System for roasting coffee beans

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for roasting coffee beans, and the system - A roasting device (1) that generates smoke, and - Includes a smoke treatment unit (2) configured to collect and process smoke generated by a roasting device, and Here, - The roasting device includes a smoke outlet (11), and - The smoke treatment unit is, A smoke inlet (21) configured to cooperate with the smoke outlet of a roasting device, . A smoke filtration subunit (22) including at least an activated carbon filter (221), It includes a smoke driver (23) configured to circulate smoke through a smoke processing unit from a smoke collection device to an outlet (25) of a smoke processing unit, and The smoke treatment unit (2) includes an air inlet (24) configured to mix the smoke generated by the roasting device (1) with ambient air before the smoke is circulated through the smoke filtration subunit (22).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for roasting coffee beans in a safe environment. Background Technology

[0002] The roasting of coffee beans is a well-known process. The main steps consist of heating the beans to a desired roasting level and then cooling or quenching the heated beans to stop the roasting. During heating, smoke is emitted. This smoke contains not only safe and desired components, particularly the typical roasted coffee aroma, but also undesirable and less safe volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as pyridine, 2-furan methanol, caffeine, furfural, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc., and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), etc.

[0003] When roasting is implemented at a manufacturing site that produces a significant amount of roasted beans, all conditions are provided for capturing generally unsafe components.

[0004] However, the recent trend is to implement small-batch roasting by small roasters in shops, restaurants, and coffee shops where customers can consume coffee brewed from freshly roasted beans. The roaster not only provides the benefits of freshness and dramatic effects but also disperses a pleasant roasted coffee aroma inside the shop or café.

[0005] However, as mentioned above, harmful substances are also released. If the roaster is used in a closed environment such as a shop, cafe, or restaurant, the release of some substances can be harmful depending on the size of the room, ventilation, etc. For people working in the room for several hours, inhaling the roaster's fumes can lead to health problems.

[0006] Consequently, in such environments, it is recommended to stop the emission of smoke from the roaster to avoid any health problems for people in the shop. Existing solutions consist of filtering using catalytic converters and / or electrostatic precipitators to capture or eliminate components of the smoke.

[0007] Depending on the type of solution used to treat smoke, high-temperature smoke can have harmful effects on smoke treatment devices. In particular, filters made of activated carbon are commonly located within filter modules. This type of filter may be damaged or unable to operate properly if smoke exceeding a certain temperature passes through it.

[0008] Conversely, if the filtration solution is a catalytic converter operating at a temperature above 300°C, high-temperature fumes may be required.

[0009] In existing solutions, fans are commonly used to send smoke to the filter solution, and these fans can generate large, undesirable noise in public areas such as shops or restaurants.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to solve the problem of controlling the temperature of smoke dispersed by a coffee bean roaster once the smoke is processed by a filtration solution.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to solve the problem of protecting filters, such as activated carbon, from the heat of smoke dispersed by a coffee bean roaster.

[0012] Another objective is to provide a solution that does not generate excessive noise.

[0013] In the first aspect of the present invention, a system for roasting coffee beans is provided, wherein the system

[0014] - A roasting device that generates smoke, and

[0015] - Includes a smoke treatment unit configured to collect and process smoke generated by a roasting device, and

[0016] - The roasting device includes a smoke outlet, and

[0017] - The smoke treatment unit is,

[0018] . Smoke inlet configured to collect smoke,

[0019] . Smoke filter subunit,

[0020] . Includes a smoke driver configured to circulate smoke through a smoke treatment unit from a smoke collection device to the outlet of a smoke treatment unit, and

[0021] The system includes an air inlet device configured to mix the smoke generated by the roasting device with ambient air to control the temperature of the smoke inside the smoke filtration subunit.

[0022] The present invention relates to the roasting of coffee beans by two devices, namely, a first roasting device in which beans are heated and roasted, and a second smoke treatment unit configured to treat smoke generated inside the first roasting device during the roasting of coffee beans.

[0023] The two devices may be sub-parts of a single main system, or alternatively, the two devices may be considered as separate modules that cooperate together during the roasting process.

[0024] Any type of roasting device may be used. In the roasting device, coffee beans are heated and preferably mixed to homogenize the heating through the beans.

[0025] The heat source can be a burner (meaning combustion) supplied with natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or even wood. Alternatively, the heat source can be an electric resistor, a ceramic heater, a halogen source, or a source of infrared or microwaves.

[0026] Preferably, the heating source is powered so that the air contaminants generated during roasting are contaminants generated from the heating of the coffee beans themselves, rather than contaminants generated from the combustion of gas, such as when the heating source is a gas burner using natural gas, propane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or even wood.

[0027] During the roasting process, mixing of the beans can be achieved mechanically by a fluid bed of high-temperature air or by a stirring blade or a rotating drum.

[0028] Preferably, the roasting device is a high-temperature air-fluid bed chamber. Within such a chamber, heated air is forced through a screen or perforated plate beneath the beans with sufficient force to lift the coffee beans. As the beans roll and circulate within this fluid bed, heat is transferred to the beans.

[0029] Alternatively, the roasting device may be a drum chamber in which coffee beans are rolled within a heated environment. The drum chamber may consist of a drum that rotates along a horizontal axis, or the drum chamber may include stirring blades to cause the coffee beans to roll within a heated environment.

[0030] The roasting device includes an outlet through which smoke generated during the roasting operation can be exhausted.

[0031] The smoke treatment unit of the system includes a smoke inlet configured to cooperate with the smoke outlet of the roasting device and to collect smoke through the smoke inlet.

[0032] The smoke treatment unit of this system includes a smoke filtration subunit. This subunit treats the smoke to reduce or remove harmful contaminants contained in the smoke.

[0033] These subunits are,

[0034] - An active treatment unit that removes contaminants inside the device, such as an afterburner or catalytic afterburner that enables the thermal oxidation of contaminants,

[0035] or

[0036] - Manual treatment units that retain contaminants inside devices such as mechanical filters (metal sieves or paper filters), activated carbon filters, or electrostatic precipitators,

[0037] or

[0038] - A unit that sends contaminants away from the room to another location (e.g., a duct connected to the outside of the room),

[0039] Or it may include a combination of the above units.

[0040] Afterburners generally thermally oxidize contaminants such as CO and CO2 at very high temperatures exceeding 700°C and convert them into ash.

[0041] The catalytic afterburner comprises a ceramic substrate coated with a catalytic impregnating agent containing a precious metal, such as nanoparticles of copper oxide, nanoparticles of iron oxide, and typically one or more metals of the platinum group (platinum, palladium, rhodium). The operation of the catalytic afterburner requires a temperature lower than that of the afterburner, which generally includes 300°C to 500°C. Conveniently, though not mandatory, before the smoke enters the catalytic converter, it is preheated by a heat exchanger to which the smoke from the catalytic converter is supplied.

[0042] Filters can typically retain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM). A smoke treatment unit may include several filters depending on its ability to retain specific contaminants. Filters configured to capture VOCs and hydrocarbons are preferably activated carbon filters or charcoal filters. Filters configured to capture particulate matter are preferably high-efficiency particulate accumulator (HEPA) filters or metal filters (e.g., ultrafine bristles media filters). Electrostatic precipitators may be used to capture PM and VOCs.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the smoke filtration subunit may include at least an activated carbon filter. This type of filter adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such a filter requires specific operating conditions in terms of temperature.

[0044] Typically, these activated carbon filters require a temperature lower than 65°C. At temperatures above that, the activated carbon filter may generate VOCs instead of retaining these compounds.

[0045] Preferably, these activated carbon filters are operated at a temperature of at least 50°C. Below such a temperature, efficient filtration requires a longer residence time of smoke within the activated carbon filter, and managing low temperatures and long residence times can be difficult to implement.

[0046] In this preferred embodiment, the smoke filtration subunit typically includes at least one additional filter, said additional filter operates without heating. The at least one additional filter is intended to retain at least other types of contaminants other than VOCs, such as the following:

[0047] - Large particulate matter (PM) with a size greater than 2.5 μm. This type of particulate matter can be captured by HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate accumulators). This type of large particulate matter can be white plume smoke and small particles.

[0048] - Chaff fines that can be captured by ultrafine bristles media filters or metal mesh,

[0049] - Small particulate matter (PM2.5). These particles can be captured by electrostatic precipitators.

[0050] Preferably, the smoke filtration subunit comprises at least one filter for removing particulate matter and subsequently an activated carbon filter, in succession according to the direction of smoke flow within the smoke treatment unit. This sequence prevents the activated carbon filter from becoming clogged by particulate matter.

[0051] Preferably, when an electrostatic precipitator is implemented, it is physically positioned below the activated carbon filter. As a result, when the electrostatic precipitator is turned off, for example during cleaning and / or maintenance of the smoke treatment unit, particulate matter falling from the electrostatic precipitator by gravity does not fall onto the activated carbon filter.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the smoke filtration subunit continuously includes a HEPA filter, an electrostatic precipitator, and subsequently an activated carbon filter according to the movement of the smoke flow inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0053] Preferably, in this embodiment, the activated carbon filter is physically positioned above the electrostatic precipitator. Thus, smoke is introduced upward through a series of devices.

[0054] Smoke is driven into the smoke treatment unit and different filters by a smoke driver configured to circulate smoke through the smoke treatment unit from the smoke collection device to the outlet of the smoke treatment unit. At the outlet, the smoke can be safely released into the atmosphere of the room because contaminants have been captured.

[0055] A smoke drive is generally a fan that drives smoke toward an outlet.

[0056] Preferably, the fan is located next to the outlet of the smoke treatment unit. As a result, the fan is not contaminated by untreated smoke, and its maintenance is easier.

[0057] The smoke treatment unit may include a VOC sensor and / or PM sensor, preferably located behind an activated carbon filter. If the level of VOC or PM exceeds a predetermined level, a warning may be provided.

[0058] The system includes an air inlet device configured to mix the smoke generated by the roasting device with ambient air to control the temperature of the smoke inside the smoke filtration subunit.

[0059] Ambient air can be taken directly from the room where the system is installed.

[0060] Typically, such an air inlet device is located upstream of a smoke filtration subunit, and upstream of the activated carbon filter if the smoke filtration subunit includes an activated carbon filter.

[0061] Therefore, before being processed by the activated carbon filter, the smoke is mixed with ambient air, that is, air with a temperature lower than 40°C, typically lower than 25°C, which has the effect of reducing the temperature of the smoke collected from the smoke outlet. Although the temperature at the smoke outlet of the roasting device typically reaches over 65°C, after mixing with ambient air, the temperature of the smoke is reduced to avoid malfunction of the activated carbon filter inside the smoke filtration subunit.

[0062] The air inlet of the smoke treatment unit can be designed to introduce a large amount of ambient air into the smoke to obtain a sufficient reduction in the temperature of the smoke in the activated carbon filter. This design can partially determine the ratio of the volume of air to the volume of smoke to reach the desired temperature. This ratio can also be controlled by adjusting the power of the smoke driver as described below.

[0063] Preferably, the smoke treatment unit includes at least one temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature inside the unit. If the smoke treatment unit includes an activated carbon filter, at least one temperature sensor is located in front of the activated carbon filter. The temperature sensor enables control of the temperature of the smoke near the activated carbon filter, which requires operation within a specific temperature range. The temperature sensor may be used to provide a warning if the temperature is outside the operating range.

[0064] In one embodiment, the air inlet device is positioned and designed to introduce both air and smoke at the same point inside the smoke treatment unit. By introducing air and smoke simultaneously at a single point inside the smoke treatment unit, the flow of both gases is oriented similarly inside the smoke treatment unit, and the force required to drive them inside this unit is less important than when they are introduced in different directions at different points within the smoke treatment unit.

[0065] In particular, if the smoke driver is a fan typically located next to the exit of the smoke treatment unit, the fan speed can be maintained within a range that does not generate too much noise around the smoke treatment unit.

[0066] Preferably, the air inlet is designed to surround the smoke inlet. This design provides the advantage of preventing smoke from escaping into the room from the connection between the roasting device and the smoke treatment unit.

[0067] Preferably, the air inlet device is,

[0068] - A first wall extending between the smoke outlet of the roasting device and the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit, and

[0069] - Includes at least one hole through the above wall.

[0070] The first wall enables the connection of the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit and the smoke outlet of the roasting device, and guides the smoke between the two devices. At least one hole provides access to the surrounding atmosphere and enables the introduction of air into the passage formed by the first wall. Typically, the hole is an opening perforated within a plain wall.

[0071] As a result, the smoke is guided to the smoke treatment unit, and air is simultaneously introduced and mixed.

[0072] Generally, the number and size of the holes are set to provide the minimum ratio of air volume to smoke volume for the minimum speed of the smoke drive part of the system. Typically, the minimum ratio of air volume to smoke volume is about 1.

[0073] This minimum ratio typically ensures that the connection between the smoke outlet of the roasting device and the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit is not too sealed, which can affect the pressure inside the roasting device during the roasting operation and directly affect the roasting operation, especially if the roasting device includes an air driver for creating a fluid bed.

[0074] This minimum ratio of air volume to smoke volume can be increased by adapting the flow rate extracted by the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit (in particular, the speed of the fan of the smoke driver), specifically by increasing this flow rate from a predetermined minimum flow rate.

[0075] This ratio can be defined by considering the type of roasting device (e.g., the roaster can generate a significant volume of smoke, design of the smoke outlet) and the type of smoke treatment unit (if such a unit must operate at a low temperature, it means a high flow of air, or conversely, if it must operate at a high temperature, it means a small amount of air).

[0076] In a specific embodiment, the first wall of the air inlet device may be composed of at least two rods connecting the smoke outlet of the roasting device to the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit and a space extending between two adjacent rods to define a single hole.

[0077] In one embodiment of the air inlet device, at least one hole may be covered by a mesh. The mesh is for protection and prevents the introduction of small pieces such as large dust, insects, or fingers without restricting the introduction of ambient air.

[0078] In one embodiment, only one section of the contour of the first wall of the air inlet device includes at least one hole.

[0079] The location of the holes(s) within a specific zone of the first wall contour allows for the introduction of ambient air from a specific area around the system to stabilize the airflow entering the device. This configuration is particularly useful when the system is used in places where ambient air flows around the system in an irregular manner due to the frequent opening of doors or customer movement, or in semi-open shops and cafes. Providing a wall with a zone containing all the holes and orienting this zone within a room where the movement of ambient air is more stable avoids the introduction of irregular flow of ambient air inside the smoke treatment unit, which can affect the treatment of smoke within the filtration subunit.

[0080] Preferably, the air inlet device includes an outer wall, said outer wall surrounds at least a portion of a first wall including at least one hole, and said first wall and the outer wall are separated by a gap.

[0081] These outer walls surround at least a portion of the first wall containing one or several holes. Thus, the position of these outer walls provides protection in front of the holes and stabilizes the air before it enters through the holes.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall is a ring that completely surrounds the first wall.

[0083] In this preferred embodiment, when several holes are provided inside the first wall, they can be regularly positioned along the circumference of the first wall.

[0084] Alternatively, the outer wall may provide the shape of a crenel, and each tooth of the crenel faces the hole in the first wall.

[0085] In one embodiment, the air inlet device includes at least one sizing means for adjusting the size of at least one hole included in the first wall.

[0086] Accordingly, depending on the size of the hole(s), the flow rate of ambient air introduced into the smoke inlet and its ratio to the smoke can be adjusted without the need to use other air inlet devices within the system or without the need to adapt the flow rate extracted by the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit.

[0087] Alternatively, to provide a more flexible method for controlling the amount of air introduced into the smoke treatment unit, both the flow rate and the sizing means driven by the smoke driver (generally the speed of the smoke driver's fan) can be changed.

[0088] If the air inlet device includes several holes within its first wall, the sizing means may be configured to simultaneously adapt the size of all holes of the air inlet device, or a single sizing means may be provided for each hole of the air inlet device.

[0089] Generally, the sizing means enables the size of at least one hole to be adjusted from fully open to fully closed.

[0090] The completely closed position corresponds to specific uses of the system that do not typically correspond to the roasting operation of the roasting device. In fact, as previously mentioned, the absence of open hole(s) for introducing air can affect the pressure inside the roasting device during the roasting operation and can directly affect the roasting operation, particularly when the roasting device includes an air actuator for creating a fluid bed. Additionally, the completely closed position may be of interest during the cleaning operation of the system, particularly during the drying operation of the filtration subunit of the smoke treatment unit, as further described below.

[0091] In one manual mode, the size adjustment means can be manually controlled by the operator of the system. Such manual control can be set at the stage of system configuration, for example, when a specific smoke treatment unit is associated with a specific roasting device. Based on the specifications of the two devices, the operator can fix the size of at least one hole to enable a specific ratio of air to smoke.

[0092] For example, during a roasting operation, the operator may want to improve the performance of a smoke treatment unit including an activated carbon filter by avoiding excessively high temperatures and by introducing a high proportion of air into the mixture of smoke and air. These settings take into account the temperature and flow rate of the smoke generated by the specific roasting device used in the system.

[0093] In other cleaning operations of the smoke treatment unit, the operator may want to introduce a high-temperature flow of gas into the smoke filtration unit, for example, to dry a wet part of the filtration subunit. In such a mode, the highest temperature is required, and at least one opening is completely closed so that the high-temperature gas generated by the roasting device can take advantage of such high-temperature gas without mixing with colder ambient air.

[0094] In one automatic mode, the system may include at least one operating device for controlling a size adjustment means, and the system includes a control system operable to control the operating device.

[0095] In such a mode, the size adjustment means is moved by an operating device, such as a motor, which is controlled by the system's control system.

[0096] In cases where several holes exist, one sizing means and one operating device may be configured to simultaneously adjust the size of the holes. In more complex systems, different sizing means may be provided, each or part thereof moved by different operating devices. This implementation enables customization of the air inlet device for different types of systems (different roasting devices and different smoke treatment units), for different types of rooms (closing of holes within one zone of the first wall of the air inlet device depending on the room as previously described), and for different modes (roasting, cleaning).

[0097] The control system controlling such operating devices may be a control system for a roasting device or a control system for a smoke filtration unit.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment of the automatic mode, the smoke treatment unit may include at least one temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature inside the unit, and the control system is arranged to control at least one operating device of at least one sizing means based on the monitored temperature inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0099] Based on the temperature set point, the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit can be controlled by increasing the size of at least one hole to decrease the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit and by decreasing the size of at least one hole to increase the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0100] This implementation can be particularly useful when the flow of smoke generated by the roasting device is not constant.

[0101] In particular, during the operation of roasting coffee beans, the size of at least one hole can be increased from the start to the end of the roasting operation to introduce less air at the start of the roasting operation and more air at the end of the roasting operation. In fact, at the start of the roasting operation, the smoke generated by the roasting of the beans is at a lower temperature than at the end of the roasting operation. Furthermore, if the roasting operation is performed in a system that has not been used for a certain period of time, the internal parts of such a system, such as the part upstream of the filtration subunit, are at a lower temperature and absorb the heat of the smoke before the smoke reaches the filtration subunit. Therefore, there is less need to introduce a large amount of ambient air into such smoke. Conversely, at the end of the roasting operation, the smoke is at a particularly high temperature, and there becomes a need to introduce more ambient air into the smoke treatment unit.

[0102] Preferably, the control system is arranged to control the smoke driver and operating device of the smoke treatment unit based on at least the monitored temperature inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0103] The power of the smoke driver can be adjusted to send more or less air into the interior of the smoke treatment unit and to decrease or increase the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, respectively. This control is essentially achieved by adjusting the flow rate of smoke inside the smoke treatment unit, particularly by adjusting the speed of the fan.

[0104] In one particular embodiment, the control system may be arranged to control the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit based at least on the size of at least one hole of the air inlet device.

[0105] In fact, when the size of at least one hole becomes particularly small, maintaining a certain level of suction inside the smoke treatment unit can cause a change in pressure inside the roasting device as mentioned above. Accordingly, during the roasting operation, under the opening of at least one hole of a predetermined size, the power of the smoke driver can be automatically reduced to avoid excessive suction force for the smoke and changes in pressure inside the roasting chamber, respectively.

[0106] The smoke driver can also be controlled based on factors other than the size of the hole, such as noise generated by a fan.

[0107] When the system does not include a size adjustment means and the size of at least one hole is fixed, preferably, the smoke treatment unit includes at least one temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature inside the unit, and the control system is arranged to control the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit based on the temperature measurement provided by the temperature sensor.

[0108] Typically, the controller is configured to control the temperature of the smoke at the location of the activated carbon filter.

[0109] The air inlet device may be part of the roasting device or part of the smoke treatment unit, or it may be a separate device connectable to the roasting device and the smoke treatment unit.

[0110] Being part of it means that the air intake device is conceived as part of the device.

[0111] The air inlet device can be fully integrated inside the roasting device. In such a case, the air inlet device can be designed to enable the introduction of airflow at a predetermined minimum ratio with the smoke generated by the specific roasting device.

[0112] Similarly, the air inlet device can be fully integrated inside the smoke treatment unit. In such a case, the air inlet device can be designed to enable the introduction of air flow at a predetermined minimum ratio with respect to smoke to be efficiently treated by the smoke treatment unit, particularly in terms of the performance of the smoke driver and the optimal operating temperature of the filtration subunit.

[0113] In the last case, the air inlet device may be a separate device that can be used to upgrade the system of the roasting device and the smoke treatment unit.

[0114] In the second aspect, a device is provided for connecting a smoke outlet of a coffee bean roasting device and a smoke inlet of a smoke treatment unit configured to collect and process smoke generated by the roasting device, wherein the device is configured to introduce ambient air together with the smoke generated by the roasting device into the smoke treatment unit and to mix them, and the device,

[0115] - A first wall extending between the smoke outlet of the roasting device and the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit, and

[0116] - Includes at least one hole through the above wall.

[0117] Preferably, such a device includes an interface configured to cooperate with the smoke outlet of a roasting device and an interface for cooperating with the smoke inlet of a smoke treatment unit.

[0118] In a third aspect, a coffee bean roasting device including a smoke outlet is provided, said device including an air inlet device connected to the smoke outlet, and said device,

[0119] - A first wall extending from the smoke outlet of the roasting device and to the outside, and

[0120] - Includes at least one hole through the above wall.

[0121] In one embodiment, the air inlet device may include an interface for cooperating with the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit.

[0122] In the fourth aspect, a smoke treatment unit configured to collect and process smoke generated by a roasting device is provided, and said smoke treatment unit,

[0123] - Smoke inlet configured to collect smoke,

[0124] - Smoke filtration subunit, and

[0125] - Includes a smoke driver configured to circulate smoke through a smoke treatment unit from a smoke collection device to the outlet of a smoke treatment unit, and

[0126] The smoke treatment unit includes an air inlet device configured to mix the smoke with ambient air before the smoke is circulated through a smoke filtration subunit.

[0127] In one embodiment, the air inlet device may be connected to a smoke inlet, and the device is,

[0128] - A first wall extending from the smoke inlet and to the outside, and

[0129] - It may include at least one hole through the above wall.

[0130] In one embodiment, the air inlet device may include an interface for cooperating with the smoke outlet of the roasting device.

[0131] The smoke treatment unit provides the same features mentioned in the first embodiment, except that it is a module independent of the roasting device and connectable to a different type of roasting device.

[0132] In the fifth aspect, a method for roasting coffee beans with a system as described above and filtering smoke generated during the roasting of said beans is provided, wherein the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit is controlled to adjust the amount of ambient air within the smoke treatment unit to control the temperature of the smoke inside the smoke filtration subunit.

[0133] Control is typically achieved by adjusting the power of the air flow actuator or the speed of the air flow actuator's fan.

[0134] If the smoke treatment unit includes an activated carbon filter, the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit may be controlled to introduce a large amount of ambient air into the smoke to obtain a smoke temperature of 65°C or lower, preferably 50°C or higher, in the activated carbon filter.

[0135] To reach a temperature below 50°C, a high ratio of air volume to smoke volume is required, which implies higher power for the smoke driver and a higher flow rate of the smoke-air mixture, resulting in a short contact time between the activated carbon filter and this mixture. Such a short time may not be sufficient to remove all contaminants from the smoke. Furthermore, high power and flow rates cause more noise from the smoke driver, which is not always required when the system is installed indoors. For this reason, unless there is another way to increase the volume of air (especially if the design of the air inlet is fixed), it is desirable to maintain the smoke temperature above 50°C in the activated carbon filter.

[0136] In one embodiment, during the roasting of coffee beans in a roasting device, the control of the air flow actuator and the resulting control of the temperature in the smoke treatment unit may be based on monitoring the temperature in the smoke treatment unit.

[0137] In another embodiment, during the roasting of coffee beans in the roasting device, the control of the air flow actuator and the resulting control of the temperature in the smoke treatment unit may be predetermined based on a predetermined roasting profile implemented in the roasting device.

[0138] In the sixth aspect, a method for roasting coffee beans and filtering smoke generated during the roasting of said beans is provided, comprising a system comprising an air inlet device having at least one sizing means for adjusting the size of at least one hole included in a first wall as described above, said method comprising the step of adjusting the size of at least one hole included in the first wall of the air inlet device to control the temperature inside the smoke filter subunit.

[0139] Preferably, the size of at least one hole is increased to reduce the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, or the size of at least one hole is decreased to increase the temperature inside the smoke filtration subunit.

[0140] Additionally, the present method may include a step of controlling an air actuator to adjust the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit.

[0141] In one embodiment, during the roasting of coffee beans in the roasting device, the adjustment of size and the consequent adjustment of temperature in the smoke treatment unit may be based on monitoring of the temperature in the smoke treatment unit.

[0142] In another embodiment, during the roasting of coffee beans in the roasting device, the adjustment of size and the consequent adjustment of temperature in the smoke treatment unit may be predetermined based on a predetermined roasting profile implemented in the roasting device.

[0143] In this application, the term "filter" relates to any device capable of removing contaminants from smoke by any kind of physical process, such as sieving, capture, adsorption, absorption, or electrostatic capture.

[0144] The above embodiments of the present invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Furthermore, various features of this specification may be combined with one or more of the above embodiments to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Other objects and advantageous features of the present invention will become apparent from the claims, the detailed description, and the accompanying drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0145] Now, specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described as examples with reference to the following drawings. FIG. 1 is a drawing of a system according to the present invention illustrating the path of smoke through the system. Figure 2 is a detailed view of the collection device and air inlet of the system of Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a drawing of another system according to the present invention illustrating the path of smoke through the system. Figure 4 is a detailed view of the collection device and air inlet of the system of Figure 3. FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate different embodiments of an air inlet device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative location for a smoke treatment unit for a roasting device. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a controller of a system according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0146] System for roasting

[0147] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary diagrams of a system of a roasting device (1) and a smoke treatment unit (2). Functionally, the roasting device is operable to roast coffee beans, and the smoke treatment unit is operable to treat smoke generated during roasting by the roasting device.

[0148] Roasting device

[0149] The roasting device (1) is operable to receive and roast coffee beans inside the roasting chamber (12).

[0150] Preferably, the roasting device (1) includes a roasting chamber (12) into which a flow of hot air is introduced to agitate and heat the beans. The hot air flow is typically generated by an air flow driver and a heater. These devices are located below the roasting chamber and introduce a flow of hot air through the bottom of the chamber. In the illustrated drawing, the bottom of the chamber is configured to allow air to pass through, and specifically, it may be a perforated plate on which beans can be placed and through which air can flow upward.

[0151] The air flow driver can be operated to generate an upward flow of air toward the bottom of the vessel. The generated flow is configured to heat, agitate, and raise the beans. As a result, the beans are heated homogeneously. Specifically, the air flow driver may be a fan powered by a motor. An air inlet may be provided on the inside of the base of the housing to supply air to the inside of the housing, and the air flow driver blows this air toward the chamber (12).

[0152] The heater is operable to heat the airflow generated by the airflow actuator. Preferably, the heater is an electric resistor located between the fan and the perforated plate, and as a result, the airflow is heated and then enters the chamber (12) to heat and raise the beans.

[0153] A heater and / or fan can be operated to apply a roasting profile to the beans, and this roasting profile is defined as a curve of temperature over time.

[0154] The roasting of beans generates smoke that is sent to the upper opening (121) of the roasting chamber due to the flow of air generated by the air flow driver, as illustrated by the arrow (S1) in FIG. 1.

[0155] Generally, the chaff collector is in fluid communication with the upper opening (121) of the chamber to receive chaff that is gradually separated from the beans during roasting and blown to the chaff collector due to its light density.

[0156] The remainder of the smoke is exhausted through the smoke outlet (11) at the top of the roasting device.

[0157] Smoke processing unit

[0158] The smoke treatment unit (2) is operable to receive and treat smoke (S1) emitted from the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device.

[0159] First, the smoke treatment unit (2) includes a smoke inlet (21) configured to collect smoke. This smoke inlet (21) is particularly, Fig. 2Illustrated in the exploded view: The collection device forms an internal empty space that guides smoke (dotted lines (S1, S2, S3)) from the outlet (11) of the roasting device toward the smoke filtration subunit (22). In FIG. 2, it can be understood that the lower part of the smoke collection device includes a hole (211) that is significantly larger than the cross-section of the smoke outlet end of the roasting device, designed to cooperate loosely with the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device. Generally, the lower part of the smoke collection device simply rests on the top of the roasting unit without any means of fixing. This is particularly practical when the roasting unit (1) and the smoke processing unit (2) are two separate modules. The smoke processing unit (2) can be easily connected to or disconnected from any roasting device. This loose cooperation is not airtight and does not create a vacuum within the roasting device, which will affect the roasting operation, especially if roasting takes place in a fluid bed.

[0160] The collection device includes a smoke outlet (212) that cooperates with a guide duct (27) that guides smoke to a second part of the smoke treatment unit, which is a smoke filtration subunit (22). In the illustrated embodiment, the guide duct (27) is designed to guide smoke downward to pass from the bottom to the top through different filtration devices. However, in other embodiments not illustrated, the guide duct may be designed to guide smoke to pass from the top to the bottom through different filtration devices.

[0161] In the illustrated embodiment, the smoke filter subunit (22) is located close to and next to the roasting device. Fig. 11 In another embodiment as exemplified in [here], the smoke filtration subunit (22) may be located at a remote location, for example, below a counter on which the roasting device (1) is placed. In such an embodiment, the shape of the guide duct (27) is configured to establish a connection between different parts of the smoke treatment unit.

[0162] The smoke filtration subunit (22) includes an activated carbon filter (221) configured to remove VOCs from the smoke. Furthermore, in the particularly illustrated embodiment, the smoke filtration subunit (22) includes filters for particulate matter, such as a device (223) configured to filter large particulate matter PM10 (e.g., a HEPA filter) and a device (222) configured to filter small particulate matter PM2.5 (e.g., an electrostatic precipitator). Preferably, the device for removing particulate matter is located upstream of the activated carbon filter. This upstream location ensures that the particulate matter does not contaminate the activated carbon filter.

[0163] Physically, the electrostatic precipitator is positioned below the activated carbon filter to prevent fine particles from falling from the electrostatic precipitator on the activated carbon filter when the electrostatic precipitator is turned off.

[0164] Thirdly, the smoke filter subunit (22) includes a smoke driver (23), which is generally a fan, for sucking in contaminated smoke from the inlet (211) of the collection device and sending it to the outlet (25) of the smoke filter subunit (22), through which the smoke is processed and safely dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere.

[0165] Finally, the smoke treatment unit includes an air inlet (24) along a passage defined for smoke and upstream of the smoke filtration subunit (22). In the illustrated embodiment, this air inlet (24) is located within the smoke inlet (21). This air inlet is a simple opening to the ambient atmosphere, which is ultimately protected by a grid to prevent the entry of particulates. Due to the suction function of the smoke driver (23), a flow of ambient air (A) is drawn in and mixed with the smoke (S1) inside the smoke treatment unit (22). Since the temperature of the ambient air is generally 40°C or lower, which is much lower than the temperature of the smoke at the outlet of the roasting device, the temperature of the resulting gas mixture (S2) is reduced. The air inlet is configured to enable a resulting temperature of the mixture (S2) that allows for optimal treatment of the smoke by the activated carbon filter (221), preferably a temperature of 50 to 65°C.

[0166] The design of the air inlet can partially determine the ratio of air volume to smoke volume to reach the desired temperature. Based on the fixed design of the air inlet, the ratio of air volume to smoke volume can also be controlled by adjusting the power of the smoke driver, which is the flow of air mixed with smoke. Since the flow of smoke (S1) is controlled only by the roasting device, increasing or decreasing the power of the smoke driver affects the volume of ambient air (A) introduced only through the air inlet.

[0167] The adjustment of the ratio by the power of the smoke actuator is managed for the purpose of controlling the temperature in the activated carbon filter. Furthermore, other secondary conditions such as the following may be considered:

[0168] - Noise generated by smoke actuators at high flow rates. It should be noted that implementing smoke actuators with high power can create a noisy environment, which is not always desirable in a shop environment.

[0169] - Reduction in the time the smoke contacts the filter due to a high flow rate. Since the high power of the smoke driver implies a high flow rate of smoke through the smoke treatment unit, this can lead to insufficient contact time in different filters, specifically in the activated carbon filter (221) which has the effect of dispersing contaminants in the atmosphere at the outlet (25) of the smoke treatment unit.

[0170] Finally, the design of the air inlet (24) is preferably,

[0171] - to limit the pressure drop at the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device - because this can affect the upstream process of roasting; this can be achieved by providing a sufficiently large air inlet -,

[0172] and

[0173] - These air inlets (24) are limited to prevent smoke from flowing into the surrounding atmosphere through these air inlets, which can occur if these air inlets are too large.

[0174] The air inlet (24) can be located downstream of the smoke inlet, as long as the smoke inlet (21) is maintained upstream of the activated carbon filter (221).

[0175] The effect of this controlled temperature of smoke is the efficient treatment of smoke by the activated carbon filter, which ensures the efficient adsorption of VOCs by the activated carbon filter itself at high temperatures, generally above 65°C, and avoids the release of VOCs.

[0176] Fig. 3 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate variations of the system: these systems include the same roasting device (1) and similar smoke treatment unit (2), except that the smoke inlet (21) and air inlet (24) are slightly different.

[0177] do 4In this, it can be understood that an air inlet device (24) is provided at the interface between the smoke inlet (21) and the smoke outlet (11). Due to the suction function of the smoke driver (23), a flow of ambient air (A) is sucked in and mixed with the smoke (S1) inside the smoke processing unit (22). This device (24) introduces ambient air (exemplified by arrow (A)) into the smoke (S1) generated by the roasting device and mixes this air with this smoke inside the smoke processing unit (2).

[0178] As can be seen from FIG. 3, this air inlet device (24) is a single means of enabling the introduction of air into the smoke treatment unit (2). Downstream of such an air inlet device located at the interface between the smoke outlet (12) of the roasting device and the smoke inlet (11) of the smoke treatment unit, there is no other air inlet or other device for introducing air into the smoke treatment unit.

[0179] These smoke inlets (21) are particularly Fig. 4 As exemplified in: At the upper upstream side of the smoke treatment unit, the smoke inlet (21) is formed as a tube end. The tube guides the smoke (dotted line (S1, S2)) from the outlet (11) of the roasting device toward the smoke filtration subunit (22).

[0180] In the enlarged view of the interface between the smoke treatment unit and the roasting device according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the air inlet device (24) includes a first wall (241) that extends between the smoke outlet (11) and the smoke inlet (21) and connects them. This first wall includes several holes (240) (in this particular embodiment, there are four holes, but only two of the four are visible in the front view of FIG. 4) to enable the introduction of air as illustrated by the four arrows (A).

[0181] Advantageously, these holes provide a positive effect of limiting any pressure effect inside the roasting chamber while simultaneously providing a loose connection of the smoke outlet (11) to the smoke treatment unit.

[0182] These holes (240) surround the smoke inlet (21) along the circumference of the tube. As a result, these holes enable the introduction of air along the vertical upward direction, as illustrated by arrow (A), and similar to the smoke (S1). The fact that smoke and air are introduced at the same point of the smoke treatment unit provides a flow of air and smoke along the same direction (here, vertical and upward) that requires less suction by the smoke driver (23) and generates less noise. It can be seen that the smoke treatment unit (2) does not contain any other air inlets other than those illustrated upstream of the inlet (24).

[0183] In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet may provide more or fewer holes (240) containing only one hole.

[0184] Preferably, these holes (240) are protected by a fine grid or mesh to prevent any intrusion of material.

[0185] The size and shape of these holes (240) can be varied. Fig. 5 This schematically illustrates an air inlet device (24) providing four very large holes (240), wherein the first wall (241) is limited by four rods connecting a portion (248a) connectable to the smoke outlet of a roasting device to a portion (248b) connectable to the smoke inlet of a smoke treatment unit. A grid protects these large holes.

[0186] The design of the air inlet (24), particularly the area defined by its number and holes, is preferably,

[0187] - to limit the pressure drop at the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device - because this can affect the upstream process of roasting; this can be achieved by providing a sufficiently large overall air inlet, and in particular, the design can be limited to providing a minimum ratio of air volume to smoke volume for the minimum speed of the smoke drive part of the system -,

[0188] and

[0189] - These air inlets (24) are limited to prevent smoke (S1) from flowing into the surrounding atmosphere through these air inlets, which may occur if these air inlets are too large. Different surrounding positions of the inlets (24) can ensure this effect in the illustrated embodiments.

[0190] Fig. 6 This illustrates a specific embodiment of an air inlet device (24) comprising three holes (240) in the front section (244) of the contour of the first wall (241). No holes are provided in the other lateral and rear sections of the first wall (241).

[0191] When the system is used in a part of a room where air turbulence occurs due to customer movement, door opening, etc., the use of such an air heating device within the system enables the orientation of the holes (240) at locations where the air does not experience turbulence or experiences less turbulence.

[0192] Fig. 7a This illustrates a specific embodiment of an air inlet device (24) comprising four holes (240) within a first wall (241) and an outer ring wall (242) surrounding the first wall (241). The two walls (241, 242) are separated by a gap (245). Inside this gap, air is protected from external turbulence and can be homogeneously drawn into the smoke inlet of the smoke treatment unit and into the air inlet device through the holes (240).

[0193] Additionally, these outer ring walls (242) prevent the introduction of material through the hole (240) and prevent smoke from escaping from the hole (due to air stabilization). These walls (242) also limit noise of the air sucked in through the air inlet device compared to an embodiment without these outer ring walls.

[0194] Fig. 7b This is an alternative embodiment to FIG. 5a in which the outer wall comprises two parts (242a, 242b), each of which surrounds a part of the first wall that includes a hole (240).

[0195] Fig. 8 This illustrates a specific embodiment of an air inlet device (24) comprising a hole (240) within a first wall (241) and a size adjustment means (246) for adjusting the size of the hole (240). In this embodiment, the adjustment means consists of a shutter that can be oriented between a first position where the hole is fully open and a second position where the hole is fully closed and an intermediate position where the size of the hole can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the adjustment means (246) can be controlled by a manual actuator (249), such as a screw.

[0196] Other types of sizing means, such as a cover that slides progressively by rotation or translation over a hole, may be used. Fig. 10 The example illustrates a cover (246) configured such that the size adjustment means slides partially or completely over the hole (240) according to rotational movement.

[0197] If several holes are provided, preferably each of them is provided with a respective size adjustment means. This provides an opportunity to close the holes in one specific area (244) with the effect of protecting the introduction of air as described above.

[0198] Different adjustment means may be controlled by the same common actuator, but preferably are controlled individually by different actuators.

[0199] Fig. 9 This illustrates an alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 6 in which the manual actuator is replaced by an automated operating device (247), such as a motor, which can be controlled by the control system of the system.

[0200] Since the temperature of the surrounding air is generally much lower than the temperature of the smoke at the outlet of the roasting device, at 40°C or lower, the fact that air is introduced and mixed with the smoke leads to a reduction in the temperature of the smoke (S2) to be processed by the filtration subunit.

[0201] The air inlet device may be configured to enable the introduction of airflow to cause the temperature of the mixture (S2) to ensure optimal treatment of smoke, for example, when the filtration subunit includes an activated carbon filter (21) that operates optimally at a temperature of 50 to 65°C.

[0202] The design of the air inlet can partially determine the ratio of air volume to smoke volume to reach the desired temperature. Based on the fixed design of the air inlet, the ratio of air volume to smoke volume can also be controlled by adjusting the power of the smoke driver, which is the flow of air mixed with smoke. Since the flow of smoke (S1) is controlled only by the roasting device, increasing or decreasing the power of the smoke driver affects the volume of ambient air (A) introduced only through the air inlet.

[0203] The adjustment of the ratio by the power of the smoke driver is managed for the purpose of controlling the temperature within the smoke treatment unit. Furthermore, other secondary conditions such as the following may be considered:

[0204] - Noise generated by smoke actuators at high flow rates. It should be noted that implementing smoke actuators with high power can create a noisy environment, which is not always desirable in a shop environment.

[0205] - Reduction in the time the smoke contacts the filter due to a high flow rate. Since the high power of the smoke driver implies a high flow rate of smoke through the smoke treatment unit, this can lead to insufficient contact time due to the use of an activated carbon filter (221) which has the effect of dispersing contaminants in the atmosphere at different filters, specifically at the outlet (25) of the smoke treatment unit.

[0206] The effect of this controlled temperature of smoke is particularly the efficient treatment of smoke by activated carbon filters, which ensures the efficient adsorption of VOCs by the activated carbon filters themselves at high temperatures, generally above 65°C, and avoids the release of VOCs.

[0207] If the air inlet device includes an operating device (247) for adjusting the size of the hole(s), the air flow and the ratio of air to smoke can be controlled by changing the size of the hole(s) instead of or in addition to adjusting the power of the smoke driver.

[0208] The size of the holes can be adjusted dynamically during the processing of smoke generated by the roasting device based on the measurement of the temperature inside the smoke processing unit: for example, the size may be reduced at the start of the roasting operation because the temperature of the smoke is not high due to the heating inertia for heating the inner part of the smoke processing unit, and after a predetermined time, the size of the holes may be increased to introduce more fresh air into the smoke because the temperature has risen.

[0209] FIGS. 3, FIGS. 4, FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 9 or FIGS. 10 Referring to [this], the control system (3) will now be considered in the case where the system includes an operating device (247) for the air inlet.

[0210] If the air inlet device (24) includes an automatic operating device (247) for controlling the size adjustment means of the hole (240), the processing unit (30) may, alternatively or in addition to the control of the smoke driver (23),

[0211] - To receive input from the temperature sensor (26),

[0212] - To process the input according to the smoke processing program code (or programmed logic) stored in the memory unit (31),

[0213] - It may be operable to provide an output including control of the operating device (247). Furthermore, the process is more preferably executed in closed-loop control using an input signal from the temperature sensor (26) as feedback.

[0214] When the temperature becomes too high, the size of the holes (240) is increased to introduce a more significant volume of ambient air (A) through the air inlet device (24), and more air is mixed with the smoke (S1) to have the effect of reducing the temperature of the smoke (S2) flow.

[0215] However, if the temperature becomes too low, the size of the holes (240) is reduced to introduce a less significant volume of air surrounding (A), and less air is mixed with the smoke (S1), which has the effect of increasing the temperature of the smoke (S2). In such a situation, the processing unit may be operable to prevent the size of the holes (240) from being adjusted below a minimum value to avoid the effect on the pressure inside the roasting device and to still achieve the purpose of limiting the introduction of air by controlling the smoke driver (23) and reducing the speed of the fan.

[0216] Compared to a solution that controls only the speed of the smoke driver, the advantage of controlling the temperature by adjusting the size of the holes (240) is that it has no or almost no effect on the noise generated by the smoke driver.

[0217] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described above, it will be understood that the present invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

[0218] Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Additionally, if known equivalents for a particular feature exist, such equivalents are included as specifically mentioned in this specification.

[0219] As used herein, the words “comprising,” “comprising,” and similar words shall not be interpreted in an exclusive or complete sense. In other words, they are intended to mean “comprising but not limited thereto.”

[0220] List of drawing symbols :

[0221] Roasting device 1

[0222] Smoke Exit 11

[0223] Roasting chamber 12

[0224] Upper exit 121

[0225] Smoke Disposal Unit 2

[0226] Smoke entrance 21

[0227] Hole 211

[0228] Smoke filter subunit 22

[0229] Activated carbon filter 221

[0230] PM Filter 222, 223

[0231] Smoke actuator 23

[0232] Air inlet device 24

[0233] Hole 240

[0234] Wall 1 241

[0235] Exterior walls 242, 242a, 242b

[0236] Messi 243

[0237] Zone 244

[0238] Gap 245

[0239] Resizing means 246

[0240] Operating device 247

[0241] Interfaces 248a, 248b

[0242] Manual actuator 249

[0243] Exit 25

[0244] Temperature sensor 26

[0245] Guide Duct 27

[0246] Control System 3

[0247] Processing unit 30

[0248] Memory Unit 31

[0249] User Interface 32

[0250] Power Supply Unit 33

[0251] System 100

Claims

Claim 1 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, comprising: a roasting device (1) for generating smoke; and a smoke processing unit (2) configured to collect and process smoke generated by the roasting device; wherein the roasting device comprises a smoke outlet (11); and wherein the smoke processing unit comprises: a smoke inlet (21) configured to collect smoke; a smoke filtration sub-unit (22); and a smoke driver (23) configured to circulate smoke through the smoke processing unit from the smoke collection device to the outlet (25) of the smoke processing unit; wherein the system comprises an air inlet device (24) configured to mix the smoke generated by the roasting device (1) with ambient air to control the temperature of the smoke inside the smoke filtration sub-unit (22); and wherein the air inlet device (24) is located upstream of the smoke filtration sub-unit (22). Claim 2 In claim 1, the smoke filtration subunit (22) comprises at least an activated carbon filter (221), a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the smoke filter subunit (22) includes at least one additional filter (222, 223), and the additional filter operates without heating, a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the smoke filtration subunit (22) comprises a HEPA filter (222), an electrostatic precipitator (223), and an activated carbon filter (221), in a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the air inlet device (24) is positioned and designed to introduce both air and smoke at the same point inside the smoke treatment unit (2). Claim 7 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the smoke treatment unit (2) comprises at least one temperature sensor (26) configured to monitor the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit (2). Claim 8 In claim 1, the air inlet device (24) comprises: a first wall (241) extending between the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device and the smoke inlet (21) of the smoke treatment unit; and at least one hole (240) passing through the wall, for a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 9 In claim 8, the first wall (241) of the air inlet device (24) is composed of at least two rods connecting the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device to the smoke inlet (211) of the smoke treatment unit, and the space extending between the two adjacent rods defines a hole (240), a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 10 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein only one section (244) of the contour of the first wall of the air inlet device comprises the at least one hole (240). Claim 11 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the air inlet device (24) comprises an outer wall (242), the outer wall surrounds at least a portion of the first wall (241) comprising at least one hole (240), and the first wall and the outer wall are separated by a gap (245). Claim 12 In claim 8, the air inlet device (24) comprises at least one size adjustment means (246) for adjusting the size of the at least one hole (240) included in the first wall (241), a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 13 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the system comprises at least one operating device (247) for controlling the size adjustment means (246), and the system comprises a control system (3) operable to control the operating device (247). Claim 14 In claim 13, the smoke treatment unit (2) includes at least one temperature sensor (26) configured to monitor the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit (2), and the control system (3) is arranged to control at least one operating device (247) of the at least one size adjustment means based on the monitored temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, for a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 15 In claim 14, the control system is arranged to control the smoke driver (23) and the operating device (247) of the smoke treatment unit based on at least the monitored temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, for a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 16 In claim 15, the control system is arranged to control the smoke driver (23) of the smoke treatment unit based at least on the size of the at least one hole (240), for a system (100) for roasting coffee beans. Claim 17 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the size of the at least one hole is fixed, the smoke treatment unit (2) includes at least one temperature sensor (26) configured to monitor the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit (2), and the control system (3) is arranged to control the smoke driver (23) of the smoke treatment unit based on the temperature measurement provided by the temperature sensor. Claim 18 A system (100) for roasting coffee beans, wherein the air inlet device (24) is part of the roasting device (1) or part of the smoke treatment unit (2), or is a separate device connectable to the roasting device and the smoke treatment unit. Claim 19 A device (24) for connecting a smoke outlet (11) of a coffee bean roasting device and a smoke inlet (21) of a smoke treatment unit configured to collect and process smoke generated by the roasting device, wherein the device is configured to introduce and mix ambient air (A) together with smoke (S1) generated by the roasting device (1) inside the smoke treatment unit (2), and the device (24) comprises: - a first wall (241) extending between the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device and the smoke inlet (21) of the smoke treatment unit, and - at least one hole (240) passing through the wall, and wherein the device (24) is located upstream of a smoke filtration subunit (22) of the smoke treatment unit (2), for connecting a smoke outlet (11) of a coffee bean roasting device and a smoke inlet (21) of a smoke treatment unit configured to collect and process smoke generated by the roasting device. Claim 20 A coffee bean roasting device (1) comprising a smoke outlet (11), wherein the device comprises an air inlet device (24) connected to the smoke outlet (11), the device (24) comprises: a first wall (241) extending from the smoke outlet (11) of the roasting device and to the outside, and at least one hole (240) passing through the wall, and wherein the air inlet device (24) is located upstream of a smoke filtration subunit (22) of a smoke treatment unit (2) of the coffee bean roasting device (1). Claim 21 A smoke treatment unit (2) configured to collect and process smoke generated by a roasting device, comprising: a smoke inlet (21) configured to collect smoke; a smoke filtration sub-unit (22); and a smoke driver (23) configured to circulate smoke through the smoke treatment unit from a smoke collection device to an outlet (25) of the smoke treatment unit, wherein the smoke treatment unit comprises an air inlet device (24) configured to mix the smoke with ambient air before the smoke is circulated through the smoke filtration sub-unit (22). Claim 22 In claim 21, the air inlet device (24) is connected to a smoke inlet (211), and the device (24) comprises: a first wall (241) extending from the smoke inlet (21) and to the outside, and at least one hole (240) through the wall, a smoke treatment unit (2). Claim 23 A method for roasting coffee beans and filtering smoke generated during roasting of said beans using a system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claims 6 to 18, wherein the smoke driver (23) of the smoke treatment unit is controlled to adjust the amount of ambient air within the smoke treatment unit to control the temperature of the smoke inside the smoke filtration sub-unit (22). Claim 24 A method for roasting coffee beans and filtering smoke generated during the roasting of the beans, wherein the smoke treatment unit comprises an activated carbon filter (221), and the smoke driver (23) of the smoke treatment unit is controlled to introduce a large amount of ambient air into the smoke to obtain a smoke temperature of 65°C or lower and 50°C or higher in the activated carbon filter (221). Claim 25 A method for roasting coffee beans and filtering smoke generated during roasting of said beans using a system according to any one of claims 12 to 17, comprising the step of adjusting the size of the at least one hole (240) included in the first wall of the air inlet device to control the temperature inside the smoke filter subunit (22). Claim 26 A method for roasting coffee beans and filtering smoke generated during the roasting of the beans, wherein the size of the at least one hole (240) is increased to reduce the temperature or the size of the at least one hole (240) is increased to increase the temperature.

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