Separable filter holder for espresso coffee machine

Abstract

A filter holder for a machine for preparing and dispensing espresso coffee is described, said filter holder comprising a handle, a body connected to the handle and configured to accommodate a filter for ground coffee, and a base cup, the base cup being a separate and / or separable part from the body. According to an embodiment, the body comprises a first front flange having a first internal groove, a second rear flange having a second internal groove, and two opposing open recesses, and the base cup comprises a first front tooth configured to engage with the first internal groove and a second rear tooth configured to engage with the second internal groove to couple the base cup to the body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of espresso coffee machines, more specifically to a separable filter holder which is particularly practical from various points of view. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Numerous machines are known for preparing beverages, in particular espresso coffee from coffee powder, pods, capsules or the like.

[0003] Typically, in machines for preparing espresso coffee, a high pressure, high temperature water stream is passed through a pack of ground coffee. Some known machines are capable of precisely regulating the pressure and / or temperature of the water passing through the pack of coffee. Some known machines are also capable of modifying the pressure and / or temperature of the water during dispensing.

[0004] Typically, an espresso coffee machine comprises at least one dispensing unit to which a filter holder arm (also simply called "filter holder") is attached.

[0005] A filter holder generally comprises a body and a handle. The body has a generally cylindrical cross section and is open at the top. The filter, which is a cup-shaped container with many small holes at the bottom, is housed within the filter holder body. A quantity of ground coffee is loaded into the filter and is generally compressed, either manually by the barista or using a special device.

[0006] Typically, the bottom of the body of the filter holder is configured to direct the produced coffee towards an outlet spout which creates a stream of espresso coffee and directs it into a coffee cup, the outlet spout may be single or double.

[0007] Typically, the body of the filter holder is made of a metallic material, such as steel or brass.

[0008] US Pat. Nos. 5,299,443, 5,303,621, 5,497,892 and 5,523,363 describe filter holders. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 219768(A1) [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model No. 21 2016 000160(U1) [Patent Document 3] Canadian Patent Application Publication No. 105 326 393(A) [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 2 087 818(A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The body of the filter holder is usually made of a metallic material, for example steel or brass. The body of the filter holder is usually made integral with the base.

[0011] The applicant has realised that the fact that the filter holder body is made in one piece brings about drawbacks and is in any case not very practical.

[0012] For example, applicants have recognized that it is not always possible to properly clean the filter holder because access to the bottom of the filter holder body is difficult.

[0013] Furthermore, the applicant has realised that there is a need to provide two filter holders, one with a single spout (for one cup of coffee) and one with a double spout (for two cups of coffee).

[0014] Furthermore, the Applicant has recognised that in some cases it may be desirable to be able to remove the bottom of the filter holder and be able to observe the espresso coffee exiting the bottom of the filter to see, for example, whether the espresso coffee is exiting evenly rather than along a particular path.

[0015] The Applicant has defined the object of providing a filter holder whose body is separable from its base, for example in order to carry out thorough cleaning operations and to replace the base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] According to the Applicant, the problem can be solved by providing a filter holder with a body, for example made of metal, which is separable from the bottom part: the two parts can be separated from each other and can also be rejoined.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a filter holder for a machine for preparing and dispensing espresso coffee, said filter holder comprising a handle, a body connected to the handle and configured to accommodate a filter for ground coffee, and a base cup, the base cup being a separate and / or separable part from the body.

[0018] The body may include a support member for supporting the filter holder to facilitate forcing the ground coffee into the filter.

[0019] The support member may include teeth projecting radially outwardly of the body, preferably in a direction substantially opposite the handle.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the body comprises a first front flange having a first internal groove, a second rear flange having a second internal groove, and two opposing open recesses between the first front flange and the second front flange, the first internal groove and the second internal groove opening into the open recesses, and the base cup comprises a first front tooth configured to engage with the first internal groove and a second rear tooth configured to engage with the second internal groove to releasably couple the base cup to the body.

