Device for preparing infused beverages

• US 7,856,919 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tconcept Company
• Original Assignee: Cense D'Almez S.A.
• Inventors: Van Belleghem, Luc
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US12/089,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 992/89.R, 99286- 8, 992/95, 992/98, 992/80, 993/02.R, 993/07, 993/16
• US Class Current: 99/286
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0642 specially adapted to cooperate with a cartridge, e.g. having grooves or protrusions to separate cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber A47J31/0668 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/10 Coffee-making apparatus, in which the brewing vessel , i.e. water heating container, is placed above or in the upper part of the beverage containers i.e. brewing vessel; Drip coffee-makers with the water heating container in a higher position than the brewing vessel A47J31/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4403 Constructional details

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preparing an infused beverage. The device includes an infusion container for containing liquid and comprising an opening to allow liquid to flow out of the container. The device further includes a receptacle comprising a cavity for receiving a cartridge containing infusible matter. The infusion container and the receptacle are operable in relation to each other to be arranged in a position wherein the infusion container and the cavity communicate through the opening. The device further comprises an openable and closable passage communicating with the cavity to allow liquid to flow from the infusion container to the passage through the cavity. The device further includes a cleaning means for introducing a liquid and/or vapor within the infusion container and a removing means for removing the cartridge from the cavity. An operating means is arranged for operating the cleaning means and the removing means successively.

Claims

1. Device (2) for preparing an infused beverage, including:

a) an infusion container (6) for containing a liquid (4) and comprising an opening (8) to allow the liquid (4) to flow out of the container (6);

b) a receptacle (10) defining a cavity (16) for receiving a cartridge (12) containing infusible matter (14);

wherein the infusion container (6) and the receptacle (10) are operable in relation to each other to be arranged in a position wherein the infusion container (6) and the cavity (16) communicate through the opening (8);

c) an openable and closable passage (18) communicating with the cavity (16) to allow liquid (4) to flow from the infusion container (6) in the passage (18) through the cavity (16);

characterized in that it further includes

d) cleaning means for introducing a liquid and/or vapour within the infusion container (6);

e) removing means for removing the cartridge (12) from the cavity (16); and

f) operating means for operating the cleaning means and the removing means successively.

2. Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the operating means is adapted for operating the cleaning means, the withdrawing means and the cleaning means anew.

3. Device (2) according to claim 1, further including introducing means for introducing gas in the infusion container (6) through the cavity (16).

4. Device (2) according to claim 3, wherein the introducing means comprises a protruding nozzle (112) arranged in the cavity (18) and provided with at least one injection opening (113) for introducing the gas.

5. Device (2) according to claim 4, wherein the device comprises automatic reading means (34) for reading preparation parameters from the cartridge (12), the preparation parameters being selected from the group consisting of the infusion temperature, the infusion duration, when the introduction of gas takes place, how long it lasts and a combination of these parameters.

6. Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the passage (18) comprises a spout (19) to allow infused liquid (4) to flow within a cup from the passage (18) directly.

7. Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a first waste container (76) for collecting waste cleaning liquid and/or vapour (22) and a second waste container (78) for receiving the used cartridge (12) removed from the cavity (16).

8. Process for preparing an infused beverage in a device including an infusion container (6) for containing liquid (4) and a receptacle (10) comprising a cavity (16), the infusion container (6) comprising an opening (8) for liquid (4) to flow out, the process including the steps of:

a) inserting a cartridge (12) containing infusible matter (14) in the cavity (16), the cartridge (12) comprising a filter (44) to let liquid pass through;

b) arranging the container (6) and the receptacle (10) in relation to each other in a position so that the infusion container (6) and the cavity (16) communicate with each other through the opening (8);

c) introducing liquid (4) for infusion in the infusion container (6) so that the liquid flows to the cavity (16) immersing infusible matter (14) contained in the cartridge (12);

d) opening a passage (18) of the device (2), the passage (18) communicating with the cavity (16), to let the infused liquid (4) flow from the infusion container (6) through the cavity (16) and the filter (44) of the cartridge (12) into the passage (18);

e) characterized in that it further includes the successive steps of introducing a liquid and/or vapour in the container (8) for cleaning the container (6); and

f) removing the cartridge (12) from the cavity (16).

9. Process according to claim 8, including a further step of introducing a liquid and/or vapour in the container (8).

10. Process according to claim 8, including, between the step of introducing the liquid (4) for infusion and the step of opening the passage (18), a step of introducing gas through the cavity (16) in the infusion container.

11. Process according to claim 10, wherein the step of introducing gas takes place at 50 to 80 percent, or more particularly at 60 to 70 percent, of the time between the end of the step of introducing the liquid (4) for infusion and the beginning of the step of opening the passage (18) and/or substantially immediately after the step of introducing the liquid (4) for infusion.

12. Device (2) for preparing an infused beverage, including:

a) an infusion container (6) for containing a liquid (4) and comprising an opening (8) to allow the liquid (4) to flow out of the container (6);

b) a receptacle (10) defining a cavity (16) for receiving a cartridge (12) containing infusible matter (14);

wherein the infusion container (6) and the receptacle (10) are operable in relation to each other to be arranged in a position wherein the infusion container (6) and the cavity (16) communicate through the opening (8);

c) an openable and closable passage (18) communicating with the cavity (16) to allow liquid (4) to flow from the infusion container (6) in the passage (18);

characterized in that it further includes

d) cleaning means for introducing a liquid and/or vapour within the infusion container (6);

e) removing means for removing the cartridge (12) from the cavity (16); and

f) operating means for operating the cleaning means and the removing means successively.