Device for preparing extracted drinks

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preparing, for example, coffee drinks. In order to propose a solution which enables the preparation of a clear coffee beverage in a long-lasting manner and without excessive technical investment, a device (10) is proposed which has a filter cup (12) and an extract container (14), wherein the filter cup (12) has a filter screen (16) and is arranged at least partially in the interior of the extract container (14) and can be in a first position and a second position relative to the extract container (14), and wherein the device (10) further has a seal (18) which seals the filter cup (12) and the extract container (14) against each other when the filter cup (12) is in the first position, wherein the second position is higher than the first position such that the sealing action of the seal (18) is released, and wherein the device (10) further has a guide structure (20) located outside the extract container (14), the extract container (14) having a spout (22).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for preparing an extracted or filtered beverage, in particular a coffee or tea beverage. BACKGROUND

[0002] There are a number of known approaches, for example for mechanically brewing coffee. These include, inter alia, filter coffee machines, pump pressure coffee machines, fully automatic coffee machines, espresso pots, percolators and capsule coffee machines.

[0003] In filter coffee machines, heated water is added to coffee powder (or coffee grounds) in a filter, which is mostly designed as a paper filter, wherein the water absorbs coffee constituents as an extraction agent when passing through the coffee powder and the solid matter is largely retained by the filter. In this case, the water is added more or less continuously or intermittently (schallweise), wherein in so-called direct brewing systems the intermittent addition of heated water approximates the effect of manual brewing. In manual brewing, hot water is added to the filter containing the coffee powder by the operator.

[0004] For pump pressure machines, heated water is directed at a pressure of approximately 9 bar through the coffee powder on a sieve, wherein a similar approach is also used in fully automatic coffee machines and capsule coffee machines.

[0005] In espresso pots, water is heated in a kettle below a filter containing coffee powder, such that the pressure generated in the kettle at this point is directed through a riser tube to the coffee powder and through another riser tube into a collection container.

[0006] In percolators, heated water is also delivered from a kettle through a riser tube, wherein the water delivered thereat subsequently drips onto coffee powder on a filter and re-enters the kettle.

[0007] In addition to the already mentioned manual brewing, press stempelkanne are also used, wherein coffee powder mixed with hot water is pressed downwards by a press mould provided with a sieve, such that the coffee beverage remains above the sieve.

[0008] Such press stempelkanne can also be used for tea beverage preparation, wherein for the tea to be prepared, mostly a pre-prepared tea bag, filter bag, filter tea or tea ball (Tee-Eier) with one portion of tea is used. There are also preparation variants in which loose tea remains in the cup or kettle, i.e. without filtration and only the loose tea itself settles.

[0009] Publications relating to the extraction and filtration of beverages or water are known, for example, from CH 243 568 A, DE 54 82 32 A, DE 22 07 839 A, DE 29 06 743 U1, GB 23 40 027 A, US 5 03 563 A, US 2 64 51 73 A, US 5 88 04 41 A, US 10 26 49 11 B2, US 10 36 68 85 B2, US 2004 / 0154471 A1, US 201 1 / 0168644 A1 and WO 2010 / 101658 A2.

[0010] In known methods in which a paper filter is used for filtration, the following disadvantages exist: on the one hand, the resulting beverage can be influenced in terms of flavor by the filter material, and on the other hand, the paper filter can only be used once or at most a few times, is therefore not very durable and is not very resource-friendly. Regardless of the question of durability, the paper filter needs to be prepared in order to be able to apply the respective method, which means that without the filter, the coffee machine cannot be used. It is therefore necessary to store the paper filter in addition to the consumables, such as coffee powder.

[0011] The advantage of the paper filter is of course its good filtering capacity, even in the case of finely or very finely ground coffee, which simplifies the extraction, so that a substantially clear beverage can be produced. In addition to the advantages in terms of flavor and / or aroma of the clear beverage, the beverage is prevented from being difficult to drink for the consumer by the solid parts, such as coffee grounds, being retained.

[0012] For example, paper filters are not necessary when using a French press or a "permanent filter" made of metal, usually stainless steel, and / or plastic. Due to the design, a fine porosity comparable to that of a paper filter cannot be achieved in these known solutions. A sufficiently fine mesh or a corresponding fine filter for producing a (substantially) clear beverage would quickly become clogged, i.e. blocked, in a French press, so that the water flow would not be possible without the application of pressure. Even if a coarser grind is accepted, which has disadvantages in terms of extraction, it is not possible to avoid "underkorn" in the ground material, which can still pass through the filter.

