Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
  • A47J31/0657—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines
  • A47J31/0663—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines to be used with loose coffee
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/24—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
  • A47J31/30—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under steam pressure
  • A47J31/303—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under steam pressure classical type of espresso apparatus, e.g. to put on a stove, i.e. in which the water is heated in a lower, sealed boiling vessel, raised by the steam pressure through a rising pipe and an extraction chamber and subsequently is collected in a beverage container on top of the water boiling vessel

Definitions

• the object of the present invention is a container for a powdered or ground ingredient suitable for being housed in a device for producing a hot beverage. According to a further aspect, the object of the present invention is a device for producing a hot beverage, particularly coffee, cappuccino and the like.
• the present invention particularly relates to the field of devices known as moka and suitable to provide coffee or other types of hot beverages in a conventional manner.
• moka is meant a device that operates by heating an amount of water within the boiler and delivering the same under pressure to a collection container by passing through a layer of powdered coffee.
• the problem at the heart of the present invention is that the kinetic energy of the liquid being delivered has been considered as a factor affecting the organoleptic characteristics of the beverage, and a container for a grounded or powdered ingredient and a device for producing hot beverages have been provided, which have such structural and operating features to overcome said drawbacks cited with reference to the prior art.
• the problem at the heart of the present invention is to provide a container for a grounded or powdered ingredient and a device for producing hot beverages that allow obtaining- " high kinetic energy for the liquid being delivered. roOlO] .
• This problem is solved by means of a container for a powdered or ground ingredient which is suitable for being housed in a device for producing a hot beverage in accordance to claim 1.
• the dependent claims relate to further embodiments of the container according to the present invention.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view _of an embodiment of a container for a ground or powdered ingredient which is suitable to be housed in a device for producing a hot beverage in accordance to the present invention
• Fig. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the container from Fig. 1;
• FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the container from Fig. 1; [0015] .
• Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the container from Fig. 1;
• FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a possible embodiment of a container for a ground or powdered ingredient suitable for being housed in a device for producing a hot beverage in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 6 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the container from Fig. 5 when assembled, in a first operating condition
• Fig. 7 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the container from Fig. 5 when assembled, in a second operating condition
• Pig. 8 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary device for producing a hot beverage comprising a container for a ground or powdered ingredient according to a possible embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 9 illustrates the container from Fig. 3 associated to a capsule containing the ground or powdered ingredient ; [0021] .
• Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the capsule partially visible in Fig. 9;
• Fig. 11 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a possible embodiment of a container for a ground or powdered ingredient that is suitable for being housed in a device for producing a hot beverage in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 12 illustrates the container from Fig. 11 associated with a capsule containing the ground or powdered ingredient.
• a device for producing a hot beverage This device is generally known as moka and is suitable to provide various types of beverages, coffee and cappuccino among the others.
• the device 10 comprises a boiler 312 " and a collection container 14 that is associated with the boiler. Conventionally, the collection container is screwed on an open mouth 15 of the boiler.
• the device 10 further comprises a container 16 for a powdered or ground ingredient, such as coffee, which is inserted in the boiler open mouth.
• the container 16 comprises a bowl 18 which is extended beneath by a tube 20 which is for example connected to the bowl through a flared portion 22.
• the container 16 further comprises an edge 24 suitable to rest on the upper edge of the open mouth 15 of boiler 12, preferably a seal 25 being placed therebetween. [0029].
• the container 16 is inserted within the boiler such that the tube 20 extends within the boiler.
• the collection container 14 is screwed to the boiler 12 above the container 16, such as illustrated in Pig. 8.
• With 26 has been designated an accommodation chamber for the powdered or ground ingredient. This accommodation chamber is defined by the container 16, which is inserted in the boiler open mouth, and a bottom 28 of the collection container 14. [0031] .
• the accommodation chamber 26 is defined by the bottom 28 of the collection container 14, by a bottom 30 of the bowl 18 and side walls 32 of the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient. [0032] .
• the bottom 30 of the bowl consists of a disk being provided with a plurality of small holes 34 (only some of them have been illustrated in the figures) .
• the bottom 28 of the collection container is defined by a disk being provided with a plurality of openings 36.
• the container 16 for the ground or powdered ingredient, the accommodation chamber 26, and a delivery pipe 38 that opens into the collection container 14 define means for defining a connection path between the boiler and the collection container.
• a liquid contained therein, generally water rises along said path to the collection container, by passing through the powdered or ground ingredient and extracting the flavor therefrom.
• the device 10 comprises a valve 40 being housed at the end of the delivery pipe 38.
