Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus ( 10 ) for, preparing a beverage from a solvent ( 11 ) and ingredients ( 12 ). The apparatus comprises:—a container ( 13 ) for containing the solvent,—an infuser ( 14 ) for containing the ingredients,—a first system ( 15 ) for moving solvent from the container to the infuser, and—a second system adapted to assume a first position for moving solvent being in the infuser out of the container, and a second position for carrying solvent being in the infuser back into the container. This apparatus allows preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients by means of a preliminary rinsing step of the ingredients, which is conducted in a simple manner for the user. Also, this apparatus allows a user to easily control the rinsing of the ingredients with respect to time, amount of water, etc., which minimizes nutritional loss (e.g. catechins in tea) during rinsing of the ingredients.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients. 
         [0002]    The invention may be used in the field of beverage preparation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    When preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients, users often perform a preliminary rinsing step of the ingredients for hygienic purposes, so that dirt and other impurities are removed from the ingredients. 
         [0004]    This is for example the case when preparing a tea beverage from water and tea leaves. To some tea drinkers, tea rinsing is a necessary step in in the tea making process, wherein the first tea brew is not consumed and is either thrown away or used for other purposes like cup rinsing. Then, after rinsing the tea leaves, the tea leaves are brewed in water, resulting in the tea beverage. In spite of modern tea production methods that greatly improve tea cleanliness and hygiene, the practice of tea rinsing still persists. 
         [0005]    Patent US 201010263549 A1 describes an infusing apparatus or beverage container including a container, a perforated infuser configured to be positioned in the container, and an actuator including an activating member and an actuator body. The activating member is accessible from outside the interior space and rotatably coupled with respect to the container, and the actuator body is rotatably coupled to the infuser, such that rotation of the actuator body with respect to the container can lower and raise the infuser with respect to the container to selectively begin and cease an infusion process and drink the resulting beverage without having to remove ingredients placed in the infuser. 
         [0006]    The apparatus described in Patent US 201010263549 A1 is adapted to perform brewing of ingredients, but has some limitations in the sense that it is not adapted to perform preliminary rinsing of ingredients put in the infuser. If a user of this apparatus wants to perform preliminary rinsing of ingredients, the user must manually throw away the beverage in the container resulting from the rinsing process, which is not convenient. Moreover, if a user performs this manual rinsing step, some nutrients contained in the ingredients may also be carried away because the rinsing can hardly be controlled by the user, thereby risking reducing the nutritional contents of the beverage obtained after brewing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the invention to propose an improved apparatus and method for preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments. 
         [0008]    To this end, the apparatus according to the invention comprises: 
         [0009]    a container for containing said solvent, 
         [0010]    an infuser for containing said ingredients, 
         [0011]    a first system for carrying solvent from said container into said infuser, and 
         [0012]    a second system adapted to assume a first position for carrying solvent being in the infuser from said container, and a second position for carrying solvent being in the infuser back into said container. 
         [0013]    This apparatus allows preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients by subjecting the ingredients to preliminary rinsing in a manner which is simple for the user. Also, this apparatus allows the user to easily control the rinsing of ingredients with respect to time, amount of water, etc., thereby minimizing nutritional loss (e.g. catechins in tea) during rinsing the ingredients. 
         [0014]    Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts schematically an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  depicts cross sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  depicts top views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  depicts cross-sectional views of an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  depicts a drainage assembly used in an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  depicts an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  depicts an apparatus according to the invention, 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  depicts an apparatus according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  depicts an apparatus  10  for preparing a beverage from a solvent  11  and ingredients  12  according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  10  comprises: 
         [0042]    a container  13  for containing said solvent, 
         [0043]    an infuser  14  for containing said ingredients, 
         [0044]    a first system  15  for carrying solvent from said container into said infuser, and 
         [0045]    a second system adapted to assume a first position P 1  for carrying solvent being in the infuser from said container, and a second position P 2  for carrying solvent being in the infuser back into said container. 
         [0046]    The solvent is preferably selected, without limitation, from among the following solvents, or a mix of the following solvents: water, mineral water, tap water, salted water, alcohol. 
         [0047]    The ingredients may be selected, without limitation, from among at least one of the following ingredients: tea leaves, plant leaves, coffee grind, herbs, plant roots, fruits, dry fruits. 
         [0048]    After the solvent has been carried into the infuser by the first system  15 , the second system allows carrying solvent being in the infuser from said container, as schematically illustrated by arrow F 1 , and carrying solvent being in the infuser back into said container, as schematically illustrated by arrow F 2 . The step of carrying solvent being in the infuser from said container is used to rinse ingredients in the infuser. By positioning the second system in the first position P 1  during a given period of time, for example a time duration indicated to the user depending on the ingredients used, part of the solvent initially in the container is carried by the first system  15  into the infuser for rinsing the ingredients, and the solvent in the infuser is then carried out of the container. By positioning the second system in the second position P 2  after rinsing of the ingredients has been performed, the solvent in the infuser is carried back into the container so that the closed circulation of the solvent from the container to the infuser allows brewing the ingredients. This closed circulation is continued until the solvent in the container has reached a desired level of infusion of ingredients in the solvent. 
         [0049]    Advantageously, the infuser  14  is preferably placed at an upper part of the container, above the solvent. Optionally, the container comprises a bottom part BP that is used to strengthen the structure of the container, or to embed various elements, as will be further detailed herein below. 
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, the second system is the infuser  14  itself. The infuser comprises a drainage assembly having a first end E 1  and a second end E 2 . The first end E 1  is intended to communicate with solvent being inside said infuser. The drainage assembly may correspond to: 
         [0051]    an open conduit structure DA 1  placed at an upper part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , 
         [0052]    an open conduit structure DA 1  placed at a lower part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , 
         [0053]    a pipe assembly DA 2  placed at an upper part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , 
         [0054]    a pipe assembly DA 2  placed at a lower part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , 
         [0055]    a siphon assembly DA 4 , as depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0056]    The container comprises walls which are shaped so as to be asymmetric in section, such that said second end E 2  can communicate with the exterior of said container in said first position P 1 ), and such that said second end E 2  can communicate with the interior of said container in said second position P 2 . FIG.  4 - 10 - 15  depict top views of an apparatus according to the invention, also represented via cross-sections depicted in FIG.  5 - 11 - 16 , respectively, where the walls of the container are elliptically shaped. In this case, the walls of the container extend along two main axes, with a different length along each of said two axes. Similarly (not shown), the walls of the container could be rectangular-shaped. As depicted in FIG.  5 - 11 - 16 , when the infuser  14  is in the first position P 1 ), solvent in the infuser  14  is carried out of the container because the drainage assembly extends outside the walls of the container, whereas when the infuser  14  is in the second position P 2 ), solvent in the infuser  14  is carried back into the container because the drainage assembly extends inside the walls of the container. 
         [0057]    In another preferred embodiment, the second system is the infuser  14  itself. The container comprises an exit path EP. The infuser comprises: 
         [0058]    a drainage assembly having a first end E 1  and a second end E 2 ), said first end E 1  being intended to communicate with solvent being inside said infuser, and said second end E 2  being intended to communicate with said exit path EP in said first position P 1 , and to communicate inside said container in said second position P 2 , 
         [0059]    an open conduit structure DA 1  placed at an upper part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , 
         [0060]    an open conduit structure DA 1  placed at a lower part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , 
         [0061]    a pipe assembly DA 2  placed at an upper part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , 
         [0062]    a pipe assembly DA 2  placed at a lower part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , 
         [0063]    a hole DA 3  in walls of said infuser placed at an upper part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 17 , 
         [0064]    a hole DA 3  in walls of said infuser placed at a lower part of the infuser, as depicted in  FIG. 18 , 
         [0065]    a siphon assembly DA 4 , as depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0066]    FIG.  6 - 12 - 20  depict top views of an apparatus according to the invention, also represented in the cross-sectional views of FIG.  7 - 13 - 21 , respectively. The exit path EP has one part extending inside the container, and one part extending outside the walls of the container. As depicted in FIG.  7 - 13 - 21 , when the infuser  14  is in the first position P 1 ), the second end of the drainage assembly is located above the part of the exit path being inside the container, which results in the solvent in the infuser  14  being carried out of the container via the exit path, whereas when the infuser  14  is in the second position P 2 ), the second end of the drainage assembly is more located above the part of the exit path being inside the container, which results in the solvent in the infuser  14  being carried back into the container. 
         [0067]    Advantageously, as depicted in the apparatus of  FIG. 23 , the infuser is adapted to rotate from the first position P 1  to the second position P 2 ), and to rotate from the second position P 2  to the first position P 1 . If the center of the infuser is taken as a reference, the angle of rotation is for example 90 degrees, as illustrated in the various top views. To this end, the infuser is mounted on a pivoting link PL connected to the walls of the container via an arm A. Advantageously, as depicted in  FIG. 24 , this apparatus further comprises an actuator AC that can be activated by a user for rotating the infuser, such as an electrical motor activated by a switch (not shown) operated by the user to move the second system between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2 . 
         [0068]    In another preferred embodiment, the second system comprises a drainage assembly mounted on the infuser  14 . According to this embodiment, the infuser is fixed, while the drainage assembly can move between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2 . As depicted in  FIG. 22 , the drainage assembly DA 5  may correspond to a siphon assembly DA 5  comprising a mechanism C, such as a clip, to allow the drainage assembly to move (e.g. through manual user action) along the upper edge of infuser  14  between the first position P 1  and the second position P 2 . This drainage assembly can advantageously be mounted on an apparatus as depicted in FIG.  15 - 16 - 20 - 21 . 
         [0069]    In the various apparatus according to the invention described above, the container further comprises a heating element (not shown) placed in the bottom part BP of the container. The heating element is intended for heating the solvent. For example, the heating element may correspond to a resistor (not illustrated) connected to an electrical source. The heating element is intended for heating the solvent in the container, so that heated solvent is used in the infuser for rinsing ingredients, and then for brewing ingredients in the container. 
         [0070]    In the various apparatus according to the invention described above, the first system  15  comprises a fluid pump for pumping solvent from said container into said infuser. Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 25 , the first system  15  comprises: 
         [0071]    a tube T placed in the container, said tube having a first extremity EX 1  placed in the proximity of a bottom part BP of the container, and a second extremity EX 2  reaching the infuser  14 , and 
         [0072]    an air pump AP for generating an air flow exiting at said bottom part and entering the tube at said first extremity, for carrying said solvent in said tube from said first extremity to said second extremity. 
         [0073]    The air flow is illustrated by empty circles in solvent, under the first extremity. The air pump may be of any type, but is preferably a diaphragm air pump. Air originating from outside the container is pumped into the container. It is appreciated that the tube T preferably extends vertically, so as to facilitate the movement of the air flow and the solvent in the tube. However, the tube may also be such that its main axis departs from the vertical direction, for example by an angle between 0 and 45 degrees. Also, the tube T is preferably cylindrical-shaped, but may alternatively have different shapes, such as a corkscrew-shape, or a curved-shape. The tube T advantageously has an average diameter between 5 and 7 millimeters, or an average sectional area between 19.6 and 38.5 square millimeters. Advantageously, as illustrated, the first extremity of tube T has a funnel-shaped entrance so that an air flow generated by the air pump can more easily enter the tube. The air pump advantageously generates an air flow of between 1 and 2 liters per minute, and in order for the tube to be efficient at least 80% of this air flow should enter the tube at the first extremity. By generating an air flow by means of the air pump instead of vapor bubbles naturally generated by locally boiling water, as is the case with a standard percolator, the solvent can reach the upper part of the tube while having a temperature much below the boiling temperature of the solvent, which temperature can thus be adapted to the ingredients used. Preferably, if a heating element is used in the bottom part of the container, the heating power of the heating element is such that the solvent is heated to a temperature in excess of 60 degrees Centigrade, so as to improve the pumping effect in the tube T. 
         [0074]    The invention also relates to a method of preparing a beverage from a solvent and ingredients, using a container containing the solvent and an infuser containing the ingredients. The method corresponds to various steps conducted by the various apparatus according to the invention described above. The method comprises the steps of: 
         [0075]    carrying solvent from said container into said infuser, 
         [0076]    carrying solvent being in the infuser from said container: this step is carried out to perform the rinsing of ingredients. 
         [0077]    carrying solvent being in the infuser back into said container: this step is carried out to perform the brewing of ingredients. 
         [0078]    Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.