Hermetically sealed hopper for feeding beans and corresponding method of operation

Abstract

A hermetically sealed hopper (10) for feeding beans comprises a closed lid (17) and a container (11) having an open upper end (16) and a lower end (19). The cover (17) is provided with first sealing means (30) of the flexible type configured to cooperate with the inner surface (13) in a sliding and gas-tight manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed hopper for feeding beans, in particular (but not exclusively) for feeding coffee beans. The hopper can be used in a coffee beverage preparation machine for domestic or semi-professional use, of automatic, semi-automatic or manual type, or in a machine for grinding coffee beans. The invention also relates to a method of operating the hopper. Background Art

[0002] Machines for preparing beverages starting from beans or for grinding beans, such as coffee beans, are known, which machines can be connected to a hopper suitable for receiving the beans so as to feed the beans to a grinding device in the machine.

[0003] In particular, machines equipped with a removable hopper are becoming increasingly popular, allowing the consumer to change the type of coffee beans to be used.

[0004] The hopper comprises a container having an open upper end through which the beans are placed and a lower end provided with at least one hole through which the beans can exit.

[0005] Known hoppers are usually provided with a closing cover corresponding to the upper end and suitable closing means corresponding to the lower end, which allow selective closing of the orifice according to specific operating requirements.

[0006] A very important aspect to take into account with respect to these known hoppers is the presence of air inside the container, which generally leads to oxidation of the beans therein, with consequent loss of their organoleptic properties.

[0007] In this connection, the lid associated with the upper end is usually hermetically sealed and is provided with a degassing valve which allows reducing the amount of air present inside the container itself, above the beans. In particular, a suction device may be associated with said valve which, however, must be manually actuated by the consumer in order to obtain the desired reduction in the air volume.

[0008] Therefore, due to practicality or sometimes lack of ability, consumers often do not carry out this operation, which leads to the disadvantage that the coffee beans oxidize and lose their initial organoleptic properties, with the subsequent deterioration of the quality of the coffee produced therewith.

[0009] Solutions are also known that allow the suction device to be automated, but these solutions are very expensive since they require electrical circuits and dedicated control devices.

[0010] Another disadvantage of the known hopper is that the opening in the lower end is not sealed, so that even if the lower end itself is closed by actuating corresponding closing means, air can in any case enter the hopper uncontrolled.

[0011] Document EP3366612A1 relates to a cartridge containing a dense substance, the cartridge being equipped with a piston or mechanical piston driven by compressed air to squeeze the substance towards an outlet orifice. The piston is configured to move in only one direction and is provided with a lip which always remains inclined towards the outlet orifice and defines a pocket in which the substance accumulates as the piston gradually advances in the cartridge towards the outlet orifice, thereby being gradually pressed against the cartridge wall to form a seal.

[0012] Documents WO 2022 / 024153 A1 and DE 20115968 U1 describe hoppers for containing coffee beans or coffee powder.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need to improve an airtight sealed hopper for containing and supplying beans which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0014] In order to achieve this, the technical problem that had to be solved was to provide a hopper in which the amount of air inside the hopper was reduced and kept to a minimum.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an airtight sealed hopper for supplying beans which is capable of selectively preventing uncontrolled entry of air into the hopper.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealed hopper for feeding beans which is simpler and cheaper than the hoppers of the prior art.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hermetically sealed hopper for feeding beans, which hopper is easy to use and can be integrated into a machine for preparing beverages or grinding beans.

[0018] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. Summary of the invention

[0019] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0020] In accordance with the above-mentioned objects, and in order to solve the above-disclosed technical problems in a novel and original way while also achieving significant advantages over the prior art, an airtightly sealed hopper for supplying beans according to the present invention comprises a closed lid, and a container having an inner surface, an open upper end and a lower end opposite to the upper end.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover is provided with a first sealing device, which is of a flexible type and is configured to cooperate with the inner surface in a sliding and airtight manner to prevent air from flowing through the cover towards the upper end, wherein the first sealing device is provided with a plurality of bypass elements.

