Grinder for grinding loose material including vegetable seeds or fruits

Abstract

The grinder (1) comprises: a loading hopper (10) for the loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs (20), an electric motor (30) for driving the relative rotational motion of the burrs (20), a collection chamber (21) for the ground material, equipped with an outlet (22) for the ground material, a conveying duct (50) for the gravitational flow of the ground material from the outlet (22) of the collection chamber (21) to a user interface (100), and sensor means (55) for detecting the presence of ground material within the conveying duct (50).

Description

[0001] GRINDER FOR GRINDING LOOSE MATERIAL INCLUDING VEGETABLE SEEDS OR

[0002] FRUITS

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a grinder for grinding vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, usable for subsequent hot or cold infusion.

[0005] Grinders can be used in stand-alone conditions or integrated into a coffee machine, which may be of either the automatic or manual type.

[0006] Generally, a grinder of this type comprises a loading hopper for loose material to be ground, having a specific holding capacity; a pair of grinding burrs, which may be flat or conical, designed to produce powder with specific granulometric characteristics; a system for adjusting the distance between the burrs to regulate the grind size; an electric motor with a reduction gear to transfer torque to the burrs; an outlet for the ground material; and a conveying duct designed to connect the grinder's outlet to the final user interface.

[0007] In the case of a coffee grinder, this interface can directly be a portafilter designed to hold the ground coffee, the input port of an automatic group, or additional connecting elements.

[0008] The conveying duct connected to the grinder is a specific component that varies depending on the specific application and can cause severe malfunctions in the grinder itself, requiring technical assistance.

[0009] In particular, a potential blockage of the conveying duct may result in the grinder becoming inoperative, and in some cases, due to the user’s inability to resolve the issue, necessitate technical service intervention.

[0010] The phenomena contributing to a blockage can stem from various factors. For example, the presence of electrostatic charges on the ground material, generated during the mechanical grinding process, may promote the retention and accumulation of ground material residues along the inner wall of the conveying duct. The same issue can occur due to user error in operating the grinder. For instance, in the case of a coffee grinder connected to a portafilter, the user might mistakenly attach a single-shot filter but select a grinding setting for a double-shot filter. As a result, the excess ground coffee that cannot be accommodated by the filter backs up into the conveying duct, causing a blockage.

[0011] Furthermore, changing the type of product to be ground and / or the grind size may result in ground material that is more prone to accumulating electrostatic charges, making it more likely to adhere to the conveying duct.

[0012] Ground powder particles present in the conveying duct can thus initiate a clogging phenomenon: during one grinding session, a small accumulation of ground material might form, and during subsequent grinding sessions, this accumulation may grow since it is unable to slide downward by gravity. This accumulation could then back up toward the grinder's outlet.

[0013] The dimensions of the conveying duct, such as the angle of descent, cross-sectional area, and material type, also positively or negatively influence the clogging phenomenon.

[0014] The technical challenge addressed by the present invention is, therefore, to create a grinder that eliminates the technical drawbacks reported in prior art.

[0015] Within this technical framework, one objective of the invention is to develop a grinder for grinding vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, that can detect its own abnormal operating conditions or states.

[0016] Another objective of the invention is to create a grinder capable of identifying such anomalies early to prevent damage or downtime.

[0017] A further objective of the invention is to produce a grinder for grinding vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, that is highly reliable and easy to use.

[0018] The technical challenge, along with these and other objectives, is achieved according to the present invention with a grinder for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, comprising a loading hopper for the loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs, an electric motor to drive the relative rotational motion of the burrs, a collection chamber for the ground material equipped with an outlet, a conveying duct for the gravitational flow of ground material from the outlet of the collection chamber to a user interface, and an electronic controller programmed to execute successive grinding cycles, characterized by the fact of including of sensor means to detect the presence of ground material within the conveying duct.

[0019] According to the invention, these sensor means are activated prior to the execution of a grinding cycle.

[0020] According to the invention, these sensor means are activated after the selection of a grinding cycle but before its execution.

[0021] According to the invention, the electronic controller is configured to disable the execution of the grinding cycle in the event of a positive detection of ground material present in the conveying duct exceeding a maximum allowable threshold value.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the presence detection means includes a non-contact sensor. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-contact sensor is a sensor for detecting the fill level within the conveying duct.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the level sensor is a capacitive level sensor.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the non-contact sensor is positioned externally to the conveying duct.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the level sensor is arranged to detect a fill level closer to the outlet end than to the inlet end of the conveying duct.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveying duct is formed by a vertical or downwardsloping tube, externally equipped with a housing for the non-contact sensor. This housing includes a protective cover for the non-contact sensor. In one possible application, the grinder is a stand-alone grinder where the user interface comprises a portafilter with a handle.

[0027] In another possible application, the grinder is integrated into a coffee machine where the user interface comprises a portafilter with a handle.

[0028] In yet another possible application, the grinder is integrated into a coffee machine where the user interface comprises a brewing chamber.

[0029] The present invention also includes a method for controlling a grinder for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or Suits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, comprising a loading hopper for the loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs, an electric motor to drive the relative rotational motion of the burrs, a collection chamber for the ground material equipped with an outlet, a conveying duct for the gravitational flow of ground material from the collection chamber outlet to the user interface, and an electronic controller programmed to execute successive grinding cycles, characterized by the fact of monitoring the presence of ground material within the conveying duct before the execution of a grinding cycle and preventing the grinding cycle in the event of a positive detection of ground material exceeding a maximum allowable threshold value.

[0030] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the grinder, presented by way of example and not limitation in the attached drawings, where:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a disassembled view of the grinder and the conveying duct;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a section view of the conveying duct in an assembly comprising the grinder, the duct, and the user interface, where a moderate accumulation of powder in the conveying duct does not trigger the precautionary blockage of the grinder;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a section view of the conveying duct in an assembly comprising the grinder, the duct, and the user interface, where a significant accumulation of powder in the conveying duct, caused, for example, by an incorrect selection of the grinding cycle relative to the capacity of the filter in the portafilter during a previous grinding cycle, triggers the grinder’s blockage.

[0034] Figure 4 A shows a view of a conveying duct with a sensor.

[0035] Figure 4B shows a view of a conveying duct with a sensor and a protective cover.

[0036] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings, which are part of the description.

[0037] In the drawings, similar reference numbers typically identify similar components unless the context indicates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in this detailed description and shown in the drawings are not intended to be limiting.

[0038] Other embodiments may be used, and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter represented herein.

[0039] The aspects of the present description, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this description.

[0040] With reference to the cited figures, a grinder for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, is shown and is generally indicated by reference number 1.

[0041] The grinder 1 comprises: a loading hopper 10 for loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs 20, a drive motor 30 to rotate the burrs 20 relative to each other, and adjustment means 40 for setting the distance between the burrs 20.

[0042] The grinder 1 also includes a collection chamber 21 for the ground material, equipped with an outlet 22 for the ground material, and a conveying duct 50 for the gravitational flow of ground material.

[0043] The conveying duct 50 has: an inlet 51 near its upper end, connected to the outlet 22 of the collection chamber 21, and an outlet 52 at its lower end corresponding to a user interface 100. As an illustrative, non-limiting example, the figures show a user interface 100 comprising a portafilter 101 with a handle, which can be connected to the head of a brewing group in a coffee machine after being filled with ground coffee.

[0044] The grinder 1 appropriately includes an electronic controller (not shown in the figures), programmed to activate and execute successive grinding cycles with specific characteristics depending on the loose material to be ground and the desired infused beverage specifications.

[0045] Innovatively and advantageously, the grinder 1 includes sensor means 55 for detecting the presence of ground material within the conveying duct 50 for gravitational flow to the user interface 100.

[0046] Appropriately, the sensor means 55 are activated by the electronic controller before the execution of a grinding cycle.

[0047] The electronic controller is configured to disable the execution of the grinding cycle in the grinder 1 if a positive detection confirms the presence of ground material in the conveying duct 50 exceeding a maximum allowable threshold.

[0048] Advantageously, the sensor means 55 include at least one non-contact level sensor 56 for detecting the fill level in the conveying duct 50.

[0049] Favourably, the non-contact level sensor 56 is a capacitive level sensor.

[0050] Appropriately, the sensor means 55, including the non-contact level sensor 56, are positioned externally to the conveying duct 50 and arranged to detect the fill level of ground material near the lower outlet 52.

[0051] Typically, the conveying duct 50 is shaped as a vertical or downward-sloping tube with an external housing for the sensor means 55, which appropriately includes a protective cover 57.

[0052] The operation of the grinder for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, according to the invention, is evident from the description and illustrations and is as follows: The loose material inserted into the loading hopper 10 descends by gravity into the pair of grinding burrs 20, driven by the drive motor 30 and appropriately adjusted by the adjustment means 40 based on the material and desired grind size for the grinding cycle selected and activated by the electronic controller or manually.

[0053] The ground material descends into the collection chamber 21 and, through the outlet 22, connected to the inlet 51, passes into the conveying duct 50, where it descends by gravitational flow toward the lower outlet 52 at the end, corresponding to the user interface 100.

[0054] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the sensor 56 is positioned at a level LI within the conveying duct 50 and can detect when the accumulation of ground material progressively rising within the conveying duct 50 from its outlet 52 reaches or exceeds level LI.

[0055] In Figure 2, a portafilter 101 is associated with the conveying duct 50 before the execution of a grinding cycle selected by the user. In this case, the conveying duct 50 is in a non-anomalous condition, appearing mostly clear, with at most a modest accumulation of material 53 near the outlet 52, which remains below the maximum allowable threshold level detectable by the level sensor 56.

