JP3617787B2 - Tea strainer container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tea strainer container provided in a tea dispenser, and more particularly to an improvement in the shape of the spout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of a conventional tea dispenser using tea leaves, what is schematically shown in FIG. 9 is known. In this device, a hot water supply port 2 is provided above the mounting table 1 on which the container A is placed, and a funnel 4 containing a tea strainer 3 is provided below the hot water supply port 2 so as to be driven in reverse. And tea is produced | generated by discharging fixed amount of hot water from the hot water supply opening 2 toward the tea strainer 3 in which the tea leaves were put by the tea leaf supply part which is not shown in figure, from the spout 5 provided in the bottom face of the funnel 4 When it is poured out toward the container A and the pouring is performed a predetermined number of times, the funnel 4 is reversed so that the tea shells in the tea strainer 3 are discarded in the tea discarding container provided on the side, and the tea strainer 3 The pouring is resumed when a new tea leaf is put in and returned to the original position.
Further, in order to improve the usability of the user, the spout 5 is provided at a position eccentric to the front (left side in the figure) of the funnel 4 at the bottom.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, at the time of the above-described tea pouring, hot water is supplied to the center of the tea strainer 3, but since the spout 5 is located at the front, the tea produced through the tea leaves is funnel 4. 9 flows from the right side to the left side in FIG. Here, while the amount of tea from the start of pouring to the end of tea is large, the tea flows through the spout 5, so the movement of the tea from the right to the left in FIG. The straight portion is corrected vertically, and the tea is poured straight down.
On the other hand, when the supply of hot water is stopped, the amount of tea coming out from the tea strainer 3 gradually decreases and flows only to a part of the spout 5 after that. At this time, normally, as shown by the arrow of the chain line in FIG. 10 (B), the shortest path is traced from the bottom surface of the funnel 4, and the pouring is performed from the back side position on the upper edge of the spout 5. It is poured out straight downward along the inner surface of the back side of the outlet 5.
[0004]
However, for example, when there is a nonuniform surface roughness or dirt such as tea astringent at the back side position on the upper edge of the spout 5 as shown by reference numeral X in FIG. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, the tea bends and flows so as to avoid that portion, and flows down the side surface of the spout 5. In this case, the direction of the tea is not corrected in the vertical direction, and FIG. ), The container A may jump out to the front side or side. As a result, the container A and the mounting table 1 are unnecessarily soiled.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a spout structure that can pour tea without splashing.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is arranged above the container placement portion in the tea dispenser, and is located on the near side of the center of the bottom surface of the container body in which the tea strainer is accommodated. In the tea strainer container in which the spout is protruded downward, the lower edge of the spout is formed in an inclined shape that gradually decreases in height from the near side toward the far side. Has characteristics.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, vertical protrusions are formed on the inner surface on the back side of the spout.
Invention of Claim 3 is the thing of Claim 1 or Claim 2 WHEREIN: The place where the outer surface is cut | disconnected so that it may become thin gradually toward the downward direction in the lower end part of the back side of the said spout It has the characteristics.
[0006]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
The amount of tea decreases just before the end of pouring, and usually the place where it should flow down from the bottom surface of the container body along the inner surface of the outlet side, Even when tea flows down to the side of the spout due to dirt, when it tries to jump out of the bottom edge of the spout, The tea is returned and poured out from the lower edge of the spout toward the proper position in the container.
The tea is prevented from splashing outside the container just before the end of the dispensing.
[0007]
<Invention of Claim 2>
When the last tea flows into the inner surface on the back side of the spout, if there is a variation in surface roughness or dirt on the inner surface of the back side, the infused tea is directed to the side surface of the spout There is a fear.
In this regard, in the present invention, the tea that has flowed toward the inner surface on the back side of the spout flows down along the ridge provided there and is poured out straight downward.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 3>
When the last tea flows down properly along the inner surface of the spout, if the lower edge of the back is slanted to the full thickness of the wall, the tea will not flow along the slanted shape. There is a risk of being guided to the back side if necessary.
In this respect, in the present invention, the outer surface of the lower end portion on the back side of the spout is cut so that the outer surface gradually becomes thinner, so that the tea that reaches the lower edge along the inner surface on the back side. Furthermore, being guided to the back side is avoided as much as possible, and tea can be poured out more appropriately.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the overall structure of the tea machine will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The main body 10 of the tea machine is formed in a vertically long box shape with the upper side protruding to the front surface, and is supported by legs 11 provided at the four corners of the bottom surface, and a door 12 (see FIG. 2) at the front opening of the protruding portion. (Shown only in FIG. 1) is detachably mounted. In the main body 10, an L-shaped panel 13 is provided from the right front surface to the back surface, the inside (right side) of the panel 13 is a machine room, and the water supply cassette 14 can be accommodated in the bottom on the outside. It is said that. A hot water storage tank (not shown) is disposed in the machine room, and hot water heated to a predetermined temperature can be stored while replenishing fresh water from the water supply cassette 14 with a pump.
[0010]
A canister 16 for storing tea leaves is provided at the upper position of the front surface of the panel 13, and a tea leaf supply unit 17 incorporating a fixed quantity drum that can be dropped by a predetermined amount over the tea leaves is provided at the lower portion thereof. A tea leaf supply port 19 with an open / close shutter is formed. A hot water supply pipe 20 provided with a solenoid valve (not shown) is drawn out from the hot water storage tank and protrudes to the front side of the panel 13. A shower type hot water supply port 21 is attached to the protruding end of the hot water supply pipe 20. They are arranged side by side.
[0011]
As will be described in detail later, a funnel 31 containing a tea strainer 23 into which tea leaves are placed is inverted to the left side of FIG. It is provided so that it can be driven. A mounting table 27 on which a container A such as a cup is placed is attached below the funnel 31, and a tea discarding container 28 is provided on the front surface of the water supply cassette 14.
[0012]
Next, the structure of the funnel 31 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. The funnel 31 is made of a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 30 is integrally rotated at the edge of the portion extending from one side (left side as viewed from the front) of the substrate 32 having a square shape. A bearing hole 33 through which insertion is possible is formed, and an accommodation recess 35 having a substantially hemispherical shape is formed in the center of the substrate 32 as shown in FIG. In this accommodation recess 35, a tea strainer 23, which has a flange 25 attached to the upper edge of a hemispherical tea strainer net 24, is accommodated with a clearance, and the flange 25 is pressed and fixed by a holder 26. .
[0013]
A spout 37 projects downward from the bottom surface of the housing recess 35 of the funnel 31. The spout 37 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is formed at a position closest to the bottom of the housing recess 35. When the funnel 31 is installed at the pouring position, the above-described pouring outlet 37 is located just above the center position in the depth direction of the mounting table 27 of the container A, as shown in FIG. In this way, the position of the spout 37 is decentered to the near side because the placement position of the container A can be seen well from the outside, the container A is easy to place, and the container A is placed after the container A is placed. This is so that the operation can be smoothly transferred when operating, that is, the convenience of the user is improved.
[0014]
Now, the shape of the spout 37 will be further described. The spout 37 has a peripheral wall on the front side (left side in FIG. 5) that is vertical, while a peripheral wall on the back side is formed obliquely so as to protrude slightly toward the front side toward the lower edge. The lower edge of the entire spout 37 is an inclined edge 38 whose height gradually decreases from the near side toward the far side.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a protrusion 39 having a substantially semicircular cross section is formed on the inner surface of the spout 37 from the upper edge to the lower edge. The upper end of the protrusion 39 is smoothly connected to the inner bottom surface of the housing recess 35.
Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 7, the lower end portion on the far side of the spout 37 is cut so that the outer surface gradually becomes thinner toward the lower side, and an inclined surface 40 is formed. The lower edge is rounded to prevent breakage and the like.
[0015]
This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
When pouring tea, if a switch is operated after placing the container A on the placing table 27, a predetermined amount of hot water is discharged from the hot water supply port 21 toward the tea strainer 23 containing tea leaves, and the funnel 31. Tea is poured into the container A from the spout 37.
At this time, as long as the amount of tea from the start of pouring until the end of tea is large, tea flows into the pouring outlet 37 and is poured straight downward. Further, when the hot water supply is stopped, the amount of tea discharged from the tea strainer 23 gradually decreases thereafter, and usually flows down the bottom surface of the housing recess 35 of the funnel 31, and then the rear edge at the upper edge of the spout 37. From the position on the side, it is poured downward along the inner surface on the back side of the spout 37.
[0016]
Here, for example, if there is a non-uniform surface roughness or dirt such as tea astringency as shown by reference numeral X in FIG. As shown by the arrow in the figure, the tea bends and flows so as to avoid the portion X, flows down the side surface of the spout 37, and if the lower edge of the spout 37 is cut horizontally, There is a possibility that the direction of the tea may jump out to the near side or side of the container A without being corrected in the vertical direction.
In this respect, in this embodiment, the lower edge of the spout 37 is an inclined edge 38 whose height gradually decreases from the front side toward the back side, so that the tea has flowed down to the side surface side of the spout 37. In this case, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8 (B), when trying to jump out from the lower edge of the spout 37, it is returned to the back side along the shape of the inclined edge 38, and the tea is It is poured out into the container A from the lower edge of the back side of the spout 37.
[0017]
In addition, when the last tea flows into the inner surface on the back side of the spout 37, as shown in FIG. If there is dirt, the tea that has flowed in may be directed to the side surface of the spout 37 and jump out of the container A as well.
In this respect, in this embodiment, since the protrusion 39 in the vertical direction is formed on the inner surface on the back side of the spout 37, the tea flowing into the inner surface on the back side of the spout 37 It flows down as if passing down and is poured straight down.
[0018]
Furthermore, when the last tea has flowed properly along the inner surface on the back side of the spout 37, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower edge of the back side is slanted to the full thickness of the wall. The tea may be unnecessarily guided to the back side along the oblique shape.
In this regard, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface of the lower end portion on the back side of the spout 37 is an inclined surface 40 that gradually becomes thinner toward the lower side. The tea that has reached the lower edge along the bottom is avoided as much as possible, and the tea can be poured downward more appropriately.
[0019]
When a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) of tea has been poured out, as shown in FIG. 28 is discarded. Subsequently, while the funnel 31 is returning toward the original position, the funnel 31 stops at an oblique position immediately below the tea leaf supply port 19, and a predetermined amount of new tea leaves are supplied into the tea strainer 23. After returning, the next tea can be dispensed.
[0020]
As described above, according to this embodiment, when the amount of tea decreases just before the end of the pouring, the surface roughness variation or dirt on the bottom surface of the housing recess 35 of the funnel 31 or the inner surface of the pouring port 37. It is possible to prevent the tea from splashing in an unnecessary direction from the lower edge of the spout 37 due to the presence of water, and the tea can be properly poured into the container A to the end.
As a result, it is possible to avoid tea from adhering to the outer surface of the container A and the like, and to drink tea comfortably. In addition, the need for wiping and cleaning the mounting table 27 and its surroundings can be reduced, and an effect of facilitating care can be obtained.
[0021]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) Even if the lower edge of the spout is inclined, there is a sufficient effect for preventing the splashing of tea, and such a thing is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(2) In contrast to the structure in which the lower edge of the spout is inclined, a structure in which a vertical protrusion is provided on the inner surface on the back side of the spout, and the outer surface of the lower end portion on the back side of the spout gradually becomes thinner. Only one of the structures cut so as to become may be added, and such a structure is also included in the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a tea machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with a door removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a funnel arrangement position. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a tea strainer container. ] Flat cross-sectional view of the funnel [FIG. 5] Vertical cross-sectional view thereof [FIG. 6] Bottom view thereof [FIG. 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower end portion on the back side of the spout [FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the structure of a conventional pouring portion. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the tea pouring form. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view according to a comparative example. Figure [Explanation of symbols]
A ... Container 27 ... Container placement portion 23 ... Tea strainer 31 ... Funnel 35 ... Housing recess 37 ... Spout 38 ... Inclined edge 39 ... Projection 40 ... Inclined surface

Claims (3)

In the tea strainer container, which is arranged above the container mounting portion in the tea dispenser and has a spout protruding downward at a position on the near side of the center of the bottom surface of the container body in which the tea strainer is stored,
A tea strainer container, wherein the lower edge of the spout is formed in an inclined shape that gradually decreases in height from the near side to the far side. The tea strainer according to claim 1, wherein a vertical protrusion is formed on an inner surface of the back side of the spout. The tea strainer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower end portion on the back side of the spout is cut so that an outer surface thereof gradually becomes thinner toward a lower side.

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