Patent Publication Number: US-11045036-B2

Title: Beverage filtering system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/660,851 filed Mar. 4, 2010 and titled “BEVERAGE FILTERING SYSTEM,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/157,373, filed Mar. 4, 2009, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/586,912, filed Dec. 7, 2016 and titled “CANISTER,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to the preparation of beverages, such as coffees and teas, by brewing or infusing. More specifically, the present invention relates to brewing and infusing devices which include a filter for removing solid material from which the beverage is prepared from the beverage so obtained. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coffee and other flavored beverages have been enjoyed by people since the ninth century A.D., and many brewing and infusing methods have been tried over the years. Infusions and brews are primarily achieved by adding hot water to flavoring solids, such as tea leaves, herbs or coffee beans. The beverage achieves a desired state by allowing a sufficient time for the optimum flavors to be extracted from the solids into the water, and then ceasing the process by removing the water from the solids. Unregulated exposure to the flavoring solids may over-extract the solids, releasing strong or unpleasant tastes like bitterness in coffee. 
     In most current brewing methods, ceasing the infusion process requires the removal of a filtering device from the beverage. This is often inconvenient and messy for the user. Additionally, most infusing methods require a preparation device to be separate from the drinking device. Further, most of the products on the market do not allow proper insulation of the beverage once it has been prepared. 
     Coffee is extracted by grinding beans into smaller pieces, and brewing. For a given amount of coffee, the surface area of a finer grind is exponentially greater than that of a coarser grind. As a result, finer grinds can brew much more quickly. However, the coffee preparation device must have a filter that can keep the smaller particles of finer grinds from passing into the beverage. 
     Lipids are small oils found in coffee that give it a buttery texture, and this is a desired attribute in gourmet coffees. Lipid molecules are generally found to be around 0.4 mm in diameter. There is a need for an invention that allows beverages to be infused in a convenient device that both prepares a beverage infusion and also serves as a drinking cup for the resulting beverage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Accordingly, the present invention is generally directed to a device for filtering beverages. It is more specifically intended for separating particulate matter used to make a beverage from the drinkable portion of the beverage. It is most specifically related to a system for allowing coffee to be brewed in one container of the device and then forcing the brewed coffee through a filter and into a preferably nested secondary container of the same device. The same system will also work for teas, infusions, and cocktails or other beverages in which the user wants to filter particulate from a beverage after a brewing or steeping period. 
     The extent of infusion of the fluids will depend on time, size, temperature, and agitation of the solution. The system is optimized for various beverages by seeking the best balance of these variables for each beverage. 
     The small holes of a filter create friction on fluid moving through it. This results in back pressure of the filter. Filtration is achieved by overcoming the back pressure when exerting force on the inner cup and pressing it into the outer cup(s). When completely inserted, the back pressure prevents further unwanted filtration. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact device for filtering beverages that includes an outer cup having an inner surface, a tube sized and configured to be nestable within the outer cup, the tube having an outer surface, an interior surface, an upper portion, and a lower portion, the lower portion having a smaller diameter relative to the upper portion, an exterior surface, and an inside surface, and a lid sized and configured to form a watertight seal with the interior surface of the upper portion of the tube and to engage with the outer cup when the tube is nested in the outer cup and the lid is on the tube, wherein the lid includes a sipping hole and a lid sealing gasket configured to engage with the interior surface of the upper portion of the tube. The beverage system also includes a removable filter portion including an upper surface with a filter and a bottom edge with a retaining member, the removable filter portion sized and configured to reside substantially inside the lower portion of the tube and to be attached to the inside surface of the lower portion, wherein the filter portion includes a cavity sized to contain about a serving of brewing material as well as a removable sealing gasket including a first sealing member, a second sealing member, and a sleeve coupled to and disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member, wherein the first sealing member, the second sealing member, and the sleeve are integrally formed of a same material and sized and configured to substantially cover the entirety of the exterior surface of the lower portion of the tube. The first sealing member engages the inner surface of the outer cup when the tube is inserted into the outer cup and the second sealing member engages the inner surface of the outer cup when the tube is inserted into the outer cup and is sufficiently spatially separated from the first sealing member to assist with maintaining concentricity of the tube and the outer cup while the tube is within the outer cup. 
