Cross Reference to Related Patent Applications

This application claims priority to Italian patent applications No. 102018000021412 filed on December 28 ^th , 2018 and No. 102018000021049 filed on December 24 ^th , 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a brewing device for preparing beverages, in particular coffee or tea, and to an associated automatic brewing process.

State of the Art

In the field of automatic beverage preparation machines for preparing beverages, in particular coffee-based or tea-based beverages, it is known to use a brewing device comprising a preferably cylindrical- shaped brewing chamber, which is provided with an opening for loading/unloading a brewing material; a lid movable, with respect to the brewing chamber, between an open position and a closed position of said opening; and a piston slidingly arranged in the brewing chamber to be arranged in a loading position, in which it allows a brewing material to be inserted in the brewing chamber through the opening, in a dispensing position, in which cooperates with the lid to fluid-tightly close the brewing chamber and to allow a brewing fluid, normally pressurized hot water, to be fed into the brewing chamber so as to percolate through the material and produce the beverage; and in an unloading position, in which the piston expels the exhausted material from the brewing chamber at the end of the beverage dispensing process.

Generally, in known brewing devices having the above-described structure, the loading position of the piston is a lower end-stroke position, in which the piston is completely set back, normally arranged in contact with the bottom of the brewing chamber, so that the volume available to receive the brewing material corresponds to the maximum volume available in the brewing chamber.

Once the material is loaded, normally automatically by means of a grinding and measuring device, the lid is closed and the piston is raised towards the lid until it stops at a given level, which corresponds to the dispensing position and is predetermined based on the degree of compaction requested for the brewing material to produce the beverage selected by the user.

After the beverage has been dispensed and the lid has been re-opened, the piston is further raised up to the unloading position and subsequently is lowered to bring it back to the initial loading position, waiting for a new operating cycle. To perform the above-described sequential steps of the process , the brewing device takes a given period of time, called handling time, which, added to the material grinding time and the beverage brewing and dispensing time, forms the so-called cycle time, i.e. the time that the brewing device takes to complete a beverage production cycle. Generally, based to the grinding speed, the characteristics of the brewing device and the type of selected beverage, the cycle time is approximatively 30-50 sec.

Given a same grinding device and a same brewing device, the duration of the cycle time almost exclusively depends on the type of beverage to be produced, i.e., on the brewing and dispensing time required for this beverage. For example, for a“short” beverage, such as espresso coffee, which requires about 35 cc of water, the brewing time is shorter and, therefore, also the cycle time will be shorter; on the other hand, for a“long” beverage, such as long coffee or tea, which requires about 120 cc of water, the brewing time is longer and, therefore, also the cycle time will be proportionally longer.

It follows that, at least for short beverages, which have a very short brewing time, the grinding time and the handling time play a significant role in the total duration of the beverage production cycle.

As it is known, the cycle time is an important parameter for evaluating the performance of a beverage production machine since it influences the ability of the machine to produce beverages in rapid succession and also determines the time that a user must wait before obtaining the selected beverage. This waiting time is generally quite unpleasant for users and this has prompted the manufacturers of beverage preparation machines to look for solutions that allow to shorten the cycle time as much as possible.

A solution is known, for example, from DE 102016002150 A, which relates to a brewing assembly having a structure of the type described above and in which, to reduce the cycle time, the piston speed is controlled so as to be higher when the piston performs the downward stroke, i.e., from the unloading position to the loading position, and to be lower when the piston, after the loading of the brewing material, moves upward from the loading position to the brewing position to compress the material within the brewing chamber.

Object and Summary of the Invention

The purpose of the present invention is providing a brewing device of the type described above, which offers an effective, simple, and inexpensive solution to the problem of reducing the beverage preparation cycle time.

According to the present invention, a brewing device, a beverage preparation machine comprising said brewing device, and the associated automatic brewing process are provided, as claimed in the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a cross-section along a longitudinal plane, a brewing device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 to 5 shows the brewing assembly of Figure 1 in respective operating configurations corresponding to sequential steps of a beverage production cycle.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached figures to allow a person skilled in the art to produce and use it. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be immediately evident to the person skilled in the art and the generic principles described can be applied to other embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, but it should afford the widest scope of protection according to the principles and characteristics described and claimed herein.

Figure 1 shows a brewing device for preparing beverages, in particular coffee or tea, by causing a given quantity of ground or leaf-like material to be brewed by pressurized hot water.

