초록 ▼

An apparatus and methods for making drinks such as cappuccino, latte, espresso, coffee or filtered water which comprise a cold water filter system for purifying water for either direct consumption or use in extracting flavor-containing materials like coffee, a hot water filter assembly located on th

An apparatus and methods for making drinks such as cappuccino, latte, espresso, coffee or filtered water which comprise a cold water filter system for purifying water for either direct consumption or use in extracting flavor-containing materials like coffee, a hot water filter assembly located on the brew head for removing impurities originated from both water itself and the parts of the apparatus in contact with water, and/or an automatic milk frothier for frothing the milk. The cold water filter system comprises a removable water container having at its bottom a water flow passageway, a filter cartridge removably mounted in the water flow passageway, a containing chamber for receiving filtered water, and a valve in the water flow passageway for automatically closing the passageway when the container is removed from and opening the passageway when placed onto the chamber. The hot water filter assembly comprises a filter cartridge having a hot water inlet and an outlet, a water distribution chamber formed between the brew head and cartridge inlet and encircled by an elastomer sealing ring, and a fixture for removably receiving the cartridge and retaining the cartridge in position to maintain the water distribution chamber intact during the operation of the apparatus. The milk frothier comprises a nozzle for transforming the steam into a steam jet, a chamber having an inlet port for receiving the steam jet, liquid passageway for drawing liquid into the chamber and an outlet port below the inlet port, liquid jet for transforming the liquid in the chamber into a liquid jet, an arrangement that allows the liquid jet to thrust into the liquid in a container and thereby producing fine air bubbles or foam in the liquid in the container, and foam level control for controlling the amount of foam to be produced.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] For use with an apparatus having a steam-supplying conduit for making drinks for human consumption or enjoyment, a device comprising:nozzle means connected to said steam-supplying conduit for producing at least one steam jet;a chamber having a steam inlet port for receivi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] For use with an apparatus having a steam-supplying conduit for making drinks for human consumption or enjoyment, a device comprising:nozzle means connected to said steam-supplying conduit for producing at least one steam jet;a chamber having a steam inlet port for receiving said steam jet and a fluid outlet port;means for producing vacuum in said chamber by said steam jet;liquid passageway means in communication with said chamber for drawing in liquid such as milk by the vacuum in said chamber, said liquid passageway means including a liquid conduit adapted to be dipped into a first vessel containing liquid such as milk;liquid jet means for transforming the liquid such as milk which is drawn into said chamber by the vacuum in said chamber into at least one liquid jet, said liquid jet means having a first end which communicates with said fluid outlet of said chamber and a second end from which said liquid jet issues;an arrangement that allows said liquid jet from said liquid jet means to thrust into the liquid such as milk in a containing means in the form of a first vessel, said liquid jet bringing the surrounding air into the liquid such as milk in said containing means thereby producing in said containing means fine air bubbles or foam; andfoam level control means for the operator of said device to control the amount of foam to be produced on the liquid in said first vessel.