APPARATUS FOR PREPARING HERBAL INFUSIONS

Abstract

Described is a cartridge containing non-coffee plant materials, said cartridge having walls defining a chamber in which the plant materials are confined, the cartridge being adapted to serve as a grinding and extraction chamber for the plant materials.

Claims

1.-46. (canceled)

47. A cartridge containing non-coffee plant materials, said cartridge having walls defining a chamber in which the plant materials are confined, wherein: (a) part or all of at least one wall is reversibly openable such that a plunger may be introduced into the cartridge chamber to apply a crushing force to the plant materials confined in the chamber, and (b) the reversibly openable wall is opposed to a slidable wall, wherein the reversibly openable wall or part thereof comprises a folded closure comprising a flap.

48. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein said flap is adapted to fold at a hinge portion.

49.-59. (canceled)

60. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein the folded closure comprises: (a) at least three flaps; or (b) at least four flaps; or (c) at least five flaps; or (d) at least six flaps; or (e) at least seven flaps; or (f) at least eight flaps; or (g) at least nine flaps; or (h) at least ten flaps; or (i) at least eleven flaps; or (j) at least twelve flaps; or (k) more than twelve flaps.

61. The cartridge of claim 60 wherein two or more of the flaps are mutually overlapping when folded into a closed configuration.

62. (canceled)

63. The cartridge of claim 60 wherein the flaps are sequentially overlapping when folded into a closed configuration.

64. The cartridge of claim 60 wherein said flaps are of uniform shape and/or are substantially rectangular or wedge-shaped.

65.-69. (canceled)

70. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein the slidable wall is adapted to slide towards the openable wall such that the plant materials can be displaced from the chamber when said openable wall is open.

71. (canceled)

72. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein the non-coffee plant materials are selected from: (a) whole and/or cracked plant materials; (b) unroasted plant materials, for example selected from: (i) green plant materials; (ii) dried plant materials; (iii) pre-heated plant materials; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing; (c) roasted plant materials; (d) part-roasted plant materials; (e) unground plant materials; and (e) mixtures of the foregoing.

73. The cartridge of claim 72, wherein the plant materials are unroasted plant materials or part-roasted plant materials, for example selected from: (i) green plant materials; (ii) dried plant materials; (iii) pre-heated plant materials; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing.

74. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein part or all of the cartridge is formed of materials selected from: paper, cardboard, coated paper or cardboard, and metal-, polytetrafluoroethylene- (PTFE-) or nitrocellulose-coated paper or cardboard.

75. (canceled)

76. The cartridge of claim 47, which is a disposable, single-serve cartridge.

77. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein one or more additives selected from flavouring agents, preservatives, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, foam stabilizers, colouring agents and mixtures thereof are confined in the chamber of the cartridge together with the plant materials.

78. The cartridge of claim 77 wherein said one or more additives are selected from cocoa, caramel, vanilla, tea, chicory, fruit/berry extracts (e.g. raspberry, cherry, apricot, banana or citrus, such as lemon), herbs (for example mint), spices (for example, chilli and cinnamon, nutmeg), liqueurs (for example brandy and Amaretto), spirits (e.g. rum and brandy), salt, sugar, scorched sugar, honey, nuts (e.g. almond, hazelnut, walnut, peanut, pecan, macadamia and pistachio), coconut and mixtures of the foregoing.

79.-133. (canceled)

134. A process for producing and dispensing a herbal infusion comprising the step of grinding, extracting and optionally roasting unground plant materials contained in a cartridge as defined in claim 47.

135.-145. (canceled)

146. The process of claim of claim 134 wherein said herbal infusion comprises: (a) an extract of a medicinal plant; or (b) comprises a phytochemical extract comprising one or more alkaloids.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0117] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0118] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention.

[0119] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing a cocoa bean infusion using the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 in apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0120] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a second embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention.

[0121] FIG. 4A illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing cocoa using the cartridge shown in FIG. 3 in apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0122] FIG. 4B illustrates schematically an alternative process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing cocoa using the cartridge shown in FIG. 3 in apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0123] FIG. 5A is a cutaway perspective view of a third embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention.

[0124] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

[0125] FIG. 6A is a cutaway perspective view of a system comprising a cartridge according to the third embodiment in association with apparatus according to the invention.

[0126] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the brew spike/spout of the system shown in FIG. 6A.

[0127] FIG. 6C is a schematic view of the brew spike/spout when engaged with the cartridge in the system shown in FIG. 6B.

[0128] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing cocoa using the cartridge/system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0129] FIG. 8 shows plan and section views of a cartridge for use in the system of the invention in closed configuration.

[0130] FIG. 9 shows top and bottom perspective views of the cartridge shown in FIG. 8.

[0131] FIG. 10 shows plan, sectional and top and bottom perspective views of another embodiment of a cartridge of the invention.

[0132] FIG. 11 shows plan, sectional and top and bottom perspective views of yet another embodiment of a cartridge of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

Example 1: In Situ Roasting

[0133] Referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge (1) comprises cylindrical side walls (2), a fixed bottom wall (not shown) and a top wall in the form of a cap (4) comprising an outer retainer means (6) for securing the cap to the top of the cartridge by a snap-on engagement with a flange on the side walls (8) adapted to engage the outer retainer means (6) of the cap.

[0134] The cap (4) has an inner piston element (10) detachably connected to the retainer means by a frangible tear strip (12). The piston element (10) features a peripheral sealing portion (14) adapted to contact the inner surface of the side walls (2) of the cartridge thereby forming a seal, so that the piston element (10) and cartridge chamber may function as a piston and cylinder assembly when the piston element is detached from the retainer means (6) by breakage of the frangible tear strip (12).

[0135] Unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant material in the form of seeds (20) are shown in ghost.

[0136] It will therefore be appreciated that the cartridge walls define a roasting, grinding and brewing chamber (18) in which the seeds are confined.

[0137] Referring now to FIG. 2, and using the numbering for the components of the cartridge adopted in the description of FIG. 1 (above), the cartridge (1) is inserted into the cartridge holder (not shown) of the apparatus. An upper ram (22) having a number of brewing spikes (24) is then lowered onto the inner piston element (10), piercing it with the brewing spikes (24) and coupling therewith (aided by vacuum pressure generated by pump (not shown)).

[0138] The frangible tear strip (not shown) is then broken by rotation of the upper ram (22) together with the coupled piston element (10). The upper ram (22) is then lifted so that the coupled piston element (10) is removed from the cap (4), so opening the chamber and creating a peripheral vent (23).

[0139] The vent (23) is sufficiently large as to allow the introduction of a flow of hot air (broken arrow) at a volumetric flow rate sufficient to fluidize the seeds in the chamber, thereby effecting rapid, in situ fluidized bed roasting of the seeds within the cartridge chamber.

[0140] During this process, the capsule walls are cooled by a cooling element (not shown), while steam and aroma (shown by the arrows) escape via the vent (23).

[0141] A lower ram (25) having a number of cannulae (26), is then lifted against the fixed bottom wall (9), which is pierced by the cannulae (26) such that they protrude slightly through the bottom wall and come into contact with the seeds in the chamber. At the same time, the upper ram (22) together with the coupled piston element (10) is lowered and so re-inserted into the chamber to close the chamber. The roasted seeds are then rapidly degassed via the brewing spikes by the application of a vacuum thereto.

[0142] The upper ram (22) is then driven towards the bottom wall, during which process the piston element (10) and brewing spikes (24) are brought into contact with the roasted seeds confined therein, thereby crushing the roasted seeds. The upper ram is then rotated, exerting a rotational grinding force on the crushed seeds via the protruding brewing spikes (24) and lower protruding cannulae (26).

[0143] This processes described above yields freshly roasted seeds (30) confined within the chamber (18) of the cartridge.

[0144] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes (24) in the upper ram (22) (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the grounds (30), extracting the herbal brew as it flows towards the cannulae (26) in the lower ram. The herbal infusion then flows out of the cannulae into a cup (31) via a brew spout (not shown).

