# US 2016/0249762 A1 · Modular brewing unit for a coffee machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0249762 A1 - Document ID: US20160249762A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/030,626 - Filed: 2014-10-06 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-21 - Assignees: Schaerer AG - Applicants: Schaerer AG - Inventors: André Lüssi; Hans-Ulrich Hostettler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249762A1 ## CPC - A47J 31/0647: {with means to adjust the brewing chamber volume to accommodate different quantities of brewing material} - A47J 31/3614: {Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position} - A47J 31/3619: {Means to remove coffee after brewing} - A47J 31/3671: {Loose coffee being employed} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract The invention relates to a modular brewing unit for a coffee machine, comprising a brewing part and a drive part, which are arranged parallel one beside the other in a common frame, wherein the brewing part, arranged concentrically along a common first axis, has an upper piston, a lower piston and, between the two pistons, a brewing cylinder with a cylindrical bore for accommodating the two pistons, a brewing chamber being formed in the process, and wherein the drive part comprises a spindle which extends along a drive axis, parallel to the first axis, is mounted in the frame such that it can be rotated about said drive axis and is in engagement with the brewing cylinder and the lower piston such that, during a brewing cycle, upon rotation of the spindle, the brewing cylinder and the lower piston are displaced along the first axis relative to the upper piston, which is fixed in the frame. Different brewing units are realized in a simplified manner in that the drive part can be combined with brewing parts of different designs in order to provide for different brewing conditions. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-17. (canceled) ### Claim 18 Modular brewing unit for a coffee machine, comprising multiple differently constructed brewing parts and a driving part, wherein one brewing part and the driving part are arranged parallel beside each other in a common frame, wherein the brewing part has, arranged concentrically along a common first axis, an upper piston, a lower piston, and a brewing cylinder between the two pistons, having a cylindrical bore to accommodate the two pistons, forming a brewing chamber, and wherein the driving part comprises a spindle that extends along a drive axis parallel to the first axis, is mounted in the frame so as to be rotatable about said drive axis, and is in engagement with the brewing cylinder and the lower piston such that, during a brewing cycle, when the spindle is rotated the brewing cylinder and the lower piston are displaced along the first axis relative to the upper piston which is mounted in fixed manner in the frame, characterised in that in order to realise different brewing conditions the driving part is combinable with the differently constructed brewing parts. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) Brewing unit according to claim 18, characterised in that the differently constructed brewing parts are designed to accommodate different quantities of coffee powder per brewing cycle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) Brewing unit according to claim 19, characterised in that the differently constructed brewing parts differ in respect of the size of the brewing chamber. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) Brewing unit according to claim 20, characterised in that the differently constructed brewing parts differ in respect of the internal diameter of the brewing chamber, and that the outer diameters of the upper and lower pistons are adapted to the internal diameter of the brewing chamber. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) Brewing unit according to claim 18, characterised in that the brewing cylinder is driven by the spindle, the lower piston is mounted inside the brewing cylinder so as to be displaceable along the first axis, the lower piston is fixable in a lower end position by means of a detent device attached permanently to the frame, and the detent device remains the same for differently constructed brewing parts. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) Brewing unit according to claim 18, characterised in that a swivelable funnel is provided on the brewing part for filling the brewing chamber with coffee powder, and that the design of the swivelable funnel is adapted to the differently constructed brewing part. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) Brewing unit according to claim 23, characterised in that the length of the swivelable funnel is adapted to the brewing cylinder. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) Brewing unit according to claim 24, characterised in that the swivelable funnel has a curvature. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) Brewing unit according to claim 25, characterised in that the swivelable funnel has multiple funnel sections at different inclinations. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) Brewing unit according to claim 18, characterised in that the brewed coffee is discharged through the upper piston, and that the outlet behaviour in the upper pistoncan be altered to create different brewing conditions in the brewing part by positioning replaceable inserts in the upper piston. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) Brewing unit according to claim 27, characterised in that the upper piston has a central passthrough for the outlet, and the replaceable inserts can be inserted, particularly screwed, in the passthrough to create a seal. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) Brewing unit according to claim 27, characterised in that the replaceable inserts each have a cylindrical body with a concentric bore to allow the brewed coffee to pass through. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) Brewing unit according to claim 29, characterised in that the replaceable inserts have an external thread section, a transition to a tubular spout at one end, and are furnished with an external seal at the other end. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) Brewing unit according to claim 29, characterised in that the replaceable inserts are equipped with means for influencing the flow through the bore. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) Brewing unit according to claim 31, characterised in that the means for influencing the flow through the bore comprise a replaceable baffle. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) Brewing unit according to claim 31, characterised in that the means for influencing the flow through the bore comprise a non-return valve. ### Claim 34 (depends on 18) Brewing unit according to claim 18, characterised in that the brewing cylinder is constructed in a dog, which is in engagement with the spindle via a threaded part and is guided parallel to the first axis in the frame by laterally mounted guide rails, and the guide rails are connected to the threaded part by means of a snap locking mechanism.