US3561888A

US3561888A - Percolator pump

Info

Publication number: US3561888A
Application number: US841768A
Authority: US
Inventors: Denis J Jordan
Original assignee: National Presto Industries Inc
Current assignee: National Presto Industries Inc
Priority date: 1969-07-15
Filing date: 1969-07-15
Publication date: 1971-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-09
Also published as: GB1255369A; DE2005438B2; DE2005438C3; NL7000617A; DE2005438A1

Abstract

A LIQUID PUMP FOR USE IN A PRECOLATOR APPLIANCE WHICH PUMP IS MOUNTED ON THE LOWERMOST END OF A HOLLOW STEM ADAPTED TO FIT IN THE LIQUID CONTAINER OF THE PRECOLATOR SUCH THAT THE PUMP SEATS OVER A WELL IN THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE CONTAINER IN THERMAL ASSOCIATION WITH A HEATER ASSEMBLY AND THEREBY DEFINES A PUMP WELL CHAMBER. THE LIQUID PUMP IS DESIGNED TO PUMP THE LIQUID IN THE WELL OF THE CONTAINER UP THE HOLLOW STEM WHERE IT FALLS ONTO AND THROUGH A COFFEE BASKET SUPPORTED NEAR THE UPPER END OF THE STEM. A BY-PASS PASSAGEWAY INTERCONNECTS THE PUMP WELL CHAMBER AND THE LIQUID CONTAINER, WHICH PASSAGEWAY MAY SELECTIVELY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY OPENED TO PREVENT A SELECTED PORTION OF THE LIQUID PASSING INTO THE CHAMBER FROM BEING FED UP THE STEM AND THROUGH THE COFFEE BASKET, THEREBY CONTROLLING THE STRENGTH OF THE BREW.

Description

D. J. JORDAN PERCOLATOR PUMP Feb. 9, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1969 D. J. JORDAN PERCOLATOR PUMP Feb. 9, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1969 United States Patent 3,561,888 PERCOLATOR PUMP Denis J. Jordan, Eau Claire, Wis., assignor to National Presto Industries, Inc., Eau Claire, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed July 15, 1969, Ser. No. 841,768

Int. Cl. F04f 1/18 US. Cl. 417209 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liquid pump for use in a percolator appliance which pump is mounted on the lowermost end of a hollow stem adapted to fit in the liquid container of the percolator such that the pump seats over a well in the bottom wall of the container in thermal association with a heater assembly and thereby defines a pump well chamber. The liquid pump is designed to pump the liquid in the well of the container up the hollow stem where it falls onto and through a coffee basket supported near the upper end of the stem. A by-pass passageway interconnects the pump well chamber and the liquid container, which passageway may selectively be partially or completely opened to prevent a selected portion of the liquid passing into the chamber from being fed up the stem and through the cofiee basket, thereby controlling the strength of the brew.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various means have been suggested over a period of many years for controlling the strength of the brew produced in percolator-type cofleemakers. Some of these devices vary the period of time for performing the percolation process according to the strength desired in the ultimate brew. Other devices provide a variable control of the brews strength by percolating the brew at selected different temperatures, as by means of an adjustable thermostat. These prior art devices are deficient for a number of reasons, among them being the noticeable eiiect on the flavor. Also, when temperature control is used to adjust the strength, either the Weak brew is too cold or the strong brew is too hot.

According to my invention, the strength of the decoction may be varied by controlling the amount of heated water conducted through the solids which are to be decocted or extracted during a given period of time. By using such a brewing process, it is possible to obtain a beverage of consistent good flavor at the desired temperature for different settings of strength, lacking the overcooked flavor incident to the use of some prior devices,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to percolating-type brewing devices, and more particularly, to a novel pump device having a means for controlling the strength of decoction in a percolating-type brewing device.

Briefly, the novel pump of this invention is designed to be used in a percolator-type cotieernaker having a base and a liquid container supported thereon with a sump or well portion in its bottom wall. The lower portion of the pump structure seats across the top of the well. A heating element is provided in the base surrounding the wall which defines the well in order to heat the water in the well. Formed in a wall of the pump is a central opening for receiving the lower end of a hollow stem and an inlet passageway for permitting liquid to enter the well. A check valve is provided in the pump which closes the inlet passageway under the influence of the increase in pressure, due to the water in the well being heated, and the pressure forces the heated liquid up the hollow stem,

ice

from which it overflows and falls upon the perforated container and passes therethrough.

In accordance with this invention a bypass means is provided in the pump which controls, upon each closing of the check valve, the volume of liquid that is forced up the hollow stem by feeding a selected portion of each slug or pulse of heated liquid trapped in the well back into the liquid container. The by-pass means has a control knob which can be manually adjusted to vary the amount of each liquid slug that by-passes the stem and coffee basket and is fed back to the liquid container, thereby to control the strength of the brew, since the strength is directly proportional to the volume of liquid that passes through the coffee or other material to be decocted in a given period of time at a given temperature. The control knob is carried on the lower portion of the hollow stem and can be readily adjusted before the stem is inserted into the coifeemakers liquid container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric percolator type coifeemaker shown partly in section to depict a liquid pump embodying the principles of the present invention as it is used in the Coffeemaker;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid pump illustrated in FIG. 1 with the strength control element being disposed above the pump housing;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the liquid pump depicted in FIG. 1 as it is seated above the well in the bottom wall of the liquid container;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the liquid pump shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-46 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the pump well depicted in FIG. 3 "with the brew strength control element removed therefrom; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT My novel liquid pump, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being used with an automatic, electric percolator-type coiieemaker, generally designated by the reference numeral 12. The coffee'maker 12 has a base 14 with an upwardly opening recess 15 and a generally cylindrical-shaped liquid container 16 having a bottom wall 17 in which is formed a sump or well 18 which extends into the recess 15. A handle 19 is secured to the outer surface of the liquid container 16 directly opposite to the spout 20 which is formed with the bottom portion of the liquid container 16 in a conventional manner.

The liquid pump 10 is secured to the lower end of a hollow stem 22 and supported on the upper end of stem 22 is a coffee basket or container for holding the comminuted coffee or other material to be decocted, generally designated by the reference numeral 24. The stem 22 and its associated parts are adapted to be removed from the container 16 through its top opening 25 which opening may be closed by a lid 26. When the stem 22 is inserted into the container 16, the liquid pump 10 seats across the top of the well 18.

To provide heatfor the Water to be pumped by the liquid pump 10, a heater assembly 28 is positioned around the wall forming the well 18. A bracket 21 secured to the underside of the bottom wall 17 of the liquid container 16 is apertured so that the container can be connected to the base 14, as by a screw 23 and nut 25.

It will be understood that notwithstanding the fact that the illustrated percolator 12 is one of the automatic, electric type, the improved pump construction can be utilized in any percolator and does not necessarily have to be used in an electric or automatic one.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, my novel liquid pump comprises wall means and disposed above the wall means 30 is a brew strength control element 32. As clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the wall means 30 is formed as an inverted cup-shaped housing which has a top portion 36 and sidewall 38. To form a water-tight seal the sidewall 38 of the housing has a horizontal flange 40 extending from its upper end over which the margin 42 of the top 36 is crimped. Wall means 30 of pump 10 when seated on the upper end of wall means 47 of the well 18 defines a pump well chamber.

The top 36 of the pump housing is centrally apertured at 37 to receive and to be rigidly connected to the hollow stem 22 between the lower end of the stem and the annular bead 44. The brew strength control element 32 is centrally apertured and is slidingly and rotatably mounted on the stem 22 between the annular head 44 and a fastener element 46, illustrated as a C-shaped locking washer, which snugly fits annular groove 48 formed in stem 22. The control element 32 consits of two

disc members

50 and 52 which are joined or bonded together along their inner andoutermost horizontal extensions, or flanges, 54 and 56, respectively. The disc member 50 has a large central opening 51 and a vertical upturned flange 58, which serves as a control knob, as will be explained hereinafter. The disc member 52 comprises a central circular plate portion which is apertured at 53 to fit about stem 22 and is disposed above and connected with the horizontal extension 56. To hold the horizontal extension portion of disc member 50 of the by-pass control element 32 in sealing engagement with the top 36 of the wall means 30, a spring 62 is disposed around the stem 22 and is held under compression between circular plate portion 60 and fastener element 46. A washer element 64 provided at the upper end of the spring 62 prevents it from slipping over the fastener element 46.

The downwardly extending wall portion 38 of the wall means 30 of pump 10 fits against the upper end of the wall portion 47 of the well 18 and the wall portion 38 extends part way into the well. To provide an inlet passageway indicated generally by the reference numeral 45 between the liquid container 16 and well 18, a plurality of openings or apertures, generally designated by the reference numeral 68 are provided in a circular path around the circular plate portion 60 and a plurality of apertures or openings, generally designated by the reference numeral 70, are formed in a circular path in the top portion 36 of wall means 30. To close off this inlet passageway, a valve device is provided, which consists of a washer element 74 floatingly carried on a vertical L-shaped tubular extension 76 which is secured on the lower end of stem 22. The washer element 74 rests on the lower end of the L-shaped tubular extension 76 until such time as the pressure in the well 18 rises above the pressure existing at the inlet passageway 45 through

apertures

68 and 70, and then the pressure in well 18 pushes the valve 74 upwardly to seal off the inlet passageway 45.

When the pressure in the well 18 rises to a level where the valve device 74 closes off the inlet passageway 45, the steam and liquid trapped in the well is forced up the hollow stem 22 and overflows at its upper end falling on the perforated lid 78 of coffee basket 24, through which it passes into the basket 24 where it contacts the comminuted material to be decocted. The liquid extract passing through the perforations in the bottom of the basket 24 then returns to the main body of the liquid within the container 16. The tempertature of the liquid contained in the liquid container 16 is controlled by a pre-set thermostat unit (not shown) and the liquid is maintained hot, after the heating action by a warming heater 80.

In accordance with my invention, the strength of the brew that is decocted in the cofieemaker 12 is determined by the volume of each slug of liquid that passes through stem 22, since a constant temperature and brewing time are employed. The volume of each slug of liquid is determined by providing a by-pass passageway, indicated generally by the reference numeral 66 (see FIG. 8) between the well 18 and the liquid container 16 to feed back to the liquid container a selected portion of each slug of liquid that is trapped in the well 18 when the valve device 74 closes. This by-pass passageway is provided by one or more arcuately aligned apertures formed through the

horizontal extension members

54 and 56 of control element 32. The apertures, generally designated by the reference numeral 82, are alignable with either none or with one or more of the apertures, generally designated by the reference numeral 84, formed in an outer arcuate pattern in the top 36 of wall means 30 of the pump 10. Selective control over the strength of the brew is provided by rotating control knob 58 of control element 32 to align either none or one or more of the apertures 82 with the apertures 84. Obviously, the more apertures that are aligned the more liquid will be permitted to be by-passed into the main body of the liquid in container 16 through the by-pass passageway 66 and consequently the volume of each liquid pulse flowing through and acting upon the beverage solids in the basket 24, in the course of a decoction of a given length of time, will be less, resulting in a weakening of the strength of the brew.

To provide for accurate alignment between the

apertures

82 and 84 upon each setting, an indexing means is provided, which consists of a projection or dimple 86 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) that projects upwardly from the top 36 of wall means 30 and is disposed in the arcuate pattern formed by the apertures 84. The dimple 86 aligns and positions the by-pass control element .32 with respect to the top 36 by seating in one of the apertures 82 formed in control element 32. An alternative indexing arrangement would be to provide the dimple on the control element 32 to cooperate with the apertures 84 in the top 36 in the same manner. To reset the control element 32, it is necessary for the control knob 58 to be displaced axially a short distance against the pressure of the spring 62 to permit the horizontal flange or extension 54 to ride above the height of the indexing dimple 86. v

The strength of the brew is of course selected before the percolating action is initiated and in using the liquid pump of my invention, it is necessary to rotate the control knob 58 of the by-pass control element 32 to the selected position before the stem 22 and pump 10 are inserted into the container 16. To assist the user in setting the desired strength of the brew, indicia means is provided with liquid pump 10, which comprises markings, generally designated by the reference numeral 88, on the outer margin 42 of the top 36 and an indicating mark 90 (FIG. 2) on the outer surface of control knob 58. When the indicating line 90 is moved to the S position, or marking (FIG. 2), none of the apertures 82 are in alignment with the apertures 84 and consequently the by-pass passageway 66, resulting in the complete slug of liquid that is trapped in the well 18 being passed through the stem 22 to provide a strong brew. When the indicating line 90 is moyed to the M position, all the apertures 82 are in alignment with the apertures 84 to provide the greatest possible feedback of a portion of each liquid pulse through the by-pass passageway 66 to the liquid chamber 16, resulting in a mild brew due to the fact that a smaller volume of liquid is passed through the comminuted materials in the basket 24.

A stop limit device is also provided in the liquid pump 18 to restrict the rotational movement of the bypass con trol element 32 between the strong 5 and mild M positions,

which consists of an upstanding lug 96 or stop projecting vertically from top 36 of wall means 30 that engages either

ear

92 or 94, extending horizontally from the inner margin of horizontal flange 54, as the control element 32 is rotated.

Although it is believed that from the foregoing description the use and operation of the liquid pump assembly in a percolator type cotfee maker is obvious, a brief description of its operation will now be given. The user before inserting the stem 22 and pump 10 into the container 16 sets the desired strength of the brew by pulling the control knob 58 slightly upwardly against the bias of the spring 62 and rotating the knob until the indicating mark 90 is aligned with the desired setting. As the user releases the control knob 58, the spring 62 forces the control element 32 against the top 36 and the indexing dimple 86 seats in one of the apertures 82 to positively align the corresponding

apertures

82 and 84.

The stem 22 with pump 10 and basket 24, holding the coffee or other comminuted material, are then inserted through the top 25 of liquid container 16 until the circular sidewall 38 of cup-shaped housing of pump 10 is seated across the top of, and partly in, well 18. To positively hold the stem 22 in a vertical position, the upper edges of the basket 24 are engaged by the lid 26 of the colfee maker and the basket 24 is moved axially down a slight distance against the spring bias of a weak spring 102 as the lid 26 is inserted through the top opening 25 of the liquid container 16. Spring 102 encircles stem 22 and is supported at its lower end by a C-shaped ring 104 on stem 22 and is retained on stem 22 by a second C- shaped ring 106 lightly above the first C-shaped ring. The spring 102 at its upper end bears against the under side of basket 24.

An electrical outlet cord is connected to the two-prong plug 108 mounted in the base 14. The two-prong electrical plug unit 108 is connected by electrical wires (not shown) to the electrical resistance heater elements contained in heater assembly 28. A thermostat unit (not shown) which is in thermal contact with the bottom wall 17 of container 16 is electrically connected between the heater elements and the electrical plug 108 in a conventional manner to raise the body of liquid in the liquid container 16 to a pre-set temperature. It is noted that only one thermostat unit is needed since the desired serving temperature is maintained throughout the percolating cycle.

The liquid stored in liquid container 16 passes into the well 18 through an inlet passageway 45 formed by the apertures 68 in disc 52 and the apertures 70 formed in top 36. The heating assembly 28 applies heat to the liquid in well 18 and causes the pressure in the well to increase until it rises above the pressure in the inlet passageway 45, at which time the valve 74 moves upwardly to close apertures 70 and the liquid trapped in the well 18 is forced up through the stem 22. Depending upon the setting of the brew control means, or element 32 a selected portion of each slug of liquid trapped in well 18 is fed back to the liquid container 16 through the by-pass passageway 66 formed by the aligned

openings

82 and 84.

I claim:

1. A liquid pump for use in a percolator having a liquid container and for use with a hollow stem adapted to be removably mounted in the liquid container and adapted to carry a perforated container for comminuted material adjacent to the upper end of said stem, said liquid pump comprising: a well disposed in the bottom of the liquid container, wall means which with the well defines a pump well chamber and defines a restricted opening adjacent the top of said pump well chamber for receiving the lowermost end of the hollow stem, means thermally associated with the walls of said well for supplying heat to the pump well chamber, a passageway placing the liquid container in communication with said pump well chamber, valve means for closing said passageway when the pressure in said chamber is greater than the existing pressure in said passageway, whereby the high pressure forces the liquid slug trapped in said chamber up the hollow stem from which it overflows at the upper end of the stem, falls upon the top of a perforated container carried by the stem and passes through the container where it contacts the comminuted material to be decocted, and by-pass means adjacent the upper end of the pump well chamber to feed back to the liquid container a selected portion of each liquid slug trapped in said chamber to thereby determine the volume of liquid that is pumped up the stem and passed through the comminuted material in the perforated container.

2. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said by-pass means includes an adjustable control means for selectively varying the portion of each liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container to thereby vary the strength of the decoction.

3. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said by-pass means comprises a by-pass passageway in said wall means for placing said pump well chamber and the liquid container in communication, and an adjustable control means for selectively closing off a portion of said by-pass passageway to thereby regulate the portion of each liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container.

4. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall means is disposed adjacent the upper end of the pump well chamber and said by-pass means comprises a plurality of apertures extending through said Wall means, and an adjustable control means for selectively opening one or more of said apertures to thereby regulate the portion of each liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container.

5. A liquid pump as defined in claim 4, wherein said control means comprises a disc member having a plurality of apertures adaptable to be moved in aligned relationship with said Wall means such that the apertures in said disc member can be positioned in alignment with the apertures in said wall means, and biasing means for holding said disc member in sealing relationship with said wall means.

6. A liquid pump for use in a percolator having a liquid container and for use with a hollow stem adapted to be remova'bly mounted in the liquid container and adapted to carry a perforated container for comminuted material adjacent to the upper end of said stem, said liquid pump comprising: a well disposed in the bottom of the liquid container, wall means which with the well defines a pump well chamber and defines a restricted opening formed in the top of said pump well for receiving the lowermost end of the hollow stem, means thermally associated with walls of said well for supplying heat to the pump well chamber, a passageway placing said pump well chamber in communication with the liquid container, valve means for closing said passageway when the pressure in said chamber is greater than the existing pressure in said passageway, whereby the high pressure forces the liquid slug trapped in said chamber up the hollow stem from which it overflows at the upper end of said stern, falls upon the top of a perforated container carried by the stem and passes through the container where it contacts the comminuted material to be decocted, a by-pass passageway formed through said wall means to feed back to the liquid container a portion of each liquid slug trapped in said chamber, and adjustable control means carried on the lower end of the hollow stem for selectively varying the degree of opening of said by-pass passageway to thereby regulate the portion of each liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container.

7. A liquid pump as defined in claim 6, wherein the adjustable control means is an apertured disc-like member disposed in abutting relationship with said wall means, together with a spring encircling the hollow stem and pressing against disc member to hold said disc member against said wall means in sealing relationship.

8. A liquid pump as defined in claim 6, wherein said by-pass passageway is formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the top of said wall means and extending in an arcuate path around said restricted opening, and said adjustable control means consists of a disclike member overlying said plurality of apertures and having a plurality of apertures extending in the same arcuate path as said apertures in said top wall with said disc-like member being rotatable around the stem to selectively position some of the apertures in said disc-like member in alignment with some of the apertures in said wall means to thereby selectively control what portion of each slug of liquid trapped in said pump well chamber is fed back to the liquid container.

9. A liquid pump as defined in claim 8, further comprising an indexing means for positively holding said disc-like member in a selected position relative to the,

apertures in said Wall means.

10. A liquid pump as defined in claim 9, wherein said indexing means comprises a projection extending from one of the adjoining surfaces of said disc-like member and wall means and disposed in said arcuate path 8 which projection is adapted to engage in one of the apertures in the other adjoining surface to positively align the corresponding apertures in said disc-like member and said wall means.

11. A liquid pump as defined in claim 7, wherein said disc member and said wall means include indicia means for indicating the extent of alignment of said apertures in said disc-like member with the said apertures in said wall means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,008,267 11/1911 Holley 417-209 2,248,595 7/1941 Weeks 103231.5 2,975,723 3/ 1961 Andrews 10323 1.5

CARLTON R. CROYLE, Primary Examiner R. GLUCK, Assistant Examiner