Machine for preparing drinks with a sliding lid

Abstract

A machine for preparing beverages from a powdered product (P) containing at least one ingredient having the following characteristics: a product processing group (20) comprising a container (21) adapted to receive the powdered product (P); an opening for the product (30) for introducing the powdered product (P) from outside the machine directly into the container (21); a lid (40) which forms or has a handle and is manually movable between a closed position in which the lid (40) covers the opening and prevents access to the container (21) and an open position in which the lid (40) releases the opening, wherein the lid (40) is displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a curved path.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages using a powdered product containing one or more ingredients, in particular coffee.

[0002] In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to the use of a compacted tablet, although it will be understood that the invention is not limited to a machine designed to work with tablets, but is generally applicable to machines using capsules or, alternatively, pockets.

[0003] Beverage preparation machines are known which are provided with a channel for introducing the product from outside the machine and with a lid which can be moved between a closed position in which the lid covers the channel and prevents the introduction of the product, and an open position in which the lid releases the channel and allows the introduction of the product into the machine.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to improve the arrangement described above.

[0005] These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by a machine according to the appended independent claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the machine according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the content of which is to be understood as part of the following description.

[0007] In summary, the invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages from a powdered product containing at least one ingredient, the machine having the following features: a product processing group comprising a container adapted to receive the powdered product; a product opening for introducing the powdered product from outside the machine directly into the container; a lid forming or having a handle and manually movable between a closed position, in which the lid covers the opening and prevents access to the container, and an open position, in which the lid exposes the opening; wherein the lid is movable between the closed position and the open position along a curved path.

[0008] In the aforementioned machine, the curved path allows the introduction area for the powdered product (e.g., a compacted tablet or capsule) to be covered not "sideways" with a transverse movement, as would be the case if the lid followed a straight path, but with a movement that approaches the product from above. If the product is slightly misaligned with respect to the container, the curved movement of the lid thus achieves the effect of guiding the product to the correct area and / or preventing jams or breakage.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the lid in the open position is at a higher level than the lid in the closed position. In this case, the curved sliding achieves the advantage of greater compactness compared to a straight sliding movement, since the lid does not slide linearly toward the open position during its movement, but rather follows an arc (thereby covering a shorter path with respect to the vertical component of the movement).

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, provided as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine according to the invention, with the lid in the open position; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 side views of the machine from Fig. 1, with the lid in the closed and open positions respectively; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 elevated side views of a section of the housing of the machine of Fig. 1, with the lid in the closed and open positions respectively; Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are perspective views of the housing portion with the lid in the closed and open positions, respectively, with a cover shell of the lid removed; and Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the housing portion according to a variant of the invention; Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 sectional views of the housing section of Fig. 8, with the lid in the closed and open positions respectively; and Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are enlarged views of the parts indicated by the arrow XI in Fig. 9 and arrow XII in Fig. 10 are specified.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1 is a machine for preparing beverages, in particular coffee, from a compacted tablet P containing one or more ingredients, in particular powdered coffee, generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0012] As already explained, although the invention is described with reference to the use of a compacted tablet containing the ingredients for beverage preparation, it should not be understood as being limited to a machine capable of operating with a tablet, but rather as encompassing the case where, instead of a tablet, a dosage of powder contained in a capsule, a pouch, or other similar packaging suitable for infusion-based beverage preparation is provided. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "powdered product" therefore encompasses both the powdered product packaged in a capsule or pouch and the product compacted in the form of a tablet.

[0013] The machine 10 comprises a product processing group 20 (inside the machine 10) comprising a container 21 in the form of a cup, which is adapted to receive the product; a product opening 30 for introducing the product P from outside the machine 10 directly into the container 21; and a lid 40 forming or comprising a handle for a user and manually movable between a closed position in which the lid 40 covers the opening 30 ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6), and an open position in which the cover 40 releases the opening 30 ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7). In the illustrated example, the lid 40 has a hollow construction and is formed by a bottom portion 41 and a cover shell 42 which are assembled together.

[0014] The product processing group 20 may include an outlet for dispensing beverages prepared in the product processing group. The group 20 may be configured to automatically circulate water and / or steam in the container 21 containing the product, thereby preparing a beverage in a known manner.

[0015] The container 21 can be configured between an introduction configuration for receiving the product P (as in Fig. 1) and a processing configuration for transferring the product P within the processing group 20. An automatic product identification system can be used to parameterize and automatically adjust product processing based on the type of ingredients.

[0016] The beverage preparation machine 10 typically includes one or more of the following components: a) the processing group 20, for example a fluid circuit comprising an infusion unit operable to form, via the container 21, an infusion chamber within the machine 10, the infusion chamber being configured to receive and house the product P and to direct a flow of water and / or steam through the product P via its inlet until the beverage is produced, which emerges from an outlet of the infusion chamber; b) an in-line heating device for heating the liquid stream to be supplied to the product P; c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heating device; (d) one or more connecting elements for conveying the liquid from a liquid source, e.g. from a liquid reservoir; e) an electronic control unit for receiving instructions from a user via a user interface and for controlling the in-line heating device and the pump; and / or f) one or more sensors for detecting at least one parameter selected from the operating parameters of the processing group, the in-line heating device, the pump, the liquid reservoir, the liquid flow rate, the liquid pressure and the liquid temperature, and for communicating such parameters to the control unit.

[0017] In particular, the product processing group 20 includes or is connected to an upstream fluid system, e.g., a system including a fluid motor, e.g., a pump, and a thermal conditioner, e.g., a heater, for circulating a thermally conditioned fluid, e.g., water, from a water source, e.g., a fluid reservoir, into the container 21 in the processing configuration.

[0018] In addition, the product processing group 20 has a downstream arrangement with an outlet for dispensing the beverage to a user, e.g., in an area for placing a user's cup.

[0019] The lid 40 is manually movable along a curved path between the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) and the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7) is movable. As can be seen from a comparison of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the lid 40 is at a higher level in the open position than when the lid 40 is in the closed position.

[0020] The machine 10 may comprise an outer housing 50 having an upper housing portion 51 on which the lid 40 is slidably mounted. The opening for the product 30 for introducing the product P is formed by the upper housing portion 51. In the illustrated example, the lid 40, when in the closed position, is positioned within the perimeter of the upper housing portion 51 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 4). Conversely, in the open position, the cover 40 projects laterally beyond an edge of the upper housing section 51 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5).

[0021] At the edge of the opening 30, the wall thickness of the upper housing section 51 is less than the thickness of the product P. In the position of Fig. 1, the upper edge of the container 21 is substantially in contact with the edge of the opening 30. The depth of the container 21 is such that a user can manually place the product P directly at the bottom of the container 21 without having to drop it. For example, the depth of the container 21 may be less than the thickness H of the product P.

[0022] The upper housing section 51 may include a guide arrangement to move the lid 40 between the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) and the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7). In the case of Fig. 6 and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 7, such a guide arrangement comprises a pair of guide ribs 62 coupled to a pair of corresponding guide grooves 63. The guide ribs 62 are formed on the upper housing portion 51 such that they protrude vertically from its upper surface. The guide grooves 63 are formed through a wall of the bottom portion 41 of the lid 40. The guide ribs 62 are provided with laterally projecting portions 62a, which serve to hold the bottom portion 41 of the lid 40 against the upper housing portion 51. In addition, the lid 40 can be equipped with rollers 43 that bear against a support surface 51a of the upper housing portion 51. The shapes of the lid 40, the guide ribs 62, the guide grooves 63, and the support surface 51a are such that the lid 40 is able to move between the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) and the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7) to slide along a curved path. Stop elements are also provided between the cover 40 and the upper housing portion 51 to stop the cover 40 in the closed position and the open position, respectively. Such stop elements can, for example, be formed within the guide grooves 63 and can be engaged by the guide ribs 62 when the cover 40 reaches the closed or open position, respectively.

[0023] As in the example of Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the cover 40 may be associated with an automatic reset device 71 to bring the cover 40 into a stable position, in particular into the closed position and / or the open position. The automatic reset device may be a bistable device 71 configured to bring the cover 40 into two different stable positions, in particular the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) and the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7).

[0024] The automatic return device 71 may comprise a resilient arrangement, e.g., a spring arrangement such as torsion springs, compression springs, and / or tension springs, which relax when the stable positions are reached.

[0025] In particular, the automatic resetting device 71 can be connected directly or indirectly to the upper housing portion 51 and / or the lid 40. For example, the device 71 is housed within a cavity of the lid 40. For example, the automatic resetting device 71 can be implemented as a torsion spring. In this case, the device 71 has a first end 71a mounted on a shaft 52 fixed to the upper housing portion 51 and a second end 71b mounted on a shaft 43 fixed to the lid 40, more specifically to the bottom portion 41. The device 71 further has a pair of arms 72a and 72b that are movable relative to each other and that connect the ends 71a and 71b, respectively, to a central spirally wound body 72c.

[0026] When the cover 40 is moved from the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) into the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7), the end 71a rotates about the shaft 52 attached to the upper housing portion 51, and the end 71b rotates about the shaft 43 attached to the cover 40. The cover 40 slides on the end 71a and the shaft 52, while the end 71b follows the cover 40 along its path from the first stable end position to the second stable end position.

[0027] When the device 71 is in rotation, driven by the lid 40 moving away from one of its two end positions, the ends 71a and 71b are pressed towards each other until the lid 40 reaches an unstable intermediate position (half-open) between the closed and open positions, after which the ends 71a and 71b are pressed apart. When the ends 71a and 71b are pressed towards each other, the spring arrangement of the device 71 is tensioned. When the ends 71a and 71b are pressed apart, the spring arrangement of the device 71 relaxes. In this way, the spring arrangement of the device 71 forces the separation of the ends 71a and 71b into the stable positions of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the return device 71 operates in a torsional manner. Of course, it is possible to modify the device 71 so that the spring arrangement operates in tension or compression.

[0028] Consequently, the device 71 guides or assists the movement of the lid 40 from an intermediate position to stable positions on both sides of the intermediate position, in particular to the closed position ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) and the open position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7). In addition, the device 71 can prevent improper positioning of the lid 40 by automatically placing it in stable positions. This improves the ergonomics associated with the lid 40.

[0029] In one embodiment, the product processing module 20 has an introduction configuration ( Fig. 1) for positioning the product P in the container 21 and a processing configuration (not shown) for transferring the container 21 within the product processing group 20 and processing the product P to prepare the beverage. The lid 40 cannot be moved to the open position when the product processing group 20 is processing the product P. Therefore, a locking system may be provided that acts on the lid 40 when the product processing group 20 is in operation. Alternatively, a safety system may be provided to stop the operation of the product processing group 20 if the lid 40 is moved from the closed position.

[0030] Typically, the machine 10 is equipped with a control unit, in particular a unit known in the art for controlling the product processing group 20. The lid 40 may form or be part of a user interface in communication with the control unit of the machine 10. The user interface may comprise one or more interface devices 44, e.g., input devices (e.g., buttons) and / or output devices (e.g., LEDs or displays). Optionally, the lid 40 comprises or is associated with a sensor connected to the control unit for detecting the position of the lid 40, which may, e.g., be an electromechanical switch sensor, a magnetic sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0031] The control unit may be configured to automatically initiate preparation of the beverage when the product P is introduced into the container 21 and the lid 40 is moved to the closed position. The control unit may also be configured to automatically initiate a shutdown or standby process and / or a maintenance process when no product P is introduced into the container 21 and the lid 40 is moved to the closed position.

[0032] In the Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 12 shows a variant of the invention. In these figures, elements corresponding to those in the previous embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0033] In the Fig. 8 to Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 12, the lid 40, hereinafter referred to as the primary lid, has a secondary lid 70 configured to engage an edge 30a of the opening for the product 30. According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary lid 70 is provided with a seal through which the secondary lid 70 engages the edge 30a of the opening for the product 30. The secondary lid 70 is hinged to an underside of the primary lid 40 at a hinge axis y arranged transversely to the sliding direction of the primary lid 40. In the example shown, the hinge axis y is defined by a shaft 71, the opposite ends of which are inserted into corresponding seats (not shown) formed in the primary lid 40. It should be noted that in Fig. 8 the primary cover 40 is omitted to expose the underlying secondary cover 70.

[0034] The secondary cover 70 is therefore movable relative to the primary cover 40 between a lowered position (in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 11), in which the secondary cover 70 engages the edge 30a of the opening for the product 30, and a raised position (in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 12) in which the secondary cover 70 is rotated upward relative to the lowered position. This rotation occurs as a result of the sliding movement of the primary cover 40 between the closed position and the open position.

[0035] The secondary lid 70 has a closure portion 72 and a control portion 73 disposed on opposite sides of the secondary lid 70 with respect to the hinge axis y. The closure portion 72 is configured to engage the edge 30a of the opening for the product 30, and the control portion 73 is configured to be engaged between the primary lid 40 and the upper housing portion 51 so that it can be pulled in rotation relative to the primary lid 40 during sliding of the primary lid 40 along the upper housing portion 51. The secondary lid 70 thus defines a first-class lever, with the arm defined by the closure portion 72 being much longer than the arm defined by the control portion 73.

[0036] In particular, a sliding profile 53 is formed on the support surface 51a of the upper housing portion 51 and is engaged by the control portion 73 of the secondary cover 70.

[0037] The sliding profile 53 has a main portion 53a and a cam portion 53b located at one end of the sliding profile 53 adjacent the opening for the product 30. In the illustrated example, two parallel cam portions 53b are formed on corresponding ribs of the upper housing portion. However, this arrangement is not essential. A tilt variation point 53c is formed between the main portion 53a and the cam portion 53b, which is configured to guide the rotation of the secondary lid 70 during the sliding movement of the primary lid 40.

[0038] In this regard, the control portion 73 of the secondary cover 70 is provided with a curved follower profile 74 that engages the sliding profile 53 formed on the upper housing portion 51 and a step profile 75 that is configured to be engaged by the primary cover 40 in the closed position of the primary cover 40.

[0039] When the primary cover 40 is in its closed position as shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, the secondary cover 70 is in its lowered position, as shown in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. The control portion 73 is engaged between the cam portion 53b of the sliding profile 53 and a surface 45 of the primary cover 40. Specifically, the curved follower profile 74 of the control portion 73 is engaged with the cam portion 53b of the sliding profile 53, and the stepped profile 75 of the control portion 73 is engaged with the surface 45 of the primary cover 40.

[0040] When the primary cover 40 begins its movement from the closed position to the open position, the combined action of the control portion 73 passing through the inclination variation point 53c and the surface 45 of the primary cover 40 approaching the sliding profile 53 of the upper housing portion 51 due to the curved path of the primary cover 40 causes the engagement of the control portion 73 between the sliding profile 53 and the surface 45 of the primary cover 40 to cause the secondary cover 70 to rotate from its lowered position to its raised position.

[0041] The secondary cover 70 remains in its raised position until the primary cover reaches its open position, as shown in the Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 is shown.

[0042] During the movement from the closed to the open position of the primary cover 40, the secondary cover 70 falls into its lowered position when the control portion 73 of the secondary cover 70 reaches the inclination variation point 53c. Immediately thereafter, the secondary cover 70 is secured in this position by the engagement of a protrusion defined by the cam portion 53b of the sliding profile 53 and the surface 45 of the primary cover 40.

[0043] The presence of the secondary lid 70 makes it possible to reduce the generation of condensate in various parts of the machine. Furthermore, the secondary lid 70 is capable of guiding the capsule / tablet into the container 21 in the event of improper positioning, thus preventing the capsule / tablet from being crushed and possibly broken.

Claims

[1] A machine for preparing beverages from a powdered product (P) containing at least one ingredient having the following characteristics: a product processing group (20) comprising a container (21) adapted to receive the powdered product (P); a product opening (30) for introducing the powdered product (P) from outside the machine directly into the container (21); a lid (40) forming or having a handle and manually movable between a closed position, in which the lid (40) covers the opening and prevents access to the container (21), and an open position, in which the lid (40) exposes the opening, wherein the lid (40) is displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a curved path. [2] A machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover (40) in the open position is at a higher level than the cover (40) in the closed position. [3] A machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an upper housing portion (51) on which the cover (40) is slidably mounted, the cover (40) projecting laterally beyond an edge of the upper housing portion (51) in the open position. [4] A machine according to claim 3, wherein a guide arrangement (62, 63, 43, 51a) is arranged between the upper housing portion (51) and the cover (40) for guiding the cover (40) between the closed position and the open position. [5] A machine according to claim 4, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a pair of guide ribs (62) coupled to a pair of corresponding guide grooves (63), the guide ribs (62) being formed on the upper housing portion (51) to project vertically from the upper housing portion (51), and the guide grooves (63) being formed by a wall of the bottom portion (41) of the cover (40). [6] A machine according to claim 5, wherein the guide assembly further comprises a plurality of rollers (43) abutting against a support surface (51a) of the upper housing portion (51). [7] A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (40) is associated with a bistable automatic return device (71) configured to urge the cover (40) towards the closed position and the open position. [8] A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (40), hereinafter referred to as the primary lid, comprises a secondary lid (70) hinged to the primary lid (40) on a hinge axis (y) arranged transversely to the sliding direction of the primary lid (40), the secondary lid (70) being rotatable relative to the primary lid (40) between a lowered position in which the secondary lid (70) engages an edge (30a) of the opening for the product (30), and a raised position in which the secondary lid (70) is rotated upwards relative to the lowered position as a result of the sliding of the primary lid (40) between the closed position and the open position. [9] A machine according to claim 8 in combination with claim 3, wherein the secondary lid (70) comprises a closure portion (72) and a control portion (73) arranged on opposite sides of the secondary lid (70) relative to the hinge axis (y), the closure portion (72) being configured to engage the edge (30a) of the opening for the product (30), and the control portion (73) being configured to be engaged between the primary lid (40) and the upper housing portion (51) to be pulled in rotation relative to the primary lid (40). [10] A machine according to claim 9, wherein a sliding profile (53) is formed on the upper housing portion (51) which is engaged by the control portion (73) of the secondary cover (70), wherein an inclination variation point (53c) is formed along the sliding profile (53) which is configured to guide the rotation of the secondary cover (70) during the sliding movement of the primary cover (40). [11] A machine according to claim 10, wherein the control portion (73) of the secondary cover (70) is provided with a curved follower profile (74) engaging the sliding profile (53) formed on the upper housing portion (51) and a step profile (75) configured to be engaged by the primary cover (40) in the closed position of the primary cover (40). [12] A machine according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the secondary cover (70) is provided with a seal through which the secondary cover (70) engages the edge (30a) of the opening for the product (30).

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