US20040178086A1

US20040178086A1 - Pack position-keeping device

Info

Publication number: US20040178086A1
Application number: US10/793,767
Authority: US
Inventors: Takashi Sawaguchi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-12
Filing date: 2004-03-08
Publication date: 2004-09-16
Also published as: JP2004267668A

Abstract

A drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention keeps a drink pack in a drink container at the reasonable location and the drink pack can easily be taken out from the drink container any time. The drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention comprises a stopper, a suspending unit and an attaching unit. The drink pack containing an object to be infiltrated is attached to the suspending unit with the attaching unit. When the drink pack position-keeping device is attached to the drink container, the stopper is placed on the entire rim of the upper end of the mouth of the drink container, and the drink pack suspending from the stopper is located at the predetermined length lower than the liquid level in the drink container. Accordingly, the drink pack is prevented from going to the bottom of the drink container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a beverage pack position-keeping device for keeping a beverage pack filled with content at a predetermined position, a drink pack having the drink pack position-keeping device and a cap for a drink container.

Further, the present invention relates to a simplified dripolator for a drink container for easily extracting liquid which contains essence (nutrient) extracted from an object to be infiltrated or a drink of liquid which is treated by a desired process with an object to be infiltrated, and a drink container having the simplified dripolator for a drink container.

2. Description of the Related Art

One of ways easily to have a favorite drink such as tea, green tea, coffee etc., is that a drink pack containing tealeaves, coffee beans etc., is dipped or brewed in water or hot water to extract the essence (nutrient) therefrom.

When the drink containing desired essence made by extracting the essence (nutrient) from the content of the drink pack is prepared, since the drink pack is dipped in liquid, e.g., hot water and water in a drink container, the drink pack is infiltrated with the liquid and the drink pack becomes heavy. As a result, the drink pack may go to the bottom of the container.

If the drink pack goes to the bottom of the container, the extracted essence (nutrient) does not spread in the container uniformly and may be concentrated to the bottom. Further, the drink pack may hardly be removed from the container and the essence (nutrient) is over-extracted in the liquid. In these cases, the taste of drink becomes harmed.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-41857, a drink pack formed in a bar-shape is disclosed. The upper end of the drink pack is sandwiched between a cap and a mouth of a drink container to prevent the drink pack from going to the bottom and to keep the drink pack at a predetermined position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention keeps a drink pack in a drink container at the reasonable location and the drink pack can easily be taken out from the drink container any time.

A drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention comprises a stopper placed on an upper rim of a mouth of a drink container, a suspending unit for suspending a drink pack containing an object to be infiltrated from the stopper, and an attaching unit for attaching the drink pack at the suspending unit.

According to the drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention, the drink pack suspended from the stopper can be kept in the reasonable location and be removed from there anytime easily.

Therefore, the essence (nutrient) extracted from the object to be infiltrated is uniformly and gradually diffused from the top to the bottom of the drink container, so that the essence (nutrient) of the object to be infiltrated is not concentrated to the lower portion.

Further, the drink pack can be removal from the attaching unit, so that the drink pack position-keeping device can be used repeatedly.

Furthermore, the stopper may have an opening communicating with the top and bottom of the stopper. In this case, the drink can be taken out from the container without removing the drink pack position-keeping device from the drink container.

A cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention comprises a cap unit for opening and closing a mouth of a drink container, a suspending unit formed integrally with the cap unit, for suspending a drink pack containing an object to be infiltrated, and an attaching unit for attaching the drink pack at the suspending unit.

Here, spiral grooves can be provided at the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and an opening can be provided at a top of the unit to communicate with the inside of the cap and the outside of the cap.

According to the cap for a drink container of the present invention, the drink container can be closed with the drink pack kept therein, so that the drink can be carried effectively.

A drink pack having a drink pack position-keeping device of the present invention comprises a package unit for containing an object to be infiltrated, a stopper placed on an upper rim of a mouth of a drink container, a suspending unit for suspending the package unit from the stopper, and an attaching unit for attaching the package unit at the suspending unit.

According to the drink pack having a drink pack position-keeping device, since the stopper is placed on the rim of the mouth of the drink container, the package unit is prevented from going to the bottom of the drink container. Therefore, the drink pack can easily be taken out from the drink container.

A simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present invention comprises a mounting unit on which an object to be infiltrated is placed and to which liquid is poured to fill in a drink container, an attaching unit provided at a lower end of the mounting unit, for attaching the mounting unit to an mouth of the drink container to communicate the mounting unit with the drink container by fitting to spiral grooves provided at the mouth of the drink container, and a communicating hole which is provided at the attaching unit and which is to communicate with the outside of the attaching unit and the inside of the attaching unit when the mounting unit is attached on the mouth of the drink container.

A simplified dripolator of the present invention comprises a mounting unit on which an object to be infiltrated is placed and to which liquid is poured to fill in a drink container, a stopper placed on an entire upper rim of a mouth of the drink container, an attaching unit provided at a lower end of the mounting unit, for attaching the mounting unit on the stopper by fitting to spiral grooves provided at the stopper to communicate with the mounting unit and the drink container, and a communicating hole provided at least one of the attaching unit and the stopper; for communicating with the inside of the drink container and the outside of the drink container when the stopper provided with the mounting unit is laced on the drink container.

According to the simplified dripolator of the present invention, the object to be infiltrated is placed on the mounting unit and the liquid is poured therein, and the essence (nutrient) is extracted from the object to be infiltrated into the liquid. Then, the liquid is filled in the drink container. The attaching unit is fixed to the mouth of the drink container, so that the simplified dripolator can stably be connected to the drink container. Therefore, the liquid can easily be filled in the drink container without spilling.

A drink container having a simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present invention comprises a simplified dripolator for a drink container and a containing unit. The simplified dripolator includes a mounting unit on which an object to be infiltrated is mounted; an attaching unit provided at an lower end of the mounting unit, to be fitted to spiral grooves provided at an mouth of a drink container for attaching the mounting unit to the mouth, and for communicating with the mounting unit and the drink container; and a communicating hole provided at the attaching unit, for communicating with the drink container and the outside of the drink container when the mounting unit is attached to a mouth of the drink container. The containing unit contains the simplified dripolator for the drink container and fitting to spiral grooves provided at the outer surface of the drink container to fix.

With the above configuration, when the simplified dripolator is not used, it can be contained in the containing unit and the containing unit can be fixed to the drink container, so that the drink container can easily be carried.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a view showing a drink pack position-keeping device according to the present embodiment. [0025]
FIG. 1B is a view showing the drink pack position-keeping device with a drink pack P attached. [0026]
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing the drink pack having the drink pack position-keeping device in use. [0027]
FIG. 3A is a view showing one of examples of a drink pack to be utilized in the drink pack position-keeping device of the present embodiment. [0028]
FIG. 3B is a view showing the drink pack in use. [0029]
FIG. 4A is a view showing a drink pack position-keeping device according to the present embodiment. [0030]
FIG. 4B is a top view showing the drink pack position-[0031] keeping device 10 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4C is a side view showing the drink pack position-keeping device in use according to the present embodiment. [0032]
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show perspective views of the drink packs. [0033]
FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are perspective views showing the drink packs. [0034]
FIGS. 6A, 6B are perspective views showing a drink pack having a drink pack position-keeping device. [0035]
FIG. 7A is a side view showing a cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device according to the present embodiment. [0036]
FIG. 7B is a side view showing a drink pack being attached to a cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device. [0037]
FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing a cap. [0038]
FIG. 8A is a side view showing a cap for a drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device according to the present invention. [0039]
FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the cap. [0040]
FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view showing a simplified dripolator of the present embodiment. [0041]
FIG. 9B is a top view showing the simplified dripolator of the present embodiment. [0042]
FIGS. 9C and 9D are top view showing examples of the form of a mouth of an attaching unit. [0043]
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a simplified dripolator of another embodiment. [0044]
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present embodiment. [0045]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present embodiment. [0046]
FIG. 13 is an exploded cross sectional view showing a drink container having the simplified dripolator according to the present embodiment. [0047]
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a drink container having the simplified dripolator that is not in use.[0048]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the following as referred to the accompanying drawings. [0049]
In the description, an object to be infiltrated is not limited to tealeaves, coffee beans, herb, fruit juice powders and sport-drink powders. An object to be infiltrated includes charcoal, activated carbon, magnet and ceramic, which purifies, cleans up and activates the liquid. [0050]
Further, “adjusting a desired liquid” means, in a case that an object to be infiltrated is tea leaves, green tea leaves or coffee beans, extracting its essence (nutrient) in the liquid. Further, in a case of a herb medicine, it means preparing the liquid containing the herb medicine dissolved (dispersed), and in a case of charcoal, activated carbon, magnet or ceramic, it means preparing the liquid being purified, cleaned or activated. [0051]
Drink Pack Position-Keeping Device [0052]
First, the preferred embodiment of a drink pack position-keeping device and a drink pack having thereof will be described. [0053]
FIG. 1A is a view showing a drink pack position-keeping device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is a view showing the drink pack position-keeping device with a drink pack P attached. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing the drink pack having the drink pack position-keeping device in use. [0054]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the drink pack position-keeping device [0055] 1 comprises a stopper 2, a suspending unit 3 and an attaching unit 4.
The [0056] stopper 2 is placed over the rim 6 of a mouth 5 of a drink container B so that the drink pack P suspended from the stopper 2 is prevented from going to the bottom of the container B (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).
The [0057] stopper 2 has substantially the same shape as the cross section of the mouth 5 of the drink container B, which is a disk-like shape. The diameter D of the stopper 2 has a diameter that the stopper 2 is not dropped in the mouth 5 of the container B, which means that the diameter D of the stopper 2 is larger than the diameter W of the opening 7 of the mouth 5.
In the present embodiment, in order to close a cap [0058] 9 of the drink container B while the stopper 2 is placed on the mouth 5, the diameter D of the stopper 2 is larger than the diameter W of the opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the container B and smaller than the outer diameter X of the rim 6 of the mouth 5.
The suspending [0059] unit 3 suspends the drink pack P from the stopper 2 so that the drink pack P is located at a predetermined distance lowered from the liquid level (see FIG. 2B).
In the present embodiment, as the suspending [0060] unit 3, string is used.
One end of the suspending [0061] unit 3 is fixed substantially at the center of the stopper 2 and the other end thereof is connected to the attaching unit 4 to which the drink pack P is attached.
The length of the suspending [0062] unit 3 is set so that the drink pack P is located at a predetermined distance lowered from the liquid level in the drink container B when the drink pack position-keeping unit 1 is attached to the drink container B.
Here, the predetermined distance means the distance the drink pack P is dipped in the liquid of the liquid container B. [0063]
The attaching [0064] unit 4 attaches the drink pack P containing the object C to be infiltrated so as to be removable from the suspending unit 3.
In the present embodiment, as the attaching [0065] unit 4, a crocodile clip is used. As the attaching unit 4, anything that attaches the drink pack P so as to be removable from the suspending unit 3 can be used. For example, a hook or a clip may be used.
The materials of the units constituting the drink pack position-keeping device [0066] 1 (the stopper 2, the suspending unit 3 and the attaching unit 4) can be selected from the materials that are superior in the water resistance and in the heat resistance and that have no influence to the human when it is in contact with the drinking liquid. For example, the kinds of resins such as PET and polystyrene, the kinds of metals such as iron, aluminum and stainless and the waterproof paper can be used.
When the drink pack P containing the object C to be infiltrated is attached to thus constituted drink pack position-keeping device [0067] 1 and the drink pack position-keeping device 1 with the drink pack P is set to the drink container B, the stopper 2 is placed on the rim 6 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B, so that the drink pack P is located at the predetermined distance lower from the liquid level in the drink container B.
Especially, in the present embodiment, in a case that the shape of the [0068] mouth 5 of the drink container B is round and that the stopper 2 is disk-like, the diameter of the disk of the stopper 2 is larger than the inner diameter of the mouth 5 and smaller than the outer diameter thereof, so that due to the geometrical characteristic that the circle having the large diameter cannot pass through the circle having the small diameter, the drink pack position-keeping device 1 is never dropped into the drink container B.
Accordingly, the drink pack P suspended from the [0069] stopper 2 can be kept in the reasonable location and be removed from there anytime easily.
Therefore, the essence (nutrient) extracted from the object C to be infiltrated is uniformly and gradually diffused from the top to the bottom of the drink container, so that the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is not concentrated to the lower portion. [0070]
Further, the drink pack P can readily be taken out from the drink container B after the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is extracted, so that the excess essence (nutrient) of the object C cannot be extracted into the liquid and the taste of the prepared drink is not harmed. [0071]
Here, in the drink pack position-keeping device [0072] 1 of the present embodiment, the drink pack P is a single drink pack P but the drink pack P can be plural connected drink packs as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B.
In a case of the drink pack P of FIGS. 3A, 3B, the number of the drink packs P dipped in the liquid of the drink container B can be controlled, so that the concentration of the liquid of the drink container B can be adjusted to the desired condition by increasing or decreasing the number of packs P dipping in the liquid. [0073]
Next, another embodiment of the drink pack position-keeping device according to the present invention will be described. [0074]
FIG. 4A shows a drink pack position-keeping [0075] device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4B is a top view showing the drink pack position-keeping device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4C is a side view showing the drink pack position-keeping device in use according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the drink pack position-keeping [0076] device 10 comprises a stopper 12, a suspending unit 13 and an attaching unit 14.
The [0077] stopper 12 has substantially the same shape as the stopper 2 of the aforementioned drink pack position-keeping device 1, which means the disk-like shape. The stopper 12 has openings 15 communicating with the top and the bottom thereof.
The suspending [0078] unit 13 has a thin plate-like body provided perpendicular to the stopper 12. The suspending unit 13 has cuts 16 at the both sides in the extending direction.
The width W1 of the upper portion of the suspending [0079] unit 13 is set to substantially the same as the inner diameter W of the opening 7 of the mouth 5 so that the drink pack position-keeping device 10 does not come off easily from the mouth 5.
The attaching [0080] unit 14 is a cut formed from the side to the center of the lower portion of the suspending unit 13.
According to thus constituted drink pack position-keeping [0081] device 10, as only the string attached to the drink pack P is placed to the cut of the attaching unit 14, the drink pack P can be attached to the drink pack position-keeping device 10.
Further, as the string of the drink pack P winds around the [0082] cuts 16 of the suspending unit 13, the string length can be adjusted to the desired length. Accordingly, the position of the drink pack P in the drink container B can be controlled.
Furthermore, the drink pack position-keeping [0083] device 10 can readily be attached to the drink container B after the drink pack P is attached by inserting the suspending unit 13 to the opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B.
At this point, since the outer diameter of the [0084] stopper 12 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B, the stopper 12 is placed on the rim 6 of the mouth 5.
Accordingly, the drink pack P suspending from the [0085] stopper 12 can readily be held at the reasonable location in the drink container. Therefore, the essence (nutrient) extracted from the object C to be infiltrated is uniformly and gradually diffused from the top to the bottom of the drink container, so that the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is not concentrated to the lower portion.
Further, as the [0086] stopper 12 placed on the rim 5 of the mouth 5 is pulled upward, the drink pack P suspending from the stopper 12 can readily be taken out from the drink container B anytime.
Furthermore, in the drink pack position-keeping [0087] device 10, the openings 15 are provided at the stopper 12, so that the without taking out the drink pack position-keeping device 10 from the drink container B, the liquid can be taken out from the drink container B.
Accordingly, the liquid in the drink container B can be adjusted to the desired condition while the extracting condition with the object C to be infiltrated is checked. [0088]
In the drink pack position-keeping [0089] device 10, when the device 10 is attached to the drink container B, the suspending unit 13 is protruded to the inside of the drink container B. Accordingly, even the drink container B is tilted for taking out the liquid from the drink container B, the drink pack P is caught on the suspending unit 13 and never block the mouth 5 of the drink container B. Therefore, the liquid of the drink container B can be taken out smoothly.
In the drink pack position-keeping [0090] device 10 according to the present embodiment, drink packs shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D are preferably used.
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show perspective views of the drink packs to be used in the drink pack position-keeping [0091] device 10. FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D show the drink packs.
