WO2011150953A1

WO2011150953A1 - Dispensing unit for a coffee machine and method for the actuation thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011150953A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/057526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rossi Giampiero
Original assignee: Brasilia S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-05-31
Filing date: 2010-05-31
Publication date: 2011-12-08

Abstract

The dispensing unit of a coffee machine comprises an infusion chamber and a piston for the closing thereof, the infusion chamber being movable from a charging position of the coffee charge, wherein it is released from the piston, and a dispensing position wherein it is engaged in closing by the piston, there being provided means for differentiating the closing path of the chamber from the opening path of the chamber, the differentiating means being suitable for keeping the piston close to the chamber during the closing path for preventing the escape of the charge and moving the piston away from the chamber during the opening path for allowing the escape of the charge.

Description

DISPENSING UNIT FOR A COFFEE MACHINE AND METHOD FOR

THE ACTUATION THEREOF

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing unit for a coffee machine and to a method for the actuation thereof. The referenced dispensing unit is of the type comprising an infusion chamber and a piston for the closing thereof, wherein the chamber is movable, with manual, semiautomatic or automatic actuation, between a charging position of the coffee machine, wherein it is released from the piston and with the longitudinal axis thereof inclined upwards, and a dispensing position wherein it is engaged in closing by the piston and with the longitudinal axis thereof substantially horizontal. The coffee charge may be, without distinction, packaged in a stiff capsule or a paper pod.

One of the greatest drawbacks of known dispensing units of the type described above consists in that, inserting the charge into the chamber and moving the chamber towards the dispensing position, the charge may escape from the chamber before it is engaged by the closing piston.

To eliminate this drawback, it has been proposed to have the chamber carry out a trajectory close to the piston so that it may act as abutment for the charge to prevent the escape thereof from the chamber.

Such device simplifies the closing step of the chamber of the dispensing unit but greatly complicates the opening step of the chamber of the dispensing unit during which, if the chamber is too close to the piston, the empty charge cannot be ejected from the chamber as it does not have the physical space required to the purpose.

The technical task of the present invention therefore is to provide a dispensing unit of a coffee machine and a method for the actuation thereof which allow eliminating the aforementioned technical drawbacks of the prior art. Within the scope of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a dispensing unit of a coffee machine which allows correct management of the coffee charge. Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing unit of a coffee machine that is compact and at the same time structurally and functionally simple and efficient. Last but not least, another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing unit of a coffee machine that does not expose the infusion water to the risk of contamination. The technical aim as well as these and other objects according to the present invention are achieved by- providing a dispensing unit of a coffee machine and a method for the operation thereof according to the independent claims below. In the practice, the dispensing unit has the advantage that the closing and the opening path of the chamber are different, so that during the closing path the piston, remaining in the proximity of the chamber, opposes to the escape of the new charge, whereas during the opening path the piston, moving away from the chamber, generates the physical space required for the empty coffee charge to be ejected from the chamber.

Further features of the present invention are further defined in the following claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the dispensing unit according to the invention, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the annexed drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of the infusion unit with the chamber in charging position; - figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dispensing unit of figure 1 immediately before achieving the dispensing position;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of the structure of the infusion chamber of the infusion unit of figure 1;

figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first portion of the infusion chamber of figure 3;

figure 5 shows a perspective view of the second portion of the infusion chamber of figure 3;

figure 6 shows a side elevation view of one of the two side walls of the support frame of the dispensing unit of figure 1;

- figure 7 shows the side cutaway wall of figure 6 along line 7-7;

- figures 8 and 9 show perspective views of the piston of the dispensing unit of figure 1 in the two operating conditions thereof;

figure 10 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the dispensing unit of figure 1 in charging position; and

- figure 11 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the dispensing unit of figure 1 in dispensing position. With reference to the figures mentioned above, there is shown a dispensing unit of a coffee machine globally indicated with reference numeral 1.

The dispensing unit 1 comprises an infusion chamber 2 and a piston 3 for the closure thereof.

The dispensing unit 1 further comprises a frame 21 essentially shaped as a bent "U" having a head wall

22 from the ends whereof two opposite side walls 9 extend crosswise.

Piston 3 is supported by the head wall 22 whereas chamber 2 is supported by the side walls 9 whereinbetween it is arranged.

The infusion chamber 2 is movable between charging positions of the coffee charge 4, wherein it is released from piston 3 and with the longitudinal axis L thereof directed upwards, and as dispensing position wherein it is engaged in closing by piston 3 and with the longitudinal axis L thereof substantially horizontal.

The dispensing unit 1 exhibits means for differentiating the closing path of chamber 2, during which chamber 2 moves from the charging position to the dispensing position, to the opening path of chamber 2, during which chamber 2 moves from the dispensing position to the charging position. The differentiating means are advantageously suitable for keeping piston 3 close to chamber 2 during the closing path to prevent the escape of the new charge

4 from charge 2 and moving piston 3 away from chamber 2 during the opening path for allowing the escape of the empty charge A from chamber 2.

In the practice, during the closing path, piston 3 constitutes an abutment for charge 4 "which retains it within chamber 2, whereas during the opening path piston 3 itself moves away from charge 4, creating the physical space required for removing charge 4 from chamber 2.

