Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER FOR STORING REUSABLE FILTER CUPS
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[001] The present disclosure relates to beverage accessories and more
particularly to containers for hermetically storing reusable filter cups.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[002] The use of single-cup brewing machines has become increasingly
popular. Such brewing machines are designed to brew a single cup of beverage,
for
example coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. Typically, a single-use filter cup is
placed in
the machine and a brewing liquid, for example hot water, is passed through the
filter
cup to produce the beverage. There is however growing concern regarding the
amount of waste generated by disposal of such single-use cups, many of which
cannot be reused or recycled.
[003] Reusable filter cups are known and are an environmentally friendly
alternative which can reduce the amount of waste generated.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[004] It would thus be desirable to be provided with a means to store
reusable
filter cups, for example in an air-tight sealed container.
[005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a
container for hermetically storing therein a reusable filter cup enclosed by a
cover,
comprising:
a housing having a base and a circular wall extending therefrom, the housing
defining a cavity for receiving the reusable filter cup;
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a housing having a base and a circular wall extending therefrom, the housing
defining a cavity for receiving the reusable filter cup;
a perimeter seal extending from a circular rim defined by an extremity of the
circular wall opposite the base, the perimeter seal dimensioned to seat
thereon
an outer edge of the cover;
a retaining member removably securable across the cavity and movable between
an opened position and a closed position, the retaining member comprising a
top
seal for sealing an opening of the cover,
wherein when the retaining member is in the opened position the filter cup can
be
inserted or removed from the housing, and when the retaining member is in the
closed position the outer edge of the cover sealingly engages the perimeter
seal
and the top seal sealingly engages the cover over the opening so as to
hermetically store the filter cup.
[006] By storing filter cups in the container of the present disclosure,
the product
contained in the filter cup, for example ground coffee, remains fresh and dry.
The
filter cups can be filled in advance, stored for later use and be conveniently
transportable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] In the following figures, which represent by way of example only,
various
embodiments of the disclosure:
[008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the container in a closed position,
according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, in an opened
position.
[0010] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, in an
opened
position, with top and perimeter seals removed.
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[0011] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, in an
opened
position, receiving a reusable filter cup.
[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, in an
opened
position comprising a reusable filter cup inserted therein.
[0013] Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of the container of Fig. 1, in a
closed
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular
forms
"a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the content clearly
dictates
otherwise. Thus for example, a composition containing "a compound" includes a
mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term "or"
is
generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly
dictates
otherwise.
[0015] In understanding the scope of the present disclosure, the term
"comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open
ended
terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components,
groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other
unstated
features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing
also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms "including",
"having" and
their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about"
and
"approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the
modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These
terms of
degree should be construed as including a deviation of 10% of the modified
term if
this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
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[0016] The definitions and embodiments described in particular sections are
intended to be applicable to other embodiments herein described for which they
are
suitable as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0017] For example, the perimeter seal is made of a flexible material.
[0018] For example, the top seal is made of a flexible material.
[0019] For example, the perimeter seal and the top seal are made of the
same
flexible material.
[0020] For example, the retaining member is movable between the opened
position and the closed position via a hinge.
[0021] For example, the retaining member comprises a first end connected to
a
first outer portion of the circular wall and a second end removably securable
to a
second outer portion of the circular wall.
[0022] For example, the second end comprises a locking member removably
securable to a projection extending about the second outer portion of the
circular
wall.
[0023] For example, the retaining member is movable in the closed position
by
pressing down the second end of the retaining member so as to engage the
locking
member with the projection.
[0024] For example, the retaining member is movable in the opened position
by
pressing up the second end of the retaining member so as to disengage the
locking
member from the projection.
[0025] For example, the locking member is a clip.
[0026] For example, the top seal is circular.
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[0027] For example, the top seal is located on a central portion of the
retaining
member.
[0028] For example, the circular wall is tapered.
[0029] The following examples are non-limitative and are used to better
exemplify
the materials and processes of the present disclosure.
EXAMPLES
[0030] Referring now to the exemplary figures, the container 10 is
configured to
hermetically store a reusable filter cup 26.
[0031] The reusable filter cup 26 contains the material to be brewed, e.g.
coffee
or tea, and is enclosable by a cover 28. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 28
comprises
an opening 30 through which a brewing liquid (e.g. hot water) is dispensed or
injected. The filter cup 26 comprises one or more apertures covered by a
filter (not
shown) through which the brewed liquid (e.g. coffee) exits. The filter cup can
be any
type of reusable filter cup, for example a reusable filter cup configured to
be inserted
in single-cup brewing machine. The reusable filter cup 26 shown in Fig. 4 has
a
cylindrical body however it will be understood that any type of reusable
filter cup
whose body can fit within the housing can be used, so long as the outer edge
of the
cover can sealingly engage with the perimeter seal. For example, when inserted
into
the housing 12, the bottom of the reusable filter cup does not touch the inner
portion
of the base 16 of the housing.
[0032] As shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the container 10 comprises a housing 12
which
has a base 16 and a circular wall 14 extending therefrom, optionally extending
substantially vertically therefrom. The circular wall is slightly tapered
toward the base
however it will be understood that other shapes may be contemplated. For
instance,
the circular wall may be cylindrical such that the diameter of the base and of
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circular is the same. The housing defines a cavity 18 for receiving the filter
cup 26.
The housing can be formed of any suitable material, for example a plastic
material.
[0033] With reference to Fig. 1, 2 and 4-6, a perimeter seal 20 extends
from a
circular rim defined by an extremity of the circular wall 14 opposite the base
16 of the
housing. The perimeter seal 20 is dimensioned to seat thereon an outer edge of
the
cover 28 of the reusable filter cup 26. In an embodiment, the perimeter seal
is made
of a flexible material. For example, the perimeter seal 20 is made of a
flexible
material comprising natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, and mixtures
thereof.
[0034] In addition, the container 10 comprises a retaining member 22 that
is
removably securable across the cavity of the housing, and is movable between
an
opened position, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, and a closed position, as shown
in
Figs. 1 and 6. Referring now to Fig. 5, the retaining member 22 comprises a
first end
secured to a portion of the outer circular wall adjacent the perimeter seal
20, for
example via a hinge 32. The second end of the retaining member 22 comprises a
locking member 34, for example a hook like configuration, designed to engage a
projection 36 located on a portion of the outer circular wall opposite the
first end of
the retaining member 22.
[0035] For example, the retaining member 22 has a length that is
substantially
similar or slightly greater than the diameter of the housing 12. It will be
understood
that other known securing means can be used to secure the retaining member 22
over the filter cup cover 22. In Fig. 1 to 6, the retaining member has a
narrow strap-
like shape. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes may
be
contemplated. For example, the retaining member 22 may be circular and have an
outer circumference similar to that of the filter cup cover 28 and/or
perimeter seal 20.
For example, the retaining member 22 may be a narrow band or strap. The
retaining
member 22 can be formed of any suitable material, for example a plastic
material, for
example the same material used for the housing.
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[0036] Referring more specifically to Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, the retaining
member also
comprises a top seal 24 for sealing the opening 30 of the filter cup cover.
For
example, the top seal 24 is circular and is positioned about mid-length of the
retaining member 22, for example at a central portion of the retaining member.
It will
be understood that the diameter, shape and position of the top seal can vary
so long
as it is configured to completely cover the opening 30 of the filter cup cover
to as to
form a seal. In an embodiment, the top seal 24 is made of a flexible material.
For
example, the top seal is made of a flexible material comprising natural
rubber,
synthetic rubber, silicone, and mixtures thereof. For example, the perimeter
seal and
top seal can be made of the same flexible material.
[0037] In use, when the retaining member 22 is in an opened position, the
user
can insert a reusable filter cup 26 into the cavity 18, as shown in Figs. 4
and 5. To
hermetically secure the reusable filter cup 26 within the cavity, the user
lifts the
retaining member 22 over and across the cavity and presses the second end of
the
retaining member 22 downwardly until the locking member 34 on the second end
of
the retaining member 22 securely engages the projection 36, see for example
Fig. 6.
When the retaining member 22 is in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 6, the
content of the reusable filter cup 26 is hermetically stored. More
specifically, the
outer edge of the cover 28 of the filter cup presses against the perimeter
seal 20 of
the container thus forming a seal. In conjunction, the top seal 24 on the
retaining
member presses against the opening 30 of the filter cup cover thus also
forming a
seal around the opening 30.
[0038] When the reusable filter cup 26 is hermetically stored in the
container, its
freshness and dryness are preserved and it can be easily transported. When the
user wishes to remove the reusable filter cup 26 from the container 10, the
locking
member 34 is disengaged from the projection 36. For example when the locking
member 34 is a hook, upward pressure can be applied thus unhooking the hook
from
the projection 36.
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[0039] It
will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where
considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures
to
indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
the
exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those
of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be
practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures
and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the
embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be
considered
as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but
rather as
merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described
herein.
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