WO2009081427A1

WO2009081427A1 - Filter for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2009081427A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Ranzoni
Original assignee: Bialetti Industrie S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2009-07-02

Abstract

A filter (30, 130) for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage is intended to be interposed between a collection container (14) for a hot beverage and a container (16) for a powdered or ground ingredient belonging to equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage. The filter (30, 130) comprises a filtering portion (54, 138) intended to filter a liquid flow from the powdered or ground ingredient container (16) to the collection container (14) for the hot beverage. Furthermore, the filtering portion (54, 138) has a non- rectilinear profile, for example, it comprises at least two portions thereof which are differently inclined relative to each other.

Description

DESCRIPTION "Filter for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage"

[0001] . The object of the present invention is a filter for equipment for the production of a hot beverage, particularly coffee, cappuccino, barley, and the like.

[0002] . Particularly, the object of the present invention is a filter for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage which is intended to be interposed between a collection container for a hot beverage and a container for a powdered or ground ingredient belonging to equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage.

[0003] . The present invention relates to the field of equipment, mainly for a domestic use, called "moka", where by "moka" is meant equipment operating by heating an amount of water provided inside a boiler and the delivering of the same under pressure to a collection container, by passing through a layer of a powdered or ground ingredient .

[0004] . In other words, when the temperature increases, the pressure inside the boiler will increase until reaching a value at which the water contained therein will rise up to the upper container, passing through a layer of powdered or ground ingredient and extracting the aroma therefrom.

[0005]. The moka equipments generally comprise a filter interposed between a container communicating with the boiler, inside which the powdered ingredient is provided, and the hot beverage collection container.

[0006] . In particular, such filter acts as to filter the flow coming from the boiler after it has passed through the powdered ingredient, so as to prevent that solid particles of such ingredient from entering the beverage .

[0007] . Typically, the filter has an essentially planar filtering portion, shaped as a disk with small holes. The filtering portion is, in particular, usually arranged essentially flush to an end surface of a seal associated to the filter and, in the operative conditions, results to be faced towards the powdered ingredient which is provided in the special container.

[0008] . The filters according to prior art suffer from some drawbacks associated to the fact that, in the event that the powdered or ground ingredient is completely or partially marked by a very fine granulometry, such as, for example, in the case of coffee or barley, during the operation of the equipment, a sludge consisting in parts of the ingredient kneaded with water coming from the boiler fouls some areas of the filtering portion of the filter.

[0009] . Such sludge decreases the filtering portion useful surface, thus consequently causing an increase in the pressure drops of the water flow coming from the boiler.

[0010] . First of all, this does not allow a proper dissipation of the pressure which is generated in the boiler, and such occurrence could cause undue overpressures in the same boiler. [0011] . Furthermore, the operation of the equipment results to be unsatisfactory, since the physical characteristics of the produced beverage do not correspond to those which are typically required for the beverage. Particularly, in the case of cappuccino, the amount of the creamy layer of foam and the beverage temperature turn out to be lower than the standard parameters for a typical cappuccino.

[0012] . Again, the increase in pressure drops associated with the decrease in the filter useful surface due to the deposition of the above-mentioned sludge causes an extension of the time required for the preparation of the beverage, as well as energy wastage correlated to a supplementary heating of the water in the boiler. [0013] . The problem at the heart of the present invention is to implement a filter for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage having such structural and functional characteristics as to overcome said drawbacks that have been cited with reference to the prior art. [0014] . Particularly, the problem at the heart of the present invention is to implement a filter which allows reducing the pressure drops associated with the deposition of sludge on the filtering portion of the same filter. [0015] . Such a problem is solved by a filter as generally defined in the annexed claim 1. The dependent claims refer to further embodiments of the filter according to the present invention. [0016] . Further characteristics and the advantages of the filter according to the invention will become apparent from the description given below of preferred embodiments thereof, being merely illustrative and non- limiting, with reference to the annexed figures, in which: [0017] . Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a filter according to the present invention, [0018] . Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a detail from Fig. l; [0019] . - Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the filter of Fig. 1 and a component of such filter;

[0020] . Fig: 4 illustrates a perspective view of a filter according to the present invention;

[0021] . - Fig. 5 illustrates a partially sectional front view of a filter component according to the present invention;

[0022]. - Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of a variation of a filter according to the present invention; [0023] . - Fig. 7 is a top view of the filter from Fig. 6;

[0024] . - Fig. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the Fig. 7;

[0025] . - Fig. 9 illustrates a series of perspective views in relation to possible alternative embodiments of a filter according to the present invention;

[0026] . - Fig. 10 illustrates sectional views in relation to possible alternative embodiments of the filter of Fig. 6; and [0027] . - Fig. 11 illustrates a longitudinal, sectional view of equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a currently preferred shape of a filter according to the present invention in the presence of a powdered or ground ingredient. [0028] . Herein below, by term "filtering portion" will be meant a portion of a filter for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage, devised in a specific manner so as to perform a filtering function. In other terms, the above-mentioned term does not comprise filter portions which, while being able to perform a filtering function due to their structure, are for example directly- faced towards portions of a seal, that is, are adapted to perform an abutment or supporting function of the filter or, again, have mainly a joining function between a connecting edge of the filter and the portion of the filter surface which is mainly intended for filtering the liquid flow.

[0029] . The term "non-rectilinear profile" will also mean a profile which clearly departs from the one of a straight line. In other terms, a ⁿnon-rectilinear" profile will comprise, for example, a composite profile achieved through straight line segments differently inclined relative to each other, or generally having a curvilinear profile. On the contrary, a profile of the above-mentioned type will not comprise, for example, that of an essentially planar surface which has one or more minor curvatures.

^[0030]. Finally, the terms "upper", "lower", "high", "low", "vertical", "horizontal" refer to the standard usage condition of the equipment, in which the latter is in the assembled condition of Fig. 1 and rests on a horizontal plane.

[0031]. With reference to the Figs. 1 and 2, equipment for the production of a hot beverage has been generally indicated with 10. This equipment is generally known as a

"moka" and it is adapted to make various types of beverages, among which coffee, barley, and cappuccino.

[0032] . The equipment 10 comprises a boiler 12 and a collection container 14 being associated to the boiler. [0033] . Conventionally, the collection container is screwed, or otherwise secured, onto an open mouth 15 of the boiler.

[0034] . The equipment 10 further comprises a container

16 for a powdered or ground ingredient, for example barley, being inserted in the boiler open mouth.

[0035] . The container 16 comprises a bowl portion 18 inferiorIy projecting in a blowpipe 20, for example, joined to the bowl portion through a flared portion 22.

[0036] . In accordance with an embodiment, the container 16 further comprises an edge 24 (Fig. 2) suitable to be rested on an upper edge of the open mouth 15, preferably with interposition of a first seal 25.

[0037] . The first seal 25 is preferably firmly housed in a respective recess 25a, which is annular in the example, provided on the container 16. 4

8

[0038]. In the assembled position of the equipment 10, the container • 16 is inserted in the boiler such that the blowpipe 20 extends within the boiler. Furthermore, the collection container 14 is screwed, or otherwise secured, on the boiler 12 above the powdered or ground ingredient container 16, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 1. [0039] . With reference to the assembled condition of the equipment 10, a housing chamber for the powdered or ground ingredient has been indicated with 26. [0040] . This housing chamber is defined by the container 16 which is inserted within the boiler open mouth, and by members associated to a bottom 28 of the collection container 14.

[0041] . In accordance with an embodiment, the members associated to the collection container bottom comprise a filter 30 (illustrated in detail in Fig. 3) and a main seal associated to the collection container. In the example, the main seal is, particularly, a second seal 32. [0042] . In the exemplary embodiment, the filter 30 includes a filtering member 34 (Fig. 3) and a support member 36, adapted to support the filtering member, which will be described in detail herein below.

[0043] . As regards the powdered or ground ingredient container 16, the housing chamber 26 is defined, in particular, by a bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18 and by- side walls 40 of the container 16.

[0044] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, the bottom 30 of the bowl portion 18 consists of a disk provided with a plurality of small holes (not shown) .

[0045] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient, the housing chamber 26, the filter 30, and a delivery pipe 42 opening into the collection container 14 define means for defining a connection path from the boiler to the collection container. When the boiler is heated, a liquid being contained therein, generally water, rises up through said path to the collection container, passing through the powdered or ground ingredient and extracting the flavour therefrom.

[0046] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, the bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18 of the powdered or ground ingredient container 16 is mobile, along the side walls 40 of the same container, between a rest position and an operative position.

[0047] . The housing chamber 26 volume, defined at least partially by the bowl portion bottom 38, turns out to be, in the rest position of the bottom 38, lesser than the housing chamber 26 volume corresponding to the operative position of such bottom 38. [0048]. Considering the normal usage of equipment 10, i.e. the equipment being placed on a horizontal plane, the bottom 38 moves along a vertical direction. Particularly, the bottom 38 moves between the rest position, in which the bottom is arranged at a certain height, and the working position, in which the bottom is arranged at a lower height than the rest position. [0049] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient comprises means to hold the bottom 38 in the rest position. Advantageously, these means comprise elastic means that are inserted between the bottom 38 and bottom walls of the container 16, for example the flared portion 22. Preferably, the elastic means comprise a helicoidal spring 44 internally and laterally placed at the side walls 40 of container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient .

[0050] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient comprises means to define the rest position of the bottom 38. Advantageously, these means comprise at least a projection from the side walls 32 extending inwards to the housing chamber 26. Preferably, the projection is obtained by locally folding the side walls of the container 16 for the powdered or ground ingredient. [0051] . In accordance with a possible embodiment, for example illustrated in the figures, the projection is an annular folding 46 of the side walls of the housing chamber 26. [0052] . In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the filtering member 34 of the filter 30 has a cup shape, cylindrical in the example, comprising a filtering member bottom 48, in the example, planar and having a circular shape, joined to a filtering member side wall 50, cylindrical in the example. The side wall 50 of the filtering member 34 is, in turn, in particular joined at the upper part to a filtering member projecting edge 52.

[0053] . The ratio, in percentage, between the filtering member side wall 50 height and the filtering member projecting edge 52 outer diameter generally ranges between 15% and 65%, and preferably ranges between 20% and 40%.

[0054] . Furthermore, to the purposes of a satisfactory operation of the filter 30, the filtering member 34 overall surface area is preferably at least 30% higher than to an area essentially coincident with that of the open mouth 15 of the boiler 12.

[0055] . In the assembled condition of the equipment 10, in the absence of the powdered or ground ingredient, the filtering member 34 extends internally to the bowl portion 18 of the container 16, for example in such a manner that the filtering member bottom 48 essentially rests on the bowl portion bottom 38. In such condition, the bowl portion bottom 38 is preferably in the rest position.

[0056], In accordance with a possible embodiment, the filtering member 34 comprises a filtering portion 54, which is defined by the filtering member portion which is under an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the dotted line AA in Fig. 1.

[0057] . With reference to the illustrated example, the filtering portion 54 comprises the bottom 48 and a portion of the filtering member side wall 50. Generally speaking, the filtering portion comprises a portion, the filtering member bottom 48 in the exemplary case, adapted to be passed through by a liquid essentially in the vertical direction, and a portion, the filtering member side wall 50 in the exemplary case, adapted to be passed through by a liquid essentially in the horizontal direction.

[0058] . The dotted line AA in Fig. 1 defines, in particular, a lower end of the second seal 32. In the exemplary embodiment, the dotted line AA corresponds, when the equipment is in the assembled condition, also to the edge 24 of the powdered or ground ingredient collection container 16.

[0059] . In other terms, in the exemplary embodiment, the filtering portion 54 has, in particular, essentially a "U" or flat ^WC" profile, and it extends inside the housing chamber 26 between the second seal 32 lower end, that is between the edge 24 of the container 16, and the bottom 38 of the powdered or ground ingredient container 16 bowl portion. [0060] . In accordance with an embodiment, both the filtering portion 54 and the filtering member 34 remaining portion have a structure provided with openings

(not shown) adapted to allow the passage of a liquid.

[0061] . Preferably, the filtering member 34 is achieved by means of a small net, for example made in a metallic material .

[0062] . In the illustrated example, the filtering member bottom 48, the filtering member side wall 50 and the filtering member projecting edge 52 are all preferably obtained by a wire net. [0063] . In accordance with an embodiment, the support member 36 of the filter 30 comprises a support portion 56

(Fig. 4) , associated to the filtering member projecting edge 52, and a connecting portion 58, intended to cooperate with the collection container 14 in order to connect the filter 30 to such container. [0064] . The filtering member projecting edge 52 is preferably secured, for example by welding, to the support portion 56. However, the projecting edge 52 could also be adapted to cooperate with the support portion 56 in an abutment relationship.

[0065] . In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion 58 is intended to be inserted between the collection container bottom 28 and the second seal 32, so as to turn out to be essentially fixed. [0066] . The second seal 32, in turn, is intended to be removably housed in a groove 60 provided on the collection container 14, so as to turn out to be integral to such container. [0067] . Under the standard use conditions of the equipment 10, the filter 30 and the second seal 32 are intended to be firmly anchored to the collection container 14. However, such members can be disconnected when needed, for example in order to perform cleaning or replacement operations of the filter 30. [0068] . In accordance with an embodiment, the support member 36 is essentially an annular body intended to be fitted on the filtering member 34, in which the connecting portion 58 and the support portion 56 are two concentric circular portions arranged on respective vertically spaced apart parallel plans. The two circular portions are, in particular, joined to each other by- means of a • joining portion 62 having a circular development (Fig. 4) .

[0069] . In accordance with an embodiment, the support portion 56 circular crown has an outer diameter which is lesser than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 58 circular crown.

[0070] . Furthermore, the support portion 56 circular crown has an inner diameter which essentially corresponds to the filtering member bottom 48 diameter, when circular.

[0071] . Furthermore, in the assembled configuration of the equipment 10, the support portion 56 circular crown results to be arranged lower than the connecting portion 58 circular crown. This results in the filtering member 34, if the filtering member projecting edge 52 is not firmly secured to the support portion 56, being mobile between a position in which the projecting edge 52 rests on the support portion 56, and a position in which the projecting edge 52 abuts against the bottom 28 of the hot beverage collection container 14.

[0072] . The operation of the equipment 10 will be described herein below. [0073] . The boiler 12 is filled with a certain amount of water, and the container 16, preferably with interposition of the first seal 25, is inserted into the boiler open mouth 15.

[0074] . A preset amount of powdered or ground ingredient, for example barley, is arranged in the container 16, for example, by filling the bowl portion 18 available volume with the relative bottom 38 being the rest position.

[0075]. The collection container 14, connected to the filter 30, is screwed, or otherwise secured, on the boiler 12.

[0076] . During the screwing operation, the bottom 48 of the filtering member 34 exerts a pressure against the layer of the powdered or ground ingredient, causing a downward movement of the bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18 from the rest position to the operative position.

[0077] . One the assembly of the equipment 10 has been completed, the bottom 48 of the filtering member 34 turns out to be, in particular, resting on the layer of the powdered or ground ingredient, that is slightly sunken inside such layer. Furthermore, the side wall 50 of the filtering member 34 results to be divided from the side walls 40 of the container 16 by a gap, approximately annular in the example, in which the powdered or ground ingredient is essentially not present. [0078] . In other terms, in the assembled condition of the equipment 10 in non-operative conditions, the bottom 48 of the filtering member 34 is in direct contact with the powdered or ground ingredient, while the filtering member side wall 50 is preferably in contact with air approximately throughout the length thereof.

[0079] . Finally, the boiler 12 is conventionally heated until the energy accumulated by the liquid in the boiler transforms into kinetic energy of the liquid along the dispensing path defined by the container 16, the housing chamber 26, the filter 30, and the delivery pipe 42 of the collection container.

[0080] . In particular, once arrived in the housing chamber 26, firstly the liquid passes through the powdered ingredient, then the filter 30, being able to pass at least through the respective filtering portion 54. In other terms, before arriving to the delivery pipe 42, the liquid can pass both through the bottom 48 and at least part of the filtering member side wall 50. [0081] . In this regard, it is appropriate to specify that during the operation of the equipment 10, the overall motion of the liquid flow along the dispensing path causes a significant sludge build-up on the bottom 48 of the filtering member 34, and a considerably reduced, or almost inexistent, sludge build-up along the filtering member side wall 50. In other terms, the filtering member side wall 50 is prone to the sludge deposition in a considerably lesser extent than the filtering member bottom 48, thus allowing suitably drain off the flow rate of the liquid flow. [0082] . In the illustrated case, such advantage is achieved under the action of the essentially vertical arrangement of the filtering member side wall 50. The essentially vertical arrangement of the side wall 50 allows, among other advantages, a reduction of the sludge build-up under the cleaning action of vertical components of the liquid flow in the proximity of such wall. However, the side wall 50 generally represents a portion which is passed through by a liquid, the flow direction of which is essentially non-vertical . [0083] . In the case of the preparation of a cappuccino, the collection container 14 is partially filled with milk, preferably before heating the boiler 12.

