Abstract: An apparatus for serving a hot beverage prepared by extraction capable of serving the beverage kept at high temperature is provided. A plate for radiating far-infrared rays is provided facing the extraction chamber with a predetermined distance separating each other. The plate heated by a heater radiates far-infrared rays, whereby the extraction chamber is heated by the far-infrared rays, thereby serving of a hot extracted beverage is facilitated. In another embodiment, fans for exhaling steam are provided separately for a receiver for receiving the raw material and hot water and for a mixing bowl for mixing additives such as sugar, milk, etc., thereby serving of a hot extracted beverage is facilitated.

Abstract: The tension of a paper filter fed from a feed device is detected by a tension detection device. Based on the results of the detection, remainder detection device detects whether or not there is still paper filter remaining unused. Further, a guide device and drive device are provided. The guide device functions to guide a paper filter to be newly set to a nip between a delivery roller and a guide roller. The drive device, when the newly set paper filter has been guided to the nip between the delivery roller and the guide roller, functions to drive the delivery roller to nip the new paper filter between the delivery roller and the guide roller.

Abstract: The invention is aimed at provision of a beverage extraction apparatus in which the cylinder for extraction is kept clean and, thus, the quality of the extracted beverage is maintained without periodical or frequent maintenance for cleanness. A portion of cleaning liquid overflowing from the upper chamber (mixing chamber) is drained by using a draining trough and a pipe. A valve is interposed between the upper chamber and the extraction chamber. When the valve is closed, the cleaning liquid supplied to the upper chamber in excessive amount overflows from the chamber and drained. When the valve is opened, the cleaning liquid flows from the upper chamber into the extraction chamber. Thereby, both chambers are cleaned efficiently.

Abstract: In a coffee extracting apparatus for extracting coffee essence from the coffee material within an extracting device (10) with use of compressed air generated in an air compressor (11), use is made of an accumulator (23) for accumulating the compressed air. The accumulator is connected to an air passage (12) which connects the extracting device with the air compressor. An air control valve (22) is disposed in the air passage and is for controlling flow of the compressed air to make the accumulator accumulate the compressed air.

Abstract: A coffee brewing apparatus has a first cylinder, having a top opening and a bottom opening. A vertically movable second cylinder containing ground coffee, having a top opening and a bottom opening, is disposed below the first cylinder coaxially therewith. A vertically movable upwardly urged plunger, having a top head and a bottom head, is disposed through the bottom opening of the first cylinder, coaxially therewith, in a manner that the top head is sealingly and slidingly fitted in the first cylinder and the bottom head is adapted to be sealingly and slidingly fitted in the second cylinder through the top opening thereof. The plunger has a hot water exit channel vertically therethrough and a pressure-operated hot water release valve disposed in the channel.

Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee, white coffee or similar infused beverages, on single or multiple doses thereof, utilizes waffles (40) packed in advance, applied in a continuous band (41), in a number sufficient to prepare various coffees or other infused beverages. The machine has guide and feeding device (43) associated to the infusion units (35), (36) and the filters (97), (98) thereof, to determine the advancement of the band (41) through the infusion units (35), (36), by stopping each waffle in correspondence thereto for performing the related infusion operation. The machine may contain also a mixer-emulsifier (52) with conduits (105) communicating or not communicating with the infusion units (35), (36) through a switching valve member (106), for preparing the white coffee or other infused beverages mixed with milk.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing and pouring coffee or tea in unit doses has an upwardly and downwardly moveable extraction chamber, a filter unit with an exchangeable filter, and a collection chamber. The collection chamber is covered at the top by a grating, which abuts the filter paper, and is closed at the bottom by an impermeable membrane, which is coupled to a displacement mechanism that moves the membrane up and down. A pouring-out tube is connected to the underside, and it is closed by a valve. During a working cycle, in a first phase, hot water and coffee or tea are introduced in the extraction chamber; in a second phase, the membrane moves up, pressing air through the filter into the extraction chamber; in a third phase, the membrane moves downwardly, suctioning extract brewed in the extraction chamber through the filter into the collection chamber; and in a fourth phase, the valve is opened and the brewed coffee or tea is poured through the tube.

Abstract: The automatic machine for the preparation of hot beverage infusions such as coffee being formed by a group formed of a body facing a boiler intended to be brought closer to each other in order to form an infusion chamber. The machine having, between the body and the boiler, at the infusion chamber: reception members intended to receive an individual package containing the product to be infused, the reception members being intended to secure temporarily the package between the body and the boiler; a position fixing element for guiding and maintaining the package in a vertical position when the reception members are present; and an automatic ejection member which ejects the package simply by gravity, the displacement of the package being perpendicular to the axis of the machine.

Abstract: A beverage brewer with tape formed of two layers of paper between which are packets of coffee. The tape has perforations along each edge and sprockets intermittently drive the tape so as to place fresh coffee into the brewer and to remove the used coffee from the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A device for brewing fresh coffee or tea from dry ingredients which uses a flexible moveable screen to filter the brewed coffee or tea and dispose of the used grounds at the completion of each cycle.

Abstract: In order to feed single-portions of ground coffee arranged along a transportation tape in a defined and automatic manner to the brewing chamber of a coffee machine, the invention provides a mechanical interface assembly which comprises means for fixing a portion of the transportation tape in a well defined position. The interface assembly comprises a first interface member connected to or being part of a container receiving the transportation tape with the single-portions of ground coffee, and a second interface member designed as a supporting frame member adapted to receive the container with the transporting tape. The first and second interface members can be mechanically coupled to each other. The mechanical interface assembly is further provided with positioning elements for fixing it in the coffee machine in a well defined position.

Abstract: In a method for preparing coffee drinks with the help of a plurality of coffee powder portions arranged along a transporting tape, a single coffee powder portion is removed from a storage container by pulling out the transporting tape to such an extent that the following coffee powder portions remain in the container. Then, the tape is cut behind the first coffee powder portion, and the new initial portion of the transporting tape is fixed in the region of the outlet opening of the container. In this way, the unused coffee powder portions remain fresh and keep their full flavor, even during an extended storage period.The coffee machine suitable for performing this method comprises a two part brewing chamber. One portion of the brewing chamber is not only movable to and fro the other portion, but also rotatable and furthermore equipped with a catch member for grasping the initial portion of the transporting tape.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine which allows the coffee to be more rapidly removed from the lower brewing chamber by providing a vent opening which opens to relieve the vacuum and allows the coffee to be discharged. In one embodiment, the vent opening is opened and closed by a plug on the upper brewing chamber. On another embodiment the vent hole is opened and closed by an actuator. In a third embodiment, a portion of the coffee filter serves as the vent hole.

Abstract: An automatic food dispenser comprises an arrangement for feeding a chain of packages containing portions of food, an arrangement for opening said packages, a receptacle, a heating arrangement associated with the receptacle and an evacuation mechanism. It can be used for automatic dispensing of french fries.

Abstract: A hot beverage brewing and dispensing machine having a brewing cylinder for receiving a hot liquid and a beverage product for brewing, a base member beneath the brewing cylinder with a brewed liquid outlet through which beverage brewed in the brewing chamber can flow, a seal between the base member and a bottom end of the brewing cylinder with a filter material therebetween for sealing the cylinder during brewing when the brewing cylinder is brought into engagement with the filter material, a filter feed mechanism, a tube for supplying liquid and a chute for supplying beverage product to an upper portion of the brewing cylinder, and a conical dispersing surface disposed at the upper portion of the brewing cylinder upon which the liquid and beverage product impinge from their supply means and which disperses the liquid and beverage product as they fall to a bottom portion of the brewing cylinder washing the cylinder walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing coffee, tea or other beverages that has upper and lower chambers that move relative to each other. When the upper and lower chambers are joined, coffee and water are supplied to the upper brewing chamber which passes through a filter mounted on the top of the lower brewing chamber into the lower brewing chamber and the coffee grounds remain on the filter. A piston in the lower chamber forces air through the liquid to agitate it and sucks it through the filter into the lower chamber. The coffee flows from the lower chamber and then a single push rod separates the upper and lower chambers. A wiper blade then removes the coffee grounds from the filter while the chambers are separated after which the push rod reseals the upper and lower chambers together for the next brewing cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assemblies and devices for the brewing of a beverage (e.g. coffee); the invention may, for example, be used in coin operated vending machines and the like. The invention in particular provides a brew chamber assembly for an apparatus for preparing a beverage from an aqueous medium and a particulate beverage material, the apparatus operating with a brewing cycle including the air agitation of a mixture of the aqueous medium and the particulate beverage material in a brew chamber.

Abstract: A beverage extracting apparatus for vending machines includes a cylinder for storing a liquid mixture of water and raw material of a beverage, a valve opening and closing the inflow port of the cylinder, a rolled filter paper covering the bottom opening of the cylinder, a filter support vertically moved to open and close the bottom opening of the cylinder via the filter paper, and an air pump supplying pressurized air into the cylinder to forcibly filtrate the liquid mixture stored in the cylinder via the filter paper. The rolled filter paper is advanced at an appropriate interval onto the filter support by the cooperative rotational motion of a pair of first driving rollers and a pair of corresponding idler rollers. Each of the pair of idler rollers is rotatably supported by a separate arm plate which pivot downwardly to bring the idler rollers into or out of contact with the first rollers.

Abstract: A beverage extraction machine in which powdered material such as coffee is mixed with hot water in an extraction chamber which is mounted over a beverage receiver with a filter mounted between them. High pressure air is supplied into the beverage receiver and passes up through the filter to agitate the hot water and powdered material in the extraction chamber. Then air is sucked from the beverage receiver and drums the brewed coffee from the extraction chamber through the filter into the beverage receiver where it is discharged to a cup. A pressure sensor can be used to control the application of the high and low pressure air.

Abstract: A dual brewing system for a vending machine in which a pair of separate brewers are mounted for simultaneous movement through a brewing and dumping cycle even though only one of the brewers is actually used to brew a beverage, such as tea or coffee, at a time. A filter paper feed mechanism is provided for one of the brewers used primarily for coffee. The paper feed mechanism is controlled so that it is only advance after the brewer which it is associated with is used and not when the other brewer is used.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing beverages such as coffee or tea, comprising a filter unit (3), and extraction chamber (1) positioned above the filter unit, and a reception chamber (2) positioned underneath the filter unit, which reception chamber at the bottom part thereof comprises a discharge channel (9) for discharging the prepared beverage. The apparatus comprises furthermore reservoirs for supplying coffee or tea powder (7) and hot water (6) in the extraction chamber to prepare an extract during a predetermined extraction period, and a control unit (13) controlling the various components such that after activating said reservoirs for supplying predetermined amounts of hot water and coffee or tea powder in the extraction chamber (1), an extraction period is measured during which the extraction porcess is completed, after which the pump (11) unit is activated to suction the prepared extract through the filter paper web (3).

Abstract: A beverage extracting apparatus for vending machines includes a cylindrical mixing chamber having an inflow port on its upper portion and an opening on its bottom portion. A first valve mechanism opens and closes the inflow port. A second auxiliary valve mechanism of a smaller diameter than the first valve mechanism seats against the first valve mechanism. After the brewing operation is completed, the mixing chamber is exhausted of high pressure gas by the unseating of the auxiliary valve mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing beverages in portions, especially espresso coffee, comprises means (9-12) for dispensing ground coffee beans (14) to a coffee receiving means (1) as well as water feeding means (22, 42-45) for passing hot water through the coffee in the coffee receiving means (1) and further to a cup (48). The coffee receiving means (1) comprises a sleeve-shaped body (3) made of a resilient material, said body on the outside being supported by a substantially rigid supporting means (4) and on the inside between the ends being of a volume exceeding the measured amount of coffee powder (14). The water feeding means (22, 42-45) comprises a piston device (22), which during the feeding of water is adapted to simultaneously compress both the measured amount of coffee (14) and the sleeve-shaped body (3) in its axial direction, while the amount of coffee (14) and the sleeve-shaped body (3) at the opposite axial end are supported by a sieving means (17, 18) allowing passage of the brewed hot beverage.

Abstract: A beverage extracting apparatus for vending machines includes a cylinder for storing a liquid mixture of water and raw material of a beverage, a valve opening and closing the inflow port of the cylinder, a filter covering the bottom opening of the cylinder, a filter support vertically moved to open and close the bottom opening of the cylinder via the filter, an air pressure supply for supplying pressurized air into the cylinder to forcibly filtrate the liquid mixture stored in the cylinder via the filter, a filter support guide frame vertically guiding the filter support, a filter support drive for vertically moving the filter support and including a lever pivotably supported by the filter support guide frame and engaged with the filter support, and an adjusting device for adjusting the vertical position of the filter support guide frame.

Abstract: A beverage extracting or brewing apparatus for vending machines includes a mixing ball for mixing water and raw material of a beverage, a cylinder having a spherical upper inner surface, a straight cylindrical communication path between the mixing ball and the cylinder having a flush inner surface, a valve opening and closing an inflow port of the cylinder and having a spherical upper surface, a valve shaft functioning as part of a pressurized air supply path into the cylinder, a filter positioned at the bottom of the cylinder and a pressurization device for supplying the pressurized air into the cylinder to forcibly filter the mixture liquid in the cylinder through the filter. The mixture liquid from the mixing ball can be sufficiently and efficiently mixed and stirred in the communication path and even in the cylinder, and smoothly flows into the cylinder through the space between the spherical inner surface of the cylinder and the spherical upper surface of the valve.

Abstract: An infuser comprises movable screen means, which is preferably a continuous mesh belt (1) passing around rollers (2). Infusible solid and infusing liquid are deposited onto the screen means (1) and means (5) below the screen collect the infusion. A piezo electric sandwich transducer (9) is provided for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the screen to cause vibration of the screen means to aid cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A beverage brewing machine which has upper and lower brewing chambers which are movable relative to each other so as to clamp a strip-shaped filter therebetween during the brewing process and the chambers can be separated so as to allow the filter strip to be removed from the brewing chamber and the beverage residual wiped therefrom after which the filter strip is returned to the brewing chambers which are then resealed for the next cycle. A hold down grid engages the top surface of the filter to hold down as a piston moves in the lower chamber upwardly to force air through the filter to agitate the beverage. When the piston reaches top dead center, the hold down grid is lifted. When the piston passes the opening the brewed coffee is poured.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in a beverage brewing machine. In accordance with the invention, the brewing machine is able to brew a larger single cup of beverage without affecting the quality of the beverage. The brewing machine includes an upper brewing chamber, and a lower second chamber below the upper chamber and filter means between the upper and lower chambers. To increase the amount of beverage brewed, the size of the lower chamber is increased by increasing the cross-sectional area of the lower chamber. However, the area of the upper opening of the lower chamber is not increased. Specifically, a flange extends inwardly from the top of the wall of the lower chamber to thereby cover a portion of the upper end of the bore of the lower chamber.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a brewing cylinder. A pressurizing piston is slidably fitted in the brewing cylinder. The pressurizing piston, in conjunction with a coffee filter tape, defines a brewing chamber inside the brewing cylinder. The pressurizing piston compresses coffee powder fed into the brewing chamber. When the powder is pressurized by the pressurizing piston in the brewing chamber, extremely hot pressurized hot water is poured into the brewing chamber by a hot-water supply mechanism. As a result, a coffee solution percolated in the brewing chamber runs out therefrom through the filter tape.

Abstract: The automatic espresso coffee machine brews coffee from coffee pods placed in an extraction head or in a plurality of extraction heads and is characterized in that it comprises an electronic control system, including a microprocessor and memory means, which operate all the operations of the machine. In particular, the machine carries out a continuous control of the water temperature in a boiler in order to keep that temperature in a narrow range of a selected temperature. It also controls the volume of the hot water delivered to each extraction head to be within a narrow range of predetermined volume. The machine diagnoses itself for possible failures and depleted supplies by showing on a display in code the kind of failure or of needed supply, i.e. coffee.

Abstract: An automatic brewing apparatus having a reservoir of water heated by a thermostatically controlled heater which is pumped via flexible conduit to a movable head which temporarily seals and communicates with a special packet of coffee or other brewable substance and produces a beverage by rapid infusion. Packets are mounted upon a tape which threads through a brewing basket where infusion takes place while the tape is initially wound upon a supply reel which feeds a take-up reel after passage through the brewing basket. The cooperation of these features is brought about by a control circuit which is activated by a momentary switch and consequently causes, through a drive means, the passage of the tape through the brewing basket until a packet is centered. The control circuit then stops tape passage, activates the movable head to communicate with the packet and activates a pump to force water through the grounds, brews the beverage and then shuts the apparatus off.

Abstract: An espresso machine has a coffee brewing chamber, a water reservoir and a water heater. Two electrical pumps are provided, one capable of supplying a smaller quantity of water from the reservoir via the heater to the brewing chamber so as to make a regular-strength coffee beverage, and the other capable of supplying a considerably larger quantity of water from the reservoir via the heater to the brewing chamber, so as to make a weaker-strength coffee beverage from an identical quantity of coffee. A selector at the outside of the machine allows a user to select which one of the pumps he wishes to energize.

Abstract: A continuous automatic beverage brewer is provided for producing a brewed liquid beverage, such as coffee, in any desired pre-selectable amount. The brewer includes means for supplying a liquid, such as heated water, and a solid particulate beverage ingredient, such as ground coffee, to a mixing duct through which the mixture passes for a time sufficient to effect proper brewing. A moving filter intercepts the mixing duct so that a fresh surface of the filter is continually presented to the mixture of brewed beverage and spent solid residue of the beverage ingredient to thereby achieve effective filtering. Preferably the moving filter comprises a continuous belt of filter material, the surface of which moves continually past the output of the mixing duct so as to continually remove the spent solid residue. When continuously brewing a hot liquid beverage (e.g.