U.S. patent application number 10/843179 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for multi-function coffee maker and use thereof.
Invention is credited to Wei, Kun-lian.
Application Number | 20040244599 10/843179 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32331928 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wei, Kun-lian |
December 9, 2004 |
Multi-function coffee maker and use thereof
Abstract
This invention discloses a multi-function coffee maker
comprising: a casing, a cover assembly with a brewing room inside,
a water reservoir, a water pump, an electric heater, a water
distributor assembly, a control valve assembly and a base assembly,
wherein, said coffee maker further comprises more than one brewing
accessory, which may be either an espresso coffee brewing
accessory, or a drip coffee brewing accessory, or a tea brewing
accessory; said brewing accessories are interchangeable and can be
loaded within said brewing room of said cover assembly to form an
individual brewing chamber; said water reservoir assembly, water
pump, water distributor assembly, control valve assembly and
brewing chamber construct the water loop of said coffee maker,
water flow of different pressures may be generated within said
water loop, and water flow of suitable pressure is provided into
said brewing chamber according to the brewing requirements.
According to the present invention, drip coffee, or espresso
coffee, hot tea or ice tea may be brewed in the same coffee
machine.
Inventors: |
Wei, Kun-lian; (Zhuhai City,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS YEE & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
|
Family ID: |
32331928 |
Appl. No.: |
10/843179 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/0678 20130101;
A47J 31/3695 20130101; A47J 31/0673 20130101; A47J 31/461 20180801;
A47J 31/0615 20130101; A47J 31/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
099/279 |
International
Class: |
A23N 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2003 |
CN |
03126801.3 (CN) |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-function coffee maker comprises: a casing, a cover
assembly with a brewing room inside, a water reservoir, a water
pump, an electric heater, a water distributor assembly, a control
valve assembly and a base assembly, wherein, said coffee maker
further comprises more than one brewing accessory, which may be
either an espresso coffee brewing accessory, or a drip coffee
brewing accessory, or a tea brewing accessory; said brewing
accessories are interchangeable and can be loaded within said
brewing room of said cover assembly to form an individual brewing
chamber; said water reservoir assembly, water pump, water
distributor assembly, control valve assembly and brewing chamber
construct the water loop of said coffee maker, water flow of
different pressures may be generated within said water loop, and
water flow of suitable pressure is provided into said brewing
chamber according to the brewing requirements.
2. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, two
kinds of water flow of different pressures can be generated within
said water loop, one kind of water flow is of 0-2.5 BAR for brewing
drip coffee or tea, the other kind of water flow is of 8-10 BAR for
brewing espresso coffee.
3. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein,
said cover assembly is constructed by an upper cover and a lower
chamber joined together by an open-closed mechanism; when the cover
assembly is opened, the brewing room inside is exposed.
4. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein,
said brewing room can accommodate coffee capsules of various shapes
or specifications, coffee pods of various shapes or specifications,
coffee powder of various amount or specifications, or tea pods of
various shapes or specifications.
5. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 2, wherein,
said water distributor assembly is working in combination with the
control valve assembly; said control valve assembly is constructed
by a T-connecting valve and a guided control valve; with said
T-connecting valve, only one water pump is used for two water loops
of different pressures.
6. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein,
said T-connecting valve comprises a valve body, a relief spring, a
valve shaft and a rubber plug, wherein, the relief spring is
mounted on the valve shaft, the O-shaped ring is installed above
the rubber plug, so as to form a relief valve.
7. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein,
said brewing room includes a drip water inlet and an espresso water
inlet; water from the water reservoir is pumped by the pump, heated
by the electric heater, then distributed by the T-connecting valve,
guided controlled valve and the water distributor, finally enters
the brewing room through drip water inlet or espresso water inlet
for brewing coffee.
8. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein, in
said guided control valve, espresso coffee control lever and drip
coffee control lever are installed in parallel in the guided
control valve body; when the espresso coffee brewing accessory is
loaded and the upper brewing chamber is locked, the drip coffee
control lever is pressed down, channel A is opened by the guided
control valve and channel B is closed; when the drip coffee brewing
accessory is loaded and the upper brewing chamber is locked, the
espresso coffee control lever is pressed down, channel B is opened
by the guided control valve and channel A is closed.
9. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 8, wherein, an
O-shaped ring and a reset spring are installed under both of the
espresso coffee control lever and the drip coffee control
lever.
10. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 7, wherein, an
espresso coffee brewing accessory is loaded within said brewing
room which includes an espresso coffee capsule connected with the
espresso water inlet, a filter plate installed under the coffee
capsule, a small pod cover and a pressure limiting check valve.
11. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 7, wherein, a
drip coffee brewing accessory is loaded within said brewing room
which includes a drip coffee capsule connected with the drip coffee
inlet, a big pod seat, a big pod intermediate seat installed under
said big pod seat, a big pod elastic compression seat under said
drip coffee capsule, and a big pod spring installed at the bottom
of said big pod elastic compression seat.
12. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein,
said water distributor assembly and the control valve assembly are
working separately; said control valve assembly is constructed by a
T-connecting valve.
13. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein,
said brewing room includes a water inlet, a piston, a water inlet
plug installed under said water inlet and within the inner hole of
said piston, a guided shaft with a guided shaft spring mounted
thereon, and a V-ring mounted on said piston; said piston can move
up and down by compressing said guided shaft spring along said
guided shaft.
14. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 13, wherein,
said brewing room further includes a pressure hold valve, when it
is mounted, the pressure inside the brewing chamber is maintained
at 8-10 BAR; when it is not mounted, the pressure inside the
brewing chamber is at 0-2.5 BAR.
15. A multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, a
water injection port is installed at the back of the water
reservoir, which may be used as a handle as well.
16. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1,
wherein, to brew drip coffee or espresso coffee with coffee pods or
coffee capsules.
17. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1,
wherein, to brew drip coffee or espresso coffee with coffee
powder.
18. The use of a multi-function coffee maker according to claim 1,
wherein, to brew hot tea or ice tea with tea pods.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to a multi-function coffee maker,
which can be used to make espresso coffee or drip coffee or tea in
the same machine.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Brewing drip coffee requires 0-2.5 bar water, while brewing
espresso coffee requires 8-10 bar water. The brewing requirement
for tea is similar to that for drip coffee. The existing coffee
machine such as a coffee maker or a coffee center can be used to
make either drip coffee or espresso coffee, but can not be used to
make both of drip coffee and espresso coffee in the same
machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a
multi-function coffee maker which can be used to make espresso
coffee or drip coffee or tea in the same machine.
[0006] The coffee maker according to the present invention
comprises: a casing, a cover assembly with a brewing room inside, a
water reservoir, a water pump, an electric heater, a water
distributor assembly, a control valve assembly and a base assembly,
wherein, said coffee maker further comprises more than one brewing
accessory, which may be either an espresso coffee brewing
accessory, or a drip coffee brewing accessory, or a tea brewing
accessory; said brewing accessories are interchangeable and can be
loaded within said brewing room of said cover assembly to form an
individual brewing chamber; said water reservoir assembly, water
pump, water distributor assembly, control valve assembly and
brewing chamber construct the water loop of said coffee maker,
water flow of different pressures may be generated within said
water loop, and water flow of suitable pressure is provided into
said brewing chamber according to the brewing requirements.
[0007] Preferably, two kinds of water flow of different pressures
can be generated within said water loop, one kind of water flow is
of 0-2.5 BAR for brewing drip coffee or tea, the other kind of
water flow is of 8-10 BAR for brewing espresso coffee.
[0008] Said brewing room may be fixed or replaceable, which can
accommodate coffee capsules of various shapes or specifications,
coffee pods of various shapes or specifications, coffee powder of
various amount or specifications, or tea pods of various shapes or
specifications.
[0009] Said coffee pods or coffee capsules may be used to brew drip
coffee or espresso coffee.
[0010] Said coffee powder may be used to brew drip coffee or
espresso coffee.
[0011] Said tea pods may be used to brew hot tea or ice tea.
[0012] With the above mentioned technical scheme adopted, drip
coffee, or espresso coffee, hot tea or ice tea may be brewed in the
same coffee machine by using different kinds of brewing
accessories, coffee capsules, coffee pods, coffee powder or tea
pods. The present invention is a significant innovation to the
mono-function coffee makers existing in the market.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1a is a front perspective view of the multi-function
coffee maker according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1b is a back perspective view of the multi-function
coffee maker according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the open-close mechanism
of the cover assembly of the multi-function coffee maker according
to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3a is a schematic view showing the working principle
when the water distributor assembly is working in combination with
the control valve assembly;
[0017] FIG. 3b is a schematic view showing the working principle
when the water distributor assembly and the control valve assembly
are working separately;
[0018] FIG. 4a is a schematic view showing the brewing room
suitable for accommodating the coffee capsule with the cover
assembly closed;
[0019] FIG. 4b is a schematic view showing the brewing room
suitable for accommodating the coffee capsule with the cover
assembly opened;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the brewing chamber with an
espresso coffee capsule loaded according to the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the brewing chamber with a
drip coffee capsule loaded according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7a is a schematic view of the brewing chamber with an
espresso coffee pod or espresso coffee powder loaded according to
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7b is a schematic view of the brewing chamber with a
drip coffee pod, drip coffee powder or a tea pod loaded according
to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7c is a sectional view of FIG. 7a or FIG. 7b along K-K
line;
[0025] FIG. 7d is a sectional view of FIG. 7a or FIG. 7b along K-K
line with the piston in the compression position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The present invention will be described in details in
combination with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the coffee maker according to
the present invention comprises a casing 500, a cover assembly 100
with a brewing room inside, a water reservoir 600, a water pump, an
electric heater, a water distributor assembly 900, a control valve
assembly, a base assembly 800 and a drip tray 700.
[0028] Said coffee maker further comprises more than one brewing
accessory, which may be either an espresso coffee brewing
accessory, a drip coffee brewing accessory or a tea brewing
accessory. Said brewing accessories are interchangeable and can be
loaded within said brewing room of said cover assembly to form an
individual brewing chamber.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, said cover assembly 100 is constructed
by an upper cover and a lower chamber joined together by an
open-closed mechanism. Said open-close mechanism includes a rotary
knob 50, a latch 51, a lock seat 52 and a hinge axle 53. By rotary
knob 50, the latch 51 leaves away from the lock seat 52. By
rotating the upper cover around the hinge axle 53, the cover
assembly 100 is opened, and the brewing room inside is exposed.
Load the brewing accessory inside the brewing room, close the cover
assembly 100, then the latch 51 returns to the lock seat 52
automatically under the effect of the spring force, thus the
brewing chamber is formed.
[0030] Said brewing room may be fixed or replaceable, which can
accommodate coffee capsules of various shapes or specifications,
coffee pods of various shapes or specifications, coffee powder of
various amount or specifications, or tea pods of various shapes or
specifications.
[0031] Said coffee pods or coffee capsules may be used to brew drip
coffee or espresso coffee.
[0032] Said coffee powder may be used to brew drip coffee or
espresso coffee.
[0033] Said tea pods may be used to brew hot tea or ice tea.
[0034] Said water reservoir assembly 600, water pump, water
distributor assembly 900, control valve assembly and brewing
chamber construct the water loop of said coffee maker, and water
flow of different pressures may be generated within said water
loop. Thereby, water flow of suitable pressure is provided into
said brewing chamber according to the brewing requirements.
[0035] Preferably, two kinds of water flow of different pressures
can be generated within said water loop, one kind of water flow is
of 0-2.5 BAR for brewing drip coffee or tea, the other kind of
water flow is of 8-10 BAR for brewing espresso coffee.
[0036] FIG. 3a is a schematic view showing the working principle
when the water distributor assembly is working in combination with
the control valve assembly. It is suitable for brewing coffee with
coffee capsules.
[0037] Said control valve assembly is constructed by a T-connecting
valve and a guided control valve. With said T-connecting valve,
only one water pump is used for two water loops of different
pressures. Said water loops of two different pressures are opened
respectively to the brewing chamber loaded with either drip coffee
brewing accessory, or espresso coffee brewing accessory or tea
brewing accessory. Thereby, two different kinds of working modes
are provided.
[0038] Alternatively, separate pumps may be used in the water
loop.
[0039] The T-connecting valve comprises a valve body 20, a relief
spring 21, a valve shaft 22 and a rubber plug 24, wherein, the
relief spring 21 is mounted on the valve shaft 22, the O-shaped
ring 23 is installed above the rubber plug 24, so as to form a
relief valve.
[0040] In said guided control valve, espresso coffee control lever
25 and drip coffee control lever 26 are installed in parallel in
the guided control valve body 27. An O-shaped ring 28 and a reset
spring 29 are installed under both of the espresso coffee control
lever 25 and the drip coffee control lever 26.
[0041] When the espresso coffee brewing accessory is loaded, the
espresso coffee control lever 25 is pushed down, the drip coffee
control lever 26 remains at the original position, i.e., channel A
is opened, channel B is closed. Rotate the control knob 30 to a
certain working mode to actuate the pump, the water heated by the
electric heater enters the T-connecting valve, then the guided
control valve, and finally outflows through channel A, thus, 6-10
BAR is obtained inside the brewing chamber for brewing espresso
coffee. When the drip coffee brewing accessory is loaded, the drip
coffee control lever 26 is pushed down, the espresso coffee control
lever 25 remains at the original position under the effect of the
reset spring 28, i.e., channel A is closed, channel B is opened. To
overcome the elastic force of the relief spring 21 of the
T-connecting valve, the water pressure in the loop is reduced by
7-8 BAR. Water flow entering the guided control valve outflows
through channel B, thus, 0-2.5 BAR is obtained inside the brewing
chamber for brewing drip coffee or tea.
[0042] Said water distributor assembly 900 consists of control knob
30, water distributor 33, distributor cover 32, distributor lever
31, sealed ring 35, reset spring 34, etc. By rotating the control
knob 30 to compress or release the distributor lever 31, water loop
is opened or disconnected, thus, the water loop with one inlet and
two outlets is formed. The control principle is similar to that of
said guided control valve.
[0043] FIG. 3b is a schematic view showing the working principle
when the water distributor assembly and the control valve assembly
are working separately. It is suitable for brewing coffee or tea
with coffee pods, coffee powder, or tea pods.
[0044] By rotating the control knob 30 to a certain working mode to
open channel C and simultaneously actuate the pump, water heated by
the electric heater enters the T-connecting valve, then the water
distributor, finally outflows through channel C to enter the
brewing chamber. After brewing, by rotating the control knob 30 to
a certain working mode to open channel E, water from the brewing
chamber enters the T-connecting valve through the water-feeding
opening D. Water flow through the water-feeding opening D opens the
relief valve, enters the water distributor, then outflows through
channel E, and is collected by the drip tray.
[0045] Said water distributor assembly and control valve assembly
can be used in combination or separately. When they are working in
combination, three kinds of working modes can be provided such as
close, low pressure and high pressure. When they are working
separately, in combination with the brewing accessory and the
pressure hold valve, two kinds of working modes can be provided
such as low pressure and high pressure
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the brewing room is suitable
for accommodating the coffee capsule. Said brewing room includes a
drip water inlet and an espresso water inlet.
[0047] Water from the water reservoir is pumped by the pump, heated
by the electric heater, then distributed by the T-connecting valve,
guided controlled valve and the water distributor, finally enters
the brewing room through drip water inlet or espresso water inlet
for brewing coffee.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, an espresso coffee brewing accessory is
loaded which includes an espresso coffee capsule 3 connected with
the espresso water inlet 2, a filter plate 6 installed under the
coffee capsule 3, a small pod cover 1 and a pressure limiting check
valve consisting of a small pod seat 5, a discharge plug 8 with a
spring 9 thereon and a discharge plug cover 10. Said water
discharge plug 8 is installed under said filter plate 6, said plug
cover 10 is installed at the water outlet, and a small pod sealing
ring 7 is installed at the contact point between said filter plate
6 and said small pod seat 5. The guided control valve 11 is
installed under the lower brewing chamber 13, and the small pod
cover 1 is installed under the upper brewing chamber 4.
[0049] After the upper brewing chamber 4 is locked, the drip coffee
control lever 25 is pressed down by the small pod seat 5. Then,
channel A is opened by the guided control valve and channel B is
closed. By rotating the control knob 30 to a certain working mode
to actuate the pump, water heated by the electric heater enters the
brewing chamber via the espresso water inlet and espresso coffee is
made. Said pressure limiting check valve keeps the pressure within
the brewing chamber at the range of 8-10 BAR when brewing espresso
coffee.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, a drip coffee brewing accessory is
loaded which includes a drip coffee capsule 17 connected with the
drip coffee inlet 14, a big pod seat 15 installed under the upper
brewing chamber 4, a big pod intermediate seat 16 installed under
said big pod seat 15, a big pod elastic compression seat 18 under
said drip coffee capsule 17, and a big pod spring 19 installed at
the bottom of said big pod elastic compression seat 18.
[0051] After the upper brewing chamber 4 is locked, the drip coffee
control lever 26 is pressed down by the big pod seat 15. Then,
channel B is opened by the guided control valve and channel A is
closed. By rotating the control knob 30 to a certain working mode
to actuate the pump, water heated by the electric heater enters the
brewing chamber via the drip water inlet and drip coffee is
made.
[0052] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d show the brewing room suitable for
accommodating a coffee pod or coffee powder or a tea pod. Said
brewing room includes a water inlet 40, a piston 48, a water inlet
plug 43 installed under said water inlet 40 and within the inner
hole of said piston 48, a guided shaft 45 with a guided shaft
spring 46 mounted thereon, and a V-ring 47 mounted on said piston
48; said piston 48 can move up and down by compressing said guided
shaft spring 46 along said guided shaft 45. Water from the pump is
heated by the electric heater, and distributed by the water
distributor and the T-connecting valve, finally, enters the brewing
chamber via the water inlet 40 for brewing coffee.
[0053] A pressure hold valve 39 is also provided, when it is
mounted, the pressure inside the brewing chamber is maintained at
8-10 BAR, which is suitable for brewing espresso coffee. When it is
not mounted, the pressure inside the brewing chamber is at 0-2.5
BAR, which is suitable for brewing drip coffee or tea.
[0054] FIGS. 7a, 7c, and 7d show the brewing chamber when an
espresso coffee brewing accessory is loaded, which includes
espresso coffee pod or espresso coffee powder 37, filter plate 38
and pressure hold valve 39.
[0055] FIGS. 7b, 7c, and 7d shows the brewing chamber when a drip
coffee brewing accessory is loaded, which includes a filter plate
38, drip coffee pod or drip coffee powder 41.
[0056] After loading the brewing accessory, close the cover
assembly 100, rotate the control knob 30 to open channel C and
actuate the pump. Water from the water reservoir 600 enters the
T-connecting valve through the pump, and outflows through channel C
of the water distributor 900. Then, water enters the piston 48 from
the periphery of the water inlet plug 43 via the water inlet 40.
The piston 48 moves downwards to the brewing accessory by
compressing the guided shaft spring 46 along the guided shaft 45,
and thus, with the aid of an O-shaped ring 49, a tightly sealed
brewing chamber is formed. When the piston 48 reaches the
compression position, the inlet plug 43 is blocked by the piston
head 44 and will not move downwards along with the piston 48. Then,
the inlet plug 43 and the piston 48 is no longer in the sealing
status, water enters the brewing accessory through the inner hole
of the piston 48, and thus, the espresso coffee, drip coffee or tea
is made. After brewing, rotate the control knob 30 to shut off the
pump, to open channel E and the relief water loop. The piston 48
moves upwards along the guided shaft 45 under effect of the spring
46, then the water plug 43 and the piston 48 are in the sealing
status, the water within the piston 48 is forced to return to the
T-connecting valve along the water-feeding opening D, enters the
water distributor 900 via the water discharge channel E, and
outflows into the drip tray. After that, the cover assembly 100 can
be opened, the brewing accessory can be taken out, and thus the
brewing is completed.
[0057] Said water reservoir assembly 600 may be replaceable or
fixed. A water injection port 300 is installed at the back of the
water reservoir, which may be used as a handle as well. Cold water
may be filled by opening the water reservoir cover, or through the
water injection port without opening the water reservoir cover.
[0058] Said drip tray assembly 700 is located below the brewed
coffee outlet and is detachably connected with the base assembly
800, so as to be easy for detachment and clean.
* * * * *