Patent GB-854893-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for the infusion brewing of coffee and an analogous liquid beverages
Inventor: MCNEELY WILBUR COOK
IPC: A47J31/40
Filed: 1958-08-14
Abstract: 854,893. Control of motors. VENDO CO. Aug. 14, 1958, No. 26115/58. Class 38 (3). [Also in Group VI] Coffee and the like brewing apparatus comprises two relatively movable assemblies, a first assembly to position an imperforate disposable container for coffee grounds or the like and a second assembly carrying a pair of perforated piercing elements which pierce the container on the first assembly when the assemblies are moved towards each other, one element serving as an inlet to the container for water under pressure while the other serves as an outlet for infused beverage. As shown, a base assembly 12 has a main portion 16 supporting a housing 18 and a container receiving and handling portion 20 supporting a J-shaped bracket or the like 22. The containers 25 are fed successively by equipment 26 comprising a shelf 28 to a position adjacent bracket 22 where a spring- biased, pivoted gate 30 operated, through a linkage, by a solenoid 36 holds a container in position while it is used and then allows it to be discharged through an opening 42. A stop 44 on the gate prevents a further container 25 from moving down until the gate is returned to its supporting position. If a container 25 is in position, it engages a follower arm 52 to operate a switch 54. Housing 18 has front and rear walls 60, 62 with aligned openings to receive tubular members 68, 74 interconnected by plates 76, 78, Fig. 4, plate 76 being reciprocated by a drive rod 114, Fig. 5, pivoted eccentrically to a large gear 110 driven from a motor 104. Tubular perforated piercing elements 86, 88 with pointed ends are releasably. mounted on the ends of members 68, 74 by fittings 94, and provide respectively the inlet and outlet for heated water. Fittings 94 are also secured to flexible conduits 98, 100, e.g. of plaster or rubber, connected respectively to a source of hot water under pressure and a beverage receiving tank. Gaskets 102 are provided to form water-tight connections between elements 86, 88 and container 25. At the ends of the traverse of plates 76, 78, portion 126 of an arm 124 secured to plate 78 operates switches 120, 122 which control motor 104. A control valve 128, Fig. 6, operated by a solenoid 130 is interposed in conduit 98 to control the flow of hot water. Motor 104, solenoid 36 and switch 54 are arranged in a circuit, as shown in Fig. 6, along with a timer motor 136. In operation, the apparatus is connected to a source of electric power with a container 25 in operative position maintaining switch 54 closed and solenoid 130 de-energized and hence valve 128 closed, solenoid 36 deenergized and motors 104, 136 de-energized. When start switch 150 is closed, e.g. by level sensing means in a reservoir, power will be supplied to motor 104 until portion 126 of bracket 124 engages switch 122 to open the circuit and de-energize the motor, elements 86 and 88 then having penetrated and being in sealed relationship with container 25. Meanwhile motor 136 has been energized which closes switch 138 to establish a holding circuit for motor 136 and then closes switch 140 to energize solenoid 130 and open valve 128 for a predetermined length of time to infuse the beverage. After the valve closes, motor 104 is re-energized to move members 68, 74 back to their stand-by positions where portion 126 engages switch 120 to break the circuit to motor 104. At the same time a circuit is completed including solenoids 126 and 36 so that gate 30 is opened to discharge the used container 25 and returns to its normal position to receive a further container. This container recloses switch 54 after which motor 136 re-opens switch 138 to break its own circuit.