étant associé à une boisson particulière pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire 12 attaché audit élément support 15 l'utilisateur puisse identifier la nature de la boisson contenue dans le récipient 11,
• avantageusement des moyens d'attaches complémentaires situés d'une part sur ledit accessoire 12 et d'autre part sur ledit élément support 15, lesdits moyens d'attache complémentaires étant conçus pour attacher de manière amovible ledit accessoire 12 audit élément support 15. Préférentiellement lesdits moyens d'attaches complémentaires comprennent des éléments mécaniques connus en tant que tels comme par exemple des clips et / ou des éléments magnétiques comme par exemple un ou plusieurs aimant(s).

Alternatively, the dimensions of said space 14 are substantially equal to or even slightly smaller (for example a few tenths of a millimeter) than those of said accessory 12 so as to block said accessory 12 within said space 14. In this case, the insertion of said accessory 12 is only possible by elastic deformation of the latter and / or said space 14, as will be detailed later. In other words, the adjustment defined by the insertion of said accessory 12 in said space 14 is a tight fit, so as to fully immobilize the accessory 12 within said space 14, and therefore within the container 11 In this case, even completely reversing the latter said accessory 12 remains in place. In addition, this particular embodiment allows the user to exert a force on said accessory 12 without the latter becoming detached from the container 11, thus allowing the latter to be grasped directly by the accessory 12, as illustrates, for example, Figures 6 and 7 and as will be detailed later.
Alternatively, each of the accessories 12 is designed to be inserted, at least partially and temporarily, inside a recessed area of said support member 15. In other words, said accessory 12 is then positionable in or on said element 15. This example thus relates to a drink service 1 comprising:

• at least one container 11, such as a cup or a cup, intended to contain said drink and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said drink,
• at least one support member 15, such as a saucer, for supporting said container 11,
• a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12, each of said accessories 12 including a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 from each other, each of the accessories 12 being designed to be removably attached to said element support 15, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular beverage so that in view of the accessory 12 attached to said support member 15 the user can identify the nature of the beverage contained in the container 11,
• advantageously complementary fastening means located on the one hand on said accessory 12 and on the other hand on said support member 15, said complementary fastening means being designed to removably attach said accessory 12 to said support member 15. Preferably said complementary fastening means comprise mechanical elements known as such, for example clips and / or magnetic elements such as for example one or more magnet (s).

Such an embodiment is for example illustrated by the figure 13 which proposes different forms of support elements 15 (in this case a round saucer or a square plate) as well as various shapes (round or square) of accessories 12. Preferably, said support element 15 comprises one or more hollow spaces or spaces. complementary shape 14 (as described above) for receiving the accessory 12. Regardless, and as previously stated, said support member 15 may be independent of the container 11 or otherwise integral with the container 11, for example coming from material with this last.

Advantageously, and as illustrated by Figures 17 to 20 each of said accessories 12 is designed to be able to move, and preferentially slide, inside said complementary hollow space 14 so as to be able to evolve for example between a retracted position in which said accessory 12 is substantially inserted inside said space further recessed 14 to thereby be at least partially concealed from the eyes of the user and an extended position in which at least a portion of said accessory 12 protrudes (i.e. protrudes outwardly) out of said complementary recessed space 14 to be easily visible to the user. Said deployed position then allows the user to immediately identify the nature of the drink contained in the container 11 and associated with the accessory that is deployed.

In other words, according to this particular embodiment, the accessory 12 is designed to be able to move, for example according to the principle of a slide connection, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 17 to 20 inside the complementary hollow space 14.

• au moins un récipient 11, tel qu'une tasse ou un gobelet, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson,
• optionnellement un élément support 15, tel qu'une soucoupe, destiné à supporter ledit récipient 11,
• une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson 12, chacun desdits accessoires 12 comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires 12 entre eux, chacun desdits accessoires 12 étant conçu pour pouvoir se déplacer à l'intérieur dudit espace évidé complémentaire 14 de manière à pouvoir évoluer par exemple entre une position rétractée dans laquelle ledit accessoire 12 est sensiblement inséré à l'intérieur dudit espace évidé complémentaire 14 pour être ainsi au moins partiellement dissimulé aux yeux de l'utilisateur et une position déployée dans laquelle au moins une portion dudit accessoire 12 fait saillie (c'est-à-dire dépasse vers l'extérieur) hors dudit espace évidé complémentaire 14 pour ainsi être aisément visible par l'utilisateur, ladite position déployée permettant à l'utilisateur d'identifier immédiatement la nature de la boisson contenue dans le récipient 11 et associée à l'accessoire qui est déployé,
• avantageusement des moyens de blocage conçus pour empêcher lesdits accessoires d'être extraits dudit espace évidé complémentaire 14.

Preferably, the container 11 and / or the support member 15 comprise a plurality of complementary hollow spaces 14 and it is thus possible for the user to insert a drink identification accessory 12 into each of the complementary hollow spaces 14, in order to position several different identification accessories 12 in the container 11 and / or the support member 15. The user can then put in the deployed position (that is to say make visible) the accessory 12 corresponding to the drink contained in the container 11 and put in retracted position (that is to say make invisible) or accessories 12 not corresponding to the drink contained in the container 11.
The particular embodiment described above in which each of the accessories 12 can move within the complementary hollow space 14 thus relates to a beverage service 1 comprising:

• at least one container 11, such as a cup or a cup, intended to contain said drink and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said drink,
• optionally a support member 15, such as a saucer, for supporting said container 11,
• a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12, each of said accessories 12 including a visual differentiation means allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 from each other, each of said accessories 12 being adapted to be movable within said complementary recessed space 14 so as to be able to evolve for example between a retracted position in which said accessory 12 is substantially inserted inside said complementary hollow space 14 to be thus at least partially concealed from the eyes of the user and a position deployed in which at least a portion of said accessory 12 protrudes (that is, protrudes outwards) from said complementary recessed space 14 so as to be easily visible to the user, said deployed position allowing the user to identify immediately the nature of the drink contained in the container 11 and associated with the acc which is deployed,
• advantageously locking means designed to prevent said accessories from being extracted from said complementary hollow space 14.

