BACKGROUND OF THE SYSTEM

[0001] There are a number of methods and apparatuses for the preparation of coffee and tea drinks. One method is the use of a so called "French Press." The French Press, also referred to as a press pot, plunger, coffee press, cafetiere, and the like, comprises a carafe for holding liquid, with a lid and a plunger. Coffee grounds/tea is placed into the carafe, which is then filled with hot water. The lid contains the plunger, which includes a wire mesh, circular spring, or other filter like mechanism. With the lid on the plunger, it is pressed toward the bottom of the carafe to separate the coffee grounds/tea from the infused liquid which is intended for consumption. While pouring the infused liquid, the plunger stays in place to prevent the grounds/tea from also leaving the carafe.

[0002] After preparation and the infused liquid is poured out, the lid and plunger are removed, and the carafe is then cleaned of the used coffee grounds/tea in anticipation of the next use. However, the cleaning of the spent solids is difficult. The spent solids are either scooped out by hand or with a device such as a spoon, or forcibly ejected by rapping the carafe on a hard surface while upside down, and the carafe is then wiped with sponge or cloth or placed into the dishwasher to remove all of the spent solids and oil residue of the liquid. This is an extremely messy process where the spent solids are often stuck in the press and may involve quite a bit of effort to fully clean the carafe for the next use.

SUMMARY [0003] The present system provides a French Press that comprises a carafe with a removable bottom member. The bottom member is removably attached, for example, with a threaded or snap connection, to the main body of the carafe and forms a liquid tight seal during use of the carafe. During the preparation of the coffee using the French Press, normal operation is possible. The coffee grounds/tea leaves are urged into the bottom member by depression of the plunger. After the infused liquid has been removed, the bottom member can be easily removed from the main body of the carafe and the spent solids can be easily cleaned from the bottom member. Not only is the bottom member easier to clean because of its shallow depth, but the carafe itself is easier to clean because it can be accessed from either the top or bottom of the carafe, instead of rinsed and tipped as with prior art systems.

[0004] In addition, the present disclosure relates to a brewing device. The brewing device includes a hollow main body having an open top end, an open bottom end, and an outer wall extending from the top end to the bottom end, a plunger assembly disposed within the main body and moveably disposed between the open top end and the open bottom end of the main body, an optional handle assembly extending from the outer wall of the main body, and a bottom member that is removably attached to the main body at the open bottom end. The plunger assembly includes a hollow shaft having an open top end, an annular interior surface that extends through the top end of the shaft, a plunger plate attached to a bottom end of the shaft, and a plunger head attached to the top end of the shaft. The plunger head and the annular interior surface of the hollow shaft are sized and shaped to receive a thermometer having a head portion and stem portion extending from the head portion such that when the stem portion of the thermometer is inserted into the shaft, the head portion of the thermometer is positioned against the plunger head of the plunger assembly. In other embodiments, the thermometer could be removably attached to another portion of the carafe, such as in the handle, on the lid, on the bottom member, or on the outer surface of the carafe. The optional handle assembly includes an elongate body having an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and an interior compartment located between the upper end and the lower end, where the interior compartment is sized and shaped to house a removable timekeeper. The bottom member includes an annular interior wall and a bladder that extends outwardly from a center axis to the annular interior wall, the bladder being movable to aid in the removal of the spent solids from the bottom member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates an assembled embodiment of the French Press; [0007] FIG. IB illustrates an exploded view of the French Press of FIG. 1A; [0008] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of a second embodiment of a French Press with an insulated double wall carafe;

[0009] FIG. 2B illustrates a bilateral cross-sectional view of the French Press shown in FIG. 2A taken along line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrow; [0010] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of a French Press;

[0011] FIG. 3B illustrates a bilateral cross-sectional view of the French Press shown in FIG. 3A taken along line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrow;

[0012] FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged partial view of area A-A of FIG. 3B showing the bottom member of the French Press in an expanded position; and [0013] FIG. 4B illustrates the view of FIG. 4A showing the bottom member in a compressed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following disclosure is presented to provide an illustration of the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit, in any way, the inventive concepts contained herein. Moreover, the particular features described in this section can be used in combination with the other described features in each of the multitude of possible permutations and combinations contained herein.

[0015] All terms defined herein should be afforded their broadest possible interpretation, including any implied meanings as dictated by a reading of the specification as well as any words that a person having skill in the art and/or a dictionary, treatise, or similar authority would assign particular meaning. Further, it should be noted that, as recited in the specification and in the claims appended hereto, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural referents unless otherwise stated. Additionally, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" when used herein specify that certain features are present in that embodiment, but should not be interpreted to preclude the presence or addition of additional features, components, operations, and/or groups thereof.

[0016] The following disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top," "bottom," as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal" versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise, and includes terms such as "directly" coupled, secured, etc. The term "operatively coupled" is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

[0017] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate an assembled view and an exploded view of an embodiment of the device. The device 100 includes a main body 101, a bottom member 102, a handle assembly 103, a lid 104 and plunger assembly 105. The main body 101 is substantially cylindrical, hollow, and open on top and bottom. The main body may include a pour spout 106 to aid in pouring the liquid from the main body 101. In one embodiment the main body 101 is composed of glass. However, the main body may be composed of any suitable material for providing, with the bottom member, a receiver for fluids such as coffee.

[0018] The device 100 includes a bottom member 102 that may be removably attached to the main body 101. In one embodiment, the bottom member 102 is removably attached by matching threads on the interior of the bottom member 102 (not shown in FIG. IB) and threads 108 on the exterior of the bottom portion of main body 101 (see FIG. IB). Although shown as removably coupled via threads for a screw on operation, the bottom member may also be removably coupled via other means, such as a compression fit, keyed or registered clips or lips for locking the bottom member in place, or any other suitable coupling means. [0019] During operation, the bottom member should provide a substantially fluid-tight seal so that coffee is not compressed through the boundary between the bottom member and the main body. The bottom member may be composed of plastic, metal, or glass as desired.

[0020] The device 100 includes a lid 104 through which a plunger assembly 105 is inserted. Typically, the plunger and lid assembly are coupled together and work as a unit. During operation, the lid is pressed down, thereby pushing the plunger plate 110 down toward the bottom of the main body 101. The lid 104 engages the top opening of main body 101 to both retain the liquid in the device 100 during operation to retain heat after brewing, and to support the plunger assembly 105 in place to keep grounds below the filter assembly. The lid 104 may be metal or plastic as desired.

[0021] The plunger assembly 105 comprises a shaft 109 coupled to a plunger plate 110. The plunger plate 110 typically has openings formed in the face thereof and covered by a wire mesh or screen. The screen acts as a filter to allow fluid to pass there-through while preventing the grounds from pass through. Often a spring, such as spring 111 is disposed circumferentially around the outer edge of the plunger plate 110 to urge the plunger plate 110 to a correct position and provide appropriate force between the plunger plate and sidewail of the main body to prevent grounds from entering the liquid chamber via the gap between the plunger body and side wall. The main body 101 is positioned such that the shaft 109 is coaxial with the cylinder of the main body 101. [0022] The plunger assembly is typically metal but may be a combination of metal or plastic or any materials that provide a method of filtering the fluid from the grounds during operation.

[0023] A handle assembly 103 is used to lift the device for pouring the brewed coffee into a cup or other container. The handle assembly 103 may comprise a handle 112 coupled to an upper band 113 and lower band 114. The bands 113, 114 may encircle the main body 101, with a ridge or abutment 107 formed on the main body 101 to seat the handle assembly and prevent movement of the handle assembly during use. Alternatively, the handle 112 can be affixed directly to the main body 101 or may be formed as part of the main body 101 as desired.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, the bottom member is configured such that it's threads are on the inside surface so that it mates with the outside threads of the main body 101. However, the device may be configured so that the threads on the bottom member are on the outside surface and the threads on the main body 101 are on the inside surface without departing from the scope and spirit of the device.

[0025] FIGS. 2A-4B illustrate additional embodiments of the device 100 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 2A-4B, which correspond to the elements described above with respect to the device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB, have been designated by corresponding reference numbers increased by one hundred. Any element referenced below and identified in the attached drawings should be assumed as having the same or similar structure and function as its corresponding element shown in previous figures, except where specifically indicated otherwise below. [0026] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another embodiment of the device that shows an insulated carafe, a different bottom member, different handle configuration and the like. It should be understood that the device may be configured with any, some, or all of these features without departing from the scope and spirit of the device.

[0027] The device 200 implements an insulated carafe comprising a main body 201 having an outer wall 215 and an inner wall 216 with an evacuated space 217 there-between to provide temperature insulation. Similarly, the bottom member 202 is double walled and includes an evacuated space 218 to provide insulation. In one embodiment, the bottom member 202 may be single walled but made of a thermal insulating material to provide temperature insulation for the liquid contained in the device during use. [0028] The device 200 includes a lid 204 and plunger assembly 205 with shaft 209 and plunger plate 210. As described above, the plunger plate 210 includes openings therein to allow fluid flow while inhibiting the passage of coffee grounds. A wire spring 211 encircling the plunger plate 210 provides stability during use.

[0029] A handle 212 may be formed integrally with the main body 201. Alternatively, a handle assembly as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB may be used with the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0030] The bottom member 202 of this embodiment is coupled to the main body 201 during use by a registered pressure fit using a gasket to aid in making the seal fluid-tight. The main body 201 has a stepped shoulder 219 that engages an opposite stepped shoulder 220 on bottom member 202. A gasket 221, which may be rubber, plastic, or some other flexible material, is placed on the upfacing step of the opposite stepped shoulder 220 of the bottom member 202. The down projecting portion of the stepped shoulder 219 of main body 201 engages and compresses the gasket 221 during use, providing a suitable fluid seal between the members during use.

[0031] In one embodiment, the exposed portion of the stepped shoulder 219 is threaded, and the upper portion of the opposite stepped shoulder 220 of the bottom member 202 is also threaded for a screw on attachment mechanism, with or without the gasket 221.

[0032] in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, a ring member 222 provides further stabilization of the piunger shaft to ensure the plunger plate remains perpendicular to the inner wall 216.

[0033] In operation, the plunger assembly 205 is such that the plunger plate 210 descends to the approximate point of intersection between the bottom member 202 and the main body 201. After use, the spent grounds are thus captured in the bottom member 202 so that when it is decoupled from the main body 201, all of the spent grounds are found in the bottom member 202 and can be disposed of quite easily. Any spent grounds that may have seeped through the filter mechanism (i.e., the spring 211) on the plunger plate 210 can be easily rinsed away from the interior of the main body 201.

[0034] FIGS. 3A-4B illustrate a third embodiment of a French Press device 300. Referring now to FIG. 3B, the device 300 includes a modified handle assembly 303 having a handle 312 with an elongate body that has an upper end 312a and a lower end 312b. The handle 312 is affixed to the outer wall 315 of the main body 301 by an upper brace 323 proximate to the upper end 312a and a lower brace 324 proximate to the lower end 312b. The handle 312 includes an interior compartment 325 between the upper end 312a and the lower end 312b that houses a removable timekeeper 326, such as a clock or an hourglass, which may be used to assist a user in measuring the time needed to brew liquid inside the device 300. The interior compartment 325 is sized and shaped to house the entirety of the timekeeper 326 such that no portion of the timekeeper 326 extends beyond the radial circumference of the handle 312 when the timekeeper 326 is inserted into the interior compartment 325. In one embodiment, the interior compartment 325 is accessed via a compartment opening 326a located on the elongate body of the handle 312 between the upper end 312a and the lower end 312b.

[0035] In one embodiment, the timekeeper 326 is sized and shaped to create a friction fit within the interior compartment 325 so that the timekeeper 326 does not fall out of the interior compartment 325 when the device 300 is in use. in one embodiment, the interior compartment 325 includes one or more detents (not shown) that urge the timekeeper 326 toward the inside of the interior compartment 325. in another embodiment, the timekeeper 326 includes one or more detents (not shown) that urge the timekeeper 326 toward the inside of the interior compartment 325.

[0036] Still referring to FIG. 3B, the device 300 includes a plunger assembly 305 that is configured to house a thermometer 327 having a head portion 328 and a stem portion 329 extending downwardly from the head portion 328. The thermometer 327 may be used by a user to test the temperature of the liquid to be placed inside the device 300 prior to brewing, and the plunger assembly 305 operates as a holster for the thermometer 327 when the thermometer 327 is not in use.

[0037] More particularly, the plunger assembly 305 includes a hollow shaft 309 that is connected to a plunger plate 310 on the bottom end of the shaft 309 and a plunger head 330 on the opposing top end of the shaft 309. The shaft 309 of the plunger assembly 305 is in slideable engagement with the lid 304, with the plunger plate 310 located within the main body 301 under the lid 304 and the plunger head 330 located above the lid 304. The shaft 309 has an annular interior surface 331 that extends upwardly through the plunger head 330 to the top end of the shaft 309 and is sized and shaped to receive the stem portion 329 of the thermometer 327. The annular interior surface 331 has a length that is greater than or equal to the length of the stem portion 329 of the thermometer 327 so that when the thermometer 327 is inserted into the plunger assembly 305, the stem portion 329 does not make contact with the plunger plate 310 and the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 is able to rest on top of the plunger head 330 without exerting stress on the bottom end of the stem portion 329.

[0038] The plunger head 330 includes a head seat 332 that extends radially outwardly from the top of the annular interior surface 331 of the shaft 309 to an outer head wall 333 and provides a surface on which the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 may rest when the thermometer 327 is inserted into the shaft 309. The outer head wall 333 extends downwardly from the head seat 332 to the lid 304 and upwardly from the head seat 332 to an outer head rim

334. In one embodiment, the outer head wall 333 is sized and shaped to correspond with the perimeter of the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 such that when the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 rests on the head seat 332, the outer head wall 333 abuts and is contiguous with the perimeter of the head portion 328. in addition, the outer head rim 334 is positioned above the head seat 332 by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327. This shaping of the outer head rim 334 allows for it to be flush with the top surface of the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 when the head portion 328 rests upon the head seat 332. In one embodiment, the plunger head 330 includes a finger recess 335 carved out of one side of the outer head wall that is sized and shaped to enable a user to position a finger underneath the head portion 328 of the thermometer 327 and lift the thermometer 327 out of the plunger assembly 305.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 3B, 4A, and 4B, the bottom member 302 includes a threaded section 336 located toward the top of the bottom member 302 and a reservoir section 337 located below the threaded section 336. The reservoir section 337 includes an annular interior wall 338 having an upper edge 339 and a lower edge 340, and a bladder 341 attached to the annular interior wall 338. The annular interior wall 338 is sized and shaped to correspond to the inner wall 316 of the main body 301 such that when the threaded section 336 is attached to the bottom end of the main body 301, the inner wall 316 of the main body 301 and the annular interior wall 338 of the bottom member 302 are contiguous.

[0040] The bladder 341 is made of a flexible, resilient, water impermeable material, such as rubber, and includes a bladder floor 342 that is laterally aligned with the lower edge 340 and extends radially outwardly from the center axis of the bottom member 302 toward the annular interior wall 338 to an annular bladder edge 343. The bladder 341 also includes an annular bladder wall 344 that extends upwardly from the annular bladder edge 343 of the bladder floor 342 to an annular bladder seam 345, where the annular bladder wall 344 is affixed to the annular interior wall 338 proximate to the upper edge 339. In one embodiment, the bladder floor 342 includes an annular bladder ridge 346 formed in the bladder floor 342 proximate to the annular bladder edge 343 that protrudes upwardly from the bladder floor 342 toward the top of the bottom member. The annular bladder ridge 346 is coaxially aligned with the center axis of the bottom member 302 and provides structural support for the bladder floor 342 to maintain a flat, circular shape.

[0041] The bladder 341 provides a flexible bottom surface for the bottom member 302 that can be compressed upwardly to ease cleaning of spent brewing solids from the bottom member after brewing. FIG. 4A shows the bladder 341 in an expanded position, while FIG. 4B shows the bladder in a compressed position. As seen in FIG. 4A, when the bladder 341 is in an expanded position, the bladder floor 342 is positioned proximate to the lower edge 340 and the shape of the annular bladder wall 344 is flat, smooth, and substantially corresponding to the shape of the annular interior wall 338. This is the shape the bladder 341 takes when the device 300 is in use. As seen in FIG. 4B, when the bladder 341 is in a compressed position, the bladder floor 342 is positioned proximate to the upper edge 339 of the annular interior wall 338, and the annular bladder wall 344 is folded over itself. This shape taken by the bladder 341 allows for the easy removal of spent brewing solids that have collected in the reservoir section 337 of the bottom member 302. In one embodiment, the bladder floor 342 is laterally aligned with the annular bladder seam 345 when the bladder 341 is in its compressed position.

[0042] Once the device 300 has been used and emptied of its liquid contents, spent brewing solids gather on the surface of the bladder 341. In such circumstances, as seen in FIG. 4B, the bladder floor 342 can be compressed toward the threaded section 336 of the bottom member, causing the annular bladder wall 344 to fold over itself as the bladder floor 342 is moved upwardly. As the bladder floor 342 approaches the upper edge 339 of the annular interior wall 338, the resiliency of the bladder 341 urges the bladder floor 342 to its compressed position, creating a launching effect that propels the spent brewing solids out of the bottom member 302. Also, the compressed position of the bladder 341 facilitates cleaning of the spent brewing solids from the bottom member, as the spent brewing solids are now closer to the threaded section 336 of the bottom member 302 and are easier to reach and clean with a cloth or sponge.

[0043] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor in furthering the art. As such, they are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. [0044] Many variations can be made to the above-described brewing device 300 without departing from the present invention. For example, the bladder floor 342 can have a convex shape that allows spent solids to collect toward the center axis of the bottom member 302 during and after use of the brewing device 300. Such an embodiment would have the annular bladder edge 343 be located along the annular interior wall 338 between the upper edge 339 and the lower edge 340, thereby preventing the convex bladder floor 342 to surpass the bottom surface of the bottom member 302.

[0045] It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.