Brewing device for preparing beverages using insoluble materials

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brewing device (10) for preparing a beverage using an insoluble material, the brewing device (10) comprising: a container (12) for receiving a beverage and an insoluble material, the container (12) having an open end (26) and a closed end (28) and defining an axis (X); and a piston filter assembly (30) insertable into the container (12) via the open end (26) and movable along the axis (X) towards the closed end (28), the piston filter assembly (30) comprising a filter element (36) and a sealing section (38) wherein the sealing section (38) surrounds the filter element (36) radially outward with respect to the axis (X), and sealing the piston filter assembly (30) within the container (12), and the sealing section (38) comprises a first sealing washer (46) and a second sealing washer (48) arranged spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis (X).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an infusion device for preparing beverages using insoluble materials. Background Art

[0002] An infusion device for preparing beverages is also known as a French press or a press filter. The infusion device has a container with an open end and a closed end, where the container typically has a cylindrical or prismatic shape. To prepare a beverage, usually coffee or tea, a desired amount of insoluble material such as coffee powder or tea leaves is poured into the container via the open end, and then hot water is poured over it. Then, the coffee powder or tea leaves are allowed to extract for a certain period of time. Thereafter, a piston filter assembly is placed in the container, which includes a piston rod and a filter element attached to the piston rod. Usually, the piston rod is slidably mounted in a lid, which can be mounted on the open end and used to close the container. The press filter has a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the container such that the filter element is flush with the container laterally. The filter element is pressed towards the closed end of the container by means of the piston rod. As a result, the extracted coffee powder or tea leaves are separated from the coffee or tea and are compressed in the region of the closed end. The coffee or tea filtered in this way can now be consumed. After the coffee or tea has been completely consumed, the piston filter assembly is withdrawn from the container, and the compressed coffee powder or tea leaves are removed from the container. Documents showing relevant prior art include DE 34 32 289 C1, WO 02 / 067739A1, US10 791 866B2, EP 2 798 985A1, EP 3 242 579B1, US11 109 707B2, and WO 96 / 035360A1.

[0003] To ensure sufficient separation of the insoluble material from the beverage, the piston filter assembly is equipped with a sealing member through which the piston filter assembly is sealed within the inner wall surface of the container. However, it has been found that proper sealing of the piston filter assembly within the container is not an easy task. As described above, the piston filter assembly moves downward towards the closed end. This movement may be hindered if the contact pressure between the sealing member and the container is too high. If the container is made of glass, there is a risk that the container may be damaged by the contact pressure. The higher the contact pressure, the greater the wear of the sealing member, resulting in premature loss or reduction of the sealing function. When the contact pressure is too low, the separation of the insoluble material from the beverage may be insufficient. Tolerance deviations of the container and relaxation of the sealing member may exacerbate the insufficient separation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an infusion device for preparing a beverage using an insoluble material, by which the above-mentioned disadvantages can be improved. Specifically, the present invention seeks to provide an infusion device having a piston filter assembly that is easy to move inside a container and provides long-term and sufficient separation of the insoluble material from the beverage.

[0005] This object is solved by the features indicated in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an infusion device for preparing a beverage using an insoluble material, the infusion device comprising:

[0007] a container for receiving the beverage and the insoluble material, the container having an open end and a closed end and defining an axis, and

[0008] a piston filter assembly insertable into the container via the open end and movable along the axis towards the closed end,

[0009] the piston filter assembly including a filter element and a sealing section, wherein the sealing section:

[0010] surrounds the filter element radially outside with respect to the axis and seals the piston filter assembly within the container, and

[0011] includes a first sealing washer and a second sealing washer arranged at intervals from each other with respect to the axis.

[0012] The first sealing washer and the second sealing washer may be formed by a common sealing member. However, the first sealing washer and the second sealing member may be separate parts and separately connected to the filter piston assembly.

[0013] Insoluble material not separated from the beverage by the second sealing washer can be separated by the first sealing washer. This separation can be improved even under reduced contact pressure. When the contact pressure is reduced, the wear is also reduced, so that the improved separation can be maintained for a longer time.

[0014] According to another embodiment,

[0015] the first sealing washer has a first radial extension with respect to the axis, and

[0016] the second sealing washer has a second radial extension with respect to the axis,

[0017] the first radial extension is different from the second radial extension.

[0018] In many cases, the container has a circular cross-section. In such cases, the first radially extending portion and the second radially extending portion can be considered as diameters. Since the first radially extending portion is different from the second radially extending portion, the first sealing gasket can apply a different contact pressure to the container compared to the second sealing gasket. Separation can be improved without compromising the mobility of the piston filter assembly inside the container.

[0019] In another embodiment,

[0020] the first sealing gasket has a first thickness, and

[0021] the second sealing gasket has a second thickness,

[0022] the first thickness is different from the second thickness.

[0023] The flexibility of the first and second sealing gaskets can be adjusted by the first and second thicknesses respectively. As initially explained, the brewing device can be specifically used for preparing coffee and tea. However, the particle size of coffee powder is generally smaller than that of tea leaves. Using sealing gaskets with different flexibilities ensures proper separation regardless of the type and concentration of the insoluble material used.

[0024] According to another embodiment,

[0025] When viewed from the open end and along the axis, the first sealing gasket is arranged in front of the second sealing gasket, and

[0026] the first radially extending portion is greater than the second radially extending portion, and the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

[0027] It has been shown that in this embodiment, a high degree of separation can be obtained and the stick-slip effect can be avoided.

[0028] In another embodiment, the container has a radial container extension relative to the axis, and the radial container extension varies along the axis.

[0029] As described above, in most cases, the container has a circular cross-section. Therefore, the radial container extension can also be considered as the diameter of the container. The varying radial container extension may be caused by tolerance deviations, especially when the container is made of glass, or may be expected due to design or technical reasons. Since the piston filter assembly includes two sealing gaskets, it is possible to adjust the two sealing gaskets to adapt to the varying radial container extension, thus ensuring proper separation even in the case of a varying radial container extension.

[0030] According to another embodiment,

[0031] The container includes a first container and a second container that are connected to each other and form an intermediate space.

[0032] The sealing section seals the piston-filter assembly within the first container.

[0033] The intermediate space is generally hermetically sealed and filled with air as an insulator. As initially described, the brewing device is mainly used for preparing hot beverages, such as coffee or tea. Due to the insulating nature of the intermediate space, the temperature of the beverage is maintained for a longer time compared to a single-walled container. The first container is surrounded by the second container, and the beverage is received by the first container. Thus, the sealing section interacts with the first container.

[0034] In another embodiment, the container has a first radial container extension relative to the axis, and the first radial container extension varies along the axis. Specifically, for design reasons, it may be desirable to specifically provide a first container with a varying diameter. Similarly, the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket can be designed such that, despite the varying diameter of the first container, proper separation of the brewable material from the beverage is possible.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the first container and / or the second container is made of plastic. The use of plastic provides the possibility of mass-producing the first container and the second container at an acceptable cost, especially in the case where the first container and the second container are produced by injection molding. To facilitate demolding, it is beneficial for the diameter to slightly increase from the closed end to the open end. As already explained, the varying diameter can be accommodated by the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket to ensure proper separation of the insoluble material.

[0036] In another embodiment, the brewing device further includes:

[0037] a lid that can be inserted into the open end of the container and includes a guiding hole extending parallel to the axis, wherein,

[0038] the piston-filter assembly includes a piston rod, and the filtering element is fixed to the piston rod,

[0039] the piston rod passes through the guiding hole.

[0040] The lid can be used to temporarily close the open end, so that heat loss can be minimized and the initial temperature of the beverage can be maintained for a longer time. In addition, it prevents the beverage from accidentally spilling when pouring the beverage into a teacup or coffee cup. The guiding hole also prevents the piston-filter assembly from twisting within the container, thus ensuring proper separation of the insoluble material from the beverage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1A A cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a brewing device according to the present invention, wherein the piston filter assembly is in a first position,

[0043] Figure 1B is Figure 1A an enlarged detail of region A defined in

[0044] Figure 2A A cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a brewing device according to the present invention, wherein the piston filter assembly is in a second position, and

