Patent Application
20250235031
The present disclosure generally relates to beverage machines.
Various systems and methods for brewing a beverage, such as coffee or tea, are known. These systems typically include drip brewing systems in which hot water is brewed through coffee grounds and into a carafe, or French press systems in which coffee grounds and water are mixed in a container and a water-permeable plunger is pressed into the container from above to trap the ground coffee at the bottom of the container.
Existing beverage brewing systems that can brew espresso may include a portafilter in which coffee grounds are present and through which water is passed. However, portafilters traditionally have a fixed size and typically cannot be used for brewing beverages larger than a double espresso shot.
In general, systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided.
In one aspect, a system is provided that in one implementation includes a portafilter and a plurality of baskets. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to an espresso machine. The plurality of baskets each define a filter and each is removably receivable in the portafilter. Each of the plurality of baskets is configured to hold coffee grounds. The plurality of baskets include a first basket, a second basket, and a third basket. The third basket has a volume that is about 105 mL to 135 mL. The third basket is configured to permit brewing of a beverage using pressurized and unpressurized brewing methods.
The system can vary in any number of ways. For example, the second basket can have a volume that is about 43 mL to 63 mL, and the first basket can have a volume that is about 32 mL to 52 mL. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using the pressurized brewing method. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized brewing method.
For yet another example, each of the plurality of baskets can include a collar extending around a perimeter of an upper opening of the basket, and the collar can be visible by a user when the basket is received in the portafilter.
For still another example, the system can further include a housing having an internal storage area configured to store each of the plurality of baskets. Further, a door on a side of the housing can be movable between open and closed positions, and the door in the open position can provide access to the internal storage area; the internal storage area can include a plurality of shelves each configured to seat at least one of the plurality of baskets; and/or the housing can be a housing of the espresso machine.
For yet another example, the system can further include a housing having a mount, the portafilter can be configured to be removably coupled to the mount, and the housing can include a sensor configured to detect which one of the plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter. Further, each of the plurality of baskets can include at least one magnet, the housing can include a controller and a reed switch operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter based on a signal from the reed switch; each of the plurality of baskets can include a colored area that differs from one another, the housing can include a controller and an optical sensor operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter based on a signal from the optical sensor; the system can further includes a group head, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to the group head, the pressurized brewing method can include passing pressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head, and the unpressurized brewing method can include passing unpressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head; and/or the housing can be a housing of the espresso machine.
For another example, the system can further include a housing having a first tray and a second tray, each of the first and second trays can be configured to seat a container to receive a beverage dispensed from an outlet of the housing, the first tray can be a greater distance away from the outlet than the second tray, and the second tray can be removably coupled to the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of the espresso machine; the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing; and/or the first tray can include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first tray can be removably coupled to the second portion of the first tray, and the second portion of the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing.
For yet another example, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to a group head of the espresso machine, the pressurized brewing method can include passing pressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head, and the unpressurized brewing method can include passing unpressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using the pressurized brewing method. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized brewing method.
In another implementation, a system includes a housing and a plurality of baskets each defining a filter. The housing has an opening therein for providing access to an internal storage area in the housing, and a door on the housing extends across the opening for providing access to the internal storage area. Each of the plurality of baskets is configured to be removably coupled to a portafilter and to hold coffee grounds therein. The plurality of baskets includes a first basket, a second basket, and a third basket. The second basket has a volume that is about two times a volume of the first basket. The third basket has a volume that is at least two times a volume of the second basket.
The system can have any number of variations. For example, the system can further include the portafilter, and the portafilter can be configured to be removably coupled to a mount on the housing. Further, the housing can include a sensor configured to detect which one of the plurality of baskets is removably coupled to the portafilter; the system can further includes a group head, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to the group head; and/or the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine. Further, each of the plurality of baskets can include at least one magnet, the housing can include a controller and a reed switch operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably coupled to the portafilter based on a signal from the reed switch; and/or each of the plurality of baskets can include a colored area that differs from one another, the housing can include a controller and an optical sensor operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably coupled to the portafilter based on a signal from the optical sensor.
For another example, the system can also include the portafilter; with a select one of the first, second, and third baskets removably coupled to the portafilter, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to a group head; with the select one of the first, second, and third baskets being any one of the first, second, and third baskets removably coupled to the portafilter, with the portafilter removably coupled to the group head, and with the select one of the first, second, and third baskets holding the coffee grounds, pressurized water can be configured to pass through the select one of the first, second, and third baskets and the portafilter and out of the group head as espresso; and with the select one of the first, second, and third baskets being the third basket removably coupled to the portafilter, with the portafilter removably coupled to the group head, and with the third basket holding the coffee grounds, unpressurized water can be configured to pass through the third basket and the portafilter and out of the group head as drip coffee. Further, with the pressurized water passing through the select one of the first, second, and third baskets and the portafilter and out of the group head as espresso, the select one of the first, second, and third baskets can be holding the coffee grounds as a tamped puck; and, with the unpressurized water passing through the third basket and the portafilter and out of the group head as drip coffee, the third basket can be holding the coffee grounds without the coffee grounds being tamped. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized water.
For yet another example, the third basket can have a volume that is about 105 mL to 135 mL, the second basket can have a volume that is about 43 mL to 63 mL, and the first basket can have a volume that is about 32 mL to 52 mL. Further, third basket can be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using pressurized and unpressurized brewing methods, and the first and second baskets can each be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using the pressurized brewing method. Further, the first and second baskets can each be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized brewing method.
For yet another example, each of the plurality of baskets can include a collar extending around a perimeter of an upper opening of the basket, and the collar can be visible by a user when the basket is coupled to the portafilter.
For still another example, the housing can also have an internal storage area configured to store each of the plurality of baskets. Further, a door on a side of the housing can be movable between open and closed positions, and the door in the open position can provide access to the internal storage area; the internal storage area can include a plurality of shelves each configured to seat at least one of the plurality of baskets; and/or the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For another example, the housing can also have a first tray and a second tray, each of the first and second trays can be configured to seat a container to receive a beverage dispensed from an outlet of the housing, the first tray can be a greater distance away from the outlet than the second tray, and the second tray can be removably coupled to the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine; the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing; and/or the first tray can include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first tray can be removably coupled to the second portion of the first tray, and the second portion of the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing.
For yet another example, the housing can be a housing of the espresso machine.
In another implementation, a system includes a portafilter and a basket. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to an espresso machine. The basket defines a filter, is removably receivable in the portafilter, and has a volume that is about 121 mL. The basket is configured to permit brewing of a beverage using pressurized and unpressurized brewing methods.
The system can vary in any number of ways. For example, the system can include one or more additional baskets, each of the one or more additional baskets can define a filter, each of the one or more additional baskets can be removably receivable in the portafilter, each of the one or more additional baskets can be configured to hold coffee grounds, each of the one or more additional baskets can have a volume that is less than the volume of the basket, and each of the one or more additional baskets can be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using the pressurized brewing method. Further, each of the one or more additional baskets can be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized brewing method.
For another example, the system can include first and second additional baskets, each of the first and second additional baskets can define a filter, each of the first and second additional baskets can be removably receivable in the portafilter, each of the first and second additional can be configured to hold coffee grounds, the first additional basket can have a volume that is about 43 mL to 63 mL, the second additional basket can have a volume that is about 32 mL to 52 mL, and each of the first and second additional baskets can be configured to permit brewing of a beverage using the pressurized brewing method. Further, each of the first and second additional baskets can be configured to not permit brewing of a beverage using the unpressurized brewing method; and/or the system can further include a housing having an internal storage area configured to store the basket and the first and second additional baskets.
For yet another example, the basket can include a collar extending around a perimeter of an upper opening of the basket, and the collar can be visible by a user when the basket is removably received in the portafilter.
For still another example, the system can further include a housing of the espresso machine, and the housing can have an internal storage area configured to store the basket. Further, a door on a side of the housing can be movable between open and closed positions, and the door in the open position can provide access to the internal storage area; and/or the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For yet another example, the system can further include a housing of the espresso machine, the housing can have a mount, the portafilter can be configured to be removably coupled to the mount, and the housing can include a sensor configured to detect the basket removably received in the portafilter. Further, the basket can include at least one magnet, the housing can include a controller and a reed switch operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of a plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter based on a signal from the reed switch; each of the plurality of baskets can include a colored area that differs from one another, the housing can include a controller and an optical sensor operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter based on a signal from the optical sensor; the system can further includes a group head, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to the group head, the pressurized brewing method can include passing pressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head, and the unpressurized brewing method can include passing unpressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head; and/or the housing can be a housing of the espresso machine. Further, the basket can be one of the plurality of baskets.
For another example, the system can further include a housing of the espresso machine, the housing can have a first tray and a second tray, each of the first and second trays can be configured to seat a container to receive a beverage dispensed from an outlet of the housing, the first tray can be a greater distance away from the outlet than the second tray, and the second tray can be removably coupled to the housing. Further, the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing; and/or the first tray can include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first tray can be removably coupled to the second portion of the first tray, and the second portion of the first tray can be one of removably coupled to the housing and non-removably coupled to the housing.
For yet another example, the portafilter can be configured to removably couple to a group head of the espresso machine, the pressurized brewing method can include passing pressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head with the basket removably received in the portafilter, and the unpressurized brewing method can include passing unpressurized water through the portafilter removably coupled to the group head with the basket removably received in the portafilter.
In another implementation, a system includes a portafilter, a filter basket, a funnel, and a tamp. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to a housing of a beverage machine. The filter basket is configured to be removably disposed within the portafilter for receiving coffee grounds. The funnel is configured to be removably mounted on the portafilter and has a passageway configured to receive the coffee grounds therein and to direct the coffee grounds into the filter basket. The tamp is slidably insertable into the passageway of the funnel and configured to advance through the funnel to press the coffee grounds in the filter basket.
The system can have any number of variations. For example, with the portafilter removably coupled to the housing and with the funnel removably mounted on the portafilter, a force applied to the coffee grounds by the tamp can be configured to be applied substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the funnel. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For another example, the tamp can be non-removably coupled to the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For yet another example, the tamp can be spring-loaded.
For another example, the tamp can be removably coupled to the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For yet another example, the funnel can be opaque.
For still another example, the funnel can be transparent.
For another example, the portafilter and the funnel can be configured to be removed as a unit from the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For yet another example, the system can also include a grinder in the housing configured to grind coffee beans to form the coffee grounds that are received by the portafilter. Further, the coffee grounds can be configured to be delivered to the portafilter through a chute in the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For still another example, the system can further include a plurality of baskets configured to be selectively and removably received one at a time in the portafilter, and the tamp can be configured to actuated by a user with the portafilter removably coupled to the housing, with the funnel removably coupled to the portafilter, and with the selected one of the plurality of baskets received in the portafilter. Further, the portafilter, the funnel, and the selected one of the plurality of baskets can be configured to be removed as a unit from the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For another example, the passageway of the funnel can be cylindrically shaped.
In another implementation, a system for use in brewing espresso includes a housing, a grinder, a portafilter, a filter basket, a handle, and a tamp. The grinder is disposed within the housing and is configured to grind coffee beans. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to the housing. The filter basket is configured to be removably disposed within the portafilter for receiving coffee grounds. The handle is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The tamp is disposed within the housing and is coupled to the handle. The tamp has a tamp head, a tamp body, and a spring. The tamp head is movable linearly between a first position in which the coffee grounds are permitted to pass into the filter basket and a second position in which the tamp head is disposed at least partially within the filter basket to press the coffee grounds therein. The tamp body is configured to move the tamp head between the first position and the second position in response to movement of the handle. The spring is coupled to each of the tamp body and the tamp head and is configured to permit movement of the tamp head toward the tamp body when the tamp head is moved from the first position to the second position.
The system can have any number of variations. For example, the handle can be spring-loaded by a return spring, the handle can be rotatable between a resting position and a tamping position, and the spring can be configured to automatically move the handle from the tamping position to the resting position. Further, the tamp body can include first and second electrical contacts, the tamp head in the resting position can not contact the first and second electrical contacts, and the tamp head in the tamping position can contact the first and second electrical contacts. Further, the housing can include a controller configured to receive a signal indicating that the tamp head is contacting the first and second electrical contacts, and, in response to receiving the signal, the controller can be configured to cause a notification to be provided to the user indicating that the coffee grounds have been tamped.
For another example, the rotation of the handle can be configured to rotate a pinion, and rotation of the pinion can be configured to cause a rack to translate linearly downward and thereby cause the tamp body to translate linearly downward. Further, the tamp can include an elongate shaft extending horizontally, the rotation of the handle can be configured to cause the elongate shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, and the translation of the tamp body can be vertical translation.
For yet another example, the spring can be vertically oriented.
For still another example, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
In another implementation, a system is provided that includes a housing, a funnel, and a tamp. The housing has a first recess and a second recess. The funnel is configured to be removably mounted on a portafilter having a filter basket removably coupled thereto for receiving coffee grounds, having a passageway configured to receive the coffee grounds therein, and slidably insertable into at least one of the first recess and the second recess and configured to be removably retained therein. The tamp is slidably insertable into the passageway of the funnel, is configured to advance through the funnel to press the coffee grounds in the filter basket, and is slidably insertable into the at least one of the first recess and the second recess and configured to be removably retained therein.
The system can vary in any number of ways. For example, a force applied to the coffee grounds by the tamp to press the coffee grounds in the filter basket can be in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the funnel.
For another example, the tamp can be spring-loaded. Further, the tamp can include a tamp surface, a handle, and a spring coupling the handle to the tamp surface.
For yet another example, the funnel can be opaque.
For still another example, the funnel can be transparent.
For yet another example, the tamp can be removably coupled to the housing.
For still another example, the tamp can be non-removably coupled to the housing.
For another example, the passageway of the funnel can be cylindrically shaped.
For another example, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
In another implementation, a system includes a housing and a tamp. The housing has a recess and a spring-loaded pin disposed in an inner radial wall of the recess and biased toward an inner volume of the recess. The tamp has an outer radial surface and a groove formed on the outer radial surface. The tamp is slidably insertable into the recess and configured such that, when the tamp is inserted into the first recess, the spring-loaded pin engages the groove to releasably retain the tamp within the recess.
The system can vary in any number of ways. For example, the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For another example, the tamp can be configured to press coffee grounds in a portafilter. Further, the system can also include the portafilter. Further, the portafilter can be configured to be removably coupled to the housing, and/or the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine.
For yet another example, the system can also include a portafilter configured to be removably coupled to the housing, the tamp can be configured to press coffee grounds in the portafilter, and the system can also a filter basket configured to be removably coupled to the portafilter and/or a funnel configured to be removably coupled to the portafilter; and/or the housing can be a housing of an espresso machine. Further, the system can include the filter basket, and the tamp can be configured to press the coffee grounds in the portafilter with the filter basket removably coupled to the portafilter; and/or the system can include the funnel, and the tamp can be configured to press the coffee grounds in the portafilter with the funnel removably coupled to the portafilter.
In another implementation, a system is provided that in one implementation includes a housing, a grinder, a portafilter, a filter basket, and a tamp. The grinder is configured to be disposed within the housing. The portafilter is removably coupled to the housing. The filter basket is configured to be removably disposed within the portafilter for receiving coffee grounds. The tamp is disposed within the housing and has a tamp head, a tamp body, and a spring. The tamp head is movable linearly between a first position in which the coffee grounds are permitted to pass into the filter basket and a second position in which the tamp head is disposed at least partially within the filter basket to press the coffee grounds therein. The tamp body is configured to be actuated by a user to move the tamp head between the first position and the second position. The spring is disposed between the tamp body and the tamp head and is configured to limit an amount of force applied to the coffee grounds by the tamp.
The system can vary in any number of ways. For example, the system can also include a handle coupled to the tamp and configured to be rotated by the user, and the rotation of the handle can be configured to actuate the tamp. Further, the handle can be spring-loaded, the handle can be rotatable between a resting position and a tamping position, and the spring can be configured to automatically move the handle from the tamping position to the resting position. Further, the tamp body can include first and second electrical contacts, the tamp head in the resting position can not contact the first and second electrical contacts, and the tamp head in the tamping position can contact the first and second electrical contacts. Further, the housing can include a controller configured to receive a signal indicating that the tamp head is contacting the first and second electrical contacts, and, in response to receiving the signal, the controller can be configured to cause a notification to be provided to the user indicating that the coffee grounds have been tamped.
For another example, the system can also include a handle coupled to the tamp and configured to be rotated by the user, the rotation of the handle can be configured to actuate the tamp, the rotation of the handle can be configured to rotate a pinion, and the rotation of the pinion can be configured to cause a rack to translate linearly downward and thereby cause the tamp body to translate linearly downward. Further, the housing can include an elongate shaft extending horizontally, the rotation of the handle can be configured to cause the elongate shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, and the translation of the tamp body can be vertical translation.
For yet another example, the spring can be vertically oriented.
For another example, the tamp head can be linearly movable between the first position and the second position.
For still another example, the grinder can be configured to grind coffee beans to form the coffee grounds receivable by the filter basket.
In another aspect, a method for brewing a beverage is provided that includes brewing the beverage using any of the systems described above. The method can have any number of variations.
In another aspect, a method for brewing espresso is provided that in one implementation includes determining, by a controller in a housing of a beverage machine, which one of a plurality of baskets is coupled to a portafilter removably coupled to the beverage machine. The plurality of baskets each define a filter. Each of the plurality of baskets is configured to hold coffee grounds received by the portafilter. The plurality of baskets includes a first basket, a second basket, and a third basket. The third basket has a volume that is about 105 mL to 135 mL.
The method can vary in any number of ways. For example, the determining can occur automatically in response to the portafilter being coupled to the housing. Further, the housing can be a housing of the beverage machine and/or the beverage machine can be an espresso machine.
For another example, each of the plurality of baskets can include at least one magnet, the housing can include a reed switch operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably coupled to the portafilter based on a signal from the reed switch. Further, the determining can occur automatically in response to the portafilter being coupled to the beverage machine; and/or the beverage machine can be an espresso machine.
For yet another example, each of the plurality of baskets can include a differently colored area, the housing can include an optical sensor operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller can be configured to determine which one of the plurality of baskets is removably received in the portafilter based on a signal from the optical sensor. Further, the determining can occur automatically in response to the portafilter being coupled to the beverage machine; and/or the beverage machine can be an espresso machine.
For still another example, the method can further include customizing, by the controller, options on a user interface on housing based on the determination.
For yet another example, the second basket can have a volume that is about two times a volume of the first basket, and/or the volume of the third basket can not be greater than about 2.5 times the volume of the second basket.
For another example, the beverage machine can be an espresso machine.
This disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices, systems, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.
Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In one exemplary implementation, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso.
The systems, devices, and methods described herein are not limited to espresso machines that include a grinder. An espresso machine is one example of a device to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. The systems, devices, and methods described herein also apply to other types of devices that include a grinder configured to grind coffee beans, such as a standalone grinder and a non-espresso coffee brewing device (e.g., a coffee machine). In some implementations, an espresso machine is configured to also brew non-espresso coffee beverages such as drip coffee drinks. In other implementations, an espresso machine is not configured to brew non-espresso coffee beverages such as drip coffee drinks. Accordingly, the subject matter herein addresses a need for improved devices, systems, and methods for beverage machine operation.
The espresso machine 100 includes a housing (not shown in
The espresso machine 100 includes a water reservoir (also referred to herein as a “reservoir,” “tank,” or “water tank”) 108 configured to store water therein. The reservoir 108 is configured to be refillable with water by a user. In some implementations, the reservoir 108 is non-removably coupled to the housing, which may simplify manufacturing of the espresso machine 100. In other implementations, the reservoir 108 is removably coupled to the housing, which may facilitate cleaning of the reservoir 108 and/or facilitate refilling of the reservoir 108 because a user can bring the reservoir 108 to a sink, move the reservoir 108 to a location more convenient for refilling than where the espresso machine 100 is currently located, etc. The reservoir 108 is removably coupled to the housing in this illustrated implementation.
The espresso machine 100 includes a heating system 110 configured to heat water output from the water reservoir 108. Water stored in the reservoir 108 is configured to be output from the reservoir 108 through an outlet valve 112 of the reservoir 108 to a reservoir well 114. Each of the outlet valve 112 and the reservoir well 114 can also include a filter, as shown in this illustrated implementation. The reservoir's outlet valve 112 is configured to automatically open when the reservoir 108 is coupled to the housing and to automatically close when the reservoir 108 is removed from the housing. The outlet valve 112 is thus configured to prevent any water in the reservoir 108 from flowing out of the reservoir 108 when the reservoir 108 is not coupled to the housing (outlet valve 112 is closed) and to allow any water in the reservoir 108 to flow out of the reservoir 108 for making espresso, steam or hot water when the reservoir 108 is coupled to the housing (outlet valve 112 is open). The reservoir well 114 is configured as a water filter to catch any particles before reaching a first flowmeter 122.
The espresso machine 100 includes a pumping system 116 configured to pump water from the reservoir 108 to the heating system 110. The pumping system 116 includes a fluid pump 118 and a pump Therma switch (TS) 120. The pump 118 is a vibration pump in this illustrated implementation, but another type of pump may be used. The pump TS 120 is configured to open and prevent running of the pump 118 if the pump 118 heats above a threshold temperature.
The first flowmeter 122 is disposed in the fluid path between the reservoir 108 and the pumping system 116 (e.g., the pump 118 thereof). The first flowmeter 122 is configured to measure an amount of water flowing therethrough. The first flowmeter 122 is operatively coupled to a controller (not shown in
The espresso machine 100 includes a pressure relief valve (PRV) 124 located downstream of the pumping system 116 and upstream of the heating system 110. The PRV 124 is configured to automatically open at a predetermined pressure. In some aspects, by automatically opening at the predetermined pressure, the PRV 124 can make the brew systems described herein more tolerant to a too fine of grinds, thus improving beverage quality. The predetermined pressure is 9 Bar in this illustrated implementation but can be another pressure amount and, in some implementations, can be adjusted by a user. The PRV 124 is configured as a safety mechanism to prevent buildup of water pressure by opening if water pressure reaches the predetermined pressure. As in this illustrated implementation, a T-connector can be positioned in the flow path between the pump 118 and the PRV 124 to allow fluid to either flow to the heating system 110 (PRV 124 is closed) or in a backflow channel to the PRV 124 (PRV 124 is open).
With the PRV 124 open, water is configured to flow from the pumping system 116 (e.g., the pump 118 thereof) through the PRV 124 and to a second flowmeter (labeled “Flowmeter B” in
The controller is configured to use measurement data from the second flowmeter 126. For example, in some implementations, the controller is configured to, during espresso or sprover-style drink brewing, compare measurement data from the second flowmeter 126 with a predetermined volume threshold, e.g., 10 ml or other value. If the measurement data from the second flowmeter 126 is greater than or equal to the predetermined volume threshold, then the coffee grind is too fine, as indicated by the backflow volume being greater than the predetermined volume threshold. In response to determining that the measurement data from the second flowmeter 126 is greater than or equal to the predetermined volume threshold, the controller is configured to cause an error message to be provided to a user via a user interface (not shown in
One implementation of a user interface 128 that can be used as the espresso machine's user interface is shown in
Another implementation of a user interface 128a that can be used as the espresso machine's user interface is shown in
In some implementations, a beverage machine's user interface, e.g., the user interface 128 of
In some implementations, a beverage machine's user interface, e.g., the user interface 128 of
In some implementations, a beverage machine's user interface, e.g., the user interface 128 of
In some implementations, a beverage machine's user interface, e.g., the user interface 128 of
The beverage machine can be configured to allow a user to select one of a plurality of predetermined grind to water ratios (e.g., two or more of 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, and 3.5:1, or other possible ratios), the beverage machine can be configured to allow a user to input a user-chosen grind to water ratio, or the beverage machine can be configured to allow a user to choose between selecting one of a plurality of predetermined grind to water ratios or inputting a user-chosen grind to water ratio. The beverage machine is configured to use a default grind to water ratio in brewing a beverage if a user does not input a grind to water ratio. Brewing can thus occur regardless of whether or not a user inputs a grind to water ratio, which may improve user experience.
In an exemplary implementation, the grind to water ratio affects how much water is used in brewing a beverage using a certain amount of coffee grounds. Pump 118 power and duty cycle remain the same regardless of the grind to water ratio, as does an amount of grounds used for a particular selected beverage.
In some implementations, a beverage machine's user interface, e.g., the user interface 128 of
Referring again to
In some implementations, the drip tray 132 is removably coupled to the housing of the espresso machine 100. The drip tray 132 being removable from the housing may facilitate emptying and cleaning of the drip tray 132 since the drip tray 132 may be de-coupled from the housing and brought to a sink or other appropriate area for emptying and/or cleaning. In other implementations, the drip tray 132 is non-removably coupled to the housing of the espresso machine 100. The drip tray 132 being non-removable from the housing may help prevent loss of the drip tray 132, prevent the drip tray 132 from being damaged while being handled when de-coupled from the housing, and/or prevent leaks from the drip tray 132 due to the drip tray 132 accidentally not being re-coupled to the housing properly by a user. With the drip tray 132 being non-removable from the housing, the drip tray 132 includes a valve, removable plug, or other port configured to be opened and closed to selectively allow for emptying of the drip tray 132 by allowing material collected in the drip tray 132 to exit through the open port and to be retained in the drip tray 132 with the port closed.
As mentioned above, with the PRV 124 closed, the pump 118 is configured to pump water to the heating system 110. As in this illustrated implementation, the heating system 110 can include a heater 134, a temperature sensor 136, and a thermal cutoff (TCO) 138. The heater 134 is configured to heat water pumped thereto by the pump 118. The heater 134 is a 1600 W thermocoil boiler in this illustrated implementation but can be a thermocoil boiler having another power or can be another type of heater.
The temperature sensor 136 is configured to measure a temperature of the heater 134. The temperature of the heater 134 is considered to correspond to a temperature of the water being heated by the heater 134. The temperature sensor 136 is configured to measure a temperature of the heater 134 by, for example, directly contacting an exterior surface of the heater 134. The temperature sensor 136 is a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor in this illustrated implementation, but another type of temperature sensor can be used.
The temperature sensor 136 is configured to be operatively coupled to the controller such that sensed temperature data can be transmitted from the temperature sensor 136 to the controller. The controller is configured to use temperature data received from the temperature sensor 136 in controlling at least one functionality of the espresso machine 100. In an exemplary implementation, the controller is configured to use temperature data received from the temperature sensor 136 in controlling heating of the water by the heater 134 to a target temperature corresponding to a user's beverage selection input by the user via the user interface. In some implementations, water is always heated to a preset target temperature stored in the memory. In other implementations, the espresso machine's memory is configured to store therein different preset target temperatures corresponding to different user beverage selections. For example, in some implementations, water is always heated to a first preset target temperature if the water is intended for brewing espresso 102, water is always heated to a second preset target temperature if the water is intended for steam in steaming milk 104, and water is always heated to a third preset target temperature if the water is intended for dispensing as hot water 106. For another example, in some implementations, different espresso selections correspond to different preset target temperatures.
In some implementations, instead of the temperature sensor 136 measuring a temperature of the heater 134, the temperature sensor 136 is configured to measure a temperature of water being heated by the heater 134. For example, the temperature sensor 136 can be located at least partially within an area of the heater 134 containing water therein and can be configured to contact the water directly in the area of the heater 134 to measure the water's temperature.
The thermal cutoff 138 is configured to open the electrical path and makes sure that it is off if the heater 134 is heated too much for any reason. The thermal cutoff 138 includes two thermal cutoffs in this illustrated implementation, but another number may be used. For example, in another implementation, one thermal cutoff (TCO) and one thermostatic switch can be used. In such an implementation, when the TCO opens the electrical path, the thermostatic switch opens and it automatically closes back if the temperature of the heater 134 drops below a threshold value.
Water heated by the heater 134 is configured to be used selectively in brewing espresso 102, in steaming milk 104, or in being dispensed as hot water 106. The controller is configured to control a flow path of water in the espresso machine 100, e.g., through various conduits (e.g., pipes, tubes, etc.) and other elements, so water is directed appropriately for its user-selected purpose.
The espresso machine 100 includes a first solenoid valve (labeled “Solenoid A” in
The first solenoid valve 140 includes a first outlet 142 through which water is configured to flow if the water is intended for dispensing as steam for steamed milk 104 or if the water is intended for dispensing as hot water 106. A default position of the first solenoid valve's first outlet 142 is open.
The espresso machine 100 includes a second solenoid valve (labeled “Solenoid C” in
The second solenoid valve 146 includes a first outlet 148 through which water is configured to flow if the water is intended for dispensing as hot water 106. A default position of the second solenoid valve's first outlet 148 is open.
The espresso machine 100 includes a third solenoid valve (labeled “Solenoid D” in
The third solenoid valve 152 includes a first outlet 154 through which water is configured to flow for drainage to the drip tray 132 via the separator box 130. A default position of the third solenoid valve's first outlet 154 is open. A default flow path for water from the heater 118 is thus defined by the first, third, and fifth flow paths such that the water flows from the heater 118 to the drip tray 132. The default flow path is configured to allow any residual water to exit the housing and collect in the drip tray 132.
The third solenoid valve 152 includes a second outlet 156 through which water is configured to flow if the water is intended for dispensing as hot water 106 through a hot water outlet 158 of the espresso machine 100. A default position of the third solenoid valve's second outlet 156 is closed. The third solenoid valve's second outlet 156 being closed by default may help prevent any hot water 106 from being dispensed unless the espresso machine 100 is controlled to do so by the controller, e.g., by opening the third solenoid valve's second outlet 156 and closing the third solenoid valve's first outlet 154.
The hot water outlet 158 is configured to have a cup or other container positioned by a user below the hot water outlet 158 into which the hot water 106 is dispensed from the hot water outlet 158. In an exemplary implementation, the hot water outlet 158 is positioned above the drip tray 132 to allow any water drips from the hot water outlet 158 to collect in the drip tray 132 if a container is not positioned below the hot water outlet 158. The drip tray 132 can be configured to seat thereon the cup or other container for receiving the dispensed hot water 106.
Instead of flowing in the third flow path through the second solenoid valve's first outlet 148, water can flow in the fourth flow path. The second solenoid valve 146 includes a second outlet 150 through which water is configured to flow if the water is intended for dispensing as steam for steamed milk 104. A default position of the second solenoid valve's second outlet 150 is closed. The second solenoid valve's second outlet 150 being closed by default may help prevent any steam from exiting the espresso machine's steam frother arm 160 unless the espresso machine 100 is controlled to do so by the controller, e.g., by opening the second solenoid valve's second outlet 150 and closing the second solenoid valve's first outlet 148. In some aspects, the steam frother arm 160 can include a check valve provided between a flow path of the water used for steaming milk 104 and a vent to the atmosphere. During a frothing operation, the water that is heated to the second preset target temperature for steaming milk 104 can produce a pressure in the steam frother arm 160 which can act on the check valve to maintain it in a closed position. Once the frothing operation is complete, the pressure from the steam acting on the check valve can drop, and air within the steam frother arm 160 can contract, causing the check valve to open and allowing the flow path used for steaming milk 104 to vent to the atmosphere. Accordingly, the check valve provided in the steam frother arm 160 can advantageously prevent steamed milk 104 from being drawn up into the steam frother arm 160 (and further into the system) upon completion of the frothing operation, as the air within the steam frother arm 160 contracts.
The steam frother arm 160 is configured to form and direct steam into a milk receptacle (not shown in
In some implementations, the mechanical mixer includes a whisk of the espresso machine 100 that is configured to be at least partially located within the milk receptacle and rotate within the milk receptacle. A whisk can have a variety of configurations. Implementations of whisks are further described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 11,812,892 entitled “Fluid Texturing Device” issued on Nov. 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In other implementations, the mechanical mixer includes a whisk of the milk receptacle that is configured to be at least partially located within the milk receptacle and rotate within the milk receptacle. A whisk of a milk receptacle can have a variety of configurations, such as the configuration discussed further below with respect to an espresso machine 200 of
Instead of flowing in the first flow path through the first solenoid valve's first outlet 142, water can flow in the second flow path. The first solenoid valve 140 includes a second outlet 144 through which water is configured to flow if the water is intended for brewing and dispensing espresso 102. A default position of the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 is closed. Water is configured to pass out of the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 to one of two flow paths, referred to as seventh and eighth flow paths for purposes of describing
If the fourth solenoid valve's outlet 162 is open and the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 is open, water is configured to pass out of the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144, through the fourth solenoid valve 164, and out of the fourth solenoid valve's outlet 162 to the drip tray 132 via the separator box 130. The fourth solenoid valve's outlet 162 being open is thus configured to allow any residual water to exit the housing and collect in the drip tray 132.
If the fourth solenoid valve's outlet 162 is closed and the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 is open, water is configured to pass out of the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 to a group head 166 of the espresso machine 100. The group head 166 includes a plurality of holes through which water is configured to pass at high pressure into a portafilter 168 (see
In some aspects, upon completion of each brewing operation, the espresso machine 100 can further include a pressure relief operation. During the pressure relief operation, the first solenoid valve's second outlet 144 can be configured to close and the fourth solenoid valve's outlet 162 can be configured to open to relieve the pressure in the group head 166 into the drip tray 132. By releasing the pressure in the group head 166 before the portafilter 168 is removed, the pressure relief operation advantageously mitigates any spurting that may occur as the user removes the portafilter 168. Additionally, the pressure relief operation allows brew water from the top of the puck to be evacuated into the drip tray 132, thereby resulting in less mess in the portafilter and providing an easier clean up.
From the portafilter 168, brewed espresso 102 is configured to be dispensed into a cup or other container. The portafilter 168 is configured to have a cup or other container positioned by a user below the portafilter 168 into which the brewed espresso 102 is dispensed. In an exemplary implementation, the portafilter 168 is positioned above the drip tray 132 when the espresso 102 is dispensed, which may allow any liquid drips from the portafilter 168 to collect in the drip tray 132 if a container is not positioned below the portafilter 168. The drip tray 132 is thus configured to seat thereon the cup or other container for receiving the dispensed espresso 102.
In an exemplary implementation, as shown in
The hopper 170 is configured to store coffee beans (not shown in
In an exemplary implementation, the hopper 170 is formed of a material configured to provide ultraviolet (UV) protection to contents of the hopper 170, e.g., to coffee beans in the hopper 170. UV light can adversely affect coffee beans.
Coffee beans in the hopper 170 are configured to be delivered to the grinder 172. The grinder 172 is configured to grind the coffee beans. In an exemplary implementation, a grind size to which the grinder 172 grinds the coffee beans is adjustable by a user. In such implementations the espresso machine 100 includes a grind size adjustment mechanism (e.g., wheel 222, described variously in greater detail below in reference to at least
For another example, the grind size adjustment mechanism can include a rotatable wheel (not shown in
For yet another example, the grind size adjustment mechanism can include a lever (not shown in
In some implementations, the controller is configured to cause the currently selected grind size to be shown on the user interface.
Coffee grounds are configured to be delivered from the grinder 172 to the portafilter 168. The portafilter 168 is configured to be removably coupled to the espresso machine 100. The portafilter 168 having coffee grounds therein is configured to be removed from the espresso machine 100. The portafilter 168 being removable from the espresso machine 100 allows a user to tamp the coffee grounds using the tamp 174.
In this illustrated implementation, the tamp 174 is removably coupled to the espresso machine 100 to allow the user to selectively remove the tamp 174 for tamping. The tamp 174 being removably coupled to the espresso machine 100 may help ensure that the tamp 174 is not lost and is easily available for tamping when needed. In other implementations, the tamp 174 is a standalone device that is not coupled to the espresso machine 100, which may allow a user to choose a tamp according to their personal preference. In still other implementations, the tamp 174 is non-removably coupled to the espresso machine, which may help prevent loss of the tamp 174. In such implementations, the portafilter 168 may be removed from the espresso machine 100 for tamping using a tamp of the user's choosing that is not removably coupled to the espresso machine 100, or the portafilter 168 may remain coupled to the espresso machine 100 for tamping using the tamp integrated with the espresso machine 100. Tamping using the tamp integrated with the espresso machine 100 will typically result in a higher quality puck because less user skill and knowledge is required to achieve quality tamping. Additionally, tamping using the tamp integrated with the espresso machine 100 reduces potential for any spilling of unpressed coffee grounds from the portafilter 168 before tamping because the portafilter 168 is not removed from the espresso machine 100 until after coffee grounds have been delivered into the portafilter 168 and tamped in the portafilter 168.
The portafilter 168 having tamped coffee grounds therein is configured to be positioned by a user below the group head 166 and re-coupled to the espresso machine 100 to allow water to pass through the group head 166 into the portafilter 168. The water will pass through the puck in the portafilter 168 and then exit the portafilter 168 as brewed espresso 102.
In some implementations, the espresso machine 100 is configured to perform an initial flushing process. The initial flushing process is performed at startup and flushes the espresso machine 100 before the espresso machine 100 is used to prepare any beverage. The initial flushing process runs water from the reservoir 108 through the espresso machine 100 to flush the machine 100. The water flushed through the machine and dispensed into a container is intended to be disposed of by a user rather than being consumed as a drink. Other implementations of beverage machines described herein can similarly be configured to perform an initial flushing process.
In some implementations, the espresso machine 100 is configured to perform a calibration process. The calibration process is performed when coffee beans are added to the hopper 170 before the espresso machine 100 is used to prepare any beverage using the coffee beans so the espresso machine 100 can calibrate for the particular coffee beans in the hopper 170. In an exemplary implementation, the calibration process includes two brew processes. In a first brew process, a selected beverage is prepared using a default grind size. In a second brew process, the same selected beverage is prepared using a grind size adjusted by the espresso machine 100 as described herein. The calibration process can include at least one additional brew process. Other implementations of beverage machines described herein can similarly be configured to perform a calibration process.
In some implementations, the espresso machine 100 is configured to perform a portafilter cleaning process. The portafilter cleaning process is configured to clean the portafilter 168. The portafilter cleaning process runs water from the reservoir 108 through the portafilter 168 which is coupled to the group head 166 and has a dissolvable cleanser tablet or other cleaner therein (as placed therein by a user). Other implementations of beverage machines described herein can similarly be configured to perform a portafilter cleaning process.
As shown in
The water reservoir 204 in this illustrated implementation is removably coupled to the housing 202, but as mentioned above can instead be non-removably coupled to the housing 202.
