Apparatus for preparing a coffee product

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing a coffee product comprises an apparatus housing (10) with an internal apparatus space, in which at least a control device, a grinding device for coffee beans and a preparation device for the coffee product are accommodated. The apparatus housing is provided with at least a bean reservoir (11) with a chamber (110) for containing a supply of coffee beans for the coffee product for preparing. The bean reservoir is provided with a dispenser (115) in open communication with an inlet of the grinding device and comprises an adjusting device (120) with a handle (122) whereby the adjusting device can be manipulated between a release position, in which a closing member (125) closes the dispenser (115) and the reservoir is removable by the handle (122), and an operative position in which the closing member (125) leaves the dispenser (115) clear. The adjusting device (120) further comprises a finger barrier (127, 129) which screens the dispenser (115) from direct contact with the grinding device, at least following manipulation of the adjusting device (120) from the release position to the operative position.

Description

[0001] Apparatus for preparing a coffee product

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a coffee product, comprising an apparatus housing with an internal apparatus space, in which at least a control device, a grinding device for coffee beans and a preparation device for the coffee product are accommodated, which apparatus housing is provided with at least a bean reservoir with a chamber for containing a supply of coffee beans for the coffee product for preparing, wherein the bean reservoir comprises a dispenser, in open communication with an inlet of the grinding device, and wherein the bean reservoir comprises an adjusting device with a handle whereby the adjusting device can be manipulated between a release position, in which a closing member closes the dispenser, and an operative position in which the closing member leaves the dispenser clear, and wherein the reservoir is releasable from the apparatus housing by means of the handle.

[0003] Such an apparatus is known from International patent application WO 2017 / 105227 of applicant. Described therein is a device for preparing a coffee product wherein the bean reservoir is removable by a handle. The handle forms part of an adjusting device with a first position in which the bean reservoir is locked in the apparatus housing and a second position in which the bean reservoir can be removed from the apparatus housing. The locked position is an operative position in which a closing member leaves clear a path for coffee beans to run from the reservoir, via the dispenser to the grinding device. This flow path is automatically closed when the handle is manipulated to the release position, so that no coffee beans run out of the reservoir when the bean reservoir is removed.

[0004] Although this provides a particularly practical device which facilitates removal of the bean reservoir, the operative position entails a risk in the open connection to the grinding device.

[0005] The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide an apparatus for preparing a coffee product in which this risk is not present, or is at least present to greatly reduced extent.

[0006] In order to achieve the stated object an apparatus of the type described in the preamble has in a first aspect the feature that the adjusting device comprises a finger barrier which screens the dispenser from direct finger contact with the grinding device by and following manipulation of the adjusting device from the release position to the operative position. The adjusting device thus forms not only a closing member, but also a shielding device in the form of a finger barrier. In the operative position, in which the closing member no longer blocks the dispenser and provides the coffee beans with access to the grinding device, the finger barrier is present in the flow path precisely to prevent or at least counteract a user from coming into contact with the grinding device. Because the finger barrier and the closing member form part of the same adjusting device, it is ensured that the finger barrier to the dispenser is present if the closing member clears the path to the dispenser. This provides additional safety and reduces the risk of injury during use of the apparatus.

[0007] In a particularly practical embodiment the apparatus according to the invention is characterized here in that the adjusting device comprises a pivot arm which is pivotable in the bean reservoir about a pivot axis, which pivot arm provides on a first side of the pivot axis the handle and comprises on an opposite side of the pivot axis the closing member, wherein the finger barrier comprises at least one barrier body which extends proximally from the closing member of the pivot arm and extends above the dispenser. The finger barrier thus forms part of the same pivot arm that also carries the closing member, so that during an adjustment of the closing memberto the operative position the finger barrier will always lie in line with the dispenser thereabove in order to block the path thereto at least partially and so screen the grinding device from direct finger contact.

[0008] The finger barrier can per se be embodied in various ways. It is important that the coffee beans are not impeded thereby in running freely from the bean reservoir. In this respect a particular embodiment of the apparatus has the feature according to the invention that the at least one barrier body comprises at least a first barrier body and a second barrier body which extend from opposite sides over a part of a section of the dispenser and are arranged at different distances from the pivot axis. The two barrier bodies thus lie at a mutual distance, particularly at a distance which allows coffee beans to run freely therebetween so that an active section thereof in the dispenser can remain limited per barrier but a reliable finger protection is nevertheless provided. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus has in this respect the feature that the first barrier body and the second barrier body overlap each other.

[0009] In order also to allow for the use of ground coffee when using the apparatus, the apparatus housing of the known apparatus provides alongside the bean reservoir a shaft which debouches directly into the preparation device. The grinding device is thus bypassed. The shaft also provides an option for introducing for instance a cleaning tablet or liquid into the preparation device. A drawback is however that the inlet of the shaft takes up additional space in the top of the apparatus, and that this increases a complexity of the apparatus housing.

[0010] In order to obviate this drawback, among others, to at least significant extent an apparatus of the type described in the preamble has in a second aspect the feature according to the invention that the bean reservoir comprises a shaft which is separated from the chamber and which has an outlet adjacently of the dispenser of the chamber, which dispenser is in open communication with a channel in the apparatus housing which runs along the grinding device to the preparation device. The removable bean reservoir thus also provides a bypass for the grinding device in the form of a shaft provided therein. The apparatus housing requires no additional external access for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus is characterized here in that the shaft and the bean reservoir form one whole. The shaft can thus be realized together with the bean reservoir, for instance by thermoforming from a suitable thermoplastic plastic.

[0011] In orderto keep an inlet of the shaft accessible a further particular embodiment of the apparatus has the feature according to the invention that the cover comprises at the position of the shaft a recess which makes an inlet to the shaft accessible. The inlet of the shaft thus remains accessible despite the cover, while the bean reservoir around the shaft is covered by the cover. The shaft hereby always remains accessible to pre-ground coffee powder, while a cleaning agent which is intended to be introduced via the shaft is also prevented from mistakenly finding its way into the bean reservoir.

[0012] In order to prevent coffee beans from finding their way into the shaft as well during filling of the bean reservoir a further preferred embodiment of the apparatus has the feature according to the invention that the inlet is closable, particularly by means of a displaceable slide or a tiltable flap.

[0013] In a further embodiment the apparatus is characterized according to the invention in that the cover is provided with locking means whereby the cover is lockable onto the bean reservoir. The bean reservoir can thus be closed and locked, if desired, in order to prevent unauthorized removal of coffee beans therefrom.

[0014] The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for preparing a coffee product according to the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a bean reservoir of the apparatus of figure 1;

[0016] Figure 2A is a detail of a locking of the bean reservoir shown in figure 2;

[0017] Figure 3 is a top view of the bean reservoir of the apparatus of figure 1;

[0018] Figure 4 is a cross-section of the bean reservoir of figure 2 in an operative position;

[0019] Figure 5 is a cross-section of the bean reservoir of figure 2 in a release position;

[0020] Figure 6A is a perspective side view of an adjusting device of the bean reservoir of figure 2;

[0021] Figure 6B is a perspective rear view of the adjusting device of figure 6A;

[0022] Figure 7 is an illustration of a finger protection in the bean reservoir of figure 2;

[0023] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the bean reservoir of figure 2 with a suitable closing cover; and

[0024] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the cover of figure 8;

[0025] It is otherwise noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not all drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0026] The device shown in figure 1 comprises an apparatus for preparing a coffee product, such as particularly espresso coffee. The device is based on an apparatus housing 10 of, at least substantially, plastic or sheet steel with therein an apparatus space in which is accommodated a preparation device with which an espresso coffee can be prepared from fresh coffee beans. The preparation device comprises, among other things, a grinding device whereby coffee beans, which are received from a bean reservoir 11, are ground to a finely ground coffee powder and a decoction group with an extraction chamber, in which the freshly ground coffee powder is received and compressed. In order to prepare an espresso coffee hot water is guided through the extraction chamber under increased pressure in order to extract a coffee extract from the compressed powder. For this purpose the apparatus space further comprises a water pump and a hot water provision in the form of an electric boiler or throughflow heater with an electric power supply and a water supply, such as a fixed water connection or a water reservoir.

[0027] One or more further supply reservoirs 12 can optionally be provided, such as here in the top 17 of the housing, in which reservoir is contained for instance sugar, milk powder or cocoa, which may or may not be mixed into the extract. A device with which heated milkor a hot milkfoam is prepared from fresh and optionally cooled milk and is added to the coffee extract to prepare milk-containing coffee products, such as cappuccino, cafe latte, espresso macchiato and milky coffee, can also be provided internally or externally of the apparatus. The preparation process is controlled and monitored wholly by a central control device which is likewise provided in the housing 10. On a front side the apparatus 10 is provided with a dispenser 13 where the thus prepared coffee product can be received. The apparatus housing is provided on a front side with a touch-sensitive image reproduction panel 25, also referred to in short as screen or touchscreen. This panel 25 provides a user interface which enables a user to, among other things, input a desired coffee product. The control device can also display messages to the user thereon. In this example the screen 25 forms part of an apparatus door 20 whereby the apparatus space inside housing 10 can be opened. For this purpose the apparatus door 20 comprises a mounting frame of metal on which the screen 25 is mounted and which connects the apparatus door to the apparatus housing 10 on one side, and which carries a door housing 22 of plastic on the other.

[0028] The apparatus door 20 is adjustable between the closed state, shown in figure 1, in which the apparatus space is at least substantially closed, and an opened position in which at least a part of the apparatus space is made accessible. For this purpose the apparatus door 20 is carried by a guide which carries the apparatus door 20 along a path between the closed state and the opened state, wherein the apparatus door 20 takes up a different level relative to a bottom 16 of apparatus housing 10.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the bean reservoir 11 of the device shown in figure 1. Provided therein is a chamber 110 for containing a supply of coffee beans. The bean reservoir 11 also comprises a shaft 112 which is separated from chamber 110 and whereby pre-ground coffee powder or a cleaning agent can be fed directly to the decoction chamber. For this purpose the shaft opens with an outlet into a channel (not further shown) which is provided in housing 10 and which leads, parallel to the grinding device, directly to the decoction chamber. An inlet 111 of shaft 112 is provided with a cover 113 in which a flap 114 is tiltable. Shaft 112 can be closed thereby, so that coffee beans do not come to lie therein during filling of chamber 110. The shaft 112 can be formed integrally with the bean reservoir 11 in particularly practical manner, for instance by injection moulding from a suitable thermoplastic plastic. In this example use is made for this purpose of a transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate or polyfmethyl methacrylate), so that a current level of filling of the reservoir will always be visible.

[0030] Bean reservoir 11 further comprises an adjusting device 120 with a handle 122.

[0031] Adjusting device 120 can thereby be manipulated between the operative position shown in figure 4, in which the dispenser 115 of the bean reservoir is left clear by a closing member 125, and the release position shown in figure 5, in which a dispenser 115 of the bean reservoir is closed by closing member 125 and the reservoir is removable without loss of coffee beans. In this example closing member 125 and handle 122 form part of a joint pivot arm 120 which is shown separately in figures 6A and 6B. The pivot arm 120 pivots between the two states about a horizontal pivot axis S in the bean reservoir. In order to prevent reservoir 11 from being mistakenly removed in the operative position the pivot arm is provided on both sides with a hook member 130 which pivots along and engages in the operative position behind a shoulder or protrusion in the apparatus housing provided for this purpose, which is shown further in the detail of figure 2A. In order to prevent a user from being able to come into contact with the grinding device in the operative position a finger barrier is provided in dispenser 115. In this example the finger barrier comprises a first barrier body 127 and a second barrier body 129, which extend from a leg of the pivot arm 120 at different heights and overlap each other in projection. The dispenser is thereby inaccessible or at least difficult to access for direct manual access, this providing additional safety, as shown in figure 7.

[0032] Bean reservoir 11 is closable with a cover 140, see also figure 8, which comprises a recess 145 at the position of the inlet 111 of the shaft 112. Owing to the recess 145, the inlet 111 of shaft 112 nevertheless remains accessible to the user wishing to make use of pre-ground coffee powder or wishing to introduce a cleaning tablet or the like into the apparatus. The cover 140 prevents the cleaning agent from mistakenly being able to find its way into the bean reservoir. The shaft can be closed when not in use by means of the tiltable flap 114 or, if desired, a displaceable slide. Cover 140 is further provided with a locking mechanism 150, see figure 9, whereby the reservoir 11 can be locked or unlocked with a suitable key owing to recesses 155 provided in a wall of bean reservoir 11 for this purpose.

[0033] Although the invention has been further elucidated above with reference to only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus for preparing a coffee product, comprising an apparatus housing with an internal apparatus space, in which at least a control device, a grinding device for coffee beans and a preparation device for the coffee product are accommodated, which apparatus housing is provided with at least a bean reservoir with a chamber for containing a supply of coffee beans for the coffee product for preparing, wherein the bean reservoir comprises a dispenser, in open communication with an inlet of the grinding device, and wherein the bean reservoir comprises an adjusting device with a handle whereby the adjusting device can be manipulated between a release position, in which a closing member closes the dispenser, and an operative position in which the closing member leaves the dispenser clear, and wherein the reservoir is releasable from the apparatus housing by means of the handle, characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a finger barrier which screens the dispenser from direct finger contact with the grinding device by and following manipulation of the adjusting device from the release position to the operative position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a pivot arm which is pivotable in the bean reservoir about a pivot axis, which pivot arm provides on a first side of the pivot axis the handle and comprises on an opposite side of the pivot axis the closing member, wherein the finger barrier comprises at least one barrier body which extends proximally from the closing member of the pivot arm and extends above the dispenser.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one barrier body comprises at least a first barrier body and a second barrier body which extend from opposite sides over a part of a section of the dispenser and are arranged at different distances from the pivot axis.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first barrier body and the second barrier body overlap each other.

5. Apparatus for preparing a coffee product, comprising an apparatus housing with an internal apparatus space between a bottom and a top of the apparatus housing, wherein at least a control device, a grinding device for coffee beans and a preparation device for the coffee product are accommodated in the apparatus space, which apparatus housing is provided with at least a bean reservoir with a chamber for containing a supply of coffee beans for the coffee product for preparing, which bean reservoir comprises on an upper side a cover and is provided on an opposite side with a dispenser in open communication with an inlet of the grinding device, characterized in that the bean reservoir comprises a shaft which is separated from the chamber and which has an outlet adjacently of the dispenser of the chamber, which dispenser is in open communication with a channel in the apparatus housing which runs along the grinding device to the preparation device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the shaft and the bean reservoir form one whole.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover comprises at the position of the shaft a recess which makes an inlet to the shaft accessible.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the inlet is closable, particularly by means of a slide or tiltable flap displaceable therein.

9. Apparatus according to one or more of the claims 5-8, characterized in that the cover is provided with locking means whereby the cover is lockable onto the bean reservoir

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