Beverage Extractor

Abstract

This beverage extractor (1) has a container (10), a pour opening (35), a filter unit (40), and an operation shaft (50). The filter unit (40) is capable of moving vertically while contacting the interior of the container (10). The filter unit (40) has a filter part (45) and a wall part (44). A beverage reserved inside the container (10) can pass through the filter part (45). The wall part (44) is positioned closer to the pour opening (35) than is the filter part (45). When the container (10) is tilted and the beverage is poured into a cup from the pour opening (35), excess extracted liquid (L2) that remains in the lower side of the filter unit (40) is dammed by the wall part (44). This makes it possible to suppress the excess extracted liquid (L2) from being poured into the cup.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a press-type beverage extractor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a so-called press-type beverage extractor is known in which coffee powder and hot water are placed inside a container to extract coffee, and then the filter is pressed to separate the coffee powder from the extracted coffee. A conventional beverage extractor is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a press-type beverage extractor, after pressing the filter, the clarified coffee is poured into a cup. However, coffee powder remains in a state of being immersed under the filter. For this reason, an over-extracted liquid having a higher concentration than the clarified liquid accumulates under the filter. The concentration of this over-extracted liquid gradually increases over time. Also, as the amount of coffee in the beverage extractor decreases, the over-extracted liquid is more likely to mix into the coffee poured into the cup. Therefore, there is a problem that the concentration of the coffee poured from the beverage extractor into the cup is significantly different between the first cup and the last cup.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of suppressing the over-extracted liquid accumulated under the filter unit from being poured into the cup in a press-type beverage extractor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The liquid container of the present invention is a press-type beverage extractor, and includes a bottomed cylindrical container, a spout for pouring the beverage from the container, a filter unit that is movable in the vertical direction while being inscribed in the container, and an operation shaft connected to the filter unit. The filter unit has a filter portion through which the beverage stored in the container can pass and a wall portion for blocking the beverage. The wall portion is located closer to the spout side than the filter portion.

[0007] According to this beverage extractor, when the container is tilted and the beverage is poured from the spout into a cup, the over-extracted liquid accumulated on the lower side of the filter unit is blocked by the wall portion. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the over-extracted liquid from being poured into the cup.

[0008] In particular, in a state where the container is tilted toward the spout side, it is desirable that the boundary line between the wall portion and the filter portion is substantially horizontal. In this way, when the area of the wall portion is the same, the amount of the over-extracted liquid that can be blocked can be maximized. Therefore, the over-extracted liquid accumulated on the lower side of the filter unit can be blocked better.

[0009] Also, it is desirable that the area of the filter portion in a top view is less than half of the area of the filter unit in a top view. In this way, the amount of the over-extracted liquid blocked by the wall portion can be further increased. Therefore, the over-extracted liquid accumulated on the lower side of the filter unit can be blocked better.

[0010] Moreover, it is desirable that the beverage extractor further includes a rotation prevention portion that restricts the rotation of the filter unit with respect to the spout. Thereby, the wall portion of the filter unit can always be arranged on the spout side. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the over-extracted liquid accumulated on the lower side of the filter unit from being poured into the cup.

[0011] Further, it is desirable that the beverage extractor further includes a plate disposed above the filter unit. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the raw material powder that has passed through the filter portion from diffusing upward.

[0012] Also, it is desirable that the plate be relatively movable up and down with respect to the filter unit. In this way, when the filter unit is pushed down, a gap is formed between the filter unit and the plate, and the beverage can pass through the gap. After the filter unit is pushed down to the bottom of the container, the plate descends to cover the upper surface of the filter unit. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the raw material powder and the over-extracted liquid from diffusing into the upper beverage.

