Detection and display device for automatic service expresso coffee machine

• US 4,787,299 A
• Filed: 02/09/1988
• Issued: 11/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean-Pierre Levi, Mario Levi
• Original Assignee: Jean-Pierre Levi, Mario Levi
• Inventors: Levi, Jean-Pierre, Levi, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): JENKINS, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/153,924
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 99/279, 99/280, 99/281, 99/282, 99/283, 99/285, 99/286, 99/289 R, 99/295, 426/433
• US Class Current: 99/285
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0657 for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0668 specially adapted for cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/402 Liquid dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4464 by means of bayonet-type engagement
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4492 Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 42/44 Automatic starting or stopping devices bag clamps with means for actuating switches A47J42/40; Warning devices

Abstract

The invention concerns a detection and display device for automatic service expresso coffee machine which automatically outputs and displays water or ground coffee doses according to the capacity of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder of the coffee machine.

Detection and display are obtained by means of an actuator-detector system generating electric signals, such as one or more magnetic elements (5) mounted on filter-holder bowl (1) and a Hall effect detector (A) mounted on bowl-holder (11) of the coffee grinder or coffee machine.

Claims

1. Detection and display device for automatic service expresso coffee machine which automatically outputs and displays the number of ground coffee or water doses required for the desired infusion quantity, depending on the capacity of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder of the coffee grinder or coffee machine;

automatic detection and display of the number of ground coffee or water doses according to the capacity of the filter-holder bowl are obtained by means of an actuator mounted on the filter-holder bowl and a detector mounted on the bowl-holder of the coffee grinder or coffee machine, characterized in that the actuator and detector form a system generating electric signals the number of which corresponds to the capacity in cups of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder, in that display of the number of cups corresponding to the capacity of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder is obtained by means of an electronic readout (14) and in that the number of water doses corresponding to the capacity of the filter-holder bowl engaged and the desired coffee strength is obtained by means of an electronic circuit controlled by strength selection keys (11 and

     12) connecting the detector mounted on the bowl-holder to the water metering device (17).

2. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that the actuator-detector system generates electric signals the number of which corresponds to the capacity in cups of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder consists of bars traced on the edge of the filter-holder bowl and a bar code reader mounted on the bowl-holder or the coffee machine body.

3. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that the actuator-detector system generating electric signals the number of which corresponds to the capacity in cups of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder consists of a color pad mounted on the filter-holder bowl and a color detector mounted on the bowl-holder or the coffee machine body.

4. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that the actuator-detector system generating electric signals the number of which corresponds to the capacity in cups of the filter-holder bowl engaged on the bowl-holder consists of magnetic elements (5) mounted on the filter-holder bowl (1) and a Hall effect detector (A) mounted on the bowl-holder.

5. Device as per claim 4, characterized in that magnetic element(s) (5) mounted on filter-holder bowl (1) are inserted in one or more cavities (2a) provided on the edge of one of mounting ears (2) of filter-holder bowl (1).

6. Device as per claim 5, characterized in that the number of cavities (2a) and magnetic elements (5) mounted on filter-holder bowl (1) corresponds to the number of outlets of distribution nozzle (4, 7 or 9) of filter-holder bowl (1).

7. Device as per claim 4, characterized in that Hall effect detector (A) on bowl-holders (11) of the coffee grinder or coffee machine is located radially at such an angle and in such a position that it is scanned by magnetic element(s) (5) mounted on filter-holder bowls (1) when the filter-holder bowls are engaged.

8. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit connecting detector (A) to water metering system (17) consists of amplifier (C), signal converter (D), counter (E), decoder (F), readout (14) and comparator (G).

9. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that control keypad (15) of the coffee machine includes electronic readout (14), the two strength selection keys (11 and 12), a continuous operation control key (16) and a manual or automatic operation key (13), all of which are surmounted by an operation indicator light (18).