APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

Abstract: Apparatus for making beverages using a cafetière method whereby after plunging, the open part of the beaker holding the liquid is not obstructed. Apparatus for making beverages using a cafetière method, a beaker (20) holding the liquid having a lid with a number of pouring holes and a handle (11). The pouring holes being obstructed or not obstructed dependent upon the position of the handle.

Description: "Apparatus for Making Beverages" The present invention relates to apparatus for making beverages used particularly, but not exclusively, for making tea or coffee in a cup or mug, the tea or coffee being made from tea leaves or coffee grinds respectively using a "cafetiere" method. Conventional cafetiere apparatus comprises a beaker, a filtering plunger and lid arrangement whereby water and coffee grinds (for example) are mixed in the beaker until a desired strength of infusion is achieved. The plunger is then pushed down the inside of the beaker, the filter on the plunger effectively straining the coffee grinds from the liquid. Conventional cafetieres have the disadvantage that the resulting beverage after plunging must be poured into a separate cup for drinking due to the lid and plunger obstructing the lip of the beaker making it difficult to drink direct from the beaker. According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for making beverages comprising a beaker; a plunger assembly including a plunging arm having filter means attached thereto, the filter means fitting within the beaker and the plunging arm being fixed to the filter means such that, in use, when the plunger assembly is pushed to the bottom of the beaker, the open part of the beaker is not obstructed. Preferably, the filter means is circular in shape and the plunging arm is fixed to the periphery of the filter means adjacent an inner wall of the beaker. Preferably, the beaker is a cup or flask. Preferably, the beverage is coffee or tea. Preferably, the filter means is used to filter coffee grinds or tea leaves. Preferably, it is possible to drink from the beaker when the plunger assembly is at the bottom of the beaker. Alternatively, there is provided apparatus for making beverages comprising a beaker; a lid provided on the open end of the beaker and having a pouring hole; a plunger assembly including filter means and a plunging arm; and a handle assembly, the handle assembly being moveable between a first position relative to the lid where the handle obstructs the pouring hole and a second position relative to the lid where the handle does not obstruct the pouring hole. Preferably, the plunging arm passes through the lid. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a cup and plunger assembly of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the cup having coffee grinds added and the plunger being in a removed position with respect to the cup; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plunger assembly being in a first, unplunged position; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plunger assembly being in a second, plunged position; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plunger assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the plunger assembly of Fig. 1, the section being taken on the line BB in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the plunger assembly of Fig. 1, the section being taken on the line AA in Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 is a view from one side of the plunger assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plunger assembly being in the second, plunged, position; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention the plunger assembly being in the second plunged position; Fig. 10 is a view from one side of the apparatus of Fig. 9; Figs. 11 to 14 show sectional and plan views of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, in the form of a travel beaker. Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment of apparatus (generally designated 1) for making beverages in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus comprises a cup 20 having an inner wall 21; and a plunger assembly 10 capable of sliding within the inner wall 21. The cup 20 comprises the inner wall 21 connected to an outer wall 22. The outer wall 22 is generally in the form of a conventional handled cup. The inner wall 21 is generally U-shaped in section and fits within the space defined by the outer wall 22, leaving only a small insulating air gap 23 between the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22. The inner wall 21 is connected to the outer wall 22 at the open end of the outer wall 22. When connected in place, the inner wall 21 forms a lip 27 above and around the top of the cup 20, the lip 27 having a gap 27a. The plunger assembly 10 has a plunging arm 11 connected to a generally circular filter support member 12. The plunging arm 11 is connected to a peripheral edge of the filter support member 12 to give, in section, a generally L-shaped construction. A filter 13 is fixed to the underneath of the filter support member 12. The plunging arm 11 has a hooked lip 15 on the end farthest from the connection with the support member 12, the hooked lip 15 capable of hooking over a portion of the rim of the inner wall 21 within the space formed by the gap 27a. A stabilising reinforcement member 14 in the form of a part cylindrical web connects the plunging arm 11 to the support member 12. The plunger assembly 10 is also provided with a sealing member 26 which encompasses the periphery of the filter support member 12 and seals against the inside wall 21 of the cup 20. The filter 13 is fine enough to prevent coffee grinds or tea leaves from passing through whilst the sealing member 26 prevents any coffee grinds or tea leaves from passing between the filter support member 12 and the inner wall 21. An indentation 24 is formed in inner wall 21 of the cup 20. The indentation 24 being contoured to enable the plunging arm 11 to fit into the contour such that when the plunger 10 is in a fully plunged position, the hooked lip 15 fits over the inner wall 21 adjacent the indentation 24 in the space formed by the gap 27a, the inner wall 21 and the plunger arm 11 forming a continuous flush surface. In use, coffee grinds 25 are placed in the cup 20 and hot water is added. The coffee is then allowed to infuse into the water until the desired strength of coffee is obtained. The plunging arm 11 is then located into the indentation 24 at the gap 27a and the plunger 10 is pushed down through the unstrained liquid until the hooked lip 15 hooks over the inner wall 21 in the space formed by the gap 27a. This action results in the coffee grinds 25 being pushed to the bottom of the cup 20 whilst the infused liquid has been strained through the filter 13. The seal member 26 prevents coffee grinds 25 from passing between the filter support member 12 and the inner wall 21 of the cup 20. The use of the apparatus results in filtered coffee which is ready to drink direct from the cup 20. A similar method can be used to make tea from tea leaves. Referring to Figs. 11 to 14, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the apparatus for making beverages. The apparatus 101 comprises a beaker 120 having a lid 130 removeably attached and sealed at the open end of the beaker 120; and a plunger 110 provided through a hole in the lid 130. The plunger 110 comprises a shaf : 111, filtering apparatus 113 and a handle 115. In use, filtering is achieved in a similar manner to conventional cafetieres . The lid 130 is formed with a drinking hole 116 and an air hole 117 which allows air to enter the beaker 120 whilst liquid runs from the beaker 120 through the drinking hole 116. The apparatus 101 is formed such that the handle 115 can be orientated to cover and seal the drinking hole 116 and air hole 117. The handle 115 can also be orientated to a position whereby the drinking hole 116 and air hole 117 are uncovered thus allowing liquid to flow through the drinking hole 116 when the apparatus 101 is tilted towards the drinking hole 116. When the handle 115 is orientated such that the drinking hole 116 is uncovered the resulting filtered coffee is ready to drink direct from the beaker 120 through the drinking hole 116. The apparatus 101 can also be used to make tea from tea leaves. In an alternative, the filtered coffee is poured from the apparatus 101 to a cup for drinking. Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for making beverages comprising a beaker; a plunger assembly including a plunging arm having filter means attached thereto, the filter means fitting within the beaker and the plunging arm being fixed to the filter means such that, in use, when the plunger assembly is pushed to the bottom of the beaker, the open part of the beaker is not obstructed. 2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the filter means is circular in shape and the plunging arm is fixed to the periphery of the filter means adjacent an inner wall of the beaker. 3. Apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the beaker is a cup or flask. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the beverage is coffee or tea. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the filter means is used to filter coffee grinds or tea leaves. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein it is possible to drink from the beaker when the plunger assembly is at the bottom of the beaker. 7. Apparatus for making beverages comprising a beaker; a lid provided on the open end of the beaker and having a pouring hole; a plunger assembly including filter means and a plunging arm; and a handle assembly, the handle assembly being moveable between a first position relative to the lid where the handle obstructs the pouring hole and a second position relative to the lid where the handle does not obstruct the pouring hole. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plunging arm passes through the lid.

Inventors: CONRAN SEBASTIAN, O'CONNOR JOSEPH, CONRAN, SEBASTIAN, O'CONNOR, JOSEPH
Applicants: CONNOR JOSEPH O, CONRAN SEBASTIAN, LEVENE LTD WILLIAM, CONRAN, SEBASTIAN, O'CONNOR, JOSEPH, WILLIAM LEVENE LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47J31
IPC codes: A47J31