     In another embodiment, a beverage filtering system and drinking vessel includes an outer cup having an inner surface, and a tube sized and configured to be nestable within the outer cup. The tube includes an upper portion, a lower portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the lower portion having a smaller diameter relative to the upper portion such that a lip is formed between the upper portion and the lower portion. A removable filter portion can be coupled to the interior surface of the lower portion and includes a filter, a bottom edge including a retaining member, and a cavity sized to contain enough infusing material to brew about a serving of a beverage, wherein the lower portion is configured to accommodate the cavity when the removable filter portion is coupled to the lower portion of the tube. A removable sealing gasket includes a first sealing member, a second sealing member, and a sleeve, the sleeve being coupled to and disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member, wherein the first sealing member, the second sealing member, and the sleeve are a unitary body and are sized and configured to substantially cover the exterior surface of the lower portion, wherein the first sealing member and the second sealing member are sized and configured to engage the inner surface of the outer cup when the tube is in the outer cup and are spaced sufficiently apart such that the first sealing member and the second sealing member assist with maintaining concentricity of the tube and the outer cup when the tube is in the outer cup. The lip serves to maintain a location of the sealing gasket on the exterior surface of the lower portion when the tube is inserted into the outer cup and the retaining member serves to maintain the location of the sealing gasket on the exterior surface of the lower portion when the tube is removed from the outer cup. A lid includes a sipping hole, the lid being sized and configured to sealably couple to the tube and to engage with the outer cup when the tube is nested in the outer cup and the lid is coupled to the tube. 
     In another embodiment, a beverage filtering system includes a cup with an inner surface and a tube having an upper portion and a recessed lower portion, wherein the tube is configured to nest within the cup, wherein a lip is formed between the upper portion and the recessed lower portion, and wherein the recessed lower portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. A filter couples to the tube and includes a cavity, an outside surface, an upper surface including a plurality of perforations, and a bottom rim, wherein the outside surface is configured to engage with the interior surface of the recessed lower portion such that the filter can be removably coupled to the tube and wherein the bottom rim includes an outwardly projecting edge. A removable sealing gasket can be disposed on the recessed lower portion of the tube and includes a first sealing member, a second sealing member, and a sleeve, the sleeve being coupled to and disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member, wherein the first sealing member, the second sealing member, and the sleeve are a unitary body and are sized and configured to substantially cover the exterior surface of the recessed lower portion, wherein the first sealing member and the second sealing member are sized and configured to engage the inner surface of the cup when the tube is nested in the cup and are spaced sufficiently apart such that the first sealing member and the second sealing member assist with maintaining concentricity of the tube and the cup when the tube is nested in the cup, and wherein the lip and the edge serve to maintain a location of the sealing gasket on the exterior surface of the recessed lower portion when the tube is inserted into and removed from the cup and the filter is coupled to the tube. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the components of a first embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inner cup of the system; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the inner cup showing additional elements; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIGS. 5A through 5D  illustrate the manner in which the beverage filtering system may be used; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the inner and outer cups of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIG. 7A  is an elevational view of a lid therefor; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
         FIGS. 8A through 8D  illustrate a second embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIGS. 8E through 8H  are cross-sectional views of inner cups for the second embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the inner cup shown in  FIG. 8E ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the inner cup shown in  FIG. 8F ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the inner cup shown in  FIG. 8G ; 
         FIGS. 12A through 12E  illustrate a third embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a fourth embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the beverage filtering system; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the components of the sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of the inner cup of the sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternative inner cup for the sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the components of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded view of the ninth embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage filtering system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of some of the components of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Turning now to these figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the components of a first embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention. The system  10  includes an outer cup  20 , preferably made of a rigid material, such as glass, steel, or plastic. The outer cup  20 , in addition, preferably has a cylindrical form for reasons which will become clear in the discussion to follow. However, other shapes with vertical walls could be utilized. In this first embodiment, the outer cup  20  is of integral, or one-piece, construction. 
     The outer cup  20  may also have an outer sleeve  22 , made of a polymeric foam, textile material, wood, or other insulating material, provided not only to protect the hand of the person using the system  10 , but also to retard the cooling of its contents. The sleeve  22  may be solid or perforated, and may alternatively be of a metal or other polymer material. The outer cup  20  may alternatively be a double-walled vessel, as will be shown below, with or without a vacuum being provided between its inner and outer surfaces, thereby creating an insulated outer cup  20 . 
     The inner cup  30  of the system  10  is also preferably made of a rigid material, such as glass, steel, or plastic, and preferably has a cylindrical form of a slightly smaller diameter than that of the outer cup  20 , so that the inner cup  30  may fit within the outer cup  20 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of inner cup  30  taken from a somewhat different direction. Inner cup  30  has a rolled rim  32  to provide for the comfort of one drinking from it. Below is a portion  34  of reduced diameter, and, on the very bottom of inner cup  30 , is a filter  36  formed by perforations  38  in the bottom of the inner cup  30 . Perforations  38  are of a diameter to enable desired flavoring oils, such as lipids from brewed coffee, to pass through filter  36  without permitting large particulates of bulky flavoring solids, such as particles of ground coffee, to do so. Perforations  38  preferably have a diameter in the range from 0.2 to 0.6 mm. More preferably, perforations  38  have a diameter of approximately 0.4 mm. Perforations  38  may be provided in the hexagonally ordered array shown in  FIG. 2 . In such an array, where the center-to-center distance separating each perforation  38  from its closest neighbors is 1.5 mm, there would be about 300 perforations  38  per square inch. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of inner cup  30  from the same viewpoint as  FIG. 2  and showing several additional elements. At the top of the inner cup  30 , beneath and abutting against the rolled rim  32 , is an O-ring  40 , whose purpose will be described below. At the bottom of the inner cup  30 , disposed on the portion  34  ( FIG. 2 ) of reduced diameter, is another O-ring  42 . O-rings  40 ,  42  are preferably made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. O-ring  42  is maintained on portion  34  of reduced diameter by retaining ring  44 , which may be of stainless steel. 
     O-rings  40 ,  42 , as well as other O-rings to be identified below, may be circular in cross section. Alternatively, they may be made with a thin rectangular or triangular projection extending radially from the circular cross section, forming “wipers” on the O-rings, thereby allowing for a wider range of tolerances between the inner and outer cups. Alternatively, more than one O-ring may be used in a given location, for instance, two or more O-rings, each with or without “wiper” features. O-rings having cross-sectional shapes other than circular, such as triangular or rectangular, may also be used, each with or without “wipers”. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 1 , the beverage filtering system  10  also includes a lid  50 . The lid  50  may include a pair of diametrically opposed openings  52 , one of which is visible in  FIG. 1 . Lid  50  may also be made of a rigid material, such as glass, steel, or plastic. The openings  52  may function as sipping and vent holes where the system  10  is used as a cup. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the beverage filtering system  10  and shows the relationship between the inner cup  30 , the outer cup  20 , and the lid  50 . 
       FIGS. 5A through 5D  illustrate the manner in which the beverage filtering system  10  may be used. Referring first to  FIG. 5A , a suitable amount of material, such as ground coffee  56 , from which a beverage is to be prepared, is added to the outer cup  20  along with an appropriate amount of a liquid, such as hot water  58 . 
     The ground coffee  56  is allowed to brew in the hot water  58  for a desired time to prepare coffee of a strength suited to the tastes of the user. During this time, the outer cup  20  may be agitated by the user to create a swirling motion within the hot water  58  to assist with the brewing process. After the desired time has elapsed, the inner cup  30  with lid  50  on top is inserted into the outer cup  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5B , and gradually pushed down as far as possible, as shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D . Brewed coffee, having passed through filter  36  at the bottom of the inner cup  30  as the inner cup  30  was being pushed into the outer cup  20 , may then be drunk or poured from the system  10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the inner cup  30  and the outer cup  20  when the former has been fully inserted into the latter. As shown in  FIG. 6 , outer cup  20  may be double-walled and include an insulating layer  60 , preferably filled with air or another insulating material, within the double wall  62 . It may be alternatively evacuated by a vacuum, so as to prevent any expansion between the insulating surfaces. As noted above, outer cup  20  and inner cup  30  are preferably cylindrical in form with the inner cup  30  having a slightly smaller diameter than that of the outer cup  20 , so that it may be fit inside outer cup  20  as shown. O-ring  42 , which is disposed about portion  34  of reduced diameter and which has a somewhat larger outer diameter than that of the inner cup  30  and the inside surface  64  of the outer cup  20  forms a seal between the inner cup  30  and the outer cup  20  when the former is inserted into the latter. As a consequence, liquid in the outer cup  20  is forced through filter  36  at the bottom of the inner cup  30  as the inner cup  30  is gradually pushed into the outer cup  20 . 
     The inner cup  30  is able to travel down into the outer cup  20  until O-ring  40 , or other stopper of various materials or shapes, disposed below the rolled rim  32 , reaches the rim  66  of the outer cup  20 , thereby preventing further insertion. The volume between the filter  36  and the bottom of the outer cup  20  confines the materials from which a beverage is being prepared. 
       FIG. 7A  is an elevational view of lid  50  and  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view thereof. As may be seen in  FIG. 7B , openings  52  are diametrically opposed so that one may function as a sipping hole, while the other may function as a vent hole, when the system  10  is used as a cup. In such a situation, it may be necessary for the lid  50  to be sealed to the inner cup  30  to prevent the contents of the inner cup  30  from leaking out under the lid  50  when the system  10  is tipped for drinking. To this end, the inside of the lid  50  may be provided with an O-ring  68 , which would be maintained in position by retaining ring  70 , as shown in  FIG. 7B , or by a molded-in increase in diameter to retain the O-ring in place. When the lid  50  so equipped is placed on top of the inner cup  30 , O-ring  68  creates a seal between the inside of rolled rim  32  and lid  50 . 
     A second embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A through 8D . Referring first to  FIG. 8A , system  100  includes an outer cup  120  having a sleeve  122  as previously described. Inner cup  130  fits within outer cup  120  as above, both outer cup  120  and inner cup  130  being cylindrical in form. Inner cup  130  in this second embodiment flares outwardly at the top to a diameter larger than that of outer cup  120 , thereby limiting the amount by which it may be inserted into the outer cup  120 , as shown by the flared rim  140  in  FIG. 8C . This feature allows space for the coffee grounds, tea leaves, or other flavoring sub stance. 
     Inner cup  130  has a sleeve  132  which includes an integrally formed sealing gasket  134 , which functions in the same manner as the O-ring  42  described above. As before, a filter is in the bottom of the inner cup  130 , and may be provided in any of several ways. 
     System  100  also includes a lid  150 , which may be molded from a plastic material and which may double as a coaster, as shown in  FIG. 8D . 
       FIGS. 8E through 8H  illustrate the variety of ways in which the filter may be provided in this second embodiment.  FIG. 8E  is a cross-sectional view of an inner cup  130  having a filter  136  formed by perforations in the very bottom of the inner cup. The perforations are as described above. An enlarged view of this variant is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , inner cup  130  has filter  136  in the bottom thereof as shown. Sealing gasket  134  contacts the inner surface of the outer cup  120  creating a seal of the type described above. In addition to sealing gasket  134 , sleeve  132  is integrally formed with an optional rim stopper  138 , so called because it limits the amount by which the inner cup  130  may be inserted into the outer cup  120  when it abuts against the rim of the outer cup  120 . Sleeve  132 , together with integrally formed sealing gasket  134  and optional rim stopper  138 , is preferably formed from an elastomeric material, such as a silicone rubber. 
       FIG. 8F  is a cross-sectional view of an inner cup  130  having a filter  136  formed by perforations or slits through the sleeve  132  (not labeled in  8 F, but similar embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 ) itself. As enlarged view of this variant is shown in  FIG. 10 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the inner cup  130  is really a tube lacking a bottom. Instead, sleeve  132  provides the bottom and is integrally formed therewith. Perforations or slits are provided through the bottom. As discussed above, the perforations or slits are preferably of a size to permit flavoring oils, such as lipids, to pass through the filter  136  without permitting large particulates of bulky flavoring solids, such as particles of ground coffee, to do so. The perforations preferably have a diameter in the range from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. More preferably, the perforations have a diameter of approximately 0.4 mm. The perforations or slits may also be provided with the relative spacing of 1.5 mm discussed above. In other respects, the sleeve  132  is as described above. 
     In  FIGS. 8G and 8H , the filter  136  is an element separate from the inner cup  130  and sleeve  132 . Both  FIGS. 8G and 8H  are cross-sectional views of such an inner cup  130 . An enlarged view of the variant shown in  FIG. 8G  is shown in  FIG. 11 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the inner cup  130  is again really a tube lacking a bottom. Instead, sleeve  132  holds a separate filter element against the bottom of the tube. The filter  136  may be of glass, steel, plastic, or silicone rubber, and may have perforations of the sizes and relative spacing described above. In other respects, the sleeve  132  is as described above. The difference between the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8G and 8H  is that, in  FIG. 8G , the filter  136  is held against the bottom of inner cup  130  by the sleeve  132 , while, in  FIG. 8H , the filter  136  is held within sleeve  132  and is not in direct contact with the inner cup  130 . 
     A third embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12A through 12E . Referring first to  FIG. 12A , system  200  has an outer cup  220  having a bottom portion  224  which is removable. As shown in  FIG. 12D , bottom portion  224  may be screwed off of outer cup  220  to remove used ground coffee  56  or the like therefrom. 
     Inner cup  230  has a sleeve  232  integrally formed with a sealing gasket  234 . Sleeve  232  similar to sleeve  132  (e.g.,  FIGS. 8A and 10 ) as described above. Inner cup  230  flares outwardly at the top to accommodate lid  250 , which may be snapped thereon. A plan view of lid  250  is shown in  FIG. 12E . 
     When the inner cup  230  is pushed down into outer cup  220  during the preparation of a beverage, as shown in  FIG. 12B , the bottom of the inner cup  232  and sealing gasket  234  presses the material, such as ground coffee  56  against the bottom of the outer cup  220 . Subsequently, the bottom portion  224  is removed, and the inner cup  230  is pushed all the way down to its flared top, enabling the sealing gasket  234  to push the used coffee grounds  56  out, preferably into the garbage. Bottom portion  224  may be threadingly connected to outer cup  220 . 
     A fourth embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . System  300  has an outer cup  320  and an inner cup  330 , which is within the outer cup  320  in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13 . Filter  336 , which may be perforated as previously described, is at the bottom of the inner cup  330 . O-ring  342 , which may be of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, is secured between retaining rings  344 , which may be of stainless steel, at the lower end of the inner cup  330 . O-ring  342 , as above, seals the space between the inner cup  330  and the outer cup  320 . Inner cup  330  has an outward flare  338  at its upper end. Below the outward flare  338  is an O-ring  346 , which functions as a rim stopper for limiting the amount by which the inner cup  330  may be inserted into the outer cup  320 . 
     A fifth embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . System  400  has an outer cup  420  and an inner cup  430 , which is within the outer cup  420  in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 14 . Outer cup  420  has a removable bottom portion  424 , which may be screwed off the outer cup  420  for the purpose previously described above, namely, to remove coffee grounds or other materials after the brewed liquid has been consumed. Bottom portion  424  may be threadingly connected to outer cup  420 . Filter  436 , which may have perforations of the sizes and relative spacing previously described, is at the bottom of the inner cup  430 . O-ring  442 , which may be of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, is secured between restraining rings  444 , which may be of stainless steel, at the lower end of the inner cup  430 . O-ring  442 , as above, seals the space between the inner cup  430  and the outer cup  420 . Inner cup  430  has an outward flare  438  at its upper end. Below the outward flare  438  is an O-ring  446 , which functions as a rim stopper for limiting the amount by which the inner cup  430  may be inserted into the outer cup  420 . 
     A sixth embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 15 through 19 . Referring first to  FIG. 15 , system  500  includes an outer cup  520 , an inner cup  530 , only the rim  532  of which is visible in  FIG. 15 , and a lid  550 . Lid  550  has a stopper  552  to seal a hole through which a beverage may be consumed. 
       FIG. 16  shows the separate components of system  500 . Referring first to lid  550 , stopper  552  is of the variety which is secured at the center of the lid  550 , and which may be swiveled therearound to alternately cover and uncover hole  554  for drinking. 
     Inner cup  530  has a rim  532 , beneath which is an O-ring  534  which limits the amount by which inner cup  530  may be inserted into outer cup  520 . O-ring  534  may be made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. 
     The lower portion of the inner cup  530  includes an O-ring  536 , which seals the space between the outer cup  520  and the inner cup  530 . As above, O-ring  536  may be of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. Below O-ring  536 , in the lower portion of the wall of the inner cup  530 , are perforations  538  which all together act as filter  540 . Compared to the embodiments previously described, filter  540 , located on the side, rather than on the bottom, of inner cup  530  permits the passage of fluids more readily than one on the bottom of the inner cup  530  because it is not as readily blocked by coffee grounds or other materials. Perforations  538  have the sizes and relative spacing previously described. 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of inner cup  530 . On the bottom  542  of inner cup  530  are a plurality of downwardly projecting studs  544 , which may be of the pyramidal shape illustrated. These pointed studs  544  aid in tearing, compressing, or otherwise compressively treating the material being infused into a drink. As shown in  FIG. 17 , studs  544  are in a spaced hexagonal array, and their size, shape, number, and relative spacing may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is an exploded view of system  550 . 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternative inner cup  560  for system  500 . As above, inner cup  560  has a rim  562  and O-ring  654 , which is made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. A bottom portion  566 , including a filter  568  is threadingly connected to the inner cup  560  to facilitate cleaning. Filter  568  is formed from a plurality of perforations  570 , as previously described. Bottom portion  566  includes ribs  572  to enable bottom portion  566  to be gripped and unscrewed by a user. Above the bottom portion  566  is an O-ring  574 , made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, to seal the space between the inner cup  560  and the outer cup  520 , as previously described. 
       FIG. 20  shows a seventh embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention. In its essential details, system  600  is similar to those previously described, except that its components are larger so as to function as a carafe rather than as a drinking cup. Accordingly, outer cup  620  has a handle  622 ; the inner cup, largely concealed within outer cup  620 , has a spout  632  to facilitate the pouring of a liquid contained therein. Finally, lid  650  also has a handle  652  as well as a cut-out portion  654  to accommodate the spout  632 . 
       FIG. 21  shows an eighth embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention. System  700  includes a stand  710  having a base  712  where a cup  714  or other drinking container may be disposed to collect a beverage. Above the base  712 , a brewing vessel  716  is held by the stand  710 . The brewing vessel  716 , much like inner cup  560  of  FIG. 19 , has a bottom portion  718  housing a filter. The filter has perforations having the sizes and relative spacing described above. Handle  720  is used to raise and lower a plunger  724  attached to the lower end of arm  722 . To use system  700 , handle  720  is raised, water and a material such as ground coffee are placed in the brewing vessel  716 , and handle  720  is used to push down plunger  724 , thereby forcing a brewed liquid through the filter and into the cup  714  below. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the components of a ninth embodiment of the beverage filtering system of the present invention, and  FIG. 23  is an exploded view thereof. System  800  includes an outer cup  820 , which may be molded from a plastic material and have an integrally molded handle  822 . Inner cup  830  has two O-rings  832 , which may be wiper-blade-style O-rings, on the lower portion of its side wall, and a filter  834  below the O-rings  832 . Filter  834  is formed from perforations  836  of the sizes and relative spacings previously discussed. To facilitate the removal of the inner cup  830  from the outer cup  820  when the inner cup  830  is in a filtered position, inner cup  830  is provided with a gripping means  838 , which may be a bar extending across the inside of the inner cup  830  near the top thereof as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . Lid  850 , which may either screw or snap onto the outer cup  820 , may be used to push the inner cup  830  into the outer cup  820  from an unfiltered position to a filtered position. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a beverage filtering system  900  is depicted in  FIGS. 24-25 . As with other beverage filtering systems discussed herein, beverage filtering system  900  includes an outer cup  904  and an inner cup  908  that can be inserted into outer cup  904 . Inner cup  908  in this embodiment is a tube, i.e., inner cup  908  is open at the bottom (as can be seen in  FIG. 25 ). A lower end of inner cup  908  has a recessed portion  920  that has a smaller diameter than an upper portion of inner cup  908 . Recessed portion  920  includes an outer surface  922  that is sized and configured to accept a removable sealing gasket  924 , which preferably substantially covers the entire outer surface  922 . 
     Sealing gasket  924  includes a sleeve portion  928  and a pair of sealing members  932  (e.g.,  932 A and  932 B) that prevent liquid and other materials from entering space  936 , i.e., the space between inner cup  908  and outer cup  904  formed when inner cup  908  is nested in outer cup  904 . Further, with sealing members  932 A and  932 B spaced apart, e.g., near an upper and lower edge of sealing gasket  924 , sealing members  932 A and  932 B also serve to align inner cup  908  within outer cup  904  while inner cup  908  is descending into outer cup  904  as well as once inner cup  908  is fully inserted into outer cup  904 , thereby preventing significant wobbling of inner cup  908  within outer cup  904  and maintaining concentricity. By preventing significant wobbling or pivoting of inner cup  908  within outer cup  904 , as could be more prevalent if there were only one sealing member, if the sealing members were more closely spaced to one another, or if the sealing members were spaced farther apart, the appropriately spatially separated sealing members  932 A and  932  B tend to prevent breaching of the seal that keeps liquid and other materials from passing into space  936  when inner cup  908  is inserted into outer cup  904 . Preferably, in the context of a single serving beverage filtering system, for example, sealing members  932 A and  932 B may be separated by from about ½ inch to about 2½ inches. (If the sealing members were spaced too far apart, significant wobbling could occur during inserting before the upper sealing member enters outer cup  904 .) 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the previously described components of sealing gasket  924  (i.e., sleeve portion  928  and sealing members  932 A and  932 B) are formed as a unitary structure that can be removed from recessed portion  920  in one piece (as shown in  FIG. 25 ). In certain embodiments, sealing member  932 A can be sized and configured similar to an O-ring and sealing member  932 B can be sized and configured as a wiper (O-rings and wipers being described above). In an exemplary embodiment, sealing member  932 A is sized and configured so that its resistance to bending is substantially higher than sealing member  932 B. In a preferred embodiment, this additional bending resistance may be created by having sealing member  932 A be thicker than sealing member  932 B. 
     Inner cup  908  may preferably flare outwardly at the top to a diameter approximately equal to or larger than that of outer cup  904  at the top. Recessed portion  920  includes an inner surface that receives a removable filter  912  that is sized and configured to fit within recessed portion  920 . An outer surface  923  of filter  912  and inner surface of recessed portion  920  of inner cup  908  may include counterpart threads, for example, to facilitate convenient attachment and removal of filter  912 . 
     Filter  912  includes a cavity  916  and a filter portion  918 . Filter portion  918  may have perforations of the sizes and relative spacing previously described. Cavity  916  may be sized to house about a serving size of ground coffee or other infusing material so that inner cup  908  may be inserted completely into outer cup  904  during the brewing process. This also allows cavity  916  to be used as a measuring device for infusing material to be added to outer cup  904  for brewing/infusing. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, removable filter  912  includes a retaining member  940 . Retaining member  940  is disposed on a bottom edge  944  of removable filter  912  and extends toward the inner surface of outer cup  904  when inner cup  908  with attached filter  912  is inserted into outer cup  904 . Retaining member  940 , at a high level, is sized and configured to maintain the location of sealing gasket  928  on recessed portion  920  when inner cup  908  is removed from outer cup  904 . In a similar fashion, a lip  921  may be formed at the transition from the upper portion of inner cup  908  to recessed portion  920 , so that lip  921  may serve to maintain the location of sealing gasket  928  on recessed portion  920  when the inner cup  908  is inserted into outer cup  904 . In certain embodiments, retaining member  940  may be releasably coupled to removable filter  912 . 
     Beverage filtering system  900  may also include a lid  950 , which may be made of a hard plastic, an elastomeric material, or other suitable material and include a gasket  958  to create a snap-fit and watertight seal with an inner surface of inner cup  908 . Lid  950  may also include a sipping hole  952  and a vent hole  954 , which may be reversibly covered by a built-in stopper  956  to prevent unwanted leaking during transport of beverage filtering system  900 . Lid  950 , inner cup  908 , and outer cup  904  may be sized and configured such that an outer section  960  of lid  950  engages, such as by friction fit, an upper portion of outer cup  904  when inner cup  908  is fully inserted and lid  950  is sealably attached to inner cup  908 . 
