GB2171634A - Beverage making accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage making accessory, which may be used as a tea bag squeezer, has a pair of plate members 10, 10a connected by a hinge 11. Each plate member 10, 10a is provided with ridges 14 for squeezing a tea bag and holes 16 through which liquid may flow. A tapered locking pin 20 and hole 22 are provided at the ends of the handles 12. A panel may be provided for advertising matter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A beverage making accessory The present invention relates to a beverage making accessory.

When making a beverage, such as a cup of tea with a tea bag, one places the tea bag in a cup and pours boiling water into the cup. After the tea has been allowed to infuse, the tea bag is then removed from the cup usually with the aid of a spoon.

Removal of the tea bag is a troublesome task, as one has to manoeuvre the spoon under the tea bag and then attempt to place the hot, dripping tea bag into a sink or refuse utensil.

The object of the invention is to alleviate the above problem.

The present invention provides a beverage making accessory comprising a pair of plate members connected together by a hinge, the plate-members being adapted to accommodate an article, such as a tea bag or the like, in a cup or other container, whereby when the plate members are moved towards one another, the article is compressed.

Advantageously, the plate members are provided on their opposing faces with a plurality of ridges to assist in compressing the article.

Preferably, each of the plate members is provided with at least one orifice through which liquid may flow.

Conveniently, the beverage making accessory is manufactured from a plastics material such as polypropylene, a property of which is its natural hinging effect.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment according to the invention. The embodiment of beverage making accessory shown in the drawings is designed to be used as a tea bag squeezer. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tea-bag squeezer, shown in a substantially V-shaped orientation; Figure 2 is a front view of the tea bag squeezer shown in a flat orientation; Figure 3 is a side view of the tea bag squeezer as shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of the area indicated as "C" in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the tea-bag squeezer comprises two plate members 10, 10a connected by a hinge 11, which plate members may be brought together so as to squeeze a tea bag (not shown) positioned between them. Handles 12 are provided on the plate members to allow for easy manipulation of the tea bag squeezer. Provided on the inner faces of the plate members 10, 10a are ridges 14 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of each plate member. The ridges 14 on each plate member 10, 10a cooperate in squeezing a tea bag. Each plate member 10, 10a is additionally provided with a number of holes 16 through which liquid may flow.

Located at the upper end of the plate member 10 is a tapered pin 20 which may engage in hole 22 on the other plate member 10a to provide a "taper lock".

When the tea bag squeezers are being packaged or stored, the taper lock is used to keep the two plate members together.

Figure 4 illustrates the structure of the hinge 11.

When the tea bag squeezer is manufactured from polypropylene, this material's natural resilience provides a resilient hinge effect.

A panel 30 is also provided on the plate member 10. Advertising material or a logo may be formed on the panel during manufacture of the tea bag squeezer by injection moulding.

To use the tea bag squeezer, a tea bag is placed between the plates 10 of the tea bag squeezer and is then placed into a cup. Boiling water is poured into the cup and the tea is allowed to infuse. The handles 13 are then grasped to squeeze the tea bag. The squeezer with tea bag is removed from the cup and the spent'tea bag is discarded.

The main advantage offered by the invention is that one does not have to handle a hot, wet tea bag.

Also the squeezer may be used to produce tea of a stronger brew.

Advertising material for tea manufacturers, etc.

may be provided on panel 30 of the tea bag squeezer. Also the handles 12 could be manufactured so to represent an advertising character such as, for example, the head of an animal.

1. A beverage making accessory comprising a pair of plate members connected together by a hinge, the plate-members being adapted to accommodate an article, such as a tea bag or the like, in a cup or other container, whereby when the plate members are moved towards one another, the article is compressed.

2. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 1, in which the plate members are provided on their opposing faces with a plurality of ridges to assist in compressing the article.

3. A beverage making accessory as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which each of the plate members is provided with at least one orifice through which liquid may flow.

4. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the ends of the plate members remote from the hinge are adapted to act as handles.

5. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 4, in which the handles may be formed in the shape of advertising characters.

6. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the plate members is adapted to carry advertising matter.

7. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 6, in which a panel to carry advertising matter is provided on at least one of the plate members.

8. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which locking means are provided to secure the plate elements together in a storage or packing mode.

9. A beverage making accessory substantially as

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A beverage making accessory The present invention relates to a beverage making accessory. When making a beverage, such as a cup of tea with a tea bag, one places the tea bag in a cup and pours boiling water into the cup. After the tea has been allowed to infuse, the tea bag is then removed from the cup usually with the aid of a spoon. Removal of the tea bag is a troublesome task, as one has to manoeuvre the spoon under the tea bag and then attempt to place the hot, dripping tea bag into a sink or refuse utensil. The object of the invention is to alleviate the above problem. The present invention provides a beverage making accessory comprising a pair of plate members connected together by a hinge, the plate-members being adapted to accommodate an article, such as a tea bag or the like, in a cup or other container, whereby when the plate members are moved towards one another, the article is compressed. Advantageously, the plate members are provided on their opposing faces with a plurality of ridges to assist in compressing the article. Preferably, each of the plate members is provided with at least one orifice through which liquid may flow. Conveniently, the beverage making accessory is manufactured from a plastics material such as polypropylene, a property of which is its natural hinging effect. The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment according to the invention. The embodiment of beverage making accessory shown in the drawings is designed to be used as a tea bag squeezer. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tea-bag squeezer, shown in a substantially V-shaped orientation; Figure 2 is a front view of the tea bag squeezer shown in a flat orientation; Figure 3 is a side view of the tea bag squeezer as shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of the area indicated as "C" in Figure 3. Referring to the drawings, the tea-bag squeezer comprises two plate members 10, 10a connected by a hinge 11, which plate members may be brought together so as to squeeze a tea bag (not shown) positioned between them. Handles 12 are provided on the plate members to allow for easy manipulation of the tea bag squeezer. Provided on the inner faces of the plate members 10, 10a are ridges 14 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of each plate member. The ridges 14 on each plate member 10, 10a cooperate in squeezing a tea bag. Each plate member 10, 10a is additionally provided with a number of holes 16 through which liquid may flow. Located at the upper end of the plate member 10 is a tapered pin 20 which may engage in hole 22 on the other plate member 10a to provide a "taper lock". When the tea bag squeezers are being packaged or stored, the taper lock is used to keep the two plate members together. Figure 4 illustrates the structure of the hinge 11. When the tea bag squeezer is manufactured from polypropylene, this material's natural resilience provides a resilient hinge effect. A panel 30 is also provided on the plate member 10. Advertising material or a logo may be formed on the panel during manufacture of the tea bag squeezer by injection moulding. To use the tea bag squeezer, a tea bag is placed between the plates 10 of the tea bag squeezer and is then placed into a cup. Boiling water is poured into the cup and the tea is allowed to infuse. The handles 13 are then grasped to squeeze the tea bag. The squeezer with tea bag is removed from the cup and the spent'tea bag is discarded. The main advantage offered by the invention is that one does not have to handle a hot, wet tea bag. Also the squeezer may be used to produce tea of a stronger brew. Advertising material for tea manufacturers, etc. may be provided on panel 30 of the tea bag squeezer. Also the handles 12 could be manufactured so to represent an advertising character such as, for example, the head of an animal. CLAIMS

1. A beverage making accessory comprising a pair of plate members connected together by a hinge, the plate-members being adapted to accommodate an article, such as a tea bag or the like, in a cup or other container, whereby when the plate members are moved towards one another, the article is compressed.

2. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 1, in which the plate members are provided on their opposing faces with a plurality of ridges to assist in compressing the article.

3. A beverage making accessory as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which each of the plate members is provided with at least one orifice through which liquid may flow.

4. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the ends of the plate members remote from the hinge are adapted to act as handles.

5. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 4, in which the handles may be formed in the shape of advertising characters.

6. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the plate members is adapted to carry advertising matter.

7. A beverage making accessory as claimed in Claim 6, in which a panel to carry advertising matter is provided on at least one of the plate members.

8. A beverage making accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which locking means are provided to secure the plate elements together in a storage or packing mode.

9. A beverage making accessory substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.