DE202022104663U1 - 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 beverage.

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

With those from the DE 1 838 078 U known methods and devices for brewing coffee, hot coffee water is provided in a collection container. In a first procedure, a two-part, water-permeable drum, which can be rotated about its vertical longitudinal axis, is filled with coffee powder and lateral water outlet openings are covered with a filter strip. The drum filled with the coffee powder is dipped into the coffee water from above, which means that the hot coffee water comes into contact with the coffee powder. The drum is then brought into a position above the water surface within the collection container and rotated about its longitudinal axis. The water in the drum is thrown outwards by the centrifugal force through the coffee powder and the filter strip and reaches the collection container. This immersion and centrifugal process can be repeated several times.

In another method, the two-part, water-permeable drum protrudes from above into the hot coffee water, but without being completely immersed in it. The lower part of the interior of the drum is designed as a depression that is filled with coffee powder and is covered by a filter disk. There are protuberances on the underside of the drum which dip into the coffee water and which, as the drum rotates, act as pump blades, continuously pumping hot water into the interior of the drum where it comes into contact with the ground coffee. The hot water, enriched with the coffee extract, flows out of the openings on the side of the drum into the collection container. The strength of the extract depends on the pump duration.

Food processors are used for the preparation and / or preparation of food and for the treatment of food, such as for mechanical kneading, stirring, crushing 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 known. 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.

From the CN 109 480 630 A a method and a device for brewing tea or coffee using such a food processor with a preparation vessel and a rotating blade set at the bottom of the same are known. The infusion substance is located within a filter cup which has a side wall with a plurality of side wall openings and a base with base openings. Baffle plates pointing outwards can extend from the bottom over a partial height along the side wall of the preparation vessel. The filter cup is inserted into the preparation vessel above the set of knives in such a way that an annular flow channel is formed between its side wall and the inner wall of the preparation vessel, which is fluidically connected to the side wall openings. Due to the rotation of the knife set, hot water flows upwards on the inner wall of the preparation vessel due to centrifugal force and is deflected by the baffle plates in the direction of the side wall openings and thus into the filter cup. After contact with the infusion substance, the hot water enriched with extracts flows through the openings in the bottom into the preparation vessel.

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. These parameters or at least some of them can be optimized by complex 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 used to generate a Liquid whirlpools from the hot liquid suitable.

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 or attached to 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 (differences in height) 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 contact or even flooding of the infusion substance, for example as a result of turbulence and level fluctuations 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 the range of 0.5 cm to 3 cm.

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

The infusion substance is received in the brewing chamber. The bottom of the brewing chamber can serve as a filter, which retains the solid particles of the particulate infusion substance, or the infusion substance is arranged for this purpose on or within a filter, such as a paper filter or a filter bag, with the filter being arranged in or at the brewing chamber . The brewing chamber forms, for example, a filter holder, which is preferably designed in the shape of a funnel, or it forms a filter holder with a preferably flat bottom, on which a small filter plate is placed, preferably a small filter plate made of paper. In embodiments in which the bottom of the brewing chamber serves as a filter, the bottom openings are either so small that they act as filter pores in the sense that they retain solid particles of the infusion substance, or the bottom openings are covered by a filter material that has such small filter pores having. In this case, the filter material is preferably integrated into the filter element, for example by casting in an injection molding process. It consists, for example, of a fabric produced by textile processing, for example a knitted fabric or a fabric, preferably made of metal and in particular stainless steel.

In embodiments of the device in which the base of the brewing chamber does not serve as a filter but to hold the actual filter, the brewing chamber has a perforated base with a plurality of base openings through which liquid escaping from the filter can escape into the collection space; preferably it is 5 to 50, preferably 10 to 40 and particularly preferably at least 15 bottom openings. The opening cross section of the bottom openings 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 base openings are distributed over as large a base area as possible, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the base openings (total hole cross-section area) takes up as large a proportion of the base 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 of the bottom openings 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 openings 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 collection 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 brewing chamber 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 brewing chamber than for a funnel-shaped (conical) brewing chamber. 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 the height or strength of the liquid whirlpool 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, it comprises a brewing chamber for receiving the infusion substance, which has a filling opening which can be closed or closed completely or partially by a filter, for example a filter plate. The filter or the filter plate can be an independent component that is detachably connected either to the discharge element or to the filter element, or the filter is firmly connected either to the discharge element or to the filter element. The filter can be rigid or flexible and consist, for example, of metal, ceramic, plastic, textile and in particular paper, the flexible filter possibly being supported with a carrier structure, in particular a lattice structure, for the purpose of mechanical stabilization.

