WO2020187162A1

WO2020187162A1 - Appliance for dissolving components of a solid material in water to make a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2020187162A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/079312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Man Fai Cheung
Original assignee: Hang Shun Hing Company Limited
Priority date: 2019-03-15
Filing date: 2020-03-13
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: CN113613532A; CN113613532B

Abstract

To enhance extraction and dissolution of soluble components of a solid material in water to make a beverage, an appliance comprises a pressure chamber, a source of pressurized air, a venting device, a filter assembly, a filter chamber and a controller that controls the supply of pressurized air from the source to the pressure chamber is provided.

Description

Appliance for dissolving components of a solid material in water to make a beverage

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a beverage-making appliance that performs an extraction process in which components of a solid material are dissolved in water.

Background of the Invention

Preparing infusions by soaking tea leaves, herbs or the like in cold water is an ancient technique still popular today, as evidenced by the current interest in cold brewed coffee. Using water at room temperature produces beverages with a different flavour profile, considered superior by many compared to high energy methods, using steam or hot water, that extract components having a lower solubility. However, the 8 to 12 hours that the process typically requires is too much time for the ordinary consumer. It is an object of the present invention to address this disadvantage or, more particularly, to provide an improved beverage-making appliance.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an appliance for dissolving components of a solid material in water to make a beverage, comprising:

a pressure chamber adapted to hold a beverage serving, the pressure chamber having a base and a closable dispensing outlet;

a source of pressurized air;

a venting device for selectively venting the pressure chamber;

a filter assembly for removing the solid material from the water;

a filter chamber adapted to hold the beverage serving and the filter assembly, the filter chamber disposed above the pressure chamber and receiving the filter assembly at a lower end thereof;

a channel providing fluid communication between a lower end of the filter chamber and the base of the pressure chamber; and

a controller that controls the supply of pressurized air from the source to the pressure chamber to alternately (i) pressurize the pressure chamber, to push water out of the pressure chamber and through the channel and the filter assembly into the filter chamber and (ii) vent the pressure chamber to allow the beverage to drain from the filter chamber through the filter assembly and the channel to the pressure chamber.

A particular advantage of the invention may be the manner in which air, which inevitably mixes with the last part of the water pushed through the channel into the filter assembly causes short-lived agitation to the solid material in the filter assembly, while good filtration is achieved in the more quiescent conditions that occur after the air pressure is reduced and the pressure chamber is vented.

Preferably the pressurizing and venting of the pressure chamber are repeated for a plurality of cycles. Advantageously, this provides multiple extractions which enhances the rate of dissolution of soluble components into the water.

Preferably the filter chamber and pressure chamber are formed by a filter vessel and pressure vessel respectively and the filter vessel is fixed to an upper part of the pressure vessel. Alternatively, the filter chamber may be fixed to the pressure chamber side by side for a more compact design of the appliance, while still permitting the beverage to drain from the filter chamber by gravity.

Preferably a lower end of the filter vessel is received in an upper part of the pressure vessel, both vessels have walls substantially comprising surfaces of revolution and both chambers are coaxial.

Preferably a removable closure closes an open mouth of the filter chamber through which the filter assembly can be inserted. The closure can be removed to facilitate placing the filter assembly into the filter chamber as well as to facilitate cleaning of the filter chamber after use and filling with water. The closure can be closed during usage to prevent undesirable matters such as dust to enter the filter chamber and contaminate the beverage.

Preferably an air channel is disposed in the closure for venting the filter chamber. This ensures that there is substantially no restriction to the free movement of water in an out of the filter chamber.

Preferably the appliance further comprises a hollow handle, wherein the handle encloses the source, the controller and the venting device. Advantageously this provides a compact design of the appliance.

Preferably the source of pressurized air is a motor-driven air pump. Alternatively, for instance, the source could comprise an air reservoir connected to a charging compressor and a supply valve, wherein the controller opens and closes the supply valve.

Preferably the venting device is a normally-open valve selectively closed by the pressurized air and connected in an air-supply channel between the source and the pressure chamber. Advantageously this avoids the need for a powered actuator to selectively operate the venting device.

Preferably the filter assembly comprises a filter cup comprising a cup filter element at its base and a filter top comprising a top filter element, the filter top and the filter cup being detachably connected to one another to hold the solid material between the cup filter element and the top filter element. Advantageously the filter cup and the filter top can be detached from each other for placement of solid materials and for easy cleaning before and after use.

