Abstract:
Embodiments for a device and methods to contain a tea bag or tea leaves in the course of the preparation of a cup of tea are disclosed. The device holds in place the tea bag or tea leaves while immersed in hot water, provides for pressure onto the tea bag or tea leaves and provides for a plate or bowl to contain any dripping due to the removal of the bag or tea leaves from the cup.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from provisional application No. 61/887,350 filed on Oct. 5, 2013. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for aiding in making a cup of tea, handling spent tea bags and tea leaves that result from preparing the cup of tea, and containing drippings that emanate from the spent tea bags or tea leaves after the cup of tea is made. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A cup of tea is typically made by dipping a porous tea bag into a hot cup of water for several seconds to several minutes in order to release the tea flavor from the tea bag or tea strainer into the hot water. The tea bag is then removed. Removing the tea bag can be a messy process as the tea bag tends to drip and inadvertently sink to the bottom of the cup. Moreover, drippings can scald the skin, stain the tablecloth and/or create a pool of tea in a saucer, which might then drip on and stain one&#39;s clothing or tablecloth. Other disadvantages with the common method of preparing a cup of tea include the length of time needed to achieve an optimal flavor and the singular and thus potentially wasteful use of tea bags. Similar issues arise when the cup of tea is prepared from tea leaves. To prevent the undesirable mess resulting from disposing of the used tea leaves, multiple dishes need to be typically used in a time consuming process. Moreover, the damp tea bag or tea strainer, once removed from the cup, is unattractive and detracts from the tea brewing experience. 
     The present invention addresses all these negatives. The device used for preparing the cup of tea from a tea bag is a single unit assembly that provides for functionalities and features to 1) prevent the tea bag or from sinking to the bottom so that its retrieval would not require reaching into the cup with ones&#39; fingers or a spoon, 2) prevent dripping outside the cup when the bag is removed, 3) shorten the time to squeeze out the flavor from the tea bag into the water and obviate the need for wrapping the tea bag around a spoon or other secondary utensil to squeeze the tea bag before removing from the cup of tea, 4) enable reusing a tea bag at least once, and 5) obscure from view the unattractive, damp, used tea bag following brewing. 
     The device for preparing the cup of tea from tea leaves is a single unit assembly that provides for functionalities and features to 1) prevent the tea leaves from sinking to the bottom of the cup so that its retrieval would not require reaching into the cup with a spoon, 2) prevent dripping outside the cup when the bag is removed, and 3) shorten the time to squeeze out the flavor from the tea leaves into the water and obviate the need for handling the tea leaves multiple times. 4) potentially reuse the tea leaves at least once and 5) obscure from view the unattractive, damp, used tea leaves following brewing. 
     A number of prior art references that relate to tea bag holding and squeezing devices. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,591 two porous plates are attached to the ends of the tong. U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,948 likewise discloses two dome shaped porous plates connected to a common hinge. References that indicate at least one porous plate include U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,518 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,401. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a tea bag containment assembly for manipulating a hot tea bag in the course of preparing a cup of tea, the device comprises: an upper plate member containing a split plate having a center slit, a pivot axis and a handle; an open plate member containing a porous plate having plurality of holes, a pivot axis and a handle; and a catch basin member containing a closed catch plate having a rim around an upper part of the catch plate, the catch basin member also comprising a pivot axis and a handle, the split plate being configured for placement on top of the porous plate, the porous plate being configured for placement over the catch plate, the porous plate configured for allowing liquid to drain through, the split plate, porous plate and catch plate being configured for pivotal attachment to one another, the attachment being accomplished through the pivot axis of the upper plate member, the pivot axis of the open plate member and the pivot axis of the catch basin member. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing a cup of tea from a tea bag having a string attached to the tea bag in a standard cup, the cup having inner and outer walls, the method comprises: providing a tea bag containment assembly comprising an upper plate member containing a split plate having a center slit, a pivot axis and a handle; an open plate member containing a porous plate having plurality of holes, a pivot axis and a handle; and a catch basin member containing a closed catch plate having a rim around an upper part of the catch plate, the catch basin member also comprising a pivot axis and a handle, the split plate containing an anvil, the anvil being disposed at a rear side of the center slit, the porous plate and catch plate being pivotally attached to the split plate, the split plate also containing at least one lip extending out of a front side of the split plate, the porous plate being configured to exert pressure onto a bottom of the split plate; providing a cup having a wall and a top rim, the cup containing hot water; placing an unused tea bag inside the cup, the tea bag string being disposed outside the cup in a manner as to enable preparing a cup of tea; placing the tea bag containment assembly onto the cup wherein the split plate is disposed onto the rim of the cup, the catch plate is disposed outside the cup alongside an outer side of the cup wall and the porous plate being disposed inside the cup below the tea bag; pivoting the porous plate upward in a manner as to trap and squeeze the tea bag against the split plate; moving the tea bag containment assembly upward in such a manner that the catch plate clears the cup, and drippings from the tea bag that go through the porous plate fall into the cup; pivoting the catch plate upward toward the porous plate in a manner as to contain any further drippings from the tea bag; and enjoying a delicious cup of tea. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a tea leaf containment assembly for manipulating loose tea leaves in the course of preparing a cup of tea, the device comprises: an upper bowl member containing an upper bowl, the upper bowl being downwardly concave, the upper bowl member also containing a pivot axis; a strainer member containing a downwardly concave strainer bowl having a plurality of holes, the strainer member also containing a pivot axis and a handle; and a catch basin member containing a downwardly concave lower bowl, the catch basin member also containing a pivot axis and a handle, the upper bowl being configured for placement on top of the strainer bowl, the strainer bowl being configured for placement over the lower bowl, the strainer bowl being configured for allowing liquid to drain through, the upper bowl, strainer bowl and lower bowl being configured for pivotal attachment to one another, the attachment being accomplished through the pivot axis of the upper bowl member, the pivot axis of the strainer member and the pivot axis of the catch basin member. 
     In yet a further aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing a cup of tea from tea leaves in a standard cup having inner and outer walls, the method comprises: providing a tea leaf containment assembly, the tea leaf containment assembly comprising an upper bowl member containing an upper bowl, the upper bowl being downwardly concave, the upper bowl member also containing a pivot axis; a strainer member containing a downwardly concave strainer bowl having a plurality of holes, the strainer member also containing a pivot axis and a handle; and a catch basin member containing a downwardly concave lower bowl, the catch basin member also containing a pivot axis and a handle, the strainer bowl and lower bowl being pivotally attached to the upper bowl, the strainer bowl also containing at least one lip extending out of a front side of the strainer bowl, the upper bowl being configured to exert pressure onto the strainer bowl; providing a cup having a wall and a top rim, the cup containing hot water; placing a tea leaf containment assembly onto the cup wherein the strainer bowl is placed over the cup rim in such a manner that the extending lips rest against the rim, the upper bowl is elevated above the strainer bowl and the lower bowl is pivoted downward and disposed outside the cup alongside an outer side of the cup wall, wherein a lower portion of the strainer bowl is immersed in the water; placing tea leaves inside the strainer bowl; pivoting the upper bowl downward onto the strainer bowl in a manner as to trap and squeeze the tea leaves against the strainer; moving the tea containment assembly upward in such a manner that the lower bowl clears the cup and in a manner that tea drippings from the tea leaves that pass through the strainer bowl fall into the cup; pivoting the lower bowl upward toward the strainer bowl to align horizontally with the strainer bowl in a manner as to contain any further drippings from the tea leaves; and enjoying a delicious cup of tea. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the main components of a tea bag containment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6  and  10  are perspective views of the assembled tea bag containment device shown in different configurations according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are side views of the assembled tea bag containment device in different configurations according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9   11  and  12  are top views of the assembled tea bag containment device in different configurations according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 , and  20  portray the assembled tea bag containment device of the first embodiment of the present invention being used in the course of preparing a cup of tea; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the main components of a tea bag containment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 23 ,  24 , and  27  are perspective views of the assembled tea bag containment device shown in different configurations according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 22 and 25  are side views of the assembled tea bag containment device shown in different configurations according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 26 and 31  are front views of the assembled tea bag containment device shown in different configurations according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 28 and 29  are top views of the assembled tea bag containment device shown in different configurations according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 30 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 , and  38  depict the assembled tea bag containment device of the second embodiment of the present invention being used in the course of preparing a cup of tea. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for containing, manipulating and handling a tea bag and is configured to control the flavor transferred to hot water in a quick an efficient manner while preventing potentially messy and scalding liquid drippings from contacting the skin or the outside of the tea cup as the bag is removed. Moreover, the device allows for reuse of tea, as desired, while also obscuring the view of unattractive and damp tea the form of a tea bag or brewed tea leaves. 
     Drawings  1 - 20  illustrate a containment device generally useful for making cups of tea from tea bags.  FIG. 1  shows the main components of the device. An upper plate member  30  contains a split plate  11  having a pivot axis  13  and a handle  18 . The handle  18  has a thumb rest  42  and a loop  77  for easy manipulating and handling. An open plate member  20  contains a porous plate  14  having a plurality of holes, a pivot axis  16  and tabbed handle  15 . A catch basin member  10  contains a closed catch plate  17  having a rim  23  around an upper part of the catch plate  17 . The catch basin member  10  also contains pivot axes  19 A and  19 B and tabbed handle  12 . Additional features include: two lips  28 A and  28 B extending from the upper surface of the split plate  11 , a slit  47  at about the center of the split plate  11  and an ornamental design  55  placed on the split plate. An anvil  22  is placed at the rear end of the slit  47 . All the components are detachable from each other and re-attachable through the use of hinge pin  85 . This feature enables easy cleaning of the device. 
     The assembled apparatus  40  is shown in  FIGS. 2-11 . Combining the upper plate member  10  with the open plate member  20  and the catch basin member  30  is accomplished through the pivot axes  13 ,  16 ,  19 A and  19 B and hinge pin  85 . The combined device is configured to permit the pivoting of the split plate  11 , the porous plate  14  and the catch plate  17  from a horizontal position downward to a vertical position and back to a horizontal position independently of each other. To actuate the pivoting of any of the components, the tea preparer would press onto or release handles  12 ,  15  and  18  as appropriate. Thus, in  FIGS. 2 and 4  for example, the porous plate  14  and the split plate  11  are in a horizontal position, while the catch plate  17  is in a vertical position. In  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the porous plate  14  and the catch plate  17  are in a vertical position while the split plate  11  is in a horizontal position. In  FIG. 6 , the device is shown in a closed position wherein all three plates are combined and in a horizontal position. In the closed position, the components of the device, i.e., the upper plate member, the open plate member and the catch basin member are constructed to tightly fit over each other using shiplap joinery overlaps in a manner as to prevent leaking of fluid to the outside. A compliant snap may further be used to insure that the components are locked in place and for their easy disassembly and reassembly. 
       FIGS. 13-15  show the positioning of the tea bag containment assembly  40  in a cup  24 . Lip extensions  28 A and  28 B that are attached to the split plate  11  rest on the rim of the cup  24  to prevent the split plate  11  from dropping into the cup. The porous plate  14  is free to pivot inside the cup  24 , while the catch plate  17  is in a vertical stance outside the cup  24  resting against its outer wall. 
       FIGS. 16-20  illustrate the steps for preparing a cup of tea using the tea bag containment device of the present invention. A tea bag  26  is placed in cup  24  filled with hot water to level  75  in a usual manner as shown in  FIG. 16 . The tea bag containment assembly  40  is placed inside the cup  24  such that the tea bag  26  is disposed between the split plate  11  and porous plate  14  as shown in  FIG. 17  while dipping in water. The tea bag string  25  is threaded through slit  47  and onto the anvil  22 . This prevents unintended movement of the tea bag. The porous plate  14  is pivoted upward by pushing on handle  15  downward thereby pushing the tea bag  26  against the split plate  11  that is maintained in a stationary position rested against the rim of the cup  24 . The tea bag containment device  40  is then lifted straight above the cup  24  in such a manner that the drips from the tea bag  26  fall back into the cup  24  through the holes in the porous plate  14  as depicted in  FIG. 18 . When the catch plate  17  clears the top of the cup  24 , the catch plate  17  is pivoted upward by pushing on tabbed handle  12  downward. This brings the catch plate  17  under the porous plate  14  to close the containment assembly  40  and prevent any additional dripping from falling outside the device  40 . The rim  23  around the catch plate  17  insures that the dripping are contained within the catch basin member  10 . 
     Porous plate  14  may be upwardly concave to allow sufficient space to accommodate the tea bag. A range of pore sizes for the plate fall within the scope of the present invention. The plate and the may be made of a low or high mesh material and constructed from but not limited to metal, plastic, wood or a combination thereof. Likewise, the tea bag containment device may be constructed from any suitable material including but not limited to metal, plastic, wood or a combination thereof. 
     It is noted that surface areas visible to the user such as the top of the split plate and inside the catch plate may be used for logos, inscriptions and ornamental designs. 
     The tea bag  26  may be reused by placing the closed assembly  40  over a fresh cup of water, releasing the catch plate  17  by pivoting it downward to a vertical position, placing the assembly  40  in position in the cup and repeating the steps described above. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for containing and handling tea leaves commonly used in preparing a cup of tea. The device is configured to control the flavor transferred to hot water in a quick an efficient manner while preventing potentially messy and scalding liquid drippings from contacting the skin or the outside of the tea cup. 