• au moins un récipient 11, tel qu'une tasse ou un gobelet, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson, ledit récipient 11 comprenant un élément de préhension 112, ce dernier comprenant par exemple une anse et faisant avantageusement saillie radialement de la paroi latérale dudit récipient 11 tel qu'illustré sur les différentes figures et comme cela a été décrit précédemment,
• une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson 12, chacun desdits accessoires 12 comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires 12 entre eux, chacun des accessoires 12 étant conçu pour pouvoir être inséré, au moins partiellement et de manière amovible, dans une zone évidée ménagée au sein dudit élément de préhension 112, et par exemple dans l'épaisseur de ce dernier, chacun desdits moyens visuels de différenciation étant associé à une boisson particulière pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire 12 inséré dans ledit élément de préhension 112 l'utilisateur puisse identifier la nature de la boisson contenue dans ledit récipient 11,
• avantageusement des moyens d'attaches complémentaires situés d'une part sur ledit accessoire 12 et d'autre part sur ledit élément de préhension 112, lesdits moyens d'attache complémentaires étant conçus pour attacher de manière amovible ledit accessoire 12 audit élément de préhension 112.

Finally, it is perfectly possible to insert, at least partially and temporarily, each of the accessories 12 inside a recessed area of the container 11 and a recessed area of said support member 15.
In particular, in the preferred case where said container 11 comprises a gripping element 112 itself comprising for example a loop, said recessed area is advantageously formed in said gripping element 112, for example in said loop.
Advantageously, said recessed zone is formed within said gripping element 112, more preferably in the thickness of the latter, for example in the thickness of a loop of said container 11.
Preferably, when said gripping element 112 has the aforementioned through-hole, for example the hole opening out of a loop, said recessed area is partially or totally distinct from said through-hole.
Regardless, said gripping element is integral with the main body of said container 11, for example when it is terracotta, or attached, that is to say fixed, on an outer surface of the main body of said container. 11 (for example welded, when said container 11 is made of metal).
In other words, according to this particular embodiment, said accessory 12 is intended to be positioned in or on the gripping element 112 of said container 11, or possibly to constitute by itself said gripping element 112 (for example forming a loop attached to or integral with the main body of said container 11), which, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 9 , 11 (left), and 14 to 17 , thus relates to a drink service 1 comprising:

• at least one container 11, such as a cup or a cup, intended to contain said beverage and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said beverage, said container 11 comprising a gripping element 112, the latter comprising for example a loop and advantageously projecting radially from the side wall of said container 11 as illustrated in the various figures and as previously described,
• a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12, each of said accessories 12 including a visual differentiation means allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 from each other, each of the accessories 12 being designed to be insertable, at least partially and removably, in a recessed area provided in said gripping element 112, and for example in the thickness of the latter, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular beverage so that at the sight of the accessory 12 inserted in said gripping member 112 the user can identify the nature of the beverage contained in said container 11,
• advantageously complementary fastening means located on the one hand on said accessory 12 and on the other hand on said gripping element 112, said complementary fastening means being designed to removably attach said accessory 12 to said gripping element 112.

• en surface de l'élément de préhension 112, si bien qu'au moins une face entière de l'accessoire 12 est accessible (et visible si ledit élément de préhension n'est pas transparent),
• dans l'épaisseur et partiellement à l'intérieur dudit élément de préhension 112, si bien qu'environ deux moitiés de faces opposées de l'accessoire 12 sont accessibles (et visibles si ledit élément de préhension n'est pas transparent) par l'utilisateur,
• ou encore dans un angle dudit élément de préhension 112, si bien qu'une majorité de l'accessoire 12 est accessible (et visible si ledit élément de préhension n'est pas transparent) de l'utilisateur.

Such an embodiment is for example illustrated by the Figures 14 to 17 which illustrate various forms of beverage identification accessories 12 that can be attached to different locations of the gripping member 112, in this case a loop. More specifically, the figure 14 illustrates an accessory 12 positioned in a recessed space 14 integrally formed in the thickness of said gripping member 112, so that only a substantially rectangular slot makes it possible to slide the accessory 12 inside the gripping element 112. From this kind, only a slice of said accessory 12 will be accessible (and visible if said gripping element is not transparent) of the user, the major part of said accessory 12 being located inside said gripping element 112. The figure 15 illustrates instead an accessory 12 positioned in a recessed space 14 formed on the surface of said gripping member 112 (for example a countersink), so that a whole face said accessory 12 is visible and accessible by the user. The figure 16 as for it illustrates different locations of said gripping element 112 to which the beverage differentiating accessory 12 can be attached:

• on the surface of the gripping element 112, so that at least one entire face of the accessory 12 is accessible (and visible if said gripping element is not transparent),
• in the thickness and partially within said gripping member 112, so that about two halves of opposite faces of the accessory 12 are accessible (and visible if said gripping element is not transparent) by the user,
• or at an angle of said gripping member 112, so that a majority of the accessory 12 is accessible (and visible if said gripping element is not transparent) of the user.

• une capsule, préférentiellement en aluminium ou en matière plastique, telle qu'illustrée à la figure 12, comprenant une poudre (par exemple du café) destinée à interagir, après que la capsule ait été percée, avec de l'eau chaude (comme par exemple les capsules à café proposées sous la marque déposée Nespresso®),
• une dosette en papier comprenant une poudre (par exemple du café) destinée à interagir avec de l'eau chaude, ladite dosette étant perméable à l'eau (comme par exemple les dosettes à café proposées sous la marque déposée Senseo®),
• un sachet, une membrane, une gélule ou autres enveloppes qui peuvent comprendre chacune un élément (par exemple des feuilles de thé, du cacao, etc.) destiné à interagir avec un liquide (de l'eau, du lait, etc.), de préférence chaud, de manière à réaliser une boisson,
• etc.

According to the invention, said beverage identification accessories 12 are included in a kit comprising a plurality of unit doses of preparation 2 intended for the preparation of different variations of beverage. Preferably, said unit dose of preparation 2 comprises any element, device or means, preferentially disposable, which allows a user to easily, quickly and cleanly prepare a drink, preferably a hot drink, for a consumer. Illustratively and not exhaustively, said unit dose of preparation 2 comprises for example:

• a capsule, preferably of aluminum or plastic, as illustrated in FIG. figure 12 comprising a powder (for example coffee) intended to interact, after the capsule has been pierced, with hot water (such as, for example, the coffee capsules proposed under the trademark Nespresso®),
• a paper pod comprising a powder (for example coffee) intended to interact with hot water, said pod being permeable to water (as for example the coffee pods offered under the trademark Senseo®),
• a sachet, a membrane, a capsule or other envelopes which may each comprise an element (for example tea leaves, cocoa, etc.) for interacting with a liquid (water, milk, etc.), preferably hot, so as to make a drink,
• etc.

In the previous examples, said different unit doses 2 make it easy to obtain a plurality of visually identical beverage combinations, particularly in the case of coffee.

Preferably, each of said unit doses of preparation 2 comprises a visual element of differentiation enabling the user to distinguish the unit doses of preparation 2 from each other. Advantageously, said visual differentiation element comprises a particular color.

In other words, and illustratively, as for example the case of capsules or coffee pods, the manufacturers propose a plurality of capsules (or different pods), generally recognizable by different colors, which contain different essences of coffee, more or less concentrated so as to allow the user to prepare as many variations of different drinks as different capsules, in particular to vary the tastes and intensities of said drinks. For example, and as is for example proposed by the Nespresso ® trademark capsules, each capsule corresponding to a coffee taste, a variation of coffee, a type of coffee, and / or a different intensity of taste is identified by a specific color, easily recognizable and assimilable by users.

According to this preferred embodiment, said means of visual differentiation of each of the drink identification accessories 12 is then identical to said visual element for differentiating the unit doses of preparation 2.

Preferably, said element for visual differentiation of the unit doses of preparation 2 and said means for visual differentiation of the accessories 12 comprise the same particular color. In other words, and particularly advantageously, at each unit dose of preparation 2, that is to say at each variation of beverage, corresponds to at least one identification accessory of beverage 12 whose color is substantially identical to the color of said unit dose of preparation 2. Thus, said drink identification accessories 12 are therefore associated with said unit dose of beverage preparation 2, so as to preferentially form a plurality of pairs each composed of a dose 2 and an associated accessory 12, each of the elements of the pair being of a substantially identical color. Alternatively, said beverage identification accessories 12 are associated with said unit doses of beverage preparation 2, so as to form a plurality of groups each composed of a plurality of identical doses 2 and a plurality of associated accessories 12 each of the elements of said group being of a substantially identical color.

Advantageously, each of said beverage identification accessories 12 is removably affixed to each of said unit dose of preparation 2. In other words, each of said unit dose of preparation 2 comprises a detachable drink identification accessory 12, that is to say, designed to be detached from said unit dose of preparation 2, preferably at the time of or before the preparation of said beverage. More specifically, said accessory 12 may preferably be attached, for example by means of an adhesive or a low adhesion glue, to said unit dose of preparation 2, so that it can be easily recovered by the when the user prepares the drink. Preferably, and as illustrated for example by figure 12 , said drink identification accessory 12 is then intended, after having been detached from said unit dose of preparation 2, to be positioned on said container 11, and advantageously on or in said gripping element 112.

• au moins un récipient 11, tel qu'une tasse ou un gobelet, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson,
• au moins une dose unitaire de préparation de boisson 2, pour permettre la préparation de ladite boisson,
• au moins un accessoire d'identification de boisson 12 attaché de manière amovible à ladite dose 2, ledit accessoire 12 comprenant un moyen d'identification permettant à l'utilisateur d'identifier que ledit accessoire 12 provient de ladite dose 2, chacun desdits accessoires étant en outre conçu pour être attaché de manière amovible audit récipient 11 pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire 12 attaché audit récipient 11 l'utilisateur puisse identifier la dose 2 utilisée pour la préparation de ladite boisson et ainsi la boisson contenue dans ledit récipient 11.

This preferred embodiment, not claimed, thus relates to a beverage service 1 comprising:

• at least one container 11, such as a cup or a cup, intended to contain said drink and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said drink,
• at least one unit dose of drink preparation 2, to allow the preparation of said drink,
• at least one beverage identification accessory 12 removably attached to said dose 2, said accessory 12 comprising identification means enabling the user to identify that said accessory 12 comes from said dose 2, each of said accessories being further adapted to be removably attached to said container 11 so that in view of the accessory 12 attached to said container 11 the user can identify the dose 2 used for the preparation of said beverage and thus the beverage contained therein 11.

• au moins un récipient 11, tel qu'une tasse ou un gobelet, destiné à contenir ladite boisson et manipulable par un utilisateur pour permettre à ce dernier de consommer ladite boisson,
• une pluralité de doses unitaires de préparation de boisson 2, chacune d'entre elles permettant la préparation d'une boisson différente,
• une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson 12, chacun desdits accessoire 12 étant attaché de manière amovible à l'une desdites doses 2, chacun des accessoires 12 comprenant un moyen d'identification permettant à l'utilisateur d'identifier la dose 2 à laquelle est attaché ledit accessoire 12, chacun desdits accessoires 12 étant en outre conçu pour être attaché de manière amovible audit récipient 11 pour qu'à la vue d'un accessoire 12 attaché audit récipient 11 l'utilisateur puisse identifier la dose 2 utilisée pour la préparation de ladite boisson.

Preferably, the preceding embodiment relates to a beverage service 1 comprising:

• at least one container 11, such as a cup or a cup, intended to contain said drink and manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consume said drink,
• a plurality of unit doses of beverage preparation 2, each of which allows the preparation of a different beverage,
• a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12, each of said accessory 12 being removably attached to one of said doses 2, each of the accessories 12 including identification means enabling the user to identify the dose 2 to which is attached said accessory 12, each of said accessories 12 being further adapted to be removably attached to said container 11 so that at the sight of an accessory 12 attached to said container 11 the user can identify the dose 2 used to preparing said drink.

• une capsule, préférentiellement en aluminium ou en matière plastique, telle qu'illustrée à la figure 12, comprenant une poudre (par exemple du café) destinée à interagir, après que la capsule ait été percée, avec de l'eau chaude (comme par exemple les capsules à café proposées sous la marque déposée Nespresso®),
• une dosette en papier comprenant une poudre (par exemple du café) destinée à interagir avec de l'eau chaude, ladite dosette étant perméable à l'eau (comme par exemple les dosettes à café proposées sous la marque déposée Senseo®),
• un sachet, une membrane, une gélule ou autres enveloppes qui peuvent comprendre chacune un élément (par exemple des feuilles de thé, du cacao, etc.) destiné à interagir avec un liquide (de l'eau, du lait, etc.), de préférence chaud, de manière à réaliser une boisson,
• etc.

Such an embodiment is for example illustrated by the Figures 10 to 12 which show in particular different forms of accessories 12 removably attached to the container 11, either on the main body of the latter or on the gripping element 112 of said container 11, said accessory being derived from a unit dose of preparation 2 (cf. figure 12 ). Advantageously, said main body of said container or said gripping element 112 comprises a complementary recessed space 14 (as described above) intended to receive said accessory 12. Preferably, said unit dose 2 comprises any element, device or means, preferably for single use, which allows a user to easily, quickly and cleanly prepare a drink, preferably a hot drink, intended for a consumer. Illustratively and not exhaustively, said unit dose of preparation 2 comprises for example:

• a capsule, preferably of aluminum or plastic, as illustrated in FIG. figure 12 comprising a powder (for example coffee) intended to interact, after the capsule has been pierced, with hot water (such as, for example, the coffee capsules proposed under the trademark Nespresso®),
• a paper pod comprising a powder (for example coffee) intended to interact with hot water, said pod being permeable to water (as for example the coffee pods offered under the trademark Senseo®),
• a sachet, a membrane, a capsule or other envelopes which may each comprise an element (for example tea leaves, cocoa, etc.) intended to interact with a liquid (water, milk, etc.), preferably hot, so as to make a drink,
• etc.

Advantageously, said drink identification accessory 12 comprises a color label (for example in the form of a tablet, as can be seen on the figure 12 ) which is attached, for example by means of a repositionable adhesive, to the dose 2, in this case an aluminum capsule. It is then easy for the person who will prepare the drink from said capsule, to detach said stick (that is to say the accessory 12) of said capsule (that is to say, said dose 2 ) to attach it, for example by means of its repositionable adhesive, to said container 11, for example on its main body or on its gripping element 112, so as to identify the capsule from which the drink was prepared. Preferably, said accessory 12 is of the same color as said unit dose of preparation 2 to which it is attached. Preferably, said accessory 12 is substantially flexible and comprises for example a material such as paper, fabric, rubber or plastic material. Advantageously the bulk of said accessory 12 is less than that of a dose unit of drink preparation 2 and is for example of the order of 1 or 2 cm in diameter for a thickness of a few millimeters.

According to the invention, said conformation of the accessories 12 allows them to provide an additional function useful for the consumption of said drink, and this in addition to their identification function described above. In other words, said beverage identification accessories 12 make it possible, on the one hand, to perform a beverage identification function, as has been previously described, and on the other hand another function of use, the latter being useful for the user to the consumption of the drink, as will be detailed later.

In addition, each of said accessories 12 can provide by itself said additional function of use. In other words, the user can seize, at any time, one of said identification accessories 12 to perform said additional function of use.

Preferably, said additional function of use is a spoon rest function, said drink identification accessory 12 then being designed to be placed between a spoon 3 and a service surface, such as a table, a tray, a bar, etc., so that only the free end 311 of the handle 31 of said spoon 3 is in contact with said service surface. Thus, the wet portion of the spoon 3, that is to say the curved portion 32 having served for example to stir the coffee contained in the container 11 is not in contact with the service surface (for example the table ), which preserves the cleanliness of the latter, especially vis-à-vis the tasks of drink (including tea, coffee). An embodiment of the invention implementing a drink identification accessory 12 also ensuring the additional function of use of spoon rest is for example illustrated by the figure 1 . Advantageously, and as previously described, said accessories 12 have a stick shape of square or rectangular section, thus forming rectangular parallelepipeds. Advantageously, the dimensions of these sticks, and particularly the section thereof, are such that they allow, by positioning an accessory 12 under the handle of the spoon 3, as illustrated by the figure 1 to avoid any contact between the curved portion 32 (and certainly dirty) of the spoon 3 with the service surface.

