GB2570165A

GB2570165A - The tasteaire unique float tray device

Info

Publication number: GB2570165A
Application number: GB1804016.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Summers Christopher; Sharman Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-01-15
Filing date: 2018-03-13
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Also published as: GB201804016D0; GB201800634D0

Abstract

A float tray tea infusion device, which contains numerous infuser holes, an air-filled outer buoyancy chamber and float guide arms to allow the float tray to rise steadily through a cup, mug or teapot while keeping the tea bag in place. When pouring boiling water into a cup, mug or teapot containing the device and a tea bag the float tray encourages better and quicker infusion by raising the tea bag to the top of the hot water through buoyancy achieved by the outer buoyancy chamber.

Description

Patent Application - Specification Document

Title of the Invention - ‘The TasteaireiM unique Float Tray device’ 1. Detailed Description of the Invention ‘The Tasteaire unique Float Tray device’ is a simple Tea-Bag Infuser device [not to be confused with a normal ‘loose-tea’ infuser] designed to be used in a suitable, chosen receptacle for tea, e.g. ‘in-cup’ or ‘in-mug’, and whereby the device provides a unique method to infuse the flavour of the tea in the tea-bag into the boiling water, delivering an immediate, perfectly blended and brewed cup of tea, in only a matter of seconds : by utilising a unique clement of the device: ‘The Float Tray’ with added Outer Buoyancy Ring’ (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Single Component Part, Figs. 1, 2+3 inc Plan view and Side Elevation). ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ enhances the infusion of the tea in all types of bagged-tea including the more delicate blends such as Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and flavoured or herbal teas.

We should point out here that we are hereby citing our Prior Application No. GB1800634.6 filed on 15th January 2018 at 16:30:31 by way of ‘priority achieved’ and applicable to this later application made here.

For the ‘in-cup’ or ‘in-mug’ device, please hereby note by way of description, that: A. When the device is used with a chosen receptacle, usually a cup or mug, it is necessary to follow the Step by Step Process noted at Drawing Document, Sheet 2, Figs. 1-7 whereby the tea-bag is placed in the centre of ‘The Float Tray’ (see Fig.2) and whereafter the ‘loaded’ device is placed into the cup or mug, to sit in or near the bottom of the receptacle (as its diameter will allow) (see Fig. 3) and whereby, when the boiling water is poured onto the tea-bag sitting on ‘The Float Tray’ (see Figs. 4 & 5) the tea-bag will rise-up with ‘The Float Tray’ on the surface of the boiling water as it enters (see Fig. 6), to infuse the brew, and deliver an immediate, perfectly blended and brewed cup of tea in seconds, and when the ‘The Float Tray’ with the hot tea-bag upon it may then be easily removed from the cup or mug (see Fig. 7) and placed into the handy and accompany Drip Tray (see Fig.8). B. The device is designed to work efficiently in a chosen cup or mug, but can also easily be adapted to work in a teapot by extending ‘The Float Tray’ anus (see Drawings Document, Sheet 3, Single Component Part, Figs. 1, 2+3) so that once again ‘The Float Tray’ with loaded tea-bag rises-up on the surface of the boiling water to deliver an immediate, perfectly blended and brewed cup of tea within seconds, and the device ‘with’ the hot tea-bag(s) is then easily removed from the tea-pot by utilising the extended arms for purchase and simple lifting. However, for the main purposes of this patent application we have focused on the 'in-cup' and ‘in-mug' infusion interpretation, but without seeking to limit the scope of the device of this application in any way.

Give an example of an intended use for your invention.

The device, known as ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ is designed to make ‘the perfect cup of tea’ and consists of just one component, made from moulded food-safe plastic (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Figs. 1, 2+3). The use of this material ensures the item is hygienic and fit for purpose, and safe for use with boiling water.

It should be stated here that the device could be made from a combination of other materials. However we are using the stated materials which we believe will produce the best quality product.

Summary of the Invention

Describe the intellectual property in detail. For an apparatus or product, describe each part, how they fit together and how they work together.

The invention/device: the single component ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ with its unique ‘Float Tray’ with added Air-filled Outer Buoyancy Chamber (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Single Component Part, Figs. 1, 2+3) provides an ensured and improved depth of flavour of the tea by speedy and thorough infusion of the tea-bag in the boiling water and its steam, within seconds. This is made possible by the constant movement of the boiling water and its steam ‘through’ the tea-bag as it rises on ‘The Float Tray’, and which movement washes the flavour from the tea-bag into the water, thus infusing the tea in a most expedient manner.

The tea-bag is initially placed on ‘The Float Tray’ (see Drawings Document, Sheet 2, Fig. 2).

This is the secret to the start of the process. The device is then placed into a cup or mug. ‘The Float Tray’ as its name suggests, is buoyant, and sits at the bottom of the cup or mug at the start of the operation (see Drawings Document, Sheet 2, Fig. 3) to ensure the tea-bag, when placed onto it, will rise with ‘The Float Tray’ on the surface of the in-flowing boiling water, to the top of the cup or mug, in a controlled way (see Drawings Document, Sheet 2, Fig. 4, 5+6). This allows the optimum time for the flow of boiling water and steam through the tea-bag to complete the infusion. ‘The Float Tray’ is located and held in position by its ‘Float Guide Arms’ (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Fig.) which help to keep the tea-bags in place and to guide ‘The Float Tray’ as it rises on the incoming boiling water, carrying the tea-bag with it, allowing the full infusion process to take place. Naturally, once the infusion process is complete the device may be removed from the cup or mug with the tea-bag still sitting on ‘The Float Tray’.

It is the constant movement and flow of boiling water (with its steam) filtering through the tea-bag, and then through ‘The Float Tray’, into the the mug, that washes the maximum flavour from the tea leaves inside the tea-bag into the brew.

Pouring boiling water and its steam gently onto the centre of the tea-bag ensures the tea is perfectly brewed once ‘The Float Tray’ and tea-bag reach the top of the mug on the surface of the boiling water, when the device is easily removed, and the brew' is now' ready to drink, and/or to add milk, as desired.

The Component Specification as noted in the Drawings Document attached, is: ‘The Float Tray’ (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Single Component Part, Figs. 1, 2+3). This component has a pattern of small holes located in the, otherwise, solid centre of ‘The Float Tray’. These holes act, in effect, as a 'filter1 for the tea to strain through into the brew, as the boiling water passes through the tea-bag and on into the mug.

It should be noted that ‘The Float Tray’ moulding allows for air to be trapped at point of manufacture inside the added Outer Buoyancy Ring’. This is ‘fundamental’ to the process of ensuring a constant, smooth operation, and the 'rising' of ‘The Float Tray’ : - unique to this invention.

Alternatively, a more naturally buoyant material may also be used to manufacture ‘The Float Tray’, and whereby the process for the smooth operation of ‘The Float Tray’ will be exactly the same and the uniqueness of ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ itself will remain captured within this application.

List the drawings giving the figure number and a brief description of what the drawings illustrate . Refer to the drawings throughout the detailed, description and to use the same reference numbers for each element.

List of Drawings

In the Drawings Document which form a part of this specification:

Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Figs. 1, 2+3 each show an isometric view of the Single Component Part known as ‘The Float Tray’ device with added Air-filled Buoyancy Chamber, requiring no assembly.

Drawings Document, Sheet 2, Figs. 1-7 show the ‘Step by Step’ process by which ‘The Float Tray’ device is used to arrive at a perfectly brewed cup of tea each time, in just seconds.

Drawings Document, Sheet 3, Figs. 1, 2+3 each show a side-elevation view of the Single Component Part known as ‘The Float Tray’ device with added Air-filled Buoyancy Chamber (requiring no assembly) adjusted by way of extended arms (length discretionary) for use in tea-pot, and to arrive at a perfectly brewed pot of tea each time, in just seconds.

Claims

2. Claims & Statement of the technical field related to the Invention The invent!on/device: the single component ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ with its unique ‘Float Tray’ with added Air-filled Outer Buoyancy Chamber (see Drawings Document, Sheet 1, Single Component Part, Figs. 1, 2+3,) provides an ensured and improved depth of flavour of the tea by speedy and thorough infusion of the tea-bag in the boiling water and its steam, within seconds. This is made possible by the constant movement of the boiling water ‘through’ the tea-bag as it rises on ‘The Float Tray’, and which movement washes the flavour from the tea-bag into the water, thus infusing the tea in a most expedient manner. When the ‘The Float Tray1 has reached the desire level at the surface, the tea is then perfectly brewed/infused, and ‘The Float Tray1 with the tea-bag are then simply removed, as one, making the tea-bag removal process very easy as it is no longer necessary to fish the hot tea-bag out of the brew. At this point, the tea is made and ready to taste, and/or to add milk, as desired; or alternatively, milk may be added to the mug or cup at the beginning of the process, when ‘The Float Tray' will simply rest on the surface of the milk, keeping the tea-bag dry up to the point the boiling water is added. The Embodiment of the Invention in which an exclusive property is claimed, is defined as follows: A unique component: ‘The Tasteaire Float Tray device’ with added Air-filled Outer Buoyancy Chamber to be used in a suitable, chosen receptacle for tea, e.g. in-cup, in-mug, or in-teapot, and which is both fundamental and instrumental to the perfect infusion of the tea-making process using ‘The Float Tray’ device to provide a controlled and stable platform for the tea-bag to rise-up upon the surface of the incoming boiling water, and at the same time allowing the water and the steam to pass through the tea-bag, thus infusing the tea in the tea-bag into the optimum brew :- unique to this invention.