WO2002056740A2 - Polyfunctional kettle with chamber having upper closable apperture, especially for the production of infusions or solutions - Google Patents

Abstract

This kettle is used for the preparation of beverage with boiling liquids which are forced to rise from the bottoms of the tank and made to flow to certain zones where there are pulverulent substances or granules to be dissolved, typically coffee, tea, cocoa, officinal herbs. The liquid rise thanks to the pressure exercised by the vapour present in an aperture in the associated, removable chamber screwed onto the tank having one or two relief holes which are substantially stopped during use. The liquids are then allowed to fall into a carafe and poured out of a spout after they have been filtered.

Description

DESCRIPTION

POLYFUNCTIONAL KETTLE WITH INTERNAL CHAMBER HAVING UPPER CLOSABLE APERTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF INFUSIONS OR SOLUTIONS. TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention refers to a kettle for the preparation of beverages using boiling liquids coming into contact with substances dissolved by the pressure of the vapour created in a chamber with a closable aperture at the top.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, the preparation of espresso coffee using percolators of the MOKA type occurs due to the passage of boiling water driven by vapour pressure ^* forcing it to pass through the coffee granules. As is well known, this process involves the following serious problems: the need to use a rubber sealing ring providing air-tightness in the vapour chamber; the need to use a perforated filter which is subject to blockage; the need to use a safety-valve providing protection against explosion; the need to screw the percolator tight requiring strong, manual force.

There are also kettles in which the vapour is produced in a chamber lodged within a tank; these kettles, however, require the tank to be filled by lowering it on the upturned chamber filled with water, and the successive upturning of both the tank and chamber. Another problem associated with these kettles is constituted by the fact that the chamber cannot easily 5 be removed if there is a residual quantity of water in the tank, since the ensuing air-tightness causes a depression within the chamber when the kettle cools. The various, normal types of kettle (or percolators, tea pots or similar) using this particular principle whereby

^"1 ° vapour creates a force, cannot alter the time for infusion. The last problem is that their shape makes them difficult to clean. In addition, milk cannot be used instead of water. The aim of this invention is to define a kettle, which is

^{1 5} suitable for the preparation of beverages with boiling liquids made to flow through substances to be dissolved via the force generated by the vapour, which allows it to be filled without having to overturn it. Another aim is to define a kettle, as above, which can

20 be easily cleaned. A further aim is to define a kettle, as above, in which boiling water flows at high speeds to

create jets of water and/or vapour with such turbulence as to limit the formation of lumps of pulverulent substances, such as cocoa powder. Another aim is to

25 define a kettle, as above, in which the flowing liquid is transferred to an infusion chamber for an indefinite time. Another aim is that of defining a kettle, as above, which has a low, wide shape providing maximum stability and to take full advantage of the flame on the stove.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

These and many other aims will appear to have been reached after reading the following detailed claim illustrating a kettle for the preparation of beverages with boiling liquids forced to rise from the bottom of a tank and to flow to certain areas where there are pulverulent substances or granules to be dissolved, typically coffee, tea, officinal herbs; the liquids rise due to the pressure exercised by the vapour present in the summit of the associated removable chamber which is screwed onto the tank having with one or more relief holes substantially closed by plugs when in use; such liquids are then allowed to fall freely into a carafe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For purely indicative purposes only, and by no means limiting, the invention is illustrated in a number of different ways outlined in the attached drawings; the drawings illustrated are approximate in order to highlight the important areas so that its operation can be understood. The drawings are as follows: - fig. 1 shows a kettle in which infusion occurs in a circular chamber downstream from the removable, centrally located upper filtration weir;

- fig. 2 shows a kettle in which infusion occurs in a centrally located, cylindrical filtration chamber upstream of the central weir;

- fig. 3 shows a kettle in which infusion occurs upstream from a peripheral weir; infusion occurs in a chamber surrounding the liquid tank; - fig. 4 shows a kettle in which infusion occurs upstream from a peripheral weir, and in which there is a pressure relieving tower in a chamber lodged in a vertically arranged liquid tank;

- fig. 5 shows a variation of the kettle as in fig. 4, in which the tank is developed more horizontally providing greater stability;

- fig. 6 shows a kettle featuring a circular infusion chamber upstream from the weir a central tower in which filtration occurs through interstices created by the association of the carafe and the summit of the chamber;

- fig. 7 shows a kettle having an incorporated chamber and carafe fixed to the bottom of the tank by a long, central screw; - fig- 8 shows how the kettle is closed by fixing the hinged lid of the kettle to the body of the incorporated chamber - carafe, so that said body cannot be lifted as by preventing it theoretical

crossing. ; - figs. 9 and 10 respectively show an upper lateral view of a hinged lid on the tank of a kettle is locked by a horizontal bolt fixed to the handle on the tank; a similar version of bolt, except that it is fixed to a lid is illustrated in Fig. 1 ; - fjgs 1 1 and 12 respectively show a view across the diameter from above of a kettle with hinged lid on the tank which closes the kettle by a vertically sliding bolt.

- Fig. 13 shows a central, vertical section of the side of a kettle closed by a revolving bolt, fixed to a lid hinged to the tank;

- Figs. 14 and 15 respectively show a side view, partially sectioned across the diameter and a view from above, of a kettle closed by restraining the lid on the tank by typical angular "bayonet" action;

- Figs. 16 and 17 respectively show a lateral view and a partially sectioned rear view of a kettle closed by constraining a lid, whose hinges are on the handle of the tank, to the handle by a transversal bolt; - Fig 18 shows a lateral view sectioned across the diameter of a kettle closed by constraining a hook hinged to a lid, which in turn is hinged to the handle of the tank to a rear tooth undercut in the

tank;

- Fig. 19 shows a partially sectioned lateral view of a kettle closed by restraining a vertical tongue inside a lid, using a horizontal bolt incorporated in the handle fixed to the tank; - Fig. 20 shows a lateral, diametric section of a kettle showing the passage taken by the water along a diametric route through the granules as it moves from a frontal to a rear zone in which the liquid rises towards the edges of the weir in the carafe;

- Fig. 21 shows a view from above of a lid hinged to a kettle whose closure is provided by transversal elastic fins set in lateral, horizontal slits in a tank; a lateral view of this lid is illustrated in fig. 20; - Figs. 22 and 23 respectively show a lateral, partially sectioned view and a view from above of a means of closing the kettle using a lid hinged horizontally to a handle of the tank to which a bolt is also hinged, but with a vertical axis: - Fig. 24 shows a section across the diameter of a central weir type kettle implementing a rubber sealing ring located upstream compared to the direction the liquid flows;

- Fig. 25 shows a method of interference in which an air-tight seal is obtained between the inside of an edge of a chamber containing vapour and the outside of a low lip present on the bottom of the tank of a kettle of the central weir type;

- Fig. 26 shows a method of interference in which an air-tight seal is obtained between the outside of an edge of a chamber containing the vapour and the inside of the lower walls of a tank of a kettle of the central weir type.

- Fig. 27 shows a detail of fig. 24 illustrating the method used for centring a filtration column using a peripheral round filter. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The above-mentioned figures do not refer to any one type of kettle in particular. They are used to illustrate the numerous ways the liquid can flow when preparing a

beverage. They are also used to illustrate the numerous ways to retain to the bottom of the tank, the chamber for the production of vapour necessary to make the liquid rise. These figures are also used to illustrate the numerous ways in which it is possible to plug the relief hole or holes present in the summit of the chamber. This therefore means that, the kettle, as per the invention, is not represented by a specific figure from amongst those listed, but rather the individual parts which could have been illustrated in figures showing other ways the liquid flows, or showing other ways of retaining the chamber, or other ways of plugging the holes in the summit of the chamber. For these reasons, the parts which are associated with similar functions in the numerous versions of the kettle are indicated in the figures by the same number; the letter associated with this number is used to express the specific version of the part indicated by the number. With reference to fig. 1 above, a tank 1 contains a structure 2 whose shape comprises two opposing cavities. To be more precise, its lower cavity has the same shape as a chamber 3 and the upper cavity has the same shape as a carafe 4. This structure 2 is fitted with a tubular element 5 In the centre. Compared to the separating diaphragm 6, this tubular element 5 protrudes out towards the bottom with a draw-up tract.

In addition, it protrudes upwards to form a column 8. Between the outer surface of the structure 2 and the iηner surface of the tank 1 , clearance must be kept to a minimum, ideally it would be zero. This need derives from the fact that no liquid must flow between the two surfaces; water, wine, milk or similar. Most beverages are prepared using water and, therefore, this generic liquid shall, for the sake of simplicity, be called water. This "zero clearance" can be obtained by means of a conical joint between the two previously mentioned surfaces. The angles of the two conical surfaces must not, however, create the typical fitting associated with conical surfaces. They must be sufficiently wide (for example 10°); or, slightly different from each other so that the two mentioned conical surfaces cone into contact with each other at the bottom 9. In any case, since the fundamental requirement is to prevent the water from passing between the external surfaces of the structure 2 and the internal surface of the tank 1 , it can obviously also be realised in other ways: for example, by the air-tight contact of a lower, circular lip 10 of the chamber 3 and a flat bottom 1 1 of the tank. This airtight seal provided by the lower lip 10 suggests (preferably) that the external surface of the structure 2 and the internal surface of the tank 1 are substantially

cylindrical, at least along one of their tracts favouring the previously mentioned sealing. In figure 1 this airtight sealing on the bottom of the tank is not illustrated; this figure however shows a version of an air-tight seal realised by joining the two conical surfaces mentioned above. In any case, it must be stated that being conical is not indispensable, since the sealing necessary to make the water rise from the bottom of the chamber to the carafe with central weir can also be realised with a cylindrical tank and/or chambers and/or cylindrical carafes; in fact, this seal can be made from a rubber sealing ring located upstream from the direction of flow and indicated in Fig. 24, and can also be realised by zero-clearance by elastic interference illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26. The necessity to prevent, or impede as much as possible, the passage of water (or other liquid) in interstices present between the opposing walls of the structure 2 and that of the tank 1 , derives from the fact that the water must pass through a hole 12 in the tubular element 5. The working principle of the kettle as per the invention in fact provides that the tank 1 is filled with water 13 up to level 13A below the separating diaphragm 6. When the base 14 of the kettle is heated, either on a gas or electric stove, vapour 15 is generated (indicated by scattered dots) which is collected on the summit inside the chamber 3. This vapour gradually creates a pressure which pushes the level 13A downwards and forces the water 13 to rise through passages, consisting of holes and/or fissures: in the kettle illustrated, these passages must essentially be the hole 12. The width of these passages (or holes) must be such as to create a centripetal, radial flow, from the periphery of the bottom 1 1 of the tank to the hole 12. An example of these passages is represented by the distance 17 present between the lower extremity of the draw-ujp tract 7 and the bottom 1 1 . The boiling water rises through the hole 12 in the tubular element 5 until it flows into the carafe 4 precipitating from a summit 16 of the tower 8. This ascent or passage of the water is indicated by thick, black arrows in all the other figures too.

The liquid falls from the summit 16 in a radial, centrifugal direction; it is regulated by a horizontal cap 18 incorporated in an internal surface 19 of a lid 20. By "regulation" we mean that it is possible to supply to the flowing boiling water ascending inside the aperture 12 of the tubular element 5, a discharge section between the summit 16 of the tower and the horizontal cap 18. If this discharge section is equal to, or greater than, that

of the hole 12, the pressure of the ascending boiling

water remains unaltered. If however the discharge section is less than that of the aperture 12, then it creates a "restriction" which increases the pressure of the water present in the hole 12, and therefore the pressure inside the chamber 3. As is known this increase in pressure also creates an increase in the temperature of the water, and therefore an increase in its ability to dissolve substances or the essential oils of the granulates 21 (including in the pulverulent state) used to prepare beverages: cocoa, coffee, tea, camomile, malt, etc. If the above-mentioned discharge section (created by the union of the two opposing surfaces 16-18) is very slight, the ensuing high pressure causes the boiling water to gush forth at highspeed. Since these jets of boiling water occur at atmospheric pressure, there is a violent production of vapour accompanied by an associated reduction in pressure. It follows from this that violent jets of water and vapour emerge from the summit 16 of the tower 8. The high kinetic energy of these jets of water are capable of creating a vortex entraining the granules 21 that they bombard. To promote the violent stirring of the granules (for example, cocoa powder) the horizontal

cap 18 is fitted with deflectors 22 whose surfaces deviate the said jets of boiling water (boiling milk, or

other liquid) towards the bottom. The granules 21 are contained inside a circular chamber 23, surrounding the tower 8 and delimited by a filtration column 24. This filtration column 24 constitutes a barrier through which the beverage 66 produced by infusion, and/or solution, and/or by suspension and/or by emulsion, and/or by disintegration is made to flow. These processes are created by the contact between the boiling water emerging from the summit 16 of the tower 8 and the granules 21 . Filtration can either be executed by slim slits, holes or lattices: this depends on the type of beverage one intends to prepare, or to be more precise, by the type of granules used: if they are pulverulent such as those usually used in the preparation of chocolate, or large such as coffee grounds or camomile flowers. The previously mentioned method of bombarding the granules 21 with boiling water after it falls from the summit of the tower 16 offers great advantages. In the case of beverages produced by the rapid extraction of essences such as espresso coffee, one can, in fact, use the beverage as soon as it reaches the carafe 4, once it has traversed the filtration column 24 radially in a centrifugal direction. On the other hand, should one require a coffee prepared by prolonged infusion (such as Turkish coffee) it is sufficient to leave the previously filtered infusion in the carafe: the hydraulic communication between the circular chamber 23 in which the granules are contained and the carafe 4, in fact allows the infusion time to be prolonged indefinitely. Obviously this also applies to the preparation of tisanes, camomile, tea, beverages which,

notoriously require prolonged infusion for a number of minutes. Obviously all this is achieved with the most suitable turbulence and water temperature; it is in fact sufficient to use an outflow passage determined by the distance 16-18 which is greater than the hole 12 in order to obtain a temperature below boiling point and gentle percolation. On the other hand, the previously mentioned method gives an exclusive result: the preparation of chocolate beverages. This is made possible by the following facts. First and foremost jets of boiling water (or milk) and vapour bombard the cocoa powder present in the circular chamber 23 in the positions most suitable for the passage of water used for the gradual dissolution of the powders; also, the previously mentioned jets can be of such violence as to create vortexes which can progressively break up the

lumps initially formed, forcing them to be hurled against the sharp edges present on the surface inside the filtration column 24. Another important fact is that there is a removable filtration column 24, which is substantially wide and regular in shape, therefore residues of cocoa which are typically very sticky, can be easily cleaned. Another fact is that since the carafe 4 can be easily separated from the filtration column 24, it too is wide, smooth and can be easily cleaned. Another fact is that, the only parts coming into contact with the cocoa are the carafe 4 and the filtration column 24: all the other parts 1 ,3,7, 12 cannot be blocked or become sticky since only water (or liquid in general) passes over them. If milk is used, it would be just as difficult to remove the typical encrustations following boiling as any normal pan. This obviously constitutes a guarantee against the kettle exploding, since water can always rise up through the hole 12 and, thus, prevent the formation of dangerous internal pressures created by the vapour 15 in the chamber 3. If only milk is ever used, and the hole 12 is relatively small, the hole could be easily cleaned using a normal cleaning brush since this hole 12 is wide, straight and short. The upper extremity 25 of the filtration column is in contact with the internal surface 19 of the lid 20: this allows its lower extremity 26 to be securely in contact with the circular

base 27 present in the separating diaphragm 6, in the upper part of the carafe 4. Filtration could be carried out by fissures 29 or clearances. There are holes 28 in this circular level which bring into communication the carafe 4 above with the chamber 3 below. These holes 28 are stopped by precise plugs 24A protruding from the lower edge of the filtration column 24. These holes could be stopped in another way, or rather by other surfaces preventing the passage of liquid; for example by steel balls whose diameter is approximately twice that of the diameter of the hole. Not only is the water or beverage prevented from passing through, so too is the vapour 15 formed in the summit of the chamber 3. The passage of vapour 15 through the holes 28 could in fact, prevent the build up of the pressure necessary to make the liquid rise inside the tower 8. The passage of vapour through the holes 28 must therefore be prevented as far as possible, and at any rate must be less than the quantity of vapour generated by heating the kettle. The maximum speed that the water can rise occurs when the holes 28 are perfectly closed. These holes 28 are necessary for relieving the air (and possible excess liquid in the tank) when the structure 2 is introduced in the tank 1 filled with the water necessary for the beverage. They are also necessary to

separate the structure 2 from the tank 1 after stirring the beverage, or when the said structure requires washing. The possible presence of residual liquid in the bottom of the tank would, in fact, create, a type of "hydraulic sealing ring" which would prevent its removal, creating a depression against the necessary lifting movement. These holes 28 must therefore be closed during boiling or heating; otherwise vapour would be relieved into the summit of the chamber, and the pressure necessary to make the water rise in the carafe above would not be created. As already said, the hole (or holes) 28 could be stopped in numerous ways. In fig. 1 a filtration column 24 with tollerances effecting filtration through the fissures 29 has been taken into consideration. Another example of "fissure" type filtration is illustrated in fig. 1 1 . Here the communicating holes 28 are stopped by means of the previously mentioned plugs 24A. These holes, which are stopped by the same number of plugs, are located directly opposite so that the filtration column 24 can be introduced and/or centred. The plugs 24A protrude from a conical edge 30, one of the edges (represented by an external circumference) of which rests on the base 27 of a carafe 4H. In this way, any possible releases of vapour, as a result of the insufficient stopping of the holes 28 by the plugs 24A can be conveyed into the circular chamber 23 containing the granules 21 and,

thus, contribute to their dissolution by mixing with the liquid falling from the summit of the tower 8 H. The filtration capacity, determined by the previously mentioned contact of the edge represented by the external circumference 31 on the circular surface of the bottom 27 of the upper surface of the separating diaphragm 6, can be predetermined. This is possible thanks to the weak action exercised by the elastic elements 38 located between the summit of a filtration column 24H and a lid 20H, which obviously has a capacity to react; or rather, a fixture connected to an indispensable state of closure. These weak acting elastic elements 38 could obviously be fitted either to the filtration column 24H, or to the lid 20H. They could be of various types: for example, they could consist of a corrugated steel washer; or they could consist of a rubber ring as in Fig. 1 1 , whose section is drawn with black infill. Alternatively, the same solution using a conical edge similar to 30, but orientated in the opposite direction would allow the vapour to be conveyed directly into the outermost chamber of the carafe 4, where the infusion is collected: this would provide the advantage of creating a frothy infusion, particularly appreciated when preparing coffee. With reference to the previously mentioned Fig. 1 1 , it can be

seen that a circular cylindrical edge 34 rises from the circular base 27 of the carafe 4; if this generic filtration column 24 has holes in its structure 24B, the circular cylindrical edge 34 can simply be used to centre it when positioning the filtration column 24; if however the filtration column 24 has an impermeable structure (similar to a normal tube), then the circular cylindrical

edge 34 can be used as a filter in the following way. With reference to Fig. 8, it can be seen that filtration is carried out by an interstice 33 (or clearance) between an internal cylindrical surface 34A of this edge and an external cylindrical surface 24C (fig. 8) of the filtration column 24 covered by this surface 34A. This obviously presupposes that there are corresponding fissures 29A on the bottom whose passage is equal to or greater than that of the circumference of the interstice 33. These fissures 29, which are similar to fissures 29A, can be seen in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7 however the fissures 29 are the only ones which are used for filtration, since in the solution illustrated there is no circular cylindrical edge 34 present; the fissures 29, are also of the type indicated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 8, one can see that the holes 28 are stopped without introducing plugs 24A. In a more central position compared to the internal, cylindrical surface 34A of the edge 34 there are three equal sized

bulges from the pointed summits of which debouch three respective holes in the centre (28). These bulges are located at angles of 120° stabilising the filtration column 24 located on them. The diametric section represented in Fig. 8 shows a second bulge which is not sectioned.

