DE202022100677U1 - Device for preparing a hot drink and a suitable expansion insert for a food processor - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for preparing a hot drink, comprising:
(1) a heater (1.9) designed to heat a liquid,
(2) a preparation vessel (1), which is equipped with a holder for a collecting bath (2.4) made of the hot liquid and with a rotating element (1.5) which can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation (1.6) and which is used to generate a liquid whirlpool (2 ) from the hot liquid in the collecting bath (2.4) is suitable,
(3) a brewing insert (3) for insertion into the preparation vessel (1), the brewing insert (3) having:
(i) a discharge element (4),
(ii) a filter element (5) with a receptacle (5.1) for an infusion substance (6), the diverting element (4) for diverting a liquid subset (2.2) from the liquid whirlpool (2) and for supplying the liquid subset ( 2.2) is designed for the filter element (5), and wherein the filter element (5) is designed for introducing the liquid enriched with the infusion substance (6) or with extracts of the infusion substance (6) into the collecting bath (2.4).

Description

Technological background

The invention lies in the field of preparing a beverage such as coffee, tea, mulled wine or other hot beverages.

In particular, the invention relates to a device and an extension insert for preparing a hot drink.

State of the art

Various devices and methods for brewing coffee or other hot and infused beverages, such as tea, are known.

With filter coffee machines, water heated to boiling temperature is fed from above into a filter insert, in which an infusion substance - for example coffee powder on a paper filter - is added. The hot water drips onto the ground coffee and flows through it under the action of gravity, extracting essential oils, aromas and other essences from the ground coffee. Filtered through the paper filter, the water, freed from the powder and enriched with coffee extracts, reaches a collection bath as a finished coffee liquid.

Fully automatic coffee machines include a grinder for grinding coffee beans into coffee powder, a heating element for producing hot water, a brewing group for treating the coffee powder and a pump for transporting the hot water to the brewing group. The ground coffee is on a metal sieve and hot water flows through it under pressure. Due to the pump pressure, which is in the range of 7.5 to 9 bar for an espresso, for example, less caffeine, tannic acids and bitter substances are released, which makes the espresso coffee more digestible. On the other hand, the pressure that the heated water exerts on the coffee powder can compact the coffee powder, making it difficult to extract oils and essences from the coffee.

In the percolation coffee machine or pump percolator, a water bath is heated in the base area of a coffee pot, so that water vapor is guided upwards via a centrally arranged riser pipe and from there is fed as heated water to a metal filter insert, which is filled with slightly mechanically pre-compacted coffee powder. From there, the water enriched with coffee extracts either goes into a coffee collecting bath that is spatially separate from the water bath, or it goes back into the water bath and mixes again with the water there so that it can be heated again and fed to the coffee powder via the riser pipe , to further enrich it with coffee extract. This circulating process stops when the coffee has reached the desired strength.

In centrifugal coffee machines, ground coffee is enclosed in a filter cartridge that rotates about its central axis. Previously heated water is fed to the rotating filter insert and pressed through the coffee powder under the effect of centrifugal force and enriched with coffee extracts. The hot water, enriched with coffee extract, is drawn off from the side wall openings of the filter insert, fed to an outlet and collected in a collection vessel

Food processors are used for preparing and/or cooking food and for treating food, such as for mechanical kneading, stirring, chopping or cutting. As a rule, an agitator and often also a heater are integrated, which also enables the thermal treatment of food.

Such an electrically operated food processor in the form of a combined cook-mix device is from DE 102 104 42 A1 famous. The food processor consists of a base unit and a mixing bowl for holding and thermo-mechanically treating food. The mixing bowl can be closed with a lid. The lid has a central lid opening for filling in food. The basic device contains a motor which drives an agitator arranged on the bottom of the mixing bowl and rotatable about a vertical axis inside the mixing bowl. The agitator is used, for example, for chopping, grinding, kneading or mixing food and is designed, for example, as a dough hook, whisk or knife set.

Technical task

With the known devices and methods for brewing hot beverages, there is the fundamental problem of producing the hot beverage at a sufficiently high temperature and enriched with the desired extraction substances, in particular flavor and aroma components.

This goal can be opposed, for example, if the infusion substance is not evenly moistened during the extraction process, or if the treatment temperatures and durations required for this are not adapted to the individual needs of the user. through exp These parameters or at least some of them can be optimized with appropriate measures.

There is therefore a permanent need for methods and utensils that enable hot drinks such as coffee or tea to be brewed according to one's own taste in a simple manner. The object of the invention is to provide a device and an extension insert for a corresponding retrofitting of a food processor.

General presentation of the invention

• (1) eine Heizeinrichtung, die zum Erhitzen einer Flüssigkeit ausgelegt ist,
• (2) ein Zubereitungs-Gefäß, das mit einer Aufnahme für ein Sammelbad aus der heißen Flüssigkeit und mit einem um eine vertikale Rotationsachse rotierbaren Rotationselement ausgestattet ist, das zum Erzeugen eines Flüssigkeitsstrudels aus der heißen Flüssigkeit in dem Sammelbad geeignet ist,
• (3) einen Brüheinsatz zum Einsetzen in das Zubereitungs-Gefäß, wobei der Brüheinsatz aufweist:
  • (i) ein Ableitelement,
  • (ii) ein Filterelement mit einer Aufnahme für eine Aufgusssubstanz

wobei das Ableitelement zur Abzweigung einer Flüssigkeits-Teilmenge aus dem Flüssigkeitsstrudel und zum Zuführen der Flüssigkeits-Teilmenge zum Filterelement ausgelegt ist, und wobei das Filterelement zum Einleiten der mit Extrakten der Aufgusssubstanz angereicherten Flüssigkeit in das Sammelbad ausgelegt ist.With regard to the device for preparing a hot drink, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a device which comprises:

• (1) a heater designed to heat a liquid,
• (2) a preparation vessel equipped with a receptacle for a collecting bath of the hot liquid and with a rotary element rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, which is suitable for generating a liquid whirlpool from the hot liquid in the collecting bath,
• (3) a brewing insert for insertion into the brewing vessel, the brewing insert comprising:
  • (i) a discharge element,
  • (ii) a filter element having a receptacle for an infusion substance

wherein the diversion element is designed to divert a portion of liquid from the liquid vortex and to supply the portion of liquid to the filter element, and wherein the filter element is designed to introduce the liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance into the collection bath.

The device according to the invention comprises a preparation vessel, for example the preparation vessel of a food processor, in which a liquid can be heated by means of a heating device and on the bottom of which a rotary element is arranged which can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotating element can be used for crushing food and in particular for grinding coffee beans into coffee powder. In addition, it is suitable for creating a liquid vortex from the hot liquid.

The brewing insert that can be inserted into the preparation vessel serves as a treatment unit for an infusion substance. It includes a discharge element and a filter element. The diverting element is made from one piece or it comprises several parts. Likewise, the filter element is made in one piece or it comprises several parts. The discharge element and the filter element are separate components that can be detached from one another, or they are made in one piece. The filter element can preferably be inserted into the discharge element.

The diverting element is designed in such a way that it can branch off a partial quantity from the liquid vortex and feed it to the filter element as a partial flow. The filter element is designed to hold an infusion substance. In or on the filter element, the infusion substance is brought into contact with the hot liquid of the branched-off partial flow. The liquid flowing through the infusion substance from top to bottom is enriched with extracts of the infusion substance. The filter element acts as a sieve or filter; it holds back the solids of the infusion substance and allows the liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance to pass through. The hot drink produced in this way passes from the filter element into the collecting bath inside the preparation vessel.

The rotating element is designed to generate a liquid vortex which has a lower apex in a level Hs, the filter element preferably being arranged above the level Hs.

The height level Hs for the lower apex of the liquid whirlpool depends on the amount of liquid and the centrifugal force acting on the liquid. The height of the liquid level when the rotating element is stationary (where there is no liquid vortex) forms the upper limit for the height level Hs. The infusion substance can be arranged at a height which is above the liquid level when the rotating element is stationary. This is not absolutely necessary, but preferred in order to avoid contact between the infusion substance and the liquid bath as far as possible.

The distance between the liquid whirlpool and the infusion substance, and in particular the difference in height between the level Hs and the level _HF , ensures free drainage of the liquid enriched with extracts from the infusion substance and prevents the liquid from accumulating in the infusion substance.

In principle, very small distances are sufficient for this. However, it is preferred that the infusion substance has as little direct contact as possible with the liquid whirlpool, but instead only has the subset branched off from the liquid whirlpool flowing through it from top to bottom. To unwanted contacts or To avoid even flooding of the infusion substance as far as possible, for example as a result of turbulence and fluctuations in fill level or permanent splashes, an embodiment has proven itself in which the distance between the rotation element and the filter element in and along the axis of rotation is in the range of 0.3 cm to 5 cm, preferably in range from 0.5cm to 3cm.

In view of this, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention that the receptacle for the filter element has a receptacle with a base with base openings which open into an empty space above the liquid vortex.

The infusion substance is received in the receptacle. The bottom of the receptacle can serve as a filter that retains the solid particles of the particulate infusion substance, or the infusion substance is placed on or within a filter for this purpose, such as a paper filter or a filter bag, with the filter being placed in the receptacle . The receiving container forms, for example, a filter holder which is preferably designed in the shape of a funnel, or it forms a filter holder with a flat base on which a small filter plate is placed, preferably a small filter plate made of paper.

In embodiments of the device in which the receiving container itself is not used as a filter but to hold the actual filter, the receiving container has a perforated base with a plurality of base holes through which liquid escaping from the filter can escape into the collection space; preferably there are 5 to 50, preferably 10 to 40 and particularly preferably at least 15 bottom holes. The opening cross section of the bottom holes is, for example, round, oval or polygonal. It is preferably in the range from 0.8 mm ² (diameter: 1 mm) to 50 mm ² (diameter: 8 mm). The bottom holes are distributed over as large a bottom area as possible, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the bottom holes (total hole cross-sectional area) takes up as large a proportion of the bottom area as possible. A floor area that is as large as possible includes, for example, an area with a diameter of between 15 and 60 mm, preferably between 20 and 50 mm, particularly preferably at least 25 mm. The total hole cross-sectional area is, for example, in the range from 100 to 500 mm ² , preferably in the range from 200 to 400 mm ² , particularly preferably at least 250 mm ² .

The distribution of the base holes over the largest possible base area and the largest possible total hole cross-sectional area has the effect that the amount of liquid entering the filter element can flow out of the filter again quickly. This applies, for example, in comparison to conventional, funnel-shaped filter coffee holders, which are designed to hold a paper filter in the form of a bag. These filter coffee holders often only have a single, comparatively large bottom hole, or a few bottom holes arranged in a row. The hot water flowing into the paper filter is accumulated and thus comes into intensive contact with the coffee powder it contains. However, it can cool down. The taste of the coffee may deteriorate at water temperatures below around 85°C.

In contrast to this, the more rapid outflow of the hot water in the device according to the invention counteracts cooling in the filter element. In addition, the water flowing out of the filter element returns to the collecting bath with the heated liquid, where it is again heated to the preset temperature. Sufficiently intensive contact with the infusion substance is achieved by circulating the liquid heated to the preset temperature in the collecting bath to the filter element until the hot drink has the desired intensity. Temperature control of the liquid also contributes if the entire circulation process is carried out within the temperature-controlled preparation vessel. The temperature of the liquid in the collection bath is therefore preferably kept constant.

Compared to a filter element with a narrow funnel base and side walls that widen upwards, a larger internal volume can be provided in a receiving container with a larger perforated base with the same overall height. In other words, in order to provide the same internal volume, a lower overall height is sufficient for a substantially cylindrical receptacle than for a funnel-shaped (conical) receptacle. The comparatively compact design of the brewing insert made possible by this has the advantage that the diverting element can move closer to the height level of the lower apex of the liquid whirlpool, and therefore the height or strength of the liquid whirlpool can be lower, which is noticeable in terms of energy savings and noise reduction.

The filter element can be made of one part or of several parts. In a preferred embodiment, it comprises a filter plate which closes off the opening of the receptacle at the top. The filter plate can consist of a rigid material, for example metal, ceramic or plastic, or of a flexible material such as textile and in particular paper, with the filter plate optionally being made of the flexible material is underlaid with a carrier structure, in particular a lattice structure, for the purpose of mechanical stabilization.

It has proven to be advantageous if the diverting element rests against an inner wall of the preparation vessel in a vertical plane H _A and extends from the outside in to the filter element, with the distance between the vertical plane H _A and the filter element having a gradient in an angular range between 0 and 8 degrees, preferably a maximum of 5 degrees.

The discharge element protrudes into the liquid vortex and is located above the filter element or at the same height as it. The average gradient of the discharge element from the outside inwards is as small as possible and preferably has an angle of inclination of at most 5 degrees. The minimum distance between the height level H _A and the filter element is, for example, in the range from zero to 1 cm, preferably less than 0.8 cm.

The diverting element protrudes into the liquid whirlpool and diverts a partial flow of liquid from it inwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the preparation vessel. Deriving can extend over a range of altitudes. The height level H _A defines the lowest height at which the liquid partial flow is derived. In the simplest case, this is the height level in which the diverting element is in contact with the inner wall of the preparation vessel.

The discharge element can have, for example, one or more drainage channels arranged in a star shape around the longitudinal axis of the preparation vessel, one end of which protrudes into the liquid vortex. However, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the discharge element is ring-shaped with an outer edge, an upper side of the ring and a lower side of the ring, with the outer edge lying against an inner wall of the preparation vessel, and with openings being provided between the lower side and the upper side of the ring in the area of the outer edge.

Through the openings in the area of the outer edge, which are designed, for example, as holes with a round, oval or polygonal cross-section or as radial or peripheral slots, the partial quantity of liquid reaches the top of the ring from the liquid whirlpool, from where it flows from all sides to the center inside of the annular discharge element arranged filter element drains. For this purpose, the top of the ring can have a slope from the outer edge to the inner edge. The gradient is preferably in an angular range between 0 and 8 degrees, and is particularly preferably at most 5 degrees. As a result, a particularly uniform moistening of the infusion substance is achieved.

Preparation vessels, in particular preparation vessels of food processors, often have a circular inner cross-section and an inner wall that delimits an interior space that tapers from top to bottom over at least part of its height. In view of this, the outer edge of the discharge element of the device according to the invention preferably has an upward-pointing, circumferential collar that rests against the inner wall.

The inner wall of the preparation vessel has, for example, a longitudinal section that tapers conically downwards and has an inner cone. In this case, the collar of the discharge element also has a downwardly conically tapering longitudinal section with an outer cone in adaptation to this inner contour, with the inner and outer cones coming into contact at a predetermined height and a flat contact area between the inner wall and the collar of the form diverting element. This flat contact area improves the mechanical guidance and the fixation of the discharge element in the preparation vessel, and it largely shields the upper area of the preparation vessel from the liquid vortex and any undesirable liquid splashes. The outer contour of the collar pointing in the direction of the inner wall is adapted to the geometry and the inner diameter of the inner wall at a predetermined height. This predetermines the height that the diverting element assumes within the preparation vessel.

The inner wall of the preparation vessel can be smooth over its entire height, seamless and circular or oval in cross section. However, known and widespread food processors have a preparation vessel with an inner wall which, although it has a substantially circular inner cross-section, longitudinal ribs extend from top to bottom over at least part of the height of the inner wall, which extend into the interior of the preparation vessel protrude.

In this context, a device has proven to be advantageous in which several inwardly projecting longitudinal ribs extend from top to bottom along at least part of the height of the inner wall of the preparation vessel, and in which the peripheral collar has an outer contour adapted to the longitudinal ribs with longitudinal grooves.

The longitudinal ribs projecting into the interior are, for example, evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner wall and they extend across at least part of the interior wall height from top to bottom. In this case, the collar of the discharge element has longitudinal grooves that are turned inward and are adapted to the geometry and the local distribution of the longitudinal ribs.

When inserting the brewing insert, the longitudinal grooves of the discharge element can be brought into line with the longitudinal ribs by rotating about its longitudinal axis and a non-rotatable locking connection can be produced between the brewing insert and the preparation vessel. This applies in particular in conjunction with the conical longitudinal sections explained above when the longitudinal grooves and the longitudinal ribs in these longitudinal sections interlock. The longitudinal grooves and longitudinal ribs work together according to the lock and key principle in order to reliably prevent the discharge element from twisting within the preparation vessel.

The longitudinal ribs on the inner wall of the preparation vessel act as impediments for the liquid circulating on the inner wall and therefore make it difficult for a stable and pronounced, high liquid vortex to form. In order to eliminate these disturbances and to achieve a particularly stable and pronounced, high liquid whirlpool even at a comparatively low rotational speed of the rotary element, the brewing insert optionally has a lining that covers the longitudinal ribs or fills up the volume areas between the longitudinal ribs. This lining thus forms a smooth wall in the preparation vessel which is inwardly superior to the actual inner wall.

The diverting element can be made of one part or of several parts. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diverting element comprises a lower container part and an upper container part which is detachably mounted on the lower container part, the upper container part having a circumferential collar pointing from the outside inwards.

The diverting element protrudes into the liquid vortex, liquid from the liquid vortex reaching the upper side of the diverting element through openings in the region of the outer edge. Liquid splashes can escape from the preparation vessel. The upper part of the container with its circumferential collar pointing from the outside inwards forms a splash protection hood which partially covers the interior of the discharge element and thus counteracts unwanted liquid splashes.

The lower container part preferably serves as a receptacle for the filter element.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the preparation vessel has a filling opening and a lid for at least partially covering the filling opening, the lid having a lid underside that runs in a vertical plane H _D , and a handle part protruding upwards from the upper container part , which ends in a height plane H _G , where: H _D ≥ H _G > H _D + 1 cm.

On the one hand, the handle part makes it easier to insert and remove the brewing insert. It either rests against the underside of the lid of the preparation vessel or there is a small distance of no more than 1 cm from the underside. This stabilizes the vertical position of the brewing insert within the preparation vessel. The handle part thus serves at the same time as a spacer element or as an abutment against the attached cover.

