Closure device for a container for crushed material, container for crushed material, and coffee machine equipped with such container for crushed material.

Abstract

A closing device (300) for a container (100) for crushed material includes a first closing element (330), a second closing element (340), and a housing (320). The first closing element (330) and the second closing element (340) are movable relative to each other. A drive unit (310) moves the second closing element (340) relative to the housing (320) and relative to the first closing element (330). The first closing element, the second closing element, and the housing each include an opening for the crushed material. When all three openings for the crushed material overlap each other, the crushed material is discharged from the container. To close the container and stop the flow of the crushed material, the second closing element is moved relative to the first closing element. After the second closing element moves a predetermined distance, the first closing element moves along with it, closing the opening for the material to be crushed inside the enclosure. In this way, it is possible to prevent the trapped material from remaining open at the exit opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification generally relates to the use of a container for a material to be ground for metering or metering out the amount of the material to be ground. In particular, this specification relates to a controllable closure device for a container for a material to be ground, a container for a material to be ground provided with such a closure device, such as a coffee bean container, and a system comprising a coffee machine and such a container for a material to be ground.

Background Art

[0002] Coffee beverages have been consumed for many years. The general principle has basically always been the same. That is, coffee beans are roasted, then the roasted coffee beans are ground into coffee powder, and then a liquid (usually hot water) is added to the coffee powder. In this last step, the liquid, among other things, absorbs flavorings from the coffee powder and can be drunk as a coffee beverage.

[0003] There are various possibilities for manual and machine preparation in the preparation of coffee beverages. In particular, machines for preparing coffee beverages are very popular.

[0004] Coffee machines can be configured according to various principles. Usually, a coffee machine includes a reservoir for coffee powder. Then, hot water is passed through the coffee powder and then collected in a drinking container.

[0005] The reservoir for coffee powder can be sized to accept one or more cups of coffee beverage. The coffee powder is either introduced into the reservoir in a ground state or the coffee beans are ground immediately before the brewing process and the resulting coffee powder is sent to the reservoir. The liquid is either added to the coffee powder under pressure or simply flows through the coffee powder under the action of gravity without pressure. Other coffee machines are configured to accept pre-packaged coffee powder in a variety of containers and pass hot water through these containers.

[0006] The fundamental difference between existing types of coffee machines lies in whether the roasted coffee beans are freshly ground before the brewing process, or whether the coffee grounds are already present. For high-quality coffee beverages, it may be advantageous and desirable to grind the coffee beans only immediately before the brewing process, as coffee grounds can lose flavor and aroma over a long shelf life.

[0007] Furthermore, it is desirable to pre-set the weight of the resulting coffee powder by dividing the coffee beans supplied to the grinder into smaller portions. Also, by supplying a predetermined amount of coffee beans to the grinder, it is possible to avoid leaving coffee bean residue inside the grinder. Therefore, after the grinding process, the type of coffee beans can be changed by placing a separate container of different types of coffee beans on top of the grinder.

[0008] A coffee machine that makes this possible is described in International Publication No. 2022 / 167560(A1). This coffee machine allows for the quantitative dispensing of coffee beans by opening an opening between the coffee bean container and the grinder for an adjustable time, thereby determining the amount of coffee beans for one cup of coffee beverage. After grinding, no coffee beans remain in the grinder, and the coffee bean container can be replaced to use a different type of coffee beans for the next production process. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The objective is likely to improve the accuracy of quantitatively supplying the material to be crushed from the container for crushing the material.

[0010] In particular, it has been recognized that in containers for materials to be ground that can be closed, when the opening for the material to be ground is closed, residual material to be ground can become trapped in the closing mechanism, leaving a small opening through which further material to be ground can enter the grinder. As a result, quantitative feeding becomes inaccurate. The present invention described herein is intended to address this problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This objective is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Further embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a closure device for a container for a material to be crushed is provided. The closure device comprises a first closure element, a second closure element, a housing, and a drive unit. The first and second closure elements are arranged within the housing so as to be movable relative to each other. The drive unit is coupled to the second closure element to move the second closure element relative to the housing and relative to the first closure element. The housing has a first opening for the material to be crushed, the first closure element has a second opening for the material to be crushed, and the second closure element has a third opening for the material to be crushed. The first, second, and third openings for the material to be crushed overlap at least partially with each other in the discharge state to form a through opening for the material to be crushed to flow through. In the discharge state, the second closure element is movable relative to the first closure element. The second closure element is engageable with the first closure element when the second closure element is moved relative to the first closure element. The second closing element is configured to move the first closing element together with the second closing element so that, when engaged with the first closing element, the second opening for the material to be crushed is displaced relative to the first opening for the material to be crushed.

[0013] The closure device described herein is preferably used in conjunction with a container for the material to be ground and functions to allow selective drainage of the material located within the internal volume of the container. When the through-opening is at least partially exposed (e.g., opened), the material to be ground drains out of the internal volume of the container through the through-opening. Depending on the time the through-opening is exposed, the material to be ground drains out of the container through the through-opening to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore, the amount of material to be ground that is exposed can be determined by the time the through-opening is open.

[0014] The controller controls the drive unit to move the first and second closing elements to their corresponding positions so that the through-opening is exposed or closed. The through-opening needs to be moved to the closed position after each predetermined time has elapsed so that the amount of material to be ground is precisely and repeatedly preset.

[0015] The closure device is attached, for example, as the base of the container for the material to be crushed. When the openings for the material to be crushed of the housing, the first closure element, and the second closure element overlap each other, they form a through-opening through which the material to be crushed can exit the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed.

[0016] The closure devices described herein are particularly advantageous for controlling the time it takes for the material to be ground to flow out of the internal volume. For example, a through-opening may be exposed for a predetermined time, such as a few seconds or a few tenths of a second, and then closed again. This time can be precisely set and maintained by the closure devices described herein, because the risk of the material to be ground preventing the closure of the through-opening is eliminated.

[0017] The state in which all three openings for the material to be crushed are located vertically and the through-opening is exposed can be called the discharge state. Preferably, the openings for the material to be crushed have the same shape and dimensions, and as a result, when the openings overlap each other in the discharge state, the openings form the largest possible discharge opening for the material to be crushed.

[0018] In other words, the closing device has two movable closing units that are movable relative to each other, thereby closing the through-openings for the material to be crushed, which are exposed in the discharge state, in two stages. First, the second closing element is moved from the passage position (discharge state, where the three openings for the material to be crushed overlap each other at least partially, allowing the material to be crushed to pass through these exposed openings) toward the blockage position. The closing element is movable to such an extent that each opening for the material to be crushed in the blockage position is perfectly positioned adjacent to the opening for the material to be crushed in the housing, and as a result, the material to be crushed is prevented from flowing out of the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed. After the second closing element has moved a certain distance toward the blockage position, the second closing element engages with the first closing element, further moving the first closing element from the passage position toward the blockage position.

[0019] The state in which the second closing element engages with the first closing element and moves along with the first closing element is called the intermediate state. The intermediate state can be achieved in two ways, with or without material to be crushed sandwiched between the second opening for the material to be crushed and the third opening for the material to be crushed (or, in other words, between the first closing element and the second closing element in each opening for the material to be crushed). However, in either case, the same thing happens when the second closing element is moved further in the direction of the closed position.

[0020] In the intermediate state, when no material to be crushed is sandwiched between the first and second closing elements, the third opening for the material to be crushed has already moved to the extent that it no longer overlaps with the second opening for the material to be crushed. In other words, in the intermediate state, there is no through-opening, and the outflow of the material to be crushed from the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed is stopped. On the other hand, when the material to be crushed is sandwiched between the first and second closing elements, the second closing element accompanies the first closing element in that force is transmitted to the first closing element via the sandwiched material to be crushed.

[0021] This configuration has the advantage that, if necessary, the material to be crushed, trapped between the second and first closing elements, cannot fall out of the crushing material container while the second closing element is moving, and furthermore, no more material to be crushed can fall through the remaining opening between the first and second closing elements. The second closing element exerts force on the first closing element via the trapped material to be crushed, thereby moving the first closing element relative to the housing and the first crushing material opening within the housing, so that the trapped material to be crushed ensures that the second closing element follows the first closing element. Even if material to be crushed previously trapped between the first and second closing elements is exposed again here, this material to be crushed does not fall out of the crushing material container because the first crushing material opening of the first closing element is displaced relative to the first crushing material opening of the housing. Furthermore, if additional material to be ground falls through the remaining opening between the first and second closing elements, the second opening for the material to be ground in the first closing element will no longer overlap with the first opening for the material to be ground in the housing, and this material will not fall into the grinder.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first opening for the material to be crushed completely overlaps with both the second opening for the material to be crushed and the third opening for the material to be crushed when in the discharge state, forming a through opening.

[0023] In this way, the through-opening has the maximum possible cross-section because the opening for the comminution material within one of the components is not hidden by another component and the openings for the comminution material overlap in such a way.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the first opening for the comminution material, the second opening for the comminution material and the third opening for the comminution material have the same size and shape.

[0025] If the openings for the comminution material of the same shape and equal size completely overlap each other in the discharge state and do not displace relative to each other, an intermediate stage where comminution material can remain is not formed within the through-opening.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the movement clearance of the second closing element is larger than the movement clearance of the first closing element.

[0027] When the second closing element is moved in the direction from the discharge state to the blocking state, only the second closing element moves in the first stage. The first closing element is moved together with the second closing element as soon as the closing elements engage with each other (either by the comminution material being pinched or because the second closing element engages with the first closing element via a drive body). The second closing element has to move a correspondingly larger distance so that the second opening for the comminution material does not overlap with the first opening for the comminution material within the housing and the first closing element can be moved to the extent of closing the container for the comminution material. Thus, the second closing element first moves alone at the start of the movement and then engages with the first closing element and accompanies the first closing element until the second opening for the comminution material of the first closing element is completely adjacent to the first opening for the comminution material within the housing.

[0028] For example, the second closing element first moves relative to the first closing element until the third opening for the comminuted material and the second opening for the comminuted material no longer overlap with each other (except when the comminuted material is sandwiched between the first closing element and the second closing element). Next, the second closing element engages with the first closing element and follows the first closing element in the same direction. Here, the second opening for the comminuted material is also displaced relative to the first opening for the comminuted material.

[0029] This two-step approach to closing the through-opening of the container for the comminuted material helps, for example, to particularly well subdivide the comminuted material by presetting the time when the comminuted material is discharged from the container for the comminuted material. The controller controls the drive unit to move the closing element according to the scheme described here.

[0030] For example, when the comminuted material is sandwiched between the first closing element and the second closing element when the second closing element is moved to the blocking state, a small opening through which the comminuted material can flow out remains exposed. To accurately avoid this, the first closing element is accompanied by the second closing element when the comminuted material is sandwiched between the first closing element and the second closing element. When the comminuted material is sandwiched between the second closing element and the first closing element, these two closing elements engage with each other. On the other hand, when the comminuted material is not sandwiched between the second closing element and the first closing element, the drive mechanism, which will be described in more detail below, ensures that the first closing element is reliably accompanied by the second closing element in the direction of the blocking state.

[0031] During the rotational movement of the closing element, for example, the second closing element is configured to be able to perform a 180° rotational movement about a rotational axis in a housing that can also be the drive shaft of the drive unit. The first closing element can perform a 90° rotational movement about the same rotational axis.

[0032] In the discharge state, the openings for the material to be crushed in the housing, the first closing element, and the second closing element overlap, exposing a through opening. When the through opening is closed, the second closing element is first moved in the direction of the closed state until it engages with the first closing element. This occurs either when the material to be crushed is trapped between the first and second closing elements, or when the drive mechanism accompanies the first closing element. For example, when no material to be crushed is trapped, the second closing element rotates 90°, and then the drive body or gripping tip of the second closing element contacts the drive surface of the first closing element, accompanying the first closing element for a further 90° during its movement. In this state, the opening for the powdered material does not overlap with the other opening.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the second closing element has a drive body, and the first closing element has an engagement portion. The drive body is configured to move within the engagement portion with a predetermined travel gap. The drive body is configured to drag the first closing element during the movement of the second closing element if the drive body strikes the edge of the engagement portion.

[0034] This example describes a mechanical drive mechanism. The engagement portion is configured, for example, as a recess or a longitudinal groove. The drive body can move within the engagement portion within a predetermined range. However, when the second closing element is moved to the extent that the drive body contacts the edge of the engagement portion, the drive body follows the first closing element. However, if the material to be crushed is sandwiched between the first closing element and the second closing element, the first closing element is followed even if the drive body does not contact the edge of the engagement portion.

[0035] This configuration allows the through-opening from the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed to be closed in either case, regardless of whether the material to be crushed is sandwiched between the first and second closing elements.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the first closing element and the second closing element are configured to rotate relative to the housing.

[0037] In this example, the first and second closing elements are rotatably mounted within the housing. A drive unit is coupled to the second closing element via a shaft and / or gear mechanism. The drive unit may be, for example, an electric motor, a stepping motor, or a servo motor. However, the drive unit may have two or more single motors. The drive unit acts on the second closing element by applying force to it via the electric motor and the shaft and / or gear mechanism. During this movement, the third opening for the material to be crushed moves from a pass-through position to a blocked position; that is, the third opening for the material to be crushed in the second closing element moves from a state where it overlaps with the second opening for the material to be crushed in the first closing element to a state where these openings no longer overlap each other, thereby preventing the material to be crushed from escaping from the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed.

[0038] Instead of the rotational motion described here, the first and second closing elements can also perform translational or linear motion relative to each other. Even in the case of linear motion, the second closing element can move relative to the first closing element so that the openings for the material to be crushed within each element either overlap or do not overlap. In the case of linear motion, a corresponding drive unit that performs linear motion instead of rotational motion is used.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the second closing element is funnel-shaped to guide the material to be crushed toward a third opening for the material to be crushed.

[0040] The bottom surface of the second closing element is inclined in a funnel shape, which guides the material to be crushed located within the internal volume of the material to be crushed container to the third opening for the material to be crushed, ensuring that no residue of the material remains in the material to be crushed container.