[0013] A device for producing a filtered coffee beverage known from DE 10 2017 002 943 A1 consists of a filter cup and a coffee container. In the initial position, the filter cup of corresponding size is located in the coffee container, supported on the bottom wall of the container. In this position, boiling water is poured into the filter cup and ground roast coffee is subsequently added, which is mixed with the water by stirring or shaking the device. Subsequently, the filter cup is moved into the upward filtering position, in which the coffee beverage passes through a filter mesh located at the bottom of the filter cup into the coffee container.

[0014] In the device known from DE 102017002943 A1 relatively complex operations are required, wherein the filter cup needs to be lifted almost completely from the coffee container, then be locked in the filtering position by means of the interaction of the pin and the slot by relative rotation of the filter cup and the coffee container. SUMMARY

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to avoid or at least mitigate the disadvantages and limitations of the known solutions in the prior art, wherein the object of preparing a clear extraction beverage is also achieved.

[0016] It is therefore desirable to provide a solution which enables the preparation of, for example, as clear as possible, coffee beverages in a lasting manner without excessive technical effort and still with convenient handling, which can have a good flavor and good drinkability.

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for preparing an extraction beverage, in particular a coffee beverage, as defined in claim 1 is proposed, that is to say with a filter cup for receiving solid extraction material, in particular coffee powder, and a liquid extraction agent, in particular water, wherein the filter cup has a filter screen in the bottom region, which is configured to filter the extraction beverage and to retain a solid substance portion of the extraction material not taken up by the extraction beverage in the filter cup, wherein the filter cup is at least partially arranged in the interior space of the extraction liquid container and can be brought into a first position and a second position relative to the extraction liquid container, wherein the device further has a seal which, when the filter cup is in the first position, seals a predetermined first portion of the interior region of the extraction liquid container and a remaining second portion of the interior region of the extraction liquid container relative to one another, the second position being higher than the first position, such that the sealing action of the seal is released and the extraction beverage is allowed to pass from the filter cup through the filter screen into the extraction liquid container, the device further having a guide outside the extraction liquid container to move the filter cup between the first position and the second position, wherein the extraction liquid container has a pouring spout which enables the extraction beverage to be poured out of the extraction liquid container with the solid substance portion of the extraction material not taken up by the extraction beverage being retained in the filter cup.

[0018] In the device known from DE 102017002943 A1 there is a certain guidance of the filter cup by the opening of the coffee container in which the filter cup is arranged, but the user must control the movement of the filter cup himself by means of the handle of the filter cup, it is also suggested to hold the coffee container by means of the handle of the coffee container, so that a two-handed operation, although not necessary, is actually still unavoidable. Even if it is possible to lift the filter cup from the coffee container with one hand, in order to be fixed in the fixed position the coffee container and the filter cup must be rotated relative to one another, so that two hands are required.

[0019] Since the guide according to the application is arranged outside the extraction liquid container, the handling is simplified, in particular since the user is no longer responsible for the correct control of the movement to reach the position for filtering the extracted beverage.

[0020] In the production of an extracted beverage, the device according to the application of course also realizes the advantages known from DE 102017002943 A1. If coffee powder is added as an example of an extraction material to hot water, as an example of a liquid extraction agent, which is already present in the filter cup, the extraction can be assisted, for example, by stirring or shaking, wherein the degree of absorption of the flavor substances is determined by the duration of the mixture of water and coffee powder remaining in the filter cup. By the seal, the filter cup and the first part of the interior region of the extraction liquid container are blocked off from the remaining second part of the interior region, which prevents the extraction agent or the extracted beverage from entering the second part of the interior region from the filter cup or from the first part of the interior region.

[0021] In the selection of the material of the seal, it is to be considered that the seal, ultimately like the filter cup and the extraction liquid container, comes into contact with water, for example, when producing coffee, which has a temperature of approximately 100°C as an extraction agent, and therefore should have sufficient heat resistance while maintaining the sealing properties. For this purpose, rubber, for example, synthetic rubber EPDM, or silicone material can be used.

[0022] For the filter cup and the extraction liquid container, likewise, sufficient heat resistance is to be noted, wherein, in particular, for the production of tea or coffee, metals, in particular stainless steel, glass and ceramics can be considered as materials, of course also plastics with sufficient thermal stability, such as polycarbonate.

