Tea bag squeezing device

Abstract

The tea bag squeezing device includes a planar body having opposed upper and lower surfaces and being symmetrically bisected by at least one joint. The joint(s) preferably extends across a symmetrical axis of the planar body such that the planar body may be selectively folded about the joint. A central aperture is further formed through the planar body and the joint. The central aperture is sized and contoured to receive a string of a tea bag such that, in use, the tea bag may be pulled by the string to be positioned adjacent the lower surface of the planar body. When folded, the tea bag is sandwiched inside the folded planar body such that excess liquid may be squeezed from the tea bag when lateral pressure is applied by the user's fingers to the opposed upper surfaces of the planar body.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A tea bag squeezing device, comprising:
 a planar body having opposed upper and lower surfaces and being symmetrically bisected by a joint such that said planar body may be selectively folded about the joint, a central aperture being formed through said planar body and the joint, said planar body being formed from an absorbent material; and   a fluid impermeable layer covering the lower surface of the planar body, at least one opening formed through the fluid impermeable layer adjacent each of a pair of longitudinally-opposed ends thereof,   whereby the central aperture is sized and contoured to receive a string of a tea bag such that the tea bag may be pulled by the string to be positioned adjacent the lower surface of the planar body such that excess liquid may be squeezed from the tea bag when the planar body is folded, the tea bag being sandwiched therein.   
     
     
         2 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one elongated cut is formed through the fluid impermeable layer adjacent to, and parallel with, the joint. 
     
     
         3 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises an elongated groove. 
     
     
         4 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a set of perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one slit is formed through the planar body, the at least one slit being in communication with the central aperture and extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said planar body has a contour selected from the group consisting of substantially rectangular and substantially elliptical. 
     
     
         7 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said joint comprises a set of perforations formed through the planar body. 
     
     
         8 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said planar body has a substantially elliptical contour, the joint being positioned across a minor axis of said planar body. 
     
     
         9 . A tea bag squeezing device, comprising:
 a planar body having opposed upper and lower surfaces and being symmetrically bisected by a joint such that said planar body may be selectively folded about the joint, a central aperture being formed through said planar body and the joint, said planar body being formed from an absorbent material; and   a fluid impermeable layer covering the lower surface of the planar body, at least one elongated cut being formed through the fluid impermeable layer adjacent to, and parallel with, the joint,   whereby the central aperture is sized and contoured to receive a string of a tea bag such that the tea bag may be pulled by the string to be positioned adjacent the lower surface of the planar body such that excess liquid may be squeezed from the tea bag when the planar body is folded, the tea bag being sandwiched therein.   
     
     
         10 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one opening is formed through the fluid impermeable layer adjacent each of a pair of longitudinally-opposed ends thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening comprises an elongated groove. 
     
     
         12 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a set of perforations. 
     
     
         13 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one slit is formed through the planar body, the at least one slit being in communication with the central aperture and extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         14 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said planar body has a substantially rectangular contour. 
     
     
         15 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said planar body has a substantially elliptical contour. 
     
     
         16 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the joint is positioned across a minor axis of said planar body. 
     
     
         17 . A tea bag squeezing device, comprising:
 a planar body having opposed upper and lower surfaces and being symmetrically bisected by a joint such that said planar body may be selectively folded about the joint, said planar body being formed from an absorbent material; and   a fluid impermeable layer at least partially covering the lower surface of the planar body, wherein an absorbent peripheral area is defined on the lower surface of the planar body about the fluid impermeable layer, at least one groove being formed in the absorbent peripheral area.   
     
     
         18 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a tea bag and string, a central aperture being formed through said planar body and the joint, wherein the string of the tea bag is disposed through the central aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the joint defines a continuous, imperforate surface. 
     
     
         20 . The tea bag squeezing device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said planar body has a substantially elliptical contour, the joint being positioned across a minor axis thereof.