WO2023182966A1

WO2023182966A1 - A liquid guiding means

Info

Publication number: WO2023182966A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/050280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bilal AYDIN
Original assignee: Arzum Elektrikli Ev Aletleri San. Ve Tic. A.S.
Priority date: 2022-03-25
Filing date: 2023-03-24
Publication date: 2023-09-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid guiding means (1) that enables directing a liquid flowing from a liquid source (11) of a beverage preparation device (10), characterized by at least one body (2) suitable for a liquid to flow through, having at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface, and at least one joint (3) on its outer surface forming an axis of rotation, at least one arm (4), which is connected to the said body (2) and can rotate around the rotation axis formed by the said joint (3) together with the body (2) when a force is applied on it.

Description

A LIQUID GUIDING MEANS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid guiding means for beverage preparation devices, and in particular for hot beverage preparation devices.

Background of the Invention

Hot beverage preparation devices are used to prepare beverages such as filter coffee and tea. In said hot drink preparation devices, the water placed in a water reservoir is heated by a heater and transferred to a fixed brewing chamber containing the hot beverage material to be prepared. The brewed beverage in the brewing chamber is transferred into a (movable) chamber that can be separated from the main body of the device and located in the main body under the brewing chamber, and can be served. Electrical components (like connectors) can be found where the said movable chamber is located in the main body. Transferring the brewed beverage in the said brewing chamber into the moving chamber or stopping the transfer is accomplished by opening and closing a valve located at the outlet of the brewing chamber by mechanical or electromechanical methods.

In the state of the art, in the case that the transfer of the brewed beverage from the brewing chamber to the moving chamber is done by mechanical method, when the moving chamber touches the valve at the outlet of the brewing chamber while it is being placed in its place in the main body, the valve opens and the liquid flow begins. After the brewed beverage is transferred to the moving chamber, when the said chamber is separated from the main body, the valve closes and the liquid flow stops. In such a case, liquid flow can start before the movable chamber is placed in its place in the main body, and the liquid flowing from the brewing chamber can flow out of the movable chamber onto the electrical components in the main body. After the brewed beverage is transferred to the movable chamber, while the said movable chamber is separated from the main body, a drop or more liquid from the brewing chamber valve can flow out of the movable chamber onto the electrical components located on the main body. Also, when the movable chamber is not in place, if the brewing chamber is overfilled, excess liquid may overflow from the brewing chamber and overflown liquids may flow onto electrical components. In addition, a malfunction in the mechanical or electromechanical elements that control the flow of liquid from the brewing chamber to the moving chamber can cause the liquid to overflow and flow onto the electrical components. Similarly, in devices that can operate without the brewing chamber and the movable chamber being put in place, the liquid that needs to flow into the brewing chamber can flow over the said electrical components. This may cause the device to malfunction, and more importantly, it may pose a danger to the user.

For this reason, especially in devices that contain electrical components under the outlet of a reservoir such as a brewing chamber, there is a need for a structure that prevents dripping and/or flowing of the liquid onto the electrical components in the main body by directing the liquid that can drip and/or flow from the valve of the said reservoir.

In the patent document numbered US2013160653, which is in the state of the art, a coffee machine is disclosed. The said machine includes a base, a heating plate positioned at the base, a fixed filter chamber located above the base and containing a liquid outlet, a detachable chamber positionable on the heating plate, and an anti-drip mechanism connected to the filter chamber. Said drip stop mechanism includes a plug that prevents or allows the liquid in the filter chamber to flow from the liquid outlet, and a two-piece arm configuration to change the position of this plug relative to the filter chamber outlet. While the detachable chamber mentioned in the invention is placed on the heating plate, it pushes the arm configuration, the plug connected to the arm configuration is separated from the liquid outlet of the filter chamber and the liquid flows into the separable chamber. In the machine described in the aforementioned document, it is possible for the liquid in the filter chamber to drip out of the detachable chamber (on the heating plate underneath) while the detachable chamber is being placed in or separated from the body. In the mentioned document, a solution as in the present invention is not found.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to realize a liquid guiding means in which the liquid in a chamber of a beverage preparation device is prevented from flowing onto electrical components in the main body.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The liquid guiding means in order to fulfill the objects of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Sekil 1. A view of the inventive liquid guiding means.

Sekil 2. A view of the idle position of the inventive liquid guiding means.

Sekil 3. A view of the operating position of the inventive liquid guiding means.

Sekil 4. A view of another embodiment of the inventive liquid guiding means.

Sekil 5. A view of another embodiment of the inventive liquid guiding means.

Sekil 6. A view of the liquid guiding means in its idle position in an embodiment of the invention.

Sekil 7. A view of the liquid guiding means in its operating position 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. Liquid guiding device

2. Body

3. Joint

4. Lever 5. Mouth

10. Beverage preparation device

101. Fluid Path

11. Fluid source

111. Liquid outlet port

112. Valve

12. Chamber

13. Chamber cap

C. Connector

The inventive liquid guiding means (1) comprises;

At least one body (2) suitable for a liquid to flow through, having at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface, and at least one joint (3) on its outer surface forming an axis of rotation,

At least one arm (4), which is connected to the said body (2) and can rotate around the rotation axis formed by the said joint (3) together with the body (2) when a force is applied on it.

The inventive liquid guiding means (1) is suitable to be used with a beverage preparation device (10) comprising a liquid source (11) preferably suitable for putting a liquid into it or passing a liquid through it, a liquid outlet port (111) for evacuating the liquid taken from the liquid source (11), a valve (112) positioned on the said liquid outlet port (111), that allows or does not allow the liquid in the liquid source (11) to flow, a chamber (12) separable from the device body, the chamber (12) being located at a lower position than the liquid source (11) and in which the liquid flowing from the liquid source (11) is collected, and a connector (electrical component) (C) suitable for electrically connecting said chamber (12); and the liquid guiding means (1) is used to direct the liquid flowing from the liquid source (11) away from the connector (C). Said liquid source (1) can be any liquid source such as, for example, a brewing chamber, a hot water chamber, a cold water chamber or a hose.

The liquid guiding means (1) is positioned in such a way that at least a part of its body (2) is under the liquid outlet port (111) and the chamber (12) comes into contact with the lever (4) while being placed on the body of the beverage preparation device (10), thereby exerting a force on the lever (4). As a result of this applied force, the lever (4) and the body (2) connected to the lever (4) rotate around the rotation axis formed by the joint (3).

The position of the liquid guiding means (1) when a force is not applied to the lever (4) by the detachable chamber (12) is called the idle position (Figure 2, Figure 6), and the position when a force is applied is called the operating position (Figure 3, Figure 7).

In an embodiment of the invention, the body (2) of the inventive liquid guiding means (1) has a channel structure suitable for a liquid to flow through, having at least two side surfaces and a bottom, having, for example, a U or V-shape. There is at least one joint (3) forming an axis of rotation on at least one side surface of the body (2). The joint (3) may be suitable for a connecting means to pass through (Fig. 1) and/or it may be a projection protruding from the body (2) (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). In cases where the joint (3) is suitable for a connecting means to pass through, the joint (3) may be a hole extending from the inner surface of the body (2) to its outer surface.

It is also possible for the fluid guiding means (1) to be in the form of a spring. The body (2) has at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface. The liquid taken from the liquid source (11) flows from the inner surface of the body (2). There is at least one joint (3) forming an axis of rotation on the outer surface of the body (2). The joint (3) may be suitable for a connecting means to pass through (Fig. 1) and/or it may be a projection protruding from the body (2) (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). In cases where the joint (3) is suitable for a connecting means to pass through, the joint (3) may be a hole extending from the inner surface of the body (2) to its outer surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) has at least two opposing joints (3).

One end of the body (2) of the liquid guiding means (1) is named as the discharge end. Said discharge end is configured to allow liquid passage and preferably has a mouth (5) at its end. The mouth (5) is configured to prevent the liquid from scattering around while the liquid inside the body (2) is discharged out of the body (2). In other words, the liquid leaves the body (2) through the mouth (5). At least a part of the bottom of the body (2) is configured to be inclined towards the mouth (5), at least in its operating position, in order to direct the liquid to the mouth (5).

