WO2001028393A1

WO2001028393A1 - A device for preparation of a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2001028393A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/002050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mary Eisikovits
Original assignee: Mary Eisikovits
Priority date: 1999-10-21
Filing date: 2000-10-23
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: SE9903809D0; SE9903809L; AU1318301A

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device for the preparation of a beverage. The device comprises a solid substance (8), which in contact with a fluid forms said beverage, a filter (4) adapted to let fluid through and a holding device (5) arranged to fix the filter (4) relative a receptacle (12). The filter is prepared with said solid substance in an amount responding to a given amount of servings of the prepared beverage. When preparing said beverage, water is supplied through an opening (7) in the holding device whereupon the prepared beverage passes through the filter and is collected in the receptacle. The holding device contains a grip handle (11) and a closing element (13) movable between two positions to enable covering and uncovering of said opening in the holding device.

Description

A device for preparation of a beverage

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a device for preparation of a bev- erage, wherein the device comprises a package unit comprising a solid material which in contact with a liquid produces said beverage, a filter prepared with said solid material in a quantity corresponding to a specific number of finished measurements of the beverage and a holding member arranged to hold a filter fixedly in relation to a container, wherein an opening in the holding member is arranged to be exposed in order to allow supply of the liquid during preparation of said beverage, whereafter the produced beverage is arranged to pass through the filter and collected in the container.

Coffee but also other beverages such as tea, chocolate and clear soup may be prepared from a solid material by adding a liquid. In order to brew such a beverage for example a solid coffee material is portioned in a filter in a quantity related to the number of cups of coffee, which is to be brewed. To handle and dose such solid materials, which usually are in powder form always leads to a risk of incorrect doses and that powder are spilled out during the handling. The brewing of coffee, in a conventional way, is therefore best suited in kitchen environments. Because of said spill and the fact that conventional coffee percolators constitute a risk of fire, coffee automatic machines are usually installed primarily in larger companies. However, such coffee rarely has a desired quality.

From SE 364487 a package is known, which comprises an outer aromatic preserving package, which during a procurement occasion encloses a filter bag filled with ground coffee beans in meas- ured portions. The filter bag is connected to a flanged plate having an opening closable by a cover. During the brewing of coffee the filter bag is arranged to be introduced into a coffee-cattle with the cover removed, whereafter the liquid is supplied through the opening. This package has the disadvantage that it will be difficult to grip the flanged plate in order to lift up and through away the hot filter bag after the brewing. Furthermore, the cover consists of a separate unit, which is easy to mislay, which may be a problem if it is desired that the opening be reclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows for a simple and uncomplicated preparation of a beverage of a user, at the same time as the risk for spill during the preparation of the beverage is essentially reduced in relation to conventional technique.