The differentiating means comprise at least one guide

5 wherealong chamber 2 is constrained to slide. Guide 5 develops along a closed path defining in a sequence the closing path 6 {indicated by a dash-point line with downward direction arrows) of chamber 2 and the opening path 7 (indicated by a dash-dash line with upward direction arrows) of chamber 2.

The differentiating means further comprise diverter elements 11 provided along guide 5 for directing chamber 2 selectively along the closing path 6 or along the opening path 7.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, guide 5 comprises a track 8, obtained on the side walls 9 of frame 21, wherein a transversal axis 10 of chamber 2 is constrained to slide. Chamber 2 preferably exhibits also a second transversal axis 23 guided to slide in a slot 24 obtained in the side walls 9 of frame 21. Track 8, in particular, is formed by a groove of the support walls 9 wherein the ends of the transversal axis 10 of chamber 2 engage.

The diverter elements 11 comprise a first and a second tab 12, 13 elastically yielding, provided within track 8.

In a preferred embodiment, track 8 and the diverter elements 11 are obtained in a single piece with the side walls 9 of frame 21, and in particular in the embodiment shown, the first and the second tabs 12, 13 are connected to the side walls 9 only through one of the two short external edges thereof, so as to carry out their flexibility if subject to a pressure crosswise the lying plane thereof.

The transversal axis 10 of chamber 2 is associated to a mechanism for moving chamber 2 also carried by the side walls 9 of frame 21.

The mechanism for moving chamber 2 comprises a handle (not shown) for actuating in rotation an axis 14 hinged in 19 to a tie rod 15 for moving a lever 16 in turn hinged at a fixed point 20 to a rod-crank mechanism 17 and 18 which directly pulls the transversal axis 10 of chamber 2.

Chamber 2 further exhibits means for the removal of a first portion 25 thereof comprising the seat of chamber 4 from a second portion 26 thereof comprising said transversal axis 10.

The removal means comprise a plurality of pins 27 for coupling pressure-wise into corresponding seats 28. The removability of the first portion 25 of chamber 2 from frame 21 using the hand only allows inspecting and cleaning the seat of charge 4 whenever desired with extreme simplicity.

The first portion 25 of chamber 2 in turn comprises two portions 29, 30 reciprocally slidingly constrained, in action and by contrast of spring means, coaxially to the longitudinal axis L of chamber 2.

In particular, part 30 of the first portion 25 is fixed to the second portion 26 through fitting of pins 27 into seats 28, whereas part 29 is sliding on part 30 with a sliding stroke delimited by a travel end 32.

Part 30 defines the bottom of seat of charge 4 whereas part 29 defines the side wall of the seat of charge 4. The sliding of part 29 towards part 30 is aimed at reducing the height of the side wall of the seat of charge 4 for favouring the ejection of charge 4.

The spring means are positioned outside the charge to prevent contacting and contaminating the infusion water, and preferably they comprise one or more helical springs 31 arranged externally to the seat of charge 4 and interposed between - the two parts 29 and 30.

Piston 3 comprises a fixed part 33, which extends from the head wall 22 of frame 21, whereto a part 34 is constrained, sliding coaxially to the longitudinal axis LI of piston 3 on the command of control means outside piston 1. The fixed part 33 is provided with perforating tips 35 sliding into corresponding holes 36 of the sliding part 34, and the sliding part 34 is movable between an extraction position of the perforating tips 35 from holes 36 and a retraction position of the perforating tips 35 into holes 36. If a capsule with a completely sealed top is used as charge 4 and the perforating tips 35 are used for perforating said top, the sliding part 34 in the movement thereof that it carries out when chamber 2 moves from the dispensing position to the charging position acts as extractor of the capsule from the perforating tips 35.

The control means, carried by the side walls 9 of frame 21, comprise a linkage 37 also actuable by the rotation of axis 14 and ending with a cam profile 38 interacting with a transversal axis 39 of the sliding part 34 of piston 3.

The provision of the control means external rather than internal to piston 3 from the one side prevents some parts thereof from coming into contact with the infusion water, contaminating it, on the other side it allows controlling the movement of the sliding part 34 that is moved only after covering a large part of the path of chamber 2 towards the charging position, so as to leave more space to the capsule to be ejected without impacting against piston 3.

The operation of the infusion unit according to the invention clearly appears from what described and illustrated, and in particular it substantially is as follows.

The dispensing unit initially is with chamber 2 in the charging position illustrated in figure 1.

After the charging of charge 4, the mechanism for moving chamber 2 starts, which moves chamber 2 thanks to the thrust exerted on the first transversal axis 10 which initially is at the top end of the closing path 6.

During the execution of the closing path 6, chainber 2 carries out a rotary-shifting that ends with the take up of the dispensing position (shown in figure 11) at the bottom end of the closing path 6. During the execution of the closing path 6, the ends of the transversal axis 10 slide on tabs 12 that bend. In the final part of the closing path 6, the ends of the transversal axis 10 release from tabs 12 which recover the former bending. A retraction path of chamber 2 along the closing path 6 would therefore be prevented by the interference of the ends of the transversal axis 10 with tabs 12 which on the contrary, when at the end of the dispensing chamber 2 is moved again, divert the transversal axis 10 towards the opening path 7.

During the execution of the opening path 7, chamber 2 carries out a rotary-shifting that ends with the take up of the charging position (shown in figure 10) at the top end of the opening path 7. During the execution of the opening path 7, the ends of the transversal axis 10 slide on tabs 13 that bend. In the final part of the opening path 7, the ends of the transversal axis 10 release from tabs 13 which recover the former bending. A retraction path of chamber 2 along the opening path 7 would therefore be prevented by the interference of the ends of the transversal axis 10 with tabs 13 which on the contrary, when at the end of the charging chamber 2 is moved again, divert the transversal axis 10 towards the closing path 6.

Of course, since the path carried out by chamber 2 is a closed cyclical path, the top end of the closing 6 and opening 7 path coincides, as the bottom end of the closing 6 and opening 7 path coincides .

In the case shown, where the dispensing unit 1 is for capsule charges that may perforated, the optimum synchronisation between the extraction and the retraction of perforating means 36 from holes 36 and the movement of chamber 3 is determined by the external control means of piston 3.

The hydraulic circuit provides for the injection of infusion waster dispensed by piston 3 through the perforated top of the capsule and the outward dispensing of the infusion through a special channelling obtained in chamber 2.

In the practice, it has been found that the infusion unit according to the invention is especially advantageous for that fact of differentiating the closing from the opening path of chamber 2 so as to optimize and simplify the management of charge 4.

Several changes and variations can be made to the dispensing unit thus conceived, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

In the practice, by an infusion chamber having a direction substantially horizontal of the longitudinal axis thereof in the dispensing position it is more generically meant a direction even slightly inclined from the horizontal direction, provided the horizontal component of such direction is prevailing and in any case such as to determine the technical drawback solved by the present invention.

Moreover, all details can be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

In the practice, the materials used as- well as the sizes, can be whatever, according to the technical requirements and to the prior art.

Claims

1. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine, comprising an infusion chamber and a piston for the closing thereof, said infusion chamber being movable from a charging position of the coffee charge, wherein it is released from said piston and with the longitudinal axis thereof directed upwards, and a dispensing position wherein it is engaged in closing by said piston and with the longitudinal axis thereof in a substantially horizontal direction, characterized in that there are provided means for differentiating the path carried out by said from said charging position to said dispensing position for the closing thereof from the path carried out by said chamber from said dispensing position to said charging position for the opening thereof, said differentiating means being suitable for keeping said piston close to said chamber during said closing path for preventing the escape of said charge and moving said piston away from said chamber during said opening path for creating the physical space required for the escape of said charge .

2. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said differentiating means comprise at least one guide wherealong said chamber is constrained to slide, said guide developing along a closed path defining in a sequence said closing path and said opening path, and diverter elements provided along said guide for directing said chamber selectively along said closing path or said opening path.

3. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said guide comprises a track, obtained on opposite side walls of a support frame of said dispensing unit, wherein a transversal axis of said chamber is constrained to slide.

4. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said track is formed by a groove of said side walls wherein the ends of said transversal axis engage,

5. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said diverter elements comprise a first and a second tab elastically yielding provided within said track.

6. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said track and said diverter elements are obtained in a single piece with said side walls of said frame.

7. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said first and second tab are connected to said side walls of said frame only through one of the two short external edges thereof.

8. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said transversal axis is associated to a rod-crank mechanism for moving said chamber.

9. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said chamber exhibits a second transversal axis guided to slide in a slot obtained in said side walls of said frame.

10. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said chamber exhibits means for removing a first portion thereof comprising the seat of said charge from a second portion thereof comprising said transversal axis .

11. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said removal means comprise a plurality of pins with pressure-wise coupling into corresponding seats .

12. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said first portion of said chamber comprises two reciprocally constrained sliding parts in action and by contrast of spring means, coaxially to the longitudinal axis of said chamber.

13. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said spring means are positioned outside said seat of said charge.

14. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said piston comprises a fixed part whereto a part is constrained, sliding coaxially to the longitudinal axis of said piston on the command of control means outside said piston.

15. Dispensing unit of a coffee machine according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said control means comprise a linkage ending with a cam profile interacting with a transversal axis of said sliding part of said piston.

16. Coffee machine characterized in that it comprises a dispensing unit according to one or more of the previous claims.

17. Method for actuating a dispensing unit of a coffee machine, said dispensing unit being of the type comprising an infusion chamber and a piston for the closing thereof, wherein said infusion chamber is movable from a charging position of the coffee charge, wherein it is released from said piston and has the longitudinal axis thereof directed upwards, and a dispensing position wherein it is engaged in closing by said piston and has the longitudinal axis thereof in a substantially horizontal direction, characterized by differentiating the closing path of said chamber from said charging position to said dispensing position for the opening path of said chamber from said dispensing position to said charging position, so as to keep said piston close to said chamber during said closing path for preventing the escape of said charge and moving said piston away from said chamber during said opening path for creating the physical space required for the escape of said charge.