AU2009202486A1

AU2009202486A1 - Hopper system for coffee grinder

Info

Publication number: AU2009202486A1
Application number: AU2009202486A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Corkin; Mark James Whitecombe
Original assignee: Sunbeam Corp Pty Ltd; Sunbeam Corp
Current assignee: Sunbeam Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-19
Filing date: 2009-06-19
Publication date: 2010-01-14

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Hopper system for coffee grinder The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Hopper System for Coffee Grinder Field of the invention The invention relates to equipment for making coffee and, in particular, to a hopper system for feeding coffee beans into a coffee grinder. 5 Background of the invention There are many coffee preparation systems in which a coffee-bean holder may be removably mounted on a coffee grinder. When the holder is in place, the beans are fed to the grinder for grinding. The coffee beans may be transported to the grinder using the holder as a receptacle. 10 One problem that arises is that when the coffee-bean holder is removed, there may be residual coffee beans in the grinder. It may not be possible to grind these beans without the holder being mounted in place. Consequently, the residual beans may stay in the grinder until a subsequent use. In the interim, the beans may have become stale, affecting the quality of the subsequent grind. In addition, the subsequent grind may use 15 a different type of coffee bean and it may not be desirable to mix the different types of bean. It would be advantageous to have a coffee preparation system in which residual beans in a coffee grinder may be safely processed before further beans are added to the grinder. Any reference in the specification to the prior art does not constitute an admission that 20 such prior art was well known or forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction. Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

3 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a coffee-bean container comprising: a hopper for holding coffee beans and having an outlet; and an interface for coupling the hopper and a coffee grinder, wherein the interface is 5 configured to support the hopper and defines a shaft that, in use, is aligned with the outlet to form a passage for coffee beans to pass from the hopper to the coffee grinder; the interface comprising: a coupling means operable to detachably couple the interface and the coffee grinder; 10 a closure unit having at least one shutter movable to variably constrict the passage to selectively permit or obstruct the flow of coffee beans; and a rotary actuator arranged to move the at least one shutter relative to the passage, wherein the actuator functions independently of the coupling means. The interface may comprise an interlock arrangement that, in use, cooperates with a 15 complementary sensor arrangement in the coffee grinder to provide an indication that the coffee-bean container is coupled to the coffee grinder. The interlock arrangement may comprise one or more flanges arranged to activate the complementary sensor arrangement if the coupling means couples the interface and the coffee grinder. 20 The closure unit may comprise an iris shutter having a plurality of plates that together define a central aperture that, in use, is concentrically aligned with the passage. In the coffee-bean container, rotation of the rotary actuator may cause the plurality of plates to move relative to one another, thereby varying a radial dimension of the central aperture.

4 In one arrangement the plates may be constrained to move in a single plane, wherein edges of each plate slide against edges of adjacent plates as the central aperture is varied. Alternatively, the plates may slide over adjacent plates as the dimension of the central aperture varies. 5 The coupling means may comprise a bayonet-type fitting. The rotary actuator may comprise a rotatable ring coupled to the closure unit and defining a central hole that, in use, is aligned with the passage. The rotatable ring may comprise a frusto-conical wall and an annular base that are configured to receive the hopper. 10 The coffee-bean container may comprise an indicator to show the relative position of the rotary actuator and the hopper. The indicator may be formed in the rotary actuator. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a coffee-bean container comprising: 15 a hopper for holding coffee beans and having an outlet; and an interface for coupling the hopper and a coffee grinder, wherein the interface is configured to support the hopper and defines a shaft that, in use, is aligned with the outlet to form a passage for coffee beans to pass from the hopper to the coffee grinder; the interface comprising: 20 a coupling means operable to detachably couple the interface and the coffee grinder; a closure unit having at least one shutter movable to variably constrict the passage to selectively permit or obstruct the flow of coffee beans; and 5 a rotary actuator arranged to move the at least one shutter relative to the passage, wherein the actuator is operable to close the shutter while the hopper is coupled to the coffee grinder via the coupling means. Brief description of the drawings 5 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig 1A shows a hopper system mounted on a coffee grinder; Fig 1B shows an exploded view of the hopper system of Fig 1A, the hopper system including an iris shutter for closing off the hopper; 10 Figs 2A-2E show different views of the hopper system of Fig 1 B with the iris in an open configuration; Figs 3A-3E show different views of the hopper system of Fig 1B when the iris is in a partially closed configuration, partially constricting an outlet of the hopper system; Figs 4A-4E show different views of the hopper system of Fig 1 B with the iris in a closed 15 configuration in which the outlet of the hopper system is closed off. Detailed description of the embodiments Fig 1A shows a hopper system 1 mounted on a coffee grinder 100. The hopper system 1 includes a hopper 3 used to hold coffee beans. The hopper 3 has a generally cylindrical shape and may be open at an upper end so that coffee beans can easily be 20 added to the hopper 3. Alternatively, the hopper 3 may have a removable top or lid. As will be described in more detail below, the hopper 3 has an outlet through which coffee beans may flow, for example to reach the coffee grinder 100. The hopper system 1 includes a closure unit that is operable to partially or completely obstruct the outlet. The hopper system 1 includes an actuator 7 that is mechanically linked to the closure 25 unit. In the illustrated arrangement, the actuator 7 is a flow dial that is coaxially mounted 6 relative to the generally cylindrical hopper 3. Rotating the actuator 7 variably adjusts the configuration of the closure unit, thereby controlling the flow of the coffee beans out of the hopper 3. The hopper system 1 also includes a coupling system for coupling the hopper to a 5 coffee grind dial 60 on the grinder 100. When the hopper system is mounted, the coffee grind dial is positioned generally coaxially with the hopper 3 and the actuator 7. The grind dial 60 may, for example, be used to set the fineness of grind. In one arrangement the grinder 100 includes a rotating burr and the grind dial 60 may be moved to adjust the spacing within the burr. 10 The coffee grinder 100 has an outlet 102. Ground coffee powder may be collected from the outlet 102 and used in the subsequent preparation of coffee. Fig 1 B shows the components of the hopper system 1 in greater detail, together with the grind dial 60 that is configured to receive the hopper system. The hopper 3 has a generally cylindrical body and a lower portion that is configured to be supported by the 15 coffee flow dial 7, also referred to herein as an actuator. In one arrangement, the hopper 3 includes three posts 5 that serve to hold the hopper 3 in position relative to the other components of the hopper system 1. Although not visible in Fig 1B, the hopper 3 has an outlet through which coffee beans may flow, passing through the other components of the hopper system 1 and into the 20 coffee grinder 100. In use, the hopper 3 is fitted into the coffee flow dial 7. The dial or actuator 7 has a frusto-conical wall 9 shaped to receive the lower portion of the hopper 3. The flow dial 7 also has an annular base 13 on which the base of the hopper 3 rests in use. The annular base 13 defines a centre hole 15 that, in use, is aligned with the outlet of the 25 hopper 3. The annular base 13 of the coffee flow dial 7 includes a plurality of elongated slots 17. In use, the posts 5 of the hopper 3 are each positioned in a corresponding elongated slot 17. The coffee flow dial 7 may be rotated relative to the hopper 3. As the dial 7 is rotated, the posts 5 move along their respective elongated slots 17. Thus, the 7 length of the elongated slots 17 defines the extent of the relative movement of the dial 7 relative to the hopper 3. An indicator 11 is formed in the wall 9 of the coffee flow dial 7. The indicator 11 serves to show the position of the coffee flow dial 7 relative to the hopper 3. In the illustrated 5 arrangement the indicator 11 is a hole in the wall 9. It will be appreciated that other forms of indicator may be used. For example, a tab or pointer may be formed on the wall 9 to indicate the relative movement of the dial 7 and hopper 3. The annular base 13 of the coffee flow dial 7 also includes a plurality of peg-holes 19. As illustrated, the peg-holes 19 are formed at regular angular intervals around the 10 centre hole 15. The peg-holes 19 have a generally elliptical shape that is longer along the radial direction of the annular base than along the circumferential direction of the base 13. In use, the coffee flow dial 7 is positioned on an iris shutter 30 that includes a plurality of plates 31. A peg 33 passes through each plate 31. When the system 1 is assembled, 15 the pegs 33 are each accommodated in a respective peg-hole 19 of the coffee flow dial 7. Rotating the coffee flow dial 7 causes the pegs 33 to move, thereby moving the plates 31. It will be understood that other mechanisms for linking the coffee flow dial 7 and the iris 30 may be used. In the illustrated arrangement, the plates 31 each have a generally triangular shape. A 20 central aperture 35 is defined by the inner edges of the plates 31. When the hopper system 1 is assembled, the aperture 35 aligns with the centre hole 