[0056] When the user selects the grinding cycle, prior to its execution, the electronic controller activates the level sensor 56, which determines that the accumulation of material 53 near the outlet 52 has not reached the pre-set maximum allowable threshold level LI. The electronic controller then commands the execution of the grinding cycle.

[0057] Again, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, referring to Figure 3, a portafilter 101 is shown associated with the conveying duct 50 before the execution of a grinding cycle selected by the user. Here, the conveying duct 50 is in an anomalous condition, being completely clogged with ground material. When the user selects the grinding cycle, prior to its execution, the electronic controller activates the level sensor 56, which determines that the accumulation of material 53 near the outlet 52 has reached or exceeded the pre-set maximum allowable threshold level LI . In this case, the electronic controller does not command the execution of the grinding cycle selected by the user.

[0058] The user is appropriately alerted and can favorably perform a cleaning of the conveying duct 50 before the clogging of ground material causes further damage to the grinder 1.

[0059] Intermediate situations between the cases exemplified in Figures 2 and 3 are operationally possible: the execution of the grinding cycle remains conditional on the accumulation level of material 53 within the conveying duct 50 being below the pre-set maximum allowable threshold level determined by the electronic controller.

[0060] Consistently and innovatively, the present invention also protects a method for controlling the grinder that includes the step of preventing the execution of the grinding cycle if it is determined that the accumulation level of ground material exceeds or equals a maximum allowable threshold. Advantageously, feedback can be provided through the interface of the machine or grinder to the user, highlighting the presence of ground material in the conveying duct 50.

[0061] This interface can, for example, be a display that graphically or textually communicates the feedback generated from the readings of the sensor means detecting the presence of ground material within the conveying duct 50.

[0062] Such feedback can be triggered upon the accumulation level of material inside the duct exceeding a certain threshold or independently of reaching the threshold.

[0063] It has been practically observed that a grinder for grinding vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, according to the invention, is particularly advantageous due to its system for recognizing abnormal clogging conditions within the conveying duct for ground material. Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a grinder capable of recognizing abnormal clogging conditions in the conveying duct above a pre-set maximum threshold and interrupting the grinding operation. This feature prevents conditions that could render the grinder inoperative and eliminate the need for subsequent service at a technical assistance centre. A grinder for grinding vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, designed as described, is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims. Additionally, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Grinder (1) for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, comprising: a loading hopper (10) for the loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs (20), an electric motor (30) for driving the relative rotational motion of said burrs (20), a collection chamber (21) for the ground material with an outlet (22) for the ground material, a conveying duct (50) for the gravitational flow of ground material from said outlet (22) of said collection chamber (21) to a user interface (100), and an electronic controller programmed for executing successive grinding cycles, characterized by the fact of including sensor means (55) for detecting the presence of ground material within said conveying duct (50).

2. Grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said electronic controller is programmed to activate said sensor means before the execution of a grinding cycle.

3. Grinder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said electronic controller is programmed to activate said sensor means after the selection of a grinding cycle.

4. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said electronic controller is configured to disable the execution of the grinding cycle if said sensor means (55) detect a level of ground material within said conveying duct (50) not less than a maximum allowable threshold.

5. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said sensor means (55) for detecting presence include at least one non-contact level sensor (56).

6. Grinder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said non-contact level sensor (56) is a capacitive level sensor.

7. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said sensor means (55) for detecting the presence of ground material are positioned externally to said conveying duct (50).

8. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said sensor means (55) for detecting the presence of ground material are arranged to detect the level of ground material near the lower outlet (52) of said conveying duct (50).

9. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said conveying duct (50) is configured as a vertical or downward-sloping tube with an external housing for said sensor means (55).

10. Grinder (1) according to any preceding claim, in a stand-alone configuration, where said user interface (100) includes at least one portafilter (101) with a handle.

11. Coffee machine incorporating a grinder (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, where said user interface (100) includes at least one portafilter (101) with a handle.

12. Coffee machine incorporating a grinder (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, where said user interface (100) includes a brewing chamber.

13. Coffee machine according to either claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it includes a user interface providing feedback on the presence of ground material in said conveying duct (50).

14. Method for controlling a grinder for grinding loose material, including vegetable seeds or fruits, particularly but not exclusively coffee beans, comprising: a loading hopper for the loose material to be ground, a pair of grinding burrs, an electric motor for driving the relative rotational motion of said burrs, a collection chamber for the ground material with an outlet, a conveying duct for the gravitational flow of ground material from the outlet of the collection chamber to a user interface, and an electronic controller programmed for executing successive grinding cycles, characterized by monitoring the level of ground material accumulation within the conveying duct before executing a grinding cycle and preventing the grinding cycle in case the level of ground material accumulation is detected not less than a maximum allowable threshold.

15. Method for controlling a grinder for grinding loose material according to the preceding claim, characterized in that monitoring said level of ground material accumulation within the conveying duct is performed using sensor means for detecting presence, including at least one capacitive-type non-contact level sensor.

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