WO2012085813A2

WO2012085813A2 - Method and system for brewing ingredients in a solvent, apparatus using said system

Info

Publication number: WO2012085813A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/055769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Declan Patrick Kelly; Qi Zhou; Guangwei Wang
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2011-12-19
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: JP2014507127A; WO2012085813A3; CN103269625B; EP2654523A2; EP2654523B1; US20190191921A1; RU2013133462A; CN103269625A; RU2578114C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system (1) for brewing ingredients in a solvent, said system comprising: -a first unit (5) for measuring a change of the electro-conductivity (ΔEC) of said solvent, -a second unit (6) for comparing said change of the electro-conductivity (ΔEC) with a predetermined threshold (TH), to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent. This system allows determining when the brewing of ingredients has to be stopped, without the need for a user to have a preset brewing time duration.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BREWING INGREDIENTS IN A SOLVENT, APPARATUS USING SAID SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a system for brewing ingredients in a solvent.

The invention may be used in the field of beverage preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Preparing beverages by brewing (raw) ingredients in a solvent is a known process. For example, the preparation of tea is done by brewing, i.e. infusing, tea leaves (or tea bags) used as ingredients, in hot/boiling water used as the solvent. The same process may be followed when beverages are prepared from different ingredients, such as various herbs or plant leaves.

After a given time duration determined by the user, ingredients are taken out of the solvent, and the beverage is ready for drinking.

However, the time duration for brewing ingredients in the solvent depends on various intrinsic characteristics of the ingredients, and those characteristics are most of the time unknown to users. For example, there are different categories of tea that can be used in a brewing process, such as Green tea, Black tea, Oolong tea, Pu'er tea. Within each category, a large number of variations in characteristics exist which depend on, for example, the size of leaves, the quality of leaves, the origin of leaves.

As a consequence, users cannot easily control the brewing of ingredients to achieve an optimal brew which would result in an optimal taste of the beverage. Moreover, even if the same user prepares the brewing of a given ingredient, from one brewing to another, large inconsistencies in the obtained beverage may result. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose an improved method and system for brewing ingredients in a solvent. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

To this end, the system according to the invention comprises:

- a first unit for measuring a change of the electro-conductivity of said solvent,

- a second unit for comparing said change of the electro-conductivity with a predetermined threshold, to generate a signal indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

The electro-conductivity of the solvent is used as an indication of the brewing status, i.e. an indication of the amount of solids/compounds in the ingredients which have been dissolved in the solvent. This system allows determining when the brewing of ingredients has to be stopped, without the need for a user to have a preset brewing time duration. The brewing of a given type of ingredients can thus be consistently reproduced, resulting in an optimal and consistent taste of the solvent (i.e. beverage) obtained after brewing.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is such that the first unit is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the starting time of the brewing operation.

By performing a first measurement of the solvent at the start of the brewing operation, and a second measurement of the solvent at the end of the brewing operation, the change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent is calculated in a simple and cost-effective way.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is such that: the first unit is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity, defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at a previous time of measurement by the first unit, to - the difference between the time of measurement by the first unit, and said previous time of measurement.

The ratio thus calculated indicates a local rate of change of the electro-conductivity in the solvent. Using this rate of change is advantageous to indicate that the brewing can be stopped for the reason that most compounds in the ingredients have already been dissolved in the solvent.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention is such that the first unit is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity, defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the starting time of the brewing operation, to

- the difference between the time of measurement by the first unit, and the starting time of the brewing operation.

The ratio calculated indicates a global rate of change of the electro-conductivity in the solvent, from the start of the brewing operation. Using this rate of change is advantageous to indicate the amount of compounds still left in the ingredients, which may be useful information in the case that brewing includes multiple and successive brewings (i.e. using the initially used ingredients but with a fresh solvent). In other words, this global rate shows how long it takes to reach a target which relates to how much is left in the ingredients, which can be useful information in the case of multiple and successive brewings using the same initial ingredients.

In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention further comprises a system connected to said second unit for separating, upon the generation of said signal, the ingredients from the solvent.

Separating the ingredients from the solvent allows stopping the brewing operation in an efficient manner. In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention, the first unit is further adapted to measure a subsequent change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent, said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity being defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of separating the ingredients from the solvent, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at a subsequent time; and wherein said second unit is further adapted to compare said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity with an additional predetermined threshold, to generate a signal indicating that a property of the solvent reflecting the solvent quality has changed.

This allows giving indication to a user with respect to a change of quality of the solvent after the ingredients have been separated from the solvent, for example to indicate a decrease of the solvent quality after a period of time. In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention further comprises a third unit adapted to generate a signal reflecting the brewing progress, based on the ratio between said change of the electro-conductivity and said predetermined threshold.

This allows giving feedback to a user with respect to the progress of the brewing operation. The invention also relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, this apparatus comprising:

- a system according to the invention, as described hereinabove,

- a memory for storing a plurality of thresholds, each threshold being associated with a given type of ingredients,

- means for selecting a type of ingredients to be brewed,

- means for setting the predetermined threshold value associated with the selected type of ingredients.

This apparatus allows a user to select the type of ingredients to be brewed, and to achieve optimal brewing of these ingredients, without any further user actions.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, this apparatus comprising:

- a system according to the invention as described hereinabove,

- a memory for storing a plurality of thresholds, each reflecting a different characteristic of the beverage to be prepared,

- means for selecting a characteristic of the beverage to be prepared, - means for setting the predetermined threshold value associated with the selected characteristic.

This apparatus allows a user to select the characteristics of the beverage to be prepared, for example the "strength of the taste" of the beverage, and to achieve optimal brewing of the ingredients, without any further user actions.

- a first unit for measuring a variation of the electro-conductivity of said solvent, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the starting time of the brewing operation.

- means for storing said variation of the electro-conductivity in a memory, said variation being intended to be compared to a change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent during a next brewing of the same ingredients, to generate a signal indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

This apparatus allows a user to store in a memory the brewing parameters of a brewing operation having resulted in a beverage having a characteristic preferred by the user, so that for a subsequent brewing, this user can directly select these stored parameters and obtain the same preferred beverage.

The invention also relates to methods comprising various steps carried out by a system and apparatus according to the invention. Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:

Fig. l depicts a system according to the invention for brewing ingredients in a solvent, Fig.2 illustrates an example of the electro-conductivity variation of a solvent, according to different degrees Brix values of the solvent,

Fig.3 illustrates an example of a variation of the electro-conductivity over time, Fig.4 illustrates an example of a variation of the electro-conductivity over time, Fig.5 illustrates an example of a variation of electro-conductivity over time,

Fig.6 and Fig.7 depict a first embodiment of a system for separating the ingredients from the solvent according to the invention,

Fig.8 depicts a second embodiment of a system for separating the ingredients from the solvent according to the invention,

Fig.9 depicts a first apparatus according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent,

Fig.10 depicts a second apparatus according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent,

Fig.11 depicts a third apparatus according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent,

Fig.12 depicts a system according to the invention for generating a signal reflecting the progress of the brewing operation,

Fig.13 depicts a method according to the invention of brewing ingredients in a solvent, Fig.14 depicts a method according of the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent,

Fig.15 depicts a method according of the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent,

Fig.16 depicts a method according of the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. l depicts a system 1 for brewing ingredients 2 in a solvent 3. ingredients 2 in a solvent 3 are placed in a container 4. For example, ingredients may correspond to tea leaves, coffee, herbs, roots, fruits, or a mix of those ingredients... For example, the solvent may correspond to water, mineral water, tap water, salted water, alcohol, or a mix of those solvents.

The system comprises: - a first unit 5 for measuring a change of the electro-conductivity AEC of said solvent,

- a second unit 6 for comparing said change of the electro-conductivity AEC with a predetermined threshold TH, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

The present invention is based on the fact that during the brewing of ingredients in the solvent, the electro-conductivity (EC) of the solvent varies linearly with the so-called degree Brix of the solvent. The degree Brix represents the amount of dissolved solids/compounds in the solvent, so that in the present case it can be used to quantify the amount of dissolved solids/compounds extracted from the ingredients during the brewing operation. In other words, the degree Brix reflects the concentration level of the solvent, i.e. the strength of the solvent in terms of taste if the solvent is intended to be drunk by a user.

Taking into consideration that measuring the amount of dissolved solids/compounds in the solvent via a direct measurement of the degree Brix would require costly equipment (e.g. a refractometer) that can hardly be implemented in a system for brewing ingredients intended to be used by a user in a private environment, the amount of dissolved solids/compounds in the solvent is indirectly measured via measuring the EC of the solvent, by exploiting the linearity of variation between EC and degree Brix.

Fig.2 illustrates an example of the EC variation of a solvent, according to different degree Brix values of the solvent. In this example, leaves of green tea are used as ingredients in water used as the solvent, with a concentration of leaves of 20 grams per litre. This variation shows the linearity between EC and degree Brix. The unit of EC is micro -Siemens/cm (μΞ / cm), and the unit of degree Brix is a percentage by mass of the solvent (% / weight).

In the system according to Fig.l, the first unit 5 for measuring a change of the electro- conductivity AEC is connected to an EC sensor 7. The EC sensor 7 is intended to generate the

EC value ECl of the solvent contained in container 4. It may be placed at an appropriate location in the container, such as along a wall of container 4, as illustrated in Fig.1. Any types of EC sensor known as such in the art may be used, such as an electrode-type sensor based on so-called voltammetry methods, and an inductance-type sensor based on the induction principle. Preferably, since the solvent may be heated during brewing, an EC sensor having temperature-compensation is preferred, so as to generate accurate EC values, independently of the solvent temperature.

The first unit 5 is adapted to measure a change of the EC of solvent 3. In other words, the first unit 5 is adapted to make a relative measurement, not an absolute measurement. A relative measurement is preferred, so that solids/compounds that could already be present in the solvent at the start of the brewing operation are not taken into account in the measurement. For example, if tap water is used as the solvent for the brewing operation, this solvent may initially contain some minerals or different dissolved solids/compounds that should not be taken into account for determining the real contribution of dissolved solids/compounds extracted from the ingredients during brewing. The first unit 5 is adapted to measure the change of EC of solvent 3 according to different modes that may be used for different purposes.

Model

According to a first mode, the first unit 5 is adapted to measure a change of the electro- conductivity AEC, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity EC tl of the solvent at the time tl of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity EC tO of the solvent at the starting time tO of the brewing operation.

To this end, the first unit 5 comprises a memory (not shown) to store EC tO.

Fig.3 illustrates an example of a variation of ECl over time.

In this first mode, AEC is expressed as:

AEC = (EC tl - EC tO)

In this first mode, the second unit 6 makes a comparison between the measured AEC and a predetermined threshold TH. In this case, AEC reflects the amount of solids/compounds of the ingredients dissolved in the solvent so far, and the threshold TH corresponds to a given change of the EC value at which the brewing is considered optimal in terms of amount of solids/compounds of the ingredients dissolved in the solvent, resulting in an optimal taste of the solvent. When the measured AEC reaches the threshold TH, it means that the materials have dissolved sufficient solids/compounds in the solvent, and that this solvent now has optimal taste/flavour. As a consequence, the second unit 6 generates signal S indicating that ingredients and solvent have to be separated, to avoid that the solids/compounds of the ingredients continue to dissolve in the solvent, which could badly affect the taste of the solvent. For example, signal S may change from a low level "0" to a high level "1" to indicate that ingredients and solvent have to be separated. For a given material (or a given mix of materials) intended to be brewed with a given solvent (or a given mix of solvents), the threshold TH may be previously determined experimentally as follows. For example, during brewing, the change of AEC is regularly measured, and for each measurement of AEC, a user

(or a group of users) tastes the flavour of the solvent. When the flavour of the solvent is considered optimal, for example in view of various criteria such as strength, bitterness, sweetness..., the corresponding AEC is chosen as threshold TH. In a system according to the invention, the threshold TH is thus stored in a memory (not shown) with a view to being used by the second unit 6 for a similar brewing operation.

Mode2

According to a second mode, the first unit 5 is adapted to measure a change of the electro- conductivity AEC, defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity EC_t3 of the solvent at the time t3 of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity EC_t2 of the solvent at a previous time t2 of measurement by the first unit, to

- the difference between the time t3 of measurement by the first unit, and said previous time t2 of measurement.

To this end, the first unit 5 comprises a clock (not shown) to measure the elapsed time of the brewing operation, and a memory (not shown) to store EC_t2 and time t2.

Fig.4 illustrates an example of a variation of ECl over time.

In this second mode, AEC is expressed as:

AEC = (EC_t3 - EC_t2) / (t3-t2)

In this second mode, the second unit 6 makes a comparison between the measured AEC and a predetermined threshold TH. In this case, AEC reflects the speed of dissolution of solids/compounds of the ingredients in the solvent during a given time interval, and the threshold TH corresponds to a reference rate of the variation of EC during the same time interval. As brewing is not a very fast process, t3 and t2 may be such that the time difference (t3-t2) defining said time interval is in the order of minutes, for example from 1 to 10 minutes. When the measured AEC drops below the threshold TH, it means that too few solids/compounds of materials continue to be dissolved in the solvent. In other words, most of the solids/compounds have already been dissolved in the solvent, which may result in an optimal taste of the solvent, and thus it is no use to continue the brewing operation. As a consequence, the second unit 6 generates signal S indicating that ingredients and solvent have to be separated. For example, signal S may change from a low level "0" to a high level "1" to indicate that ingredients and solvent have to be separated. For a given material (or a given mix of materials) intended to be brewed with a given solvent (or a given mix of solvents), the threshold TH may be previously determined experimentally as follows. For example, during brewing, the change of AEC is regularly measured, and for each measurement of AEC, a user (or a group of users) tastes the flavour of the solvent. When the flavour of the solvent is considered optimal, for example in view of various criteria such as strength, bitterness, sweetness..., the corresponding AEC is chosen as threshold TH. In a system according to the invention, the threshold TH is thus stored in a memory (not shown) with a view to being used by the second unit 6 for a similar brewing operation.

Mode3

According to a third mode, the first unit 5 is adapted to measure a change of the electro- conductivity AEC, defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity EC_t4 of the solvent at the time t4 of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity EC tO of the solvent at the starting time tO of the brewing operation, to

- the difference between the time t4 of measurement by the first unit, and the starting time tO of the brewing operation.

To this end, the first unit 5 comprises a clock (not shown) to measure the elapsed brewing time, and a memory (not shown) to store EC tO (and optionally to store time tO).

Fig.5 illustrates an example of a variation of ECl over time. In this third mode, AEC is expressed as:

AEC = (EC_t4 - ECJO) / (t4 - tO)

AEC = (EC_t4 - EC tO) / 14 (if tO = 0)

In this second mode, the second unit 6 makes a comparison between the measured AEC and a predetermined threshold TH. This is similar to mode 2, the difference being that the time interval is defined from the start time of the brewing operation.

This mode can preferably be used in the case that ingredients require multiple successive brewings: the time it takes to reach the threshold TH indicates how much of the solids/compounds is left in the ingredients. If it takes too long to reach this threshold, it indicates that the raw ingredients have already dissolved most of their solids/compounds in the solvent, and that it is not relevant to perform another brewing with those ingredients.

The system according to the invention advantageously comprises a system connected to said second unit 6 for separating, upon generation of said signal S, the ingredients from the solvent. This system is described in the following.

Advantageously, in the system according to the invention, said first unit 5 is further adapted to measure a subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC of the solvent. The subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC is defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity EC_t5 of the solvent at the time t5 of separating the ingredients from the solvent, and the electro-conductivity EC_t6 of the solvent at a subsequent time t6. The second unit 6 is further adapted to compare said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC with an additional predetermined threshold TH7, to generate a signal SI indicating that a property of the solvent reflecting the solvent quality, has changed. The time t6 can advantageously be set periodically, for example every minute, to so that the subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC is measure at different successive instants over the time. Indeed, in most ingredients used for brewing, for example tea, contain many compounds that can be oxidized and subsequently deteriorate the drink quality (i.e solvent quality). For example, catechins can oxidize and induce deteriorate in taste and color of the solvent. Ascorbic acid oxidizes and subsequently reacts with amino acids to form brown colored compounds. Some flavour related unsaturated fatty acids oxidize and form volatile aldehydes and alcohols with the formation of aged and rancid taste. It is thus advantageous to know the change of solvent quality and warn consumers for any quality degradation of the solvent. The signal SI can be displayed on a user interface.

Fig.6 depicts a first embodiment of a system for separating the ingredients from the solvent. It comprises a pipe 8 which is connected to the bottom part of container 4, and which communicates with a second container 9 via a valve 10. The valve 10, which may correspond to an electro valve, is controlled by signal S generated by the second unit 6. When signal S indicates that the ingredients have to be separated from the solvent, the valve 10 opens, so that the solvent 3 leaves container 4 via pipe 8 and fills container 9. The ingredients thus remain in the container 4, as illustrated in Fig.7.

Fig.8 depicts a second embodiment of a system for separating the ingredients from the solvent. In this embodiment, an infuser 8 is placed in the container 4, and the infuser is intended to contain the ingredients 2. At the bottom part of the container 4, a pump 9 is placed, and the exit of the pump is connected to a pipe 10 reaching an upper part of infuser 8.

The pump, for example an electrical pump, is intended to pump the solvent 3 from the lower part of container 4 to the upper part of infuser 8, and is controlled by signal S generated by the second unit 6. The solvent which exits pipe 10, illustrated by arrows Al, drops into infuser 8 where the brewing of ingredients is performed. The solvent in infuser 8 then drops back into container 4, which is illustrated by arrows A2. Pumping the solvent from the container 4 into the tube 10, infusing the ingredients in the infuser 8 with solvent contained in the infuser, and subsequently the solvent from the infuser dropping back into the container, constitutes a closed brewing cycle that is continued until the second unit 6 generates signal S indicating that the ingredients have to be separated from the solvent. Generation of signal S is thus used to stop the pump 9, resulting in the situation that the ingredients are separated from the solvent by stopping the brewing cycle.

Another approach could also be used to separate ingredients from the solvent. For example, in a system as described in Fig.l, when the second unit 6 generates signal S indicating that the ingredients have to be separated from the solvent, this signal could trigger a visual indication

(e.g. a light) or a sound indication (e.g. via a speaker) informing the user to manually take the ingredients out of the container 4. According to a preferred embodiment based on Fig. l, Fig.12 depicts a system 1 according to the invention, further comprising a third unit 1 1 adapted to generate a signal SS reflecting the progress of the brewing, based on a ratio between said change of the electro-conductivity AEC and said predetermined threshold TH. For example, signal SS is calculated as SS = AEC

/ TH. This signal may advantageously be used to control a set of visual indicators placed on a user interface 12. For example, if four visual indicators L1-L2-L3-L4, for example light emitting diodes (LED), are used, the visual indicators can be controlled by the third unit 1 1 as follows:

- when 0% < SS < 25% , no visual indicators are switched-on

- when 25% < SS < 50%> , visual indicator LI is switched-on, reflecting a progress of at least 25% of the brewing (i.e. at least 25% of the brewing has been performed)

- when 50%) < SS < 75% , visual indicators LI and L2 are switched-on, reflecting a progress of at least 50% of the brewing (i.e. at least 50% of the brewing has been performed)

- when 75% < SS < 100% , visual indicators LI , L2 and L3 are switched-on, reflecting a progress of at least 75% of the brewing (i.e. at least 75% of the brewing has been performed)

- when SS = 100% , visual indicators LI , L2, L3 and L4 are switched-on, reflecting that the brewing operation is finished.

It is to be understood that a different number of visual indicators could be used similarly without departing from the scope of the invention, so as to give an indication of the brewing progress with a different accuracy.

Fig.9 depicts a first apparatus APP according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients 2 in a solvent 3. Although this apparatus is described based on the system of Fig.8, it could also be based on a system as described in Fig. l or Fig.6. In addition, this apparatus also comprises:

- a memory MEM1 for storing a plurality of thresholds (TH1 , TH2, TH3), each threshold being associated with a given type of ingredients (Tl , T2, T3),

- means SEL1 for selecting a type of ingredients to be brewed,

- means SET1 for setting the predetermined threshold TH to the value of the threshold associated with the selected type of ingredients. The plurality of thresholds (TH1 , TH2, TH3) may correspond to thresholds according to mode 1, mode 2 and/or mode 3. It is noted that only three thresholds are used in this description, but the number of thresholds could be different without departing from the scope of the invention. Thresholds are experimentally defined as previously described. For example: - TH1 is associated with the brewing of green tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent,

- TH2 is associated with the brewing of black tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent,

- TH3 is associated with the brewing of oolong tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent. The means SEL1 for selecting a type of ingredients may correspond to a mechanical switch or a digital switch placed on the body (not shown) of the apparatus. For example, the user can select the ingredients to be brewed, either by rotating a mechanical switch until the switch faces the desired ingredients illustrated as a pictogram or text on the apparatus body, or by scrolling in a menu displayed on an LCD display (not shown) until the desired ingredients illustrated as a pictogram or text are displayed on the display.

The means SET1 for setting the predetermined threshold TH may correspond to a mechanical switch following the movement of the mechanical switch SEL1 (which is illustrated by dotted lines joining the means SEL1 and the means SET1). Alternatively, this can be performed digitally by converting the selection made by the user on the LCD display into an address sent directly to the memory MEM1.

According to this apparatus, the ingredients are separated from the solvent, without any further user actions being required, as soon as the solvent has reached a concentration of dissolved solids/compounds which is optimal for the type of selected ingredients. The beverage prepared by this apparatus corresponds to the solvent after the ingredients have been separated. Fig.10 depicts a second apparatus APP according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients 2 in a solvent 3. Although this apparatus is described based on Fig.8, it could also be based on Fig.6. In addition, this apparatus comprises:

- a memory MEM2 for storing a plurality of thresholds (TH4, TH5, TH6) each reflecting a different characteristic (CHI, CH2, CH3) of the beverage to be prepared,

- means SEL2 for selecting a characteristic of the beverage to be prepared,

- means SET2 for setting the predetermined threshold TH to the value of the threshold associated with the selected characteristic. The plurality of thresholds (TH4, TH5, TH6) may correspond to thresholds according to mode 1, mode 2 and/or mode 3. It is noted that only three thresholds are used in this description, but the number of thresholds could be different without departing from the scope of the invention. Thresholds are experimentally defined as previously described. Thresholds reflect characteristics of a given ingredient to be brewed, such as bitterness, strength, sweetness...For example:

- TH4 reflects a light taste strength, for the brewing of black tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent,

- TH5 reflects a medium taste strength, for the brewing of black tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent,

- TH6 reflects a strong taste strength, for the brewing of black tea as the ingredient, in water as the solvent.

The means SEL2 for selecting the characteristic of the beverage to be prepared may correspond to a mechanical switch or a digital switch placed on the body (not shown) of the apparatus. For example, the user can select the characteristic of the ingredients to be brewed, either by rotating a mechanical switch until the switch faces the desired characteristic illustrated as a pictogram or text on the apparatus body, or by scrolling in a menu displayed on an LCD display (not shown) until the desired characteristic illustrated as a pictogram or text on the display is shown.

The means SET2 for setting the predetermined threshold TH may correspond to a mechanical switch following the movement of the mechanical switch SEL2 (which is illustrated by dotted lines joining the means SEL2 and the means SET2). Alternatively, this can be performed digitally by converting the selection made by the user on the LCD display into an address sent directly to the memory MEM2.

According to this apparatus, the ingredients are separated from the solvent, without any further user actions being required, as soon as the solvent has reached a concentration of dissolved solids/compounds which matches the characteristic of the beverage selected by the user. The beverage prepared by this apparatus corresponds to the solvent after the ingredients have been separated. Fig.11 depicts a third apparatus APP according to the invention for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients 2 in a solvent 3. This apparatus is described based on the apparatus of Fig.10, and with reference to Fig.3. In addition, this apparatus also comprises:

- a first unit 5 for measuring a variation of the electro-conductivity AEC of said solvent, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity EC tl of the solvent at the time tl of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity EC tO of the solvent at the starting time tO of the brewing operation.

