Abstract:
A heat absorbing device usable to cool hot beverages includes a support rim for supporting the device on a brim of a container and a heat absorbing element extending away from the support rim in a first direction. The heat absorbing element includes a thermally conductive material for absorbing heat from a liquid in the container. A handle extends away from the support rim in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The handle is usable for positioning the heat absorbing element in the container and for removing the heat absorbing element from the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/894,203 filed Mar. 10, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a heat absorbing device usable to cool hot beverages, a beverage container assembly, and a method of using the heat absorbing device. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the heat absorbing device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Heat absorption devices, also known as heat dissipating devices, are generally known. These devices are typically inserted into a container to cool a beverage to the point where it can be comfortably consumed. However, conventional heat absorption devices suffer from a number of deficiencies. 
         [0004]    Some heat absorbing devices include refrigerated components or other large or voluminous configurations for cooling hot beverages. These heat absorbing devices, because of their size, have a tendency to displace the beverage causing spilling and possible burning of the consumer. 
         [0005]    Other conventional devices are simply too complex or are inefficient at cooling hot beverages. Indeed, some designs utilize toxic coolant, freezable material, or many parts requiring assembly. Thus, these designs are expensive to manufacture and/or do not provide sufficient benefit to consumers to warrant using and/or purchasing. Moreover, the designs utilizing toxic coolant pose the risk of accidental ingestion by consumers. As a result, these designs are not commercially viable. 
         [0006]    Some prior heat absorbing devices also include small grooves that are hard to clean. As a result, bacteria or other microorganisms accumulate in these grooves making the repeated use of these devices not hygienic. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved heat absorbing device having a design that is simple and easy to clean for efficiently lowering the temperature of a hot beverage without displacing the volume of the beverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a heat absorbing device usable to cool hot beverages. The device includes a support rim for supporting the device on a brim of a container and a heat absorbing element extending away from the support rim in a first direction. The heat absorbing element includes a thermally conductive material for absorbing heat from the beverage in the container. A handle extends away from the support rim in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The handle is usable for positioning the heat absorbing element in the container and for removing the heat absorbing element from the container. 
         [0009]    The present invention also provides a beverage container assembly. The container assembly includes a container including a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom and side walls define an inner space of the container, and a top edge of the side wall forms a brim of the container. A beverage is disposed in the inner space of the container. A heat absorbing element is disposed in the inner space of the container for absorbing heat from the beverage contained therein. The heat absorbing element includes at least one elongated fin extending along a longitudinal center axis of the inner space. 
         [0010]    The present invention also provides a method of cooling a hot beverage in a container using a heat absorbing device. The heat absorbing device includes a support rim, a heat absorbing element having a plurality of elongated fins extending away from the support rim in a first direction, and a handle extending away from the support rim in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The method includes grabbing the handle of the heat absorbing device, and inserting the plurality of elongated fins of the heat absorbing device into the container such that the support rim is supported on a brim of the container and the fins extend downwardly from the support rim into the beverage. 
         [0011]    The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the heat absorbing device described above. 
         [0012]    Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective bottom view of a heat absorbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of the heat absorbing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of more than one heat absorbing device being used; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the construction of the heat absorbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the construction of the heat absorbing device according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of a container assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of a container assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A to 8D  illustrate heat absorbing elements according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in this section in connection with the preferred embodiments and methods. The invention according to its various aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the attached claims read in view of this specification. 
         [0022]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the heat absorbing device includes a support rim  30 , a heat absorbing element  10 , and a handle  20 . The heat absorbing element  10  is inserted into a beverage  40  for cooling while the support rim  30  supports the device on a brim  52  or top edge of a container  50 . The support rim  30  has an outer dimension d 2  that is larger than an outer dimension d 1  of the heat absorbing element  10  so that the support rim  30  engages the container  50  while the heat absorbing element  10  fits easily inside the inner space of the container  50 . The support rim  30  may be circular, square, or any other shape that would allow the heat absorbing device to be supported on the container  50 . The support rim  30  may be approximately 4 inches across, that is, d 2  may be approximately 4 inches. The container  50  may be a coffee mug, cup, glass, or bowl, among other things. 
         [0023]    The heat absorbing element  10  includes a plurality of cooling fins extending away from the support rim  30  for insertion into the beverage  40 . The heat absorbing element  10  may be a sheet of thermally conductive material folded into several ridged portions  12  and planar portions  14  and  16  extending between neighboring ridged portions  12 . The planar portions include outer planar portions  14  and inner planar portions  16 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner planar portions  16  are wider than the outer planar portions  14  so that the cross-sectional shape of the heat absorbing element  10  conforms to the inner space of the container  50 , which has a circular cross section. 
         [0024]    The sheet of thermally conductive material may be rectangular. The sheet may alternatively be formed into to other shapes. The thermally conductive material may be metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, coated metal, or metal composites. The thermally conductive material may be made thin, e.g., 1 to 2 mm, so as to displace a minimum amount of the beverage  40  in the container  50 . 
         [0025]    The folded shape of the heat absorbing element  10  maximizes the surface area that comes in contact with the beverage  40 , thereby allowing for more heat to be transferred and ultimately cooling the beverage  40  faster. Additionally, because the material used to make the heat absorbing element  10  is thin, the displacement of the beverage  40  is minimized. As a result, the beverage  40  is efficiently cooled without spilling from the container  50 . Thus, even when the beverage  40  is extremely hot, such as freshly brewed coffee or tea, the heat can be dissipated through the heat absorbing element  10 . Although not necessary, the heat absorbing element  10  is preferably immersed in the beverage  40  for approximately one minute for very hot beverages. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the amount of time it takes to cool a hot beverage using the heat absorbing element  10  will depend on various factors, for example, the material and surface area of the heat absorbing element  10 , the temperature and volume of the hot beverage, etc. Thus, the beverage  40  may be cooled by the heat absorbing element  10  in less than or more than one minute. 
         [0026]    The shape of the heat absorbing element  10  as a folded sheet of thermally conductive material makes this component easy to clean, thus preventing bacteria or other microorganisms from building up on the device. Indeed, it is easy for a sponge or brush to be disposed between the planar portions  14  and  16  of the heat absorbing element  10  for cleaning. 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  20  includes a protrusion  22  extending from an upper planar surface  32  of the support rim  30 . Although the shape of the protrusion  22  is shown as being semi-circular, it should be understood that the protrusion  22  may have a variety of different shapes. At least one of the handle  20  and the support rim  30  are preferably formed of thermally non-conductive material so that heat from the beverage  40  is not transferred through the handle  20  and support rim  30  to burn the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the support rim  30  and the handle  20  may be formed integrally with one another. In this case, the support rim  30  and the handle  20  are preferably cast together as one piece of plastic. The heat absorbing element  10 , which may be made from a bent metal sheet, is preferably fitted into the plastic piece soon after the plastic is cast or molded, i.e., when the plastic is still soft prior to drying/hardening. Thus, the manufacturing process of the present embodiment includes: 1) cutting and forming the thermally conductive heat absorbing element  10 , 2) preparing the “hat” or rim  30  and handle  20  assembly using a plastic injection mold having the shape of the rim  30  and handle  20  assembly, and 3) assembling the rim  30  and handle assembly  20  with the heat absorbing element  10 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, the heat absorbing element  10  may have shoulder flanges  18  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) that may be welded, glued, fastened, or screwed to the bottom of the support rim  20  instead of fitting the heat absorbing element  10  into the plastic directly. In this case, the support rim  30  and/or the handle  20  may be made of other materials that do not require casting. 
         [0030]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , a heat absorbing device may include a handle  20 ′, a support rim  30 ′, and a heat absorbing element  10 ′ all formed separately prior to assembly. In this case, the support rim  30 ′ and the handle  20 ′ may each be formed separately of wood, plastic, or any other material. Preferably, at least one of the handle  20  and support rim  30  are made of a thermally non-conductive material so that the user does not burn his or her hand. The handle  20 ′ and the support rim  30 ′ include fastening holes  24  and  34 ′ respectively, for fastening these components together with the heat absorbing element  10 ′. To this end, the heat absorbing element  10 ′ includes shoulder flanges  18  extending from the outer planar portions  14  thereof. The shoulder flanges  18  each include fastening holes  19  corresponding to the fastening holes  34  and  24  of the support rim  30 ′ and the handle  20 ′, respectively. Screws  60  attach the heat absorbing element  10 ′ to the support rim  30 ′ and the handle  20 ′ via the fastening holes  19 ,  34 , and  24 . 
         [0031]    As best shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a beverage container assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a container  70  with a first threading  72  arranged inside a brim of the container  70 . A container top  84  includes a heat absorbing element  100  (similar to heat absorbing element  10 ), a support rim  90  having a second threading  92  arranged around a perimeter thereof, and a handle  80  disposed on the support rim  90 . The container top  84  is removably coupled to the container  70  by twisting to engage the first threading  72  of the container  70  with the second threading  92  of the container top  84 . Accordingly, the beverage container assembly shown in the present embodiment can be used as a travel mug in which the container top  84  is secured to the container  70 . The container top  84  may further include an outlet  82  via which the beverage can be dispensed without disengaging the container top  84  from the container  70 . Additionally, the beverage container assembly shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  may be specially adapted to fit in the cup holder(s) of a particular vehicle or a particular class of vehicles so that the beverage container assembly can be easily used while traveling. 
         [0032]    Although the first and second threading  72  and  92  are shown and described as removably attaching the container top  84  to the container  70 , it should be understood that other attachment mechanisms may be used in lieu of threading. For example, snap fit container tops, among other things, may be used. 
         [0033]    As best shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in another embodiment of the invention, a heat absorbing element  100 ′ is separately disposed in the container  70  without attachment to a container top  84 ′ or support rim  90 ′. In this case, the heat absorbing element  100 ′ is either permanently embedded in the container  70  or removably positioned in the container  70 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8A to 8D  show various embodiments of the heat absorbing element  10 .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the heat absorbing element  10  ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6B . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8C  shows a heat absorbing element  120  having a plurality of semi-cylindrical sheets  124  concentrically arranged about a center axis  122 . The semi-cylindrical sheets  124  may be attached at one end to a support rim (not shown) and handle (not shown) via shoulder flanges (not shown) or by insertion into the support rim and handle prior to hardening, as described above. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8D  shows a heat absorbing element  110  having a cylindrical spiral shape. The heat absorbing element  110  is made from a single sheet having a plurality of layers  114  wound concentrically around a center axis  112 . The heat absorbing element  110  may be attached at one end to a support rim (not shown) and handle (not shown) via shoulder flanges (not shown) or by insertion into the support rim and handle prior to hardening, as described above. 
         [0037]    Although only a few different shapes of the heat absorbing elements have been shown, it should be understood that a variety of different shapes can be used. For example, parallel rectangular sheets, which are spaced apart at equal intervals, may alternatively be used as the heat absorbing element. Other shapes may also be used. 
         [0038]    The heat absorbing device of the embodiments of the present invention cools a hot beverage through the immersion of a heat conducting element with a large surface area into a beverage mug, cup, drinking glass, travel-style portable beverage container, or bowl. Because the heat absorbing element of the device has a low volume compared to surface area ratio due to its small thickness, minimal liquid is displaced when the device is used. 
         [0039]    The support rim and handle can be made in a variety of shapes, designs, and materials that are aesthetically pleasing to the consumer of the hot beverage. For example, the support rim and handle can be made of hard plastic with a round or square shape. Other shapes and materials may also be used. The handle can be formed of a variety of materials, for example, stainless steel, wood, plastic, marble, or a combination thereof. The shape of the handle and support rim, which may also be referred to as a “hat” of the beverage, may be custom designed to fit the theme of a restaurant or hotel or may be ornamental designs. 
         [0040]    Although the foregoing embodiments describe a heat absorbing device for cooling a beverage, it should be understood that the heat absorbing device can be used to cool any hot liquid. In this case, the size of the device can be adapted to fit the size of the container carrying the liquid. 
         [0041]    Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.