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 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) 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 portion (38) that surrounds the filter element (36) radially outwardly with respect to the axis (X) and seals the piston filter assembly (30) to the container (12), the sealing portion (38) comprising first and second sealing gaskets (46, 48) spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis (X).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brewing device for preparing beverages using insoluble materials. [Background technology]

[0002] A brewing device for preparing beverages is also known as a French press or press filter. The brewing device includes a container with an open end and a closed end, which typically has a cylindrical or prismatic shape. To prepare a beverage, typically coffee or tea, a desired amount of insoluble material, such as coffee grounds or tea leaves, is filled into the container through the open end, and hot water is then poured over it. The coffee grounds or tea leaves are then allowed to steep for a certain period of time. A piston filter assembly, including a piston rod and a filter element attached to the piston rod, is then placed inside the container. Typically, the piston rod is slidably attached to a lid that fits over the open end and can be used to close the container. The press filter has a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the container, so the filter element is laterally flush with the container. The piston rod presses the filter element toward the closed end of the container. As a result, the extracted coffee grounds or tea leaves are separated from the coffee or tea and compressed in the closed end area. The filtered coffee or tea is then ready to drink. After the coffee or tea has been completely consumed, the piston and filter assembly is withdrawn from the container portion, and the compressed coffee grounds or tea leaves are removed from the container portion. Documents illustrating the relevant prior art include DE3432289C1, WO02 / 067739A1, U.S. Patent No. 10791866(B2), EP2798985(A1), EP3242579(B1), U.S. Patent No. 11109707(B2), and WO96 / 035360A1.

[0003] To ensure adequate separation of insoluble materials from the beverage, the piston filter assembly includes a sealing member that seals the piston filter assembly against the interior wall of the container. However, it has been found that properly sealing the piston filter assembly against the container is not an easy task. As mentioned above, the piston filter assembly is moved downward toward the closed end. This movement can be impaired 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 contact pressure will damage the container. Higher contact pressure increases the wear on the sealing member, leading to premature loss or deterioration of the sealing function. If the contact pressure is too low, insoluble materials may not be separated from the beverage. This poor separation can be exacerbated by container tolerances or loose sealing members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] DE3432289C1 [Patent Document 2] WO02 / 067739A1 [Patent Document 3] US Patent No. 10791866(B2) [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 2798985(A1) [Patent Document 5] European Patent No. 3242579(B1) [Patent Document 6] US Patent No. 11109707(B2) [Patent Document 7] WO96 / 035360A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of one embodiment of the present invention is to propose an infusion device for preparing beverages with insoluble materials that can remedy the above drawbacks, in particular a infusion device with a piston-filter assembly that is easy to move within the container and provides a long-term and sufficient separation of the insoluble materials from the beverage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by the features set forth in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a brewing device for preparing beverages using insoluble ingredients, comprising: - a container for receiving a beverage and an insoluble material, the container having an open end and a closed end and defining an axis; a piston filter assembly insertable into the container through the open end and movable along the axis toward the closed end; The piston filter assembly includes a filter element and a sealing portion, the sealing portion Radially surrounding the filter element relative to the axis and sealing the piston-filter assembly to the container; 〇 It includes a first sealing gasket and a second sealing gasket spaced apart from each other based on the axis.

[0008] The first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket may be formed by a common sealing member, but the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket may be separate parts and may be separately connected to the piston filter assembly.

[0009] Insoluble materials that are not separated from the beverage by the second sealing gasket can be separated by the first sealing gasket. This separation is improved even if the contact pressure is reduced. Reduced contact pressure also reduces wear, so the improved separation is maintained for a longer period of time.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, - the first sealing gasket has a first radial extent relative to the axis; - the second sealing gasket has a second radial extent relative to the axis; The first radial extent is different from the second radial extent.

[0011] In many cases, the container has a circular cross section. In this case, the first radial extent and the second radial extent can be considered diameters. Because the first radial extent is different from the second radial extent, the first sealing gasket may exert a different contact pressure on the container than the second sealing gasket. This can improve separation without compromising the mobility of the piston-filter assembly within the container.

[0012] In a further embodiment, - the first sealing gasket has a first thickness; - the second sealing gasket has a second thickness, The first thickness is different from the second thickness.

[0013] The flexibility of the first and second sealing gaskets can be adjusted by the first and second thicknesses, respectively. As explained earlier, the brewing device can be used specifically for the preparation of coffee and tea. However, the particle size of coffee grounds is usually smaller than that of tea leaves. By using sealing gaskets with different flexibility, proper separation is ensured regardless of the type and concentration of the insoluble material used.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, - the first sealing gasket is positioned forward of the second sealing gasket when viewed from the open end and along the axis; The first radial extent is greater than the second radial extent and the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

[0015] This example proves to be able to obtain a high degree of separation and avoid stick-slip effects.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the container has a container radial extent relative to the axis, the container radial extent varying along the axis.

