Automatic coffee grinding and quantifying equipment with weight control and vibration reduction functions

Abstract

An automatic grinding dosing apparatus (10) with real-time weight control includes a body (100) having a housing and a base, a grinding device driven by a motor, a dispenser, a support fork for a filter holding cup, a weighing sensor (112) mounted on the base and connected to the fork, a logic unit to stop the drive at a preset value. According to the invention, the device (10) has a first damping device (120) which isolates the sensor from the base, the first damping device has a mounting plate (121) equipped with a projection as a point support, a housing for fixing the cantilever sensor, and a floating fixture (122) for connecting the plate and the base by blocking the element and absorbing vibrations in each direction. The fuselage is also equipped with a second damping device (140) having opposing anti-vibration elements (141, 142) that prevent the transmission of impacts and vibrations to the base.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic grinding and dosing apparatus with weight control and damping function.

[0002] The present invention is particularly suitable for use in the industrial field of professional coffee bar equipment for the preparation of espresso coffee, but is not limited thereto.

[0003] In general, professional espresso coffee preparation machines are known, which mainly have a main body comprising a boiler which produces hot water and steam and delivers it through one or more dispensing groups in order to pass through a corresponding number of filter-holding cups filled with ground coffee. Therefore, each filter must first be filled with ground coffee powder in a specific machine designed for grinding coffee powder and immediately dosing it accurately, also known as grinding and dosing apparatus. In particular, it is necessary to load the filter-holding cups with an accurate amount of coffee powder depending on the number of doses of powder to be dispensed and the desired quality. Generally, in professional use, one or two doses of powder are provided, each having a weight of about 7 grams, 5 grams and 14 grams, in order to prepare one or two cups of espresso coffee of equal quality.

[0004] In the grinding and dosing apparatus, whole roasted coffee beans are generally collected in a conical container placed above the main body of the machine, in which the coffee beans pass by gravity into a grinding chamber comprising opposite grinders driven by an electric motor. The powder thus ground is then expelled by means of dispensers which convey the coffee particles in such a way as to dose them and correctly collect them in the filter-holding cups located near the discharge opening below the dispensers. In the professional field, both manually controlled and electronically controlled grinding and dosing apparatuses are used; the former have a sliding lever switch which basically allows the user to control the amount of coffee to be ground and the way it is ground, while the latter are provided with various electronic control and / or detection systems to automatically manage the grinding and dispensing, and therefore also the dosing. In practice, the electronic type of grinder has the advantage of limiting the operations performed by the operator, who simply has to place the cups in sequence in the positions corresponding to the desired amount of powder and then select it, obtaining with high precision the desired weight, i.e. the set amount of ground coffee powder.

[0005] In principle, modern electronic type grinding dosers work according to two different operating types: time-controlled, also known as grind by time, or real-time weight-controlled, also known as grind by weight. In both cases, the quantity of coffee desired is initially set by the operator with respect to one or two doses of powder: in the first case, known as grind by time, the powder quantity corresponds to a fixed grinding duration parameter, while in the second case, known as grind by weight, the powder quantity corresponds to a fixed weight parameter, i.e. the actual quantity of powder dispensed (in grams), where the weight is measured in real time step by step so that, when the set weight is reached, the motor is automatically stopped, possibly taking into account a variable compensation dose. From a technical point of view, therefore, grinders of the grind by weight type must be provided with an automatic weighing device connected to the electronic control system of the device with specific management programs.

[0006] The most advanced solutions of weight-controlled grinding dosers provide an automatic weighing system integrated in a constructive and electronic way in the device, in order to detect in real time (i.e. while dispensing with the motor) the weight of the product actually dispensed, in order to interrupt the drive when the preset value is reached. In particular, a detection device is known which is applied directly to the container of ground coffee, in order to weigh the product together with its container step by step as it leaves the dispenser. In this case, the weighing device can be configured as an external horizontal scale, which integrates a single strain gauge and / or a weighing sensor connected to the control unit of the device, on which the container or cup and its support are placed; see, by way of example, document US6783089 (Lassota). The same technical effect can be achieved using a cantilevered support element which acts as an arm to support and hold the above-mentioned container outside the device, below the dispenser, with the opposite end inside, where it is connected to the detection means, for example as mentioned in US5386944 (Knepler et al.).

[0007] The present invention relates to a modern electronic grinding doser with real-time weight control (also known as grind by weight) function, which incorporates a weight detection device attached to the final container of ground powder, such as a concentrated coffee filter holding cup. In particular, an advantageous damping system is described in the weight detection system integrated inside the device in a protected position, where a modern electronic weighing sensor with a bending operation keeps the cup in front, suspended below the dispenser. In fact, it has been shown that this type of weight detection system is fast, effective and can be easily and cheaply integrated into modern direct injection grinder powder dispensers, which are widely used and appreciated in professional use due to their structural rationality, reliability, construction optimization and low cost.

[0008] In principle, modern electronic grinder dispensers of the gravimetric type include automatic weighing and control devices. These dispensers feature a compact design, offer high user-friendliness, and achieve the desired amount of coffee grounds with high precision. They detect the actual amount dispensed, regardless of many other variables involved in coffee roasting and grinding, such as coffee type, roast, humidity, temperature, set bean size, or mill stone abrasion. Therefore, to obtain the required exact weight, operators do not need to periodically check and / or adjust the set parameters according to these variables, whereas in conventional equipment, the grinding duration needs to be set as a temporary value. Thus, it is well known in the field that modern grinder dispensers with real-time weight control facilitate practical work and improve the quality of service provided. However, experiments have shown that these grinder dispensers are very precise and sometimes malfunction, making weighing unreliable and resulting in incorrect coffee grounds weights.

[0009] In particular, the problems associated with the high sensitivity of integrated weighing media are well-known. In practice, to dynamically and accurately measure the weight changes of small quantities of high-tare products (as is the case with ordinary grinding cups), a very precise and sensitive sensor, such as an electronic weighing sensor with an accuracy of one-tenth of a gram, is required. In practice, it has been found that the problem of interference caused by motor vibration during grinding in grinding metering devices with integrated weighing sensors has not yet been optimally solved by real-time weight detection. In more detail, with the motor running and the grinding stone rotating as it crushes the beans, the sensor must progressively detect weight changes equal to fractions of a gram; thus, the powerful thrust of the motor and grinding stone can significantly alter the weighing. This is even more common when vibrations are transmitted and / or amplified through the device's support structure and the sensor is mounted in a manner that detects these vibrations.

