GB2360934A

GB2360934A - Cafetiere with separable filter supports on a rod

Info

Publication number: GB2360934A
Application number: GB0108746A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ninian Campbell Carnocha Adair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-07
Filing date: 2001-04-06
Publication date: 2001-10-10
Also published as: GB0008712D0; GB0108746D0

Abstract

A plunger type filter mechanism for a drink infusing device, for example a cafetiere, has a central rod 60 onto which is mounted a filter assembly comprising a filter member 63 sandwiched between two perforated plates 61 and 64. Perforated plate 61 has a central raised hollow stud 62. Perforated plate 64 has a central raised stud 65 which engages within hollow stud 62. Stud 65 has an integral spring tensioned releasable profile 67 which engages in an aperture 69 in the side of hollow stud 62 such that the two perforated plates are held together with the filter member 63 between, allowing effective use of the whole assembly in a drink enfusing device. By pushing thumb button 70 in the direction of arrow X the profile 67 can be disengaged from aperture 69 and the stud 65 and perforated plate 64 can be moved away in the direction of arrow Y from the perforated plate 61 until the thumb button rests against the top of perforated plate 64 allowing exposure of all filter assembly surfaces to rinse cleaning, by hand or dishwashing machinery, without the need for complete dissassembly of the components. By sliding perforated plate 64 in the opposite direction to arrow Y until the profile 67 re-engages with aperture 69 the mechanism is again ready to be used for beverage making.

Description

2360934 1 PLUNGER-TYPE FILTER MECHANISM This invention relates to a

plunger-type filter mechanism.

Plunge fitter beverage makers are common utensils for making beverages and comprise of a vessel, a plunge rod with filter arrangement at one end and a handle at the other, and a lid for the vessel through which the plunge rod can slide up and down. The filter arrangement consists of three components: a filter top plate with perimeter coil spring, a filter base plate and a filter mesh diaphragm. The filter base plate has a threaded stud over which the filter mesh diaphragm and the filter top plate are located and the whole assembly is attached to the end of the plunge rod by engaging the threaded stud onto the threaded end of the plunge rod.

In common usage water and beverage grains are placed in the vessel and the plunger rod with lid and filter arrangement is located on the top of the vessel. The plunge rod and filter arrangement can be pushed vertically downwards through the water and the filter pushes all the grains to the base of the vessel and retains them there while the water, now infused with the soluble parts of the grains, is poured into other vessels for consumption.

Common hygiene requires that the plunge fitter beverage maker is cleaned after use. However in this respect the rod and filter components need to be completely disassembled from the plunge rod into their separate parts to allow rinsing of all the surfaces of the top and base plates and the mesh diaphragm. The disassembly and subsequent reassembly of the filter components for reuse can be a time consuming and complicated operation.

1 2 According to the present invention there is provided a plunger-type filter mechanism for a drink infusing device comprising a rod, and a fitter member sandwiched between first and second members, the filter member and the support members being mounted on the rod, wherein the first and second support members are separable while remaining carried by the rod to enable cleaning of the fitter member.

This arrangement of a filter mechanism is intended to allow simple frequent cleaning of the components by rinsing with water either under running tap water or within mechanical dishwashing devices. It is also preferable if the main filter and support members can be completely dissassembled for infrequent but more thorough cleaning.

The component members of the mech#nism can be manufactured in metal or heat resistant plastic. Either material will allow integration of mechanisms and profiles with suitable spring/releasablelmemory properties that are required for securing the relative positions of the separable component members, in the assembly for use, or dissassembly for cleaning, configurations described.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of six examples, &B, QD, E and F with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows Example A with the first, second and fitter members sandwiched together for beverage making. Figure 2 shows Example A with the first, second and filter members separated for cleaning. Figure 3 shows Example B with the first, second and filter members sandwiched together for beverage making. Figure 4 shows Example B removed from the vessel and with the first, second and filter members separated for cleaning.

3 Figure 5 shows Example C with the first, second and fitter members sandwiched together for beverage making. Figure 6 shows Example C with the first, second and filter members separated for cleaning. Figure 7 shows Example D with the first, second and filter members sandwiched together for beverage making. Figure 8 shows Example D with the first, second and filter members separated for cleaning. Figure 9 shows Example E with the first, second and filter members sandwiched together for beverage making. Figure 10 shows Example E with the first, second and filter members separated for cleaning. Figure 11 shows two Views of Example F with the first, second and filter members sandwiched together for beverage making and separated for cleaning. Figure 12 shows two views of Example F with the first, second and filter members completely separated for thorough cleaning. All drawings are vertical section views on the central axis of the assembly.

Referring to Figure 1 the fitter mechanism Example A comprises of a rod 10, a first member in the form of a perforated plate 11 with central raised collar 12, a filter member of wire mesh gauze 13, and a second member in the form of a perforated plate 14 with central raised stud 15 with internal threads for connection to rod 10. The raised collar 12 of perforated plate 11 and filter member 13 are located onto raised stud 15 and rod 10 is screwed to the raised stud 15. Perforated plate 11 is releasably secured in a position by, for example, a spring tensioned lever catch 16, mounted on raised collar 12, engaging in a groove on raised stud 15, such that it is held tightly against filter member 13 and in turn against perforated plate 14. The filter mechanism can be used in conjunction with a vessel 17 and lid 18 for beverage making.

In order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the fitter mechanism Example A the spring tensioned lever catches 16 are disengaged from the grooves in stud 15 by moving the levers 4 in the direction of arrows X, allowing the perforated plate 11 to be moved from its position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2, in turn allowing the filter member 13 free to move and all faces of the perforated plates and filter member to be exposed for rinse cleaning. For more thorough cleaning from time to time the rod 10 can be disengaged from stud 15, and the perforated plates 11 and 14 and the filter member 13 can be completely separated from each other.

Referring to Figure 3 the filter mechanism Example B comprises a rod 20, a first member 21 in the form of a perforated plate releasably secured to the end of rod 20. A second rod 24 passes through the centre of perforated plate 21 and a filter member of wire mesh gauze 22, and a second member in the form of a perforated plate 23 is releasably secured to the end of rod 24. Rod 20 is secured to handle 25 and slides within handle 26. Rod 24 is secured to handle 26 and slides within handle 25. The two rods 20 and 24 are retained in relative position to one another by the handles 25 and 26 whereby the end of rod 24 is releasably secured in the handle 25 by means of, for example, a spring tensioned catch 27, integral with handle 25, engaging in a groove in rod 24. The fitter mechanism can be used in conjunction with a vessel 28 and lid 29 for beverage making.

in order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the filter mechanism Example B the two handles 25 and 26 are moved apart, to the positions shown in Figure 4, and the spring tensioned catch 27 engages in another groove near the end of rod 24. in this position the perforated plate 21, filter member 22 and perforated plate 23 are separated such that all faces of the perforated plates and filter member can be exposed to rinse cleaning.

For more thorough cleaning from time to time the perforated plates 21 and 23 and the filter member 22 can be completely separated from the rods 20 and 24.

Referring to Figure 5 the fitter mechanism Example C comprises a hollow rod 30 with perforated or slotted walls, a first member 31 in the form of a perforated plate, releasably secured to the end of rod 30. A second rod 34 passes through the centre of rod 30 and the centre of a filter member of Wire mesh gauze 32, and a second member in the form of a perforated plate 33 is releasably secured to the end of rod 34. Rod 30 is secured to handle 35 and rod 34 is secured to handle 36. The two rods 30 and 34 are retained in relative position to one another by the handles 35 and 36 whereby handle 36 slides within handle 35 and a spring tensioning device 37, for example, a metal coil spring, pulls, via the assembly of handle 36 and rod 34, perforated plate 33 tight against filter member 32, and in turn perforated plate 31. The fitter mechanism can be used in conjunction with a vessel 38 and lid 39 for beverage making.

In order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the filter mechanism Example C the handle 36 is depressed within handle 35 to the position shown in Figure 6, which separates the perforated plate 33, filter member 32 and perforated plate 31 such that all faces of the perforated plates and filter member can be exposed to rinse cleaning. The walls of hollow rod 30 are perforated to improve the dispersal of rinsing water to the inside faces of the rod 30 and the faces of rod 34.

For more thorough cleaning from time to time the perforated plates 31 and 33 and the filter member 32 can be completely separated from the rods 30 and 34. Furthermore the rod 34 can be pulled out of rod 30 for thorough cleaning.

Referring to figure 7 the filter mechanism Example D comprises a rod 40, a first support member in the form of a perforated plate 41 with central raised collar 44, a filter member of wire mesh gauze 42 and a second support member in the form of a perforated plate 43 with central stud 45 incorporating a spring tensioned lever catch.

1 6 Rod 40 is releasably secured to the top of raised collar 44 which is internally profiled to accept insertion of stud 45. Filter member 42 is located over central stud 45. The stud 45 once inserted in collar 44 is releasably secured in position by the spring tensioned lever catch 46 engaging in grooves integral with the internal profile of collar 44. The stud 45 being integral with the perforated plate 43 holds it tightly against filter member 42 and in turn against perforated plate 41. The filter mechanism can be used in conjunction with a vessel 47 and lid 48 for beverage making.

In order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the filter mechanism Example D the spring tensioned lever catch 46 is disengaged from the grooves in collar 44 by moving the lever in direction Y, allowing stud 45 and the perforated plate 43 to be moved from its position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8, This in turn allows fitter member 42 free to move and allows all faces of the perforated plates and filter member to be exposed to rinse cleaning.

For more thorough cleaning from time to time the rod 40 can be disengaged from collar 44 and the stud 45 can be disengaged from collar 44 so that perforated plates 41 and 43 and filter member 42 are completely separated from each other.

Referring to Figure 9 the filter mechanism Example E comprises of a rod 50, with a threaded portion, over which is permanently secured a shroud 51, a first member in the form of a perforated plate 52, with an integral central raised collar 53, a filter member of vAre mesh gauze 54, and a second member in the form of a perforated plate 55, with a central hollow raised stud 56, with internal threads for connection to the threaded portion of rod 50. The first member 52 and filter member 54 are located onto stud 56 prior to connection of stud 56 to rod 50. Stud 56 is sized to fit snugly between the threaded portion of rod 50 and the internal face of shroud 51. Stud 56 is screwed onto rod 50, with the aid of knob 57, such that the first 7 member 52, the filter member 54 and second member 55 are held tightly together against the shroud 51. In so doing the profile P1 of collar 53 engages in a matching profile P2 within the shroud 51. The filter mechanism can be used in conjunction with a vessel 58 and lid 59 for beverage making.

In order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the filter mechanism Example E the stud 56 is unscrewed from its position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 10, such that the second member 55 is around twenty millimetres from the first member 52, which remains releasably secured to the shroud 51, by means of the press-fit profiles P1 and P2, and such that filter member 54 is free to move, and all faces of the perforated plates and filter member can be exposed to rinse cleaning.

For more thorough cleaning from time to time the rod 50 can be disengaged from stud 56 so that perforated plate 55 and fitter member 54 can be completely separated from each other. Perforated plate 52 can be pushed to release the press-fit profiles of collar 53 and shroud 51, thus separating it from rod 50.

Referring to Figure 11 the filter mechanism Example F comprises of a rod 60, a first member in the form of a perforated plate 61, with an integral central raised hollow stud 62, with internal threads for connection to rod 60, a filter member of wire mesh gauze 63, and a second member in the form of a perforated plate 64 with a central raised stud 65. The raised stud 65 is releasably located within the raised hollow stud 62. The upper part of stud 65 has a split gap, 66, which allows one side of stud 65 to be moved, in the direction of arrow X, under spring tension, created by the inherent tension of the stud material, but such that its rest position is as shown in the top view in Figure 11.

1 1 8 The spring tensioned part of stud 65 has a protruding profile 67, incorporating two vertical slots 68, and a thumb button 70, such that when stud 65 is inserted into hollow stud 62 the top of the thumb button engages with an aperture 71 located in the first member 61 at the base of collar 62 and the two slots 68 align with the groove 72 in hollow stud 62. When the stud 65 is pushed fully upwards within the hollow stud 62 the profile 67 engages, under spring tension, with the aperture 69 in the hollow stud thus releasably locking the first member 61, the filter member 63 and the second member 64 tightly together. The fitter mechanism in this arrangement can be used in conjunction with a vessel and lid for beverage making.

in order to allow simple rinse cleaning of the filter mechanism Example F the spring tensioned part of stud 65 is pushed in the direction of arrow X, by means of the thumb button 70, disengaging the profile 67 from the aperture 69, to allow the stud to be slid vertically within the hollow stud 62, in the direction of arrow Y, until the thumb button 70 rests against the top of the first member 61, and such that filter member 63 is free to move, and all faces of the first and second members and filter member can be exposed to rinse cleaning.

For more thorough cleaning from time to time the thumb button 70 can be pushed further in the direction of arrow X such that it can pass through the aperture 71 in first member 61, as shown in Figure 12, allowing the second member 64 and filter member 63 to be completely separated from the first member 61 and each other.

9

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A plunger-type filter mechanism for a drink infusing device

comprising a rod, and a filter member sandwiched between first and second members, the fitter member and the support members being mounted on the rod, wherein the first and second support members are separable, while remaining carried by the rod, to enable cleaning of the filter member and support members.
2. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first member, fitter member and second member are held together by a spring tensioned catch integral with the first member engaging in a groove in the collar integral with the second member.
3. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherin the first member, filter member and second member are held in their separated positions by the spring tensioned catch engaging in a second groove in the collar integral with the second member.
4. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first and second members are connected to separate rods that move in relation to each other such that the first and second members are separable, the fitter member remaining carried on the rod for the second member, to enable cleaning of the fitter member and support members.
5. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first member is connected to a hollow rod and the second member is connected to a separate rod, the rod for the second member passing through the hollow rod for the first member, and the rods move in relation to each other such that the first and second members are separable, the fitter member remaining carded on the rod for the second member, to enable cleaning of the filter member and support members.
6. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first member, fitter member and second member are held together by a spring tensioned catch integral with the second member engaging in a grooved collar integral with the first member.
7. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 6 wherein the first member, filter member and second member are held in their separated positions by the spring tension catch engaging in a second groove in the collar integral with the first member.
8. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first member, filter member and second member are held together by a threaded stud engaging in a threaded portion at the end of the rod such that the stud pushes all the members against a shroud sorrounding the rod at the top of the threaded portion.
9. A fitter mechanism as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the first member, filter member and second member are held in the separated position by unscrewing the threaded stud.
10. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 8 and Claim 9 wherein the first member is releasably secured to the rod, independently from the second member, by means of press-fit profiles on the first member and within the shroud.
11. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 8 and Claim 9 wherein the threads for the stud and rod are of steep angle pitch to maximise travel distance for each revolution of the stud.
12. A filter mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second member has a raised stud which releasably engages within a raised hollow stud integral with the first member.
13. A fitter mechanism as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the second member can be separated from the first member by pushing a thumb button integral with the raised stud inwards and downwards to the extent that the filter member, first and second member are seoarated but retained on the rod.
14.A filter mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the filter member is a wire mesh guaze.
15. A filter mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 12.