[0023] In the use of filter bags or in the pressure application of water through coffee powder, a relatively short residence time is created, in which the water can extract flavor substances from the coffee powder. In order to make use of this residence time, the coffee powder is ground relatively fine in order to enlarge the effective surface area. In the press pot, the residence time of water and coffee powder can be chosen more or less freely, but since the filtration is essentially coarser, also a coarser coffee powder is required.

[0024] The filter screen of the device according to the application advantageously has a pore size in the range of 5 pm to 100 pm, preferably in the range of 20 pm to 50 pm. The smaller the pore size, the more clear the extracted beverage produced, wherein a smaller pore size of course also makes the passage through the filter screen slower and the risk of the filter screen being clogged by the extraction material is higher. The risk of clogging is of course smaller compared to the press pot. The extraction material and the extraction agent form a suspension, wherein the finer particles of the extraction material here first tend to remain in the area of the surface of the suspension. The finer particles therefore first pass through the filtration process, in particular at the end of the filtration process.

[0025] Preferably, the filter screen is made of stainless steel, wherein the filter screen can be designed, for example, to be implemented by perforations and / or to be similar to a fabric. It is further preferred here that the filter screen is mounted on or in the filter cup in a replaceable manner. Preferably, the pouring spout or the device as a whole can be implemented in such a way that the extraction beverage can be poured out independently of the position of the filter cup, i.e. not only when the filter cup is in the second position. If the filter cup is brought (in fact not provided) back into the first position while there is still extraction beverage in the extraction liquid container, this can result in the extraction beverage located inside the filter cup no longer being able to enter the second region of the extraction liquid container due to the sealing of the sealing element, so that the extraction beverage cannot be poured out through the pouring spout during the filter cup is in the first position.

[0026] In an advantageous design variant of one aspect of the application, the filter cup in the second position is higher than a full liquid level, which is obtained when the extraction liquid container is filled with a liquid having a volume corresponding to the internal volume of the filter cup.

[0027] The internal volume of the filter cup determines the amount of liquid extraction agent (e.g. hot water) used for extraction as a whole in terms of the sealing in the first position. If the filter cup is only guided in the extraction liquid container to a height which is still within the region of the extraction beverage located in the extraction liquid container, the extraction material in the filter cup continues to extract flavour substances, wherein the longer the extraction time, the more undesirable bitter substances, etc. enter the extraction beverage. If the filter cup is completely removed from the extraction agent-filled region of the extraction liquid container, this process is avoided.

[0028] A distance between the second position and the first position which is greater than described above does not bring further advantages, since in the scenario described above the filter cup is certainly separated from the extraction beverage in the extraction liquid container.

[0029] Even if the filter cup is only guided in the extraction liquid container to a height which is still within the region of the extraction beverage located in the extraction liquid container, i.e. when the second position in a further design variant is not higher than the above-mentioned full liquid level, it is possible to avoid the filter cup being in the extraction beverage in the extraction liquid container for too long by pouring the extraction beverage out of the extraction liquid container (through the pouring spout) before the extraction beverage has completely filtered through.

[0030] In a further advantageous design variant or a preferred variant of the above-mentioned design variant, the extraction liquid container has an internal volume which is 1.4 times the internal volume of the filter cup.

[0031] If the extraction liquid container has a significantly larger inner volume than the filter cup, the height to which the filter cup has to be lifted in order to disengage the region of the extraction beverage in the extraction liquid container is thereby correspondingly reduced. It is thereby possible, on the one hand, to keep the height of the device more compact and, on the other hand, to make the operation easier with the reduction of the distance between the first position and the second position. In an exemplary implementation of the device, the filter cup has an inner volume of about 1.5 L, while the extraction liquid container has an inner volume of about 2.2 L, thus a difference of about 1.47 times.

[0032] The above-mentioned variant can advantageously be implemented in that the inner region of the extraction liquid container widens downwards.

[0033] Since the inner region of the extraction liquid container widens, for example, in the manner of a truncated cone, a relatively larger inner volume can be achieved in a simple manner starting from the engagement position of the filter cup in the opening of the extraction liquid container. Other possible solutions are likewise feasible, for example, an abdominal shape.

[0034] In a further advantageous design of the aspect of the application, the filter cup is supported in the first position on the bottom of the extraction liquid container by means of a seal.

[0035] A possible solution for providing a seal up to the addition of the extraction material and enclosing the extraction agent in the filter cup for the desired duration consists in providing a seal between the filter cup and the bottom of the extraction liquid container.

[0036] Here, the seal can extend around the region of the filter screen, which is preferably located only at the bottom of the filter cup, so that a predetermined first portion of the extraction liquid container is determined as the region which is defined downwards through the bottom of the extraction liquid container, upwards through the filter cup and outwards through the surrounding seal.

[0037] In a further advantageous design of the aspect of the application, the guide structure is designed to lock the filter cup in the first position and / or in the second position.

[0038] Even if the first position can be maintained by the weight of the filter cup (and the elements connected thereto) on the seal (e.g. exerting sufficient force on the seal), the locking makes the handling easier for the user, who can move the device together with the filter cup locked in the first position without having to pay attention to the filter cup being accidentally moved out of the first position. Furthermore, by being locked in the first position it can also be accompanied by the fact that a force is exerted on the seal, in particular in the case of the filter cup being supported on the bottom of the extraction liquid container by the seal (see above). It is likewise possible to pour the extracted beverage completely out of the extraction liquid container with the filter cup being held by the user in the second position, so that it does not have to be kept in the second position after that. In general, locking in the second position also makes the use more convenient, since the filter cup no longer has to be held in place by the user himself.

[0039] In the device known from DE 102017002943 A1 the fixing of the filter cup and the extraction liquid container (herein referred to as collection container or coffee container) is achieved by a rotational movement of these elements relative to each other, wherein in the first position, i.e. when the seal is under load, it is accompanied by an adverse load or wear of the seal. The present invention avoids this disadvantage.

[0040] In a further advantageous design of the aspect of the invention, the guide structure extends next to the extraction liquid container, wherein the guide structure is in particular designed to serve as a handle of the device.

[0041] It has been found that the guide structure can advantageously be used as a handle for holding and carrying the device as soon as it extends next to the extraction liquid container.

[0042] In a further advantageous design of the aspect of the invention, the guide structure comprises a sleeve and a spindle accommodated within the sleeve. In a preferred variant of this design, the sleeve can be rotated relative to the spindle about a longitudinal axis.

[0043] The sleeve located on the outside can advantageously be held by the user, wherein in particular the ability to rotate allows the handling with only one hand. The spindle is used here for interacting with the sleeve, wherein the spindle does not need to be designed solid. Thus, the spindle can also be designed for example in the shape of a tube with a sufficiently thick wall, so that the wall (and the spindle) has sufficient stability (in particular when the spindle is provided with a slot, as discussed below).

[0044] The above-mentioned variant can advantageously be designed such that the spindle has at least one slot into which a pin located within the sleeve is inserted, and / or such that the spindle has at least one pin which is inserted into a slot or a slit of the sleeve.

[0045] By means of the groove and the pin it is possible to achieve a guided relative positioning of the mandrel and the sleeve, which can also be used to achieve a prevention of a longitudinal movement of the mandrel and the sleeve relative to one another upon corresponding design of the groove and corresponding twisting.

[0046] In an advantageous development of the above-mentioned variant it can be provided that the groove or the slit is designed to lock the filter cup in a position by means of a preferably tapering locking branch, wherein in particular the locking branch is provided with a ramp section for locking in the first position.

[0047] The ramp section in the locking branch has the advantage that by means of a relatively small force for moving the pin along the ramp section a relatively greater force can be exerted in the longitudinal direction, for example for intensifying the sealing action, wherein the friction in the branch itself forms a certain insurance against unintentional release. The ramp section does not have to be provided over the entire extent of the locking branch. Thus, the locking branch can have the ramp section, for example, in a first region, followed by a section which extends essentially horizontally.

[0048] The preferred but not necessary tapering of the locking branch can form a certain insurance against unintentional movement of the pin within the locking branch. The pin is held in the tapering region by means of frictional forces, so that upon shaking of the device as a whole for assisting the extraction process or for cleaning the filter cup, the locking is not unintentionally released.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally to the tapering, other measures can be taken to make unintentional release more difficult or to prevent unintentional release. Thus, the groove or the slit can have a narrowing, which can have a certain locking effect. The narrowing can be provided between the wall portions of the slit or the groove, in the case of the groove the narrowing can of course also comprise a reduction in the depth of the groove. The narrowing can be achieved by designing the groove or the slit itself with a narrowing, but also by inserting a material, preferably a resilient and wear-resistant material, at the appropriate location.

[0050] The design variants discussed here can advantageously be designed such that the sleeve has a preferably spring-loaded pin and the mandrel has at least one pin receptacle for locking.

[0051] The provision of the (spring-loaded) pin and the pin receptacle makes it possible to fix the filter cup in the first position and / or in the second position.

[0052] In a further advantageous design variant of the aspect of the application, the sealing element is held on a wall portion of the filter cup and supports the filter screen.

[0053] The retaining of the seal on the wall can advantageously be designed to be detachable, for example by force fit (e.g. friction fit) and / or form fit, such that the seal can be removed from the remaining filter cup, allowing the seal to be replaced. Material fit (e.g. adhesive) is also possible, but does not allow for easy replacement.

[0054] In the case of a filter cup which is substantially cylindrical, the seal can abut against the inner side of the inner wall of the cylinder, wherein the retaining of the seal on the wall can be achieved by the wall and the seal cooperating accordingly. For example, the seal can here have a substantially annular section which extends in the longitudinal direction of the filter cup (i.e. transversely to the filter surface, the filter forming the permeable bottom of the filter cup) and abuts against the inner wall of the filter cup.

[0055] Here, the filter is supported by the seal, for example by designing the seal as a profiled section which comprises a receptacle through which the filter extends into the profiled section to be retained therein. Here, the filter can be provided with a circumferential flange or at least with a flange section which lies inside the profiled section to prevent the filter from accidentally falling out of the seal profiled section, for example due to movement.

[0056] It is also possible to support the filter by the seal by retaining the filter between the seal and the wall.

[0057] The seal and the filter can be connected to one another in such a way that they can be separated from one another. For example, it is possible here to remove a damaged filter from the seal and to insert a new filter, wherein the seal can be reused. Likewise, a seal which is no longer functional can also be replaced by a new one, the still intact filter continuing to be used.

[0058] It is of course also possible to provide the seal and the filter as one piece, for example by means of an injection-moulding process, wherein the filter is inserted into the mould together.

[0059] The design solutions discussed here provide that the retaining of the seal on the wall of the filter cup and the supporting of the filter by the seal can also be provided independently of one another within the scope of the application.

[0060] The seal here preferably has an inclined sealing lip which points inwards / downwards, such that the liquid pressure of the liquid inside the filter cup presses the sealing lip against the bottom of the extract container when the sealing lip abuts against the bottom.

[0061] In a further advantageous design of the aspect of the application, the filter cup has an outer contour and the extract container has an opening through which the filter cup extends, wherein the outer contour and the opening cooperate with one another to jointly form a further guide.

[0062] Even if such additional guide is not required, i.e. the filter cup can be arranged at the upper region, for example, at a distance from the wall of the extraction liquid container, the guiding of the filter cup at the opening of the extraction liquid container has a positive effect on the overall stability of the device.

[0063] The device according to the application can be cleaned in particular by introducing a cleaning liquid, in particular water, into the extraction liquid container, in particular after the extraction beverage has been completely poured out, by means of the cleaning liquid rinsing the filter screen, in which the solid matter portion of the extraction material which has not been removed from the filter cup is swelled, and pouring the cleaning liquid with the solid matter portion located therein out of the filter cup via the opening of the filter cup.

[0064] The cleaning of the filter cup or the filter screen is carried out to some extent in the opposite direction to the filtering, whereby the device is brought back into the state in which the filter cup is in the first position, i.e. ready for the continued preparation of the extraction beverage. In order to simply introduce the cleaning liquid, it is advantageous for the pouring spout to have a large opening or a large open volume, which is all the more advantageous in view of the extraction liquid container having an increased internal volume relative to the filter cup.

[0065] Advantageous embodiments of the application are in particular defined in the dependent claims, wherein further advantageous features, embodiments and design solutions can also be derived by the person skilled in the art from the above description and the following discussion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0066] The application is further illustrated and described below on the basis of the embodiments shown in the drawings. Therein: Figure 1 a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extraction beverage according to the application is shown in a first perspective, Figure 2 a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extraction beverage according to the application is shown in a second perspective, Figure 3 a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extraction beverage according to the application is shown in a third perspective, Figure 4 a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extraction beverage according to the application is shown in a fourth perspective, Figure 5 a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extraction beverage according to the application is shown in a fifth perspective, Figure 6 a schematic perspective of the course of the slot on the mandrel of one embodiment of the device according to the application is shown, Figure 7shows a schematic detail view of an aspect of a first embodiment of a device according to the present application, Figure 8 shows Figure 7 a further schematic detail view of an aspect of Figure 9 shows Figure 7 and Figure 8 a further schematic detail view of an aspect of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device 10 for preparing an extracted beverage according to the present application in a first perspective and in a second perspective.