[0145] The upper ram (22) and lower ram (25) are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed grounds (32) is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

Example 2: Remote Oven Roasting

[0146] Referring now to FIG. 3, the cartridge (100) takes the form of a cylinder with cylindrical side walls (102) and top and bottom walls defining a chamber (104) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant materials in the form of seeds (106). The top and bottom walls are each in the form of upper and lower plugs slidably fitted within the chamber (108 and 110, respectively).

Shuttle Hopper Transfer

[0147] Referring now to FIG. 4A, and for clarity omitting all reference numerals (since the components will be recognized from the description given above for FIG. 2), the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder of the apparatus. The cartridge is then opened by removal of the upper plug with an upper ram having a number of brewing spikes which pierce the upper plug (thereby coupling upper ram and upper plug).

[0148] A lower ram having a number of cannulae is driven against the lower plug, which is pierced by the cannulae such that they protrude slightly through the lower plug and come into contact with the seeds in the chamber. The lower ram slides the lower plug past the upper end of the side walls of the chamber so displacing the seeds into a shuttle hopper.

[0149] The shuttle hopper containing the beans is then moved away from the top and lower plugs and the walls of the hopper are then heated to roast the seeds, while steam and aroma escape via a vent (not shown).

[0150] After cooling, the hopper is returned to its original location such that the roasted seeds are again located between the upper plug and lower plugs. The upper ram is then driven towards the lower plug, during which process the roasted seeds are crushed and brought into contact with the protruding brewing spikes and lower protruding cannulae. At the same time the upper and lower plugs, with the roasted seeds between them, are pushed through the hopper, past the upper end of the side walls of the cartridge and back into the chamber, so that the roasted seeds are returned to the cartridge chamber.

[0151] The upper ram then drives, in turn, the top plug (108) against the roasted seeds (106), and the roasted seeds against the lower plug (110), thereby crushing the roasted seeds, while rotation thereof exerts a rotational grinding force on the crushed seeds via the protruding brewing spikes and lower protruding cannulae.

[0152] This process yields fresh roasted seeds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0153] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes in the upper ram (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the grounds, extracting the herbal brew as it flows towards the cannulae in the lower ram. The brewed herbal infusion then flows out of the cannulae into a cup via a brew spout (not shown).

[0154] The upper ram and lower ram are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed grounds is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

Gravity Transfer by Inversion

[0155] As an alternative to the process described above in relation to FIG. 4A, the seeds may also be transferred from the cartridge chamber to a remote roasting oven by a gravity driven process shown schematically in FIG. 4B. Again, for clarity all reference numerals have been omitted (since the elements will be recognized from the description given above for FIG. 2).

[0156] Here, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder (not shown) of the herbal infusion making apparatus. The cartridge holder has an upper oven portion. An upper ram having a number of brewing spikes removes the upper plug and the cartridge holder and oven are then inverted, causing the seeds to fall by gravity out of the cartridge chamber and into the oven portion, where they are roasted.

[0157] After roasting, the cartridge holder and oven are returned to their original position, causing the roasted seeds to fall back into the cartridge chamber.

[0158] The upper ram, coupled to the upper plug, is then driven towards the lower plug, thereby crushing the roasted seeds, while rotation thereof exerts a rotational grinding force on the crushed seeds via the protruding brewing spikes of the upper ram and the protruding cannulae of the lower ram.

[0159] This process yields fresh roasted grounds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0160] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes in the upper ram (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the grounds, extracting the herbal brew as it flows towards the cannulae in the lower ram. The brewed herbal infusion then flows out of the cannulae into a cup via a brew spout (not shown).

[0161] The upper ram and lower ram are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed grounds is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

Example 3: Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting

[0162] Referring now to FIG. 5A, the cartridge (200) takes the form of a cylinder with cylindrical side walls (202), a bottom wall (204) slidable against the side walls (202) and a 3-pointed crimped and welded top wall (206) defining a chamber (208) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant material in the form of seeds (not shown). The cartridge is formed of cardboard having an aluminium coating on the inner walls.

[0163] The 3-pointed crimped top wall (206) is shown more clearly in FIG. 5B.

[0164] Referring now to FIG. 6A, the cartridge (200) is shown in conjunction with apparatus (300) for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing a herbal infusion for use with the cartridge (200), the cartridge (200) shown located in a cartridge holder (310) which is water-tight and adapted to serve as a pressure jacket to contain the pressurized hot water during injection into the chamber of the cartridge and through the plant material grounds. The bottom wall of the cartridge (not shown) is engaged with a brewing spike integrated with a brew spout (320).

[0165] The integrated brew spike/spout (320) is shown more clearly in FIG. 6B. The brew spike/spout (320) comprises a number of spikes (330) and a number of channels (340) for conducting brewed herbal infusion out of the chamber via the perforations introduced by the spikes (330) into the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge. The brewing spike is integrated with a brew spout (340) for dispensing the herbal infusion.

[0166] Above the cartridge holder (310) is a roasting chamber (350) into which air heated by heating element (360) is circulated by fan (370) driven by motor (380) via ducts (390).

[0167] Grinding plunger (400) is adapted to descend and rotate, to grind the roasted seeds. It comprises feed means (not shown) for introducing pressurized hot water into the chamber of the cartridge (200) and is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hot water (not shown).

[0168] The engagement of the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge with the brew spike/spout (320) and the cartridge holder (310) is shown more clearly in FIG. 6C. This shows the spikes (330) perforating the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge such that they can contact the seeds (400) in the chamber. The expanded area shows sealing means (410) between brew spike/spout (320) and cartridge holder (310).

[0169] Referring now to FIG. 7, the cartridge (200) is loaded into a cartridge tray (401) by the user, and the tray then moved into position beneath cartridge holder (310) and roasting chamber (350). The brewing spike/spout (320) then rises to slide the bottom wall (204) towards the roasting chamber, driving the seeds (not shown) against the welded top (206), thereby breaking the welds, opening the top (206) and moving the seeds (351) into the roasting chamber (350).

[0170] Hot air at about 300 C. is then circulated through the roasting chamber by fan (370), fluidizing the seeds and rapidly roasting them.

[0171] After roasting, the seeds (351) are driven back into the chamber by grinding plunger (391), which compresses the roasted seeds against the brewing spike/spout (320), pushing them together with the brewing spike/spout (320) back into contact with the tray (401). The grinding plunger is then rotated to grind the roasted seeds.

[0172] This process yields fresh roasted seed grounds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0173] Hot water is then fed through the grinding plunger (391) from a high pressure pump (not shown), forcing the hot water through the ground seeds and extracting a herbal infusion which is delivered to the user via the brew spike/spout (320). The machine then automatically cleans the grinding plunger while a reclosing plunger (not shown) reforms (but does not re-weld) the crimp of the top wall (206), so that the spent grounds and cartridge can be ejected into a waste compartment (not shown) without user intervention.

Example 4: Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting with a Cartridge Having a Folded Closure

[0174] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant materials in the form of seeds (not shown). Part-roasted seeds may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0175] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is formed by a number of sequentially overlapping hinged flaps (20).

[0176] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0177] It should be noted that the hinged flaps need not be refolded into a sequentially overlapping configuration after extraction: all that is required is that the spent seed grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

Example 5: Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting with a Cartridge Having a Single Flap Closure

[0178] Referring now to FIG. 10, the cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant materials in the form of seeds (not shown). Part-roasted seeds may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0179] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is formed by a hinged flap (20), releasably connected to said cartridge wall by a perforated tear-line (22).

[0180] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0181] It should be noted that the hinged flaps need not be precisely refolded after extraction: all that is required is that the spent seed grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

Example 6: Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting with a Cartridge Having a Two-Leaf Door Closure

[0182] Referring now to FIG. 11, the cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) plant materials in the form of seeds (not shown). Part-roasted seeds may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0183] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is a folded closure is in the form of two opposed hinged flaps (20 and 21) configured as a two-leaf door, each door releasably connected to said cartridge wall by perforated tear-lines (22 and 23).

[0184] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0185] It should again be noted that the hinged flaps need not be precisely refolded after extraction: all that is required is that the spent seed grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

[0186] The foregoing description details presently preferred embodiments of the present invention which are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents, modifications and variations to the specific embodiments of the invention described specifically herein. Such equivalents, modifications and variations are intended to be (or are) encompassed in the scope of the following claims.