HIGHLY FLEXIBLE COFFEEPOT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A COFFEE BASED BEVERAGE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a highly flexible coffeepot for the production of a coffee based beverage, in particular to a coffeepot for domestic or professional use working on a conventional gas or electric stove, or fed with electricity through a heater integrated directly at the base of the boiler.

In some types of coffeepots currently on the market it is possible to pour cold milk. into the coffee collecting reservoir before feeding heat energy to the boiler so that the coffee produced, mixing with the cold milk, can produce a blend of milk and coffee.

In such known types of coffeepots there is a pressurisation system that allows the produced coffee flow to be pressurised, so that it mixes energetically with the cold milk present in the reservoir, making foam.

The produced mixture however, does not have completely the same organoleptic characteristics as those of a conventional cappuccino, as it is mixed with cold milk.

Moreover, such known types of coffeepots do not allow a flexible adjustment of the frothing of the beverage according to needs .

The technical task proposed of the present invention is therefore, to make a coffeepot that allows the technical drawbacks of the prior art to be eliminated.

In this technical task an object of the invention is to make a highly flexible coffeepot able to prepare both coffee and cappuccino as well as milk coffee always with optimal organoleptic characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to make a coffeepot that allows the frothing of the produced beverage to be adjusted.

Last but not least object of this invention is to make an ergonomic simple and easy to use coffeepot .

The technical task, as well as these and other objects, according to the present invention are accomplished by making a coffeepot according to claim 1.

Other characteristics of the present invention are defined, moreover, in the subsequent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become clearer from the description of a preferred but nonexclusive embodiment of the coffeepot according to the finding, illustrated for indicating and not limiting purposes in the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a axial side elevation section view of a coffeepot in accordance with a first preferred mode of making the present finding;

figure 2 is a plan view of the coffeepot of figure 1 sectioned along the plane 2-2; figures 3 and 4 represent a detail in section of the coffeepot of figure 1, related to the steam pressurising valve in a respectively closed and open position; figures 5 and 6 represent a different preferred embodiment of the steam pressurising valve of a coffeepot in accordance with the present finding, illustrated in section and in a respectively closed and open position; figure 7 shows a perspective view of a coffeepot in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present finding; figure 8 shows a plan view of the coffeepot of figure 7; figure 9 shows a top elevation view of the coffeepot of figure 7; figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the coffeepot of figure 7; figure 11 shows a view of the coffeepot sectioned along the line A-A of figure 8; and figure 12 shows a view of the coffeepot sectioned along the line B-B of figure 8.

With reference to figures 1-6, a coffeepot is shown, wholly indicated with reference numeral 1.

The boiler 2 of the coffeepot 1 has an outer casing having an upper fill opening, and means for dividing the space inside of

the outer casing into a first and second water containment chamber 3 and 8 that open onto the fill opening so as to give access inside them.

One of the first and second chamber 3 and 8 is in communication through the fill opening of the outer casing of the boiler 2 with a first hydraulic line for the production of a coffee infusion, whereas the other is in communication, again through the fill opening of the outer casing of the boiler 2, with a second hydraulic line having valve pressurisation means for the production of pressurised steam.

The outer casing in particular comprises a base 27 and a side wall 35 that defines the aforementioned fill opening on top.

The dividing means comprise a containment body 28 that extends from the base 27.

The containment body 28 defines the first chamber 3 inside of it while the second chamber 8 is defined by the gap comprised between the containment body 28 and the side wall 35 of the outer casing of the boiler 2.

In particular the first chamber 3 is adapted for heating the water for the infusion of a dose of coffee present in a filter holder cup 4 positioned inside of it.

The boiler 2 engages with a reservoir 5 for collecting the beverage, with the interposition of the filter holder cup 4.

The first and second hydraulic lines are integrated in the reservoir 5.

The first hydraulic line comprises a chimney conduit 7 that extends from the centre of the base 6 of the reservoir 5. The chimney conduit 7 puts the first chamber 3 of the boiler 2 in communication with the reservoir 5.

The reservoir 5 extends with a threaded portion 30 for coupling with a counterthreaded portion 31 of the boiler 2 with the interposition of a flat gasket 32.

The second chamber 8 is used for the production of steam adapted for heating an amount of milk, present in the reservoir 5.

The second hydraulic line comprises a tubular duct 9 that extends along the inner side wall 40 of the reservoir 5.

The boiler 2 and/or the reservoir 5 also define at least one dome 33 for the expansion of the steam produced in the second chamber 8.

In the case illustrated the dome 33 has a portion formed in the boiler 2 and a portion formed in the reservoir 5 communicating with each other through holes 34 of the flat gasket 32 and holes 36 of the filter holder cup 4.

Of course the expansion dome 33 communicates on one side with the second chamber 8 and on the other with the duct 9.

The first chamber 3 and the second chamber 8 are kept hermetically separated from each other, in particular thanks to the gasket 32 and to a gasket 37 that lock themselves on opposite sides of the upper flanged edge of the filter holder

cup 4 and that are in turn locked between the reservoir 5 and the boiler 2.

The second chamber 8 has a smaller volume than the first chamber 3, and extends along at least a portion of the outer perimeter of said first chamber.

In particular the second chamber 8 has a substantially C- shaped configuration circumscribing the first chamber 3.

The steam pressurising means are integrated in the duct 9.

With reference to figures 1, 3 and 4, such pressurising means comprise a valve body 10 having a cavity 11 with a steam inlet 12 and a steam outlet 13.

The inlet 12 is connected in a sealed manner, by the gasket 41, to the duct 9, whereas the outlet 13 is in communication with reservoir 5.

Inside the cavity 11 there is a shutter 14, able to translate between a position to open and a position to close the communication between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13.

The cavity 11 has a main axis 15 along which the shutter 14 translates .

The inlet 12 engages in the wall of the lower base of the cavity 11 parallel to the axis 15 while the outlet 13 engages in the side wall of the cavity 11 perpendicular to the axis 15.

The shutter 14 carries an associated magnetic or ferromagnetic element 16, adapted for magnetic interaction with a first or second stop element 17 and 18 fixed to the opposite

bases of the cavity 11 of the valve body 10.

The stop elements 17 and 18 are adapted for selectively- locking the shutter 14 in the open or closed position.

In this particular case the element 16 is a magnet whereas the first and second stops 17 and 18 consist of washers made from ferromagnetic material .

The shutter 14 has a stem 22 that extends outside of the valve body 10 through the upper base of the cavity 11, which stem 22 carries a button 23 on top of it for resetting the shutter from an open to a closed position.

We shall now refer to the embodiment of the steam pressurisation means illustrated in figures 5 and 6.

Parts that are equivalent to the embodiment described above shall be indicated with the same reference numerals.

The pressurisation means once again comprise a valve body 10 having a cavity 11 having a steam inlet 12 and outlet 13.

The inlet 12 is connected to the duct 9, whereas the outlet 13 is in communication with the reservoir 5.

Inside of the cavity 11 a shutter 14 is able to translate between a position opening and closing the communication between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13.

The cavity 11 has a main axis 15 along which the shutter 14 translates.

The inlet 12 engages in the wall of the lower base of the cavity 11 parallel to the axis 15 whereas the outlet 13 engages

in the side wall of the cavity 11 perpendicular to the axis 15.

In this case however, the shutter 14 carries a calibrated weight 19 adapted for keeping it pressed in a closed position.

In particular the shutter 14 has a stem 22, which extends outside of the valve body 10 through the upper base of the cavity 11, which stem 22 carries the calibrated weight 19 on top of it.

An element 20 for stopping the shutter in an open position is provided, preferably consisting of a gasket fitted onto the shutter 14 and able to be pressure locked in a corresponding locking seat 21 formed in the cavity 11 of the valve body 10.

We shall now refer once again to both the embodiments of the finding.

A nozzle 24, directed towards the base of the reservoir 5, is connected to the outlet 13 through a fitting 42.

The nozzle 24 has one or more air intake openings 25 positioned above the maximum level reachable by the beverage in the reservoir 5 and adapted for determining the frothing of the milk in the reservoir 5.

In the illustrated case the nozzle 24 is fixedly carried by the valve body 10.

Alternatively the nozzle 24 can provide an operative connection with the valve body 10 between at least an open and closed position respectively, of the intake openings 25 to allow or to prevent the frothing.

For example the nozzle 24 has a completely closed position of the openings 25 and a plurality of open positions each providing a different overall intake section, greater according to how much foam is desired.

The closure of the openings 25 can be determined by suitable portions of the valve body 10 that, at certain relative positions between the nozzle 24 and the valve body 10, overlap and block them.

The pressurising valve, irrespective of the constructive solution adopted, is applied to the coffeepot in an extractable way so that it can be inspected and cleaned.

In particular snap means can be provided to attach the pressurising valve into its seat.

The coffeepot 1 is preferably but not necessarily electric.

It therefore has and electrical power supplied heating means for the heating of the boiler 2.

The heating means comprise at least a first electrical resistance 26 incorporated in the base 27 of the boiler 2, which distributes heat power to the two chambers 3 and 8 so as to obtain the vaporisation of the water in the second chamber 8 before the water in the first chamber 3 boils.

The first electrical resistance 26 in the case illustrated is substantially at the wall 28 for separating the chambers 3 and 8.

To increase the fraction of heat power delivered to the

second chamber 8, the base 27 of the boiler 2 has fins 29 that penetrate towards the inside of the chamber 8.

In a different embodiment, it can be provided a first electric resistance directly facing the first chamber 3 and a second electric resistance directly facing the second chamber 8.

Preferably the water in the first chamber 3 of the boiler 2, is contained in a cup 38 in which the filter holder cup 4 is placed.

The presence of the cup 38 together with the presence of an air chamber 39 between the cup 38 itself and the first chamber 3, creates a barrier to the transmission of the heat energy generated by the electric resistance 26 that allows the boiling of the water present in the first chamber 2 to be delayed until the water present in the second chamber 8 has evaporated.

The process for producing a cappuccino is clear from what has been described and illustrated and, in particular, is substantially the following.

First of all the reservoir 5 is filled with cold milk up to at least the minimum level in which the outlet of the nozzle 24 is beneath the free surface of the milk.

Thereafter the boiler 2 is activated, starting to heat chambers 3 and 8, making the water contained in the chamber 8 vaporise before bringing the water contained in the chamber 3 to boil, so as to heat the milk before it is mixed with the coffee infusion, as occurs for the preparation of conventional

cappuccino .

The nozzle 24 is in the position that corresponds to the opening of the air intake openings 25: the depression that is created when the steam passes inside the nozzle 24 takes in an amount of air, through the openings 25, which joins together with the steam generating a flow that heats and froths the cold milk contained in the reservoir 5.

Only later, when the water in chamber 3 is boiling, do the percolation, through the filter holder cup, and the formation of a coffee infusion, that travels up through the chimney conduit 7 and pours into the reservoir 5 mixing with the heated and frothed milk, begin.

In the solution in which the adjustment of the frothing is provided, the nozzle 24 can be taken into a position in which the openings 25 remain at least partially closed.

With reference to the embodiment of figures 3 and 4, during the heating of the second chamber 8, the increasing pressure of the steam that continues to form inside of it generates an increasing opening force of the shutter 14, initially overcome by the magnetic force, acting in the opposite direction, with which the stop 18 locks the shutter 14 in closed position.

When the opening force exceeds the closing force, the shutter 14 snaps towards the open position that it maintains through the effect of the magnetic force that the stop 17 now exerts upon it. This allows a regular inflow of pressurised steam towards

the nozzle 24, and from it to the reservoir 5. After its use, the resetting of the shutter 14 to the closed position can be achieved by pushing the button 23.

On the other hand, with reference to the embodiment of figures 5 and 6, during the heating of the second chamber 8, the increasing pressure of steam that continues to form inside, generates an increasing opening force of the shutter 14, initially overcome by the weight of the calibrated weight 19. When the opening force is greater than the weight of the calibrated weight 19, the shutter 14 rises towards the open position that it maintains by the effect of the engagement of the gasket 20 in the locking seat 21. This allows a regular inflow of pressurised steam towards the nozzle 24, and from it to the reservoir 5. After use, the resetting of the shutter 14 to the closed position can be achieved by pushing on the calibrated weight 19. We shall now refer to figures 7-12, in which a coffeepot is shown, wholly indicated with the reference numeral 100.

The boiler 101 has an outer casing with an upper fill opening and means for dividing the space inside of the outer casing into a first and second water containment chamber 103 and 105 that open onto the fill opening so as to give access inside them.

One of the first and second chamber 103 and 105 is in communication through the fill opening of the outer casing of the boiler 101, with a first hydraulic line for the production

of a coffee infusion, while the other is in communication, again through the fill opening of the outer casing of the boiler 101, with a second hydraulic line having valve pressurisation means for the production of pressurised steam.

The outer casing in particular comprises a base 150 and a side wall 104 that defines the aforementioned fill opening on top.

The dividing means comprise a containment body 102 that extends from the base 150.

The containment body 102 defines the first chamber 103 inside of it, whereas the second chamber 105 is defined by the gap between the containment body 102 and the side wall 104 of the outer casing of the boiler 101.

In particular the perimetric edge 106 of the top of the containment element 102 defines the access point to the first chamber 103 whereas the access point to the second chamber 105 is defined between the perimetric edge 106 of the top of the containment element 102 and the perimetric edge 107 of the top of the side wall 104 of the outer casing of the boiler 101.

In the illustrated case the containment element 102 is formed in a single piece with the base 150 of the casing of the boiler 101.

In the case illustrated the first chamber 103 is adapted for heating the infusion water of a dose of coffee present in a filter holder cup 108 positioned inside of it.

In particular the filter holder cup 108 has a perimetric flange 114 on top that rests on the top edge of the containment element 102.

The second hydraulic circuit has means for mixing the pressurised steam with air and with milk contained in a suitable milk container 109.

The mixing means comprise a Venturi tube 110 connected to the outlet of the pressurisation means.

The second hydraulic circuit also has a channel -shaped support 111 that supports the Venturi tube 110, as well as other components, as will be specified later.

The Venturi tube 110 has an air intake opening 112 and an opening 113 for intaking milk from the container 109.

A shaped straw 136 that picks up milk from the container 109 is connected to the milk intake opening 113.

On the other hand, the air intake opening 112 is connected to a tubular air conveyor 137 having a sliding stem 138 inside of it for adjusting the air intake port. The passage port of the air conveyor 137 is continuously or discretely adjustable between a closed condition, to stop the frothing of the beverage, and a fully open condition to maximise the frothing of the beverage .

A closing lid 115 is removably applied, for example screwed to the top of the boiler 101.

The closing lid 115 carries a shaped partition 116 inside of

it that hermetically separates the first chamber 103 from the second chamber 105 through a gasket 117.

The second hydraulic line also has a steam gathering dome 118 that the partition 116 defines inside of the closing lid 115.

The closing lid 115 carries an integrated fitting 120 between a first hole 119 of the partition 116 and a first dispenser 121.

A second single-path or multi -path dispenser 135, on the other hand is associated to the outlet of the Venturi tube 110.

The hole 119 puts the first chamber 103 into communication with the first dispenser 121 through the fitting 120.

The first dispenser 121 has one or more outlets for the dispensing of coffee to one or more cups 122.

The partition 116 has one or more second holes 123 that connect the second chamber 105 to the dome 118.

The closing lid 115 also has a hole 124 for taking in steam from the dome 118.

The channel-shaped support 111 is connected to the hole 124, preferably as illustrated through a fast coupling connecting system, to feed steam to the Venturi tube 110.

The valve pressurisation means, positioned between the hole 124 for intaking steam and the inlet of the Venturi tube 110, comprise a valve body 125 inside of which a shaft 126, carrying a shutter 127, is able to translate between a lowered closed position and a raised open position for the passage of steam from the dome 118 to the Venturi tube 110.

A gasket 128, adapted for engaging by friction in a throat 129 of the valve body 125, is fitted on the shaft 126. In this way the shutter 127 can be held in the open position.

The possibility of removing the channel -shaped support 111 from the closing lid 115 allows an easy inspection and cleaning both of the steam pressurisation means and of the Venturi tube 110.

The shaft 126 extends outside of the valve body 125 and carries a button 130 on top for resetting the shutter 127 in the closed position.

The milk recipient 109 is associated with the closing element 115 by simply resting on it and in particular has a hollow central relief 132 that rises from its bottom.

The cavity of the relief 132 has a matching centring element 133 engaged in it that covers the top of the closing element 115.

A recess 134 of a shape matching the channel -shaped support 111 that is housed inside of it is formed at the top of the relief 132.

The channel -shaped support 111 is connected to the hole 124 passing through an opening of the recess 134 and an opening of the corresponding element 133.

The milk recipient 109 is therefore kept in position automatically when the channel -shaped support 111 is connected to the hole 124.

The base 150 of the boiler 101 is firmly associated with a box-shaped support 139 intended to contain the control electronics of the coffeepot 100.

The coffeepot 100 and cups 122 are placed on a tray 140 having a socket 141 for the electric power supply of the coffeepot 100.

The coffeepot 100 is preferably electric, and the heating means of the boiler 101 comprise an electric resistance 142 positioned between the base 150 of the boiler 101 and the box- shaped support 139.

The position of the electric resistance 142 is such as to ensure the desired distribution of heat power between the two chambers 103 and 105.

The process for producing a cappuccino is clear from what has been described and illustrated and, in particular, is substantially the following.

Upon the activation command of the coffeepot 100, the boiler 101 begins to heat chambers 103 and 105, to make the water contained in chamber 105 vaporise and, substantially at the same time, to bring the water contained in chamber 103 to boil.

The boiling water produced by the heating chamber 103 comes up through the filter holder creating the infusion with the dose of coffee contained inside of it, travels through the dispenser 121 and pours into the cups 122.

The shutter 127 of the valve body 125 is initially in the

closed position through the effect of its own weight.

When the pressure of the steam generated by the evaporation chamber 105 generates a thrust force on the shutter 127 substantially greater than its weight, it lifts, opening the steam passage from the dome 118 to the Venturi tube 110.

During the lifting of the shutter 127, the gasket 128 engages by friction in the throat 129 of the valve body 125 thus holding the shutter 127 in the open position.

The Venturi tube 110 creates a depressurisation of the steam that sucks air from the atmosphere through the air intake route 112 and milk from the recipient 109 through the intake route 113.

The amount of air taken in depends on the adjustment of the position of the stem 138 in the conveyor 137.

The milk heated by the steam and emulsified with air, passes through the dispenser 135 from which it comes out pouring into the cups 122.

One of the most advantageous aspects of the invention consists of the fact that the milk and coffee circuits are completely independent from each other.

It is thus possible to heat the milk and to possibly emulsify it with air to the desired condition in an extremely easy way before mixing it already warm with the coffee, obtaining a beverage with optimal organoleptic characteristics.

The coffeepot, thus conceived can undergo numerous

modifications and variants, all of which are within the inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to needs and state of the art .