[0068] The device 10 comprises an extraction liquid container 14 and a filter cup 12 which is arranged partially within the extraction liquid container 14. The filter cup 12 is equipped with a cup lid 46 which closes an opening 44 of the filter cup 12. The extraction liquid container 14 has a pouring spout 22, wherein the opening of the interior region of the extraction liquid container 14 is covered at this point in the area of the pouring spout 22. Of course, this opening can also extend up to the upper edge of the pouring spout 22. The filter cup 12 and the extraction liquid container 14 are connected to each other by a handle 20 which is designed as a guide 20 opposite the pouring spout 22.

[0069] Figure 3 shows a schematic view representing a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extracted beverage according to the present application in a third perspective.

[0070] As already indicated in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the filter cup 12 is located partially within an interior region 24 of the extraction liquid container 14, wherein the filter cup 12 is equipped with a filter screen 16 at its bottom. The filter screen 16 is held here by a ring-shaped seal 18 which has the following profile: a section of the seal 18 rests against the inner side of the surrounding wall of the filter cup 12 (and is sealed here), wherein there is also a lip which extends obliquely inwards / downwards. By the corresponding design of the profile, the filter screen 16 is held by the seal 18, wherein the unit consisting of the seal 18 and the filter screen 16 can be pulled out of the filter cup 12 downwards in order to be loaded into a further corresponding unit, for example for replacement in the event of damage to the filter screen 16 or the seal 18.

[0071] The interior region 24 of the extraction liquid container is connected with the pouring spout 22. In Figure 3 , the filter cup 12 is in a second position in which the filter screen 16 is located at a distance from the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container 14. In contrast thereto, the filter cup 12 is in Figure 1 and Figure 2 a further corresponding unit, for example for replacement in the event of damage to the filter screen 16 or the seal 18.In the first position, the filter cup 12 is supported on the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container 14 by a seal (not shown) which surrounds the filter screen 16, so that the liquid located in the filter cup 12 is blocked. Figure 3 In the position shown in Fig. 1, this sealing action is released, so that the liquid can pass through the filter screen 16 from the filter cup 14 into the interior region 24 of the extraction liquid container 14. The opening 44 at the upper end of the filter cup 14 is closed by the cup lid 46.

[0072] In the position shown in Fig. 1, this sealing action is released, so that the liquid can pass through the filter screen 16 from the filter cup 14 into the interior region 24 of the extraction liquid container 14. The opening 44 at the upper end of the filter cup 14 is closed by the cup lid 46. Figure 3 It can also be observed in Fig. 1 that the handle or guide 20 has a sleeve 30 and a spindle which extends within the sleeve 30. The spindle 32 is fixedly connected here to the extraction liquid container 14, while the sleeve 30 is connected to the filter cup 12 by a bearing, so that the sleeve 30 itself can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Of course, the arrangement of the sleeve 30 and the spindle 32 with respect to the filter cup 12 and the extraction liquid container 14 can also be different.

[0073] The sleeve 30 has a pin 36 which is guided in a slot 34 provided in the spindle 32 (see Fig. 2). Figure 6

[0074] The filter cup 12 has an outer contour 40 which, together with a corresponding opening 42 of the extraction liquid container 14, achieves additional guidance of the filter cup 12 in the extraction liquid container 14.

[0075] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A fourth and a fifth perspective view show a first embodiment of a device for preparing an extracted beverage according to the application.

[0076] Figure 4 The perspective views correspond in terms of perspective to the perspective views of Figure 2 , wherein the device 10 shown in Figure 2 , Figure 4 The device 10 shown in Fig. 1 has the filter cup 12 raised from the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container.

[0077] Figure 5 A perspective view is shown from an oblique lower side, in which a lateral support frame for stabilizing the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container 14 can be observed.

[0078] Figure 6 A schematic perspective view is shown of the course of the slot 34 on the spindle 32 of an embodiment of the device according to the application.

[0079] These perspective views show the course of the spindle 32 or the slot 34, respectively, in a perspective which is offset by 90° from one another. The course of the slot 34 comprises two locking branches 38, of which the lower locking branch 38 is equipped with a ramp section for pressing the filter cup against the bottom of the extraction liquid container in the first position of the filter cup.​

[0080] By rotating (in the present case in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from above) the pin member (not shown) in the respective locking branch 38 can be brought into the region of the vertically extending section of the slot 34 which connects the starting points of the locking branches 38 to each other. Approximately at the half-way point between the locking branches 38, the slot 34 has a branch which is also horizontally oriented and which leads to a further vertically extending section. This section extends up to the apex of the core 32 and enables the pin member (and also the sleeve) to be removed from the region of the mandrel, whereby the filter cup can also be separated from the extraction liquid container. The locking branches 38 extend over a range of approximately 90°, wherein the horizontally oriented branch extends over a range of approximately 180° around the mandrel 32.

[0081] Figure 7 A schematic detail view of an aspect of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. In this detail view, it is shown in detail that the filter cup 12 is supported and sealed on the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container by means of the seal 18. At the lower end of the filter cup 12, an assembly comprising the filter screen 16 and the seal 18 which surrounds the filter screen 16 is installed. The assembly is constructed in such a way that the substantially ring-shaped seal 18 (consisting of synthetic rubber) integrally accommodates the filter screen 16. The possibility of achieving this integral accommodation lies in the fact that the seal 18 is manufactured in an injection-moulding manner, wherein the filter screen 16 is placed into the injection-moulding mould here, so that the material used for this is embedded together with the filter screen 18 when the seal 18 is formed. In the present case, the filter screen 18 has a (in the drawing) upwardly angled, circumferential section on its outer peripheral portion, which section causes the filter screen 16 to be better fixed in the sealing material. Since the filter screen 16 has small openings, the sealing material can pass through the filter screen 16 when the seal 18 is formed, so that an inner connection of the seal 18 to the filter screen 16 is achieved here.

[0082] The assembly consisting of the seal 18 and the filter screen 16 can be removed from the filter cup 12, for example in the event of damage to the filter screen 16, and replaced by a new assembly.

[0083] In the arrangement shown in Figure 7 , the hot water in which the coffee powder is suspended (indicated by hatching) is located inside the filter cup 12 and is blocked here by the seal 18 which interacts with the bottom 26 of the extraction liquid container and cannot enter the inner region 24 of the extraction liquid container, with the exception of the region which is also surrounded by the seal 18 and which is located directly below the filter screen 16.

[0084] The seal 18 is designed such that it has a section (above in the figure) which, on the one hand, lies in a sealing manner around against the inner wall of the filter cup 12, where the seal 18 is held on the filter cup 12 in particular by force fit. On the other hand, below this section, the seal 18 has a sealing lip which extends obliquely inwards from the section above, wherein the sealing lip is deformed at the filter cup 12 which is supported on the bottom 26, so that a sufficient sealing action with the bottom 26 is produced.

[0085] Figure 9 A further schematic detail view of aspects of the Figure 7 and Figure 8 is shown. In the first position of the filter cup 12 in Figure 7 and with the seal 18 blocking the suspension in the filter cup 12, the filter cup 12 is moved upwards from this position in Figure 9 so that the sealing action is released and the coffee beverage can pass from the interior of the filter cup 12 through the filter 16 into the interior region 24 of the extraction vessel.

[0086] Figure 8 An intermediate state between the situation shown in Figure 7 and the situation shown in Figure 9 is shown. When the filter cup 12 is supported on the bottom 26 of the extraction vessel by the seal 18 and the seal 18 is deformed here in Figure 7 , the filter cup 12 and the seal are in Figure 8 slightly raised relative to Figure 7 and the seal 18 is still in contact with the bottom of the extraction vessel, so that coffee beverage does not (or at least not substantially) enter the interior region 24 around the filter cup 12. In contrast, in Figure 9 , the filter cup 12 and the seal 18 are located at a distance from the bottom. It is apparent that in the state represented by the schematic drawing in Figure 9 , already a lot of coffee beverage has passed through the filter 16, so that the area of the interior region 24 visible in the figure is filled.

[0087] It can be provided that the filter cup 12 is moved away from the bottom 26 or is lifted upwards, so that the lower end of the filter cup is located higher than the level of the coffee beverage in the extraction vessel with the seal 18 and the filter 16.

[0088] Figures 7 to 9 The pin 36 is shown in the slot 34 in the right-hand region of the figure respectively also in the left-hand region of the figure corresponding to the illustration in the left-hand region. The illustration of the slot 34 is here simplified with respect to Figure 6 , since the part of the slot 34 which enables the pin 36 to be removed is not shown together.

[0089] Reference is still made to Figure 6, the pin 36 is located below the outer (left) end of the lower locking branch 38, as shown in Figure 7 the situation in the middle left view, and Figure 8 corresponds to the position of the pin in the transition area from the lower locking branch 38 to the vertically extending section of the slot 34. Figures 7 to 9 In the situation shown in the middle right view, the pin 36 is located above the left end of the upper locking branch 38, as shown in Figure 6 the situation in the middle right view, and Figure 9 corresponds to the position of the pin in the transition area from the upper locking branch 38 to the vertically extending section of the slot 34. Figure 6 In the situation shown in the middle left view, the pin 36 is located below the outer (left) end of the lower locking branch 38, as shown in the situation in the middle left view, and

[0090] corresponds to the position of the pin in the transition area from the lower locking branch 38 to the vertically extending section of the slot 34.

[0091] List of reference signs: 10: device for preparing an extracted beverage 12: filter cup 14: extract container 16: filter screen 18: seal 20: guide, handle 22: pouring spout 24: inner region 26: bottom 30: sleeve 32: mandrel 34: slot 36: pin 38: locking branch 40: outer contour 42: opening of the extract container 44: opening of the filter cup 46: cup lid of the filter cup.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage, in particular a filtered coffee beverage, having a filter cup (12) for receiving a solid extracted material, in particular coffee powder, and a liquid extracting agent, in particular water, and an extracted liquid container (14), wherein the filter cup (12) has a filter screen (16) in a lower region, which is designed to filter the extracted beverage and to retain a solid substance portion of the extracted material, which is not absorbed by the extracted beverage, in the filter cup (12), wherein the filter cup (12) is arranged at least partially in an interior space of the extracted liquid container (14) and is movable relative to the extracted liquid container between a first position and a second position, wherein the apparatus (10) further has a seal (18) which seals a predetermined first portion of the interior region (24) of the filter cup (12) and the extracted liquid container (14) relative to a remaining second portion of the interior region (24) of the extracted liquid container (14) against each other when the filter cup (12) is in the first position, wherein the second position is higher than the first position, so that the sealing action of the seal (18) is released and the extracted beverage is allowed to pass from the filter cup (12) through the filter screen (16) into the extracted liquid container (14), wherein the apparatus (10) further has a guide (20) outside the extracted liquid container (14) for moving the filter cup (12) between the first position and the second position, wherein the extracted liquid container (14) has a pouring spout (22) which enables the extracted beverage to be poured out of the extracted liquid container (14) with the solid substance portion of the extracted material, which is not absorbed by the extracted beverage, being retained in the filter cup (12).

2. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 1, wherein the filter cup (12) is higher than full in the second position, the full level being obtained when the extracted liquid container (14) is filled with a liquid having a volume corresponding to the internal volume of the filter cup (12).

3. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extracted liquid container (14) has an internal volume which is 1.4 times the internal volume of the filter cup (12).

4. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 3, wherein the interior region (24) of the extracted liquid container (14) widens downwards.

5. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter cup (12) is supported in the first position by the seal (18) on a bottom (26) of the extracted liquid container (14).

6. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The guide structure (20) is designed to lock the filter cup (12) in the first position and / or in the second position.

7. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The guide structure (20) extends next to the extraction liquid container (14), wherein the guide structure (20) is in particular designed to serve as a handle (20) of the device (10).

8. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The guide structure (20) comprises a sleeve (30) and a mandrel (32) which is accommodated in the sleeve (30).

9. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 8, wherein The sleeve (30) is rotatable relative to the mandrel (32) about a longitudinal axis.

10. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 9, wherein: - the mandrel (32) has at least one slot (34) in which a pin (36) located within the sleeve (30) is inserted, and / or - the mandrel (32) has at least one pin which is inserted into a slot or a slit located in the sleeve (30).

11. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 10, wherein The slot (34) or the slit is designed to have a locking branch (38) for locking the filter cup in one position, preferably the locking branch is tapered, wherein in particular the locking branch (38) is provided with a ramp section for locking in the first position.

12. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The seal (18) is held on a wall portion of the filter cup (12) and supports the filter screen (16).

13. Device (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The filter cup (12) has an outer contour (40) and the extraction liquid container (14) has an opening (42) through which the filter cup (12) extends, wherein the outer contour (40) and the opening (42) cooperate with one another such that the outer contour and the opening jointly form a further guide structure.

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