Patent Application
20240156297
This disclosure relates to the making of beverages in general, in particular to the making of beverages under pressure, notably espresso making. In particular, it relates to the steps of evenly distributing and compacting (tamping) the ground coffee powder.
Espresso, the making of a special type of coffee where hot water is pressed through coffee powder under high pressure, has existed for some time. Sometimes Angelo Moriondo of Turin is considered the first in 1884, but many improvements have been made since.
Today the process of making an espresso can typically be divided into four steps: grinding and dosing, distributing, tamping and pressing water through the tamped coffee powder. All these steps, among other things, will significantly affect the flavor and general quality of the beverage produced.
These four steps affect each other and the beverage produced greatly. For instance, fine grinding goes best with low force tamping in order to avoid overextraction, a tightly tamped powder might require higher water pressure to allow water to pass through properly. An almost endless number of combinations is possible when making an espresso. This allows for adjustability but can make it hard to produce a consistent and predictable result, particularly if the operator is inexperienced.
To execute the second step something called levelers or distributors is available. They are turbine-shaped and are put on the edge of the portafilter. It is then spun a few revolutions and the beans are thus distributed. A problem is that it often fails to distribute properly and it is often difficult to avoid some tamping happening at this stage. Thus, in some cases, particularly with fresh and finely ground powder, no third step, tamping, is performed after this. The result is sometimes considered sufficient without that step. However, this is unsatisfactory, particularly if working with coarse ground or powder of not so fresh ground beans. Occasionally the leveler or distributor is sometimes used for some tamping too. This is unsatisfactory since a lower surface must be somewhat uneven for distributing, leveling or stirring to occur, but a lower surface for even tamping must be even to evenly compress the entire area. Another disadvantage is that if the lower end of the tamper/distributor is partially open (which can be desirable for good distribution) it makes it possible for ground coffee to enter the inner parts of the machine.
The greatest problem today is the third step, tamping. Existing tampers are basically a round plate of a diameter to fit the portafilter with a handle for the operator to press to tamp the ground beans into the portafilter. It is difficult for a human to exert the same exact force every time so espressos made by the same person using the same ground beans powder and the same machine might vary. The difference between different people is of course greater. Also, it is difficult to tamp in such a way that the surface of the “cake” is properly horizontal particularly if distribution has not been done properly in the previous step. Proper horizontal tamping requires that the tamping lower surface of the tamper is horizontal and this in turn requires that the operator can hold and press at a perfectly perpendicular angle to the bottom of the portafilter—in practice this means to press down in a perfectly vertical way. This is difficult for humans to do particularly if they are stressed and tired after working long hours standing up. These are problems particularly for major chains like Starbucks, that desire to make an espresso of high and consistent quality, no matter where in the world it is served. The problems can be alleviated with proper training, but that entails cost and makes replacement of operator harder and more expensive.
Prior art includes:
WO2020084436 is a tamping device without any distributor where the tamper rotates after tamping to avoid coffee powder sticking to the tamper. The purpose of the rotation is not distribution but removal of coffee powder from the tamper.
EP1126774 is an espresso making device that tamps by a helical motion of the tamper, but has no separate distributor. For this purpose, the lower end of the tamper is not flat.
AU2017245364 is like EP1126744 tamping by helical motion of the tamper, no separate distributor. Since they use the same tool for tamping and distribution (as it states in the first claim) the lower end of the tamper/distributor is not flat resulting in a less than perfectly even “cake”. Another disadvantage is that the lower end of the tamper/distributor is partially open, making it possible for ground coffee to enter the inner parts of the machine.
WO2020052348A1 on the other hand has a separate distributor (stirring device 50) that works separately from below while the tamping device (filter-press assembly 40) works from above making the tamping and distribution two completely separate processes. The downside with this solution is that the stirring device is semi-permanently disposed inside the filter; (only independent claim: “The stirring device is disposed in the filter-press chamber, and the stirring device is not in contact with the filter-press assembly;”). This means that you must either detach it in some inconvenient way (magnetism is suggested) separately from the removal of the tamper or pass the water through the filter with the distributor still inside the filter. Stirring from below is also a more difficult way of creating an even upper surface than stirring from above.
WO2020257869A1 suggest a different form of separate distributor solution where distribution is done by shaking or vibrating the portafilter or the coffee bean powder within. This of course is a completely different solution with all the disadvantages of two separate solutions, the added complexity of adding a shaking machine and the added problems that vibrations can cause.
