Centrifugal beverage maker for the production of juice or plant milk

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the production of juices or plant milk, such as fruit or vegetable juices or soy milk, which simplifies the separation of the solid plant residues from the liquid and does not require subsequent filtration.

[0002] Soy milk is a plant-based beverage made from soybeans. Its composition and uses are similar to those of milk. Traditional soy milk, a stable emulsion of oil, water, and proteins, is a liquid extract of whole soybeans. The liquid is produced by soaking dry soybeans, which are then pressed with water. Soaked soybeans are referred to in this application as soybean mass. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Recently, there has been a growing trend towards making one's own food from basic ingredients rather than buying ready-made products. Various kitchen appliances are used for this purpose, for example, to make fruit juices or plant-based milk. In the realm of vegan diets or for people with lactose intolerance, plant-based milk, and especially soy milk, is a popular alternative to cow's milk.

[0004] Plant-based milks like soy or almond milk are typically made in soup cookers or blenders, where the ingredients are blended with water. In any case, the resulting mixture must be filtered after blending. This is usually done through sieves or towels. A major drawback of this method is either the high percentage of plant-based milk remaining in the pulp or the risk of getting your hands wet from manually squeezing the pulp in a towel.

[0005] Another method of production involves using a cylindrical filter inserted into the jug of a blender. In the case of soy milk, the soybean mass (soybeans soaked in water) is ground in this filter, allowing the soy milk to flow out and collect in the blender jug. However, even with this method, a significant amount of soy milk remains in the residue, which, as described above, must be manually separated or otherwise discarded.

[0006] One such solution can be found, for example, in EP 1 836 905 A1. In this application, the soybean mass is ground within a filter, and the soy milk is extracted from the filter. Subsequently, the total mass of soy milk and residual material is allowed to settle in the jug so that the residual material settles and only dissolved soy milk is poured out through the spout. No separation of the remaining soy milk from the residual material takes place.

[0007] Fruit and vegetable juices are usually extracted using juicers. These are available in two basic designs. In a centrifugal juicer, the ingredients are placed in a rapidly rotating sieve with an integrated shredder. The shredder chops the ingredients, and the juice is forced out of the sieve by centrifugal force. Such a sieve is shown, for example, in DE 17 47 531 U.

[0008] So-called "slow juicers" use a tapered auger to press food through a sieve, extracting the juice. One such device is shown, for example, in US 2017 / 0231414A1.

[0009] Both systems have the disadvantage of being specialized devices used exclusively for juice production. They are also very large and cleaning is time-consuming. Therefore, they are primarily suitable for producing small quantities of juice or are less attractive to users with limited storage space.

[0010] Neither device is suitable for making soy milk, as it is not possible to grind the ingredients together with water.

[0011] JP 5 682155 B2, WO 2010 / 081253 A1, US 5 074 201 A and US 2013 / 003489 A1 represent further state of the art. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides a beverage maker for producing fruit or vegetable juices or plant-based milk for use with a handheld kitchen appliance, which simplifies the separation of solid plant residues from the liquid and eliminates the need for subsequent filtration. The simplified separation of plant residues from liquid eliminates manual post-processing steps, particularly when preparing soy milk, such as manually squeezing the soybean residue through a cloth, thereby significantly reducing the amount of soy milk remaining in the soybean residue.

[0013] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a beverage maker having the features of claim 1. Preferred features of embodiments are found in the dependent claims.

[0014] The present invention provides a beverage maker. This beverage maker comprises a filter for receiving the ingredients (e.g., soybean paste or fruit), a drive unit, a grinding tool, and a jug. The filter is arranged within the jug and allows the grinding tool to be inserted into it. In the first step of beverage production, the drive unit powers the grinding tool, which grinds the ingredients within the filter to produce a dispersion of the desired liquid (plant milk or juice) and solid residue. In a second step, the drive unit rotates the filter. For this purpose, the grinding tool is removed from the filter, and the drive unit is detached from it. The drive unit is then attached to the jug using a lid or adapter, thus connecting it to the rotating filter.After the ingredients have been crushed, the filter is rotated to separate the liquid plant milk or juice from the remaining residual material using centrifugal force.

[0015] Because the filter is directly enclosed by the container, the soybeans and the additional water required for making soy milk can be added to the beverage maker together without the water being able to drain away, and thus remaining in contact with the beans during grinding.

[0016] The ingredients are ground up in the filter, which contains a mixture of plant-based milk or juice and residual material. Some of the liquid flows through the filter into the jug of the beverage maker, while some remains trapped in the residue. As the filter rotates, centrifugal forces act on the mixture, causing the liquid to be extracted from the residue. After the filter has rotated sufficiently, the liquid is largely separated from the residue and collected in the jug. No further steps are needed to extract the liquid, such as pressing with a pestle or straining through a cloth. The residue can be removed along with the filter for separate disposal or further processing.

[0017] To prevent the liquid from flowing back into the filter, it may need to be poured off before and during rotation. Alternatively, the distance between the bottom of the filter and the base of the jug can be adjusted so that the entire amount of liquid to be processed collects in this area. Backflow into the filter is then impossible, even without pouring off the liquid in between.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the filter is cylindrical.

[0019] A cylindrical filter shape ensures even weight distribution during rotation. In a filter design with corners, more mass can be concentrated in one corner at the start of rotation, leading to an imbalance. This imbalance places undue stress on bearings and the filter material, resulting in unwanted vibrations. Using a cylindrical filter promotes a more favorable mass distribution during rotation. Furthermore, a cylindrical filter makes better use of the space within the container, as a non-cylindrical filter would require more clearance around it during rotation.

[0020] The filter preferably has a housing in which a filter surface is arranged, wherein this filter surface is preferably a metal or plastic sieve.

[0021] A filter surface allows the liquid to escape during the filter's rotation, while the remaining material stays inside. A filter surface made of metal or plastic is reusable and can be cleaned with common household cleaners. For example, a filter surface could be in the form of a perforated metal sheet or a mesh similar to a household sieve. A replaceable filter screen is particularly advantageous. This makes it easier to replace and allows for the use of different screens for different applications.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the filter has a filter lid for closing the filter.

[0023] Sealing the filter with a filter cover prevents residual material from escaping during rotation. Furthermore, a coupling point for connecting the drive to the filter can be easily created on the filter cover, preferably along the filter's axis of rotation.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the filter has a bearing, wherein the filter with the bearing is arranged on a bearing point in the jug.

[0025] A bearing, preferably on the underside of the filter, allows the filter to be mounted on a bearing point within the jug. This bearing reduces friction and wear on both the filter and the jug. Without such a bearing, the filter's rotation could otherwise lead to material failure. This bearing point could, for example, be an existing support for a knife or kneading hook. Thus, a single jug can be used for rotating a filter, as well as for grinding or kneading other foods. Furthermore, using the same bearing point for different purposes allows for versatile use and, depending on its design, can simplify manufacturing.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the jug has a lid for closing it, and a gearbox can be arranged in the lid through which the drive can be connected to the filter. This gearbox allows the filter to be rotated at a different speed than that of the grinding tool.

[0027] This type of drive system has the advantage that, when using a fixed-speed drive, different rotational speeds can be achieved for the shredding tool and the filter. Such a gearbox also allows for increased power transmission. For example, a drive can power a shredding tool at high speed to reduce the material. This process requires relatively low forces or torques from the drive, but necessitates high rotational speeds. The gearbox then reduces the speed of the filter, so that it rotates at a lower speed than the shredding tool, while providing higher torque, which is required to accelerate the large mass of the filled filter.

[0028] The jug can have a cylindrical or conical-section-shaped base, as is common with household appliances.

[0029] Alternatively, the jug can have a spherical or ellipsoidal shape. This allows for a larger volume with the same overall height, so that the space between the jug and the filter can hold more liquid.

[0030] Alternatively, the jug lid and filter lid can be designed as an integral component, or they can be separate components. If both are designed as an integral component, meaning they are permanently attached (without tools), closing the jug automatically closes the filter as well. This simplifies the operation of the soy milk maker.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, the grinding tool is arranged in the filter via a freewheel. The grinding tool can rotate relative to the filter in a first direction, grinding the ingredients. The filter is prevented from rotating with the grinding tool by a freewheel located in the bearing between the filter and the jug. In a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first, a second freewheel in the bearing between the grinding tool and the filter causes the filter to be driven along by the grinding tool, so that both rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. The liquid is then separated from the remaining material by centrifugal force.

