[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to beverage consumptions implements. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to attachment apparatuses for tethering an infusion device to a drinking implement.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0003] Tea bags and tea infusion devices are configured to be submerged into warm water contained in a drinking implement. Tea leaves or other plant matter contained in the tea bag or infusion device then leaches or infuses into the warm water. Tea bags and tea infusion devices generally include a string or tether extending from the bag or infuser for removing said bag or infuser from the warm water after a given period of time. The string or tether is generally draped over the edge of the drinking implement. All too often the string or tether falls into the warm water and must be fished out using a utensil or the user’s fingers. This problem is frustrating and potentially unhealthy, Furthermore, one has little control of the tea bag at such point and cannot control the depth or positioning of the bag.

[0004] One solution is to wrap the string or tether around a handle of the drinking implement in order to prevent the string or tether from falling into the warm water. The issue with this solution is that not all drinking implements have handles and one still has little control as to the positioning of the tea bag or infusion device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In view of at least some of the above-referenced problems, tea bags and infusion devices, and the tether thereof, an exemplary object of the present disclosure may be to provide a unique animal shaped clip apparatus for attaching a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement proximate the rim of the drinking implement.

[0006] In a particular embodiment, an exemplary clip apparatus configured to attach a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement and as disclosed herein may include an engagement portion and an actuation portion.

The engagement portion may include a first smooth engagement surface biased towards a second smooth engagement surface. The first and second smooth engagement surfaces may be configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement. The actuation portion may include a first wing-shaped actuation engagement portion and a second wing-shaped actuation engagement portion. The first and second wing-shaped actuation engagement portions may be configured to separate the first and second smooth engagement surfaces when actuated together.

[0007] In an exemplary aspect according to the above -referenced embodiment, at least one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces may include a non-slip portion.

[0008] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first smooth engagement surface may be concave shaped for engaging a convex outer surface of the upper portion of the drinking implement. In accordance with this aspect, the second smooth engagement surface may be convex shaped for engaging a concave inner surface of the upper portion of the drinking implement.

[0009] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, each of the first and second smooth engagement surfaces may include an engagement surface length less than or equal to 1 inch.

[0010] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first wing-shaped actuation engagement portion may be connected to one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces. In accordance with this aspect, the second wing-shaped actuation engagement portion may be connected to a different one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces.

[0011] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the clip apparatus may further include an animal shaped covering configured to cover at least cover the engagement portion. In accordance with this aspect, the covering may further cover the actuation portion.

[0012] In another embodiment, an exemplary animal shaped clip apparatus configured to attach a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement and as disclosed herein may include an engagement portion, an actuation portion, and an animal shaped covering. The engagement portion may include first and second engagement surfaces biased together. The first and second engagement surfaces may be configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement. The actuation portion may be coupled to and extend away from the engagement portion. The actuation portion may be configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces upon actuation thereof. The animal shaped covering configured to cover one or more of the engagement portion or the actuation portion.

[0013] In an exemplary aspect according to the above -referenced embodiment, the animal shaped covering may further cover the engagement portion. [0014] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the animal shaped covering may be integrally molded around the actuation portion and the engagement portion. In accordance with this aspect, the animal shaped covering may be configured to bias the first and second engagement surfaces together.

[0015] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the animal shaped covering may be formed from a malleable non-shp material.

[0016] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first and second engagement surfaces may be complementary curved surfaces configured to engage opposite sides of the upper portion of the drinking implement.

[0017] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the actuation portion may include a first actuation engagement portion and a second actuation engagement portion. In accordance with this aspect, the first and second actuation engagement portions may be configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces when actuated together.

[0018] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first actuation engagement portion may be connected to one of the first or second engagement surfaces. In accordance with this aspect, the second actuation engagement portion may be connected to a different one of the first or second engagement surfaces.

