WO2024055051A1

WO2024055051A1 - Device for a portafilter that can be filled with coffee powder

Info

Publication number: WO2024055051A1
Application number: PCT/AT2022/060309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander GMAINER
Original assignee: Gmainer Alexander
Priority date: 2022-09-15
Filing date: 2022-09-15
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: AT525965B1; AT525965A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a portafilter (1) that can be filled with coffee powder, comprising a portafilter receptacle (2), a feed unit (4), which can be connected to a coffee mill (3), for the portafilter receptacle (2), a compacting unit (5) for tamping the coffee powder and a cleaning unit (6) for removing coffee dregs from the portafilter (1). In order to increase the reproducibility of the results during tamping and during cleaning of the portafilter, despite its compact design and easy serviceability, according to the invention the portafilter receptacle (2) can be pivoted with respect to a pivot axis (S), preferably through 180°, between a main position and a cleaning position, and the compacting unit (5) and the cleaning unit (6) are opposite each other along an effective axis (W) running transversely to the pivot axis (S) and substantially perpendicularly with respect to the portafilter receptacle (2), wherein the compacting unit (5) and the cleaning unit (6) can be moved along the common effective axis (W).

Description

Device for a sieve holder that can be filled with coffee powder

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for a portafilter that can be filled with coffee powder, comprising a feed unit for a portafilter holder that can be connected to a coffee grinder, a compacting unit for tamping the coffee powder and a cleaning unit for removing a coffee cake from the portafilter.

State of the art

In connection with the preparation of coffee using a portafilter, the latter is usually placed in a coffee grinder in a first step and the brewing sieve is filled with a specified amount of ground coffee powder. The initially uncompacted coffee powder is then compacted so that the coffee bed in the portafilter is as evenly compacted and as evenly high as possible. This process, known as “tamping,” is usually carried out by baristas manually using hand tampers. The prepared portafilter is then clamped into a corresponding brewing unit and the coffee is prepared. The moist coffee puck or coffee cake in the portafilter must then be removed, whereby the portafilter is usually knocked out by hand. If necessary, any coffee cake residue that still sticks to the brewing sieve after the portafilter has been knocked out can be removed using a brush or cloth.

A key disadvantage of manually performed tamping, however, is that the contact pressure applied is not only different Baristas can vary, but it cannot always be reproduced exactly by the same barista and therefore leads to fluctuating extraction results. Because manual tamping is generally very prone to errors due to inaccuracies in handling by the barista, the quality of the coffee prepared is ultimately subject to high fluctuations. This disadvantage is particularly noticeable in the catering industry, especially when increased working speeds are required during busy periods. Removing the moist coffee cake from the portafilter by tapping it out can also be carried out quickly and easily, but often leads to unsatisfactory cleaning results due to incompletely removed coffee cake residues and thus to poor hygiene conditions. For the baristas themselves, manual tamping and subsequent tapping can also lead to long-term health problems such as wrist problems.

Devices for, in particular automated, tamping (EP 3329812 A1) and devices for cleaning portafilters (EP 3158901 A1) are basically known. However, due to the devices provided separately for the different work steps, this involves not only increased purchase costs but also an increased space requirement, in particular an increased floor space requirement, and an overall increased maintenance effort.

Furthermore, fully automatic coffee machines have already been proposed (WO 9511613 A2), in which the coffee powder is compressed in a filter unit and an espresso is then prepared. After preparation, the filter holder is cleaned on a filter cleaning unit. Apart from the fact that such devices are not easily suitable for use with portafilters due to the fundamentally different preparation concept, the high degree of complexity in relation to the large number of components required results in a not insignificant one Manufacturing effort as well as increased maintenance and cleaning costs due to the units being sometimes difficult to access. Ultimately, this means that such fully automatic machines cannot maintain the corresponding hygiene standards in the long term, as is required in the catering industry.

Presentation of the invention

There is therefore a need for a device of the type described at the beginning, which, despite its compact design and easy maintainability, increases the reproducibility of the results when tamping and cleaning the portafilter and, in particular, creates the prerequisites for compliance with the hygiene standards required in the catering industry.

The invention solves the problem in that the portafilter holder can be pivoted with respect to a pivot axis by preferably 180° between a base position and a cleaning position, and in that the compacting unit and the cleaning unit lie opposite one another along an effective axis that runs transversely to the pivot axis and essentially perpendicular to the portafilter holder , whereby the compacting unit and the cleaning unit can be moved along the common axis of action.

As a result of these measures, a particularly robust and at the same time space-saving design with a particularly small footprint can be achieved, with both the portafilter holder, the compacting unit and the cleaning unit remaining easily accessible from the outside. Because the compacting unit and the cleaning unit can be moved along the common axis of action, they can not only be positioned against the portafilter holder and the portafilter located therein during use for the purpose of compacting or cleaning, but can also be moved into respective maintenance positions along the axis of action, so that external intervention for maintenance and/or cleaning purposes of the respective units and the portafilter holder is possible without any problems. For example, the cleaning unit includes one or more removable ones Cleaning elements, then after the cleaning process, the at least one cleaning element can be easily removed from the cleaning unit and rinsed under running water before it is reinserted into the cleaning unit. With regard to the cleaning process, the advantageous effect is also exploited that when the portafilter holder is placed in the cleaning position, the corresponding filling opening of the respective portafilter points downwards, ie towards the floor. This means that cleaning can be carried out using gravity and the coffee cake can be removed from the portafilter particularly effectively. It is advisable, for example, to provide an appropriate collecting container for the coffee cakes to be removed. Favorable design conditions also arise in this context when the pivot axis and the effective axis intersect.

In principle, the portafilter holder can be arranged in a fixed position with respect to the effective axis or with respect to the compacting unit and the cleaning unit, and can be pivoted from this position between the base and the cleaning position about the pivot axis. In order to improve accessibility to the portafilter holder despite a compact design and thus enable favorable grinding and filling conditions, the portafilter holder can be displaceable transversely to the active axis. For example, the portafilter holder can be arranged on a carriage which can be moved on a corresponding rail guide in a translation direction running transversely to the effective axis, preferably parallel to the pivot axis. It can also be provided that the portafilter holder is displaceable transversely to the active axis in such a way that the portafilter holder can be pivoted out and in via a displacement arm with respect to a displacement axis which preferably runs parallel to the active axis. A link guide can also be provided for the portafilter holder, so that it can be pivoted out and in with respect to a displacement axis that preferably runs parallel to the effective axis. In this context, the link guide can in particular be designed so that the swing out or in with a corresponding height offset takes place, which results in a height direction that runs parallel to the displacement axis.

With regard to the pivoting mechanism, it is recommended that the portafilter holder is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotating shaft of a bogie that forms the pivoting axis. In the sense of the invention, this can also be understood to mean that, for example, pivot pins are arranged on both sides of the portafilter holder in the direction of the pivot axis, which thus lie opposite one another in relation to the portafilter holder along the pivot axis and are mounted on a bogie in the sense of a shaft. In principle, any suitable rotary drive can be used to create the swivel mechanism. A stepper motor preferably forms the relevant rotary drive. This has the advantage that the portafilter holder can be pivoted to relatively precisely specified positions. However, if the position is lost for any reason, zeroing can be carried out without any problem, for which purpose the rotary shaft can rotate to a fixed stop for a reference value.

In order to achieve the best possible extraction results, the height of the coffee powder in the portafilter can be adjusted before compacting, i.e. to provide a coffee bed that is as uniformly high as possible, a corresponding vibration unit can be provided, which sets the portafilter holder and/or the portafilter inserted therein into a shaking movement.

In order to further improve the cleaning performance, it is proposed that the cleaning unit comprises a cleaning element, in particular a cleaning dome, which is both rotatable about the effective axis and displaceable along the effective axis. Particularly through a superposition of translational and rotational cleaning movements, particularly reliable cleaning of the portafilter can be achieved. To further improve the tamping process, it can be provided that the compacting unit comprises a press ram that can both be rotated about the effective axis and displaceable along the effective axis. In order to distribute the ground material evenly in the portafilter, the press ram can be rotated around the effective axis during the translational downward movement.

