Abstract:
A plunger filter infusion device comprises a container, a plunger having a resilient plunger head slidable within the container, and an insert plate connected to a long shaft placeable in the base of the container. The insert is placed in the container, infusible material is placed in the container, heated water is poured into the container and the plunger is slid into the container with the shaft of the insert sliding within the hollow central tube of the plunger. The end of the insert shaft becomes releasably connected to the handle via a locking mechanism in the handle. The infusible material is thus confined between the plunger head and the insert plate. The plunger and insert can be removed as one unit allowing clean and simple disposal of the infusible material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/749,532, to Miksovsky, et al., titled “Beverage Infusion Making Apparatus,” filed Dec. 12, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to the field of beverage infusion making apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of brewing apparatus for brewing ground coffee beans, tea, or other beverages.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Brewing apparatus, such as a French Press or coffee press, is well known in the prior art. The French press or coffee press has become a preferred way of brewing coffee among professional coffee tasters and the coffee drinking public in general. The coffee press is a relatively simple device comprising a pitcher (typically made of glass), a lid with a central hole, and a plunger fitted with a fine mesh screen or filter which is operated through the hole in the lid. In use, the ground coffee is placed in the pitcher and boiling water is added. The top is placed on the pitcher with the plunger withdrawn so that the filter is above the grounds and the water, allowing the coffee to brew. After a few minutes, the plunger is pushed down towards the bottom of the pitcher, so that the coffee grounds are separated from the liquid. The coffee is then transferred out from the French press and into a drinking cup for the user to drink the coffee.  
         [0004]     While the known arrangement of a coffee press has the ability to make superior coffee, a problem arises when it is desired to wash the container after use. At that stage the plunger is removed and the coffee grounds are poured from the container into a sink or a bin. The operation is generally very messy and it is usually necessary to flush residual coffee grounds down the sink with copious quantities of water which is time consuming and wasteful. Furthermore, plumbers advise against pouring used coffee grounds down a sink drain because it creates the likelihood of a clog, which can be expensive and time consuming to remove.  
         [0005]     As a consequence, there has been a long felt need for a brewed beverage maker that is designed for easier and more efficient cleaning.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,299 to Hornsby et al. discloses a beverage infusion making apparatus that attempts to address the need of a more easily cleanable coffee press. Hornsby employs a cup shaped insert within which to collect the coffee grounds. Unfortunately, this solution has numerous drawbacks. Hornsby&#39;s design does not guarantee a positive locking effect between the plunger and the cup shaped insert, making it possible to drop the cup and contained grounds before it is desired to do so. Furthermore, Hornsby discloses that the cup insert may be perforated. Any holes or perforations in the cup insert will inevitably clog with coffee grounds, requiring time and energy by the user to clean out. Finally, Hornsby&#39;s design does not discuss how exactly the cup insert is removed from the plunger. Presumably, the user must grab the cup insert full of wet, hot coffee grounds and physically separate it from the plunger, making it likely to get the hand grabbing the cup insert both wet and covered with coffee grounds, and possibly burnt.  