The method for preparing a hot drink using the device according to the invention is explained in more detail below.

1. (a) Bereitstellen einer Aufgusssubstanz für das Heißgetränk auf oder in einem Filterelement innerhalb des Zubereitungs-Gefäßes,
2. (b) Erzeugen eines Stroms aus heißer Flüssigkeit,
3. (c) Durchströmen der Aufgusssubstanz mit dem Flüssigkeits-Strom unter Bildung des mit Extrakten der Aufgusssubstanz angereicherten Flüssigkeit und
4. (d) Einleiten des mit Extrakten der Aufgusssubstanz angereicherten Flüssigkeit in ein Sammelbad.

The preparation of the hot drink in a preparation vessel includes the following process steps:

1. (a) providing an infusion substance for the hot beverage on or in a filter element within the preparation vessel,
2. (b) creating a stream of hot liquid,
3. (c) flowing the liquid stream through the infusion substance to form the liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance and
4. (d) Introducing the liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance into a collection bath.

To generate the liquid flow in the preparation vessel, a liquid whirlpool is generated, and a liquid subset is branched off from it, and the liquid subset flows through the infusion substance.

The hot drink is, for example, coffee, tea or mulled wine. It is produced by brewing at least one infusion substance with hot liquid.

The infusion substance is particulate, such as coffee powder, tea leaves, parts of plants, herbs, fruits, flakes or granules. It is in a filter element that has a filter made, for example, of paper, textile, metal, ceramic or plastic, in whole or in part enclosed, e.g. in a filter bag, filter bag or other filter container, or carried on the filter element, e.g. on a filter disc. The filter element is located inside the preparation vessel and can be held by a filter holder. Its pore or mesh size is designed in such a way that solid particles of the infusion substance are retained; it is, for example, less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm and particularly preferably less than 0.05 mm (50 μm).

A stream of hot liquid flows through the infusion substance, which is branched off from the liquid vortex and is also referred to below as the "partial stream". The filter element prevents particles of the infusion substance from being washed into the hot beverage. The hot liquid is, for example, pure water or water that contains another component or several other components, such as extracts of the infusion substance, in which case the hot liquid and the partial flow branched off from it form an incomplete, low-concentration hot drink. The treatment of the infusion substance with the hot liquid is also referred to below as the "extraction process".

1. (a) Innerhalb des Zubereitungs-Gefäßes wird ein Flüssigkeitsstrudel aus der heißen Flüssigkeit erzeugt.

Generating the partial flow of the hot liquid that flows through the infusion substance includes the following two measures:

1. (a) A whirlpool of hot liquid is created within the preparation vessel.

This is done, for example, with the aid of a rotating element which is arranged in a bath of hot liquid at the bottom of the preparation vessel and which rotates about a vertically oriented axis of rotation. If the rotation speed is sufficiently high, centrifugal force causes a liquid vortex to form in the liquid bath, in which the liquid level is higher on the outside than in the middle. In the case of a disturbance-free formation, the liquid vortex is given, for example, the shape of a paraboloid of revolution with a minimum (lower apex) in the middle and a maximum (upper apex) on the wall of the preparation vessel. In this case, the outer area of the liquid vortex forms an “upper area of the liquid vortex” and is also referred to as such in the following.
(b) A portion of the hot liquid is branched off from the upper area of the liquid vortex and fed to the infusion substance as a partial flow.

This is preferably done in that a body pierces the upper area of the liquid vortex in such a way that hot liquid can get onto, on and/or into the body. The partial quantity (partial flow) from the hot liquid then flows in the direction of the infusion substance, for example along the body protruding into the liquid vortex. This body, which diverts a subset from the liquid vortex, is also referred to below as the "diversion element".

The measures explained above under (a) and (b) for generating the partial stream of hot liquid flowing through the infusion substance are therefore based on the centrifugal force, preferably supported by the gravitational force. Through contact with the infusion substance, the partial flow of hot liquid is enriched with extracts of the infusion substance. The hot liquid, enriched with extracts of the infusion substance, is filtered in the filter element and fed into a collecting bath, from which it can be taken as a hot drink. The filter element contains a filter which is designed in such a way that it retains the particles of the infusion substance as completely as possible. The collection bath is preferably located within the preparation vessel.

In a particularly preferred procedure, the liquid vortex is created in the collecting bath.

The rotating element rotates in the collecting bath, and at the same time the partial flow of hot liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance is introduced into the collecting bath. Accordingly, the hot liquid is circulated, with the following sub-processes taking place continuously and simultaneously in this circulating process: providing the collecting bath with hot liquid, generating a liquid whirlpool, branching off a partial amount from the liquid whirlpool, supplying the partial amount as a partial flow to the infusion substance, flowing through the infusion substance with the partial flow, enriching the partial flow with extracts of the infusion substance, filtering and introducing the partial flow into the collecting bath. In this procedure, the extraction process is designed as a circulation process. The partial flow of liquid is removed from the liquid whirlpool and, after being passed through the filter element with the infusion substance contained therein, is returned to the collecting bath and thus also to the liquid whirlpool. The liquid vortex is thus generated from and at the same time forms part of the collecting bath.

The amount of liquid diverted from the liquid vortex depends, among other things, on the filling of the collection bath and on the force that the rotation element exerts on the liquid, which in turn is largely determined by the rotation speed given the shape of the rotation element. With a given fill level and a given shape of the rotating element, the amount of liquid that is conveyed into the discharge element can be adjusted by the rotational speed of the rotating element. Adjustment not necessary, as the upper filter plate only allows a certain amount of liquid to pass through. If the amount of liquid that is supplied to the filter element per unit of time is greater than the amount of liquid that can flow through the infusion substance per unit of time, hot liquid can back up in front of the infusion substance or hot liquid can flow back into the collecting bath. This effect simultaneously regulates and limits the influence of rotation speed described above.

At a given rotational speed, the degree to which the circulating hot liquid is enriched with extracts of the infusion substance is determined by the duration of the circulating process. The longer this is, the stronger the enrichment of the hot liquid with the extracts, apart from saturation effects (with the liquid) and exhaustion effects (with the infusion substance). The degree of enrichment and other properties of the hot beverage, which depend on the contact time between the infusion substance and the hot liquid, can thus be individually adjusted by the user according to their own wishes.

The filter of the filter element is preferably replaceable. Depending on the size of the pores and the material (paper, fabric, plastic, metal, ceramic) of the filter, different components of the infusion substance are held back and let through.

The temperature of the hot liquid is preferably kept constant during the extraction process or it is varied. In addition to the rotation speed and the duration of the treatment, the temperature of the hot liquid and the temperature profile during the extraction process are further free parameters for setting the individually preferred properties of the hot beverage.

Setting and maintaining a temperature or a temperature profile is simplified by the fact that the temperature-determining processes, such as heating the liquid, creating the liquid whirlpool, diverting the liquid partial flow and feeding it to the infusion substance and also the extraction process within the same, heatable preparation vessel.

It is often desirable for the hot liquid to flow through the infusion substance in a predetermined direction. Under the action of gravity: from top to bottom, it is advantageous if the liquid vortex has a lower apex in a level Hs and the infusion substance is located above the level Hs.

The distance between the liquid whirlpool and the infusion substance ensures that the liquid enriched with extracts flows freely out of the infusion substance and the liquid is prevented from damming up in the infusion substance.

In principle, even very small distances are sufficient for this. However, it is preferred that the infusion substance has as little direct contact as possible with the liquid whirlpool, but instead only has the subset branched off from the liquid whirlpool flowing through it from top to bottom. In order to avoid unwanted contacts or even flooding of the infusion substance, for example as a result of turbulence and level fluctuations or permanent splashes, a distance between the height level Hs and the infusion substance has to be in the range of 0.3 cm to 5 cm, preferably in the range of 0.5 cm to 3cm, proved to be cheap.

The specified range limits for the distance make a contribution to solving the technical problem, because at a distance of less than 0.3 cm there is a risk of permanent undesired contact between the infusion substance. At a distance of more than 3cm, the space available within the preparation vessel for receiving and treating the infusion substance is reduced and/or a liquid whirlpool must be generated that reaches far upwards, for which a high centrifugal force and thus at given the configuration of the amount of liquid and the design of the rotating element, a high speed of rotation of the rotating element is required. At high rotation speeds, undesirable turbulence can occur in the collection bath and increased disturbances in the formation of the liquid vortex, which make the circulation process and the result of the extraction process less reproducible.

The height level Hs for the lower apex of the liquid whirlpool depends on the amount of liquid and the centrifugal force acting on the liquid. The height of the liquid level when the rotating element is at rest (where there is no liquid vortex) forms the upper limit for the height level Hs. The Auf casting substance can be arranged at a height that is above the liquid level when the rotating element is stationary. This is not absolutely necessary, but preferred in order to avoid contact between the infusion substance and the liquid bath as far as possible.

