Hopper, corresponding machine for preparing beverages and method

Abstract

A hopper (10) for feeding beans comprises a container (11) provided with at least one lower aperture (12) for the passage of the beans, a closing element (13) provided with at least one through slot (18) and rotatably associated with the container (11) to open and close the at least one lower aperture (12) and allow or prevent the passage of the beans, and a drive member (16) connected to the closing element (13) and drivable by a user to rotate the latter with respect to an axis of rotation (X).

Description

[0001] “HOPPER, CORRESPONDING MACHINE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES AND METHOD”

[0002]

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns a hopper for feeding beans, in particular, but not limited to, coffee beans, to a grinding apparatus suitable to grind the beans with a desired granulometry. The present invention also concerns a machine for preparing beverages comprising the hopper and an operating method.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Domestic machines for preparing beverages, in particular coffee beverages, are known, comprising a hopper that can be fixedly or removably connected to a grinding apparatus that receives the beans and produces a powder mixture with a desired granulometry.

[0007] Recent years have seen an increase in machines provided with removable type hoppers, for the purpose of both allowing for a better cleaning and also facilitating the replacement and / or supply of beans.

[0008] Removable type hoppers generally comprise a container provided with a lower aperture for the exit of the beans, closable by means of one or more closing elements, through which the coffee beans can enter the grinding apparatus.

[0009] When the lower aperture is open, the coffee beans fall into the grinding device by gravity, while when the lower aperture is closed it is possible to remove the hopper without the risk of an unwanted spillage of the beans.

[0010] To close the lower aperture of the hopper and allow it to be removed, some known solutions provide a drive member, generally in the form of a button or lever, which is associated with the machine body and can be driven by a user to move a closing element and close the hopper and / or to unclamp it from the machine body. However, this solution is impractical and normally requires driving the button / lever with one hand and removing the hopper with the other hand. In addition, since the drive member is disposed on the machine, in the event of a malfunction it is not possible to use the machine.

[0011] Other known solutions provide a movable closing plate positioned below the bottom of the hopper, movable by means of a slider to close a passage aperture for the coffee beans. This solution is also not very functional, since the slider isnormally positioned laterally with respect to the hopper and is not always easily accessible to the user.

[0012] Other known solutions provide a knob located on the bottom of the bean container, manually drivable by a user to open the lower aperture. This solution, however, is not very hygienic, since to access the knob the user’s hand comes into contact with the beans present in the container, which can therefore be contaminated if gloves are not used or hands are not properly washed.

[0013] Solutions are also known in which the lower aperture is opened or closed automatically, based on the rotation of the container. This solution, however, requires a certain amount of maneuvering space around the container itself, which however is not always available and, moreover, imposes a tight constraint between the hopper and the machine body that does not facilitate the feed of the beans.

[0014] In the field of coffee preparation machines, there is an increasingly felt need to allow the hopper, and therefore the coffee beans present therein, to be replaced easily and rapidly, in order to allow to prepare types of coffee with different aromas.

[0015] EP4374750A1 and W02008 / 101800A1 disclose known containers for coffee beans comprising an aperture for the passage of the beans and a knob which extends through the aperture and is connected, by means of a stem, to a rotatable door which acts as a closing element. The container described in EP4374750A1 is connected to a housing by means of a button system that includes clamping elements, so that it is necessary to act on different parts of the machine in order to remove it. There is therefore the need to perfect a removable type hopper that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0016] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a hopper that can be removed from the machine body without the user having to touch the food products inside it.

[0017] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a hopper that is easy to use and prevents any accidental movements of the closing element.

[0018] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a hopper that has limited overall dimensions and does not require any additional space to open / close it, even allowing to position two or more adjacent hoppers.

[0019] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a grinding apparatus and abeverage preparation machine that are safe for the user.

[0020] A further purpose is to perfect a method for removing and inserting a hopper from / into a machine body that allows these operations to be performed quickly, effectively, and hygienically, while ensuring user safety.

[0021] 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.

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 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.

[0024] In accordance with the above purposes and to solve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a removeable hopper according to the present invention comprises a container provided with a lower aperture for the passage of beans, a rotatable closing element associated with the container to open and close the lower aperture and allow or prevent the passage of the beans, and a drive member connected to the closing element and drivable by a user to rotate the latter with respect to an axis of rotation. The drive member is positioned inside the container, above the beans present therein, and is connectable to the closing element by means of a stem.

[0025] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the hopper comprises a support plate located in correspondence with an end portion of the container, the plate being able to support the drive member and provided with at least one through hole having a positioning and guiding function for the stem.

[0026] This solution advantageously allows to drive the closing element while keeping the container stationary, without the need to drive any levers or buttons on the machine and without touching the beans present in the container.

[0027] Furthermore, this solution allows to keep the drive member suspended above the beans, while simultaneously preventing any tilting or bending of the stem relative to a vertical axis due to the presence of the beans or the effect of the user’s action.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the stem is disposed inside a sleevehaving an upper end cooperating with the support plate and a lower end connected to the closing element, or a part thereof. This further guarantees the correct alignment of the stem along the vertical axis of rotation.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member is configured to assume at least a first inactive position in which it prevents a rotation of the closing element, and at least one active position in which it is rotatable in one direction or the other and a rotation thereof determines a simultaneous rotation of the closing element to open or close the lower aperture.

[0030] This guarantees that the drive member, and therefore the closing element, cannot be rotated accidentally, thus preventing any unwanted spillage of the beans, in particular when the hopper is extracted from the machine.

[0031] In particular, in the first inactive position the drive member is not integrally engaged with the stem, while in the second active position it is instead integrally engaged with the stem, allowing the rotary motion to be transmitted.

[0032] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, elastic means are provided, for example in the form of one or more springs, configured to keep the drive member in the inactive position when no force is exerted on the drive member in the axial direction.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the drive member is configured to pass from the inactive position to the active position when a force is exerted thereon in an axial direction.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises an upper coupling seating able to receive an upper terminal portion of the stem; in the active position, the terminal portion is completely inserted in the coupling seating and engaged, for example keyed, with the drive member, while in the inactive position it is at least partly outside the coupling seating.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the closing element comprises a protruding tubular portion disposed passing through a bottom wall of the container and defining a lower coupling seating for a lower terminal end of the stem.

[0036] The terminal portions of the stem and the respective coupling seatings are configured to create a same-shape coupling and preferably have a polygonal section.

[0037] The elastic elements can be attached to the support plate on one side and to anabutment wall of the drive member on the other side.

[0038] The support plate can be located resting on the edges of two opposing sides of the container, thus being suspended above the beans.

[0039] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises a lower cylindrical portion which extends coaxial to the stem, which is provided on the lower edge with a tooth able to couple to an abutment element integral with the support plate, so as to limit the movement of the drive member by the action of the elastic means.

[0040] The invention also concerns a machine for preparing beverages comprising at least one hopper for feeding coffee beans, disposed above a device for grinding the beans and an infusion unit.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a containing body having a housing seating for the hopper.

[0042] Preferably, the machine comprises two hoppers, able to be positioned adjacent to each other and both communicating with the same grinding device. Advantageously, the hoppers have a section that is at least partly square-shaped, allowing to optimize their overall dimensions and containing capacity, although it is not excluded that they can have different shapes.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the machine comprises one or more detection devices able to detect the presence of the hopper and / or the open or closed condition thereof.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a control unit able to receive a signal from the one or more detection devices and consequently allow to start the grinding device.

[0045] The invention also concerns an operating method of a beverage preparation machine, comprising:

[0046] - inserting the hopper into a housing seating of a containing body of the machine by coupling respective first and second coupling elements in order to keep the container stationary, preventing a rotation thereof;

[0047] - rotating the drive member positioned inside the container, above the beans present therein, so as to simultaneously rotate the closing element and align the one or more through slots with the one or more lower apertures;

[0048] - detecting the presence of the hopper and / or an open or closed state thereof andconsequently commanding the grinding device and / or the infusion unit.

[0049] According to another aspect of the invention, before rotating the drive member, the method provides to exert an action on it in an axial direction so as to compress elastic elements acting between the drive member and the support plate, and take it into an active position in which it is engaged with the stem and integral with the closing element, and at the end of the rotation, in the open state of the hopper, the method provides to release the drive member so that the elastic elements, no longer compressed, bring the drive member back to the inactive position.

