Machine for the Production of a Coffee-Based Drink

• US 20080202345A1
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: De'Longhi S.p.A. (De'Longhi Holding S.A.)
• Original Assignee: De'Longhi S.p.A. (De'Longhi Holding S.A.)
• Inventors: Delonghi, Giuseppe
• Application Number:
  US11/916,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20080202345A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/280
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/42 Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee coffee mills A47J42/00; coffee roasters in general A23N12/08
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/52 Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/525 the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls

Abstract

The machine for the production of a coffee-based drink comprises a software management system of a hardware system having detection means of one or more variations of the physical state of said machine and/or alimentary products useful in its operation.

Claims

1. Machine for the production of a coffee-based drink, characterised in that it comprises a software management system of a hardware system having detection means of one or more variations of the physical state of said machine and/or alimentary products useful for its operation.

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said detection means comprise capacitive sensors.

3. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises an electronic circuit capable of controlling multiple sensors by means of successive interrogations of the same so to permit controlling a high number of inputs with a single dedicated integrated circuit.

4. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said electronic circuit is a multiplexer.

5. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that said capacitive sensors comprise first and second capacitive sensors.

6. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said first capacitive sensors preferably but not unequivocally detect the presence of alimentary products useful for its operation.

7. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said second capacitive sensors preferably but unequivocally detect the physical state of said machine.

8. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said capacitive sensors comprise at least third capacitive sensors adapted to the control of the kinematic motion of said machine.

9. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said capacitive sensors comprise at least fourth capacitive sensors adapted to the control of the ground coffee powder granulometry, said software being adapted to manage the grinding grinder of said coffee in relation with the value of said granulometry.

10. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said capacitive sensors comprise at least fifth capacitive sensors adapted to detect the quality of the water contained in the collected water tub.

11. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said first capacitive sensors at least detect the presence of the coffee beans inside the containment tank of the same, the presence and the level of the water inside the tank and the presence of liquids or additional products such as milk or sugar and still others.

12. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said second capacitive sensors at least detect the presence of the water tank, the presence of the coffee grounds container and the level of the coffee grounds, the level of the water in the water collection tub, the presence of the accessories applied to said machine, for example for the realisation of milk froth, tea, long coffee, and alimentary products which are soluble in hot water.

13. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said third capacitive sensors at least detect the stopping of the upper part of the infuser group, the stopping of the bottom part of the infuser group, the presence of the extractable infuser group, the control of its correct insertion inside said machine.

14. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said electronic circuit interrogates said capacitive sensors one at a time.

15. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said electronic circuit interrogates one predetermined sensor at a time.

16. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said electronic circuit substantially simultaneously interrogates said capacitive sensors.

17. Machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said software is adapted to optimise the electrical energy consumption and confer the maximum flexibility of use to said capacitive sensors.