GB1601125A - Apparatus for producing beverages - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEVERAGES (71) I, PETER BRIAN JONES a British Subject of 10 Merlin Close, Hoveton, Wroxham, Norfolk NR19 8DW do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns apparatus for producing hot beverages. Such apparatus will be referred to herein as a beverage unit.

Apparatus for producing quantities of boiling water and steam to assist in the mixing of beverages such as tea, coffee and chocolate are known. One well known make of such apparatus comprises the electrically operated boiler manufactured by W. M. Still and Sons Limited.

This boiler is adapted to be mounted below a counter and includes an upright font with taps and nozzles at the upper end from which boiling water and steam can be extracted in known manner.

Such boilers are commonly found in canteens and restaurants.

The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage unit which can be supplied with boiling water and steam from a single font of such a below counter boiler.

According to the present invention a beverage unit comprises a housing adapted to stand on a flat working surface a water take-up pipe extending vertically through the housing and adapted to be connected at its lower end to a boiling water outlet of a boiler located below the working surface, a steam pipe surrounding the water take-up pipe and adapted at its lower end for connection to steam outlet of the said boiler, a first tap for controlling the flow of boiling water from a first nozzle and a second nozzle at the lower end of the platform for supporting a removable beverage receiving reservoir which platform is heated by steam from the steam pipe, reservoir means at the upper end of the housing, a lid member normally closing the reservoir and operable to allow boiling water to be poured into the said reservoir means, outlet means from the reservoir and a spray cap associated therewith for producing a fine spray of boiling water for spraying onto a powdered or granulated medium to produce a beverage water.

Conveniently a removable reservoir is stood on the heated platform the removable reservoir having an open upper end generally aligned with the spray cap and a removable infuser pan is supported below the spray cap and above the opening in the removable reservoir, having a lower drain outlet and adapted to receive a filter element into which the granulated or powdered medium can be poured, the filter element serving to prevent the powdered or granulated medium from passing through the drain exit but allowing liquid produced by boiling water draining through the powdered or granulated medium to pass out through the exit drain into the removable reservoir.

Preferably the removable reservoir is a generally spherical glass bowl having a flattened face on which it can stand and diametrically opposite thereto a circular opening having a neck and pouring lip around which a handle is located.

Preferably the infuser pan includes a sprung wire frame to secure a filter paper within the pan. Conveniently the pan also includes a handle which extends laterally therefrom.

Preferably a shelf is provided immediately below the upper reservoir and the infuser pan includes a peripheral lip which will rest on the shelf and retain the infuser pan in position below the upper reservoir.

Preferably an anti drip syphon tube is provided within the upper reservoir and communicates with an outlet pipe which extends downwardly to terminate in the spray nozzle or spray cap.

Preferably the removable lid to the upper reservoir comprises a hinged flap.

Preferably the shallow enclosure at the lower end of the apparatus comprises a generally flat plate which provides the support for the removable reservoir and below the flat plate one or more inclined plates which provide drainage to the second aperture means in the wall of the steam pipe so that water condensing within the shallow enclosure runs down the surface of the inclined plate or plates into the second aperture means to return via the steam pipe to the boiler.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam and water font formed by the coaxial steam and water pipes extends centrally through the housing and the heated shallow enclosure at the base of the housing extends laterally and equally on opposite sides of the central font to provide two equal heated platforms for two removable reservoirs and two fixed reservoirs are provided at the upper end of the housing each with a boiling water spray outlet and provision is made for supporting two infuser pans therebelow so that twice the volume beverage can be produced in a given time.

The heated shallow enclosure on which the removable reservoir stands keeps the contents of the latter at a temperature just below the temperature at which water boils.

Coffee can be produced by filling an infuser pan with coffee grouts, locating the infuser pan below an upper reservoir, collecting a quantity of boiling water from the boiling water tap, opening the lid to the upper reservoir and pouring the boiling water thereinto and collecting the liquid which drains from the infuser pan in the warmed removable reservoir situated below the drain exit of the infuser pan as the water from the upper reservoir drains through the grouts and filter paper in the pan.

Other beverages can be made in a similar manner by using alternative powdered or granulated material in the infuser pan. However it is to be understood that the invention is primarily concerned with the production of coffee.

The invention will now be described by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front view of a two station beverage unit embodying the invention with the water and steam taps and nozzles removed for clarity, Figure 2 is an end view of the unit shown in Figure 1 with the water and steam nozzles and taps in place, Figure 3 is a plan view of the unit shown in Figure 1 when viewed from above, Figure 4 is a side view of an infuser pan and Figure 5 is a top plan view of the infuser pan shown in Figure 4.

Referring first of all to the Figures 1 to 3, a beverage unit constructed as an embodiment of the invention comprises a generally rectangular housing 10 the base of which is adapted to stand on and be secured to a working surface or bench or the like. The upper end includes two integral reservoirs 12 and 14 which are shown in hidden detail in the three views and which are covered by a flat lid assembly comprising a fixed central section 16 and two hinged end plate sections 18 and 20. The latter can be lifted to give access to the reservoirs 12 and 14.

Each of the reservoirs includes an outlet which communicates with the interior of the reservoir via an inverted 'U' tube also shown in dotted outline and designated by reference numeral 22 in the case of reservoir 12 and 24 in the case of reservoir 14. The inverted 'U' tube constitutes an anti drip syphon and below the outlet of each reservoir is located an outlet tube 26 and 28 respectively which terminates in a spray nozzle sometimes referred to as a spray cap 30 and 32 respectively.

The housing 10 includes shelf members 34 and 36 below the reservoir 12 and 38 and 40 below the reservoir 14. The pair of shelves 34 and 36 on the one hand and 38 and 40 on the other hand provide support for infuser pans one of which is shown at 42. The latter will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Below each infuser pan there is sufficient space to insert a flask sometimes referred to as a decanter such as designated by reference numeral 44. The flask as shown is a hollow generally spherical glass container the base of which is preferably flattened to provide a surface on which the container can rest and diametrically opposite the flattened base includes an aperture, a neck region 46 and a pouring lip 48. Around the neck of region 46 is located a strap or band 50 which is secured to a handle 52 by which the flask can be picked up.

The internal volume of the integral reservoir such as 12 is commensurate with the internal volume of the flask such as 44 so that it is not possible to have more boiling water in the reservoir 12 than can be contained in the flastk 44 thereb elow.

In order to keep hot the contents of the flask such as 44 the platform on which the flask stands and which constitutes part of the base of the housing 10 is itself heated and comprises a shallow sealed enclosure having a generally flat upper plate 54 and incline plates on the underside 56, 58 and 60, the plate 54 being brazed to a tube 62 which has a first set of apertures 64 immediately below the underside of the plate 54 and a second set of apertures 66 immediately above the junction of the plates such as 56, 58 and 60 where these are also brazed to the pipe 62 extends a steam pipe 68 and apertures in the steam pipe communicate with the apertures 64 and 66 to allow steam to enter the interior of the sealed enclosure formed by the plates 54, 56, 58 and 60 to warm the plates and in doing so condense as water which then runs down the inclined plate 56, 58 and 60 to return to the boiler via the aperture 66.

The steam pipe 68 extends to the top of the housing from where a branch tube 70 extends first to one side and then forwardly to terminate in a tap 72 and steam nozzle 74 as shown in Figure 2.

Centrally of the steam pipe 68 extends a narrower diameter pipe 76 to which boiling water is supplied and this latter pipe extends almost to the same height as the outer steam pipe 68 and at its upper end extends via a second branch pipe 78 first to the other side and then forwardly to terminate in a water tap 80 and water nozzle 82 as shown in Figure 2.

Although not shown an infuser pan similar to 42 and a flask constituting a removable reservoir similar to 44 may be provided below the spray cap 32.

Steam and boiling water for the steam pipe 68 and water pipe 76 are provided from a boiler (not shown) conveniently located below the working surface (not shown) on which the housing 10 stands.

The infuser pan 43 is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. The pan comprises a shallow cup having inclined walls and a drain outlet 84. Within the pan is situated a sprung wire frame 86 and sandwiched between the frame 86 and the walls of the pan 42 is a filter paper (not shown) which whilst preventing powdered or granulated material from passing through to the drain outlet 84 allows liquid to pass therethrough.

Around the upper edge of the pan 42 is a strap 88 which is secured to a handle 90.

The strap 88 extends below a shoulder or annular lip 92 which rests on the shelves 34 and 36 to support the pan above the removable flask 44.

Coffee is made by putting a filter paper in the pan 42, putting coffee grouts onto the filter paper, locating the pan below the reservoir 12, locating an empty flask 44 below the infuser pan 42, filling a similar flask to that shown at 44 with boiling water from the nozzle 82, opening the lid 18 and pouring the contents of the flask into the fixed reservoir 12 and allowing the boiling water which leaves the spray nozzle or cap 30 to drain through the grouts and through the filter paper and drain outlet 84 of the infuser pan into the empty flask 44.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A beverage unit comprising a housing adapted to stand on a flat working surface, a water take-up pipe extending vertically through the housing and adapted to be connected at its lower end to a boiling water outlet of a boiler located below the working surface, a steam pipe surrounding the water take-up pipe and adapted at its lower end for connection to a steam outlet of the said boiler, a first tap for controlling the flow of boiling water from a first nozzle and a second tap to control the flow of steam from a second nozzle, a platform for supporting a removable beverage receiving reservoir at the lower end of the housing, which platform is heated by steam from the steam pipe, reservoir means at the upper end of the housing, a lid member normally closing the reservoir and operable to allow the boiling water to be poured into the said reservoir means, outlet means from the reservoir means and a spray cap associated therewith for producing a fine spray of boiling water for spraying onto a powdered or granulated medium to produce a beverage.

2. A beverage unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a removable reservoir adapted to stand on the steam heated platform, the removable reservoir having an open upper end generally aligned within the spray cap and a removable infuser pan adapted to be supported below the spray cap and above the opening in the removable reservoir, said pan having a lower outlet and being adapted to receive a filter element into which the granulated or powdered medium can be poured, the filter element serving to prevent the powdered or granulated medium from passing through the outlet but allowing liquid produced by the boiling water draining through the granulated or powdered medium to pass out through the outlet into the removable reservoir.

3. A beverage unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the steam heated platform comprises a shallow enclosure through which the steam pipe extends, first aperture means communicating with the interior of the steam pipe and the interior of the enclosure to allow steam to pass from the means also communicating between the interior of the steam pipe and interior of the shallow enclosure through which water produced by the steam condensing within the shallow enclosure can return via the steam pipe to the boiler, the steam within the shallow enclosure causing the enclosure to be heated.

4. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 2 or 3 in which the infuser pan includes a sprung wire frame to secure a filter paper within the pan.

5. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 2, 3 and 4 in which two shelves are provided below the upper reservoir means and the infuser pan includes a peripheral lip which rests on the shelves and retains the pan in position.

6. A beverage unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 further comprising an anti-drip syphon tube in the upper reservoir means which communicates with an outlet pipe which extends downwardly to terminate in the spray cap.

7. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 3 and 6 in which the shallow enclosure comprises a generally flat plate which provides the support for the removable reservoir and below the flat plate one or more inclined plates which provide drainage to the second aperture means in the wall of the steam pipe so that water condensing within the enclosure runs down the included plate or plates into the second aperture means.

8. A beverage unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 in which two equal heated platforms for two removable reservoirs are provided, one on either side of said coaxial stem and water pipes, and two fixed reservoirs are provided at the upper end of the housing each with a boiling water spray outlet and means is provided for supporting two infuser pans therebelow.

9. A beverage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a boiler for producing steam and water.

10. A beverage unit constructed, arranged

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the spray cap 32. Steam and boiling water for the steam pipe 68 and water pipe 76 are provided from a boiler (not shown) conveniently located below the working surface (not shown) on which the housing 10 stands. The infuser pan 43 is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. The pan comprises a shallow cup having inclined walls and a drain outlet 84. Within the pan is situated a sprung wire frame 86 and sandwiched between the frame 86 and the walls of the pan 42 is a filter paper (not shown) which whilst preventing powdered or granulated material from passing through to the drain outlet 84 allows liquid to pass therethrough. Around the upper edge of the pan 42 is a strap 88 which is secured to a handle 90. The strap 88 extends below a shoulder or annular lip 92 which rests on the shelves 34 and 36 to support the pan above the removable flask 44. Coffee is made by putting a filter paper in the pan 42, putting coffee grouts onto the filter paper, locating the pan below the reservoir 12, locating an empty flask 44 below the infuser pan 42, filling a similar flask to that shown at 44 with boiling water from the nozzle 82, opening the lid 18 and pouring the contents of the flask into the fixed reservoir 12 and allowing the boiling water which leaves the spray nozzle or cap 30 to drain through the grouts and through the filter paper and drain outlet 84 of the infuser pan into the empty flask 44. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A beverage unit comprising a housing adapted to stand on a flat working surface, a water take-up pipe extending vertically through the housing and adapted to be connected at its lower end to a boiling water outlet of a boiler located below the working surface, a steam pipe surrounding the water take-up pipe and adapted at its lower end for connection to a steam outlet of the said boiler, a first tap for controlling the flow of boiling water from a first nozzle and a second tap to control the flow of steam from a second nozzle, a platform for supporting a removable beverage receiving reservoir at the lower end of the housing, which platform is heated by steam from the steam pipe, reservoir means at the upper end of the housing, a lid member normally closing the reservoir and operable to allow the boiling water to be poured into the said reservoir means, outlet means from the reservoir means and a spray cap associated therewith for producing a fine spray of boiling water for spraying onto a powdered or granulated medium to produce a beverage.

2. A beverage unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a removable reservoir adapted to stand on the steam heated platform, the removable reservoir having an open upper end generally aligned within the spray cap and a removable infuser pan adapted to be supported below the spray cap and above the opening in the removable reservoir, said pan having a lower outlet and being adapted to receive a filter element into which the granulated or powdered medium can be poured, the filter element serving to prevent the powdered or granulated medium from passing through the outlet but allowing liquid produced by the boiling water draining through the granulated or powdered medium to pass out through the outlet into the removable reservoir.

3. A beverage unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the steam heated platform comprises a shallow enclosure through which the steam pipe extends, first aperture means communicating with the interior of the steam pipe and the interior of the enclosure to allow steam to pass from the means also communicating between the interior of the steam pipe and interior of the shallow enclosure through which water produced by the steam condensing within the shallow enclosure can return via the steam pipe to the boiler, the steam within the shallow enclosure causing the enclosure to be heated.

4. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 2 or 3 in which the infuser pan includes a sprung wire frame to secure a filter paper within the pan.

5. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 2, 3 and 4 in which two shelves are provided below the upper reservoir means and the infuser pan includes a peripheral lip which rests on the shelves and retains the pan in position.

6. A beverage unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 further comprising an anti-drip syphon tube in the upper reservoir means which communicates with an outlet pipe which extends downwardly to terminate in the spray cap.

7. A beverage unit as claimed in claims 3 and 6 in which the shallow enclosure comprises a generally flat plate which provides the support for the removable reservoir and below the flat plate one or more inclined plates which provide drainage to the second aperture means in the wall of the steam pipe so that water condensing within the enclosure runs down the included plate or plates into the second aperture means.

8. A beverage unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 in which two equal heated platforms for two removable reservoirs are provided, one on either side of said coaxial stem and water pipes, and two fixed reservoirs are provided at the upper end of the housing each with a boiling water spray outlet and means is provided for supporting two infuser pans therebelow.

9. A beverage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a boiler for producing steam and water.

10. A beverage unit constructed, arranged

and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.