초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a coffee machine, whose dispensing unit has a heat generator which is independent of the boiler of the machine, valves for opening and cutting off the cold water pipe and hot water pipe which supply the dispensing unit, a temperature sensor which is arranged in the d

The present invention relates to a coffee machine, whose dispensing unit has a heat generator which is independent of the boiler of the machine, valves for opening and cutting off the cold water pipe and hot water pipe which supply the dispensing unit, a temperature sensor which is arranged in the dispensing unit and control means which are connected to the valves, the temperature sensor and the heat generator in order to allow the preparation of different types of coffee, even in succession. The present invention also relates to a method for making coffee.

대표청구항 ▼

What I claim is: 1. A coffee machine comprising: inlet means for allowing the introduction of water from the external environment, the water having an inlet temperature; a dispensing portion which can allow liquid to be dispensed into a container which is external relative to the coffee machine; a

What I claim is: 1. A coffee machine comprising: inlet means for allowing the introduction of water from the external environment, the water having an inlet temperature; a dispensing portion which can allow liquid to be dispensed into a container which is external relative to the coffee machine; a cold water pipe which places the inlet means in fluid communication with the dispensing portion and which has a first valve which can be controlled to open and cut off the cold water pipe; a hot water pipe which places the inlet means in fluid communication with the dispensing portion and which comprises heating means which can heat water therein to a temperature that is substantially higher than the inlet temperature, and a second valve which can be controlled to open and cut off the hot water pipe; an infusion unit which can contain the ground coffee and a dispensing unit which comprises the dispensing portion and which can engage with the infusion unit; a heat generator which is separate from the heating means; a temperature sensor; control means which are connected both to the temperature sensor and to at least one of the valves; said heat generator and said temperature sensor being provided inside the dispensing unit. 2. A coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means are able to control the at least one valve in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. 3. A coffee machine according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the control means are able to control the heat generator in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. 4. A coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the heat generator is a resistor. 5. A coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein there are provided selector means so as to modify the response of the control means to the signal generated by the temperature sensor, for at least a portion of the possible signals which can be generated by the temperature sensor. 6. A coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the heat generator is connected to the control means. 7. A coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe are joined at a mixing location defining the start of an end portion terminating in the dispensing portion. 8. A method for preparing coffee comprising: providing a coffee machine comprising: inlet means for allowing the introduction of water from the external environment, the water having an inlet temperature; a dispensing portion which can allow liquid to be dispensed into a container which is external relative to the coffee machine; a cold water pipe which places the inlet means in fluid communication with the dispensing portion and which has a first valve which can be controlled to open and cut off the cold water pipe; a hot water pipe which places the inlet means in fluid communication with the dispensing portion and which comprises heating means which can heat water therein to a temperature that is substantially higher than the inlet temperature, and a second valve which can be controlled to open and cut off the hot water pipe; an infusion unit which can contain the ground coffee and a dispensing unit which comprises the dispensing portion and which can engage with the infusion unit; a heat generator which is separate from the heating means; a temperature sensor; control means which are connected both to the temperature sensor and to at least one of the valves; said heat generator and said temperature sensor being provided inside the dispensing unit, and using the signal from the temperature sensor of the machine in order to control at least one of the valves of the machine. 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the signal from the temperature sensor is used in order to control the heat generator of the machine. 10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is controlled in pulse mode so as to generate pulses of water downstream thereof. 11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is controlled so as to obtain, in the end portion, a predetermined water temperature. 12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is controlled so as to obtain, in the end portion, a predetermined water temperature selected by the operator in order to obtain a specific beverage before the control means actuate the at least one valve. 13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is controlled so as to obtain, in the end portion, a predetermined temperature is selected from a plurality of predetermined temperatures by selecting one from a plurality of selections offered by selector means, which allow the selection of one from a plurality of functional programmes of the machine. 14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is controlled so as to obtain, in the end portion, a predetermined temperature and the selector means set one of a plurality of control programmes, the control programmes defining, during operation, at least two different temperatures for the water which flows in the end portion. 15. A method according to claim 8, wherein programmes define at least two different quantities of water which have to pass through the dispensing location. 16. A method according to claim 8, wherein the temperature of the water in the end portion is substantially equal to the temperature of the dispensing unit.