Abstract:
A piston-type extraction apparatus and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical container with lid and pour spout, a container insert, and plunger element including piston, rod, handle, and filtration chamber. The container insert is designed to catch coffee grounds or other infusible material which may be easily removed from the container when the container is empty or when the extract fluid remains in the container. The filtration chamber is adapted for use with a paper filter. The plunger element may temporarily couple with the insert to allow the insert to be pulled up through the container with the grounds of other infusible material captured between the insert and the plunger element allowing for quick and easy cleanup. The extraction apparatus is adapted for a use in a variety of sizes and may be adapted for manufactured at low cost.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present non-provisional application claims the benefit of commonly assigned provisional application having Ser. No. 61/964,621 filed Jan. 10, 2014, and entitled COFFEE AND TEA DOUBLE PRESS which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to a piston-type apparatus capable of use for extracting an infusible material from an extract (such as coffee or tea) and method for using the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Extraction devices, such as the French Press type coffee maker, have been in use for many years. Generally, they involve placing an infusible material (such as ground coffee beans or tea leaves) in a container filled with hot water and, after allowing the mixture to steep for a sufficient time period, the infusible material is pushed downward into the container using a plunger with strainer to separate the infusible material from the extract. The infusible material is trapped between the strainer and the bottom of the container, and the extract is poured out. Such devices and methods are not limited to use with coffee or tea. Some medical devices, for example, operate with a similar manner and technique. 
         [0004]    The basic problems associated with prior art devices and methods is that they do not allow for easy cleanup of the infusible material once the extraction has taken place and/or they require that the extract be poured out of the container before the infusible material can be easily removed. For example, with a typical prior art French Press type coffee maker, the user must remove the plunger and strainer and then wash the spent grounds out of the container. This can be a messy process, particularly if there is not a handy water source. And, it can difficult to remove coffee grounds using water without have a significant portion wash down a drain or otherwise get all over the sink. If a user decides to leave the coffee grounds in the container, then she must remove the extract immediately or otherwise the extract will become bitter as some portion of the extract remains in contact with the coffee grounds until either the grounds or the extract is completely removed. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a French Press type apparatus that allows for separation of the infusible material from the extract, easy cleanup and the ability to remove the infusible material without having to remove the extract. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides an improved extract separation apparatus adapted to address some of the shortcomings of French Press type extraction apparati known in the prior art. 
         [0007]    In an example embodiment of the present invention, an extract separation apparatus for separating an infused extract from a mixture of an infusible material and the extract is described. The apparatus in such example embodiment comprises:
       1) An infusing container adapted for holding a mixture of extract and infusible material and having a bottom and one or more substantially vertical walls oriented substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The container may have a removable lid, pouring spout, and handle;   2) a container insert adapted to be inserted into the container and moved down the vertical axis of the container and be seated at or near the bottom of the container. The insert has a beveled (or sloping) rim adapted to allow infusing materials to slide down into the bottom of the insert and as well as allow infusing material to flow into the space defined between the insert and the container wall. The insert rim also has a peripheral sealing means adapted to prevent infusible material (i.e grounds) from getting to into the space between the insert and the container wall while allowing easy insertion and extraction of the insert from the container. The insert and plunger element have corresponding coupling means for temporarily coupling the insert to the plunger element when the plunger element is pushed down into the insert; and   3) a plunger element comprising a rod connected with a handle at one end and with a filtration chamber at the other end, the filtration chamber comprising a) an upper perforated surface with peripheral seal adapted to separate the extract from the infusible material when the chamber is pushed down into a the container containing the mixture of extract and infusible material along the container vertical axis, b) a lower perforated surface similar to the upper perforated surface, and c) walls connecting the upper and lower perforated surfaces, the walls having a coupling means adapted to temporarily engage with the corresponding insert coupling means allowing the plunger to be coupled with the insert when the plunger element has been pushed sufficiently down into the insert trapping the infusible material between the insert and the plunger element and pulled up together leaving the extract in the container. In some embodiments, the interior of the filtration chamber is accessible to allow placement of one or more additional filter means (such as a paper filter) within it.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a vertical section of an example embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention showing a plunging element in a starting position inside an infusing container having an insert and containing a mixture of infusible material and extract. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a vertical section of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with plunging element pressed down through the container containing the mixture and couple with the container insert such that the infusing material is trapped between the plunging element and the insert. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts a vertical section of the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with plunging element coupled with the insert and being pulled out of the infusing container with the infusing trapped between the plunging element and insert. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts a side perspective view of an example embodiment of a plunger element consistent with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  top side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the plunger element shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the plunger element shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an example embodiment of a container insert consistent with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the container insert shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a bottom side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the container insert shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an apparatus consistent with the principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
           10  filtration apparatus 
           12  filtration container 
           14  extract 
           16  infusible material 
           18  plunger element 
           20  handle 
           22  rod 
           24  filtration basket 
           26  container lid 
           28  container lid hole 
           30  filtration basket sealing means 
           32  first surface of filtration basket 
           34  mixture chamber 
           35  first filtered extract chamber 
           36  second surface of filtration basket 
           38  third surface of filtration basket (i.e. filtration basket side walls) 
           40  filtration basket chamber 
           42  filtration basket chamber access means 
           44  filtration basket filter openings 
           46  filtration basket coupling means 
           48  container insert 
           50  insert bottom 
           52  insert side walls 
           54  insert rim 
           56  insert sealing means 
           58  insert filtration openings 
           60  insert coupling means 
           62  defined space between bottom of insert and container 
           64  pouring spout 
       
     
         [0050]    The Figures are for purposes of illustrating several embodiments of the assembly and method consistent with the principles of the present invention and are not for purposes of limiting the same. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  is a vertical section view of an embodiment of the extraction apparatus which is configured similarly to a French Press type coffee or tea making apparatus.  FIG. 1  shows the extraction apparatus  10  in a first or starting position for separating the extract  14  from the mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16  in the infusing container  12 . 
         [0052]    The extraction apparatus  10  comprises an exemplary walled cylinder infusing container  12  containing a mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16 . The infusing container may be made of glass, metal, or other materials typically used with coffee/tea making apparati. The plunger element  18  is adapted to fit within the infusing container  12  and be moved within the infusing container  12  along a central vertical axis thereof. The plunger element may comprise a handle  20  attached with a rod  22  attached with a filtration chamber  24 . The extraction apparatus  10  may additionally comprise a lid  26  with a central hole  28  through which the rod  22  may pass to assist in centering the filtration basket  24  and prevent it from tilting. The filtration basket  24  additionally comprises sealing means  30  situated at the edge of the first perforated surface or wall  32  of the filtration chamber  24 , which is oriented substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the infusing container  12 . The purpose of the sealing means is to prevent infusible material  16  from being allowed above the filtration basket  24  as filtration basket  24  is moved down into the container with mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16 . The first perforated surface  32  is the top surface of the filtration basket and allows the extract  14  to flow it while the filtration basket  24  is pushed down into the container. In essence, the infusing container  12 , the first perforated surface  32  and sealing means  30  of the filtration basket  24  define a first chamber  34  containing the mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16 . 
         [0053]    The filtration basket  24  of the plunger element  18  also defines a second surface or wall  36  oriented substantially parallel to the first surface  32 . The second surface  36  is connected with the first surface  32  by means of side walls  38  (also called the third surface) that are substantially perpendicular to the first surface  32  and second surface  36  as shown, but which in alternative embodiments may slant inward to join a wider first surface with a relatively narrower second surface. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the combination of first surface  32 , second surface  36  and connecting side walls  38  (the third surface) form a basket which may be a cylindrical shape or alternatively in the shape of a conical frustum defining a hollow interior space or first filtration chamber  40  which may be accessible by way of access means  42  located in one or more of the first, second or side surfaces. Such access means  42 , for example, may include a screw off opening with threaded joints located, for example, between the bottom surface  36  and the side wall  38  allowing the second surface  36  to be removed by screwing the second surface on or off to access the filtration chamber  40 . In alternative embodiments, such threaded joints could be located between the first surface  32  and the side walls  38  or at a location along the side walls  38 . In alternative embodiments, the access means could be an opening in any of the first  32 , second  36  or side wall surfaces  38 . In alternative embodiments, the opening may be accessible using clipping or other temporary fastening means as known in the industry. 
