Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hot beverage preparing device.

Background of the Invention

Hot beverage preparing devices are used for preparing beverages such as Turkish coffee, filtered coffee and tea. By using the said devices, hot beverages could be prepared in a quick and practical manner. Nowadays, the devices used for preparing tea and coffee are often preferred for household and office use. Users need to purchase different devices for preparing different types of beverages. Purchased devices occupy space on the kitchen counters, on which they are located. These devices occupy quite a lot of space in the houses, offices and kitchens, which are becoming smaller due to the ever-changing living conditions.

Additionally, the necessity to buy different devices for different beverages brings along an economical burden to the user. Consequently, there is a need a hot beverage preparing device, which can prepare different types of beverages, which enables saving energy, water and time by being able to prepare said beverages in small amounts for a person, and which occupies less space in the area it is located.

In order to prepare Turkish coffee, materials placed inside a cooking chamber are heated. In order to prepare filtered coffee, hot water is passed through coffee that is placed in a filter. Since the preparation methods are different, a structure that is suitable to prepare filtered coffee might not be suitable for preparing Turkish coffee.

Patent document numbered TR2021010799, in the state of the art, discloses a hot beverage preparing device that can be used for preparing both Turkish coffee and filtered coffee. In the said document, the cooking chamber has the function of both a chamber for preparing Turkish coffee, and a carafe for keeping the filtered coffee hot. However, when the said chamber is not in its place, the water dripping from the nozzle might reach the connector that is located on the bottom of the receptacle, and that might cause electrical problems such as short circuits.

Consequently, a hot beverage preparing device is where the dripping of water to the connector is prevented, is needed.

Objects of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide a hot beverage preparing device that can prepare different types of beverages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hot beverage preparing device wherein water dripping on the connector is prevented.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The hot beverage preparing device in order to fulfill the objects of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1. A view of the inventive hot beverage preparing device in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2. A view of the rotatable platform of the inventive hot beverage preparing device, in its open state, in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3. A view of the placement of the cooking chamber on the rotatable platform, in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4. A view of the rotatable platform of the inventive hot beverage preparing device, in its closed state, in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5. A view of the placement of the carafe in an embodiment of the invention.

Elements shown in the figures are individually numbered, and the correspondence of these numbers are given as follows: 1. Hot beverage preparing device

2. Body

21. Recess

3. Liquid outlet

4. Connector

5. Rotatable platform

51. Flap

6. Heating plate

H. Cooking chamber

K. Carafe

The inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises; at least one body (2) having at least one cavity suitable for a cooking chamber (H) or a carafe (K) to be separably placed inside, at least one liquid outlet (3) for the prepared beverage or water to be transferred into the cooking chamber (H) or carafe (K), at least one rotatable platform (5) rotatable about an axis on the body (2), the rotatable platform (5) having at least one heating plate (6) for warming up or keeping hot the carafe, or, at least one connector (4) which is suitable to be separably connected to a connector counterpart of the cooking chamber (H) in order to supply said cooking chamber (H) its electrical needs.

In the following parts of the specifications, the cooking chamber (H) or the carafe (K) might also be referred to as chamber.

The inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one body (2) having at least one space suitable for a cooking chamber (H) or a carafe (K) to be separably placed inside. The user might place the cooking chamber (H) or the carafe (K) into the said space, according to the type of the beverage they wish to prepare. The shape of the body (2) might be thought as a cube having one side open. However, it is possible for the body (2) to have any other shape such as a polygonal prism or a cylinder. In addition to this, the space and the body (2) do not need to have similar shapes. For example, the space might have an oval cross section while the body (2) has a general shape of a rectangular prism, or, the space might be a rectangular prism while the body (2) has an oval cross section.

The inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one liquid outlet (3) which enables transferring, according to the type of beverage the user wants to prepare, cold (non-heated) water, hot (heated) water or prepared beverage into the chamber. For example, in the case that the user wishes to prepare Turkish coffee, cold water could be passed from the liquid output (3) into the cooking chamber (H). In another example, in the case that the user wishes to prepare filtered coffee, the filtered coffee that is prepared in a separate compartment of the hot beverage preparing device (1) which enables preparing filtered coffee, might be transferred into the carafe (K) via the liquid output (3). In yet another example, in the case that the user wishes to prepare tea, the water heated by the hot beverage preparing device (1) into the carafe (K) which has tea leaves inside, via the said liquid output (3).

The cooking chamber (H) might meet its electricity needs through a connector counterpart it has.

Rotatable platform (5) is located between the base of the cavity of the body (2) and the liquid outlet (3).

The rotatable platform (5) has at least two positions, the positions being open and closed positions. The open position is the position of the rotatable platform (5) wherein the carafe (K) or the cooking chamber (H) might be placed thereupon (Figure 2). In other words, this position is the position wherein the rotatable platform (5) is essentially parallel to the base of the cavity. The closed position is the position of the rotatable platform (5) which is not suitable for the carafe (K) or the cooking chamber (H) to be placed thereupon (Figure 4). The closed position, for example, is a position where the rotatable platform (5) abuts the side wall of the cavity.

In an embodiment of the invention, the connector (4) is located on the body (2), and preferably inside said cavity of the body (2). The cooking chamber (H) might be placed such that the connector counterpart might be separably connected to the connector (4) electrically. When the cooking chamber (H) is connected, the electrical energy needed by the cooking chamber (H) is provided by the hot beverage preparing device (1) via the said connector (4). The connector (4) is preferably located on the base of the cavity. However, it is also possible for the connector (4) to be located on any one of the side walls of the said cavity. In this embodiment, the heating plate (6) is located on the rotatable platform (5). In this embodiment, the rotatable platform (5), in its open position, prevents liquids from dripping onto the connector (4). For example, the water dripping from the liquid outlet (3) while preparing filtered coffee drips onto the rotatable platform (5) which is located over the connector (4). The power transfer to the heating plate (6) might be enabled by separably and electrically connecting a connector counterpart that is placed on the rotatable platform (5) to the connector (4), or by direct electrical connections to the heating plate (6).

In another embodiment of the invention, the connector (4) is located on the rotatable platform (5) such that in the open position of the rotatable platform (5), the connector counterpart of the cooking chamber (H) could be connected. When the cooking chamber (H) is placed on the rotatable platform (5), the connector counterpart is separably and electrically connected to the connector (4). When the cooking chamber (H) is connected, the electrical energy needed by the cooking chamber (H) is provided by the hot beverage preparing device (1) via the said connector (4). In this embodiment, the heating plate (6) is located on the base of the said cavity of the body (2). In this embodiment, since the rotatable platform (5) and thus the connector (4) would be brought to the closed position, the liquids dripping from the liquid outlet (3) could not reach the connector (4). Said connector (4) and connector counterpart could, for example, be a plug-socket having a male and female configuration, or a pin-contact structure, however it is not limited to these examples.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the body (2) comprises at least one recess (21) into which the rotatable platform (5) at least partially enters in its closed position. By this, the projection of the rotatable platform (5), in its closed position, into the cavity of the body (2) is reduced. In this embodiment, the axis about which the rotatable platform (5) rotates is preferably located inside the recess (21). Additionally, the recess (21) might have a shape such that the connector might also enter into. By this, the protrusion formed on the rotatable platform (5) by the connector (4) is also compensated for.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the rotatable platform (5) comprises at least one flap (51) providing a holding are for the user such that they can move the rotatable platform (5) easily. The flap (51) preferably lies such that it moves farther from the rotatable platform (5) and closer to the user. The user might enable the rotatable platform (5) to rotate about its rotation axis by exerting a force on the said flap (51). The flap (51) additionally provides the user with a secure holding area which is at a sufficient distance from the heating plate (6). By this, when the user touches the said flap (51), the hand of the user does not burn. In here, a distance at which the hand of the user does not burn is defined as a sufficient distance.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, recess (21) and/or the rotatable platform (5) comprise at least one opening and/or at least one guide for discharging the liquid that drips on the rotatable platform (5), or that drips on the recess (21) when the rotatable platform (5) is brought to its closed position.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one fastening means for releasably holding the rotatable platform (5) at its opened position or in its closed position. The fastening means might be any fastening means such as a latch located on the rotatable platform (5) and a mortise located on the said body (2) in which the latch can enter, or magnets located on the rotatable platform (5) and the body (2). Additionally, the hot beverage preparing device (1) might comprise a releasing means for releasing the rotatable platform (5). The releasing means might, for example, be a releasing means which disengages said latch from said mortise.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the body (2) comprises at least one detection means for detecting if the cooking chamber (H) is connected to the connector (4) or not. By this, for example, when no cooking chamber (H) is placed on the connector (4), the connector (4) might be prevented from being energized and/or when a cooking chamber (H) is placed on the connector (4) selections on a user interface might be enabled.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one detection unit (not shown) for detecting at least one of the positions at which the rotatable platform (5) is located. The detection unit, for example, is suitable for detecting when the rotatable platform (5) is at its open position and/or at its closed position. For example, the detection unit might be a switch such as a microswitch. Sensors such as potentiometer, encoder or proximity sensors might also be used as the detection unit, however not limited to these examples. Said detection unit might directly be used for cutting power of or supplying power to the heating plate (6) and/or the connector (4), or, the detection unit might provide data to a control unit.

Said microswitch, for example, could be placed such that it changes its state when the rotatable platform (5) is brought to its open position. By this, the output given by the detection unit in the open position of the rotatable platform (5) and other positions thereof differ from each other.

In another example, said microswitch could be placed such that it changes its state when the rotatable platform (5) is brought to its closed position. By this, the output given by the detection unit in the closed position of the rotatable platform (5) and other positions thereof differ from each other.

In yet another example, both a microswitch positioned so as to change its state in the open position of the rotatable platform (5) and a microswitch positioned so as to change its state in the closed position of the rotatable platform (5) could be used. By this, even if one of the microswitches stops functioning, the hot beverage preparing device (1) could carry on working.

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one input interface for enabling the user to select the beverage they want to prepare. Said input interface might comprise physical or tactile buttons assigned for each of the beverages that could be prepared, or it might comprise buttons for navigating a menu which shows to the user options relating to said beverages, and for making a selection therein, or it might comprise a rotary switch for navigating inside said menu and another button that is separate from said rotary switch or integrated to said rotary switch for making the selection, how ever not limited to these examples. In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) comprises at least one control unit that is adapted to receive data from the detection unit, and cut the power of or provide power to the heating plate (6) and/or to the connector (4), directly or via a driving circuit, in accordance with said data. The control unit, for example, might cut the power of the heating plate (6) in the closed position of the rotatable platform (5), and it might provide power to the heating plate (6) and/or to the connector (4) in the open position of the rotatable platform (5).

In an embodiment of the invention usable with the other embodiments, the control unit is adapted to receive data from the detection unit for detecting the position of the rotatable platform (5) and/or the detection means for detecting the presence of the cooking chamber (H), to change the options that the user could select on the input unit in accordance with said data, and cut the power of or provide power to the heating plate (6) and/or to the connector, directly or via a driving circuit, in accordance with the selection made by the user. For example, the control unit might activate the options towards the preparation of the beverages that are to be transferred to the carafe (K), such as filtered coffee, in the open position of the rotatable platform (5), and makes the other options that can only be prepared in the cooking chamber (H) passive. While, in the closed position of the rotatable platform (5) it activates the options towards the beverages that are to be prepared inside the cooking chamber (H), such as Turkish coffee or milk, and makes the other options that can only be prepared in the carafe (K) passive. In here, the word activation might define showing an option on a screen, or illuminating a button relating to this option. In any case that said selection is taken by the control unit and the preparation of the beverage regarding this selection is commenced, it can be said that the selection (option) is active. The word making passive might define not showing an option on a screen, showing the option differently from the active options or not illuminating the button relating to this option. In any case that said selection is ignored, and the preparation of the beverage regarding this selection is not commenced, it can be said that the selection (option) is passive. This also includes the case that the user sends information to the control unit by pressing a button, and this data is ignored by the control unit.

The inventive hot beverage preparing device (1) might be used for preparing beverages such as Turkish coffee, filtered coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc., for heating milk or water, however it is not limited to these examples.