Grinding unit for a beverage preparation device

Abstract

Grinding unit for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising a substrate storage unit (2), in particular at least approximately funnel-shaped, for receiving beverage substrate, in particular coffee beans, which has a substrate filling opening (3), and comprising a substrate grinder (4) for grinding beverage substrate, wherein the substrate storage unit (2) is arranged with an outlet opening (5) on, preferably above, the substrate grinder (4) such that beverage substrate can be transferred through the outlet opening (5) into the substrate grinder (4), wherein the substrate storage unit (2) has a cover element (6) spanning the outlet opening (5), which is arranged such that a gap (7) exists between the cover element (6) and the outlet opening (5) through which beverage substrate can be guided, wherein the cover element (6) is located on a surface (8) facing the substrate filling opening (3).1) has a friction-reducing and / or flow-influencing surface structure. The surface structure is formed by a multitude of ribs (9) extending radially from a common center point and / or from an opening (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a grinding unit for a beverage preparation device according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, with a grinding unit according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0002] Grinding units are known from the prior art, essentially consisting of a substrate storage unit, in particular a storage container for coffee beans, and a grinding mechanism for grinding beverage substrate into substrate flour, in particular a grinding mechanism for grinding coffee beans into coffee bean flour. These units are not exclusively, but preferably, used as parts, assemblies, or components of beverage preparation devices, especially coffee and / or espresso machines. In these devices, the grinding unit serves to provide the best possible beverage or to enable the best possible brewing process of the beverage substrate or beverage substrate flour by freshly grinding the beverage substrate and supplying or making it available in its freshly ground state to a brewing unit of the beverage preparation device.

[0003] To prevent a user of the beverage preparation device from getting their fingers caught in the grinder and being injured during filling the substrate storage unit or during maintenance work, various methods for implementing finger guards in the grinding unit or the substrate storage unit are available in the prior art. DE 10 2016 105 702 A1 discloses a finger guard formed by a distributor plate with an elongated, beveled base body and a smooth surface. The distributor plate is centrally located in the substrate storage unit above a connecting section that links the substrate storage unit and the grinder.During the grinding process, the beverage substrate can flow into the grinder through a gap between the distributor plate and the connecting section, with the beverage substrate flowing from above the distributor plate sliding off the surface of the distributor plate.

[0004] From DE 20 2010 008 642 U1, a beverage preparation device is known, comprising a screw conveyor above the grinder, which projects into the substrate storage unit and is covered by a cover element with two offset ribs. When the screw conveyor rotates with the cover element, the ribs exert a torque on adjacent coffee beans, moving them radially towards the opening of the grinder.

[0005] DE 10 2016 203 811 A1 discloses a beverage preparation device with a grinder which is connected to a finger guard via magnetic means in such a way that the movement of the grinder is converted into a vibration of the finger guard. The finger guard has parallel ribs on its surface.

[0006] A disadvantage of the prior art is that the friction of the incoming beverage substrate against the distribution plate prevents a controlled and / or predictable flow of the incoming beverage substrate, particularly the coffee beans. This can lead to turbulence during the distribution of the incoming beverage substrate in the substrate storage unit. This turbulence can, in turn, disrupt the flow of the beverage substrate into the grinding unit and, for example, in the case of time-controlled grinding cycles, cause the amount of beverage substrate transferred to the grinder to vary considerably between grinding processes.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a grinding unit for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, which overcomes the disadvantages in the prior art and enables improved guidance of the beverage substrate in the substrate storage unit, especially in the area of ​​the finger guard.

[0008] This problem is solved with respect to the grinding unit by the features of claim 1. With respect to the beverage preparation device, this problem is solved by the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, the figure description, and the figures.

[0009] All features disclosed by the device shall also be deemed disclosed by the process and be claimable, and vice versa.

[0010] The grinding unit for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprises a substrate storage unit, in particular at least approximately funnel-shaped, for receiving beverage substrate, in particular coffee beans, which has a substrate filling opening, and comprises a substrate grinder for grinding beverage substrate, wherein the substrate storage unit with an outlet opening is arranged on, preferably above, the substrate grinder in such a way that beverage substrate can be transferred through the outlet opening into the substrate grinder, wherein the substrate storage unit has a cover element spanning the outlet opening, which is arranged such that there is a gap between the cover element and the outlet opening through which beverage substrate can be guided.