         [0055]    As shown in the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 , the first surface  32 , second surface  36 , and side walls  38  of the filtration basket  24  are adapted to permit the flow of extract from a first chamber  34  (containing a mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16 ) to a second chamber  35  (containing only the extract  14 ). In the embodiment shown, the first surface  32 , second surface  36  and side walls  38  comprise one or more filter openings (or perforation holes)  44  adapted such that extract  14  flowing through the filter openings  44  may pass through the filter openings  44  to allow substantial separation of the extract  14  from the infusible material  16 . In some embodiments, the apertures of the filter openings  44  may be small enough to substantially exclude the infusible material  16  from passing through the filter openings  44 . The filter openings  44  can be the perforations in a substantially perforated surface or may the openings in a mesh material used to form the surfaces of the filtration basket  24 . Alternatively, the filter openings  44  may be formed by any suitable method, such as one or more of: stamping, chemical etching, laser etching, molding, weaving, welding, machining, sintering, felting, foaming, paper making, piercing, or any other method adapted to create small and preferably uniform apertures. A common embodiment of the surfaces having filter openings  44  would be a screen or mesh having many apertures comprised of a suitable material as described above. Additionally, the filter openings  44  themselves may be multi-staged, comprising a plurality of individual filter elements (for example, stacked mesh and paper). 
         [0056]    In addition to the filter openings  44 , one or more of the first surface  32 , second surface  36  of side walls  38  of the filter basket contains a filtration basket coupling means  46  for coupling the plunger element  18  with the container insert  48 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the coupling means consists of corresponding double ridge seal  46  made of strong, durable but elastic materials such as silicone or rubber located at or near bottom edge of the third surface (sidewall)  38  of the filtration basket  24  which may couple with a ridged node or ring  60  located at the interior surface of the insert. In alternative embodiments, the coupling means consist simply of the double ridged seal  46  which fits snugly down into the insert such that the seal  46  will slide down the interior walls of the insert when the plunger is pushed down, but which will hold enough tension against the interior walls of the insert to temporarily couple with the insert (i.e. provide enough friction) to allow the insert and plunger to be easily pulled up together while holding the infusible material between the third surface of the plunger  36  and the bottom interior surface of the insert. Other alternative coupling means are contemplated by the invention including the use of clips, corresponding overlapping rubber or silicone seals or rings, and other equivalent temporary coupling means known in the industry. Such coupling means should be easily detachable when the plunger element  18 , insert  48  and infusible material have been pulled out of the container  12  allowing the infusible material  12  to be easily accessed and discarded. 
         [0057]    The container insert  48 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is adapted to be inserted into the filtration container  12  and pushed down along the filtration container  12  vertical access and seated between the bottom of the filtration container  12  such that a portion of the bottom surface of the container insert  48  is seated against the bottom of the filtration container  12 . The container insert  48  is a substantially open container design having bottom  50 , side walls  52 , and rim  54  having interior and exterior surface and the rim  54  also having peripheral sealing means  56  and filtration openings  58 . In the example embodiment shown, the rim  54  is beveled (or sloped) inward to allow the infusible material  16  to more easily move down into the insert when the plunging element  18  is pushed into the container. The interior surface of the container insert  48  may also have coupling means  60  adapted to be coupled with the filtration basket coupling means  46  as described more thoroughly below. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, the side walls  52  and rim  54  with peripheral sealing means  56  of the container insert  48  are adapted to define a second filtration chamber  62  between the exterior surfaces of the container insert and the interior surface of the infusion container. In such embodiments, filtration openings  58  are located at the rim  54  to allow extract  14  to flow into the space  62  while substantially preventing the infusible material  16  from flowing therein. In such embodiments, the filtration openings  58  consist of perforated mesh or other opening large enough to allow extract  14  into the space  62  but prevent infusible material  16  from doing so. The peripheral sealing means  56  prevents infusible material from flowing around the rim of the container insert  48  into the chamber  62  while also allowing the insert to be more easily pushed into or pulled out of the infusing container  12  when extract  14  remains in the container  12 . In alternative embodiments designed to allow the plunger element  18  and insert  48  to be pulled out of the container only after the extract has been removed, there is no need for the filtration openings  58  at the insert rim  54 . 