[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-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a partial view of a beverage preparation machine comprising a hopper according to the present invention;

[0052] - fig. 1A is a variant of the part circled in fig. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

[0053] - fig. 2 is a three-dimensional top view of a support plate of the hopper of fig. 1; - fig. 3 is an exploded view of the hopper in fig. 1;

[0054] - figs. 3A-3E show the steps of moving the drive member to open and close a closing element of the hopper;

[0055] - figs. 4A-4C respectively show the position of the closing element during the respective movement steps of figs. 3A-3E;

[0056] - figs. 5A and 5B show the position of the closing element relative to the container, in a closed position and in an open position;

[0057] - fig. 6 is a bottom view of the beverage preparation machine according to the invention;

[0058] - fig. 7 is a partial exploded view of some components of the machine of fig. 1. 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 thereof, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0059] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, wherepossible, 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, this shows a hopper 10 according to the invention removably insertable into a machine 100 for preparing beverages.

[0061] The machine 100 comprises a containing body 101 provided with a housing seating 102 able to house the hopper 10.

[0062] A grinding device 103 able to grind the beans supplied by the hopper 10, and an infusion unit 104 able to receive a dose of ground coffee powder and subject it to infusion in order to prepare a coffee beverage, can be housed in the containing body 101.

[0063] The hopper 10 comprises a container 11 provided with a lower aperture 12 for the passage of the beans and a rotatable closing element 13 associated with the container 11 for opening and closing the lower aperture 12 and allowing or preventing the passage of beans.

[0064] The container 11 further comprises an upper aperture 14 for introducing the beans, which can be closed at the upper part by means of a lid 15 (fig. 2).

[0065] The hopper 11 further comprises a drive member 16 connectable to the closing element 13 and drivable by a user to rotate the latter with respect to an axis of rotation X.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the container 11 can comprise one or more lower apertures 12, in the example case two, made through in a bottom wall 17 of the container 11 , for example disposed equally spaced apart with respect to the axis X, and the closing element 13 comprises a correlated number of through slots 18 made on a lower wall 19 and having shapes and sizes correlated to those of the lower aperture(s) 12, with which they align in the open position.

[0067] The container 11 can have an upper portion 1 la having a larger section, and a lower coupling portion 11b having a substantially circular smaller section, with shape and sizes correlated to the closing element 13, which are connected by an intermediate portion 11 c, preferably tapered.

[0068] The container 11, and in particular the upper portion 1 la, can generally have a section of any shape whatsoever, for example circular, oval, or polygonal withthree or more sides.

[0069] According to the embodiment shown in figs. 1-3 and 6-7, the upper portion 1 la can have for example a substantially rectangular or square-shaped section, with more or less rounded edges. This shape allows to optimize the overall dimensions in the event that two or more hoppers 10 are provided adjacent to each other. Preferably, the lower portion 1 lb is positioned offset with respect to a vertical median plane M of the upper portion Ila, so as to allow two hoppers 10 to be positioned adjacent to each other and to feed a same grinding device 103.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, two hoppers 10 having substantially the same shape are provided, with the lower portion 11b offset with respect to the center, which are able to be disposed rotated by 180° with respect to each other, with the respective lower apertures 12 located one adjacent to the other.

[0071] According to another aspect of the invention, the two hoppers 10 can both have a shape with a substantially rectangular section, with the respective lower portions 11b and lower apertures 12 disposed adjacent to one of the larger sides.

[0072] The drive member 16 is positioned inside the container 11 , above the beans present therein and, during use, is connected to the closing element 13 by means of a stem 20.

[0073] By way of example, the drive member 16 can be a pawl or a knob, possibly shaped so as to facilitate gripping by a user.

[0074] Preferably, the drive member 16 is not accessible when the lid 15 closes the container 11 , so as to prevent a user from accidentally rotating the drive member 16, in particular when the hopper 10 is separated from the containing body 101 of the machine 100.

[0075] In this regard, connection members 40 can be provided able to connect the lid 15 and the container 11 , for example screws, bolts, rotatable tab systems, cams or suchlike, to prevent any accidental removal of the lid 15.

[0076] The drive member 16 can comprise an upper coupling seating 35 able to engage with a first terminal portion 33 of the stem 20 so as to rotate integrally around the axis X.

[0077] The closing element 13 can comprise a lower coupling seating 36 able to engage with a second terminal portion 34 of the stem 20 so as to rotate integrally around the axis X.The terminal portions 33, 34 of the stem 20 and the respective coupling seatings 35, 36 are configured to create a same-shape coupling and preferably have a polygonal section.

[0078] According to one possible embodiment, the closing element 13 comprises a tubular portion 37 protruding from the lower wall 19 and which, during use, is disposed through the bottom wall 17 of the container 11, which defines the lower coupling seating 36 inside it.

[0079] Attachment members 38, such as for example a screw or suchlike, can be provided to attach the lower coupling seating 36 to the second terminal portion 34.

[0080] According to other variants, not shown, it can be provided that the stem 20 itself extends passing through the bottom wall 17.

[0081] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the hopper 10 comprises a support plate 21 located in correspondence with an upper end of the container 11 , able to support the drive member 16 and provided with at least one through hole 22 having a positioning and guiding function for the stem 20.

[0082] To open and close the one or more lower apertures 12, the user can act on the drive member 16 and rotate it, in order to simultaneously rotate the closing element so as to align the through slots 18 with the lower apertures 12, without coming into contact with the beans.

[0083] The support plate 21 can be located resting on the edges 25 of two opposing sides of the container 11, so as to be suspended above the beans.

[0084] Advantageously, the support plate 21 can be provided with coupling members 23 by means of which it can be coupled to the upper end or to the edge 25 of the container 11.

[0085] The support plate 21 can comprise a peripheral edge 24 able to engage with the upper edge 25 of the container 11 that delimits the upper aperture 14.

[0086] The peripheral edge 24 can have a substantially rectangular shape, correlated to the shape of the upper part Ila.

[0087] The coupling members 23 can be made in the form of, or comprise, a perimeter seating 26 disposed on the peripheral edge, able to receive the upper edge 25. This perimeter seating 26 can be continuous or comprise a plurality of perimeter seatings 26 disposed spaced apart along the perimeter.

[0088] The support plate 21 comprises a lowered portion 27, connected on oppositesides to the peripheral edge 24, and in which the through hole 22 is made.

[0089] The lowered portion 27 preferably has an extension smaller than the section of the container 11 , so as to allow to fill the container without having to remove the support plate 21 and preferably has an inclined wall 28 to facilitate the descent of the beans.

[0090] A shaped cylindrical portion 29 can also be provided around the through hole 22, able to cooperate with the drive member 16, as will be better described below. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the hopper 10 comprises a sleeve 30 disposed around the stem 20, configured to guarantee a correct alignment of the stem 20 along the vertical axis X.

[0091] The sleeve 30 can have an upper end 31 able to cooperate with the support plate 21 and a lower end 32 connected to the closing element 13, or to a part thereof. The upper end 31 can have a cup-like shape, with a U-shaped section on a vertical plane, which surrounds the first terminal portion 33 of the stem 20. The upper end 31 has a larger diameter than that of the intermediate part of the stem 20.

[0092] The lower end 32 can be configured to be located resting on the edge of the lower coupling seating 36, or of the tubular portion 37, if present.

[0093] A flared part 39 can also be provided on the sleeve 30, having the function of “finger guard” and / or covering of the coupling zone between the lower end 32 and the tubular portion 37.

[0094] According to possible variants, the “finger guard” element can be made directly on the support plate 21, in particular on the lowered portion 27, for example by appropriately sizing the inclined walls 28.

[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, with reference to an embodiment described with reference to fig. 1A, the drive member 16 is stably engaged with the stem 20 and with the closing element 13, and it is substantially movable only in rotation around the axis X.

[0096] According to another aspect of the invention, with reference to an embodiment described with reference to figs. 1, 2 and 3A-3E, the drive member 16 is movable axially along the axis X and is configured to assume at least a first inactive position in which it prevents a rotation of the closing element 13, and at least one active position in which it is rotatable in one or the other direction around the axis X anda rotation thereof determines a simultaneous rotation of the closing element 13 to open or close the lower aperture 12.

[0097] In the active position, the drive member 16 and the stem 20 are reciprocally engaged with each other so as to rotate together, while in the inactive position the drive member 16 and the stem 20 are uncoupled.

[0098] In particular, in the active position the first terminal portion 33 is completely inserted in the upper coupling seating 35, while in the inactive position it is at least partly outside it.

[0099] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, elastic return elements 41 are provided, for example in the form of one or more springs, configured to keep the drive member 16 in the inactive position when no force is exerted on it in the axial direction.

[0100] The drive member 16 is configured to switch from the inactive position to the active position when a force is exerted on it in the axial direction along the axis X. The configuration of the drive member 16 with an inactive and an active position, combined with the elastic means 41 that keep the drive member 16 in the inactive position, brings significant advantages compared to known solutions. In particular, this configuration prevents any accidental rotations of the closing element 13 when the hopper 10 is extracted from the machine 100, ensuring that the beans cannot inadvertently escape. Furthermore, the system requires a deliberate action by the user (axially pushing the drive member) before the closing element 13 can be rotated, increasing safety and preventing any unintentional openings during transport or handling of the hopper 10.

[0101] The elastic elements 41 can be attached to the support plate 21 on one side, in particular around the through hole 22, and to an abutment wall 42 of the drive member 16, for example provided on a lower surface thereof, on the other side.

[0102] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the drive member 16 comprises a lower cylindrical portion 43 extending coaxial to the stem 20, which is provided on the lower edge with a tooth 44 able to couple to an abutment element 45 integral with the support plate 21, so as to limit the movement of the drive member 16 by the action of the elastic means 41.

[0103] Fig. 3 A shows the drive member 16 in the inactive position, in which it is disengaged from the stem 20 by the elastic means 41 that push it upward. Theclosing element 13 is in the closed position of fig. 4A, in which the through slots 18 are completely offset with respect to the lower apertures 12, and the latter are aligned with, and closed by, the solid part of the lower wall 19.

[0104] Fig. 3B shows the drive member 16, pushed downward in the direction of the arrow Fl, in the active position in which it is engaged with the stem 20. During the axial movement of the drive member 16, the closing element 13 remains stationary in the closed position of fig. 3 A.

[0105] Fig. 3C shows a step in which the drive member 16 is rotated around the axis X in the direction of the arrow F2, keeping it in the active position. The closing element 13 rotates simultaneously with the drive member 16 and the stem 20. In fig. 4B, the closing element 13 is in a position of partial opening, also rotated in the direction of the arrow F2, with the through slots 18 partly overlapping the lower apertures 12.

[0106] Fig. 3D shows the drive member 16 in the active position of engagement with the stem 20 and rotated by about 90° with respect to the position of fig. 3 A. The closing element 13 is in the open position of fig. 4C, in which the through slots 18 are completely aligned with the lower apertures 12.

[0107] Fig. 3E shows the drive member 16 brought back to the inactive position, pushed by the elastic means 41 in the direction of the arrow F3. The closing element 13 remains in the open position of fig. 4C.

[0108] To close the hopper 10, the same steps shown in figs. 3A-3E are carried out, but in the reverse order: 3E, 3D, 3C, 3B, 3 A.

[0109] In the case of the embodiment of fig. 1A, the drive member 16 is essentially always engaged with the stem 20 and therefore is always in the active position, and only the rotation of fig. 3C, between the closed position corresponding substantially to that shown in figs. 3 A and 4A and the open position corresponding to that of figs. 3D and 4C, is provided.

[0110] According to one aspect of the invention, the machine 100 comprises one or more detection devices 105, 106 able to detect the presence of the hopper 10 and / or the open or closed condition thereof.

[0111] The machine 100 can comprise a presence detection device 105 able to detect the presence of the hopper 10, for example embodied as a microswitch, located in correspondence with the housing seating 102.According to one aspect of the invention, the container 11 can be provided on the lower part 11b with first coupling elements 46 able to couple to respective second coupling elements 47 provided in the housing seating 102, so as to keep the container 11 stationary and allow the rotation of the closing element 13 with respect thereto.

[0112] The coupling elements 46, 47 can comprise respective protruding tabs and recesses able to be univocally connected, of the “poka-yoke” type.

[0113] The presence sensor 105 can be positioned in correspondence with or in proximity to a second coupling element 47.

[0114] The machine 100 can comprise a state detection device 106, for example embodied as a microswitch, able to detect the position of the closing element 13 and therefore the closed or open state of the lower apertures 12.

[0115] The state detection device 106 can be located in correspondence with the housing seating 102, for example in an intermediate position with respect to the second coupling elements 47. The closing element 13 can be provided in this regard with a shaped lateral wall 48, having an abutment element 49 able to contact the state detection device 106 in the open condition (fig. 5B).

[0116] Respective coupling elements 50 can be provided on the closing element 13, which are able to cooperate with the coupling elements 47 and with grooves provided in the housing seating 102 in order to clamp the hopper 10 when the closing element 13 is in the open position.

[0117] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the machine 100 comprises a control unit 110 able to receive a signal from the one or more detection devices 105, 106 and consequently allow the grinding device 103 and the other components of the machine 100, such as the infusion unit 104, to be started, on the basis of the signals received and of a command given by a user by means of a control interface 107.

[0118] For example, when the control unit 110 receives only a hopper 10 presence signal, while the state detection device 106 does not emit a signal, the control unit 110 can be configured to start the grinding device 103 only in order to eliminate any residues of beans and / or powder present therein.

[0119] When the control unit 110 receives both a hopper 10 presence signal and also an “open” hopper state signal, the control unit 110 can command both the start ofthe grinding device 103 and also the infusion unit 104 to prepare a beverage.

[0120] Preferably, the machine 100 comprises at least two hoppers 10, positioned adjacent to each other and both connected to the same grinding device 103.

[0121] According to some embodiments, the machine comprises a shaped conveyor 108 able to receive the beans at exit from the respective lower apertures 12 of two adjacent hoppers 10, and convey them all toward a loading aperture 109 of the grinding device 103, or toward a lead-in element 111 located in an intermediate position between the shaped conveyor 108 and the loading aperture 109.

[0122] The upper portions 11 a of the hoppers 10 can have substantially the same, or specular, shapes, or be at least partly different from each other. Preferably, the lower portions 11b are offset with respect to the respective upper portions 1 la so as to facilitate the exit of the beans toward the common shaped conveyor 108. The invention also concerns an operating method of a machine for preparing beverages, comprising:

[0123] - inserting the hopper 10 into a housing seating 102 of a containing body 101 of the machine 100 by coupling respective first and second coupling elements 46, 47 in order to keep the container 11 stationary, preventing a rotation thereof;

[0124] - rotating the drive member 16 positioned inside the container 11 , above the beans present therein, so as to simultaneously rotate the closing element 13 and align the one or more through slots 18 with the one or more lower apertures 12;

[0125] - detecting the presence of the hopper 10 and / or an open or closed state thereof, and consequently commanding the grinding device 103 and / or the infusion unit 104.

[0126] According to another aspect of the invention, before rotating the drive member 16, the method provides to exert an action on it in an axial direction so as to compress elastic elements 41 acting between the drive member 41 and the support plate 21, and take drive member 16 into an active position in which it is engaged with the stem 20 and integral with the closing element 13 and, at the end of the rotation, in the open state of the hopper 10, the method provides to release the drive member 16 so that the elastic elements 41, no longer compressed, bring it back to the inactive position.

[0127] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the hopper 10, to the machine 100 and to the method as described heretofore, without therebydeparting from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0128] It is also clear that, 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 hopper 10, machine 100 and method for preparing beverages, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0129] 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. Hopper ( 10) for feeding beans comprising a container (11) provided with at least one lower aperture (12) for the passage of the beans, a closing element (13) provided with at least one through slot (18) and rotatably associated with the container (11) to open and close the at least one lower aperture (12) and allow or prevent the passage of the beans, and a drive member (16) connected to the closing element (13) and drivable by a user to rotate the latter with respect to an axis of rotation (X), characterized in that said drive member (16) is positioned inside the container (11), above the beans present therein, and is connected to said closing element (13) by means of a stem (20), and said hopper (10) comprises a support plate (21) located in correspondence with an upper portion of said container (11), said plate (21) configured to support said drive member (16) and provided with at least one through hole (22) able to position and guide said stem (20).

2. Hopper (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said drive member (16) is configured to assume at least a first inactive position in which it prevents a rotation of the closing element (13), and at least one active position in which it is rotatable in one direction or the other and a rotation thereof determines a simultaneous rotation of the closing element (13).

3. Hopper (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that in said first inactive position said drive member (16) is disengaged from said stem (20), and in said active position it is engaged with said stem (20).

4. Hopper (10) as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (41) configured to keep said drive member (16) in said inactive position when no axial force is exerted along said axis of rotation (X).

5. Hopper (10) as in one or the other of claims from 2 to 4, characterized in that said drive member (16) comprises an upper coupling seating (35) able to receive an upper terminal portion (33) of said stem (20), wherein in said active position said upper terminal portion (33) is completely inserted in said upper coupling seating (35) and engaged with the drive member (16), while in the inactive position it is at least partly outside the upper coupling seating (35) and at least partly disengaged from said drive member (16).

6. Hopper (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said stem (20) is disposed inside a sleeve (30) having an upper end (31) cooperating with saidsupport plate (21) and a lower end (32) cooperating with said closing element (13), or a part (37) thereof.

7. Hopper (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said support plate (21) is located resting on the edges (25) of two opposing sides of said container (11) and in use is suspended above the beans.

8. Hopper (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said support plate (21) comprises a peripheral edge (24) and a lowered portion (27), which is connected on opposite sides to said peripheral edge (24) and in which said through hole (22) is made, wherein said lowered portion (27) has an extension smaller than the section of the container (11).

9. Machine (100) for preparing beverages comprising a containing body (101), a grinding device (103), an infusion unit (104) and a housing seating (102) in which there is removably housed at least one hopper (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said hopper (10) and said housing seating (102) are respectively provided with first and second coupling elements (46, 47) able to couple reciprocally in order to keep said container (11) stationary with respect to said axis of rotation (X).

10. Machine (100) as in claim 9, characterized in that it comprises one or more detection devices (105) able to detect the presence of the hopper (10) and a control unit (110) able to receive a signal from the one or more detection devices (105) and consequently command the start of the grinding device (103) and / or the infusion unit (104).

11. Machine (100) as in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises one or more detection devices (106) able to detect an open or closed state of said hopper (10), and a control unit (110) able to receive a signal from the one or more detection devices (106) and consequently command the start of the grinding device (103) and / or the infusion unit (104).

12. Machine (100) as in any claim from 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises two hoppers (10), each with a container (11) comprising an upper portion (11a) having a larger section and a lower coupling portion (lib) having a substantially circular smaller section, with shape and sizes correlated to said closing element (13), which are connected by an intermediate portion (1 lc), wherein the respective lower portions (11b) are offset with respect to a vertical median plane (M) of the respective upper portion (11a) and are located adjacent to each other, and bothcooperate with the same grinding device (103).

13. Machine (100) as in claim 12, characterized in that said two hoppers (10), have substantially identical shapes and are disposed rotated by 180° with respect to each other, with the respective lower apertures (12) located adjacent to each other.

14. Operating method of a machine (100) as in one or the other of claims from 9 to 13, comprising:- inserting at least one hopper (10) into said housing seating (102) by coupling said respective first and second coupling elements (46, 47) in order to keep said container (11) stationary, preventing a rotation thereof;- rotating said drive member (16) positioned inside the container (11), above the beans, to simultaneously rotate said closing element (13) and align said at least one through slot (18) with the at least one lower aperture (12).

15. Operating method as in claim 14, characterized in that, before rotating said drive member (16), said method provides to exert an action on it in an axial direction along said axis of rotation (X) in order to compress elastic elements (41) acting between said drive member (16) and said support plate (21), and take it from an inactive position in which it is uncoupled from said stem (20) to an active position in which it is engaged with said stem (20) and said closing element (13), and at the end of the rotation, in an open state of said hopper (10), said method provides to release said drive member (16) so that said elastic elements (41), no longer compressed, bring said drive member (16) back to said inactive position.

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