Advantageously the section of the accessories 12 in the form of stick represented by the figure 1 or 2 is between 5 mm and 20 mm while the length of said accessories is preferably between 20 mm and 50 mm. Preferably the drink identification accessory 12 is then made at least partially in a rigid and heat-resistant material such as for example ceramic, mineral glass, a thermoplastic, etc.

Thus, thanks to this remarkable additional functionality, said accessory 12 makes it possible, in addition to its primary function of identifying drinks, to allow the users to preserve the cleanliness of the service surface, such as for example a table (this functionality then being all the more interesting if the table is coated with a sheet), interposing between said service surface (for example the table) and the spoon 3 said accessory 12, for example as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 .

Preferably, said beverage identification accessory 12 whose particular conformation allows it to provide the additional function of spoon rest is sufficiently robust to be reused many times, for example after being washed by the user.

Preferably, said additional function of use is a thermal insulation feature, said drink identification accessory 12 then being designed to be disposed between said container 11 and the hand of the user so as to thermally isolate the latter from the container 11. In other words, said accessory 12 prevents the user from burning his fingers and / or hand by grasping said container 11, said accessory 12 being interposed between his hand and said container 11. Advantageously, said beverage identification accessory 12 comprises a thermal insulating material, such as a thermoplastic, rubber, etc. An embodiment of the invention implementing a drink identification accessory 12 also ensuring the additional function of use of thermal insulation is for example illustrated by the figure 6 or 7 . Preferably, and as previously described, said accessory 12 comprises two substantially opposite parts, for example so as to form a U-shaped accessory 12 such as that visible on the figure 6 or 7 , said portions being adapted to be placed on either side of said container 11, so as to offer the user at least two points of contact between his hand (or his fingers) and said accessory 12. Advantageously, the dimensions of said accessory 12 are of the order of a centimeter or a few centimeters so as to offer ergonomic contact with the fingers of the user. Preferably the thickness of said thermal insulating material which constitutes partially or integrally said accessory 12 is such that it guarantees a good compromise between space and thermal insulation and is for example of the order of a few millimeters.

In the preferred case where said container 11 comprises a gripping element 112 as described above, said beverage identification accessory 12 is advantageously designed to be mounted on said gripping element 112. Advantageously, said substantially opposite portions of said accessory 12 are then designed to be placed on either side of said gripping element 112, as illustrated by FIG. figure 6 or 7 .

Thus, thanks to this remarkable additional feature, the accessory 12 allows, in addition to its primary function of identifying drinks, to allow users to enter the container 11 with maximum comfort and safety, thus avoiding any risk of burns. to the heat of the container 11, itself being due to the heat of the drink it contains.

Preferably, said beverage identification accessory 12 whose particular conformation allows it to provide the additional function of thermal insulation is sufficiently robust to be reused many times.

Preferably, said additional function of use is a stirring function, said drink identification accessory 12 then being designed to agitate said beverage inside said container 11, said beverage identification accessory 12 being substantially shaped elongate. In other words, the shape of said accessory 12 then allows the user to use it as a " tuftet ", well known element as such and is generally distributed to users in coffee vending machines. According to this preferred case, said recessed area comprises the cavity 111 of the container 11 intended to contain said beverage, said accessory 12 can then easily be introduced inside said cavity 111, then be stirred (and / or stirred) inside the latter so as to stir and / or stir the drink that is therein preferentially to mix the latter with another product, such as sugar. An embodiment of the invention implementing a drink identification accessory 12 also ensuring the additional function of agitation and / or mixing is for example illustrated by the figure 3 . Preferably, and as previously described, said accessory 12 then has a shape of handle or rod, preferably of round section and possibly of variable section. Preferably the diameter or section of said accessory is less than 1 cm while its length is between 5 cm and 15 cm. Advantageously said accessory 12 is made of a material resistant to heat and water such as a thermoplastic or a ceramic.

In a complementary way, and as is illustrated in particular on the figure 3 , said recessed area may, in addition to said cavity 111, comprise a complementary recessed space 14 of the form of said accessory 12, for example integrated in said gripping element 112, so as to advantageously accommodate and immobilize said accessory 12 when the latter is not used for its mixing function, as previously described. Indifferently, said complementary hollow space 14 may for example be made inside, that is to say in the thickness, of said gripping element 112 (for example by means of a hole), as can be seen for example at the figure 5 , or on the contrary on the surface of the gripping element 112 (for example by means of a countersink) as can be seen on the figure 4 . The use of a surface counterbore then advantageously makes it possible to introduce or extract the accessory 12 from the recessed space 14 from a simple " clipping " movement, as illustrated by the arrow on the figure 4 .

Advantageously, said accessory 12 has a substantially elongated shape, comparable to a rod or a handle so as to allow the user to stir, shake and / or mix the drink contained in said container 11 over its entire height, in order to optimize the mixture, especially in the case of a mixture between coffee and sugar.

Thus, thanks to this remarkable additional feature, said drink identification accessory 12 makes it possible, in addition to its primary function of identifying drink, to allow users to mix and / or stir the beverage inside the container 11.

Regardless, the beverage identification accessory 12 whose particular conformation allows it to perform the additional function of agitation may be disposable, that is to say, it is discarded after being used, or reusable, after being washed by the user for example.

Preferably, said additional function of use is a packaging feature, said drink identification accessory 12 then being designed to package and / or contain a product intended to accompany said beverage. In other words, the shape and dimensions of said accessory 12 are such that they allow it to pack and / or contain an edible product intended to be consumed by the user substantially at the same time that the latter consumes said drink contained in the container 11. An embodiment of the invention implementing a drink identification accessory 12 also ensuring the additional function of packaging and / or capacity is for example illustrated by the Figures 8 and 9 . Preferably, said accessory 12 is substantially rigid, or at least not flaccid, so as to be easily manipulated by the user. Regardless, this rigidity can be an intrinsic quality of the accessory 12 or, on the contrary, conferred by the product it contains (for example a sachet or dispenser of sugar or a piece of chocolate). Advantageously, said accessory 12 defines a substantially rigid hollow body designed to contain a product in powder form such as sugar, cocoa, etc. Preferably, the shape of said accessory 12 is close to a rectangular parallelepiped, as can be seen on the Figures 8 and 9 the latter being hollow so as to contain said product. Advantageously the section of said accessories 12 is between 5 mm and 20 mm while the length of said accessories is preferably between 20 mm and 50 mm, it being understood that these dimensions can be adapted (enlarged or narrowed) so as to adjust the capacity of said accessories 12, that is to say, so as to adjust the amount of product they contain.

Preferably, said product contained in the accessory 12 is intended to be poured and mixed in the beverage contained in the container 11, as it is for example the sugar or sweetener to be poured into the coffee. In other words, said accessory 12 can play here the role of sachet or sugar pod or sweetener.

Alternatively, said product in question is intended to be consumed as such very shortly before or after the consumption of said beverage, inasmuch as its flavors are particularly suited to the flavors of the drink in question, as it is for example the case of chocolate with coffee. In other words, said accessory 12 can play here the role of packaging a piece of chocolate.

Thus, thanks to this remarkable additional feature, said drink identification accessory 12 makes it possible, in addition to its primary function of differentiating beverages, to contain and / or package, a product which often accompanies the drink in question thus guaranteeing said product a excellent protection (and thus a very good conservation) and then offering users, in addition to a flattering impression (luxury), many guarantees of food hygiene.

Regardless, said beverage identification accessory 12, the particular conformation of which enables it to provide the additional function of capacity use, may be disposable, that is to say that the accessory 12 is disposable once it was opened to recover the product it contained, as it would preferentially be the case for chocolate and possibly for sugar, or reusable, that is to say that it can be refilled with the product in question, when the latter was used, as it would be preferentially the case for sugar. Thus, said accessory 12 may for example comprise a resealable tube, for example made of plastic, which advantageously comprises a hollow main body 121 and a removable cap 122, as illustrated for example by the figure 9 . According to this particular embodiment, it is therefore possible for the user to dispose inside said hollow main body 121 a product such as powdered sugar (or sweetener), to close the hollow main body 121 using of the cap 122, to use the accessory 12 thus formed to differentiate its drink for example by advantageously positioning the latter in the gripping element 112, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 , and to offer the drink service 1 thus constituted to its guests. The latter can then remove said cap 112 to pour the contents of the accessory 12 into the container 11 and thus sweeten their drink (eg coffee) according to their convenience. At the end of the service, it will then be advantageously possible to recharge said accessory 12.

In addition, it is perfectly conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide a drink identification accessory 12 whose conformation makes it possible to provide, in addition to said identification function, several additional functions of use. , such as that described previously.

Thus, as an illustration, it is perfectly conceivable for a drink identification accessory 12 to be able to combine the additional functions of use of agitation and of capacity, for example by having an elongated shape similar to a rod, the latter being hollow so as to contain a product intended to accompany said drink, such as powdered sugar for example. It is also possible, for example, for a drink identification accessory 12 to be able to combine the additional functions of spoon rest and capacity, for example by having a hollow shape so as to be able to contain a product intended to accompany said drink, such as that sugar for example, said accessory 12 is also sufficiently robust and consistent size to be placed under a spoon 3, as explained above. Preferably, said accessory 12 will then be reusable many times, for example to allow the user to recharge it, that is to say, to fill it several times, for example with powdered sugar.

Preferably, said complementary hollow space 14 and said beverage identification accessory 12 each comprise a first and a second complementary fastening means, so as to allow a temporary attachment of said accessory 12 with said space 14. In other words, said accessory 12 is removable, that is to say that a user can, mount and / or disassemble said accessory 12 of said container 11 as desired.

Advantageously, said first and second complementary attachment means interact with each other to secure said accessory 12 to said space 14. In other words, an interaction (for example mechanical) advantageously causing a physical contact between said accessory 12 and said space 14 is implemented so as to achieve a temporary assembly between the latter elements.

Preferably, said interaction comprises a mechanical interaction which implements an elastic deformation of one and / or the other of said first and second complementary fastening means, so that this elastic deformation in turn generates a reaction force contributing to the fastening of said accessory 12 in said space 14. Advantageously, said elastic deformation may implement known devices as such such as clips or elastic rings that enhance the efficiency and ease of manipulation of said interaction mechanical. For example, as is visible on the figure 7 the U-shaped accessory 12 advantageously comprises one or more clips (and / or small teeth) which make it possible to improve the attachment of said accessory 12 to the container 11, in this case on the gripping element 112. According to a preferred embodiment, the container 11 and advantageously the gripping element 112, also comprises one or more complementary clips (and / or small teeth) so as to cooperate with the clips (or small teeth) of said accessory 12, as illustrated by figure 7 . Alternatively, said first and second complementary attachment means may respectively be partially or entirely constituted by said accessory 12 and said space 14 themselves.

