JAR LID

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/721,381 filed on Nov. 15, 2024, and entitled “JAR LID ASSEMBLY” and Provisional Patent Application 63/740,713 filed on Dec. 31, 2024, and entitled “JAR LID.” The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this Patent Application.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing system and an associated method of brewing and serving coffee and tea.

Brief Summary

Among the many objectives of this invention is to provide a jar lid enabling the user to reuse a glass canning jar for beverage brewing from a mix of liquid and coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs, and flavoring materials or a combination thereof while keeping the jar's content protected from the outside environment and facilitate dispensing said beverage while filtering out the solid particles before consumption.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a lid assembly for a glass canning jar with a continuous helical screw thread; the lid assembly includes a cylindrical side wall with internal threads configured to engage with the corresponding screw thread of the glass canning jar. The cylindrical side wall is configured to receive, in either open or closed position, a cap with a flat circular top and a skirt that extends downward from the perimeter of the flat circular top. Embodiments of the lid assembly may include a pour spout extending from the outer surface of the side wall, the pour spout defining an opening for dispensing a beverage from within the glass canning jar when the cap is in open position. Embodiments may also include an airflow aperture formed through the side wall, configured to allow air to flow into and out of the glass canning jar when the lid assembly is mounted onto the jar and the cap is open. Embodiments may also include a sealing gasket attached to the underside of the side wall, configured to create an airtight seal with the rim of the glass canning jar when the lid assembly is tightened and the cap is closed. Embodiments may include a coupling mechanism to connect the cap to the side wall; such a mechanism is configured to allow the user to simultaneously open and close the pour spout and airflow aperture by opening or closing the cap.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly may include a handle attached to the outer surface of the cap and configured to facilitate a user's movement between open and closed positions. In some embodiments, the handle may be bar-shaped and include a pattern for facilitating gripping. The handle may include embossed or debossed patterns for decorative purposes or brand identification in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may include one or more protrusions on either the outer surface of the cap's skirt or the inner surface of the side wall and one or more corresponding recesses on the other of the cap or the side wall. The protrusions and recesses may be configured to engage in a snap-fit or sliding manner to secure the cap in the closed position. In some embodiments, the cap may include a thread configured to rotatably engage with a mating thread on the inner surface of the side wall.

In some embodiments, the sealing gasket is made of a resilient, food-grade, and heat-resistant material.

Embodiments of the lid assembly may be made of metal, plastic, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly further includes a mounting mechanism disposed on an underside of the side wall and a strainer removably attached to the mounting mechanism. The strainer extends at least partially into the interior of the glass canning jar when the lid assembly is secured and comprises a body having a perforated wall defining a truncated conical shape. The upper rim of the strainer engages with the mounting mechanism, and the lower outlet allows filtered liquid to pass through. The strainer wall is angled between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the central axis of the cone, enabling the strainer to filter contents of the jar when inverted for pouring, while allowing liquid to flow through the pour spout only when the cap is in the open position. In some embodiments, the wall apertures are sized appropriately to filter solid particles while the liquid is passing through them. In some embodiments, the strainer may be made of steel.

The present disclosure provides a method of brewing a cold-brew beverage using the embodiments of the lid assembly, the method includes the steps of filling a glass canning jar with liquid and one or more of coffee particulates, tea leaves, herbs, flavoring materials, and combination thereof into the glass canning jar, then aligning the lid assembly with the top of the glass canning jar, pressing and rotating the lid assembly to engage the thread of the lid assembly with the thread of the jar to tighten the lid assembly until a sealing gasket compresses against the annular upper edge of the jar neck to form an airtight seal and rotating the cap in closed position. Then, rotating the cap into an open position using the handle when ready to pour throughout the pour spout.

