Brewing device for a machine for the preparation of coffee

Abstract

A brewing device (10; 110) for an automatic machine for making various coffee beverages, comprising a brewing chamber (12) closed at the lower part by a first piston (13; 113) and at the upper part on the opposite side by a second piston (14; 114); a first inlet duct (15; 115) for the hot water and a first outlet duct (16; 116) for the beverage, communicating with an inlet side (12A) and an outlet side (12B) of the brewing chamber (12), respectively; and a filtering element (18) arranged in the brewing chamber (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to a brewing device for an automatic machine for preparing a plurality of coffee beverages, in particular for preparing an American coffee beverage. BACKGROUND

[0002] As is known, a plurality of coffee machines for preparing American coffee, also known as "drip coffee machines", comprise a water tank; a boiler; a brewing chamber in which a filter is placed and into which the coffee powder is introduced each time; and a container, located below the brewing chamber, for receiving the beverage.

[0003] The water heated by the boiler is sent into the brewing chamber, which, under the action of gravity, penetrates the coffee powder, extracting the plurality of aromatic substances, to obtain the coffee beverage collected in the container.

[0004] The plurality of "drip" coffee machines are simple in structure and low in production costs. A drawback of the plurality of traditional machines is that they require manual intervention by the user to load the coffee powder and to remove it at the end of the preparation of the beverage.

[0005] A plurality of automatic coffee machines are also known, which comprise a device for feeding the coffee powder; a boiler for heating the brewing water flow; a mobile brewing device comprising a brewing cylinder, the end of which is closed and defines a brewing chamber by means of a first piston, and a second piston adapted to engage with the mobile brewing cylinder, which is located on the opposite side with respect to the first piston and closes the brewing chamber.

[0006] One side of the brewing chamber is connected to a water supply and the other side is connected to a duct for delivering the coffee beverage.

[0007] A filter element adapted to retain the coffee powder is provided between the brewing chamber and the beverage delivery duct.

[0008] In the plurality of automatic coffee machines of the type in question, the plurality of brewing devices commonly used are substantially identical to the plurality of brewing devices for preparing espresso coffee, since their substantial difference consists only in the presence / absence of a valve for agitating the coffee crema between the filter element and the delivery duct.

[0009] However, this difference is not sufficient to make it possible to obtain an American coffee similar to that obtained with a plurality of traditional percolation machines or a plurality of "drip machines".

[0010] Various machines of known type for the preparation of coffee are described, for example, in EP 0 521 561 Al and US 5 823 096 A. EP 0 521 561 Al describes an automatic machine for the preparation of espresso or American coffee, comprising a mobile infusion chamber in which the coffee powder is placed, and drive means that move a piston to compress the coffee powder.

[0011] US 5 823 096 A describes a machine for the preparation of coffee, comprising a mobile infusion chamber in which the coffee powder is placed, and a piston that is inserted into the infusion chamber to compress the coffee powder.

[0012] One drawback of the known solutions is that the use of the traditional infusion devices requires the creation of foam in the coffee beverage between the outlet of the infusion chamber and the beverage delivery duct, which is actually required for a high-quality espresso-type coffee beverage.

[0013] The small holes on the filter element, added to the pressure created in the infusion chamber, which is typically between 1 and 3 bar, are actually sufficient to create turbulent movements in the beverage, forming bubbles and foam, which are neither required nor desired in American coffee.

[0014] However, in order to solve the problem of foam creation, it is not possible to enlarge the diameter of the holes, since this would also be required for the coffee powder to pass through them, eventually entering the beverage dispensed, making it not compliant with the required quality standards.

[0015] One object of the present application is to provide an infusion device for a machine for the preparation of automatic-type coffee, optimized for the preparation of American coffee at low pressure.

[0016] Another object of the present application is to provide an infusion device that allows obtaining a coffee beverage having similar characteristics to those obtainable by means of a machine of the traditional type, of the percolation type.

[0017] Another object is to provide a super-automatic coffee machine, optimized for the preparation of American coffee.

[0018] Another object is to provide a machine for the preparation of coffee beverages that is reliable and does not require the user to manually load and unload the coffee powder.

[0019] The Applicant has designed, tested, and implemented the present application to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to achieve these and other objects and advantages. SUMMARY

[0020] The application is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features or variants of the main inventive idea.

[0021] According to the above objects, a brewing device for a machine for making coffee beverages comprises a brewing chamber and a first water supply duct and a second beverage delivery duct, communicating with the brewing chamber, corresponding respectively to the inlet side and to the outlet side of the brewing chamber.

[0022] The brewing chamber can be closed at one end by a first piston and at the opposite end by a second piston adapted to engage with the brewing chamber on the opposite side with respect to the first piston.

[0023] The inlet duct and the outlet duct are formed at least in part by a respective piston.

[0024] In the brewing chamber there is also a filtering element, provided corresponding to the outlet side of the brewing chamber, and comprising holes whose diameter is suitable to allow only the passage of the liquid portion, preventing the passage of the coffee powder.

[0025] According to an aspect of the application, the brewing device comprises a decanting chamber, provided downstream of the filtering element, configured to allow the accumulation and decanting of the coffee beverage therein before reaching an outlet duct for the beverage.

[0026] In this way, any turbulence of the coffee beverage, due to its passage through the holes in the filtering element, causes the generation of air bubbles, so that the foam is eliminated before the delivery of the beverage.

[0027] According to some embodiments, in the decanting chamber there are provided diverting and guiding means having the purpose of conveying and possibly intercepting the flow of coffee beverage, in order to divert it and make it follow an indirect path towards an outlet aperture of the decanting chamber.

[0028] The diverting and guiding means allow to slow down the flow of beverage, attenuating possible turbulent movements and allowing the dispersion of the air bubbles. In this way, when the flow of beverage reaches the outlet aperture, it is substantially free of foam and coffee cream, so that the resulting beverage complies with the standards of an American coffee beverage.

[0029] In this way, an American coffee beverage is obtained which is substantially the same as the one obtained by percolation, but in less time and without the need for manual loading and emptying of the brewing chamber for each beverage preparation.

[0030] According to some embodiments, said pouring chamber has a height comprised between 1 and 8 mm, and preferably greater than 2 mm, to form a sufficiently wide space to reduce the likelihood of mixing and turbulent movement of the coffee beverage.

[0031] According to some variants, said brewing device comprises a removable insert configured to be positioned in said pouring chamber during use, said diverting and guiding means being formed in said pouring chamber.

[0032] According to other variants, said diverting and guiding means are formed directly on said head of said piston in which said pouring chamber is provided. According to some embodiments, at least one of said insert or said pouring chamber can have a sloped bottom wall in order to convey said flow towards said outlet aperture.

[0033] However, the use of an insert in said pouring chamber which can be easily removed therefrom offers an advantage in terms of maintenance and cleaning of said brewing device, also taking into account the fact that the coffee beverage is easily soiled due to the percentage of residual solids present therein.

[0034] Moreover, the provision of a removable insert allows quick modification of the machine to adapt it to different needs, simply by replacing one insert with another insert having a different configuration and / or different flow guiding means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description, by way of non-limiting examples only, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a brewing device in a closed condition according to some embodiments described herein;

[0037] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a brewing device in a closed condition according to a variant;

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a brewing device in a closed condition according to a variant; Figure 1 is an exploded view of the parts of the brewing device of

[0039] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of parts of a brewing device according to some variants;

[0040] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of an insert for the brewing device according to a first embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6 is an insert inserted inFigure 5 a cross-sectional view of a portion of a brewing device of the insert of

[0042] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of an insert for the brewing device according to a second embodiment;

[0043] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a brewing device of the insert of Figure 7

[0044] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional view of an insert for the brewing device according to a third embodiment;

[0045] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a brewing device of the insert of Figure 9

[0046] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of an insert for the brewing device according to a fourth embodiment;

[0047] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a brewing device of the insert of Figure 11

[0048] For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the various drawings to identify the same common elements. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily adapted to other embodiments without further description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] We will now make a detailed reference to the possible embodiments of the invention, by means of a non-limiting example, in which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. The phrases and terms used here are also for the purpose of providing non-limiting examples.

[0050] Some embodiments described herein with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 relate to a brewing device 10; 110 of an automatic machine for making various coffee beverages, in particular American coffee beverages.

[0051] Figure 1 A brewing device 10 is shown, comprising an open brewing chamber 12 suitable for containing a dose of coffee powder to be brewed.

[0052] The brewing chamber 12 is generally open, the lower part being closed by a first piston 13. ​​​

[0053] Said first piston 13 is preferably arranged so as to slide within said brewing chamber 12 along a longitudinal axis thereof X.

[0054] Said first piston 13 comprises a head portion 23 arranged within said brewing chamber 12 and a stem 22 slidingly guided in a through hole 11A of a bottom wall 11 of said brewing chamber 12 and extending from the outside of said bottom wall 11.

[0055] Said head portion 23 is provided with a peripheral gasket 21 suitable to cooperate with said lateral wall 17 of said brewing chamber 12 so as to obtain a hydraulic seal in relation to said peripheral gasket 21.

[0056] Said brewing apparatus 10 further comprises a second piston 14 configured to engage said brewing chamber 12 on the opposite side with respect to said first piston 13 and to close said brewing chamber 12 in said upper portion.

[0057] According to some embodiments, said brewing chamber 12 defines, together with said first piston 13, a mobile assembly and cooperates with said second piston 14 corresponding to a brewing zone of a machine so as to make a plurality of coffee beverages.

[0058] Said second piston 14 comprises a head portion 24 arranged, during use, within said brewing chamber 12 and slidable along said longitudinal axis X, said head portion 24 being provided with a peripheral gasket 21 suitable to cooperate with said lateral wall 17 of said brewing chamber 12 so as to obtain a hydraulic seal.

[0059] Said brewing apparatus 10 comprises a first inlet duct 15 for said hot water in communication with an inlet end 12A of said brewing chamber 12 and a second outlet duct 16 for said beverage in communication with an outlet end 12B.

[0060] Said inlet duct 15 is connected, during use, to a water tank or other water supply source, not shown, while said outlet duct 16 is connected, during use, to a beverage delivery nozzle, not shown.

[0061] According to the embodiments described with reference to Figure 1 Said inlet duct 15 is at least partially made through in said second piston 14, while said outlet duct 16 is at least partially made through in said first piston 13. In this case, said water flow and said coffee beverage flow follow a direction from top to bottom, in the direction indicated by said arrows Fl.

[0062] At least one water feeding channel 46 is formed in said second piston 14, which defines said end portion of said inlet duct 15 downstream of said brewing chamber 12.

[0063] According to some embodiments, one end 24A of said head portion 24, corresponding to said second piston 14, is provided with a perforated element 44, which is provided with a plurality of through holes 45 through which the water coming from said feeding channel 46 spreads to the top of the coffee powder, homogeneously distributing the water.

[0064] According to one aspect of the present application, said brewing apparatus 10 comprises a filtering element 18, which is arranged in said brewing chamber 12 during use, corresponding to said end facing said outlet duct 16, and is provided with a plurality of through holes 19. The diameter of these through holes 19 is suitable to allow the passage of the coffee beverage through them, while preventing the passage of the wet or dry coffee powder.

[0065] According to one aspect of the present application, said brewing apparatus 10 comprises a decanting chamber 20, which is arranged between said filtering element 18 and said outlet duct 16, and is configured to allow the coffee beverage to accumulate therein and slow down its flow to said outlet duct 16.

[0066] In this way, any air bubbles in the coffee beverage, which can cause the presence of foam in the beverage delivered, have time to disperse and dissolve, so that the coffee beverage delivered by the delivery nozzle has properties comparable to those of a beverage obtained by percolation in a traditional "drip" machine.

[0067] According to some embodiments, said decanting chamber 20 is formed within said head portion 23 of said first piston 13, so that said head portion 23 is at least partially hollow.

[0068] In particular, said head portion 23 is open at said upper portion and is closed by said filtering element 18.

[0069] According to some embodiments, said head portion 23 has the shape of a cup, defined by a bottom wall 25 and one or more side walls 26, which delimit said decanting chamber 20.

[0070] For example, said decanting chamber 20 can have a volume comprised between 1 / 30 and 1 / 3 of the volume of said brewing chamber.

[0071] According to other embodiments, said volume of said decanting chamber 20 can be comprised between 1 / 10 and 1 / 3 of said brewing chamber 12.

[0072] According to some embodiments, said pouring chamber 20 has a height comprised between 1 and 8 mm as a function of the performances required by the machine and of the production speed of the American coffee. Preferably, said height of the pouring chamber 20 is comprised between 2 and 8 mm. Said height can be defined by the height of said side walls 26 or by the distance between said bottom wall 25 and said upper edges of said side walls 26.

[0073] The dimensions of the pouring chamber 20, together with the passing speed of the coffee beverage, can determine a time during which the beverage passes between the filtering element 18 and the outlet of the pouring chamber 20, which is much longer than the time provided in known machines.

[0074] For example, said time during which the pouring chamber 20 passes can be comprised between 1 and 8 seconds, sufficient to eliminate any unwanted air bubbles.

[0075] According to some embodiments, said filtering element 18 is positioned on said upper edges of said side walls 26.

[0076] Said head portion 23 can comprise a support portion 27 protruding from a central zone of said bottom wall 25, said support portion 27 having a height coinciding with the height of said side walls 26.

[0077] This support portion 27 is configured to support the filtering element 18 in the central zone, so as to prevent any deformation thereof during the compression operation and the subsequent operation of expelling the spent coffee powder.

[0078] In fact, in order to sufficiently compress the spent coffee powder and make the residual water escape, a high compression force is required, of the order of 0.2 to 0.5 kg / cm 2 Therefore, if not properly supported, the filtering element 18 can deform due to the contrast with the coffee powder, due to the distance thereof from the bottom wall 25.

[0079] Said support portion 27 can have a cavity 28, possibly threaded, into which an attachment member 29, such as a screw, can be inserted, so as to attach the filtering element 18, passing through a through hole 18A formed therein.

[0080] According to some embodiments, said outlet duct 16 communicates with said pouring chamber 20 through an outlet hole 31 formed in a side wall 26.

[0081] According to some embodiments, said outlet duct 16 communicates with said pouring chamber 20 through an outlet hole 31 formed in a side wall 26. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, said outlet duct 16 passes through said side wall 26 of the pouring chamber 20 and through said side wall 17 of the brewing chamber 12.

[0082] According to some embodiments, said bottom wall 25 can have a flat shape, substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, or said bottom wall 25 can be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane towards said outlet hole 31 in order to convey said coffee beverage to said outlet hole 31.

[0083] According to some embodiments, for example with reference to Figures 5 to 12 As described, said brewing device 10 can comprise diverting and guiding means 40 arranged in said pouring chamber 20 with the purpose of conveying said coffee beverage flow in order to divert it and make it follow an indirect path towards said outlet hole 31. Said diverting and guiding means 40 in particular have the function of slowing down said beverage flow downstream of said filter element 18 in order to prevent the presence of residual air bubbles in said coffee beverage.

[0084] In this way, if said coffee beverage comprises air bubbles, due to the passage of said beverage flow in contact with said diverting and guiding means 40, said air bubbles have time to dissolve and disperse before said beverage exits said brewing device 10.

[0085] According to a first embodiment described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 Said diverting and guiding means 40 can comprise pins or pegs 41 extending in a right angle direction with respect to a reference surface 25; 32.

[0086] According to possible embodiments, said pins or pegs 41 can have a cylindrical, conical or truncated shape, with a circular cross section, in order to limit the onset of turbulent motion.

[0087] Said pins or pegs 41 can be distributed in a matrix form, or even along circumferences concentric to said through slit 34, so as to leave said path free near said outlet hole 31.

[0088] It can also be provided that said pins or pegs 41B on a more internal circumference have a different shape or size, for example they are smaller, with respect to said pins or pegs 41A arranged on an external circumference.

[0089] According to a variant described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 Said diverting and guiding means 40 can comprise one or more annular protrusions 42; 43 having an arc shape opening towards said outlet hole 31.

[0090] In this way, at least the portion of the coffee beverage flowing in the zone between the side wall 26 and the annular protrusion 42; 43 flows in contact with the outer surface 42A; 43A of the annular protrusion and is conveyed towards the outlet hole 31.

[0091] Thanks to the fact that the beverage flow flows in contact with the outer surface 42A; 43A, the flow is slowed down and the likelihood of generating turbulent movements that create a plurality of bubbles and thus foam is reduced.

[0092] According to some embodiments, the at least one annular protrusion 42 can be provided at an intermediate radial distance between the through slit 34 and the outer edge of the upper surface 32 to divide the pouring chamber 20 into two portions.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the at least one annular protrusion 42 can be provided at an intermediate radial distance between the through slit 34 and the outer edge of the upper surface 32 to divide the pouring chamber 20 into two portions. Figure 9 and 10 According to the embodiment exemplified in

[0094] According to the other embodiments described with reference to Figure 11 and 12 two or more annular protrusions 42; 43 can be provided, in the shape of an annular crown or an arc, opening towards the outlet hole 31, provided concentric to each other, each one suitable to act as a spacer to divert a portion of the coffee beverage flow while conveying the portion of coffee beverage flow to the outlet hole 31.

[0095] According to some embodiments, in the case of two annular protrusions 42; 43, they can be provided in such a way as to divide the pouring chamber 20 into zones having the same size in a radial direction.

[0096] According to some embodiments, the brewing device 10 can comprise a removable insert 30 configured to be positioned in the pouring chamber 20 during use, the insert 30 being provided with the diverting and guiding means 40.

[0097] According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to Figures 7 to 12 the diverting and guiding means 40 extend from an upper surface 32 of the insert 30 in a direction transversal thereto.

[0098] According to some embodiments, said insert 30 has a planar shape matching said shape of said section of said pouring chamber 20, and comprises said upper surface 32, which is substantially flat, and a plurality of lateral support walls 33 extending on said opposite sides with respect to said upper surface 32, configured to cooperate with said bottom wall 25.

[0099] For example, said plurality of lateral support walls 33 can be inserted in a peripheral recess 25A formed in said bottom wall of said pouring chamber 20. Figure 4 ).

[0100] According to some embodiments, in said upper surface 32 there is a through slit 34 suitable for allowing the passage of said support portion 27.

[0101] According to some embodiments, said insert 30 has a variable height, so that said upper surface 32 has a downward inclination between a first side 30A and a second side 30B of said insert 30, opposite with respect to a central axis, wherein said second side 30B faces said outlet hole 31 during use.

[0102] For example, said upper surface 32 can have an inclination angle a comprised between 5° and 20°.

[0103] According to other embodiments, corresponding to said second side 30B, said insert 30 comprises a shaped portion 39, hollow in said upper surface 32 and in said support walls 33, configured to act as a chute and an inlet for directing said beverage towards said outlet hole 31.

[0104] According to some solutions, said pouring chamber 20 and said insert 30 are provided with respective first and second coupling members 35, 36, configured to cooperate with each other and guarantee a correct and stable positioning of said insert 30 in said pouring chamber 20.

[0105] According to possible variants not shown, it is also possible to provide said upper surface 32 of said insert 30 with a convex upwards shape, possibly flattened in said central portion, at least in said portion facing said second side, descending towards said outer edge, so as to convey said flow of beverage towards said outlet hole 31.

[0106] Said coupling members 35; 36 can be configured to allow a quick and removable coupling, for example by mechanical identical shape coupling, or using various bayonet systems, various toothed elements, etc.

[0107] According to the referenceFigures 3 to 12 Of the many possible embodiments described, the first coupling member 35 can comprise a protruding portion 37 extending radially from a side of the support portion 27, and the second coupling member 36 can comprise a matingly shaped slot 38 extending from the through slit 34.

[0108] According to some embodiments, if the diverting and guiding device 40 comprises at least one annular protrusion 42; 43, the diverting and guiding device 40 can be arranged at an intermediate radial distance between the through slit 34 and the outer edge of the upper surface 32.

[0109] In the case where there are two or more annular protrusions 42; 43, they can be arranged equidistantly between the through slit 34 and the outer edge of the upper surface 32.

[0110] According to other embodiments not shown, the pouring chamber 20 itself can be provided with the diverting and guiding device 40, which protrudes directly from the bottom wall 25.

[0111] However, the solution of using the plurality of inserts 30 allows better cleaning and maintenance of the brewing device 10.

[0112] With reference to Figure 2 , we describe a brewing device 110 according to a second embodiment. Common to the first embodiment shown Figure 1 the elements common to the first embodiment shown are indicated with the same reference numbers, while the corresponding but different elements are indicated with Figure 1 the reference numbers used in the first embodiment are increased by 100.

[0113] The brewing device 110 comprises a brewing chamber 12, which in the lower part is closed by a first piston 113 slidably arranged therein, and a second piston 114, which during use cooperates with the brewing chamber 12 on the opposite side with respect to the first piston 113.

[0114] According to this embodiment, an inlet duct 115 is formed at least partially through the first piston 113, and an outlet duct 116 is formed at least partially through the second piston 114. In this case, the water and the beverage flow upwards from the bottom in the direction indicated by the arrows F2.

[0115] Differently from the embodiment of Figure 1 Figure 1 , in this case the filtering element 18 is associated with a head portion 123 of the first piston 113, while the perforated element 44 is associated with a head portion 124 of the second piston 114.

[0116] Said first piston 113 comprises a head portion 123 arranged inside the infusion chamber 12 and a stem 22 slidingly guided in a through hole 11A of a bottom wall 11 of the infusion chamber 12 and extending from the outside of the bottom wall 11.

[0117] Said head portion 123 is provided with a peripheral gasket 21 suitable to cooperate with the lateral wall 17 of the infusion chamber 12 to obtain a hydraulic seal in relation to the peripheral gasket 21.

[0118] Inside the head portion 123, a water feeding duct 146 can be formed, which defines a terminal portion of the inlet duct 115.

[0119] In this case, the perforated element 44 is arranged slightly raised with respect to an end 123A of the head portion 123 to allow the water fed to be distributed uniformly through the plurality of through holes 45.

[0120] According to an aspect of the present application, the infusion device 110 comprises a decanting chamber 120 arranged between the filter element 18 and the outlet duct 116 and configured to allow the coffee beverage to accumulate therein and slow down its flow to the outlet duct 16.

[0121] According to these embodiments, the decanting chamber 120 is formed inside the head portion 124 of the second piston 114, thus being at least partially hollow.

[0122] In particular, the head portion 124 is open at the lower portion and closed by the filter element 18.

[0123] In this case, the decanting chamber 120 can have the shape of an inverted cup, defined by a bottom wall 125 or upper wall and one or more lateral walls 126, which towards the top delimit the decanting chamber 120.

[0124] According to some embodiments, the upper wall 125 can have a truncated conical shape, which narrows towards the outlet duct 116.

[0125] In this case, the outlet aperture 131 can be defined by the upper end of the upper wall 125.

[0126] Also in this case, there can be a support portion 127 suitable to act as a support of the filter element 18 corresponding to the central portion, in a manner similar to that previously described, suitable to withstand the compression forces required.

[0127] Said support portion 127 can be connected to at least one of said upper wall 125 or said side wall 126 by means of a flange 147.

[0128] Also according to this embodiment, said diverting and guiding device 40 can be formed directly in said pouring chamber 120, protruding from its upper wall 125, or provided on a removable insert 30.

[0129] Clearly, a number of modifications and / or additions to the brewing apparatus 10; 110 as described above can be made without departing from the field and scope of the present application as defined by the following claims.

[0130] In the appended claims, the use of the terms "including" and "comprising" and their derivatives mean "including but not limited to" or "comprising but not limited to", respectively, to the extent that such terms are used in the description.

Claims

1. A brewing device (10; 110) for an automatic machine for making a plurality of coffee beverages, comprising a brewing chamber (12) closed at the lower part by a first piston (13; 113) and at the upper part on the opposite side by a second piston (14; 114), a first inlet duct (15; 115) for hot water and a first outlet duct (16; 116) for the beverage, communicating respectively with an inlet side (12A) and an outlet side (12B) of the brewing chamber (12), and a filtering element (18) arranged in the brewing chamber (12), characterized in that: The brewing apparatus comprises a pouring chamber (20; 120) arranged downstream of the filtering element (18) and upstream of the first outlet duct (16; 116) in the direction of the water flow, and diverting and guiding means (40) arranged in the pouring chamber (20; 120) and having the function of conveying the flow of beverage so as to divert it and make it follow an indirect path towards an outlet aperture (31; 131) of the pouring chamber (20; 120); wherein the pouring chamber (20; 120) is formed in a head portion (23; 124) of a respective piston (13; 114) associated with the outlet side (12B) of the brewing chamber (12); wherein the brewing apparatus (10; 110) comprises a removable insert (30) on which the diverting and guiding means (40) are provided, configured to position themselves in the pouring chamber (20; 120) during use; wherein the pouring chamber (20; 120) and the insert (30) are provided with respective first and second coupling members (35, 36) configured to cooperate with each other and guarantee a correct and stable positioning of the insert (30) in the pouring chamber (20; 120).

2. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) of claim 1, characterized in that: The head portion (23; 124) is at least partially hollow, defined by a bottom wall (25; 125) and one or more side walls (26; 126), and comprises a support portion (27; 127) configured to support the filtering element (18) in a central region, and an outlet aperture (31; 131) communicating with the first outlet duct (16; 116).

3. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) of claim 1, characterized in that: The pouring chamber (20; 120) has a height comprised between 1 and 8 mm.

4. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) of claim 1, characterized in that: The diverting and guiding means (40) comprise a plurality of pins or pegs (41) arranged according to a predefined pattern.

5. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) of claim 2, characterized in that: The diverting and guiding means (40) comprise at least one annular protrusion (42; 43) having an arcuate shape opening towards the outlet aperture (31; 131).

6. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) of claim 5, characterized in that: The brewing apparatus (10; 110) comprises only one annular protrusion (42; 43) arranged coaxially with the pouring chamber (20; 120).

7. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The brewing apparatus (10; 110) comprises at least two annular protrusions (42; 43) arranged concentrically with each other.

8. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The at least two annular protrusions (42; 43) divide the pouring chamber (20; 120) into a plurality of regions of equal size in a radial direction.

9. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The at least one or each annular protrusion (42; 43) extends over a circular sector comprised between 240° and 280°.

10. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that: Said insert (30) has an upper surface (32) which slopes downward between a first side (30A) opposite a second side (30B) with respect to a central axis, wherein said second side (30B) faces, during use, said outlet hole (31; 131).

11. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 10, characterized in that: Corresponding to said second side (30B), said insert (30) comprises a shaped portion (39) which is hollow in said upper surface (32) and is configured to act as a chute and an inlet for directing said beverage towards said outlet hole (31).

12. The brewing apparatus (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that: Said turning and guiding device (40) is formed in a head portion (23; 124) of said respective piston (13; 114) associated with said outlet side (12B) of said brewing chamber (12).

13. An automatic machine for making a plurality of coffee beverages comprising a device for feeding coffee powder; a brewing device (10; 110) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; a water supply source connected to said first inlet duct (15; 115); and a beverage delivery nozzle connected to said first outlet duct (16; 116).

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