[0021] This solution with two recesses is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the two recesses allow the user to use the fingers of one hand to engage the base cup and rotate it to lock (or unlock) it relative to the filter holder body. As a result of this solution, the user avoids the need to touch the filter holder body, which is very hot immediately after use and should not be touched. In the absence of the recesses, the user would have to remove the base cup by pressing it against the dispensing spout, an operation that should obviously be avoided (so as not to damage or break the spout). This solution also has the advantage that the filter holder body is lighter without losing rigidity. Moreover, the grooves are more visible to the user and he can immediately understand how to join the base cup to the filter holder body.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the first and second internal grooves are arranged in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the body. This solution is particularly advantageous, since the user only needs to perform rotational movements in one plane, and no screwing movements are required.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the first front tooth comprises an entrance ramp, a substantially flat portion and an exit ramp. According to an embodiment, the second rear tooth comprises an entrance ramp, a substantially flat portion and an exit ramp. This solution is advantageous since the base cup can be connected to the filter holder body with a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational movement. Furthermore, the base cup and the filter holder body can be separated from each other with a counterclockwise or clockwise rotational movement as well.

[0024] The filter holder may also include a retaining member to provide additional retention between the base cup and the body.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the retention member includes a ball detente and the substantially flat portion of the rear tooth is interrupted by a cylindrical seat configured to engage the ball detente.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the ball retainer is disposed in the second groove and the prestressing mechanism is housed in the protrusion of the handle. In this embodiment, the spring seat of the ball retainer does not increase the thickness of the filter holder body.

[0027] The filter holder may also include a protruding lug configured to engage a free edge of the second rear flange.

[0028] The filter holder may also include opposing whiskers configured to determine the correct angular abutment position of the base cup on the body of the filter holder.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the filter holder body includes a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the base cup includes a second material having a second thermal conductivity, the second thermal conductivity being lower than the first thermal conductivity.

[0030] The second thermal conductivity is preferably 5 Wm -1 K -1 less than 1 Wm -1 K-1 less than 0.1 Wm -1 K -1 ~0.5Wm -1 K -1 It is between.

[0031] The second material may include a material selected from the group including polyethylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, methacrylate and acetal, or glass, ceramic, porcelain, or any combination thereof.

[0032] The second material may be selected from polysulfides, polyethers, polyaryletherketones, polyphenylsulfones, polysulfones, and the like.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the second material may be polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). For example, a material that has been tested and found to be suitable is Ryton® R-4-244 NA, a high modulus polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) from Solvay.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the second material may be polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0035] According to an embodiment, the second material may be polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). For example, a material that has been tested and found to be suitable is a polysulfone (PPSU) called Radel® 5100 from Solvay, a material that has optimal mechanical and thermal properties and is also food grade certified.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the filter holder body has a thermal conductivity of substantially 150 Wm -1 K -1 It is made of metal materials less than

[0037] In the following a detailed description of the invention is given, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of an example of an espresso coffee machine in which the filter holder according to the invention can be used; [Figure 2A] 1A-1C show various axonometric views of a filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1A-1C show various axonometric views of a filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1A-1C show various axonometric views of a filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 3A-3C are two axonometric views of a base cup configured to mate with the filter holder body of FIG. 2. [Figure 3B] 3A-3C are two axonometric views of a base cup configured to mate with the filter holder body of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the main body and base cup according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in a separated state, ie before engagement. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a view of the body and base cup during the first stage of bonding the body and base cup. [Figure 6] Two axonometric views of the filter holder body and base cup joined in final position from two different angles. [Figure 7] Two axonometric views of the filter holder body and base cup joined in final position from two different angles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Figure 1 shows, by way of example only, an espresso coffee machine, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The machine 10 comprises a substantially closed machine body 11 within which the main components of the machine (some of which are described below) are housed. The top of the machine 10 is preferably provided with a surface 12 for placing a coffee cup on it. An electrical resistance (not shown) or other heating system may be provided for heating the cup on the surface 12.

[0040] The machine 10 comprises a dispensing unit 13 for dispensing espresso coffee. Below the dispensing unit 13 a drip tray 14 is preferably arranged, which is preferably partially closed at its top by a grill 15. Typically, a coffee cup is placed on the grill 15 during the dispensing of espresso coffee.

[0041] A filter holder 20 , which houses and supports a filter for a pack of coffee powder, is removably engageable with the dispensing unit 13 .

[0042] The machine 10 may include one or more displays and / or push buttons and / or knobs 16, for example, for turning the machine on / off and / or starting / stopping a dispensing operation.

[0043] The machine 10 shown in Figure 1 also comprises a lever 17 for starting / stopping the dispensing of espresso coffee and / or varying the dispensing pressure during the dispensing of espresso coffee.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a bottomless filter holder 20 to which a base cup 30 according to the present invention can be attached.

[0045] Preferably, the filter holder 20 comprises a handle 21 and a substantially cylindrical body 22 configured to hold a filter 23 (FIG. 4) filled with coffee grounds.

[0046] Preferably, filter 23 is cup-shaped, open at the top and closed at the bottom, with a plurality of fine holes in the bottom.

[0047] Preferably, a filter retaining spring clip is provided to hold the filter 23 in place. The filter retaining spring clip may be received within a groove in the inner wall of the body 22 of the filter holder 20.

[0048] Preferably, the outer surface of the filter holder body 22 has two diametrically opposed fins 25 protruding therefrom, which are configured to engage the filter holder 20 with the distribution unit 13. The engagement between the filter holder and the distribution unit can also be achieved by a rotational movement, a translational movement, or a combination of a rotational and a translational movement.

[0049] The embodiment of the filter holder shown in Figures 2 to 7 is particularly advantageous because the engagement between the filter holder body and the base cup is particularly easy, efficient and durable. Indeed, the applicant has recognized that the operation of disassembly and reassembly may be subject to the need for frequent cleaning. Furthermore, the double-spout filter holder can be easily converted into a single-spout filter holder, since the base cup can be easily replaced.

[0050] The base cup 30 may be made of any material, such as, for example, metal, thermoplastic, glass, ceramic, composite, or combinations thereof.

[0051] As shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the body 22 of the filter holder 20 is molded to have a first front flange 27 and a second rear flange 28. Thus, two open recesses facing each other are formed between the two flanges 27 and 28. The first front flange 27 is preferably diametrically opposed to the handle 21. The second rear flange is preferably substantially connected to the protrusion 211 of the handle 21.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the two flanges 27 , 28 follow the substantially cylindrical profile of the body 22 of the filter holder 20 .

[0053] According to an embodiment, the first front flange 27 extends downwards further than the second rear flange 28. The reason for this difference will be explained below. The free edge of the second rear flange 28 is preferably rounded.

[0054] The first front flange 27 includes a first internal groove 271. The first internal groove 271 extends across the entire width of the first front flange 27 and opens into the open recess.

[0055] The second rear flange 28 includes a second internal groove 281. The second internal groove 281 extends across the entire width of the second rear flange 28 and opens into the open recess.

[0056] Preferably, the first internal groove 271 and the second internal groove 281 are disposed in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the body 22 .

[0057] According to one embodiment, at least one of the grooves includes a retaining member 282 for holding the base cup 30 in place when the base cup 30 is coupled to the body 22 .

[0058] For example, the retaining member 282 may be a ball retainer that is elastically prestressed (e.g., by a spring). The ball retainer 282 may be located inside, e.g., centrally, the second groove 28. The prestressing mechanism, which typically includes a spring, may be housed within the protrusion 211 of the handle 21.

[0059] The filter holder body further comprises fins 25 configured to engage the filter holder 20 together with a dispensing unit of an espresso coffee machine.

[0060] A base cup 30 configured to engage with the body 22 of the filter holder 20 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The base cup 30 is cup-shaped with an open top and a substantially closed bottom. A spout 35 (which may be a single spout or a double spout, as shown in Figure 10 and subsequent figures) protrudes from the bottom.

[0061] The base cup 30 includes a side surface with two protruding teeth, a first anterior tooth 37 and a second posterior tooth 38. The two teeth 37, 38 are substantially diametrically opposed to each other. The first anterior tooth 37 is configured to engage with the first anterior groove 271. The second posterior tooth 38 is configured to engage with the second posterior groove 281.

[0062] The first anterior tooth 37 may include an entrance ramp 371 , a substantially flat portion 372 , and an exit ramp 373 .

[0063] Similarly, the second rear tooth 38 can include an entrance ramp 381, a substantially flat portion 382, ​​and an exit ramp 383. The substantially flat portion 382 is interrupted by a cylindrical seat 384. The cylindrical seat 384 is configured to engage the retaining member 382 (ball retainer).

[0064] According to an embodiment, the base cup 30 may also include a protruding lug 33 that projects radially outwardly from the bottom of the base cup. The lug 33 is preferably located substantially below the second rear tooth.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the exterior surface of the base cup 30 also includes two oppositely disposed protruding whiskers 32. The two oppositely disposed whiskers 32 are configured to determine the correct angular abutment position of the base cup 30 on the body 22 of the filter holder 20, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0066] To couple the base cup 30 to the filter holder body 22, the base cup 30 is inserted vertically into its seat in the filter holder (movement from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5) and then rotated so that the first front teeth 37 engage the first front groove 27 and the second rear teeth 38 engage the second rear groove 28. At the end of the rotation the base cup is in the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0067] Advantageously, during rotational movement, the ball of the ball retainer 382 resiliently penetrates into the cylindrical seat 384 of the second tooth 38, precisely defining the relative position of the base cup 30 and the filter holder body 22. The entrance and exit ramps serve to draw the ball of the ball retainer into the seat.

[0068] Moreover, during the rotational movement, the lug 33 engages the lower edge of the second rear flange 28. As mentioned before, the second rear flange 28 does not extend downward as far as the first front flange 27. This in fact defines a unique relative position of the filter holder body and the base cup, preventing these parts from being mounted in different positions. In other words, if one tries to rotate the base cup in the opposite direction relative to the body, this rotation is prevented because the lug hits the front flange 27.

[0069] To remove the base cup 30, simply rotate the base cup relative to the filter holder body 22 until the ball of the ball retainer moves out of the cylindrical seat.

[0070] It is apparent that the embodiment of Figures 2-7 is particularly advantageous since no positioning uncertainties are introduced by removal and reassembly operations: the correct mounting position can be easily sensed by the person installing and removing the base cup.

[0071] Advantageously, the engagement / disengagement forces required to attach / detach the base cup are very limited, so that essentially anyone can engage / disengage the base cup, which is particularly advantageous when the espresso coffee machine is for home use.

[0072] Advantageously, according to the invention, the engaged base cup is held firmly by the filter holder and essentially becomes an integral part of it, preventing accidental dislodging of the base cup even during the more forceful manipulations which entail slamming the filter holder into a coffee grounds drawer to remove the used coffee puck.

[0073] The body of the filter holder includes (or is made substantially of) a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and the base cup includes (or is made substantially of) a second material having a second thermal conductivity, the second thermal conductivity being lower than the first thermal conductivity.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the second thermal conductivity is 5 Wm -1 K -1 less than 1 Wm -1 K -1 less than 0.1 Wm -1 K -1 ~0.5Wm -1 K -1 It is between.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the second material comprises a material selected from the group comprising polyethylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, methacrylic acid and acetals, i.e. thermoplastic polymers produced by polymerization of aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.) via carbonyl groups.

[0076] The applicant has investigated the use of different materials to manufacture the base cup, in particular the applicant has tested several materials selected from polysulfides, polyethers, polyaryletherketones, polyphenylsulfones, polysulfones, etc.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the base cup is made substantially of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). For example, a material that has been tested and deemed suitable is Ryton® R-4-244 NA from Solvay, which is a high modulus polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0078] According to an embodiment, the base cup is made substantially of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0079] According to an embodiment, the base cup is substantially made of polyphenylene sulfone (PPS), for example a material that has been tested and deemed suitable is Radel® 5100 from Solvay, a material with optimal mechanical and thermal properties, and also food grade certified.

[0080] This material is polyphenylsulfone (PPSF or PPSU), a polymer made of aromatic rings linked with sulfonyl groups (SO2).

[0081] PBT, on the other hand, is a polyester, i.e., it contains ester repeat units (-COOR).

[0082] PPSU is amorphous, while PBT is semi-crystalline.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the base cup is at least partially transparent. The filter holder according to the invention can also be used without a base cup.

[0084] If the base cup comprises (or is made of) a material with low thermal conductivity, it may be possible to remove and reassemble the base cup at any time, even if the temperature of the filter holder is high.

Claims

1. A filter holder (20) for a machine (10) for preparing and dispensing espresso coffee, comprising a handle (21), a body (22) connected to the handle (21) and configured to accommodate a filter (23) for ground coffee, and a base cup (30), the base cup (30) being a separate and / or separable part from the body.

2. 2. The filter holder (20) of claim 1, wherein the body (22) comprises support members (26, 27) that support the filter holder and facilitate forcing the ground coffee into the filter.

3. 3. A filter holder (20) according to claim 2, wherein the support members (26, 27) are provided with teeth that project radially outwardly from the body (22), preferably in a direction substantially opposite the handle (21).

4. 2. The filter holder (20) of claim 1, wherein the main body (22) comprises a first front flange (27) having a first internal groove (271), a second rear flange (28) having a second internal groove (281), and two opposing open recesses (27, 28) between the first front flange (27) and the second rear flange (28), the first internal groove (271) and the second internal groove (281) opening into the open recesses, and the base cup (30) comprises first front teeth (37) configured to engage with the first internal groove (271) and second rear teeth (38) configured to engage with the second internal groove (281) to connect the base cup (30) to the main body (20).

5. 5. The filter holder (20) of claim 4, wherein the first internal groove (271) and the second internal groove (281) are arranged in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the body (22).

6. 5. The filter holder (20) of claim 4, wherein the first front tooth (37) comprises an entrance ramp (371), a substantially flat portion (372), and an exit ramp (373).

7. 5. The filter holder (20) of claim 4, wherein the second rear tooth (38) comprises an entrance ramp (381), a substantially flat portion (382), and an exit ramp (383).

8. 10. The filter holder (20) of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member (282) for providing additional retention between the base cup (30) and the body (20).

9. 9. The filter holder (20) of claim 8, wherein the retaining member comprises a ball detent, and the substantially flat portion (382) of the rear tooth is interrupted by a cylindrical seat (384) configured to engage the ball detent.

10. 10. The filter holder (20) of claim 9, wherein the ball retainer (282) is disposed in the second groove (28) and a prestressing mechanism is housed in a protrusion (211) of the handle (21).

11. 5. The filter holder (20) of claim 4, further comprising a protruding lug (33) configured to engage a free edge of the second rear flange (28).

12. 5. The filter holder (20) of claim 4, further comprising oppositely disposed whiskers (32) configured to determine the correct angular abutment position of the base cup (30) on the body (22) of the filter holder (20).

13. 2. The filter holder (20) of claim 1, wherein the body (22) of the filter holder comprises a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the base cup (30) comprises a second material having a second thermal conductivity, the second thermal conductivity being lower than the first thermal conductivity.

14. The second thermal conductivity is 5 Wm －１ K －１ less than 1 Wm －１ K －１ less than 0.1 Wm －１ K －１ ~0.5Wm －１ K －１ 14. The filter holder (20) of claim 13, wherein:

15. 14. The filter holder (20) of claim 13, wherein the second material comprises a material selected from the group including polyethylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, methacrylic acid and acetal, or glass, ceramic, porcelain, or any combination thereof.

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