FILTERING BEAKER, KIT AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A LIQUID EMULSION

Abstract

The invention refers to filtering beaker for producing a liquid emulsion comprising a tubular main body and a filtering body removably attachable to the main body. The filtering body is or comprises a base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker. The filtering beaker comprises at least one filtering area for filtering and emulsifying a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker. The invention further refers to a related filtering kit and to a related device for producing a liquid emulsion.

Claims

1. A filtering beaker for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: a main body with tubular geometry configured for receiving therein a blending device for producing the liquid emulsion; a filtering body with a geometry matching the tubular geometry of the main body at least at a connecting portion of the filtering body, wherein the filtering body is removably attachable to the main body by the connecting portion thereof, wherein the filtering body is or comprises a base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker, and wherein the filtering beaker, in particular the filtering body, comprises at least one filtering area for filtering and emulsifying a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker, wherein the at least one filtering area is arranged on the base of the filtering body; wherein the filtering beaker further comprises one or more standing portions for supporting the filtering beaker on a substrate when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, wherein the one or more standing portions extend in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, a gap remains between the substrate and the filtering body and/or between the substrate and the base, allowing a turbulent flow driven by a blending device received within the filtering beaker to be directed through the at least one filtering area axially downwards within said gap towards the substrate.

2. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the filtering body is removably attachable to the main body by means of a threaded mechanism or a clipping mechanism.

3-4. (canceled)

5. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the main body has a longitudinal extension corresponding to at least 1.5 times a longitudinal extension of the filtering body.

6. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises or is made of one or more first materials and the filtering body comprises or is made of one or more second materials different from the one or more first materials.

7. (canceled)

8. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the one or more standing portions correspond to portions of at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker, and wherein one or more openings are formed in said at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker between neighbouring standing portions, wherein the one or more openings extend upwards in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker from a bottom end of the filtering beaker to a height over the bottom end of the filtering beaker.

9. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the filtering body has a tubular geometry, wherein the base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker comprises or is a filtering element comprising one or more of the at least one filtering area, wherein the filtering element is removably attachable to the rest of the filtering body.

10. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the at least one filtering area comprises at least one filtering mesh covering one or more windows in the filtering body, and wherein the at least one filtering area comprises a plurality of filtering pores formed in the filtering body.

11. (canceled)

12. The filtering beaker of claim 1, wherein the at least one filtering area has a filtering size from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

13-17. (canceled)

18. A filtering beaker for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: a main body with a tubular geometry; and a filtering body with a geometry matching the tubular geometry of the main body at least at a connecting portion of the filtering body, wherein the filtering body is removably attachable to the main body by the connecting portion thereof, wherein the filtering body is or comprises a base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker, and wherein the filtering beaker, in particular the filtering body, comprises at least one filtering area for filtering and emulsifying a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker, wherein at least one sidewall of the main body, in particular a bottom part thereof and/or a part thereof adjacent to the filtering body and/or to the base, comprises one or more additional filtering areas.

19. The filtering beaker of claim 18, wherein the at least one filtering area is arranged on the base of the filtering body or on at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker.

20. The filtering beaker of claim 18, further comprising one or more standing portions for supporting the filtering beaker on a substrate when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, wherein the one or more standing portions extend in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, a gap remains between the substrate and the filtering body and/or between the substrate and the base, and wherein the one or more standing portions correspond to portions of at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker, and wherein one or more openings are formed in said at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker between neighbouring standing portions, wherein the one or more openings extend upwards in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker from a bottom end of the filtering beaker to a height over the bottom end of the filtering beaker.

21. The filtering beaker of claim 20, wherein the main body has a longitudinal extension corresponding to at least 1.5 times a longitudinal extension of the filtering body.

22. The filtering beaker of claim 20, wherein the main body comprises or is made of one or more first materials and the filtering body comprises or is made of one or more second materials different from the one or more first materials.

23. The filtering beaker of claim 20, wherein the filtering body has a tubular geometry, wherein the base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker comprises or is a filtering element comprising one or more of the at least one filtering area, wherein the filtering element is removably attachable to the rest of the filtering body.

24. The filtering beaker of claim 20, wherein the at least one filtering area comprises at least one filtering mesh covering one or more windows in the filtering body, and wherein the at least one filtering area comprises a plurality of filtering pores formed in the filtering body.

25. The filtering beaker of claim 20, wherein the at least one filtering area has a filtering size from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

26. A device for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: a filtering beaker comprising: a main body with a tubular geometry configured for receiving therein a blending device for producing the liquid emulsion; a filtering body with a geometry matching the tubular geometry of the main body at least at a connecting portion of the filtering body, wherein the filtering body is removably attachable to the main body by the connecting portion thereof, wherein the filtering body is or comprises a base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker, and wherein the filtering beaker, in particular the filtering body, comprises at least one filtering area for filtering and emulsifying a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker, wherein the at least one filtering area is arranged on the base of the filtering body; wherein the filtering beaker further comprises one or more standing portions for supporting the filtering beaker on a substrate when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, wherein the one or more standing portions extend in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, a gap remains between the substrate and the filtering body and/or between the substrate and the base, allowing a turbulent flow driven by a blending device received within the filtering beaker to be directed through the at least one filtering area axially downwards within said gap towards the substrate; wherein the device further comprises: a piston configured for being received within the filtering beaker and covering an internal cross section of the filtering beaker at least in part; and a container for receiving the filtering beaker therein, such that a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker by the action of said blending device received within the filtering beaker can be collected in the container, wherein the device preferably further comprises fastening means for fixating a position of the filtering beaker within the container; and/or wherein a cross-section of the container preferably is greater than a cross-section of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker is received within the container, at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker is separated from at least one sidewall of the container by a separation distance, wherein the separation distance is from 1 cm to 15 cm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 reproduces a device for beverage production known from prior art.

[0060] FIGS. 2-7 schematically illustrate a filtering beaker according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the filtering beaker.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the filtering beaker.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the filtering beaker 10 when the main body and the filtering body are mutually attached.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the main body of the filtering beaker.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the filtering body of the filtering beaker.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the filtering body of the filtering beaker.

[0067] FIGS. 8-12 schematically illustrate a filtering beaker according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of the filtering beaker.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the filtering beaker.

[0070] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the main body of the filtering beaker.

[0071] FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the main body of the filtering beaker.

[0072] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the filtering body of the filtering beaker.

[0073] FIGS. 13-16 schematically illustrate a filtering beaker according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0074] FIG. 13 shows a perspective exploded view of the filtering beaker.

[0075] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the filtering beaker.

[0076] FIG. 15 shows a top view of the main body of the filtering beaker.

[0077] FIG. 16 shows a top view of the filtering body of the filtering beaker.

[0078] FIGS. 17-20 schematically illustrate a filtering baker according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0079] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the main body.

[0080] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the filtering body.

[0081] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a sealing ring.

[0082] FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the filtering beaker with the filtering body of FIG. 18 attached to the main body of FIG. 17.

[0083] FIG. 21 schematically illustrates in a perspective view a kit according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0084] FIG. 22 schematically illustrates in a perspective view a kit according to a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0085] FIGS. 23-25 schematically illustrate the structure and operation of a filtering device according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention.

[0086] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view.

[0087] FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional side view of the filtering device when a blending device is received in it.

[0088] FIG. 25 shows a side view of the main body of the filtering beaker of the filtering device with the piston received in it.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0089] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to specific preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated apparatus and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the future to someone skilled in the art to which the invention relates within the scope defined by the claims.

[0090] FIG. 1 shows a device for beverage production known from WO 2013/120813 A1 discussed above. The device includes a filtering beaker 2 which is configured as a one-piece device. As a consequence, it is difficult to dispose of solid rests received within the filtering beaker 2 after the production of a beverage out of solid ingredients with the filtering beaker 2. Further, the filtering areas 3 are incorporated into the filtering beaker 2, for which it is not possible to select different filtering areas, having for example different filtering sizes, for producing different beverages using the filtering beaker 2.

[0091] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a filtering beaker 10 according to some embodiments of the invention. The filtering beaker 10 comprises a tubular main body 12 and a filtering body 14, which in this embodiment is configured as a tubular filtering body 14. The main body 12 has a substantially cylindrical geometry, i.e. has constant substantially circular cross-section and one sidewall 12w that extends axially (longitudinally) between a top end 12t and a bottom end 12b of the main body 12. The main body 12 is completely hollow. The top end 12t and the bottom end 12b are both open ends of the main body 12.

[0092] The filtering body 14 has a tubular geometry that matches the tubular geometry of the main body 12, which in the present embodiment implies that, like the main body 12, the filtering body 14 also has a substantially cylindrical geometry with a circular cross-section of substantially the same shape and size as the circular cross-section of the main body 12, both internally and externally.

[0093] FIG. 3 represents a schematic lateral view of the filtering beaker 10 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 12 has a longitudinal extension L.sub.M, i.e. an extension in the axial direction between the top end 12t and the bottom end 12b thereof, that corresponds to about 2 times a longitudinal extension L.sub.F of the filtering beaker 14. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, both the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 have an outer diameter D of 9 cm. The longitudinal (axial) direction of the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 corresponds to the vertical direction on the paper for FIGS. 2, 3, 4 (and also for FIGS. 8, 9 13, 14 17, 18 19, 20 and 21).

[0094] The main body 12 and the filtering body 14 can be attached to each other by means of a releasable coupling mechanism 30 that is implemented in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-7 as a threaded mechanism comprising a male threaded profile 11 exteriorly arranged at the bottom end 12b of the main body 12 and a female threaded profile interiorly arranged at a connecting portion 15 (at the top end 14t) of the filtering body 14. By means of the coupling mechanism 30, the main body 10 can be screwed into the receiving portion 15 of the filtering body 14 such that a mechanically stable but still releasable connection between the filtering body 14 and the main body 12 is formed, which can further be fluid-tight.

[0095] In other related embodiments, a similar threaded mechanism may comprise a male threaded profile that may be exteriorly arranged at the connecting portion 15 of the filtering body 14 and a female threaded profile may be interiorly arranged at the bottom end 12b of the main body 12. In any case, the filtering body 14 and the main body 12 can be easily but securely attached to each other or detached, similarly to the upper and lower components of a conventional moka pot.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the filtering beaker 10 when the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 are mutually attached. As seen in FIG. 4, when the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 are mutually attached, the sidewall 12w of the main body 12 and the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 form a continuous smooth surface, since the tubular geometry of the filtering body 14 matches the tubular geometry of the main body 12.

[0097] The filtering body 14 comprises a base 17 that completely covers a cross-section of the filtering body 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-7, the base 17 has a circular shape corresponding to the internal circular cross-section of the filtering body 14. As indicated in FIG. 3 with a dashed line, the base 17 of the filtering body 14 can be arranged at distance X from an upper end 14t of the filtering body 14 in the longitudinal direction. The base 17 is arranged in an axial (longitudinal) position between the connecting portion 15 (at the top end 14t of the filtering body 14) and a bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14. However, in other similar or related embodiments, the base 17 can be arranged at a different longitudinal position, for example at the top end 14t of the filtering body 14 or at the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 (in particular in embodiments not having the openings 19 to be described further below for the present embodiment). In other words, the value of the distance X can range between substantially 0 and substantially L.sub.F in different embodiments.

[0098] The base 17 geometrically closes an inner space I (cf. FIG. 4) of the filtering beaker 10 at one axial (longitudinal end), such that the inner space I of the filtering beaker 10 is laterally enclosed by the sidewall 12w of the main body 12, by a portion of the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 having an extension X in the longitudinal direction as indicated in FIG. 3, wherein the inner space I is further enclosed from below by the base 17 and is open from above, at the top end 12t of the main body 12. Thus, the overall extension of the inner space of the filtering beaker 10 enclosed by the sidewalls 12w and 14w of the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 respectively is L.sub.M+X, as seen in FIG. 3.

[0099] The base 17 comprises a filtering area 20, which in the exemplary embodiment represented in FIGS. 2-6 is configured as a filtering mesh made of steel threads that are interwoven forming a square grid with openings having a regular aperture of 150 m. The filtering area 20 of the base 17 covers the entire cross-section of the base 17 (and hence of the filtering body 14) with the exception of a thin perimetral boundary, having for example a radial extension of 1 cm or less, by which the base 17 is fixed to the rest of the filtering body 14.

[0100] As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the filtering body 14 further comprises a plurality of openings 19 formed as curved quadrangular-shaped openings in the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 extending from the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 longitudinally upwards up to a height H over the bottom end 14b (cf. FIG. 3). The openings 19 are curved inasmuch as they are formed in the curved (circular) sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the height H is less than a distance between the base 17 and the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14. However, in other related embodiments, the height H may substantially correspond to a distance between the base 17 and the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14, such that the openings 19 can extend all the way from the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 to the longitudinal (axial) position of the base 17. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the filtering body 14 comprises three openings 19, however, other related embodiments may have more or fewer openings, for example one, two, four, five or a higher number.

[0101] Due to the presence of the openings 19, the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 has different extensions in the longitudinal direction at different positions around the perimeter of the filtering body 14. In those perimetral positions in which an opening 19 is formed, the sidewall 14w has a longitudinal extension L.sub.FH (cf. FIG. 3). In those perimetral positions in which no opening 19 is formed, the sidewall 14w has a longitudinal extension L.sub.F (cf. FIG. 3) and each portion of the sidewall 14w extending between adjacent openings 19 forms a standing portion 14p of the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14.

[0102] Thus, the tubular cylindrical filtering body 14 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-7 has a crenelated structure, wherein each of the one or more openings 19 is formed as an embrasure or recess of the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 and is arranged between two adjacent non-recessed portions (merlons) of the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 corresponding to respective standing portions 14p of the filtering beaker 10.

[0103] If the filtering beaker 10 is placed within a container, such as a glass or pot, with the standing portions 14p resting on a base of such container, i.e. acting as feet of the filtering beaker 10, the standing portions 14 laterally enclose a space region that is also enclosed from above by the base 17 of the filtering body 14 and from below by the base of the container. This space region is fluidly connected to the exterior through the openings 19 and to the interior space I through the at least one filtering area 20 of the base 17. When a blending device received within the filtering beaker 10 is in operation, the rotating blades thereof may be arranged right over the base 17 and may generate and drive a turbulent flow directed downwards through the filtering area 20 of the base 17 towards the bottom of the container and then radially outwards through the openings 19.

[0104] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the main body 12 of FIGS. 2-4, corresponding to a top end 12t of the main body 12 having a circular cross-section. A bottom view would be similar or identical to the top view shown in FIG. 5, but would instead show a bottom end 12b of the main body 12.

[0105] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the filtering body 14 of FIGS. 2-4, corresponding to a top end 14t of the filtering body 14 having a circular cross-section. From this top view, the base 17 is visible, which is attached to the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 and comprises the filtering area 20 having a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the base 17.

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the filtering body 14 of FIGS. 2-4, corresponding to a bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 having a circular cross-section. From this top view, the filtering area 20 of the base 17 is visible. Also visible are three openings 19 and three standing portions 14p, formed as portions of the sidewall of the filtering body 14. In the embodiment under consideration, all three openings 19 and all three standing portions 14p cover equal angles of 60 about the centre of the circular-cross section of the filtering body 14. In other related embodiments, different numbers of openings 19 and/or standing portions 14p and or different angular extensions thereof are possible. In particular, the openings 19 need not necessarily have the same angular extension and/or be evenly spaced.

[0107] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 can be made or comprise the same plastic material. However, in other embodiments the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 can be made of or comprise different materials. For example, the main body can be made of a food-compatible plastic while the filtering body can be made of or comprise stainless steel. The coupling mechanism 30 can be made of the same material or of a different material as (the rest of) one or both of the main body 12 and the filtering body 14.

[0108] FIGS. 8 to 12 show schematic views of a filtering beaker 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, which shares most of the structural characteristics that have been described above for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, whence identical reference numerals are used for indicating identical or related components. Unless otherwise specified, the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 may be assumed to have identical or similar features and characteristics as the exemplary embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0109] One of the differences between the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 and the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7 is that, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, the filtering body 14 has no openings and no standing portions (cf. FIGS. 2-4) formed therein. Therefore, the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 has the same extension in the longitudinal direction throughout the perimeter thereof.

[0110] A further difference is that the releasable coupling mechanism 30 is configured in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 as a bayonet mechanism comprising a plurality of radial protrusions 15 at the top end 14t of the filtering body configured for being received and locked within a corresponding plurality of L-shaped slots 11 formed at the bottom end 12b of the main body 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two radial protrusions 15 and two corresponding L-shaped slots 11 are shown, although their number can different, in particular higher, in other related embodiments.

[0111] The filtering beaker 10 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 comprises a sealing ring 9 configured for being arranged between the filtering body 14 and the main body 12 when the filtering body 14 and the main body 12 are mutually attached in order to improve a fluid-tightness of a mechanical connection between the filtering body 14 and the main body 12. The sealing ring 9 can be made of a rubber material.

[0112] A further difference is that in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, the base 17 is not arranged at an intermediate longitudinal position between the bottom end 14b and the top end 14t of the filtering body 14, but instead at the bottom end 14b, thereby closing the tubular filtering body 14 from below, such that an inner space I of the filtering beaker 10 is fully surrounded be the sidewall 12w of the main body 12 and by the sidewall 14w of the tubular filtering body 14.

[0113] Further, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, filtering areas 20 are arranged in the base 20 and also on the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 and comprise a plurality of filtering pores that are formed in the base 17 and the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14, respectively. The filtering pores of the filtering areas 20 can have a diameter of for example 150 m or any other of the filtering sizes described above for a filtering beaker according to the present invention.

[0114] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the filtering beaker 10 of FIG. 8, wherein the sealing ring 9 is arranged between the filtering body 14 and the main body 12.

[0115] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the main body 12 of FIGS. 8 and 9, in which the top end 12t of the main body 12 can be seen. FIG. 11 shows a schematic bottom view of the main body 12 of FIGS. 8 to 10, in which the bottom end 12b of the main body 12 and the two L-shaped slots 11 formed therein can be seen.

[0116] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the filtering body 14 of FIGS. 8 and 9, in which the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14, at which the base 17 is arranged, can be seen. The base 17 comprises part of the filtering pores of the filtering areas 20, the rest being formed in the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14. Also seen in FIG. 12 are the two radial protrusions 15 of the bayonet mechanism 30 configured for being received and fastened within the L-shaped slots 11 of the main body 12. A top view of the filtering body 14 would be identical to the bottom view shown in FIG. 12.

[0117] FIGS. 13 to 16 show schematic views of a filtering beaker 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, which shares most of the structural characteristics that have been described above for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7 and/or for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, whence identical reference numerals are used for indicating identical or related components. Unless otherwise specified, the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 may be assumed to have identical or similar features and characteristics as the exemplary embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7 and with respect to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0118] FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the filtering beaker 10 and FIG. 14 shows a corresponding schematic side view. One of the differences between the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16 and the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7 or FIGS. 8 to 12 is that, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, the filtering areas 20 of the filtering body 14 are configured as filtering meshes, like in the exemplary embodiment discussed with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7, but the filtering areas 20 are now arranged on the base 17, which is arranged at the bottom end 14b of the tubular filtering body 14, like in the embodiment described above with respect to FIGS. 8 to 12, and also on the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14. The filtering areas 20 arranged on the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 cover rectangular openings formed in the sidewall 14w.

[0119] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, the coupling mechanism 30 is configured as a threaded mechanism 30 like in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, comprising a male threaded profile 11 arranged at the bottom end 12b of the main body that can be screwed into a female threaded profile arranged at the connecting portion 15 (at the top end 14t) of the filtering body 14.

[0120] A further difference between the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16 and the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7 or FIGS. 8 to 12 is that, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, the main body 12 comprises, at its top end 12t, a flange 52 configured for acting as fastening means for fixating a position of the filtering beaker 10 with respect to a container in which the filtering beaker 10 may be received by receiving therein an upper rim of the container. The flange functionally corresponds to the rim 5 known from the device described in WO 2013/120813 A1 (cf. FIG. 1). The size and shape of the flange 52 may hence be correspondingly adapted to match the geometry of the rim of a particular container. When the filtering beaker 10 is fixated to a container by the flange 52, the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 may or not rest on a base of the container.

[0121] FIG. 15 shows a top view of the main body 12 of the filtering beaker 10 of FIGS. 13 and 14, in which the top end 12t of the main body 12 can be seen, in which the flange 52 is formed.

[0122] FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the filtering body 14 of the filtering beaker 10 of FIGS. 13 and 14, in which the bottom end 14b of the filtering body 14 can be seen, at which the base 17 is arranged containing part of the filtering areas 20 configured as a filtering mesh, the rest of the filtering areas being formed on the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 as windows in the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 covered by the filtering mesh, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0123] FIGS. 17 to 20 show schematic views of a filtering beaker 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention, which shares some of the structural characteristics that have been described above for the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 16, whence identical reference numerals are used as appropriate for indicating identical or related components.

[0124] One main difference between the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20 and the previously described embodiments of the filtering beaker 10 is that, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20, the filtering body 14 does not have a tubular geometry but instead has a disc-shaped geometry and is configured as the base of the filtering beaker 10. In this embodiment, the main body 10 has a tubular geometry and comprises, at its bottom end 12b, a plurality of standing portions 12p that functionally correspond to the standing portions 14p of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, but which are formed in the main body 12, as part of the sidewall 12w of the main body 12, and not in the filtering body 14.

[0125] The standing portions 12p extend in the longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker 10 and the filtering beaker 10 can stand on the bottom of a container using the standing portions 12p when being received in said container. In such situation, the presence of the standing portions 12p implies that a gap remains between the bottom of the container and the filtering body 14, which forms the base of the filtering beaker 10 and covers a cross-section thereof. The aforesaid gap corresponds to a vertical space between the bottom end 12b and the filtering body 14, which is partly surrounded by the standing portions 12p and by the openings 19 that are formed between neighbouring standing portions 12p.

[0126] The filtering body 14 is removably attachable to the main body 12 by means of a clipping mechanism 23. The disc-shaped filtering body 14 can be introduced into the main body 12 through the bottom end 12b and be moved upwards past a biased clipping mechanism 23 that lets the filtering body 14 through but locks it in position between the clipping mechanism 23 and a holding portion 21 of the filtering beaker 10, which is the present exemplary embodiment is configured as an internal radial protrusion 21 of the main body 10. A sealing ring 9 is arranged between the filtering body 14 and the internal radial protrusion 21.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 20, in this exemplary embodiment, the filtering body 14 is arranged at an intermediate longitudinal position between the top end 12t and a bottom end 12b of the main body 12 and a longitudinal extension Ly of the tubular main body 10 is much larger than a longitudinal extension L.sub.F of the disc-shaped filtering body 14 (L.sub.M>20 L.sub.F).

[0128] When the filtering body 14 is attached to the main body 12, the filtering body 14, which forms the base of the filtering beaker 10, is received within the main body 10. The filtering body 14 has a disc-shaped geometry that matches the tubular geometry of the main body 12, which in this case means that the disc-shaped filtering body 14 entirely covers the internal circular cross-section of the tubular main body 12.

[0129] A further difference between the filtering beaker 10 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20 and the previously described embodiments of the filtering beaker 10 is that, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20, the main body comprises a first filtering area 20-1 formed in a portion of the sidewall 12w that is adjacent to and over the filtering body 14 (cf. FIG. 20), and the filtering body comprises a second filtering area 20-2. The first filtering area 20-1 has a first filtering size, for example 150 m, and the second filtering area 20-2 has a second filtering size greater than the first filtering size, for example 300 m or 500 m. In other related embodiments, the first filtering area 20-1 formed of the sidewall 12w may vertically extend over a greater part of a vertical extension of the sidewall 12w, i.e. may extend up to a point further away from the filtering body 14 as compared to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-20.

[0130] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-20, the filtering baker 10 further comprises a handle 7 for hand-holding the filtering beaker 10.

[0131] FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of a kit 50 according to an embodiment of the invention. The kit 50 comprises a filtering beaker 10 comprising a main body 12, which is identical to the exemplary main body shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a first filtering body 14-1 and a second filtering body 14-2. Each of the filtering bodies 14-1 and 14-2 of the kit 50 is similar to the tubular filtering body 14 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 but having no openings 19 formed in a sidewall thereof. Each of the first filtering body 14-1 and the second filtering body are removably and exchangeably attachable to the main body 12 using a corresponding releasable coupling mechanism, which in the embodiment shown is configured as a threaded mechanism comprising a male threaded profile 11 at the bottom end of the main body 12 and a female threaded profile formed at the connecting portion 15 of each of the first filtering body 14-1 and the second filtering body 14-2, as was the case in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7 and 13 to 16.

[0132] The first and second filtering bodies 14-1, 14-2 each comprise a base 17-1 and 17-2, which in this case are arranged at a longitudinal position between the respective top end 14t-1 or 14t-2 and the respective bottom end 14b-1, 14b-2, closer to the respective top end 14t-1, 14t-2 than to the respective bottom end 14b-1, 14b-2. However, as previously pointed out, the longitudinal position of the bases 17-1 and 17-2 can be different in other embodiments. For example, the bases 17-1 and 17-2 can be arranged at the bottom end 14b-1 or 14b-2 of the respective filtering body 14-1, 14-2 in other related embodiments.

[0133] Each of the bases 17-1, 17-2 comprises a respective filtering area 20-1, 20-1 formed therein as a filtering mesh. The structural properties of the first and second filtering bodies 14-1 and 14-2 can be substantially identical, the only difference being different filtering sizes of the filtering areas 20-1 and 20-2. For example, the first filtering body 14-1 may have a filtering area 20-1 with a first filtering size smaller than a second filtering area 20-2 of the second filtering body 14-2. In a more specific example, the first filtering body 14-1 may have a filtering area 20-1 with a filtering size of 150 m while the second filtering body 14-2 may have a filtering area 20-2 with a filtering size of 500 m. Thus, a user of the filtering kit 50 may attach the first filtering body 14-1 to the main body 12 for producing a liquid emulsion out of water and seeds, such as soja beans or tiger nuts, for which a filtering size of 150 m is more appropriate and may exchange the first filtering body 14-1 by the second filtering body 14-2 by detaching the first filtering body 14-1 from the main body and by attaching instead the second filtering body 14-2 to the main body 12 for producing a liquid emulsion out of water and nuts such as peanuts, hazelnuts or cashew nuts, for which a filtering size of 500 m is more appropriate.

[0134] The exemplary kit 50 illustrated in FIG. 21 comprises two filtering bodies 14-1 and 14-2 for illustrative simplicity. However, a kit according to similar or related embodiments may comprise a larger number of filtering bodies, for example three, four or five, each possibly having a different filtering size.

[0135] FIG. 22 shows a schematic perspective view of a kit 50 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The kit 50 comprises a filtering beaker 10 with a main body 12 and a filtering body 14 that are structurally similar to the main body 12 and the filtering body 14 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7. In particular, the filtering body 14 of the kit 50 also comprises a plurality of openings 19, wherein each opening separates two adjacent standing portions 14p of the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14.

[0136] However, instead of having a fixed base 17 (cf. FIG. 1), the filtering body 14 of the kit 50 of FIG. 22 comprises a first base configured as a first filtering element 22-1 and a second base configured as a second filtering element 22-2. Each of the first and second filtering elements 22-1 and 22-2 are removably attachable to the rest of the filtering body 14 in order to geometrically close an inner space of the filtering beaker. For that purpose, the first and second filtering elements 22-1 and 22-2 can be configured for being attached to the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14, for example by resting on a step formed therein as a radial indent extending totally or partly around the inner perimeter of the filtering body 14 and/or by being fastened to the rest of the filtering body 14, for example to the sidewall 14w thereof, by appropriate fastening means such as one or more screws, a clipping mechanism or the like.

[0137] The kit 50 of FIG. 22 further comprises a sealing ring 9 arrangeable between the filtering body 14 and the main body 12 and/or between one of the first and second filtering elements 22-1 or 22-2 and the filtering body 14 and/or the main body 12 in order to improve a fluid-tightness of a mechanical connection between the filtering body 14, the main body 12 and/or the respective one of the first and second filtering elements 22-1 or 22-2.

[0138] The first filtering element 22-1 has a first filtering size, for example 1 mm, and the second filtering element 22-2 has a second filtering size different from the first filtering size, for example 300 m. Thus, a user of the filtering kit 50 of FIG. 22 may use the filtering beaker 10 with the filtering body 14 including the first filtering element 22-1 for producing a liquid emulsion out of fruits and/vegetables and optionally milk and/or water, for which a filtering size of 1 mm is more appropriate, and may use the filtering beaker 10 with the filtering body 14 including the second filtering element 22-2 for producing a liquid emulsion out of water and cereals such as rice or oats, for which a filtering size of 300 m is more appropriate.

[0139] The exemplary kit 50 illustrated in FIG. 22 comprises two filtering elements 22-1 and 22-2 for illustrative simplicity. However, a kit according to similar or related embodiments may comprise a larger number of filtering elements, for example three, four or five, each possibly having a different filtering size.

[0140] FIG. 23 shows schematic view of a device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention including a filtering beaker 10, a container 60 suitable for receiving therein the filtering beaker 10, and a piston 40 suitable for being inserted into the filtering beaker 10 entirely or partly covering a cross-section thereof. In some embodiments, the filtering beaker 10 can be a filtering beaker 10 of a kit according to embodiments of the present invention, for example a filtering beaker 10 of a kit according to any of the embodiments described with respect to FIG. 21 or 22. In any case, the filtering beaker 10 comprises a main body 12 and a filtering body 14 that is removably attachable to the main body 12, as previously described.

[0141] In the exemplary device 100 illustrated in FIG. 23, the main body 12 of the filtering beaker 10 has a widened portion 62 at its top end 12t, at which a cross-section and/or diameter of the main body 12 corresponds to an inner cross-section and/or diameter of the container 60, such that the widened portion 62 can be used as fastening means for fixating a position of the filtering beaker 10 with respect to the container 60 when the filtering beaker 10 is received within the container 60, in particular by form-fitting. Further, the greater inner cross-section the filtering beaker 10 has at the widened portion 62 simplifies the task of introducing ingredients into the filtering beaker 10.

[0142] In the exemplary device 100 illustrated in FIG. 23, the container 60 is a substantially cylindrical container, for example made of plastic or glass, having a diameter of 12 cm and a height of 23 cm. Thus, the widened portion 62 of the filtering beaker 10 has, at its widest part, a diameter of 12 cm. Outside of the widened portion 62, the filtering beaker 10, i.e. both the main body 12 and the filtering body 14, can for example have a diameter of 8 cm. Thus, when the filtering beaker 10 is received within the container 60, the filtering beaker 10 can be interiorly fixed to the upper rim of the container by means of the widened portion 62 and a separation distance d.sub.s between the sidewalls 12w and 14w of the main body 12 and the filtering body 14, respectively, and the sidewall 60w of the container may beother than in the widened portion 62of 4 cm. However, the container 60 can have other geometries and configurations. For example, a conventional kitchen pot can also be used as a container 60 for the device 100, in which case the separation distance d.sub.s can be much larger, possibly 10 cm, 20 cm or more, and in which case the filtering beaker 10 can have another type of fastening means (other than the widened portion 62) or no fastening means at all.

[0143] The piston 40 can be made of wood, metal, plastic or any suitable material and has an elongated shape, such that it can be inserted into the filtering beaker 10. The piston 40 comprises a piston head 40p having a cross-section substantially corresponding to an inner cross-section of the filtering beaker 10 (outside of the widened portion 62). The piston 40 further comprises a grip portion 40g, which can be configured ergonomically for being hand-held by a user.

[0144] FIG. 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the filtering beaker 10 and the container 60 of the device 100 of FIG. 23, wherein the filtering beaker 10 is received within the container 60 and fixated thereto by form-fitting of the widened portion 62 of the filtering beaker 10 against the inner sidewall 60w of the container 60.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 24, the filtering beaker 10 is resting on a base 60b of the container 60 by the standing portions 14p of the filtering body 14, which directly contact the base 60b. The openings 19 (only one represented in FIG. 24) create an interspace between the base 60b of the container 60 and the longitudinal (vertical) position of the base 17 within the filtering body 14. The base 17 comprises one or more filtering areas 20 and the sidewall 14w of the filtering body 14 can comprise additional filtering are(s) or no filtering area. Also indicated in FIG. 24 is the separation distance d.sub.s between the inner sidewall 60w of the container 60 and the sidewalls 12w and 14w of the main body 12 and the filtering body 14, respectively. The separation distance d.sub.s can for example be 3 cm.

[0146] For preparing a liquid emulsion out of at least one solid ingredient and a liquid ingredient, the at least one solid ingredient, for example nuts, seeds and/or cereals, are introduced into the inner space of the filtering beaker 10. The container is then filled with an appropriate quantity of the liquid ingredient, for example water, and the filtering beaker 10containing the at least one solid ingredientis introduced into the container 60 as shown in FIG. 24. Then, a blending device 70, for example a conventional hand-held mixer, is inserted into the filtering beaker 10 such that it is received in the main body 12 and in the filtering body 14.

[0147] When the blending device 70 is activated, the rotary motion of the blades of the blending device 70 crush the at least one solid ingredient received within the filtering beaker 10 and generates a turbulent flow that mixes the (crushed) at least one solid ingredient with the surrounding liquid ingredient. The turbulent flow is fostered by the presence of the filtering area(s) 20 of the filtering body 14 and by the presence of the vertical interspace left by the standing portions 14p between the base 60b of the container 60 and the base 17. The flow driven by the blending device 70 is directed downwards from the interior of the filtering beaker 10 through the filtering areas 20 of the base 17 of the filtering beaker 10 into the space enclosed by the standing portions 14p and the base 60b of the container 60 and then deflected radially outwards through the openings 19. Meanwhile, the filtering areas 20 of the filtering body 14 further filtrate the at least one solid ingredient, such that all particles of the at least one solid ingredient having a size greater than the filtering size of the filtering area(s) 20 remain within the filtering beaker 10 and are not dispersed into the surrounding liquid. After an appropriate mixing time, which can for example be between 1 minute and 3 minutes, the blending device 70 can be turned off and removed from the interior of the filtering beaker 10. The liquid emulsion is now contained in the container 60.

[0148] When the filtering beaker 10 is removed from the interior of the container 60, remnants of the at least one solid ingredient remain in its interior, typically accumulated on the interior sidewall of the main body 12 and/or the filtering body 14. In order to completely dry out the remnants of the at least one solid ingredient still present in the filtering beaker 10, the piston 40, or any other functionally equivalent element such as pestle, a mortar or the like, can be used for pressing the aforesaid solid remnants against the filtering areas 20 of the filtering body 14, thereby extracting their last liquid extract. The piston can be configured to be a heavy piston having a weight of 2 kg or more, for example 5 kg, such that it can be used for pressing the solid remnants by simply introducing it into the filtering beaker 10 and letting gravity press the piston upon the solid remnants.

[0149] Then, the filtering body 14 may be detached from the main body 12 and the remnants of the at least one solid ingredient that are still in the interior of the main body 12 can be easily disposed of by pushing the remnants out of the main body 12, for example manually, using a spoon or the piston 40 itself, as schematically shown in FIG. 25.

[0150] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the sidewall 12w of the main body 12 comprises an annular radial protrusion 41 protruding radially inwards from the sidewall 12w of the main body 12. The radial protrusion 41 acts as a stopper for the piston 40. When the piston 40 is inserted into the filtering beaker 10before detaching the filtering body 14 from the main body 12for pressing the remnants of the at least one solid ingredient still present in the filtering beaker 10 after the action of the blending device 70, the radial protrusion 41 prevents the piston 40 from incidentally damaging the base 17, in particular the filtering areas formed in the base 17.

[0151] Although preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and specified in detail in the drawings and the preceding specification, these should be viewed as purely exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It is noted in this regard that only the preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and specified, and all variations and modifications should be protected that presently or in the future lie within the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0152] Further aspects of the present disclosure, which do not fall under the scope defined in the claims but may nevertheless be part of corresponding further aspects of an invention based on the present disclosure, refer, in a first additional aspect, to a filtering beaker according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention described above but in which the main body and the filtering body are integrally formed, such that the combination of the main body and filtering body is substantially a one-piece body. This means that, according to this further aspect, the main body and the filtering body may be not removably attachable to each other but instead permanently attached or simply part of one and the same body. Other than that, the filtering beaker according to the second aspect may have any of the features described above for the embodiments of the filtering beaker according to the first aspect of the invention (as long as they are compatible with the main body and the filtering body being the same body). A second additional aspect refers to a kit according to the second aspect of the invention and/or any of the previously described embodiments thereof but including a filtering beaker according to the first additional aspect mentioned above instead of a filtering beaker according to the first aspect of the invention. A third additional aspect refers to a device according to the third aspect of the invention and/or any of the previously described embodiments thereof but including a filtering beaker according to the first additional aspect mentioned above instead of a filtering beaker according to the first aspect of the invention and/or including a kit according to the second additional aspect mentioned above instead of a kit according to the second aspect of the invention. Specific examples of these further aspects of the present disclosure include in particular:

Examples

[0153] 1. A filtering beaker for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: [0154] a main body with tubular geometry; and [0155] a filtering body with a geometry matching the tubular geometry of the main body at least at a connecting portion of the filtering body, wherein the filtering body is permanently attached to the main body by the connecting portion thereof, wherein the filtering body comprises a base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker, and wherein the filtering beaker comprises at least one filtering area for filtering and emulsifying a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker. [0156] 2. The filtering beaker of example 1, wherein the at least one filtering area is arranged on the base of the filtering body and/or on at least one sidewall of the filtering body. [0157] 3. The filtering beaker of example 1 or 2, further comprising at least one additional filtering area arranged on at least one sidewall of the main body, in particular adjacent to the filtering body and/or in a bottom part of the at least one sidewall of the main body. [0158] 4. The filtering beaker of any of the preceding examples, further comprising one or more standing portions for supporting the filtering beaker on a substrate when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, wherein the one or more standing portions extend in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker stands on said substrate, a gap remains between the substrate and the filtering body and/or between the substrate and the base. [0159] 5. The filtering beaker of example 4, wherein the one or more standing portions correspond to portions of at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker, and wherein one or more openings are formed in said at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker between neighbouring standing portions, wherein the one or more openings extend upwards in a longitudinal direction of the filtering beaker from a bottom end of the filtering beaker to a height over the bottom end of the filtering beaker. [0160] 6. The filtering beaker of any of the preceding examples, wherein the filtering body has a tubular geometry, wherein the base covering a cross-section of the filtering beaker is or comprises a filtering element comprising one or more of the at least one filtering area, wherein the filtering element is removably attachable to the rest of the filtering body. [0161] 7. The filtering beaker of any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one filtering area comprises at least one filtering mesh covering one or more windows in the filtering body. [0162] 8. The filtering beaker of any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one filtering area comprises a plurality of filtering pores formed in the filtering body. [0163] 9. The filtering beaker of any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one filtering area has a filtering size from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, in particular 0.15 mm, 0.30 mm, 0.50 mm, 1 mm or 3 mm. [0164] 10. A kit for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: [0165] a filtering beaker according to any of the preceding examples, [0166] wherein the kit comprises a plurality of different bases of the filtering body configured as different filtering elements, each comprising at least one filtering area and being removably attachable to the rest of the filtering body of the filtering beaker. [0167] 11. The kit of example 10, wherein the filtering elements of the plurality of filtering elements differ by a filtering size thereof. [0168] 12. A device (100) for producing a liquid emulsion comprising: [0169] a filtering beaker according to any of examples 1 to 9 and/or a filtering kit according to example 10 or 11; and [0170] a piston configured for being received within the filtering beaker and covering an internal cross section of the filtering beaker at least in part; and/or [0171] a container for receiving the filtering beaker therein, such that a liquid emulsion being produced with the filtering beaker by the action of a blending device received within the filtering beaker can be collected in the container. [0172] 13. The device of example 12 comprising the container, wherein the device further comprises fastening means for fixating a position of the filtering beaker within the container. [0173] 14. The device of example 12 or 13 comprising the container, wherein a cross-section of the container is greater than a cross-section of the filtering beaker such that, when the filtering beaker is received within the container, at least one sidewall of the filtering beaker is separated from at least one sidewall of the container by a separation distance, wherein the separation distance preferably is from 1 cm to 15 cm, more preferably from 2 cm to 10 cm.