GB2214785A

GB2214785A - Beverage infusing device

Info

Publication number: GB2214785A
Application number: GB8802612A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Gwyer Storey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-05
Filing date: 1988-02-05
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Also published as: GB8802612D0

Abstract

A device for compressing a substance capable of forming a beverage with a liquid, which device comprises: a main body 1A which is provided with an apertured chamber adapted to accommodate the substance e.g. in a tea bag; and a plunger 8 which is at least partially received within the main body which is movable within the chamber to a first position in which it is capable of compressing a substance contained therein. The chamber is formed by the body 1A and a bottom member 1B. <IMAGE>

Description

BEVERAGE INFUSING DEVICE This invention relates to a device for infusing a beverage, for example tea in a tea bag. Although the invention will be described herein with reference to a tea bag, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to that application.

The use of tCa bag is wel3-knwt' and widesHread Tea bags are usually used by placing in a conventional tea-pot. It is desirable to be able to use a tea bag to make single cups of tea, that is, to infuse the tea in a tea bag directly in a cup.

It is an object of this invention to provide an infusing device that will enable a user to prepare a beverage in a cup in a simple and economical manner, with the possibility of infusing for example the tea in a single tea bag in successive cups.

According to this invention, a beverage infusing device comprises an apertured or perforated container for receiving a bag or other holder of tea or other beverage material; a plunger fitting within and movable within the container for compressing the bag or holder; and a handle for holding the device in for example a cup for moving the plunger during infusion of the beverage. Preferably the plunger is operable against the action a spring, so that the compressing operation can be repeated as required.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic part-sectional side view of a tea bag infusing device; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the body of the device; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic top plan of the plunger of the device.

Referring to the drawing, a tea bag infusing device has a container which includes an apertured body 1A and an apertured base 1B. The body 1A is hollow, round, and tubular. It is closed by a circular top wall 1C and is open at the bottom, as seen in Figure 1.

Its tubular wall 1D has vertical slot-like apertures 2, preferably eight in number, of which three are seen in Figure 2. At two dlametricaly opposed points in the tubular body are respective lugs, of which one is shown at 3 in Figure 2.

The container also includes th.e apertured base 1B.

This is also round, and is open top and bottom with a lateral bulkhead 4.

The wall of the base 1B is in two parts: a tubular upper part 5A and a frustoconical lower part 5B. The internal diameter of the wall part 5A is such that it can be push fitted snugly over the lower, open end of the body 1A, and yet be readily removable therefrom.

The base 1B has two diametrically opposed bayonet-type slots, of which one is shown at 6 in Figure 1. When the base 1B is fitted on to the body 1A, the lugs 3 are engaged in the ba,yonet-type slots 6.

The container parts 1A, 1B are moulded from a plastics material which is heat resistant to not less than 1000C.

The top wall 1C has a central circular hole 7A which is surrounded by an upstanding sleeve 7B fixed to the top wall 1C as seen in Figure 1. Slidably mounted within this sleeve is a stem 7C, which projects down through the hole 7A and on the lower end of which is fixed a circular plunger which fits as shown within the tubular wall 1D. The plunger is apertured, as seen in Figure 3.

The stem 7C also projects up from the sleeve 7B and at its upper end carries an annular operating handle 9. The top of the sleeve 7B and the mounting portion 9A of the handle form respective abutments for a compression coil spring 10, as shown in Figure 1.

The sleeve, stem and handle are of the heat resistant plastics material. The spring is of a suitable hygienic material able to withstand a temperature not less than 100oC: preferably the spring material is of low heat conductance.

To uJe the device of the invention, the base, B is removed from the body 1A and a tea bag (not shown) is mounted in the latter, with the spring-l0 holding the plunger 8 against the top wall 1C of the body. The base is then replaced and the device placed in a cup.

Boiling water to the desired level is poured into the cup. Then the plunger, by means of the handle, is pushed downward in the container against the spring until it abuts the tea bag, which is thus compressed to aid infusion of the tea. This action is repeated until a desired tea strength is achieved. The device may then be removed from the cup and be inserted in another cup, for further infusion of tea in boiling water in this other cup. When no further infusion from the tea can take place, the device is removed from the cup in which it is being used, and the base is then removed.

By further use of the handle and plunger, the tea bag can be ejected into a waste disposal container. After thorough rinsing, the device is ready for further use.

Since, in use, the tea bag or other beverage holder is enclosed within the body lA, 1B, no dripping and staining need occur, nor need the user's fingers come into contact with hot water or the beverage substance. For these reasons the device is considered to be safe for use by a handicapped person. Further, the device is cost effective, in that more than one cup can be infused, as mentioned above. Although use of the device with a cup has been described, it would of course be possible to use it with out liquid containers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for use in the infusion of a substance capable of forming a beverage with a liquid, which device comprises: a main body which is provided with a chamber adapted to accommodate the substance and which is also provided with one or more apertures which, when the main body is at least partially submerged in liquid, allows liquid to pass into and out of the chamber; and a plunger which is at least partially received within the main body and which is movable within the chamber to a first position in which it is capable of compressing a substance contained therein.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is further provided with guide means capable of guiding the movement of the plunger within the chamber.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plunger is biased to a second position in which it is not capable of compressing a substance contained within the chamber.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the plunger is biased by means of a spring.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the plunger is provided with a handle.

6. A device according to claim 5 when appendant to claim 4, wherein the arrangement is such that when a force is applied to the handle causing the plunger to move from the second position towards the first position, the spring is compressed against the main body.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the plunger is provided with at least one perforation through which liquid may flow.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the main body has a cylindrical portion and a base which together define the chamber.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the base is detachably mounted with respect to the cylindrical portion.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the cylindrical portion and the base are provided with cooperable engagement means.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the engagement means takes the form of a bayonet fitting, a lug being provided on one of the cylindrical portion and the base and a corresponding slot being provided on the other.

12. A device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein at least one of the one or more apertures is provided in the cylindrical portion.

13. A device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein at least one of the one or more apertures is provided in the base.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, which is of a substantially heat-resistant plastics material.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the substance is tea.

16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the substance is contained within a perforated bag.

17. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.