Abstract: A brewing apparatus which makes coffee by the drip method within a microwave oven. The brewing apparatus having a reservoir for retaining a quantity of water for heating. The reservoir positioned on a carafe for receiving a quantity of brewed coffee therein. A basket is positioned between the reservoir and the carafe for retaining the coffee grounds while permitting brewed coffee to pass therethrough. A water transfer tube is positioned within the reservoir having an inlet adjacent the internal bottom of the reservoir and an outlet positioned below the external bottom of the reservoir. The tube forming a bight above the water line within the reservoir. The application of microwave energy heats the water within the reservoir initiating a pumping system that creates a hydraulic head advantage through the transfer tube. The advantage creates a continuous flow of water from the reservoir through the outlet and onto the coffee grounds within the basket.

Abstract: Systems for preparing comestibles, particularly beverages, from substances contained in sealed cartridges have a water injector, a support for a cartridge holder and a cartridge holder which includes a flow grille and relief surface element so that upon introducing water under pressure into the cartridge to prepare a beverage, a face of the cartridge adjacent the relief surface element and flow grille is deformed and then torn to enable a fluid comestible to be removed from the cartridge and pass through the relief surface element and grille.

Abstract: Devices for being fitted to a beverage making machine extraction head have a ring member which has a wall which extends to define a hollowed interior portion suitable for being fitted about a periphery of a coffee machine water injection system extraction head which surrounds a water injection passage. The hollowed interior is defined further by a base connected to and disposed transversely with respect to the wall. The base may be a ring wall portion which provides a grill and which has projections extending therefrom, or may be a ring wall portion which has a hole therethrough and which has projections extending therefrom, or may be a ring wall portion which has a centrally disposed needle portion which contains at least one opening so that upon the ring member being fitted about the extraction head, the base is positioned adjacent a base of the extraction head, and so that the projections or needle are positioned to extend away from the extraction head base.

Abstract: A device for the extraction of a beverage material contained in a cartridge has a surface member of which at least a portion has a flat surface and a size at least sufficient to overlay and cover at least a peripheral surface of a cartridge, which contains a beverage to be extracted and which is positioned adjacent the member, to effect imperviousness between the flat surface of the surface member and the cartridge during extraction of the beverage material contained in the cartridge. The device also has an injector which extends through the surface member for piercing into the cartridge. The injector extends longitudinally perpendicular to the flat surface of the surface member and has outlets disposed for directing water ejected from the injector for extraction of the beverage material at an angle of from 90.degree. to 65.degree. with reference to a longitudinally extending portion of the injector at the outlets.

Abstract: An espresso coffee machine including an electrically heatable water heater, a filter basket holder, and a filter basket holding device which can be sealingly closed by introducing therein the filter basket holder. The filter basket holder is subdividable by a filter into a brewing chamber that can be filled with coffee grounds and into a pouring device arranged at its bottom. The coffee machine further includes a first duct and a second duct having a steam outlet. The first duct opens into the filter basket holding device so as to connect the brewing chamber to the water heater and it includes a throughflow controlling valve arranged therein which is always closed when the filter basket holder is not inserted. After the filter basket holder is inserted into the machine, the filter basket holder causes the valve to move from its closed into an open position.

Abstract: A device for assisting extraction of a material contained in a cartridge for preparation of a beverage has a wall which forms a hollowed enclosure which has an interior surface which defines a frustoconically shaped cavity for containing the cartridge. A rim intersects and extends laterally from the interior surface of the wall to form a peripheral rim base surface which intersects the wall for supporting a cartridge contained by the interior wall surface. A plurality of fins integral with the rim extend from the rim laterally, with respect to the interior wall surface, to converge and connect at an area which is centrally disposed, with respect to the interior wall surface and rim, and displaced at a distance away from a plane defined by the intersection of the interior wall and rim base surfaces so that the area of convergence is displaced away from a cartridge contained and supported by the wall and rim base surfaces.

Abstract: Devices for extraction of a beverage material contained in a cartridge include an extraction head and a water distributing grill, a cartridge holder and a cartridge holder support which engages tightening ramps of a tightening ring of the extraction head to support the holder. Projecting elements extend from the grill in a direction away from a base of the extraction head. The cartridge holder has a frustoconical inner shape and has a seal incorporated in a rim extension.

Abstract: This invention relates to an espresso machine comprising a boiler (1) and a filter chamber (5) which is connected to the boiler (1) via a hot water line (11) and which comprises an outlet (18) and is divided via an inserted screen (6) into two chamber regions (b, c), a thermostat switch (TH1) which is responsive to the temperature within the boiler (1) and connected in series with the heating apparatus (2) to limit the temperature within the boiler to a predetermined upper value, an air pump (8) terminating in the boiler (1), a first shut-off valve (17) positioned in the hot water line (11) and a second shut-off valve (19) positioned upstream of the outlet of the filter chamber (5).

Abstract: Devices for use in a water injection coffee extraction machine are in a form of a hollowed ring which may be fixed about the base of the extraction head of the coffee machine, and a grill or other member, which allows passage of extraction water therethrough, is positioned transversely within the interior of the ring so that upon fitting the ring about the extraction head base, the grill or other member is positioned adjacent the base of the extraction head. The grill may have projections which extend in a direction away from the extraction head, and the member may have a centrally disposed portion which has a form of a needle which also contains at least one hole.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes an impermeable pierceable base having a predetermined shape and an opening at one end; a self-supporting wettable filter element disposed in the base sealingly engages with the opening in the base and has a form different and smaller than the predetermined shape of the base so that the filter element diverges from the base and divides the base into two sealed chambers, a first chamber for storing an extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty chamber for accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from the filter has been made by combining a liquid with the extract; and an impermeable pierceable cover sealingly engaged with the opening in the base to form an impermeable cartridge.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus has a brewing cylinder (1) with a cylindrical bore (2) and two pistons (3, 4). The brewing cylinder (1) and the pistons (3, 4) are disposed displaceably relative to one another. In a brewing position the brewing cylinder (1) and the two pistons (3, 4) within the latter form a brewing chamber (5) in order to scald ground coffee therein through the feed of pressurized water. This water is fed to the brewing chamber (5) via a connection fitting (18) and via a through bore which extends through the wall of the brewing cylinder (1), into an annular gap (14) which is formed between a gasket (11) and the end face (13) of the second piston (4) facing the brewing chamber (5). Via a strainer (32), a conduit (34), and a further connection fitting (35), the coffee is discharged. Through the arrangement of the gap (14), the face (13) of the second piston ( 4) can be made without a strainer. The feeding of pressurized water to the gap (14) causes a self-cleaning effect in the latter.

Abstract: A prepared package for use with a water heating device makes a liquid containing product. The package has an upper water containing chamber and a lower product ingredients containing chamber. The upper and lower chambers are completely separated from one another by a permanent liquid impervious membrane. The package includes a water outlet from the upper chamber and a water inlet to the lower chamber. The water inlet and the water outlet of the package have openable seals and are sized and orientated to fit with a water inlet and water outlet respectively of the water heating device to provide fluid communication between the package and the water heating device such that upon opening the seals, water flows from the upper chamber of the package through the water heating device and into the lower chamber of the package enabling heated water to mix with the product ingredients in making the product.

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: An espresso coffee machine has a vertically movable snout that supplies hot water under pressure of a pump (13), to coffee (8) held in a filter (7) on a stationary support (9). The snout (10) which penetrates inside the filter (7), is mounted on the first part (22) of a hydraulic jack (21) actuated by the pressurized water supplied by the pump (13). The second part (88) of the jack is adapted to be moved against the action of an antagonistic spring (98) in order to permit the optimum deployment of the jack (21) when the snout (10) is in contact with the ground coffee (8) in the filter (7). This construction is useful for limiting the mechanical stresses on the component parts of the jack, and the pressure exerted by the snout on the ground coffee.

Abstract: A machine which dispenses beverages from sachets containing a beverage-producing material injects liquid into the sachet. A pressure-sensitive base seam of the sachet is opened by liquid pressure. To prevent the base seam opening explosively and spray solids or liquid away from the beverage receptacle directly below the sachet, a heat source is employed to weaken the seam prior to opening, so that it opens non-explosively by peeling in a controlled manner. The heat source can be internal (an initial volume of hot liquid at a pressure insufficient to break the seal) or external such as a radiant source, hot air or steam. Such a machine is particularly advantageous for dispensing hot chocolate.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically brewing coffee, tea, or the like comprises a cell for automatically drawing a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir. A heating unit heats the water in the cell up to boiling and subsequently generates pressurized steam in the cell. The heated water in the cell is forced out of the outlet, which is positioned at the lowest portion of the cell, and delivered under the pressure of the pressurized steam to and through the coffee grounds, tea, or the like in a container. The pressurized steam is released into atmosphere by a valve means before it reaches the coffee grounds, tea, or the like in the container in one embodiment of the present invention and it passes through and drys the wet coffee grounds, tea, or the like in the container in the other embodiment.

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: 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: A prepared package for a hot beverage serving comprises an upper sealed liquid containing chamber, a lower beverage ingredient containing chamber with the upper and lower chambers being separated by a permanent liquid impervious membrane. The package further includes a sealed outlet from the upper chamber, a separate inlet to the lower chamber and a bottom spout from the lower chamber. In using the package the liquid from the upper chamber bypasses the membrane out through the outlet to a liquid heating device which then returns the heated liquid through the inlet to the lower chamber where the liquid mixes with the beverage ingredients and drains downwardly through the bottom spout.

Abstract: A machine for making coffee has a cylindrical chamber in which the head walls are made up of two pistons mounted on circulating ball screw actuators. Once the coffee powder is put into the chamber, the pistons are brought together to exert pressure, after which hot water is introduced to make the infusion. A motor for one of the actuators is in a lower casing on which the chamber is directly mounted for compact construction.

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: An espresso/cappuccino machine includes an upper container defining an upper chamber therein, a lower container defining a lower chamber therein, and a selector valve. A first pipet extends from nearly a bottom of the upper chamber to outside of the upper chamber. A first heating element with a first thermal control element is disposed in the bottom of the upper chamber. A second heating element with a second thermal control element is disposed in the bottom of the lower chamber. A second pipet communicates the upper chamber and the lower chamber. A check valve is provided in the second pipet such that fluid is only flowable from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

Abstract: A device for obtaining hot drinks in solution, especially hot drinks made from a freeze-dried product. The freeze-dried product is dispensed in a predetermined dose into a treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is closed and air, liquid, and steam are injected into the treatment chamber in order to dissolve the predetermined dose and to create the hot drink. The predetermined dose is substantially mixed and dissolved in the liquid, steam and air and removed from the treatment chamber through an outlet in a cover of the treatment chamber and through a valve in the bottom of the treatment chamber. The supply of air to the treatment chamber can be interrupted if the hot drink is desired without froth.

Abstract: A machine for the automatic making of coffee or like beverages from a plurality of preformed packets wherein each packet is successively delivered to a liquid delivery head and further a plurality of containers are each disposed in receiving relation with water flowing through individual ones of said plurality of packets from the delivery head for the collection of the formed beverage. A control assembly is provided to automatically regulate the synchronized movement of the delivery head into engaging relation with successively positioned packets and the supplying of liquid thereto at a predetermined time and in a predetermined quantity so that each packet, when successively and operatively positioned will form the correct amount of coffee in the aligned container.

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 drink extraction apparatus utilizing a pump for pumping hot water from a hot-water tank and, through a pumping tube, pouring such hot water onto drink material in a drink material container, and for, upon completion of the extraction, sending into such drink material container pressurized air through such pumping tube to cut dripping from a filter by expelling hot water in the drink material residue, the air being pumped directly from the air intake or pumped into an air tank to pressurize the air.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making beverages, such as coffee, soup, tea, or the like, wherein a starting product, such as ground coffee, is supplied to a cavity and is enclosed therein by a piston. After this, through an opening provided in the piston, a quantity of fluid, in this case water, originating from a water system is pressed into said cavity. Hereafter, the fluid, after extraction of the starting product contained in the chamber, in this case filling chamber, is discharged through an opening near the end opposite the piston, the control of this process taking place electronically. The method is characterized in that use is made of an apparatus having at least two filling chambers of different size and mounted on a movable holder and that the various steps are performed during a single cycle of the holder.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: A non-pressurized, self-sealing coffee maker and a method for using the coffee maker with microwave energy is provided. The coffee maker is vented such that there is no danger associated with steam pressure. The coffee maker uses a vented siphon system which allows discontinuance of microwave energy after the siphon action has been initiated. The apparatus itself also includes a gravity transfer device which allows water to drip directly on the ground coffee and prevents scorching.

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: The invention includes a brewing apparatus which makes coffee, tea or the like by the drip method within a microwave oven. The brewing apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of water for heating which is positioned on a carafe for receiving a quantity of brewed coffee, tea or the like therein. A basket supported on the reservoir retains coffee grounds, tea leave or the like while permitting brewed material to pass therethrough. A pump tube is attached to the reservoir and extends into the cavity formed thereby to a position below the water line. The reservoir is formed such that the application of microwave energy heats the water within the cavity, causing a pressure increase. The pressure forces liquid through the inlet of the pump tube. The pump tube direct the heated water through the outlet onto the coffee grounds, tea leaves or the like within the basket. The brewed material then passes from the basket into the carafe.

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: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing hot beverages includes a water reservoir, a flowmeter, a pump and a heating unit connected in series by piping. A non-return valve is positioned in an exit water outlet of the heating unit. A branch return pipe having an electro-valve positioned therein is connected to the piping between the heating unit and the pump and terminates in the reservoir.

Abstract: A beverage is prepared employing a package (10) having a compartment (111) containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The package is located at a brewing station, an aqueous medium, e.g. hot water, is introduced into the package, the aqueous medium is allowed to commingle with the beverage ingredient, and the beverage so formed is collected through an outlet (38) formed in the package. The compartment of the package is sealed by a covering material (119) which determines one dimension of at least one opening (115) acting to filter the beverage passing out of the compartment to the outlet of the package. The package is also clamped at the brewing station prior to the introduction of the aqueous medium in a manner which maintains said one dimension during the subsequent formation and collection of the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a container having a portion for receiving a beverage made by passing hot water over an ingredient and a basket for holding a beverage ingredient provided at an upper end of the container. When hot liquid is supplied into the basket, a hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture exits from the basket into the receiver portion. In embodiments of the present invention, the receiver portion and a reservoir from which the hot liquid originates are disposed side-by-side. Embodiments of the present invention have elements that shield the beverage ingredient from microwave energy and/or an element or elements that insulate the hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture.

Abstract: A convertible beverage (coffee and tea) making machine which as manufactured is a manual cold water pour-in machine and which is readily convertible "in the field" to an automatic cold water inlet machine, with or without a separate hot water faucet, by installing the contents of a conversion kit. If desired, the machine can be re-converted from an automatic back to a manual cold water pour-in machine. Separate and apart from being convertible from pour-in to automatic, the beverage making machine incorporates structural features which readily permit the following optional changes: the brewing funnel support rails can be re-positioned to allow the brewing funnel to be inserted and withdrawn from either the right or left side instead of from the front; the electric switch "buttons" can be re-positioned from the front to either the right or left sides; and, a hot water faucet, when added, can be mounted on either the right or left sides.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: A device for extracting material contained in cartridges has a housing body having a hollow interior, defined by the inside of the housing body which extends to and terminates at an open bottom, in a form which substantially conforms to the form of a cartridge to be extracted for accepting a cartridge for extraction. An upper portion of the housing includes an injection element having a point which protrudes into the hollow interior for opening and penetrating a cartridge for extraction of the material in the cartridge. The outside of the housing body has an upper protruding part and a lower protruding stop beneath and displaced from the upper protruding part. A movable ring circumscribes the housing and the stop and has a lug protruding towards the outside of the housing body which is capable of communicating with the stop, the lug being positioned on the ring such that when the lug and stop are in communication, the ring protrudes below the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a cartridge moving mechanism and a hopper. The cartridge moving mechanism moves between a cartridge receiving position and an extracting position and between the extracting position and a cartridge exhaust position. The hopper has a dropping unit and is disposed immediately above the cartridge receiving position. The dropping unit serves to drop a cartridge consisting of a fluid-impermeable outer frame and a filters. A space defined between the filters and the outer frame and contains a powdery or granular material to be extracted. An extracting mechanism of the dispenser has an upper extracting head, and a lower extracting head including an extracting tank. The upper extracting head is provided above the extracting position and has an extracting chamber. The extracting tank is provided below the extracting position to face the upper extracting head, and another extracting chamber is formed in the extracting tank.

Abstract: A process for extracting aromatic substances which are contained in sealed cartridges by injecting water for prewetting the substance in the cartridge, injecting air into the prewetted substance and injecting water for extraction of the substance. More particularly, the aromatic substances which are extracted are for the preparation of a beverage and are contained in cartridges which have a top portion capable of being pierced by an injector and a base portion having a membrane provided with a line of weakness which breaks during the extraction process with a filter being provided between the membrane and the substance to be extracted. The prewetting water is injected into the substance in the cartridge at a pressure of between 2 kg/cm.sup.2 and 3 kg/cm.sup.2. Air is injected at a pressure of between 3 kg/cm.sup.2 and 6 kg/cm.sup.

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: An espresso and drip coffee maker has a body on which a hanging member is mounted. The hanging member may be rotated to an operative position for hanging removably a coffee bean container on an upper portion of the body. The body includes a water container, a conduit, and an accumulating chamber therein. A two-way valve is provided for guiding the water in the water container through either the conduit or the accumulating chamber into a steam chamber which is communicated with the coffee bean container. A heating pipe is interposed between the conduit and the accumulating chamber for providing heat to the conduit and the accumulating chamber. A check valve is provided for preventing water or steam from flowing back to the water container through the conduit.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a housing which supports a fresh water container above a receptacle for the coffee. A resistive heating element is mounted in the container to heat the water. The bottom of the container is provided by a downwardly sloping element having an outlet to release heated water to a filter vessel which is releasably connected to the bottom element by a bayonet lock. The filter vessel has an upper rim which is pressed toward an annular shoulder on the underside of the bottom element to create a seal, so that a bubble forms beneath the bottom element when coffee is being brewed. The upper side of the bottom element has arms which mount a temperature-sensitive bimetallic snap element over the outlet. A resilient stopper is mounted on the snap element and is raised from the outlet by the snap element when the water is hot enough for coffee.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an improved type of "Espresso" coffee machine where the means (22) for the production and distribution of hot water and steam are independent from the means (5) used for the production of the espresso coffee itself.In this way the construction of the "espresso" coffee machines is very simplified and is possible to easily assemble various type of machines to meet whatever customer's requirements.

Abstract: A machine, for the automatic preparation of a beverage which is extracted from a product contained in a cartridge, has at least one extraction mechanism and at least one assembly having a plurality of magazines for housing cartridges containing product to be extracted and for supplying those cartridges to a conveyor which supplies the cartridges from a magazine to a distributor which then supplies the cartridges to the extraction mechanism and which also removes cartridges from the extraction mechanism for discarding the used cartridge.

Abstract: The invention provides a coffee machine, with a housing, a fresh water supply reservoir mounted therein, a heating means adapted to heat the fresh water and a feeding pump to supply the heated fresh water to a brewing chamber under pressure. The brewing chamber comprises a closure means and an inlet for coffee powder as well as an outlet for coffee. If appropriate, an installation for pushing out and removing, respectively, the leached-out coffee powder out of the brewing chamber and from the brewing chamber, respectively, may be provided. All parts of the apparatus which are subjected to contamination by the coffee powder or by the coffee, namely the brewing chamber, the closure element, the coffee powder inlet, the coffee outlet and eventually the installation for pushing-out and removing the coffee powder, are combined to a modular unit, which is removably inserted into the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides an espresso coffee machine comprising an electrically heated vessel with a removable tight-closing lid intended for receiving water, and a rising pipe one end of which opens out in the vicinity of the bottom of the vessel while the other end leads to a container arranged at a distance above the vessel intended for receiving ground coffee. Arranged on the lid is a pipe leading outside the vessel and connecting to the vessel interior via a valve which can be actuated outside the vessel. The lid pipe permits entry of dry steam into the machine to, for example, foam milk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a beverage from an infusible material such as coffee or tea by contacting the material with aqueous medium such as hot water in successive discrete portions, each successive portion re-suspending and re-agitating the material to increase extraction efficiency. The infusible material is preferably enclosed in a disposable brewing container such as a sachet or capsule, the aqueous medium injected therein in successive cycles.