       FIGS. 21-38  show the tea leaf containment assembly  80  which represents the second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 21  shows the main components of the assembly. An upper bowl member  70  contains an upper bowl  31  that is downwardly concave. The upper bowl member  70  also contains pivot axes  39 A and  39 B and latch  71 . A strainer member  60  contains a downwardly concave strainer bowl  34  having a plurality of holes. The strainer member  60  also contains a pivot axis  33  and a handle  35 . A catch basin member  50  contains a downwardly concave lower bowl  37 , a pivot axis  36  and a handle  32 . The strainer bowl  34  contains two lip extensions  48 A and  48 B. The strainer bowl  34  also has a thumb rest  52  located on the strainer handle  35 . The assembled tea leaf containment device  80  is shown in  FIGS. 22-29  and  31 . 
     A range of pore sizes for the strainer bowl fall within the scope of the present invention. The strainer bowl may be made of a low or high mesh material and constructed from but not limited to metal, plastic, wood or a combination thereof. Likewise, the tea leaf containment device  80  may be constructed from any suitable material including but not limited to metal, plastic, wood or a combination thereof. 
     Combining the upper bowl member  70  with the strainer member  60  and the catch basin member  50  is accomplished through the pivot axes  33 ,  36 ,  39 A and  39 B and hinge pin  87 . The combined device  80  places the upper bowl  31  over the strainer bowl  34  and the lower bowl  37  below the strainer bowl  34 . The combined device  80  is configured to permit the pivoting of the upper bowl  31  from a horizontal position to a vertical position above the strainer bowl  34  and back to a horizontal position. The lower bowl  37  may be pivoted from a horizontal position downward to a vertical position and back to a horizontal position. The pivoting of the upper bowl  31  and lower bowl  37  may be done independently of each other. The strainer bowl  34 , while adapted for pivoting, is generally configured to stay in a horizontal position. 
     To actuate the pivoting, the tea preparer would press onto or release handles  32  and  35  as appropriate. Thus, in  FIGS. 22 ,  24 ,  28  and  31  for example, the strainer bowl  34  and the upper bowl  31  are combined in a horizontal position, while the lower bowl  37  is in a vertical position. In  FIGS. 23 ,  25 ,  26  and  29 , the upper bowl  31  and the lower bowl  37  are in a vertical position while the strainer bowl  34  is in a horizontal position. In  FIG. 27 , the assembly is shown in a closed position wherein all three bowls are in a horizontal position. In the closed position, the components of the device, i.e., the upper bowl member, the strainer member and the catch basin member are constructed to tightly fit over each other using shiplap joinery overlaps in a manner as to prevent leaking of fluid to the outside. 
     It is noted that any of the inner and outer bowl surface areas visible to the user may be used for logos, inscriptions and ornamental designs. 
     FIGS.  30  and  32 - 35  show the positioning of the tea leaf containment assembly  80  in a cup  44 . Lip extensions  48 A and  48 B that are attached to the strainer bowl  34  rest on the rim of the cup  44 . 
     FIGS.  34  and  36 - 38  illustrate the use of the tea leaf containment assembly  80  for preparing a cup of tea. The assembly  80  is placed inside the cup  44  filled with hot water to a level  78  in a manner shown in  FIG. 34 . With the upper bowl  31  in a vertical position, the strainer bowl  34  inside the cup and partially immersed in hot water, and the lower bowl  37  in a horizontal position outside the cup  44 , tea leaves  46  are introduced inside the strainer bowl  34  such that they are immersed in the hot water that diffused into the strainer bowl  34 . After a sufficient time given for the tea leaves  46  to impart their flavor, the upper bowl  31  is lowered over the strainer bowl  34  and latch  71  is locked onto the strainer bowl  34  as shown in  FIG. 37 . This compresses the tea leaves  46  and further squeezes their flavor into the water. The amount of pressure and exposure time of the leaves to pressure may be used to control the tea flavor. The assembly  80  is then pulled out of the cup  44  straight up as shown in  FIG. 36  in a manner that the lower bowl  37  clears the cup and in such a manner that any drippings from the strainer bowl  34  fall back into the cup  44 . The lower bowl  37  is then pivoted upward to close the assembly  80  as shown in  FIG. 38 . 
     The tea leaves  46  may be reused by placing the closed assembly  80  over a fresh cup of water, releasing the lower bowl  37  by pivoting it downward to a vertical position, placing the assembly  80  in position in the cup and repeating the steps described above. 
     It is noted that the tea leaf containment device is not limited to tea leaves and may also be used to prepare a cup of tea from a tea bag in a manner similar to that employed with tea leaves. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.