In a preferred procedure, a diversion element protruding into the liquid whirlpool is used to divert the liquid subset, via which the liquid subset flows off due to gravity in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the preparation vessel to the filter element. The diversion element preferably protrudes into the liquid vortex in a vertical plane H _A , the diversion element running between the vertical plane H _A and the filter element with a gradient in an angular range between 0 and 8 degrees, preferably a maximum of 5 degrees.

The range limits mentioned for the angle range contribute to solving the technical problem insofar as the branched-off partial quantity reaches the filter element as a partial flow. A slight slope is sufficient for this, even an angle of inclination of zero degrees and even a slope in the other direction (slope from the inside to the outside), because the liquid permanently diverted from the liquid whirlpool displaces the liquid already present on or in the discharge element in the direction of the filter element . The greater the average slope of the diversion element, the greater the difference in height between the infusion substance and the level H _A and the higher the liquid vortex must be created. Therefore, the average gradient of the diverting element is as small as possible and preferably has an angle of inclination of at most 2 degrees. The average gradient results from the difference in height between the height level H _A and the height level _HF , in which the liquid partial flow enters the filter element. This height difference is, for example, in the range from zero to 1 cm, preferably less than 0.8 cm.

The diverting element protrudes into the liquid vortex and diverts a partial flow of liquid from it. Deriving can extend over a range of altitudes. The height level H _A defines the lowest height at which the liquid partial flow is derived. In the simplest case, this is the height level in which the diverting element is in contact with the inner wall of the preparation vessel.

• (i) eine Ableitelement,
• (ii) ein Filterelement mit einer Aufnahme für eine Aufgusssubstanz,

wobei das Ableitelement zur Abzweigung einer Flüssigkeits-Teilmenge aus einem Flüssigkeitsstrudel und zur Zufuhr der Flüssigkeits-Teilmenge zum Filterelement ausgelegt ist, und wobei das Filterelement zum Ableiten einer mit der Aufgusssubstanz oder mit Extrakten der Aufgusssubstanz angereicherten Flüssigkeit in ein Sammelbad ausgelegt ist.Regarding the extension insert, the above technical problem is solved by an extension insert that has:

• (i) a discharge element,
• (ii) a filter element with a receptacle for an infusion substance,

wherein the diverting element is designed to divert a portion of liquid from a liquid vortex and to supply the portion of liquid to the filter element, and wherein the filter element is designed to divert a liquid enriched with the infusion substance or with extracts of the infusion substance into a collecting bath.

The expansion insert according to the invention is suitable as a brewing insert in a preparation vessel of the device according to the invention. What was said above about the method and the device in relation to the brewing insert described there also applies to the extension insert according to the invention.

The expansion insert can be used to retrofit a preparation vessel, in particular the preparation vessel of a food processor, in order to expand its possible uses with regard to the production of hot drinks such as tea, coffee, cocoa or mulled wine. It includes a discharge element and a filter element. The discharge element and the filter element preferably form separate units, which in turn can consist of one part or of several parts. The filter element can preferably be inserted into the discharge element.

The diverting element is designed in such a way that it can branch off a partial quantity from a liquid whirlpool and feed it to the filter element as a partial flow. The filter element has a receptacle for an infusion substance. In or on the filter element, the brewing substance is brought into contact with the hot liquid of the branched-off partial flow and enriched with the brewing substance or with extracts of the brewing substance. The filter element acts as a sieve or filter; it holds back the solids of the infusion substance and allows the liquid to pass through. The liquid (hot drink) enriched with the infusion substance or with extracts of the infusion substance is dispensed from there into a collective bath inside the preparation vessel.

In embodiments of the extension insert, in which the receptacle itself does not serve as a filter but to hold the actual filter, the receptacle has a perforated base with a plurality of base holes through which liquid escaping from the filter can escape into the collection space; preferably there are 5 to 50, preferably 10 to 40 and particularly preferably at least 15 bottom holes. The opening cross section of the bottom holes is, for example, round, oval or polygonal. It is preferably in Range from up to 0.8mm ² (diameter: 1mm) to 50mm ² (diameter: 8mm). The bottom holes are distributed over as large a bottom area as possible, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the bottom holes (total hole cross-sectional area) takes up as large a proportion of the bottom area as possible. A floor area that is as large as possible includes, for example, an area with a diameter of between 15 and 60 mm, preferably between 20 and 50 mm, particularly preferably at least 25 mm. The total hole cross-sectional area is, for example, in the range from 100 to 500 mm ² , preferably in the range from 200 to 400 mm ² , particularly preferably at least 250 mm ² .

The distribution of the base holes over the largest possible base area and the largest possible total hole cross-sectional area has the effect that the amount of liquid entering the filter element can flow out of the filter again quickly. This applies, for example, in comparison to conventional, funnel-shaped filter coffee holders, which are designed to hold a paper filter in the form of a bag. These filter coffee holders often only have a single, comparatively large bottom hole, or a few bottom holes arranged in a row. The hot water flowing into the paper filter is accumulated and thus comes into intensive contact with the coffee powder it contains. However, it can cool down. The taste of the coffee may deteriorate at water temperatures below around 85°C.

In contrast to this, the faster drainage of the hot water in the expansion insert according to the invention counteracts cooling in the filter element. In addition, the water flowing out of the filter element returns to the collecting bath with the heated liquid, where it is again heated to the preset temperature. Sufficiently intensive contact with the infusion substance is achieved by circulating the liquid heated to the preset temperature in the collecting bath to the filter element until the hot drink has the desired intensity. Temperature control of the liquid also contributes if the entire circulation process is carried out within the temperature-controlled preparation vessel. The temperature of the liquid in the collection bath is therefore preferably kept constant.

Compared to a filter element with a narrow funnel base and side walls that widen upwards, a larger internal volume can be provided in a receiving container with a larger perforated base with the same overall height. In other words, in order to provide the same internal volume, a lower overall height is sufficient for a substantially cylindrical receptacle than for a funnel-shaped (conical) receptacle. The comparatively compact design of the extension insert made possible by this has the advantage that the discharge element can move closer to the level of the lower apex of the liquid vortex, and the height or strength of the liquid vortex can therefore be lower, which is noticeable in terms of energy savings and noise reduction.

The filter element can be made of one part or of several parts. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle of the filter element comprises a receptacle with a filling opening and a base with base openings, the filling opening preferably being covered by a removable filter plate.

The infusion substance is taken up in the receptacle. The bottom of the receptacle can serve as a filter that retains the solid particles of the particulate infusion substance, or the infusion substance is placed on or within a filter for this purpose, such as a paper filter or a filter bag, with the filter being placed in the receptacle . The receiving container forms, for example, a filter holder which is preferably designed in the shape of a funnel, or it forms a filter holder with a flat base on which a small filter plate is placed, preferably a small filter plate made of paper.

The filter plate closes off the filling opening of the receptacle at the top and thus prevents particles of the infusion substance that easily float - such as coffee powder or tea leaves - from being discharged upwards from the receptacle and into the discharge element, from where they may be can be washed into the hot drink.

By using the extension insert according to the invention, the food processor can be used to prepare a hot drink, in particular filter coffee. Functions of the food processor, such as the functions for chopping and stirring, setting and controlling the temperature of the water bath inside the vessel, and setting the temperature holding time (timer) can be used sensibly for this application.

The discharge element can have, for example, one or more drainage channels arranged in a star shape around the longitudinal axis of the preparation vessel. However, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the discharge element is annular with an outer edge, an upper side of the ring and an underside of the ring is formed, the outer edge being designed to rest against an inner wall of the preparation vessel, and openings being provided between the underside of the ring and the upper side of the ring in the area of the outer edge.

Through the openings in the area of the outer edge, which are designed, for example, as holes with a round, oval or polygonal cross-section or as radial or peripheral slots, the partial quantity of liquid reaches the upper side of the ring from the liquid whirlpool, from where it flows to the center inside the ring-shaped discharge element 4 arranged filter element drains. For this purpose, the top of the ring can have a slope from the outer edge to the inner edge. As a result of the all-round inflow possibility for the hot partial flow, a particularly even moistening of the infusion substance is achieved.

With regard to a preparation vessel with an inner wall that has a downwardly conically tapering length section with an inner cone, the outer edge of the discharge element of the expansion insert according to the invention preferably has an upward-pointing, circumferential collar that rests on the inner wall.

In this case, the collar of the discharge element also has a downwardly conically tapering longitudinal section with an outer cone to match the inner contour of the inner wall, with the outer cone being designed in such a way that it comes into contact with the inner wall at a predetermined height, so that forms a flat contact area between the inner wall and the collar of the discharge element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the extension insert, the outer contour of the collar pointing in the direction of the inner wall has a plurality of longitudinal grooves that are turned inward.

The longitudinal grooves optionally correspond to longitudinal ribs which extend from top to bottom along at least part of the height of the inner wall of the preparation vessel. The circumferential collar accordingly has an outer contour with longitudinal grooves that is adapted to the geometry and the local distribution of these longitudinal ribs.

Optionally, the expansion insert according to the invention includes a lining that is designed to cover the longitudinal ribs on the inner wall of the preparation vessel or to fill up the volume areas between the longitudinal ribs.

This lining serves to provide a smooth wall that protrudes inwards over part of the height of the actual inner wall of the preparation vessel, which contributes to stabilizing the flow of the liquid vortex.

The diverting element can be made of one part or of several parts. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diverting element comprises a lower container part and an upper container part detachably mounted on the lower container part, the upper container part having a peripheral collar pointing from the outside inwards, and a handle part protruding upwards from the upper container part.

The draining element is designed to protrude into the liquid whirlpool, so that liquid from the liquid whirlpool can reach the upper side of the draining element through openings in the area of the outer edge. In order to prevent liquid splashes from escaping the preparation vessel, the upper container part is provided with the circumferential collar pointing from the outside inwards, which partially covers the interior of the discharge element and thus forms a splash guard. The upwardly protruding handle part makes it easier to handle the extension insert, and it is also designed to rest against the underside of a lid of the preparation vessel, or to maintain a small distance of preferably less than 1 cm from the underside of the lid.

In an advantageous embodiment of the expansion insert according to the invention, the filter element forms a multi-part filter unit, with a lower container part of the discharge element having a filter unit receptacle for the filter unit, into which the filter unit can be inserted.

The filter unit comprises, for example, a preferably funnel-shaped receptacle and a filter plate which closes off the opening of the receptacle at the top. The filter plate consists, for example, of metal, ceramic or plastic and has a large number of fine bores which prevent the passage of particles from the infusion substance. However, it can also consist of a flexible material, such as a textile fabric and in particular paper, and it can optionally be underlaid with a carrier structure, in particular with a lattice structure, for the purpose of mechanical stabilization.

The opening of the receptacle can be delimited by an outwardly protruding flange. The filter plate can be fixed to the opening by means of a sealing ring that overlaps the flange will. As a result, the filter plate is firmly fixed to the receiving container. The filter unit forms a compact, easy-to-handle, capsule-shaped composite in which the infusion substance is enclosed. For example, the filter plate can be inserted into an upper groove of a sealing ring with a circumferential double groove, with the outwardly projecting flange being encompassed by the lower groove of the sealing ring. Or the receiving container has a circumferential step on the upper edge, on which the filter plate rests and is fixed from above by means of the sealing ring, which encompasses the outwardly protruding flange.

In a further preferred embodiment, the extension insert comprises a liquid vortex intensifier element which can be placed on a rotating element.

The intensifying element facilitates the formation of a liquid vortex by means of the rotating element. It is designed, for example, as a rigid lamella, paddle, shovel or the like and can be placed on the rotating element. In order to ensure stable mounting of the booster element even when the rotary element rotates, form-fitting connections have proven their worth, such as latching means, which engage under the rotary element, particularly in the area close to the vertical axis of rotation.

character list

• 1 ein Zubereitungs-Gefäß einer Küchenmaschine mit darin eingesetztem Brüheinsatz für Heißgetränke in einer Seitenansicht und in schematischer Darstellung,
• 2 eine dreidimensionale Linien-Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer Seitenansicht,
• 3 eine weitere dreidimensionale Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• 4 die Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Explosionsdarstellung,
• 5 die Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer zweidimensionalen Explosionsdarstellung in Seitenansicht,
• 6 ein oberes Gehäuseteil eines Ableitelements des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung mit einer Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• 7 das obere Gehäuseteil von 6 in einer Draufsicht, und
• 8 ein unteres Gehäuseteil eines Ableitelements des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung mit einer Ansicht auf die Oberseite,
• 9 das untere Gehäuseteil von 8 in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung mit einer Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• 10 einen Filterhalter als Teil des Filterelements des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung mit einer Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• 11 einen Silikonring und eine Filterplatte als Teil des Filterelements des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke von 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Explosionsdarstellung,
• 12 einen Querschnitt des Silikonrings von 11 mit eingesetzter Filterplatte in schematischer Darstellung,
• 13 einen Schaufelaufsatz für ein Rotationselement zur Verstärkung des Flüssigkeitsstrudels,
• 14 eine Küchenmaschine mit einem Mixtopf einschließlich darin eingesetzten Brüheinsatz gemäß der Erfindung in einem Ausschnitt und in schematischer Darstellung,
• 15 einen weitere Ausführungsform einer geschlossenen Filtereinheit als Teil des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung,
• 16 die Filtereinheit von 15 bei abgenommener oberer Filterplatte in einer Explosionsdarstellung mit einem Rundfilter mit einer Ansicht auf den Lochboden,
• 17 einen Querschnitt des Silikonrings der Filtereinheit von 15 mit eingesetzter Filterplatte in schematischer Darstellung,
• 18 einen Schaufelaufsatz für ein Rotationselement zur Verstärkung des Flüssigkeitsstrudels in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung, und
• 19 den Schaufelaufsatz von 18 in einer Draufsicht auf den Adapter.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and a patent drawing. In detail shows

• 1 a preparation vessel of a food processor with a brewing insert inserted therein for hot drinks in a side view and in a schematic representation,
• 2 a three-dimensional line representation of an embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a side view,
• 3 a further three-dimensional representation of an embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a view of the underside,
• 4 the embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks from 2 in a three-dimensional exploded view,
• 5 the embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks from 2 in a two-dimensional exploded view in side view,
• 6 an upper housing part of a discharge element of the brewing insert for hot drinks from 2 in a three-dimensional representation with a view of the underside,
• 7 the upper part of the housing 6 in a plan view, and
• 8th a lower housing part of a discharge element of the brewing insert for hot drinks from 2 in a three-dimensional representation with a view on top,
• 9 the lower part of the housing 8th in a three-dimensional representation with a view of the underside,
• 10 a filter holder as part of the filter element of the brewing insert for hot drinks from 2 in a three-dimensional representation with a view of the underside,
• 11 a silicone ring and filter plate as part of the filter element of the hot drink brewer from 2 in a three-dimensional exploded view,
• 12 a cross section of the silicone ring from 11 with inserted filter plate in schematic representation,
• 13 a vane attachment for a rotary element to increase the liquid vortex,
• 14 a food processor with a mixing pot including a brewing insert inserted therein according to the invention in a detail and in a schematic representation,
• 15 a further embodiment of a closed filter unit as part of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a three-dimensional representation,
• 16 the filter unit of 15 with the upper filter plate removed in an exploded view with a round filter with a view of the perforated bottom,
• 17 a cross-section of the silicone ring of the filter unit from 15 with inserted filter plate in schematic representation,
• 18 a vane attachment for a rotating element to enhance the liquid vortex in a three-dimensional representation, and
• 19 the shovel attachment from 18 in a top view of the adapter.

The invention is further illustrated by a coffee brewing insert (hereinafter also referred to as "brewing insert"), which is designed for use with the mixing bowl of a food processor.

1 shows a schematic representation of a preparation vessel, for example a mixing bowl 1, with a base 1.1, a substantially rotationally symmetrical side wall 1.2 and a lid 1.3. The bottom 1.1 and the side wall 1.2 delimit a mixing pot interior 1.4. A knife set 1.5 is arranged on the mixing bowl bottom 1.1 and can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation 1.6. The interior 1.4 of the mixing bowl 1 tapers from top to bottom. The inner wall of the mixing bowl 1 has several longitudinal ribs 1.7 ( 14 ) which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner wall and which extend over part of the height of the inner wall from top to bottom. There is also a heating device 1.9 on the bottom of the mixing bowl 1.1, which is designed to heat up an item to be cooked or a liquid in the interior of the mixing bowl 1.4.

The blade set 1.5 is used for mixing, chopping and kneading food and is also suitable, among other things, for grinding coffee beans into coffee powder. The food processor has a heating device (not shown in the figure) by means of which a water bath 2.4 can be heated to a temperature of up to 100° C. in the interior 1.4. By rotating the knife set 1.5 about the axis of rotation 1.6, a water whirlpool 2 can be generated in the water bath 2.4. As in 1 shown schematically, the water whirlpool 2 essentially has the shape of a paraboloid of revolution with a lower apex in a vertical plane Hs and with a maximum on the side wall 1.2.

In the mixing bowl 1, a brewing insert is used in a stationary manner, which is assigned the reference number 3 overall and from which a first exemplary embodiment is described below in connection with the 2 until 12 is explained. The brewing insert 3 is assembled from several parts. These include a base element 4, which is composed of a splash guard part 4.1, a collecting part 4.2 and a filter holder receiving part 4.3.

From the top of the splash guard part 4.1 are handles 4.10 vertically upwards, ending in a height level H _G. The splash guard part 4.1 is detachably connected to the collecting part 4.2 via a snap-in connection.

The parts 4.2 and 4.3 are made of one piece, which has the overall geometry of a double-stepped ring open on both sides, with an upper, conical side wall 4.12, a lower side wall and a bulge 4.7 in between, which serves as a silicone ring holder. The lower side wall has an upper cylindrical section 4.13 and a lower conical section 4.14 which opens into the central opening 4.11.

A capsule-shaped filter unit 5 for receiving coffee powder 6 is inserted into the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and has a filter holder 5.1, a filter plate 5.4 and a silicone ring 5.3. The filter unit 5, its components and functions are based on below 4 are explained in more detail, represents an exemplary embodiment of a “filter element” within the meaning of this invention.

The brewing insert 3 is inserted into the mixing bowl interior 1.4, with the collecting part 4.2 resting against the mixing bowl side wall 1.2. The outer diameter of the collecting part 4.2 is designed such that it comes to rest in a height level H _A on the side wall 1.2 during normal operation and there protrudes with its underside into the upper area of the water whirlpool 2. At the same time, the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and the filter holder 5.1 inserted therein are completely outside the water whirlpool 2. The filter holder 5.1 has an upper opening through which the partial flow derived from the water whirlpool enters the filter unit 5, and it has a lower, central opening 4.11, from which the stream of liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance emerges. The upper opening of the filter holder 1.5 is located in a level H _F which is about 0.5 cm below the level H _A . The lower, central opening 4.11 protrudes from the lower end of the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and lies in a height plane H _B . The distance between the height level H _B and the blade set 1.5 in and along the axis of rotation 1.6 is about 1.5 cm. When the cover 1.3 is in place, the underside of the cover runs in the height level H _D and the handles 4.10 rest on the underside of the cover.

Seen over the height of the mixing bowl 1, the individual height levels in the example are distributed as follows (seen from the bottom of the mixing bowl): _HS , 5cm H _B 6.5cm _HF 9cm _HA 9.5cm H _D , H _G 17cm

The directional arrows 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 indicate the flow of heated water from the water whirlpool 2 through the brewing insert 3. Via slit-shaped peripheral openings in the collecting part 4.2 (in 3 recognizable) hot water from the water whirlpool 2 enters the base element 4 and is poured into the base element 4 via a ramp with a slight gradient (0.5 degrees). the filter unit 5 passed, as further below with reference to 4 and 5 will be explained in more detail.

So far in the 2 until 14 the same reference numbers are used as in 1 , they designate identical or equivalent parts or components of the device as explained above.

2 shows a three-dimensional representation of the brewing insert 3 in a side view. Visible are the splash guard part 4.1 with the attached handles 4.10, the unit of the collecting part 4.2 and filter holder receiving part 4.3 positively connected to the splash guard part 4.1, through the central opening of which a part of the filter holder 5.1 protrudes downwards. The reference number 4.4 denotes one of a total of three longitudinal grooves which are evenly distributed around the circumference of both the splash guard part 4.1 and the collecting part 4.2. The longitudinal grooves 4.4 correspond to longitudinal ribs 1.7 ( 14 ), which extend from top to bottom on the inner wall of the mixing bowl 1. The reference number 4.5 designates a nub field whose function below with reference to 4 will be explained in more detail.

3 shows the brewing insert 3 using a different three-dimensional representation with a view of the underside. It can be seen that the underside of the collecting part 4.2 is provided with opening slots 4.6 running peripherally, which allow access of hot water from the water whirlpool 2 into the interior of the base element 4. The visible bulge 4.7 in the area between the collecting part 4.2 and the filter holder receiving part 4.3 serves to hold the silicone ring 5.3, which belongs to the filter unit 5.

• • Das Basiselement 4 aus Kunststoff mit den Bestandteilen: Spritzschutzteil 4.1 mit den Haltegriffen 4.10 an seiner Oberseite und dem Rastmittel 4.8a sowie einem Noppenfeld 4.5 zur erleichterten Identifizierung der Position des Rastmittels 4.8a. Das Spritzschutzteil 4.1 weist eine ringförmige Spritzschutzhaube 4.16 auf. Der Ring-Innenrand der Spritzschutzhaube 4.16 ist nach unten umgebogen, so dass er zusätzlich zum Spritzschutz beiträgt. Das Auffangteil 4.2 im Verbund mit dem Filterhalter-Aufnahmeteil 4.3 und der Ausbeulung 4.7 (Silikonring-Aufnahme). Das Auffangteil 4.2 ist mit einem Gegenrastmittel 4.8b ausgestattet, das mit dem Rastmittel 4.8a am Spritzschutzteil 4.1 unter Ausbildung einer formschlüssigen Verbindung zusammenwirkt. Filterhalter-Aufnahmeteil 4.3 mit einem sich nach unten verjüngenden Innenkonus 4.14, der in einer kreisförmigen zentralen Öffnung 4.11 endet.
• • Die Filtereinheit 5 mit den Bestandteilen: trichterförmiger Filterhalter 5.1 aus Kunststoff, dessen Boden mit Bodenlöcher 5.5 mit einem Durchmesser im Bereich von 1 mm bis 20mm versehen ist (im Ausführungsbeispiel beträgt der Durchmesser 6mm) und der an seiner Seitenwand Rastnasen 5.6, die mit Gegenrestelementen an der Innenseite des Filterhalter-Aufnahmeteil 4.3 zusammenwirken, und einen oberen Rand mit einem nach außen weisenden Außenflansch 5.7 aufweist. Ein im Filterhalter-Innenraum aufzunehmendes Kaffeebehältnis, beispielsweise einen Papierfilter 5.2, dessen oberer Rand nach außen umgebogen ist oder umgebogen wird und so auf den Außenflansch 5.7 umgeschlagen werden kann; ein Silikonring 5.3 mit einen zweifachen Umfangsnut, wobei in die obere Umfangsnut 5.3a (siehe 12) eine gelochten Filterplatte 5.4 aus Metall eingesetzt ist und wobei die untere Umfangsnut 5.3b den Außenflansch 5.7 des Filterhalters 5.1 sowie die darüber umgeschlagene Oberkante des Papierfilters 5.2 übergreift.

4 and 5 show in different views and representations exploded representations of the brewing insert 3 with the following components or components:

• • The base element 4 made of plastic with the components: splash guard part 4.1 with the handles 4.10 on its top and the latching means 4.8a and a knob field 4.5 for easier identification of the position of the latching means 4.8a. The splash guard part 4.1 has an annular splash guard hood 4.16. The inner edge of the ring of the splash guard 4.16 is bent down so that it also contributes to the splash guard. The collecting part 4.2 combined with the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and the bulge 4.7 (silicone ring seat). The collecting part 4.2 is equipped with a counter-locking means 4.8b, which interacts with the locking means 4.8a on the splash guard part 4.1, forming a positive connection. Filter holder receiving part 4.3 with a downwardly tapering inner cone 4.14, which ends in a circular central opening 4.11.
• • The filter unit 5 with the components: funnel-shaped filter holder 5.1 made of plastic, the bottom of which is provided with bottom holes 5.5 with a diameter in the range from 1 mm to 20 mm (in the exemplary embodiment, the diameter is 6 mm) and on its side wall there are locking lugs 5.6 with counter-rest elements on the inside of the filter holder receiving part 4.3, and has an upper edge with an outwardly facing outer flange 5.7. A coffee container to be accommodated in the filter holder interior, for example a paper filter 5.2, the upper edge of which is bent or is bent outwards and can thus be turned over onto the outer flange 5.7; a silicone ring 5.3 with a double circumferential groove, with the upper circumferential groove 5.3a (see 12 ) a perforated metal filter plate 5.4 is used and the lower peripheral groove 5.3b overlaps the outer flange 5.7 of the filter holder 5.1 and the upper edge of the paper filter 5.2 folded over it.

The filter unit 5 forms a structural unit that securely encloses the coffee powder 6 contained in the paper filter 5.2. The paper filter 5.2 has, for example, a pore size of about 15 μm and the hole diameter of the filter plate 5.4 is about 25 μm. The filter unit 5 is inserted into the filter holder receiving part 4.3, with the locking lug 5.6 latching into place on the counter-locking means of the filter holder receiving part 4.3. Finally, the splash guard part 4.1 is placed on the collecting part 4.2 in such a way that the latching means 4.8a and the counter-latching means 4.8b engage with one another, resulting in the compact brewing insert 3 as shown in FIGS 2 and 3 is shown.

The plastic parts of the brewing insert 3 are made of talc-filled polypropylene (designation PP-T20). This plastic is characterized by high mechanical strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance.

The filter plate 5.4 consists of rigid material; in the embodiment of metal with a hole diameter of about 10 microns, suitable material alternatives are ceramic or plastic. Other filter plates that are also suitable are made of flexible material such as textile and in particular cardboard or paper, with the filter plate made of the flexible material possibly being underlaid with a carrier structure, in particular a lattice structure, for the purpose of mechanical stabilization.

In alternative embodiments of the brewing insert according to the invention, the filter holder 5.1 itself is designed as a filter, with the bottom holes 5.5 having a diameter on its underside that is small enough to hold back the coffee powder 6, for example less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0. 1 mm and particularly preferably less than 0.05 mm (50 μm), so that the additional coffee container or the paper filter 5.2 can be omitted.

6 shows a three-dimensional representation of the splash guard part 4.1, which has a central ventilation opening 4.9. From the top view of the splash guard according to 4.1 7 the ventilation opening 4.9 and the handles 6, as well as the three circumferential longitudinal grooves 4.4 on the outer wall can be seen.

8th and 9 show different three-dimensional views of the collecting part 4.2 in the integral combination with the filter holder receiving part 4.3. The longitudinal grooves 4.4, the opening slots 4.6 running peripherally and the counter-ratchets 4.8b for fixing the splash guard part 4.1 can be seen.

