ES2762301A1 - Portable coffee maker (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Portable coffee machine that comprises three main components that are a water tank (2), a filter (4) and a coffee tank (6) where the already formed coffee is stored, arranged vertically in that order. The shape and material of the water tank (2) give it flexibility so that when the user presses the tank filled with water, it passes to the filter and impregnates the ground coffee. The invention allows to be transported comfortably since the components are disassembled and can be stored inside each other to occupy the minimum space. To this it must be added that the device created uses sunlight to heat the coffee already made since the coffee tank works as a solar collector of vacuum tubes, specifically as simple evacuated tubes with CPC technology. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Portable coffee maker

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention belongs to the food industry sector and falls within the technical sector of the manufacture of portable coffee machines or thermoses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are different types of coffee machines on the market that cover different coffee-making systems. There are also different types of portable coffee makers and thermoses.

The state of the art can be categorized into the following types of products:

• Portable coffee machines. There are coffee machines that allow them to be easily transported in a bag or backpack occupying a minimum space. In addition, they do not require electric current to function. This is the case of patents with publication number US4382402, US6062127, US0199130 A1, US0020866A1, USD823032S. However, the product proposed in the invention has a different design that allows it to occupy a minimum space thanks to the disassembly of its components and its shape. On the other hand, its operation is different from those set forth in the cited patents.

• Solar thermos. This is the case of patent US4196721. It is a double-walled container between which the vacuum has been made and which has reflective surfaces in which the solar radiation falls so that the liquid inside can be heated.

• Solar kitchen products. There are devices such as ovens or casseroles that use solar energy to cook food, such as patents US3053248, US4583521, EP2459939B1, US0133688, US9377215B2, US5195504, which differ from the invention, since their functionality is different by not allowing coffee making.

• Coffee making using solar energy. There are systems that allow coffee to be produced thanks to a solar thermal installation and photovoltaic electrical energy. This is the case of patent ES2624918A1. However, it is a complex device that does not contemplate its transportation.

Currently, there is no known device that allows coffee to be made by applying pressure to make the mixture, and the subsequent use of solar energy to heat the brewed coffee.

Specifically, the invention presents as a novelty the incorporation of a water tank of a flexible nature, so that when pressure is applied it deforms and the water under pressure is applied to a filter containing ground coffee, obtaining the processed coffee, which is stored in a coffee tank, which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a solar collector with a vacuum tube, to produce the heating of the coffee produced by means of solar energy.

Regarding the current state of the art, the present invention provides a series of characteristics that are not combined in any other product on the market:

• Allows ergonomic transport of the coffee maker, since it can be easily separated into parts and stored in one another, taking up minimal space.

• The flexible water tank allows to eliminate the pump or the pistons of the coffee machines that drive the water to impregnate the coffee, being a simple method and suitable for everyone.

• The tank that contains the coffee already prepared and ready for consumption serves as a thermos due to the arrangement and material of its walls, and the incorporation of a cap to close it.

• It incorporates anodized aluminum reflectors attached to the coffee tank to capture solar radiation and heat the coffee contained therein, and these can rotate freely to achieve more efficient use in receiving radiation from any point.

• It incorporates a stainless steel structure formed by two concentric supports to the tank that allows it to be supported on a horizontal surface while receiving radiation from the sun.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A subject of the present invention is a coffee maker that enables coffee to be made in a simple way using few components and includes the possibility of using solar energy to heat the coffee already made.

The coffee maker of the invention, like those provided in the state of the art, comprises a water tank, a coffee container filter and a coffee tank, and has as its main novelty the fact that the water tank is of flexible in nature and is configured to be attached to the top of the filter, which in turn is configured to be attached to the top of the coffee tank, so that when pressure is applied to the water tank, the water it contains is pushed into the the filter in which coffee is impregnated, and falls into the coffee tank, being stored in it.

This feature is an innovation in boosting water so that it impregnates the coffee from the filter.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coffee tank is provided with a double wall inside which a vacuum has been created to provide thermal insulation. Furthermore, the coffee tank comprises a vacuum tube solar collector and the internal wall of the coffee tank has a layer that absorbs solar radiation, for example aluminum nitrite, to absorb solar radiation. The incorporation of adjustable reflectors of sunlight on the coffee tank is also envisaged, to facilitate the heating of the coffee obtained from solar radiation.

To be able to arrange the sunlight reflectors in the coffee tank, fixing rings are included on the perimeter of the coffee tank, in the brackets and reflectors are fixed, with the possibility of articulation, so that the brackets are configured to allow the coffee maker to be placed in a horizontal position and the reflectors are configured to allow sunlight to reflect to the surface of the coffee tank, and thus produce your heating. This heating is favored by the incorporation of the absorbent material layer. Therefore, this configuration allows the coffee to be heated once it has been brewed and to keep it warm in the coffee tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, the clamping rings comprise a projection with a hole in which an articulated fixing of the supports and reflectors is carried out by means of an axis, to facilitate positioning the coffee maker horizontally on the ground by the supports and allow the reflectors to be oriented so that they direct the solar radiation towards the coffee tank, and thus facilitate the heating of the coffee, as described.

In addition, the coffee tank comprises a lower opening that is closed by means of a lid, so that when the lid is opened, the rest of the components of the coffee machine can be stored inside, occupying a minimum space for transport and storage.

To increase the pressure of the water at the outlet of the water tank, it has been fitted with a lower narrowing, so that it is easier to get impregnated with the coffee from the filter. Furthermore, the coffee tank comprises a superior narrowing complementary to that of the water tank to allow introducing said water tank inside the coffee tank, as described.

To facilitate the watertight closing of the coffee tank by means of its lid, a silicone gasket has been provided, which is arranged in the closure between the coffee tank and its lid. Equivalently, a silicone gasket has been provided, which is arranged in the closure of the cap with the coffee tank.

In one embodiment of the invention one or more cups for drinking the already brewed coffee are included, so that the coffee maker includes all the necessary elements for making and drinking coffee. In the preferred embodiment the cups are made of glass borosilicate, and for their transport and storage they are inserted inside each other, inside which the coffee filter is arranged. The whole set is housed inside the water tank, which, in turn, is located inside the coffee tank.

Lastly, it should be noted that the coffee tank is equipped with an upper opening, which can be closed by means of a closure cap for the coffee tank that allows it to be used as a thermos.

In short, the coffee maker fulfills the functions of a portable coffee maker that includes the possibility of using solar energy to heat the coffee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1. Represents an exploded view of the entire product consisting of (1) water tank cover, (2) water tank, (3) water tank thread, (4) filter, (5) filter gasket, (6 ) coffee tank, (7) clamping rings, (8) absorbent layer, (9) cover gasket, (10) coffee tank cover, (11) shaft, (12) supports, (13) reflectors, (14) cups, (15) stopper and (16) stopper gasket.

Figure 2. Represents an exploded view of the three main components of the product, (6) coffee tank, (4) filter and (2) water tank.

Figure 3. Represents the coffee maker complete and ready to operate when all its components are coupled.

Figure 4. Represents the placement of the components (15) stopper, (6) coffee tank, (2) water tank, (14) cups, (4) filter, (1) water tank cover and (10) cover. coffee tank when inserted into the packaging.

Figure 5. Represents a possible embodiment of a packaging for the coffee maker to facilitate its transport and storage. This packaging comprises (19) a body, (18) a foam protection and (17) a lid.

Figure 6. Represents a detailed view of the tabs present on the lid of the water tank.

Figure 7. Section of the water tank.

Figure 8. Filter section.

Figure 9. Represents a detailed view of the holes present in the rings of the coffee tank.

Figure 10. Placing the lid on the coffee tank.

Figure 11. Placing the filter in the coffee tank.

Figure 12. Deposition of ground coffee or coffee capsule in the filter.

Figure 13. Placing the water tank in the filter.

Figure 14. Pouring of water into the water tank.

Figure 15. Replacing the water tank cover.

Figure 16. Application of pressure by hand on the flexible water tank.

Figure 17. Pour the coffee into the cup.

Figure 18. Thermos with reflectors and supports unfolded and closed by the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The coffee maker is made up of several parts, as shown in the explosion in Figure 1, which are reduced to three main components, as shown in Figure 2, after the coupling of part of their parts.

The whole set is arranged in a package consisting of a gray cardboard cylinder (19) with a cylinder of polyethylene foam (18), as shown in figure 5, with which the set can be transported if these are arranged as in Figure 4.

The coffee maker comprises a lid (1) that closes a water tank (2), as shown in Figure 1. Both parts are made of silicone and are therefore flexible. The cover (1) has two semicircular projections (Figure 6) in its upper part that allow it to be removed more easily and snaps into an upper opening of the tank (2) in a watertight manner.

The silicone water tank (2) comprises a double wall, Figure 7, formed by a smooth external wall (20) and an internal wall (21) provided with a series of steps (22) that allow the body of the tank to compress when pressure is applied to the top. The shape of the tank (2) narrows at the bottom, like an inverted bottle, so that the water pressure is higher at its outlet. The smooth outer wall maintains the polished design of the device.

In the lower part of the water tank (2) a stainless steel thread (3) is attached that allows a correct union with the filter (4), also of the same material and with a complementary thread by means of which the coupling is made. 13. The bottom of the filter (4) has a circular silicone gasket (5) attached to prevent leaks at the joint. The filter has a sheet (23) (Figure 8) for retaining ground coffee or a coffee capsule, which is provided with a series of holes (24) that allow the water to escape after impregnating the coffee.

The lower part of the filter (4) is threaded, which allows the union with a glass borosilicate coffee tank (6) that also has a thread in its upper opening to carry out said union between the two. This tank (6) presents an upper narrowing like a bottle and has a double wall in which a vacuum has been made inside to maintain the temperature of the content. Coupled to the perimeter of the coffee tank (6) it comprises two stainless steel rings (7) and concentric to the tank itself. These rings have a projection (25) with a hole (Figure 9) that allow articulated connection with a support (12), as described below. The shape of the coffee tank allows the water tank to be inserted inside, along with the other components.

On the outside of the interior wall of the coffee tank (6) it includes a layer (8) of aluminum nitrite that allows greater absorption of solar radiation. This layer (8) covers almost the entire wall of the coffee tank.

The lower opening of the coffee tank (6) also has a thread that allows the union of a stainless steel lid (10). This cover has a circular silicone gasket (9) that prevents leaks and allows you to open the coffee tank in its largest opening and keep the rest of the components inside, as indicated.

The rings (7) that surround the water tank, as indicated, have a projection (25) with a hole (Figure 9) that allows the introduction of a shaft (11) through which the union of some supports (12) and reflectors (13) with the coffee tank (6).

Both the supports (12) and the reflectors (13) can freely rotate around the axis (11), which allows them to be attached to the coffee tank (6) covering its wall and to be deployed when receiving the solar radiation, to direct them in the right direction allow directing the solar radiation towards the coffee tank.

The designed device also has two cups (14) to be able to serve already brewed coffee and consume it. In addition, it has a cap (15) that also has a gasket (16), to be able to close the coffee tank (6) and use it as a thermos.

All the joined components are shown in Figure 3, where the coffee maker is already ready to be used.

PRODUCT OPERATION MODE

To understand the operation of the coffee maker, each of the steps necessary to make correct use of the device is explained below.

The dismantled coffee machine is started, as shown in figure 4, where the components are not joined and are arranged in a specific way so that they can be stored in the packaging shown in figure 5. In this way, the set of parts that form the coffee maker occupies a smaller space to be transported with greater comfort.

Firstly, the cover (10) is attached to the coffee tank by turning it counterclockwise. Figure 10. Once the coffee tank is closed in its lower area, the filter fits into its upper opening, but this time by turning it clockwise (Figure 11).

Subsequently, a dose of ground coffee or a capsule is inserted, at the user's preference, inside the filter (Figure 12). The water tank is then rotated clockwise around the filter (Figure 13).

Once this step has been carried out, the water tank is screwed around the filter (Figure 14) and the hot water is poured or as the consumer prefers, and the cover of the water tank is placed, sealing it tightly (Figure 15) .

The user then presses the flexible water tank in its upper area to compress it (Figure 16). Once this operation has been carried out, the water is pushed into the filter, where it is mixed with the coffee that is deposited in the coffee tank (6), where it is ready to be served. The coffee tank is then removed from the other components, that is, it is unscrewed from the filter and its contents are served in the cup (Figure 17).

When the coffee is ready to drink and is contained in the coffee tank, it can be heated by solar radiation. The user only has to close the tank with the cap and unfold the supports and reflectors of the tank so that it can be placed in a horizontal position. In this way, anodized aluminum reflectors can reflect sunlight in the area of the tank closest to the ground. The aluminum nitrite layer on the inner wall of the coffee tank allows for greater absorption of energy from the sun. This step in operation is seen in Figure 18.

Claims (15)

1. Portable coffee maker comprising a water tank, a filter and a coffee tank; characterized by the fact that the water tank (2) is flexible and is configured to be attached to the upper part of the filter, which in turn is configured to be attached to the upper part of the coffee tank, to make coffee by applying pressure on the water tank, which is stored in the coffee tank (6). 2. Portable coffee maker, according to claim 1, characterized in that the coffee tank (6) comprises a double wall inside which a vacuum has been made to provide thermal insulation. 3. Portable coffee maker according to claim 2, characterized in that the coffee tank (6) comprises a solar collector with a vacuum tube. Portable coffee maker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coffee tank (6) comprises an absorbent layer (8) of solar radiation. 5. Portable coffee maker, according to claim 4, characterized in that the absorbent layer (8) of the coffee tank is made of aluminum nitrite. 6. Portable coffee machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises clamping rings (7), arranged on the perimeter of the coffee tank (6), in which supports (12) configured are fixed, with the possibility of articulation. to place the coffee maker in a horizontal position and some reflectors (13) of sunlight to heat the coffee tank. 7. Portable coffee machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping rings (7) comprise a projection with a hole in which the articulated fixing of the supports (12) and reflectors is carried out by means of an axis (11) (13). Portable coffee maker, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coffee tank (6) comprises a lower opening that is closed by a lid (10), to store the rest of the components of the coffee maker inside. 9. Portable coffee maker, according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a silicone gasket (9) that is arranged in the closure between the coffee tank (6) and its lid (10). 10. Portable coffee maker, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water tank (2) comprises a lower narrowing to increase the pressure of the water at its outlet. 11. Portable coffee maker, according to claims 8 and 10, characterized in that the coffee tank comprises a superior narrowing complementary to that of the water tank to allow introducing said water tank inside the coffee tank. 12. Portable coffee maker, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes at least one cup (14) to drink the coffee already made. 13. Portable coffee maker, according to claim 12, characterized in that at least the cup (14) is made of glass borosilicate. 14. Portable coffee maker according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coffee tank is provided with an upper opening, which can be closed by means of a closure cap (15) for the coffee tank (6) to be used as a thermos. 15. Portable coffee maker, according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a silicone gasket (16) that is arranged in the closure of the stopper (15) with the coffee tank (6).