A drink pack P′ shown in FIG. 5A has an O-[0092] ring 22 at the tip of a string 21 extending from a package 20 containing an object C to be infiltrated. A drink pack P″ shown in FIG. 5B has a hooked portion 23 at the tip of a string 21 extending from a package 20. Here, the hooked portion 23 is made by rounding the tip of the string.
The drink packs P′ and P″ are attached to the drink pack position-keeping [0093] device 10 by hooking the O-ring 22 and the hooked portion 23 on the attaching unit (cut) 14 of the device 10 shown in FIG. 4, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, for these drink packs P′ and P″, in order to prevent the strings of the drink packs from getting tangled, the [0094] string 21 winds around the package 20 before use.
Drink Pack Having a Drink Pack Position-Keeping Device [0095]
Next, the preferred embodiment of a drink pack having a drink pack position-keeping device will be described. [0096]
As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, a [0097] drink pack 30 having the drink pack position-keeping device of the present embodiment comprises a stopper 32, a suspending unit 33 and a package 35.
In the [0098] drink pack 30 having the drink pack position-keeping device, since the stopper 32 and the suspending unit 33 has the same configuration as the stopper 2 and the suspending unit 3 of the aforementioned drink pack position-keeping device 1, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The [0099] pack 35 has the tube-like body with the ends closed made of nonwoven fabric, resin and others. Inside the pack 35, an object C to be infiltrated is contained. The outer diameter of the package 35 is smaller than the diameter W of the opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B so that the pack 35 can be inserted to the drink container B and taken out from there.
The [0100] pack 35 is fixed and connected with the suspending unit 33 by a staple, an adhesive agent, a heat adhesion and other adhering methods.
Further, for the [0101] drink pack 30 having the drink pack position-keeping device, in order to prevent the strings of the drink packs from getting tangled, the string of the suspending unit 33 winds around the package 35 before use (see FIG. 6B).
According to thus constituted [0102] drink pack 30 having the drink pack position-keeping device, the stopper 32 is placed on the rim 6 of the mouth 5, so that the drink pack P suspending from the stopper 32 can readily be held at the reasonable location in the drink container. Therefore, since the drink pack P can be prevented from going to the bottom of the drink container B, the essence (nutrient) extracted from the object C to be infiltrated is uniformly and gradually diffused from the top to the bottom of the drink container, so that the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is not concentrated to the lower portion.
Further, the drink pack P can readily be taken out from the drink container B by pulling it upwards after the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is extracted, so that the excess essence (nutrient) of the object C cannot be extracted into the liquid and the taste of the prepared drink is not harmed. [0103]
A Cap for a Drink Container Having a Drink Pack Position-Keeping Device [0104]
Next the preferred embodiment of a cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device will be described. [0105]
FIG. 7A shows a [0106] cap 40 for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7B shows a drink pack P being attached to the cap 40 for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device. FIG. 7C shows a perspective view of the cap 40.
As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, [0107] 7C, the cap 40 for drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device comprises a cap unit 42, a suspending unit 43 and an attaching unit 44.
The [0108] cap unit 42 has a cylindrical shape having an end closed with a top 45. The cap unit 42 has spiral grooves 47 on the inner surface at the opposite side of the top 45. The spiral grooves 47 fits to spiral grooves 8 provided at the outer surface of the mouth 5 of the drink container B to freely open and close the opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B.
The suspending [0109] unit 43 has a thin plate-like body provided perpendicular to the back of the top 45. The suspending unit 43 is formed to integrate with the cap unit 42. As similar to the suspending unit 13 of the aforementioned drink pack position-keeping device 10, the suspending unit 43 has cuts 46 at the both sides in the extending direction.
The attaching [0110] unit 44 has a cut formed from the side to the center of the lower portion of the suspending unit 43.
According to thus constituted [0111] cap 40 for the drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device, similar to the drink pack position-keeping device 10, any drink pack with a string can be attached to the attaching unit 44. For example, the aforementioned drink pack P′ or P″ (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C) can be used.
Further, the drink container B can be closed with the drink pack P kept therein, so that the preservability of the drink in the drink container can be enhanced and the drink can be carried effectively. [0112]
Further, as the string of the drink pack P suspending from the suspending [0113] unit 43 winds around the cuts 46, the string length can be adjusted to the desired length. Accordingly, the position of the drink pack P in the drink container can be held at the reasonable location. Therefore, the essence (nutrient) extracted from the object C to be infiltrated is uniformly and gradually diffused from the top to the bottom of the drink container, so that the essence (nutrient) of the object C to be infiltrated is not concentrated to the lower portion.
Further, the drink pack P can readily be taken out from the [0114] cap 40 by removing the string of the drink pack P from the attaching unit 44 and the cuts 46, so that the excess essence (nutrient) of the object C cannot be extracted into the liquid and the taste of the prepared drink is not harmed.
Next, another embodiment of the cap for a drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device will be described. [0115]
FIG. 8A shows a [0116] cap 50 for a drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device according to the present invention. FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the cap 50.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the [0117] cap 50 of the present embodiment comprises a cap unit 59, an inner cap unit 52, a suspending unit 53 and an attaching unit 54.
In the [0118] cap 50, the inner cap unit 52 is distinctive, and the configurations of the suspending unit 53 and the attaching unit 54 are the same as the suspending unit 43 and the attaching unit 44 of the aforementioned cap 40. Therefore, the detailed description of the suspending unit 53 and the attaching unit 54 will be omitted.
Owing to the [0119] inner cap unit 52, the drink of the drink container B can be taken out while the drink pack P is kept in the drink container B. The opening 7 of the mouth 5 of the drink container B can freely be opened and closed with a cap unit 59.
The top [0120] 60 of the inner cap 52 has openings 57 communicating with the top and the bottom thereof. The inner cap 52 has spiral grooves 58 at the upper portion of the outer surface so as to fit to the cap unit 59 in order to open and close the openings 57.
Further, the [0121] inner cap unit 52 has spiral grooves 56 at the lower portion of the inner surface of the inter cap unit 52 so as to fit to the spiral grooves 8 of the drink container B to be attached to the drink container.
Here, the diameters of the upper and lower portions and the spiral grooves of the [0122] inner cap 52 are formed so as to be attached to the standardized caps for drink containers.
Accordingly, the cap for a drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device of the present embodiment can be used for any drink container the mouth size (e.g., diameter and spiral grooves) of which is standardized. [0123]
According to thus constituted [0124] cap 50 having the drink pack position-keeping device, since the inner cap 52 is provided with the openings 57, the drink can be taken out from the drink container B with the drink pack P remained therein.
Here, since the suspending [0125] unit 53 has a plate-like shape, one opening 57 which is not used for pouring functions as an air inlet. Accordingly, when the liquid is taken out from the drink container B, the drink does not spill from the opening which is not used for pouring.
Further, in the [0126] cap 50 having the drink pack position-keeping device, when the inner cap unit 52 is attached to the drink container B, the suspending unit 53 is protruded to the inside of the drink container B. Accordingly, even the drink container B is tilted for taking out the liquid from the drink container B, the drink pack P is caught on the suspending unit 53 and never block the mouth 5 of the drink container B. Therefore, the liquid can be taken out from the drink container B smoothly.
The [0127] cap 50 having the drink pack position-keeping device provides these functions and effects in addition to the functions and effects owing to the cap 40.
The preferred embodiments of the cap for a drink container having the drink pack position-keeping device according to the present invention have been described in the above. [0128]
The materials of the units constituting the [0129] caps 40, 50 can be selected from the materials that are superior in the water resistance and in the heat resistance and that have no influence to the human when it is in contact with the drinking liquid. For example, the kinds of resins such as PET and polystyrene, the kinds of metals such as iron, aluminum and stainless and the waterproof paper can be used.
Simplified Dripolator for a Drink Container [0130]
Next, the preferred embodiment of a simplified dripolator for a drink container will be described. [0131]
FIG. 9A shows a cross section of a [0132] simplified dripolator 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9B shows a top view of the simplified dripolator 100 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the [0133] simplified dripolator 100 for the drink container of the present embodiment comprises a mounting unit 101 and an attaching unit 102.
In the mounting [0134] unit 101, the liquid containing the essence (nutrient) extracted from an object C to be infiltrated inside a drink pack P placed in the mounting unit 101 is adjusted or the liquid processed with the desired process with the object to be infiltrated is adjusted.
The mounting [0135] unit 101 has the tapered shape which is gradually narrowed towards the bottom so as to mount the object C to be infiltrated and to keep the liquid poured in. In other words, the mounting unit 101 has a truncated conical cross section.
Here, the shape of the mounting [0136] unit 101 is not limited to this shape but it can be any shape if the liquid poured in the mounting unit 101 can be kept therein. For example, the shapes of a truncated elliptical cone, a truncated pyramid and others can be employed.
The attaching [0137] unit 102 rigidly connects the simplified drip 100 with the drink container B so that the liquid processed with the desired process is filled in the drink container B.
The attaching [0138] unit 102 is located at the lower end of the mounting unit 101 and formed integrally with the mounting unit 101. The attaching unit 102 has spiral grooves 103 on the inner surface to fit to the spiral grooves 8 provided on the outer surface of the mouth 5 of the drink container B to attach the mounting unit 101 to the drink container B.
The top [0139] 104 of the attaching unit 102 comprises openings 105 communicating with the mounting unit 101 and the inside of the attaching unit 102.
Here, the shape of the [0140] openings 105 can be any shape if it can communicate with the mounting unit 101 and the inside of the attaching unit 102.
For example, the [0141] openings 105 may be formed with a plurality of small holes 107 as shown in FIG. 9B or may be formed with slits as shown in FIG. 9C or may be formed into a shape of lattice as shown in FIG. 9D.
Further, for example, a Teflon (Trade mark) filter having arbitrary openings or a stainless wire net filter can be provided over the [0142] opening 105. In this configuration, the content C can directly be mounted on the mounting unit 101 without packaging the content C in the drink pack P.
Furthermore, the shape of the [0143] opening 105 is not limited to a circle but it can be an ellipse, a polygon or any other shapes.
According to thus constituted [0144] simplified dripolator 100, the dripolator 100 is fixed with the drink container B over the attaching unit 102, so that the dripolator 100 is rigidly connected to the drink container B. Therefore, the simplified dripolator 100 is superior in the mounting stability when the desired liquid is adjusted with the object C to be infiltrated.
Further, if the drink container B is a PET bottle, since the shape of the mouth of the PET bottle is standardized, the adjusted liquid that is a drink can be filled in the PET bottle regardless of its size. [0145]
In thus described [0146] dripolator 100, the spiral grooves 103 are provided on the inner surface of the attaching unit 102. However, the position where the spiral grooves 103 are provided is not limited to this.
For example, it can be a simplified dripolator as shown in FIG. 10 that has [0147] spiral grooves 103 at the outer surface of the attaching unit 102.
Thus constituted [0148] simplified dripolator 100 can be used to a drink container B′ having spiral grooves 8 at the inner surface of the mouth 5, e.g., a canteen.
Next, another embodiment of the simplified dripolator for a drink container according to the present invention will be described. [0149]
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the simplified dripolator for a drink container of the present embodiment. [0150]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the [0151] simplified dripolator 110 comprises a mounting unit 111, an attaching unit 112 and a stopper 113.
Since the mounting [0152] unit 111 and the attaching unit 112 have the same configuration as the aforementioned mounting unit 101 and the attaching unit 102, the description of the mounting unit 111 and the attaching unit 112 will be omitted.
The [0153] stopper 113 is stopped on the entire upper rim 5′ of the drink container B″ so that the simplified dripolator 110 is mounted on the drink container B″.
The [0154] stopper 113 comprises a fitting unit 116 and a pedestal 117, which are formed separately from the mounting unit 111 and the mounting unit 112.
The [0155] fitting unit 116 has a cylindrical shape having an opening 118, which is provided on substantially the center of the pedestal 117 protruding upwards.
[0156] Spiral grooves 119 are provided on the outer surface of the fitting unit 116 so as to fit to the spiral grooves 114 of the attaching unit 112 to connect the stopper 113 with the attaching unit 112.
The [0157] stopper 113 has the substantially disk-like shape having a through hole 120 communicating with the top and the bottom thereof.
The shape of the [0158] stopper 113 is not limited to the above shape but it can be any shape if it is stopped on the upper rim 5′ of the drink container B″.
The [0159] fitting unit 116 located at substantially the center of the stopper 113 comprises a hollow 118 so that the mounting unit 111 and the drink container B″ are communicated when the stopper 113 is connected with the attaching unit 112.
According to thus constituted [0160] simplified dripolator 110, even though a drink container has no spiral grooves, if the drink container has the horizontal upper rim, the dripolator 110 can readily be mounted thereon and the liquid processed with the desired process can be adjusted.
Further, if plural kinds of [0161] stoppers 113 each having a pedestal 117 of different diameter are prepared, the stopper 113 can be selected with respect to the size of the drink container. Accordingly, the simplified dripolator 110 can be used to mount on the drink containers of different sizes.
The materials of the units constituting the [0162] simplified dripolator 100, 110 can be selected from the materials that are superior in the water resistance and in the heat resistance and that have no influence to the human when it is in contact with the drinking liquid. For example, the kinds of resin such as PET and polystyrene, the kinds of metal such as iron, aluminum and stainless and the waterproof paper can be used.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 11, with thus constituted [0163] simplified dripolator 100 and 110, the object C to be infiltrated is mounted on the mounting unit 101 or 111 and the liquid is poured into the mounting unit 101 or 111. Then, the liquid is processed with the desired process with the object C and the liquid is adjusted respectively.
Next, the adjusted liquid passes through the [0164] openings 105, 115 of the attaching unit 102, 112 and poured into the drink container B connected with the attaching unit 102 or poured into the drink container B″ on which the stopper 113 connected at the lower end of the attaching unit 112, respectively. At this point, a through hole 106 is provided at the upper side surface of the attaching unit 102 and the through hole 120 is provided at the stopper 113, so that the desired processed liquid can smoothly be poured into the drink container B or B″, respectively.
According to the [0165] simplified dripolator 100, 110, the simplified dripolator is used with respect to the shape of the drink container so as to adjust the desired processed liquid and to fill the liquid into the drink container.
Drink Container Having the Simplified Dripolator [0166]
Next, the preferred embodiment of a drink container having the simplified dripolator will be described. [0167]
FIG. 13 is an exploded cross sectional view showing a drink container having the simplified dripolator according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a drink container having the simplified dripolator which is not in use. [0168]
As shown in FIG. 13, a [0169] drink container 130 having the simplified dripolator of the present embodiment comprises a simplified dripolator 131, a container 132 and a drink container 133.
Since the [0170] simplified dripolator 131 for the drink container has the same configuration as the dripolator 100 and the same functions and effects can be obtained, the description of the dripolator 131 will be omitted.
The [0171] container 132 has cylindrical shape having one end closed and spiral grooves 142 are provided on the inner surface of the mouth 141 of the cylinder so as to fit to spiral grooves 143 provided at the outer surface of the drink container 133.
The volume of the [0172] container 132 is preferably affordable to contain the simplified dripolator 131 when the drink container 133 is united with the container 132 by fitting the spiral grooves 142 of the container 132 to the spiral grooves 143 of the drink container 133.
The [0173] drink container 133 can be used as a canteen for storing the desirably processed liquid.
As shown in FIG. 13, a [0174] drink container 133 comprises a mouth 140 of a small diameter, a truncated cone unit 144 having the diameter gradually larger towards downwards, a cylindrical unit 145 protruding downwards from the lower end of the truncated cone unit 144 and a cap 146.
[0175] Spiral grooves 141 are provided at the outer surface of the mouth 140 so as to ft to spiral grooves 136 of an attaching unit 135. Similarly, spiral grooves 143 are provided at the upper end of the cylindrical unit 145 so as to fit to the spiral grooves 142 of the container 132.
In thus constituted [0176] drink container 130, when the drink container 130 is not in use, as shown in FIG. 14, the simplified dripolator 131 can be contained inside the container 132, so that the drink container 130 can be carried with the dripolator 131 contained in the container 132.
When the [0177] drink container 130 is in use, the container 132 is removed from the drink container 133 so as to use as a cup.
Further, the [0178] dripolator 131 is attached to the drink container 133 and the desired drink pack P is mounted on the mounting unit 134. Then, the liquid is poured therein and the liquid containing the desired essence (nutrient) can be filled in the drink container 133.
Accordingly, the desirably processed liquid can be prepared and filled in the [0179] drink container 133.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drink pack position-keeping device comprising:

