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Method and system for use with a consumable beverageRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Cooled Enclosure, Portable Receptacle, With Holdover Material, Drinking ContainerMethod and system for use with a consumable beverage description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185384, Method and system for use with a consumable beverage. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation of: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/444,654, filed May 23, 2003, entitled "Method and System for Use With a Consumable Beverage"; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/128,022, entitled "Method and System for use with a Consumable Beverage", filed on Apr. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,056; and (3) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/212,976, "Method and System for use with a Consumable Beverage", filed on Aug. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,800; each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention is directed to devices and methods for enhancing the quality of consumable beverages and, more specifically, to a system for use with a consumable beverage and a method of providing a chilled consumable beverage. Beverages are typically chilled using ice cubes to maintain a desired beverage temperature. However, the use of ice cubes results in the dilution of the beverage due to the introduction of water resulting from the melting of ice cubes. Additionally, some people will spill beverages or find filled beverage bottles to be unwieldy due to a sudden shift in the bottle's center of mass caused by unexpected movement of ice cubes when the beverage container is tilted. [0003] To overcome this difficulty, re-freezable inserts have been developed for use with drink bottles. These re-freezable inserts can be placed in drink bottles to maintain a beverage in a chilled condition. However, a method for satisfactorily securing a re-freezable insert in a drink bottle has not been developed. [0004] Clearly, what is needed is a method and system for use with a consumable beverage that securely mounts a thermal energy storing member within a container; that preferably mounts the thermal energy storing member to either a collar or a lid of the container; that preferably incorporates an easy to operate twist lock connection for securing the thermal energy storing member; that preferably allows easy removal of the thermal energy storing member without requiring the removal of other system components; and that is that fun and easy to use by children. SUMMARY [0005] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for use with a consumable beverage. The system includes a container having a mouth. A lid is detachably engagable with the container. A collar is adapted to be seated in the mouth of the container. The collar defines an opening therein. A thermal energy storing member is detachably engagable with the opening in the collar and/or the lid. [0006] A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to a collar for supporting an end of a thermal energy storing member proximate to the mouth of a consumable beverage container. The collar includes a body configured to complement a shape of the mouth. The body defines an opening therethrough. The opening is adapted to engage the end of the thermal energy storing member. [0007] A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to a lid for a container adapted to engage a thermal energy storing member. The lid includes a body adapted to engage the container and having an inner surface. The inner surface is adapted to receive at least a portion of the thermal energy storing member therein. The inner surface is adapted to form, in combination with the thermal energy storing member, a liquid passageway along the thermal energy storing member and through the body. [0008] A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of providing a chilled consumable beverage. The method includes: providing a container having a mouth; placing a consumable beverage in the container; chilling a thermal energy storing member; and inserting the chilled thermal energy storing member into the container such that the chilled energy storing member contacts the consumable beverage to cool to the consumable beverage within the container, the chilled energy storing member being securely positionable within the container via a collar seated proximate to the mouth of the container. [0009] A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for use with a consumable beverage. The system includes a container having a mouth. A lid detachably engagable with the container. A thermal energy storing member detachably engagable with the lid via a twist lock mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings, an embodiment which is presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown. In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for use with a consumable beverage according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded partial view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating a lid, a collar, a thermal energy storing member, and a top of a container; [0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the collar of FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1 as taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the thermal energy storing member secured in an opening in the collar; [0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the system of the FIG. 4 as taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrating the engagement between the thermal energy storing member and a thread within the opening in the collar; [0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 4 as taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and illustrates a top plan view of the combination collar and thermal energy storing member when seated within the mouth of the container; [0017] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating the system of FIG. 4 with the collar removed so that the thermal energy storing member directly engages the lid; [0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 7 as taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 illustrating the engagement between the thermal energy storing member and a thread within the lid; and [0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 7 as taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7 illustrating a top plan view of the thermal energy storing member when engaged with a portion of the lid. 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