Thus, separate distributor and tamper are preferable for creating an even “cake” with essentially constant density throughout. However, a single tool has a great advantage in ease of use and thus saving time, which is very useful during peak hours. It also avoids the problem with having to remove the distributor after distribution, an operation that is likely to disturb the even surface created by the distribution. The problem with making one single tool for distributing and tamping is that you sacrifice the efficiency of either or both the distribution and tamping. Specifically, an uneven lower surface is required for distribution/stirring (otherwise it won't stir) but an essentially even, flat surface horizontal and parallel to the essentially flat upper surface of the distributed ground coffee is required for optimal tamping (otherwise it won't tamp evenly). A surface can obviously not be even and uneven at the same time.
It is therefore desirable to have a solution that combines the advantages of these methods. This solution should evenly distribute the ground coffee in the portafilter and then tamp the ground coffee with a properly horizontal surface essentially parallel to the upper essentially flat surface of the ground coffee in the portafilter in a consistent way without requiring the operator to switch tools or otherwise cause delay. Tamping should not be physically demanding. The tamping should preferably be consistent even between different operators, even with a relatively untrained operator. Also, it should be consistent but adjustable when so desired. This adjustment should yield predictable results. Currently, a quality-conscious professional barista will often produce and taste multiple cups of coffee with the same settings to get the adjustment right to exclude the variation in tamping. The tool should be easy to put on and remove from the portafilter.
These advantages can be achieved by having a single assembly including both distributor and tamper that are concentrically arranged. This can be done, for instance, by placing distributor and tamper on a single axle. If tamping is done downwards, as is preferable, the single assembly is placed above and possibly on the portafilter containing the ground powder. Within the single assembly, the tamper would be placed essentially above the distributor during distribution and moving down, at least partially through the distributor, to tamp. This results in a very even cake with an essentially flat horizontal upper side and an even density throughout the cake.
This solution requires that the tamper can somehow, loosely speaking, “pass through” the distributor and/or “merge” with the distributor. This can be achieved by designing a distributor and tamper that fit so that they can pass into and/or through each other. The distribution and tamping can be driven in one same, single movement, preferably a single, pumping, downward movement. However, separate driving for distribution and tamping are also possible, especially in highly automated embodiments.
The force is preferably adjustable by a simple setting so higher or lower density can be achieved. It is, in some embodiments, pressed towards the edge of the portafilter like a traditional leveler, but distributes the beans without compressing them. Immediately after this they are tamped in the same single movement.
This means that step 2 and 3 are done with suitable surfaces but without delay and trouble to switch tools.
The distributor works by rotation, but the rotation can be created in many ways. One way is to have the downward movement drive the rotation. A reverse screw can cause rotation when moved downwards. Embodiment 2 in
Other methods and means, powered and manual, are of course possible.
The number of blades in the distributor is not set. The number can vary between different embodiments. It depends on the how much distribution is necessary and how many revolutions is convenient. If for one reason or another it is impractical to implement many revolutions, the number of blades can be increased instead. Note that it is possible that the number of revolutions is less than one, for instance 180°. The shape and/or angle of blades can also differ between embodiments. Depending on how many revolutions are needed the shape of the blades decides how quickly the ground bean heap is distributed towards the sides of the portafilter. However, generally speaking, it is desirable that the distributor makes at least one complete revolution regardless of the number of blades. Otherwise, the ground coffee beans can end up on one side in the portafilter, particularly if the “heap” is not centered in the middle of the portafilter.
The axle (5) for rotating the distributor can be produced as a single item or as two or more items that are assembled. It can be hollow or massive. It does not have to be symmetrical or uniform along its entire length. It could, for instance have a radius that varies along its length. The axle could also be completely integrated with the distributor and made as a single item as in embodiment 4
In many embodiments a locking mechanism is implemented so the distributor stops moving when the tamper has reached the end or is near the end of its downward movement. One possible way of implementing such a locking mechanism is shown in
In any embodiment it is possible to make the distributor and tamper, when they are on the same level (when distribution is done), push down just a bit further to ensure that the surface isn't ruined when the device is removed from the portafilter. This can be implemented by using a spring mechanism, with a higher force needed for compression than the other spring mechanisms used in the device, placed so that it does not affect other moving parts in relation to each other, but the whole device.
