Abstract: An espresso coffee maker is provided with a heat exchanger, a coffee dispenser unit and a water supply system in conjunction with the heat exchanger for supplying heated water to the coffee dispenser unit. The water supply system feeds cold water to the heat exchanger and heated water is delivered to the dispenser unit. A heated water return pipe is connected to the heat exchanger from the dispenser unit to form a recirculation circuit between the heat exchanger and the dispenser unit through which the heated water flows by natural convection to transfer heat from the heat exchanger to the dispenser unit. The water supply system includes at least one heat operated control valve incorporated in the recirculation circuit. The valve is provided with a chamber and a shutter is movable in the chamber to control the circulation of the water.

Abstract: An automatic espresso and cappuccino machine comprises a number of individual filter units movable with respect to a coffee filling station, a coffee dispensing station, a filter cleaning station and a filter washing station. Ground coffee is introduced into each filter unit at the coffee filling station and then the filter units are selectively rotated by a filter indexing device to the coffee dispensing station where they are moved into engagement with a water nozzle which first compacts the coffee and then directs heated water through the ground coffee to form espresso. An emulisifier is also located at the coffee dispensing station, which is effective to produce foamed milk for combination with the espresso to form cappuccino.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing black coffee and white coffee of the cappuccino type, comprises a single housing containing both a coffee dispenser and a steam generator. A milk dispensing device having an emulsifier is connected in cantilever fashion to the housing. The milk dispensing device is connected to the steam generator, to a supply of milk and to an air inlet for producing either emulsified or simply pre-heated milk. A spout for the coffee dispenser is positioned immediately adjacent a spout for the milk dispenser and both are above a deck or platform for supporting a cup which can receive coffee with emulsified milk, coffee with pre-heated milk and coffee alone.

Abstract: A professional espresso coffee maker for preparation of espresso coffee comprises a plurality of dispensing bodies (5) each adapted to receive a percolator holding handle (6) . A water heater (22) is connected to each respective dispensing body (5) for instantaneously heating water supplied to the heater and to be supplied from the heater to a percolator holding handle received in the dispensing body. A plurality of steam and hot delivery devices (7, 8, 9, 10) are used with the dispensing body. An electronic control apparatus (2) is connected to the heater for controlling the heater. The water heater (22) is mounted to and over the dispensing body (5) and comprises a solid block (27) of good heat conductive material. The solid block comprises an upper plate (28) and a lower plate (27) connected to the upper plate. The upper plate has an upper surface (28a), a first channel (30) defined in the upper surface of the upper plate, and a resistor (23) in the channel for heating the solid block.

Abstract: An emulsifier assembly for emulsifying air, steam, and milk in preparing cappuccino and like beverages, particularly for use with bar-size espresso coffee makers, being also adapted for heating up milk in preparing cafe au lait, comprises a body, a steam delivery channel opening into a suction chamber of the body, an air intake line and a milk intake line. Both lines are in communication with the suction chamber, and a flow rate adjuster is connected in the air intake line. A before shutter member is opertive in the air intake line, and a restrictor member is operative in an end section of the milk intake line. Both of these members are hand-actuatable.

Abstract: An espresso coffee machine having a boiler provided with an electric resistance heater is fitted with a temperature transducer of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistance type producing an output signal indicative of the boiler temperature. A comparator unit is fed the output signal and compares the signal with the extreme values of a temperature range to control activation and deactivation of the heater. A first display device fed by the output signal continuously displays the boiler water temperature. The output signal is also continuously fed to a memory and processing unit having stored therein the Mollier diagram curve relating to saturated vapor. The memory and processing unit continuously outputs the value of the corresponding water vapor pressure in the boiler, which value is displayed by a second display device.

Abstract: A dispensing unit for espresso coffee machines produces an infusion by "cooking" and optimum exhaustion of the coffee powder. In this dispensing unit, the hot water supply duct to the filter holder is fitted with an air accumulator and is put into communication alternately with the hot water inlet and with the outlet of a three-way solenoid valve.