         [0007]     Thus, there remains a need for a for a brewed beverage maker that is designed for easier and more efficient cleaning.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     According to the present invention there is provided a beverage infuser comprising a beverage container, a plunger having a perforated head slidable within the container and a preferably disc-shaped insert that is connected to a shaft in a “T”-shaped configuration. The plunger is connected via a hollow tube to a handle in which resides a locking mechanism. The shaft of the insert is slidable within the tube of the plunger and is releasably attached to the locking mechanism in the handle. In this arrangement, the insert is placed in the container, and then the infusible material, for example uninfused coffee grounds, are then placed on top of the disc insert. Hot water is then poured in and, after the infusion period, the grounds are confined between the insert and the plunger by sliding the plunger into the container thus engaging the locking mechanism in the handle with the shaft of the insert. When it is desired to dispose of the coffee grounds, the plunger and insert are withdrawn simultaneously from the container, with the grounds sandwiched between the plunger and the insert. The coffee grounds may then be easily and cleanly disposed of by tapping, shaking or otherwise disturbing the grounds “sandwich” such that the grounds fall into any suitable container. Note that because the insert does not have vertical sidewalls, the grounds may be shaken off simply by tipping the disc/grounds/plunger sandwich to the side and does not require any handling of the wet, hot grounds by one&#39;s hand. Also note that the insert is of a solid construction and does not have any cavities to trap the coffee grounds. Once the grounds have been dispensed into a suitable bin, the user can quickly rinse off any residual grounds in a sink. Once the few remaining residual grounds are rinsed off (which also cools the apparatus), the user can depress a catch on the handle to release the insert from the handle. The insert is then slid out from the plunger tube and the brewing process may begin anew. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage infusion making apparatus in accordance with the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the insert of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the insert of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the insert placed into a suitable container.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective cross sectional view showing the container, insert, and infusible material such as coffee grounds.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the plunger of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front cross-sectional view of the plunger of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention prior to insertion of the plunger with lid and handle into the container.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention after insertion of the plunger with lid and handle into the container, with the shaft of the insert now affixed to the locking mechanism in the handle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is detail cross sectional view of the invention showing one embodiment of the locking mechanism.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention after removal of the plunger and insert from the container.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the invention showing the infusible material being deposited into a suitable bin. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of beverage infusion making apparatus  11  constructed in accordance with the invention. The beverage infusion making apparatus  11  comprises a container  12  such as a conventional coffee press beverage container made of glass, plastic, or other suitable material having a circular cross section. A plunger  13  (for example a plunge filter) is shaped to fit inside the container  12 . An insert  16  is shaped to fit inside the container  12 . The insert  16  is shaped to slidably fit in the container  12  and has a circular perimeter to fit closely inside the container. Infusible material  19  such as coffee grounds or tea leaves are compressed between the depressed plunger  13  and the insert  16 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the insert  16  of the invention. The insert  16  comprises a circular plate  18  and a shaft  17 . The plate  18  and shaft  17  may be constructed as a single piece of plastic, metal or other suitable material, or the plate  18  and shaft  17  may be fabricated as separate components (made of plastic, metal or other suitable material) and secured together either mechanically, with an adhesive, or other means. In the present embodiment, the shaft  17  of the inset  16  features one or more detents  26  that are used to secure the insert  16  to the handle  21  and plunger  13  of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the insert  16  of the invention to clarify the T-shaped orientation of the plate  18  and shaft  17 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the insert  16  placed into a suitable container  12 . The container  12  is preferably circular in cross section and the insert  16  is sized to be close in size to the cross section of the container  12  while still permitting enough gap to permit an easy insertion and removal of the insert  16  within the container  12 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective cross sectional view showing the container  12 , insert  16 , and infusible material  19  such as coffee grounds. The insert  16  is first placed into the container  12  and then the infusible material  19  is placed on top of the insert  16 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the plunger  13  of the invention. The plunger  13  comprises a circular head  15  and a tube  14 . The head  15  and tube  14  may be constructed as a single piece of plastic, metal or other suitable material, or the head  15  and tube  14  may be fabricated as separate components (made of plastic, metal or other suitable material) and secured together either mechanically, with an adhesive, or other means. The head  15  is shown diagrammatically in this figure and may feature the components typically found on the head of a common coffee press (e.g. mesh screen, supporting frame, helical sealing spring running around the circumference of the head, etc.—none of these typical components are shown as they are common knowledge in the prior art).  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front cross-sectional view of the plunger  13  the invention showing the hollow tube  14  and its perpendicular orientation relative to the head  15 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention prior to insertion of the plunger  13  with lid  20  and handle  21  into the container  12 . The tube  14  of the plunger  13  is secured to the handle  21  by mechanical means, adhesive, or other suitable fastening mechanism.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention after insertion of the plunger  13  with lid  20  and handle  21  into the container  12 . This figure clarifies the insertion of the shaft  17  of the insert  16  into the tube  14  of the plunger  13 . Thusly configured, the infusible material  19  is now contained between the head  15  of the plunger  13 , and the plate  18  of the insert  16 . Once the plunger  13  is depressed to a sufficient depth in the container  12 , the detents  26  on the shaft  17  become aligned to the catch  22  in the handle  21 , thereby releasably securing the insert  13  to the handle  21  and plunger  13 . A multitude of detents  26  allows the plunger  13  to be depressed to varying depths, thereby compressing the infusible material  19  as much as necessary. Complete compression of the infusible material  19  ensures maximum flavor extraction. Furthermore, any infused beverage beneath the plunger  13  is unlikely to readily be poured out. Thus, Hornsby&#39;s solution wastes valuable infused water. The present invention allows the plunger  13  to be depressed as much as necessary, thereby maximizing the amount of infused beverage that can be readily used.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is detail cross sectional view of the invention showing one embodiment of the locking mechanism  28  used to releasably secure the shaft  17  of the insert  16  to the handle  21 . A catch  22  slides in a groove of the handle  21  and is inclined to one side by a horizontal spring  23 . The head of the shaft  17  is rounded, beveled or otherwise configured to move the catch  22  sideways when the head of the shaft  17  contacts the catch  22  from below. The catch  22  is moved sideways by the shaft  17  until one of the detents  26  of the shaft become aligned to the catch  22 . The horizontal spring  23  moves the catch  22  underneath the undercut created by the detents  26 , preventing the shaft  17  from sliding downwards. The positive locking action assures a firm hold on the shaft  17  so that the user may confidently transport the infusible material  19  to a bin  27 . If numerous detents  26  are featured, the handle  21  and plunger  13  may continue to be pressed downwards into the container  12 , and the catch  22  will align to these subsequent detents  26 . The head of the shaft contacts a centering button  25  that is in turn connected to a vertical spring  24 . The vertical spring  24  is inclined to push the shaft  17  downwards but is prevented from doing so by the catch  22  aligned to the detents  26 . To release the shaft  17  from the handle  21  and plunger  13 , the user depresses the end of the catch  22  that protrude out from the handle  21 , to overcome the force of the horizontal spring  23  and remove the catch  22  from the undercut in the shaft  17  created by the detents  26 . Once the catch  22  is removed from the under cut in the shaft  17  created by the detents  26 , the vertical spring  24  is free to move the shaft  17  downwards. The vertical spring  24  may have sufficient force to move the shaft  17  through the plunger tube  14  either partially or completely. This movement of the insert  16  downwards gives the user positive feedback that the insert  16  is free to be removed.  
         [0033]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred locking mechanism  28 , workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is the applicant&#39;s intent that the invention claimed include any design variations which incorporate a locking mechanism  28  housed in the handle  21  capable of being releasably secured to the shaft  17  of the insert  16 . For example it may be preferable to incorporate the ratcheting locking mechanism typically found on a hand clamp (such as that sold by Irwin Tools called the “Quick Grip Handi Clamp”) whereby a translating bar slides through an opening in a release catch that only permits a sliding action in one direction until the catch is actuated by the user, thus freeing the bar to slide back to its original position. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism  28  may not feature any discrete detents but may be releasably coupled to the shaft with a wedging or other suitable action against the rounded surface of the shaft  17  (such as the locking mechanism found on the Irwin Tools “Quick Grip One-Handed Bar Clamps”). One skilled in the art will recognize that the components of the locking mechanism could be made from plastic, metal or other suitable material by common manufacturing processes.  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cross sectional view of the invention after removal of the plunger  13  and insert  16  from the container  12 . Note that the infusible material  19  is contained between the head  15  of the plunger  13  and the plate  18  of the insert  16 . The compressive action of the plunger  13  on the infusible material  19  creates a compact package which disinclines the infusible material  19  from falling off until disrupted either by shaking, tapping or other suitable action. The compression of the infusible material  19  against the interior wall of the container  12  also effectively creates a plug of material that, when removed, creates a mild vacuum in the area beneath the plug of infusible material  19 . This mild vacuum serves to further leach residual water from the infusible material  19  making for a more solid and cohesive “puck” of infusible material  19 . The vacuum leaches the residual water and draws it downwards moving the fluid between the periphery of the plate  18  and the inner wall of the container  12 . Thus, this is effectively a way to create a non-clogging sieve.  
         [0035]     In an alternate embodiment the shaft  17  may be hollow so as to create a direct passageway for air to enter into the volume of space created beneath the plate  18  as the plunger  13 , infusible material  19  and insert  16  are drawn upwards. This access of air would lessen or eliminate the vacuum effect and could permit faster and easier removal of the plunger  13 , infusible material  19  and insert  16 .  
         [0036]     In another alternate embodiment, openings may be featured in the plate  18  to allow easier passage of air into the volume of space beneath the plate  18  created as the plunger  13 , infusible material  19  and insert  16  are drawn upwards. This access of air would lessen or eliminate the vacuum effect and could permit faster and easier removal of the plunger  13 , infusible material  19  and insert  16 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the invention showing the infusible material  19  being deposited into a suitable bin  27 . The user simply holds onto the handle  21  and taps, shakes or otherwise moves the “sandwich” of infusible material until it is dislodged and falls into the bin  27 . Note that at no time is the user required to handle the wet infusible material. Once the majority of the infusible material  19  has been deposited into a bin  27 , the user can simply rinse off any residual infusible material  19  from the insert  16 , plunger  13 , and container  12 .  
       Reference Numerals  
       [0038]      11  Beverage infusion making apparatus  
         [0039]      12  Container  
         [0040]      13  Plunger  
         [0041]      14  Tube  
         [0042]      15  Head  
         [0043]      16  Insert  
         [0044]      17  Shaft  
         [0045]      18  Plate  
         [0046]      19  Infusible material  
         [0047]      20  Lid  
         [0048]      21  Handle  
         [0049]      22  Catch  
         [0050]      23  Horizontal spring  
         [0051]      24  Vertical spring  
         [0052]      25  Button  
         [0053]      26  Detents  
         [0054]      27  Bin  
         [0055]      28  Locking mechanism  
       Operation  
       [0056]     In operation, the insert  16  is placed into the container  12 . Infusible material  19  is then introduced into the container  12 , hot water is added into the container  12  and the mixture of water and infusible material  19  is allowed to steep for a sufficient period of time.  
         [0057]     The plunger  13  which is rigidly affixed to the handle  21  is placed at the top of the container  12  and the end of the shaft  17  is aligned to the end of the tube  14  in the plunger  13 . With the shaft  17  and tube  14  aligned, the handle  21  depressed, thereby inserting the plunger  13  into the container  12 , while sliding the shaft  17  up through the tube  14 . As the head  15  of the plunger  13  is pushed into the container, the infusible material  19  is directed downwards and becomes sandwiched between the upper face of the plate  18  and the downward face of the plunger head  15 . The multiple detents  26  accommodate different amounts of infusible material and ensure that said infusible material  19  gets compacted and that the maximal amount of beverage is actually available for consumption. The upper edge of the interior wall of the container  12  may have a bevel, round or other feature to facilitate insertion of the insert  16  and plunger  13 . Likewise, the end of the shaft  17 , and entry hole of the tube  14  may be beveled, rounded or otherwise configured to make for easy insertion of the shaft  17  into the tube  14 .  
         [0058]     With the infusible material  19  contained between the head  15  and plate  18 , the user is free to dispense the infusion beverage in the normal manner. When it is time to clean the invention, the user pulls up on the handle  21  to thereby extract the head  15 , infusible material  19 , and plate  18  “sandwich” from the container  12 . Residual water is leached from the infusible material  19  and falls downward in the gap between the plate  18  and the interior wall of the container  12  as the elements are pulled upwards, further compacting the infusible material  19  and making it sufficiently cohesive.  
         [0059]     With the infusible material  19  removed thusly, the user then holds the removed items by the handle  21  and tips the aforementioned “sandwich” over a suitable bin  27  to thereby dislodge and easily deposit the infusible material  19 . Because the plate  18  is preferably smooth and solid without any protruding features, holes, or crevices, most of the infusible material  19  will easily be dislodged off into the bin  27 . Any residual infusible material  19  on the insert  16 , plunger  13 , or on the inside of the container  12  can be quickly and easily rinsed off in a sink without risk of clogging (because there is such a small amount of infusible material  19  left—the vast majority of it will have been deposited in the bin  27 ).  
         [0060]     The user then depresses the end of the catch  22  and thereby releases the shaft  17  from the locking mechanism  28  in the handle  21 . They separate the insert  16  from the plunger  13  and the infusion process can begin again.  
         [0061]     Alternately, the user may elect to remove the plunger  13 , infusible material  19 , and insert  16  “sandwich” by pulling up on the handle  21  prior to dispensing the beverage.  
         [0062]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is the applicant&#39;s intent that the invention claimed include any design variations which incorporate the combination of an insert having a generally planar plate form that is releasably secured to either the plunger, handle or lid of the infusion making apparatus. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the arrangement described herein can be used for other beverage infusions than coffee, for example, tea, herbal drinks or medicinal infusions.  
         [0063]     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.