[0022] Furthermore, when inserted into the container through the upper end, the lid is configured to move both toward the lower end and toward the upper end.

[0023] The sealing device comprises a flexible ring provided with a bypass element.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible ring is configured to bend upward or downward relative to the direction of movement of the lid and, depending on the movement of the lid in one direction or the other, to transition from a sealing state, in which the flexible ring allows closure of an airtight seal, thereby preventing air from passing through the lid, to a passing state, in which the flexible ring allows air to pass through with the aid of a plurality of bypass elements.

[0025] In the sealing state, the flexible ring is inclined at a first angle toward the upper end, and in the passing state, the flexible ring is inclined at a second angle toward the lower end.

[0026] The second angle is substantially opposite to the first angle relative to the horizontal plane.

[0027] Thus, the flexible ring can assume two different configurations, substantially opposite to each other, and the different configurations essentially inhibit or enable the function of the bypass element.

[0028] According to some embodiments, in the sealing state, the flexible ring is inclined at a first angle, and in the passing state, the flexible ring is inclined at a second angle, which is opposite to the first angle relative to the horizontal plane.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the first angle and the second angle are between about 15° and 40°, preferably between 20° and 35°, measured relative to a horizontal plane.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the first angle and the second angle may be substantially symmetrical relative to a horizontal plane.

[0031] According to other embodiments, the first angle and the second angle may be different from each other.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the bypass element is arranged on a peripheral area of ​​the upper surface of the flexible ring.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the flexible ring protrudes radially from the lid and it protrudes relative to the peripheral edge of the lid and is configured to contact the inner surface when the closed lid is inserted into the container.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the bypass element is made as a groove extending in the radial direction of the upper surface and is configured to allow air to pass therethrough when the cover is slid toward the upper end.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover includes a generally C-shaped peripheral edge defining an annular groove, and the flexible ring is disposed within the annular groove.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover is designed and manufactured to have a certain weight to overcome the resistance caused by the friction force generated between the first sealing device and the inner surface, and during use, it is configured to move toward the lower end due to the effect of gravity.

[0037] The hopper comprises a closed bottom provided with at least one outlet opening and associated with a lower end, wherein the lower end is provided with at least one passage opening configured to allow the passage of beans.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, the closed bottom and the container are rotatable relative to each other so as to define a closed position and an open position for respectively allowing and preventing the passage of beans. Furthermore, the bottom comprises a second sealing means configured to cooperate with the at least one passage hole in the closed position so as to close it in an airtight manner.

[0039] The benefit of this is that the hopper is hermetically sealed, so the beans inside the container are less susceptible to oxidation, thus maintaining their organoleptic properties over a longer period of time.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, the second sealing device comprises at least one circular sector having at least one deformable and / or elastic raised peripheral edge along its periphery, which peripheral edge cooperates with the peripheral edge of the channel hole in the closed position, thereby allowing the channel hole to be closed in an airtight manner.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, in the open position, the outlet opening is at least partially aligned with the passage opening to allow the beans to pass through.

[0042] The invention also relates to a method for operating a hopper, wherein the method comprises: a preparation step of placing the hopper in a given machine; a filling step of introducing the beans into the container through the upper end; a first movement step of inserting the cover into the hopper through the upper end until it comes into contact with the beans.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method includes an operation step, wherein beans are fed and made to pass through at least one passage hole, and as the level of the beans decreases, the cover slides toward the lower end and continues to contact the beans, thereby overcoming the resistance caused by the friction force generated by its weight, wherein the first sealing device is in a sealing state and cooperates with the inner surface in a sliding and airtight sealing manner, thereby hermetically closing the container.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, after the preparation step, the hopper is axially rotated relative to a closed bottom integral with the machine, so as to move from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa, so as to allow or prevent, respectively, the passage of the beans through at least one outlet orifice and at least one passage orifice corresponding to the lower end.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method includes a second moving step, wherein the lid is removed from the container by sliding the lid toward the upper end so that the first sealing device enters a passing state and the bypass element allows air to pass between the lid and the inner surface, thereby facilitating the removal of the lid.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present invention, when the cover slides toward the lower end, the flexible ring is inclined toward the upper hole, and when the cover slides toward the upper end, the flexible ring is inclined toward the lower hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments provided by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] - Figure 1 is an exploded and partly cut-away three-dimensional view of a hermetically sealed hopper for feeding beans according to the invention, which hopper can be inserted into a machine for preparing beverages;

