WO2013008177A1

WO2013008177A1 - Machine and method for infusions

Info

Publication number: WO2013008177A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/053517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davide RONCON
Original assignee: International Services S.R.L.
Priority date: 2011-07-12
Filing date: 2012-07-10
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Also published as: TW201316930A; ITMI20111296A1

Abstract

Machine for infusions (1), which comprises at least one first spout (2) connected to a steam outlet (16) and at least one second spout (3) connected to an infusions outlet (17), in which the first spout (2) and the second spout (3) are mechanically connected to at least one actuator (11, 12) suitable to raise or lower the spouts (2, 3) with a substantially vertical movement. The present invention also relates to a method that can be carried out with such a machine.

Description

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR INFUSIONS

The present invention relates to a machine for infusions, and in particular a machine that can be used to make coffee and cappuccino. The present invention also relates to a method that can be carried out with such a machine.

Known machines for making coffee and cappuccino comprise a first spout which is immersed in a container containing milk and which emits vapor to generate foam of milk in this container. To make a cappuccino, said milk foam is poured into a cup which already contains coffee dispensed by a second spout of the same machine. To avoid splashing outside, this second spout can be moved vertically so that its lower end is at a level lower than the upper edge of the cup, however far from the bottom of the cup, even in its extreme lowest position.

EP 1199016 describes a machine for making coffee and cappuccino, in which a front panel provided with two spouts for the steam can move vertically and in which a pair of spouts for the coffee is arranged between the two spouts for the steam and can also move vertically. The distance between a spout for the steam and the nearest spout for the coffee is greater than the diameter of a cup, so that a cup cannot be arranged under both of these spouts at the same time. Also in this known machine the spouts, in their extreme lowest position, are very distant from the cup supporting surface. This machine is also relatively complex because of the mechanical and/or electrical connections between the controls arranged on the front panel, which is not fixed but must move vertically, and the rest of the machine.

These known machines and method require a relatively high manual working, so they are inefficient and difficult to automate. Other known machines, fully automatic, generate the milk foam in a first container and then pump it into the cup with a relatively complex and cumbersome device, that must be washed after use.

In any case, it is necessary to employ two separate containers, one for the coffee and one for the milk foam, which must be poured over the coffee, not vice versa, otherwise the foam would be condensed by the coffee.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a machine free from said drawbacks. Said object is achieved with a machine and a method whose main features are specified in claims 4 and 1, respectively, while other features are specified in the remaining claims.

Thanks to the two particular spouts and the actuator which controls their substantially vertical movement, the machine according to the present invention allows to dispense coffee and steam in a same container, so as to avoid the need for two containers.

The machine and the method according to the present invention provide for the delivery of the coffee under the milk foam near the bottom of the cup, thus overcoming the technical prejudice according to which the milk foam must be poured over the coffee.

Thanks to a particular rack mechanism, the actuator is relatively simple and easily operable both manually and automatically.

Thanks to a particular snap-connection, the spouts are easily removable for their cleaning.

Thanks to a particular valve in the spout for the steam, the milk foam is not sucked at the end of the steam delivery, so as to avoid the proliferation of bacteria in the machine.

In general, thanks to its special mechanical arrangements, the machine is simpler, more compact, economical and reliable than the known machines.

Further advantages and features of the machine and the method according to the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of some embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the machine in a first operating position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1 in a second operating position;

Figure 3 shows a partial and enlarged view of the machine of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the actuator of the second embodiment of the machine;

Figures 5 and 6 show front views of the spouts of the second embodiment of the machine;

Figures 7 and 8 show vertical sections of the spouts of Figures 5 and 6; and Figures 9 and 10 show vertical sections of the spouts of the third embodiment of the machine.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, it is seen that machine 1 according to the first embodiment comprises at least one first spout 2 connected to an outlet of steam and at least one second spout 3 connected to an outlet of infusions, for example coffee or tea. Said outlets are in turn connected in a known manner to a system comprising a reservoir 4, a boiler and a pump 5 which pumps hot water or water vapor, generated by the boiler, to the first spout 2 and/or to the second spout 3, respectively, through a first delivery line 6 of the steam and a second delivery line 7 of the hot water. The second delivery line 7 passes through an infusion device 8, in which the hot water is mixed with powder for infusions, for example coffee or tea. Machine 1 preferably comprises a support surface 9 which is arranged below the spouts 2, 3 and is suitable to support at least one container 10, for example a cup (shown with dashed lines in Figure 2).

The first spout 2 and the second spout 3 are mechanically connected to at least one actuator suitable to raise or lower at the same time both spouts 2, 3 with a substantially vertical movement. To this end the first spout 2 and the second spout 3 are fixed to each other, preferably are made in a single body. Spouts 2, 3 are substantially parallel to each other and the distance between spouts 2, 3 is less than 80 mm, in particular less than 30 mm, preferably less than 20 mm. The actuator preferably comprises at least one substantially vertical rack 11 which is connected to the first spout 2 and/or the second spout 3, in particular is made in one piece with the latter. Rack 11 is meshed with a cogwheel 12 mechanically connected to a manual or operated actuating device, for example an electric motor. In the present embodiment, said cogwheel 12 is keyed on a shaft 13 in turn mechanically connected to a knob 14 which protrudes outside machine 1 to be rotated manually by a user. Therefore, when knob 14 is rotated in one direction or the other, rack 11 and therefore spouts 2, 3 are raised or lowered at the same time, as shown by the arrows of Figure 2. In the lowest extreme position of the substantially vertical movement of spouts 2, 3, the lower ends of spouts 2, 3 are at a distance from the support surface 9 comprised between 3 and 30 mm. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, it is seen that in a second embodiment, similar to the first one, the first spout 22 and/or the second spout 23 are removably fixed to a fitting 15 provided with outlets 16, 17 connected to the upper ends of spouts 22, 23. Said removable fixing preferably comprises a snap-connection that includes at least one female joint 18 and a male joint 19 fixed respectively to fitting 15 and to a body 20 joined to spouts 22, 23, or vice versa. Fitting 15 is connected by a bridge 21 to rack 24, so that cogwheel 25 meshed with rack 24 is arranged between spouts 22, 23 and rack 24.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, it is seen that the first spout 22 is provided with a first internal duct 26 connected through a valve 27 to a second internal duct 28 arranged in outlet 16, so as to create a passage for the air outside of the internal ducts 26, 28 but inside outlet 16 and the first spout 22. Valve 27 is mounted in a removable manner to the first internal duct 26 and/or the second internal duct 28. The lower end of the first internal duct 26 is arranged above the lower end of the first spout 22.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it is seen that in a third embodiment, similar to the first two, the first spout 42 is arranged at least partially in the second spout 43, in particular is arranged in the second spout 43 in a substantially coaxial manner. Spouts 42, 43 are removably fixed to a fitting 35 provided with outlets 36, 37. The first outlet 36 is connected through a valve 41 to the upper end of the first spout 42 and is preferably aligned with the latter. Valve 41 is mounted in a removable manner to the first outlet 36 and/or to the first spout 42. The second outlet 37 is arranged beside the first outlet 36 and leads to a collector 40 having the bottom connected to the second spout 43. The first spout 42 crosses collector 40. Said removable fixing comprises a snap-connection which includes a female joint 38 and a male joint 39 fixed respectively to collector 40 and to fitting 35. The lower end of the first spout 42 is arranged above the lower end of the second spout 43.

In another embodiment, the two spouts are separated and can be mechanically connected to two separate actuators, for example similar to the one described above, which allow their independent movement. In a further embodiment, the two spouts can be mechanically connected to an actuator, for example similar to the one described above, which allows their alternate movement by means of a cogwheel which is arranged between two racks, each of which is connected to a spout, so that the rotation of the cogwheel moves the first spout upwards and the second spout downwards, and vice versa.

In use, the user rotates knob 14 to immerse spouts 2, 3 in the milk contained in container 10 arranged on the support surface 9, after which in a first operating step he actuates machine 1 for pumping vapor through the first spout 2 into the milk contained in container 10, so as to generate milk foam in container 10. In a subsequent operating step, the user operates machine 1 for pumping coffee through the second spout 3 into the milk, in particular into the milk foam or under the milk foam, contained in container 10. In one or both of these operating steps the distance between the lower ends of spouts 2, 3 and the bottom of container 10 is preferably shorter than 20 mm.

In the embodiments in which the two spouts move independently or alternating, the second spout can be immersed into the milk after the first spout is immersed into the milk contained in the container and/or after the steam is supplied through the first spout into the milk contained in the container.

Further modifications and/or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the embodiments of the invention herein described and illustrated remaining within the scope of the following claims. In particular, further embodiments of the invention may include the technical features of one of the following claims with the addition of one or more technical features, taken individually or in any mutual combination, described in the text and/or illustrated in the drawings.

Claims

1. Method for infusions, characterized by the following operating steps:

immersing at least two spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) into milk contained in a container (10);

supplying vapor through the first spout (2; 22; 42) into the milk contained in the container (10);

supplying an infusion through the second spout (3; 23; 43) into the milk contained in the container (10).

2. Method according to the previous claim, characterized in that when a spout

(2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) supplies vapor or the infusion, the distance between the lower end of this spout (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) and the bottom of the container (10) is shorter than 20 mm.

3. Method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) are immersed into the milk at the same time or one after the other.

4. Method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the second spout is immersed into the milk after the vapor is supplied through the first spout into the milk contained in the container.

5. Machine for infusions (1) suitable for carrying out the method according to one of the previous claims, which comprises at least one first spout (2; 22; 42) connected to an outlet (16; 36) for vapor and at least one second spout (3; 23; 43) connected to an outlet (17; 37) for infusions, characterized in that the first spout (2; 22; 42) and the second spout (3; 23; 43) are mechanically connected to at least one actuator (11, 12; 24, 25) suitable for raising or lowering the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) with a substantially vertical movement.

6. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) are made in a single body.

7. Machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the distance between the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) is shorter than 80 mm.

8. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the distance between the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) is shorter than 30 mm.

9. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the actuator (11, 12; 24, 24) is suitable for raising or lowering at the same time both spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43).

10. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the actuator is suitable for raising or lowering the spouts one after the other.

11. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that two actuators are suitable for raising or lowering the spouts in an independent manner.

12. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the at least one actuator (11, 12; 24, 25) comprises at least one substantially vertical rack (11; 24) which is connected to the first spout (2; 22) and/or the second spout (3; 23) and is in mesh with a cogwheel (12; 25) mechanically connected to a manual or operated actuating device (14).

13. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that the rack (11) is made in a single piece with the spouts (2, 3).

14. Machine according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the cogwheel (12; 25) is mechanically connected to a knob (14) which projects outside the machine (1).

15. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that a support surface (9) suitable for supporting at least one container (10) is arranged under the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43), wherein the distance between the support surface (9) and the lower ends of the spouts (2, 3; 22, 23; 42, 43) in their extreme lowest position is comprised between 3 and 30 mm.

16. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the first spout (22; 42) and/or the second spout (23; 43) are removably fastened to a fitting (15;

35) provided with outlets (16, 17; 36, 37) connected to the upper ends of the spouts (22, 23; 42, 43).

17. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that said removable fastening comprises a snap-connection.

18. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that said snap- connection includes at least one female joint (18; 38) and one male joint (19; 39) fixed to the fitting (15) and to a body (20) joined to the spouts (22, 23), respectively, or vice versa.

19. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 18, characterized in that the fitting (15) is connected by means of a bridge (21) to the rack (24), wherein the cogwheel (25) in mesh with the rack (24) is arranged between the spouts (22, 23) and the rack (24).

20. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 19, characterized in that the first spout (22) is provided with a first internal duct (26) connected through a valve (27) to a second internal duct (28) arranged in the outlet (16), so as to create a passage outside of the internal ducts (26, 28) but inside the outlet (16) and the first spout (22).

21. Machine according to one of claims 5 to 20, characterized in that the first spout (42) is arranged at least partially in the second spout (43).

22. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that the first spout (42) is arranged in the second spout (43) in a substantially coaxial manner.

23. Machine according to the previous claim, characterized in that the second outlet (37) is arranged beside the first outlet (36) and leads to a collector (40) having the bottom connected to the second spout (43).