WO2006018859A1

WO2006018859A1 - Device for making coffee and other beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2006018859A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000464
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolando Degasperi
Original assignee: Gilli, Walter; Odorizzi, Tiziano
Priority date: 2004-08-20
Filing date: 2004-08-20
Publication date: 2006-02-23

Abstract

A device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation comprises a boiler (1) for water, having a bottom wall (12), a vessel (3) for the made beverage, a filter (4), interposed between said boiler (1) and said vessel (3), a cup-shaped body (20) for the water, and a container (21) for the powder preparation (6). The cup-shaped body (20) is apt to be slidably inserted inside the boiler (1) in an upturned position, and has an open end (201) at the bottom wall (12) of the boiler (1), and a bottom (202) at a second end thereof. The container (21) is apt to receive therein the powder preparation (6), and is slidable in a sealed manner inside at least one portion of the boiler (1). Moreover, it comprises a foraminated surface (211) and is in contact with the bottom (202) of the cup-shaped body (20), In a first stage of making the open end of the cup-shaped body is in contact with the bottom of the boiler (1), defining a region (203) apt to contain the water. Moreover, the cup-shaped body (20) is apt to lift owing to the pressure increase due to the heating of the water present therein so as to press the container (21) against the filter (4).

Description

DEVICE FOR MAKING COFFEE AND OTHER BEVERAGES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device for making coffee and other beverages from powder preparations. For the household making of coffee, a plurality of devices are known, differentiating in the beverage-making times, in the convenience of use, in the cost and generally in the quality of the coffee they yield.

E.g., one of the most commonly used coffee-making devices is that known as 'Moka' coffee maker, having a boiler, an element in which ground coffee is inserted, and a filter-equipped container, located above the boiler, into which the fluid, once heated up, is automatically decanted, transiting through the filter and thereby releasing the aroma of the coffee powder into the fluid.

The specific support used in the 'Moka' coffee maker allows to house the coffee powder thereinside. During the heating of the water an entailed pressure increase takes place inside the boiler, allowing water to rise and flow through the section of the container in which the coffee is housed, until reaching the top container.

Such a coffee maker represents one of the best existing compromises for making quickly and, all considered, with a cost-effective device, a decent coffee.

However, the quality of the coffee made with such a device is not nearly comparable to what is yielded from professional coffee makers, in which the aroma and the taste are surely superior.

In order to improve coffee quality, a plurality of contrivances and accessories have been introduced, like, e.g., a specific filter, to be placed prior to the outpouring of the coffee toward the top container, yielding a froth similar to that of a coffee made with professional makers.

However, these contrivances do not substantially improve coffee quality, as their operation principle is anyhow that of the 'Moka' coffee maker.

Alternatively, coffee makers with which the coffee surely exhibits an improved quality do exist, e.g. the device known as 'Neapolitan coffee maker'. However, coffee making therewith becomes excessively long and toilsome, and therefore such devices are not of widespread use.

Other household devices used for making coffee are kettles, more or less complex, in which soluble coffee is poured, but they can only yield 'American way' coffee, therefore a beverage quite different from expresso coffee.

Lastly, even semi-professional coffee makers do exist, used also in households and making a quality beverage, but having absolutely higher costs with respect to the devices described hereto. Hence, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a device for making different kinds of hot beverages, allowing to overcome the drawbacks mentioned hereto with reference to the known art.

Such a problem is solved by a device for making coffee and other hot beverages according to claim 1. The present invention provides several relevant advantages. The main advantage lies in that a fine-quality coffee may be made in short times with the use of a practical and cost-effective device.

Other advantages, features and the operation modes of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of a non-limiting example. It will be made reference to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device for making coffee and other hot beverages from a powder preparation according to the present invention;

Figures 2A and 2B are a perspective view and a side section view, respectively, of a container and of a cup-shaped body of the device for making coffee and other hot beverages according to the present invention, a detail of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device for preparing coffee and other hot beverages containing according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side section view illustrating the operation of the device for making coffee and other hot beverages of Figure 1.

Initially referring to Figure 1, a device for making coffee and other beverages from powder preparations 6, comprises a boiler 1, a vessel 3 in which the beverage, once the decanting has taken place, is housed, a cup-shaped body 20, a container 21 for the powder preparation 6 and a filter 4. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment there is a gasket 5, apt to be interposed between the vessel 3 and the boiler 1.

The boiler 1 is cup-shaped, preferably substantially cylinder-shaped, and it has a bottom wall 12 that may be widened to ensure an improved resting onto the heat source with which it will be in contact for heating and making the beverage with the modes that will be described hereinafter.

The boiler 1 further comprises a safety valve 12, illustrated in Figure 3, in order to avoid an excessive pressure therein.

At the top surface of the boiler 1 there is a thread 11, apt to unite the boiler 1 to the vessel 3, which has a corresponding inner thread 31.

The two threads 11, 31 form a threaded coupling that allows, by using the gasket 5 at the filter 4, interposed between the boiler 1 and the vessel 3, to hold the seal inside the device according to the present invention.

The threaded coupling 11, 31 may be replaced by any other connection means, e.g. a bayonet system.

The vessel 3 further comprises a handle 33, a spout 34 for pouring the made beverage and a lid 35.

In particular, the vessel 3 has a base 32 at the center of which there is an elongate portion 36. In the latter, at a first end thereof, there is obtained a port that, referring to Figure 4, faces onto the boiler 1 and, at the opposite end thereof, a further port from which the fluid may exit toward the inner portion of the vessel 3.

Inside the boiler 1 there are inserted the cup-shaped body 20 and the container 21. The cup-shaped body 20, in the present embodiment, is substantially cylinder-shaped, and has a closed bottom 202 at a first end thereof, whereas at the opposite end thereof it has an open end 201.

The cup-shaped body 20 is apt to be inserted upturned, i.e. the open end 201 thereof being placed at the bottom wall 12 of the boiler 1, whereas the closed bottom 202 of the cup-shaped body faces the thread 11.

Therefore, the cup-shaped body 20 has a plane section of smaller dimensions with respect to the boiler 1 , in a manner such as to be capable of being inserted inside the latter, as well as of defining an interspace 14, apt to the transit of the beverage.

In particular, referring to Figure 2B, the interspace 14 is comprised between the external side surface of the cup-shaped body 20 and the internal wall of the boiler 1.

Always referring to Figure 2B, once the cup-shaped body is positioned inside the boiler 1, and the related open end 201 thereof rests onto the bottom wall 12 of the boiler 1, there is defined, inside the cup-shaped body and just limited by said bottom wall 12, a region 203, apt to contain water in a first stage of making the beverage.

Above the cup-shaped body 20 there is placed, in contact with the closed bottom 202, - A - the container 21.

The container 21 has a foraminated surface 211, at the base thereof, having foramina of sizes such as to prevent the transit of the powder 6.

Moreover, it comprises a sidewall 212 having a plane extension such as to allow the container 21 to be inserted inside the boiler 1, and to slide, in a sealed manner, therein along the region corresponding to the thread 11.

Always referring to Figure 2B, the cup-shaped body 20 and the container 21 have dimensions such that, once inserted the cup-shaped body 20 inside the boiler 1 and rested the container 21 above said body 20, the sidewall 212 holds the seal with the boiler 1 , and sufficiently below the open end of the boiler.

In fact, as it will be made apparent in the description of the operation of the device, the container 21, under operating conditions, and therefore at closed device, should be capable of sliding toward the open end of the boiler 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises connection means 22 between the cup-shaped body 20 and the container 21. In the present embodiment, such connection means 22 unites the center of the closed bottom 202 to the center of the foraminated wall 211.

Further referring to Figure 1 , between the boiler 1 and the vessel 3 there is interposed the filter 4, having dimensions ranging from those of the diameter of the male thread 11 and of the female thread 31 , so that, by placing the gasket 5 about the filter 4, the latter is blocked between the boiler 1 and the vessel 3 by means of the closing of the threaded fit.

The filter 4 has a foraminated surface 42, in which the foramina preferably have a size such as to prevent the transit of the powder 6, which thus may not reach the vessel 3 from the boiler 1.

In fact, the filter 4 forms a baffle between the boiler 1 and the vessel 3.

Moreover, remarkably, in the hereto-described configuration the container 21, it being free to slide inside the boiler 1, may press against the filter 4. Therefore, under operating conditions, the container 21 should not extend to the open end of the boiler 1 , otherwise it would not have any working stroke therein.

The operation of the device for making coffee and similar beverages according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5 A to 5D.

In a first stage of making the beverage, the water is inserted inside the region 203. As in this first stage the water should not be present inside the interspace 14, first of all the cup-shaped body 20 has to be filled.

In particular, referring to Figure 5A, the cup-shaped body 20, to which in the present embodiment the container 21 is united, should be upturned with respect to the working configuration; hence, it shall have the open end 201 upward and the closed bottom 202 downward. Thus, it may be filled with water.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cup-shaped body 20 further comprises means for metering, which in the present embodiment is a groove 205 obtained about the sidewall of the cup-shaped body 20. Thus, the cup-shaped body 20 could be filled up to the mark indicated by the groove 205, and ensure a precise amount of water.

Moreover, the groove 205 improves the structural stiffness of the cup-shaped body, limiting the deformability thereof.

Referring now to Figure 5B, the boiler 1 is upturned and inserted, in this configuration, onto the cup-shaped body 20, after having filled the latter with water, holding it also upturned.

Then, the boiler 1, with the cup-shaped body 20 and the container 21 therein, is returned to a standing position, taking care that the open end 201 remains in contact with the bottom wall 12, to prevent water spilling, hi order to avoid this, while upturning the boiler 1 it suffices to exert a light pressure with a finger onto the container 21.

Always referring to Figure 5B, once upturned the boiler, the container 21 could be filled with the powder preparation, in an amount variable both as a function of the preparation that is to be used and of the tastes of the device user. In fact, a preparation having a stronger aroma could require a smaller amount of product to prepare a quality beverage and, in any case, the beverage can have a more or less strong taste, depending on preferences, according to the amount of preparation 6 used. In any case the preparation 6 should not be scanty nor in excess.

More precisely, the amount of powder preparation 6 that is inserted inside the container 21 should suffice to get over the sidewall 212, without however coming out from the boiler 1.

Referring to Figure 5C, then the filter 4 is positioned, with the gasket 5, and lastly the device is closed again, by screwing on the vessel 3. When the device is put in contact with a heat source, the water therein increases its temperature; accordingly, also the pressure inside the region 203 increases.

The pressure acts onto the internal surface of the cup-shaped body 2 and in particular against the closed bottom 202, pressing upward the cup-shaped body 20. Moreover, the container 21, being it also free to slide inside the boiler 1, will be pressed by the cup-shaped body 20, until the powder preparation, which gets over the sidewall 212, abuts against the filter 4.

Since the filter 4 prevents the transit of the preparation 6, the latter will be pressed owing to the lifting action of the cup-shaped body 20. Moreover, always owing to the thrust due to the pressure increase, the peripheral portion of the cup-shaped body 20 is lifted, and thus the open end 201 does not rest anymore onto the bottom wall 12, as depicted in Figure 5D, thereby remaining defined a port 206 between the bottom wall 12 and the open end 201 for the transit of the fluid. Upon attaining the evaporation temperature of the fluid inside the region 203, the internal pressure begins to rise, at constant temperature, until having attained the pressure required to lift the cup-shaped body 20 together with the container 21 and the preparation 6.

The cup-shaped body 20 continues to lift until the preparation 6, pressed against the filter 4, is pressed sufficiently to balance the thrust due to the pressure increase inside the region 203.

Once the cup-shaped body 20 lifts, a fraction of fluid outflows toward the interspace 14, yet, the device being anyhow in contact with a heat source, the pressure internal to the boiler 1 anyhow suffices to keep the cup-shaped body 20 lifted. In practice, once attained a certain pressing onto the powder preparation 6, the latter is kept in that condition during all the making of the beverage.

Upon reaching the interspace 14, the fluid rises toward the container 21, pushed both by capillarity and by the action of the pressure.

As disclosed in the foregoing, the container 21 is inserted in a sealed manner inside the boiler 1, and the water, upon getting to the container 21, may transit exclusively through the foraminated surface 211.

Thus, the water is forced to transit through the powder preparation 6, thereby allowing the making of the beverage, prior to getting to the filter 4 and then outflow until getting to the elongate portion 36, where it is poured into the vessel 3.

The pressing action onto the powder preparation 6 allows to attain an improved passing of the aroma from the powder 6 to the fluid, since the water, basically having more difficulties in the passing due to the pressing of the preparation 6, can better absorb the aroma thereof.

The same pressing action could be attained also in traditional coffee makers, by compacting the coffee powder prior to the making of the beverage, however attaining the right degree of pressing is complex, and requires a certain care.

The pressing ensured by the device according to the present invention is perfectly controlled, homogeneous and delicate.

A further advantage provided by the pressing, and hence by the present invention, lies in the option of using a smaller amount of coffee, with respect to the traditional coffee makers, to attain a beverage of equal quality.

Lastly, it is evident that the pressing action is linked to the amount of preparation 6 present inside the container 21 and to the chance of lifting of the cup-shaped body 20, linked in turn to the sizing of the components of the device.

The sizing of the cup-shaped body 20, of the container 21, as well as the indication of the correct amount of preparation 6 can be obtained, following what has been described in the foregoing, empirically and very easily for a person skilled in the art. It will be understood that the present invention is susceptible of several embodiments and variants alternative to what has been described hereto, some of which will summarily be illustrated hereinafter with reference to the sole aspects differentiating them from the embodiment and variants considered hereto.

According to a second embodiment, the boiler 1 and the vessel 3 may be those of a traditional 'Moka' coffee maker. The shape of the boiler 1 in this case is not cylindrical anymore but frustopyramidal, with a generally hexagonal base. Since the cup-shaped body 20 should be capable of being inserted inside the boiler 1 and be free to lift therein, the former should anyhow be cylinder-shaped.

However, the boiler 1 having the shape of a pyramid and the cup-shaped body that of a cylinder, it is evident that the interspace 14 has a greater size at the bottom zone, nearer to the bottom wall 12. Therefore, in this case, though the operation of the device is anyhow ensured, there cannot be used all the fluid contained inside the region 203, as, unavoidably, some of the beverage will remain in the bottom region of the boiler 1. However, it is anyhow evident that the use of the cup-shaped body 20 and of the container 21 may take place with the same modes described hereto in a traditional 'Moka' coffee maker, on condition that the dimensions of the cup-shaped body 20 and of the container 21 be such as to ensure the functionality of the device. Vice versa, in case a boiler 1, always pyramid-shaped or alternatively conically shaped, yet upturned with respect to the preceding case, i.e. having a base of dimensions smaller with respect to the vertex, there may be used a cup-shaped body of a shape complementary thereto, thereby substantially defining a constant-section interspace 14, analogously to what occurs in the first embodiment disclosed above. The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments afferent to the same inventive kernel may exist, all falling within the protective scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation (6), comprising:

• a boiler (1) for water, having a bottom wall (12); • a vessel (3) for the made beverage;

• a filter (4), interposed between said boiler (1) and said vessel (3),

• a cup-shaped body (20), apt to be slidably inserted inside said boiler (1) in an upturned position, and having

- an open end (201) at said bottom wall (12) of said boiler (1); - a closed bottom (202) at a second end thereof;

• a container (21) apt to receive therein the powder preparation (6), said container (21) being slidable in a sealed manner inside at least one portion of said boiler (1); - comprising a foraminated surface (211); and

- being in contact with said bottom (202) of said cup-shaped body (20), such that in a first stage of making said open end (201) of said cup-shaped body is in contact with said bottom wall (12) of said boiler (1), defining a region (203) apt to contain the water, wherein said cup-shaped body (20) is apt to lift owing to the pressure increase due to the heating of the water present therein so as to press said container (21) against said filter (4).

2. The device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation according to the preceding claim, wherein said boiler (1) and said cup-shaped body (20) are substantially cylinder-shaped, being such that said cup-shaped body (20) has a bottom dimension smaller with respect to the bottom dimension of said boiler (1) so as to define an interspace (14) apt to the transit of fluid.

3. The device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising connection means (22) of said cup-shaped body (20) and said container (21).

4. The device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said container (21) comprises a foraminated surface (211) apt to allow the transit of water and to prevent the transit of the powder preparation (6), and a sidewall (212) apt to hold the seal with said boiler (1).

5. The device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a gasket (5) apt to be interposed between said boiler (1) and said vessel (3).

6. The device for making coffee and other beverages from a powder preparation according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cup-shaped body (20) has a groove (205) apt to indicate the required level of fluid and to stiffen said cup-shaped body (20).