JP7814744B2 - Dripper - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dripper for brewing coffee, tea, etc., that is particularly suitable for outdoor use.

Lightweight drippers that are constructed by combining panel-like or plate-like members and can be disassembled to make them thin, compact, and storable have been well known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-51477 A

However, because the dripper described in Patent Document 1 is designed to be placed on top of a cup to drip, it can be very difficult to use depending on the location. For example, outdoors, the ground is often uneven, making it impossible to place the cup or table horizontally. In such situations, placing the dripper on top of a cup to drip coffee becomes very unstable. Furthermore, the lightweight design reduces wind resistance, and there is a risk that the dripper itself may fall off the cup with even a slight breeze, making it less user-friendly.

The present invention was conceived to solve these problems, and its objective is to provide a dripper that is easy to use outdoors while maintaining compact portability.

To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a dripper for dripping coffee, tea, etc., which includes a holder for holding a filter and legs that support the holder directly from the floor or ground while leaving space below the holder for placing a cup, and the legs are configured by two plate-shaped first panel members arranged in a V-shape so that they extend toward the floor or ground.

In this way, by supporting the filter holder directly from the ground or floor rather than placing it on a cup, usability is improved even in outdoor situations. Furthermore, the legs are made up of two plate-shaped first panel members arranged in a V-shape that extend toward the floor or ground, making the unit highly stable and less likely to tip over even on uneven, tilted ground or in windy conditions.

The holding portion is also constructed by combining four panel members.

As such, the entire dripper is made up of a total of six panel components assembled three-dimensionally, so when disassembled it can be stored thinly and compactly, making it easy to carry around.

Furthermore, each of the four panel members that make up the holding section is characterized by having a roughly inverted triangular panel main body and engagement protrusions that protrude from the left and right sides of the panel main body.

This configuration allows the panel bodies of the four panels to form a roughly inverted pyramid shape suitable for holding filters, and the engagement protrusions can be used to securely engage with other panels.

Furthermore, the four panel members that make up the retaining portion are characterized by being composed of two second panel members that connect the two first panels together, and two third panel members that connect the two second panel members together. More specifically, the first panel member and the second panel member are engaged by fitting an upwardly opening slit formed in the shoulder portion of the first panel member with a downwardly opening slit formed in an engaging protrusion of the second panel member, and the second panel member and the third panel member are engaged by fitting an engaging protrusion of the third panel member with a closed slit formed in the second panel member.

This configuration allows the dripper to be completed through a simple assembly process: using the first panel member, which is arranged in a V-shape, as a base, and then assembling (attaching) the second and third panel members in sequence.

Furthermore, when assembled, the upper end of the first panel member extends to a position where it intersects with an imaginary plane connecting the extension lines of the two non-opening slits, and when the engagement protrusion of the third panel member is fitted into the non-opening slit of the second panel member and pushed in, the upper end of the first panel member enters and locks into a locking hole formed in the upper part of the panel body of the third panel member.

This configuration structurally locks the third panel member, which is assembled last, making it difficult to remove, preventing problems such as the panels unintentionally coming apart.

In addition, by deliberately constructing the first to third panel members out of metal, a certain amount of weight is ensured, allowing for more stable use even in windy conditions.

By applying this invention, it is possible to provide a dripper that is easy to use outdoors while maintaining its compact portability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dripper according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first state during assembly. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second state during assembly. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing the movement or change in position of the third panel in the final stage of assembly, in which (a) shows the state in which the third panel member begins to be fitted into the non-open slit of the second panel member, and (b) shows the state in which the fitting is completed and the third panel member is locked in relation to the first panel member. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the dripper in use.

The following describes a dripper 100, an example of an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please note that in order to make the drawings easier to understand, the size and dimensions of various parts have been exaggerated and may not necessarily match those of the actual product. Each drawing should be viewed in accordance with the direction of the reference numerals, and the directions will be expressed as up, down, left, right, front, and back based on these directions.

<Dripper configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, a dripper 100, shown as an example of an embodiment of the present invention, is composed of a holder 102 for holding a filter 20 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 6) and legs 104 that directly support the holder 102 from the floor or ground. The presence of the legs 104 creates a space below the holder 102 for placing a coffee cup or the like. As will be described in detail later, the holder 102 is composed of four plate-shaped panel members, and the legs 104 are composed of two plate-shaped panel members. As a result, the entire dripper 100 is composed of a total of six panel members. In this embodiment, all of these are made of stainless steel alloy.

As shown in Figure 2, when the dripper 100 is viewed from the front, the two first panel members 110 that make up the leg section 104 are arranged in a V-shape, spreading out toward the floor or ground.

The first panel member 110 has two legs 111 that extend downward and away from each other, and two upper open slits 115 that are open only at the top are formed on both shoulders (see Figure 3). The slightly bent portions on the sides of the two legs 111 form ribs 112 to ensure strength. The two upper open slits 115 are formed so that they extend away from each other as they extend upward, forming an inverted V shape.

A partially protruding upper end 116 is formed between the two upper open slits 115. The hollowed-out portion of the upper end 116 is the locking portion 117.

The three cutouts 113, 114 formed in the first panel member 110 are intended to reduce weight and allow wind to escape, improving wind pressure resistance, but are not essential components.

The second panel member 120 has a roughly inverted triangular panel main body 121 and engagement protrusions 122 protruding from the left and right sides of the panel main body 121 (see Figure 3). A drip hole 126 is formed below the panel main body 121.

Each of the two engaging protrusions 122 has a lower open slit 124 that is open only on the bottom side, and a cutout hole 123. The cutout hole 123 is formed to reduce weight and increase wind pressure resistance by allowing wind to escape, but is not a required component. The two lower open slits 124 are also formed so that they widen downward, i.e., in a V-shape.

In addition, non-opening slits 125 that do not open to the top or bottom are formed along the line that separates the panel main body 121 and the engagement protrusion 122 of the second panel member 120. The two non-opening slits 125 are formed so that they widen toward the top, i.e., in an inverted V shape.

The third panel member 130 has a panel main body 131 that is approximately inverted triangular in shape and engagement protrusions 132 that protrude from the left and right sides of the panel main body 131 (see Figure 4). A locking hole 133 is formed above the panel main body 131. A protruding convex portion 134 is also formed in the locking hole 133.

Note that there are two identical first panel members 110, two identical second panel members 120, and two identical third panel members 130, making the dripper 100 out of a total of six panel members.

<Dripper assembly procedure>
Next, the procedure for assembling the dripper 100 will be described.

First, the second panel member 120 is assembled to connect the two first panel members 110. Specifically, the upper open slit 115 formed in the first panel member 110 and the lower open slit 124 formed in the second panel member 120 are inserted and fitted into each other (see Figure 3).

Although only one second panel member 120 is shown in Figure 3, a second panel member 120 is similarly assembled to the shoulder portion on the other side of the first panel member 110. Depending on the direction in which each slit is formed, the two first panel members 110 will be arranged in a "V" shape so that they widen downwards, and the two second panel members 120 will be arranged in an "inverted V" shape so that they widen upwards.

Next, two third panel members 130 are assembled to connect the two second panel members 120 (see Figure 4). Specifically, the third panel members 130 are assembled by inserting the engaging protrusions 132 formed on the third panel members 130 into the closed slits 125 formed on the second panel members 120.

At this time, the upper end 116 of the first panel member 110 extends to a position where it intersects with the imaginary plane α connecting the extension lines of the non-open slits 125 of each of the two second panel members 120 (in other words, the plane on which the third panel member 130 will ultimately be located). Therefore, at the initial stage of assembly of the third panel member 130, the third panel member 130 is slightly tilted or slightly curved (see Figure 5(a)).

When the third panel member 130 is further pushed in, that is, when the engagement protrusion 132 of the third panel member 130 is engaged with the closed slit 125 of the second panel member 120 and pushed in, the upper end portion 116 of the first panel member 110 enters and locks into the locking hole 133 formed in the upper part of the panel body 131 of the third panel member 130 (see Figure 5(b)). To release this locked state, the upper end side of the third panel member 130 must be bent inward toward the retaining portion, preventing the assembled state from unintentionally coming loose.

After assembly, the cup 10 is placed below the holder 102, and the filter 20, coffee beans 30, etc. are placed in the holder 102, and the coffee is then dripped (see Figure 6).

After use, simply disassemble it in the reverse order of the assembly steps above to separate it into six panels, making it thin and compact for easy storage and portability.

As described above, the present invention comprises a holding portion 102 for holding a filter 20, and legs 104 that support the holding portion 102 directly from the floor or ground while ensuring space below the holding portion 102 for placing a cup 10. The legs 104 are configured by arranging two plate-shaped first panel members 110 in a V-shape so that they extend toward the floor or ground.

In this way, by supporting the filter holder 102 directly from the ground or floor rather than placing it on a cup, usability is improved even in outdoor situations. Furthermore, the legs 104 are configured with two plate-shaped first panel members 110 arranged in a V-shape so that they extend toward the floor or ground, providing excellent stability and a structure that is less likely to tip over even on uneven or tilted ground or in windy conditions.

The holding portion 102 is constructed by combining four panel members (two second panel members 120 and two third panel members 130).

As such, the entire dripper is made up of a total of six panel components assembled three-dimensionally, so when disassembled it can be stored thinly and compactly, making it easy to carry around.

Furthermore, each of the four panel members (two second panel members 120 and two third panel members 130) that make up the holding portion 102 is configured with a roughly inverted triangular panel main body portion 121, 131 and engagement protrusions 122, 132 that protrude from the left and right sides of the panel main body portion 121, 131.

This configuration allows the panel main bodies 121, 131 of the four panels to form a roughly inverted pyramid shape suitable for holding the filter 20, and the engagement protrusions 122, 132 can be used to securely engage with other panels.

The four panel members (two second panel members 120 and two third panel members 130) that make up the retaining portion 102 are composed of two second panel members 120 that connect two first panel members 110 together, and two third panel members 130 that connect the two second panel members 120 together. More specifically, the first panel member 110 and the second panel member 120 are engaged by fitting an upwardly opening slit 115 formed in the shoulder portion of the first panel member 110 with a downwardly opening slit 124 formed in an engaging protrusion 122 of the second panel member 120, and the second panel member 120 and the third panel member 130 are engaged by fitting an engaging protrusion 132 of the third panel member 130 with a closed slit 125 formed in the second panel member 120.

By configuring it in this way, the dripper 100 can be completed through a simple assembly process of sequentially combining (assembling) the second panel member 120 and the third panel member 130 using the first panel member 110, which is arranged in a V-shape.

Furthermore, during assembly, the upper end 116 of the first panel member 110 extends to a position where it intersects with an imaginary plane α that connects the extension lines of the two non-opening slits 125. When the engaging protrusion 132 of the third panel member 130 is fitted into the non-opening slit 125 of the second panel member 120 and pushed in, the upper end 116 of the first panel member 110 enters and locks into a locking hole 133 formed in the upper part of the panel main body 131 of the third panel member 130.

This configuration structurally locks the third panel member 130, which is assembled last, making it difficult to remove, preventing problems such as the panels unintentionally coming apart.

In addition, by deliberately constructing the first to third panel members 110, 120, and 130 out of metal (stainless steel alloy), a certain amount of weight is ensured, allowing for more stable use even in windy conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Dripper 102... Holding portion 104... Leg portion 110... First panel member 111... Legs 113, 114... Cutout portion 115... Upper open slit 116... Upper end portion 117... Locking hole 112... Rib 120... Second panel member 121... Second panel main body portion 122... Second panel engaging protrusion 123... Cutout hole 124... Lower open slit 125... Non-open slit 126... Drip hole 130... Third panel member 131... Third panel main body 132... Third panel engaging protrusion 133... Locking hole 134... Convex portion α... Imaginary surface

Claims (7)

A dripper for dripping coffee, tea, etc.
a holder for holding the filter;
a leg portion consisting of four legs that directly supports the holding portion from the floor or ground while ensuring a space below the holding portion in which a cup can be placed,
The dripper is characterized in that the leg portion is configured by two plate-shaped first panel members, each having two legs, arranged in a V-shape so as to spread out toward the floor or ground surface. In claim 1,
The dripper, wherein the holding portion is formed by combining four panel members. In claim 2,
The dripper is characterized in that each of the four panel members constituting the holding portion includes a panel main body portion having a substantially inverted triangle shape and engaging projections projecting from the left and right sides of the panel main body portion. In claim 3,
the four panel members constituting the holding portion are composed of two second panel members connecting the two first panel members together, and two third panel members connecting the two second panel members together. In claim 4,
The engagement between the first panel member and the second panel member is performed by fitting an upwardly opening slit formed in a shoulder portion of the first panel member and a downwardly opening slit formed in an engagement protrusion of the second panel member together,
the second panel member and the third panel member are engaged with each other by fitting an engaging protrusion of the third panel member into a closed slit formed in the second panel member. In claim 5,
an upper end portion of the first panel member extends to a position intersecting an imaginary plane connecting extension lines of the two non-opening slits when assembled;
When the engaging protrusion of the third panel member is fitted into the non-open slit of the second panel member and pushed in, the upper end of the first panel member is inserted into a locking hole formed in the upper part of the panel body of the third panel member, thereby locking the third panel member. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
The dripper is characterized in that the first to third panel members are all made of metal.