CN108471897A - Automatic tea-making machine, system and the method for controlling automatic tea-making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of automatic tea-making machines (100, 100 '), automatic tea-making machine setting for preparing tea-drinking automatically, wherein automatic tea-making machine (100, 100 ') setting using a tealeaves (4) for brewing for being filled, wherein automatic tea-making machine (100, 100 ') there is control device (114), control device setting is for receiving by weighing device (150, 350) it obtains, about being filled in automatic tea-making machine (100, 100 ') value of the weight of a tealeaves (4) in and as the function of the value control automatic tea-making machine (100, 100 ').In addition,The invention further relates to a kind of systems (10 being used to prepare tea-drinking,10’),System has automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') and for automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') filter tea system (20,20’),Wherein filter tea system (20,20 ') include filter tea insertion piece (200),Tea insertion piece is filtered to be arranged for accommodating a tealeaves and importeding into automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') in brew chamber (124),And wherein automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') or filter tea system (20,20 ') there is weighing device (150,350),Weighing device setting is for obtaining the value about the weight for a tealeaves (4) being filled in filter tea insertion piece (200) and being sent to automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') on control device (114).In addition, the present invention relates to a kind of method for controlling automatic tea-making machine (100,100 '), comprise the steps of：Receive the value of the weight about a tealeaves (4) being filled in automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ') and as the function of the value about weight received control automatic tea-making machine (100,100 ').

Description

Automatic tea maker, system and method for controlling automatic tea maker

technical field

The present invention relates to an automatic tea brewer configured for automatic preparation of tea drinks, wherein the automatic tea brewer is configured for filling with a portion of tea leaves for brewing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for preparing tea drinks and a method for controlling an automatic tea maker.

Background technique

Automatic coffee machines for the automatic preparation of coffee drinks have been known for a long time, whereas only recently have automatic tea brewers specially configured for the automatic preparation of tea drinks been developed.

Traditionally, tea drinks are still prepared manually by pouring a certain amount of hot water into a teapot and contacting the appropriate amount of tea leaves in the teapot for a prescribed period of time.

Inaccuracies can arise in the metering of the tea leaves, especially when relatively large quantities of tea are to be used to prepare larger quantities of tea. Whether in the manual preparation of tea, or in known automatic tea infusers, the amount of tea leaves is usually measured by the user, more precisely mostly by means of a spoon. Due to the different judgments of the users on the spoon carrying tea (such as flat spoon or full spoon), large measurement deviation may be caused in this measurement method, so that even under the same measurement instruction, the tea drinks prepared by different users may have different tastes very big.

Therefore, the traditional method of measuring the amount of tea with a spoon is not sufficient to achieve the best possible tea quality as constant as possible.

Contents of the invention

Based on this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic tea maker, a system for preparing tea drinks and a method for controlling an automatic tea maker, whereby a better, constant tea drink quality.

According to the invention, in an automatic tea maker arranged for the automatic preparation of tea drinks, wherein the automatic tea maker is arranged for filling with a serving of tea leaves for brewing, the object is at least partly achieved thereby, i.e. automatically The tea maker has a control device arranged to receive a value obtained by the weighing device for the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea maker and to control the automatic tea maker as a function of this value.

By arranging the control device of the automatic tea maker for receiving a value regarding the weight of a portion of tea leaves filled in the automatic tea maker, it is possible to refer to the weight of this portion of tea leaves when controlling the automatic tea maker. In this way a better and constant quality of the tea drink can be achieved. In particular, it is possible in this way to carry out the brewing process of the tea drink to be prepared depending on the weight of the portion of tea leaves or to inform the user when the automatic tea brewer is filled with too little or too much tea leaves.

The automatic tea maker is set up for the automatic preparation of tea drinks. For this purpose, an automatic tea maker can in particular have a brewing chamber and a hot water supply, by means of which hot water can be injected into the brewing chamber in order to come into contact with a serving of tea leaves in the brewing chamber for the preparation of the tea drink. The control device of the automatic tea maker is preferably arranged to carry out the automatic preparation of the tea drink in dependence on user input, for example via operating elements of the automatic tea maker.

The automatic tea brewer is set to fill with one serving of tea leaves for brewing. For this purpose, the automatic tea maker preferably has a receptacle into which a serving of tea in the automatic tea maker can be filled or into which a tea filter insert for a serving of tea in the automatic tea maker can be inserted. in the middle. In the present invention, brewing is understood as the brewing process in which a defined amount of water is brought into contact with a portion of tea leaves for a defined time in order to prepare a tea drink.

The automatic tea maker has controls. In particular, the control device can have a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor. The memory can in particular contain instructions, execution of which on the microprocessor causes control of the automatic tea maker.

The control means is arranged to receive a value obtained by the weighing means relating to the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea infuser. For this purpose, the control device has, in particular, a signal input connected to a data line via which a signal relating to the value is received. In particular, the signal input or the data line is connected to the weighing device or can be connected via an interface in order to transmit a signal relating to the value of the weight to the control device. The weighing device can in particular be an electromechanical or electronic scale.

In particular, the value in terms of weight can directly represent the weight of the portion of tea leaves, for example in grams, or can alternatively represent the value of a measured variable which can be converted to the weight of the portion of tea leaves, for example by subtracting the previously Set the value conversion about the self-weight of the tea strainer insert.

Furthermore, the control device is provided for controlling the automatic tea infuser as a function of a value regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea infuser. In particular, the control device can be configured to adjust at least one process parameter during the preparation of the tea beverage, for example the amount of water used for preparation, as a function of the weight-related value. The control means can also be arranged to compare the value with respect to the weight with a prescribed threshold and activate the control of the prescribed automatic tea maker above or below the threshold, for example sending a message to the user that the automatic tea maker is overfilled or Notification of too little tea.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the aforementioned objects are at least partly achieved by a system for preparing tea beverages, the system having the previously described automatic tea brewing machine or an embodiment of the automatic tea brewing machine and having a A tea filter system for a tea machine, wherein the tea filter system comprises a tea filter insert configured to hold a serving of tea leaves and introduced into a brewing chamber of an automatic tea maker, and wherein the automatic tea maker or the tea filter The system has a weighing device arranged to obtain a value regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert and transmit to the control device of the automatic tea brewer.

In such a system, the portion of tea is not filled directly into the automatic tea maker, but is filled into a tea filter insert of a tea filter system, which in turn can be loaded into the automatic tea maker. Such a system simplifies the handling and cleaning of the automatic tea maker and in particular the removal of tea leaves from the automatic tea maker.

The tea filter insert is preferably provided for full introduction into the brewing chamber of an automatic tea maker, and preferably has a tea filter insert body which surrounds to be open towards the top side of the tea filter insert and to be inserted towards the filter tea The bottom surface of the part is at least partly permeable for the inner chamber of the tea, and wherein the tea filter insert is preferably installed or can be installed on the tea filter insert, thereby preventing the tea leaves from reaching the outside through the bottom surface of the tea filter insert.

In order to obtain a value regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert, automatic tea brewers or tea filter systems contain weighing means.

For example, if the weighing device is arranged in the automatic tea maker, the weight of the tea filter system or the tea filter insert can especially be obtained by means of the weighing device when the tea filter insert is inserted into the automatic tea maker. From this value, the control system can directly determine the weight of the portion of tea, for example by subtracting a stored or obtained value for the own weight of the tea filter system or tea filter insert.

If a weighing device is provided in a component of the tea filter system, the corresponding component and the automatic tea maker especially have connection means, such as electrical contacts, so that a signal about the value of the weight of the portion of tea can be sent from the weighing device to the controls of the automatic tea maker. Signals can also be transmitted wirelessly or inductively. For this purpose, the tea filter insert or the tea filter system can in particular have a transmitter and the automatic tea maker a corresponding receiver. Preferably, the tea filter insert (or tea filter system) and the automatic tea maker may have coils corresponding to each other, so as to send a signal from the tea filter insert or tea filter system to the automatic tea maker by induction. Such a wireless or inductive solution particularly has the advantage over galvanic contacts in that it is water-resistant or waterproof. If corresponding coils are provided for data transmission, the coils can preferably also be provided for inductively supplying the weighing device.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the aforementioned objects are at least partly achieved by a method for controlling the above-mentioned automatic tea-making machine, in particular of the above-mentioned system, comprising the following steps:

- receive a value about the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea brewer and

- Controlling the automatic tea maker as a function of the received value for weight.

Different embodiments of the automatic tea making machine, system and method are described below, wherein each embodiment can be applied to the automatic tea making machine, system and method independently of each other. Furthermore, the embodiments can be combined with one another.

In one embodiment, the automatic tea infuser has a weighing device, which is provided for acquiring a value for the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea infuser and for sending this value to the control device. In this embodiment, the weighing device is integrated in the automatic tea maker, so that the determination of the value for the weight can be carried out automatically in the automatic tea maker independently of the user.

In another embodiment, the automatic tea maker has one or more stands, so that the automatic tea maker can be placed on a surface, and the weighing device is arranged in one or more of the stands. A weighing device arranged in one or more of the stands can be provided in particular for determining the weight of the automatic tea maker. In this case, the control means are preferably arranged to determine the weight of the tea leaves from a difference measurement of the weight of the automatic tea maker before and after filling a portion of tea leaves into the automatic tea maker.

In another embodiment, the automatic tea maker is configured to receive a tea filter insert or to accommodate a tea filter system comprising such a tea filter insert, the tea filter insert is configured to contain a serving of tea, wherein the automatic tea maker There is a transmission device arranged to receive the value sent by the weighing device integrated in the tea filter insert or the tea filter system about the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert and transmit to the control on the device. In a corresponding embodiment of the system, the tea filter insert or the tea filter system comprises a weighing device.

In this way, it is also possible to arrange the weighing device independently of the automatic tea maker. This makes it possible to dispense with the installation of weighing devices in the automatic tea maker and thus enable cheaper production. To use the weighing function, a corresponding tea filter insert or tea filter system with an integrated weighing device can then be used.

The power supply of the weighing device integrated in the tea filter insert or the tea filter system preferably takes place via induction. To this end, the tea filter insert (or tea filter system) and the automatic tea maker preferably have coils corresponding to each other, so that the weighing device can be powered by induction from the automatic tea maker. The advantage of this sensing solution over galvanic contact is that it is water resistant or waterproof.

By way of example, the weighing device integrated in the tea filter insert or the tea filter system can operate in the same way as a traditional household scale.

The transfer device preferably comprises electrical contacts arranged in such a way that when the tea filter insert is loaded into the automatic tea maker, the electrical contacts come into contact with corresponding electrical contacts provided on the tea filter insert. In this way, an electrical connection can be established for transmitting a signal concerning the value of the weight from the tea filter insert or the weighing device in the tea filter system to the control device of the automatic tea brewer. Instead of electrical contacts, receivers for electromagnetic signals can also be considered, so that a wireless transmission of signals regarding the value of the weight can be done between the tea filter insert (or tea filter system) and the automatic tea maker. For this purpose, the tea filter insert or the tea filter system preferably has a corresponding transmitter.

In another embodiment, an automatic tea maker is configured to receive a tea filter insert and a collar for operating the tea filter insert, the tea filter insert is configured to contain a serving of tea, wherein the automatic tea maker has a transport The means, the transmission means are arranged to receive the value sent by the weighing means integrated in the collar regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert and transmit to the control means.

In a corresponding embodiment of the system, the tea filter system comprises a collar arranged to accommodate a tea filter insert, wherein the collar comprises a weighing device, and wherein the weighing device is configured to accommodate the tea filter insert in the While in the collar a value is obtained regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the filter insert and the value regarding the weight is sent to the control of the automatic tea brewer.

Such a collar simplifies the handling of the tea filter insert, in particular the insertion and removal of the tea filter insert into and out of the automatic tea maker, and can thus be referred to as an handling collar. Such a collar preferably comprises a tea filter insert-receptacle provided for receiving the tea filter insert and an opening, preferably with a bottom, through which the tea filter insert can be introduced into the tea filter insert-receptacle. The collar can in particular have a locking mechanism which in the locked state closes the tea filter insert-receptacle so that the tea filter insert received in the tea filter insert-receptacle remains in the tea filter insert-receptacle , and the locking mechanism releases the tea filter insert-accommodating portion in the unlocked state, so that the tea filter insert accommodated in the tea filter insert-accommodating portion can be disengaged from the tea filter insert-accommodating portion through the opening.

The collar preferably has a support element on which the tea filter insert rests when the tea filter insert is received in the collar, and the weighing means is arranged to capture the weight of the tea filter insert acting on the support element.

In another embodiment, the automatic tea maker has an infusion chamber for brewing a tea drink with a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea maker, and the control device is configured to adjust the The amount of water to be introduced into the brewing chamber for brewing the portion of tea as a function of the value of the weight. In a corresponding embodiment of the method, the control of the automatic tea maker comprises, as a function of the received value for the weight, introducing a defined amount of water for brewing a tea drink into the brewing chamber of the automatic tea maker , where the amount of water is adjusted as a function of the value received for the weight of the portion of tea.

In this way, the amount of water can be adapted to the weight of the tea leaves, so that a constant tea quality can be achieved also when using different weights of tea leaves. For example, the control device can be arranged to introduce into the brewing chamber an amount of water proportional to the weight of the portion of tea leaves. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to compare the weight-related value with a prescribed lower threshold and/or a prescribed upper threshold and only if the weight-related value is above the prescribed lower threshold and/or below the prescribed upper threshold , the brewing process is carried out.

In a further embodiment, the automatic tea maker has a display device and the control device is designed to output an output as a function of the received value for the weight to the display device. In a corresponding embodiment of the method, the control of the automatic tea brewer as a function of the received value for weight includes displaying the output as a function of the received value for weight on a display device.

In this way, information about the weight of the portion of tea can be output to the user. For example, the control device can be configured to output the weight of the portion of tea on the display device. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be configured to output an indication on the display device when the weight-related value falls below a defined lower threshold value and/or exceeds a defined upper threshold value.

In a further embodiment, the control device is provided for controlling the automatic tea brewer according to the method or according to one of the described embodiments of the method.

For this purpose, the control device preferably has a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor, wherein the memory contains instructions whose execution on the microprocessor causes the method or an embodiment thereof to be carried out.

Further embodiments 1 to 8 of the automatic tea maker, further embodiments 9 to 11 of the system and further embodiments 12 to 14 of the method are described below. The embodiments described below are each independently, but can also be combined with one another and/or with the other described embodiments:

1. An automatic tea maker configured for automatic preparation of tea drinks, wherein the automatic tea maker is configured to be filled with a portion of tea leaves for brewing, wherein the automatic tea maker has a control device configured to receive The weighing device acquires a value regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea brewer and controls the automatic tea brewer as a function of this value.

2. The automatic tea maker according to embodiment 1, wherein the automatic tea maker has a weighing device arranged to obtain a value about the weight of a serving of tea leaves filled in the automatic tea maker and to The value is sent to the control unit.

3. The automatic tea maker according to embodiment 2, wherein the automatic tea maker has one or more supports so that the automatic tea maker can be placed on a surface, and the weighing device is arranged in one or more of the supports.

4. The automatic tea maker according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the automatic tea maker is configured to accommodate a tea filter insert, the tea filter insert is configured to accommodate a serving of tea leaves, the automatic tea maker A transmission device is provided for receiving the value sent by the weighing device integrated in the tea filter insert about the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert and transmitting it to the control device.

5. An automatic tea maker according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the automatic tea maker is configured to accommodate a tea filter insert and to accommodate a collar for handling the tea filter insert, the tea filter insert Arranged to hold a serving of tea leaves, the automatic tea infuser has a transmission device arranged to receive the weight of a serving of tea leaves filled in the tea strainer insert sent by a weighing device integrated in the collar value and pass it on to the controller.

6. The automatic tea maker according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the automatic tea maker has a brewing chamber for brewing a tea drink with one serving of tea leaves filled in the automatic tea maker and controls The device is arranged to regulate the amount of water to be introduced into the brewing chamber for brewing the portion of tea as a function of the received value for the portion's weight.

7. An automatic tea maker according to any one of embodiment forms 1 to 6, wherein the automatic tea maker has display means and the control means is arranged to deliver an output as a function of the received value for weight to the display on the device.

8. The automatic tea maker according to any one of the implementation forms 1 to 7, wherein the control device is configured to control the automatic tea maker according to the method according to any one of the implementation forms 11 to 13.

9. A system for preparing tea drinks,

- having an automatic tea maker according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8 and

- Has a tea strainer system for an automatic tea maker,

- wherein the tea filter system comprises a tea filter insert configured to receive a serving of tea and introduced into the brewing chamber of the automatic tea maker, and

- wherein the automatic tea brewer or tea filter system has a weighing device arranged to obtain a value for the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert and transmit to the control device of the automatic tea brewer.

10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the tea filter insert comprises a weighing device.

11. The system according to embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the tea filter system further comprises a collar arranged to receive the tea filter insert, and wherein the collar comprises a weighing device and the weighing device is arranged for When the tea insert is received in the collar a value is obtained regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the filter insert and the value regarding the weight is sent to the control of the automatic tea brewer.

12. The method for controlling the automatic tea maker according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 8, especially the automatic tea maker according to the system according to any one of the embodiments 9 to 11, comprising the following steps :

- receive a value about the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea brewer and

- Controlling the automatic tea maker as a function of the received value for weight.

13. The method according to embodiment 12, wherein the control of the automatic tea maker comprises, as a function of the received value for weight:

- Displaying the output as a function of the received value for weight on a display device.

14. The method according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the control of the automatic tea maker comprises, as a function of the received value for weight:

- introducing the prescribed amount of water for brewing tea into the brewing chamber of the automatic tea maker,

Therein the amount of water is adjusted as a function of the value received for the weight of the portion of tea.

Description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are given in the ensuing description of exemplary embodiments, to which reference is made to the appended drawings.

in the attached picture

Figures 1a-b illustrate an embodiment of an automatic tea maker and system for preparing tea beverages,

Figures 2a-d illustrate another embodiment of an automatic tea maker and system for preparing tea drinks, and

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method.

Detailed ways

Figures 1a and 1b show an embodiment of a system 10 for preparing a tea drink with a tea filtering system 20 and an automatic tea infuser 100. The automatic tea maker 100 includes a housing 110 in which a hot water supply device 112 , a control device 114 , an operating device 116 and a moving device 118 are placed. For example, the hot water supply device 112 can have a straight-through heater connected to a water supply pipe. The control device 144 can in particular have a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor, wherein the memory contains instructions, the execution of which instructions on the microprocessor triggers the control of the automatic tea maker 100 . The operating device 116 contains operating elements, by means of which the user can access different options of the automatic tea maker. By way of example, operating device 116 can have a touch screen.

A brewing unit 120 and a tea receiving place 122 arranged below the brewing unit are arranged on the housing 110 .

The brewing unit 120 comprises an upwardly opening brewing chamber 124 , for example in the form of an upwardly opening glass measuring cylinder, and a spray head 126 which is arranged on a lid 128 which is pivotable relative to the housing 110 .

Arranged on the bottom of the brewing chamber 124 is an outlet opening 130 which has a valve 132 which can be controlled by the control device 114 . Liquid can be delivered from the brewing chamber 124 by opening the valve 132 via the discharge tube 134 to a discharge opening 136 positioned above the tea collection point 122 .

In the discharged state, the drink collection point 122 has a drink collection container receptacle 138 for a drink collection container, for example a teacup 2 or a teapot, below the discharge opening 136 . Furthermore, the tea receiving place 122 preferably has a drip tray 140 in which the liquid dripping from the outlet 136 can be received when the tea collecting container accommodation 138 is empty.

The function of the spray head 126 is to introduce water for the brewing process into the brewing chamber 124 . To this end, a conduit (not shown) is provided in the housing 110 , which extends from the hot water supply 112 to the spray head 126 . Water can also be introduced into the brewing chamber 124 by means of the spray head 126 in order to rinse the brewing chamber. Optionally, the spray head 126 can also be supplied with cleaning agent from a cleaning agent container in order to clean the brewing chamber 124 .

A lid 128 with a spray head 126 is able to swing between an open position (FIG. 1a) and a closed position (FIG. 1b). In the open position, the brewing chamber 124 is accessible from above so that the tea filter system 20 can be loaded into the automatic tea maker 100 . After installing the tea filter system 20 , the user can swing the lid 128 to a closed position so that the spray head 126 is disposed above the brewing chamber 124 and water can thereby be introduced into the brewing chamber 124 .

The tea filter system 20 comprises a tea filter insert 200 which is provided for being completely introduced into the brewing chamber 124 . In other words, the outer contour of the tea filter insert 200 matches the inner contour of the brewing chamber 124 so that the tea filter insert 200 can be completely slid into the brewing chamber 124 .

In addition, the tea filter system 20 also includes a collar 300 configured to accommodate the tea filter insert 200 . In other words, the inner contour of the collar 300 matches the outer contour of the tea filter insert 200 so that the tea filter insert 200 can fit into the collar 300 .

To operate the automatic tea maker 100 , the tea filter insert 200 is inserted into the collar 300 from below and filled with tea leaves 4 . The tea filter system 20 is then loaded into the automatic tea maker 100 with the lid 128 in the open position. By swinging the lid 128 into the closed position ( FIG. 1 b ), the collar 300 is pushed onto the brewing chamber 124 so that the tea filter insert 200 with the tea leaves 4 can reach into the brewing chamber 124 and start the brewing process.

For the brewing process, hot water is introduced into the brewing chamber 124 via the spray head 126 . During the brewing process, the tea filter insert 200 is moved up and down in the brewing chamber 124 several times by means of the moving device 118 so that the tea leaves 4 are dispersed in the water in the brewing chamber 124 . The mobile device 118 and the tea filter insert 200 are preferably magnetically coupled to each other. For example, the moving device 118 could have a magnet and the tea filter insert 200 a magnetic material or vice versa, so that the tea filter insert moves with the up and down movement of the magnet of the moving device 118 and thus moves in the brewing chamber 124 .

At the end of the brewing process, the tea filter insert 200 is moved out of the brewing chamber 124 again by means of the displacement device 118 and into the collar 300 . Simultaneously, the finished tea drink is output from the brewing chamber 124 through the outlet 130 through the control valve 132 to a tea drink collection container placed on the tea drink collection place, such as a teacup 2 or a teapot. The lid 128 can then be swung into the open position again and the tea filter system 20 can be removed.

In an alternative embodiment of the automatic tea maker, it is also possible to fill a serving of tea directly into the automatic tea maker without a separate tea filter system such as the tea filter system 20 .

The control device 114 of the automatic tea maker 100 is arranged to receive the value obtained by the weighing device regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the automatic tea maker. For this purpose, the automatic tea maker 100 has in particular a weighing device 150 arranged to obtain a value regarding the weight of a serving of tea filled in the tea filter insert 200 . As shown in FIG. 1a, the weighing device 150 can be arranged, for example, in one or more supports 152 on the bottom surface of the automatic tea maker 100, by means of which the automatic tea maker 100 is placed on a base, such as a workbench. The weighing device 150 is connected to the control device 114 via a data line 154, so that the control device 114 receives the weight-related value detected by the weighing device.

For example, the weighing device 150 is configured to obtain the weight of the automatic tea maker 100 with the loaded tea filter system 20 and the tea leaves filled in the tea filter system. The control device 114 is then able to determine the weight of a serving of tea leaves in the tea filter system 20 by subtracting the reference weight of the automatic tea maker 100 measured before filling the tea filter system 20 with tea leaves.

Furthermore, the control means 114 are arranged to control the automatic tea maker 100 as a function of the value in relation to the weight of a serving of tea. For example, the control means 114 can be configured to display the weight of a serving of tea leaves on the display means 156 of the automatic tea maker 100, or when the received value for the weight is below a stored lower threshold value or exceeds a stored When the upper threshold is reached, that is to say when there is too little or too much tea in the tea filter insert 200 , a prompt is output on the display device 156 . The display device 156 mainly involves a display screen. In particular, operating device 116 and display device 156 can be formed by components such as a touch screen or projection.

Additionally or alternatively, the control device 114 can be configured to control the brewing process as a function of a value relating to the weight of a serving of tea. For example, the control device is configured to calculate a suitable amount of water from the value received by the weighing device 150 regarding the weight of a serving of tea and to control the hot water supply device 112 so that the corresponding amount of water is directed into the In the brewing chamber 124. In this way, it is possible to automatically adjust the amount of water according to the amount of tea leaves.

Figure 2a shows another embodiment of a system 10' having a tea filtering system 20' and an automatic tea maker 100'. The system 10' has a similar structure and a similar mode of operation as the system 10 in Figures 1a-b. Therefore, identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

The difference between the system 10' and the system 10 is that in the system 10', the weighing device is not arranged in the automatic tea making machine 100', but is arranged in the tea filter system 20'.

The tea filtering system 20' of the system 10' is next described in detail with reference to Figures 2b-d.

Figure 2b first shows the tea filter insert 200 of the tea filter system 20' in side sectional view. The tea filter insert 200 has a tea filter insert body 202 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is substantially tubular in shape and surrounds an inner opening for tea leaves 4 which is open towards the top side of the tea filter insert 200 . Room 204. The inner chamber 204 is delimited at the bottom by a fixed tea strainer 206 mounted on the tea filter insert body 202 so that tea leaves cannot pass from the tea filter insert 200 down to the outside.

The tea filter insert body 202 has a guide section 208 in the upper region, the outer contour of which is adapted to the inner contour of the brewing chamber 124 . The guide section 208 abuts against the inner wall 144 of the brewing chamber 124 when the tea filter insert body 202 is placed in the brewing chamber 124 .

The tea filter insert body 202 has a scraper means 210 on the top side, which in the embodiment shown comprises an outwardly sloping scraper lip 212 . When the tea filter insert 200 is placed in the brewing chamber 124, the scraper lip 212 abuts against the inner wall 144 of the brewing chamber 124 so that as the tea filter insert 200 moves upwards in the brewing chamber 124, the tea leaves are The scraper is scraped off from the inner wall 144 and introduced into the inner chamber 204 via the inclination of the scraper lip 212 directed inwardly towards the inner side 214 of the inner chamber 204 .

Figure 2c shows the collar 300' of the tea filtering system 20' in side cutaway view. The collar 300' consists in the illustrated embodiment of a generally tubular body 302 which encloses a tea filter insert-receptacle 304. The collar 300' has an opening 306 in the bottom, through which the tea filter insert 200 can be introduced into the tea filter insert-receptacle 304. To this end, the inner shape of the tea filter insert-receptacle 304 matches the outer shape of the tea filter insert 200 . Figure 2d shows the tea filter insert 200 received in the tea filter insert-receptacle 304 of the collar 300'.

In order to reversibly fix the tea filter insert 200 in the tea filter insert-receptacle 304, a locking mechanism 308 is constructed in the form of a plurality of locking claws 310 on the underside of the collar 300', in the locked state shown in Figure 2d Among them, the locking pawl reduces the cross-section of the bottom opening 306 so that the tea filter insert 200 is positively maintained in the tea filter insert-receptacle 304 . For this purpose, the locking pawl 310 has an upper abutment surface 312 and the tea filter insert 200 has a lower abutment surface 216 , which abut each other in the locked state as shown in FIG. 2 d .

The tea filter insert receptacle 304 is delimited downwards by the upper abutment surface 312 . Collar 300' The height of the tea filter insert-receptacle 304 , that is, the distance between the upper abutment surface 312 and the upper stop 314 in this embodiment is matched with the tea filter insert 200 such that the tea filter insert is locked by the locking mechanism 308 It can also move in the collar 300' in the locked state. This means that the height of the tea filter insert receptacle 304 is greater here than the height of the guide section 208 .

The collar 300' matches the brewing chamber 124 in such a way that the collar 300' For this purpose, the bottom opening 306 of the collar 300' is dimensioned such that the collar can fit over the brewing chamber at least some distance away. The bottom opening 306 thus simultaneously forms the brewing chamber receptacle 316 . Arranged in the region of the brewing chamber receptacle 316 is a locking pawl 310 , whose bottom surface extending obliquely inwards forms an actuating surface 318 , so that the locking pawl 310 is opened.

Since the tea filter insert 200 can be filled with one serving of tea leaves and the tea filter system 20' can be loaded into the automatic tea maker 100' as shown in Figure 2a, the automatic tea maker is configured to use one serving for brewing, That is the filling of tea leaves for the brewing process in the brewing chamber 124 .

In the system 10', the weighing device 350 is arranged in the collar 300' and has an upper abutment surface 312, so that when the tea filter insert 200 is received in the collar 300' as shown in FIG. 2d, the tea filter insert This lays flat on the weighing device 350 such that the weight of the tea filter insert 200 acts at least partially on the weighing device 350 and the weighing device can thereby obtain a value regarding the weight of the tea filter insert 200 and thus obtain a value regarding the weight of the tea filter insert 200. A value for the weight of a serving of tea contained in the tea filter insert 200 .

In order to transmit the value about the weight from the weighing device 350 to the control device 114 of the automatic tea maker 100', the collar 300' has a contact 352 electrically connected to the weighing device 350, and the automatic tea maker 100' has a corresponding The contact piece 158 is connected to the control device 114 through the data line 160 . The contacts 352 and 158 mate with each other so that they are electrically connected to each other when the tea filter system 20' is inserted into the automatic tea maker 100' as shown in FIG. connect. Therefore, the contact 158 and the data line 160 form a transmission device 162, by which the automatic tea maker 100' can receive the value about the weight sent by the weighing device 350 and transmit it to the control device 114. Instead of the transmission device 162, also a wireless transmission device can be considered, especially a transmitter in the collar 300' and a receiver in the automatic tea maker 100', or in the collar 300' and the automatic tea maker 100' Coils corresponding to each other are arranged for wireless signal transmission by induction.

Similar to the control of the automatic tea maker 100 in Figure 1a, the control of the automatic tea maker 100' In particular, the control device 114 can be configured to display the weight of the tea leaves on the display device 156 . The control device 114 is in particular able to obtain the weight of the tea leaves by subtracting the stored or measured own weight of the tea filter insert 200 before filling the tea leaves from the weight of the tea filter insert 200 containing tea leaves delivered by the weighing device 350 . Alternatively, the subtraction is performed in the weighing device 350 .

Furthermore, the control device 114 can be configured to calculate a suitable amount of water from the value received by the weighing device 350 for the weight of a serving of tea and to control the hot water supply device 112 so that the corresponding amount of water is directed into the In the brewing chamber 124.

Hereinafter, referring to the flow chart of an embodiment of the method for controlling the automatic tea making machine 100 or 100' drawn in FIG.

Firstly, the user of the automatic tea making machine 100 or 100' can load the tea filter system 20 or 20' into the automatic tea making machine as shown in Figure 1a or 2a, and the weighing device 150 or 350 determines the value of the automatic tea making machine on it. The reference weight of machine 100 or tea filter system 20'. Afterwards, the user can fill tea leaves into the tea filter insert 200 from above.

In step 402 a value is obtained from the weighing device 150 or 350 regarding the weight of the tea leaves in the tea filter insert 200 . This value is transmitted via the data line 154 or the transmission means 162 to the control means 114 of the automatic tea maker 100 or 100' and is received by the control means in step 404. The control device 114 calculates the weight of the tea leaves from the received value, especially by subtracting the previously measured reference weight, and outputs the weight through the display device 156, thereby enabling the user to know how many tea leaves have been filled in the tea filter insert 200.

For example, steps 402 to 406 can be repeated until the expected tea weight is reached or the user confirms through the operating device 116 to terminate the filling process.

During the subsequent brewing process using the tea leaves filled in the tea filter insert 200, the control device 114 determines in step 408 that the hot water supply device 112 will introduce the tea leaves to be introduced into the brewing process according to the value of the weight of the tea leaves. The amount of hot water in the chamber 124 and in step 410 the brewing process is performed with the corresponding adjusted water amount. For example, it is possible to adjust the amount of water to be proportional to the weight of the tea leaves, so that eg correspondingly double the amount of water is used for double the weight of tea leaves.

The automatic tea brewing machine 100, 100' is preferably arranged to receive further parameters for the brewing process, in particular via the operating device 116. For example, the temperature of the water used for the brewing process can be adjusted in this way depending on the type of tea that is charged, so that the prepared tea drink can achieve a better quality.

By means of the described automatic tea brewing machine, system and method, a constant tea quality can thus be achieved, since the amount of tea leaves and the amount of water used for brewing can be matched to each other and thus excess and deficiency of tea leaves can be avoided.

Claims (13)

1. Automatic tea maker (100, 100') configured for automatic preparation of tea drinks, wherein said automatic tea maker (100, 100') is configured to be filled with a serving of tea leaves (4) for brewing , wherein the automatic tea maker (100, 100') has a control device (114), the control device is configured to receive information obtained by the weighing device (150, 350) about filling in the automatic tea maker (100, 100') the value of the weight of a portion of tea leaves (4) and as a function of said value to control the automatic tea maker (100, 100'), characterized in that the automatic tea maker ( 100') configured to accommodate a tea filter insert (200) configured to accommodate a portion of tea leaves (4), and the automatic tea maker (100') has a transfer device (162), Said transfer device is arranged to receive a weight for a portion of tea (4) filled in said tea filter insert (100) sent by a weighing device integrated in said tea filter insert (100) The value of the weight is transmitted to the control device (114). 2. The automatic tea making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, the automatic tea making machine (100) has a weighing device (150), and the weighing device is configured to obtain information about filling in the automatic tea making machine. A value for the weight of a serving of tea leaves in the tea maker (100) and transmits said value to said control device (114). 3. The automatic tea maker according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic tea maker (100) has one or more supports (152), so that the automatic tea maker (100) can be placed on a surface , and the weighing device (150) is arranged in one or more of the supports (152). 4. The automatic tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the automatic tea maker (100) is configured to accommodate a tea filter insert (200) and to accommodate A collar (300) for a tea filter insert configured to hold a portion of tea leaves (4), said automatic tea maker (100') having a transfer device (162), said transfer device arranged to receive information about the weight of a serving of tea (4) filled in said tea strainer insert (200) sent by a weighing device (350) integrated in said collar (300') value and passed on to the control device (114). 5. The automatic tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the automatic tea maker (100, 100') has a , 100') in the brewing chamber (124) for brewing tea with a portion of tea leaves (4) and said control device (114) is provided for adjusting the weight of the portion of tea leaves (4) as received The amount of water to be introduced into the brewing chamber (124) as a function of said value for brewing the portion of tea leaves. 6. The automatic tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the automatic tea maker (100, 100') has a display device (156) and the control device (114) Provision is made to deliver an output as a function of said received value for weight to said display device (156). 7. The automatic tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control device (114) is configured to control the Described automatic tea maker (100, 100'). 8. A system (10, 10') for preparing tea drinks, - having an automatic tea maker (100, 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and - having a tea filtering system (20, 20') for said automatic tea maker (100, 100'), - wherein said tea filter system (20, 20') comprises a tea filter insert (200) arranged to hold a serving of tea and introduced into said automatic tea maker (100, 100') in the brewing chamber (124), and - wherein said automatic tea making machine (100, 100') or said tea filtering system (20, 20') has a weighing device (150, 350) configured to obtain The value of the weight of a serving of tea leaves (4) in the tea filter insert (200) is sent to said control means (114) of said automatic tea maker (100, 100'). 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that said tea filter insert (200) comprises said weighing means. 10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, - said tea filter system (20') comprising a collar (300') arranged to accommodate said tea filter insert (200), and - said collar (300') contains said weighing device (350) and said weighing device (350) is arranged for said tea filter insert (200) to be received in said collar (300') obtain a value for the weight of a serving of tea (4) filled in the tea filter insert (200) and send the value for the weight to the automatic tea maker (100') on the control device (114). 11. An automatic tea maker for controlling an automatic tea maker (100, 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in particular a system according to any one of claims 8 to 10 (100, 100') method, including the following steps: - receiving a value regarding the weight of a portion of tea (4) filled in said automatic tea maker (100, 100') and - controlling said automatic tea maker (100, 100') as a function of said received value for said weight. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the control of the automatic tea maker (100, 100') comprises as a function of said value received for said weight: - displaying an output as a function of said value received for said weight on said display means (156). 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein as a function of said value received for said weight, the control of said automatic tea maker (100, 100') comprises: - introducing a prescribed amount of water for brewing tea into the brewing chamber (124) of said automatic tea maker (100, 100'), wherein the amount of water received as received for a serving of tea (4) is adjusted The amount of water as a function of the value of the weight.