Extract beverage mixing device

Abstract

The present invention relates, for example, to an apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage. In order to present a solution that enables the preparation of a clear coffee beverage in a sustainable manner without excessive use of technology, an apparatus (10) is proposed comprising a filter bowl (12) and an extract container (14), wherein the filter bowl (12) comprises a filter strainer (16) and is at least partially positioned inside the extract container (14) and can take first and second positions relative to the extract container (14), the apparatus (10) further comprises a seal (18) that seals the filter bowl (12) on the one hand and the extract container (14) on the other hand together when the filter bowl (12) is in the first position, the second position is above the first position so that the sealing effect of the seal (18) is released, the apparatus (10) further comprises a guide (20) located outside the extract container (14), and the extract container (14) comprises a spout (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea beverages, by extraction or filtration.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there are many known methods for brewing coffee in a machine. The methods particularly include filter coffee machines, portafilter coffee machines, fully automatic coffee machines, espresso pots, percolators, and portion coffee machines.

[0003] In a filter coffee machine, heated water is poured onto ground coffee (or coffee powder) on a filter that is usually designed as a paper filter. As the water passes through the ground coffee as an extractant, it dissolves the coffee components, and most of the solids are retained by the filter. The water is typically supplied either continuously to some extent or in one go. Supplying boiling water in one go in a so-called direct brewing system is similar to manual over-brewing. In manual over-brewing, an operator pours heated water onto a filter supplied with ground coffee.

[0004] In a portafilter machine, heated water is supplied through coffee grounds on a filter at a pressure of about 9 bar, and a similar method is also used in fully automatic coffee machines and portion coffee machines.

[0005] In an espresso pot, water is heated in a boiler under a filter carrying ground coffee. As a result, due to the pressure generated in the boiler, the boiling water passes through an upward pipe leading to the ground coffee and then enters a collection container through another upward pipe.

[0006] In a percolator, heated water is also transported from the boiler through an upward pipe, and this transported water is then dripped onto the coffee grounds on the filter and then returned to the boiler.

[0007] In addition to the aforementioned manual over-brewing, a press plunger pot is also used, in which coffee grounds mixed with hot water are pushed down using a plunger equipped with a filter inside the container, resulting in the coffee beverage remaining above the filter.

[0008] Such press plunger pots can also be used for preparing tea, typically using a filter bag, tea filter, or pre-made tea bag containing a portion of the tea in a tea infuser. There are also variations of preparation where the tea leaves (loose tea) remain in the cup or pot, meaning that no filtration occurs and the tea leaves simply settle.

[0009] Disclosures dealing with the extraction and / or filtration of beverages or water can be found, for example, in the documents, Swiss Patent Invention No. 243568, German Patent Invention No. 548232, German Patent Application Publication No. 2207839, German Utility Model No. 29906743, UK Patent Application Publication No. 2340027, U.S. Patent No. 503563, U.S. Patent No. 2645173, U.S. Patent No. 5880441, U.S. Patent No. 10264911, U.S. Patent No. 10368685, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0154471, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0168644, and International Publication No. 2010 / 101658.

[0010] Known methods of filtration using paper filters have drawbacks: on the one hand, the taste of the resulting beverage may be affected by the paper material; on the other hand, paper filters can only be used once or at most a few times, meaning they are not very sustainable and do not conserve resources. Regardless of the sustainability issue, the feasibility of the corresponding method requires the availability of paper filters; for example, a coffee machine cannot be used without a filter. Therefore, in addition to actual consumer goods such as ground coffee, paper filters must be kept on hand.

[0011] However, the advantage of paper filters lies in their good filtration, which allows for the preparation of a nearly clear beverage even when the coffee is ground finely or very finely (making extraction easier). In addition to the advantage of a clear beverage's taste and / or aroma, they also prevent the possibility of the beverage becoming difficult for the consumer to digest by retaining solids (such as coffee grounds).

[0012] For example, if a press-plunger pot or a “permanent filter” made of metal (typically stainless steel) and / or plastic is used, a paper filter is not necessary. However, these known solutions, due to their design, cannot achieve the same fine porosity as a paper filter. A strainer or filter that is fine enough to prepare a (somewhat) clear beverage will quickly clog, or block, in a press-plunger pot, thereby preventing water from passing through without pressure. Even if coarse grinding (and the resulting drawbacks of extraction itself) is acceptable, it is impossible to avoid the occurrence of “below-mesh size particles” in the ground material, which may still pass through the filter.

[0013] An apparatus for preparing a filtered coffee beverage, as described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102017002943, comprises a filter bowl and a coffee container. A appropriately sized filter bowl is initially located inside the coffee container and supported by the bottom wall of the coffee container. In this position, boiling water is poured into the filter bowl, followed by ground roasted coffee, which is mixed with the water by stirring or swirling the apparatus. The filter bowl is then moved to the upper filter position, and the coffee beverage enters the coffee container through a filter located at the bottom of the filter bowl.

[0014] The apparatus, as described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102017002943, requires relatively complex handling, as the filter bowl must be lifted almost completely from the coffee container, and then fixed in the filtration position using the interaction of pins and grooves by rotating the filter bowl and coffee container relative to each other. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] The fundamental objective of the present invention is to avoid or at least mitigate the shortcomings and / or limitations of solutions known in the prior art, while also achieving the objective of preparing a clear extracted beverage.

[0016] Therefore, for example, there is a need to provide a solution that enables the preparation of a nearly clear coffee beverage with good taste and good digestibility in a sustainable manner, without excessive use of technology, and with practical ease of use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for preparing an extracted beverage, particularly a coffee beverage, as described in claim 1, is proposed, comprising a filter bowl for receiving a solid extracting material, particularly ground coffee, and a liquid extracting agent, particularly water, and an extracting container, wherein the filter bowl includes a filter in its lower region, configured to allow the extracted beverage to pass through and retain solid portions of the extracting material that are not contained in the extracted beverage within the filter bowl, the filter bowl is at least partially positioned inside the extracting container and can take first and second positions relative to the extracting container, and the apparatus is configured such that when the filter bowl is in the first position, The device further comprises a seal that seals a predetermined filtration portion of the internal area of ​​the filter bowl and extract container with a second remaining portion of the internal area of ​​the extract container, the second position being higher than the first position so that the sealing effect of the seal is released, allowing the extracted beverage to pass from the filter bowl through the filter into the extract container, the device further comprises a guide located outside the extract container for moving the filter bowl between the first and second positions, and the extract container has a spout that allows the extracted beverage to be poured from the extract container while retaining solid portions of the extract material not contained in the extracted beverage in the filter bowl.

[0018] In the apparatus known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102017002943, the filter bowl is guided to some extent by the opening of the coffee container into which the filter bowl is provided. However, the user must then control the movement of the filter bowl with the handle on the filter bowl itself, and it is also desirable to hold the coffee container with the handle on the coffee container. Therefore, while two-handed use is not always necessary in some cases, it is practically unavoidable. Even when it is possible to lift the filter bowl from the coffee container with one hand, the coffee container and the filter bowl must be rotated relative to each other to fix them in place, and for this purpose, both hands are required.

[0019] The fact that the extract container according to the present invention is provided with a guide on the outside simplifies handling, in particular, as it eliminates the user's responsibility for correctly controlling its movement until it reaches the position where the filtration of the extracted beverage is performed.

[0020] However, the apparatus according to the present invention enables the advantages known in German Patent Application Publication No. 102017002943 with respect to the preparation of the extracted beverage itself. When ground coffee, which is an example of an extracting material, is added to hot water (which is an example of a liquid extractant) that has been pre-supplied in the filter bowl, the extraction can be assisted, for example, by stirring or swirling, and the degree of flavor contained can be influenced by the time the mixture of water and ground coffee remains in the filter bowl. On the one hand, leakage of the extractant or extracted beverage from the filter bowl or the first part of the internal region to the second part of the internal region is prevented by sealing the first part of the internal region to the second part of the internal region.

[0021] When selecting a seal material, it should be considered that the seal will come into contact with water (the extractant) at temperatures close to 100°C during coffee preparation (as well as the entire filter bowl and extract container), and therefore should have sufficient heat resistance while maintaining airtight properties. For this purpose, rubber, such as synthetic rubber EPDM or silicone material can be used.

[0022] Regarding filter bowls and extract containers, sufficient heat resistance should also be considered. When preparing tea or coffee, materials such as metal (especially stainless steel), glass, and ceramic are particularly suitable, but synthetic materials with sufficient temperature stability, such as polycarbonate, are also suitable.

[0023] When using a filter bag or when water passes through ground coffee under pressure, a relatively short residence time is sufficient, during which the water can extract flavor from the ground coffee. To make the most of this residence time, the coffee is ground relatively finely to increase the effective surface area. With a press plunger pot, there is some freedom in choosing the residence time of the water and ground coffee, but generally, a coarse grind is also required, considering the need for coarse filtration.

[0024] The filter of the apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a pore size in the range of 5 to 100 μm, preferably in the range of 20 to 50 μm. The smaller the pore size, the clearer the extracted beverage prepared; however, the smaller the pore size, the slower the material passes through the filter, increasing the risk of clogging the filter with the extracted material. However, compared to, for example, a press plunger pot, the risk of clogging is lower. The extracted material and extractant form a suspension, and the finer particles of the extracted material tend to remain in the surface area of ​​the suspension at first. Therefore, the finer particles reach the filter only during the filtration process itself, especially at the end of the process.

[0025] The filter is preferably made of stainless steel and can be constructed, for example, by perforation and / or by a woven fabric. It is even more preferable that the filter is interchangeably mounted in or within the filter bowl.

[0026] It is preferable that the pouring spout or the entire device enables pouring of the extracted beverage regardless of the position of the filter bowl, that is, not only when the filter bowl is in the second position. Although not actually intended, if the filter bowl is returned to the first position while the extracted beverage is still in the extract container, it is sealed by the seal, so the extracted beverage inside the filter bowl can no longer enter the second part of the extract container. As a result, as long as the filter bowl is in the first position, it may become impossible to pour out the extracted beverage through the pouring spout.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the filter bowl is in a second position above the filling level that occurs when the extract container is filled with a volume of liquid corresponding to the internal volume of the filter bowl.

[0028] Considering the seal in the first position, the internal volume of the filter bowl affects the total amount of the liquid extractant (e.g., hot water) used for extraction. If the filter bowl is only moved up to the height within the area of the extracted beverage still in the extract container within the extract container, the flavor will continue to be extracted from the extraction material in the filter bowl, and during a longer extraction, undesirable bitter substances, etc. will gradually transfer to the extracted beverage. This can be avoided by completely removing the filter bowl from the area of the extract container filled with the extractant.

[0029] In the arrangement described above, since the filter bowl is definitely separated from the extracted beverage in the extract container, even if the distance from the first position to the second position is made larger than the distance described above, no further advantages will be provided.

[0030] Even if the filter bowl is only guided to a height within the extract container that is still within the region of the extracted beverage in the extract container, i.e., in another embodiment, even if the second position does not exceed the filling height level mentioned above, it is also possible to avoid the filter bowl excessively "getting stuck" in the extracted beverage in the extract container by pouring the extracted beverage from the extract container (through the spout) before the extracted beverage has completely passed through.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, or a preferred variation of the above embodiment, the extract container has an internal volume 1.4 times larger than the internal volume of the filter bowl.

[0032] If the extract container has a significantly larger internal volume than the filter bowl, the height to which the filter bowl must be raised to reach the area of ​​the extracted beverage in the extract container is reduced accordingly. Thus, on the one hand, the height of the apparatus can be kept smaller, and on the other hand, handling is simplified as the distance between the first and second positions is shortened. In an exemplary realization of the apparatus, the filter bowl has an internal volume of approximately 1.5 liters, while the extract container has an internal volume of approximately 2.2 liters, resulting in a ratio of approximately 1.47 times.

[0033] The above modified form is preferably designed so that the internal region of the extract container expands downwards.

[0034] For example, by expanding the internal area of ​​the extract container in a frustoconical shape, a relatively large internal volume can be easily achieved based on the fitting of the filter bowl at the opening of the extract container. Other possibilities, such as a bulbous shape, are also possible.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filter bowl is supported at the bottom of the extract container via a seal in the first position.

[0036] One way to ensure a seal that keeps the extractant in the filter bowl until the extractant is added and for the desired time thereafter is to create a seal between the filter bowl and the bottom of the extract container.

[0037] In this case, the seal can extend around the area of ​​the filter, preferably located only at the bottom of the filter bowl, thereby defining a predetermined first portion of the internal area of ​​the extract container as an area defined below by the bottom of the extract container, above by the filter bowl, and outward by the circumferential seal.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide is configured to lock the filter bowl in a first position and / or a second position.

[0039] Even if the weight of the filter bowl (and elements connected to the filter bowl) alone is sufficient to hold it in the first position (for example, by applying sufficient force to the seal), the locking mechanism facilitates handling by allowing the user to move the device with the filter bowl locked in the first position without having to worry about the filter bowl unintentionally moving away from the first position. Furthermore, locking in the first position can also be associated with applying force to the seal, especially when the filter bowl is supported at the bottom of the extract container via the seal (see above). It is also possible to have the extracted beverage completely poured out of the extract container while the filter bowl is held in the second position by the user, so that the filter bowl does not need to be held in the second position afterward. However, generally, locking in the second position also facilitates use, as the user no longer needs to hold the filter bowl at this point.

[0040] In the apparatus known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102017002943, the fixing of the filter bowl and extract container (referred to here as the collection container or coffee container) is achieved by a rotational movement of these elements relative to each other, and the rotation involves harmful stress or wear on the seal when in the first position, i.e., when the seal is under load. The present invention avoids this drawback.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide extends continuously with the extract container and is configured in particular to function as a handle for the apparatus.

[0042] It has been found that the guide is preferably usable as a handle for holding and transporting the device, as long as it extends continuously with the extract container.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide comprises a shaft sheath and a central axis received within the shaft sheath. In a preferred variation of this embodiment, the shaft sheath can be rotated relative to the central axis about its longitudinal axis.

[0044] The outer shaft sheath is preferably held by the user and, in particular, is rotatable so that it can be operated with one hand. The shaft is used to interact with the shaft sheath, and the shaft is not necessarily a solid shaft. The shaft can be, for example, a tubular shape with sufficiently thick walls so that the walls (and thus the shaft) have sufficient stability (especially when grooves are provided in the shaft, as discussed below).

[0045] In the above modified form, it is preferable that the shaft is designed such that the shaft has at least one groove in which a pin engages within the shaft sheath, and / or the shaft has at least one pin in which a pin engages within the groove or slot within the shaft sheath.

[0046] The grooves and pins allow for the guidance of the relative orientation between the shaft and the sheath, which can also be used to achieve locking between the longitudinal movements of the shaft and the sheath, through correspondingly designed grooves and corresponding rotations.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the above-described modification, the groove or slot may be designed to have preferably tapered locking legs for locking the filter bowl in one position, the locking legs being inclined in particular for locking in a first position.

[0048] The advantage of the inclination of the locking leg is that the pin can be moved along the inclination with relatively little force, while a relatively large force can be applied in the longitudinal direction (for example, to enhance the sealing effect), and in addition, friction at the leg provides some protection against unintended loosening. The inclination does not need to be present over the entire area of ​​the locking leg. The locking leg may have an inclination in a first area followed by a substantially horizontal area.

[0049] By tapering the locking leg(s), which is preferable but not strictly necessary, some protection can be obtained against unintended movement of the pin within the locking leg(s). The pin is held in the tapered area of ​​the groove or slot by frictional force, thereby preventing the locking mechanism from being unintentionally released when the entire device is rotated, for example, to assist in the extraction or cleaning of the filter bowl.

[0050] Instead of, or in addition to, tapering, other means can be provided to make unintended loosening less likely or to prevent it. For example, a groove or slot may have a constriction that can have a certain locking effect. This constriction can be provided between the walls of the slot or groove, and in the case of a groove, the constriction may also include a reduction in the depth of the groove. The constriction can be formed by designing it in advance in the groove or slot itself, but it is also possible to achieve the constriction by inserting a material (preferably an elastic and wear-resistant material) in a suitable location.

[0051] The embodiments or variations thereof discussed herein are preferably designed such that the shaft sheath includes a spring-loaded pin, and the shaft has at least one pin receiving portion for locking.

[0052] By providing a (spring-loaded) pin and a pin receiver, the filter bowl can be fixed in a first position and / or a second position.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seal is held in place by the wall of the filter bowl and supports the filter.

[0054] To enable seal replacement, it is preferable that the seal retention at the wall be made removable, for example by press-fitting (e.g., friction fitting) and / or shape fitting, so that the seal can be removed from the rest of the filter bowl and replaced. Material bonding (e.g., adhesive) is also possible, but such simple replacement is not possible.

[0055] In the case of a substantially cylindrical filter bowl, the seal can contact the inside of the cylindrical wall, and the corresponding fit between the wall and the seal can ensure that the seal is retained against the wall. The seal may have a substantially ring-shaped area that extends for a sufficient length in the longitudinal direction of the filter bowl (i.e., in the direction intersecting the surface of the filter strainer that forms the permeable bottom of the filter bowl) and contacts, for example, the inner wall of the filter bowl.

[0056] In this case, the filter is supported by a seal. For example, the seal may be designed as a molded profile with a receiving portion extending within the profile to hold the filter therein. The filter may here have a circumferential collar or at least a collared area located inside the profile to prevent the filter from unintentionally coming out of the sealed profile, for example by shifting.

[0057] It is also possible to support the filter by holding it between the seal and the wall.

[0058] The seals and filter elements can be connected to each other so that they can be separated from one another. In this case, for example, a damaged filter element can be removed from the seal and a new filter element can be inserted, while the seal can continue to be used. Similarly, a seal that is no longer functioning can be replaced with a new one, while an undamaged filter element can continue to be used.

[0059] However, it is also possible to incorporate the seal and filter using an injection molding process, for example, by inserting the filter into the mold.

[0060] In the embodiments discussed herein, the seal is held in place by the wall of the filter bowl and the filter is integrally supported by the seal; however, these embodiments can be implemented independently of each other within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] In this case, the seal preferably has a sealing edge that is angled inward / downward, so that when the sealing edge rests on the bottom of the extract container, the liquid pressure inside the filter bowl presses the sealing edge against the bottom of the extract container.

[0062] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filter bowl has an outer contour, and the extract container has an opening through which the filter bowl passes, and the outer contour and the opening are aligned with each other so as to form a further guide together.

[0063] Even when such further guidance is unnecessary, i.e., when the filter bowl can be positioned in an upper region completely away from the wall of the extract container, the guidance of the filter bowl at the opening of the extract container has a more favorable effect with respect to the overall stability of the apparatus.

[0064] The apparatus according to the present invention can be particularly cleaned by introducing a cleaning solution, especially water, into the extract container through the spout after the extracted beverage has been completely poured out, and backwashing the filter with the cleaning solution. Any solid extract material that has not yet been removed from the filter bowl will float to the surface, and the cleaning solution containing the solids will be discharged from the filter bowl through the opening of the filter bowl.

[0065] The filter bowl or filter strainer is washed in the opposite direction to filtration, so to speak, and as a result the device is in a state where the filter bowl is in the first position, i.e., ready for further preparation of the extracted beverage. To facilitate the introduction of the washing solution, the spout is preferably equipped with a large opening or a large free volume, which is also preferable in terms of increasing the internal volume of the extract container compared to the filter bowl.

[0066] Preferred features of the present invention are defined in particular in the dependent claims, and further preferred features, designs, and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description and the following considerations.

[0067] The present invention is further illustrated and illustrated below with reference to embodiments shown in the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0068] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the path of the groove in the axial axis according to an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic detail diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is another schematic detail diagram of the embodiment shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is another schematic detail diagram of the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0069] In the attached figures and descriptions thereof, matching or related elements are indicated by matching or similar reference numerals, where appropriate, even if they are found in different embodiments.

[0070] Figures 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams of the first and second figures illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage.

[0071] The apparatus 10 comprises an extract container 14 and a filter bowl 12 partially positioned inside the extract container 14. The filter bowl 12 is provided with a lid 46 that closes the opening 44 of the filter bowl 12. The extract container 14 is equipped with a spout 22, in which case the opening from the internal area of ​​the extract container 14 is hidden within the area of ​​the spout 22. However, this opening can also extend to the upper edge of the spout 22. The filter bowl 12 and the extract container 14 are connected to each other via a handle 20 designed as a guide 20 located on the opposite side of the spout 22.

[0072] Figure 3 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of Figure 3, illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage.

[0073] As already shown in Figures 1 and 2, the filter bowl 12 is partially located within the internal region 24 of the extract container 14, and the filter bowl 12 is equipped with a filter strainer 16 at the bottom of the filter bowl.

[0074] The filter strainer 16 is held in place here by an annular seal 18, which has a profile such that one section of the seal 18 contacts (and seals) the inside of the circumferential wall of the filter bowl 12, and further has an edge that extends obliquely inward / downward. The filter strainer 16 is held in place by this seal 18 by the corresponding configuration of the profile, and the unit comprising the seal 18 and the filter strainer 16 can be pulled downward from the filter bowl 12 to insert another corresponding replacement unit, for example, if the filter strainer 16 or the seal 18 is damaged.

[0075] The internal region 24 of the extract container is connected to the spout 22. In the diagram of Figure 3, the filter bowl 12 is in the second position, and the filter strainer 16 is located away from the bottom 26 of the extract container 14. In contrast, in the diagrams of Figures 1 and 2, the filter bowl 12 is in the first position, and the filter bowl 12 rests on the bottom 26 of the extract container 14, along with a seal (not shown) surrounding the filter strainer 16, so that the liquid inside the filter bowl 12 remains. In the position shown in Figure 3, this sealing effect is released, allowing the liquid to pass from the filter bowl 12 through the filter strainer 16 into the internal region 24 of the extract container 14. The opening 44 at the top of the filter bowl 12 is closed with a lid 46.

[0076] In the diagram of Figure 3, it can also be seen that the handle or guide 20 comprises a shaft sheath 30 and a central shaft extending inside the shaft sheath 30. In this case, the central shaft 32 is firmly connected to the extract container 14, while the shaft sheath 30 is connected to the filter bowl 12 via bearings so that the shaft sheath 30 itself is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft sheath. However, the arrangement of the shaft sheath 30 and the central shaft 32 relative to the filter bowl 12 and the extract container 14 may differ.

[0077] The shaft sheath 30 includes a pin 36 that is guided within a groove 34 provided in the central shaft 32 (see also Figure 6).

[0078] The filter bowl 12 has an outer contour 40 that, in conjunction with the corresponding opening 42 of the extract container 14, provides an additional guide for the filter bowl 12 within the extract container 14.

[0079] Figures 4 and 5 show schematic diagrams of Figures 4 and 5 illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for preparing an extracted beverage.

[0080] The diagram in Figure 4 is a perspective view corresponding to the diagram in Figure 2, and unlike Figure 2, Figure 4 shows the apparatus 10 in which the filter bowl 12 is lifted from the bottom 26 of the extract container.

[0081] Figure 5 shows the apparatus 10 from a diagonal angle below, and the cross-shaped support columns for stabilizing the bottom 26 of the extract container 14 can be seen.

[0082] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the path of the groove 34 on the central axis 32 according to an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0083] These figures, each rotated 90° from the other, show the paths of the central axis 32 or groove 34. The path of groove 34 is provided with two locking legs 38, the lower locking leg 38 having a slope that functions to press the filter bowl against the bottom of the extract container in a first position of the filter bowl.

[0084] By rotating (in this case, counterclockwise when viewed from above), the pins (not shown) located on each locking leg 38 can be brought to a vertically extending section of the groove 34 that connects to the starting point of the locking legs 38. The groove 34 has another horizontally extending branch approximately midway between the locking legs 38, which connects to another vertically extending section. This section extends to the upper end of the axial shaft 32, allowing the pins (and thus the shaft sheath) to be removed from the axial region, thereby also allowing the filter bowl to be separated from the extract container. The locking legs 38 extend over a range of approximately 90°, and the horizontally extending branch extends over a range of approximately 180° around the axial shaft 32.

[0085] Figure 7 shows a schematic detail of an aspect of a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. This detail shows in more detail that the filter bowl 12 is supported and sealed at the bottom 26 of the extract container via a seal 18. An assembly comprising a filter strainer 16 and a seal 18 surrounding the filter strainer 16 is attached to the lower end of the filter bowl 12.

[0086] This assembly is formed such that a substantially annular seal 18, molded from (synthetic) rubber, integrally receives a filter 16. One way to achieve such an integral receiving section is to manufacture the seal 18 by injection molding, in which the material used for this purpose embeds the filter 16 as it is inserted into the injection mold and thereby forms the seal. In this example, the filter 16 has an upwardly angled circumferential section (in the figure) on its outer circumference, which results in the filter 16 being more securely fixed within the sealing material. Since the filter 16 has a small opening, the sealing material can pass through the filter 16 if the seal 18 is formed to achieve a close connection between the seal 18 and the filter 16.

[0087] The seal 18 and filter 16 assembly can be removed from the filter bowl 12 and replaced with a new assembly, for example, if the filter 16 is damaged.

[0088] In the configuration shown in Figure 7, hot water with coffee grounds suspended in it (shown in shaded areas) is present inside the filter bowl 12, and a seal 18 interacting with the bottom 26 of the extract container prevents the hot water from entering the internal region 24 of the extract container, except for the area directly below the filter strainer 16, which is also surrounded by the seal 18.

[0089] The seal 18 is configured such that, on one hand, it has a region (upper in the figure) that circumferentially contacts the inner wall of the filter bowl 12 to create a seal, and the seal 18 is held in place in the filter bowl 12, particularly by press-fitting. On the other hand, below this region, the seal 18 has a circumferential sealing edge that extends diagonally inward from the upper region, and the sealing edge deforms when the filter bowl 12 is supported by the bottom 26, thereby providing a sufficient sealing effect with the bottom 26.

[0090] Figure 9 shows another schematic detail of the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8. In the diagram of Figure 7, the filter bowl 12 is in a first position and the seal 18 holds the suspension inside the filter bowl 12, whereas in the diagram of Figure 9, the filter bowl 12 moves upward away from the first position, thereby releasing the sealing effect and allowing the coffee beverage to pass from inside the filter bowl 12 through the filter strainer 16 into the internal region 24 of the extract container.

[0091] Figure 8 shows an intermediate state between the situation shown in Figure 7 and the situation shown in Figure 9. In Figure 7, the filter bowl 12 is supported by the bottom 26 of the extract container via the seal 18, and the seal 18 deforms in this process, whereas in Figure 8, compared to Figure 7, the filter bowl 12 rises slightly along with the seal, and the seal 18 is still in contact with the bottom of the extract container, resulting in the coffee beverage still not leaking (or at least not significantly leaking) into the internal region 24 of the extract container surrounding the filter bowl 12. In contrast, in Figure 9, the filter bowl 12 is separated from the bottom 26 along with the seal 18. The schematic diagram in Figure 9 clearly shows that enough coffee beverage has already passed through the filter 16 to fill the visible area of ​​the internal region 24 in the figure.

[0092] The filter bowl 12 may be removed from the bottom 26, or it may be lifted upward so that the lower end of the filter bowl 12, together with the seal 18 and filter strainer 16, is above the liquid level of the coffee beverage in the extract container.

[0093] Figures 7 to 9 show the filter bowl 12 relative to the bottom 26, as well as the area on the right, indicating the position of the pin 36 in the groove 34, which corresponds to the area on the left. The diagram of the groove 34 is simplified compared to Figure 6 because the part of the groove 34 that allows for the removal of the pin 36 is not shown.

[0094] Referring further to Figure 6, in the situation shown in Figure 7, the pin 36 is located at the outer (left) end of the lower locking leg 38, while the diagram in Figure 8 corresponds to the position of the pin in the region transitioning from the lower locking leg 38 to the vertically extending area of ​​the groove 34. Figures 7 through 9 are not scaled to the same extent as the diagram in Figure 6, and therefore, Figure 9, in which the pin is located at the left end of the upper locking leg 38, may also show a similar position for the pin in the vertical region of the groove (second diagram from the left in Figure 6) or within the upper locking leg 38.

[0095] Even when various aspects or features of the present invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise indicated, the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible combinations. In particular, corresponding units or functional complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged with one another. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 10 Extracted beverage preparation equipment 12 Filter Bowls 14 Extract container 16. Filter 18 stickers 20 guides, handle 22 Spout 24 Internal area 26 Bottom 30 shaft sheath 32 Axis 34 Groove 36 pins 38 Locking leg 40 Outer contour 42 Opening of the extract container 44. Opening of the filter bowl 46 Filter bowl lid

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for preparing extracted beverages, particularly filtered coffee beverages, wherein the apparatus (10) for preparing the extracted beverages is A filter bowl (12) that receives a solid extracting material, particularly ground coffee, and a liquid extracting agent, particularly water, Extract container (14) and Equipped with, The filter bowl (12) includes a filter strainer (16) in its lower region, configured to allow the extracted beverage to pass through and retain the solid portion of the extracted material that is not contained in the extracted beverage within the filter bowl (12). The filter bowl (12) is at least partially positioned inside the extract container (14) and can assume a first position and a second position relative to the extract container (14). The apparatus (10) further comprises a seal (18) that, when the filter bowl (12) is in the first position, seals together, on the one hand, the filter bowl (12) and a predetermined first portion of the internal region (24) of the extract container (14), and on the other hand, the remaining second portion of the internal region (24) of the extract container (14). The second position is above the first position, so that the sealing effect of the seal (18) is released, allowing the extracted beverage to pass from the filter bowl (12) through the filter strainer (16) into the extract container (14). The apparatus (10) is located outside the extract container (14) and further comprises a guide (20) for moving the filter bowl (12) between the first position and the second position. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage is provided with an extract container (14) that includes a spout (22) that allows the extracted beverage to be poured from the extract container (14) while retaining the solid portion of the extract material not contained in the extracted beverage within the filter bowl (12).

2. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 1, wherein the filter bowl (12) is located at the second position, above the filling level that occurs when the extract container (14) is filled with an amount of liquid equivalent to the volume of the filter bowl (12).

3. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extract container (14) has an internal volume 1.4 times larger than the internal volume of the filter bowl (12).

4. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 3, wherein the internal region (24) of the extract container (14) extends downward.

5. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filter bowl (12) is supported at the bottom (26) of the extract container (14) via the seal (18) in the first position.

6. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide (20) is configured to lock the filter bowl (12) in the first position and / or the second position.

7. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide (20) extends continuously with the extract container (14), and the guide (20) is configured in particular to function as a handle (20) of the apparatus (10).

8. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guide (20) comprises a shaft sheath (30) and a central shaft (32) received within the shaft sheath (30).

9. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 8, wherein the shaft sheath (30) can rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the central shaft (32).

10. - The axial shaft (32) is provided with at least one groove (34) in the axial sheath (30) into which a pin (36) engages, and / or - The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to claim 9, wherein the central shaft (32) is provided with at least one pin that engages in a groove or elongated hole within the shaft sheath.

11. Apparatus for preparing an extracted beverage (10) according to claim 10, wherein the groove (34) or the elongated hole is designed to have preferably tapered locking legs (38) for locking the filter bowl in one position, and the locking legs (38) are provided with an inclination for locking in particular in the first position.

12. The apparatus (10) for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the seal (18) is held in place by the wall of the filter bowl (12) and supports the filter strainer (16).

13. Apparatus for preparing an extracted beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the filter bowl (12) comprises an outer contour (40), and the extract container (14) comprises an opening (42) through which the filter bowl (12) passes, and the outer contour (40) and the opening (42) are aligned with each other so as to form a further guide together.

Images