EP2938233A1

EP2938233A1 - A fully automated thermally efficient compact tea preperation apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2938233A1
Application number: EP12813890.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Omer Burak Coban; Ismail GERZELI; Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu; Sena Davasligil; Celal Vatansever
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-12-28
Filing date: 2012-12-28
Publication date: 2015-11-04
Also published as: WO2014101954A1; CN105163633B; TR201719116T3; TR201411620T1; CN105163633A

Abstract

The present invention proposes a domestic appliance having a boiling receptacle for boiling water, a brewing receptacle containing plant leaves to be brewed and a service receptacle into which brewed herbal beverage is transferred. Said service receptacle is placeable on top of said boiling receptacle in a removable manner. Further, said boiling receptacle being also removable provides that it can be individually used for serving hot water. Said service receptacle is kept warm on top of said boiling receptacle by an enhanced thermal communication.

Description

A FULLY AUTOMATED THERMALLY EFFICIENT COMPACT TEA PREPERATION APPARATUS

The present invention pertains to a tea preparation apparatus and more specifically a fully automated tea preparation apparatus in which separate receptacle for accommodating boiled water, herbal leaves and brewed herbal content are preserved.
Tea is traditionally consumed on a daily basis in large quantities in the country of the applicant. A good flavor tea is believed to be prepared by way of boiling water in a first container and steeping tea leaves in hot water in a second container. In other words, water is heated in a receptacle by means of heating elements and brewing is carried out in a separate receptacle by means of subjecting dry tea leaves to heated water. Beverages with different aromas from other herbal ingredients can also be easily prepared in line with this known approach.
A common problem of automated tea preparing machines is that they provide only a limited automation by which water is boiled in a first container and then kept warm therein as long as preferred to allow brewing of tea leaves in a second top container. Therefore, to complete brewing, the user himself must add water to the top container from the boiling receptacle; which means a step which is merely user dependant to the extent that in the absence of user intervention, the whole tea preparing process is aborted, is in question. Further, it is a common occurrence that tea/coffee or otherwise herbal ingredients provided in brewers continue to brew until it is consumed and the beverage becomes more and more condensed. As the liquid content within the brewer decreases, available dry tea leaves and other possible herbal ingredients are filtered more into the served beverage over time and their taste turn into a bitter one due to the effect of hot water. Moreover, dry tea leaves and undesired residues pass into the served beverage.
In the prior art, electrical beverage preparation machines generally comprise a receptacle where water is heated and a brewer provided separately from said receptacle, having optionally tea/coffee or otherwise herbal ingredients placed therein. Such machines feature a variety of transfer means including pumps or introduction of heated water into the brewer under gravitational force through a valve.
Among others, the US publication US 2008314255 A1 discloses a coffee or tea maker with an operation cup and a thermal carafe in the form of separate receptacle. Referring to the second embodiment thereof in Fig. 3, a container is located above said operation cup such that the container, the operation cup and the thermal carafe are arranged from top to bottom. Valves provides fluid transfer respectively from said container to said operation cup and from said operation cup to said thermal carafe.
The main disadvantage of the apparatus of US2008314255 lies in that it does not allow softening of the herbal beverage by addition of hot water because water in the main container is fully released during the brewing operation. It is, however, very common that different people enjoy tea in different tastes, i.e. different levels of herbal content condensation, which is primarily dependent upon parameters such as the amount of the content and the time duration brewing action takes place, such parameters being regulated prior to the brewing action. However, after the brewed tea is ready for service, it is still possible to soften its taste by adding hot water as is conventionally practiced. Indeed, in practice, the level of condensation or so to say the bitterness of tea is regulated by most people only after the brewing action actually takes place, by way of adding hot water.
Further, the apparatus of the present invention is advantageous over that of US2008314255 because it allows both active and passive keep-warm modes such that a service receptacle containing brewed tea is either remained in its original position to be heated by electrical heating means or rested on the main container to lie in thermal communication therewith.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical tea apparatus which is fully automated to the extent that it can carry out both boiling and brewing operations without user intervention.
The present invention proposes a tea apparatus having a boiling receptacle for boiling water, a brewing receptacle containing plant leaves to be brewed and a service receptacle into which brewed herbal beverage is then transferred from the brewing receptacle. Said service receptacle, normally positioned at the base portion of the apparatus and heated by electrical heating means thereat, can be removed and rested on top of said boiling receptacle. The cover of said boiling receptacle is designed to have a plurality of small holes for allowing passage of water vapor and in the event that said service receptacle is rested on said cover, heat energy accumulated in said boiling receptacle will better provide heat penetration there into.
In the tea apparatus of the invention, the brewing receptacle is slidably positioned immediately below said boiling receptacle. Said boiling receptacle comprises a valve establishing fluid communication with said brewing receptacle in response to a control signal by an electronic control unit. Said service receptacle is placed under said brewing receptacle in a removable manner. Said boiling and service receptacle being removable, provides that they can be individually used for service purposes.
Said boiling receptacle has electrical resistances at its base. This ensures that hot water is available even after boiling action is terminated and part of boiled water is transferred to the brewing receptacle. It is provided that water in said boiling receptacle is kept warm by means of a lower wattage resistance or by way of controlling active power transferred to said resistance.
Said three receptacle form a one above the other configuration. Said boiling receptacle is rested on an elevated body portion of the apparatus and said service receptacle can be placed both at the base portion of the apparatus or on top of said boiling receptacle. Said elevated body portion comprises a slot there under for receiving said brewing receptacle. Said brewing receptacle comprises a wire mesh filter for storing tea leaves. Said service receptacle being placed on top of said boiling receptacle so as to cover the upper end of said boiling receptacle provides that said service receptacle is kept warm by the heat energy accumulated in said boiling receptacle.
Said electronic control unit oversees the temperature in said boiling receptacle and amount of water to be introduced to said brewing receptacle. It also controls the time duration brewing is allowed and upon which transfer of the brewed tea to said service receptacle is initiated. The temperature of the brewed tea in said service receptacle is also regulated.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a fully automated tea apparatus whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter. The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Fig. 1 demonstrates a front perspective view of the tea apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tea apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 demonstrates another perspective view of the tea apparatus according to the present invention where the service receptacle is placed on top of the boiling receptacle.
Referring now to the figures outlined above, the present invention proposes a tea preparation apparatus for preparing tea in a traditional manner, i.e. by way of using separate brewing and boiling receptacles.
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

Tea preparation apparatus
First receptacle
Second receptacle
Elevated body portion
Electrical adaptor
Third receptacle
Brewing receptacle valve
Service receptacle valve
Boiling receptacle heating means
Service receptacle heating means
Control panel
Base portion
First receptacle upper surface
First receptacle upper surface elevated edge
First receptacle upper surface openings

The tea preparation apparatus (1) of the invention features a first receptacle (2) for boiling water, a second receptacle (3) containing tea plant leaves to be brewed and a third receptacle (6) into which brewed herbal beverage is then transferred. Said third receptacle (6) is placed on a base portion (12) of said tea preparation apparatus (1) to be disposed underneath said second receptacle (3).
The first receptacle (2) is used to boil water, which is placeable over an elevated body portion (4) of said apparatus (1). Said second receptacle (3) is placeable underneath said first receptacle (2) under said elevated body portion (4) to establish a fluid passage between said second receptacle (3) and said first receptacle (2). This configuration provides that boiled water is conveniently used for brewing purposes in said second receptacle (3) and for storage purposes in the said third receptacle (6).
Said first, second and third receptacle (2, 3 and 6) are removably arranged such that said first and third receptacle (2, 6) can separately serve hot water and brewed tea and said second receptacle (3) can be removed for refilling of herbal ingredients or for cleaning. Said receptacle (2, 3 and 6) being removably disposed such that each one can individually be taken out for cleaning purposes or for serving on table provides a more appealing use directly addressing user preferences.
The tea preparation apparatus (1) comprises an electrical adaptor (5) in electrical connection with the mains, which is connected to said first receptacle (2).
The tea preparation apparatus (1) comprises a boiling receptacle heating means (9) and a service receptacle heating means (10). Both in the form of ohmic resistances involving active power dissipation. Said electrical heating means (9, 10) are respectively provided on the base of said first receptacle (2) and at the base portion (12) of said tea preparation apparatus (1).
Said third receptacle (6) can be put on said first receptacle (2) to allow thermal communication such that heat energy radiated from a heat source in connection with said first receptacle (2) and accumulated therein also reach said third receptacle (6). In this configuration, the base of said third receptacle (6) covers the upper end of said first receptacle (2). This configuration is effective in maintaining temperature of said third receptacle (6) within recommended values.
Further, said three receptacle (2, 3 and 6) forming a vertically stacked configuration with respect to the ground provides the advantage that the tea preparation apparatus (1) is more convenient in terms of user-friendliness with its more compact and less complex structure as well as resemblance to conventional non-electrical tea kettles.
Said first receptacle (2) comprises an upper surface (13) comprising a plurality of openings (15) to be covered by the base of said third receptacle (6). This arrangement greatly enhances efficiency of thermal communication in between said first receptacle (2) and said third receptacle (6), in the event the latter is positioned on top of said first receptacle (2). Otherwise, i.e. when said third receptacle (6) is maintained on said base portion (12), said upper surface (13) or cover of said first receptacle (2) can be replaced with a non-open solid cover.
Said upper surface (13) further comprises an elevated edge (14) over which said base of said third receptacle (2) is placeable with lowermost lateral surfaces thereof being covered with said elevated edge (14).
Referring now to Fig. 1, each of said first and third receptacle (2, 6) according to the present invention comprises handles joined to the bodies thereof.
The tea preparation apparatus (1) comprises a brewing receptacle valve (7) and a service receptacle valve (8). Upon reaching of a certain predetermined temperature in said first receptacle (2), said brewing receptacle valve (7) provides fluid communication with said second receptacle (3). Said valve (7) may be a valve of any type known to the person skilled in the art such as an electromagnetic valve. The duration said valve (7) is kept on, and therefore the amount of hot water to be allowed into said second receptacle (3), is controlled by an electronic control unit. This is also valid for said second valve (8) operated between said second and said third receptacle (3, 6). Said electronic control unit is in communication with said valves (7, 8) and said electrical heating means (9, 10).
A predefined amount of heated water is accordingly introduced into said second receptacle (3), where herbal ingredients are stored. For the reason that the time duration tea leaves are infused in heated water makes a difference with caffeine strength, infusion is allowed for a user adjustable period, among predefined options.
