WO1999002081A1

WO1999002081A1 - Coffee machine, especially for mobile use

Info

Publication number: WO1999002081A1
Application number: PCT/CH1998/000287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Gschwend
Original assignee: Peter Gschwend
Priority date: 1997-07-07
Filing date: 1998-07-02
Publication date: 1999-01-21
Also published as: AU7903998A

Abstract

The invention relates to a coffee machine, especially for mobile use, in which the pressure required for extracting the ground coffee is generated by compressed air (7). The water needed for preparing the coffee is kept in a heat-insulated storage container (8). The water can be heated with an electric heating element (9). The coffee grinds are packaged in packaging having the form of an endless band (23). The hot water is moved by the compressed air from the storage container into an extraction chamber, where it is pressed through the ground coffee. The sides and top of the extraction chamber are delimited by a compression pipe (43) which is pressed onto an endless band (23). The quantity of water used for extraction is determined by the level of the fill weight of the extract in the cups. The force needed for moving the endless band (23) and pressing down the compression pipe (43) is generated by actuating a hand lever (37).

Description

COFFEE MACHINE _| ESPECIALLY FOR MOBILE USE

The invention relates to a coffee machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

The coffee machines known according to the current state of the art are unsuitable for mobile use.

The known coffee machines work according to different preparation methods. A common method of preparation is the so-called expresso method. Here, hot water is pressed through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure. The hot water extracts the water-soluble components from the coffee powder. The extract obtained is enjoyed as a coffee drink.

In known coffee machines, the pressure required for the extraction is usually generated with the aid of compressors. The compressors are usually powered by electric motors.

For example, US Pat. No. 5,479,848 describes a coffee machine which has a mechanical group divided into functional sections. The mechanical group consists of an Extraktionska mer, in which a compression piston is arranged horizontally. The extraction chamber has an opening on the top for filling the coffee powder and a movable base part. It is expanded by a filling chamber, which is equipped with the movable base part can be moved horizontally. A heating element is arranged below the mechanical group. The coffee machine further comprises a drive element which drives all moving parts of the mechanical group. Furthermore, the mechanical group has a rigidly fastened rail. Both the extraction chamber and a movable element can be moved along this rail. The movable element carries the pressure piston and a first rack, which drives a second rack via a pinion. The filling chamber and the movable part of the mechanical group can also be moved along such a rigidly attached rail.

Such coffee machines have the major disadvantage that they consist of a large number of mechanical parts. They are therefore expensive to manufacture and prone to malfunction during operation. The complex construction is not least due to the fact that the pressure required to extract the coffee powder has to be generated by the coffee machine itself.

The patent specification GB 1 565 406 (publication date April 23, 1980) proposes a generic coffee machine with a simpler construction, which should be less prone to malfunction than conventional coffee machines. This coffee machine has a filling cylinder which measures a predetermined amount of water for the heating element. It also consists of an extraction unit with an extraction cylinder, which is arranged in a chamber with four openings. One of these openings is used to fill the coffee powder. The extract leaves the chamber through a second opening in which a piston carrying a filter is arranged. The water is poured in through a third opening. In the four Finally, a hydraulically driven piston is arranged in the opening. The first and second openings are aligned and are perpendicular to the third and fourth openings, which are also aligned. The cylinders are moved using a hydraulically driven motor.

Although this coffee machine is more compact than comparable coffee machines, the disadvantage that the pressure required for extraction has to be generated by the coffee machine itself has not been eliminated.

Another coffee machine is described by US Pat. No. 4,833,979 (publication date May 30, 1989). It includes a filling chamber under atmospheric pressure, which holds a mixture of hot water and coffee powder. The bottom of the filling chamber is permeable for the coffee extract, but not for the coffee powder. A collection chamber is arranged below the filling chamber. A first piston is arranged in this collecting chamber. When it is moved upwards, it pushes air through the floor into the filling chamber. If, on the other hand, it is moved downward, it sucks the extract from the filling chamber through the floor into the collecting chamber. A second piston, which is also arranged within the collection chamber, serves to press the coffee extract from the collection chamber into an output section. Here too, the pressure required for extraction is generated by the coffee machine itself. A drive is required to move the cylinders.

In known coffee machines, electric motors are often used as the drive. In the case of mobile coffee machines, the electric motors are known to be powered by accumulators. The disadvantage of these accumulators is that they are very large in volume are. The known mobile coffee machines are therefore very cumbersome and therefore could not prevail. No loose coffee powder is normally used for the mobile coffee machines, but rather coffee powder packaged in portions in small individual bags or containers. These individual portions are very expensive to manufacture and handle.

