Beverage filtration press, carafe and storage stand

Abstract

Preferably, a beverage filtration press for pressing coffee beverages includes a hollow cylinder, a removable filter cap, a removable piston inserted into the cylinder and pressed downward to push the beverage through the filter cap, and a support that holds the press above the mouth of an open container. Larger filtration presses for dispensing multiple servings of beverage are provided. Beverage presses are provided that include a hollow cylinder and piston, both formed from plastic, including clear plastic. Alternatively, beverage presses are provided that include a cylinder formed from glass and a piston formed from metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The support and filter cap can also be formed from plastic such as stainless steel or aluminum, or from metal. A carafe specially molded to accommodate the support can be used. Organizing and holding stands for housing various beverage presses are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 497,505, filed on April 21, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] The present invention generally relates to beverage manufacturing apparatuses, and more specifically to a beverage press for manufacturing coffee or tea, as well as related carafes and organizing stands.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003]

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, a beverage filtration press, typically for filtering coffee beverages, includes a hollow cylinder having an upper opening and a bottom opening, a detachable filter cap surrounding the bottom opening, a detachable piston inserted into the upper opening and pressed downward to push the liquid in the cylinder through a perforated cap, and a support for holding the press above the mouth of an open container. The support may extend radially outward from the hollow cylinder or may extend radially outward from the filter cap.

[0004]

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a large beverage press, dimensioned to a large capacity (e.g., 500 ml, 590 ml, 600 ml or more) for dispensing multiple beverages. The large beverage press may further be configured for use with a specially molded carafe having vertically oriented sides and a flat top specially molded to accommodate the support of the large press. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a beverage press including transparent components (e.g., a transparent cylinder and a transparent piston body), or a transparent glass cylinder and metal piston having a metal base, a support, and a cap, for improved durability and aesthetics. In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a holder having a frame or ring with an opening that supports both the piston and the cylinder side by side, and a vertical support that can be optionally adjusted or replaced to accommodate both standard and large beverage presses. The stand may further include an accessory holder or cup, a filter paper holder, and a beverage cap holder.

[0005]

[0005] A further understanding of the properties and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by referring to the remainder of this specification and the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1A] This figure shows a large beverage press for pressing multiple servings of beverage, such as twice the size of a conventional press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 1B] Another diagram shows a large beverage press for pressing multiple servings of beverage, such as twice the size of a conventional press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 1C] Another diagram shows a large beverage press for pressing multiple servings of beverage, such as twice the size of a conventional press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 1D] Another diagram shows a large beverage press for pressing multiple servings of beverage, such as twice the size of a conventional press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 2A]This figure shows a large beverage press on a beverage carafe, specially configured for use with a large beverage press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 2B] Another diagram shows a large beverage press on a beverage carafe, specifically configured for use with a large beverage press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 2C] Another diagram shows a large beverage press on a beverage carafe, specifically configured for use with a large beverage press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 3] This figure shows a beverage carafe specially configured for use with a large beverage press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 4A] This figure shows a high-end beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 4B] Another figure shows a high-end beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 4C] Another figure shows a high-end beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 4D] Another figure shows a high-end beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5A] This figure shows another high-end beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5B] Another figure shows another high-grade beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5C] This is yet another figure showing another high-grade beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5D] This is yet another figure showing another high-grade beverage press having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5E]This figure shows details of the metal base attached to the glass cylinder of the high-grade beverage press shown in Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5F] Another diagram showing details of the metal base attached to the glass cylinder of the high-grade beverage press shown in Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 5G] Figure 5A is an exploded view of the cylinder of a high-grade beverage press according to several embodiments. [Figure 5H] Figure 5A is an exploded view of the piston of a high-grade beverage press, according to several embodiments. [Figure 6A] Figure 5A shows a double-walled glass cylinder of a high-grade beverage press according to several embodiments. [Figure 6B] Another diagram showing a double-walled glass cylinder of a high-grade beverage press, according to several embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A. [Figure 6C] Another figure showing a double-walled glass cylinder of a high-grade beverage press, according to several embodiments, is shown in Figure 5A. [Figure 7A] This figure shows the piston of a high-grade beverage press according to several embodiments. [Figure 7B] Another diagram showing the piston of the high-grade beverage press shown in Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 7C] Another diagram showing the piston of a high-grade beverage press, Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 7D] Another diagram showing the piston of a high-grade beverage press, Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 8A] This figure shows the accessories for the high-end beverage press shown in Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 8B] This figure shows another accessory for the high-end beverage press shown in Figure 5A, according to several embodiments. [Figure 9A] This figure shows a beverage press according to one embodiment of the present invention, placed on a cup, with the mixing paddles deployed during the initial mixing stage. [Figure 9B]A diagram showing a press in which a piston is deployed during the pressing stage, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9C] A diagram showing an alternative version having a support that extends radially outward from the perforated cap, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10A] A diagram showing an organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10B] Another diagram showing an organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10C] Yet another diagram showing an organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10D] Still another diagram showing an organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] A diagram showing another organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12A] Still another diagram showing an organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12B] Another diagram showing still another organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 13A] A diagram showing still another organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize various described components of a beverage press, according to some embodiments. [Figure 13B]Another figure shows yet another organizing and holding stand that can be used to hold and organize the components of various described beverage presses according to several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007]

[0020] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a large beverage press system for pressing multiple servings of beverage, according to several embodiments. Typically, the beverage press is used to press coffee beverages. In this embodiment, the beverage press is sized to dispense multiple servings of beverage, approximately 240 ml per serving. Preferably, the beverage press is sized to have a sufficient fluid capacity to dispense at least two servings (e.g., approximately 480 ml, 500 ml) or more. In some embodiments, the press includes increment markings on the side of the outer cylinder to allow the user to fill the cylinder to the desired volume. It should be noted that for most users, the press may be too tall to operate comfortably and stably when the press and cap are placed at counter height. Therefore, the beverage press is not simply a larger version of a conventional press with a 250 ml capacity, but rather its width is greater than its height, allowing a wide range of users to operate it easily from a standard kitchen counter height and reducing the possibility of tipping over during pressing.

[0008]

[0021] Figures 1A to 1D show an example of a large beverage press sized to dispense multiple servings. The large press 100 includes the same / similar components as the press embodiments shown in Figures 9A and 9B, with corresponding reference numbers for various components (for example, cylinder 102 in Figure 1A corresponds to cylinder 2 in Figure 9A). The large beverage press 100 includes an outer cylinder 102, a filter cap 103 surrounding the bottom opening of the cylinder, and a piston 104 having an airtight, flexible seal 112 at the bottom, which is inserted into the cylinder and presses the beverage through the cylinder and filter cap. The piston includes a stopper 114 at the top to facilitate manual operation, and the cylinder includes a support 106 extending laterally from near the bottom opening, which rests on a container (e.g., a mug) from which the beverage is dispensed. In some embodiments, the support is a regular polygon. In this embodiment, the support is hexagonal, but it is understood that the support may be any polygon or any preferred non-polygonal. Exemplary operation of the beverage press can be further understood by referring to Figures 9A to 9C, which are described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the large press includes a cylinder with an overall height of 6 to 10 inches, typically about 7.25 inches, while simultaneously having an inner diameter in the range of about 2 to 5 inches, typically about 2.65 inches. These dimensions provide sufficient capacity (e.g., 500 ml, 590 ml, 600 ml or more) to dispense multiple cups of beverage while providing a more stable and user-friendly press assembly. The filter cap 103 may be a cap with multiple perforations for supporting the filter, or may include one or more pressure-operated valve openings for dispensing beverage at higher pressure, such as those described in International Application PCT / US2023 / 086509, filed December 29, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0009]

[0022] Figures 2A to 2C show a large beverage press 100 on a beverage carafe 200, specially configured for use with the large beverage press 100, according to several embodiments. As used herein, the term “carafe” refers to any container for storing multiple servings of beverage. As shown, the support of the beverage press and the carafe have corresponding shapes such that the upper edge 201 of the carafe firmly engages with the bottom side of the support, which improves stability during pressing and is particularly useful when pressing larger large beverage presses. In some embodiments, both the support and the carafe are regular polygons. In this embodiment, both are hexagonal. While specific dimensions have been described above, it will be understood that other embodiments can be configured according to a variety of other dimensions and capacities.

[0010]

[0023] Figure 3 shows a beverage carafe 200 specifically configured for use with a large beverage press, according to several embodiments. In this embodiment, the shape of the top of the carafe corresponds to the shape of the support, so that the support can firmly contact the upper edge around almost the entire circumference of the top opening of the carafe (excluding the spout), thereby providing stability when the piston is pressed downward to filter the beverage. In this embodiment, the beverage carafe has walls oriented vertically so that the entire carafe is a polygonal prism (e.g., a hexagonal prism), so that the user can easily handle the carafe at any position. The carafe is made of insulating plastic and is thick enough to shield the user's hands from heat during handling. The carafe is sized to have the capacity to store multiple servings of beverage, such as 300 to 1,000 ml, typically 400 to 600 ml, preferably at least 500 ml. The carafe can be molded as a polygonal prism, as shown in Figure 3, where the vertices of the polygon form rounded corners 203. In this embodiment, the sides of the prism extend vertically, which provides greater stability during pressing, as the upper edge 201 corresponds to the circumference of the bottom of the press during pressing, thereby reducing the possibility of tipping and spilling during pressing. A recess is formed at one vertex of the upper edge of the polygon, forming the spout 202. In some embodiments, the spout also allows air to be released from the carafe as the beverage is filled into the carafe during pressing. Thus, the carafe can be molded to correspond to the shape of the support base of the cylinder. In this embodiment, the capacity of the carafe is at least 480 ml, typically about 500 ml, 590 ml, or 600 ml or more, which corresponds to at least two servings of beverage dispensed from a large press. In some embodiments, the height of the carafe is in the range of about 3 to 5 inches, typically about 4 inches (e.g., 4.288 inches), while the width (e.g., distance between sides) is in the range of about 4 to 5 inches, typically about 4 inches (e.g., 3.86 inches between parallel sides).In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the carafe is molded as a regular polygon (e.g., hexagon) and includes an upper edge 201 that firmly contacts the underside of the support of the beverage press during use, as described above. The polygonal cross-section includes several vertices 203 extending vertically as rounded corners 203, which assist the user in handling the carafe. A recess 202 at one vertex forms a spout for pouring hot beverages. In some embodiments, the maximum lateral dimension of the carafe is 3 to 5 inches, preferably about 3.8 inches. In some embodiments, the carafe is dimensioned to fit both standard and large beverage presses. In some embodiments, the height of the carafe is 4 to 6 inches, preferably about 4.2 inches. While a polygon (e.g., hexagon) is described and illustrated, it should be understood that various other shapes (e.g., polygon, circle, etc.) can also be used.

[0011]

[0024] In some embodiments, the top opening of the carafe is dimensioned such that the stepped portion inside the press does not come into contact with the inner wall of the container when it is placed on top of the carafe, thereby resulting in a “loose fit” (e.g., having a gap between the corresponding edges). In some embodiments, this loose fit requires an extra gap of 1 to 10 mm, typically about 2 to 4 mm, between the contacting components. This prevents the press from fitting into the container and creating friction during pressing, which can occur when some round presses engage with a similar round opening of a standard coffee pot or pitcher commonly used to store multiple servings of beverage. This loose fit is particularly advantageous when used with large beverage presses, because if the press fits into the container and friction occurs, the increased height could cause it to accidentally tip over along with the beverage press. Thus, this loose fit can act as a safety feature to prevent spills of large quantities of hot beverages, such as coffee, during or after pressing. In some embodiments, the height of the large press cylinder is 4 to 10 inches, for example 5 to 8 inches, preferably about 6 inches (e.g., 6.5 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of the large press cylinder is 2 to 5 inches, for example 2 to 4 inches, preferably about 2.5 inches (e.g., 2.65 inches). The piston is sized to fit airtightly with the inside of the cylinder, and the filter cap is sized to fit around the bottom opening of the cylinder.

[0012]

[0025] Figures 4A to 4D show a beverage press 300 having a metal piston and a transparent outer cylinder, typically made of glass, according to several embodiments. This structure provides a higher-grade press with improved durability and aesthetics. This beverage press includes components numbered similarly to the beverage press in Figures 1A to 1D. The press 300 includes an outer cylinder 302 formed of glass (e.g., borosilicate) and a piston 304 having an upper stopper 314, formed of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or a metal alloy. In this embodiment, the body of the piston 304 includes vertical grooves or ridges 305 to increase the compressive strength of the metal wall so that it can withstand the force pushing the piston through the inside of the cylinder well. The filter cap 303 can also be formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The piston may further include a flexible sealant 312 located at the bottom end, the flexible sealant being made of a flexible elastomer such as silicone rubber or any preferred material. In this embodiment, the support 306 extends from a larger base that is sealed and bonded around the cylinder near the bottom opening. The cylinder can be sealed with sealing adhesive or any preferred means. The base includes a raised flare portion 307 that houses a mechanism for attaching the base / support to the cylinder. These mechanisms can be accessed by concealed fasteners 308 (e.g., hex-head screws) on the underside of the support / base. In this embodiment, the filter cap 303 may include perforations of any preferred design (a shaded design is shown here) and may include drainage holes 315 that may be provided along its periphery. Although a specific filter cap is shown, any preferred filter cap can be used. This high-end beverage press can be configured with a single-serving beverage capacity (e.g., 250 ml) or multiple beverage capacities (e.g., 500 ml, 590 ml, 600 ml or more).

