Device for making espresso coffee

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for making espresso coffee, comprising: a barrel defining a cavity for receiving a liquid; a plunger axially slidable within the cavity between an inserted position and a retracted position; and an actuator comprising a biasing member for biasing the plunger towards the inserted position, where the actuator is adapted to change a configuration of the device from a rest configuration to an actuated configuration, and where: in the rest configuration, the plunger is in the inserted position and the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger; and in the actuated configuration, the plunger is in the retracted position and the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for making espresso, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manually making espresso. Background Art

[0002] Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, globally speaking. It is usually drunk hot and is made by extracting soluble components from coffee powder (i.e., a granular powder formed by grinding roasted coffee beans) using hot water. It is well known that even with the same coffee powder, slight differences in the conditions under which the extraction is performed can result in significantly different flavors of coffee. A known and widely used method is to pass a relatively small amount of hot water under relatively high pressure through a compacted coffee powder block to force the water through the block. This produces a certain amount of espresso, which is the type of coffee drink preferred by many users, or its main ingredient.

[0003] To produce espresso, for example in a café or restaurant, a tabletop "espresso machine" is usually used. These machines are usually equipped with a piped water supply and include means for maintaining a water reservoir at a relatively high temperature, and a complex system for expelling a measured amount of hot water through the compressed coffee cake. The compressed coffee cake is held tightly against the pressurized water outlet of the machine by means of a cylindrical metal pot in which the coffee cake is compressed.

[0004] The compressed coffee powder cake can be loose coffee particles placed in the pot (traditionally, the pot is filled to overflowing and then the particles are compressed into a smaller volume before or when the pot is fixed to the machine), or it can be in the form of a tea bag or "capsule" made of a water-permeable material, which is sized to fit tightly into the pot. The pot is provided with a device to seal itself tightly against the pressurized water outlet. Traditionally, this is achieved by a protrusion on the outside of the pot engaging a short threaded portion on the inside of the skirt surrounding the outlet. The pot is also usually provided with an external handle extending laterally, which enables the pot to be tightly screwed into place by turning about 90°. The base of the pot contains an orifice through which the brewed coffee can drip into a cup placed under the pot during dispensing, and the orifice can be bifurcated to divide the outflow into two streams, each of which then drips into a cup placed under the pot.

[0005] Such devices, which are provided for use in cafes and restaurants, are large in size and usually require connection to a water supply and are therefore not suitable for home use. Smaller versions of these commercial espresso machines have been manufactured for home use for many years, but such devices usually require an electrical supply.

[0006] However, such domestic espresso machines have some disadvantages. For example, domestic espresso machines are usually provided with a small reservoir which, although inconvenient, must be arranged at the rear of the machine. In addition, domestic espresso machines are usually provided with a relatively small and weak pump for passing water through the compressed coffee powder, which means that the pump either wears out quickly when trying to reach the pressure required to brew espresso, or never reaches the required pressure, thereby reducing the quality of the brewed coffee. In addition, domestic espresso machines are usually still relatively large in size, take up a lot of space in a home kitchen, and require a mains power grid to work, which means that the machine is not portable and cannot be used to brew espresso outside of a home environment.

[0007] There are some examples of espresso machines that utilize a single lever pulled by the user to force a volume of water through a compressed coffee mass. These machines typically still require a mains power grid and / or plumbing to provide the hot water required to brew the coffee. Furthermore, the single lever arrangement of these machines is often cumbersome to operate, requires the user to exert considerable force to achieve the required force, and requires the user to remain in contact with the machine throughout the brewing process.

[0008] An apparatus for making espresso is exemplified in document EP 1509112 B1, which discloses a joystick-operated apparatus for brewing espresso using a plunger to drive water through coffee powder. In this case, the user is required to provide all the downward force to drive the plunger and force the water through the coffee powder. This requires the user to exert considerable force to achieve the force required to brew espresso, and also requires the user to remain in contact with the machine throughout the brewing process.

[0009] The present disclosure is made in view of the above considerations. Summary of the invention

[0010] In a first aspect, a device for making espresso is provided, comprising: a barrel defining a cavity for receiving a liquid; a plunger capable of axially moving within the cavity between an inserted position and a retracted position; and an actuator including a biasing member for biasing the plunger toward the inserted position, wherein the actuator is suitable for changing the configuration of the device from a stationary configuration to an actuated configuration, in which the plunger is in the inserted position and the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger, and in the actuated configuration, in which the plunger is in the retracted position and the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger.

[0011] This device provides a device for making espresso coffee in a semi-automatic manner without the need for an electrical power supply. To brew coffee, the user is only required to change the configuration of the device from its rest configuration to its actuated configuration using an actuator, which causes the plunger to retract and the biasing force applied by the biasing member to the plunger to increase. The biasing member automatically drives the plunger toward its insertion position by the biasing force, thereby forcing the liquid to flow out of the cavity, for example through a certain amount of coffee powder, and returning the device to the rest configuration.

[0012] Since the biasing member, rather than the user, drives the plunger to its insertion position in the cavity, the user does not need to apply force to move the plunger the entire distance between its retracted position and the insertion position to complete the brewing process. Instead, once the user has used the actuator to change the device to the actuated configuration, the device automatically completes the production of espresso without further input from the user. Therefore, the device significantly reduces the length of time that the user needs to interact with the manual coffee machine to obtain espresso. In addition, the provision of the biasing member reduces the work required by the user to return the plunger to its insertion position in the cavity and complete the brewing process.

[0013] The device includes an actuator for changing the configuration of the device from a rest configuration to an actuated configuration. The actuator is configured to slide the plunger from an inserted position to a retracted position and impart potential energy to the biasing member.

[0014] The actuator may include an actuating element. The actuating element may be movable to change the configuration of the device from a static configuration to an actuated configuration. The actuating element may be movable in a first movement and a second movement opposite to the first movement. The actuating element may change the configuration of the device from a static configuration to an actuated configuration by a combination of the first movement and the second movement.

[0015] The actuating element may be a pivotable element (eg a joystick) such that the first movement is a first pivotal movement and the second movement is a second pivotal movement. The first pivotal movement and the second pivotal movement will be performed in two opposite rotational directions around the pivot axis.

[0016] In a first movement, the pivotable element can move from a first position in which the pivotable element abuts the barrel to a second position in which the pivotable element is lifted from the barrel. In a second position, the pivotable element can move from the second position back to the first position. The pivotable element can rotate through an angle of about 180 degrees between its first position and the second position.

[0017] The use of a pivotable element (eg a joystick) provides the user with leverage when performing the first and second movements of the actuator, which means that less force is required from the user to perform these movements and impart potential energy to the biasing member. Thus, ease of use of the device is improved.

[0018] At least one pivotable element may be pivotally connected to the barrel. For example, the barrel may include a flange to which the at least one pivotable element is pivotally connected. The pivotable element may be pivotally connected to the barrel via a pin joint. The flange may be positioned near an open top of the barrel for receiving the plunger.

[0019] The actuator may further comprise a compression plate and a base plate, and the biasing member may be disposed between the compression plate and the base plate. Thus, the biasing member may be sandwiched between the compression plate and the base plate.

[0020] In the rest configuration, there may be a maximum spacing between the compression plate and the base plate, and in the actuated configuration, there may be a minimum spacing between the compression plate and the base plate. Thus, in the rest configuration, the biasing member may be in a state of minimum compression between the compression plate and the base plate, and in the actuated configuration, the biasing member may be in a state of maximum compression between the compression plate and the base plate.

[0021] The substrate may be connected directly or indirectly to the plunger (e.g., to a flange surrounding the shaft of the plunger). The connector to the plunger / flange may be located at or near the upper axial end of the plunger, i.e., the axial end is not received in the cavity. Thus, movement of the plunger results in movement of the substrate. Correspondingly, movement of the substrate results in movement of the plunger.

[0022] During changes between these configurations of the device, the orientation of the substrate may change relative to the plunger.

[0023] In the actuated configuration, the compression plate may be fixed relative to the barrel, and the base plate may be movable relative to the barrel (but fixed relative to the plunger). Thus, the base plate may be movable by a biasing force provided by the biasing member, such that the biasing force may be applied to the plunger through the base plate to drive the plunger toward its insertion position and return the device to the rest configuration.

[0024] The substrate may be a substantially circular plate or an annular plate.

[0025] The compression plate may be connected to an actuating element of the actuator. Thus, movement of the actuating element results in movement of the compression plate. At least a second movement of the actuating element results in movement of the compression plate towards the base plate.

[0026] During this movement, the orientation of the compression plate may change relative to the actuation element.The compression plate may directly abut the biasing member so as to apply a compressive force to the biasing member when the device changes from the rest configuration to the actuated configuration.

[0027] The compression plate may be a substantially circular plate or an annular plate.

[0028] The biasing member may be any element capable of storing and releasing potential energy. The biasing member may include a compressible element. When the device changes from the rest configuration to the actuated configuration, the compressible element may be compressed due to the approach of the compression plate to the base plate so as to impart potential energy to the biasing member.

[0029] The compressible element may comprise a spring. The spring may be pre-tensioned. By providing a pre-tensioned spring as the biasing member, the possibility of a drop in the force applied by the biasing member as the plunger approaches its insertion position within the cavity and the device returns to its rest configuration is reduced or eliminated. In this way, any potential drop in pressure at the end of the brewing process is reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the quality of the resulting coffee. Therefore, the minimum biasing force may be non-zero.

[0030] A biasing member (eg, a compressible element such as a spring) may have an upper end abutting the compression plate and a lower end abutting the base plate. The biasing member biases the compression plate and the base plate apart.

[0031] During the process of the device changing from its static configuration to its actuated configuration, the axial distance between the compression plate and the substrate is variable so as to achieve compression of the biasing member. For example, during the process of the device converting to its actuated configuration, the compression plate is pushed toward the substrate to compress the biasing member. After the biasing member is compressed, the compression plate and the substrate will be at their minimum spacing, and the biasing member will be in its maximum compression state, and thus exert a maximum biasing force on the substrate. In the actuated configuration, the position of the substrate can be moved relative to the cylinder. The elasticity of the biasing member then drives the substrate away from the compression plate. The substrate is (directly or indirectly) connected to the plunger, and therefore, when the substrate is forced to leave the compression plate, the plunger is forced into the cavity towards its insertion position.

[0032] The actuator may also include an arm having a first lateral end pivotally connected to the actuating element and a second lateral end connected to the compression plate. The pivotable connection between the actuating element and the arm causes the arm to move relative to the actuating element during the transition of the device to its actuated configuration, which can be achieved by movement of the actuating element. For example, during the transition of the device from the static configuration to the actuated configuration, the arm may move from a vertical orientation substantially aligned with the axis of the cavity to an inclined orientation and then back to a vertical orientation. The compression plate may be fixedly or pivotally connected to the arm. The compression plate may be located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the arm, at least in the actuated configuration of the device.

[0033] In some embodiments, the substrate may form the base of a housing (e.g., a cylindrical housing) that houses the compression plate and the biasing member. The substrate may be annular and may include an opening through which the arm passes. The biasing member may surround the arm within the housing. The compression plate may slide axially within the housing to compress the biasing member against the substrate within the housing. The axial end of the housing opposite the substrate is pivotally connected to the plunger. Thus, the substrate is indirectly connected to the plunger. In these embodiments, the compression plate is preferably a circular disk, which may be solid.

[0034] The housing may be pivotably connected to a flange surrounding the plunger (ie surrounding the shaft of the plunger). The flange may be axially opposite to the head of the plunger, which is disposed at the axial end of the plunger shaft received in the cavity.

[0035] Preferably, in these embodiments, there are two biasing members (e.g., compression elements such as springs), each of which is associated with a corresponding actuating element, arm, compression plate, base plate and housing. Thus, there may be a pair of pivotable actuating elements, such as a pair of joysticks. A pair of pivotable elements may be arranged on opposite sides of the device. For example, they may be substantially diametrically opposed, i.e., separated by an angle of approximately 180° around the central axis of the cavity, the central axis being the same axis along which the plunger slides from the retracted position to the inserted position. Using a pair of opposing pivotable elements means that the user needs to apply less force to each pivotable element to change the configuration of the device from a stationary configuration to an actuated configuration. Thus, the ease of use of the device may be improved.

[0036] In other embodiments, there may be only one biasing member, which may surround the plunger shaft. In these embodiments, the base plate may be annular and may surround the plunger shaft, for example near the plunger head. Therefore, both the biasing member and the base plate are contained in the cavity of the barrel. They can slide axially in the cavity. In these embodiments, the base plate is fixedly connected to the plunger, so that after the biasing member is compressed (when the device is in the actuated configuration), the base plate is forced to leave the compression plate, thereby pushing the plunger further into the cavity and into its insertion position. In these embodiments, the compression plate is annular and also surrounds the plunger shaft. The compression plate can be pivotally connected to the arm.

[0037] The annular compression plate can slide axially on the plunger shaft. For example, when the device is converted between the rest position and the actuated position, the compression plate is pushed toward the top opening of the barrel and the base plate to minimize the spacing between the base plate and the compression plate (thereby compressing the biasing member). When the device is in the actuated configuration, the compression plate can abut the top opening of the barrel so that the biasing member is completely located within the cavity of the barrel (between the plunger shaft and the inner wall of the barrel).

[0038] In these embodiments, the biasing member, base plate, and compression plate can be associated with two pivotable elements and arms (e.g., two diametrically opposed pivotable elements / arms), each pivotable element being connected to the barrel, and each arm being connected between a corresponding pivotable element and the compression plate, i.e., the two arms can be connected to opposite sides of the compression plate (e.g., diametrically opposed sides).

[0039] In other embodiments, the biasing member may be in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic system.

[0040] The device includes a plunger, which is received (through the open top of the barrel) in a cavity for receiving a liquid. The plunger can slide axially in the cavity by movement of an actuator and under the biasing force of a biasing member.

[0041] The plunger may include a plunger shaft and a plunger head, as described above. The plunger head provides a pressure surface facing the cavity for forcing the liquid to flow out of the bottom opening of the barrel.

[0042] The plunger shaft may comprise a hollow tube. The tubular plunger shaft may have the same diameter as the plunger head.

[0043] The plunger head may have a similar cross-sectional shape as the cavity, such as circular.

[0044] The plunger may include a one-way valve mechanism for allowing liquid to flow around the plunger head in only one direction. For example, it may include a one-way valve that allows liquid to flow from above the plunger head to below the plunger head (i.e., between the pressure surface and the bottom opening of the barrel) when the plunger moves from the insertion position to the retracted position. Thus, when the plunger is in the insertion position, the user can provide liquid to the cavity, and when the first movement of the actuator is performed, the plunger slides axially from the insertion position to the retracted position, and the liquid flows from above the plunger head to below the plunger head. When the plunger is driven from the retracted position to the insertion position, due to the presence of the one-way valve, the liquid can no longer pass through the plunger head and is forced through the coffee powder under pressure. The one-way valve can be implemented by an O-ring arrangement. The O-ring arrangement may include an O-ring positioned between the head of the plunger and the inner wall of the cavity, so that the O-ring rolls between an open position (wherein the liquid flow path in the plunger head is open) and a closed position (wherein the liquid flow path in the plunger head is closed). The non-return valve mechanism may be as described in EP 1509112 B1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] The device may also include a receptacle for placing a quantity of ground coffee near the base of the barrel (i.e., below the bottom opening of the barrel). The receptacle may also be adapted to receive and utilize a prepackaged container holding a predetermined coffee brewing mixture for making coffee. The receptacle may include one or more holes in the base that allow water to pass through but not the ground coffee.

[0046] The receptacle for placing a certain amount of coffee powder near the base of the barrel can include a restrictor for limiting the flow of liquid driven by the plunger moving from a retracted position toward its insertion position in the cavity through a certain amount of coffee powder. The restrictor can be a plate with a through hole through which the liquid passes. The diameter of the through hole can be between 0.3mm and 0.6mm, for example, a diameter of 0.4mm or 0.5mm. The restrictor can be integrated with a portion of the receptacle for placing the coffee powder near the base of the barrel. In this way, the pressure required for brewing espresso can be achieved without having to rely on the size of the coffee powder provided to the device by the user. The relationship between the biasing member and the restrictor, such as the relationship between the spring tension and the amount of restriction applied to the water flow, can be balanced to optimize the extraction rate of the coffee. For example, the relationship between at least one biasing member and the restrictor can be controlled to achieve a brewing time between 25 and 30 seconds.

[0047] The device may also include a support connected to the barrel. The support may define a space therein for receiving a container (e.g., a cup or glass) for receiving the coffee. The support may also include a platform on which the container for receiving the coffee may stand. The platform may include an outer edge to contain any spillage. The platform may include a series of raised structures to keep the container for receiving the coffee from contact with any spillage.

[0048] The device may also include a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge may be provided for measuring the pressure within the cavity. For example, the pressure gauge may be provided for measuring the pressure within the cavity when the plunger is driven from the retracted position to the inserted position. The measured pressure may be provided to the user by any suitable display method so that the user can more accurately monitor the brewing process of the coffee. The pressure gauge may include a pressure sensor and a display. The pressure sensor and the display may be integrated into a single component, or may be provided as separate components. The display may be a digital display or an analog display.

[0049] In a second aspect, there is provided a method for making espresso using a device for making espresso according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: providing a certain amount of liquid into a cavity of the device in a static configuration; actuating the device using an actuator to change the configuration of the device to an actuated configuration; and driving the plunger toward its insertion position using the biasing force of the biasing member so as to cause the liquid to pass through a certain amount of coffee powder.

[0050] The method may include placing a quantity of ground coffee near the base of a barrel of the device. The barrel defines a cavity for receiving a liquid. The quantity of ground coffee may be placed near the base of the barrel using the receptacle described above.

[0051] When the device is in a rest configuration, a quantity of liquid is received in the cavity of the device. In the rest configuration, the plunger is in an inserted position and a biasing member of an actuator of the device applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger. The liquid received by the cavity may be any liquid suitable for brewing espresso, such as water heated to 100°C, for example water heated to between 90°C and 96°C. In the case where the liquid received by the cavity is hot water, the heating of the water may be performed externally to the device, for example by a kettle, a heating tap or any other means for heating a quantity of water. Thus, the device does not require any pipe connection for receiving water or any electrical means for heating the water itself.

[0052] Then, the configuration of the device is changed from the static configuration to the actuated configuration using an actuator. In the actuated configuration, the plunger is in the retracted position and the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger. The plunger head may include a one-way valve mechanism for allowing liquid to flow from above the plunger head to below the plunger head when the plunger moves from the insertion position to the retracted position as above. Therefore, when the configuration of the device is changed from the static configuration to the actuated configuration, and the plunger slides from the insertion position to the retracted position, the liquid provided to the cavity flows from above the plunger head to below the plunger head.

[0053] The biasing member biases the plunger toward the insertion position, which causes the plunger to move toward its insertion position within the cavity when the device is changed to the actuated configuration. In the actuated configuration, the biasing member and the plunger are the only elements that are not in their resting state and are therefore the only components that can move in the actuated configuration to release the potential energy held by the biasing member.

[0054] Thereby, the plunger is driven towards its insertion position in the cavity and, as a result, the liquid held under the plunger in said cavity passes under pressure through a quantity of coffee powder.

[0055] The proposed device includes any combination of the described aspects and preferred features, unless such a combination is expressly not permitted or explicitly avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] Figure 1 An example of an apparatus for making espresso coffee according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown in a stationary configuration.

[0058] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A device in which the device is in the process of being converted from a static configuration to an actuated configuration.

[0059] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The device is in an actuated configuration.

[0060] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the device in FIG.

[0061] Figure 5A One example of a plunger head that may be used with the device as the plunger is slid from an inserted position to a retracted position is shown.

[0062] Figure 5B One example of a plunger head that may be used with the device as the plunger is slid from a retracted position to an inserted position is shown.

[0063] Figure 6 An example of a device for making espresso coffee according to another aspect of the present disclosure is shown during transition from a rest configuration to an actuated configuration of the device.

[0064] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 The device is in an actuated configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] A device for making espresso is provided, comprising: a barrel defining a cavity for receiving liquid; a plunger capable of axially sliding in the cavity between an inserted position and a retracted position; and an actuator, the actuator including a biasing member for biasing the plunger toward the inserted position, wherein the actuator is suitable for changing the configuration of the device from a stationary configuration to an actuated configuration, and wherein: in the stationary configuration, the plunger is in the inserted position and the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger; and in the actuated configuration, the plunger is in the retracted position and the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger.

[0067] In other words, a device is provided for making espresso coffee by manually driving a plunger through the cavity so that a quantity of liquid is forced under pressure through a quantity of ground coffee. The plunger is driven by a biasing member, and the user provides potential energy to the biasing member by changing the configuration of the device from a static configuration to an actuated configuration using an actuator. Therefore, it is the biasing member, rather than the actuator itself, that primarily drives the plunger through the cavity, which means that the user does not need to drive it throughout the brewing process, but only needs to activate the biasing member.

[0068] In other words, a device is provided for making espresso in a semi-automatic manner, which device does not require electrical connections or dedicated plumbing, and which requires minimal input from the user. In particular, once the user has performed actuation of the actuator, they can walk away from the device and let the device complete the brewing of the espresso under the power of at least one biasing member alone.

[0069] Figure 1 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an apparatus 100 for making espresso according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 1 The device is shown in a rest configuration.

[0070] The device 100 includes a barrel 110 defining a cavity 120 for receiving a liquid, for example, through an opening 140 at the top of the barrel. The device also includes a plunger 130 slidably received in the cavity. The plunger includes a plunger shaft 132 and a plunger head 134. In the examples discussed herein, the cavity and the plunger head are cylindrical and have a circular cross-section. Figure 1 The plunger 130 is shown in an inserted position within the cavity, ie in a rest configuration. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Features of the plunger head 134 are described in further detail.

[0071] The plunger 130 is received in the cavity 120 in an axially slidable manner and is attached to an actuator 150 of the device. The actuator includes a biasing member 160 for biasing the plunger toward the insertion position. Figure 1 As shown, in the rest configuration, the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger. In the actuated configuration, the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger.

[0072] The actuator may include an actuation element, which is an element that can be moved by a user of the device to change the configuration of the device from a static configuration to an actuated configuration, thereby sliding the plunger from the insertion position to the retracted position. For example, when the user uses the actuation element to make a first movement, the actuator may move the plunger 130 from the insertion position within the cavity 120 to the retracted position.

[0073] In the example discussed herein, the actuating element comprises a pivotable element pivotably connected to the cylinder, in particular a lever 151 pivotably connected to the cylinder 110, for example a flange pivotably connected to the cylinder via a pin joint. Figure 1 In the example shown, the actuator includes a pair of joysticks 151, which are arranged diametrically on opposite sides of the barrel 110. Therefore, a first movement of the actuating element may include pivoting the joystick about its connection point with the barrel in a first direction. Therefore, the corresponding second, opposite movement includes pivoting the joystick about its connection point with the barrel in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The use of this pair of joysticks can reduce the force required by the user on each joystick to move the plunger from one position to another. In addition, by providing a pair of joysticks, the action of moving the actuator is more balanced and natural for the user, thereby improving the ease of use of the device for the user.

[0074] The actuator 150 further includes a compression plate 152, which is connected to the actuating element 151, so that the movement of the actuating element causes the compression plate to move. The actuator 150 further includes a base plate 153, which is connected to the plunger 130, so that the movement of the plunger causes the base plate to move. The movement of the base plate also causes the plunger to move accordingly.

[0075] Figure 1 The biasing member 160 is shown disposed between the compression plate 152 and the base plate 153. The biasing member biases the compression plate and the base plate away from each other. The biasing member is an element of the device that applies a force to the plunger through the base plate to which it is connected to drive the plunger from the retracted position to the insertion position in the cavity when at least one biasing member has potential energy. As further described below, the potential energy is imparted to the biasing member by transitioning between the rest configuration and the actuated configuration. For example, the biasing member may include a compressible element that is adapted to store potential energy when compressed.

[0076] In the examples discussed herein, the biasing member 160 comprises a compressible element, and in particular a spring, such as a compression spring. During the transition between the rest configuration and the actuated configuration, potential energy can be imparted to the spring by bringing the compression plate and the base plate toward each other, thereby compressing the spring. Figure 1 In the example shown, the biasing member 160 includes a pair of springs, each spring being linked to one of the pair of levers 151 .

[0077] The actuator 150 may also include an arm 154 pivotally connected to the actuating element and connected to the compression plate at an end of the arm opposite the connection between the arm and the actuating element. Figure 1In the present example shown, the actuator includes a pair of arms 154, each arm 154 being pivotally connected to one of the pair of levers 151. The arms 154 may be connected to the levers by pin joints 155.

[0078] like Figure 1 As shown, the biasing member 160, in particular a spring, is retained within the housing 156. The spring is retained within the housing so that the spring can only move substantially along a single axis. Figure 1 In the example shown, base plate 153 forms the base of the housing. The housing, more specifically one end of the housing, is pivotally connected to the plunger 130, such as by a pin joint 157. The combination of housing 156, base plate 153, arm 154 and compression plate 152 can operate in a piston-like manner as the arm and compression plate move within the housing.

[0079] The base plate 153 disposed at the end of the housing 156 opposite the end connected to the plunger 130 may include an opening or through-hole through which the arm 154 may slide. Figure 1 The base plate 153 shown in the figure is an annular plate. One end of the biasing member 160 abuts the base plate 153 forming the base of the housing 156. The arrangement of the arm and the compression plate 152 is at least partially disposed within the housing so that the arm passes through the opening in the base plate and through the central cavity of the spring so that the other end of the spring opposite to the end abutting on the base plate rests on the lower surface of the compression plate 152, i.e., the compression surface. Thus, the spring is compressed by the compression plate moving toward the base plate and away from the connection between the housing and the plunger. Thus, the spring is decompressed by the base plate moving away from the compression plate.

[0080] The spring 160 may be pre-tensioned prior to insertion into the housing, meaning that when the spring is fully extended within the housing 156, the spring still applies force to the compression plate 152 and base plate 153, and therefore also to the plunger 130. In this way, the pressure drop at the end of the brewing process, when the spring reaches its maximum possible extension and the plunger is close to the insertion position, can be reduced or eliminated.

[0081] Figure 1 The device 100 shown in FIG. 1 also shows a receptacle 170 for placing a quantity of ground coffee near the base of the barrel 180, the receptacle comprising a filter cartridge 172 and a filter basket 174 arrangement. The filter basket holds a quantity of ground coffee and allows water to pass under pressure without allowing the ground coffee to pass. The filter cartridge includes a means for holding the filter basket in place, a handle, and an outlet 176 for brewing coffee. Figure 1 In the example shown, projections 178 on the exterior of the filter cartridge engage with threaded portions on the device to hold the filter cartridge in a tightly sealed position against the base of bowl 180 .

[0082] The receptacle 170 for placing a quantity of ground coffee near the base of the barrel 180 may also include a restrictor for restricting the flow of water through the ground coffee under the pressure of the driven plunger 130. By providing such a restrictor, the device can achieve the pressure required to brew espresso without relying on the fineness of the ground coffee provided by the user. Therefore, the restrictor can improve the ease of use of the device, especially for unskilled users, and improve the quality of brewed coffee.

[0083] Now refer to Figures 1 to 3 The operation of the device 100 is described. Figure 1 Starting from the rest configuration shown, the actuating element and the biasing member are in a rest position such that the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger and the plunger is in an inserted position within the cavity. Figure 1 As shown, the actuator in the rest position can correspond to a pair of levers 151 arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder being in a lowered position, close to the cylinder, and the biasing member 160 in the rest position can correspond to the spring being in a maximum possible decompression state as limited by the housing 156.

[0084] With the device 100 in this state, a user can provide ground coffee to the device to make espresso. For example, a user can fill a certain amount of ground coffee into the filter basket 174 and position the filter basket near the base of the barrel using a device that holds the filter basket in place (such as a filter cartridge 172). The user can then provide a liquid, such as hot water, to the cavity 120 within the barrel. The liquid can be provided to the barrel through an opening in the top of the barrel. In the example discussed herein, the liquid received in the cavity can be water heated to between 90°C and 96°C.

[0085] After providing the device 100 with coffee powder and liquid, the user uses the actuator to change the configuration of the device from the static configuration to the actuated configuration. For example, the user can raise a pair of joysticks 151 from a lowered position to a raised position in a first movement, i.e., the user can use the joysticks to make a pivotal movement in a first direction. Since the arm 154 and the housing 156 are rigid and the compression plate 152 is adjacent to the housing, such movement of the joystick will cause the arm 154, the compression plate 152, the housing 156, the base plate 153 and the biasing member 160 to move in response to the movement of the joystick without the compression plate and the base plate approaching each other or the biasing member being compressed. Therefore, the fixed connection point between the actuating element and the compression plate and the fixed connection point between the plunger and the base plate will cause the plunger 130 to slide from the inserted position to the retracted position. The plunger may include a one-way valve mechanism for allowing liquid to flow from above the plunger head to below the plunger head when the plunger moves from the inserted position to the retracted position, which will be referred to below. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Described in further detail.

[0086] Between the static configuration and the actuated configuration is an intermediate configuration of the device, in which the plunger 130 is in a retracted position, the actuating element (e.g., the joystick 151) is in an inclined position relative to the barrel, and the biasing member still applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger. In this configuration, the liquid is retained in the cavity between the plunger 130 and the coffee powder in an unpressurized state. In order to achieve the actuated configuration, the user can perform a second movement opposite to the first movement through the actuating element. For example, the user can lower the joystick 151 from the raised position back to the original lowered or static position. Such a movement may initially cause the plunger to slide backward toward the insertion position; however, the movement of the plunger from the retracted position to the insertion position is subject to resistance from the water between the plunger and the coffee powder. Figure 2 The device 100 is shown in a state between the rest configuration and the actuated configuration.

[0087] When the force required to force the water through the coffee powder exceeds a given threshold, the movement of the lever 151 in the second movement will cause the compression plate 152 and the base plate 153 to approach each other, thereby compressing the spring. In particular, the resistance provided by the water in the cavity will prevent the plunger from reaching the inserted position in the cavity, which means that when the lever is lowered, the plunger will remain in a substantially retracted position. In order to resolve this difference from the original state of the device, the compression plate and the base plate (connected to the actuating element and the plunger, respectively) are brought closer to each other and the biasing member is compressed.

[0088] Figure 3 The device 100 is shown in an actuated configuration. In particular, Figure 3 The joystick 151 is shown to be returned to Figure 1 ; however, the spring 160 is fully compressed between the compression plate 152 and the base plate 153, and the plunger is in the retracted position. The compressed spring will exert a force on the compression plate and the base plate to release the stored potential energy and return to their resting state. Since the arm 154 connects the compression plate to the joystick and fixes the position of the compression plate relative to the barrel, the compression plate cannot move upward, so the housing 156 and the attached plunger 130 are forced to move downward, which drives the plunger toward the insertion position within the cavity 120. Therefore, the driven plunger exerts pressure on the liquid in the cavity to push the liquid through the coffee grounds and complete the brewing process.

[0089] If the joystick is directly connected to the plunger without a biasing member (e.g., a spring), the user will need to apply force to the joystick throughout the brewing time until the plunger returns to the inserted position and the liquid has left the cavity and passed through the coffee grounds. For some users, this continued application of force may be strenuous, especially when the relatively high pressure required to make espresso is reached during a typical brewing time of about 30 seconds. By providing a biasing member (e.g., a spring), the user can complete the second movement in a single continuous action, for example, which may only take 2 seconds, after which the brewing process will be completed without any further user input. In addition, by providing a pair of joysticks, each joystick connected to the plunger by a separate spring, the force that the user needs to apply to each joystick can be reduced without reducing the amount of pressure transmitted to the liquid in the cavity, and without adversely affecting the quality of the brewed coffee.

[0090] Figure 4 Shown is a reference Figures 1 to 3 A perspective view of the device 100 described. Figure 4 As shown, the device may further include a support 210, the support 210 including a plurality of legs 220, such as two legs. The support provides space for a container (such as a cup) below, the container being used to receive the coffee brewed by the device. Figure 4 In the example shown, the support includes two legs having a generally arched shape. The device may also include a platform 230 connected to the support. The platform 230 may have an outer edge 240 to accommodate any spills. The platform may also include a series of raised structures (not shown) for keeping a container placed on the platform from contacting the upper side of the substrate and therefore from contacting any liquid that may drip onto the substrate during use of the device.

[0091] The device may also include a pressure gauge (not shown) for measuring the pressure in the cavity when the plunger slides from the retracted position to the inserted position. The measured pressure may be provided to the user by any suitable display method so that the user can more accurately monitor the brewing process of the coffee.

[0092] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The head 134 of the plunger 130 is shown in more detail. In particular, Figure 5A shows the plunger head as liquid may pass through the plunger head, and Figure 5B The plunger head is shown when liquid cannot pass through the plunger head.

[0093] The head 134 of the plunger 130 is sized and shaped so that it can easily slide axially within the cavity 120 under the power of the actuator and / or biasing member as described above. To seal the exterior of the plunger head 300 with the inner wall of the barrel 110, the plunger head carries an external O-ring 310.

[0094] The O-ring 310 may adopt a position adjacent to a lower flange 320 molded on the periphery of the plunger head 300, or a position in which the O-ring abuts against an upper flange 330 that is also integrally molded. When the plunger 130 slides from the inserted position to the retracted position within the cavity 120, the O-ring moves to be adjacent to the lower flange 320. When the plunger slides from the retracted position to the inserted position, the O-ring rolls to abut against the upper flange 330.

[0095] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the plunger head includes one or more apertures 340 extending from near the lower flange 320 to about half of the space between the lower flange and the upper flange 330. When the O-ring 310 is adjacent to the lower flange 320, such as when the plunger is slid from the inserted position to the retracted position, there is space so that water can flow through the apertures 340 between the side of the plunger and the wall of the barrel 110 and into the space below the plunger head 300. When the plunger is slid from the retracted position to the inserted position, the O-ring moves to abut against the upper flange 330, thereby forming a complete seal around the entire perimeter of the plunger head 300, thereby allowing water to pass under pressure through the coffee grounds held below the barrel 110. To help water flow down through the plunger head 300 as the plunger head 300 slides from the inserted position to the retracted position within the cavity, the upper edge of the plunger head can be relieved by one or more notches 350.

[0096] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An apparatus 100' according to another aspect is shown. In particular, Figure 6 shows the device between a rest configuration and an actuated configuration, and Figure 7 The device is shown in an actuated configuration.In the Figures, reference numerals are repeated when reference is made to features already described above.

[0097] As described above, the actuator includes a biasing member for biasing the plunger 130 toward the insertion position. Figure 6 In the example shown, the actuating element comprises a pair of levers 151 and the biasing member comprises a spring 400 .

[0098] like Figure 6As shown, spring 400 is at least partially retained in cavity 120 of barrel 110. The spring is retained in the cavity so that the spring can only move substantially along a single axis. The body of plunger 130 can pass through the central cavity of the spring so that the spring is located between the body of the plunger and the wall of the cavity.

[0099] The actuator includes a compression plate 410, which is an annular plate arranged around the axis of the plunger 130 and can slide axially along the axis. The plunger, in particular the axis of the plunger, can freely pass through the central through hole of the compression plate. The compression plate is connected to the actuating element 151, so that the movement of the actuating element causes the compression plate to move accordingly. The actuator also includes a base plate 420, which is an annular plate arranged around the axis of the plunger, and the base plate 420 is connected to the plunger 130, so that the movement of the plunger causes the base plate to move accordingly. The movement of the base plate also causes the plunger to move accordingly. The base plate 420 can be positioned close to the head of the plunger. At Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the example shown, the base plate is integral with the head of the plunger.

[0100] The spring 400 is disposed between the compression plate 410 and the base plate 420 such that one end of the spring abuts the top surface of the base plate and the other end of the spring abuts the bottom surface of the compression plate. Thus, the spring is compressed by the compression plate and the base plate moving toward each other. Thus, the spring is decompressed by the compression plate and the base plate moving away from each other.

[0101] Again, the actuator may also include an arm 430 pivotally connected to the actuating element and connected to the compression plate 410 at an end of the arm opposite to the connection between the arm and the actuating element. Figure 6 In the example shown, the actuator includes a pair of arms 430, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the pair of levers 151. The arms 430 may be connected to the levers by a pin joint. In addition, at the end of each arm opposite to the connection between each arm and the corresponding lever, each arm is pivotally connected to the compression plate 410, such as by a pin joint.

[0102] In use, the device is operated in the same manner as above. Figures 1 to 3 The manner described is substantially the same. When the configuration of the device changes from a static configuration to an actuated configuration (e.g., in response to the joystick moving from a static position to an actuated configuration), Figure 6 The structure shown, and then move to Figure 7 The spring 400 is compressed by the movement of the compression plate 410 toward the base plate 420. Figure 7As shown, the compression plate 410 is rigidly connected to the lever 151 via the arm 430, which means that the force applied by the spring 400 can only be used to drive the base plate, thereby driving the plunger 130 from the retracted position to the inserted position in the cavity 120. Therefore, the driven plunger exerts pressure on the liquid in the cavity to push the liquid through the coffee powder and complete the brewing process.

[0103] These features, expressed in the above description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, in their specific forms, or as means for performing the disclosed functions, or as methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, may be used alone or in any combination of these features to realize various forms of the invention as desired.

[0104] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Therefore, the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0105] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided in this disclosure are intended to enhance the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0106] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0107] Throughout this specification, including the following claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations thereof (such as “comprises”, “comprising” and “including”) will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated integers or steps or combinations of integers or steps but not the exclusion of other integers or steps or combinations of integers or steps.

[0108] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this document, ranges may be expressed as from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when some values ​​are expressed as approximate values, by using the antecedent "about", it should be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and, for example, means ±10%.

Claims

1. A device for making espresso, comprising: a barrel defining a cavity for receiving a liquid; a plunger axially slidable within the cavity between an inserted position and a retracted position; as well as An actuator comprising a biasing member for biasing the plunger toward the insertion position, wherein the actuator is adapted to change the configuration of the device from a rest configuration, in which the plunger is in the insertion position and the biasing member applies a minimum biasing force to the plunger, to an actuated configuration, in which the plunger is in the retracted position and the biasing member applies a maximum biasing force to the plunger.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises: Compression plate; and a base plate, wherein the base plate is connected to the plunger; The biasing member is disposed between the compression plate and the base plate.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: In the rest configuration, there is a maximum spacing between the compression plate and the base plate; and, In the actuated configuration, there is a minimum spacing between the compression plate and the base plate.

4. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: In the actuated position, the compression plate is fixed relative to the barrel and the base plate is movable relative to the barrel in response to the biasing force such that the plunger can be driven toward its insertion position.

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the actuator comprises an actuating element movable to change the configuration of the device from the rest configuration to the actuated configuration.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the compression plate is connected to the actuating element.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the actuator further comprises an arm connecting the compression plate to the actuating element.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the actuating element.

9. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the arm is pivotably connected or fixedly connected to the compression plate.

10. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the actuator further comprises a housing, the housing housing the biasing member, and wherein the substrate forms a base of the housing.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the compression plate is axially slidable within the housing.

12. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the housing is pivotably connected to the plunger.

13. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the base plate is an annular plate and surrounds the axis of the plunger.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the compression plate is an annular plate and surrounds the shaft of the plunger.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the compression plate is axially slidable on the shaft of the plunger.

16. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein the actuating element comprises a pivotable element pivotably connected to the barrel.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the pivotable element comprises a joystick.

18. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 17, wherein the actuating element comprises a pair of pivotable elements or levers disposed on opposite sides of the barrel.

19. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing member comprises a compressible element.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the compressible element comprises a spring.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the spring is pre-tensioned.

22. A method of making espresso coffee using the device for making espresso coffee according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: providing a volume of liquid to the cavity of the device in the rest configuration; actuating the device using the actuator to change the configuration of the device to the actuated configuration; The plunger is driven toward its insertion position by the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby causing the liquid to pass through a certain amount of coffee grounds.

Images