Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
  • A47J31/4403—Constructional details
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
  • A47J31/46—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
  • A47J31/461—Valves, e.g. drain valves

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a coffee machine, and more particularly, to a water tank connector in a coffee machine.
• the invention is intended for use particularly but not exclusively in a coffee machine of the type in which hot water is passed through a filter under pressure, such as an espresso type coffee machine.
• an espresso coffee machine consists of a water tank unit, a water tank connector, a pump, a self priming valve, a boiler for heating the water, a brewing unit and a waste water container.
• the self priming valve releases air that may be present in the tube system of a coffee machine. The air in the system has to be removed in order to have the pump working properly. During this priming operation some clean water is pumped out together with the air.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks.
• a further object is to provide an effective and yet robust solution for utilising the water in the water tank in an effective way.
• a still further object is to provide an improved solution for effective circulation of water in a coffee machine.
• a water tank connector for a coffee machine comprising a first end adapted to be connected to a valve opening in a water tank and a second end adapted to be connected to a pump and to a self priming valve, to allow water to pass from the water tank to a brewing unit in the coffee machine.
• the water tank connector comprises a first channel leading water from the water tank to the pump in the coffee machine and a second channel leading water and air from the self-priming valve back to the water tank.
• the water tank connector Since the water tank connector has two channels, the leading of water to the pump and the leading back of water and air from the self-priming valve can take place from the same connection point on the water tank. Therefore, the construction and assembling of a coffee machine provided with the suggested water tank connector is simplified and more cost effective. Also the water usage in the coffee machine provided with the suggested water tank connector is more effective than in known coffee machines as the water leaking from the self-priming valve is transported back to the water tank instead of the discharged in the waste water container.
• the first channel and the second channel are separated from each other inside the water tank connector. In this way the water and air coming back from the self-priming valve is not mixed with the water going out to pump. It is an advantage that the two flows are separated as the air otherwise may disturb the functioning of the pump. Further, the flow direction of water in the first channel is opposite the flow direction of the water and air in the second channel.
• the water tank connector comprises a filter member being located upstream (or above) the first channel.
• the inlet to the first channel is located close under the filter member, i.e. downstream the filter member.
• the second channel is arranged through the filter member. This means the outlet of the second channel is located above the filter member. In this way, the water and air mixture coming from the self-priming valve may let out the air into the water tank and it is avoided that the air is stuck around the filter which is located below the water level in the water tank connector.
• a ceiling of the outlet of the second channel is located directly under the valve opening of the water tank. This means that the outlet from self-priming valve is always immersed in water and the air from water and air mixture may easily rise and disappear through the water tank.
• the water tank connector comprises a sealing member adapted to provide a sealed connection with the water tank.
• a coffee machine comprising a water tank connector according to embodiments.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a coffee machine and its different parts according to the present invention
• Fig. 2a-2c show side, front and top view of a water tank connector adapted to be arranged in a coffee machine of Fig.1 ,
• Fig. 3 shows a cross sectional detailed view of the water tank connector of Fig. 2a-2c arranged at the outlet of a water tank.
• Fig. 1 a schematic view of a coffee machine and its different parts is shown.
• the coffee machine may comprise of a water tank 1 for housing the water to be used in brewing the coffee.
• the coffee machine further comprises a water tank connector 2 connecting the water tank with a tube system for transporting water to the brewing unit 7.
• the brewing unit comprises a single way valve 8 releasing the hot water through the filter with the coffee grounds at a certain pressure.
• the brewed coffee leaves the machine through an outlet opening 11 in the brewing unit.
• a pump 4 transports the water to the brewing unit via a boiler 6 (or thermo biock) heating the up the water to an optimal brewing
• Water from the water tank flows out of the tank through a valve opening 12 located in the bottom of the tank.
• the water tank connector 2 is connected to the water tank at the valve opening.
• Fig. 1 it is further illustrated with arrows the flow of water and the flow of air/water mixture respectively.
• the thin arrow represents the flow of air/water mixture.
• the self- priming valve 5 primes the pump 4 to optimize the working conditions for the pump.
• Fig. 2a-2b a side and front view of the water tank connector 2 is illustrated respectively.
• the water tank connector has a first end 2a, which is a top end during normal use of the connector, and a second end 2b, which is the bottom end during normal use of the connector.
• the second end 2b has two separate openings.
• a tube 3 may lead water from the water tank to the pump 4.
• a tube 10 may lead water and air from the self-priming valve 5 back to the water tank.
• Fig. 2c shows a top view of the water tank connector.
• the valve opening 12 in the bottom of the water tank is connected to the coffee machine via the first end 2a of the water tank connector 2, It is also illustrated in this top view a sealing member 15 located around the inner circumference of the water tank connector. The sealing member seals against the outer surface of the valve opening on the water tank.
• Below the sealing member 15 a filter member 17 or screen is located.
• the filter member 17 functions as a trap to any small particle or debris that might have been present in the water tank and followed the water into the water tank connector.
• the filter member 17 may consist of a mesh, a fine net or screen of any suitable material such as polymeric material, metal, metal alloy or composite material.
• a ceiling 14 is visible in the centre of the first end 2b in Fig. 2c .
• the ceiling 14 covers the outlet of the second channel 19. Further, the ceiling 14 acts on the valve opening 12 when the water tank is installed in its location by acting on the valve spring 13 (see Fig. 3).
• Fig. 3 show a schematic enlarged cross section of the water tank connector 2 in relation to the water tank 1 and the valve opening 12 in the water tank in particular.
• the first channel 18 provides water to the pump 4 for further transportation to the boiler 6. All water passing through the first channel 18 has to pass the filter member 17 on its way from the water tank.
• the filter member 17 is arranged upstream the first channel 18 and below the water level 16.
• the second channel 19 is arranged in the central part of the water tank connector 2 and passes through the filter member 7. Accordingly, the water and air mixture coming from the self-priming valve 5 does not pass through the filter member.
• the second channel 19 has a ceiling 4.
• the ceiling 14 is also the portion of the water tank connector that acts on the valve opening 12 in the bottom of the water tank 1.
• the outlet opening of the second channel 19 is located directly under the ceiling 14. Accordingly, the outlet opening of the second channel 19 will always be immersed when the water tank is placed into its position in the coffee machine.
• the first channel 18 and the second channel 19 are separated from each other. Water flowing from the tank out to the pump 4, boiler 6 and brewing unit 7 is thus separated from the flow of water and air from the self-priming valve 5. This means that any air present in the water and air mixture coming from the self- priming valve 5 never comes into the flow of water on its way out to the pump 4. Thereby, a proper functioning of the pump is provided at all times.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50684064

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2012
  • 2012-11-08 CN CN201210445093.XA patent/CN103799880A/zh active Pending
• 2013
  • 2013-11-07 EP EP13852603.3A patent/EP2916700A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-11-07 WO PCT/CN2013/086701 patent/WO2014071856A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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