GB2492468A

GB2492468A - Tea bag tongs

Info

Publication number: GB2492468A
Application number: GB1211386.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-27
Filing date: 2012-06-27
Publication date: 2013-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-27
Also published as: GB201110934D0; GB2492468B; CN103619220A; GB201211386D0; CN103619220B; GB2492343A; WO2013001290A1

Abstract

A pair of tongues for squeezing tea bags comprises first 1 and second 2 frames, each frame having a top handle portion 4 and a bottom tea bag portion 5, the first and second frames being pivotally connected by a pair of hinges 3a, 3b to allow a tea bag to be held and squeezed between the respective bottom tea bag portions by manipulation of the top handle portions, the hinges being spaced apart and located at opposite lateral sides of the frames. One top handle portion is smaller than the other, so as to nest therein when the tongs are closed, bringing the top handle portions together. The bottom tea bag portions may comprise perforated plates (figure 9) or a number of bars 6 extending between the lateral sides of the frame portions defining the bottom tea bag portions. The tongs may be fabricated from metal, food grade plastic or a mixture thereof. In use, the tongs allow for a tea bag to be squeezed whilst minimising the risk of dropping it.

Description

Tea Bag Tongs

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to devices for placing and removing a tea bag from a cup of tea, and in particular to tea bag tongs for squeezing and removing a tea bag.

Background to the Invention

When making a cup of tea it is common to add a tea bag directly to a mug or cup rather than a tea pot. In this case it is desirable to squeeze excess liquid from the tea bag and remove it from the cup before drinking the tea.

A known device for squeezing and removing a tea bag is the tea bag squeezer.

The tea bag squeezer is formed from a single piece of metal which is bent back on itself into a U-shape to form a pair of resiliently biased arms. The end portions of each arm are used to grip and squeeze a tea bag. The end portions are often perforated to allow liquid to drain from a squeezed tea bag more easily.

When the tea bag squeezer is not in use, the bias of the arms means that the end portions are spaced apart. The end portions can then be brought together in response to a sufficient force applied to the arms. When a tea bag is positioned between the end portions, applying a force to the arms moves the end portions together and results in the tea bag being gripped by and squeezed between them. The tea bag can then be removed from the tea.

There are several problems associated with the tea bag squeezer.

In order to remove a tea bag from a cup of tea, a user must apply a force to the arms in order to bring the end portions together and so engage the tea bag between them.

However, it is often difficult to apply sufficient force to the arms to achieve a strong grip on the tea bag. This problem occurs because the tea bag squeezer functions as a pair of lever arms attached to a fulcrum (the bend in the metal). Therefore the only way to increase the amount of force exerted by the end portions on the tea bag is to increase the force applied to the arms or to move the position of application of the force further away from the fulcrum.

Of course, in use much of the length of each arm is submerged in the hot tea. Therefore the user is prevented from attempting to grip the arms far away from the fulcrum.

Furthermore, as metal is conductive, then even portions of the arms which are close to but not submerged in the tea may also be uncomfortably hot to hold. The outcome of this is that a user is often forced to apply force at a location on the arms near the fulcrum, leading to a weaker grip on the tea bag. If the tea bag is not gripped strongly then it may slip back into the hot tea which causes irritation and may cause mess and even injury if the tea splashes. Some users try to adjust the position of the tea bag with their fingers, which can be painful (because the tea bag is hot) in order to ensure that the tea bag is fully squeezed before its final removal from the mug.

Another known device for removing tea bags are known as buffet' or scissor' tongs, such as those described in US patent number 2,484,461 or US 5,335,591.

US 2,484,461 and US 5,335,591 describe tea bag tongs which have a pair of opposed plates for squeezing a tea bag. The tea bag tongs comprise a pair of arms, each arm having a plate at a first end and a handle at a second end. The arms are connected by a single pivot, like a pair of scissors, which allows the plates to be moved towards or away from each other in response to corresponding movement of the handles. In US 2,484.461, one of the opposed plates (described as a scoop member) is perforated while the second (the presser plate) is not perforated. In US 5,335,591 both plates are shown as being perforated.

The scissor-type tea bag tongs can be awkward to use. When the user releases the tongs when the tea bag is in the mug (in order to allow the tea to brew), the tongs may roll around the mug due to the narrow overall width of the single pivot, and may release the tea bag.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides tea bag tongs that allow for efficient squeezing of excess liquid from a tea bag and for easy removal of a tea bag from a container such as a mug.

The present invention provides tea bag tongs having first and second frames, each frame having a top handle portion and a bottom tea bag portion, wherein the first and second frames are pivotably connected by a pair of hinges to allow a tea bag to be held and squeezed between the respective bottom portions by operation of the top portions, and wherein the hinges are located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames, and wherein one top handle portion, of smaller width than the other top handle portion, progressively fits within the other top handle portion as the tongs are closed.

This arrangement allows a tea bag to be placed in the tongs, put in a cup, brewed, squeezed (to remove excess liquid) and removed from the cup, all in one operation.

In the context of the present invention, by top' we mean the part of the frame of the tea bag tongs which extends above the level of tea in the mug during use and by bottom' we mean the part of the frame which is submerged in the tea during use.

The provision of a pair of hinges located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames means that the frames are connected at two positions, which reduces lateral movement and twisting of the frames and increases stability. The tea bag tongs can therefore be constructed using a narrow diameter wire (or other suitable material) while remaining stable in construction. In turn, this allows tea bag tongs to be constructed at reduced cost and allows the tea bag tongs to be lightweight.

By pivotably connecting the first and second frames by a pair of hinges located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames, the tea bag tongs of the present invention can be operated by movement of the top portions which results in corresponding movement of the bottom portions. The frames of the present invention are not resiliently biased and substantially all of the force exerted on the handle portions is transmitted to the tea bag portions. Therefore less force is required in order to operate the tea bag tongs.

The feature of the invention by which one top handle portion is sized to fit within the top handle portion of the other frame allows the handle portions to be moved towards or away from one another without obstruction and furthermore allows the bottom handle portions to be pressed firmly towards each other. This feature also allows the tea bag tongs to have a relatively flat storage configuration. This is a useful space-saving advantage.

Optional features of the invention will now be set out. These may be combined, either singly or in any combination with any aspect of the invention.

In some embodiments each hinge comprises a hole and a pin portion, the pin portion being rotatably received and secured in the hole, wherein each hole is located at the first frame and each pin portion is located at the second frame.

Providing a hole at a first frame and a pin portion at a second frame (or a hole at a second frame and a pin portion at a first frame) allows the first and second frames to be pivotably connected, so that the frames can move with respect to each other about the hinges.

In some embodiments, a degree of friction fit of the hinges can be provided to aid tea bag retention. Such embodiments are advantageous because the friction fit can maintain the tea bag tongs in a closed configuration, thereby retaining the tea bag within the tea bag portions.

Preferably, the hinges are located more than halfway towards the bottom of the frames.

Thus, in terms of length of the tongs, preferably the top handle portions account for more than half of the overall length of the tongs. This provides a suitable degree of control and mechanical advantage over the bottom tea bag portions.

Preferably, the bottom tea bag portions each include at least one tea bag retaining member, disposed inwardly from a perimeter of the respective bottom tea bag portion, for retaining and engaging a tea bag. In some embodiments the at least one tea bag retaining member comprises a plurality of bars, for retaining and engaging a tea bag.

The provision of bars provides improved security for engagement with the tea bag, thereby retaining the tea bag within the tea bag portions. The provision of bars also increases the surface area at which the tea bag is squeezed and therefore improves the efficiency of draining of excess liquid from the tea bag.

In a preferred embodiment the bars extend between the lateral sides of the tea bag portions. This arrangement further increases the stability of each frame portion.

In a preferred embodiment the tongs are constructed from metal, preferably stainless steel, more preferably stainless steel wire. By the term "wire", it is intended to include stainless steel having a cross sectional shape selected from round, square and rectangular. Where the stainless steel has a round cross sectional shape, preferably it has a diameter at most about 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment the diameter of the wire is 1.5 mm. Where the stainless steel has a rectangular cross sectional shape, preferably it has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, more preferably a thickness of about 1 mm.

Similarly, where the stainless steel has a rectangular cross sectional shape, preferably it has a width of not more than 5 mm, more preferably a width of about 3 mm.

Stainless steel is light and durable and sections can be easily joined together by welding.

In another preferred embodiment, at least the bottom tea bag portions may be constructed from perforated stainless steel plate. Suitable perforations may have a diameter of at least 2 mm. The perforations may be arranged regularly, for ease of manufacture.

Alternatively, the tongs may be constructed from a suitable plastic material, for example, a food-grade moulded plastic. In preferred aspects of this embodiment the diameter of the first and second frames is at most 5 mm, and the diameter of the bars is at most 2 mm.

Preferably, the width of the bottom tea bag portions is less than 10cm. More preferably, this width is 7 cm or less. This allows the tongs to fit in a typical mug or cup.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a is a side view of the tea bag tongs of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. lb is a close-up view of one of the hinges (indicated by a dashed line in Figure la) joining the first and second frames.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tea bag tongs of Fig. 1 in an open configuration.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the tea bag tongs of Fig. 1 in a closed configuration holding a teabag.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tea bag tongs of another embodiment of the invention in an open configuration.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the tea bag tongs of Fig. 4 in a closed configuration holding a tea bag.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a mug holding the tea bag tongs of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a view orthogonal to that of Fig. 6 showing the tea bag tongs leaning against the internal wall of the mug.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tea bag tongs of another embodiment of the invention in an open configuration.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and Further Optional Features of the Invention.

Referring to Fig. la, first 1 and second 2 frames are shown, each frame having a top handle portion 4 for manipulation by a user and a bottom tea bag portion 5 for engaging with a tea bag.

The first and second frames are connected by a pair of hinges 3a, 3b located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames. Preferably the hinges are located between the top and bottom portions of the frame.

Each tea bag portion comprises a plurality of bars 6 for engaging and retaining the tea bag within the tongs. In the embodiment shown in Fig. lathe bars 6 are attached to the inner face each tea bag portion. In another embodiment the bars may be attached to the outer face of the tea bag portions. In the embodiment shown in Fig. lathe bars are manufactured separately from the frames and are attached to the tea bag portion, for example, by welding. In another embodiment, for example, when the tongs are manufactured from a plastic material, the bars may be integral with the tea bag portion.

In some embodiments the bars are arranged parallel to one another and extending between the lateral sides of the frame. However the bars may also be arranged in any other configuration suitable for retaining a tea bag within the tea bag portions. For example, the bars 6 shown in Fig. 1 may be overlaid by a second set of bars running perpendicular to the first bars. This increases the surface area of the tea bag portion that is available to contact with the tea bag, and therefore increases the amount of liquid which can be expelled from the tea bag.

In an alternative embodiment, the tea bag portions may be provided with perforated plates instead of bars. This is shown in Fig. 8.

The hinge 3b comprises a plate portion 8 having a hole for receiving a pin portion 11 located on the second frame. In some embodiments the plate portion is connected to the first frame by welding. In some embodiments, for example, when the tongs are manufactured from a plastic material, the frame is constructed so that the plate portion is integral with the frame.

Fig. lb is a partial enlarged view of hinge region 3b, shown in Fig. la. In this embodiment, the pin portions 11 are provided by the ends of a top bar 6a which extend beyond the lateral sides of the frame (only one of the pin portions is shown in Fig 1 b).

This embodiment is preferred because the pin portions do not need to be manufactured or attached to the frame separately from the top bar. However in some embodiments the pin portions may be provided independently of a top bar. For example, individual pin portions may be attached (e.g. by welding) to the lateral sides of the frame. The pin portion 11 is inserted through the hole in the plate and retained in place by any suitable means which allows the pin to rotate freely within the hole, for example the ends of the pin portions may be welded so that they cannot be withdrawn through the hole.

Alternatively the ends of the pin portions may be bent to prevent the plate from sliding off the pin portions.

In Fig. 2 the tea bag tongs are shown in an open configuration. From this position movement of the arm portions 4 towards one another in the direction of the arrows indicated results in corresponding movement of the tea bag portions 5 towards one another.

When a tea bag is positioned between the tea bag portions then movement of the handle portions towards each other will cause the tea bag to be retained by the tea bag portions as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 the tongs are shown in a closed configuration where the handle portions 4 have been moved together, trapping a tea bag 10 between the closed tea bag portions 5. In this embodiment the tea bag 10 is retained within the tea bag portions by engagement of the tea bag by the bars 6.

The tea bag will remain retained by the tea bag portions for as long as the handle portions remain together. Once the tongs holding a tea bag have been inserted into a cup or mug then lateral movement of the tea bag tongs within the cup can agitate the tea bag held within the tea bag portions to speed up brewing time. Alternatively a user may choose to use the tea bag tongs only to withdraw a tea bag from a cup. In this case, the tea bag portions are moved away from each other by corresponding movement of the handle portions. The tea bag portions are then inserted into the cup and positioned either side of the tea bag. The handle portions are then drawn together, which draws together the tea bag portions and traps the tea bag between them. As the handle portions are drawn together then the tea bag is squeezed between the bars of the tea bag portions and excess liquid is removed. The tea bag can then be withdrawn from the cup.

In some embodiments the handle portion of one of the frames is narrower in width than the handle portion of the other frame. This arrangement allows the handle portions to move past one another during use of the tongs. In another embodiment the handle portions of the first and second frames are substantially equal in width and are laterally offset from one other. This arrangement will also allow the handle portions to move past one another during use of the tongs.

Preferably the tea bag portions of the first and second frames are substantially equal in size.

The width of the tea bag portions is preferably substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of a standard square tea bag. Preferably, the width is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the tea-containing section of the tea bag. In one embodiment the diameter of the tea bag portions is between 4 and 7cm, more preferably between 5 and 6cm. In a most preferred embodiment the diameter of the tea bag portions is 5cm.

In some embodiments the handle portion of each frame is longer in length than the tea bag portion. However, alternative arrangements are contemplated as long as the overall length of each frame is longer than the height of a standard cup or mug, so that when the tongs are in use the handle portions extend above the rim of the cup or mug. For example, in other embodiments the tea bag portions may be longer in length than the handle portions, or the tea bag and handle portions may be substantially equal in length.

In one embodiment the tea bag tongs are made from metal. In some embodiments the tea bag tongs are constructed of wire, (e.g. stainless steel wire) of between about 1.5 mm and about 2 mm in diameter. In some embodiments the tea bag tongs are made from food grade plastic of between about 5 mm and about 2 mm in diameter. Figs. 4 and 5 show a plastic embodiment of the invention. Reference numbers are not included in these drawings since the constructional features are substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In some embodiments, different portions of the tongs may be manufactured from different materials. For example, in a preferred aspect of the above embodiment in which the tongs are constructed from a plastic material, the frames may be connected by a connecting portion, which is constructed from metal such as stainless steel. In some embodiments, first and second frames formed from plastic may be connected by a stainless steel axle. Each end of the axle may pass through a hole in the first frame and engage with a retaining portion in the second frame (such as a blind ended hole formed from an expanded section of the frame). In such an arrangement, the axle would be retained by a spring fit between the first and second frames.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a cross sectional view of a mug 20. Tea bag tongs 22 are located in the mug and hold a tea bag 10. Hot water (not shown) is located in the mug for infusion with tea. An important feature of the preferred embodiments is that the tea bag tongs are supported by the mug in at least three locations: at the base of the mug, and at two locations at the side wall of the mug. The side wall locations typically support opposite sides of one of the top handle portions. These locations are suitably widely spaced substantially to prevent the tongs from rolling around the mug during handling of the mug, and/or during pouring of hot water over the tea bag held in the tongs. After the water has been poured in, the tongs can be removed with the bag after mashing to choice or alternatively the tongs can be used to squeeze the bag before removing the bag.

