GB2500702A

GB2500702A - An infusion device with integral lid and a side arm that is releasably engagable to the handle of a beverage pot

Info

Publication number: GB2500702A
Application number: GB201205724A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oscar Woolley; Dennis Mckeag
Original assignee: SUKI TEAHOUSE Ltd
Current assignee: SUKI TEAHOUSE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2012-03-30
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-30
Also published as: GB201205724D0; GB2500702B

Abstract

A beverage pot infusion device is comprised of a basket 21 and side arm 23; arm 23 may be integrally formed into the infusion device. A pot handle engaging member on the arm allows for engagement with the handle 3 of a beverage pot (Fig.1,1). The engaging member may be adapted to provide for location fit, tight fit or push fit engagement with the handle 3. In use the handle engaging member may comprise two side wings which abut their respective sides of the handle 3 and securely engage arm 23 and handle 3. The pot handle engagement member may be pivotally connected a lid 30 (Fig.1,1). For ease of cleaning, in use the infuser and its integral lid 30 which form a lid for the pot is removable by disengaging the arm 23 from the handle 3. The lid may have a lever to open and/or close the lid and the ability to stack pots may be achieved through the profile of the bottom and the top of the pot (Fig.1,1).

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL .*.. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. 0B1205724.6 RTM Date:30 August 2012 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Allen as used in Allen Key Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO

BEVERAGE POTS AND IN FUSION DEVICES

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to beverage pots, for example, tea pots and coffee pots of the type which have an insertable infusion device. In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to infusion devices insertable in a beverage pot to enable any solute which dissolves or gives off a flavour when immersed in liquid to be placed in the infusion device for infusing into hot or warm water which is poured into the beverage pot. Thus, tea leaves (including herbal tea leaves) and coffee granules are ideal for placing in the infusion device.

Purely for the avoidance of any doubt, throughout this specification, the term "beverage pot" is to be understood to mean a pot for a beverage such as coffee or tea, including tea from tea leaves, loose leaf tea, herbal infusions, fruit infusions and/or blends thereof.

Also, the term "tea leaves" is to be understood to mean loose leaf tea, herbal infusions, fruit infusions and/or blends thereof.

Known beverage pots having an insertable infusion device suffer from the disadvantage that the infusion device is awkward to remove from the beverage pot while the infusion device is still hot since removal of the infusion device requires the user to touch and grip a surface of the infusion device. Since the infusion device may be made of metal, a conductor of heat, the infusion device is likely to be hot and may burn or be uncomfortable to touch.

Furthermore, in some prior art beverage pots, the lid is attached to the beverage pot handle and in some other prior art pots, the beverage pot handle is attached to the body of the beverage pot. In one prior art beverage pot, the lid is pivotably attached to the handle using a metal bracket connected to the lid and fixed to the handle of the beverage pot by means of a screw passing through the metal bracket and through the handle of the beverage pot. This particular arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that the screw attachment can become loosened after significant use and the screw is likely to need periodic tightening. This necessitates having available a specifically sized tool, namely an Allen key to be able to tighten the screw to ensure the lid stays connected to the beverage pot. Such a tool is not always available to hand and furthermore, in a busy café or hotel kitchen, periodic checking and tightening of the screw attachment of each such beverage pot is a time consuming, labour intensive task.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with known beverage pots having an insertable infusion device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an infusion device for use in a beverage pot, the infusion device including a side arm having a beverage pot handle engaging member for engagement with the handle of a beverage pot.

Ideally, the side arm is integrally formed with the infusion device.

Preferably, the beverage pot handle engaging member may be adapted for a location fit, tight fit or push fit engagement with the handle of the beverage pot such that the handle engagement member can be pushed onto the handle so as to be engaged securely thereon.

Advantageously, the handle engagement member is connected to the lid of the beverage pot, preferably, pivotably connected.

For washing out of the beverage pot after use, the infusion basket and integral lid can easily be removed from the beverage pot by disengaging the handle engaging member from the handle and lifting up the infusion device from the beverage pot. This lifting action lifts the infusion device including the lid and the infusion basket together so as to easily remove the infusion basket out of the beverage pot for washing. This has the added advantage that the entire top and inside of the beverage pot is accessible for cleaning since access to the top and inside of the beverage pot is unhindered by the lid and this allows ease and thoroughness of cleaning especially cleaning in a dishwasher such as would be required in a café or hotel where a large number of beverage pots are likely to be in use.

Most preferably, the handle engaging member comprises two side wings which abut against the respective sides of the handle when the handle engaging member is in use, i.e. when the infusion device is located in the beverage pot and the handle engaging member is positioned securely in engagement on and with the handle.

Ideally, the handle engagement member is pivotably connected to the lid of the beverage pot and preferably, the pivot axis is located on a plane traversely between the side wings of the handle engagement member.

Most preferably, the pivot axis of the lid is located along a plane approximately midway along each side wing of the handle engaging member.

The lid comprises a lid arm connected at one end thereof to the pivot points and the lid also comprises a lid lever against which a user may exert a force to open and/or close the lid.

The infusion device advantageously includes a shoulder provided around at least a portion of the mouth of the infusion device so that, in use, the shoulder rests on the rim of the mouth of the beverage pot.

The infusion device comprises an infusion basket provided with a plurality of apertures.

The infusion basket is generally cylindrical in profile so as to allow for the maximum surface area to be provided for apertures therein thereby increasing the rate at which the infusion occurs, in use, when tea leaves are inserted in the infusion basket.

The present invention also provides a beverage pot comprising the infusion device. The beverage pot is preferably adapted to be stackable.

Advantageously, the profile of the base of the beverage pot and the profile of the top of the beverage pot are profiled so as to be able to receive a second and a third beverage pot in a stacked arrangement with a second beverage pot on top of the first beverage pot and a third beverage pot underneath the first beverage pot. Of course, this stacking arrangement can be repeated to achieve a stacked arrangement involving multiple numbers of stacked beverage pots, subject only to safety and space restrictions.

Advantageously, the spout has a sloped profile along the neck leading to a lip which advantageously is shaped to avoid spills due to dripping of liquid from the outlet before, during or after pouring from the spout.

The beverage pot infusion device of the present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure lisa plan view, from above, of the beverage pot including the lid; Figure 2 is a plan view, from underneath, of the beverage pot; Figure 3 is a side view, from the front of the beverage pot showing the spout; Figure 4 is a side view, from the back of the beverage pot (i.e. from the handle side) showing the handle; Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the tea pot showing the indent in the profile of the base of the beverage pot and the indent in the top of the beverage pot; Figure 6 is a side view of the infusion device comprising the beverage pot handle engaging member within the lid pivotably connected to the infusion device; and Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the beverage pot with the infusion device inserted therein and with the handle engaging member engaged with the handle of the beverage pot in press-fit engagement.

The beverage pot and infusion device will now be described in detail with reference to Figures ito 7 of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the beverage pot of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The beverage pot i includes a spout 2, having spout outlet 12, a handle 3, a base 4 and a beverage pot mouth 5 provided in the top 6 of the beverage pot 1.

The spout 2 has a sloped profile along the neck 13 leading to a lip 14 which advantageously is shaped to avoid spills due to dripping of liquid from the outlet before, during or after pouring from the spout. The lid 30 comprises a lid arm 32 and lid lever 31.

The lip on the spout is profiled such that during use, when pouring liquid from the spout into a drinking vessel of a tea cup or a mug, the lip of the beverage pot can be rested onto the rim of the tea cup or mug thereby ensuring all liquid flows into the cup/mug and thus avoiding any spills/drips.

The base 4 includes an indented profile as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 7. Likewise the top 4 includes an indented profile as shown particularly in Figures 1, Sand 7.

Referring now particularly to Figures 6 and 7, the infusion device will be described.

Is The infusion device is indicated generally in Figure 6 by reference numeral 20. The infusion device 20 comprises infusion basket 21 provided with a plurality of apertures (not shown in the drawings). The infusion basket 21 is generally cylindrical in profile so as to allow for the maximum surface area to be provided for apertures therein thereby increasing the rate at which the infusion occurs in use when tea leaves are inserted in the infusion basket 21.

The infusion device 20 also includes a shoulder 26 provided around at least a portion of the mouth 22 of the infusion basket 21 so that, in use, the shoulder 26 can rest on the rim of the mouth 5 of the beverage pot 1. Preferably the shoulder 26 is provided around the entire perimeter of the mouth 22 of the infusion basket 21.

The infusion device 20 also includes a side arm 23 and a beverage pot handle engaging member 24, both the side arm 23 and the handle engaging member 24 being integrally formed with the infusion basket 21 and shoulder 26.

The infusion device 20 is pivotably connected about pivot axis 25 to a lid 30. The lid 30 comprises a lid arm 32 and a lid lever 31.

The use of the infusion device will now be described.

In use, the infusion device 20 is placed into the beverage pot 1 with the shoulder 26 resting on the top of the beverage pot 1. Tea leaves are placed in the infusion basket 21 and freshly boiled water or hot water is poured into the beverage pot 1 and allowed to infuse for a few minutes.

The infused tea can then be poured out of the beverage pot 1 through the spout 12.

The pot and the infusion device/lid assembly can be washed separately from each other, either manually or in a dishwasher.

For subsequent washing out of the beverage pot 1, the infusion basket 21 can easily be removed from the beverage pot 1 by disengaging the handle engaging member 24 from the handle 3 and lifting up the infusion device 20 from the beverage pot. This lifting action lifts the infusion device 20 including the lid 30 and the infusion basket 21 together so as to easily remove the infusion basket 21 out of the beverage pot 1 for washing. This has the added advantage that the entire top and inside of the beverage pot 1 is accessible for cleaning since access to the top and inside of the beverage pot 1 is unhindered by the lid and this allows ease and thoroughness of cleaning either manually or by cleaning in a dishwasher such as would be required in a café or hotel where a large number of beverage pots are likely to be in use.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An infusion device for use in a beverage pot, the infusion device including a side arm having a beverage pot handle engaging member for engagement with the handle of a beverage pot.
2. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the side arm is integrally formed with the infusion device.
3. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the beverage pot handle engaging member is adapted for location fit, tight fit or push fit engagement with the handle of a beverage pot such that the handle engagement member can be pushed onto the handle of a beverage pot so as to be engaged securely thereon.
4. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the handle engaging member comprises two side wings which abut against the respective sides of the handle of the beverage pot when the handle engaging member is in use, with the infusion device located in the beverage pot and the handle engaging member positioned securely in engagement with the handle.
5. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the handle engagement member is pivotably connected to the lid of the beverage pot.
6. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the handle engagement member is pivotably connected to the lid about a pivot axis defined by pivot points, the pivot axis being located on a plane traversely between the side wings of the handle engagement member.
7. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the pivot axis of the lid is located along a plane approximately midway along each side wing of the handle engaging member.
8. An infusion device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7 wherein the lid comprises a lid arm connected at one end thereof to the pivot points.
9. An infusion device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 wherein the lid comprises a lid lever against which a user may exert a force to open and/or close the lid.
10. An infusion device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the infusion device includes a shoulder provided around at least a portion of the mouth of the infusion device so that in use, the shoulder rests on the rim of the mouth of the beverage pot.
11. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the infusion device comprises an infusion basket provided with a plurality of apertures.
12. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the infusion basket is generally rectangular in profile so as to allow for the maximum surface area to be provided for apertures therein thereby increasing the rate at which the infusion occurs in use when tea leaves are inserted in the infusion basket.
13. A beverage pot comprising an infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
14. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the beverage pot is adapted to be stackable.
15. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the profile of the base of the beverage pot and the profile of the top of the beverage pot are profiled so as to be capable of receiving a second and a third beverage pot in a stacked arrangement such that multiple beverage pots can be stacked by repeating this stacking arrangement.
16. A beverage pot as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 15 wherein the spout has a sloped profile along the neck leading to a lip which advantageously is shaped to avoid spills due to dripping of liquid from the outlet before, during or after pouring from the spout. The lid comprises a lid arm and lid lever.
17. An infusion device, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 13, substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows: CLAIMS: 1. An infusion device for use in a beverage pot, the beveiage pot having a lid and the infusion device including a side arm having a beverage pot handle engaging member for engagement with the handle of a beverage pot, wherein the beverage pot handle engaging member is connected to the lid of the beverage pot.2. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 1, wheiein the side aim is integially formed with the infusion device.3. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 1 a Claim 2, wherein the beverage pot handle engaging member is adapted for location fit, tight fit or push fit engagement with the handle of a beverage pot such that the beverage pot handle engaging member can be pushed onto the handle of a beverage pot so as to be engaged securely thereon.C') 15 4. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the C') beverage pot handle engaging member comprises two side wings which abut against the 0 respective sides of the handle of the beverage pot when the beverage pot handle C'SJ engaging member is in use! with the infusion device located in the beverage pot and the beverage pot handle engaging member positioned securely in engagement with the handle.5. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage pot handle engaging member is pivotably connected to the lid of the beverage pot.6. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage pot handle engaging member is pivotably connected to the lid about a pivot axis defined by pivot points, the pivot axis being located on a plane traversely between the side wings of the beverage pot handle engaging member.7. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the pivot axis of the lid is located along a plane approximately midway along each side wing of the beverage pot handle engaging member.8. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid compiises a lid aim connected at one end thereof to the pivot points.9. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid comprises a lid lever against which a user may exert a force to open and/or close the lid.10. An infusion device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the infusion device includes a shoulder provided around at least a portion of the mouth of the infusion device so that in use, the shoulder rests on the rim of the mouth of the beverage pot.11. An infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the infusion device comprises an infusion basket provided with a plurality of apertures.12. An infusion device as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the infusion basket is generally C') 15 rectangular in profile so as to allow for the maximum surface area to be provided for apertures therein thereby increasing the rate at which the infusion occurs in use when tea C') leaves are inserted in the infusion basket.C'SJ 13. A beverage pot comprising an infusion device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.14. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the beverage pot is adapted to be stackable.15. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the profile of the base of the beverage pot and the profile of the top of the beverage pot are profiled so as to be capable of receiving a second and a third beverage pot in a stacked arrangement such that multiple beverage pots can be stacked by repeating this stacking arrangement.16. A beverage pot as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 15 wherein the spout has a sloped profile along the neck leading to a lip which advantageously is shaped to avoid spills due to dripping of liquid from the outlet before, during or after pouring from the spout.17. An infusion device, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.18. A beverage pot as claimed in Claim 13, substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings. C') Co (1