WO2020089830A1

WO2020089830A1 - Machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule and related kits

Info

Publication number: WO2020089830A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/059353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco D'ursi
Original assignee: BM Laser Srl
Current assignee: BM Laser Srl
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2019-10-31
Publication date: 2020-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-30
Also published as: IT201800009952A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule, provided with a supply group (1) to which hot water under pressure flows and provided with a cavity (13) open, in use, towards the bottom, a filter holder (2) connectable to the supply group (1) and a perforating/filtering disc (81, 70) inserted in the cavity (13) of the supply group (1).

Description

MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION OF INFUSIONS OR BEVERAGES THROUGH THE USE OF LOOSE PREPARATIONS OR PREPARATIONS PREPARED IN A CAPSULE AND RELATED KITS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule and the related kit.

Background Art

In the following of the present description and in the following claims, loose preparations mean unpackaged powdered coffee, tea, barley, etc. and therefore adapted to be taken in different quantities depending on the type of desired infusion.

With reference, e.g., to loose coffee, this is usually stored in beans on special hoppers and ground upon use to make a powder preparation intended to be extracted through a liquid.

More specifically, the preparation of espresso coffee is carried out by introducing powder into a containment chamber (so-called filter holder) to be coupled to a dispenser mounted on a coffee machine according to traditional bayonet couplings.

Percolation water then flows through the coffee powder in order to make espresso coffee and, if necessary, filtered to block any individual grinding grains, by means of a special filter contained in the filter holder, before being poured into the cup.

In other words, capsule preparation can be defined as powdered coffee, tea, barley, etc., packaged according to predefined quantities. This is usually contained in closed containers (so-called capsules or pods) intended to be perforated for percolation water to flow through.

Depending on the intended use and according to the quantity of espresso coffee to be prepared, the machines for the preparation of infusions or beverages, more specifically the machines for the preparation of espresso coffee, are divided into two main categories: home and professional use. Home coffee machines are usually characterized by the presence of containers for housing water which are mounted on board the machine itself and provide mostly compact (boiler or electric) systems for heating water.

They are generally divided into two subcategories: machines for the preparation of coffee using loose ground coffee and machines for the preparation of coffee using ground coffee capsules.

In the first case, the machine is usually provided with a single supply group and a filter holder for the housing of loose coffee in order to prepare up to two coffees maximum at the same time.

In the second case, the machine does not have a filter holder and provides means for the housing of a capsule and perforating devices of the latter for the flow of percolation water.

Professional coffee machines differ from home machines in several characteristics.

First of all, professional machines are generally connected to the water mains for water supply.

These machines also have special hydraulic and electrical circuits that allow fine adjustments of the temperature and pressure of percolation water with the possibility of preparing large quantities of espresso coffee in a short time.

Professional coffee machines are also characterized by their type of operation and are mostly divided into three subcategories: manual, automatic/semi automatic and super- automatic machines.

Professional manual and automatic/semi-automatic machines are generally provided with a filter holder and can house both loose ground coffee and ground coffee in capsules (or pods).

These machines do however have a number of defects.

In manual, automatic and semi-automatic machines, the grinding, weighting and pressing of loose ground coffee must be done manually by an operator outside the machine.

In the case of operation with capsules, manual, automatic and semi-automatic machines do have the common defect of not being provided with internal perforating means and therefore of having to perforate the capsule before being inserted into the filter holder by means of dedicated devices external to the machine, which however do have the drawback of occupying space on the worktop and make the preparation of the beverage longer in terms of time and therefore with higher overall costs.

On the other hand, for operation without perforation, it is necessary to use capsules with pre-established breaking weakening areas that break under the effect of pressure.

Unlike manual, automatic and semi-automatic machines, super- automatic machines have internal automatisms that allow grinding, weighting, pressing and supply operations to be carried out automatically inside the machine. They are generally without any filter holder and prepare the espresso coffee only through the use of special capsules which are perforated by means of an automatic system.

Description of the Invention

The Applicant has realized that most of the capsules on the market today are not provided with weakening areas and are made of extremely resistant materials (such as aluminum, plastic or the like).

They therefore need to be perforated in order for the percolating water to flow through them.

The Applicant has therefore devised a solution that allows the perforation of the capsule in professional machines provided with a filter holder through the use of a single upgraded capsule holder that allows receiving different capsules regardless of their shape or size.

The Applicant has therefore developed a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule which is provided with a single capsule holder, with variable conformation and housed in a filter holder adaptable to all the supply groups available on the market.

For this purpose, the capsule holder is provided with a cavity that can increase and decrease its housing volume depending on the shape and size of the capsule to be received.

The present invention therefore relates to, in one of its first aspects, a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule in accordance with claim 1.

In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a capsule holder kit for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of preparations prepared in a capsule in accordance with claim 8.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a filtration kit for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations in accordance with claim 9.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule in accordance with the present invention will be more evident from the description below of preferred embodiments, given as an indicative yet non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the elements comprised between the supply group and the filter holder of a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 2a and 2b show a cross-sectional side views of the capsule holder in Figure 1 in a first and in a second housing configuration;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the elements of Figure 1 in the assembled configuration;

Figures 4a and 4b show perspective views of the supply group and the upper perforating disc, respectively;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view from below of the elements making up the capsule holder of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the elements comprised between the supply group and the filter holder of the machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the elements of Figure 2 in the assembled configuration.

Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a supply group of a machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages in accordance with the present invention.

In the following of the present description, we will refer in particular to machines for the preparation of espresso coffee without however limiting the scope of protection of the present invention to different preparations such as tea, barley and/or parts of vegetable substances intended to be mixed with liquids for the production of beverages or infusions in general.

In detail, the supply group 1 is intended to receive, in a conventional way, hot water, at a temperature usually ranging from 90° C to 96° C and under pressure, through the duct 10.

The duct 10 is in fluidic communication with a conventional hydraulic circuit forming part of the coffee machine (not shown) that heats water by means of suitable boilers or electrical resistances before it flows under pressure to the supply group 1.

The supply group 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is intended to receive, by shape coupling, a filter holder 2.

For this purpose, the supply group 1 is provided with a cavity 13 with circular cross-section to receive the filter holder 2, the latter being provided with couplings 21, 22 intended to fit into their respective openings 11, 12 obtained in the cavity 13 of the supply group 1 to couple according to a typical conventional bayonet coupling.

The filter holder 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 20 supported by a handle 23 that can be gripped by a user.

The filter holder 2 is intended to house, depending on the type of desired espresso preparation, a capsule holder 30 if the coffee is contained in the capsule, or a filter 40 in the case of preparation with loose ground coffee.

With reference to the examples shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 5, the capsule holder 30 comprises a first body 310 in the form of a disc and substantially serving as a bottom for the capsule holder 30.

The disc 310 extends longitudinally along a direction Y-Y by a thickness si of predetermined length. The disc 310 also comprises an upper surface 311 to receive a capsule 50, as will be explained in detail later in this description.

Conveniently, the disc 310 has a plurality of through ducts 31 la to allow water to percolate from the supply group 1 outwards so that the espresso coffee is received in a cup for subsequent consumption by a user.

Preferably, the ducts 31 la are substantially formed along the longitudinal extension axis of the disc 310.

As shown in the example in Figure 2b, the disc 310 has a cylindrical side wall 312 defining a diameter di and at which a threading 313 is formed for coupling the disc 310 to a second tubular body 320 of the capsule holder 30.

In the present case, the second tubular body 320 is intended to be connected by screwing to the disc 310.

For this purpose, the second tubular body 320 has a substantially sleeve shape and is provided with an external side surface 321 in which, at its lower portion, a through opening 322 is formed.

The through opening 322 has a diameter d₂ substantially corresponding to the diameter di and is internally provided with a threading 323 to operate in conjunction with the threading 313 of the disc 310 and thus allow the mutual coupling between the disc 310 itself and the second tubular body 320.

Preferably, an external threading 324 is formed onto the external side surface 321 of the second tubular body 320.

Advantageously, depending on the amount of rotation of the disc 310 with respect to the second tubular body 320 it is possible to vary their mutual positioning along Y-Y.

As a result, the volume available for the housing of the capsule 50 inside the capsule holder 30 varies depending on the rotation of the second tubular body 320 on the disc 310.

It is therefore possible, advantageously, to use a single capsule holder 30 to accommodate capsules of different shape and/or height without the need to replace the capsule holder.

According to a further aspect, the capsule holder 30 comprises a third tubular body 330 which is intended to be coupled by screwing to the second tubular body 320.

The third tubular body 330 also has a substantially sleeve shape and comprises an external side surface 331 in which, at its lower part, is formed a through opening 332 internally provided with a threading 333, the latter being intended to operate in conjunction with the threading 324 of the second tubular body 320 to allow the mutual coupling of the second tubular body 320 to the third tubular body 330.

Preferably, the through opening 332 of the third tubular body 330 has a diameter d₃ substantially corresponding to the outer diameter άi of the external side surface 321 of the second tubular body 320.

As shown in the example in Figure 5, the second tubular body 320 is adapted to be fitted on the disc 310, defining between them, altogether in a coupled configuration, a cavity 31 with variable height h for the housing of a capsule 50. Similarly, the third tubular body 330 is adapted to be fitted on the second tubular body 320, defining between them, altogether in a coupled configuration, a cavity 32 having a variable height h₂.

Substantially, by varying the screwing of the three bodies 310,320,330 making up the capsule holder 30, it is therefore possible to accommodate capsules of different shapes and/or heights without the need to replace the capsule holder. With reference to the example shown in Figure 1, the supply group 1 is intended to receive in the cavity 13 a perforating disc 70, preferably circular, provided with a plurality of sharp tips 72, in use facing downwards, substantially conical in shape and intended to perforate the upper portion of the capsule 50 when housed in the capsule holder 30.

The perforating disc 70 also has a plurality of through holes 71, one of which is arranged coaxially to receive a connecting screw 73 intended to be screwed into a respective recess (not shown) formed on the lower portion of the supply group

1.

In an alternative version not shown, the perforating disc 70 can be inserted by pressure on the supply group 1 without using the connecting screw 73.

Advantageously, the sharp tips 72 have hollow portions that define one or more through openings 75 the function of which is to perforate the capsule 50 and increase the passage, through these through openings 75, of hot water from the supply group 1 to the filter holder 2.

Preferably, the sharp tips 72 of the perforating disc 70 are arranged in a radial pattern on the surface of the latter and in a number preferably equal to six.

It has been ascertained that this number allows an effective distribution of water inside the capsule 50 so as to allow effective mixing with the ground coffee contained therein.

As an option, a micro-perforated shower disc 80 can be positioned above the perforating disc 70 and at the point where the cavity 13 of the supply group is located. The shower disc 80 can also have a plurality of through holes 84 in a number equal to the number of sharp tips 72 of the perforating disc 70 so that the latter fit into the holes 84 of the shower disc 80.

The perforating disc 70 is thus positioned between the supply group 1 and the shower disc 80 the union of which allows, at the same time, perforating the capsule 50 and increasing the level of distribution of hot water in the capsule itself thanks to the presence of micro-holes. Moreover, thanks to the presence of the shower disc 80, it is possible to avoid any possible rise of the powdered coffee towards the duct 10 of the supply group 1.

For the connection of the supply group 1 to the shower disc 80, the latter has an additional central through hole 82 to receive the connecting screw 73.

In accordance with the version shown in the examples in Figures 4a and 4b, the supply group 1 is intended to receive in the cavity 13, a single perforating/filtering disc 81, preferably circular, provided with a plurality of sharp tips 72, in use facing downwards, of substantially conical shape and intended to perforate the upper portion of the capsule 50 when housed in the capsule holder 30.

The sharp tips 72 have hollow portions defining one or more through openings 75 the function of which is to perforate the capsule 50 and increase the passage, through these through openings 75, of hot water from the supply group 1 towards the filter holder 2. Also in this case, preferably, the sharp tips 72 of the perforating disc 70 are arranged in a radial pattern on the surface of the latter and in a number preferably equal to six.