10 shows a three-dimensional view of the filter holder 5.1. This essentially has a funnel shape and is provided with several latching lugs 5.6 on the outer wall and with bottom holes 5.5 on its underside.

11 and 12 show the silicone ring 5.3 and the filter plate 5.4 in different representations and views. The filter plate 5.4 closes the opening of the funnel-shaped filter holder 5.1 at the top. The filter plate 5.4 is made of stainless steel and has a large number of fine bores with diameters of around 25 μm, which prevent the passage of particles from the coffee powder upwards into the filter holder receiving part 4.3 or into the collecting part 4.2.

The filter plate 5.4 is placed in the upper groove of a silicone ring 5.3, which has a double groove 5.3a and 5.3b on its inside. The upper edge of the filter holder 5.1, which is designed as an outwardly projecting outer flange 5.7, projects into the lower groove 5.3b. As a result, the filter plate is firmly fixed to the funnel-shaped filter holder 5.1. Overall, the filter unit 5 forms a compact, easy-to-handle, capsule-shaped assembly in which the coffee powder is enclosed.

13 shows a blade attachment 8. This is optionally placed on the blade set 1.5 of the mixing bowl 1 in order to achieve a sufficiently pronounced and high water whirlpool 2 even when the water bath 2.4 is low. The knife attachment 8 has an adapter 8.1 for fixing to the rotating shaft of the knife set 1.5, which is followed on both sides by two shovel-shaped structures 8.2. The shovel-like formations 8.2 have a much larger rotating surface than the usual fly cutters of the set of cutters 1.5 and can therefore exert significantly higher forces on the water bath 2.4. The rotational speed required to form the water whirlpool is therefore comparatively low, which is associated with quieter operation and energy savings.

In the 14 The multifunctional food processor 10 shown schematically and in detail has, as known from the prior art, a base unit 10.1 that provides a receptacle 10.2 for the mixing pot 1, and that has a control panel including a start button 10.3 and a display 10.4 for monitoring and setting Recipes or parameters of a thermo-mechanical treatment of food in the mixing bowl 1 allows. The blade set 1.5 is driven by means of an electric motor (not shown in the figure) and the mixing bowl 1 is heated by means of a heating device (not shown in the figure).

The filling opening of the mixing bowl 1 is covered by a lid 1.3, which can be fixed on the upper edge of the mixing bowl 1 by means of a locking mechanism 10.5. The inner diameter of the mixing bowl interior 1.4 tapers from top to bottom and is about 17 cm in the upper, non-tapered area. Three inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs 1.7 run from top to bottom on the inner wall of the mixing bowl. The brewing insert 3 described above is inserted into the interior of the mixing bowl 1.4.

The brewing insert 3 according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to further embodiments of individual elements thereof. Unless in the 15 until 19 the same reference numerals as in the previous ones 1 until 14 are used, these represent identical or equivalent parts or components.

In the 15 , 16 and 17 The embodiment of the filter unit 105 shown differs from the filter unit 5 described above essentially by a flatter design and by the manner of mounting and shape of the filters used.

The filter unit 105 comprises an essentially cylindrical filter holder 105.1 made of plastic, which has a flat perforated base area 105.8 with 20 base holes 5.5, which is adjoined by a base area 105.9 that slopes slightly upwards. The diameter of the flat hole bo The area 105.8 is 48mm, with the bottom holes 5.5 running within an enveloping circle with a diameter of 35mm. The bottom holes 5.5 have a round cross-section and their diameter is 5mm. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the bottom holes (total hole cross-sectional area) is 345 mm ² . A round filter 105.2 made of paper, the diameter of which is 47 mm, is placed on the flat perforated bottom area 105.8. Latches 5.6 are provided on the side wall, which interact with mating rest elements on the inside of the filter holder receiving part 4.3.

The upper edge of the filter holder 105.1 is provided with an outwardly pointing outer flange 105.7, which has an inner circumferential step 105.5. The stage 105.5 serves as a receptacle for the perforated upper filter plate 5.4. The step height and the thickness of the upper filter plate 5.4 are identical. The perforated filter plate 5.4 is fixed to the outer flange 105.7 by means of a silicone ring 105.3 with an inner groove 105.3a, as shown in 17 is shown. The silicone ring 105.3 reaches under the flange 105.7 and at the same time presses the perforated filter plate 5.4 onto the outer flange 105.7. The filter unit 105 thus also forms a structural unit that securely encloses the coffee powder 6 applied to the round filter 105.2.

18 and 19 show a blade attachment 108 for optional reinforcement of the water whirlpool 2. For this purpose, the attachment 108 is connected to the blade set 1.5 of the mixing bowl 1. The knife attachment 108 has an adapter 108.1, which has a central bore 108.5, and it is placed on the upper end of the drive shaft of the knife set 1.5. The adapter 108.1 is followed by two shovel-like structures 8.2 on both sides, which have a much larger rotating surface than the usual fly cutters of the cutter set 1.5 and can therefore exert significantly higher forces on the water bath 2.4.

For fixing to the blade set 1.5, a hook element 108.3 is formed on the underside of the shovel-like shaped structure 8.2, which grips under one of the blades of the blade set 1.5. In addition, four cylindrical latching lugs 108.4 are distributed around the inside of the central bore 108.5 and latch into a circumferential groove of the drive shaft.

The method for producing a hot beverage is based on the in the 1 until 14 shown embodiment of the brewing insert exemplified:

example 1

About 65g of coffee beans are ground in the mixing bowl 1 using the blade set 1.5 and the ground coffee 6 is removed. About 1 liter of fresh water is poured into mixing bowl 1. The fill level of the water bath 2.4 is just below the level H _B . The water bath 2.4 is heated to 100°C and kept at this temperature.

Meanwhile, the coffee powder 6 is filled into the bag-like paper filter 5.2. The paper filter 5.2 is adapted to the inside dimensions of the filter holder 5.1. After insertion into the filter holder 5.1, the free upper edge of the paper filter 5.2 is folded outwards so that it rests on the outer flange 5.7 of the filter holder 5.1. The silicone ring 5.3 is then slipped over the outer flange 5.7 together with the paper filter 5.2 that has been pulled over it. The stainless steel filter plate 5.4 is already inserted in the upper circular groove 5.3a. The outer flange 5.7 and the bent paper filter edge now protrude into the lower circumferential annular groove 5.3b. After placing the silicone ring 5.3, a compact, capsule-shaped filter unit 5 is thus obtained, within which the coffee powder 6 is enclosed. It is surrounded on the sides by plastic material, with the upper and lower openings being delimited by filter material which is permeable to hot water and impermeable to the enclosed coffee powder 6 .

The capsule-shaped filter unit 5 is then inserted into the filter holder receiving part 4.3, the inner contour of which is adapted to the outer contour of the filter unit 5. The positive fit of the locking lugs 5.6 with the corresponding counterparts on the inner wall of the filter holder receiving part 4.3 ensures a reproducible height fixation. In particular, the capsule-shaped filter unit 5 has an outer cone whose angle of inclination corresponds to that of the inner _{cone 4.14} for the silicone ring 4.7 ends. The bottom of the funnel-shaped filter holder 5.1 with bottom holes 5.5 projects a few millimeters out of the central opening 4.11 and ends in the height level H _B .

The splash guard part 4.1 is then clipped onto the integral unit made up of the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and the collecting part 4.2. Here, the locking means 4.8a and 4.8b mutually engage with the formation of a form fitting, so that a capsule-shaped base element 4 is obtained, which encloses the filter unit 5. The base element 4 and the filter unit form the brewing insert 3.

The brewing insert 3 obtained in this way is placed in the mixing bowl 1, whereby the two handles 4.10 can be used for easier alignment. The conical side wall 4.12 (outer cone) lies against the conical inner wall 1.2 (inner cone) of mixing bowl 1. The cone angle and the diameter of the conical side wall 4.12 are selected so that the base element 4 and thus also its peripheral opening slots 4.6 rest against the inner wall of the mixing bowl 1.2 at a predetermined height level H _A and the brewing insert 3 extends completely above the height level H _B . The mixing bowl lid 1.3 is put on so that the underside of the lid is in the height level H _D , in which the handles 10.4 end (the height levels H _G and H _D are identical).

The set of knives 1.5 is then rotated at a rotational speed that exerts a centrifugal force on the hot water bath 2.4 that is sufficient to generate a whirlpool 2 that reaches a height on the mixing bowl inner wall 1.2 that is above the height level H _A . As a result, water from the water whirlpool 2 enters the base element 4 through the peripheral opening slots 4.6, as indicated by the directional arrows 2.1 in 1 imply. The splash guard 4.1 prevents splashes of hot water from escaping the brewing insert 3. The diameter of the opening 4.9 of the splash guard part 4.1 is 6 cm in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, it can also be selected to be smaller; for example, less than 5cm to safely prevent water leakage. The downwardly bent edge of the opening 4.9 also contributes to this.