Said brewing receptacle valve (7) is set to on only when said second receptacle (3) is appropriately positioned in a brewing slot disposed under an elevated body portion (4) of the tea preparation apparatus (1), upon which a fluid communication is established between said first receptacle (2) and said second receptacle (3).
Temperature in the first receptacle (2) may be controlled by means of a plurality of control arrangements and sensors. For instance, a steam switch may be used to this effect. Also, different control schemes to allow continuous or discontinuous powering of said electrical heating means (9, 10) can be applied such that effective power consumption by the same is lowered upon boiling. Elements for dry boil protection and arrangements whereby the thermal control is designed to latch in an open state until the appliance has cooled sufficiently for it to be reset can be provided. Finally, appropriate positioning for each receptacle (2, 3 and 6) can also be verified by said control unit through limit switches.
Said second receptacle (3) comprises a filtering means for storing herbal ingredients. This provides that tea leaves are kept in hot water but they are not freely miscible in water so that brewing operation can be intercepted at some point overseen by said electronic control unit by way of transferring already brewed content.
Said second receptacle (3) is slidable into said brewing slot such that sealing of said receptacle (3) is provided in locked position. Said second receptacle (3) being slidable into said brewing slot therefore provides that sealing of said receptacle (3) is ensured in locked position. Fluid communication between said second receptacle (3) and each of said first and third receptacle (2, 6) is therefore established in locked position thereof such that transfer of fluid content can safely be undertaken.
The tea preparation apparatus (1) comprises a control panel (11) which enables user to select from predefined boiling options.
Said first receptacle (2) of the tea apparatus according to the present invention is a boiling receptacle where water is boiled, said second receptacle (3) is a brewing receptacle where infusion with tea plant leaves is provided and said third receptacle (6) is a service receptacle where brewed tea is transferred and stored.

Claims

A tea preparation apparatus (1) comprising a first receptacle (2) to boil water, an electrical heating means (9), a second receptacle (3) placeable underneath said first receptacle (2) to establish a fluid passage therein between, a third receptacle (6) placeable underneath said second receptacle (3) to establish a fluid passage therein between and over a base portion (12) of said apparatus (1), and an electrical heating means (10) on said base portion (12) characterized in that ;

said first receptacle (2) comprises an upper surface (13) coverable by base of said third receptacle (6) whereby thermal communication therein between is enhanced.
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said upper surface (13) comprising a plurality of openings (15) to be covered by the base of said third receptacle (6) when the latter is positioned on top of said first receptacle (2).
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said upper surface (13) comprises an elevated edge (14) over which said base of said third receptacle (6) is placeable with lowermost lateral surfaces thereof being covered with said elevated edge (14).
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims wherein said three receptacle (2, 3 and 6) form a vertically stacked configuration with respect to the ground.
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second receptacle (3) comprises a filtering means for storing herbal ingredients.
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims characterized by, a brewing receptacle valve (7) establishing fluid communication between said first receptacle (2) and said second receptacle (3).
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims characterized by, a service receptacle valve (8) through which said second receptacle (3) is in fluid communication with said third receptacle (6) .
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in Claim 7 characterized by an electronic control unit in communication with said valves (7, 8) and with said electrical heating means (9, 10).
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any previous claims wherein said receptacle (2, 3 and 6) are removably disposed.
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims wherein said second receptacle (3) is slidable into a brewing slot disposed under an said elevated body portion (4) of said apparatus (1) such that sealing of said receptacle (3) is provided in locked position.
A tea preparation apparatus (1) as set forth in any one of the preceding claims wherein said first receptacle (2) is a boiling receptacle where water is boiled, said second receptacle (3) is a brewing receptacle where infusion with tea plant leaves is provided and said third receptacle (6) is a service receptacle where brewed tea is transferred and stored.