Patent Description:
In the state of the art, the preparation of the coffee-flavoured beverage called drip coffee, or more commonly American coffee or filtered coffee, has long been known. The preparation of this beverage is based on the principle of slowly filtering the hot water through a layer of ground coffee, placed in a paper filter. By percolation, the hot water dissolves the water-soluble substances contained in the ground coffee, transferring them into the beverage.

The practice of preparing drip coffee requires that a conical body (in technical jargon "dripper") is placed on a glass jug. Inside the conical body there is a filter, typically made of paper or metal, containing ground coffee. To obtain the drip coffee, the user pours hot water into the conical body, filled with ground coffee, at a temperature that does not compromise the organoleptic characteristics of the brew. Typically, the user when pouring water into the conical body, for example by means of a jug, imparts a rotary motion so that the water is poured along the entire circumferential wall of the conical body. By the action of gravity, the water percolates through the ground coffee in the filter, dissolving the water-soluble substances and, passing through the vertex of the conical body, reaches the underlying glass jug where it is accumulated.

In the state of the art, several coffee machines adapted to automate the process of extracting the coffee aromas mentioned above are known.

For example, document <CIT> discloses a machine for the preparation of drip coffee having a nozzle adapted to deliver pressurized hot water in a conical body containing ground coffee. This nozzle is fed by a pump and constrained on a pair of pins adapted to translate along two axes perpendicular to each other. In use, by acting on the pair of pins it is possible to move the nozzle to pour hot water at different points of the conical body.

Similarly, document <CIT> <NUM> discloses a machine for the preparation of drip coffee comprising a pump adapted to feed pressurized hot water to a movable nozzle placed above a conical body containing ground coffee. In use, the nozzle is configured to move along a horizontal axis and to rotate about a pin so as to reproduce the movement of the user.

The coffee machine illustrated in document <CIT> <NUM> differs from those of the above documents in that the hot water dispenser nozzle is obliged to rotate within a spiral track.

Further examples of coffee machines for the preparation of drip coffee having a movable nozzle are reported in documents <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

It should be noted that in order to obtain a complete extraction of the organoleptic properties from the ground coffee it is necessary that the hot water slowly percolates through it, so as to allow the complete dissolution of the water-soluble substances.

The machines known in the state of the art have dispenser nozzles, fed by pumping means, adapted to deliver pressurized hot water directly on the ground coffee. Thus, disadvantageously, the hot water is introduced into the conical body containing the ground coffee in the form of a pressurized flow, thereby forcing the filtration process and reducing the time for crossing the layer of ground coffee.

It is therefore evident that the machines known in the state of the art do not allow the complete extraction of the organoleptic properties of ground coffee to be obtained.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a coffee machine for the preparation of drip coffee that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coffee machine for the preparation of filter coffee that is able to maximize the extraction of the organoleptic properties of the ground coffee.

The present invention relates to a coffee machine comprising a dispenser element configured to deliver hot water and feeding members adapted to supply hot water to the dispenser element.

The coffee machine subject-matter of the present invention further comprises a filter coffee dispensing unit having a tank, arranged below the dispensing element (<NUM>) along a longitudinal direction (X-X), and configured to collect the hot water coming from the dispensing element.

In detail, the tank has a discharge opening, so as to release by gravity, the hot water accumulated in the tank into a hopper configured to accommodate a dose of ground coffee.

It should be noted that the flow of pressurized hot water, delivered by the feeding members, by accumulating in the tank reaches the ambient pressure. Thus, the tank acts as a sort of "decompression chamber" adapted to release the pressure of the flow of water exiting the feeding members.

The hot water thus accumulated, which in accordance with the above is at ambient pressure, slowly outflows by gravity from the tank through the discharge opening, pouring over the dose of coffee loaded into the hopper.

Advantageously, the slow supply of hot water in the hopper allows its spontaneous percolation through the ground coffee and therefore the complete extraction of the organoleptic properties.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a coffee machine for the preparation of drip coffee, as illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein:.

With reference to the accompanying Figures, the present invention relates to a machine <NUM> for the preparation of coffee-flavoured beverages, in particular drip coffee.

It should be specified that in the context of the present invention the term drip coffee refers to the coffee-flavoured beverage obtained by slow percolation by gravity of hot water through a dose of ground coffee collected in a special filter. The drip coffee is also commonly referred to as American coffee or even filtered coffee.

In accordance with what is shown in <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a dispensing element <NUM> configured to deliver hot water.

Preferably, the dispensing element <NUM> is shaped as a conduit and has, at one end thereof, a nozzle <NUM> configured to deliver a flow of hot water. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> is of the converging type, i.e. it has an outlet cross-section smaller than the nominal one of the dispensing element <NUM>, so as to accelerate the flow of hot water at the outlet. However, it should be specified that in alternative embodiments, the dispensing element <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> may have the same cross-section.

The machine <NUM> subject-matter of the present invention further comprises feeding members <NUM> placed in fluid communication with the dispensing element to feed hot water to the dispensing element <NUM>.

It is to be specified that in the context of the present invention feeding members <NUM> are understood to mean pumping means and heating means which, in combination, are configured to generate a flow of pressurized hot water. For example, as shown in <FIG>, such feeding members <NUM> may comprise a pump <NUM> and a boiler <NUM> which are arranged in series.

Preferably, the feeding members <NUM> comprise, a valve body <NUM> adapted to interrupt the supply of hot water to the dispensing element <NUM>. Even more preferably the valve body <NUM> comprises a solenoid valve commanded by a command board <NUM>. More details on the command board and on the control of the valve body <NUM> will be provided below in the description.

As shown in <FIG> and detailed in <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a drip coffee dispensing unit <NUM>, i.e. a dispensing unit configured for the preparation of the coffee-flavoured beverage referred to as drip coffee.

This dispensing unit <NUM> is in fluid communication with the dispensing element <NUM> to receive hot water at the inlet. In other words, the dispensing unit <NUM> is arranged downstream of the dispensing element <NUM> so as to receive the hot water delivered by the latter.

The dispensing unit <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM> arranged below the dispensing element <NUM> along a longitudinal direction X-X and configured to collect the hot water coming from the dispensing element <NUM>. More details on the tank and its geometry will be provided below in the description.

<FIG> shows a hopper <NUM> configured to accommodate a dose of ground coffee. It should be specified that this hopper <NUM> is not part of the machine <NUM> subject-matter of the present invention, but is an external element that can be positioned by a user under the dispensing unit <NUM>.

In detail, in a configuration of use, the hopper <NUM> is arranged below the tank <NUM>, which will then be interposed between the dispensing element <NUM> and the hopper <NUM> along the longitudinal direction X-X. Therefore, in the configuration of use the tank <NUM> is placed downstream of the dispensing element <NUM> and upstream of the hopper <NUM>.

For convenience, in the following description and in the accompanying Figures reference is made to the aforementioned condition of use.

In the context of the present invention, the term hopper <NUM> means a container, preferably with inclined walls, which can be used to contain inconsistent materials, namely ground coffee.

In detail, again with reference to <FIG>, the hopper <NUM> has an inlet opening <NUM> adapted to receive hot water at the inlet, and an outlet opening <NUM> adapted to deliver drip coffee. In greater detail, the inlet and outlet opening <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced along the longitudinal direction X-X and the hopper <NUM> is configured to accommodate the dose of coffee therebetween. Typically, the dose of coffee is arranged in a paper or metal filter insertable into the hopper between the inlet and outlet opening <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, at least one between the inlet and outlet opening <NUM>, <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction X-X. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, both the inlet opening <NUM> and the outlet opening <NUM> are oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction X-X.

Furthermore, preferably, the hopper <NUM> has a geometry tapered from the inlet opening <NUM> towards the outlet opening <NUM>, so that the outlet opening <NUM> has a smaller cross-section than the inlet opening <NUM>. For example, the hopper <NUM> is truncated conical or truncated pyramidal in shape with the inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM> openings which are arranged respectively at the major base and at the minor base thereof of the truncated cone or truncated pyramid.

As shown in <FIG>, the tank <NUM> comprises a discharge opening <NUM> configured to discharge by gravity the hot water accumulated in the tank <NUM> into the hopper <NUM>. More precisely, in the configuration of use, the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> is aligned with the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> along the longitudinal direction X-X, so that the hot water outflowing by gravity from the tank <NUM> falls into the hopper <NUM> passing through the inlet opening <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in use, the hot water after having been delivered by the dispensing element <NUM> into the tank <NUM> and having accumulated in the latter, outflows from the discharge opening <NUM> and falls into the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> by the action of the force of gravity.

The tank <NUM> therefore acts as a sort of "decompression chamber" adapted to allow the flow of pressurized hot water delivered by the dispensing elements <NUM> to rest. In fact, the flow of pressurized hot water arriving in the tank <NUM>, and accumulated there, reaches the ambient pressure so as to slowly outflow from the discharge opening <NUM> by the action of the force of gravity. The slow supply of the hot water in the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>, guarantees its spontaneous percolation by gravity through the ground coffee accommodated in the hopper, and therefore the complete extraction of the organoleptic properties of the coffee.

Preferably, the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> faces the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> along the longitudinal direction X-X and is configured to discharge, or rather drip, the hot water accumulated in the tank <NUM> onto the dose of coffee that can be accommodated in the hopper <NUM>.

Even more preferably, the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> has an axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X. In other words, the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction X-X. In the condition of use, preferably the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> is oriented parallel to the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

In detail, preferably, as shown in <FIG>, the tank <NUM> has a chamber <NUM> adapted to collect the hot water coming from the dispensing element <NUM>, and a filling opening <NUM> adapted to allow the introduction of hot water into the chamber <NUM>. Preferably, the filling opening <NUM> is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction X-X, i.e. it has an axis parallel to the latter.

Furthermore, preferably, the tank <NUM> comprises a side wall <NUM>, perimetrically delimiting the chamber <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. Even more preferably, the side wall has an edge 53a defining the filling opening <NUM>.

Furthermore, preferably, the tank <NUM> comprises a bottom <NUM>, opposite the filling opening <NUM> and delimiting the chamber <NUM> along the longitudinal direction X-X. In detail, the bottom <NUM> extends mainly orthogonally to the longitudinal direction X-X joining the side wall <NUM>.

In accordance with what is shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, preferably, the nozzle <NUM> of the dispensing element <NUM> is configured to generate a flow of hot water which, when introduced into the tank <NUM>, laps the side wall <NUM> and then accumulates on the bottom <NUM>. Even more preferably, the nozzle <NUM> is partially arranged in the chamber <NUM> near the side wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the discharge opening <NUM> extends along the longitudinal direction X-X by passing entirely through the bottom <NUM> of the tank <NUM> thus creating a through hole that places the chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>.

Furthermore, preferably, the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> has a cross-section - fluid passage clearance - having a smaller extension than that of the nozzle <NUM> of the dispensing element <NUM>. This ensure that at least part of the hot water introduced into the tank <NUM> will accumulate in it before being poured into the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises motorisation elements <NUM> kinematically connected to the tank <NUM>, and configured to rotate it about a rotation axis Y-Y. In detail, the motorisation elements <NUM> are configured to change the position of the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> with respect to the hopper <NUM>, so as to pour the hot water on different regions of the ground coffee. In other words, in use, the motorisation elements <NUM> are configured to move the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> relative to the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> to homogeneously irrigate the ground coffee.

The rotation axis Y-Y is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X. More preferably, the tank <NUM> and the hopper <NUM> are arranged so that the rotation axis Y-Y of the tank <NUM> passes through a central portion of the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>. In this way, the motorisation elements <NUM>, when driven, move the discharge opening <NUM> along a circumferential path around the central portion of the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> ensuring a homogeneous distribution of the hot water on the ground coffee.

The inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> can have different dimensions, in particular it can have a diameter between <NUM> and <NUM>. Therefore, to allow the installation of the same tank <NUM> in machines having hoppers <NUM> with different dimensions, the machine <NUM> subject-matter of the present invention comprises directing elements <NUM> configured to direct the hot water exiting from the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> towards the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the directing elements <NUM> comprise an articulated portion <NUM>.

The directing elements <NUM> are connected to the tank <NUM> at the discharge opening <NUM>, and are configured to be interposed between the tank <NUM> and the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> along the longitudinal direction X-X. Preferably, the directing elements <NUM> are connected to the bottom <NUM> of the tank <NUM> so as to channel the hot water outflowing from the discharge opening <NUM> into the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper.

Preferably, the directing elements <NUM> comprise a first conduit <NUM> connected to the bottom <NUM> of the tank <NUM>, and a second conduit <NUM> connected to the first conduit <NUM> by means of the articulated portion <NUM>. The hot water outflowing from the discharge opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> flows into the inlet opening <NUM> of the hopper <NUM> passing in succession through the first conduit <NUM>, the articulated portion <NUM> and the second conduit <NUM>. By acting on the articulated portion <NUM> it is possible to change the relative position of the second conduit <NUM> with respect to the first conduit <NUM> so as to correctly direct the hot water into the inlet opening <NUM>.

Preferably, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the machine <NUM> subject-matter of the present invention comprises a control system <NUM> for controlling the filling of the tank <NUM> configured to control the actuation of the hot water feeding members <NUM>.

Preferably, the control system <NUM> acts directly on the valve body <NUM> of the feeding members <NUM> to selectively open and close the flow of hot water delivered by the dispensing element <NUM> into the tank <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> comprises at least one between a filling sensor <NUM> arranged in the tank <NUM> to detect the level of the free surface of the water accumulated in the tank <NUM>, and a flowmeter <NUM> arranged upstream of the dispensing unit <NUM> to measure the volume of water supplied by the feeding members <NUM> to the dispensing element <NUM>.

Preferably, the control system <NUM> comprises a control board <NUM> placed in signal communication with the valve body <NUM>, the filling sensor <NUM> and the flowmeter <NUM>. The control board <NUM> based on the measurements of the filling sensor <NUM>, or of the flowmeter <NUM>, or of both is configured to send an actuation signal to the valve body <NUM> to allow or inhibit the delivery of hot water from the dispensing element <NUM>.

In a first embodiment, the control board <NUM> controls the closing of the valve body <NUM> based on the volume of hot water measured by the flowmeter <NUM>. In detail, the control board <NUM> sends a command to close the valve body <NUM> when the flowmeter <NUM> has detected the passage of a predetermined volume of hot water.

In a second embodiment, the control board <NUM> controls the opening or the closing of the valve body <NUM> based on the level of the free water surface in the tank <NUM> measured by the filling sensor <NUM>. In detail, the control board <NUM> sends a closing command of the valve body <NUM> when the level of the free water surface detected by the filling sensor <NUM> is equal to a limit value.

In a third embodiment, the control board <NUM> may be configured to drive the closing and opening of the valve body <NUM> based on time intervals. For example, the control board <NUM> may be configured to leave the valve body <NUM> open for a predetermined time interval.

Preferably, with reference to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> object of the present invention comprises a first drip coffee dispensing zone <NUM> comprising a drip coffee dispensing unit <NUM> in accordance with what is described above, and a second espresso dispensing zone <NUM>, distinct from the drip coffee dispensing zone <NUM>, comprising an espresso coffee dispensing unit <NUM>.

In the context of the present invention, an espresso coffee dispensing unit <NUM> is intended as a dispensing unit for coffee machines adapted to deliver the coffee-flavoured beverage commonly referred to as espresso coffee. It should be noted that espresso coffee dispenser unit <NUM> have been well known to the person skilled in the art for some time, therefore they will not be described in detail.

In a possible embodiment shown in <FIG>, the espresso coffee dispensing unit <NUM> is placed in fluid communication with the same feeding members <NUM> of the drip coffee dispensing unit <NUM>.

In particular, the espresso coffee dispensing unit <NUM> is arranged downstream of the feeding members <NUM> and upstream of the drip coffee dispensing unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the event that the machine <NUM> is configured to deliver both espresso coffee and drip coffee, the valve body <NUM> is arranged downstream of the espresso dispensing unit <NUM> and upstream of the drip coffee dispensing unit <NUM>. When the valve body <NUM> is closed and the feeding members <NUM> are actuated, the hot water will then be supplied to the espresso dispensing unit <NUM>, conversely when the valve body <NUM> is open, the hot water will reach the filter coffee dispensing unit <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the machine <NUM> may comprise dedicated pressurized hot water dispensing members, and thus distinct hydraulic paths, for each dispensing unit <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Coffee machine (<NUM>) which comprises:
- a dispensing element (<NUM>) configured to dispense hot water;
- feeding members (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the dispensing element (<NUM>) to feed hot water to the dispensing element (<NUM>);
- a dispensing unit (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the dispensing element (<NUM>) to receive hot water from the dispensing element (<NUM>);
wherein the dispensing unit (<NUM>) comprises a tank (<NUM>) arranged below the dispensing element (<NUM>) along a longitudinal direction (X-X) and configured to collect the hot water coming from the dispensing element (<NUM>), said tank (<NUM>) having a discharge opening (<NUM>) configured to discharge the hot water accumulated in the tank (<NUM>) by gravity into a hopper (<NUM>) configured to accommodate a dose of ground coffee
characterized in that the dispensing unit (<NUM>) comprises motorisation elements (<NUM>) kinematically connected to the tank (<NUM>) and configured to rotate the tank (<NUM>) around a rotation axis (Y-Y) oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-X), so as to move the discharge opening (<NUM>) of the tank (<NUM>) with respect to the hopper (<NUM>).