The present disclosure further provides a method of brewing and dispensing a beverage using the lid assembly described in any of claims 10-12. The method includes filling a glass canning jar with liquid and one or more of coffee particulates, tea leaves, herbs, or flavoring materials, mounting a strainer to the lid assembly via a mounting mechanism, and securing the lid assembly to the jar by engaging the lid thread with the jar thread and compressing a sealing gasket against the jar's annular upper edge to form an airtight seal. The beverage is allowed to infuse while the cap remains in a closed position for a predetermined period, after which the cap is opened and the beverage is poured through the pour spout, with the strainer capturing particulate matter to produce a filtered beverage.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly may include a jar grip configured to support the weight of the glass canning jar when the lid assembly is secured to the glass canning jar.

In some embodiments, the jar grip assembly may be attached to the lid assembly in a manner that does not interfere with the engagement between the lid assembly and the glass canning jar, and it may be positioned to provide balanced support while the user carries the jar or pouring its content. In some embodiments, the jar grip may be a removable jar grip comprising an adapter portion integrated with or securely attached to the lid assembly and a removable grip body configured to removably engage with the adapter portion via a coupling mechanism. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanisms may include one of a snap-fit connection. Embodiments may also include a twist-lock connection as a coupling mechanism. Embodiments may also include a closure-lock connection for coupling the adapter to the grip body. In some embodiments, the removable jar grip body may be ergonomically shaped to facilitate comfortable gripping and carrying of the glass canning jar. In some embodiments, the removable jar grip body may be configurable between a) an extended position for carrying the glass canning jar. Embodiments may also include b) a collapsed or folded position for compact storage when not in use. In some embodiments, the jar grip may be made of metal, wood, bamboo, plastics or any combination thereof.

A method of brewing a cold-brew beverage using embodiments of the lid assembly may include the steps of assembling the jar grip by attaching the jar grip body to the jar grip adapter via coupling mechanisms one and two, holding and carrying the glass canning jar by the jar grip for filling the jar with liquid and any of the following: coffee particulates, tea leaves, herbs, flavoring materials, and any combination thereof, then aligning the lid assembly with the top of the glass canning jar, pressing while rotating the lid assembly to engage the thread with the jar's thread to tighten it until the sealing gasket compresses against the jar rim to form an airtight seal, and rotating the cap into a closed position. Then, after waiting between 1 minute and 24 hours, additional steps may include rotating the cap into an open position using the handle when ready to pour throughout the pour spout.

A method of brewing and dispensing a beverage using embodiments of the lid assembly comprising the steps of assembling the jar grip by attaching the jar grip body to the jar grip adapter via coupling mechanisms one and two, holding and carrying the glass canning jar by the jar grip for filling the jar with liquid and any of the following: coffee particulates, tea leaves, herbs, flavoring materials, and any combination thereof. Then, mounting the strainer via its mounting mechanism underneath the lid assembly, aligning the lid assembly with the top of the glass canning jar, pressing and rotating the lid assembly to engage the thread with the jar's thread, and tightening it until the sealing gasket compresses against the jar rim to form an airtight seal, rotating the cap into a closed position; waiting for a period of 1 minute to 24 hours; then, when the user is ready to pour the jar's contents, rotating the cap into an open position using the handle and pouring the beverage through the pour spout while the strainer captures particulate matter to produce a filtered beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1, in a front-perspective view, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the lid assembly mounted on a glass canning jar;

FIG. 2, in a front-perspective view, illustrates parts of the lid assembly of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3A, in a front-perspective view, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the lid assembly comprising a removable jar grip;

FIG. 3B, in a front-perspective view, illustrates a lid assembly with a removable jar grip of the preferred embodiment, with grip body uncoupled from the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a jar lid assembly for glass canning jars for reusing glass canning jars for cold-brew beverage-making to brew coffee, tea, and the like, storing it, and/or conveniently dispensing such a beverage. Various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the related drawings. One should understand that the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, regardless whether currently known. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents. Directional terms such as right, left, top, bottom, upward, downward, distal, proximal, and the like are to be understood with respect to a drawing or drawings on which a corresponding part or portion is shown.