As shown in
The espresso machine 200 includes a mating feature 202b configured to releasably mate with a mating element 204g of the reservoir 204. The mating feature 202b is a male member and the mating element 204g is a female member in this illustrated implementation, but instead the mating feature 202b can be a female member and the mating element 204g can be a male member. The mating of the mating feature 202b and the mating element 204g is configured to prevent the reservoir 204 from falling off the housing 202 and to help properly align an outlet valve 204h (see
As discussed above, the reservoir's outlet valve 204h is configured to automatically open when the reservoir 204 (at least the main body 204b thereof) is coupled to the housing 202 and to automatically close when the reservoir 204 (at least the main body 204b thereof) is removed from the housing 202. As shown in
As also discussed above, with the reservoir 204 (at least the main body 204b thereof) coupled to the housing 202, water stored in the reservoir 204, e.g., in the reservoir cavity 204c, is configured to be output from the reservoir 204 through the outlet valve 204h to a reservoir well 226 of the espresso machine 200, shown in
The reservoir 204 in this illustrated implementation includes a liquid level sensor 204j, as shown in
The liquid level sensor 204j can have a variety of configurations. In this illustrated implementation, the liquid level sensor 204j includes a float 204k disposed in a housing 204m. The housing 204m has at least one opening therein configured to allow liquid in the reservoir 204 to enter the housing 204m. The float 204k is configured to float in liquid and is thus configured to float in the liquid within the housing 204m. The float 204k remains at a highest position within the housing 204m until the liquid level falls to a threshold level, at which time the float moves downward in the housing 204m as the liquid level falls below the threshold level. The liquid level sensor 204j includes a Hall effect sensor (obscured in
The pumping system of the espresso machine 200 is configured to pump water from the reservoir 204 to the heating system of the espresso machine 200, similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 100 of
Similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 100 of
The hot water outlet 210 is configured to have a cup or other container positioned by a user below the hot water outlet 210 into which the hot water is dispensed from the hot water outlet 210. As shown in
A user may prefer to remove the movable tray 230 to use a larger container, even if the beverage being dispensed will not fill the larger container, such as if the user desires to use a travel mug, thermos, or tumbler that is taller than a typical espresso cup or a typical 16 oz ceramic mug. For example, a travel mug, thermos, or tumbler typically has a height of about 8 in, a 16 oz ceramic mug typically has a height of about 4 in, and an espresso cup typically has a height in a range of about 2 in to about 3 in. The espresso machine 200 in this illustrated implementation is configured to dispense a beverage having a volume too large for a typical espresso cup or a typical 16 oz ceramic mug, e.g., such as a beverage having a volume of 18 oz or a volume of 20 oz. The movable tray 230 being removable allows for a larger container to be used to receive beverages having a volume over 16 oz, e.g., with the movable tray 230 removed from the espresso machine 200, while also allowing for smaller containers to be used for smaller volume beverages, e.g., with the movable tray 230 coupled to the espresso machine 200. If the movable tray 230 is not present, such as shown in
The movable tray 230 can be configured to be coupled to the espresso machine 200 in a variety of ways. In this illustrated implementation, the movable tray 230 includes a pair of tabs 230a configured to be releasably seated in a pair of openings 202e formed in the housing 202. The movable tray 230 is thus configured to be fully removed from the espresso machine 200. In other implementations, the movable tray 230 is configured to remain coupled to the housing 202 and to be moved out of the way to allow a larger container to be placed on the drip tray 208, such as by the movable tray being hingedly attached to the housing 202 and configured to be flipped (e.g., flipped up, etc.) out of the way by a user.
The drip tray 208 is removably coupled to the housing 202 in this illustrated implementation. However, similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
The drip tray 208 in this illustrated implementation includes a base 208a and a lid 208b removably coupled to the base 208a, as shown in
The base 208a of the drip tray 208 can be a singular element. Alternatively, as in this illustrated implementation, the base 208a can include a plurality of elements with at least one of the base elements removably coupled to other(s) of the base elements. The base 208a includes a first portion 208d removably coupled to a second portion 208e of the base 208a. As shown in
Similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
As shown in
The milk receptacle base 234 has a rib 234b extending around a partial circumference of the milk receptacle base 234 at a top thereof. The rib 234b is configured to help constrain the milk tin 232 (or other milk receptacle or other container) to the milk receptacle base 234. The milk receptacle base 234 also has a lip 234c extending substantially vertically from the top of the milk receptacle base 234 at a rear of the milk receptacle base 234. The lip 234c is configured to help constrain the milk tin 232 (or other milk receptacle or other container) to the milk receptacle base 234 and is configured as a stop surface since a user's natural action in placing the milk tin 232 (or other milk receptacle or other container) on the milk receptacle base 234 may be with the user facing the espresso machine 200 and moving the milk tin 232 (or other milk receptacle or other container) onto the milk receptacle base 234 by moving the milk tin 232 (or other milk receptacle or other container) to the milk receptacle base 234 in a rearward direction.
An exterior of the milk tin's main body 232b includes fill lines 232e configured to indicate milk fill levels for different types of beverages. In this illustrated implementation, the milk tin 232b includes three fill lines 232e: a 2 oz fill line 232e for a macchiato or a cortado, a 5 oz fill line 232e for a cappuccino or a flat white, and an 8 oz fill line 232e for a latte. As shown in
As shown in
As discussed above, steam delivered into the milk tin 232, e.g., into the milk tin's cavity 232c, is configured to be distributed through the milk in the milk tin 232, along with air, using a mechanical mixer to form steamed milk (also referred to herein as “frothed milk”). In this illustrated implementation, the mechanical mixer includes a whisk 236 of the milk tin 232 that is configured to rotate within the milk tin 232, e.g., within the milk tin's cavity 232c. The whisk 236 is located at a bottom of the milk tin 232 to help ensure that the whisk 236 is in direct contact with any milk in the milk tin 232. The whisk 236 includes a central post 236a, a base 236b, at least one magnet 236c, and an agitator 236d. The base 236b, the at least one magnet 236c, and the agitator 236d are configured to rotate as a unit about a longitudinal axis defined by the central post 236a, as discussed further below. The at least one magnet 236c is disposed in the base 236b and, with the at least one magnet 236c including a plurality of magnets in this illustrated implementation, is arranged circumferentially around the central post 236a. The whisk 236 includes six magnets 236c in this illustrated implementation, as shown in
The whisk 236 of the milk tin 232 is configured to interact with a whisk driver 238 of the espresso machine 200 (see
The whisk driver 238 includes a motor 238a, a base 238b, and at least one magnet (obscured in
The whisk driver 238 is located in the espresso machine 200 such that, with the milk tin 232 seated in the milk receptacle base 234, the whisk driver 238 is vertically aligned with the milk tin 232 located above the whisk driver 238, as shown in
Similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
The hopper 216, e.g., the base 216b thereof, includes a downwardly-extending funnel portion 216d through which beans contained in the hopper 216 are configured to pass to the espresso machine's grinder 240 (see
The hopper 216 includes a rotor 216e (see
The grinder 240 can have a variety of configurations. In this illustrated implementation, the grinder 240 includes an outer burr 240a and an inner burr 240b defining a space therebetween into which beans are configured to be delivered from the hopper 216. The inner burr 240b is configured to rotate, relative to the outer burr 240a, about a longitudinal axis of the inner burr 240b to grind beans contained in the space defined between the outer and inner burrs 240a, 240b. The espresso machine 200 includes a motor (obscured in
In this illustrated implementation, a grind size to which the grinder 240 grinds the coffee beans is adjustable by a user. The espresso machine 200 thus includes a grind size adjustment mechanism, which as mentioned above is a wheel 222 in this illustrated implementation. Similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
The espresso machine 200 includes an encoder (obscured in
The wheel 222 is operatively coupled to a gear train of the espresso machine 100 that is operably coupled to the outer burr 240a of the grinder 240. As discussed further below, rotation of the wheel 222 is configured to cause rotation of gears of the gear train, which causes the outer burr 240a to travel upward or downward vertically depending on the direction that the wheel 222 is turned. The outer burr's upward or downward vertical movement is relative to the inner burr 240b. A diameter of the inner burr 240b decreases in an upward direction due to the frustoconical shape of the inner burr 240b. Thus, the higher vertically that the outer burr 240a is located relative to the inner burr 240b, the coarser the grinder 140 will grind the beans using the outer and inner burrs 240a, 240b. Correspondingly, the lower vertically that the outer burr 240a is located relative to the inner burr 240b, the finer the grinder 140 will grind the beans using the outer and inner burrs 240a, 240b. An uppermost position of the inner burr 240b corresponds to the coarsest grind, and a lowermost position of the inner burr 240b corresponds to the finest grind.
As shown in
The carriage 246 is shown as a standalone element in
In response to rotation of the wheel 222, the first gear 242a is configured to rotate, which causes the second gear 242b to rotate, which causes each of the third and fourth gears 242c, 242d to rotate. The encoder 244 is configured to measure a position of the third gear 242c and transmit a signal indicative of the measured position to the controller, similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 100 of
Coffee grounds are configured to exit the grinder 240 through a chute 248 (see
In an exemplary implementation, the portafilter dock 250 includes a weight sensor, such as a load cell or other sensor configured to measure weight, configured to sense a weight of coffee grounds in the portafilter 218. The weight sensor is configured to be operatively coupled to the controller such that sensed weight data can be transmitted from the weight sensor to the controller. The controller is configured to use weight data received from the weight sensor in controlling at least one functionality of the espresso machine 200. In an exemplary implementation, the controller is configured to use weight data received from the weight sensor in controlling the delivery of coffee beans from the grinder 240 to the portafilter 218, thereby allowing a certain amount of coffee to be ground by the grinder 240 for a particular user-selected beverage and delivered to the portafilter 218 through the chute 248.
In implementations in which the user interface 208 is configured to allow user input of a ground setting for sprover-style drinks, the controller is configured to use weight data received from the weight sensor in achieving the selected ground setting by controlling the delivery of coffee beans from the grinder 240 to the portafilter 218, thereby allowing the certain amount of coffee to be ground by the grinder 240 for the selected ground setting and delivered to the portafilter 218 through the chute 248.
In some implementations, controlling the delivery of coffee beans from the grinder 240 to the portafilter 218 is performed without use of a weight sensor. In such implementations, the espresso machine 200 omits the weight sensor and can optionally include another element, such as a counter or other timer, configured to facilitate the controller's controlling of the delivery of coffee beans from the grinder 240 to the portafilter 218.
In this illustrated implementation, the weight sensor includes a load cell 249, as shown in
The funnel 217 is configured to help guide the coffee grounds from the chute 248 into the portafilter 218 to help prevent loose coffee grounds from escaping from the espresso machine 200 and causing a mess and/or to help prevent less coffee grounds than intended and desired being delivered into the portafilter 218. As mentioned above, the funnel 217 is configured to be removably coupled with the portafilter 218. The funnel 217 in this illustrated implementation is configured to couple to the portafilter 218 by clipping thereto, which may help ensure that the funnel 217 does not become dislodged from the portafilter 218 during use. The funnel 217 is shown as a standalone element in
The funnel 217 includes a removable portion to facilitate cleaning of the funnel 217. Because coffee grounds pass through the funnel 217 from the chute 248, and because the tamp 220 moves within the funnel 217 during tamping, the funnel 217 can have coffee grind residue thereon after a brewing operation. A user may thus want to clean the funnel 217 after each brewing operation, e.g., by brushing the funnel 217 with a brush, rinsing the funnel 217 with water, etc., so no coffee residue is in the funnel 217 for a next brewing process. Similarly, a user may want to clean the chute 248 after a brewing operation to clean any coffee grind residue from the chute 248 so no coffee residue is in the chute 248 for a next brewing process. With the portafilter 218 removed from the portafilter dock 250, the chute 248 is accessible to a user for cleaning.
In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to, with the portafilter 218 coupled to the espresso machine, automatically detect the funnel 217. If the funnel 217 is detected, then no alert is provided regarding the funnel 217. If the funnel 217 is not detected, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, is configured to provide an alert to a user indicating that the funnel 217 is not present. The alert is configured to indicate to the user to couple the funnel 217 to the portafilter 218 before starting a brew process. The alert can be audible and/or visual, such as by a beep sounding and/or a light illuminating on the user interface 206 and/or directed toward the portafilter 218. In some implementations, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, is configured to lock out brewing until the funnel 217 is detected.
The funnel 217 is opaque in this illustrated implementation. The funnel 217 being opaque allows the funnel 217 to be made from an opaque material, such as stainless steel or other metal.
In some implementations, the funnel 217 is transparent, such as by being formed of a transparent polymer. The funnel 217 being transparent is configured to allow a user to see through the funnel 217 to see coffee grounds entering the portafilter 218, e.g., entering via the chute 248. The user may thus be assured that coffee grounds are being properly delivered into the portafilter 218 and/or allow the user to visually determine when coffee grounds have stopped being delivered into the portafilter 218 and thus that the portafilter 218 may be removed for tamping (or, in implementations with a built-in tamp, such as in the implementation of
In some implementations in which the funnel 217 is transparent, the espresso machine 200 includes a light, e.g., a light emitting diode (LED) and/or other type of light, configured to illuminate the funnel 217. The light can include a single light or a plurality of lights. The espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, is configured to activate the light to illuminate the funnel 217 in response to occurrence of a predetermined event. The activation of the light can be continuous illumination of the light or can be blinking of the light. For example, the light can be activated during delivery of coffee grounds to the portafilter 218 through the funnel 217, thereby visually signaling to a user that the coffee grind delivery is occurring. For another example, the light can be activated to provide a warning related to the funnel 217. The warning can be, for example, that the espresso machine 200 has not detected presence of the funnel 217, which may signal to a user that the funnel 217 is not present at all or has not been properly coupled to the portafilter 218. For another example, the warning can be that the weight sensor is sensing a weight of coffee grounds in the portafilter 218, which may signal to a user that the funnel 217 should not be removed until weight sensing is complete as signaled by the light turning off. For yet another example, the light can be activated to indicate to a user that tamping can begin.
In some implementations, in addition to or instead of illuminating the funnel 217 with a light, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, is configured to illuminate a light on the user interface 206 providing information similar to that discussed above.
The portafilter 218 is configured to removably seat therein a selected one of a plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c, as shown in
The plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c each has a different capacity, so each of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is configured to hold therein a different maximum amount of coffee grounds. This illustrated implementation includes three baskets 219a, 219b, 219c, but another number of baskets may be used, e.g., one, two, four, etc. The first basket 219a is configured for use in preparing single espresso shots, the second basket 219b is configured for use in preparing double espresso shots, and the third basket 219c is configured for use in preparing other beverages (e.g., quad espresso shots and other coffee beverages). The first basket 219a has a smaller capacity than the second basket 219b, which has a smaller capacity than the third basket 219c. In this illustrated implementation, the second basket 219b has a volume that is about 53 mL. The volume of the second basket 219b can vary. For example, the volume of the second basket 219b can range from about 43 mL to 63 mL. Additionally, the first basket 219a has a volume that is about 42 mL. The volume of the first basket 219a can vary. For example, the volume of the first basket 219a can range from about 32 mL to about 52 mL. Additionally, the third basket 219c has a volume that is about 121 mL. The volume of the third basket 219c can vary. For example, the volume of the third basket 219c can range from about 105 mL to 135 mL.
In an exemplary implementation, the second basket 219b can have a volume that is about two times a volume of the first basket 219a, and the third basket 219c can have a volume that is at least two times a volume of the second basket 219b, e.g., a volume of about two times the volume of the second basket 219b, a volume of about 2.2 times the volume of the second basket 219b, a volume of about 2.4 times the volume of the second basket 219b, a volume of about 2.5 times the volume of the second basket 219b, etc. Since the first basket 219a can have a capacity that is less than the second basket 219b, the volume of the third basket 219c can thus also be at least two times a volume of the first basket 219a.
In one implementation, the first basket 219a is configured to hold therein up to about 9 g of coffee grounds for brewing a single espresso shot, the second basket 219b is configured to hold therein up to about 18 g of coffee grounds for brewing a double espresso shot, the third basket 219c is configured to hold therein about 36 g for brewing a quad espresso shot, and the third basket 219c is configured to hold therein about 12 g for brewing a sprover-style drink. The third basket 219c is thus configured in this implementation to hold a minimum of about 12 g and a maximum of about 36 g. In such an implementation, the height H1 of the first basket 219a is about 21.5 mm, the first diameter D1a of the first basket 219a is about 27.3 mm, the second diameter D1b of the first basket 219a is about 29.6 mm, the wall thickness T1 of the first basket 219a is about 0.5 mm, the height H2 of the second basket 219b is about 25.0 mm, the first diameter D2a of the second basket 219b is about 43.3 mm, the second diameter D2b of the second basket 219b is about 47.1 mm, the wall thickness T2 of the second basket 219b is about 0.5 mm, the height H3 of the third basket 219c is about 60.0 mm, the first diameter D3a of the third basket 219c is about 42.4 mm, the second diameter D3b of the third basket 219c is about 46.4 mm, and the wall thickness T3 of the third basket 219c is about 0.5 mm. Also in such an implementation, about 9 g of coffee grounds in the first basket 219a is configured to have a height of about 7 mm from the interior bottom surface of the first basket 219a, about 18 g of coffee grounds in the second basket 219b is configured to have a height of about 7 mm from the interior bottom surface of the second basket 219b, a top of about 36 g of coffee grounds in the third basket 219c is configured to be about 15 mm below a top or rim of the third basket 219c, and a top of about 12 g of coffee grounds in the third basket 219c is configured to be about 40 mm below the top or rim of the third basket 219c.
In an exemplary implementation, each of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c includes an identifier configured to identify a size of the basket to a user, which may help a user easily select a desired one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c. For example, the identifier can include a marking, e.g., letter(s) and/or number(s), printed on, embossed on, adhered on, or otherwise visible on the basket. For another example, the identifier can include a color with the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c being color-coded, e.g., each of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c being a different color at least in part. For yet another example, the identifier can include a marking and a color.
Because the portafilter 218 is configured to interchangeably seat a selected one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c, a user will not know whether a particular basket is the correct, intended basket or not based on whether or not the basket is able to be seated in the portafilter 218. The identifier may thus help a user know that the correct, intended basket is seated in the portafilter 218.
The identifiers 221a, 221b, 221c are shown in
The collars 223a, 223b, 223c are fixedly secured to their respective baskets 219a, 219b, 219c. The identifiers 221a, 221b, 221c being at the collars 223a, 223b, 223c, e.g., as text, color, etc., may thus help assure proper identifying of a basket.
Each of the collars 223a, 223b, 223c is configured to facilitate user handling of its associated one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c. The collars 223a, 223b, 223c being located at upper, open ends of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c allows a user to hold a selected one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c by its collar 223a, 223b, 223c and drop or place the selected one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c in the portafilter 218 through the portafilter's upper opening. Additionally, the collars 223a, 223b, 223c being located at upper, open ends of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c allows a user to remove a one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c seated in the portafilter 218 by holding the basket's collar 223a, 223b, 223c and pulling up to remove the one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c from the portafilter 218. A user handling the collars 223a, 223b, 223c instead of another portion of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c when coupling the basket with the portafilter 218 may help keep clean the portions of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c that will likely contact coffee grounds and/or water. A user handling the collars 223a, 223b, 223c instead of another portion of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c when de-coupling the basket from the portafilter 218 may help prevent the user from touching a wet surface and/or used coffee grounds.
Each of the collars 223a, 223b, 223c extends around an entire perimeter of its associated one of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c around the upper, open end thereof, e.g., around an entire circumference of the illustrated substantially circular upper, open ends. The collars 223a, 223b, 223c so extending may help prevent a user from touching another portion of the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c when coupling to or de-coupling from the portafilter 218.
In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218. Because different ones of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c are configured to be used when brewing different beverages, as discussed herein, detecting which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 may help the espresso machine 200 present more relevant options to a user via the user interface 206. The user being presented only with relevant options may help produce a higher quality beverage since improper selections cannot be selected. Relevant options associated with each of the different baskets 219a, 219b, 219c are stored in the espresso machine's memory, such as in a lookup table or database, and are accessible to the espresso machine's controller. If the first basket 219a is detected as being seated in the portafilter 218, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, can only present options on the user interface 206 that are relevant to brewing a single espresso shot. For example, the user interface 206 may not allow the user to select a beverage size (volume) because a single espresso shot has a predetermined size. If the second basket 219b is detected as being seated in the portafilter 218, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, can only present options on the user interface 206 that are relevant to brewing a double espresso shot. For example, the user interface 206 may not allow the user to select a beverage size (volume) because a double espresso shot has a predetermined size. If the third basket 219c is detected as being seated in the portafilter 218, the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, can only present options on the user interface 206 that are relevant to brewing a quad espresso shot or a filter coffee style drink. For example, the user interface 206 may not allow the user to select a beverage size (volume) below a certain volume, e.g., below 6 oz, because a quad espresso shot has a predetermined size and filter coffee style drinks typically have a size in a range of 6 oz to 18 oz.
