WEIGHING DEVICE FOR AN ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE AND AN ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE INCORPORATING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

A weighing device (11) is incorporated into an espresso coffee machine (10). The weighing device (11) is located in a drip tray (12) of the espresso coffee machine (10) under a group (13) thereof. The weighing device (11) has a display (not shown) for indicating the weight of a shot as it is being delivered and the elapsed time from the start of delivery. A start extraction button (not shown) on a pressure adjusting handle (24) mounted on the group (13) is connected to the weighing device (11). In use, movement of the pressure adjusting handle (24) initiates delivery of a shot from the group (13), which movement also activates the weighing device (11) in one mode of operation. Thus, a barista can use the weighing device to calibrate the perfect shot using the weight and time measurements displayed thereon.

Claims

1. A weighing device for an espresso coffee machine, the device comprising a weighing platform locatable in the drip tray area of the espresso coffee machine under a group thereof, a control unit connected to the weighing platform, a start/stop button, a timer unit and a display all being connected to the control unit, such that, in use, the weight of a brewed shot and the time taken to deliver it are measured by the weighing platform and the timer unit respectively, with the results being shown on the display.

2. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the start/stop button is the button on the espresso machine for controlling the delivery of the shot.

3. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, the control unit causes the weight shown on the display, after an empty cup has been placed on the weighing platform, to be zeroed when the start/stop button is pressed to start the delivery of a shot.

4. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the display is located adjacent to the weighing platform.

5. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the display is locatable on a front panel of the espresso machine.

6. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmable to automatically deliver a set weight of brewed shot.

7. A weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit measures the flow rate, during delivery of a brewed shot, with the flow rate being expressed as a ratio between the weight of the brewed shot and the elapsed time since the start of delivery.

8. A weighing device according to claim 7, wherein the flow rate is shown on the display.

9. A weighing device according to claim 7, wherein the flow rate is adjustable.

10. An espresso coffee machine, comprising a weighing platform locatable in the drip tray area of the espresso coffee machine under a group thereof, a control unit connected to the weighing platform, a start/stop button, a timer unit and a display all being connected to the control unit, such that, in use, the weight of a brewed shot and the time taken to deliver it are measured by the weighing platform and the timer unit respectively, with the results being shown on the display.

11. An espresso coffee machine according to claim 10, wherein the start/stop button is the button on the espresso machine for controlling the delivery of the shot.

12. An espresso coffee machine according to claim 10, wherein, in use, the control unit causes the weight shown on the display, after an empty cup has been placed on the weighing platform, to be zeroed when the start/stop button is pressed to start the delivery of a shot.

13. An espresso coffee according to claim 10, wherein the display is located adjacent to the weighing platform.

14. An espresso machine according to claim 10, wherein the display is locatable on a front panel thereof.

15. An espresso machine according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is housed on a circuit board of the machine.

16. An espresso machine according to claim 10, wherein the weighing device and the control unit are located within a housing, which housing is locatable in the drip tray.

17. An espresso machine according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is programmable to automatically deliver a set weight of brewed shot.

18. A weighing device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit measures the flow rate, during delivery of a brewed shot, with the flow rate being expressed as ratio between the weight of the brewed shot and the elapsed time since the start of delivery.

19. A weighing device according to claim 18, wherein the flow rate is shown on the display.

20. A weighing device according to claim 18, wherein the flow rate is adjustable.

21.-22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0056] The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an espresso coffee machine incorporating a weighing device in accordance with the invention;

[0058] FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the drip tray of the espresso machine of FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 3 is a side view of the espresso machine of FIG. 1;

[0060] FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the weighing device, removed from the espresso machine of FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 5 is a side view of the weighing device of FIG. 4;

[0062] FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of the weighing device of FIG. 4; and

[0063] FIG. 7 is a cross-section on the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0064] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, an espresso coffee machine incorporating a weighing device 11 in accordance with the invention. The weighing device 11 is located in a drip tray 12 of the espresso coffee machine 10 under a group 13 thereof.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2, the drip tray 12 is shown from above. A perforated drainer 14 is located in the drip tray 12. A section of the perforated drainer 14 has been removed so that the weighing device 11 can be accommodated in the drip tray 12.

