Rotary Coffee Tamper with Return-Stroke Rotation for Uniform Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary pressing devices for ground coffee powder in professional espresso equipment often result in uneven compression, powder loss, and sticking issues due to non-homogeneous pressure distribution and rotation during the pressing process, leading to reduced quality and increased cleaning costs.

Innovation Solution

A calibrated rotary pressing device with a nitrogen piston and one-way bearing system that applies a constant force and rotates only during the lever's return phase, ensuring regular compression and reducing powder sticking and loss by rotating the disc after the coffee is compacted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rotation is applied during the pressing operation, then coffee powder is leveled and distributed evenly, but powder sticks to the presser means and is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleveling precisionVSAvoidcoffee powder loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the rotation operation after the pressing is complete rather than during pressing. The disc rotates during the return stroke of the lever after coffee powder has been compacted, which levels the surface without causing powder to stick to the presser means during the high-pressure pressing phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If rotation is applied during pressing, then coffee powder is leveled, but compression becomes non-uniform and quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleveling precisionVSAvoidcompression uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the pressing and rotation operations in time by applying rotation during the return stroke after pressing is complete. This ensures uniform compression is achieved first, then leveling is performed on the already compacted coffee without disrupting compression uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual rotation is applied, then powder residuals are unstuck, but operator skill and attention are required increasing operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder releaseVSAvoidoperational skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by automatically performing the rotation operation through the mechanical return stroke of the lever itself. The system uses its own operational cycle to accomplish the rotation and powder release function without requiring external operator intervention or skill

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by rotating during the return stroke rather than during the pressing stroke. This reversal allows the rotation to occur when the presser means is moving away from the coffee, preventing sticking while still achieving the leveling and powder release benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device achieves consistent and efficient coffee compaction, minimizing waste and cleaning needs while maintaining the desired dose, enhancing the quality of espresso extraction and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a nitrogen piston (102, 103) that axially pushes a shaft (104) which then transfers said compression to the disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas spring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

Between the shaft and the disc, a one-way type bearing (108) is interposed, which is housed in a bushing (109) connected to the disc and transfers the rotation of the shaft only during the return of the lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way bearing mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 3

the disc, which has a helical slot (105) serving as an integrated track, wherein a pin (106) integral with the cylindrical body passes through in order to cause its rotation upon itself simultaneously with the vertical sliding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical slot mechanism: Helix

Data Source

PatentEP3870007B1Calibrated rotary pressing device for ground coffee powder
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 FIORENZATO M C
  • EP3870007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3870007B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3870007B1 patent drawingFigure 7a~9

AI summary

A rotary pressing device (10) for ground coffee powder, able to exert a calibrated and regular compression, as well as a rotation only during the return of the operation lever, thus reducing the known problems of powder sticking to the disc (110), dose reduction and additional costs. The rotary pressing unit (100) comprises a cylindrical body (101) with a nitrogen piston (102, 103) that axially pushes a shaft (104) which then transfers said compression to the disc, which has a helical slot (105) serving as an integrated track, wherein a pin (106) integral with the cylindrical body passes through in order to cause its rotation upon itself simultaneously with the vertical sliding. Between the shaft and the disc, a one-way type bearing (108) is interposed, which is housed in a bushing (109) connected to the disc and transfers the rotation of the shaft only during the return of the lever and not during the operation movement.