Regarding FIGS. 1 and 2, the figures depict embodiments of the lid assembly 100 that fits a glass canning jar 110 holding a liquid (i.e., water or other potable liquid) that may be premixed with coffee grinds, tea leaves, fruit pieces, herbs or other plant materials, natural and artificial flavorings, additives (i.e., preservatives, enzymes, alcohol, cannabinoids, medicinal compounds, or formulations), other materials that are suitable for brewing or making a beverage, or any combinations thereof, or dry granular products that stored in the jar. Such a lid assembly 120 may comprise a pour spout 140 extending outward from a ring-shaped side wall 130 of the lid assembly, a strainer element 170 mounted on the bottom surface of the lid assembly, at least one airflow aperture 160 positioned separately from the pour spout and configured to enhance the easefulness of the flowing of the product from the glass jar and to increase the efficiency of straining the particulate matter if such straining is necessary while the user is dispensing a beverage. The lid assembly may also comprise a cap 150 and a jar grip 180.

Jars are commonly found in any household, and they may be made of glass, ceramic, plastic, or any other suitable material or combination of materials and used to store a wide range of items, including perishable foods, cosmetics, but also non-perishable items, i.e., dry goods, granulated goods, toy components or marbles. Glass jars to store perishable food may come in various standard sizes, i.e., 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 oz jars (and includes, but not limited to, Mason jars, Kilner jars, Weck jars, fruit jars, jars with continuous screw threads, jars with divided screw finishes configured to accommodate lug or other types of closures). In preferred embodiments, the lid assembly 120 fits glass jars with a mouth opening with an external diameter of 70 or 86 millimeters and a volume of 16, 32, or 64 oz. However, jars with other mouth openings and volumes, or jars made out of materials other than glass, may also be suitable for use with the present invention because the lid assembly comprises side wall 130 that can be dimensioned to fit these jars. Side wall 130, in its inner surface, may have a single thread configured to fit jars with continuous thread finishes. Alternatively, side wall 130 may have lugs, i.e., tapering and inwardly curving projecting tabs on the inner surface of the lid, such tabs capable of interlocking the divided thread finishes on the neck of the twist jar. The lids for these twist-on jars most commonly have four or six lugs.

Side wall 130 may comprise a pour spout 140 extending outward from the side wall, defining an opening for dispensing the jar's content and at least one aeration hole 160, positioned separately from the pour spout, for facilitating the pouring or aeration of the jar's content. In some embodiments, the area of aeration hole 160 or the total area of aeration holes ranges between 30 to 300% of the pour spout's base area measured at the bottom of the pour spout where the liquid flows out. In preferred embodiments, the size of an aeration hole or the total area of the aeration holes has a cross-sectional base area between 100 and 200% of the pour spout's base area. The sizing of the aeration hole makes it possible to pour the beverage out of the jar smoothly, as the air continuously displaces the liquid inside the jar during pouring.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly's side wall 130 may be configured to receive a detachable cap 150 comprising a circular top and a skirt extending from the top at its perimeter. In other embodiments, the cap is a cylindrically shaped button that is either fully or partially sinkable into side wall 130 through the top. The cap can close or open the pour spout 140 and airflow aperture 160 simultaneously to facilitate the pouring of the jar's content or gas exchange through airflow aperture 160. In preferred embodiments, detachable cap 150 is attached to the inner surface of the side wall 130 with some type of coupling mechanisms, such as via a thread and groove coupling in which a single continuous thread is located on either the detachable cap's skirt 151 or the inner surface of the side wall and the groove adapted to fit the thread is located on the other. For example, in FIG. 2, thread 153 is attached to the outer surface of the cap's skirt 151 with the matching groove on the inner surface of the side wall. Such a coupling mechanism lets the user close and open the cap with a single twisting movement. Beyond the thread and groove coupling, other suitable coupling mechanisms are acceptable, or, in some embodiments, the cap may be unattached. The detachable cap may be made out of any suitable resilient material (such resilient material may include, but is not limited to, plastics, metal, rubber, and wood or bamboo) or a combination of resilient materials configured to allow the user to remove an attached cap from the lid assembly with ease. Removable caps may be preferable for those who frequently want to exchange the cap in the lid assembly. The cap may include a handle 152 to help users set the cap in open or closed positions. The handle may be set into a concave surface of cap 150 surrounded by the cap's skirt (such a handle can be completely recessed within the skirt or partially extend beyond it), or it may simply protrude outward from the top surface of the cap. An exemplary embodiment with a recessed handle is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an embodiment with a protruding handle is depicted in FIG. 3.

