GB2261594A

GB2261594A - A drinking vessel provided with a lid

Info

Publication number: GB2261594A
Application number: GB9224332A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geraldine Moynihan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-21
Filing date: 1992-11-20
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-20
Also published as: GB9224332D0; GB2261594B

Abstract

A drinking mug (1) includes a removable lid (4) which is dish-shaped. The lid (4) has a flat upper surface (6) so that when it is removed from the body of the mug and placed upside down on a table it acts as a container for a teabag. A handle (5) is in the form of a tab which does not extend above the level of the upper surface (6) so that the lid (4) is stable when placed on a table. The lid serves to keep beverages warm and also for holding a used teabag. <IMAGE>

Description

"A Drinking Vessel" The invention relates to a drinking vessel, and more particularly to that generally referred to as a mug which is used for hot drinks such as tea or coffee. In this specification, the term "mug" is intended to mean a freestanding drinking vessel for hot beverages which may be of ceramics, plastics or any other material.

One of the major problems which occur in coffee shops, restaurants or indeed domestic dwellings is that of disposing of the teabag when a cup of tea is made directly in a mug. Very often, containers are provided for this use and these become unsightly after some time. In transferring of the teabag to the container the tea often drips from the bag, which results in a considerable lack of hygiene, particularly in restaurants and tea rooms.

One object of the invention is to provide a drinking mug which overcomes the above-mentioned problems in disposal of tea or coffee bags. Another object of the invention is to provide for maintaining beverages hot for a longer time period in a drinking mug.

According to the invention, there is provided a drinking mug comprising: a mug body, the upper portion of which forms a seat; and a removable lid placed on the seat, the lid being constructed to form a stable, free-standing container when removed.

Preferably, the upper portion of the lid is constructed to form a base when used as a free-standing container.

In one embodiment, the lid has a substantially flat upper surface for resting on a table when placed upside down on a table.

Ideally, the lid further comprises a handle.

The handle is preferably in the form of a tab extending from the lid.

Preferably, the tab does not extend above the level of the upper surface of the lid.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a lid for a drinking mug, the lid being constructed to form a stable, free-standing container when removed from the drinking mug.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a mug of the invention with a lid in position on the mug, and also showing a lid when removed and placed on a table; Fig. 2 is a front view showing the mug, with and without the lid; and Fig. 3 is a front view showing the lid when in use holding a teabag.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a drinking mug of the invention, namely a herbal tea mug indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The mug 1 comprises a beverage-containing body 2 which (although not shown) is decorated on the outside. The mug 1 is of ceramics material. A conventional handle 3 is mounted on one side of the body 2.

The upper portion of the body 2 forms a circular seat to which a circular lid 4 is fitted.

The lid 4 has the shape of an inverted dish having a handle in the form of a sidewardly and upwardly extending tab 5. The lid 4 also has a substantially flat, circular upper surface 6. The tab 5 does not extend above the level of the surface 6.

The lid 4 is shown in Fig. 3 placed on a table 8 and containing a teabag 7. This drawing also shows clearly a rim 9 which contributes to the dish shape of the lid.

In use, the mug 1 is used for drinking tea, coffee or any other hot beverage. When the user is not actually drinking the beverage the lid 4 may be left in position on the mug, thus keeping the beverage hot for a longer period of time.

It will be appreciated that this is an extremely convenient feature of the invention for users.

When the mug 1 is used for a beverage which is prepared using a bag such as a teabag in the mug, the lid 4 is placed upside down on the table 8 beside the mug 1. When the user has stirred the tea sufficiently, the teabag is removed using a spoon and is placed in the lid 4 which acts like a dish for reception of the teabag. Because the lid 4 has a substantially flat upper surface 6, when turned upside down this acts to stabilise the lid so that it may be used as a free standing container. It will be noted that the tab 5 which acts as a handle does not extend below the level of the surface 6 at this position.

Thus, the lid 4 forms an extremely stable dish for holding the teabag. The lid 4 may then be left on the table, or may be immediately carried to a bin for disposal of the teabag, in which case tea would not drip onto the ground while it is being carried to the bin. Once this has been done, the lid 4 may of course be used for keeping the tea warm for longer than is normally the case.

The invention provides for maintenance of beverages in a hot condition for longer periods and for handling and disposing of teabags in a simple and hygienic manner.

These advantages are achieved in an extremely simple manner. Indeed, the simplicity of the invention is its major advantage. For example, it is envisaged that the additional cost of the mug of the invention when compared to conventional mugs would not be significant.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described. For example it is envisaged that the lid may be constructed having ornate legs for use for engaging a table when turned upside down. Any other construction of handle for the lid may be used, provided it does not lead to instability of the lid when placed on a table. It is also envisaged that the upper surface of the lid when placed on the mug body may be dish-shaped for holding a teabag when placed on the table.

It is also envisaged that the invention may take the form of a lid which has a rim suitable for engaging into the upper portion of a convention a mug. This would allow people to obtain the advantages of the invention with their existing drinking mugs.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A drinking mug comprising: a mug body, the upper portion of which forms a seat; and a removable lid placed on the seat, the lid being constructed to form a stable, free standing container when removed.

2. A drinking mug as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the lid is constructed to form a base when used as a free-standing container.

3. A drinking mug as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the lid has a substantially flat upper surface for resting on a table when placed upside down on a table.

4. A drinking mug as claimed any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the lid further comprises a handle.

5. A drinking mug as claimed in claim 4 wherein the handle is in the form of a tab extending from the lid.

6. A drinking mug as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tab does not extend above the level of the upper surface of the lid.

7. A drinking mug substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A lid for a drinking mug, the lid being constructed to form a stable, free-standing container when removed from the drinking mug.