A DEVICE FOR MAKING BEVERAGES HAVING FOAM DETECTION APPARATUS

Relevant Field of Art

The present invention relates to a device for making beverages having a foam or froth detection apparatus which detects level of overflowing of liquids or solid-liquid mixtures that tend to overflow during the cooking process, and thus ensures controlling thereof.

Background of the Invention

It is necessary to constantly control cooking process of liquids such as Turkish coffee or milk that tend to overflow during cooking. For example, when making Turkish coffee, a significant amount of foam is produced when it is close to the boiling point and the resulting excess foam increases instantaneously and sharply just before reaching the boiling point. Since some beverages, such as Turkish coffee, has the characteristic of overflowing by quickly foaming during boiling, the foam has to be prevented from overflowing, and in order to prepare beverage in accordance with the traditional taste, the rising of the foam has to be controlled and the heating process has to be ended before boiling phase. In cases where manual cooking is performed by the user using electrical or nonelectrical appliances, the instant of overflowing must be controlled by the user and the cooking process must be terminated by the user once overflowing takes place. On the other hand, there are, generally, two types of option in automatic products. The first one is those solutions wherein the amount of the mixture to be cooked is known and a heat transfer, determined based on the said amount, is controlled during the process which is so-called input-controlled products. An example of the input-controlled automatic products is device wherein the heater may be controlled by a NTC temperature sensor. Second solution for automatic products is those products that may monitor outputs such as foam/cream formed at the end of the cooking process. These products may be defined as output-controlled products. In all manual and automatic products, if the cooking process is performed in an uncontrolled manner, the overflowing hot liquid may damage the product and the environment.

All existing electrical and non-electrical coffeepots and similar appliances may be given as examples to manual controlled products. For manual products, the user should constantly stand over the product during the cooking process and control the cooking progress thereof. This may result in a loss of time for the user while requiring that in order to make coffee by himself and to enjoy it, the user should known how to behave at which temperature values or at which instant of foaming of the said liquid.

An example of the input-controlled automatic products is device wherein the heater may be controlled by a NTC temperature sensor. In such input-controlled automatic products, the content and amount of the mixture to be cooked should necessarily be controlled. The amount of the liquid to be produced should be detected by the cooker/device or should be measured and put into the product by the user. This requires additional measuring pots/cups, dosing components or sensors.

In input-controlled automatic products, the heat transfer that takes place during the cooking process should be controlled. A certain amount of heat is required for the mixture to be sufficiently cooked. If the said heat transfer is low, the mixture is not heated properly and if it is high, the mixture may overflow. The main variable that affects heat transfer is the power of the heater. The power of the heater is directly dependent upon the voltage value of the mains supply. If voltages are locally varied, the power of the heater changes and above-mentioned problems may arise. Such parameter, i.e. variances in mains voltages, which is difficult to control, negatively affects the cooking efficiency. In order to control the mains voltage, expensive additional equipment may be needed.

In input-controlled automatic products, when the mixture reaches to a certain temperature value with a sufficient heat, the cooking process is terminated. The temperature value is specified in an algorithm. However, since the boiling point may change due to changing altitude heights, said limit of temperature value must also be changed. If the boiling point is lower or higher than the specified value, it may again cause the situation that the mixture is not cooked or overflows. In order to eliminate this, different algorithms should be written for each altitude or new equipment and sensors should be included which would make the products more complicated and expensive.

In some output-controlled automatic products, in order for the mixture that is being cooked to operate irrespective of the amount and heat control, sensors are used which detect visual change of the foam and are of high-cost. In another solution for output- controlled automatic products, conductivity is controlled at low voltage by means of the conductors fixedly disposed in the product so as to control the level of overflowing. However, said fixed conductive terminals may standardly operate on the basis of certain amount of mixtures or cup-wise, and it becomes hard or impossible to provide control at high or low amount of mixtures.

A prior art reference, among many others, relevant to the technical field of the present invention is the WO2007077106 (Al) publication. It discloses controlling of the boiling of the liquid in the coffeepot and the rising of the foam using ultrasonic and infrared sensors. It is also disclosed to use an integrated sensor structure. Still, German Patent No. DE10230951 (Al) may be given as another example of prior art patent documents. It discloses that a relevant terminal of a LED is embedded on side walls of a coffeepot or a similar container, and it is stated that a circuit is completed via a liquid so that the relevant LEDs are activated. Since such foam detection sensors are integrated with a fixed container, it may be hard to clean the residue and contamination of the mixture. Furthermore, since these fixed structures are embedded into the pieces during the manufacturing process, they are considered as expensive structures that are difficult to use in real life and to manufacture. Moreover, in case a failure is experienced in these sensors, it is quite difficult to repair the product.

Object of the Invention

The main object of the invention relates to a device with foam detection apparatus which is easily arranged and which practically detects an output of foam or cream to control the cooking process thereof.

Another object of the invention relates to a device with foam detection apparatus which not only detects foam or cream, but also may optionally control the level and amount of the foam/cream, thanks to its movable and modular structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for making beverages such as espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte, filtered water, or tea for human consumption and enjoyment, wherein overflowing is prevented during boiling in an efficient manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is fully automatic that improves the quality and quantity of the foam as well as the temperature of the beverages independent of the operator's skill. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for preparing beverages with the desired consistency, wherein overflowing of is prevented, and a control method.

Another object of the present invention relates to a device with foam detection apparatus which eliminates a restriction of existing products with a single and fixed conductive line on the number of cups or the amount of mixture, though it has a single conductive line that controls low voltage electrical transmission, and which, at the same time, does not require multiple conductive lines necessary for multiple amounts. Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for making beverages comprising a container wherein liquid or liquid mixture is put to be heated; at least one heating assembly that provides heating the container; an electronic control card for controlling the heating assembly; a conductive member associated with the electronic control card. Said device further comprises at least one mounting interface in a communication with the electronic control card; an apparatus for detecting level of foam formed during heating process; said apparatus comprises at least one conductive portion which, in use, ensures electrical conductivity between the conductive member and the mounting interface when the foam is in a contact with the conductive portion; and said apparatus is adjustable in a position and/or an angle with respect to a container base depending on an amount of the liquid or liquid mixture to be heated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The device with foam detection apparatus being the subject of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings for better understanding thereof, which drawings should not be used to interpret claims without taking into account the specification, and should not be construed as limiting thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device with foam detection apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the device with foam detection apparatus in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the inner mechanism of the body assembly being shown.

Figure 3a is a front view of the device according to the present invention.

Figure 3b is a sectional view along line A-A in Figure 3a. Figure 3c is an enlarged view of detail B in Figure 3b.

Figure 4a is a sectional view of the device with foam detection apparatus according to the present invention, wherein no liquid is contained therein. Figure 4b is a sectional view of a state wherein liquid is put therein and the nonconducting portion of the foam detection apparatus contacts to the liquid.

Figure 4c is a sectional view of a state wherein liquid to be cooked is put therein and the intermediate conductive portion of the foam detection apparatus contacts to the liquid.

Figure 5a is a partial sectional view of the device according to the present invention, with the container in which the liquid is disposed being shown. Figure 5b is a partial sectional view depicting how the said foaming detection apparatus is disposed in the device.

Figure 5c is a partial sectional view depicting adjustment of the position of the said foam detection apparatus in the device based on the amount of the liquid.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the foam detection apparatus suitable for use in device according to the present invention.

Figure 7a is a sectional view of a position of a machine version of the device according to the present invention, wherein the container includes no liquid. Figure 7b is a sectional view of a position wherein the foam detection apparatus of the machine version of the device according to the present invention contacts to the liquid in the container.

Figure 7c is a sectional view of a position wherein the foam detection apparatus of the machine version of the device according to the present invention contacts to the liquid in the container.

Detailed Description of the Invention

1. Device

2. Body assembly

2a. Container

2b. Container bottom portion

3. Base section

4. Handle

5. Apparatus

5a. Conductive portion

5b. Nonconducting portion

5c. Control section

6. Mounting interface

6a. Apparatus housing

6b. Magnetic member

6c. Insulating member

7. Control part

8. Heating Assembly

9. Electronic control card

10a. Container connector

10b. Base section connector

11. Liquid

11a. Liquid level

12. Conductive member

13. Motion mechanism

14. Water container 15. Pump

16. Container base

The present invention provides a device for making beverages having a foam detection apparatus (5) and a heating assembly (8) for operating until the foam reaches a predetermined maximum level detected by the foam detector apparatus (5). With the foam detection apparatus (5) according to the present invention, heating of liquid in a cooking device or device (1) and also the overflowing or foaming status of the liquid in the device (1) can be controlled.

Said device (1) preferably has a common insulated handle (4) for a reliable holding thereof and a container (2a) wherein cooking is performed and which is suitable for receiving liquid (11) or liquid mixture to be heated. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when the liquid (11) or liquid-mixture and ingredients placed in the container (2a) and desired to be cooked, i.e. coffee or milk, reaches to the temperature of overflowing so as to contact to the conductive portion (5a) of the foam detection apparatus (5), the power of the heater of the heating assembly (8) is interrupted or staged. Starting from the formation of the foam, the heating assembly (8) continues operating until the foam reaches a predetermined maximum level set by the apparatus (5) such that the arranged level is not exceeded, and desired amount of liquid is to be prepared.

Foam detection apparatus (5) for detecting level of foam formed during heating process, preferably, is in a form of a rod, as illustrated in perspective in Figure 6, hereinafter referred to as apparatus (5), which is generally comprising at least one control section (5c), a conductive (5a) and nonconducting (5b) portion, and which is adjustable on the mounting interface (6) provided in the container (2a). The apparatus (5) comprising the conductive (5a) and nonconducting (5b) portions, requires an electronic control card (9) to operate in the device (1). Electrical current flows over the electronic control card (9) and the electronic control card (9) can activate or switch off the heater, at various conditions, according to the closed or opened position of the electrical circuit completed with the said apparatus (5).

Referring to Figure 4a, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic control card (9) provided in the device (1) is connected to the apparatus (5) by means of the electrical transmission line, and to a conductive member (12), directly or indirectly, with the liquid (11) thereof to be cooked having electrical conductivity. Said apparatus (5) and conductive member (12) are configured to be electrically isolated from each other. Electrical conductivity between the apparatus (5) and the conductive member (12) is only ensured by the liquid (11) having the characteristic of electrical conductivity. In other words, the foaming/frothing of the liquid ensures said contact. The underlying idea of the invention is to arrange said contact according to the amount of liquid to be prepared. With reference to Figure 2, attachment of the apparatus (5) where it is disposed in the device is mainly ensured by a mounting interface (6). In another embodiment of the invention, said apparatus (5) may be moved by the user or a mechanism of the device

(I) and the position thereof on the region where it is mounted may be adjusted with respect to the container base (16). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said apparatus (5) is released from the device (1) (in a detachable manner) so that it may provide a form offering great ease to the user for cleaning purposes. Again with reference to Figure 6, there is located on the apparatus (5) a conductive portion (5a) having at least one independent electrical transmission line, and yet the apparatus (5) also has at least one nonconducting portion (5b) such that it interacts with the liquid (11) or liquid mixture in the device (1). The apparatus (5) has a control section (5c) which allows moving thereof and which may be triggered by the user or any mechanisms provided in the device (1). Said control section (5c) may be any part on the apparatus (5) or a part of the apparatus (5) may be used to that end. In another embodiment of the invention, the device may be used as an integral automated beverage device with no base and connector. In such configuration, it is possible to automatically move the said apparatus (5) and the mounting interface (6) to which it is connected by means of a mechanism. Although the said apparatus (5) is preferably moved along a longitudinal axis (+Z, -Z) of the device (1), the apparatus (5) may be moved on different axes (i.e. transversal to the container base). The apparatus (5) has at least one conductive portion (5a) which, in use, ensures electrical conductivity between the conductive member (12) and the mounting interface (6) when the liquid

(II) that is being cooked increases in volume to overflow and/or foam and which is adjustable in a position and/or an angle with respect to the container base (16) depending on amount of the liquid mixture to be cooked. The conductive portion (5a) is made of at least one piece or material having electrical conductivity characteristic, and may have a structure that may or may not exhibit the characteristic of physically flexing or bending. On the other hand, a nonconducting portion (5b) may be formed of at least one piece or coating with no electrical conductivity characteristic, which may exhibit the characteristic of physically flexing or bending. In another embodiment of the invention, communication with the nonconducting portion (5b) may be enabled with an air gap to be formed between the apparatus and the liquid without using a piece or a coating. Referring to Figures 4a-4c, said apparatus (5) may be associated with the device (1) by means of an apparatus mounting interface (6). Said mounting structure may be magnetic or mechanic. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus mounting interface (6) is configured to be electrically connected with the apparatus but isolated from the other conductive member (12) of the circuit. In case the body assembly (2) to which the mounting interface (6) is connected is made of a conductive material, it is supposed that the mounting interface (6) is also electrically isolated from the body assembly (2). As it may be seen from Figure 4c, the apparatus housing (6a) on the apparatus mounting interface (6) is in contact with the conductive portion (5a) located on the apparatus (5), on at least one point.

At least one independent conductive portion (5a) on the apparatus (5) is positioned above the area where the liquid (11) or liquid mixture is disposed inside the container, as it may be seen from Figure 4a. During the cooking process, at the time of overflowing, the volume of the liquid (11) increases as compared to its initial state and the total liquid level (11a) rises so as to contact to the said conductive portion (5a). As it may be seen from Figure 4c, with said contact, the electrical circuit controlled by the electronic control card (9) is switched off or staged. After the circuit is switched off or staged, the electronic control card (9) assumes that it has reached to the instant of overflowing and changes operation of the heating assembly (8) and for example, heat emission of an existing film resistance is interrupted.

Based on the amount of the liquid (11) or liquid mixture inside the device (1), the position of the apparatus (5) can be changed and adjusted. The heating assembly (8) preferably has a film resistance and the apparatus (5) allows controlling of the film resistance by means of the electronic control card (9) based on the data received. Although a film resistance is mentioned herein, other heaters may also be used (i.e. as it is the case on induction ovens).

It is possible to use the said device (1) as a Turkish coffee machine, and due to its unique cooking style, it is quite important that Turkish coffee starts overflowing and accordingly to adjust the temperature. Similarly, it is also possible to use the device (1) as a milk cooking device, wherein said apparatus (5) may detect that the milk is cooked when it starts to foam and overflow. It is clear that the device (1) may especially be used with liquids that tend to overflow. Since the apparatus (5) according to the invention detects overflowing, a device (1) may be obtained with a wide range of use. Likewise, a soup making machine may also be considered in the framework of a device (1), wherein at the instant of overflowing, the heating assembly (8) of the system is interrupted or conditioned at the desired level with respect to the location where the apparatus (1) is positioned.

In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus in the device (1) designed as a Turkish coffee machine or a similar beverage machine may not entirely be retained in the container (2a). For example, the apparatus enters into the container at the time of cooking so as to position itself according to the liquid level, and at the time of service, it returns to its housing outside the container.

With reference to Figures 7a-7c, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, said device (1) may be used in a machine concept. In this case, the apparatus (5) retained by the machine immediately above the container (2a) designed to be portable is inserted into the container (2a) by means of a suitable motion mechanism (13), as shown in Figures 7b and 7c, so as to contact it to the liquid. It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the motion mechanism (13) may either be used with suitable gear elements or other mechanisms may be used to slide the apparatus into the container (2a) and to retract it back. According to the invention, the main feature is that the position and angle of the apparatus (5) retained by a mounting interface (6) can be changed with respect to the container base (16) depending on an amount of the liquid (11) or liquid mixture to be heated.

Said conductive member (12) may be associated with the heating assembly (8) in the machine version, or may be located on the mounting interface (6) holding the apparatus (5). In case the apparatus (5) has a conductive portion (5a) consisting of a single conductive line, said conductive member (12) is preferably located at the bottom of the container base (16). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said apparatus (5) may have a conductive portion (5a) consisting of multiple independent conductive lines, in which case the independent conductive line(s) on the apparatus (5) may be used as the conductive member (12). For instance, if there is a conductive piece outside of the apparatus (5) to which said conductive lines are contacted, said piece may also be referred to as the conductive member (12). In case necessary insulation is provided, this piece may be positioned such that it is located on the mounting interface (6).