[0017] As mentioned above, in most cases, the vessel has a circular cross section. Therefore, the vessel radial extent can also be considered the vessel diameter. Variations in vessel radial extent, especially when the vessel is made of glass, can be due to tolerances or can be intended for design or technical reasons. Because the piston filter assembly contains two sealing gaskets, they can be adjusted to accommodate changing vessel radial extents, ensuring proper separation even when the vessel radial extent changes.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, - the container includes a first container portion and a second container portion connected to each other to form an intermediate space; The sealing portion seals the piston-filter assembly to the first container portion.

[0019] The intermediate space is usually hermetically closed and filled with air, which acts as an insulator. As mentioned at the beginning, brewing machines are primarily used for preparing hot beverages such as coffee or tea. Due to the insulating properties of the intermediate space, the temperature of the beverage is maintained for a longer period of time than in a single-walled container. The first container part is surrounded by the second container part, and the beverage is received by the first container part. Thus, the sealing part interacts with the first container part.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the first container portion has a first container portion radial extent relative to the axis, the first container portion radial extent varying along the axis. It may be desirable, particularly for design reasons, to provide a first container portion with a particularly varying diameter. Again, the first and second sealing gaskets may be designed to adequately separate the non-fusible material from the beverage, regardless of the change in diameter of the first container portion.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the first and / or second container parts are formed from a resin. The use of a resin offers the possibility of mass-producing the first and second container parts at an acceptable cost, particularly when the first and second container parts are produced by injection molding. To facilitate demolding, a slightly increasing diameter from the closed end to the open end is advantageous. As already explained, the change in diameter can be accommodated by the first and second sealing gaskets to ensure proper separation of the insoluble material.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the brewing device comprises: - a lid insertable into the open end of the container and including a guide hole running parallel to the axis; - The piston filter assembly includes a piston rod to which a filter element is fixed; - The piston rod is threaded through the guide hole.

[0023] The lid can be used to temporarily close the open end, minimizing heat loss so that the initial temperature of the beverage can be maintained for a longer period of time. Furthermore, it prevents unintentional spillage when pouring the beverage into a tea or coffee cup. The guide holes also prevent twisting of the piston-filter assembly within the container, thereby ensuring proper separation of insoluble materials from the beverage.

[0024] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a brewing device according to the invention, with the piston and filter assembly in a first position; [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is an enlarged detail of area A defined in FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a brewing device according to the present invention, with the piston and filter assembly in a second position. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is an enlarged detail of the area B defined in FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In FIG. 1A, an embodiment of an infusion device 10 according to the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. The infusion device 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A comprises a container 12 formed by a first container part 14 and a second container part 16. The first container part 14 and the second container part 16 are cylindrical. The first container part 14 is inserted into the second container part 16 and is arranged concentrically with the second container part 16 about an axis X. The first container part 14 and the second container part 16 are made of resin and are fixed to each other at a connecting part 18. The first container part 14 and the second container part 16 may be connected to each other by material bonding such as welding or gluing, or by other suitable means. In the connected state, the first container part 14 and the second container part 16 enclose an intermediate space 20 filled with air. The intermediate space 20 may be sealed by a container seal 21 to prevent air exchange. The first container part 14 forms a spout 22. A handle 24 is secured to the second container portion 16 .

[0027] The container 12, in this case the first container portion 14, defines an open end 26 and a closed end 28. A piston filter assembly 30 is insertable into the first container portion 14 via the open end 26. The piston filter assembly 30 includes a disk-shaped retaining frame 32 secured to a piston rod 34. A filter element 36 is attached to the retaining frame 32, at the end of which an angular sealing portion 38 is formed around the periphery of the filter element 36.

[0028] The lid 40 is inserted into the open end 26 of the first container part 14 and is provided with a guide hole 42 running concentrically with the axis X. The piston rod 34 passes through the guide hole 42 and is thereby positioned concentrically with the axis X.

[0029] 1B, which is an enlarged view of the area defined in FIG. 1A, the sealing portion 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. As viewed from the open end 26 along the axis X, the first sealing gasket 46 is disposed forward of the second sealing gasket 48. The first sealing gasket 46 has a first radial extent ER1 relative to the axis X, and the second sealing gasket 48 has a second radial extent ER2 relative to the axis X. As previously mentioned, the first container portion 14 is cylindrical. Because the first sealing gasket 46 and the second sealing gasket 48 may seal the filter assembly to the first container portion 14, the first radial extent ER1 and the second radial extent ER2 may also be considered to be the diameters of the first sealing gasket 46 and the second sealing gasket 48, respectively.

[0030] 1A, the container 12 has a container radial extent ERV relative to the axis X, which in this case is formed by the first container section 14 and is also referred to as the first container section radial extent ERC. Both the container radial extent ERV and the first container section radial extent ERC refer to the inner extent of the container 12 and the first container section 14, respectively.

[0031] The container radial extent ERV and the first container portion radial extent ERC vary along the axis X. Starting at the open end 26, the first container portion radial extent ERC1 decreases in the region between the spout 22 and the connection portion 18. The first container portion radial extent ERC then decreases only slightly towards the closed end 28.

[0032] The first sealing gasket 46 has a first radial extent ER1 that is greater than the second radial extent ER2 of the second sealing gasket 48 (see FIG. 1B). Furthermore, 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.

