Espresso or coffee capsule machine

Abstract

Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, comprising at least: - a rotatable capsule revolver magazine (8) for the simultaneous holding of several capsules (2) or a tubular capsule receiving chamber (7) under which a coffee cup (6) can be placed, in which at least one cylindrical, tubular or cigarette-shaped coffee capsule (2) with a conical tip (9) at one end can be inserted from above with the tip pointing downwards into the capsule revolver magazine (8) or into the hollow cylindrical capsule receiving chamber (7), arranged vertically or obliquely downwards, which is funnel-shaped in the lower area and is provided with a hole at the bottom in which the tip (9) of the coffee capsule (2) is partially inserted, wherein the coffee capsule tip (9) is constructed in a crown-like or ring-like manner or is equipped with predetermined breaking points in the area,which, due to overpressure inside the coffee capsule (2), can open in a ring shape and thereby assume a downward-pointing crown shape, and through the resulting opening the coffee can flow directly from the coffee capsule (2) into a coffee cup (6), - a piercing device or an injection needle or cannula (12) which can be inserted electrically by an actuator (37) or manually into the axis of rotation of the capsule revolver magazine (8) or into the capsule receiving chamber (7), which is coupled to the water pressure generating device by a fluid line (38) which can pierce the coffee capsule (2) at the upper end from above, penetrate there, and inject the hot water into the coffee capsule under pressure, - an electric valve that regulates the flow of water through the insertion device or insertion injection needle or cannula (12), - an electronic control (36) that controls the coffee preparation.

Description

[0001] The invention is an espresso or coffee machine that is simply constructed and pours the coffee directly from the capsule into the coffee cup without any detours.

[0002] There are numerous capsule machines that use capsules to prepare coffee or espresso. Each capsule contains a small amount of ground coffee (approximately 5-7 grams). It also has an integrated filter that filters the coffee as it flows through. During preparation, the capsule is pierced at several points in the machine, and hot water flows in through one end while the coffee flows out the other. The coffee first enters a funnel and is then guided through a semi-circular chamber to the cup. Unfortunately, this circuitous route cools the coffee to a greater or lesser degree, which is why the first cup is usually slightly cooler than, for example, the next cup if a second capsule is prepared immediately afterward.

[0003] From DE 603 ​​06 337 T2 describes a beverage system for brewing a beverage from a beverage material and a source of hot pressurized water, comprising: a cartridge with the beverage material in it, wherein the cartridge includes a sealing layer positioned around the beverage material, characterized by an injection system for injecting the hot pressurized water into the cartridge in order to brew the beverage from the beverage material and to use the pressure of the inflowing water stream to break up the sealing layer.

[0004] The invention EP 2 745 750 A2 discloses a cylindrical capsule suitable for brewing beverages. Improved capsules are provided for storing a portion of a product within an interior space for preparing a liquid food product, for example, a beverage, in a food preparation device. The capsule includes at least one divider for partitioning the interior space into several separate compartments, comprising at least a first and a second compartment. At a predetermined time during the preparation of the liquid product, a specific component can be dispensed and / or the components from two or more compartments can be mixed. Preferably, the capsule is configured so that it can be emptied by squeezing the capsule. A device may include an actuator for interacting with the capsule.This also provides improvements to methods for preparing food products from capsules.

[0005] US Patent 5,325,765 A discloses a filter cartridge in which the coffee grounds are contained in a filter bag inside the cartridge. The outer casing of the cartridge is made of a waterproof material, while the filter bag is made of a water-permeable material. The filter bag has a downwardly tapered shape, so that a chamber is formed in the lower part of the filter cartridge between the outer casing and the filter bag. To extract the coffee grounds, the cartridge is pierced on both sides by an upper and a lower piercing device.

[0006] EP 1554958 B1 concerns a coffee machine for brewing ground coffee packaged in capsules. These types of coffee machines are primarily used in households. Compared to conventional coffee machines with a grinder for grinding coffee beans, a fundamental advantage of these machines is that the use of capsules allows for the brewing of a high-quality coffee beverage, especially since the coffee powder has an optimal grind and is hermetically sealed in the capsules. Furthermore, these coffee machines are subject to relatively little contamination from coffee grounds.

[0007] EP 2476633 B1 relates to a capsule, a system, and a method for preparing a beverage. Here, the stiffening area, which is arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the penetration area, and which is formed as at least a section-by-section depression substantially in the circumferential direction in the base, is protected.