The espresso machine 200 can be configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 in a variety of ways. In the illustrated implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using a reed switch. The reed switch is located at the portafilter dock 250 configured to dock the portafilter 218 for delivery of ground coffee into the portafilter 218. The reed switch being located at the portafilter dock 250 allows the espresso machine 200, e.g., the controller thereof, to detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 before any ground coffee is delivered into the portafilter 218.
The reed switch is configured react to a magnetic field applied thereto from at least one magnet of the one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c seated in the portafilter 218. The reaction of the reed switch to the magnetic field closes a circuit operably coupled to the controller of the espresso machine 200, thereby allowing the controller to identify that the portafilter 218 is seated in the portafilter dock 250 and that a particular one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218.
As shown in
The at least one magnet 225a, 225b, 225c of the one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c seated in the portafilter 218 is configured to apply the magnetic field to the reed switch with the portafilter 218 seated in the portafilter dock 250. Each of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is configured to provide a different magnetic strength with each of the baskets having a different number of magnets 225a, 225b, 225c and/or different strengths of magnets 225a, 225b, 225c.
In this illustrated implementation, the first basket 219a includes two magnets 225a, the second basket 219b includes one magnet 225b, and the third basket 219c includes two magnets 225c, but other numbers of magnets per basket are possible. One of the first basket's magnets 225a is obscured in
Different magnetic field strengths will differently affect the reed switch such that the controller of the espresso machine 200 will receive a different signal based on which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218. The controller is thus configured to identify which one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 based on the signal. If no signal is received, the controller is configured to determine that no basket is seated in the portafilter 218 and thus not allow a brewing process to begin, e.g., lock out brewing until a basket is detected.
In another implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using a plurality of mechanical switches of the espresso machine 200. Each of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is configured to depress a different combination of the plurality of mechanical switches when seated in the portafilter 218 docked in the portafilter dock 250. A signal received by the espresso machine's controller will be different based on which combination of the mechanical switches is depressed, thereby allowing the controller to identify which one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218. If no signal is received, the controller is configured to determine that no basket is seated in the portafilter 218 and thus not allow a brewing process to begin.
In another implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using color detection. For example, the espresso machine 200 can include an optical sensor configured to detect a color at a predetermined area, e.g., an area where the collars 223a, 223b, 223c are located. The collars 223a, 223b, 223c can thus be different colors to facilitate identification of baskets. The optical sensor is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller and is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the detected color. Based on the signal, the controller is configured to identify the basket, or that no basket is present, since different colors will result in different signals being transmitted from the optical sensor.
In another implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using a barcode or other code. For example, the espresso machine 200 can include an optical sensor configured to detect a barcode or other code at a predetermined area, e.g., an area where the collars 223a, 223b, 223c are located. The collars 223a, 223b, 223c can thus have the barcode or other code thereon, e.g., printed, embossed, adhered thereto, etc. The optical sensor is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller and is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the detected code. Based on the signal, the controller is configured to identify the basket, or that no basket is present, since different codes will result in different signals being transmitted from the optical sensor.
In another implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using an electrical sensor. The electrical sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of a material with a predetermined resistance, capacitance, or similar electrical characteristic. The electrical sensor is configured to detect the material at a predetermined area, e.g., an area where the collars 223a, 223b, 223c are located. The collars 223a, 223b, 223c can thus include the material. The electrical sensor is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller and is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the detected electrical characteristic. Based on the signal, the controller is configured to identify the basket, or that no basket is present, since different electrical characteristics will result in different signals being transmitted from the electrical sensor.
In another implementation, the espresso machine 200 is configured to automatically detect which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c is seated in the portafilter 218 using an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is configured to detect a distance between surfaces, such as by including a time-of-flight sensor configured to measure a time taken for a photon to travel from the time-of-flight sensor to a surface of the basket, e.g., the collar thereof, and back to the time-of-flight sensor. The infrared sensor is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller and is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the detected distance. Based on the signal, the controller is configured to identify the basket, or that no basket is present, since different distances will result in different signals being transmitted from the infrared sensor.
The espresso machine 200 in this illustrated implementation includes a basket storage area configured to store the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c therein, which may help prevent the baskets 219a, 219b, 219c from being lost and/or may help ensure that a desired basket 219a, 219b, 219c is available when a user is ready for its use.
Similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 100 of
As shown in
As shown in
The tamp 220 is configured to be inserted into the portafilter 218 through the upper opening of the portafilter 218, with or without the funnel 217 removably coupled thereto. Thus, in implementations including the funnel 217 (or other funnel), a user does not need to remove the funnel prior to tamping, which reduces user-required actions. A bottom surface 220b of the tamp 220 is configured to be pressed down and on coffee grounds in the portafilter 218 to form a puck. The bottom surface 220b of the tamp 220 is smooth and solid, which may help form a uniform, compressed puck of coffee grounds.
The tamp 220 includes an upper housing 220c and a lower housing 220d. The lower housing 220d includes the tamp's bottom surface 220b. The upper housing 220c is movably coupled to the lower housing 220d. A spring 220e that is internal to the tamp 220 is operably coupled to the upper and lower housings 220c, 220d and biases the upper housing 220c upward in a direction away from the lower housing 220d. With the tamp 220 inserted at least partially into the portafilter 218 with the tamp's bottom surface 220b contacting the coffee grounds in the portafilter 218, the upper housing 220c is configured to be pressed downward by a user to help apply pressure to the coffee grounds to form the puck. A force applied to the coffee grounds is thus configured to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a one of a plurality of baskets, e.g., one of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c, coupled to the portafilter 218 and in which the coffee grounds being pressed are located. The force is thus also applied substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a funnel, e.g., the funnel 217 or other funnel, coupled to the portafilter 218 and to a longitudinal axis of an internal cavity of the portafilter 218 in which the one of the plurality of baskets is at least partially received and in which the coffee grounds are located. The force being applied substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the one of the plurality of baskets may help ensure a good quality tamp with the coffee grounds being pressed evenly and firmly. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a direction may not be precisely parallel to a longitudinal axis but nevertheless be considered to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for any of a variety of reasons, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment.
The upper housing 220c being pressed downward overcomes the biasing force of the spring 220e to allow the upper housing 220c to move downward relative to the lower housing 220d. When the user releases pressure on the upper housing 220c, the biasing force provided by the spring 220e is configured to cause the upper housing 220c to move back upward. In some aspects, the spring 220e can also provide haptic feedback to the user to indicate that the correct tamp force has been achieved and also to limit over tamping.
Similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
Also similar to that discussed above with respect to the espresso machine 100 of
The espresso machine 400 includes a door 402i configured to be opened to allow access to a basket storage area 402j, similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 200 of
The espresso machine 400 in this illustrated implementation is configured to automatically detect which of a plurality of baskets, e.g., which of the plurality of baskets 219a, 219b, 219c discussed above, is seated in the portafilter 418. In this illustrated implementation, as shown in
In this illustrated implementation, a tamp 420 of the espresso machine 400 is non-removably coupled to the espresso machine 400, and a portafilter 418 of the espresso machine is configured to remain coupled to the espresso machine 400 for tamping. The tamp 420 (see
The tamp 420 includes an upper housing 420c and a lower housing 420d. The lower housing 420d includes the tamp's bottom surface (also referred to herein as a “tamp face”) 420b. The upper housing 420c is movably coupled to the lower housing 420d. A spring 420e (see
The tamp 420 is operably coupled to a tamp handle 421. The tamp handle 421 extends from the housing 402 and is accessible to a user for operating the tamp 420. The tamp handle 421 is configured to be moved by a user to actuate the tamp 420 so the tamp's bottom surface 420b contacts and presses down coffee grounds in the portafilter 418. The tamp handle 421 is shown as a lever in this illustrated embodiment but can have another configuration, such as a knob.
As shown in
The tamp handle 421 is configured to be actuated by being rotated about a pivot point in response to a user pressing down on the tamp handle 421. In other implementations, the actuation of the tamp handle 421 may be different, such as the tamp handle 421 as a knob being configured to be actuated by being rotated about a pivot point in response to a user turning the tamp handle 421.
The actuation of the tamp handle 421 is configured to actuate a gear system to tamp the coffee grounds in the portafilter 418. The gear system being operatively coupled to and located between the tamp handle 421 and the tamp face 420b, allows an angle of travel of the tamp handle 421 to be reduced, as compared to the gear system not being present, to achieve tamping. The lower angle of travel may improve user experience by requiring less user movement and/or less user force applied to the tamp handle 421.
The actuation of the tamp handle 421 is configured to cause the elongate shaft 423 to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate shaft 423. The rotation of the elongate shaft 423 is configured to cause the pinion 425 to correspondingly rotate. The rotation of the pinion 425 is configured to cause the rack 427 to move vertically, which causes the tamp 420 to correspondingly move vertically. The user's actuation of the tamp handle 421 to cause tamping causes the rack 427 to move downward and thus the tamp 420 to move downward to press down on coffee grounds in the portafilter 418. Initially, both the upper and lower housings 420c, 420d move downward. As the tamp 420, e.g., the bottom surface 420d thereof, begins to press on the coffee grounds, the force overcomes the biasing force of the spring 420e to allow the lower housing 420d to move upward relative to the upper housing 420c. In this way, over-tamping may be prevented, as over-tamping coffee grounds may adversely affect coffee beverage quality. The user is configured to feel this force and thus receive haptic feedback indicating when a desirable level of tamping has been achieved.
The linear translation of the tamp 420 vertically downward is such that a force applied to the coffee grounds by the tamp 420 is configured to be applied vertically and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a one of a plurality of baskets coupled to the portafilter 418 and in which the coffee grounds being pressed are located. The force is thus also applied vertically and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a funnel, e.g., the funnel 217 or other funnel, coupled to the portafilter 418 and to a longitudinal axis of an internal cavity of the portafilter 418 in which the one of the plurality of baskets is at least partially received. As mentioned above, the force being applied vertically and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the one of the plurality of baskets holding the coffee grounds may help ensure a good quality tamp with the coffee grounds being pressed evenly and firmly. A standalone tamp, such as the tamp 220 of
The espresso machine 400 in this illustrated implementation includes a weight sensor in the form of a load cell 449 (see
The tamp handle 421 is configured to be moved manually by a user from a resting or non-tamping position, shown in
The espresso machine 400 is configured to detect whether the tamp 420 is in the resting position. Detecting the tamp 420 in the resting position allows the espresso machine 400, e.g., the controller thereof, to control the user interface 406 accurately so that a tamp operation is not prompted via the user interface 406 without the tamp 420 being in the resting position. In this illustrated implementation, the espresso machine 400 includes a microswitch configured to detect whether the tamp 420 is in the resting position. The microswitch is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the microswitch indicating whether the tamp 420 is in the resting position and, based on the received signal, control the user interface 406.
The espresso machine 400 is configured to notify a user when the tamp 420 has moved to the tamping position. The notification is configured to signal the user that tamping has occurred properly and completely and that the tamp handle 421 may be released. Over-tamping may thus be prevented.
As shown in
With the tamp 420 in the resting position, the central post 420f of the lower housing 420d does not contact the first and second electrical contacts 431a, 431b. As the tamp 420 moves from the resting position toward the tamping position, the central post 420f of the lower housing 420d moves upward toward the first and second electrical contacts 431a, 431b. When the tamp 420 reaches the tamping position, the central post 420f, e.g., an upper surface thereof, contacts the first and second electrical contacts 431a, 431b, which causes an electrical circuit to be completed. The central post 420f is conductive, such as by being formed of a metal or other conductive material, to allow completion of the circuit. The electrical circuit is operably coupled to the espresso machine's controller, e.g., by one or both of the electrical contacts 431a, 431b being electrically coupled with the controller. The controller is thus configured to receive a signal indicative of the electrical circuit being completed, thereby indicating to the controller that tamping has been completed. In response receiving the signal indicative of the electrical circuit being completed, the controller is configured to cause the notification to be provided to a user. The notification can be audible and/or visual, such as by a beep sounding and/or a light illuminating on a user interface 406 of the espresso machine 400.
The espresso machine 400 includes a rubber cover configured to prevent grounds ingress into the first and second electrical contacts 431a, 431b.
Similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 200 of
In this illustrated implementation, similar to the tamp 220 and the portafilter 218 of the espresso machine 200 of
The espresso machine 500 in this illustrated implementation is configured to automatically detect presence of a funnel, e.g., the funnel 217 of
In this illustrated implementation, as shown in
The funnel sensor is operatively coupled to a controller (obscured in
In some implementations, the funnel sensor can include a Hall effect sensor configured to sense a position of the funnel with the portafilter 518 seated in the portafilter dock 550.
In this illustrated implementation, the funnel sensor includes a spring-loaded plunger 551a and a microswitch 551b. The plunger 551a is configured to move between a default, extended configuration (shown in
When the portafilter 518 is seated in the portafilter dock 518, a funnel coupled to the portafilter 518 is configured to contact the plunger 551a (e.g., a rubber cap 551d thereof) and push the plunger 551a rearwardly. The rubber cap 551d is optional but may help prevent ground ingress and/or may help the funnel grip and push the plunger 551a.
The plunger 551a includes an extension 551e extending therefrom in a direction toward the microswitch 551b. The direction is to a right side in the view of
The microswitch 551b is operatively coupled to the espresso machine's controller. When the microswitch 551b is pushed by the plunger extension 551e as the plunger 551a moves from the extended configuration to the activated configuration, the microswitch 551b is configured to complete a circuit such that the controller receives a signal. For purposes of illustration,
When the portafilter 518 is removed from the portafilter dock 550, the funnel stops pressing the plunger 551a and the spring 551c urges the plunger 551a from the activated configuration to the extended configuration. The microswitch 551b is no longer pushed by the plunger extension 551e due to the plunger 551a moving from the activated configuration to the extended configuration, and the circuit is no longer completed by the microswitch 551b. The controller is thus ready to receive a subsequent signal indicative of funnel presence.
The portafilter dock 550 in this illustrated implementation also includes railing 550c (see
Similar to that discussed above regarding the espresso machine 200 of
The outer tube 512b is a metal (e.g., stainless steel or other metal), conductive tube. The outer tube 512b being metal may help the steam frother arm 512 be easy to clean externally by a user and/or help the steam frother arm 512 retain its shape. The inner tube 512c is a polymer (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon™) or other polymer), non-conductive tube. The inner tube 512c may help prevent the outer tube 512b from becoming too hot for a user to touch, especially during longer froth processes, and/or may help prevent internal wear of the steam frother arm 512 due to repeated use since the polymer of the inner tube 512c is more resistant to such wear that the metal of the outer tube 512b. In an exemplary implementation, an air gap is present between the outer and inner tubes 512b, 512c, which may help prevent heat transfer from the inner tube 512c to the outer tube 512b.
The steam frother arm 512 includes an exit opening that is obscured in the figures. The exit opening is formed in a tip 512d of the steam frother arm 512. The tip 512d can be removably coupled to the outer and inner tubes 512b, 512c, which may facilitate cleaning of the tip 512d. Alternatively, the tip 512d can be non-removably coupled to the outer and inner tubes 512b, 512c, which may help prevent loss of and/or damage to the tip 512d.
The steam frother arm 512 includes one or more seals 512e between the tip 512d and the outer tube 512b to help prevent any steam leaks from the steam frother arm 512 and to help prevent any unintentional fluid ingress into the outer tube 512b. The steam frother arm 512 also includes one or more seals 512e between the tip 512d and the inner tube 512c to help prevent any steam leaks from the steam frother arm 512 and to help prevent any unintentional fluid ingress into the inner tube 512c. The seals 512e are each an o-ring in this illustrated implementation, but other types of seals may be used.
The stream frother arms of the espresso machines 200, 400 of
The espresso machine 500 includes a drip tray fill level indicator configured to indicate a fill level of the espresso machine's drip tray 508, e.g., a fill level within a cavity 508c defined by a base 508a of the drip tray 508. A user may therefore be visually signaled by the espresso machine 500 when emptying the drip tray 508 is advisable so the drip tray 508 does not become completely full or overflow. Drip trays of other beverage machines described herein can similarly include a drip tray fill level indicator.
As shown in
The pin 501 in the illustrated implementation is configured to rise gradually as the drip tray's fill level increases. In another implementation, the pin 501 is configured to rise abruptly to indicate that the drip tray 508 has reached a threshold fill level. A user may be more likely to notice an abruptly risen pin 501 than a gradually rising pin 501 and thus be more likely to empty the drip tray 508 before the drip tray 508 becomes completely full or overflows. For example, in such an implementation, a first portion 508f within the cavity 508c is walled off by a wall from a second, adjacent portion 508g of the cavity 508c. For example, an internal wall 508h of the drip tray 508 can be extended in a forward direction to wall the first portion 508f off from the second portion 508g.
The first and second portions 508f, 508g of the cavity 508c are in communication with one another. When the second portion 508g of the cavity 508c becomes full enough with liquid to reach a top of the wall walling the second portion 508g of the cavity 508c from the first portion 508f of the cavity 508c, the wall can no longer prevent the liquid from entering the first portion 508f from the second portion 508g. The liquid spills over the wall to enter the first portion 508f from the second portion 508g. The pin 501 therefore rises to indicate that the drip tray 508 has reached a threshold fill level.
The pin 501, whether configured to rise gradually or abruptly, is a mechanical drip tray fill level indicator. Instead of or in addition to a mechanical drip tray fill level indicator, the drip tray 508 (or other drip tray described herein) can include an electrical drip tray fill level indicator. The electrical drip tray fill level indicator is operably coupled with the espresso machine's controller. The controller is configured to, based on a signal received from the electrical drip tray fill level indicator, cause a drip tray fill level alert to a user, such as by a light, text, an audible sound, etc. provided via the espresso machine's user interface 506.
Various implementations of beverage machines are further described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/651,926 entitled “Suggesting Coffee Bean Grind Size For Beverage Machines” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/651,936 entitled “Milk Frothing” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/651,70 entitled “Preventing Coffee Bean Grinder Jamming” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/652,309 entitled “Beverage Machine Filters And Portafilters” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/652,415 entitled “Beverage Machine Portafilters” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/652,514 entitled “Coffee Tamping” filed on May 1, 2024, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/652,049 entitled “Descaling Beverage Machines” filed on May 1, 2024, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/652,063 entitled “Preparation Of Beverage Machines For Cold Beverage Brewing” filed on May 1, 2024, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The subject matter described herein can be implemented in analog electronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structural means disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof or in combinations of them. The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, such as one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device), or embodied in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program, algorithm, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code).
The processes and logic flows described in this specification, including the method steps of the subject matter described herein, can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions of the subject matter described herein by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.
The techniques described herein can be implemented using one or more modules. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computing software, firmware, hardware, and/or various combinations thereof. At a minimum, however, modules are not to be interpreted as software that is not implemented on hardware, firmware, or recorded on a non-transitory processor-readable recordable storage medium (i.e., modules are not software per se). Indeed “module” is to be interpreted to always include at least some physical, non-transitory hardware such as a part of a processor or computer. Two different modules can share the same physical hardware (e.g., two different modules can use the same processor). The modules described herein can be combined, integrated, separated, and/or duplicated to support various applications. Also, a function described herein as being performed at a particular module can be performed at one or more other modules and/or by one or more other devices instead of or in addition to the function performed at the particular module.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
The present disclosure has been described above by way of example only within the context of the overall disclosure provided herein. It will be appreciated that modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims may be made without departing from the overall scope of the present disclosure.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/622,442 entitled “Espresso Machines” filed on Jan. 18, 2024 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/627,728 entitled “Beverage Machine Filters And Portafilters” filed on Jan. 31, 2024, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63627728 | Jan 2024 | US | |
| 63622442 | Jan 2024 | US |