In an embodiment of the invention, the other end of the body (2) of the inventive liquid guiding means (1), is configured in such a way that it does not allow the passage of liquid (Figure 1). The inventive liquid guiding means (1) includes a lever (4) that can be positioned between the joint (3) in the body (2) and the end of the body (2) that does not allow liquid passage, or at the said end, and that can rotate around the rotation axis formed by the joint (3) together with the body (2) when a force is applied to it. While the lever (4) goes up when force is applied to it, the discharge end goes down.

In a sub-embodiment of this embodiment, the inner surface of the body (2), in its idle position, has a downward slope from the projection of the valve (112) to the said end of the fluid guiding means (1) that does not allow the passage of fluid. Thus, a buffer zone in which liquid can be stored is formed inside the body (2). In another embodiment of the invention, the end opposite the discharge end also allows liquid passage (Figure 4, Figure 5). In this embodiment, while the liquid guiding means (1) is in the idle position, the liquid dripping from the liquid outlet port (111) is discharged from the said end. The liquid guiding means (1) is preferably configured to direct dripping liquids into a liquid path (101) of the beverage preparation device (10). It is also possible for the said end to be located on the arm (4) (Figure 4) or the arm (4) to be configured to move away from the body (2) that houses the said ends on it (Figure 5).

There is at least one opening where the liquid guiding means (1) is desired to be mounted on the body of the beverage preparation device (10). The liquid guiding means (1) is connected to the said opening by means of a connection means (fastening means) passing through the joint (3) on the body (2) or said protrusion. The liquid guiding means (1) is positioned so that the projection of the mouth (5) at the discharge end of the body (2) is outside the projection of the connector (C). Thus, the liquid guiding means (1), where it is mounted on the body of the beverage preparation device (10), rotates around the rotational axis formed by the joint (3) and directs the liquid flowing or dripping from the liquid source (11) away from the connector (C). Said fastening means can be a fastening means such as, for example, a pin, nut and screw, a clip, but is not limited thereto.

When the liquid guiding means (1) is in the idle position, that is, when the chamber (12) is separated from the body of the beverage preparation device (10), the liquid flowing or dripping from the outlet port (111) for any reason is directed away from the connector (C) by the liquid guiding means (1) and the directed liquid is discharged from the mouth (5).

At least a part of the inner surface of the body (2) of the fluid guiding means (1) contacts the said valve (112). While the fluid guiding means (1) passes from the idle position to the operating position, the valve (112) rises in the vertical axis as a result of the force exerted on it by the body (2). Thus, the liquid outlet port (111) opens and the liquid in the liquid source (11) flows into the body (2). The discharge end of the body (2) is directed downwards when the liquid guiding means (1) passes from the idle position to the operating position, and thus, the liquid flowing into the body (2) is poured into the movable chamber (12) through the mouth (5) located at the discharge end.

In an embodiment of the invention that can be used with other embodiments, there is a chamber cap (13) positioned to at least partially cover the top of the chamber (12). There are more than one holes on the surface of the said chamber cap (13), the projections of the holes being in the region between the center and the wall of the chamber (12). The said holes are positioned such that they are outside the projection of the connector. While the liquid guiding means (1) is in its operating position, the liquid flowing from the liquid source (11) and directed by the liquid guiding means (1) is poured into the chamber (12) through the said holes.

While the liquid guiding means (1) passes from the operating position to the idle position, the body (2) allows the downward movement of the valve (112) on the vertical axis, and thus the valve (112) descends on the vertical axis and closes the liquid outlet port (111). As a result, the flow of liquid from the liquid source (11) is stopped. The discharge end of the body (2) is directed upwards when the liquid guiding means (1) passes from the operating position to the idle position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inventive beverage preparation device (10) comprises a liquid path (101) located between the wall of the cavity in which the chamber (12) is placed and the interior volume of the beverage preparation device (10), the liquid path (101) being suitable for the liquids dripping while the liquid guiding means (1) is at its idle position, to pass through. In this application, the overflowing liquids are directed to the said liquid path (101) by the liquid guiding means (1). The liquid path (101), preferably, defines a suitable volume for the overflowing fluids to accumulate therein. The liquid flowing into said liquid path (101) can be transferred out of the beverage preparation device (10) through an opening that forms a passage between this liquid path (101) and the outside of the beverage preparation device (10). The beverage preparation device (10) preferably includes at least one discharge valve on the said opening, which allows or prevents the liquid passage, in order to discharge the liquids accumulating in the liquid path (101). By opening this discharge valve, the user can discharge the liquids accumulating in the said volume.

In an embodiment of the invention that can be used with other embodiments, the beverage preparation device (10) includes at least one energy storage means (not shown in the Figures) for returning the liquid guiding means (1) from the operating position to the idle position. The said energy storage means is a means such as a spring, which has the ability to change its shape elastically when it is under the influence of a force, which can store energy during this deformation, which can partially or completely regain its former shape, in the meantime returning some of the energy it has stored, when the effect of the force acting on it is removed. While the chamber (12) is being placed in the body of the beverage preparation device (10) (while the liquid guiding means (1) moves from the idle position to the operating position), the spring is compressed with the effect of the force exerted on the lever (4) of the liquid guiding means (1) by the chamber (12). While the chamber (12) is separated from the body of the beverage preparation device (10), the force applied to the arm (4) of the liquid guiding means (1) disappears and the liquid guiding means (1) returns to the idle position thanks to the energy stored in the spring and remains in this position until it returns to the operating position again. Similarly, the beverage preparation device (10) has a configuration (not shown in the figures) to hold the valve (112) in order to prevent liquid flow from the liquid outlet port (111) of the liquid source (11) when the chamber (12) is separated from the body of the beverage preparation device (10).

Claims

1. A liquid guiding means (1) that enables directing a liquid flowing from a liquid source of a beverage preparation device (10), characterized by

2. A liquid guiding means (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a body (2) that has a U or V-shaped channel structure and is suitable for a liquid to flow through.

3. Liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a body (2) that has at least one discharge end on one side that allows liquid passage and at least one end that does not allow fluid passage on the other side.

4. A liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the end that is opposite to the discharge end allows liquid passage, in its idle position, such that the liquid dripping from a liquid outlet port (111) of the beverage preparation device (10) is discharged from said end.

5. A liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of the preceding claims configured to direct the liquids dripping from the liquid outlet port (111) to a liquid path (101) of the beverage preparation device (10).

6. Liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one opening (5) positioned at the discharge end of the body (2), through which the liquid inside the body (2) leaves the body (2). Liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the body (2), the inner surface of which has a downward inclination, in the idle position of the liquid guiding means (1), from the projection of the valve (112) to the end that does not allow the passage of said liquid. A beverage preparation device (10) characterized in that it comprises a liquid guiding means (1) as in any one of the claims 1-7. A beverage preparation device (10) as in Claim 8, comprising at least one liquid source (11), a chamber (12) that can be separated from the device body in which the liquid flowing from the liquid source (11) is collected, and a connector (C) suitable for the said chamber (12) to be electrically connected. A beverage preparation device (10) as in any of Claim 8 or Claim 9, comprising at least one opening suitable for attaching the connecting means passing through the joint (3) or the projection forming the joint (3) where it is desired to mount the liquid guiding means (1). A beverage preparation device (10) as in any one of Claims 8 to 10, comprising at least one energy storage means for returning the liquid guiding means (1) from the operating position to the idle position. A beverage preparation device (10) as in any one of Claims 8 to 11, comprising a liquid path (101) located between the wall of a cavity in which the chamber (12) is placed and the interior volume of the beverage preparation device (10), the liquid path being suitable for the liquids dripping while the liquid guiding means (1) is at its idle position, to pass through. A beverage preparation device (10) as in Claim 12, characterized by a liquid path (101) that defines a suitable volume for the overflowing liquids to accumulate in it. A beverage preparation device (10) as in Claim 13, having at least one discharge valve that allows or prevents liquid passage between said volume and outside of this volume, in order to discharge the liquids accumulating in the fluid path (101). A chamber (12) suitable for use with a beverage preparation device (10) as in any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by a chamber cap (13) having more than one hole, the projection of hole being in the region between the center and the wall of the chamber (12).