The washed-in due to the centrifugal force in the base member 4 subset of liquid from the water whirlpool 2 is in the 1 represented by reference number 2.2. It is deflected in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1.6 and flows on an inclined surface 4.15 within the base element 4 to the filter carrier receiving part 4.3 and the capsule-shaped filter unit 5 inserted therein C has, penetrates the stainless steel filter plate 5.4 and reaches the coffee powder portion 6 enclosed in the filter unit 5, which penetrates it from top to bottom as a result of gravity, and in the process absorbs extracts from the coffee powder 6. The filter plate 5.4, which is firmly mounted on the filter holder 5.1 by means of a silicone ring 5.3, prevents the coffee powder 6 from being flushed out upwards.

The enriched with extracts from the coffee powder 6 and dripping from the brewing insert 3 coffee stream is in the 1 represented by reference number 2.3. It emerges from the paper filter 5.2 and the bottom holes 5.5 of the filter holder 5.1 into a draining space (empty space 1.8) above the water whirlpool 2. The empty space 1.8 is part of the mixing bowl interior 1.4 and is created because the water whirlpool 2 forms a lower apex in a level Hs that lies below the level HB, i.e. below the brewing insert _3. The coffee stream 2.3 enriched with extracts mixes with the hot water of the water whirlpool 2, of which a subset 2.2 is branched off and further enriched with coffee extracts. As a result of this iterative brewing process, the liquid inside the mixing bowl interior is continuously enriched with coffee extracts and thus becomes a coffee drink. The iterative brewing process ends as soon as the coffee beverage has reached the desired quality or strength. This is the case, for example, after about 12 minutes.

example 2

In another variant of the method, about 1 liter of fresh water is poured into the mixing bowl 1. The filter unit 5 fitted with the coffee powder 6 is inserted into the base element 4 and forms the brewing insert 3 which is inserted into the mixing bowl 1 of the food processor 10 . The minimum height level H _B of the brewing insert 3 is at the water surface or even just below it. The cover 1.3 is then put on and the food processor 10 is switched on. The blade set 1.5 is rotated at a rotational speed that is sufficient for a water vortex to form, the lower apex of which is below the minimum height level H _B . The water whirlpool generated in this way has a maximum that lies below the height level H _A , so that no partial flow is diverted in the direction of the filter element 5 .

At the same time or subsequently, the water bath 2 is heated to the target temperature of, for example, 98° C. or 100° C. and kept at this temperature.

After the target temperature has been reached, the rotational speed of the knife set 1.5 is increased to such an extent that the water whirlpool 2 is formed with the strength and shape explained above in Example 1. Only then is a partial flow diverted from it, so that liquid, hot water comes into contact with the coffee powder 6 and the iterative brewing process starts.

Reference List

1

mixing bowl

1.1

floor

1.2

Side wall

1.3

lid

1.4

Mixing bowl interior

1.5

knife set

1.6

axis of rotation

1.7

longitudinal rib

1.8

white space

1.9

heating device

2

water vortex

2.1

directional arrows

2.2

subset

2.3

coffee stream

2.4

water bath

3

brew insert

4

base element

4.1

anti-splash part

4.2

collection part

4.3

Filter holder receiving part

4.4

longitudinal grooves

4.5

knob field

4.6

Peripheral opening slits

4.7

bulging

4.8a

locking means

4.8b

counter-locking means

4.9

vent hole

4.10

grab handles

4.11

circle opening

4.12

Tapered sidewall

4.13

Cylindrical section

4.14

conical section

4.15

inclined surface

4.16

Outer collar of 4.1

5

filter unit

5.1

filter holder

5.2

Coffee container / paper filter

5.3

silicone ring

5.3a

upper groove

5.3b

lower groove

5.4

filter plate

5.5

through holes

5.6

detents

5.7

outer flange

6

coffee powder

8th

knife attachment

8.1

adapter

8.2

shovels

10

food processor

10.1

base unit

10.2

Mixing bowl intake

10.3

start button

10.4

screen

10.5

locking

105

filter unit

105.1

filter holder

105.2

round filter

105.3

silicone ring

105.3a

inner groove

105.5

circumferential step

105.7

outer flange

105.8

perforated floor area

105.9

inclined floor area

108

knife attachment

108.1

adapter

108.3

hook element

108.4

detents

108.5

central bore

HD, HF, HB, HA, HS

elevation levels

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 10210442 A1 [0009]

Claims (14)

Device for preparing a hot beverage, comprising: (1) a heater (1.9) designed to heat a liquid, (2) a preparation vessel (1), which is equipped with a holder for a collecting bath (2.4) made of the hot liquid and with a rotating element (1.5) which can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation (1.6) and which is used to generate a liquid whirlpool (2 ) from the hot liquid in the collecting bath (2.4) is suitable, (3) a brewing insert (3) for insertion into the preparation vessel (1), the brewing insert (3) having: (i) a discharge element (4), (ii) a filter element (5) with a receptacle (5.1) for an infusion substance (6), the diversion element (4) for diverting a liquid subset (2.2) from the liquid whirlpool (2) and for supplying the liquid subset ( 2.2) is designed for the filter element (5), and wherein the filter element (5) is designed for introducing the liquid enriched with the infusion substance (6) or with extracts of the infusion substance (6) into the collecting bath (2.4). device after claim 1 , characterized in that the rotation element (1.5) is designed to generate a liquid vortex (2) having a lower apex in a level Hs, and that the filter element (5) is arranged above the level Hs. device after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the distance between the rotation element (1.5) and the filter element (5) in and along the axis of rotation (1.6) is in the range from 0.3 cm to 5 cm, preferably in the range from 0.5 cm to 3 cm. Device according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the diverting element (4) rests against an inner wall of the preparation vessel (1) in a height level H _A and extends from the outside inward to the filter element (5), the distance between the height level H _A and the filter element (5) has a gradient in an angular range between 0 and 5 degrees, preferably a maximum of 4 degrees. Device according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the diverting element (4) is ring-shaped with an outer edge (4.2; 4.12), an upper side of the ring and a lower side of the ring, the outer edge (4.2; 4.12) lying against an inner wall of the preparation vessel (1), and wherein in the area of the outer edge, openings (4.6) are provided between the underside and the top of the ring. device after claim 5 , characterized in that the preparation vessel (1) has an interior (1.4) which tapers from top to bottom over at least part of its height, and that the outer edge (4.2; 4.12) of the diverting element (4) has a has an upward-pointing, circumferential collar (4.12) that rests against the inner wall, and wherein preferably several inwardly projecting longitudinal ribs (1.7) extend from top to bottom along at least part of the height of the inner wall of the preparation vessel (1), and that the circumferential collar (4.12) has an outer contour with longitudinal grooves (4.4) adapted to the longitudinal ribs (1.7). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the diverting element (4) comprises a lower container part (4.2; 4.3) and an upper container part (4.1) detachably mounted on the lower container part (4.2; 4.3), the upper container part (4.1) having a pointing, peripheral collar (4.16). device after claim 7 , characterized in that the preparation vessel (1) has a filling opening and a lid (1.3) for at least partially covering the filling opening, the lid (1.3) having a lid underside which runs in a height plane H _D , and from the upper Container part (4.1) a handle part (4.10) protrudes upwards, which ends in a height level H _G , where: H _D ≥ H _G > H _D + 1 cm. Expansion insert (3) for a preparation vessel, in particular for the preparation vessel of a food processor, having: (i) a discharge element (4), (ii) a filter element (5) with a receptacle for an infusion substance (6), the diversion element (4) for diverting a liquid portion (2.2) from a liquid vortex (2) and for supplying the liquid portion (2.2) to the Filter element (5) is designed, and wherein the filter element (5) is designed for deriving a liquid enriched with the infusion substance (6) or with extracts of the infusion substance (6) into a collecting bath (2.4). Extension use after claim 9 , characterized in that the receptacle of the filter element (5) comprises a receptacle (5.1) which has a filling opening and a bottom with bottom holes (5.5), the filling opening being covered by a filter, preferably by a removable filter plate (5.4). is. Extension insert according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the discharge element (4) is ring-shaped with an outer edge (4.2; 4.12), an inner edge, an upper side of the ring and a lower side of the ring, openings ( 4.6) are provided between the ring bottom and ring top and the inner edge runs around the filter element (5), and that the ring top has a gradient in an angular range between 0 and 5 degrees, preferably a maximum of 4 degrees, and wherein the outer edge (4.2; 4.12) preferably has a circumferential collar (4.12) pointing obliquely upwards and outwards and is provided with longitudinal grooves (4.4). Extension insert after one of the claims 9 until 11 , characterized in that the diverting element (4) comprises a lower container part (4.2; 4.3) and an upper container part (4.1) detachably mounted on the lower container part (4.2; 4.3), the upper container part (4.1) having a has an inward-pointing, circumferential collar (4.16), and that a handle part (4.10) protrudes upwards from the upper container part (4.1). Extension insert according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the filter element (5) forms a multi-part filter unit (5.1; 5.3; 5.4) and that a lower container part (4.2; 4.3) of the discharge element (4) is a filter holder receiving part (4.3) into which the filter unit (5.1; 5.3; 5.4) can be inserted. Extension insert according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a liquid vortex intensifier element (8) which can be placed on a rotating element (1.5).

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