[0045] Figure 2B is Figure 2A an enlarged detail of region B defined in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In Figure 1A , an embodiment of a brewing device 10 according to the present invention is shown by a cross-sectional view. The brewing device 10 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1A includes a container 12 formed by a first container 14 and a second container 16. The first container 14 and the second container 16 have a cylindrical shape. The first container 14 is inserted into the second container 16 and is arranged concentrically with the second container 16 with respect to an axis X. The first container 14 and the second container 16 are made of plastic and are fixed to each other in a connection section 18. The first container 14 and the second container 16 can be connected to each other by a material bond such as welding or gluing or by other suitable means. In the connected state, the first container 14 and the second container 16 surround an intermediate space 20 filled with air. The intermediate space 20 can be sealed by a container seal 21 to prevent air exchange. The first container 14 forms a container spout 22. A handle 24 is fixed to the second container 16.

[0047] The container 12 (in this case the first container 14) forms an open end 26 and a closed end 28. A piston filter assembly 30 can be inserted into the first container 14 via the open end 26. The piston filter assembly 30 includes a disc-shaped support frame 32 fixed to a piston rod 34. A filter element 36 is attached to the support frame 32. In addition, a chamfered seal section 38 is formed around the filter element 36.

[0048] A lid 40 is inserted into the open end 26 of the first container 14 and is provided with a guide hole 42 extending concentrically with the axis X. The piston rod 34 passes through the guide hole 42 and is thus positioned concentrically with the axis X.

[0049] As can be seen particularly from Figure 1B it is particularly visible that Figure 1B is Figure 1AAn enlarged view of the region defined in the [text], the sealing section 38 is formed by a sealing member 44 surrounding the filter element 36 and includes a first sealing gasket 46 and a second sealing gasket 48. When viewed from the open end 26 and along the axis X, the first sealing gasket 46 is arranged in front of the second sealing gasket 48. The first sealing gasket 46 has a first radial extension ER1 relative to the axis X, and the second sealing gasket 48 has a second radial extension ER2 relative to the axis X. As described above, the first container 14 has a cylindrical shape. Since the first sealing gasket 46 and the second sealing gasket 48 can seal the filter assembly within the first container 14, the first radial extension ER1 and the second radial extension ER2 can also be considered as the diameters of the first sealing gasket 46 and the second sealing gasket 48 respectively.

[0050] As Figure 1A shown in the [text], the container 12 has a radial container extension ERV relative to the axis X. In this case, the radial container extension ERV is formed by the first container 14 and is also referred to as the radial first container extension ERC. The radial container extension ERV and the radial first container extension ERC respectively refer to the inner extensions of the container 12 and the first container 14.

[0051] The radial container extension ERV and the radial first container extension ERC vary along the axis X. Starting from the open end 26, the radial first container extension ERC1 gradually decreases in the region between the container nozzle 22 and the connecting section 18. The radial first container extension ERC then only slightly decreases towards the closed end 28.

[0052] The first radial extension ER1 of the first sealing gasket 46 is greater than the second radial extension ER2 of the second sealing gasket 48 (see Figure 1B ). In addition, the first sealing gasket 46 has a first thickness T1 and the second sealing gasket 48 has a second thickness T2. The first thickness T1 is less than the second thickness T2.

[0053] The brewing device 10 operates as follows: To prepare coffee or tea, a required amount of insoluble material such as coffee powder or tea leaves is poured into the first container 14 via the open end 26, and then hot water is poured over it. Then, the coffee powder or tea leaves are allowed to be extracted for a certain period. Thereafter, the lid 40 is inserted into the open end 26 of the first container 14 together with the piston filter assembly 30, as Figure 1A best seen in the [text]. The support frame 32 abuts or almost abuts the lid 40, and the piston rod 34 extends the lid 40 maximally or almost maximally upwards. As is particularly apparent from Figure 1B the [text], only the first sealing gasket 46 contacts the first container 14.

[0054] Now, the piston filter assembly 30 is moved towards the closed end 28 of the container 12 by pressing down the piston rod 34. As a result, the extracted coffee grounds or tea leaves are separated from the coffee or tea and compressed in the region of the closed end 28 (see Figure 2A and 2B ).

