US3902408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for preparing hot beverages
Assignee: Robert Krups GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1973-11-21
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1993-11-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for preparing hot beverages comprises a flowthrough heater provided with a substantially horizontal channel having an inlet portion communicating with a storage chamber for unheated liquid and an outlet portion communicating with an upright rising conduit for conducting hot liquid to a percolator. A one way valve is interposed between the storage chamber and the inlet portion of the channel so as to separate the former from the latter when the pressure in the inlet portion exceeds the pressure in the storage chamber. The inlet portion is located at a higher level than the outlet portion so that steam generated in the inlet portion during heating of the liquid in the flowthrough heater forms a steam cushion acting on the surface of the liquid contained in the inlet portion, forcing the heated liquid through the outlet portion and the rising conduit into the percolator without any entrainment of the steam in the flow of the liquid, with attendant improved uniformity of flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Hubert Fuhner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:31
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/44; A47J31/54; A47J31/542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
In an apparatus for preparing hot beverages, a combination comprising means defining a storage chamber for an unheated liquid; an upright rising conduit for conducting hot liquid; and a flow-through heater provided with a substantially horizontal channel for conducting the liquid from said storage chamber to said rising conduit, said channel including an unobstructed inlet portion having an inlet communicating with said storage chamber and an outlet, and an unobstructed outlet portion stepwise merging with said inlet portion and communicating with said outlet thereof and with said rising conduit, said inlet of said inlet portion being located at a higher level than said outlet of said inlet portion, the liquid being heated in said inlet portion to a temperature considerably below the boiling temperature of the liquid but with generation of steam at the walls bounding said inlet portion, which steam accumulates in a region of said inlet portIon intermediate said inlet and outlet thereof and upwardly of said outlet of said inlet portion to form in said region a steam cushion which alternately expands and contracts in dependence on the temperature of the liquid in said inlet portion and thus pumps the partially heated liquid from said inlet portion into said outlet portion through said outlet without the steam simultaneously escaping from said region into said outlet with the partially heated liquid due to the relatively low temperature of the latter, the partially heated liquid being further heated in said outlet portion so as to elevate the temperature thereof to close below the boiling temperature of the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an apparatus for preparing hot beverages, a combination comprising means defining a storage chamber for an unheated liquid; an upright rising conduit for conducting hot liquid; and a flow-through heater provided with a substantially horizontal channel for conducting the liquid from said storage chamber to said rising conduit, said channel including an unobstructed inlet portion having an inlet communicating with said storage chamber and an outlet, and an unobstructed outlet portion stepwise merging with said inlet portion and communicating with said outlet thereof and with said rising conduit, said inlet of said inlet portion being located at a higher level than said outlet of said inlet portion, the liquid being heated in said inlet portion to a temperature considerably below the boiling temperature of the liquid but with generation of steam at the walls bounding said inlet portion, which steam accumulates in a region of said inlet portIon intermediate said inlet and outlet thereof and upwardly of said outlet of said inlet portion to form in said region a steam cushion which alternately expands and contracts in dependence on the temperature of the liquid in said inlet portion and thus pumps the partially heated liquid from said inlet portion into said outlet portion through said outlet without the steam simultaneously escaping from said region into said outlet with the partially heated liquid due to the relatively low temperature of the latter, the partially heated liquid being further heated in said outlet portion so as to elevate the temperature thereof to close below the boiling temperature of the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet portions are elongated, and wherein the length of said outlet portion amounts to substantially 1.5 to 2 times the length of said inlet portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said channel is of a substantially U-shaped configuration, and wherein said flow-through heater is provided with an inlet nipple communicating with said inlet portion and an outlet nipple communicating with said outlet portion, said nipples being adjacent one another and oriented in the same direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said heater has an upper surface, and wherein said inlet portion is formed so as to be at least in part open to said upper surface; and further comprising closure means attachable to said upper surface so as to cover said part of said inlet portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, said closure means comprising a cover plate, and said heater having a rim defining a recess in said heater including said upper surface and extending over the entire region in which said channel is formed; and wherein said plate is insertable into said recess so as to abut against said surface and said rim and is attachable to said heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said cover plate is attachable centrally of said heater; and wherein said closure means further comprises sealing means situated between said heater and said cover plate and surrounding said part of said inlet portion so as to prevent the liquid contained therein from escaping.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said cover plate is formed with recess means adapted to accommodate said sealing means so as to permit abutment of said cover plate against said upper surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said heater is formed with recess means adapted to accommodate said sealing means so as to permit abutment of said cover plate against said upper surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow-through heater has a lower portion and is formed with a recess in said lower portion, said recess being located at substantially the same level as said channel surrounding the same; and further comprising a heating element insertable into said recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said outlet portion diverges in the direction toward said rising conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising one-way valve means arranged between said storage chamber and said inlet portion and operative for controlling the flow of said unheated liquid into said inlet portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve means is a disk valve having a valve disk opening in the direction toward said inlet portion and a valve stem attached to said valve disk.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, further comprising a conduit connecting said storage chamber with said inlet portion; and wherein said valve means comprises valve seat means including a valve sleeve fittingly inserted into said conduit and a slide bearing coaxial with said valve sleeve and supporting said valve stem.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3592125A
Cited
US3691934A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |