IES20060105A2 - A coffee machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A coffee machine (10) has a generally C-shaped body (12) with a base section (13), an upstanding middle section (14) and a top section (15). A pair of hot plates (17, 25), is mounted in the base section (13) and the top section (15), respectively. The hot plate (17) is surrounded by a tray (18) with a raised wall (19) in which two draining channels (20,21), for draining away any spilt liquid, are cut. A further draining channel (29) is cut into a further wall (28) of a tray (27), which surrounds the hot plate (25). A panel (31) of control switches (32,33) is located in a recess (34) set into the front surface (35) of the base section (13). An upper part (36) of the recess (34) is shaped so as to form an overhang (37 ) above the panel (31), which overhang (37), in use, directs any liquid, spilt down the front surface (35) of the base section (13), away from the panel (31). A spray-head, (not shown), is located above the centre of a filter holder (11) and is mounted on a supporting member (38) such that a spray-head rose (not shown) is detachable from the coffee machine (10) to facilitate the removal of any limescale build-up on the spray-head rose. <Figure 1>

Description

This invention relates to a coffee machine and, in particular, to a coffee machine of the pour and serve type.

By a pour and serve coffee machine in this context is meant a single brewer coffee machine, for use in professional foodservice and ‘horeca’ (hotel/restaurant/catering) applications.

A pour and serve coffee machine has means, such as a flash boiler, for heating a supply of water to a predetermined temperature, the heated water being fed through a spray-head into a filter basket, which holds coffee grounds. The hot water extracts coffee from the grounds and filters through to a pot beneath.

An example of such a machine is the Bravilor Bonamat, Mondo 2 filter coffee machine (Bravilor Bonamat is a trade mark of Bravilor Holdings BV, of Pascalstraat 20, 1704 RD Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands).

A problem with machines of this type, particularly in hard water areas, is their susceptibility to the build-up of limescale deposits. When water is heated, calcium and magnesium metal ions combine with bicarbonate to produce calcium carbonate or limescale. Limescale particles adhere on available surfaces and can quickly build up to completely coat a surface. This build-up of limescale prevents the machine from working properly and ultimately blocks it completely.

The spray-head is one of the locations particularly susceptible to the IE 0 6 0 1 0 5 deposit of limescale particles due to the presence of water at an average temperature of 92°C.

The Bravilor Bonamat, Mondo 2 filter coffee machine, mentioned above, is equipped with a descale indicator, which illuminates when build-up of limescale has been detected. The machine has to be taken out of service and the descaling process implemented, which takes some time.

Another problem with pour and serve coffee machines is the risk of spillages of water or coffee onto the machine. Such spilt coffee can leak into the machine causing an electrical hazard. For this reason the Bravilor Bonamat, Mondo 2 filter coffee machine is equipped with a leak stop feature, which shuts down the machine in the event of a leakage of coffee into the machine. This results in the machine having to be taken out of commission so that the liquid can be removed from within the machine.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the coffee machines hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a coffee machine of the type that feeds heated water through a spray-head into a filter holder containing coffee grounds to be collected in a coffee container therebelow, the coffee machine comprising a generally C-shaped body with a base section, an upstanding middle section and a top section, the spray-head being mounted in the top section, the spray-head having a body section IE 0 6 0 1 05 with a spray-head rose attachable thereto, and means for detaching the spray-head rose from the body section by hand.

An advantage of the coffee machine according to the invention is that, where a machine is being used in an area having a hard water supply, any build-up of limescale on the spray-head rose can be easily removed, as the spray-head rose is detachable from the machine. This cuts out the need for lengthy cleaning routines, which were required heretofor in machines having spray-heads permanently mounted therein.

Preferably, the detaching means comprises cooperating formations on the spray-head body and spray-head rose arranged to provide a bayonet-style release for the spray-head rose.

Such an arrangement facilitates the removal and replacement of the spray-head rose by using only one hand.

The spray-head rose can be formed from an inexpensive material, such as a moulded plastics material. Such a spray-head rose can be discarded once it is fouled by limescale deposit and a new spray-head rose can be installed in its place, with a minimum of downtime.

Alternatively, a fouled spray-head can be replaced by a clean one and the fouled one can then be cleaned at leisure without suffering any machine downtime.

In one embodiment of the coffee machine according to the invention, the coffee machine has a coffee container locating position IE v 6 ο IOS mounted on the base section, the locating position having a generally flat surface surrounded by a raised wall, and the wall having a safety draining channel therethrough.

An advantage of this arrangement is that in use any spills into the 5 locating position will be directed through the draining channel and can be diverted away from parts of the machine liable to damage as a result of such a spill.

Preferably, the draining channel is a break in the wall and is positioned such that, in use, any liquid spilt into the locating position is directed away from parts of the machine susceptible to damage from such spilt liquid.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the locating position can be formed as one part, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

In a further embodiment of the coffee machine according to the 15 invention, a further coffee container locating position is mounted on an upper surface of the top section, the further locating position having a generally flat surface surrounded a further raised wall, and the further wall having a further safety draining channel therethrough.

Preferably, the further draining channel is a break in the further 20 wall and is positioned such that, in use, any liquid spilt into the tray is directed away from parts of the machine susceptible to damage from such spilt liquid. ΙΕ ΰ60 10S This further locating position may be used for holding a coffee container full of coffee, while a further container is being filled.

Suitably, a heating plate is mounted in either the coffee container locating position or the further locating position or in both positions.

A heating plate in one or both positions will help to maintain the coffee at an acceptable temperature, where the coffee is to be consumed soon after it has been brewed.

In a still further embodiment of the coffee machine according to the invention, a panel of control switches is located on the front of the base section, the panel being mounted in a recess within the base section with the upper part of the recess being shaped so as to form an overhang above the panel, which overhang, in use, directs any liquid spilt down the front of the base section away from the panel.

This arrangement further reduces the risk of damage to the machine due to spillages.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coffee machine in accordance 20 with the invention; ΰ 80 1Q$ Fig. 2 is a perspective view, from above, of a spray-head body section for the coffee machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view, from below, of the spray-head body section of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view, from below, of a spray-head rose for the coffee machine of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view, from above, of the spray-head rose of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig.l, there is illustrated generally at 10, a coffee machine of the type that feeds heated water through a spray-head into a filter holder 11 containing coffee grounds to be collected in a jug therebelow. The coffee machine 10 has a generally C-shaped body 12 with a base section 13, an upstanding middle section 14 and a top section 15.

A coffee container locating position 16, having a hot plate 17 located centrally therein, is mounted on the base section 13. The coffee container locating position 16 is in the form of a tray 18 having a raised wall 19, which surrounds the hot plate 17. Two draining channels 20,21 are cut out of the wall 19 on opposite sides 22 and 23, respectively, of the coffee machine 10 and are positioned such that, in use, any liquid spilt into the tray 18 will drain through one or both of the draining channels 20, 21 away from parts of the coffee machine 10 susceptible to damage from such spilt liquid. Ί l£ 2S0 105 Similarly, a further coffee container locating position 24, having a hot plate 25 located centrally therein, is mounted on upper surface 26 of the top section 15 of the coffee machine 10. The further coffee container locating position 24 is in the form of a tray 27 having a raised wall 28, which surrounds the hot plate 25. A draining channel 29 is cut out of the wall 28 and is positioned such that, in use, any liquid spilt into the tray 27 will drain through the draining channel 29 to rear 30 of the coffee machine 10 away from parts of the coffee machine 10 susceptible to damage from such spilt liquid.

A panel 31 of control switches 32, 33 is located in a recess 34 set into front surface 35 of the base section 13. An upper part 36 of the recess 35 is shaped so as to form an overhang 37 above the panel 31, which overhang 37, in use, directs any liquid spilt down the front surface 35 of the base section 13 away from the panel 31.

In use, a coffee jug, not shown, is placed on the hot plate 17 and is filled with brewed coffee, which has passed through the filter holder 11. Once the coffee jug is full it can be placed on the upper hot plate 25 and a further jug of coffee can be prepared.

A spray-head assembly, not shown (see Figs. 2-5), is located above the centre of the filter holder 11 and is mounted on a supporting member 38.

Referring to Figs. 2-5 the components of the spray-head assembly for the coffee machine 10 are illustrated. The spray-head assembly has IE :so 9 two components, a body section, shown generally at 40 in Figs. 2 and 3, and a spray-head rose, shown generally at 41 in Figs 4 and 5.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the body section 40 is of circular caplike shape and has an inlet 42, through which hot water is introduced, in use. The body section 40 is fixed above the supporting member 38 (Fig. 1) by screws, which locate in screw holes 43 of the body section 40.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 the spray-head rose 41 is of circular shape and has a plurality of spray holes 44 in a surface 45. An annular wall 46 (Fig. 4) extends from lower surface 47 of the spray-head body 41. A pair of opposing flanges 48,49 extends from outer surface 50 of the annular wall 46.

Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3, the spray-head rose 41 is attached to the body section 40 by inserting the annular wall 46 into a central opening 51 in the body section 40 with the flanges 48, 49 lined up at positions 52, 53, respectively on the body section 40. The spray-head rose 41 is then twisted, using the fingers of one hand, so as to move the flanges 48,49 behind cooperating flanges 54, 55, respectively on the body section 40 resulting in the spray-head rose 41 being held firmly in place.

The spray-head 41 can be removed from the coffee machine 10 by reversing the abovementioned steps. This enables the spray-head rose 41 to be removed for cleaning, with a minimum of effort.

Claims (5)

1. Claims: 1. A coffee machine of the type that feeds heated water through a spray-head into a filter holder containing coffee grounds to be collected in a coffee container therebelow, the coffee machine 5 comprising a generally C-shaped body with a base section, an upstanding middle section and a top section, the spray-head being mounted in the top section, the spray-head having a body section with a spray-head rose attachable thereto, and means for detaching the spray-head rose from the body section by hand. 10

2. A coffee machine according to Claim 1, wherein the detaching means comprises cooperating formations on the spray-head body and spray-head rose arranged to provide a bayonet-style release for the spray-head rose.

3. A coffee machine according to Claim 1 or 2, having a 15 coffee container locating position mounted on the base section, the locating position having a generally flat surface surrounded by a raised wall, and a safety draining channel in the form of a break in the wall, positioned such that, in use, any liquid spilt into the locating position is directed away from parts of the machine susceptible to damage from 20 such spilt liquid.

4. A coffee machine according to any preceding claim, wherein a panel of control switches is located on the front of the base section, the panel being mounted in a recess within the base section with IE 0 6 0 1 0 5 the upper part of the recess being shaped so as to form an overhang above the panel, which overhang, in use, directs any liquid spilt down the front of the base section away from the panel.

5. A coffee machine according to Claim 1 of the type that 5 feeds heated water through a spray-head into a filter holder containing coffee grounds to be collected in a coffee container therebelow, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.