Water filter for beverage preparation machine

Abstract

Title: Water filter for beverage preparation machine The invention relates to a water filter 1 for a coffee machine: • the water filter being intended to be completely immersed in a water tank 2 of the coffee machine by being fluidically connected to an opening 21 of the tank which is located in the lower part thereof, and • the water filter comprising, or even consisting of, an inverted siphon 11 filled at least in part with a water filtration material 3, • the water filter being essentially such that the inverted siphon comprises an air purge valve 12 which is located in an upper part of the water filter. Such an inverted siphon allows the air present in the water filter to be purged. Most of the air trapped in the filter cartridge can thus escape, so that the small volume of residual air can be evacuated conventionally. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3B

Description

Title of the invention: Water filter for a beverage preparation machine Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water filter for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee. With reference to the attached figures 1 and 2, the present invention relates more particularly to a water filter 1 for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee in which:

[0002] the water filter 1 is intended to be totally immersed in a water tank 2 of the machine by being fluidically connected to an outlet opening 21 of the tank 2 which is for example located in the base of the tank, and in which:

[0003] the water filter 1 comprises an inverted siphon 11 filled at least in part with a water filtration material 3 and from which the water is intended to be sucked. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] There are machines for preparing beverages such as coffee comprising a water tank 2 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and in accordance with the preamble given above.

[0005] The presence of water filters is necessary to prevent elements present in the water from entering the machine, which can be harmful to the quality of the coffee and to its user. Furthermore, certain elements such as limescale are deposited in the parts of the coffee machine, such as the boiler, which over time leads to a reduction in its performance or even to its failure to function.

[0006] The water filter 1, or equivalently the filter cartridge, poses, in this type of known coffee machine, problems each time the coffee machine is primed.

[0007] More particularly, to prime the coffee machine, the entire capacity of the tank is advantageously filled with water. An advantage of this type of device is that the water will be filtered in real time as it is used. On the other hand, this type of filter cartridge 1, appearing as an inverted siphon 11, cannot self-fill since the air contained in the filter cartridge 1 is trapped between the inlet of the filter 1 (immersed under the water of the tank 2) and the pump of the coffee machine (which in the “off” state constitutes a blockage).

[0008] Each time the machine is put into service (to make a plurality of coffees with the water filling the reservoir 2), priming the water circuit is necessary to fill the tube 5 of the base of the reservoir 2 and the pump of the coffee machine, as well as the entire volume of the filter cartridge 1. This volume is all the more important as the quantity of microbeads constituting the filtration material 3 is important, but also because the filters 1 of this type can have a chamber upstream of the filtration itself (see [Fig.2]).

[0009] In this context, the pumping of air, then water, is carried out by the pump of the coffee machine. However, the quantity of air to be drawn is very large, which has the consequence: a. a necessary special machine priming cycle (with a very long pump activation time); and / or b. oversizing the pump to draw a lot of air (and over a long time); and / or c. accelerated aging of the pump (reduced lifespan due to usage conditions).

[0010] In this context, the present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art.

[0011] The present invention aims more particularly to optimize the operation and the lifespan of a coffee machine, in a manner that is easy for the user and without significantly increasing the cost of the machine. SUMMARY

[0012] To achieve this objective, according to a first aspect of the invention, a water filter is provided for a beverage preparation machine such that the coffee in accordance with the preamble given above is essentially such that the inverted siphon comprises an air purge valve which is located in the upper part of the water filter. The air to be purged is therefore at least in part the air trapped in the water filter when it is placed in the tank.

[0013] The technical effect of such a reverse siphon is to allow the air present in the filter cartridge to be purged each time the coffee machine reservoir is filled. Most of the air trapped in the filter cartridge can thus escape, so that the small volume of residual air can be evacuated conventionally, with a moderate operating time of the pump.

[0014] Another solution that has been considered consists of asking the user to turn the filter inside the tank filled with water so as to extract all the air, then to fix the filter on the outlet of the tank. In the context of the development of the present invention, it was noted that with this solution the air purge is very often incomplete because it is not carried out perfectly by the user. This results in a significant quantity of air which is accumulated at the level of the pump tending to degrade the life of the latter.

[0015] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the filtered water is intended to be sucked in by a pump in the machine which is located downstream of the water filter.

[0016] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air bleed valve is a manually actuated valve.

[0017] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air purge valve comprises means for obstructing a passage provided in the upper part of the water filter, the filter being configured to have: a. a so-called passage closure configuration in which the obstruction means prevents the passage of water from the reservoir into the filter, b. a so-called opening configuration in which the obstruction means allows the evacuation of air contained inside the filter into the tank via said passage.

[0018] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air purge valve comprises means for returning the air purge valve, configured to: a. return the obstruction means to the passage closure configuration in the absence of manual actuation from a user and b. allow the obstruction means to be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration in the presence of manual action from a user.

[0019] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the filtration material comprises at least one of salt-impregnated resin microbeads and activated carbon.

[0020] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air purge valve passes through an upper wall of the water filter through the passage having:

[0021] inside and on either side of the passage, a rod with a diameter smaller than that of the passage,

[0022] inside the inverted siphon, the passage obstruction means (4) mechanically connected to the rod, preferably to a first end of the rod, and

[0023] outside the inverted siphon, the return means of the air purge valve arranged on the rod, preferably arranged on an upper half of the rod.

[0024] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the rod is mounted free in translation in the passage so that the obstruction means can pass alternately from a high position for closing the passage to a low position for opening the passage, and the return means are configured to return the obstruction means to its high closed position.

[0025] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air bleed valve is made of a single piece and is made for example of silicone.

[0026] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the obstruction means present in the form of a substantially spherical cap whose concavity is preferably oriented upwards, the means for obstructing the passage being mechanically connected to the first end of the rod by the pole of the substantially spherical cap.

[0027] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the return means comprise at least one elastic arm acting as a spring and extending from the upper half of the rod towards the upper wall of the water filter.

[0028] According to an example of the first aspect of the invention, the air bleed valve further comprises a bearing surface mechanically connected to a second end of the rod.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a water tank is provided for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee, comprising a water filter as introduced above.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee comprising a water tank as introduced above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The aims, objects, as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] represents a sectional view of a first embodiment, according to the prior art, of a tank equipped with a water filter.

[0033] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a sectional view of a second embodiment, according to the prior art, of a tank equipped with a water filter.

[0034] [Fig.3A][Fig.3B][Fig.3C] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C represent sectional views of an embodiment of the invention at different stages of its use.

[0035] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view of an embodiment of a valve of air purge according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of an example of a preparation machine of drink incorporating a filter according to the invention.

[0037] The drawings are given as examples and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily on the scale of practical applications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] A first element "located upstream" or "located downstream" relative to a second element of the coffee machine means the quality of the position of the second element relative to the first element along the path of the water within the coffee machine.

[0039] By reverse siphon is meant a siphon comprising in the lower part, at least one first inlet opening for a liquid to be siphoned and at least one second outlet opening for the siphoned liquid. The siphon also comprises at least one vertical wall open at the top and extending between said at least one first opening and said at least one second opening. The vertical wall is configured so as to form, in the siphon, two spaces in fluid communication with each other via the upper opening of the vertical wall, including a first space (or chamber) open on said at least one first opening in which the liquid circulates upwards and a second space (or chamber) open on said at least one second opening in which the liquid circulates downwards.According to a non-limiting example (because there are versions where the “first space” part is juxtaposed with the “second space”), the first space and the second space are concentric with each other and, for example, the first space extends around the second space. When the siphon comprises a liquid filtration material, the latter may be located in the first space and / or in the second space (see figures 1 and 2).

[0040] To overcome the disadvantages stated in the introduction, the user is called upon to contribute, and the filter 1 is pre-filled by the user who handles it for this purpose. However, due to the very design of the filters 1 concerned, this requires immersing the filter 1 while keeping its openings at the top, to let all the air out. The consequences of this priming method are: a. incomplete purges causing malfunctions in the machine (bubble stuck at the high point of the fluid circuit in the filter cartridge 1); and b. customers who are unhappy about having to purge filters 1 by hand (and by immersion) and who potentially do it wrong.

[0041] The present invention aims to respond in a more relevant manner to the drawbacks mentioned in the introduction.

[0042] With reference to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, a first aspect of the invention relates to a water filter 1 for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee.

[0043] The water filter 1 is intended to be totally immersed in a water tank 2 of the machine by being fluidically connected to an outlet opening 21 of the tank 2 which is located in the base of the tank 2.

[0044] Furthermore, the water filter 1 comprises, or even consists of, an inverted siphon 11 filled at least in part with a water filtration material 3 and from which the water is intended to be sucked. For example, the filtration material comprises at least one of salt-impregnated resin microbeads and activated carbon.

[0045] Furthermore, the filtered water is typically intended to be sucked up by a pump (not shown in the figures) of the machine which is located downstream of the water filter 1.

[0046] The water filter 1 is essentially such that the inverted siphon 11 comprises an air bleed valve 12 which is located in the upper part of the water filter 1.

[0047] The proposed idea therefore consists of adding a purger 12 to the high point of the inverted siphon 11. Preferably, the actuation of the purger 12 is manual.

[0048] The air purge valve 12 is more particularly such that it passes through an upper wall 13 of the water filter 1 via a passage 4.

[0049] In doing so, the air purge valve 12 may have, firstly, inside and on either side of the passage 4, a rod 121 with a diameter smaller than that of the passage; it may have, secondly, inside the inverted siphon 11, a means 122 for obstructing the passage 4 mechanically connected to a first end 1211 of the rod 121; and it may have, thirdly, outside the inverted siphon 11, return means 123 of the air purge valve 12 mechanically connected to an upper part 1212 of the rod 121.

[0050] In this way, the rod 121 is mounted free in translation in the passage 4 so that the obstruction means 122 can pass alternately from a high position for closing the passage 4 to a low position for opening the passage 4, and the return means 123 are configured to return the obstruction means 122 to its high position for closing from its low position for opening the passage 4, and to allow the air to escape when the obstruction means 122 is in its low position for opening the passage 4.

[0051] With reference to [Fig.4], the air bleed valve 12 is preferably made of a single piece and is made, for example, of silicone.

[0052] Still with reference to [Fig. 4], the obstruction means 122 may be in the form of a substantially spherical cap 1221, or mushroom, the concavity of which is preferably oriented upwards. The obstruction means 122 of the passage 4 is more particularly mechanically connected to the first end 1211 of the rod 121 by the pole 1222 of the substantially spherical cap 1221.

[0053] The return means 123 may comprise at least one elastic arm 1231 extending from the upper part 1212 of the rod 121 towards the upper wall 13 of the water filter 1. Alternatively, a compression spring could be fitted onto the upper part of the rod, the one located outside the filter 1.

[0054] To facilitate its manual actuation, the air bleed valve 12 may further comprise a bearing surface 124 mechanically connected to a second end 1213 of the rod 121.

[0055] Thus, an air purge valve 12 consisting of a mushroom 1221 and at least one silicone spring arm 1231 can be placed in an opening 4 made at the top of the filter cartridge 1.

[0056] Pressing the air purge valve 12, by a user, via the support surface 124, deforms each spring arm 1231 and the mushroom 1221 detaches from the upper wall 13 of the filter cartridge 1 to create communication between the filter chamber 1 and the reservoir 2 of the coffee machine.

[0057] Releasing the pressure on the air purge valve 12 allows it, under the action of each spring arm 1231, to return to the position for closing the passage 4; the base of the mushroom 1221 then returns to contact with the upper wall 13 of the filter 1, and the passage 4 becomes obstructed.

[0058] As illustrated in [Fig.3A], the filter cartridge 1 is placed in the tank 2 being empty, then the tank is filled with water. Note that water can enter a little into the filter through its base, and more particularly through at least one first opening made in the base of filter 1.

[0059] Then, by pressing the air bleed valve 12, the air trapped in the filter escapes, as illustrated in [Fig.3B], at the high point of the inverted siphon 11.

[0060] Since most of the air has escaped, the small volume of residual air can be evacuated conventionally, within a moderate operating time of the coffee machine pump. This reduced stress makes it possible to extend the life of the coffee machine.

[0061] The present invention also relates to a water tank 2 for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee, comprising a water filter 1 as described above.

[0062] The present invention also relates to a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee comprising a water tank 2 as introduced above. With reference to [Fig. 5], such a machine 100 comprises a pump 101, a boiler 102, an infusion chamber 103, the pump 101 being arranged so as to pressurize a fluid contained in a section of the fluid circuit between the pump 101 and the infusion chamber 103 and comprising the boiler 102.

[0063] The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and extends to all embodiments covered by the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Water filter (1) for a machine for preparing a beverage such as coffee: • the water filter (1) being intended to be completely immersed in a water tank (2) of the machine by being fluidly connected to an outlet opening (21) of the tank (2), and • the water filter (1) comprising, or even consisting of, an inverted siphon (11) filled at least in part with a water filtration material (3) and from which the water is intended to be sucked, • the water filter (1) being characterized in that the inverted siphon (11) comprises an air purge valve (12) which is located in an upper part of the water filter (1).

2. Water filter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the air purge valve (12) is a manually operated valve.

3. Water filter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the air purge valve comprises means (122) for obstructing a passage (4) provided in the upper part of the water filter (1), the filter (1) being configured to have: i. a so-called closing configuration of the passage (4) in which the means for obstructing (122) prevents the passage of water from the reservoir to the interior of the filter (1), ii. a so-called opening configuration in which the means for obstructing (122) allows the evacuation of air contained inside the filter (1) into the reservoir via said passage (4).

4. Water filter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the air purge valve (2) comprises return means (123) for returning the air purge valve (12), configured to: i. return the obstruction means (122) to the closing configuration of the passage (4) in the absence of manual actuation from a user and ii. to allow the obstruction means (122) to be brought from the closing configuration to the opening configuration in the presence of manual actuation from of a user.

5. Water filter (1) according to either of the two preceding claims, wherein the air purge valve (12) passes through an upper wall (13) of the water filter (1) through the passage (4) having: • Inside and on either side of the passage (4), a rod (121) with a diameter smaller than that of the passage, • inside the inverted siphon (11), the means (122) for obstructing the passage (4) mechanically connected to the rod (121), preferably to a first end (1211) of the rod (121), and • outside the inverted siphon (11), the return means (123) of the air purge valve (12) arranged on the rod (121), preferably arranged on an upper half of the rod (121).

6. Water filter (1) according to the preceding claim, in which: • the rod (121) is mounted free in translation in the passage (4) so ​​that the obstruction means (122) can pass alternately from a high position for closing the passage (4) to a low position for opening the passage (4), and in which: the return means (123) are configured to return the obstruction means (122) to its high closed position.

7. A water filter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the air vent valve (12) is made of a single piece and is made, for example, of silicone.

8. Water filter (1) according to any one of the two preceding claims, in which the obstruction means (122) is in the form of a substantially spherical cap (1221) whose concavity is preferably oriented upwards, the obstruction means (122) of the passage (4) being mechanically connected to the first end (1211) of the rod (121) by the pole (1222) of the substantially spherical cap (1221).

9. Water filter (1) according to any one of the three preceding claims, wherein the return means (123) comprise at least

10.

11.

12.

13.

14. an elastic arm (1231) acting as a spring and extending from the upper half (1212) of the rod (121) towards the upper wall (13) of the water filter (1). Water filter (1) according to any one of the four preceding claims, wherein the air purge valve (12) further comprises a bearing surface (124) mechanically connected to a second end (1213) of the rod (121). A water filter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration material comprises at least one of salt-impregnated resin microbeads and activated carbon. Water tank (2) for a beverage preparation machine such as coffee comprising a water filter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Machine for preparing a beverage (100) such as coffee comprising a water tank (2) according to the preceding claim. Machine (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising a pump (101) located downstream of the water filter (1) and configured to suck up the filtered water.

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