US20140131230A1

US20140131230A1 - Drinking Vessel

Info

Publication number: US20140131230A1
Application number: US13/677,528
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeff Steininger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Zak Designs Inc
Priority date: 2012-11-15
Filing date: 2012-11-15
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

A drinking vessel is described, and which includes a container defining a neck region, and having an internal cavity which encloses a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a removable cover which has a drinking passageway, and which extends therethrough, and wherein the removable cover releasably mates with the container; and a foraminous container for enclosing a food product, and which is releasably coupled to the removable cover, and which is received in the internal cavity of the container, and wherein source of the liquid passes through the food product before exiting the container by way of the drinking passageway.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drinking vessel, and more specifically to a drinking vessel which is useful for enclosing a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and which further receives, and encloses a solid food product within the drinking vessel, and which is additively combined, at least in part, to the source of the fluid which is dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinking vessels, and more specifically, personal hydration bottles, are used widely by consumers to dispense various aqueous based consumable drinks. Such hydration bottles have been used to dispense, for example, water, energy drinks, soft drinks, fruit/vegetable juices, and assorted other stimulant beverages.
As of late, it has become quite popular for consumers to consume various types of so-called energy drinks. These drinks may include various water-based constituent elements which are used to replace vitamins, minerals, and various body nutrients, such as sodium, and which may have been lost while a consumer was engaged in vigorous athletic activities, or other events. Additionally, many health conscious consumers have been looking for various means for consuming ever increasing amounts of water, and other aqueous based drinks, to improve their health, and day-to-day living. Many consumers may have two or more hydration bottles which may be left at various locations so that they have ready access to water or another aqueous-based drinks during their day-to-day activities. The prior art hydration bottles typically utilized by consumers are usually fabricated from thermo-moldable plastics, and sometimes, stainless steel or the like.
While these various hydration bottles and drinking containers which have been fabricated in the past have operated with varying degrees of success, they have shortcomings which have detracted from their usefulness. Chief among the shortcomings associated with the prior art hydration or other drinking vessel designs is the propensity for such containers, or vessels, to sometimes change the flavor of the liquid or fluid, which is to be dispensed, in a manner which is unsatisfactory to the consumer. For example, in the case of hydration bottles or other drinking vessels fabricated from synthetic polymers of various types, such containers, on occasion, may absorb a small portion of a previous liquid drink that was stored in the vessel. The taste of this previous drink is then imparted to the new drink which is stored in the container. Moreover, if the drink is stored for a significant period of time in the container, consumers often sense that the flavor of the drink is now somewhat stale, or altered, and not as refreshing as when it was first poured into the hydration bottle or drinking vessel.
Attempts have been made in the prior art to alter, change, or somewhat freshen the taste of various aqueous based drinks in order to remove the effects that the storage container has on the drink, or further due to the flavor of the drink as it was delivered to the container. For example, tap water from some municipal supplies, often has an undesirable taste. Such efforts to alter the taste of a liquid or fluid have included the addition of various fruits, and/or vegetables including limes, oranges, cucumbers, and the like to the water. The addition of these fruits and/or vegetables sometimes significantly changes the taste of the water so that it is much more pleasing and palatable to a consumer. Typically, in the case of consumers using hydration bottles, often this water is prepared in a pitcher or other container where the fruits and/or vegetables are added. Thereafter, the water is then delivered into a hydration bottle, as needed. Usually, the fruit and/or vegetables are not added to the hydration bottle because of the difficulties associated with the later removal of the fruit and/or vegetable material after use from the inside of the container or bottle. However, in the case where a consumer might repeatedly refill a hydration bottle during a day's activities, water which may have been otherwise prepared by being exposed or treated with various fruits and/or vegetables, quickly is depleted and subsequent water added to the container will often not have that same flavorful and refreshing taste.
Therefore, a hydration bottle which addresses these and other shortcomings in the prior art containers which have been utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a drinking vessel which includes a container defining an internal cavity, and having a neck which communicates with the internal cavity; a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of the container, and which further has a drinking passageway formed therein, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface; and a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity, and which is releasably coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the removable cover, and which is further inserted through the neck, and into the internal cavity of the container, when the removable cover is releasably coupled to the container.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a drinking vessel which includes a container defining an internal cavity, and which encloses a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container is defined by a sidewall having an inside facing surface, and which further defines the internal cavity, and an outside facing surface, and wherein the sidewall of the container forms, at least in part, a neck, and wherein the neck further defines an aperture which allows access to the internal cavity of the container, and wherein the outside facing surface of the neck defines an outwardly facing engagement member; a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of the container, and which further selectively occludes the aperture defined by the neck, and wherein the removable cover further has a drinking passageway formed therein, and which has a first, and a second end, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface, and wherein the engagement member which is made integral with the neck matingly cooperates with the inside facing surface of the removable cover; a source of a food product which is formed from a multiplicity of small, solid matter pieces, and which further has a portion which can be mixed with the source of the fluid which is enclosed within the internal cavity of the container; a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity, and wherein the source of the food product is enclosed within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the foraminous enclosure has an end which is releasably coupled to the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and wherein the foraminous enclosure is sized so as to pass through the aperture defined by the neck of the container, and be received, at least in part, within the internal cavity defined by the container; and a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and which communicates in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity of the container, and wherein the porous main body has a flange member which is captured, at least in part, between the foraminous container, and the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which further secures the porous main body of the strainer within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described, below, with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the drinking vessel of the present invention and which is shown in an assembled arrangement, and with some underlying surfaces shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view taken from a position along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, side elevation view of a foraminous container; strainer, and removable cover, all of which form individual features of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a removable cover which forms a feature of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the removable cover which forms a feature of the present invention, and which is taken from a position along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a strainer which forms a feature of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, plan view of a strainer which forms one feature of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of an assembled combination of a foraminous container; strainer; and removable cover, all of which form individual features of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts the structure as seen in FIG. 8, and which further illustrates a source of food product enclosed within the foraminous container.

FIG. 10 depicts a greatly enlarged, partial, longitudinal, sectional view of the structure as seen in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the present invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. patent laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts.” (Article I, Section 8).
Turning now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the drinking vessel of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10, therein. More specifically, the drinking vessel 10 includes a container 11 which has a main body 12, and which is defined by a sidewall 13. The sidewall has an outside facing surface 14, and an opposite inside facing surface 15. The inside facing surface further defines an internal cavity which is generally indicated by the numeral 20. Still further, the main body 12 has a first end 21, and a second end 22, which defines, at least in part, a neck region. A bottom surface 23 is attached to the sidewall 13, and forms a substantially leak-proof container 11. Still further, the neck region, or second end 22, defines an aperture 24 which permits access to the internal cavity of the container 20. Additionally, a screw thread 25 or other engagement member, is formed in the outside facing surface 14 of the neck region 22 of the container 11. The screw thread or engagement member 25 is operable to releasably, matingly couple the container 11 to a removable cover, and which will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter. The internal cavity 20, of the container 11, encloses a source of a liquid to be dispensed, and which is generally indicated by the numeral 26, in FIG. 1, and following.
The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention includes a removable cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck 22 of the container 11. The removable cover is defined by a main body 31, and which has a peripheral edge 32, and which further has opposite, inside and outside facing surfaces 33 and 34, respectfully. Additionally, a drinking passageway 35 is formed therein, and extends therethrough. The drinking passageway has a first end 36, and an opposite, second end 37.
The removable cover 30, as earlier disclosed, has a drinking passageway 35. The drinking passageway 35 is defined by a sidewall that is generally indicated by the numeral 40. As seen in FIG. 2, and following, the sidewall 40 has formed therein liquid intake apertures 41, which are located near the first end 36, of the drinking passageway 35. Still further, the drinking passageway 35 has a liquid exhaust aperture 42, and through which the source of the liquid 26 passes out from, and which can then be consumed by a user, not shown. Additionally, and as seen in FIG. 2, the drinking passageway 35 is defined, at least in part, by a central sealing post 43, and which extends from the first end 36, and in the direction of the second end 37. The central sealing post has a first end 44, which is located near the first end 36 of the drinking passageway 35, and a remote, second end 45, which extends outwardly relative to the second end 37. As seen in the drawings, a moveable end cap 46 is operable to matingly engage, and cooperate with, the drinking passageway 35. The moveable end cap 46 has a passageway formed therein (not shown), and through which the central sealing post 43 may extend. By longitudinally moving the moveable end cap 46 relative to the central sealing post 43, the moveable end cap 46 is operable to open or close the drinking passageway 35. This particular arrangement is well known in the art, and a further discussion regarding its features, are not warranted.
As seen by studying FIG. 5, and following, the removable cover 50 includes a first circumscribing sidewall 50, which depends downwardly from the peripheral edge 32, and which further has an inside facing surface 51, and an outside facing surface 52. As seen in the drawings, the first circumscribing sidewall has a screw thread 53, formed on the inside facing surface 51, and which is operable to matingly, threadably cooperate with the screw thread or engagement member 25 that is defined by the outside facing surface of the container 11 so as to facilitate the releasable coupling of the removable cover 30, with the neck 22 of the container 11. Additionally, and as seen in the drawings mentioned, above, the removable cover 30 further has a second, depending, and circumscribing sidewall 60, which extends downwardly from the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and which is further spaced radially, inwardly, relative to the first circumscribing sidewall 50, and which depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge 32 of the removable cover 30. The second, depending sidewall 60 has an outside facing surface 61, and an opposite, inside facing surface 62. The inside facing surface 62 defines a screw thread 63, and which is operable to matingly, screwthreadably engage, and secure a foraminous enclosure to the removable cover 30. The foraminous disclosure will be discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs which follow. Additionally, and as seen in the drawings, mentioned, above, a gap 64 is defined between the outside facing surface 