A coffee maker

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coffee maker (1) comprising a brewing pot (2) wherein the coffee-water mixture is present; a channel (17) which is provided at the base (8) of the brewing pot (2), which has one end opening into the brewing pot (2) and the other end opening outward and which ensures the transfer of the coffee-water mixture in the brewing pot (2) to the external environment; a valve (5) which opens and closes the channel (17); a sealing member (7) which is fixed to the valve (5), which is positioned between the valve (5) and the channel (17), which closes the channel (17) in a sealed manner when the valve (5) is closed and which allows the coffee-water mixture to leave the brewing pot (2) when open; an actuator (3) which moves the valve (5) and the sealing member (7) thereon in the vertical plane to open and close the channel (17); a base (8) which is provided under the channel (17), whereon the valve (5) is fixed, which has at least two openings (12) and which is inclined downward toward the openings (12); and a reservoir (4) having a front wall (9), a rear wall (10), and side walls (11) connecting the front (9) and rear walls (10), all surrounding the base (8) peripherally.

Description

[0001]7.3623 DESCRIPTION A COFFEE MAKER The present invention relates to a coffee maker wherein the same amount of foam and coffee is transferred simultaneously into a plurality of containers. In embodiments where the coffee prepared in coffee makers is transferred directly into containers, it is quite difficult to transfer equal amounts of foam and coffee into two cups, pots, glasses, or similar containers at the same time. In espresso machines, which are among the state of the art embodiments, it is quite difficult for the hot water passing through compressed coffee to be filtered and slowly dripped evenly into two containers. In coffee makers which have a Turkish coffee brewing function, unlike espresso machines, the coffee is brewed by means of a heater and discharged into the containers in approximately one to two seconds after the brewing process is completed, by the upward opening of the discharge outlet. When the brewing process is completed in the Turkish coffee maker, the sealing member and the valve are moved upward by a motor, and the inclined coffee path is opened. The coffee and foam are discharged through the coffee path. In this embodiment, various difficulties are encountered in transferring coffee and foam equally into a plurality of containers. In the state of the art Turkish Patent Application No. TR202020747, a Turkish coffee maker is disclosed, wherein the brewing pot is detected. In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP3291711, a coffee maker is disclosed, wherein the transfer of coffee to an external reservoir is improved. The aim of the present invention is the realization of a coffee maker wherein the same amount of foam and coffee is transferred simultaneously into a plurality of containers. The coffee maker realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a brewing pot wherein the coffee-water mixture is present; a channel which is 7.3623 provided at the base of the brewing pot, which has one end opening into the brewing pot and the other end opening outward and which ensures the transfer of the coffee-water mixture in the brewing pot to the external environment; a valve which opens and closes the channel; a sealing member which is fixed to the valve, which is positioned between the valve and the channel, which closes the channel in a sealed manner when the valve is closed and which allows the coffee-water mixture to leave the brewing pot when open; an actuator which moves the valve and the sealing member thereon in the vertical plane to open and close the channel; a base which is provided under the channel, whereon the valve is fixed, which has at least two openings and which is inclined downward toward the openings; and a reservoir having a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls connecting the front and rear walls, all surrounding the base peripherally. Thus, two vortices are created to direct the coffee-water mixture reaching the reservoir through the channel directly toward the openings so as to ensure a homogeneous flow rate at the right and left openings. In an embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a valve having an arm extending vertically upward from the base of the reservoir, part of which is located within the channel, and a headpiece in the form of a mushroom located at the top of the arm, on the side of the channel which opens into the brewing pot. The sealing member is fixed onto the part of the headpiece and the arm which corresponds to the channel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises the reservoir having a base inclined from the front wall toward the rear wall. The base preferably has an inclination of 2 to 15 degrees. Thus, with a 2 to 15-degree downward angle from the front wall toward the rear wall, the coffee-water mixture poured onto the base reaches the openings more quickly. In another embodiment of the present invention, the openings are circular. Thus, the flow of the coffee-water mixture is not disrupted. In an embodiment of the present invention, the openings are located at the bottom of the rear wall of the reservoir. Thus, due to the inclination from the front wall 7.3623 toward the rear wall, the entire coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir is enabled to reach the openings. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a reservoir having a base in a "V" shape. In this embodiment, the base has a downward slope from the side walls toward the center, and the slope is preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. Moreover, the base has a downward slope from the front wall toward the rear wall, preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir upon the opening of the valve is directed toward the openings by forming two equal vortices in the reservoir, thanks to the V-shaped base. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a reservoir having a base in an inverted "V" shape. In this embodiment, the base has a downward slope from the center towards the side walls, and the slope is preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. By means of a reverse slope of 2 to 15 degrees created between the side walls and the center, a roof shape is obtained. Moreover, the base has a slope of preferably 2 to 15 degrees from the front wall toward the rear wall. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir upon the opening of the valve is directed toward the openings by forming two equal vortices in the reservoir, following the roof-shaped base with the inverted "V" form. By means of the roof-shaped base, the flow rate of the coffee-water mixture in the channel is preserved within the reservoir so as to ensure a highly homogeneous velocity distribution in the reservoir. Having the same geometry and being open to the same atmosphere, the openings located at the rear right and left sides of the base of the reservoir are subject to the same external conditions, and due to the nature of the flow, unless there is an obstacle at the center , the flow is equally directed toward the said two openings. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a barrier which is provided between the two openings, which extends from the front wall to the rear wall, parallel to the side walls, and which partially divides the 7.3623 reservoir into two. Thus, the flow rate difference between the two openings is minimized, and the flow path between the two openings is not disrupted. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a lid which is disposed above the reservoir, between the base and the channel, and a passage which is provided on the lid and which enables the coffee-water mixture poured onto the lid to be transferred into the reservoir. Thus, since the flow of the coffee-water mixture is two-staged, the flow rate is homogenized, the formation of vortices is minimized, and equal flow rate at the openings is ensured. By means of the lid, the mixture leaving the channel is first retained on the lid so as to ensure that the speed thereof is reduced. In the embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing from the channel onto the lid is discharged into the reservoir by passing through the passage. Thus, the coffee-water mixture is transferred into the reservoir by flowing through a single passage. Consequently, potential clogging which may occur at the openings is prevented. Furthermore, possible overflows in the reservoir are also prevented, and since vortex formation is minimized, the coffee-water mixture is equally distributed from the openings into the containers. In another embodiment of the present invention, the slope of the base and the slope of the lid are in opposite directions. In other words, while the base slopes from upward to downward from the front wall toward the rear wall, the lid slopes from upward to downward from the rear wall toward the front wall. In this embodiment of the present invention, the lid has a parabolic form. In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve extends upward through the passage. In another embodiment of the present invention, the passage has a circular form. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker comprises a drip grid in a "+" form which is provided above the passage. The valve is positioned at the center of the said drip grid. By means of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture transferred into the reservoir by gravity is quickly directed toward the openings and discharged into the containers. By means of the large distance between the openings and the fact 7.3623 that the openings are located far from the valve, the negative effects of frictional losses in the flow of the coffee-water mixture and deterioration of its hydrodynamic structure are eliminated. Therefore, the coffee-water mixture is discharged at the desired rate. Moreover, accumulation and overflow of the coffee-water mixture in the reservoir are also prevented. A coffee maker realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a coffee maker and a brewing pot. Figure 2 – is the front view of the brewing pot. Figure 3 – is the sideways view of the brewing pot. Figure 4 – is the cross-sectional view of the brewing pot. Figure 5 – is the front cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 – is the view of the cross-section A-A in Figure 5. Figure 7 – is the front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 – is the view of the cross section B-B in Figure 7. Figure 9 – is the perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 – is the front cross-sectional view of Figure 9. Figure 11 – is the view of cross section C-C in Figure 10. The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows. 1. Coffee maker 2. Brewing pot 3. Actuator 4. Reservoir 7.3623 5. Valve 6. Headpiece 7. Sealing member 8. Base 9. Front wall 10. Rear wall 11. Side wall 12. Opening 13. Barrier 14. Lid 15. Passage 16. Drip grid 17. Channel 18. Arm The coffee maker (1) comprises a brewing pot (2) wherein the coffee-water mixture is present; a channel (17) which is provided at the base (8) of the brewing pot (2), which has one end opening into the brewing pot (2) and the other end opening outward and which ensures the transfer of the coffee-water mixture in the brewing pot (2) to the external environment; a valve (5) which opens and closes the channel (17); a sealing member (7) which is fixed to the valve (5), which is positioned between the valve (5) and the channel (17), which closes the channel (17) in a sealed manner when the valve (5) is closed and which allows the coffee- water mixture to leave the brewing pot (2) when open; an actuator (3) which moves the valve (5) and the sealing member (7) thereon in the vertical plane to open and close the channel (17); a base (8) which is provided under the channel (17), whereon the valve (5) is fixed, which has at least two openings (12) and which is inclined downward toward the openings (12); and a reservoir (4) having a front wall (9), a rear wall (10), and side walls (11) connecting the front (9) and 7.3623 rear walls (10), all surrounding the base (8) peripherally. Thus, two vortices are created to direct the coffee-water mixture reaching the reservoir (4) through the channel (17) directly toward the openings (12) so as to ensure a homogeneous flow rate at the right and left openings (12). In an embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a valve (5) having an arm (18) extending vertically upward from the base (8) of the reservoir (4), part of which is located within the channel (17), and a headpiece (6) in the form of a mushroom located at the top of the arm (18), on the side of the channel (17) which opens into the brewing pot (2). The sealing member (7) is fixed onto the part of the headpiece (6) and the arm (18) which corresponds to the channel (17) (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4). In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises the reservoir (4) having a base (8) inclined from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10). The base (8) preferably has an inclination of 2 to 15 degrees. Thus, with a 2 to 15-degree downward angle from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10), the coffee-water mixture poured onto the base (8) reaches the openings (12) more quickly. In another embodiment of the present invention, the openings (12) are circular. Thus, the flow of the coffee-water mixture is not disrupted. In an embodiment of the present invention, the openings (12) are located at the bottom of the rear wall (10) of the reservoir (4). Thus, due to the inclination from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10), the entire coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir (4) is enabled to reach the openings (12). In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a reservoir (4) having a base (8) in a "V" shape. In this embodiment, the base (8) has a downward slope from the side walls (11) toward the center, and the slope is preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. Moreover, the base (8) has a downward slope from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10), preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir (4) upon the opening of the valve (5) is directed toward 7.3623 the openings (12) by forming two equal vortices in the reservoir (4), thanks to the V-shaped base (8) (Figure 5 and Figure 6). In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a reservoir (4) having a base (8) in an inverted "V" shape. In this embodiment, the base (8) has a downward slope from the center toward the side walls (11), and the slope is preferably between 2 and 15 degrees. By means of a reverse slope of 2 to 15 degrees created between the side walls (11) and the center, a roof shape is obtained. Moreover, the base (8) has a slope of preferably 2 to 15 degrees from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10). In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing into the reservoir (4) upon the opening of the valve (5) is directed toward the openings (12) by forming two equal vortices in the reservoir (4), following the roof-shaped base (8) with the inverted "V" form. By means of the roof-shaped base (8), the flow rate of the coffee-water mixture in the channel (17) is preserved within the reservoir (4) so as to ensure a highly homogeneous velocity distribution in the reservoir (4). Having the same geometry and being open to the same atmosphere, the openings (12) located at the rear right and left sides of the base (8) of the reservoir (4) are subject to the same external conditions, and due to the nature of the flow, unless there is an obstacle at the center, the flow is equally directed toward the said two openings (12) (Figure 7 and Figure 8). In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a barrier (13) which is provided between the two openings (12), which extends from the front wall (9) to the rear wall (10), parallel to the side walls (11), and which partially divides the reservoir (4) into two. Thus, the flow rate difference between the two openings (12) is minimized, and the flow path between the two openings (12) is not disrupted. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a lid (14) which is disposed above the reservoir (4), between the base (8) and the channel (17), and a passage (15) which is provided on the lid (14) and which enables the coffee-water mixture poured onto the lid (14) to be transferred into the reservoir (4). Thus, since the flow of the coffee-water mixture is two-staged, the 7.3623 flow rate is homogenized, the formation of vortices is minimized, and equal flow rate at the openings (12) is ensured. By means of the lid (14), the mixture leaving the channel (17) is first retained on the lid (14) so as to ensure that the speed thereof is reduced. In the embodiment of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture flowing from the channel (17) onto the lid (14) is discharged into the reservoir (4) by passing through the passage (15). Thus, the coffee-water mixture is transferred into the reservoir (4) by flowing through a single passage (15). Consequently, potential clogging which may occur at the openings (12) is prevented. Furthermore, possible overflows in the reservoir (4) are also prevented, and since vortex formation is minimized, the coffee-water mixture is equally distributed from the openings (12) into the containers (Figure 9 and Figure 10). In another embodiment of the present invention, the slope of the base (8) and the slope of the lid (14) are in opposite directions. In other words, while the base (8) slopes from upward to downward from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10), the lid (14) slopes from upward to downward from the rear wall (10) toward the front wall (9). In this embodiment of the present invention, the lid (14) has a parabolic form (Figure 11). In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve (5) extends upward through the passage (15). In another embodiment of the present invention, the passage (15) has a circular form. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coffee maker (1) comprises a drip grid (16) in a "+" form which is provided above the passage (15). The valve (5) is positioned at the center of the said drip grid (16). By means of the present invention, the coffee-water mixture transferred into the reservoir (4) by gravity is quickly directed toward the openings (12) and discharged into the containers. By means of the large distance between the openings (12) and the fact that the openings (12) are located far from the valve (5), the negative effects of frictional losses in the flow of the coffee-water mixture and deterioration of its hydrodynamic structure are eliminated. Therefore, the coffee-water mixture is discharged at the desired rate. Moreover, accumulation and overflow of the coffee-water mixture in the reservoir (4) are also prevented. 7.3623

Claims

23 CLAIMS 1. A coffee maker (1) comprising a brewing pot (2) wherein the coffee-water mixture is present; a channel (17) which is provided at the base (8) of the brewing pot (2), which has one end opening into the brewing pot (2) and the other end opening outward and which ensures the transfer of the coffee-water mixture in the brewing pot (2) to the external environment; a valve (5) which opens and closes the channel (17); a sealing member (7) which is fixed to the valve (5), which is positioned between the valve (5) and the channel (17), which closes the channel (17) in a sealed manner when the valve (5) is closed and which allows the coffee-water mixture to leave the brewing pot (2) when open; and an actuator (3) which moves the valve (5) and the sealing member (7) thereon in the vertical plane to open and close the channel (17), characterized by a base (8) which is provided under the channel (17), whereon the valve (5) is fixed, which has at least two openings (12) and which is inclined downward toward the openings (12); and a reservoir (4) having a front wall (9), a rear wall (10), and side walls (11) connecting the front (9) and rear walls (10), all surrounding the base (8) peripherally.

2. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a valve (5) having an arm (18) extending vertically upward from the base (8) of the reservoir (4), part of which is located within the channel (17), and a headpiece (6) in the form of a mushroom located at the top of the arm (18), on the side of the channel (17) which opens into the brewing pot (2).

3. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the reservoir (4) having a base (8) inclined from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10).

4. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the base (8) which preferably has an inclination of 2 to 15 degrees.

5. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the base (8) which has a downward slope from the front wall (9) toward the rear wall (10), between 2 and 15 degrees.23 6. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the openings (12) which are circular.

7. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the openings (12) which are located at the bottom of the rear wall (10) of the reservoir (4).

8. A coffee maker (1) as in Claims 4 and 5, characterized by a reservoir (4) having a base (8) in a "V" shape.

9. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the base (8) which has a downward slope from the side walls (11) toward the center.

10. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterized by a reservoir (4) having a base (8) in an inverted "V" shape.

11. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by the base (8) which has a downward slope from the center toward the side walls (11).

12. A coffee maker (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a barrier (13) which is provided between the two openings (12), which extends from the front wall (9) to the rear wall (10), parallel to the side walls (11), and which partially divides the reservoir (4) into two.

13. A coffee maker (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a lid (14) which is disposed above the reservoir (4), between the base (8) and the channel (17), and a passage (15) which is provided on the lid (14) and which enables the coffee-water mixture poured onto the lid (14) to be transferred into the reservoir (4).

14. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 13, characterized by the lid (14) the slope of which is in opposite direction with respect to the slope of the base (8).

15. A coffee maker (1) as in Claim 13 or Claim 14, characterized by a drip grid (16) in a "+" form which is provided above the passage (15).

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