Suspended Patents (Class 99/322)
  • Patent number: 11707752
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closable container of a mesh material having openings. When the container is closed, the openings are the only gaps in the container. The openings are no more than 150 microns in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Scooter Johnson
  • Patent number: 11547235
    Abstract: A beverage dripper includes a base portion, including a first tier having a first outer diameter and a second tier having a second outer diameter less than the first outer diameter. A content portion extends from the base portion. The content portion includes an inner surface, and a plurality of ribs protrude from the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sonus Engineered Solutions
    Inventors: Pal Molnar, Tim Droege
  • Patent number: 11213160
    Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus including a platform section having a plurality of attachment points for additional components. The platform is adapted to releasably secure in a wide variety of target beverage vessels. The additional components include, but are not limited to, a large volume filter means, a temperature regulator, or a gravity-fed brewer. The platform may also be incorporated into a vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel beverage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Tsigounis
  • Patent number: 11124405
    Abstract: A product dispenser is configured to dispense products subject to a warning and products not subject to a warning, the product dispenser further configured to transmit a product warning notice only in response to a request to dispense a product subject to the warning. In another embodiment, a product dispenser is configured to dispense a food or beverage product and provide information indicative of an attribute of the food or beverage product, such as nutrition facts, as it is being dispensed. In another embodiment, a product dispenser is configured to enable a user to request a customized product from the product dispenser, to determine a first profile for the customized product blend, compare the first profile to a second profile, and reformulate the customized product blend to a dispensed product blend comprising a third profile approximating the second idealized profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TransparenSee LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Kline, Denise Lisa Salvucci
  • Patent number: 10770269
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide various apparatus and methods for reducing particles in a semiconductor processing chamber. One embodiment of present disclosure provides a vacuum screen assembly disposed over a vacuum port to prevent particles generated by the vacuum pump from entering substrate processing regions. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a perforated chamber liner around a processing region of the substrate. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gas distributing chamber liner for distributing a cleaning gas around the substrate support under the substrate supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Bradley Howard, Shahid Rauf, Ajit Balakrishna, Tom K. Choi, Kenneth S. Collins, Anand Kumar, Michael D. Willwerth, Yogananda Sarode Vishwanath
  • Patent number: 10588448
    Abstract: A modular filter for a vacuum mug comprises a mug cap and at least one filter basket. The mug cap's bottom opening has a cylindrical shape whose outer wall is threaded. The filter basket comprises a cylindrical top plate, at least one vertical post, and a cylindrical bottom plate. The vertical posts are disposed equidistantly around the perimeter of the top and bottom plates. The cylindrical top plate, vertical posts, and cylindrical bottom plate are fused together to form a cylindrical cage structure. The gaps between said vertical posts are covered with stainless steel mesh screens. The top plate's inner wall is threaded for mating with the threads on the outer wall of the mug cap's bottom opening. The bottom plate comprises of top and bottom halves wherein the bottom half is inset and its outer wall is threaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 10390649
    Abstract: A diffuser for beverages comprising: a container, a cover, an outer diffuser body, an inner diffuser body and a diffuser cover. The container has a containment space with a main opening. The cover has a stepped assembly opening. The outer diffuser body has a cup-shaped body with a side opening. The inner diffuser body has a cup-shaped body corresponding to the outer diffuser body, and the inner diffuser body has a filtering portion with a plurality of filtering apertures and a plurality of positioning protrusions. by rotating the inner diffuser body, the positioning protrusion moves between the open end and the closed end of the rotation slot to control the filtering portion of the inner diffuser body to align with the side opening of the outer diffuser body or offset away from the side opening to connect or separate the container and the inner diffuser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: JIN HONG DA ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuan-Huei Lin
  • Patent number: 9901167
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a filter assembly adapted for use with a wide mouth carboy in the field of home brewing, and home brewing kits comprising the same. The filter assembly generally includes a carboy lid adapted to engage a fermentation carboy, a mesh filter tube extending from a bottom side of the carboy lid, wherein through an aperture of the lid and into the volume within the mesh filter tube is defined a mesh cavity. Materials can be introduced into the mesh cavity for brewing applications. An agitation probe forms part of the home brewing kit and is used for: (i) agitating the materials within the mesh cavity during a brewing process; (ii) pressing the materials to extract fluids therefrom; or (iii) a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Ryan Anderson
  • Patent number: 9392900
    Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ESPRO, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
  • Patent number: 9010238
    Abstract: A beverage maker which has an open top container, a filter insert and a lid. The lid comprises a lid lower part having a lower lid wall in which an insertion opening is configured for inserting the filter insert. In order to prevent liquid from pouring or squirting out of the container and in order to reduce heat losses, the lid lower part is sealingly held on the container, a pouring spout is configured in the lower lid wall and the lid comprises a closure for the pouring spout. The closure has a lever which is mounted above the lower lid wall to be swivelable about a horizontal axis. The lever has an actuation region in order to swivel the lever from a first position in which the closure closes the pouring spout to a second position in which the closure releases the pouring spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: PI-Design AG
    Inventor: Jørgen Bodum
  • Publication number: 20150053090
    Abstract: A portable cup lid for container or glass or cup or vessel beverages like tea, soups, herbal drinks etc from a container or cup or glass or vessels. The cup lid is designed into a single integrated piece comprising annular cover with D-shaped infuser basket and an ingesting receptacle reversibly attached to a disposable or a non-disposable container or glass or cup or vessel. The D-shaped infuser basket is for utilizing infusible bags or loose infusible materials. Where, D shaped infuser restricts fluid from contact with the infusible material in a tilted position Therefore, the particular assembly makes consuming of infusible, fluids hassle free, safe, disposable, portable and palatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: William Harold Berger
  • Publication number: 20140251153
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a lid structure including a lid having a bottom side provided with an opening and concavely provided with an assembly space corresponding in position to the opening and having a first threaded connection portion protrudingly provided on an inner wall of the lid and extending toward the opening; a gasket fitted around the outer periphery of the first threaded connection portion and protrudingly provided with a pulling tab which extends toward the opening; and a filter having a second threaded connection portion provided on a top side thereof and threadedly engageable with the first threaded connection portion. Thus, when it is desired to clean the lid, the user only has to rotate the filter to easily detach the filter from the lid and pull the pulling tab to rapidly remove the gasket from the lid for cleaning, without using any tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jung-Jung TIEN
  • Publication number: 20140251152
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a beverage container suitable for making cold or hot beverage, which includes a container body having an opening at a top side thereof and a first receiving space therein in communication with the opening and configured for receiving a cold or hot liquid, an outer lid being disposed at the top side of the container body for covering the opening, a filter having a second receiving space therein for receiving a brewing material and having a top side detachably connected to a bottom side of the outer lid, and an inner lid being detachably connected to the container body at a position corresponding to the top end of the first receiving space and having a primary and a secondary liquid guiding holes provided on two opposite lateral sides thereof respectively. The primary liquid guiding hole is larger than the secondary liquid guiding hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jung-Jung TIEN
  • Patent number: 8821953
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for decocting ingredients in a solvent. The apparatus including a container for containing the solvent, a recipient for containing the ingredients, the recipient being placed inside the container, a pipe connecting a bottom part of the container and a bottom part of the recipient, a pump placed in series with the pipe for circulating the solvent from the bottom part of the container to the bottom part of the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tao Wen, Gang Wang
  • Patent number: 8770097
    Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Espro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
  • Patent number: 8746131
    Abstract: A drip bag having a bag body and a holder which is formed from a sheet material and is adhered to the bag body. The holder is folded into two parts, a front surface and a rear surface, on a center fold line, and the center fold line overlaps a lateral side of the bag body. V-shaped fold lines bent in V-shapes and extending from the open edge of the drip bag toward the bottom direction thereof are formed in regions on the side of the center fold line of the front surface and the rear surface of the holder. In addition, overhanging parts, which have concave portions for hooking, are formed in a manner that allows them to be pulled open on both the left and right sides of the lower end of each of the front surface and the rear surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Saitoh, Naoko Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20140134311
    Abstract: The teabag holder is located in a lid for a tea brewing container. The string of the teabag passes through a hole in the soft, flexible material of the lid and holds it at any desired level so that it extends into the liquid in the container or is held above the liquid, or at any other desired position. The underside of the lid serves as a receptacle for liquid drained from a teabag placed therein. The sides of the lid can be squeezed together to squeeze the liquid from the teabag without touching the bag with the fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Ma Wing Hong
