GB2384689A

GB2384689A - Infusion device for beverage making

Info

Publication number: GB2384689A
Application number: GB0202528A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giles Dick-Read
Original assignee: Tea Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Tea Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-02
Filing date: 2002-02-04
Publication date: 2003-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-04
Also published as: GB2384689B; GB0202528D0

Abstract

The device 1 has a hollow housing 2 containing eg tea, a handle 3 connected to the housing and at least one aperture sealed by a porous wall or membrane eg a plastics mesh 10. Solid walls 2 of the housing help reduce dripping when the device is removed from liquid. A membrane may be provided on both sides of the chamber and the or each membrane may have a peripheral fold which allows it to expand when its contents swell. The housing may be divided into compartments which may or may not intercommunicate. When they do not, different ingredients eg tea, milk and/or sugar may be put in the separate compartments. The handle may be integral with or separately attached to the housing. The handle may include an indicator for time and/or temperature of immersion, eg a thermochromic material.

Description

DEVICE FOR MAKING A BEVERAGE This invention relates to a device for making a beverage, in particular a device to provide a beverage such as an infusion of a substance in a liquid Hot beverages are amongst the most popular drinks consumed in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Indeed, tea has often been described as the national drink of the United Kingdom. In recent years, however, many coffee shops and bars have opened which sell various types of hot beverages but, as their name would imply, mainly coffee.

It is also known to make a cup of tea from a single tea bag, the bag being deposited in a cup prior to the addition of water. The individual is then free to ensure their cup of tea has the desired strength. However, tea bags are messy and often drip the remnants of the infused liquid which have not been squeezed out of the bag.

In 88 2301766 A, there is disclosed a tea bag and spoon device comprising a two-part body section, the two parts being connected by a hinge and each being perforated, the volume defined by the two-part body section being arranged to retain a tea bag or the like. In use, a tea bag, for example, IS placed within the volume defined by the two-part body section and the two parts closed together, encapsulating the tea bag. The spoon device IS then stirred In a cup of hot water to make an Infusion

of tea Because the tea bag is not squeezed the bag should retain a lot of water when it is removed from the cup which can cause dripping.

US 4465697 discloses a coffee brewing device comprising a housing for holding ground coffee, the housing having at least one perforated wall to allow the passage of water therethrough. The interior of the housing is provided with a vent to allow the egress of gases generated when coffee grounds are submerged in water.

The housing may be provided with a plurality of baffles to facilitate mixing of the grounds via the turbulent interaction of generated gas bubbles, water and coffee Nothing is done to address the problem of dripping from the device once removed from the cup In which the coffee was brewed.

A further Infuser IS disclosed in WO 95/15105 A1 and comprises a hollow elongate member In which IS retained a charge of an infusable substance and which, at one end, IS perforated and at the other has a gripping portion The Infuser IS also provided with a movable sleeve which, after use, can be slid along the member such that it covers the perforated portion so as to reduce the chance of leakage from the interior of the member through the perforations. Such a sleeve can be difficult to use and can make the infuser costly to manufacture.

It has been realised that there IS a significant marketing potential for tea In retail outlets if only It were easier to make an Individual portion It IS well known that the tastes of an individual may vary greatly, some require strong tea, some weak and so on

Conventionally, in cafés, bars and the like, a cup of tea is dispensed from a pot in which tea leaves or tea bags have been left to brew. Whilst the strength of the tea infusion develops over time, the flavor may be impaired by being left to stand and the infusion will become cool. Often hot water will be added to the pot to ensure the infusion remains warm. A member of staff will provide a cup of tea to the customer This is often unsatisfactory because not only does the customer want a drink made to his particular requirements but he also wants it quickly and without impaired flavour.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for making a beverage which can be made cheaply, which can be used to make a drink to the required strength and which is provided with means to prevent or at least substantially reduce the incidence of dripping once the device has been removed from a cup. It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which can be readily used In a retail outlet so as to quickly and efficiently provide a container of quickly brewed tea to an individual. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device which obviates the need for a spoon to stir the dnnk once one, some or all the ingredients have been added to the container.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for making a beverage, the device comprising a hollow housing for holding an Infusable ingredient and a handle portion connected to the housing, the housing having at least one aperture which IS sealingly covered by a porous or liquid permeable membrane, the device being arranged to prevent or at least substantially reduce dripping of liquid

when the device, after use, IS removed from a container of liquid using the handle portion.

The housing may comprise a solid, impermeable wall which defines a chamber, the infusable substance being retained within the chamber In one embodiment, the surface area of the chamber provided by the wall is greater than that provided by the permeable membrane The membrane may be a fine plastics gauze or mesh or, for example, It may be fabricated from paper or cloth, such as the paper from which conventional tea bags are made or, say, muslin.

The housing may have two apertures, each of which being sealingly covered by a porous or liquid permeable membrane.

The membrane may define a container in which the inusable substance is sealed, a portion of the membrane being adhered to the housing to cover the aperture, preferably through use of a contact adhesive with or without a heat seal operation.

The or each membrane may have a first condition and a second condition Preferably, the device is provided, to a user, in the first condition and, to use, is placed in a container of water. Any water which permeates or flows through the or

each membrane will be absorbed by the infusable substance, causing the Infusable substance to swell. The swelling of the infusable substance will force the or each membrane to bellow into the second condition. In one embodiment, the or each membrane, in the first condition, is folded or concertinaed and in the second condition is expanded. In this embodiment, the infusable ingredient preferably substantially fills the container.

The housing may be internally divided into a plurality of compartments There may be communication between the compartments or there may not. In the latter case, a portion of the ingredient may be located in each of the distinct compartments Alternatively or additionally, different ingredients may be located in compartments within the housing, for example tea leaves and powdered milk and/or sugar In a preferred embodiment, the infusable ingredient IS tea leaves Alternatively, the inusable ingredient may comprise herbal, fruit or vegetable matter, such as plant extracts or other Infusable substances which are utilised to make beverages commonly termed"herbal teas". The tea or other matter may fill only a portion of the chamber, the free space being present to allow movement of the enclosed tea leaves, in use, to aid the process of infusion.

The handle portion may be Integrally formed with the housing or It may be attached thereto by adhesives, rivets, screws or other connecting means which would provide a rigid connection therebetween, such as a mating spigot and socket, at least

one of which being provided with means to engage and/or retain the other in engaging relations.

The handle portion may comprise an indicator portion to indicate time of immersion, temperature or other information Alternatively or additionally, the handle portion may comprise indicia such as advertising, instructions, trademarks or other indications.

The handle portion may comprise a thermochromic material such as a thermochromic plastics material which, once heated to a certain temperature changes colour. The thermochromic material may be a coating or strip, applied to the handle portion.

The handle portion may have a hanging aperture or hook formed therein, from which it may be suspended in a vending machine A second aspect of the invention provides a bag having an infusable substance sealed therein for use in a device for making a beverage, the device comprising a peripheral wall defining a chamber with opposed apertures, the bag being fabricated from a porous or permeable material and comprising a peripheral portion shaped and sized to engage the peripheral wall and seal one aperture of the device, the bag having at least one, preferably peripheral, fold arranged, in use, to allow expansion of the bag subsequent to Its'ImmerSion In a liquid

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container with a lid and a device as described above.

The lid may be provided with an aperture through which the handle portion of the device may protrude, the housing being located within the cup.

A fourth aspect of the invention comprises a substantially drip-free method of making a drink using a device which comprises a hollow housing in which an infusable ingredient is held and a handle portion connected thereto, the housing having at least one aperture which is sealingly covered by a porous or water permeable membrane, the method comprising placing the device in a cup of hot water, thereby allowing the water to contact the infusable ingredient to produce an Infusion to the required strength and removing the housing from the water utilising the handle portion, whereby dnpplng of liquid from the device when It IS removed by the handle portion from the cup of water is reduced.

In order that the invention may be better understood it will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 IS a front elevation of an embodiment of a brewing device ; Figure 2 IS a side elevation of the brewing device shown In Figure 1, Figure 3A IS a front elevation of a second embodiment of brewing device, Figure 3B is a side elevation of the device of Figure 3A In a first condition,

Figure 3C is a further side elevation of the device of Figure 3A In a second condition; Figure 4A is a front elevation of a second embodiment of brewing device, Figure 4B is a side elevation of the device of Figure 4A in a first condition; Figure 4C is a further side elevation of the device of Figure 4A in a second condition ; Figure 5A is a front elevation of a second embodiment of brewing device, Figure 5B is a side elevation of the device of Figure 5A in a first condition, Figure 5C is a further side elevation of the device of Figure 5A in a second condition; Figure 6A is a front elevation of a second embodiment of brewing device, Figure 6B is a side elevation of the device of Figure 6A in a first condition, Figure 6C is a further side elevation of the device of Figure 6A In a second condition; Figure 7A is a side elevation of a component of the brewing device of Figures 5A to 6C in a first condition ; Figure 7B is a side elevation of a component of the brewing device of Figures 5A to 6C in a second condition; Figure 8 shows a section through a cup provided with a lid and the brewing device of Figure 1 and 2, and Figure 9 shows a plan view of the cup, lid and brewing device as shown In Figure 8.

The device of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a housing 2 having an Integrally formed elongate handle portion 3, which IS preferably shaped to resemble a spoon handle, for convenience we call the device a tea paddle 1. The housing 2 comprises a peripheral wall 5 around four sides which defines a chamber 6 to receive tea leaves.

The top and bottom of the chamber 6 are covered by a porous wall or permeable membrane 10 which seals the chamber 6.

The wall 5 and the handle 3 may be formed, for example moulded, from a plastics material such as high temperature polypropylene or other readily moldable plastics materials (e g. Nylon or polyethylene) which may be coloured in accordance with known practices. Alternatively, a plastics material such as ABS may be utilised which may further be provided with a coating, such as a paint composition. The housing 2 and handle 3 may also be formed from a porous, water sensitive or permeable material which may have a non-porous, non-water sensitive or fluid Impermeable layer thereon.

Additionally or alternatively, the handle 3 may be coated to provide a surface that indicia may be adhered or pnnted on to. Indicia may also be directly applied to the handle 3.

The permeable membrane 10 IS a fine plastics mesh, the perimeter of which being heat-sealed to the facing edges 7 of the peripheral wall 5 of the housing 2 after tea leaves 8 have been located within the chamber 6 (see Figure 8). The membrane 10 is arranged, by virtue of Its permeability or porosity, to allow the ingress of water to

the chamber 6 where the water mixes with the tea leaves, becoming infused with the tea, and allowing egress of the tea infused water whilst preventing or at least substantially reducing and dripping of tea infused water once the paddle 1 is removed from the liquid. This is achieved by using a fine mesh or gauze, the transfer rate across the member 10 being relatively high so as to allow rapid evacuation of water from the chamber 6 once the paddle 1 is lifted from the liquid.

The paddle 1 is dimensioned such that a larger proportion of the surface area of the chamber 6 presented to the enclosed tea leaves 8 is represented by the wall 5 rather than the permeable member 10. In contrast to conventional tea bags, in which the entirety of the walls are permeable, the tea paddle 1 has a solid peripheral wall 5, through which tea infused liquid cannot drip. Consequently, dripping from the paddle 1 is prevented or at least substantially reduced compared to tea bags, for example.

To aid the brewing speed of the paddle 1, the tea leaves 8 enclosed within the chamber 6 only fill a portion thereof. The free-space, by which IS meant the volume within the chamber not taken up by the tea leaves In the unused state, allows agitation and movement of the tea leaves 8. This reduces the brewing time for a cup of tea The proportion of tea to free-space may be altered according to the strength of tea required.

The chamber 6 may be divided into distinct compartments which may communicate with one another or may not If there IS no communication between each compartment then a portion of the Ingredient will be placed within each location

so as to ensure a speedily brewed cup of tea. The provision of Internal divisions or baffles may increase the turbulence of the water as it has tea infused therein, thereby reducing the brewing time.

The housing 2 may have a porous wall or permeable membrane 10 on one or either opposed side of the chamber 6. If only one is present, the other side will be sealed by either a fluid impermeable member or, for example, it may be sealed by a base wall integrally formed with the peripheral wall 5, the two walls defining a container.

The tea paddle 1 may be provided with a vent, communicating with the internal volume of the housing 2. The vent may be in the form of an elongate channel which runs up through the handle portion 3. The vent may be occluded by an airpermeable member to ensure the leaves can not exit the housing 2 via the vent Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show a second embodiment of tea paddle 1', having a handle portion 3'connected to a peripheral wall 5'which provides a chamber 6'The chamber 6'is further defined by an arcuate base wall 7'provided with a plurality of apertures 9', the other side being sealed with a porous or permeable membrane 10' and tea leaves being retained within the chamber 6'.

In Figure 3B, the device l'is shown in a first condition in which the membrane 10'IS bowed Inwardly with respect to the chamber 6'and In Figure 3C the membrane

10'IS bowed or bellowed outwardly with respect to the chamber 6'. Tea leaves are retained within the chamber 6' The device l'is provided to the user and, once the device l'is placed in hot water, the water passes into the chamber 6'via the membrane 10'and/or the plurality of apertures 9', whereupon a portion of the water is absorbed by the leaves. The bowed membrane 10'reciprocates between inward and outward bowing during agitation of the paddle 1', ensuring that the leaves and water are thoroughly mixed so as to ensure a speedy infusion of tea in water The apertures 9'aid the ingress and egress of water into and out of the chamber 6'. Further, the apertures 9'are sized such that the water within the chamber 6'does not leak out of the device 1', subsequent to its'removal from the hot water, and cause dripping.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show a third embodiment of tea paddle 40 having a handle portion 41 at one end of which is a peripheral wall 45 defining a chamber 46 Either side of the chamber 46 is sealed by a porous membrane 43, tea leaves being retained within the chamber 46 In the first condition of the device 40, as shown In Figure 4B, each membrane 43 is provided with a peripheral fold 44 which extends around the entire membrane 43

Upon placing the device 40 into water, the water will flow into the chamber 46 to be absorbed by the retained tea leaves, which absorption causing the leaves to swell. The swelling of the leaves causes the membranes 43 to adopt the second condition, as shown in Figure 4C, the expansion of volume being accommodated by the unfolding peripheral folds 44.

Once removed from the water, there is no evidence of dripping from the device 40.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show a fourth embodiment of device 50 having a handle portion 51 at one end of which is a peripheral wall 55 defining a chamber 56. Retained within the chamber 56 is a bag 70 (best shown in Figures 7A and 7B) in which are tea leaves. The bag is heat sealed, using a suitable adhesive, such that a peripheral ledge or shoulder 71 of the bag 70 is secured to one side of the peripheral wall 55, sealingly covering the chamber 56 on that side The bag 70 is provided with two peripheral folds 72,73 arranged to lie adjacent each side of the peripheral wall 55.

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show a further embodiment of device 60 having a handle portion 61 at one end of which is a peripheral wall 65 defining a chamber 66. A bag 70 is secured to the peripheral wall 65 in a similar fashion to that described in respect of Figures 5A to 5C

For clarity, it is easier to identify the features of the bag 70 from Figures 7A and 7B. The bag 70, which is formed from the perforated paper conventionally used in tea bags, has opposed curved sections 77,78, joined by a waist portion 79. The first curved section 77, which generally describes a larger'dome'than the second section 78, is provided with a peripheral fold 72 adjacent its edge. The section 77 IS connected to the waist portion 79 by a shoulder or ledge 71. The shoulder or ledge 71 is heat-sealed, using a suitable adhesive, to the peripheral wall 55,65 of the device 50,60 to sealingly cover the aperture defined by that wall 55,65 The second section 78 also is provided with a peripheral fold 73 adjacent the waist portion 79.

The devices 50,60 are provided in the first condition, that being with the bag 70 as shown in Figures 5B, 6B and 7A, attached to the peripheral wall 55, 65 Upon immersion of the bag 70 in water, water flows into the bag 70 and the leaves, held therewithin, absorb some of the water, causing the leaves to swell. As the leaves swell, the curved sections 77,78 are forced outwardly with respect to one another to adopt the second condition, as shown in Figures 5C, 6C and 7B. The relative outward motion of the sections 77,78 is accommodated by the folds 72,73 Whilst the charge of tea contained within the bag 70 can be vaned, in most embodiments the bag 70 will be filled almost to capacity. Such a charge minimises any air pockets which may have otherwise been present within the bag 70, helping the bag 70 to sink when in water and ensuring that the bag is forced to adopt the second condition

After use, the device 50, 60 is removed from the water and the leaves help to retain water within the bag 70, preventing drips from falling from the bag 70.

Whilst we do not wish to be limited by any particular theory, we understand that the non-drip effect of the bag 70, subsequent to its removal from water, is due to the absorbency of the leaves and/or a capillary action between the leaves and/or the surface tension of the water held within the bag, coupled with the absorbency of the material from which the bag is fabricated. We also believe that this effect may be further aided by the swollen leaves being relatively compacted against and by the walls 77, 78 of the bag 70.

It has been demonstrated that a device 50, 60, placed into a cup of hot water, provided a cup of tea quicker than a regular tea bag placed into a similar cup without agitation of either cup. It IS thought that the expansion of the bag 70 due to the swelling of the leaves encouraged the water to become infused with tea at a greater rate.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the handle portion 3 of the device 1 IS dimensioned and shaped such that It can protrude from the top of the plastics or coated-paper cup 20 into which it has been placed This arrangement allows the drinker to manipulate the handle portion 3 to agitate the housing 2 in the cup 20 to effect infusion of the tea

The handle portion 3 is shown protruding from an aperture 22 in a lid 21 The aperture 22 may be used for drinking purposes, the lid being provided with a top lip recess 28 to aid that process, as is well known. Other devices 1', 50 may be used with the cup 20 and with the lid 21. A lid may also be provided which can accept the handle portion 41 of the device 40.

In a further embodiment, the handle portions 3,3'41, 51,61 are provided with an indicator portion, such as a thermochromic stnp. The brewing of tea is a temperature and time dependent operation. It may also be dependent upon the rigour with which the tea and water are mixed, the greater the turbulence the quicker the tea infusing into the water. The handle portions 3,3'41, 51,61 may have a heat sensitive indicator member embedded therein, or may be constructed from a material with a relatively high heat resistance, the indicator portion being present at the end distant from the tea.. In this case, as the handle portions 3,3'41, 51,61 or heat sensitive member IS exposed to the hot water 25 it heats up, the temperature being disclosed by the indicator portion.

If water of a pre-determined temperature is used to make the tea, In a cup of a known heat capacity (i e. the radiation flux through the walls of the cup is known) the time for the strip to heat to a particular temperature will be known, that is it will be Indicative of the brewing time of the tea Thus, if In place of a temperature scale on the Indicator portion a simple colour or other chart is shown, the strength of the tea can be Indicated Obviously, and as previously stated, the more turbulent the water the quicker a cup of tea IS brewed Whilst stlrnng may cause a greater energy loss

through the walls of the cup it will also cause a quicker transmission of heat through the handle portion 3, a particular strength of tea being indicated sooner than it would otherwise have been without stirring.

The handle portions 3,3', 41,51, 61 can also have located thereon indicia, mentioning, for example, the type of tea, Assam, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, herbal and so on, or other advertising information or instructions.

The handle portions 3,3', 41,51, 61 need not be formed integrally with the respective peripheral walls 5,5', 45,55, 65 and may be attached thereto by virtue of an adhesive, screws, rivets or other means known to the skilled addressee in the art.

The handle portions 3,3', 41,51, 61 may be formed of wood, plastics or metallic materials. Clearly, if the tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 is formed integrally the peripheral walls 5, 5', 45,55, 65 will be formed out of identical material to the handle portion 3,3', 41,51, 61 The housing 2,2'may be divided into separate compartments in which complementary ingredients are housed. For example, a housing 2,2'may be subdivided into two compartments, in one of which tea leaves are housed and In the other of which dried milk or whitener and/or sugar is located. Thus, a single paddle 1, l'can have person specific Ingredients located therein with, for example, the desired amount of sugar and/or milk therein It IS well known that early Inclusion of whitener or sugar Into a cup of brewing tea can increase the time taken to obtain the desired

strength of tea. In order to circumvent this problem the pores of the permeable member which encloses the milk and/or sugar compartment (s) may be blocked or occluded with a harmless, taste-free substance which dissolves slowly upon contact with hot water. Thus, when the paddle 1, l'is immersed in hot water, the water is allowed to come into contact with the tea leaves, encouraging infusion, but not with the whitener and/or sugar. The time taken for the occluding substance to dissolve is approximately the time taken to brew the cup of tea In use, a customer specifies the tea he or she wants and the shop assistant selects the appropriate tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60, adds it to the cup 20 and pours on the hot water or adds the tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 to a cup 20 of hot water 25. As the hot water 25 passes through the porous or permeable membrane 10,10', 43,70 it has tea infused therein. Stirring with the handle portion 3,3', 41,51, 61 aids the Infusion process The tea infused water then exits the chamber 6,6', 46, 56,66 thereby flavouring the water. As soon as the desired strength has been achieved sugar, milk, lemon and so on can be added to the tea The customer can take away the cup with the paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 still inside and thereby can control the strength of the tea being brewed As an alternative the assistant In the shop may remove the paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 when the tea has reached the strength specified by the customer, and dispose of the paddle 1, 1', 40,50, 60 In a drip free way Obviously, If the above-mentioned indicator portion is provided on the handle 3, 3', 41,51, 61 the strength of tea is indicated thereby and the tea does not require visual inspection

The lid 21 to the cup 20 can be replaced to ensure the temperature of the tea is kept as high as possible subsequent to removal of the device 1, 1', 40,50, 60 from the drink. As stated above, the water left within the space 6,6', 46,56, 66 will either be retained by the leaves or will be evacuated prior to the device being lifted totally from the cup 20. This prevents or at least substantially reduces dripping and allows for the device 1,1', 40,50, 60 to be disposed of easily.

Such operation should be contrasted with a conventional procedure in which the purchaser is given a cup with milk and tea in, the tea bag floating in the drink, and a spoon with which to deliver sugar to the cup, stir the tea and then remove the tea bag. The tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 provides both the tea bag, and optionally other ingredients, and the spoon, ensuring that preparing and drinking a'take-away'cup of tea is a less arduous then otherwise would have been the case The tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 may also be provided in packaging which, upon removal of the paddle 1,1', 40, 50, 60 from the drink, may be used to dispose of the paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60. The packaging will be at least partially waterproof and will ensure that any liquid which leaks from the paddle 1, 1', 40,50, 60 IS retained within the packaging. The packaging may comprise plastics or metallic foil coated paper, thick paper, waxed paper or other materials well known In the product packaging arts Whilst a used tea paddle 1,1', 40, 50, 60 may be discarded, it may also be recovered, emptied of used tea, cleaned and re-filled for repeated use

The tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 may also have a hole provided In the end distant from the tea. Such a hole can be used to suspend the paddle 1,1', 40, 50, 60 from a part of a vending machine to allow for delivery on demand of a particular tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 provided with the desired infusable ingredient.

The specific descnption above has been limited to a discussion regarding tea leaves. However, it will be understood by the skilled addressee that any infusable substance may be used in the tea paddle. Thus fruit or vegetable extracts, commonly termed'herbal teas', may be used as well as other powdered fruit flavoured drinks and even medicines, such as cold remedies.

Furthermore, the use of the tea paddle 1,1', 40,50, 60 has been discussed with reference to a plastics or paper cup 20, although, obviously, any container, such as a mug, flask and so on, which is suitable for holding a fluid may be used

Claims

Claims 1. A device for making a beverage, the device comprising a hollow housing for holding an infusable ingredient and a handle portion connected to the housing, the housing having at least one aperture which is sealingly covered by a porous or liquid permeable membrane, the device being arranged to prevent or at least substantially reduce dripping of liquid when the device, in use, is removed using the handle portion from a container of liquid.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a solid, impermeable wall which defines a chamber, the infusable substance being retained within the chamber.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the membrane is one of a fine plastics gauze or mesh, cloth such as muslin, or paper, such as the paper from which conventional tea bags are made
4. A device according to any of Claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the housing has two apertures, each of which being sealingly covered by a porous or liquid permeable membrane.
5. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the membrane forms part of a container in which the infusable substance is sealed, a portion of the membrane being adhered to the housing to cover the aperture

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6 A device according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each membrane may have a first condition and a second relatively expanded condition.
7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the or each membrane, in said first condition, is folded, the expanded second condition being accommodated by said fold or folds.
8. A device according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the infusable ingredient substantially fills the housing or container.
9 A device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the surface area of the chamber provided by the wall is greater than that provided by the permeable membrane
10 A device according to any of Claims 1 to 4 or 9, wherein the housing IS provided with baffles which Internally divide the housing Into a plurality of compartments
11 A device according to Claim 10, wherein there IS no communication between the compartments
12 A device according to Claim 11, wherein a portion of the Infusable Ingredient IS located In each of the distinct compartments.

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13. A device according to Claim 11, wherein different ingredients, for example tea leaves and powdered milk and/or sugar, are retained within compartments within the housing.
14. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the infusable ingredient is tea leaves.
15. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handle portion is integrally formed with the housing.
16. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the handle portion is attached to the housing by adhesives, rivets, screws or other connecting means which would provide a rigid connection therebetween, such as a mating spigot and socket, at least one of which being provided with means to engage and/or retain the other in engaging relations.
17 A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handle portion comprises an indicator portion to indicate time of immersion, temperature or other information
18. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handle portion comprises indicia such as advertising, instructions, trademarks or other indications

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19. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handle portion comprises a thermochromic material such as a thermochromic plastics matenal which, once heated to a certain temperature changes colour
20. A device according to Claim 19, wherein the thermochromic material is a coating or strip, applied to the handle portion.
21. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handle portion has an aperture formed therein, from which It may be suspended in a vending machine.
22. A bag having an infusable substance sealed therein for use in a device for making a beverage, the device comprising a penpheral wall defining a chamber with opposed apertures, the bag being fabricated from a porous or permeable matenal and comprising a peripheral portion shaped and sized to engage the peripheral wall and seal one aperture of the device, the bag having at least one fold arranged, in use, to allow expansion of the bag subsequent to its'immersion In a liquid.
23 A bag according to Claim 22, wherein the Internal space thereof is substantially filled with infusable substance
24 A bag according to Claim 23 wherein the infusable substance IS absorbent

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25. An assembly of a container with a lid and a device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 21.
26. An assembly according to Claim 25, wherein the lid is provided with an aperture through which the handle portion of the device protrudes, the housing being located within the container.
27. A substantially drip-free method of making a drink using a device which comprises a hollow housing in which an infusable ingredient is held and a handle portion connected thereto, the housing having at least one aperture which is sealingly covered by a porous or water permeable membrane, the method comprising placing the device in a cup of hot water, thereby allowing the water to contact the infusable ingredient to produce an infusion to the required strength and removing the housing from the water utilising the handle portion, whereby dripping of liquid from the device when it is removed from the cup of water using the handle portion is reduced.
28. A device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3A to 3C, Figures 4A to 4C, Figures 5A to 5C or Figures 6A to 6C 29 A bag substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 7A and 78