[0055] As described, the radially first container extension ERC gradually decreases towards the closed end 28 along the axis X. As a result, not only the first sealing washer 46 but also the second sealing washer 48 come into contact with the first container 14. Due to the first radial extension ER1 being larger and the first thickness T1 being smaller compared to the second radial extension ER2 and the second thickness T2 respectively, the first sealing washer 46 bends to a greater extent compared to the second sealing washer 48 ( Figure 2B ). Thus, the contact area between the first sealing washer 46 and the first container 14 is larger than the contact area between the second sealing washer 48 and the first container 14. The farther the sealing section 38 moves towards the closed end 28, the higher the concentration of the insoluble material. Even when the pressure exerted on the second sealing washer 48 by the insoluble material is quite high, the second sealing washer 48 can still remain in contact with the first container 14.

[0056] The coffee or tea filtered in this way can now be consumed. For this purpose, the brewing device 10 can be grasped and tilted by the handle 24 so that the beverage can leave the first container 14 via the container spout 22. After the coffee or tea has been completely consumed, the piston filter assembly 30 is withdrawn from the container 12, and the compressed coffee grounds or tea leaves are removed from the container 12.

[0057] List of Reference Numerals

[0058] 10 Brewing device

[0059] 12 Container

[0060] 14 First container

[0061] 16 Second container

[0062] 18 Connecting section

[0063] 20 Intermediate space

[0064] 21 Container seal

[0065] 22 Container spout

[0066] 24 Handle

[0067] 26 Open end

[0068] 28 Closed end

[0069] 30 Piston filter assembly

[0070] 32 Support frame

[0071] 34 Piston rod

[0072] 36 Filter element

[0073] 38 Sealing section

[0074] 40 Cover

[0075] 42 Guide hole

[0076] 44 Sealing member

[0077] 46 First sealing washer

[0078] 48 Second sealing washer

[0079] X-axis

[0080] ERC Radial first container extension

[0081] ERV Radial container extension

[0082] ER1 First radial extension

[0083] ER2 Second radial extension

[0084] T1 First thickness

[0085] T2 Second thickness.

Claims

1. A brewing device (10) for preparing a beverage using an insoluble material, the brewing device comprising: a container (12) for receiving the beverage and the insoluble material, the container (12) having an open end (26) and a closed end (28) and defining an axis (X), and a piston filter assembly (30) capable of being inserted into the container (12) via the open end (26) and capable of moving along the axis (X) towards the closed end (28), the piston filter assembly (30) including a filter element (36) and a sealing section (38), wherein the sealing section (38) radially surrounds the filter element (36) outside relative to the axis (X), and seals the piston filter assembly (30) within the container (12), and includes a first sealing washer (46) and a second sealing washer (48) spaced apart from each other relative to the axis (X).

2. The brewing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing washer (46) has a first radial extension (ER1) relative to the axis (X), and the second sealing washer (48) has a second radial extension (ER2) relative to the axis (X), the first radial extension (ER1) being different from the second radial extension (ER2).

3. The brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first sealing washer (46) has a first thickness (T1), and the second sealing washer (48) has a second thickness (T2), the first thickness (T1) being different from the second thickness (T2).

4. The brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that when viewed from the open end (26) and along the axis (X), the first sealing washer (46) is arranged in front of the second sealing washer (48), and the first radial extension (ER1) is greater than the second radial extension (ER2), and the first thickness (T1) is less than the second thickness (T2).

5. The brewing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (12) has a radial container extension (ERV) relative to the axis (X), the radial container extension (ERV) varying along the axis (X).

6. The brewing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (12) includes a first container (14) and a second container (16) connected to each other and forming an intermediate space (20), the sealing section (38) sealing the piston filter assembly (30) within the first container (14).

7. The brewing device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first container (14) has a radial first container extension (ERC) relative to the axis (X), the radial first container extension (ERC) varying along the axis (X).

8. The brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the first container (14) and / or the second container (16) is made of plastic.

9. The brewing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brewing device (10) further comprises: a lid (40) that can be inserted into the open end (26) of the container (12) and includes a guide hole (42) extending parallel to the axis (X), wherein the piston filter assembly (30) includes a piston rod (34), and the filter element (36) is fixed to the piston rod (34), the piston rod (34) passes through the guide hole (42).

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