[0084] . In such a case, the equipment 10 is provided with special valve means, which are not shown since known, which are arranged above the delivery pipe 42 of the collection container 14 and are adapted to allow the dispensing of the coffee at a predetermined pressure, preferably beneath the free surface of the milk poured into the collection container. [0085] . According to what has been previously described, it is therefore possible to understand how a filter according to the present invention is such as to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks with reference to the prior art. [0086] . In particular, the higher extension of the filtering portion of a filter according to the present invention compared to the filters of the prior art allows increasing the useful surface, that is the surface which is not exposed to the sludge build-up, adapted to filter the liquid flow. This results in a pressure drop reduction through the filter, thus allowing a proper dissipation of the pressure generated inside the boiler and, consequently, a decrease in the possibility that overpressures in the same boiler occur. [0087] . Furthermore, a filter according to the present invention allows obtaining a beverage which has the desired characteristics. In this regard, the fact of providing a filtering portion provided with an essentially vertical and suitably extended side wall, which is intended to be passed through by a liquid the flow direction of which is essentially non-vertical, is particularly advantageous in the case of the preparation of the cappuccino. In fact, since it results to be essentially free from the sludge build-up, such side wall allows the draining off of a liquid flow rate which is sufficient to whip the milk present in the collection container. This allows, in particular, obtaining a cappuccino with a suitable amount of creamy foam and at the required temperature. [0088] . Again, in the case of barley, the compression action exerted on such ingredient by the filtering member 34 in association with the bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18 of the container 16 offers further advantages. [0089] . In fact, such compression action reduces the number of preferential paths for the liquid due to the heterogeneous granulometry of the barley, which cause an uneven infusion of the ingredient and a consequent deterioration of the beverage aesthetical properties. [0090] . According to a further embodiment, the filter 30, rather than comprising a filtering member 34 and a support member 36 being distinct one from the other, can be manufactured as one piece, for example by means of a wire net which is bent or composed of different, mutually connected portions, for example, welded. [0091] . According to a further embodiment, the filtering member 34 could be implemented by several individual, mutually connected parts, for example, welded. [0092] . According to a further embodiment, the support member 36 could be implemented by several individual parts, intended to be associated to each other. [0093] . According to another embodiment of the invention, the filtering member 34 can extend inside the bowl portion 18 of the container 16, in the absence of the powdered or ground ingredient, from the second seal 32 lower end to an indefinite distance from the bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18. In other terms, the filtering member could be "shorter" compared to what has been previously described, therefore not coming to rest on the bottom 38 of the bowl portion 18. In such a case, in particular, the bowl portion bottom 38 could at most be fixed rather than mobile.

[0094] . According to a further embodiment, on the contrary, the filtering member 34 could be "longer" compared to what has been previously described, so as to push the bowl portion bottom 38, also in the absence of the powdered or ground ingredient, in a lower position compared to the rest position.

[0095] . According to a further embodiment, the bottom 48 and the side wall 50 of the filtering member 34 could be provided with small holes rather than having a net structure .

[0096] . According to a further embodiment, the filtering member bottom 48 could have a concave shape rather than a planar one, as represented, for example, in Fig. 9 with the reference 34c, which relates to a possible embodiment of the filtering member 34.

[0097] . According to a further embodiment, the filtering member 34 could have a cup shape, for example hemispherical, or a cone shape, as represented, for example, in Fig. 9 with the references 34a and 34b, respectively.

[0098] . According to a further embodiment, the filtering member 34 could have a prismatic cup shape. In particular, the filtering member could have the shape of a frustum of pyramid, a pyramid, or a parallelepiped as represented, for example, in Fig. 9 with the references

34d, 34e and 34f, respectively.

[0099] . According to a further embodiment, particularly advantageous for the low production costs, the increase of the filtering portion extension is achieved by means of a corrugated filter 130, which is represented in the

Figs. 6, 7, and 8.

[00100] . In the exemplary embodiment in the above- mentioned Figures, the filter 130 has a circular shape, and is preferably made, also in this case, of a net, for example a corrugated wire net.

[00101] . In the exemplary embodiment, the filter 130 has in particular a curvilinear profile, clearly visible in Fig. 8, forming a series of aligned and longitudinally alternating equal loops.

[00102] . According to an embodiment, the filter 130 is preferably intended to be associated to a seal 132.

[00103] . In the exemplary embodiment, the seal 132 is in particular provided with a housing groove 134, annular in the example, inside which a peripheral portion 136 of the filter 130 is intended to be housed. Therefore, in such a case, a filtering portion 138 (Fig. 7) of the filter is represented by the filter portion not comprising the peripheral portion 136.

[00104] . According to a further embodiment, the filter extends in particular inside the seal 132 thickness. [00105] . According to a further embodiment, indicated with 130a in Fig. 10, the filter has a curvilinear profile forming mutually unequal loops.

[00106] . According to a further embodiment, indicated with 130b in Fig. 10, the filter has a serrated profile. [00107] . Finally, the filters 130, 130a, and 130b can all extend within the thickness of the seal 132 associated thereto, or beyond such seal thickness.

[00108] . In all the embodiments, the filtering portion comprises one or more portions so arranged as to be passed through by a liquid flow along an essentially non- vertical direction, for example an horizontal direction. [00109] . Notwithstanding the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the embodiment details will be able to be widely modified compared to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limitative example only, without for this departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

*** * ***

Claims

1. A filter (30, 130) for equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage which is intended to be interposed between a collection container (14) for a hot beverage and a container (16) for a powdered or ground ingredient belonging to equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage , the filter (30, 130) comprising a filtering portion (54, 138) which is intended to filter a liquid flow from the powdered or ground ingredient container (16) to the collection container (14) of the hot beverage; the filter (30, 130) being characterized in that said filtering portion (54, 138) has a non-rectilinear profile.

2. The filter (30, 130) according to claim 1, wherein the filtering portion (54, 138) comprises at least two portions thereof, which are differently inclined relative to each other.

3. The filter (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering portion (54) has a bowl or cup shape .

4. The filter (30) according to claim 3, wherein the filtering portion (54) has a bowl shape comprising a bottom joined to a side wall.

5. The filter (30) according to claim 4, wherein said bottom is planar.

6. The filter (30) according to claim 4, wherein said bottom is concave.

7. The filter (30) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the filtering portion (54, 138) side wall is vertical .

8. The filter (30) according to claim 7, wherein the filtering portion (54) side wall is a cylindrical wall.

9. The filter (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering portion (54) is intended to extend inside a bowl portion (18) of said powdered or ground ingredient container (16) .

10. The filter (30) according to claim 9, wherein the filtering portion (54) is intended to extend inside said bowl portion (18) , starting from an edge (24) of said powdered or ground ingredient container (16) .

11. The filter (30) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the filtering portion (54) is intended to extend inside said bowl portion (18) starting from a lower end of a main seal (32) associated to a bottom (28) of said hot beverage collection container (14) .

12. The filter (30) according to any claim 9 to 11, wherein the filtering portion (54) is intended to extend inside said bowl portion (18) , in the absence of the powdered or ground ingredient, until being essentially rested on a bottom (38) of the bowl portion (18) .

13. The filter (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein during the assembling of said equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage, and in the presence of the powdered or ground ingredient, the filtering portion (54) has such a movement range as to cause a downward movement, from a rest position to an operative position, of a bottom (38) of a bowl portion (18) of said powdered or ground ingredient container (16) .

14. The filter (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein during the assembling of said equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage, and in the absence of the powdered or ground ingredient, the filtering portion (54) has such a movement range as to cause a downward movement, from a rest position to an operative position, of a bottom (38) of a bowl portion (18) of said powdered or ground ingredient container (16) .

15. The filter (30) according to any preceding claim, comprising a filtering member (34) , including said filtering portion (54), and a filtering member support member (36) .

16. The filter (30) according to claim 15, wherein the filtering member (34) has a bowl or cup shape.

17. The filter (30) according to claim 16, wherein the filtering member (34) has a cylindrical bowl shape.

18. The filter (30) according to claim 16, wherein the filtering member (34) has a prismatic bowl shape.

19. The filter (30) according to claim 16, wherein the filtering member (34) has a conical bowl shape.

20. The filter (30) according to claim 16, wherein the filtering member (34) has a hemispherical cup shape.

21. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 20, wherein the ratio of the height of a side wall (50) of the filtering member (34) to an outer diameter of a projecting edge (52) of the filtering member (34) generally ranges between 15% and 65%.

