GB2254247A - Infusor - Google Patents

Abstract

An infuser comprises a continuous mesh belt (1), a plurality of rollers (2, 3) around which the belt may run, means to deposit infusible solid and infusing liquid onto a zone of the belt, means (5) below the zone to collect the infusion, timing means to set predetermined time intervals, means to drive at least one of the rollers (2) to move the belt, the driving means being activated after each infusion and also after each time interval. By regularly moving the belt, damage due to the belt sticking to a roller is avoided. <IMAGE>

Description

INFUSER The present invention relates to an infuser.

More, particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to an infuser for use as an automatic brewer of fresh tea or coffee or the like.

In order to dispense beverages such as tea and coffee, it IS necessary to infuse the rounds or tealeaves in hot water or a time sufficient tor the inrusion process to be completed Once infusion Is complete, the infusion is separated from the grounds or tealves using a filter.

One method of carrying out such infusions is to use a suction process involving a reciprocating mechanism.

This is necssarily complex and relatively slow. Another method is to use a filter screen made from wire or plastics mesh, or possibly a disposable paper filter held against a relatively coarse wire mesh. These mesh filters operate more easily than the suction process and are quicker in use.

However, organic compounds from the grounds or tealeaves can build up on the filter and combine with calcium salts in hard water areas to block at least some of the mesh.

Obviously, this slows the filtration process, eventually to an unacceptable degree.

Infusers comprising filter screens may have a continuous screen passing around rollers, one of which drives the screen. However, if such infusers are not used for a period of time, it is possible that the screen will stick to one or more of the rollers, and thereby become damaged.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infuser which overcomes the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided an infuser comprising a continuous mesh belt, a plurality of rollers around which the belt may run, means to deposit infusible solid and infusing liquid onto a zone cf the belt, means below said zone to collect the infusion, timing means to set predetermined time intervals, means to drive at least one of said rollers to move the belt, said driving means being activated after each infusion and after each time interval.

Means may be provided to inhibit activation of said driving means during infusion.

Preferably the time intervals are all or. equa length.

The predatermined time intervals may each cc;rmence with the last movement o the belt.

Alternatively, the predetermined time intervals may each commence at the end of a preceding time interval.

The predetermined time intervals are preferably each of fifteen minutes.

The mesh belt may comprise a plastics material, such as polypropylene, nylon or other suitable plastics material The drive roller preferably is covered with or comprises silicone rubber.

Other rollers may be of stainless steei.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows schematically a side elevation cf an infuser embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of an infuser cassette embodying the invention; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cassette shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a continuous mesh belt 1, passing around a drive roller 2 and a pair of tensioning rolls 3 biased apart by spring means 4.

The-belt 1 thus remainsunder tension where it passes across a receiving tray 5. Alternative means to tension the belt may be provided, such as weights, or any other suitable tensioning means.

Predetermined quantities of solids, generally tealeaves or coffee grounds, and hot water are dispensed onto the belt over the tray 5 from a mixing vessel, not shown. The infusion starts in the mixing chamber, and continues on the belt until the water has drained through into the tray 5. At the ends of the infusion zone, the belt passes over a pair of guides 8, one at each end of the tray 5. The guides 8 are not essential, and may be ommited if so desired The tea or cctfee can be dispensed from the tray 5 through outlet 6.

Once the liquid has passed through the mesh belt, a motor (not shown) is activated to drive roller 2, and therefore the belt, in an anti-clockwise direction as seen in Figure 1 so that the solid residues fall off into a waste container beneath the filter A scraper 7 is provided to aid this process.

Additionally, the motor is activated periodically at predetermined intervals to drive roller 2, and therefore the belt 1. Preferably this occurs once every fifteen minutes, although the interval may be between five and thirty minutes. In the preferred embodiment, this movement is. independent of whe.n the belt was last moved following an infusion. The purpose of such periodic movement is to prevent particular points of the belt 1 contacting the rollers 2, 3 and scraper bar 7 for a long period and possibly becoming dry and sticking thereto. Thus damage to the belt can be minimised.

Movement is inhibited during infusion, i.e. whilst the solids and water are on the belt.

For convenience, the infuser may be constructed in the form of a cassette for insertion into a machine, such as a vending machine. This arrangement is shown in Figures 2 and 3 where, apart from the side plates 10, the remaining parts are similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 1 and are numbered similarly.

The driving roller 2 may be provided with sprocket pins,.in which case the screen 1 has regularly spaced holes along one edge to cooperate with the sprocket roller. The edge may be coated to a width of, for example, 15mm, wit a layer of silicone rubber or PTFE for strengthening purposes.

Claims (14)

1. An infuser comprising a continuous mesh belt, a plurality of rollers around which the belt is adapted to run, means to deposit infusible solid and infusing liquid onto a zone of the belt, means below said zone to collect the infusion, timing means to set predetermined time intervals, means to drive at least one of said rollers to move the belt, said driving means being activated after each infusion and after each time interval.

2. An infuser according to claim 1, wherein means are provided to inhibit activation of said driving means during infusion.

3. An infuser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the time intervals are all of equal length.

4. An infuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined time intervals each commence with the last movement of the belt.

5. An infuser according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined time intervals each commence at the end of a preceding time interval.

6. An infuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined time intervals are preferably each of fifteen minutes.

7. An infuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the mesh belt comprises a plastics material.

8. An infuser according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.

9. An infuser according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material is nylon.

10. An infuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive roller is covered with or comprises silicone rubber.

11. An infuser according to claim 10, wherein the other rollers are of stainless steel.

12. An infuser according to any preceding claim, wherein the belt is tensioned on the rollers.

13. An infuser according to any preceding claim constructed in the form of a cassette for invention into a machine.

14. An infuser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.