Filtering device

Abstract

A filtering device (10) suitable to filter a fluid and retain any particles present therein, comprising a housing (11) provided with a first inlet aperture (12) and a second outlet aperture (13) for the fluid, and a filtering assembly (15) installed in said housing (11) and configured mobile between at least a first and a second operating condition.

Description

[0001] FILTERING DEVICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns a filtering device suitable to retain any particles present in a fluid, and designed so that it can undergo maintenance and cleaning rapidly in order to remove the retained particles. The filtering device, or filter, is in particular suitable for use in machines for preparing coffee by infusion in order to selectively remove fats and residues from an infused beverage.

[0004] The invention also concerns a machine for preparing coffee beverages that integrates such filtering device, and a corresponding operating method.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Automatic machines for preparing American coffee, also known as “drip” coffee, are known, comprising a water tank, a boiler and an infusion chamber in which a dose of coffee powder is disposed. The machines also comprise a filtering device located downstream of the infusion chamber in order to carry out a “postfiltering” of the beverage before its delivery.

[0007] The term “automatic machines” indicates machines for preparing coffee in which the loading of the powder dose into the infusion chamber, the feed of water thereon and the subsequent removal of the exhausted coffee powder from the infusion chamber are carried out automatically, without any user intervention whatsoever.

[0008] Known filtering devices have holes with sizes of a few tenths of a millimeter which, while allowing to filter residual particles from the beverage, are not suitable to effectively remove the fat content present in the beverage, as instead is the case when preparing “drip” coffee with traditional domestic machines.

[0009] Metal filters with holes with a diameter comprised between approximately 40 and 60 microns, or paper filters with holes of 20 microns in diameter are generally used in these machines. The filtering is aimed at reducing the deposit of residues and fats contained in the beverage, since these aspects determine the level of quality of the beverage perceived by consumers.

[0010] This is possible because the filters, in traditional machines, are cleaned or replaced manually for each beverage preparation.

[0011] In automatic machines reducing the size of the holes could lead to risks of obstruction with a consequent increase in maintenance interventions.

[0012] To at least partly solve these problems, solutions of machines for preparing coffee beverages configured to use interchangeable filters are known.

[0013] These solutions, however, are difficult to apply in a domestic context. In fact, they require the commitment of consumers to procure and to provide the machine with the filter suitable for the type of coffee to prepare.

[0014] The presence of the filtering devices for automatic machines aimed at preparing “drip” coffee, moreover, has drawbacks if Espresso type coffee beverages, for which a higher water pressure is required than for machines for preparing “drip” coffee, are also to be prepared.

[0015] Machines of this type provide to use so-called cream frother valves, which give the beverage a characteristic creamy consistency that has to be preserved at least during the delivery of the beverage into a suitable receptacle; any filtering devices located downstream of the frother valve or of the infusion chamber could ruin the beverage.

[0016] Document CN 214 050 619 U describes a filtering device suitable to be used in wastewater treatment plants, comprising a filtering assembly that rotates to assume a first and a second operating condition inside a housing; in both operating conditions, however, the filtering assembly interferes, albeit differently, with the fluid in transit.

[0017] Document CN 115414721 U also describes a filtering device suitable to be used in wastewater treatment plants.

[0018] WO 2014 / 119 414 Al describes a known machine for preparing coffee beverages. There is therefore the need to perfect a device for filtering a fluid that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0019] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a filtering device suitable to be used in different modalities.

[0020] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a filtering device that can undergo maintenance and cleaning without needing to remove it from the circuit in which it is installed.

[0021] Another purpose is to provide a filtering device that allows to eliminate the particles and residues retained therein in a simple and substantially automatic manner, and therefore does not need replacing, as occurs in known solutions.

[0022] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for preparing coffee beverages that is easy to clean and suitable to prepare both a “drip” type coffee and also an “Espresso” type coffee. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0025] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a device for filtering a fluid, according to the present invention, in order to retain particles present therein comprises a housing provided with a first inlet aperture and at least a second outlet aperture for the fluid, and a filtering assembly installed in the housing and configured mobile between at least a first and a second operating condition.

[0026] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the filtering assembly is configured to assume at least the first operating condition in which it is disposed transversely with respect to a direction of advance of the fluid between the first and second aperture, in such a way that a fluid in transit in the direction of advance passes through it, and to assume the second operating condition in which it is external to, and does not interfere with, a path of the fluid in the direction of advance and the fluid in transit does not pass through it, nor does it interfere with the fluid in any way whatsoever.

[0027] This configuration of the filtering device allows to temporarily create a bypass channel between the first and second aperture inside the housing itself, which passes externally to the filtering assembly, which therefore does not interfere with the fluid in transit.

[0028] This configuration makes the filtering device suitable to be used in automatic machines for both “drip” type and also “Espresso” type coffee beverages, guaranteeing optimal preparation of both types of beverages. In fact, for “drip” type coffee beverages, it is guaranteed that they are appropriately filtered to counteract the presence of residues and fats in the beverage, while “Espresso” type coffee beverages can pass through the temporary bypass channel, maintaining their creaminess. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, during use the first and second aperture are disposed in correspondence with respective upper and lower portions of the housing, so that the direction of advance is substantially vertical.

[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in the first operating condition the filtering assembly is disposed parallel to a horizontal median plane of the filtering device, and in the second operating condition it is disposed on a vertical central plane parallel to and spaced apart from the path of the fluid.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the filtering assembly is configured to assume a third operating condition, different from the first and second operating condition and overturned with respect to the first operating condition, in which it is disposed transversely to the direction of advance of the fluid between the first and second aperture, and a fluid in transit in the direction of advance can pass through it.

[0031] In particular, in the third operating configuration the fluid passes through the filtering assembly in the opposite direction to the first operating configuration. This guarantees that it is possible to clean the filtering element effectively, removing any particles and residues that have been retained by it, and making them exit through the second aperture.

[0032] This solution allows to keep the filtering device clean and, if it is applied in a machine for preparing beverages, it allows to guarantee a good operating state of the machine, as well as the quality of the coffee beverage prepared.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the filtering device can include at least one drive element connected to the filtering assembly and configured to take the filtering assembly selectively at least into the first and second operating condition as above. Always according to some embodiments, the drive element can be configured to selectively give the filtering assembly the third operating condition as above.

[0034] Depending on the use and application of the filtering device, the drive element can be driven manually or be directly or indirectly connected to a motorized actuator member.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the filtering assembly comprises at least one support member configured to support the filtering element whereby it is mobile inside the housing. The support member, the filtering element and the drive element are advantageously connected and assembled to each other so as to form a filtering assembly which can be moved as a single body by means of the drive element.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the filtering assembly is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation. According to some embodiments, the housing defines a substantially spherical shaped compartment, and the filtering element has a discoidal shape suitable to rotate inside the compartment around the axis of rotation which, in this case, is disposed through a median plane of the compartment.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second aperture are disposed coaxial and offset with respect to a central vertical plane of the housing, so that in the second operating condition the filtering element can align with this vertical plane without interfering with the fluid in transit between the two apertures.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second aperture are spaced apart with respect to the vertical central plane, by a distance substantially corresponding to at least half of a thickness of the filtering assembly defined between a first and a second side. In this way, in the second operating condition the filtering assembly is completely external to the path of the fluid.

[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second aperture have a section much smaller than the section of the housing, in particular 10% smaller than the section of the housing, and preferably 5% smaller, and even more preferably approximately 1%.

[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second aperture have a diameter, or equivalent diameter, comprised between about 5% and 20% of the diameter, or equivalent diameter, of the housing, preferably comprised between

[0041] 5% and 15%, for example about 10%.

[0042] The present invention also concerns a machine for preparing coffee beverages comprising an infusion unit configured to obtain a coffee beverage chosen from a “drip” type coffee or an “Espresso” type coffee through infusion of a powdered substance, a filtering device disposed downstream of the infusion chamber and a control unit configured to receive an indication regarding the type of beverage to prepare and to command the drive of the filtering device so that the latter selectively assumes the first or the second operating condition, as a function of the type of beverage to prepare.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to control the drive of the filtering device so that it assumes a third operating condition to perform a cleaning of the filtering element.

[0044] The present invention also concerns a method of operation of a machine for preparing coffee beverages comprising an infusion unit configured to obtain a coffee beverage chosen from a “drip” type coffee or an “Espresso” type coffee through infusion of a powdered substance, a filtering device according to the invention disposed downstream of the infusion chamber, in which it is provided to:

[0045] - receive an indication regarding the type of coffee beverage to prepare;

[0046] - introduce a dose of coffee powder into a chamber of the infusion unit;

[0047] - deliver a quantity of water toward the infusion chamber;

[0048] - command the drive of the filtering device so that it selectively assumes a first operating condition when a “drip” type coffee is indicated so that the beverage passes through the filtering assembly, and a second operating condition when an “Espresso” type coffee is indicated so that the beverage passes externally to the filtering assembly.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the method also provides to command the filtering device so that it assumes a third operating condition, overturned with respect to the first operating condition, and to deliver a desired quantity of water toward the infusion chamber and the filtering device so as to make it pass through the filtering assembly and perform a cleaning of the filtering assembly.

[0050] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restr ictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0052] - fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filtering device in accordance with the present invention;

[0053] - fig. 2 is an exploded view of the filtering device of fig. 1;

[0054] - fig. 3 is an exploded view of the filtering assembly of the filtering device of fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention;

[0055] - figs, from 4 to 6 are schematic section views of the filtering device according to the invention, in different operating conditions;

[0056] - fig. 7 is a schematic lateral view of a machine for preparing beverages in accordance with the present invention;

[0057] - figs, from 8 to 10 are schematic lateral views of the machine of fig. 7, depicted in different operating conditions.

[0058] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0059] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0060] With reference to fig. 1, a filtering device 10 according to the present invention is described, which is suitable to be selectively driven so as to filter a fluid while it transits therein and retain any particles or solid residues present therein, or allow the transit of the fluid without subjecting it to any type of filtration.

[0061] This filtering device 10 can be used to filter both gaseous and liquid fluids.

[0062] The filtering device 10 comprises a housing 11 provided with a first inlet aperture 12 and a second outlet aperture 13 for the fluid.

[0063] The housing 11 is internally hollow and defines a compartment 14 on the walls of which the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are provided.

[0064] Preferably, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are made on opposite sides of the housing 11 with respect to a median plane Pl, and during use the fluid flows in a direction of advance D from the first 12 to the second aperture 13 passing through the median plane Pl. According to some embodiments, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are disposed offset with respect to a vertical central plane P2 of the housing 11 , on a same side of the vertical central plane P2.

[0065] According to other embodiments, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are coaxial to each other.

[0066] Preferably, during use, in particular in the case of a liquid fluid, the filtering device 10 is disposed with the median plane Pl lying on a horizontal plane, so that the fluid flows by gravity from the first 12 to the second aperture 13.

[0067] According to this embodiment, during use the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are disposed in correspondence with respective upper and lower portions of the housing 11.

[0068] The first 12 and the second aperture 13 can have substantially the same sizes.

[0069] Preferably, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 have a much smaller section than the section of the housing 11, in particular 10% smaller than the section of the housing 11 and preferably 5% smaller, and even more preferably approximately 1%.

[0070] For example, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 can have a diameter, or equivalent diameter, comprised between about 5% and 20% of the diameter, or equivalent diameter, of the housing 11 , preferably comprised between 5% and 15%, for example about 10%.

[0071] The filtering device 10 comprises a filtering assembly 15 disposed mobile inside the compartment 14.

[0072] According to some embodiments, a third aperture 16 can also be present, facing in the same direction as the first aperture 12 and having the function of allowing the fluid to exit the housing 11 in the event that the filtering assembly 15 or the second aperture 13 is obstructed.

[0073] According to some embodiments, the third aperture 16 can also be provided in an upper portion of the housing 11, as the first aperture 12, and preferably disposed symmetrical with respect thereto with respect to the vertical central plane P2. The third aperture 16 can have substantially the same sizes as the first 12 and the second aperture 13.

[0074] The first 12, the second 13 and the third aperture 16 can be associated with respective conduits 21, 22, 23 connectable, during use, to respective circuits for feeding the fluid.

[0075] The filtering assembly 15 can comprise at least one filtering element 17, preferably of the mesh type, or perforated, with meshes or holes having sizes smaller than 0.22 mm, even more preferably comprised between 0.01 to 0.20 mm. The filtering assembly 15 is configured to assume at least a first operating condition (fig. 4), in which it is disposed transversely to the path of the fluid in the direction of advance D so that the fluid in transit passes through it, and a second operating condition (fig. 6), in which it is external to the path of the fluid and does not interfere with it. In particular, in the second operating condition, as shown in fig. 6, the filtering assembly 15 is spaced apart from the path of the fluid in the direction of advance D and is substantially parallel thereto.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the first 12 and the second aperture 13 are spaced apart from the vertical central plane P2 by a distance substantially corresponding to at least half of a thickness of the filtering assembly 15 defined between a first 18 and a second side 19. In this way, in the second operating condition the filtering assembly 15 is completely external to the path of the fluid.

[0077] The filtering assembly 15 can be configured to also assume a third operating condition (fig. 6), in which it is disposed transversely to the direction of advance D. This third operating condition is different from the first operating condition and is preferably overturned with respect thereto.

[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing 11, or at least the compartment 14, has a substantially spherical shape and the filtering assembly 15 has a discoidal shape suitable to rotate inside the compartment 14 with respect to an axis of rotation X, in order to pass from the first to the second and / or the third operating condition.

[0079] According to some embodiments, the axis of rotation X lies on the median plane Pl.

[0080] In accordance with some embodiments, the filtering assembly 15 can have a geometric lying plane P3, for example defined by the plane of the filtering element 17.

[0081] In the first operating condition (fig. 4), the filtering assembly 15 can be disposed with the geometric lying plane P3 substantially parallel to the median plane P 1 and transverse with respect to the direction of advance D, with a first side 18 facing the first aperture 12 and a second side 19 facing the second aperture 13.

[0082] In the second operating condition (fig. 5), the filtering assembly 15 can be disposed with the geometric lying plane P3 substantially parallel with respect to the direction of advance of the beverage and transverse to the median plane Pl.

[0083] The second operating condition can be rotated by 90° with respect to the first operating condition.

[0084] In the third operating condition (fig. 6), the filtering assembly 15 can be disposed substantially overturned with respect to the first position, that is, with the geometric lying plane P3 substantially parallel to the median plane P 1 but with the first side 18 facing the second aperture 13 and the second side 19 facing the first aperture 12. The third operating condition can be rotated by 180° with respect to the first operating condition.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the filtering device 10 can include at least one drive element 20 connected to the filtering assembly 15 and configured to selectively take the latter into the first, second and possibly third operating condition. The drive element 20 is disposed passing through a hole 24 of the housing 11 so as to be driven externally thereto, manually or by means of a drive member. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment in which the housing 11 is formed by a first 25 and a second half-shell 26, which are connected to each other substantially in correspondence with the median plane Pl by means of attachment elements 27 of a known type, in this case screws.

[0086] According to possible embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 3, the filtering assembly 15 comprises at least one support member 28 configured to support the filtering element 17 in a mobile manner inside the compartment 14 of the housing 11.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the drive element 20 is connected to, or made integrally with, the support member 28. According to possible solutions, the support member 28 can include a first flange 29 and a second flange 30 which are disposed on one side and on the other of the filtering element 17, which can be connected to each other by means of known attachment elements 31, for example screws. The flanges 29, 30 have apertures 33 for the passage of the fluid.

[0088] The filtering assembly 15 can comprise at least one sealing element 32, for example an O-ring, associated with the support member 28 and configured to cooperate with the internal walls of the compartment 14. If there are two flanges 29, 30, a sealing element 32 associated with each one of them can be provided, possibly inserted in special grooves 34.

[0089] The support member 28, the fdtering element 17 and the drive element 20 are advantageously connected and assembled to each other, for example by means of attachment members 35 such as screws or suchlike, so as to form a single body. The method of operation of the filtering device 10 provides to feed a fluid in the direction of advance D and selectively position the filtering assembly 15 in the first operating condition to make the fluid pass through the filtering element 17 so as to retain any particles or residues present therein, or in the second operating condition so as not to interfere with the passage of the fluid. The method of operation also provides to take the filtering assembly 15 into the third operating condition and feed a fluid in the direction of advance D so as to make it pass through the filtering element 17 and remove the particles and residues accumulated thereon.

[0090] The filtering device 10 can be applied in different types of circuits, for example along a circuit for feeding a fluid in a machine for preparing coffee, and in general in applications in which there is a need for the filtering device 10 to be temporarily inhibited, that is, for it to allow the passage of the fluid without interfering with it, and possibly frequent maintenance is required.

[0091] Fig. 7 shows a machine 100 for preparing beverages according to the present invention, comprising an infusion unit 101 provided with an infusion chamber 102 provided with an inlet 103 and an outlet 104 connected to an inlet circuit 105 and to an outlet circuit 106, respectively. The outlet circuit 106 is in turn connected to a delivery unit 107 provided with a nozzle 108 through which the beverage is delivered into a suitable receptacle 120. A feed pump 109, connected to a water tank (not shown) and a heating device 110, for example a boiler provided with heating means comprising one or more electrical resistors, can be provided along the inlet circuit 105.

[0092] The infusion unit 101 is configured to prepare both a “drip” type and also an “Espresso” type coffee beverage by infusion of a powdered substance that is disposed in the infusion chamber 102.

[0093] The outlet circuit 106 can comprise a first and a second branch 111, 112, which branch out from the outlet circuit 106 and come together upstream of the delivery unit 107.

[0094] A cream frother valve 113 having the function of generating the creaminess typical of “Espresso” type coffee can be disposed along the first branch 111, while the second branch 112 can be configured to allow the transit of a “drip” type coffee beverage. A solenoid valve 114 can be provided along the second branch 112, able to be selectively commanded in order to open and close the second branch 112 to allow, or prevent, the transit of the beverage therethrough.

[0095] The filtering device 10 can be installed along the outlet circuit 106 upstream of the delivery unit 107 and downstream of the branches 111, 112. The machine 100 also comprises a control unit 115 configured to receive an indication regarding the type of beverage to prepare and to command the drive of the filtering device 10 so that it selectively assumes the first or the second operating condition, as a function of the type of beverage to prepare.

[0096] In this case, the filtering device 10 can be connected to a drive member 117 by means of the drive element 20, and the control unit 115 can directly command the drive member 117 to take the filtering assembly 15 into the desired operating condition.

[0097] The machine 100 can comprise one or more detection devices 118, for example realized as microswitches or other presence sensors suitable to detect the operating condition of the filtering assembly 15 and communicate it to the control unit 115.

[0098] The machine 10 can comprise a user interface 116 through which a user can select the type of beverage to prepare, possibly indicating characteristics such as taste, quantity, or other.

[0099] According to some embodiments (fig. 8), when the control unit 115 receives the indication to prepare a “drip” type coffee, it commands the drive of the filtering device 10 so that the filtering assembly 15 assumes the first operating condition and the beverage therefore passes through the filtering element 17 before being delivered. In this case, the control unit 115 can also command the opening of the solenoid valve 114 before proceeding with feeding the water for the infusion of the coffee powder. If a “drip” type coffee is being prepared, since the powder in the infusion chamber 102 is not compressed, the water is fed with a pressure lower than that necessary to open the cream frother valve 113, whereby the beverage passes through the second branch 112.

[0100] According to some embodiments (fig. 9), when the control unit 115 receives the indication to prepare an “Espresso” type coffee, it commands the drive of the filtering device 10 so that the filtering assembly 15 assumes the second operating condition and the beverage passes through the temporary bypass channel and is not filtered.

[0101] In this case, the control unit 115 can also command the closure of the solenoid valve 114 before proceeding with feeding the water for the infusion of the coffee powder. If an “Espresso” type coffee is being prepared, the powder in the infusion chamber 102 is compressed, and the water is fed with a pressure sufficient to open the cream frother valve 113, whereby the beverage passes through the first branch 111.

[0102] The control unit 115 can also command the filtering device 10 so that the filtering assembly 15 assumes the third operating condition (fig. 10), and subsequently command the water feed so as to remove from the filtering element

[0103] 17 any particles or residues previously accumulated thereon.

[0104] The water for washing the filtering device 10 can advantageously be made to pass through the second branch 112, by keeping the solenoid valve 114 open, although it is not excluded that it can be made to pass through the first branch 111 in the event that the pump 109 is able to supply sufficient pressure to open the cream frother valve 113.

[0105] The method of operation of the machine 100 for preparing coffee beverages provides to:

[0106] - receive an indication regarding the type of coffee beverage to prepare, chosen between a “drip” type coffee and an “Espresso” type coffee;

[0107] - introduce a desired dose of coffee powder into the chamber 102 of the infusion unit 101;

[0108] - deliver a desired quantity of water toward the infusion chamber 102 to obtain the desired beverage;

[0109] - command the drive of the filtering device 10 so that it selectively assumes the first operating condition when a “drip” type coffee is indicated, so that the beverage passes through the filtering assembly 15, and the second operating condition when an “Espresso” type coffee is indicated, so that the beverage passes externally to the filtering assembly 15.

[0110] Preferably, the quantity of coffee powder in the dose and the quantity of water for preparing the beverage are defined in a manner coherent with the type of beverage selected, and possibly the characteristics relating to taste, quantity or other of the beverage that the user can select.

[0111] According to some embodiments, the method of operation of the machine 100 provides to command the filtering device 10 so that it assumes a third operating condition, overturned with respect to the first operating condition, and to deliver a desired quantity of water toward the infusion chamber 102 and the filtering device 10 so as to make the water pass through the filtering assembly 15 and remove any particles and residues previously accumulated thereon.

[0112] According to some embodiments, the method of operation of the machine 100 can provide to rotate the filtering device 10 into the third operating condition and carry out its cleaning when it receives a certain command through the user interface 116.

[0113] According to other embodiments, the method of operation of the machine 100 can provide to rotate the filtering device 10 into the third operating condition and carry out its cleaning according to time intervals which are set and defined by the control unit 115.

[0114] For example, the control unit 115 can be configured to initiate the cleaning of the filtering device 10 with a predefined frequency, for example daily, weekly, monthly, or at different time intervals, or ones settable by a user.

[0115] The control unit 115 can also be configured to initiate the cleaning of the filtering device 10 after the preparation of a certain number of beverages, in particular of “drip” type coffees.

[0116] The cleaning initiation can be of the automatic type, that is, it can be carried out directly by the control unit 115 independently, or it can be provided to receive a confirmation from the user before carrying out the cleaning. It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the filtering device 10, to the machine 100 for preparing beverages and to the corresponding methods of operation as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of filtering device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Filtering device (10) suitable to filter a fluid and retain any particles present therein, comprising a housing (11) provided with a first inlet aperture (12) and a second outlet aperture (13) for the fluid, in which a filtering assembly (15) is installed, characterized in that said filtering assembly (15) is configured to assume a first operating condition, in which it is disposed transversely with respect to a direction of advance (D) of the fluid between said first and second aperture (12, 13) in such a way that the fluid in transit passes through it, and at least a second operating condition in which it is external to a path of the fluid in said direction of advance (D) and does not interfere with the fluid in transit.

2. Filtering device (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that during use said first and second aperture (12, 13) are disposed in correspondence with respective upper and lower portions of said housing (11).

3. Filtering device (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said filtering assembly (15) in said first operating condition is disposed parallel to a horizontal median plane (Pl) of said filtering device (10) and in said second operating condition is disposed on a vertical central plane (P2) parallel to and spaced apart from said path of the fluid.

4. Filtering device (10) as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that said filtering assembly (15) is configured to assume a third operating condition, different from said first and second operating condition and overturned with respect to said first operating condition, in which it is disposed transversely to said direction of advance (D) and it is able to be passed through by said fluid in transit between said first and second aperture (12, 13).

5. Filtering device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a drive element (20) connected to said filtering assembly (15) and configured to take the latter selectively into said first, second and possibly third operating condition, wherein said drive element (20) is disposed passing through said housing (11) and it can be driven externally thereto, manually or by means of a drive member.

6. Filtering device (10) as in claim 5, characterized in that said filtering assembly (15) comprises at least one support member (28) configured to support said filtering element (17), which support member (28) being connected to, or madeintegrally with, said drive element (20).

7. Filtering device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said housing (11) comprises a compartment (14) which has a substantially spherical shape and said filtering assembly (15) has a discoidal shape suitable to rotate inside said compartment (14) with respect to an axis of rotation (X).

8. Filtering device (10) as in claims 4 and 7, characterized in that in said second operating condition said filtering assembly (15) is rotated by 90° with respect to said first operating condition around said axis of rotation (X) and in said third operating condition it is rotated by 180°.

9. Filtering device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said first and second aperture (12, 13) are disposed offset on a same side with respect to a central vertical plane (P2) of said housing (11) and said path of the fluid in said direction of advance (D) is parallel to said central vertical plane (P2).

10. F iltering device ( 10) as in one or other of the previous claims, characterized in that said housing (11) is provided with a third aperture (16), facing in the same direction as said first aperture (12), configured to allow the fluid to exit from the housing (11) in the event that said filtering assembly (15) or said second aperture (13) are obstructed.

11. Filtering device (10) as in one or other of the previous claims, characterized in that said apertures (12, 13, 16) have a section 10% smaller than the section of the housing (11).

12. Machine (100) for preparing coffee beverages comprising an infusion unit (101) having an infusion chamber (102) connected to respective inlet (105) and outlet circuits (106) and configured to prepare a beverage both of the “drip” type coffee and also of the “Espresso” type coffee through infusion of a powdered substance, a filtering device (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims 1-11 disposed along said outlet circuit (106) and a control unit (115) configured to receive an indication regarding the type of beverage to prepare and to command the drive of said filtering device (10) to make said filtering assembly (15) selectively assume said first or said second operating condition as a function of said type of beverage to prepare.

13. Machine (100) as in claim 12, characterized in that said control unit (115)is configured to control the drive of said filtering device (10) in order to make said filtering assembly (15) assume a third operating condition, different from said first and second operating condition, to perform a cleaning of a filtering element (17) of said filtering assembly (15).

14. Machine ( 100) as in claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that it comprises a first and a second branch (111, 1 12), branching out from said outlet circuit (106) and coming together upstream of a delivery unit ( 107) of the beverage, wherein a cream frother valve (113) is disposed along said first branch (111) and a solenoid valve (1 14) is disposed along said second branch (112), which is selectively commandable to open and close said second branch (112).

15. Method of operation of a machine (100) for preparing coffee beverages which:- receives an indication regarding a type of coffee beverage to prepare chosen between “drip” and “Espresso”; - introduces a coherent dose of coffee powder into a chamber (102) of an infusion unit (101);- delivers a coherent quantity of water toward said infusion chamber (102);- commands the drive of a filtering device (10) as in any claim from 1 to 11, disposed along an outlet circuit (106) downstream of said infusion chamber (102) to cause said filtering assembly (15) to assume said first operating condition when a “drip” type coffee is indicated so that the beverage passes through said filtering assembly (15) so as to retain any particles or residues present therein, and said second operating condition when an “Espresso” type coffee is indicated so that said beverage passes externally to said filtering assembly (15).

16. Operating method as in claim 15, characterized in that it provides to command said filtering device (10) to make said filtering assembly (15) assume a third operating condition, overturned with respect to said first operating condition, and to deliver a desired quantity of water toward said infusion chamber (102) and said filtering device (10) so as to make it pass through said filtering assembly (15) and remove any particles and residues previously accumulated thereon.

17. Operating method as in claim 16, characterized in that it provides to take said filtering device (10) into the third operating condition and perform the cleaning when a certain command is received through a user interface (116) oraccording to time intervals set or defined by a control unit (115).

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