This object is achieved by the initially mentioned device, which is characterised in that the holding member comprises a grip handle and a closing element which is movably provided between a first position when it covers said opening and a second position when it exposes said opening. Since each of the package units comprises a filter, which is prepared with a specified quantity of said solid material, a user may choose a package unit, which allows for the preparation of a desired number of measurements of the finished beverage. Preferably, a plurality of such package units having varying quantity of said solid material may be bought during a procurement occasion. Preferably, each package unit is marked with how many measurements of finished beverage, which is obtained when using the actual package unit. A grip handle facilitates the placing of the holding member in relation to the container but above all such a grip handle allows that the hot filter after brewing may be lifted away from the container in a simple manner. In the cases when said beverage is intended to be drunken hot, a hot liquid must be supplied to said material. In or- der to allow that the hot liquid essentially preserves its heat during the preparation of the beverage, it is suitable if the opening can be closed after the liquid has been supplied. Said closing element, which is moveable between a first position when it cov- ers said opening and a second position when it exposes said opening. Such a closing element may be displaceably or pivotally movable between said positions. Thereby, a user is allowed to move the closing element according to his wishes between an opened and a closed position by a simple movement of the hand. It is also suitable to move the closing element to a position closing the opening when the device is to be thrown away after use in order to prevent the solid material from falling out of the filter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said solid material is, during an procurement occasion, entirely enclosed in the package unit and that an opening in the package unit is arranged to be exposed in connection with the preparation of said beverage. Since said solid material is entirely enclosed in the package unit, the material is safely retained in the package unit until the package unit is intended to be used. Advantageously, a mobility of the closing element is initially allowed, for example, by loosening of a material weakness in the holding member, which may be done with a simple manipulation. Such a material weakness may comprise a perforation. Thereafter, the liquid may be supplied through the opening of the holding member such that it reaches said material for producing the beverage. Advantageously, the device comprises an outer package, which comprises an air-proof material, which, during a procurement occasion, is arranged to wholly enclose the package unit. With such an outer package of an air-proof material, the aroma of the solid material is preserved and the ability to allow preparation of the actual beverage with a high quality also after a storage time.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present inven- tion, the holding member forms a continuous unit with the filter, which unit encloses said material. Thereby, for the preparation of said beverage it is required in addition to such a package unit, only the supply of a liquid and a container for receiving the finished beverage. The preparation of said beverage may thereby be done in a very simple manner and with few components. Advanta- geously, the holding member is arranged, during preparation of a beverage, to abut an edge extending around an opening in the container. Such an edge forms a suitable support surface against which the holding member is allowed to rest. The holding member may comprise a disc-shaped body having an outer circumference, which exceeds the circumference of the opening of the container. Thereby, the holding member is allowed to rest against said edge in a simple manner, which edge extends around the opening of the container. The disc-shaped body may comprise at least a downwards projecting portion at its periphery. One or several such downwards projecting portions secure that the holding member is not displaced from the edge of the container. Advantageously, the disc-shaped body comprises said opening in the package unit. Since the disc-shaped body with advantage is provided above the filter, it is advantageous to provide the opening in the disc-shaped body. Furthermore, the refilling of liquid is facilitated by such an opening since the disc-shaped member with advantage consists of a rigid material. With such a rigid disc-shaped holding member a shape permanent opening is obtained through which liquid without difficulty may be poured.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grip handle comprises said closing element. Such a grip handle may be articulated at a suitable place such that it is pivo- table to a first position when it covers said opening and to a sec- ond position when it exposes said opening. With a combined grip handle and closing element, the parts of the device are further reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is solely manufactured of compostable materials. Thereby the package unit may after the use, in order to prevent liquid drip- ping, be replaced in the outer package and thrown away in a container for compostable material. The present invention thereby constitutes a very small strain on the environment.

According to preferred embodiment of the invention, said produced beverage is coffee or tea. These beverages are very suitable to prepare by means of the present device. However, also other beverages, which are prepared by means of a solid material mixed with a liquid may be prepared with the present device. Such beverages are, for example, chocolate, clear soup and soups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are de- scribed as examples with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 a-d show a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention, Fig. 2a-d show a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention, Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Fig. 1 a-d shows a first embodiment of the device. In this case, a box 1 is procured which contains a plurality of package units 2. The package units 2 contain, in this case, a quantity of fine-grind coffee material corresponding to a cup of finished coffee. The package unit 2 also comprises an outer casing 3, which is ope- nable along a side edge. Thereby, a filter 4 comprised in the package unit 2 and a holding member 5 may be picked out from the outer casing 3. The filter 4 and holding member 5 form here a continuous unit, which encloses said quantity of coffee material. The holding member 5 comprises a grip handle 1 1 . The holding member 5 is arranged to be fixed in relation to a container, here in form of a drinking-vessel 12. During the fixing process, the filter 4 is guided down through an upper opening in the drinking-vessel 12 until the holding member 5 reaches the opening of the drinking-vessel 12. The holding member 5 comprises a disc-shaped body having an outer circumference, which exceeds the circumference of the opening of the drinking-vessel 12. Thereby, the disc-shaped holding member is brought to abut an edge extending around the opening of the drinking-vessel 12. The disc-shaped holding member 5 comprises an opening 7 and a closing element 13, which is displaceably provided in a grove along the edges of the opening 7. The closing element 13 is displaceable between a first position when it covers said opening 7 and a second position when it exposes said opening 7. After the holding member 5 has been provided on the drinking-vessel 12, the closing element 13 is displaced to the second position such that said opening 7 is exposed. Thereby, it is possible to supply hot water through the opening 7 to the coffee material enclosed in the filter 4. After that the required quantity of hot water has been supplied to the coffee material, the closing element 13 is displaced to the first position such that it again covers the opening 7. Thereby, the temperature of the supplied hot water will substantially be maintained during the brewing process of the coffee. The finished brewed coffee is guided through the filter 4 to the drinking-vessel 12. When the coffee is completely brewed, the holding member 5 and the filter 4 are lifted up from the drinking-vessel 12, by means of the grip handle 1 1 . The used holding member 5 and filter 4 with enclosed coffee-grounds are again placed in the outer casing 3 in order to prevent dripping from the filter 4. The used components are then placed in a container 10 for compostable material.

Fig. 2a-d show a second embodiment of the device. In a corresponding manner as in the first embodiment, a box 1 may be pro- cured having a plurality of package units 2 which contains fine- grind coffee in a quantity corresponding to a specified number of finished cups of brewed coffee. This embodiment differs from the embodiment in Fig. 2a-d in that the opening 7 in the disc-shaped holding member 5, in this embodiment, comprises a grip handle 1 1 which is pivotable, via a hinge 1 1 a, in relation to the disc- shaped member 5. A closing element 13 is fixedly provided on the grip handle 1 1. When it is desired that the opening 7 be closed the grip handle is turned to a first position when the closing element 13 covers the opening 7. When it is desired to expose the opening 7, the grip handle is turned in the opposite direction to a second position when the closing element 13 exposes the opening 7, which position is shown in Fig. 2c. In order to guarantee that the disc-shaped holding member 5 remains steadily on the upper edge of the drinking-vessel 12, the disc-shaped holding member 5 comprises a downwards projecting portion 14 in connection with the periphery of the disc. Preferably, this portion 14 is thus provided radially outwardly of the upper edge of the drinking-vessel 12. Alternatively, such a portion 14 may comprise a plurality of downwards projecting projections provided with suitable intervals along the extension of the holding member 5. Thereby, it is pre- vented that the holding member 5 is displaced sideways from its position on the drinking-vessel 12. The filter 4, holding member 5 and the outer casing 3 are also here manufactured of compostable materials such that the components of the package unit 2 after use are brought together and with advantage placed in a con- tainer 10 for compostable material.

Fig. 3 shows a package unit 2 according to a third embodiment. The package unit 2 comprises also here a filter 4 and a holding member 5, which are provided as an integrated unit. A grip handle 1 1 is fixedly connected to the holding member 5. At a procurement occasion, a perforation 15 in the holding member 5 holds the closing element 13 in a first position covering the opening 7. The closing element 13 comprises a flap 16. When it is desired to expose the opening 7, the flap 16 is pulled upwards such that the perforation 16 is broken. Thereby, the closing element 13 is turned around a material portion 17, which connects the closing element 13 and the holding member 5. From its first position to a second position exposing the opening. The filter 4 here comprises a second looseable connection 18, which encloses the solid material provided in the bottom part of the filter 4. When the package unit 2 is intended to be used, the connection 18 is also released such that liquid can be supplied to the material enclosed in the filter 4. The second releasable connection 18 may be released by separating the sidewalls of the filter from each other. After the liquid has been supplied through the opening 7, the closing element may again be closed. The package unit 2, shown in Fig. 3, may also be enclosed in an outer casing 3 at a procurement occasion. The package unit 2 comprises only components of compostable materials.

The present invention is not in any way restricted to the embodiments shown on the drawings but may be freely varied within the scope of the claims. For example, tea may be brewed in the essentially same manner as coffee. Furthermore, the device also allows the preparation of beverages such as chocolate, clear soup and soups which are produced by mixing a liquid with a powdered solid material.

Claims

1. A device for preparation of a beverage, wherein the device comprises a package unit (2) comprising a solid material (8) which in contact with a liquid produces said beverage, a filter (4) prepared with said solid material (8) in a quantity corresponding to a specific number of finished measurements of the beverage and a holding member (5) arranged to hold the filter (4) fixedly in rela- tion to a container (12), wherein an opening (7) of the holding member is arranged to be exposed for allowing supply of the liquid during preparation of said beverage, whereafter the produced beverage is arranged to pass through the filter (4) and collected in the container (12), characterised in that the holding member (5) comprises a grip handle (1 1 ) and a closing element (13) which is movable between a first position when it covers said opening (7) and a second position when it exposes said opening (7).

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the pack- age unit (2) comprises an outer casing (3) consisting of an air- proof material, which, during a procurement occasion, is arranged to form the external delimiting surfaces of the package unit (2).

3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, char- acterised in that the holding member (5) forms a continuos unit with the filter (4), which unit encloses said material (8).

4. A device according to any one of the claims, characterised in that the holding member (5) is arranged, during preparation of a beverage, to abut an edge extending around an opening in the container (12).

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the holding member (5) comprises a disc-shaped body having an outer cir- cumference which exceeds the circumference of the opening of the container (12).

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the discshaped body comprises a downwards projecting portion (14) at its periphery.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the disc-shaped body comprises said opening (7).

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, char- acterised in that the grip handle (1 1 ) comprises said closing element (13).

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is solely manufactured of compostable materials.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said produced beverage is tea or coffee.