WO2006032687A9

WO2006032687A9 - Coffee machine with pouring vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2006032687A9
Application number: PCT/EP2005/054748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Magg; Andreas Mayr; Michael Steffl
Original assignee: Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete; Johannes Magg; Andreas Mayr; Michael Steffl
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2005-09-22
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: WO2006032687A3; WO2006032687A2; DE102004046458A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coffee machine, in particular, an espresso or coffee pad machine, comprising a brewing chamber (24), with at least one outlet opening (40) through which coffee can flow into a pouring vessel (30), which has at least one outlet opening (54, 56) for the withdrawal of coffee. According to the invention, the formation of the creamy head may be favoured and an even pouring flow of the coffee may be achieved, whereby the pouring vessel (30) comprises a first chamber (42) and a second chamber (44) and the creamy foam is generated in the first chamber (42) of which at least a part is introduced into the second chamber (44).

Description

Coffee machine with a spout

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

Coffee machines of the prior art work on different principles. The most common models are the so-called non-pressure coffee machines. In these, water flows from a reservoir into an electrically heated tube. In particular, by steam in this tube heated water is then pressed through a riser to an outlet, through which the heated water then drips into a coffee filter. From this coffee filter, the filter coffee can then flow into a jug at atmospheric pressure.

In contrast, in espresso machines there is an increased pressure in the area of the ground coffee, for example 15 bar. This is achieved by supplying water from a water tank or other water supply to an electric motor driven pump, which then supplies the water under high pressure over an electrically heatable area of a coffee grounds receiving means. This coffee grounds receiving device generally comprises a sieve for receiving the coffee. To generate the high pressure in the region of the coffee, the coffee grounds receiving device is arranged during operation in a region sealed off from the atmosphere, which is referred to as a pressure chamber or brewing chamber.

In another coffee machine operating in a fundamentally different way, it is provided to first transfer the water for preparing the coffee from a water container into a heatable intermediate container. From this intermediate container, the heated water passes to an electric motor driven pump, from which it is supplied under elevated pressure, for example 2 to 3 bar, provided in a sealed brewing chamber coffee grounds receiving device.

In the case of a special type of coffee machine with a brewing chamber, referred to as a so-called coffee pod machine, it is provided that the coffee is not in loose form

Coffee is introduced into the coffee grounds receiving device, but in the form of a coffee pad, that is surrounded in a compacted form with filter paper, in a holder is inserted. The holder is arranged in a brewing chamber, which is formed from a Brühkammeroberteil and a sealingly connectable with this Brühkammerunterteil. About the Brühkammeroberteil heated water or steam is fed into the brewing chamber. The holder for the coffee pads can be part of the Brühkammerunterteils or used as a separate part in this. The brewing chamber lower part has an outlet opening from which the prepared coffee can emerge. The holder can be designed so that the heated water or steam can flow through the coffee pads largely unhindered.

Coffee machines are known in which the coffee is not fed directly from the brewing chamber into the user-provided receptacle, e.g. a cup, injected, but first runs into a spout and is passed through an outlet pipe in the cup. The spout is used to prevent contamination by the brewing from the brewing coffee.

In this context, it is also known to produce the crema or the crema foam from the coffee jet in a chamber formed by the spout.

The object of the invention is to further develop the generic coffee machines in such a way that the formation of the crema or crema foam is favored in comparison to the prior art and at the same time a uniform filling of one or more cups is achieved.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

The invention is based on the generic coffee machine characterized in that the outlet pot has a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein in the first chamber crema foam is formed, from which at least a portion of the second chamber is supplied. In this case, the coffee jet is preferably injected directly into the first chamber, whose dimensions, in particular their height, can be optimized by the solution according to the invention so that the injected coffee is optimally swirled, which favors the formation of cream. The dimensions of the second chamber can be NEN be optimized so that a uniform filling of one or more (especially two) cups is achieved. In this context, in particular a defined overflow of the second chamber may be provided, which will be explained later in more detail.

In preferred embodiments of the coffee machine according to the invention it is further provided that the first chamber and the second chamber are formed adjacent to each other and merging into each other. In this case, a comparatively wide passage is preferably provided between the first and the second chamber, through which the cream foam formed in the first chamber can enter the second chamber without greater flow resistance.

In particular, in this context, it is preferred that the second chamber is formed at least partially lower than the first chamber. This ensures that the crema foam contained in the second chamber, as soon as it has reached a certain height, overflows into at least one area in which at least one outlet opening is provided. In this way, the cup provided for receiving the coffee, a particularly high-quality cream foam can be supplied.

In general, it is considered advantageous that the outlet pot has at least one further chamber, which is supplied to the cream foam from the second chamber. It is particularly preferred if each of preferably two outlet opening is associated with a further chamber in a symmetrical manner. In this case, two cups of even coffee with high-quality crema foam can be fed.

In this connection, an advantageous development of the invention provides that the at least one further chamber communicates via at least one slot with the first chamber and / or the second chamber. In this case, residual coffee which has not been transferred by overflowing the second chamber into the at least one further chamber can be fed to at least one further chamber.

As has already been indicated above, it is preferred that the at least one further chamber has at least one outlet opening, wherein it is particularly important, as mentioned above. - A -

It is preferred that two further chambers, each with an outlet opening are provided in order to fill two cups at the same time.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous that the at least one outlet opening is provided in an outlet pot bottom, which is bevelled in at least one region adjacent to the at least one outlet opening in the direction of the at least one outlet opening. This solution is advantageous because it has been found that the resulting between a flat outlet pot bottom and the outlet opening edge obstructs the capillary action, so that may remain coffee residues in the spout, which can lead to hygienic problems. A chamfer breaks through such an edge and creates a suction that pulls the remaining liquid from the spout, so that it is completely emptied and no hygienic problems caused by residual fluid.

In the context described above, it is particularly advantageous that the at least one beveled region of the first chamber and / or the second chamber extends in the region of the at least one slot into the at least one further chamber. This ensures complete emptying of all chambers.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coffee machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the coffee machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a Brühkammerunterteils the coffee machine of FIG

1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of the region of the outlet pot of the coffee machine of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the spout of the coffee machine of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the spout pot of Figure 5 taken along section line A-A; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the spout pot of Figure 5 along the section line B-B.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a coffee machine 10. The coffee machine 10 comprises a flat post part 12, a columnar storage and operating part 14 and a coffee preparation part 16. The coffee preparation part 16 is arranged above the post part 12 on the storage and operating part. In the front region of the stator part 12, a control panel with a plurality of control buttons 18a, 18b and 18c and a warning light 19 is arranged.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the same coffee machine 10. The storage and operating part essentially comprises a water tank 20, a water heater 22, a pump, not shown, and various connecting lines between said elements. The coffee preparation part 16 comprises a brewing chamber 24, comprising a brewing chamber bottom part 26 and a brewing chamber top part 28. Below the brewing chamber 24, an outlet pot 30 is provided into which prepared coffee runs from the brewing chamber 24. The spout pot 30 has an outlet tube 32 through which prepared coffee into a collecting container provided on the stand part 12, e.g. a cup, running. The outlet pot is surrounded by a discharge housing 31. In the outlet pot 30 a plurality of chambers are provided, which are delimited at least in sections by first and second side walls 46, 48. The structure and function of these chambers will be explained in more detail later with reference to FIGS 5 to 7.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional drawing through the brewing chamber lower part 26. The brewing chamber lower part 26 has a preferably round receptacle 34 for cofee pads (not shown). The bottom 36 of the receptacle 34 is preferably formed sloping down to a central recess 38. For coffee preparation, the brewing chamber lower part 26 is sealingly connected to a brewing chamber upper part, not shown in Figure 3, so that heated brewing water can penetrate the coffee pad in the receptacle 34 under pressure. The coffee is then injected through a nozzle 40 in the central recess 38 into the outlet pot 30 located below the brewing chamber 24.

Figure 4 shows a perspective, partially sectioned view of the outlet housing 31, in which the outlet pot 30 is supported with the outlet pipes 32. The relative position of the outlet pot 30 to the brewing chamber can be seen in FIG. Above the outlet pot 30 a very simple embodiment of a lid 52 is shown in the manner of an exploded view, which can be introduced sealingly into the opening of the spout pot 30. The lid 52 has a central opening 54 through which the coffee can pass from the brewing chamber 24 into the outlet pot 30. In the lower region of the cover 52, a rib structure 53 is indicated, which in some embodiments may be provided to cooperate with the side walls forming the first and / or the second chamber.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of the spout pot of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the spout pot of FIG. 5 along the section line AA, and FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the spout pot of FIG. 5 along the section line BB. The illustrated outlet pot 30 has a first chamber 42 which is formed by first side walls 46 and a portion of the outer wall of the spout pot 30. Adjacent to the first chamber 42, a second chamber 44 is provided, which is formed by second side walls 48 and a further section of the outer wall of the outlet pot 30. As can be seen in particular FIG. 4, the first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 merge into one another. The first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 differ from each other in that the second side walls 48 of the second chamber 44 are formed lower in sections than the first side walls 46 of the first chamber 42, as shown in FIG. The arrangement of the first and second side walls 46, 48 two further chambers 50, 52 are formed, namely a third chamber 50 and a fourth chamber 52. The third chamber 50 and the fourth chamber 52 are also partially limited by the outer wall of the spout pot 30 , Between the first side walls 46 of the first chamber 42 and the second side walls 48 of the second chamber 44, a first slot 58 and a second slot 60 are provided. Adjacent to the first slot 58, a first outlet opening 54 is provided in the third chamber 50, which communicates with a first outlet pipe 32a. Symmetrical to this arrangement is adjacent to the second slot 60 in the fourth chamber 52, a second outlet opening 56 is provided which communicates with a second outlet pipe 32b. The spout bottom 33 has two adjacent to the outlet openings 54, 56 areas 62, 64 which are tapered towards the outlet openings 54, 56 to. In this case, the first chamfered region 62 extends out of the intermediate space between the first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 into the third chamber 50. Symmetrically thereto, the second chamfered portion 64 extends out of the gap between the first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 into the fourth chamber 52. In accordance with the formulation chosen here, the beveled regions 62, 64 form part of the outlet pan bottom 33. However, this does not exclude that the beveled regions 62, 64 are not formed integrally with the remaining outlet pan bottom, but for example through sections of the outlet tubes 32a, 32b are formed, in whole or in part.

During operation of the coffee machine 10, the coffee jet emerging from the brewing chamber 24 strikes the first chamber 42, which has the high first side walls 46. This causes a strong turbulence of the coffee, whereby a high-quality cream foam is formed. Via the wide passage between the first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44, the cream foam passes into the second chamber 44, the second side walls 48 of which are at least partially lower. As soon as the cream froth exceeds the height of the lower portions of the second side walls 48, it flows into the third chamber 50 and the fourth chamber 52 and from there into the outlet openings 54, 56, which communicate with the outlet pipes 32a and 32b. The drainage of the residual coffee occurs via the first slot 58 and the second slot 60 between the first and second side walls 46, 48.

Such a design of the spout pot 30 produces a high quality crema. Furthermore, up to two cups can be filled simultaneously and evenly with coffee via the outlet pipes 32a and 32b. Without the chamfered areas 62, 64 would result between the outlet pot bottom 33 and the outlet pipes 32a, 32b respective edges that would hinder the capillary action on leakage of the coffee. By the tapered portions 62, 64 between the flat outlet pot bottom 33 and the outlet openings 54, 56 and the outlet pipes 32a, 32b, these edges are broken or avoided. The slopes towards the outlet create a NEN suction that pulls the remaining liquid from the spout 30. In this way it is ensured that no residual liquid remains in the outlet pot 30, whereby hygienic problems are avoided.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to the realization of the invention both individually and in any desired combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 coffee maker

12 stand part

14 storage and operating part

16 coffee preparation section

18 a-c control buttons

19 indicator light

20 water tank

22 water heater

24 brewing chamber

26 Brühkammerunterteil

28 brewing chamber top

30 outlet pot

31 outlet housing

32 outlet pipes

33 outlet pot bottom

34 recording

36 receiving floor

38 central opening

40 outlet opening / nozzle

42 first chamber

44 second chamber

46 side walls of the first chamber

48 side walls of the second chamber

50 third chamber

52 fourth chamber

53 Rib structure

54 first outlet opening

56 second outlet opening

58 first slot

60 second slot

62 first beveled area

64 second beveled area

Claims

claims

1. Coffee machine, in particular espresso or coffee pod machine, with a brewing chamber (24) having at least one outlet opening (40) through which coffee in a spout (30) flows, the at least one outlet opening (54, 56) for removal coffee, characterized in that the outlet pot (30) has a first chamber (42) and a second chamber (44), wherein in the first chamber (42) crema foam is formed, of which at least a part of the second chamber (44 ) is supplied.

2. Coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chamber (42) and the second chamber (44) are formed adjacent to each other and into one another.

3. Coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the second chamber (44) at least partially lower than the first chamber

(42) is formed.

4. Coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outlet pot (30) has at least one further chamber (50, 52), the cream foam from the second chamber (42) is supplied.

5. Coffee machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one further chamber (50, 52) via at least one slot (58, 60) with the first chamber (42) and / or the second chamber (44) is in communication.

6. Coffee machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one further chamber (50, 52) has at least one outlet opening (54, 56).

7. Coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (54, 56) is provided in an outlet pot bottom (33) in at least one adjacent to the at least one outlet opening region (62, 64) in the direction of the at least one outlet opening (54, 56) is beveled.

8. Coffee machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one bevelled area (62, 64) from the first chamber (42) and / or the second chamber (44) in the region of the at least one slot (58, 60) in the at least one further chamber (50, 52) extends into it.