阅读说明：本技术 用于例如咖啡豆的豆类的研磨及剂量仪 (Grinding and dosimeter for beans such as coffee beans ) 是由 M·米奇兰 M·莫塔 于 2020-02-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于例如咖啡豆的豆类的研磨及剂量仪(1),其包括主体(10),该主体(10)包围着由相对的第一研磨机支架(21)支撑的第一研磨机(11)和由相对的第二研磨机支架(21)支撑的第二研磨机(12)。第一和第二研磨机(11,12)沿轴向(X-X)彼此面对并被容纳在用于咖啡豆的研磨室(13)中。所述研磨机(12)中的一个相对于另一个研磨机(11)沿轴向(X-X)可移动。研磨及剂量仪(1)包括所述第一和第二研磨机(11,12)之间的相对轴向距离(D)的调节装置(40)。调节装置(40)又包括控制元件(41),该控制元件(41)由所述主体(10)支撑在偏离所述轴向(X-X)的位置,并通过杠杆(70)在运动上连接至轴向可移动的研磨机(12)连接。(A grinding and dosing machine (1) for beans, such as coffee beans, comprises a body (10), which body (10) encloses a first grinder (11) supported by an opposite first grinder support (21) and a second grinder (12) supported by an opposite second grinder support (21). The first and second grinders (11,12) face each other in the axial direction (X-X) and are housed in a grinding chamber (13) for coffee beans. One of the grinders (12) is movable in the axial direction (X-X) with respect to the other grinder (11). The grinding and dosimeter (1) comprises means (40) for adjusting the relative axial distance (D) between said first and second grinding machines (11, 12). The adjustment device (40) in turn comprises a control element (41), which control element (41) is supported by said body (10) in a position offset from said axial direction (X-X) and is connected in motion to the axially movable grinding machine (12) by means of a lever (70).)

1. A grinding and dosing machine (1) for beans, such as coffee beans, comprising a body (10), said body (10) enclosing a first grinder (11) supported by opposite first grinder holders (21) and a second grinder (12) supported by opposite second grinder holders (22), wherein said first and second grinders (11,12) face each other in an axial direction (X-X) and are housed in a grinding chamber (13) for coffee beans processed inside said body (10), one of said grinders (12) being movable in the axial direction (X-X) with respect to the other grinder (11),

the grinding and dosimeter (1) comprising adjustment means (40) of the relative axial distance (D) between the first and second grinders (11,12), said adjustment means (40) in turn comprising a control element (41), said control element (41) being supported by the aforementioned body (10) in a position offset from the axial direction (X-X) and being kinematically connected to the axially movable grinder (12) by means of a lever (70), said lever (70) being pivoted on the body (10) to impart a controlled motion to the axially movable grinder (12) along the axial direction (X-X) so as to adjust the relative axial distance (D) between the first and second grinders (11,12), characterized in that the lever (70) is kinematically connected to the control element by means of a first hinge (71) and to the axially movable grinder (12) by means of a second hinge (72), the rotation axes (Y1-Y1, Y2-Y2) of the first and second hinges (71, 72) are parallel to the fulcrum axis (Y-Y) of the lever (70).

2. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 1, wherein said axially movable grinder is said second grinder (12) and is connected to driving means (30) for rotation about said axial direction (X-X), and wherein said second grinder (12) is kinematically connected to said lever (70) by means of said second grinder bracket (22), said second grinder (12) being in turn kinematically connected to said second hinge (72) by the insertion of a joint (74), said joint (74) being adapted to allow free rotation of the associated second grinder (12) and second grinder bracket (22) with respect to said lever (70) about said axial direction (X-X).

3. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 2, wherein the first grinder (11) is fixed both in rotation and in axial direction.

4. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first grinder (11) is an upper grinder and said second grinder (12) is a lower grinder, with respect to the axial direction (X-X) oriented vertically in use.

5. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 4, wherein in use, said lever (70) is arranged below said body (10).

6. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said lever (70) is connected to opposite ends (70a, 70b) with respect to its fulcrum (73), respectively to said control element (41) and to said axially movable grinder (12).

7. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fulcrum (73) of the lever (70) is arranged at one end of the lever (70 a).

8. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment device (40) comprises a nut-screw system for controlling the amplitude of the axial movement exerted by the control element (41) on the axially movable grinder (12) through the lever (70).

9. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 8, wherein said control element (41) comprises a screw or ring nut (42), said screw or ring nut (42) being guided by an axial fixing body (10) and engaging with a nut-screw (50) connected to said lever (70) through said first hinge (71).

10. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 9, wherein the axis (Z-Z) of said screw or ring nut (42) may form an inclination angle (a) parallel to or with respect to said axial direction (X-X).

11. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said screw or ring nut (42) is provided with a knob (43) for manual rotation by the user.

12. Grinding and dosimeter (1) for beans according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said screw or ring nut (42) is operatively connected to motor means for automatic adjustment of the axial distance (D) between the grinders (11, 12).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a grinding and dosage instrument for beans, such as coffee beans, with means for adjusting the grinding grain size.

Background

In particular, it is well known that there are grinding and dosators for espresso coffee preparations. Grinding and dosing instruments for preparations other than espresso coffee (e.g. for turkish or american coffee) are also known.

These coffee-based formulations require different grinding sizes in order to optimize the specific brewing techniques used to extract the coffee to prepare the respective beverage. In particular, particle sizers have an average particle size that gradually increases in the range from turkish-ground to espresso or american coffee (also known as filtered coffee).

In the study of the particle size of ground coffee, there is also a need to provide the user with a high degree of precision around the typical particle size level of a particular coffee-based formulation.

In coffee grinders using a toothed grinder as the grinding tool, different settings of the particle size distribution of the coffee powder for different types of preparations are obtained by acting on the relative distance between the grinders that grind the coffee beans into powder.

The smaller the relative displacement between the grinders, the greater the accuracy of the determined and optimal granulometric setting of the coffee powder, in order to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the drink extracted using the particular selected infusion/extraction method.

The best system known on the market is therefore a continuous micrometric regulation system, in which all the regulation positions within a specific range are possible and optional.

An adjustment system allowing such continuous adjustment is for example an adjustment by means of a nut-screw coupling by which the grinders (or generally the tools for crushing the beans) are moved away from or towards each other.

In a practical embodiment, at least one of the grinders is driven and rotated by an electric motor; the other grinder is usually stationary. The grinder is located in the grinding chamber.

The mills are in turn supported by opposite mill stands and are held in a suitable orientation so as to provide an annular outlet portion between the mills which is constant over its entire circumference so as to provide an even distribution of powder at each exit point of the mill. Thus, it can be understood that the grinders are coaxial with each other.

The driven grinder is connected to the drive shaft of the motor by opposite grinder stands and is rotated by an electric motor. The adjustment of the distance between the grinding mills is achieved by moving at least one grinding mill, which in turn is coupled with its mill stand, moving it axially (i.e. by moving it closer to or further away from another grinding mill in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the grinding mill) and, as mentioned above, this is usually done by means of a nut-and-screw coupling.

The adjustment system with the nut-screw coupling may be coaxial with the rotational axis of the grinding mill. In this case, the regulating system is integrated in the closed body of the grinding and dosimeter.

The internal conditioning system complicates the internal structure of the mill and dosimeter in the area where the mill is housed. In some cases, for example in terms of maintenance, this may also lead to complications in the management of the operation of the grinding mill.

Therefore, a grinding and dosimeter is proposed, wherein the regulating system is arranged outside the closed body of the grinding and dosimeter. The adjustment system is connected to the external attachment of the grinder and dosimeter and is operatively connected to the movable lower grinder by a lever that transfers the movement of the adjustment system to the grinder.

