Infusion/strainer device and method for manufacturing the strainer

Abstract

A straining/stirring device and a method for manufacturing a straining device are provided. The straining device includes a handle, a frame, which is positioned at an end of the handle, and a compartment containing a medium to be strained. The compartment includes a top porous surface and a bottom porous surface, and is affixed to the frame. Further, the compartment is configured so as to strain the medium through at least one of the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface. The medium to be strained may include a beverage, medicine, or soup ingredient. Accordingly, the straining device provides a convenient apparatus for preparing a beverage, a food, or a medicine, and for a variety of utensil applications such as stirring or collecting and adding an additive.

1 . A strainer device comprising:
 a handle;   a frame, which is positioned at one end of the handle; and   a compartment containing a medium to be strained,   wherein the compartment is affixed to the frame;   wherein the compartment comprises a top porous surface and a bottom porous surface; and   wherein the compartment is configured so as to permit liquid to pass through the compartment via the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface so as to strain the medium.   
     
     
         2 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium to be strained is disposed between the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface. 
     
     
         3 . The straining device according to  claim 2 , wherein the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface are sealed together. 
     
     
         4 . The straining device according to  claim 3 , wherein the seal forms a peripheral seal section of the compartment, and wherein the compartment is affixed to the frame via the peripheral seal section. 
     
     
         5 . The straining device according to  claim 4 , wherein the medium to be strained comprises a beverage ingredient. 
     
     
         6 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle and frame are manufactured integrally as a single piece. 
     
     
         7 . The straining device according to  claim 6 , wherein the handle and frame comprise plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame and the compartment form an assembly that is generally concave in shape so as to contain additives thereupon. 
     
     
         9 . The straining device according to  claim 8 , wherein the frame and the compartment form an assembly comprising a concave portion of a spoon. 
     
     
         10 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame and the handle comprise plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium to be strained comprises one or a combination of tea, coffee, cocoa, soup, sweetener, concentrate and medicine ingredient. 
     
     
         12 . The straining device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment comprises a teabag. 
     
     
         13 . The straining device according to  claim 12 , wherein the teabag has a shape conforming to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing a straining device, the method comprising:
 positioning a medium to be strained between a top porous surface and a bottom porous surface;   positioning the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface so as to define a compartment and affixing the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface to each other, wherein the compartment is configured so as to allow liquid to pass through the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface;   forming a frame and a handle; and   affixing the compartment to the frame such that the compartment is supported by the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the medium to be strained comprises a beverage ingredient. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the medium to be strained comprises one or combination of tea, coffee, soup, cocoa, and medicine. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein affixing the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface to each other comprises heat sealing affixing the top porous surface and the bottom porous surface to each other so as to form a peripheral seal section. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein affixing the compartment to the frame comprises heat-sealing the peripheral seal section to the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein forming a frame and a handle comprises integrally forming a frame and a handle from a plastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein integrally forming comprises injection molding or extruding the frame and handle in a single manufacturing process.