Bottle-shaped Dewar containers are therefore still used for the mobile sale of coffee with the help of small sales trolleys. The coffee in the Dewar jars often tastes stale and therefore cannot meet the high demands of coffee lovers. Dewar vessels are also unsatisfactory in terms of sales psychology. Pouring coffee from a pot is absolutely unspectacular and therefore does not encourage you to buy coffee.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a coffee machine, in particular for mobile use, which overall is simpler and more compact than the known mobile coffee machines. Another task is to create an optimal packaging of the coffee powder for use in mobile coffee machines.

The object is achieved with the aid of the features of claim 1 according to the invention. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the proposed coffee machine, the pressure required for the extraction of the coffee powder is generated by compressed air. At least one compressed air bottle serves as the compressed air source. The water required to prepare coffee is stored in at least one heat-insulated storage container. brings. The water can be heated with an electric heating element. The packaging of the coffee powder has the shape of an endless belt. The proposed coffee machine has a conveying mechanism for conveying the endless belts. The hot water is transported by the compressed air from the storage container into an extraction chamber, where it is pressed through the coffee powder. The extraction chamber is laterally closed by a press tube. The lower end of this press tube is pressed onto the endless belt during the extraction. The coffee extract is fed from the extraction chamber into a pouring device and flows from there into the coffee cup or coffee cups. The amount of water used for the extraction is determined based on the level or the weight of the extract in the cups. The level is measured using a distance measuring device. A scale is used to measure the weight.

The force for moving the endless belt forward and for pressing the press tube down is generated by operating a hand lever. The actuation of the hand lever also has a sales-promoting effect, since the coffee preparation has a ceremonial effect. The proposed coffee machine optionally allows the preparation of one or two cups of coffee at the same time. The number of cups of coffee prepared is automatically counted.

The conveying mechanism, the pressing device with the pressing tube, the extraction chamber and the counting device are accommodated in one housing. The pouring device is attached to the outside of the housing. The distance measuring device for determining the level in the cups is arranged near the pouring device. If the amount of coffee extract is determined by weight, then the scale is below the pouring device. The endless belts can be rolled up for storage and transport or folded in a zigzag. It is intended to accommodate the rolls or boxes in use also in the housing. The storage container for the hot water and the compressed air bottle are preferably located outside the housing. They can be in the sales cart or in the sales carcase on which the housing is arranged.

The water used to prepare the coffee extract has e.g. a temperature of 96 ° C and has any pressure suitable for extraction. A pressure of 6 bar is suitable, for example.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments. It is also described in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a possible sales car with a proposed coffee machine of a first type;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a sales cart with a proposed coffee machine according to FIG. 1;

3 shows a section A-A through the housing of a coffee machine of the first type of training in the basic state;

4 shows a perspective illustration of a possible sales cart with a proposed coffee machine of a second type of design;

5 shows a side view of a sales cart with a proposed coffee machine according to FIG. 4; 6 shows a section through a sales car with a coffee machine ge ass Fig. 5.

7 shows a section through the housing of a proposed coffee machine of the second type in the basic position;

8 shows a section through the housing of a proposed coffee machine of the second type during the coffee extraction;

9a is a top view of the guide carriage for the endless belt of a coffee machine of the second type in a first end position;

9b shows a top view of the guide carriage for the endless belt of a coffee machine of the second in a second end position;

10 is a front view of a convey roller of the convey mechanism and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of an endless belt containing coffee powder.

The two exemplary embodiments of the proposed coffee machine are combined with a sales car 1 and are particularly suitable for the sale of coffee in railroad trains. In the exemplary embodiment, the sales cart 1 consists of a cubic body, the height of which is greater than its width and depth. In addition, its width is smaller than its depth. The housing 2 of the coffee machine is on the top of the body (see. Fig. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6). A vertical one Partition wall 3 divides the interior of the body into a front and a rear section (see FIG. 6). The front section is divided by intermediate shelves 4 into several, for example six, compartments. Each compartment can accommodate a drawer 5. For example, sales items can be accommodated in the drawers 5.

The rear interior section is divided into two compartments by an intermediate floor 6. The compressed air bottle 7 of the coffee machine is preferably accommodated in the lower compartment and the storage container 8 for the hot water and the electric heating element 9 in the upper compartment. An electric heating element 9 is used, which can be connected to any socket.

The arrangement of the storage container 8 in the upper compartment has the advantage that the distance that the hot water has to travel to the extraction chamber 10 is as short as possible. As a result, the heat loss from the water can be kept as low as possible. For the same reason, an insulated pressure line 11 is preferably used to transport the hot water from the storage container 8 to the extraction chamber 10. The storage container 8 is a cuboid, heat-insulated pressure container 8. It is preferably designed as a Dewar vessel.

The storage container 8 is provided with a connection for a compressed air line 12 which leads to the compressed air bottle 7. When connecting the compressed air line 12, the compressed air bottle 7 has a valve with which the supply of compressed air into the storage container 8 can be regulated. Furthermore, the storage container 8 has a fill opening 13 which can be closed with a lid and which serves for filling water. Finally, the storage container 8 is provided with a connection for the pressure line 11, which connects the hot water from the storage container 8 to the extraction chamber 10 directs. In this pressure line 11 a preferably magnetically actuated valve (not shown) is installed, with which the water flow through the pressure line 11 can be controlled. The connection for the compressed air line 12, the connection for the pressure line 11 and the filling opening 13 are preferably located on the upper side of the storage container 8. A pipe 14 runs vertically downwards from the pressure line connection in the interior of the storage container 8. It ends immediately above the bottom of the container. When the coffee machine is in use, air under pressure is passed into the reservoir 8 through the compressed air line 12. The air presses the hot water through the vertical pipe 14 and the pressure line 11 up to the extraction chamber 10. The rear walls of both rear compartments are designed as lockable doors. As a result, the two rear compartments are accessible for filling the storage container 8 or for replacing the compressed air bottle 7.

The housing 2 of the proposed coffee machine of the two types of training is essentially divided into three cuboid sections (see FIGS. 2, 5 and 6). The lower section 15 is relatively low. The middle section 16 has a smaller depth than the lower section 15. Its height is somewhat higher than the coffee cups or mugs 17 which hold the coffee drink prepared with the coffee machine. The upper section 18 has at least the same depth as the lower section 15. The rear walls of all sections 15, 16, 18 are flush with one another. Between the upper section 18 and the lower section 15, a type of niche is formed on the front of the housing 2, in which the cups or mugs 17 to be filled with the coffee beverage are arranged. In the front part of the lower section 15, one with a Lattice-covered, rectangular container 19 may be arranged. The grid has the function of a standing area for the coffee cups or mugs 17. The container 19 can collect small amounts of the coffee beverage, which inadvertently do not get into the coffee cups or mugs 17. If the filling quantity of the coffee cups or mugs 17 is determined on the basis of the filling weight, then a scale (not shown) is arranged in the front part of the lower section. The pouring device 20 is fastened to the underside of the front part of the upper section 18. If the filling quantity of the coffee cups or mugs 17 is determined on the basis of the level, then a distance measuring device 21 is attached to the underside of the pouring device 20 or next to the pouring device 20.

The lateral edge areas of the endless belts 23, which contain the coffee powder, are each reinforced with a narrow belt 31 made of tear-resistant material (cf. FIG. 11). In addition, the lateral edge areas iron out round holes 52 arranged at regular intervals.

The area between the two reinforcement bands 31 consists of a water-permeable fleece. This central region 47 has a multiplicity of pillow-like chambers 58 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, each of which contains a portion of coffee powder. The individual chambers 58 are separated from one another. The used endless belts 23 can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

The proposed coffee machine is equipped with a conveying mechanism 29 which moves the endless belts 23 in the longitudinal direction. The conveying mechanism 29 has a plurality of conveying rollers 40. Each conveyor roller 40 is in a central portion 59 which is approximately the Has the shape of a hyperboloide, and two lateral, cylindrical sections 60 structured (see FIG. 10). All sections 59, 60 are arranged coaxially to one another. The two lateral sections 60 are considerably narrower than the central section 59 and each adjoin an end face of the central section 59. On the circumference of each side section 60, a plurality of spikes 56 project axially outwards. The mandrels 56 are arranged at regular angular intervals. They engage in holes 52 in the edge region of the endless belts 23.

Both the transport mechanism 29 and the press tube 43 are driven by the actuation of a hand lever 37. This hand lever 37 is located outside the housing 2, next to a housing side wall. It runs parallel to this side wall. One end of the hand lever 37 is connected to a pivot axis 38, which extends at right angles to the two housing side walls through the housing 2. The hand lever 37 can be moved from an upper end position (see FIGS. 1 to 7) into a lower end position (see FIG. 8) and back again. In the upper end position, the hand lever 37 extends essentially vertically and in the lower end position essentially horizontally. The movement of the hand lever 37 is transmitted via the pivot axis 38 and a gear 39 to the press tube 43 or to the conveying mechanism 29. In the first embodiment of the proposed coffee machine, at least part of this gear 39 is designed as a screw gear. The gear part which drives the axes of rotation of the conveying rollers 40 is provided with a freewheel, so that the conveying roller 40 is only rotated when the hand lever 37 is pivoted from the lower end position into the upper end position. The translation of the hand lever movement is chosen such that the conveyor rollers 40 each move the endless belt 23 by the length of one portion.

The first type of training of the proposed coffee machine (see FIGS. 1 to 3) processes endless coffee powder belts 23 which are folded in a zigzag. In the folded state, the coffee powder endless belts 23 are in airtight bags. The bags can also be packed in tall, rectangular boxes. In this type of design there is a shaft 61 on both sides of a rear, lower section of the housing interior (cf. FIG. 3). The two shafts 61 extend over more than 60% of the total height of the housing 2. In the region of the shafts 61, the housing 2 is bulged on both sides. One of the two shafts 61 serves to hold two sacks 62, each of which contains a folded, unused endless coffee powder belt 23. In the other shaft, two sacks 63 for receiving the used section of a coffee powder endless belt 23 are fastened. Between the two shafts 61 there is a space 64 in which the electronic controls 25 of the valve (not shown) are accommodated in the pressure line 11, the counter (not shown) and the distance measuring device or the scale (not shown). It also contains at least one dry cell 26, which serves as a power source for these controls 25, for the distance measuring device 21 or for the scale and for the electromagnetically operated valve of the pressure line 11.

The room 64 is closed at the top by a middle block 65. The conveying mechanism 29 for the two endless belts 23 is arranged on the upper side of this middle block 65. The press tube 43 is also located above the middle block 65. The two endless belts 23 are guided by a carriage 33 which can be moved laterally on the central block 65. With this carriage 33, each of the two endless belts 23 can be moved from a lateral to a central position and vice versa. The endless belt 23, which is in the middle position, is used for the preparation of the coffee beverage. The middle position is also referred to below as the working position. The endless belt 23, which is in the working position, lies below the press tube 43. The endless belt 23 in the middle position is also pulled out of the corresponding sack 62 by the conveying mechanism 29 after the extraction of the coffee powder. The two endless belts 23 contain different amounts of coffee powder per unit length, so that one punched-out coffee powder portion is sufficient for one or two cups of coffee, depending on the endless belt 23.

The slide 33 extends over the entire width of the central block 65. It is guided by two transverse grooves on the central block 65. The slide 33 has at least two guide brackets 34 on its upper side. At least one of these guide brackets 34 extends across each longitudinal half of the slide 33. Each endless belt 23 is guided through at least one guide bracket 34. A rod 66 protrudes from the side surface of the slide 33 which faces the front side of the housing 2. The front end of this rod 66 protrudes from the front of the housing 2. At this end the rod 66 can carry a knob. The rod 66 can be pressed inwards or pulled outwards on the knob. The carriage 33 is thereby moved laterally. This arrangement allows a choice between the two endless belts 23. On both sides of the press tube 43 there are two loads on the slide 33 conveyor rollers 40, 42 arranged. The carriage 33 has a recess 67 in each of its two lateral sections. In each of these recesses 67 there are two conveyor rollers 40, 42. Each endless belt 23 rests on the top of the carriage 33 and on two conveyor rollers 40, 42.

The conveying rollers 40, 42 pull the unused parts of the endless belt 23 out of the corresponding side shaft 61 and at the same time convey the used parts of the endless belt 23 into the other side shaft 61. Between the two cutouts 67, the carriage 33 has an opening 68 for the passage of the coffee Extract on. This opening 68 is located below the press tube 43.

The second type of training of the proposed coffee machine (cf. FIGS. 4 to 8) processes endless coffee powder belts 23 which are rolled up into rolls 24.

In this type of training there is a drawer-shaped waste container 22 in the interior of the front part of the upper section 18, which can be pulled forward out of the housing 2. It takes up the used parts of the endless belts 23 containing coffee powder. In a rear area of the lower part 53 of the housing interior, the electronic controls 25 of the valve (not shown) are accommodated in the pressure line 11, the counter (not shown) and the distance measuring device 21. It also contains at least one dry cell 26, which serves as a current source for these controls 25, for the distance measuring device 21 and for the electromagnetically actuated valve of the pressure line 11.

In a central part 54 of the interior of the housing there are two rollers 24 with an endless belt 23 containing coffee powder. The two rollers 24 are arranged side by side. Your rotary Axes 27 run parallel to the front and rear of the housing 2. The lower part 53 and the middle part 54 of the housing interior can be separated from one another by an intermediate floor 28.

The conveying mechanism 29 for the two endless belts 23 is arranged in the rear and front region of the upper part 55 of the housing interior. The press pipe 43 is located in the central region of the upper part 55 of the housing interior.

The middle part 54 of the housing interior is delimited at the top by an intermediate floor 32. This intermediate floor 32 has a slit-shaped opening in the rear edge region, which serves, among other things, for the passage of the endless belts 23. The two endless belts 23 are guided by a carriage 33 which can be moved laterally on the intermediate floor 32. With this carriage 33, each of the two endless belts 23 can be shifted from a lateral to a central position and vice versa. The endless belt 23, which is in the middle position, is used for the preparation of the coffee beverage. The middle position is also referred to below as the working position. The endless belt 23, which is in the working position, lies below the press tube 43. It is used for the extraction of the coffee beverage. The endless belt 23 in the middle position is pulled by the transport mechanism 29 from the corresponding roller 24 even after the coffee powder has been extracted. The two endless belts 23 contain different amounts of coffee powder per unit length, so that one coffee powder portion is sufficient for one or two cups of coffee, depending on the endless belt 23. The slide 33 is guided by at least one transverse groove on the intermediate floor 32. The slide 33 has two flat guide brackets 34 on its upper side. Each of these leadership bracket 34 extends across a longitudinal half of the carriage 33. Each endless belt 23 is guided through a guide bracket 34. A bow-shaped handle 35 is attached to the back of the slide 33. The rear part of this handle 35 projects out of the housing 2 through a transverse slot in the rear wall. With the help of this handle 35, the user of the coffee machine can move the carriage 33 sideways by hand and thereby select the desired endless belt 23.

The axes of rotation 27 of the two endless belt rolls 24 are connected to the slide 33 via two struts 36 each. The rollers 24 are consequently moved laterally together with the carriage. It can thereby be achieved that the endless belts 23 always run straight and are not bent laterally. The conveyor mechanism 29 has a conveyor roller 40, which is located above the carriage 33 and behind the guide brackets 34. The axis of rotation of the conveyor roller 40 is fixed to the housing side walls. The conveying roller 40 is therefore not laterally displaced together with the slide 33, but is always in the middle of the housing 2 and above that endless belt 23 which is in the working position. The conveying roller 40 is pressed against this endless belt 23 from above by at least one spring (not shown). Before the carriage 33 is laterally displaced when changing from one endless belt 23 to another endless belt 23, the conveying roller 40 is pressed upwards with a lever (not shown) against the spring (not shown). The rear end of this lever protrudes from the rear of the housing 2. The conveying roller 40 is raised when the rear end of the lever is pushed down. In a preferred embodiment, the lever can be designed such that it locks the slide 33 in the non-actuated state, so that the carriage 33 can only be moved laterally when the lever is pressed down at its rear end, and as a result the conveying roller 40 is lifted off the endless belt 23.

The carriage 33 extends to the press tube 43. The endless belts 23 rest on the top of the carriage 33. A support plate 41 is arranged in front of the press tube 43. The upper side of this support plate 41 is preferably at the same height as the upper side of the slide 33. The section of the endless belts 23 lying directly in front of the press tube 43, the coffee powder of which has already been used, lies on the support plate 41. Above the support plate 41 there is a second conveyor roller 42 which moves simultaneously with the first conveyor roller 40 and conveys the used parts of the endless belt 23 forward into the drawer-shaped waste container 22 already mentioned. The rotation of the axis of rotation of the rear conveying roller 40 can be transmitted to the axis of rotation of the front conveying roller 42 via a chain or a belt.

In both types of training of the proposed coffee machine, the press tube 43 is arranged vertically. It is guided vertically. The top of this press tube 43 is closed. The press tube 43 is also driven by the actuation of the hand lever 37. When the hand lever 37 is pivoted downward, the press tube 43 is pressed down; if you swivel the hand lever 37 upwards, the press tube 43 is raised again. The movement of the hand lever 37 can be transmitted to the press pipe 43 with the aid of one or more gear wheels and a toothed rack attached to the outside of the press pipe 43. A plug 44 is arranged in the interior of the press tube 43. The outer diameter of this plug 44 corresponds to the inner diameter of the press tube 43. The plug 44 can be moved along the interior of the press tube. However, it cannot emerge from the lower end face of the interior of the press tube. This can be achieved with the aid of a mandrel which protrudes laterally from the plug 44 and projects into a longitudinal groove on the inside of the press tube 43. A compression spring 45 is arranged between the plug 44 and the upper end wall of the press tube 43, which holds the plug 44 in its lower end position, in which the lower end face of the plug is flush with the lower edge of the press tube 43. The plug 44 has a continuous longitudinal bore 46. A thin tube 47 penetrates the press tube 43 through the center of the upper end wall. Its lower end section protrudes into the longitudinal bore 46 of the plug 44. At the upper end of the tube 47, the pressure line 11 is attached, which leads to the reservoir 8. The hot water is consequently passed through the pressure line 11 and the pipe 47 into the longitudinal bore 46 of the plug 44 if the valve (not shown) installed in the pressure line 11 is opened.

The lowest section of the longitudinal bore 46 of the plug 44 is widened laterally. The underside of the plug 44 is closed by a sieve or a perforated plate.

The upper end of a line 48, which leads to the front and down to the pouring device 20, lies below the press pipe 43. The upper end of this line 48 is closed by a sieve or perforated plate 49.

When the pressing tube 43 is moved downward by the actuation of the hand lever 37, its lower edge is pressed onto the endless belt 23 which is in the working position. The spring-loaded stopper 44 presses the coffee powder against the sieve or perforated plate 49. The lowermost end section of the press tube 43 and the lower, expanded part of the stopper Longitudinal bore 46 delimit an extraction chamber 10 into which hot water is pressed through the thin tube 47.

As soon as the press pipe 43 reaches its lowest end position, it is locked in this end position (cf. FIG. 8). The corresponding locking device can consist, for example, of a spring-loaded bolt 50 which extends from the front of the housing to the rear and is pushed by the spring over the upper end face of the press tube 43 as soon as the press tube 43 is in its lower end position. As the bolt 50 moves backward, it actuates a switch 51. The electronic control thereupon opens the valve (not shown) in the pressure line 11. At the same time, the level of the counter (not shown), which counts the number of cups of coffee prepared, becomes increased by one or two, depending on which endless belt 23 is in the working position. Hot water is pressed through the pressure line 11 and the pipe 47 into the extraction chamber 10 and through the coffee powder located therein. The coffee extract emerges on the underside of the extraction chamber 10 and is passed to the pouring device 20 via the line 48 mentioned.

The pouring device 20 can consist of a cap, from which two angled tubes emerge laterally. The coffee cups or the coffee cup are placed beneath these tubes for the purpose of holding the coffee beverage. The valve of the pressure line is closed as soon as the coffee drink in the coffee cups reaches a certain filling level or a certain filling weight. The height of the filling level is determined with the aid of a distance measuring device 21, which is arranged directly on the underside of the pouring device 20 or directly next to the pouring device 20. Such distance measuring devices 21 are commercially available. she usually work with ultrasonic waves or infrared rays. The filling weight is determined using a balance. As soon as the hot water supply has been interrupted, the locking of the press tube 43 can be released by pulling the locking bolt 50 forward by hand against the spring force.

The work cycle is ended by pivoting the hand lever 37 up again. The conveying mechanism 29 is actuated by the swiveling up. The conveyor mechanism 29 pulls the endless belt 23 out of the sack 62 in one shaft 61 or from the roll 24 and conveys the used piece of endless belt into the sack 63 in the other shaft 61 or into the waste container 22. The coffee machine is now for one new work cycle ready.

The proposed coffee machine has the advantage over the known coffee machines intended for mobile use that the pressure required for the extraction of the coffee powder is generated with the aid of compressed air and not with the aid of compressors built into the coffee machine. As a result, the proposed coffee machine has fewer mechanical parts than conventional coffee machines and is correspondingly more reliable during operation. Dispensing with a compressor has the further advantage that the proposed coffee machine does not need large-volume batteries.

It is also advantageous to use coffee powder in the form of endless belts 23. Endless belts 23 are easier to manufacture and use than separately packed individual portions.

Thanks to the hand lever 37, the coffee preparation with the proposed coffee machine takes on a ceremonial character, which has a sales-promoting effect.

Claims

claims

1. Coffee machine in particular for mobile use, with an extraction chamber (10), the coffee powder and hot water under an increased pressure can be supplied, and a pouring device (20) connected to the extraction chamber (10) for dispensing the coffee extract, thereby characterized in that the increased pressure required for the extraction of the coffee powder can be applied by compressed air generated by means of a compressed air source (7).

2. Coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the water required for coffee preparation is accommodated in at least one heatable, preferably heat-insulated storage container (8) which can be connected to the compressed air source, preferably in the form of at least one compressed air bottle (7).

3. Coffee machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extraction chamber (10) is formed by a stopper (44) with a continuous, at least partially laterally widened longitudinal bore (46) for receiving the hot water, the underside of which is formed by a sieve or perforated plate It is closed that the upper end of a line (48) leading to the pouring device (20) lies below the stopper (44) and is closed by a sieve or perforated plate (49) that receives the coffee powder and that the coffee powder is blocked by means of the stopper (44) the screen or perforated plate (49) of the line (48) can be pressed.

4. Coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the stopper (44) is arranged inside a vertical press tube (43) and is vertically displaceable with the latter, the drive of the press tube (43) by actuating a hand lever (37) and the movement of the hand lever (37) is preferably transferable to the press tube (43) with the aid of one or more gear wheels and a toothed rack attached to the outside of the press tube (43).

5. Coffee machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressing tube (43) by means of a locking device preferably made of a spring-loaded bolt (50) can be locked in its lower end position and that an electronic control (25, 26) is provided which is designed in this way and it is arranged that the hot water can be pressed into the extraction chamber (10) and through the coffee powder, depending on the amount of coffee powder and the amount of coffee to be prepared, with the press tube (43) in the lower end position.

6. Coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging of the coffee powder has the shape of a preferably rolled-up or zigzag folded endless belt (23).

7. Coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the endless belt (23) has lateral edge regions with round holes (52) arranged at regular intervals, the edge regions preferably being reinforced with a narrow band (31) made of tear-resistant material, and that the central area (47) between the lateral edge areas consists of a water-permeable fleece and has a plurality of pillow-like, separate chambers (58) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, each containing a portion of coffee powder.

8. Coffee machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the endless belt (23) having at least one conveyor roller (40, 42) Transport mechanism (29) is displaceable, the at least one transport roller (40, 42) being arranged in a central section (59) in the form of a hyperboloid and in two lateral, cylindrical sections (60) with a plurality of axially outwardly protruding and at regular angular intervals Thorns (56) for engaging in holes (52) in the edge region of the endless belt (23) is divided.

9. Coffee machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveying mechanism (29) can be driven by the actuation of a hand lever (37), the hand lever, connected to a pivot axis (38), from an upper end position to a lower end position and back again can be moved and the movement of the hand lever (37) can be transmitted to the conveying mechanism (29) via the swivel axis (38) and a gear (39).

10. Coffee machine at least according to claims 4 and 9, characterized in that both the transport mechanism (29) and the press tube (43) can be driven by the actuation of the hand lever (37) which acts on the transport mechanism (29) Gear part is provided with a freewheel such that the conveying mechanism (29) can only be rotated when the hand lever (37) is pivoted from the lower end position to the upper end position, and that the translation of the hand lever movement is selected such that the endless belt (23) in each case is movable by the length of a portion.

11. Coffee machine according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that two endless belts (23) are provided, each with different lengths of coffee powder, which can be displaced laterally, preferably by means of a rod (66) or a handle (35) Carriage (33) with an opening (68) for the passage of the coffee extract from one lateral position into a middle position (working position) and vice versa, at least one guide bracket (34) extending across each longitudinal half of the carriage (33) and each endless belt (23) being guided through the at least one guide bracket (34).

12. Coffee machine at least according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the at least one conveyor roller (40, 42) of the conveyor mechanism (29) in a recess (67) of the carriage (33) or above the carriage (33) and behind the Guide bracket (34) is arranged.

CHANGED CLAIMS

[Received at the International Bureau on December 22, 1998 (December 22, 1998); original claims 1-12 by; neve claims 1-11 replaced (4 pages)]

claims

Coffee machine in particular for mobile use, with an extraction chamber (10), the coffee powder and hot water under an increased pressure can be supplied, and a pouring device (20) connected to the extraction chamber (10) for dispensing the coffee extract, the for the extraction of the coffee powder required, increased pressure can be applied by means of compressed air generated by a compressed air source (7), characterized in that the packaging of the

Coffee powder has the form of a rolled up or zigzag folded endless belt (23) which is displaceable by means of a transport mechanism (29) and that the transport mechanism (29) can be driven by the actuation of a hand lever (37).

Coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the water required for coffee preparation is accommodated in at least one heatable, preferably heat-insulated storage container (8) which can be connected to the compressed air source, preferably in the form of at least one compressed air bottle (7).

Coffee machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extraction chamber (10) is formed by a stopper (44) with a continuous, at least partially laterally widened longitudinal bore (46) for receiving the hot water, the underside of which is closed by a sieve or perforated plate that the upper end of a line (48) leading to the pouring device (20) lies below the stopper (44) and is closed by a sieve or perforated plate (49) which receives the coffee powder and that the coffee powder is by means of the Plug (44) against the screen or perforated plate (49) of the line (48) can be pressed.

Coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the stopper (44) is arranged inside a vertical press tube (43) and is vertically displaceable with it, the drive of the press tube (43) being effected by the actuation of a hand lever (37) and the movement of the hand lever (37), preferably by means of one or more gear wheels and a toothed rack attached to the outside of the press tube (43), can be transferred to the press tube (43).

Coffee machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressing tube (43) can be locked in its lower end position by means of a locking device, preferably consisting of a spring-loaded bolt (50), and that an electronic control (25, 26) is provided which is designed and arranged in this way is that the hot water can be pressed into the extraction chamber (10) and through the coffee powder, depending on the amount of coffee powder and the amount of coffee to be prepared, when the press tube (43) is in the lower end position.

Coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the endless belt (23) has lateral edge areas with round holes (52) arranged at regular intervals, the edge areas preferably being reinforced with a narrow band (31) made of tear-resistant material, and that the central area (47) between the lateral edge areas consists of a water-permeable fleece and has a plurality of pillow-like, separate chambers (58) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, each containing a portion of coffee powder.

7. Coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the conveying mechanism (29) has at least one conveying roller (40, 42), which has a central portion (59) in the form of a hyperboloid and two lateral, cylindrical portions (60) a plurality of mandrels (56) projecting axially outwards and arranged at regular angular intervals for engaging in holes (52) in the edge region of the endless belt

(23) is structured.

8. Coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hand lever (37) with a

Connected pivot axis (38), movable from an upper end position into a lower end position and back again and the movement of the hand lever (37) via the pivot axis (38) and a gear (39) can be transmitted to the transport mechanism (29).

9. Coffee machine at least according to claim 4, characterized in that both the transport mechanism

(29) and the press tube (43) can be driven by actuating the hand lever (37), the gear part acting on the conveying mechanism (29) is provided with a freewheel in such a way that the conveying mechanism (29) only when the hand lever (37 ) is rotatable from the lower end position to the upper end position, and that the translation of the hand lever movement is selected such that the endless belt

(23) can be moved further by the length of one portion.

10. Coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two endless belts (23), each containing different amounts of coffee powder, are provided, which by a side preferably by means of a rod (66) or of a handle (35) displaceable carriage (33) with an opening (68) for the passage of the coffee extract from a lateral position into a middle position, called the working position, and vice versa, with transversely across each longitudinal half of the carriage (33) at least one guide bracket (34) extends and each endless belt (23) is guided through the at least one guide bracket (34).

11. Coffee machine at least according to claims 7 and 10, characterized in that the at least one conveyor roller (40, 42) of the conveyor mechanism (29) in a recess (67) of the carriage (33) or above the carriage (33) and behind the Guide bracket (34) is arranged.

DECLARATION REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 19

With reference to Article 19, Rule 46 PCT, new claims 1 to 11 are enclosed with the request that they be used as a basis for the further proceedings.

The features of the new claim 1 are in the original claims 1, 6, 8 and 9, the features of the new claims 2 to 5 in the original claims 2 to 5, the features of the new claims 6 to 11 in the original claims 7 to 12 disclosed as belonging to the invention.

The features of the originally filed patent claim 6 have been completely incorporated into the new patent claim 1, so that the subsequent subclaims 7 to 12 are now 6 to 11.