U.S. patent application number 10/765460 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for coffee press.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ignite Design, LLC. Invention is credited to Nole, Donald J., Ward, Evan T..
Application Number | 20050046211 10/765460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46301847 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050046211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nole, Donald J. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2005 |
Coffee press
Abstract
An improved coffee press structure is provided wherein the
container has transparent side wall portions that are associated
with top and bottom caps and an intermediate cage structure. Upper
and lower band portions of the cage structure are associated with a
handle upper end portion and with a link member, respectively. The
link member is pivotable relative to either the handle lower end
portion or the lower band portion and is spring biased so that when
in a normally closed position, the link member closes the gap
between the handle lower end portion and the lower band portion.
The press structure also provides two different embodiments of a
plunger assembly for association with the container mouth. The
plunger assembly embodiments both include a handle, a piston and a
rod; and the plunger assembly can remain in place after brewing and
during brew dispensing from the container. One of the plunger
assembly embodiments includes a spouted lid that is valve equipped,
the valve being operated by rotational movement of the handle
relative to the lid with the rod being fully extended through the
lid.
Inventors: |
Nole, Donald J.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Ward, Evan T.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLSON & HIERL, LTD.
36th Floor
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Ignite Design, LLC
|
Family ID: |
46301847 |
Appl. No.: |
10/765460 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10765460 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
|
|
|
10651791 |
Aug 29, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
294/27.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/2832
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/027.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 023/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for a coffee press or the like comprising in
combination: (a) a vessel having side walls, a bottom wall and an
open top; (b) a top cap removably mounted about said open top; (c)
said vessel having extending perimetrically thereabout an upper
band and a longitudinally lower band; (d) a handle that extends
along and adjacent to exterior portions of said side walls and that
has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end
portion being connected to said upper band and said lower end
portion being open; and (e) a linking member having opposed
terminal portions, said linking member including hinge means for
pivotably engaging one said terminal portions with one of either
said lower band or said lower end portion for enabling said other
terminal portion to pivot to and away from the other of either said
lower end portion or said lower band, as the case may be, and (f)
spring means yieldingly biasing said other terminal portion into
engaged relationship with said other of either said lower end
portion or said lower band.
2. A container for a coffee press or the like comprising in
combination: (a) a vessel having side walls, a bottom wall, and an
open top; (b) a top cap removably mounted about said open top; (c)
a cage structure extending over exterior portions of said side
walls, said cage structure including an upper circumferentially
extending band, a lower circumferentially extending band, and a
plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced
straps extending between said upper band and said lower band; (d) a
handle that extends along and adjacent to exterior portions of said
side walls and that has an upper end portion and a lower end
portion, said upper end portion being connected to said upper band
and said lower end portion being open; and (e) a linking member
having opposed terminal portions, said linking member including
hinge means for pivotably engaging one said terminal portions with
one of either said lower band or said lower end portion for
enabling said other terminal portion to pivot to and away from the
other of either said lower end portion or said lower band, as the
case may be, and (f) spring means yieldingly biasing said other
terminal portion into engaged relationship with said other of
either said lower end portion or said lower band.
3. A container for a coffee press or the like comprising in
combination: (a) a vessel having cylindrical side walls, a closed,
flattened bottom wall, and an open top with exterior
circumferentially extending first thread means defined in said side
walls adjacent to said open top; (b) a bottom cap mounted over said
bottom wall and bottom wall adjacent portions of said side walls
including means mounting said bottom cap to said vessel; (c) a top
cap demountably mounted over said open top and top adjacent
portions of said side walls, said top cap including interior,
circumferentially extending second thread means defined adjacent
terminal portions of said top cap, said second thread means being
threadably engaged with said first thread means whereby said top
cap is removably mounted over said open top; (d) a cage structure
extending over exterior portions of said side walls between said
bottom cap and said top cap, said cage structure including an upper
circumferentially extending band adjacent to said top cap, a lower
circumferentially extending band adjacent to said bottom cap, and a
plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced
straps extending between said upper band and said lower band; (e) a
handle that extends along and adjacent to exterior portions of said
side walls and that has an upper end portion and a lower end
portion, said upper end portion being integrally associated with
said upper band and said lower end portion being open; and (f) a
linking member having opposed terminal portions, said linking
member including hinge means for pivotably engaging one of said
terminal portions with one of either said lower band or said lower
end portion for enabling said other terminal portion to pivot to
and away from the other of either said lower end portion or said
lower band, as the case may be, and further including spring means
yieldingly biasing said other terminal portion into engaged
relationship with said other of either said lower end portion or
said lower band.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein said mounting means comprises a
plurality of screws extended through said bottom cap into threaded
engagement with preformed, downwardly and outwardly projecting
stumps preformed in said bottom wall.
