CN213309098U

CN213309098U - Coffee machine with simplified accessory system for filter handle

Info

Publication number: CN213309098U
Application number: CN202020188255.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·E·钦戈拉尼; S·佛格利亚; M·利纳尔德西
Original assignee: Simonelli Group SpA
Current assignee: Simonelli Group SpA
Priority date: 2019-02-22
Filing date: 2020-02-20
Publication date: 2021-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-20
Also published as: TWM598106U; FR3092978A3; FR3092978B3; ES1243849Y; RU198656U1; ES1243849U

Abstract

A coffee machine comprises a filter handle (7) with a receptacle (70) which is coupled, without rotation, to an accessory (2) of a dispenser element by sliding insertion only. The distributor element (1) comprises: an infusion channel (11), a piston (4) mounted in the cylinder (3) and possibly sliding vertically, and actuating means (A) suitable for actuating said piston; the cylinder (3) has a feed channel (31) communicating with the feed channel (11) of the dispenser element; the piston (4) has a seal (6) adapted to tightly engage with the upper edge of the container (70) of the filter handle, a dispensing nozzle (5) having a plurality of outlet conduits (51, 52), and an infusion channel (42) communicating with the infusion channel (31) of the cylinder and with said dispensing nozzle (5).

Description

Coffee machine with simplified accessory system for filter handle

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a coffee machine, which is provided with a simplified accessory system for a filter handle.

Background

As is known, coffee machines comprise a dispenser element provided with a dispensing nozzle suitable for dispensing pressurized hot water. The dispensing nozzle is disposed in a fitment adapted to receive a filter handle. The filter handle generally comprises a cylindrical receptacle adapted to contain the coffee powder, an actuating rod projecting radially from the receptacle, and one or two outlet nozzles arranged below the receptacle.

When the filter handle is coupled in the fitment of the dispenser element, the coffee powder is wetted by the pressurized hot water so as to extract the liquid coffee through the outlet nozzle of the filter handle.

It is physically demanding to insert the filter handle into the fitment of the dispenser element each time the attendant makes a cup of coffee.

Generally, bayonet or screw fitting systems are found on the market, wherein the fitting has a seal and an internal thread, and the filter handle has a tab or an external thread adapted to engage with the internal thread of the fitting. When the filter handle is rotated in the fitting, the threads of the filter handle are screwed into the threads of the fitting so that the filter handle presses against the seal of the fitting, thereby forming a water-tight chamber that prevents water leakage when dispensing pressurized water.

Using the accessory system, the operator must rotate and push the filter handle with force in such a way that: screwing of the thread of the filter handle on the thread of the fitting of the dispenser element determines an upward rotation of the filter handle until the seal of the fitting of the dispenser element is pressed.

The accessory system causes stress and fatigue to the operator who must rotate the filter handle in a clockwise direction to couple the filter handle with the accessory of the dispenser element and in a counter-clockwise direction to uncouple the filter handle from the accessory of the dispenser element. Furthermore, such an accessory system is not constant, as the attachment force of the filter handle will depend on the rotational force applied by the operator, and the efficacy and wear of the seal will depend on the operator.

EP0838185 discloses a coffee machine with a bayonet fitting system of filter handles.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing a coffee machine with a simple, practical, effective, versatile and reliable accessory system for the filter handle.

The utility model discloses a coffee machine, include:

a filter handle comprising a receptacle adapted to contain coffee powder,

-a dispenser element having a fitting adapted to receive the container of the filter handle; said dispenser element being provided with an infusion channel adapted to supply pressurized hot water to the coffee powder contained in the filter handle,

a water system having a supply pump to supply pressurized water to the infusion channel of the dispenser element,

a heater provided in the water system to heat water to be supplied to the feeding passage,

a dispensing valve provided in said water system between the heater and the infusion channel to allow/prohibit the supply of hot water to said infusion channel,

wherein said receptacle of the filter handle is coupled to the fitment of the dispenser element only by sliding insertion without rotation, an

The dispenser element further comprises: a piston installed in the cylinder and vertically slidable; and actuating means adapted to actuate the piston;

the cylinder body is provided with a liquid feeding passage communicated with the liquid feeding passage of the distributor element;

the piston is provided with: a seal adapted to be tightly coupled with an upper boundary of the container of the filter handle; a dispensing nozzle provided with a plurality of outlet conduits; and an infusion channel in communication with the infusion channel and the dispensing nozzle of the cylinder.

According to one form of the invention, the actuating device is a pressurized system of the hydraulic or pneumatic type.

According to the utility model discloses a form, the cylinder body includes:

a cylindrical chamber having a vertical axis,

-an annular wall coaxially arranged in the cylindrical chamber to define a cylindrical inner chamber and an annular peripheral chamber; said annular wall of the cylinder being adapted to engage in an annular seat of the piston;

an infusion channel communicating with the internal chamber and with the infusion channel of the dispenser element,

-a pressurization channel communicating with the peripheral chamber and with said pressurization system.

According to one form of the invention, the cylinder comprises a discharge channel arranged in a vertical position on the annular wall.

According to one aspect of the invention, the pressurization system comprises a pressurization pump and a pressurization valve.

According to one aspect of the invention, the pressurization system comprises the supply pump and a pressurization valve of the water system.

According to a form of the invention, the pressurization valve is a three-way electric valve and is connected to three pipes:

an inlet duct communicating with the pressurization system,

-an outlet conduit communicating with a fixed part connected to said pressurizing channel of the cylinder, and

-a drain line in communication with the drain pipe.

According to one form of the invention, the cylinder comprises a plurality of pressurized channels connected to the annular duct.

According to one form of the invention, the dispensing nozzle of the piston comprises a collection chamber communicating with the infusion channel of the piston and with the outlet duct of the dispensing nozzle.

According to the utility model discloses a form, the piston includes: at least one rod sliding through the cylinder and the distributor element; and a spring disposed outside the distributor element between the distributor element and a nut at one end of the rod.

Drawings

Additional features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only, and which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of an accessory of a dispenser element and a filter handle of a coffee machine according to the present invention, with the accessory system in a non-operating position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along section II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an exploded cross-sectional view of some of the elements of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an exploded cross-sectional view of some of the elements of FIG. 3;

figures 4, 5 and 6 are the same views as figures 1, 2 and 3, showing the coffee machine of the present invention with the accessory system in an operating position;

fig. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water system of a coffee maker according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a coffee machine according to the present invention is described.

With reference to fig. 1, the coffee machine comprises a dispenser element 1, the dispenser element 1 comprising a plurality of accessories 2 supported by a carriage 10. The bracket 10 is the portion of the distributor element that is fixed to the machine and receives the hot water; the bracket 10 is thus the part of the distributor element that can thermally maintain the temperature of the water. Each fitting 2 of the dispenser element is adapted to receive a filter handle 7.

The distributor element 1 is of a known type and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Referring to fig. 2 and 7, the distributor element comprises a distribution valve V1 connected to the water system 9. The dispensing valve V1 communicates with an infusion channel 11 obtained in the carriage 10 of the dispenser element.

The water system 9 comprises a supply pump P1 adapted to supply pressurized water at a pressure of about 9-11bar, typically supplied from a water tank (not shown).

In the water system 9, a heater H is provided between the supply pump P1 and the feed passage 11 of the dispenser element. The heater H is adapted to heat the water at a temperature of about 88-96 deg.c, i.e. at a suitable temperature for extracting the beverage.

A dispensing valve V1 is provided in the dispenser element 1 to enable or disable the supply of water from the water system 9 to the infusion channel 11 of the dispenser element.

The distributing valve V1 is a three-way electric valve, connected to three pipes:

an inlet pipe 90 in communication with the water system 9,

an outlet conduit 91 communicating with the infusion path 11, an

A water discharge pipe 92 communicating with the water discharge port 93.

When the beverage is extracted, the dispensing valve V1 opens the communication between the inlet duct 90 and the outlet duct 91 and closes the communication with the drainage duct 92. When the dispensing operation is completed, the dispensing valve V1 opens communication between the outlet duct 91 and the discharge duct 92 and closes communication with the inlet duct 90. In view of the above, when extraction is completed, the water remaining between the coffee agent and the dispenser element 1 is drained to eliminate the pressure in this area of the dispenser element and the filter handle 7 is removed, preventing the high-pressure water provided by the water system 9 from leaking.

A cylinder 3 is provided between the bracket 10 and the fitting 2. The bolts B pass through the fitting 2 and the cylinder 3, thereby fixing the fitting 2 to the cylinder and the cylinder 3 to the bracket 10 of the distributor element.

The piston 4 is mounted in the cylinder 3 and may slide vertically. The piston 4 is moved by the actuating means a (fig. 7).

Referring to fig. 2A, the cylinder 3 has a cylindrical chamber 30 with a vertical axis. An annular wall 35 is coaxially disposed within the chamber 30, defining a cylindrical inner chamber 30a and an annular peripheral chamber 30 b.

The cylinder 3 has an infusion channel 31 communicating with the internal chamber 30a and adapted to communicate with the infusion channel 11 of the handle of the dispenser element. The infusion channel 31 of the cylinder is vertical and arranged near the axis of the cylinder.

The piston 4 comprises an annular seat 45 open at the top, which annular seat 45 is adapted to receive the annular wall 35 of the cylinder. The piston 4 has an outer sealing ring 40 arranged in the side edge of the piston and an inner sealing ring 41 arranged in an annular seat 45 of the piston, tightly separating the inner chamber 30a and the peripheral chamber 30 b.

The piston 4 has an infusion channel 42 arranged in alignment with the infusion channel 31 of the cylinder. The infusion channel 42 of the piston is vertical.

The piston 4 comprises a dispensing nozzle 5, which dispensing nozzle 5 comprises a collecting chamber 50 communicating with the infusion channel 42 of the piston and

outlet conduits

51, 52 communicating with the collecting chamber 50. For illustrative purposes, the outlet conduit of the dispensing nozzle comprises a central outlet conduit 51 and a plurality of peripheral outlet conduits 52.

A seal 6 is provided around the periphery of the dispensing nozzle 5 of the piston.

At least one rod 8 projects from the top of the piston 4. Two rods are shown in fig. 3 and 3A. Each rod 8 slides through the cylinder 3 and the bracket 10 of the distributor element, projecting from the top of the bracket 10 of the distributor element. In view of the above, the cylinder 3 and the bracket 10 comprise

holes

38, 18, the rod 8 of the piston being slidably mounted in the

holes

38, 18.

A spring M is provided around each rod 8 above the bracket 10. A spring M is provided between the bracket 10 and a nut 80 installed at the upper portion of the rod 8, thereby pushing the piston 4 upward into contact with the cylinder 3, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

The filter handle 7 has a substantially cylindrical cup-shaped receptacle 70 adapted to contain coffee powder. The bottom of the container 70 has an outlet duct 71, the outlet duct 71 being connected to an outlet nozzle 72 for extracting liquid coffee. The handle 73 projects radially from the container 70.

Referring to fig. 3, the receptacle 70 of the filter handle has a lateral projection 74 projecting radially outward in a direction orthogonal to the handle 73.

The accessory 2 comprises a base 20 adapted to receive a receptacle 70 of a filter handle. The base 20 is open at the top for insertion of the piston 4, at the bottom for insertion of the dispensing nozzle 72 of the filter handle, and at the front for insertion of the filter handle 7 by means of translation only without any rotation.

The base 20 of the fitment comprises two linear guides 21 with a C-shaped cross-section in which the lateral projections 74 of the filter handle slide. Position detection means (not shown in the figures) may be provided in the base 20 of the fitting to detect when the filter handle reaches the end-of-travel position, with the piston 4 above the receptacle 70 of the filter handle. The position detection means of the filter handle is optional.

Advantageously, the actuating means a may be a pressurized system 100 of the hydraulic or pneumatic type. Obviously, the actuating means a may also be an electric or electromagnetic actuator.

If the actuating device a is a pressurization system 100, the cylinder 3 comprises a pressurization channel 32 arranged vertically and circumferentially with respect to the infusion channel 31. The pressurizing passage 32 communicates with the peripheral chamber 30 b.

The cylinder 3 comprises a discharge channel 36, the discharge channel 36 being arranged in a vertical position on the annular wall 35.

With reference to fig. 3 and 3A, at least one fixing C1, C2 for the inlet/outlet of the fluid is mounted on the carriage 10 and communicates with the pressurized channel 32 through ducts obtained in the carriage 10 and in the cylinder.

As shown, two fixtures C1, C2 are provided, which communicate with the two

channels

13, 14 obtained in the carriage 10 and with the annular duct 34 of the cylinder, which annular duct 34 of the cylinder communicates with the pressurization channel 32 of the cylinder.

The mounts C1, C2 are connected to a pressurization system 100 of a hydraulic or pneumatic type, so as to pressurize the peripheral chamber 30b of the cylinder.

Referring to fig. 7, the pressurization system 100 may include a pressurization pump P2 and a pressurization valve V2.

The pressurization valve V2 is a three-way electric valve, connected to three pipes:

an inlet duct 94 communicating with a pressurization system 100,

an outlet duct 95 communicating with the fixtures C1, C2, and

a drain pipe 96 communicating with the drain port 93.

When the peripheral chamber 30b is pressurized, communication between the inlet conduit 94 and the outlet conduit 95 of the pressurizing valve is opened. When the peripheral chamber 30b is to be depressurized, the communication between the outlet pipe 95 of the pressurizing valve and the drain pipe 96 is opened.

Advantageously, a pressure pump P2 is connected to the water tank of the machine and supplies cold water at a pressure of about 10-11 bar.

The program of the machine may be arranged such that: when the operator presses the dispense button, the pressurizing pump P2 operates before the supply pump P1. In view of the above, the piston 4 moves downward and pressurized hot water is dispensed.

Obviously, the machine can be equipped with two separate buttons: a first push button actuates the booster pump P2 and a second push button actuates the supply pump P1. In this case, the operator presses the first button and the second button in this order.

Alternatively, the pressurization system 100 may use a supply pump P1. In this case, the inlet conduit 94 of the pressurizing valve V2 is connected downstream of the supply pump P1 and upstream of the heater H. Thus, when the user presses the coffee dispensing button, the supply pump P1 supplies pressurized water to the pressurization valve V2 and the dispensing valve V1. However, the water introduced to the distribution valve V1 is delayed due to the passage in the heater H. Therefore, first, the pressurized water passes through the pressurizing valve V2, lowers the piston 4, and then passes through the distribution valve V1, and pressurized hot water is supplied from the distribution nozzle 5 of the piston. In view of the above, the operator uses only one button, i.e. the dispense button.

The operation of the coffee maker according to the invention is described below.

Initially, the piston 4 is in a non-operative retracted position, as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3. The operator can only insert the filter handle 7 into the base 20 of the fitting by means of a forward translation, without being able to rotate. As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the seal 6 of the piston is spaced from the upper boundary of the receptacle 70 of the filter handle.

The operator then presses the coffee dispensing button. If the position sensor detects that the filter handle has reached the end-of-travel position, the position sensor sends a confirmation command to the pressurization system 100 to pressurize the peripheral chamber 30b of the cylinder.

The pressurized fluid then passes through the pressurizing valve V2, enters the fixtures C1, C2 and reaches the peripheral chamber 30b of the cylinder to move the piston 4 downwards so that the sealing member 6 of the piston is tightly coupled with the upper border of the container 70 of the filter handle, thus forming a watertight chamber between the container of the filter handle and the dispensing nozzle 5 of the piston, as shown in fig. 4, 5 and 6. During the downward movement of the piston 4, the spring M is compressed and loaded.

Now, pressurized hot water is dispensed to extract the coffee. The pressurized hot water passes through the dispensing valve V1, through the bracket 10 and the

infusion channels

11, 31 of the cylinder 3, and to the internal chamber 30a between the piston and the cylinder.

The pressurized hot water enters the infusion channel 42 of the piston from the internal chamber 30a, reaches the dispensing nozzle 5 of the piston and is discharged from the

holes

51, 52 of the dispensing nozzle. Thereby wetting the ground coffee in the reservoir 70 of the filter handle. Liquid coffee is then extracted from the outlet nozzle 72 of the filter handle.

After coffee extraction is complete, the dispensing valve V1 closes the inlet duct and opens the drain duct to depressurize the chamber between the receptacle of the filter handle and the piston.

The pressurizing valve V2 closes the inlet pipe and opens the drain pipe to depressurize the peripheral chamber 30b of the cylinder. In view of the above, the filter handle 7 can be withdrawn from the base 20 of the accessory.

The spring M is unloaded, raising the piston 4, thereby returning the piston 4 to the inoperative retracted position shown in figures 1, 2 and 3.

The coffee machine of the utility model can also be operated under the condition without a position sensor. The receptacle 70 of the filter handle is inserted into the base 20 of the fitment. Then, by pressing the coffee dispensing button, the pressurization of the peripheral chamber 30b of the cylinder is started and the piston 4 is made to move downwards. If the filter handle is not inserted or is not properly inserted, the pressurizing system will move the piston 4 downward without causing injury to the dispenser components or the operator. If the filter handle is absent, water will be ejected from the dispensing nozzle 5 of the piston and drip into the drip tray below the dispenser element. If the filter handle 7 is inserted incorrectly into the fitting 2, water will drain from the seal 6 of the piston and drip into the drip tray.

Numerous equivalent variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the abilities of those skilled in the art and in any case fall within the scope of the invention disclosed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Coffee machine, comprising:

-a filter handle (7) comprising a container (70) adapted to contain ground coffee,

-a dispenser element (1) having a fitting (2) adapted to receive the container (70) of the filter handle; said dispenser element being provided with an infusion channel adapted to supply pressurized hot water to the coffee powder contained in the filter handle,

-a water system (9) having a supply pump (P1) to supply pressurized water to the infusion channel of the dispenser element,

-a heater (H) arranged in the water system (9) to heat water to be supplied to the infusion channel,

-a dispensing valve (V1) arranged in said water system (9) between the heater (H) and the infusion path to allow/prohibit the supply of hot water to said infusion path,

characterized in that said receptacle (70) of the filter handle is coupled to the fitment (2) of the dispenser element only by sliding insertion without rotation, and

the dispenser element further comprises: a piston (4) mounted in the cylinder (3) and vertically slidable; and actuating means (a) adapted to actuate said piston;

the cylinder (3) is provided with a feeding channel communicating with the feeding channel of the dispenser element;

the piston (4) is provided with: a seal (6) adapted to be tightly coupled with an upper boundary of the receptacle (70) of the filter handle; a dispensing nozzle (5) provided with a plurality of outlet ducts; and an infusion channel communicating with said infusion channel of the cylinder and with said dispensing nozzle (5).

2. Coffee machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said actuating means (a) are a pressurized system (100) of the hydraulic or pneumatic type.

3. A coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said cylinder (3) comprises:

-a cylindrical chamber (30) having a vertical axis,

-an annular wall (35) coaxially arranged in the cylindrical chamber (30) to define a cylindrical inner chamber (30a) and an annular peripheral chamber (30 b); said annular wall (35) of the cylinder being adapted to engage in an annular seat (45) of the piston;

-an infusion channel communicating with the internal chamber (30a) and with the infusion channel of the dispenser element,

-a pressurization channel (32) communicating with the peripheral chamber (30b) and with said pressurization system (100).

4. A coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said cylinder (3) comprises a discharge channel (36) arranged in an upright position on said annular wall (35).

5. A coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said pressurization system (100) comprises a pressurization pump (P2) and a pressurization valve (V2).

6. A coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said pressurization system (100) comprises said supply pump (P1) and a pressurization valve (V2) of said water system.

7. A coffee machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said pressurization valve (V2) is a three-way electric valve and is connected to three ducts:

an inlet duct (94) communicating with the pressurization system (100),

-an outlet conduit communicating with a fixing (C1, C2) connected to said pressurizing channel (32) of the cylinder, and

-a drain pipe (96) communicating with the drain pipe (93).

8. A coffee-making machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said cylinder comprises a plurality of pressurized channels (32) connected to an annular duct (34).

9. A coffee-making machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said dispensing nozzle (5) of the piston comprises a collection chamber (50) communicating with said infusion channel of the piston and with said outlet duct of the dispensing nozzle.

10. Coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said piston (4) comprises: at least one rod (8) sliding through the cylinder (3) and the distributor element; and a spring (M) arranged outside the distributor element, between the distributor element (1) and a nut (80) at one end of the rod.