Device for the preparation of a coffee-based drink

• US 7,464,636 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PSR Profitable Strategic Redeployment Sarl
• Original Assignee: Jean-Paul Gaillard
• Inventors: Mariller, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone; Timothy F.
• Application Number:
  US10/566,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20060196362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 994/95, 994/52, 99275-277, 993/48, 99279-307, 993/23
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0652 with means to by-pass a quantity of water, e.g. to adjust beverage strength
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0668 specially adapted for cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0673 Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/36 with mechanical pressure-producing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3623 Cartridges being employed with tape of cartridges A47J31/3652

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the preparation of a coffee-based drink by extracting a dose of ground coffee contained in a capsule (8). Said device comprises a water reservoir (1), a pump (2), a heating body (15) and a water injection element (9) which are successively linked by means of a water supply line(3). The device also comprises the following items disposed in the extension of the water injection element (9): a capsule holder (7) and an outlet (10) for the water-coffee mixture. The capsule holder (7) is adapted in such a way that it can be fixed and manually removed from the device and comprises means for containing a coffee capsule (8) so that pressurized water from the water injection element (9) can flow through the capsule (8) and flow through the outlet (10). The inventive device is characterized in that it also comprises a derivation line (5) whereby one end thereof is connected to the water supply line (3) and comprises hydraulic means on the other end thereof, which are adapted in such a way that they can control the a coffee-water mixture discharged through the outlet (10). The inventive device also comprises a valve (4) which is disposed in such a way as to enable the discharge of water in the derivation line (5) when a predetermined pressure is obtained. The inventive device makes it possible for the user to define the pressure of the coffee-water mixture

Claims

1. A device for preparing a coffee-based drink by extracting a dose of ground coffee contained in a capsule, said device comprising

a water tank,

a pump,

a heater body, and

a water injection member connected successively via a water inlet pipe;

said device also comprising, disposed in an extension of the water injection member, a capsule-carrier and an outlet orifice for a water-coffee mixture, the capsule-carrier being suitable for being manually attached to and removed from the device and comprises means for containing a capsule of coffee, so that the pressurized water originating from the water injection member can pass through the capsule and pass through the outlet orifice,

said device also comprising a single branch pipe, said branch pipe being connected at one of its ends to the water inlet pipe and comprises, at the other of its ends, hydraulic means suitable for controlling the outflow of a water-coffee mixture through the outlet orifice; and

said device also comprising a valve placed on the branch pipe, said valve being suitable either to be open and allow the water to flow into the branch pipe when a preset pressure is reached, or closed and close off any flow in the branch pipe when said preset pressure is not yet reached.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means of adjustment, by a user, of said preset pressure.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is pressure-sensitive.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic means comprise a stopper which alternatively closes off or releases the flow of a water-coffee mixture through the outlet orifice.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capsule-carrier comprises at least one outflow orifice and that the hydraulic means are placed so as to be able to close off said orifice.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic means comprise at least one perforation member which, when it is activated, perforates a capsule placed on the capsule-carrier and thereby allows a water-coffee mixture to flow through the outlet orifice.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic means comprise a flexible reservoir which, when it swells following the arrival of water, operates means which release the outflow of a water-coffee mixture through the outlet orifice.