DISPOSITIVO DI EROGAZIONE DI UNA SOSTANZA DA INFUSIONE MACINATA PER LA PREPARAZIONE DI BEVANDE Riferimento Incrociato a Domande di Brevetto Correlate Questa domanda rivendica la priorità della domanda di Brevetto Europeo No. 21173969.3 depositata il 14 maggio 2021 e della domanda di Brevetto Italiano No. 102021000015044 del 9 giugno 2021, il cui contenuto è qui incorporato per riferimento. Settore Tecnico dell’Invenzione La presente invenzione è relativa ad un dispositivo di erogazione di una sostanza da infusione macinata, preferibilmente di caffè macinato, da un gruppo di macinazione ad un gruppo infusore. In particolare, la presente invenzione trova vantaggiosa ma non limitativa applicazione nel campo dei distributori automatici di bevande. Di accordo, il dispositivo di erogazione è preferibilmente del tipo atto ad essere disposto, ossia montato, all’interno di un distributore automatico di bevande per alimentare quantità, preferibilmente dosate, di caffè macinato da un gruppo di macinazione del caffè in grani o chicchi ad un gruppo infusore per la preparazione delle bevande. Stato dell’Arte Sono noti distributori automatici per la preparazione e l’erogazione di bevande, in particolare per la preparazione e l’erogazione di bevande a partire da una sostanza da infusione quale, caffè, thè, cacao, o simili. Generalmente, tali distributori automatici comprendono essenzialmente: - un gruppo di macinazione configurato per ricevere e immagazzinare la sostanza da infusione, ad esempio caffè in grani o chicchi, e successivamente macinarla in modo da ottenerne un prodotto macinato; - un gruppo infusore configurato per infondere il prodotto macinato con acqua calda o fredda in pressione al fine di produrre la bevanda, e per erogare tale bevanda ad un contenitore esterno, ad esempio un bicchiere o una tazza; e - un dispositivo di erogazione della sostanza da infusione configurato per ricevere il prodotto macinato dal gruppo di macinazione e alimentarlo al gruppo infusore. Tipicamente, il dispositivo di erogazione riceve, in uso, una quantità dosata di The need to feed to the brewing unit the entire dosed amount of brewing substance fed from the grinding unit to the supply device is therefore known in the sector.

For this purpose, supply devices associated with at least one vibration generator (or vibrating device or vibrational actuator) are known to subject a feeding conduit of the supply device to vibrations through which the ground brewing substance passes.

US-B-6745668 describes a unit for preparing coffee-type beverages by supplying a dose of product, wherein the unit comprises several brewing chambers and a plurality of grinders, from which ground coffee is fed to a funnel through respective outlets. The funnel is subjected to vibration, through a special vibrating pin, to facilitate the descent of the coffee into the brewing chamber,

WO-A-201844845 describes a system for filtering ground coffee and feeding it to a brewing unit. The system is provided with a vibrating device associated with a funnel or chute interposed between the outlet of a grinding unit and the inlet of the brewing unit. The vibrating device has the function of sifting the coffee and facilitating its descent along the chute.

JPH05290266 describes a unit for preparing coffee-type beverages by supplying a dose of product, the supply device of which has a chute and a vibration generator to subject the chute to vibrations.

Finally, CN-A-108968694 and EP-B-2524636 describe a coffee production unit comprising a grinding unit, a brewing unit and a funnel that is interposed between these two to feed ground coffee to the brewing unit. The funnel is associated with a vibrating device that has the purpose of shaking the funnel to facilitate the descent of the ground coffee.

Although the supply devices of the type described above are functionally and structurally valid, the Applicant has observed that they are susceptible to further improvements, in particular with regard to the transmission of vibrations produced by the generator to the components of the automatic vending machine, with regal'd to the simplification of the maintenance of the supply device and, at the same time, of the architecture thereof, and with regard to the hygienic conditions of operation of the vending machine.

Ob ject and Summary of the Invention

Aim of the present invention is therefore to realize a device for supplying a brewing substance which is highly reliable and of limited cost, and which allows to meet the needs specified above and connected to the supply devices of known type.

2 According to the invention, this aim is achieved by a device for supplying a brewing substance for preparing beverages as claimed in the appended Claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred non-limiting embodiment is described below, purely by way of example and with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view, partially sectioned and with parts removed for clarity's sake, of an automatic beverage vending machine comprising a supply device realized according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view, in enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity’s sake, of the supply device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is an exploded side view, partially sectioned, in enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity's sake, of the supply device of Figure 1 ; and

- Figure 4 is a side view partially sectioned and with parts removed for clarity's sake of the supply device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole an automatic vending machine for preparing and supplying beverages, e.g. espresso or other coffee-based beverages, tea, chocolate or other cocoa-based beverages, or the like, starting from a ground brewing substance 2, e.g. coffee, tea, cocoa or the like.