22. The filter (30) according to claim 21, wherein said ratio preferably ranges between 20% and 40%.

23. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 20, wherein the area of the overall surface of the filtering member (34) is at least 30% higher than an area essentially coincident with that of a open mouth (15) of a boiler (12) of said equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage.

24. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 23, wherein the support member (36) is an annular body intended to be fitted on the filtering member (34) .

25. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 24, wherein the support member (36) includes a support portion (56) , associated to a projecting edge (52) of the filtering member (34), and a connecting portion (58), intended to cooperate with said collection container (14) for the hot beverage in order to connect the filter (30) to such collection container.

26. The filter (30) according to claim 25, wherein said projecting edge (52) of the filtering member (34) is adapted to act in an abutment relationship with the support portion (56) .

27. The filter (30) according to claim 25, wherein said projecting edge (52) of the filtering member (34) is secured to the support portion (56) .

28. The filter (30) according to any claim 25 to 27, wherein the connecting portion (58) of the support member (36) is intended to be inserted, so as to turn out to be essentially fixed, between a bottom (28) of the collection container (14) of the hot beverage and a main seal (32) associated to such bottom (28) .

29. The filter (30) according to any claim 25 to 28, wherein the connecting portion (58) and the support portion (56) are two concentric circular portions arranged on respective vertically spaced apart parallel planes, the two circular portions being joined to each other by means of a joining portion (62) .

30. The filter (30) according to claim 29, wherein in the assembled configuration of said equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage, the circular crown of the support portion (56) results to be arranged lower than the connecting portion (58) circular crown.

31. The filter (30) according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the circular crown of the support portion (56) has an outer diameter which is lesser than the outer diameter of the connecting portion (58) circular crown.

32. The filter (30) according to any claim 29 to 31, wherein the support portion (56) circular crown has an inner diameter essentially corresponding to the diameter of a bottom (48) , when circular, of the filtering member (34) .

33. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 32, wherein the filtering member (34) consists of at least two distinct parts that are connected to each other.

34. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 33, wherein the support member (36) consists of at least two distinct parts that are associated with each other.

35. The filter (30) according to any claim 15 to 32, wherein the filtering member (34) and the support member

(36) are integrated in such a manner that the filter (30) results to be manufactured as one piece.

36. The filter (130) according to claim 1 or 2, having a corrugated shape.

37. The filter (130) according to claim 36, wherein at least the filtering portion (138) has a curvilinear profile creating a series of equal loops, aligned and longitudinally alternating.

38. The filter (130) according to claim 1 or 2, having 5 a serrated profile.

39. The filter (130) according to any claim 36 to 38, intended to be associated to a seal (132) .

40. The filter (130) according to claim 39, comprising a peripheral portion (136) intended to be housed inside a 0 housing groove (134) of the seal (132) .

41. The filter (130) according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the filtering portion (138) extends within the seal (132) thickness.

42. The filter (130) according to claim 39 or 40, 5 wherein the filtering portion (138) extends beyond the seal (132) thickness.

43. The filter (30) according to any claim 1 to 35, wherein, in an assembled condition of said equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage, a bottom (48) of a

20 filtering member (34) of said filter rests or is slightly sunken inside a layer of a powdered or ground ingredient and a side wall (50) of the filtering member (34) is divided from side walls (40) of a powdered or ground ingredient container (16) by means of a gap in which said

!5 powdered or ground ingredient is essentially not present.

44. The filter (130) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least the filtering portion (54, 138) is implemented by means of a net.

45. The filter (30, 130) according to any claim 1 to 5 42, wherein at least the filtering portion (54, 138) is implemented by means of a structure provided with small holes.

46. The filter (30, 130) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one portion of said filtering 0 portion (54, 138) is intended to be passed through by a liquid the flow direction of which is essentially not vertical .

47. Equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage, comprising a filter (30, 130) as defined in any 5 one of the preceding claims.

48. The equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage according to claim 47, comprising a container

(16) for a powdered or ground ingredient including a bowl portion (18) provided with a mobile bottom (38) .

20 49. The equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage according to claim 48, wherein during the assembling of the equipment, said bottom (38) of the bowl portion (18) is adapted to undergo a downward movement, from a rest position to an operative position, following

!5 a movement range of a filtering portion (54) of said filter (30) .