Coffee machine with an automatically locking filter holder

Abstract

The coffee machine (1) comprises a support (6) designed to deliver hot water for preparing a beverage, a filter holder (7) designed to receive brewing ingredients and to be removably coupled to said support (6) so as to be able to receive hot water therefrom for brewing said brewing ingredients and preparing a beverage, a first coupling part (24) mounted on said support (6) and a second coupling part (16) carried by said filter holder (7), and a coupling device (1) configured to cause said filter holder (7) to assume a clamped configuration as a result of relative rotation of said first coupling part (24) and said second coupling part (16). 7), an automation device (29) configured to at least partially automatically cause relative rotation of the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16), and a user interface (40) configured to detect one or different actions on the filter holder (7) by a user or one or different forces applied by a user to the frame (2) indirectly or directly through the filter holder (7), and to cause the coupling device (17) to tightly couple and uncouple and / or start and stop the delivery of a beverage in response to the detected actions or forces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This patent application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 20181248.4 filed on June 19, 2020 and Italian Patent Application No. 102020000024139 filed on October 13, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of machines for preparing coffee or similar beverages, and more particularly to semi - automatic coffee machines for commercial or domestic use in bars.

Background Art

[0003] As is well known, semi - automatic coffee machines include machines in which the coffee beverage is made almost manually by the operator, and other operations are automatically controlled by an electronic control unit.

[0004] Typical operations that must be performed manually include, for example, setting the ground coffee, which usually requires the operator to remove the so - called filter holder from the machine and place a predetermined amount of loose ground coffee or a pod or disposable capsule into the filter holder, and then fluid - tightly couple the filter holder to the annular support forming the discharge port of the coffee machine's brewing assembly.

[0005] Another operation directly controlled by the operator is usually the start and stop of the beverage dispensing using a button. In some types of semi - automatic machines, the beverage dispensing is automatically stopped based on the setting of the "length" of the coffee dispensed into the cup.

[0006] Generally speaking, the filter holder is coupled to the annular support using a bayonet coupling device formed from at least two radial fins carried by the filter holder and a corresponding number of slots formed in the annular support.

[0007] Each fin, or alternatively each slot, is partially delimited by an inclined surface, and when the filter holder is coupled to the annular support and the fins are displaced along their respective slots, this causes an axial displacement of the filter holder towards the annular support and, as a result, a fluid-tight coupling of the free end of the filter holder to the front seal carried by the annular support, by engaging with the corresponding slot, or the abutment surface formed in each of the corresponding fins.

[0008] From the operator's point of view, coupling the filter holder to the support annulus of the pouring assembly requires two successive operations to guide the filter holder first into an insertion configuration in which the filter holder is inserted into the annulus and then into a tight coupling configuration in which the filter holder is tightly coupled onto the annular support.

[0009] The insertion configuration is generally reached by vertically moving the filter holder from bottom to top while aligning the fins with the corresponding slots so that the filter holder is coupled to the annular support from the front. Usually, in the insertion configuration, the filter holder is angularly offset (to the left) from the front configuration with respect to the operator.

[0010] The tight coupling configuration is reached by rotating the filter holder, starting from the insertion configuration, usually about 30° to 40° counterclockwise, until the fins move along the slots until the free end of the filter holder is pressed against the front seal of the annular support. As a result, in the tight coupling configuration the filter holder is angularly offset from the insertion configuration and is usually positioned frontally with respect to the operator.

[0011] Patent Document 1 discloses a connection device for connecting a filter holder of an espresso machine to a hot water distribution group for making beverages. The filter holder includes a body that defines a housing for a filter in which an inner cavity is delimited by a cylindrical wall and into which ground coffee is to be placed, and is provided with a handle. The cavity is open at the end facing the distribution group and is closed at the opposite end with a bottom wall, on which a beverage dispensing opening is formed. The filter holder further includes a pair of fins that project radially from the side wall in diametrically opposite directions outside the cavity and extend circumferentially. The hot water distribution group includes an opening designed to fit the open end of the inner cavity of the body of the filter holder, and a pair of spiral guides that extend around an axis orthogonal to the plane in which the filter holder is connected to the hot water distribution group. The spiral guides are arranged around the opening and each is designed to accommodate, using a bayonet connection, a corresponding fin of the pair of fins of the filter holder thereon. The connection device includes an axially open-ended element fixed to the hot water delivery group, having an opening aligned with the opening of the hot water distribution group and a tubular cavity, and is located distally with respect to the opening of the hot water distribution group and is aligned with the axial opening. The connection device further includes an annular element arranged to rotate freely around its longitudinal axis inside the tubular cavity of the plate-like element. The pair of spiral guides is formed on the inner wall of the annular element, and motor means are provided to angularly displace the annular element so as to servo-assist the insertion of the filter holder into the hot water delivery group.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0012]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] The applicant has noticed that well-known coffee machines of the type described above have several drawbacks well known to the operators in this sector.

[0014] In particular, the applicant has noticed that one of these drawbacks is represented by the fact that the mechanical seal between the filter holder and the water outlet of the water injection group is entirely dependent on the effectiveness of the tight connection of a coupling device that is exclusively entrusted to the operator's action, i.e., when the operator rotates the filter holder from the insertion configuration to the tight connection configuration, to the extent that it is possible to press it against the annular support.

[0015] As is well known, this operation not only requires a specific technique on the part of the operator, but also, especially when it is forced to be repeated hundreds or even thousands of times a day, as is the case for a bartender, for example, requires a considerable effort that can be extremely burdensome from a physical point of view.

[0016] In addition, the removal of the filter holder also requires the operator to apply a non-negligible force, at least in the initial stage of rotation to move it away from the tight connection configuration, so that it is not even the only effort required of the operator to tightly connect the filter holder.

[0017] The applicant has also noticed that another drawback of well-known coffee machines of the type described above is represented by the fact that the energization of the various operating functions of the coffee machine requires various interactions of the operator with the various elements of the coffee machine.

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improvement that corrects the drawbacks described above.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0019] According to the present invention, a coffee machine is provided as claimed in the accompanying claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to enable those skilled in the art to embody and use it. Various modifications to the presented embodiments should be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art, and applying the general principles disclosed herein to other embodiments and applications is possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined within the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered limited to the described and shown embodiments, but rather the broadest scope of protection in accordance with the described and claimed features should be recognized.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In case of conflict, this description, including the definitions provided, shall control. Furthermore, the examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0023] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, some specific embodiments are referred to and described using specific language. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing only the specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a semi - automatic coffee machine for commercial or home use in a bar, generally designated by reference numeral 1.

[0025] The coffee machine 1 includes a box - shaped frame 2 whose front is delimited by a front wall 3 with respect to the operator, and a plurality of components for making coffee supported by the frame 2, and also includes a boiler 4 for making hot water arranged inside the frame 2.

[0026] In different embodiments shown in FIG. 24, the boiler 4 for making hot water is arranged outside the frame 2.

[0027] The front wall 3 can be either the outer wall of the coffee machine 1 or the inner wall of the coffee machine 1, while the latter is protected by an outer casing (not shown) that completely or partially covers the frame 2.

[0028] The boiler 4 includes a hot water conduit 5 whose end portion extends into the support 6. The support 6 is mounted so as to protrude from the front wall 3 and is configured such that the filter holder 7 is detachably engaged therewith. The filter holder 7 is designed to receive either loose ground coffee or a disposable coffee pod or capsule and receive hot water from the support 6.

[0029] From the lower end of the front wall 3, a drip tray 8 closed at the top by a grid 9 protrudes and supports one or more cups beneath the filter holder 7 during use.

[0030] The filter holder 7 includes an open-top cup 10 and a handle 11 extending radially from the cup 10 and designed to be gripped by an operator for connecting and disconnecting the cup 10 to and from the support 6.

[0031] The cup 10 is provided at the bottom with a conduit 12 for delivering the coffee beverage, to which a two-port delivery port 13 enabling delivery of the coffee beverage to two cups simultaneously can preferably be removably connected.

[0032] The cup 10 houses therein a cup-shaped filter 14 designed to receive either loose ground coffee or a coffee pod or capsule. Preferably, the filter 14 is made of a metallic material, conveniently stainless steel, and has a perforated bottom wall and side walls that are bent outwardly into a U-shape and terminate in an edge 15 arranged to straddle the edge of the free end of the cup 10.

[0033] The cup 10 has several protrusions or fins 16 near its open end, which project radially outward from the cup 10 and define part of a coupling device 17 designed to removably couple the cup 10, and thus the filter holder 7, to the support 6, of a type generally called 'bayonet'. In the example shown in the accompanying drawings, the number of fins 16 is three and their spacing around the longitudinal axis of the cup 10 is equal to each other. In a variant not shown, it is possible to have two fins 16 or a number greater than three.

[0034] The fins 16 are substantially in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cup 10 and the bottom is delimited by respective inclined planes 18 which have the same inclination and orientation with respect to the plane in which the fins 16 are located.

[0035] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the support 6 is generally cup-shaped with a downward-facing concave shape and includes a tubular side wall 19 substantially coaxial with the vertical axis 20 and a bottom wall, through which the end of the hot water conduit 5 described above is formed.

[0036] The hot water shower 21 is mounted at the center of the bottom wall and is surrounded by an annular cavity 22 coaxial with the axis 20 which is in fluid communication with the hot water conduit 5 and houses the front seal 23, and as will be described in more detail below it has the function of fluid-tightly coupling the filter holder 7 and the support 6 when the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled.

[0037] Furthermore, several lateral protrusions 24 are associated with and arranged on the support 6 so as to cooperate with the fins 16 when the filter holder 7 is coupled to the support 6. The lateral protrusions 24, together with the fins 16, define the aforementioned coupling device 17 and form a further part thereof.

[0038] For this purpose, the lateral projections 24 are delimited at their tops, i.e. by respective abutment surfaces 25 towards the bottom wall of the support 6, which abutment surfaces 25 are coplanar with each other and perpendicular to the axis 20 in such a way and in such a form as to cause an upward displacement of the filter holder 7 and a pressing of the latter against the support 6, as a result of which a tight connection of the coupling device 17 is brought about, and are configured to engage slidably with the inclined surface 18 in response to a relative rotation between the lateral projection 24 and the fin 16.

[0039] In particular, as will become even clearer in the following description, the connection of the filter holder 7 to the support 6 involves a first complete manual step, during which the fins 16 are arranged within the free space between the lateral projections 24 and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages with the cavity 22 and faces and preferably contacts the front seal 23, and the operator brings the cup 10 of the filter holder 7 closer to the support 6 through an upward vertical movement in order to arrange the filter holder 7 in an insertion configuration.

[0040] Conveniently, in order to facilitate the correct positioning of the filter holder 7 in the insertion configuration and to stably maintain this configuration prior to the tight connection of the coupling device 17, a magnetic positioning device 26 is provided which includes several permanent magnets 27 each fixed to a corresponding fin 16 and several permanent magnets 28 mounted along the periphery of the bottom wall of the cup 10, the permanent magnets 28 being mounted in such a position as to face the corresponding permanent magnet 27 of the fin 16 when the filter holder 7 is brought closer to the support 6. Preferably, the attractive force between the pairs of facing permanent magnets 27 and 28 is sufficient to hold the filter holder 7 in the insertion configuration even when the operator completely releases the filter holder 7 before the coupling device 17 is tightly connected.

[0041] The connection of the filter holder 7 to the support 6 further includes a second step in which the connection device 17 is tightly connected. In this step, the fins 16 and the protrusions 24 are rotated relative to each other, and the engagement between the inclined surface 18 and the contact surface 25 moves the filter holder 7 from the insertion configuration to the tight connection configuration, in which the filter holder 7 is arranged at a higher level than the insertion configuration, and the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the front seal 23 so that a fluid-tight connection with the latter is achieved.

[0042] The coffee machine 1 further includes an automation device 29 configured to automatically perform that kind of operation so as to reduce the physical effort of the operator associated with the tight connection and disconnection of the connection device 17.

[0043] In this regard, since the relative rotation of the fins 16 and the lateral protrusions 24 causes the tight connection and disconnection of the connection device 17, there is no conceptual difference between the operating type of the connection device 17 in which the lateral protrusions 24 rotate with respect to the fins 16, shown as the first operating type for the sake of convenience of explanation below, and the operating type of the connection device 17 in which the fins 16 rotate with respect to the lateral protrusions 24, shown as the second operating type for the sake of convenience of explanation below, and it should be noted that only the implementation difference exists.

[0044] The automation device 29 includes a toothed ring nut 30 carried by the support 6 and mounted to rotate around the shaft 20, and a drive device 31 that is functionally coupled to the toothed ring nut 30 to rotate it around the shaft 20 and moves the toothed ring nut 30 between a rest configuration in which the operator can connect the filter holder 7 to the support 6 and arrange it in the insertion configuration, and an operating configuration in which the filter holder 7 is in the tight connection configuration.

[0045] Depending on the operating type of the coupling device 17, the toothed ring nut 30 rotates the lateral protrusion 24 relative to the fin 16, or vice versa, rotating the fin 16 relative to the lateral protrusion 24 to effect a tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17.

[0046] In particular, in the first operating type shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the toothed ring nut 30 is mounted integrally with the lateral protrusion 24 and they rotate relative to the fin 16, while in the second operating type (FIGS. 8 to 15 and 16 to 23), the toothed ring nut 30 is angularly coupled to the fin 16 and they rotate relative to the lateral protrusion 24.

[0047] The toothed ring nut 30 includes external teeth 32 coaxial with a shaft 20 formed on an annular body 33 rotatably mounted relative to the tubular side wall 19.

[0048] Preferably, the drive device 31 includes an electric motor 34 arranged within the frame 2 and a gear transmission 35 designed to receive rotational movement from the output shaft of the electric motor 34 and appropriately reduce it for transmission to the ring nut 30. Preferably, the output shaft of the electric motor 34 extends through the front wall 3 and the gear transmission 35 is arranged outside the frame 2.

[0049] In an embodiment not shown, the drive device 31 includes a gear motor completely housed within the frame 2.

[0050] In what follows, the automation device 29 will be described in more detail with explicit reference to each of the two operating types of the coupling device 17 described above.

[0051] The first operating type of the coupling device Figures 2 to 7 show embodiments of a coffee machine 1 operating according to a first operating type of the coupling device 17, namely, a type in which the lateral projection 24 is rotated around the shaft 20 by the toothed ring nut 30 and rotates relative to the fins 16.

[0052] In this embodiment, a toothed ring nut 30 rotatably mounted on the tubular side wall 19 substantially forms an extension of the tubular side wall 19 and provides an integral lateral projection 24 in the vicinity of its own free end edge.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lateral projection 24 extends from the inner surface of the toothed ring nut 30 towards the shaft 20, is arranged with its respective contact surface 25 facing the bottom wall of the support 6, and is evenly distributed around the shaft 20 such that a free space 36 of sufficient angular width is circumferentially defined to allow the fins 16 to pass through in a direction parallel to the shaft 20 between them.

[0054] The support 6 has a plurality of sheets 37 distributed around the seal 23 so as to be axially aligned with the corresponding free space 36 when the toothed ring nut 30 is in the rest configuration, each of which is sized to adapt to the corresponding fin 16 when the filter holder 7 is in the inserted configuration (Figure 4).

[0055] As the filter holder 7 approaches the support 6, in order to attract the filter holder 7 and then stably maintain it in the inserted configuration, each sheet 37 is provided with one of the permanent magnets 28 of the positioning device 26 described above so as to cooperate with the permanent magnet 27 of the corresponding fin 16.

[0056] Preferably, when the filter holder 7 is in the inserted configuration, the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 is arranged in front of the operator and generally perpendicular to the front wall 3 of the casing 2, so that the seat 37, and as a result the toothed ring nut 30, are arranged around the axis 20. In the first operating type of the coupling device 17, since the fins 16 of the filter holder do not rotate during the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 and only undergo an axially upward displacement, the filter holder 7 remains in the same front configuration for the operator even when it is in the tight coupling configuration.

[0057] Figures 5 and 6 show how the coupling device 17 is tightly coupled by rotating the toothed ring nut 30 from the rest configuration shown in Figure 5 to the operating configuration shown in Figure 6.

[0058] In the rest configuration of the toothed ring nut 30, the filter holder 7 is in the inserted configuration, in which the fins 16 engage with the corresponding seat 37 and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages with or at least adjacent to the front of the seal 23.

[0059] As clearly shown in Figure 6, to move the toothed ring nut 30 from the rest configuration to the operating configuration, the drive device 31 is actuated to give the toothed ring nut 30 a rotation such that the lateral projection 24 and the fin 16 at least partially overlap. During this rotation, the contact surface 25 of the lateral projection 24 slides along the inclined surface 18 of the fin 16, giving the latter, and thus the entire filter holder 7, an upward pushing force.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, at the end of the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30, the filter holder 7 is in the tight coupling configuration, in which the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23 so that the filter holder 7 is in fluid-tight connection with the support 6.

[0061] Second operating type of the coupling device Figures 8 to 15 and Figures 16 to 23 each show an embodiment of a coffee machine 1 that operates according to a second operating type of the coupling device 17, namely, the toothed ring nut 30 is angularly coupled to the fins 16 and rotates them around the shaft 20, and the fins 16 are rotated with respect to the laterally protruding portions 24.

[0062] In this embodiment, the laterally protruding portions 24 are not carried by the toothed ring nut 30, but rather are integral with the tubular side wall 19. In particular, the laterally protruding portions 24 are arranged along the edge of the free end of the tubular side wall 19 and extend towards the shaft 20, and the respective abutment surfaces 25 face the bottom wall of the support 6.

[0063] Also, in this embodiment, the laterally protruding portions 24 are evenly distributed around the shaft 20, and a free space 36 with a sufficient angular width is defined in the circumferential direction such that the fins 16 can pass through the free space 36 in a direction parallel to the shaft 20.

[0064] Within the section corresponding to the free space 36, the bottom wall of the support 6 carries permanent magnets 28 around the seal 23, and they are designed to cooperate with the permanent magnets 27 carried by the corresponding fins 16 to attract and hold the filter holder 7 in the insertion configuration or to assist in holding it when the filter holder 7 approaches the support 6, as in the previous embodiment.

[0065] As described above, in the second operating type of the coupling device 17, the toothed ring nut 30 can be angularly coupled to the fins 16, and thus to the filter holder 7, such that the filter holder 7 rotates around the shaft 20 when operated by the drive device 31.

[0066] The angular coupling between the toothed ring nut 30 and the filter holder 7 is achieved when the filter holder 7 assumes the insertion configuration. Two examples of how this angular coupling can be achieved are given by the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 and FIGS. 16 to 23, respectively.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, when the filter holder 7 is in the insertion configuration, a fork 38 is provided on the toothed ring nut 30 which is arranged straddling the handle 11 thereof, thereby angularly integrating the filter holder 7 and the toothed ring nut 30.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 13, advantageously, when the toothed ring nut 30 is in the rest configuration, the fork 38 is offset angularly from the central configuration facing the operator, preferably to the left side of the operator (FIGS. 10 and 11), such that the toothed ring nut 30 is mounted on the support 6. Preferably, in addition thereto, the rest configuration of the toothed ring nut 30 is selected such that, after rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 from the rest configuration to the operating configuration, substantially the fork 38, and thus the handle 11 of the filter holder 7, assumes the said central configuration in front of the operator (FIG. 13).

[0069] FIGS. 12 and 14 show how the coupling device 17 tightly couples by rotating the toothed ring nut 30 from the rest configuration (FIG. 12) to the operating configuration (FIG. 14), and the corresponding filter holder 7 rotates from the insertion configuration (FIG. 12) to the tight coupling configuration (FIG. 14).

[0070] In the insertion configuration of the filter holder 7, the handle 11 is inserted into the fork 38, the fins 16 are arranged in the corresponding free space 36 between the lateral projections 24, and the edge 15 of the filter 14 engages with or at least adjoins the seal 23 facing towards it.

[0071] The operation of the drive device 31 rotates the toothed ring nut 30, pulling the filter holder 7 along with it, sliding the fins 16 on the lateral projections 24, and thus moving the filter holder 7 upward.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 15, at the end of the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 and the filter holder 7, the latter assumes a tight coupling configuration, in which the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23 so that the filter holder 7 is in fluid-tight connection with the support 6.

[0073] In the embodiments of FIGS. 16 to 23, the angular coupling between the toothed ring nut 30 and the filter holder 7 is achieved using a sheet or pocket 39 integral with the toothed ring nut 30 configured to be engaged by one of the fins 16 of the filter holder 7 when the toothed ring nut 30 is in the rest configuration and the filter holder 7 is guided into the insertion configuration.

[0074] In particular, as shown in FIG. 17, the pocket 39 is defined by two walls protruding from the inner surface of the toothed ring 30 that extend into one of the free spaces 36 between the lateral projections 24 and is sized to receive the fins 16 with relative precision.

[0075] When the toothed ring nut 30 is in the rest configuration, when the filter holder 7 is inserted into the support 6, one of the fins 16 is inserted into the pocket 39 (Figure 20), and the filter holder 7 is constrained to rotate with it when the toothed ring nut 30 moves to the operating configuration. The rotation of the filter holder 7 engages the respective lateral protrusions 24 with the fins 16, resulting in a tight connection of the coupling device 17 (Figure 22). In this regard, in the example shown here, it should be noted that the size of the pocket 39 is such that during the rotation of the filter holder 7, the pocket 39 interferes with the lateral protrusion 24 intended to cooperate with the fin 16 inserted into the pocket 39. Therefore, without the said lateral protrusion 24, a tight connection of the coupling device 17 is effectively achieved by engaging the remaining fins with the corresponding lateral protrusions 24. In a modification not shown, the pocket 39 is sized and shaped such that it can rotate despite the presence of the lateral protrusion 24 intended to cooperate with the fin 16 inserted into the pocket 39.

[0076] As shown in Figures 18, 19, and 21, conveniently, when the toothed ring nut 30 is in the rest configuration, it is possible to insert the fin 16 into the pocket 39, while the toothed ring nut 30 is mounted on the support 6 such that the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 is maintained in a configuration angularly offset to the left with respect to the central configuration facing the operator's front, so that after the toothed ring nut 30 rotates from the rest configuration to the operating configuration, the handle 11 assumes a central configuration substantially in front of the operator.

[0077] As shown in Figure 23, at the end of the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 and the filter holder 7, the latter assumes a tight connection configuration, in which the edge 15 of the filter 14 is pressed against the seal 23 such that the filter holder 7 is fluid-tightly connected to the support 6.

[0078] Regardless of whether the coupling device 17 belongs to the first or second operating type described above, the automation device 29 of the coffee machine 1 is configured to automatically perform or assist in the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17 on behalf of or in place of an operator performing such an operation, as described above.

[0079] The implementation of such automation requires the energization of a drive device 31 that rotates the toothed ring nut 30 from a practical perspective. For this purpose, the automation device 29 is functionally coupled to the drive device 31 and includes a user interface 40 configured to enable an operator to rotate the toothed ring nut 30 in both rotational directions for the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17.

[0080] In a basic embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the user interface 40 can include a simple button or a rocker switch with two or more switching positions, or one or more touch keys, or a touch-sensitive panel capable of detecting simple contacts or more complex gestures performed by the operator.

[0081] According to different independent aspects of the present invention, in an advanced embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the user interface 40 is configured to convert a manual operation on the filter holder 7 performed by an operator into corresponding electrical commands for a drive device 31 such that the toothed ring nut 30 rotates in both forward and reverse rotational directions and over a predetermined number of turns.

[0082] In particular, the user interface 40 is: - an electronic sensor system 41 configured to detect an operation by an operator on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 and output an electrical output indicating that operation by the operator on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7; - An electronic control unit 42 that is communicably coupled, in particular electrically connected, to the electronic sensor system 41 and the drive device 31, receives the electrical output of the electronic sensor system 41, and based on the received electrical output, generates corresponding electrical commands for the drive device 31 so as to cause rotation in the forward and reverse rotational directions of the toothed ring nut 30 in response to the operation performed on the filter holder 7 by the operator, resulting in a tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17. It includes.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic sensor system 41 includes a panel or plate 43 mounted on the front wall 3 and supporting the support 6, and one or more sensors 44 coupled to the plate 43 for detecting a force applied directly to the plate 43 or indirectly through the filter holder 7.

[0084] Advantageously, the movement sensor 44 coupled to the plate 43 can be used as the sensor 44 to detect the (micro) movement of the plate 43 caused by either a direct operation of the operator on the plate 43 or an indirect operation through the filter holder 7.

[0085] The number, technology, and arrangement of the movement sensors 44 are selected such that they enable the detection of the (micro) movement of the plate 43 caused by either a direct operation of the operator on the plate 43 or an indirect operation through the filter holder 7 that is desired to be detected.

[0086] Advantageously, it is possible to use a load cell 44 as the movement sensor 44, and in this description, it is explicitly referred to without loss of generality.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the convention, the filter holder of the coffee machine is rotated counterclockwise (rightward with respect to the operator) by the operator and locked to the support, and rotated clockwise (leftward with respect to the operator) and unlocked. Therefore, advantageously, the number, technology, and arrangement of the movement sensors are selected so that it is possible to detect the (microscopic) movement of the plate 43 caused by the force applied thereto by the operator to rotate the filter holder 7 counterclockwise and clockwise.

[0088] In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 42 is programmed to: - Determine the movement of the plate 43 caused by the manual operation of the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 performed by the operator based on the electrical output of the load cell 44, - Generate an electrical command for the drive device 31 so that when the load cell 44 detects the movement of the plate 43 caused by the rightward (counterclockwise) pushing force applied to the filter holder 7 by the operator, the drive device 31 rotates from the rest configuration to the operating configuration, and vice versa, when the load cell 44 detects the movement of the plate 43 caused by the leftward (clockwise) pushing force applied to the filter holder 7 by the operator, the drive device 31 rotates from the operating configuration to the rest configuration.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the plate 43 has a rectangular shape and is delimited by substantially horizontal lower and upper edges and by two substantially vertical side edges. The lower and upper edges each have an extension 43a protruding outward from the front wall 3 at right angles to the plate 43, and they are arranged facing each other and are continuous with respective brackets 45 protruding from the lower and upper sides of the window of the front wall 3 into which the plate 43 is inserted.

[0090] Preferably, each extension 43a is connected to its respective bracket 45 using coaxial pins 46 arranged substantially at the center of the bracket 45, such that those pins 46 define a vertical axis of rotation 47, and the plate 43 can swing in both forward and reverse directions around the vertical axis of rotation 47 when an operator applies a rightward or leftward pushing force through the filter holder 7 to the support group 6.

[0091] To detect the movement, i.e., the swinging, of the plate 43, the load cell 44 is arranged between the plate 43 and the front wall 3 at the lateral edge of the plate 43 outside the front wall 3.

[0092] In any case, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 23 are merely examples of how many load cells 44 may be required to detect the movement of the plate 43 in response to rightward and leftward pushing forces applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 inserted into the support 6, and how they should be arranged with respect to the plate 43 and the front wall 3. In fact, the number, configuration, and orientation of the load cells 44 depend on the type of load cell used.

[0093] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, the presence of the pins 46 is also optional since the number and arrangement of the load cells 44 can be sufficient to provide sufficient stability to the plate 43 and its movement.

[0094] Finally, the shape of the plate 43 shown in the accompanying drawings is also for purely illustrative purposes, and it can be replaced by mounting elements of any shape and size as long as it is suitable for being firmly supported by the support 6 and enables the load cell 44 to be applied to detect the (minute) movement of the plate 43 in response to rightward and leftward pushing forces applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 inserted into the support 6.

[0095] Depending on whether the coupling device 17 operates according to the first or second operating type, its tight coupling brought about by the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 is, as described above, in the fully automatic mode in which the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 is exclusively controlled by the electronic control unit 42 through the drive device 31, or in the semi-automatic mode in which the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 is carried out to some extent manually by the operator and to some extent automatically by the drive device 31.

[0096] In fact, in the first operating type in which the filter holder 7 is not rotated between the insertion configuration and the tight coupling configuration, and the lateral projection 24 is carried by the toothed ring nut 30 and moved relative to the fins 16, when the operator places the filter holder 7 in the insertion configuration and gives a rightward (leftward if not in accordance with convention) pushing force as if wanting to rotate and lock it, thus causing the movement (oscillation) of the plate 43, the corresponding electrical output of the load cell 44 and the operation of the drive device 31 in response to the electrical command from the electronic control unit 42 occur, and as a result, the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 in the operating configuration occurs, and the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 occurs in a completely automatic manner.

[0097] Conversely, the reverse direction, in this case leftward, pushing force applied by the operator to the filter holder 7 as if wanting to unlock and remove it causes a reverse movement of the plate 43, resulting in the rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 from the operating configuration to the rest configuration.

[0098] In contrast, in the second type of operation in which the filter holder 7 is integral with the toothed ring nut 30, the filter holder 7 is in the inserted configuration and, when it is rotated to move such that engagement or disengagement from the engagement of the fins 16 and the lateral protrusions 24 occurs between its inserted configuration and its closely coupled configuration, a tight coupling of the coupling device 17 occurs in a partially automatic manner, in other words it occurs in a manual'servo - assist' manner.

[0099] In particular, when the operator places the filter holder 7 in the inserted configuration and applies a right - hand (left - hand if not in accordance with convention) pushing force, the filter holder 7 actually starts to rotate towards the closely coupled configuration. At the same time, the load cell 44 senses the resulting pushing force on the plate 43, and as a result the electronic control unit 42 energizes the drive device 31, which rotates the toothed ring nut 30 to the operating configuration. Thus, the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 is completed without the operator being forced to apply any further force to the filter holder 7.

[0100] The decoupling of the coupling device 17 does not mean that the pushing force applied by the operator in the reverse direction, in this case left - hand, to the filter holder 7 has to overcome the tight coupling force. Rather, it is sufficient if it is suitable for detection by the load cell 44 through the movement of the plate 43 such that rotation of the toothed ring nut 30 from the operating configuration to the rest configuration and thus return of the filter holder 7 to the inserted configuration occurs, so that most of it is automatic.

[0101] Needless to say, the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17 can be achieved by direct action on the plate 43, in particular by directly applying a pushing force to the plate 43 on the opposite side of the support 6.

[0102] Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the automation device 29 is configured to control not only the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17, but also the start and stop of the beverage delivery in response to appropriate manual operations performed by the operator on the handle 11 of the filter holder 7.

[0103] Preferably, the beverage delivery is performed, similar to the control for the tight coupling of the coupling device 17 described above, in particular, by using a load cell 44 that is mounted between the plate 43 and the front wall 3 and detects the movement of the plate 43 in a direction different from the movement into and out of the tight coupling configuration provided by the pushing force applied to the filter holder 7.

[0104] The load cell 44 provided for this purpose can be the same as that intended to detect the movement of the plate 43 during the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17, or can be completely different from that intended to detect the movement of the plate 43 during the tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device 17, and can be arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the plate 34. For the sake of brevity, in the attached drawings, the load cell 44 is shown using all the same reference numbers regardless of the type of movement intended to be detected.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the commands for starting and stopping the beverage delivery are given when the filter holder 7 is arranged in the tight coupling configuration by the operator applying upward and downward pushing forces respectively to its handle 11. Since the filter holder 7 is integrally coupled to the support 6, the pushing force applied to the filter holder 7 is transmitted to the plate 43, detected by the load cell 44, and its electrical output controls the start or stop of a pump (not shown) that supplies water to the boiler 4.

[0106] In different embodiments, commands to start and stop the dispensing of the beverage can be given by the operator applying a torque to the handle 11 of the filter holder 7 that tends to rotate the handle rightward and leftward, respectively, when the filter holder 7 is arranged in a tight coupling configuration.

[0107] Figures 25, 26, and 27 show examples of possible arrangements of load cells 44 for detecting movement of the plate 43 caused by rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7.

[0108] In particular, FIG. 25 shows a situation where rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are detected by the same pair of load cells 44 arranged on the short side of the plate 43.

[0109] FIG. 26 shows both a situation where rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are detected by the same pair of load cells 44 (shown in solid lines) arranged on the long side of the plate 43, and a situation where rightward / leftward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are detected by a first pair of load cells 44 (shown in dashed lines) arranged on the short side of the plate 43, while upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are detected by a second pair of load cells 44 (shown in solid lines) arranged on the long side of the plate 43.

[0110] The last FIG. 27 shows a situation where rightward / leftward and / or upward / downward pushing forces on the filter holder 7 are detected by four load cells 44 arranged near the four vertices of the plate 43.

[0111] Similar to the description of the tight connection and disconnection of the coupling device 17 in the basic embodiment, for the commands to start and stop the delivery of the beverage, the user interface 40 can also include a simple button, or a rocker switch with two or more switching positions, or a pair of touch keys, or even a touch-sensitive panel capable of detecting a simple touch or a more complex gesture made by the operator.

[0112] From the above, the user interface 40 according to the advanced embodiment can be of a type capable of controlling both the tight connection / disconnection of the coupling device 17 and the start / stop of the delivery of the beverage in response to the operation on the filter holder 7 made by the operator, or of a type capable of controlling only one of the tight connection / disconnection of the coupling device 17 and the start / stop of the delivery of the beverage.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0113] 1 Coffee machine 2 Frame, casing 3 Front wall 4 Boiler 5 Hot water conduit 6 Support, support group 7 Filter holder 8 Drip tray 9 Grid 10 Cup 11 Handle 12 Conduit 14 Filter 15 Edge 16 Fin 17 Coupling device 18 Inclined surface 19 Side wall, tubular side wall 20 Vertical axis, axis 21 Hot water shower 22 Annular cavity, cavity 23 Front seal, seal 24 Lateral protrusion, protrusion 25 Junction 26 Magnetic positioning device, positioning device 27 Permanent magnet 28 Permanent magnet 29 Automation device 30 Toothed ring nut, ring nut, toothed ring 31 Driving device 32 External teeth 33 Annular body 34 Electric motor 35 Gear transmission 36 Free space 37 Sheet 38 Fork 39 Sheet or pocket, pocket 40 User interface 41 Electronic sensor system 42 Electronic control unit 43 Panel or plate, plate 43a Extension 44 Sensor, movement sensor, load cell 45 Bracket 46 Pin 47 Vertical rotation axis

Claims

1. A support (6) designed to deliver hot water for making a beverage, A filter holder (7) that can contain an infusion material and is detachably coupled to the support (6) to receive hot water from there to allow the infusion material to infuse and make a beverage, A coupling device (17) including a first coupling part (24) mounted on the support (6) and a second coupling part (16) carried by the filter holder (7); a coupling device (17) configured to cause the filter holder (7) to assume a tight coupling configuration in which the filter holder (7) is tightly coupled to the support (6), starting from an insertion configuration in which the filter holder (7) is loosely inserted into the support (6), as a result of relative rotation of the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16), An automation device (29) configured to cause relative rotation to occur at least partially automatically between the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16); an automation device (29) including a member with a motor (30) operable to rotate the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16) relative to each other in forward and reverse rotational directions around an axis (20) of the support (6), A coffee machine (1) including, The first coupling part (24) is integral with the support (6) and is rotatably mounted on the support (6) to rotate around the axis (20), and the member with a motor (30) includes a ring nut (30) designed to enable coupling with the filter holder (7) so as to be angularly integral with the filter holder (7) when the filter holder (7) is in the insertion configuration, The ring nut (30) is operable to rotate the second coupling part (16) relative to the first coupling part (24) so as to move the filter holder (7) from the insertion configuration to the tight coupling configuration and vice versa, A coffee machine (1) characterized by the above.

2. The coffee machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ring nut (30) includes a sheet (38; 39) configured to enable engagement by a part of the filter holder (7) such that when the filter holder (7) is in the insertion configuration, the filter holder (7) and the ring nut (30) are angularly integrated.

3. The sheet (38) is defined by a fork (38) integral with the ring nut (30) and is configured to enable an arrangement that straddles the handle (11) of the filter holder (7) such that when the filter holder (7) is in the insertion configuration, the filter holder (7) and the ring nut (30) are angularly integrated. The coffee machine (1) according to claim 2.

4. The sheet (39) is defined by a pocket (39) integral with the ring nut (30) and is configured to enable engagement by the second coupling portion (16) of the filter holder (7) such that when the filter holder (7) is in the insertion configuration, the filter holder (7) and the ring nut (30) are angularly integrated. The coffee machine (1) according to claim 2.

5. Furthermore, it includes a magnetic positioning device (26) designed to facilitate positioning of the filter holder (7) in the insertion configuration when the filter holder (7) approaches the support (6). The positioning device (26) includes one or more first magnetic elements (28) associated with the support (6) and one or more second magnetic elements (27) associated with the second coupling portion (16). The first magnetic element (28) is arranged to magnetically cooperate with the second magnetic element (27) when the filter holder (7) is in or substantially in the insertion configuration. The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The filter holder (7) includes a cup-shaped body (10) having a bottom wall and an open end delimited by an edge (15), and the support (6) includes an overflow hot water outlet and a seal (23) surrounding the overflow hot water outlet. The first coupling part (24) includes several first protrusions (24), and the second coupling part (16) includes several second protrusions (16). The second protrusions (16) are arranged on the filter holder (7) so as to avoid interference with the first protrusions (24) when the filter holder (7) is in the insertion configuration, and to cooperate slidably with the first protrusions (24) during relative rotation between the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16). The first protrusions (24) and the second protrusions (16) are shaped such that during the relative rotation, movement occurs in one of the filter holder (7) and the support (6) towards the other, and in the tight coupling configuration, the edge (15) of the filter holder (7) is pressed fluid-tightly against the seal (23). The first magnetic element (28) is arranged on the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body (10) between the first protrusions (24), and the second magnetic element (27) is carried by a corresponding second protrusion (16) in a position such that the first magnetic element (28) faces the corresponding second magnetic element (27) when the filter holder (7) approaches the support (6). The coffee machine (1) according to claim 5.

7. The ring nut (30) has teeth (32), and the automation device (29) includes an electric actuator (34) and a gear transmission (35) kinematically coupling the electric actuator (34) and the ring nut (30). The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. In the tight coupling configuration, the filter holder (7) and the support (6) are fluid-tightly coupled. The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Furthermore, it includes a frame (2) on which the support (6) is mounted. The automated device (29) further includes a user interface (40) configured to detect one or different actions by the user on the filter holder (7), or one or different forces applied by the user directly or indirectly through the filter holder (7) to the frame (2), and to tightly couple or decouple the coupling device (17) in response to the detected action or force. The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The user interface (40) is configured to detect any one of one or more actions in the right, left, up, and down directions performed by the user on the filter holder (7), or any one of one or more forces directly applied by the user to one or different areas of the frame (2). The coffee machine (1) according to claim 9.

11. The user interface (40) is further configured to detect any one of actions in the right and left or up and down directions performed by the user on the filter holder (7), or any one of the forces directly applied by the user to the area of the frame (2) on the opposite side of the support (6). The coffee machine (1) according to claim 10.

12. The user interface (40) is further configured to cause the start and stop of the beverage delivery in response to the detected action or force. The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. The user interface (40) is further configured to cause the start and stop of the delivery of hot water to the filter holder (7) in response to the detected action or force. The coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. The user interface (40) is further configured to detect rightward, leftward, upward, and downward movements of the user with respect to the filter holder (7), and to cause tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device (17) in response to the detected rightward and leftward movements, and to cause start and stop of the beverage delivery, or vice versa, in response to the detected upward and downward movements, for the coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. The user interface (40) is an electronic sensor system (41) configured to detect one or different movements made by the user with respect to the filter holder (7), or one or different forces applied by the user directly or indirectly via the filter holder (7) to the frame (2), and in response thereto, to output an electrical output indicative of the detected movement or force, and an electronic control unit (42) communicatively coupled to the electronic sensor system (41) to receive the electrical output of the electronic sensor system (41), to output electrical instructions for the automation device (29) based on the electrical output of the electronic sensor system (41), and to cause tight coupling and decoupling of the coupling device (17) in response to the detected movement or force, the coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

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