61, of the second depending circumscribing sidewall 60, and the inside facing surface 51 of the first circumscribing sidewall 50. As seen in the drawings, this gap 64 provides a convenient location for receiving an O-ring resilient seal 65, therein. The O-ring seal 65 provides a means for sealably securing the removable cover 30 to the container 11 in a manner well known in the art. Additionally, and as will be recognized in the drawings, a gap 67 is defined between the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and the top of the screw threads 63, which are formed in the inside facing surface 62 of the second depending, circumscribing sidewall 60. This gap 67 is operable to receive, at least in part, a portion of a strainer and which will be also be discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs which follow.
The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention further includes a foraminous enclosure 70, which is formed of a main body 71, and which further has a first end 72, and an opposite second end 73. A bottom surface 74 is located at the second end 73, and which is sealably coupled to a generally upstanding foraminous sidewall 75. The sidewall 75 has a multiplicity of foramens or apertures formed therein and which allows the source of the liquid 26 to pass therethrough. The foraminous sidewall 75 has an inside facing surface 80, and an outside facing surface 81. The inside facing surface 80 defines the internal cavity 76 of the foraminous enclosure 70. Additionally, the foraminous sidewall 75, at the second end 73, defines a neck region 82. The neck region 82 forms an aperture 83 through which a source of food products, as will be described below, pass so as to be received within the internal cavity 76 of the main body 71. Additionally, and as will be seen in the drawings, a circumscribing rib 84 is affixed to the outside facing surface 81 of the foraminous sidewall 75, and provides a convenient means for limiting the screwthreadable advancing movement of the main body 71, as it is moved into screwthreadable engagement with a removable cover 30, as will be described, below. Additionally, and as will be seen in the drawings, a screwthread 85 is formed in the outwardly facing surface 81 of the foraminous sidewall 75, and which is located at the second end 73. This screwthread 85, is operable to threadably mate and cooperatively engage the screw threads 63, which are formed on the inside facing surface 62 of the second depending and circumscribing sidewall 60, and which is further made integral with the removable cover 30. As noted above, the internal cavity 76, of the main body 71, is operable to receive a source of food products, as will be described in the paragraphs, below.
The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention further includes a strainer, which is generally indicated by the numeral 90. The strainer has a porous main body 91, which has a first end 92, and an opposite second end 93. The porous main body is defined by an outside facing surface 94, and an opposite inside facing surface 95. The inside facing surface 95 defines an internal cavity 96. The porous main body 91 is located, at least in part, between the inside facing surface 33, of the removable cover 30, and the second end of the foraminous container 70, and wherein the drinking passageway 35 communicates in fluid flowing relative to the porous main body 91, as will be described below.
The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention, as described above, includes the strainer 90. The strainer, as earlier described, has a porous main body 91, and which has a bottom surface 100, which is further located within the internal cavity 76, as defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The bottom surface of the porous main body 91 has formed therein a multiplicity of apertures 101, which have a given size, and which further permits the passage of the source of the liquid 26, therethrough, but otherwise prohibits the passage of large portions, or significantly sized particles of a food product, as will be described in greater detail, below. The strainer 90 further includes a circumscribing flange member 102, which is located at the second end 93 of the porous main body. The flange member 102 has a top surface 103, and an opposite bottom surface 104. Still further, a plurality of apertures 105 are formed in the circumscribing flange member 102, and extend therethrough, and which further permit the source of the liquid 26 to pass therethrough. Additionally, and as seen in the drawings, it will be noted that a circumscribing rib member 110 is mounted on the top surface of the circumscribing flange 102 and extends upwardly therefrom. The circumscribing rib 110 is operable to engage the inside facing surface 33, of the removable cover 30, so as to space the top surface 103 a predetermined distance from the inside facing surface 33 to provide a gap or passageway 111, which allows for the movement of the source of liquid 26 therebetween, and be received back into the internal cavity 96, as defined by the porous main body 91 (FIG. 10). Additionally, and as seen in the drawings, the strainer 90 has a multiplicity of longitudinally