GB2351012A

GB2351012A - Tea infusing container.

Info

Publication number: GB2351012A
Application number: GB9914191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tien Yu-Mei Lin
Original assignee: LIN TIEN YU MEI
Current assignee: LIN TIEN YU MEI
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 1999-06-17
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Also published as: GB9914191D0

Abstract

A tea infusing device comprises a cup body 1 having a through hole 11 in its base, filtering means 2, valve means 4 and release means 3. The release means operates to open the valve when pressure is applied to it as it is located on a suitable vessel (5, Fig. 4) to receive the contents of the container. The release means comprises a sliding disk 30 and a pin 310, and the valve means a ball 40 and stopper 15. Elongate holes 13, towards the bottom of the cup body, retain the sliding disk so that it can move upwards and downwards relative to the cup body. The cup body is provided with a number of foot plates 14 which protrude through holes 32 in the sliding disk and support the container when it is placed on a flat surface. In such a position, the sliding disk will drop down under gravity and the stopper seals the through hole 11. When the container is supported by locating the sliding disk on the rim of the vessel, the cup body falls down relative to the buckling disk, the pin displaces the stopper and the tea water drains into the vessel.

Description

2351012 AN INFUSER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infuser, and especially to a tea infusing device for infusing tea, and if desired, the scraps of tea leaves can be stopped and fragrant tea water may be drained out. By the present invention, the infuser may be operated easily and also the present invention can be used in all kinds of containers for containing water.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art of flushing water, the tea is directly put into a container and then hot water is added. After a few minutes, a fragrant tea water is fonned. Since tea leaves and tea water does not be isolated properly. Thus, the drinker often carelessly drinks the scraps of tea. Especially, the less the tea water, the more the tea leaves being drunk by drinker. Moreover, the fragrant of tea is exhausted rapidly- th it can not be flushed many times. Thus, the nmufacturers have developed many kinds of tea flushing devices for properly isolating the tea leaves and tea water. -Aese structures include an outer cup and an inner cup within the outer cup. The bottom of the inner cup has a tapered shape and a through hole is formed in the center portion thereof and a rolling ball. water stopper located at the through hole. A filtering not is located thereon. A linkage extended to the exact lower side of the through hole is installed between one side of the inner cup and the bottom for flushing tea water. If desired, the linkage is pressed to eject the rolling ball, then the tea is filtered through a filtering net and then flows to the outer cup. Thus a pure tea water is obtainecL After the linkage is"released, hot water may be added continuously, therefore, the tea can be flushed many times.

However, in that tea flushing device structure, since the rolling ball freely slides be.twe.e,n the. hnttnm nf the inner enn;%nd the. nf the filte.rincr ne.1 ctn nat tn be. confined properly, if the cup body is inclined for pouring water or'the cup body is -Abrated, the rolling ball ivill roll away ftom the through hole so that the water win drain out. Besides, since the material of the bottom of inner cup is made of plastic.

Thus, in manufacturing, the sizes and the shapes of the rolling ball and the tea flushing device can not be matched completely. Therefore, gaps will occur between the rolling ball and the through hole so that the water will pour out continuously.

Moreover. since the structure is necessary to be arran d with linkage and spring and ge other components, thus not only. it has a complex structure, but also the operation is also complex and it is easy to fault. Especially, the inner cup and the outer cup must be used together. Therefore, as the upper half space of the outer cup is occupied by the inner cup, the space in the lower half for receiving water is finite. Thus, it Qan not be used in other container.

SARY OF THE INVENTION Aceordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a tea flushing device, when the tea flushing device is flatly arranged on a plane, it may stop water to drain out automatically for flushing water. If the cup body is placed in a proper container. it will pour water automatically and then tea water may drain out to the container. Thus, not only having a simple structure, but also a simple placing action may serve to control the input and output of water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tea flushing device, in order that as the tea flushing device is inclined or vibrates, the water therewithin may still position steadily. Thus, the tea will not drain out.

2 Z15 A further object of the present invention is to provide a teaflushing device, whereffi b an elastic deformed rubber water stopping pad so thatthe water stopper can be retained to tightly seal the water stopping pad by the gravitation itself and water pressure. Thus, a preferred water sealing effect is provided. Therefore, tea water will not drain out in a static state.

According to one embodiment of this invention there is provided an infuser comprising: an infusing container for containing a liquid and solids to produce an infusion; an orifice in a base of the container for dispensing the infusion into a vessel; filter means for retaining the solids in the container during dispensing of the infusion; valve means for controlling flow of the infusion through the orifice; and release means for opening and closing the valve; wherein the release means is operable to open the valve by pressure from a rim of the vessel on which the infusing container is locatable for dispensing the infusion into the vessel.