• the valve 40 comprises a plug, not illustrated, which is suitable to close the delivery pipe 38 until a particular pressure is reached within the boiler.
• a plunger-shaped end 42 can be seen which extends outside the valve body. This plunger-shaped end is also preferably a calibrated weight of the plug.
• the plug When a particular pressure is reached within the boiler, the plug is lifted and the liquid contained within the boiler can quickly raise to the collection container.
• the plug moves in a vertical direction, within the valve body, between a closed (lowered) and open (raised) position.
• the valve .40 comprises means, not illustrated, for locking the plug in the delivery pipe open position.
• the valve 40 can comprise at least an outlet pipe 43 that opens into the collection container at a lower level than at the outlet from the delivery pipe 38.
• means are provided to increase the volume of the accommodation chamber 26 between a rest volume, corresponding to-a non- assembled configuration of the device, and a work volume corresponding to an assembled configuration of the device .
• assembled configuration of the device is meant the configuration in which the collection container 14 is screwed to the boiler 12 containing the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient (Fig. 8) ' .
• non-assembled configuration is meant the configuration in which the collection, container is not screwed to the boiler.
• the work volume of the accommodation chamber 26 if preferably 15% greater than the rest volume thereof.
• the bottom 30 of the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient is movable along the side walls 32 of the container between a rest position, corresponding to a non-assembled configuration of the device, and a work position, corresponding to an assembled configuration of the device.
• the volume of the accommodation chamber 26 is at least partially defined by the moving bottom, and is, in the rest position of the moving bottom 30, less than the volume of the accommodation chamber 26, in the work position of the moving bottom 30.
• the bottom 30 is movable in a vertical direction. Particularly, the bottom 30 is movable between the rest position, where the bottom is arranged at a preset height, and the work position, where the bottom is arranged at a lower height than the rest position.
• the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient comprises means for holding the bottom 30 in the rest position.
• these means comprise elastic means being inserted between the bottom and bottom walls of the container, such as the flared portion 22.
• the elastic means comprise a helical spring 44 being internally placed on the side of the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient.
• the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient comprises means for defining the rest position of its bottom 30.
• these means comprise at least- one projection of the side walls 32 extending towards the inside of the accommodation chamber 26.
• the projection is obtained by locally folding the side walls of the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient.
• the projection is an annular fold 46 of the side walls 32 of the accommodation chamber 26.
• the device 10 comprises means for moving the bottom 30 of the container 16 from the rest position to the work position at the assembled configuration of the device.
• these means comprise at least one rigid member 48 that is placed between the moving bottom 30 of the container for the ground or powdered ingredient and the bottom 28 of the collection container 14. [0046] .
• This rigid member has the same length as the distance between the moving bottom 30, in the work position, and the bottom 28 of the collection container.
• This length is greater than the distance from the moving bottom 30, in the rest position, and the bottom 28 of the collection container without the rigid member,
• the length of the rigid member 48 is such as to interfere with the moving bottom 30 and bring it from the -rest position to the work position in the assembled condition of device 10.
• the rigid member 48 is arranged at a peripheral edge 50 of the moving bottom 30.
• a preferred example is the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11 and 12.
• the rigid member 48 is defined by at least one projection 54 extending from the moving bottom 30 past the side walls 32 of the container 16, in the rest position of the moving bottom 30.
• three projections 54 are provided at the same distance along the peripheral edge of the moving bottom.
• the at least one projection 54 extends from the peripheral edge 50 of the moving bottom 30 along the side walls 32 of the container 16 and is integral with the moving bottom 30 upon moving from the rest position to the work position, and vice versa. In the rest position of the moving bottom 30, the projection 54 at least partially extends past the side walls 32 of the container 16.
• the at least one projection is made as one piece from the bottom and folded by the same.
• the -rigid element 48 is defined by a peripheral wall 52 that is associated with the container 16 and extends from the peripheral edge 50 of the moving bottom 30 along the side walls 32 of the container 16.
• the peripheral wall 52 is a cylindrical wall similar to the side walls 32. [00523.
• the peripheral wall 52 is integral with the moving bottom 30 upon movement from the rest position to the work position, and vice versa. In the rest position of the moving bottom 30, the peripheral wall 52 at least partially extends past the side walls " 32 of- the container 16.
• the peripheral wall 52 comprises at least- one projection 54- extending past the side walls 32 of the container 16, in the rest position of the moving bottom 30.
• the projection 54 may comprise a folded end 56 inwardly of the container 16 (Fig. 1-4) .
• the peripheral wall is made as one piece with the moving bottom 30.
• the peripheral wall 52 is nestingly associated with the moving bottom 30.
• the peripheral wall 52 comprises at least one annular rib 58 suitable to be abutted against this projection of the side walls 32 (annular fold 46) .
• the container 16 for a powdered or ground ingredient is suitable for being housed between the boiler 12 and the collection container 14 and at least partially define said connection path.
• the rigid element 48 (projection 54 and/or peripheral wall 52) extends past the height of the side walls 32 of the container 16 for interfering with the bottom 28 of the collection container and pushing the moving bottom 30 downwards, at the assembled configuration of the device (Fig. 8) .
• the container 16 comprises side walls 32 having a greater height than that of the side walls of a prior art container suitable to produce the same amount of beverage.
• a first portion 32a of the side walls 32 defines the volume of powdered or ground ingredient (e.g. coffee) suitable to the type of device, while a second portion 32b of the walls 32 defines the housings area for the spring 44 and the movement area of the moving bottom 30.
• the moving bottom 30 and the at least one projection 54 (optionally the peripheral wall 52) slide between the rest and work positions, and vice versa, along the side walls 32 that define both a guide and a containment element.
• the operation of the device will be described below, with reference to the same being arranged for producing cappuccino.
• the boiler 12 is filled with a preset amount of water and the container 16 is inserted within the boiler open mouth.
• a preset amount of coffee is arranged within the container 16, for example by filling the volume available with the bottom 30 being in the rest position.
• a pod or capsule 60 may be used which contains a preset amount of coffee. This capsule 60 is suitable for being housed within the container 16, preferably by resting on the projections 54 (Fig. 9) .
• the collection container 14 is then screwed to the boiler and at the same time the rigid member 48 (particularly the projections 54 and/or the peripheral wall 52) interferes with the bottom 28 of the collection container by pushing the bottom 30 of the container 16 downwards .
• a preset amount of milk is filled in the collection container and the valve 40 is applied on the delivery pipe 38.
• the plug of the valve 40 is set in the lowered, i.e. closed, position of the delivery pipe.
• the boiler is then heated in a conventional manner until the pressure within the boiler exceeds a preset value corresponding to the pressure capable of raising the plug.
• the latter is automatically locked in the raised position, thereby both the water and steam contained within the boiler are quickly ejected in the milk thus generating a turbulence that aids in forming the foam.
• the present invention allows improving the effectiveness of the transformation of the energy accumulated within the boiler, before delivery, in kinetic energy upon delivery, thereby improving the organoleptic features of "the beverage under the same conditions within the boiler.
• the present device particularly when provided with the valve 40, can be used for producing coffee, either with or without foam, or cappuccino.
• a type of beverage can be selected as desired by selecting the position of the plug. By arranging the plug in the lowered position where it closes the outlet of the delivery pipe 38, the delivery of the . liquid contained within the boiler takes place when the pressure within the boiler has reached a threshold value at which the plug is caused to raise and the delivery pipe is opened.
• the liquid passing through the connection path between the boiler and collection container is subjected to small loss of head, thereby the energy being stored -within the boiler before the plug is opened is effectively turned into kinetic energy.
• the accommodation chamber 26 does not have any obstacle and can be used with capsules or pods for a simpler arrangement of the device.
• the rigid member can be fixed to the bottom of the collection container in all the possible embodiment.
• such device may be provided in which the rigid member is defined by at least one projection and/or a peripheral wall being associated with a bottom of the collection container, at the peripheral edge of the container moving bottom for a ground or powdered ingredient, and suitable to -extend along the side walls 32 of the container 16 for a ground or powdered ingredient.
• the rigid member can be embodied by the capsule containing the ground or powdered ingredient, which is rested on the moving bottom 30 (or interacting with an optional moving bottom of the collection container) .
• the rigid member can "be optionally embodied by a peripheral wall without projections and having such a height as to interfere with the bottom of the collection container, when the device is being assembled.
• the moving bottom can be that of the collection container or both.
• the helical spring 44 can be replaced by any means suitable to hold the bottom 30 in the rest position.
• other types of elastic means or other arrangements of the same are feasible.
• [0082] To the preferred embodiment of the container and device such as described above, those of ordinary skill in the art, aiming at satisfying contingent and specific needs, will be able to carry out a number of modification, adaptations and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)
• Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)
• Confectionery (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=36616768

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2005
  • 2005-10-25 EP EP05813603A patent/EP1940269A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-10-25 WO PCT/IT2005/000618 patent/WO2007049307A1/en not_active Ceased
• 2006
  • 2006-09-29 TW TW095136357A patent/TW200735825A/zh unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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