RU2777593C2 - Tea making device for thermo-jugs and vacuum cups - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: beverage making.

SUBSTANCE: tea making device (100) for a thermo-jug or a vacuum cup contains: base element (10) made with the possibility of being inserted into a jug or cup neck, equipped with at least one outlet (15) made with the possibility of being closed, using closing node (20), receiving element (33) of a tea strainer, located in central pipe (13) with the possibility of axial displacement, tea strainer (30) made with the possibility of connection to receiving element (33) of the tea strainer and made with the possibility of sliding between a brewing position and a closed position. Lowering node (40) contains working element (21) installed with the possibility of rotation in closing node (20), and at least two-part crank mechanism (41, 42, 43, 44) connecting working element (21) and receiving element (33) of the tea strainer to each other.

EFFECT: obtaining a tea making device for thermo-jugs and vacuum cups.

12 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a tea preparation device for thermal jugs and vacuum mugs, which has the features of the restrictive part of paragraph 1 of the claims.

A tea preparation device which also serves as a lid or lid element for a thermal jug or a vacuum cup is known from DE 202016103314 U1. Dry tea leaves may initially be stored inside a tea strainer, with the strainer separated from the interior of a jug or mug that can be filled with hot water. The strainer is lowered into the water just before serving. After brewing, the tea strainer rises above the body in which the tea is located, and completely separates with its contents from the prepared tea drink. Thus, bitter substances cannot drip into the prepared tea inside the jug or mug. The guide mechanism for the tea strainer with a spiral guide line allows it to be lowered with little effort by means of an operating element accessible from the outside, but only when a small screw pitch is selected. Therefore, the user must perform several revolutions of the control element in order to completely lower the tea strainer or retract it. The user needs both hands to rotate. In addition, it cannot clearly determine whether the tea strainer has been lowered or extended or is in an intermediate position without removing the tea maker from any jug or vacuum mug that does not have transparent walls.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved tea preparation device for a heat-insulating jug or a heat-insulating mug, which allows easy preparation of tea in mobile use, and in which, in particular, it is possible to quickly move the tea strainer between the closed position and the brewing position and clearly define it. current position.

This problem is solved using a tea preparation device having the characteristics of paragraph 1 of the formula.

At least a two-part crank mechanism connects the control element and the receiving element of the tea strainer. Slight movement of the control on the outside of the base element causes the tea strainer to move more to partially push the tea strainer out of the center tube for the brewing process. The same control and crank mechanism pulls it completely back into the center tube so that the tea strainer enters the center tube in a liquid tight manner. Residual liquid from brewed tea leaves cannot drip into the insulated jug or vacuum mug.

In addition, the crank mechanism with connected lever members allows for a thin design of the lowering unit, which is easy to place inside the base member even if the diameter of the tea maker is small.

Another advantage is that the flow for the poured liquid passes completely past the central pipe with the lowering unit and the tea strainer located therein. Preferably, the tea strainer could be moved independently of the opening or closing of the outlet opening by the closing assembly. Thus, the brewing process can be carried out both with the outlet open and with the outlet closed. Thus, the closure assembly can be of a simple construction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing assembly is designed in such a way that it can be easily rotated through a certain angle relative to the base element, as a result of which at least one pouring opening located radially outside the central pipe is released or closed during rotation.

In another embodiment, the closure assembly is preferably mushroom-shaped with at least one thin cylindrical tubular center section and a radially overlapping edge. The cylindrical center section is inserted into the base element's center tube, which is also cylindrical. It is open at the top so that parts of the crank mechanism exit through the base member's center tube and center section. At the same time, the edge covers at least one outlet in the closed position and closes it through the sealing ring or sealing surface.

The connection between the base element and the closure assembly can be easily achieved by means of a screw thread, with the intermediate sealing element being pressed when screwed.

Preferably, however, a bayonet connection is provided between the central cylindrical section of the closure assembly and the central tube of the base element. As a result, certain angular positions are always set in both open and closed positions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bayonet closure is formed by at least two pins located around the circumference of the central section and at least two guide grooves formed on the inside of the central tube. Each of the guide grooves has an insert section aligned parallel or at an acute angle to the central axis, and an insert section aligned with the central axis aligned locking portion at an obtuse angle. The insert part allows for easy disassembly of the device, while the fixing part provides two additional positions due to its inclination:

a closed position in which the pins are located at the end of the fixing portion of the guide groove and in which the outlet is closed, and

- a drinking position in which the closure assembly is secured by the base element so that it cannot fall out, while the axial distance between the closure assembly and the base element is such that the outlet opening is open and not blocked.

Attaching the tea strainer to the closing knot can be done with snap-on connections. It is also possible to use a screw, which has the advantage that the diameter can be chosen so that the closure assembly can be pulled with the tea strainer upwards out of the central tube, since there should be no side protrusions.

The tea preparation apparatus according to the present invention is described with reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the following drawings. On the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a tea maker in a closed position as viewed from the outside in a perspective view;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tea preparation device with the tea strainer lowered in the brewing position;

fig. 3 - a device for preparing tea in a position for drinking in a perspective view;

fig. 4 - a perspective view of the tea preparation device in the unlocked position before disassembly;

fig. 5 - disassembled device for making tea in a perspective view;

fig. 6 - a device for making tea in a closed position in a section;

fig. 7 - a tea preparation device with a lowered tea strainer in the section;

fig. 8 - a tea preparation device with a detached tea strainer in the section;

fig. 9 is another embodiment of a tea preparation device in a locked position in a perspective sectional view;

fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the area shown in FIG. 9;

fig. 11 shows the tea preparation device of FIG. 9 in the unlocked position in a perspective sectional view;

fig. 12 shows the tea preparation device of FIG. 9 in the brewing position with the tea strainer lowered in a perspective sectional view; and

fig. 13 shows the tea preparation device of FIG. 9 mounted on a vacuum mug.

Fig. 1 illustrates the tea preparation apparatus 100 in a perspective view from above. The device 100 essentially consists of a base element 10, which can be placed on top of the vacuum mug, and a closure assembly 20, which is inserted into the base element 10 and which can rotate relative to the latter. On the inside of the pouring edge 11 are marks 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 to indicate the three possible positions of the closure assembly 20. The operating element 21, pivotally mounted in the closure assembly 20, marks the current position. In FIG. 1 this corresponds to the closed position 17.1. An outlet space 12 is formed between the closing assembly 20 and the pouring lip 11. The base element 10 continues downward in a cylindrical central tube 13.

In FIG. 2, the tea preparation device 100 is also shown in the closed position of the closure unit 20, in which the angular position relative to the base member 10 has not changed compared to FIG. 1. In this way, the base member 10 and the closure assembly 20 are sealed relative to each other in a liquid-tight manner. Compared to FIG. 1, the operating element 21 is pulled upwards, causing the tea strainer 30 to be pushed out of the central tube 13 by the internal drop assembly.

In FIG. 3, the tea preparation device 100 is shown in the drinking position of the closure assembly 20, indicated by the mark 17.2, that is, it is rotated counterclockwise by an angle of approximately 25° compared to its position shown in FIG. 1 and 2. The working element 21 is in the lowered initial position. Therefore, the tea infuser is still at the top of the central tube 13. What is not seen here is that the base member 10 and the closure assembly 20 were axially shifted away from each other during rotation. Therefore, at least one pouring opening is opened, and the drink inside the jug or mug on which the tea preparation device 100 is mounted can enter the outlet space 12. The drink can be drunk directly from the pouring edge 11 of the spout or poured into a cup. Compared to the previous position shown in FIG. 3 covering assembly 20 in the illustration of FIG. 4 has been rotated into the unlocked position by another angular step of about 25° relative to the base element 10. This position is indicated by the mark 17.3. In addition, the tea infuser 30 was pushed out of the central tube 13 by the control member 21 and moved down.

From the unlocked position in FIG. 4, the tea maker 100 can be broken down into its main components as shown in FIG. 5.

In order to connect the cup-shaped tea strainer 30 to the tea strainer receptacle 33 located inside the central tube 13, two grooves 32 are extruded in the region of the upper edge of the tea strainer 30. An O-ring 31 is attached to the bottom plate of the tea strainer 30, so that it is impermeable to liquid in relation to the central pipe 13 during its movement.

Closing assembly 20 has a central tubular section 23 and a radially overlapping edge 22. Radially protruding pins 24 are provided outside the central section 23. A recess 26 is provided in the upper part of the fixing assembly 20 to accommodate the operating element 21. The tea strainer receiving element 33 projects into the lower part of the central section 23.

Around the opening of the central tube 13 are a plurality of arcuate drain holes 15. The inner wall 13.1 of the central tube 13 is provided with guide grooves for pins 24, one of which is visible in FIG. 5. From the upper edge of the central tube 13, the insertion part 14.1 of the guide groove extends downward and parallel to the central axis, and then passes at an angle of more than 90° into the fixing part 14.2. The locking part 14.2 has two locking positions, namely one in the middle for the drinking position and one at the end for the closed position.

The block arrows in FIG. 5, on the one hand, the possible range of angles in which the closure unit 20 can rotate relative to the base element 10 and, on the other hand, the vertical axial movement for disassembling and assembling the device are indicated.

Fig. 6 shows the internal construction of the tea making apparatus 100 according to the invention in a perspective view in section. The parts are arranged in the closed position according to FIG. one.

The central section 23 of the closing assembly 20 is inserted into the upper part of the central pipe 13. The edge 22 of the closing assembly 20 rests on the sealing ring 25 radially outside the pouring holes 15. The base element 10 is provided with a sealing ring 16 and a threaded ring for attaching to the neck of a vacuum mug or thermo jug.

In the central section 23 is provided the direction of the receiving element 33 of the tea strainer over most of its height. The lower part protrudes into the central tube 13 and has an O-ring 34 on the outer circumference which is axially sealed with respect to the lower edge of the central section 23 and provides a tight radial seal even if the tea strainer receptacle 33 is axially lowered. With the groove 32 on the tea strainer 30 interact snap tabs 35, thereby attaching the tea strainer 30 to the receiving element 33 of the tea strainer.

Inside the tea preparation device 100, a lowering assembly 40 is formed in the form of at least a two-part crank mechanism. The operating element 21 extends to the first lever element 41 which is mounted on a pivot bearing 42 in the closure assembly 20. The pivot bearing 42 is the only point of the transmission chain attached to the body of the closure assembly. A hinge 43 is formed between the rear end of the first lever element 41 and the upper part of the second lever element 44. In turn, the second lever element 44 is connected through another hinge 45 to the tea strainer receiving element 33. In the closed position, the second lever member 44 is at an acute angle to the central axis of the tea preparation device 100 . In the closed position of FIG. 6, the first and second lever elements 41, 44 form an angle of about 70°. In FIG. 6 shows that the crank mechanism requires minimal space. The rise of the closing unit 20 relative to the plane of the pouring holes 15 is small, since it should only include the first lever element 41 with a button formed on one side as an operating element 21. The closing unit 20 with the operating element 21 does not even reach the level of the pouring edge 11.

The second lever element 44 has a lateral extension 44.1 with a hemispherical sealing element 44.2 which is pressed against the vent 36 in the upper part of the tea strainer receiving element 33 in the closed position.

The sealing ring 31 at the bottom of the tea strainer 30 isolates the tea strainer 30 from the central tube 13. Since the bottom of the tea strainer 30 is impermeable, the tea preparation device 100 is thus already completely isolated from the receiving space of the jug or vacuum mug. Owing to the upper sealing ring 34 and the sealed vent 36, the volume between the bottom of the tea strainer 30 and the closed upper part of the tea strainer receiving member 33 is also completely sealed from above. No liquid can flow out of the tea strainer 30 even if the thermal jug or vacuum mug with the tea maker 100 is overturned.

In FIG. 7 shows the brewing position of the tea preparation apparatus 100 with the tea infuser 30 extended. When the operating element 21 is pulled upwards, the first lever element 41 rotates about the axis 42, thereby moving the pivot 43 downwards. The second lever member 44 connected to the hinge 43 moves to a position parallel to the central axis and pushes the tea strainer receiving member 33 with the attached tea strainer 30 axially downward. When the lever member 44 is brought into the axially parallel position shown in FIG. 7, the sealing member 44.2 rises out of the vent 36. Since the perforated walls of the tea strainer 30 are at least partially pushed out of the center tube 13, air and/or steam can exit the inside of the jug or vacuum mug from the closure assembly 20 through the vent 36.

The tea strainer 30 snapped onto the tea strainer receptacle 33 can be easily detached, see FIG. 8. Thus, the tea preparation apparatus 100 does not need to be completely disassembled for normal use, which includes filling with tea leaves and then emptying the tea infuser.

In FIG. 9 shows the internal construction of another embodiment of the tea preparation apparatus 100, which is shown in the locked position. The structure is exactly the same as that of the tea preparation device 100 previously described, with the exception of an additional locking mechanism that prevents the tea infuser 30 from being dropped unintentionally so that the liquid cannot spill out. This embodiment of the tea making apparatus 100' is slightly modified in two parts. One of them is an additional safety latch element 27' located in the body of the closing unit 20' so that it can switch between the locked and unlocked position. In addition, the first lever 41' has an additional bridge 41.1' on the side surface. The safety latch element 27' has a protrusion 27.1' which the user can grab and move from the locked position to the unlocked position. In FIG. 9 shows the locked position. By fixing the first lever element 41', the entire lowering assembly 40 is fixed and the tea strainer 30 is securely placed inside the central tube 13 which is sealed by the bottom plate of the strainer 30 and the O-ring 31.

In the enlarged view of Fig. 10 shows how the locking mechanism works: the web 41.1' on the first lever element 41' touches the top of the protrusion 27.2' which is part of the locking element 27'. Thus, the lever element 41' is blocked from moving downwards, and at the same time, the operating element 21, which is part of the lever element 41', is blocked from rising upwards, in order to unlock the lowering unit, the safety locking element 27' is pushed back, that is, towards the outer circumference . The tea maker 100' in its unlocked position is shown in FIG. 11. Compared to the position in FIG. 9 and 10, the safety locking element 27' is displaced outwards by a few millimetres.

Thus, the web 41.1' no longer touches the top of the protrusion 27.2' and can move downward freely.

After the safety lock 27' is moved to the unlocked position, the function of the tea preparation device 100' is identical to the other embodiment which has been described above. In FIG. 12 shows the tea preparation device 100' in which the operating element 21 is lifted up, thereby turning the first lever 41'. The second arm 42' connected thereto and the tea strainer receiving member 33 move downward. The tea strainer 30 is pushed out of the central tube. In FIG. 12, the lower part of the tea strainer 30 and its lower sealing ring 31 are already extended from the central tube 13, which allows liquid to flow into the tea strainer 30.

In FIG. 13 shows a mug 200 on which a tea preparation device 100' is mounted. This device is a container for liquids that is easy to carry and easy to handle. In addition, it is liquid-tight in the closed position, which can be fixed by the safety locking member 27'.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS:

100, 100' tea maker

10 base element

11 pouring edge

12 exhaust space

13 central pipe

13.1 inner wall

14.1 insert

14.2 fixing part

15 pour holes

16 O-ring

17.1, 17.2, 17.3 marks

20, 20' closing knot

21 work items

22 edge

23 central section

24 pin

25 o-ring

26 notch

27' locking element

27.1' ledge

30 tea strainer

31 o-ring

32 groove

33 tea strainer receiving element

34 o-ring

35 snap tabs

36 vent

40 lowering knot

41 first lever element

41.1 jumper

42 axle

43 hinge

44 second lever element

44.1 lateral extent

44.2 hemispherical sealing element

45 hinge

200 mug.

Claims (22)

1. A device (100; 100') for preparing tea for a thermal jug or a vacuum mug, containing at least: - base element (10) made with the possibility of insertion into the neck of a jug or mug and provided with at least one outlet (15) made with the possibility of closing with the help of a closing unit (20; 20'), and passing below the outlet (15 ) in the central tube (13); - a receiving element (33) of the tea strainer, located in the central tube (13) with the possibility of axial movement in it by means of a lowering unit (40) and sealed relative to the central tube (13); - a tea strainer (30) configured to be connected to the tea strainer receiving element (33) and configured to slide between a brewing position in which it protrudes at least part of its height from the central tube (13) and a closed position , in which the central pipe (13) is closed by the impervious bottom of the sieve (30), characterized in that the lowering unit (40) contains a working element (21) installed with the possibility of rotation in the closing unit (20; 20'), and at least a two-part crank mechanism (41, 42, 43, 44; 41'), connecting the working element (21) and the receiving element (33) of the tea strainer with each other. 2. Device (100; 100') for making tea according to claim 1, characterized in that - the base element (10) is provided with a base sealing ring (16) for sealing the neck of the insulating jug or mug, and that - the outlet (15) is located radially between the base sealing ring (16) and the central tube (13). 3. The device (100; 100') for making tea according to claim 2, characterized in that the closing assembly (20; 20') has at least one tubular central section (23) and a radially overlapping edge (22), while the central section (23) is made with the possibility of insertion into the central tube (13) of the base element (10), while the edge (22) covers the outlet (15) in the closed position. 4. Device (100; 100') for making tea according to claim 3, characterized in that - the annular area located between the base sealing ring (16) and the central pipe (13) contains several arcuate outlet holes (15), and that - an O-ring (25) or a corresponding sealing surface for each outlet (15) is (are) located on the lower side of the edge (22). 5. Device tea (100; 100') preparation according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that the closing unit (20; 20') is configured to be connected to the base element (10) through a bayonet connection (24, 14.1, 14.2) formed between the central section (22) of the closing unit (20; 20 ') and the central tube (13) of the base element (10). 6. Device (100; 100') for making tea according to claim 5, characterized in that a bayonet latch is provided, containing at least two pins (24) located around the circumference of the central part (23), and at least two guide grooves , formed on the inner part (13.1) of the central tube (13), while each of the guide grooves has an insert (14.1) oriented parallel or at an acute angle to the central axis and located at an obtuse angle to the fixing part (14.2) of the central axis. 7. Device (100; 100') tea according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that - the first lever element (41; 41') is provided, pivotally mounted on a fixed support (42) in the closing assembly (20; 20'), while one end of the lever element (41; 41') is made in the form of a working element (21) , while the other end is connected to the second lever element (44) through the first joint (43), and that - the second lever element (44) is connected to the receiving element (33) of the tea strainer through the second joint (45). 8. Device (100; 100') for making tea according to claim 7, characterized in that one end of the lever element (41; 41') is made in the form of an operating element (21) in the form of a button, accessible through a recess (26) on the outer side of the closing knot (20; 20'). 9. Tea preparation device (100; 100') according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the tea strainer receiving element (33) has under the second articulation (45) an upper closing plate having at least one ventilation opening (36) , made with the possibility of closing the sealing element (44.2), located on the side of the second lever element (44). 10. Device (100') tea according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that in the closing unit (20') there is a safety locking element (27'), made with the possibility of movement between the locked position, in which the first lever element (41') is fixed without the possibility of movement, and the unlocked position, in which the possibility of free movement of the first lever element (41') is provided. 11. Device (100') tea according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the safety locking element (27') provides at least one stop (27.2') and the first lever element (41') has a jumper (41.1') on the side surface, which is in contact with the stop (27.2' ) in the locked position of the safety locking element (27'). 12. Vacuum mug containing at least an insulating container (200) with double walls and a device (100; 100') making tea according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11.

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