Appeal No.2000-1098 7
Application No. 08/661,415
downwardly like a plunger, creates a positive air pressure change in
receptacle 12 and expels most of the air contained in the receptacle.
Although the bottom of the device 10 may come into contact with
the bottom of the cup, air bubbles are forced out of the perforations
22 along the lower surface of the receptacle. The user then slightly
lifts actuating stick 13 causing membrane 14 to flex upwardly to its
initial state, as shown in Fig. 4. This upward flexing of membrane
creates a negative pressure change in receptacle 12 and sucks hot water
through perforations 22 and filter 18 to soak the beverage material B
contained within the receptacle. The user then repeatedly impulses the
actuating stick 13 up and down like a plunger, causing hot water to
be alternately sucked up into and expelled out of receptacle 12 through
the perforations 22. Preferably, impulsing actuating stick 13, the bottom
of receptacle contacts the bottom of the cup during down-thrusts. This
increases the amount of flexing of membrane 14 and assists in the forced
purging of the receptacle of air and circulation of the hot water throughout
the inside of receptacle 12. The flexing action of membrane 14 creates a
thorough circulation of the hot water throughout the beverage material B.
See Mihailide, column 4, lines 56 to column 5, lines 15. Based upon the above
findings, we conclude that Mihailide neither discloses nor suggests the step of substantially
encapsulating the beverage pack within the bottom of the vessel when the beverage pack is
pushed to the bottom of the vessel after the flavor is added to the liquid to prevent further
addition of flavor to the liquid. Indeed the thrust of Mihailide, as derived from the above
cited is directly contrary to the requirements of the claimed subject matter. Mihailide
thrusts the actuator to the bottom of the vessel in order to enhance the circulation of the
hot water throughout the inside of the receptacle and beverage material B. The express
intent is to add additional flavor to the hot water as opposed to encapsulating the beverage
pack to prevent further addition of flavor to the liquid as required by the claimed subject
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007