Patent classifications
A47J31/465
Coffee machine, more particularly espresso coffee machine, and method for operating said coffee machine
The present invention relates to a coffee machine, more particularly to an espresso coffee machine. The coffee machine according to the invention comprises at least one hot water generator (1, 3), at least one brewing group (5) for brewing coffee, and a thermosiphon circuit between said hot water generator and said brewing group including a hot water supply pipe (13) and a hot water return pipe (15). According to the invention, one or more additional hot water supply pipes (13), separate from said main hot water supply pipe (13), are provided between said hot water generator (1, 3) or another hot water source and said brewing group (5). Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to guarantee a greater steadiness in the water temperature during the steps of brewing coffee, and possibly the capability of quickly adjusting, even in real time, said temperature. Furthermore, if several brewing groups are provided, the water temperature during the brewing step can be advantageously controlled and adjusted in an autonomous and independent manner for each brewing group.
COFFEE MACHINE WITH SENSORS
A coffee machine is disclosed having a water system intended to be connected to a water supply system, a filter unit disposed at the inlet of the water system, a pump, a tank disposed in the water system between the filter unit and the pump, a sensor unit disposed in the tank and suitable for measuring at least one quality parameter of the water contained in the tank, a monitoring unit electrically connected to the sensor unit to receive electrical signals that are indicative of the measured water quality parameters, transduce the electrical signals in numerical values and compare the numerical values of the measured parameters with preset threshold ranges, and a user interface operatively connected to the monitoring unit and having an alarm to indicate when a water parameter is out of the preset threshold range.
Method, machine and boiler for the preparation of beverages
Method, machine and boiler for the preparation of beverages, in particular infusions such as coffee or tea; wherein the boiler has a central tank which delimits a superheating area for a liquid and an outer tank positioned around the central tank so as to delimit a heating area for the liquid and to allow the heating of the liquid in the heating area by means of the heat generated in the superheating area; the heating area having a first outlet for supplying hot liquid, the superheating area having a second outlet for the supply of steam.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A COFFEE GRINDER
A method for controlling an automatic coffee bean grinder (2) which is separate from an automatic coffee brewing machine (1) using ground coffee produced by said coffee bean grinder (2), is disclosed, wherein a flowmeter sniffer element (15) is located in or at a housing (3) of said coffee brewing machine (1) is capturing the water flow-through information measured by a water flowmeter (5) of said coffee brewing machine (1), and transmits the water flow-through information to a grinder control unit (26) located in the automatic coffee bean grinder (2), and the grinder control unit (26) controls the grinder module (24) as a function of the water flow-through information transmitted from said flowmeter sniffer element (15).
COMBINED ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE
Described herein is an espresso coffee machine having a water feeding hydraulic circuit, at least one boiler for heating water, located downstream of the water feeding hydraulic circuit, a coffee dispenser unit, located downstream of the boiler and provided with at least one coffee panel configured for mixing hot water with coffee, and a first pumping hydraulic circuit, provided with at least one pump for the water and interposed between the water feeding hydraulic circuit and the boiler. Between the water feeding hydraulic circuit and the boiler is interposed a second pumping hydraulic circuit, connected in parallel with the first pumping hydraulic circuit and provided with a lever pumping unit. The lever pumping unit works at room temperature, being physically separated both from the boiler, and from the coffee dispenser unit.
VENTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BEVERAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Aspects relating to a method and apparatus for venting a heater tank of a beverage forming apparatus using a vent valve that is opened and closed based on an operation to move a brew chamber lid between an open lid position and a closed lid position are provided. In one aspect, the vent valve may be positioned on a vent line distinct from a delivery line that delivers heated liquid from the heater tank to the brew chamber. In another aspect, at least a portion of the delivery line may extend downwardly from the top of the heater tank to a location between the top and the bottom of the heater tank. In another aspect, the at least a portion of the vent valve may be attached to the handle for movement with the handle.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF A DUAL-STAGE WATER HEATER IN A HOT-BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE
Control of temperature of water delivered by a dual-stage water heater having an external boiler with a first heater as first stage and an internal duct (water booster) with a second heater as second stage. A control loop based on a measured water temperature in the boiler and controls the first heater. A second loop calculate a reference booster water temperature based on the temperature error at the outlet (difference between a measured outlet water temperature and a reference outlet water temperature) and controls second heater based on error between reference booster water temperature and measured booster water temperature. The reference outlet water temperature depends on type of beverage (eg espresso, cappuccino) and includes a temperature profile with different temperature for different sub-beverages (eg coffee, milk). Takes into account physical response times, inertia of heater and anticipate sudden changes of reference water temperature at hot water outlet.
Method for brewing coffee and having enhanced aroma release
A method for brewing coffee involves providing two separate quantities of coffee particles, wherein only a first quantity of coffee particles is used for an actual process of brewing coffee by causing this quantity to interact with an extracting medium, and wherein another, secondary quantity of coffee particles is heated for enhanced aroma release. The second quantity may be small compared to the first quantity. The two separate quantities of coffee particles may be obtained by first providing a single quantity of coffee particles, for example by grinding a number of coffee beans in a grinding module (20), and then dividing the single quantity into the two quantities. In a device (1) which is suitable for carrying out the method, a dividing arrangement (40) may be applied for realizing a suitable distribution of coffee particles over a brewing chamber (10) and a heating module (30) of the device (1).
Coffee extraction system and coffee extraction method using same
Shown are a coffee extraction system and a coffee extraction method using the same. A coffee extraction system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes: an extraction water storage tank which stores extraction water; a body unit which accommodates ground coffee beans and includes a coffee extractor which is supplied with the extraction water from the extraction water storage tank to extract liquid coffee, wherein the coffee extractor accommodates the ground coffee beans and has a first extraction water supply channel communicating with the extraction water storage tank and with a side portion to which the extraction water is supplied; an upper cover, coupled to an upper portion of the body unit, which has a second extraction water supply channel, which communicates with the extraction water storage tank and through which the extraction water is supplied, and which has a first liquid coffee discharge channel through which the extracted liquid coffee is discharged; and a lower cover, coupled to a lower portion of the body unit, which has a third extraction water supply channel, which communicates with the extraction water storage tank and through which the extraction water is supplied, and which has a second liquid coffee discharge channel, through which the extracted liquid coffee is discharged.
CUSTOMIZABLE MULTIPLE PORT AUTOMATED BEVERAGE BREWER AND SYSTEM
An automatic beverage brewer for coffee, tea, and the like, and more particularly, which is customizable both in physical configuration including number and location of external brewing fonts, optionally in association with a bulk brewing font and receiving container, and in automatic operation to dispense hot water to the respective fonts and a main brewing basket or baskets responsive to user inputted beverage brewing commands.