Infuser implement and method of manufacture

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a handheld implement for infusing tea or coffee or other dried granular food substance to provide an infused beverage.

BACKGROUND

Implements for beverage infusion, steeping, or brewing are well represented in prior art. Infusible granular food substances such as tea and coffee solids may be provided in combination with stirring devices to provide an infused beverage such as tea or coffee. Various methods of preparation of infused, steeped or brewed beverages such as coffee or tea are well known. Among the “instant” methods of preparation, a granular substance such as ground coffee that comes packed in a permeable filter is immersed in water to provide an infused beverage.

Infused, steeped or brewed beverages are commonly prepared by pouring water through dried, granular food substances such as ground coffee or dried leaf tea, which is separated by a filter; or by infusing dried, granular food substances in water. Filters are used to separate the granular or leaf food substance from the beverage. Non-woven materials for coffee or tea filters, infuser pouches or infuser bags are commonly made of nylon micron mesh fabric; spun-bond, needle-punched, or spun-lace synthetic fabric; chemical-bond lightweight synthetic fabric; felt; paper; polypropylene, or viscose.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a hand-held, disposable infusing implement for preparing infused beverages. It comprises a planar, elongate member with first and second ends. The first end is referred to as a proximal end and the second end, a distal end. Along one plane of the distal end of the planar member, a separately releasable, permeable textile container (which in some embodiments is cup-shaped) and a matching lid are removably mounted via a catching mechanism in a structural housing. The proximal end of the member serves as a handle for directing the distal end into a vessel of liquid, where it may be left to steep or agitated to aid in steeping of dry solids such as tea, ground coffee, or to infuse in cold liquid, dry solids such as fruit or spices. The distal end's permeable textile container holds such dry solids, and a planar, locking lid is held in place with a catching flange.

The implement steeps infusible, dried solids into liquid to make an infused beverage such as tea or coffee, or an infused cold beverage such as flavored water. One skilled in the art understands that dry solids include coffee, tea, dried fruit or powdered flavoring, or charcoal for purposes of infusing in water to purify it by adsorbing impurities; or a chemical preparation for reducing sulfites in wine. In some embodiments the dry solids are provided enclosed as single servings within the implement's permeable textile chamber. After steeping/infusion/adsorption, the permeable-textile container portion may be disposed of and the handle used again with another textile container portion.

In some embodiments the permeable textile container is rotated between 3 and 7 degrees clockwise. In a preferred embodiment, the permeable textile container is rotated approximately 5 degrees clockwise.

The implement's method of manufacture involves the permeable textile container's textile chamber part to be heated and pressed in a die. Infusible, granulated, dried solids are apportioned to fill the permeable textile container, and then a lid and flange are pressed atop to adhere to the permeable textile container, allowing the implement to be packed, formed and sealed from one side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The references below are made to assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed apparatus and method. The description is intended to define but not limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example embodiment in an exploded view.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of an example embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are top, orthographic views of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the permeable textile container.

FIG. 5 is a detailed, section view of the permeable textile container of the example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a method of manufacture.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, in example embodiment 100: a preferably cup-shaped permeable textile container 110 has a permeable textile chamber 114 which is engaged with a notched flange 116. The permeable chamber 114 is filled with granulated, infusible solids, and covered by a lid 115 which is engaged with the notched flange 116 (FIG. 1). A planar, elongate handle 112 is positioned laterally with its opening 120 against the cup-shaped container 110 so that the container's notches 117 may be rotated clockwise to insert into catches 122, 124 on the distal end of the elongate handle 112.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the example embodiment 100 showing the permeable textile container 110 attached to the handle, with the opening 120 through which liquid passes through the permeable textile chamber 114.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are orthographic views illustrating the locking mechanism of the notched flange 116 in the catches 122, 124 of the handle 112. FIG. 3A shows the flange 116 of the container in place on the handle 112 before being rotated and secured. FIG. 3B shows the flange 116 rotated clockwise so that its notches are held by the catches 122, 124. Catch 124 is open on the two shortest sides of the rectangular form. Catch 122 is open on two sides having a closed side 123 for stopping the rotation of the flange 116 when it has been sufficiently engaged with the handle 112.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the permeable textile container's parts. The container's lid 115 is fixedly engaged with the permeable chamber 114 to hold an apportioned measure of granulated, infusible solids. The lid and chamber are fixedly engaged with the flange 116.

FIG. 5 is a detailed, section view of the permeable textile container 110 showing in detail a section of the permeable chamber 114 engaged with the flange 116 and with the permeable textile container's lid 115. The permeable chamber material and permeable textile container's lid material are cut through the container's notches 117. The manner of construction allows for a permeable material that adheres to the flange 116 when heat is applied.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a method of manufacture. A method for manufacture includes inserting a flange 216 in a die 228, inserting a permeable chamber 214 into the flange 216 and so into the die 228; pressing an amount of granulated substance 232 into the permeable chamber 214, covering the combination flange 216, permeable chamber 214, and granular substance 232 with a permeable lid 215, and sealing with a heated press 230 the edges of the lid 215 and chamber 214 against the flange 216 in the areas where they come in contact with the flange.