RU2808398C1 - Hopper for a coffee grinding machine with a bottom closing device for saving beans and a coffee mill equipped with such a hopper - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: coffee grinding machine.

SUBSTANCE: hopper for a coffee grinding machine is opened with a closing device containing a drive element, a shutter element, a drive plane and a shutter plane, in which the shutter plane is located below the drive plane, in which the shutter device contains a single circular sector fixed relative to the bottom of the hopper, in which a fixed circular sector has a central angle less than 180° and central hole; movable circular sectors hinged in a central opening, in which the movable circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the lower opening is open and at least two of the sectors are substantially positioned one above the other in accordance with a single fixed circular sector, and a second position in which the lower opening is closed by a single fixed sector and mobile sectors arranged sequentially around the circumference.

EFFECT: reduction of coffee losses when removing the hopper of the grinding machine.

15 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Prerequisites

The present invention relates to machines for grinding coffee beans. This coffee bean grinder can be a standalone machine or can be integrated into a coffee machine. This type of coffee grinding machine is also known as a "coffee grinder", "coffee grinder" or "coffee mill".

The present invention more particularly relates to a hopper for a coffee grinding machine with a bottom closing device for reducing coffee loss during the hopper removal operation. The present invention also relates to a coffee grinding machine equipped with such a hopper.

State of the art

As you know, to make espresso coffee, a certain amount of ground coffee is used, which is usually called a “shot”. This portion of ground coffee is contained in a filter, typically shaped like a bowl with micro-perforations in the bottom. Typically, a batch of coffee is pressed in a filter to produce ground coffee pellets. The filter, in turn, is supported by a holder configured to removably engage with the dispensing group of the coffee machine. Espresso coffee is made by passing hot water through a pellet of ground coffee.

Ground coffee is obtained from a coffee grinding machine. In a known coffee grinding machine, coffee beans are ground by passing through grinding elements. Grinding elements of flat, conical or cylindrical type are known. Typically, the grinding elements of a coffee grinding machine include a fixed element and an element rotating relative to the fixed element. For example, in a conical burr coffee grinder, one burr remains stationary while the other is driven by the motor.

The coffee beans to be ground are typically loaded into a container called a "hopper" located above the grinding elements. Typically, coffee beans fall onto the grinding elements by gravity.

The hopper has a top opening, usually with a lid to cover it, and a bottom opening so that the coffee beans to be ground can reach the grinding elements.

The hopper can be removed from the coffee machine for various reasons. For example, to clean the grinding elements and/or hopper or to empty the hopper and replace the coffee bean mixture it contains. Lio, for storing coffee beans in a cool and dry place (such as a refrigerator) when a relatively long period of inactivity is expected (such as at night or at the end of the working day).

Since the hopper may be at least partially filled with coffee beans when it is to be removed from the coffee grinding machine, a lower closing device is provided. Before removing the hopper, the bartender closes the bottom hole and prevents the coffee beans in the hopper from falling out and being lost.

Hoppers with closing systems are described in DE102007008911A1, DE102007008900A1 and D3 AU1009202486A1

Brief description of the invention

The Applicant has carefully studied known bottom closure devices for coffee grinding machines.

The Applicant has discovered that known bottom hopper closing devices for coffee grinding machines close the hopper from the bottom in a position that results in the loss of a considerable amount of coffee beans.

in other words, the applicant observed that a significant amount of unground coffee beans remained between the grinding elements and the lower hopper closing device. Such grains are lost (perhaps by dry grinding them, i.e., unnecessarily) or the bartender can collect them, which is a rather difficult operation.

Waste of coffee, like any other food product, is ethically unacceptable, but it should not be tolerated for economic reasons. The applicant calculated that the amount of coffee beans lost each time the hopper is removed is at least 20 g. Considering that the hopper can be removed once a day or more often, the annual loss of coffee amounts to several kilograms.

The applicant was faced with the problem of limiting the loss of coffee when the hopper is removed and creating an opening larger than in prior art designs. According to the applicant, the problem is that the known closing devices operate in a position away from the grinding elements. Typically, closing occurs at a distance of several centimeters from the grinding elements. The volume of coffee that is between the grinding means and the closing device is lost.

According to the applicant, the problem of reducing coffee losses when removing the hopper of a grinding machine can be solved by creating a closing device with a drive element defining a drive plane, and a shutter element defining a shutter plane, wherein the drive plane does not coincide with the shutter plane, and the plane the drive is located above the gate plane.

