阅读说明：本技术 被配置为提供不同粒径分布的咖啡研磨机器和相关方法 (Coffee grinding machine configured to provide different particle size distributions and related method ) 是由 A·迪奥尼西奥 于 2020-02-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了一种咖啡研磨机器(10)和浓缩咖啡机器。所述咖啡研磨机器包括互相协作的第一研磨件和第二研磨件,以便研磨咖啡豆,从而在第一研磨周期期间获得第一剂量的研磨咖啡。所述咖啡研磨机器包括马达,所述马达使研磨件中的一个相对于另一个以一定的转速旋转。咖啡研磨机器被配置为修改转速以便执行第二研磨周期,在所述第二研磨周期中获得第二剂量的研磨咖啡。转速根据从浓缩咖啡机器接收的并且基于用所述第一剂量的研磨咖啡执行的咖啡制备周期的定量信息来修改,其中定量信息可以是浓缩咖啡机器中测量的流量值或是冲泡比率值。(A coffee grinding machine (10) and an espresso machine are described. The coffee grinding machine comprises a first grinding member and a second grinding member cooperating with each other for grinding coffee beans to obtain a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle. The coffee grinding machine includes a motor that rotates one of the grinding members relative to the other at a rotational speed. The coffee grinding machine is configured to modify the rotational speed in order to perform a second grinding cycle in which a second dose of ground coffee is obtained. The rotation speed is modified according to a dosing information received from the espresso machine and based on a coffee preparation cycle performed with the first dose of ground coffee, wherein the dosing information may be a flow value or a brewing ratio value measured in the espresso machine.)

1. A coffee grinding machine (10) and an espresso machine,

wherein the coffee grinding machine (10) comprises a first grinding member (14A) and a second grinding member (14B), wherein at least one (14B) of the first and second grinding members (14A, 14B) is rotatable, wherein the grinding members (14A, 14B) cooperate with each other for grinding coffee beans such that a first dose of ground coffee is obtained during a first grinding cycle, wherein the coffee grinding machine (10) comprises a motor (30) rotating one (14B) of the grinding members relative to the other (14A) at a rotational speed, wherein the coffee grinding machine (10) is configured to modify a grinding parameter for performing a second grinding cycle in which a second dose of ground coffee is obtained,

wherein the grinding parameters are modified according to dosing information obtained from the espresso machine and based on a coffee preparation cycle performed with the first dose of ground coffee,

wherein the grinding parameters include a rotational speed,

wherein the quantitative information comprises at least one of: a flow value measured by a flow meter of the espresso machine; and brew ratio values.

2. The coffee grinding machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the first dose is ground during a grinding cycle immediately prior to grinding the second dose.

3. The coffee grinding machine (10) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connecting module for connecting together the espresso machine and the coffee grinding machine (10).

4. The coffee grinding machine (10) of claim 3, wherein said connection module is configured to wirelessly connect said coffee grinding machine (10) to an espresso machine.

5. The coffee grinding machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a comparator for comparing a flow value with a reference flow value; and a speed change device (40) configured to (i) decrease the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the flow value is greater than the reference flow value, (ii) increase the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the flow value is less than the reference flow value, and (iii) maintain the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the flow value is substantially the same as the reference flow value.

6. The coffee grinding machine (10) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a first device (95) for measuring the mass of the first dose of ground coffee; a second device (96) for measuring the quality of the prepared espresso coffee; processor means (CPU) for calculating a brewing ratio corresponding to a ratio between the mass of a first dose and the mass of espresso coffee prepared with the first dose.

7. The coffee grinding machine (10) of claim 6, comprising: a comparator for comparing the brewing ratio value with a reference brewing ratio value; and a speed change device configured to (i) decrease the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the brewing ratio value is greater than the reference brewing ratio value, (ii) increase the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the brewing ratio value is less than the reference brewing ratio value, and (iii) maintain the rotational speed of the motor (30) if the brewing ratio value is substantially the same as the reference brewing ratio value.