[0011] According to the invention, the cover element has a surface structuring on a surface facing the substrate filling opening that reduces friction and / or influences flow.

[0012] This advantageously ensures that, during the grinding process, the beverage substrate can be guided into the grinding mechanism through the gap and the outlet opening, and in particular, can flow into the grinding mechanism by gravity alone. The beverage substrate flowing from above the cover element then encounters the surface of the cover element facing the substrate filling opening, where it slides off the friction-reducing and / or flow-influencing surface structure, thus being guided in a more predictable and repeatable manner. This guiding of the incoming substrate thus advantageously stabilizes the flow of beverage substrate, thereby improving the consistency of the amount of beverage substrate conveyed within a defined period.

[0013] The surface texturing can take various forms, which advantageously reduce static friction and / or flow disturbance to the sliding beverage substrate by interrupting the surface. Examples include gaps, grooves, valleys, waves, peaks, notches, milling, punching, rivets, or studs. The surface texturing can be created monolithically during the manufacturing of the cover element by material removal or addition, or by elements subsequently attached to the surface, for example, by bonding or welding. The cover element can also advantageously have a coating, such as a static-reducing coating, whereby the coating can at least partially or completely form or contribute to the surface texturing.

[0014] According to the invention, the surface structuring is formed by a plurality of radially arranged ribs. The cover element can have a varying number of ribs, wherein the ribs are preferably designed as webs and / or combs resting on the surface of the cover element facing the substrate filling opening. The cover element is preferably designed with an approximately round base body, with the ribs extending radially from a common center point.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cover element can be designed to be at least approximately conical and / or with side surfaces inclined towards the outlet opening. This further improves the guidance of the beverage substrate. Both a design with a round base and a design with a polygonal base are possible.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cover element can have an opening, particularly a central one, through which a connecting element, in particular a screw or a snap element, is guided. This advantageously provides various possibilities for fastening the cover element in the substrate storage unit.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the substrate storage unit can include a holding device between the outlet opening and the cover element, which has a recess, in particular a screw hole, wherein the connecting element is connected to the recess through the opening, in particular by screwing it in place. In other words, the cover element can be connected to the holding device via the connecting element, in particular by screwing it in place. A screw connection is particularly preferred to allow for easy and reversible removal of the cover element.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the holding device may comprise, in particular, three support arms which extend radially from a common center point, especially from the recess, preferably inclined, and most preferably at least approximately at the same inclination as the cover element, to the side walls of the substrate storage unit. The support arms are advantageously designed with a narrow width and / or a greater height than their width. The beverage substrate can flow between the support arms, thus advantageously preventing the holding device from having a significant influence on the guidance of the beverage substrate.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the holding device can be monolithically formed on the substrate storage unit, particularly on the side walls. This embodiment results in a particularly stable holding device, and the monolithic design avoids gaps and / or joints where residues of the stored beverage substrate could accumulate.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cover element may include a collar, in particular a sealing collar, on a surface facing the outlet opening, and / or the support arms may include a projection, in particular a sealing projection, on the bearing surfaces facing the cover element. Advantageously, the collar rests against the projection in a sealing manner and / or engages with the collar in a sealing manner, thereby increasing stability, particularly circumferentially and against forces acting perpendicularly on the cover element. Furthermore, this provides a positioning aid that fixes the cover element in its final position during assembly, even before a connection to the holding device is established by the connecting element.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the opening may be provided with an additional sealing element, wherein the sealing element is designed as a sealing plug for sealing contact with an edge of the opening and has a recess in which the connecting element, in particular a screw head, is at least partially received. This advantageously seals the opening in such a way that no residues of beverage substrate can enter the area of ​​the opening and contaminate it.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, extensions can be formed adjacent to the opening, particularly vertically at the bottom of the opening, which are arranged circumferentially between the support arms to create a connection, especially a plug-in connection, between the cover element and the holding device. A particularly preferred embodiment has three support arms and three extensions, with the support arms and extensions alternating along the circumference of the cover element. This advantageously achieves a fixation of the cover element to the holding device during assembly, even before the connection between the cover element and the holding device is established by the connecting element.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the outlet opening and / or the cover element can be arranged eccentrically in the substrate storage unit. The cover element can be positioned eccentrically and / or away from the center point in the longitudinal, lateral, and / or vertical dimensions of the substrate storage unit. The outlet opening can also be positioned eccentrically and / or away from the center point in the lateral and / or longitudinal dimensions. This allows the positioning of the outlet opening and the cover element to be adapted to the position of the grinder, thereby enabling better and more flexible utilization of the installation space of the beverage preparation device. Central positioning on one or more of the planes of extension is also possible.

[0024] The above-mentioned problem is also solved with a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising a grinding unit according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0025] The grinding unit and the beverage preparation device according to the invention are explained below by way of example with reference to purely schematic figures showing exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1a: Top view of a grinding unit in a first embodiment Fig. 1b: Side cross-sectional view of a grinding unit in a first embodiment. Fig. 2a Schematic representation of a surface structuring in a first embodiment Fig. 2b Schematic representation of a surface structuring in a second embodiment Fig. 2c Schematic representation of a surface structuring in a third embodiment Fig. 2D Schematic representation of a surface structuring in a fourth embodiment

[0026] In the Fig. Figures 1a and 1b show a grinding unit 1 comprising a substrate grinding unit 4, which is configured to grind beverage substrate into a beverage substrate flour. Furthermore, the grinding unit 1 includes a substrate storage unit 2 with side walls 15, which is in particular approximately funnel-shaped.

[0027] The substrate storage unit 2 has a substrate filling opening 3 through which beverage substrate can be filled into the substrate storage unit 2. The substrate storage unit 2 can advantageously be equipped with a lid, preferably a hinged or completely removable lid. The substrate storage unit 2 is arranged on, preferably above, the substrate grinder 4, and the substrate storage unit 2 has an outlet opening 5 through which it is connected to the substrate grinder 4 in such a way that beverage substrate can be transferred from the substrate storage unit 2 into the substrate grinder 4, preferably purely by gravity. The outlet opening 5 is arranged eccentrically to the width and / or length of the substrate storage unit 2; however, a central arrangement is also possible.

[0028] Above the outlet opening 5, a retaining device 12 is formed on the side walls 15 of the substrate storage unit 2, in particular monolithically, which comprises support arms 14 extending radially from a recess 13, in particular central, towards the side walls 15. A cover element 6 is arranged on the retaining device 12, which has an opening 10, in particular central, through which a connecting element 11 is guided into the recess 13, in particular screwed or snapped into it. A sealing element 18 is associated with the opening 10, which is designed as a sealing plug and abuts a sealing edge 10.1 of the opening 10 and further has a molded recess 18.2 that receives the connecting element 11 at least partially, in particular a screw head of a connecting element 11 designed as a screw.

[0029] Perpendicular to a base 10.2 of the opening 10 are extensions 19 which bear against the support arms 14 along their vertical extent, with the support arms 14 and extensions 19 advantageously arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the cover element 6. A gap 7 exists between the cover element 6 and the outlet opening 5, which is designed such that beverage substrate can pass through the gap 7 to be transferred to the substrate mill 4. The cover element 6 is arranged eccentrically to the width and / or length of the substrate storage unit 2, with the eccentric arrangement advantageously corresponding to the eccentric arrangement of the outlet opening 5. A central positioning is also possible for the cover element 6.

[0030] The cover element 6 is preferably approximately conical and / or has sides inclined towards the outlet opening 5, with a round base body being preferred. Other embodiments, for example with a polygonal base body, are also conceivable. On a surface 8.1 facing the substrate filling opening 3, the cover element 6 has a friction-reducing and / or flow-influencing surface structure, which is formed by ribs 9, which are in particular designed as raised webs in the direction of the substrate filling opening 3. The ribs 9 extend radially from a common center point and / or from the opening 10.

