PT104382A - EXTRACTION DEVICE FOR AN INFUSION PRODUCTION MACHINE AND RESPECTIVE COUNTER-PRESSURE MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an extrusion device for a machine for producing infusions from powders of a powdered material, in particular in the case of extruded coffee machines, the device comprising an extraction plate (1), for example for capsules , PILLS OR SERVINGS AVULSES OF COFFEE, OF WHICH THEY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BE CROSSED BY HOT WATER UNDER PRESSURE, THEREOF WILL PRODUCE BEVERAGES OF INFUSION, INCLUDING STILL A FOOTWEAR (2), A SWING (3), A COVER (4) OF THE FOOTWEAR (6), a dispensing cover (7), retention valves (8, 10), a water valve plug (12), and THAT AFTER INTRODUCING THE COFFEE CAPSULE (15) AT THE CENTER OF THE COUNTER-PRESSURE MECHANISM, THE FOOTER PRESSES THE COMPRESSION SPRING (5) AND THAT, FOR A TIME, PRESSES DOWN ON THE FOOTER (2) ALLOWING THE FIXATION OF THE CAPSULE (15) ON THE EXTRACTION PLATE O (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR A MACHINE FOR PRODUCTION OF INFUSIONS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE MECHANISM OF COUNTER-PRESSURE "

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for hot beverage machines in particular coffee machines. It is a back pressure device that can be applied to doses of powdered material, in particular in capsules, lozenges, or separate portions of coffee, regardless of their shape.

Background of the invention

In a research that was carried out to the state of the art, three patent documents were considered " prior art " more approximate. Espresso machines with tablet or capsule single-dose extraction are known in the art. Such is the case of the capsule described in the patent document WO2006 / 003115 referring to a method and device for selectively producing espresso or American type coffees, depending on the adjustment made of the coffee compaction pressure in the capsule. This patent, however, does not describe the counterpressure mechanism which is the object of the present invention. US 2006/0196362 also discloses a capsule extraction espresso machine and its novel appearance consists of a bypass line which is used only when the pressure reaches a value of 1 by controlling the coffee- Water. The user can set the pressure of the coffee-water mixture.

Finally GB2451692 relates to a filter assembly for an espresso machine. Although this patent teaches a method of controlling the overpressure of the presser foot on a filter containing ground coffee (a capsule is not described), this is done by a retraction mechanism of the filter cup and therefore, it is a mechanism substantially different from that which is disclosed in the invention of the present application.

Description of Figures

For an easier understanding of the invention, the figures which represent preferred embodiments of the invention are not attached, however, which are not intended to limit the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 1: Cross-sectional view of the infusion device from powdered doses, and having a back pressure system (resting position). 1- extraction plate 2- presser 3- plunger 4- cap 5 compression spring 6- support 7- distribution cap 8- check valve 9- spring 10- check valve 11- spring 12- bush 2 13- o -ring 18- upper hole 19- lower hole

Figure 2: Cross sectional view passing through the water inlet hole in the loading position with a first accessory for a coffee pod. 1- extraction plate 2- presser 3- plunger 4- cap 5 compression spring 6- support 7- distribution cap 8- check valve 10- check valve 12- cap 14- dose holder 15- capsule

Figure 3: Cross sectional view passing through the water outlet bore in the loading position with a second accessory for a coffee tablet. 16-insert holder 17-insert insert

Figure 4: Perspective view of the general scheme of operation. 20 - back pressure device 21 - heating source 22 - pump 23 - solenoid valve 24 - tank 3

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to hot beverage machines in particular coffee machines. It is a device with back pressure system.

There are in the state of the art counterpressure mechanisms, but which use two water circuits, one hot water circuit and one cold water circuit. The cold water has as function to lower the system on the coffee pod or tablet, and the hot water is used for coffee extraction. This makes these mechanisms very complex with the need for more parts and consequently more seals between them.

There are also mechanisms that include integrated heating elements in your system, which provides higher temperatures which causes the existing seals to deteriorate more quickly.

This back-pressure device according to the invention is independent, and can be coupled to any heating source, whether thermoblocks, boilers, etc. It does not separate water, uses the same water to lower the system as well as to extract coffee, which makes it very simplified in its assembly. Its components are easy to assemble, making your production process more cost-effective and optimized. It has no built-in heating element, which does not cause excessive temperature rise, detrimental to the appliance due to the rapid wear of existing seals. The fact that it is a collapsible device also facilitates its maintenance or repair. 4

With regard to the dimensions of the device are reduced, which in a situation of designing architectures for new coffee machines offers us greater versatility of forms. The back-pressure device of the invention allows for easy adaptation (without changing the assembly) to any size of capsule, by merely adjusting the stroke of the presser foot of the capsules, tablets or a single portion of coffee. This device also allows the extraction of coffee pods, once used, if the corresponding accessory is used for this purpose, the tablet holder (16).

If a single dose of coffee is used, the insert holder is replaced by a filter holder, which is very similar in its configuration, the filter where the coffee powder is to be extracted. Figure 1 shows the cross-sectional view of the back pressure device in the rest position.

This device consists of an extraction plate 1, a presser foot 2, a plunger 3, a cap 4 of the presser 2, a compression spring 5, a support 6 a check valve (8), a spring (9) preferably conical, a check valve (10), a check valve spring (11), a bushing ( 12) of the water valve, at least one seal, preferably four o-rings (13), a dosage accessory (capsule holder, tablet carrier, or filter holder), which may be adapted for capsules 5 (15) for pellets (17) or separate portions of coffee. It should be noted that the presser foot (2) and the cap (4) of the presser foot (2) are two solid and movable parts.

In figure 2 the cut-out is represented by the water inlet in the back pressure device, which is in the loading position with a coffee capsule (15).

In figure 3 the cut-out is shown by the water outlet in the back pressure device, which is in the loading position with a coffee tablet (17). The distance between the draw-off plate 1 and the presser foot 2 is defined by the size of the cap 15 or the holder 16 less the desired stroke. After insertion of the capsule (15) or the insert carrier (16) into the center of the counter-pressure mechanism, by means of a mechanical movement, the latter presses upwardly on the presser foot (2), which is a movable component, thus causing its axial movement by the piston (3). This presser then backs against the compression spring 5 and this in turn presses downwardly on the presser foot 2. This counter-pressure causes the capsule (15) or holder (16) to be fixed.

Thereafter the pump 22 is driven and causes the closure of the solenoid valve 23 to suck water from the water tank 24, which is then pressed under pressure to a heating source 21. This water, after heating, is directed to the back pressure device (20) via water pipes. The hot water enters the upper bore 18 of the dispensing cap 7 under pressure causes the check valve 8 to open and this allows the circulation of the hot water in the water circuit of the back pressure device . After the hot water passes through the bore of the piston 3, it presses on the presser foot 2 by holding it pressed on the cap 15 or on the pad holder 16, ensuring the watertightness necessary for the water into the capsule or holder with sufficient pressure. In the meantime, the pressure required for the opening of the check valve 10 is reached, which allows the water to pass into the holes in the bushing 12 of the water valve. The extraction of coffee is then carried out when the water passes through the capsule or tablet under pressure. The pump 22 is switched off and causes the interruption of water pumping throughout the circuit and the solenoid valve 23 is opened. The check valves 8 and 10 close (since there is no pressure) and the water remaining in the water circuit of the back pressure device 20 escapes through the lower bore 19 of the dispensing cap (7) for the solenoid valve (23), which is open, it discharges the water into a tank (24). The exhausting process is important because it prevents the device from leaking water, but also releases the pressure in the device, which allows it to be flexible so that it is possible to eject the capsule (15) or the tablet carrier (16). ) after coffee extraction.

Lisbon, May 13, 2010 7

Claims (6)

An extraction device for an infusion-producing machine from doses of powdered material comprising the device, an extraction plate (1) with a dose-carrying attachment, the doses of which are capable of being crossed by hot water under pressure (2), a plunger (3), a cap (4) of the presser (2), a compression spring (5), a support (6) of the plate a delivery cap (7), check valves (8, 10), a bushing (12) of the water valve, wherein upon insertion of the dose (15, 17) in the center of the counterpressure mechanism, by means of a mechanical movement, it makes upward pressure on the presser foot 2, which is a movable component, thereby causing its axial sliding by the piston 3, and wherein this presser presses on the compression spring 5 and this in turn, makes counter-pressure downward on the ca (2) allowing the fixing of the dose holder (14, 16). Extraction device for an infusion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the presser foot (2) and the cap (4) of the presser foot (2) are two solid and movable parts. Device for an infusion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the dose can be introduced into a removable filter or is packaged in a capsule (15), or is in the form of a ground coffee tablet (17) or any other powdered mixture to produce beverages. 1 Extraction device for an infusion machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the extraction plate (1) and the presser foot (2) is defined by the height dimension of the filter holder, capsule (15) or the tablet carrier (16) subtracted from the intended course of the presser foot. Extraction device for an infusion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one seal, preferably four o-rings (13), between the plunger (3) and the presser foot (2). Extraction device for an infusion brewing machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that after extraction of the coffee it allows the escape of water retained under pressure, which allows the device to be flexible so that the capsule can be ejected ( 15) or the outlet of the holder (16), or the filter holder. Lisbon, May 13, 2010 2