Improved Appliance for Preparing Infusions of Tea.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr.. 1890-Accepted. 10th May, 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Appliance for Preparing Infusions of Tea.
I JOSEPH ALEXANDER SMITH of 34 Goswell Road London Mechanic do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is the preparation of a small quantity of an infusion of
tea, such as a cup of tea without developing any tannic acid.
I construct my appliance in a circular form, on plan, of about the size to fit over a
large tea cup. The outside edge is turned down all round to form a better joint over
the top edge of the tea cup. A circular portion about two inches in diameter
cut
out of the centre of my appliance, and a concave wire gauze container is fitted in
the space before alluded to. This wire gauze container, is of sufficient size to hold
the tea, of which the infusion is required. A hinged lid is so provided to cover the
entire space of the said container.
A handle is now fixed to my appliance for the more easy handling of my said
appliance.
I use my invention as follows:-Having placed my appliance over a tea cup or
similar article, I open the lid and place within the wire gauze retainer, the tea to he
infused. I now pour over the same, as much boiling water as is required, and then
shut down the lid, and the whole appliance remains upon the top of the cup until
the infusion is perfected, when my appliance is removed and the decoction is ready
for drinking.
I propose to make my improved appliance, of any thin sheet metal, in connection
with any approved kind of wire gauze container.
Dated this 16th day of November 1889.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents to the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Appliance for Preparing Infusions of Tea.
I, JOSEPH ALEXANDER SMITH of 34 Goswell Road London Mechanic do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention is intended for use in the preparation of a cup of tea or similar
quantity of such a beverage and is intended for use when a single cup of tea is alone
required and by my improvements no tannic acid can be developed in such infusion
as the tea leaf does not stand continually in the liquor as when tea is made in an
ordinary tea-pot.
I construct my improved appliance of a circular ring or band of flat sheet metal,
the outer edges of which are turned down and lap over the sides of the cup. This
band is about one inch wide to allow of fitting over various sized cups. The inner
edge of this flat band is fitted with a fine wire gauze bag descending from one to two
inches from the band.
The opening to this bag is fitted with a hinged cover lid formed at its end with
a lip for easily raising the same, and a small handle is attached on to the metal band
or ring in order to easily handle the whole contrivance.
I use my contrivance as follows-I place the appliance over a tea cup or like vessel
and raising the lid I put as much tea as I require to use in preparing the infusion,
into the metal gauze bag. I now pour boiling water into this bag containing the tea

page_text: and when sufficient has passed through into the cup I shut down the lid and leave the
appliance on the cup until the infusion has obtained the required strength-then
remove the appliance and the infusion is ready to drink and is free from theine or
other deleterious products.
In order that the nature of my said invention may be the more fully understood I
will now proceed to describe the perspective sketch hereunto annexed the letters upon
this sketch agreeing with the parts described in this specification.
A indicates the flat metal ring or band formed on its outer circumference with the
turned down edge A¹ to overlap the cup and provided on its inner circumference
with the wire gauze bag C, C. The lid to cover the gauze bag is marked B and has
the lip B at its end and D is the handle by which the whole contrivance is lifted-
The dotted lines indicate the sides of a cup over which my improved appliance is
arranged to fit loosely. I do not restrict myself to materials and may use a textile
gauze bag if I find the same desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved appliance for preparing infusions of tea consisting of a thin metal
band encircling a gauze container provided with a hinged lid the whole being
furnished with a handle and made to fit loosely over an ordinary tea cup all as
herein before described in this specification and illustrated by the accompanying
perspective drawing.
•1 1000
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.