5. The container of claim 3 wherein said bottom cap and said top
cap are comprised of stainless steel.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein said top cap includes a plastic
liner in which said second thread means is defined.
7. The container of claim 3 wherein said handle has a molded
plastic exterior and an internal metal reinforcement.
8. The container of claim 3 wherein said lower band includes a
localized thickened, outwardly projecting region that is adapted
either to associate with said hinge means or to permit said other
terminal portion of said linking member to abut thereagainst, as
the case may be.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein said other terminal portion of
said linking member includes a projecting stud member and either
said outwardly projecting region or said lower end portion, as the
case may be, includes a depression that matingly receives said stud
member when said other terminal portion of said linking member is
in said engaged relationship therewith.
10. The container of claim 7 wherein said projecting stud member
has a T-configuration and said depression has a mating
configuration.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said projecting stud member
engages said depression in said lower end.
12. The container of claim 10 wherein said projecting stud member
of said linking member engages said depression in said lower
end.
13. The combination of a container and a handle structure wherein
said projecting stud member is in said lower end and engages said
depression in said linking member.
14. The combination of a container and a handle structure wherein
the handle structure comprises: an elongated arm having first and
second ends, said first end being associated with the container,
said second end being downwardly disposed in spaced relationship
from said first end and in laterally disposed relationship relative
to said container; and a linking member having opposed terminal
portions, said linking member including hinge means for pivotably
engaging one of said terminal portions with one of either said
second end or said container for enabling said other terminal
portion to pivot to and away from the other of either said second
end or said container, as the case may be, and further including
spring means yieldingly biasing said other terminal portion into
engaged relationship with said other of either said second end or
said container.
15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said container is provided
with a projection with which either said one terminal portion is
pivotably engaged or with which said other terminal portion
yieldingly engages.
16. The combination of claim 14 wherein said other terminal portion
has defined thereon a projecting stud member and the other of
either said second end or said projection, as the case may be, has
a defined therein a depression which matingly receives said stud
member when said other terminal portion is so pivotably engaged
therewith.
17. The combination of claim 14 wherein said stud member is
generally T-configured and said depression is adapted to matingly
receive said stud member.
18. The combination of a container and a handle structure wherein
the handle structure comprises: an elongated arm having first and
second ends, said first end being connected to an upper band that
circumferentially extends around an upper portion of said
container, said second end being downwardly disposed in spaced
relationship from said first end and in laterally disposed
relationship relative to said container; a linking member having
opposed terminal portions, said linking member including hinge
means for pivotably engaging one of said terminal portions with one
of either said second end or a lower band that circumferentially
extends around a lower portion of said container for enabling said
other terminal portion to pivot to and away from the other of
either said second end or said lower band, as the case may be, and
further including spring means yieldingly biasing said other
terminal portion into engaged relationship with said other of
either said second end or said lower band.
19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said one terminal portion
is so pivotably engaged with said lower band and said other
terminal portion is yieldingly biased into engagement with said
second end.
20. The combination of claim 18 wherein said one terminal portion
is so pivotably engaged with said second end and said other
terminal portion is yieldingly biased into engagement with said
lower band.
21. The combination of claim 18 wherein said lower band is provided
with a projection with which either said one terminal portion is
pivotably engaged or with which said other terminal portion
yieldingly engages.
22. The combination of claim 18 wherein said other terminal portion
has defined thereon a projecting stud member and the other of
either said second end or said lower band, as the case may be, has
a defined therein a depression which matingly receives said stud
member when said other terminal portion is so pivotably engaged
therewith.
23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said stud member is
generally T-configured and said depression is adapted to matingly
receive said stud member.
24. A plunger assembly for a coffee press comprising in combination
a lid, a rod, a handle and a screened piston, said rod being
longitudinally and perpendicularly slidable through a central
aperture defined in said lid, said handle and said piston each
being associated with a different opposite end of said rod; said
piston comprising in combination a vertically associatable pair of
ring structures, each said ring structure having a
circumferentially extending rim portion and a pair of diametrically
opposed, diametrically extending cross spoke portions which at
their center cross-over location define an aperture that is
associatable with said rod including means for holding said pair of
ring structures together cooperatively in vertical alignment, a
parametrically extending resilient gasket member projecting
radially outwards from circumferential side portions of said so
aligned pair of ring structures; a screen mesh located between
portions of said aligned pair of ring structures and extending
across open regions between said spoke portions and said rim
portions for filtration, and said lid having a spout defined
therein.
25. The plunger assembly of claim 24 wherein along said rod in
spaced adjacent relationship to said handle a pair of opposed,
outwardly extending keys is provided, and said lid aperture
includes a pair of opposed, outwardly extending keyways through
which said keys are extendable whereby when said handle with
associated rod is located adjacent to said lid, said keys extend
through said keyways, and, when said handle is rotated with said
associated rod, said keys engage undersurface portions of said lid
whereby said handle, said rod, and said piston are locked to said
lid.
26. The plunger assembly of claim 25 wherein a valve plate is
located adjacent interior upper surface portions of said lid, and
said valve plate has an aperture defined therein that is vertically
alignable with said spout; a central aperture defined therein with
an associated opposed pair of outwardly extending second keyways
defined therein, and said valve plate is rotatable relative to said
lid by rotating said handle when said rod with said keys is
extended through said lid and said handle is adjacent said lid and
said keys are associated with said second keyways.
27. The plunger assembly of claim 26 wherein retaining means is
provided for holding said valve plate adjacent said interior upper
surface portions.
28. A coffee press comprising the container of claim 1 and the
plunger assembly of claim 24.
29. A coffee press comprising the container of claim 1 and the
plunger assembly of claim 25.
30. A coffee press comprising the container of claim 1 and the
plunger assembly of claim 26.
31. A coffee press comprising the container of claim 1 and the
plunger assembly of claim 27.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.
Ser. No. 10/651,791, filed Aug. 29, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to presses for coffee, tea or
the like, and, in particular, to presses having an open top
container with preferably transparent side wall portions and with
associated bottom and top protective and enforcement portions, and
a reciprocating plunger assembly associated with the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable, hand-operable brewing/filtering devices or coffee
presses have been available for many years. Such an apparatus
typically includes a container having an openable top and side
walls having a uniform internal cross-section. The top is provided
with a lid that receives a slidable rod which is axially
reciprocable relative to the container. The rod has a handle at its
upper end and a piston at its lower end. The rod and the piston
with the lid comprise a plunger assembly. When the rod is
reciprocated after hot water and ground coffee or tea leaf
fragments have been charged into the container, fresh coffee or tea
is produced in the container. Various embodiments and methods of
use have been described. Commonly, an embodiment includes means for
filtering to separate the residual coffee grounds or the tea leaf
fragments from the brewed coffee or tea.
[0004] One problem with prior art coffee presses has been that the
user cannot adequately observe the status of the beverage being
brewed in the container. Although brewing status can be estimated
by elapsed brewing time or by visually observing the color of a
brew, with the characteristically opaque prior art coffee press
containers, brew color cannot be adequately observed even if the
associated plunger assembly is removed from the container. To
overcome this problem, a brewing apparatus having a container with
transparent portions would be desirable, but such a container has
sometimes been inadequate because either it tends to be fragile and
easily broken during use, or it has transparent portions with edge
regions that are not watertight so that undesirable leakage occurs
from the container.
[0005] Another problem with prior art coffee presses is that, after
a brewing operation, dispensing of the brewed and filtered beverage
from the container is sometimes difficult to achieve in a simple,
quick, effective and reliable manner. For example, it may be
necessary to remove the lid or change, alter or even substitute
components of the plunger assembly before the beverage can be
dispensed from the container.
[0006] It would also be desirable to provide a coffee press with an
improved openable handle structure that is easy and convenient to
removably associate with an object or to grasp with a hand,
provides an improved ability to hook over and disengageably connect
to a support member (for example, a strap, handle, ring or the
like), and provides a secure association with such a support
member.
[0007] There is a need for an improved coffee press structure that
provides these benefits and overcomes these and other problems. The
apparatus achieved by the present invention accomplished those
purposes and provides a new and very useful coffee press
structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a coffee press structure
having an improved container with transparent side wall portions
and an improved plunger assembly, preferably in combination with an
improved openable handle structure.
[0009] In one aspect, the container has transparent side wall
portions that are preferably cross-sectionally cylindrical, and
that are associated exteriorly with a combination of (a) respective
cap-like fixed bottom and detachable top members, and (b) a
cage-like structure having longitudinally extending,
circumferentially spaced stud or strap portions that are end
interconnected with respective and upper and lower
circumferentially extending band portions. The strap portions and
the band portions extend over and adjacent to areas of the
transparent side wall portions of the container that are between
the top and bottom cap-like members. The cap-like bottom and top
portions coact with the strap and band portions and the portions
cooperate to enclose partially, protect and reinforce the
transparent side wall portions of the container structure. The
resulting container structure is surprisingly rugged and durable,
yet is easily cleansed and is reusable indefinitely.