[0008] From DE 27 52 733 C2, a cartridge is known which contains a substance for the production of a beverage using a corresponding machine. This cartridge has a sealed housing with an acute-angled truncated cone shape and is usually made of aluminum sheet.

[0009] From WO 2010 / 041179 A2, a capsule for preparing beverages such as coffee is known. The capsule can contain ground coffee and has a top surface with a built-in weakening area.

[0010] From EP 1 944 248 A1, a plastic capsule is known which contains a powder for the production of a beverage using a corresponding machine. A reinforced wall is incorporated in a central area of ​​the base of the capsule to prevent the base from bending immediately before penetration.

[0011] Another disadvantage of these machines is that coffee residue remains in the machine parts after each use, which can lead to mold growth over time. The components that guide the coffee flow from the capsule to the cup are particularly susceptible.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of creating a capsule coffee machine that can accommodate several capsules simultaneously, that is relatively simple in construction and that has a longer extraction path into the coffee capsule, directing the coffee directly from the coffee capsule into the coffee cup without detours.

[0013] This problem is solved by an espresso or capsule machine with the features listed in claims 1 to 25.

[0014] Advantages of the device include: - significantly easier cleaning of the machine, - The coffee tastes slightly better because the elongated, special shape of the capsule allows the coffee to be extracted from the powder for a longer time, and also because the coffee flows directly from the capsule into the cup. - the machine can hold several capsules and prepare them one after the other in a revolver-magazine design, - Due to the cigarette shape of the capsule, the water molecules have a longer path through the coffee powder, allowing them to better extract and bind the flavor compounds from the coffee powder, thus resulting in an improvement in taste and a slight intensification of the coffee aroma. - simpler design that is also durable, - No risk of mold growth inside the machine because there are no coffee residues in the machine.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 5 explained. They show: Fig. 1. A simple version of the capsule coffee machine with a single capsule slot, Fig. 2. A revolver magazine, suitable for optimal intake of multiple coffee capsules, Fig. 3. Another version, wherein the capsules containing the coffee powder are constructed in the form of long and narrow hollow cylinders / tubes (cigarette shape), Fig. 4 the magazine, made of wood, in which the capsules are already firmly installed, Fig. 5 a variant that is equipped with a heating element or a heating wire wand located inside the capsule.

[0016] This capsule coffee machine 1 has a relatively simple design and can accommodate several coffee capsules 2, which are used sequentially for coffee preparation. The capsules 2 here are not round or compact like those used in conventional capsule coffee machines, but rather cylindrical / tubular, long and narrow. They have approximately the proportions and shape of a cigarette. The coffee powder 3 is contained within the capsule, as is the filter 4 at the bottom. The cigarette shape of the capsule offers an optimal solution for the design of the capsule machine 1, which can accommodate multiple capsules while maintaining very compact dimensions. Furthermore, the cigarette shape allows the coffee to be poured directly into the coffee cup without any intermediate steps. This makes cleaning the machine very easy and prevents mold growth, as there are no coffee residues inside.The coffee (5) comes directly from the cigarette-shaped capsule (2) into the cup (6), which also benefits the thermal conductivity. The coffee doesn't have to flow unnecessarily through machine parts and lose heat there. This process, combined with a slightly longer extraction path, also makes a noticeable difference in the taste.

[0017] The machine has a single capsule shaft 7 ( Fig. 1) or a revolver magazine 8 ( Fig. 2) The revolver magazine 8 is ideally suited for holding several coffee capsules 2. The cigarette-shaped coffee capsules 2 each have a conical tip 9. They are inserted into the vertically arranged magazine 8 with the tip pointing downwards. As soon as a lid 10 is closed and the water 11 has been heated, the machine is ready. At the push of a button, the injection needle / cannula 12 is retracted by an actuator (or drive element) 37 and pierced the appropriately positioned capsule from above. Water is forced under pressure through the cannula 12, which is coupled to a flexible fluid line 38, into the capsule 2 via the coffee machine pump 31 and out through side holes 13 in the injection needle wall 14. The coffee powder 3 is mixed with hot water, and the pressure inside the capsule increases.The water cannot escape upwards because a seal 15 tightly closes the puncture point 16 around the injection needle / cannula, so it escapes downwards. The tip 9 of the capsule protrudes slightly downwards, and the cup 6 is positioned directly below the tip. The tip has the filter 4, a hole / channel 17, and a sealing element / film 18. The sealing element 18 consists, for example, of a small silicone disc (or ball) with one or more holes. The hole is so small that it closes itself when there is no overpressure in the capsule 2. However, if overpressure is created in the capsule 2, the disc will deform and the opening will open. The same effect can be achieved with perforated films, as with conventional capsules. Thus, the coffee powder-water mixture flows first through the filter and then through the opening at the capsule tip 9 directly into the cup.When using a silicone disc 19 with the small hole 20, the machine can vibrate at a low, medium, or even high frequency (10–5000 Hz) because the internal pressure and the very short pressure equalization phases that occur after pressure release cause the hole to change size very rapidly. This is a positive side effect that promotes the formation of espresso foam.

[0018] On the Fig. Figure 3 shows another embodiment. Here, too, the capsules containing the coffee powder are constructed in the form of long, narrow hollow cylinders / tubes (cigarette-shaped) that are closed at both ends. An injection needle / cannula 12 (or several) is inserted into the cigarette-shaped capsule 2 along its longitudinal axis 21, and hot water is injected under increased pressure. The needle 12 can pierce the entire capsule and form the coffee outlet at the other end for direct flow into the cup. In this case, the injection needle would need to have a partition 23 in its lower section 24 within its channel 22, whereby the hot water 11 flows out only from the upper section 25 of the injection needle and is injected into the capsule, while the lower section 24 of the needle collects the water with the extracted coffee and simply directs it downwards into the cup.This method can also work with conventional capsules; however, due to the short distance, extraction is not quite optimal with conventional capsules. The injection needle has several holes / nozzles 13 on its wall 14 through which the water flows into the capsule. By allowing the coffee to flow directly into the cup 6, cooling of the coffee is avoided. The injection needle does not need to be very thin. It can be built sturdily and is, of course, hollow inside. An opening at its tip is not strictly necessary. The opening, or preferably several of them, should be located on the side so that they do not become clogged when the injection needle pierces the capsule. The needle pierces the capsule completely, and at the bottom, it forms the outlet for the coffee. The needle also pierces the capsule filter 4. However, the partition 23 must remain above the filter 4.A simple break-off point is to be incorporated into the bottom of the capsule. However, there are no limits to the design. For example, the capsule could have a tip that is closed with a ball valve. As soon as a pressure of 5 bar or more is generated, the valve at the tip opens due to the coffee pressure, which flows through a filter integrated there, allowing the coffee to flow. The coffee filter 4 is located only at the tip of the capsule. The capsule is inserted into a guide tube / individual capsule slot 7 or into the revolver magazine 8, which prevents it from bursting sideways. When the capsule is empty, it is removed from the holder and disposed of. In the version with the revolver magazine, once all capsules (e.g., 5-20) have been inserted into the magazine, the magazine is removed and emptied.

[0019] The capsule doesn't have to be aluminum or plastic; it can also be made of paper or wood (or bamboo). Wood is an ideal material. The magazine can also be made of wood, with the capsules already permanently installed. The magazine then needs to be replaced after all the capsules have been used. Fig. 4) In this case, the revolver magazine is a multi-portion coffee holder and is only used until all 26 coffee chambers are empty. This eliminates the need for capsules, as the entire revolver magazine essentially functions as a multi-capsule coffee container. The same or different coffee varieties can be contained in each chamber of the revolver magazine. The revolver magazine can be made from a block of wood, bamboo, or even reinforced cardboard. Once all 26 chambers, which rotate for brewing, are empty, the block is removed and replaced with a new one. The wood imparts an extra flavor and aroma to the coffee, intensifying the taste. Depending on the type of wood used, various flavor and aroma profiles are possible. The revolver magazine can also be made from fired clay (ceramic).In this case, it does not need to be solid; it can consist of very thin walls, which significantly reduces material and manufacturing costs. The rotation of the magazine can be achieved by conventional actuators or drives, such as electric motors 32, gearboxes 33, or electromagnetic drives through magnetic field interaction between electromagnets 34 and permanent magnets 35. In this case, a configuration of electromagnets 34 can be statically installed in the machine, while a few permanent magnets 35 are installed in the turret magazine. An electronic control unit 36 ​​can control the rotation of the magazine by switching the electromagnets on and off accordingly. In principle, the entire system would be designed like an electric motor, with the turret magazine forming the rotor and the machine the stator.

