A number of documents in the patent literature disclose apparatuses for brewing tea. These include Mordini et al., US Patent Application Publication No. US 2001/0209151, Mordini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,179, Cirigliano et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,136, Siemensma, U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,467, Zimmerman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,190, Stover, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,525 and Pope, U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,209.
Unfortunately, improvements are still desirable, particularly in terms of convenience of use and reliable attainment of desirable temperatures.
The present invention is directed to an improved brewing basket, and receptacle for receiving the basket, collectively forming an improved brewing apparatus. The receptacle, which is also sometimes referred to in the art as a brew funnel, includes a mouth, a receptacle floor and side walls connecting the mouth and the floor. The receptacle floor includes an aperture. The brewing basket includes a basket mouth, a basket floor and side walls connecting the basket mouth and basket floor. A siphon is received within the receptacle aperture and is covered by a shroud depending from the floor of the basket. The basket is elevated, with respect to the receptacle, preferably supported predominantly by the siphon.
An advantageous feature of the invention is the removability of the basket and the presence of a gripping extension or other gripping means which can be used in removing the basket from the receptacle. The removability of the basket facilitates cleaning of the basket and improves the safety of use of the apparatus.
The apparatus of the invention is quite flexible, and by permitting use of a single basket for loose and filter pack teas, the complexity of manufacturing and sales is reduced. Other advantageous features include a stainless steel insert to assist in containing the siphon within the shroud, retaining tabs within the shroud to help secure the siphon, and one or more, preferably three or more, protrusions extending upwardly from the floor of the basket to assist in keeping any infusion bags from lying flat on the floor of the basket, and thereby to promote infusion. Preferably, the shroud is integral with the basket floor and extends both above and below the floor. More preferably, the shroud extends up to 30%, preferably 30% or less, most preferably, 20% or less of the perpendicular height of the basket. Typically, the shroud will extend at least 1% of the perpendicular height of the basket, especially at least 5% of the perpendicular height of the basket.
The siphon provides a “residence time” for the tea to pasteurize. This is accomplished by the extracted tea (or other beverage) soluble solids residing for a time greater than 50 seconds and at a temperature greater than 180 F in the lower portion of the outer basket prior to siphoning out. This is a key feature of the device.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following description of the preferred embodiments.
Brewing apparatus 20 includes receptacle 22 (brewing funnel) and basket 24. Receptacle 22 includes a mouth 26 and floor 39 (
Basket 24 includes mouth 34 and floor 28 connected by side will 38. Depending from floor 28 is cylindrical shroud 40 which is open at its bottom end 42 and closed at its top end 44 (
As seen in
Floor 28 of basket 24 includes a circular flange 80, integral with and generally perpendicular to the base of side wall 38, to which spokes 82 radiate from the top end of shroud 40. Filter screens 60 form part of the floor 28 and are separated by the spokes 82. Although six spokes can be seen in
Basket 38 includes depending fins 180 extending downwardly, and medial fins, 188 extending upwardly from medial aspects of the spokes and extending laterally from the exterior of the upper end of shroud 40. Medial fins 188 and depending fins 180 serve to help stiffen the basket and to facilitate gripping of the basket, e.g., to facilitate cleaning. Upper end of shroud 40 may include a stainless steel threaded insert 202 (best seen in
If desired. Fins 160 as seen in
Flange 81, spokes 82 and filters 60′ may optionally be removable as a unit 179. Unit 179 may rest on a flange 80 attached to the side wall 38. The unit may be removably secured to basket 24, e.g., by screws or other means known to those of skill in the art. Removal may require twisting the unit. Alternatively, the shroud, spokes, flanges and side wall may all be integral wherein there would not form a removable unit 179.
Returning to
Referring to
In operation, siphon 46 is inserted through aperture 102 and fastened into place. Screw threads 100 are fastened through nut 192. Basket 24 is moved above and into receptacle 22 whereby shroud 40 is lowered over siphon 46. Siphon 46 supports basket 24 in an elevated position within receptacle 22.
When it is desired to prepare a beverage, such as tea or coffee, a beverage precursor which may, for example, be in the form of a powder or granule or grounds or may be the form of leaves contained within a bag or sachet, is placed within basket 24. Water or other suitable liquid is sprayed or otherwise placed on the tea and within the receptacle 24. The infused water flows through the tea, and water and dissolved tea therein passes through filter 60 in floor 28 of basket 24. The infused, water falls through the filter and onto floor 39 of receptacle 22.
As best seen in
Especially for tea, the water temperature is preferably at least 165° F., especially 185-200° F. most preferably at least 195° F. The siphon provides a “residence time” for the tea to pasteurize. This is accomplished by the extracted tea (or other beverage) soluble solids residing for a time greater than 50 seconds and at a temperature greater than 180 F in the lower portion of the outer basket prior to siphoning out. This is an important feature of the device.
Typically, the basket frame (side wall, spokes, center and flange) may be made of a thermoplastic such as polypropylene or other suitable material able to withstand the temperatures necessary for the type of brewing desired. Likewise, the receptacle may be made of a thermoplastic such as polypropylene or other suitable materials able to withstand the temperatures required for the desired type of brewing. The filter is preferably made of a mesh material such as stainless steel or other desired materials suitable for withstanding, the temperatures to which it will be subjected.
The design of the apparatus may result in a smoother, tastier brew. The keys include the cleanability of the basket, and improved steeping resulting; from the design of the device. When the apparatus is used, the extract quality and yield can be expected to be facilitated by increased and complete wetting of leaf particulates and by assuring that the tea leaf sees an adequate brewing temperature to effect leaf extract pasteurization.
With the brewing apparatus of the invention, a single apparatus design can be used for both loose tea and tea bags/sachets for brewing of iced tea, herbal teas, white, green and black teas, and other beverages such as coffee and hot teas. Improved steeping facilitated by the invention helps ensure microbiological food safety.
The word “comprising” is used herein as “including, but not limited to” the specified components. The words “including” and “having” are used synonymously.
It should be understood of course that the specific forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teaching of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims in determining the full scope.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4303525 | Stover | Dec 1981 | A |
4527467 | Siemensma | Jul 1985 | A |
4642190 | Zimmerman | Feb 1987 | A |
5927179 | Mordini et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
6136366 | Liedl, Jr. | Oct 2000 | A |
6250209 | Pope | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6786136 | Cirigliano et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6805042 | Mordini et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
7235277 | Liedl, Jr. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
20030209151 | Mordini et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120167774 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |