The object of the present invention is a coffee maker for domestic use and a method for dispensing a coffee-based beverage.
In this disclosure in particular, "coffee maker for domestic use" means that type of maker suitable to dispense an infused beverage like coffee which due to sizes and use, is suitable to be located in a household environment. I.e. the "coffee maker for domestic use" has compact sizes, unlike coffee shop coffee makers, which have significant sizes (comprising, for example a plurality of filter holders in which the coffee powder is introduced and through which the beverage is dispensed). I.e. the "coffee maker for domestic use" moreover has the object of dispensing and is optimized to dispense a curbed number of coffees, unlike coffee shop coffee makers specifically designed to dispense a significant number of coffees, also continuously throughout a day.
In further detail, the coffee maker the object of the present invention is provided with a dispensing group of the E61 type. In other words, the coffee maker the object of the present invention dispenses coffee through a dispensing group of the E61 type, integrating the operating principles and having the shape, sizes, materials of the known group "E61 Faema". The dispensing group of the E61 type is well-known in the specialized circles and is also the object of patent proprietary specifications such as documents nos.
In particular, the solutions of coffee makers, with particular reference to those for domestic use, have detected how the E61 dispensing group takes a given time, about 30 minutes, to reach an optimal temperature for dispensing a coffee. In detail, said optimal temperature is that temperature by virtue of which the dispensed coffee is not too hot or too cold.
The need is therefore strongly felt to resolve such a problem by providing a coffee maker provided with a dispensing group of the E61 type capable of reaching an optimal temperature for dispensing coffee in a shorter time with respect to the prior art.
It is the object of the present invention to meet the aforesaid need by proposing a coffee maker for domestic use comprising a dispensing group of the E61 type according to that claimed in claim 1, and a method for dispensing a coffee-based beverage according to that claimed in claim 13.
The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the coffee maker and of the dispensing method according to the invention will in any case be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given only by way of non-limiting, indicative example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:
Numeral 1 in said drawings indicates a coffee maker according to the invention, as a whole.
According to the present invention, the coffee maker 1 for domestic use comprises a dispensing group 2, for example of the E61 type, suitable to be connected to a first heating group of a first fluid. In other words, a first fluid from a first heating group flows in the dispensing group 2.
The dispensing group 2 preferably is of the E61 type.
According to the present invention, the dispensing group 2 comprises a group body 21, sealing means 22 and command means 23.
A filter holder is removably mountable on the group body 21, and a first chamber 211, a second chamber 212, and a third chamber 213 are fluidically cascade-formed in such a group body 21. The first chamber 211 is provided with an inlet mouth 211i and an outlet mouth 211o; the third chamber 213 is suitable to house the filter holder.
The sealing means 22 are partially housed in the first chamber 211 and in the second chamber 212 so as to block the flow of the first fluid between said first chamber and second chamber. Moreover, the sealing means are configurable between an open position, in which the first chamber 211 is in fluid communication with the third chamber 213, and a closed position, in which the first fluid is suitable to flow inside the first chamber 211, entering from the inlet mouth 211i and coming out of the outlet mouth 211o.
The command means 23 comprise a cam 231 which is housed in the second chamber 212. The cam is rotatable so as to selectively engage the sealing means by positioning them in the open position or in the closed position.
According to the present invention, the coffee maker further comprises a fluid inlet conduit 3, a fluid outlet conduit 4 and an auxiliary conduit 5.
The fluid inlet conduit 3 is fluidically connected to the inlet mouth 211i and is suitable to be connected to the first heating group. The first fluid is suitable to flow inside the fluid inlet conduit 3 so as to enter the first chamber 211.
The fluid outlet conduit 4 is fluidically connected to the outlet mouth 211o and is suitable to be connected to the first heating group. The first fluid is suitable to flow inside the fluid outlet conduit 4 so as to come out of the first chamber 211 and re-enter the first heating group.
According to an aspect of the invention, the second chamber 212 is provided with an auxiliary mouth 212a fluidically connected to an auxiliary conduit 5. Such an auxiliary conduit 5 is connectable to feeding and/or suctioning means of a second fluid. In other words, the second fluid is suitable to flow inside the auxiliary conduit 5.
According to an embodiment, the auxiliary mouth 212a is an inlet and/or an outlet for the second fluid. When the auxiliary mouth 212a is an inlet, the auxiliary conduit 5 is a feeding conduit for the second fluid; when the auxiliary mouth 212a instead is an outlet for the second fluid, the auxiliary conduit 5 is a conduit for discharging the second fluid. In other words, the auxiliary conduit 5 is a feeding conduit and/or a discharge conduit for the second fluid.
