Manual coffee filter pressing assembly and method for making coffee through manual coffee filter pressing assembly

Abstract

A manual coffee filter pressing assembly comprises a hollow cylindrical cavity with a top opening, and water used for brewing coffee can be injected into the cavity through the top opening; a filter basket having a perforated bottom onto which ground coffee beans can be loaded and compacted, in use, the filter basket containing compacted ground coffee beans being inverted and removably secured to the chamber to close the top opening thereof such that ground coffee beans are placed above water in the chamber; a piston which, in use, forms an airtight seal with the chamber so as to be able to be driven upward within the chamber, thereby forcing water within the chamber to pass through the ground coffee beans in the filter basket and to flow out as coffee through the perforated bottom of the filter basket; coffee flowing out of the bottom of the through hole can be poured out of the collector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Disclosed herein is a manual coffee press filter assembly and related methods of making coffee using the coffee press filter assembly. Background Art

[0002] Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally. There are various extraction means and methods for extracting soluble components from coffee powder (powdered coffee beans obtained by finely grinding roasted coffee beans). As is well known, depending on the specific extraction means and methods, different combinations of soluble components can be extracted. These combinations form unique and desirable flavor profiles in coffee beverages. A method with particularly desirable and popular flavor profiles is known as espresso making, which involves forcing hot water under high pressure through a column of compacted coffee powder (referred to as a coffee puck) at a water pressure of 5 to 12 bar.

[0003] Typically, the equipment for achieving this process includes an espresso machine powered by mains electricity, which includes a water supply device, a heater, a pump, and a device for holding the coffee powder in place while forcing hot water through the coffee powder evenly. Alternatively, espresso can also be extracted using various manual espresso machines that use various mechanical lever devices to generate the 5 to 12 bar water pressure required to force water through the coffee powder.

[0004] Manual espresso machines are cheaper, simpler, more reliable, and more portable than mains-powered espresso machines. However, some of the currently known and in-use existing manual espresso machines have the following combined problems: they are not ergonomic to use, and / or have complex mechanical structures that are difficult to maintain and / or repair, and / or require long preheating times, and / or have limited portability and take up a large amount of space in the kitchen, and / or are not easy and / or cannot be quickly cleaned and / or operated, and / or have the common problem of uneven extraction in espresso making.

[0005] A particularly well-known problem is called the "channeling effect", i.e., due to various reasons, water cannot pass through the coffee puck evenly; instead, the water will find a path and bypass some of the coffee powder through narrow channels, over-extracting other parts (especially the areas where the water flow is concentrated) while not extracting some parts of the coffee powder. This results in an espresso that tastes as bland as water.

[0006] There is a need to solve the above problems and / or at least provide useful alternatives. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manual coffee press filter assembly, comprising:

[0008] A hollow cylindrical chamber having a top opening through which water for brewing coffee can be injected into the chamber;

[0009] A filter basket having a perforated bottom, into which ground coffee beans can be loaded and compacted, and in use, the filter basket containing the compacted ground coffee beans is inverted and removably fixed to the chamber to close its top opening, such that the ground coffee beans are positioned above the water in the chamber;

[0010] A piston which, in use, forms an airtight seal with the chamber so as to be able to be driven upwards within the chamber, thereby forcing the water in the chamber through the ground coffee beans in the filter basket and out as coffee through the perforated bottom of the filter basket; and

[0011] A collector from which the coffee flowing out of the perforated bottom can be poured.

[0012] In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a fixing plate which can be fixed to the filter basket for holding the compacted ground coffee beans in the inverted filter basket in use.

[0013] Preferably, the assembly further includes at least one lever which can be manually operated in a first direction to drive the piston to move upwards within the chamber. The at least one lever can also be manually operated in a second direction to drive the piston to move downwards within the chamber. Driving the piston downwards can help to drain the remaining water in the chamber and can also help to at least partially loosen the compacted ground coffee beans for easier removal and discard from the filter basket.

[0014] It is contemplated that the assembly may further include a base from which the chamber extends upwards, the base having positioning means for guiding the manual operation of the lever in the first and second directions.

[0015] In some embodiments, the collector includes a cylindrical wall which surrounds and extends above the perforated bottom of the filter basket to collect the coffee flowing out of the perforated bottom.

[0016] Embodiments of the assembly may further include a lid which can be fixed above the collector for containing the coffee therein.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making coffee using a manual coffee press assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising:

[0018] Loading ground coffee beans into the filter basket and compacting them;

[0019] Injecting water into the chamber through the top opening of the chamber;

[0020] Inverting the loaded filter basket and fixing it to the chamber to close its top end; and

[0021] The driving piston moves upward within the chamber, forcing water upward through the ground coffee beans and out as coffee through the perforated bottom of the filter basket for pouring from the collector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various different embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a manual coffee press assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an assembled state and before driving a manually operable piston within the cylindrical water chamber of the assembly;

[0024] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a close-up front elevation cross-sectional view of the interface between the water chamber, the inverted filter basket, and the collector of the assembly shown;

[0025] Figures 3a to 3l Each shows a close-up cross-sectional front elevation view of the interface between the water chamber, the inverted filter basket, and the collector of an embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, which views show various locking and / or sealing mechanisms at the interface;

[0026] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the assembly shown, in which the inverted filter basket and the collector have been removed and the piston is driven upward within the water chamber by manual operation of the lever of the assembly;

[0027] Figure 5 shows Figure 1 a top perspective view of the piston of the assembly shown and its movement with manual operation of the associated lever;

[0028] Figure 6 is a side perspective view of an alternative collector embodiment that can be used with a manual coffee press assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a manual coffee press assembly in an assembled state and before driving its piston to extract coffee;

[0030] Figures 8a to 8h shows schematic cross-sectional side views of various embodiments of the assembly of the present invention having different lever mechanisms;

[0031] Figure 9 is a side perspective view of a fixing plate for fixing ground coffee beans within an inverted filter basket of a manual coffee press assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10Side perspective view of the lid of the collector for enclosing a manual coffee press assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 11 Exploded perspective view of a manual coffee press assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 12 Cross-sectional view of a conveying fixing assembly for use with the filter basket of the assembly of the present invention, for locking and fixing coffee powder during conveying; and

[0035] Figure 13 Perspective view of the underside of the locking portion of an embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, the locking structure of which matches the locking structure of the chamber shown Figure 4 the locking structure of the chamber shown. Detailed Description

[0036] Figure 1 Shows a manual coffee press assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coffee press assembly 100 is in an assembled state and generally includes:

[0037] Base 18;

[0038] A hollow cylindrical chamber 38 extending upward from the base 18 and into which water can be injected;

[0039] A filter basket 14 having a perforated bottom (see also Figure 2 ), shown in an inverted orientation and configured to hold ground coffee beans 52 from which coffee is to be extracted;

[0040] A collector 20 extending above the filter basket 14, from which the extracted coffee flowing out of the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14 can be poured; and

[0041] A manually actuated piston 60 located within the chamber 38 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), which can be manually driven upward within the chamber 38 to force the water within the chamber 38 through the ground coffee puck 52 in the upper filter basket 14, thereby flowing out as coffee through the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14 and then being poured out from the collector 20. In other words, coffee is extracted by forcing water upward under pressure through the coffee puck 52 fixed within the inverted filter basket 14. The positive pressure generated within the chamber 38 by driving the piston 60 upward within the chamber 38 prevents the extracted coffee from flowing back through the perforations of the filter basket 14. The coffee press assembly 100 may include one or more manually operated levers 12 associated with the piston 60 to effect the driving of the piston within the chamber 38.

