MACHINE FOR PRODUCING A WARM BEVERAGE FROM SINGLE-DOSE UNITS

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] In its most general aspect, the present invention concerns a machine for making a warm beverage, especially, but not exclusively, coffee, from single-dose units of the pod or capsule type.State of the art

[0002] As known, in recent years, coffee machines that use single-dose powdered coffee units, for example pods or capsules, have conquered a significant portion of the market.

[0003] Among the various coffee machine models of the aforesaid type, the coffee machines in which, for example, the insertion of a pod occurs through a window opened on the front of the coffee machine are very popular.

[0004] In practice, a coffee machine of the type considered above comprises an outer structure, i.e. a casing, inside which, among the various components, a heat exchanger, a so-named upper pod-holder combined with the heat exchanger and a so-named lower pod-holder provided with a filter, wherein the upper pod-holder is movable with respect to the lower pod-holder, are housed.

[0005] In particular, the upper pod-holder can move away from and close to the lower pod-holder, along a vertical plane, so that to allow the positioning of the pod on the filter or the removal of the pod from the filter, and so that to respectively keep the same pod firm in the correct position for the infusion with water and the delivery of the coffee.

[0006] The movement of the upper pod-holder is achieved by means of a lever outside the casing, operated by the user and active on the same upper pod-holder.

[0007] In particular, the lever is operated upwards by the user to move the upper pod-holder away from the lower pod-holder, thus allowing the insertion of the pod between the upper pod-holder and the lower pod-holder, or its removal, and downwards to bring back the upper pod-holder close to the lower pod-holder.

[0008] Although advantageous, coffee machines of the type considered above are not devoid of drawbacks, among which the risk for the user of burning his fingers when inserting the pod in the little space comprised between the upper pod-holder and the lower pod-holder when they are positioned distal from each other.

[0009] It should be said that, during the pod extraction operation - which, among others, is not easy since the aforesaid little space comprised between the upper pod-holder and the lower pod-holder makes its access difficult -, the user runs the risk of burning himself.

[0010] Moreover, always due to the little space comprised between the upper pod-holder and the lower pod-holder when they are positioned distal from each other, the access to the filter is also disadvantageously difficult and its cleaning thus becomes problematic.

[0011] Moreover, it is disadvantageously not intuitive for the user, who must move the upper pod-holder and the lower pod-holder away from each other, the use of the lever in order to insert the pod.

[0012] Moreover, the pod can disadvantageously break rather easily during the extraction operation since it practically must be pulled by the user, among other things after having been wet.

[0013] Document US 2013 / 209636 A1 discloses a beverage forming method and system employing the introduction of air into a heater tank and / or an expansion chamber after liquid delivery is complete, wherein the expansion chamber may be provided at the top of the heater tank and provide a tortuous flow path from an air inlet to the tank outlet.Summary of the Invention

[0014] The technical problem underlying the present invention was to provide a machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units, especially, but not exclusively, coffee, having structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome one or more of the aforesaid drawbacks with reference to the known

[0015] According to the invention, the aforesaid problem is solved by a machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units, for example coffee, comprising: a path for an infusion fluid, extended between an inlet and an outlet of the aforesaid fluid, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat at least along part of the aforesaid path, an upper single-dose unit holder in fluidic communication with the aforesaid path at the aforesaid outlet, a lower single-dose unit holder comprising a filter arranged below the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder, a delivery spout in fluidic communication with the aforesaid filter, wherein the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder is movable with respect to the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder between a first position, in which the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder and the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder are substantially overlapping and coaxial to each other, forming an infusion chamber for the aforesaid single-dose unit, and a second position in which the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder and the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder are arranged staggered to each other, i.e. at least neither overlapping nor coaxial to each other.

[0016] In practice, according to the present invention, the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder is movable between the aforesaid first position and the aforesaid second position between which it can switch through a translatory, rotary or roto-translatory movement, substantially on a horizontal plane, the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder being preferably fixed.

[0017] Preferably, the aforesaid upper single-dose unit holder and the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder are circular in shape and are more preferably of the same width.

[0018] Preferably, the aforesaid machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units comprises a casing provided with a window, wherein the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder in the aforesaid first position is substantially inside the aforesaid casing, and wherein the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder in the aforesaid second position is substantially outside of the aforesaid casing.

[0019] Preferably, the aforesaid machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units comprises a closing-opening element for the closing and opening of the aforesaid window, wherein the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder is more preferably integral with the aforesaid closing-opening element.

[0020] Preferably, the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder comprises a plate provided with a hole surrounded by an edge, wherein the aforesaid filter is removably combined with the aforesaid edge.

[0021] Preferably, the aforesaid machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units comprises movement means for displacing the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder between the aforesaid first position and the aforesaid second position, wherein the aforesaid movement means are manually, electrically or pneumatically activated.

[0022] Preferably, the aforesaid manually activated movement means comprise a lever operable by the user, a cam integral with the aforesaid lever, a shaped element on which the aforesaid cam operates, and a connecting element, wherein the aforesaid connecting element is constrained, at a first side, to the aforesaid shaped element and, at a second side opposed the aforesaid first side, to the aforesaid closing-opening element for the closing and opening of the aforesaid window.

[0023] Preferably, the aforesaid closing-opening element comprises at least one hinge element having a slot, and the aforesaid connecting element at the aforesaid second side comprises a hole, wherein the aforesaid manually activated means comprise a pin or plug which engage the aforesaid slot and the aforesaid hole.

[0024] Preferably, the aforesaid cam, at a lobe, comprises a circular element, wherein the aforesaid circular element is rotationally free.

[0025] Preferably, the aforesaid shaped element has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the aforesaid cam.

[0026] Preferably, the aforesaid movement means comprise return means active on the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder for the displacement from the aforesaid second position to the aforesaid first position, wherein the aforesaid return means preferably comprise an elastic element having an end integral with the aforesaid lower single-dose unit holder.Brief description of the figures

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted in the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated by way of example, and without limitations, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units, comprising a casing and a lower single-dose unit holder, wherein the lower single-dose unit holder is movable with respect to the casing, in a first configuration with the lower single-dose unit holder outside the casing, according to the present invention, together with a pod comprising a single dose of coffee. figure 2 shows the machine of figure 1 in a second configuration with the lower single-dose unit holder inside the casing; figure 3 shows the machine of figure 2 devoid of the casing; figure 4 shows the machine of figure 1, shown from a different angle and devoid of the casing, together with the aforesaid pod comprising a single dose of coffee; figure 5 shows the lower single-dose unit holder of the machine of figure 1, enlarged and in separate parts; figures 6 and 7 show a particular of the machine of figure 1 according to two different perspectives. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] With reference to the aforesaid figures, 1 generally denotes a machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units according to the present invention.

[0029] In particular, the invention is depicted with reference to the making of a coffee-based beverage, for example from a pod containing a predetermined amount of powdered coffee, in the examples of the figures denoted by C, but it is understood that the present machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units can also be used for making other warm beverages obtained by infusion, for example from a pod or a capsule of barley, ginseng, tea, chamomile or other medicinal herbs.

[0030] The machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units according to the present invention, for simplicity hereinafter also simply named machine, essentially comprises a path for an infusion fluid, generally denoted by 2, extending between an inlet and an outlet of the fluid, a heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat at least along part of the path 2, an upper single-dose unit holder 4 in fluidic communication with the path 2 at the aforesaid outlet, a lower single-dose unit holder 5 comprising a filter 6 and arranged below the upper single-dose unit holder 4, and a delivery spout 7 in fluidic communication with the filter 6.

[0031] In a known way, the path 2 can in turn be connected at its inlet with a source of the aforesaid liquid, for example a tap of a water supply network, or, as shown in the examples of the figures, with a water tank 8, and, always in a known way, the present machine can comprise a pump for the circulation of the aforesaid liquid, not shown in the figures.

[0032] According to the invention, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is movable with respect to the upper single-dose unit holder 4, in particular movable between a first position, in which the lower single-dose unit holder 5 and the upper single-dose unit holder 4 are substantially overlapping and coaxial to each other, forming an infusion chamber for the single-dose unit, and a second position in which the lower single-dose unit holder 5 and the upper single-dose unit holder 4 are arranged staggered from one another, i.e. arranged at least in part not overlapping each other, and thus substantially not coaxial to each other.

[0033] In practice, according to the present invention, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is movable between the aforesaid first position and the aforesaid second position between which it can switch through a translatory, rotary or roto-translatory movement on a horizontal plane, whereas the upper single-dose unit holder 4 is preferably fixed.

[0034] It should be said that the upper single-dose unit holder 4 and the lower single-dose unit holder 5 preferably are circular in shape and that they more preferably are of the same width, thus preferably of the same diameter.

