Patent Description:
The present invention more particularly relates to a hopper for a coffee grinder machine with a lower closure device configured to reduce the amount of coffee wasted during the hopper removal operation. The present invention also relates to a coffee grinder machine comprising said hopper.

As is known, for the preparation of an espresso coffee, a certain amount of ground coffee, usually called dose, is used. The dose of ground coffee is loaded into a filter, typically cup-shaped, open at the top and with a micro-perforated bottom. Typically, the coffee dose is pressed into the filter to form a powdered coffee puck. The filter is in turn supported by a filter holder configured to removably engage a dispensing group of an espresso coffee machine. The espresso coffee is obtained by passing hot water under pressure through the powdered coffee puck.

The coffee powder is obtained by a coffee grinding machine. In a known coffee grinding machine, the coffee grains are ground by passing them through grinding members. Grinding members of the flat, conical or cylindrical type are known. Typically, the grinding members of a coffee grinding machine comprise a fixed member and a member rotating with respect to the fixed member. For example, in a coffee grinder with conical mill, one mill remains fixed, namely stationary, while the other is rotated by a motor.

The coffee grains to be ground are typically loaded into a container, called hopper, disposed above the grinding members. Typically, the coffee grains reach the grinding members by gravity.

The hopper has an upper opening, usually provided with a lid for closing it, and a lower opening so that the coffee grains to be ground can reach the grinding members.

The hopper can be removed from the coffee machine for various reasons. For example, to clean the grinding means and/or the hopper or to empty the hopper and replace the coffee mixture contained therein. Or, to store the unground coffee in a cool and dry environment (for example in a refrigerator) when a rather long period of inactivity is foreseen (for example at night, at the end of a working day).

Since the hopper, when it is to be separated from the coffee grinding machine, can be at least partially filled with coffee beans, a lower closure device is provided. Before removing the hopper, the bartender closes the lower opening and prevents the coffee beans in the hopper from falling down and being wasted.

<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose hoppers with closure systems.

The Applicant has carefully observed the known lower closure devices of the hoppers for coffee grinder machines.

The Applicant has observed that the known lower closure devices of the hoppers for coffee-milling machines perform the lower closure of the hopper at a position which sacrifices a non-small quantity of coffee beans.

In other words, the Applicant has observed that between the grinding members and the lower closure device of the hopper there remains a not negligible amount of grains not yet ground. Such grains are wasted (perhaps by grinding them "idly", i.e. without necessity) or they can be partially gathered with great difficulty by the bartender.

The waste of coffee, as well as of any food, is ethically unacceptable but it is also to be avoided for economic reasons. The Applicant has in fact calculated that the amount of coffee beans wasted each time the hopper is removed is not less than about <NUM>. Considering that the hopper can be removed one or more times a day, the annual waste of coffee is of a few kilograms.

The Applicant has faced the problem of limiting the waste of coffee when the hopper is removed and of providing an aperture which is larger than the known arrangements. According to the Applicant, a problem lies in the fact that the known closure devices act in a position far from the grinding members. Typically, the closure occurs at a distance of a few centimeters from the grinding members. It is precisely the volume of coffee between the grinding means and the closing device that is lost.

According to the Applicant, the problem of reducing wasted coffee when the hopper of a coffee grinding machine is removed can be solved by providing a closure device with an actuation member defining an actuation plane and a shutter member defining a shutter plane. wherein the drive plane is not coincident with the shutter plane and the actuation plane is higher than the shutter plane.

The relative position between the operating plane and the shutter plane is evaluated in a straight vertical position of the hopper, with the opening for loading the coffee beans to be ground facing upwards.

Preferably, the actuation is performed by a rotational movement about a vertical or substantially vertical axis.

In this way, the actual closing plane (shutter plane) is in the vicinity of the grinding members. Therefore, the volume of coffee between the top of the grinding members and the actual closure plane is significantly reduced compared to the known systems, thus reducing the amount of coffee wasted and unused when the hopper is disassembled.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a hopper for a coffee grinder machine comprising:.

Basically, the mobile sectors move, that is, they open up like a folding fan. The expression "they move like a folding fan" when is referred to the sectors of the shutter member means that there are circular sectors (also called petals or cloves) that are hinged in the center, ie near the tip. The circular sectors can all be stacked on top of each other; in this case, the opening is all open except for the part where the circular sectors are stacked. The circular sectors can be arranged in circumferential succession in order to close the opening. In this position, two circumferentially successive sectors may possibly overlap for a minimum part, in correspondence with their respective circumferentially adjacent edges. Intermediate positions of partial closing (or opening) can also be provided.

According to embodiments, the fixed circular sector comprises, namely forms, a central angle less than <NUM>°.

According to embodiments, the fixed circular sector is shaped so as to protrude from the top towards the inside of the hopper, preferably forming a double chute.

According to embodiments, the bottom of the cup-shaped body comprises a bottom circular sector having a central angle of less than <NUM>°, for instance less than <NUM>°, wherein the bottom circular sector of the cup-shaped body is hinged and rotatable with respect to the single fixed circular sector.

According to embodiments, the shutter member comprises a first movable sector and a second movable sector which can be caused to rotate through a rotation of the bottom circular sector of the cup-shaped body.

According to embodiments, the bottom circular sector of the cup-shaped body comprises a groove which extends for an arc of circumference, wherein the first movable sector comprises a first tooth and wherein the groove is configured to cooperate with the first tooth of the first mobile sector.

According to embodiments, the first movable sector further comprises a second tooth configured to cooperate with the second movable sector.

According to embodiments, at least along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body there is a slit.

According to embodiments, at least along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body there is a barrier edge projecting downwards.

According to embodiments, the cup-shaped body comprises a ring ferrule for rotating the cup-shaped body with respect to the cylindrical body.

According to another aspect, there is provided a coffee grinder machine comprising a machine body, a grinding chamber with grinding members and a hopper, wherein said hopper comprises:.

According to embodiments, the shutter surface is at a distance d from the grinding members less than or equal to about <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the shutter plane is at a distance D greater than about <NUM> from the actuation plane.

According to embodiments, the closing device is configured to be actuated through a rotational movement about a vertical axis.

A detailed description of the invention is now given by way of nonlimiting example, to be read with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

In <FIG>, by way of example only, a coffee grinding machine M is shown with a hopper <NUM> mounted in its upper part.

<FIG> illustrate in very schematic terms the principle underlying the present invention. According to the present invention, the closure of the bottom opening of the hopper <NUM> does not take place at the control member which closes the lower opening of the hopper. In fact, the actual closing of the hopper <NUM> takes place at a shutter plane S which is lower than the actuation plane A. Advantageously, the actual closure takes place in a position closer to the grinding members G. In this way, the volume of coffee beans already released from the hopper <NUM> and therefore not usable is virtually zero or in any case small. Closing (and reopening) takes place through a rotation movement around a vertical or substantially vertical axis V, by rotating clockwise and/or counterclockwise as shown by the arrows in <FIG>.

According to advantageous embodiments, the closure of the bottom opening of the hopper <NUM> takes place through a rotation movement.

Preferably, the rotation is manual, i.e. performed by a human operator when necessary. Alternatively, it can be controlled automatically, for example by means of an electric motor or the like. In this case, a sensor (for example a proximity or contact sensor) can be provided which sensor commands closure if the hopper <NUM> is raised even a small distance. In this way, the risk of the operator forgetting to close the opening of the hopper at the bottom before separating it from the coffee grinder M is avoided.

According to the present invention, the closing device <NUM> closes the bottom opening with a "folding fan-like" movement, contrary to known solutions with butterfly closure.

Unlike known solutions, in the present embodiment there are circular sectors that the barista can rotate from an open position in which the sectors are substantially all stacked, namely superimposed, to a closed position in which each sector closes a part of the opening, and together, on the whole, the sectors substantially close it completely. This movement resembles that of a folding fan in that it passes from a folded rest position to a fully unfolded position.

With reference to the various Figures, in particular with reference to the exploded view of <FIG>, the bottom <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> is shaped so as to include a tubular part (or tubular body) <NUM> projecting downwards. The bottom opening of the hopper <NUM> is the tubular part <NUM>. The tubular part <NUM> is preferably with a circular section.

The tubular part <NUM> is substantially completely open but is closed by a fixed sector <NUM>. The fixed sector <NUM> of the tubular part <NUM> is substantially triangular, with the base along a portion of the edge of the tubular part <NUM>. The fixed sector <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM> comprises a central hole <NUM>. Preferably, the central hole <NUM> is threaded.

Fixed sector <NUM> has a central angle α (alpha) less than <NUM>°. In embodiments, the angle α at the center is approximately equal to <NUM> ° or less than <NUM>°. For example it is between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, for example <NUM>°.

Preferably, the fixed sector <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM> is flat in its lower face. Preferably, the fixed sector of the tubular body has a shape protruding upwards, towards the inside of the hopper <NUM>. As will become clear in the following, the protruding shape favors the sliding of the coffee beans towards the opening and prevents the beans from lock in correspondence with the fixed sector <NUM>.

When the hopper <NUM> is made of plastic material, the fixed sector <NUM> can be substantially hollow internally as shown in the various figures.

For reasons that will be clarified below, a slit <NUM> is preferably present along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body <NUM>.

Preferably, for reasons which will be clarified below, at least along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body <NUM> there is an edge <NUM> projecting downwards.

According to the present invention, the closing device <NUM> of the bottom opening of the hopper comprises a cup-shaped body <NUM> which cooperates with the tubular body <NUM>.

The cup-shaped body <NUM> has an internal section substantially corresponding to the external section of the cylindrical body <NUM> in terms of shape and dimensions. In its upper part, the cup-shaped body <NUM> comprises a ring <NUM> with teeth to facilitate the grip (and therefore the rotation) by the barista.

Similarly to the cylindrical body <NUM>, the cup-shaped body <NUM> comprises a bottom circular sector <NUM>. The bottom circular sector <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM> is substantially triangular, with the base along a portion of the edge of the cup-shaped body <NUM>. The circular bottom sector <NUM> of the cup-shaped body comprises a central hole <NUM>. Preferably, the central hole <NUM> is a through hole.

Preferably, the bottom circular sector <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM> is flat.

Preferably, the bottom circular sector <NUM> includes a groove <NUM> with a circular arc that develops near the edge of the cup body <NUM>.

In the exploded view of <FIG> other elements of the closing device <NUM> according to the invention are visible. In particular, two mobile circular sectors <NUM>, <NUM>, also called "petals" are visible.

The cup-shaped body <NUM> is coupled to the tubular body <NUM> by means of a screw <NUM> which passes through the central hole <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM> and screws into the central hole <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM>. The petals <NUM>, <NUM>, and possibly a washer <NUM>, are interposed between the two bodies <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each petal <NUM>, <NUM> has a roughly triangular shape with a curved base.

Each petal <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a central hole <NUM>, <NUM>, preferably through hole.

Preferably, each petal <NUM>, <NUM>, comprises a pair of teeth <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> at the ends of the curved base.

A first petal <NUM>, also called "lower petal", comprises a first tooth <NUM> facing downwards, configured to engage the groove <NUM> in the bottom sector <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM>. The first tooth <NUM> is substantially at <NUM>° with respect to the lower face of the first petal <NUM>. The second tooth <NUM> is substantially at <NUM>° with respect to the upper face of the first petal <NUM>.

A second petal <NUM>, also called "upper petal", comprises a third tooth <NUM> facing radially, configured to cooperate with the second tooth <NUM> of the lower petal <NUM>. The fourth tooth <NUM> is substantially at <NUM>° with respect to the upper face of the upper petal <NUM>.

In the configuration in which the bottom opening is open, the bottom sector <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM> is substantially superimposed on the fixed sector <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM> protruding from the hopper <NUM>. In this open position, the upper petal <NUM> and the petal lower <NUM> are also superimposed. This configuration is shown, for example, in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, thanks to the folding fan solution, the opening angle is much higher than the opening angle of the known solutions, typically <NUM>°. In the present embodiment, the opening angle is preferably greater than <NUM>°, for example <NUM>° as in the representation of <FIG>.

Starting from the open position (<FIG>), to close the bottom opening <NUM> the barista rotates the cup body <NUM> and therefore the bottom sector <NUM>. During the first part of this rotation, the first tooth <NUM> of the lower petal <NUM> runs through the groove <NUM> of the bottom sector <NUM>. Continuing in the rotation of the cup-shaped body <NUM>, the lower petal <NUM> is dragged by the engagement between the first tooth <NUM> and the end of the groove <NUM>. Continuing again with the rotation of the cup-shaped body <NUM> with respect to the tubular body <NUM>, the lower petal <NUM> rotates the upper petal <NUM> since the second tooth <NUM> engages the third tooth <NUM>. In turn, the second tooth <NUM> and the fourth tooth <NUM> slide in the groove <NUM> of cylindrical body <NUM>.

As mentioned above, at least along a portion of the thickness of the cylindrical body there is an edge <NUM> projecting downwards. This edge <NUM> constitutes a barrier for closing the bottom opening <NUM> in a precise way, preventing large amounts of coffee or coffee powder from escaping when the cup-shaped body <NUM> and/or the petals <NUM>, <NUM> are in certain positions.

<FIG> show the closing device of the bottom opening <NUM> completely closed.

<FIG> instead show the closing device of the bottom opening <NUM> completely open.

<FIG> shows the closing device of the bottom opening <NUM> partially open. To illustrate the engagement of the second tooth <NUM> and of the fourth tooth <NUM> in the groove <NUM>, in <FIG> the cup body <NUM> has not been shown.

Claim 1:
A hopper (<NUM>) for a coffee grinder machine (M) comprising:
a main container body (<NUM>) for containing coffee beans to be ground, wherein the main body (<NUM>) comprises an upper loading opening (<NUM>);
a lower hopper portion (<NUM>) comprising a bottom opening (<NUM>) to allow coffee beans to reach grinding organs (G),
a closing device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for closing the bottom opening (<NUM>), wherein the closing device comprises an actuating member (<NUM>, <NUM>), a shutter member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), an actuation plane (A) and a shutter plane (S), wherein the shutter plane (S) is arranged below the actuation plane (A), wherein the shutter member comprises:
a single circular sector (<NUM>) fixed with respect to the lower hopper portion (<NUM>), wherein the fixed circular sector (<NUM>) comprises a central angle (α) less than <NUM>° and a central hole (<NUM>);
mobile circular sectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) hinged at the central hole (<NUM>), wherein the mobile circular sectors are rotatable between a first position in which the bottom opening (<NUM>) is open and at least two of the sectors are substantially stacked one on top of the other in correspondence with the single fixed circular sector (<NUM>) and a second position in which the lower opening (<NUM>) is closed by the single fixed circular sector (<NUM>) and by the mobile sectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in a circumferential succession arrangement, wherein the closing device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a tubular body (<NUM>) projecting downwards from the hopper (<NUM>) at the bottom opening (<NUM>) and a cup-shaped body (<NUM>) and wherein the shutter plane (S) substantially corresponds to the bottom of the cup-shaped body (<NUM>).