Detachable filter holder for espresso coffee machine

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the field of espresso coffee machines. More specifically, this invention relates to a separable filter holder that is particularly practical from various viewpoints. [Background technology]

[0002] Many machines are known for preparing beverages. In particular, many machines are known for preparing espresso coffee from coffee grounds, pods, capsules, etc.

[0003] Typically, machines for preparing espresso coffee use a high-pressure, high-temperature stream of water that passes through a pack of ground coffee. Some known machines allow for precise control of the water pressure and / or temperature passing through the coffee pack. Some known machines allow for modification of the water pressure and / or temperature during dispensing.

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

[0005] A filter holder typically consists of a body and a handle. The body has a roughly cylindrical cross-section with an open top. A filter, which is a cup-shaped container with numerous small holes at the bottom, is housed inside the filter holder body. A certain amount of ground coffee is filled into the filter and typically compressed by a barista manually or using a special device.

[0006] Typically, the bottom of the filter holder body is configured to direct the generated coffee towards an outlet spout, which creates a flow of espresso coffee that is then guided into the coffee cup. The outlet spout may be single or double.

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

[0008] Patent documents 1, 2, 3, and 4 describe filter holders. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 219768(A1) [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model Specification No. 21 2016 000160(U1) [Patent Document 3] Canadian Patent Application Publication No. 105 326 393(A) [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 2 087 818(A1) [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Typically, the body of a filter holder is made of a metal material, such as steel or brass. The body of the filter holder is usually manufactured as a single piece with the base.

[0011] The applicant recognized that the fact that the filter holder body is manufactured as a single piece presents a drawback and is not very practical in any case.

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

[0013] Furthermore, the applicant has recognized that it is necessary to provide two filter holders, one having a single spout for one cup of coffee, and the other having a double spout for two cups of coffee.

[0014] Furthermore, the applicant has recognized that, in some cases, it is desirable to make the bottom of the filter holder detachable, so that the espresso coffee flowing out from the bottom of the filter can be observed, for example, to check whether the espresso coffee flows out uniformly rather than along a specific path.

[0015] The applicant has defined the object of providing a filter holder whose main body can be separated from the bottom, for example, for performing thorough cleaning work and replacing the bottom. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0016] According to the applicant, the problem can be solved by providing a filter holder having a main body, for example made of metal, which is separable from the bottom. The two parts can be separated from each other and can be coupled together again.

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

[0018] The main body may comprise a support member that supports the filter holder and facilitates tamping ground coffee into the filter.

[0019] The support member may comprise teeth projecting radially towards the outside of the main body, preferably in a direction substantially opposite to the handle.

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

[0021] This solution, with its two recesses, is particularly advantageous. In fact, the two recesses allow the user to use one hand to engage the base cup and rotate it to lock (or unlock) it against the filter holder body. As a result of this solution, the user avoids having to touch the filter holder body, which is extremely hot immediately after use and should not be touched. Without the recesses, the user would have to remove the base cup by pressing it against the dispensing spout, an operation that should obviously be avoided (to avoid damaging or breaking the spout). This solution also has the advantage of making the filter holder body lighter without losing rigidity. Furthermore, the grooves are more visible to the user, allowing them to immediately understand how to connect the base cup to the filter holder body.

[0022] According to the embodiment, the first internal groove and the second internal groove are positioned in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the main body. This solution is particularly advantageous because it requires the user to perform rotational motion in only one plane and does not require screwing motion.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first front teeth include an inlet ramp, a substantially flat portion, and an outlet ramp. According to another embodiment, the second rear teeth include an inlet ramp, a substantially flat portion, and an outlet ramp. This solution is advantageous because the base cup can be connected to the filter holder body by a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational movement. Furthermore, the base cup and the filter holder body can similarly be separated from each other by a counterclockwise or clockwise rotational movement.

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

[0025] According to one embodiment, the retaining member includes a ball retainer, and the substantially flat portion of the rear tooth is interrupted by a cylindrical seat configured to engage with the ball retainer.

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

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

[0028] The filter holder may also include a whisker positioned in the opposite direction, configured to determine the correct angle of contact of the base cup on the body of the filter holder.

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

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

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

[0032] The second material may be selected from among polysulfide, polyether, polyaryl ether ketone, polyphenyl sulfone, polysulfone and the like.

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

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

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

[0036] According to an embodiment, the filter holder body is substantially made of a metallic material having a thermal conductivity of 150 Wm -1 K -1 or less.

[0037] In the following, a detailed description of the invention is provided, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is an axonometric drawing of an example of an espresso coffee machine that can use the filter holder according to the present invention. [Figure 2A] These are various axial measurements of the filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] These are various axial measurements of the filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] These are various axial measurements of the filter holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] Figure 2 shows two axonometric views of the base cup, which is configured to connect with the filter holder body. [Figure 3B] Figure 2 shows two axonometric views of the base cup, which is configured to connect with the filter holder body. [Figure 4] Figures 2 and 3 show the main body and base cup separated, i.e., before engagement. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of the main body and base cup during the first stage of joining the main body and base cup. [Figure 6] These are two axonometric views of the filter holder body and base cup, assembled in their final position, from two different angles. [Figure 7] These are two axonometric views of the filter holder body and base cup, assembled in their final position, from two different angles. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Figure 1 shows, as an example, an espresso coffee machine, shown overall by reference numeral 10. The machine 10 comprises a substantially closed machine body 11, which houses the main components of the machine (some of which will be described later). Preferably, the top of the machine 10 is provided with a surface 12 for placing a coffee cup. An electrical resistor (not shown) or other heating system may be provided for heating the cup on the surface 12.

[0040] The machine 10 includes a dispensing unit 13 for dispensing espresso coffee. Preferably, a drip tray 14 is positioned below the dispensing unit 13, and the top of the drip tray 14 is preferably partially closed by a grill 15. Typically, while espresso coffee is being dispensed, coffee cups are placed on the grill 15.

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

[0042] The machine 10 may include, for example, one or more displays and / or push buttons and / or knobs 16 for switching the machine on / off and / or starting / stopping distribution operations.

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

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

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

[0046] Preferably, the filter 23 is cup-shaped, with an open top and a closed bottom, but the bottom has multiple micro-holes.

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

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

[0049] The filter holder embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7 are particularly advantageous because the engagement between the filter holder body and the base cup is especially easy, efficient, and durable. In fact, the applicant recognizes that the disassembly and reassembly operations depend on the need for frequent cleaning. Furthermore, since the base cup can be easily replaced, the double-spout filter holder can be easily converted to a single-spout filter holder.

[0050] The base cup 30 can be made from any material, such as metal, thermoplastic material, glass, ceramic, composite material, or a combination thereof.

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

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

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

[0054] The first front flange 27 is provided with a first internal groove 271. The first internal groove 271 extends across the entire width of the first front flange 27 and opens into an opening recess.

[0055] The second rear flange 28 is provided with a second internal groove 281. The second internal groove 281 extends across the entire width of the second rear flange 28 and opens into an opening recess.

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

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

[0058] For example, the retaining member 282 may be a ball retainer that is elastically prestressed (for example, by a spring). The ball retainer 282 may be located inside the second groove 28, for example, in the center thereof. The prestressing mechanism, which usually includes a spring, can be housed within the projection 211 of the handle 21.

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

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

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

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

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

[0064] According to one embodiment, the base cup 30 may also include protruding lugs 33 that project outward radially from the bottom of the base cup. The lugs 33 are preferably located substantially below the second posterior tooth.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the outer surface of the base cup 30 also includes two opposingly positioned protruding whiskers 32. The two opposing whiskers 32 are configured to determine the correct angular contact position of the base cup 30 on the body 22 of the filter holder 20, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

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

[0067] Advantageously, during rotational motion, the ball of the ball retainer 382 elastically enters the cylindrical seat 384 of the second teeth 38, precisely defining the relative position between the base cup 30 and the body 22 of the filter holder. Inlet and outlet ramps help to pull the ball of the ball retainer into the seat.

[0068] Furthermore, during rotational motion, the lug 33 engages with the lower edge of the second rear flange 28. As previously mentioned, the second rear flange 28 does not extend as far down as the first front flange 27. This effectively defines a unique relative position between the filter holder body and the base cup, preventing these parts from being mounted in different positions. In other words, if one attempts to rotate the base cup in the opposite direction relative to the body, this rotation is prevented because the lug collides with the front flange 27.

[0069] To remove the base cup 30, simply rotate the base cup relative to the filter holder body 22 and release the ball retainer from the cylindrical sheet.

[0070] The embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7 are clearly advantageous because positioning is not uncertain due to removal and reassembly operations. The person installing and removing the base cup can easily sense the correct installation position.

[0071] Advantageously, the engagement / disengagement force required to attach / detach the base cup is so limited that virtually anyone can engage / disengage it. This aspect is particularly advantageous when the espresso coffee machine is for home use.

[0072] Advantageously, according to the present invention, the engaged base cup is firmly held by the filter holder and essentially becomes an integral part of the filter holder. This prevents the base cup from accidentally coming loose, even during more forceful operations involving slamming the filter holder into the coffee grounds drawer to remove used coffee packs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0081] On the other hand, PBT is a polyester, that is, it contains ester repeating units (-COOR).

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

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

[0084] If the base cup contains (or is made of) a material with low thermal conductivity, it is possible to remove or reassemble the base cup at any time, even when the filter holder is hot.

Claims

1. A filter holder (20) for a machine (10) for preparing and dispensing espresso coffee, comprising a handle (21), a body (22) connected to the handle (21) and configured to house a filter (23) for ground coffee, and a base cup (30), wherein the base cup (30) is a separate and / or separable part from the body, and the body (22) comprises a first front flange (27) having a first internal groove (271) and a second rear flange (281) having a second internal groove ( 28) A filter holder (20) comprising two opposing open recesses (27, 28) between the first front flange (27) and the second rear flange (28), wherein the first internal groove (271) and the second internal groove (281) open into the open recesses, and the base cup (30) comprises a first front tooth (37) configured to engage with the first internal groove (271) and a second rear tooth (38) configured to engage with the second internal groove (281) for coupling the base cup (30) to the body (20).

2. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (22) is provided with support members (26, 27) that support the filter holder and facilitate pushing the ground coffee into the filter.

3. The filter holder (20) according to claim 2, wherein the support members (26, 27) are provided with teeth that project radially outward toward the main body (22) in a direction substantially opposite to that of the handle (21).

4. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, wherein the first internal groove (271) and the second internal groove (281) are arranged in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the main body (22).

5. The filter holder (20) according to claim 4, wherein the first front teeth (37) comprises an inlet lamp (371), a flat portion (372), and an outlet lamp (373).

6. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, wherein the second rear tooth (38) comprises an inlet ramp (381), a flat portion (382), and an outlet ramp (383).

7. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining member (282) for providing a holding function between the base cup (30) and the main body (20).

8. The filter holder (20) according to claim 7, wherein the retaining member comprises a ball retainer, and the flat portion (382) of the rear teeth is interrupted by a cylindrical seat (384) configured to engage with the ball retainer.

9. The filter holder (20) according to claim 8, wherein the ball retainer (282) is positioned in the second groove (28), and the prestressing mechanism is housed in the protrusion (211) of the handle (21).

10. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, further comprising a protruding lug (33) configured to engage with the free edge of the second rear flange (28).

11. The filter holder (20) according to claim 1, further comprising a whisker (32) positioned in the opposite direction, configured to determine the correct angle contact position of the base cup (30) on the main body (22) of the filter holder (20).

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

13. The second thermal conductivity is 5 Wm². －１ K －１ The filter holder (20) according to claim 12, which is less than [amount missing].

14. The filter holder (20) according to claim 12, wherein the second material includes a material selected from the group including polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, methacrylic acid and acetal, or glass, ceramic, porcelain, or any combination thereof.

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