MXPA98007395A - An apparatus to prepare percol coffee - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing coffee, comprising: a first fresh water reservoir means, means for generating hot water adapted to percolate a coffee beverage, and means for generating steam, the means for generating steam a second fresh water reservoir means adapted to be filled with fresh water, the means for generating steam independent of the means for generating hot water, and wherein further the means for generating steam additionally includes a closed circuit steam generating means, means for generating steam from water include means for sending the water to the closed loop steam generating means that comes from the second fresh water tank means

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING BAKED COFFEE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing percolate coffee, comprising a unit for generating the hot water required to prepare a coffee beverage and a unit for generating steam. In the present context, an apparatus for preparing percolated coffee or a "coffee percolating machine", will describe an apparatus in which, the percolation water flows without pressure, by gravity, through the coffee powder placed in a coffee filter, which is usually a paper filter. These coffee machines consist of a heating element that operates as a constant flow water heater both to heat and to feed the water. A feeder pump is not required as the water expands during heating, in accordance with the laws of thermodynamics and flows through a rising tube to an outlet, from where it can flow through the coffee powder through action of gravity. It is desirable that this type of coffee percolating machines be provided with an additional steam outlet to heat another beverage, for example cold milk.

P1550 -98MX BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION German Publication DE-195 45 11 discloses an apparatus for preparing percolated drinks, in the form of a coffee machine, consisting of a unit for generating steam. The steam generating unit is provided with a water heater, which is electrically heated, designed as a constant flow water heater and which produces a mixture of water and steam. The constant flow water heater is connected to a steam separator by which it can be steam-separated from the water-steam mixture. The separated steam is conducted through the steam line directly to a nozzle for foaming, while the water separated from the water-steam mixture flows through an outlet pipe back to the connection pipe that leaves the tank water supply to the constant flow water heater. The disadvantage of this device design for preparing percolated drinks can be seen with the fact that steam can only be generated if the water supply tank is full. However, if in a preceding step a percolated coffee beverage is prepared with the help of a coffee percolating machine, the water supply tank is normally emptied, since, due to its principle of operation, all the water contained in it the water supply tank like this P1550-98MX ^ _ ^ ~ as the water separated in the steam separator is consumed during the percolation operation. The result is that the water supply tank has to be filled after a coffee brewing cycle in order to be in a position to generate steam. German Publication DE-35 37 063 discloses another coffee percolating machine, designed as an electrically heated beverage heater, which is provided with a unit for generating steam. In this way, the steam generating unit includes a steam separator whose water outlet is connected to a fresh water pipe running from the water supply tank to the constant flow water heater. In this way, the water separated in the steam separator flows back into the fresh water conduit. Again, in this type of coffee percolating machine, it is also necessary to refill the water supply tank after a previous coffee preparation cycle, before steam can be generated. Another disadvantage of known coffee percolating machines of the prior art is that the unit for generating steam also represents a compromise, since the same unit is used both to generate hot water for percolation and to generate steam.

P1SS0 - 98MX SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention, improving a coffee percolator machine of the kind referred to above, in such a way that steam can be generated at any desired time, particularly, independent of the water level in the water supply tank. To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for preparing percolated coffee, comprising a first fresh water reservoir, a means for generating hot water adapted to prepare a coffee beverage, and a means for generating steam. In this way, the means for generating steam consists of a second tank of fresh water adapted to be filled with fresh water. In other words, the main idea underlying the invention is to provide, in addition to the usual reservoir of fresh water required to prepare percolated coffee, a second fresh water reservoir from which the water required to generate steam is taken. According to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the means for generating steam is independent of the means for generating hot water, wherein the water required to generate steam is supplied to the medium for generating steam from the second water tank P1550-98MX fresh, and where the means to generate steam is designed in the form of a closed circuit steam generator system. With this design, the means to generate steam can be adapted optimally to fulfill its purpose. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the second fresh water reservoir is adapted to operate simultaneously as a vapor separator. Finally, according to another embodiment of the apparatus, according to the present invention, it is proposed that the second water tank designed simultaneously to function as a steam separator, be provided with a means to ensure that inside the second reservoir of fresh water, during the generation of steam, an excess of pressure is present. This excess pressure favors the uniform supply of steam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next, an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the general arrangement of an apparatus for preparing percolated coffee that incorporates a steam generating unit, in a P1550-98MX first phase of operation; Fig. 2 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1, in a second operation phase; and Fig. 3 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1, in a third phase of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Next, with the help of Fig. 1, the general arrangement of the apparatus for the preparation of percolated coffee incorporating a steam generating unit will be explained in a first phase of operation, that is to say, in an operation phase in which the apparatus of the invention is used to generate steam. Similar to the coffee percolating machines known in the prior art, the apparatus according to the invention also comprises an A unit for generating water for percolation. The unit A essentially consists of a tank 1 for fresh water, a heating element 2 provided with an electric heating coil, a section of pipe 3 which runs • along the heating element 2, of a selection switch 5, as well as of an outlet 6 for the hot water. In addition, it is provided with cold water pipe 28, - pipe 29 for percolation water, a check valve 26 inserted inside the pipe 28 P1S50-98MX cold water, as well as a closure piece 27. In addition to unit A to generate water for percolation, a separate unit B is provided to generate steam. The unit B for generating steam essentially consists of a second pipe section 4 which also runs along the heating element 2, a water supply tank 10, as well as a steam outlet 7. The water supply tank 10 is designed simultaneously as a steam separator, while the outlet 20 of the second pipe section 4 opens to the water supply tank 10 via the pipe 22. In the pipe 33 of steam outlet of the water supply tank 10, there is a transversal reduction piece 13, which ensures that a certain excess pressure is generated inside the water supply tank 10. In order to allow the water supply tank 10 to be filled with fresh water, the upper part of the tank 10 is provided with a filling opening 8. Inside the water supply tank 10 is an ascending pipe 14 which has an outlet end 24 and which is located above the upper level of the water in the tank 10. In the region of the water outlet 23 of the water supply tank 10, there is a constriction 15, a P1550-98MX retention 16 and a closing part 17. The water outlet 23 of the supply tank 10 is connected to the inlet end 19 of the second section of pipe 4 by means of a pipe 18. In the design, as described above, in which the B unit for generating steam consists of a closed cycle circuit, the water required to generate steam is fed directly from the water supply tank 10. In this way, steam can be generated even after preparing coffee without the need to refill tank 1 with fresh water. In this way, water droplets trapped in the steam are eliminated in the water supply tank 10, resulting in the escape of dry steam through the steam outlet 7. For greater clarity, the heating element 2 as well as the two sections of pipe 3 and 4 running along the heating element 2 are shown in top view, while the remaining elements of the apparatus are shown in a strictly schematic side view. An ascending pipe 32 located inside the fresh water tank 1 is connected to the steam pipe 22 by another pipe 31, where the pipe 31 is provided with another check valve 30. The purpose of providing that pipe 31 is that a possible excess pressure can be reduced in the steam pipe 22 and in the water supply tank 10, if appropriate.

P1550-98MX To receive the coffee powder to be percolated, a filter funnel F is provided, and to collect the brewed coffee, a coffee jug K is provided. Above the heating element 2, there is a piece of heating plate H, in the drawings, this is shown in a side view below the coffee jug K, and additionally, it is shown in a schematic top view in dotted lines. The connecting pipes 18, 22, 28 and 29 which are located inside the apparatus are schematically shown as simple lines, but preferably are constituted, in reality, by flexible pipe members. Since the fundamental mode of operation of such coffee percolating machines is well known to any person skilled in the art, only those elements and their modes of operation which are essential in relation to the present invention will be explained below. If the selection switch is in the X position on the right marked "steam", as shown in Fig. 1, the water flows from the water supply tank 10 through the valve, and £ e retention 16, the closing piece 17 open and the connection pipe 18 inside the aforementioned second section of pipe 4 where it evaporates. The steam generated in this way will P1550-98MX leads via the connection pipe 22 to the water supply tank 10, where the trapped water droplets are separated. The dry steam flows through the steam outlet 33 of the water supply tank 10 and through another connection pipe 25 to the steam outlet nozzle 7 through which it finally escapes. In order to ensure that a certain excess pressure is generated inside the water supply tank 10, and in order to prevent steam from escaping from the interior of the water supply tank 10 through the inlet 8 of fresh water, a valve part 21 is provided. The valve part 21 serves simultaneously as a safety valve, which opens due to safety reasons, as soon as a certain predetermined pressure is exceeded inside the tank 10 water supply. By providing the constriction 15 in the water outlet region of the water supply tank 10, the amount of water conducted to the second pipe section 4 is limited to a value such that the heating power of the heating element 2 , it is sufficient to completely evaporate the water fed to it per unit of time. Due to the extent to which / the closing piece 27 provided at the outlet of fresh water tank 1, is closed in the operation mode before P1550-98MX described, no water flows through the first pipe section 3, resulting in essentially all the heating power of the heating element 2 being available to evaporate the water flowing into the second pipe section 4. The design of the water supply tank 10 as described above, ensures that excess pressure is generated inside the water supply tank 10 by evaporating the water. This excess pressure causes the water to flow continuously from the water supply tank 10 via the pipe 18 into the second pipe section 4, resulting in ensuring a continuous steam generation. Fig. 2 shows the coffee brewing machine in operating mode "0". In this mode of operation, a possible excess pressure inside the water supply tank 10 can be reduced. By changing the selection switch 5 from the "steam" position to the "0" position, the closure piece 30 opens. The result is that the excess pressure present in the steam pipe 22 and inside the water supply tank 10 can escape through the pipe 31 and the riser pipe 32 into the fresh water tank 1. When opening the closure piece 30, it is additionally secured P1550-98MX that any steam escape outside the steam nozzle 7 is stopped instantly, in such a way that any risk of burns is avoided. As soon as the excess pressure inside the water supply tank 10 is reduced to zero, the tank 10 can be refilled with fresh water, as schematically shown in Fig. 2 with the jug 35 filled with water . In order to fill the tank 10, the valve part 21 has to be lifted manually. So that the water supply tank 10 can be filled separately with fresh water, an alternative embodiment can be observed in a design in which the water supply tank 10 is connected by a connecting pipe (not shown in the drawings). drawings) to tank 1 of fresh water, so that the water supply tank 10 is also filled with fresh water when filling tank 1 with fresh water. In addition, to prevent it from flowing back from the water supply tank 10 to the fresh water tank 1 when brewing coffee, the connection pipe must be provided with a check valve piece (not shown in the drawings). Fig. 3 shows the coffee machine in a third mode of operation, during the percolation of coffee. By changing the selection switch 5 to the left position, the closing piece 27 is opened in the outlet P1550-98MX of the fresh water tank 1, while the closing piece 17 is closed at the outlet 23 of the water supply tank 10. In this way, fresh water flows through the pipe 28 into the first pipe section 3 where it is heated. The hot water flows through the riser pipe 29 to the hot water outlet 6 from where it flows into the filter funnel part F, percolating to the coffee powder therein, and finally the coffee beverage flows into the jug K. A pump is not required to feed the water in this coffee machine, since the water expands with the heat in accordance with the thermodynamic principles, and flows to jets through the riser pipe 29 towards the outlet 7 while the Valve part 26 opens and closes alternately. Since the mode of operation of these coffee machines is well known, it is not necessary to provide more detailed explanations. To ensure a good heat transfer between the heating element 2 and the two sections of pipe 3 and 4, the heating element 2 is provided with a jacket made preferably of aluminum, which can be welded to the pipe sections 3 and 4 years, also preferably made of aluminum. As can be clearly seen from the drawings, the heating element 2 and the two sections 3 and 4 essentially have all P1S50-98MX circular shape. In a coffee machine designed in accordance with the invention, it is possible to both heat the water to percolate a coffee beverage and to generate steam with the aid of a simple heating element. By providing a separate steam generating unit that incorporates an independent water supply tank 10, which can be filled with fresh water, it is possible to generate steam at any time, regardless of whether the fresh water tank 1 is full or not.

P1550-98MX

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for preparing percolated coffee, consisting of: a first half tank of fresh water; means for generating hot water adapted to percolate a coffee beverage; and a means for generating steam; The means for generating steam consists of a second tank of fresh water adapted to be filled with fresh water. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for generating steam is independent of the means for generating hot water, wherein the hot water required to generate steam is provided to the steam generating medium from the second medium fresh water deposit. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for generating steam is designed as a closed circuit steam generating means. 4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second fresh water reservoir means is adapted to operate simultaneously as a vapor separating medium. 5. An apparatus in accordance with the P1550-98MX claim 4, wherein the second fresh water reservoir means comprises a vapor outlet means, wherein the means for generating steam consists of a means for ensuring that excess pressure is present inside the reservoir. second means of reservoir of fresh water during steam generation. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for ensuring that excess pressure is present within the second fresh water medium consists of a constriction means located in the steam outlet means of the second fresh water reservoir means or in a conduit means which is directed towards the steam nozzle means. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heater element means including an electric heating coil, as well as a first and second pipe section, both in thermal contact with the heating coil means, the The first pipe section is provided to heat the water required to percolate a coffee beverage and the second pipe section is provided to generate steam. 8. An apparatus according to claims 1 and 7, wherein the means for generating P1550-98MX steam comprises a means for limiting the amount of water flowing per unit time from the second fresh water reservoir means to the second pipe section. 9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the outlet of the second pipe section is connected to the second fresh water reservoir means by a first pipe means and an ascending pipe means, wherein the outlet of the rising pipe mean is located above the upper water level of the second fresh water reservoir means. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second fresh water reservoir means is provided with a filling opening means for filling with water the second fresh water reservoir means, wherein the first valve means it is provided in the middle region of the filling opening. 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first fresh water reservoir means communicates directly or indirectly with the interior of the second fresh water reservoir means by means of a second pipe means. 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the second valve means P1550-98MX is inserted into the second pipe means for interconnecting the first and second water reservoir means, the second valve means is adapted to release the excess pressure inside the second fresh water reservoir means when It is in its open position. 13. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection switch means for selecting the mode of operation of the apparatus, the second valve means being operably coupled to the selection switch means. P1550-98MX