[0031] On one surface 8.2 facing the outlet opening 5, a collar 16 is formed on the cover element 6, particularly in the circumferential direction, wherein bearing surfaces 14.1 facing the cover element 6 are formed on the support arms 14. The collar 16 rests against and / or engages in the projections 17, whereby the cover element 6 is fixed in its position during assembly even before being fastened by the connecting element 11, and the cover element 6 is stabilized, particularly in the radial direction and / or circumferential direction and / or against forces acting perpendicularly on the cover element 6.

[0032] In the Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 2c and Fig. Figure 2d shows, purely schematically, further possible embodiments, such as how the surface structuring, in particular by interrupting the surface, can be designed to reduce friction and / or influence flow on the cover element. Reference sign 1 grinding unit 2 substrate storage units 3 Substrate filling opening 4 substrate grinder 5 Outlet opening 6 Cover element 7 gaps 8.1 Surface of the cover element facing the substrate filling opening 8.2 Surface of the cover element facing the outlet opening 9 ribs 10 Opening 10.1 Edge of the opening 10.2 Bottom of the opening 11 Connecting element 12 Holding device 13 Exclusion 14 support arms 14.1 Contact surface 15 side walls 16 collars 17 lead 18 Sealing element 18.1 Shaping 19 extensions

Claims

[1] Grinding unit (1) for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising a substrate storage unit (2), in particular at least approximately funnel-shaped, for receiving beverage substrate, in particular coffee beans, which has a substrate filling opening (3), and comprising a substrate grinder (4) for grinding beverage substrate, wherein the substrate storage unit (2) with an outlet opening (5) is arranged on, preferably above, the substrate grinder (4) such that beverage substrate can be transferred through the outlet opening (5) into the substrate grinder (4), wherein the substrate storage unit (2) has a cover element (6) spanning the outlet opening (5), which is arranged such that a gap (7) exists between the cover element (6) and the outlet opening (5) through which beverage substrate can be guided, wherein the cover element (6) has a friction-reducing and / or flow-influencing surface structuring on a surface (8.1) facing the substrate filling opening (3), characterized by , that the surface structuring is formed by a multitude of, in particular radially arranged, ribs (9) which extend in a radial direction from a common center point and / or from an opening (10). [2] Grinding unit according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cover element (6) is at least approximately conical and / or has side surfaces inclined towards the outlet opening (5). [3] Grinding unit according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the cover element (6) has the opening (10), in particular the central opening, wherein a connecting element (11), in particular a screw, is guided through the opening (10). [4] Grinding unit according to claim 3, characterized by , that the substrate storage unit (2) comprises a holding device (12) between the outlet opening (5) and the cover element (6), which has a recess (13), in particular a screw hole, wherein the connecting element (11) is connected to the recess (13) through the opening (10), in particular screwed in place. [5] Grinding unit according to claim 4, characterized by , that the holding device (12) comprises, in particular three, support arms (14) which extend from a common center point, in particular from the recess (13), in a radial direction, preferably inclined, to side walls (15) of the substrate storage unit (2). [6] Grinding unit according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by , that the holding device (12) is formed monolithically on the substrate storage unit (2), in particular on the side walls (15). [7] Grinding unit according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by , that the cover element (6) comprises a collar (16), in particular a sealing collar, on a surface (8.2) directed towards the outlet opening (5) and / or that the support arms (14) comprise a projection (17), in particular a sealing projection, on the bearing surfaces (14.1) facing the cover element (6). [8] Grinding unit according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by, that the opening (10) is assigned a further sealing element (18), wherein the sealing element (18) is designed as a sealing plug for sealing contact with an edge of the opening (10.1) and has a molding (18.1) in which the connecting element (11), in particular a screw head, is received at least partially. [9] Grinding unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by , that adjacent to the opening (10), in particular perpendicular to a base (10.2) of the opening (10), extensions (19) are formed which are arranged in the circumferential direction between the support arms (14) to create a connection, in particular a plug connection, between the cover element (6) and the holding device (12). [10] Grinding unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the outlet opening (5) and / or the cover element (6) are arranged eccentrically in the substrate storage unit (2). [11] Beverage preparation device, in particular coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising a grinding unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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