ES2932565A1 - DEVICE FOR DOSING COFFEE BEANS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Grain dosing device for grinding, crushing or infusion, in beverage machines, comprising a base-rail (1) as a guide and fixed component, a sliding part as a mobile component (2), and a pinion (3) as an actuating element that performs a reciprocating movement. The mobile component comprises a rail (2.1) that slides through a channel (1.1) existing in the base-rail (1) that is coupled to the pinion (3), and through compartments (2.3), so that, when the pinion, the mobile element (2) moves until the through compartments (2.3) coincide with an exit door (2.3) existing in the base (1.2) of the fixed element, allowing the grain to be dosed out. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE FOR DOSING COFFEE BEANS

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention refers to an automatic or semi-automatic machine for preparing and issuing drinks by infusion, more specifically to the means for preparing and distributing the drink, and in detail, to the elements dedicated to the introduction of raw materials. coffee preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, machines for preparing beverages by dissolving a solute (coffee, tea, powdered milk, powdered chocolate, herbs, food extracts, flavorings, etc.) in a solvent such as purified or mineral water are widely known. , making the liquid solvent, water in most cases, interact with a portion of a substance, solute, which gives it flavor for a certain time. Thus, the flavoring substance is mixed with the liquid by any of the currently known extraction means, obtaining a consumable drink with a certain flavor.

The common way of operating this type of machine is based on the fact that the flavoring substance can be stored for a long period of time, however, the drink obtained is intended to be consumed immediately after its preparation.

These machines use a flavoring substance, which is passed through by a liquid at a certain temperature for a certain time and at a given pressure, favoring the extraction of flavor.

Considering the documents that belong to the current state of the art, we can find different documents that refer to this type of machine.

In the document ES2699583 JURA ELEKTROAPPARATE AG (2019), the a beverage preparation machine comprising a container for liquids, a beverage preparation device, a fluid conduit, a housing device for housing a filter, a sensor for detecting a filter, and a control device, wherein the The sensor is configured to generate a signal, which contains information about whether a liquid filter is placed in the predetermined filter position.

Whereas, in document US2018/0020867 DE'LONGHI APPLIANCES S .R. L. (2018), a coffee machine is presented that comprises a controller, a heating element that heats a flow to infuse water, a mobile infusion unit that comprises an open infusion chamber connected to a dispensing conduit. , to supply the coffee, and an ejection piston that slides through the infusion chamber. It also has ducts to supply water to the brewing chamber, and a piston to close the brewing chamber.

The previous document proposes the following procedure: feeding of coffee into the infusion chamber through the open mouth, a movement of the infusion chamber towards the closing piston of the chamber itself, sending a flow of hot water in a range of temperatures ranging from 85°C to 100°C, and with a pressure that varies from atmospheric pressure to 25 Pa. After a determined period of time (infusion) the infusion chamber is removed through a Translation movement with the same direction as the first movement, but in the opposite direction. At the end of the process, the rest of the coffee that has already been used is extracted to a coffee residue tank.

We also see that in the document US10130207 RHEAVENDORS SERVICES SPA (2018), an invention relating to a process for preparing coffee in a beverage dispensing device is presented, in which the machine has a feed duct mounted on a support structure, which it is prepared to rotate with respect to said structure, to feed the coffee to the infusion chamber. In this case, both the brewing chamber and the feed conduit are positioned so that the desired amount of coffee is dispensed into the chamber.

In addition, document EP0334571 GEN FOODS LTD (1989), presents an invention relating to a beverage preparation machine comprising an entry point for the machine as a whole, a beverage making station within the machine, which is supplied with an aqueous solution to produce the required beverage. It has drive means that transport the package from the input section to the beverage preparation station. The drive means have a coupling between a drive part and a part associated with the package itself.

As can be seen in the existing documents in the state of the art, both the procedures and the machines used comprise some basic steps of:

- Addition of coffee to the infusion chamber.

- Movement of the infusion chamber to press the coffee.

- Supply of water to the combustion chamber for a certain time. - Opening of the infusion chamber, and

- Extraction of coffee remains.

This invention refers to the stage of adding the coffee to the infusion chamber, and, more specifically, to the process within it by which the selection of the amount of solute necessary to make the drink is carried out.

The document EP2763574 MIELE & CIE (2014) is interesting, where a coffee machine can be seen that includes two separate bean containers. A grinding unit designed to grind grains from the first and second grain bins, a unit, downstream of said grinding unit, for ground grains, and conveying means (32, 34, 18, 20) for selectively feeding grains from the first and second grain containers to said grinding unit.

Finally, the document ES1077819 deals with an endless transport device in a grain container with two chambers of an espresso-automatic coffee maker, which comprises two separate grain chambers, a common grain container outlet arranged at the bottom of said chambers, which can be closed with a respective closure element for each of the grain chambers, and adjustment means with which the closure elements can be activated in directions opposites.

As can be seen, there are own precedents that justify the background to this invention. The main problem of the inventions presented throughout this section resides in the lack of devices that facilitate the mixing between different types of solute to carry out the infusion in a precise manner, exercising total control over the amount of each of the components. .

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem that the present invention intends to solve is to achieve a grinding system that allows precise dosing of different types of solute -coffee beans- necessary to perform the grinding and subsequent infusion with the liquid.

In order to overcome the drawbacks found in the state of the art, the present invention presents an autonomous device made up of several elements, among which there is at least one fixed component, a mobile component and an actuating element.

According to the invention, the fixed component is comprised of a guide in the form of a female, a section in a vertical position, a section in a horizontal position and a through opening in the horizontal section.

The mobile component has a guide in the form of a male, which is connected with the guide in the form of a female of the fixed component. It also includes a horizontal section with through compartments, the number of them being those necessary to supply as many different solutes as desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention proposes to incorporate at least two hoppers in the upper part of the mobile element that allow the introduction of various types of solute in the same grinding system, allowing its dosage in the exact proportion to the desired one and allowing the possibility to carry out the grinding or crushing of a single type of solute or of a mixture of different types.

The present invention comprises an actuating element that drives the system, a fixed component that includes a guide with a female element extended over its entire width and a through compartment that connects with the grinding mechanism or crushing unit. And a mobile component with an axis and a male element that has one or several compartments that pass through its entire thickness through which the solute falls, usually coffee beans.

Each of the hoppers has a hole in its bottom that connects the different hoppers with the through compartments of the mobile component. In this way the solute is displaced from the hoppers to the through compartments of the mobile component. The capacity of the through compartments of the mobile component where the solute is located is tabulated and defined.

The system of the present invention is actuated by the actuator element, which activates the movable component. The activated mobile component moves horizontally and places at least one through hole included in it on the lower through opening of the fixed component. The solute included in the through hole of the mobile component falls, passes through the lower through opening of the fixed component, and enters the crushing unit or grinding system.

Depending on the solute to be crushed, one or more through compartments will be placed on the through opening of the fixed component. In this way, the dosage for its subsequent grinding of one or more mixed types of solute is achieved. Also, this process can be done as many times as necessary to grind as much solute as desired. Aligning the through compartments of the mobile component with the hoppers to fill them with more solute and, if necessary, repeat the process.

The choice of these components, as well as their use to dose the solute, is possible since no sophisticated mechanism or specific material is necessary, and they allow the user to control the exact amount of solute to be mixed. To carry out said control, the through compartments included in the mobile component are tabulated, allowing only the entry of a determined and known quantity of solute for the infusion.

The set of elements described represents an innovation with hitherto unknown structural and constituent characteristics, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the requested privilege of exclusivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following list of references and figures. In the figures presented, it has been decided to design the mechanism for a hopper that would have two compartments, this not being something limiting for the invention that collects from one to several compartments of solute.

Figure.1: Perspective of the upper part at rest of the dosing device. Figure.2: Perspective in plan at rest of the dosing device.

Figure.3: View of the dosing device with its elements of a base-rail (1) as a guide and fixed component, a sliding part as a mobile component (2) with its track or toothed belt, a pinion as a drive element ( 3), and two hoppers (4.5) for receiving the solutes or coffee beans.

Figure.4: Perspective view of the dosing device with its base-rail that contains a channel or guide itself (vertical section) (1.1), and a sliding base (horizontal section) (1.2), with its exit door ( 1.3).

Figure.5: Profile view of the dosing device with the toothed track or belt together with the pinion.

Figure.6: Upper perspective of the dosing device without hoppers and exploded view. Figure.7: Upper perspective of the dosing device with its rail or track (2.1) and through compartments (2.3) of the sliding part.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Component Identification:

1.- Base-rail as a guide and fixed component of the female socket type (1)

1.1. Channel or guide itself (vertical section)

1.2.Sliding base (horizontal section)

1.3 Exit gate

2. - Sliding piece as a mobile component of the male socket type (2)

2.1. rail or track

2.2. Track or timing belt

2.3 Pass-through compartments

3. - Pinion as actuating element (3)

4. - Hopper 1 (4)

5. - Hopper 2 (5)

The present invention proposes an autonomous device that is made up of three main elements, among which there is at least one base-rail (1) as a guide and fixed component, a sliding part as a mobile component (2), and a pinion as a actuator element (3).

The base-rail (1) as a guide and fixed component of the female socket type, contains a channel or guide itself (vertical section) (1.1), and a sliding base (horizontal section) (1.2). On this channel, a sliding piece (2) is fitted as a jointly mobile component, which in turn sits on its sliding base (1.2). Once the two main components of the invention have been articulated, on one side of the sliding piece (2) with its male-fitting rail or track (2.1), while on its opposite side it is loosely fitted for sliding. with its tooth track (2.2), where a pinion is meshed as a drive element, cylindrical in shape whose upper part is a toothed wheel. When this toothed wheel of the pinion rotates, it promotes the horizontal displacement from right to left and vice versa of the aforementioned sliding piece (2).

Therefore, and in summary, we have a set of three main pieces that interact in a to-and-fro movement, based on the instructions commanded by the user of the coffee machine where the built-in device is located. Thus, the functionality of said movement is to provide the determined and monitored dosage of solutes required without grinding (coffee beans, roasted barley grains, etc.) or already ground (chocolate powder, milk powder, etc.) when descending from the hoppers the previously deposited and stored solutes, at the moment the hole of the hoppers coincide with the hollow compartments or through openings. Passing with it, to the following lower levels of grinding and/or infusion.

With this, the required doses of solutes are transferred to other lower units, such as the grinding device of the coffee preparation and dispatch apparatus, either for the same type of solute stored in the hoppers (4.5 ) or different solutes in each hopper (4.5). The number of hoppers arranged in a battery is at least one, and in accordance with the dimensions and uses of the coffee preparation and dispatch devices.

The operation of this device has two main positions: a rest position (Figures 1, 2 and 3), and another, a solute outlet position or coffee beans (Figures 4, 6 and 7).

In the rest position, the through compartments (2.3) of the sliding piece that is the mobile component (2) are located at the base of the hoppers (4,5) and the solute is settled inside the through compartments ( 2.3). When the order to incorporate a solute in the crushing or grinding unit is produced, the control unit of the device activates the pinion (3), (Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7). This, being toothed together with a toothed track or belt (2.2), generates movement in the sliding piece (2). The through compartments (2.3) and the solute contained in them move and descend through the exit door (1.3) of the base-rail (1) (Figure 4) which is directly connected to a crushing or grinding unit at its level. lower. At this instant, the amount of solute found in at least one of the through compartments (2.3) of the sliding piece, which is the mobile component (2), is aligned with the exit door (1.3) of the sliding base. (horizontal section) (1.2) of the base-rail (1).

The amount of solute is tabulated, since inside the through compartments (2.3) there is a known volume, appropriately designed for the desired amount. At this moment, the direction of rotation of the pinion (3) changes, and, therefore, the sliding piece (2) returns to the initial position (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5), refilling it or the compartments solute interns (2.3).

To avoid the possible loss of solute at the moment in which a lateral movement is generated, the areas of the sliding piece (2) that do not have a cavity, represent a surface that acts as a lid and closure in the lower part of the hoppers ( 4.5) with respect to the exit door (1.3) of the sliding base (horizontal section) (1.2) of the base-rail (1).

In the rest position, the solute that is in the hoppers (4,5) will remain inside the compartments (2.3) of the sliding piece (2) in an open way, ready for activation and dispatch through the exit door. (1.3).

In this way, we are able to introduce a precise quantity that will be a multiple of the quantity that fits in the through compartments of the mobile component with respect to the number of movements that occur in the system.

Finally, the simplicity of the technical means used allows maintenance to be easy and fast, with the pinion (3) and the channel or guide itself (vertical section) of the base-rail (1) being greased if required.

Claims (2)

1. Coffee bean dosing device for apparatus for preparing and issuing coffee and other solutes for grinding and/or infusion, characterized in that it comprises at least one base-rail (1) as a guide and fixed component, a sliding part such as a mobile component (2), and a pinion as an actuating element (3). The base-rail (1) contains a channel or guide itself (1.1), and a sliding base (1.2). On this channel, a sliding piece (2) is fitted as a jointly mobile component, which in turn sits on its sliding base (1.2). Once the two main components of the invention have been articulated, on one side of the sliding piece (2) with its rail or track (2.1) it is fitted for sliding, while on its opposite side it is with its track. teeth (2.2), where a pinion is meshed as a cylindrical drive element whose upper part is a toothed wheel. When this toothed wheel of the pinion rotates, it promotes the horizontal displacement from right to left and vice versa of the aforementioned sliding piece (2). In the rest position, the through compartments (2.3) of the sliding piece that is the mobile component (2) are located at the base of the hoppers (4,5) and the solute is settled inside the through compartments ( 2.3). When the order to incorporate a solute in the grinding unit is produced, the control unit of the device activates the pinion (3). This, being toothed together with a toothed track or belt (2.2), generates movement in the sliding piece (2). The through compartments (2.3) and the solute contained in them move and descend through the exit door (1.3) of the base rail (1) which is directly connected to a crushing or grinding and/or infusion unit at its lower level. At this instant, the amount of solute that is in at least one of the through compartments (2.3) of the sliding piece that is the mobile component (2), is aligned with the exit door (1.3) of the sliding base ( horizontal section) (1.2) of the base-rail (1).... 2. Coffee bean dosing device for apparatus for preparation and dispatch of coffee and other solutes for grinding and/or infusion according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one or more hoppers arranged in a battery.