extending spacer components 112, (FIGS. 6 and 10) and which are mounted on the outside facing surface 94, of the porous main body, and which further have a portion which is attached to the bottom surface 104 of the circumscribing flange 102. The multiplicity of longitudinally extending spacing components 91 are individually operable to position the porous main body 91, substantially centrally within the internal cavity 76 which is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. Therefore, it will be seen by studying the drawings that the strainer 90 has a porous main body 91, which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity 76, as defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The porous main body communicates in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity 20, as defined by the container 11. As illustrated, the porous main body has a circumscribing flange member 102, which is captured, at least in part, between the foraminous enclosure 70, and the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30. This relationship secures the porous main body of the strainer 91 within the internal cavity 76 and which is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. As earlier described, the foraminous enclosure 70 releasably, screwthreadably, and matingly couples to the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30.
As illustrated in the drawings, the foraminous enclosure 70 is operable to receive, within the internal cavity 76, a source of a food product 120, and through which the source of the liquid to be dispensed 26, passes through, and comingles with, before being received in the drinking passageway 25. In this regard, the source of a food product 120 may include assorted fruits and vegetables, some of which may be put in whole, or some of which may be segmented or divided into small portions, or particles, 121, which are then received in the internal cavity 76 of the foraminous enclosure. The source of the food product 120 is provided for purposes of flavoring or otherwise additively combining a portion of the food product, such as the juices provided by the fruit or vegetables, to the source of the liquid 26 to be dispensed. This portion of the food product is then mixed with the source of the liquid to produce a comingled liquid, before it is received within the drinking passageway 35, and then consumed by a user, not shown. Therefore, it will be seen in this arrangement, that a user of the drinking vessel 10 is provided with a convenient means by which the source of the liquid that they consume can be easily tailored to meet their tastes, and to further replenish various body fluids which they may have lost through vigorous athletic activity, or the like.
The source of the liquid 26, which is received within the container 11, moves along a bifurcated path of travel from the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. More specifically, the bifurcated path of travel 122 includes a first course of travel 123, where the source of the liquid to be dispensed 26 moves from the internal cavity 20, through the foraminous container 70, and into contact with the source of the food product 120, where it is flavored. Thereafter, the comingled or flavored source of liquid 26 moves through the strainer 90, where it is then received within the drinking passageway 35, where it moves from the first end 36, to the second end 37, thereof. The bifurcated path of travel 122 includes a second course of travel 124. The second course of travel extends from the internal cavity 20 of the container 11, and into the foraminous container or enclosure 70, where the source of the food product 120 may flavor the source of the liquid 26 passing therethrough. Thereafter, the flavored source of liquid moves through the plurality of apertures 105, which are formed in the circumscribing flange 102, which is located at the second end 93 of the porous main body 91 of the strainer 90. Once the source of the liquid passes through the circumscribing flange 102, the source of the liquid then moves along the passageway 111, which is defined between the top surface 103 of the circumscribing flange 102, and the second, inside facing surface 33 of the removable cap 30. The source of the liquid 26 then moves along the passageway 111, where it is then received in the internal cavity 96, of the porous main body 91, of the strainer 90. The source of the liquid then moves into the first end 36 of the drinking passageway 35 where it is then dispensed.
It should be recognized that the construction of the present drinking vessel 10 provides many conveniences inasmuch as the removal or screwthreadable detachment of the removable cover 30 allows the foraminous enclosure 70 to be easily retrieved from inside of the container 11. Further, the foraminous enclosure may be easily, screwthreadably detached from the removable cover 30, and thereafter allows a user to easily retrieve, and clean the strainer 90. Further, the present invention provides a convenient means whereby the user may quickly replenish the source of the liquid 26, and then easily reinsert the foraminous enclosure 70, and reattach the removable cover 30 with a minimum of effort.

Operation

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
In its broadest aspect, the drinking vessel 10 of the present invention includes a container 11 which defines an internal cavity 20, and which further has a neck 22, which communicates with the internal cavity 20. The drinking vessel 10 further includes a removable cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck 22 of the container 11, and which further has a drinking passageway 35 formed therein. The removable cover 30 has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface 33 and 34, respectively. The drinking vessel 10 further includes a foraminous enclosure 70, having an internal cavity 76. The foraminous enclosure is releasably coupled to the inwardly facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30. The foraminous enclosure is further inserted through the neck 22, and into the internal cavity 20, of the container 11, and then the removable cover 30 is releasably coupled to the container 11.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a drinking vessel 10, and which includes the container 11. The container 11 defines an internal cavity 20, and which encloses a source of a fluid 26 to be dispensed. The container 11 is defined, at least in part, by sidewall 13, having an inside facing surface 15, and an outside facing surface 14. The sidewall 13 of the container 11 defines a neck 22. The neck 22 further defines an aperture 24, which allows access to the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. The outside facing surface 14, of the neck 22, defines an outwardly facing engagement member 25, here shown as a screw thread. The drinking vessel 10, also includes a removable cover 30 for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck 22, of the container 11, and which further selectively occludes the aperture 24, which is defined by the neck 22. The removable cover 30 further has a drinking passageway 35 which is formed therein, and which has a first, and a second end 36 and 37, respectively. The removable cover 30 has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface 33 and 34, respectively. The engagement member 25, here shown as a screw thread, is made integral with the neck and matingly cooperates with the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and more specifically the first, circumscribing sidewall 50. A source of a food product 120, which is formed from a multiplicity of small, solid matter pieces 121, and further which has a portion, such as juice, which can be mixed with the source of the fluid 26, is enclosed within the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. The drinking vessel 10 includes a foraminous enclosure 70, having an internal cavity 76. In this arrangement, the source of the food product 120 is received within the internal cavity 76, that is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The foraminous enclosure 70 has one end 73, which is releasably coupled to the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30 by means of the second, depending and circumscribing sidewall 60. The foraminous enclosure 70 is sized so as to pass through the aperture 24, which is defined by the neck 22 of the container 11, and be received, at least in part, within the internal cavity defined by the container 11. The drinking vessel 10 also includes a strainer 90, having a porous main body 91, and which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity 76, which is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70, and which communicates in fluid flowing relation, relative to the internal cavity 20 of the container 11. The porous main body 91 has a flange member 102, which is captured, at least in part, between the foraminous enclosure 70, and the inside facing surface 33 of the removable cover 30, and which further secures the porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 within the internal cavity 71, as defined by the foraminous enclosure 70.
The drinking vessel 10 of the present invention, and more specifically the internal cavity 20 of the container 11, has a predetermined volume, and the foraminous enclosurer 70 has a volume which is less than about 50% of the volume of the internal cavity of the container 11. Additionally, and as should be understood from the drawings, the source of the fluid 26 passes from the internal cavity 20 of the container 11, and into the internal cavity 76 of the foraminous container 70. The portion 121 of the food product 120, which can be mixed with the source of the fluid 26 commingles with the source of the fluid 26 to form a comingled liquid solution and which then passes through the strainer 90 and is received within the drinking passageway 30 for dispensing to a user, not shown. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 defines an internal cavity 96. The porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 is telescopingly received within the internal cavity 76, which is defined by the foraminous enclosure 70. The porous main body 91 of the strainer 90 has a bottom surface 104, which has formed therein a multiplicity of apertures 105, which individually inhibit the passage of the small solid matter pieces 121, which form a part of the source of the food product 120 from moving into the internal cavity 96 of the porous main body 91. This further allows the source of the fluid 26 and the comingled solution to pass therethrough, and be received in the drinking passageway 35.
Therefore, it will be seen that the present drinking vessel provides many advantages which are not available in the prior art. The current drinking vessel arrangement 10 is easy to utilize. Further the foraminous enclosure 70 is quickly filled with food product, and further the invention provides a convenient, and very easy means by which a user may flavor their desired drinks with fruits and/or vegetables in a manner not possible heretofore.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalence.

