Separator device for a cup

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new separator device (30) and a new cup (10) comprising a separator device, wherein the separator device (30) and the cup (10) with the separator device are configured for separation of at least one undesired and/or unhealthy drink substance, such as, but not limited to, e.g. coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol.

Claims

1. A cup for separation of a drink substance contained in a drink, the cup comprising: a bottom side; an open top side; a side wall; an inner wall; and a liquid communicating area, wherein: the inner wall is arranged within the cup so as to define a drink containing compartment and a drinking compartment within the cup; the drinking compartment includes a drinking area defined at the open top side and arranged adjacent to a part of a top edge of the side wall for allowing a user to drink therefrom; the drink containing compartment has access to a part of the open top side for allowing pouring of the drink into the cup; the liquid communicating is a filter arrangement which is defined in the inner wall for connecting the drink containing compartment and the drinking compartment together such that the drink substance is kept in the drink containing compartment and is not allowed to enter into the drinking compartment; the filter arrangement is replaceable; and the filter arrangement is configured to be snapped onto an area of the inner wall.

2. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the liquid communicating area is arranged at or adjacent to the bottom side.

3. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the liquid communicating area is at least one inlet.

4. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the liquid communicating area is at least one opening.

5. The cup according to claim 1, wherein: a part of the inner wall constitutes a part of an inner side of the side wall; and a part of the drinking compartment is a channel or a chamber integrated in the side wall.

6. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the drinking area is broader or wider than a remainder of the drinking compartment.

7. The cup according to claim 5, wherein the drinking area is broader or wider than a remainder of the drinking compartment.

8. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the drink substance is at least one of coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol or kahweol.

9. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the filter arrangement comprises an impermeable part and a filtering part.

10. The cup according to claim 9, wherein the filtering part is arranged at or adjacent to the bottom side.

11. A cup for separation of a drink substance contained in a drink, the cup comprising: a bottom side; an open top side; a side wall; an inner wall; and a liquid communicating area, wherein: the inner wall is arranged within the cup so as to define a drink containing compartment and a drinking compartment within the cup; the drinking compartment includes a drinking area defined at the open top side and arranged adjacent to a part of a top edge of the side wall for allowing a user to drink therefrom; the drink containing compartment has access to a part of the open top side for allowing pouring of the drink into the cup; the liquid communicating area is a filter arrangement which is defined in the inner wall for connecting the drink containing compartment and the drinking compartment together such that the drink substance is kept in the drink containing compartment and is not allowed to enter into the drinking compartment; the filter arrangement is replaceable and square-shaped; a longitudinal side of the filter arrangement includes a rail for cooperating or mating with a slot on a longitudinal side of the inner wall, or the longitudinal side of the filter arrangement includes a slot for cooperating or mating with a rail on the longitudinal side of the inner wall; and the filter arrangement is configured to be slidably replaced from the open top side.

12. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the liquid communicating area is arranged at or adjacent to the bottom side.

13. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the liquid communicating area is at least one inlet.

14. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the liquid communicating area is at least one opening.

15. The cup according to claim 11, wherein: a part of the inner wall constitutes a part of an inner side of the side wall; and a part of the drinking compartment is a channel or a chamber integrated in the side wall.

16. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the drinking area is broader or wider than a remainder of the drinking compartment.

17. The cup according to claim 15, wherein the drinking area is broader or wider than a remainder of the drinking compartment.

18. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the drink substance is at least one of coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol or kahweol.

19. The cup according to claim 11, wherein the filter arrangement comprises an impermeable part and a filtering part.

20. The cup according to claim 19, wherein the filtering part is arranged at or adjacent to the bottom side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of examples, with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional cut view of a separator device according to the present invention and adapted for a cup.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective how the separator device according to the present invention is fitted on a cover or lid of the cup.

(4) FIGS. 3A-3B show a first embodiment of a cup according to the present invention.

(5) FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a second embodiment of a cup according to the invention.

(6) FIGS. 4C-4D show different possible embodiments of a fluid or liquid communicating area arranged in an inner wall of a cup and configured for connecting two compartments of the cup with each other.

