US20150144627A1

US20150144627A1 - Vessel set

Info

Publication number: US20150144627A1
Application number: US14/088,377
Authority: US
Inventors: Madison Smith; Cuong Huy Truong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-23
Filing date: 2013-11-23
Publication date: 2015-05-28

Abstract

A vessel can include a longitudinally extending body that includes a bottom, a top, an opening at the top, an internal cavity accessible via the opening and at least one external recess that includes an arced shape to accommodate an accessory. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to vessels and associated equipment and techniques.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Beverages such as coffee and tea may be consumed via cups. As an example, a vessel may have a volume for holding a beverage. Such a vessel may be used to fill one or more cups. As an example, a kit or vessel set may include a vessel and one or more cups. Various equipment, technologies, techniques, etc., are described herein that pertain to vessels, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the described implementations can be more readily understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 9 illustrate various views of an example of a vessel and examples of associated equipment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a view of an example of a vessel and examples of associated equipment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a view of an example of a vessel set; and

FIGS. 12 to 17 illustrate various views of a vessel set and a vessel that include views of one or more visual ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, an article or articles of manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description includes the best mode presently contemplated for practicing the described implementations. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purpose of describing general principles of the implementations. The scope of the described implementations should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims.
Various subject described herein includes one or more examples of new, original, and ornamental designs (e.g., for an article of manufacture). For example, subject matter described herein includes one or more of: (A) a design for an ornament, impression, print, or picture applied to or embodied in an article of manufacture (surface indicia); (B) a design for the shape or configuration of an article of manufacture; or (C) a combination of the first two categories.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a vessel 100 and examples of optional associated equipment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vessel 100 may include a cap 110. As an example, the vessel 100 may be configured to seat associated equipment. For example, a side of the vessel 100 may be shaped with a recess and a stop at a bottom of the recess where a cup 130 may be seated. As shown, the cup 130 may be configured for nesting one or more additional cups 140. As an example, one or more utensils 150 may be provided, which may fit in a cup. As an example, a cup may include a recess in a wall (e.g., along an inner surface) that may be configured to receive a utensil and to seat the utensil (e.g., in a manner that may help keep the utensil and the cup together during transport, etc.). As an example, where a utensil includes a rectangular portion, a cup may include a recess with a rectangular cross-section that can receive the utensil (e.g., optionally with clearance or via an interference fit). As an example, a utensil may include a head portion that includes a clip or other feature. For example, a utensil may include a head portion with a clip that can clip onto a side of a cup, a container, etc. As an example, an assembly may include utensils and cups or containers configured for nesting. As an example, a vessel may be configured as a carafe. As an example, a vessel set may include a carafe.
As an example, the vessel 100 may provide for interlocking with respect to one or more components. For example, the cup 130 may interlock via an interlocking mechanism, which may be in part provided as a feature of the cup 130 and in part provided as a feature of the vessel 100. For example, a prong may extend from the vessel 100 that can be received by a socket of the cup 130 (e.g., a recess, etc., which may be a 360 degree feature at or near the bottom of the cup 130). Such a mechanism may interlock, as an example, upon rotation of the cup 130 about its longitudinal axis, upon tilting of the cup 130 about its longitudinal axis, etc. (e.g., consider a bayonet mechanism, an interference fit mechanism, a partial thread, a hooking mechanism, etc.) In such a manner, the vessel 100 may be carried along with the cup 130 with the cup 130 being locked to the vessel 100. In such an example, the vessel 100 and the cup 130 may be carried to a table as an assembled unit. In such an example, the cup 130 may then be unlocked and unseated from the vessel 100 and placed on the table. After use, the cup 130 may be manipulated to lock it to the vessel 100 and the vessel 100 and the cup 130 carried as an assembled unit, for example, for servicing (e.g., cleaning, refill, etc.).
As an example, a locking mechanism may include, for example, one or more magnets that magnetically attract a component to the vessel 100. For example, consider one or more magnets embedded in the vessel 100 and consider the cup 130 being made of metal, alloy, etc. or otherwise including a magnetically attractive material. In such an example, upon bringing the cup 130 into close proximity to the vessel 100, the one or more magnets may provide an attractive force with respect to the cup 130 to help hold the cup 130 to the vessel 100. As an example, the vessel 100 may include a recess with a floor upon which the cup 130 may seat, for example, to assist with holding the cup 130 with respect to the vessel 100 such that the vessel 100 and the cup 130 may be transported as an assembled unit.
As an example, the vessel 100 may include a recess 104 and an upwardly directed wall 106 where the recess 104 is defined in part by a surface with an arc-shaped cross-section (e.g., with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vessel 100) and where the upwardly directed wall 106 includes an inwardly facing surface that has an arc-shaped cross-section and, for example, an outwardly facing surface with an arc-shaped cross-section. For example, the outwardly facing surface may be defined in part by an arc that has a radius approximately equal to a radius of the vessel 100 at a corresponding axial position along the longitudinal axis of the vessel 100 and the inwardly facing surface may be defined in part by an arc that has a smaller radius, for example, such as a radius associated with a component such as the cup 130.
As an example, the cup 130 may include a recess defined at least in part by a circular wall with an inwardly facing surface with a circular cross-section (e.g., defined by a radius or radii) such that the upwardly directed wall 106 of the vessel 100 is configured to be received by the recess of the cup 130 to seat the cup 130 with respect to the recess 104 of the vessel 100. In such an example, the recess 104 of the vessel 100 may be contoured in a manner that follows an outer contour of the cup 130. In such an example, the cup 130 may have an increasing radius (e.g., diameter) with respect to its longitudinal axis (e.g., from bottom to top) while the surface that defines the recess 104 of the vessel 100 may have a decreasing arc length (e.g., angular span) with respect to the longitudinal axis (e.g., from bottom to top) of the vessel 100 yet be defined by increasing radii (e.g., approximately equal to increasing radii of the cup 130).
As an example, where the cup 130 is seated in the recess 104 of the vessel 100, a radial clearance may exist between an outer surface of the cup 130 and the surface of the vessel 100 that defines the recess 104. In such an example, the cup 130 may seat securely in the recess 104 of the vessel 100 such that knocking, rattling, etc. does not occur between the cup 130 and the vessel 100 (e.g., during transport).
As an example, the cup 130 may be seated in the recess 104 of the vessel 100 such that an outer surface of the cup 130 and the surface that defines the recess 104 contact (e.g., form an interface). In such an example, contact between the cup 130 and the vessel 100 may help to avoid knocking, rattling, etc. between the cup 130 and the vessel 100 (e.g., during transport).
As an example, a locking mechanism may be a mechanical locking mechanism, a magnetic locking mechanism or a mechanical and magnetic locking mechanism. As an example, a magnetic locking mechanism may include contact or may include a small gap (e.g., a clearance). For example, where a magnetic locking mechanism is accompanied by a mechanical seating mechanism, a clearance may exist between a component and the vessel 100 at or proximate to one or more magnets. For example, where the cup 130 is metal (e.g., magnetically attractive metal) and where the vessel 100 includes one or more magnets disposed at or near the surface that defines the recess 104, upon locking of the cup 130 to the vessel 100, a clearance may exist at an axial position or positions of the one or more magnets and an outer surface of the cup 130.
As an example, the vessel 100 may include a recess such as the recess 104 on an opposing side of the vessel 100. As an example, a vessel may include a single recess, two recesses or more than two recesses. In such an example, each of the recesses may be configured to seat one or more components and optionally lock one or more components.
As an example, one or more containers may be provided that may be assembled with respect to the vessel 100, optionally via interactions with one or more other components, etc. For example, consider the container 160 as including a nesting container 170. As an example, a lid 180 may be provided to cover the nesting container 170 and, for example, the container 160. As an example, the container 160 may contain a fluid such as milk and the nesting container 170 may contain a substance such as sugar (e.g., or other sweetener). As an example, the vessel 100 and associated equipment shown in FIG. 1 may form a vessel set or kit (e.g., an assembled unit). Such a set may be suitable for service of a beverage such as, for example, coffee, tea, etc.
As shown in FIG. 1, the container 160 includes features 162 and the container 170 includes features 172 that may cooperate with the features 162 of the container 160. For example, the features 162 and 172 may provide for swiveling of the container 170 with respect to the container 160. For example, the features 162 may be journals and the features 172 may be shafts that may be seated in the journals 162 where gravity causes the container 170 to maintain a relatively level orientation where the container 160 may be tilted (e.g., to pour contents from the container 160). In such an example, a pourable substance may be poured from the container 160, for example, without removing the container 170. In such an example, a clearance or clearances exist between the container 170 and the container 160 and upon tilting of the container 160, the container 170 may pivot and remain relatively level while the pourable substance pours from the container 160 via the one or more clearances. As an example, the lid 180 may be configured to seat onto the container 160, for example, to seal the container 160, whether the container 170 is seated therein or not. For example, the lid 180 may cover the features 162 of the container 160 (e.g., to cover ends of the journals 162 to avoid spilling, leakage, etc. of a substance from the container 160.
As an example, components and features thereof illustrated in FIG. 1 may be described with respect to a coordinate system or coordinate systems (e.g., consider a r, z, Θ coordinate system or coordinate systems). For example, the vessel 100 may be described with respect to a cylindrical coordinate system with a z-axis running centrally and longitudinally with respect to the vessel 100 and with an r-axis extending outwardly therefrom. In such an example, azimuthal angles may be used to describe features. For example, consider a recess centered at about 0 degrees and another recess centered at about 180 degrees. As an example, consider a vessel with one recess or a vessel with three recesses (e.g., at 0 degrees, 120 degrees, 240 degrees).
As an example, a vessel may include a longitudinal axis, a cup may include a longitudinal axis and a container may include a longitudinal axis. In such an example, a vessel set may be assembled such that the longitudinal axes are substantially aligned in parallel to each other.
As an example, a vessel can include a longitudinally extending body that includes a bottom, a top, an opening at the top, an internal cavity accessible via the opening and at least one external recess that includes an arced shape to accommodate an accessory. For example, the vessel 100 includes a longitudinally extending body that includes a bottom 101, a top 102 and an opening 103 at the top 102, an internal cavity 105 accessible via the opening 103 and at least one external recess 104 that includes an arced shape to accommodate an accessory (see, e.g., the cup 130, the container 160, etc.).
In such an example, the shape of the opening 103 at the top 102 of the vessel 100 may include one or more arc portions. As an example, the opening 103 may include side portions that are shaped by a recess or recesses of the vessel 100. As an example, the opening 103 may be disposed at an angle with respect to the bottom 101 of the vessel 100. For example, the bottom 101 may be flat and in a r,Θ-plane while the opening 103 may be defined by the top 102 being disposed at an angle to the r,Θ-plane (e.g., with a maximum height on one side and a minimum height on an opposing side). As an example, the lid 110 may include a portion configured for receipt by the opening 103, for example, where the shape of the portion matches the shape of the opening 103. As an example, a lid may include a recess or other feature that may form a passage with respect to a vessel, for example, to allow for pouring a pourable substance from the vessel via the passage. As an example, a lid may include a sealable passage, for example, optionally actuatable between open and closed states.
As an example, a vessel can include a circular cross-section. As an example, an accessory may be a cup. As an example, an accessory may be a container.
As an example, a vessel may include two external recesses where one of the recesses includes an arced shape to accommodate a cup and where the other of the recesses includes an arced shape to accommodate a container.
As an example, a vessel may include at least one magnet disposed in its body, for example, adjacent to at least one of at least one external recess. In such an example, an accessory may include a material attracted to the at least one magnet.
As an example, a seating and/or locking mechanism may include a mechanical mechanism, for example, that acts to couple an accessory to a vessel. Such a mechanism may, for example, include features for an interference fit, for interlocking, etc. (e.g., consider a hook, a bayonet, threads, etc.).
As an example, a vessel may include at least one recess that includes a stop. For example, consider a floor as a stop, which may provide a seat or a portion of a seat for seating an accessory. As an example, a stop may include an upwardly directed ridge (see, e.g., the wall 106) and interlocking mechanism or geometry.
As an example, a vessel may include a cap (e.g., a lid), which may be removable. As an example, an assembly may include a brewing accessory where the cap is configured to carry the brewing accessory.
As an example, a vessel set can include an accessory; and a vessel that includes a longitudinally extending body that includes a bottom, a top, an opening at the top, an internal cavity accessible via the opening and at least one external recess that includes an arced shape to accommodate the accessory. In such an example, the accessory may be a cup, a container or other component. As an example, a vessel set may include two accessories and two external recesses.
As an example, consider a method for using a vessel for brewing coffee and a vessel set for drinking brewed coffee. Such a method may include:
1. When using a vessel set for coffee drinking and brewing one may remove a lid of a vessel.
2. Then, one may fill a coffee brewing accessory with an amount of coffee grounds (see, e.g., the attachment 1013 of FIG. 10, which may be modified, as appropriate, to carry coffee beans such as ground coffee beans).
3. After that, one may pour boiling water into the vessel to a desired level for brewing.
4. Next, one may attach the coffee brewing accessory, for example, to a portion (e.g., a base) of the lid
5. One may then fit the lid to the vessel to dispose the coffee grounds in the water.
6. One may wait until coffee has steeped for desired amount of time, and then remove brewing accessory if desired.
7. Then, one may remove a cream and sugar container or containers and may remove a lid to the cream and sugar container or containers.
8. Next, sugar may be removed from nesting within the cream container.
9. Now, one may fill cream to the fill line located within the cream vessel and sugar to desired level.
10. After that, the sugar container may be reassembled into the cream container, for example, by using an alignment touch point and the lid may be closed.
11. Now, one may place the cream and sugar container(s) back on the vessel using a designated tab and alignment inset.
12. Then one may place an appropriate number of cups, optionally including one or more nested spoons onto another tab and alignment side on the vessel, for example, by nesting them one on top of the other.
13. Next, the user may transport the vessel set by holding a neck of vessel (e.g., to bring the vessel set to a desired destination).
14. One may then remove the one or more cups and the cream and sugar container(s) from the vessel and position them accordingly.
15. Then one may pour himself coffee from the vessel, for example, via spout mechanism in the lid or formed by the lid and the vessel, etc., for example, optionally without removing lid (e.g., optionally manipulating the lid, for example, via a turn, a button, etc.).
16. Next one may pour desired amount of cream into one or more of the one or more cups, for example, after removing a cream and sugar container(s) lid (e.g., optionally without removing a sugar container that may seat with respect to a cream container).
17. One may remove a nested spoon from a cream and sugar container(s) lid and add a desired amount of sugar to coffee and then return the spoon to its proper place.
18. One may then remove a cup spoon, for example, from a nested position within a cup to stir coffee then reposition the spoon and then may drink and refill as desired.
19. After one has completed drinking the desired amount of coffee, one may return the lid to the cream and sugar container(s) and return the container(s) to one side of the vessel (e.g., to seat within a recess of the vessel).
20. Then one may stack cups back together, if multiple cups are used, and then position the cups to another side of the vessel (e.g., to seat within a recess of the vessel).
21. Lastly one may transport the vessel set back to a desired cleaning station, for example, by carrying the vessel by the neck.
As an example, consider a method for using a vessel for brewing tea and a vessel set for drinking the tea. Such an method may include:
1. When using a vessel set for tea drinking and brewing one may remove a lid of a vessel.
2. Then, one may fill a brewing attachment with an amount of tea leaves.
3. After that, one may pour boiling water into the vessel to a desired level to submerge the brewing accessory.
4. Next, one may attach the brewing accessory to a base of the lid.
5. Then one may fit the lid to the vessel to thereby position the tea leaves within the water.
6. One may wait until the tea leaves have steeped for a desired amount of time, and then remove brewing accessory if desired.
7. Then, one may remove cream and sugar from the vessel set.
8. As an example, sugar may be removed from nesting within the cream container.
9. Now, one may fill cream to a fill line located within the cream container and sugar to desired level in the sugar container.
10. After that, the sugar container may be reassembled into the cream container by using an alignment touch point and a lid (e.g., for both) may be closed.
11. Now, one may place the cream and sugar containers back on the vessel, for example, using a designated tab and alignment inset.
12. Then one may place an appropriate number of cups, optionally including one or more nested spoons onto another tab and alignment side on the vessel, for example, by nesting the cups (e.g., if more than one) on top of each other.
13. Next, a user may transport the vessel set, for example, by holding a neck of vessel (e.g. to bring it to a desired destination).
14. One may then remove the cups and the cream and sugar containers (e.g., as assembled) from the vessel and disperse them accordingly.
15. Then one may pour tea from a spout, optionally without removing lid of the vessel.
16. Next one may pour a desired amount of cream into one's cup after removing a cream and sugar containers lid, for example, optionally without removing the sugar container (e.g., from being seated with respect to the cream container).
17. One may remove a nested spoon from the cream and sugar lid and add a desired amount of sugar to the tea and then replace the spoon.
18. One may then remove a spoon from its nested position within a cup to stir tea then replace spoon and then may drink and refill as desired.
19. After one has completed drinking the desired amount of tea, one may replace the lid to the cream and sugar containers and replace the containers (e.g., as assembled) to one side of the vessel.
20. Then one may stack all of the cups (e.g., if more than one has been used) back together and then one may seat the cup(s) on another side of the vessel.
21. Lastly one may transport the vessel set back to a desired cleaning station by caring the vessel by the neck.
As an example, consider a method for using a vessel set for drinking coffee. Such an method may include:
1. When using a vessel set for coffee drinking one may remove a lid of a vessel.
2. Then, one may fill the vessel with coffee from a desired brewing system.
3. Then, one may remove the cream and sugar containers from the vessel and may remove the lid to the cream and sugar containers.
4. Next, the sugar container may be removed from nesting within the cream container.
5. Now, one may fill cream to a fill line located within the cream container and fill sugar in the sugar container to a desired level (e.g., optionally positioning one or more packets of sugar, sugar substitute, flavoring, etc. in the sugar container).
6. After that, the sugar container may be reassembled into the cream container, for example, by using an alignment touch point and the lid may be closed to cover the sugar container and the cream container.
7. Now, one may place the cream and sugar container back on the vessel, for example, using a designated tab and alignment inset.
8. Then one may place an appropriate number of cups, optionally including one or more nested spoons, for example, onto another tab and alignment side on the vessel by nesting them one on top of the other.
9. Next, a user may transport the vessel set, for example, by holding a neck of vessel (e.g. to bring it to a desired destination).
10. One may then remove the cup(s) and the cream and sugar containers from the vessel and disperse them accordingly.
11. Then one may pour herself coffee from a spout, optionally without removing the lid of the vessel.
12. Next one may pour a desired amount of cream into ones coffee cup after removing the cream and sugar lid, optionally without removing the sugar container.
13. One may remove a nested spoon, for example, from the cream and sugar lid and add a desired amount of sugar to coffee and then replace spoon.
14. One may then remove a spoon from a nested position within a cup to stir coffee then replace the spoon and then may drink and refill as desired.
15. After one has completed drinking the desired amount of coffee, one may replace the lid to the cream and sugar containers and replace the containers onto one side of the vessel.
16. Then one may stack the cups back together, if more than one was used, and then one may replace the cup(s) on another side of the vessel.
17. Lastly one may transport the vessel set to a desired cleaning station, for example, by carrying the vessel by the neck.
As an example, consider a method for using a vessel set for drinking tea. Such an method may include:
1. When using a vessel set for tea drinking one may remove a lid of a vessel.
2. Then, one may fill the vessel with tea from a brewing system or, for example, one may use a tea brewing device within the vessel (e.g., a bag, bags, cage, etc.).
3. Then, one may remove the cream and sugar containers from the vessel and may remove the lid to the cream and sugar containers.
4. Next, the sugar container may be removed from nesting within the cream container.
5. Now, one may fill cream to a fill line located within the cream container and sugar in the sugar container to a desired level.
6. After that, the sugar container may be reassembled into the cream container, for example, by using an alignment touch point and the lid for the cream and sugar containers may be closed.
7. Now, one may place the cream and sugar containers back on the vessel, for example, using a designated tab and alignment inset.
8. Then one may place an appropriate number of cups, optionally including one or more nested spoons, onto another tab and alignment side on the vessel, for example, by nesting them one on top of the other (e.g., if more than one cup is being used).
9. Next, the user may transport the vessel set, for example, by holding a neck of the vessel (e.g., to bring the vessel set to a desired destination).
10. One may then remove the cup(s) and the cream and sugar containers from the vessel and disperse them accordingly.
11. Then one may pour tea from vessel (e.g., via a spout, optionally without removing the lid of the vessel).
12. Next one may pour a desired amount of cream into one's cup after removing the cream and sugar containers lid, optionally without removing the sugar container from the cream container.
13. One may remove a nested spoon from the cream and sugar containers lid and add a desired amount of sugar to tea and then replace the spoon.
14. One may then remove a spoon from its nested position within a cup, for example, to stir tea in the cup and then replace the spoon and then may drink and refill as desired.
15. After one has completed drinking the desired amount of tea, one may replace the lid to the cream and sugar containers and replace the containers onto one side of the vessel.
16. Then one may stack the cups, if more than one has been used, back together and then one may replace the cups on another side of the vessel.
17. Lastly one may transport the vessel set back to a desired cleaning station, for example, by carrying the vessel by the neck.
FIGS. 2-9 show various views of the vessel 100 and associated equipment.
FIG. 10 shows an example of a vessel 1000 that includes a cap 1010 (e.g., a lid) and an optional diffuser 1013, for example, to hold a substance for diffusion into a liquid. For example, consider a substance such as tea (e.g., plant material), which may diffuse into water. In the example of FIG. 10, the cap 1010 may be configured to seal the vessel 1000, for example, via one or more seal rings 1012 (e.g., rubber, etc.). As an example, the cap 1010 may include features for coupling the optional diffuser 1013 to the cap 1010 (e.g., tabs, bayonet, screw, etc.). As an example, the cap 1010 may be made of a material such as plastic, wood, metal, ceramic or a combination of one or more of plastic, wood, metal, and ceramic.
As shown, the vessel 1000 may include one or more magnets 1007, for example, disposed between walls. As an example, such one or more magnets 1007 may provide a magnetic force for attraction of another component such as, for example, a cup, a container, etc. A bottom of the vessel 1000 may include one or more elastomeric elements 1009, for example, consider a rubber ring. The vessel 1000 may include a stop, for example, that may use tension, twist, or one or more magnets to lock a component with respect to the vessel 1000 (e.g., a cup or cups 130 and/or a container or containers 160).
As an example, the vessel 1000 may have a double-walled construction with a space therebetween that may act to insulate. In such an example, the vessel 1000 may act to reduce heat transfer with respect to a surrounding environment (e.g., to help keep a cold fluid cold or to help keep a hot fluid hot).
As an example, a plunger assembly may be provided for positioning a component inside a cavity of a vessel. As an example, a plunger mechanism may include a strainer, for example, to strain out coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc. As an example, a lid may include an opening for a plunger shaft such that a component attached to the plunger shaft may be positioned within a cavity of a vessel (e.g., raised and lowered along an axis defined by the shaft). As an example, a component may be a container to contain a substance (e.g., tea leaves, etc.), a component to strain a substance from liquid, etc. As an example, a strainer may include a perimeter that may be flexible to conform to a surface that defines a cavity of a vessel. As an example, a vessel may include a cavity that is defined by an inner surface of the vessel that has a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., at an axial point) than an outer surface of the vessel. As an example, a cavity may be, at least in part, cylindrical, for example, defined by a surface of a cylindrical wall.
As an example, a coffee making mechanism may be cylindrical and include a chamber for coffee grounds where the chamber includes at least one permeable wall (e.g., a screen or mesh wall) and, for example, where a plunger may be configured to compress the coffee grounds in the chamber (e.g., to cause coffee saturated liquid to exit the chamber (e.g., via the at least one permeable wall). As an example, a coffee making mechanism may optionally be used for another substance (e.g., tea, etc.).
As an example, an attachment may be cylindrical and configured to carry a substance that may provide heat energy or provide for absorption of heat energy. For example, a cylindrical attachment may fit to a lid and be capable of hold ice, for example, to cool liquid in a cavity of a vessel. In such an example, the cylindrical attachment may have a solid wall or a permeable wall, for example, such that water generated by melting ice may mix into a liquid in a cavity of a vessel. Where a wall (or walls) is solid, the ice may be contained in the cylindrical attachment, for example, to avoid dilution of liquid in the cavity. As an example, a cylindrical attachment (e.g., or other shaped attachment) may be configured to carry ice and to avoid ice from entering liquid and, for example, being poured out of an opening of a vessel. As an example, an attachment may be configured for placement in a cold environment and/or a hot environment, for example, to then provide for heat absorption from a liquid or heat transfer to a liquid. As an example, such an attachment may include a gel, for example, capable of repeated cycles (e.g., as to heat, cold, etc.). As an example, a vessel set may include a gel-filled or gel-fillable attachment, which may optionally include features to connect the attachment to a lid. In such an example, the lid may be configured to allow for pouring of liquid from a vessel without removal of lid (e.g., without removal of the attachment).
FIG. 10 shows an example of an attachment assembly 1017 that includes a plunger mechanism. As an example, an attachment may be multifunctional. For example, a cylindrical attachment may be suitable for carrying leaves, grounds, ice, etc. In such an example, the cylindrical attachment may attach to a lid of a vessel and remain in place during pouring of liquid from the vessel. As an example, an attachment may include an optional plunger mechanism. As an example, a kit may be provided with one or more attachments, for example, where a user may select and attach a selected attachment for a particular use (e.g., making tea, making coffee, cooling, heating, etc.). As an example, a vessel may be used for beverages or other substances (e.g., soup, etc.).
FIG. 11 shows an example of a vessel 1100 and associated equipment that forms a vessel set or a kit. As shown in FIG. 11, the vessel 1100 may include a cap 1110, which may include a recess 1112, for example to provide a passage for passage of fluid from the vessel 1110 (e.g., upon tilting the vessel 1100 about its longitudinal axis). As an example, the vessel 1100 may be configured to seat associated equipment. For example, a side of the vessel 1100 may be shaped with a recess and a stop at a bottom of the recess where a cup 1130 may be seated and optionally locked into place. As shown, the cup 1130 may be configured for nesting one or more additional cups 1140. As an example, one or more utensils 1150 may be provided, which may fit in a cup.
As an example, one or more containers may be provided. For example, consider the container 1160 as including a nesting container 1170. As an example, a lid 1180 may be provided to cover the nesting container 1170 and, for example, the container 1160. As an example, the container 1160 may contain a fluid such as milk and the nesting container 1170 may contain a substance such as sugar (e.g., or other sweetener). As an example, the vessel 1100 and associated equipment shown in FIG. 11 may form a vessel set or kit. Such a set may be suitable for service of a beverage such as, for example, coffee, tea, etc.
As an example, components and features thereof illustrated in FIG. 11 may be described with respect to a coordinate system or coordinate systems. For example, the vessel 1100 may be described with respect to a cylindrical coordinate system with a z-axis running centrally and longitudinally with respect to the vessel 1100 and with an r-axis extending outwardly therefrom. In such an example, azimuthal angles may be used to describe features. For example, consider a recess centered at about 0 degrees and another recess centered at about 180 degrees. As an example, consider a vessel with one recess or a vessel with three recesses (e.g., at 0 degrees, 120 degrees, 240 degrees). As an example, the utensil 1150 may be a spoon/stir that may be configured to fit on an edge of the cup 1140 (e.g., a lip of the cup 1140). As an example, the vessel 1100 may be made of a material or materials (e.g., metal, alloy, ceramic, plastic, glass, etc.) where, between double walls of the vessel 1100 one or more magnets may be positioned (e.g., to provide an attractive force to hold one or more cups, containers, etc.). As an example, the vessel 1100 may include a lower edge that rises axially upwardly to engage a bottom of a cup (e.g., to facilitate assembly and locking into place of the cup 1130 and/or the cup 1140 to the vessel 1100). As an example, the cap 1110 may include a cork, threaded, tension fit style of lid. As mentioned, a cap may include a feature for an attachable brewing accessory or accessories (e.g., for tea, for coffee, etc.). As an example, the vessel 1100 may be configured for holding a sugar container nesting inside cream container (see, e.g., the containers 160 and 170, as well as the cover 180). In such an example, the sugar container may include two or more touch points for easy removal (e.g., touch points or extensions that cooperate with features of the cream container). As an example, a nesting container (e.g., the container 180) may swivel with respect to another container (e.g., the container 170), which, for example, may facilitate pouring creamer (e.g., without removal of the nesting container). As an example, the vessel 1100 may include double walls, for example, with one or more magnets for holding the container 160 and the container 170 (e.g., indirectly), for example, where the container 160 is made of a magnetically attractive material (e.g., iron content).
FIGS. 12 to 17 illustrate various views of a vessel set and a vessel that include views of one or more visual ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, an article or articles of manufacture.
FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate front and back views of a vessel set, opposing side views of the vessel set, and top and bottom views of the vessel set, respectively. In the views, a lid may be optional, a cup or cups may be optional, a container or containers may be optional, a stop or stops may be optional, bottom features may be optional (e.g., features that may be rubberized for steadying a vessel or a vessel set) and/or top features may be optional (e.g., shape of a top, shape of an opening, etc.). In the views, a recess may be optional.
FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate front and back views of a vessel and a lid, opposing side views of the vessel and the lid, and top and bottom views of the vessel and the lid, respectively. In the views, the lid may be optional, a stop or stops may be optional, bottom features may be optional (e.g., features that may be rubberized for steadying a vessel) and/or top features may be optional (e.g., shape of a top, shape of an opening, etc.). In the views, a recess may be optional, for example, the vessel may include a recess on one side or the vessel may include a recess on one side and a recess on an opposing side.
In the various views of FIGS. 12 to 17, shading is provided. In such views, surface shading may indicate, for example, character and/or contour of various surfaces, for example, to illustrate various three-dimensional aspects of a design or designs.
The various views of FIGS. 12 to 17 may be referred to, for example, as including a front elevational view, a rear elevational view, a left side elevational view, a right side elevational view, a top plan view, and a bottom plan.
As an example, the grayscale renderings of FIGS. 12 to 17 may be illustrated with other scaling and, for example, with a scaling that may indicate color or colors. As to some examples, a lid and a vessel may be the same color, may be different colors, include at least one common color, etc. As to some examples, an accessory may include a color that may be the same as a color of a vessel and an accessory may include a color that may differ from a color of a vessel. As an example, a color may be white, a color may be black, a color may be gray, a color may be other than white, black or gray, etc. As an example, as to the FIGS. 12 to 17, color may be, for example, not part of a design or designs.
As an example, various features may be optional. As an example, an optional feature or optional features may be shown with a broken line or broken lines, for example, to be for illustrative purposes to indicate that a feature or features do not form part of a design or designs.
As an example, one or more features of the FIGS. 12 to 17 may optionally be understood with respect to one or more features described herein, which may be shown, for example, in one or more of FIGS. 1 to 11.
Although various examples of methods, devices, systems, designs, etc., have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as examples of forms of implementing the claimed methods, devices, systems, designs, etc.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vessel comprising a longitudinally extending body that comprises a bottom, a top, an opening at the top, an internal cavity accessible via the opening and at least one external recess that comprises an arced shape to accommodate an accessory.

2. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises a circular cross-section.

3. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises a cup.

4. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises a container.

5. The vessel of claim 1 comprising two external recesses wherein one of the recesses comprises an arced shape to accommodate a cup and wherein the other of the recesses comprises an arced shape to accommodate a container.

6. The vessel of claim 1 further comprising at least one magnet disposed in the body adjacent to at least one of the at least one external recess.

7. The vessel of claim 6 further comprising an accessory that comprises a material attracted to the at least one magnet.

8. The vessel of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one recess comprises a stop.

9. The vessel of claim 8 wherein the stop comprises an upwardly directed ridge and interlocking mechanism or geometry.

10. The vessel of claim 1 further comprising a cap.

11. The vessel of claim 10 further comprising an accessory wherein the cap is configured to carry the accessory.

12. A vessel set comprising:

an accessory; and

a vessel that comprises a longitudinally extending body that comprises a bottom, a top, an opening at the top, an internal cavity accessible via the opening and at least one external recess that comprises an arced shape to accommodate the accessory.

13. The vessel set of claim 12 wherein the accessory comprises a cup.

14. The vessel set of claim 12 wherein the accessory comprises a container.

15. The vessel set of claim 12 comprising two accessories and two external recesses.