GB2451901A

GB2451901A - A beverage infusion device

Info

Publication number: GB2451901A
Application number: GB0716124A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Richard Norton; Jim Fleming; Martin Green; Jens Jacobsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-17
Filing date: 2007-08-17
Publication date: 2009-02-18
Also published as: GB0716124D0

Abstract

A beverage infusion device, for making coffee, tea or herbal infusions for example, comprising a handle, a spoon portion 3, a canopy 4 to the spoon portion that is operable between a closed and an open position, when the canopy is in the closed position, the canopy and spoon portion form an infusion chamber, where the spoon portion and/or canopy has one or more porous sections 5 suitable for enabling liquid to pass through into the infusion chamber. One or more vanes/baffles are located within the chamber to assist the mixing of the infusion chambers contents with a liquid such as hot water when the device is agitated in the liquid by the user, e.g. in a cup. The canopy/cover may be detachable, or slidably (fig 3) or pivotally (fig 4) attached to the handle. The vanes/baffles are preferably substantially the same length as the infusion chamber, with a curved cross section that may be removable from the chamber. The vanes/baffles may protrude externally from the infusion chamber (fig 10), preferably, adjacent to a porous section thereby directing liquid into the infusion chamber when the device is agitated or rotated by the user. To assist in the cleaning of the device, the device may have a conduit (15a, fig 6) between the canopy and the handle to direct liquid over the internal surface of the infusion chamber that may also have scalloped shaping. The device may have a pump element operable by the user to pump liquid through the infusion chamber (fig 18). The device may also allow the user to regulate the volume of the spoon portion (fig 19), and have a hollow handle to store the coffee beans/powder or tea for example.

Description

A Hand-Held Infusion Spoon with Optimised Cleaning and Infusion Characteristics The present invention relates to a highly portable, low cost infusion spoon which is designed to optimise the process of making, in particular but not exclusively, hot coffee drinks from roasted ground or instant coffee by combining infusion enhancing features with user friendly cleaning means.

Most latter day coffee making devices are sized for commercial operation and are relatively large and expensive.

EP1287773 is one example of a coffee making percolation device which is sized for commercial application in shops and restaurants.

There are however existing, smaller products which enable coffee and other hot beverages to be brewed at home or in the office. In their most simplistic form, these products include variants of a plastic funnel design which rest on the rim of a cup and generally utilise disposable filter paper inserts, or, as described in US6844015 Yuguchi, a totally disposable vessel containing a one-cup charge of coffee which is supplied to the user in a sealed package. The user places the charged vessel in a cup and adds hot water, which then percolates through the coffee and the vessel to fill the cup with freshly brewed coffee. The vessel and coffee charge are then thrown away. More complicated embodiments, such as French press coffee makers or "cafetieres", usually sized for more than one cup, are employed in a similar way, although as the cafetiere is not disposable, it must be cleaned after use, which, as it comprises a number of separate parts, can be a messy and time consuming operation. A bag of coffee must also be purchased and stored separately for use with the cafetiere.

Less portable, more complicated devices which combine boiling the water with percolation through to a coffee pot or vessel are often described as "drip type" percolation machines and can be found in EP1338231. This range of products usually require pre-ground coffee and paper filters to be purchased.

In use, the boiling water is percolated through coffee, which is supported by a paper filter, into a coffee jug which sits below.

The problems associated with each of the apparatus described above relate substantially to limited portability and the necessity for time consuming, messy operations for cleaning the apparatus and/or disposing of wet filter papers and coffee to be undertaken. The problems are exacerbated if only one cup of coffee is desired. Coffee brewing apparatus can also be expensive to purchase and maintain if the quality of the cup of coffee is to be maintained. For example, the degree of mixing between the coffee and the water, and the method by which it is performed, is one factor which dictates the quality of the final brewed beverage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a low cost, highly portable beverage infusing spoon which maintains or enhances beverage quality by virtue of a number of infusion features, whilst also remaining easy to clean for the user. It is envisaged that the apparatus described herein may be suitable for coffee, tea, herbal infusions and other hot and cold drinks. It is further intended that the apparatus is small and portable and preferably formed from a lightweight polymer, which also enhances durability, making it suitable for use in travel, camping, boating or yachting and office use when only one or two cups of brewed beverage are required at any one time.

Accordingly, the invention provides a beverage making apparatus, having a size and weight consistent with said apparatus being easily held by the hand of a user and at least partially immersed in a vessel containing a liquid, which comprises: a handle portion; a spoon portion; and a canopy means, operable between open and closed positions, where, in its closed position said canopy means and said spoon portion define an infusion chamber, characterized in that one or both of said spoon portion and said canopy means are provided with one or more porous mesh portions suitable for enabling liquid to pass therethrough in order to enter and exit the infusion chamber, and, one or more vane portions are disposed within said infusion chamber for assisting mixing of liquid with the contents of the infusion chamber upon agitation of the apparatus.

In a preferred method of operation, the canopy means is opened by the user, the infusion chamber of the apparatus is then loaded with a chosen contents, for example roasted ground coffee, the canopy means is then moved to its closed position whereupon the apparatus is grasped by the hand of a user and the spoon portion and canopy means end of the apparatus is then immersed in a vessel, preferably a cup or mug, containing hot water. The apparatus may then be agitated or stirred within the hot water by the user, thus encouraging hot water to pass through the one or more porous mesh portions into the infusion chamber to mix with the contents, in this case coffee. The one or more vanes disposed within the infusion chamber may preferably have a length substantially the same as the length of the infusion chamber and have a curved cross section so as to encourage movement and mixing of the hot water with the coffee, in this example, upon stirring or agitation. By this mode of operation, the coffee and the hot water mix quickly and effectively within the infusion chamber, and coffee infused hot water passes out through the one or more mesh portions back into the cup. In this way, a quality cup of freshly brewed beverage may be efficiently made.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the canopy means may be slidably operated by the user to open and close the infusion chamber, thus allowing a chosen beverage making contents i.e. coffee, tea or a herbal infusion, to be added or removed from the infusion chamber, or even by scooping from a bag or container using the spoon portion of the apparatus as the scoop. Preferably, one or more moulded grooves or channels in the handle portion, together with a formed rail or edge of the canopy means may cooperate to enable the canopy means to slide between open and closed positions -It is further envisaged that the canopy means may pivot between open and closed positions by virtue of a mount or location feature on either of the spoon portion or the handle portion. A catch or locking feature may also be required to retain the canopy means in the closed position in the described embodiment. In a further optional arrangement, to attain the open position, the canopy means may be completely detached from the apparatus by the user for the possible purpose of assisting with the loading of contents, or with cleaning. The canopy means may then later be re-assembled to the apparatus by either snap-fit, screw-fit, bayonet or other fitment mechanism to attain the closed position.

In a still further preferred embodiment, when the canopy means is slidably operated from the closed to the open position, said canopy means is disposed at least partially over the handle portion and a conduit is defined between the internal surface of the canopy means and the handle portion.

Said conduit may advantageously be shaped so as to direct the flow of water over the internal surface of the canopy means and the chamber surface of the spoon portion for the purpose of efficiently cleaning and removing the chosen contents from the infusion chamber and from said internal and chamber surfaces.

In a further possible arrangement, the internal surface of the canopy means, the chamber surface of the spoon portion and the handle portion may be provided with complementary, or otherwise, scallop shaped fluid channels spaced and sized to create an optimal mixture of laminar and turbulent fluid flow regions to further enhance easy and effective cleaning when, with the canopy means in its open position, the user places the apparatus under a tap or directs water into the conduit.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the one or more vane portions, which may form a separate part which is insertable and removable from the infusion chamber, are curved over one or both of their lateral width and longitudinal lengths, wherein the length of each of said vane portions is preferably substantially the same as that of the infusion chamber. The curvature of a vane portion over its lateral width creates a side with a convex profile which is suitable for scooping or entraining liquid in a particular direction: this may be referred to as the entraining side of the vane portion. It may also be preferred that multiple vane portions of a shorter length may be disposed about the infusion chamber. In one possible arrangement, the width of each of the one or more vane portions may be varied over the length and shall have dimensions and an entraining side profile suitable for encouraging mixing within the infusion chamber.

In a further optimal arrangement, the one or more vane portions are formed integrally with, and protrude Into the infusion chamber from, one or both of the canopy means and spoon portion. Preferably, the canopy means and the spoon portion are moulded from a polymer material, and the one or more vane portions may be moulded as integral parts of each.

