FR3079731A1 - COFFEE FILTER WITH HOMOGENEOUS WATER DISTRIBUTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MILLING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter coffee maker (1) comprising a water tank, a boiler for producing hot water, a filter holder intended to receive coffee grounds and a device for distributing (6) the hot water on the ground coffee. The distribution device (6) is arranged above the filter holder and comprises a turbine (7) driven in rotation about a vertical axis (X2) by a jet of hot water from a duct (5) fed by the boiler. The distribution device (6) comprises distribution ducts for hot water from the hot water jet. These distribution ducts are separate and rotated by the turbine and extend radially to the vertical axis (X2) over at least two different lengths.

Description

FILTER COFFEE MAKER WITH HOMOGENEOUS DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR HOT WATER ON COFFEE GRINDING

Technical area

The present invention relates to devices for dispensing drinks of the filter coffee maker type, in particular filter coffee makers which are equipped with a device for distributing hot water over the coffee grounds, in order to ensure dynamic watering over the entire coffee grounds contained in the filter holder.

State of the art

Filter coffee makers are well known to those skilled in the art. Traditionally, a filter coffee maker has a reservoir for holding a quantity of cold water in relation to the maximum quantity of coffee drink that the jug of this filter coffee maker can contain. The filter coffee maker also includes a boiler for producing hot water from the cold water in the tank. The filter coffee maker also comprises a filter holder intended to receive a filter containing ground coffee, said filter holder being arranged above the jug.

The first designs of filter coffee makers on the market provided for a jet of hot water at the outlet of a duct supplied by the boiler, the jet of hot water allowing watering from above the coffee grounds at a single point, located usually in the center of the coffee grounds. The grinding of wet coffee becoming less permeable to the passage of water, the accumulation of drops then allows to have hydration of the dry grinding located near the wet grinding, by propagation. The hot water thus passes through the coffee grounds until it reaches the walls of the filter placed in the filter holder. The excess coffee beverage consists of hot water more or less charged with aromas depending on the brewing time of the coffee grounds and the temperature of the hot water.

To reduce the hydration time of coffee, some filter coffee makers have several hot water supply ports arranged above the grind. However, since all of these orifices are supplied with hot water by the same conduit, the supply of hot water to the orifices is carried out in cascade, the orifices furthest from the conduit being supplied after the nearest orifices are saturated. Finally, the homogeneous hydration of all the coffee grounds is not instantaneous.

Other filter coffee makers provide for watering the coffee grounds by a relative displacement of this watering with respect to the surface of the coffee grounds. Mention will in particular be made of the titles EP0278197B1, CN104622295A and CN105147113A. These filter coffee makers are equipped with a device for distributing hot water over the grind. According to these different embodiments, the distribution device is arranged above the filter holder and comprises a turbine driven in rotation about a vertical axis by a jet of hot water coming from a duct supplied by the boiler.

In patent EP0278197B1, the turbine rotates a part forming a bowl arranged under said turbine and recovering the hot water from the water jet. The bowl is provided with a dispensing orifice for the hot water received by this bowl. According to this implementation, the watering of the coffee grounds is carried out on a ring at the periphery of the surface of this grounds, which requires a certain time for the homogeneous hydration of all the coffee grounds to be reached. .

In patent application CN104622295A, the turbine rotates a part forming a cap arranged under said turbine and recovering the hot water from the water jet. The cap is provided with several orifices or grooves for distributing the hot water received by this cap. The flow of hot water through holes or grooves does not take place evenly. In addition, hot water falling on the upper face of the cap may tend to flow on this upper face to its peripheral edge, without passing through orifices or grooves. It therefore follows that the homogeneous hydration of all the grind is not instantaneous.

In patent application CN105147113A, the turbine rotates a distribution duct arranged under this turbine. This distribution duct extends radially from the vertical axis of rotation of the turbine and has a succession of distribution openings for the flow of hot water during the rotation of said duct. The hot water supply to the orifices is carried out in cascade, the most distant orifices on the distribution duct being supplied once the closest orifices are saturated. It also results in that the homogeneous hydration of all the grind does not take place instantly.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a filter coffee maker which comprises a water tank, a boiler for producing hot water, a filter holder intended to receive a filter with ground coffee and a water distribution device. hot on the ground coffee. The distribution device is arranged above the filter holder and comprises a turbine driven in rotation about a vertical axis by a jet of hot water coming from a duct supplied by the boiler.

