Patent Description:
In a conventional espresso machine, a portafilter is used to carry coffee grounds during a coffee brewing process. After the coffee brewing process is complete, the used coffee grounds are removed from the portafilter so that fresh coffee grounds may be inserted for the next brew. The used coffee grounds are typically dense and compacted in the portafilter in the form of a coffee puck. Removal of the coffee puck from the portafilter typically requires tapping or striking the portafilter multiple times against a 'knock box', causing the coffee puck to be dislodged from the portafilter and to fall into a container or bag for disposal.

A disadvantage of conventional methods to remove a coffee puck from a portafilter is the prospect of creating mess from the dislodged coffee puck. For example, if the portafilter is struck against the knock box at an unsuitable angle for dislodging the coffee puck, the coffee puck fragments may spray on to the surfaces or walls around the knock box, thus requiring additional cleaning up. If the coffee puck has been left in the portafilter for an extended period of time, the coffee puck typically dries out and hardens, which then requires increased and repeated force to strike the portafilter against the knock box. The striking action also creates loud noises and/or damage to the portafilter, which may be undesirable for the user. The document <CIT> discloses a coffee puck removal device.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

According to the invention it is provided a coffee puck removal device to remove a coffee puck from a portafilter having an open compartment containing the coffee puck, the coffee puck comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the aperture is at least the size of the coffee puck to allow the coffee puck to pass therethrough.

Preferably, the rim includes a resilient material at least partly surrounding the aperture to aid in sealingly connecting the rim and the portafilter.

Preferably, the vacuum source is a vacuum pump operable to remove air from the aperture.

Preferably, the coffee puck removal device further includes a sensor to detect the engagement of the rim with the portafilter and enable operation of the air pump to remove air from the aperture.

Preferably, the sensor detects removal of the portafilter from the rim and disables operation of the air pump.

In one form, the sensor is a contact switch. In another form, the sensor is a limit switch. In yet another form, the sensor is a proximity switch.

There is also disclosed herein an espresso machine including the coffee puck removal device as described above.

Preferably, the espresso machine further includes a coffee outlet and a platform located below the coffee outlet, and the coffee puck removal device is integrated into the platform of the espresso machine.

There is disclosed herein a coffee puck removal device to remove a coffee puck from a portafilter having an open compartment containing the coffee puck, the coffee puck having an exposed major outer face and a major inner face when the coffee puck is located in the open compartment, the device including:.

Preferably, the mechanism is a bellows that is compressed to remove air from the aperture.

There is also disclosed herein a coffee puck removal device to remove a coffee puck from a portafilter having an open compartment containing the coffee puck, the device including:.

According to the invention it is provided a method of removing a coffee puck from a portafilter having an open compartment containing the coffee puck, the method including the steps of claim <NUM>.

There is also disclosed herein a method of removing a coffee puck from a portafilter having an open compartment containing the coffee puck, the method including the steps of:.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In <FIG> of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having a rim <NUM> surrounding an aperture <NUM>. The body <NUM> includes an interior chamber <NUM> in communication with the aperture <NUM>. The rim <NUM> is configured to engage a portafilter <NUM> of an espresso machine such that the portafilter <NUM> covers the aperture <NUM> to inhibit air passing between the portafilter <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. In a preferred form, the rim <NUM> includes a resilient material <NUM>, such as an elastomer, at least partially surrounding the aperture <NUM> to aid in sealingly connecting the rim <NUM> and the portafilter <NUM>. The rim <NUM> further includes a pair of opposing slots <NUM> to receive a corresponding pair of opposing tabs <NUM> on the portafilter <NUM> so as to correctly position the portafilter <NUM> in the aperture <NUM>.

The portafilter <NUM> includes an open compartment <NUM> to hold a coffee puck <NUM>. It will be understood that the coffee puck <NUM> is formed from compressed used coffee grounds following a coffee brewing process of the espresso machine, and the coffee puck <NUM> typically takes the shape of the compartment <NUM> of the portafilter <NUM>. The coffee puck <NUM> has an exposed major outer face <NUM> and a major inner face <NUM> when the coffee puck <NUM> is located in the portafilter <NUM>.

The coffee puck removal device <NUM> further includes a vacuum source <NUM> connected to the interior chamber <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The vacuum source <NUM> is operable to remove air from the aperture <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM>. In a preferred form, the vacuum source <NUM> is a vacuum pump housed in a compartment <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the compartment <NUM> is integrally formed with the rim <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the compartment <NUM> may alternatively be separately formed and mountable to the rim <NUM> or the body <NUM>. The vacuum pump is operatively associated with a motor <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) and is operable to remove air from the aperture <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, the air being removed travels into an inlet <NUM> located in the compartment <NUM> and is pumped into the atmosphere through an outlet <NUM> located in the rim <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments (not shown), the outlet <NUM> may alternatively be located in the body <NUM>. The vacuum pump is operable by way of a power source, such as batteries <NUM>, housed in the compartment <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the aperture <NUM> is at least the size of the coffee puck <NUM> to allow the coffee puck <NUM> to pass therethrough and to fall into the interior chamber <NUM>.

The coffee puck removal device <NUM> further includes a sensor <NUM> to detect the engagement of the rim <NUM> with the portafilter <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is operatively associated with a microprocessor <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) that receives a signal from the sensor <NUM> to enable operation of the vacuum pump to remove air from the aperture <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> also detects the removal or disengagement of the portafilter <NUM> from the rim <NUM> and sends a signal to the microprocessor to disable operation of the vacuum pump. The sensor <NUM> may be in the form of a contact switch or a limit switch to detect when the portafilter <NUM> is in physical contact with the rim <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may alternatively be in the form of a proximity switch to detect when the portafilter <NUM> is within a close distance to the rim <NUM>.

The operation of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> will now be described.

The coffee puck <NUM> is formed in the compartment <NUM> of the portafilter <NUM> following the coffee brewing process. The portafilter <NUM> containing the coffee puck <NUM> is placed on the coffee puck removal device <NUM> such that the rim <NUM> engages the portafilter <NUM>, thereby covering the aperture <NUM> and inhibiting air passing between the portafilter <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> detects the engagement of the rim <NUM> and the portafilter <NUM>, and sends a signal to the microprocessor <NUM> to enable operation of the vacuum source <NUM> (i.e. the vacuum pump). The vacuum source <NUM> removes air from the aperture <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM> so that air pressure applied to the major inner face <NUM> is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face <NUM>, which then causes the removal of the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>. It would therefore be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that vacuum pressure is effectively acting upon the major inner face <NUM> and the exposed major outer face <NUM> of the coffee puck <NUM>, which results in structural compression of the coffee puck <NUM>, with the weakest point being the exposed major outer face <NUM>, causing the coffee puck <NUM> to dislodge from the portafilter <NUM>. Following the removal of the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>, the portafilter <NUM> is removed from the rim <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> detects the removal of the portafilter from the rim <NUM> and sends a signal to the microprocessor to disable the operation of the vacuum source <NUM>.

In <FIG> there is schematically depicted circuit diagrams for the operation of the sensor <NUM> and microprocessor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a circuit diagram for the operation of the sensor <NUM> and the motor <NUM> under a manual shut-off mode. In this manual shut-off mode, the sensor <NUM> detects the engagement of the rim <NUM> with the portafilter <NUM> and enables operation of the motor <NUM> to operate the vacuum pump. The operation of the motor <NUM> and the vacuum pump is then disabled when the sensor <NUM> no longer detects the presence of the portafilter <NUM> (i.e. when the portafilter <NUM> is removed from the rim <NUM>).

<FIG> shows a circuit diagram for the operation of the sensor <NUM> and the motor <NUM> under a first automatic shut-off mode. In this first automatic shut-off mode, and similar to the manual shut-off mode described above, the sensor <NUM> detects the engagement of the rim <NUM> with the portafilter <NUM> and enables operation of the motor <NUM> to operate the vacuum pump. However, in this first automatic shut-off mode, a current measuring device <NUM> measures the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> when the motor <NUM> is operated. When the current measuring device <NUM> detects a drop in the current draw or load on the motor <NUM>, the current measuring device <NUM> sends a signal to the microprocessor <NUM> to indicate that the coffee puck <NUM> has been removed from the portafilter <NUM> and disables the operation of the motor <NUM> and the vacuum pump.

<FIG> shows a circuit diagram for the operation of the sensor <NUM> and the motor <NUM> under a second automatic shut-off mode, which is generally similar to the first automatic shut-off mode described above. However, in this second automatic shut-off mode, a pressure sensor <NUM> monitors and measures the air pressure within the interior chamber <NUM> during operation of the motor <NUM>. When the portafilter <NUM> is engaged with the rim <NUM>, and prior to the operation of the vacuum pump to remove the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>, the microprocessor <NUM> enables operation of the pressure sensor <NUM> to detect and take a quick reading of the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM>. It will be understood that at this point, the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is at atmospheric pressure (i.e. a "baseline" pressure). The pressure reading is then tared at this atmospheric (baseline) pressure, which becomes the predetermined threshold. Once the pressure reading is tared, the microprocessor <NUM> sends a signal to enable the operation of the motor <NUM> and the associated vacuum pump. This results in a slight pressure drop (i.e. a negative or vacuum pressure) within the interior chamber <NUM>. When the coffee puck <NUM> is removed from the portafilter <NUM>, the pressure sensor <NUM> detects that the air pressure has returned to the tared pressure reading, meaning that the vacuum pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is lost, and the pressure sensor <NUM> and sends a signal to the microprocessor <NUM> to disable the operation of the motor <NUM> and the vacuum pump.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an operation logic incorporating the second automatic shut-off mode described above. At step <NUM>, power is applied to the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, e.g. by a user manually activating a power switch associated with the coffee puck removal device <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> detects the engagement of the rim <NUM> with the portafilter <NUM>. If the portafilter <NUM> containing the coffee puck <NUM> is not engaged with the rim <NUM>, then operation of the motor <NUM> is not enabled at step <NUM>. Once the portafilter <NUM> containing the coffee puck <NUM> is engaged with the rim <NUM>, and prior to the operation of the vacuum pump, the microprocessor <NUM> enables operation of the pressure sensor <NUM> to detect and take a quick reading of the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM>. As discussed above, the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> at this point is understood to be at the atmospheric (baseline) pressure. The pressure reading is then tared at this atmospheric (baseline) pressure, i.e. the predetermined threshold, at step <NUM>. Once the pressure reading is tared, the microprocessor sends a signal to enable the operation of the motor <NUM> and the associated air pump at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the pressure sensor <NUM> monitors and measures the pressure within the interior chamber <NUM>. The operation of the motor may then be disabled in one of two ways, i.e. at step <NUM> or step <NUM>.

After some time has elapsed at step <NUM>, if the sensor <NUM> detect that the portafilter <NUM> is still engaged with the rim <NUM>, the microprocessor <NUM> sends a signal to the pressure sensor <NUM> to allow the pressure sensor <NUM> to continue monitoring the pressure within the interior chamber <NUM>. If the sensor <NUM> detects that the portafilter <NUM> (with or without the coffee puck <NUM>) is disengaged from the rim <NUM>, the microprocessor <NUM> disables the operation of the motor <NUM> and the associated vacuum pump at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, if the pressure sensor <NUM> detects that the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is not equal to the tared pressure reading (i.e. the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is below the predetermined threshold, meaning there is a negative or vacuum pressure), this indicates that the coffee puck <NUM> has not been dislodged yet, and the pressure sensor <NUM> continues to monitor the pressure within the interior chamber <NUM> at step <NUM>. If the pressure sensor <NUM> detects that the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is equal to the tared pressure reading (i.e. the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is at the predetermined threshold, meaning the negative or vacuum pressure has been lost), the pressure sensor <NUM> sends a signal to the microprocessor <NUM> to indicate that the coffee puck <NUM> has been dislodged from the portafilter <NUM> and disables the operation of the motor <NUM> and the associated vacuum pump at step <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the pressure variations in the interior chamber <NUM> over time. It will be understood that the pressure at A is indicative of the atmospheric (baseline) pressure detected in the interior chamber prior to the operation of the vacuum pump. This is the point at which the pressure reading is tared. At point B, the vacuum pump is enabled and the pressure starts to drop in the interior chamber <NUM>, resulting in a negative or vacuum pressure. At point C, the coffee puck <NUM> is dislodged. At this point, the vacuum pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is lost. At point D, the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> is returned to the atmospheric (baseline) pressure, thereby being equalised with the tared pressure, and the operation of the vacuum pump is disabled.

It will be appreciated that the vacuum pump is operable to drop the pressure in the interior chamber <NUM> in a range of between about -1kPa to -80kPa. It is envisaged that any negative pressure within this range will be sufficient to dislodge the coffee puck <NUM>. The exact negative pressure at which the coffee puck <NUM> is dislodged depends on the level of compaction of the coffee puck <NUM> in the portafilter <NUM>, the moisture content of the coffee puck <NUM>, the amount of draft on the walls of the portafilter <NUM>, and the amount of time that the coffee puck <NUM> has been in the portafilter. In some circumstances whereby the coffee puck <NUM> is almost ready to be dislodged without any assistance, the required negative pressure may be even more gentle than - 1kPa.

In <FIG> and <FIG> there is schematically depicted an espresso machine <NUM> which incorporates an embodiment of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> operates in generally the same manner as the device <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. However, in this embodiment, the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is integrated into a platform <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. The platform <NUM> is located below a coffee outlet <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. The coffee outlet <NUM> typically engages the portafilter <NUM> during the coffee brewing process of the espresso machine <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> is slidably engaged with the platform <NUM> and is removable for ease of cleaning and disposal of the captured coffee pucks.

In <FIG> there is schematically depicted the coffee puck removal device <NUM> isolated from the espresso machine <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a port <NUM> to connect to a vacuum source (not shown) located within the espresso machine <NUM>. The rim <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is in the form of a removable lid with an integrated gasket <NUM> to aid in sealingly connecting to the body <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> also includes a sweeper <NUM> incorporated into the body <NUM> of the device <NUM> and located below the aperture <NUM>. The sweeper <NUM> slidably engages the body <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Once the coffee puck <NUM> is removed from the portafilter <NUM>, it travels through the aperture <NUM> in the direction <NUM>, and lands on the sweeper <NUM>. The sweeper <NUM> is then moved away from the captured coffee puck <NUM> in the direction <NUM>, which causes the coffee puck <NUM> to settle on the floor of the body <NUM>. The sweeper <NUM> is then moved back towards the captured coffee puck <NUM> in the direction <NUM>, which causes the coffee puck <NUM> to be pushed to an empty area in the interior chamber <NUM> of the body <NUM>, thereby making room for the next coffee puck <NUM>.

In <FIG> of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a further example of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a body defined by a lower compartment <NUM> and an upper compartment <NUM>. The upper compartment <NUM> is defined by a circumferential outer wall <NUM>. The circumferential outer wall <NUM> has a generally circular shape and includes an upper rim <NUM>. The circumferential outer wall <NUM> includes a recess <NUM> for receiving a handle <NUM> of a portafilter <NUM> of an espresso machine. It will be understood that the portafilter <NUM> includes a portafilter head <NUM> having an open compartment which holds compressed used coffee grounds following a coffee brewing process of the espresso machine. For the purpose of this specification, it will be understood that the compressed used coffee grounds typically forms a coffee puck that takes the shape of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. The circumferential outer wall <NUM> defines an open region for receiving the portafilter head <NUM>. The upper compartment <NUM> also includes an enclosure <NUM> for housing various electronic components of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, such as one or more processors, motor controllers, and sensors.

The lower compartment <NUM> is defined by a vertical outer wall <NUM> having a pair of edge portions <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a motor housing <NUM> that is integrated with the vertical outer wall <NUM> of the lower compartment <NUM>. The motor housing <NUM> houses an electric motor <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>), for example, a geared motor. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> further includes a scraper <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) mounted to the motor housing <NUM>. The scraper <NUM> is driven by the electric motor <NUM> and is adapted to scrape and dislodge the coffee puck from the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>.

The coffee puck removal device <NUM> further includes a waste compartment <NUM> adapted to receive the coffee puck dislodged from the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the waste compartment has a generally "U" shaped cross-sectional profile defined by an inner wall <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> includes a pair of shoulder portions <NUM>. The waste compartment <NUM> is adapted to removably engage the lower compartment <NUM> in a similar manner to a drawer, whereby the inner wall <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> engages the motor housing <NUM> and the vertical outer wall <NUM> of the lower compartment <NUM>, and the edge portions <NUM> of the lower compartment <NUM> engage the shoulder portions <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM>. When the waste compartment <NUM> is fully engaged with the lower compartment <NUM>, the outer wall <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> sits flush with the vertical outer wall <NUM> of the motor housing <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the scraper <NUM> includes a hub <NUM> operatively associated with the electric motor <NUM> and a set of scraper members <NUM> supported by the hub <NUM>. It will be understood that the scraper <NUM> is adapted to be inserted through a coffee puck and rotated so as to agitate the coffee puck, thereby causing the coffee puck to be dislodged from the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. In the depicted example, the scraper <NUM> includes four scraper members <NUM> having an edge portion <NUM> adapted to scrape or wipe the inner walls or the floor of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. Each of the scraper members <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> to at least reduce the amount of force exerted on to the scraper <NUM> by the coffee puck. In a preferred form, each of the scraper members <NUM> is offset by a distance from a central axis <NUM> of the hub <NUM> to at least increase the strength of the scraper <NUM>. The scraper <NUM> is adapted to be rotatably driven by the electric motor <NUM> about the central axis <NUM> in the direction <NUM>. It is envisaged that the scraper <NUM> is formed from a unitary polymeric moulding.

In a preferred form, each of the scraper members <NUM> includes a rim wiping portion <NUM>. The rim wiping portion <NUM> includes a first arm portion <NUM> extending radially outwardly from the central axis <NUM> and a second arm portion <NUM> extending upwardly from the first arm portion <NUM>. The first and second arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> define a gap for receiving a rim of the portafilter compartment. The first and second arm portions <NUM> and <NUM> are adapted to wipe or scrape the walls for the portafilter compartment so as to provide additional cleaning.

The motor housing <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM>. In a preferred form, the upper surface <NUM> is adapted to angle downwardly away from the scraper <NUM> such that the coffee puck dislodged from the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM> falls onto the upper surface <NUM> and is directed into the waste compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the portafilter <NUM> positioned over the coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The portafilter <NUM> is lowered in the direction <NUM> to be brought into contact with the scraper <NUM>. The waste compartment <NUM> includes a recessed portion <NUM> formed in the outer wall <NUM>, which allows a user to easily grip and handle the waste compartment <NUM> (e.g. to remove the waste compartment <NUM> from the device <NUM>).

As best shown in <FIG>, the lower compartment <NUM> includes a power switch <NUM> operatively associated with and adapted to enable operation of the motor <NUM>. In the depicted example, the power switch <NUM> is located on the vertical outer wall <NUM> of the lower compartment <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that in other examples, the power switch <NUM> may be located on other components of the device <NUM>, such as the upper compartment <NUM> or the waste compartment <NUM>. The vertical outer wall <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> which receives a power cord <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>.

In the example as shown in <FIG>, the coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM> mounted on an outer face <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other examples (not shown), the sensor <NUM> may alternatively be mounted any location on the circumferential outer wall <NUM> of the upper compartment <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is adapted to detect the presence of the portafilter <NUM> in the upper compartment <NUM>. It is envisaged that the sensor <NUM> may be in the form of a reflectance sensor, a proximity sensor, or an RFID sensor. For example, in the depicted example, where the sensor <NUM> is in the form of a reflectance or RFID sensor, the sensor <NUM> is adapted to detect a signal <NUM> from a corresponding reflectance or RFID tag <NUM> located on the portafilter head <NUM>. The reflectance or RFID tag <NUM> is preferably located on an opposing side of the portafilter head <NUM> relative to the portafilter handle <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is adapted to detect the signal <NUM> from the reflectance or RFID tag <NUM> on the portafilter head <NUM> and provide information to a processor <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> regarding the presence or absence of the portafilter <NUM>. It will be appreciated that when the sensor <NUM> and the processor <NUM> determine that the portafilter <NUM> is engaged in the upper compartment <NUM> in the correct position, the processor <NUM> enables the operation of the motor <NUM>. The operation of the motor <NUM> then causes the rotation of the scraper <NUM> to scrape the coffee puck from the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. It is envisaged that the rotational speed of the motor <NUM> may be reduced by way of a gearbox <NUM> and an output shaft <NUM> associated with the motor <NUM> and the scraper <NUM>. In the depicted example, the motor <NUM> and the gearbox <NUM> are contained within a vertical height <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows the recessed portion <NUM> formed in the outer wall <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> which acts as a finger grip for the user to easily remove the waste compartment <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the recessed portion <NUM> is sealed such that dislodged coffee pucks cannot escape from the waste compartment <NUM> through the recessed portion <NUM>.

It is envisaged that in other examples (not shown), the operation of the motor <NUM> may be activated by a pressure switch that detects a compression of the output shaft <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an espresso machine <NUM> which incorporates an example of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. In this example, the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is integrated into a platform <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>, whereby the platform <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM> incorporates the upper and lower compartments <NUM> and <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The upper compartment <NUM> is located above the platform <NUM>, whilst the lower compartment <NUM> is located below the platform <NUM>. The platform <NUM> is located below a coffee outlet <NUM> (otherwise known as a group head), a removable tamper <NUM>, and a steam wand <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. In this example, the waste compartment <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is adapted to removably engage the platform <NUM> in a similar manner to a drawer. Additionally, in this example, the outer wall <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> has a generally flat or planar front face <NUM>. The platform <NUM> also includes a generally flat or planar front face <NUM> such that when the waste compartment <NUM> is fully engaged with the platform <NUM>, the front face <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> sits flush with the front face <NUM> of the platform <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the inner wall <NUM> of the waste compartment <NUM> also abuts the motor housing <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> when the waste compartment <NUM> is fully engaged with the platform <NUM>, so as to optimise the amount of available space in the waste compartment <NUM> to receive the coffee puck. In the depicted example, the espresso machine <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM> located generally above the coffee outlet <NUM>, the removable tamper <NUM>, and the steam wand <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> includes a graphical information display <NUM>, user operable switches <NUM>, and a pressure gauge <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted another example of an espresso machine <NUM> which incorporates another example of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> operates in generally the same manner as the devices <NUM> and <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. However, in this example, the entire coffee puck removal device <NUM>, including the upper compartment <NUM>, the lower compartment <NUM>, and the waste compartment <NUM>, is removable from a cavity <NUM> formed in the platform <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the recess <NUM> in the circumferential upper wall <NUM> of the upper compartment <NUM> is oriented to face in the same direction as the front face <NUM> of the platform <NUM> so as to allow for ease of access to the portafilter <NUM>. The coffee puck remove device <NUM> is provided with power through plugs or contacts 323a formed in the lower compartment <NUM>, which are adapted to engage corresponding plugs or contacts 323b formed in a surface of the espresso machine <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted another example of an espresso machine <NUM> which incorporates another embodiment of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> operates in generally the same manner as the devices <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. In this example, the espresso machine <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM>, which operates in a similar manner to the sensor <NUM> described above. The sensor <NUM> is mounted on a wall <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. The wall <NUM> forms a vertical surface between the platform <NUM> and an overhanging ledge <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM> that supports the coffee outlet <NUM>, the removable tamper <NUM>, and the steam wand <NUM>. As discussed above with reference to the sensor <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> may be in the form of a reflectance sensor, a proximity sensor, or an RFID sensor that is adapted to detect a signal from a corresponding reflectance or RFID tag <NUM> located on the portafilter head <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an example of a scraper <NUM> having four scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c and 238d. The scraper <NUM> operates in generally the same manner as the scraper <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. The scraper members 238a and 238c are parallel to one another and located on opposite sides of the hub <NUM>. The first edge portions 239a and 239c of the respective scraper members 238a and 238c are offset from one another by a distance <NUM>. The scraper members 238b and 238d are also opposing, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the orientation of the scraper members 238a and 238c. The first edge portions 239b and 239d of the respective scraper members 238b and 238d are offset from one another by a distance <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, each of the scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c and 238d is angled away from the direction of rotation <NUM> of the hub <NUM>.

The first edge portions 239a, 239b, 239c, and 239d of the respective scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c, and 238d are adapted to scrape or wipe the floor of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. The scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c, and 238d also include respective second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d adapted to scrape the inner walls of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. The second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d extend from the respective first edge portions 239a, 239b, 239c, and 239d in a generally perpendicular direction, forming respective curved portions 340a, 340b, 340c, and 340d which conform to the curvature of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>. The scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c, and 238d each include respective leg portion 342a, 342b, 342c, and 342d providing a connection between the hub <NUM> and the respective second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d. In the depicted example, the scraper member 238b includes the rim wiping portion <NUM> described above. As described above, each of the scraper members 238a, 238b, 238c, and 238d includes the respective openings 240a, 240b, 240c, and 240d to at least reduce the amount of force exerted on to the scraper <NUM> by the coffee puck.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted another example of a scraper <NUM> which operates in generally the same manner as the scrapers <NUM> and <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. However, unlike the scrapers <NUM> and <NUM>, this example of the scraper <NUM> does not include the leg portions 342a, 342b, 342c, and 342d described above. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in this example, the first edge portions 239a, 239b, 239c, and 239d are more flexible and capable of driving the second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d into more forceful engagement with the sidewalls of the portafilter <NUM>. In this example, the hub <NUM> extends unobstructed from a lower rim <NUM> of the hub <NUM> to the first edge portions 239a, 239b, 239c, and 239d. Each of the second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d also includes a lower portion <NUM> and an upper portion <NUM>, and in the depicted example, the lower portion <NUM> leads the upper portion <NUM>. Each of the second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d are angled away from the direction of rotation <NUM> of the hub <NUM>.

In the example of a scraper <NUM> as schematically depicted in <FIG>, each of the second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d are aligned with the central axis <NUM> of the hub <NUM>. Each of the first edge portions 239a, 239b, 239c, and 239d includes respective leading edges 350a, 350b, 350c, and 350d to facilitate scraping of the floor of the open compartment of the portafilter <NUM>.

In the example of a scraper <NUM> as schematically depicted in <FIG>, the scraper <NUM> does not include the leg portions 342a, 342b, 342c, and 342d described above.

In the example of a scraper <NUM> and <NUM> as schematically depicted in <FIG>, each of the second edge portions 338a, 338b, 338c, and 338d are angled away from the direction of rotation <NUM> of the hub <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that each of the coffee puck removal devices described above may incorporate one or more automatic shut-off modes. These modes are schematically depicted in the operation logic shown in <FIG> with reference to the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, as an example. At step <NUM>, power is applied to the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, e.g. by a user manually actuating the power switch <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> detects the presence or absence of the portafilter <NUM> in the upper compartment <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>. If the portafilter <NUM> is absent, then the motor <NUM> is not operated at step <NUM>. If the portafilter <NUM> is present, then operation of the motor <NUM> is enabled at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a current measuring device associated with the motor <NUM> monitors and detects the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> when the motor <NUM> is operated. The current measuring device also provides a signal indicative of the current draw or load being measured to the processor <NUM>. Prior to engagement of the portafilter <NUM> with the scraper <NUM>, it is envisaged that the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> will be at a minimal "free-spinning" level.

The operation of the motor <NUM> may be disabled in one of two ways. At step <NUM>, if the sensor <NUM> detects that the portafilter <NUM> is still present in the upper compartment <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> sends a signal to the current measuring device to allow the current measuring device to continue monitoring the current draw or load on the motor <NUM>. If the sensor <NUM> detects that the portafilter <NUM> (with or without the coffee puck) is removed from the upper compartment <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> disables the operation of the motor <NUM> at step <NUM>.

Alternatively, at step <NUM>, if the current measuring device does not detect a decrease in the current draw or load the motor <NUM> (e.g. if the current draw is above a predetermined threshold), the current measuring device continues to monitor the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> at step <NUM>. If the current measuring device detects a decrease in the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> (e.g. if the current draw or load is below a predetermined threshold), the current measuring device sends a signal to the processor <NUM> to indicate that the coffee puck has been removed from the portafilter <NUM> and disables the operation of the motor <NUM> at step <NUM>.

It is envisaged that in other examples (not shown), instead of detecting the current draw or load on the motor <NUM> associated with the scraper <NUM>, the operation logic may alternatively be applied to the detection of the current draw or load on the motor that is associated with the vacuum pump. In such examples, a current measuring device monitors and detects the current draw or load on the motor associated with the vacuum pump, which subsequently provides a signal to the microprocessor indicative of whether or not the coffee puck has been dislodged from the portafilter. The operation of the motor associated with the vacuum pump is disabled if the current measuring device detects a decrease in the current draw or load on this motor.

In <FIG> and <FIG> of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a further example of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> operates in generally the same manner as the device <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. However, in this example, the coffee puck removal device <NUM> includes a mechanism <NUM> (instead of the vacuum source <NUM>) to remove air from the aperture <NUM> and the interior chamber <NUM>. In the depicted example, and as best shown in <FIG>, the mechanism <NUM> includes bellows <NUM> extending from the rim <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The bellows <NUM> has a generally hollow cylindrical arrangement with accordion-like sidewalls that are resiliently deformable. A lower end portion <NUM> of the bellows <NUM> is sealingly engaged with the rim <NUM>.

The mechanism <NUM> further includes a rim <NUM> surrounding an aperture <NUM>. The rim <NUM> is sealingly engaged with an upper end portion <NUM> of the bellows <NUM>. The rim <NUM> is also configured to engage the portafilter <NUM> such that the portafilter <NUM> covers the aperture <NUM> to inhibit air passing between the portafilter <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. The rim <NUM> includes a pair of opposing slots <NUM> (see <FIG>) to engage the corresponding pair of tabs <NUM> on the portafilter <NUM> so as to correctly position the portafilter <NUM> in the aperture <NUM>.

Similar to the operation of the device <NUM> described above, the portafilter <NUM> containing the coffee puck <NUM> is placed on the device <NUM> such that the rim <NUM> engages the portafilter <NUM>, thereby covering the aperture <NUM> and inhibiting air passing between the portafilter <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. The bellows <NUM> is resiliently deformable upon application of force on the rim <NUM> by moving the portafilter <NUM> in a first direction <NUM> towards the interior chamber <NUM>. It will be understood that the first direction <NUM> is generally transverse to the surface of the rim <NUM>. The movement of the bellows <NUM> causes the bellows <NUM> to be compressed to create a negative pressure in the interior chamber <NUM>. Air is removed from the interior chamber <NUM> through a one-way valve opening <NUM> so that air pressure applied to the major inner face <NUM> of the coffee puck <NUM> is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face <NUM>, which then causes the removal of the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>. As discussed above, vacuum pressure is effectively acting upon the major inner face <NUM> and the exposed major outer face <NUM> of the coffee puck <NUM>, which results in structural compression of the coffee puck <NUM>, with the weakest point being the exposed major outer face <NUM>, causing the coffee puck <NUM> to dislodge from the portafilter <NUM>. In the depicted example, the one-way valve <NUM> is located on the rim <NUM>, although it will be understood that the one-way valve <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be located on the body <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

In <FIG> of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a further example of a coffee puck removal device <NUM>, which operates in generally the same manner as the device <NUM> described above, with like reference numerals being used to indicate like features. However, in this example, the mechanism <NUM> extends from a base portion <NUM> of the body <NUM>, with the bellows <NUM> being contained within a housing <NUM> and connected to the base portion <NUM> by way of a tube <NUM>. The tube <NUM> includes a passage <NUM> for air to travel between the interior chamber <NUM> of the body <NUM> and an interior chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a one-way valve opening <NUM> to facilitate the escape of air from the interior chamber <NUM> into the atmosphere. The tube <NUM> also includes a one-way valve <NUM> to facilitate the entry of air from the interior chamber <NUM> and into the interior chamber <NUM> via the passage <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> to mount the device <NUM> to a surface, e.g. a kitchen bench.

Similar to the operation of the devices <NUM> and <NUM> described above, the portafilter <NUM> containing the coffee puck <NUM> is placed on the device <NUM> such that the rim <NUM> engages the portafilter <NUM>, thereby covering the aperture <NUM> and inhibiting air passing between the portafilter <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. The bellows <NUM> is compressed by moving the portafilter <NUM> in the first direction <NUM> towards the interior chamber <NUM>, thereby applying force on the rim <NUM>, which acts to move the base portion <NUM> and the tube <NUM> also in the first direction <NUM>. Repeated compression of the bellows <NUM> creates a negative pressure in the interior chamber <NUM>. Air is removed from the interior chamber <NUM> via the one-way valves <NUM> and <NUM> so that air pressure applied to the major inner face <NUM> of the coffee puck <NUM> is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face <NUM>, which then causes the removal of the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an espresso machine <NUM> which incorporates an example of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> described above. The espresso machine <NUM> is understood to operate in a similar manner to the espresso machine <NUM> described above. In this depicted example, the body <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is integrated into the platform <NUM> of the espresso machine <NUM>. Like the coffee puck removal device <NUM> described above, the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is slidably engaged with the platform <NUM> and is removable for ease of cleaning and disposal of the captured coffee pucks.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted the coffee puck removal device <NUM> isolated from the espresso machine <NUM>, which operates in a similar manner to the coffee puck removal device <NUM> isolated from the espresso machine <NUM> discussed above. The rim <NUM> of the coffee puck removal device <NUM> is likewise in the form of a removable lid. The coffee puck removal device <NUM> also includes the sweeper <NUM> discussed above, which engages the body <NUM> of the device <NUM>, and captures the removed coffee puck <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the coffee puck removal device <NUM> described above may also be incorporated into the espresso machine <NUM> and operated in a substantially similar manner.

In the examples of the coffee puck removal devices <NUM> and <NUM> described above, it will be appreciated that a sensor <NUM> may be incorporated into either the rim <NUM> of the mechanism <NUM> or the rim <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is schematically depicted in <FIG> to be incorporated into the rim <NUM>. Similar to the sensor <NUM> described above, the sensor <NUM> detects the physical presence of the portafilter <NUM> in the rim <NUM> and sends an associated signal to a microprocessor (not shown). The sensor <NUM> may be in the form of any known sensor in the art, such as a contact / tact switch or a proximity switch.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an operation logic for a first system to dislodge the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>, also utilizing negative pressure. It will be appreciated that this system may be incorporated into an espresso machine and the various components that are integrated into the espresso machine are utilised to create the negative pressure. Such components include a water tank <NUM>, a water pump <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a flow pressure sensor <NUM>, a first solenoid <NUM>, an air pump <NUM>, a liquid trap <NUM>, a second solenoid <NUM> and a drip tray <NUM>. A first option (i.e. option A) of implementing this operation logic is summarised in Table <NUM> below:.

In option A summarised in the table above, the espresso machine is initially in a first standby mode with all components switched off. In a second standby mode, the portafilter <NUM> is inserted into a coffee outlet <NUM> of the espresso machine. A portafilter sensor <NUM> detects the presence of the portafilter <NUM>, and the brewing mode is initiated whereby the water pump <NUM>, heater <NUM>, first solenoid <NUM> are switched on. The flow pressure sensor <NUM> is also detects the flow of water from the heater <NUM>. Upon activation, the second solenoid <NUM> removes excess liquids from the portafilter compartment <NUM>, directing the excess liquids to the liquid trap <NUM>, and the air pump <NUM> is operated to remove the excess liquids. This creates a negative pressure in the portafilter compartment <NUM> (according to Stage <NUM> in the table above), which dislodges the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter compartment <NUM>. In the interim, as the coffee puck <NUM> could be stuck on the coffee outlet <NUM>, the air pump <NUM> is operated to introduce air into the portafilter compartment <NUM>, thereby introducing positive pressure and disengaging the coffee puck <NUM> from the coffee outlet <NUM> (according to Stages <NUM> and <NUM> in the table above). Upon completion of these stages, it will be understood that the coffee puck <NUM> simply rests in the portafilter compartment <NUM>, and can thus be easily removed for disposal by simply turning the portafilter <NUM> upside down and letting the coffee puck <NUM> fall out.

A second option (i.e. option B) of implementing this operation logic is summarised in Table <NUM> below, which is somewhat similar to option A above, except that the stage of removing excess liquids and dislodging the puck from the portafilter compartment <NUM> occurs simultaneously.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an operation logic for a second system to dislodge the coffee puck <NUM> from the portafilter <NUM>. The second system operates in a generally similar manner to the first system described above. However, in this second system, a dedicated second solenoid <NUM> is utilised. That is, the second solenoid <NUM> and associated air pump <NUM>, liquid trap <NUM> and drip tray <NUM> are seperated from the first solenoid <NUM> and associated pressure sensor <NUM>, heater <NUM>, water pump <NUM> and water tank <NUM>. The operation logic of this second system is summarised in Table <NUM> below:.

Claim 1:
A coffee puck removal device (<NUM>) to remove a coffee puck (<NUM>) from a portafilter (<NUM>) having an open compartment (<NUM>) containing the coffee puck (<NUM>), the coffee puck (<NUM>) having an exposed major outer face (<NUM>) and a major inner face (<NUM>) when the coffee puck (<NUM>) is located in the open compartment (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) including:
a body (<NUM>) having a rim (<NUM>) surrounding an aperture (<NUM>) and an interior chamber (<NUM>) in communication with the aperture (<NUM>), with the rim (<NUM>) being configured to engage the portafilter (<NUM>), with the open compartment (<NUM>) facing the body (<NUM>) to inhibit air passing between the portafilter (<NUM>) and the rim (<NUM>); and
a vacuum source (<NUM>) connected to the interior chamber to remove air from the interior chamber and the aperture (<NUM>) so that air pressure applied to the major inner face (<NUM>) is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face (<NUM>) so that the coffee puck (<NUM>) is removed from the portafilter (<NUM>),
the device being characterized by
the vacuum source (<NUM>) being located inside the interior chamber (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>).