8. A method for grinding coffee beans, the method comprising:

providing a first and a second grinding member (14A, 14B) cooperating with each other, wherein at least one grinding member (14B) of the first and second grinding members (14A, 14B) is rotatable, wherein said grinding members cooperate with each other for grinding coffee beans, thereby obtaining a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle,

providing a motor (30) for rotating one of the grinding members (14B) relative to the other grinding member (14A) at a rotational speed,

modifying a grinding parameter in order to perform a second grinding cycle in which a second dose of ground coffee is obtained, wherein the grinding parameter is modified according to dosing information obtained from a coffee machine and based on a coffee preparation cycle performed with the first dose of ground coffee,

wherein the grinding parameters include a rotational speed,

wherein the quantitative information comprises at least one of: flow rate values and brew ratio values.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first dose is milled during a milling cycle immediately preceding the second dose of milling.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the steps of: comparing the flow value with a reference flow value, and

(iv) if the flow value is greater than the reference flow value, the rotational speed of the motor (30) is reduced,

(v) if the flow value is less than the reference flow value, increasing the rotational speed of the motor (30), and

(vi) if the flow value is substantially the same as the reference flow value, the rotational speed of the motor (30) is maintained.

11. The method of claim 8, 9 or 10, comprising: a step of measuring the mass of the first dose of ground coffee; a step of measuring the quality of the prepared espresso coffee; and a step of calculating a brewing ratio corresponding to the ratio between said mass of the first dose and said mass of espresso coffee prepared with said first dose.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: comparing the brewing ratio with a reference brewing ratio, and

(iv) if the brewing ratio value is greater than the reference brewing ratio value, the rotational speed of the motor (30) is reduced,

(v) if the brewing ratio value is less than the reference brewing ratio value, increasing the rotational speed of the motor (30), and

(vi) if the brewing ratio value is substantially the same as the reference brewing ratio value, the rotational speed of the motor (30) is maintained.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for grinding coffee beans. The machine for grinding coffee beans may be a separate machine or may be incorporated into a machine for producing coffee-based (coffee-based) beverages. Such machines for grinding coffee beans are also referred to simply as "coffee grinding machines", "coffee grinders" or "grinders". The invention also relates to an espresso coffee machine cooperating with said coffee grinding machine, and to a method for grinding coffee in the form of beans.

Background

It is well known that for the preparation of espresso coffee, a quantity of ground coffee, commonly referred to as a "dose", is used. The dose of ground coffee is loaded into a filter, typically in the form of a cup with an open top and a microperforated bottom. Typically, the dose of coffee is pressed into a filter to form a mass of coffee powder. The filter is in turn supported by an extraction handle (portafilter) configured to be removably engaged with a dispensing unit of an espresso machine. Espresso coffee is obtained by passing pressurized hot water through the mass of coffee powder.

The coffee powder is obtained with a coffee grinding machine. In known coffee grinding machines, coffee beans are ground by passing them through a grinding member. Flat, conical or cylindrical abrasive members are known. Typically, the grinding member of a coffee grinding machine comprises a stationary member and a member that rotates relative to the stationary member. For example, in a coffee grinder with conical grinding members, one grinding member is stationary while the other is rotated by a motor. Some coffee grinding machines are capable of varying the distance between the grinding members to vary the particle size of the coffee powder.

WO 2013/112732 a1 describes an automatic adjustment system for a coffee grinder.

WO 2009/010190 a1 describes a method for controlling a coffee grinder.

WO 2013/121438 a1 describes a method and a machine for extracting coffee.

EP 3,042,591 a1 describes a method for adjusting the fineness of a coffee grinder.

WO 2014/207281 a1 describes a control device for a coffee grinder.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has carried out experiments relating to grinding coffee powder. For the purposes of the present invention, ground coffee powder is considered to be formed substantially of particles or granules having the theoretical characteristic size. This theoretical characteristic dimension will also be referred to by the term "equivalent diameter" in the following of the present description. Furthermore, the expression "ground coffee" may be used as a substitute for the more complete expression "ground coffee powder" or "coffee powder".

The applicant has perceived that all known coffee grinding machines, whatever the manufacturer or the type of grinding member or the specific mechanism used, produce ground coffee comprising particles of a very different size from one another. The range of equivalent diameters covers three orders of magnitude, from a few micrometers to over one millimeter.

The relative abundance of the microparticles may be expressed as a particular distribution, referred to as the "particle size distribution", having a course (progression) similar to that shown in figure 1 (regardless of the coffee grinding machine used).

The curve showing the particle size distribution is called bimodal distribution. The large peak (right side) is referred to as the "first mode", and the small peak (left side) is referred to as the "second mode".

As briefly mentioned above, the purpose of ground coffee is for dispensing coffee beverages in espresso coffee machines.

It is clear that the presence of a large amount of small particles results in a smaller water flow and therefore in a "stronger" coffee than the presence of a large amount of large particles during the same dispensing time.

Typically, each coffee maker suitably adjusts his/her coffee grinding machine to obtain a particle size that appears to him/her to produce the best beverage.

Whether the machine has a flat, conical or cylindrical grinding member, the smaller the distance between the grinding elements, the greater the amount of fine particles and the smaller the amount of coarse particles. The opposite result is obtained as the distance between the abrasive bodies increases.

In general, many manufacturers of known coffee grinding machines have adopted the same system to vary the particle size, i.e. to vary the distance between the grinding bodies.

The applicant has realized that varying the distance between the grinding bodies not only results in varying the relative amounts of the coarser and finer portions of the ground coffee, but also shifts the peak of the first mode horizontally: the peak moves to the right (toward a larger particle size) as the distance between the abrasive elements increases, and to the left (toward a finer particle size) as the distance between the abrasive elements decreases.

In commercially available systems, the variation of the distance between the grinding members can be performed manually or electrically by means of an electric actuator (usually a motor).

The applicant has defined the object of providing a coffee grinding machine configured to provide a dose of ground coffee having a predetermined granulometric distribution so as to obtain a predetermined flow rate (expressed in volume flow or mass flow) when the dose is used for preparing espresso coffee in an espresso coffee machine. The relationship between flow and dose in turn affects the infusion rate.

For the purposes of the present description and claims, the expression "infusion ratio" (concentration or concentration of the beverage) or "infusion ratio" is understood to mean the ratio between the mass of ground coffee used and the mass of the beverage finally dispensed.

The applicant has realised that different rotational speeds of the grinding machine produce different particle size distributions. In particular:

when the speed is reduced, an average finer powder is obtained, and

as the speed increases, an average coarser powder is obtained.

According to the present invention, a coffee grinding machine is provided in which different particle size distributions are obtained by suitably varying the rotational speed of the grinder on the basis of external information, for example information relating to the flow rate (volume or mass flow rate).

According to a first aspect, a coffee grinding machine and an espresso machine are provided,

wherein the coffee grinder comprises a first grinding member and a second grinding member, wherein at least one of the first and second grinding members is rotatable, wherein the grinding members cooperate with each other to grind coffee beans such that a first dose of ground coffee is obtained during a first grinding cycle, wherein the coffee grinding machine comprises a motor which rotates one of the grinding members relative to the other grinding member at a rotational speed, wherein the coffee grinding machine is configured to modify a grinding parameter for performing a second grinding cycle in which a second dose of ground coffee is obtained,

wherein the grinding parameters are modified according to dosing information obtained from the espresso machine and based on a coffee preparation cycle performed with the first dose of ground coffee,

wherein the grinding parameters include a rotational speed,

wherein the quantitative information comprises at least one of: a flow value measured by a flow meter of the espresso machine; and brew ratio values.

The espresso machine is connected or associated with the coffee grinding machine and forms an assembly or composite.

For the purposes of the present description and of the appended claims, the expression "infusion ratio" (concentration or concentration of the beverage) or "infusion ratio" is understood to mean the ratio between the mass of ground coffee used and the mass of the beverage finally dispensed.

For the purposes of the present description and of the appended claims, two beverages have the same infusion rate when the above-mentioned rates are the same or differ by a percentage (absolute value) of less than about 10%, preferably less than about 5%, even more preferably less than about 2-3%.

According to an embodiment, the first dose is milled during a milling cycle immediately preceding the milling of the second dose.

According to an embodiment, a connection module for connecting together an espresso machine and a coffee grinding machine is also provided.

The connection module may be configured to wirelessly connect the coffee grinding machine to the espresso machine.

Advantageously, a comparator may be provided for comparing the flow value with a reference flow value, and a variable speed means is provided for (i) reducing the rotational speed of the motor if the flow value is greater than the reference flow value, (ii) increasing the rotational speed of the motor if the flow value is less than the reference flow value, and (iii) maintaining the rotational speed of the motor if the flow value is substantially the same as the reference flow value.

According to an embodiment, there is provided: a first device for measuring the mass of the first dose of ground coffee; a second device for measuring the quality of the prepared espresso coffee; and processor means for calculating a brewing ratio corresponding to a ratio between the mass of a first dose and the mass of espresso coffee prepared with the first dose.

According to an embodiment, there is also provided: a comparator for comparing the brewing ratio value with a reference brewing ratio value; and a speed change device configured to (i) decrease the rotational speed of the motor if the brewing ratio value is greater than the reference brewing ratio value, (ii) increase the rotational speed of the motor if the brewing ratio value is less than the reference flow value, and (iii) maintain the rotational speed of the motor if the brewing ratio value is substantially the same as the reference brewing ratio value.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for grinding coffee beans, the method comprising:

providing a first grinding member and a second grinding member cooperating with each other, wherein at least one of the first grinding member and the second grinding member is rotatable, wherein the grinding members cooperate with each other for grinding coffee beans, thereby obtaining a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle,

providing a motor for rotating one of the grinding members relative to the other at a rotational speed,

modifying a grinding parameter in order to perform a second grinding cycle in which a second dose of ground coffee is obtained, wherein the grinding parameter is modified according to dosing information obtained from a coffee machine and based on a coffee preparation cycle performed with the first dose of ground coffee,

wherein the grinding parameters include a rotational speed,

wherein the quantitative information comprises at least one of: flow rate values and brew ratio values.

Preferably, the first dose is milled during a milling cycle immediately preceding the milling of the second dose.

The method may further comprise the steps of: comparing the flow value with a reference flow value, and

(i) if the flow value is greater than the reference flow value, the rotational speed of the motor is reduced,

(ii) if the flow value is less than the reference flow value, increasing the rotational speed of the motor, and

(iii) if the flow value is substantially the same as the reference flow value, the rotational speed of the motor is maintained.

The method may further comprise: a step of measuring the mass of the first dose of ground coffee; a step of measuring the quality of the prepared espresso coffee; and a step of calculating a brewing ratio corresponding to the ratio between said mass of the first dose and said mass of espresso coffee prepared with said first dose.

There may also be provided a step for comparing the brewing ratio value with a reference brewing ratio value, and

(i) if the brewing ratio value is greater than the reference brewing ratio value, the rotational speed of the motor is reduced,

(ii) if the brewing ratio value is less than the reference brewing ratio value, increasing the rotational speed of the motor, and

(iii) if the brewing ratio value is substantially the same as the reference brewing ratio value, the rotational speed of the motor is maintained.

Drawings

The following is a detailed description of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting example, which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a graph showing an example of a particle size distribution in logarithmic scale;

figure 2 is a graph showing the particle size distribution in logarithmic scale;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing three particle size distributions on a linear scale;

figure 4 is a schematic view of a coffee grinding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 5 is another schematic view of a coffee grinding machine according to the invention in cooperation with an espresso machine;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operating mode;

figure 7 shows, by way of example, an espresso coffee machine with weighing and processing means for calculating the brewing ratio value.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1, which has been briefly mentioned above, is a graph showing an example of the particle size distribution of a dose of coffee powder. The curve showing the particle size distribution is called bimodal distribution. The high peak (on the right, associated with larger sized particles) is referred to as the "first mode", while the low peak (on the left, associated with smaller sized particles) is referred to as the "second mode".

Fig. 2 and 3 show the effect of the mill rotational speed on the particle size. In particular, fig. 2 and 3 show three particle size curves obtained by maintaining a constant distance between the grinding members and by varying the rotational speed. The two figures show the same distribution, expressed in a logarithmic scale for emphasizing the difference on the second modality, and in a linear scale for emphasizing the difference on the first modality.

It can be seen that at the slower speed (150rpm), the first mode moves to the left and its relative amount decreases to the benefit of the second mode.

At a higher speed (300rpm), the first mode moves to the right and increases its relative amount.

In the case of fig. 2 (only an example is shown), the first mode of the curve at 150rpm lies at about 425 μm, whereas the first mode of the curve at 300rpm lies at about 475 μm.

The speed variation is obtained by means of a suitable electronic speed regulator of the electric motor. Many devices of this type are commercially available, which vary according to the type of motor used. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coffee grinding machine comprises a three-phase asynchronous motor and an inverter for speed control or any known frequency converter.

Fig. 4 shows, in a very schematic form, the main components of a coffee grinding machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The machine 10 comprises: a grinding chamber 12 having an upper inlet IN for the coffee to be ground; a first abrasive 14A and a second abrasive 14B that mates with the first abrasive 14A; and an outlet conveyance member 16, which receives the ground coffee from the grinding members 14A and 14B and conveys it for collection and use. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the ground coffee may be delivered towards a filter 21 supported by an extraction handle 20 of any known type.

According to the embodiment of fig. 4, the first grinding member 14A is a fixed grinding member, while the second grinding member 14B is movable, e.g. rotatable.

The coffee grinding machine comprises an electric motor 30 for rotating the second grinding member 14B at a certain rotational speed. According to an embodiment, the motor is a single phase motor. For example, the motor is an electric motor comprising one of the following types: general, dc, single or three phase ac, brushless dc, stepper or other types of motors.

Preferably, the coffee grinding machine further comprises frequency converter means 40 for controlling the rotation speed. For example, the frequency converter device comprises an inverter. The frequency converter means 40 is capable of varying the grinding speed so as to allow grinding to be carried out in a constant manner at the first speed or the second speed.

According to an embodiment, the coffee grinding machine further comprises an angular position transducer, for example an encoder 50, associated with the electric motor for measuring the rotational speed of the motor 30 in an accurate manner.

According to an embodiment, the variation of the speed may be performed by the coffeemaker through a suitable interface 70 (fig. 5). The interface 70 may, for example, include a button (or buttons) for selecting a predetermined rotational speed, a rotatable knob for selecting (continuously or discontinuously) multiple rotational speeds, or a touch screen for selecting from various available options/speeds. The interface 70 is connected to the inverter 40 (directly or by other means, such as a processor 60, schematically shown in fig. 5) for modifying the supply frequency of the motor 30 and thus the speed of the motor. Advantageously, an option may be provided to select the rotational speed from a speed provided by the manufacturer or selected by the user. Advantageously, a memory for storing the rotational speed value may be provided.

According to other embodiments, a control unit (CPU 60) is provided, which is configured to set the rotational speed of the motor 30 depending on an external signal, for example provided by a coffee machine 90 connected to/associated with the coffee grinder 10. According to an embodiment, the external signal influencing the rotational speed of the motor 30 is not an ambient signal (pressure, humidity or temperature), but is related to the operation of the espresso machine.

The connection between the coffee machine 90 and the coffee grinding machine 10 may be by cable (e.g. standard data line or fiber optic cable) or may be by wireless connection (e.g. based on industry technology data transmission standards for WPAN (wireless personal area network)). For example, the connection may be made via the bluetooth standard or the like. The connection may also be optical and based on a wireless network. Fig. 5 shows in schematic form a wireless connection between the coffee machine 90 and the coffee grinding machine 10 via a communication module, such as a receiver or transceiver.

According to an embodiment, the speed of the motor 30 is varied in accordance with information related to the flow value measured in the espresso machine 90. The flow rate information is preferably flow rate information obtained during a cycle for preparing espresso by the machine 90 with a dose of coffee powder ground during a grinding step preceding an ongoing grinding operation. Preferably, the preceding grinding step is the grinding step immediately preceding the grinding step in progress. The flow rate may advantageously be measured using a flow meter 91 of the espresso machine 90. The flow meter 91 may be anywhere in the hydraulic circuit of the machine 90, such as near the dispensing unit of the machine 90.

Fig. 6 shows in schematic form a possible mode for carrying out the steps, by which the rotation speed of the motor 30 varies according to the flow rate information obtained from the associated coffee machine.

After receiving flow information from an espresso machine (step 100), an evaluation is made to check whether the measured flow value is outside a predetermined tolerance range (step 101), i.e. different from a (desired) reference value plus or minus a threshold value.

If the measured flow value is within tolerance with respect to the reference dose, no change of the rotational speed of the motor is performed (step 102), and thus the grinding of the dose is performed as the grinding of the reference dose, i.e. typically the grinding of the previous dose.

If the measured flow value is greater than the desired value relative to the reference dose (also taking into account the tolerance range), the rotational speed of the motor is increased (steps 103 and 105).

If the measured flow value is less than the desired value relative to the reference dose (also taking into account the tolerance range), the rotational speed of the motor is reduced (steps 103 and 104).

According to other embodiments, the speed V of the motor 30 is varied according to information related to the brewing ratio value measured in the espresso machine 90. The brewing ratio information is preferably the brewing ratio information obtained during a cycle for preparing espresso by the machine 90 with a dose of coffee powder ground during a grinding step preceding an ongoing grinding operation. Preferably, the preceding grinding step is the grinding step immediately preceding the grinding step in progress.

According to an embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the machine 90 comprises means for calculating the infusion ratio between the mass (or weight) of the quantity of ground coffee used for preparing the espresso coffee and the mass (or weight) of the actually prepared espresso coffee. It is well known that the amount and/or degree of dilution of espresso coffee required by consumers depends on their particular habits and tastes, and/or on the general practice in which they are located. Thus, the consumer may desire espresso, regular coffee, weak coffee, and the like. The consumer may also require single, double, triple, etc. portions of espresso.

The means for calculating the brewing ratio may comprise: a first weighing device 95 for measuring the mass of the ground coffee (for example directly in the filter supported by the extraction handle 20); a second weighing device 96 for measuring the mass of the prepared espresso coffee (directly in the cup); and processing means (CPU) configured to receive at least a measurement of the quality of the ground coffee and a measurement of the quality of the prepared espresso coffee and to obtain the brewing ratio from both quality measurements. Fig. 7 also shows in schematic form two dispensing units 99 configured for engagement with the extraction handle 20.

The speed of the motor is therefore determined according to the dosing information received from the coffee machine for which the ground coffee is intended. Advantageously, the value obtained on the basis of the dose is used to decide whether to maintain or modify the grinding parameters (for example the grinding speed) of the next dose.

The system can be operated both in open loop, i.e. without measuring the actual rotational speed V of the motor, and in closed loop, i.e. with a dedicated means for detecting the speed of the motor, such as a speed sensor (encoder) 50.

Advantageously, according to the present invention, the problem of defining a balance of ground particle sizes between single-dose coffee and double-dose coffee can be solved. For example, two buttons may be provided, one for grinding a single dose and one for grinding a double dose. According to the invention, the coffee grinding machine can be programmed so that a specific speed V1 (for obtaining a specific particle size) and a first quantity W1 are associated with the respective button in order to grind a single dose. Similarly, according to the invention, for grinding double doses, the coffee grinding machine can be programmed so that a specific speed V2 (for obtaining a specific granulometry) and a second quantity W2 are associated with the respective buttons.

Even if a service occurs that requires alternating between single coffee at speed V1 and double coffee at speed V2, the system is not affected thereby.

This flexibility is very advantageous. In fact, the particle size currently selected by the coffee chemist is necessarily a compromise between single and double doses. With the present invention, this limitation is overcome.