[0013]

[0026] Figures 5A to 5H are various illustrations of another embodiment of a high-end beverage press having a transparent glass cylinder and a metal base and piston, according to several embodiments. In this embodiment, the high-end beverage press 320 includes a transparent double-walled vacuum-insulated glass cylinder 322 having a metal support base 326 and a metal piston 324. Figure 5A shows the metal piston inserted midway, and Figure 5B shows the metal piston 324 inserted to its full length with a proximal stopper 314 in contact with the upper edge of the outer cylinder 322. A double-walled glass cylinder is advantageous because single-walled glass does not insulate as well as plastic. In other beverage presses described herein, the outer cylinder is formed of plastic material to adequately insulate the heated liquid during immersion and pressing, allowing the user to firmly grip the cylinder while pressing. Because single-walled glass does not insulate as well as plastic, more heat may be transferred to the glass cylinder, potentially causing more heat loss in the fluid during immersion, and the cylinder may become uncomfortably hot when held in the user's hand during pressing. Therefore, a double-walled insulated glass cylinder improves thermal insulation, thereby retaining heat in the fluid during immersion and preventing the outside of the cylinder from becoming uncomfortably hot while the cylinder is being held by hand during pressing. While there are significant advantages to using a double-walled glass cylinder, the construction and assembly of such a cylinder presents several challenges. The metal support base 326 houses the means for attaching to the cylinder and defines a lower surface 326d that engages with the upper surface of the beverage container receiving the pressed beverage.

[0014]

[0027] In a first embodiment, conventional double-walled glass container products typically lack the size and tolerance constraints associated with a functioning beverage press assembly. To overcome this challenge, a double-walled glass cylinder is formed from two precisely sized glass cylinders arranged concentrically, with a precise gap between the inner and outer walls. The ends of the top and bottom openings are joined by a seam (e.g., a heated glass or curable polymer seam). In some embodiments, the cylinders are joined by the top seam, and then the bottom ends are joined by another seam, which leaves or creates one or more holes. These holes form a vacuum-insulated cylinder with improved thermal insulation properties of the cylinder, allowing air in the gaps to be removed by a vacuum source before sealing one or more holes with a stopper, filler, or adhesive. This technique enables the formation of precisely sized double-walled cylinders, ensuring that the airtight piston maintains an airtight seal along the entire inner diameter of the cylinder during pressing, thus guaranteeing successful beverage pressing. Figures 5C and 5D show cross-sectional views along the xz and yz planes, respectively, showing that the double-walled cylinder 322 includes an inner wall 322a and an outer wall 322b.

[0015]

[0028] In a second embodiment, the plastic can be injection-molded to include additional features such as a lateral support base, but incorporating such features into a double-walled glass cylinder design is not straightforward. While the above method allows for the formation of cylinders of precise dimensions, the cylinder still must be mounted on a base that can reliably press against a beverage container while considerable force is applied during pressing. This can be difficult given the inherent fragility of glass, as repeated use can lead to uneven forces causing cracking or breakage of the glass. To address this challenge, a plastic ring is tightly fitted to the outside near the bottom end of the glass cylinder and secured with a curing adhesive. The base is then secured to the cylinder with the plastic ring 327 sandwiched between the upper mount 326b and lower mount 326c of a metal base, as shown in Figures 5E to 5F, and the upper and lower mounts are fastened in place by one or more fasteners 328, typically multiple fasteners (e.g., four screws), arranged circumferentially around the cylinder. The metal base includes a housing 326a that defines the upper surface of the base, partially covers the upper and lower mounts, and defines the outer circumference of the base. In some embodiments, the lower surface 326d of the support base is defined at least partially by the lower mount 326c component. This technique distributes the mounting force, and the plastic ring 327 distributes the force and strain applied during manual pressing more evenly. Typically, multiple screws (e.g., four screws) are distributed around the circumference. Fasteners are applied from the bottom surface of the base and may be covered by one or more plugs 328a. In this embodiment, the components of the base are formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. In the exploded views of Figures 5G and 5H, various components of the base and cylinder assembly as well as the piston assembly can be seen.

[0016]

[0029] Figures 6A to 6C show detail views of an outer cylinder 322 having a metal base 326 according to several embodiments. Figures 6A and 6B show top and bottom perspective views of an outer cylinder 322 having a metal base 326 mounted along the bottom. As described herein, the metal base 326 extends laterally outward from near the bottom opening of the bottom and defines a lateral support surface 326d that engages with the top surface of the beverage container during pressing. In this embodiment, the base is formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, but it is understood that any suitable material can be used. Figure 6C shows a cross-sectional view along the xz central plane showing the walls of a double-walled cylinder, which shows that the cylinder is formed from the inner wall 322a of the inner cylinder and the outer wall 322b of the outer cylinder, the cylinders being concentric and sealed with gaps along the top and bottom openings, the gaps may be filled with air or an inert gas, or a vacuum may be generated to enhance the thermal insulation properties of the cylinder. In some embodiments, the cylinders are sealed to each other by an upper seam 322c-1 and a bottom seam 322c-2. The sealing seams can be formed of glass, a curable polymer, or any suitable material. In some embodiments, the inner cylinder diameter is 2.647 inches and the outer cylinder diameter is approximately 2.874 inches, such that the gap is in the range of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches, typically about 0.23 inches. Such a configuration provides the plunger with the dimensions and tolerances required to maintain an airtight seal along the entire length of the cylinder while being pressed with the pressure necessary to produce the beverage by pressing through the filter cap.

[0017]

[0030] Figures 7A to 7D show detail views of an exemplary piston 324, suitable for use with a high-grade press assembly, according to several embodiments. In this embodiment, the piston is primarily formed from a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. Similar to the previous embodiment, the piston includes a proximal stopper 314 and a distal plunger 316. The proximal stopper 314 extends laterally to act as a stopper when the piston is pressed through the cylinder, and its upper surface has a flat surface to facilitate manual pressing of the piston. The piston body 324a may include grooves or ridges 325 to increase the compressive strength of the piston and withstand the force of the press. Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view along the xz central plane. Figure 7D is a cross-sectional view along the xy central plane, showing the ridges 325 along the piston body 324a.

[0018]

[0031] Figures 8A and 8B show accessories for use with a beverage press according to several embodiments. Figure 8A shows a scoop 330 for use when filling a cylinder with coffee grounds. Figure 8B shows an agitation paddle 332 configured to agitate the heated water and coffee grounds during immersion. The agitation paddle 332 includes a laterally extending portion at the proximal end for holding the paddle during use and a longitudinal agitation portion for agitating the coffee grounds and heated water in the cylinder. In some embodiments, the length of the agitation portion up to the laterally extending gripping portion is shorter than the height of the cylinder so that the distal end of the agitation portion does not come into contact with the filter held in the beverage cap at the distal end of the cylinder.

[0019]

[0032] Figures 9A and 9B show a coffee or tea filtration press 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. These embodiments are illustrative to show how each component functions in use, and it is understood that these embodiments may relate to any of the presses described herein. The press 1 includes a hollow cylinder 2 having an upper opening and a bottom opening. A removable filter cap 3 surrounds the bottom opening. The cap can support a removable filter, such as a metal or paper filter, within it. A filter 8 may be housed between the cap 3 and the cylinder 2 to filter particles from the liquid. Alternatively, the filter may be integrated into the cap structure. A removable piston 4 is inserted into the upper opening and pressed downward to push the liquid 5 in the cylinder through the filter cap. A perforated filter cap having multiple holes is shown, but it is understood that any filter cap (e.g., a pressure-operated valve cap) can be used. The press has a support 6 for holding the press at the mouth of an open container 7. Figure 9A shows a stirrer or stirring paddle 9 having an upper stopper 10, the length measured from its distal / lower end 11 to the stopper 10 being slightly shorter than the length of the cylinder 2. The stopper prevents the tip 11 of the paddle from contacting the cap 3 or filter 8 during stirring. This embodiment can be used for any of the stirring paddles described herein.

[0020]

[0033] During operation, press 1 is positioned over the open container 7. Coffee grounds or tea are placed in cylinder 2. Hot water is added, and the mixture is stirred with paddle 9. The paddle is then removed, and piston 4 is inserted into the upper opening and pressed downward to push the liquid 5 through the filter and perforated cap into the container. The piston pressurizes air 20 above the liquid, and this pressurized air pushes the liquid 5 through the cap. Once the liquid is discharged, the press is then lifted from the container and the cap 3 is removed. Finally, piston 4 is pushed further to discharge the used compressed coffee or tea 21 into the waste container. A flexible seal 12 is fitted over piston 4 so as to engage with the inside of the cylinder. The seal preferably has a maximum diameter 13 at its lowest point, so as to wipe the inside of the cylinder when the maximum diameter is fully pushed through the cylinder with the cap removed during discharge of the used compressed material. The piston 4 has a stopper 14 that limits the maximum movement of the piston, but allows the maximum diameter 13 of the seal to extend beyond the bottom opening of the cylinder when the cap is removed, enabling the discharge of spent compressed material. The perforated cap 3 has one or more holes at the bottom. In some embodiments, the cap includes a single central opening with a pressure-operated valve. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap includes multiple holes for the flow of beverage. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap further includes multiple drain holes 15 adjacent to the outer circumference defined by the outer circumference of the bottom of the cylinder 2 and radially outward. These drain holes release pressure between the outer wall of the cylinder and the inner wall of the cap and prevent leakage from the upper edge of the cap.

[0021]

[0034] In Figures 9A and 9B, the perforated cap 3 is attached to the cylinder 2 using a twist lock 16. This twist lock may include four inclined grooves in the support / base that receive tabs of the corresponding shape in the filter cap. This fixture can be used to attach the filter cap in any beverage press described herein. Alternatively, various other mounting means may be used.

[0022]

[0035] Figure 9C shows an alternative version of the present invention having a support 6A extending radially outward from the perforated cap 3A. This figure also shows an alternative mounting method in which the perforated cap is attached to the cylinder using threads 17. Yet another alternative example is in which the perforated cap is secured to the cylinder using a latch. The alternative cap and support in Figure 9C also have an upper cavity 19 for collecting liquid leaking between the cylinder 2 and the cap 3A. Figures 9A and 9C also show a central bottom step 18 extending below the rim of the open container to prevent the press from slipping off the container. In Figures 9A and 9B, this bottom step is the bottom of the cap 3. In Figure 9C, the bottom step 18 is an extension below the bottom surface of the cap 3A. This central bottom step may or may not be in contact with the inner wall of the container, depending on the size of the opening of the container. The support 6 and support 6A are molded so that the press rests on top of the container and air can easily escape from the open container when liquid is flowing into the container. The twist lock 16 in Figures 9A and 9B has a through hole 22 to achieve this. In an alternative embodiment of Figure 9, the bottom surface of the support 6A is roughened or grooved to achieve this same result.

[0023]

[0036] The cylinder may be made from a wide range of materials, but preferred materials are transparent so that the user can observe the pressing process. Glass and transparent plastics are preferred. The piston can also be transparent, clear, or opaque (e.g., metal). In some embodiments, both the cylinder and piston body are made from transparent plastic so that the user can observe the process of coffee grounds being immersed in heated water and pressed. In some embodiments, the transparent plastic is a copolymer made from three monomers: dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (CBDO). Preferably, the transparent plastic is further BPA-free. It is understood that the cylinder and piston body (excluding the elastic plunger) can be made entirely from transparent plastic. In some embodiments, only a portion of the cylinder and / or piston may be made from transparent plastic. In some embodiments, the cylinder body may be made from transparent plastic, and the support base may be formed from another type of plastic or metal.

[0024]

[0037] It is understood that a wide range of dimensions are achievable in the present invention. In some embodiments, a cylinder having an inner diameter of about 2.25 inches and a length of about 5 inches has been found to work very well for pressing a suitable amount of beverage for a single serving (e.g., 250 ml capacity) to dispense a suitable amount for, for example, a standard cup of coffee or tea. In some embodiments, such as those in Figures 1A to 1D, as discussed earlier, cylinders with larger diameters and heights are used to dispense larger amounts of beverage, such as twice the capacity (e.g., 500 ml, 600 ml or more).

