Gruppo Cimbali S.p.a.

Andrea Coccia

Dario Sala

Claudio Volonté

Claudio Volonte'

A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages is disclosed comprising a hydraulic pump, at least one dispensing device with a filter unit adapted to contain ground coffee, and a water supply unit. A hydraulic circuit brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with the supply unit of the dispensing device to supply hot water under pressure to the supply unit. A system for controlling the dispensing pressure comprises a control unit and a pressure sensor to transmit signals representative of the pressure detected to the control unit to detect the disposing pressure. The hydraulic pump supplies variable quantities of water and may be actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to select the flow of water supplied by the pump. A method for controlling the dispensing pressure in a coffee machine is also disclosed.

Coffee machine with dispensing pressure regulation and a method relating thereto

A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages is disclosed, including a hydraulic pump and at least one dispensing device comprising a filter unit apt to contain ground coffee. A hydraulic circuit brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with a supply unit of the dispensing device. The hydraulic circuit includes a supply duct which supplies hot water under pressure to the supply unit. A system for controlling the dispensing pressure includes a control unit, a pressure sensor, and a hydraulic variable-flow valve. The variable-flow valve is actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to regulate the flow rate of water output as a function of a detected dispensing pressure value.

Coffee machine with dispensing pressure regulation

The present invention relates to a coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages comprising a hydraulic pump (), at least one dispensing device () comprising a filter unit () apt to contain ground coffee and a supply unit () apt to supply water to the filter unit when the filter unit is engaged with the supply unit and a hydraulic circuit which brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with the supply unit of the dispensing device, the hydraulic circuit comprising a supply duct () which supplies hot water under pressure to the supply unit, characterized in that it further comprises a system for controlling the dispensing pressure which comprises a control unit (), a pressure sensor () disposed along the hydraulic circuit and apt to generate a control signal representative of the pressure detected, the pressure sensor being electronically connected to a control unit to detect the dispensing pressure, and a hydraulic variable-flow valve () disposed along the hydraulic circuit and apt to supply variable quantities of water to at least one dispensing device, the variable-flow valve being actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to regulate the flow rate of water output as a function of a detected dispensing pressure value. The invention relates, moreover, to a method for controlling the dispensing pressure in a coffee machine.

Coffee machine with dispensing regulation and a method relating thereto

A machine for preparing coffee and milk based beverages having a steam generator, a first apparatus for producing coffee as well as a source of liquid milk and a second apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage from a concentrated fluid product. The second apparatus includes a beverage preparation device associated with a second dispenser connected via first line to a first connector unit of the second apparatus to receive a concentrated fluid product pre-diluted in the first connector unit and, via a second line, to the source of liquid milk to complete dilution and obtain a diluted product to be dispensed from the beverage preparation device.

Apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage, in particular a chocolate-based beverage in a coffee machine

A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages, comprising: a water supply pipe (); at least one dispensing device () comprising an infusion unit () apt to contain coffee powder, wherein said dispensing device () includes an infusion body () apt to admit water into said infusion unit () when said infusion unit is engaged with said dispensing device (), a heating chamber () in fluid communication with the supply pipe (), the heating chamber () comprising heating means () and being provided with an outlet () for permitting the admission of water at a dispensing temperature (T) into a connecting pipe () in fluid communication with the infusion body () via a shut-off valve (). The water supply pipe () is in fluid communication with a source of water () at a feed temperature (T) and thermally coupled to a heat source (), the feed temperature (T) being less than said dispensing temperature (T).

Coffee machine with thermally regulated dispenser

Apparatus for preparing and dispensing hot or cold milk, in the frothed or non-frothed state, in a coffee machine for preparing various types of beverages based on coffee with milk, said coffee machine comprising a coffee apparatus for producing coffee with an associated coffee dispensing device, a first water heater for producing steam, a second water heater for producing hot water for preparation of the coffee in said coffee apparatus, said first and second heaters being connected to a water source for replenishing them with water, a frothing device provided with an internal chamber for frothing the milk when required and at least one nozzle for dispensing the milk externally, said apparatus comprising a milk line for the milk, connecting a source of liquid milk to the frothing device, a steam line for the steam, connecting the first water heater to the frothing device, as well as an air line for the air, connecting a source of air to the said frothing device, a pump arranged along the milk line for supplying the milk from said source of liquid milk to said frothing device, a first intercept valve arranged along the steam line and a second intercept valve arranged along the air line, wherein said pump arranged along the milk line and said first and second intercept valves are able to be operated independently of each other such that the milk line, the steam line and the air line are connected to said chamber of the frothing device one at a time or in combination with each other.

Apparatus and method for preparing milk under various temperature and consistency conditions in a coffee machine for forming various types of beverages

Coffee machine, comprising at least one steam generator for producing steam and an apparatus for producing the coffee with associated dispensing device, a storage tank containing a ready prepared liquid chocolate product with a density suitable for being a conventional chocolate beverage, a heating device provided with an inlet and an outlet for the product to be heated and an inlet for introducing the steam, a line between said storage tank and the inlet of said heating device, a metering pump arranged along said line for conveying a predetermined amount of chocolate-based product from said storage tank to said heating device and for circulating it inside it, a line for the steam, connecting said steam generator to said inlet for the steam of the heating device, an intercept valve arranged along the said steam line as well as a beverage dispensing device connected to the outlet of the said heating device. The machine allows the dispensing of various types of beverages, such as chocolate, coffee, milk and cappuccino and owing to the presence of said intercept valve, said metering pump may dispense the chocolate beverage in hot condition or in cold condition.

Coffee machine with dispenser of a ready prepared chocolate-based beverage

Apparatus for washing hydraulic circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages in machines for automatically dispensing hot drinks and/or in machines for preparing and supplying espresso coffee, said circuits comprising at least one first hydraulic path which extends between a point for detachable connection to a milk storage vessel and the orifice of at least one pouring spout of a delivery device. A motor-driven pump is arranged along said first hydraulic path and valve means allow washing liquid, drawn from a source to reach said first hydraulic path. The apparatus envisages a hollow, detergent-containing, cartridge provided with unions which, when it is required to perform washing, allow connection of the orifice of said at least one pouring spout supplied by said first hydraulic path to the said connection point which can be detached from the milk source.

Apparatus for washing circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages

Apparatus for washing hydraulic circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages in machines () for automatically dispensing hot drinks and/or in machines () for preparing and supplying espresso coffee, said circuits comprising at least one first hydraulic path () which extends between the milk storage vessel () and the delivery device (), at least one second hydraulic path () which extends between a steam source () and the same delivery device (), a source () of washing liquid, means () for connecting and disconnecting said source () of washing liquid to/from a point () along the said first hydraulic path (). The apparatus provides means () for connecting the said first hydraulic path () to the said second hydraulic path (), producing a closed recirculating circuit for the washing liquid, as well as valve means () for connecting the resultant hydraulic circuit () to a discharge outlet (). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cartridge () having a closed internal cavity () provided with first means () for connection to the said first hydraulic path () as well as second means () for connection to said second hydraulic path (), to be positioned on the machine in place of the beverage delivery unit ().

Automatic apparatus for treating milk by means of steam comprises a steam-generating source, a reservoir containing the milk to be treated, a mixing chamber into which a flow of milk with a predetermined flow-rate and at least one flow of steam with a predetermined flow-rate are brought through respective ducts opening into the mixing chamber, the chamber being provided with an opening for the delivery of the mixture produced, as well as a peristaltic pump operating on the milk duct between the reservoir and the chamber and driven by an electric motor with adjustable speed. The flow-rate of the pump and consequently the ratio between the flow of milk and the flow of steam can thus be varied so as to achieve the desired temperature in the final product. The apparatus includes an air source, a respective duct connecting the air source to the mixing chamber in order to bring a predetermined air-flow thereto, and a milk frothing chamber disposed downstream of the mixing chamber and in communication therewith, and having an opening for the delivery of the product which, in the case in question, is heated and frothed milk.

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Binasco, Italy

Andrea Coccia