Abstract:
An improved coffee press structure is provided wherein the container has transparent side wall portions that are associated with top and bottom caps and an intermediate cage structure. Upper and lower band portions of the cage structure are associated with a handle upper end portion and with a link member, respectively. The link member is pivotable relative to either the handle lower end portion or the lower band portion and is spring biased so that when in a normally closed position, the link member closes the gap between the handle lower end portion and the lower band portion. The press structure also provides two different embodiments of a plunger assembly for association with the container mouth. The plunger assembly embodiments both include a handle, a piston and a rod; and the plunger assembly can remain in place after brewing and during brew dispensing from the container. One of the plunger assembly embodiments includes a spouted lid that is valve equipped, the valve being operated by rotational movement of the handle relative to the lid with the rod being fully extended through the lid.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Ser. No. 10/651,791, filed Aug. 29, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to presses for coffee, tea or the like, and, in particular, to presses having an open top container with preferably transparent side wall portions and with associated bottom and top protective and enforcement portions, and a reciprocating plunger assembly associated with the container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Portable, hand-operable brewing/filtering devices or coffee presses have been available for many years. Such an apparatus typically includes a container having an openable top and side walls having a uniform internal cross-section. The top is provided with a lid that receives a slidable rod which is axially reciprocable relative to the container. The rod has a handle at its upper end and a piston at its lower end. The rod and the piston with the lid comprise a plunger assembly. When the rod is reciprocated after hot water and ground coffee or tea leaf fragments have been charged into the container, fresh coffee or tea is produced in the container. Various embodiments and methods of use have been described. Commonly, an embodiment includes means for filtering to separate the residual coffee grounds or the tea leaf fragments from the brewed coffee or tea.  
         [0004]     One problem with prior art coffee presses has been that the user cannot adequately observe the status of the beverage being brewed in the container. Although brewing status can be estimated by elapsed brewing time or by visually observing the color of a brew, with the characteristically opaque prior art coffee press containers, brew color cannot be adequately observed even if the associated plunger assembly is removed from the container. To overcome this problem, a brewing apparatus having a container with transparent portions would be desirable, but such a container has sometimes been inadequate because either it tends to be fragile and easily broken during use, or it has transparent portions with edge regions that are not watertight so that undesirable leakage occurs from the container.  
         [0005]     Another problem with prior art coffee presses is that, after a brewing operation, dispensing of the brewed and filtered beverage from the container is sometimes difficult to achieve in a simple, quick, effective and reliable manner. For example, it may be necessary to remove the lid or change, alter or even substitute components of the plunger assembly before the beverage can be dispensed from the container.  
         [0006]     It would also be desirable to provide a coffee press with an improved openable handle structure that is easy and convenient to removably associate with an object or to grasp with a hand, provides an improved ability to hook over and disengageably connect to a support member (for example, a strap, handle, ring or the like), and provides a secure association with such a support member.  
         [0007]     There is a need for an improved coffee press structure that provides these benefits and overcomes these and other problems. The apparatus achieved by the present invention accomplished those purposes and provides a new and very useful coffee press structure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides a coffee press structure having an improved container with transparent side wall portions and an improved plunger assembly, preferably in combination with an improved openable handle structure.  
         [0009]     In one aspect, the container has transparent side wall portions that are preferably cross-sectionally cylindrical, and that are associated exteriorly with a combination of (a) respective cap-like fixed bottom and detachable top members, and (b) a cage-like structure having longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced stud or strap portions that are end interconnected with respective and upper and lower circumferentially extending band portions. The strap portions and the band portions extend over and adjacent to areas of the transparent side wall portions of the container that are between the top and bottom cap-like members. The cap-like bottom and top portions coact with the strap and band portions and the portions cooperate to enclose partially, protect and reinforce the transparent side wall portions of the container structure. The resulting container structure is surprisingly rugged and durable, yet is easily cleansed and is reusable indefinitely.  
         [0010]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and very useful handle structure for the container. The main handle body extends longitudinally and exteriorly along the container and has an upper end portion that is connected preferably integrally to a portion of the upper band. The handle also has an open lower end portion.  
         [0011]     A link member is provided that is pivotably associated either with the lower band portion or with the handle lower end portion. The link member is spring biased so that its open end portion is normally in a disengageably engaged relationship with the opposed but adjacently spaced one of either the handle lower end portion or the lower band portion. The interrelationship between components is such that the lower end portion of the handle relative to the container are normally in a closed relationship, but, when a force or a pressure is applied upwardly and longitudinally against an exterior surface portion of the link member, the open end portion of the link member becomes disengaged from the associated engaged one of either the handle lower end portion or the lower band portion, thereby to permit the lower end portion of the handle to fit over and connect with an object. After release of the pressure or force, the link member pivots back to its starting position.  
         [0012]     Preferably, a cooperating engaged but disengagable relationship is achieved between the pivotable link member open end portion and normally engaged adjacent the portion of either the handle open end or the lower band, as the case may be. The engaged relationship is variously achievable, but a present preference is to provide a stud-like extension on the open end portion of the link member and a cooperating mating stud-receiving depression defined in the handle open lower end portion or in the lower ring portion. Such an engaged relationship stabilizes the association between these respective components when they are engaged.  
         [0013]     In a more preferred embodiment, the stud-like extension has a cross member located adjacent its outer end, thereby providing a stud-like extension having a T-configuration, and the stud-receiving depression is similarly correspondingly configured to receive such T-configured stud-like extension.  
         [0014]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and very useful plunger assembly for a coffee press structure. The plunger assembly comprises, in combination, a lid, a rod that is reciprocatable relative to the center of the lid, and a piston at the rod lower end. Conveniently and preferably, the rod has a handle at its upper end. The piston has a perimeter that is adapted to sealingly but slidably engage inside wall surface portions of the container side wall regions. Also, the piston includes mid-regions having screen means adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough yet provide a filter for catching and retaining on one side thereof coffee grounds or tea leaf fragments present in the container during fluid movements in the container and reciprocal movements of the rod. A handle joined to the rod opposite end portion is adapted to be adjacent to, and to be nestably received in, upper surface portions of the lid when the rod is fully extending into and through the lid. The lid had a spout defined therein. The need to change, or exchange, plunger assembly components before dispensing of filtered brew from the container is thus avoided.  
         [0015]     In a preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly, the handle at its central portion adjacent to the rod includes an outwardly extending opposed fixed pair of keys which are each adapted to longitudinally extend slidably through respective ones of a fixed pair of keyways defined in the lid. The keys are longitudinally adjacent to, but downwardly spaced from, the handle by a distance equal to the local thickness of the lid. When the rod is moved to a position where the associated handle is adjacent to the lid, the keys extend into the keyways. When the handle is then rotated a predetermined limited number of degrees, the keys correspondingly rotate over adjacent lid undersurface portions and thereby engage and lock the rod and the handle relative to the lid with the piston being located at its maximum depth inside the container. With the handle thus engaged and locked with the lid, a filtered brew in the container can then be decanted from a spout defined in the container.  
         [0016]     In another preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly, the lid is provided with a spout and with a spout valve which is opened and closed through limited rotational movement of the handle of the plunger rod when the handle is adjacent to the lid. The handle when adjacent to the lid is preferably nestably received in a central depression in the lid.  
         [0017]     Other and further objects, aims, features, purposes, advantages, embodiments, variations and the like will become apparent to those skilled in the art from teachings of the present invention taken with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     In the drawings:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive coffee press, the coffee press comprising a container assembly in illustrative combination with a plunger assembly;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of one side of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but with the cap removed, and with handle closing link opened;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 5  with the cap removed, the handle closing link closed, and the handle, rod, and piston subassembly elevated relative to the lid;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 5  embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 5  embodiment;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the handle closing link in separated, adjacent relationship relative to the lower open end of the handle;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a detail view showing the open end of the handle closing link;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a detail view showing the handle closing link in side elevation;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the handle closing link and the lower end of the handle with the handle-closing link being in an open position;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is an environmental perspective view of the plunger assembly embodiment of the inventive coffee press embodiment of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 , the handle, rod and piston subassembly being elevated relative to the lid;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the lid and the bottom side of the piston;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  but with the embodiment rotated 90°, with a portion of the rod being broken away, and with the piston being shown in an exploded format;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a vertical axial sectional view through the lid region of an alternative embodiment of the plunger assembly, this embodiment including a spout valve;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a vertical axial sectional view through the top cap of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the top cap of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is a fragmentary view of a bottom region of the vessel incorporated into the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of the plunger assembly embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the handle and rod subassembly shown in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 24  is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lid and valve assembly of the  FIG. 18  embodiment;  
         [0043]      FIG. 25  is a another fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lid of the  FIG. 18  embodiment; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 26  is a further fragmentary vertical view through the lid of the  FIG. 18  embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0045]     Referring to the Figures, there is seen an embodiment  50  of a coffee press of the present invention. The press  50  includes a housing or container assembly  51  and a plunger assembly  52 . The container or housing assembly  51  comprises a cylindrical vessel  53  having generally cylindrical side walls  54 , a closed bottom  55 , and an open top mouth  56  whose exterior, adjacent lip regions  57  are threaded. The vessel  53  is preferably comprised of a unitarily molded, transparent molded plastic. Various plastics are suitable and preferably are impact resistant and also heat resistant both for purposes of holding heated aqueous liquids, like coffee or tea, and for purposes of washing the press  50  in an automatic dishwasher or the like. Examples of suitable plastics include polycarbonates, various polyacrylics, certain styrenic polymers, and the like, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.  
         [0046]     The base or lower portion of the vessel  53  is associated with an overfitting, unitarily preformed metal cap  59  that is preferably comprised of stainless steel and that has cylindrical side walls  60  and a flattened bottom  61 . The cap  59  can be variously mounted to the vessel  53 . Adhesive means can be used. Preferably, the bottom  61  is provided with a slightly recessed central portion relative to its perimeter portion. While various mechanical means or adhesive means can be employed to mount the bottom cap  59  over the vessel  52  closed bottom  55 , the present preference is to extend perpendicularly through the bottom portion a plurality (preferably three) of symmetrically equally spaced short machine screws  62  which are each threadably engaged with exteriorly projecting, local thickened regions  63  preliminarily provided by molding in the bottom  55 . Thereafter, with the screws  62  engaged with the bottom  55 , a flat rubber disk  64  is preferably bonded in and upon the recessed portion, if present, of the bottom  55  by means of an adhesive (conventional, not detailed). This disk  64  is preferably at least thick enough to support the press  50  in an upright position without outer perimeter portions, if present, of bottom  55  contacting a supporting flat surface (not detailed).  
         [0047]     An exterior lip  57  circumferentially extends around the top mouth  56  and is threaded circumferentially so as to be engageable with an overfitting top cap  66 . A preferred structure for cap  66  is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Cap  66  includes exteriorly a unitarily preformed metal cup  67  that is preferably comprised of stainless steel and that has cylindrical side walls  68  and a flattened top  69 . Inserted into the interior of the cup  67  is a liner  71  that is comprised preferably of a heat resistant molded plastic, such as a polypropylene or the like. The liner  71  preferably includes a thickened circumferentially extending terminal edge region  72 , adjacent cylindrical side portions  73 , inwardly sloping upper side walls  74 , and a top plate  75  that is somewhat elevated relative to the side walls  74  by a longitudinally short, cylindrical extension  76 . The dimensions of liner  71  are such that the side portions  73  slidably engage inside wall surface portions of the side walls  68  and the top plate  75  abuts against inside surface portions of the top  69 . Adjacent the edge region  72 , interior circumferentially extending surface regions are threaded (see  FIG. 19 , for example) and are adapted to threadably engage the exteriorly threaded lip  57  of vessel  53 . Preferably, portions of the liner  71  that contact portions of the cup  66  are bonded thereto by an adhesive (not shown, conventional).  
         [0048]     The cylindrical side wall  54  surfaces are engaged, preferably slidably, with the cage-type support structure  78 . The structure  78  includes a plurality (preferably 4) of circumferentially preferably equally spaced longitudinally extending flattened strip or stud portions  79  and an upper and lower circumferentially extending ring or flattened band portions  80  and  81 , respectively. The stud portions  79  and the band portions  80 ,  81  extend over and are adjacent to areas of the transparent side wall portions  54  and cooperate with the cap-like bottom and top portions. Various arrangements can be used, but it is presently preferred for the stud portions  79  to be integrally formed at their lower ends with the lower band  81 , for the upper band  80  to be formed of an upper band portion  80   a  and a lower, longitudinally shorter adjacent lower band portion  80   b , and for the stud portions  79  to be integrally formed at their upper ends with the lower band portion  80   b  of the upper ring  80 . The cage support structure  78  is slidably engaged longitudinally over the side walls  54 . The bottom cap  59  and the top cap  66  coact with the cage support structure  78  and the components function together to enclose partially, protect and reinforce the transparent side wall portions  54  and bottom  55 . The resulting housing or container structure  51  is surprisingly rugged and durable, yet is easily cleansed and is reusable indefinitely.  
         [0049]     The upper circumferentially extending edge of the upper band  80  is conveniently provided with a gasket member  83  that can also serve as a decorative colored trim ring, if desired. When the cap  66  is fully threadably engaged with the mouth region  56  of the vessel  53 , the edge region  72  can seat against the gasket member  83 . A watertight relationship between the mouth  56  and the cap  66  is thus achieved.  
         [0050]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and very useful cooperative assembly of handle structure  85  for the container  51 . The main handle body  85   a  extends longitudinally and exteriorly adjacent to but spaced from the sides  54  along the container  51 . The upper end portion  85   b  of handle  85  is connected preferably integrally by molded plastic to the upper band  80  in a butt-type connection. For structural rigidity, the handle structure  85  can preferably include a metal core (not shown), if desired. The handle  85  has an open lower end portion  85   c.    
         [0051]     A link member  87  is provided that is pivotably associated at one end thereof either with a portion of the lower band  81  or with a portion of the handle lower end portion  85   c . The link member  87  is spring biased by a coiled spring  88  that is preferably disposed about the pintle  89  over which one end of the link member  87  pivots. The pintle  89  extends through either (a) a stub projection  90  on the lower band  81  for mounting one end of the link member  87  thereto, or (b) a terminal end region of the lower end portion  85   c  of the handle  85  for mounting one end of the link member  87  thereto, as the case may be. It is presently preferred for the lower band  81  to be formed with a stub projection  90  regardless of whether or not the link member  87  pivots relative to the stub projection or relative to the lower end portion  85   c  of the handle  85 . The opposite or open end portion of the link member  87  is normally in an disengagably engaged relationship with the opposite one of either the handle lower end portion  85   c  or the lower ring or band portion  81 , as the case may be. The interrelationship between components is such that, when a force or a pressure is applied upwardly and longitudinally against an exterior surface portion of the link member  87 , the open end portion of the link member  87  pivots away and becomes disengaged from the associated one of either the handle lower end portion  85   c  or the lower band portion  81 . When the link member  87  is in the open configuration, the lower end portion  85   c  of the handle  85  is open and adapted to fit over and connect with an object, such as a strap, handle, ring, or the like, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate. After release of the pressure or force, such as many occur after the object has moved passed the link member  87  and is located between the handle main portion  85   a  and adjacent portions of the cylindrical sides  54 , the link member  87  pivots back to its starting or closed position.  
         [0052]     Preferably, a cooperating engaged but disengagable relationship is achieved between the link member  87  open end portion and the portion of either the handle open end  85   c  or the lower band  81  or stub projection  90  thereof with which the link member  87  open end portion is normally yieldingly engaged by the spring biasing. The engaged relationship is variously achievable, but a present preference is to provide a stud-like extension  92  on the open end portion of the link member  87  and also a cooperating mating stud-like receiving depression  91  defined in either the handle  85  open lower end portion  85  or in the lower band portion  81 , as the case may be. Such an engaged relationship between extension  92  and depression  91  stabilizes the association between these respective components when engaged and makes the associated engagement resistant to a laterally applied force that might tend to separate these components.  
         [0053]     In a more preferred embodiment, the stud-like extension  92  is defined by having an integrally formed a leg cross-member adjacent to its outer end, thereby providing a stud-like extension  93  having a T-configuration, and the stud-receiving depression  94  is similarly correspondingly configured. Other configurations are also possible.  
         [0054]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and very useful plunger assembly  52  for a press structure. The plunger assembly  52  comprises, in combination, a lid  97  and a rod  98  that is reciprocatable perpendicularly relative to the center of the lid  97 . The rod  98  has a handle  99  at its upper end and a piston  100  at its lower end. The handle  99  and the piston  100  conveniently are each threadably associated with a respective different opposed end portion of the rod  98 .  
         [0055]     The piston  100  is here illustratively but preferably comprised of a pair of rings  101  and  102  which are each comprised of a durable, heat resistant, relatively dimensionally stable, molded plastic. Each ring  101  and  102  has an outer perimeter defining portion  103  and a pair of diametrically opposed interconnecting cross-braces  104 ,  105 . The rings  101  and  102  are configured so as to permit them to engage axially with one another with (a) a fine filter screen  106  comprised of stainless steel or the like extended transversely across and therebetween, (b) a threaded center sleeve member  107  axially centered therebetween for threadable engagement with one end of the rod  98 , and (c) a flexible soft plastic ring seal  108  extending circumferentially in a groove  109  defined by and extending circumferentially about the rim edge of the assembled rings  101 ,  102 . The ring seal  108  is adapted to make a continuous but slidable engagement with adjacent interior surface portions of the cylindrical sides  54  when the piston  100  is positioned diametrically across the interior of the cylindrical vessel  53 . With the screen  106  and the ring seal  108  in position, the rings  101 ,  102  are bonded together by heat sealing, an adhesive, or the like. The screen  106  as mounted between the rings  101 ,  102  is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough yet provide a filter for catching and retaining on one side thereof coffee grounds, tea leaf fragments, or the like that may be present in the container  51  during fluid movements in the container  51  including movements induced by reciprocal movements of the rod  98 .  
         [0056]     The lid  97  is provided with an edge adjacent spout  111  through which the liquid contents in the housing  51  may be dispensed as desired by a user. The handle  99  as joined to the rod  98  is preferably adapted to be adjacent to, and nestably received in, central, upper surface, concave portions  110  of the lid  97  when the rod  98  is fully extending into and through the lid  97  with the rod  98  length being prechosen to reach down with the attached piston  100  to a location that is near the interior bottom region of the vessel  53 . When a brewing operation in the vessel  53  is completed by a user, the need to change, or exchange, components before dispensing of filtered brew is thus avoided.  
         [0057]     In a preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly  52 , the handle  99  adjacent to its lower side and at its central portion adjacent to the rod  98  includes an outwardly extending opposed fixed pair of keys  112  (see  FIG. 22 ) which are each adapted to slidably and longitudinally extend through respective ones of a fixed pair of keyways  114  defined in the lid  97 . The keys  112  are longitudinally adjacent to, but downwardly spaced from, the handle  99  by a distance equal to the local thickness of the lid  97 . When the rod-associated handle  99  is moved downwardly into a location adjacent to the lid  97 , the keys  112  extend into and through the keyways  114 . When the handle  99  is then rotated a predetermined limited number of degrees, preferably in the range of from about 15 to about 45 degrees or more, the keys  112  correspondingly rotate over or relative to the lid  97  undersurface and thereby engage the lid  97  and lock the rod  98  and the handle  99  relative to the lid  97  with the piston  100  being located at its maximum depth inside the container  51 . With the handle  99  thus lockingly engaged with the lid  97 , a filtered brew in the container can then be decanted from the spout  111  defined in the lid  97 .  
         [0058]     In another preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly  52  (shown in  FIGS. 18 and 22 , for example), the lid  97  is provided both with the spout  111  and also with a spout valve assembly  115  which is opened and closed through a similar limited rotational movement of the handle  99  on the plunger rod  98  when the handle  99  is adjacent to the lid  97 . The handle  99  when adjacent to the lid  97  is preferably nestably received in a central depression  110  in the lid  97 . In this embodiment, the keys  112 , the keyways  114  and the component relationships above indicated are generally retained, but the lower outside circumferential edge portions of the lid  97  are smooth in contrast to the multiple ribs  141  provided in the lid  97  shown in  FIGS. 13-16 . The ribs  141  aid in restricting escape of liquid from the interior of the container  51  when the lid  97  is inserted slidably into and engaged with adjacent inside surfaces defining the mouth  56 .  