Preferably, the perforating/filtering disc 81 is made up as a whole of a micro- perforated circular body screwed or engaged under pressure at the point where the cavity 13 of the supply group 1 is located and is made integrally with both perforating and filtering function.

Advantageously, the perforating/filtering disc 81 operates, at the same time, as a perforating element to perforate the capsule 50 and as a filtering element to increase the level of distribution of hot water in the capsule itself.

With reference to the example shown in Figure 1, the capsule holder 30 is designed to house a perforating disc 60 with the sharp tips 62 facing upwards, in use, so as to perforate the lower portion of the capsule 50 when housed inside the cavity 31.

Advantageously, the sharp tips 62 have hollow portions that define one or more through openings 63 the function of which is to perforate the capsule 50 and allow the passage, only through these through openings 63, of the espresso coffee obtained by making hot water flow in the capsule 50.

The perforating disc 60 is intended to be housed inside the capsule holder 30 at the upper surface 311 of the disc 310.

For this purpose, the diameter of the perforating disc 60 should preferably correspond to or be slightly smaller than the outer diameter di of the side wall 312 of the disc 310, so that it is permanently housed inside the capsule holder 30.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the examples in Figures 6 and 7, the filter holder 2, which is intended to house the capsule holder 30, can also house the filter 40 if a user wishes to prepare an espresso using loose ground coffee.

In this case, the filter 40 is conventionally made from a substantially cylindrical body 41 the bottom of which is perforated like a sieve to block the powdered coffee inserted therein and let the beverage flow outwards.

The filter 40 can also be coupled to a conventional single outlet or double outlet duct funnel 45 for the transfer of the beverage into one or more cups.

It should be noticed that in this embodiment, the configuration of the supply group 1 remains the same as shown in the examples in Figures 1-5. The perforating filter 81 has the function of protecting the hydraulic parts from the coffee powders held by the filter holder at the end of the supply.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a capsule holder kit or a filtering kit for the preparation of espresso coffee through the use of loose ground coffee or ground coffee in capsule.

The capsule holder kit for the preparation of espresso coffee through the use of coffee capsules comprises the capsule holder 30 and the perforating disc 60, as described above.

If a user wishes to prepare an espresso coffee by means of a capsule 50, he/she only has to insert the capsule holder 30 into the filter holder 2, the perforating disc 60 into the capsule holder 30 and the capsule 50 into the capsule holder 30, then insert the filter holder 2 into the supply group 1 and start supplying.

In case the capsule 50 is larger than the volume available inside the capsule holder 30, the user will rotate the bodies 310,320 to adjust the height h of the housing space 31 thus allowing, advantageously, the housing of several capsules 50 regardless of their shape or size.

The filter holder 2 is finally inserted into the supply group 1 and rotated to allow the air-tight coupling of one to the other.

The espresso infusion can therefore percolate downwards and be served to the user.

It should be noticed that, thanks to the possibility of mutual movement of the bodies 320,330 of the capsule holder 30, and therefore of the volume of the cavity 32, it is possible to obtain a perfect seal between the underneath gasket 74 and the circular edge 334 of the filter holder 2 adapted to contain the capsule. In addition, the adjustment of the volume 32 allows obtaining a perfect seal between the edge of the perforating/filtering disc 81 and the edge of the capsule 50. As shown in Figure 3, the upper edge 51 of the capsule 50 is pressed in a “sandwich” fashion between the edge of the perforating/filtering disc 81 and the abutment surface 325 of the tubular body 320.

Furthermore, thanks to the mutual movement of the bodies 310,320,330 of the capsule holder 30, it is possible to adjust the distance between the tips 62,72 of the discs 81,70 and the capsule 50.

It is also necessary to indicate that, during the bayonet coupling and the rotation of the filter holder 2 to the supply group 1, the filter holder 2 moves closer to the supply group 1, thus allowing, during this movement, the perforating disc 70 to perforate the capsule 50.

The lower perforation of the capsule 50 by means of the perforating disc 60 usually occurs as a result of the percolation of the pressurized hot water inside the capsule 50.

The capsule 50, being also subjected to water pressure, undergoes a vertical dilatation downwards which causes the increase in volume of the capsule itself with the consequence that the lower portion of the capsule 50 is intended to intercept the sharp tips 62 and then to be perforated by the latter.

Advantageously, the adjustment of the distance between the tips 62,72 of the perforating discs 60,70 and the capsule 50 also allows varying the pre-infusion time. In particular, if the bottom of the capsule 50 moves away from the tips 62, the permeability of the coffee powder and the infusion thereof will improve, thus allowing a precise setting in relation to the different mixtures of raw materials in order to obtain the best quality in the cup.

In contrast, the filtering kit for the preparation of espresso coffee through the use of loose ground coffee comprises the filter 40 and the funnel 45, as described above.

If a user wishes to prepare an espresso coffee through the use of loose ground coffee, he/she only has to fill the filter 40 with loose ground coffee, fit the funnel 45 and the filter 40 into the filter holder 2, then fit the filter holder 2 into the supply group 1 and start supplying.

As it has been possible to see from the present description, it has been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is underlined that through the espresso coffee preparation machine described herein it is possible to use both loose ground coffee and ground coffee in capsules.

Thanks to the special shape of the capsule holder, it is also possible to use capsules of different shapes and sizes, always using the same capsule holder.

The kit for the preparation of espresso coffee is dimensionally adaptable to all the supply groups on the market thanks to the presence of a perforating/filtering disc 81 that can be installed in the supply group 1.

The number of combinations of the elements making up the kit for the preparation of espresso coffee according to the invention is potentially endless.

Claims

1) Machine for the preparation of infusions or beverages through the use of loose preparations or preparations prepared in a capsule, comprising a supply group (1) to which hot water under pressure flows and provided with a cavity (13) open, in use, towards the bottom, a filter holder (2) connectable to the supply group (1) and comprising a hollow cylindrical body (20), characterized by the fact that it comprises a perforating/filtering disc (81, 70) inserted in the cavity (13) of the supply group (1).

2) Machine according to claim 1, comprising a capsule holder (30) intended to be housed in the hollow cylindrical body (20) of the filter holder (2) for dispensing ground coffee in capsule (50), a perforating disc (60) designed to be housed inside the capsule holder (30) at the bottom (311) thereof and intended to perforate the lower portion of the capsule (50), and wherein the perforating/filtering disc (81, 70) is intended to perforate the upper portion of the capsule (50).

3) Machine according to claim 2, wherein the capsule holder (30) comprises a first tubular body (310) and a second tubular body (320) which can be coupled to each other and movable with respect to each other.

4) Machine according to claim 3, wherein, depending on the amount of rotation of the first tubular body (310) with respect to the second tubular body (320) it is possible to vary their mutual distance in order to house capsules (50) of a different shape and/or height.

5) Machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the capsule holder (30) comprises a third tubular body (330) which can be coupled to the second tubular body (320).

6) Machine according to claim 5, wherein, depending on the amount of rotation of the third tubular body (330) with respect to the second tubular body (320) it is possible to vary the mutual distance thereof.

7) Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each disc (81, 70, 60) is provided with a plurality of sharp tips (72, 62) of substantially conical shape.

8) Machine according to claim 7, wherein the sharp tips (72, 62) have hollow portions defining one or more through openings (75, 63).

9) Machine according to claim 1, comprising a filter (40) which can be housed in the hollow cylindrical body (20) of the filter holder (2) and intended to be filled with loose preparations, and a funnel (45) interposed between the hollow cylindrical body (20) of the filter holder (2) and the filter for conveying the prepared espresso towards one or more cups.

10) Capsule holder kit for the preparation of infusions or beverages by using capsule preparations, comprising a capsule holder (30) and a perforating/filtering disc (81, 70) according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

11) Filtering kit for the preparation of infusions or beverages by using loose preparations, comprising a filter (40) according to claim 9.