Title: Filter-holder for espresso coffee machine
Abstract: A filter-holder includes a cylindrical cup (1), a filtering chamber (4) defined by the inner side wall (5) of the cup and a perforated base (6) provided with a grille (7), a vessel (9) collecting the infusion placed underneath the grille (7) and provided with elements for evacuating the infusion (11), and at least two infusion, outlet pipes (15, 16). The filter-holder includes an infusion dispensing trough (10) placed beneath the vessel (9) which includes elements channelling (13, 35) the infusion flow towards the filter-holder outlet pipes. A selecting member (S1, S2) generates a relative rotational motion between the vessel (9) and the trough (10) to obtain an infusion flow either through one outlet pipes only (15), or through both outlet pipes (15, 16).
Patent Number: 6,857,355 Issued on 02/22/2005 to Rolland
| Inventors:
|
Rolland; Jacky (Saint Martin de Fontenay, FR)
|
| Assignee:
|
SEB S.A. (Ecully, FR)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
333457 |
| Filed:
|
June 25, 2003 |
| PCT Filed:
|
July 17, 2001
|
| PCT NO:
|
PCT/FR01/02319
|
| 371 Date:
|
June 25, 2003
|
| 102(e) Date:
|
June 25, 2003
|
| PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO02/07576 |
| PCT PUB. Date:
|
January 31, 2002 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
99/302R; 99/319; 99/323 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A47J 031//06 |
| Field of Search: |
99/302 R,323,307,306,318,319,284
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5870943 | Feb., 1999 | Levi et al. | 99/287.
|
| 6012379 | Jan., 2000 | Matuschek | 99/323.
|
| 6192786 | Feb., 2001 | Gasser et al. | 99/319.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 2 766 346 | Jan., 1999 | FR.
| |
| 7 706 110 | Dec., 1978 | NL.
| |
Primary Examiner: Alexander; Reginald L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young & Thompson
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is the 35 USC 371 national stage of International Application
PCT/FR01/02319 filed on Jul. 17, 2001, which designated the United States
of America.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Filter-holder to be mounted on a coffee machine, comprising:
a cylindrical cup provided with a sleeve;
a filtration chamber delimited by an internal sidewall of the cup and a
perforated bottom provided with a grille;
a bowl to collect an infusion disposed below the grille of the perforated
bottom and provided with infusion evacuation means and at least two outlet
pipes for the infusion;
a distribution pan for distributing the infusion disposed below the
collection bowl and comprising channeling means for channeling the flow of
the infusion toward the outlet pipes; and
a selection member adapted to cause relative rotational movement between
the bowl and the distribution pan between two positions:
a two-cup position permitting selecting the channeling means which direct
the flow of the infusion toward all the outlet pipes; and
a one-cup position permitting selecting the channeling means which direct
the flow toward a single outlet pipe.
2. The filter-holder according to claim 1, wherein the evacuation means
comprise a tube located on the bottom of the bowl eccentrically, and the
channeling means comprise a first zone located between the outlet pipes
and delimited by a partition having two calibrated passages toward the
outlet pipes, a second zone defined by the inlet opening of an outlet
pipe, the selection member comprising a peripheral ring which drives an
rotation the collection bowl via a disk between the two positions:
the two-cup position, in which the tube of the bowl is located above the
first zone of the distribution pan; and
the one-cup position, in which the tube of the bowl is located above the
second zone of the distribution pan.
3. The filter-holder according to claim 1, wherein the evacuation means
comprise two openings located on opposite sides of a diagonal of the bowl,
and the channeling means comprise two inclined planes whose intersection
forms a summit ridge along a diagonal of the distribution pan, each
inclined plane being provided in its lower portion with an opening which
communicates with an outlet pipe, and the selection member drives in
rotation the collection bowl via a shaft between the two positions:
the two-cup position, in which each opening of the bowl is disposed above
an inclined plane; and
the one-cup position, in which the two openings of the bowl are located
above a single inclined plane.
4. The filter-holder according to claim 1, wherein the perforated bottom is
movable as to height; and the bowl comprises between its lower portion and
the perforated bottom a stack of a crown and a counter crown that are
coaxial and provided on their facing surfaces with an alternate series of
ramps and staged regions such that the rotation of the selection member
gives rise to a relative rotational movement between the crown to vary the
height of the perforated bottom in the cup.
5. The filter-holder according to claim 4, wherein the crown forms a
portion of the lower surface of the perforated bottom, and the counter
crown forms a portion of the upper surface of the distribution pan.
6. The filter-holder according to claim 1, wherein the perforated bottom is
movable as to height, and the bottom of the cup comprises a tubular
element provided with an upper region and a lower region, the selection
member fixed to the perforated bottom comprises a cam adapted to be held
bearing against said tubular element via a resilient means in two
positions:
a first position in which the cam bears against the lower region of the
tubular element; and
a second position in which the cam bears against the upper region of the
tubular element.
7. The filter-holder according to claim 4, wherein the selection member
places the perforated bottom in the two positions:
the two-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies a lower
position; and
the one-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies an upper
position.
8. The filter-holder according to claim 1, wherein the perforated bottom is
movable as to height; the filter-holder further comprising an ejection
member connected to the perforated bottom via a shaft and held in a rest
position by a resilient return means; said ejection member being movable
along the vertical axis of the cup such that pressure on the latter raises
the perforated bottom to facilitate ejection of grounds.
9. The filter-holder according to claim 3, wherein the perforated bottom is
movable as to height, and the bottom of the cup comprises a tubular
element provided with an upper region and a lower region, the selection
member fixed to the perforated bottom comprises a cam adapted to be held
bearing against said tubular element via a resilient means in two
positions:
a first position in which the cam bears against the lower region of the
tubular element; and
a second position in which the cam bears against the upper region of the
tubular element.
10. The filter-holder according to claim 5, wherein the selection member
places the perforated bottom in the two positions:
the two-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies a lower
position; and
the one-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies an upper
position.
11. The filter-holder according to claim 6, wherein the selection member
places the perforated bottom in the two positions:
the two-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies a lower
position; and
the one-cup position, in which the perforated bottom occupies an upper
position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a filter-holder adapted to be mounted on a
coffee machine of the espresso type. This type of filter-holder comprises
a cylindrical cup provided with a sleeve, a filtration chamber delimited
by the internal sidewall of the cup and a perforated bottom provided with
a grille, a bowl for collecting the infusion disposed below the grille of
the perforated bottom and provided with outlet means. The outlet for the
infusion takes place through at least two outlet pipes located on the
lower surface of the filter-holder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates more particularly to a filter-holder permitting
preparing one or two cups of coffee.
Conventionally there is used a filter-holder with an outlet to prepare a
cup of coffee, and if it is desired to prepare simultaneously two cups,
there is used another filter-holder provided with two outlets. This
multiplies the number of accessories and requires the following
operations: removing the first filter-holder from the machine, storing it,
using a second filter-holder.
Another solution consists in using a single filter-holder provided with two
outlet pipes. To prepare a single cup, the user must place the cup
precisely below the two outlet pipes to collect the two flows of coffee.
The drawback of this solution resides in the positioning of the cup. If
the cup is not perfectly disposed below the outlet pipes, the coffee flows
to one side or along the edge of the cup. To prepare two cups, the user
places the cups side by side below the filter-holder, each cup being below
one outlet pipe. But in this case the distribution of the coffee into the
cups is not always identical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has particularly for its object to provide a filter-holder
which permits preparing one or two cups of coffee while eliminating the
drawbacks described above.
According to the invention, the filter-holder comprises a distribution pan
for the infusion, disposed below the collecting bowl and comprising means
for channeling the flow of the infusion toward the outlet pipes of the
filter-holder, and a selection member adapted to cause a movement of
relative rotation between the bowl and the pan between two positions:
a two-cup position permitting selecting the channeling means which direct
the flow of the infusion toward both the outlet pipes;
a one-cup position permitting selecting the channeling means which direct
the flow toward a single outlet pipe.
Thanks to the invention, there is obtained a single filter-holder which
easily permits obtaining one or several flows of infusion to prepare one
or several cups. Moreover, this result is obtained without the use of a
faucet or sealed valve which requires precision machining and increases
the cost of production.
According to another important characteristic of the invention, the
filter-holder comprises a device for adjusting in height the perforated
bottom, actuated by a selection member. Said height adjustment device
comprises, between the lower portion of the cup and the perforated bottom,
a stack of coaxial crown and counter-crown provided on their confronting
surfaces with an alternate series of ramps and staged regions such that
the rotation of the selection member gives rise to a movement of relative
rotation between the crowns to vary the height of the perforated bottom in
the cup between two positions:
a two-cup position in which the perforated bottom occupies a low position;
a one-cup position in which the perforated bottom occupies a high position.
In the high position, the perforated bottom defines a reduced volume for
the filtration chamber. This reduced volume can receive, either a dose of
groups corresponding to the preparation of one cup, or a compacted grounds
cartridge of the Illy (trademark) type.
On the other hand, the low position of the perforated bottom defines a
greater filtration volume which can receive a quantity of grounds
corresponding to the preparation of at least two cups.
Thus, the filter holding section member permits obtaining simultaneously,
either a single flow and a reduced filtration volume, or else two flows
and a greater filtration volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a filter-holder
according to the invention, in which the filter-holder is in the two-cup
position.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view on the line A--A of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, in which the filter-holder is
in a one-cup position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a distribution pan according to the first
embodiment on an enlarged scale.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a filter-holder
according to the invention, in which the filter-holder is in a one-cup
position.
FIG. 6 is a view on the line A--A of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, in which the filter-holder is
in the two-cup position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 to 4 show a filter-holder according to a first embodiment.
This filter-holder comprises a cylindrical cup (1) provided with a sleeve
(2). The mouth of the cup is adapted to be secured to the head of a coffee
machine of the "espresso" type (not shown). This securement is effected by
a bayonet connection of which an element (3) can be seen in FIG. 1. It is
through this mouth that the hot water under pressure arrives from the
coffee machine.
The filter-holder comprises a filtration chamber (4) adapted to receive the
grounds. This filtration chamber is delimited by the lateral internal wall
(5) of the cup, and a perforated bottom (6) provided with a grille (7)
adapted to retain the grounds. The sidewall of the cup can be provided
with a skirt (70). The perforated bottom (6) is movable in translation and
in rotation relative to the cup (1) along a vertical axis (12). The seal
between the perforated bottom (6) and the skirt (70) is ensured by an
annular joint (8).
A bowl (9) is disposed below the grille (7) of the perforated bottom (6) to
collect the infusion and comprises a tube (11) serving as an outlet means
for the infusion. In this preferred embodiment, the perforated bottom (6)
and the bowl (9) form only a single piece to obtain a less costly
construction. The tube (11), substantially vertical, is disposed
eccentrically relative to the axis (12) of rotation and preferably on the
periphery of the bottom of the bowl (9). The bottom of the bowl (9) is
prolonged along its axis of rotation (12) by a square drive member (13)
and a shaft (14).
The lower part of the filter-holder comprises at least two outlet pipes
(15, 16) for the infusion below which the user places one or several cups.
According to the invention, a pan (10) for distribution of the infusion is
disposed below the bowl (9). The annular shape with a U-shaped vertical
cross-section of the pan (10) lets pass through the shaft (14) and the
driving square member (13) of the bowl (9). This pan is fixed relative to
the cup (1) of the filter-holder. The bottom of the distribution pan (10)
is connected to the outlet pipes (15, 16) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The distribution pan (10) comprises means for channeling the flow toward
one or all of the outlet pipes (15, 16). These channeling means for the
flow comprise two zones (31, 35).
A first zone (31), located between the two outlet pipes (15, 16), is
delimited by a partition having passages (19, 20) which open adjacent the
outlet pipes (15, 16). As shown in FIG. 4, said partition is delimited by
two radial ribs (17, 18) and the internal walls (71, 72) of the U-shaped
section of the pan (10). The passages (19, 20) can be calibrated so as
better to distribute the flow of the infusion toward the outlet pipes.
Similarly, the channeling of the flow from the passages (19, 20) toward
the outlet pipes (15, 16) can be improved by providing a depression about
the opening of each outlet pipe (15, 16). This depression can be provided
by a truncated conical portion forming a funnel between the bottom of the
pan (10) and the outlet pipe. The first zone (31) thus defined permits
directing the flow toward all the outlet pipes.
A second zone (35) is defined by the inlet opening of an outlet pipe (15)
and permits directing the flow only toward this outlet pipe (15). This
zone (35) can be extended about the outlet pipe (15) by a depression such
as that described above.
A selection member (S1) permits causing a relative rotational movement
between the collection bowl (9) and the distribution pan (10) between two
positions:
a first so-called two-cup position, to prepare two cups but which permits
more generally preparing a number of cups equal to the number of outlet
pipes of the filter-holder;
a second position called a one-cup position, to prepare a single cup of
infusion.
To cause the relative rotational movement, the selection member (S1)
comprises a disk (34) provided with a peripheral manipulation ring (21)
and with a central squared sleeve member (22) which drives the bowl (9) in
rotation by means of its drive square (13), the distribution pan (10)
being fixed relative to the cup (1). The selection disk (34) comprises
openings in the arc of a circle (23, 24) to let pass the outlet pipes (15,
16) and securement screws for the lower cover (25).
In the two-cup position, shown in FIG. 2, the outlet means for the bowl
(9), which is to say the tube (11), is located below the channeling means
for the pan, defined by the first zone (31), which directs the flow toward
all the outlet pipes (15, 16). The hot water supplied by the machine
passes through the filtration chamber (4) to form an infusion. This
infusion is collected by the bowl (9) and flows by gravity, through the
tube (11), into the first zone (31) of the pan (10). The two calibrated
passages (19, 20) separate the infusion into two flows and channel these
flows toward the openings of the two outlet pipes (15, 16). There are thus
obtained two flows at the outlet of the filter-holder below which two cups
can be placed.
In the one-cup position, shown in FIG. 3, the outlet tube (11) for the bowl
(9) is located above the channeling means, defined by the second zone
(35), which directs the flow only toward the outlet pipe (15). The
infusion collected by the bowl (9) thus flows substantially directly from
the tube (11) through the outlet pipe (15). There is thus obtained a flow
from only one of the outlet pipes of the filter-holder below which can
easily be placed one cup.
In a preferred embodiment, the opening (23) in the arc of a circle is
defined such that its ends come into abutment with the outlet pipes (15,
16) in the two end positions of the disk (34) of the selection member. The
user carries out a rotation of about 45.degree. of the selection ring (21)
to pass from one position to the other.
According to another important characteristic of the invention, the
filter-holder comprises a device to vary the height of the perforated
bottom (6) in the cup (1). This device comprises between the lower portion
of the cup (1) and the perforated bottom (6) a stack of a crown (26) and a
counter crown (27) that are coaxial and provided on their facing surface
with an alternate series of ramps (28) and staged regions (29, 30) such
that the rotation of the selection member (S1), described above, causes
relative rotational movement between the crowns (26, 27) to vary the
height of the perforated bottom (6) of the cup (1) Such an arrangement is
described in greater detail in French application 96 00883 of the
applicants. The crown (26) is held in contact with the counter crown (27)
by means of resilient return means (32) disposed between the selection
disk (34) and a button (33) secured to the shaft (14) of the bowl. The
resilient return means (32) can be constituted by a compression spring. In
the embodiment described, the crown (26) forms a portion of the lower
surface of the perforated bottom (6) and the counter crown (27) forms a
portion of the upper surface of the distribution pan (10). This permits
limiting the number of pieces necessary for production of the filter
carrier.
The rotation of the ring (21) of the selection member (S1) from the two-cup
position to the one-cup position gives rise to the passage of the
perforated bottom (6) from a low position (FIGS. 1 and 2) to a high
position (FIG. 3).
There is thus obtained a single filter-holder which permits, by simple
action on the selection member (S1), to pass alternatively from one
configuration with two outlets for the infusion and a large filtration
volume, to a configuration with a single outlet for the infusion and a
reduced filtration volume. This reduced filtration volume can receive a
quantity of grounds corresponding to the preparation of one cup, or a
cartridge of compacted grounds of the Illy (trademark) type.
According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the filter
carrier comprises an ejection member (E1) actuated by pressure on the
button (33). This pressure has the effect of compressing the resilient
return means (32) and to raise the perforated bottom (6) by means of the
shaft (14). There is thus obtained a device to facilitate the ejection of
the grounds after infusion.
A second embodiment of a filter-holder according to the invention is shown
in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
The filter-holder comprises a cylindrical cup (36) with a vertical axis
(54) provided with a sleeve (37), a filtration chamber (38) delimited by
the internal sidewalls (39) of the cup (36) and by a perforated bottom
(40) provided with a grille (41).
A bowl (42) is disposed below the grille (41) of the perforated bottom (40)
to collect the infusion. The bowl has the shape of a disk provided with a
peripheral throat (43) with a vertical U-shaped section provided with two
openings (44, 45). These openings constitute the evacuation means for the
infusion and are disposed on opposite sides of a diagonal of the bowl. The
bowl (42) is movable in rotation relative to the cup (36) and is fixed on
a shaft (46). To obtain a perforated bottom (40) movable as to height, the
latter can be fixed on the shaft (46). In this case, the shaft (46) is
movable in rotation and in translation relative to the cup (36) along the
vertical axis (54).
The lower portion of the filter-holder is provided with at least two outlet
pipes for the infusion (52, 53) passing through a cover (58) fixed to the
cup (36) by screws (not shown).
According to the invention, a distribution fan (47), disposed below the
bowl (42), is formed by a ring with a vertical U-shaped cross-section
permitting the passage of the shaft (46). This pan is fixed relative to
the cup (36).
The channeling means for the flow to the bottom of the pan (47) comprise
two inclined planes (50, 51) connected by a summit ridge (49) along a
diameter of the pan. In FIG. 5, this summit ridge (49) is in the plane of
the cross-sectional view. As shown in FIG. 6, the inclined planes (50, 51)
are provided in their lower portion with openings which communicate with
the outlet pipes (52, 53). There is thus obtained two channeling means
(50, 51) each directing the flow toward one outlet pipe.
A selection member (S2) permits causing a relative rotational movement
between the collection bowl (42) and the distribution pan (47).
To cause the relative rotational movement, the selection member (S2)
comprises, in addition to the axle (46), a manipulation button (55), and a
quarter turn cam (56) adapted to bear against the upper edge of a tubular
element (57) formed on the internal surface of the cover (58). A resilient
means (60), such as a spring, disposed between the lower surface of the
distribution pan (47) and the upper surface of the cam (56), holds the
latter in contact with the tubular element (57) in two different angular
positions. According to a preferred characteristic, the tubular element
can comprise a projection (61) in the arc of a circle on which the cam
(56) cannot bear. This projection (61) thus defines two abutments for the
two angular positions of the cam (56).
According to another important characteristic of the invention, the
selection member (S2) permits varying the height of the perforated bottom
(40) in the cup (36). To do this, the tubular element (57) comprises an
upper region (62) and a lower region (63) located at the bottom of a
throat (59) in which the cam (56) can bear. Thus the selection member (S2)
permits placing the perforated bottom (40) in two positions at different
heights.
In the two-cup position, shown in FIG. 7, the cam (56) bears against the
lower region (63) of the tubular element (57) and occupies an angular
position in which each orifice (44, 45) of the bowl (42) is disposed above
an inclined plane (50, 51) of the pan (47). This angular position permits
selecting the two channeling means (50, 51) which direct the flow toward
the two outlet pipes. There is thus simultaneously obtained:
two flows of the infusion from the two openings (44, 45) of the bowl which
are channeled by the two inclined planes (50, 51) toward the two outlet
pipes (52, 53) of the filter-holder;
a lower position of the perforated bottom (40) which permits obtaining a
large filtration volume.
In the one-cup position, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cam (56) bears against
the upper region (62) of the tubular element (57) and occupies an angular
position in which the two openings (44, 45) of the bowl (42) are disposed
above a single inclined plane (50) of the pan (47). This angular position
permits selecting the channeling means (50) which directs the flow toward
one single outlet pipe (52). There is thus obtained simultaneously:
a flow of the infusion from the two openings (44, 45) of the bowl which is
channeled by an inclined plane (50, 51) toward one single outlet pipe (52)
of the filter-holder;
an upper position of the perforated bottom (40) which permits obtaining a
reduced filtration volume.
The filter-holder thus permits, by a simple action on the selection member
(S2), passing alternatively from one configuration with two outlets for
the infusion and a large filtration volume, to a configuration with a
single outlet for the infusion and a reduced filtration volume.
Preferably, the filter-holder comprises an ejection member (E2) actuated by
vertical pressure on the button (55). The space between the upper surface
of the cam (56) and the bottom of the pan (47), is sufficient to permit
mounting of the ejection member (E2) which compresses the resilient return
means (60) and causes to vary the height of the perforated bottom (40) in
the cup (36). This rising of the perforated bottom permits facilitating
the ejection of the grounds after the infusion operation. In this
embodiment, the ejection member (E2) is merged with the selection member
(S2).
*
