Coffee grinder for grinding coffee beans

Abstract

The invention relates to a coffee grinder (10) for grinding coffee beans, comprising a grinding mechanism for grinding the coffee beans, a receiving area (14) in which a container (16) can be received, in which the coffee powder resulting from the grinding of the coffee beans can be received, and a chute (20) for guiding the coffee powder into the receiving area (14). An ionizer (30) is provided for removing electrostatic charge from the coffee powder sliding along the chute (20), wherein the ionizer (30) has an electrode assembly (32) as a first assembly with two electrodes (34, 36) between which an electrical voltage can be generated to remove the electrostatic charge. A cleaning assembly (38) is provided as a second assembly for cleaning the electrodes (34, 36).By means of a movement device (42) the devices are movable relative to each other, allowing the devices to slide directly against each other and enabling particles to be wiped off the electrodes (34, 36) for cleaning the electrodes (34, 36).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee grinder for grinding coffee beans according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Coffee grinders for grinding coffee beans are already well-known in the general state of the art. Typically, a coffee grinder has a grinding mechanism that grinds coffee beans. Grinding the coffee beans produces coffee powder, also simply called ground coffee. A coffee grinder usually also has a hopper in which a container is inserted or held. This container holds the ground coffee resulting from the grinding process. In particular, this container may be a portafilter.Each coffee grinder typically has a chute through which the ground coffee produced by the grinding mechanism is guided into the receiving area. This chute allows the coffee grounds to be fed into the container within the receiving area. For example, the coffee grounds can fall or trickle from the grinder onto the chute and slide down it, thus directing them into the receiving area and into the container.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to further develop a coffee grinder of the type mentioned above in such a way that the coffee powder can be supplied to the intake area particularly advantageously, especially over a long service life of the coffee grinder.

[0004] This problem is solved by a coffee grinder with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

[0005] The invention relates to a coffee grinder, also referred to simply as a mill, for grinding coffee beans, also referred to simply as beans. The coffee grinder has a grinding mechanism for grinding the coffee beans. The coffee grinder also has a receiving area in which a container can be received or is received. The container holds coffee powder resulting from the grinding of the coffee beans, also referred to simply as powder. In other words, the said powder is produced or manufactured from the coffee beans by grinding them. In particular, the coffee beans, which can be received or received, for example, in a collecting area of ​​the coffee grinder, can be ground by means of the grinding mechanism. For example, the coffee grinder has a motor by means of which the grinding mechanism can be driven to grind the coffee beans. In particular, the motor is an electric motor.For example, a coffee grinder has a housing that directly limits the intake area. It is also conceivable that the collection area is limited by the housing, particularly directly.

[0006] The coffee grinder also has a chute by means of which the coffee powder can be guided into the receiving area and thus fed into it. The coffee powder produced by the grinding mechanism can therefore travel from the grinder to, and in particular onto, the chute, specifically by falling or trickling down, whereupon the coffee powder can slide along the chute. This allows the coffee powder, in particular from the grinding mechanism, to be guided into the receiving area, specifically in such a way that, when the container is in the receiving area, the coffee powder can be fed into the container by means of the chute, specifically by being introduced into the container. For example, the coffee powder can slide along the chute and thus from the chute into the container, in particular by trickling or falling down.The coffee grinder assumes its operating position, also referred to as its position of use, in the position, orientation, or orientation intended for its intended use. For example, in the operating position of the coffee grinder, the chute, particularly its base, runs in a plane that is inclined to both the horizontal and the vertical, and in particular, runs vertically from the grinding mechanism to the receiving area from top to bottom. The coffee grounds can slide down this base, and in particular, directly from the grinding mechanism, into the receiving area. For example, the container is a portafilter, which is then used to prepare a coffee beverage from the coffee beans held in the portafilter.In principle, it would be conceivable that the grinder could be manually operated and thus driven by one person in order to grind the coffee beans.

[0007] To ensure that the coffee grounds are efficiently guided from the grinding mechanism into the receiving area and thus into the container, particularly over a long service life of the coffee grinder, the grinder incorporates an ionization device, also known simply as an ionizer. This device is designed to eliminate the electrostatic charge of the coffee grounds as they slide down the chute. For this purpose, the ionizer includes an electrode assembly, which has at least two electrodes, preferably positioned opposite each other and, for example, spaced apart. The electrode assembly is also referred to as the first component. This means that the electrode assembly is a first component of the coffee grinder.An electrical voltage, particularly a high voltage, can be generated between the electrodes to eliminate the electrostatic charge of the coffee grounds sliding down the chute. Specifically, air, particularly within an ionization zone, can be ionized by means of this electrical voltage, and thus by means of the electrodes and the ionizer, thereby eliminating the electrostatic charge of the coffee grounds sliding down the chute. Ionizing the air means that individual air molecules, and not all air molecules, are ionizable or are ionized, particularly without generating a plasma from the air.The aforementioned ionization zone is an area through which the powder slides as it travels along the chute and into the receiving area—that is, when the coffee powder is guided into the receiving area via the chute. By eliminating the electrostatic charge of the coffee powder, or by ionizing the air (without creating a plasma), the coffee powder can be collected, at least to a significant extent, by the chute, or guided in a particularly targeted manner into the receiving area and thus into the container. This allows the coffee powder to be conveyed to the container via the chute without an undesirably large amount of coffee powder missing the container—that is, falling, sliding, or trickling past it.

[0008] To ensure that the coffee grounds are efficiently and precisely guided into the intake area and thus into the container, even over a particularly long service life of the coffee grinder, the grinder also features a cleaning device for cleaning the electrodes. This cleaning device is a second component of the coffee grinder. In other words, the cleaning device is also referred to as a second component. According to the invention, the coffee grinder also features a movement device by means of which the components are movable relative to each other, allowing the components to slide directly against one another and thus enabling particles to be scraped off the electrodes for cleaning. In other words, when the components are moved relative to each other by means of the movement device, they slide directly against one another, allowing particles to be scraped off the electrodes and the electrodes to be cleaned.The phrase "the devices slide directly against each other" means that the devices move relative to each other while directly touching each other.

[0009] The invention is based in particular on the understanding that, with increasing lifespan and operating time of the coffee grinder, particles can settle or accumulate on the electrodes. These particles can be, for example, particles of the coffee powder. These particles adhering to the electrodes can negatively impair the previously described ionization of the air, i.e., the elimination of the electrostatic charge of the coffee powder. The invention now makes it possible to clean the electrodes in a simple and effective manner, thus ensuring that the ionizer continues to ionize the air effectively and efficiently, and consequently eliminate the electrostatic charge of the coffee powder, even over a long service life of the coffee grinder.

[0010] In principle, it would be conceivable that the movement device is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode assembly can be moved relative to the housing and, in particular, the cleaning assembly can be moved relative to the housing simultaneously. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the movement device is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the cleaning assembly can be moved relative to the electrode assembly and, in particular, also relative to the housing, while the electrode assembly remains stationary, thus preventing any movement of the electrode assembly relative to the housing.

[0011] However, in order to clean the electrodes particularly effectively and efficiently, it has proven especially advantageous if the movement device is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode device can be moved relative to the cleaning device and, in particular, also relative to the housing by means of the movement device, while the cleaning device remains stationary, i.e., while no movement of the cleaning device relative to the housing occurs.

[0012] Another embodiment is characterized in that each electrode is assigned a recess formed in an elastically deformable material of the cleaning device. In particular, a cleaning body of the cleaning device is formed from the elastically deformable material, such that the recess assigned to each electrode is formed in the elastically deformable material and thus in the cleaning body. More specifically, the cleaning body is a solid. The cleaning body is elastically deformable because it is formed from the elastically deformable material. In particular, the elastically deformable material is an elastomer.In order to clean the electrodes particularly effectively and efficiently, it is preferably provided that the devices can be moved back and forth relative to each other by means of the movement device in such a way that at least a respective part of the respective electrode can be moved into the respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode by enlarging at least a respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode and by resulting elastic stretching of the material and thus in particular of the cleaning body.Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the devices can be moved back and forth relative to each other by means of the movement device in such a way that at least the respective part of the respective electrode can be moved out of the respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode by means of elastic contraction of the material, and thus in particular of the cleaning body, and by means of a resulting reduction in size of at least the respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode. This means that the respective electrode can be inserted into and removed from the respective recess associated with the respective electrode by means of a back-and-forth movement of the devices relative to each other, effected or effectable by means of the movement device.When each electrode is moved into its corresponding recess, i.e., inserted, at least the corresponding portion of the recess is enlarged by elastic stretching of the material. When the electrode is then withdrawn from its corresponding recess, the material contracts, causing at least the corresponding portion of the recess to shrink. This process effectively removes any particles adhering to the electrode, thus ensuring thorough cleaning.

[0013] It has proven particularly advantageous to form a cover element from the elastically deformable material, which covers at least a portion of the chute's length, especially the base. Thus, the aforementioned cover element is, for example, the cleaning element mentioned. Specifically, the cover element covers at least the vertical portion of the chute's length relative to the coffee grinder's operating position. This allows the coffee grounds to be guided precisely into the receiving area and thus into the container.

[0014] Another embodiment is characterized in that the movement device is designed to move the components relative to each other in such a way that the electrode assembly is movable relative to the slide, the cleaning unit, and thus the cover element, while the slide, the cleaning unit, and therefore the cover element remain stationary. Consequently, no movement of the slide, the cleaning unit, or the cover element relative to the housing is permitted. This allows the electrodes to be cleaned effectively and efficiently in a particularly simple and space-saving manner.

[0015] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective recess is designed as a through-opening that completely penetrates the elastic material, in particular the cleaning element or the cover element. The movement device is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode assembly can be moved between a first position and a second position relative to the cleaning device by means of the movement device. In the first position, the respective electrode penetrates the respective through-opening associated with that electrode.Furthermore, in the first position, the respective electrode protrudes from the elastic material on one side facing the slide and, in particular, the ionization zone, in the direction of the slide and especially in the direction of the ionization zone, so that, for example, the respective electrode protrudes into the ionization zone. Specifically, the ionization zone is located between the slide, in particular between the bottom of the slide, and the elastic material, in particular the cleaning element or the cover element.

[0016] In a first variant, it is provided that in the second position the respective electrode engages in the respective through-opening assigned to the respective electrode, but that the respective electrode does not protrude from the elastic material on the side of the slide, in particular the floor, and especially the ionization area.

[0017] The aforementioned side of the elastic material is also referred to as the first side. When the term "side of the elastic material" is used before and below, it refers, unless otherwise specified, to the first side of the elastic material.

[0018] In a second variant, it is provided that in the second position, the respective electrode is completely moved out of its corresponding through-opening and completely out of the elastic material, and is completely positioned on a second side of the elastic material facing away from the first side and from the slide, in particular the floor, and especially from the ionization area. This second side faces away from the first side. This allows for particularly effective and efficient cleaning of the respective electrode by moving it into and out of the elastic material, i.e., into the respective recess.

[0019] Another embodiment is characterized by the fact that a cleaning element common to the electrodes, formed from a single piece and thus as a single unit, is made from the elastic material. This element can be, for example, the aforementioned cleaning body and / or the cover element. This allows the electrodes to be cleaned effectively and efficiently in a particularly simple, space-saving, and cost-effective manner.

[0020] In order to be able to clean the electrodes particularly advantageously, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the movement device has a control element which can be manually operated by a person who is in the vicinity of the coffee grinder and is therefore movable, in particular relative to the housing, whereby the devices are movable relative to each other.

[0021] To facilitate particularly easy cleaning of the electrodes, it has proven especially advantageous if the operating element is rotatably mounted on the base element of the coffee grinder about an axis of rotation. In particular, the base element can be part of the housing or the housing itself, or the base element can be designed separately from the housing and, in particular, immovably connected to the housing. Preferably, the base element can be manually operated by a person in the vicinity of the coffee grinder and is thus rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the base element.

[0022] The motion device preferably comprises a driven element that is translationally movable along an axis of motion relative to the base element. Preferably, the axis of motion is a straight line. In other words, the axis of motion is preferably straight. By means of the driven element, the devices can be moved relative to each other by translationally moving the driven element along the axis of motion relative to the base element. A transmission device is preferably also provided, by means of which the rotation of the control element about the axis of rotation relative to the base element can be converted into the translational movement of the driven element along the axis of motion relative to the base element.In other words, if a person nearby operates the control element by manually rotating it around its axis of rotation relative to the base element, this rotation is converted by the transmission device into a translational movement of the output element along its axis of movement relative to the base element. This allows the components to be moved relative to each other. As a result, the electrodes can be cleaned in a particularly simple, space-saving, and cost-effective manner, as well as with exceptional efficiency.

[0023] Finally, to achieve particularly effective, efficient, and cost-efficient electrode cleaning, it has proven especially advantageous if the motion device is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the devices can only be moved translationally relative to each other. In other words, it is preferably provided that the devices can be moved purely, that is, exclusively translationally relative to each other, in order to clean the electrodes. This prevents, for example, the electrodes from scratching against another component and potentially being damaged.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 A schematic perspective view of a coffee grinder for grinding coffee beans; Fig. 2. A schematic cross-sectional view of the coffee grinder; Fig. 3. A further schematic sectional view of the coffee grinder (in part); Fig. 4. A further schematic sectional view of the coffee grinder (in part); Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of a movement mechanism of the coffee grinder; Fig. 6 a schematic top view of the coffee grinder; Fig. 7 another schematic perspective view of the movement device; Fig. 8 a schematic side view of the movement device; Fig. 9 another schematic side view of the movement device; Fig. 10. A further schematic perspective view of the movement device (in part); Fig. 11. A further schematic perspective view of the coffee grinder (in part); and Fig. 12. A further schematic perspective view of the coffee mill, shown in part.

[0026] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a coffee grinder 10 for grinding coffee beans. The coffee grinder 10 has a grinding mechanism (not visible in the figures) by means of which the coffee beans, also referred to simply as beans, can be ground. The coffee grinder 10, which is also simply referred to as a mill, has a housing 12 in which the grinding mechanism is arranged. The coffee grinder 10 also has a receiving area 14. This is visible from... Fig. 1. The receiving area 14 is limited, in particular directly, by the housing 12. A container 16 can be received in the receiving area 14, in which coffee powder resulting from the grinding of the coffee beans, also simply referred to as powder, can be received. In this case, the container 16 is a portafilter. The container 16 has a further receiving area 18 in which the coffee powder can be received. In conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be seen that the coffee grinder 10 also has a chute 20 by means of which the coffee powder, in particular from the grinding mechanism, can be guided into the receiving area 14.

[0028] The coffee grinder 10 has a collection area 22, which in this case is delimited, in particular directly, by the housing 12. The coffee beans are collected or held in the collection area 22. The coffee beans collected or held in the collection area 22 can be fed to the grinding mechanism from or out of the collection area 22, particularly by gravity and especially purely by gravity, and subsequently ground by the grinding mechanism, thereby producing or producing coffee powder. From the grinding mechanism, the coffee powder can, for example, fall or trickle, particularly by gravity and especially purely by gravity, to and onto the chute 20, in such a way that the coffee powder can trickle or fall from the grinding mechanism onto a base 24 of the chute 20, particularly by gravity and especially purely by gravity.As a result, the coffee powder can slide along the base 24 and thus along the chute 20, particularly due to gravity and especially purely due to gravity, thereby guiding the coffee powder to and into the receiving area 14. This allows the coffee powder to be fed into the container 16, and in particular introduced into the receiving area 14.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the slide 20 and thus the floor 24 are arranged in the housing 12.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the coffee grinder 10 has a motor, in this case an electric motor, which can be supplied with electrical energy and thus operated. By operating the motor, the motor can drive the grinding mechanism, which grinds the coffee beans. The coffee grinder 10 has a power cable 26 with a plug 28, which is inserted into a corresponding socket and can thus be connected to an external power source. The power source can provide the aforementioned electrical energy, which can be used to supply the motor via the plug 28 and the power cable 26 in order to operate the motor and, by means of the motor, drive the grinding mechanism. In particular, the motor is arranged in the housing 12.

[0031] In order to guide the coffee powder into the receiving area 14 in a particularly advantageous way and thus supply it to the container 16, the coffee grinder 10 has, for example, a Fig. 2 and Fig. The ionizer 30 is recognizable. The ionizer 30 can eliminate the electrostatic charge of the coffee powder sliding along the chute 20, particularly along the base 24, especially while the coffee powder is sliding along the chute 20, particularly along the base 24. For this purpose, air in an ionization zone B can be ionized by the ionizer 30, particularly without generating a plasma from the air. Ionizing the air means, in particular, that molecules of the air located in the ionization zone B can be ionized, whereby, in particular, not all molecules of the air located in the ionization zone B are ionized. The coffee powder sliding, in particular along the chute 20, particularly along the base 24, can be guided through the ionization zone B by means of the chute 20 and thereby into the receiving area 14.This means that the coffee powder, on its way from the grinder to and into the receiving area 14 and along the chute 20, particularly along the base 24, passes through the ionization zone B, primarily due to gravity and, more importantly, purely due to gravity. For this purpose, the base 24 is provided, for example, to extend in a plane that, in the operating position of the coffee grinder 10, is perpendicular to both the horizontal and the vertical. The coffee grinder 10 assumes its operating position in its intended orientation or position.

[0032] Looks especially good Fig. Figure 4 shows that the ionizer 30 has an electrode assembly 32, which in this case has two electrodes 34 and 36. Each electrode 34, 36 has a free end at which it terminates. In particular, by supplying the electrode assembly 32, and thus the ionizer 30, with electrical energy, for example via the power cable 26, an electrical voltage, in particular a high voltage, can be generated between the electrodes 34 and 36, especially between their free ends. This voltage can be used to eliminate the electrostatic charge of the coffee powder, or to ionize the air in the ionization area B, in particular without generating a plasma from the air. The electrode assembly 32 is a first component of the coffee grinder 10 and is therefore also referred to as the first component.

[0033] Out of Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 4 also shows that the coffee grinder 10 has a cleaning device 38. The cleaning device 38 is a second device of the coffee grinder 10 and is therefore also referred to as the second device. As will be explained in more detail below, the electrodes 34 and 36 can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device 38.

[0034] The respective free end of each electrode 34, 36 is also referred to as the respective first end. At a respective second end of each electrode 34, 36, opposite the respective first end, the respective electrode 34, 36 is held on a holder 40 of the ionizer 30, so that, for example, the electrodes 34 and 36 are connected to each other via the holder 40, in particular in such a way that relative movements between the electrodes 34 and 36 are prevented. In particular, the respective second end is received in the holder 40.

[0035] Out of Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that the coffee grinder 10 also has a movement device 42 by means of which the devices can be moved relative to each other, causing them to slide directly against each other. This allows particles adhering to the electrodes 34 and 36 to be wiped off for cleaning.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the movement device 42 is configured to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode device 32 is movable relative to the cleaning device 38 and relative to the housing 12 by means of the movement device 42, while the cleaning device 38 remains stationary and no movement of the cleaning device 38 relative to the housing 12 occurs. Furthermore, the movement device 42 is configured to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the devices are movable only translationally relative to each other by means of the movement device 42.Thus, the movement device 42 can move the electrode device 32 exclusively translationally relative to the housing 12 and relative to the cleaning device 38, while the cleaning device 38 remains stationary, meaning that there is no movement of the cleaning device 38 relative to the housing 12.

[0037] The cleaning device 38 comprises a cleaning body 44, which is a common cleaning body for the electrodes 34 and 36. The cleaning body 44 is made of an elastically deformable material, in particular an elastomer. Preferably, the cleaning body 44 is formed in one piece and thus made from a single component. This means, in particular, that the cleaning body 44 is not composed of several separately formed, interconnected parts, but rather that the cleaning body 44 is formed from a single component and thus is designed as a monoblock body, in particular as an integrally manufactured body. Each electrode 34, 36 is associated with a recess formed in the elastically deformable material and thus in the cleaning body 44.In the embodiment shown in the figures, the respective recess, which is not visible in more detail in the figures, is a respective through-opening that completely penetrates the cleaning body 44 and thus the elastically deformable material.By means of the movement device 42, the electrode assembly 32 is movable relative to the cleaning device 38 and relative to the housing 12, in particular translationally and especially exclusively translationally, along a straight axis of movement A between a first position S1 of the electrode assembly 32 and a second position S2 of the electrode assembly 32, such that at least a respective partial area of ​​the respective electrode 34, 36 can be moved into at least the respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode 34, 36, thereby enlarging at least a respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode 34, 36 and resulting in elastic stretching of the elastically deformable material. In particular, the respective partial area of ​​the respective electrode 34, 36 comprises the respective free end of the respective electrode 34, 36.Furthermore, by means of the movement device 42, the electrode device 32 is movable back and forth relative to the cleaning device 38 and relative to the housing 12, in particular translationally and especially purely translationally, along the axis of movement A between the positions S1 and S2, such that the recess assigned to the respective electrode 34, 36 can be moved out of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode 34, 36, at least from the respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode 34, 36, under independent, elastic contraction of the elastically deformable material and resulting reduction in size.

[0038] In other words, if the electrode assembly 32 is moved along the axis of movement A relative to the cleaning device 38 and in the direction of the base 24 by means of the movement device 42, and thereby moved from the second position S2 to the first position S1, then at least the respective portion of each electrode 34, 36 is moved into the respective recess associated with that electrode 34, 36, i.e., inserted. This elastically stretches the elastically deformable material, and the respective portion of the recess associated with that electrode 34, 36 is enlarged.If, in particular, the electrode assembly 32 is moved along the axis of movement A relative to the cleaning assembly 38 along the axis of movement A by means of the movement device 42 and is thereby moved away from the base 24, at least the respective partial area of ​​the respective electrode 34, 36 is moved out of the respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode 34, 36, in particular pulled out. As a result, the elastically deformable material can contract independently, so that at least the respective part of the respective recess associated with the respective electrode 34, 36 is reduced in size independently.As a result, the electrodes 34 and 36 slide advantageously and directly along the cleaning body 44, and thus along the elastically deformable material, during the translational back-and-forth movement of the electrode assembly 32 along the axis of movement A and relative to the cleaning device 38, thereby advantageously removing any particles adhering to the electrodes 34 and 36. This effectively and efficiently cleans the electrodes 34 and 36.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cleaning body 44 is a cover element that covers at least a length L of the base 24 and thus of the chute 20, particularly in the operating position of the coffee grinder 10 in a vertical upward direction. In this case, the ionization zone B, particularly with respect to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10, is arranged vertically between the cleaning body 44 (cover element) and the length L or the base 24.

[0040] Out of Fig. 2 It is evident that in the first position S1, the respective electrode 34, 36 penetrates, in particular completely, the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode 34, 36 and designed as a through-opening, and projects out of the cleaning body 44 and thus of the elastically deformable material on a first side SE1 facing the base 24 and the ionization area B in the direction of the base 24, so that in the first position S1 the respective free end of the respective electrode 34, 36 is arranged between the base 24 and the first side SE1, in particular while the respective second end of the respective electrode 34, 36 is arranged on a second side SE2 of the cleaning body 44 and thus of the elastically deformable material facing away from the first side SE1. Fig. Figure 3 shows that in the second position S2, the respective electrode 34, 36 is completely moved out of its respective recess, which is designed as a through-opening, and completely out of the cleaning body 44. It is thus completely positioned on the second side SE2 of the cleaning body 44, the side facing away from the first side SE1 and the base 24. In this second position S2, both ends of the respective electrode 34, 36 are simultaneously positioned on the second side SE2. This allows the electrodes 34 and 36 to be cleaned particularly effectively and efficiently.

[0041] It can be seen that the cleaning element 44, which functions or is designed as a cover element in the present case, is a cleaning element which is made of the elastic material and from a single piece.

[0042] Out of Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. Figure 11 clearly shows that the movement device 42 has a control element 46 which can be manually operated by a person located in the vicinity 49 of the coffee grinder 10 and is therefore movable, particularly relative to the housing 12, thus allowing the devices to be moved relative to each other. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the control element 46 is rotatably mounted on the base element 48 about a pivot axis D relative to a base element 48 of the coffee grinder 10. In principle, it would be conceivable for the base element 48 to be part of the housing 12. In the present case, the base element 48 is designed separately from the housing 12 and is, in particular, immovably connected to the housing 12, so that the base element 48 can be understood synonymously with the housing 12 and vice versa.The operating element 46, also referred to as the control element, can be manually operated by a person located in the vicinity 49 of the coffee grinder 10 and is therefore rotatable about the axis of rotation D relative to the base element 48 and thus relative to the housing 12. For example, in this embodiment, the operating element 46 is designed as an actuating wheel. The operating element 46 is designed as a gear or a type of gear, since in the embodiment shown in the figures, the operating element 46 has teeth 50. The person can, for example, directly touch the teeth 50 with one of their fingers and operate the operating element 46 via the teeth 50. The person can advantageously interact with the teeth 50 and thus with the operating element 46 via the teeth 50, so that the person can advantageously rotate the operating element 46 about the axis of rotation D without their finger slipping excessively off the operating element 46.

[0043] The motion device 42 also has a drive element 52 that is translationally movable along the axis of motion A and relative to the base element 48. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive element 52 is made of a metallic material, in particular a sheet metal strip. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive element 52 is designed as a strip of sheet metal. The drive element 52 is designed as a solid body. Furthermore, the drive element 52 is inherently rigid, i.e., dimensionally stable. The drive element 52 is connected at least indirectly, and in particular directly, to the electrode assembly 32. In particular, the drive element 52 is connected at least indirectly, and in particular directly, to the holder 40, so that, for example, the drive element 52 is connected to the electrode assembly 32 via the holder 40.The electrode assembly 32 and the output element 52 are jointly and thus simultaneously movable translationally back and forth along the axis of movement A relative to the base element 48, particularly while relative movements between the output element 52 and the electrode assembly 32 are omitted. The assemblies are movable relative to each other by translationally moving the output element 52 along the axis of movement A relative to the base element 48. The control element 46 can be manually operated by a person in the vicinity 49 such that it can be rotated back and forth about the axis of rotation D relative to the base element 48.By rotating the control element 46 back and forth about the axis of rotation D and relative to the base element 48, the output element 52 and with it the electrode assembly 32 can be moved translationally back and forth relative to the cleaning assembly 38 along the axis of movement A, whereby the electrode assembly 32 can be moved back and forth between the positions S1 and S2 relative to the cleaning assembly 38 and thus relative to the cleaning body 44.

[0044] The coffee grinder 10 has a transmission device 54 by means of which the rotation of the control element 46, also referred to as the actuating element, about the axis of rotation D and relative to the base element 48, can be converted into the translational movement of the output element 52 along the axis of movement A and relative to the base element 48. In this case, the transmission device 54 is or comprises, in particular, exactly or at least, a coupling element 56. The coupling element 56 is pivotably coupled to the control element 46 about a first pivot axis SA1 relative to the control element 46. The pivot axis SA1 runs parallel to the axis of rotation D and is spaced apart from the axis of rotation D. The coupling element 56, also referred to as the coupling piece, is pivotally coupled to the output element 52 about a second pivot axis SA2 relative to the output element 52.The pivot axis SA2 runs parallel to the pivot axis SA1 and parallel to the axis of rotation D, and is spaced apart from both the pivot axis SA1 and the axis of rotation D. The control element 46 is a type of crankshaft, with the coupling element 56 being a type of connecting rod and the output element 52 a type of piston, at least in that the coupling element 56 converts the rotation of the control element 46 about the axis of rotation D into a translational movement of the output element 52 along the axis of motion A and relative to the base element 48. The output element 52 is guided by the base element 48 and is translationally movable along the axis of motion A relative to the base element 48. For this purpose, the base element 48 has a receptacle 58 into which the output element 52 engages.

[0045] Looks especially good Fig. The collection area 22 and the control element 46 are recognizable in section 6. Fig. Figure 7 shows the movement device 42 in another schematic perspective view.

[0046] The coffee grinder 10, for example, has a return mechanism (not shown in detail in the figures) by means of which the electrode assembly 32 can be moved from the second position S2 to the first position S1, in particular without human intervention. For this purpose, the return mechanism is or comprises, for example, at least one spring element, which is preferably designed as a solid and thus as a mechanical spring. The spring element is coupled, on the one hand, at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the electrode assembly 32 and, on the other hand, at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the base element 48 or to the housing 12. For example, the spring element is tensioned or compressed, at least in the second position S2, so that the spring element provides a spring force, at least in the second position S2, by means of which the electrode assembly 32 can be moved from the second position S2 to the first position S1.Thus, for example, the aforementioned person located in the vicinity 49 can, by tensioning or stretching the spring element, rotate the control element 46 in such a way that the electrode assembly 32 can be moved, or is moved, from the first position S1 to the second position S2. If the person then releases the control element 46, the spring element, which is elastically deformed at least in the second position S2, can subsequently contract or lengthen automatically, thereby allowing the electrode assembly 32 to be moved, or being moved, from the second position S2 to the first position S1, and thus being reset.

[0047] Looks especially good Fig. Figure 5 shows that the coupling element 56 has a pin 60. The output element 52 is pivotally connected to the coupling element 56 by means of the pin 60, in particular such that the pin 60 penetrates a corresponding through-opening of the output element 52. Fig. Figure 7 clearly shows that the pin 60 has a recess 62, which in this case is designed as a groove, in particular as an annular groove. Thus, it is provided that the recess extends completely around the circumference of the pin 60, encompassing 360°, in the direction surrounding the pivot axis SA2. For example, the spring element engages in the recess 62, thereby coupling the spring element to the coupling element 56 and thus to the motion device 42, and via the motion device 42 to the electrode device 32. In particular, a first part of the spring element engages in the recess 62. A second part of the spring element, which is spaced apart from the first part of the spring element, is coupled, for example, at least indirectly, and in particular directly, to the base element 48.When the electrode assembly 32 is moved from the first position S1 to the second position S2, the parts of the spring element are moved away from each other, thereby steering the spring element and thus tensioning and elastically deforming it. As a result, the spring element provides the aforementioned spring force, by means of which, with at least partial relaxation of the spring element, the electrode assembly 32 can be moved from the second position S2 to the first position S1.

[0048] Fig. Figure 8 shows the motion device 42 in a first state, in which the motion device 42 is in the second position S2 of the electrode device 32. The first state is labelled Z1. Fig. Figure 9 shows the motion device 42 in a second state Z2 of the motion device 42, which is in the second state Z2 in the first position S1 of the electrode device 32.

[0049] Fig. Figure 10 shows a section of the movement device 42 in a schematic perspective view. It looks particularly good from Fig. The cone 60 and its recess 62 are recognizable.

[0050] Looks especially good Fig. The collection area 22 is recognizable as shown in Figure 11. In particular, the collection area 22 is formed by a bean tank 64 of the coffee grinder 10, also simply referred to as a tank, and is specifically bounded and, most importantly, directly bounded. Most importantly, the bean tank 64 is part of the housing 12. This is recognizable from Figure 11. Fig. Section 11 states that at least a predominant part of the control element 46 is arranged in the housing 12. The control element 46 engages in a through-opening 66 of the housing 12, in particular such that the control element 46 penetrates the through-opening 66 of the housing 12, i.e., extends through the through-opening 66. The through-opening 66 of the housing 12 is formed in a first wall region W1 of the housing 12, which is designed as a solid and inherently rigid body. This first wall region W1 is set back relative to a second wall region W2 of the housing 12. The second wall region W2 is also inherently rigid and designed as a solid body. In particular, wall region W1 is set back vertically downwards relative to the second wall region W2 with respect to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10.The wall area W1 forms at least part of an upper end edge K of the collecting area 22, which, relative to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10, terminates vertically at the upper end edge K. Furthermore, the wall area W1 forms at least part of a support surface AF, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] From a synthesis of Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows that the collection area 22, when considering only the housing 12 and the operating position of the coffee grinder 10, is open vertically upwards. This makes it particularly easy to pour the coffee beans into the collection area 22. The coffee grinder 10 has a lid 68, which is located between a Fig. The lid 68 is movable relative to the housing 12 in the covered position AS and a release position shown in the figures. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the lid 68 is designed separately from the housing 12. In the covered position AS, the lid 68 is supported, in this case directly, on the support surface AF, specifically in a downward vertical direction relative to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10. Furthermore, in the covered position AS, the entire collection area 22 is covered and thus closed by the lid 68, specifically in an upward vertical direction relative to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10. In the release position FS, the lid 68 releases the collection area 22 at least partially, specifically at least predominantly and thus at least more than half of it, or even completely, specifically in an upward vertical direction relative to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10.Furthermore, in the cover position AS, the wall area W2 adjoins the lid 68. Since the wall area W1 is set back from the wall area W2 and since the operating element 46 engages in the through-opening 66 formed in the wall area W1, the lid 68 in the cover position AS also covers the wall area W1, the support surface AF and the operating element 46, in particular completely, with respect to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10 in a vertical upward direction, so that in the cover position AS of the lid 68 neither the through-opening 66 nor the operating element 46 is visually perceptible, i.e., visible, to a person in the vicinity 49. To clean the electrodes 34 and 36, and thus to operate the control element 46, the person removes the cover 68 from the housing 12, thereby moving the cover 68 from the covering position AS to the release position.The person can then use one of their fingers to operate the control element 46 and thus rotate it around the axis of rotation D. The person can then place the cover 68 back onto the housing 12 and thus move it into the covered position AS.

[0052] Recognizable from Fig. 12. It is also that in the cover position AS, the lid 68 is flush with the wall area W2, particularly with regard to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10 when viewed vertically upwards. This allows for a particularly advantageous external visual appearance of the coffee grinder 10.

[0053] In particular, it is provided that at least a portion of the collection area 22 is conical and thus funnel-shaped, specifically such that at least this portion tapers downwards towards the grinding mechanism, particularly with respect to the operating position of the coffee grinder 10. This allows the grinding mechanism to be supplied with coffee beans from the collection area 22 particularly advantageously, especially by gravity and, most importantly, purely by gravity.

Claims

[1] Coffee grinder (10) for grinding coffee beans, with - a grinder for grinding the coffee beans; - a receiving area (14) in which a container (16) can be received, in which coffee powder resulting from the grinding of the coffee beans can be received; and - a chute (20) for guiding the coffee powder into the receiving area (14); characterized by : - an ionizer (30) for removing an electrostatic charge of the coffee powder sliding along the chute (20), wherein the ionizer (30) has an electrode arrangement (32) as a first arrangement with two electrodes (34, 36) between which an electrical voltage can be generated to remove the electrostatic charge; - a cleaning device (38) as a second device for cleaning the electrodes (34, 36); and - a movement device (42) by means of which the devices can be moved relative to each other, allowing the devices to slide directly against each other and enabling particles to be wiped off the electrodes (34, 36) for cleaning the electrodes (34, 36). [2] Coffee grinder (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the movement device (42) is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode device (32) can be moved relative to the cleaning device (38) by means of the movement device (42), while the cleaning device (38) remains stationary. [3] Coffee grinder (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that each electrode (34, 36) is assigned a respective recess formed in an elastically deformable material of the cleaning device (38), wherein the devices can be moved back and forth relative to each other by means of the movement device (42) in such a way that at least a respective partial area of ​​the respective electrode (34, 36): - by enlarging at least a respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode (34, 36) and resulting elastic stretching of the material, it can be moved at least into the respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode (34, 36); and - is movable out of the respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode (34, 36) by elastic contraction of the material and resulting reduction in size of at least the respective part of the respective recess assigned to the respective electrode (34, 36). [4] Coffee grinder (10) according to claim 3, characterized by , that a cover element (44) is formed from the elastically deformable material, by which at least a length section (L) of the slide (20) is covered. [5] Coffee grinder (10) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the movement device (42) is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that, by means of the movement device (42), the electrode device (32) is movable relative to the slide (20) and relative to the cleaning device (38) and thus relative to the cover element (44), while the slide (20) and the cleaning device (38) and thus the cover element (44) remain stationary. [6] Coffee grinder (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that: - the respective recess is designed as a respective through-opening; and - the movement device (42) is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the electrode device (32) can be moved relative to the cleaning device (38) between: ◯ a first position (S1) in which the respective electrode (34, 36) penetrates the respective through-opening associated with the respective electrode (34, 36) and protrudes from the elastic material on one side (SE1) facing the slide (20) in the direction of the slide (20); and ◯ a second position (S2), in which: ▪ the respective electrode (34, 36) engages in the respective through-opening assigned to the respective electrode (34, 36), but the respective electrode (34, 36) does not protrude from the elastic material on the side (SE1) facing the slide (20); or · the respective electrode (34, 36) is completely removed from the respective through-opening associated with the respective electrode (34, 36) and completely removed from the elastic material and is completely arranged on a second side (SE2) of the elastic material facing away from the side (SE1) and from the slide (20). [7] Coffee grinder (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by , that a cleaning element (44) common to the electrodes (34, 36) and formed from a single piece is made from the elastic material. [8] Coffee grinder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the movement device (42) has a control element (46) which can be manually operated and thus moved by a person who is in the vicinity (49) of the coffee grinder (10), making the devices movable relative to each other. [9] Coffee grinder (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that: - the control element (46) is rotatable about a pivot axis (D) relative to a base element (48) of the coffee grinder (10) and is held on the base element (48) so as to be rotatable by a person in the vicinity (49) of the coffee grinder (10) and is therefore rotatable about the pivot axis (D) relative to the base element (48); and - the motion device (42) has a drive element (52) that is translationally movable along a motion axis (A) relative to the base element (48), by means of which the devices are movable relative to each other by translationally moving the drive element (52) along the motion axis (A) and relative to the base element (48); and - a translation device (54) by means of which the rotation of the control element (46) about the axis of rotation (D) and relative to the base element (48) can be converted into the translational movement of the output element (52) along the axis of movement (A) and relative to the base element (48). [10] Coffee grinder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the movement device (42) is designed to move the devices relative to each other in such a way that the devices can be moved only translationally relative to each other by means of the movement device (42).

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