In another embodiment of the invention, the automatic coffee machine provided as the device (1) may have a plurality of compartments therein. In that case, the container wherein the cooking process is performed is portable so that it is removed from the place where it is disposed non-integrally with the machine, as shown in Figures 7a-7c. Furthermore, such a configuration uses an assembly with a water-transferring mechanism. In this way, there still exists a container wherein the cooking process is performed, but the required water is contained in a water container (14) and transferred into the container (2a) by means of a suitable pump (15) and transferring members.

Figure 3c depicts an enlarged view of the apparatus housing (6a) by means of which the apparatus (5) is associated with the device body assembly (2), in particular to the container (2a). The apparatus (5) is retained by a magnetic member (6b) located in the apparatus housing (6a), particularly with its conductive portion (5a). Here, a magnet may be used as a magnetic member (6b) and the magnetic member (6b) may be eliminated so that the apparatus may be slidably moved into the said apparatus housing (6a). Again with reference to Figure 3c, the outer wall of the apparatus housing (6a) preferably in cylindrical form may be surrounded by a insulating member (6c) in a sealing manner. The apparatus housing (6a) is disposed on the container (2a) close to the upper region and may preferably be located close to the handle (4) where it is held by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said device (1) is placed on a base assembly (3) supplying the necessary electric energy, and a base section connector (10b) is provided inside the base assembly (3), which connects a container connector (10a) with the container (2a) forming the upper part of the device. In an automated version of the invention, the base and connector may be eliminated. The user can determine the level at which said apparatus (5) will be retained in the apparatus housing (6a). For example, the level of the conductive portion (5a) of the apparatus (5) inside the container (2a) may be adjusted at a higher or lower place according to the amount of the liquid (11) or liquid mixture. Thus, an adjustment may be made according to the amount to be cooked or cup-wise, and also the amount of the foam or cream to be produced at the end of the cooking process may be adjusted. With respect to Figures 5b and 5c, if it is desired to cook Turkish coffee for 4 people, the apparatus (5) is placed at a distance away from the container base (16), and if it desired to cook coffee for 1 person, it is inversely placed close to the container base (16) or the heating assembly (8). In this manner, the apparatus (5) is positioned at the optimum distance with respect to liquid (11) or liquid mixture of varying amount or cup number in order to maintain the foam produced by the cooking process at the desired level, and the system is activated at the ideal time to provide expected cooking quality. In Figures 7a-7c representing a machine version of the said device (1), the position of the apparatus (5) may be adjusted automatically with respect to the container base (16) or the angle thereof may be changed with respect to the container base (16).

The device (1) is suitable for use with a control part (7) in the form of an on/off button, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 depicts a view wherein the body assembly of the device (1) is not fitted to the base assembly (3), wherein in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container connector (10a) and corresponding container body are engaged in the base section connector (10b) in the base assembly (3) to provide connection.

In use, when it is reached to the instant of overflowing during the cooking process, the volume of the liquid (11) or liquid mixture being heated and placed in the container (2a) increases with respect to its original state. In this way, the total liquid level (11a) rises and contacts to the said conductive portion (5a), as a result of which the circuit is completed by the conductive member (12) and the heating assembly (8) controlled by the electronic control card (9) is stopped or operation thereof is changed. The apparatus (5) may automatically be lifted or lowered preferably along an axis Z, as shown in Figure 4b, by means of a mechanism that may generate motion, i.e. a motor suitable for being incorporated into the device. In an alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the necessary water transfer for coffee or the mixture to be cooked may either be performed by the user or it may be controlled by a pump or a valve. Furthermore, said liquid (11) to be cooked may be milk, coffee or soup so as to ensure electrical conductivity, so that various types of products may be cooked. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the heater may be located outside the container. Furthermore, a plurality of electronic control cards may be located inside the product.