In many embodiments how far down into the portafilter the ground beans are tamped, that is how far down the tamper moves, is adjustable. Such adjustability can be implemented in many ways, such as by moving the body of the device vertically in relation to the distributor. One way to achieve this is to have threads on the inside of the body and on the outside of the body holder. The operator adjusts by rotating the body in relation to the body holder to the desired setting. When adjustment is implemented in that way it is desirable to prevent undesired rotation of the body in relation to the body holder (7) and thus undesired changes in the setting. This requires some sort of locking mechanism. One possible way is to make changes to the body. The top part, the “roof” or “lid”, of the body is removed making the body open in both ends, shaped like a cylinder or truncated cone. Instead, a lid to the body, fitting partially on and partially inside the upper part of the body, fits into the handle in a way that prevents rotation, (for instance the same way the body holder fits into the handle in
This lid has vertical (i.e., perpendicular to the rotation, parallel to the axis of the rotation) grooves mounted on the outside of the lower part of the lid, the part of the lid that goes into the body. There would need to be matching, vertical grooves on the inside of the upper part of the body. When inserted into the body, grooves on the outside of the lower part of the lid (the part that goes into the body) and grooves inside of the upper part of the body grip each other and prevent rotation of the body.
In embodiment 3
In many embodiments it is desirable to have a contacting means to establish contact between the portafilter and the invention, particularly embodiments intended to be manually operated by a human operator. This contact allows correct distance and position so distributing and tamping happens at the right height and right angle and also putting the portafilter and the invention in a proper concentric fashion. The contacting means can also serve the purpose of steadying the portafilter and the invention. In the figures, the contacting means (104) is simply the lower edge of the body with a radius that matches that of the portafilter. However, we can also imagine a contacting means where the profile of the inventions contacting means, when seen from a direction perpendicular to the radius, matches the corresponding profile of the portafilter such as an abutment on the upper edge of the portafilter fitting into a groove in the contacting means. Contacting may also be releasable fastening with fastening devices.
In embodiments where the invention is directly handled by a human, as opposed to embodiments where the human operator, for instance, just pushes buttons, a handle intended for human grip is desirable.
In embodiments where the invention is directly handled by a human, it is also desirable to have an outer hull, mantle, body or cartridge corresponding to (1) in the figures for protecting the inner parts from ground coffee beans powder that could get stuck and cause trouble. It is also desirable for the reason of preventing damage caused by fingers, pieces of skin or hair getting stuck. It is desirable that this hull, mantle, body or cartridge is removable for repair or cleaning. The hull, mantle, body or cartridge might not be necessary if the invention is part of a larger machine and already encased in the hull of the machine.
The invention can be put on a lever for ease of handling as is the case in embodiment 3 in
The invention can be a relatively simple mechanical tool operated by a human operator and powered by the operator's muscle strength (plus gravity perhaps since it is by far easiest to tamp downwards). However, much more automated embodiments are possible. For instance, the distributor and/or tamping can be machine powered by one or more motors. The invention can also be part of an espresso machine with an automatic bean grinder so the machine grinds, distributes and tamps the beans. In such a machine, the same electrical motor or other driving means could be used for all of the processes of grinding, distributing and tamping. Such an automated embodiment could have many settings for amount of ground coffee, how finely ground the coffee should be, how much the ground coffee should be tamped and how much pressure should be applied when passing water through the ground coffee powder. For most users it would be preferable to just tell the machine what the desired result was, and the machine take this input, and possibly such facts as the type of beans used and the roast level of the beans used and the quality of local water and calculate the best settings for level of grinding, amount of coffee powder, level of tamping, pressure of water, etc. In a more automated embodiment, like the one described above, contacting means like the one in embodiment 1 body holder (7) is less of a necessity than in embodiments where the invention is a relatively simple, human-powered, mechanical tool. Contacting means could be replaced by a “portafilter fastener” where you fasten the portafilter directly under the distributor/tamping device, then regulate how far down into the portafilter the device will distribute/tamp inside the machine above. The threads on the inside of the bodyholder (7) could be replaced with threads on the inside of the machine instead.
The invention can be manufactured in many ways including, but not limited to 3D-printing, stamping, casting and injection molding. Many materials could be used, including but not limited to metals, plastics and composites such as kevlar. There is no particular reason to use the same type of material for all parts of the invention, nor is there a reason that any single part can't be made in two materials, for instance an inner material more suitable for being an inner material coated with another, outer material more suitable for being the outer material. It is highly desirable that the invention is manufactured in such a way and with such materials that lubricants are not necessary in any area near the coffee or water or where the lubricants might reach the coffee or water. It is also desirable that the tolerances between moving parts are smaller than the smallest grains of ground coffee to prevent ground coffee from coming in between the moving parts. This is particularly true for the distributor and tamper.
The invention should withstand at least 300 N+ a suitable margin in vertical direction since some users prefer strong tamping. Materials, manufacturing method and surface treatment should also be chosen while taking into consideration that a professional barista might use it several hundred times a day and will expect the invention to function reliably throughout the day with little maintenance. This ruggedness or reliability should be achieved without making the machine so heavy that it requires significant strength to handle and carry the invention, particularly if it is an embodiment that is intended to be used by a human operator.
Ease of assembly as part of manufacturing and ease of assembly/disassembly as part of repair, maintenance or cleaning is also something that need to be considered when the invention is manufactured. It is desirable that the machine can be disassembled in way that is suitable for washing by dishwasher.
If an embodiment intended for a human operator to handle, grips should be made of materials that are grip-friendly. Parts that get in touch with the ground coffee while in operation should be made in a material suitable for handling substances intended for human consumption. These materials should also be chosen with consideration for how it is desirable to avoid coffee powder sticking to the equipment. Some type of non-stick plastic might be suitable. All materials need to be resistant to humid and wet conditions and easy to clean, preferably both by machine washing and washing/rinsing by hand.
The terms “coffee” and “water” are consistently used throughout the text, for ease of reading, but other types of ground material and other types of liquid suitable for creating a beverage by driving a liquid under pressure through it could also be used with the invention. In the description text, the term “portafilter” is used as this is the most common term used in practice. This should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Many compartments, types of filters and strainers in many materials, forms and shapes might be suitable. Likewise, the term “the invention” used in the description refers to the “device for distributing and tamping a ground, beverage making substance, particularly coffee, held in a compartment such as a filter, portafilter or strainer, as part of a process for making a beverage” of independent claim 1.
To facilitate understanding, terms used in the claims and description referring to orientation, such as “downwards” or “down”, assumes that the invention is held and operated in the normal, most convenient way, so that the portafilter is held essentially horizontally and the tamping is done essentially vertically downwards. It is possible, albeit highly inconvenient, to operate the invention while holding it in a different way. Such terms referring to the orientation should thus not be interpreted as a limitation to the scope of the invention.
It is desirable that the invention can be fully or partially disassembled for purposes such as cleaning, maintenance, repair, examination, shipping or transportation. However, unless otherwise stated, the invention is described and drawn in an assembled, operative state. That is a state where it is in use or ready for immediate use, as opposed to a state where it is fully or partially disassembled for purposes such as cleaning, maintenance, repair, shipping or transportation. This state of being in use or being ready for immediate use is sometimes expressly referred to as “operative state”. However, absence of this phrase should not be interpreted as the invention being in inoperative state, operative state is the default.
The phrase “directly or indirectly attached to one another” used in the first claim refers to the fact that item A and B can be attached to one another by direct gluing, welding or nailing etc, a part of item A “touching” a part of item B, “directly attached”. However, A and B can also be attached to one another by one or more intermediate items. For instance, A can be attached to C and B can be attached to D and C can be attached to D make A and B attached to each other through other items, “indirectly attached”.
The phrase “in operative state the tamper (8) and distributor (9) are concentrically arranged” used in the first claim means that they are concentrically arranged with respect to one another at the same time. It does not refer to a situation where the distributer first takes a first position, then is removed and then the tamper takes a second position where the first and second positions are concentric.
The adjustment device of claims 7-9 are in the embodiments in
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. Features of these embodiments can be combined. For instance, it is possible to mount the invention on a rod and lever like in embodiment 3 while still using the adjustment device of embodiment 1 and 2. We can also imagine an embodiment that can be fitted to a rod and lever like in embodiment 3 but also removed from the rod and lever and used without rod and lever like in embodiment 1 and 2. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2150367-7 | Mar 2021 | SE | national |
This application is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Patent Application No. PCT/SE2022/050074 filed on Jan. 26, 2022, and Swedish Patent Application 2150367-7 filed on Mar. 26, 2021, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2022/050074 | 1/26/2022 | WO |
