IES62941B2

IES62941B2 - Improvements in and relating to infusion bag handling devices

Info

Publication number: IES62941B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Gerard Nash
Original assignee: Gerard Nash
Priority date: 1993-08-12
Filing date: 1993-08-12
Publication date: 1995-03-08
Also published as: GB2281852B; GB9416313D0; GB2281852A; IES930604A2

Abstract

An infusion bag handling device 151 includes a lid 152 having a lip 602 and a pair of plate members pivotally connected together. The plate members comprise two sections of the lid of a cup. An infusion bag is attached to the lid with an elongate flexible element such as string 160. In use, a user places the infusion bag in a container of hot liquid to allow infusion to take place, after which the infusion bag is withdrawn upwardly by pulling on the string 160 until the infusion bag engages the plate members thus allowing the user to press the plate members towards one another and thereby squeeze the infusion bag allowing the excess liquid to return to the container.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO INFUSION BAG HANDLING DEVICES The present invention relates to an infusion bag handling > devoce and paroacuuar±y to a tea—bag handling device.

* Generally, a tea-bag for use in brewing a cup of tea which is to be sold in a restaurant, cafe, fast-food outlet or such like includes a string which is attached to the tea-bag and further includes a folded piece cf paper attached to the ether end cf the string. Boiling water is poured onto the tea-bag in a cup and the tea-bag is allowed to remain in the water for sufficient length of time so as to allow infusion to occur. The customer then grips the piece of paper which is left hanging ever the edge of the cup and by pulling upwardly on the paper, a tension is created in the string and the tea-bag is raised out of the liquid. The customer then usually lifts the used tea-bag over the rim of the cup and discards the bag.

Removal of the used tea-bag from the water in this way nas the disadvantage that drops of the hot tea dribble onto the table and possibly also onto a customer's hands and clothes thereby creating an unpleasant mess.

The tea-bag of the prior art also has an added disadvantage for the customer who wishes to brew a more strongly flavoured cup cf tea. As a consequence cf having to lift S 6 2 9 4 * the tea-bag out of the cup, while the former is still soaked with liquid, it is not possible to obtain a cup of tea which has maximum strength.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the tea-bag of the prior art.

The present invention accordingly provides an infusion bag handling device including a lid having a pair of plate members pivotally connected together, the plate members comprising two sections of the lid of a cup, and means for attaching an infusion bag to the lid with an elongate flexible element such as string, whereby in use, a user places the infusion bag in a container of hot liquid to allow infusion to take place, after which the infusion hag is withdrawn upwardly by pulling on the flexible element until the infusion bag engages the plate members thus allowing the user to press the plate members towards one another and thereby squeeze the infusion bag allowing the excess liquid to return to the container.

Advantageously, the device includes a pivot element integrally formed on·the lid between the plate members.

Conveniently, the tab is provided at the centre of the lid and the flexible element is attached thereto.

Advantageously the pivot element is impressed on the surface of the lid such that the plate members may be easily folded over onto each other.

The pivot element is conveniently impressed along a diameter of the lid.

Conveniently, the lid may further comprise a tongue which is adapted to be gripped by a user to remove the lid from the cup.

In an alternative embodiment, the lid may comprise an apron which is capable of protruding over the rim of the cup when the lid is positioned on the mouth of said cup.

There may preferably be notches included on the apron, the notches assisting in folding the plate·members over onto each other during use.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, one embodiment of an infusion bag handling device according to the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the infusion device before it has been used for infusion; Figure 2 is a plan view of the infusion device after removal from the cup subsequent to infusion; Figure 3 is a plan view of the infusion device in an alternative embodiment; Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative infusion device before it has been used for infusion; Figure 5 is a plan view of the alternative infusion device in a preferred embodiment; and Figure 5a is a sectional view of the device shown in figure 5 and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the infusion device in a further alternative embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the entire device according to the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 and includes a lid 2, an infusion bag 3 and a string 4. The lid 2 includes a tab 6 having a pin-sized hole 7 therein, and a pivot line 8 provided on a diameter of the lid 2.

The lid 2 further includes plate sections 20, 21 separated by the pivot line 8. The dimensions of the lid 2 exactly match the dimensions of the mouth of the cup (not shown) with which the lid is being used.

Referring now to Figure 1, when the device 1 is required for infusion, a user places the infusion-bag (tea-bag) 3 into a cup with the lid 2 held aside and the cup is filled or partially filled with boiling water. The lid 2 is then positioned over the mouth of the cup. Since the dimensions of the lid 2 and those of the mouth of the cup are exactly the same , the lid 2 fits over the mouth and is arranged such that the lid 2 is raised slightly along the pivot line 8 thereby resulting in plate section 20 being inclined at an angle towards plate section 21. This arrangement causes the tab 6 to become partially disconnected from the lid 2, resulting in the tab 6 jutting slightly upwardly from the lid 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, when infusion has occurred and a beverage of sufficiently strong flavour has been achieved, the tea-bag 3 may be removed from the water by firstly grasping the tab 6.

At this stage the tab 6 may be manually lifted such that tension is created in the string 4 joining the tab 6 to the tea-bag 3. The tension and lifting motion are maintained until such time as the tea-bag 3 makes contact with the lid 2. At this point the soaked tea-bag 3 is dangling above the surface of the liquid, the lid 2 may now be clasped such that plate sections 20, 21 are folded towards each other and the tea-bag 3 is squeezed therebetween. By exerting pressure on the sections 20, 21 of the lid 2, strongly flavoured liquid droplets are forced to fall from the tea-bag 3 and into the cup. This operation can be carried out without the operator having to make any skin contact with the soaked tea-bag 3.

The used tea-bag 3, pressed between plate sections 20, 21 may then be discarded without any soiling having occurred.

Referring now to Figure 3, in an alternative embodiment the lid 2 further includes a tongue 5. When the device 31 is required for infusion, the initial steps involving filling the cup with water are as described above. The lid 2 is positioned over the mouth of the cup, and in this embodiment, the lid is arranged such that the tongue 5 protrudes over the mouth.

While infusion is occurring, the tab 6 is connected to and aligned in the same plane as the lid 2. Pressure build-up generated in the cup is released through the pin-sized hole 7 in the panel 6.

When infusion has occurred, the tea-bag 3 may be removed 1 θ from the water by firstly grasping the tongue 5 so that the lid 2 may easily be lifted from the cup. As the lid 2 is lifted, the lid 2 is forced to fold along pivot line 8 thereby resulting in plate sections 20, 21 being forced backwardly towards each other. Simultaneously, the tab 6 15 is forced upwards from its connected position. In this conformation, the tab 6 is at least partially, if not wholly disconnected from the lid 2.

At this stage, the tab 6 may be manually lifted upwardly and the procedure is then as described above.

Referring now to figure 4, an alternative infusion device 41 .will be described. The infusion device 41 comprises a lid 42, notches 401, plate sections 20,21, a tongue 45, a Divot line 48, a hole 410, a tea-bag 403, a string 404 and 401 .

In use, the tea-bag 403 is placed in a cup with the lid 42 held aside and boiling water is poured into the cup. The lid 42 is then positioned on the mouth of the cup. When sufficient time has elapsed to allow infusion to occur, the lid 42 is lifted from the cup using the tongue 45, the grip 405 is held by the user and then pulled upwardly. This causes the string 404 to be pulled upwardly through the notches 401 thereby also pulling the tea-bag 403 upwardly.

The tea-bag 403 is lifted upwardly until it makes contact with the lid 42. The lid 42 may now be grasped such that the plate sections 20,21 are folded towards each other and the tea-bag 403 is squeezed therebetween. This squeezing action causes droplets of liquid to exude from the tea-bag 403 and drop into the cup.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 5a, a preferred embodiment of the alternative infusion device will be described. In this preferred embodiment, the infusion device 51 includes a lid 52, a lip 502, notches 501, and a pivot line 58. The pivot line 58 extends across the lid 52 but does not extend onto the lip 502. Cuts are provided on the notches 501 up to the inner circumference of the lid 52 including along the vertical walls, so as to allow for pivoting of the lid 52.

With the lid 52 placed over the mouth of a cup 550, the lip 502 protrudes over the rim of the cup.

In use, when infusion has occurred, a user may grasp the grip 405 and pull it upwardly in the manner described above. When the tea-bag 403 has been pulled upwardly and is in contact with the lid 52, the lid 52 may be lifted out of the mouth of the cup by means of lip 502 or tongue 55.

The lid 52 is then squeezed such that sections 20, 21 are forced inwardly towards each other, thereby squeezing the tea-bag 403 which is held therebetween.

Although, not visible in the drawings, a small circular orifice is provided at the point of each V-shaped notch 501 to prevent the material of the device tearing along the pivot line 58. Also, these holes allow the thread or string 404 to move more smoothly through the notches 501.

The above embodiments of infusion bag handling devices according to the invention may be manufactured from any suitable material such as, for example, paper.

Referring now to Figure 6, a further alternative embodiment is shown in which a stirrer 61 is provided in the infusion device. The stirrer 61 may be removably attached to the lip 502. When the user wishes to stir the beverage in his cup, he may remove the stirrer 61 in a snap-off action as shown by arrow A and conveniently use it to stir his beverage.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An infusion bag handling device including a lid having a pair of plate members pivotally connected together, the plate members comprising two sections of the lid of a cup, and means for attaching an infusion bag to the lid with an elongate flexible element such as string, whereby in use, a user places the infusion bag in a container of hot liquid to allow infusion to take place, after which the infusion bag is withdrawn upwardly by pulling on the flexible element until the infusion bag engages the plate members thus allowing the user to press the plate members towards one another and thereby squeeze the infusion bag allowing the excess liquid to return to the container.

2. An infusion bag handling device as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a pivot element integrally formed on the lid between the plate members.

3. An infusion bag handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lid comprises a lip which is adapted to protrude over the rim of a cup when the lid is positioned on the mouth of the cup.

4. An infusion bag handling device as claimed in Claim 5, in which the notches or cuts are included on the lip, the notches or cuts facilitating the folding of the plate members over onto each other during use.

5. An infusion bag handling device substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.