A device for dispensing hot beverages

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for extracting a hot beverage. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a liquid, having a bottom that rests on a heat source and a mouth defining an opening on the opposite side of the bottom; a basket that can be positioned in the opening and extends within the container; and a support structure surrounding the basket, having one or more openings through which the liquid can move upward from the container when boiling and then downward into the basket when cooling, and further disposed to substantially surround and support the basket.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for extracting chai (or black tea) and other warm beverages.

Background Art

[0002] Chai is a traditional Indian tea made by extracting black tea leaves together with a mixture of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper fruits. One method of extracting chai tea includes the following: i) boiling a certain amount of water in a single-handed pot; ii) adding tea bags (or tea leaves) and spices to the boiling water; iii) reducing the heat and simmering the liquid for a predetermined time; iv) adding milk and sugar / sweetener to the liquid; v) increasing the heat and boiling the liquid again; vi) removing the single-handed pot from the fire and steaming the tea; and vii) straining the extracted tea through a fine sieve and pouring it into a serving mug. Another method of extracting chai includes the following: i) adding tea, milk, water, and spices to a single-handed pot; ii) boiling the ingredients; iii) reducing the heat and simmering the liquid for a predetermined time; iv) removing the single-handed pot from the fire; and v) straining the extracted tea through a fine sieve and pouring it into a serving mug.

[0003] Milk-based beverages are known to foam up and spill over the edge of the pot or other container when heated. Milk foams when boiling because of the proteins and sugars it contains. When milk is heated, the proteins denature (unwind) and begin to bind to each other. At the same time, bubbles are introduced into the milk by stirring or by the liquid reaching the boiling point and rapidly expanding. The denatured proteins form bubbles around the bubbles, causing foaming on the surface of the milk.

[0004] When the milk reaches the boiling point, the proteins coagulate completely due to the temperature, the bubbles are trapped inside the bubbles, and a stable foaming is formed. If the milk continues to boil further, the bubbles become denser and eventually collapse.

[0005] In some cases, milk frothing can be desirable, such as when making a cappuccino or latte, as the foam gives the beverage a creamy texture and enhances the overall flavor. In other cases, when making sauces or custards, and some beverages, frothing can be undesirable, as it can cause the liquid to boil over or become excessively thick. In such cases, some of the liquid is lost, requiring cleaning.

[0006] There are several traditional methods used to prevent milk from boiling over. Stirring: Stirring the milk frequently disperses the air bubbles, creating a film on the surface that prevents it from boiling over. Lowering the heat: Reducing the heat on the stove can prevent the milk from boiling over too quickly. You can also turn off the heat briefly if you notice the milk is about to boil over. Using a large saucepan: Using a small saucepan for a large amount of milk makes it more likely to boil over. Using a large saucepan gives the milk more room to expand. Adding salt or a drop of oil: Adding a pinch of salt or a drop of oil to the milk reduces the surface tension and can prevent it from boiling over. Using a splash guard: Placing a splash guard or lid over the saucepan can also help prevent milk from boiling over. However, be sure to leave a small gap for steam to escape.

[0007] Even with the best efforts, milk boiling is unpredictable, and boil-overs can still occur. Therefore, it is important to stay close to the pot so you can take action if a boil-over seems imminent.

[0008] It was against this backdrop that the present invention arose. [Overview of the project]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage, comprising: a container for holding a liquid, having a bottom that is placed on a heating source and a mouth defining an opening on the opposite side of the bottom; a basket for holding one or more food or beverage components, which is placeable within the opening and extends within the container; and a support structure surrounding the basket, having one or more openings, through which the liquid can move upward from the container when boiling and then downward into the basket when cooling, and further the support structure is arranged to substantially surround and support the basket.

[0010] The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous over conventional apparatuses for extracting hot beverages due to its unique structure and design features. The apparatus comprises a container for holding liquid, which is designed to rest on a heating source and has a mouth defining an opening on the opposite side of the bottom. A basket for holding one or more food or beverage components can be positioned within the opening and is held in place by a support structure extending inside the mouth of the container. The support structure further comprises at least one opening, or slot, which allows the liquid to pass upward from the container when boiling and then downward into the basket when cooling. This design ensures that components are always leached into the hot liquid, enabling efficient and consistent extraction of hot beverages. The support structure also provides additional support to the basket, ensuring that the basket remains stably held in place during the extraction process.

[0011] In one embodiment, the container comprises a first part that includes a bottom and holds liquid contents, and a second part that includes a removable top having a mouth, a basket, and an annular lip.

