Abstract:
An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/034,441, filed Aug. 7, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparati capable of carrying out an extraction of an infusible material, and more particularly to presses for extracting an infusion such as from coffee or tea. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A main function of extraction presses is to ensure a separation between bulk infusible material such as coffee grinds and tea leaves, from an extract intended for consumption. While many different press and filter designs have been implemented, there is still room for improvement in achieving optimal separation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved extract separation apparatus to address some of the shortcomings of extraction apparati known in the art. 
         [0005]    In a first 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 first embodiment comprises a plunger element adapted to be inserted into an infusing container containing the mixture and having one or more substantially vertical inner walls oriented substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the container, wherein the plunger element is adapted to be moved within the container along the vertical axis thereof The plunger element according to the first embodiment comprises a plunging means adapted to move the plunger element within the infusing container along the vertical axis thereof, and a first surface substantially transverse to the vertical axis and comprising sealing means situated at one or more edges of said first surface, wherein said sealing means are adapted for sealing engagement with the one or more inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger element is moved within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract bounded by said first surface. The plunger element further comprises a second surface extending from said first surface and defining a second chamber, said second surface comprising one or more extract flow openings, wherein said one or more extract flow openings are adapted to permit flow of extract from said first chamber into said second chamber, and wherein at least a portion of said one or more extract flow openings in said second surface are situated at a depth, wherein said depth is separated from said first surface, either above or below said first surface along the vertical axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a cap of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a cap of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a top perspective view of a plunger with filter assembly for use in an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a vertical plan front view of a plunger with filter assembly for use in an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  shows a vertical plan rear view of a plunger with filter assembly for use in an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom plan view of a filter assembly of a press according to an exemplary embodiment the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a top plan view of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11A  is a front plan view of a peripheral seal of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11B  is a front plan view of an inner filter of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11C  is a front plan view of an outer filter of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a peripheral seal of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of an inner filter of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12C  is a perspective view of an outer filter of a filter assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13A  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13B  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13C  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a base portion of a cap assembly of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13D  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a base portion of a cap assembly of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13E  is a horizontal side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base portion of a cap assembly of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a front, perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a front plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a filter assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 18A  is a front plan view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18B  is a rear plan view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 19A  is a front, cross-sectional view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 19B  is a rear, cross-sectional view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 20A  is a bottom plan view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 20B  is a top plan view of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17   
           [0037]      FIG. 21A  is a front plan view of a peripheral seal of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 21B  is a front plan view of a filter basket of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21C  is a front plan view of a wiping seal of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 22A  is a front perspective view of a peripheral seal of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 22B  is a front perspective view of a filter basket of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 22C  is a front perspective view of a wiping seal of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 17  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of a wiping seal shown in  FIGS. 21C and 22C  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of a press shown in  FIG. 14  (with cap removed). 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the press shown in  FIG. 24  (with cap removed). 
           [0046]      FIG. 26A  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 26B  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a base portion of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 26C  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper portion of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 26D  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 26E  is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 26F  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper portion of a cap assembly for using a press according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 26G  is front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper portion of a cap assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 26H  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper portion of a cap assembly viewed perpendicularly and opposite (rear) to the view shown in  FIG. 26G . 
           [0054]      FIG. 26I  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the cap assembly viewed perpendicularly and opposite (rear) to the view shown in  FIG. 26E . 
           [0055]      FIG. 27A  is a top perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a filter assembly for use in a press according to the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 27B  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 27A . 
           [0057]      FIG. 27C  is a front view of the embodiment of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 27A . 
           [0058]      FIG. 27D  is a front cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 27A . 
           [0059]      FIG. 28A  shows another cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 27A . 
           [0060]      FIG. 28B  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the filter assembly shown in  FIG. 27A . 
           [0061]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0062]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
           [0063]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a press according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0064]      FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a press  100  in accordance with the disclosure and  FIG. 2  shows a front plan view of the press. In particular, the illustrated press is well suited for extracting an infusion from coffee grounds. As illustrated, the press includes an elongate double-walled cylindrical body, preferably made from stainless steel or other suitable metal. The press includes a removable cap assembly  110 , which is discussed in further detail below. As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a design or other logo  112  can be printed on or formed into the press. Indicia or other designs can be formed into the bottom face  120  of the press, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 13A  shows a top view and  FIG. 13B  shows a side perspective view of the press  100  (with cap removed). 
         [0065]    A cross sectional view of the press  100  of  FIG. 1  is presented in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, the lower base portion  124  of the press is formed by a double insulated metallic vessel, but it will be appreciated that other materials can be used. The presses disclosed herein can be configured to hold any desired amount of fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the press is suitable for use in travel, such as being transported within a vehicular cup holder. Accordingly, the vessel of the press is preferably configured to hold between about  8  and about  24  fluid ounces of fluid. As is further evident from  FIG. 5 , an upper portion  114  of the cap  110  can be removed to expose a handle  125  of a plunger  130  that is in turn attached to a filter assembly  135  within the base portion  124  of the device.  FIGS. 26C ,  26 F,  26 G and  26 H present perspective, top, front plan and side view of the upper portion  114  of the cap. An upward concentric indentation is formed within the lower face of the upper portion  114  of the cap, such as in order to permit upward movement of the plunger  130  with the cap  110  installed.  FIGS. 13C ,  13 D and  13 E are front vertical plan, top plan, and front horizontal plan views of a base portion  116  of the cap assembly.  FIG. 26B  shows a bottom perspective view of the base portion  116 .  FIGS. 26A ,  26 D,  26 E and  261  illustrate views of the complete cap  110  with upper  114  and base portions  116  assembled together. As illustrated, for example in  FIG. 13C , the base portion  116  of the cap assembly  110  includes a conical funnel shaped radially interior portion  142  having a central orifice  144  for receiving the shaft of the press plunger. The funnel  142  terminates in a tubular portion  145  defining an elongate conduit therethrough for receiving the plunger shaft. Peripheral openings are distributed and formed through a base annular region  147  of the base portion  116  of the cap to permit infused fluid to freely flow out of the press to be drank by the user of the press. The base portion  116  of the cap  110  further extends upward to define a cylindrical structure that can facilitate direction and drinking of the extract. Excess extract not drank by the user can flow freely back into the vessel. An upper end of the plunger shaft  130  includes a generally round handle  125  connected thereto. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the plunger handle  125  has a cross section with a relatively flat top, a rounded peripheral edge, and an annularly concave lower portion that tapers toward the shaft. The plunger shaft  130  can be threaded to the handle or otherwise attached, preferably removably attached. The base portion of the cap  116  is removably attached to the lower vessel. 
         [0066]    A lower portion of the plunger shaft  130  is attached to a filter assembly  135 , as illustrated in various views in  FIGS. 6-10 ,  11 A- 11 C and  12 A- 12 C. The disclosed filter assembly  135  includes two round concentric removable baskets  152 ,  154  that form an inner and outer filter, preferably with a relatively coarser mesh on the outer, primary filter, and a finer mesh on the inner, secondary filter. The two filter baskets  152 ,  154  are preferably assembled to each other via a twist-lock connection complemented by an interference fit (e.g., transitional fit that is slightly loose or partially interferes), optionally with an o-ring or other seal interposed between the components to form a fluid tight seal. A twist lock connection with a relatively tight fit can advantageously be used to eliminate the need for an o-ring. A peripheral double seal  156  is disposed around the top of the inner filter basket to mate with an inner surface of the lower vessel portion  124  of the press. 
         [0067]    A perspective view of a second embodiment of a press  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a front plan view is shown in  FIG. 15 , and a cross-sectional view is shown in  FIG. 16 . A top perspective view of the press  200  with the cap section removed is shown in  FIG. 24  and a corresponding top view is shown in  FIG. 25 . This second embodiment  200  is advantageous for making tea as well as other beverages such as coffee, Yerba-Mate and the like. The outer vessel  202 , upper  214  and lower cap portion  216 , plunger handle  225  and plunger shaft  230  are the same as the first embodiment. However, the structure of the filter basket  235  is notably different from the filter assembly of the first embodiment described above. The plunger  230  and filter assembly  235  is depicted in  FIGS. 17-23 . The same double circumferential seal  256  is present as with the first embodiment. However, an immediately noticeable difference is that only one filter basket  252  is present with one filter formed on the walls of the filter basket. The filter basket  252  may include a 80-600 mesh and may provide a buffer between the infusible material and the extract. Instead of a second filter element, a segmented annular wiping seal  258  is provided to wipe along the sides of the vessel as the filter  235  is advanced toward the bottom of the vessel comprised of an annular member  260  with wedge shaped radial notches, e.g.,  262 , formed into its periphery. Applicant has found such a wiping structure to be effective in transporting tea leaves toward the bottom of the container. This permits the use of one main filter above the wiping seal  258  to filter the extract. The cuts  262  in the lower seal act like a first filter to reduce the load on the second filter  252 , thereby reducing the amount of area needed in the second filter and/or enabling one to use a finer secondary filter for cleaner coffee or tea. The cuts in the lower seal  262  cooperate with the inner wall of the vessel, by staying open at the top where the container diameter is large to let through extract (and a very small amount of the leaves), and by closing at the bottom where the container diameter is smaller, to prevent extract from getting to the tea leaves and continuing to extract (over-extract) the tea. The shape of the cutouts may be straight-edged angular, or slight curved from the top view, as at the bottom of the container, the lip will be bent upward to close the slots. 
         [0068]    As the wiping seal  258  is advanced toward the bottom of the vessel as the plunger  230  is depressed, the wedge-shaped serrations in the annular periphery of the wiping seal  258  close up due to the reduction in the diameter of the container (or wiping seal, as the seal advances into the lower part of the container).  FIGS. 27A-D  and  28 A-B this embodiment of the filter assembly. Of particular significance, as set forth in  FIG. 27B , a plurality of arcuate peripheral ridges  264  are provided on the bottom of the filter basket. This is done to permit the filter basket to sit flat, but also to help pinch down tea leaves in the bottom of the container, preventing fluid transfer from the infusible material into the extraction. As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 28A , the inner wall  202  of the press  200  may slope inwardly toward the bottom, so that the bottom seal  258  curves up as it the filter assembly  235  is moved toward the bottom, forcing the slots  262  of the seal closed. 
         [0069]    This pinching, and/or the wiping seal and/or the closing of the slots in the wiping seal  258  act to mechanically isolate the tea leaves from infused liquid after the press has been used to extract flavor from tea leaves. For example, tea is made using the device by placing desired tea leaves (whether one type of tea or a blend) in the vessel and adding hot water. After waiting a predetermined amount of time for the tea leaves to steep, the filter basket  252 , plunger  230  and base portion of the cap  216  are attached to the lower vessel  202 . The filter basket  252  is then advanced through the mixture of infusible material and infused liquid, leaving behind infused liquid. The tea leaves are then moved toward the bottom by the filter basket  252  and wiping seal  258 . Mechanically isolating the used tea leaves then minimizes the effect that the residual tea leaves have on altering the taste of the infusion over time, such as if the press is placed in a vehicle for several hours. Thus, the present disclosure significantly provides systems and methods for separating infused liquids from used tea leaves. 
         [0070]    However, it will be appreciated that a variety of alternative embodiments can be practiced in accordance with the disclosure. For example,  FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a filter assembly  335  wherein the wiping seal  310  is not serrated Of and does not include notches. An objective of this embodiment is to pass liquid easily in the upper portion of the container, and then close firmly at the bottom. As illustrated in  FIG. 30 , a small through hole  355  can be used in the seal or the filter  335  to allow air into the volume under the filter, to allow the filter to be removed from the container without it becoming “stuck” to the bottom of the container. The material and thickness of the wiping seal  310  can be selected accordingly to be of more compliant material that will urge against the wall of the press, but remain substantially leak free.  FIG. 31  illustrates an additional embodiment of a press  400  with a radiused bottom, such as one made from glass, wherein a filter structure  435  attached to a plunger  430  includes an upper disc portion  440  with a wiping seal  442  about its periphery (notched or unnotched) with filter media  444  formed in the disc. An o-ring  450  or other annular member is attached to the filter assembly to contact the radius of the base of the vessel, trapping tea leaves in the bottom of the vessel between a bottom face  448  of the filter structure, and an upwardly facing face of the inside of the press. A further variation of this embodiment  600  is presented in  FIG. 33  in which a standard French press filter  620  may be used in place of an upper disc portion. 
         [0071]      FIG. 32  presents an alternative embodiment  500  similar to the second embodiment, but with the following modifications. The double seal is moved to a lower filter basket  515 , whereas the wiping seal  520  is moved to an upper location above the double seal. The filter media can be a single filter, or double filter, if desired, and can be located on horizontal and/or vertical surfaces of the filter structure  535 . 
         [0072]    The exemplary embodiments herein described are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to allow others skilled in the art to comprehend its teachings. 
         [0073]    As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.