Patents Assigned to Espire Incorporated
  • Patent number: 6374726
    Abstract: A lid for covering an associated beverage container. The lid attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a central opening with an optional well portion. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the opening into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A removable paper inner cover is also provided that seats within the central opening. The paper inner cover snaps into the central opening either alone or over and covering the well portion. The removable paper inner cover may be printed with high quality graphics and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton
  • Patent number: 6314866
    Abstract: A lid for covering an associated beverage container has a separate cover piece with an infuser unit attached to the cover piece. The lid attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a central opening. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the opening into the associated container. The cover piece with the infuser unit is placed over the central opening of the lid. Heated water in the beverage container then circulates between the inside and outside of the infuser unit to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. The cover piece can be made of paper and printed with graphics and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton
  • Patent number: 6269736
    Abstract: A disposable infuser for brewing beverages within an associated container. The infuser includes a centrally located well portion for receiving a charge of particulate flavoring material, like tea leaves. The well includes a filter portion which has a plurality of openings. The openings are formed without scrap “flash” or waste by shearing a tab or flap of material away from the filter portion of the well or piercing the filter portion of the well with a needle-shaped or knife-shaped protrusion in the mold. The resulting tabs or punctures serve to keep the particulate flavoring material out of the brewed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton
  • Patent number: 6202542
    Abstract: An infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container. The infuser unit attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a well portion for receiving and holding a charge of flavoring material. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the well portion into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A cover for the infuser unit is also provided that seats within the top of the well and forms a trough on its reverse side to collect excess liquid from the well after the infuser unit is removed from the associated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton
  • Patent number: 5913964
    Abstract: An infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container. The infuser unit attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a well portion for receiving and holding a charge of flavoring material. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the well portion into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A cover for the infuser unit is also provided that seats within the top of the well and forms a trough on its reverse side to collect excess liquid from the well after the infuser unit is removed from the associated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton