Device for grinding grains or beans

Abstract

The device (1) for grinding grains or beans comprises: a loading hopper (2) for bulk material to be ground, an electric motor (3), a pair of grinders (4) driven in relative rotation by said electric motor (3), a collection chamber (5) for ground material with a lateral outlet opening (6), an external gravity-fed conveying duct (7) connected to the outlet opening (6) of the collection chamber (5), a paddle disc (8) positioned in the collection chamber (5) and driven in rotation by said motor (3) to direct the ground material toward said outlet opening (6) of the collection chamber (5), and an ion generator equipped with ion-emitting electrodes (9) aimed at the ground material discharged from the outlet opening (6), wherein said ion-emitting electrodes (9) are positioned facing said conveying duct (7), externally to both the collection chamber (5) and the conveying duct (7).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR GRINDING GRAINS OR BEANS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for grinding grains or beans, commonly used in coffee machines to obtain coffee infusion from coffee beans or used in coffee grinders to produce ground coffee from coffee beans.

[0004] In some versions, such devices comprise a motor, a rotating grinder, and a non-rotating grinder, coaxially positioned with a vertical axis. The motor drives the rotating grinder, while the vertical position of the non-rotating grinder can be adjusted to regulate the fineness of the grind.

[0005] After grinding, the ground coffee is usually collected in a collection chamber and directed toward an outlet of the collection chamber by a rotating paddle disc. The collection chamber is connected to a conveying duct, which delivers the ground coffee by gravitational fall to the housing where the coffee will be brewed.

[0006] Following the grinding process, the ground coffee acquires an electrostatic charge due to the friction between the two grinders. This charge can be either positive or negative, depending on the type of roast, the type of coffee, or the level of humidity present.

[0007] Due to this charge buildup, part of the ground coffee tends to stick to the walls of the conveying duct, sometimes causing clogging, which disrupts the passage of the ground coffee.

[0008] Additionally, the electrostatic charge acquired by the ground coffee can lead to further issues, such as finer grounds taking longer to fall through the conveying duct than coarser grounds. This results in uneven distribution of the ground coffee in the brewing chamber, ultimately producing a lower- quality coffee.

[0009] Moreover, this electrostatic charge causes particle scattering due to like-charged particles repelling each other, leading to unwanted dispersion and contamination of the surrounding environment.

[0010] To address these issues, Utility Model CN 216167010 U suggests placing two electrodes inside the outlet opening. Specifically, it proposes using one negative electrode and one grounded electrode. While this solution mitigates known issues, the efficiency of the ion generators is reduced because the electrodes become dirty due to exposure to the coffee flow. Additionally, producing only negatively charged ions fails to cover all coffee types on the market.

[0011] Furthermore, electrodes positioned this way obstruct the flow of ground coffee from the collection chamber.

[0012] Utility Model CN 217365512 U suggests using the same solution as the previous model but with two oppositely charged electrodes — one positive and one negative — without grounding. This solution further mitigates the known issues but, like the previous model, the electrodes still obstruct the flow of ground coffee, and the ion generators’ efficiency remains suboptimal.

[0013] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to create a device for grinding grains or beans that eliminates the technical drawbacks of known methods.

[0014] As part of this technical task, one objective of the invention is to create a device for grinding grains or beans that improves the efficiency of ion generators.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is to create a device for grinding grains or beans that facilitates the evacuation of coffee dust from the collection chamber, thereby preventing clogging.

[0016] The technical task, as well as these and other objectives, according to the present invention, are achieved by creating a device for grinding grains or beans comprising: a loading hopper for bulk material to be ground, an electric motor, a pair of grinders driven in relative rotation by the electric motor, a collection chamber for the ground material with a lateral outlet opening, an external gravity-fed conveying duct connected to the outlet opening of the collection chamber, a paddle disc positioned in the collection chamber and driven in rotation by the electric motor to direct the ground material toward the outlet opening of the collection chamber, and an ion generator equipped with ion-emitting electrodes aimed at the ground material discharged from the outlet opening, characterized by the fact that the ion-emitting electrodes are positioned facing the conveying duct externally to both the collection chamber and the conveying duct. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are positioned above the conveying duct at a certain vertical distance above the outlet opening of the collection chamber.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are inclined downward toward the outlet opening.

[0018] Unlike prior art, where the ion generator is placed directly inside the collection chamber for the ground material , or in its lateral outlet opening, or the external gravity- fed conveying duct, where anyway the electrodes responsible for creating the ionization corona effect are directly exposed to the coffee dust, according to the present invention the electrodes are positioned in a clean area where they are not contaminated by coffee dust, ensuring that the ionization effectiveness is not compromised.

[0019] Additionally, since the dielectric between the electrodes is air rather than coffee dust, the present invention prevents further negative effects related to the efficiency of static discharge.

[0020] Other features of the present invention are also defined in the subsequent claims.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the device for grinding grains or beans according to the invention, illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows the grain or bean grinding device as a whole;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1, particularly highlighting the area where the electrodes are positioned;

[0024] Figure 3 shows the support body containing the conveying duct;

[0025] Figure 4 presents a cross-section of the support body shown in Figure 3.

[0026] Referring to the cited figures, a device for grinding grains or beans is shown overall with reference number 1.

[0027] The grinding device 1 includes a loading hopper 2 for bulk material to be ground, an electric motor 3, and a pair of grinders 4 driven in relative rotation by the electric motor 3. The pair of grinders 4 consists of a rotating grinder 15 and a non-rotating grinder 16, coaxially arranged.

[0028] The grinders are positioned one inside the other.

[0029] The non-rotating grinder 16 is translatable along the grinder axis to adjust the grind size.

[0030] The device 1 also includes a collection chamber 5 of the ground material located beneath the grinders 4.

[0031] The collection chamber 5 has a lateral outlet opening 6 for the ground material.

[0032] An external gravity-fed conveying duct 7 is connected to the outlet opening 6 of the collection chamber 5.

[0033] Inside the collection chamber 5, there is a rotating paddle disc 8. By rotating the paddle disc 8, the ground material is directed toward the outlet opening 6 of the collection chamber 5.

[0034] The paddle disc 8, coaxial with the grinders, rotates together with the rotating grinder 15.

[0035] The device 1 features an ion generator equipped with ion-emitting electrodes 9 aimed at the ground material discharged from the outlet opening 6.

[0036] The electrodes 9 consist of a negative electrode and a positive electrode to emit oppositely charged ions.

[0037] These ion-emitting electrodes 9 are advantageously positioned facing the conveying duct 7, externally to both the collection chamber 5 and the conveying duct 7.

[0038] More specifically, the electrodes 9 are placed above the conveying duct 7, at a vertical distance d above the outlet opening 6 of the collection chamber 5.

[0039] Additionally, the electrodes 9 are inclined downward toward the outlet opening 6 of the collection chamber 5.

[0040] The electrodes 9 are located diametrically opposite the conveying duct 7, relative to the outlet opening 6. The cross-section of the conveying duct 7 has a larger diameter oriented perpendicularly to the ground material flow direction as it exits the outlet opening 6 of the collection chamber 5.

[0041] The electrodes 9 are positioned equidistantly from this larger diameter of the conveying duct 7’s cross-section.

[0042] The conveying duct 7 is formed within a support body 10, which includes a connection fitting 11 for connecting the conveying duct 7 to the outlet opening 6.

[0043] The support body 10 also contains a housing chamber 12 for the electrodes 9.

[0044] The housing chamber 12 is covered by a removable lid for electrode 9 access, replacement, and inspection.

[0045] This housing chamber 12 directly communicates with the conveying duct 7.

[0046] The connection fitting 11 has a removable plug connector 13 for attachment to the outlet opening 6.

[0047] The support body 10 also features an upper access opening 14 to the conveying duct 7, allowing for cleaning and inspection of the duct 7.

