Infusion apparatus and method

• US 3,918,355 A
• Filed: 03/04/1974
• Issued: 11/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Weber
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henderson, Arthur O.
• Application Number:
  US05/482,639
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 99/302,281-282,283,292-293,294,297,299 222/146,319,386
• US Class Current: 99/283
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/057 with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/38 operated by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/461 Valves, e.g. drain valves

Abstract

An apparatus for the preparation of an infusion of coffee or the like includes a first chamber in which a liquid is heated to a predetermined temperature. A material to be infused with the liquid is contained in a second chamber which is in fluid communication with the first chamber through a passage extending above the liquid level in the first chamber. A weight dimensioned to fit closely inside the first chamber is latched in position above the liquid surface. When the liquid has been heated to the predetermined temperature, the weight is released and descends through the first chamber, trapping air underneath it. The weight forces the hot liquid under substantially constant pressure from the first chamber through the passage into the second chamber to form the infusion therein. The trapped air is then forced through the material to remove any remaining excess liquid. Means is provided for compensating for variations in the ambient temperature, as it may affect repeated operations of the apparatus. A restriction is provided for controlling the rate of flow. In one embodiment, at the inlet to the second chamber, a bimetallic disc valve is positioned for controlling the rate of flow of the hot liquid into the second chamber, for allowing initial flooding of the infusion chamber, and for preventing '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'channelling'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' of the liquid directly through the material to be infused. In a second embodiment, the outlet from the second chamber is restricted.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a quantity of a heated liquid comprising:

a. a chamber adapted to contain a liquid to be heated, said chamber including an upper portion, open at its top, and a narrower lower portion having an outlet at its bottom;

b. means for heating the liquid in said chamber;

c. a weight movable from an upper position within said upper portion and above the surface of the liquid to a lower position at the bottom of said chamber, said weight fitting closely within the lower portion and thereby as it descends closing the top of the lower portion and forcing the heated liquid under pressure through the outlet;

d. latch means movable between a latching position in which it holds the weight in its upper position and a retracted position in which the weight is free to descend;

e. means biasing said latch means toward its latching position;

f. means responsive to the temperature of the heated liquid; and

g. mechanical means operable by the temperature responsive means when the liquid has been heated to the predetermined temperature to move said latch to its retracted position against the force of said biasing means, thereby allowing the weight to descend to its lower posiition, and forcing the heated liquid through said outlet.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which:

a. said mechanical means includes;

i. a first sleeve fixed centrally in an aperture in the bottom of said chamber and extending upwardly therefrom;

ii. a second sleeve fixed centrally within said weight, said second sleeve being slidable on the exterior of the first sleeve; and

iii. a push rod slidable within said first sleeve and extending below the lower end thereof;

b. said latch means includes;

i. a latch member movable radially in said first sleeve between a latching position in which it projects outwardly through an opening in said first sleeve and is effective to limit the downward movement of the second sleeve and a retracted position in which the latch member is located completely within the outer surface of the first sleeve and the second sleeve is free to descend;

ii. spring means biasing the latch member to its latching position; and

c. the upper end of said push rod acts against said spring means and is thereby effective to cause movement of the latch to its retracted position and allow the weight and the second sleeve to descend.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, in which:

a. said latch member is a lever pivotally mounted within a slot in said first sleeve;

b. said spring means acts horizontally on the lever; and

c. the upper end of said push rod and the lower end of the lever have cooperating cam surfaces effective to move the lower end of the lever towards its retracted position when the push rod is moved upwardly.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2, in which:

a. said latch member comprises at least one ball captured within an aperture in the first sleeve and movable therein;

b. said spring acts downwardly on the push rod; and

c. said push rod has a cam surface which allows the ball to move inwardly under the force of the weight when the push rod is moved upwardly by the temperature responsive means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said temperature responsive means comprises:

a. a first bimetallic strip having one end in heat conductive relation with said heating means; and

b. a second bimetallic strip fixed on the opposite end of the first bimetallic strip and having its opposite end immediately under the push rod, said second bimetallic strip acting in the opposite sense to said first strip and being effective to compensate the action of the first bimetallic strip for variations in the ambient temperature.