Infuser unit for making beverages

A method of making beverages with an infuser unit and an associated container from a material from which flavors are extracted at elevated temperatures, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing an infuser unit within an associated container, said infuser unit having a container attachment portion for removable association with the outside of said associated liquid container in a snug, liquid-tight relation,
• said infuser unit including an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion, and said infuser unit including a well portion for receiving a charge of flavoring material, said well portion being defined by walls that extend downwardly from said annular cover panel portion and to a position substantially beneath said container attachment portion, said walls being radially spaced from said container attachment portion to provide a spaced relationship between said walls and said associated liquid container, at least a portion of said well portion being liquid-permeable to permit liquid circulation between the regions lying respectively inside and outside said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid,
• placing a charge of flavoring material inside said well of said infuser unit,
• adding water at an elevated temperature through an opening in said annular cover portion into said well portion to cover said charge of flavoring material, said annular cover panel portion opening being sufficiently large to permit the passage of said water from outside said infuser unit directly into said well portion,
• permitting said water to flow over said charge of flavoring material and through said liquid-permeable well portion and into said associated container,
• allowing said liquid to circulate between said outside and inside of said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid in said associated container.

An infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container from a material from which flavors are extracted at elevated temperatures, comprising:

• a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in snug, liquid-tight relation,
• an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
• a well portion for receiving a charge of flavoring material,
• said well portion being defined by walls extending downwardly from said cover panel portion and to a position substantially beneath said container attachment portion,
• a portion of said well extending below the level of a liquid in said associated container after liquid flows through the annular cover portion and out of said well portion to form a drinkable beverage in said associated container,
• at least a portion of said well being liquid-permeable to permit water circulation between the regions lying respectively inside and outside said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid,
• said well extends to a depth in the associated container such that the distance between the bottom of said associated container and the bottom of said well portion is greater than the distance between said bottom of said well portion and the annular cover portion.

An infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container from a material from which flavors are extracted at elevated temperatures, comprising:

• a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in snug, liquid-tight relation,
• an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
• a well portion for receiving a charge of flavoring material,
• said well portion being defined by walls extending downwardly from said cover panel portion and to a position substantially beneath said container attachment portion,
• a portion of said well extending below the level of a liquid in said associated container after liquid flows through the annular cover portion and out of said well portion to form a drinkable beverage in said associated container,
• at least a portion of said well being liquid-permeable to permit water circulation between the regions lying respectively inside and outside said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid,
• the center of said well is offset from the center of said container attachment portion.

An infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container from a material from which flavors are extracted at elevated temperatures, comprising:

• a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in snug, liquid-tight relation,
• an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
• a well portion for receiving a charge of flavoring material,
• said well portion being defined by walls extending downwardly from said cover panel portion and to a position substantially beneath said container attachment portion,
• a portion of said well extending below the level of a liquid in said associated container after liquid flows through the annular cover portion and out of said well portion to form a drinkable beverage in said associated container,
• at least a portion of said well being liquid-permeable to permit water circulation between the regions lying respectively inside and outside said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid,
• an associated cover portion for seating engagement within said annular cover panel portion of said infuser unit, said cover portion is fixedly attached to said infuser unit by a flexible member.

A method of making beverages with an infuser unit and an associated container from a material from which flavors are extracted at elevated temperatures, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing an infuser unit within an associated container, said infuser unit having a container attachment portion for removable association with the outside of said associated liquid container in a snug, liquid-tight relation,
• said infuser unit including an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion, and said infuser unit, including a well portion for receiving a charge of flavoring material, said well portion being defined by walls that extend downwardly from said annular cover panel portion and to a position substantially beneath said container attachment portion, at least a portion of said well portion being liquid-permeable to permit liquid circulation between the regions lying respectively inside and outside said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid, said infuser unit including an associated cover portion,
• placing a charge of flavoring material inside said well of said infuser unit,
• adding water at an elevated temperature through said annular cover portion into said well portion to cover said charge of flavoring material,
• permitting said water to flow over said charge of flavoring material and through said liquid-permeable well portion and into said associated container,
• placing said cover portion over said well portion after said water addition step to retain heat from said water within said infuser unit and said associated container,
• allowing said liquid to circulate between said outside and inside of said well to permit infusion of flavors from said flavoring materials to said liquid in said associated container,
• removal of the infuser unit from said associated container and placement of said infuser unit and associated cover portion against a flat surface so that excess liquid from said well portion flows into said cover portion.