초록 ▼

A steeping apparatus is for steeping a granular solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage. The apparatus includes a container to hold the solid food material and the liquid. A plunger is movable vertically with respect

A steeping apparatus is for steeping a granular solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage. The apparatus includes a container to hold the solid food material and the liquid. A plunger is movable vertically with respect to the container between an upper plunger position and a lower plunger position. The plunger includes a filter element that, as the plunger is moved from the upper plunger position to the lower plunger position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough but that substantially inhibits the passage of solid food material therethrough. A buffer element is situated above the plunger and is movable with respect to the container from an upper buffer element position to a lower buffer element position. When the buffer element is at the lower buffer element position, the granular solid food material is substantially decoupled from the flavored beverage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A steeping apparatus for steeping a granular solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage, comprising:a container to hold the solid food material and the liquid; a plunger movable vertically with respect to the containe

1. A steeping apparatus for steeping a granular solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage, comprising:a container to hold the solid food material and the liquid; a plunger movable vertically with respect to the container between an upper plunger position and a lower plunger position, the plunger including a filter element that, as the plunger is moved from the upper plunger position to the lower plunger position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough but that substantially inhibits the passage of solid food material therethrough; and a buffer element movable with respect to the container from an upper buffer element position to a lower buffer element position, wherein when the buffer element is at the lower buffer element position the granular solid food material is automatically substantially decoupled from the flavored beverage.