Patent Description:
The coffee drinker market is moving away from instant powder coffees and is moving to freshly grounded beans brewed in a French press (plunger), V60 pour over device, moka pot (stovetop espresso maker), or using an espresso machine. These methods however take a lot of effort to prepare the coffee for drinking, and can be somewhat "messy" or expensive. Large automated coffee machines are very expensive, need to be maintained, require constant cleaning and are impossible to travel with.

The AeroPress® coffee maker (and similar coffee makers based on this design) have been the gold standard for portable manual force extraction coffee making for many years. However, there are challenges associated with this type of design, as there are many loose parts that need to be cleaned and get lost, particularly when travelling. These portable coffee makers are in fact also fairly bulky, and due to their multiple-part design are not ideal for travelling. The updated model that was optimised for traveling and camping, as well as use in the office or at home, the AeroPress Go®, has been criticised as merely being a smaller version of the AeroPress®, which does not provide enough volume of coffee to fill a cup, and still comprises the multiple component parts making the product difficult to clean and prone to loss of the parts, particularly during travel. The portable manual force extraction coffee makers presently on the market are also prohibitively expensive for coffee drinking consumers.

<CIT> and <CIT> both disclose brewing and filtering devices for beverages that include a collapsible main body to permit the user to brew a beverage in the body, and then press the beverage through a filter into a beverage container.

It would be useful for a new device to be developed having a design in which such known problems are addressed. Such a product would be aimed at persons that need a quick "high quality" cup of coffee for hiking, travelling or in the office as well as at home, without much effort or mess. Preferably the product should be compact with relatively few parts, to ensure ease while travelling, without neglecting the quality of the coffee produced.

According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a compact coffee press device comprising:.

wherein the diaphragm is reversibly displaceable between a first position where the plunger member is elevated above the diaphragm, and a second position where the plunger member is depressed and the diaphragm is inverted, the plunger member fitting substantially within the inverted frustoconical side walls of the diaphragm, and the inverted diaphragm fitting substantially within the frustoconical receptacle member, and
wherein the aperture of the base portion of the frustoconical receptacle comprises, connects or is releasably connectable to, or defines a filter portion that opens the aperture when released.

The frustoconical side walls of the diaphragm may comprise two or more stepped gradations. For example, the side walls may comprise two, three, four or more stepped gradations. Preferably, the side walls have two stepped gradations.

The diaphragm may be composed of an elastomeric polymer including rubber, silicon, or a thermoplastic elastomer. Typically, the diaphragm is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

The connection between the base portion of the diaphragm and the top portion of the frustoconical receptacle member may be a watertight connection, including a screw connection or a clip connection. Preferably the watertight connection comprises a coupling connector member releasably connecting the diaphragm and the frustoconical receptacle member. In one embodiment of the invention, the watertight connection is a semi-permanent or permanent connection. In another embodiment of the invention, the base portion of the diaphragm and the top portion of the frustoconical receptacle member is integrally formed.

The filter portion may comprise a rigid support member operably orientated parallel to the base portion of the frustoconical receptacle member, the support member comprising a plurality of openings. Typically, the support member is operable to hold and/or support a filter for separating solids, including spent coffee grounds, from liquid, including brewed coffee, when in use. Typically the filter is a coffee filter, which is well known in the art.

The connection between the frustoconical receptacle member and the filter portion may be a watertight connection, including a screw connection or a clip connection. Preferably the watertight connection is a screw connection.

The rigid frustoconical plunger member may define a receptacle and may optionally comprise a lid, for example a lid that screws or clips onto an open top end of the frustoconical plunger member. For example, the receptacle may be used for storage of any one or more of coffee grounds, coffee beans, sweetener, powdered milk, a measuring scoop, a stirring device, and the like.

The measuring scoop may comprise a handle for stirring brewed coffee and a measuring receptacle for measuring out the desired quantity of ground coffee for a single cup of coffee.

The frustoconical receptacle member may comprise two or more projections, or a lip extending laterally from the side or base of the receptacle member for resting or supporting of the receptacle member on the open end of a coffee receptacle when in use. For example, there may be two, three, four or more projections.

Any one or more of the rigid frustoconical plunger member, frustoconical receptacle member, coupling connector member and filter portion may be comprised of metal and/or a plastic polymer, including polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene, thermoplastic starch, or the like.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing coffee with the use of the compact coffee press device of the invention, wherein the diaphragm is integrally formed with, or connected to, the base of the plunger member, comprising the steps of:.

Preferably prior to step vi), i.e. re-connecting the filter portion onto the aperture of the base portion, filter paper is positioned in the filter portion. Typically the filter is a coffee filter, which is well known in the art.

Optionally, during or after step v) steeping the at least coffee grounds and hot water, the mixture may be stirred to mix the coffee brew. For example, the coffee may be stirred with the handle of the measuring scoop.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing coffee with the use of the compact coffee press device of the invention, comprising the steps of:.

The alternative embodiment further comprises, prior to step (A), a step of placing a filter on the rigid support member of the filter portion of the outlet of the frustoconical receptacle member. In such a case, the brewed coffee is filtered through the filter prior to entering the coffee receptacle in step (D) above.

Typically the filter is a coffee filter, which is well known in the art.

The method may further comprise steps for cleaning the compact coffee press of the invention if desired, and converting the compact coffee press into a storage configuration, comprising:.

The reversible displacement of the frustoconical plunger member and diaphragm between the first and second, inverted position and back may generate a distinctive 'popping' sound.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a compact coffee press device substantially as described and illustrated in any one of the drawings below.

The relates to a compact coffee press device comprising plunger member, a soft, flexible diaphragm, and a receptacle member comprising an outlet, wherein the diaphragm is reversibly displaceable between a first position where the plunger member is elevated above the diaphragm, and a second position where the plunger member is depressed and the diaphragm is inverted, the plunger member fitting substantially within the diaphragm, and the diaphragm fitting substantially within the receptacle member. The invention further relates to a method of brewing and extracting coffee with the use of the coffee press.

When not in use, the depressed plunger member and diaphragm in the second, inverted position produces a compact coffee press device for camping, hiking and travelling as illustrated in <FIG> below.

The technical effect created by the substantially rigid frustoconical plunger member fitting substantially within the diaphragm, and the diaphragm fitting substantially within the substantially rigid frustoconical receptacle member when in the depressed second position, is that the frustoconical plunger member is able to push the flexible diaphragm into its inverted position in a stable and uniform way thereby ensuring that all of the liquid from the coffee brewed in the receptacle member is efficiently expelled through the outlet and filter of the base portion of the receptacle member into the cup.

The applicant has found through iterative experimentation that if there is no substantially rigid frustoconical plunger member and only a flexible frustoconical diaphragm that is depressed using the fingers of a user from a first, upright position into a second, inverted position such that the diaphragm fits within the substantially rigid frustoconical receptacle member in order to expel the liquid from the coffee brewed in the receptacle member through the outlet and filter of the base portion of the receptacle member into the cup, not all of the liquid is effectively expelled due to the uneven force that is applied by a user's fingers.

The action of depressing and extending the plunger member and diaphragm into the first and second positions creates a characteristic and satisfying 'popping' sound.

The coffee press device is lightweight, compact, convenient for travel or use outdoors as well as indoors, including at home or at work. It is easy to use and simple and easy to clean. The coffee press device of the invention yields sufficient coffee for one person, which can be diluted if desired by addition of additional milk or hot water.

The following is a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the compact coffee press device <NUM> comprises:.

In a preferred embodiment, the frustoconical side walls <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> comprise two stepped gradations 30a and 30b.

In the preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

The connection between the base portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and the top portion of the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM> is a clip connection, although it is to be appreciated that a watertight screw connection could also be used. A coupling connector member <NUM> connects the base portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and the top of the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM>. In one embodiment of the invention, the watertight connection is a semi-permanent or permanent connection. In another embodiment of the invention, the base portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and the top portion of the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM> is integrally formed.

The base portion <NUM> of the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM> releasably connects to a filter portion <NUM> having a rigid support member operably orientated parallel to the base portion <NUM> of the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM>, the support member comprising a plurality of openings. The support member is operable to hold and/or support a filter for separating solids, including spent coffee grounds, from liquid, including brewed coffee, when in use. Typically the filter is a coffee filter, which is well known in the art.

The connection between the frustoconical receptacle member base <NUM> and the filter portion <NUM> is a watertight screw connection.

The rigid frustoconical plunger member <NUM> may define a receptacle <NUM> and may optionally comprise a lid <NUM> that clips onto the open top end of the frustoconical plunger member <NUM>. The receptacle can be used for storage of any one or more of coffee grounds, coffee beans, sweetener, powdered milk, a measuring scoop, a stirring device, and the like.

The measuring scoop comprises a handle for stirring brewed coffee and a measuring receptacle for measuring out the desired quantity of ground coffee for a single cup of coffee.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frustoconical receptacle member <NUM> comprises four equally spaced projections extending laterally from the base portion <NUM> for resting or supporting of the receptacle member <NUM> on a coffee receptacle when in use.

The rigid frustoconical plunger member, frustoconical receptacle member, coupling connector member and filter portion are, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprised of polypropylene. However, it is to be appreciated that other materials including metal and/or a plastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene, thermoplastic starch, or the like could be used.

One example of a possible coffee making procedure includes:.

A preferred method of cleaning the compact coffee press <NUM> of the invention and converting the compact coffee press <NUM> into a storage configuration, comprises:.

The reversible displacement of the frustoconical plunger member <NUM> and diaphragm <NUM> between the first and second positions and back again generates a distinctive 'popping' sound.

Claim 1:
A compact coffee press device (<NUM>) comprising:
a) a substantially rigid frustoconical plunger member (<NUM>) tapering towards a base (<NUM>);
b) a soft, flexible diaphragm (<NUM>) located below, and integrally formed with, connected or connectable to, the base (<NUM>) of the plunger member (<NUM>), the diaphragm (<NUM>) comprising frustoconical side walls (<NUM>), widening from a top portion (<NUM>) of the diaphragm (<NUM>) closest to the base (<NUM>) of the plunger member (<NUM>) and having a diameter substantially the same as the base (<NUM>) of the plunger member (<NUM>), towards a base portion (<NUM>); and
c) a substantially rigid, frustoconical receptacle member (<NUM>) connected or connectable to the base portion (<NUM>) of the diaphragm, the receptacle member (<NUM>) tapering from the end connected or connectable to the base (<NUM>) of the diaphragm (<NUM>) to a base portion (<NUM>) defining an aperture (<NUM>), the base portion (<NUM>) sized to rest on or within, or be supported by a coffee receptacle,
wherein the diaphragm (<NUM>) is reversibly displaceable between a first position where the plunger member (<NUM>) is elevated above the diaphragm (<NUM>), and a second position where the plunger member (<NUM>) is depressed and the diaphragm (<NUM>) is inverted, the plunger member (<NUM>) fitting substantially within the inverted frustoconical side walls (<NUM>) of the diaphragm (<NUM>), and the inverted diaphragm fitting substantially within the frustoconical receptacle member (<NUM>), and
wherein the aperture (<NUM>) of the base portion (<NUM>) of the frustoconical receptacle (<NUM>) comprises, connects or is releasably connectable to, or defines a filter portion (<NUM>) that opens the aperture (<NUM>) when released.