QUICK CLEANING, AND SYSTEMS FOR CLEANING AND TRACKING

ACTIVITY THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of beverage industry, and specifically, to advanced reusable beverage containers that incorporate mechanism for quick cleaning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The beverage industry is producing thousands of tons of waste each day, mainly consisting of disposable cups, cans, bottles and straws, most of which are made from non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, aluminum and glass. Although awareness to the severe environmental implications of the production and disposal of such waste has increased significantly during recent years, the endeavors to minimize these harmful effects through recycling and use of biodegradable materials did not manage to significantly reduce the production and disposal of non-biodegradable waste. Furthermore, the use of disposable beverage containers is inefficient and costly. Most beverages are sold in pre-packaged containers, such as plastic or glass bottles or aluminum cans. The use of such containers entails excessive costs of manufacturing, packaging, transportation, refrigeration, storage, disposal and recycling, all of which eventually reflected in higher prices for end consumers. Moreover, beverages packaged and sold in such containers are usually added with preservatives that compromise their flavor, some of which even involve health risks, to extend the beverages’ shelf-life in order to sustain the path from factory to point of sale, and the long periods during which they are placed in points of sale until eventually purchased and consumed by the end consumer.

These considerations, and specifically the environmental implications, have led to various developments during recent years in the field of reusable beverage containers and systems that facilitate the implementation of such containers in beverage industry. However, each of these developments suffer from various shortcomings that limit their efficiency, scope of applications and compatibility with existing beverage dispensing systems, and require high integration costs and installation of large and expensive systems. Specifically, the process of cleaning and refilling of each of these reusable beverage containers is cumbersome, slow, inconvenient and inefficient, causing users and merchants alike to prefer continuing to use the traditional disposable beverage containers. Moreover, most of these containers do not contain integrated drinking straws, and therefore require users who prefer to drink through a straw or are physically required to do so, such as children, elderly, and people with disabilities, to use disposable straws commonly available in beverages’ points of sale, while those that do contain integrated drinking straws are harder and more complicated to properly clean.

For example, US9540124 discloses a reusable beverage container and a system for cleaning and refilling thereof. The beverage container therein is specifically compatible with the system, an apparently large and heavy vending machine, intended for dispensing, cleaning, and filling of the container. However, the beverage container is not designed to be compatible with the wide variety of existing beverage dispensers, nor it allows for communication with devices other than the vending machine disclosed therein, ultimately requiring any merchant of beverages interested in implementing the use of such beverage container in its services, to also purchase, install and operate the vending machine, clear sufficient space to accommodate its large size, and bear the costs associated with its electricity supply and maintenance.

As for the beverage container itself, it is constructed from two parts: a container and lid, yet it does not contain an integrated drinking straw, and therefore requires users who are accustomed to or physically aided by straws for drinking, to use separate straws, most likely disposable ones commonly available in beverages’ points of sale. The cleaning of the beverage container is done within a dedicated chamber within the vending machine, requiring separation of the container and lid in order to clean the container effectively and their reattachment to one another thereafter, thereby prolonging and complicating the cleaning process which takes place before each refilling of the container. Important to note in this aspect, that incentivizing users to switch to reusable beverage container is not an easy task— as even inconveniences which may appear negligible to a few adaptive users, such as longer and more complicated cleaning and refilling process, might discourage many users from using such reusable beverage containers.

WO2017077296A1 discloses another reusable beverage container comprising a container and a removable lid with a handle and a drinking aperture. While the teaching therein does not explain how the cleaning process of the beverage container is conducted, it is evident that cleaning of the beverage container therein necessitates removal of the lid part from the container part, and is likely to require the use of a dishwasher, as no method or mechanism for quick cleaning of the container is mentioned. Furthermore, the beverage container therein does not comprise an integrated drinking straw and therefore, requires a user to obtain drinking straw for the container elsewhere. Such drinking straw would either be disposable, or if not, would require a user to clean it separately from the beverage container. The lack of effective and fast cleaning process for the beverage container therein, as well as the lack of an integrated drinking straw, make the use of the beverage container therein inconvenient and cumbersome, and might discourage users from using such reusable beverage container instead of disposable containers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an advanced reusable beverage container with an integrated drinking tube, incorporating a mechanism for fast and effective cleaning of the beverage container.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a beverage container comprising an integrated drinking tube vertically fixed inside the beverage container. The drinking tube having a bottom opening in proximity to the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container and a top opening in proximity to the top end of the beverage container. The drinking tube is functional as a straw for transporting liquid contained in the beverage container onto mouth of a user by applying suction pressure from the top opening.

The drinking tube is further functional for performing a quick cleaning process of the beverage container by means of placing the beverage container in an upturned position over a compatible cleaning device, said compatible cleaning device releasing a pressurized stream of a washing substance into top opening of the drinking tube, such that said pressurized stream of said washing substance, in turn, is bursting from bottom end of said tube onto the bottom surface of the beverage container, and in turn, dispersed across internal wall of the beverage container, thereby internally cleaning the beverage container.

The compatible cleaning device has a placement for placing the beverage container in an upturned position while maintaining sufficient space for draining of the washing substance from the beverage container, and a nozzle tightly compatible with the top opening of the drinking tube when the beverage container is positioned on its designated placement on the cleaning device, said nozzle is configured to discharge a stream of pressurized washing substance.

The washing substance may be water, preferably at high temperature, and more preferably in the form of high pressure steam. The water may be mixed, during all or part of the duration of the container’s cleaning process, with a cleaning substance, such as any known type of dish detergent, or of any known type of disinfectant.

The drinking tube may be fixed to the internal walls of the drinking container, fixed to the bottom surface of the beverage container, or suspended from a lid of the beverage container in case a lid is included, such that all or at least most the circumference of the bottom opening of the drinking tube is open to allow distribution of washing substance from bottom opening of the drinking tube equally toward all directions of the bottom surface of the beverage container. The drinking tube can be formed as a one-piece tube, or otherwise configured as a telescopic tube comprising two or more tubes with varying diameters to allow them to retract into one another and extend above the top part of the beverage container.

The bottom opening of the drinking tube is positioned in proximity to the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container, firstly, to allow generation of suction pressure also when the level of liquid in the container is very low such that a user can drink virtually the entire content of the container through the drinking tube, and secondly, to cause the pressurized stream of washing substance to forcefully strike the bottom surface of the beverage container immediately after being discharged from the bottom opening of the drinking tube. As a result, the washing substance, maintaining the high pressure it has when discharged into the top opening of the drinking tube while passing through the drinking tube thanks to the drinking tube’s narrow diameter, bursts from the bottom opening of the beverage container and strikes the bottom surface of the beverage container while still in high pressure.

The high pressure at which the washing substance meets the bottom surface of the beverage container causes it to disperse rapidly and equally in all directions of the bottom surface of the container, and maintain a relatively high pressure when further equally distributed across the internal walls of the container. The high pressure at which the stream of washing substance is dispersed across the bottom surface and internal walls of the beverage container forcefully and quickly releases any residues of the beverage that was contained in the container. The stream of washing substance, when maintained for several seconds, completes several cycles of entering through the drinking tube, bursting onto the bottom surface and dispersing across internal walls of the beverage container, causing it to accumulate with gradually decreasing amounts of beverage residues on the mouth of the top end of the upturned beverage container, and to drip out of the container with the aid of gravitational force. After several seconds of discharging a stream of pressurized washing material into the top opening of the drinking tube, all beverage residues are effectively removed from within the drinking tube and internal walls of the beverage container, thereby completing a quick one-step cleaning process of the beverage container and preparing it for an instant refill with any kind of beverage.

Evidently, the present teaching provides a novel and non-obvious solution for the drawbacks commonly found in existing reusable beverage containers. One of its primary advantages is manifested in the non-trivial double-purpose use of the integrated drinking tube, which serves both as a straw for drinking from the container, and as an integrated internal device for facilitating fast and effective cleaning of the container and drinking tube itself.

This double-purpose use of the drinking tube manages to solve two common shortcomings of known reusable beverage containers. Since the beverage container disclosed herein comprises an integrated drinking straw, it avoids the need of obtaining a separate straw, most likely a disposable one as those commonly available in beverages’ points of sale, thereby providing a complete beverage container which does not require addition of external parts, and in specific, disposable ones. Furthermore, while existing beverage containers with integrated drinking straws require the removal of the straw or lid with integrated straw for the purpose of properly cleaning the container and straw, the beverage container of the present invention incorporates a novel cleaning mechanism wherein the drinking tube in itself uses as a path for conveying pressurized stream of washing substance straight into the bottom surface of the beverage container, such that the high pressure of washing substance is maintained when discharged from the bottom end of the drinking tube onto the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container, causing the washing substance to forcefully and equally disperse in all directions of the bottom surface of the beverage container, and in turn, disperse equally across the internal walls of the beverage container, and eventually release through the upturned top end of the beverage container with the aid of gravitational force. This mechanism enables a one-stroke highly efficient and short cleaning cycle, causing both the drinking tube and beverage container being thoroughly cleaned in one action, without requiring separation of the drinking tube from the beverage container.

As a result, instead of having the integrated drinking tube interrupting the cleaning of the beverage container and vice versa, the drinking tube is in fact used to improve the efficiency of the cleaning process of the beverage container and drinking tube alike. Moreover, the fact that there is no need of separating the beverage container into several parts for cleaning makes the cleaning process faster and simpler, requiring less space to be occupied, and avoid the risk of having parts of the beverage container lost when disassembled.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the washing substance is water in the form of steam. The compatible cleaning device is having a water inlet and configured to heat the water and generate high pressure steam and discharge it through its nozzle and into the drinking tube of the beverage container. The high temperature pressurized steam effectively removes residues of beverage from the drinking tube and within the beverage container. Use of saturated steam at high temperatures can also sterilize the beverage container and destroy any microorganisms left in the beverage container. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the quick cleaning process further comprising a step of discharging a cleaning substance into top opening of said drinking tube. This step may be performed independently, or as a first step before discharging washing substance such as water or steam, or in between first step of discharging a washing substance for washing the container before releasing into it cleaning substance, and a step stage of discharging washing substance for washing the container from residues of cleaning substance.

The cleaning substance may be any dish detergent known from the prior art, or any disinfectant known from the prior art for destroying bacteria or other microorganisms that might be left inside the beverage container. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom part of the beverage container is removable. The bottom part may be removably secured to the beverage container using a threaded fastening mechanism or any other method for tightly fastening two parts. The option of removal or even replacement of the bottom part might be essential in some cases. In some embodiments, the bottom part of the beverage container may house electronic components, such as an RFID tag, a battery or a processor. Removal of the bottom part of the container might also be essential for periodic maintenance or cleaning.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface is downwardly inclined toward its center, such that the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container is positioned in lowest point of the bottom surface of the beverage container. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the beverage container may have an inverted conical or tapered shape, inverted hemispherical or elongated hemispherical shape. The central part of the bottom surface is preferably flat, but can be also inversely rounded or pointed, or have a small conical shaped bulge on it. Such topography of bottom surface of the beverage container causes the beverage in the container to concentrate in the central part of the bottom surface, directly under the bottom opening of the drinking tube, when the level of beverage in the container is low. This allows a user to drink virtually the entire content of the container and leave very small amount of beverage residue inside the container. Furthermore, the downward inclination of the bottom surface towards its center facilitates dispersing of the stream of pressurized washing substance from the bottom surface towards the internal wall of the container as it gradually diverts the stream from the horizontal plane of the bottom surface to the vertical plane of the internal walls of the container, thereby minimizing decrease of pressure of the stream and enables a streamlined path of the washing material throughout the entire internal surface of the container.

