Foods and beverages: apparatus – Beverage – Infusors
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-06
2001-09-11
Alexander, Reginald L. (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Beverage
Infusors
C099S294000, C099S290000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286416
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coffee-making apparatus having a water reservoir, a filter device, means for heating and conveying water from the water reservoir to the filter device, and having a device for the generation of steam, comprising a steam reservoir, a water supply conduit between the water reservoir and the steam reservoir, for supplying cold water to the steam reservoir, a steam outlet conduit having a steam valve and means for heating the water in the steam reservoir.
Such a coffee-making apparatus is known from EP-A-0 797 945. In said coffee-making apparatus cold water from the water reservoir is heated in a flow heater, after which the hot water is optionally conveyed either to the filter device for brewing coffee or to the steam reservoir. In the steam reservoir steam and water are separated. The steam is fed to a steam nozzle via a pipe. The hot water flows into the bottom of the steam reservoir and then back to the flow heater, where it is heated further and is subsequently fed again to the steam reservoir. Owing to a number of restrictions and non-return valves a water circulation is obtained in order to make the water in the steam reservoir as hot as possible and build up pressure in the steam reservoir. The restrictions restrict the water flow to the flow heater in such a manner that after some time substantially all the water fed to the flow heater is discharged to the steam reservoir as steam.
In order to obtain a cup of cappucino it is required to have enough steam for making the milk frothy as soon as possible after the regular coffee has been made. In espresso machines this steam is available immediately. However, espresso machines are comparatively expensive coffee-making apparatuses. The apparatus described hereinbefore is an example of a coffee-making apparatus with which regular coffee can be made, which is subsequently turned into cappucino by means of frothed-up milk. The drawback of this known apparatus is that it takes some time before steam is available by means of which milk can be frothed up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to make the steam for frothing up milk available as soon as possible after the coffee has been made.
To this end, the coffee-making apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the steam reservoir comprises a steam boiler having a heating element, and means have been provided for automatically venting the steam boiler when the water reservoir is filled with cold water. By means of a steam boiler having a heating element of its own steam can be generated far more rapidly than by means of the construction in accordance with EP-A-0 797 945. When the coffee-making apparatus is switched on the heating element for the boiler is also switched on. When a pot of coffee has been made the boiler is also ready for steaming. Owing to the venting facility of the boiler the boiler is automatically filled with water when the water reservoir is refilled with cold water. This means that immediately after one pot of coffee has been made another pot of coffee can be made by filling the water reservoir with cold water, upon which the boiler is vented automatically and is subsequently filled with water, as a result of which steam is available again immediately after coffee has been made.
A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the steam boiler has been provided with a temperature sensor and a venting valve which is responsive to the sensor, which sensor, on the one hand, is thermally coupled to the boiler and, on the other hand, is arranged in the proximity of a cold water supply duct of the boiler so as to make thermal contact with the cold water in the supply duct. When the heating element for the boiler is energized the housing parts of the boiler become hot. Since the sensor is in thermal contact with the housing of the boiler, the sensor responds thereto and the venting valve is closed. The temperature of the water in the boiler rises and at the boiling temperature the boiler is pressurized, as a result of which steam can be produced. By arranging the sensor close to or in a cold-water supply duct of the boiler the sensor will respond immediately to the influx of cold water, as a result of which the venting valve opens. Subsequently, the boiler is filled with water. After the influx of water into the boiler has ceased the temperature of the parts of the boiler rises again and, consequently, the temperature of the sensor also rises, as a result of which the venting valve is closed gain.
Preferably, the sensor is a memory-metal spring having an actuator, which spring is situated in the cold water supply duct of the boiler. A memory metal responds very rapidly to a temperature change, as a result of which in particular the venting valve opens rapidly, thereby enabling the boiler to be vented rapidly. However, it is obvious that other temperature sensors are also possible.
Further embodiments are defined in the Claims and in the following description with reference to the Figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4137833 (1979-02-01), Yelloz
patent: 4565121 (1986-01-01), Ohya et al.
patent: 5267506 (1993-12-01), Cai
patent: 6161469 (2000-12-01), Rolla
patent: 0797945A1 (1997-10-01), None
Alexander Reginald L.
Bartlett Ernestine C.
U.S. Philips Corporation
LandOfFree
Coffee-making apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Coffee-making apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coffee-making apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2441397