Particularly when tamping is carried out by hand, the problem regularly arises that coffee particles are deposited on the upper edge of the portafilter, which subsequently contaminates the seal of the coffee machine. It is therefore suggested that the portafilter holder has a dirt protection cover for the portafilter edge. The dirt protection cover is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, easy access to the portafilter opening or the brewing sieve is made possible for filling and cleaning purposes and, on the other hand, the deposit of unwanted coffee particles on the edge of the portafilter is prevented.

In principle, for releasably attaching a portafilter, it can form a bayonet lock with the portafilter holder of the device according to the invention. In order to attach portafilters of different sizes without additional adjustment measures and, moreover, to provide particularly simple handling conditions for both the compacting process and the cleaning process, the portafilter holder can form an insertion socket, to which an attachment area is attached in an insertion direction that runs parallel to the effective axis in both the base position and in the cleaning position connects. The fastening area is designed such that the portafilter can be releasably fastened by, preferably spring-loaded, fastening means. The insertion nozzle forms in particular an advantageous guide device for the coffee powder or the coffee cake, namely on the one hand when filling the ground coffee powder into the portafilter and on the other hand when removing the coffee cake with the help of gravity during the cleaning process. In particular, fastening means can be arranged as fastening means, which enclose the portafilter on the circumference at least in sections in the fastening area and hold tightly. For example, fastening means in the form of a retaining clip can be provided in the fastening area, so that the portafilter can be releasably fastened to the portafilter holder by inserting the portafilter essentially laterally into the fastening area.

In order to provide various program functions in a particularly efficient manner, it is proposed that at least the portafilter holder, the compacting unit and the cleaning unit are assigned corresponding actuating or rotary drives, which can be controlled via a common programmable control device. It can also be provided that a coffee grinder that is already permanently installed in the device or a separate, external coffee grinder is connected to the control device in such a way that at least the actuation signal of the coffee grinder can be picked up by the control device. Preferably, the corresponding actuating or rotary drives assigned to the portafilter holder, the compacting unit and the cleaning unit, together with an either permanently installed or separate coffee grinder and the control device, form a control circuit for the programmable operation of the device according to the invention. It goes without saying that the control device can include, among other things, appropriate storage and computing units, an operating device, a display unit, and any interfaces. The operating device and the display unit can in particular also form a touch display.

Particularly reliable grinding conditions result when a weighing cell is provided, which forms a control circuit with the control device for filling the portafilter depending on the filling weight. The weighing cell is preferably assigned to a coffee grinder, so that it can be determined what weight amount of ground coffee powder is removed from the coffee grinder and introduced into the portafilter via the feed device. Depending on the weight specification, the control device can therefore output a control signal to the coffee grinder so that it starts the grinding process when the corresponding weight difference determined by the weighing cell stops. The amount of weight removed from the coffee grinder corresponds to the amount of coffee powder actually in the portafilter. This has the advantage over time-controlled grinding or weight-controlled grinding in relation to the portafilter weight that latency times and associated inaccuracies are largely avoided, so that grinding that is as accurate as possible in weight is possible. In principle, there is no need to provide coffee grinders that are permanently installed in the device, but separate coffee grinders from different manufacturers can also be mounted on the weighing cell via an adapter plate and connected to the control device.

In order to make crediting as simple and comprehensible as possible for the catering sector, the device according to the invention can include an interface for a cash register system. This also creates the possibility of easily comprehensible recording of different amounts of coffee powder with the same amount of water, e.g. single cans or double cans, compared to a boning process using the coffee machine.

The invention also relates to a method for providing a portafilter filled with coffee powder and for cleaning the same, using a device according to the invention. First, an empty portafilter is inserted into the portafilter holder located in the base position, after which ground coffee powder is fed into the portafilter via the feed unit, the coffee powder in the portafilter is tamped by being acted upon by the compacting unit which can be moved in the effective axis and the portafilter is removed from the portafilter holder. For subsequent cleaning of the portafilter, it is reinserted into the portafilter holder, the portafilter holder being pivoted from the base position into the cleaning position and the portafilter being cleaned by being acted upon by the cleaning unit which can be moved in the effective axis. Brief description of the invention

The subject matter of the invention is shown, for example, in the drawing. Show it

1 shows a schematic front view of a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment, with a portafilter holder in the base position,

2 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1,

3 is a top view corresponding to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4 is a detailed view corresponding to Fig. 2 on a larger scale, with a portafilter holder in the cleaning position and

Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a device according to the invention according to a further embodiment, with a portafilter holder located in the base position.

Ways of carrying out the invention

A device according to the invention for a portafilter 1 that can be filled with coffee powder has a portafilter holder 2 and a feed unit 4 for the portafilter holder 2 that can be connected to a coffee grinder 3. The coffee grinder 3 and the feed unit 4 are only indicated schematically. In addition, the device includes a compacting unit 5 for tamping the coffee powder and a cleaning unit 6 for removing a coffee cake from the portafilter 1.

The portafilter holder 2 can be pivoted with respect to a pivot axis S by preferably 180° between a base position shown, for example, in FIG. 1 and a cleaning position shown, for example, in FIG. 4. For this purpose, the portafilter holder 2 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotating shaft 7 of a bogie 8 which forms the pivot axis S. The compacting unit 5 and the cleaning unit 6 lie opposite each other along an effective axis W that runs transversely to the pivot axis S and essentially perpendicular to the portafilter holder 2, the effective axis W and the Cross the pivot axis S. The compacting unit 5 and the cleaning unit 6 can be moved along the common effective axis W, which was not shown continuously in the area of the portafilter holder 2 for reasons of clarity.

The cleaning unit 6 comprises a cleaning element 9 designed as a cleaning dome and having corresponding scraper blades, which can both be rotated about the effective axis W and displaceable along the effective axis W. In contrast, the compacting unit 5 includes a press ram 10, which can also be rotated about the effective axis W and displaceable along the effective axis W.

The portafilter receptacle 2 also forms an insertion socket 11, to which a fastening area 12 is connected in an insertion direction that runs parallel to the effective axis W both in the base position and in the cleaning position, which is designed in such a way that the portafilter 1 can be detached by preferably spring-loaded fasteners (not shown in more detail). can be attached to the fastening area 12 of the portafilter holder 2. For example, the portafilter 1 can be inserted laterally into the fastening area 2 via an opening or removed from it again.

According to the one shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the portafilter holder 2 can be moved transversely to the effective axis W. For this purpose, the portafilter holder 2 together with the bogie 8 is arranged on a carriage 13, which can be moved on a corresponding rail guide 14 in a translation direction running transversely to the effective axis W and parallel to the pivot axis S, as indicated by the double arrow 15.

To operate the device in both the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, as well as in the embodiment according to FIG For the sake of simplicity, it is only indicated schematically. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, a corresponding actuator that can be controlled via the control device 16 can also be assigned to the carriage 13.

To provide a portafilter 1 filled with coffee powder and to clean it, the portafilter 1 with an empty brewing sieve is inserted into the portafilter holder 2 located in the base position. Then, according to the double arrow 15, the carriage 13 together with the portafilter holder 2 and portafilter 1 is initially moved along the rail guide 14 away from the effective axis W in order to feed ground coffee powder into the portafilter 1 via the feed unit 4. The carriage 13 is then moved back into the starting position, so that the compacting unit 5 and the cleaning unit 6 are now opposite each other again along the effective axis W with respect to the portafilter holder 2. In the next step, the coffee powder located in the portafilter 1 is tamped by being acted upon by the compacting unit 5, which can be moved in the effective axis W, using the press ram 10, after which the portafilter 1 is removed from the portafilter holder 2. For subsequent cleaning of the portafilter 1, it is reinserted into the portafilter holder 2, the portafilter holder 2 being pivoted from the base position into the cleaning position and the portafilter 1 being cleaned by being acted upon by the cleaning unit, which can be moved in the effective axis, using the cleaning dome. The portafilter holder 2 is then pivoted back into the base position so that the portafilter 1 can be filled again and the corresponding procedure can be carried out again. The portafilter 1 can, for example, be held in position via mechanical indexing so that slipping of the portafilter 1 in the portafilter holder 2 can be largely avoided. If the portafilter 1 loses its position, the device stops operation and swings the portafilter holder 2 back to the base position prematurely.

According to the further embodiment of a device according to the invention shown in FIG. 5, the portafilter holder 2 remains in relation to the effective axis W or in relation to the compacting unit 5 and the Cleaning unit 6 is arranged in a fixed position and can be pivoted from this position between the base and the cleaning position about the pivot axis S.

The portafilter 1 is filled via the feed unit 4, which has a slide 17 and which opens into the portafilter receptacle 2. As is also indicated schematically, a weighing cell 18 is provided, which forms a control circuit with the control device 16 for filling the portafilter 1 depending on the filling weight. The weighing cell 18 is assigned to an indicated coffee grinder 3. This makes it possible to determine what weight of ground coffee powder is removed from the coffee grinder 3 and introduced into the portafilter 1 via the feed device 4. The control device 16 can therefore, depending on the weight specification, output a control signal to the coffee grinder so that it stops the grinding process when the corresponding weight difference determined by the weighing cell 18 is reached. The amount of weight removed from the coffee grinder 3 therefore corresponds to the amount of coffee powder actually in the portafilter 1. It goes without saying that such a weighing cell 18 is basically also available in an embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 or can also be used in other embodiments in which, for example, the portafilter holder 2 can be displaced transversely to the effective axis W via a displacement arm or a link guide.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Device for a portafilter (1) that can be filled with coffee powder, comprising a portafilter holder (2), a feed unit (4) for the portafilter holder (2) that can be connected to a coffee grinder (3), a compacting unit (5) for tamping the coffee powder and a cleaning unit ( 6) for removing a coffee cake from the portafilter (1), characterized in that the portafilter holder (2) can be pivoted with respect to a pivot axis (S) by preferably 180 ° between a base position and a cleaning position, and that the compacting unit (5) and the Cleaning unit (6) lie opposite each other along an effective axis (W) that runs transversely to the pivot axis (S) and essentially perpendicular to the portafilter holder (2), the compacting unit (5) and the cleaning unit (6) being displaceable along the common effective axis (W). are.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the portafilter holder (2) can be moved transversely to the effective axis (W).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portafilter holder (2) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotating shaft (7) of a bogie (8) which forms the pivot axis (S).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning unit (6) comprises a cleaning element (6), in particular a cleaning dome, which is both rotatable about the effective axis (W) and displaceable along the effective axis (W). is.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the compacting unit (5) comprises a press ram (10) which is both rotatable about the effective axis (W) and displaceable along the effective axis (W).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the portafilter holder (2) has a dirt protection cover for the portafilter edge.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the portafilter holder (2) forms an insertion socket (11), on which a fastening area (12) is located in an insertion direction that runs parallel to the effective axis (W) both in the base position and in the cleaning position ) connects, which is designed such that the portafilter (1) can be releasably attached by, preferably spring-loaded, fastening means.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least the portafilter holder (2), the compacting unit (5) and the cleaning unit (6) are assigned corresponding actuating or rotary drives, which have a common programmable control device (16 ) can be controlled.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a weighing cell is provided, which forms a control circuit with the control device (16) for filling the portafilter (1) depending on the filling weight.

10. A method for providing a portafilter (1) filled with coffee powder and for cleaning the same, with a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first a portafilter (1) with an empty brewing sieve is inserted into the portafilter holder (2) located in the base position. is used, after which ground coffee powder is fed into the portafilter (1) via the feed unit (4), the coffee powder in the portafilter (1) is tamped by being acted upon by the compacting unit (5) which can be moved in the effective axis (W) and the portafilter (1) is removed from the portafilter holder (2), and that for subsequent cleaning of the portafilter (1), it is reinserted into the portafilter holder (2), with the portafilter holder (2) moving from the base position to the cleaning position pivoted and the portafilter (1) is cleaned by being acted upon by the cleaning unit (6) which can be moved in the effective axis (2).