US3403618A - Teabag dipper - Google Patents

Description

TEABAG DIPPER Filed March 13, 1967 FIG. 4

26 20 INVENTOR Z4 JEEP) IV. Z1466 ATTORNEY$ United States Patent 3,403,618 TEABAG DIPPER Jerry W. Lagg, 15246 Collingham Drive, Detroit, Mich. 48205 Filed Mar. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 622,522 3 Claims. (Cl. 99-321) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A teabag dipper in the form of a saucer for a teacup combined with a receptacle and provided with an arm to which is attached a teabag which, by rotation of a crank mounted upon the arm, can be transferred from a position whereby the teabag is dipped into the water in the teacup to a position whereby the teabag is dumped into the receptacle for disposal.

Background of the invention The present invention is concerned with a device which is especially useful in the preparation of beverages by means of an infusion type bag containing material adapted to be infused in hot water, such as tea, coffee or the like. Such material is often purchased contained in a package or bag provided with a retrieving string which permits dipping the package or bag in a vessel filled with hot water for infusion of the beverage by transfer of the aromatic and flavor giving elements of the material through the walls of the bag to an infused state in the beverage. The retrieving string may be conveniently fastened outside of the vessel containing the hot water, such vessel being generally in the form of a cup or of a pot. The present invention has particular usefulness in cooperation with a cup filled with hot water and permits dipping the infusion type package or bag by simple mechanical means comprising a pivotable arm to which the retrieving string of the bag may be securely fastened and which permits, in one position, the bag to be suspended within the hot water for any appropriate duration without holding the string with the fingers or without securing the end of the string to the outside of the cup for the purpose of preventing the string from falling into the cup of hot water. When the beverage has been infused for an appropriate period of time, the invention provides for pivoting the said arm from its position above the cup to a position above an open receptacle built in the cup saucer, for removal of the bag from the beverage and for dropping the bag in the receptacle in a convenient and sanitary manner, without running the risk of scalding the fingers as a result of contact with the hot beverage. If it is desired to further infuse the beverage, or if it is desired to use the material in the bag for infusion of a subsequent cup of beverage, the arm is pivoted so as to transfer the bag from the open receptacle to a position whereby the bag again is dipped into the cup of hot water.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the detailed description of an example of practical embodiment of the invention is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of embodiment of a teabag dipper according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the teabag dipper of FIG. 1, with the teabag support arm in the position whereby the bag is dipped in a cup filled with hot water;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the teabag dipper with the teabag support arm positioned for disposal of the teabag; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view thereof.

3,403,618 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings, a teabag dipper, or the like, according to the example thereof herein illustrated, comprises a saucer portion 10 for a conventional cup 12. The saucer portion 10 is dished, in the usual manner, as shown at 14, such dished portion being provided with a fiat bottom surface, not shown, adapted to support the bottom of the cup 12. The saucer 16 is substantially elongated in shape and has a projecting portion 16 forming the bottom wall 18, best seen in FIGS. 2-3, of an open receptacle 20 having sidewalls 22 and 24 substantially flat and parallel to each other, andend walls 26 and 28. End wall 26 is also substantially flat and is exteriorly disposed, while inner end wall 28 is proximate to the cup 12 and is preferably arcuate, as shown, so as to substantially conform to the shape of the cup which is generally circular, when seen from the top.

A teabag support, generally designated at 30, comprises, as shown, a shaft portion 32 adapted to journal through a sidewall of receptacle 20, for example through a sidewall 24 thereof, as shown at 34. Shaft portion 32 of teabag support 30 is provided on one end with a crank portion 36 exteriorly to the receptacle 20 and with an arm portion 38 on the other end thereof. Arm portion 38 has a bent over end portion 40 projecting inwardly above the receptacle 20, when oriented in the position shown in FIG. 3, and over the top of cup 12, when oriented in the position shown in FIG. 2. End portion 40 of arm 38 may preferably be provided, as shown, with a clip-like integral portion 42.

The operation of the present invention is apparent from the hereinbefore description of an example thereof. Cup 12, normally filled with an adequate amount of hot water, is placed in its appropriate position on saucer 10, a teabag 46, or a package or bag containing coffee or any other infusion material or herb, is attached by means of its retrieving string 44 to the bent over projecting end portion 40 of arm 38. By way of appropriate manipulation of handle or crank 30, arm 38 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 2 whereby arm 38 normally engages the upper edge of cup 12 with bag 46 being submerged in the liquid, such as hot water, filling the cup. After a time suflicient to insure proper infusion of the beverage in cup 12 with the appropriate aroma and flavor of the material contained in bag 46, by manipulation of handle or crank 36, arm 38 is pivoted to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 whereby the bag 46 is disposed within the receptacle 22. In this manner, any dripping from bag 46, now saturated with liquid, is caught within receptacle 20, and if it is desired to prepare another cup of beverage, the same bag 46, which generally contains enough aroma and flavor dispensing material therein for at least one additional cup of beverage, may be used by repeating the precedently explained manipulation of crank or handle 36. With the arrangement shown, it is not necessary to tie by means of a knot the retrieving string 44 to bent over projecting end portion 40 of arm 38. The retrieving string may be simply pulled between the engaging surfaces of clip portion 42 of bent over projecting end portion 40 of the teabag holder 30, and the bag 46 may be disposed of by simply pulling the retrieving string 44 in an opposite direction so as to disengage it from the clip portion 42. It is evident that receptacle 22 may be used not only for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned but also it may be used to hold used teabags, or the like, and cigarette ashes and other refuses.

It is obvious that the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention has been given for illustrative purpose only, the scope of the invention being indicated by 3 p the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning thereof.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In combination with a cup a dipper for a bag containing material for infusion beverage and the like, said bag being provided with a retrieving string, said dipper comprising: a saucer for said cup, an open receptacle on said saucer disposed proximate said cup and, a support adapted to transfer said bag from a position whereby said bag is dipped in said cup to a position whereby said bag is placed in said receptacle for disposal of said bag.

2. The dipper of claim 1 wherein said bag support comprises a shaft adapted to journal through a side of said receptacle, a crank on one end of said shaft exteriorly to said receptacle, an arm on the other end of said shaft with a portion extending inwardly of said receptacle and 5 above said receptacle for att aching ,said bag retrieving string thereto.

" 3. The dipper of claim 2 wherein said bag'sup'port further comprises a clip-like portion on the portion of said arm extending inwardly for holding said bag retrieving string.

I References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner.

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