WO2005063090A1

WO2005063090A1 - Coffee maker for the preparation of coffee infusions

Info

Publication number: WO2005063090A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000880
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco Polti
Original assignee: Polti S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-12-31
Filing date: 2003-12-31
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Also published as: AU2003300766A1

Abstract

A coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion comprises a boiler (2) capable of containing water which is to be heated, a container (3) for coffee in which the coffee is infused with the heated water and a collection chamber (4) for the coffee infusion in which the said boiler (2) and the said collection chamber (4) for the coffee infusion are connected together in such a way as to be in fluid communication with each other with interposition of the container (3). Advantageously the coffee maker comprises a dividing septum (16) positioned within the collection chamber (4) to subdivide it into an upper collection chamber (4) and a lower collection chamber (4), the dividing septum (16) comprising a passage for placing the aforesaid chambers in fluid communication with each other.

Description

"Coffee maker for the preparation of coffee infusions" DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion according to the precharacterising clause of Claim 1.

The invention also relates to an accessory for a coffee maker. For simplicity of disclosure this description is provided in a non-restrictive way with particular reference to a pressure coffee maker of the domestic type of the type known as "MOKA" for the preparation of a coffee infusion.

Coffee makers of the abovementioned type, which are widely used, particularly in the domestic sphere, are manufactured in different sizes. There are in fact coffee makers for one, two or more cups according to need, or the quantity of coffee infusion which it is desired to prepare. The reason for this lies in the fact that coffee infusions are good if they are consumed shortly after their preparation, the consumption of a heated coffee infusion which was prepared even one hour beforehand not being pleasant . The reason for this lies in the fact that when it cools the coffee infusion undergoes changes in its organoleptic properties. These changes, although minor, are perceptible to taste and unpleasant for consumers. As a consequence of this it is better that the quantity of coffee infusion produced from time to time should correspond to that which is to be consumed immediately.

This notwithstanding, it is sometimes necessary that part of the coffee infusion produced should be consumed not immediately but, for example, within a few minutes of its preparation. This is for example the situation where the coffee infusion has been prepared for several persons but one or more of these are late in arriving, or when the coffee infusion produced has to be first used for addition to a cup of milk and then only afterwards must be consumed alone. In these cases the requirement which has to be satisfied is that of succeeding in keeping the coffee infusion hot, delaying rapid cooling as much as possible. In this respect it must be pointed out that heating the coffee infusion after it has cooled is not capable of reversing the aforementioned organoleptic changes which have taken place in the infusion.

In order to satisfy the abovementioned requirement it has been proposed that electrical heating plates on which the coffee maker is placed should be used. These plates are provided with devices to control the power supply to the heating resistances as a result of which once preparation of the coffee infusion is complete the electrical resistances are powered with sufficient current to keep the coffee maker and the coffee infusion contained within it slightly heated so as to maintain the coffee maker at temperature and reduce sudden cooling. This solution nevertheless has the disadvantage that it requires the presence of an electrical heating plate which has to be used for preparation of the infusion and for subsequently holding the coffee maker at temperature. Consequently this solution is not suitable for most cases in which the coffee infusion is prepared on a kitchen gas stove. Also it must be borne in mind that excessive and prolonged heating of the coffee maker by the electrical plate in order to prevent cooling can give rise to overheating of the coffee infusion with consequent degradation of the organoleptic properties of the infusion.

In addition to the above it must be borne in mind that another cause of the deterioration of the organoleptic properties of the coffee infusion arises from the rapid processes of oxidation of the infusion following its exposure to air. As a consequence another requirement which must be borne in mind is that of as far as possible reducing exposure of the coffee infusion to air before it is consumed.

The problem underlying this invention is that of devising a coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion whose structural and functional characteristics are such as to satisfy the abovementioned requirements, at the same time overcoming the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the known art . This problem is resolved through a coffee maker according to the characteristics in Claim 1. In accordance with a further aspect, this problem is also resolved by an accessory according to Claim 21.