In a further preferred enhancement of the invention, in addition to having integrated vane portions facing into the infusion chamber, it may be optimal for the canopy means and spoon portion to be provided with external vane portions, said external vane portions having substantially the same characteristics as the vane portions, said external vane portions protruding from the outer surface of one or both of said canopy means and said spoon portion. In a desired embodiment, the invention comprises a canopy means and a spoon portion which both have at least one vane portion and one external vane portion, and preferably two of each.

It is further preferred that between each of the one or more vane portions, or on either side of a vane portion, there is disposed a porous mesh portion constructed from a polymer material and having a weave which is suitable for allowing liquids such as water, and water infused with a beverage such as coffee, to pass therethrough. Preferably, the porous mesh portions are situated on the entraining side of each of the one or more vane portions such that, upon rotation or agitation of the apparatus, said entraining side of a vane portion, and that of an external vane portion, directs liquid through the one or more mesh portions and into or out of the infusion chamber, thus encouraging more efficient mixing and enhanced beverage infusion. Preferably, the porous mesh portions have a length substantially the same as that of the vane portion or external vane portion that they are located next to. It is further preferred that external vane portions and vane portions have a curvature, shape and spacing about the canopy means and/or spoon portion which promotes effective liquid entrainment into and out of the infusion chamber for the purpose of enhanced mixing with the chosen contents of the infusion chamber. It may be further desired that the vane portions and external vane portions have a curvature about their length which substantially replicates a corkscrew form.

In a still further desired embodiment, for each of the canopy means and spoon portion, the porous mesh portions, vane portions and external vane portions are moulded or co-moulded together from polymer material into one integrated component.

The invention may further comprise a pump element, operable by the hand of a user, to agitate the contents of the infusion chamber during immersion in liquid. In an optimal arrangement, the pump element has a plunger, which, upon displacement under operation of the user, serves to pump liquid through the infusion chamber.

In a still further desired embodiment, the apparatus is provided with a quantity selection means which can be set by the user to regulate the volume of the spoon portion and therefore the volume of contents that the spoon portion can retain when filled by the user, or when the spoon portion is utilised to scoop a chosen contents from a separate container. In a preferred mode of operation, to achieve the desired quantity of contents as set by the user using the quantity selection means, the spoon portion is filled with the desired contents and the canopy means is then slid from its open to its closed position, in doing so, scraping off any excess contents over and above the desired fill level setting.

In an optimal arrangement, the apparatus is entirely constructed from a lightweight polymer material, although it may be preferred that a lightweight metal may be used for some, if not all, of the component parts for the purpose of aesthetics.

In a yet further embodiment, the handle portion may be hollow so as to provide a convenient storage area for chosen contents including coffee beans, powder, tea or herbs.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus with the canopy means sliding to a closed position; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus along its length; Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus with the canopy means sliding to an open position; Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus with the canopy means pivoting to an' open position; Figure 5 is a representation of the apparatus being cleaned in water under a tap; Figure 6 is an exploded view of the canopy means and the handle portion to demonstrate the cleaning process; Figure 7 is a further exploded view of the canopy means and spoon portion to demonstrate the cleaning process; Figure 8 is a representation of the external vane portions and porous mesh portions; Figure 9 is a cross sectional view through the canopy means and spoon portion to show the vane portions, external vane portions and porous mesh portions in operation; Figures 10-11 are cross sections through the canopy means to show the shape of the vane portions, external vane portions and porous mesh portions; Figures 12-14 represent the apparatus in use; -10 -Figures 15-16 are a representation of an alternative embodiment for the invention; Figures 17-18 represent the pump element in operation; Figure 19 is a representation of the quantity selection means in use;

Detailed Description:

In accordance with one form of the invention, Figures 1 to 3 describe a beverage making apparatus 1, which comprises a handle portion 2, a spoon portion 3, and a canopy means 4 shown in its closed position. The spoon portion 3, the handle portion 2 and the canopy means 4, in its closed position, together bound and define an infusion chamber 8. The canopy means 4 and the spoon portion 3 are further provided with porous mesh portions 5 through which liquid, preferably hot water, is able to pass into and out of said infusion chamber 8. The canopy means 4 has an internal surface 9 and an external surface 9a, whilst the spoon portion 3 has a chamber surface 10 and an external chamber surface lOa. The handle portion 2 is provided with at least one channel 6 shaped to engage an edge 7 of the canopy means 4 such that, in operation, the canopy means 4 may slide and be guided along channel 6 in the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1 between the open position (as shown in Figure 3) and the closed position (shown in Figure 1). When the canopy means 4 is disposed in the open position, the spoon portion 3 may be filled with a chosen volume of contents 11, for example roasted ground coffee, for the purpose of later infusion in -11 -hot water, in this example. Figure 3 further describes the open position of the canopy means 4, when operating via the edge 7 and channel 6 slide mechanism, as being at least partially disposed over the handle portion 2.

In an alternative embodiment, Figure 4 describes the provision of a mount 12 on the handle portion 2 which engages or attaches to an end 13 of the canopy means 4 to enable the canopy means 4 to pivot about said mount 12 in order that the canopy means 4 may operate between the open and closed positions.

Figure 5, 6 and 7 describe in detail examples of features which promote efficient cleaning of said apparatus 1. As first described above, when the canopy means 4 is moved by the user to its open position using the edge 7 and channel 6 slide mechanism, a conduit 14 is defined between the internal surface 9 of the canopy means 4, the handle portion 2 and the chamber surface 10 of the spoon portion 3. To clean the apparatus 1, a user holds said apparatus 1 under a tap such that water is directed into and through the conduit 14 as shown in Figure 5, whereupon contents 11 which remain attached to the internal surface 9 of the canopy means 4 and the chamber surface 10 of the spoon portion 3 after a beverage making operation, are effectively and efficiently cleaned away.

Figure 6 describes a further example whereby the conduit 14 is provided with corresponding shaped waterways 15a, 15b and l5c formed in the handle portion 2, the internal surface 9 of the canopy means 4 and the chamber surface 10 of the spoon portion 3 respectively for aiding and directing the flow of -12 -water through the conduit 14 as described by Figure 5, for cleaning the apparatus 1. Figure 7 describes a further example where the internal surface 9 of the canopy means 4 and the chamber surface 10 of the spoon portion 3 are provided with scalloped channels 16a and 16b respectively.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 depict an exemplary embodiment of the invention where the canopy means 4 and the spoon portion 3 are provided with vane portions 18 which protrude from the internal surface 9 and the chamber surface 10 respectively, and external vane portions 17 which extend from the external surface 9a and the external chamber surface lOa. In the present example, each of the vane portions 18 and the external vane portions 17 have a substantially curved profile across their width to define entraining sides 17a and 18a. In the present example, both the external vane portions 17 and the vane portions 18 have a length substantially the same as that of the canopy means 4. Porous mesh portions 5 are disposed between each vane portion 18 and external vane portion 17 so as to permit the passage of liquid into and out of the infusion chamber 8. The external vane portions 17 are spaced about the external surface 9a and external chamber surface lOa so as to correspond to the location of vane portions 18 disposed around the internal surface 9 and the chamber surface 10. Arranged in this way, upon agitation or rotation (in the direction shown) of the apparatus 1 in a vessel containing water, water is directed by the entraining sides 17a of the external vane portions 17 through the mesh portions 5 disposed between each external vane portion 17 into the infusion chamber 8, whereupon the water is then further directed inside the infusion chamber 8 by the entraining sides 18a of vane portions 18 so as to encourage -13 -mixing and infusion of the water with contents 11.

Figure 11 describes a further preferred embodiment of the invention where, in addition to the vane portions 18 and external vane portions 17 having a curvature across their width defining entraining sides 18a and 17a respectively, said vane portions 17 and external vane portions 18 are also curved over their length so as to further enhance the entraining and mixing of water with the contents 11 of the infusion chamber 8 by directing the water in multiple directions, in this example, both across the width and the length of the infusion chamber 8.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 depict the beverage making apparatus 1 in its intended mode of operation: said apparatus 1 is grasped by the handle portion 2 by the hand of a user (see Figures 17 and 19), the user then opening the canopy means 4 by operation of the channel 6 and edge 7 slide mechanism and scooping a chosen contents e.g roasted ground coffee into the spoon portion 3. The canopy means 4 is then manually slid into its closed position, as shown in Figure 13, whereupon excess contents are scraped away by closure of the canopy means 4. The spoon portion 3 and canopy means 4 end of the apparatus 1 is then immersed into a vessel, preferably a cup containing hot water, whereupon the hot water passes through the porous mesh portions 5 to fill the infusion chamber 8 and mix with the roasted ground coffee contents 11. The user then rotates or agitates the apparatus 1 in the cup or vessel to effect enhanced mixing of water and contents 11 under operation of the entrairiing sides 17a and]. 8a as described in Figures 8,9,10 and 11. After completion of the beverage making operation, the used contents 11 are disposed of and -14 -the cleaning operation described under Figures 5,6 and 7 may be employed.

Figures 15 and 16 describe an alternative embodiment for the invention whereby the canopy means 4, in its open position, completely detaches from the handle portion 2. In its closed position, the canopy means 4 locates and is retained by a locking fitrnent 19 which is either of screw form, bayonet form or snap-fit, with a corresponding fitment 20 on the canopy means 4 to enable engagement therebetween. In its closed position, the spoon portion 3 is disposed entirely within the canopy means 4, said canopy means 4 then defining the boundary of the infusion chamber 8.

Figures 17 and 18 depict a preferred embodiment of the apparatus incorporating a hand operable pump 21 which comprises a push rod 22, a plunger 23 arrangement and a spring 24, wherein, upon the application of finger pressure to the push rod 22, said push rod 22 may be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 1 to a depressed position, whereupon release of pressure by the user, the spring 24 operates to return the push rod 22 to an uncompressed position. The plunger 23, which is fixed to the end of the push rod 22, displaces longitudinally upon action of the push rod 22, within a pumping chamber 25, which has an inlet 26 and is connected to the infusion chamber 8 via an outlet 27. The plunger 23 has a structure which provides a water seal with the pumping chamber 25 during movement to the depression position, and allows water to pass through or around said plunger 23 upon movement back to the uncompressed position. Upon immersion of the pumping chamber 25 and infusion chamber 8 in a cup of hot water, the pumping chamber -15 - becomes at least partially filled with hot water via the inlet 26. As first described above, the user then uses finger pressure to displace the push rod 22 and plunger 23 which has the effect of forcing the hot water into the infusion chamber 8 through said outlet 27. By this mode of operation, hot water is circulated through the infusion chamber 8 and through the contents 11 contained therein, thus promoting efficient and enhanced infusion.

Figure 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention which incorporates a quantity selection means 28, comprising a rotatable dial 29 marked with predefined fill quantities 30 such that the user can select a fill quantity 30 by rotation of the rotatable dial 29, which then varies the volume of the spoon portion 3.

Claims

-16 -Claims: 1. A beverage making apparatus, having a size and weight consistent with said apparatus being easily held by the hand of a user and at least partially immersed in a vessel containing a liquid, which comprises: a handle portion; a spoon portion; and a canopy means, operable between open and closed positions, where, in its closed position said canopy means and said spoon portion define an infusion chamber, characterized in that one or both of said spoon portion and said canopy means are provided with one or more porous mesh portions suitable for enabling liquid to pass therethrough in order to enter and exit the infusion chamber, and, one or more vane portions are disposed within said infusion chamber for assisting mixing of liquid with the contents of the infusion chamber upon agitation of the apparatus.
2. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle portion is provided with one or more channels which engage the canopy means and enable said canopy means to slide between open and closed positions.
3. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where the handle portion is provided with a mount for the canopy means which allows the canopy means to pivot about the mount between open and closed positions.

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4. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, where, in the open position, a conduit is defined between the canopy means and the handle portion, said conduit being shaped to direct liquid over the internal surface of the canopy means and the chamber surface of the spoon portion for the purpose of cleaning.
5. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in claim 4, where, to enhance efficient cleaning, the internal surface of the canopy means and the chamber surface of the spoon portion have complementary scallop shaping.
6. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in claim 1 to 5, where one or both of said canopy means and said spoon portion incorporate a vane portion which extends into the infusion chamber.
7. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, where the one or more vane portions are provided with an entraining side, and the one or more porous mesh portions of said canopy means and/or spoon portion extend along at least part of the length of the eritraining side of each vane portion.
8. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, where one or both of the canopy means or spoon portion are provided with one or more external vane portions to assist with eritraining liquid external to said apparatus into the infusion chamber through the one or more porous mesh portions.

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9. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, where the one or more external vane portions are provided with an entraining side, and the one or more porous mesh portions of said canopy means and/or spoon portion extend along at least part of the length of the entraining side of each external vane portion.
10. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, where the handle portion is provided with a hand operable pump for circulating liquid within the infusion chamber.
111. A beverage making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, where the beverage making apparatus is utilised for making cups of coffee beverage.
12. A beverage making apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.