  • Publication number: 20130233178
    Abstract: A container is disclosed that comprises an outer vessel having an inner cavity, and an inner vessel having an inner cavity. The inner vessel and outer vessel are configured for receiving all or substantially all of the inner vessel through an opening in the outer vessel such that in operation, said opening of the inner vessel may be releasably positioned proximate the opening of the outer vessel. The container also includes a lid for releasably enclosing said inner vessel within said outer vessel. The outer container may be made from a material called TRITAN and the inner vessel may be made from glass. A seal may be provided between the top to the inner vessel and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Herling, Marc Heinke
  • Patent number: 8485089
    Abstract: A beverage maker that includes a container having a bottom wall, side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to foam a container cavity and a lid. The bottom wall includes a drain opening to enable liquid to drain from the container cavity. The lid is designed to be movable between an open and closed position. The lid forms a cover over a top of the container cavity. The lid includes a filter rib that extends partially into the container cavity when the lid is in a closed position. A drain plug is provided to control a flow of liquid through the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Innovation Direct LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Taylor, Doug Whitner, Brian Sokol, Brian Catlett
  • Patent number: 8468933
    Abstract: A galley drink preparation device (252) for the preparation of drinks on board an aircraft comprises a water supply device (360, 364) and at least one pot (10). In the pot (10) there is provided an inlet opening (40) for supplying water from the water supply device (360, 364) into the pot (10). Furthermore, the pot (10) has a receiving region (12) for receiving the drink to be prepared in the galley drink preparation device (252). Additionally present in the pot (10) is a holding device (22) which is arranged, in relation to a flow direction of the water supplied to the pot (10) by the water supply device (360, 364), downstream of the inlet opening (40) and is adapted to receive a coffee pad (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Koschberg, Marco Mundt
  • Patent number: 8464633
    Abstract: A supplement dispensing closure couplable to an outlet of a container, such as a water container. When the closure is coupled to the container, liquid exiting the container through the outlet flows through a supplement retention area that retains a dissolvable supplement body inside the closure as the liquid flows therethrough and dissolves the dissolvable supplement body. A user may select one or more dissolvable supplement bodies and insert them inside the supplement retention area for dissolution in the liquid as it flows through the supplement retention area. The closure may include a selectively openable and closable cap portion. Optionally, the closure includes a filter configured to filter one or more components from the liquid before or after it flows through the supplement retention area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nutra-Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky L. Anson, Rebecca Anson
  • Patent number: 8443719
    Abstract: A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of the beverage container. At least one of the bottom and side sections is liquid permeable, and the bottom section and side section are separately or collectively capable of retaining ice pieces when the strainer is in the container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel W. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8424448
    Abstract: A beverage apparatus has a portable liquid container having a ledge detail within a top open end; a removable infuser with an annular support flange; and a gasket about the infuser below the annular support flange, where in use the gasket forms a seal with the container ledge detail and the infuser body, and further spaces the infuser annular support flange from the container ledge detail to define a liquid access gap. At least one vertical channel is defined through the gasket to communicate liquid through the gasket between the liquid container and the liquid access gap. A support base has an opening to receive and hold a bottom end of the portable liquid container and a heating element to heat liquid within the portable container when the container bottom end is inserted within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ram Industrial Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Englert, M. Bianca Leigh, Carlos A. Suarez
  • Patent number: 8307755
    Abstract: A container with an improved structure includes a body having an opening. The opening is covered with a cover. The bottom of the cover has a first assembly part. A supporting base is accommodated inside the body. One end of the supporting base has a second assembly part to hang on the first assembly part. The other end of the supporting base has a connecting part for connecting with an infusion object. When the supporting base is hung on the first assembly part using its second assembly part, the supporting base can be shaken with a force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Tzu-Yuan Shen
  • Publication number: 20120279398
    Abstract: An improved tea cup apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a fluid substance and a device to add lose tea or a tea bag in a cup. The apparatus preferably comprises of a built in cup with handle, tea storage and lid. This apparatus combined with a tea infuser is to allow the accessibility to mix water and tea in a cup. The first cylinder section is a cup in which fluid is stored and brewed. The second is a built in infuser for infusing tea into the cup. This devise is designed for the convenience of brewing tea in two step process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: NANTEC, LLC.
    Inventors: Nancy Sproul, Michael Aten
  • Patent number: 8245629
    Abstract: A liquid infusing and flavoring device for the infusing and/or flavoring of liquids. The liquid infusing and flavoring device includes an inlet passage connectable to a liquid (typically beer) to allow liquid to flow into the liquid infusing and flavoring device. An outlet passage allows the liquid to flow out of the liquid infusing and flavoring device and which the outlet passage is connectable to the inlet portion of a liquid dispensing tap. The liquid infusing and flavoring device has a container that houses the infusing and/or flavoring substance. The container is in selective fluid communication ith the with the inlet and outlet passages. In order to allow the liquid to pass through the liquid infusing and flavoring device, there is situated between the inlet and outlet passages a three way valve operable between a non-infusing-flavoring mode and an infusing-flavoring mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: C Little Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Christoph John Little
  • Patent number: 8225711
    Abstract: This invention fresh brews a single cup of coffee or other hot beverage without measuring, preparation or cleanup and without the need for stand-alone coffee-making devices. It can be dispensed individually from existing vending machines in remote areas or purchased in multi-packs for home or workplace use. The invention stores the ingredients, fresh brews the beverage, becomes a travel mug for consumption, and is disposable. The consumer places the invention in a microwave oven to heat the self-contained water to the proper brewing temperature. The heated water “melts away” or splits the temperature-sensitive membrane, enters the brewing chamber, seeps through the charge of beverage making material, and drips into the outer cup. When the brewing is done the consumer shakes the container to mix the enclosed ingredients, pops open the lid, and enjoys a freshly brewed single serving of hot beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Andre
  • Patent number: 8205542
    Abstract: An integrated beverage infuser and lid are adapted for use with an insulated drinking vessel for brewing a consumable product, such as tea, in an insulated travel mug, tumbler, or the like. The lid includes a main body adapted for movable receipt on a drinking vessel that forms a downwardly directed, open-ended cavity. A fluid-permeable brewing basket defines an enclosable receptacle for removable receipt of the brewing consumable product. The basket is movable between a stowed position, substantially within the cavity above the liquid level of the hot water in the tumbler, and a deployed position, below and substantially outside of the cavity for submersion in the hot water contained in the drinking vessel. A lever arm forms a part of the transfer mechanism and has a portion that penetrates the main body to the outside thereof so that the transfer mechanism can be operated by an individual without removing the lid from the insulated drinking vessel, tumbler, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler Sean Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8146486
    Abstract: Provided is a dripper that is light-weight and deformable into an arbitrary shape to be stored compactly and that enables coffee extraction irrespective of the existence of a filter. Provided is a dripper 1 for extracting coffee, including: a filter portion 10 that is formed from fabric with permeability and that includes an opening 11 through which coffee powder can be added and a receiving portion 12 that receives the coffee powder added through the opening 11; and a frame 50 that is made of an super-elastic alloy and can define the respective shapes of the opening 11 and the receiving portion 12 in the filter portion 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mont-Bell Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 8096230
    Abstract: A portable beverage preparation device comprising a drink container containing a predetermined volume of a potable base liquid, at least one beverage preparation of a predetermined quantity; at least one sealed compartment for confining the beverage preparation, and a dispenser means for dispersing the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid within the drink container; wherein the drink container and the at least one sealed compartment are in close physical proximity to each other and separated by at least one thin membrane which, when inwardly perforated by the dispenser means, disperses the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid to make a beverage ready to drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Shalom Levin
  • Publication number: 20110250332
    Abstract: A tea kettle and related methods for preparing an optimally flavored hot tea. The tea kettle is capable of heating water for steeping tea leaves and steeping the packaged or loose leaf tea leaves within the tea kettle. The tea kettle can include an integrated heating element for heating the water. The tea kettle includes an integrated thermometer and can include an integrated timer for tracking the water temperature and steep time respectively so as to insure that the tea leaves steep at the proper temperature and duration of time. The tea kettle can include a detachable mesh infuser that attaches to a lid of the tea kettle for holding tea leaves during steeping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Richard L. Geissler
  • Patent number: 7980168
    Abstract: A process for making a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea, includes placing ground coffee or tea into a filter, inserting the filter into a filter basket to support the filter with respect to a reservoir that is to receive a brewed beverage; introducing water into the filter; and repeatedly deforming the filter to alter its shape as water passes through the filter and ground coffee or tea en route to the reservoir. A device for making a hot beverage includes a drive and a filter basket. The filter basket defines a filter basket chamber for receiving an associated filter. The filter basket includes a movable component operably connected to the drive and movable for deforming the associated filter. The movable component is operable between a first operating position where the filter chamber has a first dimension and a second operating position where the filter chamber has a second dimension that is smaller than the first dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Scott D. Maurer
  • Patent number: 7963213
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage is provided. The apparatus may comprise a frame having a base, a top, front and back sides, and right and left sides; a beverage chamber disposed inside the frame; a heating element connected to the frame; a cooling element disposed inside the frame between the beverage chamber and the frame; a gas valve connected to the frame and penetrating the frame to extend into the beverage chamber; and a spigot connected to the frame, the spigot having a channel contiguous with the beverage chamber for emptying the contents of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Caulter Murdock
  • Patent number: 7913867
    Abstract: A lid for a cup which provides for use of a beverage bag unit comprising a beverage bag and a drawstring connected to the beverage bag, the lid comprising: a flange for attachment to a cup; and a body unit comprising a body section including an aperture through which the drawstring is slideable, and at least one wing member operable to allow a user to squeeze and/or hold the beverage bag when in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Phillips
  • Patent number: 7895939
    Abstract: A tea flask has a body, a sleeve, a strainer and a lid. The sleeve of the tea flask is mounted sealably on the body, the strainer is mounted in the sleeve, and the lid is mounted sealably on the sleeve to cover the strainer. When using the tea flask, the lid is removed from the sleeve, tealeaves are added to the strainer, and hot water is poured into the body. The lid is mounted on the sleeve of the tea flask. Then, the tea flask is inverted to let the tealeaves steep in the hot water. Seals on the sleeve and lid of the tea flask prevent hot water from leaking out the body. When ready, lid attached to the strainer is removed and tea is poured. This is more hygienic, ensures better taste since the tealeaves do not become stewed and prevent the strainer scalding or burning people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Chih-Teng Pan
  • Patent number: 7856922
    Abstract: A beverage brewer, adapted to discharge fresh extractable ingredients to a liquid receiving container there below including a brewing cup having an open top and having a liquid pervious bottom, adapted for holding a quantity of an infusible material for a certain time limit to allow a stirring action before dispensing the brewed beverage there from into the liquid receiving container, at least one sheet of filter element sealed along a perimeter of a bottom base of the brewing cup by a non-toxic meltable substance and thereby sealed unto the bottom base of the brewing cup, a plurality of perforations formed in the bottom base of the brewing cup wherein each of the perforations has an area of at least about 25 millimeters square and where the perforations are separated from each other by at least about 2 millimeters, at least one concave shape vent disposed on a lower part of an outer wall of the brewing cup and configured to allow escape of steam from the liquid receiving container during brewing, and a sit-o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Eddy Tjen
  • Patent number: 7849784
    Abstract: A coffee or tea filtering press includes a hollow cylinder having top and bottom openings, a perforated removable cap which encloses the bottom opening, a removable piston which is inserted into said top opening and pressed downward to force liquid in the cylinder through the perforated cap, and a support to hold the press above the mouth of an open vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Alan J. Adler
  • Patent number: 7806044
    Abstract: A lid (10) is taught for use with a cup to brew tea using a tea bag which incorporates a lid body (24) having an access opening (26) therein and apertures (28) located through the body for drinking tea from the lid. A resilient stopper (38) is disposed within the access opening in the lid, holding the tea bag string (36) between the stopper and the access opening, permitting the tea bag (22) to be initially immersed in hot water within the cup for brewing with the capability of retaining the tea bag string when the tea bag is manually drawn upward away from the tea after brewing. The invention allows brewed tea to be consumed through the lid body without of removing the tea bag until any time after drinking the brewed tea. A lip seal (46) is disposed around the lid body for gripping an inside diameter of the cup while maintaining a firm grasp on the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 7793585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one contact volume connectable with at least one target volume, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume being separated by at least one filter arrangement, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume defining at least one predefined flow path through filter arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Columbus E. ApS
    Inventors: Ulrik Skovgaard Rasmussen, Werner Schulz
  • Patent number: 7779751
    Abstract: An integrated beverage infuser and lid are adapted for use with an insulated drinking vessel for brewing a consumable product, such as tea, in an insulated travel mug, tumbler, or the like. The lid includes a main body adapted for movable receipt on a drinking vessel that forms a downwardly directed, open-ended cavity. A fluid-permeable brewing basket defines an enclosable receptacle for removable receipt of the brewing consumable product. The basket is movable between a stowed position, substantially within the cavity above the liquid level of the hot water in the tumbler, and a deployed position, below and substantially outside of the cavity for submersion in the hot water contained in the drinking vessel. A lever arm forms a part of the transfer mechanism and has a portion that penetrates the main body to the outside thereof so that the transfer mechanism can be operated by an individual without removing the lid from the insulated drinking vessel, tumbler, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Sean Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7762181
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a customized nutritional serving is made up of ingredients stored within a device incorporating the system. The device has a controller in whose memory is stored an inventory of the ingredients available in the device, their compositions and properties and customer profile data. The controller is programmed to formulate a serving which best matches the customized serving selected by the customer within constraints set by the programming taking into account the inventory of ingredients and the health profile of the customer. The customer is then presented with the selected serving and either accepts it or modifies it. The device is then programmed to prepare and dispense the final selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Boland, Steven John Haylock, Peter Aaron Munro, David Lionel James Alexander, Abby Kerrin Thompson, Richard Archer
  • Publication number: 20090193979
    Abstract: A tea pot comprises a receptacle having a pouring device at a first side and a handle on a second side opposite to the first side with the pouring device. A water filling aperture is provided at the top of the receptacle, which aperture defines a recessed circumferential lip. a lid is provided for closing said water filling aperture. A tea filter for the tea pot comprises a perforated cylindrical container of a cross sectional shape substantially the same as that of the water filling aperture, the filter being insertable into the teapot through the water filling aperture thereof. A circumferential flange is located at the upper part of the tea filter which is adapted to sit on the circumferential lip when the tea filter is inserted into the receptacle of the tea pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: David Richard Birch
  • Patent number: 7464637
    Abstract: An insulated pot (10) is taught that is used for brewing coffee or tea which incorporates a container (20) with a handle (22) and a top opening (20?). A top covering member (30), including a pouring spout (32), is removably affixed within the top opening of the container. The top covering member is formed with a crescent shaped opening (34) leaving a double circular segment gap (36) adjacent to crescent shaped opening. A pivotal lid (44) is attached to the top covering member and a removable crescent shaped basket (56) is disposed within the crescent shaped opening. The invention the lid to be hinged open and coffee grounds or tea leafs may be placed in the basket with hot water poured over thereby infusing into a beverage. The brewed coffee or tea accumulates beneath the basket in the pot and when poured from the spout the beverage flows through the double circular segment gap without touching the spent grounds or leafs in the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 7461587
    Abstract: A beverage cup assembly, including: a cup; a lid at a top of the cup; a wire mesh filter assembly adjacent to the lid; and a receptacle receivable around the filter assembly comprising a one-way valve permitting fluid to flow from the receptacle into the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Victor Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20080282900
    Abstract: A lid structure includes a lower lid slightly flared at the upper fringe, and having an engagement flange formed around it with a claw provided on its upper edge. A cutting tube of an upper lid is extended down from the center of the upper lid and inserted into the lower lid. The bottom of the cutting tube is also tilted. A detent is formed on the inner surface at the lower end of the upper lid to engage with the claw of the engagement flange so as to couple tightly the two lids. Several gaskets are provided around the inner side wall of the upper lid. An infusion drink material is filled into the cutting tube of the upper lid, and a film is used to seal the bottom of the lower lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Po-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 7318374
    Abstract: A beverage filter assembly, including a frame having a plurality of openings passing therethrough; and a wire cloth filter disposed within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Victor Guerrero
  • Patent number: 7219600
    Abstract: An automatic system for removing tea from a teapot is disclosed. The present invention incorporates the use of a timing mechanism, a release mechanism and an infuser mechanism to automatically remove the tea from hot water. The timing mechanism is user set and controls the length of time the tea is steeped in hot water. The infuser mechanism comprises a filter element that holds the tea in contact with the hot water and a counterbalance that rotates the filter element out of the water when released and the release mechanism that releases the infuser mechanism when the time has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Tea Spot, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Haven, Brian Richardson, Daniel Blaugrund, Charles Richard Lewis, Jr., Maria Uspenski, Karen A. des Jardins
  • Patent number: 7128934
    Abstract: A support-equipped extracting bag for a drink, for example coffee, comprises an extracting bag member 2 containing therein a drink material to be extracted and having a front face section 2a and back face section 2b each comprising a filtering sheet; and a support member 3 attached to the bag member and covering an upper half portion of the bag member, to hygienically keep a top end of the bag member to be opened during storage and to enable the bag member to be stably and safely held in a cup, wherein the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member can be opened by removing the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member along cut lines 8 and 9 or vacant area 10 or 11 and a row of perforations 13 formed through the support and bag members, and by bending the right and left side upper portions of the support member inward along folds or dotted cuts 14 and 15 formed in the right and left side upper portions of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Key Coffee, Inc., Yamanaka Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Ohta, Kaichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7051648
    Abstract: A device for making a beverage, such as tea, in a container, such as a standard two liter bottle. The device has a bag for holding a beverage component, and a securing device for securing the bag in the container. The device also has either a planar element for holding or suspending the device in the container, a supplemental attachment device for attaching a bag to a supplemental bag in series, or a rigid frame where the bag is disposed inside the rigid frame. The container has an opening and the bag is adapted to be inserted through and removed from the opening without the bag contacting the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Matthew A. Fenaroli
  • Patent number: 7032507
    Abstract: Device and method for brewing coffee comprises a body connected to a container for allowing the formation of a dispersion of flavor-containing materials and liquid and the extraction of the flavor-containing materials to produce a liquid extraction, a porous filter connected to the body and having a first surface for contacting the dispersion, filtration openings for allowing the liquid extraction in the dispersion to pass through but blocking the flavor-containing materials and a second surface for receiving the liquid extraction, and a flow facilitator having a selective opening adapted to allow air to pass through but restrict the flavor-containing materials from passing through. The body and porous filter are adapted to allow the container to be tilted to generate a liquid head to act on the first surface of porous filter to drive the liquid extraction through the porous filter to produce a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Z. Cai