GB2340027A - Drinking vessel with filtering plunger - Google Patents

Description

2340027 E) Y-JL 3rx 1<1 r-A ID 4a -%r I The present invention relates to

drinking devices.

There is a large market for the sale, in public places, of individual drinks to be taken away for consumption. Cold drinks are readily available in cans. Hot drinks, of course, require a source of hot water, but this can usually be provided without much difficulty.

The object of the present invention is to improve the provision of hot drinks such as tea and coffee.

A problem with hot drinks, particularly tea and coffee, is that of quality. Coffee powder or essence is usually used, but this does not have the same quality as real coffee made from ground coffee beans. The situation is similar for tea. It is possible to provide apparatus which infuses tea for a suitable time before dispensing it ' but that makes the apparatus large and expensive. It also requires the customer to wait while the infusion is taking place; that may not be acceptable to the customer, and it also reduces the rate at which customers can be served.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a drinking device comprising a substantially cylindrical container, and a plunger comprising a substantially cylindrical shell and a perforated base and which is placeable in the open end of the container to make sealing engagement therewith and is then movable down to the closed end of the container.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a drinking device comprising a substantially cylindrical container, and a plunger comprising a perforated disc and a stem detachable therefrom, the disc being placeable in the open end of the container to make sealing engagement therewith and then movable by means of the stem down to the closed end of the container.

Two drinking devices embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figs. I and 2 are diagrammatic vertical sections through the first and second devices respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, the first device consists of a container 10 and a plunger 11. The container 10 is essentially a cylinder open at its top end; a rim 12 may be provided around its base to assist stability. The side of the container 10 is preferably heat-insulating, eg including an outer sleeve (not shown) of heat-insulating material. The plunger 11 comprises a cylindrical shell 13 having attached to it a base 14 which is formed of gauze or otherwise perf orated.

Around the top inner edge of the container 10 there is a sealing ring 15, and around the bottom outer edge of the plunger It there is a similar sealing ring 16. The container and plunger are sufficiently resilient for the plunger to be insertable into the container into the position shown, with the sealing rings 15 and 16 passing each other.

The drinking device is intended to be used by having tea leaves or ground coffee beans placed in the container 10, which is then filled with hot water; the plunger is then fitted into the top of the container. The vendor passes the device to the user at this point. The user waits for a suitable time for the contents to infuse, and then presses the plunger slowly down the container until the top edge of the plunger is level with the top edge of the container. The tea leaves or coffee grounds are trapped in the base of the container by the plunger, while the infused water passes through the perforated base 14 into the plunger, whence it can be drunk. The seals 15 and 16 prevent the water from escaping around the outside of the plunger.

Milk cr cream and sugar can be added as desired, either into the container before the plunger is fitted or after the plunger has been fitted and pressed down.

The plunger preferably has a lip or rim 17 as shown which engages with the top edge of the container 10, to limit the depression of the plunger and to provide a more comfortable rim to the device for drinking from.

The plunger may be provided with a cover 18 fixed across its upper end. To allow air to escape from the plunger 85 it is lowered and so fills with the 3 inf used water, the lid has an opening 19. As an alternative, a removable lid may be provided, again with a suitable opening or airway to allow the plunger to be pressed down.

The container and plunger may be made slightly conical or tapered, to allow them to be stacked compactly, provided that the seals 15 and 16 are sufficiently resilient to adjust for the change of width of the space between the container and the plunger (at both the top of the container and the bottom of the plunger) as the plunger is depressed.

The two main components of the device (the container and the plunger) may be provided in a pack which also contains sachets of tee leaves or ground coffee, sugar, and milk.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the second device consists of a container 20 and a plunger 2 1.

The container 20 is essentially a cylinder open at its top end; a rim 22 may be provided around its base to assist stability. The side of the container 20 is preferably of heat-insulating material, or a sleeve (not shown) of heat-insulating material may be placed placed round it.

The plunger 21 comprises a disc 23 and a stem 26. The disc 23 is formed of gauze or otherwise perforated and has a socket 24 at its centre. The end of the stem 26 engages with the socket 24, as eg a slight press fit or a loose screw f it. Around the edge of the disc 23 there is a sealing ring 25.

The drinking device is intended to be used by having tea leaves or ground coffee beans placed in the container 20, which is then filled with hot water; the plunger is then fitted into the top of the container. The vendor passes the device to the user at this point. The user waits for a suitable time for the contents to infuse, and then presses on the top end of the stem 26 to move the plunger slowly down the container until the disc 23 nears the bottom of the container. The tea leaves or coffee grounds are trapped in the base of the container by the plunger, while the infused water passes through the perforated disc 23 into the space above that disc. The seal 25 prevents the water from escaping around the outside of the disc and carrying tee leaves or coffee grounds with it.

4 Once the disc has been fully pressed down to the bottom of the cylinder, the stem 26 is removed. The contents can then be drunk.

Milk or cream and sugar can be added as desired, either into the container before the plunger is fitted or after the plunger has been fitted and pressed down. The stem 26 can be used as a stirrer once it has been detached from the disc 23.

A lid or cover 27 may be placed over the top of the device once the plunger 21 has been fitted in the top of the container, and the container may be provided with. a lip or rim 28 to aid in the retention of the lid. Alternatively, the disc 23 and lid 27 may be engaged together before placement on the container 20. The lid has a central aperture 29 through which the stem 26 passes.

The container may be made slightly conical or tapered, to allow a supply of them to be stacked compactly, provided that the seal 25 is sufficiently resilient to adjust for the change of width of the space between the container and the plunger as the plunger is depressed.

The three main components of the device (the container, the disc, and the stem) may be provided in a pack which also contains sachets of tea leaves or ground coffee, sugar, and milk.

es I M --3 1 A drinking device comprising a substantially cylindrical container, and a plunger comprising a substantially cylindrical shell and a perforated base and which is placeable in the open end of the container to make sealing engagement therewith and is then movable down to the closed end of the container.

2 A drinking device according to claim I wherein the side of the container is heat- i nsu lating.

3 A drinking device according to either previous claim including a sealing ring around the top inner edge of the container and/or the bottom outer edge of the p1pnger.

4 A drinking device according to any previops claim wherein the plunger has a lip or rim which engages with the top edge of the container.

A drinking device according to any previoi4s claim inclqding a cover fixable across the i4pper end of the plunger.

6 A drinking device comprising a sqbstantially cylindrical container, and a pli4nger comprising a perforated disc and a stem detachable therefrom, the disc being placeable in the open end of the container to make sealing engagement therewith and then movable by means of the stem down to the closed end of the container.

7 A drinking device according to claim 6 wherein the side of the container is heat-inst4lating.

8 A drinking device according to either of claims 6 and 7 incl4ding a cover fixable across the i4pper end of the container.

9 A drinking device sL;bstantially as herein described and ilIqstrated.