Multi-function coffee maker and use thereof

• US 20040244599A1
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kun-Lian Wei
• Original Assignee: Kun-Lian Wei
• Inventors: Wei, Kun-lian
• Application Number:
  US10/843,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20040244599A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/279
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0615 with special arrangements for making tea or the like, e.g. where the infusion liquid is kept a certain time in the filter before flowing out
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0673 Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0678 Means to separate the cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber, e.g. grooves or protrusions
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/36 with mechanical pressure-producing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3695 Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/461 Valves, e.g. drain valves

Abstract

This invention discloses a multi-function coffee maker comprising: a casing, a cover assembly with a brewing room inside, a water reservoir, a water pump, an electric heater, a water distributor assembly, a control valve assembly and a base assembly, wherein, said coffee maker further comprises more than one brewing accessory, which may be either an espresso coffee brewing accessory, or a drip coffee brewing accessory, or a tea brewing accessory; said brewing accessories are interchangeable and can be loaded within said brewing room of said cover assembly to form an individual brewing chamber; said water reservoir assembly, water pump, water distributor assembly, control valve assembly and brewing chamber construct the water loop of said coffee maker, water flow of different pressures may be generated within said water loop, and water flow of suitable pressure is provided into said brewing chamber according to the brewing requirements. According to the present invention, drip coffee, or espresso coffee, hot tea or ice tea may be brewed in the same coffee machine.

Claims

1. A multi-function coffee maker comprises:

a casing, a cover assembly with a brewing room inside, a water reservoir, a water pump, an electric heater, a water distributor assembly, a control valve assembly and a base assembly, wherein, said coffee maker further comprises more than one brewing accessory, which may be either an espresso coffee brewing accessory, or a drip coffee brewing accessory, or a tea brewing accessory;

said brewing accessories are interchangeable and can be loaded within said brewing room of said cover assembly to form an individual brewing chamber;

said water reservoir assembly, water pump, water distributor assembly, control valve assembly and brewing chamber construct the water loop of said coffee maker, water flow of different pressures may be generated within said water loop, and water flow of suitable pressure is provided into said brewing chamber according to the brewing requirements.

2. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, two kinds of water flow of different pressures can be generated within said water loop, one kind of water flow is of 0-2.5 BAR for brewing drip coffee or tea, the other kind of water flow is of 8-10 BAR for brewing espresso coffee.

3. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, said cover assembly is constructed by an upper cover and a lower chamber joined together by an open-closed mechanism;

when the cover assembly is opened, the brewing room inside is exposed.

4. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, said brewing room can accommodate coffee capsules of various shapes or specifications, coffee pods of various shapes or specifications, coffee powder of various amount or specifications, or tea pods of various shapes or specifications.

5. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 2, wherein, said water distributor assembly is working in combination with the control valve assembly;

said control valve assembly is constructed by a T-connecting valve and a guided control valve;

with said T-connecting valve, only one water pump is used for two water loops of different pressures.

6. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein, said T-connecting valve comprises a valve body, a relief spring, a valve shaft and a rubber plug, wherein, the relief spring is mounted on the valve shaft, the O-shaped ring is installed above the rubber plug, so as to form a relief valve.

7. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein, said brewing room includes a drip water inlet and an espresso water inlet;

water from the water reservoir is pumped by the pump, heated by the electric heater, then distributed by the T-connecting valve, guided controlled valve and the water distributor, finally enters the brewing room through drip water inlet or espresso water inlet for brewing coffee.

8. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein, in said guided control valve, espresso coffee control lever and drip coffee control lever are installed in parallel in the guided control valve body;

when the espresso coffee brewing accessory is loaded and the upper brewing chamber is locked, the drip coffee control lever is pressed down, channel A is opened by the guided control valve and channel B is closed;

when the drip coffee brewing accessory is loaded and the upper brewing chamber is locked, the espresso coffee control lever is pressed down, channel B is opened by the guided control valve and channel A is closed.

9. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 8, wherein, an O-shaped ring and a reset spring are installed under both of the espresso coffee control lever and the drip coffee control lever.

10. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 7, wherein, an espresso coffee brewing accessory is loaded within said brewing room which includes an espresso coffee capsule connected with the espresso water inlet, a filter plate installed under the coffee capsule, a small pod cover and a pressure limiting check valve.

11. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 7, wherein, a drip coffee brewing accessory is loaded within said brewing room which includes a drip coffee capsule connected with the drip coffee inlet, a big pod seat, a big pod intermediate seat installed under said big pod seat, a big pod elastic compression seat under said drip coffee capsule, and a big pod spring installed at the bottom of said big pod elastic compression seat.

12. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, said water distributor assembly and the control valve assembly are working separately;

said control valve assembly is constructed by a T-connecting valve.

13. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein, said brewing room includes a water inlet, a piston, a water inlet plug installed under said water inlet and within the inner hole of said piston, a guided shaft with a guided shaft spring mounted thereon, and a V-ring mounted on said piston;

said piston can move up and down by compressing said guided shaft spring along said guided shaft.

14. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 13, wherein, said brewing room further includes a pressure hold valve, when it is mounted, the pressure inside the brewing chamber is maintained at 8-10 BAR;

when it is not mounted, the pressure inside the brewing chamber is at 0-2.5 BAR.

15. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, a water injection port is installed at the back of the water reservoir, which may be used as a handle as well.

16. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, to brew drip coffee or espresso coffee with coffee pods or coffee capsules.

17. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, to brew drip coffee or espresso coffee with coffee powder.

18. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, to brew hot tea or ice tea with tea pods.