[0066] The weighing device 11 includes a weighing platform 15, located within a housing 16, which weighing platform 15 is accessible through an opening 17 in a top plate 18 of the housing 16. The top plate 18 rests on the perforated drainer 14 to each side of the section, which has been removed. Top surface 19 of weighing platform 15 of the weighing device 11 is proud of surface 20 of the top plate 18 (see FIG. 1).

[0067] A start/stop button 21 is located in the top plate 18, and extends above the surface 19 thereof.

[0068] A display 22 is set into the top plate 18, flush with the surface 20 thereof. The display 22 is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3 the espresso coffee machine 10 is seen from the side. The start/stop button 21 and the weighing platform 15 are proud of the surface 20 of the top plate 18.

[0070] A dashed line 23 indicates an electrical connection between the weighing device 11 and a start extraction button (not shown) on a pressure adjusting handle 24 (see also FIG. 1) mounted on the group 13. In use, movement of the pressure adjusting handle 24 initiates delivery of a shot from the group 13, which movement also activates the weighing device 11 in one mode of operation.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7 the weighing device 11 is shown in more detail.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 the housing 16 includes the top plate 18 to the underside 25 of which are fixed a front enclosed compartment 26 and a rear shelf 27 with nuts 28 and bolts 29.

[0073] The weighing platform 15 is mounted on the shelf 27 (see FIG. 5).

[0074] Referring to FIG. 6 the weighing device 11 is seen from above. A plurality of drain holes 30 are drilled through the shelf 27, and these drain holes 30 allow any spills around the weighing platform 15, in use, to drain away to the drip tray 12.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 7 the weighing platform 15 sits on a load cell 31. A control unit 32, incorporating a timer (not shown separately), is located in the front enclosed compartment 26.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, in use, the espresso coffee machine 10 can be operated in at least two modes.

[0077] In the first mode the operational flow is generally as follows: [0078] 1. Grind a chosen dose of dry coffee into a portafilter (not shown; [0079] 2. Insert the portafilter into the espresso coffee machine group 13; [0080] 3. Operate the start extraction button on the pressure adjusting handle 24 to start delivery of a shot; [0081] a. Through an electrical connection to the weighing device 11, this also immediately zeroes (tares) the weighing device 11 and starts the tinier; [0082] b. A digital readout on the display 22 shows the barista the weight of the shot and the elapsed time side-by side; [0083] 4. Position espresso cups/cappuccino cups/paper cups on the weighing platform 15 under the portafilter/group 13; [0084] a. The weighing device 11 detects a change in load greater than would be expected through production of the beverage and auto-tares the weighing device 11; [0085] b. The brew flows into the cups until the barista stops the pour by operating the start extraction button again; [0086] c. When the pour is stopped, the timer is stopped; [0087] d. The LCD readout now tells the barista both the final shot weight and the time of the shot.

[0088] With this workflow the barista can taste the delivered shot, and if he is unhappy he can adjust the grind to speed up or slow down delivery of the preferred brew ratio, thus calibrating the perfect shot.

[0089] Alternatively the auto-tare function on the weighing device 11 can be disabled, and a resultant workflow would be as follows: [0090] 1. Grind a chosen dose of dry coffee into the portafilter; [0091] 2. Insert the portafilter into the espresso coffee machine group 13; [0092] 3. Position espresso cups/cappuccino cups/paper cups on the weighing platform 15 under the portafilter/group 13; [0093] 4. Operate the start extraction button on the pressure adjusting handle 24 to start delivery of a shot; [0094] a. Through an electrical connection to the weighing device 11, this also immediately zeroes (tares) the weighing device 11 and starts the timer; [0095] b. A digital readout on the display 22 shows the barista the weight of the shot and the elapsed time side-by side; [0096] c. The brew flows into the cups until the barista stops the pour by operating the start extraction button again; [0097] d. When the pour is stopped, the timer is stopped; [0098] e. The digital readout now tells the barista both the final shot weight and the time of the shot.