Coffee maker equipped with safety device at the opening of the lid of the coffee bean hopper

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic coffee machine comprising a coffee bean chute for feeding coffee beans to a grinder, the coffee bean chute comprising an upper opening covered by a removable lid, the coffee machine comprising a safety device for the safety of the presence of the lid on the upper opening, the safety device comprising a safety lever extending from the edge of the lid and a switch equipped with a pusher, the pusher being movable between an activated position, which authorizes the operation of the grinder, and a deactivated position, which prohibits the operation of the grinder, the safety lever comprising a bearing member cooperating with a bearing surface of the pusher in the activated position. According to the invention, the safety lever extends transversely to a plane P tangent to the lid, and the lid is rotatably movable on the coffee bean chute about an axis Δ tangent to the edge of the lid and passing through the engagement zone of the safety lever, the bearing member of the safety lever being dimensioned so as to decouple from the bearing surface of the pusher when the lid placed on the coffee bean chute is pivoted about the axis Δ by an angular value greater than 20° and thus moves the pusher to the deactivated position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the general technical field of an automatic coffee machine including a coffee bean hopper for supplying coffee beans to a grinder equipped with a grinding wheel, and more specifically to an automatic coffee machine including a coffee bean hopper equipped with a removable cover. Background Technology

[0002] Document FR2901114 discloses an automatic coffee machine comprising a coffee grinder hopper for supplying coffee grounds to a brewing chamber. The coffee bean hopper includes an upper opening covered by a removable lid to prevent access to the electric grinder blades. The coffee machine includes a safety device for securing the lid in the upper opening, the safety device comprising a safety lever and a switch equipped with a pusher. The safety lever extends from the edge of the lid, and the pusher is movable between an active position, in which the lid is in the coffee bean hopper and the safety lever acts on the pusher and the switch, the switch allowing operation of the electric grinder blades; in the deactivated position, the lid is removed from the coffee bean hopper and the switch deactivates the electric grinder blades. The safety lever includes a support member that engages with a support surface of the pusher in the active position. To remove the lid, the user should pivot the lid about a vertical axis and then lift the lid.

[0003] Therefore, this device only works for round caps, where the safety bar extends in the plane of the cap. Furthermore, the procedure for removing the cap is complicated. In practice, the user must pivot the cap about its vertical axis and then lift it. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and provide an automatic coffee machine that is simple to implement, ergonomic, and ensures user safety.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic coffee machine that is simple in design and economical to implement.

[0006] These objectives are achieved using an automatic coffee machine comprising a coffee bean hopper for feeding coffee beans to a grinder, the coffee bean hopper including an upper opening covered by a removable lid, the coffee machine including a safety device for securing the lid in the upper opening, the safety device including a safety lever and a switch equipped with a pusher, the safety lever extending from the edge of the lid, the pusher being movable between an active position and a deactivated position, in which the lid is present on the coffee bean hopper and the safety lever acts on the pusher and the switch, the switch allowing the grinder to operate, and in the deactivated position, the lid is removed from the coffee bean hopper. The switch disables the grinder, and the safety lever includes a support member that engages with a support surface of the pusher in the activated position. The safety lever extends transversely to a plane P inscribed within the cover, and the cover is rotatably movable on the coffee bean trough about an axis Δ tangent to the edge of the cover and passing through the engagement area of ​​the safety lever and the plane P. The support member of the safety lever is sized to decouple from the support surface of the pusher when the cover, placed on the coffee bean trough, pivots about the axis Δ by an angle greater than 20°, thus moving the pusher to the deactivated position.

[0007] Understandably, the cover equipped with the safety bar is placed over the opening without a fixed point to allow direct upward emptying of the cover. However, this design permits unauthorized use in which the user can pivot the cover about axis Δ. Therefore, the safety device is sized to prevent the grinder from operating beyond the pivoting of the cover about axis Δ, a pivot sufficient to release the channel that would allow the grinding wheel to reach the user's fingers. Thus, it is perfectly safe for the user to remove the cover by rotating it and then moving it upward.