[0013] Also, it is desirable that the beverage extractor further includes a claw portion that restricts the upward movement range of the plate with respect to the filter unit. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the plate from rising excessively with respect to the filter unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, when the container is tilted and the beverage is poured from the spout into the cup, the over-extracted liquid accumulated on the lower side of the filter unit is blocked by the wall portion. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the over-extracted liquid from being poured into the cup.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <1. Beverage Extractor According to an Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side view of a beverage extractor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the beverage extractor 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the beverage extractor 1. This beverage extractor 1 is a so-called press-type extractor that puts raw material powder and hot water or water inside, extracts a beverage from the raw material powder, and separates the raw material powder from the extracted beverage by pressing down the filter unit 40. The raw material powder is, for example, ground coffee beans (coffee powder) or tea leaves. The beverage to be extracted is, for example, coffee, black tea, green tea, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the beverage extractor 1 has a container 10, a handle 20, a stopper unit 30, a filter unit 40, an operation shaft 50, and a plate 60.

[0019] The container 10 is a bottomed cylindrical main body part. The container 10 has a flat bottom part 11 and a cylindrical side part 12 extending upward from the peripheral part of the bottom part 11. There is a space inside the container 10 where a beverage can be stored. As the material of the container 10, for example, stainless steel or glass is generally used. The container 10 of the present embodiment has a vacuum double structure. That is, the container 10 has a bottomed cylindrical outer bottle 13 and a bottomed cylindrical inner bottle 14 located inside the outer bottle 13. A vacuum layer 15 is interposed between the outer bottle 13 and the inner bottle 14. Thereby, the beverage stored inside the container 10 can be kept warm or cold.

[0020] The handle 20 is a part that the user grips when carrying the beverage extractor 1 or pouring the beverage from the beverage extractor 1 into a cup. The handle 20 is fixed to the outer surface of the container 10. The spout 35, which will be described later, and the handle 20 are located on opposite sides of each other with the central axis A of the container 10 interposed therebetween.

[0021] The stopper unit 30 is a unit that closes the upper part of the container 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the stopper unit 30 has a stopper frame 31 and a stopper cover 32. The stopper frame 31 is a substantially annular member. The stopper frame 31 is attached to the upper end of the side portion 12 of the container 10. The lower part of the stopper frame 31 is inserted into the opening at the upper part of the container 10. The stopper cover 32 is a substantially disc-shaped member. The stopper cover 32 is fitted inside the stopper frame 31.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the stopper unit 30 has an annular first packing 33. The first packing 33 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the stopper frame 31. In a state where the stopper unit 30 is attached to the container 10, the first packing 33 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the side portion 12 of the container 10 while being elastically deformed. Thereby, the gap between the container 10 and the stopper unit 30 is sealed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the beverage in the container 10 from leaking to the outside through the gap between the container 10 and the stopper unit 30.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper cover 32 has a first through hole 34 and a spout 35. The first through hole 34 is a hole into which an operation shaft 50, which will be described later, is inserted. The first through hole 34 penetrates the central part of the stopper cover 32 in the vertical direction. The spout 35 is an opening for pouring the beverage from the container 10 into a cup. The spout 35 is a notch formed in the peripheral edge of the stopper cover 32.

[0024] In addition, the plug frame 31 has a spout portion 36. The spout portion 36 protrudes radially outward at a position outside the pouring port 35 among the peripheral portions of the plug frame 31. The shape of the spout portion 36 is a groove shape that gradually converges toward the outer end. The pouring port 35 and the spout portion 36 and the handle 20 described above are located on opposite sides of each other with the central axis A of the container 10 interposed therebetween. When the user holds the handle 20 and tilts the beverage extractor 1 toward the pouring port 35 side, the beverage in the container 10 is poured into the cup through the pouring port 35 and the spout portion 36.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view of the filter unit 40, the operation shaft 50, and the plate 60. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the filter unit 40, the operation shaft 50, and the plate 60. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter unit 40 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft 50. The plate 60 is disposed above the filter unit 40.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the filter unit 40 and the plate 60 are disposed inside the container 10. The filter unit 40, the operation shaft 50, and the plate 60 are movable in the vertical direction with respect to the container 10 between the raised position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 and the lowered position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3.

[0027] The filter unit 40 is a unit for separating raw material powder and beverage in the container 10. FIG. 6 is a top view of the filter unit 40. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the filter unit 40 has a disk-shaped outer shape. The filter unit 40 is disposed inside the container 10 in a horizontal posture. The filter unit 40 moves in the vertical direction while being inscribed in the side portion 12 of the container 10.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the filter unit 40 has a filter 41 and a holder 42. The filter 41 is flat and has a number of mesh-like pores penetrating in the vertical direction. Each pore of the filter 41 has a size such that the raw material powder cannot pass through. The holder 42 is a resin member that holds the filter 41. The holder 42 is integrated with the filter 41 by insert molding.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 42 has a frame portion 43 and a wall portion 44. The frame portion 43 is an annular portion along the inner peripheral surface of the container 10. The wall portion 44 is a portion that spreads flat in a part of the region inside the frame portion 43. Among the regions inside the frame portion 43, the portion other than the wall portion 44 is a filter portion 45 where the filter 41 is exposed. That is, the filter unit 40 has a filter portion 45 through which the beverage can pass and a wall portion 44 that dams up the beverage inside the frame portion 43.

[0030] The wall portion 44 is located closer to the spout 35 side than the filter portion 45. In the present embodiment, in a top view, about half of the region inside the frame portion 43 of the filter unit 40 on the handle 20 side is the filter portion 45, and about half of the region on the spout 35 side is the wall portion 44.

[0031] Further, the filter unit 40 has an annular second packing 46. The second packing 46 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion 43 of the holder 42. The second packing 46 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container 10 while being elastically deformed. Thereby, the space between the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 10 is sealed. Therefore, the movement of the raw material powder between the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 10 is suppressed.

[0032] The operation shaft 50 is a rod-shaped member for raising and lowering the filter unit 40. The operation shaft 50 extends linearly along the central axis A of the container 10. The lower end of the operation shaft 50 is connected to the central part of the filter unit 40. The upper end of the operation shaft 50 extends above the plug cover 32 through the first through hole 34 of the plug cover 32. Further, a knob portion 53 for the user to grip is provided at the upper end of the operation shaft 50. The user of the beverage extractor 1 can move the filter unit 40 and the plate 60 located inside the container 10 in the vertical direction by holding the knob portion 53 and raising and lowering the operation shaft 50.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the operation shaft 50 has a first anti-rotation portion 51. The first anti-rotation portion 51 has a non-circular shape in a top view. Specifically, the first anti-rotation portion 51 has a flat portion (D cut), a convex portion, or a concave portion in a top view. On the other hand, the plug cover 32 has a non-circular first fitting portion (not shown) corresponding to the first anti-rotation portion 51. The first anti-rotation portion 51 of the operation shaft 50 fits into the first fitting portion of the plug cover 32. Thereby, the rotation of the operation shaft 50 with respect to the plug unit 30 is restricted to a predetermined position.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation shaft 50 has a second anti-rotation portion 52 at the lower end. The second anti-rotation portion 52 has a non-circular shape in a top view. Specifically, the second anti-rotation portion 52 has a flat portion (D cut), a convex portion, or a concave portion in a top view. On the other hand, the holder 42 of the filter unit 40 has a non-circular second fitting portion (not shown) corresponding to the second anti-rotation portion 52. The second anti-rotation portion 52 of the operation shaft 50 fits into the second fitting portion of the filter unit 40. Thereby, the rotation of the filter unit 40 with respect to the operation shaft 50 is restricted to a predetermined position.

[0035] In this way, the rotation of the operation shaft 50 with respect to the plug unit 30 is restricted to a predetermined position by the first rotation restricting portion 51 and the first fitting portion. And the rotation of the filter unit 40 with respect to the operation shaft 50 is restricted to a predetermined position by the second rotation restricting portion 52 and the second fitting portion. As a result, the rotation of the filter unit 40 around the central axis A with respect to the spout 35 of the plug unit 30 is restricted to a predetermined position. That is, the first rotation restricting portion 51, the first fitting portion, the second rotation restricting portion 52, and the second fitting portion constitute a rotation restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the filter unit 40 with respect to the spout 35. Thereby, the wall portion 44 of the filter unit 40 is always maintained in a state of being located closer to the spout 35 side than the filter portion 45.