Preferably the filter top has a holding member extending from upper surface of the filter top for the filter top to be held. The holding member can be held by the user for easy assembly and disassembly of the filter top and the filter cup.

Preferably the cup filter element and the top filter element both comprise mesh.

Alternatively, other filtration means such as paper filter may be used.

Preferably the filter cup and the filter top are screw threaded to each other.

Preferably the filter top and the filter chamber are screw threaded to each other.

Preferably the handle assembly comprises one of a male and female coupler for mounting, wherein the supply channel passes through the one of a male and female coupler. The male and female coupler may be of the type such as push-to-connect, pull-to-connect, twist lock or sleeve lock. The handle assembly can optionally be dismounted from the appliance. Advantageously the handle assembly can be removed before the appliance is subject to cleaning to avoid damage of the electrical components enclosed by the handle assembly by water and cleaning agents.

Preferably the appliance is free of a heating element for heating the water. Optionally, a heating element may be incorporated with the appliance for making a beverage with hot water.

The present invention is suitable for making beverage from a large variety of solid materials, including ground coffee, tea leaves, herbs, fruits and Chinese medicine.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for making a beverage comprising alternately the steps:

(i) pressurizing a pressure chamber with air to raise water out of the pressure chamber and push it through a channel and a filter assembly holding the solid material into a filter chamber to thereby dissolve components of the solid material in the water, and

(ii) venting air from the pressure chamber to allow the beverage to drain from the filter chamber through the filter assembly and channel to the pressure chamber.

Preferably before the step (ii) of venting air from the pressure chamber, air is pushed through the channel and filter assembly to agitate the solid material. Advantageously, this improves mixing of the solid material and water, and enhances dissolution of soluble components in water.

Preferably air pressure in the filter chamber is maintained substantially at ambient pressure.

Preferably the steps (i) and (ii) of alternately pressurizing and venting the pressure chamber are repeated for multiple cycles for multiple extractions of soluble components into water to make a richer beverage.

Preferably after a desired number of cycles of the steps (i) and (ii) are performed, the beverage is dispensed from the closable dispensing outlet in the pressure chamber.

Preferably the method for making a beverage further comprises:

placing an amount of a solid material into a filter cup;

connecting the filter cup holding the solid material with a filter top to form a filter assembly;

connecting the filter assembly to a filter chamber;

placing an amount of water into a pressure chamber; and

connecting the filter chamber with the pressure chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a beverage-making appliance according to an embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a section in an upright plane of the assembled appliance of Figure 1.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 and 2, an appliance for dissolving components of a solid material in water to make a beverage according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a pressure vessel 50 that encloses a pressure chamber 10 adapted to hold a beverage serving. The pressure vessel 50 may have a closed base 11 and walls 55 generally in the form of a conical frustum tapering to broaden toward an uppermost open end 14. A dispensing outlet 12 in the form of a spout may open from an upper part of the pressure chamber 10. The dispensing outlet 12 may comprise a cover 13 hingedly connected adjacent to the end of the dispensing outlet 12 and biased by a torsion spring 51 to a closed position. The cover 13 is opened when the beverage or liquid is to be poured out of the pressure chamber 10, and is closed when the appliance is in operation. The open end 14 may comprise internal threads 15 for screw engagement with complementary threads 17 on a lower part 19 of a filter vessel 18.

The filter vessel 18 may have upper walls 54 in the form of a conical frustum tapering to narrow from an open mouth 30 toward a lower part 19 to define an internal filter chamber 16. The

coaxial walls

54, 55 of the filter vessel 18 and pressure vessel 50 may be tapered at the same angle and have the same external diameter at their intersection 53. The lower part 19 may taper toward a tubular stem 56 on the axis of the assembly for detachably mounting to an upper end 20 of a tube 21. When the filter vessel 18 and the pressure vessel 50 are screw threaded to each other, the tube 21 passes through the pressure chamber 10, and a lower end 22 of the tube 21 may be slightly raised above the base 11.

The filter vessel 18 may further comprise an outwardly projecting mounting fixture 23, which may be integral with upper walls 54 thereof, for locating and connecting a handle 27. A peripheral wall 24 of the mounting fixture 23 may surround a recess in which a locating flange 26 of the handle 27 is received such that, for instance, adjacent faces of the peripheral wall 24 and handle are tangential. In addition to cooperating coupling structure on the mounting fixture 23 and handle 27, fasteners (not shown) may connect the two parts. In addition, the mounting fixture 23 may comprise a female coupler 25 for coupling with a complementary hollow male coupler 28 on the handle 27, thereby providing for the supply of air from the handle 27 to the pressure chamber 10, as described in more detail below.

The handle 27 may be a hollow assembly, as formed from two shells, and it may be of the cantilevered type, with a proximal end fixed to the fixture 23, a generally opposing free end and an elongated grip 29 therebetween. A control button 31 for activating and deactivating the appliance may also be provided on the handle 27.

A filter 32 is an assembly of a cup 31 and a top 34 which are mutually connected to enclose solid material, such as tea leaves or ground coffee and which can be inserted into and removed from the filter chamber 16 through the mouth 30. The cup 31 and a top 34 may each have generally cylindrical bodies to which a

mesh disc

35, 36 is mounted. The cup 31 and a top 34 may be connected by screw threads, with the cup 31 received in the top 34.

The body of the filter cup 31 comprises external threads 32 that engage threads 41 in the filter chamber 16 for detachably holding the filter 32 in place. The filter top 33 may include a handgrip 37 comprising a diametrically aligned bar part 38 joined to stanchion parts 39 in a C-shape to provide a finger-receiving space between the bar part 38 and the mesh disc 35.

A removable closure 40 may be provided for closing the open mouth 30 of the filter chamber 16. An air channel 41 may be disposed in the closure 40 for venting the filter chamber 16.

Figure 2 shows the internal components in the handle 27, including the motor-driven air pump 42, the operation of which is controlled by the controller 43, which may be mounted to the same circuit board 44 as a switch 45 operated by the button 31. The air pump 42 provides pressurized air to the pressure chamber 10 via a passage 46 extending through the female coupler 25 and hollow male coupler 28. A normally-open venting valve 47 is also in the handle 27 and is connected to the passage 46 for venting the pressure chamber 10 to atmosphere except when the air pump 42 is in operation. An outlet 48 of the venting valve 47 may vent air into the hollow inside the handle 27. A ball-type valve element 49 may be urged by a spring 52 in one direction to its normal position (as shown in Fig. 2) in which the passage 46 is open, and pressed in an opposite direction against a seat 58 to its closed position by air pressure when the air pump 42 is in operation. The passage 46 may comprise, inside the handle 27, a section 46a connecting the air pump 42 and the venting valve 47 and a section 46b connecting the venting valve 47 and the female coupler 25/hollow male coupler 28 pair. In the pressure vessel 50, the passage 46 may comprise a section 46b connecting the female coupler 25 to an outlet 57 in an upper part of the pressure chamber 10.

Fig. 2 also shows the appliance in a state ready to start extraction, where the pressure chamber 10 holds the desired amount of water, preferably at room temperature. The channel 59 extends from the annular space between the lower end 22 of the tube 21 and through the tube 21 itself providing fluid communication between the lower end of the filter chamber 16 and the base of the pressure chamber 10, and a slug of water rests in this channel 59. The cover 13 is closed but, as described above, the pressure chamber 10 is at ambient pressure, as the venting valve is open.

To make a cold brew coffee beverage, the cup 33 has been filled with ground coffee (not shown) and screwed into the top 34, such the ground coffee is disposed between the

filter discs

35, 36, while the thus assembled filter 32 is in turn screwed in to the lower end of the filter chamber 16, securing it against being displaced, before placing closure 40 over the mouth 30.

When the user touches the button 29, the switch 45 is operated and an automated control cycle is started by the controller 43 which essentially provides consecutive intervals during which the air pump 42 alternately turned on and off. Initially, the air pump 42 turned on by the controller 43, pressing the valve element 49 against the seat 58, closing the outlet 48 and directing pressurized air into the pressure chamber 10, where this pressure increase acts to push the water out of the pressure chamber 10 through the channel 59 and the filter assembly into the filter chamber 16. Air displaced from the filter chamber 16 may pass generally freely through the vent opening 41 in the closure 40. After substantially all the water is pushed out of the pressure chamber 10, the supply of pressurized air to the pressure chamber 10 continues, agitating the coffee grounds in the to enhance mixing and dissolution of soluble components. Next, when the air pump 42 is turned off by the controller 43 the reduced pressure allows the spring 52 to unseat the valve element 49, thereby venting the pressure chamber 10 and allowing the beverage to drain from the filter chamber 16 through the filter assembly and the channel 59 back to the pressure chamber 10. While the appliance remains on, the controller 43 may repeat this cycle of alternately pressurizing and venting the pressure chamber 10 to continue the extraction process until a desired level of extraction is obtained. While a single pre-defined control cycle may be used, alternatively different control cycles may be user selectable according to the size of serving required.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

An appliance for dissolving components of a solid material in water to make a beverage, comprising:

a pressure chamber adapted to hold a beverage serving, the pressure chamber having a base and a closable dispensing outlet;

a source of pressurized air;

a venting device for selectively venting the pressure chamber;

a filter assembly for removing the solid material from the water;

a filter chamber adapted to hold the beverage serving and the filter assembly, the filter chamber disposed above the pressure chamber and receiving the filter assembly at a lower end thereof;

a channel providing fluid communication between a lower end of the filter chamber and the base of the pressure chamber; and

a controller that controls the supply of pressurized air from the source to the pressure chamber to alternately (i) pressurize the pressure chamber, to push water out of the pressure chamber and through the channel and the filter assembly into the filter chamber and (ii) vent the pressure chamber to allow the beverage to drain from the filter chamber through the filter assembly and the channel to the pressure chamber.
The appliance according to claim 1, wherein the filter chamber and pressure chamber are formed by a filter vessel and pressure vessel respectively and the filter vessel is fixed to an upper part of the pressure vessel.
The appliance according to claim 2, wherein a lower end of the filter vessel is received in an upper part of the pressure vessel, both vessels have walls substantially comprising surfaces of revolution and both chambers are coaxial.
The appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a removable closure closes an open mouth of the filter chamber through which the filter assembly can be inserted.
The appliance according to claim 4, wherein an air channel is disposed in the closure for venting the filter chamber.
The appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hollow handle, wherein the handle encloses the source of pressurized air, the controller and the venting device.
The appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of pressurized air is a motor-driven air pump.
The appliance according to claim 6, wherein the venting device is a normally-open valve selectively closed by the pressurized air and connected in an air-supply channel between the source and the pressure chamber.
The appliance according to claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises a filter cup with a cup filter element at its base and a filter top with a top filter element, the filter cup and filter top being detachably connected to one another to hold the solid material between the cup filter element and the top filter element.
The appliance according to claim 9, wherein the filter top has a holding member extending from upper surface of the filter top for the filter top to be held.
The appliance according to claim 9, wherein the cup filter element comprises mesh.
The appliance according to claim 9 or claim 11, wherein the top filter element comprises mesh.
The appliance according to claim 9, wherein the filter cup and the filter top are screw threaded to each other.
The appliance according to claim 9, wherein the filter top and the filter chamber are screw threaded to each other.
The appliance according to claim 8, wherein the handle assembly comprises one of a male and female coupler for mounting, wherein the air-supply channel passes through the one of a male and female coupler.
The appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the appliance lacks a heating element for heating the water.
A method for making a beverage comprising alternately:

(i) pressurizing a pressure chamber with air to raise water out of the pressure chamber and push it through a channel and a filter assembly holding the solid material into a filter chamber to thereby dissolve components of the solid material in the water, and

(ii) venting air from the pressure chamber to allow the beverage to drain from the filter chamber through the filter assembly and channel to the pressure chamber.
The method according to claim 17, wherein before the step (ii) of venting air from the pressure chamber, air is pushed through the channel and filter assembly to agitate the solid material.
The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein air pressure in the filter chamber is maintained substantially at ambient pressure.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steps (i) and (ii) of alternately pressurizing and venting the pressure chamber are repeated for multiple cycles.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising dispensing the beverage from a closable dispensing outlet in the pressure chamber.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: placing an amount of a solid material into a filter cup;

connecting the filter cup holding the solid material with a filter top to form a filter assembly;

connecting the filter assembly to a filter chamber;

placing an amount of water into a pressure chamber; and

connecting the filter chamber with the pressure chamber.