Coffee Basket Dosing Blade for Precise Ground Coffee Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling the quantity of ground coffee in an espresso machine's coffee basket lack precision and consistency, with traditional methods resulting in significant variations in coffee dose, leading to inconsistent espresso quality.

Innovation Solution

A tool with a durable anodised aluminium blade featuring bevelled surfaces and rebates that penetrate and scrape congregated particulates, allowing for precise control of coffee quantity by adjusting the blade length and rotating movement within the coffee basket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional volumetric chambers or adjustable grinders are used to control coffee dose, then the dosing process is simplified, but the precision and consistency of coffee quantity control deteriorates with variations of plus or minus 1.5 to 2.0 grams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing process simplicityVSAvoidcoffee quantity precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of dose control from volumetric measurement to mass measurement. By using a blade that physically removes a specific mass of coffee (e.g., 20 grams) through rotational scraping motion, the system achieves precise mass control independent of volume variations, coffee moisture, or packing density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the excess coffee from the coffee basket using a blade that scrapes and removes the precise amount needed. Instead of trying to add the exact amount, the system adds excess and removes the surplus, achieving precise dosing through subtraction rather than addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If manual sweeping of excess coffee is performed to control dose, then equipment complexity is reduced, but the consistency of coffee quantity control deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving constant sweeping speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing equipment simplicityVSAvoidcoffee quantity consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is designed to be self-regulating in its scraping action. The rotational motion combined with the blade geometry automatically controls the removal rate, eliminating the need for the operator to maintain constant manual sweeping speed. The system serves itself by using the blade's physical properties to control the dosing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If coffee is ground and ejected horizontally into a dispensing chamber, then the grinding process is simplified, but the amount of ground coffee varies greatly due to random clumping of the oily substance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrinding process simplicityVSAvoidground coffee quantity consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to control the ejection of ground coffee from the grinder, the invention inverts the approach by first placing a known excess amount in the basket and then removing the precise amount needed. This reverses the control point from the grinding/ejection stage to the dosing/removal stage, where precision can be achieved through mechanical scraping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2094135B1A tool for controlling the quantity of particulates contained in a receptacle

Publication Date: 2011.02.23 MCKNIGHT PHILIP LEWIS

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AI summary

The invention provides a tool (10) for use in controlling quantity of congregatable particulates, such as coffee, contained in a receptacle. The tool (10) includes support means (20) and a blade (18). The support means (20) are adapted to be supported by a wall of the receptacle. The blade (18) is for contacting an upper surface of the congregated particulates. The tool (10) is movable relative to the receptacle wall.