GB2533453A

GB2533453A - Infusion bag depositing device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2533453A
Application number: GB1515562.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allars Brian
Original assignee: Cat And Owl Ltd
Current assignee: Cat And Owl Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-16
Filing date: 2015-09-02
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-02
Also published as: GB201515562D0; GB2533453B

Abstract

A tea bag depositing apparatus comprising a support 1 defining a gap (3, Fig. 1) over which the tea bag 7 is supported, and a vapour condensing cover 2 positioned over the gap. Alternatively, it may comprise a tray 1 having a primary hole (3, Fig. 1) for supporting at least part of the edge of a tea bag, and a vapour condensing cap 2. Also claimed is a method of depositing a tea bag in a liquid including: suspending a tea bag 7 over a fluid on a support, heating the fluid until vapour 8 rises, condensing the vapour on a cover 2, and directing the condensed vapour 12 toward the tea bag to cause the tea bag to fall into the fluid. When saturated with water, the tea bag is no longer supports its own weight. The vapour condensing cover may have a condensate directing ridge or protrusion 9 pointing at the hole. The support tray may be sloped toward the hole and may include secondary holes 4 around the primary hole which are also covered by the vapour condensing cover.

Description

Infusion Bag Depositing Device and Method

Field of disclosure

100011 This invention relates to infusion bag depositing device and an infusion device incorporating an infusion bag depositing device that allows a single vessel to be used for boiling a fluid and brewing hot beverages/drinks using infusion bags, such as teabags, by automatically dispensing them into boiling fluid.

Background

100021 An infirsion bag consists of a flexible water-permeable (or porous) container with a material for infusion enclosed therein. For example, in a teabag" a fibre bag contains dried tea. When the teabag is placed in water, the water permeates through the fibre bag and steeps the tea in water. The flavour of the tea in then extracted into the water via an infusion process.

100031 Traditionally, making tea or other hot drinks using infusion bags requires a series of operations; boiling a kettle of water, warming the teapot or other vessel with orlrng water to promote the brewing process, boiling the kettle again,manually inserting the infusion bag and finally filling the teapot or other vessel with bailing water.

100041 This traditional method requires two vessels, a kettle and a teapot (or other vessel). The kettle has to be boiled twice, using more energy and taking extra time to complete the process. It also requires manual intervention during the process to place the infusion bag in the teapot or other vessel and pour in the boiling water.

100051 The traditional method therefore requires an user to be present at the kettle and teapot (or other vessel) during the process of brewing the hot drink, at least to boil the kettle the requisite number of times, to transfer hot water from the kettle to the teapot (or other vessel) the requisite number of times, and to place the infusion bag in the teapot (or other vessel) to begin the brewing process.

100061 There is a need in the art for a simple device and method of brewing a hot beverage with a reduced amount of user intervention and reduced energy usage.

Means for solving the problem [0007] According to the present invention, there are provided an ion bag depositing apparatus as set out in claim 1; an infusion device as set out in claim 13 and a method as set out in claim 17.

100081 According to sonic aspects, an infusion bag depositing apparatus comprises supporting means defining a gap, said supporting means operable to support an infusion bag over the gap. The infusion bag depositing apparatus further comprises vapour condensing means positioned over the gap. Advantageously, the vapour condensing means causes condensed vapour to travel toward the gap. When in use, an infusion bag is position across the gap and is self-supporting. As condensed vapour travels toward the gap, it conies into contact with the infusion bag. An infusion bag will absorb the condensed vapour, thus increasing in weight. Eventually, the infusion bag will no longer be self-supporting due to the increase in weight, at which point the infusion bag will fall through the gap.

100091 According to some aspects, an ision bag depositing apparatus comprises a tray having a primary hole for supporting at least part of the periphery of an infusion bag, and vapour condensing means positioned over the primary hole. The vapour condensing means causes condensed vapour to travel toward the primary hole. When in use, an infusion bag is position across the primary hole and is self-supporting As condensed vapour travels toward the primary hole, it cones into contact with the infusion hag. An infusion bag will absorb the condensed vapour, thus increasing in weight. As the infusion bag absorbs more vapour, it will become less able to support its own weight. When the infusion bag is no longer self-supporting, it will fall through the primary hole.

100101 According to some aspects, the vapour condensing means comprises a cap impermeable to said vapour. This allows vapour to be trapped between the cap and the supporting means or tray, thereby causing more vapour to condense on the cap.

[00111 According to some aspects, the vapour condensing means has a condensate directing structure. Preferably, the vapour condensing means ha.s a condensate directing structure the condensate directing structure points at the gap or primary hole. In this way, a greater proportion of condensed vapour to be directed toward an infusion bag.

[0012] According to some aspects, the condensate directing structure is a ridge. According to some aspects, the condensate directing structure comprises at least one protrusion.

[00131 in some aspects, the tray includes a sloped portion that slopes toward the primary hole. Accordingly, condensate that has not dripped directly onto the infusion bag can still be absorbed by the infusion bag, thereby increasing the weight of said infusion bag.

[00141 In some aspects, the vapour condensing means comprises a lid and the cap is positioned within the lid. As the lid is not directly heated by the vapour, it will be cooler than the cap. The lid therefore improves the safety of these aspects.

[00151 Some aspects further comprise attachment means operable to attach the vapour condensing means to the tray. The vapour condensing means is therefore more firmly attached to the tray.

[00161 In some aspects, the tray includes one or more secondary holes around the primary hole, the one or more secondary holes being covered by the vapour condensing means. Vapour can therefore pass through the tray more easily so that a lower proportion of the vapour condenses on the underside of the tray as opposed to on the cap.

[00171 Some aspects, relate to an infusion device for depositing an infusion bag in heated water. The infusion device comprises a vessel for heating a fluid, said vessel having an opening at a top surface and an infusion bag depositing apparatus according to any preceding claim positioned over the opening. Such an infusion device is capable of preparing an infused concoction once set up and initiated by a user.

[00181 hi some aspects, the infusion device further comprises a heating device. The infusion device is therefore a complete device and requires no additional elements to produce an infused concoction.

100191 In some aspects, the heating, evic induction heater and at least a part of a base of the vessel is made from stainless steel. Advantageously, induction heaters use less power to heat fluid than electric element based heating devices such as kettles.

[00201 In some aspects, the infusion bag depositing apparatus is removably attached to the vessel. The infusion device is therefore more secure and it is more difficult to accidentally remove the infusion bag depositing apparatus which, in use, may cause the release of any trapped vapour.

[00211 in some aspects, a method of depositing an infusion bag in a heated fluid includes suspending an infusion bag over a fluid by support means, heating the fluid to a point at which vapour arises therefrom, condensing the vapour on a vapour condensing means, and directing the condensed vapour toward the inftisi on hag to cause the infusion bag to fall into the fluid.

[00221 hi some aspects a user programmes the heating apparatus to begin heating the fluid at a selected time. In sonic aspects, heating the fluid is instigated by a signal from a remote user device. The arrangement can therefore provide an infused concoction to a user when desired without the user having to physically be near the infusion device while the infused concoction is being created.

100231 Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described without limitation below, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the drawings

[00241 figure 1 depicts an elevated view of a tray for use an infusion bag depositing apparatus.

[00251 figure 2 depicts a cross sectional view of an infusion bag depositing apparatus.

[00261 Figure 3 depicts a cross sectional view of an infusion bag depositing apparatus at the beginning of an infusion bag depositing process.

100271 Figure 4 depicts a cross sectional view of an infusion bag depositing apparatus during an infusion bag depositing process.

100281 Figure S depicts an elevated view of a tray for use in an infusion bag depositing apparatus.

[00291 Figure 6 depicts a cross sectional view of an infusion hag depositing apparatus [00301 Figure 7 depicts an exploded perspective view of an infusion apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

100311 The following description relates to a device for depositing an infusion bag in a hot liquid and an infusion device, along with methods of using those devices. Specific examples of infusion bags include tea bags and coffee bags. The present invention is also applicable to other types of infusion bags. hi one aspect, the present invention relates to directing condensed vapour onto an infusion bag to cause the infusion hag to fall into a hot fluid from which the vapour has arisen.

100321 The presen * invention lates to a device 100 for depositing an infusion bag '7 into a hot fluid (such as water). The device 100 comprises supporting means 1 having a gap 3 therethrough. The gap 3 is proportioned to support at least part of an infusion bag 7. In its dry state, an infusion bag 7 is self-supporting (i.e. it can hold its own weight) and can therefore rest across the gap whilst being suspended or supported by the supporting means. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting means is a tray 1, and the gap is a primary hole 3 through the tray 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, In other arrangements, the supporting means may be a wire mesh, and the gap is a primary hole 3 through the wire mesh. The primary hole 3 is proportioned such that the edges of the hole can be in contact with at least a portion of the infusion bag 7, but the infusion bag can fit through the hole when folded (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, for example). In still other arrangements, the supporting means comprises two rods (or bars), with the gap being located therebetween. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that other arrangements are possible for the supporting means as long as they can support or suspend an infusion bag over fluid and deposit the infusion bag in the fluid when the weight of the infusion bag is sufficiently increased.

100331 In the preferred embodiment the primary hole 3 is proportioned such that the periphery of an infusion bag 7 will be in physical contact with the tray I around an edge of the primary hole the tray supports or suspends the infusion bag over the primary hole 3 and, therefore, over a fluid when in use). When dry, and supported by the tray, the infusion bag 7 will not fold under its own weight. If the weight of the infusion bag 7 increases, for example if the infusion bag 7 gets wet, it will eventually stop being self-supporting. in a preferred embodiment, the infusion bag 7 is supported by at least a part of its periphery. By supporting the periphery of the infusion bag 7, the increase in weight required to cause the infusion bag 7 to drop through the primary hole 3 is reduced.

[00341 In some aspects, the tray 1 includes secondary holes (or apertures) 4 around the primary hole 3 to allow vapour (such as steam) to pass through the tray I. The tray I may be a shaped metal, plastic or glass infusion bag loading tray I having a series of apertures 4 to allow vapour to pass through them. In some aspects, the tray 1 includes a recessed area 5 around the primary hole 3 to allow infusion bags 7 to be located securely. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that while the entire periphery of the infusion bag 7 may be supported, the invention will still work if less than the entire periphery of the infusion bag is supported. For example, the primary hole 3 may be shaped such that one or more gaps exist between the edge of the primary hole 3 and the periphery of the infusion bag 7. In such aspects, vapour can pass through the tray 1 via the gaps without the need for secondary holes 4.

100351 The device 100 further comprises a vapour condensing means (such as a cap or a condensing cover) 2 to cover at least the primary hole 3 on the tray 1. In the preferred embodiment, the vapour condensing means 2 is shaped to create a cavity between the tray I and the vapour condensing means 2. Put another way, in the infusion bag depositing device 100, a space exists between at least some portions of the tray I and the vapour condensing means 2.

100361 In some aspects, the vapour condensing means 2 comprises a cap 2 impermeable to vapour such that vapour that passes through the tray 1 is stopped by e cap 2, and can be made of plastic, glass or metal in various aspects. In the preferred arrangement" the cap 2 is moulded from soft plastic or silicon rubber.

[00371 in use, an infusion bag 7 is positioned across the primary hole 3 of the tray 1 and the vapour condensing means 2 positioned to cover the infusion bag, as shown in Figs. 2-4 and 6. The assembled infusion bag depositing device 100 is then placed above a vessel 6, which can be heated to boil a fluid contained therein. As the fluid increases in temperature it becomes a vapour, which rises toward the tray 1. The vapour comes into contact with the infusion bag 7 and is absorbed, thereby increasing the weight of the infusion bag 7.

100381 The vapour 7 also rises through the tray (whether via gaps between the infusion bag and the tray I or via secondary holes 4, or even through the infusion hag 7 itself) and condenses on a surface of the vapour condensing means 2 facing the tray I. The condensate then runs along the inside of the vapour condensing means 2, or simply drips At least some of the condensate will drip onto the infusion bag 7, thereby causing the infusion bag 7 to absorb more fluid. The condensate that runs along the vapour condensing means 2 will eventually be deposited on the tray I, and will then come into contact with the infusion bag. 7. The infusion bag 7 therefore absorbs still more fluid. When the infusion hag 7 has absorbed enough fluid that it is no longer self-supporting, it falls through the primary hole 3 and into the fluid contained in the vessel 6. The infusion bag 7 is thereby deposited nto the fluid.