Preferably, before being ground, the brewing substance 2 is initially provided in grains or beans, in the case of coffee, broad beans, in the case of cocoa, or leaves, in the case of tea. Alternatively, the brewing substance 2 could be initially delivered in pellets or other types of artificially obtained grains.

The present description will explicitly refer, without thereby losing generality, to an automatic vending machine 1 configured to prepare beverages using ground coffee starting from coffee beans or grains as brewing substance 2.

The vending machine 1 comprises:

- a frame 3 defining a support, and advantageously an outer shell, for the components of the vending machine 1, some of which will be listed below;

- a grinding unit 4 fixed to the frame 3 and configured to receive, and preferably store, the brewing substance 2 to be ground (i.e. coffee beans or grains) and subsequently grind it to obtain a ground product (i.e. ground coffee); - a brewing unit 5 fixed to the frame 3 and configured to brew the ground coffee received from the grinding unit 4, for example with pressurized hot or cold water, in order to produce the beverage, and to supply said beverage to an external container, for example a glass 6 or a cup; and

- a supply device 7 of the ground brewing substance 2, i.e., ground coffee, configured to be fixed to the frame 3 and configured to receive the ground coffee from the grinding unit 4 and feed it to the brewing unit 5.

According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the grinding unit 4 comprises a plurality of grinding chambers 8 housing as many grinding members 10, for example rotating blades configured to grind the brewing substance 2 contained within the respecti ve chamber 8.

In practice, each grinding chamber 8 defines, together with the relative grinding member 10, a grinder of the grinding unit 4.

Conveniently, the grinding unit 4 is configured to accommodate the same or different qualities or varieties of coffee or grains or beans of different grain sizes in the chambers 8.

In one embodiment, each chamber 8 is configured to accommodate a different type of brewing substance 2, advantageously but not limited to those listed above.

In one embodiment, the grinding unit 4 comprises a single chamber 8 configured to contain and grind, by means of the respective grinding member 10, a single type of brewing substance 2 at a time, for example coffee initially in grains or beans.

The chambers 8 have respective ground coffee outlets arranged dowmstream of the grinding members 10, all of which are connected to an inlet 5a of the brewing unit 5 through the brewing device 7.

As specified above, the grinding unit 4 and the brewing unit 5 are fixed to, and therefore supported by, the frame 3, The supply device 7 is also fixed to the frame 3, in a manner that will be described below.

In use, the supply device 7 receives an amount, preferably dosed, of brewing substance 2 which is ground at a time by the grinding unit 4 and feeds it to the brewing unit 5 so as to obtain, in a manner that is knowm and not described in detail, a portion of beverage from an optimal amount (the dosed amount) of brewing substance 2.

Therefore, in the light of the above, the supply device 7 is configured to be arranged inside the vending machine 1, in particular it is mounted to the frame 3 of the latter, to feed the ground coffee from the grinding unit 4 to the brewing unit 5,

As can be seen in the accompanying figures, the supply device 7 comprises a chute 11 configured to receive the aforesaid amount, preferably dosed, of ground coffee from the grinding unit 4 through an inlet opening 11a and convey it to the brewing unit 5 through an outlet opening 11b.

In detail, the chute 11 comprises an upper portion 12 having a constant cross- section, in the present case substantially rectangular with bevelled corners and defining a hopper configured to receive/collect the ground coffee through the opening 11a, and a lower portion 13 having a variable cross-section defining a sort of funnel, in the present case elongated truncated cone, which receives the ground coffee from the hopper and channels it to the brewing unit 5 through a discharge conduit 14, arranged downstream of the lower portion 13 and ending with the opening lib.

In an alternative embodiment, the chute 11 could be defined by an inclined feeding conduit.

In another embodiment, the chute could not comprise the hopper or the funnel, and may simply be defined by an inclined plane, such as an inclined plate.

As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the supply device 7 further comprises a vibration generator 15 associated, in particular· functionally coupled, to the chute 11 for applying vibrations to the later.

These vibrations promote the complete descent of all the granules of the ground brewing substance 2, i.e. ground coffee, which passes on the chute 11.

In practice, while the amount of ground coffee is fed from the grinding unit 4 to the brewing unit 5 along the chute 11, the vibration generator 15 is actuated to apply (i.e. to transmit) the vibrations generated to the chute 11 itself and thus promote the descent of the ground coffee towards the brewing unit 5.

This results in an optimal preparation of the beverage portion, as each dosed amount of ground coffee is fed completely to the brewing unit 5. In addition, the next dose fed to chute 11 is prevented from still including pail of the previous dose.

In the example described, the vibration generator 15 comprises an electric actuator (or motor) 15a on the output shaft of which an eccentric mass 15b is keyed, the rotation of which generates the vibrations. Alternatively, oilier types of vibration generators, such as electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators, can also be used.

According to the invention, the supply device 7 comprises at least one connection member 16, in particular two connection members 16, for coupling (as will be seen below', with interposition of parts) the chute 11 to the frame 3 and comprising, each, at least one damper element 17 of the vibrations produced by the generator 15 operatively interposed between the frame 3 and the chute 11. Preferably, the damper elements 17 are made of elastomeric material, for example rubber.

In particular, as visible in Figures 2 to 4, the supply device 7 comprises a bracket 18 configured to be fixed, in particular fixed, to the frame 3 by means of the connection members 16 with the interposition of the damper elements 17.

More precisely, the damper elements 17 are interposed between the bracket 18 and the frame 3.

It follows from the above that the connection members 16 are defined by components that are distinct from the chute 11.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the chute 11 is integrally fitted to the bracket 18 to be coupled, through the latter, to the frame 3 and to be supported by the latter indirectly through the bracket 18.

In more detail, the chute 11 is mounted to the bracket 18 by at least one further connection member 19, in particular by two further connection members 19.

In other words, the chute 11 is coupled to the frame 3 by means of the interposition of the bracket 18, and, as specified below, in a non-contact condition with the frame 3 itself.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the vibration generator 15 is fixed to the bracket 18 to apply the vibrations to the latter and, suitably, the further connection members 19 are configured to transmit the vibrations from the bracket 18 to the chute 11.

In light of the above, the chute 11 is mounted on the bracket 18 by means of the further connection members 19, configured to transmit the vibrations from the bracket 18 to the chute 11, and the bracket 18 is in turn fixed to the frame 3 by means of the connection members 16 and with the interposition of the damper elements 17, so that these vibrations are not transmitted, at least in part and preferably in their entirety, to the frame 3.

In particular, each connection member 16 comprises a threaded member, for example a screw 20, for coupling the bracket 18 to the frame 3, and therefore, indirectly, the chute 11 to the frame 3, and an anti-vibration rubber pad mounted to the screw 20 and defining the aforesaid damper element 17.

More particularly, each anti-vibration rubber pad has a through hole configured to be engaged by the respective screw 20 in mounting conditions. That is, each rubber pad is "keyed" on the relative screw 20.

Therefore, the bracket 18 is fixed to the frame 3 by means of the screws 20 and the anti-vibration rubber pads, keyed on the screws 20, are interposed between the frame 3 and the bracket 18.

Thanks to this configuration, the transmission of the vibrations produced by the generator 15 to the frame 3 and therefore to the other components of the vending machine 1, such as for example the grinding unit 4 and the brewing unit 5, is at least limited, in particular substantially prevented, more in particular prevented. The Applicant has in fact had the opportunity to observe how these components axe particularly sensitive during their operation to stress of various type: the vibrations could in fact cause an undesired movement of the container 6 within the brewing unit 5, or the undesired fall of beans or grains from the grinding unit 4 downwards. Therefore, the damping of the vibrations, which arc advantageous for the chute 11 and for letting the brewing substance 2 passing through it completely fall but which are harmful to the other components, increases the overall service life of the vending machine 1 and improves the quality of the beverages produced by it.

Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the bracket 18, an indirect functional coupling of the chute 11 to the frame 3 is generated, which results in an accentuated vibrational decoupling between the two.

In addition, thanks to the fact that the generator 15 is fixed to the bracket 18, it is possible to dismount the chute 11 from the supply device 7 and, therefore, from the vending machine 1 without having to dismount the generator 15 as well.

Advantageously, the chute 11 is integrally fitted to the bracket 18 in conditions of mechanical non-interference with the frame 3.

More precisely, each further connection member 19 is arranged, in mounting conditions, in a position spaced from the frame 3, so as not to transmit vibrations to the latter.

In other words, while the bracket 18 is fixed to the frame 3 by means of the screw 20 and with the interposition of the damper elements 17, the chute 11 is fixed to the bracket 18 by means of the further connection members 19, without coming into contact with the frame 3.

Thus, the vibrational decoupling between chute 11 and frame 3 is further accentuated, while the mechanical decoupling between them is further facilitated.

According to this preferred embodiment, each further connection member 19 comprises:

- a threaded bushing 19a, preferably internally threaded, fixed to one of the chute 11 and the bracket 18, in the example described to the bracket 18, and configured to engage a respective seat 21 obtained in the other of the chute 11 and the bracket 18, in the example described obtained in the chute 11 ; and

- a screw 19b, in particular an engaging screw, configured to engage the bushing 19a when inserted into the respective seat 21 to fix the chute 11 to the bracket 18 in a releasable manner.

More particularly, each seat 21 has an opening for receiving the relative bushing 19a and has a through hole 22 obtained in a bottom wall of the seat 21 itself opposite the opening for receiving the bushing 19a. Accordingly, the respective screw 19b is configured to engage the bushing 19a inserted in said seat 21 through the through hole 22.

Preferably, each bushing 19a has a cylindrical shape and, suitably, each seat 21 has a cylindrical shape to accommodate the respective bushing 19a.

Thanks to this configuration, in order to dismount the chute 11 from the supply- device 7, it is sufficient to disengage (unscrew) the screws 19b from the bushings 19a and extract them from the through holes 22. In this condition, the bushings 19a can be removed from the seats 21 by moving the chute 11 away from the bracket 18, while the latter remains fixed and supported by the frame 3.

In this way, it is therefore possible to quickly dismount the chute 11 from the bracket 18 and, therefore, from the supply device 7, for example in order to cany out a cleaning operation or a replacement thereof quickly and efficiently and without having to dismount the bracket 18 and/or the generator 15.

As an alternative to the further connection members 19, other types of connectors may be used provided that they are suitable for connecting the bracket 18 and the chute 11 without interfering with the plate 3a so that the vibrations are not transmitted to the latter.

Conveniently, the frame 3 comprises a partition septum or partition plate 3a, suitably mounted inside the vending machine 1, which separates a "clean" area of the vending machine 1, at which the brewdng substance 2 and any food substance that may be used in the preparation of the beverage (for example, water, milk or artificial flavourings) pass, from a "dirty" area of the vending machine 1, at which no brewing substance 2 or any food substance passes.

Advantageously, the bracket 18 and the chute 11 are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 3 a itself.

In other words, the chute 11 is arranged at the "clean" side of the plate 3a and the bracket 18, and therefore the generator 15, are arranged on the opposite side of the plate 3a, i.e. at the "dirty" side of the plate 3a. This configuration leads to an improvement in the hygienic operating conditions of the vending machine 1 ,

Advantageously, each bushing 19a crosses the plate 3a with clearance and without interference. More particularly, the plate 3a comprises two through holes 23 configured to be engaged, in mounting conditions, by the bushings 19a with radial clearance, so that the chute 11 is directly coupled to the bracket 18 and indirectly, through this, to the frame 3.

In particular, each bushing 19a has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the through holes 23, as shown in Figure 4.

More particularly, each bushing 19a is configured to engage the corresponding through hole 23 with a clearance such that the bushing 19a does not interfere with the plate 3a during operation of the vibration generator 15.

As specified above, this configuration results in a better vibrational decoupling of the chute 11 with respect to the frame 3, as it eliminates any possible point of contact, and therefore transmission of vibrations, between the chute 11 and the frame 3.

Preferably, the vending machine 1 comprises a control unit (not shown) configured to control:

- the activation of the grinding members 10 of the grinding unit 4;

- an activation of the vibration generator 15 to apply vibrations to the chute 11;

- the activation of the brewing unit 5 to brew the ground coffee fed into it and prepare the beverage.

From an examination of the characteristics of the device realized according to the present invention, the advantages that it allows to obtain are clear.

In particular, thanks to the presence of the damper elements 17, the transmission of the vibrations produced by the generator 15 to the frame 3 and therefore to the other components of the vending machine 1, such as for example the grinding unit 4 and the brewing unit 5, is at least limited, in particular substantially prevented, more in particular prevented. This results, as specified above, in an increase in the service life of these components and in an improvement in the quality of the beverage produced.

Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the bracket 18, an indirect functional coupling of the chute 11 to the frame 3 is generated, which results in an accentuated vibrational decoupling between the two.

In addition, thanks to the fact that the generator 15 is fixed to the bracket 18, it is possible to dismount the chute 11 from the supply device 7 and, therefore, from the vending machine 1 without having to dismount the generator 15 as well. Further, (hanks to the fact that the chute 11 is arranged on the opposite side of the plate 3a with respect to the bracket 18 and the generator, the hygienic conditions of the vending machine 1 have improved.

Finally, the particular configuration of the further connection elements 19 between the chute 11 and the bracket 18, allows a rapid disassembly of the chute 11 from the bracket 18 itself, it being sufficient to unscrew the screw's 19b from the bushings 19a engaging the seats 21.

It is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the device described and shown herein without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the Claims.

In particular, the chute 11 could be directly coupled to the frame through the connection members 16 and with the interposition of the damper elements 17. hi this case, the supply device 7 does not comprise any bracket 18 and the generator 15 is fixed directly to the chute 11. Furthermore, the chute 11 and the bracket 18 could both be arranged on the same side of the plate 3a. In this case, the generator 15 could be fixed to the bracket and arranged on the opposite side of the plate 3a, or it could be directly fixed to the chute 11 and arranged on the same side as the plate 3a.