MXPA97002182A - An apparatus to prepare filter coffee - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing coffee filter, comprising: a fresh water tank, means for receiving a coffee infusion filter, at least one heating means for heating fresh water from the fresh water tank, at least one heating means having a water inlet fluidly connectable to said fresh water tank and a water outlet fluidly connected to said means receiving the coffee infusion filter, and steam generator means adapted to generate a mixture of steam-water, the steam generator means being fluidly connectable with the fresh water tank and with the water outlet of said at least one heating means, said steam generator means includes means for separating the steam and the water.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FILTERED CAFE Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee and, more particularly, to a suitable apparatus for preparing either a normal filtered coffee beverage or a beverage of the so-called cappuccino coffee. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Basically two generic concepts of coffee machines can be distinguished. According to a first generic concept, the coffee machine comprises a pump adapted to pressurize the heated infusion water and feed it through the coffee powder received in a preparation chamber. According to a second generic concept, the heated infusion water flows under the influence of gravity, without being pressurized, through the coffee powder received in a filter water tank. According to the second generic concept, a coffee machine usually comprises only one heating element both for heating the water and feeding it to the filter water tank. A pump is not required because the water expands during heating according to thermodynamic laws and flows through a riser tube to an outlet, from where it can flow through the coffee powder under the influence of gravity . An apparatus according to this second generic concept is known as a filtered coffee machine. It is understood that the present invention relates to an improvement of an apparatus according to the second generic concept, ie to a filtered coffee machine. The reason why such filtered coffee machines, which additionally comprise a steam outlet, is not present in the market so far can be observed in the fact that such a machine would be truly expensive. Providing an additional device for steam generation requires considerable additional expenses; the result would be that the lowest priced filtered coffee machines would become too expensive. An additional problem in relation to steam generation is that the user requires a dry steam completely to prepare a cappuccino drink; providing a mixture of boiling water and steam would not be adequate for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee, by means of which dry steam can be generated whereby the manufacture of the apparatus will remain simple in design and of reduced price. In order to fulfill these and other objectives, the invention provides, according to a first aspect, an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee, comprising a tank of fresh water and at least one heating element for heating water, having an inlet of water and an exit of acfua. The water inlet communicates with a water source and the water outlet communicates with an installation that receives the coffee infusion filter. The apparatus further comprises a steam generator adapted to generate a mixture of water and steam, whereby the steam generator incorporates a device for separating steam and water. In such an apparatus, a mixture of water and steam heated by the heating element can separate the dry steam and the hot water. According to a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee, comprising a tank of fresh water, and at least one heating element for heating water, having a water inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet communicates with a water source and the water outlet communicates with an installation that receives the coffee infusion filter. The apparatus further comprises a steam generator adapted to generate a mixture of water and steam, whereby the steam generator incorporates a device for restricting the amount of water fed to the input of the heating element per unit of time. Thus, according to this second aspect, an operation mode can be performed in which only such amount of water is fed to the heating element, which can be evaporated simultaneously and continuously respectively. According to a third aspect of the invention, both measures can be combined. In other words, the invention also provides an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee, comprising a fresh water tank and at least one heating element for heating water, having a water inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet communicates with a water source and the water outlet communicates with an installation that receives the coffee infusion filter. The apparatus further comprises a steam generator adapted to generate a mixture of water and steam and incorporate a device for separating steam and water, as well as a device for restricting the amount of water fed to the heating element inlet per unit of water. weather . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a steam generator that includes a water storage container placed inside the pressurized water and steam water circuit respectively, whereby the water storage container comprises a first output communicating with the heating element input. The device for restricting the amount of water fed to the heating element is thereby located at or near the outlet of the water storage container. In this way it can be achieved that the steam is continuously generated and does not escape from the steam output in bursts. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the steam generator comprises a water storage container positioned within the circuit of pressurized water and water-steam, respectively, whereby the water storage container and the device for separating the steam and water come together in a common building unit. The water storage container is connected to the device to separate the steam and water to receive the distilled water in the device to separate the steam and water. In this way the water consumption decreases substantially during steam generation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next, an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention will be further described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic layout of the general arrangement of a coffee making apparatus filtering incorporating a steam generating installation, in a first phase of operation; Figure 2 shows the apparatus according to Figure 1, in a second operation phase; Figure 2a shows a modified embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a device for separating water and steam; Figure 3a shows a cross sectional view of the device according to Figure 3; Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the device according to Figure 3 with the diaphragm offset; and Figure 4a shows a cross sectional view of the device according to Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Next, with the help of Figure 1, the general arrangement of an apparatus for preparing filtered coffee incorporating a steam generating installation, in fact in a first phase of operation, that is to say during the creation of the infusion water and the preparation of the coffee powder. The apparatus for preparing filtered coffee essentially comprises a tank 1 for fresh water, a heating element 5, preferably designed as a constant flow water heater, a selector switch 6, an outlet 7 for hot water as well as a steam nozzle 8 . In addition, a water reservoir F adapted to receive the coffee powder to be prepared is provided, while the finished coffee beverage flows in a coffee pot designated by the reference sign K. Above the heating element 5, a plate is provided. heater H. The steam generating installation essentially comprises a unit 2 including a separator member 3 as well as a water storage container 4, several conduits 18, 19, 20, 30, 53, valve members 13, 14 as well as members regulators 34, 44; it is understood that the heating element 5 is also considered as part of the steam generating installation during the steam creating operation. The fresh water tank 1 is connected to the heating element 5 by means of a fresh water pipe 17 and a subsequent pipe 20. A non-return valve 15 is inserted inside the fresh water pipe 17. A hot water pipe 54 leads from an outlet 52 of the heating element 5 to the hot water outlet 7, and an additional conduit 53 leads from the outlet 52 of the heating element 5 to a first inlet of the separating member 3. An outlet 32 of the separating member 3 it is opened towards a steam nozzle through a steam duct 30. The lower portion of the unit 2 comprises a water storage container 4, which is connected to the fresh water tank 1 through a duct 19. outlet 42 of the water storage container 4 is connected to an inlet 51 of the heating element 5 by means of the conduits 18 and 20. It should be noted that in each case a non-return valve is provided. return 14 and 13 respectively, both before entry 41 and after exit 42 of the water storage container. The first non-return valve 14 prevents the water flowing from the water storage container 4 back to the fresh water tank 1, while the second non-return valve 13 prevents the water from flowing from the heating element 5 towards the container of water. water storage 4. In the region of the outlet 32 of the separating member 3 a first regulating member 34 is provided, and in the region of the outlet 42 of the water storage container 4, a second regulating member 44 is provided; the role of these regulatory members 34, 44 will be explained in more detail hereinafter. In addition, in the hot water duct 54, a gate valve member 26 is inserted, and in the duct 53 leading to the inlet 32 of the separating member 3, a gate valve member 27 is inserted. gate valve 26, 27 can alternatively be operated by means of the selector switch 6. The heating element 5 is automatically operated under the influence of the selector switch 6, as is well known in the art, as soon as the selector switch 6 it is rotated from its vertical 0 position to one of its horizontal operating positions. It is understood that the heating element 5 is not activated since the selector switch 6 is in its vertical position 0. In the operation phase shown in FIG. 1, the fresh water flows as indicated by the arrows P in FIG. 1, from the fresh water tank 1 to the heating element 5 where it is heated. The heated water flows, as indicated by the arrows Pl in FIG. 1, through the hot water pipe 54 and the gate valve member 26 open towards the hot water outlet 7, from where it enters the water tank of the water. filter F. The hot water in the filter water tank F prepares the coffee powder contained in the filter water tank F and finally flows, now in the form of a coffee beverage, to the coffee pot K. No a feed pump is required to feed the hot water in such coffee making apparatus, because the water expands when heated according to the well-known thermodynamic laws, and flows in bursts, i.e. the valve 15 opens and it is closed alternately, through the hot water duct 54 towards the outlet 7. From there, obeying gravity, the hot water can penetrate the coffee powder contained in the filter water tank F in a state of less pressure. Being well known in the art the mode of operation of such apparatus for preparing filtered coffee eliminates the need for further detailed explanations. Since the gate valve member 27 provided in the conduit 53 leading from the outlet of the heating element 5 to the separator member 3 is closed during the creation of the infusion water, the separating member 3 is not activated during the creation of the inflow water. hot water, as explained above. Figure 2 shows the apparatus according to Figure 1 in a second phase of operation in which the steam is generated. For this purpose the selector switch 6 is rotated from its left horizontal position to its right horizontal position. Thus, the gate valve member 26, located in the infusion water conduit 54 is closed and the other gate valve member 27 is opened. The water and the mixture of water and steam, respectively, heated in the heating element 5 flow through the conduit 53 to the separating member 3 where the vapor is separated from the water. The separated steam in the separating member 3 is led to the steam nozzle 8 through the outlet 32 and the steam duct 30. Simultaneously, the water separated from the vapor in the separating member 3 falls, obeying the laws of gravity , down through a screen member 38 towards the water storage container 4. By means of the regulating members 34, 44 provided in the two outlets 32, 42 of the unit 2, an overpressure is maintained in the unit 2 during steam generation. Under the influence of this overpressure, the non-return valve member 14 provided in the conduit 19 remains closed, while the non-return valve member 15 provided in the fresh water conduit 17 remains closed also under the influence of the pressure of the general system. However, the non-return valve member 13 located behind the outlet 42 of the water storage container 4 is opened. The water is continuously fed to the heating element 5 through the outlet 42 of the water storage tank 4, whereby the regulating member 44 provided in the orifice of this outlet 44 restricts the supply of water in such a way that only a well-defined amount of water per unit of time can flow towards the heating element 5. The amount of water that flows into the heating element 5 per unit of time is adjusted in such a way that essentially the total water fed to the heating element 5 evaporates immediately therein. The regulating member 34 located in the region of the outlet 32 of the separating member 3 is preferably constituted by a flexible diaphragm provided with an opening. Such a diaphragm may be deflected or bent, respectively, under the influence of an overpressure present within the separating member 3. As soon as the diaphragm is deflected, its aperture automatically increases in size. By the proportion of this diaphragm, a simple regulation circuit is established which is responsible for maintaining a predetermined overpressure in the separating member 3. In addition, the diaphragm can serve as a safety device that is destroyed as soon as a pressure limit default is exceeded. In this way, it is ensured that there is no risk of a dangerous overpressure forming inside the separating element 3, even if the opening in the diaphragm becomes clogged, ie by tartar. In such a design in which the water storage container 4 is located within the circuit of pressurized water and water-steam respectively, the objective is to achieve that the water is continuously fed to the heating element 5, with the result that also the steam is generated continuously and not in bursts. As soon as the conduit 53 has been closed again under the influence of the gate valve member 27, the overpressure in the unit 2 is reduced and the unit 2 is filled with fresh water coming from the fresh water tank 1 through the conduit 19, according to the well-known principles of the communicating vessels. Figure 2a shows a modified embodiment of the apparatus for preparing filtered coffee shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the water storage container 4 is indirectly connected to the fresh water tank 1 by means of a conduit 19a. Again, a gate valve member 14a is inserted into the conduit 19a. In addition, an additional gate valve member 28 is provided in the fresh water conduit 17, which is operated by the selector switch 6. In the operation phase shown in FIG. 2a, the water storage container 4 is filled with fresh water coming from the fresh water tank 1 after the steam has been produced. Contrary to the embodiment discussed hereinabove, the fresh water conduit 17 is closed by means of the gate valve member 28 during steam creation. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a device for separating water and steam, ie unit 2 and figure 3a show a cross sectional view of unit 2 according to figure 3. Unit 2 comprises an oval top portion 3 which is constituted as a spacer member, and a hollow cylindrical base portion 4 which serves as a water storage container. Behind the inlet 31 of the separating member 3 are provided several intermediate members 37 which are adapted to separate the steam from the water-steam mixture heated by the heating element 5. The base portion 4 is provided with a filter element Water reservoir shape designated by the numeral reference 38. Opposite the outlet 32 of the separating member 3, the aforesaid diaphragm 34 is located, which is provided with an opening 35. The regulating member 44 located at the outlet 42 of the Water storage container 4 is designed in the shape of a perforated disk. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the unit 2 according to figure 3, with the diaphragm 34 diverted, and figure 4a shows a cross-sectional view of the unit 2 according to the figure. These figures clearly show that the size of the central opening 35 in the diaphragm 34 increases as soon as the diaphragm 34 deviates. Thanks to the design of a filtered coffee machine according to the invention, it is possible to create steam at any time and in a simple manner by means of the coffee machine filtered by itself, particularly without the need to provide a pump member or other metering means mechanically operated. Such filtered coffee machines are particularly suitable for preparing cappuccino beverages. For this purpose, a milk container (not shown in the drawings) can be provided from which the foamed milk can be removed by means of a steam duct provided with an opening and conducted through the milk container, with the aid of the good. known venturi effect. Furthermore, it should be noted that the intrinsic characteristics of a normal filtered coffee preparation apparatus are fully maintained. It should also be noted that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore are not in any way considered final. Particularly, it is possible within the scope of the present invention to provide two heating elements instead of only one, when appropriate. Such a design would have the advantage that infusion water and steam could be created simultaneously in case of need. It is also possible that the outlet of the water storage container leads to a separate container, with the result that the water to be heated is supplied from the fresh water tank, also in the case of the creation of steam. In this case, the water storage container would not have to be provided with a fresh water inlet. Finally, it can be imagined that the heating element is operated during the creation of the steam with a different energy, preferably an energy greater than that during the preparation of the hot infusion water. An additional modification could be seen in the fact that unit 2 is integrated into the fresh water container.

Claims (17)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention is considered as a novelty and therefore the content of the following claims is claimed as property. An apparatus for preparing filtered coffee, comprising a fresh water tank, at least one heating means for heating water having a water inlet and a water outlet, said water inlet communicating with a water source and communicating said water outlet with means receiving the coffee infusion filter, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a steam generating means adapted to generate a steam-water mixture, said steam generating means incorporating means to separate the steam and water and / or means for restricting the amount of water fed to the inlet of said at least one heating means per unit of time. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for separating the steam and water comprise a separating member having a first inlet communicating with said water outlet of said heating means, and having a first outlet communicating with a steam outlet nozzle provided in said steam generating means. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said steam generating means comprises a water storage container means placed within the circuit of pressurized water and water-steam, respectively, said container means of water storage comprising a first outlet communicating with said inlet of said heating means. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said steam generating means comprises a water storage container means placed within the circuit of pressurized water and water-steam, respectively, said container means of water storage comprises an outlet that is communicates with said inlet of said heating means, said means for restricting the amount of water fed to the inlet of said heating means per unit of time are placed in said first outlet of said water storage container means or immediately after said first exit of said water storage container means. An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a first non-return valve means located between said first outlet of said water storage container means and said inlet of said heating means and being adapted to prevent the water from flow back from said heating means to said water storage container means. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for restricting the amount of water fed to the entrance of said heating means per unit of time comprises a regulating member located in said outlet of said water storage container means or inserted in a conduit leading from said outlet of said water storage container means to said inlet of said heating means. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said steam generating means comprises a water storage container means placed within the pressurized water and steam-water circuit, respectively, said water storage container being attached and said means to separate the steam and water in a common building unit, by means of which said water storage container means is connected to said means for separating the steam and water to receive the distilled water in said means for separating the steam and water . An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said water storage container means comprises a second outlet communicating with said fresh water tank, and having a second non-return valve means located between said second outlet of said water. said water storage container means and said fresh water tank and being adapted to prevent water from flowing back from said water storage container means to said fresh water tank. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a conduit means connecting said fresh water tank to said water inlet of said heating means, and a third non-return valve means inserted in said conduit means, said third valve means being adapted. of no return to prevent the water from flowing back from said heating means to said tank to be fresh water. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said separating member comprises a plurality of intermediate means located behind said first inlet of said separating member and adapted to separate the steam from the water-vapor mixture generated by said heating means. 11. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a perforated diaphragm means which is located in the region of said first outlet of said separating member. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that said perforated diaphragm means is flexible in such a way that it can deflect under the influence of an overpressure formation inside said separator member, whereby the perforation in the diaphragm is Increase in size An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a hot water outlet and a first conduit means connecting said outlet of said heating means to said hot water outlet. An apparatus according to claims 2 and 13, characterized in that said output of said heating means is connected to said first inlet of said separator member through a second conduit means and further comprising a first gate valve means inserted within said first conduit means, a second gate valve means inserted within said second conduit means, and an operating means for alternately activating said first and second gate valve means for alternately closing said first and second conduit means, respectively. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that said operating means is adapted to simultaneously activate said heating means when said first and second gate valve means are activated respectively. 16. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a first and a second heating means, the outlet of said first heating means being connected to said separator member and the outlet of said second heating means communicating with said receiving means of said second means. coffee infusion filter. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a third gate valve means inserted into said conduit means connecting said fresh water tank to said heating means, said third gate valve means being adapted for close during steam generation.