JPH01171514A - Decanter made of plastic - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To increase heating efficiency between a hot plate and a decanter, by placing a prescribed amount of coffee at apart nearer to the hot plate and making the bottom of the decanter to be nearer to the hot plate. CONSTITUTION: A wide bottom part 14 to store coffee and an inward tilting side wall continued to a part 100 with a short radius of curvature as the end are equipped on this decanter device 10. An extended lip part 104 to orient poured coffee is formed on a coffee pouring device. A floating part 12 to pass coffee is equipped on a device 18 to close the decanter device 10, a retainer skirt part 132 to attach the floating part is equipped in the pouring device, and a handle 106 to detach from the pouring device and a drain hole 128 to accept coffee grain drops from a coffee blender are equipped. The diameter of the bottom part is selected so that the bottom part can approach and fit with a deep dent structure of the hot plate 12. As the result, heating efficiency between the hot plate and the decanter is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to coffee brewing systems, and more particularly to a brewing decanter of the current wide-bottom design adapted for low temperature controlled warming.

In the past, coffee makers typically used decanters made of either glass, metal, or a combination of materials. Both glass and metal have high heat transfer coefficients, resulting in significant heat loss through the walls of the decanter.

As a result of such high heat losses, it is necessary to maintain a relatively high temperature on the warmer element in order to keep the coffee at a sufficiently high temperature for the drinker.

Plastic decanters are also conventionally used for coffee brewing machines. Because Plus Thousand Link has a lower heat transfer coefficient, it is more desirable than the aforementioned materials as a material for minimizing heat loss through the side walls of the decanter. However, the rate of heat transfer from the relatively flat warmer through the bottom of the decanter is much lower than with glass or metal decanters.

Because traditional plastic decanters exhibit a high resistance to heat conducted through the bottom wall of the plastic decanter, the heating plate temperature required to keep the coffee at the desired temperature is limited by the angle Y inside the plastic decanter. (transforming or deforming). Furthermore, heating the coffee to such high temperatures in a limited area closely adjacent to the bottom wall adversely affects the flavor of the coffee. Therefore, it is necessary to have a coffee heating plate and a cooperating relatively large heating surface with a low heat transfer coefficient to provide efficient heat transfer between each other.

Moreover, because most conventional decanters do not include a cover or a lid, the spout of the decanter is exposed to the surrounding air when the decanter is filled with hot coffee and stores a quantity of coffee. As a result, a significant amount of heat escapes from the coffee into the ambient airflow circulating through the decanter spout opening. These heat losses are increased when the coffee brewer is exposed to airflow within an air-conditioned room or office building. The steam escaping from the open spout of the decanter carries with it aromas and flavors, causing the coffee to lose its freshness and become bitter after as long as 30 minutes.

Traditionally, it was used as a cooling tip to keep the coffee decanter in its center and release heat to the atmosphere.

It has been common practice to manufacture coffee brewing machines with a plurality of heating plates having operative upwardly directed or scored peripheral rims. This design helps maintain the adjacent peripheral walls of the warming plate in a relatively cool condition. The surface adjacent to the heating plate and heating element is a “warming deck”
It is called.

-C, the upwardly scored peripheral rim of the warming plate does not make physical contact with the warming plate, but forms a slot between them to increase the surface temperature of the warming plate to 125-130'F. (51,7~
54.4°C). Such requirements are related to safety, for example in the Llnderwri-Lers Laboratory.
must be satisfied before approval can be obtained from an independent testing laboratory such as a laboratory.

However, such heating plates are generally shallow and not designed to fit closely with the decanter to create a sufficiently high rate of heat exchange between them to permit the use of plastic decanters. do not have.

Coffee brewing machines conventionally include an upwardly directed ring portion that includes a pitcher or decanter disposed on a metal warming plate and in which the bottom of the pitcher is closely received. The heating element is disposed within a heating passageway mounted on the underside of the warming plate. Preferably, the pitcher has a nodle and a spout, and the bottom of the pitcher is a plate made of aluminum or other metal with high thermal conductivity. The plate is baked and sealed to prevent leakage, while the bottom of the jug is configured to seat closely within the warming plate ring. The flat underside of the water bottle is configured to sit flat on top of the flat surface of the heating plate and fit into the water plate ring within the water plate ring, making maximum contact with the heating plate. Provide surface area contact.

Decanter i-solids, which combine a plastic upper section with a thin-walled metal lower section, have also been developed to overcome the safety problems involved with glass decanters.

A common problem is that empty glass decanters are left on the heating plate. The general result of this is that the bottom glass surface heats up faster, thereby causing thermal expansion and loss of tempering of the glass. A weakened bottom of a glass decanter may fail after thermal expansion and loss of tempering of the glass occurs. However, the weakened bottom of a glass decanter can also break and separate from the body of the decanter after a period of time when the decanter is soaked with coffee. While eliminating some of the hazards associated with glass decanters, the metal bottom of plastic-metal decanters actually accelerates the conduction of heat and improves the flavor of your coffee. Decrease quickly.

Traditionally, it is generally not recommended to place plastic decanters on warmers due to their relatively low heat transfer coefficients. It has been believed that the plastic bottom will melt when placed on a plate having a sufficiently high temperature to maintain the quantity of coffee at the desired temperature. Typically, the warming plate is a flat unit mounted flat with a slight concavity, such as a shallow dish, to loosely receive the bottom of the decanter. Because of this construction, airflow over the heating plate results in additional heat loss from the bottom of the decanter and from the surface of the heating plate.

Therefore, the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating plate to the decanter is reduced.

-C, coffee must be maintained at an optimal temperature to create the proper flavor and taste.

This optimum temperature is typically 180°F (82,2°C
).

Due to the heat loss and poor heat conduction that occurs in existing coffee makers, the heating plate has a temperature of 350° to 400° below (176,7 to 204,4°C) to keep the coffee at the desired temperature.
) is often necessary. This creates a hot spot at the bottom of the decanter when the bottom comes into contact with the heating element. This further impairs the flavor of the coffee and spreads it as it circulates throughout the decanter due to thermal convection caused by the temperature gradient.

This hot spot problem is exacerbated if the heating plate is made of a material with relatively low thermal conductivity. Due to the material used in the construction of the heating plate, the heat generated by the heating element is not evenly distributed across the bottom of the decanter. On the contrary, heat is generated in the area directly adjacent to the heating coil arranged on the underside of the heating plate. This problem further causes a temperature gradient that detracts from the flavor of the coffee.

In an effort to solve this overheating problem, it has been proposed that coffee warmers use a water container to maintain the water temperature at about 200° C. below (93.3° C.).

In theory, this is because the stored heat is dissipated to the coffee in the decanter by convective heat transfer.

below 200°C (93,3°C) in a water container or Jaquent.
) will maintain the coffee temperature at the desired level. However, the use of glass decanters in such coffee warmers dissipated heat into the atmosphere at such a rate that the temperature of the coffee dropped below a palatable level.

Furthermore, coffee decanters conveyed in plastic material are known for use in microwave coffee makers. For example, coffee brewing machines that make coffee by the conventional dip method include a water container that includes a heat-controlled valve that is configured to open at a predetermined temperature. The thermally controlled valve is heated by water in a water container, which is subjected to microwave radiation to cause water to flow from the container through the coffee grains in a film located on the underside of the valve. In this case, the choice of plastic material for the decanter is determined by its microwave transparency and not by its thermal insulation properties.

In general, Arthur L.
.

5toner), Pending Application No. 06/946,862, December 26, 1986, rcOFFEE
MAKER revenge II PLASTIC DECANT
ERAND[,OW T[iMPERATIIR
E WAR ING Pl, ATE.

Conventional decanters, including the decanter described in , have outwardly extending sides. Conventional outwardly extending sides placed the heated liquid well above the heating element. The extended sides of the decanter are exposed to cooling air, so
Heat loss occurs through convective heat conduction.

Traditionally, decanter products were constructed of glass or metal with high heat transfer coefficients, resulting in significant heat loss through the decanter walls. Therefore, a ladle of coffee at 180°F (82
, 2°C), a relatively high temperature had to be maintained on the heating element.

The measurable heat transfer from the heating element to the coffee was lower in the case of the Plus Sock decanter because it has a lower heat transfer coefficient than glass or metal. This means coffee is about 180 below (82,2
°C), the heating element should be approximately 380'F
(193,3°C).

However, conventional round plastic decanters that are commonly used begin to soften and melt at about 350'F (176,7°C). Therefore, plastic materials are considered unsuitable for ordinary round decanters.

Therefore, those tasked with developing and using various types of commercial coffee brewing machines are looking for a plastic, plastic, or plastic blender that can be used at lower heat levels than previously available and that can heat the stored coffee at a higher rate. It can be placed closer to the decanter.
There has long been a longstanding desire for an improved, plus-split, wide-bottom decanter that reduces heat loss; The present invention satisfies all of the above needs.

SUMMARY Broadly speaking, the present invention improves heating efficiency by substantially reducing the level of heat required to be generated by the heating element and reducing heat loss to the surrounding air. A new and improved plastic decanter and warming plate construction for a coffee brewing machine is provided which significantly increases heating efficiency over conventional coffee decanters and warming plates. Furthermore, the construction of the plastic decanter of the present invention makes it relatively indestructible and allows the heating element to heat the coffee. It has a wide base to obtain an enlarged heating surface that can bring the aN closer, and the required temperature of the heating element to be heated is only 260'F (126,7°C) to avoid overheating the coffee. and, on the other hand,
The heating plate can fit closer to the plastic decanter, thereby reducing heat loss through air convection to keep the coffee fresh for at least four hours.

Fundamentally, the present invention reduces the required level of heat generated by the heating tube and increases the heating efficiency between the heating plate and the plastic decank by reducing heat loss to the surrounding air. The present invention relates to an improved combination structure of a coffee decanter and a heating plate, and a method of using the same. This is achieved by designing the plastic decanter so that the quantity of coffee is placed closer to the heating plate to heat it and the bottom of the decanter is placed closer to the heating plate.

According to the invention, the bottom diameter of the plastic decanter is designed to fit closely with the deep concave structure of the warming plate, thereby providing a large surface area to the bottom of the decanter and providing access to the warming plate and heating elements. Designed to be exposed. The decanter tapers inwardly above the heating plate so that the required amount of coffee is placed close to the heating element and heated within the decanter. This design is
To minimize hot spots in coffee and obtain more even heating distribution. Furthermore, this construction provides a reduction in heat loss due to air convection, as the concave rim of the heating plate directs heated air away from the heating element upwardly along the sides of the conical decanter. The closure at the top helps retain heat and contributes to maintaining the freshness of the coffee for at least 4 hours.

According to the improved method of the present invention, when heated water passes through a coffee retainer assembly disposed above a plastic decanter of a coffee brewing machine, coffee droplets are formed in the plastic decanter. It is aimed at the hole in the hole and is received in the hole in the parenthesis. The plastic decanter rests on the warming plate and is held in place by a concave rim. Since the decanter is made of plastic, the heating element is around 180'F (approx.
82,2°C) Niho Tsuni is about 260 below (126,7°
c) Just maintain D. Since plastic has a low thermal conductivity, the loss of 1 fl of heat through the walls of the decanter is extremely low. Therefore, the close fit between the plastic decanter and the heating plate results in a heating surface that is more effective in avoiding burning the coffee.

The present invention provides a new and improved plastic decanter and heating fountain, and method of using the same, which reduces the required heat level generated by the heating fountain and reduces heat loss to the surrounding air. This increases heating efficiency over similar prior art decanters and heating plates. This new decanter reduces heat loss from the sidewalls due to the plastic construction and has a wide base for increased heating surface. By having a wide base area,
It allows use at low temperatures and provides a close fit with a heating plate having a deep concave structure. This structure allows the temperature of the contents of the decanter to be raised to a lower temperature than previously possible.

The clean concave structure and rolled lip periphery reduce convective heat loss by directing heat upwards beyond the sides of the decanter. Additionally, the closed-loop design reduces heat transfer to the coffee. Retaining heat increases the efficiency of this device.

These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show apparatus that is merely illustrative of aspects of the invention.

As shown in the drawings used for explanation, the present invention comprises a plastic decanter 10 combined with a concave heating plate 12, each of which is installed in a coffee brewing device. The plastic decanter, of the type shown, has a wide base 14 with inwardly sloping side walls 16 that fit within a closure 18 and a warming plate that fits into the wide base of the decanter. It has a rolled lip periphery which efficiently transfers heat to the contents within the decanter while allowing lower heating temperatures to be used and reducing heat loss by convection.

Conventional coffee makers have used only glass, only metal, or a combination of materials, each of which has a high heat transfer coefficient, resulting in significant heat loss through the decanter walls. Therefore, the temperature of the heating element required to heat the coffee is necessarily high. Decanters constructed of plastic have a low heat transfer coefficient and are thus a desirable material to minimize heat transfer through the sidewalls. However, the heat conduction through the bottom of the decanter on a flat surface is much lower than in glass or metal.

Plastic decanters have a high resistance to heat conduction through the bottom wall, and the temperatures required to maintain the coffee at the desired temperature can damage the plastic and cloud the flavor of the coffee. In addition, most conventional decanters include a Mengnan PSF spout, which can be added to the pouring spout.
! A large amount of heat generated by the plate is transferred through the spout opening to the circulating ambient air current, causing the coffee to lose its freshness and become bitter within a short time.

The heating plate of a conventional coffee brewing machine generally has a peripheral rim with an upwardly curved or indented shape to hold the decanter over its center and act as a cooling vent for heat dissipation to the atmosphere. There is.

Such heating plates are generally shallow and not designed to provide a close fit with the decanter to produce sufficient heat exchange rates therebetween to permit the use of plastic decanters. However, the coffee brewing device comprises a pitcher or decanter disposed on a metal warming plate and includes an upwardly curved ring portion into which the bottom of the pitcher is proximately received. The heating element is arranged on the underside of the pitcher, for example in the form of a transparent plastic body with a handle and a spout.

The bottom of the jug is preferably plate-shaped, made of aluminum or other metals with high heat conductivity. The flat underside of the jug sits flush with the flat surface of the warming plate, thereby ensuring a close fit to provide maximum surface area contact.

A decanter constructed from a combination of a plastic upper section and a thin-walled metal lower section has been developed to overcome the problems associated with glass decanters.

Overheating of an empty glass decanter causes thermal expansion and tempering losses in the glass, resulting in fracture of the weakened portion.

However, metal and plastic decanters actually promote thermal conductivity and allow the coffee's flavor to develop rapidly. Furthermore, the bottom of the plastic decanter will melt when placed on a heating plate used at a sufficiently high temperature to preserve the flavor of the coffee.

Traditional force plates have generally been flat, flat-mounted units that are slightly concave to loosely receive the bottom of the decanter. Therefore, airflow passing over the heating plate causes further heat loss from the bottom of the decanter, reducing heat transfer efficiency. Due to the loss of one member of heat, the force of the old filling board is 3
50°~400°F (176.7~204.4°C)
The temperature must often be maintained within the range of 100 to 1000 ml, creating hot spots at the bottom of the decanter. Due to the materials used in the construction of conventional heating plates, the heat generated by the heating elements is not evenly distributed, but is generated within the area in FA contact with the heating coil, resulting in a temperature gradient and further heating of the coffee. spoils the flavor.

Previous efforts to overcome these heating problems have included providing a hot water reservoir within the coffee maker to keep the coffee hot by conduction.

However, this proposed solution dissipates heat to the atmosphere at a high rate of reduction of the temperature of the coffee below a palatable level. Furthermore, plastic decanters are already used in microwave coffee makers. However, in that case the choice of plastic material is determined by its microwave transparency and not by its thermal insulation properties. Additionally, the outwardly extending sides of conventional decanters required eight heaters to be placed above the heating element. This causes additional heat loss by convection. Additionally, traditional plastic decanters have lower heat transfer rates than glass or metal, and the temperature drop between the heating element and the coffee is significantly higher. Therefore, the heating element was required to maintain a sufficiently high temperature to cause the plastic decanter to soften and melt.

The conventional coffee brewer 30 includes up to four warming plates 32 evenly distributed on the upper side 34 and the lower side 36. The upper and lower vessels 34, 36 are integrally coupled to the housing 38; Housing 38 encloses a separation system that directs heated water through a retainer assembly 40 to retain fresh coffee grounds as shown in FIG.

The two heating plates 32 arranged on the lower tank 34 each have a heating element (not shown) for keeping the coffee at a predetermined temperature.
including. On the contrary, the heating plate 32 placed on the lower tub 36 is specially designed for brewing coffee. The retainer assembly dust 40 is supported by a pair of horizontally extending guide members 42 , and the guide device 42 includes a receiving member (
(not shown).

It will be appreciated that decanter 44 is a conventional decanter referred to herein for illustrative purposes only and is not in accordance with the present invention (plastic decanter 10). The decanter 44 has a handle 4 attached to the decanter by a metal band 4 that surrounds the neck 50 of the decanter.
Contains 6. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, it includes an opening 52 for receiving coffee droplets from the retainer assembly. Lower tank 36 further includes a spigot 54 that provides hot water for preparing other consumables, such as tea or soup.

The decanter 44 includes a narrow base plate 56, which is shown as having a special shape at -i and is seated on one of the plurality of heating plates 32.
including. The warming plate is physically coupled to the heating element 58 by one of a plurality of mechanical fasteners.

Warming plates 32 each include a generally concave surface terminating in a rolled rim 62 . The roll rim 62 has a somewhat hook-like shape and fits onto the vertical edge 64 of the warming deck 66. Care must be taken to avoid creating a gap 68 between the terminal end 64 and the heating deck 66, thereby reducing the possibility of a burn hazard to the user. Moreover, the housing 38 has ?at each of its four corners? ! It is supported by one of several columns 70.

A heating element shown in FIG. 3 is located below each heating plate 32. The heating element 58 is connected to a plurality of stepped fasteners 7.
It consists of an annular ring 72 attached to the bottom of the heating plate 32 by 4. Additionally, a pair of heating terminals 76 connected to the electrical portion of heating element 58 are attached to the bottom of the toroidal ring. A pair of electrical terminal ends 78 are connected to each pair of heating elements. One end of the switch-equipped conductor 80 connects to the first of the pair of electrical terminal ends 78.
is attached to the terminal end of the Conductor with switch 8
The other end of the thermocouple 82 is connected to a first end of a thermocouple 82 that is used to control the flow of electrical current to the heating element 58 . The second end of thermocouple 82 is connected to first power conductor 84 while second power conductor 86 is connected to a pair of electrical terminal ends 78
connected to. The first and second power conductors 84,86 are then connected to a voltage 'tX (not shown).

The heating element 58, which includes the annular ring 72, is connected to the heating deck 66.
The heating deck has an upper side 34 and a lower tank 36, respectively, on their respective top surfaces as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the working state, the thermocouple 82
acts as a normally closed switch and is held in the closed position to send current to the heating element 58, applying /I! 1. Raise the temperature of Temporary 32. Thermal lightning pair 82 is designed for several operating parameters and opens the circuit once the heating element reaches a specified temperature.

After the thermocouple circuit is opened, the heating element 58 is deenergized;
Heat supply to the heating plate 32 will be cut off. Once the temperature of the heating element 58 drops below the specified design level, a sinch mechanism within the thermocouple 82 is actuated to close the electrical circuit between the first and second power conductors 84, 86 to the heating element 58. Pass current.

As the temperature of the heating element increases, the surface temperature of the heating plate also increases, imparting heat to the contents of the decanter 44.

The heating element is designed to operate at one of a plurality of available voltage and temperature options.

Conventional decanters 44 are generally spherical in shape with a narrow bottom 56 of flat geometry and a neck 50 continuous with an opening 52, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. . 1 method of a conventional decanter, the vertical dimension from the narrow bottom 56 to the base of the neck 50 is approximately 5" (12,7
cm). When the decanter 44 is completely full,
Its capacity is approximately 60.70oz (1720.8g). The volume distribution of the fluid contained within the decanter 44 is determined by dividing the height of the decanter into sections of 0.5" (1,72 cm) each. Therefore, the decanter 44 is shown in FIG. For example, the first station is located near the narrow bottom 56 and contains only 6.9χ of the total capacity of the decanter, which in terms of coffee volume is It is 4.2 oz (119.1 g).

Since the decanters 44 are generally spherical in shape, the large percent storage volumes are each at least 702 (198,
5g) located between the second and first stations.

As can be seen from the station divisions shown in Figure 4,
The bulk of the fluid container contained within the decanter 44 is located sufficiently above the heating plate 32 that it is necessary to maintain the heating element 58 at a high temperature for a period of 1', thereby increasing efficiency. Forced into bad electrical effects. In particular, decanter 44 is one of several conventional decanters manufactured by Applicant, which is approximately 60 oz (17
It is commonly termed as a disposable bowl designed to contain 0.1 g) of coffee, enough for 12 cups. Decanters made by other manufacturers have some differences in their construction, but
Conventionally, a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 4 has been common. As is clear from these descriptions, the heating element 58
is generated by the decanter 44 via the heating plate 32.
Most of the heat transferred to the
Alternatively, it is lost through the aperture 52 due to laminar flow. New decanter structures are needed to address these issues.

According to the invention, the geometry of the plastic decanter 10 and the concave form of the warming plate 12 cooperate to reduce the level of heat to be generated by the heating element and are mated with the concave form of the warming plate. The decanter and the heating plate are combined by providing a wide bottom 14 of the decanter which allows the decanter to absorb heat and by providing an inwardly sloping decanter side wall 1G and a closing plate 18 to reduce heat loss to the surrounding air. significantly increases the heating efficiency of the interface. Furthermore, the structure of the plastic decanter is relatively unbreakable, and IJ[]
By bringing the coffee volume closer to the heating element, the heating level required by the heating plate is only 260'F (1
26,7'c), and by minimizing heat loss due to air convection, coffee can be kept fresh for at least 4 hours.

The plastic decanter 10 is more circular than spherical.
It is in shape. This decanter is approximately 320'F (16
350°F (1
It is made of polysulfone which begins to soften at 76,7°C). This material is relatively inert and there is very little chance of any chemical mixing or combination of coffee and plastic within the decanter. Additionally, polysulfone is elastic and flexible, making it relatively unbreakable compared to glass. Furthermore, this material has very low water absorption. However, the surface can include corrugated designs molded into the plastic. After long-term use, the wavy pattern of the decanter tends to become discolored due to coffee.

Therefore, as with all other food preparation and service containers, it is desirable to clean the corrugated surface using a brush in soapy water.

The decanter is made by blow molding, which is suitable for creating a novel conical shape. Blow molding provides two identical halves that are joined together along a central mating surface by any suitable equipment known in the art. In the injection molding method, due to the small radius of curvature that occupies the neck of the conventionally known decanter, the injection mold cannot be taken out from inside the molded decanter, so the decanter is formed as a single piece by the known blow molding process. That is impossible.

-i, the wall thickness of the polysulfon plastic is approximately 1
/16' (1,5au++), but the curved surface becomes somewhat thinner. This wall thickness is such that larger wall thicknesses are uneconomical, and smaller wall thicknesses will collapse due to excessive stress. The outer diameter of the wide base 14 is approximately 5.3 inches (12,
5cm), and the effective height of the decanter is approximately 4.5in (11cm).
, 4cn+). These dimensions are approximately 3 inches in diameter
(7,6cm) and effective height approximately 51n (12,7c)
m) should be compared with the conventional one of spherical shape.

Based on these approximate dimensions, the area of the bottom of the plastic decanter lO should be 20 to 21 inches (8.5 to 8.9 inches).
cm2), and the area of the bottom of a conventional decanter is 8.5 to 9.5 in2 (3.8 to 4.3 cm”).
is within the range of Therefore, plastic decanter 10
The area of the bottom of the layer is increased by a factor of two to increase the heating area of the layer and reduce the surface area of the inwardly sloping sidewalls 16.

By reducing the surface area, heat loss from sidewalls exposed to ambient air is minimized. The surface area of the side walls is extremely small since the decanter 10 is more conical than globe-shaped or spherical. Since the decanter IO is made of plastic with a low heat transfer coefficient, the heat flowing through the plastic sidewalls is reduced. Therefore, it has become easier to maintain the temperature of the coffee in the plastic decanter.

A spout 102 is formed integrally with the sloped sidewall 16 in the narrow radius section 100 during an injection molding operation. The rear end of the spout extends above this radius of curvature, while
The front end increases in height until an extended lip 104 is formed at the front of the decanter. Extended lip 10
4 is used as a passage or guide part for flowing coffee into the cap, for example, when the decanter is tilted for pouring.

The decanter 10 further includes a handle 106 made of plastic, such as polypropylene.

Handle 106 may be attached to the decanter in a variety of ways. One is to mold the boss 10B integrally with the polysulfone material of the decanter IO. Boss 108 further includes a horizontal insertion portion that receives handle 106 as shown in FIG. The handle also includes a finger portion 110 for receiving the boss 108 therebetween and a horizontal insertion portion 112 for receiving a mechanical fastener, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Handle 106 further includes a roll gripping surface 116 to ensure gripping thereof during operation of decanter 10.

A preferred method of attaching handle 106 to decanter 10 is to
The use of a snap head 118 integrally formed on the top of the handle 106 and behind the mating finger portions 110. This snap head is also made of polypropylene and has a closed M2
It is designed to fit into a receiving hole 120 located at the end of a molded extension 122 integrally connected to S.

Another, and somewhat preferable, method of coupling the handle 106 to the decanter 10 is to use a metal hand around the narrow radius of curvature section 100 of the decanter IO. The metal band must be extremely narrow since the radius of curvature 100 necessarily eliminates the neck that is present on conventional decanters. The metal hand terminates in a pair of extended arms (not shown) with horizontal insertion portions for grasping a pair of fingers 110 extending from the handle 106. The metal hand is held in place around the radius of curvature 100 by using indexing points with indexing points to attach the metal hand to one location on the decanter 10.

The closure 11B has a generally planar shape with an embossed portion 124 forming a spout providing an outlet for the coffee along the extended lip 104.The closure 11B also has a chimney It includes a shaped handle 126 which functions to pass coffee droplets from the retainer assembly 4o of the coffee brewing base 30 through the closure 18 and onto the decanter 10. It includes a drain hole 128.

The chimney handle 126 further serves the function of removing the lid and inserting the lid into the top of the decanter.

The planar surface of the MIB has a plurality of snap retainers 134.
The retainer skirt 132 includes an outer circumferential surface 130 integrally coupled with a retainer skirt portion 132 that includes a retainer skirt portion 132 . A combination of retainer skirt 132 and integrally molded snap retainer 134 is used to secure the closed πI8 to the top of the decanter IO. In practice, the lid is removed from the decanter 102 by aligning the raised portion 124 and the extended lip 104 and pressing the lid 18 down over the top of the spout 102 until the outer circumferential surface 130 seats in the spout. inserted above. The snap retainer 134 is
Sufficient force is applied between the inside of spout 102 and retainer skirt 132 to secure the lid in place.

In a preferred method of attaching the handle 106, the snap head 118, which is integrally molded with the handle, closes and closes ff1.
Receiving opening 120 formed in 18 molded extensions 122
is consistent with After the snap head 118 is securely seated within the receiving opening, the decanter 1o can be rotated using the handle. The hem of the retainer is decanted by the pressure applied by the snap retainer 134]
0, so the handle 106 is properly secured.

In addition to the preferred embodiment, the lid 18 is connected to the handle 106 by a mechanical linkage 138, as shown in FIG.
connected to. The linkage device can be used with any embodiment of the plastic decanter 10 and includes a plastic snap strip device molded into the lid and mated with a snap device, and can be any of a variety of known conventional devices. Secure it to the plus handle. Alternatively, the lid may be coupled to the handle by a link chain or metal cable and may be coupled to the MIB and handle 106 by, for example, mechanical fasteners 114.

The wide bottom 14 of the plastic decanter 10 is shaped to match the new warming plate 12. The heating plate 12 is approximately 7-
It has an outer diameter of 1n (18.3 cm) and the heating plate 12 has an outer diameter of 0.
- It has a flat pan-shaped configuration with a vertical depth of approximately 13/16 inches (2.1 cm) from the lip-shaped periphery 20 to the bottom 14. The rolled lip periphery provides a close fit between the wide bottom 14 of the decanter 10 and the warming plate to improve heat transfer and the rolled lip periphery provides a close fit between the wide base 14 of the decanter 10 and the warming plate and as shown in FIG. The gap 146 is formed between the bottom surface of the lip 20 and the vertical edge 148 of the heating bar 66. A gap 146 is formed between the heating plate and the heating deck to provide sufficient air circulation to prevent the heating deck from reaching the temperature of the heating plate which could pose a safety hazard. .

Warming plate 12 is mechanically coupled to heating element 58 as in the conventional case by mechanical connector 60. The first power conductor 84 and the second power conductor 86 are circuited within the heating element in a complex manner as described with reference to FIG.

The first power connector 84 is connected to the input terminal of a thermocouple 82, which is connected to the heating terminal 76 via the terminal end 78 via the conductor 8o with a switch. A second power conductor 86 connects directly to the heating terminal 76 via each electrical terminal end 78 . Each pair of heating terminals 76 is designed to be in electrical communication with heating element 58 .

The heating element 58 has an annular shape and is attached to the heating Fi 12 by a tightening device 6o. The thermocouple 82 is designed to have a normally closed state, thereby allowing the coffee brewer 3
When energized, power is applied to the heating element to increase the temperature of the warming plate. The novel design of the plastic decanter 10 allows for the use of lower heating levels;
Power economy and improved lifetime of current carrying circuit elements are obtained.

Thermocouple 82 remains in the closed position until the temperature reaches 260°C. When this temperature is reached, the thermocouple is designed to open the circuit and interrupt the current flow to the heating element 58. The heating element has a heating plate temperature below 230 (110,0'
It is maintained in a neutered state until it drops to C). At this temperature, thermocouple 82 detects a drop in temperature and switches to the closed position. Electrical energy is thus supplied again to the heating element,
Increase the temperature of the heating plate until the upper temperature limit of 260°F (126.7°C) is reached.

During the period when the coffee brewer 30 is energized, the thermocouple 8
2 is the "ON" position and r OFF according to the temperature of the heating plate.
.

Rocks between positions.

One of the novel aspects of polysulfone plastics is that they exhibit lower heat transfer coefficients than glass or metals. As a result, a significant temperature gradient exists across the interface between the wide base 14 and the sloped sidewalls of the decanter 10. This temperature gradient can reach as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1,1'C) and can respond to a significant reduction in coffee heat loss through thermal convection and other heat transfer processes. Therefore, the thermal lightning pair 82 is connected to the switch r
The temperature of the heating plate 12 is at the OFFJ position and the temperature of the heating plate 12 is the lower limit temperature 2.
As it begins to drop toward 30° F. (110,0° C.), the temperature gradient across the decanter interface causes the contents of the decanter to remain at about 200° F. (93,3° C.).

The coffee blending machine 30 brews coffee at a rate of about 200 (93,
3'C) is designed to heat the water used to make it. At 200°C (93,3'C), the water is passed through the retainer assembly 40 containing coffee grounds and the temperature is reduced to approximately 186°F (85,6°C).

The freshly brewed coffee then falls through the retainer assembly into the decanter 10 at a temperature of about 180°F (82,
Cool to 2°C). If thermocouple 82 is connected to switch rO
In the NJ position, the temperature of heating element 58 increases, causing the temperature of heating plate 12 to increase. Once the carafe 10 is filled with freshly brewed coffee and the heating element is switched OFF, the temperature of the heating plate 12 is approximately 1
80″F to below 200°C (82,2 to 93,3°C). Fresh coffee kept within this temperature range gives a better taste to the coffee drinker and is obtained by glass and metal decanters. Temperatures cannot be higher than this.

At lower temperatures, the tempering problems that occur with glass decanters do not occur. Therefore, there is no potential for injury to the user of the coffee brewer when handling an overheated glass decanter. The closed M2S is used for energy storage and to maintain the temperature of the coffee without excessive overheating and burning. Additionally, the bottom 144 of the heating plate 12 in combination with the wide bottom 14 of the decanter 10 provides a more effective heat transfer medium to avoid burning the coffee and eliminate the high temperatures normally experienced with glass and metal decanters. do.

The heating plate 12 with the heating elements 58 connected by bolts is mounted on a plurality of support lugs formed on a vertical support ring 154 located on the heating number pad 66 . A plurality of support projections 152 act as support points for heating plate 12 and heating element 58, as shown in FIG. The remainder of the vertical support ring 154 is opened to allow laminar flow to flow through the gap 146 formed between the vertical edge 148 of the warming deck 66 and the rolled lip 20 of the warming plate 12. to release excess heat. Vertical support ring 154 is made of a material known in the art, such as metal.
Optionally, it is constructed from a suitable material and has a diameter sufficiently wide to support the bottom 144 of the warming plate.

Although the new plastic decanter lO has a wide base, the effective height to accommodate the fluid is only 4.5 inches (1.5 inches).
1.4 cm). However, the effective height is 4.5in.
(11.4cm) is about 59.6o if you use it as a coffee foot.
z (1689.7 g), whereas a conventional decanter, as shown in FIG. 4, has a capacity of about 60.7 oz.

As a result, compared to the conventional lO station,
There are only 9 stations in the case of the decanter 10, each station having a height of 1/2 inch (1.3 cm).

Regarding the first to fourth stations, in the new plastic decanter lO, as shown in FIG.
It should be noted that it contains a higher percentage of coffee volume per station than would be occupied by the corresponding station of the conventional decanter shown in the figure. Fourth
Only up to the seventh station, the number of customers per station of the conventional decanter exceeds the corresponding capacity of the new decanter IO, as shown in FIG.

The data disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 9 clearly show that the higher coffee capacity is in the lower part of the conical decanter 10. Therefore, this new design
2 and the wide bottom 14 of the decanter 10. Because the use of lower temperatures is permitted with this new design, the coffee is less likely to burn, resulting in less flavor loss that will spread throughout the coffee. Although the new plastic decanter 10 has a practical lower effective height, the capacity of coffee contained within the new decanter is approximately comparable to the capacity contained within a conventional spherical decanter.

Apart from the novel design of the plastic decanter 10 and the corresponding warming plate, the remaining parts of the coffee brewing machine 30 are similar to those described in relation to the prior art. Improvements in the decanter and heating plate allow the coffee brewer to operate at lower temperatures, resulting in more efficient use of energy and longer service life of the electrical heating components.

From the above description, it can be seen that the plastic decanter IO and warming plate 12 according to the present invention have a reduced heat level requirement generated by the heating element 58, and a wide base of the decanter that fits closely with the concave form of the warming plate. Providing inwardly sloping side walls 16 and heat F to the ambient air
By providing a closed lid 18 to reduce R loss, the heating efficiency between the decanter and the warming plate is increased. Moreover, the structure of this plastic decanter is relatively unbreakable, the wide bottom heating surface of the decanter brings the coffee volume closer to the heating element, and the required heating temperature of the heating plate is 260°
F (126,7°C) and keeps the coffee fresh for at least 4 hours by reducing heat loss by convection through the side walls of the decanter.

While one particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Therefore, the description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the invention, except as set forth in the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coffee brewing machine using a conventional decanter and heating plate; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coffee brewing machine taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front view of the decanter of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decanter according to the invention; 6 is an exploded perspective view of the lid for the decanter of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the decanter of FIG. 5 mounted on a heating plate according to the present invention; FIG. A perspective view of the vertical support ring of the warmer in fig.
and FIG. 9 is a side view of the decanter of FIG. 5. Symbols in the figure: 1O decanter, 12 heating plate 114 decanter bottom, 16 side wall. 18-Closing lid 1 20 Labial periphery. 30 Coffee blender, 32-warming plate. 34 upper part, 36 lower part. 38 housing, 40 retainer assembly. 42 Guide, 44 Decanter. 46 handle, 48 metal hand. 50<b>52 Opening. 54-spigot, 56 bottom. 58 Heating Element 1 62 Rim. 64 Vertical edge, 66 Warming deck. 68 Zukima 1 70 Post. 72 Annular ring 1 74 Fastener 176 Heating terminal, 78 Terminal end. 80 Switch conductor. 82 thermocouple, 84 first power conductor. 86 Second power conductor. 100 - radius of curvature, 102 spout 1° 101
Extended lip, 106 Handle. 10) 1-boss, 110 fingers. 112 Insertion part, 114 Fastener. 116 gripping surface, 124 raised portion. 126-handle, 128 drain hole. 130 - outer peripheral surface, 132 retainer hem portion. 134-sunun retainer, 144-bottom. 146-Gap, 148-Vertical edge. shows. Engraving of section (no change in content) FIG, 2 (-, L, .=, =”) (pu mouth 1-)
Ursrioy DoρtMe2CξReli'tsuFIG, 5 (PI!QctaJT)
tw-～-v1゜Procedural Amendment (Rei) April 1986,! ! Day

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plastic decanter device for maintaining the volume of coffee on a heating plate, comprising: a continuous inward portion accommodating said coffee and terminating in a portion having a wide bottom and a narrow radius of curvature; a device having a sloped side wall and forming an extended lip used for pouring the coffee and communicating with the receiving device through the narrow radius of curvature and directing the poured coffee; an integrally molded retainer skirt for mounting within the pouring device and having a raised portion for enclosing the containment device and allowing the coffee to pass therethrough; a device for closing said containment device including a handle for removal and a drain hole for receiving coffee droplets from a coffee brewer; said containment device including a locking device mechanically coupled to said containment device for moving said plastic decanter device; a combination structure with a device for moving said wide base and further such that a large proportion of said coffee volume is held in close proximity to said wide base to enable the use of lower heating plate temperatures; A plastic decanter device with a low heat transfer rate to minimize convective heat loss through the inwardly sloping sidewalls. 2. The plastic decanter device according to claim 1, wherein the plastic decanter is made of polysulfone. 3. A plastic decanter device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving device consists of two identical halves joined together along a central joining line. 4. The plastic decanter device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device has a conical shape. 5. The plastic decanter device of claim 1, wherein the closure device further includes a plurality of snap retainers integrally molded on the retainer skirt for securing the closure device within the pouring device. . 6. The pouring device includes an extension of the receiving device to form the extended lip, the extended lip sloping from a forward portion to a rearward portion and having a tapered taper. The plastic decanter device according to item 1. 7. The handle of the closing device has a chimney shape;
2. A plastic decanter device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein said drain device is formed through said chimney-shaped handle. 8. A plastic decanter according to claim 1, wherein said fixing device includes a molded extension having an opening integrally connected with said closing device and receiving a snap head integrally molded with said moving device. Device. 9. The securing device includes a pair of fingers coupled to the moving device, the fingers extending from the storage device to a protrusion with the fingers attached to the protrusion. A plastic decanter device according to claim 1, which grips the protrusion. 10. The plastic decanter device of claim 1, wherein said fixing device includes a metal band surrounding said storage device and attached to said moving device. 11. In a coffee heating device, the volume is made of plastic and has a wide base and an inwardly sloping side wall terminating in a narrow radius of curvature forming an extended lip for directing the pouring of said coffee. a device for containing coffee; an integrally molded retainer skirt having a raised portion for passage of said coffee and for mounting within said containing device; and a handle for removal from said containing device; a device for closing the containment device, further comprising: a device for moving the containment device including a fixing device mechanically coupled to the containment device for moving the containment device; a concave shape to closely fit with the wide bottom of the containment device and in thermal communication with a heating device within the containment device to increase the thermal surface and minimize heat loss; a warming device receiving the containment device for transferring heat from the heating device to the coffee of the coffee, the containment device minimizing heat loss by convection through the wide base and inwardly sloping side walls. Coffee heating device consisting of a combination structure, which has a low heat transfer coefficient for heating and in which a large volume fraction of the coffee is held close to the wide base to allow the use of low heating temperatures. 12. The coffee heating device of claim 11, wherein the closure device further includes a drain hole for receiving droplets of coffee from a coffee brewer. 13. The coffee heating device of claim 12, wherein the drain device is centrally located within the handle on the closure device, and the handle has a chimney shape. 14. The coffee heating device of claim 11, wherein said heating device includes a thermocouple for controlling the temperature of said heating device. 15. Claim 11, wherein the warming device is supported by a plurality of support knobs extending from a vertical support ring.
Coffee heating device as described in section. 16. The concave warming device includes a rolled lip periphery, the rolled lip periphery being suspended above a heating deck surrounding the warming device and controlling the heating deck temperature. 16. A coffee heating device as claimed in claim 15, in which a gap is formed for limiting. 17. A method for heating coffee at low temperatures, in which a quantity of coffee is contained in a plastic container having a wide bottom and a continuous inwardly sloping side wall terminating in a narrow radius of curvature; a quantity of coffee is held proximate to the wide base and closing the plastic container by providing a lid to maintain the heat of the coffee, wherein the closing lid is compressively secured to the plastic container. a retainer skirt is attached within the plastic container to fit the heating plate into the wide-bottomed plastic container to minimize heat loss and increase the heat transfer surface between the heating plate and the plastic container; heating the plastic container on the heating plate to transfer heat to the coffee volume, the plastic container being sloped inwardly with the wide bottom to allow the use of lower heating temperatures; A method of heating coffee at a low temperature comprising the steps described above, having a low heat transfer coefficient to reduce convective heat loss through the side walls. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of forming a lip extending above the radius of curvature for directing pouring of the volume of coffee. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of providing an embossment in the closure lid for pouring the volume of coffee while the plastic container is engaged with the closure lid. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of providing a handle coupled to the plastic container for transferring the volume of coffee. 21. A blending and discharging unit for blending and discharging coffee; a blending and discharging unit for receiving the coffee discharged from said blending and discharging unit, conveyed in heat-resistant and thermally insulating plastic, and having a wide bottom and a narrow radius of curvature; a decanter having a continuous inwardly sloping side wall terminating in the decanter; a warming deck connected to the brewing and discharging unit for receiving the decanter and maintaining brewed coffee therein; a heat conductive heating plate attached to the deck and having a deep dish-shaped structure including a bottom surface and a raised peripheral wall, the peripheral wall being configured to complementary receive the wide bottom of the decanter; The decanter has a low heat transfer coefficient to minimize heat loss by convection through the wide base and the inwardly sloping side walls, and a heating element in thermal communication with the bottom surface of the warming plate. the wide base within the warming plate such that the decanter is in direct contact with the raised peripheral wall to provide direct heat transfer from the warming plate to the wide base. A coffee maker configured to be seated and arranged in which a large proportion of said coffee is held close to said wide base to permit the use of low warming plate temperatures.