摘要：
We propose a novelty device and method for brewing, infusion, flavor extraction, drinking and inhalation of tea, herbs, coffee, and other botanicals. The device integrates an infuser, a straw, and an inhalator, into one compact, multi-functional device that uses a variable-pressure, multi-stage, multi-layer infusion and flavor extraction method. The invention creates a completely new experience allowing users to fully enjoy the flavors of botanical substances in both liquid and gas (vapor) forms. In addition, the device addresses some of the limitations in the existing packaging and usage of the above mentioned botanical substances as well as straw designs and liquid infusion methods.
权利要求：
Claims
1. A device integrating an infuser, a straw and an inhalator into one multi-functional device for brewing, drinking and inhalation of tea, herbs, coffee and other botanicals, said device comprising:
a) a larger diameter elongated outer member having a central bore extending fully
throughout with micro openings on the side wall;
b) a smaller diameter elongated inner rod, nested in said central bore of said larger
diameter elongated outer member, having a central bore extending fully throughout
with micro openings on the side wall;
¢) an infusion chamber, formed between said larger diameter elongated outer member
inner surface (bore side) and said smaller diameter elongated inner rod exterior surface,
accommodating tea, herbs, coffee and other botanicals;
d) infusion chamber caps, having a central bore, closing said infusion chamber from top
and bottom while enabling the flow of liquids and gases through said central bore of
said smaller diameter elongated inner rod.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the horizontal cross-sectional shape of said larger diameter outer member and said smaller diameter inner rod is one cross-sectional shape selected from one of the following: a tubular shaped cross section, a square shaped cross section, a triangular shaped cross section, a hexagonal shaped cross section, and multi-angle cross section.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of said larger diameter outer member and said smaller diameter inner rod is one longitudinal cross-sectional shape selected from one of the following: a rectangular shaped cross section, a multi-cones cross section, a curvy cross section, a left-right symmetry cross section, a top-bottom symmetry cross section, a left-right asymmetry cross section, and a top-bottom asymmetry cross section.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said larger diameter outer member and said smaller diameter inner rod are merged and shaped (e.g. molded, extruded and 3D printed) into one member, eliminating said infusion chamber cap(s).
§. The device of claim 1 wherein said larger diameter elongated outer member is bended inwards at the end(s) closing said infusion chamber and eliminating said infusion chamber cap(s).
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said smaller diameter elongated inner rod is bended outwards at the end(s) closing said infusion chamber and eliminating said infusion chamber cap(s).
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said larger diameter outer member does not have micro openings on the side wall and is made of impermeable material, blocking liquids and gases to pass through it.
8 The device of claim 4 wherein said one member does not have micro openings on the side wall and is made of impermeable material, blocking liquids and gases to pass through it.
9. The device of claim 5 wherein said larger diameter outer member does not have micro openings on the side wall and is made of impermeable material, blocking liquids and gases to pass through it.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said smaller diameter elongated inner rod is a plunger for cleaning said infusion chamber.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein O-rings are placed between stacked botanical substances in said infusion chamber to separate and identify them.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein a flow regulator is nested in said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated inner rod, regulating the flow of liquids and gases by opening and blocking said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated inner rod.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said flow regulator is gravity and pressure operated, allowing the flow of liquids and gases to pass through when said flow regulator is in upright position and the pressure in said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated rod equals the atmospheric pressure, and blocking this flow when said flow regulator is flipped or negative pressure builds in said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated rod.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein an infusion regulator is attached to said larger diameter elongated outer member, regulating the speed of infusion by blocking and opening said sidewall micro openings of said larger diameter elongated outer member.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein an infusion regulator is attached to said smaller diameter elongated inner rod, regulating the speed of infusion by blocking and opening said sidewall micro openings of said smaller diameter elongated inner rod.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein a temperature measuring device is embedded in at least one said member, helping the user to optimize the brewing and infusion process as well as giving an indication on when the liquid is at desired temperature levels and comfortable to drink.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein a funnel is attached to said device to facilitate pouring of botanicals in said infusion chamber, said funnel comprising:
a) afunnel body, accommodating botanicals, that is with conical form and made of one of
the following materials: a metal material, a plastic material, a silicone material, a
ceramic material, a glass material, a porcelain material, a wood material, a paper
material, an organic material, and a multi-layer material combining said materials; and
b) an attachment end, attaching to said device so that it blocks said central bore of said
smaller diameter elongated inner rod, having a rod bore blocker and openings, enabling
botanicals from said funnel body to pass through and fill said infusion chamber without
entering said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated inner rod.
18. A filling system for filling said infusion chamber of said device as described in claim 1 in the form of capsule, said capsule comprising:
a) a capsule body, storing botanicals;
b) an attachment end, attaching to said device so that it blocks said central bore of said
smaller diameter elongated inner rod, having a rod bore blocker and openings, enabling
botanicals from said capsule body to pass through and fill said infusion chamber
‘without entering said central bore of said smaller diameter elongated inner rod; and
¢) an attachment end stopper, closing said openings of said attachment end and sealing the
content in said capsule.
19. The filling system of claim 18 wherein said attachment end and said capsule body are merged and shaped (e.g. molded, extruded and 3D printed) into one member, eliminating the need for connection.
20. A method for brewing, infusion and inhalation of botanicals, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a device having: a larger diameter elongated outer member with a central
bore extending fully throughout and micro openings on the side walls; a smaller
diameter elongated inner rod, nested in said central bore of said larger diameter outer
member, with a central bore extending fully throughout and micro openings on the side
walls; an infusion chamber, formed between said larger diameter member inner surface
(bore side) and said rod exterior surface; and infusion chamber caps with a central bore,
closing the infusion chamber while enabling the flow of liquids and gases inside the central bore of the rod;
filling said device infusion chamber with botanicals;
stacking layers of different botanicals into said device infusion chamber, enabling multi-layer brewing;
immersing said device into a reservoir of liquid so that the suction end of said device is above said liquid level;
creating suction from said suction end of said device;
drawing continually until desired amount of said liquid from said reservoir passes through said device rod and infusion chamber and reaches user's mouth; pulling said device completely out of said liquid from said reservoir; and inhaling from said device.