Tool for adjusting the amount of powdered material contained in a container

Abstract

The present invention provides a tool (1) for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container (100), the tool comprising: a storage reservoir (31) for excess powdered material (301) contained in the container (100); a lower wall (10), the lower wall being configured to be positioned inside the container (100); and a side wall (20), the side wall being configured to rotatably support the tool (1) resting on a peripheral edge (101) of the container (100) and to position the lower wall (100) at a fixed or adjustable predetermined height inside the container (100), wherein the lower wall (10) has at least a first blade (11) configured to pick up excess powdered material and at least one transfer channel (30), the first blade being configured to pick up excess powdered material and the at least one transfer channel being used to transfer at least a majority of the excess powdered material (301) picked up from the first blade (11) toward the storage reservoir (31).

Description

[0001] describe

[0002] The present invention relates to a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container.

[0003] Tools for adjusting the amount of powdered material in a container, typically coffee grounds in a filter of a coffee brewing machine, have been available on the market for some time.

[0004] It is known that in manual coffee machines, with or without an integrated coffee grinder, the right amount of coffee grounds inside the filter ensures the quantity and quality of the coffee dispensed.

[0005] To properly fill the filter, a spoon or an integrated grinder (if present) can be used.

[0006] After the filling process, the coffee grounds must first be compacted and then the preparation for brewing can be carried out.

[0007] Excess coffee grounds inside the filter after the pressing process causes the coffee machine to malfunction and the coffee to be difficult to dispense.

[0008] Manual tools are known and exist on the market for removing excess coffee grounds from the filter: some have been developed for professional and domestic coffee machines in order to ensure an even distribution of the coffee grounds inside the filter before the pressing process.

[0009] None of the tools known today ensures the right amount inside the filter, which, in the case of coffee machines with an integrated grinder, can be obtained simply by adjusting the grinder.

[0010] A similar concept has been developed for domestic coffee machines: WO 2008 / 067590 A1 shows a tool for controlling the amount of particles contained in a container.

[0011] Such tools are very inefficient as even this tool cannot retain excess coffee grounds.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to simplify the structure of known tools for adjusting the amount of powdered material contained in a container.

[0013] The technical task proposed for the present invention is therefore that of creating means for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, which makes it possible to eliminate the technical disadvantages complained of in the prior art.

[0014] As part of this technical task, an object of the present invention is to create a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, which tool is able to remove excess coffee grounds.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to create a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, which tool is able to retain excess coffee grounds.

[0016] In particular, one object of the present invention is to create a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container that is simple and effective.

[0017] The technical task according to the present invention and these and other purposes are achieved by forming a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, characterized in that the tool includes: a storage reservoir for excess powdered material contained in the container; a lower wall, which is configured to be positioned inside the container; and side walls, which are configured to rotatably support the tool resting on the peripheral edge of the container and position the lower wall at a fixed or adjustable predetermined height inside the container, the lower wall having at least a first blade and at least one transfer channel, the first blade being configured to pick up the excess powdered material, and the at least one transfer channel being used to transfer at least most of the excess powdered material picked up from the first blade toward the storage reservoir.

[0018] In one embodiment, the lower wall is circular and configured to mate with the cylindrical peripheral wall of the container.

[0019] In one embodiment, the delivery channel is defined by the cutting edge of the first blade.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first blade extends radially.

[0021] In one embodiment, the storage reservoir, the lower wall, the side wall with the first blade and the transfer channel are made as a single hollow body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in the container has a second blade that is movable relative to the first blade and is configured to transfer to the storage reservoir any remaining portion of the excess powdered material picked up from the first blade that has not yet been transferred to the storage reservoir.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second blade is movable from and towards the first blade.

[0024] In one embodiment, the second blade is configured to open and close the delivery channel.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade about a central vertical axis of the tool.

[0026] Other features of the present invention are further defined in the following claims.

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more fully from the description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container according to the invention, which is illustrated by non-limiting indication in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a top view of the tool in an excess powder removal configuration;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the tool in an excess powder removal configuration;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a top view of the tool in an excess powder retention configuration;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the tool in an excess powder retention configuration;

[0032] Figure 5 shows a top plan view of the filter holder and filter assembly with the tool in a working position; and

[0033] Figure 6 Shown along line AA Figure 5 Cross section of a component.

[0034] With reference to the aforementioned figures, there is shown a tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, indicated throughout by reference numeral 1 .

[0035] Typically, the powdered material is coffee grounds and the container is a filter housed in a filter holder engageable with a brewing head of a brewing unit mounted on a coffee machine (not shown).

[0036] In a known manner, the filter holder has a cup 200 for accommodating the filter 100 and a handle 110 to be handled.

[0037] The tool 1 has a shape that is substantially conjugate to the filter 100 , generally circular, with the vertical axis Y coinciding with the coinciding vertical axes of the filter 100 and the cup 200 of the filter holder.

