Adjustable Portafilter and Grind Adjustment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016242590-A1
Application number	US-201415027244-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2014
Priority date	Oct 8, 2013
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A portafilter apparatus for an espresso machine, the apparatus comprising: a metal head that is attachable to a group head of the espresso machine, the head defines a coffee grounds compartment for containing a quantity of ground coffee; and a perforated movable floor within the head; the floor forms a filter and defines the base of the coffee grounds compartment, the floor is vertically movable with respect to the head to adjust a volume of the coffee grounds compartment.

First claim

1 . A portafilter apparatus for an espresso machine, the apparatus comprising:
a metal head that is attachable to a group head of the espresso machine, the head defines a coffee grounds compartment for containing a quantity of ground coffee; a perforated movable floor within the head; the floor forms a filter and defines the base of the coffee grounds compartment, the floor is vertically movable with respect to the head; and the perforated floor is supported by a moving floor body the body includes a vertical thread rack that is driven by a pinion and bevel gear assembly to adjust a volume of the coffee grounds compartment.

2 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , the apparatus further including:
a handle coupled to the head; and a volume adjustment selector located about the free end of the handle is operatively associated with the floor, such that rotation of the selector causes the floor to raise or lower with respect to the head.

3 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the pinion and bevel gear assembly is rotated by a main shaft that passes through the handle; and rotation of the volume adjustment selector causes rotation of the shaft to raise or lower the floor with respect to the head.

4 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein:
a gearbox located about the free end of the handle terminates the shaft, such that rotation of the volume adjustment selector actuates the gearbox to cause rotation of the shaft.

5 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein:
the gearbox is a planetary gearbox.

6 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
hot water from the group head enters an open mouth of the compartment, passes through the ground coffee and exits the compartment through the perforated floor.

7 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the floor is associated with a circumferential seal that extends between the floor and an interior side wall of the compartment.

8 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
volume of the coffee grounds compartment is continuously adjustable between a predefined minimum volume and a predefined maximum volume.

9 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 1 , the apparatus further including:
a controller module that receives signals from one or more sensors associates with the portafilter.

10 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 9 , the apparatus further including:
a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the head and transmits a signal indicative of the temperature state to the controller module. ii. The portafilter apparatus according to claim 9 , the apparatus further including: a position sensor that provides a signal indicative of a volume state of the coffee grounds compartment to the controller module.

12 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein:
the position sensor measures a rotational position of the selector or main shaft

13 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 9 , the apparatus further including:
a display module coupled to the controller module for presenting information of a state indicated by the one or more sensors.

14 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 9 , the apparatus further including:
a receiver that receives a data signal from an appliance for configuring settings of the controller module.

15 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 14 , the apparatus further including:
the receiver receives electromagnetic energy to charge an internal power source and/or a capacitor for powering the controller module.

16 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver.

17 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 9 , the apparatus further including:
a transmitter that transmits a data signal to an associated appliance for configuring setting of the associated appliance.

18 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein:
the transmitter transmits a data signal indicative of a volume of the coffee grounds compartment to the espresso machine for configuring a water delivery volume.

19 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein:
the transmitter transmits a data signal indicative of a volume of the coffee grounds compartment to a coffee grinder machine for configuring a ground coffee delivery volume.

20 . The portafilter apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

Assignees

• Breville R & D Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Grassia Robert

Classifications

• A47J31/38

  operated by hand · CPC title

• A47J31/0647 Primary

  with means to adjust the brewing chamber volume to accommodate different quantities of brewing material · CPC title

• A47J2031/0694

  with indicating means to aid the measurement of ground coffee contained therein · CPC title

• A47J31/0663

  to be used with loose coffee (A47J31/0689 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47J31/4403

  Constructional details · CPC title