Patent ID: 8651316
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: A47G,B65D

Abstract:
1. A retainer for the controlled preparation of a beverage from liquid within a container and a bag containing a beverage preparation agent by movement of a string attached to the bag relative to said retainer seated on the container, the bag having a surrounding bag wall in which the beverage preparation agent is enclosed, the container including a surrounding container wall having an inner surface and outer surface that meet to form a lip, the lip defining a mouth of the container, the container wall being suitable to hold the liquid with which the beverage may be prepared by immersion of the beverage bag within the liquid, the string having a bag end attached to the beverage bag and a free end, said retainer comprising: a flexible cover panel including an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said upper surface sized and shaped such that said panel generally extends over the container mouth, said upper surface and said lower surface meet at a peripheral rim and form a surrounding edge wall sized and shaped such that the retainer can be seated on and form a releasingly sealing grip about the lip; a drinking aperture opening through said flexible cover panel to provide access to the liquid within the container; an openable retention structure with an even retention structure profile that includes a patterned area including one or more patterns of weakenings formed in or perforations or incisions cut through said flexible cover panel that can be opened at least partially to provide a string/tag securing aperture or a bag retention aperture by the application of pressure at the patterned area, wherein said one or more patterns of weakening form a zigzag pattern; and a depressed area in said upper surface of said flexible cover panel that extends vertically perpendicular and downward relative to said lower surface formed by a depressed wall sized and shaped such that when the bag is secured by said string/tag securing aperture, the bag is prevented from blocking said drinking aperture even when the container is rotated for drinking; wherein the depressed wall is positioned between the drinking aperture and the openable retention structure.