[0008] The safety bar, which extends laterally to the plane P inscribed inside the cover, allows the pusher to be integrated into the automatic coffee machine, and thus prevents the pusher from touching the user.

[0009] Advantageously, the safety bar mates with a receiving portion equipped with a hole disposed on the upper wall of the automatic coffee machine.

[0010] Advantageously, the cover and the opening have a rectangular shape, and the axis Δ extends along the larger side of the rectangular shape.

[0011] Advantageously, the axis Δ extends along the edge formed by the larger side of the rectangular shape.

[0012] Preferably, the safety bar extends perpendicularly to the cover on the edge oriented toward the user.

[0013] User orientation can be understood as the safety bar being arranged as close to the user as possible so that it is visible to the user.

[0014] Therefore, it is convenient to place the cover on the automatic coffee machine, and in particular to insert the safety lever into the receiving portion arranged in the upper wall.

[0015] Advantageously, the actuator can be translated Δ parallel to the axis.

[0016] Therefore, the actuator extends very little into the interior of the automatic coffee machine to facilitate the integration of other components.

[0017] Preferably, the automatic coffee machine includes an upper wall with an opening arranged therein, the opening being designed to receive the safety lever, and the axis Δ is horizontal.

[0018] Advantageously, the cover is disposed on the upper wall, within the opening. Therefore, the cover can be integrated without extending beyond the upper wall.

[0019] Preferably, the support member is formed by a rectangular vertical wall arranged perpendicular to the axis Δ, and the support surface has a trapezoidal shape.

[0020] Advantageously, the safety device includes a reset device for resetting the actuator to the deactivated position.

[0021] Therefore, returning to the safe deactivation position is automatic.

[0022] Preferably, the cover includes a gripping area arranged near the safety bar.

[0023] Therefore, in order to remove the cover, the user is prompted to grasp the cover through the gripping area and lift the cover equipped with the safety bar upward, rather than attempting to pivot the cover about the axis Δ.

[0024] Advantageously, the grinder includes a fixed grinding wheel and a rotatable movable grinding wheel, and the coffee bean trough includes a conduit for accessing the fixed grinding wheel and the movable grinding wheel in the absence of obstructions.

[0025] The safety device used to secure the cover over the upper opening allows for protection of the user's fingers from touching the grinding wheel even in the presence of obstructions. Therefore, there is no risk of coffee beans getting stuck at the grinder's inlet or above the guide tubes of the fixed and movable grinding wheels.

[0026] Preferably, the automatic coffee machine includes a control system connected to the switch to enable or disable the grinder. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will be better understood by studying the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are by no means limiting, in the following ways:

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of an automatic coffee machine according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown, the automatic coffee machine including a safety device for securing the presence of a cover over the upper opening of the coffee bean hopper.

[0029] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The automatic coffee machine shown is a bottom view along line II-II of the coffee bean hopper, grinder, lid, and safety device for securing the lid, with the lid in a pivoted position and the pusher in a deactivated position.

[0030] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The top view along direction III of the cross-sectional perspective of the automatic coffee machine shown is a safety device for securing the presence of the lid, with the lid removed.

[0031] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 The top view along direction III of the cross-sectional perspective of the automatic coffee machine shown is a safety device for securing the presence of the lid, with the lid placed over the opening and the pusher in the active position.

[0032] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 The top view along direction III of the cross-sectional perspective of the safety device for securing the presence of the lid of the automatic coffee machine shown, wherein the lid is in a pivoted state and the pusher is in a deactivated position. Detailed Implementation

[0033] It should be noted that in this manual, the terms "horizontal," "vertical," "lower," "upper," "longitudinal," "lateral," "higher," and "lower" used to describe automatic coffee machines refer to the condition in which the machine is placed on the work surface during use.

