CA1179854A - Electric coffee maker - Google Patents

Electric coffee maker

Info

Publication number
CA1179854A
CA1179854A CA000420281A CA420281A CA1179854A CA 1179854 A CA1179854 A CA 1179854A CA 000420281 A CA000420281 A CA 000420281A CA 420281 A CA420281 A CA 420281A CA 1179854 A CA1179854 A CA 1179854A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
water
reservoir
flow
spout
seat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000420281A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gus W. Wallin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Scovill Inc
Original Assignee
Gus W. Wallin
Scovill Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gus W. Wallin, Scovill Inc. filed Critical Gus W. Wallin
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1179854A publication Critical patent/CA1179854A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/04Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes
    • A47J31/057Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
    • A47J31/0573Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers with flow through heaters
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/54Water boiling vessels in beverage making machines
    • A47J31/542Continuous-flow heaters
    • A47J31/545Control or safety devices

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

ELECTRIC COFFEEMAKER

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

To control temperature of brewing water, a check valve of flow-through-heater-type coffee maker is modified so that travel of the check valve is adjustable to control rate of flow through the heating tube and, as a consequence, temp-erature of extracting water.

Description

~1~7~8~

This invention relates to a single-pass drip-type cof-fee maker in which water from a reservoir is conducted through a flow-through heater, and then to a spout over-hanging a coffee bed over a coffee receiver. The receiver sits on a keep-warm plate heated by the flow-through heater.
The invention relates to means for controlling the tempera-ture of the water delivered through the spout.

A problem that has been prevalent in the prior art de-vices is that, during the first minutes of operation, the heating means does not heat the water to a sufficient temp-erature to extract satisfactorily the coffee essence from the coffee bed. Further, in prior devices, even well into the coffee-making cycle, the temperature of the extracting water as delivered to the coffee bed is not sufficiently hot.
Preferably, the water temperature, as it reaches the bed in a single-pass coffee maker, should be approximately 200.

Typically, the single-pass flow-through coffee maker of the art comprises a keep-warm plate on which the coffee re-ceiver or carafe disposed. The underside of the plate has secured to it a combination heating element and water con-duit. One end of the conduit is connected to the water re-servoir and the other to a riser leading to the spout. A
check valve is disposed in the conduit between the reservoir and the flow-through heater, blocking the movement of the water in the direction towards the reservoir. As the water heats, steam is developed creating pressure in the water heater, driving the water up the riser and out the spout. It is this general type of device to which the present invention is an improvement.
S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
,, In the present invention, means are provided to control the flow of water in the flow-through heater of such a single-~ 7~3~54 pass coffee maker so that the exposure time of water to the heating element is controllable and therefore the tempera-ture of the extracting water may be accurately selected.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric coffee maker comprising a reservoir for water, conduit means connecting the lower end of the reservoir to a spout at a level well above the lower end of the re-servoir, the spout adapted to be disposed above a holder for coffee grinds superposing a coffee collection contain-er, electric heating means adjacent the conduit means for heating the water, and check valve means in the conduit for the purpose of utilizing the pressure of the steam generated in the water as it heats to move the water toward the spout, in which control means are provided for controlling the rate of flow of water through the conduit means to control the exposure time of the water to the heating means and thereby the temperature of the water at the spout.

More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the con-ventional check valve in the flow-through heater is adjust-able so that the distance which the check valve unseats may be accurately controlled to meter water through the heater to control exposure time.

Other objects and features of the invention will be ap-parent from the references to the following specification, including the clalms and drawings, all of which disclose a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a coffee maker embodying the invention, having portions broken away to show internal structure;
Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

' ~ 7~S4 Figs. 3 and 3a are sectional enlarged views of the modified check valve used in the em-bodiment of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the base of the coffee maker with the lower housing partly broken away;
Fig. 4a is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4a-4a of Fig. 4;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a aevice for adjust-ing the check valve as-used in the inven-tion; and Fig. 5a is a sectional view taken on the line 5a-5a of Fig. 5.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the coffee maker embodying the invention is designated 10 in Fig. 1.
It comprises a base 12, an upstanding reservoir 14 mounted at the rear of the base, and a spout 16 superposing the reservoir 14 and adapted to delivèr hot water to a coffee bed C disposed in the holder H. Coffee drops from the holder through slots {not shown) to the underlying receiver R.

More specifically, the base may comprise a lower half 18 and an upper half 20. The upper half, as is conventional, is formed with a circular opening 22 through which is ex-posed the keep-warm plate 24. As shown (Fig. 1), the lip 26 of the opening 22 engages the upper surface of the keep-warm plate.

As shown in Fig. 4s a generally "U"-shaped extrusion 30 may be welded to the underside of the keep-warm plate 24 as at 32. A clip 34, secured to the underside of the top ~ ~ 7~S~
half 20 of the base, holas the keep-warm plate heating as-sembly upward in its opening 22 with the assistance of the strap 36.

As is well known in the art, the extrusion 30 com-prises a Calrod 38 and a tubular conduit 40. The opposite ends of the Calrod 38a and 38b are attached to an electric lead 42 in series with a thermostat 44 (Fig.4).

The opposite ends 4Oa and 40b of the tubular conduit 40 are attached to the receiver 46 and the reservoir con-nection 48 respectively (Fig. 1). The bottom of the reser-voir connection 48 is provided with a check valve 50 of the ball check variety and adapted to be disposed either in a vertical (as shown) disposition or a horizontal disposition intermediate the reservoir 14 and the tubular conduit 40.

Typically, in the past, the check valve has been of the ball check type. In the present invention the check valve is modified so as to serve also as a metering valve to meter the water moving from the reservoir into the con-duit 40.

More specifically, in referring to Figs. 3 and 3a, the body 52 is formed with a stepped bore 54 reducing as at 56 to define a bevelled seat. A ball check element 58 is provided and adapted to selectively engage seat 56. A
turnable shaft 60 with control knob 60a (Fig. 1) is jour-naled as shown in a bushing 62 and a bored boss 64 in the body. The shaft is formed with an offset lobe 66 and the dimensions are such that, by rotating the shaft 60, the travel of the ball toward and away from the seat 56 may be enlarged or reduced with a consequent increase or decrease in the area of passage for water between the ball and the seat 56.

~:~L7~54 More specifically, when the shaft 60 is in the posi-tion shown in Fig. 3, even at its farthermost point from the seat, the ball permits verv little liquid to pass around it. In contrast, with the shaft in the position shown in Fig. 3a, the ball at its farthermost point from the seat 56 permits considerable flow. In both positions and in all positions of the shaft 60, the ball continues to operate as a check valve blocking altogether flow of liquid in the direction of the reservoir.

As a consequence of the structure shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, the rate of movement of liquid in the direction of the spout 16 can be controlled by the position of the shaft according to setting of the knob 60a. The rate at which the water flows, it will be understood, affects the amount of time of exposure of the water in the tube 40 to the heat of the Calrod 38 and, as a consequence, the temperature of the water emanating from spout 16 onto the coffee bed C.

After some experience of use with the apparatus de-scribed, the operator will find the best setting will de-pend on the number of cups of coffee to be brewed. For instance, if only a small number of cups, say three or four, are to be made, then the setting of the shaft 60 should be with the ball closer to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the very hottest possible water will be delivered to the bed C so that the extraction can be relatively quick. For a large number of cups, a less hot setting, more like that of Fig. 3a, can be tolerated. It will be understood that for the above number of cups, the brewing time will be faster the less hot the setting.

~L'7~354 Another feature of the apparatus but serving in uni-tary fashion with the described temperature control to de-liver water Erom the spout at the proper temperature, is the insulating annular flange 70 which surrounds the spout.
Pressed into the boss of the flange 70 is a collar 72 feat-uring an "O" ring 74, the collar riding telescope-fashion on the spout 76 itself.

The O-ring 74 serves as a seal and holds the assembly on the spout in a frictional engagement; that is, the O-ring, disposed in a groove in the collar, snugly engages the spout.
The periphery 78 of the flange engages the sidewall of the holder H to retain as much as possible the heat of the water and steam within the holder to avoid loss of tempera-ture between the spout and coffee bed C. An incidental value of the insulating flange 70 is that the noise attributable to the expansions of water into steam, which noise is common in devices of this sort, is sharply reduced or muffled.

While the preferred embodiment of the flow control means has been illustrated as an adjustable check valve, it will be appreciated that alternative structures for controlling the flow from the reservoir through the heater fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.
- For example, rather than to adjust the position of the ball of the check valve relatively to its seat, some other form of variable orifice device may be provided for controlling the flow of wate- from the reservoir and through the heater, the device being some form of variable orifice device, ar-ranged in series with the check valve, and which is manually controllable by the shaft 60.

Claims (3)

Claims:
1. In an electric coffee maker comprising a reservoir for water, said reservoir having a lower end, a holder of coffee grinds superposing a coffee collection container, conduit means connecting the lower end of the reservoir to a spout at a level well above the lower end of reservoir, electric heating means adjacent the conduit means for heating the water, check valve means in the conduit means comprising a ball valve seat and a ball valve element for the purpose of utilizing pressure of steam generated in the water as it heats to move the water toward the spout, the ball being downstream from the ball valve seat, the improvement of control means for controlling the rate of flow through the conduit means, the control means compris-ing a manually turnable shaft downstream from the ball valve element, the shaft having an axis transverse to the flow of water and a cam lobe on the shaft whereby when the shaft is turned, the lobe engages against the ball valve element to limit the travel of the ball to a desired extent.
2. The coffee maker as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spout is circumposed by a flange having a central opening and being telescopically associated with the spout, the perimeter of the flange adapted to cover the top of the holder of coffee grinds for the purpose of reducing heat loss to the water between the spout and the holder.
3. An electric coffee maker having a water reservoir and a water flow path connected to the reservoir and containing a free-valve-element-type check valve to block flow towards the reservoir the free valve element being downstream from its seat, flow-through heating means down-stream from the check valve to heat the water and generate steam to drive the water away from the reservoir and control means controlling the water flow through the check valve in the direction away from the reservoir, the control means comprising surface means adjacent the side of the free valve element farthest downstream from the seat and moveable from outside the coffee maker to various positions closer to and farther away from the seat to set the farthest position of the free element from the seat and thereby control flow through the heater.
CA000420281A 1982-01-26 1983-01-26 Electric coffee maker Expired CA1179854A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US342,924 1982-01-26
US06/342,924 US4744291A (en) 1982-01-26 1982-01-26 Electric coffee maker

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1179854A true CA1179854A (en) 1984-12-27

Family

ID=23343874

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000420281A Expired CA1179854A (en) 1982-01-26 1983-01-26 Electric coffee maker

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4744291A (en)
JP (1) JPS58180118A (en)
CA (1) CA1179854A (en)
DE (1) DE3302241A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2520219A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2113813B (en)
IT (1) IT1160703B (en)

Families Citing this family (51)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3420133A1 (en) * 1984-05-30 1985-12-05 Rowenta-Werke Gmbh, 6050 Offenbach Electric beverage-making apparatus
GB8620996D0 (en) * 1986-08-29 1986-10-08 Redring Electric Ltd Instantaneous water heaters
USRE34482E (en) * 1989-01-17 1993-12-21 Mr. Coffee, Inc. Appliance for brewing coffee/tea
DE3914852A1 (en) * 1989-05-05 1990-11-08 Bentz & Sohn Melitta GLASS CAN WITH PLASTIC LID FOR A COFFEE OR TEA MACHINE
DE3937000C2 (en) * 1989-11-07 1995-05-04 Willi Marco Coffee machine for the optional preparation of espresso coffee or filter coffee
US5110469A (en) * 1990-06-29 1992-05-05 Kraft General Foods, Inc. Coffee grounds disposal unit
DE4104652C1 (en) * 1991-02-15 1992-09-10 Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co Kg, 4950 Minden, De
US5245915A (en) * 1992-03-25 1993-09-21 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Waste disposal tray for an automatic coffee maker
DE19520121A1 (en) 1995-06-01 1996-12-05 Braun Ag Process for the preparation of hot drinks and device for carrying out the process
US5823095A (en) * 1997-02-25 1998-10-20 Walker; Shannon Automatic shut-off device for coffee maker
ATE299350T1 (en) * 1999-11-02 2005-07-15 Nestle Sa DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS HEATING OF A CONSTANT TEMPERATURE BEVERAGE
CZ296866B6 (en) * 2000-09-30 2006-07-12 Automatic apparatus for preparing Turkish coffee
US7418899B2 (en) * 2001-02-08 2008-09-02 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
CA2335420A1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2002-08-12 Pierre Mercier Method and apparatus for the preparation of hot beverages
US6586710B2 (en) 2001-10-31 2003-07-01 Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc. Coffee maker heater/warmer plate assembly
US7032502B2 (en) * 2002-09-27 2006-04-25 Simatelex Manufactory Co. Ltd. Coffee maker
US7592027B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2009-09-22 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Method for the preparation of beverages
US7219598B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-05-22 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7328651B2 (en) 2003-01-24 2008-02-12 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7213506B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-05-08 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7255039B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-08-14 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US7640843B2 (en) 2003-01-24 2010-01-05 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge and method for the preparation of beverages
US7533603B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2009-05-19 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7533604B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2009-05-19 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge system for the preparation of beverages and method of manufacturing said system
US7287461B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-10-30 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7097074B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2006-08-29 Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US7231869B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-06-19 Kraft Foods R & D Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US7607385B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2009-10-27 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US7322277B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2008-01-29 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge and method for the preparation of beverages
US7316178B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2008-01-08 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US7243598B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-07-17 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7340990B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2008-03-11 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Cartridge and method for the preparation of beverages
GB2397494B (en) * 2003-01-24 2005-03-02 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Cartridge for the preparation of beverages and method of manufacturing a cartridge
US7047870B2 (en) * 2004-01-28 2006-05-23 Grindmaster Corporation Apparatus and method for brewing a beverage with a desired strength
GB2413480B (en) * 2004-02-17 2006-08-30 Kraft Foods R & D Inc An insert and a system for the preparation of beverages
GB2413479B (en) * 2004-02-17 2006-06-28 Kraft Foods R & D Inc An insert and a system for the preparation of beverages
GB2411105B (en) * 2004-02-17 2006-08-30 Kraft Foods R & D Inc An insert and a system for the preparation of beverages
GB2411106B (en) 2004-02-17 2006-11-22 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
US7487712B2 (en) * 2005-08-18 2009-02-10 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. In-vehicle coffee maker
US7863546B2 (en) * 2006-12-27 2011-01-04 Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc Automated preparation of infant formula and children's beverages
GB2447024A (en) 2007-02-27 2008-09-03 Kraft Foods R & D Inc A dispensing machine for hot or cold drinks
GB2463350B (en) * 2007-05-18 2010-07-28 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines
GB2449630B (en) 2007-05-18 2010-01-06 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Beverage preparation machines and methods for operating beverage preparation machines
GB2449421B (en) * 2007-05-18 2009-09-09 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines
GB2449422B (en) * 2007-05-18 2009-09-16 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines
GB2449213B (en) * 2007-05-18 2011-06-29 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines and beverage cartridges
US20090283417A1 (en) * 2008-05-19 2009-11-19 Miox Corporation Electrolytic Cell with Gas Driven Pumping
EP2992792B1 (en) * 2010-11-11 2017-03-15 Nestec S.A. Beverage production machine and rinsing and/or descaling insert
EP2484251B1 (en) * 2011-02-03 2013-08-28 Eksen Makine Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. Double receptacle fully automated tea machine with temperature regulation valve
US20150257586A1 (en) * 2014-03-11 2015-09-17 Starbucks Corporation Dba Starbucks Coffee Company Single-serve beverage production machine
FR3072012B1 (en) * 2017-10-05 2019-11-22 Seb S.A. COFFEE MACHINE USING A THERMAL PUMP AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY TIME OF A HEATING ELEMENT OF A BOILER

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US877063A (en) * 1906-07-12 1908-01-21 William F Edes Automatic ball-cock.
US1681597A (en) * 1926-02-09 1928-08-21 Hugh W Sanford Faucet
US2343663A (en) * 1942-03-26 1944-03-07 Edison Inc Thomas A Nonspill vent means
US2829583A (en) * 1953-04-14 1958-04-08 Reginald W Okie Coffee maker
CH379082A (en) * 1960-09-24 1964-06-30 Valente Ernesto Brewing unit for coffee machine
DE2530967A1 (en) * 1975-07-11 1977-01-20 Eichenauer Fa Fritz EVAPORATOR AND WARMING DEVICE FOR BEVERAGE MAKING MACHINES
US4007674A (en) * 1975-11-24 1977-02-15 Ambitex Corporation Beverage heat maintaining apparatus
NL7614235A (en) * 1976-12-22 1978-06-26 Philips Nv HEATING DEVICE FOR WATER.
DE2745959C3 (en) * 1977-10-12 1985-01-24 Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, 7340 Geislingen coffee machine
US4331067A (en) * 1980-12-22 1982-05-25 Sunbeam Corporation Coffeemaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2113813A (en) 1983-08-10
GB2113813B (en) 1985-10-30
JPS58180118A (en) 1983-10-21
IT8319264A0 (en) 1983-01-25
DE3302241A1 (en) 1983-07-28
FR2520219A1 (en) 1983-07-29
IT1160703B (en) 1987-03-11
US4744291A (en) 1988-05-17
GB8302025D0 (en) 1983-02-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1179854A (en) Electric coffee maker
US5901635A (en) Flow control and flow rate control mechanisms for use in brewing machines with fluidly connected chambers
US5551331A (en) Espresso apparatus with improved heating of the brew head and boiler
US5490448A (en) Beverage brewing machine
US5186096A (en) Coffee brewing machine
US4790240A (en) Machine for brewing hot beverages
US7281467B2 (en) Fluid delivery system for generating pressurized hot water pulses
AU625112B2 (en) Appliance for brewing coffee/tea
US20050160918A1 (en) Apparatus for making brewed coffee and the like
US6279458B1 (en) Rapid brew automatic coffee maker
US4969392A (en) Gravity feed coffee maker
US5028753A (en) Microwaveable coffee maker
EP2109386B1 (en) Coffee-maker structure for preparation of hot beverages
CA1289374C (en) Coffee or tea machine
US7032502B2 (en) Coffee maker
US5687637A (en) Automatic tea brewing device
US20220183501A1 (en) Beverage-Making Method
JPS59209318A (en) Coffee brewer
US5634395A (en) Infusion machine
US3561888A (en) Percolator pump
USRE34482E (en) Appliance for brewing coffee/tea
US20220183500A1 (en) Beverage-Making Machine
FR2642634A1 (en) ELECTRIC APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION OF INFUSIONS
JPH0420366Y2 (en)
US10555637B2 (en) Brewer with temperature responsive control valve

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEC Expiry (correction)
MKEX Expiry