[0042] Conventional espresso machines and press filters typically use a top - down water flow, i.e., water flows downward through the compacted ground coffee beans (also referred to as a coffee puck in this specification). However, gravity causes the water flow to be uneven, resulting in uneven penetration and wetting of the coffee puck surface by the water; this uneven pre - wetting of the coffee puck leads to uneven extraction. Espresso machine manufacturers have provided water distribution devices (referred to as shower screens) in an attempt to more evenly "spray" water onto the coffee grounds at the top of the filter basket, highlighting the importance of achieving uniform distribution and flow of water across the coffee puck surface.

[0043] In contrast, the manual coffee press filter assembly of the present invention uses a bottom - up water flow, i.e., overcoming gravity to force water upward through the coffee puck in an inverted filter basket. This opposite direction and water flow direction enable a horizontal water surface to evenly flood the coffee puck surface, thereby achieving uniform initial wetting and extraction of the coffee, and thus eliminating the need for a complex shower screen device.

[0044] Furthermore, it is well known that evenly preparing the coffee puck in the filter basket is crucial for uniform extraction, and observing the perforated bottom of the basket during the extraction process helps diagnose any extraction problems. Since the basket and its perforated bottom of the assembly of the present invention are inverted during the extraction process, the user can easily observe the perforations of the basket without using the reflective surfaces commonly used in other machines, which makes it easy to evaluate the uniformity of the extraction process and thus diagnose any problems with the barista in preparing, dosing, and tamping the coffee grounds.

[0045] In an embodiment of the assembly 100 of the present invention, the basket 14 may include a standard espresso filter basket. For example, referring to Figure 2 , the basket 14 may be formed by a hollow cylindrical container having a perforated bottom. Figure 2 Also shown in Figures 3a to 3l are a collector 20 and a separate locking portion 36 that facilitates releasably securing the basket 14 and the collector 20 to the chamber 38. Of course, other devices and engagement mechanisms for achieving such releasable fixation to the chamber 38 are also within the scope of the present invention, and certain examples are shown in

[0046] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , in use, the separate locking portion 36 can be manually operated (e.g., twisted) to release the basket 14 and the collector 20 from the chamber 38. Then the basket is flipped over so that its perforated bottom faces downwards, and thus the basket 14 is no longer in an inverted state. Then the ground coffee beans 52 can be loaded into the basket 14 and tamped. When the basket 14 and the collector 20 are separated from the water chamber 38, hot water can be injected into it through the top opening of the water chamber 38. Then the basket 14 and the collector 20 can be inverted and secured to close the top opening, asFigure 2 As shown, preparation for extraction is carried out.

[0047] Preferably, the coffee puck 52 prepared in the filter basket 14 is fully compacted and will not fall out of the inverted filter basket 14. However, optionally, for ease of cleaning, after compaction, the fixing plate 66 can be fixed on and / or inside the filter basket 14 and above the coffee puck 52 to prevent the coffee puck 52 from falling out of the inverted filter basket 14. For example, the fixing plate 66 can be located between the chamber 38 and the filter basket 14. The fixing plate 66 can include a substantially flat perforated plate with curved side tabs (see Figures 3 and Figure 9 ) and / or an external elastic seal to form a radially bendable interference edge with the inner cylindrical wall of the filter basket 14.

[0048] In another embodiment, the fixing plate 66 can be placed as Figure 3f shown, where the fixing plate 66 is formed as a substantially flat perforated disk covering the top opening of the water chamber 38. After extraction is completed, the used coffee puck 52 can be sucked out (to be discussed later) and placed on the fixing plate 66 to prevent it from falling into the chamber 38. This helps with the cleaning and disposal of the coffee puck 52.

[0049] Figure 5 and Figures 8a to 8h illustrates the working principle of a manual coffee press filter assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 100 includes a hollow cylindrical chamber 38 having a top opening through which water for brewing coffee can be injected into the chamber 38. The chamber can be integrally formed with the base 18. A piston 60 is disposed within the chamber 38 and forms an airtight seal with the inner cylindrical wall of the chamber 38. The piston 60 can be manually driven upward within the hollow portion of the chamber 38 to force water to flow out of its top opening. The piston 60 can also be manually driven downward within the hollow portion of the chamber 38 to create a negative pressure within the chamber 38, which helps to suck out the used coffee puck 52 from the inverted filter basket 14 for disposal.

[0050] In use, before extraction, the piston 60 is moved to a lower position within the chamber 38 so that there is sufficient space therein to accommodate water. The water injected into the chamber 38 will be located on top of the piston 60, and due to the seal between the piston 60 and the inner cylindrical wall of the chamber 38, the water will not flow past the piston. Then, the inverted filter basket 14 containing the compacted coffee puck 52 can be fixed to the top opening of the chamber 38, ready for extraction. Then, the piston 60 can be driven upward within the chamber 38, thereby forcing the water to flow upward, evenly wetting and passing through the coffee puck 52 and flowing out through the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14 for pouring out from the collector 20.

[0051] Refer to Figure 5, the piston 60 may have an elastic sealing portion 54 that forms an airtight seal with the inner cylindrical wall of the water chamber 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 60 is operatively associated with one or more manually operated levers 12. For example, referring to Figure 5 , the lever 12 can be grasped and pushed outward and downward in a first direction to drive the piston 60 to move upward within the water chamber 38. After coffee extraction is complete, the lever 12 can be pushed upward and inward in a second direction to drive the piston 60 to move downward within the water chamber 38.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, each lever may be in the form of a generally elongated arm 12 that is operatively associated with the piston 60. For example, in Figure 1 , each arm 12 includes an elongated portion with a handle 10 at the end that can be grasped, and the arm 12 extends generally vertically upward on both sides of the water chamber 38. Also referring to Figure 1 and Figure 5 , each arm 12 further includes a curved lower portion 22 that can extend through the base 18 and / or corresponding side slots or ports 16 of the water chamber 38, and the end of each curved lower portion 22 is pivotally associated with the lower end or lower part of the piston 60. The curved lower portion 22 can be positioned within the chamber 38 or by a guide 24 laterally provided on the base 18. Figure 5 The use of rolling bearings / bushings 74 is also shown, and the arms 12 can move along these rolling bearings / bushings during operation. In use, starting from the upright state of the arms 12, the user can grasp the corresponding handles 10 and push each arm 12 apart from each other and downward, such that the elongated arm portions 12 extend outwardly, while the curved lower portions 22 further enter the chamber 38 and move upward therein, thereby driving the piston 60 to move upward within the chamber 38. Similarly, the handles 10 can be grasped to lift the arms 12 and return them to the vertically extended state, thereby retracting and lowering the curved lower portions 22 from within the chamber 38, and in turn driving the piston 60 to move downward within the chamber 38.

[0053] Of course, the principle of each arm 12 driving the piston 60 within the chamber 38 can be achieved in various ways using known devices and mechanisms, some examples of which are shown in Figures 8a to 8h . It can be seen that the illustrated arm 12 is pivotally associated with the piston 60, and curved or straight portions can be used, and various pivotable link joints, mountings, etc. can be utilized to achieve the result of manually operating the arm 12 in a first direction to drive the piston 60 to move upward within the chamber 38 and operating in the opposite second direction to drive the piston 60 to move downward within the chamber 38.

[0054] Referring to Figure 5As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the piston 60 may include a through-hole 58 into which a horizontally disposed cylindrical shaft 56 is inserted. Each arm 12 has a corresponding through-hole 72 at one end of the chamber 38. Other pivotable connection arrangements between the arm 12 and the piston 60 are of course within the scope of the present invention and may include, for example, a ball-and-socket mechanism, or, in order to connect multiple arms 12, the end of each arm 12 may have a hemispherical or flat disk structure, and there is a matching socket space at the bottom of the piston 60. Another structure associated with the piston 60 is the arm positioning fixture 96, the purpose of which is to hold the top portion of each arm 12 in the central position at the bottom of the piston 60. This structure and positioning function can be integrated into the piston 60 itself or made into a separate component connected to the piston 60.

[0055] As previously mentioned, the base 18 preferably has one or more arm alignment means (see Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8d ), such as one or more grooves or upwardly extending and spaced-apart walls 24 between which the arms 12 are located and can move. The base 18 may also include one or more lubricated rolling bearings / bushings 74, bearing shafts 34, friction sliders 76, linear bearing sliders 84, bearing grooves 78, etc., for receiving and smoothly guiding the arms 12 in and out of the chamber 38 in order to drive the piston 60 within the chamber 38. The chamber 38 and / or the base 18 may have at least one open arm-side slot or port 16 through which each arm 12 is inserted into the water chamber 38.

[0056] In use, the upward drive of the piston 60 forces the water in the chamber 38 upward into the inverted filter basket 14 and then through the coffee puck 52, preferably at a peak pressure of 5 to 20 bar. Then, the extracted coffee liquid is discharged upward through the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14 within full view of the user. The outflowing coffee can be collected in the collector 20 (which will be discussed in more detail) and can be poured from the collector 20 into a container (e.g., a cup) by tilting the coffee press assembly 100. The collector 20 may include an outlet 30 with a heat-insulating cover 32 through which the extracted coffee can be poured out.

[0057] Figure 6 An alternative embodiment is shown in which instead of Figure 1The collector 20 and associated outlet 30 shown in [reference], this embodiment having a diverter which includes a shorter side wall 80 and associated longer diverter outlet 82. In this embodiment, the coffee extracted through the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14 is directed to directly collect, guide and flow along the longer diverter outlet 82 of the diverter, for example, into a cup placed on one side of the press without tilting the press. It is foreseeable that the diverter 80, outlet 82 and filter basket 14 can be integrally formed as one part, and the top edge of the side wall diverter 80 need not extend above the perforated bottom of the filter basket 14, where the extracted coffee can flow out from the perforated bottom and flow down along the side of the filter basket 14, collect, guide and flow into, for example, a cup along the longer diverter outlet 82.

[0058] After coffee extraction and pouring, reverse the operating arm 12 to pull the piston 60 downward within the chamber 38, preferably creating a negative pressure therein, which preferably will suck out (or at least assist in separating) the used coffee puck 52 from the filter basket 14, causing it to fall onto the fixture 66. This action may also assist in draining any remaining water into the chamber 38. Then the collector 20 and filter basket 14 can be removed, and the coffee puck 52 can be disposed of through the top opening of the chamber 38. Then the components of the coffee press assembly 100, including the chamber 38, filter basket 14 (and the collector 20 if the collector 20 is formed separately), can be disassembled and rinsed clean.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 , the vertically mounted overflow container or collector 20 includes a cylindrical side wall that surrounds and extends above the perforated bottom of the inverted filter basket 14. In use, the collector 20 serves as a container for holding the extracted coffee. The collector 20 can be manufactured as an extension of the side wall of the filter basket 14 using a deep drawing manufacturing method, as shown in Figure 3h , Figure 3j , Figure 3k and Figure 3l shown. In this way, the collector 20 and filter basket 14 can be integrally formed. Alternatively, the collector 20 can entirely constitute a separate detachable part and can be placed around the filter basket 14, as shown in Figures 3a to 3g and Figure 3i shown, in which case one or more flexible (e.g., elastic) overflow seals 40 can be provided at the interface between the collector 20 and the filter basket 14 to prevent accidental leakage of the extracted coffee between them. Figure 3k and Figure 3l show some examples where the filter basket 14 with a perforated bottom is manufactured by forming a deep drawn cylindrical part with a narrowed end lip or edge, into which a perforated disc can be inserted and then welded (or fixed in some other way) inside the cylindrical part, thus forming a filter basket 14 with a cross-section closer to square.

