The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1 A brewing machine for delivering hot beverages; the machine including;
an inlet for receiving a supply of water; at least one boiler which receives water from said water supply and which isare capable of delivering hot water andor steam;
a mixing station which receives hot water and a predetermined dose of a beverage such as coffee for mixing said hot water and subsequent delivery of said beverage from said machine; a cooling chamber which receives part said water supply and which delivers hot water at a predetermined maximum temperature; to said mixing station via an outlet; the cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet wherein said cooling chamber receives cold water from said water supply and wherein said cooling chamber receives hot water from said boiler for delivery to said mixing station, wherein the temperature of hot water from said cooling chamber which is delivered to said mixing station is tempered by cold water.
2 A brewing machine according to claim 1 wherein there is one boiler for producing hot water and steam and said cooling chamber is intermediate said boiler and said mixing station.
3 A brewing machine according to claim 2 wherein said cooling chamber receives cold water via a pipe which enters said chamber and returns to said boiler.
4 A brewing machine according to claim 3 wherein said pipe is arranged in said cooling chamber to provide a predetermined pipe surface area in contact with boiled water delivered from said boiler into said chamber.
5 A brewing machine according to claim 4 wherein said boiler includes a heat exchanger which receives cold water from said water supply via said cooling chamber and which delivers heated water from said exchanger to said cooling chamber for delivery to said mixing station.
6 A brewing machine according to claim 5 wherein said station comprises a chamber having an opening which receives a dose of soluble coffee and said hot water from said cooling chamber.
7 A machine according to claim 6 wherein the cooling chamber includes a supplementary heating element for maintaining the temperature of water delivered from said cooling chamber at a predetermined minimum temperature.
8 A machine according to claim 7 wherein said cooling chamber further includes a thermostat which isolates said heating element when water in said cooling chamber reaches a predetermined maximum value.
9 A machine according to claim 8 wherein the temperature of water delivered from said cooling chamber via an outlet from said cooling chamber to said coffee mixing chamber is maintained within the range of 85 deg C. to 93 deg C.
10 A brewing machine for the preparation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes;
a boiler having at least one inlet and at least one outlet,
a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet and which is in communication with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of said water supply,
wherein said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber communicates with and delivers heated water to a beverage mixing station and said at least one outlet from said boiler communicates with a hot water valve and at least one other outlet to said boiler communicates with a steam valve;
the machine further including a supply of beverage which is delivered to said mixing station and which terminates in a beverage delivery outlet.
11 A brewing machine according to claim 10 wherein said boiler further comprises a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in fluid communication with said cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply via said cooling chamber,
12 A machine according to claim 11 wherein, said the beverage is water soluble coffee.
13 A machine according to claim 12 wherein the heat exchanger receives cold water from said water supply via the cooling chamber.
14 A machine according to claim 13 wherein, when water from said water supply is delivered from said cooling chamber to said heat exchanger, the heat exchanger delivers heated water to said cooling chamber.
15 A machine according to claim 14 wherein, the heat exchanger is located inside the boiler.
16 A machine according to claim 15 wherein, said cooling chamber delivers water to said mixing station at a predetermined temperature.
17 A machine according to claim 16 wherein the temperature of water delivered from said cooling chamber falls within the range of 85 deg C. to 93 deg C. via an outlet from said cooling chamber to said coffee mixing chamber.
18 A machine according to claim 17 wherein; the coffee mixing station comprises a chamber which receives soluble coffee stored in a coffee reservoir adjacent said mixing chamber.
19 A machine according to claim 9 or 18 wherein said boiler includes a first outlet which delivers hot water via a control valve to at least one hot water delivery nozzle.
20 A machine according to claim 10 wherein said boiler includes a second outlet which delivers steam via a steam control valve to at least one steam delivery nozzle.
21 A machine according to claim 20 wherein the cooling chamber includes a supplementary heating element for maintaining the temperature of water delivered from said cooling chamber at a predetermined temperature.
22 A machine according to claim 21 wherein, said water supply is delivered under pressure generated by a delivery pump
23 A machine according to claim 21 wherein the water supply line includes an overflow which operates in the event of over pressure in the supply line.
24 A machine according to claim 23 wherein said coffee reservoir includes means to advance soluble coffee to said coffee mixing chamber upon demand by an operator.
25 A machine according to claim 24 wherein a solenoid valve is located intermediate said cooling chamber and said control valve for delivery of hot water to said coffee mixing chamber.
26 A machine according to claim 25 wherein a solenoid valve is located intermediate said boiler and said control valve for delivery of hot water to said hot water nozzle.
27 A machine according to claim 26 wherein a second solenoid valve is located intermediate said boiler and said control valve for delivery of steam to said steam delivery nozzle.
28 A machine according to claim 27 wherein said water supply is circulated through said machine by an electric motor.
29 A machine according to claim 28 wherein a heating element is housed in the boiler for heating said water delivered by said water supply.
30 A machine according to claim 29 wherein; said boiler includes a relief valve for release of steam in the event of over pressure.
31 A machine according to claim 30 further including a control panel for setting machine operations.
32 A machine according to claim 31 wherein the cooling chamber includes a thermostat
33 A beverage dispensing machine for the preparation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes;
a boiler having an inlet which receives a supply of water;
a cooling chamber including at least one inlet in communication with said water supply and at least one outlet and which is in communication with a heat exchanger located inside said boiler;
wherein one outlet from said cooling chamber communicates with and delivers heated water to a coffee mixing chamber; and
wherein one outlet to said boiler communicates with a hot water valve and at least one other outlet from said boiler communicates with and delivers steam to a steam valve;
the machine further including a supply of soluble coffee which is delivered to said coffee mixing chamber which terminates in a coffee delivery outlet.
34 A cooling chamber for use in a machine for dispensing hot beverages, the machine including;
and inlet for receiving a supply of water, at least one boiler which receives said water supply and which isare capable of delivering hot water andor steam;
a mixing station which receives hot water and a dose of a beverage for mixing with said hot water and subsequent delivery of said beverage from said mixing chamber; wherein said cooling chamber receives at least part of said water supply and delivers hot water to said mixing chamber via an outlet at a predetermined maximum temperature; the cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet wherein said cooling chamber receives cold water from said water supply and wherein said cooling chamber receives hot water from said at least one boiler for delivery to said chamber, wherein the temperature of hot water in said cooling chamber which is delivered to said mixing station is controlled.
35 A cooling chamber according to claim 34 wherein there is one boiler in said machine for producing hot water and steam and said cooling chamber is located intermediate said boiler and said mixing chamber.
36 A cooling chamber according to claim 35 wherein said cooling chamber receives cold water via a pipe which enters said chamber and returns to said boiler.
37 A cooling chamber according to claim 36 wherein said pipe is arranged in said cooling chamber to provide a predetermined pipe surface area in contact with boiled water delivered from said boiler into said chamber.
38 A cooling chamber according to claim 37 wherein said boiler includes a heat exchanger which receives cold water from said water supply via said cooling chamber and which delivers heated water from said exchanger to said cooling chamber for delivery to said mixing chamber.
39 A cooling chamber according to claim 38 wherein said cooling chamber further includes a heating element which increases the temperature of water for delivery to said mixing chamber from said cooling chamber when the temperature falls below a predetermined minimum delivery temperature.
40 A cooling chamber according to claim 39 wherein said cooling chamber further includes a thermostat which isolates said heating element when water in said cooling chamber reaches a predetermined maximum value.
41 A cooling chamber according to claim 40 wherein, said cooling chamber delivers water preferably cooled to around 85 deg C. to 93 deg C. via an outlet from said cooling chamber to said coffee mixing chamber.