[0039] In some arrangements, the tray I can include channels to guide condensate to the primary hole 3 and, hence, the infusion bag 7. In some arrangements, the tray 1 is sloped, at least in part, toward the primary hole 3 and, hence, the infusion bag 6. The sloped portions of the infusion tray I may be formed in channels directed toward the primary hole 3.

[00401 condensat Direct rtg 5"tructure [00411 In some arrangements, the vapour condensing means 2 may iclude a condensate directing structure (also termed a 'dispensing feature' herein) 9 to direct a larger proportion of the condensate from the vapour condensing means 2 toward the primary hole 3 than a vapour condensing means 2 without a condensate directing structure 9.

[00421 In the arrangement shown in Figs. 2-4 and 5, the vapour condensing means 2 includes means 9 for directing condensate toward the primary hole 3 of the tray 1. In Figs. 2-4, the cap 2 has an indentation that forms a projection (such as a point or a peak) 9 directed toward the primary hole 3 of the tray 1. The point 9 does not need to he sharp, so long as condensate is directed to a single Location on that point 9. Advantageously, as the infusion bag 7 will he placed across the primary hole 3, the condensate directing structure 9 will accumulate the condensed vapour from a greater area of the vapour condensing means 2 at location such that the condensate drips onto the infusion bag. 7 when in use.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an assembled infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 having a tray 1 and a vapour condensing means 2 over the tray I. The infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 is shown as being placed over a vessel (or water heating chamber) 6 in Fig. 2. The infusion bag loading tray I. is located between the vapour condensing. means 2 and the vessel 6 in which water is boiled. The vapour condensing means 2 of Fig 2 comprises a cap being shaped to provide a protrusion that forms a condensate directing structure 9. In the arrangement shown in. Fig. 2, the tray 1 fits in a shoulder portion of the rim of the vessel 6. The part of the vapour condensing means 2 in contact with the tray I is also within that shouldered portion of the rim of the vessel 6. Locating the tray 1 and part of the vapour condensing means 2 within the shouldered portion in that manner enables the tray I and vapour condensing means 2 to be more securely held in the vessel 6. In other aspects, the tray I rests on top of the rim of the vessel 6.

Advantageously, if the tray I rests on the rim of the vessel 6, the vessel 6 does not have to be specifically shaped to accommodate the tray I thus simplifying manufacturing.

[00441 in some aspects, the cap rests on or above the tray 1. For example, in the arrangement of Fig. 2, the cap is shown in contact with the tray I. In alternate arrangements, the cap could instead rest on the vessel 6 over the tray 1, which resides in a portion of the vessel 6.

[0045] In other aspects, the cap (and hence the vapour condensing means 2) is attached to the tray 1 by attachment means, such as a screw attachment or one or more clips. Advantageously, such an arrangement ensures the vapour condensing means is less likely to become detached from the tray I if for example the arrangement is accidentally nudged, which could release hot vapour if in use. Further, the tray 1 may be securely held against the vessel 6 by use of friction, a screw attachment, clips or other attachment means. This will allow a hot beverage to be poured from the vessel 6 once infused without the need to remove any part of the infusion bag depositing apparatus 100. The safety of use is therefore improved as the infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 may still be hot, or hot vapour may still be trapped between the vapour condensing means and the tray 1.

[0046] The recessed portion 5 around the primary hole 3 gives support to the periphery of the infusion bag 7 in its dry condition. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the infusion hag 7 and the surface of the tray 1 titan the lower wall of a void 10 in which vapour from boiling fluid can accumulate, with the vapour condensing means 2 forming the upper wall on which the vapour can condense. The vapour condensing means 2 also provides the side walls of the void 10 in Fig. 2, but it will be appreciated that in some arrangements, the vessel 6 provides at least part of the side walls_ Vapour may also condense on the side walls.

10047] The assembled infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 of Fig. 2 is now explained in use with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the explanation would be similar for other condensate directing structures.

[00481 in Fig. 3, a dry infusion bag 7 is placed in a recessed portion around the primary hole 3 such that at least part of the periphery of the infusion bag 7 is in physical contact with the tray 1. In its dry state, the infusion bag 7 is capable of supporting its own weight over the nary hole 3. Fig. 3 shows the infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 soon after vapour (steam) begins to rise from fluid (water) in the vessel (water heating chamber) 6, with the vapour schematically shown by arrows 8. As the fluid in the vessel 6 starts to boil, vapour 8 is generated and flows into the void 10 as well as impinging directly on the infusion hag 7. The vapour 8 rises through the tray 1, via secondary holes 4 and/or via gaps around the infusion bag 7 and/or through the infusion bag 7, and comes into contact with the cap.

[00491 Turning now to Fig. 4, vapour H from the vessel 6 impinges directly upon the infusion bag 7 and also fills the void 10 with vapour through apertures 4, condensing on the inner surface of condensing cover (or cap) and forming moisture deposits 11. The moisture 11 deposited (condensed vapour) is concentrated toward the dispensing feature 9 and, in turn, form drops of condensate 12 that fall onto the infusion bag 7. The infusion bag 7 begins to become saturated with the condensate. As the infusion bag 7 approaches saturation, the weight increases. Eventually, the infusion bag 7 becomes too heavy to be self-supporting and, at that point, drops through the primary hole 3 and into the boiling fluid below under the influence of gravity.

100501 Advantageously, no user intervention is required to deposit the infusion bag 7 into the boiling fluid beyond initial setup of the device. The user can therefore ben the process and simply leave the device to prepare the hot infusion. Further, as there are no moving parts in the infusion bag depositing device 100, the number of points of failure is reduced and manufacturing is simplified.

100511 As the rntusion bag depositing device 100 deposits the infusion bag 7 after condensing heated vapour, the infusion 7 is only deposited into the fluid when the fluid is of a sufficient temperature for infusion For example, a tea bag would only be deposited in boiling water. This avoids the need for separately warming a pot, such as would be done in a traditional method of making tea, as the vessel 6 is already heated by boiling the water in the vessel 6.

100521 In some aspects, the time between the heating, device turning; on (whether by direct user manipulation at the device, remote, as a result of a timer, or another input) and the infusion bag being deposited into the fluid is between 0 and 2 seconds. In some aspects, that time is between 0 and 1 second.

[00531 Alter-Eta sp 100541 Fig. 5 shows an alternative aspect in which the primary hole 3 is a round aperture. Such an aspect may be particularly advantageous for round infusion hags, It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the shape of the primary hole can vary beyond a round or a rectangular aperture. For example, the primary hole may be a tapered shape (such as a triangle or a trapezoid) having two non-parallel sides that are closer to each other at a narrow end than at a wide end. With a tapered primary hole, smaller infusion bags can be placed closer to the narrow end whilst still being supported, whereas larger infusion bags can be positioned closer to the wide end to allow them to fall through the hole.

19055.1 It will also be apparent to one of skill in the art that other shapes of primary hole can be used in the present invention. Generally, the primary hole is sized to support the periphery of an infusion bag, while also being large enough to allow the infusion bag to pass through when the infusion bag is folded. hi a preferred arraneemem, such as shown in Fig. I, the primary hole is rectangular (or square) with the sides being greater than 3cm and less than 8cm. In an embodiment where the primary hole is circular, the diameter may be between 3cm and 8cm. If the hole is ovular, the respective axes will be between 3cm and 8cm.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an alternative aspect where the vapour condensing means 2 has been engineered with multiple dispensing features (condensate directing portions) 9a, 9b, 9c so that two or more features release condensate drops or droplets onto the inthsion bag 7.

[0057] In other aspects, the condensate directing portion may be other shapes or arrangements. For example, the condensate directing portion 9 may be a ridge extending toward the tray from the surface of the cap. In aspects where the primary hole 3 is shaped generally as a triangle or a trapezoid that extend farther in a first direction than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the ridge may generally extend along the first direction. Advantageously, the ridge is then able to direct condensed vapour onto an infusion bag irrespective of the location of the infusion hag along the primary hole 3.

[0058] In some aspects, the cap may he generally flat on the section opposed to the tray 1, with a walled section extending from the generally flat section toward the tray 1. The generally flat section of the cap may slope toward a point above the primary hole 3 of the tray 1, as shown in Fig. 6. It will he appreciated that vapour condensing means including such a cap is not limited to also including a multi-pronged condensate directing structure 9 (i.e. a structure having a plurality of protrusions)as shown in Fig. 6, and may instead include other condensate directing structures 9 (for example a single protrusion or other condensate directing structures described herein). Indeed, in seine aspects, the condensate directing structure 9 is omitted altogether as the slope of the flat section of the cap 2 is sufficient to direct the condensate toward the primary hole 3.

100591 tufusion De_; ice 100601 As used herein, an infusion device 200 comprises an infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 and a vessel 6. The vessel 6 is capable of containing a boiling fltrid_ For example, the vessel 6 may he a kettle, pot or saucepan that is capable of containing boiling water. Any vessel 6 capable of containing a boiling fluid may be used. In most aspects, this is provided by a vessel 6 having an opening in the top (i.e. at a top surface) and being constructed of a material able to withstand the temperatures in excess of the boiling point of the fluid.

100611 The preferred infusion device includes a heating device 14, although in some aspects the infusion device 200 can simply be placed on an existing hob or stove. Advantageously, the heating device heats fluid in the vessel in which a concoction is to be infused. This reduces the number of appliances used when creating the concoction. For example, when conventionally making tea or coffee, water is boiled in a kettle and then poured into another vessel to infuse the beverage. In the present invention, the water is boiled in the same vessel used to infuse the beverage. Further, this avoids the need to transfer hot fluid from one appliance to another, thereby removing the risk of a user spilling the hot fluid during that transfer. This can he of particular use for elderly or infirm users [00621 In some examples, the vessel 6 is made of borosilic te glass, which can withstand temperatures of around 120°C. Such a vessel is manufactured by Zhongshan Jiameihua Daily Products Company Limited (model number JAILIA083C -http lAvww. hktd c.com/su ppli ers-prod ct siBorosi cate-Cil a ss-Te apot -CoffeePotien/I X08S5ZM/2575225/). In a preferred embodiment, the vessel 6 is adapted to accommodate the infusion hag depositing apparatus 100, as shown in Fig-7-Such an arrangement more securely holds the infitsion bag depositing device 100 in relation to the vessel 6.

100631 Fig. 7 shows the infusion bag depositing apparatus 100 as used in a preferred infusion device 200. The top of the vessel 6, around the rim, has a larger diameter than the base so that a shoulder portion is formed that is able to support the infusion bag loading tray 1. When the lid is positioned it holds the tray 1 in place. The stainless steel base 13 is attached to the glass pot using a silicone rubber seal.

100641 The vapour condensing means 2 shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in Fig. 2, with the tray 1 being similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with a re-entrant detail (condensate directing structure) 9 from which condensed vapour can drop onto an infusion bag 7 placed over the primary hole 3. In the arrangement of Fig. 7, the vapour condensing means 2 further comprises a lid 15, wherein the cap is placed inside of, and is attached to, the lid 15 in the arrangement shown in Fig. 7. As steam generally condenses on the cap before reaching the lid 15, a user is less likely to burn themself when lifting vapour condensing means 2 by the lid 15.

[0065] The vessel 6 shown in Fig. 7 is glass and includes a stainless steel base 13. The stainless steel base 13 allows the vessel 6 to be heated by an induction heater 14. Conventionally, induction heaters are not desirable for preparing concoctions such as tea and coffee as they take longer to heat water. In the present invention, however, an induction heater 14 may he used as the user is not required to be in the location of the infusion apparatus 200 for while the water is being heated. An infusion heater 14 also has the advantage of using less power to boil water in comparison to an element based heating method such as a kettle. Additionally, as the vessel 6 shown in Fig. 7 is completely detachable from all electronics, cleaning of the vessel b will be simpler than a similar arrangement using a kettle.

[00661 The induction heater 14 shown in the infusion device 200 of Fig. 7 is an induction hob, having an induction coil (not shown) mounted immediately below a toughened glass surface. The present invention is not limited to using induction devices as heating elements, and other heating elements can be used. If the heating device is not an induction heater, the vessel 6 need not include a stainless sled base 13.

[0067] in some aspects, the heating device 14 is programmable to operate at a given time. For example, the infusion device 200 may include a processor and memory shown). Advantageously, using a programmable heating device 14 allows the infusion device 200 to be initially set up to for a freshly infused concoction to be provided at a predetermined time. For example, if the user is watching a TV programme an knows in advance that a break in the programme at a set time, they can prepare the infusion device to provide, say, a cup of tea ready for the break in the TV programme 100681 In some aspects, the heating device 14 includes a wired or dies receiver.

Advantageously, the user can position, say, a tea bag in the infusion device before leaving the house or going to perform an activity in a separate location. When the user is returning to the infusion device (i.e. returning home), they can send a message/signal to the infusion device using a wired or wireless communication device to prepare the tea. If the infusion device also includes a processor and memory, the user may send a message/signal to the infusion device indicating their time of arrival such that the infusion device can prepare the tea for that time.

000691 The heating device may be able to perform a simmer' function. Such a function may be initiated by pressing a 'simmer' button or by transmitting a 'simmer' command via a wired or wireless communication connection. With a 'simmer' function, the heating device 14 initially brings the fluid to a boil, and then allows the fluid to cool to a temperature below the boiling point (by approximately 10°C in some aspects),, before maintaining the fluid at that temperature.

100701 Many other variants and embodiments will be apparent to the skilled reader, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention whether or not covered by the claims as filed. Protection is sought for any and all novel subject matter and combinations thereof disclosed herein.

Claims

Claims 1. ir_*fusion bag depositing apparatus corn supporting means defining a gap, said supporting means operable to support an infusion bag over the gap; and vapour condensing means positioned over the gap.
2. An infusion bag depositing apparatus comprising: a tray having a. primary hole for supporting at least part of the periphery an infusion bag; and vapour condensing eGns positioned over the primary hole.
An apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vapour condensing means comprises a cap impermeable to said vapour.
4. An apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the vapour condensing means has a condensate directing structure.
5. An apparatus of claim I wherein the vapour condensing means has a condensate directing structure the condensate directing structure points at the gap.
6. An apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the vapour condensing means has a condensate directing structure the condensate directing structure points at the primary hole.
7. An apparatus of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the condensate directing structure is a ridge.
8. An apparatus of any of claims claim 4 to 6, wherein the condensate directing structure comprises at least one protrusion.
An apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tray includes a sloped portion that slopes oward the primary hole.
10. An apparatus of any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the vapour condensing means comprises and the cap is positioned within the lid.
11. An apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising t achm-int means operable attach the vapour condensing means to the tray.
12. An apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the tray includes one or more secondary holes around the primary hole, the one or more secondary holes being covered by the vapour condensing means.
An infusion device for depositing an infusion hag in heamd fluid, comprising,: a vessel for heating a fluid, said vessel having an opening at a top surface; and an infusion hag depositing apparatus according to any preceding claim positioned over the opening.
14. An infusion device of claim 13, further comprising a heating device
15. An infusion device of claim 14, wherein the heating device is an induction heater and at least a part of a base of the vessel is made from stainless steel.
16. An intbsion device of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the infusion hag deposi apparatus is removably attached to the vessel.
17. A method of depositing an infusion bag in a heated fluid including: suspending an infusion bag over a fluid by support means.; heating the fluid to a point at which vapour arises therefrom; condensing the vapour on a vapour condensing means; and directing the condensed vapour toward the infusion hag to cause the infusion bag to fall into the fluid.
18. An method of claim 17, wherein the vapour condensing means comprises a cap impermeable to said vapour
19. A method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the vapour condensing means includes a protrusion pointed toward the infusion bag, and at least some of the condensed vapour is directed toward the protrusion, which directs the condensed vapour toward the infusion bag.
20. A method of claims 17 to 19, wherein a user programmes the heating apparatus to begin heating the fluid at a selected time.
21. A method of claims [7 to [9, wherein heating the fluid is instigated by a signal from a remote user device.
22. An infusion bag depositing apparatus as bereinbefore described and/or as shown in the respective accompanying drawings.
23. An infusion device as hereinbe£ore described and/or as shown in the respective accompanying drawings.
24. An infusion bag depositing., method as hereinbefore described.