Beverage container with rigid inner contaner

Abstract

A container includes an outer shell, a rigid inner container within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The inner container within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to the inner container surrounding the aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from the top of the outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide all support for the container when the inner container is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where the opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No 60 / 519,037 filed Nov. 10, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an improved beverage container. More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved container for storing and transporting several cups of fluid, such as coffee. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Gourmet coffee shops typically sell individual cups of coffee for consumption on or off the premises. Typically, these shops are very small and utilize high-quality coffee beans and coffee-making equipment to provide consumers with a higher quality cup of coffee than would be available in other establishments. In this regard, many gourmet coffee shops have developed internal procedures particularly adapted to ensure a uniformly high-quality cup of coffee. Particularly at peak periods, these shops must dispense coffee to a relati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Applicant's invention is an improved liquid container particularly adapted to store and insulate multiple cups of fluid. Advantageously, the preferred container is quickly and easily deployable. Importantly, the container can desirably be filled with existing equipment utilizing the existing procedures utilized in most coffee shops. The container is also desirably particularly adapted to be easily carried and poured. Advantageously, the structure of the container reduces the likelihood that the container will tip over during transport and incorporates safety features which reduce the risk of injury to the user from hot coffee. Importantly, the container is also structured to reduce the risk of damage to furniture resulting from the temperature of the fluid in the container. Because the container is particularly adapted to be made of very inexpensive materials, the container need not be returned nor cleaned.

[0012] Advantageously, the top side of the container ramps upward in an incline from the back side panel to the front side panel with the opening for the spout. Such a design facilitates dispensing fluid from the container when a user grips the handle and rotates the container forward to raise the level of the fluid to the spout. Other aspects of the invention include an improved liquid container for chilling fluid and an improved liquid container for storing and mixing dried flavor crystals with liquid.

[0013] In its preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes a variety of key problems in the prior art since it provides an easily deployable, inexpensive yet safe means for carrying, insulating, storing and dispensing hot fluids which conserves storage space and can be disposed of after use.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the inconvenience of needing to return the canister and the typical requirement that a deposit be left deters consumers from purchasing larger quantities of coffee.

These canisters also have several drawbacks for the coffee shop.

Specifically, they are relatively large and difficult to store, are breakable and require careful cleaning after use.

Such flexible, bag-type containers are more susceptible to puncture, leaking and bursting.

The flexible, bag-type containers can be difficult to fill completely and / or to pour liquid from due to their being susceptible to the creation of vacuums within the bag.

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