(7) FIGS. 5A-5C show a third embodiment of a cup according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional cut view) illustrates a separator device 30 configured for separating undesired and/or unhealthy drink substance(s) from the drink itself. The separator device 30 according to the present invention is configured to be fit on a cover 20 for a cup 10, such as, but not limited to, a take-away cup. The separator device 30 has an elongated structure 55, 75, 70 with two end sides 40, 60. The elongated structure 55, 75, 70 of the separator device 30 can be constituted of at least three parts: a bottom elongated structure 70, a top elongated structure 55 and a predetermined curved area 75 therebetween. The elongated structure 55, 75, 70 of the separator device 30 is hollow, i.e. is supplied with a canal or duct 45. The separator device 30 is configured to be threaded, from an open bottom end side 40 thereof (i.e. the bottom end side of the bottom elongated structure 70), through an opening 50 of the cover 20 for the cup 10. The bottom end side 40 of the bottom elongated structure 70 has an opening thus constituting the bottom end of the canal or duct 45. The elongated structure 55, 75, 70 has a certain predetermined length adapted to the length of the cup 10 in such a manner that when a top end side 60 of the separator device 30 is fitted on or onto the cover 20 then the bottom end side 40 of the separator device 30 is in the proximity of the bottom 16 of the cup 10. The inner or lower surface of the top end side 60 of the separator device 30, that is facing the outer or upper surface of the cover 20, is configured to fit with a certain area of the outer or upper surface of the cover 20. This certain area is located near the top edge of the cup's 10 side wall and around the opening 50 of the cover 20. The inner or lower surface of the top end side 60 of the separator device 30 is further configured to follow or cooperate or mate with the curves of the outer or upper surface of the cover 20 in such a way that, when fitted or set together, the cover 20 and the separator device 30 will be firmly but detachably connected, i.e. shall act as one rigid body although they are two separate elements. Alternatively, the cover or lid 20 for the cup 10 and the separator device 30 can be made as one element. The elongated structure 55, 75, 70 can be bent or curved 75 in a certain or predetermined area 75 of the separator device 30 in order to follow the form or design of the inner surface of the side wall 11 of the cup 10, since the separator device 30 is to be arranged near the inner surface of the side wall 11 of the cup 10, due to the fact that the top end side 60 of the separator device 30 should be near the top edge of the side wall 11 of the cup 10. The top side of the top elongated structure 55 ends or terminates in the top end side 60 of the separator device 30, wherein there is another opening constituting the open top end of the canal or duct 45. The separator device 30 can be made of a disposable material, such as, but not limited to, rigid or hard paper, or cardboard, or certain plastics. Alternatively, the separator device 30 can be made of a non-disposable material, such as, but not limited to, metal(s), or alloy(s), or some plastics. The same alternative embodiments can be specified for at least one of: the cup 10 and the cover 20. In an embodiment, the cross-section of the bottom end side 40 of the separator device 30 can be visibly less than the cross-section of the opening 50 in the cover 20. In another embodiment, the cross-section of the bottom end side 40 of the separator device 30 can be invisibly less (e.g. only micro-metres or microns) than the cross-section of the opening 50 in the cover 20. The outer or upper surface of the top end side 60 of the separator device 30 can be configured as a drinking area that should be suitable for a user or a person to drink therefrom. The open top end side 60 of separator device 30 can thus be designed to ease the drinking by the user and to be suitable for the user's lips.

(9) FIG. 2 (a perspective view) shows the separator device 30 according to the present invention in perspective, wherein it is better visualized how the inner or lower surface of the top end side 60 of the separator 30 fits with the predetermined area of the outer or upper surface of the cover 20, where the predetermined area is around the opening 50 of the cover 20, so that all the curves and forms of the hole's 50 area of the cover 20 and the top end side area 60 of the separator device 30 cooperate with each other. It is also illustrated how the drinking area is arranged near the top edge of the cup's 10 side wall in order to be suitable for a user or a person to drink therefrom.

(10) The separator device 30 can further comprise a filter arrangement 35. The filter arrangement 35 can be arranged at least one of: at a predetermined place in the canal or duct 45 of the elongated structure 55, 75, 70 and/or at least at one end side 40 and/or 60 (see opening 50) of the elongated structure 55, 75, 70. In one embodiment the filter arrangement 35 can be replaceable. The replaceable filter arrangement 35 can be, in this case, arranged at the bottom end side 40 of the elongated structure 55, 75, 70 and/or on top of the opening 50 at the top end side 60 of the elongated structure 55, 75, 70.

(11) The designs and constructions of the separator device 30 are such that a successful separation of at least one undesired and/or unhealthy drink substance, such as, but not limited to, e.g. coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol, will be achieved.

(12) FIGS. 3A (a 3D/perspective view) and 3B (a cross-sectional cut view) illustrate a first embodiment of a cup 10 according to the present invention.

(13) The cup 10 comprises a bottom side 16 and an open top side 17 and a side wall 11. The cup 10 further comprises a coffee-pouring or drink containing compartment 18 and a drinking compartment 14 separated by an inner wall 12. The two compartments 14, 18 are fluid or liquid communicating with each other or connected together through a determined area 13 in or of the inner wall 12. The drinking compartment 14, and particularly its drinking area 15, is arranged to have access to at least a part of the top edge of the cup's 10 side wall 11 in order to allow a person ora user to drink from the cup 10. Optionally, the drinking compartment 14 can have access to a part of the open top side 17 of the cup 10. The drink containing compartment 18 is arranged to have access to some part of the open top side 17 in order to allow for pouring the drink into the cup 10. Optionally, the drink containing compartment 18 can have access to the rest of the side wall 11 top edge of the cup 10.

(14) In a first embodiment of the cup 10 the drinking compartment 14 is partially (i.e. in a certain or predetermined area) a channel or chamber having at least one inlet or opening 13 (see e.g. FIGS. 4C and 4D) that can be arranged near the bottom side 16 area of the cup 10. Said at least one inlet or opening 13 can alternatively be arranged ata different place of the inner wall 12, such as, for example, but not limited to, approximately middle height of the inner wall 12. The drinking compartment 14 at the top side 17 of the cup 10 is broader or wider than the partial channel or chamber and defines a drinking area 15 at a certain part of the top edge of the side wall 11 of the cup 10. Here the channel or chamber 14 is at least partially (i.e. in a certain or predetermined area) integrated in the side wall 11, and thus the inner wall 12 constitutes at least partially (i.e. in a certain or predetermined area) the inner side of the outer side wall 11.

(15) The present invention also teaches a cup adapted for separation of at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance, which can be chosen from the group consisting of: coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and/or kahweol, the cup comprising a bottom side 16, an open top side 17 and an outer side wall 11, wherein an inner wall 12 is arranged within the cup 10 providing within the cup 10 a drink containing compartment 18 and a drinking compartment 14, wherein the drinking compartment 14 comprises a drinking area 15 defined at the top side 17 of the cup 10, the drinking area 15 being configured for drinking therefrom, wherein the drink containing compartment 18 is configured for pouring therein a liquid to be consumed, such as for example hot or warm coffee, and wherein a fluid or liquid communicating area 13 is arranged in the inner wall 12 for connecting the two compartments 14, 18 in order to provide for separation of said at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance.

(16) The present invention also teaches a cup adapted for separation of at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance, which can be chosen from the group consisting of: coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and/or kahweol, the cup comprising a bottom side 16, an open top side 17 and an outer side wall 11, wherein an inner wall 12 is arranged within the cup 10 providing within the cup 10 a drink containing compartment 18 and a drinking compartment 14, wherein the drinking compartment 14 comprises a drinking area 15 defined at the top side 17 of the cup 10, the drinking area 15 being configured for drinking therefrom, wherein the drink containing compartment 18 is also a liquid-pouring compartment 18 for a liquid to be consumed, such as for example hot or warm coffee, and wherein a fluid or liquid communicating area 13 is arranged in the inner wall 12 for connecting the two compartments 14, 18 in order to provide for separation of said at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance.

(17) The present invention also provides a cup adapted for separation of at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance, which can be chosen from the group consisting of: coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and/or kahweol, the cup comprising a bottom side 16, an open top side 17 and an outer side wall 11, wherein an inner wall 12 is arranged within the cup 10 providing within the cup 10 a drink containing compartment 18 and a drinking compartment 14, wherein the drinking compartment 14 comprises a drinking area 15 defined at the top side 17 of the cup 10, the drinking area 15 being arranged for a user to drink therefrom, wherein the drink containing compartment 18 is arranged for pouring a drink, such as for example coffee, into the cup 10, and wherein a fluid or liquid communicating area 13 is arranged in the inner wall 12 for connecting the two compartments 14, 18 in order to provide for separation of said at least one undesired or unhealthy drink substance.

(18) FIGS. 4A (a 3D/perspective view) and 4B (a cross-sectional cut view) show a second embodiment of a cup 10 according to the invention.

(19) Here the inner wall 12 is arranged within the inner or internal area 14, 18 of the cup 10 and is separate from the side wall 11 of the cup 10. The inner wall stretches from the bottom side 16 of the cup 10 mainly to the top side 17 of the cup 10, thus serving as a separating wall for the two compartments 14, 18 within the cup 10. The fluid or liquid communicating area 13 is at least one opening or inlet 13 (see FIG. 4D), wherein in one possible embodiment there can be three openings or inlets 13 (see FIG. 4C). Said at least one opening or inlet 13 can be arranged close to the bottom side 16 area of the cup 10 or at a predetermined height of the inner wall 12 (not shown in the drawings).

(20) FIGS. 5A (a 3D/perspective view) and 5B (a cross-sectional cut view) illustrate a third embodiment of a cup 10 according to the invention and similar to the second embodiment.

(21) Here the fluid or liquid communicating area is a filter arrangement 113. In a possible embodiment, the inner wall 12 can constitute the filter arrangement 113. The filter arrangement 113 can have a non-filtering or impermeable part 114 and a filtering part 115 having any desired form/shape and arranged in a certain predetermined area of the filter arrangement 113 itself. The filtering part 115 can be arranged in a lower area of the filter arrangement 113 (see FIG. 5C) in order to be close to the bottom 16 of the cup 10 or at a middle height area of the filter arrangement 113. In a possible embodiment, the filter arrangement 113 can be made replaceable or disposable. The replaceable filter arrangement 113 can be for example square-shaped. Further, the replaceable filter arrangement 113 can have on each vertical side a rail or a slot in order to be cooperating with and sliding along a corresponding slot or a rail respectively on each vertical side of the inner wall 12 that separates the two compartments 14, 18. Alternatively, the replaceable filter arrangement 113 can be configured to be pressed or snapped onto a predetermined open area of the inner wall 12 by means of clamp or snap holder(s).

(22) The designs and constructions of the cup 10 embodiments are such that a successful separation of at least one undesired and/or unhealthy drink substance, such as, but not limited to, e.g. coffee fat, diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol, will be achieved.

(23) Additional modifications, alterations and adaptations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed and stated in the following patent claims.