15 of the coffee flow dial 7 and the outlet of the hopper 3 to form a passageway for coffee beans to flow through. As will be shown in more detail below, as the pegs 33 are moved, the plates 31 slide against one another to variably constrict the centre aperture 35 of the iris 30. The 25 iris 30 may be shifted between a fully open configuration and a closed configuration in which the centre aperture 35 is closed off, either entirely or sufficiently to obstruct the flow of coffee beans. In the illustrated arrangement the plates 31 remain in a single plane. In other arrangements one or more of the plates may slide over or under 8 adjacent plates as the iris is opened or closed. The number of plates used may vary in different arrangements. The plates 31 are generally planar and in use are assembled in a plane generally parallel to the annular base 13 of the flow dial 7. In the illustrated arrangement, as the 5 pegs 33 are rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the plates 31 slide against one another to constrict the centre aperture 35. As shown, an upper portion of each peg 33 protrudes above the respective plates 31 for insertion into the counterpart peg hole 19. The pegs also protrude from a lower surface of the plates 31. The lower protrusions are positioned in a hexagonal track 43 formed in 10 the insert 40. Thus, as the iris 30 is rotated, the lower portion of the pegs 33 slide along a respective length of the hexagonal track 43. The iris 30 acts as a closure unit for the hopper system 1. The insert 40 also includes 3 post-holes 41 configured to receive the posts 5. Thus, when the hopper system 1 is assembled, the posts 5 of the hopper 3 pass through the 15 elongated slots 17 of the coffee flow dial 7 and are positioned in respective post-holes 41. The coffee flow dial 7 may accordingly be rotated with respect to the insert 40 as well as relative to the hopper 3. The insert 40, which may be made of plastic, has a central shaft 45. When the hopper system 1 is assembled, the shaft 45 aligns with the holes 35 and 15 and the outlet of 20 hopper 3 to form a passage for coffee beans. The insert 40 is, in use, concentrically accommodated in the coffee grind dial 60 of the grinder 100. In one arrangement, a bayonet-type coupling system is used to fasten the insert to an inner surface of the coffee grind dial 60. An L-shaped groove 49 is formed in an outer surface of the insert 40. Typically, there are two or more such L-shaped 25 grooves 49 in the insert 40. Each groove 49 corresponds to a tab 61 formed on the inner surface of the coffee grind dial 60. During assembly, each tab 61 is introduced into the open mouth of the corresponding L-shaped groove 49. As the insert 40 is moved down relative to the coffee grind dial 60, the tabs 61 move along the entry-arm of the L- 9 shaped groove 49. When the tabs 61 have reached the corner of the grooves 49, the insert 40 may be rotated relative to the coffee grind dial 60, causing the tabs 61 to move along the second arm of the L-shaped grooves 49. This coupling arrangement serves to hold the insert 40 fast relative to the coffee grind dial 60. 5 In addition, a safety interlock arrangement may be provided such that the coffee grinder 100 can only be operated when the insert 40 is coupled in place in the grind dial 60. In the illustrated arrangement, one or more flanges 47 protrude from the lower surface of the insert 40. When assembled, the flanges 47 press down on corresponding sprung members 63 provided in the coffee grind dial 60. When the insert 40 is pressed down 10 relative to the coffee grind dial 60 such that the bayonet-type fastening mechanism 61, 49 is engaged, the flanges 47 press down on the sprung members 63. This activates an interlock circuit or arrangement, permitting the coffee grinder to be activated. If the insert 40 is loose relative to the coffee grind dial 60, then the sprung members 63 are not depressed and the coffee grinder cannot be activated. It will be appreciated that 15 other types of safety interlock may be used. For example, the grinder 100 may include one or more sensors that detect when the hopper system 1 is in position. The grinding mechanism may only be activated when the hopper is detected. The sensors may be, for example, mechanical, magnetic, conductive or inductive. Figs 2A-2E show various views of the hopper system 1 with the iris 30 in an open 20 configuration. Fig 2A shows an elevation view. The position of the indicator 11 shows that the iris is open. Fig 2B shows a top view with a clear passageway 70 through the hopper system 1. Fig 2C is a partial sectional view from above, showing the relative positions of the plates 31 with the iris 30 in the open configuration. Fig 2D is a perspective view, which is shown in section in Fig 2E. Again, the relative 25 positions of the plates 31 may be seen in the sectional view. Fig 2E also shows the posts 5 that are used to support the hopper 3 in the insert 40. Figs 3A-3E show various views of the hopper system 1 when the coffee flow dial 7 has been rotated such that the iris is in a partially closed configuration. Fig 3A is an end view showing the position of the indicator 11. Fig 3B shows a top view with a partially 10 constricted passageway 72 through the hopper system 1. The cut-away top view of Fig 3C illustrates the relative positions of the plates 31 in the partially closed configuration. Fig 3D is a perspective view. The arrow 80 indicates the direction in which the coffee flow dial 7 is rotated in order to open the iris 30. Fig 3E is a cut-away sectional view 5 showing the relative position of the plates 31 in the partially closed configuration. Figs 4A-4E show various views of the hopper system 1 with the iris 30 in a fully closed configuration. Fig 4A is an end view and Fig 4B is a top view showing that the passageway 74 through the hopper system 1 has been closed off. Fig 4C is a sectional top view showing the relative configuration of the plates 31 in the closed configuration. 10 Fig 4D is a perspective view and Fig 4E is a sectional view showing the relative position of the plates 31 of the iris 30. The dial 7 may be rotated independently of the engagement mechanism. In use, the iris may be closed so that coffee beans may be contained in the hopper 3. The hopper system 1 is then mounted on the coffee grinder 100. The user rotates the dial 7 to open 15 the iris 30, enabling the coffee beans to flow through to the grinder 100. When sufficient coffee has been ground, the user rotates the dial 7 to close off the iris 30. The grinder 100 may then be activated to grind any residual coffee beans in the grinder or the shaft 45 beneath the closed iris. The hopper system 1 may then be removed from the coffee grind dial 60. If the iris 30 is closed, beans remaining in the hopper 3 will not spill 20 through the outlet of the hopper 3. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 25 It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Claims