[0036] That is, this rotation restricting portion always maintains the state in which the wall portion 44 of the filter unit 40 is located closer to the spout 35 side than the filter portion 45. For example, when the positions of the first rotation restricting portion 51 and the second rotation restricting portion 52 are not such that the wall portion 44 of the filter unit 40 is disposed closer to the spout 35 side than the filter portion 45, the operation shaft 50 may be configured not to fit into the plug unit 30.

[0037] The plate 60 is a plate disposed horizontally above the filter unit 40. Most of the raw material powder in the container 10 is confined to the lower side of the filter unit 40, but a very small part of the raw material powder passes through the pores of the filter portion 45 and moves to the upper side of the filter unit 40. The plate 60 is a plate for suppressing the upward diffusion of the raw material powder that has passed through the filter portion 45.

[0038] The plate 60 is a disk having a slightly smaller diameter than the filter unit 40. Further, the plate 60 has a second through hole 61. The second through hole 61 penetrates the central portion of the plate 60 in the vertical direction. The operation shaft 50 is inserted into the second through hole 61 of the plate 60. For this reason, the plate 60 is movable up and down along the operation shaft 50. That is, the plate 60 is relatively movable up and down with respect to the filter unit 40.

[0039] Further, the holder 42 of the filter unit 40 has a pair of claw portions 47. The pair of claw portions 47 each extend upward from the frame portion 43 of the holder 42, and the tips thereof protrude inward (toward the central axis A). When the plate 60 moves upward relative to the filter unit 40, the pair of claw portions 47 come into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral edge portion of the plate 60. As a result, the upward movement range of the plate 60 with respect to the filter unit 40 is restricted. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the plate 60 from excessively rising with respect to the filter unit 40.

[0040] When extracting a beverage using this beverage extractor 1, first, an assembly composed of the plug unit 30, the filter unit 40, the operation shaft 50, and the plate 60 is removed from the container 10. Next, raw material powder (e.g., coffee powder) and hot water or water are put into the interior of the container 10. Subsequently, the above-mentioned assembly is attached to the container 10. After that, when a predetermined extraction time has elapsed, the user holds the knob portion 53 and presses the operation shaft 50 downward. Thereby, inside the container 10, the filter unit 40 moves downward. Then, only the beverage among the raw material powder and the extracted beverage passes through the filter portion 45. The raw material powder is pushed downward near the bottom 11 of the container 10 by the filter unit 40. Thereafter, the user holds the handle 20 and tilts the beverage extractor 1 toward the spout 35 side. As a result, the supernatant liquid of the beverage stored above the filter unit 40 is poured into a cup through the spout 35 and the nozzle portion 36.

[0041] Figs. 7 and 8 are schematic views showing a beverage extractor 1 that extracts a beverage from raw material powder. After the extraction of the beverage, if the container 10 is left standing for a while, in the portion below the filter unit 40, the components of the beverage are excessively extracted from the raw material powder. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, a over-extracted liquid L2 having a higher concentration than the supernatant liquid L1 accumulates below the filter unit 40. However, in the beverage extractor 1 of the present embodiment, when the container 10 is tilted to pour the beverage into a cup, as shown in Fig. 8, the over-extracted liquid L2 is blocked by the wall portion 44. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the over-extracted liquid L2 from being poured into the cup.

[0042] In particular, in the filter unit 40 of the present embodiment, in a state where the container 10 is tilted toward the spout 35 side, the boundary line between the wall portion 44 and the filter portion 45 is substantially horizontal. In this way, when the area of the wall portion 44 is the same, the amount of the over-extracted liquid L2 that can be blocked can be maximized. Therefore, the over-extracted liquid L2 accumulated below the filter unit 40 can be blocked better.

[0043] Also, in the filter unit 40 of the present embodiment, the area of the filter portion 45 in a top view is less than half of the area of the filter unit 40 in a top view. In this way, the amount of the over-extracted liquid L2 blocked by the wall portion 44 can be further increased. Therefore, the over-extracted liquid L2 accumulated below the filter unit 40 can be blocked better.

[0044] In the structure of the present embodiment, the resistance when the filter unit 40 is pushed down by the wall portion 44 becomes large. For this reason, in order to reduce the pressing resistance of the filter unit 40, it is conceivable to make the mesh of the filter 41 coarser. However, if the mesh of the filter 41 is made coarser, the raw material powder easily passes through the filter portion 45 and moves upward. Therefore, in the beverage extractor 1 of the present embodiment, a plate 60 is disposed above the filter unit 40. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the raw material powder that has passed through the filter portion 45 from diffusing upward. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the raw material powder from being poured into the cup.

[0045] Also, in the structure of this embodiment, the plate 60 is vertically movable relative to the filter unit 40. In this way, when the filter unit 40 is pushed down, a gap is formed between the filter unit 40 and the plate 60, so that the beverage can pass through the gap. After the filter unit 40 is pushed down to the lowered position, the plate 60 descends to cover the upper surface of the filter unit 40. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the over-extracted liquid L2 and the raw material powder from diffusing into the upper beverage.

[0046] <2. Modification Example> As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the container 10 has a vacuum double structure. However, the container 10 may have a single structure.

[0048] Also, in the above embodiment, the claw portion 47 for restricting the upward movement range of the plate 60 is provided on the filter unit 40. However, a claw portion protruding outward may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation shaft 50, and the upward movement range of the plate 60 may be restricted by the claw portion.

[0049] Also, in the above embodiment, the plate 60 is vertically movable relative to the filter unit 40. However, the position of the plate 60 relative to the filter unit 40 may be fixed. For example, the plate 60 may be fixed to the operation shaft 50 at a position slightly above the upper surface of the filter unit 40 with a small gap therebetween.

[0050] Also, in the above embodiment, in a top view, about half of the area inside the frame portion 43 of the filter unit 40 is the filter portion 45, and the remaining about half is the wall portion 44. However, the area ratio of the wall portion 44 in the filter unit 40 is not limited to the above example.

[0051] Also, the detailed shape of the beverage extractor may differ from each figure of the present application. Further, each element appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 1 Beverage extractor 10 Container 11 Bottom 12 Side 13 Outer bottle 14 Inner bottle 15 Vacuum layer 20 Handle 30 Plug unit 31 Plug frame 32 Plug cover 33 First packing 34 First through-hole 35 Pouring port 36 Spout 40 Filter unit 41 Filter 42 Holder 43 Frame part 44 Wall part 45 Filter part 46 Second packing 47 Claw part 50 Operation shaft 51 First anti-rotation part 52 Second anti-rotation part 53 Knob part 60 Plate 61 Second through-hole A Central axis L1 Clear liquid L2 Over-extracted liquid

Claims

1. A press-type beverage extractor, comprising a bottomed cylindrical container, a spout for pouring the beverage from the container, a filter unit that is movable in the vertical direction while being inscribed in the container, an operation shaft connected to the filter unit, and the filter unit has a filter part through which the beverage stored in the container can pass, and a wall part for blocking the beverage, and the wall part is located on the spout side of the filter part, and in a state where the container is tilted toward the spout side, the boundary line between the wall part and the filter part is substantially horizontal, a beverage extractor.

2. The beverage extractor according to claim 1, wherein the area of the filter part in top view is less than half of the area of the filter unit in top view, a beverage extractor.

3. The beverage extractor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a rotation stopper for restricting the rotation of the filter unit with respect to the spout, a beverage extractor.

4. The beverage extractor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plate disposed above the filter unit, a beverage extractor.

5. The beverage extractor according to claim 4, wherein the plate is relatively movable up and down with respect to the filter unit, a beverage extractor.

6. The beverage extractor according to claim 5, A beverage extractor further comprising a claw portion that restricts an upward movement range of the plate with respect to the filter unit.

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