Brewing device for a coffee machine

The invention relates to a brewing device formed according to claim 1 for a coffee maker. Generic type brewing devices come in both manually operated as well as in fully automatic espresso coffee machine for use. The manual machines generally have a Cartridge holder by means of a bayonet lock on the brew head Coffee is attached. Both cartridge holder to come Use that serve to direct intake of coffee, as well as Cartridge holder formed for receiving the so-called portion capsules are. For puncturing of such portion capsules is the brew head of the Coffee arranged a grid pointed at the front with Surveys provided. These surveys penetrate the lid when Attach the portion capsule. For perforating the capsule base is at the bottom the cartridge holder also arranged elevations. Once brewing water in the Capsule is introduced, the capsule base is determined by the hydraulic pressure pressed against bumps and broken it. such Beispieisweise coffee machine is known from EP 521 187. In addition, are also yet Brühköpfe known for coffee machines in which no cartridge holder in previously mentioned sense is provided, but the two Brühkopfteile are pivotally mounted to each other.

For example, from DE 94 15 374 U1, a brewing head of portion capsules an espresso machine is known which of a brewing head lower part and a pivotally associated brewing head upper part consists. The two parts form between them a housing for a portion capsule. The upper part is a Hot water channel is provided, which branches to several hollow needles that the serve piercing of the capsule film. In brewing head lower part are truncated pyramids arranged, which penetrate the capsule body, once this by the Brewing water is pressurized and pressed against these truncated pyramids. To open and close the two Brühkopfteile is a locking lever can provided which operated an ejector for the used capsule.

From EP 528 757 a brewing device is known as in fully automated Espresso coffee machine is used. This brewing device consists of a brewing cylinder with a movable piston received therein, a upper, fixedly arranged closure piston for closing the The brewing cylinder and a funnel for pouring coffee into the Brewing cylinder. Side of the brewing cylinder is arranged a drive spindle, with which the brewing cylinder is positively connected by means of a drive member. This spindle drive is used to move the brewing cylinder by the latter to Brewing the coffee powder is moved upward in the brewing position, in which the brewing cylinder is closed by the closure piston. After this Brewing the coffee powder, the brewing cylinder is driven back down. at This downward movement is the leached coffee powder by the recorded in the brewing cylinder piston ejected.

EP 1090574 A1 discloses a generic device for extracting a substance known for making a beverage. This device, which forms the brewing device of a coffee machine, consists of a first stationary and a second movable member. The two elements are to means disposed at its rear end axis of rotation relative to each other pivotable. Both elements are on the front side with a cavity for Recording of being extracted substance provided. For pivoting, that is, to Opening and closing of the two elements is a toggle type mechanism provided the two-arm of a closing lever and two tie rods consists. adheres A fundamental disadvantage of such a device is that the lever mechanism not in the region of the cavity to the two elements attacking. This sealing the cavity is made relatively difficult because the area of ​​the cavity high during brewing of the coffee powder hydraulic forces arise which press the two elements apart. In addition, the two elements lead during closure no parallel but a Pivoting movement, which additionally complicates the sealing of the cavity.

From EP 0838185 A1 an espresso coffee machine is known which has a conventional, having a handle provided filter support. To the Attach the filter holder to a boiler said closing piston is a intermediate annular element is provided. This intermediate member has the Top two mutually opposite, rising projections on which along with arranged on the closure piston projections a form bayonet lock. On the underside, the intermediate element having a front and a back, U-shaped opening. Between these two Openings extend laterally two parallel ridges in the prismatic grooves are inserted and are used to hold the filter support. The filter support may inserted from the side into the intermediate member or removed therefrom will. By rotating the accommodated in the intermediate element Filter support, a axial displacement of the filter support against the Closure piston and thus a sealing of the disposed in the filter support Chamber can be achieved.

From US 2002/144603 A1 is a coffee machine for extracting in Known Portinenkapseln ingested coffee. The coffee machine is equipped with a boiler group fitted whose brewing chamber for receiving and sampling is a portion capsule slid sideways. In brewing chamber is a first arranged Aufstechorgan which to puncture the portion capsule eccentrically is determined. On the top side of the brewing chamber, a second tubular arranged Aufstechorgan, which attached to a pivoting arm, is connected via a flexible line to a hot water heater. The arm is supported by a pin on a round plate. Under this plate is a disposed inflatable bladder, which is deployable by means of an air pump to the to press arm down. At the lower end of the bolt is a diaphragm arranged which seals the lower part of the boiler upward, when the bladder is inflated. By activating the air pump and the Inflating the bladder with the simultaneous displacement of the arm, the Portion capsule first on the bottom and then on the top by means of tubular Aufstechorgans pierced. Then hot water is on the promoted flexible conduit in the tubular and in the Aufstechorgan Portinenkapsel picked coffee extracted.

In DE 196 47 039 A1 is a coffee maker with a aufund to guide columns down movable brewing head disclosed. To move the brewing head is a Toggle mechanism provided. Beneath the brewing head are two lateral arranged guide rails, in which a filter pan in the horizontal Plane is displaceably guided. In the filter pan a portafilter can be used be, which is suitable for containing coffee powder or portion capsules.

EP 1319357 A1 describes a device for producing foam in the Filter of espresso coffee machines. For this purpose, on the underside of the to extracting coffee powder receiving vessel a pressure relief valve arranged. This consists of a ball, which on the one by the bias Spring is pressed against a bore through which the prepared Coffee infusion emerges from the vessel. To change the generated Foam amount, the bias of the spring can be changed manually.

Finally, EP 1183975 A1 a coffee for brewing in known a capsule packaged ground coffee. This coffee maker is equipped with a Brühkammergehäuse provided, at its bottom several piercing elements are arranged. In Brühkammergehäuse are an upper and a lower Chamber member disposed. The upper chamber part serves to support the vertical Capsule and is supported by means of a pressure spring on the lower chamber part. To the To protect users from injury, is the upper chamber a protective device arranged, which is intended to prevent access to the puncturing.

The invention aims to provide a brewing device for a coffee machine in such a way educate, that it has few moving parts, simple and compact constructed and easy to use.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a brewing device according to claim 1 provided.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are in the dependent claims 2 to 16 circumscribed.

A preferred embodiment of the coffee maker is based explained by drawings. In these drawings:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a perspective view of a top part and a Brewing chamber provided brewing;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a side view of the two scalding chamber according to FIG. 1;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>The brewing device according to FIG. 1 in a first longitudinal section, and</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>the brewing device of figure 1 in a second longitudinal section.</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a brewing device for a Coffee machine. The brewing device comprises a brewing chamber 1 and a Brewing chamber 2 on which and along a brewing chamber for receiving define for brewing -Extrahieren- a serving of coffee.

The top part 1 consists of an inner part 4 and a coaxially arranged, via springs 8 movable on the inner part 4 supported outer part. 9 Both the inner part 4 as well as the outer part 9 are provided with one recess 5, 10 provided, wherein both the inner member 4 as well as the outer part 9 is substantially are formed as a hollow cylinder. The respective recess 5, 10 is laterally at least partially bounded by a wall 6, 11th The inner part 4 is provided with a mounting flange 7 is provided having four bores, via which he can be fixed to the coffee machine. Most top part 1 is arranged in another, an operating lever 13, formed like a bow which and by means of which the inner part 4 be moved relative to the outer part. 9 The one side portion of the operating lever 13a and the other 13b designated. The outer part 9 is provided with a flattened portion 14 to is mounted to the operating lever 13 rotatably. In this operating lever 13 and thus in operative connection elements in more detail below received. The outer part 9 of the top part 1 is on the bottom with Guide rails 15 which for a lateral insertion opening 16 are inserted and provided for the removal of Brühkammerunterteils. 2 These Guide rails 15 serve to fix the Brühkammerunterteils 2 am Outer part 9. The springs 8 are intended to outer part 9 downward in the press illustrated end position -Offenstellung- in which the Brewing chamber 2 on the outer part 9 can be fixed or removable.

The brewing chamber 2 is a chamber 3 for receiving a serving of coffee provided. It basically does not matter whether the chamber 3 for direct Low coffee or to receive a filled with coffee powder Capsule is formed. The brewing chamber 2 consists of a base part 17 and a resiliently supported thereon capsule receptacle 19, the inside of the Accommodating a portion capsule and is associated with an annular end surface 20 is provided to which a arranged on the top part 1 Closure element creates when closing the chamber. 3 The base portion 17 is on the top provided with a flange 18, by means of which the Brewing chamber 2 is fixed to the guide rails 15 of the outer part. 9 From the base part 17 is also from a plate-shaped handle 21st

In the example shown in Fig. 1 of the brewing chamber 2 is compared with the Brewing chamber 1 shown laterally. In this position the Chamber 3 of Brühkammerunterteils 2 fed a coffee portion, or by Tilting the Brühkammerunterteils 2 a -ausgelaugte- coffee portion thereof be removed.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the two scalding chamber according to FIG. 1. From this representation it can be seen that the wall 11 of the outer part 9 on the lateral opening 16 opposite side with a slot-shaped Recess 12 is provided and that the brewing chamber 2 be against End tapered guide cam 22 is formed. This Guide cam 22 serves to center the Brühkammerunterteils 2 when fixing 9 on the outer part, by leaning on the side walls of the recess 12 aligns. The operating lever 13 is rotatable about an axis denoted by X the top part 1 is mounted on the outer part. 9 In the two flattened Sections 14 of this outer part 9, two opposite grooves 23 in the form of curved, coaxial with the rotation axis X of the operating lever 13 arranged scenes inserted. On the two side portions 13a, 13b (Fig. 1) of the Operating lever 13 an organ is fixed in the form of an axle 25, which is extends through both the outer part 9 as well as through the internal part 4 passes and by means of which the pivoting of the operating lever 13 an axial Relative movement between the inner member 4 and the outer part 9 is effected. The two gate-shaped grooves 23 are designed such that the axis 25 when move pivoting of the operating lever 13 freely within these grooves 23 can. Thus, the axle 25 may also extend through the inner part 4, are in whose wall also admitted two opposing grooves, which, however, are not visible from this illustration.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the brewing chamber upper part 1 and on the Outer part 9 fixed brewing chamber 2. As can be seen, is in the Capsule receptacle 19 a filled with ground coffee portion capsule P added. The the brewing chamber 2 facing bottom 27 of the inner part 4 is as Shutter member 28 is formed, by means of which the capsule holder 19 at the annular end face 20 (FIG. 1) can be closed. From the bottom 27 of the closure member 28 faces an upper Aufstechorgan 29, the Piercing the capsule lid serves. At the bottom of the base part 17 is a lower Aufstechorgan 30. serving the piercing the capsule base.

The capsule holder 19 is provided for this purpose with an opening 31, through which the lower Aufstechorgan 30 during closure of the chamber in the Capsule holder 19 may extend into. On the underside of the base part 17 provided with a beverage outlet 35, through which the brewed Coffee beverage can flow. In this beverage outlet 35 is a spring-loaded 37 arranged closure element, which the beverage outlet 35 shown in here State closes and undesirable leakage of -Tropfen- allfälligem Residual water or coffee beverage prevented. To actuate this closure member 37 protrudes from the bottom of the capsule housing 19 in front of a projection 36th This Extension 36 opens the closure member 37 when the chamber is closed 3 and the closure element 28, the capsule holder 19 downward.

In the wall of the inner part 4 are two opposing, in substantially horizontally extending grooves 24 embedded, said from the Representation according to FIG. 3, only one of the two grooves 24 can be seen. The at positively connected with Y designated place with the locking lever 13 Axis 25 extends through the gate-shaped grooves 23 and in substantially horizontally extending grooves 24 is shown by the design upon pivoting of the actuating lever 13, a relative movement between the inner part 4 and the outer part 9 of the top part 1 caused by the axis 25 while pressing the locking lever 13 to positively the wall of the groove 24 applies and the inner part 4 in relation to the outer part 9 pulls down. If the inner part 4 is fixed to the coffee machine, is the depression of the operating lever 13 of the outer part 9 in relation to the inner part 4 in the axial direction, ie in the direction of the longitudinal axis L1, upwards drawn. Through this mechanism, the force is substantially centrally, ie in Area of ​​the longitudinal axis L1 intersecting plane from the locking lever 13 transmitted via the axle 25 to the Innenteii. 4 The groove 24 limits the Pivotal movement of the actuating lever 13 and serves as an end stop. The by the pivoting of the actuating lever 13 between the inner part 4 and the outer part 9 running relative movement -Hub- is selected so that the Lid and the bottom of the chamber 3 accommodated in the portion capsule of P the two puncturing 29, 30 during closure of the chamber 3 safely be pierced. For closing the chamber 3 and for piercing the Portion capsule P is necessary a comparatively small stroke. This has the further advantage that the manually by the user via the actuating lever 13 force to be applied is also comparatively low. The whole mechanism is designed so that the force engagement point Y of the shaft 25 when depressing of the locking lever 13 from one side of the rotation axis X to the other side the rotational axis X travels. With respect to the representation according to FIG. 3 travels the Force application point Y axis 25 while pressing the locking lever 13 from the right side of the coincident with the longitudinal axis L1 of rotation axis X by about 5 ° above zero -Totpunkt- addition to the left side of the axis of rotation X. Such a design has the advantage that the locking lever 13 in the closed, ie pressed-down state, a self-locking position occupies, so that by the extraction of the coffee portion P hydraulically the Verschlusseiement 28 and the brewing chamber 2 acting forces not the risk that the locking lever 13 opens unintentionally.

If the inner part 4, as proposed, fixed to the coffee machine, so is represented by a pivoting of the actuating lever 13 down the outside part 9 in relation to the inner part 4 is moved axially upwardly while by a Pivoting of the operating lever 13 upwards the outer part 9 in relation is moved to the inner part 4 axially downward. A rotation of the inner part 4 to prevent relative to the outer member 9, the inner part 4 is provided with a projection 32 which extends in an arranged on the outer part 9 groove 33rd In here illustrated state, in which the brewing chamber 2 by means of the outer part 9 is fixed to the top part 1, the longitudinal axis L1 of the falls Top part 1 and the closure element 28 with the longitudinal axis of L2 Brühkammerunterteils 2 together, ie, the two portions are coaxial with one another arranged. When closing the chamber 3 takes both a relative movement of the inner part 4 than the outer part 9, as well as a relative movement of provided Brühkammerunterteils 2 opposite the to the closure element 28 Inner part 4 in the direction of longitudinal axes L1, L2 instead. The two piercing elements 29, 30 are also within the scope of the longitudinal axes L1, L2 arranged. After all is also the axis of rotation X of the operation lever 13 on the longitudinal axis L1.

The inner part 4 of the top part 1 is integral with a, suggestively drawn hot water heater 34 is provided. an integral Hot water heater 34 has the advantage that on the one hand no interconnections between the closure member 28 and the hot water maker 34 -Boilervorgesehen must be and that the closure element 28 of the other part Hot water heater 34 or brewing water is preheated.

In order shown from the open position shown in Fig. 3 in which in Fig. 4 to reach the closed position, the operating lever 13 has pushed down be, which now 9 fixed to the outer part together with the fact Brewing chamber 2 is moved along the longitudinal axis L1 upward. With reference to FIG. 4 in particular, also be seen that the force application point Y axis 25 in the closed position of Betätigungshebels13 above zero also has shifted X on the left side of the axis of rotation. By upwards Brühkammerunterteils directed movement of the two is on the one hand the cover of the Portion capsule pierced through the upper Aufstechorgan 29th On the other sets the shutter member 28 at the annular end face 20 of the Capsule accommodating at 19 so that these together with the received therein Capsule P is moved downward. Thus, the lower Aufstechorgan 30 penetrates which is arranged in the bottom of the capsule holder 19 in the opening 31 Capsule holder 19 and pierces the bottom of the package P on. after the Chamber 3 is closed by the closure element 28, forms the chamber 3 the actual brewing.

During the subsequent brewing process is over the top Aufstechorgan 29 Brewing water is introduced into the capsule P. The brewed coffee beverage can exit the lower Aufstechorgan 30 from the portion capsule P and on the open closure member 37 and the beverage outlet 35 of the brewing device flow away.

can, of course, instead of a manually operable actuating lever 13 also an electric-motor drive can be provided.

The advantages of the invention designed according to the brewing device can be as summarized as follows:<sl><li>Simple and compact construction. Particularly low height.</li><li>Simple and safe puncturing the received in the chamber Portion capsule, without any rotational movement between the Brewing chamber and the top part is executed.</li></sl>

By the coffee portion is fed to the brewing chamber when the latter is drawn off laterally from the brewing chamber, satisfies a comparatively low Stroke motion for opening and closing the chamber. Likewise, as a comparatively small stroke movement for piercing the capsule. Of the proposed mechanism is of simple design, has relatively little moving parts and can be manufactured inexpensively. In addition, taking the Locking lever after closing a self-locking position.

The data transmitted by the shutter lever mechanism forces act centrally, ie in Section of the longitudinal axis of the two scalding chamber a.

is through the parallel movement and the central power transmission safe achieved sealing the chamber.

By longitudinally movable arranged capsule accommodation is the lower Aufstechorgan protected against access in the base part of Brühkammerunterteils added.

By the previously described brewing module and fixed in the coffee built-closing piston, the entire coffee can be very compact being constructed. In addition, the brewing module is from a relatively built small number elements, which ensures high reliability and also a cost-effective production permits.