[0012] Making the container top detachable facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the device. This is particularly beneficial when the device is used frequently for various hot beverages, as it allows for easy cleaning after each use. Furthermore, the detachable container top enables more convenient and flexible use of the device. For example, the top can be easily removed and replaced with a different basket or accessory, allowing users to customize the device to their specific needs. The detachable container top also simplifies the transport and storage of the device. By removing the top, the bottom of the container can be more easily packed and stored. This improves the portability and convenience of the device, making it attractive to users seeking a compact and easy-to-use solution for dispensing hot beverages.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bottom portion has an open surface on the opposite side of the bottom portion, and the open surface has a support surface on which the second portion is supported.

[0014] The support surface on the open bottom provides a stable and secure platform for the second portion of the container, ensuring that the second portion remains in place during the extraction process. This prevents spills and leaks, improving the safety and reliability of the device during use.

[0015] In one embodiment, the basket has a frustoconical or cylindrical structure having an open top surface and a closed bottom surface with a tapered wall between them, the tapered wall and bottom surface having a plurality of openings configured to allow liquid from a first part of the device to permeate.

[0016] The tapered walls and bottom opening facilitate the penetration of liquid from the first part of the device into the basket, allowing food or beverage components to effectively leach into the liquid. This improves the overall performance of the device and ensures that hot beverages are extracted with high quality. Furthermore, the closed bottom of the basket helps prevent most solid food or beverage components from leaking into the first part of the container, facilitating cleaning and maintenance of the device. Additionally, the closed bottom also helps prevent components from unnecessarily mixing with the liquid in the first part of the container. Due to the nature of chai, it is necessary to leach small spice particles into the liquid base of the beverage. However, larger spice pieces and particles are undesirable and can impair the quality and taste of the extracted beverage. Therefore, the size of the opening is set so that spice pieces and particles larger than a certain size do not pass through the liquid, while smaller spice particles are free to pass through the opening and leach into the liquid.

[0017] In one embodiment, the support structure comprises a baffle extending upward from an annular lip projecting inward from the opening at the bottom of the container, the baffle substantially surrounding the basket when in use.

[0018] The baffle helps prevent splashing and spilling of liquid as it boils, rises through one or more openings in the support structure, and falls back into the basket. This improves the safety and reliability of the device and prevents unnecessary contamination and waste.

[0019] In one embodiment, either the support structure or the basket further comprises an annular ring surrounding its open top surface.

[0020] When the liquid boils and bubbles, the bubbles rise from the bottom of the device, then cool and return to the basket as liquid through the annular ring. This has the advantage of breaking down the bubbles, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture for the chai. Furthermore, the annular ring increases the surface area to which the bubbles are thermally exposed to the area surrounding the liquid, facilitating cooling. This causes the bubbles within the bubbles to burst or shrink, reducing their size. Thermal exposure and bubble breakdown control bubble accumulation and maintain a consistent cycle in which the bubbles rise from the bottom of the device and the liquid returns to the bottom of the device, passing through the spices held in the basket.

[0021] In one embodiment, a channel is defined between the inner circumferential wall of the upper portion and a baffle surrounding the basket, and when the liquid and / or foamy contents from the lower portion are heated to near their boiling point, they rise upward through a slot in the annular lip and are guided through the channel.

[0022] The channels control and maintain a consistent liquid flow, preventing splashing and spills and ensuring uniform and efficient extraction of hot beverages. Furthermore, as the liquid foams near its boiling point, it disperses as it passes through the slots and channels, preventing foam buildup. Without this, the fountain effect—where the liquid heats up, foams, and then cools, bypassing the spices and returning to the basket—would be hindered. This improves the safety and reliability of the device, preventing unnecessary contamination and waste. Additionally, the channels help maintain a stable liquid temperature, ensuring that hot beverages are extracted at a consistently optimal temperature.

[0023] This improves the overall performance and functionality of the device and ensures high-quality hot beverages.

[0024] In one embodiment, one or more obstacles or objects are placed within the channel to restrict the flow of liquid.

[0025] Placing one or more obstacles or objects in the liquid flow path has several advantages. Such a configuration creates turbulence within the liquid, promoting the extraction of flavors and aromas from spices and tea leaves. This results in a more robust, creamy, and flavorful tea. Additionally, by restricting or redirecting the liquid flow, these obstacles or objects can prevent the liquid from splashing out or spilling from the device. This is particularly important when simmering tea for a long time, as in traditional tea extraction methods.

[0026] In one embodiment, the detachable top comprises a bottom supported by a support surface and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and substantially defining a bowl-shaped and reverse-curved profile.

[0027] The reverse-curved profile functions as a barrier to hold the liquid and guide its flow, helping to prevent the liquid from splashing and spilling. This improves the safety and reliability of the device, preventing unnecessary dirt and waste. Also, the reverse-curved profile of the peripheral wall provides a streamlined ergonomic design that enhances the aesthetics of the device, making it more appealing to the user.

[0028] In one embodiment, the device comprises a watertight seal between a first part and a second part.

[0029] The watertight seal helps to prevent leakage and spillage, enhancing the safety and reliability of the device and preventing unnecessary dirt and waste. Also, the watertight seal helps to maintain the temperature and pressure of the liquid within the device, ensuring that warm beverages are extracted with consistent optimal temperature and high quality.

[0030] In one embodiment, the device comprises a locking mechanism between a first part and a second part for detachably locking the first and second parts together.

[0031] The locking mechanism helps ensure that a watertight seal is maintained between the first and second parts, maintaining the temperature and pressure of the liquid within the device and ensuring that hot beverages are dispensed at a consistently optimal temperature and with high quality. The locking mechanism also provides a secure and reliable connection between the first and second parts, enhancing the safety and reliability of the device and preventing leaks and spills. Furthermore, the locking mechanism provides a convenient means of joining the first and second parts of the device, helping to keep both parts fixed and prevent separation when, for example, the device is moved from the stove and its contents are poured into a beverage container.

[0032] In one embodiment, the second part further comprises a handle extending outward from the second part.

[0033] Handles facilitate the carrying and transport of equipment and provide a convenient means of holding and operating the equipment. Furthermore, handles provide a safe and secure way to handle hot equipment, reducing the risk of burns and injuries.

[0034] The drawings provided herein are intended to further illustrate and clarify various aspects and embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the following drawings show some embodiments of the disclosed self-locking joint. It should be understood that the specific configurations and details shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the invention, and other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is an isometric view of the apparatus for extracting hot beverages related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of the apparatus. [Figure 3] This is another diagram of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of the apparatus. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operation method of the devices shown in Figures 1 to 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] The following description of preferred embodiments is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or its uses.

[0037] The description of embodiments based on the principles of the present invention is intended to be read together with the accompanying drawings, which are considered to be part of the whole description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, descriptions of direction or orientation are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. Relative terms such as “bottom,” “top,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom,” and their derivatives (e.g., “horizontal,” “downward,” “upward,” etc.) should be interpreted as being based on the orientation shown in the description or drawings. These relative terms are for illustrative purposes only and do not require the device to be constructed or operate in a particular orientation unless expressly indicated. Terms such as “attached,” “fixed,” “connected,” “joined,” and “interconnected” refer to relationships in which structures are fixed or attached to each other directly or indirectly through intervening structures, including movable or fixed attachments or relationships, unless expressly otherwise stated. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should clearly not be limited to these embodiments which illustrate non-limiting combinations of features that may exist individually or in combination with other features, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended herein.

[0038] As shown in the drawings, one aspect of the present invention relates to a apparatus (10) for extracting hot beverages and / or cooking dry foods. The apparatus (10) comprises a lower part (12) consisting of a bottom (14), a peripheral wall (16) extending upward from the bottom (14), and an opening (18) open on the opposite side of the bottom (14). The bottom (14) contains a thermally conductive material for conducting heat from a heat source, i.e., the top of a cooking range (hob), to the liquid contained within the lower part (12). The side wall (16) contains a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the bottom (14). However, in some embodiments, the side wall (16) may have a higher thermal conductivity than the bottom (14). In some embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the side wall (16) and the bottom (14) may be equal. The opening (18) comprises at least one support (20) that allows the upper part (22) to be stacked on top of the lower part (12). The watertight seal (23) is positioned between the upper (22) and lower (12) parts of the device (10). As shown in the drawing, the lower part (12) includes four inwardly facing support parts (20) arranged at equal intervals on the inner circumference of the open opening (18) of the lower part (12).

[0039] The upper part (22) has a circumferential wall (24) whose first diameter at the first end is concentric with the diameter of the lower part (12). The circumferential wall (24) has a second diameter at the second end due to a flared portion provided between the first and second ends of the circumferential wall (24). The first end of the circumferential wall defines an annular lip (26) projecting inward from the circumferential wall (24). The handle (27) is attached to the outer circumferential wall (24) of the upper part (22) by rivets, screws, or other means. The upper part (22) has an overall bowl-shaped profile with a first diameter at the bottom and a second diameter at the mouth, and the profile between the bottom and mouth of the upper part (22) forms an inverted curved profile.