[0038] The tool 1 comprises a circular lower wall 10 configured to be positioned inside the filter 100 and configured to mate with the cylindrical peripheral wall 103 of the filter 100 .

[0039] The tool 1 comprises a side wall 20 configured to rotatably support the tool 1 resting on a peripheral edge 101 , in particular the peripheral edge of the upper opening 102 of the filter 100 , via a shoulder 20 a .

[0040] The side wall 20 has a cylindrical lower portion 20 b having a smaller diameter, a cylindrical upper portion 20 c having a larger diameter, and an annular portion connecting the cylindrical lower portion 20 b and the cylindrical upper portion 20 c for defining a shoulder 20 a.

[0041] The side wall 20 has externally a first annular nut 22 which is rigidly connected to the side wall 20 itself and whose external diameter is preferably greater than the external diameter of the cup 200 of the filter holder.

[0042] Suitably, when the tool 1 rests on the peripheral edge 101 of the filter 100 , the lower wall 10 is positioned at a predetermined height inside the filter 100 , visually highlighted by one or more markings 105 on the inner surface of the filter 100 .

[0043] The lower wall 10 has at least one transfer channel 30 and a radially extending first blade 11, which is configured to pick up excess powdered material, and the at least one transfer channel is used to transfer at least most of the excess powdered material 301 picked up by the first blade 11 toward a storage reservoir 31.

[0044] Advantageously, in fact, the tool 1 comprises a storage reservoir 31 for excess powdered material, suitably constructed inside a single hollow body defined at least by the lower wall 10 and the side walls 20 .

[0045] The hollow body is usually open at the top.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the transfer channel 30 is defined as the opening of an uninterrupted angular sector (typically 90°) of the lower wall 10 and is delimited by the cutting edge of the first blade 11 .

[0047] According to an innovative feature of the invention, the tool 1 has a second blade 12 which is movable relative to the first blade 11 and is configured to transfer towards the storage reservoir 31 any remainder of the excess powdered material picked up from the first blade 11 which has not yet been transferred to the storage reservoir 31 .

[0048] The second blade 12 is movable from and towards the first blade 11 and is rotatable relative to the first blade 11 about the vertical axis of symmetry Y of the tool 1 .

[0049] The second blade 12 is configured to open and close the transfer channel 30 : generally, in a preferred embodiment, the second blade 12 has a shape that is conjugate to an angular sector of the transfer channel 30 .

[0050] The second blade 12 is arranged coplanar with the first blade 11 .

[0051] To this end, the lower wall 10 of the tool 1 has a lowered area 10 a which houses the second blade 12 when the open position of the channel 30 is assumed.

[0052] Suitable control, connection and rotation means constrain the second blade 12 to a second ring nut 23 positioned externally and freely rotatably to the side wall 20, above the first ring nut 22 and having a smaller outer diameter than the first ring nut.

[0053] The operation of the tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container according to the present invention is clear from the description and the drawings and is specifically and substantially as follows.

[0054] The filter 100 is removably positioned in a filter holder with which the manual coffee machine is provided, with or without its integrated grinder; the filter holder allows and ensures connection to the brewing segment of the coffee machine.

[0055] A quantity of ground coffee is dispensed from a coffee grinder into the filter 100, which is then pressed by a third device, not shown in the drawings.

[0056] After the pressing process, the user verifies the correct amount of pressed coffee grounds inside the filter 100 , comparing the level of coffee with the markings 105 on the inner surface of the filter 100 .

[0057] If the amount of ground coffee is above the mark 105 (mark not visible), the user adjusts the amount of powdered material using the tool 1 to remove the excess.

[0058] The user introduces the tool 1 into the filter 100 by means of a vertical movement and then carries out a first rotation of the tool 1 about the vertical axis Y (generally clockwise) by means of the first ring nut 22 .

[0059] The first blade 11 and the second blade 12 rotate together; the position of the second blade 12 ensures the opening of the transfer channel 30.

[0060] The first blade 11 disturbs the coffee grounds so as to pick up excess powdered material through the transfer channel 30 and transfer at least most of the picked up excess powdered material towards the storage reservoir 31 .

[0061] When in vertical movement of the tool 1 , the shoulder 20a of the side wall 20 abuts the peripheral edge 101 of the filter 100 , the first blade 11 thus reaching the level of the coffee powder in the filter 100 , which level has been envisaged and calibrated for optimal infusion of the coffee.

[0062] The user then performs a second rotation of the second ring nut 23 in a direction opposite to the previous direction (typically counterclockwise), which, through the control, connection and rotation means, causes the second blade 12 to rotate around the vertical axis Y in a direction of rotation opposite to the previous direction, so that the second blade 12 closes the transfer channel 30 and, in motion, drags any remaining portion of the excess powdered material that the first blade 11 has picked up but has not yet transferred to the storage reservoir 31, and transfers any remaining portion to the storage reservoir 31.

[0063] The angular deflection of the second blade 12 may be limited by special end-stroke means, for example the teeth 12a of the second blade 12 may be slidably engaged in arcuate slots 120 obtained in the lower wall 10 of the tool 1 , closed at both ends thereof.

[0064] Advantageously, the storage reservoir 31 is located inside the hollow body which is typically open at the top so the user can easily transfer excess coffee grounds collected by removing the tool 1 from the filter 100 and transferring it to another container with a simple manual pour.

[0065] It has in fact been found that the tool according to the invention for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container is particularly advantageous for being able to remove excess coffee grounds.

[0066] Another advantage of the tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in the container according to the invention is that it enables excess coffee grounds to be retained and is simple and effective.

[0067] The tool for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container as conceived herein is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0068] For example, in the solution shown, the lower wall 10 is positioned at a fixed predetermined height inside the container; however, it can also be positioned at an adjustable predetermined height, for example by providing a telescopic structure of the tool, by which the lower wall 10 can change the distance from the static point of the tool on the container.

[0069] 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 tool (1) for regulating the amount of powdered material contained in a container, characterized in that The tool comprises: a storage reservoir (31) for accommodating excess powdered material (301) in the container; a lower wall (10) configured to be positioned inside the container; and a side wall (20) configured to rotatably support the tool (1) resting on a peripheral edge (101) of the container via a shoulder (20a) and to position the lower wall (10) at a fixed or adjustable predetermined height inside the container, the lower wall (10) having at least a first blade (11) configured to pick up the excess powdered material and at least one transfer channel (30) for transferring the excess powdered material picked up from the first blade (11) toward the storage reservoir (31). at least a large portion of the powdered material, the lower wall (10) is circular and configured to match the cylindrical peripheral wall (103) of the container, the transfer channel (30) is defined by the cutting edge of the first blade (11), the first blade (11) extending radially, the side wall (20) having a cylindrical lower portion (20b) of smaller diameter, a cylindrical upper portion (20c) of larger diameter, and an annular portion connecting the cylindrical lower portion (20b) and the cylindrical upper portion (20c) for defining a shoulder (20a), the side wall (20) having a first annular nut (22) on the outside, which is rigidly connected to the side wall (20) itself and has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cup (200) of the filter holder.

2. The tool (1) for adjusting the amount of powdered material according to claim 1, characterized in that The storage reservoir (31) is constructed inside a single hollow body defined at least by the side walls (20) and the lower wall (10) having the first blade (11) and the transfer channel (30).

3. The tool (1) for adjusting the amount of powdered material according to claim 1, characterized in that The tool has a second blade (12) that is movable relative to the first blade (11) and is configured to transfer to the storage reservoir (31) any remaining portion of the excess powdered material (301) picked up from the first blade (11) that has not yet been transferred to the storage reservoir (31).

4. The tool (1) for adjusting the amount of powdered material according to claim 3, characterized in that The second blade (12) is movable from the first blade (11) and is movable toward the first blade.

5. The tool (1) for adjusting the amount of powdered material according to claim 4, characterized in that The second blade (12) is configured to open and close the transfer channel (30).

6. The tool (1) for regulating the amount of powdered material according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The first blade (11) and the second blade (12) are coplanar.

7. The tool (1) for adjusting the amount of powdered material according to claim 6, characterized in that The lower wall (10) has a lowered area (10a) configured to accommodate the second blade (12).

8. The tool (1) for regulating the amount of powdered material according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The second blade (12) is rotatable relative to the first blade (11) about a central vertical axis Y of the tool (1).

9. A filter holder for a coffee machine having a filter (100), in combination with a tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for adjusting the amount of coffee powder contained in the filter (100).

10. A method for regulating the amount of coffee powder contained in a filter (100), the filter being housed in a filter holder connectable to an infusion unit of a coffee machine, characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: - dispensing a quantity of ground coffee into the filter (100) - Pressing the coffee powder contained in the filter (100) - introducing a tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 into the filter - rotating the tool (1) so as to pick up the excess powdered material and transfer at least a majority of the picked up excess powdered material towards the storage reservoir (31).

11. The method according to claim 10, performed using a tool according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that The method comprises performing a first joint rotation of the first blade (11) and the second blade (12) about a central vertical axis (Y) of the tool (1) such that the first blade (11) picks up the excess powdered material and transfers at least a majority of the picked-up excess powdered material toward the storage reservoir (31), and performing a second joint rotation of the second blade (12) about the central vertical axis (Y) but in a rotational direction opposite to the previous direction such that the second blade (12) transfers to the storage reservoir (31) any remaining portion of the excess powdered material that has been picked up by the first blade (11) but has not yet been transferred to the storage reservoir (31).

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