Handle 152 may be bar-shaped, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, but other shapes may also be suitable. For example, the handle may have a protruding semi-circular shape with or without a hole in the middle, or the handle may be a bail wire with ends inserted into holes positioned diametrically opposing sides of the portion of the cap that extends above the side wall. The handle may also have the shape of a cylinder attached to the top of the cap, which may protrude above the cap or be recessed but reachable by the user. In some embodiments, the handle may be made out of plastic and molded with the rest of the cap. In other embodiments, the handle is made out of a different material, such as metal, bamboo, or wood, and attached to the cap.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly 120 may comprise a sealing gasket 190 attached to the underside of the side wall 130 and configured to create an airtight seal with the rim of the glass canning jar when the lid assembly is tightened and the cap closes the pour spout and airflow aperture. Sealing gasket 190 may be made of a resilient, food-grade, and heat-resistant material, such as heat-resistant plastic.

In some embodiments, the lid assembly 120 may be made of metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, and it has a food-safe coating or liner on its inner surface.

In some embodiments, the jar handle assembly may be made of metal, wood, bamboo, plastics, or any combination thereof.

Lid assembly 120 may comprise a strainer 170. Some embodiments may include a mounting mechanism disposed on the underside of side wall 130, and the mounting mechanism is configured to detachably engage with strainer 170 to attach strainer 170 to lid assembly 120. When strainer 170 is attached to the lid assembly and the lid assembly is secured to a jar, strainer 170 may extend at least partially into the jar's interior. The purpose of the strainer is to capture and screen out the unwanted particulate matter during pouring. In preferred embodiments, strainer 170 is configured to engage with the mounting mechanism and a mesh extending across the frame portion. The mesh portion may include apertures sized to filter particles while allowing liquid to pass through. In preferred embodiments, the strainer's mounting mechanism may be a ring-shaped frame or rim 171 dimensioned to sit above gasket 190 that is positioned over the jar opening when side wall 130 is tightened. Still, other mounting mechanisms may also be suitable for attaching the strainer to the lid assembly. In some embodiments, the strainer comprises a body having a perforated wall, such that the wall defines a truncated conical shape and the wall is disposed at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the central axis of the cone. In other embodiments, the strainer's body has the shape of an oblique cut cylinder, i.e., the strainer comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped body portion having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical portion being coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the container, and a substantially elliptically shaped flat portion disposed within said first and second ends of the body portion, the flat portion being oriented at an angle between 0 and 60 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the lid body.

In some embodiments, strainer 170 may be made of food-safe stainless steel, copper, or aluminum alloys, including brass and bronze.