- means BP for storing said variation of the electro-conductivity AEC in a memory MEM2, said variation being intended to be compared to a change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent during a next brewing of the same ingredients, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

The first unit 5 is adapted to measure the variation of the electro-conductivity AEC as follows: AEC = (EC tl - EC tO) Means for storing the variation of the electro-conductivity AEC comprise means BP, for example a push-button, for triggering the storing of a given variation of the electro- conductivity AEC = AECi, and a memory MEM2 to store this variation AECi. During the brewing of a given ingredient in a given solvent, independently of having selected a given characteristic (CHI, CH2, CH3) of the beverage to be prepared, a user may check from time to time the characteristics of the solvent (e.g. taste characteristics such as bitterness, sweetness, strength...), for example by drinking a sample of the solvent. If the user is satisfied with the characteristics of the solvent, the user activates the means BP so that the variation AECi is stored in memory MEM2. During a next brewing of the same ingredients, if the user wants that the beverage to be prepared has the same characteristics as the beverage prepared in a previous brewing, the user may select, by selecting means SEL2, the corresponding characteristic PREF, which allows setting the predefined threshold TH such that TH = AECi.

Fig.13 depicts a method according to the invention of brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- measuring SI a change of the electro-conductivity AEC of said solvent,

- comparing S2 said change of the electro-conductivity AEC with a predetermined threshold TH, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent. - separating S3, based on said signal S, ingredients from the solvent.

This method corresponds to steps carried out in a system according to Fig. l.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention further comprises the steps of:

- measuring SI 9, after the step S3 of separating the ingredients from the solvent, a subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC of the solvent, said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC being defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity EC_t5 of the solvent at the time t5 of separating the ingredients from the solvent, and the electro-conductivity EC_t6 of the solvent at a subsequent time t6;

comparing S20 said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity AEC with an additional predetermined threshold TH7, to generate a signal SI indicating that a property of the solvent reflecting the solvent quality , has changed. Fig.14 depicts a method according to the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- selecting S4 a type of ingredients to be brewed,

- putting S5 the selected type of ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring S6 a change of the electro-conductivity AEC of said solvent,

- comparing S7 said change of the electro-conductivity AEC with a predetermined threshold

TH associated with the selected type of ingredients, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent,

- separating S8, based on said signal S, ingredients from the solvent.

This method corresponds to steps carried out in an apparatus according to Fig.9.

Fig.15 depicts a method according to the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- selecting S9 a characteristic of the beverage to be prepared,

- putting S 10 the ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring SI 1 a change of the electro-conductivity AEC of said solvent, - comparing S12 said change of the electro-conductivity AEC with a predetermined threshold TH associated with the selected characteristic, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent,

- separating SI 3, based on said signal S, ingredients from the solvent.

This method corresponds to steps carried out in an apparatus according to Fig.10.

Fig.16 depicts a method according to the invention of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- putting S14 a given type of ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring S15 a variation of the electro-conductivity of said solvent, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the starting time of the brewing operation.

- storing S16 said variation of the electro-conductivity AEC in a memory,

- comparing SI 7, during a next brewing of the same type of ingredients, said variation with a change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent, to generate a signal S indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

- separating SI 8, based on said signal S, ingredients from the solvent.

This method corresponds to steps carried out in an apparatus according to Fig.11. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

1. System (1) for brewing ingredients in a solvent, said system comprising:

- a first unit (5) for measuring a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of said solvent,

- a second unit (6) for comparing said change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with a predetermined threshold (TH), to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unit (5) is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC), defined as the difference between the electro- conductivity (EC tl) of the solvent at the time (tl) of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity (EC tO) of the solvent at the starting time (tO) of the brewing operation.

3. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unit (5) is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC), defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity (EC_t3) of the solvent at the time (t3) of measurement by the first unit, and the electro -conductivity (EC_t2) of the solvent at a previous time (t2) of measurement by the first unit, to

- the difference between the time (t3) of measurement by the first unit, and said previous time (t2) of measurement.

4. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unit (5) is adapted to measure a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC), defined as the ratio of:

- the difference between the electro-conductivity (EC_t4) of the solvent at the time (t4) of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity (EC tO) of the solvent at the starting time (tO) of the brewing operation, to

- the difference between the time (t4) of measurement by the first unit, and the starting time

(tO) of the brewing operation.

5. System as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a system connected to said second unit (6) for separating, upon the generation of said signal, the ingredients from the solvent.

6. System as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first unit (5) is further adapted to measure a subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of the solvent, said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) being defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity (EC_t5) of the solvent at the time (t5) of separating the ingredients from the solvent, and the electro-conductivity (EC_t6) of the solvent at a subsequent time (t6); and wherein said second unit (6) is further adapted to compare said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with an additional predetermined threshold (TH7), to generate a signal (SI) indicating that a property of the solvent reflecting the solvent quality, has changed.

7. System as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a third unit (11) adapted to generate a signal (SS) reflecting the progress of the brewing operation, based on a ratio between said change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) and said predetermined threshold (TH).

8. Apparatus (APP) for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients (2) in a solvent (3), said apparatus comprising:

- a system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,

- a memory (MEM1) for storing a plurality of thresholds (TH1, TH2, TH3), each threshold being associated with a given type of ingredients (Tl, T2, T3),

- means (SEL1) for selecting a type of ingredients to be brewed,

- means (SET1) for setting the predetermined threshold (TH) to the value of the threshold associated with the selected type of ingredients.

9. Apparatus (APP) for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients (2) in a solvent (3), said apparatus comprising:

- a system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,

- a memory (MEM2) for storing a plurality of thresholds (TH4, TH5, TH6) each reflecting a different characteristic (CHI, CH2, CH3) of the beverage to be prepared,

- means (SEL2) for selecting a characteristic of the beverage to be prepared, - means (SET2) for setting the predetermined threshold (TH) to the value of the threshold associated with the selected characteristic.

10. Apparatus (APP) for preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients (2) in a solvent (3), said apparatus comprising:

- a first unit (5) for measuring a variation of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of said solvent, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity (EC tl) of the solvent at the time (tl) of measurement by the first unit, and the electro-conductivity (EC tO) of the solvent at the starting time (tO) of the brewing operation.

- means (BP) for storing said variation of the electro-conductivity (AEC) in a memory (MEM2), said variation being intended to be compared to a change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent during a next brewing of the same ingredients, to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

11. Method of brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- measuring (SI) a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of said solvent,

- comparing (S2) said change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with a predetermined threshold (TH), to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent.

- separating (S3), based on said signal (S), the ingredients from the solvent.

12. Method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

measuring (SI 9), after the step (S3) of separating the ingredients from the solvent, a subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of the solvent, said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) being defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity (EC_t5) of the solvent at the time (t5) of separating the ingredients from the solvent, and the electro-conductivity (EC_t6) of the solvent at a subsequent time (t6);

comparing (S20) said subsequent change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with an additional predetermined threshold (TH7), to generate a signal (SI) indicating that a property of the solvent reflecting the solvent quality has changed.

13. Method of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- selecting (S4) a type of ingredients to be brewed,

- putting (S5) the selected type of ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring (S6) a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of said solvent,

- comparing (S7) said change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with a predetermined threshold (TH) associated with the selected type of ingredients, to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent,

- separating (S8), based on said signal (S), the ingredients from the solvent.

14. Method of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- selecting (S9) a characteristic of the beverage to be prepared,

- putting (S10) the ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring (SI 1) a change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) of said solvent,

- comparing (SI 2) said change of the electro-conductivity (AEC) with a predetermined threshold (TH) associated with the selected characteristic, to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent,

- separating (SI 3), based on said signal (S), the ingredients from the solvent.

15. Method of preparing a beverage by brewing ingredients in a solvent, said method comprising the steps of:

- putting (SI 4) a given type of ingredients in the solvent,

- measuring (SI 5) a variation of the electro-conductivity of said solvent, defined as the difference between the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the time of measurement, and the electro-conductivity of the solvent at the starting time of the brewing operation,

- storing (SI 6) said variation of the electro-conductivity AEC in a memory,

- comparing (SI 7), during a next brewing of the same type of ingredients, said variation with a change of the electro-conductivity of the solvent, to generate a signal (S) indicating that the ingredients should be separated from the solvent, separating (SI 8), based on said signal (S), the ingredients from the solvent.