     When a user desires to brew a beverage, the user places gasket  924  onto outer surface  922  of recessed portion  920  of inner cup  908  and then attaches filter  912  to the inner surface of recessed portion  920  of inner cup  908 . Infusing material and liquid are put into outer cup  904  and then inner cup  908  is inserted into outer cup  904 . The bending resistance of sealing member  932 A and sealing member  932 B create an interference fit that results in a seal between the inside surface of outer cup  904  and the outer surface of inner cup  908 . In certain embodiments, due to the pressure created by the seal induced by sealing members  932 A and  932 B, there is potential for a relatively high friction force, which may impact the ability of a user to descend inner cup  908  into outer cup  904 . To alleviate some of the friction induced by sealing member  932 A, sealing member  932 B, or both, at least a portion of the surface of sealing member  932 A, sealing member  932 B, or both is textured so as to reduce the frictional force that works against a user as she presses inner cup  908  into outer cup  904 . In an exemplary embodiment, the surface texture is created with a microscopic bead treatment that changes the relative surface heights of sealing members  932  and results in a matte finish. This reduces the effective contact area between the surface of sealing members  932  and the inside of outer cup  904 , resulting in a reduction of “sticky” behavior due to reduced coefficients of friction. Advantageously, the application of a microscopic bead treatment does not significantly impact the primary functions of sealing gasket  924 , namely, keeping space  936  free from liquid and other materials during the descent of inner cup  908  into outer cup  904  and maintaining the alignment of inner cup  908  within outer cup  904 . 
     Once inner cup  908  is completely inserted into outer cup  904 , lid  950  may be placed on beverage filtering system  900  and form a seal with inner cup  908  and engage outer cup  904 , thereby creating a sealed drinking unit. In this way, beverage filtering system  900  can serve, without further modifications, as a drinking container when the brewing process is completed. 
     In summary, the present invention consists of at least two nested cups. An outer cup is used to mix water and brew coffee, teas, herbs, or impart other flavorings. After a certain brewing or steeping period, the inner cup is placed inside the outer cup. An inner cup has a perforated bottom and/or side wall and forms a watertight seal against the outer cup with an O-ring or other sealing method. 
     As the inner cup is pushed into the outer cup, the infused beverage is forced through the filter portion of the inner cup and into the body of the inner cup, filtering beverage from coffee grounds, tea leaves, fruits, etc. This inner cup continues to be pushed into the outer cup until it reaches a fully inserted or filtered position. This fully inserted position may be in a preferred embodiment located by a predetermined mechanical stop, preferably by the mating of the top portions of both inner and outer cups, leaving room for the flavoring materials. 
     In the fully inserted state, most of the liquid has been transferred from the outer cup into the inner cup. The difference between the diameters of the outer and inner cups creates an air space therebetween when the inner cup is in the fully inserted position. The air space forms an insulating barrier, allowing the beverage to be insulated from the ambient temperature of the surroundings, either keeping the beverage colder or hotter for a longer period of time. Also, the insulating effect allows the user to more comfortably hold the device. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the hole size of the filter portion of the inner cup is sized to dramatically reduce the transfer of any further materials from the outer cup to the inner cup once the inner cup is fully inserted into the outer cup, allowing the beverage to retain the same flavor over time by virtue of surface tension, effectively creating a one-way valve that only operates in the open state when the inner cup is being actively pushed downward. In the case of coffee or tea, this would prevent the coffee or tea from becoming bitter over time. 
     The outer cup may also be fitted with a sleeve that may further insulate the overall device. The sleeve may be solid or perforated, and may be made of polymers, textiles, woods, or metal. The sleeve could be made in one or several parts, and would provide customization options for colors, logos, or other options. 
     The invention is directed to a set of nesting cups that can filter beverages as well as become a drinking or serving vessel for the beverages. As shown in the drawings, the main components of the invention are an outer cup, an inner cup and, in some cases, a lid. 
     The outer cup preferably is made of one or two pieces of rigid material like steel, glass, or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the outer cup is cylindrical or of a similar shape with vertical sidewalls to provide a continuous sealing surface as the inner cup is inserted. 
     The inner cup preferably is made of one or two pieces of rigid material like steel, glass, or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the filter is at the bottom of the inner cup. In a preferred embodiment, the inner cup incorporates a sealing ring that forms a watertight seal against the inner surface of the outer cup. 
     The inner cup assembly creates a watertight seal against the inner surface of the outer cup. In one embodiment, this seal is created by having an elastomeric O-ring captured by the inner cup assembly, similar to many piston/bore configurations. Alternatively, multiple O-rings and O-rings having a variety of cross-sectional shapes may be used. Other alternatives are to use wiper-blade-like surfaces which maintain a good seal even with tolerance variations. 
     The lid may be made of one or two pieces of rigid material like steel, glass, or plastic. In one embodiment, the lid incorporates a sealing ring to create a watertight seal against the inside of the inner cup, thereby preventing the lid from leaking, and allowing the beverage to flow only through the sipping hole. The sipping hole may be fitted with a sealing plug to prevent unwanted leaking during transport of the full device. A vent hole may also be provided to allow better flow through the sipping or pouring holes and enable less resistance as the inner cup is moved from the unfiltered position to the filtered position. 
     The lid may also be of an elastomeric material to create a snap-fit and watertight seal to the inner cup. In one embodiment, the elastomeric lid includes a sipping hole and vent hole. In another embodiment, the sipping and vent holes include a built-in stopper to prevent unwanted leaking during transport of the full device. The lid may also engage the outer cup when in place and forming a seal with the inner cup. 
     The outer cup may be composed of two pieces, which allows easier cleaning of the outer cup once the beverage is dispensed. 
     In operation, water and flavoring solids, such as coffee grounds, are placed into the outer cup. The mixture can be stirred or agitated as desired to assist the infusion or brewing process. When the solids have been sufficiently infused into the beverage, the inner cup is placed into the outer cup, and the lid is placed onto the inner cup. The inner cup may be placed in the outer cup in an unfiltered position, where the bottom of the inner cup is above the level of the liquid in the outer cup. This can allow any agitation of the liquid to enhance the steeping or brewing without spilling. The lid and inner cup are then pressed into the outer cup, forcing the solution of solids and liquid to be filtered through the filter of the inner cup. The finished beverage is thereby transferred to the inner cup, while the solids remain in the outer cup. 
     The nested cups can be sized so that the combined and fully inserted assembly provides a drinking container, so that no other drinking utensil is required. 
     Cleaning is easily accomplished by pouring out the relatively dry flavor solids from the outer cup and rinsing off the inner cup. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the bottom of the outer cup is removable for easy disposal of the solids and cleaning. 
     The filter portion of the device may be made from a finely perforated metal or, alternatively, an elastomeric medium, such as silicone, perforated with holes to create a very fine valve-type filter system that only opens under exerted pressure. 
     The filter portion of the device may also be comprised of a carbon filter, filter paper, or other filtration media, that can filter the smallest elements from the water, including bacteria, viruses and other microbes. In this embodiment, the device may be used to filter harmful microbes from water in a convenient device. The filtration media may be directly adhered to the filter portion of the device using techniques such as overmolding or gluing. Alternatively, it may be designed to be removable. 
     The bottom and/or sides of the inner cup may also be fitted with sharp edges or other features that could aid in tearing, compressing, or other aggressive treatment of herbs or other beverage solids to aid in the release of their flavorings. Such features would be advantageous for creating cocktails where herbs or fruits can be crushed in the bottom of the outer cup, allowing their oils or juices to be more fully extracted and then filtered into the finished beverage. 
     Another embodiment includes the use of a rim stopper fitted to the top of the inner cup and just below its rim. The purpose of the rim stopper is to create a tactile stopping point for how far the inner cup is to be inserted into the outer cup. Different beverages may require different levels of insertion, and a corresponding ring would give a physical and visual indication of that stopping point. As an example, tea may require more expansion than coffee and so a different rim stopper height may be desired to ensure optimum extraction. In one embodiment, this would be an elastomeric ring. 
     Another embodiment includes a “self-cleaning” feature. The bottom cup is comprised of two pieces. In one embodiment, a lower portion of the outer cup is threaded onto the upper portion of the outer cup. When the filtration is complete and the beverage is consumed or otherwise dispensed, the lower portion is unscrewed from the upper portion. The lower portion contains the majority of the grounds or other flavor solids contained in the outer cup. By removing the lower portion of the outer cup, the grounds or flavor solids may be easily discarded into the trash or compost. The inner cup can then be further pressed into the outer cup to fully evacuate all solids remaining in the outer cup. 
     This system effectively cleans the outer cup of all waste and can be simply rinsed. The lower portion of the outer container can also be easily rinsed and reassembled to the upper portion of the outer cup for the next use. 
     In another embodiment, the infusing system is a carafe-style device. Once the beverage is infused, the device can be used to dispense the beverage rather than being used as a travel mug. This allows for a larger quantity of beverage to be infused and served. In another embodiment of the beverage infuser device, the infusing system is separated from the serving device. In this embodiment, the grounds are put into a vessel that is suspended over the cup. After a certain brewing period, the plunger is inserted into the vessel, and the coffee is pressed from the vessel into the cup below via a lever or handle. After brewing, the vessel can be removed from the vessel stand and cleaned. This is most easily done by unscrewing the filter portion and pressing the plunger all the way through the rest of the vessel, expelling the grounds into the garbage. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent in the preceding description, are efficiently obtained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. 
     Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified or apparent, any relative terms used herein mean within standard manufacturing tolerances or to a reasonable degree in the context in which they are used. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.