According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided a infusing device for tea comprising:

a cup body the bottom of which havirig a cone shape inclined surface, a through holc being installed in the center of the bottom, a flange with a proper height being extended from the periphery of the cup bottom, a plurality of syrnmetric vertical Iona holes being formed on the wall surface of the flama ge, and a plurabty of paired and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flange; a filterirur net bein g g installed in the bottom of the cup body; a buckling disk being formed with a ring having a diameter slightly smaller than the flange of the cup, the peripheral wall of the ring being installed with a plurality of symmetric buckling, posts so as to be inserted into the respective long holes of the flange in the cup body, thus, the cup body and the buckling disk is capable of being lifted or descended, a rod being further installed in the center of the ring, and a plurality of through holes for being penetrating by the foot plates are installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the ring; 3 a water stopper, this water stopper further comprising a soft water stopping pad installed at the through hole on the bottom of the cup body and a metal rolling ball placed on the through hole of the water stopping pad, wherein the water stopping pad facing the top surface of the rolling ball and near the through hole installed with a circular slot so as to be isolated and formed with a thinner water stopping ring; whereir4 when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by suppo th rting of e foot' plate, the buckling disk wiU slide downwards along the long hole due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water stopp-ef vill resist against the through hole because of the water pressure and the arm,it.oltin-nal itzelf And thIM water i.fightly se-zled, when the- tea flil-Shinc, device -is placed. on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will be resisted by the container so that the 'water stopper mo-ves away from the through hole, and thus the liquid within the cup will be filtered by the filtering net and then the liquid will flow into the container through the through hole.

According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided a tea flushing device compfising:

a cup body the bottom of which having a cone shape inclined surface, a through hole being installed in the center of the bottom, a flange with a proper height being extended from the periphery of the cup bottorn, a plurality of V/Inrnetric vertical long holes being formed on the wall surface of the flange, and a plut-ality of paired and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flange; filtering net being installed in the bottom of the cup body; buckling disk being formed with a ring with a diameter slightly smaller than the flange of the cup - the peripheral wall of the ring being installed with a plurality of symmetric buckling posts so as to be inserted into the respective long holes of the 4 flanae. in the. cnin hody- thU,% the. cup body &nd the. buckling dLqk is capable of being lifted or descended, a rod being further installed in the center of the ring, and a pluralit.v of through holes for being penetrating by the foot plates are installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the ring; a water stopper, this water stopper further comprising a soft water stopping pad installed at the through hole on the bottom of the cup body and a metal rolling ball placed on the through hole of the water stopping pad; wherein, when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by supporting of the foot plate, the buckling disk will slide 'downwards along the long hole duo to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water stopper will resist against the through hole because of the water pressure and the gral,itational itself, and thus water is fightl:y sealed, when the tea flushing device is placed on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will. be resisted by the container so that the water stopper moves away from the through hole, and thus the liquid within the cup will be fatered by the filtering net and then the liquid will flow into the container through the through hole.

According to a fourth embodiment of this invention there is provided a tea flushing device comp6sing:

a cup body the bottom of which having a cone shape inclined surface, a through hole being installed in the center of the bottom, a Bange with a proper height beinga extended from the periphery of the cup bottom, a plurality of symmetric vertical long holes being formed on the wall surface of the flange, and a plurality of paired and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flang-c; a filtering net being installed in the bottom of the cup body; a buckling disk being formed with a dn with a diameter slightly smaller dun the flange of the cup, die peripheral wall of the ring being installed with symmetric pluraliry- of buckling posts so as to be inserted into the respeclive long holes of the fingre of the oup body, thus, the cup body and the buckling disk is capable of being lifted or descended, a concave hole being further installed in the center of the ring, and a plurality of through holes for being penetrating by the foot plates being installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the ring; a water stopper formed by a water stopping block and a guiding rod connected to bottom of the center of the water stopping block, wherein, when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by the supporting of the foot plate, the buckling disk will slide downwards along the long hole due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water stopper will resist against the through hole because of the water pressure and the gravitational itself, and thus water is tightly scaled, when the tea flushing device is placed on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will be resisted by the container so that the water stopper moves away from the through hole, and thus the.liquid within the cup will be filtered by the filtering net and then the liquid will flow into the container through the through hole.

The present invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing to the following drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIMON OF TBE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective -view of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

Fi,g 3 is a lateral cross sectional Niew showing the cup body in the first embodiment in placed at a plane and water is stopped.

Fig. 4 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the cup body in tl:e first embodiment is placed in the proper container and water is drained out.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspecti:i view 6f'the sec6nd-embodi mient according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the cup body in the second embodiment in placed at a plane and water is stopped.

Fig. 7 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the cup body in the second embodiment is placed in the proper container and water is drained out.

Fig. 8_.is an exploded perspective -view of the third elastic element according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the cup body in the third embodiment M placed at a plane and water is stopped.

6 Fig. 10 is a lateral cross sectional view showing , the cup body in the third embodiment is placed in the proper container and water is drained out.

Fig. 11 is a structural schematic view showing the water stopper of another aspect in the third embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a structural cross sectional -view showing the water stopper of another aspect in the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ETNEBOD11VMNT

Refer:ring to Figs. 2, 3 and 8, three embodiments of the improved tea flushing device according to the present invention are illustrated. All the tea flushing devices in the three embodiments include a cup body I, a filtering net 2, a buckling disk 3 and a water stopper 4.

ne cup body I has a matched cover 10. The bottom of the cup has a cone shape inclined surface. A through hole 11 is installed in the center of the bottom. A flange 12 with a proper height is extended from the periphery of the cup bottom. A plurality of symmetric vertical long holes 13 are formed on the wall surface-of the =1 flange 12. A plurality of paired and symmetric foot plates 14 are extended from the flange 12.

The filtering net 12 is installed in the bottom of the cup body 1 to isolate the through hole 11.

The buckling disk 3 is formed with a ring 30 with a diameter slightly smaller than the flange 12 of the cup 1. The peripheral wall of the ring 30 is installed with a plurality of symmetric buckling posts 300 so as to be inserted into the long holes 13 of the flange 12 of the cup body 1. Tbus, the cup body 1 and the buckling disk 3 may be therefore lifted or descended. A plurality of interleaved and hollow fixing ribs 31 are arranged on the center of the zing 36.' A rod 310 is installed in the center of the fisirg rib 31. A plural-ity of through holes 32 for being penetratLng by the. Loot ninte...Q C, r.....

14 are installed on the buckling disk 3 adjacent to ring 30.

As the first embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a rubber water stopping pad 15 with rich telescopic elasticity is installed at the through hole I I of the cup body 1.

The water stopper 4 is a metal rolling ball 40. A bottom of the filtering net 2 is downwards extended with a protecting body enclosing the rolling ball 40. The protecting body has a shape of a plurality of symmetricaRy radiating ribs 20 or a plurality of posts or round cylinders so that the center section enclosed is exactly contained the rolling ball 40 and confines the movement of the rolling ball 40. The second embodiment is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in the embodiment, the water stopper 4 has a shape of metal rolling ball 40. The filtering net 2 is also installed with a protecting body with proper distributed ribs 20. A rubber water stopping pad 15 is installed at the through hole 11 except that the water stopping pad 15 facing the top surface of the rolling ball 40 and near the through hole 150 installed with a circular slot 151 so as to be isolated and formed with a thinner water stopping ring 152.

Further, as that shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The water stopper 4 is formed by a water stopping block 41 with a geometric shape of for example round ball, hemispherical as shown in Fig. 11, or a tapered shape as shown in Fig. 12, and a guiding rod 42 connected to bottom of 24.0 the center of the water stopping block 41. A center portion of the buckling disk 3 is formed with a concave hole 311 facing exactly to the guide rod 42.

By the aforementioned components, the tea Bushing device as shown in Fig. 2 is CP assembled. As shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 9, when the cup body I is flatly arranged on the plane, for example, table surface, and then tea and hot water is filled into the cup.

By the supporting of the foot plate 14, the buckling disk 13 will slide downwards along the long hole 13 due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water stopper 4 will resist against -the through hole 11 (15) because of the water pressure and the gravitational itself, and thus water is tightly 8 1!11efil ancl the.re.fore. on ritinn nf flll-,hin(y ten cin he. ine.if ret----- -- ----- -- p forme.d. When the. tea is desired to be taken out for drinkin& the user only needs to place the cup body 1 to any container 5 with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the buckling disk 3 except one hning a diameter identical to that of the flange 12, and then the container 5 will resist against the buckling disk 3, as shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 10, the cup body 1 descends according to the gravitational force itself. Therefore, the top rod 310 or concave hole 311 of the buckling disk 3 will resist against the water stopper 4 to move away from the through hole 11 (150), thus the tea water within the cup body 1 will be poured successfully to the container 5. At the same time, the tea leaves and the scraps will be isolated by the filtering of tile filtering net 2 so as not to flow with the tea water.

Therefore, it is appreciated that in using the user only needs to place the cup body 1 flatly on a plane, then the, water stopper 4 will automatically seal the through hole 11 (150) to achieve the function of stopping water so to flush water easily. As desired, the cup body 1 is only necessary to be placed above the container 5 and then the water stopper 4 will separate automatically and then tea water will be poured out Thus it has a simple. structure and the user does not be necessary to perform any extra pressing action, he (or she) only needs to place the cup body, then the stopping and releasing of water are performed. Thus it can be operated conveniently.

Especially, the cup body 1 can be used independently and is suitable to any container with a proper size. Thus, user may use the container 5 with a proper volume for being filled with water.

Another, since the tea flushing device 1 and the container 5 for containing water are separated with one another. Therefore, as the tea water within the container 5 is poured ou the whole tea flusbing device can be taken away and is not necessary to be inclined. Therefore, the water stopper 4 itself is steadily. Especially, in the first embodiment shown in Fi2S. 3 and 4, and the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the water stopper 4 with a type of rollingball 40 is more easily confined by the 9 1--lllrnlitv nf rihs. '270 I-In cr tbe filte.in(y net tbliq it i'.R tin. qitinne.d And VA11 nnt rnll mywhere. In the third embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, since the water stopper 4 has a guide rod 42 passing into the through hole 11, and it will not separate with the through hole 11. Thus, the water stopper 4 is effectively positioned in the through hole 11 (150) and thus a preferred water stopping effect is retained. Besides, in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and the second embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a soft rubber water stopping pad 15 is adapted. Therefore, when the rolling ball 40 resists against the water stopping pad 15 dug to the gravitational force and water pressure, since the peripheral wall of the through hole 150 may be properly compressed and deformed so as to tightly seal with the rolling, ball 40.. Especially in the second embodiment a soft thin water stopping ring 152 is extra isolated from the periphely of the through hole 150 of the water stopping pad 15, thus as it is pressed by the rofiffig ball 40, a larger deformation is induced so as to resist against the rolling ball 40.. Therefore, when even a little error is existed between the rolling ball 40 and the through hole 150, the tightly sealing effect for stopping water between will not be affected and the tea water will not pour out However, a tea flushing device serves as an embodiment in the present invention, another appfications, such as device for flushing coffee or drug, are all within the scope of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described using specified embodiment, the examples are meant to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is clear that many other variations would be possible without departing from the basic approach, demonstrated in the present invention. Therefore, all such variations. are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An infuser comprising: an infusing container for containing a

liquid and solids to produce an infusion; an orifice in a base of the container for dispensing the infusion into a vessel; 5 filter means for retaining the solids in the container during dispensing of the infusion; valve means for controlling flow of the infusion through the orifice; and release means for opening and closing the valve; wherein the release means is operable to open the valve by pressure from a rim of the vessel on which the infiising container is locatable for dispensing the infusion into the vessel.

11 .., ---... 1..

2. An infusing device for tea comprising:

a cup body the bottom of which having a cone shape inclined surface, a through hole being installed in the center of the bottom, a flange with a proper height being extended from the periphery of the cup bottom, a plurality of synunetric vertical long holes being formed on the wall surface of the flange, and a plurality of paired and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flange; a filtering net being installed in the bottom of the cup body; C.

a buckling disk being formed with a ring havingg a diameter slightly smaller than the flange of the cup, the peripheral wall of the fing being installed with a plurality of symmetric buckling posts so as to be inserted into the respective long holes of the flange in the cup body, thus, the cup body and the buckling disk is capable of being lifted or descended, a rod being fin-ther installed in the center of the ring, and a plurality of through holes for being penetratin by the foot plates are installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the fing; a water stopper, this water stopper further comprising a soft water stopping pad installed ai the throup-h hole on the bottom of the cup body and a metal rolling ball placed on the through hole of the water stoppir4a pad, wherein the water stopping t pad facing the top surface of the rolling ball and near the through hole installed with a circular slot so as to be isolated and formed with a thinner water stopping ring; whereir when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by supporting of the foot' plate, the bucklirg, disk will slide downwards along the long hole due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water Z 5 stoppei will resist against the &rough hole because of the water pressure and the 12 Orlvitntinn:fl iftelf and thliq Water k ticrhtlv qeiled whan the. ten flnqhincr deiAne k placed on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will be resisted by the container so that the water stopper moves away from the through hole, and thus the liquid within the cup will be filtered by the filtering net and then the liquid will flow into the container through the through hole.