[0034] exist Figures 1 to 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the automatic coffee machine 1 includes a frame 5 equipped with a base 6 designed to rest on a work surface. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a reservoir 2 forming a cold water supply unit, and the brewing unit is equipped with a coffee bean grinder 10 (…). Figure 2The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a brewing chamber (not shown) that supplies coffee grounds. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a pressure piston (not shown) that compresses the grounds in the brewing chamber to form a coffee cake that is discharged into the cake tray 7. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a coffee dispensing head 3. Figure 1 The coffee dispensing head 3 includes a coffee outlet connected to the brewing chamber and is positioned above the cup holder 4. The dispensing head 3 is vertically movable to allow the user to adjust the position of the coffee outlet to the height of the cup. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a coffee bean hopper 50 positioned above the grinder 10. The coffee bean hopper 50 includes an upper opening 51 for loading coffee beans. The upper opening 51 is located on the upper wall 8 of the frame 2. The upper opening 51 is covered by a removable cover 52.

[0035] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, the grinder 10 includes a movable grinding wheel 11 and a fixed grinding wheel 12. The movable grinding wheel 11 is driven to rotate along the axis θ by means of a motor 14 and a transmission system 15 of pinion and gear type. This rotation of the movable grinding wheel 11 relative to the fixed grinding wheel 12 allows for the grinding of coffee beans.

[0036] The coffee bean trough 50 includes a funnel-shaped bottom 52 that terminates in a conduit 54 for access to the fixed grinding wheel 12 and the movable grinding wheel 11. The conduit 54 is free of obstructions to facilitate the descent of coffee beans towards the fixed grinding wheel 12 and the movable grinding wheel 11, and provides easy access to them once the cover 40 is removed.

[0037] The upper wall 8 of the automatic coffee machine 1 includes a rear portion, within which a frame 60 for receiving a lid 40 is arranged. The lid 40 is integrated into the upper wall 8. The lid 40 and the upper wall 8 pass through a horizontal plane P. Figure 1 The lid 40 and opening 51 are rectangular in shape. The coffee bean hopper 50 is positioned below the frame 60. The frame 60 is adjusted to the opening 51 of the coffee bean hopper 50. The lid 40 is placed on the frame 60 and can be completely removed to allow coffee beans to be loaded into the coffee bean hopper 50. The complete removal of the lid 40 also allows the automatic coffee machine 1 to be positioned in a kitchen with a limited height above the integrated work surface, which does not allow the rotating hinged lid to be fully opened.

[0038] according to Figures 2 to 5 The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a safety device for ensuring the presence of the lid 40 over the opening 51 of the coffee bean hopper 50. The safety device includes a safety lever 30 and a switch 16 equipped with a movable pusher 20, the safety lever 30 being positioned from the edge 41 of the lid 40. Figure 2 The movable actuator 20 extends and is arranged below the frame 60 and the upper wall 8. The frame 60 includes a hole 61. Figure 2 and Figure 3The safety lever 30 can be removed or inserted through the hole 61 to engage with the pusher 30. A receiving portion 62 is positioned below the frame 60 to allow the safety lever 30 to be inserted. The pusher 20 is movable between an active position and a deactivated position. In the active position, the cover 40 is placed on the coffee bean hopper 50 and the safety lever 30 acts on the pusher 20 to close the switch 16. In the deactivated position, the cover 40 is removed from the coffee bean hopper 50 and the safety lever 30 releases the pusher 20 to disconnect the switch 16.

[0039] Safety bar 30 is perpendicular to cover 40 ( Figure 4 The safety bar 30 extends downwards. It extends from an edge 41 formed by the larger side of a rectangle closest to the user. Edge 41 extends in direction D. The safety bar 30 includes a vertical wall 31 of a rectangular shape extending perpendicular to direction D and a rib 32 backing onto the vertical wall 31, which extends along edge 41 in direction D. The vertical wall forms a support member for the safety bar 30. The vertical wall 31 includes a lower edge 33.

[0040] The pusher 20 is slidably disposed below the frame 60. The pusher 20 extends along direction D. The pusher 20 includes a first free end 21, which includes a support surface 22 extending transversely to direction D in a vertical manner. The support surface 22 is connected by an inclined surface 23 (…). Figure 3 The actuator extends upwards. A switch 16 is arranged beside the actuator 20, below the frame 60. The switch 16 includes a start / stop button 17, which is operated by a lever 18. The actuator 20 includes a side arm 24 that extends laterally to the direction D below the frame 60. The side arm 24 presses the lever 18 into an active position to bring the button 17 to the open position, and releases the lever 18 into a deactivated position to bring the button 17 to the stop position. A safety device includes means for resetting the actuator 20 to the deactivated position, the reset means being formed by a spring 29. The actuator 20 includes a second end 25 on which the spring 29 acts.

[0041] As in Figure 4 As can be seen, when the cover 40 rests on the frame 60 and the opening 51 of the coffee bean hopper 50 is closed, the support member of the safety bar formed by the vertical wall 31 engages with the support surface 22 of the pusher 20 in the active position. The lower edge 33 of the vertical wall 31 is designed to engage with the inclined surface 23 of the pusher 20 when the pusher 20 moves from the deactivated position to the active position, or vice versa.

[0042] As in Figure 2 and Figure 5As can be seen, the lid 40 can move on the rotating coffee bean trough 50, and particularly on the frame 60, about an axis Δ tangent to the edge 41 of the lid. The axis Δ extends parallel to direction D and passes through the engagement area 42 between the safety bar 30 and the lid 40. Figure 2 The support member of the safety bar 30 formed by the vertical wall 31 is sized such that when the cover 40, placed on the frame 60 covering the coffee bean trough 50, pivots about the axis Δ at an angle value α greater than 20°, it disengages from the support surface 22 of the pusher 20. Therefore, the pusher 20 moves to the deactivated position. The support surface formed by the vertical wall 31 includes a side edge 34 that is vertical when the cover 40 is placed flat on the frame 60, and that the side edge 34 tilts as the cover 40 pivots about the axis Δ. The support surface 22 of the pusher 20 has a trapezoidal shape. Figure 3 The trapezoidal shape includes a large base 26 arranged downwards and a hypotenuse 27 with an angle α equal to 20° relative to the vertical direction. When the cover 40 pivots at an angle greater than or equal to 20°, the hypotenuse 27 aligns with the side edge 34 of the vertical wall 31 of the safety bar 30. Therefore, the vertical wall 31 is offset relative to the support surface 22, and the spring 29 moves the pusher 20 from the active position to the deactivated position.

[0043] As in Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the cover 40 includes a gripping area 55 arranged along the edge 41 near the safety bar 30. The frame 60 includes a cavity 63 arranged laterally to the gripping area 55, which allows the user's fingers to pass through to grip and lift the cover 40.

[0044] Automatic coffee machine 1 includes control circuit 70 ( Figure 1 The control circuit 70 is used to control and manage the preparation cycle of brewed beverages, particularly coffee. The control circuit 70 is connected to a safety device via switch 16 to control or disable the operation of the grinder 10.

[0045] During operation, a user wishing to remove the cover 40 grasps the gripping area 55 by sliding their thumb into the cavity 63 to hold it between their thumb and forefinger. The user lifts the cover 40 and the safety bar 30. Consequently, the vertical wall 31 of the safety bar 30 slides on the support surface 22 until it is completely disengaged from it. The pusher 20 moves from the activated position to the deactivated position under the action of the spring 29, and the lower edge 33 of the vertical wall 31 slides on the inclined surface 23 as the cover 40 moves away from the frame 60. In the deactivated position, the pusher 20 releases the button 17 of the switch 16, which is in the stop position. The control circuit 70 then prevents the grinder 10 from starting. To replace the cover 40, the user inserts the safety bar 30 into the hole 61 to reach the receiving portion 62 while keeping the cover 40 substantially flat. The lower edge 33 of the vertical wall 31 slides on the inclined surface 23 by retracting the latch 20 from a deactivated position to an activated position, and then the vertical wall 31 slides against the support surface 22 to secure the pusher 20 in the activated position. In the activated position, the pusher 20 presses the button 17 of the switch 16, which is in the start position. The control circuit 70 then allows the grinder 10 to be started to produce a coffee-based beverage.

[0046] The user can also remove the lid 40 by pivoting it about an axis Δ aligned with the edge 41. As the lid 40 rotates, the vertical wall 31 slides on the support surface 22 until the side edge 34 aligns with the inclined edge 27. The pusher 20 then moves from the active position to the deactivated position. The user can then grip the lid 40 securely by sliding their fingers under the lid 40 toward the interior of the coffee bean trough 50.

[0047] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of example only. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, especially from the viewpoint of the construction of various elements or by substituting technical equivalents.

[0048] In one implementation variant, the actuator is arranged vertically.

Claims

1. An automatic coffee machine (1) comprising a coffee bean hopper (50) for feeding coffee beans to a grinder (10), the coffee bean hopper (50) including an upper opening (51) covered by a removable cover (40), the coffee machine (1) including safety devices (16, 20, 30) for detecting the presence of the cover (40) on the upper opening (51), the safety devices (16, 20, 30) including a safety lever (30) and a switch (16) equipped with a pusher (20), the safety lever (30) extending from an edge (41) of the cover (40), the pusher (20) being detachable in an active position and deactivated. The grinder moves between active and inactive positions. In the active position, the cover (40) is on the coffee bean hopper (50), and the safety lever (30) acts on the pusher (20) and the switch (16), which allows the grinder (10) to operate. In the deactivated position, the cover (40) is removed from the coffee bean hopper (50), and the switch (16) disables the grinder (10). The safety lever (30) includes a support member that engages with a support surface (22) of the pusher (20) in the active position. The safety bar (30) extends transversely to the plane P inscribed within the cover (40), and the cover (40) is rotatably movable on the coffee bean trough (50) about an axis Δ that is tangent to the edge (41) of the cover (40) and passes through the junction area (42) of the safety bar (30) and the plane P. The support member of the safety bar (30) is sized such that when the cover (40) placed on the coffee bean trough (50) pivots about the axis Δ by an angle greater than 20°, and thus moves the pusher (20) to the deactivated position, the support member is decoupled from the support surface (22) of the pusher (20).

2. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover (40) and opening (51) have a rectangular shape, and the axis Δ extends along the edge formed by the larger side (41) of the rectangular shape.

3. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The safety bar (30) extends perpendicularly to the cover (40) on the edge (41) toward the user.

4. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The actuator (20) can be translated Δ parallel to the axis.

5. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The automatic coffee machine (1) includes an upper wall (8), the opening (51) is arranged in the upper wall (8), and the axis Δ is horizontal.

6. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support member is formed by a rectangular vertical wall (31) arranged perpendicular to the axis Δ, and the support surface (22) has a trapezoidal shape.

7. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The safety devices (16, 20, 30) include a reset device (29) for resetting the pusher (20) to the deactivated position.

8. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cover (40) includes a gripping area (55) located near the safety bar (30).

9. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The grinder (10) includes a fixed grinding wheel (12) and a rotatable movable grinding wheel (11), and the coffee bean trough (50) includes a conduit (54) for accessing the fixed grinding wheel (12) and the movable grinding wheel (11) in the absence of obstructions.

10. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The automatic coffee machine (1) includes a control system (70) connected to the switch (16) to enable or disable the operation of the grinder (10).

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