According to the invention, the water distribution device comprises at least first and second hot water distribution conduits from the jet of hot water. These distribution conduits are separate and driven in rotation by the turbine and they extend radially to the vertical axis over at least two different lengths. In other words, the distribution device comprises two or more of two hot water distribution conduits which are not confused with one another and which have at least two different lengths, each distribution conduit extending radially from the vertical axis, all the distribution conduits being driven simultaneously in rotation by the turbine.

Thus, according to the filter coffee maker object of the invention, the jet of hot water at the outlet of the duct is projected onto the turbine to rotate it and drive all the distribution ducts around the vertical axis. The hot water sprayed on the turbine passes through it and then flows with a homogeneous flow simultaneously in all the conduits. The differences in length of the distribution pipes and their rotation immediately ensure that the entire surface of the coffee grounds placed in the filter holder is watered.

According to one embodiment, the filter coffee maker has first and second distribution conduits which extend in opposite directions, on either side of the vertical axis. Many variants are however possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the filter coffee maker may have three or four separate distribution conduits which are all of different lengths and which are distributed homogeneously and radially around the vertical axis. According to a variant, the filter coffee maker may also have four separate distribution conduits which are distributed radially in a cross about the vertical axis, two of the four distribution conduits arranged in opposition having the same first length and the other two of the four distribution arranged in opposition having the same second length. According to another variant with four separate distribution conduits distributed radially in a cross about the vertical axis, two of the four distribution conduits arranged in opposition have first and second lengths respectively and the other two of the four distribution conduits arranged in opposition have also first and second lengths respectively.

According to the invention, the first hot water distribution conduit has a length L1 and the second hot water distribution conduit has a length L2. In addition, L2 is greater than or equal to 2 x L1. Preferably, L2 is equal to 2 x L1.

According to an embodiment of the filter coffee maker, the at least first and second distribution conduits each have a gutter shape, that is to say that they each have a U shape. We could consider shape distribution conduits tubular, according to another alternative embodiment, or even other shapes adapted to a suitable flow in these distribution conduits.

According to a first embodiment of the filter coffee maker, the at least first and second conduits are open at their distal ends. This first implementation makes it possible to have a flow of hot water by centrifugation at the outlet of the distribution conduits, either in a radial direction when the conduits are straight or in a tangential direction when the conduits present in the direction of their lengths a serpentine shape. It is also possible to envisage a second embodiment according to which the at least first and second conduits are closed at their distal ends and each have a downward-oriented orifice near the distal end. This second implementation makes it possible to have a flow of hot water in the axial direction or slightly inclined relative to the vertical axis, depending on whether said orifice is disposed directly in the bottom of the duct or is disposed slightly towards the 'rear of said conduit, taking into account its direction of rotation.

According to the invention, the water distribution device comprises a receptacle for hot water arranged in a rotary manner under the turbine. In addition, the at least first and second hot water distribution conduits extend radially to the vertical axis from said receptacle. According to this implementation, the hot water passes through the turbine and is first collected by the receptacle to then supply the at least first and second distribution conduits. This reduces the jerky effect of the jets of hot water leaving the supply duct which is supplied with hot water by the boiler. Thus, the hot water flows in the distribution conduits continuously.

In the presence of such a receptacle, the at least first and second hot water distribution conduits each have an identical inlet section, formed by their connections to said receptacle. Thus, the flow takes place with the same flow rate in the distribution conduits. The input sections could be modified to vary the respective flow rates of each distribution conduit.

In addition, the distribution device comprises a funnel-shaped part arranged between the turbine and the receptacle for collecting hot water from the jet of hot water and conveying it into said receptacle. Preferably, this funnel-shaped part is fixedly arranged between the turbine and the receptacle which are rotatable around the vertical axis. However, one could provide a funnel-shaped part rotating with the turbine and the receptacle around the vertical axis.

According to the invention, the turbine has an axial part guided in rotation in a bearing. In addition, the filter coffee maker has an upper cover under which the turbine is arranged, said upper cover receiving the bearing. Preferably the turbine has an axial part guided in rotation in a single bearing. This implementation makes it possible to avoid contact of hot water with the mechanical parts for guiding the rotation of the distribution device and thus to avoid scaling of these mechanical parts.

According to one embodiment, the upper cover is movable in rotation. In other words, the top cover is foldably mounted on the coffee maker. This makes it possible to pivot the entire distribution device with said upper cover and, thus, to easily access the distribution conduits and the filter holder.

According to one embodiment, the funnel part is fixed to the upper cover. One could plan to secure this funnel piece to the turbine, in which case said funnel piece would no longer be fixed on the top cover, but rotatably mounted around the vertical axis.

Brief description of the figures

The following description highlights the characteristics and advantages of the present invention. This description is based on figures, among which:

- Figure 1 illustrates in section the upper part of a filter coffee maker according to an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates from another angle of view said upper part of the filter coffee maker, part of the upper cover being erased to highlight the turbine and the supply duct;

- Figures 3 and 4 illustrate two different views of a preferred implementation of the distribution conduits on the distribution device.

detailed description

In the following description, the filter coffee maker according to the invention is called a coffee maker.

Figures 1 and 2 show the upper part 1a of a coffee maker 1 according to the invention. The other characteristics of the coffee maker 1, namely the container, the boiler, the jug, the filter holder and the body of the coffee maker having a base on which the jug rests, well known to those skilled in the art, do not are neither illustrated nor detailed in the following description. Those skilled in the art can refer to existing coffee makers for the implementation of such characteristics.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper part 1a of the coffee maker 1 comprises an upper cover 2 which is rotatably mounted with respect to the body 3 of this coffee maker 1 by means of a pivot link 4 with a horizontal axis X1 . This allows the upper cover 2 to be raised or folded down by pivoting it in one direction or the other along said horizontal axis X1, as illustrated by the double arrow F1.

The coffee maker 1 comprises a supply duct 5 provided with an outlet end 5a through which a jet of water comes out. This supply duct 5 is supplied from the tank (not illustrated) when the boiler (not illustrated) heats the water, the hot boiling water rising in the supply duct 5 to exit as a jet of hot water by jerks.

The coffee maker 1 comprises a distribution device 6 for hot water which is mounted on the upper cover 2. This distribution device 6 is positioned above the filter holder (not illustrated) when the upper cover 2 is folded down in its position for using the coffee maker 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The distribution device 6 comprises a turbine 7 which is rotatably mounted along a vertical axis X2 with respect to a cover 8 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of said upper cover 2. This rotational mounting is implemented by the 'Intermediate of a bearing 9. As illustrated in Figure 2, the outlet end 5a of the supply conduit 5 is oriented towards the blades 7a of the turbine 7; when the water jets jerk out of the supply duct 5, these are projected onto the blades 7a, which rotates the turbine 7 around the vertical axis X2, in the direction of the arrow F2 illustrated in FIG. 2. The axial part 7b of the turbine 7 is mounted in the bearing 9 and this bearing 9 is mounted to slide in a cylindrical part 8a of the cover 8.

As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the distribution device 6 comprises a funnel part 10 which is positioned under the turbine 7 and the upper edge 10a of which is fixed to the upper cover 2. This funnel part 10 includes its center a neck 10b which is provided with a dispensing opening

11.

As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the distribution device 6 comprises a distribution piece 12 formed of a single element which comprises a shaft 13, a receptacle 14 and two distribution conduits 15, 16. The shaft 13 comprises an upper part 13a provided with two flats 17a, 17b which cooperate with complementary flats (not shown) arranged in a hole 18 on the axial part 7b of the turbine 7. A locking piece 19 engages on one end 13b of the shaft 13 and is held by screwing with respect to the shaft 13 while resting on an upper face 9a of the bearing 9. Thus, the distribution piece 12 is blocked in translation along the vertical axis X2 and rotates with the turbine 7 along said vertical axis X2. This blocking piece 19 can also be used to block the rotation along the axis X2 between the bearing 9 and the axial part, in place of or in addition to the tight assembly between said axial part 7b and said bearing 9. The shaft 13 passes through the dispensing opening 11 on the funnel part 10. The neck 10b of the funnel part 10 plunges into the receptacle 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the water jets serving to entrain in rotation, the turbine 7 passes between the blades 7a and then falls into the funnel part 10 which collects the hot water to flow through the distribution opening 11 into the receptacle 14.

As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the two distribution conduits 15, 16 extend radially and in opposition with respect to the vertical axis X2. These distribution conduits 15, 16 both have a gutter shape, that is to say with a U-shaped section. The first distribution conduit 15 has a length L1 and the second distribution conduit 16 has a length L2 . The length L1 is at least twice greater than the length L2 (L1> 2 x L2), preferably equal to twice the length L2 (L1 = 2 x L2). The proximal end 15a of the first distribution conduit 15 is connected to the receptacle 14, thus defining a connection section S1. Likewise, the proximal end 16a of the second distribution duct 16 is connected to the receptacle 14, thus defining a connection section S2. The sections S1 and S2 are preferably identical, which ensures a more or less identical flow in the two distribution conduits 15, 16 of the hot water located in the receptacle 14.

The distribution conduits 15, 16 extend radially to the vertical axis X2, along more or less rectilinear trajectories. In addition, the distal ends 15b, 16b of the two distribution conduits 15, 16 are open. Thus, during the rotation of the dispensing part 12, the hot water flows from the two dispensing conduits 15, 16 along radial paths. One could consider serpentine shapes for these distribution conduits 15, 16 so as to obtain a flow of hot water along more or less tangential paths at the distal ends 15b, 16b. One could provide another variant with distribution conduits 15, 16 closed at their distal ends 15b, 16b and provide distribution orifices (not shown) in the bottom 15c, 16c of said distribution conduits 15, 16, close of said distal ends 15b, 16b, so as to obtain an axial downward flow along trajectories more or less parallel to the vertical axis X2 during the rotation of said distribution piece 12. These distribution orifices (not shown) could also be positioned on the rear sides 15d, 16d in these distribution conduits 15, 16, rather than in the bottoms 15c, 16c, due to the rotation of the distribution part 12 in the direction defined by the arrow F2.

Variants of the distribution device 6 on the coffee maker 1 can be envisaged in the context of the invention. For example, one or two additional distribution conduits could be provided to the distribution conduits 15, 16 extending radially to the vertical axis X2. In this case, the three or four distribution conduits are distributed homogeneously around the receptacle 14, the additional conduit or conduits being of different lengths and comprised between the two lengths L1 and L2 of the distribution conduits 15, 16. It could also be provide two additional distribution conduits identical to the distribution conduits 15, 16, but arranged at right angles to said distribution conduits 15, 16.

Claims (14)

1. Filter coffee maker (1) comprising a water tank, a boiler for producing hot water, a filter holder intended to receive coffee grounds and a device (6) for distributing hot water over the grounds of coffee, said distribution device being arranged above the filter holder and comprising a turbine (7) driven in rotation about a vertical axis (X2) by a jet of hot water coming from a conduit (5) supplied by the boiler, characterized in that the distribution device (6) comprises at least first and second distribution conduits (15, 16) of hot water coming from the jet of hot water, said distribution conduits (15, 16 ) being distinct and driven in rotation by the turbine (7) and extending radially to the vertical axis (X2) over at least two different lengths (L1, L2). 2. Filter coffee maker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least first and second conduits (15, 16) extend in opposite directions, on either side of the vertical axis (X2). 3. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first distribution pipe (15) of hot water has a length L1 and in that the second distribution pipe (16) hot water has a length L2, L2 being greater than or equal to 2 x L1, preferably L2 being equal to 2 x L1. 4. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least first and second conduits (15, 16) each have a shape of gutter. 5. Filter coffee maker (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least first and second conduits (15, 16) are open at their distal ends (15b, 16b). 6. Filter coffee maker (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each duct (15, 16) has, in the direction of its length, a rectilinear shape or a serpentine shape. 7. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least first and second conduits (15, 16) are closed at their distal ends (15b, 16b) and each have an orifice oriented downwards near the distal end. 8. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distribution device (6) comprises a receptacle (14) of hot water arranged in a rotary manner under the turbine (7) , the at least first and second distribution conduits (15, 16) extending radially to the vertical axis (X2) from said receptacle. 9. Filter coffee maker (1) according to claim 8 characterized in that the at least first and second distribution conduits (15, 16) each have an identical inlet section (S1, S2) formed by their connections to the receptacle ( 14). 10. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the distribution device (6) comprises a funnel part (10) arranged between the turbine (7) and the receptacle (14) to collect hot water from the jet of hot water and route it into said receptacle. 11. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the turbine (7) comprises an axial part (7b) guided in rotation in a bearing (9), said filter coffee maker (1) comprising an upper cover (2) under which the turbine is arranged and which receives the bearing. 12. Filter coffee maker (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the turbine (7) comprises an axial part (7b) guided in rotation in a single bearing (9). 13. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the upper cover (2) is movable in rotation. 14. Filter coffee maker (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13 attached to claim 10, characterized in that the funnel part (10) is fixed to the upper cover (2).