42 A cooling chamber according to claim 41 wherein said pipe is coiled inside said cooling chamber to maximise surface area contact with hot water in said cooling chamber.
43 A machine for dispensing hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes means for controlling a supply of water to a boiler having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet and which is in communication with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of said water supply, a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in communication with said cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply; wherein said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber communicates with a coffee mixing chamber and wherein the cooling chamber regulates the temperature of water discharged from said cooling chamber for use in said coffee mixing chamber.
44 A machine for delivering hot beverages such as coffee wherein the machine is capable of delivery of soluble (instant) coffee; and wherein the machine includes a boiler and a cooling chamber for delivery of water for mixing with said soluble coffee; wherein said cooling chamber maintains the temperature of water delivered to said mixing chamber within a predetermined temperature range.
45 A machine according to claim 44 wherein the boiler further comprises a heat exchanger which receives cold water from said water supply and returns hot water to said cooling chamber from said boiler for delivery to a mixing chamber in which said hot water mixed with said soluble coffee.
46 A machine for the preparation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes;
means for controlling a supply of water to a boiler having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet and which is in communication with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of part of said water supply;
a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in communication with said cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply and delivers water to said cooling chamber;
wherein said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber communicates with and delivers heated water to a coffee mixing chamber and said at least one outlet to said boiler communicates with a hot water valve and at least one other outlet to said boiler communicates with and delivers steam to a steam valve;
the machine further including a supply of soluble coffee which is delivered to said coffee mixing chamber which terminates in a coffee delivery outlet.
47 A heat exchanger for use with a brewing machine for delivering hot beverages; the machine including a boiler, a mixing station and a cooling chamber, wherein said heat exchanger is located in said boiler and receives cold water from a water supply via said cooling chamber and which delivers heated water from said exchanger to said cooling chamber for delivery to said mixing station.
48 A heat exchanger according to claim 47 wherein the temperature of said water delivered to said cooling chamber from said heat exchanger in said boiler to said mixing station is controlled by said cooling chamber.
49 A heat exchanger according to claim 48 wherein said cooling chamber includes a thermostat which maintains the temperature of water delivered from said cooling chamber at a predetermined maximum and a heating element which maintains the temperature of said water at a predetermined minimum.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A conductive member adapted to electrically connect a first battery cell and a second battery cell disposed adjacent to each other, and each having electrodes on both of obverse and reverse sides, the conductive member comprising:
a base member having flexibility;
a first conductive layer disposed on one surface of the base member; and
a second conductive layer disposed on the other surface of the base member,
wherein the base member is bent so as to connect the first conductive layer to the obverse side electrode of the first battery cell, and connect the second conductive layer to the reverse side electrode of the first battery cell and the obverse side electrode of the second battery cell.
2. The conductive member according to claim 1, wherein
the first battery cell is provided with a first cutout, and the second battery cell is provided with a second cutout,
the base member includes a main body section, and a first extending section and a second extending section extending from the main body section in respective directions different from each other,
the first extending section of the base member is bent at the first cutout, and pulled out toward the obverse side of the first battery cell, and a part of the first conductive layer disposed on the first extending section is connected to the obverse side electrode of the first battery cell,
the second extending section of the base member is bent at the second cutout, and pulled out toward the obverse side of the second battery cell, and a part of the second conductive layer disposed on the second extending section is connected to the obverse side electrode of the second battery cell, and
the main body section of the base member is located on the reverse side of the first battery cell and the second battery cell between the first cutout and the second cutout, and a part of the second conductive layer disposed on the main body section is connected to the reverse side electrode of the first battery cell.
3. The conductive member according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is connected to one of the obverse side electrode of the first battery cell, the obverse side electrode of the second battery cell, and both of the obverse side electrode of the first battery cell and the obverse side electrode of the second battery cell via at least one through hole provided to the base member.
4. The conductive member according to claim 1, wherein
the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are covered with an insulating layer in at least a part where the base member is bent.
5. The conductive member according to claim 1, wherein
the first battery cell and the second battery cell are each a solar cell segment.
6. A solar watch comprising:
a solar cell module including a pair of solar cell segments, and the conductive member according to claim 5 adapted to connect the pair of solar cell segments in series to each other; and
a drive section driven with electrical power from the solar cell module.
7. The solar watch according to claim 6, wherein
the conductive member is disposed in a state of being pulled out to both of the sides of the pair of solar cell segments via cutouts provided respectively to the pair of solar cell segments.
8. The solar watch according to claim 6, further comprising:
a power supply device including a secondary cell,
wherein the first conductive layer connected to the obverse side electrode of one of the pair of solar cell segments, and the reverse side electrode of the other of the pair of solar cell segments are connected to the power supply device so as to be able to charge the secondary cell.
9. A solar cell module comprising:
a first solar cell segment and a second solar cell segment disposed adjacent to each other, and each having electrodes respectively on both of obverse and reverse sides; and
a conductive member including a base member having flexibility, a first conductive layer disposed on one surface of the base member, and a second conductive layer disposed on the other surface of the base member,
wherein the base member is bent so as to connect the first conductive layer to the obverse side electrode of the first solar cell segment, and connect the second conductive layer to the reverse side electrode of the first solar cell segment and the obverse side electrode of the second solar cell segment.
10. The solar cell module according to claim 9, further comprising:
a first cutout provided to the first solar cell segment; and
a second cutout provided to the second solar cell segment,
wherein the base member includes a main body section, and a first extending section and a second extending section extending from the main body section in respective directions different from each other,
the first extending section of the base member is bent at the first cutout, and pulled out toward the obverse side of the first solar cell segment, and a part of the first conductive layer disposed on the first extending section is connected to the obverse side electrode of the first solar cell segment,
the second extending section of the base member is bent at the second cutout, and pulled out toward the obverse side of the second solar cell segment, and a part of the second conductive layer disposed on the second extending section is connected to the obverse side electrode of the second solar cell segment, and
the main body section of the base member is located on the reverse side of the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment between the first cutout and the second cutout, and a part of the second conductive layer disposed on the main body section is connected to the reverse side electrode of the first solar cell segment.
11. The solar cell module according to claim 10, wherein
the first cutout and the second cutout are disposed across a gap between the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment adjacent to each other.
12. The solar cell module according to claim 10, wherein
at least one of the first cutout and the second cutout is a hole penetrating one of the first solar cell segment, the second solar cell segment, and both of the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment.
13. The solar cell module according to claim 11, wherein
the second cutout forms a part of the gap between the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment adjacent to each other.
14. The solar cell module according to claim 10, wherein
the first extending section and the second extending section each have a first branch end portion and a second branch end portion,
the first branch end portion of the first extending section is pulled out toward the obverse side of the first solar cell segment through the first cutout, and a part of the first conductive layer disposed on the first branch end portion is connected to the obverse side electrode of the first solar cell segment,
the first branch end portion of the second extending section is pulled out toward the obverse side of the second solar cell segment through the second cutout, and a part of the second conductive layer disposed on the first branch end portion is connected to the obverse side electrode of the second solar cell segment, and
the second branch end portions of the first extending section and the second extending section are disposed on the reverse side of the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment adjacent to each other.
15. The solar cell module according to claim 9, wherein
the conductive member has a side section having a shape along outer edges of the first solar cell segment and the second solar cell segment adjacent to each other.
16. An electronic apparatus comprising:
the solar cell module according to claim 9.
17. An electronic apparatus comprising:
the solar cell module according to claim 10.
18. An electronic apparatus comprising:
the solar cell module according to claim 11.
19. An electronic apparatus comprising:
the solar cell module according to claim 12.
20. An electronic apparatus comprising:
the solar cell module according to claim 13.