[0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and
very useful handle structure for the container. The main handle
body extends longitudinally and exteriorly along the container and
has an upper end portion that is connected preferably integrally to
a portion of the upper band. The handle also has an open lower end
portion.
[0011] A link member is provided that is pivotably associated
either with the lower band portion or with the handle lower end
portion. The link member is spring biased so that its open end
portion is normally in a disengageably engaged relationship with
the opposed but adjacently spaced one of either the handle lower
end portion or the lower band portion. The interrelationship
between components is such that the lower end portion of the handle
relative to the container are normally in a closed relationship,
but, when a force or a pressure is applied upwardly and
longitudinally against an exterior surface portion of the link
member, the open end portion of the link member becomes disengaged
from the associated engaged one of either the handle lower end
portion or the lower band portion, thereby to permit the lower end
portion of the handle to fit over and connect with an object. After
release of the pressure or force, the link member pivots back to
its starting position.
[0012] Preferably, a cooperating engaged but disengagable
relationship is achieved between the pivotable link member open end
portion and normally engaged adjacent the portion of either the
handle open end or the lower band, as the case may be. The engaged
relationship is variously achievable, but a present preference is
to provide a stud-like extension on the open end portion of the
link member and a cooperating mating stud-receiving depression
defined in the handle open lower end portion or in the lower ring
portion. Such an engaged relationship stabilizes the association
between these respective components when they are engaged.
[0013] In a more preferred embodiment, the stud-like extension has
a cross member located adjacent its outer end, thereby providing a
stud-like extension having a T-configuration, and the
stud-receiving depression is similarly correspondingly configured
to receive such T-configured stud-like extension.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and
very useful plunger assembly for a coffee press structure. The
plunger assembly comprises, in combination, a lid, a rod that is
reciprocatable relative to the center of the lid, and a piston at
the rod lower end. Conveniently and preferably, the rod has a
handle at its upper end. The piston has a perimeter that is adapted
to sealingly but slidably engage inside wall surface portions of
the container side wall regions. Also, the piston includes
mid-regions having screen means adapted to permit fluid flow
therethrough yet provide a filter for catching and retaining on one
side thereof coffee grounds or tea leaf fragments present in the
container during fluid movements in the container and reciprocal
movements of the rod. A handle joined to the rod opposite end
portion is adapted to be adjacent to, and to be nestably received
in, upper surface portions of the lid when the rod is fully
extending into and through the lid. The lid had a spout defined
therein. The need to change, or exchange, plunger assembly
components before dispensing of filtered brew from the container is
thus avoided.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly, the
handle at its central portion adjacent to the rod includes an
outwardly extending opposed fixed pair of keys which are each
adapted to longitudinally extend slidably through respective ones
of a fixed pair of keyways defined in the lid. The keys are
longitudinally adjacent to, but downwardly spaced from, the handle
by a distance equal to the local thickness of the lid. When the rod
is moved to a position where the associated handle is adjacent to
the lid, the keys extend into the keyways. When the handle is then
rotated a predetermined limited number of degrees, the keys
correspondingly rotate over adjacent lid undersurface portions and
thereby engage and lock the rod and the handle relative to the lid
with the piston being located at its maximum depth inside the
container. With the handle thus engaged and locked with the lid, a
filtered brew in the container can then be decanted from a spout
defined in the container.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly, the
lid is provided with a spout and with a spout valve which is opened
and closed through limited rotational movement of the handle of the
plunger rod when the handle is adjacent to the lid. The handle when
adjacent to the lid is preferably nestably received in a central
depression in the lid.
[0017] Other and further objects, aims, features, purposes,
advantages, embodiments, variations and the like will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from teachings of the present
invention taken with the accompanying drawings and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of one
embodiment of the inventive coffee press, the coffee press
comprising a container assembly in illustrative combination with a
plunger assembly;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one side of the FIG. 1
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the cap removed,
and with handle closing link opened;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 with the cap
removed, the handle closing link closed, and the handle, rod, and
piston subassembly elevated relative to the lid;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the FIG. 5 embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 5 embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the
handle closing link in separated, adjacent relationship relative to
the lower open end of the handle;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a detail view showing the open end of the handle
closing link;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a detail view showing the handle closing link in
side elevation;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the
handle closing link and the lower end of the handle with the
handle-closing link being in an open position;
[0031] FIG. 13 is an environmental perspective view of the plunger
assembly embodiment of the inventive coffee press embodiment of
FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the handle, rod and piston subassembly being
elevated relative to the lid;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the
lid and the bottom side of the piston;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 14;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but with the embodiment
rotated 90.degree., with a portion of the rod being broken away,
and with the piston being shown in an exploded format;
[0035] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 1
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a vertical axial sectional view through the lid
region of an alternative embodiment of the plunger assembly, this
embodiment including a spout valve;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a vertical axial sectional view through the top
cap of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the top cap of the FIG. 1
embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view of a bottom region of the
vessel incorporated into the FIG. 1 embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the plunger
assembly embodiment shown in FIG. 18;
[0041] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the handle and
rod subassembly shown in FIG. 22;
[0042] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the
lid and valve assembly of the FIG. 18 embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a another fragmentary vertical sectional view
through the lid of the FIG. 18 embodiment; and
[0044] FIG. 26 is a further fragmentary vertical view through the
lid of the FIG. 18 embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Referring to the Figures, there is seen an embodiment 50 of
a coffee press of the present invention. The press 50 includes a
housing or container assembly 51 and a plunger assembly 52. The
container or housing assembly 51 comprises a cylindrical vessel 53
having generally cylindrical side walls 54, a closed bottom 55, and
an open top mouth 56 whose exterior, adjacent lip regions 57 are
threaded. The vessel 53 is preferably comprised of a unitarily
molded, transparent molded plastic. Various plastics are suitable
and preferably are impact resistant and also heat resistant both
for purposes of holding heated aqueous liquids, like coffee or tea,
and for purposes of washing the press 50 in an automatic dishwasher
or the like. Examples of suitable plastics include polycarbonates,
various polyacrylics, certain styrenic polymers, and the like, as
those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.
[0046] The base or lower portion of the vessel 53 is associated
with an overfitting, unitarily preformed metal cap 59 that is
preferably comprised of stainless steel and that has cylindrical
side walls 60 and a flattened bottom 61. The cap 59 can be
variously mounted to the vessel 53. Adhesive means can be used.
Preferably, the bottom 61 is provided with a slightly recessed
central portion relative to its perimeter portion. While various
mechanical means or adhesive means can be employed to mount the
bottom cap 59 over the vessel 52 closed bottom 55, the present
preference is to extend perpendicularly through the bottom portion
a plurality (preferably three) of symmetrically equally spaced
short machine screws 62 which are each threadably engaged with
exteriorly projecting, local thickened regions 63 preliminarily
provided by molding in the bottom 55. Thereafter, with the screws
62 engaged with the bottom 55, a flat rubber disk 64 is preferably
bonded in and upon the recessed portion, if present, of the bottom
55 by means of an adhesive (conventional, not detailed). This disk
64 is preferably at least thick enough to support the press 50 in
an upright position without outer perimeter portions, if present,
of bottom 55 contacting a supporting flat surface (not
detailed).
[0047] An exterior lip 57 circumferentially extends around the top
mouth 56 and is threaded circumferentially so as to be engageable
with an overfitting top cap 66. A preferred structure for cap 66 is
shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Cap 66 includes exteriorly a unitarily
preformed metal cup 67 that is preferably comprised of stainless
steel and that has cylindrical side walls 68 and a flattened top
69. Inserted into the interior of the cup 67 is a liner 71 that is
comprised preferably of a heat resistant molded plastic, such as a
polypropylene or the like. The liner 71 preferably includes a
thickened circumferentially extending terminal edge region 72,
adjacent cylindrical side portions 73, inwardly sloping upper side
walls 74, and a top plate 75 that is somewhat elevated relative to
the side walls 74 by a longitudinally short, cylindrical extension
76. The dimensions of liner 71 are such that the side portions 73
slidably engage inside wall surface portions of the side walls 68
and the top plate 75 abuts against inside surface portions of the
top 69. Adjacent the edge region 72, interior circumferentially
extending surface regions are threaded (see FIG. 19, for example)
and are adapted to threadably engage the exteriorly threaded lip 57
of vessel 53. Preferably, portions of the liner 71 that contact
portions of the cup 66 are bonded thereto by an adhesive (not
shown, conventional).
