Coffee Basket Dosing Tool With Rotating Scraper Blade
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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, leading to variations in espresso quality due to factors like cleanliness, operation speed, and coffee clumping.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a bevelled blade and support means for a receptacle, allowing precise scraping of excess coffee by rotating movement, made of durable materials like anodised aluminium, to ensure consistent dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional volumetric chambers or adjustable grinders are used to control coffee dosage, then the dosing process can be automated, but the precision and consistency of the dose is poor (±1.5 to ±2.0 grams) due to factors like coffee clumping, moisture, and operational variability
Solution Approach 1:
The tool performs preliminary actions by first compacting the ground coffee in the basket to a standardized density, then using a blade to scrape off excess coffee at a predetermined depth. This two-step preliminary action sequence ensures that the remaining coffee dose is precise and consistent, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments during the dosing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical dosing systems (volumetric chambers, adjustable grinders) with a simple manual tool consisting of a compacting element and a blade. This mechanical substitution achieves higher precision (±0.5 grams or better) by using direct physical contact and geometric constraints rather than relying on mechanical mechanisms prone to variability.
2Ease of operation
If manual sweeping of excess coffee is performed to control dosage, then the process is simple to operate, but the precision is limited (±1.0 gram) because it depends on the barista's skill and consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The tool acts as an intermediary device between the barista and the coffee dose. Instead of relying directly on the barista's manual sweeping skill, the tool provides a standardized interface with a blade at a fixed depth and a compacting element, translating simple user actions into precise dosing results with consistency of ±0.5 grams or better.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the coffee basket is tapped or dropped to settle ground coffee before dosing, then the coffee can be compacted, but this creates uneven packing and increases the complexity of achieving consistent dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The tool performs self-service by integrating the compacting function directly into the dosing process. The compacting element standardizes the density of coffee in the basket, and the blade automatically removes excess coffee at the correct level, eliminating the need for separate tapping or dropping actions that create uneven packing.
4Device complexity
If a simple manual tool is used for dosing, then the device complexity is low, but the precision and consistency of dosing is insufficient without additional features
Solution Approach 1:
The tool merges two previously separate functions (compacting and dosing) into a single integrated device. The compacting element and blade work together in one tool, allowing the barista to perform both actions sequentially with the same device, achieving high precision (±0.5 grams) without increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
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.