[0048] The grinding device 1 , as described, can be integrated into a coffee machine with a brewing circuit featuring a water source or water connection, a supply pump, a boiler, and a brewing head connected sequentially. In this configuration, the grinding device 1 can dispense the ground material into a brewing chamber already engaged with the brewing head or into a separate brewing chamber to be engaged later.

[0049] Alternatively, the grinding device 1 can be a standalone unit and, in such a case, may be positioned alongside a coffee machine.

[0050] It has been practically demonstrated that the grinding device 1, according to the invention, offers significant advantages due to its improved electrode 9 efficiency.

[0051] This increased efficiency results from the less compact flow of ground material in the conveying duct 7 due to its larger cross-section and the higher speed generated by gravity- fed movement. As a result, the ions emitted by the electrodes 9 can interact more uniformly with the ground material flow passing beneath them.

[0052] Since the electrodes 9 act on a gravity-fed flow rather than being embedded within the outlet opening 6, they can more effectively reach all ground material particles.

[0053] Previously, areas farther from the electrodes 9 might not have been adequately exposed to emitted ions.

[0054] With the solution provided by the present invention, featuring electrodes 9 facing the conveying duct 7, all ground material particles can be reached.

[0055] The ions emitted by the electrodes 9 allow the ground material to lose much, if not all, of the electrostatic charge acquired from friction during grinding.

[0056] The ground material can thus travel through the entire conveying duct 7 without sticking or accumulating on the walls.

[0057] Additionally, since the electrodes 9 are not positioned inside the area where the ground material passes, they do not obstruct the flow.

[0058] As a result, the flow remains more uniform, encountering no obstacles along its path.

[0059] The grain or bean grinding device 1 , designed in this manner, is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0060] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be chosen freely based on requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (1) for grinding grains or beans, comprising a loading hopper (2) for bulk material to be ground, an electric motor (3), a pair of grinders (4) driven in relative rotation by said electric motor (3), a collection chamber (5) for ground material with a lateral outlet opening (6), an external gravity-fed conveying duct (7) connected to the outlet opening (6) of the collection chamber (5), a paddle disc (8) positioned in the collection chamber (5) and driven in rotation by said motor (3) to direct the ground material toward said outlet opening (6) of the collection chamber (5), and an ion generator equipped with ion-emitting electrodes (9) aimed at the ground material discharged from the outlet opening (6), characterized by the fact that said ion-emitting electrodes (9) are positioned facing said conveying duct (7), externally to both the collection chamber (5) and the conveying duct (7).

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said electrodes (9) are positioned above the conveying duct (7) at a certain vertical distance (d) above the outlet opening (6) of the collection chamber (5).

3. Device (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said electrodes(9) are inclined downward toward said outlet opening (6).

4. Device (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said electrodes(9) are arranged diametrically opposite the conveying duct (7) relative to said outlet opening (6).

5. Device (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized by comprising a support body(10) where said conveying duct (7) is formed, said support body (10) including a connection fitting(11) connecting said conveying duct (7) to said outlet opening (6) and a housing chamber (12) for said electrodes (9) in direct communication with said conveying duct (7).

6. Device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized by the fact that said connection fitting (11) includes a removable plug connector (13) for attachment to said outlet opening (6).

7. Device (1) according to Claims 6 and 7, characterized by the fact that said support body(10) includes an upper access opening (14) to the conveying duct (7).

8. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said electrodes (9) include a negative electrode and a positive electrode to emit ions with opposite charges.

9. Device (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the pair of grinders (4) comprises a rotating grinder (15) and a non-rotating grinder (16), coaxially arranged and positioned one inside the other, where the non-rotating grinder (16) is translatable along the grinder axis to adjust the grind size, and where the collection chamber (5) is positioned beneath the pair of grinders (4).

10. Coffee machine, characterized by including a device (1) for grinding grains or beans according to any preceding claim

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