AU723446B3 - Latte and beverage layer spoon - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT LATTE AND BEVERAGE LAYER-

SPOON

The following statements is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: LATTE AND BEVERAGE LAYER-SPOON This invention relates to a new device to replace existing methods of competently adding coffee liquid (for latte drinks) or other beverage liquids (alcoholic or otherwise) latte fashion (ie the second liquid wholly suspended above the first in the serving cup).

The new universal Method of applying a beverage to any other beverage whether alcoholic or not so that the former clearly floats above the other beverage in the serving cup, is to pour the liquid onto a spoon and from there by gravity it falls onto the underlying beverage. There are three attendant deficiencies in this method.

Firstly the (often very hot) liquid that is poured in inevitably runs in part down the spoon handle and onto the hand of the beverage preparer. Secondly the spoon method is very slow, up to ten minutes per cup, because the spoon can only receive small amounts of liquid from above and consequently distribute small amounts below.

Thirdly, because the spoon method relies on the steadiness of the hand holding the spoon for the absence of missing between the base liquid with the added liquid (a prime desire in the making of any latte beverage) the results are often intermingling of the two liquids.

These foregoing problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides a rapid yet steady admission of the coffee liquid (as in the case of making a latte) to the base beverage.

The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Latte and Beverage Layer-Spoon in accordance with the invention: Figure 2 is a top view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 1 The Latte and Beverage Layer-Spoon is a ladle type spoon incorporating a horizontal plate largely covering the "bowl of the spoon". The ladle handle being attached to the "bowl of the spoon".

The horizontal plate referred to in the paragraph above does not entirely cover the "bubbles" or "nipples" of the bottom of the said "bowl of the spoon" thus it allows that the beverages poured onto the plate to not immediately flow through the "bubbles" or "nipples" in the spoon.

This combined effect of both the plate and the "bubbles" or "nipples" allows the velocity of the added liquid to decease before passing through the holes thence into the lower serving glass or cup.

In use, the applied beverage is placed in the ladle spoon, passing over the plate then passing through the "bubbles" or "nipples" and onto the other beverage in the serving cup to form the latte fashioned beverage.

The Latt and Beverage Layer-Spoon can be made out of any suitable material but especially steel or moulded plastic.

Finally, various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Robert Bruce Richard Nettleton Solicitor for the Applicants 16 May 2000 j

Claims (3)

1. An apparatus for the application of hot or cold beverages (alcoholic or otherwise) to other beverages latte6 fashion where the applied beverage is wholly suspended on top of the other beverage in the serving cup) comprising: A ladle type spoon incorporating a horizontal plate largely covering the "bowl of the spoon"; The ladle handle is attached to the "bowl of the spoon". Wherein the bowl of the spoon has a plurality of apertured bubbles which extend downwardly from the general profile of the bowl, such that, in use, the apparatus is positioned over the serving cup and the applied beverage is poured onto the horizontal plate whereby the applied beverage flows over the surface of the plate to descend over its edges and pass into the base of the bowl with a reduced velocity and, thence, through the apertured bubbles and onto the top of the other beverage in the serving cup to produce the latte beverage.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture of each bubble is formed in a downwardly extending nipple-shaped extension which further controls the flow of the applied beverage to the top of the other beverage.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures. W Robert Bruce Richard Nettleton ated Solicitor for Applicant