[0025]

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a beverage press organizer stand for supporting and organizing beverage press components, such as any of those described herein, as well as various accessories, which may include stirring paddles, scoops, and filters as shown in Figures 8A to 8B. In some embodiments, the height of the beverage press organizer stand can be adjusted so that the beverage press supports both standard and large beverage press models. In another embodiment, the beverage press holder includes a surrounding frame that defines an opening molded to support a piston and cylinder side by side. In some embodiments, the opening of the holder frame is dimensioned to support both standard and large beverage presses. In any embodiment, the stand can be formed from a plurality of components joined together, or some or all of them can be formed as a single unit.

[0026]

[0039] Figures 10A to 13B show exemplary beverage press storage stands configured to hold components of a beverage press before and after use. In these embodiments, the storage stand includes a single ring that holds a cylinder and a piston side by side, and one or more vertical supports that suspend the ring holder. In some embodiments, the ring includes a single opening for the cylinder and piston, and separate openings for accessories such as a scoop and a stirring paddle. The stand can be formed from plastic, metal, or a combination of materials.

[0027]

[0040] Figures 10A to 10C show a storage stand holder 400, which includes a base 401 and a vertical support 405 extending to a retaining frame 406 defining a single enclosed opening 407, the opening 407 being molded to include specially sized areas 408a, 408b for accommodating a cylinder and piston in an oriented configuration. The opening may further include a notch 409 near the center, dimensioned to receive the top of a stirrer between the cylinder and piston. The base may include a drainage recess or basin 402 for capturing droplets from the cylinder and piston after rinsing / washing and placement in the holder, a filter holder 404 for holding stacked paper filters, a beverage cap holder 403 (e.g., a circular projection) for holding a filter cap on it, and a hole for supporting the proximal gripping portion of a coffee scoop. Figure 10D shows the holder 400 with the above components supported.

[0028]

[0041] Figure 11 shows another organizer stand holder 400' having the same or similar components as those in Figure 10A, except that the length of the vertical support 405' is adjustable, and the length adjustment can be achieved by interchangeable / detachable vertical supports, or by an adjuster or any suitable means.

[0029]

[0042] Figures 12A and 12B show another arranging stand holder 400” having the same or similar components as the embodiment of Figure 10A, except that the holder is configured to support a large press assembly, as shown in Figure 12B. The holder 400” can be supplied in a set configuration sized for large press assemblies, or it can be adjusted by replacing the vertical supports of the holder in Figure 10A with longer vertical supports 405”. In some embodiments, the holder is provided with two vertical supports of different lengths so that the user can adjust the holder to fit either a standard beverage press or a large beverage press such as Figure 1A.

[0030]

[0043] Figures 13A and 13B show another organizing stand holder 500 having components similar to those of the embodiment in Figure 10A. The organizing stand holder 500 includes a base 501, from which a vertical support 505 extends to a holding frame 506. In this embodiment, the frame 506 includes a single opening 507 configured to hold a cylinder and piston side by side, and another opening to support a holding cup 509 for accessories (e.g., stirring paddles and scoops). In this embodiment, the single opening is elliptical or pill-shaped. In this embodiment, the base includes a drainage recess 502 for capturing droplets from the cylinder and piston after rinsing, a beverage cap holder 503, and a filter paper holder 504. In this embodiment, the vertical support also accommodates the holding cup 509 and partially encloses the filter paper holder 504, helping to shield the stacked filter paper from droplets or splashes when the cylinder and piston are placed inside the holder after rinsing. In this embodiment, the storage stand is formed of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or a metal alloy to match the aesthetics and durability of the high-grade press in Figure 5A. Figure 13B shows the components of the high-grade press assembly of Figure 5A supported within the high-grade storage stand of Figure 13A. In this embodiment, the retaining cup 509 is constructed to have ridges similar to those of the piston, as shown in Figure 13B, so that the assembly has a more symmetrical appearance.

[0031]

[0044] The above is a complete description of specific embodiments of the present invention, but the above description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. While specific dimensions and shapes are shown and described with respect to the beverage press components and carafes, it should be understood that various other dimensions may also be used. The various features, embodiments, and aspects of the invention described above can be used individually or in combination. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in any number of environments and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of this specification. Therefore, this specification and the drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A beverage manufacturing system, A beverage filtration press is provided, and the beverage filtration press is A hollow cylinder having a first opening at a first end and a bottom opening at a second end, wherein a support extends laterally outward from the outside of the hollow cylinder at the first end, the dimensions of the hollow cylinder correspond to a liquid volume equal to at least twice the volume of one serving of beverage, and the periphery of the support forms a polygon. A removable piston is inserted into the cylinder and configured to form an airtight seal when coupled with the hollow cylinder, A removable filter cap that can be coupled to the cylinder or the support so as to surround the bottom opening, A beverage manufacturing system, including a beverage manufacturing system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder has a height range of 5 to 8 inches.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the cylinder has a diameter of 2 to 4 inches.

4. The hollow cylinder further comprises a container having a polygonal cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the support of the hollow cylinder, The system according to claim 1, wherein the container has an opening on its top surface and an upper edge extending around the opening, and the carafe is sized such that the support of the hollow cylinder extends substantially beyond the upper edge of the container, and is firmly engaged with the support during pressing.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the polygonal shape of the support and the container includes a hexagon.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the upper opening of the container is configured to loosely fit with the filtration press.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein the polygonal cross-section of the container includes a plurality of vertices, and each vertex where the outer vertical surfaces of the container intersect is rounded.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the container has a depression at at least one vertex along the upper edge such that it defines a spout from which filtered beverage is poured from the carafe.

9. The system according to claim 4, wherein the container has a height range of 4 to 6 inches.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the container has a maximum lateral dimension of 3 to 5 inches.

11. A beverage manufacturing system, A beverage filtration press is provided, and the beverage filtration press is A hollow cylinder having a first opening at the top and a bottom opening, wherein the hollow cylinder is made of glass, At the first end, a support base extends laterally outward from the outside of the hollow cylinder, A removable piston, configured to be inserted into the cylinder and to form an airtight seal when coupled with the hollow cylinder, wherein the piston body is made of metal, A removable filter cap that can be coupled to the cylinder or the support so as to surround the bottom opening of the hollow cylinder, A beverage manufacturing system, including a beverage manufacturing system.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the hollow cylinder has a double wall and is vacuum insulated.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the double-walled cylinder includes a concentric glass cylinder sealed along the upper opening and the bottom opening.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the support base is made of metal and is fixedly attached to the hollow cylinder.

15. The hollow cylinder further comprises a plastic ring attached with a curing adhesive near the bottom opening on the outside of the hollow cylinder, The system according to claim 13, wherein the plastic ring is engaged between the upper mount and the lower mount of the support base, thereby fixing the support base to the hollow cylinder.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the upper mount and the lower mount are each comprised of a metal ring fastened together by one or more fasteners.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the one or more fasteners include a plurality of screws distributed around the circumference of the cylinder.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the piston body is provided with grooves or ridges.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein the metal is aluminum or stainless steel.

20. The base and, A vertical support extending between the bottom end and the top end, wherein the vertical support is connected to the base at its bottom end, A retaining frame extending horizontally and coupled to the upper end of the vertical support, wherein the retaining frame has a first opening attached to the top of the vertical support and sized to accommodate the cylinder and piston of a beverage press side by side. A beverage press organizer stand equipped with a beverage press organizer.

21. The organizing stand according to claim 20, wherein the vertical support is the sole support for the holding frame.

22. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the height of the retaining frame is adjustable by the user to accommodate filtration presses of different sizes.

23. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the height of the retaining frame is adjustable by replacing the vertical support with another vertical support of a different height.

24. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the holding portion is provided with at least two vertical supports of different lengths, one vertical support defining the height of the storage frame suitable for a standard-sized beverage press, and the other vertical support defining the height of the storage frame for a large beverage press.

25. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the base includes a paper filter holder, a beverage cap holder, and a drain recess.

26. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the first opening is elliptical or pill-shaped, and is sized to support the cylinder and the piston at both ends.

27. The organizer stand according to claim 26, wherein the frame includes a second opening for supporting a retaining cup for one or more accessories.

28. The storage stand according to claim 27, wherein the base includes a paper filter holder, a beverage cap holder, and a drain recess.

29. The organizing stand according to claim 28, wherein the vertical support accommodates the retaining cup and partially surrounds the paper filter holder.

30. The storage stand according to claim 20, wherein the base, the vertical support, and the frame are made of metal.

Images