WO2021214560A1

WO2021214560A1 - System comprising a coffee machine and an accessory device associated therewith, and method for controlling the operation of said system

Info

Publication number: WO2021214560A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/051433
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Raimondi; Valerio LOCATI
Original assignee: Rancilio Group S.p.A.
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: IT202000008761A1; TW202202080A; TWI760167B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (70) comprising at least one coffee machine (10) and at least one accessory device (30) associated with said coffee machine, as well as to a method for controlling operation of such system, which allow to adjust the characteristics of the panel of coffee powder that are required for preparing a coffee-based beverage in order to obtain a high quality beverage. The invention provides for storing in a memory, for each coffee-based beverage that can be prepared by the coffee machine, a reference profile of the water flow rate flowing through the panel of coffee powder as a function of time, detecting the actual profile of said flow rate, and comparing the actual profile of the flow rate with the reference profile in order to ascertain deviations that are higher than a predetermined threshold. If deviations that are higher said threshold are ascertained, the invention provides for identifying and implementing suitable corrective actions before the subsequent brewing of a same beverage.

Description

System comprising a coffee machine and an accessory device associated therewith, and method for controlling the operation of said system

DESCRIPTION

[0001] System comprising a coffee machine and an accessory device associated therewith, and method for controlling the operation of said system Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a system comprising a coffee machine and an accessory device associated therewith.

[0003] Such accessory device can be, for example, but not limited to, a coffee grinder, a scale for weighing a dose of coffee powder, a tamper for pressing coffee powder or the like. [0004] More preferably, the present invention relates to a system comprising at least one espresso coffee machine of the so-called "semi-automatic" type, i.e. of the type comprising one or more brewing groups, and, for each brewing group, a filter-holder to be filled with a predetermined dose of coffee powder by an operator (bartender).

[0005] However, the invention can also be applied to systems comprising a coffee machine of a different type, such as, for example, a coffee machine of the so-called "automatic" type, in which the preparation and brewing of espresso coffee (or other coffee-based beverages) are entirely automated and actuated by the user simply by pressing a button.

Background Art

[0006] Coffee machines are known comprising at least one brewing group for the coffee- based beverage, wherein in said brewing group a pressurized hot water flow is passed through a predetermined dose of coffee powder (coffee panel).

[0007] In machines of the so-called "semi-automatic" type, each brewing group comprises a removable filter-holder adapted to contain a desired dose of coffee powder and, at each brewing, the operator takes the filter-holder out of the coffee machine, fills it with the desired dose of coffee powder and places it again onto the coffee machine.

[0008] To this aim, one or more accessory devices for preparing the coffee panel are associated with the coffee machine. Such accessory devices may include, for example, one or more out of the following devices: a coffee grinder for obtaining coffee powder from coffee beans, a scale for weighing the dose of coffee powder to be used, a tamper for pressing the dose of coffee powder and obtaining the coffee panel.

[0009] In machines of the so-called "semi-automatic" type, said one or more accessory devices are located outside the coffee machine and the coffee panel is prepared inside the filter- holder of one of the brewing groups, which filter-holder is removed for this purpose from the coffee machine and then placed again thereonto when the coffee panel is ready to be used for brewing.

[0010] In machines of the so-called "automatic" type, said one or more accessory devices are integrated within the coffee machine, so that, when the user starts the preparation process (for example, by pressing a button), the coffee beans are ground and the coffee powder thus obtained is automatically weighed, transferred to the brewing chamber of the coffee machine and pressed for brewing.

[0011] In both types of coffee machines, amount, particle size, distribution and degree of pressing of the coffee powder are parameters that fundamentally influence the quality of the beverage obtained.

[0012] To this aim, amount and particle size of the coffee powder can be adjusted by adjusting the grinding time and configuration of the grinding chamber (in particular the distance between the grinding blades in the grinding chamber) of a coffee grinder.

[0013] Similarly, the dose of coffee powder can be adjusted by adjusting the setting parameters of a scale.

[0014] Again, the distribution and degree of pressing of the coffee powder can be adjusted by adjusting the operating parameters of an electronic tamper.

[0015] The possibility of adjusting amount, particle size, distribution and grade of pressing of the coffee powder obtained by said accessory devices is also important because the coffee machine is usually configured so as to allow to prepare different coffee-based beverages (different recipes), which may require different quantities of coffee powder and/or coffee powder with a specific particle size or a specific degree of pressing.

[0016] For example, referring to the particle size of the coffee powder, a finer grinding leads to a higher extraction of the substances contained in the resulting coffee and to the preparation of a stronger and more full-bodied beverage with the production of a lot of cream; on the contrary, a coarser grinding leads to the preparation of a less intense beverage with less cream.

[0017] However, the characteristics of the coffee powder are influenced by many variables, such as, for example, the roasting of the coffee and its moisture content, the calibration and degree of wear of the devices used, and so on; as a result, the characteristics of the coffee powder actually obtained may differ significantly from those set and expected, with a consequent deterioration in the quality of the beverage obtained. [0018] The main object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned technical problem by providing a system comprising at least one coffee machine and at least one accessory device associated therewith in which the characteristics of the coffee powder required for the preparation of a given beverage are correctly adjusted and conform to the expected ones. [0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a system of the above type to obtain the correct characteristics for the coffee powder required for the preparation of a particular beverage.

[0020] These and other objects are achieved by a system and a method as claimed in the appended claims.

Summary of Invention

[0021] The invention is based on the assumption that the characteristics of the dose of coffee powder contained in the brewing chamber of the coffee machine (amount, particle size, distribution, degree of pressing, etc.) significantly influence the hydraulic conditions of the brewing of the coffee-based beverage, and in particular the flow rate of water passing through the coffee powder.

[0022] The invention therefore provides for:

- for each coffee -based beverage that can be prepared by the coffee machine, storing in a memory a reference profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder as a function of time, corresponding to the situation in which one or more characteristics of the coffee powder (amount, particle size, distribution, degree of pressing, etc.) assume corresponding reference values, which are considered ideal for optimizing the quality of said coffee beverage;

- during each brewing of a coffee-based beverage, monitoring the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder, thus obtaining an actual profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder as a function of time;

- comparing the actual profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder with the aforesaid reference profile stored for the same coffee-based beverage;

- checking whether the deviation of said actual profile from said reference profile is higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0023] If the deviation of said actual profile from said reference profile is higher than said threshold, the invention preferably provides for modifying the characteristics (amount, particle size, distribution, degree of pressing, ...) of the coffee powder to be used for the subsequent brewing of the same coffee -based beverage by carrying out corrective operations on the operating parameters of the corresponding accessory device.

[0024] The invention therefore provides not only for measuring the average water flow rate or the total water volume flowing through the coffee powder, but also for obtaining a curve illustrating the variation of the water flow rate as a function of time, i.e. how many milliliters of water have passed through the coffee powder for each second (or fraction thereof) from the initial to the final instant of brewing.

[0025] Unlike the comparison between an actual total value and a reference total value, the comparison between the actual profile and the reference profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder allows not only a synthetic but also an analytical evaluation of possible deviations from the expected and desired behavior.

[0026] This analytical evaluation allows the system to be provided with detailed information on any corrective actions to be implemented for subsequent brewing.

[0027] These corrective actions will primarily concern the operating parameters of the accessory device(s) used to prepare the coffee panel, as any deviation between the actual profile and the reference profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder will mainly be corrected by modifying the characteristics of the coffee powder introduced into the brewing chamber.

[0028] However, such corrective actions will also affect the operating parameters of the coffee machine.

[0029] The system according to the invention is substantially capable of self-managing to ensure the required quality for each coffee beverage that can be prepared by the coffee machine. [0030] In fact, the storage of the reference profiles for the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder, the measurement of the respective actual profiles, the comparison of the reference and actual profiles and the implementation of the consequent corrective actions (if any) on the operating parameters of the accessory device(s) and/or the coffee machine can be carried out without any intervention by an operator or a technician.

[0031] It is also possible to provide for the issuing of an alarm message when the actual profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder deviates from the respective reference profile by exceeding the predetermined threshold, so that the operator can throw away the prepared beverage and start a new brewing once the necessary corrective actions have been implemented.

[0032] Similarly, if the deviation between the actual profile and the reference profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder is due to human error, an instruction message can be issued to the bartender to avoid making the same error again at the next brewing.

[0033] From the above description, it will be evident to the person skilled in the art that the invention can be advantageously applied both to systems comprising coffee machines of the so- called "semi-automatic" type and to systems comprising coffee machines of the so-called "automatic" type.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0034] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which are given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the main components of the system according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a flow chart schematically showing the main steps of the method according to the invention.

Description of Embodiments

[0037] The invention relates to a system comprising at least one coffee machine and at least one accessory device associated therewith.

[0038] In the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference will be made to a system comprising a coffee machine of the so-called "semi automatic" type, in which the at least one accessory device is located outside the coffee machine and associated therewith.

[0039] However, this embodiment is not to be understood in a limiting sense, and the invention could equally be applied to systems comprising a coffee machine of the so-called "automatic" type, in which the one or more accessory devices are located inside the coffee machine and integrated therewith.

[0040] In the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference will be made to a system comprising a coffee machine and a coffee grinder. Therefore, the focus will be on the amount of coffee powder obtained from coffee beans and the particle size of said coffee powder.

[0041] However, this embodiment is not to be understood in a limiting sense and the invention could equally be applied to systems comprising, in alternative or in addition to a coffee grinder, one or more accessory devices of a different kind, such as a scale or an electronic tamper. In this case, other characteristics of the coffee powder, such as its degree of pressing, may be involved. [0042] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is schematically illustrated a system according to the invention, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 70.

[0043] Said system 70 comprises at least one coffee machine 10 and at least one coffee grinder 30.

[0044] In a manner known per se, said coffee machine 10 comprises a hot water generating group 12, one or more brewing groups 16, each comprising a brewing chamber, and means 14 for sending a hot water flow from said hot water generating group 12 through the brewing chamber of a brewing group 16.

[0045] Again in a manner known per se, said coffee grinder 30 may comprise a coffee bean tank 32 for containing coffee beans, a dosing unit 34 for obtaining the desired dose of coffee beans, and a grinding unit 36 for reducing said coffee beans to powder. In particular, the grinding unit comprises a grinding chamber inside which grinder blades are housed; said grinder blades are arranged movably relative to one another, so that the particle size of the coffee powder can be varied by varying the distance between the grinder blades.

[0046] The coffee powder obtained by the grinder 30 is transferred to a filter-holder of a brewing group of the coffee machine 10, where it is pressed to obtain a coffee panel through which hot water is passed inside the brewing chamber 16 of the brewing group.

[0047] As mentioned above, the system 70 may comprise, in addition to the coffee grinder 30, other accessory devices associated with the coffee machine 10. For example, the amount (dose) of coffee powder to be used could be determined, rather than by the coffee grinder, by a separate scale, calibrated to provide a specific amount of coffee powder for each type of beverage that can be prepared by the coffee machine. In addition, the amount of coffee powder could be pressed by an electronic tamper, whose operating parameters could be set according to the type of coffee beverage to be prepared.

[0048] The system 70 further comprises a control unit 50.

[0049] Said control unit 50 may be a separate, dedicated unit as shown in Figure 1.

[0050] However, it may also partly or completely coincide with the control unit of the coffee machine 10 and/or the control unit of the coffee grinder 30.

[0051] In any case, the control unit is capable of acquiring data from the coffee machine 10 and acting on its operating parameters as well as of acquiring data from the coffee grinder 30 and acting on its operating parameters.

[0052] For this purpose, said control unit 50 includes a first interface module 52 that is capable of communicating with a corresponding interface module 18 of the coffee machine 10 and a second interface module 54 that is capable of communicating with a corresponding interface module 38 of the coffee grinder 30.

[0053] In particular, through the interface modules 52, 54 the control unit 50 is able to receive data and measurements acquired by sensors provided in the coffee machine 10 and in the coffee grinder 30, respectively, and to send control signals to actuators provided in the coffee machine 10 and in the coffee grinder 30, respectively.

[0054] According to the invention, the control unit 50 further comprises a memory module 56 in which a reference profile for the water flow rate through the coffee powder as a function of time from the initial brewing instant ti to the final brewing instant tf is stored for each coffee beverage that can be prepared by the coffee machine 10.

[0055] This reference profile can be stored in the form of a curve of the water flow rate as a function of time or in the form of values of a set of significant parameters for a series of instants between the initial instant of brewing ti and the final instant of brewing tf.

[0056] This reference profile represents the water flow rate through the coffee panel when the amount and particle size of the coffee powder are optimal, i.e. such as to optimize the quality of the corresponding coffee beverage.

[0057] In addition, according to the invention, the coffee machine 10 is provided with flow rate detecting means 20 for monitoring the water flow rate through the coffee powder during brewing of a coffee-based beverage.

[0058] The flow rate detecting means 20 are devised so as to allow not only detection of the total amount of water flowing through the coffee panel during brewing, but also monitorin of the trend in water flow rate over time from the initial instant of brewing ti to the final instant of brewing tf.

[0059] The water flow rate through the coffee powder can be monitored by the flow detection means 20 either substantially continuously or at predetermined time intervals, in which case the duration of said intervals is much shorter than the total duration of brewing (tf - ti).

[0060] In the latter case, it is possible to provide for measurements at regular intervals, but it is also possible provide for more frequent measurements at a particular brewing stage that is considered particularly relevant.

[0061] According to the invention, the control unit 50 further comprises a processing unit 58, in which the reference profile, stored in the memory module 56, of the water flow rate through the coffee powder for the beverage that is being prepared is compared with the water flow rate actual profile plotted from data obtained through the flow rate detection means 20 (and transmitted to the control unit through the communication modules 18, 52).

[0062] As mentioned above, this comparison can take place between a reference curve of the water flow rate and an actual curve of the water flow rate; alternatively, it is possible to provide - for a series of instants between the initial instant of brewing ti and the final instant of brewing tf - for comparisons between the reference values of a set of significant parameters and the corresponding actual values of said parameters.

[0063] If the processing module 58 of the control unit 50 detects that the actual profile of the water flow rate deviates from the reference profile of said flow rate by exceeding a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 itself implements corrective actions designed to bring the actual profile of the flow rate back to overlap with the reference profile.

[0064] It will be evident to the person skilled in the art that comparing two flow rate profiles as a function of time provides much more information than simply comparing a reference value for the total volume of water flowing through the coffee powder with a corresponding actual measured value (or a reference value for the average flow rate of water during brewing with a corresponding actual measured value).

[0065] Thanks to the invention it is in fact possible to carry out an analytical evaluation of the deviation of the water flow rate actual profile from the reference profile, which allows a more accurate identification of the causes of said deviation and a more effective implementation of corrective actions.

[0066] As an example, it is possible to imagine that the processing module 58 is configured to divide the overall brewing time (tf - ti) into a plurality of sub-intervals (ti tl, tl t2, ... tn tf) and to construct a control matrix in which for each sub-interval of time the value and sign of the deviation of the actual profile of the water flow rate with respect to the reference profile are indicated, or, more simply, a control matrix in which for each sub-interval of time it is indicated whether or not the deviation of the actual water flow profile from the reference profile is higher than the predetermined threshold.

[0067] The processing module 58 will then be configured so as to associate, with each possible combination of values of said control matrix, a deviation diagnosis and, consequently, a set of corrective actions to be implemented.

[0068] It is evident that the finer the division into sub-intervals of the total brewing time, the greater the complexity of the control matrix and the more accurate the deviation diagnosis. [0069] The corrective actions, where necessary, will primarily concern the amount and/or particle size of the coffee powder used and the control unit 50 will therefore send a command signal to the coffee grinder 30 (via the interface modules 54, 38) to modify the operating parameters of the dosing unit 34 and/or the grinding unit 36 of said coffee grinder.

[0070] However, it cannot be excluded that such corrective actions also involve the operating parameters of the coffee machine, in which case the control unit 50 will send an appropriate control signal to the coffee machine 10 (via the interface modules 52, 18).

[0071] It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the control unit 50 may be capable of performing all of the above operations autonomously, without any intervention by an operator.

[0072] In any case, it is also possible to provide that the control unit alerts the operator, by means of an alarm signal, of those cases in which the significant deviation of the actual profile of the water flow rate flowing through the coffee powder from the respective reference profile is higher than the predetermined threshold.

[0073] To this aim, said error signal can be displayed on the display of a user interface 22 of the coffee machine 10 (usually already provided for other purposes in several coffee machines).

[0074] This user interface 22 can also be used for displaying instruction messages or suggestions for the operator, in those cases in which the deviation of the actual profile of the water flow rate from the reference profile can be attributed to human error.

[0075] From the above description, it is evident that a method for controlling operation of the system 70 described above will essentially include the following steps:

- selecting (100) a coffee -based beverage by an operator or user;

- setting (102a, 102b) the operating parameters of the coffee grinder 30 and of the coffee machine 10 according to the selected beverage;

- grinding coffee (104) and transferring the coffee powder to the coffee machine;

- starting brewing (106);

- monitoring (108) the water flow rate through the coffee powder as a function of time starting from the initial time of brewing to the final time of brewing;

- transmitting (110), to the control unit 50, the flow rate profile obtained;

- comparing (112) said detected flow rate profile with the corresponding flow rate reference profile stored in the memory module 56 of the control unit 50;

- verifying (114) the presence of deviations, between said detected flow rate profile and said corresponding flow rate reference profile, that are higher than a predetermined threshold value. [0076] If the above-mentioned verification is affirmative, the method according to the invention will further comprise an identification step (116) identifying the corrective actions to be implemented, and an implementation step (118) of implementing such actions before the subsequent brewing of a same beverage.

[0077] In addition, if the above-mentioned verification is affirmative, the method according to the invention may further comprise a step of signaling the anomaly by sending an alarm signal.

[0078] As mentioned above, the step of comparing the detected flow rate profile with the corresponding reference flow rate profile could actually be divided into a number of comparison sub-steps, one for each time sub-interval in which the overall brewing time is divided.

[0079] It will be evident to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and that several modifications and variations are possible within the scope as defined in the following claims.

[0080] In particular, the invention is equally applicable to systems comprising a coffee machine and one or more accessory devices of a different nature (coffee grinder, scale, tamper, ...) associated therewith.

[0081] Furthermore, the invention may be applied to systems comprising multiple coffee machines and/or multiple accessory devices of each type.

[0082] In addition, the invention is equally effectively applicable to systems comprising coffee machines of different types (e.g., coffee machines of the "automatic" type).

Claims

1. System (70) comprising at least one coffee machine (10) and at least one accessory device (30) associated with said coffee machine, wherein said coffee machine (10) comprises a hot water generating group (12), one or more brewing groups (16), each comprising a brewing chamber, and means (14) for sending a flow of hot water from said hot water generating group through a panel of coffee powder provided in the brewing chamber of one of said brewing groups, wherein said accessory device (30) is configured to carry out one or more operations for obtaining said panel of coffee powder starting from coffee beans, wherein said system further comprises a control unit (50) which is at least capable of acquiring data from said coffee machine and from said accessory device (30), wherein said control unit (50) comprises a memory module (56) in which, for each coffee-based beverage that can be prepared by said coffee machine (10), a reference profile of the water flow rate through said panel of coffee powder as a function of time is stored, wherein said coffee machine (10) is provided with flow rate detecting means (20) for monitoring the water flow rate through said panel of coffee powder during brewing of a coffee-based beverage, and wherein said control unit (50) further comprises a processing module (58) for comparing said reference profile of the water flow rate through said panel of coffee powder with said actual profile of the water flow rate through said panel of coffee powder obtained by said flow rate detecting means (20), characterized in that said processing module (58) divides the overall brewing time into a plurality of sub-intervals and carries out, separately for each of said sub-intervals, the comparison between said reference profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder and said actual profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder, as well as the comparison between the deviation between said reference profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder and said actual profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder and a corresponding predetermined threshold,

2. System (70) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (50) is also able to intervene on the operating parameters of said coffee machine (10) and/or of said accessory device (30), and wherein said control unit (50) implements corrective actions on the operating parameters of said coffee machine (10) and/or of said accessory device (30) if said processing module (58) detects a deviation between said reference profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder and said actual profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder obtained by said flow rate detecting means and such deviation is higher than a predetermined threshold.

3. System (70) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said control unit (50) sends an alarm signal if said processing module (58) detects a deviation between said reference profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder and said actual profile of the water flow rate through the coffee powder obtained by said flow rate detecting means and such deviation is higher than a predetermined threshold.

4. System (70) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (50) is a separate and dedicated control unit, or is partially or totally integrated in a control unit of said coffee machine, or is partially or totally integrated in a control unit of said accessory device.

5. System (70) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said accessory device (50) is selected from the group comprising a coffee grinder, a scale and a tamper.

6. Method for controlling the operation of a system comprising at least one coffee machine (10) and at least one accessory device (30) associated with said coffee machine, wherein said coffee machine (10) comprises a hot water generating group (12), one or more brewing groups (16), each comprising a brewing chamber, and means (14) for sending a flow of hot water from said hot water generating group through a panel of coffee powder arranged in the brewing chamber of one of said brewing groups, and wherein said accessory device (30) is configured to carry out one or more operations to obtain said panel of coffee powder starting from coffee beans, said method comprising the steps of:

- selecting (100) a coffee -based beverage by an operator or user;

- setting (102a, 102b) the operating parameters of said accessory device and of said coffee machine according to said selected beverage;

- preparing a panel of coffee powder starting from coffee beans;

- triggering brewing (108) by passing a flow of hot water through said panel of coffee powder in said brewing chamber of said brewing group; wherein said method further comprises the steps of: in cui detto metodo comprende inoltre le fasi di:

- monitoring (110) the water flow rate through the coffee powder as a function of time starting from the brewing initial instant to the final brewing instant,

- comparing (114) said detected profile of the flow rate with a corresponding reference profile of the flow rate stored in a memory;

- verifying (116) the presence of deviations between said detected profile of the flow rate and said corresponding reference profile of the flow rate that are higher than a predetermined threshold value, characterized in that said step of comparison between said detected profile of flow rate and said corresponding reference profile of flow rate is divided into a plurality of sub-steps of comparison, one for each of the time sub-intervals in which the overall brewing time is divided.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein, in case of deviations between said detected profile of the flow rate and said corresponding reference profile of the flow rate that are higher than a predetermined threshold value, said method further comprises a step of identifying (118) corrective actions to be implemented for eliminating said deviations, and a step of carrying out (120) said corrective actions before the subsequent brewing of a same beverage.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, in case of deviations between said detected profile of the flow rate and said corresponding reference profile of the flow rate that are higher than a predetermined threshold value, said method further comprises a step of sending an alarm signal.

9. Method according to any of claims 6 - 8, wherein said accessory device (50) is selected from the group comprising a coffee grinder, a scale and a tamper.