The filter at least partially closes off the filling opening of the brewing chamber at the top. It can consist of one piece or of several filter parts. He is just trained in the simplest case. However, a closed liquid film can form on it, which can prevent the brewing chamber from being ventilated, which makes it difficult for the liquid to flow evenly through the filter element and the infusion substance. In order to prevent this, a ventilation means communicating with the brewing chamber is advantageously provided. The ventilation means which communicates with the brewing chamber - that is to say here allows an exchange of air - has, for example, an upper opening in an upper height level and a lower opening which is open towards the brewing chamber. The respective openings are permeable to air, but can be occupied by a filter, for example. The lower level lies, for example, on the level H _F or below, in which the filling opening is located. And the upper opening is about 1 cm above this level.

The ventilation means is, for example, an opening in the brewing chamber wall or preferably it is an open vent pipe to the filling opening or as an elevation of the filter above the filling opening, for example as a filter bulge, with the elevation or Bulge is so high that it can not be flooded by a liquid film, so is also preferably 1 cm higher than the filter plate height level H _F. One end of the ventilation pipe protrudes, for example, into the filling opening or into the brewing chamber, so that air can enter the brewing chamber through the other, upper end. The upper end of the ventilation pipe is, for example, at least 1 cm above the height level H _F . The filling opening can also be partially closed, for example by means of a filter, as long as an exchange of air between the brewing chamber and the upper end of the ventilation pipe is ensured.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter itself is the ventilation means, because it has filter pores that represent openings into the receptacle. For this purpose, at least one of these filter pores, preferably several of the filter pores, are arranged in an area in which a closed liquid film cannot form. It has been shown that the liquid film usually does not exceed a height of about 1 cm above the filter level. Filter pores that are above this level, for example 1.5 cm or higher, are therefore always or at least mostly free of liquid. To ensure ventilation, it has proven useful if the filter has one or more bumps. The unevenness is preferably designed as an elevation of the filter, in particular as a bulging of the filter upwards. The elevation or bulge of the filter serves as an impediment for the formation of a closed liquid film on the filter and the filter pores in the area of the elevation or bulge ensure ventilation of the receptacle.

It has proven to be advantageous if the diverting element bears against an inner wall of the preparation vessel at a height level H _A and extends from the outside in to the filter part.

The diverting element protrudes into the liquid whirlpool and rests on the inner wall of the preparation vessel above the filter element or at the same height as it. The average gradient of the discharge element from the outside to the inside is as small as possible. The section between the height level H _A and the filter element can, for example, have a gradient in an angular range between 0 and 8 degrees 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 the 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 diverting element also has a downwardly conically tapering length section with an outer cone in adaptation to this inner contour, the inner and outer cones coming into mutual contact at a predetermined height and a flat Form contact area between the inner wall and the collar of the discharge 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. Due to its own weight and in particular after it has been filled with the infusion substance and with liquid, the discharge element sits firmly on the inner wall which tapers conically downwards. Complex mounting of the discharge element, for example on the base or on the lid of the preparation vessel, is therefore not necessary.

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 from top to bottom over at least part of the height of the inner wall. 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 pot opening and a lid for at least partially covering the pot opening, the lid having a lid underside which runs in a vertical plane H _D , and a handle part protruding upwards from the diverting element, 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. Thereby the vertical position of the brewing insert within the preparation vessel is additionally stabilized. 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 wholly or partly enclosed in a filter element having a filter made, for example, of paper, textile, metal, ceramic or plastic, for example in a filter bag, filter bag or other filter container, or it is on the filter element, for example on a filter plate. The filter is located inside the preparation vessel and can be held by a filter holder. The pore or mesh size of the filter 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 prevents particles of the infusion substance from being washed into the hot drink. 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 flow of hot liquid flowing through the infusion substance hen thus on the centrifugal force, preferably supported by the diverting of the partial flow by means of the diverting element and the supply to the infusion substance 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, feeding 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 collective 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 whirlpool depends, among other things, on the fill level of the collecting bath and on the force that the rotary element exerts on the liquid, which in turn is largely determined by the rotational speed given the shape of the rotary 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. 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, generating 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 vertical 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 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.

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 discharge element preferably protrudes into the liquid vortex at a height level H _A . The diverting element can have a slope between the height level H _A and the filter element, which is, for example, 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 that is permanently diverted from the liquid vortex 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. The average slope of the diverting element is therefore as small as possible and preferably has an angle of inclination of at most 5 degrees, particularly preferably 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. The above for the method and the device in What has been said with regard 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 or attached to 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 in which the brewing chamber itself serves as a filter, there are bottom openings that are either so small that they act as filter pores in the sense that they retain solid particles of the infusion substance, or the bottom openings are covered by a filter material that is so small designed filter pores. In this case, the filter material is preferably integrated into the filter element, for example by casting in an injection molding process. It consists, for example, of a fabric produced by textile processing, for example a knitted fabric or a fabric, preferably made of metal and in particular stainless steel.

In embodiments of the extension insert, in which the base of the brewing chamber itself does not serve as a filter but to hold the actual filter, the brewing chamber has a perforated base with a number of base openings 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 openings. The opening cross section of the bottom openings 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 base openings are distributed over as large a base area as possible, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the base holes (total hole cross-sectional area) takes up as large a proportion of the base 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 openings 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 brewing chamber with a larger perforated base with the same overall height. In other words, to provide the same internal volume, one suffices substantially cylindrical brewing chamber has a lower overall height than a funnel-shaped (conical) brewing chamber. 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 brewing space with a filling opening and a base with base openings, the filling opening being closed or closable by a filter,

The filter consists, for example, of metal, ceramic or plastic and has a large number of fine openings which prevent the passage of particles from the infusion substance. The filter can be part of the filter element or part of the drain element, or it forms an independent filter component that can be connected to the filter element or to the drain element.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter is designed as a removable filter plate. The filter plate can be rigid or flexible, with the flexible filter plate optionally being underlaid with a carrier structure, in particular a lattice structure, for the purpose of mechanical stabilization. The filter plate at least partially closes off the filling opening of the brewing chamber at the top. It can consist of one piece or of several filter plate pieces. It is just formed in the simplest case.

However, a closed film of liquid can form on it, which can prevent the brewing chamber from being ventilated, which makes it difficult for the liquid to flow evenly through the filter element and the starting substance.

In order to prevent this, a ventilation means communicating with the brewing chamber is provided, which is preferably designed as a ventilation pipe open to the filling opening or as an elevation of the filter, for example as an upward bulge.

The filling opening of the brewing chamber is at a level H _F . The aerating means communicating with the brewing chamber—that means here: allowing an exchange of air—prevents a liquid film from forming, which completely closes off the filling opening of the brewing chamber. The exchange of air is ensured when the ventilation means has an upper opening at an upper level and a lower opening which is open to the brewing chamber. The respective openings are permeable to air, but can be occupied by a filter, for example.

The lower level lies, for example, on the level H _F or below, in which the filling opening is located. And the upper opening is about 1 cm above this level. It is preferably designed as a ventilation pipe that ends at the filling opening or that protrudes into the brewing chamber and through the other, upper end of which air can enter, which is, for example, at least 1 cm above the level _HF . The filling opening of the brewing chamber can also be partially closed, for example by means of a filter, as long as only an exchange of air between the brewing chamber and the upper end of the ventilation pipe is ensured. Or the ventilation means is designed as an elevation, for example as a bulge in the filter plate above the filling opening, with the bulge being so high that it cannot be flooded by a liquid film, i.e. it is also preferably 1 cm higher than the filter plate height level H _F .

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter plate itself is the ventilation means, since it has filter pores that represent openings into the brewing chamber. For this purpose, at least one of these filter pores, preferably several of the filter pores, are arranged in an area in which a closed liquid film cannot form. It has been shown that the liquid film usually does not exceed a height of about 1 cm above the filter plate level. Filter pores that are above this level, for example 1.5 cm or higher, are therefore always or at least mostly free of liquid. In order to ensure this, it has proven useful if the filter plate has one or more bumps. The unevenness is preferably designed as an upward bulging of the filter plate. The bulge of the filter plate serves as an impediment for the formation of a closed film of liquid on the filter plate and the filter pores in the area of the bulge ensure ventilation of the brewing chamber.

In another preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a fabric and a support member for the fabric.

The textile fabric is, for example, a knitted fabric, knitted fabric, netting or a woven fabric, which can be made of natural fibers, plastic fibers or metal fibers and can be in the form of a flat, plate-shaped body structure or a three-dimensional body structure. It can consist of a single Gene textile sheet exist or it can be composed of several pieces of land.

The textile fabric can be designed to be self-supporting, but the shape of the body structure is preferably specified and stabilized by a support part or by a plurality of support parts. The support part forms, for example, a planar or a three-dimensional structure to which the textile fabric is attached and/or which is spanned by the textile fabric.

The textile fabric covers the central outlet opening of the discharge element and, when used as intended, at least partially closes off the brewing chamber at the top and thus prevents floating infusion substance from escaping from the brewing chamber. On the other hand, the liquid discharged from the discharge element passes through the filter (through the textile fabric) into the brewing chamber. The textile fabric is therefore used for filtering and is therefore permeable to liquid but as impermeable as possible to any floating particles of the infusion substance. The openings present during production form filter pores, the size of which is determined by the mesh width of the knitted fabric or by the thread count of the fabric. It has been shown that the filter pores of the textile fabric are more permeable to the liquid (water) than holes of approximately the same size in a filter plate. This can be attributed to the tortuosity and the irregular inner geometry and border of these filter pores, in which the liquid passage impeding effects, such as surface tension and capillary forces, can have less of an impact than in comparatively straight, symmetrical and cylindrical bores with smooth bore edges.

The infusion substance is absorbed in the brewing chamber. The bottom of the brewing chamber 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 brewing chamber. The brewing chamber forms, for example, a filter holder, which is preferably designed in a funnel shape, or it forms a filter holder with a preferably flat bottom, on which a small filter plate is placed, preferably a small filter plate made of paper.

Before or after assembling the extension insert, the filter plate or the textile fabric at least partially closes the filling opening of the brewing chamber at the top and thereby prevents easily floating particles of the infusion substance - such as coffee powder or tea leaves - from being discharged upwards from the brewing chamber and get into the discharge element, from where they can possibly 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 ring-shaped with an outer edge, a ring top and a ring bottom, with the outer edge being designed to rest against the inner wall of the preparation vessel, and with openings between the ring bottom and ring top in the area of the outer edge are provided.

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 vortex, 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 a flat contact area rich forms between the inner wall and the collar of the discharge element.

Due to its own weight and in particular after it has been filled with the infusion substance and with liquid, the discharge element sits firmly on the inner wall which tapers conically downwards. Complex mounting of the discharge element, for example on the base or on the lid of the preparation vessel, is therefore not necessary.

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.

The filter unit comprises, for example, a preferably funnel-shaped brewing chamber and a filter plate which closes off the opening of the brewing chamber 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, whereby it can optionally be underlaid with a carrier structure, in particular with a lattice structure, or supported and held on it for the purpose of mechanical stabilization.

The opening of the brewing chamber 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. As a result, the filter plate is firmly fixed above the brewing chamber. 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 brewing chamber has a circumferential step at the top, 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, positive-locking connections have proven their worth, such as locking means, for example, which fasten the rotary element especially in the area close to the vertical axis of rotation.

example

• 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 eine 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,
• 19 den Schaufelaufsatz von 18 in einer Draufsicht auf den Adapter,
• 20 eine weitere Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung und in einer seitlichen Ansicht auf das Ableitelement von schräg oben,
• 21 eine weitere Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung und in einer Ansicht auf das Ableitelement von schräg oben,
• 22 eine weitere Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung und in einer Ansicht auf das Ableitelement von schräg oben,
• 23 die Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes von 22 in einer Seitenansicht,
• 24 eine weitere Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes für Heißgetränke in einer dreidimensionalen Linien-Darstellung und in einer Ansicht auf das Ableitelement von schräg oben,
• 25 eine dreidimensionale Darstellung des Ableitelements von 24 in einer anderen, fotographischen Darstellungsweise,
• 26 eine dreidimensionale Darstellung der Filtereinheit des Brüheinsatzes von 24 in einer fotographischen Darstellungsweise,
• 27 die Ausführungsform des Brüheinsatzes von 24 mit Ableitelement und Filtereinheit in einer Explosionsdarstellung, und
• 28 eine dreidimensionale fotographische Darstellung des Brüheinsatzes von 24 in einer Seitenansicht.

