WO2025022030A1

WO2025022030A1 - Dosing accessory for coffee makers

Info

Publication number: WO2025022030A1
Application number: PCT/ES2024/070455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinicius DE SANTA CRUZ GONÇALVES DA MOTTA
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-07-24
Filing date: 2024-07-17
Publication date: 2025-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-24
Also published as: ES1304202U; ES1304202Y

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dosing accessory for automatic coffee makers comprising two or more independent hoppers (2), suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) being equipped with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), the actuation of which causes a certain amount of coffee to be poured into a lower channel (4) that is shared by all the hoppers (2) and that said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) open into, which is in turn suitable for being coupled to the recipient that grinds the coffee beans in the automatic coffee machine that incorporates the accessory (1). Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) provided in each hopper (2) is a mechanism that can be adjusted as desired so that instead of a complete dose of the aforementioned preset amount of coffee, half a dose is poured and/or the poured coffee dose is larger or smaller, at least between two preestablished volumes.

Description

DESCRIPCIÓN DESCRIPTION

ACCESORIO DOSIFICADOR PARA CAFETERAS DOSING ACCESSORY FOR COFFEE MACHINES

OBJETO DE LA INVENCIÓN OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

La invención, tal como expresa el enunciado de la presente memoria descriptiva, se refiere a un accesorio dosificador para cafeteras que aporta, a la función a que se destina, ventajas y características, que se describen en detalle más adelante. The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, refers to a dosing accessory for coffee machines that provides, for the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

El objeto de la presente invención recae en un complemento accesorio que, especialmente aplicable para su incorporación en cafeteras automáticas de café en grano con la finalidad de dosificar una cantidad concreta de grano para ser molido previamente al proceso de obtención del café, se distingue, esencialmente, por comprender más de una tolva en que poder incorporar diferentes tipos de grano de café, contando cada tolva con un mecanismo dosificador que permite dosificar una dosis de café concreta que es la necesaria para que la máquina lo muela y pueda trabajar, permitiendo al usuario escoger cada vez de qué tolva quiere hacer el café de entre los diferentes tipos con que haya rellenado las tolvas, permitiendo, opcionalmente, dosificar medias dosis para poder moler una mezcla de dos tipos de café distintos. The object of the present invention lies in an accessory complement that, especially applicable for its incorporation in automatic coffee bean coffee machines for the purpose of dosing a specific quantity of grain to be ground prior to the process of obtaining the coffee, is essentially distinguished by comprising more than one hopper in which different types of coffee beans can be incorporated, each hopper having a dosing mechanism that allows dosing a specific dose of coffee that is necessary for the machine to grind it and be able to work, allowing the user to choose each time which hopper he wants to make the coffee from among the different types with which he has filled the hoppers, allowing, optionally, to dose half doses in order to grind a mixture of two different types of coffee.

CAMPO DE APLICACIÓN DE LA INVENCIÓN FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

El campo de aplicación de la presente invención se enmarca dentro del sector de la industria dedicada a la fabricación de accesorios para máquinas de café. The field of application of the present invention falls within the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of accessories for coffee machines.

ANTECEDENTES DE LA INVENCIÓN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Son conocidas en el mercado las cafeteras automáticas, normalmente destinadas a uso profesional en establecimientos de restauración, que incorporan una tolva con un mecanismo dosificador para verter una cantidad concreta de grano de café en la máquina para molerlo justo antes de hacer el café, ya que con ello la calidad y aroma del café obtenido es mucho más buena que si se hace con el café molido y envasado previamente. Automatic coffee machines are well known on the market, normally intended for professional use in catering establishments, which incorporate a hopper with a dosing mechanism to pour a specific amount of coffee beans into the machine to grind it just before making the coffee, since with this the quality and aroma of the coffee obtained is much better than if it is made with ground and packaged coffee. previously.

El problema es que, en este tipo de máquinas, solamente hay una tolva para incorporar el café en grano y dosificarlo para molerlo antes de hacer el café. Ello hace que solo se pueda hacer café con el grano que se haya vertido en la tolva y, si se desea cambiar de tipo de café habrá que esperar a que la tolva se agote o habrá que vaciarla e introducir en ello el otro tipo de café deseado, lo cual, lógicamente, supone una incomodidad que no suele ser práctica para el establecimiento. Además, si se desea hacer algún tipo de mezcla entre dos tipos de café diferentes, cosa que otorga al café características específicas concretas muy apreciables, también habrá que efectuar la mezcla previa de los dos tipos de grano en la tolva y solo se podrá verter dicha mezcla para hacer el café hasta que se agote o hasta que se vuelva a cambiar completamente el contenido de la tolva. The problem is that, in this type of machine, there is only one hopper to add the coffee beans and dose them for grinding before making the coffee. This means that you can only make coffee with the beans that have been poured into the hopper and, if you want to change the type of coffee, you will have to wait for the hopper to run out or you will have to empty it and put the other type of coffee you want in there, which, logically, is an inconvenience that is not usually practical for the establishment. In addition, if you want to make some kind of mixture between two different types of coffee, which gives the coffee specific, highly appreciable characteristics, you will also have to pre-mix the two types of beans in the hopper and you can only pour this mixture to make the coffee until it runs out or until you completely change the contents of the hopper again.

El objetivo de la presente invención es pues proporcionar al mercado un accesorio para este tipo de máquinas automáticas de café en grano que permita proporcionar al profesional la posibilidad de poder realizar el café con diferentes tipos de grano de café o sus mezclas sin tener que agotar o cambiar el contenido de la tolva, para lo cual comprende varias tolvas en las que poder incorporar diferentes tipos de granos de café y poder escoger el que se quiera o la mezcla de ellos que se quiera cada vez que se va ha hacer café. The objective of the present invention is to provide the market with an accessory for this type of automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines that allows professionals to make coffee with different types of coffee beans or mixtures thereof without having to empty or change the contents of the hopper, for which purpose it comprises several hoppers in which different types of coffee beans can be added and the choice of the one you want or the mixture of them you want each time you make coffee.

Por otra parte, y como referencia al estado actual de la técnica, cabe señalar que, al menos por parte del solicitante, se desconoce la existencia de ningún otro accesorio dosificador para cafeteras que presente unas características técnicas, estructurales y constitutivas ¡guales o semejantes a las del que aquí se reivindica. Furthermore, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other dosing accessory for coffee machines that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed here is unknown.

EXPLICACIÓN DE LA INVENCIÓN EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

El accesorio dosificador para cafeteras que la invención propone se configura como una solución óptima a los objetivos anteriormente señalados, estando los detalles caracterizadores que lo hacen posible y que lo distinguen convenientemente recogidos en las reivindicaciones finales que acompañan a la presente descripción. Concretamente, lo que la invención propone, como se ha apuntado anteriormente, es un complemento que, especialmente aplicable para su incorporación como accesorio en una cafetera automática de café en grano para dosificar una cantidad concreta de granos de café para ser molidos previamente al proceso de obtención del café en dicha cafetera, se distingue, esencialmente, por el hecho de que, en lugar de una única tolva con mecanismo de vertido dosificado, comprende más de una tolva, de preferencia tres, en las que se pueden incorporar diferentes tipos o variedades de granos de café, contando cada tolva con su propio mecanismo de vertido dosificado, de tal modo que el accesorio permite dosificar una dosis de café concreta, que es la necesaria para que la máquina lo muela y pueda trabajar, pudiendo escoger cada vez de qué tolva se quiere hacer el café de entre los diferentes tipos con que se hayan rellenado las tolvas. The dosing accessory for coffee machines proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives previously stated, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently collected in the final claims that accompany this description. Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously indicated, is an accessory that, especially applicable for its incorporation as an accessory in an automatic coffee bean coffee machine to dose a specific quantity of coffee beans to be ground prior to the process of obtaining the coffee in said coffee machine, is essentially distinguished by the fact that, instead of a single hopper with a dosed pouring mechanism, it comprises more than one hopper, preferably three, in which different types or varieties of coffee beans can be incorporated, each hopper having its own dosed pouring mechanism, such that the accessory allows a specific dose of coffee to be dosed, which is the amount necessary for the machine to grind it and be able to work, being able to choose each time from which hopper the coffee is to be made from among the different types with which the hoppers have been filled.

Además, en una opción de realización del accesorio, el mecanismo de vertido dosificado de cada una de las tolvas se puede regular a voluntad para que en lugar de una dosis completa vierta media dosis, de manera que es posible verter en la máquina dos medias dosis de dos de las tolvas con diferente tipo de grano para que lo muela conjuntamente y haga el café con la mezcla de esas dos variedades de café, ampliando enormemente la versatilidad de la máquina para poder hacer muchos más tipos distintos de café. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the accessory, the dosed pouring mechanism of each of the hoppers can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose, it pours half a dose, so that it is possible to pour two half doses into the machine from two of the hoppers with different types of beans so that it grinds them together and makes the coffee with the mixture of those two varieties of coffee, greatly expanding the versatility of the machine to be able to make many more different types of coffee.

Opcionalmente, el mecanismo de vertido dosificado de las tolvas también se puede regular para que la dosis sea mayor o menor y con ello poder realizar un café más o menos intenso, ya que ello depende de la cantidad de café utilizado para cada taza. Optionally, the dosing mechanism of the hoppers can also be adjusted so that the dose is higher or lower and thus a more or less intense coffee can be made, since this depends on the quantity of coffee used for each cup.

Por último, cabe señalar que, en una opción de realización, las tolvas cuentan, en su parte superior, con un anexo incorporadle a voluntad, preferentemente de modo extraíble, para ampliar el volumen de café que pueden contener cada una de dichas tolvas y poder incluirlo o no, según convenga en cada caso o en función de la previsión de consumo y/o del espacio disponible en el establecimiento en que se instala la cafetera. En una opción de realización preferida, el accesorio comprende tres tolvas conformadas por respectivos contenedores aptos para una cantidad de granos de café correspondiente a doce dosis y para hasta veinte dosis en el caso de incluir el antedicho anexo de ampliación de capacidad. Finally, it should be noted that, in one implementation option, the hoppers have, in their upper part, an attachment that can be incorporated at will, preferably in a removable manner, to increase the volume of coffee that each of said hoppers can contain and to be able to include it or not, as appropriate in each case or depending on the consumption forecast and/or the space available in the establishment where the coffee machine is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the accessory comprises three hoppers made up of respective containers suitable for a quantity of coffee beans corresponding to twelve doses and for up to twenty doses in the case of including the aforementioned capacity expansion annex.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE LOS DIBUJOS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Para complementar la descripción que se está realizando y con objeto de ayudar a una mejor comprensión de las características de la invención, se acompaña a la presente memoria descriptiva, como parte integrante de la misma, un plano en el que con carácter ilustrativo y no limitativo se ha representado lo siguiente: To complement the description being made and in order to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a drawing is attached to this descriptive report, as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

La figura número 1.- Muestra una vista esquemática en alzado de un ejemplo del accesorio dosificador para cafeteras objeto de la invención, apreciándose su configuración general y partes principales; la figura número 2.- Muestra una vista esquemática en planta superior del ejemplo del accesorio dosificador según la invención mostrado en la figura 1 ; la figura número 3.- Muestra una vista esquemática en alzado lateral del ejemplo del accesorio dosificador de la invención mostrado en las figuras 1 y 2; la figura número 4.- Muestra una vista esquemática en perspectiva de los mecanismos de vertido dosificado que incorpora el accesorio bajo cada tolva; la figura número 5.- Muestra una vista esquemática ampliada de uno de los mecanismos de vertido dosificado que incorporan las tolvas del accesorio, apreciándose con mayor detalle las partes y elementos que comprende; la figura número 6.- Muestra una vista esquemática en perspectiva de una de las tolvas del accesorio, en este caso representada con el mecanismo de vertido dosificado sin incluir la camisa del pistón regulador de volumen de la dosis ni el mando de accionamiento; y la figura número 7.- Muestra una vista esquemática ampliada del tambor del mecanismo de vertido dosificado, apreciándose la doble pared giratoria y el pistón regulador que comprende. Figure 1 shows a schematic elevation view of an example of the dosing accessory for coffee machines that is the object of the invention, showing its general configuration and main parts; Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of the example of the dosing accessory according to the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic side elevation view of the example of the dosing accessory of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the dosed pouring mechanisms that the accessory incorporates under each hopper; Figure 5 shows an enlarged schematic view of one of the dosed pouring mechanisms that the hoppers of the accessory incorporate, showing in greater detail the parts and elements it comprises; Figure 6.- Shows a schematic perspective view of one of the accessory hoppers, in this case represented with the dosed pouring mechanism without including the piston sleeve regulating the dose volume or the drive control; and Figure 7.- Shows an enlarged schematic view of the drum of the dosed pouring mechanism, showing the double rotating wall and the regulating piston that it comprises.

REALIZACIÓN PREFERENTE DE LA INVENCIÓN PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A la vista de las mencionadas figuras, y de acuerdo con la numeración adoptada, se puede observar en ellas un ejemplo de realización no limitativa del accesorio dosificador para cafeteras de la invención, el cual comprende lo que se describe en detalle a continuación. In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them a non-limiting example of the dosing accessory for coffee machines of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

Así, tal como se observa en dichas figuras, el accesorio dosificador (1) de la invención comprende, esencialmente, dos o más tolvas (2) independientes, aptas para contener café en grano de diferentes tipos o variedades, dotadas, cada de dichas tolvas (2), con un mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3), cuyo accionamiento provoca el vertido de una determinada cantidad de café, en un canal inferior (4) común a todas las tolvas (2) al que desembocan dichos mecanismos (3) de las tolvas (2) y que, a su vez, es apto para acoplarse sobre el receptáculo que muele el café en grano de la máquina automática de café (no representada) a que se destina y en que se incorpora el accesorio (1), preferentemente a través de una plataforma (5) de acople. Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the dosing accessory (1) of the invention essentially comprises two or more independent hoppers (2), suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) provided with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), the actuation of which causes a certain quantity of coffee to be poured into a lower channel (4) common to all the hoppers (2) into which said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) flow and which, in turn, is suitable for being coupled onto the receptacle that grinds the coffee beans of the automatic coffee machine (not shown) for which it is intended and into which the accessory (1) is incorporated, preferably through a coupling platform (5).

De preferencia, el mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3) con que cuenta cada tolva (2) es un mecanismo regulable a voluntad para que en lugar de una dosis completa de la antedicha determinada cantidad de café vierta media dosis, para poder verter en el canal inferior (4) común una mezcla de dos medias dosis de dos tolvas (2) diferentes con dos tipos o variedades de café distintas. Además o alternativamente el mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3) con que cuenta cada tolva (2) es un mecanismo regulable a voluntad para que la dosis de café vertida sea mayor o menor, al menos entre dos volúmenes preestablecidos, para poder escoger entre hacer un tipo de café más intenso o menos intenso. Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) that each hopper (2) has is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose of the aforementioned determined quantity of coffee, a half dose is poured, in order to be able to pour into the common lower channel (4) a mixture of two half doses from two different hoppers (2) with two different types or varieties of coffee. In addition or alternatively, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) that each hopper (2) has is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that the dose of coffee poured is greater or less, at least between two pre-established volumes, in order to be able to choose between making a more intense or less intense type of coffee.

De preferencia, dicho mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3) es de accionamiento manual a través de un mando de accionamiento (30), preferentemente en forma de palomilla. De preferencia, el mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3) comprende un tambor (31) giratorio, a través del mando de accionamiento (30) al que está vinculado, que se incorpora en el extremo inferior o cuello (20) de la tolva (2) a que se acopla y que comprende una doble pared interior (32) y una ventana (33) de salida, tal que al situar la ventana (33) en la parte superior, el café cae al interior del tambor (31) con una capacidad determinada y, al girar el mando de accionamiento (30), dicha ventana se sitúa interiormente y el contenido del tambor (31) cae por gravedad al canal inferior (4). Preferably, said dosed pouring mechanism (3) is manually operated through an operating control (30), preferably in the form of a butterfly. Preferably, the dosed pouring mechanism (3) comprises a rotating drum (31), through the drive control (30) to which it is linked, which is incorporated in the lower end or neck (20) of the hopper (2) to which it is coupled and which comprises a double inner wall (32) and an outlet window (33), such that when the window (33) is placed at the top, the coffee falls into the drum (31) with a given capacity and, when the drive control (30) is turned, said window is positioned internally and the contents of the drum (31) fall by gravity into the lower channel (4).

Y, de preferencia, cuando el mecanismo de vertido dosificado (3) es regulable, el tambor (31) comprende en su interior un pistón (34) que, a través de un émbolo (35) vinculado a una camisa externa (36) donde se inserta el mando de accionamiento (30), se puede desplazar longitudinalmente para ampliar o reducir la capacidad de dicho espacio interior del tambor (31) para que la dosis que se vierte sea mayor o menor, tal como se observa en las figuras 5 a 7. Además, dicho émbolo (35) está dotado de una lengüeta (37), que emerge a través de una ranura (38) de modo que es visible externamente a la camisa externa (36), que marca la posición del pistón (34) para que el usuario pueda conocer si la dosis a verter es mayor o menor. And, preferably, when the dosed pouring mechanism (3) is adjustable, the drum (31) comprises inside it a piston (34) which, through a plunger (35) linked to an external sleeve (36) where the drive control (30) is inserted, can be moved longitudinally to increase or reduce the capacity of said internal space of the drum (31) so that the dose to be poured is greater or less, as seen in figures 5 to 7. In addition, said plunger (35) is provided with a tab (37), which emerges through a slot (38) so that it is visible externally to the external sleeve (36), which marks the position of the piston (34) so that the user can know if the dose to be poured is greater or less.

En todo caso, de preferencia, para poder efectuar el desplazamiento longitudinal del pistón (34) tirando e empujando la camisa externa (36), esta cuenta con un sistema de bloqueo y desbloqueo (39) conformado, preferentemente, por sendos topes laterales retráctiles que, al presionarlos, dejan de bloquear el movimiento del émbolo (35) al que está unido solidariamente el pistón (34) para poder desplazarlo. In any case, preferably, in order to be able to carry out the longitudinal movement of the piston (34) by pulling and pushing the external sleeve (36), the latter has a locking and unlocking system (39) preferably made up of two retractable side stops which, when pressed, stop blocking the movement of the plunger (35) to which the piston (34) is solidly attached in order to be able to move it.

Por otra parte, de preferencia, cada una de las tolvas (2), formadas de modo conocido por un recipiente con un cuerpo principal (21) hueco de paredes con una configuración troncocónica o troncopiramidal invertida que facilita la caída por gravedad del contenido hacia el cuello (20) inferior de la tolva (2), comprende, en la parte superior de dicho cuerpo principal (21), un anexo (22) extraíble e incorporadle a voluntad, para ampliar el volumen de capacidad de café que puede contener, tal como muestra el ejemplo de la figura 6. Además, de preferencia, dicho anexo (22) tiene configuración de paredes verticales, tal que la tapa (23) de cierre superior encaja sobre la tolva (2) con y sin dicho anexo (22) incorporado. En todo caso, de preferencia, cada tolva (2) comprende un espacio (24) apto para incluir una etiqueta distintiva con el nombre del tipo de café que contiene. Furthermore, preferably, each of the hoppers (2), formed in a known manner by a container with a hollow main body (21) with walls with a truncated cone or inverted truncated pyramid configuration that facilitates the fall by gravity of the content towards the lower neck (20) of the hopper (2), comprises, in the upper part of said main body (21), an annex (22) that can be removed and incorporated at will, to increase the volume of coffee capacity that it can contain, as shown in the example in figure 6. Furthermore, preferably, said annex (22) has a configuration of vertical walls, such that the upper closing lid (23) fits over the hopper (2) with and without said annex (22) incorporated. In any case, preferably, each hopper (2) comprises a space (24) suitable for including a distinctive label with the name of the type of coffee it contains.

En una opción de realización preferida, el accesorio comprende tres tolvas (2) con tres mecanismos de vertido dosificado (3) regulable de café. In a preferred embodiment, the accessory comprises three hoppers (2) with three adjustable dosed coffee pouring mechanisms (3).

Descrita suficientemente la naturaleza de la presente invención, así como la manera de ponerla en práctica, no se considera necesario hacer más extensa su explicación para que cualquier experto en la materia comprenda su alcance y las ventajas que de ella se derivan. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to elaborate further on its explanation so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims

1.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, applicable for incorporation as an accessory in an automatic coffee bean coffee machine to dose a specific quantity of coffee beans to be ground prior to the process of obtaining coffee in said coffee machine, is characterized by comprising two or more independent hoppers (2), suitable for containing coffee beans of different types or varieties, each of said hoppers (2) equipped with a dosed pouring mechanism (3), the operation of which causes a certain quantity of coffee to be poured into a lower channel (4) common to all the hoppers (2) into which said mechanisms (3) of the hoppers (2) flow and which, in turn, is suitable for being coupled onto the receptacle that grinds the coffee beans of the automatic coffee machine in which the accessory (1) is incorporated.

2.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) that each hopper (2) has is a mechanism that can be adjusted at will so that instead of a full dose of the aforementioned determined quantity of coffee, a half dose is poured and/or the dose of coffee poured is greater or less, at least between two pre-established volumes.

3.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) is manually operated through a drive control (30).

4.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 3, characterized in that the dosed pouring mechanism (3) comprises a rotating drum (31), through the drive control (30) to which it is linked, which is incorporated in the lower end or neck (20) of the hopper (2) to which it is coupled and which comprises a double inner wall (32) and an outlet window (33).

5.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 2 and 4, characterized in that the drum (31) comprises a piston (34) inside it which, through a plunger (35) linked to an external sleeve (36) where the drive control (30) is inserted, moves longitudinally to increase or reduce the capacity of said internal space of the drum (31).

6.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 5, characterized in that said plunger (35) is provided with an externally visible tab (37) that marks the position of the piston (34) so that the user can know if the dose to be poured is greater or less.

7.- Dosing accessory for coffee machines, according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the longitudinal movement of the piston (34) has a locking and unlocking system (39).

8.- Dosing accessory for coffee makers, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the hoppers (2) comprises, in the upper part of its main body (21), an annex (22) that can be removed and incorporated at will, to increase the volume of coffee capacity that it can contain.