[0019] In a further embodiment, an exemplary clip apparatus configured to attach a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement and as disclosed herein may include an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion may include first and second curved engagement surfaces biased together. The first and second curved engagement surfaces may be configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement. The actuation portion may be coupled to and extend away from the engagement portion. The actuation portion may be configured to separate the first and second curved engagement surfaces upon actuation thereof.

[0020] In an exemplary aspect according to the above -referenced embodiment, the actuation portion may include a first actuation engagement portion and a second actuation engagement portion. In accordance with this aspect, the first and second actuation engagement portions may be configured to separate the first and second curved engagement surfaces when actuated together.

[0021] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first actuation engagement portion may comprise a first wingshaped element and the second actuation engagement portion may comprise a second wing-shaped element. [0022] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the clip apparatus may further include an animal shaped covering configured to cover at least the actuation portion.

[0023] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, at least one of the first or second engagement surfaces may include a non-slip portion.

[0024] In another exemplary aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the non-slip portion may be provided by an animal shaped covering configured to cover the actuation portion and the engagement portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an animal shaped clip apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig.

1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. [0029] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of an animal shaped clip apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 6 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an animal shaped clip apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig.

8 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 8 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an animal shaped clip apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig.

11 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0037] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the animal shaped clip apparatus of Fig. 11 in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0038] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0039] Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] The words “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “mounted”, “fastened”, and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not bmited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the hke allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

[0041] Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, wood, composite, or any combination thereof.

[0042] Referring to Figs. 1-13, a clip apparatus 100 is illustrated. The clip apparatus 100 may also be referred to herein as an animal shaped clip apparatus 100. The clip apparatus 100 may be configured for attaching a tether 12 of an infusion device 10 to an upper portion 24 of a drinking implement 20 proximate a rim 22 of the drinking implement 20 is shown. The tether 12 may be clamped between the clip apparatus 100 and the drinking implement 20 or alternatively may be wrapped onto any portion of the clip apparatus 100. The infusion device 10 may also be referred to herein as a tea bag 10. The tether 12 may also be referred to herein as a string 12. The drinking implement 20 may also be referred to herein as a cup 20, mug 20, or the like. The infusion device 10 may also include an infusion portion 14 coupled to the tether 12. The infusion portion 14 may be configured to hold tea leaves of the like.

The infusion portion 14 may be a tea bag, wire cage, or the like. [0043] The clip apparatus 100 may include an engagement portion 120 and an articulation portion 140 coupled to and extending away from the engagement portion 120. The engagement portion 120 may be configured to engage the upper portion 24 of the drinking implement 20 proximate the rim 22. The engagement portion 120 may include a first engagement surface 122 and a second engagement surface 124 biased toward the first engagement surface 122. In certain optional embodiments, the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may be curved, and accordingly be referred to herein as first and second curved engagement surfaces 122, 124. In other optional embodiments, the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may be smooth, and accordingly may be referred to herein as first and second smooth engagement surfaces 122, 124.

[0044] When curved, the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may be complementary such that when mated together, there is httle or no space between them. For example, the first engagement surface 122 may be concave shaped for engaging a convex outer surface 26 of the upper portion 24 of the drinking implement 20. Further, for example, the second engagement surface 124 may be convex shaped for engaging a concave inner surface 28 of the upper portion 24 of the drinking implement 20.

[0045] At least one of the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may include a non-slip portion 126. As illustrated, both the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may include a non-slip portion 126. The non-slip portion 126 may also be referred to herein as a non-slip surface covering 126. The non-slip portion 126 of each of the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may cover a majority of each of the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124, respectively.

[0046] Each of the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may include an engagement surface length 128. The engagement surface length 128 may be less than or equal to 1 inch. In other optional embodiments, the engagement surface length 128 may be greater than 1 inch.

[0047] The actuation portion 140 may be configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 upon engagement thereof. The actuation portion 140 may include a first actuation engagement portion 142 and a second actuation engagement portion 144. The first actuation engagement portion 142 may be connected to one of the first or second engagement surfaces 122, 124. The second actuation engagement portion 144 may be connected to a different one of the first or second engagement surfaces 122, 124. The first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 may be squeezed, pinched, or moved towards one and another to temporarily separate the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 such that the rim 22 of the drinking implement 20 may be received therebetween.

[0048] The first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 may be wing shaped. Accordingly, the first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 may also be referred to herein as first and second wing shaped actuation engagement portions 142, 144 or first and second wing shaped elements 142, 144. This may be the case when the clip apparatus 100 is shaped to resemble a butterfly, bird, or other winged animal.

[0049] As illustrated in Figs. 3-5, the first actuation engagement portion 142 may be connected to the first engagement surface 122 and the second actuation engagement portion 144 may be connected to the second engagement surface 124. These connections may be integral such that the connected elements are integrally formed.

[0050] The first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 may be hingedly or pivotally connected together via a connection portion 150. The connection portion 150 may include a biasing mechanism 152 for biasing the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 together. As illustrated in Figs. 3-4, the connection portion 150 may be rigid and the biasing mechanism 152 may comprise a spring. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the connection portion 150 may be resiliently flexible and may also function as the biasing mechanism 152. As illustrated in Figs. 8-13, the first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 are not coupled together.

[0051] As illustrated in Figs. 6-13, the clip apparatus 100 may further include an animal shaped covering 160. The animal shaped covering 160 may be configured to cover one or more of the engagement portion 120 or the actuation portion 140. The animal shaped covering 160 may be formed from a malleable non-slip material, such as, for example, silicon. In other optional embodiments, the animal shaped covering 160 may be formed from different materials known in the art having similar properties to those of silicon, for example, flexibility, malleability, clarity, temperature resistance, and water resistance.

[0052] The animal shaped covering 160 may be integrally molded around at least one of the engagement portion 120 or the actuation portion 140. In certain embodiments, the animal shaped covering 160 may provide the non-slip portion 126 on the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The animal shaped covering 160 may further be configured to bias the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 together, as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. For example, by filling a gap between the first and second actuation engagement portions 142, 144 with the animal shaped covering 160 and due to the flexible properties of the animal shaped covering 160, the animal shaped covering 160 may be able to bias the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 together.

[0053] As illustrated in Figs. 8-10, the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124 may split the animal shaped covering 160 into a front portion of the animal and a back portion of the animal, such that the animal shaped covering 160 is either facing inward into the drinking implement or outward. As illustrated in Figs. 11-13, the animal shaped covering 160 may be bilaterally symmetric about the first and second engagement surfaces 122, 124.

[0054] In optional embodiments of the invention, all or a portion of the product, including but not limited to the animal shaped covering or portions of clip apparatus, may be comprised of compostable materials so as to provide a lesser environmental impact. In optional embodiments of the invention, all or a portion of the product, including but not limited to the animal shaped covering or portions of clip apparatus, apparatus may be comprised of recycled materials or recyclable materials to additionally provide an environmentally friendly product.

[0055] Generally speaking, compostable embodiments of the invention is understood to mean that all or a portion of the product may be capable of breaking down into elements, providing little to no harm to the environment. Such embodiments may be broken down into natural elements in a compost environment with other compostable materials. The breakdown of compostable embodiments of the invention may leave no toxic residue. In optional embodiments, all or portions of the invention may meet ASTM D6400 which provides a Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics.

[0056] In other embodiments, all or portions of the product may be recyclable. In some embodiments, the product may include recyclable plastic. Some recyclable plastic options included 1-PET, 2-HDPE, 4-LDPE, 5-PP, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the product, including but not limited to the animal shaped covering or portions of chp apparatus, may included recycled plastic, including but not hmited to rPET, rHDPE, rLDPE, rPP, and combinations thereof. [0057] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0059] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the hteral languages of the claims.

[0060] It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0061] All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in hght of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. [0062] The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful invention, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims.