초록 ▼

A percolating machine for producing a beverage using a sealed capsule containing anhydrous powdered material, the machine having a pressurized-hot-water dispenser assembly extending along a vertical axis, and in turn having a sprinkler having an end wall substantially crosswise to the aforementioned

A percolating machine for producing a beverage using a sealed capsule containing anhydrous powdered material, the machine having a pressurized-hot-water dispenser assembly extending along a vertical axis, and in turn having a sprinkler having an end wall substantially crosswise to the aforementioned axis; a removable percolating cup positioned, in use, with its inlet facing the end wall, and for housing a sealed capsule positioned with a sealing wall facing the end wall; and a piercing device integral with the sprinkler and having a number of substantially rectangular-based projections, which extend downwards from the end wall of the sprinkler, are equally spaced about the aforementioned axis along a peripheral portion of the end wall, and pierce the sealing wall of the sealed capsule when the percolating cup is set to a work position contacting the sprinkler.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A percolating machine for producing a beverage using a sealed capsule containing anhydrous powdered material and defined by a cup-shaped body closed at one end by a bottom wall and at another end by a sealing wall fitted integrally to the cup-shaped body; the machine comprising: a pressurized-hot

1. A percolating machine for producing a beverage using a sealed capsule containing anhydrous powdered material and defined by a cup-shaped body closed at one end by a bottom wall and at another end by a sealing wall fitted integrally to the cup-shaped body; the machine comprising: a pressurized-hot-water dispenser having an end wall;a removable percolating cup for housing a said capsule, and positioned, in use, with its inlet facing said end wall;supporting and retaining means for retaining said percolating cup, in use, in a work position connected to said end wall;a first piercing device carried by said sprinkler to permit pressurized-hot-water flow through said sealing wall; anda second piercing device carried by said percolating cup to permit outflow of said beverage through said bottom wall;wherein the dispensing means, the supporting and retaining means and the percolating cup are aligned, in use, along an axis;wherein said first piercing device comprises a number of projections extending toward said supporting and retaining means from a peripheral portion of said end wall and equally spaced about said axis in a single circle coaxial with said axis and of a diameter approximately equal to but no larger than an inside diameter of said inlet; andwherein each projection of the first piercing device has a substantially rectangular base having a first side facing said axis and a second side facing away from said axis, and a substantially saw-tooth profile having an inclined first surface extending along the first side, and a part-cylindrical second surface coaxial with said axis extending along the second side and intersecting the first surface to define a cutting edge. 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined surface of each projection of the first piercing device comprises a base portion and a vertex portion; said vertex portion being connected to said part-cylindrical surface along said cutting edge, and sloping at a greater angle than said base portion with respect to said axis. 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axis is a vertical axis. 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sprinkler is mounted to move axially, when subjected to thrust by said percolating cup and in opposition to the reaction of thrust means, from an extracted position to a withdrawn position towards said boiler. 5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, and comprising a number of pressurized-hot-water outlet conduits formed axially through the end wall of said sprinkler; said outlet conduits being arranged at a distance from said axis to form a single circle about said axis. 6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein each outlet conduit is associated with a respective projection and adjacent to the relative projection. 7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting and retaining means comprise an annular body coaxial with said axis; a guide for guiding said percolating cup along said annular body; and a bayonet joint for retaining said percolating cup in said work position. 8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said supporting and retaining means are releasable. 9. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said guide comprises two straight, diametrically opposite grooves parallel to said axis and formed through said annular body; said percolating cup having two appendixes, each for engaging a respective said groove in transversely sliding manner. 10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said bayonet joint comprises at least one pair of sloping surfaces; each sloping surface being formed on said annular body, facing said sprinkler, and extending from a respective said groove. 11. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base portion defines a first planar surface and the vertex portion defines a second planar surface.