         [0059]     The structure of the spout valve assembly  115  and its association with the lid  97  of a plunger assembly  52  is illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 18 and 22 - 26 . A circular valve plate  117  has a surface configuration that permits the plate  117  to be received into and to rest against the underside of the top region of the lid  97 . The plate  117  has a central aperture  119  and connected opposed keyways  118  that are defined therethrough. The rod  98  is extended through the lid  97  center and through the aperture  119  and the rod  98  is slidable and rotatable relative to the lid  97  and the valve plate  117 . When the handle  99  is located adjacent to the lid  97  and the keys  112  have been extended through the keyways  114 , the keys  112  engage the keyways  118  of the valve plate  117  and the valve plate  117  can thus be rotated relative to the lid  97  by turning the handle  99 .  
         [0060]     As the valve plate  117  fits against the lid  97 , each one of a pair of opposed stops  121  defined on the under surface of the lid  97  engages a different one of a pair of arcuate channels  122  defined in the valve plate  117 . Rotational movement of the plate  117  is thus controlled and limited by the available movement limits of the plate  117  relative to the stops  121  in the channels  122 .  
         [0061]     The valve plate  117  has also defined therein a pair of opposed, here illustratively somewhat ovally shaped, apertures  123 . When the plate  117  is rotated so as to be at one end of the channels  122 , one aperture  123  is aligned with the spout  111  while the other aperture  123  is aligned with a small air pressure relief orifice  125  defined in the lid  97  in dramatically opposed relationship to the spout  111 .  
         [0062]     The valve plate  117  has further defined therein a pair of opposed raised detents  124 , these detents here generally being centered along a (hypothetical) diameter of the valve plate  117  that extends perpendicularly relative to another (hypothetical) diameter along which the spout  111  and the orifice  125  are generally centered. The undersurface of the lid  97  has defined therein a pair of proposed arcuately extending guideways  120  within which each detent  124  slides as valve plate  117  rotation occurs. At the end of each guideway  120 , a somewhat enlarged depression or “pit” is provided. Thus, at the end of each opposite extent of rotational movement of plate  117  relative to lid  97 , each detent  124  engages a different “pit” producing a “click” and a positioning for retaining the plate  117  in a stable position.  
         [0063]     To retain the valve plate  117  in association with the lid  97  undersurface, a lid bracket support  126  is provided. The bracket support  126  can have various configurations, but a presently preferred configuration is shown and described here. Thus the bracket support  126  incorporates a pair of diametrically opposed straight cross braces  127  which meet adjacent a central longitudinal axis to define a cylindrical integral body  129  through which a channel  128  is longitudinally defined through which the rod  98  slidably extends and is rotatable. The bracket support  126  further incorporates a pair of concentrically arranged circular braces  131  and  132  that join the cross braces  127  at locations of cross over. The opposite ends of each cross brace  127  each have defined thereat an integral snap fitting  134 . At 90° intervals along the inside surface of the side wall of the lid  97  a connector  135  is integrally formed. Each connector  129  is adapted to engage and snap fit around and over portions of a different snap fitting  128 . When the bracket support  126  is axially advanced into the interior of the lid  97 , the snap fittings become engaged with the connectors  129 , thereby holding and fixing the position of the bracket support  126  across the interior of the lid  97 .  
         [0064]     To maintain the valve plate  117  against the under surface of the lid  97 , a coiled compression spring  136  is positioned over the rod  98  with one end of the spring  136  resting against adjacent surface portions of the support  126  and the other end of the spring  136  resting against adjacent surface portions of the valve plate  117 . The spring  136  is assembled with the components at the time when the support  126  is connected with the connectors  135 , and becomes yieldingly compressed as the assembly proceeds. The diameter of the spring  136  is such that one end of the spring  136  resides within a circular flange defined on the undersurface of the valve plate  117  and the other end of the spring  136  is received into pocket areas defined in the support  126 . To prevent the spring  136  from binding, a washer  139  is located against the under surface of the valve plate  117  adjacent the spring  136 .  
         [0065]     The valve plate  136  is provided on its upper surface with a circular ridge  137  that extends about the perimeter of the central depression  138  in valve plate  117 . As the valve plate  117  rotates, it rides on the ridge  137  which itself rests upon axially adjacent undersurface portions of the lid  97 .  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the handle  99  is optimally provided with a removable friction-fitting insert  140 , upon which a company name or other indicia can be imprinted.  
         [0067]     As those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate, numerous structural and functional modifications and adaptations may be made in the structures of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.