[0060] In use, the filter basket 14 and the chamber 38 (in embodiments where the collector 20 is a detachable component, also including the collector 20 and any associated locking and / or sealing means) are releasably locked together and fluid sealed such that water driven upward through the coffee puck 52 and the inverted filter basket 14 in the chamber 38 is substantially collected as coffee in the collector 20 for pouring therefrom. Of course, various methods for detachably locking and sealing the component parts 14, 20, 38 are within the scope of this specification. Different variant examples are shown in the respective figures.

[0061] For example, the coffee press assembly 100 may include Figure 2 and the top fixing surfaces 48 shown in FIG. 3, which are surfaces that are substantially upwardly exposed in notches, protrusions, tabs, slits, clips or threads that are integrated into the side wall of the filter basket 14, or into the collector 20, or as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3h and Figure 3i shown in, integrated into a separate locking portion 36. Meanwhile, the upper end of the water chamber 38 may be provided with corresponding bottom fixing surfaces 46, which are surfaces that are substantially downwardly exposed in notches, protrusions, tabs, slits, clips or threads. In use, the bottom fixing surfaces 46 cooperate with the top fixing surfaces 48 to form one or more overlapping surfaces, thereby locking the filter basket 14 and the collector 20 to the chamber 38 and preventing them from vertically displacing from the chamber 38 due to water pressure during coffee extraction. Various sealing means 40, 44 may be provided to ensure a fluid seal, and these sealing means may be provided together with the filter basket 14, the collector 20 and / or the chamber 38. The locking action may include a radial twist of the filter basket 14, the collector 20 and / or the separate locking portion 36 relative to the chamber 38 such that the exposed charge contact surfaces cooperate and overlap. Figure 2 A filter-to-container spacer 42 is also shown, the height and thickness of which can be adjusted to enable the use of different commercially available filter baskets.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4, the lower end of the chamber 38 includes one or more top connection surfaces 62 that are exposed upward on integrated notches, protrusions, tabs, slits, clips, or threads to form a chamber connection device through which the water chamber 38 can be connected to the base 18. The top of the base 18 includes one or more corresponding bottom connection surfaces 64 that are exposed downward on integrated notches, protrusions, tabs, slits, clips, or threads, and they cooperate and overlap with the top connection surfaces 62 of the water chamber to prevent the chamber 38 and the base 18 from separating vertically when there are separating forces during the extraction process. Alternatively, in another different embodiment, the water chamber 38 and the base 18 can be integrally formed, as shown in FIG. 8 and labeled 70 therein.

[0063] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made to the above embodiments. For example, certain embodiments can be provided with any number of known lever jack / ratchet mechanisms located between the piston 60 and the end of the arm 12, which allows the arm 12 to be shorter and can be moved up and down through multiple strokes to reduce the peak force that the user needs to apply to generate a pressure of 5 - 20 bar for moving the arm 12.

[0064] It can be foreseen that the chamber 38 and the base 18 can be connected by a quick - release mechanism (such as a twist - lock connector) to facilitate pouring out the coffee after extraction and / or to facilitate transporting and cleaning the detachable parts without moving the base 18 and the arm 12 of the entire device. In this case, the connection of the piston 60 to the end of the arm 12 is also easily detachable. In this embodiment, it can be foreseen that a separate air baffle (not shown in the figure) is required to apply positive pressure to the top of the collector 20 and / or the filter basket 14, so as to push the extracted coffee cake 52, water, and the piston 60 downward into the chamber, so that the piston 60 can be removed, and the filter basket 14 and the extracted coffee cake 52 can be removed and cleaned.

[0065] In Figure 1 , the handle 10 is a spherical handle. Figure 7 Another handle 10 is shown. Of course, other types of handles are also within the scope of this specification, for example, a T - shaped handle, or just the portion of the arm 12 that is twisted and flattened at the top.

[0066] In Figure 7 In the single - arm embodiment shown, there is a quick - release clamping overhang portion 42, and one side of the base 18 can slide under it to prevent the assembly 100 from tipping over when the arm 12 is pulled down. In the case where the overhang portion 42 is permanently installed (such as on a workbench), it can be foreseen that the assembly 100 can be removed from there by a quick - release mechanism so that the assembly 100 can be tilted to pour out the extracted coffee.

[0067] As Figure 11As shown, an embodiment of the assembly 100 may also include an arm 12 fixing device, wherein the arm fixing portion 92 is disposed around the base 18 and fixed in place using chamber fixing pins 88, which may also fix the chamber 38. Flexible pin fixings 90 may prevent the pins from falling off.

[0068] Embodiments of the assembly 100 may also include additional safety features, such as a safety overpressure release mechanism built into the piston 60, and / or a safety splash guard 86 (see Figure 10 ), which may be configured to clip onto and cover the collector 20 to prevent splashing during coffee extraction. The splash guard 86 may be made of impact-resistant transparent plastic (such as polycarbonate). Its clip device 88 may be made of stainless steel. Other embodiments of the safety splash guard 86 may also include a lid that substantially closes most or all of the opening formed by the top edge of the collector 20.

[0069] The outer cylindrical walls of the collector 20 and the water chamber 38 may be provided with heat insulation means, such as corresponding silicone sleeves 26, 28, so that users can safely hold and operate them when they contain hot liquid. The inner surfaces of these silicone sleeves 26, 28 may have long grooves that extend downward along the substantially cylindrical sleeves. The purpose of the grooves is to provide additional heat insulation by providing an air gap and to provide a passage for hot water in the event of rupture of the water chamber 38.

[0070] In addition, Figure 11 A water separation disk 94 is shown, which can be used in any embodiment. Its purpose is to form a water chamber 38 separation barrier, so that during use, a first portion of water is injected into the lower part of the water chamber 38, the separation disk 94 is placed above the first portion of water in the chamber 38, and then a second portion of water is injected into the chamber 38 to fill its upper part. The holes of the water separation disk 94 are small enough to prevent significant mixing of the two portions of water. During the extraction process, the piston 60 is pushed upward, and the lower water is mixed with the upper water, thereby forming a temperature or mineral gradient during the extraction process, that is, the two portions of water have different temperatures and / or different mineral solutes.

[0071] Figure 12 A conveying fixing assembly that can be used with the coffee press assembly 100 is also shown. The conveying fixing assembly includes a conveying fixing portion 102, to which a fixing spring 98 is connected, and the other end of the spring is connected to a conveying fixing surface 104 for cooperating with the filter basket 14 to fix the coffee powder during conveying. The conveying fixing portion 102 has a matching locking device for cooperating with the filter basket 14, the collector 20, and / or a separate locking portion 36, so that the conveying fixing assembly can be connected to the filter basket 14 and locked.

[0072] Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprising" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprised of" shall be understood to mean including the stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not excluding any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0073] Any prior publication (or information obtained therefrom) mentioned in this specification, or any matter known, shall not be taken as an admission or acknowledgment that such prior publication (or information obtained therefrom) or matter known forms part of the common general knowledge in the field relevant to this specification, or implies this in any way.