The lever is arranged below the body of the grinder and dosimeter in order to make easier access to the axially movable lower grinder. The lever and the grinder are not mechanically connected but only in contact with each other. This allows the lever to be freely oriented with respect to the axis of the grinding mill during its vibration.

This solution is very easy to implement in terms of construction. However, this is not entirely satisfactory from an operational point of view. In fact, the grinder is guided by the lever only in the case of thrust, i.e. when the adjustment system exerts an axial movement towards the upper grinder. When the adjustment system requires axial movement away from the upper mill, the lever does not actively run on the mill. In fact, the lower grinder is lowered by the action of gravity or of the thrust generated by the beans passing between the grinders.

The inevitable axial sliding friction slows down the descent of the grinding machine, preventing correct axial positioning of the grinding machine, with a negative effect on the precision of the adjustment of the grinding grain size.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, there is a need to address the shortcomings and limitations noted in the prior art.

The present application provides a grinding and dosing machine (1) for beans, such as coffee beans, comprising a body (10), the body (10) enclosing a first grinder (11) supported by an opposite first grinder holder (21) and a second grinder (12) supported by an opposite second grinder holder (22), wherein the first and second grinders (11,12) face each other along an axial direction (X-X) and are housed in a grinding chamber (13) for coffee beans processed in the body (10), one of the grinders (12) being movable along the axial direction (X-X) with respect to the other grinder (11), the grinding and dosing machine (1) comprising adjustment means (40) of the relative axial distance (D) between the first and second grinders (11,12), the adjustment means (40) in turn comprising a control element (41), the control element (41) being supported by the body (10) in a position offset from the axial direction (X-X) And is kinematically connected to the axially movable grinding machine (12) by means of a lever (70), the lever (70) being pivoted on the body (10) to impart a controlled movement to the axially movable grinding machine (12) along the axial direction (X-X) so as to adjust the relative axial distance (D) between said first and second grinding machines (11,12), the lever (70) being kinematically connected to the control element by means of a first hinge (71) and to the axially movable grinding machine (12) by means of a second hinge (72), the axes of rotation (Y1-Y1, Y2-Y2) of the first and second hinges (71, 72) being parallel to the fulcrum axis (Y-Y) of the lever (70).

The coffee grinding and dosimeter disclosed in the present application satisfies this need.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of a non-limiting preferred embodiment thereof, wherein:

fig. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a grinder and dosimeter according to an embodiment of the invention, shown with portions removed to better illustrate other portions;

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the grinder and dosimeter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an orthogonal view of the milling and dosimeter of FIG. 1 according to arrow III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an orthogonal cross-sectional view of the milling and dosimeter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view, partially in section, of the milling and dosimeter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows an orthogonal cross-sectional view of a milling and dosimeter according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 7 shows the grinder-dosator of fig. 4 with additional attachment points for the fulcrum of the lever and illustrates some possible orientations of the control element of the regulating device of the grinder-dosator.

The same elements or parts of elements as in the embodiments described below are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a coffee grinding and dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.

It should be noted that the grinding and dosage device of the present invention can be used not only for grinding coffee beans, but also for grinding any drink or infusion that can be obtained from beans, roasted and then ground in order to obtain a powder suitable for infusion. Thus, a "coffee" grinder and doser is referred to by a non-limiting, non-comprehensive and merely exemplary selection of a grinder and doser according to the present invention.

The grinder and dosimeter comprises a body 10, the body 10 enclosing a first grinder 11 supported by an opposing first grinder support 21 and a second grinder 12 supported by an opposing second grinder support 22. The body 10 may comprise a main hollow element 7 which houses said grinding machines 11, 12.

Preferably, an opening 9 is provided in the upper part of the body 10, which opening 9 is intended for entering a grinding chamber 13, which grinding chamber 13 is intended for the coffee beans made in said body 10. Typically, such an access opening 9 is coupled to a duct or hopper (not shown in the figures) for feeding the beans. Furthermore, the body 10 is provided with an outlet 8 for ground coffee at the grinding chamber 13.

The first and second grinders 11,12 face each other in the axial direction X-X and are accommodated in a grinding chamber 13.

The grinding chamber generally has a cylindrical shape symmetrical with respect to said axial direction X-X.

The grinding mills 11,12 are mechanically fixed to respective mill stands 21, 22. The grinders 11,12 are provided with teeth 14, the teeth 14 cooperating with each other to break or grind the beans. The grain size obtainable by the mills 11,12 is given by the relative axial distance D between the teeth 14 of the respective first and second mills 11, 12.

Typically, at least one of said grinders 11,12 is a driven grinder, i.e. it is mechanically connected to the motor means 30 to rotate it, so as to start grinding. The other grinder is usually stationary and rotating.

For example, as shown in the figures, the first grinder 11 is stationary in rotation and the second grinder 12 is rotated by the action of a motor device 30 operatively connected thereto.

As will be explained further below, one of said grinders 12 is movable in the axial direction X-X with respect to the other grinder 11. The adjustment of the axial position of the axially movable grinding mill 12 relative to the other axially fixed grinding mill 11 allows the adjustment of the relative axial distance D between the two grinding mills and thus the adjustment of the grinding grain size.

Preferably, said grinders 11,12 are coaxial with each other about at least one grinder rotation axis R-R, parallel to said axial direction X-X.

In particular, the motor means 30 for rotating the rotary grinding mill 12 comprise an electric motor 31, which electric motor 31 is provided with a drive shaft 32, which drive shaft 32 is connected directly or indirectly to the second grinding mill 12 via the opposite second grinding mill stand 22.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the drive shaft 32 of the electric motor 31 is offset from the rotation axis R-R of the driven grinding mill 12 and is connected thereto, for example, by means of a toothed belt 33, which toothed belt 33 connects a gear 34 (locked on the second mill stand 22 about the rotation axis R-R) to a pinion 35 integral with the drive shaft 32.

As shown in particular in fig. 4, the second grinder support 22, which supports the second grinder 12 in rotation, is provided with a shaft 15, which shaft 15 is constrained in rotation on the main body 10 by at least two sleeves or bearings 16 guiding its rotation.

Preferably, the axially movable mill 12 is a rotary (driven) mill. In this case, the two sleeves or bearings 16 guiding the rotation of the shaft 15 of the second grinding mill stand also allow it to translate in the axial direction.

The offset arrangement between the motor axis and the mill axis R-R is preferred over the coaxial arrangement because:

it allows to position the motor means 30 away from the grinding chamber according to the dimensions of its surroundings;

the connection of toothed belts or gears between the two shafts allows to suitably increase the number of motor revolutions on the grinder shaft using known systems.

As shown in the figures, the grinding and dosimeter 1 comprises means 40 for adjusting the relative axial distance D between said first and second grinding machines 11, 12.

The adjustment device 40 in turn comprises a control element 41 supported by said body 10 in a position offset from said axial direction X-X. In particular, such a control element 41 is arranged outside the body 10 of the grinding and dosimeter 1.

In particular, as shown in the figures, the control element 41 is supported by the body 10 by means of a support accessory 100 rigidly fixed to the body 10. In more detail, the support appendix 100 defines an engagement seat 101 for the control element 41.

The control element 41 is kinematically connected to the axially movable grinding machine 12 by means of a lever 70 pivoted on said body 10 to impart a controlled movement to said axially movable grinding machine 12 along said axial direction X-X, so as to adjust the relative axial distance D between said first and second grinding machines 11, 12.

In this way, adjustment of the relative axial distance D between the grinding mills 11,12 is obtained by axially moving only one grinding mill 12 and the opposite mill stand 22.

The adjustment means 40 of the relative axial distance D between said first and second grinding mills 11,12 thus act as means for adjusting the grinding grain size.

According to the invention, the lever 70 is kinematically:

connected to the control element 41 by a first hinge 71; and

connected to the axially movable grinder 12 by a second hinge 72.

The rotation axes Y1-Y1 and Y2-Y2 of the first and second hinges 71, 72 are parallel to the fulcrum axis Y-Y of the lever 70.

Thanks to the invention, the axial movement of the movable grinding machine 12 is guided bidirectionally by the lever 70 and therefore by the control element 41 along said axial direction X-X (i.e. towards and away from the other grinding machine 11). Thus, contrary to what is expected in the prior art solutions, the axial movement of the movable grinding mill 12 is always perfectly controlled and guided by the adjustment means 40.

It is possible to achieve the constraint between the lever 70 and the movable grinder 12 by using a hinge with an axis parallel to the fulcrum axis (second hinge 72). In fact, the second hinge 72 allows only the axial movement component of the lever 70 to be transmitted to the mobile grinding machine 12, while allowing the lever to freely change its inclination with respect to the axial direction X-X of the grinding machine 12 by rotating about the fulcrum axis Y-Y.

In this way, the drawbacks of the prior art solutions are fully solved, preventing the inevitable axial sliding friction from affecting the correct axial positioning of the movable grinding machines and thus adjusting the precision of the axial distance between the grinding machines and thus of the grinding grit size.

This is all possible without affecting the operation of the lever and without complicated technical measures.

Similarly, the connection between the control element 41 and the lever 70 through a hinge having an axis parallel to the fulcrum axis Y-Y (first hinge 71) allows to transmit only the axial movement component exerted by the control element 41 to the lever 70, while keeping the lever free to vary its inclination with respect to the control element 41. As will be explained further below, this also provides a wide freedom of orientation of the control element 41 relative to the lever 70, allowing the grinding and dosimeter 1 to be adapted to specific requirements of reduced overall dimensions when mounted.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the axially movable grinding mill is a second grinding mill 12, i.e. a driven grinding mill, which is connected to a motor means 30 for rotating it about said axial direction X-X. Preferably, the first grinding mill 11 is instead fixed both in rotation and in axial direction.

In more detail, such second grinder 12 is kinematically connected to said lever 70 by a second grinder support 22, which second grinder support 22 is in turn kinematically connected to a second hinge 72 by the interposition 74 of a joint, which joint 74 is adapted to allow the free rotation, about said axial direction (X-X), of said second grinder (12) and of said second grinder support (22) associated with said lever 70.

In particular, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the joint 74 may comprise a support bearing 74a and a bearing-bracket 74b for the shaft 15 of the second grinding machine bracket 22. The latter is connected to the lever by said second hinge 72, said second hinge 72 being defined by a pair of coaxial pins 82, said coaxial pins 82 connecting the bearing-support 74b to the lever 70 along a hinge axis Y1-Y1.

Advantageously, as shown in particular in fig. 2 and 3, the lever 70 is composed of two parallel shaped bars 75, 76, the two parallel bars 75, 76 being connected to each other by a pin 83, the pin 83 defining a fulcrum 73 of the lever on the body 10, two different pairs of coaxial pins 81 and 82 forming the first hinge 71 and the second hinge 72 respectively.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first (fixed) mill 11 is an upper mill, while the second (axially movable and rotating) mill 12 is a lower mill. The lower and upper positions relative to said axial direction X-X are preferably vertically oriented in use.

The preferred choice of adjusting the axial distance D between two grinding mills by operating on the lower grinding mill 12 instead of on the upper grinding mill 11 allows the grinding mills to be replaced and cleaned by disassembling the first mill stand 21 without compromising the degree of adjustment defined by the axial position of the second mill stand 22. In practice, the grinding chamber 13 can be accessed by disassembling the first (fixed) grinder carriage and removing it from the main body 10.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, said lever 70 in use is arranged below the body 10, preferably entering the grinding chamber 13 at an axially opposite position with respect to said opening 9.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 5, said lever 70 is connected to opposite ends 70a, 70b, respectively to the axially movable grinding machine 12 and to the control element 41, with respect to a fulcrum 73 thereof. In other words, the fulcrum 73 is located at an intermediate position between the connection with the control element 41 and the connection with the axially movable grinding machine 12. In operation, a movement having an axial component transmitted by the control element 41 to the lever 70 in the first axial direction causes an oppositely directed axial movement on the axially movable grinding mill 12.

According to another embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the fulcrum 73 of said lever 70 may be arranged at one end of the lever 70a itself, while the control element 41 and the axially movable grinding machine 12 are connected to the lever 70 on the same side with respect to the fulcrum. In this case, a movement in the first axial direction with an axial component transmitted by the control element 41 to the lever 70 causes an axial movement in the same direction on the axially movable grinding machine 12.

The choice between the configuration of the lever with the intermediate fulcrum or the configuration of the fulcrum at the end of the lever, and the choice of the relative position of the connection with the control element and the movable grinder, is related to the requirements of mounting the grinding and dosimeter 1 in reduced size. Advantageously, as shown in fig. 7, in order to facilitate adjustment of the grinding and dosimeter 1 upon installation, the grinding and dosimeter 1 may be modularly provided with different attachment points for the fulcrum and for the supporting attachment of the control element.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the adjustment means 40 comprise a nut-screw system for controlling, through said lever 70, the amplitude of the axial movement exerted by said control element 41 on the axially movable grinding machine 12.

In particular, as shown in fig. 4, the control element 41 comprises a screw or ring nut 42, which screw or ring nut 42 is guided by the body 10 (which is axially fixed) and engages with the first nut 50 connected to said first lever 70 by means of a first hinge 71. Preferably, the screw or ring nut 42 is guided by the body 10 by means of a second nut-screw 51 integral with the body 10. In particular, the second nut-screw 51 may be integral with said support accessory 100.

Advantageously, the nut-screw system is well suited for manual operation of the control element 41. Alternatively, if the actuation of the control element 41 is automatic, the nut-screw system can be replaced by other systems, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a gear and rack system.

Advantageously, the axis Z-Z of said screw or ring nut 42 may be parallel to said axial direction X-X (as shown in fig. 1 to 6) or may form an angle α of inclination with respect thereto (as shown in fig. 7).

The axis Z-Z of the screw 42 of the control element 41 may have any inclination, according to requirements. The inclination with respect to the axial direction X-X is chosen according to the accessible space available at the assembly position of the grinder dosimeter 1 (which is typically part of a more complex machine). Advantageously, for adjusting the inclination, it is sufficient to replace the adjustment appendage 100 with a suitable engagement seat 101.

As shown in the figures, the screw or ring nut 42 may be provided with a knob 43 for manual rotation by a user.

Alternatively or in combination, a screw or ring nut 42 may be operatively connected to the motor means for automatic adjustment of the axial distance D between the grinding machines 11, 12. The motor arrangement 60 is schematically indicated in fig. 3 by a dashed rectangle. It should be noted that automatic adjustment is not necessarily an alternative to manual adjustment by knob 43. In other words, in the same embodiment, the knob 43 and the automatic adjustment by the motor can coexist.

In particular, the automatic actuation of the screw or ring nut 42 can be achieved by a stepper motor connected to a control unit (not shown in the figures) which also controls the electric motor 30 to actuate the rotation of the driven grinding machine 12. The system allows for setting up the grinding, for example based on a predetermined "recipe". In operation, the granularity of the ground coffee is adjusted using the stepper motor by means of the screw 42 of the control element, while the dispensed dose of ground coffee is adjusted by means of the actuation time of the motor 30.

It will be appreciated from the specification that the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a grinding and dosimeter according to the invention.

A person skilled in the art may make numerous variations and adaptations to the above-described grinding and dosage apparatus to meet specific and contingent needs, all of which fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.