[0049] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 3D view of the lid of the hopper;

[0050] - Figure 3 Observed from below Figure 1 3D view of the hopper;

[0051] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the closed bottom of the hopper;

[0052] - Figure 5 is located in a machine for preparing beverages Figure 1 A 3D cross-sectional view of the hopper;

[0053] - Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged and not to scale view of the details of Figure 1 The hopper is in the closed position;

[0054] - Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged and not to scale view of the details of Figure 1 The hopper is in the open position;

[0055] - Figure 8and Fig. 9 yes Figure 2 Enlarged and not to scale detailed view of the two operating states of the middle cover.

[0056] We must clarify that in this description, the words and terms used, as well as the figures in the described drawings, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the invention, with the function of providing non-limiting examples of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0057] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numerals are used, where possible, to identify the same common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] refer to Figure 1 The hermetically sealed hopper 10 according to the invention is suitable for supplying beans, such as but not limited to coffee beans, and can be used in a machine 100 for preparing beverages starting from such beans, or in a machine for grinding such beans.

[0059] By way of example, the machine 100 for preparing beverages may be of the automatic, semi-automatic or manual type, for domestic or semi-professional use.

[0060] According to a possible embodiment, the hopper 10 is of the removable type and can be inserted from above into a suitable housing compartment 101 of the machine 100 .

[0061] By way of example, the connection between the hopper 10 and the housing compartment 101 can be achieved by means of a bayonet mechanism 102 , which is of a known type and therefore not described in detail, and which utilizes rotation relative to a vertical axis V to clamp and release the hopper 10 in the housing compartment 101 .

[0062] When inserted into the housing compartment 101, the hopper 10 can be rotated about the vertical axis V to selectively change from a closed position or state to an open position or state, and vice versa. In particular, in the open position, the hopper 10 can supply beans present therein to a grinding device (not shown in the figures), as will be described in detail below.

[0063] In addition, corresponding to the housing compartment 101, there is at least one detection sensor 103 ( Figure 5 ), which is configured to detect the presence of the hopper 10 and the position or state of the hopper 10, that is, whether the hopper 10 is rotated to the closed position or the open position.

[0064] According to other embodiments of the invention (not shown in the figures), the hopper 10 is of the type that cannot be removed from the machine 100; nevertheless, even in this case, the characteristic of being able to rotate relative to the vertical axis V is retained, allowing the hopper to be transferred from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0065] The hopper 10 includes a container 11 ( Figure 1 and Figure 5 ), the beans are placed in a container 11, which consists of a generally cylindrical side wall 12 and a lower part 15, the side wall 12 having an inner surface 13, which essentially constitutes a part of the inner surface of the hopper 10 itself in this area, and the lower part 15 has a diameter that gradually decreases downwards (that is, towards the machine 100).

[0066] In particular, the container 11 comprises an open upper end 16 through which the beans are introduced and on which a closed lid 17 is located or can be positioned, and a lower end 19 connected to a closed bottom 20. The container 11 and the bottom 20 are rotatable relative to each other about a vertical axis V.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower end 19 is provided with one or more passage holes 21 which allow the beans in the hopper 10 to pass to the grinding device of the machine 100 .

[0068] Note that each passage hole 21 has a corresponding peripheral edge 23. In addition, there may be one or more conveying portions 22 between the passage holes 21, and the conveying portions 22 have a certain shape so as to convey the beans to the passage holes 21; in the embodiment given here, the conveying portions 22 are inclined.