[0033] The brewing apparatus 10 operates as follows: To prepare coffee or tea, a desired amount of insoluble material, such as coffee grounds or tea leaves, is loaded into the first container portion 14 through the open end 26, and hot water is then poured over it. The coffee grounds or tea leaves are then allowed to steep for a period of time. As best shown in FIG. 1A, the lid 40, along with the piston and filter assembly 30, is then inserted into the open end 26 of the first container portion 14. The retaining frame 32 is in contact with or nearly in contact with the lid 40, and the piston rod 34 extends upwardly through the lid 40 to its maximum extent or nearly its maximum extent. As is particularly apparent in FIG. 1B, only the first sealing gasket 46 is in contact with the first container portion 14.

[0034] The piston filter assembly 30 is now moved toward the closed end 28 of the container 12 by pushing the piston rod 34 downwards, so that the extracted coffee grounds or tea leaves are separated from the coffee or tea and compressed in the area of ​​the closed end 28 (see Figures 2A and 2B).

[0035] As previously described, the radial extent ERC of the first container portion decreases along axis X toward the closed end 28. As a result, not only the first sealing gasket 46 but also the second sealing gasket 48 contact the first container portion 14. Due to the larger first radial extent ER1 and smaller first thickness T1 compared to the second radial extent ER2 and second thickness T2, respectively, the first sealing gasket 46 is subject to greater bending compared to the second sealing gasket 48 (FIG. 2B). Therefore, the contact area between the first sealing gasket 46 and the first container portion 14 is greater than the contact area between the second sealing gasket 48 and the first container portion 14. The further the sealing portion 38 moves toward the closed end 28, the greater the concentration of insoluble material. The second sealing gasket 48 is able to maintain contact with the first container part 14 even when the pressure exerted by the insoluble material on the second sealing gasket 48 is considerable.

[0036] The thus filtered coffee or tea is ready to drink. To this end, the brewing device 10 is grasped by the handle 24 and can be tilted so that the beverage exits the first container part 14 through the spout 22. After the coffee or tea has been completely consumed, the piston and filter assembly 30 is withdrawn from the container 12 and the compressed coffee grounds or tea leaves are removed therefrom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10. Extraction equipment 12 containers 14 First container part 16 Second container section 18 Connection 20 Intermediate Space 21 Container seal 22 spout 24 Handle 26 Open end 28 closed end 30 Piston Filter Assembly 32 holding frame 34 Piston rod 36 filter elements 38 Sealing section 40 Lid 42 guide hole 44 Sealing material 46 First sealing gasket 48 Second sealing gasket A-axis ERC First vessel radial expansion ERV vessel radial expansion ER1 First radial extent ER2 Second radial extent T1 First thickness T2 Second thickness

Claims

1. A brewing device (10) for preparing a beverage using an insoluble material, said brewing device (10) comprising: a container (12) for receiving said beverage and said insoluble material, said container (12) having an open end (26) and a closed end (28) and defining an axis (X); a piston filter assembly (30) insertable into said container (12) through said open end (26) and movable along said axis (X) towards said closed end (28); said piston filter assembly (30) comprising a filter element (36) and a sealing part (38), said sealing part (38) comprising: surrounding said filter element (36) radially outwardly relative to said axis (X) and sealing said piston filter assembly (30) relative to said container (12); A brewing device (10) comprising a first sealing gasket (46) and a second sealing gasket (48) spaced apart from each other with respect to said axis (X).

2. - said first sealing gasket (46) has a first radial extent (ER1) relative to said axis (X); - said second sealing gasket (48) has a second radial extent (ER2) relative to said axis (X); Brewing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first radial extent (ER1) is different from said second radial extent (ER2).

3. - said first sealing gasket (46) has a first thickness (T1); - said second sealing gasket (48) has a second thickness (T2); Brewing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first thickness (T1) is different from said second thickness (T2).

4. - said first sealing gasket (46) is located in front of said second sealing gasket (48) when viewed from said open end (26) and along said axis (X); Brewing device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said first radial extent (ER1) is greater than said second radial extent (ER2) and said first thickness (T1) is less than said second thickness (T2).

5. Brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vessel (12) has a vessel radial extent (ERV) relative to the axis (X), the vessel radial extent (ERV) varying along the axis (X).

6. - said container (12) comprises a first container part (14) and a second container part (16) connected to each other to form an intermediate space (20); Brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said sealing part (38) seals said piston-filter assembly (30) against said first container part (14).

7. Brewing device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said first vessel part (14) has a first vessel part radial extent (ERC) relative to said axis (X), said first vessel part radial extent (ERC) varying along said axis (X).

8. Brewing device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first container part (14) and / or the second container part (16) are made of plastic.

9. The brewing device (10) comprises: - a lid (40) insertable into said open end (26) of said container (12) and including a guide hole (42) running parallel to said axis (X); - said piston filter assembly (30) comprises a piston rod (34) to which said filter element (36) is fixed; Brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said piston rod (34) is threaded through said guide hole (42).

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