Platen assembly for coffee maker using pre-dosaged coffee filter packets

• US 5,531,152 A
• Filed: 01/05/1995
• Issued: 07/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grimac Royal Falcon Corp.
• Original Assignee: Grimac Royal Falcon Corp.
• Inventors: Gardosi, Giancarlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/369,129
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 99/279, 99/289 R, 99/293, 99/295, 99/297, 99/298, 99/304, 99/289 D, 99/289 T, 426/77, 426/80, 426/82, 426/432, 426/433
• US Class Current: 99/289.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/368 Permeable cartridges being employed

Abstract

An espresso coffee machine that includes a pad receiving holder for receiving disposable coffee pad containing a predetermined amount of finely ground coffee beans from which espresso or cappuccino coffee is prepared. The pad receiving holder includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a first surface in fluid communication with at least one of a supply of steam and hot water and the second member has a second surface in fluid communication with a spout. The first member and the second member are movable between an open position for receiving a coffee pad and a closed position for forming, between the first surface and the second surface, a chamber to contain the coffee pad, whereby in the closed position the at least one of a supply of steam and hot water to pass through the chamber containing a coffee pad and to discharge as espresso coffee from the spout.

Claims

1. A coffee machine that utilizes a coffee pad containing a predetermined amount of ground coffee from which espresso or cappuccino coffee is prepared, said coffee machine comprising:

means for supplying at least one of steam and hot water;

a first upper chamber member having a first surface connected via a first passage to said supply means;

a second lower chamber member having a second surface connected via a second passage to a spout;

said first member and said second member being movable between an open position for receiving a coffee pad and a closed position for forming, between said first surface and said second surface, a closed sealed chamber to contain the coffee pad so that in said closed position the at least one of a supply of steam and hot water passes through said chamber containing a coffee pad and discharges as espresso coffee from said spout; and

movable means for moving said first member and said second member between said open position and said closed position thereof, said movable means including a platen attached to said second member, two spaced apart vertical posts on which said platen is vertically and reciprocally movable, a horizontally-pivotal elongate handle, a stationery first cam member attached to said platen and a rotatable second cam member attached to said handle and disposed beneath and cammingly engaged with said stationary first cam member, said first and second cam members being configured and dimensioned such that when said handle is pivoted horizontally from one side to another said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lifts said first cam member upward to, in turn, move said platen and said lower chamber member into said closed position and, conversely, when said handle is pivoted in the opposite direction, said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lowers said first cam member and, in turn, said platen and said second lower chamber member to said open position.

2. The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein said second surface of said second member includes a centrally disposed filter member.

3. The coffee machine according to claim 2, wherein said filter member has a plurality of apertures for passage of at least one of steam, hot water and espresso coffee.

4. The coffee machine according to claim 3, wherein said filter member is formed from metal.

5. The coffee machine according to claim 3, wherein said filter member is formed from stainless steel.

6. The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein said first surface is cup-shaped for receiving a coffee pad.

7. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein said second surface is cup-shaped for receiving a coffee pad.

8. The method for preparing espresso coffee from a disposable coffee pad containing finely ground coffee beans, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an espresso coffee machine having means for supplying at least one of steam and hot water, a first upper chamber member having a first surface connected via a first passage to said supply means, a second lower chamber member having a second surface connected via a second passage to a spout, said first member and said second member being movable between an open position for receiving a coffee pad and a closed position for forming, between said first surface and said second surface, a closed sealed chamber to contain the coffee pad, so that in said closed position the at least one of a supply of steam and hot water passes through said chamber containing a coffee pad and discharges as espresso coffee from said spout, and movable means for moving said first member and said second member between said open position and said closed position thereof, said movable means including a platen attached to said second member, two spaced apart vertical posts on which said platen is vertically and reciprocally movable, a horizontally-pivotal elongate handle, a stationery first cam member attached to said platen end a rotatable second cam member attached to said handle and disposed beneath and cammingly engaged with said stationary first cam member, said first and a second cam members being configured and dimensioned such that when said handle is pivoted horizontally from one side to another said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lifts said first cam member upward to, in turn, move said platen and said lower chamber member into said closed position and, conversely, when said handle is pivoted in the opposite direction, said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lowers said first cam member and, in turn, said platen and said second lower chamber member to said open position;

inserting a disposable coffee pad between said first upper chamber member and said second lower chamber member;

moving at least one of said first member and said second member to said closed position to contain the disposable coffee pad in said chamber; and

permitting at least one of said supply of steam and hot water into said first member to pass through said chamber containing a coffee pad and to discharge as espresso coffee from said spout.