Device for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine and method for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine

Abstract

The invention relates to device for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine and method for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine. The cleaning device for the brewing group of a pressure coffee machine characterized in that, it comprises a chamber (2) connected by at least one hydraulic connector (9) to a portafilter (1), whereas the chamber (2) comprises a body (5), inside which a pressure sensor (8) is installed. The method for cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine characterized in that the portafilter (1) is filled with detergent, the portafilter (1) is mounted on the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine, the brewing cycle is activated in the pressure coffee machine, and after reaching the maximum pressure of the solution, a three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is opened, the cycle of brewing and opening the three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is repeated until the acceptable conductance of the solution is reached.

Description

[0001] Device for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine and method for cleaning brewing group of pressure coffee machine

[0002] The subject of the invention is a device for cleaning the brewing group of a pressure coffee machine and a method for cleaning the brewing group of a pressure coffee machine. The disclosed solution concerns devices intended for cleaning pressure coffee machines, in particular the brewing group of portafilter machines.

[0003] The main element of the pressure coffee machine is the brewing group to which a portafilter of the pressure coffee machine is attached. Through it, water from the boiler is fed in the espresso extraction process. The brewing group is most often connected to a three-way valve, which is opened after the brewing process to reduce the overpressure in the system. As a result of the brewing process and then releasing the pressure with means of the valve from above the "coffee cake" (as ground coffee loaded in the portafilter of the pressure coffee machine is defined), the brewing group, the portafilter, valves and ducts of the machine are soiled with greasy, dirty water. As a result, deposits are deposited on the mechanical components of the valves, which reduces their flow capacity and, in extreme cases, completely blocks the flow. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the machine regularly, and in the case of appliances used in gastronomy, it is recommended as a daily treatment.

[0004] A cleaning method referred to as backflush is commonly used. This method consists in placing a plug (the so-called blind strainer) in the portafilter of the pressure coffee machine, pouring detergent into the portafilter and attaching the portafilter to the brewing group. The portafilter is then filled with hot water (by pressing the brewing cycle activation button), after 5 seconds the button is pressed again, which switches the three-way valve to the direction of the drain. The air compressed in the portafilter pushes a certain amount of water with detergent through the three-way valve and the ducts of the pressure coffee machine, removing impurities from them. This action is repeated several times. The portafilter is detached and cleaned of detergent residues, and then the whole treatment is repeated without the use of detergent. The portafilter is then detached and a large amount of water passes through the brewing group.

[0005] From the state of the art, a patent solution No. W02014053181 Al is known, disclosing the design of a cap of a portafilter of a pressure coffee machine used for the backflush cleaning method.

[0006] The process of cleaning a portafilter machine using a blind strainer often remains insufficiently effective in terms of flushing coffee residues from the system. This is due to the fact that a relatively small amount of water with detergent flows out of the portafilter closed with the blind strainer, after opening the three- way valve. Waste coffee particles remain unflushed from the ducts and valves, leading to partial or complete blockage and therefore leading to the need for further maintenance. In addition, the cleaning process is complicated and time-consuming, so the procedure is often not carried out diligently or is sometimes skipped. This adversely affects the service life of the pressure coffee machine. A carelessly performed treatment may also result in the ingress of detergent residues into the prepared drinks.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a device that eliminates the above mentioned disadvantages of the backflush method, provides a simple, efficient and safe method for cleaning the brewing group of the portafilter machine and the ability to verify that this activity is carried out regularly.

[0008] According to the invention, the device for cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine is characterized in that it comprises a chamber connected with the portafilter by at least one hydraulic connector. The chamber contains a body inside which a pressure sensor is installed. The essence of the invention is to increase the backflow of the detergent solution flowing through the three-way valve and internal channels of the brewing group, exposed to contamination with coffee deposits. This is achieved by increasing the volume of water with detergent by a fraction of the chamber volume. The pressure sensor enables optimization of the process time, indicating the moment when the three-way valve on the brewing group should be released.

[0009] Preferably, the cleaning device comprises the portafilter. Connecting the device directly to the brewing group with means of the portafilter corresponding to the standard portafilter of the pressure coffee machine enables quick installation directly on the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine.

[0010] A conductivity sensor is preferably installed inside the body. The conductivity sensor, by measuring the conductivity of the solution, makes it possible to determine whether the detergent has been completely rinsed out of the system, which contributes to the optimization of the number of rinse cycles.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the hydraulic connector extends from the lower part of the portafilter to the lower part of the chamber. In this way, water with impurities flows from the bottom of the portafilter and flows out through the hydraulic connector at the bottom of the chamber. The air in the system is collected in the upper part of the chamber and is gradually compressed to a pressure equal to the maximum pressure of the pump in the pressure coffee machine. After releasing the three-way valve, thanks to the expansion of the air accumulated in the upper part of the chamber, the liquid is pumped from the chamber through the hydraulic connector, the brewing group and the three-way valve, outside the pressure coffee machine. This is the proper rinsing process.

[0012] Preferably, the device comprises two hydraulic connectors comprising check valves, whereas the first is the inlet hydraulic connector and the check valve is oriented from the portafilter to the chamber, and the second is the outlet hydraulic connector and the check valve is oriented from the chamber to the portafilter. By introducing more than one hydraulic connector and defining flow directions through them with the use of the check valves, it is possible to filter the waterdetergent solution.

[0013] Most preferably, a filter is mounted in the inlet part of the outlet hydraulic connector. The filter is designed to block larger impurities from getting back from the chamber into the portafilter and then to the three-way valve. In the preferred embodiment, the portafilter and the chamber are fixed relative to each other by means of at least one connecting element, and the body is closed with a closing element. Thanks to the closing element in the body, it is possible to open the body in order to clean the inside of the device. Delicate elements of sensors and hydraulic connectors remain hidden inside the body, which minimizes the risk of their mechanical damage during the cleaning process, and communicating connections of the sensors can be concealed in the space between the chamber and the portafilter, which space is created thanks to the use of connecting elements.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting element is a spacer sleeve detachably connected to the portafilter and the body or the closing element.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting element is a threaded stub located on the body. Thanks to this, a standard portafilter of the pressure coffee machine can be used, by screwing the chamber to it.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the chamber is closed by the portafilter with a detachable connection. This solution aims at minimizing the number of elements and, as a result, simplifying the construction of the device, making it more compact and easier to clean.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensor consists of a strain gauge, a membrane, a membrane clamp, whereas the strain gauge is mounted in the membrane clamp and separated by the membrane from the inside of the chamber, and the membrane clamp is detachably connected to the body and presses the membrane to the body.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the conductivity sensor and the pressure sensor are connected to a controller. The controller enables readings of process parameters in the form of the level of liquid conductance and pressure in the chamber, it can record the operation of the cleaning device and generate a report containing information on the cleaning time and its parameters.

[0019] Preferably, the controller is connected to a panel. The controller transmits data on the operation of the device to the panel, and the panel enables them to be read by a person operating the process, as well as to control the cleaning process parameters.

[0020] Most preferably, the controller is connected to a machine control unit. This allows the cleaning device controller to communicate with the pressure coffee machine controller, computer, or other form of pressure coffee machine control. It is possible to automatically switch the three-way valve, carry out the cleaning, in a repeatable and recommended manner. This allows the person operating the device to perform other activities at this time, such as cleaning the portafilter.

[0021] According to the invention, the method for cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine is characterized in that the portafilter is filled with detergent. Then the portafilter is mounted on the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine and the brewing cycle is started in the pressure coffee machine. After reaching the maximum pressure of the solution, the three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is opened. The cycle of brewing and opening the three- way valve of the pressure coffee machine is repeated until reaching the acceptable conductance of the solution. Verification of the conductance of the solution enables optimization of the number of rinse cycles.

