GB2591990A

GB2591990A - A device

Info

Publication number: GB2591990A
Application number: GB2000093.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eisa Mustafa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-01-06
Filing date: 2020-01-06
Publication date: 2021-08-18
Also published as: GB202000093D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a teabag dispenser 99 comprising: a housing 1 with a first end for inserting teabags with a displaceable cap (3, figure 2) and a distal second end for dispensing teabags that includes a pivot (6, figure 2) connected to a lid 2. Preferably, the housing is tubular/rectangular/cuboid where both ends comprise an external male screw thread. The first end may be a loading aperture and receive a circular female screw thread cap. The second end may receive an angular ring that provides a base for the pivot. The pivoting lid may be circular and planar and comprise a depending wall (8, fig. 3) which has a lowered wall portion. The pivot preferably comprises a pin (41, fig. 5) and a torsion spring (42, fig. 5) formed from stainless steel where the pin passes through two arms (40, fig. 5) extending from the annular ring. The dispenser may also include a means to limit the pivoting of the lid preferably comprising a grub screw. The lid, cap and annular ring are all preferably formed from powder-coated mild steel. The housing may be transparent/translucent, may comprise two or more compartments and may also be coaxially telescopic.

Description

A DEVICE

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device for dispensing teabags or the like.

Brief Description of Figures

All figures show sketches subject to later formalisation as appropriate.

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 partially opened Figure 4 shows an isometric sectional cutaway view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figures 6 show diagrammatic views of usage of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures there is generally shown an embodiment of the device 99 comprising a housing 1 for teabags 400 with a first end arranged for inserting tea bags with a displaceable cap, and a distal second end arranged for dispensing tea 35 bags comprising a pivot 6 for a lid 2.

In this way the device provides a handy dispenser for tea bags, allowing users to have a brew anywhere.

The pictured embodiment comprises an elongate tubular housing 1 with external 5 male screw threads at the ends, and a female screw thread cap, which cap is circular with a depending collar.

The housing 1 can carry 20-30 teabags at a time, where the tubular shape of the housing allows the teabags to be easily and conveniently stacked inside the 10 embodiment, with this simple screw top cap 3 for loading and a hinged lid 2 at the distal second end for dispensing.

The second end therefore comprises a pivot 5 and a pivoting planar circular lid 2.

The lid 2 has a depending wall 8, which wall has a lowered wall portion opposing the pivot 6.

The pivot 6 comprises a pin 41 and a torsion spring 42. The pin passes through holes in two arms 40 extending from an annular ring 4 with an internal screw thread, 20 forming a base for the pivot and lid.

The screw thread may be bonded together or may allow for dismantling of the embodiment for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

The pivot further comprises a tab 5 extending along the axis of the housing 1 towards the cap 3 at the first end. The tab enables a user to depress its tail furthest from the pivot and thereby pivot the lid open around the pivot 6.

Travel of the tail of the tab is limited by contact with the housing 1, whereby the tab can only pivot a small amount so as to limit the size of the aperture 9 to an appropriate size for a single teabag. In this way the rest of the teabags are not liable to displace at the same time. In some embodiments it may be possible to limit or control travel of the tab or lid, for example with a grub screw through the tail, so as to control how large the aperture is for access of the teabags.

The housing, pin and spring are stainless steel, and the lid, cap and ring are formed in powder-coated mild steel.

It may be envisaged that alternate designs may be developed for milk and sugar in 5 the future.

A range of colours could be offered to provide a degree of personalisation.

In use: To load the housing 1 with teabags, the user unscrews the top cap 3 When a teabag is required the user simply presses the pivot 5 on the second end to dispense one teabag through an aperture 9 opened into the housing 1 by the 15 displaced lid 2.

The device can then be safely stored in a bag ready for use as needed.

In some embodiments the housing 1 may be transparent or translucent at least in 20 part so as to allow a user to monitor quantity of teabags within the embodiment.

In some embodiments the cap 3 may be transparent or translucent at least in part so as to allow a user to monitor quantity of teabags within the embodiment. In some embodiments a lid may be envisaged to be at both ends, wherein the housing may comprise two compartments, which enable the user to load the compartments with differing teabags at either end. For example the housing may comprise a loading aperture in the side or may allow the lid to open more fully through urging or disengagement of the spring.

Other embodiments of the device may be rectangular or cuboid in section so as to allow for storage and dispensing of square or rectangular teabags.

In some embodiments the device may have more than one housing so as to allow for release of more than teabags, for example comprising a housing and release for 35 sweetener tablets.

In some embodiments the housing may comprise a coaxially telescopic housing, so as to allow increase of the housing's internal volume and allow for storage and transport of a differing number of teabags.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A teabag dispenser comprising: a housing with a first end arranged for inserting tea bags with a displaceable cap, and a second distal end for dispensing tea bags that includes a pivot connected to a lid. C\I 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8.
A teabag dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the housing is tubular with external male screw threads at the first and second ends for receiving a female screw thread cap and female screw thread annular ring that provides a base for the pivot.
A teabag dispenser according to claim 1or claim 2 wherein the cap is circular with a depending collar.
A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the pivoting lid is circular and planar.
A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the lid has a depending wall, which wall has a lowered wall portion opposing the pivot.
A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the pivot comprises a pin and a torsion spring.
A teabag dispenser according to claim 6 wherein the housing, pin and torsion spring are formed from stainless steel.
A teabag dispenser according to any of claims 2 and any of claims 3 to 7 when dependant on claim 2 wherein the pin passes through holes provided in two arms extending from the annular ring with an internal screw thread that forms a base for the pivot and lid. o
9. A teabag dispenser according to claim 8 wherein the annular ring is formed in powder-coated mild steel.
10. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein pivot further comprises a tab extending along the axis of the housing towards the cap at the first end.
11. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim including a means to limit pivoting of the lid.
12. A teabag dispenser according to claim 11 wherein the means to limit pivoting of the lid comprise a grub screw to limit size of the aperture through which teabags are dispensed.
13. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the lid and cap are formed in powder-coated mild steel.
14. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim the housing is transparent or translucent at least in part. 20
15. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim including two or more compartments.
16. A teabag dispenser according to claim 15 induding a lid at the first and second ends
17. A teabag dispenser according to claims 15 or 16 wherein the housing includes a loading aperture.
18. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is rectangular or cuboid in section.
19. A teabag dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is coaxially telescopic so as to allow increase of the housing's internal volume.