[0035] According to the examples of the figures, the machine 1 comprises a casing 9 provided with a window 10 and, according to the above, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is substantially inside the casing 9 in the aforesaid first position, whereas it is substantially outside the casing 9 in the aforesaid second position, being displaced through the window 10.

[0036] According to the examples of the figures, the casing 9 further comprises an opening 11 for the delivery spout 7, whereas the machine 1 more generally comprises a base 12 with a drainage 13, a cable 14 for the electric power supply and control buttons 15.

[0037] According to the examples of the figures, the machine 1 comprises a closing-opening element for the closing and opening of the aforesaid window, denoted by 16, in practice a movable small door, with which the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is combined according to the invention.

[0038] In detail, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is integral with the closing-opening element 16 and substantially comprises a plate 5a orthogonal to the closing-opening element 16, so that, when opening the window 10 i.e. activating the opening of the closing-opening element 16, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 switches from the aforesaid first position to the aforesaid second position, whereas by closing the window 10, namely by closing the closing-opening element 16, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 switches from the aforesaid second position to the aforesaid first position, as will become clearer hereunder.

[0039] According to the invention, the filter 6, which is removably combined with the plate 5a, also moves with the plate 5a.

[0040] With regard to this, the plate 5a is provided with a hole 17 surrounded by an edge 18 against which the filter 6 rests.

[0041] In order to move the lower single-dose unit holder 5, thus the filter 6 and also the closing-opening element 16 according to the examples of the figures, the machine according to the present invention can comprise manual, electrical or pneumatic movement means.

[0042] According to the figures, manually activated movement means, which comprise a lever 19 operable by the user, a cam 20 integral with the lever 19, a shaped element 21 on which the cam 20 operates, and a connecting element 22 which is constrained, at a first side, to the shaped element 21, and at a second side opposite the first side, to the closing-opening element 16 of the window 10, are shown in the figures by way of example.

[0043] In detail, the lever 19 has a first portion arranged outside of a first side of the casing 9, such as to be operated by the user upwards from the bottom, and vice-versa, and a second substantially horizontal portion inside the casing 9, the casing thus being provided with a passage for the lever 19.

[0044] It should be added that the lever 19 is supported inside the casing 9 by a couple of partitions 23 arranged opposite each other and provided with respective passages, and that the lever 19 is made integral with the cam 20 by means of a dowel 20a, the possibility of providing the lever and cam welded to each other not however being excluded.

[0045] In particular, according to the above, at the partition 23, which is in a position distal from the portion of the lever 19 outside the casing 9, the lever 19 has an end combined with the cam 20 which can thus rotate following the movement of the lever 19.

[0046] Moreover, the cam 20, at a lobe, comprises a circular element 24 which is rotationally free, thus idly mounted on the lobe of the cam 20, and which acts on the shaped element 21 by rotating.

[0047] With regard to this, it should be said that the shaped element 21, which is hinged by means of a pin 21a at the same partition 23 at which the cam 20 is arranged, has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the cam 20.

[0048] As far as the connecting element 22 is concerned, it should be mentioned that it practically consists of a fitting with two holes, wherein a first hole is engaged by an end of the shaped element 21, and wherein a second hole 25 is engaged by a pin or plug 26 that constrains it to the closing-opening element 16 of the window 10.

[0049] With regard to this, the closing-opening element 16 comprises at least one hinge element 27 having a slot 28, and, according to the examples of the figures, comprises two hinge elements 27 each having a respective slot 28, wherein the slots 28, as well as the second hole 25, are engaged by the pin or plug 26, whereas an end of the connecting element 22 is advantageously arranged between the two hinge elements 27.

[0050] In practice, by rotating the lever 19, the shaped element 21 rotates around the pin 21a hinged to the partition 23, and in particular by rotating, so to speak, towards the tank 8, it drags the connecting element 22, which is in turn integral with the closing-opening element 16 which thus opens.

[0051] When the closing-opening element 16 is open, the lower single-dose unit holder 5 is outside the casing 9, and the access is facilitated for the user since the space above it is not obstructed by the upper single-dose unit holder 4 which is not in-line with the lower single-dose unit holder.

[0052] The user can thus easily insert or better lean the single-dose coffee unit, thus the pod C according to the examples of the figures, on the lower single-dose unit holder 5, and can just as easily clean the filter 6, also by possibly removing it from the plate 5a of the lower single-dose unit holder 5.

[0053] As far as the return of the closing-opening element 16 to the first closed position is concerned, it should be said that the aforesaid movement means preferably comprise return means active on the lower single-dose unit holder 5 for the displacement of the latter from the second position to the first position, wherein the return means, according to the example of the figures, comprise an elastic element 29, in practice a spring, having an end integral with the plate 5a of the lower single-dose unit holder 5 and an end integral with a supporting element arranged inside the casing 9, not shown in the figures.

[0054] In alternative to the above, electrical or pneumatic return means can be provided.

[0055] It should be said that the repositioning of the lower single-dose unit holder 5 in the first position can also occur manually, in practice by pushing the movable small door whenever return means are not provided, or still the return of the lower single-dose unit holder 5 in the first position can be achieved by operating the lever downwards.

[0056] The advantages of the present invention, which became clear in the description specified above, can be summarized by noting that a machine for making a warm beverage from single-dose units and which allows the user to easily insert a single-dose unit in the machine and to easily remove it therefrom, is provided.

[0057] Advantageously, the user can still insert the single-dose unit in the machine and remove it from the machine without running the risk of burning himself.

[0058] Advantageously, it is still possible to clean the filter thoroughly and easily.

[0059] In order to meet incidental and specific requirements, several variations and modifications could be made by a field technician to the illustrated and described embodiments of present invention, provided that all are included in the protection scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Machine (1) for making a warm beverage from single-dose units (C), comprising: a path (2) for an infusion fluid, extended between an inlet and an outlet of said fluid, a heat exchanger (3) for exchanging heat at least along part of said path (2), an upper single-dose unit holder (4) in fluidic communication with said path at said outlet, a lower single-dose unit holder (5) comprising a filter (6) arranged below said upper single-dose unit holder (4), a delivery spout (7) in fluidic communication with said filter (6), wherein said lower single-dose unit holder (5) is movable with respect to said upper single-dose unit holder (4), between a first position in which said lower single-dose unit holder (5) and said upper single-dose unit holder (4) are substantially overlapping and coaxial to each other, forming an infusion chamber for the aforesaid single-dose unit, and a second position in which said lower single-dose unit holder (5) and said upper single-dose unit holder (4) are arranged staggered and not coaxial to each other, said lower single-dose unit holder (5) and said upper single-dose unit holder (4) being arranged at least partly not overlapping each other in said second position.

2. Machine according to claim 1, comprising a casing (9) provided with a window (10), wherein said lower single-dose unit holder (5) is substantially inside said casing (9) in said first position and is substantially outside said casing (9) in said second position.

3. Machine according to claim 2, comprising a closing-opening element (16) for the closing and opening of said window (10), wherein said lower single-dose unit holder (5) is preferably integral with said closing-opening element (16).

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower single-dose unit holder (5) comprises a plate (5a) provided with a hole (17) surrounded by an edge (18), and wherein said filter (6) is removably combined with said edge (18).

5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising movement means for displacing said lower single-dose unit holder (5) between said first position and said second position, wherein said movement means are manually, electrically or pneumatically activated.

6. Machine according to claim 5, wherein said manually activated movement means comprise a lever (19) activatable from the outside of said casing (9), a cam (20) integral with said lever (19), a shaped element (21) on which said cam (20) operates, and a connecting element (22), wherein said connecting element (22) is constrained, at a first side, to said shaped element (21) and at a second side opposed to said first side, to said closing-opening element (16).

7. Machine according to claim 6, wherein said closing-opening element (16) comprises at least one hinge element (27) having a slot (28), and said connecting element (22) comprises a hole (25) at said second side, wherein said manually activated movement means comprise a pin or plug (26) which engage said slot (28) and said hole (25).

8. Machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said cam (20) comprises, at a lobe, a circular element (24), wherein said circular element is rotationally free.

9. Machine according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the rotation axis of said shaped element (21) is parallel to the rotation axis of said cam (20).

10. Machine according to any one of claims 5-9, wherein said movement means comprise return means active on said lower single-dose unit holder (5) for the displacement from said second position to said first position, wherein said return means comprise an elastic element (29) having an end integral with said lower single-dose unit holder.

11. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower single-dose unit holder (5) is movable between said first position and said second position through a translatory, rotary or roto-translatory movement, substantially on a horizontal plane, wherein said upper single-dose unit holder (4) is preferably fixed.