Preferably, in an alternative or complementary manner, said interaction comprises a magnetic interaction which implements a magnetic force between said space 14 and said accessory 12, one and / or the other of said first and second complementary attachment means comprising a magnet. Thus, in the case where the drink identification accessory 12 is made of a magnetic material, such as for example a steel, only said space 14 will advantageously comprise a magnet. Conversely, in the case where the container 11 is made of a magnetic material, for example stainless steel, only said accessory 12 will comprise a magnet, it being understood that a magnet may possibly constitute said accessory 12 as such. Finally, in the case where neither the accessory 12 nor the space 14 comprises magnetic material, the latter will advantageously both be equipped with a magnet, it being understood that each of the magnets is advantageously oriented so that the poles magnets attract (for example the north pole of a first magnet facing the south pole of a second magnet) and this to achieve, at least partially said mechanical interaction (under the effect of a magnetic force) between the accessory 12 and the space 14.

Preferably, said service 1 comprises an accessory case 13 designed to contain said plurality of beverage identification accessories 12. In other words, said case 13 allows the user to store said accessories 12 inside. of said housing 13.

Preferably, said housing 13 comprises a base 131 intended to accommodate the various beverage identification accessories 12 as can be seen on the Figures 1 to 3 . Advantageously, said base 131 is made of a solid and transparent material (or alternatively opaque or translucent), for example so as to enable a user to distinguish the colors of said beverage identification accessories 12 located inside said base 131 .

According to a particular embodiment, said base 131 is of substantially rectangular shape, defining a hollow parallelepipedal interior volume, and particularly adapted to receive accessories 12 of substantially parallelepiped shape such as the spoon rest defined above.

Preferably, said hollow interior volume comprises a plurality of compartments intended to each accommodate a drink identification accessory 12 so that said accessories 12 are properly stored and held in their places, including during transport of said housing 13 , inside said housing 13. Advantageously, said compartments each have a shape substantially complementary to the shape of said accessories 12.

• une étape préalable de choix d'une boisson à consommer
• une étape de sélection, parmi une pluralité d'accessoires d'identification de boisson 12 d'un accessoire en particulier en fonction de la boisson choisie, chacun desdits accessoires 12 comprenant un moyen visuel de différenciation permettant à l'utilisateur de distinguer les accessoires 12 entre eux, chacun desdits moyens visuels de différenciation étant associé à une boisson particulière, lesdits accessoires d'identification de boisson 12 étant compris dans un kit comprenant une pluralité de doses unitaires de préparation 2 destinées à la préparation de différentes déclinaisons de boisson,
• une étape d'insertion temporaire à l'intérieur d'une zone évidée dudit récipient 11 et / ou dudit élément support 15, d'au moins une partie dudit accessoire 12 pour qu'à la vue de l'accessoire 12 inséré à l'intérieur de la zone évidée l'utilisateur puisse identifier la nature de la boisson contenue dans le récipient 11,
• une étape d'utilisation dudit accessoire d'identification de boisson 12 pour une fonction supplémentaire d'usage utile à la consommation de ladite boisson, en plus de la fonction d'identification, lesdits accessoires 12 présentant en outre tous une même conformation, chacun desdits accessoires 12 pouvant assurer par lui-même ladite fonction supplémentaire d'usage.

Conversely, said inner volume may instead contain no compartment, but be large enough to allow more or less random mixing of said drink identification accessories 12 within said housing 13, as illustrated for example by the figure 3 . Preferably, said inner volume then forms a volume of revolution of substantially vertical axis and of substantial height (for example greater than 3 cm), similar to a pencil pot, and advantageously adapted to contain beverage identification accessories 12 in the shape of a rod or " tiller " (preferably intended to provide an additional function of stirring use) as has been previously described and as illustrated by the figure 3 . With said casing 13 in the form of a pencil pot, the user can then easily and quickly select the color of " kebab " he wants, that is to say the color of the drink identification accessory 12 , the latter advantageously corresponding to the color of the unit dose of preparation 2 that it comes from or that it is about to use to prepare said drink, as has been detailed above.
Preferably, said housing 13 comprises a cover 132 intended to be positioned on said base 131 so as to close said housing 13, advantageously to protect the accessories 12 inside said housing 13, water, dust or any other external elements. Advantageously, said cover 132 and / or said base 131 comprises locking means designed to provide a lock, that is to say a temporary closure, between said base 131 and said cover 132, such as, for example, means of locking. mechanical hooks (hook, clip, pin, etc.), magnetic hooks (magnet, etc.), etc. Advantageously, said lid 132 comprises a plurality of compartments intended to each cover a drink identification accessory 12 so that said accessories 12 are correctly stored and held in their places, including during a transport of said housing 13, within said housing 13. Advantageously, said compartments each have a shape substantially complementary to the shape of said accessories 12
Preferably said cover 132 is made of a transparent material so as to allow the user to distinguish the drink identification accessories 12 which are inside said housing 13, and in particular their colors.
The invention also relates as such to a method of identifying a beverage contained in a container 11, such as a cup, a cup or a glass, said container 11 being manipulable by a user to allow the latter to consuming said beverage and being part of a beverage service 1 according to the invention comprising optionally a support member 15, such as a saucer or a coaster, for supporting said container 11, said method comprising:

• a preliminary step of choosing a drink to consume
• a selection step, among a plurality of beverage identification accessories 12 of an accessory in particular depending on the beverage chosen, each of said accessories 12 comprising a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the accessories 12 between them, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular beverage, said drink identification accessories 12 being included in a kit comprising a plurality of unit doses of preparation 2 intended for the preparation of different variations of beverage,
• a temporary insertion step within a recessed area of said container 11 and / or said support member 15, at least a portion of said accessory 12 so that at the sight of the accessory 12 inserted in the inside the recessed area the user can identify the nature of the drink contained in the container 11,
• a step of using said drink identification accessory 12 for an additional function useful for the consumption of said beverage, in addition to the identification function, said accessories 12 further having the same conformation, each of said accessories 12 that can ensure by itself said additional function of use.

Preferably, said method further comprises a step of selecting from a plurality of unit doses of preparation 2, a unit dose corresponding to the selected beverage, each of said unit doses of preparation 2 being intended for the preparation of different variations of beverage and comprising a visual means of differentiation allowing the user to distinguish the unit doses of preparation 2 from each other, said accessories 12 preferably being removably affixed to each of said unit dose of preparation 2.

Claims (15)

1. Drinks service (1) comprising:

   - at least one receptacle (11), such as a cup, a tumbler or a glass, intended to contain said drink and able to be handled by a user to enable the latter to consume said drink,

   - optionally a support element (15), such as a saucer or a coaster, intended to support said receptacle (11),

   - said service (1) comprising a plurality of drink identification accessories (12), each of said accessories (12) comprising a visual differentiation means enabling the user to distinguish the accessories (12) from each other, each of the accessories (12) being designed to be able to be inserted, at least partially and temporarily, in a hollowed-out region of said receptacle (11) and/or of said support element (15), each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular drink so that, on seeing the accessory (12) inserted in the hollowed-out region, the user can identify the nature of the drink contained in the receptacle (11), said accessories (12) further all having the same conformation that enables them to fulfil, in addition to said identification function, a supplementary use function useful to the consumption of said drink, each of said accessories (12) being able by itself to fulfil said supplementary use function, said drink identification accessories (12) being included in a kit comprising a plurality of individual preparation doses (2) intended for the preparation of various types of drink.
2. Drinks service (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said hollowed-out region comprises a complementary hollowed-out space (14) that has, at least partially, a shape substantially complementary to the conformation of said drink identification accessory (12).
3. Drinks service according to claim 2, characterised in that each of said accessories (12) is designed to be able to move inside said complementary hollowed-out space (14) so as to be able to move between a retracted position in which said accessory (12) is substantially inserted in said complementary hollowed-out space (14) and a deployed position in which at least one portion of said accessory (12) projects out of said complementary hollowed-out space (14), said deployed position enabling the user to immediately identify the nature of the drink contained in said receptacle (11) and associated with the accessory that is deployed.
4. Drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said receptacle (11) comprises a gripping element (112), said hollowed-out region being formed in said gripping element (112).
5. Drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said supplementary use function is a heat-insulation functionality, said drink identification accessory (12) then being designed to be disposed between said receptacle (11) and the hand of the user so as to thermally insulate it from the receptacle (11), said drink identification accessory (12) comprising a heat-insulating material.
6. Drinks service (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterised in that said drink identification accessory (12) is designed to be mounted on said gripping element (112).
7. Drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said supplementary use function is a stirring functionality, said drink identification accessory (12) then being designed to stir said drink in said receptacle (11), said drink identification accessory (12) having a substantially elongate shape, said hollowed-out region comprising a cavity (111) of the receptacle (11) intended to contain said drink.
8. Drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said supplementary use function is a packaging functionality, said drink identification accessory (12) then being designed to package and/or contain a product intended to accompany said drink, such as sugar or sweetener or chocolate.
9. Drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the drink identification accessories (12) is affixed removably to each of said individual preparation doses (2).
10. Drinks service (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each of said individual preparation doses (2) comprises a visual differentiation element enabling the user to distinguish the individual preparation doses (2) from each other, said means of visual differentiation of each of the drink identification accessories (12) being identical to said visual element for differentiation of the individual preparation elements (2).
11. Drinks service (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said element for visual differentiation of the individual preparation doses (2) and said means of visual differentiation of the accessories (12) comprise the same particular colour.
12. Drinks service (1) according to claim 2 and optionally any of claims 3 to 11, characterised in that said complementary hollowed-out space (14) and said drink identification accessory (12) each comprise first and second complementary attachment means interacting with each other in order to secure said accessory (12) to said space (14).
13. Drinks service (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said interaction comprises a mechanical interaction that uses an elastic deformation of one or other or both of said first and second complementary attachment means, so that this elastic deformation in return generates a reaction force contributing to the fixing of said accessory (12) in said space (14).
14. Method of identifying a drink contained in a receptacle (11), such as a cup, a tumbler or a glass, said receptacle (11) being able to be handled by a user to enable the latter to consume said drink and forming part of a drinks service (1) according to any of the preceding claims, optionally comprising a support element (15), such as a saucer or a coaster, intended to support said receptacle (11), the method comprising:

    - a prior step of choosing a drink to be consumed,

    - a step of selecting an accessory, from a plurality of drink identification accessories (12), in particular according to the drink chosen, each of said accessories (12) comprising a visual differentiation means enabling the user to distinguish the accessories (12) from each other, each of said visual differentiation means being associated with a particular drink, said drink identification accessories (12) being included in a kit comprising a plurality of individual preparation doses (2) intended for preparing various types of drink,

    - a step of the temporary insertion, in said hollowed-out region of said receptacle (11) and/or of said support element (15), of at least part of said accessory (12) so that, on seeing the accessory (12) inserted in the hollowed-out region, the user can identify the nature of the drink contained in the receptacle (11),

    - a step of using said drink identification accessory (12) for a supplementary use function useful to the consumption of said drink, in addition to the identification function, said accessories (12) further all having the same conformation, each of said accessories (12) being able by itself to fulfil said supplementary use function.
15. Method for identifying a drink according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it further comprises a step of selecting, from a plurality of individual preparation doses (2), an individual dose corresponding to the chosen drink, each of said individual preparation doses (2) being intended for preparing various types of drink and comprising a visual differentiation means enabling the user to distinguish the individual preparation doses (2) from each other, said accessories (12) preferably being affixed removably to each of said individual preparation doses (2).

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