[0032] This design allows the beverage maker's functions to be performed without reconnecting or otherwise modifying the connection between the drive and the filter or the grinding tool. The desired function can be achieved simply by selecting the direction of rotation. In the first direction, only the grinding tool is driven, thus grinding the ingredients in the filter and producing liquid and residue. The drive's direction of rotation can then be reversed, allowing centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the residue.

[0033] Another variation involves a height-adjustable blade located directly within the filter. This is achieved via an axle with at least two locking positions. The blade can first be locked in the upper position, where it rotates freely, while the filter remains stationary or rotates slowly in the same direction. In this first locking position, the ingredients in the filter can be ground to produce plant-based milk or fruit / vegetable juice. The blade can then be moved to the lower locking position. In this position, it forms a positive connection with the filter, causing the blade and filter to rotate in the same direction and at the same speed when the motor is started. This centrifuges the plant material. Therefore, unlike the previously described variation, this design allows the use of a motor that can only rotate in one direction.

[0034] Preferably, the chopping tool is a blade head and the drive is the hand part of a stick blender.

[0035] Blade heads are common food processing tools used in both stand and hand blenders. In this context, a blade head is a hub with one or more blades mounted laterally. Rotation around the hub's axis causes the blades to spin and cut the food being processed. In some cases, the blades are positioned on the hub in such a way that they create a suction effect on the food, similar to a propeller. This ensures the food is circulated and fed towards the blade head.

[0036] Immersion blenders are household appliances that typically consist of a handle and an attachment with a blade. The handle contains a motor with an output shaft that can be coupled to a shaft in the attachment to drive it. Many immersion blenders have coupling points that allow them to be connected to various attachments with different functions. For example, an immersion blender can be used to chop with one attachment and to blend with another. For the present invention, an immersion blender with an attachment containing a blade can be used to chop the ingredients (e.g., soybean paste or fruit) and extract the liquid. In the next step, the attachment with the blade can be removed, and the filter itself can be connected to the handle. For this purpose, the filter only needs to have a suitable coupling point for the handle.In this way, the filter can be coupled to the motor's output shaft and rotated by it to separate the liquid from the remaining residual material by centrifugal force.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention provides a method for producing plant-based milk or fruit and vegetable juices. In this method, the starting ingredients are placed in a filter. These are then comminuted by a driven grinding tool, producing a mass of liquid and solid residue. After the liquid and residue have been generated in the filter, the filter is rotated, whereby the liquid is separated from the remaining residue by centrifugal force.

[0038] By applying this method, in particular to a beverage maker as described above, the advantageous effects of the invention can be achieved.

[0039] Preferably, the filter is arranged in a jug to collect the produced liquid. Preferably, the grinding tool is a blade head, and more preferably, the grinding tool and the rotation of the filter are driven by the handpiece of a stick blender.

[0040] The described embodiments of the beverage maker offer several advantages over the previously mentioned known devices.

[0041] When preparing plant-based milk, there's no need for manual filtering or pressing of the blended plant milk to extract the liquid. Furthermore, the described beverage maker is more versatile, as it can be used for both plant-based milk and juices. The beverage maker isn't a large, specialized appliance, but rather a compact attachment for a hand blender. This makes it particularly suitable for preparing smaller quantities and allows for easy cleaning in a dishwasher. Because parts of the beverage maker can also be used for other purposes (e.g., jug, container lid, motor, blending tool), its overall footprint is significantly smaller than that of dedicated juicers.

[0042] Further preferred features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures and the entirety of the patent claims. SHORT FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0043] The invention is described in the following section with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying documents. The characters are explained in more detail. Figure 1 shows a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a beverage maker in a first configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows another beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows another beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5 and 6 show a beverage maker according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows two stages of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0044] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a filter 10 for a soy milk maker. The filter 10 is cylindrical and has a lid 11, a top surface 12, a housing 16, a filter area 18, and a bearing 14 on the underside of the filter 10. The lid 11 can be connected to the filter 10 via a plug or screw connection and serves to prevent the soybean mass from escaping the filter 10. Furthermore, the lid 11 provides a coupling point on the central axis A of the filter 10, via which a motor 50 can be coupled to the filter 10.

[0045] Fig. 2 displays filter 10. Fig. 1In an installation setting, the filter 10 is positioned with the bearing 14 on a bearing point 22 in a jug 20. In this configuration, the filter 10 can be filled with ingredients (e.g., soybeans and water or fruit). A hand blender is then inserted into the filter. The motor 50 of the hand blender transmits torque through the shaft 30 to the blade head 60, which grinds the ingredients. This process extracts some of the liquid from the ingredients, allowing it to flow through the filter 10 into the jug 20. To prevent the filter 10 from rotating during this process, it can be secured within the jug 20.

[0046] In the next step, the motor 50 of the hand blender can be separated from the shaft 30 and connected to the filter 10 via the filter lid 11 and the jug lid 40. This situation is in Fig. 5The process is shown on the right. The torque of the motor 50 rotates the filter and the pulverized material it contains. The resulting centrifugal force presses the material against the walls of the filter 10, forcing any liquid still bound within the material through the filter surface 18 into the jug 20. After sufficient rotation of the filter 10, the liquid is largely separated from the remaining material, leaving only the residual material in the filter 10. This residual material can be removed along with the filter 10 and disposed of separately or used for other purposes.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows an alternative way of using the filter of the beverage maker. Fig. 1 .In this variant, a separate jug lid 40 seals the jug 20. A transmission is arranged within this jug lid 40, which is coupled to the coupling point of the filter lid 11 or directly to the filter 10. Following the processing of the ingredients, the motor 50 of the hand blender is coupled to the transmission of the jug lid 40 in such a way that it amplifies the speed of the hand blender. This allows the rotational speed for rotating the filter 10 to be lower or higher than the rotational speed of the blade 60 without requiring a variable-speed motor. It is possible for the blade to operate at a high speed and low torque, since the cutting forces for processing the ingredients are relatively low, while the rotation of the filter requires higher torque due to its greater moving mass.The gearbox in the jug lid 40 allows both functions to be performed with a motor 50 at a constant speed.

[0048] Another embodiment shows Fig. 4 . In this assembly, a freewheel 70 is located in the bearing point between filter 10 and cutter head 60. The cutter head 60 is driven via the jug lid 40. In a first direction of rotation, the filter 10 is not rotated, or only minimally rotated, by the freewheel 70. This results in a relative movement between the blades 62 of the cutter head 60 and the ingredients in the filter 10, thus grinding the soybeans. To prevent unintentional rotation of the filter 10, it can be additionally secured in this direction of rotation by a second, opposing freewheel 71 located in the bearing point between jug 20 and filter 10.

[0049] In a second direction of rotation, the freewheel 70 blocks movement between filter 10 and cutter head 60. Due to this blockage, filter 10 rotates along with cutter head 60, resulting in the previously described centrifugal forces, and the liquid remaining in the ingredient mixture is forced through the filter surface 18 into the jug 20. In this second direction of rotation, the second freewheel 71 between filter 10 and jug 20 allows relative movement between the jug and filter.

[0050] This variant can also be operated with a gearbox in the jug lid 40; however, in this case, the gearbox must also be direction-dependent to ensure the different desired speeds for the respective function. Alternatively, a variable-speed motor can be used, which provides a different speed in each direction of rotation.

[0051] In Figures 5 and 6Essentially the same reference symbols are used as in Figures 1 to 4 used, with an apostrophe appended to the numbers of the corresponding components. In Figures 5 and 6 The filter 10' is rotatably mounted on a first bearing point 22'. A second bearing point 23' is provided in the filter 10', on which a cutter head 60' with blades 62' is rotatably mounted. This cutter head 60' is engaged with a motor 50'.

[0052] Between the lower end of the cutter head 60' and the filter 10' there is a coupling 24'. This coupling 24' is designed such that in the Figure 5The depicted state shows the lower end of the blade head 60' spaced from the filter 10', allowing the blade head 60' to move freely relative to the filter 10' and thus operating in free-running mode. In this state, rotation of the motor 50' causes the blade head 60' to move within the filter 10', while the filter 10' remains stationary and therefore does not move, or moves only minimally, relative to the jug 20'. In this configuration, food placed in the filter 10' can be ground.

[0053] When the cutter head 60' is pressed down onto the filter 10', the clutch 24' engages (see Figure 6In this state, the cutter head 60' is fixed to the filter 10'. When the motor 50' is operated, it rotates the cutter head 60' together with the filter 10', so that they do not rotate (or only minimally) relative to each other. However, the filter 10' now rotates relative to the jug 20', so that any beverage that has been prepared is now ejected outwards due to centrifugal force.

[0054] Fig. 7Figure 1 shows the use of a hand blender to produce beverages in the beverage maker. On the left, the hand blender is positioned in the filter 10. The filter 10 contains ingredients that are ground by the hand blender, allowing liquid to flow from the filter 10 into the jug 20. A residue of ground ingredients remains in the filter, containing more liquid. The right half of the figure shows the second step in beverage production. In this step, the hand blender's motor 50 is connected to the filter 10 via the jug lid 40 and can rotate it to separate the liquid from the remaining residue by centrifugal force. The jug 20 also has a handle 25 for easy handling.

[0055] Although this application mainly refers to the production of soy milk, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that a device or process such as that disclosed in this application is suitable for the production of juice or milk from crushed nuts, cereals, beans, vegetables, or fruits. Non-restrictive examples include the production of almond milk or orange juice. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that terms such as "soy milk" or "almond milk" are not to be understood as encompassing milk as an animal or human product in the strict sense, but rather as referring to plant-based beverages that are colloquially called "milk."

Claims

1. A soy milk maker comprising a filter (10) for receiving soybean mass, a hand blender with a drive (50), a comminuting tool (60), a jug (20), and a jug lid (40), wherein the filter (10) is disposed in the jug (20) and the comminuting tool (60) on the hand blender is insertable into the filter (10), wherein the drive (50) is configured to drive the comminuting tool (60) to comminute soybean matter in the filter (10), wherein the filter (10) is arranged to be rotated in the jug (20) by the drive (50) via the jug lid (40) to separate the soybean milk from the remaining residual material.

2. Soy milk maker according to claim 1, wherein the filter (10) is cylindrical.

3. Soy milk maker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter (10) comprises a housing (16) in which a filter surface (18) is arranged, wherein the filter surface is preferably a metal or plastic screen which is even more preferably replaceable with respect to the filter housing.

4. Soy milk maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (10) comprises a filter cover (11) for closing the filter (10).

5. Soy milk maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (10) comprises a bearing (14), wherein the filter (10) is arranged with the bearing (14) on a bearing point (22) in the jug (20).

6. Soy milk maker according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the jug (20) comprises a jug lid (40) for closing the jug (20), wherein a gear (26) is arranged in the jug lid (40), via which the drive (50) can be connected to the filter (10), whereby the filter (10) can be rotated at a different speed than the comminuting tool (60).

7. The soy milk maker according to claim 6, wherein the filter lid (11) is fixedly connected to the jug lid (40).

8. Soy milk maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the comminuting tool (60) is arranged in the filter (10) via a first freewheel (70), wherein in a first direction of rotation the comminuting tool (60) can rotate relative to the filter (10) and crush the soybean mass and in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, the comminuting tool (60) is rotated with the filter (10) to separate the liquid soy milk from the remaining residual material by centrifugal force.

9. Soy milk maker according to claim 8, wherein the filter (10) is arranged in the jug (20) via a second free wheel (71) counteracting the first free wheel (70), wherein in a first direction of rotation of the comminuting tool (60), the second freewheel (71) prevents rotation between the filter (10) and jug (20), and in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation of the comminuting tool (60), rotation between the filter (10) and jug (20) is possible.

10. Soy milk maker according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the comminuting tool (60') is axially movable in the first free wheel , and wherein the comminuting tool (60') can be selectively either non-rotatably connected to the filter (10') or freely rotatable with respect to the filter (10').

11. Soy milk maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jug (20) is a sphere or an ellipsoid in basic shape.

12. Soy milk maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the comminuting tool (60) is a cutter head and wherein the drive (50) is the hand part of a stick blender on which the cutter head is provided.

13. Method for producing soy milk, wherein soybean mass is fed into a filter (10), whereupon the soybean mass is comminuted with a driven comminuting tool (60) on an inserted hand blender and a mass of soy milk and residual material is produced, wherein the filter (10) is arranged in a jug (20) for retaining soy milk, whereupon the filter (10) is rotated via the drive of the hand blender and via a jug lid (40), thereby separating the soy milk from the residual material.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the comminuting tool (60) is a cutter head, and wherein preferably the comminuting tool (60) and the rotation of the filter are driven by the hand part of a hand blender.