Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

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.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim