AU2015342718B2

AU2015342718B2 - Gravity fed and regulated beverage system

Info

Publication number: AU2015342718B2
Application number: AU2015342718A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Blake SPRY
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-04
Filing date: 2015-11-04
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-04
Also published as: AU2015342718A9; WO2016070223A1; AU2015342718A1

Abstract

A system and method for infusion of a fluid wherein the fluid is said fed to a target at a constant rate. In a particular form there is provided a gravity fed and regulated beverage system for the preparation of a beverage, the system including a drip feed regulating assembly; the drip feed regulating assembly controlling gravity fed liquid from a first liquid reservoir; the assembly comprising a float in a second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first reservoir.

Description

Constant Drip Beverage Maker [0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for slow extraction preparation of beverages and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to cold drip coffee preparation.

Background [0002] Typically the taste of a beverage is influenced by how long or short the water is allowed to contact and interact with the beverage material. Consistent extraction is one of many crucial elements in the successful preparation of a good quality beverage.

[0003] The use of bodies of water and gravity feed is known in the art in other fields. The use of a gravity feed, a specific drop distance and a specific mass of liquid can be used in combination to deliver the liquid a't a specific pressure.

[0004] The described invention is designed to address these issues or at least provide a useful alternative.

Notes [0005] The term comprising (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of having or including, and not in the exclusive sense of consisting only of.

[0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the

Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

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Summary of Invention [0007] Constant and consistent extraction is the key to produce an optimal cup of coffee.

[0008] With a consistent extraction an operator is able to manipulate other variables including grind size and extraction time in order to optimally extract coffee flavour from the variety of coffee beans being used.

[0009] In the world known as cold drip coffee, coffee is extracted by a drip method using cold or room temperature water to prevent the production of acids and the burning of oils and thereby to produce a sweet coffee flavour.

[00010] Up until now constant and consistent extractions have not existed in cold drip coffee manufacture.

[00011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention propose a method of achieving consistent extraction without the use of electricity to regulate the drip flow. In an alternative product other mechanical methods may be employed to achieve the same regulated drip rate to achieve constant and consistent extraction.

[00012] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a gravity fed and regulated beverage system for the preparation of a beverage, the system including a drip feed regulating assembly.

[00013] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a gravity fed and regulated beverage system for the preparation of a beverage, the system including a drip feed regulating assembly; the drip feed regulating assembly controlling gravity fed liquid from a first liquid reservoir; the assembly comprising a float in a second reservoir; the float operatively connected to

WO 2016/070223

PCT/AU2015/000660 a discharge valve of the first reservoir.

[00014] Preferably, the drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

[00015] Preferably, a drip feed of the liquid issues from a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir; the drip feed outlet controlling the drip feed at a specific flow rate.

[00016] Preferably, liquid from the drip feed outlet is gravity fed to a beverage treatment basket arranged below the second reservoir.

[00017] Preferably, the beverage treatment basket is adapted to contain a beverage making material; liquid from the second reservoir interacting with the beverage making material to deliver a beverage through an outlet at a base of the beverage treatment basket; the beverage delivered into a receptacle for use.

[00018] Preferably, the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds, [00019] Preferably, the beverage treatment basket is further adapted to support a filtering element.

[00020] Preferably, the float in the second reservoir is hingedly connected to a side of the second reservoir; a linkage arm of the float connected by an actuator to the discharge valve of the first reservoir.

[00021] In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing a beverage through a gravity fed and regulated beverage system.

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PCT/AU2015/000660 [00022] In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing a beverage through a gravity fed and regulated beverage system; the method including the steps of:

adding a beverage preparation liquid to a first reservoir, operatively connecting a discharge valve of the first reservoir to a second reservoir, providing a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir, allowing liquid from the drip feed outlet of the second reservoir to drip under gravity at a predetermined flow rate to a beverage treatment basket into a beverage making material contained in the beverage treatment basket, and wherein a drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

[00023] Preferably, the drip feed regulating assembly includes a float in the second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first liquid reservoir.

[00024] Preferably, the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds.

[00025] In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for infusion of a fluid wherein the fluid is said fed to a target at a constant rate.

[00026] Preferably the fluid is fed as a drip feed.