Claims

I claim:

1. A drinking vessel, comprising:

a container defining an internal cavity, and having a neck which communicates with the internal cavity;

a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of the container, and which further has a drinking passageway formed therein, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly, and an outwardly facing surface; and

a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity, and which is releasably coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the removable cover, and which is further inserted through the neck, and into the internal cavity of the container, when the removable cover is releasably coupled to the container.

2. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity which is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the porous main body is located, at least in part, between the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and the neck of the container, and wherein the drinking passageway communicates in fluid flowing relationship relative to the porous main body of the strainer.

3. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising:

a source of a food product which is deposited and enclosed within the internal cavity of the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the internal cavity of the container encloses a source of a liquid to be consumed, and wherein the source of the liquid passes out from the internal cavity of the container, and through the foraminous container, where the source of liquid comes into immediate contact with the source of the food product which is enclosed within the foraminous container, and wherein the source of liquid then passes through the strainer, and out through the drinking passageway.

4. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the container is defined by a sidewall which has an inside facing surface, and an outside facing surface, and wherein the inside facing surface defines the internal cavity of the container, and the outside facing surface of the container, in the region of the neck, has a screw thread formed therein, and which facilitates the releasable, coupling of the removable cover to the container.

5. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the removable cover has a peripheral edge, and wherein a first circumscribing sidewall depends downwardly from the peripheral edge, and which has an inside facing, and an outside facing surface, and wherein a screw thread is defined by the inside facing surface of the first circumscribing sidewall, and which is operable to matingly, threadably cooperate with the screw thread that is defined by the outside facing surface of the container so as to facilitate the releasable coupling of the removable cover with the neck of the container.

6. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the removable cover further has a second depending, and circumscribing sidewall which extends downwardly from the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which is further spaced radially, inwardly, relative to the first, circumscribing sidewall that depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the removable cover, and wherein the second, depending sidewall has an inside facing surface which defines a screw thread, and which is operable to matingly, screwthreadably engage, and secure the foraminous enclosure to the removable cover.

7. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the source of the food product comprises a multiplicity of small particles of the food product, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer defines an internal cavity, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer is telescopingly received within the internal cavity which is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer has a bottom surface, which has formed therein, a multiplicity of apertures which individually inhibit the passage of the small food particles, which form a part of the source of the food product, from moving into the internal cavity of the porous main body, of the strainer, and which further allows the source of the fluid to pass therethrough, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer further includes a circumscribing flange member which has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and which facilitates the passage of the source of the liquid, therethrough.

8. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the drinking passageway is telescopingly received, at least in part, within the internal cavity which is defined by the porous main body of the strainer, and wherein the circumscribing flange member which forms a part of the main body of the strainer, defines, at least in part, a passageway which allows the source of the fluid passing through the respective apertures formed in the circumscribing flange member to move between the inwardly facing surface of the removable cover, and then travel, and be received into the internal cavity which is defined by the porous main body of the strainer.

9. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the circumscribing flange member which is made integral with the porous main body of the strainer further includes a circumscribing rib member which spaces the inside facing surface of the removable cover a predetermined distance from the circumscribing flange member so as to define the passageway, and which further facilitates the passing of the source of the fluid between the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and the circumscribing flange member, and then into the internal cavity which is defined by the porous main body of the strainer.

10. A drinking vessel, comprising:

a container defining an internal cavity, and which encloses a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container is defined by a sidewall having an inside facing surface, and which further defines the internal cavity, and an outside facing surface, and wherein the sidewall of the container forms, at least in part, a neck, and wherein the neck further defines an aperture which allows access to the internal cavity of the container, and wherein the outside facing surface of the neck further defines an outwardly facing engagement member;

a removable cover for releasably, matingly coupling with the neck of the container, and which further selectively occludes the aperture defined by the neck, and wherein the removable cover further has a drinking passageway formed therein, and which has a first, and a second end, and wherein the removable cover has an inwardly and an outwardly facing surface, and wherein the engagement member which is made integral with the neck matingly cooperates with the inside facing surface of the removable cover;

a source of a food product which is formed from a multiplicity of small, solid matter pieces, and which further has a portion which can be mixed with the source of the fluid, and which is enclosed within the internal cavity of the container;

a foraminous enclosure having an internal cavity, and wherein the source of the food product is enclosed within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the foraminous enclosure has an end, which is releasably coupled to the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and wherein the foraminous enclosure is sized so as to pass through the aperture defined by the neck of the container, and be received, at least in part, within the internal cavity defined by the container; and

a strainer having a porous main body which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and which communicates in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity of the container, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer has a flange member which is captured, at least in part, between the foruaminous container, and the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which further secures the porous main body of the strainer within the internal cavity that is defined by the foraminous enclosure.

11. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the internal cavity of the container has a predetermined volume, and the foraminous container, has a volume which is less than about 50% of the volume of the internal cavity of the container.

12. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the source of the fluid passes from the internal cavity of the container, and into the internal cavity of the foraminous container, and wherein the portion of the food product which can be mixed with the source of liquid comingles with source of the liquid to form a comingled solution, and which then passes through the strainer, and is received within the drinking passageway for dispensing.

13. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the flange member of the strainer has an inside, and an outside facing surface, and wherein a multiplicity of apertures are formed in the flange member, and which permits the source of the fluid to pass therethrough, and wherein the flange member further includes a circumscribing rib which is made integral with the outside facing surface of the flange member, and which is operable to engage the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which locates the outside facing surface of the flange in spaced relation relative to the inside facing surface of the removable cover so as to define a resulting passageway therebetween, and wherein the resulting passageway defined between the removable cover, and the flange member allows the source of the fluid to pass through the apertures formed in the flange member, and along the passageway for receipt into the porous main body of the strainer.

14. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the removable cover has a peripheral edge, and wherein a first circumscribing sidewall depends downwardly from the peripheral edge, and which further has an inside facing, and an outside facing surface, and wherein the inside facing surface is operable to matingly, cooperate with the engagement member which is made integral with the outside facing surface of the container so as to facilitate the releasable coupling of the removable cover with the neck of the container.

15. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer defines an internal cavity, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer is telescopingly received within the internal cavity which is defined by the foraminous enclosure, and wherein the porous main body of the strainer has a bottom surface, which has formed therein, a multiplicity of apertures which individually inhibit the passage of the small, solid matter pieces, which form a part of the source of the food product, from moving into the internal cavity of the porous main body, and which further allows the source of the fluid, and the comingled solution to pass therethrough.

16. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the strainer further includes a multiplicity of longitudinally extending, and radially oriented spacing components, which are made integral with outside facing surface of the porous main body of the strainer, and the inside facing surface of the flange member, and wherein the spacing components substantially centrally orient the porous main body of the strainer within the internal cavity as defined by the foraminous container.

17. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the removable cover further has a second depending, and circumscribing sidewall which extends downwardly from the inside facing surface of the removable cover, and which is further spaced radially, inwardly, relative to the first, circumscribing sidewall that depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the removable cover, and wherein the second circumscribing sidewall is operable to matingly, engage, and releasably secure the foraminous enclosure to the removable cover.