AU2004100710A4 - Coffee grinds receptacle - Google Patents

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Invention Title: COFFEE GRINDS RECEPTACLE Applicant: COMPACT DESIGNS PTY LTD The invention is described in the following statement: 1 W:sAyuatesMRN726459,ffensreceptade.doc 2 COFFEE GRINDS RECEPTACLE Field of the Invention This invention relates to receptacles for receiving spent coffee grinds.

Background to the Invention When making espresso coffee, coffee beans are ground and then apportioned into a coffee collection filter attached to a piston with a handle. The ground coffee is tamped or compacted into the filter and the coffee collection filter is then snugged into the dispensing outlet of the espresso machine. Very hot water is delivered, under pressure, to the filter where espresso coffee is brewed and exits at the bottom of the filter. When a shot of coffee has been delivered from the filter into a cup or glass, the coffee collection filter is removed from the dispensing outlet, the spent coffee grinds are removed from the filter and the coffee collection filter is ready for making a fresh shot of coffee.

When removing spent coffee grinds from the coffee collection filter, it is common for baristas to knock the filter on the edge of a bin or container to urge the grinds out before the filter is rinsed and re-filled with fresh ground coffee. In some cases, a knock box is used. In most forms, a knock box is a drawer or container placed on top of the bench with a rubber coated or wooden bar suspended across the opening. Baristas knock the filter, facing downward, on the bar and the spent coffee grinds fall out of the filter and into the box.

Such knock boxes are deficient because they are unattractive and notoriously difficult to clean. Moreover, such knock boxes are unpleasant because they expose the spent grinds and therefore look dirty and unhygienic.

The discussion of the background to the invention included herein including reference to documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is intended to explain the context of the present invention. This is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of any of the claims.

W:Ayssa1Patents\SPEC AEG\Cofee Grinds Receptade.doc Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a receptacle for spent coffee grinds, the receptacle including a container portion, a stand portion and locking means configured to releasably interlock the container portion with the stand portion.

Preferably, the locking means is operable by relative rotation between the container portion and the stand portion. This makes assembly and disassembly of the receptacle quick and easy. Preferably, the locking means is concealed within the receptacle so that when the container and stand portions are interlocked, the receptacle has a substantially unitary appearance. It is to be understood, however, that the locking means may take any suitable form including but not limited to a screw-thread, clip means, snap fastener, pins, bayonet fitting or the like which may or may not be concealed within the receptacle.

In one embodiment, the locking means includes one or more locking members provided on one portion of the receptacle and one or more holes on the other portion of the receptacle. One portion of the receptacle may have all locking members with the other portion having all holes. Alternatively, each portion may have one or more locking members and one or more holes corresponding to the locking members on the other portion of the receptacle.

It is desirable that each locking member includes a neck which is attached at one end to the receptacle portion and at the other end to a retaining arm. In the assembled state, the neck extends through a corresponding hole in the other portion and the retaining arm is in abutment with an opposing surface of that portion, thereby interlocking the container portion and stand portion.

Where the locking means includes one or more locking members, each retaining arm may further include a tab configured to sit in a groove of the opposing surface to substantially secure the receptacle in the assembled state.

Such locking means is quick and easy to operate.

W:AlyssaPatents\SPEC AEG\Coffee Grinds Receptacledoc Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of the accompanying drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

Figure 1 is an assembled receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle of Figure 1, showing the container portion and the stand portion in a disassembled form.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a region identified in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a locking member illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Detailed Description Referring firstly to Figure 1, a receptacle for spent coffee grinds, shown generally at 100, includes a container portion 102 and a stand portion 104 having a base 106. A locking means is provided which is configured to releasably interlock the container and stand portions 102 and 104.

Advantageously, in the embodiment illustrated the locking means is concealed within the assembled receptacle. This gives the receptacle a unitary appearance. That is, when receptacle 100 is assembled with the container portion and the stand portion interlocked, it has an overall appearance of being formed in one piece. The smooth outer surface is aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean by simply rinsing and/or wiping. Notably, stand portion 104 is shaped so that base 106 is relatively large in surface area. This improves the stability of the container which is intended to be stood on the ground and manufactured at a total height of approximately 840mm. Such height has been found to be comfortable for use by most baristas although receptacles of varying height are clearly within the scope of the invention.

W:AAyssa\Patents\SPC AEG\Coffee Gnnds Receptacle.doc Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the receptacle of Figure 1 with an enlarged partial view in Figure 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the locking means includes three rotational locking members 120 extending from the bottom of container portion and three corresponding holes 122 in the top of the stand portion. Spent coffee grinds are retained within container portion 102 when they are released from the coffee collection filter. Side holes 112 are provided to retain a bar (not shown) against which the barista knocks the coffee collection filter to release spent grinds. This is particularly useful when the grinds have been firmly tamped into the filter and are relatively difficult to dislodge without knocking the filter on another surface.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged locking member 120 which has a neck 130 extending from the bottom of container portion 102 and a retaining arm 132. A tab 134 is also provided at the free end of each retaining arm 132 and is designed to sit in a corresponding groove 136 formed in the opposing (inside) surface of the top of stand portion 104. Engagement of each tab 132 in corresponding groove 136 increases the frictional force which interlocks the receptacle portions so that they are less likely to become separated without rotational forces being applied deliberately.

Each hole 122 formed in the top of stand portion 104 is sufficiently large to receive locking member 120. To assemble the receptacle 100, container portion 102 is placed over stand portion 104 and the retaining arms 132 are aligned with and inserted into holes 122. Whilst holding the stand portion 104 still, the container portion 102 is rotated clockwise to engage each locking member with the top of the stand portion. When the maximum turning range is reached, tabs 134 become seated in the groove 136. To disassemble the receptacle, the container portion is rotated counter-clockwise with respect to the stand portion to dislodge the tabs 134 from grooves 136 and align locking members 120 with holes 122 for disassembly.

The receptacle and portions thereof may be manufactured from any suitable material. Such materials include but are not limited to plastic, stainless steel, aluminium, wood and combinations of these. For cost efficiency and ease of W:'Ayssa\PatentsSPEC AEG\Coffee Grinds Receptacle.doc 6 manufacture, plastic has been found a desirable manufacturing material. A further advantage of plastic is that it is lightweight, durable and easy to clean by rinsing. Yet another advantage is that plastic products can be made in a range of colours and colour combinations, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the receptacle.

The inventive receptacle is beneficial because it accommodates a comparatively large volume of spent coffee grinds and therefore takes longer to fill than bench top knock boxes which are much smaller. Further, because the receptacle is designed to stand on the floor, it frees up valuable bench space for grinders and other coffee making requisites or even products which may be on display for sale at the point of purchase. The height at which the inventive receptacle retains the bar on which the barista knocks the coffee collection filter is considered to be more ergonomic than bench top knock boxes and may decrease the propensity for baristas to develop repetitive strain injury at the wrist which may be associated with continually knocking coffee collection filters on bench top knock boxes which are considered to be too high.

Finally, the fact that the inventive receptacle can be dismantled into two sections means that it is easier to clean and store away. Associated with this advantage the fact that the container portion can be inserted inside the inverted stand portion for packaging and storage, thereby reducing the costs of distribution and delivery. Moreover, if one part of the receptacle the container portion) becomes damaged it can be replaced separately from the stand portion.

It is to be understood that various modifications, additions and/or alterations may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

W:Ayssa\Patents\SPEC AEG\Coffee Gnnds Receptade.doc

Claims (4)

1. A receptacle for spent coffee grinds, the receptacle including a container portion, a stand portion and locking means configured to releasably interlock the container portion with the stand portion.

2. A coffee grinds receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the locking means is operable by relative rotation between the container portion and the stand portion, and wherein the receptacle has a substantially unitary appearance when in an assembled state.

3. A coffee grinds receptacle according to claim 2 wherein the locking means includes one or more locking members provided on one portion of the receptacle and one or more holes on the other portion of the receptacle, and each locking member includes: a neck attached to a portion of the receptacle; and a retaining arm connected to the neck; wherein, in the assembled state, the neck is retained in a corresponding hole of the other portion and the retaining arm is in abutment with an opposing surface of that portion thereby interlocking the container portion and stand portion.

4. A coffee grinds receptacle according to claim 3 wherein each retaining arm further includes a tab configured to sit in a groove in the opposing surface to substantially secure the receptacle in the assembled state. A coffee grinds receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 25 August 2004 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: COMPACT DESIGNS PTY LTD W:~AlyssaPatents\SPEC AEG\Coffee Grinds Receptacle.doc