Automatic coffee machine

• US 7,066,079 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rex-Royal AG
• Original Assignee: HGZ Maschinenbau AG
• Inventors: Sager, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone, Timothy F.
• Application Number:
  US11/128,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 994/94, 994/95, 99286-303, 992/80, 426/433
• US Class Current: 99/280
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3614 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4403 Constructional details

Abstract

An automatic coffee machine (1) includes a sliding block (28) fixedly connected to a housing (2). A brewing unit (5) includes an upper and a lower locking element (7, 8) and a vertical tube section (4). The upper locking element (7) is alternately moved in a brewing position, a stand-by position and a parking position. The upper locking element (7) in the brewing position protrudes into the tube section (4) to attain a brewing chamber (6). The upper locking element (7) in the stand-by position does not protrude into the tube section (4) and the axis of the upper locking element (7) is aligned with the axis (9) of the tube section (4). The upper locking element (7) in the parking position does not protrude into the tube section (4) and the axis of the upper locking element (7) is not aligned with the axis (9) of the tube section (4). A pivot column (15) connected to the upper locking element (7) is moved in an axial direction, and it is rotated about its axis. The pivot column (15) includes a sliding path (23) including a first portion (24) parallel to the axis of the pivot column (15) and a second portion (25) extending in a way similar to a thread. The sliding block (28) engages the first portion (24) to alternately attain the brewing position and the stand-by position. The sliding block (28) engages the second portion (25) to alternately attain the stand-by position and the parking position.

Claims

1. An automatic coffee machine, comprising:

a housing;

a sliding block, said sliding block being fixedly connected to said housing;

a brewing unit, said brewing unit including an upper locking element having an axis, a lower locking element and a tube section having a vertical axis, said upper and lower locking elements and said tube section being designed and arranged to alternately attain a brewing position, a stand-by position and a parking position,

said upper locking element in the brewing position protruding into said tube section such that a brewing chamber is formed in which coffee can be brewed,

said upper locking element in the stand-by position not protruding into said tube section and the axis of said upper locking element being aligned with the axis of said tube section,

said upper locking element in the parking position not protruding into said tube section and the axis of said upper locking element not being aligned with the axis of said tube section;

a rotary arm, said rotary arm being connected to said upper locking element; and

a pivot column, said pivot column having a circumference and an axis, said pivot column being connected to said rotary arm, said pivot column being designed and arranged to be movable in an axial direction and to be rotatable about its axis, said pivot column including a sliding path, said sliding path including a first portion which is parallel to the axis of said pivot column and a second portion which extends about at least a part of the circumference of said pivot column in a way similar to a thread and not to be parallel to the axis of said pivot column,

said first portion of said sliding path of said pivot column being designed and arranged such that said sliding block engages said first portion to alternately attain the brewing position and the stand-by position,

said second portion of said sliding path of said pivot column being designed and arranged such that said sliding block engages said second portion to alternately attain the stand-by position and the parking position.

2. The automatic coffee machine of claim 1, further comprising a first drive, said first drive including a first motor and a first transmission, said first transmission being arranged downstream of said first motor, said first transmission being operatively connected to said first motor to be driven by said first motor, said first transmission being operatively connected to said pivot column to drive said pivot column.

3. The automatic coffee machine of claim 2, wherein said first motor has an axis and said rotary arm has an axis, the axis of said motor being arranged to be parallel to and spaced apart from the axis of said rotary arm.

4. The automatic coffee machine of claim 3, wherein said first motor is arranged above said first transmission.

5. The automatic coffee machine of claim 2, further comprising a pivoted coffee removing element, said pivoted coffee removing element being designed and arranged to be pivoted to remove a tablet of coffee powder from said lower locking element after use of the tablet of coffee powder.

6. The automatic coffee machine of claim 5, wherein said first motor is designed and arranged to drive said pivoted coffee removing element.

7. The automatic coffee machine of claim 2, further comprising a second drive, said second, drive including a second motor and a second transmission, said second transmission including a spindle, said spindle being driven by said second motor and being operatively connected to said lower locking element such that said lower locking element is moved in said tube section in the direction of the vertical axis of said tube section.

8. The automatic coffee machine of claim 7, wherein said first and second drive are designed and arranged to be independent from one another.

9. The automatic coffee machine of claim 7, wherein said second motor has an axis and said brewing chamber has an axis, said axis of said second motor being arranged to be parallel to and spaced apart from the axis of said brewing chamber.

10. The automatic coffee machine of claim 7, wherein the axis of said second motor is arranged above said second transmission.

11. The automatic coffee machine of claim 2, wherein said first transmission includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of a toothed belt, a V-belt and two engaging gear wheels.

12. The automatic coffee machine of claim 7, wherein said second transmission includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of a toothed belt, a V-belt and two engaging gear wheels.

13. The automatic coffee machine of claim 7, wherein said first and second motor are designed as electric motors.

14. The automatic coffee machine of claim 13, wherein said first and second motor are designed as direct current electric motors.

15. The automatic coffee machine of claim 1, further comprising a guiding ring,

said guiding ring being arranged in said housing to be rotatable with respect to said housing,

said guiding ring being arranged in said housing not to be movable in an axial direction with respect to said housing,

said guiding ring being connected to an upper region of said pivot column in a way to be commonly rotated with said pivot column.

16. The automatic coffee machine of claim 15, further comprising a pivoted coffee removing element, said pivoted coffee removing element being designed and arranged to be pivoted to remove a tablet of coffee powder from said lower locking element after use of the tablet of coffee powder, said pivoted coffee removing element being fixedly connected to said guiding ring to be commonly rotated therewith.

17. The automatic coffee machine of claim 15, further comprising a non-circular connection unit, said non-circular connection unit being formed between said pivot column and said guiding ring to connect said pivot column and said guiding ring.

18. The automatic coffee machine of claim 17, wherein said non-circular connection unit includes a flattened portion and a counter stop, said flattened portion being located at said pivot column to continuously extend in an axial direction, said counter protrusion being located at said guiding ring.

19. The automatic coffee machine of claim 1, wherein

said rotary arm at its side facing away from said upper locking element is enlarged to protrude beyond said pivot column, said rotary arm includes a stop,

said housing includes a counter stop,

said counter stop being associated with said stop, said stop being designed and arranged to contact said counter stop in the brewing position.

20. The automatic coffee machine of claim 1, wherein said sliding path further includes a third portion, said end portion being designed and arranged to be parallel to the axis of said pivot column.