Beverage preparation machine with a sliding lid

Abstract

Beverage preparation machine equipped with a sliding lid. Beverage preparation machine using a powdered product (P) containing at least one ingredient, comprising a product processing unit (20) including a receptacle (21) for receiving the powdered product (P), a product opening (30) for introducing the powdered product (P) from outside the machine directly into the receptacle (21), a lid (40) forming or comprising a handle and sliding manually between a closed position in which the lid (40) covers said opening and prevents access to the receptacle (21), and an open position in which the lid (40) uncovers said opening, characterized in that the lid (40) slides between the closed position and the open position along a curved trajectory. (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Beverage preparation machine equipped with a sliding lid Technical field to which the invention relates

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

[0002] In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to the use of a compressed grinding disc, but it is clear that the invention is not limited to a machine that can operate with discs, as it also applies more generally to machines using capsules or, alternatively, pods.

[0003] Machines for preparing beverages are known, provided with a passage for introducing the product from outside the machine, and a movable cover between a closed position, in which the cover covers said passage and prevents the introduction of the product, and an open position in which the cover uncovers said passage and allows the introduction of the product into the machine. Object of the invention

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

[0005] This and other objectives are achieved according to the present invention with a beverage preparation machine using a powdered product containing at least one ingredient, comprising a product processing unit comprising a receptacle for receiving the powdered product, a product opening to introduce the powdered product from outside the machine directly into the receptacle, a lid which forms or includes a handle and which slides manually between a closed position in which the lid covers said opening and prevents access to the receptacle, and an open position in which the lid uncovers said opening, characterized in that the lid slides between the closed position and the open position along a curved trajectory.

[0006] The beverage preparation machine according to the invention may include at least one of the following features:

[0007] - the lid in the open position is higher than the lid in the closed position;

[0008] - in addition, an upper part of the casing on which the lid is mounted In a sliding manner, the lid in the open position protrudes laterally from one edge of the upper part of the envelope;

[0009] - a device is interposed between the upper part of the envelope and the lid to guide the lid between the closed and open positions;

[0010] - the guiding device comprises a pair of guide rails coupled to a pair of guide grooves, wherein the guide rails are formed on the upper part of the casing so as to protrude vertically from the upper part of the casing, and wherein the guide grooves are formed through a wall of the lower part of the cover;

[0011] - the guiding device further comprises several rollers resting on a surface supporting the upper part of the envelope;

[0012] - the lid is associated with a bistable automatic return device, arranged to slide the lid to the closed position and to the open position;

[0013] - the cover, hereinafter referred to as the primary cover, comprises a secondary cover articulated on the primary cover at the level of a hinge axis arranged transversely with respect to the sliding direction of said primary cover, in which said secondary cover is rotatable with respect to the primary cover, between a lowered position, in which the secondary cover engages in an edge of the product opening, and a raised position in which the secondary cover is turned upwards with respect to the lowered position, by the effect of the sliding of the primary cover between the closed position and the open position;

[0014] - the secondary cover comprises a closing part and a part of controls arranged on opposite sides of the secondary cover relative to said hinge axis, and in that the closing part is configured to engage in the edge of the product opening, and the control part is configured to be engaged between the primary cover and said upper part of the envelope so as to be driven in rotation relative to the primary cover;

[0015] - a sliding profile, in the upper part of the casing, is integral with the control part of the secondary cover, along said sliding profile, a change of inclination point is obtained, configured to guide the rotation of the secondary cover during the sliding of the primary cover;

[0016] - the control part of the secondary cover is provided with a tracking profile curvilinear engaging in the sliding profile formed on the upper part of the envelope, and a stepped profile configured to be engaged by the primary cover in the closed position of the primary cover;

[0017] - the secondary cover is provided with a seal through which the secondary cover engages in the edge of the product opening.

[0018] In summary, the invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages from a powdered product containing at least one ingredient, comprising

[0019] a product processing unit comprising a receptacle for receiving the powdered product;

[0020] an opening for introducing the powdered product from outside the machine directly into the receptacle;

[0021] a cover which forms or includes a handle and which slides manually between a closed position, in which the cover covers said opening and prevents access to the receptacle, and an open position in which the cover uncovers said opening;

[0022] where the cover slides between the closed position and the open position along a curved trajectory.

