DE102007047650A1 - Coffee feeding unit for use in coffee maker, involves dispensing opening for dispensing coffee towards boiling unit, and dispensing closure actuated simultaneously in same direction as filling closure during actuation of filling closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit (1) has a dispensing opening (5) to dispense coffee towards a boiling unit (3). A dispensing closure (11) and a filling closure (9) are connected with each other by a coupler. The closures are arranged at a dispensing opening and a filling opening. The dispensing closure is actuated simultaneously in the same direction as the filling closure during the actuation of the filling closure such that the coffee feeding unit is opened at both sides for filling coffee. A locking device couples the closures with each other such that the closures are not opened during a boiling process.

Description

The The invention relates to a coffee supply unit of a coffee machine with a discharge opening for coffee in the direction a brewing unit and with a dispensing closure as well with a filling opening and with a filling closure, wherein the dispensing and the filling closure with each other are connected by a coupling. Furthermore, the invention relates a coffee machine with a brewing unit and a above the brewing unit attached coffee supply unit.

Coffee supply units are vessels or cavities through which coffee is fed into a brewing unit or into a grinder. Such a coffee supply unit is for example in the US 2,827,845 shown. It is arranged below a storage hopper and has a filling closure and a dispensing closure, which are actuated in opposite directions: If the filling opening is opened by means of the filling closure, the dispensing closure closes the dispensing opening and vice versa.

at the preparation of coffee with the help of coffee machines can Coffee beans or ground coffee fed into an area which is traversed by steam. condensing Steam from the brew unit can attach to the wall of the coffee dispenser drop. This can make the coffee moist and, especially, if he is already ground, partly deposited on the wall.

task The invention therefore provides an improved coffee supply unit and to provide such a coffee machine, in particular solve the described problem.

These Task is in the aforementioned coffee supply unit solved according to the invention that upon actuation of the filling closure the dispensing closure at the same time and in the same direction is actuated. Will the filling opening opened with coffee to feed the coffee machine, at the same time the discharge opening is opened. If the filling opening is closed, then the Dispensing opening closed. The moment a user operated the filling opening to fill coffee, the coffee supply unit is open on both sides. Steam from the brewing unit can therefore be unhindered by exit the coffee supply unit without being jammed in it and to be on the wall of the coffee dispenser condense. Until the user fills coffee in the coffee supply unit, is therefore at least the vast majority of the steam after pulled off the outside. The filling cap and the Coupled with it, dispensing closure can also be automatic be actuated, for example, in arrangements in which a user does not fill the coffee directly.

at a coupling of filling closure and dispensing closure does not necessarily have the filling cap on actuation the dispensing closure are operated, d. H. the closures can be decoupled in this direction. However, it is advantageous if when operating the dispensing closure also the filling closure at the same time and pressed in the same direction is. Above all, this has the advantage of being through the opening one of the two closures the steam from the brewing unit can deduct reliably. Besides, a simple one Coupling mechanism can be used, which has a low susceptibility to interference having.

The Invention is suitable for applications where coffee beans or ground coffee. In a particularly preferred Embodiment of the invention comprises the feed unit a if necessary separate facility for ground coffee. So she can serve exclusively for the supply of ground coffee. When ground coffee is at risk of condensing Steam settles from the brewing unit on the wall and glued. at Fully automatic coffee making machine made from both beans also allow from ground coffee, there are usually two separate feed units. They are mostly from a top operated from the machine. Because the beans are still in a grinder must be ground before entering the same brewing unit get as the ground coffee, leads the coffee powder feed unit the coffee powder parallel to the grinder or past it into the brewing unit. This results in a certain path length of the feed unit, which is often kept slightly inclined, so the danger the deposit is reinforced again. Right here can Therefore, the main advantage of the invention, namely the Preventing the condensation of steam and thus the deposition of coffee on the wall, to be particularly effective.

According to one In the first embodiment, the coupling can be mechanical, for example, by a push rod or a transmission. Of the Filling closure and the dispensing closure can to be made in one piece, d. H. from a Component exist. The mechanical coupling has among others the Advantage of easy handling and technical controllability, is also very low maintenance and inexpensive to produce.

A second embodiment variant may comprise an electromechanical coupling of the two closures. When the filling closure is actuated, an electrical pulse can drive an electric motor which actuates the dispensing closure. A such coupling is useful, for example, if a mechanical coupling is not possible due to space limitations. It also offers the advantage that the closures can be controlled independently of each other, for example.

Of the Mechanism for actuating the filling or the Dispensing closure can be realized in two ways: the closures can either be pivoted at the respective opening be arranged stored or displaced.

at a hinged storage, the closures about an axis lying in or parallel to its plane of extent, be panned. Alternatively, he can also move along a perpendicular to be rotated in this plane extending axis. While the first-mentioned storage a better sliding of the ground coffee caused by the dispensing closure, the second storage requires little space when swinging the closures.

this Advantage also offers a sliding closure. He is in the Plane in which it closes the opening, linear, for example, slidable along a rail guide.

The Choice of an actuation mechanism for a closure is essentially dependent on the arrangement of the feed unit and the closures in the overall system of the coffee machine and the space available there for the closures and their coupling. In particular, the space, but also the Type of coupling of the closures can be different Mechanisms required for the closures.

A Coffee supply unit according to the invention can in itself be conceived as a separate component, that of the Functions of the coffee machine decoupled works. It But also in addition to other functions of the coffee machine be coupled. According to another embodiment The invention relates to the dispensing closure or the filling closure coupled with a locking device during a Brewing process opening at least one of the closures prevented. Such a coupling may include a user prevent inadvertently ground coffee or cleaning chemicals to enter the delivery unit while the brewing unit is working.

Of Furthermore, the above-mentioned object of the invention is achieved by a coffee machine with a brewing unit and a coffee supply unit mounted above the brewing unit. "Above" does not necessarily mean a positioning vertically over the brewing unit, but also closes all positions with one in which the coffee supply unit is slanted is mounted above the installation level of the brewing unit. Particularly suitable is the present invention for fully automatic coffee machines with a storage container for coffee beans and an associated grinder, if one parallel to it arranged coffee feed unit for ground coffee is designed to be particularly long.

The Principle of the invention will be described below with reference to the figures by way of example explained in more detail. Show it:

1 a side view of a coffee supply unit according to the invention in the closed state,

2 a side view of a coffee supply unit according to the invention in the open state.

1 shows a coffee supply unit 1 above a brewing unit 3 , Your walls 15 are slightly inclined to the brewing unit 3 arranged and have a height H on. At the upper end is a filling opening 7 that with a filling cap 9 is closed. On the filling opening 7 opposite side shows the coffee supply unit 1 a discharge opening 5 on that with a dispensing closure 11 is closed. Both closures are each by means of a hinge 17 pivotally mounted on the associated opening. A push rod 13 couples the filling cap 7 and the dispensing closure 11 , It is at the filling cap 7 at the hinge 17 attached opposite side, while the articulation at the dispensing closure 11 at the end of an extension rail 19 he follows. The extension rail 19 prolongs the dispensing closure 11 over the area of the delivery opening 5 beyond the hinge 17 out.

In 1 is the coffee dispenser 1 closed. Arises in the brewing unit 3 Steam, so he can not in the coffee-supply unit 1 reach. For this purpose, the dispensing closure closes 11 the discharge opening 5 as close as possible. The steam therefore collects in the area between the brewing unit 3 and the coffee dispenser 1 ,

In 2 is the same coffee supply unit 1 shown in the open state. When opening the filling cap 9 pushes the push rod 13 as a mechanical coupling at the same time the dispensing closure 11 so that both the filling opening 7 as well as the discharge opening 5 are open. Steam from the brewing unit 3 can now in the evaporation direction D through the discharge opening 5 through the filling opening 7 get outside. Thereafter, coffee in the filling direction K by the coffee supply unit 1 in the brewing unit 3 brought; on the walls 15 the coffee dispenser 1 sits down prak no coffee off.

There it is in the previous, detailed description figures are exemplary embodiments, they can in conventional Modified by the skilled person to a large extent, without to abandon the scope of the invention. So can the coffee delivery unit be designed in a different form, if this for reasons of space or designerischen reasons is necessary. Further closes the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not mean that the features in question also exist multiple times could be

1

Coffee supply unit

3

infuser

5

discharge opening

7

filling

9

Befüllverschluss

11

dispensing closure

13

pushrod

15

walls

17

hinge

19

extension bar

D

Ausdampfrichtung

H

height the coffee supply unit

K

filling direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 2827845 [0002]

Claims (9)

Coffee supply unit ( 1 ) with a discharge opening ( 5 ) for coffee in the direction of a brewing unit ( 3 ) and with a dispensing closure ( 11 ) and with a filling opening ( 7 ) and with a filling closure ( 9 ), whereby the delivery ( 11 ) and the filling closure ( 9 ) are interconnected by a coupling, characterized in that upon actuation of the filling closure ( 9 ) the dispensing closure ( 11 ) is actuated at the same time and in the same direction. Feeding unit according to claim 1, characterized in that upon actuation of the dispensing closure ( 11 ) at the same time the filling closure ( 9 ) is actuated in the same direction. Feeding unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is an element for Includes coffee powder. Feeding unit according to a of the preceding claims, characterized by a mechanical coupling. Feeding unit according to claim 1 to 3, characterized by an electromotive coupling. Feeding unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing closure ( 11 ) and / or the filling closure ( 9 ) hinged at the dispenser ( 5 ) or filling opening ( 7 ) are stored. Feeding unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing closure ( 11 ) and / or the filling closure ( 9 ) at the dispensing 5 ) or filling opening ( 7 ) are arranged displaceably. Feeding unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing closure ( 11 ) and / or the filling closure ( 9 ) are coupled to a locking device, which is an opening of the dispensing closure ( 11 ) and / or the filling closure ( 9 ) prevented during a brewing process. Coffee machine with a brewing unit ( 3 ) and one above the brewing unit ( 3 ) attached coffee supply unit ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8.