APPARATUS FOR MEASURING OPERATING PARAMETERS OF ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINES

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of espresso coffee machines, comprising: a filter-holder body configured to be associated with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine; said body internally defining a chamber for the passage of the water dispensed by said nozzle; a filling element arranged in said chamber and having a cavity for the passage of the water dispensed by the nozzle towards an outlet duct; a water outlet terminal element associated with said filter-holder body downstream of said chamber and defining said water outlet duct; and reading means for the water pressure and temperature values passing from the chamber to the outlet duct; said reading means comprise at least one pressure reading device operatively engaged with said water outlet terminal element and at least one temperature reading device operatively engaged at said cavity obtained in the filling element.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of espresso coffee machines, comprising: a filter-holder body configured to be associated with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine, said body internally defining a chamber for the passage of the water dispensed by said nozzle; a filling element, arranged in said chambers and having a cavity for the passage of the water dispensed by the nozzle towards an outlet duct; a water outlet terminal element associated with said filter-holder body downstream of said chamber and defining said water outlet duct; and reading means for the pressure and temperature values of the water passing from the chamber to the outlet duct; wherein said reading means comprise at least one pressure reading device operatively engaged to said water outlet terminal element and at least one temperature reading device operatively engaged at said cavity obtained in the filling element.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature reading device comprises a thermocouple having a probe extending through an opening defining the entrance of the cavity formed in the filling element.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said opening is formed on an upper surface of the filling element having a concave profile to define a water stagnation zone inside of which the probe develops.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said thermocouple is of a “T” type.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said temperature reading device comprises a digital thermometer engaged to said thermocouple for displaying, monitoring and recording temperature values of the water detected by the probe.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said thermocouple has a support element of the probe, which can be reversibly engaged inside a through hole obtained in said filling element; said through hole developing from a lower surface of the filter-holder body to the upper surface.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filling element comprises a substantially cylindrical body made of polyoxymethylene.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outlet terminal element has a substantially cylindrical and internally hollow shape; said element having a water flow rate adjuster arranged at an end of the element opposed to the filter-holder body, to create a water flow resistance.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure reading device comprises a pressure gauge having a connection channel associated in fluid communication with said outlet duct; said pressure gauge also having a displaying dial for the water pressure value in said outlet duct.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises filtering means arranged in said cavity for the passage of the water obtained in the filling element.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said filtering means comprise a first reticular element arranged in said opening defining the entrance of water into the cavity; said first reticular element being configured to retain residues of ground coffee.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said filtering means comprise a second reticular element arranged in said passage cavity and close to the terminal element; said second reticular element being configured to retain any impurities smaller than those of ground coffee.

13. Procedure for measuring the operating parameters of espresso coffee machines, comprising the phases of: associating a filter-holder body with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine, said body defining internally a chamber for the passage of the water dispensed by said nozzle; supply pressurized water through a cavity for the passage of the water dispensed from the nozzle towards an outlet duct, said cavity being formed in a filling element arranged in said chamber; and dispensing the water through the outlet duct obtained in a terminal element associated with said filter-holder body downstream of the chamber; wherein it further comprises the phases of: detecting a water pressure value in said outlet duct during the entire water dispensing phase and; detecting a water temperature value at the passage cavity obtained in the filling element.

Description

[0034] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative description, and therefore not limiting, of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of the espresso coffee machines as illustrated in the appended drawing wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of the espresso coffee machines according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from an upper perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a respective assembled condition;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from a lower perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a respective assembled condition;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along the line A-A of a construction detail of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a construction detail of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0040] With reference to the appended figures, reference numeral 1 generally indicates an apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of an espresso coffee machine (not illustrated since it is not part of the present invention).

[0041] The apparatus 1 comprising a filter-holder body 2 configured to be associated with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine.

[0042] In particular, the filter-holder body 2 has a hollow element 3 having a substantially circular section and provided with a grip handle 4 extending transversely from the hollow element 3.

[0043] The hollow element 3, which has suitable flanges 3a for coupling to the espresso coffee machine, internally defines a chamber 5 for the passage of the water dispensed by the dispensing nozzle of the machine.

[0044] The cup-shaped filter 10 develops inside the entire hollow element 3 to receive a filling element 6 arranged in the chamber 5 and having a cavity 7 for the passage of the water.

[0045] The cavity 7 defines a water path from the nozzle and towards an outlet duct 8 obtained inside a water outlet terminal element 9.

[0046] In greater detail, as better illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the terminal element 9 is engaged with the filter-holder body 2 and in particular with the filling element 6 downstream of the mentioned chamber 5.

[0047] As better illustrated in the sectional views of FIGS. 4 and 5, the filling element 6 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical body preferably made of polyoxymethylene and having an upper surface 11 facing the machine dispensing nozzle and a lower surface 12 facing the terminal element 9.

[0048] The upper surface 11 has a concave profile to define a stagnation zone 13 of the water dispensed under pressure from the machine.

[0049] Moreover, on the upper surface 11 an opening 14 is obtained for accessing the cavity 7 for the passage of the water.

[0050] The apparatus 1 further comprises reading means 15 for the pressure and temperature values of the water passing from the chamber 5 to the outlet duct 8.

[0051] Advantageously, the reading means 15 comprise at least one pressure reading device 16 operatively engaged to the water outlet terminal element 9 and at least one temperature reading device 17 operatively engaged at the cavity 7 obtained in the filling element 6.

[0052] More particularly, the temperature reading device 17 comprises a thermocouple 18 equipped with a probe 19 extending through the mentioned opening 14 as better illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0053] It should be noted in particular that the probe 19 is arranged in the water stagnation zone 13 in order to allow a more accurate reading of the temperature of the fluid passing towards the cavity 7 obtained in the filling element 6. The probe 19 preferably has a diameter of 1 mm and a length of about 30 mm.

[0054] Preferably, the thermocouple 18 is of the “T” type, with mineral insulation, capable of measuring the temperature within a tenth of a degree.

[0055] The thermocouple 18 also has a support element 20 of the probe 19, which acts as an insulated sheath, which can be reversibly engaged inside a through hole 21 obtained in the filling element 6.

[0056] In this situation, the through hole 21 develops from the lower surface 12 to the upper surface 11 of the element 6 (FIG. 4).

[0057] The support element 20 is in the form of a circular section sleeve to be inserted in the hole 21 positioning the respective probe 19 in the mentioned stagnation zone 13 and near the opening 14.

[0058] In order to carry out the cleaning and maintenance operations of the apparatus, the support element 20 can be removed from the hole 21 and removed from the element 6.

[0059] The temperature reading device 17 further comprises a digital thermometer 22 engaged with the thermocouple 18 by means of suitable connectors not described in detail since they are of a known type.

[0060] The digital thermometer 22 has a display 22a for the constant displaying and mapping of the temperature values.

[0061] Moreover, the thermometer 22 provides for the recording of the water temperature values detected in a determined period, as well as comparing them thereto and with respective preset machine operating parameters. The digital thermometer 22 is also configured to be coupled to other types of thermocouples, for example of the “J” or “K” type, making it versatile and usable for different measurement needs.

[0062] The outlet terminal element 9 has a substantially cylindrical and internally hollow conformation to define the mentioned water outlet duct 8 coming from the chamber 5. Furthermore, a water flow rate adjuster 23 is preferably provided, arranged at one end of the element 9 opposite to the filter-holder body 2.

[0063] The adjuster 23 preferably has a passage hole with a diameter of 0.3 mm to create a water flow resistance.

[0064] The dimensions of the passage hole, together with the dimensions of the cavity 7 obtained in the filling element 6, determines an optimal flow rate condition which reproduces the normal operation of the machine during the espresso coffee production phase.

[0065] The pressure reading device 16 advantageously comprises a pressure gauge 24 having a connection channel 25 associated in fluid communication with the outlet duct 8 of the terminal 9.

[0066] The connection channel 25 extends transversely with respect to the flow direction and is removably engaged to the terminal 9 to allow its removal and to carry out maintenance and total cleaning of the water passage ducts.

[0067] The pressure gauge 24 also has a displaying dial 26 of water pressure value in the outlet duct, designed to give a constant indication of such pressure value.

[0068] Finally, the apparatus 1 comprises filtering means 27 arranged in the cavity 7 for the passage of the water obtained in the filling element 6.

[0069] The filtering means 27 comprise a first reticular element 28 arranged in the opening 14 defining the entrance of water into the cavity 7.

[0070] The first reticular element 28, preferably made of stainless steel, has the task of retaining any powdered coffee residue.

[0071] The filtering means 27 also comprise a second reticular element 29 arranged downstream of the first element 28, within the cavity 7 and next to the output terminal element 9.

[0072] This second reticular element 29 is preferably made of bronze and is configured to retain any impurities smaller than those of the ground coffee that can block the water passageways.

[0073] The use of the two reticular elements 28, 29 arranged in series ensures maximum cleaning of the water passage ducts and therefore efficiency of use of the apparatus 1 as well as a long life.

[0074] The apparatus 1 described above in a predominantly structural sense, is used according to a process also object of the present invention.

[0075] The procedure for measuring the operating parameters of espresso coffee machines, comprising the phases of: [0076] associating the filter-holder body 2 with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine, wherein the body 2 defines internally a chamber 5 for the passage of the water dispensed by the nozzle; [0077] supplying pressurized water through the cavity 7 of passage towards the outlet duct 8; [0078] detecting a water pressure value in the outlet duct 8 during the entire water dispensing phase; and [0079] detecting a water temperature value at the passage cavity 7 obtained in the filling element 6.

[0080] In particular, the temperature value detecting phase is carried out by the thermocouple 18 at the water stagnation zone 13, that is to say just within the zone where the water leaches within the coffee powder.

[0081] Advantageously, the temperature reading device 17 carries out a very accurate temperature measurement and in a position of real effect on the finished product (espresso coffee).

[0082] Such advantage is given both by the type of “T” type thermocouple capable of measuring the temperature within a tenth of a degree, and by the positioning of the probe 19 within the mentioned water stagnation zone 13. Therefore, the temperature that is detected is exactly that of the beverage obtained which affects the organoleptic features of the finished product.

[0083] It should also be noted that the positioning of the probe 19 within the chamber 5 is carried out in a simple manner by inserting the probe 19 and the respective support element 20 through the hole 21 obtained in the filling element 6. In this position the probe 19 does not contact any part of the filter-holder body 2 to ensure a correct reading of the temperature value. A further advantage of the present invention is determined by the pressure reading device 16 arranged along the outlet duct 8 of the terminal 9. In this case, the pressure gauge 24 is preserved from the vibrations normally present on the handle, and from the possible entrance of impurities present in the leaching chamber 5.

[0084] Therefore, even the detection of the pressure value is carried out in a very accurate manner, giving a real measurement of the water pressure during the coffee extraction phase. Moreover, the presence of the filtering means 27 guarantees the absolute cleanliness within the water passage ducts, retaining any possible impurities in solid form that could interfere with the correct reading of the machine operating parameters. Finally, the apparatus 1 is structurally very simple to carry out the periodic cleaning and maintenance operations. This constructive simplicity allows each component to be disassembled, as shown in FIG. 1, and for cleaning to be carried out on each element for the passage of water.