[0023] In the aforementioned machine, the curved trajectory allows the insertion area of ​​the powdered product (for example, a compressed grinding disc or a capsule) to be covered not by "cutting" it with a transverse movement, as would be the case if the lid had a straight trajectory, but by a movement that approaches the product from above. Thus, if the product has been positioned slightly misaligned with the receptacle, the curved movement of the lid guides the product to the correct area and / or prevents blockages or breakages.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the lid in the open position is higher than the lid in the closed position. In this case, the curved sliding motion has the advantage of being more compact than a straight sliding motion, because in its movement the lid does not slide linearly towards the open position, but along an arc (and therefore along a shorter trajectory than the vertical component of the movement). Description of the figures

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention, with a lid in the open position;

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the top of the machine illustrated in [Fig.1], respectively with the cover in the closed position and in the open position;

[0028] Figures 4 and 5 are side views from the top of a part of the machine casing illustrated in [Fig.1], respectively with the cover in the closed position and in the open position;

[0029] Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of the portion of the casing, respectively with the lid in the closed and open positions, in which a shell of the lid has been removed; and

[0030] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the part of the envelope according to a variant of the invention;

[0031] Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of the portion of the casing illustrated in [Fig. 8], with the lid in the closed and open positions respectively; and

[0032] Figures 11 and 12 are enlarged views of the details indicated respectively by arrow XI in [Fig. 9] and arrow XII in [Fig. 10]. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] With reference to [Fig. 1], a beverage preparation machine, in particular for coffee, from a compressed ground puck P containing one or more ingredients, in particular ground coffee, is generally indicated by [Fig. 10].

[0034] As explained above, although the invention is described with reference to the use of a compressed powder cake containing the ingredient or ingredients for preparing the beverage, it should not be understood as being limited to a machine that can operate with a cake, but should also include the case where, instead of a cake, a dose of powder may be provided in a capsule, a pod, or other similar packaging suitable for preparing beverages by infusion. For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "powdered product" therefore covers both the powdered product packaged in the form of a capsule or pod and the compressed product in the form of a powder cake.

[0035] The machine 10 includes a product processing unit 20 (inside the machine 10) comprising a cup-shaped receptacle 21 for receiving the product; an opening 30 for inserting the product P from outside the machine 10 directly into the receptacle 21; and a lid 40 which forms or has a handle for the user and which can be manually moved 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 lid 40 uncovers the opening 30 ([Fig. 1], [Fig. 3], [Fig. 5], [Fig. 7]). In the illustrated example, the lid 40 is hollow and consists of a base 41 and a lid shell 42 assembled together.

[0036] The product processing unit 20 can be equipped with an outlet for dispensing beverages prepared in the product processing unit. The processing unit 20 can be configured to automatically circulate water and / or steam through the receptacle 21 containing the product in order to prepare a beverage in a manner known per se.

[0037] The receptacle 21 can be mobile between an insertion configuration to receive the product P (represented in [Fig.1]) and a processing configuration for transferring the product P into the processing group 20. An automatic recognition system for the product P can be used to automatically set up and adjust the processing of the product according to the type of ingredient.

[0038] The beverage preparation machine 10 generally comprises one or more of the following components: a) the processing unit 20, for example, a fluid circuit comprising an infusion unit which can be actuated to form, via the receptacle 21, an infusion chamber inside the machine 10, the infusion chamber being configured to receive and house the product P, and to guide through its inlet a flow of water and / or steam through the product P, for the production of the beverage which flows from an outlet of the infusion chamber; b) an in-line boiler to heat the liquid flow to be supplied to product P; c) a pump to pump the liquid through the boiler in line; d) one or more connecting elements for conveying the liquid from a liquid source, such as a liquid reservoir; e) an electronic control unit to receive instructions from a user via a user interface and to control the online boiler and pump; and / or f) one or more sensors to detect at least one parameter selected from the operating parameters of the processing unit, the online boiler, the pump, the liquid tank, the liquid flow rate, the liquid pressure and the liquid temperature, and to communicate these parameters to the control unit.

[0039] In particular, the product processing unit 20 comprises or is connected to an upstream arranged fluid system, such as a system incorporating a liquid engine, such as a pump, and a thermal conditioner, such as a boiler, to circulate a thermally conditioned liquid, such as water, from a water source, such as a liquid reservoir, into the receptacle 21 in processing configuration.

[0040] In addition, the product processing unit 20 includes a fluid device arranged downstream, with an outlet for delivering the beverage to a user, for example into a cup insertion area for the user.

[0041] The cover 40 slides manually, along a curved path, between the closed position (Figures 2, 4, 6) and the open position (Figures 1, 3, 5, 7). As can be seen by comparing Figures 2 and 3, the cover 40 in the open position is higher than when it is in the closed position.

[0042] The machine 10 may have an outer casing 50 comprising an upper part of the casing 51 on which the cover 40 is mounted in such a way sliding. The opening 30 for introducing the product P is provided through the upper part of the casing 51. In the illustrated example, in the closed position, the cover 40 is located within the perimeter of the upper part of the casing 51 (Figures 2 and 4). Conversely, in the open position, the cover 40 protrudes laterally from one edge of the upper part of the casing 51 (Figures 3 and 5).

[0043] At the edge of the opening 30, the thickness of the upper part of the casing 51 is less than the thickness of the product P. In the position shown in [Fig. 1], the upper edge of the receptacle 21 is substantially in contact with the edge of the opening 30. The depth of the receptacle 21 is such that a user can manually place the product P directly onto the bottom of the receptacle 21, without having to drop it. For example, the depth of the receptacle 21 may be less than the thickness H of the product P.

[0044] The upper part of the casing 51 may include a guide device for the cover 40 between the closed position (Figures 2, 4, 6) and the open position (Figures 1, 3, 5, 7). In the example illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, such a guide device comprises a pair of guide rails 62 coupled to a pair of respective guide grooves 63. The guide rails 62 are formed on the upper part of the casing 51 so as to project vertically from a surface larger than the casing itself. Guide grooves 63 are formed in the lower part 41 of the cover 40. The guide rails 62 are provided with laterally projecting parts 62a which serve to hold the lower part 41 of the cover 40 against the upper part of the casing 51. The cover 40 can also be provided with rollers 43 which rest on a bearing surface 51a of the upper part of the casing 51.The shape of the cover 40, the guide rails 62, the guide grooves 63, and the bearing surface 51a is such that it allows the cover 40 to slide between the closed position (Figures 2, 4, 6) and the open position (Figures 1, 3, 5, 7) along a curved path. Stop elements interposed between the cover 40 and the upper part of the housing 51 are also provided to stop the cover 40 in the closed and open positions, respectively. These stop elements can, for example, be formed in the guide grooves 63 and be engaged by the guide rails 62 when the cover 40 reaches the closed or open position, respectively.

[0045] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the lid 40 can be associated with an automatic return device 71 to bring the lid 40 to a stable position, in particular to the closed and / or open position. The automatic return device can be a bistable device 71 to bring the lid 10 into two different stable positions, notably in closed position (figures 2, 4, 6) and in open position (figures 1, 3, 5, 7).

[0046] The automatic return device 71 may include an elastic device, for example a spring device such as torsion, compression and / or tension springs, which relaxes when stable positions are reached.

[0047] In particular, the self-returning device 71 can be directly or indirectly connected to the upper part of the casing 51 and / or the cover 40. For example, the self-returning device 71 is housed in a cavity in the cover 40. For example, the self-returning device 71 can be implemented as a torsion spring. In this case, the self-returning device 71 has a first end 71a mounted on a shaft 52 fixed to the upper part of the casing 51 and a second end 71b mounted on a shaft 43 fixed to the cover 40, more precisely to the lower part 41. The self-returning device 71 further comprises a pair of arms 72a and 72b movable relative to each other, which respectively connect the ends 71a and 71b to a central helical-wound body 72c.

[0048] When the cover 40 is moved from the closed position (figures 2, 4, 6) to the open position (figures 1, 3, 5, 7), the end 71a rotates around the axis 52 fixed to the upper part of the envelope 51 and the end 71b rotates around the axis 43 fixed to the cover 40. The cover 40 slides on the end 71a and on the axis 52 while the end 71b follows the cover 40 along its trajectory from the first stable final position to the second stable final position.

[0049] When the self-returning device 71 is rotating, driven by the cover 40 moving away from one of its two end positions, the ends 71a and 71b are pushed towards each other until the cover 40 reaches an unstable intermediate (semi-open) position between the closed and open positions, after which the ends 71a and 71b are pushed away from each other. When the ends 71a and 71b are pushed towards each other, the spring of the self-returning device 71 is under tension. When the ends 71a and 71b are pushed away from each other, the spring of the self-returning device 71 is relaxed. Thus, the spring of the automatic return device 71 forces the separation of the ends 71a and 71b towards the stable positions of figures 6 and 7. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the automatic return device 71 operates in torsion.Of course, it is possible to modify the automatic return device 71 so that the spring arrangement works in tension or compression.

[0050] Consequently, the automatic return device 71 guides or assists in moving the cover 40 from an intermediate position to stable positions on either side of the intermediate position, in particular to the closed position (figures 2, 4, 6) and towards the open position (Figures 1, 3, 5, 7). Furthermore, the automatic return device 71 can prevent incorrect positioning of the cover 40 by automatically moving it to stable positions. This improves the ergonomics of the cover 40.

[0051] In one embodiment, the product processing unit 20 has an insertion configuration ([Fig. 1]) for positioning the product P in the receptacle 21 and a processing configuration (not shown) for transferring the receptacle 21 into the product processing unit 2 and processing the product P to obtain the beverage. The lid 40 cannot be placed in the open position when the product processing unit 20 is processing the product P. A locking system acting on the lid 40 can therefore be provided when the product processing unit 20 is in operation. Alternatively, a safety system can be provided that interrupts the operation of the product processing unit 20 if the lid 40 is moved from the closed position.

[0052] The machine 10 is normally equipped with a control unit, in particular a control unit for the product processing unit 20, as known in the art. The cover 40 may form or be part of a user interface communicating with the control unit of the machine 10. The user interface may include one or more interface devices 44, such as input devices, for example buttons, and / or output devices, for example LEDs or a display. Optionally, the cover 40 includes or is associated with a sensor connected to the control unit to detect the position of the cover 40, which may be, for example, an electromechanical switching sensor, a magnetic sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0053] The control unit can be configured to automatically start the beverage preparation when product P is inserted into receptacle 21 and lid 40 is in the closed position. The control unit can also be configured to automatically start a stop or standby process and / or a dispensing process when no product P is inserted into receptacle 21 and lid 40 is in the closed position.

[0054] Figures 8 to 12 illustrate a variant of the invention. In these figures, the same numerical references have been assigned to the elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiment.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 12, the cover 40, which will be referred to hereafter as the primary cover, includes a secondary cover 70 configured to engage with an edge 30a of the product opening 30. According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary cover 70 is provided with a seal through which the secondary cover 70 engages with the edge 30a of the product opening 30. The Secondary cover 70 is hinged on a lower side of the primary cover 40 at a hinge axis y, arranged transversely with respect to the sliding direction of the primary cover 40. In the illustrated example, the hinge axis y is defined by a shaft 71 whose opposite ends are inserted into their respective housing (not shown) formed in the primary cover 40. It should be noted that, in [Fig.8], the primary cover 40 has been omitted, so as to make the secondary cover 70 located below visible.

[0056] The secondary cover 70 is therefore rotatable relative to the primary cover 40, between a lowered position (illustrated in Figures 9 and 11), in which the secondary cover 70 engages with the edge 30a of the product opening 30, and a raised position (illustrated in Figures 10 and 12), in which the secondary cover 70 is turned upwards relative to the lowered position. This rotation occurs as a result of the primary cover 40 sliding between the closed and open positions.

[0057] The secondary cover 70 comprises a closing portion 72 and a control portion 73 arranged on opposite sides of the secondary cover 70 with respect to the hinge axis y. The closing portion 72 is configured to engage with the edge 30a of the product opening 30, and the control portion 73 is configured to engage between the primary cover 40 and the upper part of the casing 51, so that it can be rotated relative to the primary cover 40 when the primary cover 40 slides along the upper part of the casing 51. The secondary cover 70 thus constitutes a lever of the first kind, in which the arm defined by the closing portion 72 is much longer than the arm defined by the control portion 73.

[0058] In particular, a sliding profile 53 engaged by the control part 73 of the secondary cover 70 is formed on the bearing surface 51a of the upper part of the envelope 51.

[0059] The sliding profile 53 comprises a main portion 53a and a cam portion 53b arranged on one end of the sliding profile 53 adjacent to the product opening 30. In the illustrated example, two parallel cam portions 53b are present on the respective rails of the upper part of the casing. However, this arrangement is not necessary. Between the main portion 53a and the cam portion 53b, a point of slope variation 53b is obtained, configured to guide the rotation of the secondary cover 60 during the sliding of the primary cover 40.

[0060] In this regard, the control part 73 of the secondary cover 70 is provided with a curvilinear tracking profile 74 engaging in the sliding profile 53 formed on the upper part of the envelope 51, and a stepped profile 75 configured to be engaged by the primary cover 40 in the closed position of the primary cover 40.

[0061] When the primary cover 40 is in the closed position (Figures 2, 4, 9 and 11), the secondary cover 70 is in the lowered position illustrated in Figures 9 and 11. The control part 73 is engaged between the cam part 53b of the sliding profile 53 and a surface 45 of the primary cover 40. More specifically, the curvilinear tracking profile 74 of the control part 73 is integral with the cam part 53b of the sliding profile 53, and the step profile 75 of the control part 73 is integral with the surface 45 of the primary cover 40.

[0062] When the primary cover 40 begins its movement from the closed position to the open position, the combined effect of the passage of the control part 73 through the change of inclination point 53c, and of the approach of the surface 45 of the primary cover 40 to the sliding profile 53 of the upper part of the envelope 51, due to the curved trajectory of the primary cover 40, causes the engagement of the control part 73 between the sliding profile 53 and the surface 45 of the primary cover 40 to rotate the secondary cover 70 from its lowered position to its raised position.

[0063] The secondary cover 70 remains in the raised position until the primary cover reaches its open position illustrated in figures 3, 5, 10 and 12.

[0064] During the transition from the closed to the open position of the primary cover 40, when the control portion 73 of the secondary cover 70 reaches the change in inclination point 53c, the secondary cover 70 falls into its lowered position. Immediately thereafter, the secondary cover 70 is locked in this position by the engagement between a bump formed by the cam portion 53b of the sliding profile 53 and the surface 45 of the primary cover 40.

[0065] The presence of the secondary cover 70 helps reduce condensation formation in different parts of the machine. Furthermore, the secondary cover 70 can guide the compressed coffee capsule / puck into the receptacle 21 if it is incorrectly positioned, thus preventing the capsule / puck from being crushed and potentially breaking.

Claims

Demands

1. A beverage preparation machine using a powdered product (P) containing at least one ingredient, comprising a product processing unit (20) including a receptacle (21) for receiving the powdered product (P), a product opening (30) for introducing the powdered product (P) from outside the machine directly into the receptacle (21), a cover (40) which forms or includes a handle and which slides manually between a closed position in which the cover (40) covers said opening and prevents access to the receptacle (21), and an open position in which the cover (40) uncovers said opening, characterized in that the cover (40) slides between the closed position and the open position along a curved trajectory.

2. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (40) in the open position is higher than the lid (40) in the closed position.

3. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an upper part of the casing (51) on which the lid (40) is slidably mounted, characterized in that the lid (40) in the open position protrudes laterally from an edge of the upper part of the casing (51).

4. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a device (62, 63, 43, 51a) is interposed between the upper part of the casing (51) and the lid (40) to guide the lid (40) between the closed position and the open position.

5. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the guiding device comprises a pair of guide rails (62) coupled to a pair of guide grooves (63), in which the guide rails (62) are formed on the upper part of the casing (51) so as to protrude vertically from the upper part of the casing (51), and in which the guide grooves (63) are formed through a wall of the lower part (41) of the cover (40).

6. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the guiding device further comprises several rollers (43) resting on a bearing surface (51a) of the upper part of the envelope (51).

7. Beverage preparation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (40) is associated with a bistable automatic return device (71), arranged to slide the lid (40) to the closed position and to the open position.

8. Beverage preparation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (40), hereinafter referred to as the primary lid, comprises a secondary lid (70) articulated on the primary lid (40) at a hinge axis (y) arranged transversely with respect to the sliding direction of said primary lid (40), in which said secondary lid (70) is rotatable with respect to the primary lid (40), between a lowered position, in which the secondary lid (70) engages in an edge (30a) of the product opening (30), and a raised position in which the secondary lid (70) is turned upwards with respect to the lowered position, by the effect of the sliding of the primary lid (40) between the closed position and the open position.

9. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 8 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the secondary cover (70) has a closing part (72) and a control part (73) arranged on opposite sides of the secondary cover (70) with respect to said hinge axis (y), and in that the closing part (72) is configured to engage in the edge (30a) of the product opening (30), and the control part (73) is configured to be engaged between the primary cover (40) and said upper part of the casing (51) so as to be driven in rotation with respect to the primary cover (40).

10. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 9, characterized in that a sliding profile (53), in the upper part of the casing (51), is integral with the control part (73) of the secondary cover (70), along said sliding profile (53) a change of inclination point (53c) is obtained, configured to guide the rotation of the secondary cover (70) during the sliding of the primary cover (40).

11. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the control part (73) of the secondary cover (70) is provided with a curvilinear following profile (74) engaging in the sliding profile (53) formed on the upper part of the casing (51), and a stepped profile (75) configured to be engaged by the primary cover (40) in the closed position of the primary cover (40).

12. Beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the secondary cover (70) is provided with a seal through which the secondary cover (70) engages in the edge (30a) of the product opening (30).

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