Dosing accessory for coffee makers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dosing accessory for automatic coffee makers comprising two or more independent hoppers (2), suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) being equipped with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), the actuation of which causes a certain amount of coffee to be poured into a lower channel (4) that is shared by all the hoppers (2) and that said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) open into, which is in turn suitable for being coupled to the recipient that grinds the coffee beans in the automatic coffee machine that incorporates the accessory (1). Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) provided in each hopper (2) is a mechanism that can be adjusted as desired so that instead of a complete dose of the aforementioned preset amount of coffee, half a dose is poured and / or the poured coffee dose is larger or smaller, at least between two preestablished volumes.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DOSING ACCESSORY FOR COFFEE MACHINES

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a dosing accessory for coffee machines that provides, for its intended function, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

[0005] The object of the present invention lies in an accessory complement that, especially applicable for its incorporation in automatic coffee machines of coffee beans with the purpose of dosing a specific quantity of grain to be ground prior to the process of obtaining the coffee, is distinguished, essentially, by comprising more than one hopper in which to be able to incorporate different types of coffee beans, each hopper having a dosing mechanism that allows dosing a dose of coffee specific that is necessary for the machine to grind it and be able to work, allowing the user to choose each time which hopper he wants to make the coffee from among the different types with which he has filled the hoppers, allowing, optionally, to dose half doses in order to be able to grind a mixture of two different types of coffee.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of accessories for coffee machines.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Automatic coffee machines, usually intended for professional use in catering establishments, are well-known on the market. They incorporate a hopper with a dosing mechanism to pour a specific amount of coffee beans into the machine to grind them just before making the coffee. This way, the quality and aroma of the coffee obtained is much better than if it is made with pre-ground and packaged coffee.

[0010] The problem is that, in this type of machine, there is only one hopper for adding the coffee beans and measuring them for grinding before making the coffee. This means that coffee can only be made with the beans poured into the hopper, and if you want to change the type of coffee, you will have to wait until the hopper is empty or empty it and add the other type of coffee, which, logically, is an inconvenience that is usually not practical for the establishment. Furthermore, if you want to make a blend of two different types of coffee, which gives the coffee very specific and highly appreciable characteristics, you will also have to pre-blend the two types of beans in the hopper, and you can only pour that blend to make the coffee until it is empty or until the hopper contents are completely changed again.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to provide the market with an accessory for this type of automatic coffee bean machines that allows the professional to be able to make coffee with different types of coffee beans or their mixtures without having to exhaust or change the contents of the hopper, for which it comprises several hoppers in which different types of coffee beans can be incorporated and be able to choose the one that is desired or the mixture of them that is desired each time that coffee is made.

[0012] On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, there is no knowledge of the existence of any other dosing accessory for coffee machines that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed here.

[0013] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The dosing accessory for coffee machines that the invention proposes is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives previously indicated, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.Specifically, what the invention proposes, as indicated above, is an accessory that is especially applicable for incorporation as an accessory in an automatic coffee bean coffee machine to dose a specific quantity of coffee beans to be ground prior to the process of obtaining coffee in said coffee machine, it is essentially distinguished by the fact that, instead of a single hopper with a dosed pouring mechanism, it comprises more than one hopper, preferably three, in which different types or varieties of coffee beans can be incorporated, each hopper having its own dosed pouring mechanism, such that the accessory allows a specific dose of coffee to be dosed, which is necessary for the machine to grind it and be able to work, being able to choose each time which hopper to make the coffee from among the different types with which the hoppers have been filled.

[0015] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of the accessory, the dosed pouring mechanism of each of the hoppers can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose it pours a half dose, so that it is possible to pour two half doses from two of the hoppers with different types of beans into the machine so that it grinds them together and makes coffee with the mixture of those two varieties of coffee, greatly expanding the versatility of the machine to be able to make many more different types of coffee.

[0016] Optionally, the dosed pouring mechanism of the hoppers can also be adjusted to increase or decrease the dose, allowing for a more or less intense coffee, as this depends on the amount of coffee used for each cup.

[0017] Finally, it should be noted that, in one embodiment, the hoppers have, at their top, an optionally attachable, preferably removable, attachment to expand the volume of coffee that each of said hoppers can hold. This attachment may be included or not, as appropriate in each case or depending on the expected consumption and / or the space available in the establishment where the coffee maker is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises three hoppers made up of respective containers suitable for a quantity of coffee beans corresponding to twelve doses, and for up to twenty doses if the aforementioned capacity expansion attachment is included.

[0018] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a drawing is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic elevational view of an example of the dosing accessory for coffee machines, object of the invention, showing its general configuration and main parts; Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of the example of the dosing accessory according to the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic side elevational view of the example of the dosing accessory of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the dosed pouring mechanisms incorporated in the accessory under each hopper; Figure 5 shows an enlarged schematic view of one of the dosed pouring mechanisms incorporated in the hoppers of the accessory, showing the parts and elements it comprises in greater detail; Figure 6.- Shows a schematic perspective view of one of the accessory's hoppers, in this case represented with the dosed pouring mechanism without including the dose volume regulating piston barrel or the drive control; and Figure 7.- Shows an enlarged schematic view of the dosed pouring mechanism drum, showing the rotating double wall and the regulating piston it comprises.

[0021] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one can observe in them a non-limiting embodiment of the dosing accessory for coffee machines of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0023] Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the dosing accessory (1) of the invention essentially comprises two or more independent hoppers (2) suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) being provided with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), the actuation of which causes the pouring of a certain quantity of coffee into a lower channel (4) common to all the hoppers (2) into which said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) flow and which, in turn, is suitable for coupling to the receptacle that grinds the coffee beans of the automatic coffee machine (not shown) for which it is intended and into which the accessory (1) is incorporated, preferably by means of a coupling platform (5).

[0024] Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) provided by each hopper (2) is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose of the aforementioned determined quantity of coffee, it pours a half dose, in order to be able to pour into the common lower channel (4) a mixture of two half doses from two different hoppers (2) with two different types or varieties of coffee. In addition or alternatively, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) provided by each hopper (2) is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that the dose of coffee poured is greater or lesser, at least between two pre-established volumes, in order to be able to choose between making a more intense or less intense type of coffee.

[0025] Preferably, said dosed pouring mechanism (3) is manually operated by means of a drive control (30), preferably in the form of a wing nut. Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) comprises a rotating drum (31), by means of the drive control (30) to which it is linked, which is incorporated in the lower end or neck (20) of the hopper (2) to which it is coupled and which comprises a double interior wall (32) and an outlet window (33), such that by placing the window (33) at the top, the coffee falls into the drum (31) with a determined capacity and, by turning the drive control (30), said window is located internally and the contents of the drum (31) fall by gravity to the lower channel (4).

[0026] And, preferably, when the dosed pouring mechanism (3) is adjustable, the drum (31) comprises inside a piston (34) that, through a plunger (35) linked to an external sleeve (36) where the drive control (30) is inserted, can be moved longitudinally to increase or reduce the capacity of said interior space of the drum (31) so that the dose poured is greater or lesser, as seen in figures 5 to 7. In addition, said plunger (35) is provided with a tab (37), which emerges through a slot (38) so that it is visible externally to the external sleeve (36), which marks the position of the piston (34) so ​​that the user can know if the dose to be poured is greater or lesser.

[0027] In any case, preferably, in order to be able to carry out the longitudinal movement of the piston (34) by pulling and pushing the external sleeve (36), it has a locking and unlocking system (39) formed, preferably, by two retractable side stops which, when pressed, stop blocking the movement of the plunger (35) to which the piston (34) is integrally connected in order to be able to move it.

[0028] On the other hand, preferably, each of the hoppers (2), formed in a known manner by a container with a hollow main body (21) with walls having a truncated cone or inverted truncated pyramid configuration that facilitates the fall by gravity of the contents towards the lower neck (20) of the hopper (2), comprises, in the upper part of said main body (21), an annex (22) that can be removed and incorporated at will, to expand the volume of coffee capacity that it can contain, as shown in the example in Figure 6. Furthermore, preferably, said annex (22) has a configuration of vertical walls, such that the upper closing lid (23) fits over the hopper (2) with and without said annex (22) incorporated. In any case, preferably, each hopper (2) comprises a space (24) suitable for including a distinctive label with the name of the type of coffee it contains.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the accessory comprises three hoppers (2) with three adjustable dosed coffee pouring mechanisms (3).

[0030] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, applicable for its incorporation as an accessory in an automatic coffee machine for coffee beans to dose a specific quantity of coffee beans to be ground prior to the process of obtaining the coffee in said coffee machine, is characterized by comprising two or more independent hoppers (2), suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) provided with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), whose operation causes the pouring of a certain quantity of coffee, in a lower channel (4) common to all the hoppers (2) into which said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) flow and which, in turn, is suitable for coupling to the receptacle that grinds the coffee beans of the automatic coffee machine in which the accessory (1) is incorporated. 2.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) that each hopper (2) has is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose of the aforementioned determined quantity of coffee, it pours a half dose and / or that the dose of coffee poured is greater or lesser, at least between two pre-established volumes. 3.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) is manually operated through a drive control (30). 4.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 3, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) comprises a rotating drum (31), through the drive control (30) to which it is linked, which is incorporated in the lower end or neck (20) of the hopper (2) to which it is coupled and which comprises a double inner wall (32) and an outlet window (33). 5.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 2 and 4, characterized in that the drum (31) comprises inside a piston (34) that, through a plunger (35) connected to an external sleeve (36) where the drive control (30) is inserted, moves longitudinally to increase or reduce the capacity of said interior space of the drum (31). 6.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 5, characterized in that said plunger (35) is provided with an externally visible tab (37) that marks the position of the piston (34) so ​​that the user can know if the dose to be poured is greater or lesser. 7.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the longitudinal movement of the piston (34) has a locking and unlocking system (39). 8.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each of the hoppers (2) comprises, in the upper part of its main body (21), an annex (22) that can be removed and incorporated at will, to increase the volume of coffee capacity that it can contain.

Images