[0048] The cylindrical side wall 54 surfaces are engaged,
preferably slidably, with the cage-type support structure 78. The
structure 78 includes a plurality (preferably 4) of
circumferentially preferably equally spaced longitudinally
extending flattened strip or stud portions 79 and an upper and
lower circumferentially extending ring or flattened band portions
80 and 81, respectively. The stud portions 79 and the band portions
80, 81 extend over and are adjacent to areas of the transparent
side wall portions 54 and cooperate with the cap-like bottom and
top portions. Various arrangements can be used, but it is presently
preferred for the stud portions 79 to be integrally formed at their
lower ends with the lower band 81, for the upper band 80 to be
formed of an upper band portion 80a and a lower, longitudinally
shorter adjacent lower band portion 80b, and for the stud portions
79 to be integrally formed at their upper ends with the lower band
portion 80b of the upper ring 80. The cage support structure 78 is
slidably engaged longitudinally over the side walls 54. The bottom
cap 59 and the top cap 66 coact with the cage support structure 78
and the components function together to enclose partially, protect
and reinforce the transparent side wall portions 54 and bottom 55.
The resulting housing or container structure 51 is surprisingly
rugged and durable, yet is easily cleansed and is reusable
indefinitely.
[0049] The upper circumferentially extending edge of the upper band
80 is conveniently provided with a gasket member 83 that can also
serve as a decorative colored trim ring, if desired. When the cap
66 is fully threadably engaged with the mouth region 56 of the
vessel 53, the edge region 72 can seat against the gasket member
83. A watertight relationship between the mouth 56 and the cap 66
is thus achieved.
[0050] In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and
very useful cooperative assembly of handle structure 85 for the
container 51. The main handle body 85a extends longitudinally and
exteriorly adjacent to but spaced from the sides 54 along the
container 51. The upper end portion 85b of handle 85 is connected
preferably integrally by molded plastic to the upper band 80 in a
butt-type connection. For structural rigidity, the handle structure
85 can preferably include a metal core (not shown), if desired. The
handle 85 has an open lower end portion 85c.
[0051] A link member 87 is provided that is pivotably associated at
one end thereof either with a portion of the lower band 81 or with
a portion of the handle lower end portion 85c. The link member 87
is spring biased by a coiled spring 88 that is preferably disposed
about the pintle 89 over which one end of the link member 87
pivots. The pintle 89 extends through either (a) a stub projection
90 on the lower band 81 for mounting one end of the link member 87
thereto, or (b) a terminal end region of the lower end portion 85c
of the handle 85 for mounting one end of the link member 87
thereto, as the case may be. It is presently preferred for the
lower band 81 to be formed with a stub projection 90 regardless of
whether or not the link member 87 pivots relative to the stub
projection or relative to the lower end portion 85c of the handle
85. The opposite or open end portion of the link member 87 is
normally in an disengagably engaged relationship with the opposite
one of either the handle lower end portion 85c or the lower ring or
band portion 81, as the case may be. The interrelationship between
components is such that, when a force or a pressure is applied
upwardly and longitudinally against an exterior surface portion of
the link member 87, the open end portion of the link member 87
pivots away and becomes disengaged from the associated one of
either the handle lower end portion 85c or the lower band portion
81. When the link member 87 is in the open configuration, the lower
end portion 85c of the handle 85 is open and adapted to fit over
and connect with an object, such as a strap, handle, ring, or the
like, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate. After
release of the pressure or force, such as many occur after the
object has moved passed the link member 87 and is located between
the handle main portion 85a and adjacent portions of the
cylindrical sides 54, the link member 87 pivots back to its
starting or closed position.
[0052] Preferably, a cooperating engaged but disengagable
relationship is achieved between the link member 87 open end
portion and the portion of either the handle open end 85c or the
lower band 81 or stub projection 90 thereof with which the link
member 87 open end portion is normally yieldingly engaged by the
spring biasing. The engaged relationship is variously achievable,
but a present preference is to provide a stud-like extension 92 on
the open end portion of the link member 87 and also a cooperating
mating stud-like receiving depression 91 defined in either the
handle 85 open lower end portion 85 or in the lower band portion
81, as the case may be. Such an engaged relationship between
extension 92 and depression 91 stabilizes the association between
these respective components when engaged and makes the associated
engagement resistant to a laterally applied force that might tend
to separate these components.
[0053] In a more preferred embodiment, the stud-like extension 92
is defined by having an integrally formed a leg cross-member
adjacent to its outer end, thereby providing a stud-like extension
93 having a T-configuration, and the stud-receiving depression 94
is similarly correspondingly configured. Other configurations are
also possible.
