GB1573261A - Preparation of beverage - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF BEVERAGES (71) I, LARS RASENGREN, a Swedish subject of Fägelstigen 5, 561 00 Huskvarna, Sweden, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to apparatus for preparing beverages, such as tea. It is generally known that the preparation of tea is a somewhat different and more complicated procedure than, for example, preparing coffee. The invention is concerned with apparatus for the automatic preparation of beverages such as tea which can be adapted to different types of beverages.

The known methods of preparing tea may comprise the following steps: Boiling water, placing a filter or a strainer in a jug or pot, placing a measured amount of tea leaves in the filter, pouring hot water onto the tea leaves, waiting for the tea to infuse, maintaining the prepared beverage hot, and optionally adding more water to the tea to weaken the same. The most common method is to measure the tea leaves directly into a warmed pot and pour in the boiling water. The tea, after leaving for some time for infusion to take place, is then dispersed through a strainer. Many people consider the task of supervising the boiling of the water and the infusion time the most troublesome steps of these known methods.

According to the present invention, apparatus for preparing beverages comprising a water container having heating means associated therewith, a strainer and a collecting vessel for the prepared beverage, is characterised in that the container has means for directing water selectively either into the strainer, or directly into the collecting vessel and in that a time-control device is provided which is settable to different operative time intervals during which it causes the supply of water to be directed to the strainer.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention is particularly suitable for preparing tea and it can be used for different sorts of tea, or different quantities of water, to prepare the tea automatically with respect to a suitable infusion time for each sort of tea. In this respect, the present invention provides a settable time-control device whereby, in use of the apparatus, hot water (heated in the apparatus) is allowed to run through a filter for a length of time set in accordance with and determined by the sort of tea used. When this period of time for which the apparatus is set has lapsed the water will be diverted so as to run outside the filter, directly into the receptacle placed beneath said filter.

Tea of the desired strength can be obtained by balancing the amount of tea and water used. The infusion time to which the apparatus is set is specific to the sort of tea used and should be precisely observed, since if the infusion time is too short the beverage will not obtain the correct aroma, whilst if the infusion time is too long the beverage will have a bitter taste.

In order that the present invention will be readily understood, one embodiment of a tea maker in accordance with the invention, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of the tea maker, and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic electric circuit diagram for said tea maker.

The tea maker illustrated in Figure 1 has at the top thereof a container 1 with a heating element 2 (Figure 2) therein and an upper filling opening which is closable by a lid. Water poured into the container is heated to boiling point and the tempera- ture of the water is thereafter controlled by means of a thermostat 3 (Figure 2) which regulates the power input to the heating element 2. The apparatus has a body 4 comprising a hot plate 5 on which a tea pot 6 is placed for collecting the prepared beverage, and an upstanding wall 7 which supports the container 1 at the top thereof.

The container 1 is provided at the bottom thereof with two outlets 8, 9, each of which is regulated by a solenoid operated valve 10, 11 respectively (Figure 2). An essential part of the tea maker is arranged between the container 1 and the tea pot 6 and comprises a strainer 12 adapted to rest over an opening 13 of the tea pot beneath the outlet 8. The strainer has orifices 12a through which beverage can run down into the tea pot, the number and size of these orifices being so adjusted in relation to the outlet 8 that the level of water in the strainer rises until it reaches an outlet in the form of a weir 13 provided in the vicinity of the upper edge of the strainer.

Since the level of water rises in the strainer, tea leaves, placed in the strainer are well covered by the water and the essence in the tea leaves is well extracted therefrom. The other outlet 9 of the container is located to one side of the strainer 12 above a portion of the tea-pot opening 14 not covered by the strainer.

The mode of operation of the tea maker will now be described with particular reference to Figure 2. The timing of the beverage preparation procedure is controlled by a time switch 15 having an indicator knob 17, and a scale 19 (Figure 1).

The switch also includes a synchronous motor 16 or spring mechanism arranged to drive the indicator knob 17 to a zero position on the scale 19. The thermostat 3 is connected in the feed circuit of the water heater and is also provided with a switch which causes a starting current to be applied to the time switch when the water has reached boiling point. At the same time as this begins, a circuit to the solenoid operated valve 10 is closed so that the valve opens, whereupon boiling water will be supplied to the strainer 12. During passage of the indicator knob to the zero position water will continue to flow through the outlet 8, which normally takes several minutes, i.e. the so-called infusion time, which can thus be set as required on the time swish 15.When the indicator knob 17 reaches the zero position, the motor 16 causes a changeover switch 22 from the position shown in Figure 2 into contact with contact 19a, to cause the solenoidoperated valve 10 to be deenergised, and instead to energise the solenoid operated valve 11, whereupon the remainder of the water in the container 1 runs directly into the tea-pot through the outlet 9. At the same time the circuit to the time switch 15 is broken to stop the switch in its zero position. The circuit to a heating element 20 incorporated in the hot plate 5 is broken manually by means of a switch 21.

The beverage-preparing procedure is started manually, whereafter the beverage is prepared automatically by means of the tea maker. Thus, a measured quantity of water is poured into the container 1, and tea leaves or the like are placed in the strainer 12 in a quantity determined in relation to the amount of water in the container, and the strainer 12 placed over the opening of the tea pot 6 beneath the outlet 8. The switch 18 is closed and the indicator knob 17 is turned to the infusion time recommended for the beverage being prepared. The thermostat 3, the time switch 15 and the valves 10, 11 start and terminate the remaining functions of the tea maker.

The above described embodiment of the apparatus exemplifies how the invention can be realized. The apparatus can be modified, however, within the scope of the invention. For example, a larger strainer 12 may be provided that is suitable for preparing coffee whereby the water from both outlets passes through the strainer. Instead of providing two outlets, it is also possible to provide a spout which can be pivoted between two limit positions, one above the strainer 12, and one adjacent the same. In this case, the motor 16 of the time switch 15 can be used as the drive means for pivoting the spout from one limit position to the other.In this latter embodiment, the spout and the time switch could be conveniently mounted on the upper surface of the container 1, the requisite water pressure being obtained in a line extending between the bottom of the container and the outlet by means of a heating element and a non-return valve arranged in said line. With such an arrangement, heating of the water and infusion of the tea may take place simultaneously, thereby shortening the preparation procedure.

In another modification, the valves can be controlled mechanically, instead of by way of solenoids. Such variations lie within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the following claims.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for preparing beverages, comprising a water container having heating means associated therewith, a strainer and a collecting vessel for the prepared beverage, characterised in that the container has means fo directing water selectively either into said strainer, or directly into the collecting vessel; and in that a time-control device is provided which is settable to different operative time intervals during

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   regulates the power input to the heating element 2. The apparatus has a body 4 comprising a hot plate 5 on which a tea pot 6 is placed for collecting the prepared beverage, and an upstanding wall 7 which supports the container 1 at the top thereof.

   The container 1 is provided at the bottom thereof with two outlets 8, 9, each of which is regulated by a solenoid operated valve 10, 11 respectively (Figure 2). An essential part of the tea maker is arranged between the container 1 and the tea pot 6 and comprises a strainer 12 adapted to rest over an opening 13 of the tea pot beneath the outlet 8. The strainer has orifices 12a through which beverage can run down into the tea pot, the number and size of these orifices being so adjusted in relation to the outlet 8 that the level of water in the strainer rises until it reaches an outlet in the form of a weir 13 provided in the vicinity of the upper edge of the strainer.

   Since the level of water rises in the strainer, tea leaves, placed in the strainer are well covered by the water and the essence in the tea leaves is well extracted therefrom. The other outlet 9 of the container is located to one side of the strainer 12 above a portion of the tea-pot opening 14 not covered by the strainer.

   The mode of operation of the tea maker will now be described with particular reference to Figure 2. The timing of the beverage preparation procedure is controlled by a time switch 15 having an indicator knob 17, and a scale 19 (Figure 1).

   The switch also includes a synchronous motor 16 or spring mechanism arranged to drive the indicator knob 17 to a zero position on the scale 19. The thermostat 3 is connected in the feed circuit of the water heater and is also provided with a switch which causes a starting current to be applied to the time switch when the water has reached boiling point. At the same time as this begins, a circuit to the solenoid operated valve 10 is closed so that the valve opens, whereupon boiling water will be supplied to the strainer 12. During passage of the indicator knob to the zero position water will continue to flow through the outlet 8, which normally takes several minutes, i.e. the so-called infusion time, which can thus be set as required on the time swish 15.When the indicator knob

   17 reaches the zero position, the motor 16 causes a changeover switch 22 from the position shown in Figure 2 into contact with contact 19a, to cause the solenoidoperated valve 10 to be deenergised, and instead to energise the solenoid operated valve 11, whereupon the remainder of the water in the container 1 runs directly into the tea-pot through the outlet 9. At the same time the circuit to the time switch 15 is broken to stop the switch in its zero position. The circuit to a heating element 20 incorporated in the hot plate 5 is broken manually by means of a switch 21.

   The beverage-preparing procedure is started manually, whereafter the beverage is prepared automatically by means of the tea maker. Thus, a measured quantity of water is poured into the container 1, and tea leaves or the like are placed in the strainer 12 in a quantity determined in relation to the amount of water in the container, and the strainer 12 placed over the opening of the tea pot 6 beneath the outlet 8. The switch 18 is closed and the indicator knob 17 is turned to the infusion time recommended for the beverage being prepared. The thermostat 3, the time switch 15 and the valves 10, 11 start and terminate the remaining functions of the tea maker.

   The above described embodiment of the apparatus exemplifies how the invention can be realized. The apparatus can be modified, however, within the scope of the invention. For example, a larger strainer 12 may be provided that is suitable for preparing coffee whereby the water from both outlets passes through the strainer. Instead of providing two outlets, it is also possible to provide a spout which can be pivoted between two limit positions, one above the strainer 12, and one adjacent the same. In this case, the motor 16 of the time switch 15 can be used as the drive means for pivoting the spout from one limit position to the other.In this latter embodiment, the spout and the time switch could be conveniently mounted on the upper surface of the container 1, the requisite water pressure being obtained in a line extending between the bottom of the container and the outlet by means of a heating element and a non-return valve arranged in said line. With such an arrangement, heating of the water and infusion of the tea may take place simultaneously, thereby shortening the preparation procedure.

   In another modification, the valves can be controlled mechanically, instead of by way of solenoids. Such variations lie within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the following claims.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for preparing beverages, comprising a water container having heating means associated therewith, a strainer and a collecting vessel for the prepared beverage, characterised in that the container has means fo directing water selectively either into said strainer, or directly into the collecting vessel; and in that a time-control device is provided which is settable to different operative time intervals during

   which is causes the supply of water to be directed fo the strainer.
2. 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that said means has the form of two outlets in the bottom of the container, said outlets having solenoid operated valves or mechanically-controlled valves associated therewith, said valves being arranged to be controlled by the control device.
3. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the directing means has the form of a spout mounted on the container and pivotable between two limit positions, movement of said spout between said limit positions being effected by operation of the control device.
4. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised in that the time-control device and the spout are arranged in a lid of the container.
5. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a pipe extends from said container and is provided with a through-ilow heater and a non-return valve, said pipe being connected to the spout.
6. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the strainer has orifices in the bottom thereof and an outlet in the form of a weir, and in that the total through-flow area of the orifices is smaller than the outlet of the strainer.
7. 7. Apparatus constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to - the accompanying drawings.