HK1200674B - Bottle system and method for filtering or treating a beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage filter or treatment bottle system has a bottle, lid, and a beverage improvement component such as a filter element. A filter element may be positioned to separate the interior space of the bottle into a filtered beverage compartment and an unfiltered beverage compartment. A tube passes through the filter into fluid communication with the filtered beverage compartment. The tube extends through the unfiltered beverage compartment to a nozzle in the lid of the bottle. A lid cover is fastenable onto the lid to enclose and close the nozzle. A filter cartridge may be provided. A UV sterilizer may be provided. An air bypass may be provided.

Description

Bottle system and method for filtering or processing beverages

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/825,209 filed on 20/5/2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to beverage bottles for filtering or treating beverages, and more particularly to beverage bottles for filtering or treating beverages that include a filter element or treatment element mounted in the bottle.

Background

It is often desirable to retain moisture while a person is training, commuting, working, hiking, traveling, relaxing, or at other times. To assist in this process, people can carry water bottles with them.

For example, one may purchase disposable water bottles. One water that is sold in disposable bottles is spring water, but may also be filtered tap water, perhaps for improved shelf life and mouthfeel. After drinking water from the disposable bottle, the bottle is typically discarded by a person. Thus, the next time they want to drink, they may purchase another bottle of disposable water. Purchasing water in disposable bottles becomes expensive for the consumer. Moreover, commercial water bottling generally requires consumption for equipment, energy consumption, consumption of other resources to bottle the water, consumption to ship the bottles to retail outlets, and consumption to recycle the usual disposable bottles. Furthermore, when disposable bottles are not recycled, they result in landfill waste. Clearly, there are several disadvantages associated with disposable water bottles.

To overcome some of the disadvantages of disposable water bottles, many people have begun to use reusable water bottles. However, when the reusable water bottle is filled with ordinary tap water, there is still a disadvantage of the ordinary tap water. For example, some people do not like the taste of tap water. Moreover, some tap water contains contaminants or impurities. Some people may install complex or large water filtration systems in their homes or offices to allow for pre-filtering of water before pouring it into the reusable bottle. However, if the user does not have access to such a complex or large system, the user may not have access to pre-filter the water.

To assist in the filtration process, some reusable bottles have been adapted to include a water filter. A common type of water filter includes a filter element placed at the inlet of the drinking tube so that when a user draws water into the drinking tube, the water is drawn through the filter and into the drinking tube. Such known carafe filters may require a user to apply sufficient suction to draw water through the filter. The user may tire of the action and may drink less water. Also, because water is filtered only when the user begins to draw it out, the filtering process can slow the rate at which water exits the bottle, which can cause a discontinuity in the water flow, which can be frustrating to the user.

There is a need for a single system and method for processing and consuming beverages that does not require the user to draw water through the filter while drinking. At least certain embodiments of the present invention meet this need.

Disclosure of Invention

Certain embodiments of the present invention include a beverage filtration or beverage treatment system having at least a bottle, a beverage filtration or treatment or conditioning or modification assembly, and a pathway assembly.

The body may be configured to contain a liquid substance, such as a beverage (e.g., water). The size and shape of the bottle body can be defined to be portable so that a user can easily carry it around for convenient personal use. One embodiment of the bottle body includes a lower body wall and a sidewall wall. Typically, the lower and side body walls define an interior space that may be further subdivided into compartments. The lower ends of the side body walls may be connected to the lower body wall to form a lower body intersection. The upper ends of the side body walls may terminate to form an upper body rim defining a body mouth.

The cap may be configured to meet the body to cover all or a portion of the body's mouth to minimize leakage of beverage from the body. The lid may be removed to provide access to the interior space, such as pouring a beverage into the interior space. The lid may include a drink opening including one or more apertures, mouths, tubes, or straws configured to allow a user to drink the beverage when the lid is removably attached to the bottle. The drinking opening may be defined by a drinking edge.

In some embodiments, the cover may include a lower cover and a cover covering portion. A lid cover may be mounted on the lower lid to optionally cover the drinking opening when the user is not drinking from the bottle. The cover may have a latch that holds the cover in the closed position. In some embodiments, the lid has a button release configured to release the lid cover from the closed position.

The beverage modifying element may be configured to filter or otherwise treat or condition the beverage during storage in the bottle. The beverage modifying element may be disposed in the body and may divide the interior space into two or more beverage compartments (e.g., a first beverage compartment and a second beverage compartment). The first beverage compartment may be arranged to store untreated beverage, which in such embodiments is referred to as the "untreated beverage compartment". The second beverage compartment may be referred to as storing a processed beverage, which in such embodiments is referred to as a "processed beverage compartment". In certain embodiments, the beverage modifying element is positioned such that the untreated beverage compartment is above the treated beverage compartment when the bottle is in an upright position. In such embodiments, gravity draws the beverage through the beverage modification assembly and into the treated beverage compartment.

Examples of beverage modifying assemblies include filters, purifiers, flavor elements, or liquid conditioning elements. The filter may be configured to remove certain contaminants (e.g., dust, organic matter, chlorine, iron, and other minerals, as well as bacteria, protozoa, and other microorganisms) from the beverage. The purifier may be configured to remove certain contaminants, such as dust, organic matter, chlorine, iron, and other minerals, as well as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and other microorganisms. The aroma element may be configured to add a flavor to the beverage, for example, to add lemon flavor or cucumber flavor to the water. The liquid conditioning element may be configured to add or remove vitamins, sweeteners, colorants, particulates, and/or other substances from the beverage. For example, the liquid conditioning element may treat (e.g., by including a glitter or other material in) the beverage to make it sparkle, to make it glow in the dark, or to make it release moisture so that the user appears to release gas from their mouth when they consume the treated liquid. Other adjustments of the beverage may also be provided. Certain beverage modification assembly embodiments may be configured for use with only water, only beverages other than water, only beverages configured to be drunk, only non-potable liquids or for another set of liquids.

The beverage modifying assembly (e.g., filter) may be easily replaced by a user to extend the life of the beverage modifying or processing system.

The beverage processing system may also include an access assembly. Some embodiments of the access assembly include a delivery tube and possibly a vent tube.

The delivery tube is configured to allow delivery of the treated beverage from the treated beverage compartment to the drinking opening. More specifically, the duct may define a beverage flow passage providing fluid communication between the treated beverage compartment and the drinking opening in the lid. The delivery tube may be configured to prevent or minimize untreated beverage from entering the beverage flow passage. The first end of the delivery tube may be affixed to a filter holder disposed in the bottle and the second end of the delivery tube may be disposed in a sleeve of the cap that is in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle. In certain embodiments, turning the bottle up to the drinking position causes the treated beverage to flow from the treated beverage compartment to a spout, tube, straw, or other drinking opening. In certain embodiments, the delivery tube may extend through a center of the interior space generally to a generally central opening in the annular beverage filter. In other embodiments, the delivery tube may be placed in an off-center position in the interior space.

The vent tube may define a vent passage configured to allow air to flow into the treated beverage compartment when the user drinks the beverage. Such a vent tube helps to release pressure from the treated beverage compartment.

Certain embodiments of the present system have a vial that is comprised of at least two separate components, a first vial component and a second vial component. The first vial assembly may be sized and shaped to form an untreated beverage compartment or portion thereof and the second vial assembly may be sized and shaped to form a treated beverage compartment or portion thereof. The vial assemblies may be configured to be removably connected with respect to one another. In other embodiments, the system has a single vial defining an interior space, which can be divided into compartments. In such embodiments, the treated beverage compartment is integrally formed with the untreated beverage compartment. The body of the bottle may or may not be insulated.

Embodiments of the present invention and their attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of certain contemplated embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a beverage processing system according to the present invention, wherein the cross-section is taken along the axis of the bottle indicated by line A-A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1 showing line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a lid with a hinged lid cover of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1, wherein the lid is shown removed from a bottle;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1 with the lid removed from the bottle shown;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a bottle having a removable lower compartment shown removed from an upper compartment in the beverage processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the lower compartment of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1, the lower compartment shown removed from the bottle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the delivery tube and filter holder of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an annular filter, filter cover, and gasket of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cut-away perspective view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1 with the lid removed and water or other beverage introduced;

FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of a lid of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cut-away perspective view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 1, showing the lid cover in an open position and a beverage bottle that is generally upwardly inclined for drinking or dispensing;

FIG. 12 is a top rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a beverage processing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 12 showing line B-B;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 12 taken along line B-B of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top rear perspective view of a third embodiment of a beverage processing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along a vertical axis of the beverage processing system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of a lid for a beverage processing system;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical axis of a beverage processing system including the lid of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cut-away perspective view of the beverage processing system and lid of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top, rear, side perspective view of yet another embodiment of a beverage processing system;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 20 showing section line C-C;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 20 including a filter cartridge taken along section line C-C;

FIG. 23 is a top, rear, side perspective view of yet another embodiment of a beverage processing system;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 23 including a filter cartridge taken generally along the same section line C-C;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the filter holder and delivery tube of the beverage processing system;

FIG. 26 is a top perspective exploded view of the filter holder and delivery tube of FIG. 25 and showing the filter cartridge

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical axis of the filter holder and delivery tube of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the outer filter sleeve wall and inner surface of the delivery tube of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the inner filter sleeve wall and outer surface of the delivery tube of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 26 shown in an open state;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a filter holder and a transfer tube;

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the beverage processing system of FIG. 31 showing section line D-D;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the filter holder and feed tube of FIG. 31 taken along section line D-D;

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the filter holder and delivery tube of FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of the filter holder and delivery tube of FIG. 31;

FIG. 36 is a top, side, front perspective view of an embodiment of a lid for a beverage processing system;

FIG. 37 is a top, side, rear perspective view of the cover of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the cover of FIG. 36 showing section line E-E;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 36 taken along section line E-E shown in FIG. 38 and showing the cover in the locked position;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 39 showing the lid cover in an unlocked position;

FIG. 41 is a top side perspective view of the lid of FIG. 36 showing the lid cover in an open position;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the gasket within the cap of FIG. 36 forming a seal between the cap and the delivery tube of the filter holder;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the vent valve in the cap of FIG. 36;

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of the cover of FIG. 36;

FIG. 45 is a top, rear, side perspective view of another embodiment of a lid for a beverage processing system;

FIG. 46 is a top, front, side perspective view of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the valve shown in the closed position in the lid of FIG. 45;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the valve shown in an open position in the cap of FIG. 45;

FIG. 51 is a top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 45, with the lid cover shown in an open position;

FIG. 52 is a vertical sectional view through the open lid of FIG. 51;

FIG. 53 is an exploded view of the cover of FIG. 45;

FIG. 54 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a filter holder and delivery tube showing a filter cartridge and filter holder with a rotation lock;

FIG. 55 is a front elevational view of the rotary lock filter sleeve and retainer of FIG. 54 in an unlocked position;

FIG. 56 is a front elevational view of the rotary lock filter sleeve and retaining portion of FIG. 54 in a locked position;

FIG. 57 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the rotary lock;

FIG. 58 is a side elevational view of the filter sleeve showing two spin lock tabs;

FIG. 59 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the transfer tube, filter holder and filter cartridge showing the filter cartridge engaged with the filter holder in the latched position;

FIGS. 60a and 60b are enlarged fragmentary sectional views showing the seal between the filter sleeve and the filter retainer;

FIG. 61 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a beverage filtration or processing system having a UV sterilizer unit;

FIG. 62 is a top perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilizer unit used on the beverage filtration or treatment system of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a vertical sectional view of a beverage filtration or processing system having an ultraviolet sterilizer unit;

FIG. 64 is a front elevational view of a filter sleeve having a locking feature;

FIG. 65 is a side elevational view of the filter sleeve of FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 64;

FIG. 67 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the filter retaining portion of the filter cartridge, wherein the filter cartridge of FIG. 64 is shown installed in a locked condition in the filter retainer;

FIG. 68 is a vertical cross-sectional view perpendicular to the captured delivery tube and filter holder of FIG. 67 showing alignment tabs;

FIG. 69 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the lock button of FIG. 67;

FIG. 70 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the calibration of FIG. 68;

FIG. 71 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of an ultraviolet sterilization unit;

FIG. 72 is a bottom exploded view of the ultraviolet sterilization unit detached from the bottle body of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a beverage processing system having an air recirculation channel for equalizing any pressure differentials that may occur during beverage filtration when a lid cover is closed;

FIG. 74 is a top perspective view of the cover with the air recirculation passage of FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 74, shown with the lid cover in an open position;

FIG. 76 is a top perspective view of the cover of FIG. 75 with the air recirculation component disconnected from the air recirculation port of the cover.

Detailed Description

Referring generally to the drawings and as shown, for example, in fig. 1, some embodiments of a beverage filtration or treatment system 20 (also referred to herein as a beverage bottle system) include a bottle 22, a lid 24, a beverage filtration or treatment or conditioning or improvement component 25, and an access component 27.

The bottle 22 may be configured to hold a liquid substance, such as a beverage. Some embodiments of vial 22 include a bottom vial wall 51 and side vial walls 53. Generally, the bottom and side vial walls 51, 53 define the interior space 41. The lower ends of side bottle walls 53 may be connected to bottom bottle wall 51 to form a lower bottle intersection 55. The upper ends of side body walls 53 may terminate to form an upper body edge 57 for defining a body mouth 59.

The body 22 may be generally cylindrical and elongated to provide an interior space 41 that may form two or more beverage compartments 31. The vial 22 may be a rigid or flexible material and may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. The vial 22 may be a single color or material or formed from multiple materials in a single color or multiple colors. When formed of a flexible material, the bottle body 22 may be squeezed by a user to facilitate drinking and/or filtering of the beverage.

The cap 24 can be configured to be attached to the bottle 22 and can cover all or a portion of the bottle mouth 59 to minimize spillage of the beverage from the bottle 22. The lid 24 may be removable to provide access to the interior space 41, for example, to pour a beverage into the interior space 41. The lid 24 may include a drink opening 29 configured to allow a user to consume a beverage, with the lid 24 being removably attached to the bottle 22.

In some embodiments, the cover 24 may include a lower cover 26 and a cover 28. A lid cover 28 may be mounted on the lower lid 26 to operatively cover the drink opening 29 when the user is not drinking from the bottle. The cover 28 may have a latch 36 to hold the cover 28 in the closed position. In some embodiments, the lid 24 has a latch button 76 configured to release the lid cover 28 from the closed position.

More specifically, in some embodiments, the drink opening of the lower lid 26 includes a spout 30, and a user can drink water or other beverage or liquid from the beverage bottle system 20 through the spout 30. With the lid cover 28 in the closed position as shown, the mouthpiece 30 can be closed by a mouthpiece plug 32 located in the lid cover. The nozzle plug 32 is preferably made of a rubber material or other material for providing a fluid seal by pressing against the nozzle 30. The lid cover 28 may be attached to the lower lid 26 by a hinge 34, wherein the hinge 34 allows the lid cover 28 to pivot to an open position to provide access to the suction nozzle 30 or to a closed position to cover the suction nozzle 30. The latch 36 is provided to secure the lid cover 28 in the closed position when the latch 36 is engaged. The latch 36 is user-operable, i.e., by depressing the latch button 76 or otherwise operating the latch to release the lid cover 28 from the closed position, so that the lid cover 28 may pivot to the open position. The lower cap 26 may be movably attached to the bottle 22 by a threaded connection 38 or other movable connection. A cap gasket 40 is disposed between the lower cap 26 and the vial 22, which is configured to provide a fluid seal between the lower cap 26 and the vial 22.

The beverage filtration or processing system 20 may also have an access member 27, and the access member 27 may include a delivery tube 44 and possibly a vent tube 50. The duct 44 may define a beverage flow passage configured to provide fluid communication between the filtered or treated beverage compartment 54 and the drink opening 29 in the lid. In some embodiments, tilting the bottle into the drinking position causes the filtered or treated beverage to flow from the treated beverage compartment to the spout 30 or other drinking opening. In some embodiments, the delivery tube 44 may extend through the center of the interior space 41 to a generally central opening in a beverage filter or other beverage enhancing component 58. In other embodiments, the delivery tube 44 may be positioned at an off-center location within the interior space 41. The vent tube 50 may be configured to define a vent passage to allow air to flow to the filtered or treated beverage compartment 54 as the user drinks the beverage.

Although the present description refers to the drinking of a beverage from a beverage bottle, the scope of the present invention also extends to pouring or otherwise dispensing a beverage from a bottle for consumption or other use.

More specifically, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the delivery tube 44 is directly or indirectly connected in fluid communication to the mouthpiece 30 or drinking opening at one tube end, and at a second tube end, the delivery tube 44 is directly or indirectly connected in fluid communication to the filter holder 46. The delivery tube 44 extends approximately to the body orifice of the bottle so that the upper end of the delivery tube can be connected in fluid communication with the drinking opening in the cap. The upper end of the delivery tube may extend to or beyond the vial mouth or may be shorter than the vial mouth as long as fluid communication with the drink opening is established. A gasket 48 may be disposed between the second end of the delivery tube 44 and the suction nozzle 30. The delivery tube 44 may be at least partially hollow to form a fluid flow path along its length, and in this embodiment, includes a vent tube 50 positioned within the delivery tube 44.

Certain embodiments of system 20 have vials 22 formed by at least two separate components, a first vial piece 47 and a second vial piece 49. First body member 47 may be sized and shaped to form an unfiltered or untreated beverage compartment 42 and second body member may be sized and shaped to form a treated beverage compartment 54. Body members 47 and 49 may be configured to be movably coupled relative to one another. In other embodiments, the system 20 has a single vial for defining an interior space, which may still be divided into compartments. In such an embodiment, the treated beverage compartment is integrally formed with the untreated beverage compartment.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second body member 49 is configured as a base 52 formed by a bottom body wall 51 and a portion of a side body wall 53. The base 52 has a generally hollow interior for defining a treated beverage compartment 54 or, more particularly, in embodiments where the treatment is filtration, a filtered beverage compartment 54. The base 52 is configured to retain a beverage and may be connected to the bottle 22 by a threaded connection 56 or other movable connection configuration.

First body member 47 may be configured as an intermediate element formed by a portion of side body wall 53. The intermediate element 47 may have a substantially hollow interior and a substantially cylindrical shape. Intermediate element 47 may be configured to be secured to cover 24 near one end and to base 52 near the other end.

As described above, the beverage filter or enhancement member 58 may be positioned to separate the untreated beverage compartment 42 from the treated beverage compartment 54. In some embodiments of the invention, the beverage improving component is a filter. When such embodiments are described in the present application, these descriptions are not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments based on filtration may be used with other beverage improving components by simply replacing the filter with other types of beverage improving components. Other embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be specifically configured for use with a non-filtered beverage improving component.

Some embodiments of the present invention include a beverage modifying member holder 46, the beverage modifying member holder 46 being configured to position the beverage modifying member relative to the bottle 22. For example, the beverage modifying component holder may be a filter holder 46 that may be positioned within the body 22 and may define a boundary between an untreated beverage compartment (i.e., unfiltered beverage compartment 42) and a treated beverage compartment (i.e., filtered beverage compartment 54). The filter retainer 46 is configured to receive a filter element 58.

A cover (such as filter cover 60) may be secured on top of the filter element 58 when the system is in the upright position. The filter holder gasket 62 is configured to provide a fluid seal between the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 and the filtered beverage compartment 54. The filter holder gasket 62 of the illustrated embodiment is configured to provide a seal against the lower edge of the vial 22. A support flange or support element 64 within the filtered beverage compartment 54 presses the filter holder 46 into place at the lower end of the vial 22 and is configured to seal the filter holder gasket 62 against the lower edge of the vial 22. The support flange or support element 64 may be formed as a support projection from the inner wall of the base 52, or may be a ridge configuration 260 (as shown in another embodiment). One or more such support flanges 64 may be provided.

The filter cover 60 may include openings for allowing water or another beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 to flow through the filter element 58 or other beverage enhancing component. The filter element 58 is porous and filters the beverage flowing through the filter element 58. The lower end of the filter holder 46 includes an opening through which filtered beverage may flow from the filter element 58. Thus, unfiltered beverage that is in the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 when the system is standing or standing upright as shown flows under gravity through the filter as indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 1 and becomes filtered beverage in the filtered beverage compartment 54.

Body 22 has a lower end and a bottom body wall 51, the bottom body wall 51 forming a support surface to support body 22 on a substantially horizontal surface 66 (e.g., a bench top, counter, or table) to position unfiltered beverage compartment 42 above filtered beverage compartment 54 (herein referred to as an upright position). The vial 22 may take other shapes to maintain the system 20 in an upright position, such as shaped to fit into a support, or shaped to allow for retention in an upright position by a user. The system 20 may hang from the support in an upright position, be attached to the support in an upright position, be positioned in a holder in an upright position, or be disposed in an upright position by other means such that the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 is located above the filtered beverage compartment 54, such that gravity draws the beverage flow through the filter 58. Gravity may act alone to draw beverage through filter 58 or may be assisted by one or more other forces (such as centrifugal force), by reducing or increasing the pressure in one or the other beverage compartment. For example, the user may keep cycling while rotating the system 20 to cause more rapid filtration of the beverage, or may apply a squeezing force on the vials 22 to cause more rapid filtration of the beverage.

Referring next to FIG. 2, the cover 28 may have an opening 70 aligned with the nozzle, and the nozzle wick 32 may be secured within the opening 70 aligned with the nozzle. As can be seen by comparing fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the spout stopper 32 has a mushroom or umbrella shape with a "stem" secured in the opening 70 of the lid cover 28 and a "cap" portion of the mushroom shape that is pressed into sealing engagement with the opening of the spout 30 when the lid cover is in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle plug 32 is located above the top of a delivery tube 44 that extends through the center of the bottle 20.

The lid cover 28 may be connected to the lower lid 26 by a hinge 34. The hinge 34 includes a central hinge element 72, the central hinge element 72 being connected to the lower cover 26 having a central hinge pin opening. At the opposite end of the central hinge element 72, side hinge elements 74 are provided to be mounted on the cover 28. A hinge pin (not shown in this view) extends through the central hinge pin opening, as is known.

Opposite the hinge 34 may be a latch 36. By releasing the latch 36, the user can pivot the lid cover 28 to the open position. The latch 36 of the illustrated embodiment is a push button latch in which the latch button is depressed to operate the latch to the disengaged state. When the cover 28 is pressed to the closed position, a biasing element may be included in the latch 36 to bias the latch into the engaged state.

Fig. 3 shows the cap 24 removed from the vial 22. The nozzle plug 32 is secured in an opening 70 in the lid cover 28. The lid cover 28 is in a closed position on the lower lid 26 and is retained there by a latch 36. The latch 36 includes a latch button 76, the latch button 76 being depressed by a user to release the latch and allow the lid cover 28 to be opened. The latch button 76 is surrounded by a sleeve 78 to prevent or inhibit accidental release of the latch.

Hinge 34 has a hinge pin 80 at the back of cover 24, hinge pin 80 extending through outer hinge elements 74 and center hinge element 72. Although this is not required in all embodiments, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 28 is smaller in overall diameter than the lower cover 26.

Referring to fig. 4, the vial 22 has a vial port 59, one embodiment of the vial port 59 being a top opening 82, the vial port 59 configured to provide access to the unfiltered beverage compartment 42. The top opening 82 is surrounded by an upper body edge 57. one embodiment of the upper body edge 57 is an upper rim 84. when the cap and body are secured to each other, the upper rim 84 presses against the gasket 40 in the cap 24. Below the rim 84 is a threaded sleeve 86, the threaded sleeve 86 mating with a screw within the cap 24 to form the threaded connection 38. The delivery tube 44 is disposed within the center of the top opening 82 and has a tube rim 88, the tube rim 88 sealing against the gasket 48 in the cover 24. The delivery tube 44 has a central passage 89 through which the filtered beverage flows for consumption and two air ducts or passages 50 through which air flows to the filtered beverage compartment when the user drinks from the bottle 20. The bottle body 22 includes a generally cylindrical outer body wall 90 having an enlarged diameter portion 92 at a lower end. Next, the enlarged diameter portion 92 is a threaded portion 56, and the bottle body 22 is connected to the base 52 by the threaded portion 56. The base 52 and the bottle 22 form a beverage holding container.

Fig. 5 shows the bottle body 22 having a threaded sleeve 86 at the top. The base 52 has been removed to expose a lower threaded sleeve 94 that extends below the enlarged diameter portion 92. The lower threaded sleeve 94 is shown with interrupted threads, although in some embodiments continuous threads may be provided. Other attachment structures may be provided in lieu thereof within the scope of the present invention.

In fig. 6, the base 52 has a cylindrical body 96, the cylindrical body 96 having a hollow interior forming the filtered beverage compartment 54. A threaded sleeve 98 having internal threads has an enlarged diameter and is threadably engaged to the threaded sleeve 94 of the vial 22 to form the threaded connection 56. A support flange or support element 64 is visible within the base 52.

Referring next to fig. 7, the delivery tube 44 is elongated and has a generally cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the delivery tube 44 has a slight taper that increases in diameter from the upper end toward the lower end. Surrounding the first end of the delivery tube 44 is a filter holder 46. The filter holder 46 is configured to retain a filter and is configured to support the delivery tube 44. In the embodiment shown, the delivery tube 44 is connected centrally to the filter holder. The outer wall 100 of the filter holder 46 is cylindrical and has a top edge 102, the outer diameter of the top edge 102 being substantially equal to the inner diameter of the lower threaded sleeve 94 of the vial 22 so that the filter holder 46 is adapted for comfortable engagement within the lower end of the vial 22. A groove 104 is provided at the lower portion of the mounting pad 62 of the outer wall 100. A flange 106 extends radially outward from the lower end of the filter holder 46 to provide a seating surface for supporting the gasket 62 when the gasket 62 is depressed against the lower edge of the vial 22.

Located within the filter holder 46 is a floor formed by radial ribs 108, the radial ribs 108 extending between the outside of the duct 44 and the interior of the outer wall 100. The radial ribs 108 have openings between the ribs to allow fluid to flow through the floor.

Fig. 8 shows a removable filter element 58 housed within filter holder 46. The filter element 58 has a cylindrical shape with a central opening 110. The filter element 58 is mounted in the filter holder 46 with the delivery tube 44 extending through the central opening 110 of the filter element 58. The filter element 58 may be made of a filter medium or filter material such as carbon or charcoal, natural or artificial materials, woven or non-woven fibers, particulate materials, foams, one or more membranes, or other materials or structures for filtering liquids. In some embodiments, the filter element is formed from a unitary piece having a central opening so that it can be easily inserted into and removed from the filter holder. In other embodiments, the filter element may be a particulate or granular material or a laminate or other structure, and may be enclosed within a filter sleeve or other housing, as desired. In certain embodiments, the filter element is biodegradable or at least environmentally friendly. For example, the filter element may comprise activated carbon and may be provided with an outer cover of porous paper.

The filter cover 60 in fig. 8 has an arrangement of a central opening 112 through which the transfer tube 44 extends, an outer rim 114 which is fitted to the rim 102 of the filter holder 46, as by snapping into place, and a filter cover opening 116 which extends through the filter cover 60. When filter element 58 is placed into filter holder 46 and filter cover 60 is attached to the filter holder, openings 116 in filter cover 60 and between ribs 108 in filter holder 46 allow fluid to flow from one side of filter holder 46 to the other side of filter holder 46 by flowing through filter element 58. Preferably, the filter element 58 fits substantially snugly within the filter housing, and little or no fluid can bypass the filter element without flowing through the filter material or filter media.

Additionally, in FIG. 8, the gasket 62 is shown for installation into a channel or groove 104 located in the filter holder 46. The illustrated shim 62 has a cylindrical shim body 120 with a radial projection 122, the shim body 120 generally forming a generally "L" shaped cross-section. The cylindrical spacer body 120 fits into the channel 104 on the filter holder 46 and the boss 122 is supported by the flange 106 so that it seats against the lower edge of the vial 22 when the filter holder 46 is in place at the lower end of the vial. Gasket 62 thereby seals unfiltered beverage compartment 42 from filtered beverage compartment 54 to minimize unfiltered beverage in the filtered beverage compartment. A support flange 64 located in the filtered beverage compartment 54 presses the filter retainer 46 and gasket 62 into place.

Fig. 9 shows the filtration or treatment system 20 with the lid 24 removed for filtration. As indicated by the arrow, the user adds water or other beverage to the unfiltered beverage compartment 42. A user desiring filtered drinking water should add water to the unfiltered beverage compartment and try not to allow unfiltered water to enter the interior of the delivery tube 44 leading to the filtered beverage compartment located in the lower portion of the bottle. The rim 88 of the delivery tube 44 extends beyond the rim 84 of the bottle 22 to assist in directing water into the unfiltered beverage compartment. It is contemplated that the rim of the delivery tube 44 may be configured to prevent or reduce the possible ingress of unfiltered beverage, such as by narrowing the opening, including a valve, cover, baffle, or other restriction on the influent. The rim 88 of the delivery tube 44 is tapered to connect with the mouthpiece 30 located in the cap 24, as will be described below.

Once the unfiltered beverage is in the compartment 42 and the filtration or treatment system 20 is positioned in a generally upright position, gravity draws the water or other beverage in the compartment 42 through the opening 116 in the filter cover 60 and into the filter element 58. The filter element 58 may remove chemicals, minerals, bacteria, and other substances from water or other beverages. Filtered water or other beverage flows from filter 58 through the spaces between ribs 108 and into filtered beverage compartment 54. Unfiltered water or other beverage in the compartment 42 will continue to flow into the filtered beverage compartment until the filtered beverage compartment 54 is full or until there is no longer unfiltered water or other beverage in the compartment 42 to be filtered.

The size of the filtered beverage compartment limits the amount of beverage that may have been filtered. In the illustrated embodiment, filtered beverage compartment 54 is of sufficient size to allow a user to drink several filtered beverages. Once the user drinks the beverage from the filtered beverage compartment 54, the remaining beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 is filtered and flows into the filtered beverage compartment 54. Unfiltered beverage compartment 42 is purposely selected to be larger than filtered beverage compartment 54. This allows for a quick filling of the bottle 22, or at least the unfiltered beverage compartment 42, with an amount of beverage that does not have a delay caused by waiting for the beverage to flow through the filter. If the material or configuration or state of the filter 58 is such that the beverage flows slowly through the filter, the user can still quickly add the beverage to the bottle, cap the bottle, and continue to ensure that the filtered beverage will be available when desired.

In some embodiments, the relative size of the beverage compartments may be increased or decreased and/or the material or configuration of the filter may be altered to increase or decrease the filtration rate or filtration quality. For example, a filter that is more aggressive in removing contaminants or other materials from a beverage may be performed more slowly, while a filter for an already relatively clean or pure beverage may be configured to work more quickly.

A cap 24 for the bottle of figure 9 is shown in figure 10. The cover 24 has a cover 28, the cover 28 including a pliable nozzle plug 32 mounted in an opening 70. The nozzle plug 32 has a stem 124 that fits over a sleeve 126 that extends into the cover 28 at the opening 70. The stem 124 and the sleeve 126 include a larger diameter step portion configured to prevent or inhibit the nozzle stopper 32 from being inadvertently pulled away from the cap cover 28. The nozzle plug 32 includes a curved disk portion 128, the curved disk portion 128 extending outwardly from the stem 124 and being curved toward the inner surface of the cover 28. The disk portion 128 presses against the rim of the suction nozzle 30, together configured to prevent or reduce leakage of fluid from the suction nozzle 30 when covering the cover 28.

The lid cover 28 is attached to the lower lid 26 by a hinge 34. As shown in fig. 2, the hinge 34 is formed in part by a central portion 72, wherein the central portion 72 extends from the lower cover 26. The central portion 72 has a curved outer surface 130 and a generally flat surface 132, with the curved outer surface 130 about the top and the generally flat surface 132 facing downward. A slight incline 134 is provided between the bend 130 and the flat surface 132. The cover 28 has a retention spring 136, the retention spring 136 being free from the body of the cover 28 at the lower end and each side. The cut-out for separating the side of the retention spring 136 from the main body of the cover 28 is seen at 137. The retaining spring 136 has an arm 138, the arm 138 extending inwardly into the lid cover 28 at the free end of the retaining spring 136. The retention spring 136 abuts the curved surface 130 of the central portion 72 in the closed position of the cover 28 while the cover 28 pivots about the hinge 34 toward the open position. When the cover 28 reaches the fully open position, the retention spring 136 reaches the flat surface 132 and bends to position the arm 138 against the flat surface 132 to retain the cover 28 in the open position. The user can drink through the spout 30 without intervening on the cover 28. When a user desires to close the lid cover 28, pivoting the lid cover 28 toward the closed position causes the retention spring 136 and the arm 138 to meet the ramp 134 such that the lid cover 28 may pivot toward the closed position, wherein the ramp 134 acts to urge the retention spring 136 onto the curved surface 130.

The lid cover 28 is retained in the closed position by the latch 36. As mentioned with reference to fig. 3, the latch 36 has a release button 76 located within a sleeve 78. The button 76 is mounted for sliding movement within a button tunnel 144 located in the lower cover 26. The button 76 includes an interior 146 located within the button tunnel 144, wherein the button tunnel 144 has a latch projection for engaging into a latch opening 148 in a locking tab 150 extending from the cover 28. The locking tab 150 extends into an opening in the button tunnel 144 so that the inner portion 146 of the button 76 can be engaged into the latch opening of the cover 28. The button 76 is biased to the engaged position by a spring 152, such as a rubber compression spring, mounted within the button tunnel 144.

Depression on the latch button 76 slides the latch button 76 within the button tunnel 144 and compresses the spring 152. When the cover 28 is in the closed and latched position, sliding movement of the button 76 moves the latch projection of the latch button 76 received in the latch opening 148 out of the latch opening in the cover 28 so that the cover is released from the latched position and can pivot to the open position. The nozzle plug 32 can exert sufficient force on the rim of the nozzle 30 such that release of the latch 36 results in free ejection of the cover 28 toward the open position. This positive indication of the latch being released also provides an indication to the user whether the cover 28 is latched, as failure of the latch will cause the cover to pop out to the partially open position.

The inner lid 26 has a mouthpiece 30 through which a user can drink. The mouthpiece 30 is supported on a raised central portion 154 of the inner cover 26. The bottom of raised central portion 154 has a collar 156, and collar 156 has an inwardly angled lip that engages and guides the second free end of tube 44 into contact with gasket 48 located on the bottom of suction nozzle 30. The sleeve 156 has a larger dimension than the mouthpiece 30 so that the seat is formed as a gasket 48. The illustrated shim has a U-shaped cross-section, although other shapes of shims are possible and are encompassed within this patent. As described above, the rim 88 of the delivery tube 44 is angled outwardly to help guide the tube 44 into the sleeve 156.

The raised central portion 154 of the inner cap 26 accommodates the difference in height between the second end of the delivery tube 44 and the rim 84 of the vial 22. Depending on the difference in position between the second end of the delivery tube 44 and the vial 22, a greater or lesser height difference can be between the raised central portion and the main body of the inner cap 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the raised interior 154 is equal to the height of the button tunnel 144, although this is not required in every embodiment.

The cap gasket 40 is disposed on the underside of the lower cap 26 adjacent the internally threaded portion 160, wherein the internally threaded portion 160 forms the threaded connection 38 with the bottle. The cover gasket 40 is located in the groove formed by the raised ring 162. The cover gasket 40 has a C-shaped cross-section, although other gasket configurations are possible. Rather than a threaded connection between the cap 24 and the vial body 22, a snap-fit connection, a bayonet-type connection, or other connection may be used.

Fig. 11 shows the beverage bottle with the filter tilted to the drinking position. The lid cover 28 has been pivoted to a fully open position in which the retaining spring 136 rests against the central hinge element so that the lid cover 28 remains open. This opens the spout plug 32 from the spout 30 so that the user can drink from the spout or pour the filtered beverage from the spout.

By tilting the bottom of the filtration system or treatment system 20, the filtered beverage located in the filtered beverage compartment 54 flows through the delivery tube 44 and out of the mouthpiece 30 for use or consumption by the user. The vent tube 50 carries air from the area of the spout 30 to the filtered beverage compartment 54 in order to allow air to enter the filtered beverage compartment 54 when beverage is poured from the spout 30. In the illustrated embodiment, two vent tubes 50 are disposed within the delivery tube 44. More or fewer ventilation tubes may be provided. By providing the breather tube 50 within the delivery tube 44, the suction nozzle plug 32 seals both the tube 44 and the breather tube 50. The lower lid 26 closes the unfiltered beverage compartment 42, wherein the lower lid 26 together with the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 are configured to substantially prevent unfiltered beverage from exiting the filtration system or treatment system 20 when filtered beverage is being removed. The user therefore receives only filtered beverage from the filtration system or the processing system.

The filter of certain embodiments is configured to permit beverage flow in either direction. Tilting the filtration system or treatment system to the referenced position will cause some of the filtered beverage in the filtered beverage compartment 54 to flow back through the filter 58 into the unfiltered beverage compartment 42. In most embodiments, flow through the filter is slower than unimpeded flow through the delivery tube 44. In this way, a small amount of the filtered beverage flows back through the filter, while a large portion of the beverage in the filtered beverage compartment is available for use. The small amount of beverage that flows back during pouring or drinking is compensated for by returning the bottle system to an upright position so that the beverage begins to filter again from the unfiltered beverage compartment 42 into the filtered beverage compartment 54. Backflow of beverage through the filter 58 when the bottle system is tilted flushes the filter, thereby increasing filtration efficiency. It is envisioned that directional flow restriction means may be included to reduce or eliminate backflow through the filter during drinking from the filtration or treatment system and when the filtration or treatment system is tilted from an upright position.

The filtered beverage compartment 54 shows two of the support flanges or support elements 64 that hold the filter holder 46 against the lower edge of the vial 22. More or fewer such supports may be provided. It is also possible that the filter holder 46 is held in place by other means.

The filter element 58 may need to be changed after the user has used the filtered carafe system of fig. 1-11. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the user unscrews the base 52 from the vial 22 such that the filter holder 46 and tube 44 are free to be removed from the open bottom of the vial 22. The filter cover 60 is removed from the filter holder 46 by lifting the annular filter cover 60 off the tube 44. The filter element 58 is removed from the filter holder 46. The tube 44 and filter holder 46 must be inverted to remove the wet filter element 58 from the filter holder. A new or different filter element 58 is placed over the delivery tube 44 and into the filter holder 46, and then the filter cover 60 is replaced, for example by snapping on. The delivery tube 44 and filter holder 46 are replaced into the vial 22 and the base 52 is screwed onto the vial 22. The carafe system 20 is ready for use with a new or different filter.

Fig. 12 discloses a second embodiment of a filtration system or treatment system 200. Lid 202 has a lid cover 204 that is connected to lid 202 by a hinge 206. A button release latch 208 is provided to secure the lid cover 204 in the closed position. The central opening 210 has a nozzle plug 212. The structure of the cover may be the same as that of the first embodiment, or may differ in construction, material, or design. The vial 214 has a single piece and is free of a removable base through which the filter element can be replaced.

Fig. 13 shows the top of the cap of the second embodiment and shows the section lines of the sectional view of fig. 14.

In fig. 14, further differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be observed. The vial 214 with the filtration system or treatment system is formed in one piece without a removable base. The support flange 220 provides support for the filter holder 222 and the duct 224 from below. The support flange 202 may also be configured to help position the filter retainer 222 and minimize the possibility that the filter retainer will be pushed farther down within the vial 214 than desired, which would reduce the size of the beverage components being filtered. The filter holder 222 and delivery tube 224 are removed and replaced by removing the cap 202 from the vial 214 and removing and inserting the filter holder 222 and tube 224 through the open top of the filtration or treatment system. Instead of a gasket sealing against the bottom edge of the vial, the filter holder 222 of the second embodiment uses a gasket 226 in a groove in the filter holder 222 to seal against the interior surface of the vial 214. In addition, the second embodiment operates substantially similarly to the first embodiment.

A third embodiment is shown in fig. 15. The filtration or treatment system 240 has a lid 242, wherein the lid 242 has a lid cover 244. The cap 242 is secured to the body 246 of the filtration or treatment system. The lid 242 and lid cover 244 are substantially the same as those described above. Vial 246 has an upper section 248, a ring 250, a lower section 252, and a base 254. The ring 250 has a smaller diameter than the remainder of the vial 246. The upper segment 248 and lower segment 252 taper from the ring 250 to an increasing diameter.

FIG. 16 shows that the body 246 is a vacuum insulated bottle having a substantially cylindrical inner wall 256 and an outer wall 258 defining the outer contour of the body. The inner wall 256 includes a ridge 260 that supports a filter housing 262. A gasket 264 located in a groove in the filter housing 262 seals against the inner wall 256, wherein the gasket 264 and the inner wall 256 together are configured to prevent or reduce fluid flow between the filter and the unfiltered beverage compartment, rather than through the filter element 266, which filter element 266 may have the characteristics of the filter element 58 as described herein. The vacuum insulated bottle 246 keeps the hot beverage hot and the cold beverage cold. The segments between the inner and outer walls represent the components that are assembled to form the vacuum bottle of the present embodiment. Other segments and segment positions are of course possible.

Of course, the present filtration system or treatment system is not limited to only filtering water, but may also be used to filter or treat other beverages or fluids. It is also contemplated that the filtration system or treatment system may be configured to add substances to the beverage, rather than remove substances from the beverage. For example, the filtration system or processing system may be used to make flavored or supplemented beverages by adding tea leaves, coffee, herbs, infusion materials, flavoring materials, vitamin or mineral supplements, or other materials to the filter compartment.

Additional embodiments of a beverage filtration system or treatment system are described herein. Various components are described for use in conjunction with a beverage filtration system or treatment system, where the components may also be used in a non-filtered beverage system. Where elements of embodiments described herein are the same as or similar to elements of other embodiments, those elements may not be described in detail each time, but such description relies on the description of the same or similar elements shown in other figures.

Turning to fig. 17, a lid 300 is shown for attachment to a carafe, which can be a filtered carafe system or other carafe. The cap 300 includes a central suction nozzle 302 projecting from a sleeve 304. The mouthpiece 302 includes a central opening 306 in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle to which the cap 300 is attached. Depending on the bottle, the sleeve 304 includes a snap connection or internal threads for securing to the bottle. A vent opening 308 is provided in the sleeve 304. In the exploded view, the venting gasket 310 is located below the cover 300, with the venting gasket 310 secured to the cover 300 at the venting opening 308. A duct gasket 312 is provided to seal between the cap 300 and the second end of the duct of the beverage bottle being filtered. A cap gasket 314 is also provided to seal between the cap 300 and the bottle. Shims 312 and 314 have a U-shaped cross-section in some embodiments, but other shim configurations are certainly possible and are also within the scope of the present invention. The vent gasket 310 in the illustrated embodiment has an upper grip portion 316 secured into the vent opening 308, a stem 318 connected with the upper grip portion 316, and a lower portion 320 that permits air to enter the vent opening 308 but is configured to prevent or reduce the egress of fluid.

In fig. 18, the lid 300 of fig. 17 is shown secured to a beverage filtration or treatment system 322. In addition, the cap 300 and the vial 301 form a beverage filtration or processing system 322. Filtration system or treatment system 322 is similar to that described herein and includes an unfiltered beverage compartment 324 and a filtered beverage compartment 326 separated by a filter 328. A filter 328 surrounds the lower end of the delivery tube 330. When the cap 300 is secured to the vial 301, the upper end of the delivery tube 330 extends into the receptacle 332 located in the cap 300. The receptacle 332 includes a delivery tube gasket 312 that provides a seal configured to prevent or reduce leakage of the unfiltered beverage into the interior of the delivery tube 330 and the interior 306 of the mouthpiece 302. The cap 300 may be threadably engaged with the vial 301, with the gasket 314 providing a seal between the cap and vial to prevent or reduce leakage of fluid from the vial system.

The vent gasket 310 is shaped to cooperate with the vent opening 308 of the lid to permit air to enter the unfiltered beverage compartment 324 as the beverage moves through the filter 328 and out of the unfiltered beverage compartment. The lower portion 320 of the venting gasket 310 is formed as a relatively thin curved member that presses against a correspondingly shaped portion of the venting opening 308. When the air pressure within the unfiltered beverage compartment is reduced, the relatively thin curved portion bends to admit outside air. The lower portion 320 is shaped to press against a corresponding portion of the cap when liquid contacts the inside of the vent gasket 310 to seal the bottle from leaking through the vent opening 308.

Fig. 19 shows the filtration or treatment system 322 tilted to a drinking position. The filtered beverage within the filtered beverage compartment 326 may flow through the delivery tube 330 to the mouthpiece 302 for consumption, as indicated by the arrows. The unfiltered beverage within the unfiltered beverage compartment 324 is prevented or impeded from leaking from the bottle body 301 by the bottle gasket 314 and the vent gasket 310 and from entering the filtered beverage stream by the feed tube gasket 312.

A beverage bottle 340 having one embodiment of a filtration system or treatment system attached to a lid 342 with a lid cover 344 is shown in fig. 20. The cap 342 is secured within the enlarged upper end 345 of the bottle body 340. Lid cover 344 and lid are connected to each other by hinge 346, where hinge 346 permits a user to open the lid cover to drink access lid 342. The carry loop 348 is connected to the lid 342 at a hinge 346. A carry loop 348 is pivotally mounted on hinge 346 for movement between the storage position shown and a position in which the filtration system or treatment system can be carried using loop 348. In addition to or in lieu of a carrier belt, a hanging or shoulder belt or other handle or support may be provided on the beverage filtration or treatment system. A protrusion 350 is provided on the hinge 346 for engaging the lid cover 344 in the open position. A seal mount 352 is provided on the top of the cover 344.

Fig. 21 shows the top of the lid 342 and lid cover 344 including a seal mount 352 and hinge 346. A button 354 is provided on the lid 342 opposite the hinge 346 for releasing the lid cover 344 from the closed position.

Fig. 22 shows the lid cover 344, the lid 342, and the interior of the vial 340. The bottle 340 is uninsulated and has a smooth exterior side. A plurality of tabs or struts 360 are provided in the lower portion of the bottle body 340 to support a filter holder 362 to thereby define a filtered beverage compartment 364. The filter holder 362 is connected to a delivery tube 366, wherein the delivery tube 366 extends through the unfiltered beverage compartment 368 to the lid 342. The delivery tube 366 fits into a receptacle 370 on the lid 342, where the delivery tube 366 engages a gasket 372, where the gasket 372 provides a seal between the lid 342 and the delivery tube 366. The gasket 372 is configured to prevent or reduce mixing of the unfiltered beverage with the filtered beverage when the user is drinking from the suction nozzle 374.

Cover 344 is in the locked position due to the engagement of button 354 with grip tab 376 located on the lower edge of cover 344. The button 354 is held in the engaged position by a spring 378, wherein the spring 378 extends between an interior of the button 354 and an interior of a button retention recess in the cover 342. The spring 378 of the illustrated embodiment is a flexible, rubber-like tube of material that can be squeezed to permit the button 354 to be pressed inward by a user and then returned to its unpressed position. The button 354 is prevented or impeded from exiting the button retaining recess in the cover 342 by a latch 380, wherein the latch 380 fits into a recess in the button 354. The pin 380 located in the notch also limits inward movement of the button 354 when pressed.

The cover 344 seals the open ends of the suction nozzles 374 using suction nozzle sealing discs or suction nozzle plugs 382, wherein the suction nozzle sealing discs or suction nozzle plugs 382 are secured to the interior of the cover 344 by seal mounts 352. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle sealing disk or nozzle plug 382 is dome-shaped and is formed of a pliable material configured to form a liquid tight piece between the nozzle 374 and the cover cap 344.

An umbrella valve 384 is mounted in an opening in the cap 342. The umbrella valve 384 has a stem portion that fits into an opening in the lid and a dome-shaped valve portion 386 whose outer edge contacts the underside of the lid 342. Valve portion 386 seals against the lid and is configured to prevent or reduce leakage of liquid from the bottle system, but is flexible and configured to permit air flow into the bottle system when the internal air pressure is lower than the external air pressure (such as when a user is drinking from the bottle system or when a beverage is filtered from unfiltered beverage chamber 368 into filtered beverage chamber 364). Air can flow into the bottle system at the umbrella valve 384 through a void formed in the cap around the opening in which the umbrella valve is mounted.

A gasket 388 is attached at the lower boundary of the cap 342 so that it seals against the interior of the bottle 340 when the cap 342 is secured to the bottle. The gasket 388 in the illustrated embodiment presses against the transition between the narrower bottle body 340 of the bottle system and the enlarged upper end 345 of the bottle system. The cap 342 includes external threads that threadably engage within the enlarged upper end 345.

The lid cover 344 is biased to a fully open position by an O-ring 390 extending between the lid cover 344 and the lid 342. An O-ring 390 extends around the elements of the hinge 346 to hold the lid cover 344 open when a user drinks from the spout 374.

The embodiment of fig. 22 includes a filter sleeve 450 mounted in the filter holder 362 and including a filter space for enclosing a filter material or treatment material, such as filter media or filter element 478.

Fig. 23 is an embodiment of a beverage filtration system or treatment system and a lid cover similar to the embodiment of fig. 20, but instead includes an insulated bottle system 400. The vial system 400 includes a base 402 attached to a vial 404. The vial 404 includes a transition 406 leading to an enlarged upper end 408. The bottle system 400 of the present embodiment is a vacuum insulated bottle. The cover 342 and cover 344 are similar to the embodiments described above, and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an insulated bottle system 400 showing a double-walled structure that provides a vacuum space for insulating the interior of the bottle system from outside temperatures. In particular, the outer wall 404 provides an outer surface for gripping by a user. The outer wall 404 surrounds an inner wall 410, wherein the inner wall 410 defines a beverage receiving space and is spaced from the outer wall 404 by an insulating void 412. The insulating gap 412 may be evacuated to form a vacuum or near vacuum in the space between the outer and inner walls to provide insulation from ambient temperature for the material within the bottle 400. In one embodiment, the inner wall 410 and the outer wall 404 are formed of stainless steel, but other materials are possible. In certain embodiments, the insulating gap 412 may also be filled with air, gas, or an insulating material such as foam.

The steel inner wall 410 is not as easily formed with, for example, support tabs as embodiments formed of more easily molded materials, such as plastic, to support the filter element located within the bottle 400, so the inner wall and filter element may be configured somewhat differently than other embodiments described herein. The inner wall 410 includes a first inwardly extending portion 414, wherein the first inwardly extending portion 414 has mounted therein the filter holder 415 and the filter sleeve 450, and a second inwardly extending portion 418 having an inner diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the first inwardly extending portion 414. Second inwardly extending portion 418 provides a support for filter holder 415 against which filter holder 415 is positioned and sealed. The filter holder 415 includes an outer wall portion 420 that fits into the space defined by the first inwardly extending portion 414. Preferably, the fit is appropriate rather than overly tight to prevent or hinder a user from inserting elements of filter holder 415 or removing elements of filter holder 415 from bottle 400. The lower portion of the outer wall 420 includes a gasket 422 that is fixed to the filter holder 415 by fitting to a mounting rib protrusion on the outer wall portion 420. The gasket forms a seal between the filter holder 415 and the second inwardly extending portion 418 and is configured to prevent or reduce leakage of unfiltered beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment 424 into the filtered beverage compartment 426 in the event that the unfiltered beverage passes partially through the filter material or treatment material 478 located in the filter sleeve 450.

Insulation bottle 400 includes a base 430 that is attached to bottle 400 during evacuation and sealing of insulation space 412. The insulation bottle 400 according to the illustrated embodiment includes internal threads 432, and a cap 434 is threaded into the internal threads 432 when the cap is engaged. The enlarged upper end 408 provides an increased diameter for the inner fiber 432. The other elements of the filtered beverage bottle, including the filter holder, the delivery tube, the inner and outer cover covers, the carry ring, and the push button release, are quite similar to those of the other embodiments described herein, and those skilled in the art will understand their construction and operation without further description.

One difference is the addition of a shim 436, wherein shim 436 is mounted on the lower edge of cover 434 to rest against an inwardly projecting surface located within inner wall 410. The gasket is configured to provide a seal between the lid and the unfiltered beverage compartment 424.

Fig. 25 shows a filter holder 440 and a delivery tube 442 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The filter holder 440 includes an outer wall 444 configured to fit within a filtered carafe. A gasket mounting ring 446 is disposed about a lower portion of the outer wall 444. The gasket mounting ring 446 comprises three parallel arranged rings on which the gasket is mounted. Other embodiments may have more or fewer rings, or even no such rings. The ring 446 or other gasket mounting structure is configured to ensure that the gasket remains in place, does not move, and remains in the bottle.

The outer wall 444 includes finger grooves 448 that permit a user to grip a filter sleeve 450 mounted within the filter holder 440. The finger grooves 448 are preferably matched by similar finger grooves on opposite sides of the filter holder 440 so that the annular filter sleeve 450 can be grasped for removal over the delivery tube 442. The illustrated embodiment of the delivery tube 442 tapers from a narrower free end to a larger outer diameter bottom end at the filter holder 442 such that the filter sleeve 450 fits snugly over the delivery tube 442 and is configured to prevent or reduce leakage between the filter sleeve and the delivery tube.

In fig. 26, the filter retainer 440 is shown with the filter sleeve 450 removed. Filter retainer 440 includes a bottom sleeve wall 452 that rests on bottom sleeve wall 452 when filter sleeve 450 is inserted into filter retainer 440. The bottom sleeve wall 452 includes a plurality of openings 454 through which the filtered beverage passes 454 after passing through the filter sleeve 450. The opening 454 is defined by a segment wall 456 extending between the delivery tube 442 and the outer wall 444. The interior of filter holder 440 includes a step 458 extending inwardly from the outer wall that provides a reduced diameter portion for receiving filter holder 450. A step portion 459 is further provided on the outside at the base of the transfer tube 442. Step 458 and step 459 provide a fluid tight engagement between filter retainer 440 and filter sleeve 450.

The delivery tube 442 of the illustrated embodiment includes two vent tubes 460 that allow air to enter the filtered beverage compartment when a user drinks beverage from the filtered beverage compartment. It is possible to provide a delivery tube with only one vent tube or with more than two vent tubes or no vent tubes, all of which are within the scope of the invention.

A gasket 462 is provided for sealing the filter holder against the interior of the bottle to provide a fluid tight seal between the unfiltered beverage compartment and the filtered beverage compartment. As shown in fig. 25, the shim 462 is attached to the filter holder 440.

The filter sleeve 450 is shown removed from the filter holder. The filter sleeve 450 includes a hollow cylindrical housing having a cylindrical outer wall 464 and a substantially central opening defined by a cylindrical inner wall 466. The cylindrical outer wall 464 includes a lip 468 projecting therefrom to rest against the step 458 in the filter holder 440. A lip 469 is provided projecting inwardly from the cylindrical inner wall 466 to seal against a step 459 on the delivery tube 442. A filter cover or sleeve cover 470 is attached at the top of the filter sleeve 450. The filter cover 470 includes radial ribs and concentric annular ribs 472 that form an open lattice structure (commonly referred to as a perforated wall) through which beverage can flow from the unfiltered beverage compartment to the filter media. The filter sleeve 450 also has a lower perforated wall (also referred to as an open mesh structure in the illustrated embodiment) to permit beverage flow from the filter media to the filtered beverage compartment. The filter sleeve 450 may surround a single filter element or filter media or other filter material or treatment material located in the filter space.

Referring to fig. 27, a filter sleeve 450 is installed around the delivery tube 442 such that the sleeve forms a seal with the filter retainer 440 and the delivery tube 442. Filter sleeve 450 includes an outwardly projecting rim 474 that can be engaged by a user at recess 448 to remove filter sleeve 450 from its seated, sealed position in filter holder 440. Not only is the filter cover 470 provided with openings to allow beverage to flow to the filter sleeve 450, but the bottom 476 of the filter sleeve 450 is also provided with openings through which beverage can flow. The filter sleeve includes a hollow interior for holding the filter material 478.

The filter material 478 may be a unitary body or solid that fits into the filter space or media space of the sleeve, or the filter material may be a loose material such as a granular filter material. The granular or loose material may be enclosed within a single covering device. Any filter material or combination of filter materials may be disposed in the filter sleeve including, for example, carbon filter materials, fibrous filter materials, membrane filter materials, woven or non-woven mesh filter materials, or other filter materials. The filter material may be an absorbent for selected contaminants in the beverage, may be reactive to contaminants or other materials in the beverage, may include a neutralizing agent or catalyst, may include a substance for release into the beverage, or a combination of these. The filter material may be biodegradable and/or the filter housing may be biodegradable. In certain embodiments, the filter housing is formed from a starch-based material or an olefin.

The filter cartridge may be renewed by replacing the filter material or filter element in the filter holder, or may be renewed by replacing the used filter holder with a new filter holder comprising new filter material. The filter sleeve is preferably configured to ensure that unfiltered beverage cannot enter the filtered beverage compartment from the unfiltered beverage compartment and to block unfiltered beverage from reaching the user's mouth when the user is drinking from the bottle. For example, a method of preventing unfiltered beverage from reaching the user is useful for contaminated water supplies. On the other hand, if the filter is arranged only to improve the taste of a supply of already clean water, it is possible that some unfiltered water may reach the user with the filtered water without adversely affecting the user's perception of the taste of the water. As such, the scope of the present invention encompasses filters and filter elements that may permit some unfiltered beverage to leak into the filtered beverage.

The filter retainer 440 of the illustrated embodiment includes a lower surface to which a grate or other device (not shown) for blocking process material from the filter element and process material from entering the transfer tube can be attached. The grille may be snap-fit onto the filter holder, threaded onto the filter holder, or otherwise attached to the filter holder. The grille may extend through the opening only to the duct or may extend through the entire lower surface of the filter holder and the opening to the duct, thereby blocking particles from contacting the filter element and entering the duct. For example, a user may desire to place lemon slices or lemon corners in the filtered beverage compartment, or may add fruit pieces or other materials to add flavor to the beverage. A grate located on the lower surface of the strainer holder blocks seeds, pulp, peel, or other portions of the fruit from entering the delivery tube or accumulating in the strainer. The user can enjoy a fruit flavored beverage without the risk of seeds or portions of fruit accumulating in the delivery tube.

Details of the seal between the filter sleeve 450 and the filter retainer 440 are shown in fig. 28. The filter retainer 440 includes a step 458 on the inner wall that reduces the inner diameter of the filter retainer at the step. The filter sleeve 450 includes a raised lip 468 extending outwardly therefrom. The step 458 and the raised lip 468 press against each other and form a fluid tight seal to prevent or reduce leakage of unfiltered beverage into the filtered beverage compartment. The step 458 includes a narrow projection 480 at the top of the step 458. The projection 480 provides an additional seal and cooperates with the raised lip 468 to secure the filter sleeve 450 in place.

Fig. 29 shows a step 459 on the transfer tube 442 and an inwardly projecting lip 469 on the filter sleeve 450. The step 459 and the protruding lip 469 serve to provide a fluid tight seal to prevent leakage of unfiltered beverage into the filtered beverage compartment. The raised lips 468 and 469 are also interchangeably referred to as first and second raised lips.

The filter sleeve 450 is shown in more detail in fig. 30. In this figure, the filter sleeve 450 is open to expose a filter interior space 481 (which is also referred to as a media space or filter space) for surrounding filter media, filter material, or filter element or treatment material. The filter sleeve 450 has a raised lip 468 on the outer wall 464 and a raised lip 469 on the inner wall 466. The mesh layer or first pore wall of the top filter cover 470 visibly extends between the inner walls. The top filter cover 470 may be permanently secured to the filter cartridge or may be removable from the cartridge by the user. An outward ledge 474 extends from the outer wall 464. The filter sleeve 450 has been opened by removing the lower filter cover 482. The exterior of the inner wall 466 has a plurality of tabs or projections 484 at its outwardly extending free end. The interior of the outer wall 466 has a plurality of tabs or projections 486 at the edge extending therein. Tabs 484 and 486 extend to grooves 488 and 490 at the inner and outer edges of the lower filter cover 482 to secure the lower filter cover in place on the filter sleeve 450.

The bottom or lower filter cover 482 includes radial and concentric ribs to form and open a grid layer of beverage flow openings, or in general to form second cell walls (such as those in the top filter cover 470), although different arrangements of openings between the top and bottom filter covers are within the scope of the present disclosure. The open mesh layers of the top and bottom filter covers of the sleeve are provided in a conventional arrangement of openings, although any configuration of cell walls may be provided within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 31 shows another embodiment of a filter holder 500. The filter holder 500 includes a delivery tube 502 extending from the filter holder and a finger groove 504 formed in an outer wall 506 of the filter holder 500. The lower edge of the outer wall 506 includes a gasket mounting ring and a recess 508. The upper end of the delivery tube 502 has a ramp 510. The lower end of the filter holder 500 includes a protruding partition 512. The partition 512 protrudes at a position between the inner wall and the outer wall below the lower end of the other element of the filter holder. This directs the flow and droplets of beverage through the filter to the center of the filter element rather than the inner or outer walls. The curved lower edges of the partitions create drip areas or drip lines.