[00027] Preferably the feed rate is of the order of 1 L per eight hour period.

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PCT/AU2015/000660 [00028] Preferably the feed rate is of the order of 60 drops per minute .

[00029] Preferably fluid is fed from a reservoir through a regulator; the regulator maintaining a substantially constant feed rate of fluid.

[00030] Preferably the regulator comprises a second reservoir wherein fluid level is maintained at a substantially constant level during the feed from the reservoir.

[00031] Preferably the regulator comprises the system as described above.

[00032] Preferably the regulator operates according to the method described above.

Brief Description of Drawings [00033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00034] Figure 1 is a sectioned side view showing the main components of a preferred embodiment of a gravity fed and regulated beverage system according to the invention, [00035] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the preparation of a beverage using the system of Figure

1.

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Description and Operation [00036] Figure 1 discloses the main components of a preferred embodiment according to the invention. The device 10 of the example embodiment provides for the preparation of a coffee based beverage. The device 10 incorporates a process that allows water to be regulated and flavoured before it is placed in cup 11 for a user (not shown).

[00037] Firstly water is poured into a first water reservoir 13 which has an outlet 14 in the form of a discharge valve 15 for controlling the flow of water to the next, second reservoir 16. The valve 15 is closed and opened by an actuator 17 that connects to a bubble float 18 which is set to maintain a specific level of water in the second reservoir 16.

[00038] In one form the bubble float 18 may be hingedly connected to the side 19 of the reservoir 16 so that an exact level of water is maintained in the second reservoir 16. The level maintained is calculated to keep a specific mass 20 of water in the reservoir 16. This specific mass 20, when combined with gravity will maintain a finely controlled drip or pressure rate through a drip feed outlet 21.

[00039] The drip feed outlet 21 allows regulated water to drip or pass to a beverage treatment basket 22. Typically the beverage basket 22 contain beverage material such as coffee grounds 23, a filtration aid such as a paper filter 24 and an outlet 25 that allows the flavoured beverage drink to drop into the cup 11.

[00040] Figure 2 shows the control process of the beverage preparation. Initially water is added to the top or first reservoir 13 of the device 40 and then allowed to pass to

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PCT/AU2015/000660 the second reservoir as needed to maintain the water level and mass is at the predetermined values.

[00041] If it is not at the desired level 42 more water is allowed to be added to the secondary reservoir. If the level or mass is correct water is allowed to drip to a beverage basket below the secondary reservoir 43 at a specific flow rate.

[00042] This specific flow rate allows the beverage material in the beverage basket to interact with the water 44 and produce the beverage which is then allowed pass to the cup 45 for consumption.

[00043] The result is a beverage processing device that uses gravity fed and regulated flow control to produce a beverage with a predictable quality and taste.

It will be particularly noted that the above described arrangement provides a constant drip rate particularly suited, but not exclusively, to cold drip coffee preparation.

Preferred drip rates are typically around 60 droplets per minute equating to around 1 L of water over an eight hour period. Typical preparation times can be of the order of hours .

Typically the beverage is prepared with the entire assembly at room temperature .

In some instances it may be desired to apply temperature control to the assembly in order to maintain a constant temperature over the infusion period.

In particular forms refrigeration may be applied to lower the temperature to below room temperature.

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In particular forms drip feed outlet 21 is arranged to have a variable diameter aperture so that the feed rate may be varied by the user.

It will be appreciated that the above described arrangement seeks to provide a consistent feed rate and, more particularly, a consistent drip feed rate over a period of hours .

Further embodiment.

In alternative forms drip feed outlet 21 may be automated with a regulator, for example, which effects a constant drip feed rate even as or if the level in second water reservoir 16 is lowered. Such an arrangement may then not require the first water reservoir. The end result however will remain the same which is to say to ensure a consistent and as close to constant a drip feed rate as possible over a period of hours.

Alternative Embodiments [00044] The example embodiment discloses the use of water and coffee to show the invented process. An alternative embodiment could be used with any food or drink that requires constant regulated and predictable water pressure or flow.

[00045] The example embodiment shows the process outputting to a user's cup or mug. An alternative embodiment could output to any device or container for use or further processing.

Claims

1. A gravity fed and regulated beverage system for the preparation of a beverage, the system including a drip feed regulating assembly; the drip feed regulating assembly controlling gravity fed liquid from a first liquid reservoir; the assembly comprising a float in a second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first reservoir,

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein a drip feed of the liquid issues from a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir; the drip feed outlet controlling the drip feed at a specific flow rate.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein liquid from the drip feed outlet is gravity fed to a beverage treatment basket arranged below the second reservoir.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the beverage treatment basket is adapted to contain a beverage making material; liquid from the second reservoir interacting with the beverage making material to deliver a beverage through an outlet at a base of the beverage treatment basket; the beverage delivered into a receptacle for use.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds,

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the beverage treatment basket is further adapted to support a filtering element.

8 . The system of any previous claim wherein the float in the second reservoir is hingedly connected to a side of the second reservoir; a linkage arm of the float connected by an actuator to the discharge valve of the first reservoir.

9. A method of preparing a beverage through a gravity fed and regulated beverage system; the method including the steps of!

adding a beverage preparation liquid to a first

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PCT/AU2015/000660 reservoir,

- operatively connecting a discharge valve of the first reservoir to a second reservoir/

- providing a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir,

- allowing liquid from the drip feed outlet of the second reservoir to drip under gravity at a predetermined flow rate to a beverage treatment basket into a beverage making material contained in the beverage treatment basket, and wherein a drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the drip feed regulating assembly includes a float in the second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first liquid reservoir.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10 wherein the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds.

12. A system for infusion of a fluid wherein the fluid is said fed to a target at a constant rate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the fluid is fed as a drip feed.

14. The system of claim 12 or 13 wherein the feed rate is of the order of 1 L per eight hour period.

15. The system of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the feed rate is of the order of 60 drops per minute,

16. The system of any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein fluid is fed from a reservoir through a regulator; the regulator maintaining a substantially constant feed rate of fluid.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the regulator comprises a second reservoir wherein fluid level is maintained at a substantially constant level during the feed from the reservoir.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the regulator comprises the system of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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19. The system of claim 16 wherein the regulator operates according to the method of any one of claims 9 to 11.

20. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8 or 12 to 19 applied to production of a cold drip coffee beverage.

21. A cold drip coffee system operable in accordance with the method of any one of claims 9 to 11.

22. A gravity fed and regulated cold drip beverage system for the preparation of a beverage, the system including a drip feed regulating assembly; the drip feed regulating assembly controlling gravity fed liquid from a first liquid reservoir; the assembly comprising a float in a second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first reservoir.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

24. The system of claim 22 or 23 wherein a drip feed of the liquid issues from a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir; the drip feed outlet controlling the drip feed at a specific flow rate.

25. The system of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein liquid from the drip feed outlet is gravity fed to a beverage treatment basket arranged below the second reservoir.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the beverage treatment basket is adapted to contain a beverage making material; liquid from the second reservoir interacting with the beverage making material to deliver a beverage through an outlet at a base of the beverage treatment basket; the beverage delivered into a receptacle for use,

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds,

28. The system of claim 23 wherein the beverage treatment basket is further adapted to support a filtering element.

29. The system of any one of claims 22 to 28 wherein the float in the second reservoir is hingedly connected to a side of the

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

WO 2016/070223 PCT/AU2015/000660 second reservoir; a linkage arm. of the float connected by an actuator to the discharge valve of the first reservoir.

30. A method of preparing a beverage through a gravity fed and regulated cold drip beverage system; the method including the steps of:

-adding a beverage preparation liquid to a first reservoir,

-operatively connecting a discharge valve of the . first reservoir to a second reservoir,

-providing a drip feed outlet at a base of the second reservoir,

-allowing liquid from the drip feed outlet of the second reservoir to drip under gravity at a predetermined flow rate to a beverage treatment basket into a beverage making material contained in the beverage treatment basket, and wherein a drip feed regulating assembly maintains a predetermined level of the liquid in the second reservoir; the predetermined level of the liquid calculated to maintain a predetermined mass of the liquid in the second reservoir.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the drip feed regulating assembly includes a float in the second reservoir; the float operatively connected to a discharge valve of the first liquid reservoir.

32. The method of claim 30 or 31 wherein the liquid is water and the beverage making material comprises coffee grounds.