In a more central position compared to the internal,

cylindrical surface 34A of the edge 34 By placing the filtration column 24 in the seat defined by the circular edge 34, the flat surface 36 of the filtration column's lower edge plugs the three holes 28 by the strong axial forces generated by various means: for example, screws 98. The height of the bulges produces the lower fissure 29A through which the infusion 21 can flow centrifugally as a result of the water falling from the summit of the tower 8. The interstice 33 can effect filtration which can be: alone or together with the width of the fissure 29A, the possible aim of which is to effect filtration. When the kettle is heated, the vapour 15 created in the summit of the chamber 3, tends to raise the body both in the case where it is incorporated in the structure 2 and in the case where the body of the chamber is independent. The body must be prevented from raising otherwise the pressure necessary to act on the surface 13A of the

water. This pressure forces the water to rise until it drops into the carafe 4. The body can be prevented from raising can be realised in two different ways: either the chamber 3 is fixed (or rather the possible structure 2 in which it is incorporated) to the tank 1 , or one must use a lid fixed to the tank which is capable of preventing the chamber from rising thanks to elements placed above it, such as the carafe 4 or the structure 2. The chamber 3 can be prevented from lifting by closing the lid of the tank on the carafe 4 above the chamber. This applies both to the case in which the carafe can be separated from the chamber as well as in the case where it constitutes one single body (as for example in fig. 1 ). in addition, this also applies in the case where it is prevented from lifting by screws, as well as when other means are used, such as those illustrated in the examples below. Fig. 1 illustrates a lid hinged to the body of the tank 1 by a pin 40; above this there is a sliding bolt 41 which prevents the lid from revolving and opening when it slides out above the handle 42 joined to the tank 1 . Obviously a similar result can be obtained by fixing a bolt 43 to the handle and allowing it to slide on the lid 20 as illustrated in Fig. 9. In Fig. 2 one can see a version of the kettle in which the water 13 rises

and falls in a tower 8A containing the granules 21 . In this version, filtration is effected by the clearance 46 between an outer, cylindrical surface 47 of the tower 8A and an internal, cylindrical surface 48 of a circular edge 49 present inside a lid 50. The height of this circular edge 49 must be almost equal to the tower 8A to prevent the liquid flowing to the lid 50 joined to a handle 42A. The presence of this cylindrical connection

obviously requires the lid 50 to be inserted by moving it. Following this, the lid can be closed on the tank 1 by effecting angular movements around a central, vertical axis 51 following a short, axial movement similar to a "bayonet" connection. This allows an extension 72 to be inserted in an undercut 39 in the tank 1 A, by short angular movements around the axis 51 delimited by a stop 44. In fig. 2, the water 13 which boils after rising inside the draw-up tract 7 in the bottom 1 1 of the tank 1A flows through the granules 21 and dissolves the essences required; then it flows through radial apertures 53 in the summit into the clearance 46 and drops, as a beverage 66A, onto the bottom of the carafe 4A. This carafe 4A has a spout 55; the spout is located on the front. Its position is determined by a cavity 56 in which it is inserted on the front part of the tank ^"1 . This position is also established by the correspondence of a pin 57 rising from the bottom of the tank 1 A and a

hole 28A present on the summit of a chamber 3A. This hole 28A is substantially closed by the summit of the pin 57; however it is open when the structure 2A is introduced in the water 13 already present in the tank 1 A. Instead of the water 13 rising in the clearance present between the structure 2A and the tank, it is made to rise inside the draw-up tract 7. The connection

of these parts is conical 60 and the clearance is eliminated by the downward push of the elasticity of the structure protruding from the lid 50 onto a summit of the tower 8A. In order to collect the water which may have risen between the surfaces of the conical connection 60 by mistake, it is sufficient to provide the structure 2A with one or more windows 61 with a weir 62 located on a higher level than the radial apertures 53 of the summit of the tower 8A.

Fig. 3 shows an extremely low version of the kettle minimising the possibility of spillage. In this version a tank 1 B is fitted on the bottom of a circular partition 63 allowing the water 13 to flow into a central area 52 and to arrange the granules 21 around it in an circular chamber 54B. Once the water and the granules have been put in their respective chambers, a chamber 3B with a hole 28B in the top is introduced in the central area 52. Then a structure 2B is placed in the tank 1 B including suitable means to plug the hole 28B in a lower central area: for example an associated, cylindrical profile 58. Lastly, the structure 2B is held inside the tank 1 B by closing the lid 59. This lid 59 can rotate freely around the vertical axis 37 of a pin 32 fixed to a handle 42B by a plug 64 and fixed to the tank 1 B by another plug 65. In this way, the lid 59 can be moved horizontally and backwards to introduce and/or extract the structure 2B from the tank 1 B. After the kettle is heated vapour 15 is formed in the central area 52 since this zone is substantially occupied by the chamber 3B. The pressure of the vapour pushes the water 13 towards the bottom, forcing it to flow into the slits on the bottom 73 and made to rise in the clearance 74 until it reaches a circular chamber 54B where the granules 21 are. The hot water precipitates towards them and is collected on the bottom of the previously mentioned circular chamber 54B. From here the hot water, which is now an infusion 66B, rises again, through the tight filtering clearance 75B as far as the windows 61 B and drops from the lower side 62B into a carafe 4B. The plays effecting filtration is produced by associated conical surfaces; of these, the one belonging to structure 2B can be moved upwards. This structure 2B is in fact subject to upward forces created by the vapour 15 on the chamber 3B which it holds inside the tank 1 B. It is held by the lid 59 which acts on the upper edges identifiable with those of the carafe 4B. The lid 59 is held by a spring 45, which is retained by the fixed handle 42B. The spring 45 is not indispensable. It is there for safety reasons providing protection against explosion which may be superfluous. In this way the force of the vapour 15 creates clearance 75 effecting filtration which is kept to a minimum; i.e. sufficient to realise the circular effusion necessary for the infusion 66B to rise into the carafe 4B. The elastic action of the spring 45 thus constitutes a safety feature providing protection against explosion. The clearance's 75B great resistance to the passage of water can create sufficient vapour pressure to raise the temperature of the water to pre-set values, such as to completely dissolve and extract the water-soluble essences present in the granules 21. The presence of the hole 28B, with its plug provided by the cylindrical profile 58 which is never absolute, allows the vapour 15 to partially flow through it; this therefore reduces the force of the water to optimum, preset values and at the same time prevents the creation of pressure which could make the kettle explode. Since vapour molecules are much freer than water molecules it can also flow through microscopic holes; therefore the water can be gradually expelled. Following the water's transformation into vapour it could create excessive pressures if unpredictable anomalies occur. Fig. 4 shows a similar version to the one in fig. 3 except that a chamber 3C is joined to a carafe 4C by a single structure 78. This allows pressure relief from a hole 28C above the level 79 of the infusion 66C collected in the carafe 4C. The kettle illustrated consists of three components: a tank 1 C, a structure 78 and a lid 76. In the version shown in Fig. 4, a central zone 52C of the tank 1 C containing the water 13 has higher edges 77 than the summit of the circular partition 63 in fig. 3; the water 13 can be poured in more easily and a larger, circular chamber 54C can be used for containing the granules 21 . This allows the granules to be arranged in thinner layers 71 and thus the bottom 70 of the carafe 4C can be located lower. In order to establish the quantity of granules to be introduced there is a line K on the internal circumference of the tank 1 C which must theoretically coincide with the level of the thickness 71. Rounded edges 80 allow the structure 78 to penetrate the granules 21 without however touching the bottom 11 C of the tank 1 C, thus leaving slits 73C which allow the passage of the water which is by now an infusion 66C. Even in the version in fig. 4 the passage of the water is indicated by thick arrows, which first pass through the clearance 81 , then into the clearance 82 and lastly through the filtering clearance 75C, where it rises until it flows over the edges 83 and drops into the carafe 4C. The hole 28C is plugged by a pin 57C rising from the bottom of the tank 1 C. The summit of this pin seals the hole 280 present in the chamber 3C by the connection of both a conical surface 67 and an upper, cylindrical surface 68. On the extremity of the pin 570 there is a threaded tract 69 in a threaded hole 84A of a knob 84. When screwed 69-84A, the edges 84B of this knob act on the lid 76 pushing the summit of the structure 78 downwards. The contact provided by pushing occurs on the surfaces of the lid with radial apertures 76A which allow vapour to be relieved from the hole 280 when excessive pressure is created in the chamber 30. After the water has risen through the tight filtering clearance 750, the beverage 66C flows into an circular channel 850, which must be filled in order to allow the beverage to rise higher and overflow into the carafe 40: this provides the advantage of reducing the speed the liquid rises and eliminates any possible jets of boiling beverage. In fig. 4 the overflow level consists of edges 83; in fig. 3 however, this level is represented by an overflow level 62B formed by the bottom of the window 61 B situated above a circular chamber 85B. Fig. 5 illustrates a version similar to that in fig. 4 except that the edge 77D of the water 13 tank 1 D is at a lower level; this requires a tower 8D in the carafe 4D to be incorporated in the structure 78D whose only purpose is to provide relief through a hole 28D in the chamber 3D. On the extremity

there is a threaded tract 69D fixed by a screw 84D, dragged by attrition by a lid 76D manoeuvred by a handle 42D to limit tightening. Fig. 6 shows a kettle in which the force of the vapour 15 is provided by stopping an aperture 28E with a plug 152 present on the bottom of the carafe 4E. The arrows indicate the route taken by the rising water as a result. First it passes outside a chamber 3E, into the clearance 86 inside the tank 1 E; then, it follows a centripetal reflux Z and rises in channels 12E (in the figure only one is shown, in reality there are three, located at angles of 120°) inside a central tower 8E over which it flows as an infusion. This centripetal reflux occurs as it passes over the granules 21 contained in a zone 149 located at the external peripheral summit of the chamber 3E, around a cylindrical profile 138E in a dome 50 which collects the vapour; this cylindrical profile 13E provides a grip for the fingers when extracting the chamber 3E from the tank 1 E necessary when filling with water. In this version of kettle, filtration is carried out by clearance 46E present between the exterior of the central, cylindrical dome 50 of the chamber 3E and the interior of a short, circular edge 88, present below the carafe 4E. The effusion section of this clearance 46E must obviously be less than the clearance 90 in the centripetal, radial direction, involving the contact between the summit of the dome 50 and the outer base of the carafe 4E: at any rate, the section must not create excessive vapour pressure. This contact is provided by protrusions 89, which are discontinuous as a result of the radial effusion spans in section 90. Fig. 7 shows a kettle in which a chamber 3F is fixed to a tank 1 F by a long screw 92 inside the bottom of the tank. It is preferable for this connection to be made using a female extremity 92A on a threaded male screw 94 protruding from the base. This prevents the threaded hole from gradually filling with lime scale or other solid residues produced by boiling water 13 . The previously mentioned connection is provided by screwing a head 92B of the locknut 920 onto the filtration column 24; this column is placed on a separating diaphragm 6E by profiles 91 creating fissures 29; this column stops the holes 28F with plugs 24F. The axial restraint of the screw connection 92A-94 provides peripheral surface contact 3G between the lower edge of the chamber 3F and the bottom 1 H which eliminates or minimises the quantity of water which could rise in the clearance 86F. Peripheral surfaces of the type previously mentioned could consist of a normal, flat circumferential edge 96 (Fig. 1 1 ); or of conical surfaces 3W located outside the

chamber 3F creating supporting edges which promote sealing compared to the bottom 1 H of the tank. The water for preparing the infusion must in fact only rise inside the tower 8F. From the summit of the latter it then overflows and breaks in a more or less violent manner in an internal zone 150 of the filtration column 24E containing the granules 21. The degree of violence with which the water debouches from the extremity of the tower 8F obviously depends on the pressure pushing it. This pressure depends (in addition to the quantity of vapour 15 produced by heating the water 13 in the tank 1 and the sealing of the previously mentioned peripheral surfaces 3G of the chamber) on the width of the effusion span 93 present on the summit of the tower 8F. In order to regulate the width of this span 93, in the head 92 B of the lock-nut 920 of the long screw 92 there is a threaded ring 97 which, when

screwed into the lower zone of this lock-nut, can vary its distance from the summit of the tower: or more precisely it can modify the span 93. This provides the increase of water pressure 13 and therefore its temperature, all other previously mentioned factors being equal. This provides the advantage of being able to create jets of water and vapour which hurl themselves violently against the granules 21 present inside the filtering column 24E. As a result of this, a frothy coffee, a creamy cappuccino (if milk is used instead of water) or chocolate can be obtained: this can in fact derive from the fragmentation of typical lumps of cocoa as they are hurled against the internal walls of the filtration column 24E which could be specially fitted with generic sharp edges suitable for "cutting" the lumps.

In the version of kettle illustrated in Fig. 7 the water 13 should not theoretically rise in the tight or inexistent (in the case the structure 2F is connected to the tank 1 F by a conical connection) clearance 86F. This does not exclude that, for the sake of caution, there could be windows 61 F present in the carafe 4F and a circular channel 85F, which could be fitted on the tank 1 F (as illustrated) and/or on the exterior of the carafe 4F.

In this version of kettle, there is a normal type lid 20F; the handle 42F is also normal.

Fig. 8 is an illustration of a version of kettle in which the structure 2G incorporating a carafe 4G and chamber 3G, is fixed by a short screw 98 in the threaded summit 8F of the tower 8 (rather than on the tank 1 G). This solution can be applied to a lid 20G which is substantially devoid of clearance. In the version in Fig. 8, in fact, the force exercised by the vapour inside the

chamber 3G cannot lift the structure 2G, since as it becomes fixed to the lid 20G, it would tend to rotate together with it around a pin 40G: however it would be prevented from doing so by its precise fit in the tank 1 G which prevents transversal movements. In Figs. 1 1 and 12 one can see the closure of the lid 20H effected by a hinge and pin 40H on an extension 1 K of a tank 1 H located near a handle 42H. This closure is effected by sliding a bolt 102 vertically. When the bolt 102 is lifted, it is free to follow the lid 20H as it rotates upwards and opens. However when the bolt 102 is lowered (as illustrated in fig. 1 1 ) it rests on a zone 99 outside the tank 1 H, located in such a position as to prevent the lid 20H from rotating around its pin 40H. This zone 99 has an inclined profile in order to completely eliminate clearance on the extremity of the bolt and to provide easy opening upwards so that it can be easily introduced into the extension 1 L. The lower extremity of the bolt 102 is fitted with the usual elastic ring 102A. When this elastic ring is not retained by force in the bolt housing, it has a slightly greater diameter allowing it to remain outside this housing (see Fig. 1 1 ) thereby establishing the position of closure assumed by the bolt 102. This property also allows it to remain below the lid 20H when the bolt 102 is free in its housing on the lid 20H when open. Fig. 13 illustrates a lid 20L with a hinge and pin 40L on a handle 42L fixed to a tank 1 L. This lid can be locked in the closed position and react against the force of the vapour on a chamber 3L by a bolt 95 which rotates around its axis 100. When the lid 20L is horizontal in the closed position above the tank 1 L, this axis 100 coincides with an axis 101 of a hole 103 present on a horizontal extension 104 of the tank 1 L. This hole is similar to a keyhole. When the lid 20L is in a closed, horizontal position, the bolt 95 can be rotated 90° around the coinciding axis 100-101 in order to lock the two protrusions on the diametric plug 105 on the surfaces of the undercut 107 on the extensions 104. The protrusions of the diametric plug 105 are locked on the undercut 107 passing through connecting grooves 106 in the seat of the lower part of the bolt 95.

In the closed position the two protruding extremities of

the plug 105 on the surfaces with the undercut 107 there is no clearance in the zone 108 between the lower surface of the bolt 95 and the upper surface of the lid 20L; this prevents the lid 20L from lifting, and allows its internal profiles 109 on the upper edge 24D of the filtering column to act on the upper edge 24D of the filtering column 24L. This method of closing the lid 20L

by a 90° rotating bolt could also be obtained by the

following variations. For example, instead of locking the two overhangs of diametric plug 105, there could be one single overhang in a corresponding surface of the undercut. This surface, functioning as an undercut 107, could be realised by a horizontal notch in a zone 111 located under the edge 110 of the tank 1 L. Another example could be the fitting of two bolts in two opposing lateral overhangs on the lid, locking them like a "picklock" outside the two fins arranged on the sides of the summit of the tank 1. Similarly, the previously mentioned "picklock" bolts could rotate in lateral housings on the tank and lock above the hinged lid. Fig. 13 also illustrates a particular method of regulating the effusion section from the summit of a tower 8L, to create a "back-pressure" effected by the desired

temperature of the water and speed of effusion from the summit of the tower. One can in fact note on the summit

a threaded tract 1 12 associated with notches 1 13 which can be covered or closed by screwing the cap 1 14 onto the threaded tract 1 12; this determines the width of the holes 1 15 through which the boiling water passes. The water is prevented from rising outside the chamber 3 L by the conical connection 60L of the parts. The three holes 28 L are plugged by three conical plugs 1 16

arranged at 120° to symmetrically stabilise the filtration column 24L of which they are a part and to create fissures 29L. Fig. 19 shows a fixture with the lid 20R in the closed position, hinged with a pin 40R on the fins 1 19 of an extension 104R of a tank 1 R; this closure serves to contain the forces exercised by the vapour inside the generic chamber 3 and transmitted to a carafe 4R; fig. 19 in fact shows the lid 20R acting on the edges of this carafe.

This fixture is effected by inserting an extremity 1 17A of a bolt 1 17A into an aperture present on tongue 20A protruding down from the inner side of the lid 20R. The bolt 1 17 is preferably assisted by a spring 118, which pushes it towards its limit providing locking by a tongue 103. To open the lid 20R it is therefore necessary to pull the haft 117B until the extremity 117A of the bolt is

extracted from the aperture of the tongue 103, which is then free to be raised.

The kettle illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 provides indefinite infusion time. In fact, the water 13 is made to rise while boiling into wide clearance 86P present between a tank 1 p and a twin-cavity structure 2P forming a chamber 3P and a carafe 4P. The carafe 4P has an edge 62P whose lower level is at the rear, i.e. on the side of the handle 42P, and it is therefore from

this edge that the rising water falls into an infusion zone 151 located on the bottom of the carafe, as indicated by dotted arrows as they are "unseen". The correct angular position of the carafe 4P compared to the tank 1 P is established by an anterior cavity 56P designed to house the protruding spout 55P precisely. Before reaching the bottom of this carafe however, the boiling water crosses a round filter 120, incorporated in a multifunctional body. This body includes a plug 120A for a hole 28P present on the summit of the chamber 3P, a vertical rod 120B, a lid 120C and a traverse 120D to handle the whole thing.

Below the round filter are the granules 21 to be dissolved (coffee, tea, camomile, officinal herbs). After passing through the disc the water covers the granules maintaining them immersed. After the desired infusion time has elapsed, the infusion is poured out of the spout 55P in the usual way. With this manoeuvre the

disc 120 filters the granules 21. This filtration action could be carried out by the usual punched surfaces, or simply by calibrated clearance 121 between the circular edge of the disk 120 and the inside of the carafe 4P which is cylindrical. In this version of the kettle, illustrated in figs. 14 and 15, the chamber 3P is retained to the bottom of the tank by small, opposing curved walls 122A and 122B located vertically on the sides of the lid 1200; these small walls are hooked to horizontal fins 123 which are fixed and overhang from the summit of the tank 1 P radially. This hooking is executed by rotating the lid 1200 through an angle, alpha (α) of approximately 45°, using the traverse 120D; when executing the operation one can produce a reaction by holding the handle 42P in the other hand. Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate a version of closure of a kettle executed by a lid 20S hinged in the usual way using a pin 40S on a handle 42S. This closure is executed by a curved bolt 125, placed transversally in a housing 126 located above the lid 20S; this bolt 125 is fitted to one extremity 125A which, when slid transversally, can be placed under the handle and therefore fixed to it when the lid 20S receives from the carafe 4S the forces

generated from the vapour inside the chamber 3. The

stroke of the bolt is limited by a small sliding plug 127 inside a loop 128.

The tank 1 S is fitted with a cavity 56S housing a spout 55S. Fig. 18 illustrates a version of kettle with free infusion time. In this version one can note another type of closure of the lid to the structure of the tank. In fig. 18 boiling water 13 is made to rise inside clearance 86Q

present between a twin cavity structure 2Q and a tank 1 Q. This wide clearance promotes the easy rising of the water at low speed and the simple effusion in a circular direction towards the overflow window 61 Q located at the rear. This circular effusion of the water rising towards the rear zone where the previously illustrated overflow windows are present, is ideally realised by a channel 85Q, similar to the channel 85F (fig. 7) or to the channel 85D (fig. 5). The water overflows from a window 61 Q into a rear chamber 129 in which the granules 21 have previously been placed. This chamber 129 is created by a removable partition 130 located between two guiding retaining strips for vertical sliding, positioning and removal when cleaning the carafe 4Q. This removable partition rests on the bottom of the carafe, to retain the entire structure 2Q inside the tank

1 Q when vapour pressure is created inside the chamber

3Q. The top of this partition 130 is in fact in contact with the internal surface of a lid 20Q hinged with a pin 40Q on a handle 42Q fixed to the tank 1 Q. This lid is then fixed to the tank 1 Q by a square hook 132, centred with a pin 133 on the top of the lid 20Q. The lid is fixed to the tank by a tooth 134, fitted with a cylindrical undercut concentric to the pin 133. One edge of the

bottom 130A of the removable partition 130 also has the

function of blocking one or two holes 28Q located on the summit of the chamber 3Q. There are various ways to achieve this locking; the figure illustrates a type of lock effected on the sharp summit of a conical bulge 35Q. This allows the creation of fissures on the bottom; the position of these fissures can be deduced from the direction of the arrow 29Q indicating the direction the water flows from the chamber 129 to a frontal zone of the carafe, which is the same carafe 4Q that collects the infusion. In fact both the front and rear chambers are in constant communication due to the presence of these fissures on the bottom 29. The thickness of these fissures is kept to a minimum for filtration purposes, since it must prevent the granules 21 from emerging from the chamber 129: indicatively it is about half a

millimetre. Fig 20 shows a version of kettle in which, the

infusion of the granules 21 , occurs by the passage of boiling water moving from the front to the back in a

zone located between a chamber 3T and a carafe 4T. The chamber 3T is housed on the bottom of the tank 1 T with minimum clearance which, in theory, is zero. One way of achieving zero clearance is to use a conical connection 1 16T This conical connection must allow a certain distance 135T between a lower edge 10T of the chamber 3T and the bottom of the inside 1 1 T of the tank

1 T. This allows the water 13 to rise into a large groove

136 present in a frontal zone in the tank 1 T. This large groove reaches up as far as the level of a circular

chamber 137T in which the granules 21 are contained. This circular chamber 137T is created by the presence of a cylindrical profile 138T; it has the twin role of summit of the dome (50, fig. 6) of the chamber 3T for collecting the vapour, and knob for gripping the chamber 3T when extracting it from the bottom of the tank 1 T, after removing the carafe 4T. This circular chamber 137T is delimited above by the lower flat surface of the carafe 4T. In the same way as the chamber 3T, the carafe 4T too is housed in the tank 1 T with minimum clearance; therefore, this too can benefit from the zero clearance thanks to the conical connection 60T with the inside of the tank 1 T. At the rear the tank is fitted with numerous tight longitudinal grooves, forming the effusion section for the water

rising towards the overflow level 62T of the window 61 T on the carafe 4T where the infusion or beverage 66T is collected. These tight grooves 139 are used for filtration; therefore, the dimensions (width or depth) of each of them must be at least half a millimetre. In order for them to realise the necessary effusion section, they must be present in an arc of 180°, occupying that is, the entire rear zone inside the tank 1 T. Fig. 20 shows that

the plugging of the hole 28T in the chamber 3T present in the centre of a cylindrical profile 138T, is executed

by a plug 140 with a cylindrical tract 124 above and a conical tract 124A below. This provides slight relief of the vapour from the summit of the chamber 3T when excessive internal pressure lifts the chamber and the carafe 4T resting on it; this occurs by exceeding the elastic reactions of the retainers on the lid of the kettle. Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a lid 141 which can be produced cheaply in cut, pressed sheet steel. This lid is divided into two large parts 141 A, 141 B, joined at the back by a flexible, elastic plate which spreads the two parts. In this way, the horizontal fins 141 A and 141 B can be kept stable under the horizontal bracket 131 A, 13B present on the side of the summit of the tank 1 T. The circular lateral edges 87A and 87B of the carafe 4T push below the two wide parts 141 A and 141 B. The rear zone of the two wide parts 141A and 141 B includes the vertical fins 141 H, 141 L, which are perforated to house a hinge pin 40T on a handle 42T joined to the tank 1 T. In this way one has a lid 141 which is able to prevent the carafe 4T from lifting, should there be pressure at the top of the chamber 3T. In order to open the kettle after the rising beverage has deprived it of its internal pressure, it is sufficient to use the thumb and index

finger of one hand to bring together the grips 141 M and 141 N protruding upwards from the two wide parts 141 A and 141 B. In this way the horizontal fins 141 D 141 E can be extracted from their axial retainers 1 31 A and 131 B. Figs. 22 and 23 show a kettle in which the carafe 4Z is fixed to a lid 20Z hinged onto an extension 104Z of a tank 1 Z by a pin 40Z. This lid is in fact connected by a bracket 142, which rotates around a rear vertical axis 143 thanks to a long pin 144; when the long pin 144 is turned it is guided by a hole 145 present in a vertical handle 42Z. This long pin 144 is fixed to the bracket 142 and is fixed axially to the handle 42Z. This fixture can be executed by a spring 146 which allows the carafe 42 to move slightly upwards and can possibly be used to limit or reduce the pressure inside the kettle,

or by relieving pressure through the holes 28 present on the summit of the chamber, or by increasing the effusion section by using conical connections 60. The

spring 146 rests on an ordinary washer 148 joined to the sliding pin 144; both are housed in a cavity 147 present on the bottom of the handle 42Z. Fig. 6 shows that the carafe 4E is held inside the tank 1 E by a hinged lid 155 and a pin 40E on the summit of a handle 42E. On an extension 72E of the handle there is

a hole 156 the upper tract of which is threaded to receive the extremity of a screw 157 housing a rod 157A or diameter lowered in a hole 158 of the lid 155 threaded like the screw 157. The screw 157 has a head 157B, below which acts a spring 159. The more this spring is compressed by turning the screw 157 in the extension 72E, the more it prevents the lid 155 from lifting. Since the inside of the lid is in contact with the central summit 160 of the tower 8E, it consequently prevents carafe 4E from lifting, of which the tower 8E is a part. The carafe 4E has an external surface 60E connected to an equal cone inside the summit of the tank 1 E so as to create the zero clearance preventing the formation of interstices in which the infusion can rise. It must, in fact, rise only in the holes 12E present inside the tower 8E. If compressed even further (in

addition to pre-loading the lid with the force necessary for the correct functioning of the kettle) the spring 159 allows the conical surfaces 60E of the carafe 4E and the tank 1 E to be separated. This offers the liquid an effusion section and prevents dangerous excess pressure from being created inside the kettle. Thus far the generic granules 21 have been considered in their free or loose form; obviously this does not mean that they cannot be placed in the kettle as per the

invention in the form of disposable plastic or paper capsules, rings, small bags or "cartridges" which can either be flexible or rigid; at any rate perforated to allow the water to penetrate inside. In the case where these containers are made of rigid plastic, they could even include plugs or other elements suitable for locking the relief holes 28 on which the invention is based. The use of these containers would obviously mean that paper filters could be used for filtering. The adoption of these containers in the kettle as per the invention would require the previously illustrated versions to be modified even though they have no conceptual or design problems.

With reference to Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27 the kettle includes a tank 1 N fitted at the front with a cavity 153 in which a spout 154 is fitted. Opposite at the rear, the tank 1 N includes a bracket 161 . This tank is filled with water 13 to just less than half its capacity. In more precise terms, this quantity of water must correspond to an internal volume of a chamber 3N. This level is indicated by a ring on the internal surface of the tank 1 N. The realisation of the mould for this water level is favoured by the conical, internal surface of the tank 1 N as represented in fig. 24. After having introduced this quantity of water one places in the tank the structure 2N

with opposing cavities which has a twin role. The lower part of this structure is the chamber 3N, whilst the upper part is the carafe 4N including the spout 154. One therefore has a summit of the chamber 3N which coincides with the bottom of the carafe 4N, these parts include a separating diaphragm 6N. This separating diaphragm is fitted with a small hole 28n which provides communication between the carafe 4n and the chamber 3n. The kettle in fig. 24 has three holes arranged at angles of 120°; for this reason the diametric plane of the section illustrated involves only the small hole 28N; the position of the other two holes is indicated by their axis 162 (which coincide in the drawing). The function of these holes 28H is to immerse the chamber 5 in the water 6 present on the bottom of

the tank 1 N by relieving air through them. In this way the structure 2N, including the chamber 3N, can be

placed together inside the tank 1 N. After placing it in the tank an air-tight seal must be realised around the circumference between the edge of the chamber 3N and the bottom 163 of the tank 1 N. The most simple way to realise this seal is to interpose a normal, circular rubber seal between the parts. Unlike the normal seals used in Moka percolators, this gasket would be fitted "upstream" from the direction of flow of the rising water and would

be immersed in the water. It would therefore be in a

condition that, on the one side it would provide the advantage of remaining at the same temperature as the surrounding water (less than 100°C), and on the other side, it would simplify its role as a seal, preventing the passage of liquid and not vapour. Retaining vapour molecules is in fact more difficult, and it is for this reason that the usual Moka type percolators require great strength when closing them. Despite the fact that the kettle as per the invention requires the use of a rubber sealing ring in a more advantageous function and position compared to that in traditional Moka type percolators, it allows the technical expedient which makes this sealing ring superfluous. This expedient is illustrated in figs. 25 and 26. It consists of a cylindrical seal 164 providing an elastic connection by interference between a lower edge 165 of the chamber 3N and a very low, vertical, cylindrical wall present in a zone at the bottom of the tank. This zone could be represented by the same bottom 163, but could also be represented either by a brief cylindrical or conical tract 164A of the circular walls of the tank 1 N near said bottom. The first version is illustrated in figures 24 and 25; the second version is illustrated in fig. 26, enlarged so as to understand the concept better. In figs. 24 and 25 the

sealing surface is provided by a low, cylindrical profile 166 collaborating with an internal side 167 of the edge 165 of the chamber 3N. In fig. 26 a surface of the seal 168 is provided by the outside 169 of the edge 165 against a cylindrical tract 170 of the tank in a zone near the bottom 163. This cylindrical seal 170 consists of a very short tract which is about one millimetre in height. In this tract, the parts are connected by interference, which is overcome by an elastic force. The part moved elastically by a few hundredths of a millimetre consists of the free edges of the chamber 3N. These edges can, in fact, flex owing to their long, protruding length. In the version in fig. 25, the previously mentioned elastic movement of the edges of the chamber 3N occurs in a centrifugal direction; in the version in fig. 26, the previously mentioned elastic movement however occurs

in a centripetal direction. The version in fig. 24 provides a sealing surface 167 with greater protection against possible bombardment when cleaning the kettle. The version in fig. 26, however, offers the advantage of the

. progressive centring of the previously mentioned connection and a seal in proportion to the pressure. The presence of clearance 171 between the chamber 3N and the tank 1 N is such that, a slight, reciprocal, transversal

movement allows the surfaces 168 to be "disconnected"; it is so easy that the user is not even aware of it and

attributes the small force exercised to the typical normal forces required when dismantling any percolator. The realisation of this interference obviously provides "zero- clearance" between the parts and, therefore, the realisation of the desired seal. In the solution in fig. 25, the hypothetical creation of abnormal pressures within the chamber 3N would cause it swell and eliminate the previously mentioned seal allowing the water to emerge by rising through wide interstices provided by the clearance 171. The risk of explosion would be guaranteed. So much so that this clearance 171 would increase if the structure 2N is lifted above tank 1 , when the previously mentioned excessive pressure, possibly generated by accidental causes inside the kettle, causes the elastic movement of the means of closure of

the kettle (or reaction to the forces created by the vapour inside the chamber 3N): in fig 24 these means comprise a lid 172.

Having introduced the structure 2N in the tank 1 N partially filled with water, a filtering column 24N is introduced in the upper part of this structure, or carafe 4N. The base of this column includes a protruding ring 173. This ring is separated from the upper surface of the separating diaphragm 6N by three cylindrical feet 174 upon which it rests. These feet are separated at

angles of 120°, and their axis coincide with the axis 162 of the three holes 28N present in the diaphragm 6N. The spines 175 protrude from below these cylindrical feet 174 and are designed to be inserted in their respective holes 28N and plug them; or rather to reduce the minimum section of effusion of the vapour 15 generated in the underlying summit of the chamber 3N. The external diameter of the protruding ring 173 lightly touches the internal surface of the carafe 4N and is therefore as big as possible. The clearance between these parts is minimal, since it must filter the beverage prepared in the kettle. After inserting the filtering column 24N, the granules 15, powders or grounds are introduced for the preparation of the solution or infusion. After this, the lid 172 is placed over the filtering column. The function of this lid is to prevent the filtering column 24N from being lifted when the vapour 15, generated by heating the kettle, lifts the chamber 3N, or rather the structure 2N on which the filtering column 24N rests. This lid can obviously be prevented from lifting in the various ways illustrated previously. The way in which it is prevented from lifting in fig. 1 constitutes a variation of the way indicated in Fig. 6: the only difference is the

fact that the screw 157B forms a large handle 42N.

When the kettle is placed on a stove, the water 13 contained inside is heated and produces vapour 15. This pushes the water downwards and forces it to rise through a central, tubular column 5N until it debouches from the summit 16N of the tower 8N rising from the separating diaphragm 6N in the centre of the carafe 8. In this way, the boiling water precipitates over the granules 21 , flows through and is collected on the bottom of the carafe 4N after it has extracted the soluble substances. As a result of the "principle of communicating vessels", the water would however tend to rise in a circular chamber surrounding the filtering column 24N. In order to do this, it is forced to pass through tight clearances 176 around the circumference present on the periphery of the protruding ring 173. In

this way it can be separated from the granules, powders

or grounds which remain inside the filtering column 24N. At this point, the kettle is raised by gripping the handle 42N so that the liquid can be poured out of the spout 154. Previously, the water rising up through the tower 36 was considered to fall freely inside the filtering column 16: although this is how it works in theory, in reality it is preferable to "prevent" it from rising. In fact, by preventing it from doing so, there is a slight increase in the vapour pressure 15, and therefore an increase in

the temperature of the water which could be used to best exploit the granules 21 , powders, or grounds contained in the filtering column 24N. It can be prevented from raising be reducing or obstructing the effusion section of the water from the summit 16N of the tower 8N; this can occur in the various ways already illustrated. By way of example, however, the version illustrated in fig. 24 could be used. In this example there is a plate 38 which freely rests on the summit of the tower 177 stopping the hole from which the water or milk debouches. This resting can be adjusted by special weights 178, screwed onto a leg on the plate. After pouring the beverage, the kettle can be simply opened by unscrewing the handle 42N until the male part 157 is released from the threaded hole; in this way the lid 172 can be completely upturned to leave the summit of the

tank 1 free and the filtering column 24N and the structure 2N can be extracted. The handle 42N remains fixed to the lid 172 because the male part 157 cannot come out of the threaded hole 158 by axial movements; it can only come out be purposely unscrewing it. To prevent the lid 72 from opening when it is upturned by

the rod 157A and the male part 157, a spring 159 can

be used which lifts it automatically as soon as it has

been completely unscrewed from the threaded hole

5 present on the bracket 161. Although the technical

solution for realising a seal with metal surfaces as

illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26 is perfectly functional, the

materials used and production and technological choices could warrant the use of a rubber seal. The seal ₀ could be located in a circular niche 179. The most

favourable position is however illustrated in figure 24, and is in fact fitted with a gasket 180 represented by a

rubber ^ring with either a rectangular or round section (O-ring). This gasket would be squeezed as the kettle is ₅ tightened when closing.

20

■25

Claims

CLAIM

1) Kettle characterised by the fact that it prepares beverages (66) using boiling liquids (13) which

are made to rise from the bottom (11) of a tank

(1) and to flow into certain zones (8A, 23, 54B, 540, 129, 137T, 150, 151) where there are granules (21) and/or pulverulent substances to be

dissolved, typically coffee, tea, cocoa, officinal herbs; said boiling liquid rises thanks to the pressure exercised by the vapour (15) present in a summit of a removable chamber (3, 3A, 3B, 30, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3L, 3P, 3Q, 3T) joined to the tank and fitted with one or more relief holes (28, 28A,

28B, 280, 28D, 28E, 28F, 28L, 28P, 28Q, 28T)

substantially stopped by plugs (24A, 57, 58, 67-

68, 57D-67D, 152, 24F, 36, 1 16, 120A, 130A, 140) during working; said liquids are made to flow into a carafe (4, 4A, 4B, 40, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4P, 4S, 4Q, 4R, 4T, 4Z) and poured out of a spout (55) after they have been filtered (24, 46,

75B, 75C, 46E, 29, 33, 24B, 29L, 120, 29Q, 139.

2) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the water (13) rises from the bottom of the tank (1 , 1 A, 1 F, 1 L) through a hole (12) in a tube consisting of a draw-up tract (7) in the lower section and a central tower (8, 8A, 8F, 8L).

3) Kettle, as per the previous claim characterised by the fact that the water (13) rises from the bottom

of the tank (1 B, 10, 1 D, 1 E, 1 P, 1 Q) along a course consisting of an initial tract comprising a circumferential interstice (74, 81 , 86, 86P, 86Q) outside the chamber (3B, 30, 3D, 3E, 3P, 3Q).

4) Kettle as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the water (13) rises from the bottom of the tank (1 T) along a course comprising an initial tract consisting of a large or wide depression (136) present on the lower side of the

tank (fig. 20). 5) Kettle, as per the previous claim characterised by the fact that the water (13) rises from the bottom (1 1 ) of the tank includes a distance (17, 73, 73C, 135T) between the said bottom and the chamber (3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3P, 3Q), or between said bottom (11 ) and the mouth of the draw-up tract (7).

6) Kettle, as per the previous claim characterised by the fact that after the water (17) has risen up the previously mentioned initial tract, it is very hot when it comes into contact with the granules in the container (21 ) to produce the beverage.

7) kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the granule container (21 ) is represented by a circular chamber (23, 150) located around the overflow tower (8, 8F, 8L) and is delimited by a tube (24).

8) kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by

the fact that the granule container (21 ) is represented by a circular chamber (54B, 54C) arranged at the sides of the chamber (3B, 3C, 3D). 9) kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the granule container (21 ) is represented by a chamber (149, 137T) located above the chamber

(3E, 3T).

10) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by

the fact that the summit of the chamber (3) has a central, cylindrical dome (50, 138T), consisting of a knob for extracting the chamber.

1 1 ) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the granule container for the granules is represented by a sufficiently enlarged central hole in the tower (8A) (fig. 2).

12) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the granule container is represented by a zone (129) in the carafe (4Q) created by the partition (130).

13) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the partition (130) can be extracted from its vertical guides and retainers present inside the carafe.

14) Kettle as per the previous claim, characterised by

the fact that the granule container is represented by the

fact that the vertical grooves and retainers in the partition (130) are realised by profiles (131A, 131 B).

15) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the granule (21 ) container (151 ) is represented from the bottom of the carafe (4P) and is delimited above by a round filter (120)

16) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by

the fact that the chamber (3, 3A, 30, 3D, 3F, 3G, 3H,

3L, 3P, 3Q) incorporates an overlying carafe (4, 4A, 40, 4D, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4L, 4P, 4Q) to form one single structure (2, 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2L, 2P, 2Q).

17) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by

the fact that above the chamber there is a cylindrical body (8D, 138T) constituting a knob used for extracting it from, and placing it in, the tank (I D, 1 E, 1 T) and a dome (50) for collecting the vapour above (15).

18) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber (3B) is introduced in a tank delimited by cylindrical walls (63) to prevent the granules (21 ) in the external, circular chamber (54B) from dropping.

19) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber (3, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3L) is fitted with numerous small relief holes (28) around the

circumference below the filtration column (24) which

stops them (fig. 1 ).

20) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber (3A) is fitted with an eccentrically located relief hole (28A) (fig. 2). 21 ) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber (3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3P, 3T) is fitted with a centrally located relief hole (28B, 28C, 28D, 28E, 28P, 28T).

22) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber (3Q) is fitted with one or more eccentrically located holes (28Q).

23) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the relief holes in the chamber have associating plugs represented by precise, cylindrical plugs (24A, 57, 58, 68, 152, 24F, 120A, 124).

24) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the relief holes in the chamber have associating plugs represented by conjugated conical plugs (67, 67D, 128). 25) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the relief holes in the chamber have associating plugs represented by conjugated plugs which are both cylindrical and conical (67-68, 124-128).

26) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the relief holes in the chamber have associating plugs acting on the edges.

27) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the plugs acting on the edges of the relief holes in the chamber are represented by flat surfaces (36, 130A). 28) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the plugs acting on the edges of the relief holes in the chamber are represented by conical

surfaces (1 16).

29) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the plugs acting on the edges of the relief holes in the chamber are represented by spherical surfaces whose diameter is approximately twice the diameter of the hole. 30) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber is joined to the tank by a cylindrical connection (74, 81 , 86, 86F, 1 G-3G, 1 H-3H, 1 P-3P, 1 Q- 3Q).

31 ) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the chamber is joined to the tank by a conical connection (1 -3, 1 A-3A, 1 L-3L. 1 T-3T).

32) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the carafe is joined to the tank by a

cylindrical connection (10-40, 1 D-4D, 1 F-4F, 1 G-4G, 1 H-4H, 1 P-4P,-1 Q-4Q, 1 R-4R).

33) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the carafe is joined to the tank by a conical connection (1 -4, 1A-4A, 1 E-4E, 1 L-4L, 1 T-4T).

34) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the tank is joined to the chamber and/or the carafe by prismatic and/or truncated pyramidal surfaces.

35) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the liquids debouche into the carafe

passing through windows (61 , 61 B, 61 F, 61 Q, 61T) located at a lower level (62, 62B) on the edges of it (153).

36) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the liquids drop into the carafe by flowing over its edges (153).

37) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the liquids debouche into the carafe as they emerge from the summit (16, 53) of the central column (8, 8A, 8E, 8F, 8L). 38) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the drop of the liquids from the summit of the central column occurs by effusion spans (93, 1 15) having adjustable widths.

39) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the widths of the effusion spans is regulated by screws (97, 154, 1 14).

40) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the fixture of the chamber in the tank housing act indirectly on the overlying carafe. 41 ) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the fixture of the

chamber in the tank housing act directly on it; said parts consist of the connection of the two parts by a thread; this thread can either by central (69, 69D, 7-94) or peripheral and is present on the edges of the chamber.

42) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a bolt (41 ) fitted above a lid (20) hinged (40) on the tank (1 ) and locked by a handle (42) on the summit to prevent rotation.

43) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (50) featuring an internal, tubular protuberance (49) connected to the tower (8A) allowing it to slide and rotate around a central axis (51 ) so that the extension (72) of the handle (42A) fixed to the lid can be inserted in an undercut (39) by a short angular movement delimited by

stop (44). This undercut (39) restrains the inside of the lid and other moving parts pushed by the chamber. Said parts are represented by the carafe, the summit of the

tower, or by the integral structure (2A). 44) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (59) which rotates around a rear pin (32) with a vertical axis (37). Since this pin is fixed (65) to the tank (1 B) the lid is retained axially by overlying surfaces (42B).

45) Kettle as per claim 44, characterised by the fact that the axial restraint is effected by inserting a spring (45) allowing the lid (59) to move slightly as a result of excessive pressure inside the chamber; this lifting creates effusion sections by separating the connected conical surfaces (75B).

46) Kettle as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture (76A) of the chamber are represented by a lid (76) fixed to the threaded extremity (69) of a pin (57C) and joined to the bottom of -the tank (I C) -v-ia -a kr.ob~(84) wbich- can be freely rotated unlike the lid (76), to limit the torque exercised when tightening.

47) Kettle as per claim 46, characterised by the fact

that the lid (76D) is fixed by turning a screw (84D) fixed onto it by attrition, so that it can slide out of the lid manoeuvred by the handle (42D) when torque applied during tightening could damage the thread (69D).

48) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture to the chamber are represented by a lid (155) hinged with a pin (40E) on the summit of the handle (42E) and fitted with a screw (157) which fits into a hole (156) in the extension (72) of ttre tank (1 E-):

49) Kettle, as per claim 48, characterised by the fact that the screw (157) has a rod (157A) which slides into a hole (158) in the lid (155) allowing a spring (159) to be compressed when the lid (155) is raised when the screw ( 157) is locked in the extension (72E 161 ).

50) Kettle, as per claim 49, characterised by the fact that the hole (158) in the lid (155) is threaded like a screw (157), to prevent axial sliding and to allow helical sliding when unscrewing it. Such movements can be used when assembling.

51 ) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by the screwing of a female screw (98), fixed to a lid (20G) hinged on the tank (1 G) by a pin (40G) on a threaded extremity (8F) of the tower; said tower is precisely associated with a

cylindrical structure (2G) inside a tank (1 G).

52) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (20) hinged with a pin (40) on an extension of the tank and overlain by a bolt (43) which slides in a rigid guide present on a summit (161 ) of the handle (42) preventing its movement upwards (fig. 9).

53) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact

that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (20H) hinged with a pin (40H) on a summit of a handle (42H) and fitted bolt (102) which slides vertically into a hole in a zone (1 L) present on the summit of the tank (1 H) providing radial force against an external zone of the tank, since this force is adjustable by a lock on an inclined surface (162).

54) Kettle, as per claim 54, characterised by the fact that the extremity of the bolt (102) is fitted with an elastic ring (102A) which returns when the bolt slides in the holes in which it is housed.

55) Kettle, as per claim 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (20L) hinged on a summit of the handle (42L) with a pin (40L) and can be

locked on a lower surface in the undercut ( 107) of an

extension (104) of the tank (1 L) by rotating a revolving bolt 90° installed on it (20L) after introducing the protrusion of a diametric plug (105) in specially arranged grooves ( 106). 56) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the lids have profiles (109) which exercise

central forces on the elements lying below (4.24L).

57) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by

the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (120C) including small,. Vertical walls curved cylindrically (122A, 122B) diametrically opposed and hollowed out to house horizontal fins (123) which protrude diametrically from the tank (1 P) following the angular rotation (α) preceded by a short descent necessary to locate said small walls (122A, 122B) on the sides of the tank (1 P), said lid (120C) can be manoeuvred by a crossbar (120C) on the summit.

58) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (20C) hinged on the summit of a handle (425) by a pin (405) and fitted with a horizontally sliding bolt (125) in the shape of a

"CE" to link one of its lower ends (125A) below an extension (725) of the tank (15) or the handle (425) fixed to it.

59) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a hook (132) hinged with a pin (133) above a lid (20Q) hinged with a pin (40Q) on the summit of the handle (42Q); said hook is square so that it can be fitted to a tooth (134) protruding from the back of the tank (1 Q) whose cylindrical profile is concentric to the axis of the pin (135) of the hook.

60) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a bolt (1 17) which slides horizontally inside an extension ( 104R) of the handle (42) and locked in a hole in the vertical tongue (103) protruding from inside a lid (20R) hinged with a pin (40R) on the -summit of the aforementioned extension (Fig. 19)

61 ) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid comprising two parts, right and left (141 A, 141 B) joined at the back by elastic means ( 1410) and associated by a hinge pin (40T) to a handle (42T) fixed to the tank (1 T), said parts have protrusions (141 D, 141 E) fixed under the brackets

(131 A, 131 B), present on the lateral edges of the tank; said protrusions can be taken apart by bringing the two parts (141 D, 141 E) together by pressing with the thumb and index finger on the two vertical grips (141 M, 141 N). 62) Kettle, as per the claim in point 40, characterised by the fact that the parts comprising the indirect fixture of the chamber are represented by a lid (20Z) hinged with a pin (40Z) on an extension (104Z9- on the tank (-1 Z) and

surmounted by a bracket (142) with a fixed axis but which can rotate freely around a vertical axis (143) thanks to a pin (144) fitted in a handle (42Z). 63) kettle , as per the claim in point 62, characterised by the fact that the bracket (142) can be moved slightly upwards when a spring is compressed (146). 64) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by filtration of the liquids (13) following their passage through tight interstices (29, 29Q) present on the bottom of the filtering column (24) or on the bottom of a partition ( 130) fitted in the carafe. 65) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass through tight, cylindrical interstices (46) present between the exterior and a capacious tower (8A) and

the interior of a circular edge (49) located inside the lid (50).

66) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass through tight, variable sized interstices, with a tendency to be of minimum size, thanks to the association of two conical surfaces (75B) pressed elastically (45) against each other.

67) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass

through tight, cylindrical interstices set (75C) by the

clearance between the carafe (40) and the tank (1 0).

68) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass through tight cylindrical interstices (46E) present between the exterior of a cylindrical profile (138) located above a chamber (3E) and the interior of a short, circular edge (88) protruding from under the carafe (4E).

69) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass from the usual punctured surfaces present on the filtering column (24B).

70) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids (13) are filtered after they pass

through a tight interstice around the circumference between the exterior of the base (34A) of the filtering column (24) and the interior of a cylindrical surface present on the bottom of the carafe; said cylindrical surface can be formed either by a protruding edge (34) or by a groove around the circumference of the filtering column. 71 ) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids are filtered by a round filter (120) above the granules (21 ) located in the bottom of the carafe (4P).

72) Kettle, as per the claim in point 70, characterised by the fact that the round filter (120) is incorporated in a structure comprising a columnar support (120B), retainers (122A, 122B) for the chamber (39) and a crossbar (120D). 73) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the liquids are filtered by numerous minute vertical channels (139) present between the carafe (4) and the tank (1 ) and are located opposite the side (136) from which the water (13) rises and diametrically crosses the granule (21 ) chamber (137T). These channels are drawn from depressions present on the external surface of the carafe and/or on the internal surface of the tank.

74) Kett ey as per the chart mirr point 73; characterised by the fact that the minute vertical channels (139) are present ^"along an angle of ϊ^'80° of the rear surface of the conical (60T) tank (1T) to prevent the passage of

the rising liquids by fixing the external, front surface of the carafe (4T). 75) Kettle, for the solution of the usual substances used for preparing beverages characterised by the fact that vapour pressure (15) is created forcing the water (13), milk or other boiling liquid to rise in the overlying

chamber where solution and/or infusion takes place and which is carried out by means (166, 168, 180) situated upstream from the flow of the liquid preventing the flowing liquid from coming into contact with the rubber gaskets. As said pressure is generated by the cooperation of plugs (175) stopping the holes (28N) crossing a diaphragm (6N) separating the lower chamber (3N) where the vapour is generated from the overlying carafe (4N) which collects the boiling water forced to rise through a central pipe (5N) debouching in the summit (16N) of the tower (8N) and overflowing inside a filtration column (24N) containing granules (21 ), grounds or powders to be dissolved or infused.

76) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the means generating the vapour consist

comprise mortising by elastic interference of a short circular surface with a common base to a lower edge of

a chamber (3) and a zone at the bottom of a tank (1 ).

77) Kettle, as per the previous claim characterised by the fact that the surface providing the seal by interference is provided by the association of the inside (167) of the lower edge (165) of the chamber (3N) and an external, cylindrical relief (166) rising from the bottom (163) of the tank (Fig. 25).

78) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by

the fact that the elastic interference creating the mortise of the seal occurs between the outside (169) of the lower edge (165) of the chamber (3N) and an internal circular tract (168) present in a zone at the bottom of the tank (Fig. 26), said circular tract can be either cylindrical or conical. 79) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the filtration column (24N) is fitted with a large protruding ring (173) located low down separated from the surface above by a diaphragm (6N) and whose peripheral, circular edge slightly touches (Fig. 27) the inner surface of the carafe (4N) providing maximum filtration. The clearance (176) between the two

previously mentioned surfaces is kept to an absolute minimum.

80) Kettle, as per the claim in point 6, characterised by

the fact that the large, protruding ring (173) is

separated from the diaphragm by small cylindrical feet (174).

81 ) Kettle, as per the claim in point 7, characterised by the fact that the cylindrical feet (174) include protruding, cylindrical plugs below them. These plugs are inserted in adjoining holes (28N) present on the

diaphragm (6N) and stop them.

81 ) Kettle as per the claim in point 7, characterised by

the fact that the cylindrical feet (174) comprise

cylindrical plugs (175) protruding from below them. These plugs are inserted in adjoining holes present on the diaphragm (28N) and stop them thoroughly (6N).

82) Kettle as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the centring of the cylindrical plugs ( 175) in ■ their holes is guided by the touch or contact of the outer part of the protruding ring (173) and the interior surface of the carafe (4N).

83) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that it has a rubber gasket (180) squeezed along its axis and located upstream from the flow of the liquid destined to rise inside the tower (8N).

84) Kettle as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the position upstream is distant from the

bottom (163) of the tank (1 N) so that it can operate at

low temperatures.

85) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that it is closed by screwing a handle (42N) which is vertical when closed. The handle is located above the kettle. 86) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the handle (42N) is fixed to the lid (172).

87) Kettle, as per the previous claim, characterised by the fact that it is locked by a threaded hole (158) having

the same thread as the male (157) for tightening. This hole is located at the extremity of a rod ( 157A) having a smaller diameter.

88) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the handle (42N) cooperates with a spring ( 159) designed to raise it from the threaded hole present on the bracket (161 ) present at the rear of the tank ( 1 N).

89) Kettle, as per the previous claims characterised by the fact that the water level (13) in the tank (1 N) is marked by a line around the circumference (K) inside the tank which can be realised for pressing making use of its conical nature.

90) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the granules (21 ) used are contained in special filters commonly capsules, bags or cartridges,

the external part of the filter can either be rigid or flexible.

91 ) Kettle, as per the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the external part of the filters containing the granules (21 ) comprise means to close the relief hole or holes (28) present on the summit of the chamber (3) containing the vapour (15).

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