The filter holder 500 and delivery tube 502 are shown in fig. 32, wherein the filter holder 500 includes an outer wall 506 having a finger groove 504. The filter holder has a bottom wall 514 with an opening 516 formed by a partition or rib 512, the rib 512 extending between the centrally located duct 502 and the outer wall 506. The delivery tube 502 of this embodiment lacks the vent channel provided in the above-described embodiments. In some embodiments, a vent tube is not necessary for venting air into the filtered beverage compartment.

Filter holder 500 is shown in fig. 33, wherein the interior of the filter holder has a step 518 extending inwardly from outer wall 506 and a step 520 extending outwardly from delivery tube 502. The channel 508 has ribs for retaining the gasket on the lower portion of the filter holder 500. The interior of the channel 508 forms a portion of the bottom panel 514 of the filter holder by 508 extending inwardly from the outer wall of the filter holder 500.

Fig. 34 shows curved ribs or partitions 512 which provide drip control in the drip zone of beverage flowing through the filter. Other shapes of ribs or dividers for drip control are within the scope of the invention.

In fig. 35, steps 518 and 520 are shown that help form a seal between the filter holder 500 and the filter sleeve 450 when the filter sleeve 450 is absent.

Another embodiment of a cover 530 is shown in fig. 36. The cap 530 includes a threaded base 532 that is fitted to a bottle having internal threads. Of course, a cap for a bottle having an external thread can be configured in this and other embodiments disclosed herein. The cover 530 includes a cover 534, and the cover 534 may be selectively opened and closed by a user. The cover 534 has a release button 536 on the front for activation to open the cover 534, and a hinge 538 on the back. Hinge 538 is connected to a carrier ring 540, which may be pivoted to a carrying position or a storage position as shown. The lower edge of the threaded base 532 is provided with a gasket 542 for sealing the cap on the bottle. A spout plug 544 is secured to the interior of the cover 534 and is visible from the top of the cover.

In the view of lid 530 in fig. 37, carrying loop 540 is generally U-shaped and has opposite ends connected to hinge pins of hinge 538 so that a user can pivot carrying loop 540 to an upwardly extending position, for example, for carrying a bottle or for hanging a bottle on a hook or peg. The carrying loop 540 in the illustrated embodiment is wider at the loop end 540a than at the end 540b connected to the hinge 538. Of course, other shapes are possible. The barrel or central portion 546 of the hinge 538 has a protruding rib 548, the protruding rib 548 being positioned to contact a portion of the lid cover when the lid cover is in the fully open position, thereby maintaining the lid cover in the fully open position, such as when a user drinks a beverage from the bottle. The raised ribs 548 allow the user to move the cover to or from the fully open position with only a small amount of force.

The hinge 538 also includes an O-ring spring 550, the O-ring spring 550 biasing the cover to the open or closed position. The O-ring spring 550 is retained by spring hooks 552, the spring hooks 552 extending from the barrel 546 of the hinge 538 to retain a portion of the O-ring spring to the cap 530. A second portion of the O-ring spring 550 extends around the hinge 538 and engages the cover 534. The second portion of the O-ring spring 550 is retained in the cover by an O-ring retainer 556. When the cover 534 is in the closed position, the O-ring spring 550 almost folds back on itself after passing the hinge 538. The hinge 538 includes a hinge connector 554 connected between the cover 534 and the hinge 538.

Turning to fig. 38, the button 536 includes a curved outer end 558 to be pressed by a user. The hinge 540 has an end 540b of the carrier ring 540 within the wider ring portion 540a of the carrier ring.

The cross-sectional view of fig. 39 shows the cover 530 and the cover 534 connected by a hinge 538. The cover 530 has a spacer 542 located at the lower edge of the threaded portion 532. A delivery tube receiving sleeve 560 is provided inside the cap 530. The sleeve 560 fits over the end of the delivery tube when the cap 530 is secured to the bottle with the filter assembly. The lower end 562 of the sleeve 560 includes an inwardly sloped surface to guide the delivery tube into position. A gasket 564 is mounted within the sleeve 560 to provide a seal between the cap 530 and the delivery tube. The cap 530 includes a mouthpiece 566 in fluid communication with the sleeve 560. The sleeve 560 is centered about the longitudinal axis of the bottle so that the delivery tube can slide into the sleeve 560 as the cap 530 is screwed into place on the bottle.

The cap 530 includes a mouthpiece 566 in fluid communication with the sleeve 560. The suction nozzle 566 in the illustrated embodiment is offset from the center of the cap 530. This deviation results in a contoured inner surface 568 within the suction nozzle 566. The upper end of the mouthpiece 566 includes an enlarged rim 570 at its upper end for making it more comfortable for the user to drink. An upper end or rim 570 of the mouthpiece 566 is sealed by a mouthpiece plug 544, the mouthpiece plug 544 having a central post 572 secured into an opening 576 in the cover 534. Nozzle plug 544 includes an arcuate tip 574 secured to a spine 572, which is curved to engage the interior of cover 534. The domed end 574 seals against the rim 570 of the mouthpiece 566 and is configured to prevent or reduce fluid leakage from the mouthpiece when the cover 534 is closed. Opening 576 in cover has an inner expanded portion 578 extending along central column 572 and apex 574 has a skirt 580 extending toward the interior of cover 534. A recess is formed in the interior of the lid where the skirt 580 is located. The end of the center post 572 opposite the domed end 574 includes a radially enlarged portion 582 that fits into a corresponding enlarged portion in the opening 576, thereby securing the nozzle plug 544 in the cover 534.

In embodiments where the mouthpiece is offset from the axis of the bottle, an offset delivery tube and an offset mouthpiece can be provided. The offset spout and delivery tube are maintained in their offset positions relative to the bottle and are secured in place by a rotating sleeve that secures the offset spout to the bottle without the need to rotate the spout and delivery tube as it is attached and removed. Rotating sleeves on non-rotating covers and cover covers are known in the art and are not described in detail herein.

The latch button 536 slides in a button channel of the cover 530. The inner end of the button channel includes a resilient spring 584 that biases the button toward the latched position. In some embodiments, the resilient spring 584 is a rubber tube. The button 536 has a retaining pin 586 that serves to prevent or inhibit the button 536 from escaping the button channel during use and to limit the movement of the button 536. A catch nose 588 on the button 536 engages a catch projection on the interior of the cover 534 to secure the cover in the closed position and allow the user to release the cover by pushing on the button 536.

The umbrella seal 590 is secured in the lid between the sleeve 560 and the hinge 538. Umbrella seal 590 has a central post with a capture protrusion 591 secured to an opening in cap 530. The opening includes an inwardly projecting portion 592 that engages the capture projection 591 to secure the umbrella seal in place while also forming an air flow passage so that air may flow through the opening via the center post. Umbrella seal 590 includes a flexible dome 594, the flexible dome 594 having an outer periphery that contacts the interior of cap 530. The umbrella seal 590 operates as a one-way flow valve; the flexible dome bends away from the cap 530 to allow air to flow into the interior of the bottle when the pressure in the bottle drops (e.g., when a user drinks from the bottle), but presses against the interior of the cap 530 to seal and prevent or reduce fluid from leaking out of the bottle.

The O-ring spring 550 includes a first portion secured within the cover 534 and a second portion secured to the cover 530. A hinge pin 596 located at the center of the hinge 538 provides a pivot axis for covering the cover 534 and the carrying ring 540.

Fig. 40 shows the view of fig. 39, except that the button 536 has been pressed by a force F to slide the button 536 into the button channel by overcoming the biasing force of the spring 584. Without continued application of force F, button 536 is not left in the position shown. By moving the button 536 to the release position as shown, the catch nose 588 disengages from the projection 598 inside the cover 534 to release the cover. As shown, the nozzle plug 544, supported on the nozzle 566, causes the cover to open to a partially open position. The inward movement of the push button 536 is limited by a retaining pin 586 formed in a retaining pin slot 600 in the push button. The button of fig. 40 is in a state in which its inward movement is restricted. The slope of the projection 598 and the catch nose 588 allows the cover 534 to slide the button inward during cover closing, and the spring 584 snaps the button 536 into the engaged position once the cover is in the fully closed position.

The cover 534 is shown in a fully open position in fig. 41. The lid cover 534 has a spout plug 574, the spout plug 574 fitting over the open end of the spout 566 when the lid cover is closed, and the spout plug and lid cover 534 remain together when the lid cover is open to allow a user to drink from the spout 566. The projection 598 in the cover 534 that engages the capture nose 588 on the button 536 is disposed in the recess 602 in the cover. The recess 602 fits over the button 536 when the cover 534 is closed. Button retaining pin 586 is retained in retaining pin hole 604 in cap 530.

Within the mouthpiece 566, it can be seen that the contours 568 define a fluid flow path from within the mouthpiece to the sleeve opening 606 in the sleeve 560. The umbrella seal 590 in the opening in the cap 530 is retained by an inwardly extending projection 592.

At the hinge 538, an O-ring spring is retained in the spring hook 552 at the opposite end of the hinge barrel 546. An O-ring channel 608 is provided between each end of the hinge barrel 546 and the respective cover to hinge connector 554. An O-ring 550 is disposed in the O-ring channel 608 when the cover is closed and the O-ring is open from the O-ring channel 608 when the cover is open. An O-ring retainer 556 in the cover 534 retains the opposite side of the O-ring spring 550, thereby being retained in spring hooks 552 in the cover 530.

Fig. 42 shows a spacer 564 in the sleeve 560 for receiving the end of the delivery tube. The shims abut against shim seats 610 formed at the ends of sleeve 560. As described above, the suction nozzle 566 is offset relative to the sleeve 560. The gasket seat 610 extends into the flow path between the sleeve 560 and the suction nozzle 566 on one side of fig. 42, while the offset between the suction nozzle and the sleeve forms the gasket seat on the other side. The contour 568 of the curved surface between the indicator cup 560 and the suction nozzle 566 is apparent in FIG. 42.

In fig. 43, the umbrella valve 590 that vents air into the bottle is shown in more detail. The umbrella valve stem 612 and the catch projection 591 are smaller than the opening 614 in which the umbrella valve 590 is mounted. Only the projection 592 extends into the opening to engage the umbrella valve stem 612 and the capture projection 591. Thereby, an air flow gap is provided around the rod 612. A sleeve 616 is disposed about the opening 614 from which the protrusions 592 extend. An annular recess 618 is formed in the cap 530 and is located outside the sleeve 616. The sealing portion 594 of the umbrella valve 590 seats against the cap 530 across the annular recess 618.

The components of the cap are shown in FIG. 44, including cap 530, cap 530 having offset suction nozzles 566, umbrella valve opening 614, and hinge 538. The inner upper portion of the cap 530 includes a boss 620 below which a sleeve 622 located above the threaded portion 532 extends. Button channel 624 extends to boss 620. The lid cover 534 extends over the boss 620 when closed so that only the sleeve 622 is visible when the lid is screwed into the bottle and the lid cover 534 is closed.

The cover 534 has a recess 602 for a button, an opening 576 for a nozzle plug 544, and a cover to hinge connector 554 extending from the back. The cover-to-hinge connector 554 has a relatively large pivot opening 626 into which a pivot connector 628 on the carrying ring 540 extends. The hinge 538 on the cover 530 also includes a relatively large pivot opening 630, and the pivot connector 628 on the carrying ring 540 fits into the pivot opening 630. Some embodiments of pivot connector 628 have longitudinally extending slots and include two peripheral engagement rings such that the connector can be compressed and deformed to fit into pivot openings 626 and 630 and be retained by the rings engaged to the corresponding channels in the cover and cover. The hinge pin 596 extends to a central opening in the pivot connector 628 and thereby prevents or prevents the pivot connector from compressing and releasing from the hinge 538. Pin 596 provides a secure engagement of the cover, cover lid, and carrying strap loop at hinge 538.

The O-ring spring 550 exhibits a deformed state of the O-ring spring when it is present in the O-ring channel of the hinge due to the first portion held by the O-hook in the cover 530 and the second portion held by the O-catch in the cover 534. In the relaxed state, the O-ring is substantially circular. When installed in an existing lid, the O-ring applies tension between the lid 530 and the lid cover.

A gasket 542 that seals between the internally threaded bottle and the cap 530 includes an internal channel 632 that fits over the ribs of the cap 530 to hold it in place. Instead, the shim 564 that fits into the interior of the sleeve 560 includes an outer channel. An umbrella valve 590 is shown below the cap 530.

The button 536 includes a button body 634 that extends into the button channel 624. The button body 634 has a shelf 636 that defines a spring receiving gap into which a compression spring 584 is mounted. Button retaining pins 586 are shown that fit into pin openings 604 of cover 530 and retain the buttons by engaging in place in notches 600. As described above, the nozzle plug 544 includes the central stem 572, the annular skirt 580, and the outer portion 574.

Fig. 45 shows another embodiment of the cover. In order to avoid repetition, portions different from the above-described embodiment will be described in detail below. For features and the like that are common between the two embodiments, reference is made to the foregoing description. The cover 640 has a cover 642 with a recess 644 formed adjacent to the hinge 646. The recess 644 has a vent seal 648 mounted therein. O-clip 650 engages one side of O-ring 652. The O-ring wraps around the hinge 646 when the cover 642 is in the closed position. The opposite side of the O-ring 652 is secured in an O-ring hook 654 in the cover 640. The carry loop 656 and the button 658 are provided as a nozzle plug 660.

In fig. 46, the O-ring 652 can be considered a hinge 646 that is coiled into a channel for receiving the O-ring.

The cross-section of fig. 47 shows many similarities and little differences from the above-described embodiments. The recess 644 in the cover 642 includes a recessed floor 662 in which a breather seal 648 is mounted. The vent seal 648 presses against the vent opening 664 in the cover 640. The vent opening 664 becomes a leaf valve including a pair of valve leaves.

The cover 640 includes a sleeve 670 into which the top of the delivery tube of the beverage filter fits. The sleeve 670 includes a gasket 672 mounted therein to provide a seal between the delivery tube and the cap. The gasket 672 includes a gasket sleeve 674 that is curved over its free end to fit over the end of the delivery tube and improve the quality of the seal.

The threaded portion 676 of the cap 640 includes a vial shim 678 configured to fit snugly against the interior of the vial.

Button 658 is taller than the buttons of the previous embodiments. The button channel fitted with the button 658 extends beyond the cover 642 and includes an opening 680 into which a catch extension 682 of the cover 642 extends. The catch extensions are engaged by catch noses on buttons 658. As in certain other illustrated embodiments, the button 658 is biased by a compression spring and held in place by a button retaining pin.

In the lower side view of fig. 48, the sleeve 670 is disposed in the center of the cover 640. The shim sleeve 674 is disposed within the sleeve 670. Discharge or leaf valve 668 is retained in cover 640 by valve retaining ring 688. Leaf valve 668 is shown in a closed position that prevents or reduces leakage of fluid from the bottle. A button passageway 684 is formed in cover 640.

Fig. 49 shows details of an embodiment of a leaf valve 668. A recess 686 is formed in the cap 640 and is directed toward the interior of the attachable cap of the vial. An annular retaining ring 688 is fitted in recess 686, which retains leaf valve 668 in place. The recess 686 comprises an annular projection 690, the leaf valve 668 having a corresponding channel fitting over the annular projection 690. The retaining ring 688 has a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the annular projection 690 and fits into the channel 692 of the leaf valve 668. The channels form a retaining ring 694, which has a substantially triangular cross-section and cooperates with the annular projection 690, and a retaining ring 688, which retains the leaf valve 668 in position. The retention ring includes outwardly obliquely extending protrusions 696 that engage the inwardly obliquely extending protrusions 698 with recesses 686, thereby forming a snap-in fastening assembly that holds the leaf valve 668 in place by the retention ring 688.

The leaf valve 668 includes first and second inwardly pitched leaf elements 700 constructed of a thin flexible material such as rubber or other flexible polymer and arranged such that the free ends of the leaf elements 700 contact each other at the sealing surface 702 in a relaxed state. The vane member 700 substantially maintains sealing contact with the sealing surface 702 when the sealing surface is exposed to fluid within the bottle, thereby preventing or reducing leakage of fluid from the bottle.

The leaf valve 668 is disposed at the vent opening 664 such that air may pass between the leaf elements 700 through the vent opening 664 and through the leaf valve. Fig. 49 shows the cover 642 in the closed position. The closed lid cover causes the vent seal 648 to be pressed against the vent opening 664 to seal the vent opening from air or liquid flowing through the vent opening. When the cover 642 is moved to the open position, the vent seal 648 is not restrained by the vent opening 664 so that air can pass through the opening.

FIG. 50 shows a leaf valve 668 having vent openings 664 in the open state. The air pressure inside the bottle with the cap attached is less than the external air pressure, for example as a result of the user drinking the beverage from the bottle. The air pressure differential causes the vane member 700 to flex outwardly forming an air flow passage 704 at the sealing surface 702 of the vane member 700. After the air pressure inside the bottle is equal to the external air pressure, the leaf elements 700 return to their relaxed state of contact with each other, thereby sealing the cap so that the liquid contained therein no longer leaks. The vane member 700 forms a one-way valve to allow air to pass but prevent or reduce liquid leakage.

Fig. 51 shows the cover of fig. 45 in an open state. The cover 640 has a boss 706 that fits within a cover 642 and an outwardly extending cover 708 with a threaded portion 676 attached. The suction nozzle 710 extends from the protrusion 706, and is sealed by a nozzle plug 660 when the cover 642 is closed. A button channel 712 extends from the suction nozzle 710 and projects above the protrusion 706. The button 658 slides within the button channel 712 between a cover engaged position and a cover released position. The top and front of the button channel 712 includes an opening 680 through which a capture extension 682 on the cover 642 extends when the cover is closed. A button that blocks or prevents the button 658 from falling out of the button channel 712 keeps the pin inserted through the pin opening 714 into place.

The vent seal 648 is seen to be located at the recess 644 in the cover 642. The primary function of the recess is to support the vent seal 648 to move into position over the vent opening 664 when the lid is closed. The O-ring 652 can be viewed as hooked into place at the recess 644 of the cover 642 and at the cover 640 adjacent the hinge 646. The hinge 642 has an O-ring channel 716 into which an O-ring spring fits when the cover 642 is closed.

Turning to fig. 52, the cover 642 is in the open position and the catch extension 682 is released from the button 658. The O-ring spring 652 is under tension and pulls the lid cover 642 toward the fully open position such that the lid cover remains extended when the user drinks from the spout 710. When the user drinks and the contents of the bottle are removed, air enters the bottle interior through the vent opening 664 and the leaf valve 668. The user can move the cover 642 toward the closed position by pivoting the cover about the hinge 646 and overcoming the tension of the O-ring 652 on the cover 542. When the cover reaches the closed position, the catch extension 682 of the cover enters the catch opening 680 in the button channel 712 and engages the catch nose of the button 658. The compressive force of the button spring 718 is overcome and the button pin 720 in the pin cutout in the button 658 allows the button to slide to receive the catch extension 682. When fully closed, the button snaps into an engaged position to hold the lid cover closed, the mouthpiece plug 660 covers the mouthpiece 710, and the vent seal 648 covers the vent opening 664. The cap is configured to seal against leakage.

Turning to fig. 53, the cover 640 includes a button channel 684 for receiving the button 658, a button spring 718, and a button pin 720. The mouthpiece plug 660 and the vent seal 648 are fitted into the cover 642. The carry loop 656 and hinge pin 722 connect the cover 640 and cover 642 to one another, while the O-ring 652 biases movement of the cover 640 and cover 642 relative to one another. A bottle gasket 678 seals the cap to the bottle and a gasket sleeve 674 seals the cap to the delivery tube of the filter assembly. The retaining ring 688 retains the leaf valve 668.

In another embodiment shown in fig. 54, the filter cartridge holder 730 and the filter cartridge 732 include locks (also referred to as twist locks) for engaging the holder 730 and the cartridge 732 together in sealing engagement. In particular, the filter cartridge holder 730 has a duct extending to a cylindrical filter holder, which includes an inner wall 736 having a sealing step 738 extending around the circumference of the wall 736. The wall 736 includes two locking slots or channels 740 including an axial portion 742 and a ramped portion or ramped channel 744. The slot or channel 740 may extend through the wall of the filter holder, although the slot or channel may be configured as a recess in the wall of the filter holder. The angled portion or angled passage 744 of the lock provides locking by movement (including rotation) of the filter retainer and filter sleeve relative to each other. The end of the locking groove 740 located at the open end of the cylindrical filter cartridge holder 730 includes a support ring 746. The support ring 746 extends across the slot opening 748 of the axial portion 742 of the slot 740 at a location radially outward from the slot opening 748. A support ring 746 surrounds the filter holder 730 and projects outwardly from the cylindrical wall of the filter holder 730 at its upper end. A gasket 750 is mounted on the lower end of the filter holder for sealing engagement with the inner wall of the beverage filter bottle.

The filter cartridge 732 can contain filter elements and includes a central opening 752 to receive the delivery tube 734 and an opening 754 in the upper wall through which beverage flows for filtration by a filter medium, such as the filter elements contained within the filter cartridge 732. The filter sleeve 732 has a cylindrical outer surface 756, the outer surface 756 being provided with sealing ribs 758 that project outwardly from the outer surface 756. When filter sleeve 732 is fully installed within filter holder 730, sealing ribs 758 are pressed into sealing engagement with sealing step 738 in filter holder 730. The sealing engagement may be tight enough that a relatively large amount of force is required to insert and remove the sleeve 732 from the sleeve holder 730. To assist the user in providing force to place the filter sleeve 732 in a sealed condition in the filter sleeve retainer 730, a protrusion 760 is provided that extends from the cylindrical outer surface 756. The protrusion 760 is disposed in the locking groove 740. As the sleeve 732 rotates relative to the filter sleeve holder 730, the tabs 760 move along the slots 740, and as the tabs move along the sloped surfaces of the slots 740, the sleeve 732 is in a generally sealed position in the filter holder 730 with the sealing ribs 758 in sealing engagement with the sealing step 738.

The insertion of the filter sleeve 732 into the filter holder 730 can be achieved relatively easily by the user, since it exerts a pressing force. However, removing the sleeve 732 from the holder 730 may require more force from the user than insertion of the sleeve 732. By twisting the sleeve 732 in the opposite direction of the installation rotation, the user can remove the sleeve 732 from the sealed position within the cartridge holder. This is a result of the protrusion 760 moving along the inclined surface of the inclined portion 744 of the locking groove 740. The user can more easily remove the sleeve 732.

To facilitate rotation of the sleeve 732 by a user, a ribbed grip ring 762 is provided along the upper end of the filter sleeve 732. A ribbed grip ring 762 is on the filter holder 730 and projects outward to facilitate gripping by the user. Clip 762 may be used to rotate in a first direction to install a cartridge into holder 730 and also to rotate in an opposite direction to remove a cartridge from filter holder 730. Clip 762 enables a user to remove sealing rib 758 from sealing step 738 even if the engagement is very tight.

Once sealing rib 758 is disengaged from sealing step 738, the tilting torque force exerted by protuberance 760 sliding in tilting slot 744 is no longer required. At this point, the tabs 760 are in the axial portion 742 of the slot and the cartridge can be easily removed.

Fig. 55 shows the sleeve 732 positioned by the tabs 760 at the entry 748 of the locking slot 740. With the arrangement shown, sleeve 732 is pressed axially along delivery tube 734 by a user such that cylindrical wall 736 of sleeve 732 fits over holder 730. The tabs 760 enter the slots 740 by moving behind the support ring 746 and along the axial portion 742. Upon reaching the inclined portion 744, the protruding member begins to move axially and circumferentially, causing the filter sleeve 732 to twist into place in the holder 730. The user may grip the ribbed grip ring 762 to move the sleeve 732 into place.

Referring to fig. 56, the sleeve 732 is fully seated within the sleeve retainer 730. The tab 760 is located at the end of the inclined portion 744 of the slot 740. This causes the sealing ribs on the sleeve 732 to be pressed into sealing engagement with the sealing step in the holder 730, thereby providing a water-tight seal between the cartridge and the holder. The gasket 750 provides a water tight seal with the interior of the bottle. The filtered beverage chamber of the bottle is thus sealed from the unfiltered beverage chamber.

As can be readily seen from fig. 56, the clip 762 extends out of the sleeve holder 730 when a user can easily grip the clip 762 to remove a sleeve. The filter cartridge can be easily removed so that a new cartridge can be inserted.

Turning to fig. 57, the tab 760 is shown in a fully seated position within the closed end of the locking slot 740. In some embodiments, the slot 740 is configured to provide free movement of the tab 760 along the slot 740. In an alternative embodiment shown in this figure, the slot 740 is narrowed by a tab 764 that extends into the slot 740. The nubs 764 constrain the slots 740 sufficiently to provide resistance to the passage of the tabs 760 along the slots and to allow the tabs to move along the slots 740 when subjected to a force. The projection 760 is held in the full seating position by the tab 764, although only a small twisting force by the user is required to move the projection 760 from the full seating position and past the tab 764. In certain embodiments, the tabs 764 are not present. The path of the tab 760 within the slot 740 in an axial direction and then along the inclined road is indicated by the arrow.

The side view of the sleeve 732 shows two tabs 760 provided in the illustrated embodiment. It is envisaged that one projecting member may be provided, or more than two projecting members may be provided. The projection 760 is shown as a circular projection, although other shapes are possible. The groove for receiving the protrusion is shown as a through hole in the holder, but the groove may alternatively be formed as a channel near the exterior of the holder. The slots are shown as having an axial and sloped portion, but the slots may have only a sloped portion, only an axial portion, or may be other shapes. Sealing ribs 758 are shown on the cartridge, but the sealing ribs could alternatively be provided within the cartridge retainer while providing a step or other sealing surface on the cartridge. Other sealing arrangements between the sleeve and the sleeve are also possible and within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 59 shows a filter holder 730 and a sleeve 732 in a section along line C-C of fig. 56. The sleeve 732 fits over the delivery tube 734 and within the filter holder 730, with the tabs 760 extending through the slots 740 in the holder 730. The clamp ring 762 extends from the filter holder 730 to a position that allows a user to clamp and rotate the clamp ring 762 to remove or replace the filter sleeve 732. The filter sleeve 732 has an opening in the top filter cap 766 into which beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment flows, the filter sleeve 732 having an interior space 768 with filter media and/or other materials disposed therein and a bottom filter cap 770, the bottom filter cap 770 including an opening through which filtered beverage flows into the filtered beverage chamber of the bottle and retains the filter media in the interior space 768. The filter holder 730 has a bottom 772, the bottom 772 supporting the filter sleeve 732 and being provided with fluid flow openings for the filtered beverage.

The delivery tube 734 has a flared lower end 774, the flared lower end 774 being open within the filtered beverage chamber and allowing a quantity of filtered beverage to enter the delivery tube for consumption by a user. The flared lower end 774 is stepped, although a gradually increasing diameter or other shape is also possible. The gasket 750 is attached to a raised rib provided in a smaller diameter portion at the lower end of the filter holder 730. The gasket 750 includes a plurality of thin ribs extending outwardly at its outer surface for contacting the inner wall of the bottle in which the filter holder is placed.

Fig. 60a and 60b are enlarged views of sealing ribs 758 on filter sleeve 732, where sealing ribs 758 are pressed against sealing step 738 of filter sleeve retainer 730. When the filter sleeve 732 is inserted into the sleeve holder 730, the sealing ribs 758 may make little or no contact with the interior of the holder 730 until the ribs 758 reach the step 738. At the step 738, the rib 758 (also known as a fin) deforms as it presses against the step 738 to form a liquid tight seal. The force of the deformed ribs or wings 758 on the step 738 may be sufficient for a user to apply a relatively high level of force to remove the sleeve 732 from the holder 730, but not to help the angled slots rotationally and axially move the barrel under the application of a rotational force. This is particularly true when the sealing area is wet and the surface tension of the beverage is added to the static friction that resists or inhibits initial movement of the surfaces relative to each other.

During insertion of the sleeve 732 into the holder 730, the ribs or wings 758 extend axially from the surface of the barrel until the step 738 is reached. A ramp 776 is provided as a transition between the inner wall 736 of the holder 730 and the step 738. When the rib flexes onto the step 738, the ramp 776 bends the rib or fin 758 without damage. Of course, several ribs or fins may be provided to seal the space between the cartridge and the holder. The ribs or fins may extend from either the cartridge or the holder or from both the cartridge and the holder.

The filtration or treatment systems disclosed herein can remove most or all contaminants from beverages, including chemical contaminants, bacteria, protozoa, cysts, particulates, and other water contaminants including possible viruses. However, some viruses may remain in the filtered beverage because of their small size. For example, another embodiment of a filtration or treatment system is shown in fig. 61, which includes another means for eliminating active viruses in the filtered beverage. In the filtration or processing system of this embodiment, the vial 780 includes a threaded opening 782 in the interior space defining the unfiltered beverage chamber 784. The threaded opening is an internally threaded opening. The vial 780 has disposed therein a filter holder and filter sleeve, which may be of any of the types shown herein and disposed at the end of the delivery tube 786 visible in FIG. 61.

The lid 788 has an internally threaded portion 790 that fits within the threads 782 of the vial 780. The cover 792 is releasable from the closed position by operation of the release button 794. Below the cover 792 there is provided a drinking spout or other dispensing opening for drinking or dispensing the filtered or processed beverage which flows through the delivery tube 786 to the spout.

The opposite end of the bottle 780 has an internally threaded opening 796. The UV (ultraviolet) light beverage processing feature includes a UV sanitizer unit 798, the UV sanitizer unit 798 configured to be secured to the opening 796. The UV sterilizer unit 798 includes an externally threaded portion 800 configured to engage with the opening 796, a UV emitting portion 802 disposed to emit UV light into the interior of the bottle body, and a power switch 804 operable to activate or deactivate the UV light. The vial 780 preferably has an internal filtered beverage chamber that does not have fluid access to the opening 796, but the vial 780 includes a UV transmitting portion that allows UV light generated by the UV disinfector unit 798 to reach the filtered beverage chamber within the vial 780. The UV sterilizer unit 798 may be detachable from the vial to allow for maintenance such as battery replacement, although it is within the scope of the present invention that the UV sterilizer unit may not be detachable from the vial.

Fig. 62 illustrates one embodiment of a UV sterilizer unit 798. The externally threaded portion 800 extends around the top of the unit 798 on a stepped portion of decreasing diameter that fits into an internally threaded opening in the bottle body. The outer cylindrical surface 806 has substantially the same diameter as the vial, such that when attached thereto, the UV disinfector unit 798 forms an outer surface that is continuous with the vial. In this view, the UV transmitting portion 802 has been removed from the UV disinfector unit 798 to expose the UV light emitting bulbs 808. The UV light bulb 808 is mounted in a clip 810, the clip 810 providing support and power to the UV light bulb 808. Below the UV light bulb 808 is a housing for enclosing a power source and control circuitry for the UV light bulb. The power switch for activating the UV light bulb 808 is on the other side of the unit 798, outside of this figure. Other switch arrangements are also possible. Other configurations of the UV light emitting arrangement are possible and fall within the scope of the invention.

In fig. 63, the UV light sterilizer unit 798 is adhered to the internally threaded opening of the vial 780. The UV light emitting bulbs 808 operate to transmit UV light through the UV transmitting portion 802 of the UV filter unit 798 and through the UV transmitting portion 812 of the bottle 780. The power and control portion 814 is provided in the UV disinfector unit 798 and preferably includes a battery and UV light control circuitry. The power switch 804 is accessible on one side of the sterilizer unit 798. After the user activates the UV light sterilizer unit 789, UV light emitted by the UV light bulbs 808 is transmitted to any beverage within the filtered beverage chamber 816, for example, by operating the power switch 804. Beverage in filtered beverage chamber 816 may pass from unfiltered beverage chamber 784 through the filter media of filter 818. Likewise, any particulates and any chemical and biological contaminants may have been removed. Viruses and other small contaminants that may pass through the filter may be killed by the UV light, further disinfecting the beverage. Thus, water or other beverages may be obtained for drinking or with an additional level of safety, without relying on chemical or complex high pressure boiler mechanisms. The user may drink the beverage through a mouthpiece of the filtration or treatment system, or may dispense the beverage for cooking, washing, or the like. The mouthpiece, the cover release, the valve and cap seals, the carrying ring, the internal filter holder support, and other configurations of the cap and vial are sufficiently similar to those shown in the embodiments described in detail herein that one of ordinary skill in the art understands their structure and operation, and no further explanation is provided herein.

An alternative embodiment is shown in fig. 64, in which the filter sleeve 820 has a ribbed grip portion 822 adjacent to a locking button 824. The locking buttons 824 are inwardly deformable by pressing on the clamping portions 822. A flange 826 is provided around the top end of the filter sleeve 820 and sealing ribs or fins 828 extend from the cylindrical wall of the filter sleeve 820.

In fig. 65, the filter sleeve 820 is shown in a side view. Two ribbed gripping portions 822 are provided on either side of the filter sleeve 820. Two locking buttons 824 are provided, each adjacent to a gripping portion 822. An alignment notch 830 is formed in the cartridge 820 at the opposite lower end of the flange 826.

Fig. 66 shows the filter sleeve 820 with the bottom filter cover 832 removed. The bottom filter cover 832 is secured in place to enclose the media chamber 834 of the filter cartridge. The filter cover 832 is preferably permanently attached to the barrel 821 of the filter sleeve 820. Alignment notches 830 are provided in thicker wall portion 836 on opposite sides of filter sleeve body 821. The filter cover 832 also has a notch 838 that aligns with the notch 830 when the filter cover 832 is adhered to the barrel 821. As with other embodiments, the illustrated filter sleeve 820 has a central opening 840 for receiving the delivery tube of the filter holder, sealing ribs or fins 842 within the opening 840, and fluid flow openings 844 in the cylinder 821 and fluid flow openings 846 in the filter cover 832.

In fig. 67, the filter sleeve 820 is shown installed in a filter holder 848, the filter holder 848 having a recess 850 for receiving the clamp portion 822 and an opening 852 for receiving the lock button 824. When the lock button 824 reaches the opening 852, the filter sleeve 820 snaps into place when inserted into the filter retainer 848. The filter sleeve 820 is removed by clamping and pressing inwardly on the ribbed clamping portion 822 while simultaneously pulling the filter sleeve 820 out of the filter retainer 848 such that the lock buttons 824 are released from the openings 852. After the filter sleeve 820 is released from the filter holder 848, it may slide out of the delivery tube 854 and a new filter sleeve may be inserted into place in the removed cartridge.

Fig. 68 shows the protrusion 856 located on a lower portion of the inner wall of the filter holder 848. The protrusion 856 fits into the notch 830 in the filter sleeve 820. The filter retainer 848 extends around the perimeter of the filter sleeve 820 to the flange 826 of the filter sleeve 820, except where a recess 850 is provided to accept the ribbed gripping portion 822.

Fig. 69 shows the lock button 824 extending into a position in the opening 852 in the filter holder 848. Ribbed gripping portion 822 is disposed in recess 850. The locking buttons 824 have rounded corners at the free ends that allow the locking buttons to press inward and deform the walls of the filter sleeve 820 slightly as the filter sleeve 820 is pulled out of the holder filter 848. Inward deformation of the filter sleeve wall (possibly in combination with outward deformation of the filter holder wall and inward pressure on the clamping portion 822 by the user) causes the filter sleeve 820 to release from the filter holder 848. The rounded corners of the lock button 824 also facilitate insertion of the filter sleeve 820 into the locked and fully inserted position in the filter holder 848.

In fig. 70, the projections 856 on the inner wall of the filter holder 848 extend into the notches 830 on the filter sleeve 820 when the filter sleeve is aligned in a predetermined position and fully inserted. A filter sleeve that is not aligned with a predetermined position or lacks a notch to receive a protrusion cannot be fully inserted into the retainer 848 in a fully seated and sealed state. The gripping portion 822 and locking button 824 of the illustrated embodiment are disposed about one-quarter of the way around the cylindrical filter sleeve from the notch 830 and the protrusion 856. Other arrangements of the tabs, locking buttons and/or gripping portions are possible and within the scope of the invention. For example, more or fewer recesses and/or protrusions may be provided, and more or fewer locking buttons may be provided by other shapes and locations of recesses and protrusions. One or more of these elements may be omitted. These and other alignment and engagement features are configured to ensure proper alignment and placement of the sleeve in the holder, and to ensure that the proper size and configuration of the filter sleeve is provided, thereby ensuring a fluid-tight seal between the filter holder and the filter sleeve. In the absence of a liquid-tight seal, unfiltered and possibly contaminated beverage may bypass the filter and reach the filtered beverage chamber.

Turning to fig. 71, the UV light sterilizer unit 860 is configured to be secured to the bottom of the bottle using locking lug connectors 862. In place of the threaded connectors of the other embodiments described herein, locking lug connectors are provided. The lug connector 862 includes a central cylindrical portion 864 with two flanges 866 extending from the central cylindrical portion 864, the flanges 866 projecting axially outwardly over a peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 864 to define a retention space 868 below the flanges 866. At the end of the flange 866 in the first rotational direction is a stop 870. A retaining boss 872 is provided on the underside of each flange 866. A lens 874 is disposed in the center of the cylindrical projecting member 864 and light emitted by the UV light source within the UV light sterilizer unit 860 passes through the lens 874.

Fig. 72 shows the UV light sterilizer unit 860 removed from the vials 876. The bottle body 876 has a cooperating lug 878, the cooperating lug 878 extending inwardly from a lower edge of the bottle body 876 below a peripheral portion of the bottle body 876. The space between the lugs 878 receives the flange 866 of the UV light sterilizer unit 860 so that the UV light sterilizer unit fits into the bottom of the bottle 876. By rotating the UV light sterilizer unit 860 relative to the bottle 876, the cooperating lugs 878 of the bottle 876 move into the retention spaces 868 of the UV light sterilizer unit 860. Continued rotation brings the lugs 878 into contact with the retention tabs 872 and against the stops 870. The UV light sterilizer unit 860 is thus secured to the bottom of the vials 876. UV light emitted through the lens 874 is transmitted through the floor 880 of the bottle 876 and into the filtered beverage chamber of the bottle.

Removal of the UV light sterilizer unit 860 from the bottle 876 is accomplished by counter-rotating the UV light sterilizer unit 860 relative to the bottle 876 to remove the lugs 878 out of the retention spaces 868 so that the lugs 878 and the flange 866 move away from each other, thereby releasing the UV light sterilizer unit from the bottle. Other fastening means for attaching the UV light sterilizer unit to the bottle are possible and fall within the scope of this disclosure.

The UV light sterilizer unit 860 rotates to attach to and remove from the vials 876. In certain embodiments, the UV light sterilizer unit has recesses 882 with rotating clamps 884 between the recesses 882, by which the user can clamp the UV light sterilizer unit for enhanced clamping when removing the UV light sterilizer unit during attachment and release. Other shapes of grip enhancing means are also possible.

Fig. 73 illustrates another embodiment of a beverage filtration or treatment system 890. The filtration or treatment system 890 includes a vial 892 having an unfiltered beverage compartment 894 and a filtered beverage compartment 896 separated by a filter holder 898 containing a filter cartridge 900. The delivery tube 902 extends from the filtered beverage compartment 896 to a mouthpiece 904 in the lid 906. The cover 908 includes a nozzle stop 910, the nozzle stop 910 abutting an open end of the nozzle 904 to prevent or reduce leakage of the beverage. When the lid cover 908 is open, unfiltered beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment 894 passes through the filter cartridge 900 relatively quickly, and air in the filtered beverage compartment is removed by the incoming beverage passing through the delivery tube 902 and out of the bottle 890. The unfiltered beverage in unfiltered beverage compartment 894 is replaced by air passing through vent valve 912 in lid 906.

In an embodiment such as that shown in fig. 47 and numbered with reference to fig. 73, when the lid cover 908 is in a closed position and thereby seals the beverage compartment as a hermetic seal such that the exterior space cannot enter or exit the beverage compartment, filtration of the beverage through the filter can result in a pressure differential between the beverage compartments. The pressure differential may be caused by air in the filtered beverage compartment 896 moving slowly or by beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment 894 not passing through the filter sleeve 900 in the opposite direction as it passes through the filter in the filtering direction. The pressure differential can cause the beverage to filter at a slow rate. To increase the beverage filtration rate, an air recirculation component 914, also referred to as a bypass tube, is connectively provided between the mouthpiece 904 and the vent valve 912. An air recirculation component 914 is connected to a first air recirculation port 916 on the suction nozzle 904 and a second air recirculation port 918 on the lid 906 above the vent valve 912. The air recirculation component 914 provides an air recirculation path for air to flow from the filtered beverage compartment 896, through the delivery tube 902 and through the suction nozzle 904 to the vent valve 912 and into the unfiltered beverage compartment 894. The air flow or recirculation through the air recirculation component 914 releases a potential air pressure differential between the unfiltered or filtered beverage compartments so that the beverage can flow through the filter sleeve 900 at a faster rate when the lid cover 908 is closed. The filtration rate for embodiments having air recirculation passages may be equal to the filtration rate that would occur if the cover 908 were open. The vent valve 912 prevents or reduces the reverse flow of air or beverage from the unfiltered beverage compartment 894 to the filtered beverage compartment 896.

However, the air recirculation channel shown is an embodiment of the air recirculation channel which allows a higher filtration rate of the beverage with the cover closed. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention encompasses other embodiments of the air bypass or recirculation path and/or the pressure relief device. The use of an air recirculation channel facilitates rapid filtration of the beverage even when the lid is closed and without increasing the risk of leakage or spillage of the beverage.

FIG. 73 also shows a duct gasket 901 disposed above the duct 902 and around a portion of the top end of the duct 902. Duct gasket 901 is configured to provide a seal between the top end of duct 902 and the cap's sleeve 903 when duct 902 is disposed within sleeve 903. In some embodiments, the seal can be a fluid-tight seal such that fluid in the unfiltered beverage container does not leak out of the spout 904 when the lid 906 is in place. The delivery tube gasket 901 may be configured to remain on the top end of the delivery tube 902 when the cap 906 is removed from the vial 892. Delivery tube gasket 901 may be formed of a soft resilient material to facilitate a fluid-tight seal.

In fig. 74, the cover 908 includes a nozzle block 910 that closes the nozzle 904. When compared to the cover of fig. 45, the cover 908 of fig. 74 lacks the depression 644, instead having a ramp 920, the ramp 920 having a shape to accommodate the air recirculation component or bypass tube 914 when the cover 908 is in the closed position. The lid cover 908 has a carry loop, hinges, latches, and other features similar to embodiments described elsewhere herein, which will not be described in further detail herein.

Fig. 75 shows the cover 906 of fig. 73 with the cover 908 in an open position to expose the mouthpiece 904. The bypass tube 914 is configured to be connected to the suction nozzle 904 and to the lid 906 at a location that avoids a user drinking from the suction nozzle 904.

Referring to FIG. 76, the bypass duct 914 is shown removed from the suction nozzle 904 and the cover 906 to expose the air recirculation ports 916 and 918. The air recirculation ports 916 and 918 may include tubular connections that extend to openings in the air recirculation component 914. The air recirculation component or bypass duct 914 typically remains adhered to the nozzle and lid, but can be removed, for example, for cleaning.

The caps shown herein are preferably used with vials having filtering capabilities such that water or other liquids or beverages are filtered or treated within the vial and the filtered or treated liquid is drunk from the vial or dispensed from the vial through a mouthpiece. However, the cap and its various features and components may be used with vials or other containers that need not include a filter or treatment element. Similarly, the features, configurations, compositions, aspects and disclosures of caps, bottles, filter holders, seals, gaskets, or other elements disclosed herein may be provided with or in the alternative to other such features, configurations, compositions, aspects and functionalities disclosed herein and generally provided on bottles, caps, containers, and the like.

Thus, a beverage filtration or treatment system is shown and described that allows a user to quickly and easily add an unfiltered or untreated beverage after at least some of the beverage passes through a filter element or treatment element, and the user can drink the filtered or treated beverage from the bottle. The user does not need to attempt to suck the beverage through the filter element while drinking, and the filtered beverage pours out free of the restriction of the filter. The filtered or processed beverage may be consumed directly from a mouthpiece or other opening, or may be passed into a glass, cup or other appliance. The beverage filter assembly can be easily changed by the user. The central location of the drinking tube avoids the user having to position the bottle in a certain manner in order to drink the filtered beverage. The same motion of drinking is applied to the bottle regardless of the rotational orientation of the bottle.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a gravity-fed beverage filtration or treatment system that positions a column of beverages above a beverage filter or treatment element within a bottle and allows a user to drink from a filtered or treated beverage compartment below the filter or treatment element. The centrally disposed duct of the illustrated embodiment is merely the means by which filtered or treated beverage is available from the filtered or treated beverage compartment. Other means for obtaining beverage from a filtered or treated beverage compartment are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Although other modifications and variations may be taught by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to encompass within their scope all such variations and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.

