Method & device for enhancing aroma from beverage cup

Abstract

An aroma enhancing method and device for use when drinking from a beverage cup has a receptacle member with a porous surface for holding a sample of fresh beverage material therein, and a mounting member for mounting on or near the rim of the beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose to smell the aroma of the fresh beverage material when sipping a liquid beverage from the cup. A first embodiment is formed as a two-part lid for a cup with outer and inner receptacle covers that nest together. A second embodiment is formed as a plastic top with a receptacle pocket and a hinged cover member that can be swung to cover the pocket. A third embodiment is formed as a clip-on container attachment with a spring clasp for mounting on the rim of a mug. Providing the aroma of the fresh grounds or tea leaves provides the beverage drinker with a richer flavorful experience.

1 . A method for enhancing aroma when drinking from a beverage cup comprising:
 providing a receptacle member having a receptacle body for holding a sample of fresh beverage material therein and provided with a receptacle cover adapted to be opened to expose the receptacle body to receive the sample of fresh beverage material therein and to be closed during use of the receptacle member when the user sips liquid beverage filled into the cup, wherein the receptacle cover has a porous surface provided with perforations or screen holes having a hole size small enough to retain the fresh beverage material in the receptacle body but porous enough to allow the aroma of the fresh beverage material to be released therefrom during use, in order to thereby allow the user to smell the aroma of the fresh beverage material held in the receptacle member; and   mounting the filled receptacle member on or near the rim of the beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose for enhancing the aroma a user experiences when sipping liquid beverage from the cup.   
   
   
       2 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle member is formed by a covering portion and a receptacle body respectively formed in outer and inner receptacle covers that are nested one on top of the other and attached on the rim of a cup. 
   
   
       3 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 2 , wherein the outer and inner receptacle covers are made of die-stamped plastic for attachment to a standard type of styrofoam beverage cup. 
   
   
       4 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle member is formed in a plastic top having a receptacle pocket and a hinged cover member for covering the receptacle pocket, and a lower portion that is attached to the rim of a cup. 
   
   
       5 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 4 , wherein the plastic top is formed of molded plastic and the hinged cover member is formed as a plastic element that is attached to the molded plastic top. 
   
   
       6 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle member is formed by a container member and a screen top that is locked for covering the container member, and has a clasp for mounting on the rim of a cup. 
   
   
       7 . A method for enhancing aroma according to  claim 6 , wherein the clasp is a flexible spring-type metal clasp that can clip onto the rim of a standard type of beverage mug. 
   
   
       8 . A device for enhancing aroma when drinking from a beverage cup comprising:
 a receptacle member mountable by a mounting member on or near the rim of the beverage cup in proximity to the user's nose when sipping a liquid beverage from the cup, said receptacle member having a receptacle body for holding a sample of fresh beverage material therein and provided with a receptacle cover adapted to be opened to expose the receptacle body to receive the sample of fresh beverage material therein and to be closed during use of the receptacle member when the user sips liquid beverage filled into the cup, wherein the receptacle cover has a porous surface provided with perforations or screen holes having a hole size small enough to retain the fresh beverage material in the receptacle body but porous enough to allow the aroma of the fresh beverage material to be released therefrom during use; and   a mounting member coupled to the receptacle member for mounting the receptacle member on a beverage cup in proximity to the position of a user's nose while sipping the liquid beverage filled into the cup.   
   
   
       9 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle member is formed as a two-part lid for a cup having an outer receptacle cover with a sip hole formed on one side and a covering portion formed with perforations holes or a screen on an opposite side thereof, and an inner receptacle cover with a matching sip hole similarly formed on one side and a receptacle pocket on an opposite side thereof which is used to hold a small amount of fresh beverage material therein. 
   
   
       10 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 9 , wherein the outer and inner receptacle covers have matching contours adapted to allow them to be nested closely one on top of the other, with the covering portion overlying the receptacle body, and attached on the rim of a cup. 
   
   
       11 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 9 , wherein the outer and inner receptacle covers are made of die-stamped plastic for attachment to a standard type of styrofoam beverage cup. 
   
   
       12 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle member is formed in a plastic top having a sip hole on one side and a receptacle pocket on an opposite side, and a hinged cover member having an area with perforation holes or a screen and can be swung from one side to the other to expose and to cover the receptacle pocket. 
   
   
       13 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 12 , wherein the plastic top has a lower part for attaching to the top of a plastic beverage cup. 
   
   
       14 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 13 , wherein the plastic top is formed of molded plastic and the hinged cover member is formed as a plastic element that is attached to the molded plastic top. 
   
   
       15 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle member is formed as a clip-on container attachment that is mounted with a spring clasp onto the rim of a standard shaped mug for drinking hot beverages. 
   
   
       16 . A device for enhancing aroma according to  claim 15 , wherein the container attachment has a container body and a screen top with a swivel locking device that can be unlocked for loading a small sample of fresh beverage material into the container body and locked to retain the screen top in its cover position over the container body.