GB2258141A

GB2258141A - A drinks' maker

Info

Publication number: GB2258141A
Application number: GB9216165A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Valentina Semenenko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-30
Filing date: 1992-07-30
Publication date: 1993-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-30
Also published as: GB2258141B; GB9116468D0; GB9216165D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a drinks' maker 1 comprising a receptacle such as a kettle or jug 2 for heating a liquid such as water, a device 3 adapted for filtering material for producing a drink, and interconnection means 4 between the receptacle 2 and device 3 whereby to provide a path for water and/or steam between the receptacle 2 and device 3. The interconnection means 4 preferably comprises tubes 6, 9 with associated valve parts 7, 10. Heated water passing upwardly through tubes 6, 9, passes downwardly through filter 8 into jug 2 for pouring. <IMAGE>

Description

A DRINKS' MAKER The invention relates to a drinks' maker such as a coffee pot.

Drinks' makers are often used in conjunction with filter devices, but often these devices do not fit readily onto the top (in use) of a receptacle for heating water, and as a result flavour can be lessened, and water lost.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided a drinks' maker, comprising a receptacle for heating water, a device adapted for filtering material for producing a drink and interconnection means between the receptacle and device whereby to provide a path for water and/or steam between the receptacle and device.

Drinks' makers embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig.l is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of drinks' maker according to the invention; Fig.2 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of drinks' maker according to the invention; and Fig.3 is a front elevational view of the drinks' maker of Fig.2 Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, there is shown in Fig. 1 a drinks' maker 1 comprising a receptacle such as a kettle or jug 2 for heating a liquid such as water, a device 3 adapted for filtering material for producing a drink, and interconnection means 4 between the receptacle 2 and device 3 whereby to provide a path for water and/or steam between the receptacle 2 and device 3.

The receptacle 2 has a spout 5 or steam outlet which also serves as a filling orifice. Internally there is a tube 6 which terminates in a valve seat 7 which is biassed normally to close the tube by biassing means such as a spring.

The filter device 3 comprises a jug which has a filter element 8 and a tube 9 which in use is aligned with the tube 6.

When the device 3 is placed in the jug 2, the tubes 6, 9 cooperate at the valve mouth 7 and a valve 10 at the top of the jug (which top is normally obturated by the valve 10), is opened by being depressed downwardly into the jug by a lower part 11 of the filter device 3, against biassing means such as a spring.

In use, heated water passes up through the tube 6, 9 into the tube according to Boyle's Law, back down through a filter 8 (which contains coffee (or tea)) to pass back down into the jug 2 for pouring through the spout for consumption 5.

The water is it will be understood heated by placing the jug on an electric hot plate 12. The tubes 6, 9 are made from a suitable material such as clear plastic with a water margin ball 13 to indicate the level of filtering of the jug, which is also transparent.

The valve 10, 11 ensures that all the water passes through the filter 8, with no escape of water or steam back through the top, so providing a comprehensive filtering for production of a desired strength and flavour drink.

Referring now to the embodiment 100 of Figs. 2 and 3, the kettle or jug 2 and the device 3 are connected by a cooperable, complementary valve 14, have upper and lower (as viewed) parts 14a and 14k which are manually openable and closable by a manual device 15 which is turnable through a desired angle to open and close the valve 14. Water is delivered to the jug or kettle 3 via an external feed tube 16 comprising an inner collapsible tube 17 which may be opened or obturated by a manual lever 18 having an obturating surface 19 which can force the tube in on itself against an anvil surface 20. As a safety feature, the lever 18 can be moved by pressure of mains water when the drinks' maker is connected to the mains.

The tube 17 may also be transparent and have associated with it a neon tube to illuminate it to indicate that water is present. Alternatively, the neon tube 21 may be replaced by a source of UV-light, which when shone into the tube to illuminate the water, disinfects the water and kills germs.

There is a filter 8 which may comprise a permanent mask or grid 22 in which is placed a replaceable filter 23.

The drinks' maker of Figs. 2 and 3 otherwise functions as described with reference to Fig. 1.

Claims

1. A drinks' maker, comprising a receptacle for heating water, a device adapted for filtering material for producing a drink, and interconnection means between the receptacle and device whereby to provide a path for water and/or steam between the receptacle and device.

2. A drinks' maker according to Claim 1, the interconnection means comprising two interengageable valve parts providing a valve.

3. A drinks' maker according to Claim 2, the valve being normally closed.

4. A drinks' maker according to Claim 2, the respective valve parts having a tube extending therefrom whereby when the valve parts are interengaged the tubes are aligned for passage of water therealong from the receptacle to the device for filtering.

5. A drinks' maker according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, the valve being normally closed by spring means.

6. A drinks' maker according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, the valve being normally closed by a manually operable device.

7. A drinks' maker according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, including an internal tube comprising a collabsible tube which is obturatable by a lever device.

8. A drinks' maker according to Claim 7, the tube resting on an anvil surface and passing between that surface and an obturating surface of the lever device.

9. A drinks' maker according to Claim 8, including means to disinfect water prior to filtering.

10. A drinks' maker according to Claim 9, the disinfectant means comprising a source of ultra-violet light.

11. A drinks' maker, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.