US 6,474,221 B2 · Water and coffee distributor for coffee machine

Abstract

A distributor for a coffee machine and a method for making coffee with options for selected quantity and types of coffee to be served are disclosed. The distributor has three fluid passages and operable between first and second positions. In the first position a first passage is adapted to receive a water and coffee mixture from a first hopper to be delivered to a first brewer or a second passage is adapted to receive a water and coffee mixture from a second hopper to be delivered to a second brewer. In the second position a third passage is adapted to receive a water and coffee mixture from either selected one of the first and second hoppers to be distributed substantial-equally to the first and second brewers. The invention provides a simple distribution system for the coffee machine with options for selected quantities and types of coffee. The invention also advantageously makes it possible to quickly serve a freshly brewed coffee with a selected quantity and type.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A beverage machine which has first and second beverage hoppers, each for one type of the beverage mixture, and first and second brewers, each having a predetermined capacity, the beverage machine comprising:

a distributor having three fluid passages, operatively attached to the machine, and movable with respect to the machine between a first position in which a first passage is adapted to receive a beverage mixture from the first hopper to be delivered to the first brewer or a second passage is adapted to receive a beverage mixture from the second hopper to be delivered to the second brewer and a second position in which a third passage is adapted to receive a beverage mixture from a selected one of the first and second hoppers to be distributed substantial-equally to the first and second brewers;
and
an actuator supported to the machine and operatively connected to the distributor, adapted to move the distributor between the first and second positions.

A water and coffee distributor for a coffee machine which has first and second coffee hoppers, each for one type of coffee, and first and second brewers, each having a predetermined capacity, the distributor comprising:

a chute adapted to be placed below the hoppers and above the brewers, including first and second receiving chambers, each having an outlet at an bottom thereof, and a third receiving chamber in fluid communication with the first and second receiving chambers, each of the three receiving chambers having an top opening;
the chute being pivotable with respect to the machine between a first position in which the top opening of the first receiving chamber aligns an outlet of the first hopper and the top opening of the second receiving chamber aligns an outlet of the second hopper and a second position in which the third receiving chamber aligns both outlets of the first and second hoppers;
and
a pivoting actuator mounted to the machine and detachably connected to the chute to pivot the chute about a pivoting line which is close to the outlet of the first and second receiving chambers so that the outlet of the first receiving chamber and the outlet of the second receiving chamber are kept aligned individually with an entry of the first brewer and an entry of the second brewer when the chute is pivoted.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water and coffee distributor for coffee machine

Life of this patent

Water and coffee distributor for coffee machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15