coffee machine

Abstract

A coffee machine (1) includes a container (2) for coffee beans, a grinder (3) from which coffee beans can be supplied, a filter holder (4) from which ground coffee can be supplied via a vertical channel (10), and a supply device for hot water that can be introduced into the filter holder (4). In the vertical channel (10) between the grinder (3) and the filter holder (4), a closing device is provided with a rotatable flap (12) movable between an open position and a closed position. The flap (12) is rotatable about an axis (13) extending substantially parallel to the plane of the flap (12) and has a seal (17) arranged on its outer periphery. This allows the vertical channel (10) to be effectively opened and closed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee machine having a container for coffee beans, a grinder into which coffee beans can be supplied from the container, a filter holder into which ground coffee can be supplied from the grinder via a vertical channel, a hot water supply device, and a shut-off device, wherein hot water can be introduced into the filter holder. The shut-off device is disposed in the vertical channel between the grinder and the filter holder and has a rotatable flap that can move between an open position and a closed position, the flap being rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the plane of the flap. Background Technology

[0002] DE 20 2004 007 182 U1 discloses a coffee machine in which a coffee grinder is arranged above a filter holder for receiving ground coffee. Ground coffee can be conveyed from the coffee grinder to the filter holder via a chute that can be closed by a shield. The shield is spring-biased to a closed position and can be moved to an open position by a switch. This allows for a certain amount of shielding, but makes it difficult to achieve a seal on the grinder because the shield moves parallel to the sealing plane, resulting in stress and wear on the sealing element at the sealing plane.

[0003] DE 20 2008 016 826 U1 also discloses a similar separation device for a coffee machine. In this separation device, the separation disc can move along a seal on a groove between the coffee grinder and the filter holder. Here, wear also occurs due to the movement of the separation disc relative to the seal.

[0004] WO 2007 / 106947 discloses a coffee machine with a grinder through which ground coffee can be supplied to a filter holder. A pivotable flap for closing abuts against the underside of a vertical channel in the closed position, resulting in an inadequate seal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a coffee machine in which an improved seal is provided between the grinder and the filter holder to prevent interference with the function of the grinder.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a coffee machine having the features of claim 1.

[0007] In the coffee machine according to the invention, a closing device with a rotatable flap is provided in a vertical channel between the grinder and the filter holder. The flap is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the flap, and an elastic seal is disposed on the outer periphery of the flap. As a result, the flap does not move parallel to the plane of the flap between the open and closed positions, thus preventing grinding movement along the seal, but instead pivots toward or away from the sealing plane to the closed position. This movement of the flap reduces wear on the sealing element and therefore provides a more reliable seal.

[0008] Preferably, in the closed position, the plane of the flap corresponds to the sealing plane. The sealing plane can be defined, for example, by the contact between the flap or the flap's seal and the vertical channel wall. This plane is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the flap, although this axis can also be arranged at a small angle to the flap plane, for example less than 20°, and particularly less than 10°.

[0009] Preferably, in the closed position, the flap has an upper surface at least partially disposed in the chute, and in the open position, the upper surface of the flap forms a wall portion facing the interior of the chute. As a result, when the flap is rotated to the open position, any coffee grounds coating on the flat top surface is sprayed into the chute.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the hinge axis of the flap is located outside the chute. This means that in the closed position, only a portion of the flap protrudes into the chute, particularly the portion occupying less than 50% of the flap's surface area in a plan view. This implies that the actuation mechanism for the flap can be positioned outside the chute, thereby improving hygiene.

[0011] Between the open and closed positions, the flap preferably rotates by an angle of 60° to 120°, particularly 80° to 100°. In this case, in the coffee machine's mounting position, the shaft can extend in a horizontal plane, allowing the flap to transition from a horizontal closed position to a substantially vertical open position.

[0012] Adjacent to the chute, a downward-opening receiving chamber is preferably formed, into which the flap can be at least partially inserted in the open position. This means that the flap is protected in the open position, and ground coffee can be transferred directly from the chute to the filter holder. Preferably, in the closed position, the flap closes the chute and the downward-opening receiving chamber, particularly in a steam-proof manner.

[0013] According to the invention, the flap is preferably substantially plate-shaped, wherein an elastic seal is provided on the outer circumference of the flap. This seal preferably has a flexible sealing lip that, in the closed position, provides a seal against the wall of the vertical channel.

[0014] The flap is preferably arranged such that its underside faces the outside of the chute in the open position when closed, so that the area in contact with steam during coffee brewing faces outward and no coffee grounds adhere there. Preferably, the chute below the flap is designed to open, i.e., it is arranged to be inclined relative to the vertical direction, for example, at an angle between 20° and 60°, so that as coffee grounds fall through the chute, as little coffee grounds as possible adhere to that area of ​​the chute.

[0015] The rotational movement of the flap in the opening direction can be limited by a stop, preferably formed on the flap, which engages with the wall of the vertical channel when the flap is in the open position to prevent further rotation. Furthermore, when the flap is in the closed position, a portion of the flap can contact the wall of the vertical channel to limit rotational movement, eliminating the need for additional stop elements.

[0016] For ease of manufacturing, the flap can have an integrally formed bearing to accommodate the shaft, for example, in the form of a sleeve-shaped bushing. The bearing mount can have a cross-section that deviates from a circular shape to allow for a simple connection to the shaft, preventing it from rotating.

[0017] For efficient handling, the flap can be driven by a motor connected to the shaft via a gearbox. The gearbox can be designed as a geared drive, but it can also have other transmission elements.

[0018] To properly guide coffee grounds away from the grinder, the groove between the grinder and the filter holder can be angled, forming a groove behind the grinder that then leads to a vertical section of the groove. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples of embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 A view of a coffee machine according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the coffee machine in the vertical aisle area is shown, with the flap open; Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the area of ​​the vertical passage is shown, with the flaps closed; Figure 4 A bottom view of the vertical passage in the closed position is shown, and Figure 5A and 5B Two detailed views of the flap with an axis are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The coffee machine 1 includes a container 2 for storing coffee beans, which is positioned above a grinder 3. Below the grinder 3 is a filter holder 4, in which ground coffee beans for brewing can be received. Brewed coffee can be collected in a pot 5 below the filter holder 4. The pot 5 is placed on a base 6 of a housing, which has a control unit 7 with a control system. A water tank 8 is removably held to the housing, and water can be pumped from the water tank to a heating element so that hot water can then be introduced into the filter holder 4 via a supply line.

[0021] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view through the coffee machine 1 is shown, illustrating the area between the grinder 3 and the filter holder 4. The grinder 3 includes two grinding discs 30 and 31, which are rotatable relative to each other and are used to grind coffee beans from the container 2. The grinder 3 has an outlet 9 leading to a vertical channel 10. The vertical channel 10 is angled and includes a groove 11 adjacent to the outlet 9 and an adjacent vertical section. The vertical channel 10 may also have different geometries for conveying ground coffee from the grinder 3 to the filter holder 4.

[0022] A closing device with a rotatable flap 12 is arranged in a vertical channel 10. The flap is substantially plate-shaped and rotatable about an axis 13. The axis 13 is located outside the vertical channel 10, which is defined by a substantially vertically oriented wall 14 adjacent to the axis 13. Adjacent to the vertical channel 10, a downwardly opening chamber 15 is formed, into which the flap 12 can be at least partially inserted in the open position, such that the flap 12 is arranged in a protected manner in the open position.

[0023] Figure 3 The closed position of the flap 12 is shown. By rotating the flap 12 approximately 90° around axis 13, the flap 12 has been moved from a vertical position to a horizontal position. A portion of the upper side 19 of the flap 12 thus seals the vertical channel 10 upwards, while another portion of the flap 12 seals the chamber 15. The bottom 20 of the flap 12 faces the space where water vapor can also reach when brewing coffee, thus preventing water vapor from entering the vertical channel 10 and the chamber 15.

[0024] The flap 12 is substantially plate-shaped and includes a seal 17 at its outer periphery, the seal 17 having a protruding, flexible sealing lip 18 that can be positioned against a wall in the region of the vertical channel 10. These adjacent lines of the sealing lip 18 define a plane, to which the axis 13 is oriented substantially parallel.

[0025] The area of ​​the vertical channel 10 below the flap 12 is defined by a wall 16, which opens, for example, at an angle between 20° and 60° relative to the vertical direction, so that coffee grounds falling through the vertical channel 10 do not come into contact with the wall 16, which may be coated with condensate during the brewing process.

[0026] A stop 24 is formed on the flap 12. In the open position, the stop 24 strikes the wall 14 of the vertical channel 10 to limit the rotational movement of the flap 12. In this case, the wall 14 forms a partition between the vertical channel 10 and the receiving chamber 15, which opens forward to receive a portion of the flap 12.

[0027] When the flap 12 rotates in the closing direction, the upper side 19 of the flap 12 forms a stop and can contact the lower end face of the wall 14, thus restricting this rotational movement.

[0028] exist Figure 4 The area of ​​the vertical passage 10 with the closed flap 12 is shown below. Surrounding the flap 12 are walls 16, which are arranged to open. The flap 12 is generally square in the plan view, but it can also be rectangular or elliptical or have another geometry.

[0029] Figure 5A and 5B A flap 12 with a shaft 13 is shown in detail. The essentially plate-shaped flap 12 has an integrally formed bearing 21 that serves as a channel for the pin-shaped shaft 13. The bearing 21 does not have a precisely circular cross-section, but rather a chamber 22 projecting radially from the shaft 13. An actuator 23 is inserted into the chamber 22 and is connected to or integrally formed with the shaft 13. As a result, the flap 12 is rotatably fixed to the vertical channel 10.

[0030] A stop 24 is also fixed or integrally formed on the shaft 13, and a pin 25 for connecting to a drive device is provided on the stop 24. For example, the pin 25 can be connected to a motor or other drive device via a geared transmission device, which is actuated by a controller to move the flap 12 to the open position when the grinder 3 grinds coffee beans, and then to the closed position before the brewing operation.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, shaft 13 is substantially arranged at the center of flap 12. Flap 12 can also be arranged asymmetrically with respect to shaft 13 to reduce the size of the downward-opening chamber 15. For example, Figure 3 The portion of the flap 12 that protrudes to the left of the shaft 13 can be shortened or omitted.

[0032] List of reference numerals 1. Coffee machine 2 containers 3. Grinding machine 4. Filter Holder 5 pots 6 bases 7 Control Unit 8 water tanks 9 Exports 10 Vertical passageways 11 Slide 12 Flip-board 13 axes 14 walls 15 chambers 16 walls 17. Seals 18 Sealing Lip 19 upper side 20 Bottom 21 bearings 22 chambers 23 drives 24 Stops 25 sales 30 Grinding discs 31 Grinding disc.

Claims

1. A coffee machine (1), comprising: a) Containers for coffee beans (2); b) A grinder (3) from which coffee beans can be supplied from the container (2); c) Filter holder (4), into which ground coffee from the grinder (3) can be supplied via a vertical channel (10); d) A device for supplying hot water, wherein hot water can be introduced into the filter holder (4); e) Wherein, a closing device with a rotatable flap (12) is provided in the vertical channel (10) between the grinder (3) and the filter holder (4), the flap being movable between an open position and a closed position. f) wherein the flap (12) is rotatable about an axis (13) parallel to the plane of the flap (12). The flap (12) is characterized in that it has a sealing element (17) disposed on its outer periphery, and the sealing element (17) has a flexible sealing lip (18) protruding outward.

2. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the closed position of the flap (12), the plane of the flap (12) corresponds to the sealing plane.

3. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flap (12) in the closed position has an upper side (19) that is at least partially arranged in the vertical channel (10), and the upper side (19) of the flap (12) in the open position forms a wall portion facing the inside of the vertical channel (10).

4. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft (13) of the flap (12) is arranged outside the vertical channel (10).

5. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flap (12) is capable of rotating between open and closed positions between 60° and 120°.

6. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flap (12) is capable of rotating between open and closed positions between 80° and 100°.

7. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft (13) extends in a horizontal plane.

8. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A receiving chamber (15) with a downward opening is formed next to the vertical channel (10), and the flap (12) can be inserted into the receiving chamber in the open position.

9. The coffee machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flap (12) in the closed position closes the vertical channel (10) and the downward-opening receiving chamber (15).

10. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the closed position, the flap (12) has a lower side, and in the open position, the lower side faces the outside of the vertical channel (10).

11. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical channel (10) below the flap (12) is designed to be open.

12. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stop (24) is formed on the flap (12), and the stop can be placed against the wall (14) of the vertical channel (10).

13. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, An integrally formed bearing (21) for receiving shaft (13) is formed on the flap (12).

14. The coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flap (12) can be rotated by means of a motor, which is connected to the shaft (13) of the flap (12) by means of a transmission device.

15. The coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The vertical channel (10) between the grinder (3) and the filter holder (4) is angled.

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