[0040] The basket (30) is insertable through an opening defined by an annular lip (26). The basket (30) is generally frustoconical or cylindrical, having a first diameter at the upper end and a second smaller diameter at the lower end. The basket (30) is supported by the annular lip (26) at a point on its periphery where the diameter of the basket (30) intersects with the diameter of the opening. Thus, the lower end of the basket (30) penetrates the lower part (12) of the device when in use. The basket further comprises several holes, openings, or notches to allow liquid in the lower part (12) of the device (10) to permeate into the basket (30). The basket (30) may be separable from the upper part (22) or may be integrated with the upper part (22). As shown in the drawing, the basket (30) is arranged such that part of it is housed in the upper part (22) and the other part extends downward through the upper part (22). The portion of the basket housed within the upper part (22) is on the sides surrounded by a liquid-impermeable support structure, namely a baffle (32). The baffle (32) has several slots or notches (28) through which the liquid can pass when heated to near its boiling point and foaming and expanding. This is clearly shown in Figure 3. In other examples, an annular lip (26) and / or baffle (32) have one or more slots or notches (28) to allow the liquid to pass from the lower part (12) to the upper part (22) of the apparatus (10). An annular ring (34) surrounds the open top surface of the basket (30) and is shown in the drawing as part of the support baffle (32). In other embodiments, the annular ring (34) may be part of the basket (30). Therefore, the boiling liquid from the bottom (12) is guided upward through a channel (36) defined between the baffle (32) and the inner circumferential wall (38) of the top (22). As the liquid cools, it passes through the contents of the annular ring (34) and basket (30) and returns to the basket (30), and then back down to the bottom (12). The action of the liquid passing through the annular ring (34) breaks down the bubbles in the foam, and then the liquid returns and comes into contact with the spices in the basket (30). The channel (36) is shown in Figure 4.

[0041] When in use, the lower part (12) is filled with liquid (40). In the case of chai tea beverage, the liquid (40) contains water and milk. The basket (30) is filled at least partially with tea leaves and spices (42). The apparatus (10) is placed on a stove (or other heat source) to heat the liquid (40). As the liquid (40) is heated, the tea leaves and spices (42) infuse into the liquid (40). When the liquid (40) reaches near boiling point, it bubbles and rises from the lower part (12) through the slot or notch (28) of the annular lip (26) to the upper part (22). The liquid (40) cools as it rises away from the heat source, then returns to the lower part (12) via the basket (30) and settles. As the liquid moves from the bottom (12) through the slot (28) to the top (22), is guided upward by the channel (36), and passes through the annular ring (34), some of the bubbles remaining in the liquid burst or disappear. This prevents the liquid flow from being blocked by bubble accumulation when the liquid in the device (10) approaches its boiling point and bubbles. The process of the liquid boiling, bubbling, and then returning to the basket after cooling is shown in Figure 5.

[0042] The embodiments described above are illustrative only, and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, each embodiment described can utilize features common to all embodiments, which are more clearly shown in the drawings.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing hot beverages, A container for holding liquid, comprising a bottom portion that is placed on a heating source, and a mouth portion that defines an opening on the opposite side of the bottom portion, A basket for holding one or more food or beverage components, comprising a basket that can be placed in the opening and extends within the container, A support structure surrounding the basket, comprising one or more openings, through which the liquid can move upward from the container when boiling and then downward into the basket when cooling, and further comprising a support structure substantially surrounding and supporting the basket. A device equipped with the following features.

2. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a first part that holds liquid contents including the bottom, and a second part that includes a removable top having a mouth, a basket, and an annular lip.

3. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to claim 2, wherein the bottom portion has an open surface on the opposite side of the bottom portion, and the open surface has a support surface on which the second portion is supported.

4. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the basket has a frustoconical or cylindrical structure having an open top surface and a closed bottom surface and a tapered wall between them, and the tapered wall and the bottom surface have a plurality of openings configured to allow liquid from the first part of the apparatus to permeate.

5. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to claim 4, wherein either the support structure or the basket further comprises an annular ring surrounding its open top surface.

6. The apparatus for extracting a hot beverage according to claim 5, wherein a channel is defined between the upper inner circumferential wall and the support structure surrounding the basket, and when the liquid and foam from the lower part are heated to near the boiling point, they rise upward through the slots of the support structure and are guided through the channel.

7. The apparatus for extracting a hot beverage according to claim 6, wherein one or more obstacles or objects for restricting the flow of the liquid are placed within the channel.

8. The apparatus for dispensing hot beverages according to claim 3, wherein the detachable top comprises a bottom supported by the support surface and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and substantially bowl-shaped, defining an inverted curved profile.

9. The apparatus for extracting a hot beverage according to claim 8, further comprising a watertight seal between the first part and the second part.

10. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism between the first part and the second part for detachably locking the first part and the second part together.

11. The apparatus for dispensing a hot beverage according to claim 10, wherein the second part further comprises a handle extending outward from the second part.

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