         [0059]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the infusing container  12  comprises a substantially vertical walled cylinder container, with a substantially circular cross-section, the first surface  32  of the filtration basket  24  is substantially circular in cross-section adapted to fit inside the cylindrical infusing container  32 , and the second surface  36  is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section. The side walls  38  of the filtration basket  24  are substantially vertical. Sealing means  30  consisting of a double pointed gasket is situated around the outside edge of the first surface  32  of the filtration basket  24  to provide a seal against the cylindrical wall of the infusing container  12  when the plunger element  18  is moved inside the container, to substantially prevent extract  14  material from leaking around the sealing means  30 . In alternative embodiments of the invention, the infusing container  12  and mating plunger element  18  with filtration basket  24  with first surface  32  thereof may optionally have another cross-sectional shape, such as a square or rectangular of other shape for example, wherein the sealing means  30  may be situated around the edge or edges of the first surface  32  of the filtration basket  24 . Further, in alternative embodiments, the second surface  36  of the filtration basket  24  may optionally have another shape, such as a rectangular prism or conical frustum, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the plunger element  18  having filtration basket  24  may be provided independently, adapted to fit inside an existing infusing container design, for use as an extraction apparatus 
         [0060]    Likewise, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the container insert  48  is substantially circular in cross-section and adapted to fit inside the cylindrical infusing container  12 . The container insert may be made of any strong, light and moldable material used in the manufacture of press type extract apparatus such as plastic, metal, and other such materials. The sealing means  56  is situated around the substantially circular outside edge of the insert rim  54  to provide a seal against the cylindrical wall of the infusing container  12  when the insert  12  is moved inside the infusing container  12  and is seated at the bottom of the infusing container  12  to substantially prevent infusible material  16  from leaking around the sealing means  56  when the extract  14  and infusible material  16  are pushed downward along the vertical axis of the infusion container  12  during use. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the infusing container  12  and mating container insert  48  may optionally have another cross-sectional shape, such as a square or rectangular or other shape for example, wherein the sealing means  56  may be situated around the edge or edges of the insert rim  52 . Further, in alternative embodiments, the container insert  48  may be provided independently, adapted to fit inside an existing infusing container design. In such an embodiment, the plunger element  18  with filtration basket  24  as well as the mating container insert  48  may be adapted for retrofittable use with one or more existing infusing containers, such as one or more standard or commonly available infusing containers from existing French press extraction apparati, as are known in the art. 
         [0061]    In embodiments of the invention including an infusing container  12 , the infusing container  12  may be made from any suitable material such as one or more of: glass, plastic, ceramic, metal or other suitable material, for example. Additionally, the infusing container  12  may optionally include a double-layered wall, such as a double metal wall, with a vacuum or other suitable and preferably insulative substance between the two walls of the infusing container  12  during the extraction process. Further, the plunger element  18 , container insert  48 , and components thereof may be made from any suitable material such as one or more of polymer, composite, metal, ceramic or other suitable materials, for example. 
         [0062]    The first surface sealing means  30  as well as filtration basket coupling means  46  and the peripheral container insert sealing means  56  may comprise any suitable known seal material and/or design. Such sealing means designs may include single or multiple lip seals, single or multiple wiper seals, single or double ridged seals, and single or multiple U-cup seal designs, for example. Suitable such single or multiple U-cup seal designs may desirably be self-energizing, such that an outer edge of the U-cup seal actively engages and seals with the inner wall of the infusing container  12  or insert  48  while allowing the plunger element to be pushed down into the container  12 . Exemplary suitable seal materials may comprise one or more of: silicone, polymers (such as polyurethane for example) and silicone or polymer materials impregnated with carbon or other additives. Additionally, sealing means ( 30 ,  46  and  56 ) may comprise one or more such suitable seal materials by themselves, or alternatively, such seal materials may surround or be overmolded over a support material, such as a metal or composite support material, for example. The above described exemplary sealing means materials and designs may also apply to sealing means incorporated in other embodiments of the invention, such as those described herein. 
         [0063]    As shown in the example embodiment of  FIG. 1  and described above, the filtration basket  24  has coupling means  46  configured to mate with corresponding coupling means  60  located on the inside walls of the container insert  48 . The purpose of the coupling means is to provide a temporary engagement between the plunging element  18  and the container insert  48  when the plunging element  18  is pushed down into the infusion container  12  containing the container insert  48  such that the walls of the filtration basket  24  of the plunging element  18  are within the concave walls of the container insert  48  and the infusible material  16  has been trapped at the bottom between the second surface  36  of the plunger element  18 . The coupling of the filtration basket and the insert allows the plunging element  18  and container insert  48  to be pulled up together holding the infusible material, substantially removing the infusible material from the filtration container  12 . Thus, the coupling must be strong enough to hold while the plunger element  18  and insert  48  are being pulled up together. In the example shown a single corresponding coupling means is utilized. In alternative embodiments, more than one coupling means may be utilized. In embodiments having filtration openings  58  located at the rim of the container insert  48 , such openings would allow the extract to flow from the first chamber through to a third chamber (defined between the outer surface of the insert and the container bottom  62 ) as the plunging element  18  and container insert  48  are being pulled up and out of the filtration container  12  while extract remains in the container  12 . In this way, the infusible material  16  may be pulled out of the container leaving the extract  14  behind in the infusion container  12 . Such filtration openings  58  are also helpful, however, in preventing a vacuum to build up in the space  62  between the container and the insert which would otherwise inhibit the insert  48  from being pulled up even if the extract has already been poured away from the container  12 . In such embodiments, it may be preferable for the insert to have perforations in the sides and/or bottom to increase the ease in which the insert may be pulled in or out of the container with liquid contained therein. 
         [0064]    As noted above, one example of corresponding coupling means is shown in  FIG. 1  which includes a circular banded protrusion located at the side wall  38  of the filtration basket  24  and corresponding circular banded protrusion  60  located at the interior surface of the container insert  48  at a location below the insert rim  52 . The corresponding banded coupling means of the filtration basket and container insert are elastic enough to allow the filtration basket to be pushed into the container insert far enough that the coupling means of the filtration basket will move beyond the coupling means of the insert when the plunging element  18  is pushed down into the container insert  48  such that the infusible material is lodge (caught or otherwise pressed) between the second surface of the filtration basket and the bottom inside surface of the container insert. Once the coupling means is engaged as described, the coupling means must be strong enough to remain engaged while the plunger element  18  with container insert  48  is pulled from the container. But the coupling means must also allow for easy detachment of the plunger element from the insert when the two have been removed from the container to allow the spent infusible material  16  to be removed. 
         [0065]    Examples of alternative coupling means may include other fasteners such as hook and loop (Velcro), clips, suction cups or even threaded (i.e. screw in) type means which would allow the filtration basket to engage with the insert and be pulled up through the container and subsequently disengaged without difficulty. In some embodiments, the coupling means may consist of a silicone seal  46  that presses against the interior surface of the insert  48  as it moves downward and fits snugly enough to allow the plunder element  18  and insert  48  to be pulled up together without decoupling. In such embodiments, it may not be necessary to have a corresponding protruding nub or ring  60  at the interior surface of the insert. And, such arrangement may be actually beneficial in insuring a greater compression of the infusible material at the bottom of the insert as the plunger will not be inhibited by the location of such corresponding coupling means. 
         [0066]    In some common exemplary embodiments of the invention, the extraction apparatus  10  may be configured for extracting a hot beverage extract  14  from infusible plant material  16 , such as in embodiments where infusible material  16  may comprise coffee grounds, tea leaves or herbal infusibles, for example, and extract  14  may comprise coffee, tea or herbal tisane, respectively. In the common example of coffee extraction, the extraction ground coffee infusible material  16  may result in a coffee extract  14 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 2  shows the extraction apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a second position where the plunger element  18  has been moved along the vertical axis of the container  12  such that the filtration basket  24  is coupled with the container insert  48  with the infusible material  16  sandwiched between the second surface  36  of the filtration basket  24  and the bottom interior surface of the container insert  48 . 
         [0068]    As the plunger element  18  is moved in the infusing container  12  containing the mixture of extract  14  and infusible material  16 , extract  14  will flow through one or more of the second surface  36 , the side walls  38  and the first surface  32  of the filtration basket  24 . Once the filtration basket  24  is moved down into the container insert  48 , the extract has been substantially separated from the infusible material  16  and the infusible material  16  may be stored between the filtration basket  24  and the container insert  48  until desired for use without further contact with the infusible material. 
         [0069]    The infusing container  12  may also optionally include a pouring spout  64 , which may be used to pour the separated extract  14  from the infusing container  12  for consumption or other use. The infusing container  12  may further, optionally, include a handle (not shown) to facilitate lifting or moving the extraction apparatus  10  by a user. 
         [0070]    One will note in looking at  FIG. 2  that the plunger element  18  is coupled with the container insert  48  in that the coupling means  46  of the filtration basket  24  which, in this embodiment, comprises essentially a silicone band located on the lower side walls  38  of the filtration basket  24 , has mated with the corresponding coupling means  60  of the container insert  48  which, in the embodiment shown, is a silicone band located on the upper portions of the inner side walls  52  of the container insert  48 . While the corresponding coupling means is elastic enough to allow coupling, they prevent the plunging element  18  from de-coupling with the container insert  48  when the plunging element  18  and container insert  48  are pulled out of the infusing container  12 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 3  shows the extraction apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a third position wherein the plunger element  18  coupled with the container insert  48  is being pulled out of the infusing container  12 , substantially removing the infusible material  16  from the infusion container  12 . In the example shown, the extraction of the plunger element  18 , insert  48  and infusible material  16  is done after the extract has been removed from the container. However, in alternative embodiments, the extraction may be done while extract remains in the infusing container  12 . In such embodiments, it would be required that some method of allowing the extract to flow into the space  62  between the insert  48  and the bottom of the container  12 . This can be accomplished because the insert filtration openings  58  located in the rim  54  of the container insert  48  allow the extract to pass between the chamber containing only extract (which in this example is the second chamber  35 ) and the space  62  which is between the exterior surface of the container insert  48  and the bottom of the infusing container  12 . During this process of pulling the coupled plunger element  18  and container  48  up together through the extract  14 , the extract will flow from the second chamber  35  through the filtration basket  24  and through the insert filtration openings  58 , effectively filtering the extract  14  again. In alternative embodiments, the container insert  48  does not have filtration openings  58  in which case it would be difficult to pull the coupled container insert  48  up and through the infusing container  12  with extract still contained therein. With such embodiments, the user would need to consume or otherwise empty the extract  14  into another container before pulling the coupled plunger element  18  and container insert  48  from the infusing container  12 . However, as previously mentioned, such filtration openings  58  are helpful for alleviating a vacuum seal that may form between the insert and the container and thus prevent the insert from being easily removed. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4  is a vertical section of an exemplary embodiment of a plunger element  18  configured similarly to a French press type coffee and/or tea making plunger adapted to fit within an infusing container similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and to be moved within the infusing container (not shown) along a vertical axis thereof, by means such as the elongated handle means comprised, in this embodiment, of a rod  22  attached at one end to an optional knob  20  and at the other with a filtration basket  24 . One will note that the filtration chamber  40  is defined by the first surface  32 , second surface  36  and third surface  38  (or side walls) of the filtration basket  24 . The chamber  40  may be accessible by access means  42  which in this example is located at the junction between the second surface  36  and third surface  38  by means of a screw off access (threads not shown). The coupling means  46  consist of a double edged gasket that fits over a protrusion  60  (shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ) in the insert. The perforations  44  in the first  32 , second,  36  and third  38  surfaces are designed to be large enough to allow extract to flow into and out of the chamber  40  while being small enough to substantially prevent the infusible material from flowing in or out. In alternative embodiments, the chamber is accessible to allow for additional filtration means (such as paper filters) to be utilized within the filter chamber  40 . Access to the filter chamber is essential in this case to allow for placement and removal of such additional filtration means. However, is alternative embodiments where additional filtration means isn&#39;t needed or where the additional filtration means consists of a permanently placed material (such as a specialized sponge or mesh) such access may not be required. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5  top side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the plunger element shown in  FIG. 4 . This view shows that the first filtration surface  32  is perforated as is the third surface  38 . In some alternative embodiments, the third surface (i.e. the walls of the filtration basket  24 ) are solid or otherwise do not allow the extract to flow through. In alternative embodiments, the sizes of the filtration openings  44  may be different for the first  32 , second  36  and third  38  filtration surfaces in order to adjust the amount of infusible material that is left behind in the extract. In some embodiments the filtration openings  44  located at the first filtration surface  32  may be larger in order to allow more extract to flow out the top as the plunger element is pressed downward. In some embodiments, the first filtration surface  32  is eliminated—in other words creating an open chamber  40  at the top and the rod  22  is instead connected with the bottom surface  36 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 6  is a bottom side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the plunger element shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In this view, the bottom filtration surface  36  of the filtration basket  24  is visible. One will note that the coupling means  46  is located peripheral to the joint between the second surface  36  and the third surface  38  (i.e. the walls of the filtration basket  24 ). In alternative embodiments, additional or alternative coupling means may be located at mid-point locations around the thirds surface  38  and will correspond to coupling means  60  located at the interior surface of the insert  48 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an example embodiment of a container insert consistent with the principles of the present invention. In this view, the peripheral seal  56  is located at the top of the insert near the rim and consists of a double lipped gasket preferably made of silicone or similar strong and elastic material. One will note that the bottom of the insert  50  may be made of or covered by a gasket of relatively elastic or soft material that would guard against damage to the container when the plunger element  18  is pressed firmly into the insert. As seen in  FIGS. 1-3  as well as  FIG. 9 , the bottom of the insert  48  is not (preferably) flat. This is to help prevent the insert from becoming stuck (by way of vacuum or liquid adhesion) on the bottom of the container inhibiting the insert from being pulled up when coupled with the plunger element. One will note that the corresponding coupling means  60  located on the insert is visible as a banded portion of the insert side wall that is recessed inward (bent inward toward the center of the insert) providing a banded protrusion on the interior surface of the insert. It is not required that the exterior of the insert be recessed in this way as long as the corresponding coupling means (in this case the banded protrusion) is located on the interior surface. 