[0074] In describing the present invention, it is to be understood that a number of techniques, devices, structures, features, processes and steps are disclosed. Each has its own individual advantages and each may also be used in combination with one or more other disclosed techniques, devices, structures, features, processes and / or steps and, in some cases, with all other disclosed techniques, devices, structures, features, processes and steps. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, this specification will avoid unnecessarily repeating every possible combination of the various stated techniques, devices, structures, processes and steps. However, it should be understood when reading this specification that these combinations are fully within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] List of Reference Numerals

[0076] 10 Handle

[0077] 12 Arm / Lever

[0078] 14 Filter basket with perforated bottom

[0079] 16 Side slot or port

[0080] 18 Base

[0081] 20 Collector

[0082] 22 Curved lower part

[0083] 24 Arm alignment device

[0084] 26 Silicone collector sleeve

[0085] 28 Silicone chamber sleeve

[0086] 30 Outlet

[0087] 32 Outlet heat insulation cover

[0088] 34 Bearing shaft

[0089] 36 Separate locking part

[0090] 38 Chamber

[0091] 40 Flexible overflow seal

[0092] 42 Filter-to-container spacer

[0093] 44 Seal

[0094] 46 Bottom fixing surface of the chamber

[0095] 48 Top fixing surface of the filter assembly

[0096] 50 Removable filter assembly (including one or more of the filter basket 14, the collector 20, and the separate locking part 36)

[0097] 52 Coffee puck

[0098] 54 Elastic sealing part

[0099] 56 Cylindrical shaft

[0100] 58 Piston through-hole

[0101] 60 Piston

[0102] 62 Top connection surface of the chamber

[0103] 64 Bottom connection surface of the base

[0104] 66 Coffee puck fixer

[0105] 68 Bent angle part of the arm

[0106] 70 Integrally formed chamber and base

[0107] 72 Arm through-hole

[0108] 74 Rolling bearing / bushing

[0109] 76 Friction slider

[0110] 78 Bearing groove

[0111] 80 Diverter side wall

[0112] 82 Diverter long outlet

[0113] 84 Linear bearing slider

[0114] 86 Safety splash screen cover

[0115] 88 Chamber fixing pin

[0116] 90 Flexible pin fixer

[0117] 92 Arm fixing part

[0118] 94 Water separation disc

[0119] 96 Arm positioning and fixing part

[0120] 98 Spring fixing part

[0121] 100 Manual coffee press filter assembly

[0122] 102 Conveyor fixing part

[0123] 104 Conveyor fixing surface

Claims

1. A manual coffee press filter assembly, comprising: A hollow cylindrical chamber having a top opening through which water for brewing coffee can be injected into the chamber; A filter basket having a perforated bottom into which ground coffee beans can be loaded and compacted, and in use, the filter basket containing the compacted ground coffee beans is inverted and removably fixed to the chamber to close its top opening, so that the ground coffee beans are placed above the water in the chamber; A piston which, in use, forms an airtight seal with the chamber to be able to be driven upward in the chamber, thereby forcing the water in the chamber through the ground coffee beans in the filter basket and flowing out as coffee through the perforated bottom of the filter basket; and A collector from which the coffee flowing out of the perforated bottom can be poured.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing plate that can be fixed to the filter basket for accommodating the compacted ground coffee beans in the inverted filter basket during use.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one lever that can be manually operated in a first direction to drive the piston to move upward in the chamber.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one lever can be manually operated in a second direction to drive the piston to move downward in the chamber.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a base from which the chamber extends upward, the base having positioning means for guiding the manual operation of the lever in the first and second directions.

6. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collector comprises a cylindrical wall surrounding the perforated bottom of the filter basket and extending above it for collecting the coffee flowing out of the perforated bottom.

7. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid that can be fixed above the collector for accommodating the coffee therein.

8. A method of making coffee using the manual coffee press filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Load the ground coffee beans into the filter basket and compact them; Inject water into the chamber through the top opening of the chamber; Invert the loaded filter basket and fix it to the chamber to close its top end; and Drive the piston to move upward in the chamber, forcing the water upward through the ground coffee beans and flowing out as coffee from the perforated bottom of the filter basket for pouring from the collector.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of inserting the fixing plate into the filter basket to fix the ground coffee beans in place.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, in the case of the assembly based on claim 3, wherein the step of driving the piston to move upward is performed by moving at least one lever in the first direction.

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