Espresso coffee machine
Systems and methods for an improved espresso coffee machine are described. In one aspect, the improved espresso coffee machine includes one or more operating units, each of which at least includes a boiler, a pump, a heating unit, and a unit for aroma extraction and dispensing of the espresso coffee brew, including related conduits. Each unit is equipped with a system for controlling and adjusting the espresso coffee brewing parameters.
1. An espresso coffee machine comprising a plurality of operating units:
each of the plurality of the operating units comprising:
a pressure gauge;
a system for controlling and adjusting espresso coffee brewing parameters;
a boiler;
a pump;
a heating unit;
an aroma extraction and espresso coffee brew dispensing unit;
a control module operatively coupled to at least one of the pump and the heating unit, the control module operatively configured to receive at least one of pressure profiles and temperature profiles, and the control module operatively configured to vary at least one of (1) espresso coffee brew extraction pressure following a user selected one of the pressure profiles and (2) espresso coffee brew extraction temperature following a user selected one of the temperature profiles during coffee extraction;
a processor operatively coupled to the control module and a user interface, the processor operatively configured to store the at least one of the pressure profiles and the temperature profiles and to access one or more stored ones of the pressure profiles and the temperature profiles responsive to a request by a user for reproduction of corresponding pressure parameters by the pressure control module and to interface with the temperature control module to reproduce characteristics of a user access to temperature profile, and the pressure profiles comprising a pressure increase, a maximum pressure value, and a pressure decrease; and
a manual actuator acting on the control module.
2. The espresso coffee machine of claim 1 , wherein the control module is a pressure control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction pressure.
3. The espresso coffee machine of claim 1 , wherein the control module is a temperature control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction temperature.
4. The espresso coffee machine of claim 1 , further comprising the processor operatively coupled to: the control module and a user interface.
5. The espresso coffee machine of claim 4 , wherein the processor further comprises a port (I/O) for connection to a personal computer.
6. The espresso coffee machine of claim 4 , wherein the processor is operatively configured to store temperature profile(s).
7. The espresso coffee machine of claim 6 , wherein the processor is operatively configured to: (a) access, responsive to a request by a user, one or more stored temperature profiles; and (b) interface with the control module to reproduce characteristics of a user access to temperature profile.
8. The espresso coffee machine of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operatively configured to access one or more stored pressure profiles responsive to a request by a user for reproduction of corresponding pressure parameters by the pressure control module.
9. The espresso coffee machine of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pressure profiles includes a first time period for an increase in pressure, a second time period for a peak time period, and a third time period for a decrease in pressure.
10. An espresso coffee machine comprising:
one or more operating units, each operating unit comprising:
a pressure gauge;
a system for controlling and adjusting espresso coffee brewing parameters;
a boiler;
a pump;
a heating unit;
an aroma extraction and espresso coffee brew dispensing unit;
a pressure control module operatively coupled to the pump, the pressure control module operatively configured to receive pressure profiles, and the pressure control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction pressure during coffee extraction following a user selected one of the pressure profiles;
a temperature control module operatively coupled to the heating unit, the temperature control module operatively configured to receive temperature profiles, and the temperature control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction temperature during coffee extraction following a user selected one of the temperature profiles; and
a processor operatively coupled to the pressure control module, the temperature control module, and a user interface configured to allow a user to adjust an extraction pressure in real time, so as to allow a user to optimize the extraction pressure according to each one of different coffee blends, and the processor operatively configured to store the pressure profiles and the temperature profiles.
11. The espresso coffee machine of claim 10 wherein the processor is connectable to a personal computer.
12. The espresso coffee machine of claim 10 wherein the processor is operatively configured to store pressure profiles.
13. The espresso coffee machine of claim 12 wherein the processor is operatively configured to access one or more stored pressure profiles responsive to a request by a user for reproduction of corresponding pressure parameters by the pressure control module.
14. The espresso coffee machine of claim 10 wherein the processor is operatively configured to store temperature profiles.
15. The espresso coffee machine of claim 14 wherein the processor is operatively configured to:
(a) access, responsive to a request by a user, one or more stored temperature profiles; and
(b) interface with the temperature control module to reproduce characteristics of a user access to temperature profile.
16. The espresso coffee machine of claim 14 wherein a temperature profile is optimized for a particular coffee variety and selected through said user interface.
17. The espresso coffee machine of claim 10 , further comprising a manual actuator acting on the pressure control module.
18. The espresso coffee machine of claim 10 wherein said manual actuator adjusts the pressure by operating said pump.
19. An espresso coffee machine comprising:
one or more operating units, each operating unit comprising:
a pressure gauge;
a system for controlling and adjusting espresso coffee brewing parameters;
a boiler;
a pump;
a heating unit;
an aroma extraction and espresso coffee brew dispensing unit;
a pressure control module operatively coupled to the pump, the pressure control module operatively configured to receive pressure profiles, and the pressure control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction pressure during coffee extraction following a user selected one of the pressure profiles;
a manual actuator selectively acting on the pressure control module;
a temperature control module operatively coupled to the heating unit, the temperature control module operatively configured to receive temperature profiles, and the temperature control module operatively configured to modulate the espresso coffee brew extraction temperature during coffee extraction following a user selected one of the pressure profiles; and
a processor operatively coupled to the pressure control module, the temperature control module, and a user interface, the processor operatively configured to store the pressure profiles and temperature profiles and to access one or more stored ones of the pressure profiles and the temperature profiles responsive to a request by a user for reproduction of corresponding pressure parameters by the pressure control module and to interface with the temperature control module to reproduce characteristics of a user access to temperature profile.