DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infusion apparatus. The said present invention is related to a cup-shaped apparatus comprising material for infusion and dispensing the infused liquid. The present invention further relates to a method by which the infusion apparatus operates and delivers a dose of the infused liquid. Such an infusion apparatus, for example, can be used in the medical industry or food industry, chemical industry, for domestic or household use, personal or oral care applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Solvent extraction of an infusible material typically involves the removal of one or more of the extractable constituents of an infusible material, by contact with a solvent, to form an extract. In extractions in general, a suitable solvent material may be mixed with an infusible material, resulting in a mixture of an extract and the infusible material, after extraction has taken place. An exemplary common type of extraction is the extraction of constituents from infusible plant-based materials using water, and particularly hot water, as a solvent, to form a mixture of a substantially aqueous extract and the infusible plant-based material, after extraction has taken place.

There are various input parameters that affect the process of extraction. Such parameters may be associated with the characteristics of the infusible material alone, which is independent of the solvent extraction apparatus. The well-known exemplary characteristics of the infusible material in particular include the quantity of the infusible material, the time for which the infusible material is soaked, the size of the particle, and particle size distribution of the infusible material.

US20100263549A1 discloses an infusing apparatus more particularly, a beverage container with an integrated tea and/or herb infusing apparatus that includes a container, a perforated infusion element configured to be positioned in the container, and an actuator including an activating member and also an actuator body. The activating member is accessible from outside the interior space and rotatably coupled with respect to the container, and the actuator body is rotatably coupled to the infusion element. The rotation of the actuator body with respect to the container lowers and raises the infusion element with respect to the container to selectively begin and cease an infusion process and consume the resulting beverage without having to remove the herbs or tea placed in the infusion element. The disclosed infusing apparatus comprises multiple components thus rendering assemblage and usage of the apparatus cumbersome.

US20090206084A1 discloses a liquid container comprising a plurality of sealed additive chambers in communication with a vessel tiltable and fillable with a liquid. The additive chambers independently comprise selected additives that may be added to a liquid in the container at the option of the user. The user can manually open the additive chambers of their choice and release the additive into a liquid in the vessel without destroying the integrity of the container. A major drawback is that the additive is released in entirety into the container.

US7740134B2 discloses an infusion cap for a bottle having a threaded neck wherein the infusion cap is screwed onto the threaded neck. The said infusion cap comprises a locking tab. Upon removal of the locking tab, a portion of the cap is pressed towards the bottle to discharge an infusion substance into the bottle. One of the embodiments discloses rotation of the cap on the threaded neck instead of pushing against the cap to discharge a substance to be infused from the cap, into the bottle. This process takes place without removing the cap from the bottle. However, the major drawback is that the substance is released in entirety into the bottle.

The present invention seeks to provide a novel apparatus for infusion, and a method by which the infusion apparatus provides the infused liquid is described.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel infusion apparatus comprising of a cup-shaped apparatus, a top cap, and a container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method by which the said infusion apparatus provides a desired volume of dosing of the infused liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient, multi-purpose infusion apparatus that allows a user to store and use an infused liquid.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the infusion apparatus (1) comprises a cup-shaped apparatus (4) wherein, it further includes a channel (6) present within the cup-shaped apparatus (4). The said channel (6) of the cup-shaped apparatus (4) further comprises at least one nozzle (7) which is present at the top of the channel (6) and internally in the said cup-shaped apparatus (4). A top cap (8) is operably connected to the said cup-shaped apparatus (4), and further comprises a nozzle (9) for expelling the infused liquid out of the container (2).

The cup-shaped apparatus (4) can be internally connected with the container (2).

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the infusion apparatus (1) comprises a container (2) having an interior cavity (3) for holding a liquid (10) prior to infusion and a cup-shaped apparatus (4) in removable association with the container (2), which further comprises a material meant for the purpose of the infusion. The said cup-shaped apparatus (4) is operably connected to the mouth of the container (2).

The said cup-shaped apparatus (4) is operably connected to the mouth of the container (2) by means of screw-on or welding or snap-fit or ultrasonically combinations thereof.

In accordance with one of the embodiments, the top cap can be as shown in FIG. 1 (8a), FIG. 2 (8b), FIG. 4, FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b (8c), FIG. 6, FIG. 7a, and FIG. 7b (8d), and the nozzle present therein can be as shown in FIG. 1 (9a), FIG. 2 (9b), FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b (9c), FIG. 6 (9d).

The said nozzle (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) can be positioned anywhere on the circular configuration of the said top cap (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d). There is also a provision on the flip portion of the top cap (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) that allows the user to flip open the top cap (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing the infused liquid with the aid of the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) of the said infusion apparatus (1) is provided. In accordance with the method, an user orients the said infusion apparatus (1) in a top-down position, holding in the same position until a desired volume of liquid (10) is dispensed, permitting the cup-shaped apparatus (4) to be filled with the liquid (10) through the channel (6) provided in the said cup-shaped apparatus (4), and upon allowing the infusion apparatus (1) to come back to its up-right position, the material (5) is allowed to get infused with the said liquid (10) till the next dose of dispensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric and front view of the assembly of the infusion apparatus according to the representative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the infusion apparatus along with a container (2a) according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3a is an isometric view of a diaphragm (11), wherein the diaphragm consists of aperture (17a) according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3b is an isometric view of a diaphragm (11), wherein the diaphragm consists of aperture (17b) according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3c is an isometric view of a diaphragm (12), wherein the diaphragm consists of apertures (18) according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the infusion apparatus along with a dip tube (20), according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5a is an exploded view of the infusion apparatus along with a plug (4a), according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5b is a front view of the assembled infusion apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the infusion apparatus along with a cup-shaped apparatus (4b), and a top cap (8d) according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7a is an isometric view of the assembled infusion apparatus along with a rotary valve (23), wherein the rotary valve is in a closed position according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7b is an isometric view of the assembled infusion apparatus along with a rotary valve (23), wherein the rotary valve is in an open position according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Various embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that features described or illustrated in connection with one example embodiment can be combined with the features of other example embodiments without generalization from the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the infusion apparatus (1) comprises of a container (2), a cup-shaped apparatus (4) and a top cap (8a) operably connected to the said cup-shaped apparatus (4). The said container (2) for containing a liquid (10) preferably takes the shape of the bottle having side wall portions (16), a neck portion (15) extending from the said side wall portions (16), and a base (14) on which the container (2) rests when in a typically operating or storage position.

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention also discloses an infusion apparatus (1) as shown in FIG. 2, comprising a container (2a) that further comprises a finger gripping portion (19), a top cap (8b) operably connected to the said cup-shaped apparatus (4). The said finger gripping portion (19) helps the user to easily grip the container (2a) and dispense the infused liquid.

As shown in FIG. 3a, Fig. 3b and FIG. 3c, the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) further comprises a diaphragm (11 or 12) that is removably placed inside the said cup-shaped apparatus (4). The said diaphragm (11 or 12) acts a separator, wherein the infused material is separated by means of the said diaphragm (11 or 12).

According to another embodiment, the diaphragm (11) as shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, comprises at least one aperture (17a, 17b), wherein, the aperture (17a) can be positioned at the centre of the diaphragm (11) or the aperture (17b) can be positioned towards the circumference of the diaphragm (11). The diaphragm (12) according to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 3c comprises at least one aperture (18).

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention also deals with a method by which the infused liquid flows through the said diaphragm (11 or 12) while being operated by the user. Herein, after tilting the said container (2), the infused liquid flows through the aperture of the diaphragm (11 or 12), or flows through the provided aperture means, and is expelled out of the container (2) through the nozzle (9a of FIG. 1, 9b of FIG. 2, 9c of FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, and 9d of FIG. 6) of the top cap (8a of FIG. 1, 8b of FIG. 2, and 8c of FIG. 4, FIG. 5a and FIG.5b, and 8d of FIG. 6, FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b).

While it will be understood that the present invention may be utilized in different ways, a description will now be given of the presently preferred usage of the infusion apparatus (1). The cup-shaped apparatus (4) which is operably connected to the said container (2), comprises a material (5) that is intended to be infused with the liquid (10) flown from the said container (2) into the said cup-shaped apparatus (4).

According to an embodiment, a method of dispensing the infused liquid with an infusion apparatus (1) according to the present invention is shown. The infusion apparatus (1) is first oriented in a top-down position. The said infusion apparatus (1) is held in the said position until a desire volume of the liquid (10) enters into the said cup-shaped apparatus (4). The said liquid (10) from the said container (2) moves through the said channel (6) which internally connects the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) with the said container (2). The said channel (6) further comprises at least one nozzle (7) which is present internally in the cup-shaped apparatus (4) through which the liquid (10) enters into the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) from the said container (2). A diaphragm (11 or 12) which is removably placed inside the said cup-shaped apparatus (4), controls the flow of the liquid (10) into the cup-shaped apparatus for infusion of the material (5) that also acts as a separator. The said infusion apparatus (1) is held in the said top-down position until a desired volume of the liquid is dispensed through the said top cap (8a of FIG. 1, 8b of FIG. 2, and 8c of FIG. 4, FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b), that is operably connected to the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) through the nozzle (9a of FIG. 1, 9b of FIG. 2, 9c of FIG. 5a, and FIG.5b, and 9d of FIG. 6), allowing the said infused liquid to expel out of the said container (2). Once the desired volume of liquid is dispensed while the said infusion apparatus (1) is held in the same position, it permits the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) to be filled again with the liquid (10) from the said container (2) through the said channel (6). Again, by allowing the infusion apparatus (1) to return to its original up-right position, it permits the material (5) to get infused with the liquid (10) until the next dose of dispensing.

According to another embodiment, the apparatus may be constructed of various forms and types of flexible material such as for example plastic, nylon and synthetic rubber.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the contents of the bottle-shaped container (2) are primarily dispensed with the aid of a cup-shaped apparatus (4), wherein the said container can be of any desired shape.

According to yet another embodiment, the top cap (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) and the cup-shaped apparatus (4) can be welded, or snap fitted or screwed onto the container.

According to yet another embodiment, the container can be opaque or transparent in nature.

According to another embodiment, the container as shown in FIG. 4, may also comprise a dip tube (20) extending from the nozzle of the cup-shaped apparatus (4a) to the inside of the container.

According to another embodiment, the infusion apparatus as shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, comprises a plug (4a) and a top cap (8c), wherein the said top cap (8c) has a provision (21) on the top that allows the user to flip open the top cap (8c). According to this embodiment, the material to be infused is placed inside the top cap (8c). The said plug (4a) is operably connected to the top cap (8c) and also the said top cap (8c) is snugly fitted to the container (2a). The method of infusion and dispensing of the liquid is similar to the method described in the above embodiments.

According to another embodiment, the infusion apparatus as shown in FIG. 6, comprises a cup-shaped apparatus (4b), a top cap (8d), wherein the said top cap (8d) has a provision (22) on the top that allows the user to flip open the top cap (8d), and a rotary valve (23), wherein the said rotary valve (23) is fitted to the top cap (8d) at the bottom of the said top cap (8d). The said cup-shaped apparatus (4b) further comprises a nozzle (7a), wherein the said rotary valve (23) also rotates as shown in FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b when the top cap (8d) is rotated in anti-clockwise direction, and exposes the nozzle (7a) of the cup-shaped apparatus (4b) at the bottom. The liquid flows through the main container (2a) and is stored in the said cup-shaped apparatus (4b). When the said cup-shaped apparatus (4b) is filled with the said liquid, it is maintained in the upright position. The liquid is maintained at the same level which is equal to the height of the nozzle (7a) of the cup-shaped apparatus (4b). Further, when the said top cap (8d) is rotated in the clockwise direction, the said rotary valve (23) closes the said nozzle (7a), and further liquid flow into the said cup-shaped apparatus (4b) does not take place. The said liquid in the cup-shaped apparatus (4b) is flown out of the nozzle (9d) of the said top cap (8d) and can be used or consumed by opening the said flip open (22) provided on the said top cap (8d). The said above process can be repeated to use the apparatus again. The said rotary valve (23) is stopped at its position during the opening and closing of the nozzle (7a) upon hitting the adjacent walls (24) provided inside the said cup-shaped apparatus (4b).

According to the embodiment, the infusion apparatus (1) allows the benefit of accommodating cups of varying sizes and shapes.

According to the yet another embodiment, the invention allows customising the volume of the unit doses, which is ultimately based on the size of the container (2), diameter and specifications of the components used in the container (2).

It is to be understood, however, that the present invention would not be limited by any means to the parts, arrangements and materials that are not specifically described, and any change to the materials, variations, sizes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope described in the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An infusion apparatus (1) comprising of:
i) a container (2);
ii) a cup-shaped apparatus (4) operably connected to the container (2);
wherein, the cup-shaped apparatus (4) further comprises:
a channel (6) comprising of at least one nozzle (7 or 7a) to enable inflow of material from the container (2) for infusion; and
iii) a top cap (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) operably connected to the cup-shaped apparatus (4), wherein the top cap (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) comprises at least one nozzle (9a or 9b or 9c or 9d) for dispensing infused material.

2. The said infusion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) optionally comprises a diaphragm (11 or 12) which further comprises at least one aperture (17a or 17b or 18).

3. The said infusion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container (2) comprises a liquid (10) meant for the purpose of infusion.

4. The said infusion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said cup-shaped apparatus (4) comprises a material (5).

5. A method of dispensing an infused liquid with the said infusion apparatus (1) comprises the steps of:
orienting the said infusion apparatus (1) in a top-down position;
holding the infusion apparatus (1) in the top-down position until a desired volume of the liquid (10) enters into the cup-shaped apparatus (4);
allowing the liquid (10) to flow from the container (2) towards the cup-shaped apparatus (4) through the nozzle (7) of the channel (6); and further returning the infusion apparatus (1) in an up-right position.

6. The method of dispensing an infused liquid with the said infusion apparatus (1) of claim 5, further comprises the steps of:
expelling out the liquid from the cup-shaped apparatus (4) through the nozzle of the top cap; and further holding the infusion apparatus (1) in the said oriented top-down position;
Once the desired volume of liquid is dispensed, permitting the cup-shaped apparatus (4) to be filled again with the liquid (10) from the container (2) through the channel (6); and
returning the said infusion apparatus (1) to its original up-right position,
thereby permitting the material (5) to get infused with the liquid (10) until the next dose of dispensing.

7. An infusion apparatus (1) comprising of:
i) a container (2a);
ii) a plug (4a) operably connected to the container (2a);
wherein, the plug (4a) further comprises:
a channel comprising of at least one nozzle to enable inflow of material from the container (2a) for infusion; and
iii) a top cap (8c) comprising a nozzle (9c) for dispensing infused material.

8. The said infusion apparatus (1) of claim 7, wherein the said removable top cap (8c) further comprises a flip top cap (21); and
a material meant for infusion.

9. An infusion apparatus (1) comprising of:
i) a container (2a);
ii) a cup-shaped apparatus (4b) operably connected to the container (2a);
wherein, the cup-shaped apparatus (4b) further comprises a nozzle (7a) to enable inflow of material from the container (2a) for infusion;
iii) a rotary valve (23) within the cup-shaped apparatus (2a) to enable opening and closing of the nozzle (7a); and
iv) a removable top cap (8d) comprising a nozzle (9d) for dispensing infused material.

10. The said infusion apparatus (1) of claim 9, wherein the said top cap (8d) further comprises a flip top cap (22).