WO2019108674A1

WO2019108674A1 - Tea tripper

Info

Publication number: WO2019108674A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/062880
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doris VOGT
Original assignee: Sirodia Llc
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-28
Publication date: 2019-06-06

Abstract

A portable, compact, easily transportable device that includes the ability to maintain product integrity, but also an infuser to steep the product appropriately. The tea tripper apparatus of this invention will accomplish both satisfactory storage of at least one type of expensive tea leaves and satisfactory transport of a versatile infuser. Specifically, the invention is an apparatus for storing and transporting a dry material and an infuser/ comprising an essentially cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, a height, and a diameter that is more than its height.

Description

Tea Tripper

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a compact storage container for transporting small amounts of tea leaves and an infuser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an apparatus that allows an on-the-go tea lover to be able to make several cups of high-quality tea away from home.

Current devices are large, bulky, and lack some feature that permits a tea lover to make high quality tea while traveling. Exposure to light, air and moisture quickly degrades the quality of tea leaves. Tea lovers who use real tea leaves and want to enjoy multiple drinks throughout the day currently must pre-fill individual disposable non-air- tight bags for transportation. These bags do not protect the tea from elements that cause loss of quality and degradation of flavor and aroma profiles.

Given the expense of most tea leaves and the desire of tea lovers to transport the leaves to enjoy beverage throughout the day, there is a need not only for a proper device that includes the ability to maintain product integrity, but an infuser to steep

appropriately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Given the expense of most tea leaves and the desire of tea lovers to transport the leaves to enjoy beverage throughout the day, there is a need not only for a portable, compact, easily transportable device that includes the ability to maintain product integrity, but also an infuser to steep the product appropriately. The tea tripper apparatus of this invention will accomplish both satisfactory storage of at least one type of expensive tea leaves and satisfactory transport of a versatile infuser. Specifically, the invention is an apparatus for storing and transporting a dry material and an infuser/ comprising an essentially cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, a height, and a diameter that is more than its height. The cylinder includes two compartments, an infuser, and a cap. The first compartment is vertically disposed above the second compartment. The first compartment has an open top, a top edge configured with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom. The second compartment is vertically aligned with the first compartment and has an open top, a top edge with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment. The infuser is placed in one of the compartments and has a construction suitable for resting on a cup suitable for drinking tea. The infuser also has a rim with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The infuser also has a body with an upper diameter and a depth less than rim outer diameter, and a body surface comprising holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. The cap has a bottom that is configured to releasably attach to the top of the first container. The container not containing the infuser is configured to create a compartment enclosure that is both water tight and air tight.

The method of using the above described tea tripper apparatus is also

contemplated. An apparatus as described above is provided. Tea leaves of a desired type are placed in the compartment not containing the infuser and the tea tripper apparatus is transported to another location where a person may desire to have tea. The infuser is placed on top of a cup, tea leaves are removed from the compartment not containing the infuser and the compartment is closed. The tea tripper apparatus is transported to a location where hot water and a cup are available.

The tea tripper permits on-the-go tea drinkers to have freshly brewed tea from tea leaves of their choice whenever they are near hot water and a cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more features or preferred forms of the invention are described in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are described briefly below.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of one embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with expanded view of screen mesh. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view looking upward of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the tea tripper apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with a third compartment for storing a second type of tea leaves and an infuser with a body that is extendable.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view looking upward of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 of the tea tripper apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an underside view of an embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with a measuring utensil (same as Fig 2 with a measuring spoon clipped to the bottom of lid 102).

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with wider compartments and an infuser having a wide rim.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view looking upward of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 of the tea tripper apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing of another embodiment of an infuser having a wide rim in an extended view (A) and a collapsed view (B).

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of an infuser of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in use on a cup.

FIG. 10 is a perspective drawing of an infuser of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in use on a cup.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It is to be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Exposure to light, air and moisture quickly degrades the quality of tea leaves. Tea lovers who use real tea leaves and want to enjoy multiple drinks throughout the day currently must pre-fill individual disposable non-air-tight bags for transportation. These bags do not protect the tea leaves from elements that cause in the resulting tea a loss of quality and degradation of flavor and aroma profiles.

Given the expense of most tea leaves and the desire of tea lovers to transport the leaves to enjoy brewed tea throughout the day, there is a need not only for a proper device that includes the ability to maintain product integrity, but an infuser to steep the tea leaves appropriately. The apparatus should be compact, easy to carry, and suitable for making several cups of tea during the day.

This discussion will focus on tea, but the inventive apparatus may be useful for other dry materials that benefit from being steeped in a liquid to extract its flavor or to soften it. The tea application is particularly beneficial because of the ongoing desire of tea lovers to enjoy cups of tea during the day and often away from home where a compact nature is desirable.

The tea tripper apparatus of this invention will accomplish both satisfactory storage of at least one type of expensive tea leaves and satisfactory transport of a versatile infuser. Specifically, the invention is a portable compact apparatus for storing and transporting a dry material and an infuser/ comprising an essentially cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, a height, and a diameter that is more than tis height. The cylinder includes two compartments, an infuser, and a cap.

The first compartment is vertically disposed below the second compartment. The first compartment has an open top, a top edge configured with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom. Releasable attachment means may include, for example, male or female screw threads or half of a ridge and valley configurations that snap together.

The second compartment is vertically aligned with the first compartment and has an open top, and a top edge with releasable attaching elements. It also has a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment.

The infuser is placed in one of the compartments and has a construction suitable for resting on a cup suitable for drinking tea during steeping and permit easy removal from the tea cup when steeping is concluded. The infuser has a rim having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a body comprising a surface with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. The body has an upper diameter, and a depth less than its rim outer diameter. The surface may comprise a fine mesh of connected strands of metal, fiber, or other flexible or ductile material or a perforated surface of metal or other flexible or ductile material. The material of the mesh or perforated surfaces is enough to remain functionally intact through repeated contact with hot water and of food-grade quality. Some materials include stainless steel, ceramic, and food- grade plastics. In one embodiment, the infuser is configured to be extendable in a vertical manner, such as, for example, a telescoping manner, to penetrate deeper into a drinking cup. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the rim is greater than the depth of the infuser in a collapsed state.

In one embodiment, where the rim of the tea cup is small, the body of the infuser may rest on the bottom of the tea cup and the rim of the infuser may not contact the rim of the tea cup.

In one embodiment, the rim comprises at least two extendable elements configured to extend beyond the top rim of any cup suitable for drinking tea. The extendable elements may extend outward in various ways, such as, for example, swiveling outward in a horizontal plane or telescoping outward. This embodiment may allow for compartments with smaller diameters since the extendable elements are used to permit the infuser to rest on the rim of the tea cup.

In one embodiment, the rim is stationary without extendable elements. The diameter of the compartments is larger to accommodate the greater diameter of the outer rim of the infuser than the infuser embodiment previously discussed. An extendable version of this is available in stainless steel as Flat Rim Infuser from The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd. In Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cups used for drinking tea may have various rim diameters. This cup diameter may be, for example, less than 2 inches (in) (5.08 cm), less than 2.5 in (6.35 cm), greater than 3.0 in (7.62 cm) or greater than 3.5 in (8.89cm).

The cap has a continuous bottom surface and a bottom edge that is configured to releasably attach to the top of the first container. The cap also may be placed on top of the infuser during the steeping process. The container not containing the infuser is configured to create a compartment enclosure that is both water tight and air tight. This tends to retard the degradation of the tea leaves that are often expensive.

Some embodiments may include at least a third compartment with a structure like the second compartment. The third compartment is vertically aligned with the second compartment and has an open top, a top edge with releasable attaching elements configured to be releasably attached to the bottom edge of the cap, and a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that is configured to be releasably attached to the top edge of the second compartment. This compartment also may be configured to be both water tight and air tight since it is often used to transport a second type of tea leaves.

In some embodiments, the compartment containing the infuser also contains a measuring utensil for dispensing specific quantities of tea leaves or just touching the tea leaves without human fingers. Utensil maybe a spoon, a tweezer, or another utensil of use to tea drinkers in handling tea leaves. In some embodiments, the measuring utensil is releasably attached to the bottom surface above the infuser.

In some embodiments, the extendable elements on the rim of the infuser also are pivotably affixed to the rim of the infuser.

A description of the invention is further explained by illustration of some specific embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of one embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus. Shown is the tea tripper apparatus 100 with a top 102, a bottom 104, a height 106 and a diameter 108 that is more than height 106. The first compartment 120 has an open top 122, a top edge with a releasable attachment element 126, and a closed bottom 124. The second compartment 140 has an open top 142, a closed bottom 144 shown in Fig. 2, a top edge with a releasable attachment element 146, and a rim 148 extending downward from the bottom and having a releasable attaching element 149 shown in Fig. 2. The infuser 160 has a rim 162 with an inner diameter 164 and an outer diameter 166 and a body 168 having a surface 170 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. Infuser 160 also has a depth 174. Infuser rim 162 is shown with pivotable extendable elements 176 able to widen the effective diameter of the rim in use. The cap 180 has a continuous top surface 182 and a bottom edge 184 with a releasable attaching element 186 shown in Fig, 2.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view looking upward of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the tea tripper apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with a third compartment for storing a second type of tea leaves and an infuser with a body that is extendable. Shown is the tea tripper apparatus 200 with a top 202, a bottom 204, a height 206 and a diameter 208 that is more than height 206. The first compartment 220 has an open top 222, a top edge with a releasable attachment element 226, and a closed bottom 224. The second compartment 230 has an open top 232, a closed bottom 234, a top edge with a releasable attachment element 236, and a rim 238 extending downward from the bottom and having a releasable attaching element 239 shown in Fig. 4. The third compartment 240 has an open top 242, a closed bottom 244, a top edge with releasable attachment element 246, and a rim 248 extending downward from the bottom and having a releasable attaching element 249 shown in Fig.

4. The infuser 260 has a rim 262 with an inner diameter 264 and an outer diameter 266 and a body 268 having a surface 270 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. Infuser body 268 is shown with an expandable body in the expanded state with a first expanded section 275 and a second expanded section 277. Infuser 260 also has an expanded depth 278. Infuser rim 262 is shown with pivotable extendable elements 276 able to widen the effective diameter of the rim in use. The cap 280 has a continuous top surface 282 and a bottom edge 284 with a releasable attaching element 286 shown in Fig. 4.

FIG. 5 is an underside view of an embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with a measuring utensil 190. The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that shown in Fig 2 except a measuring utensil 190 is clipped to the bottom of lid 102.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view looking downward of another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus with wider compartments and an infuser having a wide rim. Shown is the tea tripper apparatus 300 with a top 302, a bottom 304, a height 306 and a diameter 308 that is more than height 306. The first compartment 320 has an open top 322, a top edge with a releasable attachment element 326, and a closed bottom 324. The second compartment 340 has an open top 342, a closed bottom 344 shown in Fig. 7, a top edge with releasable attachment element 346, and a rim 348 extending downward from the bottom and having a releasable attaching element 349 shown in Fig. 7. The infuser 360 has a rim 362 with an inner diameter 364 and an outer diameter 366 larger than the top rim of a tea cup (not shown) and a body 368 having a surface 370 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. Infuser 360 also has a depth 374. The cap 380 has a continuous top surface 382 and a bottom edge 384 with a releasable attaching element 386 shown in Fig. 7.

FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing of another embodiment of an infuser having a wide rim in an extended view (Fig 8A) and a collapsed view (Fig 8B). In Fig 8A, an infuser 460 has a rim 462 with an inner diameter 464 and an outer diameter 466 larger than the top rim of a tea cup (not shown) and a body 468 having a surface 470 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces. Body 468 is shown with a second extendable section 475 and a third extendable section 477 in an extended position.

Infuser 460 in its expanded form has a depth 478. In Fig 8B, the infuser 460 is shown with the body 468 collapsed so that only the outer section of the body 468 is visible with a depth 474.

The tea tripper apparatus is made of materials and with manufacturing methods known to the industry. The materials chosen should be durable under use conditions and cleaning conditions typical with tea steeping processes. Such materials include, for example, stainless steel tin, and alloys thereof; ceramics, and plastics of types known to the industry.

The method of using the above described teas tripper apparatus is also contemplated. An apparatus as described above is provided. Tea leaves of a desired type are placed in the compartment not containing the infuser and that container is closed.

The tea tripper apparatus is transported to another location where hot water and a cup are available. In this manner, a person may desire to have tea made from tea leaves that may be expensive, high quality, and well maintained.

In some embodiments of the invention, the method of using comprises further activities. The container that contains the infuser may be opened, the infuser removed, the extending elements extended beyond the top rim of a tea cup, and the infuser placed on top rim of the cup and into the cup. The container that contains tea leaves is opened and tea leaves are places on the infuser. Hot water is poured over the tea leaves in the infuser until the cup is filled to its desired amount of liquid and the tea leaves are steeped by placing the cap over the rim of the infuser until a desired strength and flavor of tea is achieved.

In another embodiment of the method, another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus is provided that comprises a third container. A second type of tea leaves is provided in the third container to offer variety to the tea lover during the day.

In still another embodiment of the method, another embodiment of the tea tripper apparatus is provided that comprises a measuring utensil in the compartment containing the infuser. Use of the measuring utensil allows more precise amounts of tea leaves to be placed in the infuser before each steeping process.

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of an infuser of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in use on a cup. A tea cup C is shown with an infuser 160 placed on the rim of tea cup C and containing tea leaves D. The infuser 160 has a rim 162 with an inner diameter 164 and an outer diameter 166 and a body 168 having a surface 170 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces D. Infuser rim 162 is shown with pivotable extendable elements 176 extended to rest on the rim of the tea cup C.

FIG. 10 is a perspective drawing of an infuser of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in use on a cup E and containing tea leaves F. A tea cup E is shown with an infuser 360 placed on the rim of the tea cup E. The infuser 360 has a rim 362 with an inner diameter 364 and an outer diameter 366 larger than the top rim of a tea cup E and a body 368 having a surface 370 with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces F.

Other modifications and changes regarding my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not considered limited to the embodiments chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications that do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS OF THE INVENTION I claim:

1. A tea tripper apparatus, comprising:

a cylindrical structure having top, a bottom, a height, and a diameter that is more than its height, comprising:

a first compartment having an open top, a top edge configured with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom;

a second compartment vertically aligned with the first compartment and having an open top, a top edge with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment; an infuser placed in one of the compartment and having a construction suitable for resting on a cup suitable for drinking tea, a rim having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a body comprising a surface with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces, a body upper diameter, and a depth less than its rim outer diameter; and a cap comprising a continuous bottom surface and a bottom edge that is configured to releasably attach to the top of the first container,

wherein the container not containing the infuser is configured to create a first compartment enclosure that is both water tight and air tight.

2. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, at least a third compartment vertically displaced between the first compartment and the second compartment and having a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment and configured to create a third compartment enclosure.

3. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third compartment is configured to be both water tight and air tight.

4. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment containing the infuser also contains a measuring utensil.

5. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 4 wherein the measuring utensil is removably attached to the bottom surface of the cap.

6. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infuser rim comprises at least two extendable elements configures to extend beyond a top rim of any cup for drinking tea.

7. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 6, wherein the extendable elements are pivotably affixed to the rim of the infuser.

8. The tea tripper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infuser rim outer diameter is greater that the top rim of any cup for drinking tea.

9. A method of using a tea tripper apparatus to brew a cup of tea, comprising the steps of:

providing a cylindrical structure having top, a bottom, a height, and a diameter that is more than its height, comprising:

a first compartment having an open top, a closed bottom, and a top edge configured with releasable attaching elements;

a second compartment vertically aligned with the first compartment and having an open top, a top edge with releasable attaching elements, and a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment;

an infuser placed in one of the compartment and having a construction suitable for resting on a cup suitable for drinking tea, a rim having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a body comprising a surface with holes sufficiently large enough to allow hot water vapor to pass one way and condensed water to pass the other way but able to retain tea leaf pieces, a body upper diameter, and a depth less than its rim outer diameter; and a cap with a bottom that is configured to releasably attach to the top of the second container;

wherein the container not containing the infuser is configured to create a first compartment enclosure that is both water tight and air tight;

providing preselected dry tea leaves;

placing the tea leaves in the compartment that does not contain the infuser and closing that compartment; and

transporting the tea tripper apparatus to a location where hot water and a cup are available

10. The method of using a tea tripper apparatus of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

opening the compartment containing the infuser to remove the infuser, and placing it on the top rim of the cup and into the cup;

opening the compartment containing tea leaves and placing at least some tea leaves in the infuser;

steeping the tea leaves until a desired tea is satisfactory achieved.

11. The method of using a tea tripper apparatus of claim 9, wherein the infuser rim comprises at least two extendable elements and the method comprises the step of:

extending the extendable elements beyond a top rim of any cup for drinking tea further comprising the steps of:

opening the compartment containing the infuser to remove the infuser, extending the extendable arms beyond the top rim of a cup suitable for drinking tea, and placing the infuser on the top rim of the cup and into the cup;

steeping the tea leaves until a desired tea is satisfactory achieved.

12. The method of using a tea tripper apparatus of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

providing a tea tripper apparatus that further comprises a third compartment vertically displaced between the first compartment and the second compartment and having a closed bottom with an extending bottom edge that releasably attaches to the top edge of the first compartment and configured to create a third compartment enclosure that is both water tight and air tight;

providing a different species of dry material in the third compartment.

13. The method of using a tea tripper apparatus of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

providing a tea tripper apparatus that further a measuring utensil in the

compartment containing the infuser;

using the measuring utensil to precisely measure the amount of tea leaves to place in the infuser before steeping.