In some embodiments, lid assembly 120 may comprise a jar grip 180, which, upon properly securing the lid assembly to the glass canning jar, is capable of safely, comfortably, and in a controlled manner, supporting the weight of the whole jar 110 when the user desires to carry it around, lift it, or pour out the content of the jar. Such a jar grip 180 is attached to lid assembly 120 in a manner that does not interfere with the engagement between the lid assembly and the jar and is positioned to provide balanced support with minimal tilt or wobble during carrying and pouring operations: Jar grip 180 is capable of evenly distributing the filled jar's weigh across the jar grip, and the jar grip's attachment points to lid assembly 130, and the position of jar grip 180 on the lid assembly is optimized for the user's natural grip angle, aligning it with the jar's center of gravity. Another consideration for sizing the jar grip is that it should reduce strain on the user's wrist while in use. In some embodiments, there are multiple attachment points between jar grip 180 and lid assembly 130. Suitable materials for the jar grip may include, but are not limited to, plastics, metals and metal alloys, wood, bamboo, or any other suitable material or combination of suitable materials.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, lid assembly 320 may comprise a removable jar grip 380. Such that the removable jar grip is also capable of providing a balanced support for the user to carry the glass canning jar with lid assembly 320 secured to the jar, or pour the jar's contents. Similar to the permanent jar grips, the removable jar grip 380 is attached to the lid assembly 330 in a manner that does not interfere with the engagement between the lid assembly 130 and the jar and is positioned to provide balanced support during carrying and pouring operations. The removable jar grip comprises an adapter 381 and a removable grip body 382 securely coupled with a coupling mechanism comprising a complementary first and second coupling mechanisms. Such first and second coupling mechanisms may be a snap-fit connection, as depicted in FIG. 3, in which the removable grip body 382 has a protruding portion having a rim 383, lip, bulbous end, or something suitable for the purpose, the end made out of a resilient material that allows temporary deformation during engagement, and the adapter portion 381 comprises a mating receptacle, cavity, groove or opening dimensioned to match and accept the protruding element.

In some embodiments, the first and second coupling mechanisms may be a sliding manner coupling mechanism for connecting a removable grip body to an adapter portion of a lid assembly comprising a track, channel, groove, or rail system on the adapter portion with one or more linear or curved tracks, channels, grooves, or rails integrated into or attached to the adapter portion oriented substantially vertically or at a slight angle for easy engagement and the removable jar grip body comprises corresponding sliding elements, i.e., protrusions, tabs, or rollers configured to fit and move smoothly within the tracks, channels, grooves or rails. Such protrusions, tabs, or rollers are also shaped to prevent unintended disengagement during use.

In some embodiments, the first and second coupling mechanism to couple the removable jar grip body to the adapter is a twist-lock connection in which the adapter comprises a circular or semi-circular base integrated with the lid assembly, and two or more L-shaped slots arranged radially around the base with each slot having an entry and locking point (and with an incline ramp leading from the entry point to the locking point). The removable jar grip body comprises an attachment end shaped to complement the adapter base and two or more protruding pins or tabs corresponding to the L-shaped slots, the pins positioned to align with the entry points of the slots. To attach the grip, the user needs to align the pins on the removable jar grip body with the entry points of the slots on the adapter, then insert the pins into the slots and rotate the jar grip body clockwise, causing the pins to travel along the L-shaped slots. As the pins reach the locking points, they drop slightly due to the incline, securing the connection. The first and second coupling mechanisms between the removable jar grip body and its adapter may also be magnetic or a combination of two or more suitable methods.

For using the lid assembly, the user, after filling a glass canning jar with a beverage, and aligning the lid assembly with the top of the glass canning jar, must press it down while rotating it to engage the thread with the jar's thread and tighten it until the sealing gasket compresses against the jar rim to form an airtight seal. To store the beverage and to preserve the freshness of the beverage, the user may prefer to close the pour spout and the airflow aperture. When the user is ready to pour out the beverage, he or she needs to open the cap before pouring.

To produce a filtered beverage using some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may fill the container or glass canning jar with water or any other potable liquid that is premixed with coffee grinds, tea leaves, herbs, flavoring compounds, additives (i.e., preservatives, enzymes, alcohol, medicinal or, cannabinoid-compounds), or any combinations thereof or mix these compounds into the water or potable liquid in the container. Then the user mounts the strainer 170 onto the bottom surface of the lid assembly 130. Then, after tightening the lid assembly onto the container until the sealing gasket compresses against the jar rim to form an airtight seal, the user may optionally rotate the cap 150 to close the pour spout and the airflow aperture, and then let the liquid mix soak in the container for 1-24 hours, or until the beverage achieve the flavor as desired by the user. If desired, water or other potable liquid, flavorings, or additives may be added to the container and continue the brewing process for a second time period. At the end of the brewing process, the user may pour the beverage out of the container while the strainer element captures the spent particulate matter to produce a filtered beverage.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles, and scope of the present invention.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.”

Many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.