Coffee machine with automatic locking filter holder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1). The coffee machine (1) comprises: a support body (6) designed to convey hot water for making a beverage; a filter holder (7) designed to be filled with a brewing material and capable of being releasably coupled to the support body (6) to receive hot water from the support body for brewing the brewing material and making a beverage; a coupling device (17) comprising a first coupling part (24) mounted on the support body (6) and a second coupling part (16) carried by the filter holder (7), and configured to allow the filter holder (7) to pass through the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16). ) into a fastened position by relative rotation of the first coupling member (24) and the second coupling member (16); an automation device (29) configured to cause the first coupling member (24) and the second coupling member (16) to rotate relative to each other at least partially automatically; and a user interface (40) configured to sense an action or different actions performed by a user on the filter holder (7), or a force or different forces applied indirectly by the user through the filter holder (7) or directly by the user to the frame (2), and in response to the sensed action or force, cause the coupling device (17) to tightly couple and decouple and / or start and stop beverage delivery.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 20181248.4 filed on June 19, 2020, and Italian Patent Application No. 102020000024145 filed on October 13, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of machines for preparing coffee or similar beverages, and in particular to a semi-automatic coffee machine for bar use or home use. Background Art

[0004] As is known, semi-automatic coffee machines include machines in which the coffee beverage is mainly prepared manually by an operator, while other operations are automatically controlled by an electronic control unit.

[0005] For example, a typical operation that must be performed manually is the loading of ground coffee, which usually requires the operator to remove the so-called filter holder from the machine, to load a quantity of loose ground coffee or a pod or disposable capsule into the filter holder, and then to couple the filter holder in a fluid-tight manner to an annular support forming the outlet of the hot water injection assembly of the coffee machine.

[0006] Another operation that is directly controlled by the operator, usually via a button, is starting and stopping the delivery of the beverage (and vice versa). In some types of semi-automatic machines, the delivery of the beverage is automatically stopped based on a "length" setting of coffee to be delivered to the cup.

[0007] Typically, the filter holder is coupled to the annular support body by means of a bayonet coupling formed by at least two radial fins carried by the filter holder and a corresponding number of slots formed in the annular support body.

[0008] Each fin or, alternatively, each slot is partially delimited by an inclined plane which, when the filter holder is coupled to the annular support and the fin is moved along the respective slot, engages an abutment plane formed on the corresponding slot or on the respective fin so as to displace the filter holder axially towards the annular support, whereby the free edge of the filter holder is coupled in a fluid-tight manner to a front seal carried by the annular support.

[0009] From the operator's point of view, coupling the filter holder to the annular support of the hot water injection assembly comprises two consecutive operations, so as to first bring the filter holder into the insertion position (in which position the filter holder is inserted into the annular support) and then into the tight coupling position (in which position the filter holder is tightly coupled to the annular support).

[0010] The insertion position is typically reached by moving the filter holder vertically upward from the bottom so that the front of the filter holder is coupled to the annular support and the fins are aligned with the corresponding slots. Typically, in the insertion position, the filter holder is offset at a certain angle from the forward position (to the left) relative to the operator.

[0011] Conversely, the tight coupling position is reached by rotating the filter holder counterclockwise, typically about 30° to 40°, from the insertion position, so as to move the fins along the slots until the free edge of the filter holder presses against the front seal of the annular support. Thus, in the tight coupling position, the filter holder is offset at a certain angle from the insertion position and is generally positioned in front of the operator.

[0012] EP 3 037 023 A1 discloses a connection device for connecting a filter holder of an espresso machine to a hot water dispensing assembly for preparing beverages. The filter holder comprises a main body provided with a handle, the main body having an inner cavity bounded by a cylindrical wall portion and defining a filter housing for holding ground coffee. The inner cavity is open at one end facing the dispensing assembly and closed at the opposite end by a bottom wall, with a beverage dispensing opening formed in the bottom wall. The filter holder further comprises a pair of diametrically opposed fins extending radially from the side walls and extending circumferentially around the inner cavity. The water dispensing assembly comprises an opening designed to receive the open end of the inner cavity of the main body of the filter holder, and a pair of spiral guides extending about an axis orthogonal to the plane in which the filter holder is connected to the water dispensing assembly. The spiral guides are arranged around the opening, and each spiral guide is designed to receive a corresponding fin of the pair of fins of the filter holder thereon via a bayonet connection. The connecting device includes a plate-like element fixed to the water delivery group and having an opening and a tubular inner cavity. The opening is aligned with the opening of the water distribution group, and the tubular inner cavity is open at both axial ends and is aligned with the axial opening and is located distally relative to the opening of the water distribution group. The connecting device further includes an annular element disposed within the tubular inner cavity of the plate-like element so as to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis. The pair of helical guides are formed on the inner wall of the annular element, and a motor device is provided to angularly displace the annular element to servo-assisted insertion of the filter holder into the water delivery group. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The Applicant has discovered that known coffee machines of the above-mentioned type suffer from a number of drawbacks which are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0014] In particular, the Applicant has discovered that one of the drawbacks is that the mechanical seal between the filter holder and the water outlet of the water injection group depends entirely on the effectiveness of the tight coupling of the coupling device, which in turn depends entirely on the actions of the operator (i.e. the extent to which the operator is able to press the filter holder against the annular support when rotating it from the insertion position to the tight coupling position).

[0015] As is known to all, this operation requires not only certain skills but also considerable strength from the operator. For example, for a bartender, when this operation must be repeated hundreds or even thousands of times a day, it can be extremely taxing from a physical point of view.

[0016] Furthermore, the effort expended to tightly couple the filter holder is not even the only effort required of the operator, as at least during the first phase of rotation, the operator is also required to exert considerable force to remove the filter holder from the tightly coupled position.

[0017] The Applicant has also discovered that another disadvantage of known coffee machines of the aforementioned type is represented by the fact that, in order to activate the various operating functions of the coffee machine, the operator is required to perform various interactions with the different elements of the coffee machine.

[0018] The object of the present invention is to provide improvements to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0019] According to the present invention, there is provided a coffee machine as described in the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coffee machine according to the present invention, with some components omitted for clarity.

[0021] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Detail of the water injection group of the coffee machine and an exploded view of the filter holder of the coffee machine in the detached position, in which the filter holder is separated from the water injection group.

[0022] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 Detail of the filter holder in the assembled position shown and in the separated position as described above.

[0023] Figure 4 Shown during insertion of the filter holder in the water injection group Figure 1 The coffee machine is shown with some parts removed for clarity.

[0024] Figure 5 and Figure 6The engagement of the filter holder and the water injection group is shown in an initial uncoupled position and a final tightly coupled position of the filter holder and the water injection group, respectively.

[0025] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filter support and a portion of a water injection group arranged in the final tight connection position.

[0026] Figure 8 Detailed illustration of the water injection group in different embodiments of the coffee machine of the present invention and an exploded view of the filter holder of the coffee machine in a separated position.

[0027] Figure 9 Shown Figure 8 Detail of the filter holder in the assembled position shown and in the separated position as described above.

[0028] Figure 10 Shows the filter holder during insertion into the water injection group Figure 8 The coffee machine is shown with some parts removed for clarity.

[0029] Figure 11 and Figure 12 They are Figure 10 A perspective view and a bottom view of the filter holder and water injection group are shown engaged in an initial uncoupled position.

[0030] Figure 13 and Figure 14 They are Figure 10 A perspective view and a bottom view are shown of the engagement of the filter holder and water injection group in the final tightly coupled position.

[0031] Figure 15 Is set in Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of the filter holder and a portion of the water injection group shown in the final close-coupled position.

[0032] Figure 16 Detailed view of a water injection group in another embodiment of the coffee machine of the present invention and an exploded view of the filter holder of the coffee machine in a separated position.

[0033] Figure 17 Shown Figure 8 Detail of the filter holder in the assembled position shown and in the separated position as described above.

[0034] Figure 18 Shows the filter holder during insertion into the water injection group Figure 16 The coffee machine is shown with some parts removed for clarity.

[0035] Figure 19 and Figure 20 They are Figure 18A perspective view and a bottom view of the filter holder and water injection group are shown engaged in an initial uncoupled position.

[0036] Figure 21 and Figure 22 They are Figure 18 A perspective view and a bottom view are shown of the engagement of the filter holder and water injection group in the final tightly coupled position.

[0037] Figure 23 Is set in Figure 21 and Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of the filter holder and a portion of the water injection group shown in the final close-coupled position.

[0038] Figure 24 It is a three-dimensional view of a variant of the water injection group of the coffee machine of the present invention, and some parts are omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0039] Figure 25 、 Figure 26 and Figure 27 are front views of three variants of a detail of the coffee machine of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can understand and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments presented will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments described and shown, but should be accorded the widest possible scope of protection according to the features described and claimed.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly used by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention relates. In the event of any conflict, the present description, including provided definitions, will control. Furthermore, the examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0042] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, some specific embodiments will be mentioned and specific language will be used to describe these embodiments. The terminology used herein is only for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0043] Figure 1 A semi-automatic coffee machine, typically used in bars or at home, is shown and generally designated by reference numeral 1 .

[0044] The coffee machine 1 comprises a box-like frame 2 delimited in front relative to the operator by a front wall 3 and a plurality of components for making coffee; the plurality of components are supported by the frame 2 and include a boiler 4 arranged inside the frame 2 for producing hot water.

[0045] exist Figure 24 In the different embodiments shown, a water boiler 4 for producing hot water is arranged outside the frame 2 .

[0046] The front wall 3 may be an outer wall of the coffee machine 1 or an inner wall of the coffee machine 1 , which inner wall is in turn protected by a housing (not shown) that completely or partially covers the frame 2 .

[0047] The boiler 4 comprises a hot water supply conduit 5, the end of which extends within a support body 6; the support body 6 is mounted so as to protrude from the front wall 3 and is configured to releasably engage with a filter holder 7; the filter holder is designed to be filled with loose coffee grounds or disposable coffee pods or capsules and to receive water from the support body 6.

[0048] A drip tray 8 projects from the lower end of the front wall 3 , which drip tray 8 is closed at the top by a grille 9 for supporting one or more cups beneath the filter holder 7 in use.

[0049] The filter holder 7 includes a cup 10 with an open top and a handle 11 extending radially from the cup 10 , the handle 11 being designed to be grasped by an operator to couple or detach the cup 10 to or from the support 6 .

[0050] The cup 10 is provided at the bottom with a conduit 12 for delivering the coffee beverage, to which a two-way delivery nozzle 13 can be connected, preferably detachably connected, to allow the coffee beverage to be delivered to two cups simultaneously.

[0051] The cup 10 houses a cup-shaped filter 14 designed to receive loose coffee grounds or a coffee pod or capsule. Preferably, the filter 14 is made of a metal material, preferably stainless steel, and has a perforated bottom wall and side walls terminating in an edge 15 that is folded outwardly into a U-shape and extends across the free end edge of the cup 10.

[0052] The cup 10 has, near its open end, a plurality of projections (second projections) or fins 16 (i.e., second coupling members) that project radially outward from the cup 10 and define part of a coupling device 17 of the type commonly referred to as a "bayonet," designed to removably couple the cup 10, and thus the filter holder 7, to the support 6. In the example shown in the figures, the fins 16 are three in number and are equidistantly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the cup 10. In a variant not shown, the fins 16 may be two or more than three.

[0053] The fins 16 are situated substantially in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cup 10 and are delimited at the bottom by respective inclined planes 18 , all having the same inclination and orientation relative to the plane of rest of the fins 16 .

[0054] As shown in the drawings, the support body 6 is generally cup-shaped with a concave surface facing downwards and comprises a tubular side wall 19 coaxial with a substantially vertical axis 20 and a bottom wall through which the above-mentioned end of the hot water supply conduit 5 is formed.

[0055] A hot water dispensing nozzle 21 is mounted in the center of the bottom wall, in fluid communication with the hot water supply conduit 5 and surrounded by an annular inner cavity 22 coaxial with the axis 20; the annular inner cavity 22 accommodates a front seal 23; the front seal 23 has the function of connecting the filter holder 7 and the support body 6 in a fluid-tight manner when the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled, as will be described in more detail below.

[0056] Furthermore, associated with the support body 6 are a plurality of transverse (first) projections 24 (i.e. first coupling means), which are provided on the support body 6 so as to cooperate with the fins 16 when the filter holder 7 is coupled to the support body 6. The transverse projections 24 define, together with the fins 16, the aforementioned coupling means 17, of which they form another part.

[0057] For this purpose, the transverse projection 24 is delimited at the top (i.e., towards the bottom wall of the support body 6) by corresponding abutment planes 25, which are coplanar with each other and perpendicular to the axis 20 and are configured to slidably engage with the inclined plane 18 in the manner and form described below in response to the relative rotation of the transverse projection 24 and the fin 16, so as to displace the filter holder 7 upwards and press it against the support body 6, thereby tightly coupling the coupling device 17.

[0058] In particular, as will be further elucidated in the following description, the coupling of the filter holder 7 to the support body 6 comprises a first, entirely manual step in which the operator brings the cup 10 of the filter holder 7 close to the support body 6 by a vertical upward movement so as to place the filter holder 7 in an insertion position in which the fins 16 are arranged in the free spaces between the transverse projections 24 and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages the internal cavity 22 and faces (preferably contacts) the front seal 23.

[0059] Suitably, in order to facilitate the correct positioning of the filter holder 7 in the insertion position and to keep it stable in this position before the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled, a magnetic positioning device 26 is provided, which comprises: a plurality of permanent magnets 27, each of which is fixed to a corresponding fin 16; and a plurality of permanent magnets 28, which are installed in appropriate positions along the periphery of the bottom wall of the cup 10 so that when the filter holder 7 approaches the support body 6, the permanent magnets 28 face the corresponding permanent magnets 27 of the fin 16. Preferably, even if the operator completely lets go of the filter holder 7 before the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled, the attraction between the pairs of permanent magnets 27, 28 facing each other is sufficient to keep the filter holder 7 in the insertion position.

[0060] The coupling of the filter holder 7 to the support body 6 further comprises a second step in which the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled. In this step, the fins 16 and the protrusions 24 are rotated relative to each other, and the engagement between the inclined plane 18 and the abutment plane 25 causes the filter holder 7 to move from the insertion position to the tightly coupled position; in this tightly coupled position, the filter holder 7 is arranged at a higher height than in the insertion position, and the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the front seal 23 to achieve a fluid-tight coupling therewith.

[0061] The coffee machine 1 further comprises an automation device 29 configured to automatically couple and decouple the coupling device 17 in order to relieve the operator of the physical effort associated with such operations.

[0062] It should be noted that in this regard, since the relative rotation of the fin 16 and the lateral protrusion 24 causes the coupling device 17 to be tightly coupled and decoupled, there is no conceptual difference between the actuation type of the coupling device 17, which is hereinafter indicated as the first actuation type (in which the lateral protrusion 24 rotates relative to the fin 16) for ease of description, and the actuation type of the coupling device 17, which is hereinafter indicated as the second actuation type (in which the fin 16 rotates relative to the lateral protrusion 24) for ease of description, but only a difference in implementation.

[0063] The automation device 29 comprises a gear ring nut 30 and a drive device 31; the gear ring nut 30 is carried by the support body 6 and is mounted to rotate about the axis 20; the drive device 31 is operably connected to the gear ring nut 30 so as to rotate the gear ring nut 30 about the axis 20 and move it between a rest position (in which the operator is allowed to connect the filter holder 7 to the support body 6 to set the filter holder 7 in the insertion position) and an operating position (in which the filter holder 7 is in a tightly coupled position).

[0064] Depending on the type of actuation of the coupling device 17 , the toothed ring nut 30 rotates the transverse projection 24 relative to the fin 16 or conversely the fin 16 relative to the transverse projection 24 to couple and decouple the coupling device 17 .

[0065] In particular, Figures 2 to 7 In the first actuation type shown, the toothed ring nut 30 is integrally mounted with the transverse projection 24 so as to allow them to rotate relative to the fin 16; whereas in the second actuation type ( Figures 8 to 15 and Figures 16 to 23 ), the ring gear nuts 30 are coupled to the fins 16 at an angle to allow them to rotate relative to the lateral protrusions 24.

[0066] The ring gear nut 30 comprises external teeth 32 coaxial with the axis 20 and formed on an annular body 33 rotatably mounted on the tubular side wall 19 .

[0067] Preferably, the drive device 31 includes: a motor 34, which is disposed in the frame 2; and a gear transmission device 35, which is designed to receive the rotational motion from the output shaft of the motor 34 and transmit the rotational motion to the ring gear nut 30 in a manner that is appropriately reduced in speed. Preferably, the output shaft of the motor 34 extends through the front wall 3, and the gear transmission device 35 is disposed outside the frame 2.

[0068] In an embodiment not shown, the drive device 31 comprises a geared motor housed entirely in the frame 2 .

[0069] In the following, the automation device 29 will be described in more detail with explicit reference to each of the two above-mentioned types of actuation of the coupling device 17 .

[0070] First type of actuation of the coupling

[0071] Figures 2 to 7 An embodiment of the coffee machine 1 is shown operating according to a first type of actuation of the coupling device 17 , ie the type in which the transverse projection 24 rotates relative to the fins 16 and around the axis 20 by means of the toothed ring nut 30 .

[0072] In this embodiment, the toothed ring nut 30 rotatably mounted on the tubular side wall 19 substantially forms an extension of the tubular side wall 19 and holds the transverse projection 24 integrally close to its own free end edge.

[0073] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lateral protrusions 24 extend from the inner surface of the ring gear nut 30 toward the axis 20, are arranged so that the corresponding abutment planes 25 face the bottom wall of the support body 6, and are evenly distributed around the axis 20, thereby circumferentially defining a free space 36 with sufficient angular width between them to allow the fin 16 to pass through the free space 36 in a direction parallel to the axis 20.

[0074] The support body 6 has a plurality of seats 37 which are distributed around the seal 23 so as to be axially aligned with the corresponding free spaces 36 when the ring nut 30 is in the rest position and are sized to each accommodate a corresponding fin 16 when the filter holder 7 is in the inserted position ( Figure 4 ).

[0075] In order to attract the filter holder 7 and then hold it stably in the inserted position, each seat 37 is provided with one of the above-mentioned permanent magnets 28 of the positioning device 26 so as to cooperate with the permanent magnet 27 of the corresponding fin 16 when the filter holder 7 approaches the support body 6 .

[0076] Preferably, the base 37 and the toothed ring nut 30 are arranged one after the other about the axis 20 so that, when the filter holder 7 is in the inserted position, the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 is arranged in front of the operator and approximately perpendicular to the front wall 3 of the housing 2. Since, in the first actuation type of the coupling device 17, the fins 16 of the filter holder are only displaced axially upwards during the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 and not rotated, the filter holder 7 remains in the same forward position relative to the operator even when the filter holder 7 is in the tight coupling position.

[0077] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The ring gear nut 30 is shown Figure 5 The rest position shown is rotated to Figure 6 The operating position shown is used to tightly couple the coupling device 17.

[0078] In the rest position of the ring nut 30 , the filter holder 7 is in an inserted position in which the fins 16 engage corresponding seats 37 and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages forwardly with or is at least adjacent to the seal 23 .

[0079] like Figure 6As clearly shown in FIG, in order to move the gear ring nut 30 from the rest position to the operating position, the drive device 31 is operated to rotate the gear ring nut 30 to a certain extent so that the transverse protrusion 24 and the fin 16 at least partially overlap. During this rotation, the abutment plane 25 of the transverse protrusion 24 slides along the inclined plane 18 of the fin 16, thereby transmitting an upward thrust to the fin 16 and the entire filter holder 7.

[0080] like Figure 7 As shown, when the ring gear nut 30 is rotated to the end, the filter holder 7 is in the tight coupling position; in the tight coupling position, the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23, so that the filter holder 7 is coupled to the support body 6 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0081] Second type of actuation of the coupling

[0082] Figures 8 to 15 and Figures 16 to 23 A corresponding embodiment of the coffee machine 1 is shown operating according to the second type of actuation of the coupling means 17 , ie the type in which the fins 16 rotate relative to the transverse protrusions 24 and the toothed ring nut 30 is coupled to the fins 16 at an angle to rotate them about the axis 20 .

[0083] In this embodiment, the transverse projection 24 is not carried by the toothed ring nut 30, but is integral with the tubular side wall 19. In particular, the transverse projection 24 is arranged along the end free edge of the tubular side wall 19 and extends towards the axis 20, with the corresponding abutment plane 25 facing the bottom wall of the support body 6.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transverse projections 24 are evenly distributed around the axis 20 and circumferentially define between them free spaces 36 of sufficient angular width to allow the fins 16 to pass through the free spaces 36 in a direction parallel to the axis 20 .

[0085] In the portion corresponding to the free space 36, the bottom wall of the support body 6 carries a permanent magnet 28 around the seal 23. Similar to the previous embodiment, the permanent magnet 28 is designed to cooperate with the permanent magnet 27 carried by the corresponding fin 16 when the filter holder 7 approaches the support body 6, so as to attract and retain (or help retain) the filter holder 7 in the inserted position.

[0086] As described above, in the second actuation type of the coupling device 17 , the gear ring nut 30 can be coupled to the fin 16 and thus to the filter holder 7 at an angle such that the filter holder 7 rotates about the axis 20 when it is actuated by the drive device 31 .

[0087] When the filter holder 7 enters the insertion position, an angular coupling between the gear ring nut 30 and the filter holder 7 is achieved. Figures 8 to 15 and Figures 16 to 23 The illustrated embodiments respectively provide two examples of ways to achieve such an angular connection.

[0088] exist Figures 8 to 15 In the illustrated embodiment, the gear ring nut 30 is provided with a fork portion 38 configured to be positioned across the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 when the filter holder 7 is in the inserted position, thereby integrating the filter holder 7 and the gear ring nut 30 at a certain angle.

[0089] like Figure 10 、 Figure 11 and Figure 13 As shown, it is suitable that the ring gear nut 30 is mounted on the support body 6 so that when the ring gear nut 30 is in the rest position, the fork 38 is offset at a certain angle from the central position facing the operator and is preferably on the left side of the operator ( Figure 10 and Figure 11 ). In addition, preferably, the rest position of the gear ring nut 30 is selected so that after the gear ring nut 30 is rotated from the rest position to the operating position, the fork 38 and the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 are substantially in said central position in front of the operator ( Figure 13 ).

[0090] Figure 12 and Figure 14 It shows how to move the ring gear nut 30 from the rest position ( Figure 12 ) to the operating position ( Figure 14 ) to tightly couple the coupling device 17 and the filter holder 7 from the insertion position ( Figure 12 ) to the tight coupling position ( Figure 14 ) corresponding rotation.

[0091] In the inserted position of the filter holder 7 , the handle 11 is inserted into the fork 38 , the fins 16 are arranged between the lateral projections 24 in the corresponding free spaces 36 , and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages the seal 23 forwardly or is at least adjacent thereto.

[0092] Operation of the drive device 31 causes the ring gear nut 30 to rotate, dragging the filter holder 7 along with it and causing the fins 16 to slide on the lateral projections 24, thereby moving the filter holder 7 upward.

[0093] like Figure 15 As shown, when the ring gear nut 30 and the filter holder 7 are rotated to the end, the filter holder 7 is in a tight coupling position; in this tight coupling position, the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23, so that the filter holder 7 is coupled to the support body 6 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0094] exist Figures 16 to 23In the embodiment of the present invention, the angular connection between the ring gear nut 30 and the filter holder 7 is achieved by a base or recess 39, which is integral with the ring gear nut 30 and is configured to engage with one of the fins 16 of the filter holder 7 when the ring gear nut 30 is in the rest position and the filter holder 7 is brought into the insertion position.

[0095] In particular, Figure 17 As shown, the recess 39 is defined by two walls projecting from the inner surface of the ring gear nut 30 , extends within one of the free spaces 36 between the transverse projections 24 , and is dimensioned to relatively precisely accommodate one fin 16 .

[0096] When the ring gear nut 30 is in the rest position and the filter holder 7 is inserted into the support body 6, one of the fins 16 is inserted into the recess 39 ( Figure 20 ), so that when the ring gear nut 30 is moved to the operating position, the filter holder 7 is forced to rotate together with the ring gear nut 30. The rotation of the filter holder 7 causes the fins 16 to engage the corresponding lateral protrusions 24, thereby tightly coupling the coupling device 17 ( Figure 22 ). In this regard, it should be noted that, in the example shown, the dimensions of the recess 39 are such that, during rotation of the filter holder 7, it would interfere with the transverse projections 24 intended to cooperate with the fins 16 inserted into the recess 39. Consequently, these transverse projections 24 are absent, and a tight coupling of the coupling device 17 is effectively achieved by engaging the other fins with the corresponding transverse projections 24. In a variant not shown, the dimensions and shape of the recess 39 allow its rotation despite the presence of the transverse projections 24 intended to cooperate with the fins 16 inserted into the recess 39.

[0097] like Figure 18 、 Figure 19 and Figure 21 As shown, the ring gear nut 30 is suitably mounted on the support body 6 so that when the ring gear nut 30 is in the rest position, the fin 16 can be inserted into the recess 39 while keeping the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 in a position offset at a certain angle to the left relative to the central position in front of the operator, so that after the ring gear nut 30 is rotated from the rest position to the operating position, the handle 11 is substantially in the said central position in front of the operator.

[0098] like Figure 23 As shown, when the ring gear nut 30 and the filter holder 7 are rotated to the end, the filter holder 7 is in a tight coupling position; in this tight coupling position, the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23, so that the filter holder 7 is coupled to the support body 6 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0099] Regardless of whether the coupling device 17 is of the first or second actuation type, as described above, the automation device 29 of the coffee machine 1 is configured to automatically couple and decouple the coupling device 17 in order to replace or assist the operator in performing these actions.

[0100] In order to achieve this automation, which, from a practical point of view, requires starting the drive device 31 that rotates the ring gear nut 30, the automation device 29 includes a user interface 40, which is operably connected to the drive device 31 and is constructed to allow the operator to rotate the ring gear nut 30 in two rotational directions in order to tightly couple and decouple the coupling device 17.

[0101] In a basic embodiment not shown in the drawings, the user interface 40 may comprise a simple button or rocker switch with two or more positions, one or more touch keys, or a touch sensitive panel capable of detecting simple touches or more complex gestures by an operator.

[0102] In an advanced embodiment shown in the drawings, according to a different and independent aspect of the invention, the user interface 40 is configured to convert an action manually performed by an operator on the filter holder 7 into a corresponding electrical command to the drive device 31, causing the ring gear nut 30 to rotate in the opposite rotational direction for a given period of time.

[0103] In particular, the user interface 40 includes:

[0104] - an electronic sensing system 41 configured to sense an operator's action on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 and output an electrical output indicative of the operator's action on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7; and

[0105] - an electronic control unit 42, communicatively coupled (particularly electrically connected) to the electronic sensing system 41 and the drive device 31, to receive the electrical output of the electronic sensing system 41 and, based on the received electrical output, generate corresponding electrical commands to the drive device 31, so as to rotate the ring gear nut 30 in opposite rotational directions in response to an action performed by the operator on the filter holder 7, so as to tightly couple and decouple the coupling device 17.

[0106] like Figure 1 As shown, the electronic sensing system 41 includes a panel or plate 43 and one or more sensors 44; the panel or plate is mounted on the front wall 3 and supports the support body 6; the sensor is connected to the plate 43 to sense the force applied to the plate 43 directly or indirectly through the filter holder 7.

[0107] Conveniently, a motion sensor 44 coupled to the plate 43 may be used as sensor 44 in order to sense (micro) movements of the plate 43 caused by actions performed by an operator on the plate 43 , either directly or indirectly via the filter holder 7 .

[0108] The number, technology and arrangement of the motion sensors 44 are chosen such that they can sense (small) movements of the plate 43 caused by actions performed by an operator on the plate 43 which need to be sensed directly or indirectly via the filter holder 7 .

[0109] It is expedient that a force sensor 44 can be used as a motion sensor 44 , which is explicitly mentioned in this description without loss of generality.

[0110] Furthermore, since the filter holder of the coffee machine is conventionally rotated by the operator counterclockwise (to the right relative to the operator) to lock it on the support and clockwise (to the left relative to the operator) to unlock it, it is expedient that the number, technology and arrangement of the motion sensors are chosen such that they can sense the (small) movements of the plate 43 caused by the force applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 in order to rotate the filter holder 7 counterclockwise and clockwise.

[0111] In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 42 is programmed to:

[0112] - determining the movement of the plate 43 caused by the action manually performed by the operator on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 based on the electrical output of the load cell 44 ; and

[0113] - generating an electrical command to the drive device 31 so that when the load cell 44 senses the movement of the plate 43 caused by the rightward (counterclockwise) thrust applied to the filter holder 7 by the operator, the drive device 31 rotates the ring gear nut 30 from the rest position to the operating position, and conversely, when the load cell 44 senses the movement of the plate 43 caused by the leftward (clockwise) thrust applied to the filter holder 7 by the operator, the drive device 31 rotates the ring gear nut 30 from the operating position to the rest position.

[0114] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the plate 43 has a rectangular shape and is defined by substantially horizontal upper and lower edges and two substantially vertical side edges. The upper and lower edges each have an extension 43a that projects vertically from the plate 43 outward from the front wall 3 and is arranged to face and abut a corresponding bracket 45 that projects from the upper and lower sides of the window in the front wall 3 into which the plate 43 is inserted.

[0115] Preferably, each extension 43a is connected to the corresponding bracket 45 by a pin 46, which is arranged substantially in the center of the bracket 45 and is coaxial with another pin 46 so as to define, together with the other pin, a vertical rotation axis 47, about which the plate 43 can swing in opposite directions when the operator applies a push to the right or left to the support 6 through the filter holder 7.

[0116] In order to sense the movement (ie, vibration) of the plate 43 , a load cell 44 is provided between the plate 43 and the front wall 3 at a side edge of the plate 43 outside the front wall 3 .

[0117] in any case, Figures 1 to 23 The embodiment shown is only one example of the number of load cells 44 that may be needed and the manner in which they should be arranged relative to the plate 43 and the front wall 3 in order to sense the movement of the plate 43 in response to the rightward and leftward thrusts applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 inserted into the support 6. The number, configuration, and orientation of the load cells 44 will depend on the type of load cells used.

[0118] In addition, if Figure 25 As shown, the presence of the pins 46 is also optional, since the number and arrangement of the load cells 44 are sufficient to give sufficient stability to the plate 43 and its movement.

[0119] Finally, the shape of the plate 43 shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only and may be replaced by a mounting element of any shape and size, as long as it is suitable for rigidly supporting the support body 6 and allowing the load cell 44 to sense (small) movement of the plate 43 in response to the rightward and leftward thrusts applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 inserted into the support body 6.

[0120] Depending on whether the operation of the coupling device 17 is based on the first actuation type or the second actuation type, as described above, the tight coupling caused by the rotation of the ring gear nut 30 is performed either in a fully automatic mode (in which the rotation of the ring gear nut 30 is controlled solely by the electronic control unit 42 via the drive device 31) or in a partially automatic mode (in which the rotation of the ring gear nut 30 is performed partly manually by the operator and partly automatically by the drive device 31).

[0121] In fact, in the first actuation type (in which the filter holder 7 does not rotate between the insertion position and the tight coupling position, and the lateral protrusion 24 is carried by the ring gear nut 30 to move relative to the fin 16), when the operator places the filter holder 7 in the insertion position and applies a push to the right (or a push to the left if conventional practice is followed) as if wanting to rotate the filter holder to lock it, the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 is carried out in a fully automatic mode, thereby causing movement (vibration) of the plate 43, a corresponding electrical output of the load cell 44 and operation of the drive device 31, thereby causing the ring gear nut 30 to rotate in the operating position in response to an electrical command from the electronic control unit 42.

[0122] Conversely, when the operator exerts a reverse thrust on the filter holder 7 (in this case a thrust to the left) as if to unlock the filter holder 7 for removal, the plate 43 is caused to perform an opposite movement, thus rotating the ring gear nut 30 from the operating position to the rest position.

[0123] On the other hand, in the second actuation type (in which, when the filter holder 7 is in the insertion position, the filter holder 7 is integral with the ring gear nut 30 and rotates to move between the insertion position and the tight coupling position in order to engage or disengage the fins 16 with the transverse protrusions 24), the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 is carried out in a partially automatic manner, that is, in a manual "servo-assisted" manner.

[0124] In particular, when the operator places the filter holder 7 in the insertion position and applies a push to the right (or a push to the left if conventional practice is followed), the filter holder 7 actually begins to rotate towards the tight coupling position, but at the same time, the load cell 44 senses the consequent push on the plate 43, so the electronic control unit 42 activates the drive device 31, which rotates the ring gear nut 30 to the operating position, thereby completing the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 without the operator having to apply any more force on the filter holder 7.

[0125] The separation of the coupling device 17 is mainly automatic, since the pushing force applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 in the opposite direction (in this case to the left) does not necessarily have to be sufficient to overcome the tight coupling force, but is sufficient to be sensed by the load cell 44 through the movement of the plate 43, so as to rotate the ring gear nut 30 from the operating position to the rest position and return the filter holder 7 to the inserted position.

[0126] It goes without saying that the tight coupling and separation of the coupling device 17 can be achieved by directly acting on the flat plate 43 at the opposite sides of the support body 6 (in particular, directly applying a thrust on the flat plate 43 ).

[0127] Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the automation device 29 is configured not only to control the coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17 , but also to start and stop the delivery of the beverage in response to appropriate actions manually performed by the operator on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 .

[0128] Preferably, the control of the beverage delivery is similar to the control of the tight coupling described above for the coupling device 17 and is performed in particular by means of load cells 44 which are mounted between the plate 43 and the front wall 3 to sense the movement of the plate 43 in a direction different from the movement towards and away from the tight coupling position caused by the thrust applied to the filter holder 7.

[0129] The load cell 44 provided for this purpose may be the same as or different from the load cell used to sense the movement of the plate 43 when coupling and decoupling the coupling device 17, and is provided at an appropriate location relative to the plate 34. For simplicity, in the drawings, all load cells 44 are shown with the same reference numerals, regardless of the type of movement to be sensed.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, when the filter holder 7 is in the tightly coupled position, the operator issues commands to start and stop beverage delivery by applying upward and downward thrusts to the handle 11 of the filter holder 7. Because the filter holder 7 is integrally coupled to the support body 6, the thrust applied to the filter holder 7 is transmitted to the plate 43 and sensed by the load cell 44. The electrical output of the load cell 44 causes the electronic control unit 42 to control the start or stop of the water pump (not shown) that supplies water to the boiler 4.

[0131] In a different embodiment, the start and stop of beverage delivery can be commanded by the operator by applying a torque to the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 which tends to rotate the handle to the right and left respectively when the filter holder 7 is arranged in the tight coupling position.

[0132] Figure 25 、 Figure 26 and Figure 27 An example of a possible arrangement of a load cell 44 is shown in order to sense the movement of the plate 43 caused by a rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward push on the filter holder 7 .

[0133] In particular, Figure 25 It is shown that the rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward thrusts on the filter holder 7 are sensed by the same pair of load cells 44 provided on the smaller sides of the flat plate 43 .

[0134] Figure 26The following two situations are shown at the same time: the rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward thrust on the filter bracket 7 is sensed by the same pair of force sensors 44 (shown in solid lines) arranged on the larger side of the flat plate 43; the rightward / leftward thrust on the filter bracket 7 is sensed by a first pair of force sensors 44 (shown in dotted lines) arranged on the smaller side of the flat plate 43, and the upward / downward thrust on the filter bracket 7 is sensed by a second pair of force sensors 44 (shown in solid lines) arranged on the larger side of the flat plate 43.

[0135] at last, Figure 27 The situation where the rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are sensed by four load cells 44 provided near the four vertices of the flat plate 43 is shown.

[0136] Similar to what has been described for the tight coupling and uncoupling of the coupling device 17, in a basic embodiment, for commands to start and stop beverage delivery, the user interface 40 may comprise a simple button or a rocker switch with two or more positions, a pair of touch keys, or a touch-sensitive panel capable of sensing simple touches or more complex gestures by the operator.

[0137] As can be seen from the above, according to an advantageous embodiment, the user interface 40 can be a type that can control both the tight connection / disconnection of the connecting device 17 and the start / stop of the beverage delivery in response to the operator's actions on the filter holder 7, or it can be a type that can only control one of the tight connection / disconnection of the connecting device 17 and the start / stop of the beverage delivery.

Claims

1. A coffee machine, comprising: frame; a support body mounted on the frame and designed to deliver hot water for making beverages; a filter holder configured to be filled with a brewing material and releasably coupled to the support to receive hot water from the support for brewing the brewing material and forming a beverage; as well as a user interface allowing a user to control the operation of the coffee machine; The user interface is configured to sense an action or actions performed by a user on the filter holder, or a force or forces applied directly by the user or indirectly by the user through the filter holder to the frame; and starting and stopping beverage delivery in response to the sensed motion or force.

2. The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein The user interface is further configured to start and stop delivering heated water to the filter holder in response to the sensed motion or force.

3. The coffee machine according to claim 2, wherein: The user interface is further configured to sense one or more of the following motions of the filter holder by the user: a rightward motion, a leftward motion, an upward motion, and a downward motion, or to sense one or more forces directly applied by the user to one or different areas of the frame.

4. The coffee machine according to claim 3, wherein: The user interface is further configured to sense rightward and leftward, or upward and downward movements of the filter holder by a user, or to sense force applied directly by a user to areas of the frame on opposite sides of the support body.

5. The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The user interface includes: an electronic sensing system configured to sense an action or actions performed by a user on the filter holder, or to sense a force or forces applied by a user directly or indirectly through the filter holder on the frame, and to output an electrical output indicative of the sensed action or force in response; and An electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to the electronic sensing system to receive the electronic output of the electronic sensing system and generate electrical commands to an automated device based on the electronic output of the electronic sensing system to start and stop beverage delivery in response to the sensed motion or force.

6. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a coupling device comprising a first coupling component mounted on the support body and a second coupling component carried by the filter holder; The coupling device is configured to bring the filter holder into a tight coupling position; in the tight coupling position, the filter holder is tightly coupled to the support body starting from the insertion position; in the insertion position, the filter holder is loosely inserted into the support body due to the relative movement of the first coupling part and the second coupling part; as well as An automation device is configured to at least partially automatically move the first coupling component and the second coupling component relative to each other. 7 . The coffee maker according to claim 6 , wherein the coupling device is configured to move the filter holder into the tightly coupled position by relative rotation of the first coupling member and the second coupling member.

8. The coffee machine according to claim 7, wherein: The support body has an axis, and the automated device includes a motorized component operable to relatively rotate the first coupling part and the second coupling part in opposite rotational directions about the axis of the support body.

9. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein: The user interface is further configured to operate the automated device to cause the coupling device to couple and decouple in response to the sensed motion or force.

10. The coffee machine according to claim 9, wherein: The user interface is further configured to: sense rightward, leftward, upward, and downward movements of the filter holder by a user, or sense a force directly applied by the user to areas of the frame located to the right, left, above, and below the support body; coupling and decoupling the coupling device in response to sensed rightward and leftward motions or forces sensed on the left and right sides of the support body; and starting and stopping beverage delivery in response to sensed upward and downward motion or sensed forces above and below the support, and vice versa.

11. The coffee machine according to claim 9, wherein The user interface includes: an electronic sensing system configured to sense an action or actions performed by a user on the filter holder, or to sense a force or forces applied by a user directly or indirectly through the filter holder on the frame; and in response, output an electrical output indicative of the sensed action or force; and The electronic control unit is further configured to output an electrical command to the automation device based on the electrical output of the electronic sensing system, so as to couple and decouple the coupling device in response to the sensed motion or force.

12. The coffee machine according to claim 5 or 11, wherein: The electronic sensing system includes one or more sensors coupled to the frame to sense forces applied directly to the frame or indirectly through the filter holder.

13. The coffee machine according to claim 12, wherein: The one or more sensors include one or more motion sensors coupled to the frame to sense minute movements of the frame caused by forces applied directly to the frame or indirectly through the filter holder.

14. The coffee machine according to claim 13, wherein: The one or more motion sensors include one or more load cells.

15. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein The automated device includes an electric component operable to relatively rotate the first coupling member and the second coupling member about the axis of the support body in opposite rotational directions; The first coupling part is integral with the support body, the electric component includes a gear ring nut rotatably mounted on the support body so as to rotate about the axis, and the gear ring nut is designed to be coupled to the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to be integral with the filter holder at a certain angle; The ring gear nut is operable to rotate the second coupling component relative to the first coupling component to move the filter holder from the inserted position to the tightly coupled position, and vice versa.

16. The coffee machine according to claim 15, wherein The ring gear nut includes a base configured to engage with a portion of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at a certain angle.

17. The coffee machine according to claim 16, wherein: The base is defined by a fork integral with the ring gear nut and is configured to be positioned across the handle of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at an angle.

18. The coffee machine according to claim 16, wherein: The seat is defined by a recess integral with the ring gear nut and is configured to engage with a second coupling member of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at an angle.

19. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein: The automated device includes an electric component operable to relatively rotate the first coupling member and the second coupling member about the axis of the support body in opposite rotational directions; The electric component includes a gear ring nut, the gear ring nut is rotatably mounted on the support body to rotate about the axis and carries the first coupling part; The gear ring nut is oriented at an angle about the axis so as to allow the filter holder to be manually positioned in the insertion position by merely moving the filter holder upwards along the axis toward the support body.

20. The coffee machine according to claim 19, wherein The shape of the support body is such that when the filter holder is in the inserted position, the support body cooperates with the second coupling part to substantially prevent the filter holder from rotating about the axis during rotation of the ring gear nut, thereby assuming the same position relative to the operator in the inserted position and the tightly coupled position.

21. The coffee machine according to claim 19, wherein The gear ring nut is oriented at an angle about the axis such that in the inserted position and the tightly coupled position, the filter holder is brought into a forward position relative to an operator, in which a handle of the filter holder is disposed forward relative to the operator.

22. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 15 to 21, further comprising: a magnetic positioning device designed to facilitate positioning of the filter holder at the insertion position when the filter holder approaches the support body; The positioning device comprises one or more first magnetic elements associated with the support body and one or more second magnetic elements associated with the second coupling member; The first magnetic element is configured to magnetically cooperate with the second magnetic element when the filter holder is in or about to enter the insertion position.

23. The coffee machine according to claim 22, wherein: The filter holder comprises a cup-shaped body having a bottom wall and an open end defined by a rim, and the support comprises a brewing hot water outlet and a seal surrounding the brewing hot water outlet; The first coupling member includes a plurality of first protrusions, and the second coupling member includes a plurality of second protrusions; the second protrusion being provided on the filter holder so as not to interfere with the first protrusion when the filter holder is in the inserted position and slidably engaging with the first protrusion during relative rotation of the first coupling member and the second coupling member; the first and second protrusions are shaped such that the filter holder and the support body move towards each other during relative rotation, such that in the tight coupling position the edge of the filter holder presses against the seal in a fluid-tight manner; The first magnetic elements are arranged on the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body between the first protrusions, and the second magnetic elements are carried by corresponding fins in positions such that the first magnetic elements face the corresponding second magnetic elements when the filter holder approaches the support body.

24. The coffee maker of claim 6, further comprising: a positioning device, designed to facilitate positioning the filter holder at the insertion position; The positioning device is a magnetic positioning device, which includes one or more first magnetic elements associated with the support body and one or more second magnetic elements associated with the second connecting part; the first magnetic element is configured to magnetically cooperate with the second magnetic element when the filter holder is in or about to enter the insertion position.

25. The coffee machine according to claim 24, wherein The filter holder comprises a cup-shaped body having a bottom wall and an open end defined by a rim, and the support comprises a brewing hot water outlet and a seal surrounding the brewing hot water outlet; The first coupling member includes a plurality of first protrusions, and the second coupling member includes a plurality of second protrusions; the second protrusion being provided on the filter holder so as not to interfere with the first protrusion when the filter holder is in the inserted position and slidably engaging with the first protrusion during relative rotation of the first coupling member and the second coupling member; the first and second protrusions are shaped such that the filter holder and the support body move towards each other during relative rotation, such that in the tight coupling position the edge of the filter holder presses against the seal in a fluid-tight manner; The first magnetic element is arranged on the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body and located between the first protrusions, and the second magnetic element is carried by the corresponding fin so that when the filter holder approaches the support body, the first magnetic element faces the corresponding second magnetic element.

26. The coffee machine according to claim 24 or 25, wherein: The automated device includes an electric component operable to relatively rotate the first coupling member and the second coupling member about the axis of the support body in opposite rotational directions; The first coupling part is integral with the support body, the electric component includes a gear ring nut rotatably mounted on the support body so as to rotate about the axis, and the gear ring nut is designed to be coupled to the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to be integral with the filter holder at a certain angle; The ring gear nut is operable to rotate the second coupling component relative to the first coupling component to move the filter holder from the inserted position to the tightly coupled position, and vice versa.

27. The coffee machine according to claim 26, wherein The ring gear nut includes a base configured to engage with a portion of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at a certain angle.

28. The coffee machine according to claim 27, wherein The base is defined by a fork integral with the ring gear nut and is configured to be positioned across the handle of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at an angle.

29. The coffee machine according to claim 27, wherein The seat is defined by a recess integral with the ring gear nut and is configured to engage with a second coupling member of the filter holder when the filter holder is in the inserted position so as to integrate the filter holder and the ring gear nut at an angle.

30. The coffee machine of claim 24, wherein: The automated device includes an electric component operable to relatively rotate the first coupling member and the second coupling member about the axis of the support body in opposite rotational directions; The electric component includes a gear ring nut, the gear ring nut is rotatably mounted on the support body to rotate about the axis and carries the first coupling part; The gear ring nut can be operated to rotate the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part so as to fully automatically move the filter holder from the insertion position to the tight coupling position and vice versa; The gear ring nut is oriented at an angle about the axis to allow the filter holder to be manually positioned in the insertion position by merely moving the filter holder upwards along the axis toward the support body.

31. The coffee machine according to claim 30, wherein The shape of the support body is such that when the filter holder is in the inserted position, the support body cooperates with the second coupling part to substantially prevent the filter holder from rotating about the axis during rotation of the ring gear nut, thereby entering the same position relative to the operator in both the inserted position and the tightly coupled position.

32. The coffee machine of claim 30, wherein: The gear ring nut is oriented at an angle about the axis such that in the inserted position and the tightly coupled position, the filter holder is brought into a forward position relative to an operator, wherein a handle of the filter holder is forward relative to the operator.

33. The coffee machine of claim 15, wherein: The gear ring nut has a toothed portion, and the automation device includes a motor and a gear transmission device to kinematically couple the motor and the gear ring nut.

34. The coffee machine of claim 15, wherein: In the tight coupling position, the filter holder and the support body are coupled in a fluid-tight manner.

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