초록 ▼

An apparatus for preparing coffee includes a holder provided with an access opening for placing a pouch filled with a product to be extracted into the holder; a cover for closing and releasing the access opening; a clamping arrangement for pressing the holder and cover towards each other when the co

An apparatus for preparing coffee includes a holder provided with an access opening for placing a pouch filled with a product to be extracted into the holder; a cover for closing and releasing the access opening; a clamping arrangement for pressing the holder and cover towards each other when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder; and a closing arrangement for retaining the cover and the clamping arrangement in position when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder. The closing arrangement is mechanically coupled to the clamping arrangement for bringing the clamping arrangement from a non-clamping condition into a clamping condition by manually operating the closing arrangement from a first defined position to a second defined position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for preparing coffee, comprising a holder provided with an access opening for placing a product to be extracted into said holder; a cover for closing and releasing the access opening; clamping means for pressing the cover towards the holder when the cover closes

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for preparing coffee, comprising a holder provided with an access opening for placing a product to be extracted into said holder; a cover for closing and releasing the access opening; clamping means for pressing the cover towards the holder when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder; and closing means for retaining the cover and the clamping means in position when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder, the closing means being mechanically coupled to the clamping means for bringing the clamping means from a non-clamping condition into a clamping condition by manually operating the closing means from a first defined position to a second defined position, the clamping means comprising a series of recesses and a series of mating cams, wherein one of these series is statically mounted in a first housing part to which the holder is connected, and the other series is movably mounted in a second housing part to which the cover is connected. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means comprise at least one recess and at least one mating cam, which can be brought into and out of engagement with each other by operating the closing means between the first and the second position. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam and the mating recess are located and dimensioned in such way that the cam can only engage the recess when the cover closes off the holder properly. 4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam and the recess are wedge-shaped, so that a clamping force can be gradually built up. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the series of recesses and the series of mating cams are evenly spaced along the periphery of the access opening of the holder, at least in the clamped condition. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the series of recesses and the series of mating cams are arranged in a triangle around the access opening of the holder, wherein a base of the triangle faces a front side of the apparatus via which the holder is accessible when the apparatus is opened. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the series of movably mounted clamping means is mounted on a slider, which slider is movably connected to the second housing part and mechanically coupled to the closing means. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slider is translatably mounted in the second housing part. 9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slider is rotatably mounted in the second housing part. 10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover is connected to the slider, and operated together with said slider and clamping means by the closing means. 11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the closing means comprise a toggle joint lever assembly, including an angular shaped lever and a push rod, the lever being connected to the second housing part, for rotation around a first rotation axis, the lever furthermore being connected near one end to the push rod, for rotation around a second rotation axis, the push rod being with its other end connected to the slider, for rotation around a third rotation axis, such that by operating the free end of the lever between a first position and a second position, the slider is displaced between a first position wherein the clamping means are not engaged and a second position wherein the clamping means are engaged. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the closing means comprise a spring, which returns the lever to one of its two positions. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spring extends between the second housing part and the slider or push rod, near the third rotation axis, for forming an overcenter snap link. 14. An apparatus for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a first housing part mounting a holder, the holder for placing a product to be used in preparing the coffee; a liftable second housing part mounted to a cover, the cover for closing the holder and including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; and a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including: a slider mounted in the second housing part and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position; a first cam provided on the slider; and a first cam receiving recess provided on the first housing part for receiving the first cam when the slider is moved to the clamping position. 15. An apparatus for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a first housing part mounting a holder, the holder for placing a product to be used in preparing the coffee; a liftable second housing part mounted to a cover, the cover for closing the holder and including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; and a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including: a slider mounted in the second housing part and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position; a first cam provided on one of the slider and the first housing part; and a first cam receiving recess provided on the other one of the slider and the first housing part not having the first cam for receiving the first cam when the slider is moved to the clamping position; second and third cams provided on the one of the slider and the first housing part having the first cam; and second and third cam receiving recesses provided on the other one of the slider and the first housing part having the first cam receiving recess. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first, second and third cams each comprises a wedge shape. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cams are spaced in a triangular relationship and the cam receiving recesses are spaced in a corresponding triangular relationship. 18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cams are provided on the slider and the cam recesses are provided on the first housing part. 19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cams are provided on the first housing part and the cam recesses are provided on the slider. 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first cam is provided on the first housing part and the first cam recess is provided on the slider. 21. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position. 22. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first cam comprises a wedge shape. 23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the closing arrangement comprises a toggle joint assembly. 24. An apparatus for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a first housing part mounting a holder, the holder for placing a product to be used in preparing the coffee; a liftable second housing part mounted to a cover, the cover for closing the holder and including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including: a slider mounted in the second housing part and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position; a first cam provided on one of the slider and the first housing part; and a first cam receiving recess provided on the other one of the slider and the first housing part not having the first cam for receiving the first cam when the slider is moved to the clamping position; a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position, the closing arrangement comprising a toggle joint assembly, the toggle joint assembly including a lever connected to the second housing part and a push rod connecting the lever to the slider. 25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the push rod includes a slot. 26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the closing arrangement further comprises a spring having one end connected to one of the slider and the rod, and a second end connected to the second housing part. 27. An apparatus for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a holder for placing a product to be used in preparing the coffee; a housing part mounting the holder; a liftable cover for closing the holder, the cover including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; and a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position, a first cam provided on one of the slider and the housing part; and a first cam receiving recess provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part not having the first cam. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first cam comprises a wedge shape. 29. The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: second and third cams provided on the one of the slider and the housing part having the first cam; and second and third cam receiving recesses provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part having the first cam receiving recess. 30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the first, second and third cams each comprises a wedge shape. 31. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cams are spaced in a triangular relationship and the cam receiving recesses are spaced in a corresponding triangular relationship. 32. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cams are provided on the slider and the cam recesses are provided on the housing part. 33. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cams are provided on the housing part and the cam recesses are provided on the slider. 34. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first cam is provided on the slider and the first cam recess is provided on the housing part. 35. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first cam is provided on the housing part and the first cam recess is provided on the slider. 36. The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position. 37. An apparatus for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a holder for placing a product to be used in preparing the coffee; a liftable cover for closing the holder, the cover including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; and a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position, the closing arrangement comprising a toggle joint assembly. 38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the toggle joint assembly includes a lever and a push rod connecting the lever to the slider. 39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the push rod includes a slot. 40. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the closing arrangement further comprises a spring having one end connected to one of the slider and the rod. 41. A liftable housing part for a coffee preparation apparatus, the housing part comprising: a cover for closing a coffee preparation product holder, the cover including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; and a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position, a first cam provided on one of the slider and a housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus, and a first cam receiving recess provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus not having the first cam. 42. The liftable housing part according to claim 41, wherein the first cam comprises a wedge shape. 43. The liftable housing part according to claim 41, further comprising: second and third cams provided on the one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus having the first cam; and second and third cam receiving recesses provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus having the first cam receiving recess. 44. The liftable housing part according to claim 43, wherein the first, second and third cams each comprises a wedge shape. 45. The liftable housing part according to claim 43, wherein the cams are spaced in a triangular relationship and the cam receiving recesses are spaced in a corresponding triangular relationship. 46. The liftable housing part according to claim 43, wherein the cams are provided on the slider and the cam recesses are provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus. 47. The liftable housing part according to claim 43, wherein the cams are provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus and the cam recesses are provided on the slider. 48. The liftable housing part according to claim 41, wherein the first cam is provided on the slider and the first cam recess is provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus. 49. The liftable housing part according to claim 41, wherein the first cam is provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation apparatus and the first cam recess is provided on the slider. 50. The liftable housing part according to claim 41, further comprising a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position. 51. A liftable housing part for a coffee preparation apparatus, the housing part comprising: a cover for closing a coffee preparation product holder, the cover including an opening for delivering water into the holder when the cover is closing the holder; a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder, the clamping arrangement including a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position; and a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position, the closing arrangement comprising a toggle joint assembly. 52. The liftable housing part according to claim 51, wherein the toggle joint assembly includes a lever and a push rod connecting the lever to the slider. 53. The liftable housing part according to claim 52, wherein the push rod includes a slot. 54. The liftable housing part according to claim 52, wherein the closing arrangement further comprises a spring having one end connected to one of the slider and the rod and a second end connected to the liftable housing part. 55. An apparatus for ensuring a liquid seal between a liftable cover of a coffee preparation device and a holder of the coffee preparation device that holds a product for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder to effect the liquid seal, the clamping arrangement including a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position, a first cam provided on one of the slider and a housing part of the coffee preparation device, and a first cam receiving recess provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation device not having the first cam. 56. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the first cam comprises a wedge shape. 57. The apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising: second and third cams provided on the one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation device having the first cam; and second and third cam receiving recesses provided on the other one of the slider and the housing part of the coffee preparation device having the first cam receiving recess. 58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the first, second and third cams each comprises a wedge shape. 59. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the cams are spaced in a triangular relationship and the cam receiving recesses are spaced in a corresponding triangular relationship. 60. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the cams are provided on the slider and the cam recesses are provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation device. 61. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the cams are provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation device and the cam recesses are provided on the slider. 62. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the first cam is provided on the slider and the first cam recess is provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation device. 63. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the first cam is provided on the housing part of the coffee preparation device and the first cam recess is provided on the slider. 64. The apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position. 65. An apparatus for ensuring a liquid seal between a liftable cover of a coffee preparation device and a holder of the coffee preparation device that holds a product for preparing coffee, the apparatus comprising: a clamping arrangement for pressing the cover against the holder to effect the liquid seal, the clamping arrangement comprising a slider mounted over the cover and slidably moveable between a non-clamping position and a clamping position; and a closing arrangement for operating the clamping arrangement between the non-clamping position and a clamping position, the closing arrangement comprising a toggle joint assembly. 66. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the toggle joint assembly includes a lever and a push rod connecting the lever to the slider. 67. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the push rod includes a slot. 68. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the closing arrangement further comprises a spring having one end connected to one of the slider and the rod and a second end connected to a liftable housing part of the coffee preparation device.