Beverage mugs

Abstract

A mug for foodstuff dunking is described. It is divided into two compartments each of which in use contains liquid beverage, one from which the user will drink, and the other into which a foodstuff can be dipped or dunked. The dividing wall provides a fluid path between the two compartments so that they be filled by simply pouring liquid into one of the two compartments, but the wall substantially separates the contents of the two compartments to prevent contamination of the first by the contents of the second. Typically the volume of the second compartment is less than that of the first. The dividing wall is formed by a plate inserted into the mug which may be secured in place or be slid into grooves in the inner face of the mug. The dividing wall or plate may be curved or otherwise shaped so as to increase the area of at least the upper region of the compartment from which the user will drink. A shelf can be provided within the mug on which a foodstuff can be rested after dunking to allow the liquid to drain from the foodstuff before it is conveyed to the mouth. The shelf may include or comprise an inclined surface down which liquid will drain into the mug and can include a lip or other protrusion at or near its lower end to assist in retaining foodstuff thereon. The shelf may be attached to or formed integrally with the plate. A lid may be provided by which the top of the second compartment can be closed off, to allow the user to lift and tip the mug for drinking without the contents of the second compartment spilling out therefrom. Where the mug includes a handle the division formed by the wall or plate typically extends across the mug in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane containing the handle. The mug further comprises a fill line.

1 . A mug that is adapted for foodstuff dunking which includes a dividing wall which divides the mug into two compartments each of which in use contains liquid beverage, a first to contain liquid which will thereafter be drunk by the user, and a second to contain liquid into which a foodstuff can be dipped or dunked, wherein the dividing wall is adapted to provide a fluid path between the two compartments so that in use the two compartments can be filled by simply pouring liquid into one of the two compartments, but thereafter the contents of the second compartment are at least substantially seperated from the contents of the first compartment to reduce the risk of contamination of the contents of the first by the contents of the second. 
     
     
         2 . A mug as claimed in  claim 1  in which the volume of the second compartment is greater than, or equal to, or less than that of the first. 
     
     
         3 . A mug as claimed in  claim 2  in which the dividing wall is formed by inserting a plate into the mug which divides the interior thereof into the two compartments. 
     
     
         4 . A mug as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the plate is located in position by providing grooves in the internal wall of the mug into which opposite edges of the plate can be introduced before the plate is pushed down towards the bottom of the mug. 
     
     
         5 . A mug as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the plate is adapted to be located in two different positions in the mug, one in which it is spaced from the bottom of the mug to provide the fluid path during filling, and a second lower position in which it engages the bottom of the mug so that liquid is substantially prevented from flowing between the two compartments after the mug has been filled by pushing the plate down into the lower position. 
     
     
         6 . A mug as claimed in  claim 5  in which a third groove extends across the internal base of the mug and merges at its opposite ends with the two grooves in the wall of the mug, the third the groove serving to receive the lower edge of the plate as the latter is pushed into its lower position in the mug. 
     
     
         7 . A mug as claimed in  claim 6  in which the plate is a close fit in the grooves so that there is little tendency for liquid to flow around the edges of the plate from one compartment to the other. 
     
     
         8 . A mug as claimed in  claim 7  in which sealing means is provided between the plate edges and the grooves. 
     
     
         9 . A mug as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the plate and/or grooves include or are formed from a resiliently deformable material so that a good seal is formed between the plate and the wall and the base of the mug. 
     
     
         10 . A mug as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a shelf is provided on or in or removably attached to the mug, on which a foodstuff can be rested after dunking to allow liquid to drain from the foodstuff before it is conveyed to the mouth. 
     
     
         11 . A mug as claimed in  claim 10  in which the shelf is adapted to drain into the said second compartment. 
     
     
         12 . A mug that is adapted for foodstuff dunking which includes a dividing wall which divides the mug into two compartments each of which contains liquid beverage in use, a first to contain liquid which will thereafter be drunk by the user, and a second to contain liquid into which a foodstuff can be dipped or dunked, wherein a shelf is provided in, or on, or detachably secured to, the mug, on which in use a foodstuff can be rested after dunking to allow liquid to drain from the foodstuff before it is conveyed to the mouth. 
     
     
         13 . A mug as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the shelf includes one or more holes through which draining liquid can drain into the mug. 
     
     
         14 . A mug as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the shelf is shaped to assist the user to rest an item of foodstuff thereon. 
     
     
         15 . A mug as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the shelf includes one or more ridges or grooves, or one or more of each. 
     
     
         16 . A mug as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the shelf includes or comprises an inclined surface down which liquid will drain into the mug. 
     
     
         17 . A mug as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the shelf is formed integrally with the mug, or integrally with the lid, or integrally with the wall or plate which divides the mug. 
     
     
         18 . A mug as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the shelf is adapted to be fitted to a mug so that when fitted the shelf is positioned on the inside of the mug near to the top but slightly below the rim thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A mug as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a lid by which the top of the second compartment can be closed off, to allow the user to lift and tip the mug for drinking without the contents of the second compartment spilling out therefrom. 
     
     
         20 . A mug constructed, arranged and adapted to be used as herein described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.