During normal operation, the brewing device 1 is arranged in a beverage preparation machine and is associated with a source of pressurized hot water and with a grinding device (known and not shown) operable to supply the brewing device 1, at the beginning of each beverage production cycle, with a weighted quantity of brewing material, for example ground coffee or leaf tea.

Figure 1 shows a brewing device in a zero configuration which is assumed when the beverage preparation machine is turned off.

As shown in Figure 1, the brewing device 1 comprises a tubular body 2, preferably cylindrical-shaped, with a longitudinal axis 3 and stationarily supported by a frame 4 of the brewing device 1. Preferably, the tubular body 2 is housed between two shells (not shown), which are part of the frame 4 and integral with one another, conveniently removably, so as to form an outer box-like casing.

Internally, the tubular body 2 delimits a brewing chamber 5, in which, during operation, the brewing material and pressurized hot water are successively supplied so that the brewing process can take place.

The brewing chamber 5 has, at one end, an opening 6 designed to allow the loading of the brewing material and the emptying of the brewing chamber at the end of the beverage dispensing, and, at an opposite end, the brewing chamber 5 is delimited by a piston 7 having the function of compressing the brewing material in the brewing chamber 5 before injecting water and of expelling the compressed exhausted material from the brewing chamber 5 at the end of the beverage dispensing. For this purpose, the piston 7 is associated with an actuator (not shown) controlled by an electronic control unit 8 designed to cause the piston 7 to move along the longitudinal axis 3 according to a given operating sequence, which will be described in detail in the following, and in which the piston 7 successively assumes a loading configuration, in which the brewing material is introduced in the brewing chamber 5 (Figures 2 and 3), a compression configuration (Figure 4), in which the piston 7 compresses the brewing material previously introduced in the brewing chamber 5, and an expulsion configuration (Figure 5), in which the piston 7 is raised up to the opening 6 so as to extract the compressed exhausted material from the brewing chamber 5 and cause expulsion thereof.

The brewing device 1 further comprises a lid 9 movable between a closed or dispensing position (Figure 2), in which the lid 9 fluidtightly closes the opening 6, and an open position, in which the lid 9 leaves the opening 6 free so as to allow, at the beginning of a beverage production cycle, the loading of the brewing material in the brewing chamber 5 and, at the end of the beverage production cycle, the extraction of the compressed exhausted material from the brewing chamber 5 for the subsequent expulsion of the same.

In greater detail, the lid 9 is formed by a closing body 10, which is provided with a gasket to seal the opening 6 when the lid 9 is in the closed position, and by a scraper 11, which is hinged to the closing body 10 and is configured to move on the opening 6, after the piston 7 has reached the expulsion configuration, so as to push the exhausted material arranged on the piston 7 onto a chute 12 connected to the top of the tubular body 2 to cause the exhausted material to drop into an underlying collection container (not illustrated).

An outlet duct (not shown) is formed in the closing body 10 to allow the outflow of the beverage produced by brewing the brewing material by means of a brewing fluid supplied to the brewing chamber 5 through the piston 7.

In particular, the pressurized fluid coming from an external source, for example a tank or water mains, is supplied to the brewing chamber 5 through a brewing fluid supply line 13, which is partly formed in the piston 7 and further comprises a supply tube 14 arranged between the piston 7 and the external source.

As shown in Figure 1, the piston 7 comprises a head 15, which slidably engages, with the interposition of a gasket 16, an inner surface of the brewing chamber 5, and a stem 17 which is integral with the head 15 and extends, coaxially to the longitudinal axis 3, from the head 15 towards the outside of the brewing chamber 5.

The head 15 is made as a shower head with one or more through-holes (not shown) that put the brewing chamber 5 in fluidic communication with a brewing fluid supply channel 18 which is formed in the stem 17 and is part of the supply brewing fluid line 13. On the face of the head 15 facing the brewing chamber 5, a filter 19, conveniently in the form of a disk of wire mesh, is provided to prevent, during operation, the brewing material from obstructing the inlet(s) of the through-hole(s) in the head 15. Preferably, the channel 18 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 3 and is formed to receive, during operation, the brewing fluid from the supply tube 14, which is stationary relative to the brewing chamber 5 and comprises a fluid outflow end portion 20, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 3 and is slidably coupled to the piston 7 so as to cause, during operation, the piston 7 to slide on the supply tube 14 during movement along the longitudinal axis 3.

Preferably, the end portion 20 of the supply tube 14 is inserted within the channel 18. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the end portion 20 slidably engages the piston 7 on the outside.

In order to seal-off the channel 18 on the outside so as to cause all the brewing fluid supplied by the supply tube 14 to the channel 18 to reach the brewing chamber 5, so preventing the brewing fluid from dripping from the piston 7, a dynamic seal element 21 is provided between the channel 18 and the supply tube 14. Preferably, the dynamic seal element 21 is in the form of a ring-like seal housed in a seat which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 3 and is formed in the stem 17.

Preferably, as shown in the attached F, the stem 17 of the piston 7 has an inner cavity 22, which divides the stem 17 in a central portion 23, in which the channel 18 is formed, and in a tubular peripheral portion 24, which is integral, as well as the central portion 23, with the head 15. The peripheral portion 24 has, on an outer lateral surface, a thread meshing with a toothed wheel 25, which is part of the actuator 8 and is operable to move the stem 17, and, hence, the piston 7, along the longitudinal axis 3.

The cavity 22 is engaged by a stationary tubular body 26, which is part of the frame 4 and acts as an axial support and guide for the piston 7. In particular, the tubular body 26 has an axial hole 27 having an upper larger portion slidably engaged by the central portion 23 of the stem 17 and a lower narrower portion through which the end portion 20 of the supply tube 14 stationarily extends.

The tubular body 26 further comprises two diametrically opposite transverse appendages 28, which slidably engage associated longitudinal slits of the stem 17.

The brewing device 1 further comprises a fastening device 29 to fasten the supply tube 14 to the frame 4.

Preferably, the fastening device 29 comprises a pipe-locking threaded collar 30 which is pressure-fitted onto the supply tube 14 and is removably screwed onto a threaded sleeve 31 coaxial with the hole 27 and integral with the tubular body 26, so as to make the supply tube 14 integral with the tubular body 26 and, hence, with the frame 4.

The supply tube 14 can be made of any material suitable for the purpose, in particular a material which facilitates sliding. Preferably, the supply tube 14 is made of a rigid or semi rigid polymeric material, for example Teflon. The supply tube 14 may have, between the fastening device 29 and the external source, any shape suitable for the space available inside the beverage preparation machine. In the example shown, downstream of the fastening device 29, the supply tube 14 exits from the bottom of the cavity 22 of the stem 17 and extends up to a fitting 32 that connects, directly or indirectly, the free end of the supply tube 14 to the external source of brewing fluid.

Operation of the brewing device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, of which Figures 2-5 represent the salient steps of a production cycle.

As previously mentioned, in Figure 1 the brewing device 1 is shown in a zero configuration, which is assumed when the beverage preparation machine is turned off. In this condition, the piston 7 can be arranged in any position inside the brewing chamber 5, but, preferably, it is arranged at the bottom dead point, i.e., completely set back on the bottom of the brewing chamber 5. Normally, in the zero condition, the lid 9 is in the open position.

When the beverage preparation machine is turned on, the electronic control unit 8 is programmed to control the actuator to cause the piston 7 to be arranged in the loading configuration, in which the piston 7 is ready to receive the brewing material supplied by the grinding device (not shown) through the opening 6. In this regard, it is to be pointed out that the loading configuration of the piston 7 is not meant to indicate a single position of the piston 7, but rather the predisposition of the piston 7 in said configuration to receive the brewing material that is loaded into the brewing chamber 5.

In other words, in the context of the present invention, the expression "loading configuration" is meant to indicate a plurality of consecutive loading positions or, better yet, a variable loading position, in which the piston 7 is lowered, along the longitudinal axis 3, from a higher height or position, which is pre-set and normally, but not necessarily, is the same for all the selected beverages, to a lower position or height, which conveniently, but not necessarily, depends on the selected beverage and, resultingly, on the quantity of material required to be supplied to the brewing chamber 5 to produce the selected beverage. As shown in Figure 2, in the loading configuration at a higher position, hereinafter referred to as the initial loading configuration, the piston 7 is almost completely extracted and occupies a position slightly lower than the expulsion configuration, in which the top of the head 15 is substantially coplanar with the opening 6.

The initial loading configuration is preferably a stand-by configuration, which the piston 7 assumes at the end of each beverage production cycle, before the beginning of a new production cycle.

In response to a beverage selection by a user, the grinding device (not shown), under the control of the electronic control unit 8, is turned on for a given period of time in order to grind a pre-set quantity of material based on the type of beverage selected. Alternatively, the amount of material is not obtained by controlling the start time of the grinding device, but by means of other known systems, for example by weighing the brewing material, preferably before grinding. During grinding, the ground material falls into the brewing chamber 5, above the piston 7.

In a preferred embodiment, in fact, the electronic control unit 8 is programmed to control the actuator of the piston 7 to progressively lower the piston 7 during supply of the brewing material in the brewing chamber 5 and stop the piston 7 in the loading configuration at a lower position, hereinafter referred to as final loading configuration, as soon as the grinding device is stopped and then the supply of the material in the brewing chamber 5 ends (Figure 3). The longer the grinding step lasts, the more the piston 7 is lowered, thus expanding the brewing chamber 5.

As shown in Figure 4, at this point the electronic control unit 8 is programmed to move the lid 9 in the closed position so as to seal the brewing chamber 5 and to lift the piston 7 from the final loading configuration, until it assumes the compression configuration. The length of the stroke of the piston 7, between the final loading configuration and the compression configuration, is computed by the electronic control unit 8 based on the selected beverage and, therefore, on the relative compaction degree required to produce the selected beverage.

In some cases, where compaction of the material is not required, the piston 7 is not raised and, therefore, the final loading configuration and the compression configuration coincide.

Following the supply of a given quantity of pressurized hot water through the supply line 13, the beverage is produced and flows out of the brewing chamber 5 through an outflow duct (not shown) formed in the lid 9. Alternatively, the outflow duct is formed in a component of the brewing device 1 other than the lid 9, for example through the piston 7.

At this point, as shown in Figure 5, the electronic control unit 8 is programmed to move the lid 9 to the open position and to lift the piston 7 up to the expulsion configuration. A subsequent round-trip movement of the lid 9 towards the closed position causes the scraper 11 to expel the compressed exhausted material.

The beverage production operating cycle ends with the return of the piston 7 to the initial loading configuration.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the above-described process, the piston 7 is not lowered from the initial loading configuration to the final loading configuration simultaneously with the feeding of the material in the brewing chamber 5, but when the beverage is selected, i.e., before the brewing material is loaded in the brewing chamber 5.

In fact, in both processes, the final loading configuration is computed by the electronic control unit 8 based on data stored in a table and indicative of predetermined final loading and compression configurations associated with the selectable beverages.

Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), which is preferably applicable when the movement of the piston 7 from the initial loading configuration to the final loading configuration occurs before the supply of the brewing material to the brewing chamber 5, the initial loading configuration coincides with the expulsion configuration, where the top of the head 15 of the piston 7 is arranged at the level of the opening 6.

As a conclusion to what has been described above, it is appropriate to highlight the various advantages offered by the above-described process, which are connected to the fact that the loading configuration of the piston 7 is not a fixed position, in which the maximum available volume of the brewing chamber 5 receives the brewing material, but it is a variable configuration, in which the volume intended to receive the brewing material is enlarged from a minimum size (initial loading configuration) to a maximum size (final loading configuration) depending on the quantity of brewing material to be introduced in the brewing chamber 5.

Compared to known processes, the process of the present invention allows the cycle time to be shortened as a result of the speeding up of the compression step of the brewing material. In fact, especially when“short” beverages are to be prepared, i.e., beverages that require a smaller quantity of brewing material, it is not necessary to raise the piston 7 from a much lower position than the one in the compression configuration. Moreover, since the final loading configuration is very close to the compression configuration, in some cases the compression step of the brewing material can even be excluded.

Furthermore, when the movement of the piston 7 from the initial loading configuration to the final loading configuration is simultaneous with the supply of the brewing material in the brewing chamber 5, there is the further advantage of a better distribution of the brewing material inside the brewing chamber 5 due to the fact that the falling of brewing material in the brewing chamber 5 is accompanied by the progressive descent of the piston 7. A uniform distribution of the brewing material inside the brewing chamber 5 has the advantage of favouring uniform compaction of the brewing material in the subsequent step of compression of the brewing material by the piston 7 and, consequently, favour a homogeneous distribution of the water and thus impregnation of the brewing material in the subsequent brewing step.