Automatic unit for preparing espresso coffee

• US 6,431,055 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Petroncini Impianti SRL
• Original Assignee: Petroncini Impianti SRL
• Inventors: Bonanno, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US09/775,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20010011502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 993/02.P, 993/02.R, 993/89.R, 992/95, 992/97
• US Class Current: 99/302.00P
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/36 with mechanical pressure-producing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position

Abstract

Automatic espresso coffee dispensing unit includes a hot water delivery device (2) and, for containing coffee powder or a capsule, a compartment (47, 152) to be moved into sealed relationship against the delivery device, such compartment being in the form of a cylindrical jacket (73, 41) rigid with a movable hollow body (7, 40) which is sealedly mounted on a fixed hollow body (5, 50) to create a variable volume chamber connected via a two- or three-way valve alternatively to a pressurized water source and to discharge.

Claims

1. An automatic espresso coffee dispensing unit comprising

hot water delivery means (2);

an annular body (15) axially movable in respect of said water delivery means;

a first hollow piston (7) axially movable in respect to said annular body, comprising a jacket (73) suitable to enter the central hole of said annular body;

the first hollow piston being provided by first elastic means (72) to maintain said first hollow piston in a position far from said water delivery means, and second elastic means (16) to maintain said first hollow piston in a position far from said annular body;

said jacket comprising a compartment (47) for containing coffee powder or a capsule, and being suitable to contact sealedly said delivery means;

said first hollow piston (7) being sealedly movable into the cavity of a fixed hollow body (5, 50) to create a variable volume chamber;

said chamber being connected via a two- or three-way valve alternately to a pressurized water source and to discharge;

a second piston being sealedly movable into said jacket by third elastic means;

said second piston comprising a perforated plate (94) communicating with the outside via a duct for draining brewed coffee,

and a pawl (17) securely fixed to the first hollow piston and removably and elastically inserted into a seat provided in the annular body.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base of the compartment (47) containing coffee powder consists of a perforated wall movable elastically in opposition to a spring.

3. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base of the compartment (152) containing coffee powder consists of a piston (9) presenting, for exit of the infused liquid, an axial conduit (91) extending into a tube (92) which sealedly passes through the base of the movable hollow body and the base of the fixed hollow body.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said movable hollow body (7, 40) is slidable on two rods (3, 23) which connect the fixed hollow body to the hot water delivery means, and is maintained in contact with the fixed hollow body by elastic means (72, 51).

5. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that between the movable hollow body and the hot water delivery means there is provided an annular body (15) which is mounted on the outside of said jacket (73) and can assume a withdrawn position in contact with said movable hollow body and an advanced position in contact with said delivery means.

6. A unit as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that between said annular body (15) and said movable hollow body (7) there are provided elastic means (16) arranged to advance the annular body into contact with the delivery means, and an elastic pawl (17) arranged to maintain the annular body in contact with the hollow body.

7. A unit as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said annular body (15) presents a substantially radial conduit (151) through which loose coffee powder is introduced.

8. A unit as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said annular body (15) is slidingly mounted on the rods (3) which connect the hot water delivery means (2) to the fixed hollow body (5).

9. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that between the hot water delivery means (2) and the movable hollow body (40) there is provided a plate (20) possessing a channel (21) with internally projecting ribs (22) for guiding the rim of a cup capsule (30) containing coffee powder.

10. A unit as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said plate (20) is securely fixed to the hot water delivery means (2).

11. A unit as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said support ribs (22) are interrupted in that portion overlying said jacket (41).

12. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the second piston is a capsule.

13. An automatic espresso coffee dispensing unit comprising:

hot water delivery means (2);

an annular body (15) axially movable in respect of said water delivery means;

a first hollow piston (7) axially movable in respect to said annular body, comprising a jacket (73) suitable to enter the central hole of said annular body;

the first hollow piston being provided by first elastic means (72) to maintain said first hollow piston in a position far from said water delivery means, and second elastic means (16) to maintain said first hollow piston in a position far from said annular body;

said jacket comprising a compartment (47) for containing a capsule, and being suitable to contact sealedly said delivery means;

said first hollow piston (40) being sealedly movable in respect of a fixed hollow body (50) to create a variable volume chamber;

said chamber being connected via a two- or three-way valve alternately to a pressurized water source and to discharge;

said first hollow piston comprising a duct communicating with the outside for draining brewed coffee.

14. A unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said movable hollow body (7, 40)and said annular body (15) are slidable on two rods (3, 23) which connect the fixed hollow body to the hot water delivery means.

15. A unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said annular body (15) presents a substantially radial conduit (151) through which loose coffee powder is introduced.

16. A unit as claimed in claim 13, in which said annular body is a plate (20) possessing a channel (21) with internally projecting ribs (22) for guiding the rim of a capsule (30) containing coffee powder.

17. A unit as claimed in claim 16 in which said plate (20) is securely fixed to the hot water delivery means (2).

18. A unit as claimed in claim 17, in which said support ribs (22) are interrupted in that portion overlying said jacket (41).