AU2012268779B2 - Dispensing appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing appliance (1) for dispensing coffee grinds into a filter assembly (100) comprising: a body (3); a cradle (5) for receiving the filter assembly (100), wherein the cradle (5) is moveable relative to the body (3) between a first and second position; a dispensing assembly (7) for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly (100), wherein the dispensing assembly (7) is operable to dispense coffee grinds by moving the cradle (5) to the second position. Cl Iu 3 Figure 3

Description

P/00/0 11 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Dispensing appliance The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Dispensing appliance Field of the invention The present invention relates to a dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds. In a particular application, the dispensing appliance includes a grinder to enable the appliance to 5 grind and dispense coffee beans. Background of the invention Coffee is an extremely popular beverage in today's society. One of the most popular forms of coffee is espresso coffee. Espresso coffee is made by heating water and using pressure to force that heated water through finely ground coffee beans. 10 A filter assembly typically includes a filter receptacle for holding a filter receptacle, a filter and a handle. The filter assembly is usually involved in at least three steps in the espresso making process. The first step is to fill the filter with ground coffee beans. This is generally done by holding the filter assembly under a coffee grinder or coffee chopper, that typically have a "burr grinder" or "blade grinder". The second step is to apply pressure to the ground coffee 15 beans in the filter to compress the ground coffee into a tamped puck. The third step is actually making the espresso coffee by sealing the filter receptacle to the coffee machine's group head and applying pressurised hot water through the puck of ground coffee beans in the filter. The espresso coffee is usually dispensed through a spout beneath the filter receptacle. Electric coffee grinders and electric coffee choppers grind or chop coffee beans. These 20 processes are usually controlled either manually or automatically by user interface controls located on the grinder. A factor in determining the strength and quality of the espresso coffee is the amount of coffee grinds in the filter assembly. One automated method to provide a consistent "dosage" of coffee dispensed to the filter assembly is to grind the coffee beans and dispense the coffee grinds to a specified time interval. This may provide a consistent dosage 25 result for a grinder set at a specified "coarseness" setting, and with a specific type of coffee bean. However, where a user chooses to vary the "coarseness" of the grind, or selects another type of coffee bean, these variations may alter the resultant dosage amount on a grinder that grinds according to a specified time interval. As a result, it may be necessary to "top up" by adding further coffee grinds to the filter assembly.

3 It would be desirable to provide a means of grinding coffee bean to coffee grinds for making espresso coffee in a fast and easy manner. It would also, or alternatively, be desirable to provide the public with a useful alternative to existing arrangements. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an 5 acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention In a first aspect, there is provided a dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds into 10 a filter assembly comprising: - a body; - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, wherein the cradle is moveable relative to the body between a first and second position; - a dispensing assembly for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly, 15 wherein the dispensing assembly is operable to dispense coffee grinds by moving the cradle to the second position. In one form of the dispensing appliance, the cradle is movable between the first and second position by moving the filter assembly received therein. In a further form, the cradle is movable from the first position to the second position by 20 applying a downwards force to at least part of the filter assembly. In one form of the dispensing appliance, the cradle is biased to the first position. In a further form, the cradle is biased by a spring. In one advantageous form, the cradle is biased sufficiently to return the cradle with the received filter assembly from the second position to the first position.

4 In one form of the dispensing appliance, the cradle is pivotally mounted relative to the body. In a further form, the pivotal mounting between the cradle and body has a pivotal axis that is substantially horizontal. In one form, the filter assembly received at the cradle includes an elongated handle, 5 wherein when received at the cradle the elongated handle has an axis of elongation that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the pivotal axis. In one form of the dispensing appliance, the dispensing assembly comprises: a grinder assembly operative to grind coffee beans to coffee grinds, and the coffee grinds from the grinder assembly are dispensed from the dispensing assembly, wherein the grinder assembly is operable 10 when the cradle is moved to the second position. In a further form, the grinder assembly comprises: a burr grinder or blade grinder for grinding coffee beans; and a grinder motor coupled to the burr grinder or blade grinder, wherein the grinder motor is activated during operation of the grinder assembly. In one form of the dispensing appliance, the dispensing assembly further comprises: a 15 dispensing chute having an outlet for dispensing coffee grinds; a conveyor motor; a conveyor operatively coupled to the conveyor motor, for conveying coffee grinds through the dispensing chute, wherein the conveyor is operable by activating the conveyor motor when the cradle is moved to the second position. In one form, of the dispensing appliance, the conveyor comprises an impeller or a screw 20 conveyor. In a further form, the grinder motor and the conveyor motor comprise a single main motor. In one form, the dispensing appliance further comprises a switching means operatively switchable by the cradle, wherein when the cradle is in the second position the switching means operates the dispensing assembly. 25 In one form, the dispensing appliance further comprises: a sensor to detect whether the cradle is in the second position, and operatively coupled to the dispensing assembly, wherein when the sensor detects the cradle is in the second position, the dispensing assembly is operative.

5 In one form, the sensor is operatively coupled to any one of the grinder motor, conveyor motor or main motor, wherein when the sensor detects the cradle is in the second position, any one of the grinder motor, conveyor motor or main motor is operated. In a further form, the sensor is a micro-switch. In another form, the sensor is part of the 5 switching means. In one form, the dispensing appliance further comprises: a user interface means for enabling operation of the dispensing assembly, wherein the user interface means is operable to operate the dispensing assembly when the cradle is in a first position. In a further form, the user interface means comprises: a operating parameter selector for 10 selecting at least one operating parameter, the at least one operating parameter including a dosage parameter, wherein operating time and/or speed of the dispensing assembly is a function of the dosage parameter. In one form, the dispensing appliance further comprises a hopper for storing coffee beans or coffee grinds for dispensing through the dispensing assembly. 15 In one form of the dispensing appliance, the cradle comprises: a first flange having a first abutment surface; a second flange having a second abutment surface extending on a plane opposed to the first abutment surface, wherein at least part of the filter assembly is received in abutment with the first and second abutment surfaces to enable a moment to be applied to the filter assembly to move the cradle from the first position to the second position 20 In another form, cradle comprises a stop surface to limit movement in at least one direction of the filter assembly received at the cradle, wherein the at least one direction includes a direction with a first axis substantially perpendicular to the first and second abutment surfaces. In yet another form, the cradle further comprises: a third abutment surface, a fourth abutment surface opposed to the third abutment surface, wherein at least part of the filter 25 assembly is received in abutment with the third and fourth abutment surfaces, wherein the third and fourth abutment surfaces limit movement of the filter assembly along a second axis that is: substantially perpendicular to the first and second abutment surfaces; and substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

6 In one form of the dispensing appliance, the first and second abutment surfaces are on a substantially horizontal plane. In one form of the dispensing appliance, the filter assembly comprises: a filter receptacle; and mounting projections extending from the filter receptacle, wherein when the filter assembly 5 is received at the cradle, the mounting projections are in abutment with at least one of the first or second abutment surfaces. In one form of the dispending appliance, the cradle comprises a plurality of components, one of which is an interchangeable adaptor for receiving the filter assembly. In one form, the dispensing appliance further comprises: a light assembly to illuminate at 10 least a portion of the filter assembly received at the cradle, wherein the illumination assists in visual inspection of the coffee grinds dispensed into the filter assembly. In another aspect, there is provided a grinder for grinding and dispensing coffee grinds into a filter assembly comprising: - a body; 15 - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, wherein the cradle is moveable relative to the body between a first and second position; and - a grinder assembly operative to grind coffee beans to coffee grinds; wherein the grinder assembly is operable by moving the cradle to the second position to grind the coffee beans and to dispense coffee grinds to the filter assembly. 20 In another aspect, there is provided a method of operating a dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds to a filter assembly, the appliance comprising: - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, the cradle is moveable between a first and second position; and - a dispensing assembly for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly, the dispensing 25 assembly operable when the cradle is in the second position, wherein the method comprises the steps of: 7 - receiving the filter assembly at the cradle in the first position; - moving the cradle to the second position to operate the dispensing assembly to dispense coffee grinds to the filter assembly; and - removing the filter assembly from the cradle. 5 In one form of the method, during the step of moving the cradle to the second position the method comprises the step of applying force to at least part of the filter assembly downwards towards an underlying surface supporting the appliance. In one form of the method, the cradle is pivotally moveable between the first and second position, and wherein the step of moving the cradle to the second position includes the step of 10 pivotally moving the cradle. In one form of the method, the appliance further comprises: a biasing means to bias the cradle to the first position, wherein before the step of removing the filter assembly from the cradle, the method includes the step of: moving the cradle from the second position to the first position by the biasing means to stop operation of the dispensing assembly. 15 In one form of the method, the filter assembly includes a handle, wherein in the step of moving the cradle to the second position, the method includes the step of: operating the handle of the filter assembly received at the cradle to move the cradle to the second position. In one form of the method, the appliance further comprises: a user interface means operable to operate the dispensing assembly when the cradle is in a first position, wherein the 20 method further comprises the step of: operating the user interface means to operate the dispensing assembly to dispense coffee grinds to the filter assembly received at the cradle in a first position. In another aspect, there is provided a dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds into a filter assembly comprising: 25 - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly; - a dispensing assembly for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly; and 8 - a light assembly to illuminate at least a portion of the filter assembly received at the cradle, wherein the illumination assists in visual inspection of the coffee grinds dispensed into the filter assembly. 5 In one form, the light assembly comprises a light emitting diode. As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described 10 in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing appliance, with a filter assembly proximally located to the cradle; 15 Fig. 2 is a sectioned side view of the dispensing appliance, with the filter assembly received in the cradle; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of components of the dispensing appliance of Fig. 2 with the body removed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cradle, spring and sensor; 20 Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cradle, spring and sensor of Fig. 4 with a filter assembly received in the cradle; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cradle mounted to the support assembly; Fig. 7 is a sectioned perspective view of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of Fig. 6 with a filter assembly received in the cradle; 25 Fig. 9 is a sectioned perspective view of Fig. 8; 9 Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a filter assembly received in the cradle, with the cradle in a first position relative to the support assembly; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a filter assembly received in the cradle, with the cradle in a second position relative to the support assembly. 5 Fig. 12 is a sectioned side view of the cradle in the first position relative to the support assembly; Fig. 13 is a sectioned side view of the cradle in the first position relative to the support assembly with a filter assembly received in the cradle, and illustrating the spring biasing the cradle to the first position; 10 Fig. 14 is another sectioned side view of Fig. 13, and illustrating the sensor projection relative to the micro-switch; Fig. 15 is a sectioned side view of the cradle in the second position relative to the support assembly with a filter assembly received in the cradle, and illustrating the spring compressed when the cradle is in the second position; 15 Fig. 16 is another sectioned side view of Fig. 15, and illustrating the sensor projection activating the micro-switch; Fig. 17 is a logic diagram of the dispensing appliance operating in mode 1 Fig. 18 is a logic diagram of the dispensing appliance operating in mode 2; Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cradle of the dispensing appliance; 20 Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the cradle of Fig. 19 with an interchangeable adaptor received therein; Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the interchangeable adaptor in Fig. 20; and Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative interchangeable adaptor suitable for use with the cradle of Fig. 19.

10 Detailed description of the embodiments An embodiment of a dispensing appliance 1 for dispensing coffee grinds will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the dispensing appliance 1 stores coffee beans, and is operable to grind the coffee beans and dispense coffee grinds to a filter 5 assembly 100. After coffee grinds are dispensed to the filter assembly 100, the filter assembly 100 is coupled to the group head of an espresso machine to make coffee. The dispensing appliance has a body 3, and a cradle 5 to receive the filter assembly 100, whereby the cradle 5 is movable relative to the body 3 between a first position, as illustrated in Figs. 10, 13 and 14, and second position, as illustrated in Figs. 11, 15 and 16. A dispensing 10 assembly 7 is provided to dispense coffee grinds into the filter assembly 100, and is operable when the cradle 5 is moved to the second position. A hopper 9 is releasably attached to the top portion of the appliance 1, and functions to store roasted coffee beans, and to feed the beans to the dispensing assembly 7. The hopper 9 is provided with a guillotine 11 to shut off the passage of coffee beans to the dispensing assembly 7 15 when the appliance 1 is not in use. The dispensing assembly 7 will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. The dispensing assembly 7 has a grinder assembly 13 for grinding the coffee beans. In the present embodiment, this is in the form of a conical burr grinder with a stationary burr 15, and a rotary burr 17 directly driven by a motor 19. The rotary burr 17 may be alternatively driven indirectly 20 through gears or belts which can advantageously change the drive ratio. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the coffee beans are gravity fed from the hopper 9 to the grinder 13. On exiting the grinder assembly 13, a conveyor conveys the coffee grinds out of the dispensing assembly 7 via an outlet 21 of a dispensing chute 23. The conveyor in the present embodiment is in the form of impeller 25 that rotates to radially urge the coffee grinds through 25 the dispensing chute 23. The impeller 25 is operatively driven by the motor 19, although in other embodiments it may be separately driven. In another embodiment, the conveyor may be in the form of a screw conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the coffee grinds may be dispensed from the grinder assembly without a conveyor to assist in conveying the coffee grinds.

11 A burr adjustment assembly 27 is provided to adjust the grinder assembly 13 to change the coarseness of the coffee grinds. This burr adjustment assembly 27 may operate in a similar manner to known coffee grinders. A support assembly 4 is fixed to the body 3, and the cradle 5 is pivotally mounted to the 5 support assembly 4 by pivot pin 29. The support assembly 4 may in another embodiment be part of the body 3. It is to be appreciated that the cradle 5, may also be directly mounted to the body 3 and maintain the same functionality. The cradle 5 is biased to the first position by spring 31. A sensor, in the form of a micro-switch 33, detects whether the cradle 5 is in the second position. A user interface means 35 is provided for the user to enable operation of the dispensing 10 appliance 1. Generally, the dispensing appliance 1 is controlled by a controller (not shown) in communication with a user interface means 35 and the micro-switch 33, and the controller produces signals to the motor 19 to operate the dispensing assembly 7. The dispensing appliance 1 may be operated in different modes, and the controller may produce the signals to the motor 19 in response to either or both of the user interface means 35 and the micro-switch 33. This 15 operation will be discussed in further detail below. Referring to Fig. 2, a light assembly, in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) 37 is located adjacent to outlet 21 to illuminate the top portion of the filter assembly 100 received in the cradle 5. This assists in visual inspection of the coffee grinds dispensed in the filter assembly 100. The LED 37 may be activated on or off with the kitchen appliance 1, or activated in 20 accordance with other ways as described below. Filter assembly To assist in description of the cradle, we will first describe the general features of a known filter assembly 100 receivable in the cradle 5. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the filter assembly 100 has a filter receptacle 102 and a handle 104. Receptacle 102 removably receives a 25 coffee filter 107 for coffee grinds. The filter 107 is connected by a snap fit arrangement to the filter receptacle 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter has a rim 108 overlying the filter receptacle 102. A spring holds the filter 107 in place in the coffee filter receptacle 102, when the snap fitting is engaged. The filter assembly 100 is usable with removable coffee filters of different sizes e.g. a one cup filter which is sized to contain enough coffee grinds to make one 30 dose of espresso or a two cup filter which is sized to hold enough coffee grinds to make two 12 doses of espresso. The filter assembly 100 also includes a spout 109 through which extracted espresso can flow. In this embodiment, the spout 109 is a removable double pour spout, which has two outlets through which extracted espresso coffee can flow. The filter assembly 100 may alternatively or additionally be adapted to accommodate a single pour spout which has only one 5 outlet through which extracted espresso coffee can flow. Filter assembly 100 includes two mounting projections 112 on the outer surface of the coffee filter receptacle 102 (see Fig. 8). When in use with an espresso machine, the mounting projections 112 are used to form a sealed connection with a bayonet collar forming part of the group head of the espresso machine. The sealed connection prevents pressurised hot water from 10 escaping during the extraction process. Cradle The cradle 5 will now be described in detail with reference to Figs 4 to 7 and 12. The cradle 5 has a first flange 37 having a first abutment surface 39, and a "U shaped" second flange 41, having a second abutment surface 43. The first abutment surface 39 extends on a plane 15 opposed to the second abutment surface 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the planes of both the first and second abutment surfaces 39, 43 are substantially parallel to each other. Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the filter assembly 100 has been received by the cradle 5. The first abutment surface 39 is in abutment with the rim 108, and the second abutment surface 43 is in abutment with the projections 112. In this arrangement, the user can apply a force downwards 20 on the handle 104 to create a moment on the filter assembly 100 that will be transmitted to the cradle 5 via the first and second abutment surfaces 39, 43, thereby pivotally moving the cradle 5 from the first position to the second position. Importantly, the first abutment surface 39 abuts an end portion of the filter assembly (being the rim 108) distal from the handle 104, and the second abutment surface 43 abuts an 25 intermediate portion of the filter assembly (being the projections 112) from the handle. Advantageously, this allows the user to push downwardly on the handle 104 to create a moment on the handle 104 to move the cradle 5 from the first to second position, whilst an opposite force of lifting the handle 104 would not transmit a moment to the cradle 5. In the illustrated embodiment, lifting the handle 104 received in the cradle 5 would cause either or both of the first 30 39 and second abutment surface 43 to separate from abutment with the filter assembly 100. This 13 aids in easy separation of the filter assembly 100 from the cradle 5, as the user may simply lift the handle 104 slightly before removing the filter assembly 100 completely, and without the friction of the abutment surfaces 39 43 fitting tightly around the filter assembly 100. The reverse of this action may also be used to aid in easy insertion and receiving of the filter assembly 100 to 5 the cradle 5. The cradle 5 also has a stop surface 45 to limit movement of the filter assembly 100 in the direction towards the dispensing appliance when inserted and received into the cradle 5. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the stop surface 45 is contoured (in this case a curved surface), to match the contour of the filter assembly 100. Advantageously, the curved stop surface 45 may assist in 10 centring the filter assembly 100 to the received location in the cradle 5. The cradle 5 includes opposed third 47 and fourth 49 abutment surfaces, wherein the filter receptacle 102 is received between. This prevents the filter assembly 100 from lateral sideways movement when received in the cradle 5. A sensor projection 51 (see Fig. 4) is provided on the cradle 5 for use in conjunction with 15 the micro-switch 33. In this embodiment, when the cradle 5 is in the first position, as shown in Fig. 10 and 14, the sensor projection 51 does not activate the micro-switch 33. When the cradle 5 is in the second position, as shown in Fig. 11 and 16, the cradle 5 is pivoted such that the sensor projection 51 activates the micro-switch 33, to signal the detection of the cradle 5 in the second position. It envisaged that other methods of determining the cradle 5 in the second 20 position may be used, for example and arrangement where determination of the cradle 5 in the second position is deduced from detection of the cradle 5 in the first position. The pivot pin 29 passes through aperture 53 in the cradle 5 and into the support assembly 4, to allow the cradle to pivot between the first and second position. In an alternative embodiment, the pivot pin may be integral to the cradle 5 as protrusions extending in opposite 25 directions. The spring 31, as shown in Fig. 5 is a helical coil spring. In another embodiment the spring may be a torsion spring, tension spring or any other suitable spring. In addition, other methods of biasing may be used including a cushion of resilient material, such as rubber, to urge the cradle 5 to the first position.

14 Operation Two modes of operation of the dispensing appliance 1 will now be described in detail. These modes are in accordance with one embodiment, and it is to be appreciated other modes of operation can be used. The first mode 200 as illustrated in Fig. 17 is where the dispensing 5 appliance 1 dispenses a specified portion of coffee grinds to the filter assembly 100, and whereby the user has an option to "top-up" to the desired level. The second mode 300 as illustrated in Fig. 18 is a manual mode where the user dispenses an amount of coffee grinds manually. Mode 1 - Specified portion with "top-up" 10 The dispensing appliance 1, is prepared 201 for dispensing by ensuring the hopper 9 has a quantity of coffee beans, a power supply, and the burr adjustment assembly 27 set for a desired "coarseness" of the coffee grind. The filter assembly 100 is received into the cradle 5 with the spring 31 ensuring the cradle 5 remains at the first position despite the weight of the filter assembly 100. 15 The user then operates the user interface means 35 to select a specified dosage 203 of coffee grinds to be dispensed. The dosage may be dependent on a variety of factors, including the size of the coffee filter 107 which may be a "single shot" or "double shot" filter, the type of coffee bean, or simply user preference. The selected dosage is communicated from the user interface means 35 to the controller, which will specify parameters to operate the dispensing 20 assembly 7, which may include a time duration to operate the motor 19 and/or motor speed. Alternatively, these parameters may be entered through the user interface means 35 to the controller. In another alternative, the user interface means 35 may include a mode to allow the user to directly toggle operation of the motor 19, with the dosage determined by the time the user toggles the motor 19 to operate. 25 The controller will operate the motor 19 to the specified parameters 205 including time, thereby operating the dispensing assembly 7 to dispense the dosage of coffee grinds to the coffee filter 107. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 19 operates both the rotary burr 17 of the grinder assembly 13 and the impeller 25 of the conveyor, to grind and dispense coffee grinds. Ordinarily in this operating condition, this occurs whilst the cradle 5 with the received filter 30 assembly 100 is in the first position. As discussed above, the selected dosage and operation of 15 the dispensing assembly may not deliver the quantity of coffee grinds desired by the user, due to other variables and randomised errors. To correct this, the user may "top-up" the coffee filter 107 by further operating dispensing assembly 7. To top-up, the user pushes down on the handle 104, which will impart a moment in the 5 filter assembly 100 that will be transmitted to urge the cradle 5 to the second position 207. The cradle 5 at the second position is detected when the micro-switch 33 is activated by the sensor projection 51. This information from the micro-switch 33 to the controller, which in turn activates the motor 19 to again operate 209 the dispensing assembly 7, but this time with the filter assembly 100 in the second position. This further operation of the dispensing assembly 7 10 can be for another specified period, for example 1 second, to dispense an additional portion of coffee grinds. Alternatively, the dispensing assembly 7 may operate until the cradle 5 is returned to the first position 211, which can be achieved by the user releasing the handle 104 and allowing the spring 31 to bias the cradle 5 back to the first position. The user may repeat the step of pushing down the handle 104, to top-up any number of 15 times. This allows the user to incrementally dispense coffee grinds until the desired amount has been dispensed. Mode 2 - Manual mode The dispensing appliance may be operated in a manual mode 300. In this mode, the dispensing appliance 1 may be prepared 301in a similar manner as described in above, and with 20 the filter assembly 100 received in the cradle 5 in the first position. The user interface means 35 may be operated by the user to select a manual mode of operation for the dispensing appliance 1, or alternatively the manual mode may be an existing or default mode that requires no interaction with the user interface means 35. To operate the dispensing assembly, the user pushes down on the handle 104 to move the 25 cradle 5 to the second position 303 to activate the micro-switch 33. The controller, on receiving this information activates the motor 19 to operate 305 the dispensing assembly, including the rotary burr 17 and impeller 25, to grind and dispense coffee grinds to the coffee filter 107. This operation continues so long as the cradle 5 is in the second position. When the desired amount has been dispensed, the cradle 5 is returned to the first position 307, which may be achieved by 30 simply releasing the handle 104, and allowing the spring 31 to bias the cradle 5 back to the first 16 position. If the user requires more coffee grinds, the user may push down on the handle 104 any number of times to repeat this process until the desired quantity has been dispensed into the coffee filter 107. Light assembly 5 Ideally, the user would observe the coffee grinds dispensed into the coffee filter 107 during operation of the dispensing appliance 1. As illustrated in Fig. 2, parts of the dispensing appliance 1 overhangs the coffee filter 107, which may obscure the view from the user to the coffee filter 107. Furthermore, the dispensing appliance 1 may obstruct light in the vicinity of the coffee filter 107, thereby making it hard for the user to observe the amount of coffee grinds 10 dispensed. To assist the user, the light assembly having an LED 37 illuminates the area around the rim 108 of the coffee filter 107 when received in the cradle 4, as best shown in Figs. 13 to 16. The LED 37 may be activated for illumination in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the LED 37 is activated whenever the dispensing appliance 1 is switched on. Alternatively, the LED 37 may be activated on interaction of the user interface means 35, and/or movement of the 15 cradle 5 by the user. In another embodiment, the LED 35 may have a time delay to deactivate after a timer period has transpired after operation of the dispensing appliance 1, or interaction with the user interface means 35. For example, this may be 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or a time period selectively adjustable by the user. Advantages 20 In addition to the advantages discussed above, further advantages of this disclosure will be described below. The dispensing appliance 1, allows the user to dispense coffee grinds incrementally until the desired amount has been dispensed. This is advantageous when using pre-selected "dosages" that may not dispense at the required or consistent amount, thereby requiring a "top-up" of the 25 coffee filter 107 with additional coffee grinds. As top up operation only requires a simple push down, or tap on the handle 104, it allows the user to easily and quickly add further coffee grinds. The cradle 5 is structured to fully support the filter assembly 100 when received therein. Thus once the user places the filter assembly 100 in position in the cradle 5, the user may release 17 the handle 104, and the filter assembly 100 will remain in place at the cradle 5. Advantageously, this frees the user's hand to perform other tasks, such as operating the user interface means 35. The arrangement of the first and second abutment surfaces 39, 43 contacting respective end and proximal portions of the filter assembly 100 is advantageous in allowing the filter 5 assembly 100 transmit a moment to the cradle 5 by pushing down in one direction, yet be able to be received and removed from the cradle 5 by lifting of the handle 104 in the opposite direction. In one embodiment, the cradle 5 moves between the first and second position by pivotal movement, which is advantageous, as force applied downwards proximal to the handle 104 of the filter assembly 100 will transmit a moment to the receiving cradle 5, instead of a purely 10 linear force. This allows for a smoother movement of the cradle 5, as the moment be is applied around or near the pivotal axis. In contrast, if movement between the first and second position of the cradle 5 was linear, for example vertically up and down, force downwards proximal to the handle 104 will cause a moment that may bind or bend a linear movement mechanism of the cradle 5. 15 The light assembly, advantageously assists the user to easily and quickly determine the amount of coffee grinds in the coffee filter 107, and adjust by adding more if necessary. Variations In addition to the variations, further variations of the invention may include, but is not limited to the following. 20 In one variation, the cradle 5 may move linearly between the first and second position. In an alternative variation, the cradle 5 may move in an arcuate movement, which may move with the same advantages as the pivotal movement of the above described embodiment. In these variation, the cradle may move along a rail, track, guide or slot. In one embodiment, the cradle 5 may be interchangeable to match a corresponding filter 25 assembly 100. As filter assemblies 100 can vary in dimensions and shape, according to a manufacturer or product line, it is advantageous to have interchangeable cradles 5 to match a particular filter assembly 100 so that the dispensing appliance 1 can be used with a variety of filter assemblies.

18 In another embodiment, the cradle 405 may be matched to a corresponding filter assembly 100 by use of interchangeable adaptors 450, 460 as illustrated in Figs. 19 to 22. This may be in the form of "inserts" or "spacers" to allow correct fit of a particular filter assembly to the cradle 405. Referring to Fig. 19, there is illustrated a cradle 405 for use with interchangeable 5 adaptors 450, 460. The cradle 405 has a pair of supports 420 and a pair of keys 422 (only one of each shown in Fig. 19) and a side wall 424 for locating and supporting the interchangeable adaptors 450, 460 as illustrated in Fig. 20. The interchangeable adaptors 450, 460 have a first flange 37, first abutment surface 39, second flange 41, second abutment surface 43, third abutment surface 47, and fourth abutment surface 49 similar to those described in the above 10 embodiment of the cradle 5. The "U shaped" second flange 41 also has a pair of grooves 452, to receive a corresponding key 422 when the interchangeable adaptors 450, 460 are received in the cradle 405. Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate interchangeable adaptors 450, 460 of different size for receiving different corresponding filter assemblies 100. In another variation, the user interface may include operation of the handle between the 15 first and second position. For example, starting operation 205 in mode 1 may include the user pushing down the handle 104 so that the cradle 5 is in a second position. 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 20 aspects of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds into a filter assembly comprising: - a body; - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, wherein the cradle is moveable relative to the 5 body between a first and second position; - a dispensing assembly for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly, wherein the dispensing assembly is operable to dispense coffee grinds by moving the cradle to the second position.

2. A dispensing appliance according to claim 1, wherein in use the cradle is movable from 10 the first position to the second position by applying a downwards force to at least part of the filter assembly.

3. A dispensing appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cradle is biased to the first position.

4. A dispensing appliance according to claim 3, wherein the cradle is biased sufficiently to 15 return the cradle with the received filter assembly from the second position to the first position.

5. A dispensing appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cradle is pivotally mounted relative to the body.

6. A dispensing appliance according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising: a switching means operatively switchable by the cradle, wherein when the cradle is in the 20 second position the switching means operates the dispensing assembly.

7. A dispensing appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle comprises a plurality of components, one of which is an interchangeable adaptor for receiving the filter assembly.

8. A grinder for grinding and dispensing coffee grinds into a filter assembly comprising: 25 - a body; 20 - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, wherein the cradle is moveable relative to the body between a first and second position; and - a grinder assembly operative to grind coffee beans to coffee grinds; wherein the grinder assembly is operable by moving the cradle to the second position to grind 5 the coffee beans and to dispense coffee grinds to the filter assembly.

9. A method of operating a dispensing appliance for dispensing coffee grinds to a filter assembly, the appliance comprising: - a cradle for receiving the filter assembly, the cradle is moveable between a first and second position; and t0 - a dispensing assembly for dispensing coffee grinds to the filter assembly, the dispensing assembly operable when the cradle is in the second position, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - receiving the filter assembly at the cradle in the first position; - moving the cradle to the second position to operate the dispensing assembly to dispense 5 coffee grinds to the filter assembly; and - removing the filter assembly from the cradle.

10. A dispensing appliance according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising: - a light assembly to illuminate at least a portion of the filter assembly received at the cradle, 20 wherein the illumination assists in visual inspection of the coffee grinds dispensed into the filter assembly.