Further features and advantages of the coffee maker according to this invention will be apparent from the description below of some preferred embodiments provided indicatively and non- restrictively with_ reference to the appended figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a coffee maker according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a view in cross-section of the coffee maker in Figure 1,

- Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 3 ,

- Figure 4 shows the coffee maker in Figure 1 from which the lid has been omitted for simplicity of representation, - Figure 5 shows a perspective exploded view of the coffee maker in Figure 4 ,

- Figure 6 shows a perspective view in partial cross-section of a detail in Figure 4 ,

- Figure 7 shows a view in cross-section of a second embodiment of the coffee maker according to the invention,

- Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of a detail in Figure 7,

- Figure 9 shows a perspective view in partial cross-section of a detail of the coffee maker according to the invention according to a further embodiment, and - Figure 10 shows a plan view in cross-section of a detail in Figure 9. With reference to the abovementioned figures, 1 indicates as a whole a coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion according to the invention. In the embodiment considered here coffee maker 1 is of the type known as moka intended to produce a predetermined quantity of coffee infusion.

Coffee maker 1 comprises: a boiler 2 for containing water which is to be heated, a container 3 for the coffee, in which infusion of the coffee with the heated water takes place, and a chamber 4 for collection of the coffee infusion. In a wholly conventional way chamber 4 for collection of the coffee infusion and boiler 2 are positioned one above the other and are connected together in fluid communication with the interposition of said container 3.

As will be more apparent from the remainder of the description, boiler 2 and chamber 4 for collection of the coffee infusion are connected together by means of a threaded connection, and a heat-resistant leaktight seal (not shown) is provided to ensure that the connection is leaktight under pressure.

In a wholly conventional way an opening is provided in the side wall of the boiler in which there is located a safety valve (not shown) capable of preventing the occurrence of hazardous excess pressures within the boiler. Boiler 2 has a base, which in the example is polygonal, from which extend side walls whose upper extremities define an upper opening. The upper extremity of boiler 2 has a male thread for threaded connection with collection chamber 4. The abovementioned coffee-holding container 3 is located in the upper opening of boiler 2 in a removable way. In the example coffee container 3 comprises a bowl 5 which is extended beneath through a tapering portion into a conduit 6 which extends vertically within boiler 2. Container 3 also comprises a filter 7 which is positioned in the tapering portion and comprises a disc having a plurality of small holes .

Aforesaid coffee container 3 is designed to contain loose coffee powder, but it is also possible to use containers suitable for containing wafers and/or capsules filled with the correct dose of coffee necessary for preparation of the infusion.

Collection chamber 4 comprises a base 8, which in the example is polygonal, from which there extends a diverging tapering side wall 9 forming an upper opening associated with a closing lid 10. In the example lid 10 is hinged to the upper extremity of collection chamber 4, but it is also possible for the lid to be merely supported on or inserted into the mouth of collection chamber 4 with a fitting connection. Collection chamber 4 has at its lower end, that is the end towards boiler 2 and underlying container 3 , a perimeteral edge 11 which extends beyond base 8. Together with base 8 the edge forms a seat to receive a seal and has a female thread capable of engaging with the aforesaid male thread on boiler 2.

A delivery pipe 15 extends vertically in collection chamber 4 from base 8 to arrive substantially at the upper end of the collection chamber. Beneath delivery pipe 15 is in fluid communication with container 3 for the coffee, with an interposed filter (not shown) , while above delivery pipe 15 terminates in an overflow opening through which the coffee infusion can overflow into collection chamber 4. In the example delivery pipe 15 extends vertically into collection chamber 4 in the central part thereof and in order to assist discharge of the coffee infusion has a tapering shape tapering upwards .

In a wholly conventional way a handle through which coffee maker 1 can be grasped and lifted is fixed to a chamber 4. Furthermore collection chamber 4 is provided with an opening through which it is possible to cause the coffee infusion to exit . Preferably this opening takes the physical form of a pouring spout 14 made of one piece with side wall 9 of collection chamber 4 in an upper portion thereof. In the example illustrated coffee maker 1 is shown to be supported on a heating base 12 within which a number of electrical heating coils (not shown) are embedded. It is however obvious that coffee maker 1 can be heated not only by means of plate 12 but also by other conventional methods of heating such as for example induction heating or heating through contact with the flame of a gas stove.

Advantageously coffee maker 1 comprises divider means associated with collection chamber 4 so as to form at least an upper chamber 4a and a lower chamber 4b in the collection chamber which are in fluid communication with each other through at least one passage.

In a preferred embodiment the aforesaid divider means comprise a dividing septum 16 positioned within collection chamber 4 so as to divide it into an upper chamber 4a and a lower chamber 4b, in other words into a double chamber. Openings are then made in dividing septum 16 (two in number in the figure, indicated by 18) and constitute passages for providing fluid communication between upper collection chamber 4a and lower connection chamber 4b and vice versa. In substance dividing septum 16 takes the form of a circular disc of predetermined limited thickness which can be inserted and positioned horizontally within collection chamber 4, that is in a plane at right angles to delivery pipe 15. For this purpose the dividing septum is shaped so as to match or fit with delivery pipe 16. According to a preferred embodiment (Figures 2 to 5) delivery pipe 15 comprises a lower part 15b which is of one piece with base 8 of collection chamber 4 and an upper part 15a which is provided at its upper free end with the said overflow opening and comprises a single piece with dividing septum 16 (as illustrated in the exploded view in Figure 5) . Upper part 15a and lower part 15b of delivery pipe 15 are connected together through a male/female threaded connection (Figure 3) . In this way, by screwing upper part 15a of delivery pipe 15 onto lower part 15b, dividing septum 16 is also secured in the desired position within collection chamber .

In the embodiment considered above dividing septum 16 has an external profile (for example a circumference) which matches the portion of the side wall of collection chamber 4 (in the example a circumference) where dividing septum 16 is positioned when the upper part 15a of delivery pipe 15 is completely screwed onto lower part 15b.

In order to permit the correct flow of coffee infusion from lower collection chamber 4b to upper collection chamber 4a and from there to the exterior through pouring spout 14 said openings 18 are preferably positioned in such a way as to be diametrically opposite each other and dividing septum 16 is orientated with respect to collection chamber 4 in such a way that one of openings 18 is positioned so as to substantially correspond with pouring spout 14 (Figure 4) . If the dividing septum is inserted into the collection chamber not by rotation but by mere vertical insertion with subsequent securing, for example through a snap connection or force fit, it is possible for the dividing septum to be provided with centering means capable of coupling with corresponding matching centering means in the collection chamber to ensure that one of openings 18 is positioned so as to substantially correspond with pouring spout 14. The abovementioned centering means may for example take the physical form of a recess formed in the outer perimeteral edge of the dividing septum and a projection or tooth projecting from the side wall of collection chamber 4 into the collection chamber itself as in the case of the embodiment of dividing septum 40 described below (Figures 9 and 10) . Advantageously collection chamber 4 is made of metal material and comprises at least one heat-resistant transparent portion so that the upper end of delivery pipe 15 can be visible from the exterior without any need to open the lid.

In a first embodiment the aforesaid transparent portion may be made in the lid or, as an alternative, it is also possible to construct the entire lid of transparent material .

According to a preferred embodiment side wall 9 of the coffee collection chamber is formed of a lower metal portion 9a with which there is associated above a transparent terminal band 9b bounding the upper opening of collection chamber . Transparent terminal band 9b and the lower metal portion of -li¬

the side wall are shaped so as to fit together, a seal 20 being also provided to ensure that the collection chamber is leaktight .

In order to keep the lower end of transparent band 9b abutting against the upper end of lower metal portion 9a transparent band 9b is shaped in such a way as to form an internal shoulder or step 19 at its lower extremity against which dividing septum 16 may press. In this way, by rotating dividing septum 16 in such a way that upper part 15a of delivery pipe 15 is screwed onto lower part 15b of the pipe, it is brought about that dividing septum 16 presses on inner shoulder 19 to hold terminal transparent band 9b abutted against lower metal portion 9a, thus ensuring a joint between the various parts of which collection chamber 4 is made up. In this embodiment pouring spout 9 is made of a single piece with terminal transparent band 9b of side wall 9 of collection chamber 4 while the handle of the coffee maker and lid 10 are directly connected to terminal transparent band 9b as is shown for example in Figure 1. Preferably the dividing septum is made of metal material, but it is also possible to construct it from plastics material . According to a variant embodiment of coffee maker 1 according to the invention (Figures 7 and 8) , dividing septum 50 may be constructed of one piece with transparent terminal band 59a of side wall 59 of collection chamber 54. In this case the connection between transparent terminal band 59a and lower metal portion 59b may be provided through a male/female threaded connection, with the presence of a seal 51 being also provided to ensure that collection chamber 54 is leaktight. The connection of upper portion 55a of delivery pipe 55 to lower part 55b of that pipe may be provided by a mere fitting connection, with the provision of a seal if necessary, for example an O-ring 56, in order to ensure a seal. As an alternative to what has been described above the transparent band of the side wall of the collection chamber may be co-moulded with the other lower metal portion of the collection chamber.

The use of coffee maker 1 is described below starting from an initial condition in which boiler 2 is filled with water to the specified level, container 3 is fitted onto the boiler containing within it the necessary quantity of coffee powder and collection chamber 4 is screwed onto boiler 2 (Figure 2) . Heating and therefore boiling of the water within the boiler is brought about by switching on the electrical resistances present in heating base 12.

While coffee maker 1 is being heated, base 8, the lower metal part of collection chamber 4 and dividing septum 16 are also heated. The increase in pressure due to boiling of the water causes water to rise from pipe 6 into bowl 5 of coffee container 3 where infusion of the coffee takes place. Subsequently, passing through an appropriate filter, the infusion rises up delivery pipe 15 so as to overflow into collection chamber 4. In collection 4 the infusion flows through openings 18, first filling lower collection chamber 4b and only then upper collection chamber 4a.

Once overflow of the coffee is complete the coffee can be poured into cups through pouring spout 14. If it is only necessary to pour half or a little less of the quantity of coffee infusion prepared from the coffee maker, all the coffee infusion produced in the coffee maker can easily be contained within lower collection chamber 4b, that is in a collection environment in which there is less dispersion of the heat of the coffee infusion towards the exterior, that is to say where slower cooling of the coffee infusion takes place.

It should be pointed out that upper collection chamber 4a, being empty, makes it possible to create an intermediate zone of air as a result of which there is lesser cooling of the coffee infusion present in lower collection chamber 4b.

Furthermore, the fact that the coffee infusion is wholly contained within the lower collection chamber makes it possible to reduce exposure of the coffee infusion to the air as the only openings present comprise the passages provided to allow fluid communication between the two chambers . With reference to the embodiment in Figures 9 and 10, dividing septum 40 which divides upper collection chamber 44a from lower collection chamber 44b comprises a disc in which in addition to openings 18 there is also a central opening 41 capable of permitting delivery pipe 43 of collection chamber 44 to be inserted in it. Immobilising of dividing septum 40 may be achieved by merely forcing the same on delivery pipe 43, making use of the tapering shape of the latter. As an alternative it is possible to make use of the tapering shape of the side walls of collection chamber 44. In this way dividing septum 40 can be immobilised by forcing it against the side wall of collection chamber 44. In order to ensure better removable attachment of dividing septum 40 to collection chamber 44 it is possible for dividing septum 40 to be fitted with a sealing O-ring 56 at central aperture 41 or for dividing septum 40 to be provided with elastic springs able to fit with a predetermined elastic load against the inner wall of the collection chamber. Advantageously dividing septum 40 comprises a recess 45 made in the outer perimeteral edge which can engage a corresponding projection 46 projecting from the side wall of collection chamber 44 into the collection chamber itself to ensure that one of openings 18 is positioned so as to substantially correspond with the pouring spou . Both collection chamber 44 and dividing septum 4 may be constructed of metal material, but it is also possible to construct at least a portion of chamber 40 from transparent material .

It should be emphasised that dividing septum 40 comprises an accessory which can be used with any coffee maker of the moka type currently available on the market and can therefore be used in combination with one of such coffee makers to overcome the technical problem underlying this invention. As will be appreciated from what has been described, the coffee maker according to this invention makes it possible to satisfy the abovementioned requirements and at the same time to overcome the disadvantages mentioned in the introductory part of this description with reference to the known art. In fact the dividing means within the chamber make it possible to reduce cooling of the quantity of infusion still present within the coffee maker and its exposure to air, more specifically in the lower collection chamber, preserving its goodness for a longer period of time than a conventional coffee maker and without needing additional heating means. Another advantage of the coffee maker according to this invention lies in the possibility that all its parts can be disassembled, particularly the collection chamber, for cleaning. Yet another advantage of the coffee maker according to the invention lies in the possibility of visually checking when delivery of the coffee infusion from the delivery pipe is complete without it being necessary to open the lid or listen for any sound.

It should be pointed out that the coffee maker accessory according to the invention can be used with any coffee maker of the moka type currently on the market and can therefore be used in combination with one of these coffee makers to overcome the technical problem underlying this invention, converting the coffee maker into a coffee maker with a double collection chamber for the infusion.

Obviously in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements a person skilled in the art could apply numerous modifications and variants to the coffee maker described above, all however lying within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Thus for example dividing means such as for example the dividing septum may be firmly secured to the collection chamber or the delivery pipe extending within it in a nonremovable way, for example by riveting, welding, adhesive bonding, mechanical deformation or other functionally equivalent method of attachment .

The openings present in the dividing septum may be replaced by a plurality of holes. Furthermore it is possible to avoid making openings in the dividing septum. In this case the necessary passage to ensure fluid communication between the lower collection chamber and the upper collection chamber can be made by providing a recess in the perimeteral edge of the dividing septum or, as an alternative, providing an intermediate space between the dividing septum and the side wall of the collection chamber when the dividing septum is secured within the collection chamber .

The dividing means may- .also comprise more than one dividing septum. For example it is possible to subdivide the collecting chamber into three parts, an upper, intermediate and lower part respectively, through the use of two dividing septa. The dividing means may also be secured within the collection chamber by forced fitting, by hooking means, by snap connection means, by bayonet insertion and/or through the use of other functionally equivalent methods.

Claims

1. Coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion comprising: - a boiler (2) capable of containing water which is to be heated, - a container (3) for the coffee in which infusion of the coffee with the heated water takes place, and a collection chamber (4; 44; 54) for the coffee infusion, in which the said boiler (2) and the said collection chamber (4, 44, 54) for the coffee infusion are connected in such a way as to be in fluid communication with each other with interposition of the said container (3) , characterised in that it comprises dividing means (16; 40; 50) associated with the said collection chamber (4; 44; 54) to define within the said collection chamber at least one upper chamber and one lower chamber in fluid communication with each other through at least one passage (18) .

2. Coffee maker according to Claim 1, in which the said dividing means comprise a dividing septum (16; 40; 50) positioned within the said collection chamber (4; 44; 54) to subdivide the said collection chamber (4; 44; 54) into an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

3. Coffee maker according to Claim 1 or 2 , in which the said at least one passage (18) is made in the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) .

4. Coffee maker according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 , in which: - the said collection chamber (4; 44; 54) comprises a pouring spout (14) and - the said at least one passage (18) is positioned in such a way as to substantially correspond with the said pouring spout (14) .

5. Coffee maker according to Claim 3 , in which the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) comprises a first passage and a second passage which are angularly opposite each other, the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) being orientated with respect to the said collection chamber (4; 44, 54) in such a way that the said first passage is positioned so as to substantially correspond with the said pouring spout (14) .

6. Coffee maker according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 , in which the said dividing means (16, 40; 50) are secured to the said collection chamber (4; 44; 54) in a removable way.

7. Coffee maker according to Claim 6, in which the said dividing means (16; 50) are secured to the said collection chamber (4; 54) through a threaded connection.

8. Coffee maker according to Claims 4 and 6, in which the said dividing septum (40) comprises centering means (45) able to couple with corresponding additional centering means (46) in the said collection chamber (44) to ensure correct angular orientation of the said first passage with respect to the said pouring spout (14) .

9. Coffee maker according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the said dividing means are firmly secured to the said collection chamber in a non-removable way.

10. Coffee maker according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which within the said chamber there extends a delivery pipe

(15; 43; 55) from the upper end of which the coffee infusion originating from the said coffee container (3) can overflow, the said dividing means (16, 40; 50) being shaped in such a way as to form a shape connection with the pouring spout .

11. Coffee maker according to Claims 2 and 10, in which the said delivery pipe (43) extends vertically within the said collection chamber (44) and the said dividing septum (40) comprises an opening able to receive the said delivery pipe (43 ) .

12. Coffee maker according to Claims 2 and 10, in which the said delivery pipe (16; 50) comprises a lower part connected to an upper part comprising a single piece with the said dividing septum (16; 50) , the said upper and lower parts of the delivery pipe being connected together by means of a threaded connection.

13. Coffee maker according to any of Claims 10, 11 or 12, in which the said collection chamber (4; 54) comprises a base from which there extends a side wall forming an upper opening with which there is associated a lid (10) , the said collection chamber (4; 54) being of metal material and comprising a transparent portion (4a; 54a) to render the upper end of the delivery pipe (15; 55) visible from the exterior.

14. Coffee maker according to Claim 13, in which the said transparent portion is made in the said lid.

15. Coffee maker according to Claim 13 , in which the said side wall comprises a lower metal portion (4b; 54b) which is associated above with a transparent terminal band (4a; 54a) which bounds the upper opening of the collection chamber (4; 54) .

16. Coffee maker according to Claim 15, in which the said transparent portion is co-moulded with the remaining lower metal portion of the side wall of the collection chamber.

17. Coffee maker according to Claim 15, in which the said transparent terminal band (4a; 54a) and the said lower metal portion (4b; 54b) of the side wall are shaped in such a way as to join together through a shape connection with an interposed leaktight seal .

18. Coffee maker according to Claims 12 and 17, in which the said dividing septum (16) is able to act on an inner shoulder (19) of the said transparent terminal band (4a) to hold the said transparent terminal band abutted against the said lower metal portion (4b) of the side wall.

19. Coffee maker according to any of Claims 1 to 18, in which the said dividing septum (16, 40) is of metal material.

20. Coffee maker according to any one of Claims 15 to 17, in which the said dividing septum (50) is made of one piece with the said transparent terminal band (54a) .

21. Accessory for a coffee maker for the preparation of a coffee infusion comprising a dividing septum (16, 40; 50) designed to be positioned within the infusion collection chamber (4; 44; 54) of the said coffee maker to subdivide it into an upper collection chamber (4; 44; 54) and a lower collection chamber (4; 44; 54), at least one passage (18) being provided to place the said upper and lower collection chambers in fluid communication.

22. Accessory according to Claim 21, in which the said passage comprises at least one opening (18) made in the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) .

23. Accessory according to Claim 21, in which the said passage (18) comprises two opposing openings made in the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) .

24. Accessory according to any one of Claims 21^' to 23, in which the said dividing septum (40) is able to be inserted in the said collection chamber (44) through a force fit.

25. Accessory according to any one of Claims from 21 to 24, in which the said dividing septum (16, 40) is a metal material .

26. Accessory according to any one of Claims 21 to 25, in which the said dividing septum (16, 40; 50) is shaped in such a way as to form a fitting connection with a delivery pipe for the coffee infusion which extends vertically within the collection chamber (4; 44; 54) .

27. Accessory according to Claim 26, in which the said dividing septum (40) comprises an opening into which the delivery pipe for the coffee infusion which extends vertically within the collection chamber (44) can be inserted.