According to one embodiment, the coffee maker 1 comprises a manifold 50 which is fluidically connected to the auxiliary conduit 5. Moreover, such a manifold 50 is fluidically connected to a plurality of branches 51, preferably three, where each branch 511; 512; 513 of such a plurality of branches 51 comprises a solenoid valve 5110; 5120; 5130 for regulating the flow of the second fluid.
According to an embodiment, the flow of the second fluid is regulated by the solenoid valve 5110; 5120; 5130 of a branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51. In other words, if the solenoid valve of a branch is open and the solenoid valves of the remaining branches are closed, then the second fluid only comprises the fluid which flows in the branch whose solenoid valve is open.
According to an embodiment, the second fluid comprises a mixture of a plurality of fluids, in which each fluid of the plurality of fluids flows in a branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51 and the mixture of the plurality of fluids occurs along the auxiliary conduit 5. In other words, the flow of the second fluid, being delivered and/or being suctioned, which flows in the auxiliary conduit 5 is regulated by at least one solenoid valve 5110; 5120; 5130 of at least one branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51. In particular, if more than one solenoid valve is open, the second fluid comprises a mixture of a plurality of fluids, where the fluids comprised in such a mixture flow in the branches whose solenoid valves are open.
The coffee maker 1 preferably comprises the feeding and/or suctioning means and the first heating group of the first fluid.
According to one embodiment not shown in the drawings, the feeding and/or suctioning means comprise the first heating group. Such a first heating group is fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the fluid inlet conduit 3, the fluid outlet conduit 4 and the auxiliary conduit 5.
The fluid inlet conduit 3, fluid outlet conduit 4 and one branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51 preferably come out of the first heating group, where such a branch is fluidically connected to the auxiliary conduit 5 by means of manifold 50.
In particular, when the first heating group is fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the fluid inlet conduit 3, the fluid outlet conduit 4 and the auxiliary conduit 5, the first fluid is equal to the second fluid and preferably comprises water in the liquid state or in the gaseous state, i.e. in the form of vapor.
According to an embodiment, the first heating group comprises a heat exchanger and/or a boiler.
According to one embodiment not shown in the drawings, the feeding and/or suctioning means comprise a second heating group which is fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the auxiliary conduit 5.
The second heating group preferably is fluidically connected to manifold 50 by means of one branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51.
In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the first fluid comes from the first heating group and preferably comprises water in the liquid state and/or in the gaseous state; the second fluid instead comes from the second heating group and preferably comprises water in the liquid state and/or in the gaseous state. In other words, the first fluid and the second fluid come from different heating groups, however they both preferably comprise water in the liquid and/or gaseous state. A dual flow may be managed during the dispensing, i.e. the flow of the first fluid and the flow of the second fluid, by virtue of the presence of the first heating group and of the second heating group.
The second heating group preferably comprises a heat exchanger and/or a boiler.
According to an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the feeding and/or suctioning means comprise a plurality of feeding groups which are fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the auxiliary conduit 5. Each feeding group of the plurality of feeding groups is suitable to feed the auxiliary conduit 5 with a respective fluid, such as for example water in the liquid state and/or gaseous state, or an alcohol solution, a detergent solution, milk or a combination thereof.
Each feeding group preferably is suitable to feed the auxiliary conduit 5 with a different fluid. Alternatively, each feeding group preferably is suitable to feed the auxiliary conduit 5 with the same type of fluid.
In an embodiment, each feeding group is fluidically connected to manifold 50 by means of one branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51. When the solenoid valve of a branch fed by a feeding group is open and the solenoid valves of the remaining branches are all closed, the second fluid only comprises the fluid which flows in the branch whose solenoid valve is open. Instead, when a plurality of solenoid valves of a respective plurality of branches fed by respective feeding groups is open, the second fluid comprises a mixture of a plurality of fluids, in which the fluids comprised in such a mixture flow in the branches whose solenoid valves are open.
According to an embodiment, the feeding and/or suctioning means comprise a fluid discharge group which is fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the auxiliary conduit 5. Such a fluid discharge group is suitable to collect the residue of an infusion fluid after the infusion.
When the sealing means 22 are in open position, the first fluid and the second fluid preferably are mixed in the second chamber 212 and form an infusion fluid. In other words, the infusion fluid comprises a first fluid and a second fluid.
The residue of the infusion fluid in particular comprises water, or oil and grease deposited after the dispensing, coffee residues or a combination thereof.
According to an embodiment not shown in the drawings, after the dispensing has been carried out, the auxiliary conduit 5 regulates the suctioning of the flow of the infusion fluid residue so as to collect such an infusion fluid residue in the fluid discharge group. In further detail, when the auxiliary conduit 5 works by suctioning to collect the infusion fluid residue in the fluid discharge group, the infusion fluid residue comprises the residue of the first fluid and the residue of the second fluid.
According to one embodiment not shown in the drawings, the plurality of branches 51 comprises a first branch, a second branch, at least one feeding branch and a discharge branch. The first branch preferably is fluidically connected to the first heating group, the second branch is fluidically connected to the second heating group, the at least one feeding branch is fluidically connected to a feeding group of the plurality of feeding groups, and the discharge branch is fluidically connected to the fluid discharge group.
In an embodiment, the first fluid is equal to the second fluid.
According to an embodiment, the first fluid is different from the second fluid.
According to one embodiment, the second fluid comprises water in the liquid state and/or in the gaseous state.
In an embodiment, the second fluid comprises an alcohol solution.
According to an embodiment, the second fluid comprises a detergent solution.
In an embodiment, the second fluid comprises milk.
The coffee maker 1 preferably comprises a base surface Sb suitable to be substantially resting on a base plane B.
In an embodiment, cam 231 rotates around a hinge 232 which defines a cam rotation axis R substantially parallel to the base plane B. Moreover, such a hinge 232 lies on a hinge plane H containing the cam rotation axis R. The auxiliary mouth 212a formed in the second chamber 212 is in a first half-space delimited by the hinge plane H in a position proximal to the outlet mouth 211o, or is in the second half-space opposite to the first, in a distal position with respect to the outlet mouth 211o.
According to an alternative embodiment, the inlet mouth 211i and the outlet mouth 211o are aligned along an infusion plane I which is substantially orthogonal to the base plane B. Moreover, the auxiliary mouth 212a lies on an auxiliary plane A which is parallel to the infusion plane I.
The coffee maker 1 preferably comprises a pressure sensor mounted on the auxiliary conduit 5 in the vicinity of the auxiliary mouth 212a.
According to one embodiment, the coffee maker 1 comprises a temperature sensor mounted on the auxiliary conduit 5 in the vicinity of the auxiliary mouth 212a.
The coffee maker preferably comprises a tang 6 which, once the dispensing has been carried out, is suitable to discharge water, or deposited oil and grease, coffee residues or a combination thereof.
According to one aspect of the invention, the coffee maker comprises a coffee command lever 7 operatively connected to the cam so that the rotation of the cam is induced by acting on the coffee command lever 7.
According to one aspect of the invention, the method for dispensing a coffee-based beverage comprises the following steps:
The coffee maker 1 preferably is provided with feeding and/or suctioning means, thereby the dispensing method further comprises a step of suctioning the residue of the infusion fluid through the actuation of such feeding and/or suctioning means at the end of the beverage dispensing.
According to an embodiment, the beverage dispensing method further comprises a preheating step, in which there is heated the second chamber 212 with the second fluid, which is at a different temperature and/or pressure from those of the first fluid.
Alternatively, the beverage dispensing method further comprises a preheating step, in which the second chamber 212 is heated with the second fluid, which is at an equal temperature and/or pressure to those of the first fluid.
According to one embodiment, the coffee maker 1 is provided with feeding and/or suctioning means which comprise the plurality of feeding groups fluidically connected to the dispensing group 2 by means of the auxiliary conduit 5. The dispensing method then provides for each feeding group of the plurality of feeding groups to feed the auxiliary conduit 5 with a respective fluid, such as for example water in the liquid state and/or gaseous state, or an alcohol solution, a detergent solution, milk or a combination thereof. Each fluid flows in a branch 511; 512; 513 of the plurality of branches 51 to then be mixed along the auxiliary conduit 5 so as to form the second fluid.
The beverage dispensing method preferably further comprises the pressure detection step, in which the pressure in the second chamber 212 is detected with the pressure sensor, and the feeding and/or suctioning means are actuated so as to bring the pressure of the second chamber above the threshold pressure in the event the pressure falls below a predetermined threshold value.
The beverage dispensing method preferably further comprises the temperature detection step, in which the temperature in the second chamber 212 is detected with the temperature sensor and the feeding and/or suctioning means are actuated so as to bring the temperature of the second chamber above the threshold temperature in the event the temperature falls below a predetermined threshold value.
Innovatively, the coffee maker and the dispensing method according to the present invention achieve the selected object, i.e. they allow the time required to dispense a coffee to be reduced with respect to the prior art. In particular, the coffee maker allows two flows to be managed so as to promote and speed up the dispensing of coffee. In further detail, when the sealing means are in closed position, the flow of the first fluid promotes the increase of the temperature in the first chamber, while the flow of the second fluid increases the temperature in the second and third chamber. When the sealing means switch to the open position, the first fluid is mixed with the second fluid, the pressure in the dispensing group increases and the step of dispensing coffee through the filter holder begins.
Advantageously, the coffee maker allows a detection of the pressure in the third chamber. Indeed, a pressure sensor is mounted on the auxiliary conduit, which pressure sensor detects the trend of the pressure in the second chamber and therefore also in the third chamber, such second and third chamber being in fluid communication with each other.
According to an advantageous aspect, the coffee maker allows the second chamber and the third chamber to be cleaned with vapor and/or with a detergent solution. In particular, when the sealing means are in closed position and when the second fluid comprises water in the gaseous state and/or a detergent solution, the second and third chamber may be cleaned by causing the second fluid to flow therein.
According to a further advantageous aspect, the coffee maker allows a detection of the temperature in the third chamber. Indeed, a temperature sensor is mounted on the auxiliary conduit, which temperature sensor is suitable to detect the trend of the temperature in the second chamber and therefore also in the third chamber, such second and third chamber being in fluid communication with each other.
The coffee maker advantageously can be heated quicker by virtue of the flow of the second fluid which may comprise water in the liquid state and/or vapor.
According to an advantageous aspect, the coffee maker can operate as a conventional E61 dispensing group or may manage a dual flow and therefore operate as a flow variator so as to promote dispensing the coffee. In particular, the flow of the second fluid is regulated by the solenoid valve of each branch of the plurality of branches fluidically connected to the auxiliary conduit. When the solenoid valves of the branches are all closed, the coffee maker operates as a conventional E61 dispensing group. When instead at least one solenoid valve of a branch of the plurality of branches is open, the second fluid flows inside the second chamber and the coffee maker may simultaneously manage the flow of the first and second fluid.
According to a further advantageous aspect, the coffee maker proves to be particularly versatile because the flow of the second fluid can be taken advantage of in various ways. In particular, the flow of the second fluid can promote a faster heating of the dispensing group, can clean the second and third chamber of deposited oil and grease and/or coffee residues. Or, when the second fluid is an alcohol solution, it can act as a drop of liquor for the coffee; finally, when the second fluid comprises milk, it can add a drop of milk to the coffee.
In addition to operating as a conventional E61 dispensing group, the coffee maker advantageously can operate with the pre-infusion deactivated. When the sealing means are engaged in the conventional E61 dispensing group so as to be arranged in open position, the first fluid fills the second chamber, the third chamber and wets the coffee powder (pre-infusion), which is followed by the coffee dispensing step. Instead, in the coffee maker according to the present invention, the second fluid has already filled the second and third chamber and the dispensing step begins immediately when the sealing means are arranged in open position. In further detail, when the first fluid is mixed with the second fluid, the third chamber is already at the optimal dispensing temperature. In other words, the second fluid wets the coffee powder and the first fluid no longer carries out the pre-infusion step.
According to an advantageous aspect, the coffee maker allows targeted cleaning of the second and third chamber alone. By virtue of the flow of the second fluid, which can comprise a detergent solution, a cleaning of the second and third chamber alone may be obtained when the sealing means are in closed position.
According to a further advantageous aspect, the coffee maker can operate to suction the infusion fluid residue. In other words, the infusion fluid residue can be discharged through the auxiliary conduit so as to drain all the oil and grease deposits and/or coffee residues from the second and third chamber.
The presence of the tang in the coffee maker advantageously can be eliminated from the dispensing group. In particular, the tang serves to discharge water, oil and grease deposits and/or coffee residues from the second chamber. However, the presence of the tang is no longer required due to the presence of the auxiliary conduit which can also operate to suction the infusion fluid residue.
According to an advantageous aspect, the coffee maker allows the infusion pressure for dispensing the coffee through the filter holder to be regulated. Indeed, the pressure of the flow of the second fluid can be regulated by at least one solenoid valve of at least one branch of the plurality of branches and therefore, a targeted control of the infusion pressure is possible.
A person skilled in the art may make changes and adaptations to the embodiments of the coffee maker and the dispensing method according to the invention or can replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent to satisfy contingent needs without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims. All the features described above as belonging to one possible embodiment can be implemented independently from the other described embodiments.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.