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 blade attachment for a rotating element to increase the liquid vortex in a three-dimensional representation,
• 19 the shovel attachment from 18 in a plan view of the adapter,
• 20 a further embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a three-dimensional representation and in a side view of the discharge element from diagonally above,
• 21 a further embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a three-dimensional representation and in a view of the diverting element at an angle from above,
• 22 a further embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a three-dimensional representation and in a view of the diverting element at an angle from above,
• 23 the embodiment of the brewing insert from 22 in a side view,
• 24 a further embodiment of the brewing insert for hot drinks in a three-dimensional line representation and in a view of the diverting element obliquely from above,
• 25 a three-dimensional representation of the discharge element of 24 in a different, photographic representation,
• 26 a three-dimensional representation of the filter unit of the brewing insert from 24 in a photographic representation,
• 27 the embodiment of the brewing insert from 24 with discharge element and filter unit in an exploded view, and
• 28 a three-dimensional photographic representation of the brewing insert from 24 in a side view.

The invention is explained in more detail using an insert for brewing coffee (in fol (also referred to as a “brew basket”) designed to be used with a food processor mixing bowl.

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 height 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 a 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 bottom with several bottom holes 5.5, from which the stream of liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance emerges. The upper opening of the filter holder 5.1 is in a level H _F which is about 0.5 cm below the level H _A . The base with the base holes 5.5 protrudes from the lower end of the filter holder receiving part 4.3 and lies in a vertical plane H _B . The distance between the height level H _B and the knife set 1.5 in and along the axis of rotation 1.6 is approximately 1.5 cm. When the lid 1.3 is in place, the underside of the lid runs in the height plane H _D and the handles 4.10 rest against the underside of the lid.

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. About slotted moderate peripheral openings in the collection part 4.2 (in 3 recognizable), hot water from the water whirlpool 2 enters the base element 4 and is fed into the filter unit 5 via a ramp with a slight gradient (0.5 degrees), as will be seen below with reference to FIG 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 Bodenlöchern 5.5 mit einem Durchmesser im Bereich von 1mm 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 1mm to 20mm (in the exemplary embodiment, the diameter is 6mm) and on its side wall latching lugs 5.6, which are fitted with counter-residual elements 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.

In this case, the filter plate 5.4 is assigned to the filter unit 5 and is detachably connected to it. It 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 suitable filter plates also exist made of flexible material such as textile and in particular cardboard or paper, with the filter plate made of the flexible material optionally 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 pot 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. Unless in the 15 until 28 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 bottom area 105.8 with 20 bottom holes 5.5, which is followed by a bottom area 105.9 that slopes slightly upwards. The diameter of the flat hole bottom area 105.8 is 48 mm, with the bottom holes 5.5 running within an enveloping circle with a diameter of 35 mm. 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. 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 the filter unit 5 encloses. 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.

the 20 until 23 show further preferred embodiments of a brewing insert according to the invention. If the same reference numerals are used as in the previous figures, then structurally identical or equivalent components and components are referred to as they are based on above the description of the other embodiments of the brewing insert are explained in more detail.

the inside 20 Brewing insert 203 shown comprises a discharge element 204 with a collecting part 204.2, a filter retaining ring 204.3 and handles 4.10. The handles 4.10 protrude vertically upwards from the collecting part 204.2. When using the brewing insert 203 in mixing bowl 1 ( 1 ) they end in the height level H _G . The named components of the diverting element 204 (collecting part 204.2, filter retaining ring 204.3, handles 4.10) form a one-piece injection molded part.

In contrast to the brewing insert 3 ( 2 ) the brewing insert 203 does not have a splash guard; the collecting part 204.2 is therefore open at the top.

Furthermore, the brewing insert 203 includes a filter unit (not shown in the figure) for receiving the coffee powder. This is mounted detachably from below on the filter retaining ring 204.3 of the collecting part 204.2.

The partial flow derived from the water whirlpool via the opening slots 4.6 enters the filter unit through a central opening of the injection molded part 204, which is closed by a stainless steel filter plate 205.4 that curves upwards. The filter plate 205.4 is connected to the bottom top side 204.1 of the discharge element 204, for example by a form fit or by a material bond. The filter pores of the filter plate are not shown in the figure; they have a pore size of 0.5 mm and a center distance of 0.8 mm and they are also present in the dome-shaped bulge of the filter plate 205.4. This contributes to a continuous flow through the filter unit and the coffee powder it contains. This can be attributed to the fact that the bulging of the filter plate 205.4 counteracts the formation of a closed film of liquid on the filter plate 205.4, which in turn can lead to a stagnant, uneven outflow of the liquid through the pores of the filter plate 205.4 as a result of capillary or pressure forces. The bulge is so high that the liquid film cannot permanently wash over it. Assuming a normal liquid film with a height of about 1 cm, a dome height of 3 cm, for example, is perfectly sufficient; it can also be smaller. The filter pores in the area of the bulge ensure ventilation or venting of the interior of the filter unit.

The flow of liquid enriched with extracts of the infusion substance passes through several bottom openings 5.5 ( 10 ) of the filter unit.

The bulging of the filter plate 205.4 thus serves as an impediment for the formation of a closed film of liquid on the filter plate 205.4 and it ensures that the interior of the filter unit is ventilated. The geometry and position of this imperfection is in and of itself arbitrary.

At the in 21 The embodiment shown of the brewing insert 303 according to the invention corresponds to the design of the diverting element 204, consisting of the collecting part 204.2, the filter holder ring 204.3 and the handles 4.10 20 . Here, too, a capsule-shaped filter unit for receiving the coffee powder is attached to a filter holding ring 204.3 of the collecting part 204.2.

In contrast to the discharge element 204 ( 20 ) the discharge element 304 is closed at the top by a ring-shaped filter 305.4 made of stainless steel, the inner edge of which borders on a hollow cylinder 305.5 projecting vertically upwards. The filter pores not shown in the figure have a pore width of 0.5 mm and a center distance of 0.8 mm. The hollow cylinder 305.5 has an inside diameter of 50 mm and a height that corresponds to that of the handles 4.10. The hollow cylinder 305.5 and the handles 4.10 end in the height level H _G and are therefore located on the underside of the attached lid 1.3 ( 1 ) easily.

The interior of the filter unit is permanently ventilated through the bore of the hollow cylinder 305.5, which is open at the top and bottom. In this regard, the hollow cylinder 305.5 has a similar effect to the upwardly curved filter plate 205.4 in the embodiment of FIG 20 . It counteracts the formation of a closed film of liquid which closes off the filter unit at the top and thus prevents a stagnant, uneven outflow of the liquid through the pores of the ring-shaped filter 305.4.

Also the one in the 22 and 23 shown brewing insert 403 for use in a mixing bowl 1 ( 1 ) has no splash guard and is open at the top. It comprises a discharge element 404 manufactured in one piece by injection molding and composed of a collecting part 404.2 and a base 404.1. The bottom 404.1 slopes from the outside inwards and part of the bottom 401.1 forms the top of a filter holder ring 404.3, on which a separate filter unit (not shown in the figure) for receiving coffee powder is detachably attached from below.

The bottom 404.1 has a central opening which opens into the filter unit and which is closed at the top by a filter cap 405.4 (and therefore in the 22 covered). The filter cap 405.4 has the shape of an inverted, essentially cylindrical cup, with the “cup rim” being connected to that of the discharge element base 404.1. This connection is integral in the embodiment; it is produced, for example, by overmoulding a cup-shaped insert during production of the discharge element 404 using the injection molding process. As an alternative to this, the filter cap 405.4 is connected to the base 404.1 of the discharge element 404 by a positive fit.

The filter cap 405.4 has several liquid-permeable filter areas that are covered with a textile fabric. In the exemplary embodiment, the textile fabric is designed as a flexible stainless steel mesh 405.5 made from wires with a wire diameter of 120 μm. The pore size of the 405.5 stainless steel mesh is usually specified as a mesh size in the unit "mesh", with the 405.5 stainless steel mesh having a mesh size of 80, which corresponds to a pore size of about 180 µm. The stainless steel mesh 405.5 is fixed to a support structure 405.6 made of stainless steel strips that define the shape of the cup.

Four of the filter areas covered with stainless steel mesh 405.5 are located on the lateral surface and another four filter areas are located on the "cup bottom" pointing upwards. The filter cap 405.4 has a height of 30mm. It works - similar to the bulging of the filter plate 205.4 according to 20 - Counteracts the formation of a closed film of liquid above the filter unit. In particular, the four filter areas on the upward-pointing "cup bottom" ensure ventilation of the interior of the filter unit even if the liquid should be up to the top of the filter cap side wall. Despite their comparatively small size, the filter pores are easily permeable to the liquid (water) supplied by the drain element 404 and they reliably prevent particles of the infusion substance floating upwards from reaching the upper side of the drain element 404 . In this case, the filter cap 405 is assigned to the diverting element 404 and is firmly connected to it.

In another embodiment, the filter areas on the bottom of the cup, which are covered with stainless steel mesh 405.5, are partially or completely replaced by at least one bore or by an end face of the filter cap 204 that is open at the top.