         [0076]      FIG. 8  is a top side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the container insert shown in  FIG. 7 . In this view the beveled rim  54  as well as the interior coupling means  60  are visible. One will note that this view does not include the filtration openings  58  (not shown) at the rim of the insert. If such openings were present, they would be located at the rim  54  or at the peripheral seal adjacent the rim  54 . The purpose of such openings  58  which are optional is clearly described above. 
         [0077]      FIG. 9  is a bottom side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the container insert shown in  FIG. 8 . One will not the beveled bottom surface  50  of the insert which may preferably be made of elastic or soft materials to guard against the force caused by pressure on the insert from the plunger element being pushed into the insert during the use from damaging the container (which may be made of glass, ceramic or other breakable material) and to prevent a vacuum seal from inhibiting the removal of the insert from the bottom of the container. Again, as described above, it is not necessary that the banded coupling means  60  be visible as a recessed band from the exterior surface of the insert but such configuration may be preferable for manufacturing purposes. The peripheral seal  56  and the beveled rim  54  are also visible as noted. 
         [0078]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an apparatus consistent with the principles of the present invention. This embodiment of the apparatus is housed within a clear container with a separate solid base with extending handle that surrounds and holds the container. In other words, the clear container sits down into a base and may be removed therefrom for cleaning and other purposes. The top of the base is substantially flush with the sealing means of the plunger element when the plunger element is fully pressed into the insert located at the bottom of the container (but hidden from view by the solid base) in this view. 
         [0079]    The method for using the embodiments described in  FIGS. 1-10  include the steps of placing the container insert  48  at the bottom of a container, placing infusible material  16  (such as coffee grounds or tea leaves) in the container insert  48 , pouring hot water or other liquid into the container, inserting and centering the plunger element  18  in the container and optionally placing the lid  26  on the container  12 . Once the infusible material has had enough time to steep in the liquid, the next step is for the user to push down on the knob  20  of the plunger element  18  to move the filtration basket  24  down into the insert  48  such that the infusible material is separated from the extract  14  and the corresponding coupling means  46  and  60  have mated with infusible material trapped between the bottom of the filtration basket and the interior surface of the insert  48 . The extract may then be poured out of the container. In some embodiments (described above) having means (such as filtration openings  58 ) for allowing the extract to flow to the space  62  defined between the exterior surface of the insert  48  and the container bottom, the extract may remain in the container  12  while the plunger element  18 , insert  48  and spent infusible material are removed. To remove the plunger element  18 , insert  48  and infusible material, the user pulls up on the plunger element handle  20  to extract them from the container. Once removed, the plunger element  18  may be uncoupled from the insert  48  and the spent infusible material (coffee grounds or tea leaves, for example) removed. In embodiments where there filtration chamber  40  is accessible, the filtration chamber may be accessed to remove any paper (or other) filter placed therein and for cleaning. 
         [0080]    The present invention has now been described with reference to several embodiments thereof. The entire disclosure of any patent or patent application identified herein is hereby incorporated by reference. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been provided for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the steps used to describe the method for making the various example embodiments may be performed in different order and the number of steps may differ depending on the complexity (i.e. number of elements) associated with each example apparatus. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the assemblies described herein, but only by the assemblies and methods described by the language of the claims and their equivalents.