Claims (55)

1. A beverage bottle system comprising:

a body defining a beverage compartment within the body and body orifice;

a filter disposed in the beverage compartment of the bottle, thereby separating the beverage compartment into a filtered beverage compartment and an unfiltered beverage compartment;

a duct extending from the filtered beverage compartment to the vial port, the duct passing through the unfiltered beverage compartment and not being in fluid communication with the unfiltered beverage compartment; and

a cap securable to the bottle so as to cover the mouth of the bottle, the cap including a drink opening defined by a drink rim, the drink opening being in fluid communication with the filtered beverage compartment through the delivery tube such that filtered beverage from the filtered beverage compartment can flow from the filtered beverage compartment and out of the drink opening through the delivery tube when the cap is secured to the bottle,

wherein the delivery tube has a first end disposed within the bottle body and a second end configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle body, and the beverage bottle system further comprises:

a filter retaining device affixed to the first end of the delivery tube, the filter retaining device configured to position the filter in the vial such that the filter and the filter retaining device separate the beverage compartment of the vial into the filtered beverage compartment and the unfiltered beverage compartment.

2. The carafe system according to claim 1, wherein the filter retainer is attached to and surrounds a first end of the delivery tube, and wherein the filter defines an opening through which the delivery tube extends when the filter is installed in the filter retainer.

3. The carafe system of claim 2, wherein the filter comprises a monolithic filter material defining a central opening through which the delivery tube extends when the filter is installed in the filter holder.

4. The beverage bottle system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a filter cartridge removably disposed in the filter holder, the filter cartridge including a filter media configured to filter the beverage as it passes through the filter media from the unfiltered beverage compartment to the filtered beverage compartment.

5. The beverage bottle system according to claim 4, wherein the filter cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a filter cover securable to the cartridge body to enclose a filter media in a filtering space within the cartridge body.

6. The beverage bottle system according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge body comprises a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall disposed coaxially with the cylindrical inner wall, the cartridge body comprises a first perforated wall extending between the cylindrical inner wall and the cylindrical outer wall, and the filter cover comprises a second perforated wall.

7. The beverage bottle system according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge body comprises:

a first lip extending between the outer cylindrical wall and the filter retaining device, an

A second lip extending between the cylindrical inner wall and the delivery tube.

8. The carafe system of claim 6, wherein the duct includes a step configured to receive a cylindrical inner wall of the cartridge and the filter housing includes a step configured to receive a cylindrical outer wall of the cartridge.

9. The beverage bottle system according to claim 4, wherein the filter cartridge includes an outer wall, and wherein the filter retainer defines a recess in the filter retainer that exposes a portion of the outer wall of the filter cartridge, the exposed portion of the outer wall of the filter cartridge including a grip portion of the filter cartridge configured to be gripped by a user during removal of the filter cartridge from the filter retainer.

10. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the filter retaining device comprises an annular outer wall and a plurality of ribs connecting the annular outer wall to the delivery tube.

11. The beverage bottle system according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a curved lower edge of the ribs to define a drip area at a lower end of the filter holder.

12. The beverage bottle system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a locking device operable between the filter retaining device and the filter cartridge to selectively secure the filter cartridge into the filter retaining device.

13. A beverage bottle system according to claim 12, wherein the locking device is configured to be operated at least partly by a rotational movement between the filter retaining device and the filter cartridge.

14. A beverage bottle system according to claim 13, wherein the locking means comprises a protrusion extending from the filter cartridge and an inclined channel in the filter retaining means for engaging with the protrusion extending from the filter cartridge.

15. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the bottle body comprises a removable bottle body assembly defining an interior space comprising the filtered beverage compartment.

16. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a support element located within the beverage compartment of the bottle, the support element configured to receive a filter holder to support the filter holder in a predetermined position in the bottle.

17. The beverage bottle system according to claim 16, wherein the support element comprises at least one support projection extending inwardly from a wall of the body to define a surface against which the filter retaining device is disposed.

18. A beverage bottle system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one support projection comprises a fin extending from a bottom of the filtered beverage compartment.

19. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery tube has a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed within the bottle body and the second end being configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cover is secured to the bottle body, and further comprising:

a sleeve connected in fluid communication with the drink opening, the sleeve configured to receive the second end of the delivery tube when the cap is secured to the bottle body.

20. The beverage bottle system according to claim 19, further comprising:

a gasket disposed within the sleeve, the sleeve configured for sealing engagement with the second end of the delivery tube.

21. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vent valve disposed at a vent opening in the lid, the vent valve configured to allow air to flow into the beverage compartment of the bottle but prevent liquid from exiting the beverage compartment via the vent valve.

22. The beverage bottle system of claim 21, wherein the vent valve is an umbrella valve comprising a center stem connected in the vent opening to define an air flow opening between the center stem and the lid, the umbrella valve comprising an umbrella membrane extending from the center stem and in contact with the lid, the umbrella membrane configured to flex to allow air to flow into the beverage compartment of the bottle body but maintain a seal to prevent liquid from flowing out of the beverage compartment of the bottle body via the vent opening.

23. The beverage bottle system according to claim 21, wherein the vent valve comprises at least one leaf member in sealing contact with a sealing surface to inhibit liquid from flowing out of the beverage compartment of the bottle via the vent opening, the at least one leaf member configured to flex and move out of sealing contact to provide an air inlet to the beverage compartment of the bottle when the air pressure within the bottle falls below the external air pressure.

24. A beverage bottle system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one leaf member comprises a first leaf element and a second leaf element, the first leaf element and the second leaf element being in sealing contact with each other at the sealing surface, the first leaf element and the second leaf element being configured to flex and move out of sealing contact with each other to provide an air inlet for the beverage compartment of the bottle body when the air pressure within the beverage compartment falls below the external air pressure.

25. The beverage bottle system according to claim 23, further comprising:

a retaining ring retaining the at least one leaf member in the cap.

26. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a lid cover pivotally attached to the lid; and

a latch engageable between the lid and the lid cover to secure the lid cover in a closed position on the lid, the latch selectively operable to release the lid cover from the closed position.

27. The beverage bottle system according to claim 26, further comprising:

a spout blocking device disposed within the lid cover and configured to seal the drinking opening when the lid cover is secured in the closed position.

28. The beverage bottle system according to claim 26, further comprising:

an O-ring spring connected between the cover and the cover to maintain the cover in a fully open position after moving the cover to an open position.

29. The beverage bottle system according to claim 28, further comprising:

a hinge connecting the lid cover to the lid, the O-ring spring wrapping at least partially around the hinge when the lid cover is in the closed position.

30. The beverage bottle system according to claim 26, wherein the lid defines a vent opening to the beverage compartment, and further comprising:

a recess in the lid cover, the recess having a recess floor; and

a vent seal disposed at the recess floor and configured to make sealing contact with the vent opening when the lid cover is in the closed position.

31. The beverage bottle system according to claim 26, further comprising:

a hinge connecting the lid to the lid cover;

a carrier band connected to the hinge, the carrier band including a pivot connection in pivoting contact with the lid and the lid cover, the pivot connection defining an axially extending central opening of the hinge; and

a hinge pin disposed in the central opening.

32. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the bottle body comprises a cylindrical body portion having a support surface and a bottle mouth on opposite ends of the cylindrical body portion, the unfiltered beverage compartment disposed above the filtered beverage compartment when the bottle body is upright and the support surface rests on a substantially horizontal surface, wherein the filter is configured to allow beverage within the unfiltered beverage compartment to flow by gravity through the filter and into the filtered beverage compartment when the bottle body is upright.

33. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a gasket mounted on the filter retainer and disposed in sealing engagement with the interior surface of the bottle to form a fluid-tight seal between the unfiltered beverage compartment and the filtered beverage compartment.

34. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery tube comprises at least one vent tube extending along a length of the delivery tube and configured to form an air passage.

35. The beverage bottle system according to claim 27, further comprising:

a gasket sealingly engaged between the delivery tube and the lid and configured to prevent contact between the unfiltered beverage within the unfiltered beverage compartment and the filtered beverage passing through the delivery tube and into the mouthpiece.

36. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the bottle body is a vacuum-insulated bottle body having a double-walled structure.

37. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, wherein the bottle body is cylindrical and the delivery tube is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bottle body.

38. The beverage bottle system according to claim 37, wherein the drink opening is offset from an axis of the bottle body.

39. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an ultraviolet light disinfection unit configured to be attached to the bottle and operable to emit ultraviolet light into the filtered beverage compartment of the bottle.

40. The beverage bottle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an air recirculation passage configured to provide an air passage between the filtered beverage compartment and the unfiltered beverage compartment.

41. The beverage bottle system according to claim 40, wherein the lid defines a vent opening to the beverage compartment, and the air recirculation channel is connected in fluid communication with the delivery tube and the vent opening, and further comprising:

a vent valve in fluid communication with the air recirculation passage, the vent valve configured to allow air to flow from the filtered beverage compartment to the unfiltered beverage compartment and to prevent liquid from flowing from the unfiltered beverage compartment to the filtered beverage compartment.

42. A filter for a system having a vial and a filter holder mounted within the vial, the filter holder dividing an interior space of the vial into an unfiltered beverage compartment and a filtered beverage compartment, the system further having a delivery tube having a first end and a second end, the filter holder attached to the first end, the filter comprising:

one of a filter cartridge having an outer wall that is cylindrical and a filter element, the filter cartridge having an outer wall that is cylindrical and the filter element configured to fit into the filter retainer, the one of the filter cartridge and the filter element having an inner wall that is cylindrical and configured to fit around a portion of the delivery tube, the one of the filter element and the filter cartridge including a filter media for filtering beverage flowing through the filter media.

43. The filter according to claim 42 wherein said cylindrical inner wall is coaxial with said cylindrical outer wall.

44. The filter according to claim 42 wherein said filter element comprises a biodegradable material.

45. The filter according to claim 42 wherein one of said filter element and said filter cartridge comprises:

a first perforated wall and a second perforated wall extending between the inner cylindrical wall and the outer cylindrical wall, one of the filter element and the filter cartridge defining an interior filter space in which the filter media is disposed.

46. The filter according to claim 45 wherein said filter cartridge comprises a biodegradable material.

47. A beverage bottle system comprising:

a body defining a beverage compartment and a body mouth, the body including a support surface;

a filter disposed in the beverage compartment of the bottle to separate the beverage compartment into a filtered beverage compartment and an unfiltered beverage compartment disposed above the filtered beverage compartment when the bottle is supported on the support surface, wherein the filter is configured to allow beverage within the unfiltered beverage compartment to flow by gravity through the filter and into the filtered beverage compartment;

a duct extending from the filtered beverage compartment to the vial mouth and configured to provide fluid communication between the filtered beverage compartment and a drink opening, the duct extending from a bottom of the unfiltered beverage compartment to a top of the unfiltered beverage compartment and not being in fluid communication with any beverage within the unfiltered beverage compartment when the vial is supported on the support surface; and

a cap securable to the bottle body, the cap defining the drink opening, the drink opening in fluid communication with the delivery tube such that filtered beverage from the filtered beverage compartment can flow from the filtered beverage compartment through the delivery tube and out the drink opening,

the delivery tube has a first end disposed within the bottle body and a second end configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle body, and the beverage bottle system further comprises:

a filter retaining device affixed to the first end of the delivery tube, the filter retaining device configured to position the filter in the vial such that the filter and the filter retaining device separate the beverage compartment of the vial into the filtered beverage compartment and the unfiltered beverage compartment.

48. The beverage bottle system according to claim 47, wherein the bottle body is cylindrical, the body mouth is at a first end, and the support surface is at a second end.

49. The carafe system of claim 47, wherein the duct extends through a center of the unfiltered beverage compartment.

50. A beverage bottle system comprising:

a body defining a beverage compartment and a body mouth;

a filter retaining device disposed in the beverage compartment of the bottle to separate the beverage compartment into a filtered beverage compartment and an unfiltered beverage compartment;

a filter located in the filter retaining means, one of the filter and the filter retaining means comprising a raised lip portion in contact with the other of the filter and the filter retaining means to form a liquid tight seal between the filter and the filter retaining means;

a delivery tube extending from the filtered beverage compartment to the vial port to provide fluid communication with the filtered beverage compartment, the delivery tube passing through the unfiltered beverage compartment and not being in fluid communication with the unfiltered beverage compartment; and

a cap securable to the bottle body, the cap defining a drink opening in fluid communication with the delivery tube such that filtered beverage from the filtered beverage compartment can flow from the filtered beverage compartment through the delivery tube and out the drink opening,

wherein the delivery tube has a first end disposed within the bottle body and a second end configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle body, the filter retaining device being affixed to the first end of the delivery tube.

51. The beverage bottle system according to claim 50, wherein the filter comprises:

a filter cartridge configured to be held by the filter holding device and defining an inner space; and

a filter medium disposed in the interior space of the filter cartridge.

52. The beverage bottle system according to claim 50, wherein the filter comprises:

a cylindrical outer wall in contact with the filter retaining means, an

A cylindrical inner wall defining an opening through which the delivery tube extends.

53. A beverage bottle system comprising:

a body defining an interior beverage compartment and a body mouth, the body including a support surface;

a beverage treatment element disposed in the beverage compartment of the bottle to separate the beverage compartment into a treated beverage compartment and an untreated beverage compartment disposed above the treated beverage compartment when the bottle is standing with the support surface resting on a horizontal surface, wherein the beverage treatment element is configured to allow a beverage within the untreated beverage compartment to flow by gravity through the beverage treatment element and into the treated beverage compartment;

a delivery tube extending from the treated beverage compartment to the vial port to provide fluid communication with the treated beverage compartment, the delivery tube extending from a bottom of the untreated beverage compartment to a top of the untreated beverage compartment and not being in fluid communication with the untreated beverage compartment; and

a cap securable to the bottle body, the cap defining a drink opening in fluid communication with the delivery tube such that treated beverage from the treated beverage compartment can flow from the treated beverage compartment through the delivery tube and out the drink opening,

wherein the delivery tube has a first end disposed within the bottle body and a second end configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle body, and the beverage bottle system further comprises:

a filter retaining device affixed to the first end of the delivery tube, the filter retaining device configured to position the filter in the vial such that the filter and the filter retaining device separate the beverage compartment of the vial into a filtered beverage compartment and an unfiltered beverage compartment.

54. The beverage bottle system according to claim 53, wherein the beverage processing element is at least one of a beverage filter, a flavoring device, a sweetening device, a vitamin releasing element, a color releasing element, and a particulate releasing element.

55. A method for filtering a beverage comprising:

providing a body defining a beverage compartment within an interior of the body and a mouth of the body;

providing a filter in the beverage compartment of the bottle to separate the beverage compartment into a treated beverage compartment and an untreated beverage compartment;

receiving an unfiltered beverage in the unfiltered beverage compartment;

filtering the unfiltered beverage by gravity through a filter disposed in the beverage compartment to obtain a filtered beverage;

receiving a filtered beverage in a filtered beverage compartment, the filtered beverage compartment sharing a common housing with the unfiltered beverage compartment;

dispensing filtered beverage from the filtered beverage compartment to a drink opening defined on a cap securable to the bottle via a delivery tube extending through the unfiltered beverage compartment, the delivery tube having a first end disposed within the bottle and a second end configured to be in fluid communication with the drink opening when the cap is secured to the bottle,

wherein disposing a filter in the beverage compartment of the bottle comprises:

affixing a filter retaining device to a first end of the delivery tube, the filter retaining device configured to position the filter in the vial such that the filter and the filter retaining device separate a beverage compartment of the vial into the filtered beverage compartment and the unfiltered beverage compartment.