GB2401308A

GB2401308A - An insulated flask

Info

Publication number: GB2401308A
Application number: GB0407981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel James Bywater; David Jason Aaron Wells
Original assignee: ISLAND CONCEPTS Ltd
Current assignee: ISLAND CONCEPTS Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-12
Filing date: 2004-04-08
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Also published as: GB0308482D0; GB0407981D0

Abstract

The invention provides a portable flask (1) comprising a body (3) for retaining a hot liquid, a lid (19) securable to the body (3), and plunger means comprising a filter (41) and a handle (43) remote from the filter (41), the handle (43) being operable to move the filter (41) within the body (3) whilst the filter (41) sealingly engages the walls of the body (3). The filter (41) allows liquid to pass through the filter (41) but prevents solids from passing through the filter (41), the body (3) being thermally insulated and the lid (19) being securable to the body (3) so as to seal the body (3). The lid (19) can be provided with pouring spring-biased means that is operable between a first position in which the pouring means sealingly closes the lid (19), and a second position in which liquid can exit the flask (1) through the pouring means.

Description

A PORTABLE FLASK

The present invention relates to a portable flask.

It is known to provide a thermally insulated flask to carry a hot beverage such as coffee or tea. The thermal insulation helps maintain the temperature of the hot beverage for a longer time than normal so that a user of the flask can consume the hot beverage some time after initially making the beverage.

Such flasks typically comprise a cavity in which the hot beverage is contained. The beverage is typically made by placing the beverage ingredients in the cavity and pouring hot water into the cavity. The beverage can then be consumed at a later time. However, the beverage is typically not fresh when consumed.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable flask comprising a body for retaining a hot liquid, a lid securable to the body, and plunger means comprising a filter and a handle remote from the filter, the handle being operable to move the filter within the body whilst the filter sealingly engages the walls of the body, the filter allowing liquid to pass through the filter but preventing solids from passing through the filter, the body being thermally insulated and the lid being securable to the body so as to seal the body to prevent liquid from exiting the body when so sealed.

Preferably the filter comprises a planar filter element. Preferably the filter is mounted adjacent one end of a shaft. Preferably the shaft is slidably mounted on the lid.

The thermal insulation properties of the flask are preferably such that the temperature of boiling water in the flask decreases by between 2 C and 5 C per hour, and most preferably between 3 C and 4 C per hour.

Preferably the lid is provided with pouring means operable between a first position in which the pouring means sealingly closes the lid, and a second position in which liquid can exit the flask through the pouring means. Preferably the pouring means incorporates spout means.

Preferably the lid comprises a planar disc.

Most preferably the lid comprises two planar discs that are relatively spaced to define a cavity therebetween. Preferably the cavity is filled with a thermally insulating material.

Preferably the lid is formed with a peripheral upstanding wall which, in use, sealingly engages the body so as to prevent liquid escaping from the body.

Preferably the lid comprises a centrally located boss formed with a bore, part of the plunger means being slidably mounted within the bore.

Preferably the lower part of the boss is formed with a hollow tubular region which is sealed with a plug. Preferably the plug is of inverse Tshaped cross section. Preferably the plug is spring-biased to effect a seal between the interior space of the body and a pouring aperture.

Preferably the portable flask further comprises a sealing ring adapted to be mounted adjacent the mouth of the body, the lid sealingly engaging with the sealing ring.

Preferably the sealing ring and the lid are threaded so that the lid can be screwed onto the sealing ring to effect a liquid seal therebetween.

Preferably there is provided storage means comprising a plurality of compartments for storing beverage ingredients. Thus, the storage means may define three compartments for storing, for example, filter coffee, sugar and milk. Each of the compartments is preferably provided with a lid to sealingly close the respective compartment. Preferably each lid is pivotally mounted on a respective compartment.

Preferably the storage means comprises a compartmented container of circular external profile when viewed in plan.

Preferably the storage means is adapted to be releasably mounted on the lid. Preferably the storage means is provided with threads to engage with threads formed on the lid.

Preferably the flask further comprises a cap which is adapted to be secured to the top of the body so as to encase the lid. Preferably the cap is adapted to be sealingly secured to the body.

Preferably the cap, when inverted, comprises a cup into which the beverage contained in the flask can be poured.

Preferably an elongate tubular insert having a closed end and an open end is provided, the insert being received within the body of the flask.

Preferably the walls of the insert are spaced from the walls of the flask body. Preferably the space is filled with a thermally insulating material.

Other aspects of the present invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but an embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a portable flask in accordance with the present invention, with the cap removed, Figure 2 is a sectional view of the portable flask of Figure I on section A-A, Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the flask of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a part sectional perspective view of half of the flask of Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figure 5 is a diametrical sectional view of a modified embodiment of the flask shown in Figure 2, Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a plug assembly adapted to be connected to the flask of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a side elevation of the retaining ring of the flask of Figure 5, and, Figure 8 is a perspective view of storage means for beverage ingredients.

Referring to the Figures, a portable flask 1 comprises a hollow tubular flask body 3 made from a metal material. An elongate tubular plastic insert 5 having a closed end and an open end is received within the body 3 so as to define a cavity 7 therebetween. The cavity 7 serves as a thermal insulator and may be filled with air or a thermally insulating material. The mouth 9 of the insert 5 terminates in a peripheral, radially extending flange 11.

A retaining ring 13 is provided so as to be received between the mouth 9 of the insert 5 and the mouth of the body 3 to maintain the body 3 and insert 5 in spaced relationship. A lower part of the retaining ring 13 is formed with a seat 15 which extends radially inwardly of the ring 13.

The flange 11 of insert 5 rests on the seat 15 so as to limit how far insert 5 extends into body 3. The retaining ring 13 is also formed with an outer peripheral projection 17 which rests on the mouth of the body 3.

An upper part of the interior of the retaining ring 13 is threaded 16.

A lid 19 is provided to seal the body 3 so as to prevent any liquid contained therein from leaking from the body 3. The lid 19 comprises two spaced apart planar discs 21, 23 which are interconnected at a peripheral wall 25. Thus a cavity 27 is formed between the discs 21, 23 and acts as a thermal insulator. The cavity 27 may be filled with air or a thermally insulating material. The exterior of the wall 25 is formed with a screw thread 26 which is adapted to engage with the screw thread 16 formed on the retaining ring 13. A closable pouring spout 28 is provided which extends through the discs 21, 23. Four equi-spaced bolts 30 are provided to secure the two discs 21, 23 together. A safety valve 32 is also provided to release excess pressure within the body 3 when the lid is sealed to the body 3. The safety valve 32 comprises an upper part, which as best seen in Figure 1, comprises a perforated dome 36d. A springbiased shaft 36a is located in an aperture of the disc 23 for slidable movement therein. In the event of excess pressure in the liquid storage space the shaft 36a is lifted against the action of a spring 36c from sealing engagement with an O-ring seal 36b and so release pressure through the perforated dome.

A tubular boss 29 is formed at the centre of upper disc 21 and is provided with a bore 31 which extends axially through the boss 29. The lower part of the boss 29 extends into a circular aperture 33 formed in the lower disc 23.

A plug 35 of inverse T-shaped cross section, and also being formed with an axially extending bore 37, is provided so that the leg of the 'T' is received in a tubular recess formed in the base of the boss 29. The arms of the 'T' abut a sealing ring 67 provided at the lowermost end of the circular aperture 33 formed in the lower disc 23. An annular space 65 is defined between the innermost cylindrical surface of the boss 29 and the outermost surface of the upper portion of the plug 35. The annular space 65 is provided with a compression spring 66 which bears against a lower annular shoulder 68 of the disc 21 and against an upper annular shoulder 69 of an uppermost piece 90 of substantially cylindrical shape having an uppermost base. The uppermost piece 90 is provided with a central aperture to allow the shaft to be slidably received therein. Thus the plug 35 acts as a sealing member to prevent liquid from leaking through the lid 19.

Plunger means is provided comprising a shaft 39 having a filter 41 mounted on one end, and a handle 43 mounted on the opposite end. The filter 41 comprises a circular plate 44 and a circular gauze or fine mesh 47 mounted on the circular plate 44. The plate 44 is formed with a plurality of apertures 49 through which liquid can pass so as to flow through the gauze 47. A peripheral sealing element 50 is provided on the filter 41 so as to prevent liquid leaking around the periphery of the l filter 41. The sealing element 50 may comprise a rubber O-ring or any other suitable sealing element as is well known in the art.

The shaft 39 is received in the bore 31 formed in the plug 35 and through the bore formed in the boss 29. The upper end of the shaft 39 projects beyond the boss 29 and terminates in the handle 43. Thus, when the lid 19 is secured to the body 3, the plunger handle 43 may be used to move the filter 41 towards and away from the base of the body 3.

The flask 1 is provided with storage means 51 comprising a container of circular cross-section which is divided into a plurality of compartments (not shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4). Two compartments are provided with a lid 60a that comprises a plug which is screwed into a threaded aperture formed in the ceiling of each compartment, and a third compartment is provided with a hinged lid 60b.

The flask 1 further comprises a cup 55 comprising a metal outer 57 and a plastics insert 59 having a closed end and an open end. The closed end of the insert 59 is received within the metal outer 57 and the insert 59 is secured to the metal outer 57 with a press or interference fit. The open end of the insert 59 may be threaded so as to engage with threads formed on the body 3 or retaining ring 13 of the flask 1, or the cup 55 may simply be secured to the body 3 or the retaining ring 13 with a press or snap fit.

In use, each compartment of the storage means 51 is filled with the ingredients necessary to make the desired hot beverage. For example, ground coffee would be stored in one compartment, sugar in another, and milk in a third compartment. If a fourth compartment is provided, tea or another beverage may be stored therein.

Boiling or hot water in then poured into the cavity 7 and the lid 19 is screwed onto the body 3 so as to seal the hot water therein. The storage means 51 is placed on top of the lid 19 and may be secured to the lid 19 using a press fit or a screw thread or any other suitable means. The cup 55 is then secured to the body 3 and the flask 1 can then be taken wherever desired.

When the user wishes to drink a hot beverage, the cup 55 and the storage means 51 are removed. The lid 19 is unscrewed and removed and, for example, filter coffee can be poured from one of the compartments 53 into the hot water in the body 3. The lid can then be re-secured to the body 3 with the handle 43 of the plunger in a raised position such that the filter 41 is adjacent the base of the lid 19.

The coffee is left to brew whilst milk and/or sugar as desired are poured from the other compartments into the cup 55. When sufficient time has elapsed for the coffee to brew, the handle 43 of the plunger is depressed so as to move the filter 41 through the liquid towards the base of the body 3. This ensures that the ground coffee particles are retained beneath the filter 41 at the base of the body 3.

The pouring mechanism in the lid 19 is then opened by depressing the handle 43, against the uppermost portion 90 and thus against the action of the spring 66 to release the plug 35 from contact with the seal 67 and so allow the coffee to be poured from the opening 28. The brewed coffee is poured into the cup 55 and mixed with the milk and sugar as desired. Thus, despite the flask 1 being fully portable and having had hot water contained therein for a period of time before drinking, a fresh beverage is nonetheless produced. Thus the user of the flask 1 need not drink stale or over brewed drinks when away from home and using the flask.

With reference now to Figures 5, 6 and 7 there is shown a flask 100 which constitutes a second embodiment of the invention. The flask 100 is to a very large extent identical to the flask 1 and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like features. The flask 100, however, comprises a heater component 70 which is connected to a modified retaining ring 13'.

More specifically, the heater component 70 is provided on the base of the flask body 3. Sockets 71a, 71b and 71c are provided in the retaining ring 13', which sockets are connected to wires 72a, 72b, and 72c respectively. Wires 72a, 72b, and 72c are connected to the heater component 70.

The sockets 71a, 71b and 71c are adapted to receive three respective pins 81a, 81b and 81c that are provided on a plug assembly 80. The plug assembly 80 is releasably connectable to the flask 100 as and when the heater component 70 needs to be used.

The plug assembly 80 comprises a body 85 and is provided with a partcylindrical inner surface 85, and is thereby complementary to the body 3 of the flask.

The pins 81a, 81b and 81c are connected to power supply wires 86a, 86b and 86c, which respective wires exit the plug assembly 80 through an aperture 87 and into a common sheath 88. The free ends of the wires 86a, 86b and 86c terminating at a connector (not shown), such as an alternating mains supply socket plug or a plug suitable for connection to a power supply of a car. In the case of a mains supply socket a transformer and rectifier are desirably provided to step voltage down to a suitable value for the heater component, for examplel2V.

Apertures 83 receive fasteners 89 which serve to secure a connection means (not shown) for connecting the pins 81a, 81b and 81c to respective wires 86a, 86b and 86c.

Apertures 84 receive fasteners 90 which serve to secure a back-plate 91 so as to enclosure the above mentioned connection means and the wires 86a, 856b and 86c.

Incorporation of the heater component 70 has the particular advantage that if water in the flask has, overtime, lowered to the extent that an unsatisfactory beverage would result, then the plug assembly 80 is connected to the flask 100 so that the heater component 70 heats the water in the flask. Temperature sensing means is desirably provided integral with the flask to indicate when a required water temperature is reached.

Claims

1. A portable flask comprising a body for retaining a hot liquid, a lid securable to the body, and plunger means comprising a filter and a handle remote from the filter, the handle being operable to move the filter within the body whilst the filter sealingly engages the walls of the body, the filter allowing liquid to pass through the filter but preventing solids from passing through the filter, the body being thermally insulated and the lid being securable to the body so as to seal the body to prevent liquid from exiting the body when so sealed.

2. The portable flask of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a planar filter element.

3. The portable flask of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the filter is mounted adjacent one end of a shaft.

4. The portable flask of claim 3 wherein the shaft is slideably mounted on the lid.

5. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is provided with pouring means operable between a first position in which the pouring means sealingly closes the lid, and a second position in which liquid can exit the flask through the pouring means.

6. The portable flask of claim 5 wherein the pouring means incorporates spout means.

7. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid comprises a planar disc.

8. The portable flask of claim 7 wherein the lid comprises two planar discs that are relatively spaced to define a cavity therebetween.

9. The portable flask of claim 8 wherein the cavity is filled with a thermally insulating material.

10. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is formed with a peripheral upstanding wall which, in use, sealingly engages the body so as to prevent liquid escaping from the body.

11. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid comprises a centrally located boss formed with a bore, part of the plunger means being slideably mounted within the bore.

12. The portable flask of claim 11 wherein the lower part of the boss is formed with a hollow tubular region which is sealed with a plug.

13. The portable flask of claim 12 wherein the plug is of inverse Tshaped cross section.

14. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a sealing ring adapted to be mounted adjacent the mouth of the body, the lid sealingly engaging with the sealing ring.

l5. The portable flask of claim 14 wherein the sealing ring and the lid are threaded so that the lid can be screwed onto the sealing ring to effect a liquid seal therebetween.

16. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided storage means comprising a plurality of compartments for storing beverage ingredients.

17. The portable flask of claim 16 wherein each of the compartments is provided with a lid to sealingly close the respective compartment.

18. The portable flask of claim 17 wherein each lid is pivotally mounted on a respective compartment.

19. The portable flask of any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the storage means comprises a compartmented container of circular cross section.

20. The portable flask of any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the storage means is adapted to be releasably mounted on the lid.

21. The portable flask of claim 20 wherein the storage means is provided with threads to engage with threads formed on the lid.

22. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a cap which is adapted to be secured to the top of the body so as to encase the lid.

23. The portable flask of claim 22 wherein the cap is adapted to be sealingly secured to the body.

24. The portable flask of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the cap, when inverted, comprises a cup into which the beverage contained in the flask can be poured.

25. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein an elongate tubular insert having a closed end and an open end is provided, the insert being received within the body of the flask.

26. The portable flask of claim 25 wherein the walls of the insert are spaced from the walls of the flask body.

27. The portable flask of claim 26 wherein the space is filled with a thermally insulating material.

28. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims further comprising heating means operative to heat any liquid contained in the body.

29. The portable flask of claim 28 wherein a DC electrical adaptor is provided to provide a power supply for the heating means.

30. A portable flask substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. The portable flask as claimed in claim 28 which comprises power supply connection means, the electrical connection means being adapted to be releasably connectable to a power supply connector.

31. A portable flask substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. l5

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A portable flask comprising a body for retaining a hot liquid, a lid securable to the body, and plunger means comprising a filter and a handle remote from the filter, the handle being operable to move the filter within the body whilst the filter sealingly engages the walls of the body, the filter allowing liquid to pass through the filter but preventing solids from passing through the filter, the body being thermally insulated and the lid being securable to the body so as to seal the body to prevent liquid from exiting the body when so sealed, the flask further comprising heating means operative to heat any liquid contained in the body.

7. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid comprises a planar disc. if

15. The portable flask of claim 14 wherein the sealing ring and the lid are threaded so that the lid can be screwed onto the sealing ring to effect a liquid seal therebetween.

16. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided storage means comprising a plurality of compartments for storing beverage ingredients. ail

28. The portable flask of any one of the preceding claims wherein a DC electrical adaptor is provided to provide a power supply for the heating means.

29. The portable flask as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises power supply connection means, the electrical connection means being adapted to be releasably connectable to a power supply connector.