GB2496632A - Tea and like beverage brewing and squeezing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for making beverages such as loose leaf tea comprises a compactor having a plunger foot 5 displaceably mounted on a member, said foot being displaceable along a first axis within a cage 4 to and from a perforated bowl 6. Preferably, the plunger foot is also perforate and the foot and bowl have complementary profiles. The device is suitable for use with one hand. In use, the device allows the user to steep or brew their beverage to improve its taste whilst ensuring that leaves or grinds are not dispersed within the beverage.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

THOMAS OSEMAN

FOR

A TEA COMPACTOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tea compactor, more particularly for compacting or straining tea bags and leaves.

Background

Increasing numbers of people are discovering and enjoying tea.

A growing trend in particular has been that of gourmet tea drinking, for example drinking a variety of blends and varieties of tea from different countries and strains.

Many of these gourmet teas are often drunk without addition of milk, needing instead lemon or drinking without addition, and are not available in any other form than loose leaf.

In summary many tea drinkers or users will need to develop or obtain different instruments to those commonly used for drinking black tea with milk.

One common feature is that tea needs to be brewed or steeped to improve its taste, typically for a length of time that is incompatible with modem living.

In particular convenience of using tea in bags is compromised as loose leaf tea can be problematic to steep or brew, whilst ensuring that leaves or grinds are not dispersed in the users tea when it is drunk.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: International patent application WO 2007 080 461 (KRUGER et al) discloses a device for preparing a beverage extract from a charge of particulate material, the device including: a foraminous body defining a cylindrical passage with a closed end; and a plunger displaceable along the passage, thereby to exert pressure on a charge of particulate material received in use between the plunger and the closed end of the passage.

Granted European patent EP 1 827 178 (ALMOND) discloses an infusing device having: a handle; a receptacle mounted at one end of the handle, the receptacle being formed by a plurality of relatively moveable parts which, in a closed configuration, define an infusion space for holding a bag containing an infusible substance whilst providing a plurality of openings through which liquid may pass into and out of the receptacle, said parts being so constructed and arranged as to be capable of being placed in an open configuration allowing passage of the bag in and out of the receptacle; actuating means operable from the handle to move the receptacle between said open and closed configurations; a squeezing head which projects from said handle to protrude into said infusion space within the receptacle; and operating means for producing relative movement between the squeezing head and the receptacle, with the receptacle in said closed configuration, to squeeze the bag therein, Granted United States patent US 7 591 219 (SAHA) discloses a beverage apparatus comprising: a rigid rod, a manipulator near the upper end of the rigid rod, a porous material with first and second ends, wherein first ends of the material are attached to the manipulator near the upper end of the rigid rod, and wherein the second ends of the material is attached to the rigid rod near a bottom end of the rigid rod, wherein an enclosure is created between the material and the rigid rod, wherein pressing downward, pulling upward, or twisting the manipulator squeezes water from the enclosure, and beverage brewing contents within the enclosure.

Granted United States patent US 7 077 054 (HURLOCK) discloses a tea strainer comprising: a bowl having a front section, a back section, a perforated bottom section, opposing side sections and an open top section with a rim; an elongated handle having a top portion, a bottom portion, opposing side portions, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said handle is fixedly attached to said back portion of said bowl and wherein said top portion of said proximal end of said handle defines a notch therein; a cover having a top section, a bottom section, opposing side sections, a front section, and a back section; a cover shaft having opposing sides, a top surface, a bottom surface, a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is attached to said back section of said cover, wherein said notch receives said cover shaft so that said cover extends downwards into said bowl; a pair of pivot attachment points having a hook shape wherein each of said pivot attachment points extend upwardly from said top surface of said handle; a pair of attachment point tabs wherein each of said tabs protrudes outwardly from each opposing side of said distal end of said cover shaft and wherein each of said attachment point tabs is pivotally engaged with one of said pair of pivot attachment points; a retention latch wherein said latch is fixedly attached to the front section of said bowl.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 384 690 (INJGLEBY) discloses a tea-bag strainer consisting of a perforated spoon hinged halfway down it's handle with a short handled slightly smaller spoon with solid bowel that sits in the bowl of perforated spoon.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 051 562 (BIZZELL) discloses a cylindrical object of approximately four inches in width, with a mesh base for straining, and a half inch shoulder around the brim. Attached to the brim is a two inch frame for the use of holding the object with the fore and index finger, whilst a centre shaft is attached to the frame to give a telescopic movement. A four inch rod is placed through the centre shaft with a circular plate attached to the bottom of it so as to form a press. Just below the brim and above the mesh base is a two inch wide by one inch deep opening for placing in the tea-bag. The completed height of the object when not depressed is seven inches, and the diameter is twelve inches.

United Kingdom patent application GB 578 469 (WIKTOR) discloses a tea-infuser comprising a scooplike container, a closure mounted in movalble relation thereto, a plunger affixed to the container and an operating member connected to said closure.

the length of said plunger and said operating member being such as to permit the container to be opened and closed without necessitating touching with the fingers any part or parts of the infuser which are immersed (luring the infusion process, and the container and/or the closure being perforated.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of comprehensively and effectively obtaining maximum tea from both a tea bag and tea leaves.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a tea compactor, comprising a plunger foot displaceably mounted on a member, said foot being displaceable along a first axis within a cage to and from a perforated bowl.

In preferred embodiments this bowl is held in a fixed relationship to the cage; wherein the member displaces into the bowl along the first axis with no movement in the cage.

Further embodiments may have members that are at least in part maintained in a fixed relationship on that first axis to the bowl and/or cage.

In this way the plunger foot alone may be displaceable along the axis.

For example the foot may move along the member when activated or otherwise acted upon.

Alternatively the cage may deform or otherwise displace to allow the foot to move in or out of the bowl.

In an envisaged embodiment therefore the cage may be resiliently deformable so that when a user acts upon the compactor the cage deforms, such as bowing out, allowing the foot to be pushed against the bowl, and correspondingly any contents that are present in the bowl.

Such an arrangement may allow for the foot to be pushed against the contents from a plurality of angles. This would allow a user to squeeze out the contents with greater effectiveness and precision.

Preferred embodiments however allow the member to be rotated and the foot to be ground against the bowl, allowing great efficiency in this way. In some embodiments the head may be screwed into the bowl such as wherein a final length of the member has a screw thread.

Further embodiments may include pieces that are displaceable in order to allow a user to displace the foot from the bowl, in accordance with creating a lacuna with which to allow insertion of a bag into the lacuna, wherein said lacuna is located at a lateral or side position, in order that a tea bag may be inserted into the compactor iateraily.

In this way the bag may be inserted into a cup or mug and allowed to brew, wherein the user may insert the bag into the compactor whilst in the cup, for final brewing and/or removal.

Furthermore a hollow spine or funnel may be provided centrally on the member or along the first axis, for example so that water may be poured through the funnel and onto the bag or leaves to aid effective dispersal of tea.

In the preferred embodiment however, and according to a second aspect of the present invention, it is envisaged that the cage allows movement of the plunger member and foot towards and away from the bowl contents along the first axis, wherein the cage is rigid and the member is held within it and prevented movement along any other axis.

The cage is therefore ideally formed of a rigid material such as polypropylene moulding including stainless steel guides for the member and foot to displace along.

In all embodiments it is preferable that, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle which the user may facilitate movement or displacement of the foot with.

In all embodiments this handle permits the user to move the foot towards the bowl whilst maintaining the bowl's position without or with only ancillary movement.

In some embodiments therefore the handle may be comprised ol more than one part, for example in order that one part of the handle is fixed or related to the member and/or foot and another is fixed or related to the cage.

In preferred embodiments however part of the handle is included in the cage.

Typically the plunger member is moved by pressure on the member or a part of it, namely a head in relation to and whilst holding the handle, According to a fourth aspect of the present invention the foot is also perforated, so that maximal compaction and resulting distribution of the contents may be achieved and in all embodiments all perforations are sufficiently small to prevent passage of tea leaves or grinds, as well as bags.

Ideally therefore the foot and/or bowl are provided with mesh faces, for example wherein said faces may be detached from the compactor, for cleaning or replacement.

Ideally metal mesh cups sandwich and compress a tea bag typically but may also be used for loose leaves.

In all preferred embodiments the compactor, and/or foot or bowl are easy rinsed and cleaned for next use.

Yet further embodiments may have a mesh sack that may be used in the compactor, for example in order that tea leaves may be inserted into the sack and the sack used between the foot and bowl, Such a sack may also be permanently attached to or forming the bowl.

In any event the sack is ideally reusable and may for example be formed of perforated silicone.

In this way such a sack is deformed by the foot and tea may be dispersed out of the bag through its sides or body and the bowl. Ideally in such embodiments therefore the foot is solid, and the bag has a filling opening where the foot pushes against it in use and which may for example be stretched open for insertion of tea leaves.

In some embodiments there may also be provided a means of resting, storing or maintaining the compactor on or in a cup or mug. For example there may be a ridge, lip, legs, arms or other projections that interface with a cup or mug lip and prevent or inhibit movement of the compactor.

In this way the compactor may be placed in the cup and the tea allowed to brew for a period of time, without falling over or otherwise displacing in the cup.

Additionally or in the alternative embodiments of the compactor may include timing devices, in order that the tea can be brewed for a defined period of time, For example a mechanical, or electronic stopwatch, or hourglass timer may be included in the compactor or handle.

Embodiments may also be envisaged wherein the compactor includes a ratchet mechanism between the foot and bowl, aiding those with decreased mobility.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the compactor; Figure 2 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 3 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment; Figures 4 show a view from the bottom and top of the preferred embodiment, And Figure 5 shows isometric cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment has the following: Polypropylene moulded handle (1), plunger head (2) and support rings (3); Stainless steel guide rods or cage (4); Foot (5); Bowl (6).

Given that a main advantage of tea bags is that they are quicker, and remove the hassle of straining and handling loose tea leaves in the pictured and preferred embodiment the bowl is formed with a large relative depth to width.

In this way the user is able to confidently load the bowl with tea leaves in a manner whereby there is less to minimal chance of the bowl spilling over, and consequent inconvenience.

Using a compressive plunger mechanism the compactor is enabled to squeeze a tea bag or tea leaves between two mesh cups, one one the foot 5 and another on the bowl 6.

It is envisaged that this ensures enough efficiency that the user is enabled to get the full strength of the tea leaves for not just one cup of tea but two cups of tea.

Some embodiments of the compactor may be made to hold up to 4 tea bags for large batches of tea, for example in catering environments.

In the pictured embodiment the user is able to use the compactor with one hand, using the palm of their hand to apply force to the plunger and squeeze out the tea bag.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A tea compactor, comprising a plunger foot displaceably mounted on a member, said foot being displaceable within a cage along a first axis to and from a perforated bowl.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A compactor according to claim I wherein the foot is perforated in order that water may be poured directly onto contents of the bowl, when the foot is in place in the bowl.</claim-text>