a stopper placed on an upper rim of a mouth of a drink container;

a suspending unit for suspending a drink pack containing an object to be infiltrated from said stopper; and

an attaching unit for attaching said drink pack at said suspending unit.

2. A drink pack position-keeping device according to claim 1, wherein said stopper has an opening communicating with the top and bottom of said stopper.

3. A cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device comprising:

a cap unit for opening and closing a mouth of a drink container;

a suspending unit formed integrally with said cap unit, for suspending a drink pack containing an object to be infiltrated; and

an attaching unit for attaching said drink pack at said suspending unit.

4. A cap for a drink container having a drink pack position-keeping device according to claim 3, wherein spiral grooves are provided at the outer surface of the upper portion of said cap, and an opening is provided at a top of said unit to communicate with the inside of said cap and the outside of said cap.

5. A drink pack having a drink pack position-keeping device comprising:

a package unit for containing an object to be infiltrated;

a stopper placed on an upper rim of a mouth of a drink container;

a suspending unit for suspending said package unit from said stopper; and

an attaching unit for attaching said package unit at said suspending unit.

6. A simplified dripolator for a drink container comprising:

a mounting unit on which an object to be infiltrated is placed and to which liquid is poured to fill in a drink container;

an attaching unit provided at a lower end of said mounting unit, for attaching said mounting unit to an mouth of said drink container to communicate said mounting unit with said drink container by fitting to spiral grooves provided at said mouth of said drink container; and

a communicating hole provided at said attaching unit, for communicating with the outside of said attaching unit and the inside of said attaching unit when said mounting unit is attached on said mouth of said drink container.

7. A simplified dripolator comprising:

a stopper placed on an entire upper rim of a mouth of said drink container;

an attaching unit provided at a lower end of said mounting unit, for attaching said mounting unit on said stopper by fitting to spiral grooves provided at said stopper to communicate with said mounting unit and said drink container; and

a communicating hole provided at least one of said attaching unit and said stopper; for communicating with the inside of said drink container and the outside of said drink container when said stopper provided with said mounting unit is laced on said drink container.

8. A drink container having a simplified dripolator for a drink container comprising:

a simplified dripolator for a drink container including a mounting unit on which an object to be infiltrated is mounted; an attaching unit provided at an lower end of said mounting unit, to be fitted to spiral grooves provided at an mouth of a drink container for attaching said mounting unit to said mouth, and for communicating with said mounting unit and said drink container; and a communicating hole provided at said attaching unit, for communicating with said drink container and the outside of said drink container when said mounting unit is attached to a mouth of said drink container; and

a containing unit for containing said simplified dripolator for said drink container and fitting to spiral grooves provided at the outer surface of said drink container to fix.