U.S. patent application number 15/088558 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for tea keeper and infuser.
The applicant listed for this patent is Progressive International Corporation. Invention is credited to Sul Gi Myoung.
Application Number | 20160296048 15/088558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57111490 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160296048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myoung; Sul Gi |
October 13, 2016 |
TEA KEEPER AND INFUSER
Abstract
A tea keeper includes a container having an outer wall and
defining a container volume, an inner sleeve positioned within the
container and forming an airtight barrier which separates the
container volume into an internal space and a peripheral space, a
removable lid enclosing the internal space, a removable base
enclosing the peripheral space, and an infuser removably stored in
the peripheral space.
Inventors: |
Myoung; Sul Gi; (Federal
Way, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Progressive International Corporation |
Kent |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57111490 |
Appl. No.: |
15/088558 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62145130 |
Apr 9, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/16 20060101
A47G019/16 |
Claims
1. A tea keeper, comprising: a container having an outer wall and
defining a container volume; an inner sleeve positioned within the
container and forming an airtight barrier which separates the
container volume into an internal space and a peripheral space; a
removable lid enclosing the internal space; a removable base
enclosing the peripheral space; and an infuser removably stored in
the peripheral space.
2. The tea keeper of claim 1, wherein the infuser further comprises
infuser sidewalls extending upward from an infuser base to define
an infuser volume, the infuser sidewalls terminating in an open
rim.
3. The tea keeper of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is received within
the infuser volume when the infuser is stored in the peripheral
space.
4. The tea keeper of claim 3, wherein the infuser includes a pair
of handles, each of the pair of handles being moveable between a
stored position adjacent the infuser sidewalls and an extended
position extending away from the infuser sidewalls.
5. The tea keeper of claim 4, wherein the pair of handles are
selectively lockable in the extended position.
6. The tea keeper of claim 4, wherein the open rim of the infuser
is flared outwardly.
7. The tea keeper of claim 4, wherein the peripheral space further
comprises a shoulder, the rim of the infuser abutting the shoulder
when the infuser is stored in the peripheral space.
8. The tea keeper of claim 7, wherein the internal diameter of the
container is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the
rim.
9. The tea keeper of claim 7, wherein the peripheral space further
comprises a height from the shoulder to the removable base, the
infuser having an infuser height such that the infuser is snugly
received within the peripheral space when the infuser is stored in
the peripheral space.
10. The tea keeper of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve and the
container are integrally formed.
11. A tea keeper, comprising: a container defining a container
volume; an inner sleeve positioned within the container and
separating the container volume into an upper internal space and a
lower peripheral space, the lower peripheral space surrounding the
upper internal space, the inner sleeve further forming an airtight
barrier between the lower peripheral space and the upper internal
space; a removable lid attached to an upper end of the container
and enclosing the upper internal space; a removable base attached
to a lower end of the container and enclosing the lower peripheral
space; and an infuser removably stored in the peripheral space.
12. The tea keeper of claim 11, wherein the infuser further
comprises infuser sidewalls extending upward from an infuser base
to define an infuser volume, the infuser sidewalls terminating in
an open rim, wherein the sleeve is received within the infuser
volume when the infuser is stored in the lower peripheral
space.
13. The tea keeper of claim 12, wherein the infuser includes a pair
of handles, each of the pair of handles being moveable between a
stored position adjacent the infuser sidewalls and an extended
position extending away from the infuser sidewalls.
14. The tea keeper of claim 13, wherein the pair of handles are
selectively lockable in the extended position.
15. The tea keeper of claim 13, wherein the pair of handles are
attached to the rim of the infuser.
16. The tea keeper of claim 13, wherein the open rim of the infuser
is flared outwardly.
17. The tea keeper of claim 12, wherein the lower peripheral space
further comprises a shoulder, the infuser being snugly received
between the shoulder and the base when the infuser is stored in the
lower peripheral space.
18. The tea keeper of claim 12, wherein the infuser rim comprises
an infuser diameter at a widest portion of the rim, wherein the
infuser rim is snugly received within the container when the
infuser is stored in the lower peripheral space.
19. The tea keeper of claim 12, wherein the inner sleeve and the
container are integrally formed.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 62/145,130, filed Apr. 9, 2015, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to devices for storing and
infusing tea.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many people enjoy drinking tea, and prefer to use loose tea
and an infuser rather than pre-packaged tea bags. Tea is best when
brewed shortly before consuming it, and for that reason it is
preferable to be able to store tea in a dry form, separate from hot
water, until it is ready to be used. When using loose tea, this
also means using an infuser to hold the loose tea. Commonly, the
tea and infuser are separate items that are stored separately from
one another, typically in different locations, with tea being
stored with food items and infusers being stored with kitchen
tools. A tea drinker may waste time looking for an infuser among
other kitchen utensils because the infuser generally cannot be
stored in the same container with the tea. There is presently no
convenient device for holding both a tea infuser and loose tea in
the same container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a device for storing tea,
preferably including loose tea. In addition, a preferred version of
the present invention incorporates a tea infuser which may be
stored in a separate receptacle but within the same container that
houses the stored tea.
[0005] In one version, the tea keeper comprises a container having
an outer wall and defining a container volume, an inner sleeve
positioned within the container and forming an airtight barrier
which separates the container volume into an internal space and a
peripheral space, a removable lid enclosing the internal space, a
removable base enclosing the peripheral space, and an infuser
removably stored in the peripheral space.
[0006] In one example, the infuser further comprises infuser
sidewalls extending upward from an infuser base to define an
infuser volume, the infuser sidewalls terminating in an open
rim.
[0007] In one example, the sleeve is received within the infuser
volume when the infuser is stored in the peripheral space.
[0008] In one version, the infuser includes a pair of handles, each
of the pair of handles being moveable between a stored position
adjacent the infuser sidewalls and an extended position extending
away from the infuser sidewalls.
[0009] In one version, the pair of handles are selectively lockable
in the extended position.
[0010] In one version the open rim of the infuser is flared
outwardly.
[0011] In a preferred version, the peripheral space further
comprises a shoulder, the rim of the infuser abutting the shoulder
when the infuser is stored in the peripheral space.
[0012] In one version, the internal diameter of the container is
also preferably substantially equal to the outer diameter of the
rim, so that the infuser is snugly received within the width of the
container.
[0013] In one version peripheral space further comprises a height
from the shoulder to the removable base, the infuser having an
infuser height such that the infuser is snugly received within the
peripheral space when the infuser is stored in the peripheral
space.
[0014] In some versions, the inner sleeve and the container are
integrally formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention
are described in detail below with reference to the following
drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred tea keeper
and infuser, shown fully assembled and enclosed.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the tea keeper and
infuser of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container for use with a
preferred tea keeper and infuser.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tea keeper and infuser of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a preferred tea keeper and
infuser, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a preferred infuser for
use with a tea keeper and infuser.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the preferred infuser
of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] A preferred tea keeper and infuser includes a container 20,
such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, configured to receive and
retain loose tea and an infuser. The container as illustrated is
configured with an outer sidewall forming an upright cylinder and
defining a container volume, though in other versions the container
may have a different shape. In one version, the container includes
a removable base 70 and a removable lid 10.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the lid and base are both
removed from the container, the container includes an internal
sleeve 23 forming an interior space or cavity 22 within the
container, and therefore subdividing a portion of the container
volume into the interior space. An upper portion of the container
20 terminates in a neck 21, which preferably is also a juncture of
the inner sleeve and outer container sidewalls. In the preferred
version, the neck 21 is configured to mate with the lid 10 to seal
the container, including the inner sleeve. In one example, the neck
of the container and the rim of the lid are configured with mating
threads in order to secure the lid to the container via the mating
threads.
[0025] In one example, the lid is formed from polypropylene. The
container is preferably constructed from polypropylene, though in
other versions it may be constructed from other materials. In a
preferred version, the container and sleeve are integrally formed
from teh same material. Alternatively, in some versions the outer
container sidewalls may be formed from a first material such as
polypropylene while the inner sleeve 23 may be formed from a
different material such as stainless steel.
[0026] As best seen in the sectional view of FIG. 5, the internal
sleeve 23 is preferably concentrically spaced inward from the outer
container sidewalls 24 in order to define a generally cylindrical
peripheral space 26 between the internal sleeve and the outer
container sidewall. A bottom portion of the sleeve 23 is preferably
also spaced apart from the bottom 73 of the base 70, creating a
lower portion of the peripheral space 26. As such, the peripheral
space 26 within the container substantially surrounds the interior
space 22, with the interior space and peripheral space being
separated by the sleeve 23. As described further below, an infuser
90 is configured to fit between the internal sleeve 23 and outer
container sidewall 24 (that is, in the peripheral space 26) for
storage, while the interior volume 22 of the internal sleeve is
configured to receive and store tea. Most preferably, the sleeve is
mounted to the container such that it provides an airtight barrier
between the interior space and thee peripheral space.
[0027] The outer container sidewall terminates in an open bottom
24, facilitating access to the interior space 26 between the inner
sleeve 23 and the outer container sidewall. The base 70 is
configured to be removably attached to the bottom portion of the
container 20 in order to enclose the interior space 26 within the
container 20. In the illustrated example, the base is formed as a
short cylinder having a floor or bottom portion 73 and upwardly
extending walls terminating in an upper rim 71. The rim of the base
is configured to mate with the bottom portion 24 of the container
20 in order to secure the base to the container. In the illustrated
example, the base and the container are sized to provide a friction
fit between the base and the container to hold the base against the
container. In one version, the rim 71 of the base 70 may be formed
with an inward step forming a shoulder to abut against the lower
edge of the open bottom of the container sidewall. In other
versions, the base and container may be attachable using other
means, such as by mating threads. In one example, the base may be
formed from a thermoplastic elastomer to facilitate the press-fit
relationship with the container and to provide a non-skid
foundation to the device. In other versions, the base may be formed
from other materials such as polypropylene.
[0028] An infuser 90 is configured to fit within the container for
storage and for steeping loose tea in a cup or other container of
hot water when in use. In the illustrated example, as best seen in
FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the preferred infuser 90 includes an infuser body
50 attached to an infuser base 60. In one version the infuser body
50 is formed with sidewalls extending up from the base and
terminating in an open rim to define an interior infuser volume, so
that the sleeve 23 is received within the infuser volume when the
infuser is stored in the container (such as in the position of FIG.
5). The infuser body is generally cylindrical in shape, though in
the illustrated example the diameter of the cylinder at the upper
rim is greater than at the base. The upper edge of the infuser is
sandwiched between an infuser rim 30 and an infuser ring 40, as
described further below.
[0029] In one example, the infuser body 50 is formed from stainless
steel, which is preferably 0.25 mm thick. The infuser body contains
a number of holes 51 to allow water to flow through the infuser
body. In one example of the invention, the infuser body is divided
into four regions about the circumference of the cylindrical
infuser body, each of the four regions being formed with a
plurality of holes that may be created by etching, for example.
Vertical bands (e.g., 52) are provided between the etched regions
having through-holes in order to provide enhanced strength for the
infuser body.
[0030] The infuser base 60 is also preferably formed from stainless
steel, and includes a bottom portion having etched through-holes 61
(see FIG. 4) as with the infuser body. The bottom portion of the
infuser base transitions to an upwardly-extending sidewall which
preferably does not include through holes. The infuser base 60 is
preferably welded to the infuser body 50 to form the infuser, in
which the infuser contains a plurality of small through-holes in
the bottom and the sidewalls as described above.
[0031] The preferred infuser is also preferably configured with an
upper rim 30 which flares upwardly and outwardly. The infuser rim
may be formed from any of a variety of materials suitable for use
in the high temperature environment, such as various plastics
including thermoplastic polymers. An infuser sleeve 40 is similarly
formed, and configured to mount to the upper portion of the infuser
body. In the illustrated example, the upper edge of the infuser
body 50 is sized and configured to fit snugly between the infuser
sleeve 40 (which surrounds an outer portion of the upper edge of
the infuser body) and the infuser upper rim 30 (which fits within
the inner portion of the upper edge of the infuser body). In one
example, the rim 30 and sleeve 40 are sonic-welded together in
order to permanently sandwich the infuser body to the rim and the
sleeve.
[0032] In one example, the infuser also includes one or more
handles such as handles 41, 42 mounted to the infuser sleeve which
is carried on the upper end of the infuser. The exemplary handles
are formed from stainless steel wire which is bent to a desired
U-shape as illustrated, though in other versions the handles may be
formed from other materials and in other shapes.
[0033] Most preferably, the handles are mounted to the upper end of
the infuser, and the infuser ring or infuser rim are preferred
mounting surfaces. As illustrated for example in FIG. 6, the
infuser rim 30 is configured with a pair of bosses 32, 34
positioned on a peripheral location along the rim, each of the
bosses having a horizontal through-hole (e.g., 31) to receive a
terminal end of a U-shaped wire handle. Accordingly, the wire
handle (e.g., 42) is attached to the bosses for pivotal movement
within the bosses. A central projection 33 is positioned between
the bosses 32, 34 and sized to extend into the interior U-shape of
the handle, between the uprights, to impede movement of the
uprights of the U-shaped handle too closely toward one another at
which point they may become dislodged from the bosses, which would
allow the handle to be removed altogether.
[0034] The sleeve 40 preferably includes a shelf 46 carried on an
outer peripheral end of the sleeve, positioned beneath the
projection 33 of the infuser rim 30 when the sleeve is attached to
the rim. The shelf 46 is preferably somewhat wider than the
projection (that is, it extends along a longer portion of the
circumference of the upper rim of the infuser). Accordingly, the
uprights of the U-shaped handle are supported by the shelf in order
to allow the handle to extend outwardly in a generally horizontal
direction. The upper rim 30 also is preferably formed with a
horizontally extending flange positioned between the projection 33
and the bosses 32, 34, in order to impede upward rotational
movement of the U-shaped handles when in the horizontal position.
Thus, the flange and the shelf serve to hold the handle in a
horizontal position, extending radially outward from the
infuser.
[0035] The above description is provided with respect to one handle
42 and its attachment to the infuser. A second handle support
structure is provided on the infuser at a diametrically opposite
position, preferably configured in the same manner, to allow
attachment of a second handle 41.
[0036] The handles 41, 42 are pivotally mounted to the rim of the
infuser, preferably as described above. As such, they are
selectively configurable between a stowed position in which the
handles are positioned generally adjacent to the sidewall of the
infuser body 50 (as shown in the sectional view), and an extended
position in which they extend radially outward from the infuser. In
one version, the shelf 46 includes a pair of lateral recesses 45
having a shape that receives a portion of the handle when in the
stowed position. In order to move the handle from the extended
position to the stowed position, the uprights of the U-shaped
handle are urged apart somewhat, moving the uprights outward to
clear the handle from the width of the shelf. The handle is then
rotated downward into the stowed position, wherein the natural
spring force of the U-shaped handle moves the uprights of the U
inward again so that they are snugly received within the lateral
recesses. Accordingly, the lateral recesses retain the handle in
the stowed position until the handles are pried upward again by a
user.
[0037] In use, a desired quantity of tea (preferably including
loose tea) can be stored within the interior volume 22 defined by
the internal sleeve 23 of the container 20. The loose tea may be
accessed by removing the lid 10, and stored to retain freshness by
securing the lid.
[0038] The infuser 90 is stored within the cylindrical internal
cavity 26 formed between the sleeve 23 and the outer wall of the
container 20. As illustrated, the handles 41, 42 are rotated into
the stowed position for storage, allowing the infuser and its
handles to fit within the internal space. Once the infuser is in
position, the base 70 can be attached to the container to seal the
infuser within the container. Thus, the container houses loose tea
in a first internal volume 22 and houses an infuser in a second
internal volume 26, separated from the first internal volume by the
sleeve 23.
[0039] Most preferably, an upper shoulder 62 is formed within the
peripheral space 26, and in one version it is formed in the
sidewall or at a juncture of the sidewall and the sleeve 23, as
best seen in FIG. 5. An upper edge of the rim 30 is sized to abut
the shoulder 62 when the infuser is stored within the peripheral
space. Most preferably, the outer diameter D1 of the rim 30 is
approximately equal to or only slightly less than the interior
diameter of the walls of the container 20 at the location of the
shoulder 62, so that the rim is received with a close fit within
the peripheral space. Likewise, preferably the height of the
peripheral space from the base 73 to the lower edge of the shoulder
62 is approximately equal to the height H1 of the infuser, so that
the infuser is relatively snugly received within the internal space
when the base is attached.
[0040] In order to make tea with the infuser and stored tea, the
base is removed from the container and the infuser is removed from
the container. The handles 41, 42 are rotated upward approximately
90 degrees from the stowed to the deployed positions. In the
deployed positions, the handles are prevented from rotating farther
upward, and therefore the handles extend outwardly in order to
support the infuser over the top of a cup. Thus, the handles can be
placed atop the rim of the cup so that the infuser extends downward
into the cup (or a pot or other vessel capable of holding hot
water), with the infuser being suspended across the rim of the cup
by the handles. In one example of the invention, the height from
the base of the infuser to the handles is less than the depth of a
standard cup for containing tea, so that the bottom of the infuser
does not contact the bottom of the cup when the infuser is placed
atop the cup.
[0041] As desired by a user, the infuser may be placed in an empty
cup, with tea placed within the infuser, then hot water poured into
the infuser so that the tea may steep in the hot water. After a
desire period of time steeping, the infuser can be removed from the
cup, allowing the tea to drain through the holes in the infuser but
removing the loose tea with the infuser. The elastomeric base 70
can also function as a coaster for the infuser, holding the infuser
and capturing any water or tea that may continue to drain from the
infuser after removal from the cup. The infuser can then be cleaned
and stored again within the container in the manner described
above.
[0042] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that
follow.
* * * * *