Beverage making machine

Abstract

A machine (1) for preparing coffee or other beverages by extraction with hot water under pressure is disclosed, wherein the hot water is put under pressure by a piston (2) actuated by a pre-loaded return spring (3) by means of an operating lever (4) pushed manually downwards and is fed towards a dispensing filter (8) which contains the product from which the beverage is extracted, and wherein the operating lever (4) is connected to a mechanism (9) connected to the piston (2) by means of a yielding constraint with a relatively reduced constraining force, whereby if the return spring (3) suddenly moves the piston (2) with an anomalous acceleration, the constraint yields and the operating lever (4) is automatically released from the mechanism (9) to avoid a violent impact of the operating lever (4) against an operator.

Description

Beverage making machineBackground of the invention

[0001] The invention concerns a machine for the preparation of beverages by extraction with hot water under pressure, in particular for the preparation of coffee, espresso, barley, coffee substitutes, or other similar beverages.

[0002] In particular, reference is made to a machine of the type called “piston” or “lever”, in which the hot water is put under pressure by a piston activated by a pre-loaded spring by means of a lever pushed manually downwards. The operation of the piston causes the feeding of hot water from a boiler towards a beverage dispensing area which is extracted from a charge of an infusion product (in powder form, for example ground coffee) generally contained inside a dispensing cup equipped with a filter. The “piston” or “lever” machine does not require the use of an electric pump to transfer the water from the boiler to the dispensing area.

[0003] One of the problems of known machines of this type is the risk that the operating lever is pushed violently upwards by the spring and hits the operator. This can happen in an anomalous operating situation when the action of the spring is not counteracted, for example due to an error by the operator who does not insert the dispensing cup or does not fill it with the product, or in case of absence of water in the boiler or insufficient pressure, or machine off, etc.

[0004] An example of a solution to the aforementioned problem is shown in the patent publication US 2017 / 0332828 Al, in which a braking piston, independent of the water supply piston, is connected to the operating lever so as to apply a braking force essentially null when lowering the lever and to exert a braking action on the lever when raising the lever.

[0005] Another example is shown in patent publication US 2018 / 0192811 Al, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, in which the operating lever is connected to the dispensing piston via a mechanism active only by a maintained voluntary action by an operator who holds the lever, so when the operator releases the operating lever, the latter releases itself from the dispensing piston.Summary of the invention

[0006] An aim of the invention is to propose an alternative solution to the aforementioned problem relating to the safety of an operator responsible for preparing beverages using a “piston” or “lever” type machine.

[0007] An aim of the invention is to create a machine for the preparation of beverages by extraction with hot water under pressure, of the “piston” or “lever” type, which is an alternative to the machines of the prior art.

[0008] An advantage is to ensure the safety of an operator against the danger of an accident caused by a sudden acceleration of the operating lever.

[0009] An advantage is to make available a machine for preparing beverages which is constructively simple and economical.

[0010] These aims and advantages, and others, are achieved by a machine for preparing beverages according to one or more of the attached claims.

[0011] In one embodiment, a machine for preparing beverages by extraction with hot water under pressure comprises a piston, return means which operates the piston by means of an operating lever manually pushed downwards to put pressure on the hot water which is fed towards a beverage dispensing area, in which the operating lever is constrained to a mechanism element connected to the piston by means of a yielding constraint with a relatively reduced constraining force, so that if the return means causes a sudden displacement of the piston with an anomalous acceleration, the constraint yields and the operating lever automatically releases itself from the mechanism element so as to avoid a violent impact of the operating lever against an operator.Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of implementation, in which:Figure l is a perspective view of a first example of a machine for preparing beverages made in accordance with the present invention;Figure 2 is a section of the machine of Figure 1 made according to a vertical section plane;Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the machine of Figure 1;Figure 4 shows another detail of the machine in Figure 1 which includes the engagement means represented, on the left, in the disengagement configuration and, on the right, in the engagement configuration;Figure 5 is a perspective view, sectioned according to a vertical section plane, of a part of the machine of Figure 1, with the operating lever in the upper position and the engagement means in the disengagement configuration;Figure 6 is a perspective view, sectioned along a vertical section plane, of a detail ofthe machine of Figure 1;Figures 7a to 7h show some steps of a normal operating cycle of the machine in Figure 1, in which the operating lever is initially in the upper position (Figure 7a), then is lowered to the lower position (Figures 7d and 7e) and then returns to the upper position (Figure 7h);Figure 8 shows, in a vertical section, the machine of Figure 1 in an anomalous situation of sudden acceleration of the piston;Figure 9 is a vertical elevation section of a detail of the machine in Figure 1 in the dispensing area;Figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of a second example of a beverage preparation machine made in accordance with the present invention in which the engagement means is driven by cam means;Figure 11 is a vertical elevation section of the detail of Figure 10;Figures 12a to 12d show some steps of a normal operating cycle of the machine of Figure 10;Figure 13 is a partial perspective view of a third example of a machine for preparing beverages made in accordance with the present invention, to which a device for interrupting the dispensing of the beverage has been added and in which a dispensing area cleaning device has been installed;Figure 14 shows a detail of the machine in Figure 13 with the dispensing interruption device in a rest configuration;Figure 15 shows the detail of Figure 14 with the dispensing interruption device in an active configuration;Figure 16 shows a diagram of the electrical connections of the dispensing interruption device of the machine in Figure 13;Figure 17 is a side view in vertical elevation of the machine of Figure 13 in an actuation step of the dispensing interruption device during the movement of the operating lever which causes dispensing;Figure 18 is a partial side view in vertical elevation of the machine of Figure 13 showing the cleaning device in an inactive configuration;Figure 19 is the view of Figure 18 showing the cleaning device in an active configuration;Figure 20 shows a detail of the machine of Figure 13 with the cleaning device in anexploded view before assembly on the machine;Figure 21 shows a detail of the machine in Figure 13 in which the cleaning device and the pre-heating element are dismantled and can be selectively mounted on the machine itself.Detailed description

[0013] For ease of explanation, similar elements of different embodiments have been indicated with the same numbering.

[0014] With reference to the figures mentioned above, number 1 indicates as a whole a machine for the preparation of beverages by extraction with hot water under pressure, in particular a coffee machine for the preparation of coffee or espresso and / or for the preparation of barley, coffee substitutes, or other similar beverages.

[0015] The machine 1 is of the type called “piston” or “lever”, in which the hot water is put under pressure by a piston 2 operated by return means 3 which can be pre-loaded by means of an operating lever 4 manually pushed downwards.

[0016] In the specific example, a machine 1 has been illustrated with three dispensing units placed side by side, each of which includes a piston 2 and an operating lever 4. It is, however, possible to provide a machine, made according to the present invention, with a different number of delivery units (for example, one, two, four, or more than four).

[0017] The operating lever 4 is provided with a handle 5 to allow it to be operated manually by an operator. The operating lever 4 is rotatably coupled to a frame 6 of the machine 1 around a rotation axis (for example a horizontal rotation axis in the configuration of use) with the possibility of assuming at least one upper position and at least one lower position.

[0018] The machine 1 includes at least one hollow body 7 (in particular, a hollow body 7 for each dispensing unit) in which the piston 2 is slidably coupled. The piston 2 is movable in the hollow body 7 (in particular, with a vertical movement axis) between at least one first piston position (lower position) and at least one second piston position (upper position). The hollow body 7 may, in particular, be cylindrical in shape.

[0019] A displacement (lifting) of the piston 2 from the first piston position to the second piston position causes a loading of hot water into the hollow body 7 (filling). A movement (lowering) of the piston 2 from the second piston position to the first piston position causes a discharge of the hot water from the hollow body 7 (delivery) towards a beverage dispensing area 8.

[0020] The dispensing area 8 may include, in particular, a dispensing cup with a filter containing a dose of the infusion product (for example ground coffee powder) from which the beverage is extracted.

[0021] The machine 1 includes the return means 3 which is configured to be preloaded or compressed as a result of a displacement (lifting) of the piston 2 from the first piston position to the second piston position. The return means 3 is configured to operate, once compressed, a movement (lowering) of the piston 2 from the second piston position to the first piston position. The return means 3 may include, in particular, elastic means such as, for example, at least one elastic element (in particular one or more helical springs).

[0022] The machine 1 may include, in particular, an operating mechanism connected to the piston 2 (in particular a mechanism configured to allow a transmission of motion from the operating lever 4 to the piston 2, as will be better explained in the following detailed description).

[0023] The operating mechanism may comprise, in particular, a mechanism element 9 rotatable between at least one first element position and at least one second element position. The mechanism element 9 may, in particular, be rotatably coupled to the frame 6 of the machine 1 around a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the mechanism element 9 may be, in particular, coaxial with the rotation axis of the operating lever 4.

[0024] The mechanism element 9 is connected to the piston 2 so as to be in the first element position (Figures 7a, 7b and 7c) when the piston 2 is in the first piston position and to be in the second element position (Figures 7d, 7e and 7f) when the piston 2 is in the second piston position.

[0025] The machine 1 includes engagement means 10 capable of assuming at least one engagement configuration (see Figures 7c, 7d, 12a and 12b) in which the operating lever 4 is engaged with the mechanism element 9 in such a way that a rotation of the operating lever 4 from the upper position to the lower position causes a rotation of the mechanism element 9 from the first element position to the second element position (with reference to Figures 7a-7h, a rotation of the mechanism element 9 in counterclockwise).

[0026] The engagement means 10 is capable of assuming at least one disengagement configuration, in which the engagement means 10 disengages the operating lever 4 from the mechanism element 9 (see Figures 7a, 7g, 7h and 12c).

[0027] The engagement means 10 may be, in particular, carried by the operating lever 4 so that they are integral in rotation around the rotation axis of the operating lever 4. Theengagement means 10 may comprise, in particular, a rocker arm rotatably coupled to the operating lever 4 around an oscillation axis carried by the operating lever 4. The engagement means 10 may be moved between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration by rotating around the oscillation axis. The engagement means 10 may include, in particular, an engagement end 11 which can be coupled with a cavity obtained in the mechanism element 9.

[0028] The engagement end 11 of the engagement means 10, when it is engaged in the cavity of the mechanism element 9, allows the operating lever 4 (which rotates the engagement means 10) to push the mechanism element 9 when the operating lever 4 rotates towards the lower position, whereby the mechanism element 9 will be commanded to rotate from the first element position to the second element position.

[0029] The engagement means 10 may be, in particular, automatically operated towards the disengagement configuration by elastic means 12 (in particular at least one spring, for example a torsion spring). The engagement means 10 may, in particular, be manually operable towards the engagement configuration using knob means 13 (for example, a pair of knobs, in particular two knobs arranged on two opposite sides of the engagement means 10, one right and one on the left).

[0030] The machine 1 may include, in particular, stop means 14 configured to maintain the engagement means 10 in the engagement configuration. The stop means 14 may, in particular, be configured so as to be operational when the operating lever 4 is in the upper position or close to the upper position.

[0031] The stop means 14 may include, in particular, a magnet attachment device comprising a movable attachment portion arranged on the engagement means 10 and a fixed attachment portion arranged on the frame 6 of the machine 1 and which can be coupled with the movable attachment portion. The fixed attachment portion is arranged so as to be coupled with the movable attachment portion when the operating lever 4, which carries the engagement means 10, is at or near the upper position.

[0032] The machine 1 includes constraining means 15 which is distinct from the engagement means 10 and which is configured to constrain the operating lever 4 in a yielding manner to the mechanism element 9 with a desired compliance, i.e. with a constraining force not exceeding a pre-established safety limit.

[0033] The safety limit may be, in particular, not more than 150 N, or not more than 100 N, or not more than 50 N, or not more than 30 N, for example equal to approximately20^-25 N. The safety limit represents a threshold value beyond which a force applied in opposition to the constraining means 15, i.e. a force applied in such a way as to mutually release the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9, causes the yielding of the constraining means 15.

[0034] The safety limit (i.e. the constraining force with which the constraining means 15 keeps the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9 mutually constrained) is pre- established (in a phase of design and / or registration of the constraining means 15) so that, in the undesired case in which the return means 3 actuates the piston 2 with an excessive anomalous acceleration - such that a force is applied to the mechanism element 9 which tends to release the mechanism element 9 from the operating lever 4 and which exceeds the pre-established safety limit -, the constraining means 15 yields so that the mechanism element 9 automatically releases itself from the operating lever 4.

[0035] In particular, the constraining means 15 is configured to constrain the operating lever 4 to the mechanism element 9 at least during a rotation of the mechanism element 9 towards the first element position and during a rotation of the operating lever 4 towards the upper position (lifting of the lever).

[0036] The yielding constraining force of the constraining means 15 may be pre- established, in particular, so that the operating lever 4 remains constrained to the mechanism element 9 in a normal situation in which the return means 3 actuates a displacement of the piston 2 with a desired acceleration, in particular with a very low or substantially zero acceleration, during the beverage dispensing phase in which the piston 2 slides in the hollow body 7 (from the second piston position to the first piston position) with an approximately constant speed, pushed by the return means 3 which encounter a back pressure applied on the piston 2 and caused by the resistance offered by the dose of the infusion product (for example, ground coffee) which is contained in the dispensing cup and from which it takes out the beverage.

[0037] The constraining means 15 may include, in particular, magnetic attachment means. The constraining means 15 may be, in particular, placed between the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9. The constraining means 15 may include, in particular, magnetic attachment means with two magnetic portions operationally associated with each other and arranged one on the operating lever 4 and the other on the mechanism element 9.

[0038] The operating lever 4 may include, in particular, an abutment portion 16 configured to abut against an abutment surface 17 of the mechanism element 9 when theoperating lever 4 rotates towards the upper position (lifting of the operating lever 4). The constraining means 15 may, in particular, be placed between the abutment portion 16 and the abutment surface 17.

[0039] The mechanism element 9 may include, in particular, an engagement portion (on which the aforementioned cavity is obtained) arranged to receive in contact the engagement end 11 of the engagement means 10 when the operating lever 4 rotates to the lower position. The mechanism element 9 may include, in particular, the abutment surface 17 arranged to interact in contact with the abutment portion 16 of the operating lever 4 when the operating lever 4 rotates towards the upper position.

[0040] The abutment portion 16 is angularly spaced from the abutment surface 17 when the engagement portion receives in contact the engagement end 11, therefore, when the operating lever 4 begins to rotate towards the upper position, changing its direction of rotation, an initial section of free rotation of the operating lever 4 with respect to the mechanism element 9 is provided (in particular, the rotation of the operating lever 4 from Figure 7d to Figure 7e) before the abutment portion 16 of the operating lever 4 interacts in contact with the abutment surface 17 of the mechanism element 9 (also with the activation of the constraining means 15), so as to facilitate a movement of the engagement means 10 towards the disengagement configuration. This initial section of free rotation of the operating lever 4 may, in particular, be of an angle greater than 5° (for example approximately 10°) such as to allow the movement of the engagement means 10 towards the disengagement configuration.

[0041] The operating mechanism which transmits the motion between the mechanism element 9 and the piston 2 may include, in particular, a stem 18 connected to the piston 2, a shaped slot 19 carried by the stem 18 and a pin 20 slidably coupled to the slot 19 and carried by the mechanism element 9. The slot 19 may, in particular, be oblong in shape. The slot 19 may, in particular, have a longitudinal axis of rectilinear shape.