[0041] In a further embodiment, a container for a material to be crushed is provided. The container for a material to be crushed comprises a housing, an internal volume defined by the housing for receiving the material to be crushed, and a closing device as described herein.

[0042] The housing can be configured, for example, in a cup or pot shape, i.e., it may have a substantially cylindrical shape. A closure device is attached to the end face of the housing. The closure device functions to allow or block the flow of the material to be ground, located within the internal volume, out of the container for the material to be ground.

[0043] A container for the material to be ground is advantageous when the material to be ground must be supplied in a precise, quantitative manner. For example, such a container for the material to be ground may be used with a coffee bean mill to supply a quantitative amount of coffee beans to the grinder by pre-setting a time limit during which the coffee beans can flow out of the container and closing the through-opening of the closure device after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0044] The closing device is positioned on the end face of the container for the material to be ground, and when the container is connected to a coffee machine or coffee bean mill, it is positioned between the internal volume of the container and the grinder. In other words, the closing device represents the bottom surface of the container when the container is inserted into the coffee machine or coffee bean mill.

[0045] However, the container for materials to be ground is not limited to use with coffee beans and a coffee grinder. Rather, this container for materials to be ground can be used for any material that needs to be supplied precisely and quantitatively, especially with time control.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the container for the material to be ground is a coffee bean container for use with a coffee machine.

[0047] The coffee bean container may be, for example, a replaceable coffee bean container. Such a coffee bean container is coupled to a coffee mill, allowing a predetermined amount of coffee beans to be dispensed from the container into the coffee mill to produce a coffee beverage. The closure device described herein allows for precise quantitative dispensing of coffee beans into the coffee mill. In particular, the amount of coffee beans to be dispensed is dispensed quantitatively to suit a coffee beverage. The coffee mill or its grinder grinds the entire amount of dispensed coffee beans and is emptied after the grinding process. The ground coffee beans can then be used to produce a coffee beverage. The amount of coffee beans is set by the time the closure device exposes the through-opening. Since the entire material to be ground is ground by the grinder, no unground coffee beans remain in the grinder. Therefore, after the grinding process, the container for the material to be ground can be removed, and another container for the material to be ground containing a different type of coffee beans can be inserted. This makes it possible to grind different types of coffee beans in the same coffee mill.

[0048] A coffee machine that produces or is capable of producing coffee beverages in this manner is described, for example, in brochure International Publication No. 2022 / 167560(A1).

[0049] For example, a coffee bean container has a housing, an outlet, and an identification element. The housing is configured to receive coffee beans. The outlet is positioned to discharge coffee beans from the housing and includes a closure device, such as those described herein, for selectively opening and closing the outlet. The identification element is machine-readable and contains instructions for setting parameters of a coffee machine for preparing a coffee beverage using the coffee beans from the housing. The data of the identification element is read by a controller, and the coffee machine can then be parameterized accordingly. The identification element is optically or electromagnetically readable. Thus, the coffee bean container includes specifications for setting a coffee machine and / or coffee mill to produce a coffee beverage using the contained coffee beans.

[0050] The identification element can be a string that functions as an individual identifier, allowing the coffee machine to execute the configuration parameters assigned to this string. Alternatively, the identification element may include configuration parameters.

[0051] In a further embodiment, a system is provided comprising a coffee machine and a container for the material to be ground, as described herein. The coffee machine is configured to dispense a fixed amount of coffee beans from the container for the material to be ground by specifying the time for which the closing device of the container for the material to be ground is in a discharge state.

[0052] The system allows the use of a coffee machine for the preparation of new coffee beverages based on freshly ground coffee beans using multiple different coffee bean containers (and different coffee beans or different types of coffee beans contained therein), the coffee bean containers can be selectively inserted, and the coffee machine is parameterized with respect to the identification elements of the coffee bean containers according to the parameterized specifications.

[0053] In general, with respect to coffee machines and systems, it is conceivable that a user of a coffee machine may deviate from predetermined parameters used to set the machine. While the coffee machine sets these parameters, the user may permanently or temporarily change predetermined parameters for a particular type of coffee, and thus, for example, teach (parameterize) a new type of coffee bean. To this end, the coffee machine may include a data memory that stores user-specific parameterizations for a particular identifier of a coffee bean container. When the coffee machine reads this identifier from an identifier element, the parameters from the data memory can be applied directly. To this end, this data memory may optionally be distributed, in which case the data memory is accessible via a data network. Such a central data memory may be updated from a central point, for example, by centrally adapting parameters for a particular type of coffee bean, by changing existing parameters for a certain type of coffee bean, or by providing a set of parameters for a new type of coffee bean. The central data memory may be accessed and read each time coffee machine parameters are adapted in order to distribute and apply the read parameters to each coffee machine, or the data memory may function as a source for distributing updated parameters to the coffee machines so that the parameters are distributed and held among the coffee machines after the update operation.

[0054] The container for the material to be ground functions as a coffee bean container. Using a closure device, a portion of the coffee beans for producing a coffee beverage can be introduced into the coffee bean mill so that they are supplied in a precise, quantitative manner. The coffee bean mill grinds all the introduced coffee beans. If the user of the coffee machine wishes to produce further coffee beverages based on a different type of coffee bean following the coffee beverage production process, the container for the material to be ground can be changed. In this way, the other type of coffee bean can be used to produce further coffee beverages, as these beans will not be mixed with the type of coffee bean that was initially ground.

[0055] When the container for the material to be ground is replaced, the time the closure device is in the discharge state can also be adjusted accordingly. Thus, different types of coffee beans can be dispensed quantitatively according to individual recipes for producing coffee beverages. The container for the material to be ground can be automatically recognized as described in International Publication No. 2022 / 167560(A1) brochure. Depending on the recognized container for the material to be ground, the controller can specify different times for the drive unit to feed the coffee beans into the grinder in order to dispense the coffee beans quantitatively as desired.

[0056] In the case of a coffee machine equipped with a grinder that freshly grinds coffee grounds for one cup of coffee as needed, it is generally impossible or uncommon to change the coffee beans as long as there are still beans in the bean container. Therefore, changing to a different type of coffee bean is limited to when the bean container and grinder are empty. In this case, this is avoided by discharging only the amount of coffee beans necessary to prepare one cup of coffee from the coffee bean container into the receiving volume of the grinder. As a result, the coffee bean container is closed by a closure device, and no more beans fall into the grinder. The coffee bean container can be removed from the coffee bean container receiving device, in which case the outlet opening of the coffee bean container is closed and another coffee bean container containing a different type of coffee beans can be used. After another coffee bean container is inserted into the coffee bean container receiving device, the time for quantitative dispensing of the amount of coffee beans to be dispensed can be changed to use the appropriate amount of coffee beans for the desired coffee flavor or an appropriate amount of coffee beans considering the characteristics of the coffee beans.

[0057] Exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic and not to scale. The same reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings show the following: [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0058] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram of a system for preparing coffee beverages, comprising a coffee machine and a container for crushed material having a closure device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the closing mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the components of the closing device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the enclosure of the closing device. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the enclosure to which the first closing element of the closing device is attached. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the enclosure to which the first and second closing elements of the closing device are attached. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the first and second closing elements of the closing device. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a housing in which the first closing element of the closing device is in the closed state. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of a housing in which the first closing element of the closing device is in the discharged state. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of a housing in which the first and second closing elements of the closing device are in the closed state. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the housing with the first and second closing elements of the closing device in the discharged state. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of a housing in an intermediate state, with the first and second closing elements of the closing device in place. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of a housing having a first closing element and a second closing element of a closing device, with the second closing element in a closed state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0059] Figure 1 shows a system 10 consisting of a coffee machine 200 and a container 100 for the material to be ground. The container 100 includes a housing 105 surrounding an internal volume 110. The container 100 is closed by a closure device 300, which, in the example of Figure 1, is coupled to the coffee machine 200. The coffee machine 200 is shown here as an example, along with some of its components. Thus, the coffee machine 200 comprises a grinder 210 and a controller 220. The controller 220 is configured to control the grinder 210 and other components of the coffee machine 200.

[0060] Coffee beans are stored in a container 100 for the material to be ground. When a coffee beverage is produced, the coffee beans are distributed from the internal volume 110 of the container 100 to the grinder 210. To this end, the controller 220 controls the closing device 300 to distribute the coffee beans from the internal volume 110. The controller 220 is configured to move the closing device 300 to an open state (discharge state) for a predetermined time, and after this predetermined time has elapsed, move the closing device 300 to a closed state (blocked state).

[0061] The grinder 210 grinds coffee beans to produce a powder used in the preparation of coffee beverages. The controller 220 may further be configured to control the operating time of the grinder 210. Preferably, the grinder 210 grinds until all the coffee beans dispensed from the internal volume 110 of the material container 100 are ground. Thus, there is little coffee bean residue left in the grinder 210, and another material container 100 containing a different type of coffee beans can be placed for the preparation of the next coffee beverage.

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the closing device 300 and its components. The closing device 300 comprises a drive unit 310, a housing 320, a first closing element 330, and a second closing element 340.

[0063] The drive unit 310 can be structurally assigned to the closing device, but the drive unit 310 can be a component of the coffee machine 200. When the container 100 for the material to be ground is placed on the coffee machine 200, the power transmission element (e.g., shaft) of the drive unit is connected to the closing device 300 to apply driving force to the first closing element 330 and the second closing element 340.

[0064] As can be seen from this figure, the second closing element 340 is shaped like a funnel, and its inclined inner surface guides the material to be crushed in the internal volume 110 to the corresponding opening for the material to be crushed.

[0065] Figure 3 shows the housing 320, first closing element 330, and second closing element 340 of the closing device as described herein.

[0066] In this example, the housing 320 has a circular cross-section and serves to house the first and second closing elements. The housing 320 has a drive opening 323 through which the drive shaft of the drive unit is guided. Furthermore, the housing 320 has a first opening 322 for the material to be ground, through which the material to be ground falls from the internal volume of the material to be ground container into the grinder of the coffee machine.

[0067] The first closing element 330 similarly has a drive opening 333 through which the drive shaft of the drive unit is guided. Furthermore, the first closing element 330 has a second opening 332 for the material to be crushed, through which the material to be crushed falls from the internal volume of the material to be crushed container. The first closing element 330 has an engaging portion or recess 334 in the form of a radial recess in its edge region. This engaging portion 334 extends over approximately one-quarter of the circumference of the first closing element 330. The engaging portion 334 is defined by a first edge 335 and a second edge 336. The first edge 335 and the second edge 336 are located at the point where the radius of the first closing element 330 increases sharply. The engaging portion 334 allows the first closing element 330 to be accompanied by the second closing element 340, but still allows the second closing element to have play for movement relative to the first closing element.

[0068] Figures 4 to 6 show how the first closing element 330 and the second closing element 340 are attached to the housing 320. Figure 4 shows only the housing 320 having the first opening 322 for the material to be crushed, as already shown in Figure 3.

[0069] Figure 5 shows the housing 320 to which the first closing element 330 is attached. The drive openings 323 and 333 (see Figure 3) are located vertically, and it can be seen that the drive shaft can be guided from the drive unit to the second closing element through these drive openings. Separately, in Figure 5, the second opening for the material to be crushed 332 is displaced relative to the first opening for the material to be crushed 322. In this state, the material to be crushed cannot fall from the internal volume of the material to be crushed container through the second opening for the material to be crushed 332. In principle, the first closing element 330 is rotatably mounted within the housing 320, allowing for rotational movement of at least about 90°. The range of rotational movement of the first closing element 330 in one direction or both directions can be defined using a stop element on the first closing element or on the housing. It is clear that the first closing element 330 can be moved to a discharge state in which the second opening 332 for the material to be crushed overlaps with the first opening 322 for the material to be crushed, and that the first closing element 330 can be moved to a second state in which the second opening 332 for the material to be crushed does not overlap with the first opening 322 for the material to be crushed, i.e., is displaced relative to the first opening 322 for the material to be crushed.

[0070] Figure 6 shows the following state in which the second closing element 340 is mounted on the first closing element 330 and inside the housing 320. In the illustrated state, the third opening for the material to be crushed 342 overlaps with the second opening for the material to be crushed 332, but the two openings 342 and 332 are displaced relative to the first opening for the material to be crushed 322 so that the material to be crushed cannot escape from the internal volume of the container for the material to be crushed.

[0071] As can be easily seen from Figures 4 to 6, the first closing element 330, together with the second closing element 340, can be moved clockwise from the state in Figure 6 until the openings for the material to be ground 332 and 342 overlap with the first opening for the material to be ground 322. The state achieved at this time is described as the discharge state. In this state, the coffee beans fall from the internal volume of the container for the material to be ground into the grinder. The coffee beans are divided or supplied in small quantities by first moving the second closing element 340 counterclockwise to interrupt the flow of coffee beans.

[0072] First, only the second closing element 340 is rotated counterclockwise. When coffee beans are caught between the second closing element 340 and the first closing element 330 in the third opening for crushing material 342 and the second opening for crushing material 332, the first closing element 330 can rotate within a predetermined limit within the housing 320, so the rotating second closing element 340 follows the first closing element 330. On the other hand, when there are no coffee beans caught between the second closing element 340 and the first closing element 330, the second closing element 340 follows the first closing element 330 by the drive mechanism, moving the second opening for crushing material 332 away from the first opening for crushing material 322.

[0073] This drive mechanism will be explained with reference to Figure 7. The first closing element 330 and the second closing element 340 are shown schematically here from the side. The first closing element 330 is provided with an engaging portion 334 (also shown in Figure 3 and explained with reference to Figure 3). The engaging portion 334 is defined by a first edge 335 and a second edge 336. When the second closing element 340 is rotated in this engaging portion 334, which is configured as a radial recess, the drive body 343 or the gripping tip can move. As long as the drive body 343 moves between the first edge 335 and the second edge 336, the movement of the second closing element 340 is not transmitted to the first closing element 330. However, as the second closing element 340 rotates counterclockwise and the drive body 343 strikes the second edge 336, the second closing element 340 follows the first closing element during further clockwise movement. During this movement, the second opening for the material to be crushed 332 is guided away from the first opening for the material to be crushed 322.

[0074] Depending on the state of the closing device 300, the second opening 332 for the material to be crushed and the third opening 342 for the material to be crushed are positioned at different locations relative to the first opening 322 for the material to be crushed, and the drive unit 343 is positioned at the corresponding location within the engaging portion 334.

[0075] Figure 8 shows the first closing element 330 in a closed state, in which the second opening 332 for the material to be ground is displaced relative to the first opening 322 for the material to be ground, and as a result, the coffee beans cannot fall from the internal volume of the container for the material to be ground into the grinder.

[0076] Figure 9 shows the first closing element 330 in the discharge state, in which the second opening 332 for the material to be ground overlaps with the first opening 322 for the material to be ground, and as a result, the coffee beans can fall from the internal volume of the container for the material to be ground into the grinder.

[0077] The first closing element 330 can take on two positions shown in Figures 8 and 9, and all intermediate states between these two positions, which are taken when the first closing element 330 moves clockwise from the position in Figure 8 to the position in Figure 9, or counterclockwise from the position in Figure 9 to the position in Figure 8. Thus, in this example, the first closing element 330 moves approximately 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0078] Figures 10 to 12 show the different states that the second closing element 340 can take together with the first closing element 330 within the housing 320.

[0079] In the state shown in Figure 10, the third opening 342 for the material to be ground overlaps with the second opening 332 for the material to be ground, and the openings 332 and 342 are displaced relative to the first opening 322 for the material to be ground. In this state, coffee beans cannot fall into the grinder. Referring to Figure 7, note that in the state shown in Figure 10, the drive unit 343 is located at the first edge 335.

[0080] When a command comes from the controller to distribute a portion of the coffee beans to the grinder, the drive unit drives the second closing element 340, thereby moving the second closing element clockwise until the third opening for the material to be ground 342 and the second opening for the material to be ground 332 overlap with the first opening for the material to be ground 322, opening the opening and allowing the coffee beans to fall through the opening from the internal volume into the grinder. During this movement of the second closing element 340, the drive body 343 follows the first closing element 330 as it contacts the edge 335.

[0081] The closing device remains in the state shown in Figure 11 for a predetermined time. This time is a parameter that determines the amount of coffee beans dispensed into the grinder. After this time has elapsed, the controller outputs a command to the drive unit to move the closing device to the closed state. To do this, the second closing element 340 is moved counterclockwise, starting from the state shown in Figure 11. During this movement, the drive unit 343 moves within the engagement portion 334 from the first edge 335 toward the second edge 336. If coffee beans are trapped between the first and second closing elements before the drive unit 334 reaches the second edge 336, the second closing element accompanies the first closing element as it moves counterclockwise through the trapped coffee beans. Otherwise, the second closing element accompanies the first closing element from its counterclockwise movement, along with the drive unit 343 which is in contact with the second edge 336.

[0082] From the position shown in Figure 11, the second closing element 340 first moves 90° counterclockwise, and then the drive unit 343 follows the first closing element 330 by another 90° counterclockwise. Thus, the second closing element 340 rotates 180° as a whole, and the first closing element 330 rotates 90° counterclockwise. This state is shown in Figure 12.

[0083] To return from the state in Figure 12 to the state in Figure 10, the second closing element 340 is rotated clockwise until the third opening for the material to be crushed 342 overlaps with the second opening for the material to be crushed 332. The controller stores the relative distance between the openings for the material to be crushed, and as a result, the controller can approach the corresponding position using a drive unit.

[0084] Figure 13 illustrates, as an example, the state when the second closing element 340 is moved from the discharge state (Figure 11) to the blocked state (Figure 12). The second closing element 340 is moved counterclockwise within the housing 320 to such an extent that the third opening for the material to be ground 342 partially overlaps with the other two openings for the material to be ground 332, 322. However, the coffee beans 350 are trapped in the opening for the material to be ground 342 between the second closing element 340 and the first closing element 330. If the second closing element 340 is rotated further counterclockwise, the first closing element 330 may be accompanied during this movement via the trapped coffee beans 350. The coffee beans 350 function, so to speak, as a drive, as described with reference to Figure 7. In this way, it is ensured that the coffee beans do not continue to fall from the internal volume into the grinder. At most, the coffee beans may be trapped between the second closing element and the first closing element. In this case, the second opening for the material to be ground initially completely overlaps with the first opening for the material to be ground. The first closing element begins to move with the second closing element, but the overlap between the first and second openings for the material to be ground remains large enough so that any coffee beans that may be located at this height are not trapped between the first closing element and the casing. All coffee beans located at this height fall into the grinder until the movement of the second closing element 340, accompanied by the first closing element 330, is such that the second opening for the material to be ground is displaced relative to the first opening for the material to be ground.

[0085] In this way, the amount of coffee beans dispensed from the container for the material to be ground into the grinder can be precisely measured and supplied, and the closure device can be reliably closed. Thus, the risk of trapped coffee beans preventing or obstructing the closure device is eliminated.

[0086] The edges surrounding the openings 322, 332, and 342 for the material to be ground may be rounded. That is, in Figure 13, the edges of the openings that hold the coffee beans 350 do not have flat end faces with sharp edges, but rather have rounded edges in a direction corresponding to the flow direction of the material to be ground through the openings for the material to be ground. Therefore, when a low clamping force or slight pressure acts on the material to be ground, the material to be ground can be more easily pushed upward by the rounded edges and return to the internal volume of the container for the material to be ground, or pushed downward and exit through the openings for the material to be ground.

[0087] Even when a closing device 300 having a rotatably mounted closing element is shown in Figures 3 to 13, it is also conceivable that a second closing element may be moved linearly relative to the first closing element in order to overlap the corresponding openings for the material to be crushed or to displace them relative to each other.

[0088] In describing the states and the movement of components between the individual states of the closing device, clockwise and counterclockwise directions of movement were mentioned. Needless to say, all of these directions of movement can also be performed in the opposite direction ("mirror inversion") while maintaining the function of the closing device. In this regard, the directions of movement selected for illustrative purposes in the diagrams should be understood as merely examples.

[0089] Furthermore, it should be noted that “including” or “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “one” does not exclude multiple. Furthermore, it should be noted that any features or steps described with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments described above may be used in combination with other features or steps of the other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims should not be considered limiting. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10 Systems 100 Containers for crushed materials, coffee bean containers 105 Housing 110 Internal volume 200 Coffee Machines 210 Grinder 220 Controllers 300 Closing device 310 Drive Unit 320 cabinets 322 First opening for crushed material 323 Drive opening 330 First closing element 332 Second opening for crushed material 333 Drive opening 334 Engaging portion, recess, radial groove 335 Edge 336 Edge 340 Second closing element 342 Third opening for crushed material 343 Drive body, gripping tip 350 coffee beans

Claims

1. A closing device (300) for a container (100) for crushing materials, The first closing element (330) and A second closing element (340), The enclosure (320) and Drive unit (310) and A closing device (300) comprising, The first closing element (330) and the second closing element (340) are arranged within the housing (320) so as to be movable relative to each other. The drive unit (310) is coupled to the second closing element (340) and moves the second closing element (340) relative to the housing (320) and the first closing element (330). The housing (320) has a first opening (322) for the material to be crushed, the first closing element (330) has a second opening (332) for the material to be crushed, and the second closing element (340) has a third opening (342) for the material to be crushed. The first opening for the material to be crushed (322), the second opening for the material to be crushed (332), and the third opening for the material to be crushed (342) overlap each other at least partially in the discharge state, forming a through-opening for the material to be crushed to flow through. In the discharge state, the second closing element (340) is movable relative to the first closing element (330). The second closing element (340) is engageable with the first closing element (330) when the second closing element (340) is moved relative to the first closing element (330), Closing device (300), wherein the second closing element (340), when engaged with the first closing element (330), moves the first closing element (330) together with the second closing element (340) such that the second opening for crushed material (332) is displaced relative to the first opening for crushed material (322).

2. The closing device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the first opening for the material to be crushed (322) completely overlaps with both the second opening for the material to be crushed (332) and the third opening for the material to be crushed (342) in the discharge state to form the through opening.

3. The closing device (300) according to claim 2, wherein the first opening for the material to be crushed (322), the second opening for the material to be crushed (332), and the third opening for the material to be crushed (342) are of the same size and shape.

4. The closing device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movement gap of the second closing element (340) is larger than the movement gap of the first closing element (330).

5. The second closing element (340) has a drive unit (343), The first closing element (330) has an engaging portion (334), The drive unit (343) is configured to move within the engagement portion with a predetermined movement gap, The closing device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive body (343) is configured to drag the first closing element (330) while the second closing element (340) is moving, when the drive body (343) comes into contact with the edge (335, 336) of the engaging portion (334).

6. The closing device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first closing element (330) and the second closing element (340) are configured to rotate relative to the housing (320).

7. The closing device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second closing element (340) is funnel-shaped for guiding the material to be crushed toward the third opening for the material to be crushed (342).

8. Housing (105) and The internal volume (110) defined by the housing (105) for receiving the material to be crushed, A closing device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and A container (100) for crushing materials, equipped with the following features.

9. A container for crushed material (100) according to claim 8, which is a coffee bean container for use with a coffee machine (200).

10. Coffee machine (200) and The container for crushed material according to claim 9 and A system (10) comprising, The coffee machine (200) is configured to supply a fixed amount of coffee beans from the container for the material to be ground by specifying the time during which the closing device of the container for the material to be ground is in a discharge state, and the system (10).

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