AU2014100166A4 - Device for tamping coffee - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 100 for tamping ground coffee in a filter basket 102. The filter basket has an opening 102 with a perimeter surface 104. The device includes an elongate handle 106 having an upper end and a lower end, a tamping base 112 extending from the lower end and a seating element 114 arranged between the handle and the tamping base 112 including a groove116 adjacent to the tamping base. The seating element is configured to, in use, receive and seat on the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102. The seating element is movable between a first position in which the seating element is proximate to the tamping base and a second position in which the tamping base extends away from the seating element, the seating element being biased towards the first position. -A 1103 A?

Description

1 DEVICE FOR TAMPING COFFEE Cross-Reference [0001] The present application is a complete application associated with Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013900881 filed on 8 March 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field [0002] The present invention generally relates to a device for tamping coffee in a coffee machine, and in particular coffee in a filter basket of an espresso coffee machine. Background of the Invention [0003] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. [0004] Espresso coffee machines operate by forcing hot water under pressure through tightly packed and finely ground coffee beans. Coffee tampers are used to compress ground coffee in a basket-type container known as a filter basket which connects to an outlet on the machine, allowing pressurised water to enter the filter basket where the soluble ground is extracted to form coffee which is then dispensed into a serving cup. [0005] For quality coffee, it is important for the compressed coffee to have a flat and level top surface within the filter basket. Any rise or channel in the surface of the compressed coffee can result in the pressurised water becoming biased towards a path of lesser resistance through the grind and resulting in an incomplete extraction. [0006] Conventional tamping devices comprise a handle and a tamping base. The tamping base will typically be a cylindrical disc having a flat surface for engagement with the grind. The best tamp will occur when the tamping base is orientated parallel to the filter basket opening and exerts force on the grind only in a downward direction. Any other movement of the tamping base, relative to the filter basket, can result in the formation of an incline in the surface of the coffee grind. Considerable skill is therefore required to achieve an even tamp with conventional devices as the user need orientate the tamper in the precise centre of the filter basket before exerting high amounts of force onto the grind while keeping the tamper 2 orientated as vertically as possible to achieve a tamped grind with a very flat, horizontal surface. [0007] The applicant is aware of tamping devices consisting of a hollow housing which clamps onto the perimeter of the filter basket and houses a piston type tamping base connected to a helical spring (for example as described in US Patent Publication No. US20010209623A1). These devices typically include a hinge or swivel joint allowing the top of the housing to be opened and coffee grind to be poured in. However, these devices are typically slow to use owing to the additional steps of coupling the device to the filter basket and the opening/closing of the housing. Additionally, they are far more bulky than conventional tampers and their complexity makes them generally unsuited to the demanding requirements of a commercial Barista. [0008] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved and/or alternative coffee tamping device that can efficiently provide an even tamp without a high skill requirement on the user. Summary of the Invention [0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for tamping ground coffee in a filter basket having an opening with a perimeter surface, the device including: an elongate handle having an upper end and a lower end; a tamping base extending from the lower end; and a seating element arranged between the handle and the tamping base including a groove adjacent to the tamping base configured to, in use, receive and seat on the perimeter surface of the filter basket, wherein the seating element is movable between a first position in which the seating element is proximate to the tamping base and a second position in which the tamping base extends away from the seating element, the seating element being biased towards the first position. [0010] The tamping device of the present invention therefore includes a seating element having a groove adjacent to the tamping base configured to, in use, receive and seat on the perimeter surface of the filter basket. The seating element and groove provide a stable seat around the entire perimeter of the filter basket in which to actuate movement between the seating element and the tamping base. Advantageously, the perimeter groove also acts to align, preferably center align, the tamping base within the filter basket.

3 [0011] In a tamping device according to the invention, during use, the seating element is seated on the perimeter surface of the opening of the filter basket and the tamping base is operable to extend away from the seating element into the filter basket when in the second position. The perimeter surface of the filter basket can comprise a circumferential surface. The groove in the seating element preferably has a corresponding annular shape. In some embodiments, the perimeter surface comprises an edge, preferable a circumferential edge, and most preferably a circumferential rim of the filter basket. [0012] In a preferred embodiment, the seating element has a recess which receives the tamping base when the seating element is in the first position. In this embodiment, the tamping base and the seating element are substantially aligned when the seating element is in the first position. The movement from the first position to the second position is stopped once a surface of the lower end of the handle engages a surface of the seating element. [0013] Preferably, the seating element is biased towards the first position by one or more biasing means. The biasing means can be housed within the handle between a first engagement surface located within the handle and a second engagement surface located on the seating element. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means comprises a helical spring. [0014] The groove in the seating element is configured to seat on the perimeter surface of the filter basket. The groove typically has a profile complementary to that perimeter surface. The profile may be curved, or comprise a polygon, preferably a regular polygon, such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, octagonal or the like. In some embodiments, the groove in the seating element can include a flange on the edge closest to the tamping base. This flange will typically be a chamfered flange for better engagement with the perimeter surface of the filter basket. [0015] The shape of the seating element and tamping base preferably have a complementary shape to the filter basket and opening thereof. Many forms of filter basket have a circular opening and shape. Accordingly, in many embodiments, the seating element and tamping base will typically have a circular profile with the tamping base comprising a solid circular disc which is substantially flat and the seating element comprising at least one plate. In order for a tight fit to be achieved, the tamping base is sized with complementary dimensions to the opening of the filter basket. Preferably, the width and length (or where appropriate, diameter) of the tamping base is sized to have a close, more preferably tight, 4 complementary fit with the width and length (or where appropriate, diameter) of the opening of the filter basket. [0016] In some embodiments, the tamping base extends from a shaft which extends from and is connected to the handle, the seating element being movably mounted on the shaft between the lower end of the handle and the tamping base. In these embodiments, the length of the shaft between the lower end of the handle and tamping base can be preferably configured to be adjusted by adjusting the length of the shaft mounted within the handle. This advantageously enables the distance the tamping base extends away from the seating element in the second position to be adjusted. A number of arrangements are possible. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft is threadably mounted within the handle. The length of the shaft between the lower end of the handle and tamping base being adjusted by adjusting the length of the shaft threadably received within the handle. [0017] A stop element may also be included which is threadably received within the handle to limit the length of shaft threadably mounted within the handle. The stop element may comprise any suitable body. In one embodiment, the stop element comprises a locking grub screw which can threadably engage and countersink into a threaded aperture of the handle. [0018] In a preferred embodiment, the handle has a frustoconical shape. The handle will may further include a flange at or adjacent to its lower end for better grip. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the handle may include a fastening arrangement for an indicia element. The indicia element could include a badge, plate or promotional emblem. This fastening arrangement may comprise a threaded aperture located on the upper end of the handle. In some embodiments, the threaded aperture of the handle which receives the stop element is preferably the same threaded aperture comprising the fastening arrangement for the indicia element. [0019] In particular embodiments, the tamper base is formed from stainless steel and the seating element and handle are both formed from aluminium. However, it should be appreciated that other materials, such as ceramics, wood, plastics or other metals could be used in other embodiments. Brief Description of the Drawings [0020] The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein: 5 [0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tamping device according to the present invention. [0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a filter basket compatible with the tamping device of the present invention. [0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view taken from the underside of the tamping device shown in Figure 1. [0024] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tamping device shown in Figure 1 when the seating element is in a first position. [0025] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tamping device shown in Figure 1 when the seating element is in a second position. [0026] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the tamping device shown in Figure 1. [0027] Figure 7 is a top view of the tamping device shown in Figure 1. [0028] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tamping device according to a second embodiment of the present invention [0029] Figure 9 is a perspective view taken from the underside of tamping device shown in Figure 8. [0030] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the tamping device shown in Figure 8. Detailed Description of the Drawings [0031] Figures 1 and 3 to 10 illustrate a tamping device 100 for tamping coffee in a filter basket 102, illustrated in Figure 2. Figures 1 and 3 to 7 illustrate a first embodiment of the tamping device 100. Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the tamping device 200. [0032] One suitable filter basket 102 for use with each embodiments of the tamping device 100, 200 is shown in Figure 2. The illustrated filter basket 102 includes a handle 102A for manual manipulation by a user, and a basket 102B which receives ground coffee for tamping. The basket 102B includes an opening 103 with a perimeter surface 104 through 6 which the coffee is poured to be received within a receiving cavity 104A of the basket 102B. The perimeter surface 104 comprises the rim of the opening 103 of the filter basket 102. It should be appreciated that the illustrated filter basket 102 is an example of only one configuration of filter basket that can be used with the tamping device 100, 200 of the present invention. The tamping device 100, 200 of the present invention is envisaged to be used with a large variety of other filter basket configurations. [0033] Referring to Figures 1 and 3 to 7, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the tamping device 100. The tamping device 100 generally includes a handle 106 and a tamping base 112 which extends from the lower end of the handle 110. The device 100 also includes a seating element 114 arranged between the lower end of the handle 110 and the tamping base 112. [0034] The illustrated handle 106 has a frustoconical shape having an upper end 108 and a lower end 110. The handle 106 includes a flange 130 adjacent to its lower end 110 for improved hand grip when the user is exerting force on the handle 106. The handle 106 also includes a fastening arrangement 126 comprising a first threaded aperture 128 located on the upper end of the handle 108 in which an indicia element (not illustrated), can be mounted. The indicia element could include a badge, plate or promotional emblem for example including a coffee brand or logo, or alternatively a business brand or logo. The badge or plate would include a complementary fastening arrangement which is received within the fastening arrangement 126. In the accompanying diagrams, this fastening arrangement 126 is illustrated as the first threaded aperture 128. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the first threaded aperture 128 may comprise any suitable fastening arrangement such as, but not limited to an un-threaded aperture, a bayonet fitting or multiple mounting apertures. [0035] As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the handle 106 includes through aligned threaded apertures, running through the centre of the handle 106. The first threaded aperture 128 provides a fastening point for an indicia element as described above. A second threaded aperture 129 extends downwardly (Figure 4) from the first threaded aperture 128 into an internal cavity 123 contained within the handle 106. The second threaded aperture 129 is illustrated as having a larger diameter than the first threated aperture 128 and located below the first threated aperture 128. [0036] The illustrated tamping base 112 comprises a round circular disc having a substantially flat solid tamping face 113 for engaging, in use, the coffee grind held in the filter 7 basket 102. The top of the tamping base 112 includes a threaded aperture 138A for engagement with the externally threaded base 138 of the internal shaft 136. Figures 4, 5 and 8 illustrate the top of the tamping base 112 being received by a recess 118 in the seating element 114. The tamping base 112 extends from a shaft 136 which extends from and is connected to the handle 106. [0037] The shaft 136 extends through the upper end of the handle 108 to the tamping base 112. The base of the internal shaft 136 includes an external thread 138 which engages with an internal thread 1 38A in the top of the tamping base 112. The top of the internal shaft 136 includes an external thread 139 which engages with the second internally threaded aperture 129 in the upper end of the handle 108. A stop element 141, comprising a locking grub screw (Figure 4) is received and located within the first internally threaded aperture 128. The stop element 141 is countersunk into the first threaded aperture 128 until its pointed tip 141A is seated in a receiving cavity 139A on the top of the internal shaft 136. As explained further in the specification, the stop element 141 provides a stop face for the top of the internal shaft 136 and the countersunk distance within the first threaded aperture 128 can adjust the distance the tamper base 112 extends from the seating element 114 in the second position. It is noted that, the fastening arrangement 126 for the indicia element comprises the only a portion of the thread above the stop element 141 in the first threated aperture 128 in order to accommodate the stop element 141. [0038] The illustrated seating element 114 is a plate which includes a recess 118. The seating element 114 is movably mounted on the shaft 136 between the lower end of the handle 110 and the tamping base 112. As best shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the seating element 114 includes a rounded groove 116 with a chamfered flange 124 on the edge of the seating element closest to the tamping base 112. The chamfered flange 124 is designed to allow better engagement with the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102. [0039] The groove 116 need not be round as shown in Figures 3 to 6. Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the tamping device 200 is illustrated. The tamping device 200 has all the same features as the tamping device 100 illustrated in Figures 1, and 3 to 7 and therefore like components with the first embodiment of the tamping device 100 have been designated with the same reference numerals PLUS 100. In this second embodiment, the handle 206, tamping base 212 and seating element 214 have a similar configuration to the handle 106, tamping base 112 and seating element 114 of the first embodiment of the tamping device 100. However, in this tamping device 200 the seating element 214 includes a square groove 216. It should be appreciated the invention could be adapted to include 8 any variation of groove profile in order to best fit the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102. [0040] The tamping device 100 further includes a biasing means 122. As best shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, the illustrated biasing means 122 is a helical spring housed within the internal cavity 123 of the handle 106. The biasing means 122 further comprises a first engagement collar 132A at its top and a second engagement collar 134A at its bottom. The top of the internal cavity 123 consists of a first engagement surface 132. The biasing means 122 is illustrated mounted around the internal shaft 136 with the first engagement collar 132A engaged against the first engagement surface 132 located in the handle 106 and the second engagement collar 134A engaged against a second engagement surface 134 located on the seating element 114. The biasing means 122 therefore exerts a biasing force between the handle 106 and the seating element 114. [0041] In use (as described below), the seating element 114 and tamping base 112 move relative to each other between a first position and a second position: [0042] In Figure 4, the seating element 114 is shown in a first position proximate to the tamping base 112. In this first position, the tamping base 112 is received within the recess 118 of the seating element 114. The tamping base face 113 and the seating element 114 are substantially aligned when the seating element 114 is in this first position. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the tamping base 112 protruding slightly beyond the seating element 114 when the tamping base 112 is resting in the first position. The illustrated helical spring 122, acts on the second engagement surface 134 to resist movement of the seating element 114 in the direction of the handle 106, therefore biasing the seating element 114 towards the first position. [0043] Figure 5 illustrates the seating element 114 in a second position extended away from the tamping base 112. In this second position the tamping base 112 protrudes fully from the seating element recess 118. The seating element 112 is prevented from further extension in the direction of the handle 106 by engagement with the lower end of the handle 110. [0044] The distance the tamping base 112 extends from the seating element 114 in the second position, can be adjusted. As discussed in paragraph 33, the locking grub screw 141 threadably received and typically countersunk within the first threaded aperture 128. As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the locking grub screw 141 includes a hexagonal opening in its head for engagement with an Allen key or similar tool (not illustrated), thereby allowing for 9 adjustment by the user. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, the locking grub screw 141 is threadably received into the first threaded aperture 128 until its pointed tip 141A is seated in a receiving cavity 139A on the top of the internal shaft 136. By rotating the handle 106 relative to the tamping base 112, the second threaded aperture 129 is able to be threaded onto the external thread 139 of the internal shaft 136 in the direction of the tamping base 112 until said seating occurs at which point the handle 106 is prevented from any further threading onto the internal shaft 136. By adjusting the distance that the locking grub screw 141 is countersunk into the first threaded aperture 128, the length of shaft 139 that is threadably mounted within the second threaded aperture 129 can be adjusted. This allows for the distance between the seating element 114 and the lower end of the handle 110 to similarly be adjusted which enables the user to control the distance the seating element 114 moves between the first and second positions. By increasing the distance between the first and second positions, the tamping base 112 will extend farther into the opening 103 of the receiving cavity 104A of the filter basket 102 thereby increasing the compression exerted on the coffee grind. Similarly, this feature can be used to lessen the distance the seating plate 114 is able to move back and thereby reduce the amount of compression applied to a particular volume of coffee grind within the filter basket 102. The device 100 can therefore be calibrated for a particular amount of coffee grind or a particularly sized filter basket 102. [0045] As illustrated in Figure 2, the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102 comprises a circumferential edge and the groove 116 in the seating element 114 has a corresponding annular shape. It is a preferred, therefore, that the device 100 is correctly paired with a filter basket 102 of appropriate diameter in order to ensure that the seating element 114 and the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102 can be correctly seated. In order to tamp as much of the coffee within the filter basket 102 as possible, a tight fit between the tamping base 112 and the opening of the filter basket 103 is necessary and provided by an embodiment whereby the tamping base 112 and the opening 103 of the filter basket 102 have complementary fitting dimensions. [0046] When the device 100 is in use, a desired amount of coffee grind is placed within the filter basket. The device 100 is then positioned above the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102. The user can then arrange the device 100 to receive and seat the groove 116 on the perimeter surface 104 of the filter basket 102. The device 100 is therefore precisely aligned such that the tamper base 112 is in the centre of the filter basket opening 103. Before force is applied to the handle 106, the seating element 114 rests in a first position (Figure 4) proximate to the tamping base 112 and the tamping base 112 extends slightly into the opening 103 of the filter basket 102. Force is then applied by the user on the handle 106 10 and handle flange 130 in the direction of the filter basket 102. Under force in the direction of the filter basket 102, the handle 106 and tamping base 112 move toward the filter basket 102 such that the tamping base 112 extends further into the filter basket opening 103, compressing the coffee grind, until the lower end 110 of the handle 106 comes into contact with the seating element 114 at a second position (Figure 5). Once in the second position, the tamping base 112 has extended into the filter basket opening 103 to the full extent and tamping is complete. The user then releases the handle 106 and under a returning bias provided by the helical spring 122, the handle 106 and tamping base 112 moves away from the filter basket 102 until the seating element 114 returns to the first position (Figure 4). [0047] The centre alignment, perimeter seating of the groove 116, and in some embodiments, complementary dimensions of the tamping base 112 to the receiving cavity 104A of the basket 102B enable a user to produce a good tamp with the device 100 of the present invention. This is because the seating element 114 and groove 116 ensure that the tamping base 112 is orientated parallel to the filter basket opening 103 and exerts force on the coffee grind (not illustrated) in a downward direction. This should consistently achieve a tamped grind with a very flat, horizontal surface with sufficient coffee grind in the receiving cavity 104A of the basket 102B. [0048] The device 100 is capable of being disassembled for the purposes of cleaning by removal of the locking grub screw 141 and complete unthreading of the internal shaft thread 139 from the second threaded aperture 129 within the handle 106. [0049] In a particular embodiment, the tamper base 112 is formed from stainless steel and the seating element 114 and handle 106 are formed from aluminium however these components may alternatively be formed from other materials such as powder coated steel, plastics, ceramics or the like. [0050] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (26)

1. A device for tamping ground coffee in a filter basket having an opening with a perimeter surface, the device including: an elongate handle having an upper end and a lower end; a tamping base extending from the lower end; and a seating element arranged between the handle and the tamping base including a groove adjacent to the tamping base configured to, in use, receive and seat on the perimeter surface of the filter basket, wherein the seating element is movable between a first position in which the seating element is proximate to the tamping base and a second position in which the tamping base extends away from the seating element, the seating element being biased towards the first position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, when the seating element is seated on the perimeter surface of the filter basket, the tamping base is operable to extend away from the seating element into the filter basket when in the second position .

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the device is used in combination with a filter basket and the perimeter surface of the filter basket comprises a circumferential surface and the groove in the device has a corresponding annular shape.

4. A device according to either claims 2 or 3, wherein the tamping base is sized to have complementary dimensions with the opening of the filter basket.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seating element includes a recess which receives the tamping base when the seating element is in the first position.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tamping base and the seating element are substantially aligned when the seating element is in the first position.

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein movement from the first position to the second position is stopped once a surface of the lower end of the handle engages a surface of the seating element. 12

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further including a biasing means biasing the seating element towards the first position.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the biasing means is housed within the handle between a first engagement surface located within the handle and a second engagement surface located on the seating element.

10. A device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the biasing means comprises a helical spring.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the groove includes a flange on the edge closest to the tamping base.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the groove has a square profile.

13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tamping base and seating element have a circular profile.

14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tamping base comprises a solid circular disc.

15. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tamping base is substantially flat.

16. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the seating element comprises at least one plate.

17. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the tamping base extends from a shaft which extends from and is connected to the handle, the seating element being movably mounted on the shaft between the lower end of the handle and the tamping base.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the length of the shaft between the lower end of the handle and tamping base can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the shaft mounted within the handle. 13

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the shaft is threadably mounted within the handle.

20. A device according to claim 19, further including a stop element which is threadably received within the handle to limit the length of shaft threadably mounted within the handle.

21. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the handle includes a fastening arrangement for an indicia element, wherein the indicia element comprises at least one of a badge, plate or promotional emblem.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the fastening arrangement is located at the upper end of the handle.

23. A device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the fastening arrangement comprises a threaded aperture.

24. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the handle has a generally frusto-conical shape.

25. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the handle further includes a flange at or adjacent to the lower end.

26. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the seating element is formed from stainless steel and the seating element and handle are each formed from aluminium.