Improvements to automatic machines dispensing coffee infusions

Abstract: The machine is paired as concerns the receptacle (8-8') for the batched coffee and the piston (5) and (5') pressing such batches, and the ejector (12-12') in such a way that the pairing allows the machine to make one or two coffees at the same time and indeed three if one of the receptacles (8) or (8') has a double capacity and a double distribution outlet. Each seat or support (4) mounted also to turn with the main shaft (1) has a cavity in which a support (18) is positioned for a filter (19) through which the coffee infusion passes in each case. The angular separation in positioning the receptacles (8-8') is the same as for the pressing pistons (5-5') in order to allow the same to face the said receptacles (8-8') simultaneously, the ejectors (12-12') for the cake (13) of used coffee being mounted with the same separation or spacing.

Description: The present invention relates to improvements to automatic machines dispensing coffee infusions, which improvements allow the machine to be able to make one, two or three coffee infusions at the same time. The machine relies on a shaft that moves vertically driven by a cylinder, causing the members positively engaged therewith to turn when it moves, and is fitted with paired members that allow several coffees to be obtained per cycle. European patent application EP-A-514313 describes a machine based on a shaft that can move up and down driven by a cylinder mounted upon a fixed support working as a guide. The said support contains on the upper portion a vertical piston that presses the batched coffee. The receptacle holding the batched coffee and whose bottom is positively engaged with the said shaft, and turning simultaneously with the vertical movement of the shaft, is mounted radially to same. The said receptacle takes up three positions along the cycle: A coffee load position, when it receives the batched coffee. Distribution position, where it faces the shaft and the cake is compressed, and water then distributed onto the same, to obtain the infusion. Unload position at which an ejector element positively engaged with the shaft, and upon the downward movement thereof, enters the receptacle and pushes the cake downwards, once the receptacle bottom has cleared the way. The machine is moreover provided with a system preventing the movable parts from being soiled in order to avoid any obstruction whatsoever. It is also fitted with a washing operation for the receptacle and its base. Swiss Patent 510424 discloses a coffee machine according to the preamble of claim 1, that incorporates a block made up of one or several cylinders with different diameters, receiving one piston each and to which are sent exact coffee doses. These cylinders are adapted to produce, one or more cups of coffee at the same time. The object of the present invention is to design a compact machine which enables to provide for one, two or three coffee infusions at the same time (in the same cycle). A machine according to the present invention is described in Claim 1. The construction of this machine relies on the pairing of certain members: Two receptacles of different diameters located radially to the shaft, and provided to contain one batch or two batches of coffee, respectively, with their bases positively engaged with the shaft. Two pistons of different diameter positioned vertically on the upper portion of the fixed support guiding the shaft, and designed to press the coffee contained in the receptacles and through which the distribution water passes. Two cylindrical ejector elements to push the cakes of used coffee downwards. Other preferred embodiments are disclosed in dependent claims 2 and 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to provide for a more complete description and to contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following: Figures 1 and 2.- Are two diagrammatic side elevation and plan views of the machine made in accordance with the subject of the invention, in particular showing the pairing of the ejector elements, the batched coffee receptacles (carriers) and pistons. The position shown in this figure is the position where the infusion the machine yields is distributed. Figures 3 and 4.- Are two views of the same machine shown in the above figures, the position being that at which one of the receptacles receives the batched coffee from the mill. Figures 5 and 6.- Are two side elevation and plan views in part cross-section of the same machine shown in the above figures, the position being that at which the cake of used coffee is expelled. Figure 7.- shows a cross-section of the support or movable seat making up the bottom of the batched coffee receptacle, which support or seat shall house a filter carrying element, a cross-section of which is also shown, representing another of the improvements of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The figures show that the machine of the invention basically comprises a shaft (1) mounted upon a fixed support (3) and moving vertically driven by a cylinder (2). The fixed support, namely its upper portion (3), is fitted with two vertically movable pistons (5-5') of different diameter containing the showers through which water is poured onto the coffee. Mounted on the shaft (1) and radially thereto are the carriers (8-8') the base elements (4) of which, positively engaged with said shaft, their lower portion lying upon the support (3), are fitted with two filters (19) and two seals (21). A support (10) is positively engaged at the upper shaft portion containing two ejector elements (12-12') of different diameter. The two carriers (8-8') and their bases (4) accompany the shaft in its upward-downward movement, turning at the same time on a horizontal plane to reach the aforesaid three positions: Load position (figures 3 and 4) with each carrier arriving in succession under the duct (15) through which the batched coffee drops (one or two coffees, depending on the carrier positioned below the same). Distribution position (figures 1 and 2) at which the two carriers are arranged facing their respective pistons (5-5') in order for the coffee to be compressed and the water distributed through the same, leaving through the outlet (16) to the cups. Unload position; when distribution is over, the carriers turn until they arrive under the ejectors (12-12') that, on moving down, push the cake or cakes (13) towards the waste collection box, when detached from the bottom (4). The ends of the base elements (4) have a cavity which houses a removable element (18) containing filters (19) and seals (21). The machine is also fitted with a protection system that prevents the soiling of the movable carriers, as described in European patent application EP-A-514313. Finally, the machine is logically governed by an electronic control that, among other functions, allows selection of whether one, two or three coffees will be simultaneously required in the same cycle, respectively batching the ground coffee into the one-coffee carrier, the two-coffees carriers or both.

Claims: Automatic machine for dispensing coffee infusions comprising two receptacles (8,8'), two vertically movable pistons (5,5') to press the coffee in said receptacles (8,8'), and two ejector elements (12,12') to eject used coffee tablets, whereby the receptacles (8,8'), the pistons (5,5'), and the ejector elements (12,12') may be of a different diameter, characterised in that, it comprises a main shaft (1) vertically movable by the action of a cylinder (2), fixed support means (3,3') to assembly and guide the main shaft (1), and a base element (4) rotatably mounted to the main shaft (1) carrying two bases for the receptacles, the bases comprising two outlets (20), two filters (19) and two seals (21), in that receptacles (8,8') are rotatably mounted to said main shaft (1) at an equal radial distance therefrom, whereby these receptacles (8,8') and their bases turn on a horizontal plane when the main shaft (1) is moved vertically, in that the pistons (5,5') are positioned on the upper portion of said fixed support means (3'), said pistons (5,5') including with said main shaft (1) an angle, when defined in a plane perpendicular to the main shaft (1), identical to the angle included beween the receptacles (8,8') and the main shaft (1), in that the ejector elements (12,12') are made up of two plungers and are mounted on a support (10) engaging the upper portion of said main shaft (1), and in that, when the receptacles (8,8') are of a different diameter, the bigger receptacle is used for preparing two infusions, its base having in such case differentiated outlets. Automatic machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the radial distance to the main shaft (1) and the angles included with the main shaft (1), when defined in a plane perpendicular to the main shaft (1), are identical for respectively the receptacles (8,8'), the pistons (5,5'), the bases comprising filters (19), outlets (20) and seals (21), and the ejector plungers (12,12'). Automatic machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the receptacles bases have a cavity which houses a removable element (18) containing the filter (19) and the seal (21).

Inventors: CIAURRIZ ANDUEZA JUAN IGNACIO, MARTINEZ CIA ANTONIO POLIGONO, CIAURRIZ ANDUEZA, JUAN IGNACIO, MARTINEZ CIA, ANTONIO, MARTINEZ CIA, ANTONIO, POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL EL SOTO
Applicants: AZKOYEN HOSTELERIA, AZKOYEN HOSTELERIA, S.A.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47J31
IPC codes: A47J31