[0020] The machine can be equipped with various features. For example, the manufacturer could install a rotary blade at the bottom that cuts off the capsule tips immediately before brewing. The injection needle can pierce the capsule completely and ultimately form the coffee outlet. This way, the needle tip is inserted into the cup, and the coffee is dispensed directly into the cup. The injection needle should be durable and can be made of metal, ceramic, diamond, etc.

[0021] The capsule can also be mechanically crushed during extraction. It should then be constructed like an accordion, and the injected water is compressed through this point of compression, forcing the water out. In this case, the machine doesn't need a high-pressure pump, only a threaded gearbox or spindle pressure device. The capsule is compressed, and the coffee is forced directly into the coffee cup, either through a hole drilled in the bottom or through a ball valve that opens under pressure.

[0022] Another variant, which is in the Fig.The capsule shown in Figure 5 is equipped with a heating element 27 or a heating wire coil located inside the capsule 2 or integrated directly into the capsule wall 28. This element quickly heats the cold water, and the coffee is then forced out by pressing the capsule. In this case, the machine simply pierces the capsule, pumps in cold water, and briefly connects the capsule to the electrical contacts 29 via spring pins 30. The coffee heats up quickly and flows out through the pierced bottom opening, allowing you to enjoy your coffee. In all variations shown here, the elongated, cigarette-shaped coffee capsules ensure that the coffee grounds inside remain in contact with the hot water for a slightly longer period, optimally extracting the coffee compounds. The magazine containing the coffee capsules can be designed to hold, for example, 20 capsules or any number of capsules between 1 and 20.The inner walls of the magazine can also be equipped with heating elements, so that the capsule is heated or warmed to a greater or lesser degree during coffee preparation.

[0023] For this machine, it is recommended to use lime-free water, or preferably not tap water. The injection needle or cannula is relatively thin and can become clogged after a few months of use. However, it is designed to be easily replaceable, so that any user can remove and replace it in just a few steps. Even if limescale does build up, the injection needle or cannula should remain a very inexpensive part and can be descaled or even replaced every few weeks or months in areas with very hard water.

[0024] It's worth mentioning that this machine could also be manufactured in a small, portable version. In that case, it would need to operate autonomously via a built-in battery. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 capsule coffee machine 2 coffee capsules 3 coffee powders 4 filters 5 coffees 6 cups 7 single capsule shaft / capsule receiving chamber 8 Capsule Revolver Magazine 9 Conical tip 10 lids 11 Water 12 single-point injection needles / cannulas 13 side holes / nozzles 14 Injection needle wall 15 Seal 16 injection site 17 holes / channel in the capsule tip 18 closure bodies / foil 19 silicone discs 20 Small Hole 21 Capsule longitudinal axis 22 Injection needle channel 23 Partition wall 24 Lower area 25 Upper area 26 Coffee Chamber 27 Heating element 28 Capsule wall 29 electrical contact points 30 spring pins 31 Coffee machine pump 32 Electric motor 33 gearboxes 34 Electromagnet 35 permanent magnet 36 Electronic control 37 Actuator or drive element for the insertion injection needle / cannula 38 Flexible fluid line

Claims

[1] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, comprising at least: - a rotatable capsule revolver magazine (8) for the simultaneous holding of several capsules (2) or a tubular capsule receiving chamber (7) under which a coffee cup (6) can be placed, in which at least one cylindrical, tubular or cigarette-shaped coffee capsule (2) with a conical tip (9) at one end can be inserted from above with the tip pointing downwards into the capsule revolver magazine (8) or into the hollow cylindrical capsule receiving chamber (7), arranged vertically or obliquely downwards, which is funnel-shaped in the lower area and is provided with a hole at the bottom in which the tip (9) of the coffee capsule (2) is partially inserted, wherein the coffee capsule tip (9) is constructed in a crown-like or ring-like manner or is equipped with predetermined breaking points in the area,which, when the pressure inside the coffee capsule (2) increases, open in a ring shape and assume a downward-pointing crown shape, and through the opening created, the coffee can flow directly from the coffee capsule (2) into a coffee cup (6), - a piercing device or an injection needle or cannula (12) which can be inserted electrically by an actuator (37) or manually into the axis of rotation of the capsule revolver magazine (8) or into the capsule receiving chamber (7), which is coupled to the water pressure generating device by a fluid line (38) which can pierce the coffee capsule (2) at the upper end from above, penetrate there, and inject the hot water into the coffee capsule under pressure, - an electric valve that regulates the flow of water through the insertion device or insertion injection needle or cannula (12), - an electronic control (36) that controls the coffee preparation. [2] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to claim 1, characterized by , that the tip (9) of the coffee capsule (2) is equipped instead of with predetermined breaking points, with a self-closing body or a silicone body which is provided with a small hole which remains closed due to the material properties and only opens due to overpressure in the coffee capsule (2) itself. [3] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to claim 1, characterized by , that the predetermined breaking point at the tip (9) of the coffee capsule (2) consists of a predetermined breaking foil (18) which gives way at a certain internal pressure and exposes the opening to the bottom. [4] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that instead of the funnel-shaped area in the receiving chute, a limiting ring is installed at the lower end, which prevents the coffee capsule (2) from sinking downwards, through whose ring opening the tip (9) of the coffee capsule (2) can partially penetrate. [5] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that vertically arranged cutting blades are installed in the funnel-shaped area, which laterally slit the tip (9) of the cigarette-shaped coffee capsule (2) vertically. [6] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is equipped with a locking device that raises or lowers the coffee capsule (2) and whose tip (9) partially inserts into the cup. [7] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to claim 6, characterized by that the locking device is manually or electrically driven. [8] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the piercing device or injection needle or cannula (12) has laterally arranged holes (13) through which the hot water flows into the coffee capsule (2). [9] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the piercing device or injection needle or cannula (12) is equipped with a seal or sealing disc or sealing ring that seals the piercing point from the outside so that the water does not escape upwards from the coffee capsule (2) when injected. [10] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cigarette-shaped coffee capsule (2) is equipped in the area of ​​the tip (9) with a filter inside, through which the coffee is filtered and pressed out through the opening into the coffee cup (6). [11] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capsule coffee tip (9) is equipped with a closure (18) which opens itself when there is overpressure inside the coffee capsule (2). [12] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capsule revolver magazine (8) is manually or electrically rotatable / rotatable. [13] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotating capsule revolver magazine (8) is detachable. [14] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the inner walls of the rotating capsule revolver magazine (8) are equipped with heating elements (27) which heat or warm the coffee capsule (2) more or less during coffee preparation. [15] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the piercing device or the piercing injection needle or the cannula (12) is slightly longer than the coffee capsule (2) itself and, when piercing, completely pierces the capsule (2) along its length, the channel from the injection needle or the cannula also being designed for the flow of coffee into the cup (6). [16] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insertion injection needle or cannula (12) is equipped with a heating element (27). [17] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coffee capsule (2) is empty of air or that there is a negative pressure / vacuum inside. [18] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - a heating element (27) and two electrical contact points coupled to it are placed in the coffee capsule (2), - into the machine two electrodes or contact pins which come into contact with the electrical contact points (29), - an electronic control that controls a current in the heating element (27) are installed. [19] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that instead of the capsule revolver magazine (8) in the capsule coffee machine (1) several coffee capsules (2) are connected in a fixed formation or installed in the form of a revolver magazine (8) which is completely replaceable after the capsules (2) have been used up. [20] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capsule revolver magazine (8) is constructed from sustainable material. [21] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the piercing device or the piercing injection needle or the cannula (12) has a partition in the lower area and the hot water flows into the capsule (2) only from the upper area of ​​the cannula (12), while the lower area of ​​the cannula (12) collects the water with the extracted coffee components and directs it downwards into the coffee cup (6). [22] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is also designed for tea preparation using tea-filled capsules (2). [23] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capsule revolver magazine (8) is made of wood or bamboo or of ceramic or fired clay. [24] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is equipped with at least one statically installed electromagnet and at least one permanent magnet which is installed in the capsule revolver magazine (8) which form an electromagnetic drive system with magnetic field interaction between electromagnets and permanent magnets, which is controlled by an electronic control installed in the capsule coffee machine (1). [25] Espresso or coffee capsule machine (1) with a water pressure generating device and built-in water heater, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is designed to be portable and equipped with its own built-in energy source.

Images