Coffee machine for extracting hot beverages

Abstract

The utility model relates to a coffee machine for extracting hot beverage. Provide a kind of coffee machine (1) for extracting hot beverage (B) comprising coffee, including: boiler (2), for accommodating water (W);Container (3) is used to collect the beverage (B) of extraction;Extraction filter (4) for coffee powder (C) is located above boiler (2);Fluid connection pipeline (10) is provided with passage port (11) between extraction filter (4) and container (3);And valve device (12) is located on passage port (11), and extracted beverage (B) is transported towards valve device. Valve device (12) includes elastic film (13), and the elastic film is provided with at least one through cut (14), and the through cut is used to form at least one pair of flaps (15), and the flap is configured to bend when extracted beverage (B) passes through the flap to generate the cream phase of beverage (B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is generally used in the technical field of preparing hot beverages, and more specifically, relates to a coffee machine for extracting hot beverages containing coffee. Background Technology

[0002] The use of mocha-type coffee machines in the preparation of hot beverages is well-known. These machines include a lower boiler for brewing water and an upper container for collecting hot beverages, such as coffee.

[0003] In addition, these coffee machines include an extraction filter located between the boiler and the container, in which coffee grounds are placed.

[0004] During operation, after water is added to the boiler and coffee grounds are added to the filter, the container is coupled to the lower boiler and the coffee machine is placed on the heat source to heat the water and generate steam.

[0005] Steam increases the pressure on the free surface of the water, which is then conveyed through a connecting pipe installed in the filter, allowing the water to pass through the coffee grounds, and subsequently collected in the container via a dispensing column located in the container.

[0006] However, hot beverages based on coffee and extracted using this known process do not exhibit the same dense and compact foam as those produced by alternative systems such as electric coffee machines using single-dose capsules or professional espresso machines operating at high pressure (12 bar).

[0007] To at least partially overcome this drawback, known mocha-type coffee machines are equipped with a valve device located on the dispensing column inside the container.

[0008] Document WO2021144697 discloses a stovetop coffee machine equipped with a frothing device placed on a dispensing column and including a valve made of deformable material having a through-tube into which the beverage is delivered.

[0009] The conical pipe has an inlet and at least one outlet, which is formed at the narrowing portion of the valve and is subjected to liquid / steam overpressure from the boiler, which is sufficient to deform the outlet and thus generate foam.

[0010] Document EP1813173 discloses a coffee machine for preparing coffee-based hot beverages, including a container equipped with a pipe and a limiting device at the upper end of the pipe. These devices are designed to raise the pressure and temperature within the extraction chamber to predetermined values ​​sufficient to produce an emulsion phase in the beverage.

[0011] The limiting device includes an elastic membrane with multiple orifices of suitable size to maintain a pressure between 1 bar and 2.4 bar and a temperature between 75°C and 95°C.

[0012] Document WO2019111074 discloses a coffee machine having a frothing device at the end of a dispensing column. The frothing device includes a body having at least one generally straight pipe through which the beverage is delivered, and the pipe is defined circumferentially by sidewalls made of a polymer material.

[0013] Downstream of the valve, the coffee machine features an expansion chamber and a pressure valve connected in series. The latter is normally closed and is used to open when the pressure in the expansion chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold, thus allowing the beverage to be expelled into the container.

[0014] The beverage flow slows down significantly due to the sudden change in cross-section from the pipe to the expansion chamber, leading to foam formation.

[0015] The first drawback of this known coffee machine lies in the complexity of its valve or frothing mechanism.

[0016] Another drawback of this solution is that the valve device is prone to producing deposits that are difficult to remove.

[0017] In fact, users only notice valve deposits when coffee delivery fails, leading to waste.

[0018] Another drawback is that the valve assembly can only be cleaned by disassembling it and immersing it in a cleaning solution.

[0019] This drawback makes cleaning and valve restoration particularly complicated, leading to increased preparation time for hot beverages. Utility Model Content

[0020] Technical issues According to the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a coffee machine for extracting hot beverages containing coffee, the coffee machine being equipped with a valve device for producing an emulsion phase of the beverage, the coffee machine exhibiting high operational reliability over time, while also preventing clogging and / or operational deviations.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a coffee machine for extracting hot beverages containing coffee that is highly efficient and cost-effective.

[0022] A specific object of this invention is to provide a coffee machine with a simple structure for extracting the above-mentioned type of hot beverages.

[0023] Another objective of this invention is to provide a coffee machine for extracting hot beverages of the above type, which is capable of reproducing the emulsion phase of the beverage, similar to a professional coffee machine operating under high pressure.

[0024] Another objective of this invention is to provide a coffee machine for extracting the above-mentioned type of hot beverages, which will not clog and / or produce operational deviations.

[0025] Another object of this invention is to provide a coffee machine for extracting the above-mentioned type of hot beverage, wherein the operation of the valve device is not affected by coffee deposits.

[0026] Another objective of this invention is to provide a coffee machine for extracting the above-mentioned type of hot beverages, which is particularly safe during operation.

[0027] The coffee machine according to this invention for extracting hot beverages containing coffee achieves the above-mentioned objectives, as well as other objectives that will become more apparent below.

[0028] The coffee machine includes: a boiler for holding water; a container for collecting extracted beverage; an extraction filter for coffee grounds located above the boiler; a fluid connection pipe with a channel port between the extraction filter and the container; and a valve device located at the channel port, through which the extracted beverage is conveyed toward the valve device.

[0029] According to a unique aspect of this invention, the valve device includes an elastic membrane having at least one through-cut for forming at least one pair of flaps configured to bend when an extracted beverage passes through the flaps to produce an emulsion phase of the beverage.

[0030] Because of this combination of features, the valve device responsible for producing the emulsion phase of coffee-based beverages does not need to remove deposits.

[0031] In fact, even if no deposits are removed from the elastic membrane blades before the next use of the coffee machine, the bending of the membrane blades themselves can achieve self-cleaning and ensure normal operation during the production of the emulsion phase in the beverage.

[0032] Advantageously, the cuts on the elastic membrane can consist of a single linear cut or a pair of intersecting cuts, which respectively form a single pair of flaps or two pairs of flaps suitable for bending to produce the emulsion phase of the beverage.

[0033] Appropriately, the elastic membrane is made of silicone resin. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the coffee machine for extracting hot beverages containing coffee, as described above, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the following figures, in which: Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional side view of the coffee machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional side view of the coffee maker's container and valve assembly; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the valve mechanism of a coffee machine; Figures 4A to 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view showing various details of the valve assembly of the coffee machine shown; Figure 7A and Figure 7B They are respectively based on the first embodiment Figure 1 Top view and cross-sectional side view showing some further details of the valve assembly of the coffee machine shown; Figure 8A and Figure 8B These are respectively based on the second embodiment Figure 1 Top view and cross-sectional side view showing some further details of the valve assembly of the coffee machine shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings, a coffee machine for extracting a hot beverage B containing coffee is shown, the coffee machine being generally indicated by reference numeral 1 in the drawings.

[0036] Preferably, the coffee machine 1 can be used to extract hot beverage B from coffee powder C.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the mocha coffee machine 1 includes: a boiler 2 for holding water W; and a container 3 located above the boiler 2 for collecting the extracted beverage B.

[0038] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the present invention, the container 3 is partially closed by a user-operable top cover 3A and has a side wall 3B having a truncated conical cross-sectional shape.

[0039] In addition, the container 3 can be connected to the boiler 2 via a threaded connection 3C used for assembling the coffee machine 1.

[0040] In a known configuration, the coffee machine 1 includes an extraction filter 4 for coffee grounds C, located above the boiler 2, specifically within the upper casing 2A of the boiler. The filter 4 includes a truncated conical pipe 5 immersed in water W contained within the boiler 2.

[0041] In particular, in order to retain coffee powder C in the filter 4 during the extraction of hot beverage B, a perforated plate 6 installed on the bottom wall 7 of the container 3 can be provided.

[0042] In addition, the bottom wall 7 of the container 3 is designed to define an intermediate chamber 8 in conjunction with the filter 4, which has a dispensing column 9 for hot beverage B.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the coffee machine 1 includes a fluid connection pipe 10, which has a channel port 11 between the extraction filter 4 and the container 3, for allowing water W to flow from the boiler 2 to the container 3 after passing through the coffee powder C.

[0044] Specifically, the channel port 11 is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber 8 via the hot beverage B dispensing column 9.

[0045] Preferably, the channel port 11 is located at the upper end of the distribution column 9.

[0046] Due to the heat applied to boiler 2, water W can be heated to produce pressurized fluid L mixed with steam V. This pressurized fluid L rises through pipe 5 to extraction filter 4 to extract coffee powder C and produce hot beverage B. The hot beverage B then flows through distribution column 9 and settles in container 3.

[0047] Advantageously, the coffee machine 1 includes a valve device 12 positioned along the fluid connection line 10, or more precisely, the valve device 12 is located on the channel port 11, through which the extracted beverage B is conveyed toward the valve device 12.

[0048] According to a unique aspect of the present invention, the valve device 12 includes an elastic membrane 13 having at least one through-cut 14 designed to form at least one pair of flaps 15 configured to bend when the extracted beverage B passes through the flaps to produce an emulsion phase of the beverage B.

[0049] As is known, valve device 12 allows for specific flow conditions suitable for enriching air into the extracted beverage B to produce an emulsion of the beverage.

[0050] According to the present invention, air enrichment occurs during the passage of beverage B between at least a pair of flaps 15 of elastic membrane 13, and the pressure of beverage B causes the flaps 15 to bend and immerse themselves in container 3.

[0051] Due to the presence of the elastic membrane 13 and the bending of the vane 15 during operation, it is not necessary to remove any coffee deposits from the valve assembly 12.

[0052] In fact, even without removing any deposits from the blades 15 of the elastic membrane 13 before the next use of the coffee machine, the mere bending of the blades 15 is sufficient to ensure the cleanliness of the blades and the proper operation of the coffee machine 1, so as to produce the emulsion phase of the subsequent hot beverage B.

[0053] Therefore, the coffee machine 1 according to this invention will not experience clogging and / or operational deviations like existing coffee machines, and the operation of the valve device 12 is not affected by coffee deposits.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic membrane 13 is a generally cylindrical plate having a pair of circular surfaces and a generally constant diameter D and thickness S.

[0055] Preferably, in a coffee machine 1 having a circular channel port 11 with a diameter D1 of approximately 12 mm, the diameter D of the membrane 13 is between 14 mm and 16 mm, and the thickness S is between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0056] In one embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 7A and Figure 7B As better shown in the diagram, the elastic membrane 13 includes a through cut 14 having a single linear segment T.

[0057] Preferably, the linear segment T passes through the center of the circular surface of the elastic membrane 13 and has a midpoint that coincides with the center of the circular surface of the membrane 13.

[0058] In this way, the emulsion of beverage B is produced by the bending of a pair of fins 15A and 15B separated by a linear segment T that runs through the cut 14.

[0059] In another embodiment, such as Figure 8A and Figure 8B As better shown in the diagram, the elastic membrane 13 includes a through-cut 14 having a pair of segments T1, T2 arranged in a cross pattern.

[0060] Preferably, the pair of segments T1 and T2 are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the intersection of the pair of segments T1 and T2 coincides with the center of the circular surface of the elastic membrane 13.

[0061] Therefore, the emulsion of beverage B is produced by bending the paired blades 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D separated by the cross-shaped segments T1 and T2.

[0062] Preferably, the elastic membrane 13 is made of silicone resin with a hardness range of 55Sh to 65Sh.

[0063] In one embodiment, the length of the linear segment T or the cross-shaped segments T1 and T2 penetrating the cut 14 is between 4 mm and 8 mm.

[0064] like Figures 2 to 6 As better shown, the valve device 12 includes an upper body 16 and a lower body 17, which are suitably shaped to be coupled to each other, wherein the lower body is used for insertion into the channel port 11.

[0065] Appropriately, the upper body 16 includes a lower threaded portion 16B, which can be screwed onto a corresponding upper reverse threaded portion 17A of the lower body 17.

[0066] Similarly, such as Figure 4A-6 As shown, the lower body 17 includes a lower threaded portion 17B, which can be screwed into a corresponding upper reverse threaded portion 11A of the channel port 11.

[0067] Advantageously, the elastic membrane 13 is positioned between the upper body 16 and the lower body 17. In this way, the bending of the flap 15 is facilitated by the coupling of the opposite ends of the two bodies 16, 17.

[0068] Appropriately, the friction disc 18 may be present between the elastic membrane 13 and the upper body 16 and / or between the elastic membrane 13 and the lower body 17.

[0069] Similarly, a sealing O-ring 19 may be present between the lower body 17 and the channel port 11.

[0070] The lower body 17 has a tapered through channel 20 to facilitate the expansion of the beverage B, and the through channel 20 has a lower diameter D2 facing the channel port 11 and an upper diameter D3 facing the membrane 13.

[0071] Preferably, the diameter D1 of the channel port 11 is smaller than the lower diameter D2 of the through channel 20.

[0072] In addition, the upper body 16 has a generally cylindrical axial cavity 21, the diameter D4 of which is approximately equal to the upper diameter D3 of the through channel 20.

[0073] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As better illustrated, the upper body 16 has at least one opening 22 in fluid communication with the axial cavity 21, which allows beverage B to seep into the container 3.

[0074] Therefore, the valve device 12, which includes the upper body 16, the lower body 17 and the elastic membrane 13, exhibits a highly simplified structure.

[0075] As can be clearly seen from the above description, according to the present invention, the coffee machine 1 for extracting hot beverage B containing coffee and equipped with a valve device 12 for producing an emulsion phase of beverage B achieves the intended goal, in particular ensuring high long-term operational reliability while preventing clogging and / or operational deviations.

[0076] The coffee machine according to this invention is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all of which fall within the inventive concept expressed in the appended claims.

[0077] Although the coffee machine has been described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numerals used in the specification and claims are for the purpose of enhancing the understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed.

[0078] References to “embodiment”, “this embodiment”, or “some embodiments” throughout this specification indicate that a particular feature, structure, or element described is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of this utility model.

[0079] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, specific features, structures, or elements may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0080] Industrial applicability This invention has industrial applicability because it can be manufactured on an industrial scale by companies operating in the coffee machine manufacturing sector.

Claims

1. A coffee machine (1) for extracting a hot beverage (B), wherein, The hot beverage (B) contains coffee, and the coffee machine (1) includes: - Boiler (2), which is used to hold water (W); - Container (3), which is used to collect the extracted beverage (B); - An extraction filter (4) for coffee powder (C) is located above the boiler (2); - A fluid connection pipeline (10) having a channel port (11) between the extraction filter (4) and the container (3); - A valve device (12) is located on the channel port (11) through which the extracted beverage (B) is conveyed toward the valve device; The valve device (12) is characterized in that it includes an elastic membrane (13) having at least one through-cut (14) for forming at least one pair of flaps (15) configured to bend when the extracted beverage (B) passes through the flaps (15) to produce an emulsion phase of the beverage (B).

2. The coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The through cut (14) has a single linear segment (T) or a pair of intersecting segments (T1, T2).

3. The coffee machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The length of the linear segment (T) or the intersecting segments (T1, T2) of the through cut (14) is between 4 mm and 8 mm.

4. The coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the elastic membrane (13) is between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

5. The coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic membrane (13) is made of silicone resin.

6. The coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The valve device (12) includes an upper body (16) and a lower body (17), which are appropriately shaped to be coupled to each other, and the lower body (17) is used to be inserted into the channel port (11).

7. The coffee machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic membrane (13) is located between the upper body (16) and the lower body (17).

8. The coffee machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The lower body (17) has a tapered through channel (20) with a lower diameter (D2) facing the channel port (11) and an upper diameter (D3) facing the elastic membrane (13).

9. The coffee machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The upper body (16) has a generally cylindrical axial cavity (21) with a diameter (D4) that is approximately equal to the upper diameter (D3) of the through channel (20).

10. The coffee machine as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The upper body (16) has at least one opening (22) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (21).

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