[0069] In the example given here, there are two passage holes 21 which are symmetrical to each other; however, according to other embodiments of the invention, there may even be only one passage hole 21 or, alternatively, there may be more than two passage holes 21 .

[0070] Corresponding to the lower end 19, the container 11 is provided with an annular groove 25, which is configured to slide with the circular protrusion 41 of the bottom 20. The annular groove 25 is defined by two protrusions, preferably two circular rings, respectively constituting the circumferential edge of the lower end 19, an inner ring 26 and an outer ring 27.

[0071] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the container 11 is provided with a hollow first center pin 28, the function of which is to allow the bottom 20 to be correctly positioned, as will be described in detail below.

[0072] Cover 17( Figure 2) has a circular shape, substantially cylindrical, with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the container 11, and it may include a substantially C-shaped peripheral edge defining a circular groove 29 ( Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ).

[0073] During use, the lid 17 is located on the upper end 16, above the beans present in the hopper 10. In order to reduce the amount of air inside the hopper 10 between the lid 17 and the beans present in the hopper 10, the lid 17 is configured to slide along the vertical axis V toward the lower end 19, as described below.

[0074] Cover 17( Figure 2 and Figure 5 ) is provided with a first sealing device 30 of a flexible type, which is configured to allow the lid 17 to slide and form an airtight contact with the inner surface 13 of the container 11.

[0075] In this way, the first sealing means 30 allow to close the hopper 10 airtightly to prevent any air from coming from the open upper end 16. In other words, once the lid 17 is inserted from the upper end 16 of the hopper 10, the beans present in the hopper 10 are isolated from the air coming from the upper end 16.

[0076] In particular, the first sealing means 30 comprises or consists of a flexible ring 31 which radially projects from the cover 17 or is optionally arranged in the circular groove 29 .

[0077] The flexible ring 31 is in particular bendable such that the edge protruding outwards can be bent upwards or downwards, respectively, relative to an inner edge integral with the cover 17 .

[0078] When the protruding edge is bent upward, the flexible ring 31 actually tilts toward the upper end 16 , and when the protruding edge is bent downward, the flexible ring 31 actually tilts toward the lower end 19 .

[0079] The flexible ring 31 protrudes slightly relative to the peripheral edge of the lid 17 and contacts the inner surface 13 of the container 11 .

[0080] In other words, the closed lid 17 has a smaller diameter relative to the outer diameter of the flexible ring 31 and relative to the diameter of the inner surface 13 .

[0081] In contrast, the diameter of the first sealing means 30, optionally a flexible ring 31 , is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner surface 13, preferably about 0.3-1 %, for example about 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0082] In this way, when the lid 17 is subjected to a force acting along the axis V, friction is generated between the first sealing means 30, optionally a flexible ring 31, and the inner surface 13 of the container 11. By way of example, the flexible ring 31 is made of rubber.

[0083] In order to reduce the amount of air present inside the container 11 , between the lid 17 and the beans present therein, the lid 17 is configured to slide along the axis V towards the lower end 19 , cooperating with the inner surface 13 by means of a flexible ring 31 .

[0084] Specifically, the cover 17 is advantageously designed and manufactured to have a certain weight to overcome the resistance generated by the friction force generated between the first sealing device 30 and the inner surface 13, and thus can slide toward the lower end 19 only by the effect of its weight.

[0085] Alternatively, the movement of the cover 17 may be caused by an external force applied to the cover 17, for example by an operator. In this way, the cover 17, which is located on top of the beans present in the hopper 10, can adapt to the level or amount of beans present in the container 11 and reduce the amount of air present above the beans in the container 11.

[0086] Note that the flexible ring 31 is able to bend upward or downward relative to the direction of movement of the cover 17 .

[0087] Specifically, when sliding toward the lower end 19, the flexible ring 31 will bend slightly upward ( Figure 8 ) to reduce the contact area with the inner surface 13 and thus reduce the resistance of friction, thereby facilitating the cover 17 to slide downward.

