Atomic coffee machine
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The Atomic coffee machine is a stove-top coffee maker. The original design was registered by Giordano Robbiati of Milan, Italy in 1946.[1] It was subsequently patented by Robbiati in many other European countries, and in the United States, between the years 1946 and 1952.[2][3][4] The Robbiati design and patent registrations cover the shape and functional aspects of the machine, and are not limited to particular technical features. The distinctive shape of the coffee machine set it apart from other more well known stove-top coffee percolators. The original patented design was later enhanced with the addition of a steam wand to enable the machine to froth milk as well as make coffee.[citation needed]
In Austria, the Stella company, under the direction of Desider Stern produced a large range of coffee makers from 1948 until 1974, wearing Mr. Stern protected trademarks: Piccolo, Eka, Stella, Atomic. Mr. Stern's bought the license from Mr. Robbiati to build coffee machines after his patent. Over time, he developed new designs, which he patented in the 1950s.[5] Stern also trade-marked the Atomic name. The Qualital company in Hungary also produced another range of coffee machines, badged after Mr. Stern's trademark . In the United Kingdom, the A & M.G Sassoon Co. produced its own coffee makers after Mr. Robbiati's invention (they bought the license too)in the 1950s and 1960s, and an example is now on display in the Science Museum in London.[6] In recent years it has been found that coffee machines based on the same form were also manufactured in France and Argentina (and possibly other countries). Between the years 1946 and 1989, the family Robbiati exported their coffee machines all over the world from Cuba to New Zealand.[7]
See also
References
- ^ US D153826, Robbiati, Giordano, "Design for a Coffee Maker or Similar", published 1949-05-17, issued 1946-06-26
- ^ US 2549132 Coffee Maker (published 17 April 1951)
- ^ de 838493 Improvements in coffee percolators (published 5 August 1952)
- ^ 167450Kaffeeschnellkochapparat (published 10 January 1951) AT 167450 Kaffeeschnellkochapparat (published 10 January 1951)
- ^ "Patents by Desider Stern". Espacenet. European Patent Office. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Atomic' espresso coffee maker, c. 1950". Science Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Enduring Design 2: The Romance of the Atomic Coffee Maker" Tony Richardson- Second Revised and Expanded Edition, Blurb Press (2009)