The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments.

Modifications of these embodiments, further embodiments and modifications thereof will be apparent to the skilled person on reading this disclosure and as such are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. Tea bag tongs comprising; first and second frames, each frame having a top handle portion and a bottom tea bag portion, wherein the first and second frames are pivotably connected by a pair of hinges to allow a tea bag to be held and squeezed between the respective bottom portions by operation of the top portions, and wherein the hinges are located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames, and wherein one top handle portion, of smaller width than the other top handle portion, progressively fits within the other top handle portion as the tongs are closed.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The tea bag tongs according to claim 1, wherein each hinge comprises a hole and a pin portion, the pin portion being rotatably received and secured in the hole, wherein each hole is located at the first frame and each pin portion is located at the second frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The tea bag tongs according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom tea bag portions each include at least one tea bag retaining member, disposed inwardly from a perimeter of the respective bottom tea bag portion, for retaining and engaging a tea bag.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one tea bag retaining member comprises a plurality of bars, for retaining and engaging a tea bag.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The tea bag tongs according to claim 4, wherein the bars extend between the lateral sides of the bottom tea bag portions.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from stainless steel.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The tea bag tongs according to claim 6, wherein the stainless steel has a cross sectional shape selected from round, square and rectangular.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The tea bag tongs according to claim 7, wherein the stainless steel has a round Gloss sectional shape with a diameter at most about 2 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The tea bag tongs according to claim 7, wherein the stainless steel has a rectangular cross sectional shape, with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm and a width of not more than 5 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from food-grade plastic material.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from metal and food-grade plastic material, 12. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims ito 11, wherein the width of the bottom tea bag portions is less than 10 cm.13. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims ito 12, wherein the opposite lateral sides of the frames are spaced apart to a degree to provide the tongs with a broad profile to resist rolling around the interior of a mug or cup in use.14. Tea bag tongs substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1-8 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims 1. Tea bag tongs comprising; first and second frames, each frame having a top handle portion and a bottom tea bag portion, wherein the first and second frames are pivotably connected by a pair of hinges to allow a tea bag to be held and squeezed between the respective bottom portions by operation of the top portions, and wherein the hinges are located spaced apart at opposite lateral sides of the frames, and wherein one top handle portion, of smaller width than the other top handle portion, progressively fits within the other top handle portion as the tongs are closed.
2. The tea bag tongs according to claim 1, wherein each hinge comprises a hole and a pin portion, the pin portion being rotatably received and secured in the hole, wherein each hole is located at the first frame and each pin portion is located at the second frame. r3. The tea bag tongs according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom tea bag portions each include at least one tea bag retaining member, disposed inwardly from a perimeter of the respective bottom tea bag portion, for retaining and engaging a tea bag. (44. The tea bag tongs according to claim
3. wherein the at least one tea bag retaining member comprises a plurality of bars, for retaining and engaging a tea bag.5. The tea bag tongs according to claim 4, wherein the bars extend between the lateral sides of the bottom tea bag portions.6. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from stainless steel.7. The tea bag tongs according to claim 6, wherein the stainless steel has a cross sectional shape selected from round, square or rectangular.8. The tea bag tongs according to claim 7. wherein the stainless steel has a round cross sectional shape with a diameter at most about 2 mm.9. The tea bag tongs according to claim 7, wherein the stainless steel has a rectangular cross sectional shape, with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm and a width of not more than 5 mm.10. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from food-grade plastic material.11. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tongs are constructed from metal and food-grade plastic material.12. The tea bag tongs according to any one of claims ito 11, wherein the width of the bottom tea bag portions is less than 10 cm.13. Tea bag tongs substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1-8 of the accompanying drawings. r (4</claim-text>