1. A coffee-bean container comprising: a hopper for holding coffee beans and having an outlet; and an interface for coupling the hopper and a coffee grinder, wherein the interface is 5 configured to support the hopper and defines a shaft that, in use, is aligned with the outlet to form a passage for coffee beans to pass from the hopper to the coffee grinder; the interface comprising: a coupling means operable to detachably couple the interface and the coffee grinder; 10 a closure unit having at least one shutter movable to variably constrict the passage to selectively permit or obstruct the flow of coffee beans; and a rotary actuator arranged to move the at least one shutter relative to the passage, wherein the actuator functions independently of the coupling means.

2. The coffee-bean container of claim 1 wherein the interface comprises an interlock 15 arrangement that, in use, cooperates with a complementary sensor arrangement in the coffee grinder to provide an indication that the coffee-bean container is coupled to the coffee grinder.

3. The coffee-bean container of claim 2 wherein the interlock arrangement comprises one or more flanges arranged to activate the complementary sensor 20 arrangement if the coupling means couples the interface and the coffee grinder.

4. The coffee-bean container of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the closure unit comprises an iris shutter having a plurality of plates that together define a central aperture that, in use, is concentrically aligned with the passage.

5. The coffee-bean container of claim 4, wherein rotation of the rotary actuator 25 causes the plurality of plates to move relative to one another, thereby varying a radial dimension of the central aperture. 12

6. The coffee-bean container of claim 5 wherein the plates are constrained to move in a single plane, wherein edges of each plate slide against edges of adjacent plates as the central aperture is varied.

7. The coffee-bean container of claim 5 wherein the plates slide over adjacent 5 plates as the dimension of the central aperture varies.

8. The coffee-bean container of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the coupling means comprises a bayonet-type fitting.

9. The coffee-bean container of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the rotary actuator comprises a rotatable ring coupled to the closure unit and defining a central hole that, in 10 use, is aligned with the passage.

10. The coffee-bean container of claim 9 wherein the rotatable ring comprises a frusto-conical wall and an annular base that are configured to receive the hopper.

11. The coffee-bean container of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising an indicator to show the relative position of the rotary actuator and the hopper. 15

12. The coffee-bean container of claim 11 wherein the indicator is formed in the rotary actuator.

13. A coffee-bean container comprising: a hopper for holding coffee beans and having an outlet; and an interface for coupling the hopper and a coffee grinder, wherein the interface is 20 configured to support the hopper and defines a shaft that, in use, is aligned with the outlet to form a passage for coffee beans to pass from the hopper to the coffee grinder; the interface comprising: a coupling means operable to detachably couple the interface and the coffee grinder; 25 a closure unit having at least one shutter movable to variably constrict the passage to selectively permit or obstruct the flow of coffee beans; and a rotary actuator arranged to move the at least one shutter relative to the 13 passage, wherein the actuator is operable to close the shutter while the hopper is coupled to the coffee grinder via the coupling means.