GB2558926A - Portable coffee maker

Info

Abstract

Description

Claims

GB2558926A

Publication number: GB2558926A
Application number: GB1701019.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Randall Thomas
Original assignee: Oritora Ltd
Current assignee: Oritora Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-20
Filing date: 2017-01-20
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-20
Also published as: GB201701019D0; GB2558926B

An apparatus and method for a combination portable coffee maker and mug 10 comprises an insulated cup 20 for storing water; a sealable cap 30; a plunger 40, the plunger including a semi permeable closure (fig 4, 43), the closure being permeable to water but not to ground coffee; a circumferential 42 disposed around the closure for engaging with an interior wall (fig 2, 21) of the cup; means (fig 4, 44c) for operating the plunger; and means of securely attaching the plunger to the cup, in which the plunger fits tightly within the cup so that the seal engages with an interior wall of the cup and the semi-permeable closure is proximal to the bottom wall 25 of the cup, defining a space between the closure and the bottom of the cup. The sealable cap may be attached to the plunger. The plunger and cup may both have threaded sections that cooperate with each other so that the plunger can be screwed to the cup. Portions of the walls of the cup may extend beyond the bottom of the cup to store sealed storage pods 50 of coffee or sugar.

(71) Applicant(s):

Oritora Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Richmond Hill, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HR, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Thomas Randall

(51) INT CL:
A47J 31/20 (2006.01) A47J 31/18 (2006.01)	A47G 19/14 (2006.01) A47J 31/38 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: GB 2401308 A WO 1999/007266 A1 US 20100224078 A1	WO 2016/022980 A1 CZ 020140128 A3 US 20090238725 A1
(58) Field of Search: INT CLA47G, A47J Other: WIPO, EPODOC

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Albright IP Limited

County House, Bayshill Road, CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, GL50 3BA, United Kingdom

Title of the Invention: Portable coffee maker

Abstract Title: A combination portable coffee maker and mug with integral plunger and sealable cap

An apparatus and method for a combination portable coffee maker and mug 10 comprises an insulated cup 20 for storing water; a sealable cap 30; a plunger 40, the plunger including a semi-permeable closure (fig 4, 43), the closure being permeable to water but not to ground coffee; a circumferential 42 disposed around the closure for engaging with an interior wall (fig 2, 21) of the cup; means (fig 4, 44c) for operating the plunger; and means of securely attaching the plunger to the cup, in which the plunger fits tightly within the cup so that the seal engages with an interior wall of the cup and the semi-permeable closure is proximal to the bottom wall 25 of the cup, defining a space between the closure and the bottom of the cup. The sealable cap may be attached to the plunger. The plunger and cup may both have threaded sections that cooperate with each other so that the plunger can be screwed to the cup. Portions of the walls of the cup may extend beyond the bottom of the cup to store sealed storage pods 50 of coffee or sugar.

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FIGURES

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PORTABLE COFFEE MAKER

The present invention relates to a portable coffee maker.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many people regularly consume coffee. The availability of coffee while travelling can be limited. To ensure that coffee is available when required, it is common to pre-prepare coffee, and then to carry the pre-prepared coffee on a journey. Thermally insulated flasks are often used for this purpose.

Fresh coffee made from grounds is considered superior in flavour to freeze-dried instant coffee. Fresh coffee may be prepared using a cafetiere. To prepare coffee using a cafetiere, ground coffee is steeped in hot water until strong enough to suit the taste of the user, and is then separated from the water by depressing a plunger and causing a mesh to pass through the water and ground coffee mixture, forcing the ground coffee to the bottom.

Preparing fresh coffee using a cafetiere while travelling may be impractical as hot water, ground coffee and a cafetiere are often not readily available and are inconvenient to transport. Preparing fresh coffee using a cafetiere and then transferring it to an insulated cup or flask is one option, but is time-consuming and requires multiple pieces of equipment. Preparing instant coffee in the insulated cup or flask is another option, but the taste is significantly less desirable.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate these problems by providing a portable coffee maker to facilitate the provision of fresh coffee on a journey.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug comprising: an insulated cup for storing water; a sealable cap; a plunger, the plunger including a semi-permeable closure, the closure being permeable to water but not to ground coffee; a seal disposed around the closure for engaging with an interior wall of the cup; means for operating the plunger; and means of securely attaching the plunger to the cup, in which the plunger fits tightly within the cup so that the seal engages with an interior wall of the cup and the semipermeable closure is proximal to the bottom of the cup, defining a space between the closure and the bottom of the cup.

The insulated cup allows hot water to be stored for up to several hours without substantially cooling. The cap allows the hot water to be stored and transported, for example in a rucksack, without spillage. It also aids heat retention. The plunger sits within the cup for convenient storage and transport. It is used to separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee when fresh coffee is being prepared.

The semi permeable closure separates the ground coffee from the brewed coffee during fresh coffee preparation when it is moved by the plunger. Before fresh coffee is brewed,

i.e. during storage and/or transport, the semi permeable closure holds ground coffee in the space between the semi permeable closure and the bottom of the cup. Hot water sits above the semi permeable closure in the cup. The hot water does not penetrate far into the ground coffee because the coffee is compressed by the semi permeable closure. This prevents brewing of the coffee until the plunger is raised, allowing ground coffee and hot water to be transported within the same insulated cup while preventing brewing of the coffee. This allows brewing of the coffee to be delayed until preparation of fresh coffee is desired, meaning that fresh coffee may be available at any time.

The seal prevents ground coffee from passing around the semi permeable closure.

The operating means allow the plunger to be moved within the cup by a user while the cup is full of hot water. This moves the semi permeable closure to provide consecutive steeping and then separation of the ground coffee in the hot water.

The plunger is securely attached to the cup so that it does not move during transport of the cup. This also allows a user to drink from the cup with the plunger in situ, acting to keep coffee grounds out of the brewed coffee.

Preferably, the cap is securely attachable to the plunger. In turn, the plunger is securely attachable to the cup and so the whole device can be sealed closed by attaching the cap to the plunger, when the plunger is attached to the cup.

At least one vent may be provided for allowing air to enter and leave the cup when the plunger is moved in the cup while the cap is attached to the plunger. The cap, plunger and cup together define a sealed chamber. The vent allows air to escape from this chamber when the plunger is lowered in the cup. Likewise, it allows air to enter this chamber when the plunger is raised. It thus maintains pressure equalisation of the interior of the cup with the atmosphere so that the plunger may be easily raised and lowered.

A seal is preferably provided for closing the vent. The vent may be provided as an aperture in the plunger, and the seal may engage to close the vent whenever the plunger is securely attached to the cup.

The plunger may include a threaded region and the cup may include a threaded region adapted to cooperate with the threaded region of the plunger, so that the plunger may be screwed to the cup. This allows the plunger to be securely retained in the cup during transport.

The cap may be attachable only to the plunger. Advantageously, this allows a portion of the plunger to be exposed on the exterior of the cup to act as a means of operating the plunger. It also allows the plunger to be raised and lowered to prepare fresh coffee without removing the cap.

The plunger may include a threaded region and the cap may include a threaded region adapted to cooperate with the threaded region of the plunger for screwing the cap to the plunger. The screw fit provides a convenient means of releasably and securely attaching the cap to the plunger. Because the plunger is attached to the cup, this attaches the cap to the cup.

The plunger may include an outer surface which is exposed when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is assembled, the outer surface being adapted for use as a grip to provide means for operating the plunger. This allows the plunger to be moved within the cup to prepare fresh coffee. It also allows the plunger to be operated without removing the cap.

The plunger may have a cylindrical side wall which is closed at a bottom end by the semi-permeable closure. This provides a structure that is strong and easy to manufacture. It also aids in maintaining the orientation of the plunger relative to the cup while the plunger is moved in the cup, so that the seal remains in contact with the wall of the cup. The cylindrical side wall allows coffee to be consumed directly from the device without needing to remove the plunger, so that the device may conveniently function as a mug.

The plunger may include a cylindrical outer wall, concentric with and spaced from the side wall, the top end of the side wall extending radially outwards to connect to an upper end of the outer wall to define a space for receiving a rim of the cup. This provides an outer surface which is exposed when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is assembled and joins the outer surface to the cylindrical side wall of the plunger.

The wall of the plunger may extend past a rim of the cup when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is assembled and extend radially outwards over the rim of the cup and then downwards on the outside of the cup so as to enclose the rim of the cup.

The rim of the cup may include a seal.

Vents may be provided in the radially extending region of the wall of the plunger. This allows air to escape from the interior of the cup while the plunger is being lowered in the cup with the cap attached to the plunger. Likewise, it allows air intake when the plunger is being raised. The cap, plunger and cup together define a sealed space (sealed other than the vents), with the vents disposed proximal to an upper end of that sealed space. When the plunger is raised, air flows from the outside, through the vents in an upwards direction into the space immediately underneath the roof of the cap and then downwards into the plunger and cup.

When the plunger is lowered, air will escape upwards through the space immediately underneath the roof of the cap, and out of the vents in a downward direction towards the rim of the cup.

The seal on the rim of the cup may be adapted to close the vents when the cup is assembled - i..e. when the plunger is securely attached (e.g. screwed onto) the cup. This prevents liquid from escaping the cup through the vents when the device is fully assembled. The vents are opened as soon as the plunger begins to be unscrewed from the cup. They then provide pressure equalisation as previously discussed.

Advantageously, this arrangement provides a combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug which allows hot liquid to be safely transported and also allows fresh coffee to be conveniently prepared with the vessel still substantially sealed, in that it is spill-proof.

The outer surface may be provided by a thickened band on the cylindrical outer wall which is concentric with and spaced from the cylindrical side wall of the plunger. The thickened band raises the outer surface so that it is flush with outer surfaces of the cap and the insulated cup when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is assembled.

At least one sealed storage pod may be included for storing coffee or sugar, and means for holding the or each sealed storage pod on the cup may also be provided. This allows coffee to be transported with the cup, so that fresh coffee may be prepared several times with additional hot water.

Portions of the walls of the cup may extend beyond the bottom of the cup and the sealed storage pods may be held below the bottom of the cup between the portions of the walls of the cup. This allows the storage pods to be conveniently transported with the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug.

The portions of the walls of the cup which extend beyond the bottom of the cup may include resilient ridges for holding the sealed storage pods. This allows the storage pods to be releasably attached to the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug.

An internal volume of the or each sealed storage pod may be substantially the same as a volume defined between the semi-permeable closure and the bottom of the cup. Advantageously, the sealed storage pods may thus be used to measure ground coffee into the cup so that the correct quantity of ground coffee is used. This ensures that the coffee is compressed in the bottom of the cup, preventing substantial ingress of water into the coffee, while also preventing introduction of such a volume of ground coffee as might obstruct the plunger’s full insertion into the cup.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making coffee using a combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug comprising: an insulated cup for storing water; a sealable cap; and a plunger, the plunger including a semi-permeable closure, the closure being permeable to water but not to ground coffee, and a seal disposed around the closure for engaging with an interior wall of the cup; and means for operating the plunger, in which the plunger fits tightly within the cup so that the seal engages with an interior wall of the cup and the semi-permeable closure is proximal to the bottom of the cup, defining a space between the closure and the bottom of the cup, the method comprising the steps of:

a) lifting the plunger out of the cup, measuring ground coffee into the cup, replacing the plunger in the cup to compress and clamp the ground coffee in the bottom of the cup;

b) storing hot water in the insulated cup;

c) at such time as coffee is desired, lifting the plunger so that water flows through the semi-permeable closure into the bottom of the cup to mix with the ground coffee and allowing the coffee to brew;

d) lowering the plunger so that liquid coffee flows through the semipermeable closure and the grounds are forced to the bottom of the cup.

Advantageously, this method allows ground coffee and hot water to be separately stored and transported within a single vessel so that all the necessary ingredients of fresh coffee may be simultaneously present, and the fresh coffee may be prepared without any additional equipment.

Preferably, the cap is securely attachable to the plunger and remains securely attached to the plunger while the plunger is being raised and lowered.

A sealed storage pod that is removably attachable to the cup and has an internal volume substantially the same as the volume between the bottom of the cup and the semipermeable closure may be used to measure the ground coffee into the cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug;

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of a cup which is part of the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of a cap which is part of the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of a plunger which is part of the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a sealed storage pod for use with the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is indicated generally at 10.

The combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug 10 comprises an insulated cup 20, a cap 30, a plunger 40 and three sealed storage pods 50.

Referring now to Figure 2, an insulated cup is indicated generally at 20. The cup 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall 21 and a silicone insulating layer 22. The silicone insulating layer 22 covers the outside of the side wall 21. The silicone insulating layer 22 ends below the top of the side wall 21, leaving a portion of the side wall 21 exposed. A bottom end of the cylindrical side wall 21 is closed by a bottom wall 25. This forms a liquid receiving void 23. The interior comers of the void are rounded for ease of cleaning.

The side walls 21 partially extend below the bottom wall 25. A plurality of horizontal resilient ridges 24 is disposed on an interior face of the portions of the walls extending below the bottom wall 25. The ridges 24 are vertically spaced by a distance corresponding to a thickness of a sealed storage pod 50.

A seal 26 extends around the rim at the top of the side wall 21.

A circumferential thread 27 is provided around the outside of the exposed side wall 21 at a point spaced downwardly from the rim, just above the extent of the silicone insulating layer 22.

Referring now to Figure 3, a cap is indicated generally at 30. The cap 30 comprises a body portion 31 and an elongate sealing portion 32, which is hinged to the body portion at 33. The elongate sealing portion wraps around the cap, over an upper surface of the body portion and down one side, as shown in the figure.

The body portion 31 comprises a cylindrical side wall 34 and a roof 35, which closes an upper end of the cylinder. The roof 35 is not normal to the axis of the cylinder, but is rather disposed at an angle of substantially between 20 and 30 degrees to the horizontal when the cup is on a flat surface as shown in the figures.

The cylindrical side wall 34 has an internal diameter substantially equal to an external diameter of an upper portion of the plunger 40. The roof 35 includes first and second apertures 35a and 35b. The second aperture 35b is larger than the first aperture 35a and large enough to serve as a mouthpiece or spout. The second aperture 35b is disposed at an upper end of the sloped roof 35. The first aperture 35a is small and serves as an air intake to allow pouring through the first aperture 35a without “glugging”.

The side wall 34 includes a female thread 34a disposed on its internal face. A circumferential seal 36 is provided at the interior junction of the side wall 34 with the roof 35.

The sealing portion 32 includes a rigid section 37, which may be made of a plastics material, and a flexible section 38, which may be made of silicone. The rigid section 37 lies along the top of the roof 35 of the cap 30, and the flexible section 38 conforms to the outer surface of one section of the side wall 34. The flexible section includes live hinges 38a which allow it to conform to the corners of the roof 35 and side wall 34. The sealing portion 32 includes a first resilient stopper 32a for insertion into aperture 35a and a second resilient stopper 32b for insertion into aperture 35b. The stoppers are formed of resilient silicone. The flexible section 38 includes an aperture 39 for receiving a protrusion (47, Figure 4) on an outer wall of the assembled combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug, in this embodiment the protrusion (47) is part of the plunger (40).

Referring now to Figure 4, a plunger is indicated generally at 40. The plunger includes a substantially cylindrical side wall 41 which is sized to fit inside the cup (20). The diameter of the side wall 41 is smaller at a bottom end than at a top end of the side wall.

A circumferential seal 42 is provided around the bottom end of the side wall 41. The seal 42 has the form of a cylindrical band disposed around the outside of the side wall with two circumferential wipers 42a disposed along the top and bottom edges of the band respectively.

The plunger also comprises a cylindrical outer wall 44, concentric with and spaced from the side wall 41. The top end of the side wall 41 extends radially outwards at 48 to connect to an upper end of the outer wall to define a space 45. The outer wall 44 has a thickening 44c. The thickening 44c acts as a grip to provide means for operating the plunger.

A plurality of vents is disposed in the radially extending portion of the side wall 48. The vents are not shown in the cross section of Figure 4, but their location is indicated at 48. The vents allow equalisation of pressure inside the cup with atmospheric pressure, so that the plunger 40 can be operated with the cap 30 secured in place.

The outer wall 44 includes a male thread 44a and a female thread 44b. The female thread is on the inner surface of the thickened section 44c of the outer wall 44, and the male thread is on the outer surface and is above the thickening 44c. A hooked projection 47 extends from the thickening 44c.

The side wall 41 includes a circumferential male thread 41a, which is disposed on the outer surface of the side wall proximal to the bottom end of the side wall. An annular cap 46 with an inner female thread (also at 41a) is mounted to the end of the side wall 41, the male thread 41a engaging with the female thread. The cap 46 clamps a mesh 43 to the bottom of the side wall 41. The mesh 43 closes the bottom end of the cylindrical side wall 41. The mesh 43 is made of a perforated aluminium sheet. The mesh 43 is substantially rigid.

Referring now to Figure 5, a sealed storage pod is indicated generally at 50. The pod comprises a body 51 and a lid 52. The body 51 includes a substantially circular bottom wall (not visible in the Figure 5 perspective) and a substantially cylindrical side wall 53 extending from the periphery of the bottom wall. The lid 52 includes a substantially circular top wall 55 and a pair of partial side walls 54 extending from a portion of the periphery of the top wall 55. The partial side walls 54 are disposed on a diameter of the top wall 55. A pair of indents 53a (only one visible in the drawing) is provided in the cylindrical side wall 53. The indents 53a are disposed on a diameter of the cylindrical side wall 53 and are adapted to receive the partial side walls 54.

A grip 56 is present on the outside of each partial side wall 54, and a pair of grips 56 (only one visible in the drawing) is present on the outside of the cylindrical side wall 53. The grips 56 on the cylindrical side wall 53 are disposed halfway between the indents 53 a.

A projection 57 is disposed on the inner surface of each partial side wall 54. An Lshaped groove 58 is disposed in each indent 53a. A recess 58a is provided at a distal end of a horizontal portion of each L-shaped groove 58, shaped to receive a projection

57.

In use, ground coffee, sugar or another substance is placed in the body 51 and is retained in the body 51 by the cylindrical side walls 53. The lid 52 is then lowered onto the body so that the partial side walls 54 are received in the indents 53a and the projections 57 are received in the vertical portions of the L-shaped grooves 58. The lid 52 is then rotated relative to the body 51 so that the projections move horizontally in the L-shaped grooves 58 and snap into place in the recesses 58a when they reach the ends of the horizontal portions of the grooves. The top wall 55 contacts a top edge of the cylindrical side wall 53, sealing the ground coffee, sugar or other substance within the pod. The lid is retained on the body 51 by contact of the projections 57 with an upper edge 58b of the L-shaped grooves 58.

Referring again to Figure 1, the relationships between the cup 20, the cap 30, the plunger 40 and the storage pods 50 will now be described.

The plunger 40 sits within the void 23 of the cup 20 so that the seal 42 of the plunger 40 contacts the inner surface of the cup 20. The bottom of the plunger 40 is disposed at the bottom of the cup 20 proximal to the bottom wall 25. The rim 26 of the cup 20 is received in the space 45 of the plunger, with the seal 26 in contact with the radially extending wall 48 of the plunger 40. The male thread 27 at the top of the cup engages the female thread 44b of the plunger. Screwing of these threads clamps the seal 26 against the plunger 40. The bottom of the thickening 44c of the plunger contacts an upper edge of the insulating layer 22 of the cup 20.

The cap 30 is placed over the top of the plunger 40. The female thread 34a of the cap 30 engages the male thread 44a of the plunger 40. Screwing of these threads 34a, 44a clamps the seal 36 of the cap 30 against the top of the plunger 40. The seal is disposed so as not to obstruct the vents at 48. The bottom of the side wall 34 of the cap 30 contacts the upper edge of the thickening 44c.

A method of making coffee with a combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug 10 will now be described. The cap 30 and plunger 40 are removed from the cup 20 and ground coffee is placed in the bottom of the cup. The amount of ground coffee which is placed in the cup 20 is chosen so that when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is fully assembled, with the plunger 40 in the cup 20, the ground coffee tightly fills the space between the mesh 43 and the bottom wall 25 of the cup 20.

The plunger 40 is replaced in the cup 20 and screwed into the cup 20 so that it is retained in the cup 20. The ground coffee sits in a space between the bottom wall 25 of the cup 20 and the mesh 43 of the plunger 40. Screwing of the plunger 40 into the cup 20 causes the mesh 43 to exert a clamping force on the ground coffee and compress the ground coffee. The ground coffee is retained in the bottom of the cup 20 by the mesh 43.

Hot water, for example from a kettle, is poured into the cup 20 via the open top end of the cylindrical plunger 40. The cap 30 is then replaced. In this embodiment, the cap 30 is attached to the plunger 40. It is screwed to the outer wall 44 of the plunger 40 using the threads 44a and 34a.

The hot water sits within the plunger 40 and is retained by the cap 30. The water can be stored for a period of time, for example, several hours, as the insulating layer 22 retains heat in the water.

The ground coffee is sealed within the bottom of the cup 20 by the water and the mesh 43. It is prevented from fully mixing with the water by the mesh 43. Although contact between the water and the ground coffee will occur via the apertures of the mesh 43, only a small amount of ground coffee will be moistened and the coffee will not brew.

Ground coffee may also be stored within one of the sealed storage pods 50. Sugar or additional coffee may be stored in the other pods 50 depending on the preference of the user. The pods 50 are then stored between the side walls 21 below the bottom wall 25 of the cup 20, where they are retained between the ridges 24.

When fresh coffee is required, the plunger 40 is unscrewed and raised within the cup

20. The cap 30 is preferably still attached to the plunger 40 during this process. Hot water flows through the mesh 43 as the plunger is raised to mix with the ground coffee in the cup 20. Air flows upwards from the space 45 through the vents at 48 into the interior of the cap 30 and then downwards into the liquid receiving void 23, or such portion of the void 23 as is not full of water.

Alternatively, if coffee has not previously been stored in the cup 20 below the plunger 40, a sealed storage pod 50 containing ground coffee may be removed from between the portions of the walls of the cup 20 which extend below the bottom wall 25 of the cup 20. The pod 50 is opened by rotating the lid 52 relative to the body 51 and lifting the lid 52 away from the body 51 and ground coffee is placed into the water in the cup 20 after removing the plunger 40 from the cup 20.

A mixture of water and ground coffee is now present in the cup 20. Time is allowed to pass according to the taste of the user for weak or strong coffee. When sufficient time has elapsed, the plunger 40 is slowly lowered in the cup 20, allowing liquid coffee to flow through the mesh 43 as the plunger 40 is lowered, while ground coffee is not able to pass through the mesh 43 and is pushed to the bottom of the cup 20. The vents of the plunger at 48 allow air to escape as the plunger 40 is lowered in the cup 20. The air flows from the interior of the cap 30, through the vents at 48 into the space 45, and out of the cup device.

The user may wish to drink the coffee with or without the cap 30 fitted.

If the cap 30 is fitted, the flexible section 38 may be unfastened from the projection 47 and the sealing portion 32 may be removed by action of the hinge 33 to leave the second aperture 35b unobstructed by the resilient stopper 32b. The first aperture 35a is also opened, so that when coffee is poured from the second aperture 35b, air may flow into the cup 20 through the first aperture 35a, preventing “glugging”.

These embodiments are provided by way of example only, and various changes and 5 modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

>...............

1. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug comprising:

an insulated cup for storing water; a sealable cap;

a plunger, the plunger including a semi-permeable closure, the closure being permeable to water but not to ground coffee; a seal disposed around the closure for engaging with an interior wall of the cup; means for operating the plunger; and means of securely attaching the plunger to the cup, in which the plunger fits tightly within the cup so that the seal engages with an interior wall of the cup and the semi-permeable closure is proximal to the bottom of the cup, defining a space between the closure and the bottom of the cup.

2. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap is securely attachable to the plunger.

3. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 2, in which at least one sealable vent is provided for allowing air to enter and leave the cup when the plunger is moved in the cup while the cap is attached to the plunger.

4. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the plunger includes a threaded region and the cup includes a threaded region adapted to cooperate with the threaded region of the plunger, so that the plunger may be screwed to the cup.

5. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cap is attachable only to the plunger.

6. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any of claims 2, 3 or 5, in which the plunger includes a threaded region and the cap includes a threaded region adapted to cooperate with the threaded region of the plunger for screwing the cap to the plunger.

7. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the plunger includes an outer surface which is exposed when the combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug is assembled, the outer surface being adapted for use as a grip to provide means for operating the plunger.

8. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the plunger has a cylindrical side wall which is closed at a bottom end by the semi-permeable closure.

9. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 7, in which the plunger includes a cylindrical outer wall, concentric with and spaced from the side wall, the top end of the side wall extending radially outwards to connect to an upper end of the outer wall to define a space for receiving a rim of the cup.

10. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 9, in which the rim of the cup includes a seal.

11. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 10, in which the at least one vent is provided in the radially extending region of the wall of the plunger.

12. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 11, in which the seal is adapted to close the at least one vent when the cup is assembled.

13. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, in which the outer surface is provided by a thickened band on the outer wall of the plunger.

14. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes at least one sealed storage pod for storing coffee or sugar, and means for holding the or each sealed storage pod on the cup.

15. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 14, in which portions of the walls of the cup extend beyond the bottom of the cup and the sealed storage pods are held below the bottom of the cup between the portions of the walls of the cup.

16. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in claim 15, in which the portions of the walls of the cup which extend beyond the bottom of the cup include resilient ridges for holding the sealed storage pods.

17. A combination portable coffee maker and drinking mug as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which an internal volume of the or each sealed storage pod is substantially identical to a volume defined between the semi-permeable closure and the bottom of the cup.

18. A method of making coffee using a combination portable coffee maker and mug as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of:

b) storing hot water in the insulated cup;

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, in which the cap remains securely attached to the plunger during lifting and lowering of the plunger.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18, in which a sealed storage pod that is

5 removably attachable to the cup and has an internal volume substantially identical to the volume between the bottom of the cup and the semi-permeable closure is used to measure the ground coffee into the cup.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1701019.0 Examiner: Andrew Isgrove