DE102014008729A1 - Ergonomic tamper for compacting espresso powder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tamper for compacting ground espresso in a filter holder comprising a handle and a stamp plate with a pressure surface, wherein the stamp plate is connected to the handle. The special shape of the handle has the advantage that the handle nestles ergonomically in the palm. The hand is also not angled when pressing the espresso powder, so that the power from the entire arm can be used during pressing. This makes it possible to apply a more even and controlled pressure on the espresso powder. The espresso powder can be correspondingly well compacted with the tamper according to the invention, so that an espresso with good taste and a good crema is obtained.

Description

The invention relates to a tamper for compacting espresso powder in a portafilter comprising a handle and a stamp plate with a pressure surface, wherein the stamp plate is connected to the handle.

When using sieve carrier machines for preparing coffee or espresso, the ground coffee powder or espresso powder is filled directly into the portafilter. In the filter holder, the powder is compacted using a tamper. The proper handling of the tamper and the uniform application of pressure on the espresso powder are important.

The pressure when pressing the espresso powder in the filter holder influences the quality of the finished beverage. It is therefore recommended that the espresso powder be pressed firmly with a uniformly distributed pressure of about 15 kg. If the espresso powder has not been compressed with sufficient pressure, the water runs too fast through the espresso powder and the contact time with the test water is too short. This leads to a so-called sub-extraction, d. H. The espresso tastes thin, has less flavor and forms only a slight crema. If the espresso powder is too firmly pressed, the brewing water remains in contact with the espresso powder for too long, so that even tannins and bitter substances are dissolved and the espresso tastes bitter. This is also called over-extraction.

Tamper is available in many different versions. There are manually operated tamperers, so-called Handtamper, electronic tamper and automatic devices. Manual tamperers are easy to clean and allow quick and easy handling. For the manual tamper, it is more difficult to apply even pressure. This is more likely with automatic or electronic tampers. These are expensive and often more difficult to clean.

A Handtamper is in the DE 20 2010 004 628 U1 described. The tamper has a handle and a stamp plate with a specially shaped pressure surface. The pressure surface ensures a particularly smooth coffee surface. The handle is approximately inverted drop-shaped, so that the user hangs up the palm of the hand on the handle top and the fingertips supported on the stamp plate. This has the disadvantage that the hand is angled in use, so that not the full force from the arm can be used during pressing. In addition, this posture often puts strain on the wrist, which can lead to signs of wear in the joint.

A more even use of power is possible with an electronic tamper. An electronic tamper is from the DE 20 2013 003 598 U1 known. The tamper is equipped with measuring electronics that indicate whether sufficient pressure is applied when the handle is pressed down. In addition, the measuring electronics also indicate when too much pressure is applied. The disadvantage of this Tampers is that a power supply is necessary and if no charged batteries are present, the tamper can not be used. In addition, a machine cleaning is not possible because this would damage the measuring electronics.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tamper for compacting ground espresso, which is easy to clean, works without power supply or complex mechanism, allows a uniform force transmission and ensures optimum compression of the espresso powder to avoid over- or under-extraction, where the tamper should also be user-friendly, so that no physical complaints occur even with frequent use.

• • der Handgriff eine längliche Form, wobei die Längsausdehnung größer als die Querausdehnung ist, und bevorzugt einen kreisförmigen oder vieleckigen Querschnitt hat,
• • der Handgriff eine nach nach unten zur Stempelplatte gerichtete Schnittsfläche und eine nach oben zur Hand des Nutzers gerichtet Grundfläche hat und
• • durch die Grundfläche eine erste Ebene verläuft und durch die Schnittfläche eine zweite Ebene verläuft und die Ebenen sich in der Verlängerung außerhalb des Handgriffs in einem spitzen Winkel schneiden.

The object is achieved by a tamper (coffee stamp) for compacting ground espresso powder in a portafilter comprising a handle and a circular die plate with a pressure surface, wherein the die plate is connected to the handle, characterized in that

• The handle has an elongate shape, wherein the longitudinal extent is greater than the transverse extent, and preferably has a circular or polygonal cross section,
• The handle has a cutting surface directed downwards towards the stamp plate and has a base directed upwards towards the user 's hand; and
• • A first plane runs through the base surface and a second plane runs through the cut surface and the planes intersect at an acute angle outside the handle in the extension.

Further embodiments are subject of the dependent claims or described below.

The tamper according to the invention is a typical tool of a barista for compacting espresso powder. Tamper are also referred to as a coffee stamp, coffee powder press, pounder or coffee pusher. Also found for ground espresso and the terms ground coffee or coffee powder.

For the purposes of the invention is understood by "bottom" in the direction of the stamp plate, ie in the direction of the portafilter in which there is the espresso. Likewise, in the sense of the invention, "top" is directed towards the hand of the user, ie understood as the side facing away from the filter holder. Below and above are used here as they occur when using the tamper.

In a preferred embodiment of the tamper according to the invention, the handle has the basic shape of a truncated cone, wherein the base surface and cut surface but not parallel to each other. The cut surface is circular and the base forms an ellipse, so that the cutting plane of the cut surface and the cutting plane of the base face each other at an acute angle and cut outside the body. The cut surface of the truncated cone is directed down to the stamp plate and the inclined base of the truncated cone is directed upward to the user's hand. A truncated cone has a circular base and a smaller diameter circular cutting surface. The cut surface thus has a smaller diameter than the base, d. H. the truncated cone widened from bottom to top. Preferably, the handle of the tamper according to the invention is designed so that a first plane passes through the base of the truncated cone and a second plane passes through the cut surface of the truncated cone and the planes intersect in the extension outside of the truncated cone at an acute angle. Particularly preferably, the planes intersect at an angle of 10 ° to 80 °, more preferably 60 ° to 30 °. An angle of 45 ° has proven to be particularly advantageous. The lateral surface is slightly concave in one embodiment.

Alternatively, the handle of the tamper according to the invention is designed as a cylinder with a circular or oval cross section or as a column with a polygonal cross section, preferably a hexagonal or octagonal cross section. There are also mixed forms z. B. semicircular, semi-hollow used.

The upper end of the handle of the tamper according to the invention is preferably formed by a straight surface and there are no other elements placed on the truncated cone at the upper end.

The tamper according to the invention is preferably a manually operated tamper, i. H. a Handtamper. It is also possible, but less preferred, to use the shape of the handle in an electronic tamper. The stamp plate is then equipped with a corresponding measuring electronics or a corresponding press construction.

The handle of the tamper according to the invention is preferably made of wood, metal, plastic, stainless steel or a mixture thereof, more preferably wood. Suitable types of wood are z. African Blackwood, Grenadilla, Afzelia Burl, Red or Golden Amboina, Cocobolo, Tiger Maple, Ziricote, Kingwood, Snakewood, Marble, Kauri, Few, Thuya Wood, Rosewood (Retusa Rosewood, Brazilian Rosewood) or Oregon Maple Burl.

The stamp plate of the tamper according to the invention is preferably made of metal, more preferably aluminum or stainless steel, wood or plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle is made of wood and the stamp plate made of metal. The circular die plate preferably has a diameter of 48-60 cm. The circular shape of the stamp plate is due to the circular shape of the filter holder. Accordingly, the diameter of the stamp plate is chosen so that the tamper fits easily into the portafilter and covers the entire coffee surface.

In one embodiment, the handle and the stamp plate are preferably releasably connected to one another, particularly preferably screwed together via a thread. It is also possible in another embodiment to insert an intermediate element between the handle and the stamp plate.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle and the stamp plate are integral d. H. Handle and stamp plate are made of one piece or are firmly connected, preferably glued together.

Due to the inclined top of the handle tamper invention has the advantage that the handle nestles particularly ergonomic in the palm. Since the angle of the hand and arm of the user is ergonomically favorable, also leads to frequent use of the tamper to a lower load on the wrist. The hand is also not unwound when pressed, so that the power from the entire arm can be used during pressing. This makes it possible to apply a more even and controlled pressure on the espresso powder. The espresso powder can be correspondingly well compacted with the tamper according to the invention, so that an espresso with good taste and a good crema is obtained. An over- or under extraction is avoided successfully.

The simple design without complicated mechanical structures also easy cleaning is possible and cost-effective production.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. Show it

1 a side view of a tamper according to the invention,

2 a perspective view of the tamper 1 and

3 in tamper according to the invention 1 in the application.

In 1 is the tamper according to the invention 1 to see. The tamper has a handle 2 and a stamp plate attached thereto 3 , The stamp plate 3 is circular and gets down through the pressure surface 4 completed. The pressure surface 4 forms the bottom of the tamper. The stamp plate consists of a plate with a circular cross-section, the upward a connector 11 to the handle 2 having. The handle 2 has the shape of a truncated truncated cone. On the underside of the truncated cone is the cut surface 5 , On the top of the truncated cone is the sloping base 6 , Through the cut surface 5 runs one plane and through the base 6 runs a second plane that is at an angle 7 to cut. It can be seen that the cut surface 5 has a smaller diameter than the base 6 ie the truncated cone widened from bottom to top.

2 shows a perspective view of the tamper 1 , It can be seen that the top of the handle 2 is a smooth flat surface. The base area 6 In this embodiment, there are no indentations or bulges inwardly or outwardly.

In 3 is the tamper according to the invention 1 to see in the application. The hand 8th a user grabs the handle 2 so that the ball of the thumb 9 on the ground 6 the top of the handle comes to rest. The finger 10 grip the sides of the handle 2 , It is recognizable that the hand 8th when used in the wrist 12 does not have to be angled to move the tamper in the direction of the arrows and build up pressure in this direction. As a result, both the wrist is spared and a better use of force possible because during the movement force can be used not only from the hand but from the entire arm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tamper

2

handle

3

stamp plate

4

pressure surface

5

Cut surface of the truncated cone

6

Base of the truncated cone

7

angle

8th

Hand of the user

9

thenar

10

finger

11

intermediate element

12

wrist

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202010004628 U1 [0005]
• DE 202013003598 U1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Tamper ( 1 ) for compacting ground espresso in a portafilter comprising a handle ( 2 ) and a circular stamp plate ( 3 ) with a pressure surface ( 4 ), the stamp plate ( 3 ) with the handle ( 2 ), characterized in that • the handle ( 2 ) an elongate shape, wherein the longitudinal extent is greater than the transverse extent, and preferably has a circular or polygonal cross-section, the handle a down to the stamp plate ( 3 ) directed cutting surface ( 5 ) and one up at hand ( 8th ) of the user's footprint ( 6 ) and • by the base area ( 6 ) passes through a first plane and through the cut surface ( 5 ) extends a second level and the levels are in the extension outside the handle at an acute angle ( 7 ) to cut. Tamper ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle ( 2 ) the shape of a truncated truncated cone with an elliptical base ( 6 ) and a circular cut surface ( 5 ), where the cut surface ( 5 ) of the truncated cone down to the stamp plate ( 3 ) and the obliquely cut base ( 6 ) up to the hand ( 8th ) of the user. Tamper ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that by the base area ( 6 ) of the truncated cone extends a first plane and through the cut surface ( 5 ) of the truncated cone is a second plane and the planes are in the extension outside the truncated cone at an acute angle ( 7 ) to cut. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planes intersect at an angle of 10 ° to 80 °, preferably 60 ° to 30 °. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top of the handle ( 2 ) is formed by a planar surface and no further elements are placed on the truncated cone. Tamper ( 1 ) with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tamper ( 1 ) is a Handtamper. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle ( 2 ) made of wood, metal, plastic, glass, stone or a mixture thereof, preferably wood. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stamp plate ( 3 ) made of metal, preferably aluminum or stainless steel, wood or plastic. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle ( 2 ) and the stamp plate ( 3 ) are releasably connected to each other, preferably screwed together via a thread. Tamper ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle ( 2 ) and the stamp plate ( 3 ) are integral or firmly connected to each other, preferably glued together.

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