Universal lid system and methods

Abstract

A universal lid system and methods for use with any of a selection of teapots for quick and sanitary beverage preparation. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and methods including a lid sized and shaped to facilitate the storage of a retention element such as a tea bag. The retention element may be held out of contact with the beverage by a retention element stabilizing component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A universal lid comprising:
 a lid wall comprising a non-elevated section and an elevated storage element, the non-elevated section includes a generally horizontal linear surface, the elevated storage element includes one or more generally curved sloped surfaces defining a storage space, the storage space configured to store a retention element,   a wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining an outlet space, the wall outlet positioned on the elevated storage element, the outlet space configured for a tag attached to the retention element to pass through, and   a tag receptacle positioned on the lid wall, the tag receptacle including a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle wall, the tag receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the retention element.   
     
     
         2 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet border comprises two or more arced borders. 
     
     
         3 . The universal lid according to  claim 2 , wherein the two or more arced borders form a lune-shaped outlet space. 
     
     
         4 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet border comprises two or more linear borders. 
     
     
         5 . The universal lid according to  claim 4 , wherein the two or more linear borders form a triangular outlet space. 
     
     
         6 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-elevated section further comprises a second wall outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevated storage element further comprises a second wall outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid wall comprises a second elevated storage element. 
     
     
         9 . The universal lid according to  claim 8 , wherein the second elevated storage element comprises a second wall outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the tag receptacle is positioned on the non-elevated section of the lid wall. 
     
     
         11 . The universal lid according to  claim 1 , further comprising a closure component attached to the lid wall, the closure component configured to releasable connect the lid wall of the universal lid to a container. 
     
     
         12 . The universal lid according to  claim 11 , wherein the container is a teapot. 
     
     
         13 . The universal lid according to  claim 11 , wherein the closure component includes one or more male threads. 
     
     
         14 . The universal lid according to  claim 11 , wherein the closure component comprises an oblique wall. 
     
     
         15 . A universal lid comprising:
 a lid wall comprising a non-elevated section and an elevated storage element, the elevated storage element includes one or more generally curved sloped surfaces defining a storage space, the storage space configured to store both a first retention element and a second retention element,   a first wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining a first outlet space, the first wall outlet positioned on the elevated storage element, the first outlet space configured for a first tag attached to the first retention element to pass through, and   a second wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining a second outlet space, the second wall outlet positioned on the elevated storage element, the second outlet space configured for a second tag attached to the second retention element to pass through.   
     
     
         16 . The universal lid according to  claim 15  further comprising a tag receptacle positioned on the lid wall, the tag receptacle including a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle wall, the tag receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the retention element. 
     
     
         17 . The universal lid according to  claim 16 , wherein the tag receptacle is positioned on the non-elevated section of the lid wall. 
     
     
         18 . A universal lid comprising:
 a lid wall comprising a non-elevated section and two or more elevated storage elements, each elevated storage element comprising a storage space configured to store a retention element,   each of the two or more elevated storage elements further comprising a wall outlet comprising an outlet border defining an outlet space configured for a tag attached to the retention element to pass through.   
     
     
         19 . The universal lid according to  claim 18  further comprising two or more tag receptacles positioned on the lid wall, each tag receptacle including a side receptacle wall and a lower receptacle wall, each tag receptacle configured to store a tag attached to the retention element. 
     
     
         20 . The universal lid according to  claim 18 , further comprising a closure component attached to the lid wall, the closure component configured to releasable connect the lid wall of the universal lid to a teapot.