[0010] Furthermore, in modern weight-controlled grinder dispensers, there is a problem with attaching a common espresso filter holder from the front without damaging the weighing device. In fact, it has been found that the weighing accuracy can be compromised by accidental impacts from the operator during the hooking and unhooking of the filter holder to the support fork placed below the dispenser; the holder is typically made of heavy metal. In particular, such accidental impacts can deform or even irreversibly damage the weighing device when the impact force exceeds the sensor's maximum allowable load, as the sensor is extremely sensitive and therefore has a limited maximum load. This possibility is greater in devices where the weighing sensor is connected to the holder's support fork, as in the case of the cantilever solution described above. Additionally, it has been found that accidental impacts to the support surface and body can also affect the weighing results, leading to incorrect weight distribution. In particular, it has been found that malfunctions due to accidental impacts are more frequent in bars and restaurants where grinder dispensers are used hastily, or when operators lack experience.

[0011] Furthermore, it has been noted that in the aforementioned devices with real-time weight detection capabilities, any malfunctions caused by vibration and sensor failure are difficult for the operator to detect. Therefore, the operator may unknowingly serve customers substandard espresso. For example, in professional café operations, a deviation of up to 0.2 grams in the actual dispensed weight compared to the nominal feed rate is generally considered acceptable. Therefore, experiments have shown that common vibrations and / or accidental impacts to the fork-shaped component or housing can sometimes render sensor readings unreliable.

[0012] In view of the above, the present invention provides an improved weight-controlled electronic coffee grinder for professional use, which can effectively prevent the above problems. Background Technology

[0013] To determine the prior art relevant to the proposed solution, a routine patent literature search was conducted by querying public archives, identifying certain prior art, including:

[0014] D1 DE202016105762U1(Mazzer);

[0015] D2 EP3019057(Rego);

[0016] D3 EP3158902 (Dunkelberg et al.);

[0017] D4 US6389957B1 (Sham);

[0018] D5 EP1454574 (Diaz);

[0019] D6 EP3560400B1 (Parrini);

[0020] D7 EP3329811(Abbiati).

[0021] In D1, a coffee grinding and dispensing device is described, having a weighing device inserted into the body and a front support for positioning a regular espresso cup below a front dispenser, wherein the front of the support includes a cup-attaching fork and is detachable, the fork being magnetically attached to the rear of an internal weighing sensor so as to separate when the stress exceeds the stress that the sensor can withstand.

[0022] D2 and D3 describe weighing devices for automatic coffee grinder dispensers, which include a weighing sensor operatively connected to a support for an espresso filter holder. This weighing sensor is protected from impact and overload by offset limiting devices or end stops. For example, in D2, the weighing sensor is connected to a cup-holding fork via a composite lifting structure, where an outer wall slides vertically over internal elements designed to limit extension, abutting at the upper end. In D3, the sensor is located within a base aggregated to the front of the unit, which integrates the cup-holding fork and positions it below the dispenser. A travel limiter is mounted below the free end of the sensor; this is achieved by an adjustable screw passing through the bottom of the sensor, with an external stop disc and spacer sleeve in the hole, allowing the free end of the sensor to bend vertically with maximum controlled extension, thus protecting the sensor from potential overload.

[0023] In D4, D5, and D6, damping support elements made of elastic and / or resilient materials are integrated to reduce vibration in motor-driven grinders. For example, in D4, a horizontal axis grinder has damping elements directly applied to the rotating support; in D5, a shop coffee grinder is described, comprising a body with a bean hopper, below which is a grinding unit directly mounted on resilient cushioning supports. These supports are in the form of cylindrical vibration-damping feet with a central contraction, reducing the transmission of vibration and noise during operation; a time-controlled dispensing device is integrated below these supports, dispensing a predetermined amount of coffee onto a corresponding receiving plate. On the other hand, in D6, a coffee grinding system has a pair of interconnected and functionally matched automatic grinding and dispensing devices with internal weighing sensors and isolating feet mounted throughout the bottom of the machine; these feet are rubber discs with threaded metal rods for screwing into corresponding holes in the base.

[0024] D7 proposes a specific dispensing device for an automatic coffee grinder, comprising a body having a conduit for receiving ground coffee and discharging it by gravity into an external container (such as a filter holder); the device has a means for sealing the conduit to allow the ground coffee to accumulate within it; and the device has its own weighing device for detecting the weight of the ground coffee using a bending load cell, one end of which is connected to the body for incremental weight detection. A vibration-damping design configuration is envisioned, in which the load cell connected to the dispensing device is fixed to a plate using a connecting flange and spaced by means of damping elements.

[0025] shortcoming

[0026] Generally, in automatic grinders that grind by weight, there is the problem of motor vibration interfering with detection along with the grinding process. Furthermore, modern weighing devices with integrated load cells have stringent tolerances; these load cells must dynamically and accurately detect weight changes relative to a minimum product quantity. Typically, the amount of espresso powder used for a single and double shot ranges from 7 to 15 grams. Therefore, integrating a highly precise and sensitive weighing device into the machine body presents two challenges: eliminating or limiting vibrations that could alter the detection quality, and protecting the weighing device from accidental shocks or excessive loads that could damage it. It has been observed that the known solutions described above are not sufficiently effective and have resulted in certain drawbacks or unresolved problems.

[0027] First, it has been observed that the aforementioned problems are addressed either independently or out of context. For example, there are attempts to protect sensors from excessive shocks or loads (as in D1 through D3), reduce vibration propagation from the motor at its source (as in D4), or isolate the entire housing from the working surface (as in D6). In practice, these solutions either protect the sensors from damage or reduce overall device vibration, but they do not prevent the sensors from receiving vibrations. That is, these solutions do not isolate vibration locally, potentially leading to inaccurate detection and gradual changes in sensor calibration.

[0028] Secondly, it has been observed that the solution mentioned in D5 has the advantage of isolating the grinding device through a suspending effect relative to the machine body structure; however, this does not refer to modern bar grinders with automatic weight control, which have highly sensitive weighing devices structurally integrated into the machine body. Instead, this device solution can be combined with a conventional type of stand-alone or external weighing device with a weighing pan capable of detecting the weight of the container placed on it, such as in the case of retail coffee or drip coffee. In practice, it does not allow the use of the standard filter holder of an espresso machine because it requires rapid and frequent connection and disconnection of the support fork attached to the front of the machine. In such cases, a structural configuration in which the weighing device is integrated into the device and attached to the aforementioned fork is actually preferred, but this configuration suffers from more severe shock and vibration problems.

[0029] Third, it has been found that the device involved in the known weighing sensor damping solution mentioned in D7 differs functionally from that of the present invention because the sensor detects the weight of coffee accumulated inside the dispensing device, rather than the weight of coffee allocated to the filter holder. It should be particularly noted that the sensor is integrated into the upper part of the device and connected to the dispensing device, rather than being located on the base; it serves a different purpose and employs different components, and there are inherent differences in the structural connections, the devices for housing and fixing the sensor, the devices for conveying and detecting the load, and the devices for vibration damping.

[0030] Fourth, it has been found that increased vibration and calibration variations can be detected when the weighing device is integrated close to the motor and / or grinding disc, thus affecting operational effectiveness. Therefore, it is preferable to integrate the load cell into the machine body, as far away from vibration sources as possible. Furthermore, in existing solutions such as the D7, the sensor is integrated into a location that is inconvenient for maintenance and replacement, with multiple components in between.

[0031] Fifth, it has been found that general-purpose damping supports made of elastic and / or resilient materials absorb shocks and vibrations uniformly or only in one direction, but do not allow for floating (i.e., a levitation effect), thus absorbing vibrations and shocks from all directions. Furthermore, a combined system based on absorption of maximum load capacity and calibrated settlement is neither known nor desirable. Known sensor protection systems are costly, complex to implement, and sometimes fail.

[0032] In particular, the problem of protecting modern high-sensitivity load cells from damage due to accidental impacts or excessive loads exceeding their maximum permissible values ​​is well-known. This problem particularly arises when using heavy, metal bar filter holders for espresso machines, where the structurally connected support fork of the sensor is accidentally struck. Indeed, known protective solutions with blocking systems or end stops during the sensor stroke, as in D2 and D3, have been observed to require extremely high construction precision because the stroke is drastically reduced, typically to fractions of a millimeter, making them unsuitable for equipment subject to significant vibrations or those affected by coupling and / or molding tolerances and / or thermal expansion, and insufficient to meet the required precision.

[0033] In protection systems with recessed cup supports, these drawbacks are even more pronounced, for example, as in D1, where the involved structural elements have larger dimensions, as well as greater construction tolerances, thermal expansion, and connection issues; there is also the problem of determining the direction of the impact or stress that causes separation, since lateral movement is generally unfavorable for the insertion or connection direction and may delay the recess of the support. Therefore, it is preferable to have a sensor protection system in which the recess of the support is not affected by geometry and / or construction and / or connection and / or temperature limitations. Furthermore, in element holding solutions employing magnets (as in D1), it is well known that the holding force tends to decrease over time, causing the protection system to fail.

[0034] Generally, known solutions are insufficient to meet the needs of modern professional activities. In particular, any inaccurate readings and / or calibration changes and / or sensor malfunctions integrated into grinding metering equipment are difficult for operators to detect, thus requiring frequent inspections and adjustments of the equipment; however, maintenance costs are high, implementation is complex, and requires significant focus and operator skill. Furthermore, known vibration reduction solutions do not adequately reduce overall noise.

[0035] In summary, there is a significant demand in the professional field for electronic coffee grinders that dispense the desired amount with maximum accuracy and repeatability while further limiting vibration and noise during routine operation and protecting the sensor. Given all this, it is reasonable for companies in this field to find innovative solutions that can at least overcome the aforementioned challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0036] According to the appended claims, the present invention solves the problems described and achieves these and other objectives by means of a real-time weight-controlled automatic coffee grinder (10), which includes a body (100) having a housing and a base, a motor-driven grinding device, a dispenser, a support fork for filtering and holding a cup, a weighing sensor (112) mounted on the base and connected to the fork, and a logic unit for stopping the drive at a preset value. The device (10) has a first vibration damping device (120) that isolates the sensor from the base, the first vibration damping device having a mounting plate (121) with protrusions as point supports, a housing for attaching a cantilever sensor, and a floating fastener (122) for connecting the plate to the base by isolating the element and absorbing vibrations in various directions. The body also has a second vibration damping device (140) having opposing anti-vibration elements (141, 142) to prevent the transmission of shocks and vibrations to the base.

[0037] Purpose

[0038] Therefore, several significant objectives were achieved through substantial creative input, the effects of which constituted direct and not insignificant technological progress.

[0039] The primary objective is to develop a modern, automated, real-time weight-controlled or weight-based coffee grinding and dispensing device suitable for professional applications. This device is equipped with a highly sensitive electronic weight sensor and a powerful motor, and effectively limits well-known interference caused by vibration. Specifically, an innovative damping device is proposed to effectively reduce vibration transmission to the sensor under any operating conditions. This device offers improved weighing accuracy and sensor protection, while also reducing overall vibration and noise.

[0040] The second objective is to isolate the weight detection device of modern electronic load cells in a floating or suspended manner, mounted on a base inside the equipment, in such a way as to absorb shocks and vibrations from any direction, thereby ensuring the highest detection quality under all operating conditions. Depending on the context, another objective is to protect the detection device from excessive shocks or loads, thus holding it in the correct operating position when the load is below the sensor's maximum allowable value, and safely repositioning it when the load reaches that value, achieving the possible tolerance margin. In practice, an optimized vibration damping and protective support system is anticipated, combining the floating effect with calibrated settlement based on the sensor's maximum load capacity, to overcome the structural and functional limitations of well-known protection systems with stops or end stops.

[0041] The fourth objective is to preventively reduce the transmission of shock and vibration to the sensor and between the rigid components of the housing and the sensor, particularly by means of fixing elements built into point-like, insulating, and vibration-damping supports to isolate the base.

[0042] Essentially, an optimized vibration damping system is designed for use in weight-bearing grinding equipment to absorb continuous stress on the sensor, thereby ensuring consistently reliable detection and protecting it from excessive loads or accidental shocks. In practice, the proposed damping system is particularly suitable for situations where the filter retainer cup is directly connected to the free end of the sensor. Depending on the context, the transmission of vibrations and shocks from the working surface and the body is eliminated by means of upper and lower insulating fasteners, where these elements are connected but structurally isolated.

[0043] For the aforementioned purposes, another advantage is the limitation of overall equipment vibration and noise, making the operator's work more comfortable and easier. Additionally, it limits wear on mechanical parts and reduces malfunctions of electronic controls and command devices.

[0044] In summary, an effective shock and vibration absorption system with good technical content has been proposed; moreover, the invention is economical and can be mass-produced through modern industrial processes.

[0045] These and other advantages will become apparent from the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a front view of an automatic real-time weight control (also known as weight-based grinding) type coffee grinding and metering device provided by the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the fuselage involved in the equipment at the vertical plane of section X1-X1.

[0048] Figure 3 A magnified detail of the first vibration damping device applied to the load cell is depicted; see [link / reference]. Figure 2 The circle highlighted in the middle.

[0049] Figure 4 Enlarged details of the floating attachment in the first damping device are depicted; see [link / reference]. Figure 3 The dashed circle in the middle.

[0050] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the fuselage at the horizontal plane of section X2-X2.

[0051] Figure 6 Is the base in Figure 5 A sectional view of a partial section at the vertical plane of section X3-X3, the base including a first vibration damping device and a second vibration damping device.

[0052] Figure 7 This is an isometric view of the fuselage, in which the fuselage is partially cut open to highlight the internal components.

[0053] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 The matters involved and Figure 7 Axonometric detail of the first vibration damping device, partially cut out and highlighted with a rectangle.

[0054] Figure 9 yes Figure 4 The matters involved and Figure 8 Axonometric detail of the partially cut-out floating fastener, highlighted in circles.

[0055] Figure 10 This is an isometric view of the fuselage, in which the casing is partially cut open to highlight the cover of the first vibration damping device.

[0056] Figure 11 This is an exploded isometric view of the front wall of the sensor connection bracket with adjustable fork-shaped parts.

[0057] Figure 12 It is an exploded isometric view of the base, highlighting the first damping device including the sensor and bracket, and the second device including the lower insulating foot and the upper insulating mating foot.

[0058] Figure 13 This is an exploded detailed sectional view of the second vibration damping device.

[0059] Legend

[0060] (10) The coffee bean grinding and metering device provided by the present invention belongs to the automatic real-time weight control type (also known as the weight-based grinding type);

[0061] (100) Fuselage;

[0062] (101) Shell;

[0063] (102) Base;

[0064] (103) A conical container for roasting whole coffee beans;

[0065] (104) A grinding chamber having a feed opening (104a) for whole beans and a discharge opening (104b) for ground powder;

[0066] (105) Grinding adjustment ring;

[0067] (106) Grinding stones, such as movable grinding stones and stationary grinding stones;

[0068] (107) Electric motor;

[0069] (108) Motor support component, integrated with the machine body;

[0070] (109) Distribution unit, having a chute pipe and a front discharge pipe (109a);

[0071] (110) Internal logic unit, equipped with operating program;

[0072] (111) User interface display;

[0073] (112) Weighing sensor, mounted on the base;

[0074] (113) The end of the sensor to be fixed to the mounting plate;

[0075] (114) The cantilever end of the sensor bends under load;

[0076] (115) Sensor fixing screws;

[0077] (116) Fixing and connecting brackets, located inside the housing;

[0078] (117) Irregularly shaped front wall, rigid protective structure, filter retainer cup attachment connection part;

[0079] (118) Centering fork-shaped component and filter retaining cup support component;

[0080] (119) Filter retainer cup attachment element;

[0081] (120) A first damping device (such as a composite damping structure on an insulating support) is applied to a weighing sensor with protective functions and is used to ensure detection accuracy. The first damping device is of the floating type, vibration-resistant type and impact-resistant type.

[0082] (121) A sensor mounting plate with a three-dimensional shape;

[0083] (122) Floating fasteners;

[0084] (123) The protrusion faces the base and serves as a point support;

[0085] (124) Through holes in the fixing plate;

[0086] (125) The plate between the protrusions, outside the protrusions, and the portion protruding from the base;

[0087] (126) The housing and mounting base for the weighing sensor;

[0088] (127) Perforated centering and compression bushing;

[0089] (128a, 128b) Damping rings;

[0090] (129) Secure the through screw to the base;

[0091] (130) Threaded holes in the base;

[0092] The relative edges of holes (131a, 131b) are the upper edge (131a) and the lower edge (131b), respectively.

[0093] (132) Bushing rod with longitudinal opening;

[0094] (133) Flat and wide bushing head;

[0095] (134) Through screws used to fix the first vibration damping device;

[0096] (135) End wall fixing screw;

[0097] (136) End wall fixing nut;

[0098] (137) Fork-shaped fixing and adjusting screws;

[0099] (138) Fork-shaped fixing nut;

[0100] (139) Protective cover and insulation part of load cell;

[0101] (140) A second vibration damping device, used for a combined partitioned vibration-damping support for the housing, base and working surface;

[0102] (141) Insulated support legs, lower vibration-damping elements;

[0103] (142) Insulated mating legs, upper anti-vibration element;

[0104] (143) Support foot hole;

[0105] (144) Matching the support foot hole;

[0106] (145) Threaded flat-head screws, used to fix the mating support inserts of the housing;

[0107] (146) Support leg fixing screws;

[0108] (147) Support feet and support feet mating holes;

[0109] (148) The threaded seat of the housing is used to fix the support legs;

[0110] (149) Insulating support ribs of the housing located on the mating feet;

[0111] (150) Front of the equipment;

[0112] (200) Espresso Filter Holder

[0113] (201) Working surface;

[0114] The damping rings (D1, D2) have two diameters, namely the larger diameter (D1) and the smaller diameter (D2).

[0115] (S1, S2) The thickness of the damping ring protruding on the placement surface is the thickness on the plate (S1) and the thickness inside the hole (D2), respectively. Detailed Implementation

[0116] See also the attached figure ( Figures 1 to 13 In short, the present invention relates to an improved type of real-time weight-controlled (also known as grindby weight) coffee grinding and dispensing device (10) with vibration-damping devices, suitable for automatically and precisely grinding and dispensing coffee beans by front-feeding the ground product. The proposed device is particularly suitable for professional use in bars and restaurants to continuously dispense the desired amount of powder into a filter holder (200) for espresso. For the purposes of the invention, the device incorporates a weighing device in the body (100) optimized to eliminate well-known problems caused by shock and vibration, wherein an electronic weighing sensor (112) is mounted on a damping structure with a floating effect and calibrated settling, which is conventionally referred to as a first vibration-damping device (120). Additionally, the fuselage (100) has a housing (101) and a base (102) connected at insulating fasteners, which integrate a vibration damping system with a blocking function, conventionally referred to as a second vibration damping device (140). Certain conventional and known structural elements are not emphasized in the following technical description; however, such structural elements, such as wiring, transformers, or mechanical fasteners, are included in the device.

[0117] The grinding and metering device (10) is of the type consisting of a body (100) and supporting legs, the body comprising a rigid housing (101) and a rigid base (102) connected together, with the supporting legs mounted below the base and facing the working surface (201). Inside the body, at the top of the housing, there is a grinding chamber (104) having a feed opening (104a) for whole beans and a front discharge opening (104b) for grinding powder. A container (103) for whole beans is then mounted on the body; for example, the container is a transparent inverted cone inserted into the feed opening to preferably feed beans into the feed opening by gravity. In the grinding chamber (104), there are devices for rotating and grinding the beans, for example, a pair of opposing grinding stones (106), namely a movable grinding stone and a fixed grinding stone, which are mounted on a grinding adjustment ring (105) to change the distance between them. At least one grinding stone is connected to an electric motor (107) integrated within a housing (101) below the grinding chamber, the electric motor being attached to a support (108) structurally connected to the housing. The device then includes a dispensing assembly (109) connected to the discharge opening of the grinding chamber and equipped with a front discharge pipe (109a) to dispense the ground powder outside the machine body. Figure 1 , Figure 2 Combined with the dispensing device is a device located below the discharge pipe for frontally constraining the collection container; in particular, it has fork-shaped parts (118, 119) for centering and supporting the filter holding cup (200) for espresso, preferably of the type used in bars in conjunction with a common espresso machine, i.e., consisting of a metal cup containing a filter for one or two cups connected to a horizontal handle.

[0118] Within the machine body (100), there are several electronic devices that allow the device to operate automatically; in particular, at least one weighing sensor (112) mounted on the base (102) is included, which detects the amount of powder being ground and actually dispensed in real time. Additionally, there are electronic control and command devices, which have at least one internal logic unit (110) equipped with an operating program and a user interface display (111) visible and accessible from the front of the device (150); these (110, 111) are then connected to each other, to the motor (107), and to the sensor (112) in such a way as to control the amount of powder dispensed at the desired quantity. Figure 2 The motor drive will stop at a preset value for the weight.

[0119] The grinding metering equipment (10) is equipped with a first vibration damping device (120) for the weighing sensor (112), which is mounted on a base (102, 130) in such a way that it is inserted between the sensor and the support structure of the equipment, thereby effectively reducing the transmission of vibration and thus improving the accuracy and reliability of real-time detection. The use of an active motor also provides greater safety and enhanced protection against impact and / or overload. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 In practice, the sensor (112) detects the weight of the ground powder that gradually accumulates in the filter holding cup (200). The free end (114) of the sensor is connected to a bracket (116), which acts as a connection between the inside and outside of the device. A rigid front wall (117) including the fork-shaped member (118) is fixed to the bracket. The weight of the ground and dispensed powder is then transmitted to weighing sensors (110, 111) for accurate and safe real-time detection, even during grinding.

[0120] In detail, from a structural perspective, the aforementioned first damping device (120) is a composite damping structure (121, 122) designed to attach the sensor (112) to the base (102) and significantly reduce the transmission of vibration and / or shock and / or excessive load (100, 101, 102, 107, 114, 118, 200, 201) to the sensor (112). The first damping device includes a mounting plate (121) and a combined attachment and absorption device with a floating effect, which is conventionally referred to as a floating fixture (122).

[0121] The mounting plate (121) is three-dimensional, having perforated protrusions (123, 124) extending downwards into point supports on the bases (102, 122, 130), and the remainder of the plate (125) protrudes from the base (102) to isolate the supports and achieve the floating vibration damping intended by the invention. The plate (121) includes a receiving seat (126) with openings for securing one end of the sensor (113) with screws (115), leaving the opposite end (114) horizontally cantilevered and bent under load. In the operating position, the sensor is connected to a fork (118) that centers and supports the cup body (200) by means of a rigid element that transmits the full weight of the dispensed coffee. In a preferred configuration, these elements are a connecting bracket (116) attached to the sensor (114) in combination with a molded rigid front end wall (117), which also serves as a structural connection and protection for the housing cross openings. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 ,Figure 12 The sensor housing and mounting base (126) is located outside the protrusion (123), integrated into the rest of the plate (125) and protruding from the base, to position the cantilever sensor parallel to it. Any residual vibrations then propagate and dissipate throughout the mounting plate and at multiple absorbing supports with a floating effect, located outside the base (126), further limiting the transmission of shocks and vibrations to the sensor (112).

[0122] In preferred but not unique embodiments ( Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figure 12 The mounting plate (121) has a V-shaped configuration with three attachment points corresponding to a plurality of protrusions (120, 123), located at the two ends and the apex of the V-shape. Sensor housings and attachment seats (115, 126) are centrally integrated near the apex, facing inward from the V-shape. This configuration facilitates mounting the sensor to the base with screws (102, 129, 130) and allows for cantilever attachment of the sensor towards the front of the device, where the ends (112, 114, 150) of the sensor can be freely bent forward. However, other plate configurations (121) not shown in the above figures are also possible and advantageous, but these include point supports with floating fasteners (102, 122, 123, 130) on the base and sensor mounting seats (112, 126) for proper positioning of the sensor for detection purposes.

[0123] These floating fasteners (122) connect the mounting plate (121) to the base (102), providing structural isolation and vibration damping in each direction, with a suspended (also known as floating) constraint effect; specifically, each perforated protrusion (123) of the plate (121) has a single floating fastener (122), which includes at least one pair of damping rings (128a, 128b) and a centering bushing (127) inserted therein, which (123, 124, 127, 128a, 128b) are all passed through by a through-fixing screw (129) that engages a threaded hole (130) on the base, with the bushing located in the support (127, 134). Clearly, in the proposed floating fastener, a pair of damping rings (128a, 128b) connected and compressed by means of bushings and screws (127, 129) internally isolate the hole (124) and the placement part from the base, so that the elastic and / or resilient elements are always inserted between the rigid structural elements, thereby preventing the rigid structural elements from directly contacting each other in any direction and the transmission of vibration and / or impact. The floating fastener (129, 130, 134) has materials, thickness, consistency and compressibility suitable for the vibration reduction.

[0124] The damping rings (128a, 128b) are made of elastic and / or elasto-plastic materials, or materials with similar damping behavior (such as rubber or silicone or equivalent polymers), and have a dual-diameter (D1, D2) configuration. Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 12 The damping rings are symmetrically inserted into the same holes (124, S2) from above and below, resting on the two edges (131a, 131b). Once inserted, the damping rings combine as single damping and insulating inserts protruding above and below the plates (121, 122, S1) to isolate the (S1, S2) plates and holes (121, 124) from direct contact with the base, bushings, and screws (102, 127, 129), creating a floating effect, a levitation effect in each direction. Therefore, it is clear that the term "insulation" refers to a structural meaning, referring to the transmission of vibrations.

[0125] In addition, to protect the sensor (112) from excessive shocks and loads, these damping rings (128a, 128b) have elasticity and / or resilience calibrated according to the maximum load capacity of the same sensor, while also taking into account the effects of compression (in the form of calibrated settlement) generated when secured using the bushing and screws (127, 129), wherein each floating fastener (122) holds the sensor in the correct position during normal detection, but sinks when the detected load exceeds the maximum load capacity. In practice, in the event of such an exceedance, the damping devices (120, 122) tilt or translate, automatically placing the sensor in a safe position, such as a lower position, where the excessive load is offset and / or dissipated.

[0126] The centering bushing (127) includes a wide head (133) with a diameter such that it compresses the upper ring (128a) and thus the lower ring (128b); in particular, the centering bushing has a rod (132) with a support (134) at the base and an opening for a through screw (129) to pass through, such that the rod compresses the damping rings (128a, 128b) in a calibrated manner, as described above. Therefore, this combination of elasticity and / or resilience with the damping rings (128a, 128b) calibrates the tightening of the screw. In practice, in each floating fastener (122), the element must be shaped and calibrated from time to time according to the elasticity and / or elasticity of the ring material, combined with the maximum load of the sensor and the tightness of the screws in the bushing in the support, so that when the load (114) is less than the maximum load, the sensor (112) is held in the operating position, and in the opposite case, when the maximum load is reached, the sensor is lowered and repositioned safely.

[0127] When a high-precision load cell operates in its normal detection position with a load between 6 and 15 grams, damping rings (128a, 128b, D1, D2) made of rubber or silicone rubber with a hardness between 40 and 80 Shore A, or polymers with equivalent elasticity and / or elasticity and / or elastoplasticity, are suitable for achieving the aforementioned floating effect with calibrated settling, depending on the common single and double shot of espresso. In particular, silicone rubber with a hardness of, for example, 50 Shore A is suitable for this invention. In this case, when these rings are assembled and compressed with the bushings in the supports (127, 129, 134) as described above, these rings have a material with a thickness (S1) of at least 0.5 mm inserted between the protrusion and the head (123, 132) and between the protrusion and the base (102, 123); similarly, the material with a thickness (S2) of at least 0.5 mm inserted between the hole and the screw (124, 129) is also suitable.

[0128] Preferably, the first vibration damping device (120) further includes a protective cover (139) fixed to a mounting plate around the load cell (112) to cover and protect the load cell from cables located inside the machine body that may obstruct detection, and simultaneously protects the load cell from the electromagnetic field of the electric motor; the protective cover also protects the sensor from dust or other suspended or fallen substances that may damage the sensor. This further ensures the quality and durability of the detection.

[0129] The aforementioned first damping device (120) is a damping structure that eliminates and / or limits the transmission of shocks and vibrations from the base (102) to the load cell (112). Furthermore, to achieve greater damping and protection for the sensor, it is anticipated that an innovative damping support system will be used to preventively limit the transmission of shocks and vibrations to the base (102) from above and below. This damping support system consists of two opposing anti-vibration elements that work together as an integrated damping system, commonly referred to as the second damping device (140). Specifically, the housing (101) and the base (102) are connected at insulating attachment points (147, 148, 149), where the aforementioned second damping device (140) is integrated. This allows for the insertion of an insulating device between the housing and the base, advantageously opposite and aligned with an insulating support leg, which is also insulated, mounted together on opposite sides of the base (102, 147). In this way, each support point acts as a complex node, serving as a partition between the parallel structural elements above and below the base, thereby reducing the transmission of impact and vibration between the housing (101, 107, 108, 200) and the base (102, 112), and simultaneously between the housing (102) and the working surface (201), and vice versa. Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0130] A detailed examination of the implementation of the second vibration damping device (140) reveals that it comprises a ground insulating mating leg (142) and a lower insulating support leg (141), both made of elastic and / or resilient materials, such as rubber, silicone, or equivalent polymers; both are perforated (143, 144) and vertically aligned, overlapping above (142) and below (141) of the base (102) to be secured in the same hole (147) by means of a through screw (146) and a threaded flathead screw (145). Notably, the two fasteners (145, 146) are spaced apart from each other by being inserted into the mating legs (142, 144) and do not come into contact with each other: the through screw (146) passes through the perforated leg and the base (141, 143, 147) to engage from bottom to top in the mating leg (142) at the lower part of the hole (144). On the other hand, the mating leg (142) is attached to the fuselage by a threaded flat-head screw (145), which is inserted into the upper portion of the same hole (142) and protrudes upward to engage in the threaded seat (148) of the fuselage (101). For ease of assembly, it is advantageous to pre-secure the mating leg by screwing in the flat-head screw, and then attach the leg to the mating leg by means of a through screw. Figure 6 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 ).

[0131] Preferably, the housing structure (101) is provided with support ribs (149) that protrude toward the interior of the fuselage, thereby achieving a thinner, continuous surface layer on the outside in the form of a shaped housing. A threaded seat (148) is formed at the lower end of each rib, while a motor support (108) is mounted at the upper end. This motor support then primarily releases vibrations to the insulated mating feet (142), thereby reducing the number of other components involved. Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 ).

[0132] In the improved grinding metering device (10) described above, at least three insulating supports and fixing points (147, 148) are provided, each integrating the second vibration-absorbing device (140) with an insulating support and mating support (141, 142); however, more insulating fasteners can be provided. For the purposes of this invention, experiments have shown that four insulating fasteners are optimal. Figure 7 , Figure 12 Each insulating fastener has the second vibration-absorbing device (140).

[0133] It has been observed that the vibration-absorbing device (140) advantageously combines known types of external vibration-damping elements (such as insulated support legs (141)) mounted on the bottom surface of the base with an innovative internal vibration-damping element (referred to as an insulated mating leg (142)) mounted on the top surface of the base, providing isolation and protection. The legs and mating legs have holes (143, 144) and are vertically aligned in the same hole (130) on the base to jointly connect to the housing (101, 148), wherein the mating leg (142) is inserted itself between the housing and the base in a structurally discontinuous or interrupted manner. This increases the damping of vibrations and / or shocks transmitted from the fuselage (100) to the working surface (201) and vice versa, and also dampes internal shocks and vibrations between the fuselage and the base where the sensor (112) is mounted, thus achieving greater protection and isolation. By combining the first damping device (120) applied to the sensor with the second damping device (140) applied to each support, greater protection is ensured by utilizing high-quality real-time detection.

[0134] It should also be noted that, in principle, support feet made of rubber or other elastic and / or resilient materials are considered conventional elements in motor-driven devices where support feet are applied individually under the base or any foundation to reduce the transmission of vibration from the body to the working surface. However, a pair of opposing rebounding and / or resilient elements, both external and internal to the body, are unknown but advantageous, which, according to the invention, are combined in such a way as to create isolated placements and attachment points at which the housing, base, and working surface are connected but structurally isolated as vibration-resistant nodes. Compared to conventional vibration-resistant solutions using only insulated feet, a pair of opposing elements also achieves a more effective damping effect internal to the body, where each fastener between the housing and the base is aligned at the support feet, and additional vibration-absorbing devices are inserted between the base and the housing; in fact, we should take into account that, in weight detection, the body is an interfering vibration element integrated with the motor support (108). Therefore, the equipment is mounted on vibration-resistant supports, and the base (102, 112) is isolated from the lower (141, 201) and upper (107, 108, 142) in the form of suspension elements.

[0135] For the purposes of this invention, insulating feet (141) and insulating mating feet (142) made of rubber, silicone, or a polymer having equivalent elasticity and / or elasticity and / or elastoplasticity are particularly suitable, for example; these materials have a hardness, for example, between 40 and 80 Shore A. Cylindrical insulating feet and mating feet are particularly effective; however, other configurations are also suitable and possible.

[0136] In an embodiment variant considered equivalent to the object of the invention (which optimizes the support and insulation of the housing by facilitating the centering of the vibration damping device), a cylindrical insulating mating leg with dual diameters and a central hole is provided, which also insulates the base hole from the interior. The mating leg has a small-diameter cylindrical portion that protrudes downward to insert into the hole, thereby covering the inner surface of the hole and completely separating the fixing element that connects the housing to the lower leg.

[0137] To facilitate assembly and balance the compression of the insulating material in each hole, thereby optimizing overall vibration damping, the dual-diameter mating leg can be associated with a cylindrical flange bushing of a known type, which is inserted into the same hole from above, with the protrusion of the mating leg always inserted between the bushing and the base. Advantageously, the mating leg can have a dual diameter and be symmetrical with respect to the portion inserted into the opening in the base, thereby achieving a greater stability interlocking connection. It has been found that, in this configuration of the composite mating leg and bushing, it is particularly advantageous to combine this configuration with a rubber leg that integrates a known type of threaded metal insert at the center, which passes through the mating leg and bushing from bottom to top in the hole, thereby anchoring itself directly to the housing by compressing the mating leg in an encapsulating manner at least at the bottom and inside the hole, filling the cavity with insulating material. Then, vibration damping and filling elements made of rubber or similar materials are inserted between the base and the bushing; in practice, this solution ensures that the base does not touch the bushing and guarantees complete insulation of the housing, thus damping the motor's vibrations even in the horizontal direction.

[0138] Therefore, it has been observed that in actual use of the equipment (10), these vibration damping devices (140) realize isolated supports (101, 102, 142) with structural isolation function, which significantly reduce internal vibrations on the base (102, 112) during motor drive, thereby optimizing real-time weight detection and also limiting the overall vibration of the equipment and working surface. As a result, the overall noise of the equipment is reduced. As an example, experiments have shown that integrating four supports (each with a vibration damping device (140)) reduces the overall noise by about 4 dB, which corresponds to a percentage value of about 5%. From a technical point of view, this noise reduction is considered significant and can be perceived by operators and customers. Finally, it has been found that the present invention facilitates professional activities; in fact, it reduces operator fatigue and simultaneously improves the quality of service provided.