The relative position between the drive plane and the shutter plane is assessed in the straight vertical position of the hopper, when the opening for loading the coffee beans to be ground is facing upward.

Preferably, the drive is carried out in a rotational motion about a vertical or substantially vertical axis.

Thus, the actual closing plane (gate plane) is close to the grinding elements. Therefore, the volume of coffee between the top of the grinding elements and the actual closing plane is significantly reduced compared to known systems, which reduces the amount of coffee lost and unused when the hopper is removed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hopper for a coffee grinding machine, comprising:

a main body (main body) of a container for storing coffee beans to be ground, wherein the main body (main body) has an upper loading opening;

a lower part of the hopper having a lower opening allowing the coffee beans to fall onto the grinding apparatus;

a closing device for closing a lower opening, wherein the closing device comprises a drive element, a shutter element, a drive plane and a shutter plane, wherein the shutter plane is located below the drive plane, and the shutter element comprises:

a single circular sector fixed relative to the bottom of the hopper, and the fixed circular sector contains, namely, forms a central angle of less than 180° and a central hole;

movable circular sectors hinged in the central opening, wherein the movable circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the lower opening is open, and at least two sectors are substantially stacked on top of each other in accordance with a single fixed circular sector, and the second position, in which the lower hole is closed by a single fixed circular sector and movable sectors located sequentially along the circumference.

Basically, the movable sectors move, that is, they open, like a folding fan. The expression "they move like a folding fan" in relation to the sectors of the shutter element means that there are circular sectors (also called petals or vanes) that are hinged at the center, ie, near the top. Circular sectors can be stacked one on top of the other, and in this case the hole is completely open except for the part in which the folded sectors are located. Circular sectors can be placed sequentially around the circumference to close the hole. In this position, two successive circumferential sectors can minimally overlap each other with their respective circumferentially adjacent edges. There may also be intermediate positions of partial opening (or closing) of the hole.

In some embodiments, the fixed circular sector contains, that is, forms, a central angle of less than 90°.

In some embodiments, the fixed circular sector is shaped so that its apex extends into the interior of the hopper, preferably forming a double chute.

In some embodiments, the closure device includes a tubular body extending downward from the hopper into a lower opening and a bowl-shaped body, the plane of the closure substantially corresponding to the bottom of the bowl-shaped body.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the cup-shaped body includes a lower circular sector having a central angle of less than 180°, for example, less than 90°, wherein the lower circular sector of the cup-shaped body is hinged and rotatable relative to the fixed circular sector.

In some embodiments, the shutter element includes a first movable sector and a second movable sector that can be rotated by rotating the lower circular sector of the cup-shaped body.

In some embodiments, the lower circular sector of the cup-shaped body includes a groove extending along an arc of a circle, wherein the first movable sector contains a first tooth, and the groove is configured to interact with the first tooth of the first movable sector.

In some embodiments, the first movable sector further includes a second tooth configured to interact with the second movable sector.

In some embodiments, a slot is provided along at least a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body.

In some embodiments, the cup-shaped body includes an annular rim for rotating the cup-shaped body relative to the cylindrical body.

According to another aspect, a coffee grinding machine is provided, comprising a machine body, a grinding chamber with grinding elements, and a hopper comprising:

a main body (main body) of a container for storing coffee beans to be ground, wherein the main body (main body) has an upper loading opening;

a lower part of the hopper having a lower opening allowing the coffee beans to fall onto the grinding apparatus;

a closing device for closing a lower opening, wherein the closing device comprises a drive element, a shutter element, a drive plane and a shutter plane, wherein the shutter plane is located below the drive plane, and the shutter element comprises:

a single circular sector fixed relative to the bottom of the hopper, and the fixed circular sector contains, namely forms, a central angle of less than 180° and a central hole;

movable circular sectors hinged in the central opening, wherein the movable circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the lower opening is open, and at least two sectors are substantially stacked on top of each other in accordance with a single fixed circular sector, and the second position, in which the lower hole is closed by a single fixed circular sector and movable sectors located sequentially along the circumference.

In some embodiments, the gate surface is located at a distance d from the grinding elements, which is less than or equal to 15 mm.

In some embodiments, the shutter plane is located at a distance D greater than approx. 20 mm from the drive plane.

In some embodiments, the closure device is designed to be driven by a rotational motion around a vertical axis.

Brief description of drawings

The following is a detailed description of a non-limiting example of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a coffee grinding machine with a hopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the hopper with the shutter plane (actual closing plane) of the lower opening located below the drive plane of the closing device.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the hopper of FIG. 2 with lid closed.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a variant of a device for closing the lower opening of a hopper for a coffee grinding machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the bottom of the hopper with the closing device in the fully closed position.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view from below of the hopper with the closing device in the fully closed position.

Fig. 5 - axonometric view from the bottom of the hopper with the closing device in the fully open position.

Fig. 5A is a view from the inside of the hopper with the closing device fully open.

Fig. 5B is a bottom view of a fully open closure device showing the maximum opening angle.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the closing device.

Fig. 7 and 8 - two movable sectors of the closing device.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the closing device in a partially closed position.

Fig. 10 is an axonometric view of the bottom of the hopper with two movable sectors for closing the lower hole.

Detailed description

In fig. 1 shows, by way of example only, a coffee grinding machine M with a hopper 10 mounted on its upper part.

In fig. 2 and 2A show very schematically the principle underlying the present invention. According to the present invention, the closing of the lower opening of the hopper 10 does not occur on the control element that closes the lower opening of the hopper. In fact, the actual closing of the hopper 10 occurs in the gate plane S, which is located below the drive plane A. Advantageously, the actual closing takes place in a position close to the grinding elements G. Thus, the volume of coffee beans that have already left the hopper 10 and are thus useless is literally zero or, in any case, small. Closing (and reopening) occurs in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotational motion around the vertical axis V, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1.

In preferred embodiments, the closing of the lower opening of the hopper 10 occurs in a rotational motion.

Preferably, the rotation is carried out manually, i.e., performed by the operator if necessary. Alternatively, it may be controlled automatically, for example by an electric motor or the like. In this case, there may be a sensor (for example, non-contact or contact) that issues a closing command if the hopper 10 is raised even a short distance. This eliminates the risk of the operator forgetting to close the hopper opening before removing it from the M coffee grinder.

According to the present invention, the closing device 20 closes the lower opening in a fan-shaped motion, as opposed to known solutions with a throttling motion.

Unlike known solutions, the present embodiment has circular sectors that the barista can rotate from an open position, in which the sectors are essentially superimposed on one another, to a closed position, in which each circular sector covers part of the hole, and together these sectors close it fully. This movement is similar to that of a folding fan as it goes from folded to fully extended.

As shown in various drawings, in particular in FIGS. 6, which is an exploded view, the bottom 13 of the hopper 10 is shaped to include a tubular portion (or tubular body) 131 projecting downwards. The bottom opening of the hopper 10 is a tubular portion 131. The tubular portion 131 preferably has a circular cross-section.

The tubular portion 131 is substantially completely open but covered by a fixed sector 15. The fixed sector 15 of the tubular body 131 is substantially triangular, and the base of the triangle extends along part of the edge of the tubular body 131. The fixed sector 15 of the tubular body 131 includes a central opening 16. Preferably, the central opening 16 is threaded.

The fixed sector 15 has a central angle α (alpha) less than 180°. In some embodiments, the angle α is approximately 90° or less. For example, it can be from 80° to 85°, for example 84°.

Preferably, the bottom surface of the fixed sector 15 of the tubular body 131 is flat. Preferably, the fixed sector of the tubular body is shaped to project upward into the interior of the hopper 10. As will be understood below, the protruding portion facilitates the sliding of the coffee beans towards the opening and prevents the beans from getting stuck on the fixed sector 15.

When the hopper 10 is made of plastic, the fixed sector 15 may be substantially hollow inside, as shown in the various drawings.

For reasons that will be described below, a slot extends along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body 131.

Preferably, for reasons that will be described below, a downwardly projecting edge 18 extends along at least a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body 131.

According to the present invention, the hopper bottom opening closing device 20 includes a cup-shaped body 30 that cooperates with a tubular body 131.

The cup-shaped body 30 has an interior substantially corresponding to the exterior of the cylindrical body 131 in shape and dimensions. In its upper part, the cup-shaped body 30 contains a ring 31 with teeth to facilitate gripping, and therefore turning, by the barista.

Like the cylindrical body 131, the cup body 30 includes a lower circular sector 35. The lower circular sector 35 of the cup body is substantially triangular, with a base extending along part of the edge of the cup body 30. The lower circular sector 35 of the cup body 30 has a central hole 36. Preferably , the central hole 36 is a through hole.

Preferably, the lower circular sector 35 includes a groove 37 in the shape of a circular arc, which extends adjacent to the edge of the cup-shaped body 30.

In the exploded view of FIG. 6 shows other closure devices 20 according to the present invention. In particular, two movable circular sectors 40, 50, also referred to as "petals", are shown.

The cup-shaped body 30 is connected to the tubular body 121 by a screw 38 passing through the central hole 36 of the cup-shaped body 30 and screwed into the central hole 26 of the tubular body 20. Two petals 40, 50 and possibly a washer 60 are located between the two bodies 20 and 30.

Each petal 40, 50 is approximately triangular in shape with a rounded base.

Each petal has a central hole 46, 56, preferably a through hole.

Preferably, each petal 40, 50 includes a pair of teeth 41, 42, 51, 52 at the ends of a rounded base.

The first lobe 40, also referred to as the "bottom lobe", includes a first tooth 41 facing downwards and configured to engage a groove 37 in a lower sector 35 of the cup body 30. The first tooth 41 is substantially positioned at an angle of 90° to the bottom surface of the first lobe 40 The second tooth 42 is located at a substantially 90° angle to the top surface of the first lobe 40.

The second lobe 50, also referred to as the “upper lobe,” includes a third tooth 51 extending radially and configured to cooperate with the second tooth 42 of the lower lobe 40. The fourth tooth 52 is located at a substantially 90° angle to the top surface of the upper lobe 50.

In the configuration in which the lower opening is open, the lower sector 35 of the cup body 30 is substantially superimposed on the fixed sector 25 of the tubular body 131 protruding from the hopper 10. In this open position, the upper petal 50 and the lower petal 40 are also one above the other. Such a configuration is shown, for example, in FIG. 5, 5A and 5B.

As shown in FIG. 5B, due to the folding fan-shaped design, the opening angle is significantly larger than the opening angle of known solutions, typically 180°. In this embodiment, the opening angle is preferably greater than 270° and equal to, for example, 276°, as shown in FIG. 5V.

Starting from the open position (FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B), to close the lower opening 14, the barista rotates the cup-shaped body 30 and thereby the lower sector 35. In the first stage of this rotation, the first tooth 41 of the lower petal 40 moves in the groove 37 of the lower sector 35 As the cup body 30 continues to rotate, the lower lobe 40 is pulled due to the engagement between the first tooth 41 and the end of the groove 37. As the cup body 30 continues to rotate relative to the tubular body 131, the lower lobe 40 rotates the upper lobe 50 as the second tooth 42 engages with the third tooth 51. In turn, the second tooth 42 and the fourth tooth 52 slide in the groove 37 of the cylindrical body 131.

As stated above, a downwardly projecting edge 18 extends along at least part of the thickness of the cylindrical body. This edge 18 forms a barrier to precisely close the lower opening 14, preventing large amounts of coffee beans or ground coffee from falling out when the cup body 30 and/or the petals 40, 50 are in a certain position.

In fig. 4 and 4A show the closure device for the lower opening 14 in a fully closed position.

In fig. 5, 5A and 5B show the closure device for the lower opening 14 in the fully open position.

In fig. 9 shows the closure device for the lower opening 14 in a partially open position. To illustrate the engagement of the second tooth 42 and the fourth tooth 52 in the groove 37, FIG. 10 cup-shaped body 30 is not shown.

Thus, according to the present invention, a device is proposed for closing the lower opening of the hopper, which significantly reduces the loss of coffee beans and at the same time creates a significantly wider opening than the openings in known solutions. The hole can exceed known solutions by more than 50%. In fact, a transition is made from a hole with an angle of approx. 180° to a hole with an angle greater than 270°.

Claims (26)

1. Hopper (10) for a machine (M) for grinding coffee, containing: a main body (11) of a container for storing coffee beans to be ground, wherein the main body (11) has an upper loading opening (12); a lower part (13) of the hopper having a lower opening (14) allowing the coffee beans to enter the grinding apparatus (G); a closing device (20, 30, 40 50) for closing the lower hole (14), wherein the closing device comprises a drive element (30, 31), a shutter element (35,40, 50, 15), a drive plane (A) and a plane (S) of the gate, wherein the plane (S) of the gate is located below the plane (A) of the drive, and the gate element contains: a single circular sector (15) fixed relative to the bottom (13) of the hopper, wherein the fixed circular sector (15) has a central angle (α) of less than 180° and a central hole (16); movable circular sectors (35, 40, 50) hinged in the central hole (16), wherein the movable circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the lower hole (14) is open and at least two of the sectors located one above the other in accordance with a single fixed circular sector (15), and a second position in which the lower hole (14) is closed by a single fixed circular sector (15) and by means of movable sectors (35, 40, 50) arranged in series circumferentially, wherein the closing device (20, 30, 40, 50) comprises a tubular body (131) protruding downwards from the hopper (10) at the lower opening (14), and a cup-shaped body (30), and a plane (S ) of the shutter corresponds to the bottom of the cup-shaped body (30). 2. The hopper according to claim 1, in which the fixed circular sector (15) has a central angle (α) of less than 90°. 3. The hopper according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fixed circular sector (15) is shaped to project from above towards the inside (11) of the hopper (10), forming a double chute. 4. The hopper according to claim 1, in which the bottom of the cup-shaped body (30) contains a lower circular sector (35) having a central angle of less than 180°, and the lower circular sector (35) of the cup-shaped body is hinged and made rotatable relative to a single fixed circular sector (15). 5. The hopper according to claim 4, in which the lower circular sector (35) has a central angle of less than 90°. 6. Bunker according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, in which the shutter element includes a first movable sector (40) and a second movable sector (50), which are configured to be driven into rotation by rotation of the lower circular sector (35) of the cup-shaped body (30). 7. The hopper according to claim 6, in which the lower circular sector (35) of the cup-shaped body (30) contains a groove (37) running along a circular arc, and the first movable sector (40) contains the first tooth (41) and the groove ( 37) is designed to interact with the first tooth (41) of the first movable sector (40). 8. The hopper according to claim 7, in which the first movable sector (40) additionally contains a second tooth (42) configured to interact with the second movable sector (50). 9. The hopper according to claim 1, in which a slot (17) is made along at least part of the thickness of the cylindrical body (131). 10. The hopper according to claim 1, in which a barrier edge (18) extends downwards along at least part of the thickness of the cylindrical body (131). 11. The hopper according to claim 1, in which the bowl-shaped body includes a ring (31) for rotating the bowl-shaped body relative to the cylindrical body (131). 12. A machine (M) for grinding coffee, comprising a machine body (11), a grinding chamber with grinding elements (G) and a hopper (10), in which the hopper contains: the main body (11) of the container for housing coffee beans to be ground, while the main body (11) has an upper loading opening (12); a lower part (13) of the hopper having a lower opening (14) allowing the coffee beans to enter the grinding apparatus (G); a closing device (20, 30, 40 50) for closing the lower hole (14), wherein the closing device comprises a drive element (30, 31), a shutter element (35,40, 50, 15), a drive plane (A) and a plane (S) of the gate, wherein the plane (S) of the gate is located below the plane (A) of the drive, and the gate element contains: a single circular sector (15) fixed relative to the bottom (13) of the hopper, wherein the fixed circular sector (15) has a central angle of less than 180° and a central hole (16); movable circular sectors (35, 40, 50) hinged in the central hole (16), wherein the movable circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the lower hole (14) is open and at least two of the sectors located one above the other in accordance with a single fixed circular sector (15), and a second position in which the lower hole (14) is closed by a single fixed circular sector (15) and by means of movable sectors (35, 40, 50) arranged in series around the circumference, wherein the closing device (20, 30, 40, 50) contains a tubular body (131) protruding down from the hopper (10) at the lower opening (14), and a cup-shaped body (30) and the plane (S) of the shutter corresponds to the bottom cup-shaped body (30). 13. The machine according to claim 12, in which the surface (S) of the shutter is located at a distance (d) from the grinding elements (G) of 15 mm or less. 14. The machine according to claim 12 or 13, in which the plane (S) of the shutter is at a distance (D) from the plane (A) of the drive exceeding 20 mm. 15. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 12-14, in which the closing device (20, 30) is configured to be actuated by a rotational movement around a vertical axis (V).

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