According to an additional embodiment disclosed herein, the internal wall of the beverage container is coated with an antiadhesive material. The coating can be made from antiadhesive materials such as Polytetrafluoroethylene, Super-hydrophobic materials, or any other material with antiadhesive, anti-sticking or water-repellent properties known from prior art.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container is thermally insulated. Thermal insulation can be achieved by double or multi-layer insulation, vacuum insulation, use of thermally insulating materials such as Polyurethane, or by use of any other thermal insulation mechanism or materials known from prior art.

In another embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a removable lid. The lid may be fully and partially removable, and securable to the beverage container by threaded fastening mechanism, air-tight closure, flange, latch or any other type of fastening mechanism know from prior art. The removable lid may have an aperture through which the drinking tube can protrude from the beverage container when the removable lid is fastened. Alternatively, the removable lid may comprise an extension tube extending from its upper part, said extension tube forms flow communication with the drinking tube in the beverage container when the removable lid is fastened to the beverage container. Another alternative is to have the drinking tube integrated with the removable lid and crossing from its external upper part accessible to mouth of a user, and into the internal cavity of the beverage container, such that fastening of the removable lid positions the bottom opening of the drinking tube in proximity to the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container. In the latter alternative, the removable lid further comprises a fixed or closable aperture for drainage of washing substance during cleaning process of the beverage container.

According to another embodiment of the present invention based on the previous embodiment, the removable lid comprising a top plate capable of partially opening to form a circular aperture between said removable lid and said top plate. The top plate can be used for opening an aperture through which a user can drink the content of the beverage container without opening the removable lid, and also for the purpose of providing outlet for drainage of washing substance during cleaning process of the beverage container. The top plate may be sealable and openable by means of threaded fastening mechanism, push-to-open latch mechanism, or any other open and closure mechanism known from the prior art.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention based on the previous embodiment, the removable lid comprising a retractable straw, said retractable straw is in flow communication with said drinking tube. The retractable straw may fully retract into the body of the beverage container, such that the upper surface of the removable lid remains flat when the retractable straw is retracted. In order to enable retraction of the retractable straw into the beverage container, the retractable straw is configured to have a diameter wider or narrower than the diameter of the drinking tube inside the beverage container, thereby allowing the retractable straw to slide into or around the drinking tube, in the form of a telescopic straw.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compatible cleaning device comprises a docking station and a nozzle, said nozzle extends vertically upwards from center of the docking station, such as to allow the beverage container to be fitted in an upturned position into the docking station while nozzle attaches to the drinking tube to form flow communication therewith. The nozzle may be statically fixed in its position and attachable to the drinking tube upon docking the beverage container on the docking station, or otherwise the nozzle may be motorized and comprise a mechanism for extending it upwards to attach into the drinking tube before initiating a cleaning process of the beverage container. The compatible cleaning device can be activated to discharge pressurized stream of a washing substance and/or cleaning substance through the nozzle and into the drinking tube of the beverage container. The compatible cleaning device further comprising a water inlet and/or container of washing substance feeding a system for generating and discharging high pressure stream of washing substance, preferably comprising a steam generator. Additionally, the compatible cleaning device may comprise a drainage outlet for washing substance drained from the beverage container during the cleaning process, but may alternatively comprise a container for receiving drained washing substance from the beverage container.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compatible cleaning device comprising a docking station and a nozzle, said nozzle extending vertically upwards from center of the docking station, such as to allow the beverage container to be fitted in an upturned position into the docking station while nozzle attaches to the retractable straw to form flow communication therewith. The compatible cleaning device can be activated to discharge pressurized stream of a washing substance and/or cleaning substance through the nozzle and into the retractable straw and further into the drinking tube of the beverage container.

It should be pointed out that the use of the beverage container and compatible cleaning device also provides essential advantages over traditional reusable drinkware like drinking glasses, cups and mugs, particularly in the context of use in offices, working spaces and other establishments. In such locations it is common to have very frequent use of traditional drinkware, to the extent of same user using various pieces of drinkware throughout the working day, while there is very little to no use of other types of dishes. The frequent use of drinkware in such environments usually requires utilization of a dishwasher several times a day for cleaning of the used drinkware, entailing high costs of electricity and labor power. The use of the beverage container and compatible cleaning device in such working environments is considerably more time and cost efficient, as it allows a user to use a single beverage container instead of multiple pieces of drinkware throughout the day, and clean it almost instantly with minimal and very short term use of electricity, thereby minimizing electricity and labor costs associated with the frequent daily use of a dishwasher, as well as saving considerable space otherwise used for accommodating a dishwasher, a large sink and storage of large number of pieces of drinkware.

In accordance with yet another embodiment disclosed herein, the beverage container further comprising a unique identifier recognizable by an identification device for the purpose of identifying each beverage container and tracking its activity, and in specific, filling of the beverage container with beverage. The unique identifier may comprise NFC tag, RFID tag, Bluetooth Low Energy chip, QR code, barcode or any kind of means for computerized identification of an item known from prior art. The unique identifier may be installed within an insulated cavity inside one of the parts of the beverage container, preferably its bottom part.

In another embodiment of the present invention based on previous embodiment, the unique identifier comprising an active or passive RFID tag. In the case of an active RFID tag, the unique identifier further comprises a battery for powering of the active RFID tag.

According to another embodiment of the present invention based on any of the two previous embodiments, the identification device is having physical or wireless connectivity with a central system, preferably a computer or server, either local or a remote server accessible through a network, said central system storing and administering a database of unique identifiers of beverage containers. The identification device configured to identify a unique identifier on a beverage container whenever said unique identifier is within the reception range of the identification device. The identification device is positioned in the vicinity of a beverage dispenser, such that it identifies a beverage container when approaching the beverage dispenser and configured to report to the central system each time a unique identifier on a beverage dispenser is identified. The central system, in turn, may be configured to register each identification of a beverage container for indicating filling of the beverage container by the beverage dispenser. Alternatively, the beverage dispenser may be in communication with the identification device and configured to be activated only after identification of a unique identifier by the identification device, and optionally, may also require a further action by a user for activation, such as entering a pin code or other identification data. The beverage dispenser may comprise means for measuring duration of pouring to indicate quantity of beverage filled, or a sensor or other electronic device for indicating which dispenser is used and what quantity is poured into the beverage container, in such case, said beverage container is having physical or wireless connectivity with the identification device or with the central system, and configured to transmit said obtained data to central system for tracking and billing.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention based on the previous embodiment, the central systems registers a report of identification of a unique identifier transmitted from an identification device to indicate filling of the beverage container, and said report is used for billing a user of the beverage container.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compatible cleaning device further comprising an integrated identification device in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention, said identification device is having connectivity with a central system in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention, and configured to identify a unique identifier on a beverage container when approaching to or docking into the compatible cleaning device, and may be further configured to activate only upon such identification, and/or further configured transmit to the central system any identification and cleaning of a beverage dispenser.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container further comprising an integrated screen for indicating contents of the beverage container or providing other information concerning activity of the beverage container. The screen may be a smart-screen comprising a processor and memory configured to perform various functions in connection with the beverage container, such as interactive display of data obtained through identification device or central system in connection therewith or otherwise information stored and processed within the smart-screen itself, and for performing, documenting or reporting beverage purchase transactions made in respect to the beverage container. Data displayed on the screen can be of various types, such as user information, the name or logo of the beverage contained in the beverage container, quantity of beverage filled, consumed and remaining, temperature of a beverage in the beverage container, nutritional values of a beverage, overall or periodic consumption and nutrition values analysis of a user, transactions history or pricing of beverages in a point of sale. The screen may be an LCD, LED or of any other type of flat screen known for prior art, and may be a touchscreen responsive to finger touch of a user, to allow interactive presentation of data and performing of actions pertaining the beverage container through its integrated screen. The screen can be powered by a disposable or rechargeable battery installed inside the beverage container, and may be activated only when a user lifts the beverage container in order to save battery power. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container further comprising a sensor or multiple sensors of various types, for obtaining further data about the beverage container or beverage contained in the beverage container. The sensors may be a temperature sensor for collecting temperature data of a beverage, volume sensor for collecting data of quantity of beverage filled, consumed and remaining, and any sensors known from the prior art for detection of levels of substances or other values in a liquid. The data collected by the sensors can be displayed in real-time on an integrated screen on the beverage container or a mobile application in communication with the beverage container, or otherwise the data can be processed or logged in a local memory, a mobile application or central system, and used for various purposes such as billing and tracking of activity of the beverage container.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the center of the bottom surface of the beverage container is formed in the shape of a cone with its apex positioned directly below the center of the bottom opening of said drinking tube, for smoothly and equally diverting the stream of pressurized washing substance discharged from the bottom opening of the drinking tube onto the bottom surface, thereby facilitating equal distribution of the washing substance toward all directions of the bottom surface while minimizing decrease of pressure of the stream due to instant transition from the vertical flow path of the drinking tube onto the perpendicularly positioned bottom surface.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for cleaning the beverage container is disclosed, the method comprising the following steps: Firstly, positioning the beverage container in an upturned position on the docking station of the compatible cleaning device, such that the nozzle of the compatible cleaning device engages with the drinking tube or retractable straw, as the case may be, and forms a flow communication therewith. Secondly, activating the compatible cleaning device to discharge a pressurized stream of washing substance through the nozzle and into the drinking tube or retractable straw, as the case may be. Lastly, deactivating the compatible cleaning device once the cleaning process of the beverage container is completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: Fig. la, Fig. lb, Fig. lc and Fig. Id depict various views of a beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and position of placement of a beverage container on a compatible cleaning device.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b depict two types of beverage containers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Fig.3 depicts a beverage container with removable lid and removable bottom part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c depict various modes of a lid of the beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b illustrate a compatible cleaning device and the engagement of the beverage container with the compatible cleaning device.

Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b, Fig. 6c, Fig. 6d and Fig. 6e depict a cleaning process of the beverage container using a compatible cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b depict position of the beverage container on the compatible cleaning device during cleaning process, and path of washing substance during the cleaning process. Fig. 8 illustrate process of identifying a beverage container and registering filling of the beverage container in a central system.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b depict beverage containers with an integrated screen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10a, Fig. 10b and Fig. 10c depict cross-section views of various types of downwardly inclined bottom surface of beverage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, and so on, are not described in detail. A person skilled in the art will be able to utilize said mechanism or other mechanisms known from prior art to execute the present invention.

Fig. la, Fig. lb, Fig. lc and Fig. Id depict various views of a beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and position of placement of a beverage container on a compatible cleaning device.

Fig. la depicts the beverage container from a diagonal view, wherein the drinking tube 120a is vertically fixed inside the beverage container 110a and across its central axis.

Fig. lb depicts a cross-section view of the beverage container shown in Fig. la. The drinking tube 120b is vertically fixed inside the beverage container 110b along its central axis. In this embodiment, the supporting bridges 130b are fixing the drinking tube 120b to the internal wall 150b of the beverage container 110b, such that the bottom opening of the drinking tube 120b is positioned in proximity to the center of the bottom surface 140b of the beverage container 110b

Fig. lc depicts a top view of a beverage container, wherein supporting bridges 130c are fixing the drinking tube 120c to the internal walls 150c of the beverage container 110c in an upright position along the central axis of the beverage container 110c.

Fig. Id depicts a beverage container llOd in an upturned position and a compatible cleaning device 150d suitable to accommodate the beverage container llOd when in an upturned position for the purpose of cleaning the beverage container llOd.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b depict two types of beverage containers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2a depicts a cross-section view of a beverage container 210 with a drinking tube 220 fixed to the internal walls of the beverage container 210 through supporting bridges 240, such that the bottom opening of the drinking tube 220 is positioned in proximity to the center of the bottom surface 230 of the beverage container 210. The bottom surface 230 of the beverage container 210 is having an inverted conical shape, such that the bottom surface is downwardly inclined toward its center.

Fig. 2b depicts a cross-section view of another embodiment of a beverage container 210b, further including a removable lid 250b, wherein the drinking tube 220b is suspended from the removable lid 250b in an upright position, such that the bottom opening of the drinking tube 220b is positioned in proximity with the bottom surface 230b of the beverage container 210b. The center of the bottom surface 230b comprising a small cone shaped bulge 231b having its apex directly below the center of the bottom opening of the drinking tube 220b, for smoothly diverting the stream of pressurized washing substance to the bottom surface equally in all directions.

Fig.3 depicts a beverage container with removable lid and removable bottom part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A removable bottom part 340 can be secured to the beverage container 310 to form sealing of the bottom of the beverage container 310. The beverage container 310 comprising a drinking tube 320 vertically fixed inside the beverage container 310 such that the bottom opening of the drinking tube 320 is positioned in proximity to the bottom surface 345 of the beverage container 310 when the removable bottom part 340 of the beverage container 310 is secured to the beverage container 310. The bottom surface 345 is configured in a tapered shape, such that the center of the bottom surface is positioned in lowest point on the bottom surface 345 and the bottom surface 345 is downwardly inclined toward its center.

Removable lid 330 can be secured to the top part of the beverage container 310 to form sealing of the top of the beverage container 310. The removable lid 330 comprising a top plate 335 having an open mode wherein the top plate 335 is spaced apart from the removable lid 330 to form a circular aperture between top plate 335 and removable lid 330 to allow a user to drink from the beverage container 310 by tilting the beverage container 310 such that the beverage contained therein is poured through the aperture formed between the removable lid 330 and top plate 335. The top plate 335 is also having a closed mode, wherein the top plate 335 is tightly secured to the removable lid 330 to form sealing of the removable lid 330.

Top plate 335 can be configured to open and close by pushing the top plate 335 downwards to release and lock into a break within the removable lid 330, or by any other open and closure mechanism known from the prior art. A retractable drinking straw 336 is installed within the removable lid 330, forming flow communication with the drinking tube 320 in the beverage container 310.

The retractable drinking straw 336 is having an open mode, wherein the retractable drinking straw 336 extends above the top of the removable lid 330 and the top opening of the retractable drinking straw 336 is open to provide flow path from and into the beverage container through the retractable drinking straw 336, and a closed mode, wherein the retractable drinking straw 336 is retracted into the removable lid 330 and the top opening of the retractable drinking straw 336 is close to form sealing of the removable lid 330. The retractable drinking straw 336 can be configured to open and close by twisting the removable lid 330 around the retractable drinking straw 336 using a threaded opening mechanism, or any other open and closure mechanism known from the prior art.

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c depict various modes of a removable lid of the beverage container depicted in Fig. 3. Fig. 4a depicts the removable lid with top plate and retractable drinking straw both in closed mode, forming a complete sealing of the beverage container. Fig. 4b depicts the removable lid with the top plate in open mode and retractable drinking straw in closed mode. Fig. 4c depicts the removable lid and retractable drinking straw both in open mode. The latter is the mode in which the removable lid is required to be when the beverage container is undergoing a cleaning process using the compatible cleaning device, in order to allow the washing material to enter into the beverage container through the retractable drinking straw and exit the beverage container through the circular aperture between the removable lid and top plate.

Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b illustrate a compatible cleaning device and the engagement of the beverage container with the compatible cleaning device. Fig. 5a depicts the compatible cleaning device 550, comprising a docking station 560 for a beverage container and a nozzle 570 positioned in the center of the docking station 560 and directed vertically upwards. A beverage container 510 is having its retractable drinking straw 520 in an open mode to form flow communication with the drinking tube within the beverage container, said beverage container is held in an upturned position and ready to engage with the compatible cleaning device 550. Fig. 5b depicts the beverage container and compatible cleaning device shown in Fig. 5a, wherein the beverage container 510 is docked on the docking station 560 of the compatible cleaning device 550, such that the retractable drinking straw 520 engages with the nozzle 570 thereby allowing the nozzle 570 to discharge washing material into the beverage container 510. The nozzle 570 is preferably having a wider diameter than diameter of the drinking straw 520, such that the drinking straw is inserted into the nozzle when the beverage container 510 is docked on the docking station 560, thereby allowing the washing material discharged from the nozzle 570 to reach and clean both external and internal sides of the drinking straw 520.

Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b, Fig. 6c, Fig. 6d and Fig. 6e depict a cleaning process of the beverage container using a compatible cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6a illustrates a beverage container docked on a compatible cleaning device, such that nozzle of the compatible cleaning device is engaged with drinking tube in the beverage container. Fig. 6b illustrates passage of pressurized stream of washing substance from the nozzle and into the drinking straw. Fig. 6c illustrates pressurized stream of washing substance bursting from bottom opening of the drinking tube and onto bottom surface of the beverage container, and dispersing across internal walls of the beverage container. Fig. 6d illustrates draining of washing substance through top part of the beverage container. Fig. 6e illustrates the beverage container after completion of cleaning process.

Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b depict position of the beverage container on the compatible cleaning device during cleaning process, and path of washing substance during the cleaning process. Fig. 7a depicts the beverage container 710 docked on the docking station 750 of a compatible cleaning device, such that the drinking tube 720 in the beverage container 710 engages with the nozzle 760 on the compatible cleaning device. Drainage outlet 770 in installed in the compatible cleaning device for draining washing substance released from the beverage container 710. Fig. 7b depicts the beverage container 710 shown in Fig. 7a, while illustrating path of pressurized stream of washing substance discharged from the nozzle 760 into the drinking tube 720, further across the internal cavity of the beverage container 710 and toward the drainage outlet 770 in the compatible cleaning device.

Fig. 8 illustrate process of identifying a beverage container and registering filling of the beverage container in a central system. The beverage container 810 comprising a unique identifier is identified by identification device 820 when entering reception area of the identification device 820.

Identification device 820 is placed in the vicinity of a beverage dispensing machine 830, to allow identification of each beverage container approaching the vicinity of the beverage dispensing machine 830. The identification device 820 may or may not be in communication with said beverage dispensing machine 830. If having communication with the beverage dispensing machine 830, the identification device can be used to allow activation of the beverage dispensing machine only after identifying a unique identifier on a beverage container 810. In such case, the identification device, being in communication with central system 840, can transmit to central system 840 a report comprising details of the beverage dispensing machine and the beverage container identified by the identification device to indicate filling of the beverage container by the beverage dispensing machine for the purpose of registering said activity in the central system 840. If the identification device 820 is not in communication with the beverage dispensing machine 830, it may still transmit such a report based on the assumption that any beverage container identified by the identification device 820 when approaching the vicinity of the beverage dispensing machine 830 is filled with a beverage from that beverage dispensing machine 830. The activity registered in the central system 840 can be used for billing every filling of a beverage container by a beverage dispensing machine associated with an identification device, or for tracking beverage consumption habits of a user of a beverage container, as well as providing that user with nutritional values of beverages consumed by the user.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b depict beverage containers with an integrated screen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 9a, the beverage container 900 comprising an integrated flat screen 950, such as LED, LCD or any other flat screen known from prior art. The screen 950 can be powered by a disposable or rechargeable battery installed inside the beverage container 900, and may be activated only when a user lifts the beverage container 900 in order to save battery power. The screen 950 may be used to display the name or logo of the beverage contained in the beverage container, as well as any other information pertaining to the beverage in the container or other information pertaining to the user’s beverage consumption habits. Fig. 9b depicts another embodiment of a beverage container with an integrated screen, wherein the beverage container 900b comprising a flat screen 950b integrated in the removable lid 910b of the beverage container 900b.

Fig. 10a, Fig. 10b and Fig. 10c depict cross-section views of various types of downwardly inclined bottom surface of beverage container. Fig. 10a depicts a bottom surface of beverage container with a rounded inverted conical shape. Fig. 10b depicts a bottom surface of beverage container with an inverted semi-hemispheric shape. Fig. 10c depicts a bottom surface of beverage container with a sharp edged inverted conical shape.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted per this definition.