WO2018064753A1

WO2018064753A1 - Coffee filter scoop

Info

Publication number: WO2018064753A1
Application number: PCT/CA2017/051147
Authority: WO
Inventors: James G. Payette
Original assignee: Payette James G
Priority date: 2016-10-07
Filing date: 2017-09-28
Publication date: 2018-04-12
Also published as: CA2944862A1

Abstract

A scoop for facilitating filling of a reusable beverage filter pod includes a handle for manual grasping and manipulating the scoop into a container containing granular or solid material, such as coffee or tea. An annular ring extends from the handle for receiving and supporting the reusable beverage filter pod, thereby enabling manipulation of the handle with the filter pod positioned in the annular ring, which enables the granular or solid material to be scooped into the filter pod directly.

Description

COFFEE FILTER SCOOP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a scoop for coffee grinds, and in particular to a handle for supporting a reusable coffee filter pod during scooping of coffee grinds. BACKGROUND

Single serving beverage devices, e.g. Keurig™, have become very popular for dispensing beverages, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. One drawback of the single serving devices is the generation of garbage from the plastic pod receptacles. Recently, reusable filter pods have been introduced that can be used multiple times before disposal, thereby drastically reducing the amount of waste produced. Unfortunately, the filling of the reusable pods, during the transfer of coffee grinds from the container to the pod, can result in the spilling of coffee grinds, thereby reducing the desire to use the reusable filter pod.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a handle for supporting a reusable coffee filter pod during scooping of coffee grinds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a scoop for facilitating filling of a reusable beverage filter pod, comprising: a handle for manual grasping and manipulation into a container containing edible material; and an annular ring extending from the handle for receiving and frictionally engaging the reusable beverage filter pod; whereby manipulation of the handle with the filter pod positioned in the annular ring enables the edible material to be scooped into the filter pod directly from a storage container.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a scoop for facilitating filling of a reusable beverage pod, comprising: a handle for manual grasping and manipulation into a container containing an edible material; a first connector on an end of the handle for receiving a mating second connector on the reusable beverage pod; and a detent on the handle for holding a lid of the beverage pod in an open position to prevent the lid from interfering with the filling process; whereby manipulation of the handle with the pod enables the edible material to be scooped into the filter pod directly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent preferred embodiments thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 1;

Figures 4a to 4d illustrate alternative ring structures for the filter pod scoop of the present invention;

Figure 5a is an isometric view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 1 illustrating a filter pod being loaded;

Figure 5b is an isometric view of a filter pod scoop handle with a filter pod loaded;

Figure 6 is a side view of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a top view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a top view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 6 with a filter pod loaded in place;

Figure 9 is a side view of the filter pod scoop handle of Fig. 6 with a filter pod in place;

Figure 10 is a side view of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11a and l ib are isometric views of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12a and 12b are isometric views of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is an isometric view of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 14 is an isometric view of a filter pod scoop handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

The reusable pod scoop system enables a reusable beverage pod for "one cup coffee makers" to be mounted on the end of a handle of sufficient length that edible material can be scooped directly into the pod without the user having to place his hand substantially in the container of edible material or employing a secondary scoop to remove the edible material from the container and pour it into the pod.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a filter pod scoop 1, in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated handle 2, and an annular pod-supporting ring 3 extending from one end thereof. The scoop 1 may be comprised of any one or a combination of suitable materials, e.g. wood, plastic and metal. The handle 2 is sized to fit in the hand of a user for easy manipulation, and for extending into a container.

The opening in the ring 3 has a diameter large enough to receive the thin end of a tapered reusable filter pod 4, but small enough to engage a rim 6 extending around the wide end of the filter pod 4, whereby the filter pod 4 rests in the ring 3, and is ideally frictionally engaged with the side of the filter pod 4. Typically, the diameter of the opening in the ring 3 is between 1.75" and 2.00", but any width is possible depending on the size of the filter pod 4 used. When the filter pod 4 is positioned in the ring 3 of the scoop 1 , the user may use the combined utensil to scoop up coffee grinds or other suitable granular, solid or even fluid edible material, e.g. tea, hot chocolate, from a suitable container, e.g. flexible bag, glass or metal container, directly into the filter pod 4, thereby bypassing the potentially messy transfer of coffee grinds from container to filter pod 4. The ring 3 enables the pod 8 to be seated in the ring 3 with slight finger pressure but, once seated; it is held firmly enough so that it is not dislodged from the ring 3 while being filled. Once filled, the pod 4 can be removed again with slight finger pressure to be closed and placed in the coffee maker.

In an illustrated embodiment, the handle 3 may be produced by attaching a ring 3 of hardwood to the end of the handle 2 into which the pod 4 is placed. The ring 3 is created by 1) steaming two strips of wood, e.g. hardwood 1mm thick and 5mm wide; 2) then wrapping them, one on top of the other tightly around the pod 4; and 3) clamping them in place until they dry. The two strips are then laminated; one over the other with epoxy glue creating a stronger ring 3. The resulting ring 3 is attached to the handle 2 with epoxy glue or by some other suitable adhesive or mechanical means.

Alternatively, the ring 3 and handle 2 may be made as one unit out of a molded plastic or other suitable material, e.g. the same as the coffee pod 4. The plastic material may have the property that it would not compress over repeated uses so that the pod 8 is not held too firmly in the ring 3.

The ring 3 and/or handle 2 may be made out of metal which would not compress over time. The ring 3 may be engineered precisely so that it securely and frictionally holds the pod 4 without compressing the material used to make the pod 4 over time, so that the pod 4 is not held too firmly in the ring 3.

The ring 3 may incorporate other existing tightening mechanisms, such as a lever locking ring 16 (Fig. 4a and 4b), a hose clamp 17 (Fig. 4c) or a self-tightening double wire clamp 18 (Fig. 4d) that allow the pod 4 to be placed in the ring 3, and the ring 3 subsequently tightened to hold the pod 4 firmly while filling the pod 4 with coffee or other suitable material. The scoop 1 may also include a detent, clip or catch 7 for engaging a lid 8 of the filter pod 4, and preventing the lid 8 from rotating or otherwise interfering with the filling of the filter pod 4 during the scooping action. The detent 7 may comprise any suitable form, including a finger 9 extending from a base 11, substantially parallel to the handle 2, over an opening 12, into which an edge of the lid 8 extends.

In the illustrated embodiment, the detent 7 is integrated, e.g. cut from or molded into, as part of the body of the handle 2. The detent 7 is provided by increasing the thickness of the handle material at a point along the handle 2 slightly less than the diameter of the lid 8 of the pod 4, when the pod lid 8 is opened on its hinge, 180° from its closed position. A notch is made horizontally across face of the material where its thickness increases forming the opening 12 to accommodate the outside edge of the pod lid 8 when it is opened 180° on its hinge back along the handle 2.

With reference to Figures 5a and 5b, in order to seat the pod 4, the base of the pod 4 is placed loosely within the ring 3 and the outside and lid 8 is opened to greater than 180° on its hinge from the closed position back along the handle 2. The outside edge of the lid 8, now at its farthest point from the pod 4, is resting loosely in the notch or opening 12 in the handle 2. Light downward pressure, e.g. arrow 10, is then applied to the pod 4 to seat it firmly in the ring 3. As this is done, the lid 8 comes to the position of being open 180° on its hinge and the outside edge of the lid 8 slides further into the notch or opening 12. At this final position, the lid 8 is held firmly open along the handle 2.

The end of the handle 2, opposite the ring 3, may include a tapered or pointed end 13 providing a tool with which several functions may be performed, including dislodging wet, compacted coffee grounds from the filter pod 4 after use so that the pod can be cleaned, and releasing the lid 8 from the filter pod 4 when the lid 8 is frictionally engaged with the filter pod 4.

Figures 6 to 9 illustrate a second embodiment of a scoop 21 of the present invention, which includes an elongated handle 22, and an annular pod-supporting ring 23 extending from one end thereof. As above, the scoop 21 may be comprised of any one or a combination of suitable materials, e.g. wood, plastic and metal. The ring 23 is substantially the same as the ring 3 for both size and purpose. Similarly, a detent 27 is provided for the same purpose as the detent 7; however, the detent 27 is formed, e.g. cut from or molded, as part of the body of the handle 22 or is a separate element, which may be of a different material, fixed to the handle 22 during assembly. The detent 27 may comprise any suitable form, including a finger 24 extending from a base 26, substantially parallel to the handle 22, over an opening 28, into which an edge of the lid 8 extends.

Accordingly, the detent 27 may be comprised of a resilient material, e.g. more resilient than the handle 22, such as plastic or rubber, whereby the inherent flexibility of one or both of the lid 8 and the detent 27 may enable the lid 8 to be forced, e.g. temporarily deformed, underneath the finger 24 into the opening 28. Alternatively, the filter pod 4 may be rotated, while in position in the ring 23, or slid in as hereinbefore described, until the lid 8 is positioned underneath the finger 24, thereby detaining the lid 8 in the fully opened position for scooping coffee.

The end of the handle 22, opposite the ring 23, may include a tapered or pointed end 30 providing a tool with which several functions may be performed, including dislodging wet, compacted coffee grounds from the filter pod 4 after use so that the pod can be cleaned, and releasing the lid 8 from the filter pod 4 when the lid 8 is frictionally engaged with the filter pod 4.

The ring 23 (or 3) may be parallel or coplanar to the handle 22 (or 2), but may be at a slight angle from parallel forming an obtuse angle Θ, e.g. between 90° and 180°, preferably between 120° and 160°, therewith, see scoop 2 in Figure 10.

With reference to Figures 1 1a and l ib, a filter pod scoop 31, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, may include a clamp 37, as the detent, attached to a handle 32 with a spring 38, similarly to the manner two sides of a clothes pin are held together. The lid 8 may then be secured to the handle 32, when mounted in the ring 33, by lifting one end the clamp 37, e.g. by pressing the other end of the clamp 37, placing the lid 8 in position under the clamp 37, and then releasing the clamp 37 enabling the force of the spring 38 to clamp down on the lid 8. The end of the handle 32, opposite the ring 33, may include a tapered or pointed end 40, as hereinbefore discussed. With reference to Figures 12a and 12b, a filter pod scoop 41, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, may include a rotating finger 47, as the detent, attached to a handle 42 with a screw 48, or other suitable fastener that will enable the finger 47 to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the handle 42. The lid 8 may then be secured to the handle 42, when mounted in the ring 43, by rotating the finger 47 perpendicular to the handle 42, placing the lid 8 in the opening or notch under the finger 47, and then rotating the finger 47 back to a position parallel to the handle 42 enabling the finger 47 to clamp down on the lid 8. The end of the handle 42, opposite the ring 43, may include a tapered or pointed end 50, as hereinbefore discussed. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 13, a filter pod scoop system 51 , includes a handle 52, a pod 54, and an integrated mounting structure including first and second connectors for attaching the pod 54 directly to the handle 52 without the requirement for a ring mechanism to hold the pod 54. For example, the pod 54 could be molded with a short threaded rod 53 that would allow the pod 54 to be screwed into a threaded cavity 59 at an end of the handle 52. The coffee maker itself might have to be slightly redesigned to accept the redesigned pod 54. As hereinbefore discussed, the handle 52 includes a detent 57 (or any other form of detent disclosed herein) for holding a lid 58 of the pod 54 during use. The handle 52 may include a tapered end, as hereinbefore disclosed. The handle 52 may also include one section parallel or coplanar to the top of the pod 54, and a second section at a slight angle from the first section forming an obtuse angle, e.g. up to 45°, therewith, as in Figure 10. Alternatively, the first and second connectors may connect together in a position in which the handle 52 is at an acute angle from parallel with the top of the pod 54.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 14, a filter pod scoop system 61 , includes a handle 62, a pod 64, and an integrated mounting structure including first and second connectors for attaching the pod 64 directly to the handle 62 without the requirement for a ring mechanism to hold the pod 64. For example, the pod 64 could be provided with a side release buckle 63 or any other quick release clip, that clips and unclips into a mating clip 69 at an end of the handle 62. The coffee maker itself might have to be slightly redesigned to accept the redesigned pod 64. As hereinbefore discussed, the handle 62 may includes a detent 67 (or any other form of detent disclosed herein) for holding a lid 68 of the pod 64 during use. The handle 62 may also include one section parallel or coplanar to the top of the pod 54, and a second section at a slight angle from the first section forming an obtuse angle, e.g. up to 45°, therewith, as in Figure 10. Alternatively, the first and second connectors may connect together in a position in which the handle 62 is at an acute angle from parallel with the top of the pod 64. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A scoop for facilitating filling of a reusable beverage filter pod, comprising: a handle for manual grasping and manipulation into a container containing edible material; and an annular ring extending from the handle for receiving and frictionally engaging the reusable beverage filter pod; whereby manipulation of the handle with the filter pod positioned in the annular ring enables the edible material to be scooped into the filter pod directly from a storage container.

2. The scoop according to claim 1, further comprising a detent on the handle for holding a lid of the beverage filter pod in an open position to prevent the lid from interfering with the filling process.

3. The scoop according to claim 2, wherein the detent comprises a finger extending from the handle over an opening for receiving an edge of the lid.

4. The scoop according to claim 3, wherein the finger comprises a resilient material enabling the lid to be positioned thereunder.

5. The scoop according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the detent is integrated into the handle.

6. The scoop according to claim 3, wherein the finger comprises a spring enabling an end of the finger to be spring biased onto the lid for holding the lid in position thereunder.

7. The scoop according to claim 3, wherein the finger is rotatably mounted to the handle enabling the lid to be positioned thereunder.

8. The scoop according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handle as a tapered end opposite the annular ring providing a tool for cleaning the filter pod.

9. The scoop according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the handle is at an obtuse angle to the annular ring.

10. The scoop according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the annular ring comprises a lever locking ring, a hose clamp or a self-tightening double wire clamp enabling the annular ring to be tightened to hold the filter pod firmly while filling the filter pod with edible material.

11. A scoop for facilitating filling of a reusable beverage pod, comprising: a handle for manual grasping and manipulation into a container containing an edible material; a first connector on an end of the handle for receiving a mating second connector on the reusable beverage pod; and a detent on the handle for holding a lid of the beverage pod in an open position to prevent the lid from interfering with the filling process; whereby manipulation of the handle with the pod enables the edible material to be scooped into the filter pod directly.

12. The scoop according to claim 11, further comprising the reusable beverage pod comprising the second connector.

13. The scoop according to claim 11, wherein the detent comprises a finger extending from the handle over an opening for receiving an edge of the lid.

14. The scoop according to claim 13, wherein the finger comprises a resilient material enabling the lid to be positioned thereunder.

15. The scoop according to and one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the detent is integrated into the handle.

16. The scoop according to claim 13, wherein the finger comprises a spring enabling an end of the finger to be spring biased onto the lid for holding the lid in position thereunder.

17. The scoop according to claim 13, wherein the finger is rotatably mounted to the handle enabling the lid to be positioned thereunder.

18. The scoop according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the handle as a tapered end opposite the annular ring providing a tool for cleaning the reusable beverage pod.

19. The scoop according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the handle is at an obtuse angle to a top of the reusable beverage pod.