[0088] Conversely, when sliding toward the upper end 16, for example, if a force is applied to the lid 17 to extract it from the container 11, the flexible ring 31 will bend downward ( Fig. 9 ), mirroring the previous situation.

[0089] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the flexible ring 31 moves downward ( Figure 8 After the arrow F1 in FIG. 1 , for example due to gravity or external stress acting on the cover 17 , the cover 17 may present a first upward tilt angle α1.

[0090] By way of example, the first angle α1 may advantageously be between 15° and 40°, and preferably between 20° and 35°.

[0091] As the cover 17 moves upward ( Fig. 9 As shown in the figure (arrow F2), the flexible ring 31 may be inclined downward at a second angle α2, for example due to a traction force acting thereon.

[0092] By way of example, the second angle α2 may advantageously be between 15° and 40°, and preferably between 20° and 35°.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the first angle α1 and the second angle α2 may be substantially symmetrical about the horizontal plane P.

[0094] According to some variants, provision may also be made for the first angle α1 and the second angle α2 to be different from one another.

[0095] The first angle α1 and the second angle α2 may vary depending on the size and / or thickness of the flexible ring 31 .

[0096] As an indication, it can be provided that the flexible ring 31 has a width in the radial direction of between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm and a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0097] According to another aspect of the present invention, the flexible ring 31 is provided with a plurality of bypass elements 32 ( Figure 2 ).

[0098] According to some embodiments, the bypass element 32 is provided on a peripheral area of ​​the upper surface 33 of the flexible ring.

[0099] Each bypass element 32 is preferably made in the form of a groove on the upper surface 33 of the flexible ring 31 .

[0100] According to some embodiments, the dimensions of the bypass element 32 are small compared to the dimensions of the diameter of the cover 17 and the diameter of the flexible ring 31 .

[0101] Preferably, the bypass element 32 extends in the radial direction up to the outer edge of the upper surface 33 .

[0102] By way of example, the bypass element 32 may extend in the radial direction by between 20% and 50% of the width of the flexible ring 31 .

[0103] Bypass element 32 is configured to allow air to pass between cover 17 and inner surface 13 only when cover 17 is slid toward upper end 16 .

[0104] When the lid 17 inserted into the container 11 is subjected to a force toward the lower end 19 ( Figure 8 As shown by the arrow F1 in FIG. 1 , the flexible ring 31 is bent upward, in other words, toward the upper end 16. In this case, the flexible ring 31 is in contact with the inner surface 13 of the container 11 at the edge of its lower surface (which is continuous). In this way, air is prevented from passing between the inner surface 13 and the lid 17.

[0105] When the lid 17 inserted into the container 11 is subjected to a force toward the upper end 16 ( Fig. 9The flexible ring 31 is bent downwards, in other words, towards the lower end 19, as shown by the arrow F2 in FIG. 1 . In this case, the flexible ring 31 contacts the inner surface 13 ( FIG. 14 ) of the container 11 with the edge of its upper surface 33 (which is discontinuous due to the presence of the bypass element 32). Figure 2 ).

[0106] In this case, if Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, corresponding to the bypass element 32, the flexible ring 31 does not contact the inner surface 13 of the container 11, so air can freely pass through the gap defined between the flexible ring 31 and the inner surface 13, and the friction between the flexible ring 31 and the inner surface 13 is reduced. Therefore, this facilitates the removal of the lid 17 from the container 11.

[0107] The first sealing means 30 are thus able to pass from a sealing state, in which they allow a hermetically sealed closure, preventing air from passing through the cover 17 , to a passing state, in which they allow air to pass through the cover 17 by means of the bypass element 32 .

[0108] This solution advantageously allows obtaining a simple and inexpensive cap 17 in which no valve or other means are required to be able to switch from the sealing state to the through state, but it is sufficient to reverse the bending direction of the flexible ring 31 .

[0109] The lid 17 is also provided with an extraction handle 34 ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 ), which is made to facilitate gripping and therefore to facilitate extraction of the lid 17 itself from the container 11. The extraction handle 34 may consist of an element protruding from the lid 17, or it may consist of a portion of the surface of the lid 17 that is located between two grooves in the lid 17 itself.

[0110] Bottom 20( Figure 4 ) is circular, substantially cylindrical, and is configured to be coupled to the lower end 19 of the hopper 10.

[0111] The closed bottom 20 comprises a bottom wall 36 in which one or more outlet openings 37 are formed. In particular, the outlet openings 37 are of the same number as the passage openings 21 of the lower end 19 of the hopper and advantageously have the same shape.

[0112] In the open position of the hopper 10, the outlet holes 37 are aligned with the corresponding passage holes 21 to allow the beans to pass towards the grinding device 100, while in the closed position they are aligned with the conveying portion 22 to prevent the beans from passing.

[0113] For example, the bottom 20 may include a side wall 35 that is configured to couple with both the outer ring 27 of the container 11 and the housing compartment 101 .

[0114] According to another aspect of the present invention, the bottom 20 includes one or more second sealing means 39 ( Figure 4 ), which is configured to be aligned with the peripheral edge 23 ( Figure 3 ) cooperate so as to close the passage hole 21 in an airtight manner, thereby closing the lower end 19 itself.

[0115] The second sealing device 39 ( Figure 4 ) comprises or consists of circular sectors made of insulating material (e.g. rubber), which are substantially flat. If there are multiple outlet holes 37, the second sealing means 39 is interposed between the outlet holes 37. In particular, each second sealing means 39 ( Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) are provided with a deformable and / or elastic raised peripheral edge 40.

[0116] Preferably, the peripheral edge 40 is continuous and has a shape that conforms to the shape of the corresponding passage hole 21 .

[0117] Thus, when the hopper 10 is in the closed position, the second sealing means 39 is aligned with the passage hole 21 and the raised peripheral edge 40 is compressed against the peripheral edge 23 of the passage hole 21, thereby closing them in an airtight manner ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ).

[0118] The bottom 20 may also include a hollow second center pin 42 ( Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), which is configured to be inserted into the first center pin 28 with minimal clearance, thereby allowing the bottom 20 to be correctly positioned relative to the container 11.

[0119] Corresponding to the upper portion of the second center pin 42 ( Figure 1 and Figure 5 ), a covering element 45, also called "finger protection", is detachably attached by means of suitable attachment means 44 (such as screws), which is known to the person skilled in the art.

[0120] Note that the connection between the first center pin 28 and the second center pin 42 and the connection between the attachment device 44 and the covering element 45 is achieved with minimal clearance. Alternatively, according to other embodiments of the present invention (not shown in the figure), suitable packing can be used to prevent uncontrolled entry of air into the container 11.

[0121] The method of operating the hopper 10 according to the present invention comprises the following steps.

[0122] Initial preparation step: insert the hopper 10 into the housing compartment 101 of the machine 100. Optionally, the container 11 is rotated about a vertical axis V ( Figure 1 ) axially rotates so that the hopper 10 is in the closed position ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 ), that is, the lower end 19 is hermetically sealed using a second sealing device 39.

[0123] Note that in the case where the hopper 10 is of the non-detachable type, the initial preparation step provides for positioning the hopper 10 in the respective closed position.

[0124] Filling step: putting a certain amount of beans into the container 11.

[0125] The first moving step ( Figure 8 ) is called “downward movement”, in which the lid 17 is placed inside the container 11 by the upper end 16 and, by exerting a force directed toward the axis V in the direction of the lower end 19 of the hopper 10, it comes into contact with the beans present therein.

[0126] The combined effect of the force directed toward the lower end 19 and the friction between the first seal 30 and the inner surface 13 causes the flexible ring 31 to flex toward the upper end 16 .

[0127] Furthermore, since the hopper 10 is in the closed position, the force must be sufficient to overcome the resistance created by friction and bend the flexible ring 31 upwardly to temporarily separate the upper peripheral region 33 of the flexible ring 31 from the inner surface 13 so that air can vent toward the upper end 16.

[0128] This step allows reducing the amount of air present above the beans and reduces the oxidation effect on the beans which reduces their organoleptic qualities.

[0129] Note that if the hopper 10 is in the open position ( Figure 6 ), this first movement step can also occur. In this case, the lid 17 is pushed into the interior of the container 11 with less force than when the hopper 10 is in the closed position, because this force only needs to be sufficient to overcome the resistance generated by the friction between the first sealing device 30 and the inner surface 13.

[0130] Then, in the operating step, if the hopper 10 is in the closed position, the container 11 is rotated so that the hopper is in the open position ( Figure 7), that is, the outlet hole 37 of the bottom 20 is aligned with the passage hole 21. This allows the beans to be supplied toward the grinding device, which then starts grinding, causing the level of beans in the container 11 to drop. In particular, as the level of beans drops, the cover 17 also slides downwards overcoming the resistance caused by the friction force generated by the weight.

[0131] Note that during the first movement step of the lid 17 , ie when the lid 17 moves downwards in the container 11 , the air present in the space defined between the lid 17 and the surface of the beans is expelled towards the upper end 16 or the lower end 19 .

[0132] Specifically, when the passage hole 21 is opened, the pressure inside the container 11 is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure. In this way, the cover 17 does not have to overcome the air resistance in the space when moving or being moved toward the lower end 19.

[0133] Thus, in this case, the lid 17 can be gradually lowered, thus continuing to contact the beans and advantageously keeping the amount of air inside the container 11 to a minimum. In this first movement step, the flexible ring 31 of the lid 17 is bent with the outer edge pointing upwards.

[0134] The method further comprises a second moving step ( Fig. 9 ), wherein the lid 17 has an "upward" operation; for example, when it is to be removed from the container 11. In this step, the lid 17 is subjected to a force acting on the axis V in the direction of the upper end 16, for example, when the lid 17 is extracted from the container 11 by means of the extraction handle 34.

[0135] The combined effect of the extraction force directed towards the upper end 16 and the friction between the first sealing means 30 and the inner surface 13 causes the flexible ring 31 to flex downwardly.

[0136] In this way, it is the upper peripheral area 33 of the flexible ring 31 that is in contact with the inner surface 13 of the container 11, so that the bypass element 32, which is a radial recess of the upper peripheral area 33, allows air to pass from the outside to the inside of the container 11 through the space they define between the lid 17 and the inner surface 31.

[0137] This allows to reduce the resistance caused by friction and eliminate the depression generated inside the container 11, thereby facilitating the upward sliding of the lid 17. Please note that the latter operation is particularly useful when the hopper 10 is in the closed position (ie, when the second sealing device 39 is in the closed position).

[0138] Obviously, modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the hopper 10 and to the method of operation as described above, without departing from the field and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0139] It is also obvious that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art should be able to realize other equivalent forms of airtight sealed hoppers for supplying beans, which have the characteristics as described in the claims and therefore all fall within the scope of protection defined therein.

[0140] In the accompanying claims, the reference signs in brackets are merely for ease of reading and shall not be regarded as limiting factors of the protection scope defined by the claims themselves.

Claims

1. An airtightly sealed hopper (10) for supplying beans, comprising a closed lid (17) and a container (11), said container (11) having an inner surface (13), an open upper end (16) and a lower end (19) opposite said upper end (16), characterized in that The lid (17) is provided with a first sealing device (30) of a flexible type, which is configured to cooperate with the inner surface (13) in a sliding and airtight manner and includes a flexible ring (31) provided with a plurality of bypass elements (32), wherein the lid (17) is configured to move both toward the lower end (19) and toward the upper end (16) when inserted into the container (11) through the upper end (16), and the flexible ring (31) is configured to bend upward or downward relative to the moving direction of the lid (17) and to change from a sealing state to a passing state, in which the flexible ring hermetically closes the container (11) thereby preventing air from passing through the lid (17), while in the passing state the flexible ring allows air to pass through with the aid of the plurality of bypass elements (32).

2. The hopper (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the sealing state, the flexible ring (31) is inclined at a first angle (α1) toward the upper end (16), and in the passing state, the flexible ring (31) is inclined at a second angle (α2) toward the lower end (19), and the second angle (α2) is opposite to the first angle (α1) relative to the horizontal plane (P).

3. The hopper (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first angle (α1) and the second angle (α2) are between 15° and 40°, preferably between 20° and 35°.

4. The hopper (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bypass element (32) is arranged on a peripheral area of ​​an upper surface (33) of the flexible ring (31).

5. The hopper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flexible ring (31) protrudes radially from the lid (17) and relative to the peripheral edge of the lid (17) and is configured to contact the inner surface (13) when the closed lid (17) is inserted into the container (11).

6. The hopper (10) according to claim 4 or 5, when claim 5 refers to claim 4, characterized in that: The bypass element (32) is made as a groove extending in the radial direction of the upper surface (33), and is configured to allow air to pass when the cover (17) is slid toward the upper end (16).

7. The hopper (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The cover (17) comprises a substantially C-shaped peripheral edge defining an annular groove (29), and the flexible ring (31) is disposed within the annular groove (29).

8. The hopper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (17) has a certain weight to overcome the resistance caused by the friction between the first sealing means (30) and the inner surface (13), and during use, the cover is configured to move towards the lower end (19) due to the effect of gravity.

9. The hopper (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a closed bottom (20) provided with at least one outlet opening (37) and associated with the lower end (19), the lower end being provided with at least one passage opening (21) configured to allow the passage of the beans, characterized in that The bottom (20) and the container (11) are rotatable relative to each other so as to define a closed position and an open position for respectively allowing and preventing the passage of beans, and is characterized in that the bottom (20) comprises a second sealing device (39) which is configured to cooperate with the at least one passage hole (21) in the closed position so as to close it in an airtight manner.

10. The hopper (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The second sealing device (39) comprises at least one circular sector, which is provided with at least one deformable and / or elastic raised peripheral edge (40) along its periphery, and the raised peripheral edge cooperates with the peripheral edge (23) of the channel hole (21) in the closed position, thereby allowing the channel hole (21) to be closed in an airtight manner.

11. The hopper (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: In the open position, the outlet opening (37) is at least partially aligned with the passage opening (21) to allow the beans to pass through.

12. A method of operating a hopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: a preparation step, in which the hopper (10) is arranged in a given machine (100); A filling step, wherein the beans are introduced into the container (11) through the upper end (16), and the cover (17) is inserted into the hopper (10) through the upper end (16), characterized in that the method includes an operation step, wherein the beans are fed and made to pass through the at least one passage hole (21), and as the level of the beans decreases, the cover (17) slides toward the lower end (19) to contact the beans, thereby overcoming the resistance caused by the friction force generated by its weight, wherein the first sealing device (30) is in the sealing state and cooperates with the inner surface (13) in a sliding and airtight manner, thereby closing the container (11) airtightly.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that After said preparation step, said hopper (10) is axially rotated relative to said closed bottom (20) integral with said machine (100) so as to switch from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa, in order to allow or prevent, respectively, the passage of said beans through said at least one outlet orifice (37) and said at least one passage orifice (21) corresponding to said lower end (19).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method comprises a second moving step, wherein the lid (17) is removed from the container (11) by sliding the lid towards the upper end (16) so that the first sealing device (30) enters the through state and the bypass element (32) allows air to pass between the lid (17) and the inner surface (13), thereby facilitating its removal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that When the cover (17) slides toward the lower end (19), the flexible ring (31) tilts toward the upper end (16), and when the cover (17) slides toward the upper end (16), the flexible ring (31) tilts toward the lower end (19).

Images