A tea infusing device according to claim 2, wherein a protecting body cxtcridcd downwards to enclose the periphery of the rolling ball is installed at the bottom of the filtering net.

4. A tea infusing device according to claim 3, wherein the protecting body. is a plurality of radiating extending ribs.

5. A tea infusing device according to claim 3, wherein the protecting body is a round convex barrel.

6. A tea infusing device according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the ring of buckling disk is formed with a plurality of interleaved fixing ribs so as to have a hollow space.

7. A tea flushing device comprising:

a cup body the bottom of which having a cone shape inclined surface, a through hole being installed in the center of the bottom, a flange with a proper height being extended from the periphery of the cup bottorr4 a plurality of symmetric vertical long holes being formed on the wall surface of the ffiange, and a phnAty of paired-and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flange; a filtering net being installed in the bottom of the cup body; a buckling disk being formed with a ring with a diameter slightly smaller than the flange of the cup.- the peripheral wall of the ring being installed with a plurality of symmetric buck-ling posts so as to be inserted into the respective long holes of the 13 A-Incre in the. min bod 3 -ir dy- thus, the. cup body and the. buckIlling di-sk is canable. of being lifted or descended, a rod being further installed in the center of the:ring, and a plurality of through holes for being penetrating by the foot plates are installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the ring; a water stopper, this water stopper further comprising a soft water stopping pad installed at the through hole on the bottom of the cup body and a metal rolling ball placed on the through hole of the water stopping pad; wherein, when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by supporting of the foot plate, the buckling disk will slide 'downwards along the long hole due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water stopper will resist against the through hole because of the water pressure and the gravitational itself, and thus water is fightly sealed, when the tea flushing device is placed on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will be resisted by the container so that the water stopper moves away from the through hole, and thus the liquid within the cup will be filtered by the filtering net and then the liquid will flow into the container through the through hole.

9. A tea infusing device according to claim 7, wherein a protecting body extended downwards to enclose the periphery of the rolling ball is installed at the bottom of the filtering net.

9. A tea infusing device according to claim 8, wherein the protecting body is a plurality of radiating extending ribs. _ - A tea infusing device according to claim 8, wherein the protecting body is a round convex barrel.

11. A tea infusing device according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the ring of buckling disk is formed with a plurality of interleaved fixing ribs so as to have a hollow space.

14 12. A tea flushing device comprising: a cup body the bottom of which having, a cone shape inclined surface. a through hole being installed in the center of the bottom, a flange with a proper heigght being extended from the periphery of the cup bottom, a plurality of symmetric vertical long holes being formed on the wall surface of the flange, and a plurality of paired and symmetric foot plates being extended from the flange; a filtering net being installed in the bottom of the cup body; a buckling disk being formed with a ring with a diameter slightly smaller than the flange of the cup, the peripheral wall of the ring being installed with symmetric 10 plurality- of buckling posts so as to be inserted into the respective long holes of the flange of the cup body, thus, the cup body and the buckling disk is capable of being lifted or descended, a concave hole being finther installed in the center of the rin& and a plurality of through holes for being penetratingg by the foot plates being installed on the buckling disk adjacent to the ring; 15 a water stopper formed by a water stopping block and a guiding rod connected to bottom of the center of the water stopping block, whereiri, when the cup body is flatly arranged on the plane, by the supporting of the foot plate, the buckling disk will slide downwards along the long hole due to action of gravitation force and then the water stopper is released so that the water 2G stopper will resist against the through hole because of the water pressure and the gravitational itself, and thus water is tightly sealed, when the tea flushing device is placed on any container with a proper diameter, the buckling disk will be resisted by the container --so that the water stopper moves away from the through hole, and thus the liquid within the cup will be filtered by the filtering, net and then the liquid 25 will. flow into the container through the through hole.

13. A te., infusing dt,%.n-ce. ae.c.orcline, tO clalim 12, wherein the. watc.r stopping block has a shape of round ball.

14. A tea infusing device according to claim 12, wherein the water stopping block has a shape of hemisphere- 15. A tea infusing device according to claim 12, wherein the water stopping block has a tapered shape.

16. A tea infusing device according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the ring of buckling disk is formed with a plurality of interleaved fixing ribs so as to have a hollow space.

17. A tea infusing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 1 and 5-7a or Figures 1, and 8-12 of the accompanying drawings 16