[0022] Preferably, the achievement of the acceptable conductance of the solution is assessed by reading the conductance of the solution indicated by the conductivity sensor.

[0023] Preferably, reaching the maximum value of the solution pressure is assessed by reading the solution pressure indicated by the pressure sensor. The maximum working pressure of the pressure coffee machine pump is generally assumed as the maximum value of the pressure of the solution. Control of this value in the cleaning process contributes to faster rinsing of the brewing group by always obtaining the maximum volume of the reverse stream of water with detergent flowing through the three-way valve and internal channels of the brewing group.

[0024] The subject of the invention is illustrated by examples which do not limit its scope. The invention is presented in the drawings: fig. 1 - vertical cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with one hydraulic connector with the element closing the chamber, connected by the connecting element to the portafilter; fig. 2 - horizontal cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with one hydraulic connector; fig. 3 - vertical cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with one hydraulic connector, with the chamber body connected by the connecting element to the portafilter; fig. 4 - front view of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with a removable portafilter holder; fig. 5 - horizontal cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with the removable portafilter holder; fig. 6 - communication diagram of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine, in communication with the machine control unit; fig. 7 - vertical cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with two hydraulic connectors; fig. 8 - horizontal cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with two hydraulic connectors; fig. 9 - vertical cross section of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with the chamber closed by the portafilter; fig. 10 - diagram of the operation of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine.

[0025] Fig. 1 and fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the cleaning device for the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine. The device comprises the portafilter 1 and the chamber 2 connected by one hydraulic connector 9 extending from the lower part of the portafilter 1 to the lower part of the chamber 2. The chamber 2 comprises the body 5, inside of which the conductivity sensor 7 and the pressure sensor 8 are installed. The pressure sensor 8 consists of the strain gauge 10, the membrane 12, the membrane clamp 13. The strain gauge 10 is glued to the membrane 12 and separated by the membrane from the inside of the chamber 2, and the membrane clamp 13 is detachably connected to the body 5 and presses the membrane 13 to the body 5. The body 5 is closed with the closing element 6 by a threaded connection. The portafilter 1 and the chamber 2 are fixed to each other by means of three spacer sleeves 14. The spacer sleeves 14 are detachably connected to the portafilter 1 and the closing element 6 by threaded connections.

[0026] In another embodiment shown in fig. 3, the spacer sleeves are detachably connected to the portafilter 1 and the body 5, and the closing element 6 is located in the lower part of the chamber 2.

[0027] In both of the examples described above, the conductivity sensor 7 and the pressure sensor 8 are connected to the controller 21 by means of wires. As disclosed in Fig. 4 and fig. 5, the wires are guided through an electric wire gland 17 located in the portafilter clamp 3. The portafilter clamp 3 is clamped on the portafilter 1 by means of two screws 18 and fixed axially with a locating pin 19 inserted into the portafilter 1 and the portafilter clamp 3. The portafilter holder 4 is attached to the portafilter clamp 3.

[0028] The cleaning device controller 21 is connected to the panel 22 which enables communication with the device, as shown in fig. 6. In addition, the controller 21 records the operation of the cleaning device and generates reports. The controller 21 is in communication with the machine control unit 23.

[0029] In another embodiment shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8, the cleaning device comprises two hydraulic connectors 9 comprising ball check valves 11 , whereas the first is the inlet hydraulic connector 9a and the ball check valve I la is oriented from the portafilter 1 to the chamber 2, and the second is the outlet hydraulic connector 9b and the ball check valve 1 lb is oriented from the chamber 2 to the portafilter 1. The filter 20 is mounted in the inlet part of the outlet hydraulic connector 9b.

[0030] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment in which the chamber 2 is closed with the portafilter 1. In the exemplary method of manual cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with the use of the cleaning device 30, it is assumed that the person operating the pressure coffee machine performs the following steps. The portafilter 1 connected to the chamber 2 is filled with detergent and the portafilter 1 is mounted on the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine. By pressing the external button of the pressure coffee machine, the brewing cycle is started in the pressure coffee machine, and when the maximum pressure of the solution is reached, the three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is opened with the same button. Reaching the maximum pressure of the solution is assessed from the panel 22, to which the controller 21 transmits information from the pressure sensor 8 or directly from the manometer - when it is used. The cycle of brewing and opening the three- way valve of the pressure coffee machine is repeated until the acceptable conductance of the solution is reached. Reaching the acceptable conductance of the solution is assessed by reading from the panel 22 the conductance of the solution indicated by the conductivity sensor 7. The conductivity sensor 7 is in communication with the panel 22 via the controller 21. The acceptable value of conductance is determined by calibrating the device, which consists in performing a brewing cycle with the portafilter 1 of the cleaning device mounted on the pressure coffee machine, without placing detergent in it. The set parameter can also be entered into the device manually. It can also be determined by the device by measuring the conductivity of the water supplied to the pressure coffee machine, measured with an additional sensor mounted on the water connection to the pressure coffee machine.

[0031] In the automatic method of cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine with the use of the cleaning device 30, all the above-mentioned activities, except for filling the portafilter 1 with detergent, are performed by the controller 21 in communication with the machine control unit 23 or with a relay contactor 24 connected in parallel with a manual coffee brewing contactor, as shown in Fig. 10.

Claims

Claims1. A cleaning device for the brewing group of a pressure coffee machine characterized in that, it comprises a chamber (2) connected by at least one hydraulic connector (9) to a portafilter (1), whereas the chamber (2) comprises a body (5), inside which a pressure sensor (8) is installed.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein it comprises the portafilter (1).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein inside the body (5) a conductivity sensor (7) is installed.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein at least one hydraulic connector (9) extends from the lower part of the portafilter (1) to the lower part of the chamber (2).

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein it comprises two hydraulic connectors (9) comprising check valves (11), whereas the first is the inlet hydraulic connector (9a), and the check valve (I la) is oriented from the portafilter (1) to the chamber (2), and the second is the outlet hydraulic connector (9b), and the check valve (1 lb) is oriented from the chamber (2) to the portafilter (1).

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein a filter (20) is installed in the inlet part of the outlet hydraulic connector (9b).

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 wherein the portafilter (1) and the chamber (2) are fixed to each other by means of at least one connecting element (14), and the body (5) is closed with a closing element (6) by a detachable connection.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the connecting element (14) is a spacer sleeve detachably connected to the portafilter (1) and the body (5) or the closing element (6).

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein the connecting element (14) is a threaded stub located on the body (5).

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 wherein the chamber (2) is closed with the portafilter (1) by a detachable connection.

11. The device according to at least one of the above claims wherein the pressure sensor (8) consists of a strain gauge (10), a membrane (12), a membrane clamp (13), whereas the strain gauge (10) is glued to the membrane clamp (13) and separated by the membrane from the inside of the chamber (2), and the membrane clamp (13) is detachably connected to the body and presses the membrane (13) to the body (5).The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the pressure sensor (8) is a manometer or strain gauge or pressure switch. The device according to at least one of the above claims wherein the conductivity sensor (7) and the pressure sensor (8) are connected to a controller (21). The device according to claim 9 wherein the controller (21) is connected to a panel (22). The device according to claim 9 wherein the controller (21) is in communication with a machine control unit (23). A method for cleaning the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine characterized in that the portafilter (1) is filled with detergent, the portafilter (1) is mounted on the brewing group of the pressure coffee machine, the brewing cycle is activated in the pressure coffee machine, and after reaching the maximum pressure of the solution, a three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is opened, the cycle of brewing and opening the three-way valve of the pressure coffee machine is repeated until the acceptable conductance of the solution is reached. The method according to claim 16 wherein the achievement of the acceptable solution conductance is assessed by reading the solution conductance indicated by the conductivity sensor (7). The method according to claim 16 or 17 wherein reaching the maximum value of the solution pressure is assessed by reading the solution pressure indicated by the pressure sensor (8).

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