Patent ID: 11510519

Abstract:
A steeping apparatus (10) includes a container (12) and a partition (22) dividing the container into upper and lower chambers (24, 26). The partition has a central aperture (32, FIG. 2) which interconnects the chambers and is arranged to trap a volume of air 38 in the lower chamber when the container is filled with liquid. Hot water poured into the upper chamber (24) passes through the aperture to partially fill the lower chamber, trapping a volume of air (38). Brewing material (34) located in the upper chamber (24) steeps in the hot water to produce a beverage and gradually sinks into the lower chamber (26) through the aperture. The air (38) trapped in the lower chamber applies a force to the liquid inhibiting movement of liquid between the chambers so that the brewing material (34) is isolated from the beverage. In other embodiments, the partition is pressed down through the container after brewing to isolate the brewing material.