System for dispensing ground coffee

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for dispensing ground coffee, comprising one or more receivers storing one or different roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices dispensing coffee beans stored in the receivers, a grinder receiving coffee beans dispensed by the dosing devices to grind the coffee beans and subsequently to dispense the ground coffee beans, the grinder being movable to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding. The dosing devices are arranged between the receivers and the grinder such that the dosing devices can act as holding elements to hold the coffee beans within the receivers. The system further comprises a control unit controlling the dosing devices and the grinder, which controls one or more of the dosing devices to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder and controls the grinder to grind the specific amount of coffee beans and to subsequently dispense the ground coffee beans until the grinder is empty of coffee beans, so that the grinder can subsequently be moved to one of the different grinding positions.

Description

1. Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system for dispensing ground coffee, specifically for preparing coffee beverages. 2. Background Technology

[0002] Systems for dispensing ground coffee are commonly used in fully automated beverage preparation machines. These machines provide a fully automated process that begins by storing roasted coffee beans and ends by delivering the coffee beverage into cups. Typically, the coffee beans are stored in a receiver (i.e., a container) and are in direct contact with a grinder configured to grind the roasted beans. Thus, the grinder is submerged in coffee beans. The delivery of the ground (crushed) coffee can then be done by time or by the number of revolutions in the grinder, in terms of volume.

[0003] However, this process leads to two main problems. First, storing coffee beans in a receiver causes them to age and thus degrade. That is, as a natural product, coffee beans are oxidized. Consumers can easily detect the taste of oxidized coffee beans. For example, and according to sensory internal studies, this oxidized taste can be detected when 1 gram of coffee absorbs 80 micrograms of oxygen (O2), resulting in a volume ratio of 3% oxygen / coffee or 15% air / coffee. According to the Coffee Freshness Handbook (first edition, published by the Specialty Coffee Association), even very low levels (less than 2%) of oxygen have been found to migrate into the coffee and favor oxidation reactions in packaged coffee. Furthermore, research shows that certain types of aroma compounds in coffee begin to dissipate almost immediately after grinding, and the greatest rate of chemical freshness loss occurs during the first month of coffee storage, which can vary depending on the coffee blend, roast level, or extraction technique. Carbon dioxide also affects extraction: espresso extraction parameters need to be adjusted to account for coffee freshness, as this increases resistance to water flow and affects the contact between the extracted water and coffee.

[0004] Secondly, adjusting the grinder settings for specific coffee beverages is either impossible or at least difficult to perform. This adjustment specifically requires adjusting the grinder to grind the coffee beans so that the delivered ground coffee beans have the desired grind size (i.e., particle size measurement, coarseness, or grit) required for the desired coffee beverage. However, because the grinder is full of coffee beans, these beans obstruct the grinder's movement, hindering the adjustment of the grinder to achieve a specific grind size. For this reason, fully automatic machines use grinders with only one grind setting (i.e., only one grind size) for different beverages, such as short-brew espresso, coffee espresso, and long-brew espresso. However, this results in compromised quality of the delivered beverage because different coffee beverages require different particle sizes, etc. For example, compared to long-brew espresso, espresso requires a smaller particle size and therefore a smaller grind size to deliver a good-tasting coffee beverage. In other words, in pressure-extracting coffee machines (including fully automatic machines), the flow rate depends on the coffee grind (i.e., particle size distribution): finer grinds are needed for espresso and short-brew espresso, requiring a slower flow to extract the appropriate amount of material from the coffee puck for the size of the beverage. Conversely, long-brew espresso requires coarser grinds, resulting in a faster flow to extract the appropriate amount of material from the coffee puck for the "longer" size of the beverage without over-extraction.

[0005] Typically, extraction rate is a parameter that needs to be adjusted for preparing a well-tasting coffee beverage. Extraction rate is the percentage by mass of coffee grounds that ultimately dissolve in the brewed coffee. According to the SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association - Europe), an extraction rate of 18% to 22% (ideally 20%) of coffee grounds is desired to obtain a well-balanced and therefore well-tasting coffee beverage from a sensory perspective. For this purpose, and to maintain an extraction rate of 20%, baristas adjust the particle size (i.e., particle size determination) for specific coffee beverages. Values ​​below the recommended extraction rate are considered under-extraction, and values ​​exceeding the recommended extraction rate are considered over-extraction.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for dispensing ground coffee into a beverage preparation machine that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that provide an improved automated process for grinding coffee beans for different types of coffee beverages without compromising the quality of those different types of coffee beverages.

[0007] These and other objectives, which will become apparent upon reading the following description, will be addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention. 3. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a system for dispensing ground coffee, specifically for preparing coffee beverages, is provided. The system includes: one or more receivers for storing one or more types of roasted coffee beans; one or more metering devices for dispensing the coffee beans stored in the receivers; and a grinder for receiving the coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices, grinding the coffee beans, and subsequently dispensing the ground coffee beans, the grinder being configured to move to different grinding positions for different grind levels.

[0009] One or more metering devices are arranged between one or more receivers and a grinder, such that the one or more metering devices can (i.e., are capable of) function as one or more holding elements for holding coffee beans inside one or more receivers. Thus, the one or more metering devices act as holding elements for dispensing coffee beans stored in one or more receivers. In other words, the one or more metering devices can switch between a holding mode and a dispensing mode, wherein in the holding mode, the one or more metering devices act as one or more holding elements (i.e., coffee beans stored in one or more receivers are located and / or supported on one or more metering devices without being dispensed), and wherein in the dispensing mode, the one or more metering devices are arranged for dispensing coffee beans stored in one or more receivers.

[0010] The system also includes a control unit for controlling one or more metering devices and a grinder, wherein the control unit is configured to control one or more of the metering devices to distribute a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder, and to control the grinder to grind the specific amount of coffee beans, and thus distribute the ground coffee beans until the grinder is empty of coffee beans, so that the grinder can subsequently move to one of the different grinding positions.

[0011] Therefore, when a specific amount or quantity of coffee beans is ground and thus delivered by the grinder, the grinder is always empty of coffee beans. In the state of the grinder where the grinder is empty of coffee beans, the grinder can thus move to a specific grinding position with a specific degree of grinding in order to dispense ground coffee with a certain particle size, which is specifically provided for a specific or desired type of coffee beverage. Thus, the system and specifically the grinder not only provide ground coffee with only one particle size, but also provide multiple different particle sizes (specifically, the number of portions of ground coffee particles, each with a different average volume moment (De Brouckere average diameter, D[4,3])) for a variety of different coffee beverages). Therefore, the system does not compromise between different types of coffee beverages.

[0012] Therefore, the system can automatically set not only the type of coffee beans (origin, roast level, etc.), the specific amount of coffee grounds, the specific volume of water at a specific temperature, the specific pressure (drip, pressure, etc.), and the extraction time, but also the specific grind size (i.e., the specific particle size of the ground coffee). Thus, the system can also deliver ground coffee of a specific particle size based on user requests, suitable for coffee beverages prepared from the requested ground coffee. Therefore, there is no risk of under-extraction or over-extraction of the coffee beverage prepared from the dispensed ground coffee, or at least this risk is significantly reduced, thereby improving the quality of the coffee beverage.

[0013] A grinder may include two grinding elements spaced apart and movable relative to each other to grind received coffee beans between them. In other words, the two grinding elements define a gap into which coffee beans can enter and be received for grinding. This achieves very efficient grinding of the coffee beans. The two grinding elements (i.e., the gap) also define an inlet for the coffee beans to enter the space between them, and an outlet through which the grinder can dispense the ground coffee. For the relative movement of the two grinding elements (e.g., rotational movement about a rotational axis), only one or both of the grinding elements may move.

[0014] The grinder can be configured to change the distance so that the grinding element and thus the grinder can move between different grinding positions. Therefore, the grinder can be moved very easily between different grinding positions, i.e., to the desired grinding position within the different grinding positions.

[0015] Each of the one or more receivers can be connected to a corresponding one of the one or more metering devices, preferably such that each of the one or more receivers and the corresponding metering device can be removed as a whole unit. Therefore, the system can be built and / or maintained very easily, specifically without sending coffee beans stored in the container to the outside of the receivers during the removal of the entire unit.

[0016] The system may also include a measuring unit for measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices, and is configured to send a signal to the control unit indicating the measured amount of coffee beans dispensed. This helps to provide a feedback loop for very precise metering of coffee beans.

[0017] Preferably, the measuring unit is part of and / or arranged within one or more metering devices. In other words, the one or more metering devices may also be adapted to perform the function of the measuring unit, i.e., the one or more metering devices may also be adapted to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed. Thus, a very compact arrangement is provided for dispensing coffee beans and measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed. Furthermore, the one or more metering devices and the measuring unit can move together, i.e., as a single unit. This improves the assembly and maintenance of the one or more metering devices and the measuring unit. Alternatively, the measuring unit may be disposed separately from the one or more metering devices.

[0018] The measuring unit can be arranged to measure the volume and / or weight and / or quantity of coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices. Therefore, the amount of coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices can be calculated based on the volume and / or weight and / or quantity of the coffee beans.

[0019] The system may include only one grinder. This provides a very simple and compact machine design, specifically when only one grinder is provided for multiple metering devices and / or multiple receivers. Alternatively, the system may include multiple grinders, each arranged to receive coffee beans dispensed by one or more of the metering devices.

[0020] The system may also include one or more drive units (such as one or more motors) for moving the grinder (specifically, the grinding element) between different grinding positions and / or for operating the grinder to grind coffee beans, wherein the one or more drive units are preferably detachably connected to the grinder. For example, the system may include one drive unit for moving the grinder between different grinding positions and another drive unit for operating the grinder to grind coffee beans. If the system includes multiple grinders, the detachable connection facilitates the removal or detachment of one grinder from the corresponding drive unit while maintaining the grinding of coffee beans by the corresponding other grinders. Thus, the system can be maintained and operated to dispense ground coffee simultaneously.

[0021] The grinding machine can be of the conical burr type or the flat burr type.

[0022] The grinder can be adapted to grind coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed (e.g., rotational speed). For example, based on control input, specifically based on the type of coffee beverage, the grinder can adjust its speed for grinding. Additionally or alternatively, the grinder can be adapted to grind coffee beans for different types of coffee beverages at the same (constant) speed.

[0023] The system may also include an additional retaining element arranged to force the coffee beans received by the grinder toward the grinder, specifically into the gap defined by the two grinding elements, for grinding the coffee beans. Therefore, this additional retaining element prevents the coffee beans from jumping away from the grinder. Furthermore, the additional retaining element helps the grinder to quickly grind a specific amount of coffee beans.

[0024] The control unit can be configured to receive presence signals indicating the presence or absence of coffee beans received by the grinder, and to control the grinder to operate for grinding, specifically by moving two grinding elements relative to each other, at least until the control unit receives a signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder. In other words, the state of the grinder in which the grinder does not contain coffee beans can be identified based on the presence signal. The presence signal can be derived by the control unit itself (e.g., by evaluating parameters used to operate the grinder) or can be provided from a device other than the control unit, such as by a presence sensor.

[0025] Preferably, the presence signal is based on a sensed force and / or torque used to operate the grinder to perform grinding, specifically by moving the grinding elements relative to each other to perform grinding, wherein if the sensed force and / or torque drops below a defined threshold, the control unit receives a presence signal indicating absence. In other words, the sensed force and / or torque are used to determine the end of the grinding process performed by the grinder. Therefore, a very low-cost solution for providing a presence signal is provided, specifically eliminating the need for additional sensors.

[0026] The control unit can be configured to receive specific control inputs, wherein the control unit is configured to control the grinder to move to one of different grinding positions based on the specific control inputs, and / or to control one or more metering devices to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans based on the specific control inputs. Thus, the system can provide ground coffee that is particularly well-tailored to the corresponding requests of the control inputs.

[0027] The control input can be a recipe, specifically a recipe for the coffee beverage to be prepared. The system may also include a user interface that is functionally connected to the control unit for inputting control inputs.

[0028] Each of the one or more receivers can be a sealed container, preferably made at least partially of an oxygen-barrier material. This prevents the coffee beans stored in the receiver from degrading due to oxidation.

[0029] Each of one or more metering devices can be configured to act as a pump or a reverse pump to dispense coffee beans. Thus, one or more metering devices facilitate very precise metering of coffee beans, which can optionally dispense coffee beans back to the appropriate receiver.

[0030] The system may also include a weighing unit arranged to measure the weight of the ground coffee ground and dispensed by the grinder. The weighing unit is configured to send a signal to a control unit indicating the measured weight of the received ground coffee. The control unit is preferably configured to control the grinder to operate and perform grinding, specifically by moving two grinding elements relative to each other, at least until the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit corresponds to the amount of coffee beans measured by the weighing unit. In other words, the weighing unit helps identify the state of the grinder where there are no coffee beans (i.e., no coffee bean retention or residue).

[0031] The system may also include a brewing unit for receiving ground coffee beans dispensed by a grinder, so as to brew coffee beverages with the ground coffee beans received in this way.

[0032] Furthermore, a method for dispensing ground coffee to prepare a coffee beverage can be provided. The above description of the system similarly applies to this method. The method includes the following steps: providing a machine (e.g., according to the system described above), the machine including one or more receivers for storing one or more types of roasted coffee beans, one or more metering devices for dispensing the coffee beans stored in the one or more receivers, and a grinder for receiving the coffee beans dispensed by the one or more metering devices, the grinder being configured to move to different grinding positions for different grind levels; setting the grinder such that it is in a specific grinding position; after setting the grinder, dispensing a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder via the one or more metering devices (i.e., performing the setting the grinder step before the dispensing step); and grinding the specific amount of coffee beans by the grinder, and thus dispensing the ground coffee beans until the grinder is empty.

[0033] The method may also include, after the grinding step, a step in which the grinder is moved, preferably by a drive unit such as a motor, to one of the different grinding positions.

[0034] The grinder may include two grinding elements that are spaced apart and can move relative to each other to grind the received coffee beans between the two grinding elements.

[0035] The method may also include the step of changing the distance so that the grinding element and thus the grinding machine can move between the different grinding positions.

[0036] The machine may include only one grinder.

[0037] The method may also include the step of disassembling the grinder, such as by removing the grinder from the drive unit.

[0038] The grinding machine can be of the conical burr type or the flat burr type.

[0039] The grinder can grind coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed.

[0040] The method may further include the steps of: sensing the presence of coffee beans received by the grinder, and operating the grinder to grind at least during the sensing of the presence of the coffee beans, for example until the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder is sensed.

[0041] The method may further include the steps of: sensing a force and / or torque applied to operate the grinder for grinding, and stopping the grinding if the sensed force and / or torque drops below a predetermined threshold.

[0042] The method may further include the following steps: inputting a specific control input, and moving the grinder to one of the different grinding positions based on the specific control input, and / or dispensing a specific amount of coffee beans based on the specific control input through one or more of the metering devices.

[0043] The control input can be a recipe, specifically a recipe for the coffee beverage to be prepared. The machine may also include a user interface for inputting control inputs.

[0044] The method may also include steps such as forcing coffee beans received by the grinder toward the grinder by a retaining element, specifically into the gap defined by the two grinding elements, in order to grind the coffee beans.

[0045] Each of the one or more receivers may be connected to a corresponding one of the one or more metering devices, wherein the method preferably further includes the step of removing at least one of the one or more receivers and the corresponding metering device as a whole unit.

[0046] Each of the one or more receivers may be a sealed container, preferably made at least in part of an oxygen-barrier material.

[0047] Each of one or more metering devices may be configured to act as a pump or a reverse pump to dispense coffee beans.

[0048] The method may further include the following steps: measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the one or more metering devices via a measuring unit, and sending a signal indicating the measured amount of coffee beans dispensed via the measuring unit. The measuring unit may measure the volume and / or weight and / or quantity of coffee beans dispensed by the one or more metering devices.

[0049] The method may further include the steps of: measuring the weight of the ground coffee ground and dispensed by the grinder via a weighing unit, and sending a signal via the weighing unit indicating the measured weight of the received ground coffee. Optionally, the method may further include the step of: operating the grinder to perform grinding, specifically by moving the two grinding elements relative to each other, at least until the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit corresponds to the amount of coffee beans measured by the measuring unit.

[0050] The method may also include the step of receiving ground coffee beans dispensed by the grinder by the brewing unit. 4. Description of the attached drawings

[0051] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0052] Figure 1 This is an exemplary coffee control brewing diagram;

[0053] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a system for dispensing ground coffee;

[0054] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 5 The graphs exemplarily illustrate the extraction rates of different coffee beverages that can be prepared using a system according to an embodiment of the invention. 5. Detailed Implementation

[0057] exist Figure 1The diagram shows a coffee brewing control chart. The y-axis represents intensity and indicates how much coffee solids ultimately dissolve in the water of the coffee beverage. Intensity is expressed as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and can be measured using a refractometer. The level of intensity can vary depending on preference. For example, drip coffee may ideally have an intensity level (i.e., TDS) in the range of 1.2% to 1.45%. The x-axis represents extraction yield and indicates the percentage by mass of coffee grounds ultimately dissolved in the brewed coffee. Ideally, extraction yield is in the range of 18% to 22%. Specifically, extraction yield depends on the type of coffee (origin, roast level, etc.), the amount of ground coffee for each beverage, the volume of the beverage, the temperature of the brewing water, the extraction technique (pressure, drip, etc.), the extraction time, and the grind size of the coffee.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the ideal range of TDS and the ideal range of extraction rate overlap and form a box at the center of the chart. This central box can represent the optimal cup for drip coffee. Depending on preference, there may also be a coffee that falls within the ideal range of extraction rate (18% to 22%), but has an intensity level (TDS) that is higher or lower than the said ideal intensity. For example, coffee within the ideal extraction rate range and in the range of approximately 5% to 8% is a long-brew espresso, coffee within the ideal extraction rate range and in the range of 8% to 12% is an espresso, and coffee within the ideal extraction rate range and in the range of 12% to 18% is a short-brew espresso.

[0059] Figure 1 A line for a constant brewing ratio (expressed in grams per liter) is also shown. That is, if the weight of ground coffee and the amount of water used to prepare the corresponding coffee beverage are known, the corresponding line can be found in the graph. TDS and extraction rate will then be somewhere on the corresponding line, either within or outside the ideal extraction rate. For example, for a given brewing ratio, an extraction rate of the coffee beverage is achieved that is below the ideal extraction rate. To achieve a coffee beverage with the same brewing ratio but at the ideal extraction rate, the parameters affecting the extraction rate can be adjusted. Thus, the same brewing ratio can be used, i.e., the same weight of ground coffee and the same amount of water as the previous (worse) coffee beverage, but with ground coffee of a smaller particle size. TDS and extraction rate will then move along the corresponding brewing ratio line and toward the ideal extraction rate. Additionally or alternatively, other parameters can be used to adjust the extraction rate, such as the type of coffee (origin, roast level, etc.), the temperature of the brewing water, the extraction technique (pressure, drip, etc.), and / or the extraction time, as explained above.

[0060] Figure 2A system or (fully automated) machine 100 for preparing coffee beverages is shown. System 100 is specifically adapted to dispense ground coffee into a beverage preparation machine for preparing coffee beverages. System 100 includes receivers 11, 12 for storing one or more types of roasted coffee beans. System 100 also includes grinders 10, 12, wherein grinder 10 is arranged to receive and grind the coffee beans stored in receiver 11, and wherein grinder 12 is arranged to receive and grind the coffee beans stored in receiver 12. System 100 also includes guiding elements 15, 16 that guide the ground coffee ground by the respective grinders 10, 12 for further processing in the beverage preparation machine. Before being sent to the beverage preparation machine, the ground coffee can be weighed by means of a weighing unit 50 to ensure that the desired amount of ground coffee beans is extracted for the preparation of the coffee beverage.

[0061] According to Figure 2 In system 100, each of the grinders 10 and 12 is connected to its corresponding receiver 11 and 12 in such a way that the grinder 10 and 12 are submerged in coffee beans. That is, the coffee beans stored in the receivers 11 and 12 are always in direct contact with the corresponding grinder 10 and 12. Due to this direct contact between the grinders 10 and 12 and the coffee beans, it is impossible, or at least very difficult, to adjust the grind size of the grinders 10 and 12. Therefore, the ground coffee delivered by each of the grinders 10 and 12 always has the same grind size. Therefore, system 100 cannot deliver ground coffee with different particle sizes. Since particle size affects the extraction rate and thus the quality of the coffee beverage made from the ground coffee, system 100 cannot be used to prepare multiple coffee beverages with ideal extraction rates for good quality.

[0062] Therefore, system 100 requires each of the grinders 10, 12 to be configured to provide a corresponding grind size in order to have a trade-off between different particle sizes for different coffee beverages. For example, grinder 10 may be adapted to deliver ground coffee with only a first particle size (such as the particle size of espresso), while grinder 12 may be adapted to deliver ground coffee with only a second particle size (such as the particle size of short-brew espresso). If system 100 thus delivers ground coffee for preparing different coffee beverages, such as long-brew espresso, the delivered ground coffee (i.e., ground coffee with the first or second particle size) may have a particle size that is too coarse (large) or too small compared to the desired particle size, thereby resulting in under-extraction or over-extraction and thus resulting in poor quality of the desired coffee beverage. In addition, multiple grinders 10, 12 require a large amount of space and expensive production, thus resulting in a complex and expensive system in addition to the delivery of coffee beverages with poor quality.

[0063] These drawbacks of system 100 are overcome by system 110 according to the invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 A preferred embodiment of system 110 is illustrated illustratively. System 110 is adapted to dispense ground coffee (such as into a beverage preparation machine), for example, for preparing a coffee beverage. System 110 may be a machine or part of a machine, wherein the machine is, for example, a (fully automatic) beverage preparation machine. System 110 or the beverage preparation machine may be adapted to provide a fully automatic process that begins with storing roasted coffee beans and ends with delivering the coffee beverage into a cup. All process steps for preparing a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans, except for a user's request to dispense a specific beverage, are thus automated by system 110 or the beverage preparation machine. System 110 may be formed as a unit, such that, specifically, all parts comprising system 110 may be displaced as a whole unit. System 110 may include a housing for accommodating the respective parts of system 110, specifically to form the unit of system 110. System 110 may be adapted for placement in a home and / or on a countertop.

[0064] System 110 includes multiple (i.e., at least two) receivers 13, 14 for storing one or more different types of roasted coffee beans. Specifically, receiver 13 may store a first type of roasted coffee bean, while receiver 14 may store a second type of roasted coffee bean. The respective types of roasted coffee beans may be roasted depending on the specific coffee beverage and / or may have a specific source. However, system 110 is not limited to multiple receivers 13, 14, but may also include only one receiver. Therefore, the following description relative to multiple receivers 13, 14 similarly applies to embodiments in which system 110 includes only one receiver.

[0065] Each of receivers 13 and 14 can be a sealed container, such that the roasted coffee beans stored in the respective container 13 or 14 are maintained in an airtight environment. To provide a sealed container, each of receivers 13 and 14 may include a respective lid 21. Thus, lid 21 is arranged such that substantially no air or oxygen can travel through the opening of the respective receiver 13 or 14, which is closed by lid 21, into the volume 22 of the respective receiver 13 or 14, in which the coffee beans are stored. Lid 21 may include a pressure valve 26, such that air can escape from receivers 13 or 14, specifically from the respective volume 22, through pressure valve 26. Thus, receivers 13 and 14 are airtight by means of the respective valve 26, allowing the coffee beans to be stored in a sealed atmosphere, thereby preventing oxidation. Under normal conditions, valve 26 is closed and maintains the internal pressure within volume 22.

[0066] Each of receivers 13 and 14 may have a variable volume, which constitutes a volume receiver 22 in which coffee beans are stored. Thus, this volume receiver 22 is configured to modify its volume in such a way that it adapts to the amount of coffee beans stored within the respective receiver 13 or 14. The configuration of such a variable-volume container and volume receiver 22 has various possibilities. For example, the lid 21 may be a piston element acting as a passive element, moving by gravity as the coffee beans are removed from the respective receiver 13 or 14. During the dispensing of these coffee beans, the lid 21 passively moves downward to remove the top space occupied by air and left by the delivered coffee beans, thereby adapting its volume to the volume occupied by the remaining coffee beans within the respective receiver 13 or 14. The lid 21 moves downward by its own weight to compensate for the volume loss left by the coffee beans (the volume decreases as the coffee beans have been delivered outside the respective receiver 13 or 14). The lid 21 may include a joint disposed between the lid 21 and the inner wall of the respective receivers 30, 40 (each volume 22) to minimize and avoid gas exchange (typically air) between the coffee beans in that volume and the outside atmosphere as much as possible when the lid 21 moves downward. This prevents the coffee beans from oxidizing.

[0067] If the lid 21 is designed as a piston element, then the valve 26 can be a threshold degassing valve equal to the weight of the piston element. The valve 26 then operates when the respective receivers 13, 14 are to be filled with coffee beans and can also operate during coffee bean degassing. Therefore, the lid 21, in the form of a piston element, is arranged to descend when the valve 26 is open, thereby venting any remaining air from the respective receivers 13, 14. Thus, the sealing of the respective receivers 30, 40 (i.e., in volume 22) is maintained during the dispensing of coffee beans stored in the respective receivers 13, 14.

[0068] Under normal conditions, valve 26 is closed and maintains the internal pressure within volume 22. When the roasted coffee beans begin to degas and the internal pressure in volume 22 becomes higher than the weight of lid 21, valve 26 opens to release the internal pressure and prevent lid 21 (in the form of a piston element) from moving upwards when the internal pressure exceeds the weight of the piston element. This threshold pressure setting ensures that there is no headspace or minimal headspace in volume 22, thus isolating the coffee beans as much as possible from the external atmosphere (oxygen), and therefore preventing piston element 21 (acting as a lid) from moving upwards as the amount of coffee beans in volume 22 decreases.

[0069] The respective volume 22 of each of receivers 13 and 14 is preferably formed to have a constant cross-section in the vertical axis (Z). Each of receivers 13 and 14 may be made at least partially of an oxygen-barrier material. Preferably, each of receivers 13 and 14 is made of a material that is sealed against moisture and air. The lid 21 may have the same (transverse) cross-section as the volume 22. The lid 21 closes the upper portion of the respective receiver 13 or 14 (i.e., volume 22) in a sealing manner. The lid 21 may be provided with an (upper) handle so that it can be removed from the respective receiver 13 or 14 to add coffee beans to the respective receiver 13 or 14 (i.e., to volume 22). In other examples (not shown in the figures), each of receivers 13 and 14 may be configured as a pouch or bag made of a flexible material. Thus, by shrinking the pouch or bag, the respective receiver 13 or 14 adapts its volume to the remaining volume occupied by the remaining coffee beans. Make the flexible pouch or bag airtight so that when coffee beans are dispensed from it, air is drawn from the inside of its volume and thus the flexible material will adapt to the remaining occupied volume.

[0070] System 110 also includes a plurality of metering devices 60, 70, each of which is arranged to dispense (i.e., deliver) coffee beans stored in receivers 13, 14. However, the invention is not limited to a specific number of metering devices. For example, system 110 may also include only one metering device arranged to dispense coffee beans stored in only one receiver or multiple receivers. If the system includes only one metering device, the description relative to metering devices 60, 70 similarly applies to that single metering device. One or more metering devices 60, 70 specifically ensure that only the desired quantity or amount of coffee beans is dispensed. Therefore, it specifically prevents the removal of too many or too few coffee beans from one or more receivers 13, 14 compared to the desired quantity.

[0071] System 110 is not limited to a specific arrangement of the metering devices 60, 70, as long as the metering devices 60, 70 can dispense coffee beans stored in receivers 13, 14. Each of the metering devices 60, 70 can be arranged to dispense coffee beans stored in a corresponding one of the receivers 13, 14. Thus, metering device 60 can be arranged to dispense coffee beans stored in receiver 13, and metering device 70 can be arranged to dispense coffee beans stored in receiver 14. One or more metering devices 60, 70 are arranged such that one or more metering devices 60, 70 can act as one or more holding elements for holding coffee beans inside one or more receivers 13, 14. Thus, the coffee beans stored in receivers 13, 14 are at least partially located on or at least partially supported on one or more metering devices 60, 70. When one or more of the metering devices 60, 70 are not dispensing coffee beans, the metering devices 60, 70 thus prevent the coffee beans stored in the receivers 13, 14 from being removed from the receivers 13, 14 (by gravity). Preferably, and as Figure 3 As shown, each of the metering devices 60 and 70 is arranged on the bottom portion of a corresponding one of the receivers 13 and 14 and / or at the outlet of the corresponding receiver 13 and 14. Therefore, coffee beans stored in each of the receivers 13 and 14 can move toward the corresponding metering device 60 or 70 by gravity.

[0072] Each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 is arranged such that the dispensing of coffee beans can be selectively stopped or halted, ensuring that the metering feeders 60 and 70 always dispense only a specific or desired (i.e., required) amount of coffee beans to the grinder 30. Each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 is arranged to gently feed or dispense roasted coffee beans from the corresponding receivers 13 and 14, ensuring that the coffee beans are not damaged. Figure 3As shown, each of the metering devices 60 and 70 can be configured to act as a pump or a reverse pump for dispensing coffee beans. Specifically, each of one or more metering devices 60 and 70 may include two counter-rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72, arranged to rotate toward an inner center between the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72. Thus, the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 act as pumps to draw coffee beans out of the receivers 13, 14. Each of the metering devices 60 and 70 can be adapted to dispense coffee beans back into the respective receivers 13, 14. This can be achieved by rotating the two counter-rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 in a direction opposite to the rotational movement used to remove coffee beans from the respective receivers 13, 14. The ability to dispense coffee beans back into the respective receivers 13, 14 enables very precise metering of coffee beans, such that, for example, not too many coffee beans are removed from the respective receivers 13, 14. In addition, it prevents coffee beans from remaining between the cylinders, which would lead to the degradation (oxidation) of the remaining coffee beans. Furthermore, it prevents the cylinders from undergoing wear and tear, such as deformation caused by coffee beans remaining between the cylinders for extended periods.

[0073] Each of the metering devices 60 and 70 can be designed in a sealing manner, such that, specifically during the undispensed coffee bean phase of the metering devices 60 and 70, no air enters each of the receivers 13 and 14 through the respective metering device 60 or 70. The sealing of each of the metering devices 60 and 70 can be achieved using a compressible material. For example, each of the cylinders 61, 62, 71, and 72 can be at least partially made of a compressible and / or soft material (such as silicone, foam, or other compressible materials). Therefore, the compressible material provides a sealed outlet, thereby preventing air from entering the respective receivers 13 and 14 through the respective metering devices 60 and 70. Furthermore, since the compressible material of the cylinders 61, 62, 71, and 72 preferably has a lower hardness than the coffee beans to be dispensed, damage to the coffee beans to be dispensed is also prevented from being achieved.

[0074] In other examples, each of the metering devices 60, 70 may include a corresponding pair of meshing gears for conveying coffee beans to and from the corresponding receivers 13, 14. The pairs of meshing gears may be designed similarly to cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72, such that the above description relative to cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 applies similarly to the pairs of meshing gears. In another example, each of the metering devices 60, 70 includes only one gear, for example, designed similarly to the cylinders described above, wherein each of the metering devices 60, 70 may include an auxiliary device that cooperates with only one gear to seal the corresponding metering device 60, 70.

[0075] Each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 can be configured to dispense coffee beans at a variable speed. For example, the respective dispensing process of each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 can be divided into a start stage and a finish stage. Thus, each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 can be configured to dispense coffee beans at a first rate (fast) in the start stage and at a second rate (slow) less than the first rate in the finish stage. Therefore, very precise metering is achieved by the metering feeders 60 and 70, allowing the correct amount / quantity of coffee beans to be dispensed. For example, in the start stage, cylinders 61, 62, 71, and 72 can rotate rapidly, while in the finish stage, the rotational speed of the cylinders is reduced to deliver the correct amount of coffee beans. These interpretations similarly apply when each of the metering feeders 60 and 70 includes one or more gears.

[0076] In system 110, each of receivers 13 and 14 is connected to a corresponding one of the metering devices 60 and 70. Thus, receiver 13 is connected to metering device 60, and receiver 14 is connected to metering device 70. The connection between each of the metering devices 60 and 70 and the corresponding receiver 13 or 14 can be achieved by connecting or fastening elements. Preferably, one or more receivers 13 and 14 and the corresponding metering devices 60 and 70 are connected to each other in such a way that they can be removed as a whole unit (from system 110, i.e., from other parts of system 110). Therefore, system 110 can be efficiently generated and maintained. For example, each of receivers 13 and 14 and the corresponding metering devices 60 and 70 can be at least partially integrally formed with each other.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, system 110 also includes a grinder 30 for receiving coffee beans dispensed by metering devices 60, 70. Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, system 110 includes only one grinder arranged to receive coffee beans dispensed by a plurality of metering devices 60, 70 and thus coffee beans from a plurality of receivers 13, 14. In other examples, system 110 may also include a plurality of grinders 30. Each of the grinders 30 may then be configured for a corresponding one of the receivers 13, 14 or for a plurality of receivers 13, 14.

[0078] The grinder 30 is arranged to receive coffee beans dispensed by metering devices 60, 70, and each of one or more metering devices 60, 70 is arranged between the respective receivers 13, 14 and the grinder 30. For example, the grinder 30 is arranged below the metering devices 60, 70 such that the coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 move into the grinder 30 by gravity. In other words, each of one or more metering devices 60, 70 is arranged before the inlet of the grinder 30. The system 110 may include one or more guide elements 17, 18 (ducts, pipes, rails, etc.) arranged in such a way as to guide the coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 so that these coffee beans can be received by the grinder 30. Thus, the guide element 17 may be arranged such that the coffee beans dispensed by the metering device 60 enter the guide element 17 and are subsequently guided by the guide element 17 in such a way that the coffee beans dispensed by the guide element 17 fall (directly) into the grinder 30. Correspondingly, the guide element 18 can be arranged such that coffee beans dispensed by the metering device 70 enter the guide element 18 and are subsequently guided by the guide element 18 in such a way that the coffee beans dispensed by the guide element 18 fall (directly) into the grinder 30. Each of the guide elements 17 and 18 can be arranged between the grinder 30 and a corresponding one of the metering devices 60 and 70.

[0079] The grinder 30 is arranged or configured to grind coffee beans received by the grinder. Additionally, the grinder 30 is configured to subsequently dispense the ground coffee. The dispensing of ground coffee beans by the grinder 30 can be accomplished solely by gravity. Therefore, the grinder 30 is adapted to deliver ground coffee only when the desired grind size is achieved. That is, the grinder 30 can be adapted so that ground coffee with a larger than desired grind size cannot be delivered by the grinder 30.

[0080] For example, the grinder 30 includes two grinding elements 31, 32 (i.e., a first grinding element 31 and a second grinding element 32, respectively, e.g., a rotor and a stator), which are spaced apart and movable relative to each other to grind received coffee beans between the two grinding elements 31, 32. One of the grinding elements 31, 32 (such as grinding element 32) may be stationary (i.e., the stator), while the corresponding other of the grinding elements 31, 32 (such as grinding element 31) is movable relative to (about) one of the grinding elements 31, 32 (i.e., grinding element 31 is a rotor). The relative movement may be rotational movement and / or relative to a specific (rotational) axis of movement. The grinding elements 31, 32 may form or define a gap including an inlet and an outlet. Through the inlet, (unground) coffee beans may enter the gap to be arranged between the grinding elements 31, 32 for grinding. Through the outlet, the ground coffee, ground by the relatively movable grinding elements 31, 32, may exit the gap for delivery by the grinder 30. Therefore, the outlet can have a size corresponding to the desired particle size of the ground coffee to be delivered by the grinder 30. This prevents ground coffee with a particle size larger than the size of the outlet from being delivered by the grinder 30. The gap defined by the grinding elements 31, 31 can taper from the inlet to the outlet of the gap.

[0081] The grinder 30 is configured to move to different grinding positions for different grind settings. In each of these positions, the grinder 30 dispenses coffee beans of a corresponding grit size. Thus, the grinder 30 is adapted to provide different grit sizes of ground coffee for different coffee beverage types or formulations (such as espresso, short-brew espresso, and branded coffees). In other words, the grinder 30 enables variations in grind setting (grind size) for each coffee beverage. Preferably, each of the different grinding positions corresponds to a corresponding degree of grinding, such that the grinder 30 can deliver ground coffee with two or more degrees of grinding or particle sizes (the average diameter D[4,3] of the volumetric moment of the ground coffee particles dispensed by the grinder 30), which are in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, such as the following degrees of grinding (particle sizes): 100 μm (e.g., Turkish coffee), 200 μm (e.g., espresso machine), 300 μm (e.g., (machine) espresso, preferably 230-300 μm), 400 μm (e.g., (machine) espresso (preferably long-brew espresso in the range of 320-360 μm)), 500 μm (e.g., drip coffee "filtered coffee"), 600 μm (e.g., vacuum glass pot), 700 μm (e.g., metal filter), 800 μm (e.g., French press coffee) and 900 μm (e.g., for percolators).

[0082] To enable the grinder 30 to move between different grinding positions, the grinder 30 can be configured to change the aforementioned distance between the grinding elements 31, 32. That is, the gap can be defined by the surfaces of the grinding elements 31 and 32, wherein the distance between the grinding elements can be changed by moving the surface of the grinding element 31 away from or towards the surface of the grinding element 32, thereby enabling the grinder 30 to move between different grinding positions. One or more of the grinding elements 31, 32 can be arranged to move along a specific axis of movement to change the distance, and thus adjust the gap formed by the grinding elements 31, 32. For example, the movement along this specific axis of movement can be a translational movement, and / or the specific axis of movement can be the same as or different from the (rotational) axis of movement used for relative movement of the two grinding elements 31, 32 to grind coffee beans between the two grinding elements 31, 32. The change in the distance between the grinding elements 31, 32 allows for simultaneous adjustment / change of the size of the outlet of the gap defined by the grinding elements 31, 32, specifically having a size corresponding to the desired grit size or degree of grinding at the respective grinding position.

[0083] Figure 3 The grinder 30 of the illustrated embodiment is of the conical burr type. Therefore, the grinding element 31 is substantially conical in shape. Thus, the space (i.e., gap) between the grinding elements 31 and 32 is defined by the conical surface of the grinding element 31 and the surface of the grinding element 32, which is also preferably conical. In other examples, the grinder 30 may be of the flat burr type.

[0084] System 110 may include one or more drive units (such as one or more motors) for moving the grinder 30 (specifically grinding elements 31, 32) between different grinding positions, and / or for operating the grinder 30 to grind coffee beans, specifically for correspondingly moving the grinding elements 31, 32 relative to each other. One or more drive units may be detachably connected to the grinder 30, specifically such that the grinder 30 can be removed without removing one or more drive units. The detachable connection between the one or more drive units and the grinder 30 may be a quick-release mechanical connection, allowing for quick and easy disassembly of the grinder 30 and thus removal of the grinder. The grinder 30 may be adapted to grind coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed.

[0085] System 110 may optionally include a retaining element (not shown) arranged to force coffee beans received by grinder 30 toward grinder 30, specifically into the gap defined by two grinding elements 31, 32. Thus, coffee beans forced toward grinder 30 and preferably into the gap by the retaining element can be ground by grinder 30. Therefore, the retaining element prevents coffee beans from jumping out of grinder 30, and thus the coffee beans can be effectively ground by grinder 30. The retaining element may be arranged such that the coffee beans are forced toward grinder 30 by the weight of the retaining element. Therefore, retaining element 30 may be arranged on top of the coffee beans received by grinder 30. The retaining element may be dome-shaped.

[0086] System 110 may also include a brewing unit (not shown) arranged to receive ground coffee beans dispensed by grinder 30. Therefore, the brewing unit is adapted to brew a coffee beverage with the received ground coffee beans. Specifically, the brewing unit includes an extraction unit. That is, the brewing unit may include a receiver in which ground coffee dispensed by grinder 30 is received, and in which hot water (specifically having a defined temperature and / or defined pressure and / or defined flow rate) can enter to contact the received ground coffee beans in order to achieve coffee extraction for the preparation of a coffee beverage. The brewing unit may be configured to deliver a coffee beverage made from the ground coffee received by the brewing unit. The brewing unit may deliver the coffee beverage into a cup. That is, the brewing unit is also configured to discharge a coffee beverage comprising soluble flavoring agents or particles dissolved in the water from the ground coffee during coffee extraction. The brewing unit may be arranged such that the ground coffee dispensed by grinder 30 is dispensed directly or indirectly into the brewing unit by gravity. For example, the brewing unit is arranged below the grinder 30, that is, at the outlet of the grinder. When the system 110 includes the brewing unit, the system 110 can be a beverage preparation machine.

[0087] like Figure 4As shown, system 110 also includes a control unit 91 for controlling at least the metering devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30. Therefore, the control unit 91 is functionally connected to at least the metering devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30 for corresponding control of them. The control unit 91 is an electronic control unit, specifically including a data carrier, a processor, and a communication interface. The control unit 91 is configured to control the metering devices 60, 70 such that the metering devices 60, 70 dispense a specific amount (e.g., by weight) of coffee beans to the grinder 30. Therefore, the control unit 91 is configured to send a signal to the metering devices 60, 70 indicating the required amount of coffee beans to be dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 to the grinder 30. The control unit 91 is preferably configured to control the rate of metering through the metering devices 60, 70; for example, the control unit 91 may control only one of the metering devices 60, 70 such that only a specific amount of coffee beans corresponding to the receivers 13, 14 is dispensed to the grinder 30. The control unit 91 can also be configured to control the metering devices 60, 70 in such a way that a specific mixture (i.e., blend) of coffee beans from receivers 13, 14 is dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 to the grinder 30, such that a specific amount of coffee beans corresponds to this specific mixture of coffee beans. The specific mixture of coffee beans can be the ratio of coffee beans from one of receivers 13, 14 to the coffee beans from the corresponding one of receivers 13, 14.

[0088] To precisely control the metering devices 60, 70 to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans, system 110 may include a measuring unit 80 arranged to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70. The measuring unit 80 may be arranged between one or more metering devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30, and / or may be arranged at the outlet of one or more metering devices 60, 70 and / or the inlet of the grinder 30. System 110 may include only one measuring unit 80 for multiple metering devices. Alternatively, system 110 may also include multiple measuring units 80, each arranged for a corresponding one of the metering devices 60, 70. The measuring unit 80 is further configured to send a signal to a control unit 91 indicating the amount of coffee beans dispensed as measured by the measuring unit 80. Therefore, when the measured amount of coffee beans dispensed corresponds to a specific (desired) amount of coffee beans, the control unit 91 can control the metering devices 60 and 70 to stop the dispensing of coffee beans by the metering devices 60 and 70.

[0089] The measuring unit 80 can be configured to measure the quantity of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 by measuring the weight of the coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70. Therefore, the measuring unit 80 can be a weighing unit. Other methods for measuring the quantity of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 may also exist. For example, the measuring unit 80 can be configured to measure the volume of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70. Thus, the measuring unit 80 can send a signal to the control unit 91 indicating the measured volume of the dispensed coffee beans, wherein the control unit 91 multiplies the volume of the dispensed coffee beans by a specific value (i.e., a constant, e.g., expressed in grams per volume) to calculate the quantity (e.g., weight) of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring unit 80 can be configured to measure the number of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70. For example, the measuring unit 80 can measure the number of coffee beans by measuring the number of rotations of the rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72. Then, the measuring unit 80 can send a signal to the control unit 91 indicating the measured quantity of coffee beans dispensed, wherein the control unit 91 multiplies the quantity of coffee beans dispensed by the control unit 91 by a specific value (i.e., a constant, for example, in grams per coffee bean) to calculate the amount (e.g., weight) of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70.

[0090] Typically, the measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed in a non-contact or contact manner. The measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70 via mechanical and / or drive mechanisms (specifically, by the metering devices 60, 70 via receivers for receiving the dispensed coffee beans). The receiver may also be designed to dispense coffee beans when the measuring unit 80 completes the measurement of the amount of coffee beans. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring unit 80 may include electronic and / or optical devices for measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the metering devices 60, 70.

[0091] Preferably, the measuring unit 80 is part of and / or arranged within one or more metering devices 60, 70. In other words, each of the one or more metering devices 60, 70 can be integrated with the corresponding measuring unit 80, i.e., as a single unit. Therefore, each of the one or more metering devices 60, 70 can have multiple functions, i.e., at least dual functions, i.e., at least dispensing coffee beans and measuring the amount (e.g., weight) of the dispensed coffee beans. With this configuration, the metering devices 60, 70 and the measuring unit 80 can also be arranged without requiring a large amount of space. For example, each of the metering devices 60, 70 includes a housing, in which, for example, a functional portion for dispensing coffee beans via the corresponding metering device is arranged, wherein the corresponding measuring unit 80 is arranged within the housing.

[0092] The control unit 91 is further configured to control the grinder 30, causing the grinder 30 to grind the specific amount of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. The ground coffee beans are then dispensed by the grinder 30. That is, the control unit 91 is configured to control the force and / or torque used to operate the grinder 30 for grinding the coffee beans. For example, the control unit 91 is functionally connected to one of the drive units to control this drive unit to transmit the force and / or torque used to operate the grinder 30 (specifically, the grinding elements 21, 32) for grinding, specifically causing the grinder 30 to grind at a specific (rotational) speed and / or through a specific (rotational) speed distribution.

[0093] Control unit 91 is configured to control grinder 30 such that grinder 30 grinds the specified amount of coffee beans and thus dispenses the ground coffee beans until grinder 30 is empty. For example, control unit 91 may receive a signal indicating a specific amount of coffee beans dispensed to grinder 30 by metering devices 60, 70, and control grinder 30 to grind that specific amount of coffee beans until a specific time has elapsed, which is linked in control unit 91 to the specific amount of coffee beans (e.g., in a lookup table) and / or based on the specific amount of coffee beans. This specific time then has a duration sufficient to grind at least the corresponding specific amount of coffee beans.

[0094] Preferably, the state of the grinder 30 (where the grinder 30 does not contain coffee beans) is determined by the control unit 91 based on presence signals indicating the presence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30 (i.e., coffee beans are received by the grinder 30) and their absence (i.e., no coffee beans are received by the grinder 30). Therefore, the control unit 91 is configured to receive these presence signals and control the grinder 30 to operate for grinding based on these presence signals. The control unit 91 then controls the grinder 30 in such a way that the grinder 30 operates to perform grinding (e.g., by moving the two grinding elements 31, 32 relative to each other to perform grinding) at least until the control unit 91 receives a presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. In other words, the control unit 91 controls the grinder 30 to operate for grinding at least as soon as it receives a signal indicating the presence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. The control unit 91 may be configured to control the grinder 30 to immediately stop its operation upon receiving a first presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. However, the control unit 91 can also control the grinder 30 such that the grinder 30 maintains the grinding operation for a specific time after receiving a first presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30.

[0095] The presence signal may be based on the sensed force and / or torque used to operate the grinder 30 for grinding. For example, the grinder 30 (such as its drive unit for operating the grinder 30 to grind coffee beans) may send a signal to the control unit 91 indicating the actual force and / or torque used to operate the grinder 30 to grind coffee beans (e.g., sensed by a force and / or torque measuring device functionally connected to the control unit 91). These signals may be derived from (electrical) current for applying force and / or torque, specifically for operating the drive unit. Since this force and / or torque depends on the frictional force (i.e., grinding force) between the grinder 30 and the coffee beans to be ground, this force and / or torque will vary depending on the presence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30 for grinding. Therefore, the control unit 91 may include a defined threshold such that if the sensed force and / or torque is below the defined threshold, the control unit 91 receives a presence signal indicating absence. In other words, since the control unit 91 determines that the sensed force and / or torque is below the defined threshold, the controller 91 determines that the grinder 30 does not contain coffee beans. Alternatively or concurrently, a presence signal may be transmitted by a presence sensor arranged to detect the presence and absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. For example, the presence sensor may include mechanical and / or electronic and / or optical devices for detecting the presence and absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30.

[0096] When grinder 30 is not containing coffee beans, it can then be positioned, specifically moved to one of the different grinding positions. In this state, there are no coffee beans that could obstruct the movement of grinder 30 to one of the different grinding positions. Specifically, when grinder 30 is not containing coffee beans, the entire specific amount of coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices 60, 70 is ground and delivered by grinder 30. Therefore, there are no coffee beans between the two grinding elements 31, 32. Thus, grinder 30 can be easily (i.e., without any obstruction) moved to another grinding position for grinding coffee beans to deliver coffee with a different grind degree (i.e., another grit size). When the grinder 30 moves to another grinding position, that is, when the grinder 30 has completed its movement from the previous grinding position to the other grinding position, the control unit 91 preferably controls one or more of the metering devices 60, 70 after the grinder 30 has reached the other grinding position to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder 30, specifically for a corresponding particle size (e.g., a specific type and amount (e.g., one or more cups) of coffee beverage requires a specific particle size and corresponding amount of coffee beans and thus grinds the coffee).

[0097] When system 110 is shut down or grinder 30 is removed from the system, for example for cleaning, the settings of grinder 30 may have changed undesirably. For this reason, grinder 30 may have a zero-value initialization, which is set at each change in the settings of grinder 30 or system 110 and / or at the start (power-on) of system 110 and / or on a regular time basis. Specifically, control unit 91 may be configured to calibrate grinder 30 always when system 110 is powered on. Grinder 30 may have a zero position, based on which each grinding position is set. For example, grinder 30 is in the zero position when grinding elements 31, 32 are in contact with each other. Thus, each grinding position then corresponds to a specific distance between grinding elements 31, 32. The zero position can be detected, for example, by measuring the force and / or torque applied to grinder 30 for operation using control unit 91. Thus, when grinder 30 is not grinding any coffee beans and the force and / or torque exceeds a defined threshold, control unit 91 detects that the zero position of grinder 30 has been reached. Since the current used to operate the grinder 30 for grinding depends on the corresponding force and / or torque used by the grinder 30, the control unit 91 can also detect reaching a zero position when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold. Subsequently, the control unit 91 can set the corresponding grinding position of the grinder 30 based on this zero position, such as by moving the grinding elements 31, 32 to separate them by a specific distance.

[0098] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, system 110 may also include a weighing unit 50 (e.g., a balance or equilibrium scale). The weighing unit 50 is arranged to measure the weight of the ground coffee ground and dispensed by the grinder 30. Therefore, the weighing unit 50 may be arranged such that the ground coffee dispensed by the grinder is movable (e.g., by gravity) into the weighing unit 50. If a brewing unit is present, the weighing unit 50 may be arranged such that after measuring the weight of the ground coffee with the weighing unit 50, the weighing unit 50 dispenses the ground coffee beans (e.g., by gravity) into the brewing unit. In other words, the weighing unit 50 may be arranged between the grinder 30 and the brewing unit. The weighing unit 50 may include mechanical means (e.g., a receiver) and / or electronic and / or optical means for measuring the weight of the ground coffee ground and dispensed by the grinder 30. The weighing unit 50 is further configured to send a signal to the control unit 91 indicating the measured weight of the ground coffee received by the weighing unit 50.

[0099] Weighing unit 50 may be arranged to detect the state of grinder 30, in which grinder 30 is free of coffee beans. More specifically, control unit 91 may be configured to compare the weight of ground coffee measured by weighing unit 50 with the weight of coffee beans measured by measuring unit 80. If the weight of ground coffee measured by weighing unit 50 substantially corresponds to the weight of coffee beans measured by measuring unit 80 (e.g., with a tolerance of 1-5%), control unit 91 detects that grinder 30 is in a state in which grinder 30 is free of coffee beans. This is because substantially the entire specific amount of coffee beans dispensed by metering devices 60, 70 has been ground and dispensed by grinder 30. In other words, control unit 91 is configured to control grinder 30 such that grinder 30 operates to perform grinding (e.g., to move two grinding elements 31, 32 relative to each other to perform grinding) at least until the weight of ground coffee measured by weighing unit corresponds to the amount of coffee beans measured by measuring unit 80.

[0100] Control unit 91 may be configured to receive specific control inputs, such as a recipe (specifically, a recipe for a particular type of coffee beverage to be prepared), and / or the metering parameters or quantity of ground coffee (e.g., weight), and / or brewing parameters, and / or grinding specifications (particle size, coarseness, etc.). System 110 may also include a user interface 90 (HMI) functionally connected to control unit 91 for inputting control inputs, such as touch-sensitive elements like a touchscreen and / or buttons. Additionally or alternatively, control inputs may be sent or exported from receivers 13, 14, such that, for example, the control inputs are based on separately stored coffee beans. Each of one or more receivers 13, 14 may include an identification device for (electronically) storing control inputs. Based on specific control inputs, control unit 91 may control at least one or more of grinder 30 and / or metering devices 60, 70 in a specific manner. For example, control unit 91 may be configured to control grinder 30 to move to one of different grinding positions based on specific control inputs. For example, a user of system 100 may request espresso through user interface 90. The control unit 91 will then control the grinder 30 to move to a grinding position that provides a degree of grind for producing the desired particle size of ground coffee for espresso preparation. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 91 may be configured to control one or more of the metering devices 60, 70 to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans based on a control input. For example, the control input relates to espresso, wherein the control unit 91 will then control the metering devices 60, 70 to dispense a specific amount (e.g., by weight) and / or type (e.g., roast level and / or source) of coffee beans and / or blends of coffee beans (e.g., a specific ratio of coffee beans from receiver 13 to coffee beans from receiver 14) to the grinder 30.

[0101] like Figure 4As shown, the control unit 91 is functionally connected to the database 92. The database 92 may include control parameters for different types (i.e., recipes) of coffee beverages. Based on control inputs, the control unit 91 can receive control parameters for a specific type of coffee beverage from the database 92. Based on these control parameters, the control unit 91 then controls the components of the system 110 accordingly, specifically the grinder 30 and / or the metering devices 60, 70. The database 92 may be provided within the system or machine 110 and / or remotely, for example, on a server and / or on the Internet.

[0102] Figure 5 An exemplary graph of extraction rate (see y-axis) is shown, which can be achieved by system 110 for different coffee beverages (see x-axis). It is evident from this graph that, because system 110 (i.e., grinder 30) is adapted to move between different grinding positions and thus provides at least different grind sizes (or particle sizes) G1, G2 for ground coffee, system 110 is able to provide an ideal extraction rate (in [missing information]) for different types of beverages. Figure 5 (20% in the original text). For example, if a user of the system requests a beverage (e.g., espresso) with a grind size G2, the system will deliver a coffee beverage that is under-extracted (i.e., less than 20% extraction rate). However, the system 110 according to the invention facilitates adapting the grind size based on the type of coffee beverage requested, i.e., the grinder 30 moves to the corresponding grinding position. Thus, instead of maintaining only one grinding position for providing grind size G2, if a user of the system 110 requests a beverage with a grind size G2, the grinder 30 of the system 110 will move from the grinding position of grind size G2 to the grinding position of grind size G1, and then the required amount of coffee beans will be dispensed into the grinder 30. The coffee beverage dispensed in this way will then have the desired extraction rate (here: 20%).

[0103] Similarly, if grinder 30 is in the grinding position for delivering ground coffee with a grind size G1, and the user of system 110 requests a 100mL coffee beverage (e.g., long espresso), instead of remaining in the grinding position for delivering grind size G1, grinder 30 will move to the grinding position for dispensing grind size G2. If the system can only deliver grind size G1, the coffee beverage dispensed in this way will also have an ideal extraction rate (here: 20%), rather than being over-extracted.

[0104] According to a second objective, the present invention relates to a method for dispensing ground coffee, and more particularly to a method for preparing a coffee beverage from ground coffee. The method of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0105] - Provides a machine 110 (e.g., system 110 as described above), which includes one or more receivers 13, 14 (such as receivers 13, 14 as described above) for storing one or more types of roasted coffee beans, and one or more metering devices 60 for dispensing the coffee beans stored in the one or more receivers 13, 14.

[0106] 70 (such as the metering devices 60, 70 as described above), and a grinder 30 (such as the grinder 30 as described above) for receiving coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices 60, 70, the grinder 30 being configured to move to different grinding positions for different grind levels.

[0107] - The grinder 30 is configured such that it is in a specific grinding position.

[0108] - After setting up the grinder 30, a specific amount of coffee beans is dispensed into the grinder 30 via one or more metering devices 60, 70, and

[0109] - The specific amount of coffee beans is ground by the grinder 30, and thus the ground coffee beans are dispensed until the grinder 30 is empty of coffee beans.

[0110] Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation scheme shown in the figure is only a preferred implementation scheme, but other designs of system 110 may also be used.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing ground coffee, specifically for preparing a coffee beverage, said system comprising: One or more receivers (13, 14) for storing one or more types of roasted coffee beans. One or more metering feeders (60, 70) for dispensing coffee beans. A grinder (30) is configured to receive coffee beans dispensed by one or more metering devices (60, 70) for grinding the coffee beans and subsequently dispensing the ground coffee beans. The grinder (30) is configured to move to different grinding positions for different grind levels. The one or more metering feeders (60, 70) are arranged between the one or more receivers (13, 14) and the grinder (30). A control unit (91) for controlling the one or more metering devices (60, 70) and the grinder (30), wherein the control unit (91) is configured to control one or more of the one or more metering devices (60, 70) such that a specific amount of coffee beans is dispensed into the grinder (30), and The grinder (30) is controlled to grind the specific amount of coffee beans, and thus the ground coffee beans are dispensed until the grinder (30) is no longer containing coffee beans, so that the grinder (30) can then be moved to one of the different grinding positions; The one or more metering devices (60, 70) are arranged to act as one or more retaining elements for holding coffee beans inside the one or more receivers (13, 14), such that the coffee beans in the receivers (13, 14) are at least partially located on or at least partially supported on the one or more metering devices (60, 70), thereby preventing the coffee beans from being removed from the receivers (13, 14). The system for dispensing ground coffee further includes a measuring unit (80) for measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the one or more metering devices (60, 70), and configured to send a signal to the control unit (91) indicating the measured amount of coffee beans dispensed, wherein the one or more metering devices (60, 70) are used to dispense coffee beans stored in the one or more receivers (13, 14), and the measuring unit (80) is part of and / or arranged within the one or more metering devices (60, 70). The one or more metering devices (60, 70) are arranged to selectively prevent or stop the dispensing of coffee beans, such that the one or more metering devices (60, 70) always dispense only a specific or desired amount of coffee beans to the grinder (30).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the grinder (30) comprises two grinding elements (31, 32) spaced apart and movable relative to each other to grind the received coffee beans between the two grinding elements (31, 32).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the one or more receivers (13, 14) is connected to a corresponding one of the one or more metering devices (60, 70).

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit (80) is arranged to measure the volume and / or weight and / or quantity of the coffee beans dispensed by the one or more metering devices (60, 70).

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system comprises only one grinder (30), or wherein the system comprises multiple grinders (30), wherein each grinder (30) is arranged to receive coffee beans dispensed by one or more of the metering devices (60, 70).

6. The system according to claim 2, further comprising one or more drive units for moving the grinder (30), specifically the grinding elements (31, 32), between the different grinding positions, and / or for operating the grinder (30) to grind coffee beans.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grinder (30) is of the conical burr type or the flat burr type.

8. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grinder (30) is adapted to grind the coffee beans at a constant or variable speed.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising an additional holding element, wherein the additional holding element is arranged to force coffee beans received by the grinder (30) toward the grinder (30), specifically into the gap defined by the two grinding elements (31, 32) in order to grind the coffee beans.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit (91) is configured to receive presence signals indicating the presence or absence of coffee beans received by the grinder (30), and to control the grinder (30) to operate for grinding, specifically by moving the two grinding elements (31, 32) relative to each other, at least until the control unit (91) receives presence signals indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder (30).

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the presence signal is based on a sensed force and / or torque for operating the grinder (30) to perform grinding, specifically by moving the grinding elements (31, 32) relative to each other to perform grinding, wherein if the sensed force and / or torque drops below a defined threshold, the control unit (91) receives a presence signal indicating the absence of the presence.

12. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (91) is configured to control the grinder (30) to move to one of the different grinding positions based on specific control inputs of the control unit (91), and / or to control one or more of the metering devices (60, 70) to dispense a specific amount of coffee beans based on specific control inputs of the control unit (91).

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control input is a recipe, specifically a recipe for the coffee beverage to be prepared.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface (90) functionally connected to the control unit (91) for inputting the control input.

15. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the one or more receivers (13, 14) is a sealed container.

16. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the one or more metering devices (60, 70) is configured to act as a pump or a reverse pump for dispensing coffee beans.

17. The system according to claim 1 or 2, the system further comprising a weighing unit (50), wherein the weighing unit (50) is arranged to measure the weight of the ground coffee ground and dispensed by the grinder (30), wherein the weighing unit (50) is configured to send a signal to the control unit (91) indicating the measured weight of the received ground coffee.

18. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a brewing unit for receiving ground coffee beans dispensed by the grinder (30) for brewing a coffee beverage with the ground coffee beans thus received.

Images