Claims

1. A grinding and metering device (10) for coffee beans, said grinding and metering device being of the automatic real-time weight control type or the weight-based grinding type, said grinding and metering device comprising: - A fuselage (100) having a housing (101) and a base (102) connected together, and support legs mounted below the base; - Grinding chamber (104), the grinding chamber being located inside the machine body, the grinding chamber having a feed opening (104a) for the beans and a discharge opening (104b) for the ground powder; - A container (103) for the beans, the container being mounted on the housing at the feed opening; - Devices for rotary grinding of the beans in the grinding chamber, such as grinding elements (106) mounted on the adjusting ring (105); - Devices for operating the grinding element, such as an electric motor (107) that is mounted inside the housing on a support (108) and integrated with the support; - Devices for dispensing the grinding powder, such as a dispensing assembly (109) connected to the discharge opening and provided with a front discharge pipe (109a, 150); - Devices for confining the collection container below the discharge pipe, such as fork-shaped parts (118, 119) for centering and supporting the filter retaining cup (200); - A device for real-time weighing of ground and dispensed coffee, the device being located inside the body, such as a weighing sensor (112) mounted on the base and connected to the fork (118, 119, 200); - An electronic control and command device having at least one internal logic control unit (110) with an operating program and a user interface display (111, 150) located at the front of the device, the device (110, 111) being connected to each other, to the motor (107) and to the sensors (112, 118, 200) to prevent the motor from operating at a preset value corresponding to the desired powder amount; - A device for reducing vibrations caused by the motor; The grinding metering device (10) is characterized in that the device for reducing vibration has a first vibration damping device (120), which is inserted between the base (102) and the sensor (112), and the first vibration damping device supports the sensor in a floating manner, thereby isolating the sensor from the base.

2. The grinding metering apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The first vibration damping device (120) is a composite damping structure (121, 122) for fixing the sensor (112) to the base (102), and the first vibration damping device includes: - The mounting plate (121) of the sensor (112) has perforated protrusions (123, 124) extending downward like specific supports (102, 122, 130) on a base, and located at the protrusions (123, 124). 125) An external receiving seat (126) for fixing one end of the sensor (113) so that the opposite end (114) is cantilevered and lifted from the base (102) in the operating position. The mounting plate is connected to the fork-shaped members (114, 118) by means of a rigid element, thereby internally conveying the dispensed coffee (116, ... The weights are 117, 150, and 200. - A floating fastener (122) connecting the plate (121) to the base (102) to isolate the rigid element and absorb vibrations in all directions, each perforated protrusion (123) having a floating fastener (122); and wherein a single floating fastener (122) comprises a pair of damping rings (128a, 128b) made of elastic and / or resilient material and a centering bushing (127) inserted into and compressing the damping rings, engaging the base (129, 130). A through screw in the threaded hole passes through each of them (123, 124, 127, 128a, 128b); the damping rings (128a, 128b) both have double diameters (D1, D2) so as to be symmetrically inserted into the same hole (124, 52), resting against the two edges (131a, 131b), and protruding from above and below (S1), thereby separating and isolating the protrusion (123) from the base (102) and the bushings (124, 127), having the floating effect of the first damping device (120).

3. The grinding and metering apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The centering bushing (127) has a head (133) and a support (134) at the base, the head having a diameter that compresses the damping rings (128a, 128b) so that the through screw (129) passes through the perforated rod (132); the damping rings (128a, 128b, D1, D2, S1, S2) are made of a material having a rebound force and / or elasticity calibrated according to the maximum load capacity of the sensor (112), and the material is formed by the bushing and the screw. (127, 129, 133, 134) are compressed in a calibrated manner such that, taking into account possible tolerance margins, the sensor is held in the operating position (112, 113, 114, 126) when the load (114, 118, 200) is below its permissible maximum value, and conversely, when the load reaches the maximum value, the sensor is lowered and safely reset, having the effect of causing the first damping device (120) to undergo a calibrated lowering.

4. The grinding and metering apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first vibration damping device (120) includes a protective cover (139) for protecting the weighing sensor (112) and isolating the weighing sensor from electromagnetic fields. The protective cover is fixed around the sensor on the mounting plate (121).

5. The grinding and metering apparatus (10) according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The device for reducing vibration has a second vibration damping device (140) integrated correspondingly with each support leg, wherein the housing (101) connects the base (102) and the legs in the hole (147) of the base, serving as support and isolating the fixed point; the second vibration damping device (140) is composed of an insulating support leg (141) and an insulating mating leg (142), both of which are made of elastic and / or elastic material and are constrained to the same hole (102, 147) at the bottom (141) and top (142) respectively.

6. The grinding and metering apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, Both the foot (141) and the mating foot (142) have holes (143, 144) for use as intermittent fixing elements, secured by through screws (146) and threaded flathead screws (145) aligned and spaced apart from each other; wherein the through screws (146) pass from below through the foot and the base (141, 143, 147) to engage in the holes of the pair of feet (144), while the threaded flathead screws (145) are inserted into the upper part of the same hole (144) and protrude upward to engage in a threaded seat in the housing (101, 148); the second damping device (140, 141, 142, 147) isolates the base (102, 112) from vibrations and / or impacts transmitted by the housing (101, 107, 108, 200) and / or by the working surface (201), and vice versa.

7. The grinding metering apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The threaded seat (148) is formed in the lower end of a support rib (149) that protrudes inside the housing (101) and a motor support (108) is also mounted on the support rib (149).

8. The grinding metering apparatus (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The damping rings (128a, 128b) are made of rubber, silicone or PVC with a hardness between 40 and 80 Shore A, or polymers with equivalent elasticity and / or elasticity and / or elastoplasticity.

9. The grinding metering apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The damping rings (128a, 128b, D1, D2) have a material thickness of at least 0.5 mm between the protrusion and the head (123, 132) and between the protrusion and the base (102, 123) (S1), and the material between the hole and the screw (124, 129) has a material thickness of at least 0.5 mm (S2).

10. The grinding metering apparatus (10) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The isolation foot (141) and / or the isolation mating foot (142) are made of rubber, silicone or silicone rubber or polymer with equivalent elasticity and / or elasticity and / or elastoplasticity, with a hardness between 40 Shore hardness and 80 Shore hardness.

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