The cylindrical shape of the filter cap 204 is preferred because of its ease of manufacture. In another embodiment, the filter cap 405.4 can have a shape that deviates from the cylindrical shape and is designed, for example, in the shape of a cone, a truncated cone, a pyramid or a truncated pyramid.

As already stated above, the coffee powder to be brewed is located in the filter unit, which is detachably attached to the base 404.1 of the diverting element 404 from below. The coffee powder is on another filter, as it is, for example, based on the embodiments according to 1 until 14 as well as the 15 and 16 is described. The entire filter element thus comprises at least one upper filter (which prevents coffee powder particles from being flushed out upwards) and at least one lower filter (which prevents coffee powder particles from being flushed out downwards). So that the coffee powder is sufficiently moistened, it is advantageous if at least as much water enters through the filter pores of the upper filter as exits from the lower filter. This is achieved, for example, when the total opening cross section of the filter pores of the upper filter is at least as large as the total opening cross section of the pores of the lower filter. It can also be smaller, since the passage of the water through the lower filter is impeded by the coffee powder lying on it.

Also the one in the 24 until 28 shown brewing insert 503 for use in a mixing bowl 1 ( 1 ) has no splash guard and is open at the top. In the 24 and 25 shows the discharge element 504 manufactured in one piece by injection molding. This consists of a collecting part 504.2 and a base 504.1. A hollow cylinder 506, which is open on both sides and has an inside diameter of 70 mm, protrudes vertically upwards from the base 504.1. The underside of the hollow cylinder 506 is firmly connected to the base 504.1 and surrounded by filter plates 505.4, which are embedded in the base 504.1. The filter plates 505.4 form three evenly distributed circular arcs with a width of 12 mm around the hollow cylinder 506, the arc length of which is defined by a central angle α of approximately 100 degrees. The filter plates 505.4 each consist of stainless steel fabric with a pore size characterized by a sieve mesh size of 120 mesh, which corresponds to a pore size of approximately 125 µm. The stainless steel mesh (505.4) is injected into the base 504.1 during the production of the discharge element 504 by injection molding and is therefore integral and permanently connected to it. In this case, the three filter plates 505.4 are assigned to the diverting element 504 and are firmly connected to it. You close the filling opening 505.13 ( 26 ) of the brewing chamber 505.14 partially and allow the hot water access to the ground coffee to be brewed, which is located in the brewing chamber 505.14 of the filter unit 505 and at the same time they prevent coffee powder from being flushed out upwards.

The open lower end 506.3 ( 27 ) of the hollow cylinder 506 opens into the filling opening 505.13 of the filter unit 505 ( 26 ). The hollow cylinder 506 serves to ventilate the interior of the filter unit 505 (the brewing chamber 505.14) during operation. The upper open end 506.1 of the hollow cylinder 506 is not straight, but wavy. The hollow cylinder 506 has a height of 60 mm at the two opposing wave crests. The wavy design of the upper end 506.1 is also used for ventilation. Because when the lid of the preparation vessel is in place, the crests of the waves are in contact with the underside of the lid, which leads to an additional stabilization of the position of the brewing insert 503 . The two opposing wave troughs are spaced from the underside of the lid and thus ensure ventilation.

In the area of one of the two wave troughs, a curved bracket 506.2 is injected onto the inner wall of the hollow cylinder. This serves to remove the brewing insert 503 from above by means of a removal part, for example a spatula, to be hooked onto it.

26 shows a view from above through the filling opening 505.13 into the brewing chamber 505.14 of the filter unit 505. Further details of the filter unit 505 result from the following description in connection with 27 .

From the exploded view of 27 the underside of the discharge element 504 can be seen. This includes a filter retaining ring 504.3 with an internal thread 504.4 and a locking lug 504.5. As already explained above, the coffee powder to be brewed is in the brewing chamber 505.14 ( 26 ) of the filter unit 505, which is screwed into the filter retaining ring 504.3 from below. The wall 505.7 of the filter unit 505, which surrounds the filling opening 505.13, has an external thread 505.6 that corresponds to the internal thread 504.4. Two latching elements 505.8 are attached to the wall 505.7, which engage with the latching lug 504.5 of the diverting element 504 to form a latching connection Screwing the filter unit 505 to the discharge element 504 cooperate. When the rear locking element 505.8 is overcome, a sealing ring (not shown in the figure) inserted in the diverting element 504 is pressed together at the same time. The front locking element serves as an additional safeguard against unintentional unscrewing of the threaded connection during operation. Furthermore, in the lower area of the wall 505.7 there is a corrugation 505.9 which makes it easier to screw in the filter unit 505 even with wet hands.

The base 505.10, which narrows slightly conically towards the bottom, has a central base opening into which a round filter 505.11 is inserted. The round filter 505.11 has a diameter of 46mm and also consists of a stainless steel fabric with a pore size that is characterized by a sieve mesh size of 120 mesh. In order to counteract deformation over time, support grids 505.12 rest on the top and bottom of the round filter 505.11. The filter unit 505 is manufactured using the injection molding process, in which the round filter 505.11 and the two support grids 505.12 are also inserted. Instead of a filter with a round shape, other shapes can also be used, and the round filter can also be replaced, for example, by four individual filters, each of which forms a 90-degree sector of a circle.

28 shows the brewing insert 503 after the diverting element 504 and filter unit 505 have been assembled.

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

203

brew insert

204

discharge element

204.1

ground-top

204.2

collection part

204.3

filter retaining ring

205.4

curved filter plate

303

brew insert

304

discharge element

305.4

flat round filter

305.5

hollow cylinder

403

brew insert

404

discharge element

404.1

floor

404.2

collection part

404.3

filter retaining ring

405

filter cap

405.5

stainless steel mesh

405.6

support frame

503

brew insert

504

discharge element

504.1

floor

504.2

collection part

504.3

filter retaining ring

504.4

inner thread

504.5

detent

505

filter unit

505.4

filter plate

505.6

external thread

505.7

wall

505.8

locking elements

505.9

corrugation

505.10

floor

505.11

round filter

505.12

support grid

505.13

filling hole

505.14

brewing room

506

hollow cylinder

506.1

upper open end

506.2

curved tab

506.3

lower open end

HD, HF, HB, HA, HB

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 1838078 U [0008]
• DE 10210442 A1 [0011]
• CN 109480630A [0012]

Claims (16)

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 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 vertical plane H _A and extends from the outside inwards to the filter element (5). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the diverting element (4) has an annular section 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 openings (4.6) being provided between the underside and the top of the ring in the area of the outer edge. 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 the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element has a brewing chamber (505.14) for receiving the infusion substance, which has a filling opening (505.13) which can be closed or closed completely or partially by a filter (205.4; 405.4; 505.4). and that a ventilation means communicating with the brewing chamber (505.14) is provided, which is preferably designed as a ventilation pipe (506; 305.5) open to the filling opening or as an elevation, in particular as a bulge of the filter (205.4; 405.4). Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation vessel (1) has a pot opening and a lid (1.3) for at least partially covering the pot opening, the lid (1.3) having a lid underside which is in one vertical plane H _D runs, and a handle part (4.10) protrudes upwards from the diverting element (4) and ends in a height level H _G , where the following applies: H _D ≥H _G >H _D +1 cm. Extension 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 filter element (5) comprises a brewing chamber (5.1) which has a filling opening and a base with base openings (5.5) has, wherein the filling opening is covered by a filter. Extension use after claim 10 , characterized in that the filter is designed as a filter plate (5.4, 205.4, 305.4). Extension use after claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the filter comprises a textile fabric (405.5) and a support part (405.6) for the textile fabric (405.5). Extension insert after one of the claims 9 until 12 , characterized in that the discharge element (4) has an annular section with an outer edge (4.2; 4.12), an inner edge, a ring top and a ring bottom, with openings (4.6) between the ring bottom and ring top in the area of the outer edge (4.2; 4.12). are provided and the inner edge runs around the filter element (5), 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 13 , characterized in that the filter element has a brewing chamber (505.14) for receiving the infusion substance, which has a filling opening (505.13) which can be closed or closed completely or partially by a filter (205.4; 405.4; 505.4), and that a Ventilation means communicating with the brewing chamber (505.14) is provided, which is preferably designed as a ventilation pipe (506; 305.5) open to the filling opening or as an elevation, in particular as a bulge of the filter (205.4; 405.4). Extension insert after one of the claims 9 until 14 , 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) has a filter holder receiving part (4.3) into which the filter unit (5.1; 5.3; 5.4) can be used. Extension insert after one of the claims 9 until 15 , characterized in that it comprises a liquid vortex intensifier element (8) which can be placed on a rotating element (1.5).

Images