Platen assembly for coffee maker using pre-dosaged coffee filter packets

The method for preparing espresso coffee from a disposable coffee pad containing finely ground coffee beans, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an espresso coffee machine having means for supplying at least one of steam and hot water, a first upper chamber member having a first surface connected via a first passage to said supply means, a second lower chamber member having a second surface connected via a second passage to a spout, said first member and said second member being movable between an open position for receiving a coffee pad and a closed position for forming, between said first surface and said second surface, a closed sealed chamber to contain the coffee pad, so that in said closed position the at least one of a supply of steam and hot water passes through said chamber containing a coffee pad and discharges as espresso coffee from said spout, and movable means for moving said first member and said second member between said open position and said closed position thereof, said movable means including a platen attached to said second member, two spaced apart vertical posts on which said platen is vertically and reciprocally movable, a horizontally-pivotal elongate handle, a stationery first cam member attached to said platen end a rotatable second cam member attached to said handle and disposed beneath and cammingly engaged with said stationary first cam member, said first and a second cam members being configured and dimensioned such that when said handle is pivoted horizontally from one side to another said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lifts said first cam member upward to, in turn, move said platen and said lower chamber member into said closed position and, conversely, when said handle is pivoted in the opposite direction, said second cam member pivotally rotates and cammingly lowers said first cam member and, in turn, said platen and said second lower chamber member to said open position;
• inserting a disposable coffee pad between said first upper chamber member and said second lower chamber member;
• moving at least one of said first member and said second member to said closed position to contain the disposable coffee pad in said chamber;
• and
• permitting at least one of said supply of steam and hot water into said first member to pass through said chamber containing a coffee pad and to discharge as espresso coffee from said spout.