[0042] The coupling between the slot 19 and the pin 20 may be, in particular, configured so as to generate a situation of blocking the action of the return means 3 on the piston 2 when the operating lever 4 is in the lower position (Figure 7d). In this blocked situation, the piston 2 does not move towards the first (lower) piston position but remains stationary in the second (upper) piston position, even if the return means 3 is compressed, by virtue of the coupling configuration between the slot 19 and the pin 20, without therefore causing a rotation of the mechanism element 9. The blocked situation may be unlocked (Figure 7f) by manual actionon the operating lever 4.

[0043] The machine 1 may include, in particular, a preheating element 21 movable between at least one loading position, in which the preheating element 21 allows the filling of the hollow body 7 with hot water, and at least one inactive position, in which the preheating element 21 prevents the filling of the hollow body 7 with hot water. The preheating element 21 may be operated towards the loading position as a result of a rotation of the operating lever 4 towards the lower position, in particular as a result of a mechanical interaction with the mechanism element 9 which rotates from the first element position to the second element position or as a result of a mechanical interaction with a portion of the operating mechanism that connects the mechanism element 9 with the piston 2.

[0044] In particular, the preheating element 21 may be moved towards the loading position for contact with a contact portion 22 carried by the slot 19 (as in the illustrated examples) or by the stem 18, for example a contact portion 22 in the form of an appendage which protrudes from the slot 19. The contact portion 22 may interact, in particular, with a corresponding contact portion (for example, a contact portion with a contact wheel) which protrudes from the preheating element 21.

[0045] Additionally, or alternatively, the preheating element 21 may be manually operated towards the loading position by acting directly on a gripping end 23 of the preheating element 21. In this manner, the preheating can be carried out in any time desired by the operator. The gripping end 23 may essentially act as a handle that is gripped by the operator to move the preheating element 21. The gripping end 23 may, in particular, be arranged in the upper portion of the preheating element 21.

[0046] The preheating element 21 may be automatically operated towards the inactive position, for example by elastic means 24 (in particular, the same elastic means that operates to close a supply valve 25).

[0047] The preheating element 21 may include, in particular, a rocker rod coupled with the supply valve 25 which may be selectively opened or closed depending on the position of the rocker rod. The rocker rod may be coupled with the supply valve 25 by means of a lever mechanism which operates on a sliding rod (in particular with a linear slide) connected to a movable part (shutter) of the supply valve 25. The elastic means 24 is arranged to keep the supply valve 25 in the closed position.

[0048] The supply valve 25 puts the hollow body 7 in communication with a boiler of the machine 1 which generates the hot water. The opening of the supply valve 25 allows thehollow body 7 to be supplied with hot water coming from the boiler through a supply channel 26.

[0049] The machine 1 may include, in particular, a discharge valve 27 for the safety discharge of the high pressure of the water in the hollow body 7 in the case of an anomalous situation of excessive pressure in the hollow body 7, for example due to a clogging of the dispensing cup filter or too fine grinding of the coffee powder, so the beverage is not dispensed (see Figure 9).

[0050] The discharge valve 27 may include, in particular, a shut-off valve. The discharge valve 27 is normally closed (to allow normal dispensing of the beverage) and is opened by the operator in the event of an anomaly, for example if the operator notices that the beverage is not extracted from the filter even after having regularly carried out the hollow body 7 loading operations.

[0051] Upon opening of the discharge valve 27, the excess pressure in the hollow body 7 is discharged through the discharge valve 27 (in particular, also passing through the supply channel 26) and can be evacuated to a safe region of the machine, for example a region inside the machine or in any case a region adequately distant from the dispensing area 8 and / or from the place where the operator is located.

[0052] The discharge valve 27 allows to avoid that, in an anomalous situation of excessive pressure in the hollow body 7, the operator has to remove the dispensing cup to discharge the overpressure from the hollow body 7, with the risk of being hit by a violent jet of high temperature water and / or steam.

[0053] With reference to the embodiment of Figure 10, the machine 1 may include cam means 28 configured to guide at least one movement of the engagement means 10 between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration.

[0054] In particular, as in the example of Figure 10, the engagement means 10 is arranged on the operating lever 4 and the cam means 28 comprises a fixed cam profile which is arranged on the frame 6 of the machine and which can be coupled with the engagement means 10.

[0055] The engagement means 10 may include, in particular, an end with a roller that may be coupled in contact with the cam means 28. The end with the roller may be, in particular, opposite the engagement end 11.

[0056] It is possible to provide, in particular, that the elastic means 12 operates on the engagement means 10 in opposition to the cam means 28. In particular, the elastic means 12may be configured to move the engagement means 10 into the disengagement configuration and the cam means 28 may be configured to move the engagement means 10 into the engagement configuration.

[0057] It is possible to envisage, in examples not illustrated, that the cam means is movable with the possibility of assuming at least one active position and at least one inactive position in which, respectively, the cam means can and cannot guide the engagement means 10. In these examples, the engagement means 10 may be positioned in the active position through a manual action of an operator and in the inactive position through an automatic action (for example via cam means) caused by a movement of the operating lever 4.

[0058] The constraining means 15 may be made, as in these examples, by magnetic type attachment means, although it is possible to envisage the use of other connection means such as, for example, yielding elastic coupling devices, frangible fastener systems, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive attachment systems, removable or extractable interlocking couplings, friction anchoring devices, etc. Similar connection means could also be used to create the stop means 14.

[0059] The operation of the machine 1 is as follows, starting from an initial configuration (Figure 7a) in which the operating lever 4 is in the upper position and the engagement means 10 is in the disengagement configuration, which is the normal configuration of the engagement means 10 as a result of the automatic action of the elastic means 12.

[0060] When the operator wishes to prepare the beverage, the operator inserts the dispensing cup full of the dose of the infusion product (ground coffee) into the dispensing area 8. At this point the operator manually moves the engagement means 10 into the engagement configuration using the knob means 13 (Figure 7b). Afterwards, the operator will be able to release the knob means 13 since the engagement means 10 will be able to remain in the engagement configuration due to the action (for example of magnetic attraction) of the stop means 14.

[0061] At this point, the operator can begin to lower the operating lever 4. In an initial phase of the lowering rotation, there can be a relative rotation between the operating lever 4 (which rotates around its own rotation axis) and the mechanism element 9 (which remains stationary) before the engagement end 11 of the engagement means 10 interferes in contact with the engagement portion of the mechanism element 9.

[0062] When the engagement end 11 abuts against the mechanism element 9 (Figure7c), the operating lever 4 guided by the operator will have completed a certain rotation with respect to the mechanism element 9, for example a rotation greater than 5°, or a rotation within the range of 10° ± 5°, or a rotation within the range of 5° to 20°.

[0063] Due to the effect of the relative rotation between the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9 it is possible to provide, as in these examples, that the abutment portion 16 is angularly spaced from the abutment surface 17 and that the yielding constraining means 15 is released.

[0064] After an initial part of the rotation of the operating lever 4 from the upper position towards the lower position (for example an initial rotation greater than 5°, or greater than 10°, or greater than 15°, or greater than 20°), the stop means 14 may be inactive, in particular with a stopping capacity that gradually decreases as the rotation of the operating lever 4 continues downwards. In fact, in the example of the stop means 14 with a magnet attachment device, as can be seen in Figure 7c, the magnet associated with the movable portion (arranged on the engagement means 10) moves further and further away from the magnet associated with the fixed portion (arranged on the frame 6).

[0065] The stopping action of the stop means 14 in this phase is no longer necessary since the engagement means 10 still remain engaged to the mechanism element 9 (with the engagement end 11 inserted into the cavity of the engagement portion of the mechanism element 9) until the operator holds the operating lever 4 and pushes it towards the lower position.

[0066] The operator continues the rotation of the operating lever 4 to the lower position (Figure 7d) with the engagement means 10 in the engagement configuration, whereby the mechanism element 9 is pushed to rotate by the operating lever 4 causing the lifting of the rod 18 thanks to the transmission of motion operated by the coupling between the pin 20 and the slot 19. The lifting of the rod 18 determines the lifting of the piston 2, i.e. the movement of the piston from the first piston position to the second piston position, with consequent compression of the return means 3.

[0067] The coupling between slot 19 and pin 20 is configured so that, in the lower position of the operating lever 4, the piston 2 has slightly passed the dead center and is in a blocked situation in which it is prevented from continuing the return stroke due to the thrust of the return means 3, without first resolving the blockage situation with a manual action of the operator on the operating lever 4, in particular after a short initial section of manual lifting of the operating lever 4 towards the upper position, as will be better explained below.

[0068] In this phase of rotation of the operating lever 4 to the lower position, the hot water (coming from the boiler of the machine 1) is loaded inside the hollow body 7. In particular, the movement of the preheating element 21 in the preheating position occurs due to the mechanical interaction with the contact portion 22.

[0069] The movement of the preheating element 21 into the preheating position occurs, in particular, in the final phase of the movement of the operating lever 4 towards the lower position, for example near the lower position, or during the second half of the rotation of the operating lever 4 from the upper position to the lower position, or in the last third, or in the last quarter, or in the last fifth, of the overall rotation of the operating lever 4 from the upper position to the lower position, so as to open the supply valve 25 and allow the hollow body 7 to be pre-filled with hot water before the lowering of the piston 2 begins and therefore the actual dispensing of the beverage.

[0070] At this point, the operator can begin the step of manually lifting the operating lever 4 towards the upper position. In an initial phase of the rotation of the operating lever 4 (up to the configuration of Figure 7e), there is a relative rotation between the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9. The latter, in fact, remains stationary in the aforementioned situation of blocking of the piston 2 due to the configuration of the operating mechanism, in particular the coupling between the pin 20 and the slot 19.

[0071] In this initial lifting phase, the abutment portion 16 rotates until it abuts against the abutment surface 17 (Figure 7e), whereby the constraining means 15 is activated, in particular the magnets are brought closer, the one associated with the abutment portion 16 and the other associated with the abutment surface 17.

[0072] In this initial lifting phase, the engagement means 10 disengages from the mechanism element 9 due to the action of the elastic means 12 and the fact that the engagement end 11 comes out of the cavity on the engagement portion of the mechanism element 9 (Figure 7e).

[0073] The extent of the relative rotation between the operating lever 4 and the mechanism element 9 in this initial phase of the lifting of the operating lever 4 substantially corresponds to the extent of the relative rotation (in the opposite direction) in the initial phase of the lowering the operating lever 4, as previously described.

[0074] The operator continues to manually rotate the operating lever 4 towards the upper position. There will now also be a minimum rotation of the mechanism element 9 from the second element position towards the first element position, due to the thrust exerted bythe interaction between the abutment portion 16 and the abutment surface 17, sufficient to unlock the operating mechanism.

[0075] In this way it is in fact possible to resolve the blocking situation of the piston thanks to the unlocking of the operating mechanism, in particular by overcoming the dead center in the coupling between the pin 20 and the slot 19 (Figure 7f), so the action of thrust of the compressed return means 3 can determine the actual start of the dispensing of the beverage, in which the hot water is discharged from the hollow body 7 towards the dispensing area 8 thanks to the displacement of the piston 2 from the second piston position towards the first piston position, in opposition to the back pressure exerted by the dose of the powder product from which the beverage is extracted.

[0076] In this phase of dispensing the beverage in a normal situation, the return means 3 moves the piston 2 (Figure 7g) which in turn will rotate the mechanism element 9 towards the first element position and consequently the operating lever 4 towards the upper position. These movements during dispensing can take place without the manual intervention of the operator, thanks to the energy accumulated by the return means 3, with a regular motion, with a trend of acceleration and speed values of the piston 2 (and therefore of the operating lever 4) relatively moderate and in any case safe for the operator, until returning to the initial configuration with the operating lever 4 in the upper position (Figure 7h).

[0077] Figure 8 illustrates a possible anomalous situation in which the return means 3 causes a sudden and violent displacement of the piston 2 (typically due to lack of adequate back pressure, for example because the dose of the infusion product is not present in the dispensing area 8, or for other reasons) with consequent excessive acceleration of the mechanism element 9 to which the operating lever 4 is engaged which rotates dangerously in the area where the operator is located.

[0078] In this anomalous situation, the mechanism element 9 will be stressed by a force considerably greater than the constraining force with which the yielding constraining means 15 keeps the mechanism element 9 and the operating lever 4 together. Therefore, the constraining means 15 will yield and the operating lever 4 will automatically release itself from the mechanism element 9.

[0079] The operating lever 4 will then be able to rotate in free fall towards the lower position due to the effect of its own weight, without any risk for the operator since a possible impact of the operator with the operating lever 4 would in any case be of slight severity, while the mechanism element 9, which is not located in an area at risk for the operator, canbe projected towards the first element position without causing any damage to the operator.

[0080] It is however possible to provide for the arrangement of friction means applied to the operating lever 4, in particular applied at or near the rotation axis of the operating lever 4, and configured to exert a force on the operating lever 4 of relatively low friction (in particular less than 10 N, or included in the range 1^-10 N, or in the range 1^-5 N, for example equal to approximately 3 N) such as to be almost negligible during the maneuvers performed by the operator on the lever itself and such, in any case, as to slow down the rotation in free fall of the operating lever 4 towards the lower position due to the effect of its own weight in the event that the operating lever 4 were to free itself from the mechanism element 9. The friction means may include, in particular, one, two or more conical washers arranged around the rotation axis of the operating lever 4.

[0081] The operation of the machine in Figure 10 is similar to that just described, with the difference that the cam means 28 automatically moves the engagement means 10 into the engagement configuration when the operating lever 4 is in proximity of the upper position. In practice, when the operating lever 4 is in the upper position (Figure 11), the engagement means 10 is in the engagement configuration thanks to the cam means 28 which operates in opposition to the elastic means 12.

[0082] When the rotation of the operating lever 4 towards the lower position begins (Figure 12a), the cam means 28 continues for a certain portion of the rotation to maintain the engagement means 10 in the engagement configuration, so that the engagement end 11 can mate in contact with the mechanism element 9.

[0083] By continuing to rotate the operating lever 4 towards the lower position (Figure 12b), the engagement means 10 moves away from the cam means 28 while still remaining in the engagement configuration, as seen in the previous example, so as to continue pushing the mechanism element 9.

[0084] When the operating lever 4 returns from the lower position towards the upper position, the engagement means 10 is in the disengagement configuration (Figure 12c), in a manner similar to that described in the previous example.

[0085] When the operating lever 4 approaches further the upper position, the engagement means 10 is automatically returned to the disengagement configuration by the cam means 28 (Figure 12d) up to the initial configuration.

[0086] The machine may include, in particular, an end-of-dispensing switch 29 (as in the version of Figure 13) which is connected to the discharge valve 27 to control an openingof the valve itself. The discharge valve 27 is, as mentioned, normally closed, and the end- of-dispensing switch 29 is configured so that its operation causes the opening of the discharge valve 27. The end-of-dispensing switch 29 may be, in particular, electrically connected to the discharge valve 27. The end-of-dispensing switch 29 may comprise, in particular, an on-off switch and the discharge valve 27 may comprise, in particular, a two- way solenoid valve.

[0087] The end-of-dispensing switch 29 may, in particular, be normally open and may be closed by manual intervention by an operator. This intervention may be carried out, in particular, by means of a thrust member 30 which is kept in a rest position (Figure 14) by elastic means 31 (for example, a spring) and which can be brought into an active position (Figure 15) by a force (in particular, pulling force) applied by the operator, for example manually with the aid of a knob 32.

[0088] The thrust member 30 may include, in particular, an element that slides axially along a fixed sliding guide. The thrust member 30 may comprise, in particular, a first member end which, in the active position, presses against the switch 29, and a second member end, opposite to the first member end, which is articulated to an arm integral with the knob 32.

[0089] The movement of the thrust member 30 into the active position determines the closing of the end-of-dispensing switch 29 and the consequent opening of the discharge valve 27. This intervention can be used not only in an emergency situation, as seen before, but also in a normal operating situation in order to interrupt early (in particular, before the end of the return movement of the operating lever 4 towards the initial upper position, i.e. before the end of the movement of the piston from the second piston position to the first piston position) the dispensing of the beverage (for example because the desired quantity of dispensed beverage has already been reached), since the activation of the end-of-dispensing switch 29 and the opening of the discharge valve 27 causes that the residual water remaining in the hollow body 7 is no longer used for dispensing the beverage through the dispensing area 8, but is diverted and discharged elsewhere (in a safe area) until the end of the return movement of the operating lever 4 in the initial upper position.

[0090] The machine may include, in particular, a cleaning device 33 (as in the version of Figure 13) configured to perform a cleaning of the machine. It is possible to envisage, in particular, that the cleaning device 33 can be installed on the machine selectively in place of the preheating element 21. Figure 20 shows the cleaning device 33 and the preheatingelement 21 not installed on the machine. The cleaning device 33 includes a lever 34 that can be operated, for example manually by means of a knob 35. The lever 34 includes an abutment portion that can operate the supply valve 24, the opening of which determines a flow of water that passes through the dispensing area 8 to perform cleaning.

[0091] The lever 34 is normally in a rest position (Figure 18) in which it does not interact with the supply valve 24 which remains closed. To clean the machine, the lever 34 is brought to an active position (Figure 19) in which the abutment portion opens the supply valve 24 and thus allows a passage of cleaning water through the dispensing area 8. The lever 34 can be brought into the active position by means of a force (for example pushing force) exerted (manually) by an operator when the machine needs to be cleaned.

[0092] Legend:1 Machine2 Piston3 Return means4 Operating lever5 Handle6 Frame7 Hollow body8 Dispensing area9 Mechanism element10 Engagement means11 Engagement end12 Elastic means13 Knob means14 Stop means15 Constraining means16 Abutment portion17 Abutment surface18 Rod19 Slot20 Pin21 Preheating element22 Contact portion23 Gripping end24 Elastic means25 Supply valve26 Supply channel 27 Discharge valve28 Cam means29 End-of-dispensing switch30 Thrust member31 Elastic means 32 Knob33 Cleaning device34 Lever35 Knob means

Claims

CLAIMS1. Beverage making machine, comprising: a hollow body (7); a piston (2) that is movable in the hollow body (7) between at least one first piston position and at least one second piston position, wherein a displacement from the first piston position to the second piston position causes a loading of hot water into the hollow body (7) and a displacement from the second piston position to the first piston position causes the hot water to be discharged from the hollow body (7) towards a beverage dispensing area (8); return means (3) configured to be preloaded by effect of a displacement of the piston (2) from the first piston position to the second piston position and to then actuate a displacement of the piston (2) from the second piston position to the first piston position; a mechanism element (9) that is rotatable between at least one first element position and at least one second element position and that is connected to the piston (2) so as to be in the first element position when the piston (2) is in the first piston position and to be in the second element position when the piston (2) is in the second piston position; an operating lever (4) that can be rotated manually between at least one upper position and at least one lower position; engagement means (10) capable of assuming at least one engagement configuration, in which the engagement means (10) engages the operating lever (4) with the mechanism element (9) so that a rotation of the operating lever (4) from the upper position to the lower position causes a rotation of the mechanism element (9) from the first element position to the second element position, and at least one disengagement configuration, in which the engagement means (10) disengages the operating lever (4) from the mechanism element (9); characterized by comprising constraining means (15) distinct from the engagement means (10) and configured to constrain the operating lever (4) in a yielding manner to the mechanism element (9) with a constraining force not exceeding a safety limit so when the return means (3) actuates the piston (2) with an anomalous acceleration, such that a force is applied to the mechanism element (9) which tends to release the mechanism element (9) from the operating lever (4) and which exceeds the safety limit,the constraining means (15) yields and the mechanism element (9) is automatically released from the operating lever (4).

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said safety limit is not more than 150 N, or not more than 100 N, or not more than 50 N, or not more than 30 N.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the constraining means (15) is configured to constrain the operating lever (4) to the mechanism element (9) at least during a rotation of the mechanism element (9) towards the first element position and / or at least during a rotation of the operating lever (4) towards the upper position.

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the constraining force of the constraining means (15) is predetermined so that the operating lever (4) remains constrained to the mechanism element (9) in a normal situation in which the return means (3) actuates a displacement with normal acceleration of the piston (2) from the second piston position to the first piston position.

5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement means(10) is carried by the operating lever (4) and / or wherein the operating lever (4) is rotatable about a rotation axis and the mechanism element (9) is rotatable about a rotation axis that is coaxial with the rotation axis of the operating lever (4) and / or wherein the engagement means (10) comprises a rocker arm with an engagement end(11) that can be coupled with a cavity obtained in the mechanism element (9).

6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the constraining means (15) comprises magnetic attachment means.

7. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the constraining means (15) is interposed between the operating lever (4) and the mechanism element (9).

8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating lever (4) comprises an abutment portion (16) configured to abut against an abutment surface (17) of the mechanism element (9) when the operating lever (4) rotates towards the upper position.

9. Machine according to claim 8, wherein the constraining means (15) is interposed between the abutment portion (16) and the abutment surface (17).

10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement means (10) is operated towards the disengagement configuration by elastic means (12) and wherein the engagement means (10) can be operated towards the engagement configuration using knob means (13), being provided stop means (14) configured tomaintain the engagement means (10) in the engagement configuration.

11. Machine according to claim 10, wherein the stop means (14) is arranged so as to be active when the operating lever (4) is in the upper position or in proximity to the upper position; the stop means (14) comprising, in particular, a magnetic attachment device arranged between a portion of the engagement means (10) and a fixed portion arranged on a frame (6) of the machine.

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising cam means (28) configured to drive at least one movement of the engagement means (10) between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration.

13. Machine according to claim 12, comprising elastic means (12) operating on the engagement means (10) in opposition to the cam means (28); said elastic means (12) being configured to move the engagement means (10) to the disengagement configuration and the cam means (28) being configured to move the engagement means (10) to the engagement configuration.

14. Machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the engagement means (10) is carried by the operating lever (4) and the cam means (28) comprises a fixed cam profile which is arranged on a frame (6) of the machine and which can be coupled with the engagement means (10) and / or wherein the cam means (28) is movable with the possibility of assuming at least one active position and at least one inactive position in which, respectively, the cam means (28) can drive and cannot drive the engagement means (10), and the cam means (28) can be positioned in the active position by means of a manual action by an operator and in the inactive position by effect of a movement of the operating lever (4).

15. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rod (18) connected to the piston (2), a slot (19) carried by the rod (18), a pin (20) slidingly coupled to the slot (19) and carried by the mechanism element (9), the coupling between the slot and the pin being configured so as to have a blocking situation of the action of the return means (3) on the piston (2) when the operating lever (4) is in the lower position and the mechanism element (9) is in the second element position, the locking situation being unlockable by a manual action on the operating lever (4).

16. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a preheating element (21) movable between at least one preheating position, in which the preheating element (21) allows the filling of the hollow body (7) with hot water, and at least oneinactive position, in which the preheating element (21) prevents the filling of the hollow body (7) with hot water, the preheating element (21) being operated towards the inactive position by elastic means (24) and being operated towards the loading position by effect of a rotation of the operating lever (4) towards the lower position; the preheating element (21) comprising, in particular, a rocker rod coupled with a supply valve (25) supplying hot water in the hollow body (7).

17. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism element (9) comprising an engagement portion arranged to receive in contact an engagement end (11) of the engagement means (10) when the operating lever (4) rotates towards the lower position, and wherein the mechanism element (9) comprises an abutment surface (17) arranged to interact in contact with an abutment portion (16) of the operating lever when the operating lever (4) rotates towards the upper position, the abutment portion (16) being angularly spaced from the abutment surface (17) when the engagement portion contacts the engagement end (11), whereby, when the operating lever (4) begins to rotate towards the upper position by changing its direction of rotation, an initial portion of rotation of the operating lever (4) is provided before the abutment portion (16) interacts in contact with the abutment surface (17), so as to facilitate a displacement of the engagement means (10) towards the disengagement configuration; said initial portion of rotation of the operating lever (4) being, in particular, greater than 5°, or greater than 10°, or greater than 15°.

18. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a discharge valve (27) arranged to put the hollow body (7) in communication with an evacuation region distant from the dispensing area (8), the discharge valve (27) being normally closed to perform the normal dispensing of the beverage in the dispensing area (8) and being openable to perform a safety discharge of the water from the hollow body (7) to the evacuation region in the event of a non-dispensing of the beverage in the dispensing area (8).

19. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an end-of- dispensing switch (29) operable to control an opening of a discharge valve (27) arranged to put the hollow body (7) in communication with an evacuation region distant from the dispensing area (8), the discharge valve (27) being normally closed to perform the normal dispensing of the beverage in the dispensing area (8) and being openable to interrupt the dispensing of the beverage before the end of the movementof the piston from the second piston position to the first piston position.

20. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cleaning device (33) with a lever (34) provided with an abutment portion which can operate a supply valve (24) the opening of which determines a flow of water passing through the dispensing area (8) to clean it.

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