Loose Product Dispensers

Abstract

The dispenser for loose products (1) comprises a container (2) and a sensor (3) having a light shielding barrier (5) for detecting the presence of loose products in the container (2), the sensor (3) comprising an emitter (4) configured to generate a light beam of the light shielding barrier (5) between an entry point (7) and an exit point (8) of the container (2), and a receiver (6) of the light beam, the sensor (3) further comprising an electronic board (9) on which both the receiver (6) and the emitter (4) are mounted, and a light guide (10) configured and arranged to transmit the light beam collected from the exit point (8) to the receiver (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a loose product dispenser comprising a container and a light barrier sensor for detecting the presence of a loose product in the container.

[0002] The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the coffee machine industry, wherein the container, more precisely, is a hopper for unloading the coffee beans into a grinder for feeding the ground coffee into an infusion chamber which, after receiving the load of ground coffee, is closed and subjected to a flow of hot water for infusing the coffee which is then dispensed into cups.

[0003] Light barrier sensors having an IR transmitter positioned at a transparent point of the hopper and an IR receiver positioned at a diametrically opposite transparent point of the hopper are known in the coffee machine industry.

[0004] These sensors have some drawbacks, mainly concerning the correct alignment between transmitter and receiver, which greatly complicates the assembly step.

[0005] Furthermore, in an assembly line, each time the hopper model to be sensed is changed, the correct alignment between the transmitter and receiver must be re-established and verified.

[0006] Furthermore, the high cost of the sensors and the costs associated with their assembly limit their implementation in high-end coffee machines.The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a dispenser for loose products that eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] As part of the technical task, the object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for loose products which is structurally simplified, robust, reliable and precise, economical and easy to assemble.

[0008] According to the invention, the technical task and this and other objects are achieved by providing a loose product dispenser comprising a container and a sensor for detecting the presence of loose products in the container, the sensor comprising a transmitter configured and arranged to generate a light beam passing through a light shielding barrier of the container between an entry point and an exit point, and a receiver of the light beam, characterized in that the sensor also comprises an electronic board on which both the receiver and the transmitter are mounted, and a light guide configured and arranged to transmit the light beam collected from the exit point to the receiver.

[0009] There are many advantages to integrating the transmitter and receiver into a single electronic board.

[0010] Traditionally, the transmitter and receiver each have a dedicated printed circuit, and the fact that the sensor uses only one printed circuit greatly reduces its cost.

[0011] Since the transmitter and receiver are integrated on a single support, it is no longer necessary to align them during assembly.

[0012] Since the transmitter and receiver are automatically aligned, productivity on the assembly line is increased.

[0013] Even if the container model on the assembly line is changed, there is no negative impact on productivity, as it is sufficient to simply replace the light guide.

[0014] The drastic reduction in overall cost allows the sensor to be implemented in any range of machines.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the light guide comprises a longitudinally extending body.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinally extending body has a first end optically coupled to the exit point of the light beam and a second end optically coupled to the receiver.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, a removable fixing means for the light guide is provided.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the removable fixing means are provided at both ends of the longitudinally extending body.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, said longitudinally extending body is formed by a profiled rod.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the profiled rod is in the shape of a round rod having straight sections oriented transversely to each other and rounded corner joints.

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the transmitter comprises an IR diode and the receiver comprises a photodiode.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the plate is housed in a box that is opaque to IR.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the receiver and the transmitter are separated by a partition wall which is not transparent to IR.

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, said entry point and said exit point comprise diametrically opposed portions of a container made of a transparent material.

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the entry point and / or the exit point has a lens-like configuration.

[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, the light guide is polycarbonate.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser is applied to a coffee machine for implementing a coffee bean unloading hopper.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more fully from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a loose product dispenser according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 It is an axonometric view of a loose product dispenser;

[0030] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the sensor;

[0031] Figure 3 is a top plan view of a loose product dispenser;

[0032] Figure 4 Show according to Figure 3 A loose product dispenser cut along a vertical plane AA;

[0033] Figure 5 is a raised side view of a loose product dispenser; and

[0034] Figure 6 Show according to Figure 5 The inclined plane BB intercepts the loose product dispenser.

[0035] With reference to the cited figures, there is shown a loose product dispenser, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 1 .

[0036] The loose product dispenser comprises a container 2 and a sensor 3 having a light-proof barrier 5 for detecting the presence of loose product in the container 2 .

[0037] In the following, we will refer in particular to the field of application of coffee machines, in which the container 2 of the loose product dispenser is formed in particular by a coffee bean unloading hopper.

[0038] The coffee machine considered has in particular a hydraulic circuit comprising at least a cascade water supply pump, a boiler, an infusion unit which in turn comprises an infusion chamber, and a dispenser of infused coffee.

[0039] Instead, the aforementioned coffee bean unloading hopper feeds a grinder which receives the coffee beans, grinds them and transfers the ground coffee thus obtained to an infusion chamber which, after receiving the load of ground coffee, is closed and subjected to a flow of hot water for infused coffee, which the infused coffee dispenser dispenses into cups.

[0040] Obviously, the scope of the invention can be extended to all applications where it is necessary to check for the presence of loose product in a container.

[0041] The sensor 3 comprises an emitter 4 of a light beam and a receiver 6 of a light beam.

[0042] The transmitter 4 preferably comprises an IR diode and the receiver 6 preferably comprises an IR photodiode.

[0043] The emitter 4 generates a light blocking barrier 5 that passes through the container 2 between an entry point 7 and an exit point 8 .

[0044] The entry point 7 and the exit point 8 comprise in particular diametrically opposite portions of the container 2 made of transparent material.

[0045] The entry point 7 and / or the exit point 8 may have a lens-like configuration which limits light scattering.

[0046] Advantageously, the sensor 3 comprises a single electronic board 9 on which both the receiver 6 and the transmitter 4 are mounted.

[0047] The sensor 3 also has a light guide 10 which is configured and arranged to transmit the light beam collected from the exit point 8 to the receiver 6 .

[0048] The light guide 10 comprises a longitudinally extending body 11 .

[0049] The longitudinal body 11 has a first end 11 a optically coupled to the exit point 8 of the light beam and a second end 11 b optically coupled to the receiver 6 .

[0050] In particular, the longitudinal body 11 is formed by a profiled rod.

[0051] The profiled rod extends to the exterior of the container 2 and is preferably made of polycarbonate or other material which, together with the shape and size of the profiled rod itself, is suitable for emitting the IR beam without significant scattering.

[0052] In this case, the profiled rod is in the shape of a round rod.

[0053] The round rod in turn has straight sections 11c, 11d oriented transversely to one another and rounded corner joints 11e, 11f, 11g.

[0054] Specifically, two straight sections 11c, 11d and three rounded corner joints 11e, 11f, 11g are arranged at 90° to transmit the light beam along a path that is as long and curved as possible.

[0055] The shape of the circular rod is not only designed to find the shortest path, but also designed to reduce the loss of light flux. In fact, it is constructed according to the rules of optical devices such as diameter, material and shape.

[0056] In the embodiment of sensor 3, the wavelength of the optical signal is 940 nm, which is typical of commercial sensors and is positioned in the infrared (IR) field.

[0057] In an embodiment of the light guide 10, the diameter of the longitudinal body 11 is not less than 2 mm and not more than 6 mm to achieve cost-effectiveness of the assembly and facilitate molding.

[0058] In an embodiment of the light guide 10, the refractive index of the material forming the longitudinal body 11 is between 1.3 and 1.7.

[0059] This refractive index is typical for materials such as PMMA, PC, PSU and can therefore be used for the purpose.

[0060] In an embodiment of the light guide 10, the radius of curvature of the longitudinal body 11 is preferably not less than twice the diameter of the longitudinal body 11. In an embodiment of the light guide 10, the length of the straight section of the longitudinal body 11 (which does not have a particular impact on signal loss) is between 20 mm and 120 mm.

[0061] An advantage of the sensor 3 is that it can be parameterized to suit various hopper shapes by simply changing the length of the straight section of the longitudinal body 11 .

[0062] The plate 9 is accommodated in a box 12 which is opaque to IR and is fixed to the outside of the container 2 .

[0063] For fixing, the opaque box 12 comprises an outer projection 17 equipped with an engagement eyelet for a fixing pin 19 extending from the outer wall of the container 2 .

[0064] Inside the box 12, the receiver 6 and the transmitter 8 are separated by a partition wall 13 which is opaque to IR, thereby eliminating mutual interference.

[0065] The opaque box 12 has a through hole 20 calibrated for the passage of the outside of the emitter 4 so that it can be positioned substantially in direct contact with the wall of the container 2 at the entry point 7 of the light beam.

[0066] The waveguide 10 is removably secured to the container 2 .

[0067] The removable waveguide fixing devices 10 are located at both ends of the longitudinally extending main body 11 .

[0068] In particular, the removable fixing means of the waveguide 10 comprises a first quick-snap connection means between the first end 11 a of the longitudinal body 11 and the container 2 , and a second quick-snap connection means between the second end 11 b of the longitudinal body 11 and the box 12 .

[0069] The first snap-fit ​​connection device between the first end 11a of the longitudinal body 11 and the container 2 comprises a connector 11h and a groove engagement seat 14 for the connector 11h, which is formed by a first flange retracted from the first end 11a of the longitudinal body 11 and is formed outside a portion of the container wall 3 including the exit point 8 of the light beam.

[0070] The first end 11a of the longitudinal body 11 can thus be in substantially direct contact with the wall of the container 2 at the exit point 8 of the light beam.

[0071] A second snap-fit ​​joint device between the second end 11b of the longitudinal body 11 and the box body 12 includes a connector 11i and a groove engagement seat 15 for the connector 11i, the connector being formed by a second flange retracted from the second end 11b of the longitudinal body 11 and formed on the outside of a portion of the wall of the box body 12 including a through hole 16, through which a section of the longitudinal body 11 between the second flange and the second end 11b passes through the box body 12.

[0072] The second end 11 b of the longitudinal body 11 may thus be in substantially direct contact with the receptacle 6 .

[0073] The operation of the bulk product dispenser is briefly described below.

[0074] When the amount of coffee beans in the hopper exceeds the height level at which the light shielding barrier 5 is positioned, the light beam generated by the transmitter 4 cannot reach the light guide 10 nor the receiver 6 .

[0075] Conversely, when the amount of coffee beans in the hopper drops below the level at which the light shielding barrier 5 is positioned, the light beam generated by the emitter 4 encounters no obstacles and can reach the light guide 10 from which it is transmitted to the receiver 6, causing the sensor 3 to change state.

[0076] The dispenser for loose products as conceived herein is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0077] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be determined according to requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A dispenser (1) for loose products, comprising a container (2) and a sensor (3) for detecting the presence of loose products in the container (2), the sensor (3) comprising a transmitter (4) configured and arranged to generate a light beam passing through a light shielding barrier (5) of the container (2) between an entry point (7) and an exit point (8), and a receiver (6) for the light beam, characterized in that The sensor (3) further comprises an electronic board (9) on which both the receiver (6) and the transmitter (4) are mounted, and a light guide (10) configured and arranged to transmit the light beam collected from the exit point (8) to the receiver (6).

2. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide (10) comprises a longitudinally extending body (11).

3. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The longitudinally extending body (11) has a first end (11a) optically coupled to the exit point (8) of the light beam and a second end (11b) optically coupled to the receiver (6).

4. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The loose product dispenser comprises removable fixing means for the light guide (10).

5. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The removable fixing means are located at both ends (11a, 11b) of the longitudinally extending body (11).

6. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The longitudinally extending body (11) is formed by a profiled rod.

7. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The profiled rod is in the form of a round rod having straight sections oriented transversely to one another and rounded corner joints.

8. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The plate (9) is housed in a box (12) which is opaque to IR.

9. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The receiver (6) and the transmitter (4) are separated by an IR-opaque partition wall (13).

10. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The entry point (7) and the exit point (8) comprise diametrically opposed portions of the container made of transparent material.

11. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The entry point (7) and / or the exit point (8) has a lens-shaped configuration.

12. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The transmitter (4) comprises an IR diode and the receiver (6) comprises an IR photodiode.

13. The bulk product dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The removable fixing device comprises a first quick-snap connector device between the first end (11a) of the longitudinally extending main body (11) and the container (2), and a second quick-snap connector device between the second end (11b) of the longitudinally extending main body (11) and the box body (12).

14. A coffee machine, characterized in that: The coffee machine comprises a loose product dispenser (1) according to any preceding claim.

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