[0054] In another aspect, the present invention provides a new and
very useful plunger assembly 52 for a press structure. The plunger
assembly 52 comprises, in combination, a lid 97 and a rod 98 that
is reciprocatable perpendicularly relative to the center of the lid
97. The rod 98 has a handle 99 at its upper end and a piston 100 at
its lower end. The handle 99 and the piston 100 conveniently are
each threadably associated with a respective different opposed end
portion of the rod 98.
[0055] The piston 100 is here illustratively but preferably
comprised of a pair of rings 101 and 102 which are each comprised
of a durable, heat resistant, relatively dimensionally stable,
molded plastic. Each ring 101 and 102 has an outer perimeter
defining portion 103 and a pair of diametrically opposed
interconnecting cross-braces 104, 105. The rings 101 and 102 are
configured so as to permit them to engage axially with one another
with (a) a fine filter screen 106 comprised of stainless steel or
the like extended transversely across and therebetween, (b) a
threaded center sleeve member 107 axially centered therebetween for
threadable engagement with one end of the rod 98, and (c) a
flexible soft plastic ring seal 108 extending circumferentially in
a groove 109 defined by and extending circumferentially about the
rim edge of the assembled rings 101, 102. The ring seal 108 is
adapted to make a continuous but slidable engagement with adjacent
interior surface portions of the cylindrical sides 54 when the
piston 100 is positioned diametrically across the interior of the
cylindrical vessel 53. With the screen 106 and the ring seal 108 in
position, the rings 101, 102 are bonded together by heat sealing,
an adhesive, or the like. The screen 106 as mounted between the
rings 101, 102 is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough yet
provide a filter for catching and retaining on one side thereof
coffee grounds, tea leaf fragments, or the like that may be present
in the container 51 during fluid movements in the container 51
including movements induced by reciprocal movements of the rod
98.
[0056] The lid 97 is provided with an edge adjacent spout 111
through which the liquid contents in the housing 51 may be
dispensed as desired by a user. The handle 99 as joined to the rod
98 is preferably adapted to be adjacent to, and nestably received
in, central, upper surface, concave portions 110 of the lid 97 when
the rod 98 is fully extending into and through the lid 97 with the
rod 98 length being prechosen to reach down with the attached
piston 100 to a location that is near the interior bottom region of
the vessel 53. When a brewing operation in the vessel 53 is
completed by a user, the need to change, or exchange, components
before dispensing of filtered brew is thus avoided.
[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly 52, the
handle 99 adjacent to its lower side and at its central portion
adjacent to the rod 98 includes an outwardly extending opposed
fixed pair of keys 112 (see FIG. 22) which are each adapted to
slidably and longitudinally extend through respective ones of a
fixed pair of keyways 114 defined in the lid 97. The keys 112 are
longitudinally adjacent to, but downwardly spaced from, the handle
99 by a distance equal to the local thickness of the lid 97. When
the rod-associated handle 99 is moved downwardly into a location
adjacent to the lid 97, the keys 112 extend into and through the
keyways 114. When the handle 99 is then rotated a predetermined
limited number of degrees, preferably in the range of from about 15
to about 45 degrees or more, the keys 112 correspondingly rotate
over or relative to the lid 97 undersurface and thereby engage the
lid 97 and lock the rod 98 and the handle 99 relative to the lid 97
with the piston 100 being located at its maximum depth inside the
container 51. With the handle 99 thus lockingly engaged with the
lid 97, a filtered brew in the container can then be decanted from
the spout 111 defined in the lid 97.
[0058] In another preferred embodiment of the plunger assembly 52
(shown in FIGS. 18 and 22, for example), the lid 97 is provided
both with the spout 111 and also with a spout valve assembly 115
which is opened and closed through a similar limited rotational
movement of the handle 99 on the plunger rod 98 when the handle 99
is adjacent to the lid 97. The handle 99 when adjacent to the lid
97 is preferably nestably received in a central depression 110 in
the lid 97. In this embodiment, the keys 112, the keyways 114 and
the component relationships above indicated are generally retained,
but the lower outside circumferential edge portions of the lid 97
are smooth in contrast to the multiple ribs 141 provided in the lid
97 shown in FIGS. 13-16. The ribs 141 aid in restricting escape of
liquid from the interior of the container 51 when the lid 97 is
inserted slidably into and engaged with adjacent inside surfaces
defining the mouth 56.
[0059] The structure of the spout valve assembly 115 and its
association with the lid 97 of a plunger assembly 52 is
illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 18 and 22-26. A circular valve
plate 117 has a surface configuration that permits the plate 117 to
be received into and to rest against the underside of the top
region of the lid 97. The plate 117 has a central aperture 119 and
connected opposed keyways 118 that are defined therethrough. The
rod 98 is extended through the lid 97 center and through the
aperture 119 and the rod 98 is slidable and rotatable relative to
the lid 97 and the valve plate 117. When the handle 99 is located
adjacent to the lid 97 and the keys 112 have been extended through
the keyways 114, the keys 112 engage the keyways 118 of the valve
plate 117 and the valve plate 117 can thus be rotated relative to
the lid 97 by turning the handle 99.
[0060] As the valve plate 117 fits against the lid 97, each one of
a pair of opposed stops 121 defined on the under surface of the lid
97 engages a different one of a pair of arcuate channels 122
defined in the valve plate 117. Rotational movement of the plate
117 is thus controlled and limited by the available movement limits
of the plate 117 relative to the stops 121 in the channels 122.
[0061] The valve plate 117 has also defined therein a pair of
opposed, here illustratively somewhat ovally shaped, apertures 123.
When the plate 117 is rotated so as to be at one end of the
channels 122, one aperture 123 is aligned with the spout 111 while
the other aperture 123 is aligned with a small air pressure relief
orifice 125 defined in the lid 97 in dramatically opposed
relationship to the spout 111.
[0062] The valve plate 117 has further defined therein a pair of
opposed raised detents 124, these detents here generally being
centered along a (hypothetical) diameter of the valve plate 117
that extends perpendicularly relative to another (hypothetical)
diameter along which the spout 111 and the orifice 125 are
generally centered. The undersurface of the lid 97 has defined
therein a pair of proposed arcuately extending guideways 120 within
which each detent 124 slides as valve plate 117 rotation occurs. At
the end of each guideway 120, a somewhat enlarged depression or
"pit" is provided. Thus, at the end of each opposite extent of
rotational movement of plate 117 relative to lid 97, each detent
124 engages a different "pit" producing a "click" and a positioning
for retaining the plate 117 in a stable position.
[0063] To retain the valve plate 117 in association with the lid 97
undersurface, a lid bracket support 126 is provided. The bracket
support 126 can have various configurations, but a presently
preferred configuration is shown and described here. Thus the
bracket support 126 incorporates a pair of diametrically opposed
straight cross braces 127 which meet adjacent a central
longitudinal axis to define a cylindrical integral body 129 through
which a channel 128 is longitudinally defined through which the rod
98 slidably extends and is rotatable. The bracket support 126
further incorporates a pair of concentrically arranged circular
braces 131 and 132 that join the cross braces 127 at locations of
cross over. The opposite ends of each cross brace 127 each have
defined thereat an integral snap fitting 134. At 90.degree.
intervals along the inside surface of the side wall of the lid 97 a
connector 135 is integrally formed. Each connector 129 is adapted
to engage and snap fit around and over portions of a different snap
fitting 128. When the bracket support 126 is axially advanced into
the interior of the lid 97, the snap fittings become engaged with
the connectors 129, thereby holding and fixing the position of the
bracket support 126 across the interior of the lid 97.
[0064] To maintain the valve plate 117 against the under surface of
the lid 97, a coiled compression spring 136 is positioned over the
rod 98 with one end of the spring 136 resting against adjacent
surface portions of the support 126 and the other end of the spring
136 resting against adjacent surface portions of the valve plate
117. The spring 136 is assembled with the components at the time
when the support 126 is connected with the connectors 135, and
becomes yieldingly compressed as the assembly proceeds. The
diameter of the spring 136 is such that one end of the spring 136
resides within a circular flange defined on the undersurface of the
valve plate 117 and the other end of the spring 136 is received
into pocket areas defined in the support 126. To prevent the spring
136 from binding, a washer 139 is located against the under surface
of the valve plate 117 adjacent the spring 136.
[0065] The valve plate 136 is provided on its upper surface with a
circular ridge 137 that extends about the perimeter of the central
depression 138 in valve plate 117. As the valve plate 117 rotates,
it rides on the ridge 137 which itself rests upon axially adjacent
undersurface portions of the lid 97.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 23, the handle 99 is optimally provided
with a removable friction-fitting insert 140, upon which a company
name or other indicia can be imprinted.
[0067] As those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate,
numerous structural and functional modifications and adaptations
may be made in the structures of the present invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *