Baking equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans, the apparatus comprising: - a housing (4), - a roasting chamber (1) having a bottom opening (11) and a top opening (12), - a smoke and particle collector (6) configured to collect smoke and particles from the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber, - the roasting chamber (1) being removably mounted to the housing (4), and when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing, the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber mates with the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, and the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber mates with the smoke and particle collector (6), - a chamber locking assembly (5) for removably locking the roasting chamber to the housing, wherein the chamber locking assembly (5) comprises: a bottom device (51) for connecting the bottom opening (11) of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, the bottom device being configured to receive the bottom (1a) of the chamber and hold the chamber, and a top fastening device (52) for connecting the top opening (12) of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans with heated air and is particularly suitable for use in the home or in shops and cafes. Background Art

[0002] Roasting coffee beans on a small scale in the home or in shops and cafes is usually carried out with small-sized apparatuses in which the coffee beans are agitated in hot air. One type of apparatus uses fluidized bed technology implementing a hot air fluidized bed chamber. In such a chamber, heated air is forced through a screen or perforated plate beneath the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the beans. As the beans tumble and circulate within this fluidized bed, heat is transferred to the beans.

[0003] Most roasters implementing fluidized bed technology have the same key element configuration of a roasting chamber, a heater, and an air driver. It is very common and obvious that these elements are placed one above the other along a vertical axis, where the air driver is positioned at the lowest position, the heater is positioned above it, and the roasting chamber is positioned above the heater, and the hot air is distributed through the bottom opening of the chamber. In addition, the apparatus usually includes a smoke collector to collect the dust and smoke generated during the roasting process and to process them in another step. The smoke collector is usually connected tightly to the top of the roasting chamber.

[0004] Preferably, in these roasters, the hot air fluidized bed chamber can be completely removed from the apparatus in order to introduce and remove the coffee beans and for cleaning the chamber and the roaster.

[0005] After these operations and when the chamber is put back into the apparatus, it is important to connect the bottom and the top of the chamber tightly to the housing of the apparatus for effective roasting and obvious safety reasons.

[0006] Typically, for the bottom connection, the apparatus includes a hole in the housing of the apparatus to distribute the hot air, and the bottom opening of the chamber is connected to the hole as described below.

[0007] The upper connection of the chamber can be established through an upper chamber locking device to firmly fix the chamber to the equipment. This device generally simply includes a chamber clamping mechanism that operates as shown in Figure 1. This clamping mechanism 7 includes a vertically translatable tube that has a component for connecting to the top opening of the chamber. When the chamber has to be introduced into the housing, while holding the handle of the chamber, the operator slides the top flange of the chamber into the top horizontal straight guide rail extending from the bottom of the translatable tube of the clamping mechanism and pushes the chamber back until it stops, while ensuring that the bottom opening of the chamber mates with the corresponding bottom opening in the housing (as shown by arrow A). Then, with the rotation of the lever 515, the tube translates downward to clamp the chamber in the equipment between the hole at the bottom and the hole at the top (as shown by arrow B) and simultaneously tightly connect the bottom and the top. This translation is the result of the rotation of the lever 515 moving downward along the translatable tube.

[0008] There are two problems with this connection operation of the chamber.

[0009] First, it has been observed that once the operator has introduced the top of the chamber into the clamping mechanism and the chamber moves downward to establish the connection, the chamber does not always center very well and the orientation of the axis of the chamber is not always exactly vertical. As a result, when the upper clamp moves the chamber downward to complete the connection of the chamber, misalignment creates strong pressure in some parts of the bottom outlet of the chamber and the bottom opening. Over time, these parts no longer obtain a vertical position, which affects the roasting of coffee beans.

[0010] Second, in order to enable the clamping mechanism to move easily, the clamping mechanism and precisely its screwed parts must be greased regularly. However, due to the high temperature of the roasting equipment, the grease melts and drips, which forces the operator to repeat the greasing operation regularly. In addition, dust deposits on the greased parts and the clamping mechanism needs to be cleaned frequently. These greasing and cleaning operations are not very convenient because the access to the screwed parts of the clamping mechanism is narrow.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a roasting equipment having an improved locking assembly for the roasting chamber. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an equipment for roasting coffee beans, the equipment comprising:

[0013] - a housing;

[0014] - a roasting chamber having a bottom opening and a top opening,

[0015] - an air driver configured to drive air through the bottom opening of the chamber into the roasting chamber,

[0016] - A heater positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber, the heater being configured to heat the air driven into the baking chamber.

[0017] - The air driver and the heater are positioned within the housing, and the housing

[0018] includes a hot air outlet hole, the hot air outlet hole being designed such that hot air can

[0019] enter the bottom opening of the chamber from the housing.

[0020] - A smoke and particle collector configured to collect smoke and particles from the top opening of the baking

[0021] chamber.

[0022] - The baking chamber is removably mounted to the housing. When the baking chamber is mounted to the

[0023] housing, the bottom opening of the baking chamber mates with the hot air outlet hole of the housing, and the top opening of the baking chamber mates with the smoke and particle

[0024] collector.

[0025] - A chamber locking assembly for removably locking the baking chamber to the housing, wherein the chamber locking assembly includes:

[0026]

[0027] - A chamber locking assembly for removably locking the baking chamber to the housing, wherein the chamber locking assembly includes:

[0028]

[0029] · A bottom device for connecting the bottom opening of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole of the housing, the bottom device being configured to receive the bottom opening of the chamber and hold the chamber.

[0030] · A top fastening device for connecting the top opening of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector, the top fastening device including:

[0031] * A translatable connecting pipe configured to connect the top opening of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector, the connecting pipe being capable of translating without rotating.

[0032] *A fixed holding device configured to hold the translatable connecting pipe in at least three positions:

[0033] .A first upper position where the translatable connecting pipe is held by the fixed holding device and disconnected from the top of the chamber,

[0034] .A second intermediate position where the translatable connecting pipe is connected to the top of the chamber,

[0035] .A third lower position where the translatable connecting pipe is separated from the fixed holding device.

[0036] The baking equipment includes a baking chamber having a bottom opening and a top opening. The baking chamber is designed to generate a fluidized bed of hot air when hot air is introduced through the bottom opening.

[0037] Generally, the center and upper part of the chamber are cylindrical.

[0038] Generally speaking, the bottom opening includes a grid to hold the coffee beans inside the chamber while allowing hot air to pass through.

[0039] The top opening enables the discharge of the smoke and particles generated during the baking operation. The top opening also enables the introduction of the coffee beans to be baked and the removal of the baked coffee beans at the end of the baking operation. For these last operations, the baking chamber can be removed from the housing of the equipment.

[0040] The equipment includes an air driver configured to drive air through the bottom opening of the chamber into the baking chamber. Generally, the air driver is a blower or a fan designed to blow air upward into the baking chamber.

[0041] The equipment includes a heater positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber and configured to heat the air before it is introduced into the baking chamber. Preferably, the heater is an electric heater.

[0042] The air driver and the electric heater are positioned inside the housing of the equipment. The housing includes a hot air outlet hole designed to allow the hot air generated inside the housing to lead to the bottom opening of the chamber.

[0043] As described above, the baking chamber is removably mounted to the housing. When the baking chamber is mounted to the housing, the bottom opening of the baking chamber mates with the hot air outlet hole of the housing.

[0044] Generally speaking, the heater is positioned directly below the hot air outlet hole of the housing to limit heat loss during the movement of hot air from the heater to the baking chamber. This position of the heater also provides good temperature regulation during the baking process in the baking chamber: in fact, any temperature change of the heater will immediately affect the temperature inside the baking chamber.

[0045] The device includes a smoke and particle collector, which is configured to collect the smoke and particles generated during the baking operation. The particles are typically coffee husks that can be separated from the smoke in a cyclone separator device downstream of the collector. The smoke can be treated by another smoke treatment unit to remove any air pollutants.

[0046] In addition, the device includes a chamber locking assembly, which is configured to removably lock the chamber in the baking device for the baking operation, and is particularly configured to fasten the bottom opening of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole of the housing and the top opening of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector housing.

[0047] First, the chamber locking assembly includes bottom means for connecting the bottom opening of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole of the housing. The bottom means is configured to receive the bottom of the chamber and hold the chamber alone. Thus, when the chamber is introduced into the baking device, the bottom of the chamber is first connected to the housing through the bottom means. The operator can place the chamber in the device and let it stay here for a moment before completing the fastening operation.

[0048] Preferably, the bottom means is configured to fix the vertical position of the chamber in the baking device. Thus, when fastening the top of the chamber as described in the second step below, there is no risk of the bottom of the chamber moving and wearing. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom means can be jaws or a clamp that tightly and firmly holds the bottom of the chamber.

[0049] The jaws can be designed to guide the movement of the operator and, when the operator holds and pushes the chamber within the jaws, cause the bottom of the chamber to slide to the middle of the jaws. The jaws are spring-loaded to firmly hold the bottom of the chamber in their rest position.

[0050] Second, the chamber locking assembly includes top fastening means for connecting the top opening of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector.

[0051] The top fastening means at least includes:

[0052] - a first part for guiding the smoke and particles from the top opening to the collector during the baking operation, and

[0053] - a second part for holding the first part and positioning the first part in three different positions according to the operation.

[0054] This operation can be:

[0055] - Inserting or removing the chamber into or from the baking device respectively. The chamber can be removed from the housing to clean, fill, and empty the coffee beans, and then can be fixed to the housing for the baking operation.

[0056] Or

[0057] - A roasting operation, or

[0058] - A cleaning operation of the top fastening device.

[0059] The first component is a translatable connecting pipe, which is configured to connect the top opening of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector. The lower end of the pipe is designed to cooperate with the top of the chamber so that a tight connection can be established when the pipe and the chamber move relative to each other.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment:

[0061] - The top of the baking chamber includes a flange, and

[0062] - The bottom end of the translatable connecting pipe includes guide rails designed to cooperate with the flange.

[0063] Therefore, when the baking chamber is introduced into the baking device, while the bottom device of the chamber is connected to the bottom of the locking assembly, the flange at the top of the chamber slides in the guide rails of the connecting pipe of the same locking assembly.

[0064] The translation of the pipe is generally vertical.

[0065] The translation does not include any rotation of the pipe itself, such as in a screwing motion. Therefore, this translation ensures good alignment between the top opening of the chamber and the connecting pipe and provides good sealing of the connection during the baking operation.

[0066] The second component of the top fastening device is a fixed holding device. By "fixed" it means that the holding device remains attached to the housing during the normal operation of the baking device as described above (baking, removal and introduction of the baking chamber, cleaning operation of the top fastening device). The fixed holding device is configured to hold the translatable connecting pipe in at least three positions.

[0067] While remaining attached to the housing, the holding device can hold three different positions.

[0068] In the first upper position of the fixed holding device, the translatable connecting pipe is held by the fixed holding device and disconnected from the top opening of the chamber. In this first position, the chamber can be removed or introduced into the baking device.

[0069] The fixed holding device can be moved from the first position to a second intermediate position, in which the connecting pipe held by the fixed holding device is translated downward without rotation until it is connected to the top opening of the chamber. In this second position, the chamber is tightly connected to the pipe, and since the pipe tightly connects the top opening of the chamber to the dust and smoke collector, baking can be operated.

[0070] In the third lower position of the fixed holding device, the fixed holding device no longer holds the translatable connecting pipe. The pipe is separated from the fixed holding device and the equipment, and can be cleaned. Here, the operator can easily clean and maintain these two disassembled parts of the top fastening device.

[0071] Preferably, the top fastening device includes a manipulating device, such as a lever, to actuating the movement of the top fastening device, in particular the movement of the fixed holding device in its three positions. This device facilitates the movement of the operator.

[0072] The above aspects of the present invention can be combined in any suitable combination. In addition, various features herein can be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the claims, the detailed description, and the drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0073] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings:

[0074] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a baking device according to the prior art and is commented on in the above paragraph

[0075] "Background Art",

[0076] - Figure 2 shows a side view of a baking device according to the present invention, in which the baking chamber is installed in the device,

[0077] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the baking device with the chamber removed from the baking device, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of Figure 3 showing the bottom device of the chamber locking assembly,

[0078] - Figure 5A and Figure 5B are side views of the baking device with the chamber 1 held inside,

[0079] - Figure 6A and Figure 6B are respectively Figure 5A and Figure 5B vertical sectional views of the upper left quarter of

[0080] - Figures 7A, 7B and Figure 7Cis a side view of the top fastening device in each of three positions,

[0081] - Figures 8A, 8B, and Figure 8C is a perspective view corresponding to Figures 7A, 7B, and Figure 7C thereof,

[0082] - Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 9C is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to Figures 7A, 7B, and Figure 7C thereof.

[0083] Figure 2 is a side view of a baking device 10 according to the present invention. The device includes a housing 4, and an air driver 2 and an air heater 3 are positioned in the housing. The air driver 2 is a fan that drives air upward to the heater 3 and then to an air outlet hole 41 in the room, as shown by the dashed line.

[0084] The heater can heat the air flow to a temperature between 100°C and 300°C.

[0085] The baking device includes a baking chamber 1 that is designed to accommodate coffee beans and forms an air fluidized bed by a hot air flow introduced through its open bottom 11. The bottom opening 11 includes a grid to hold the coffee beans (not shown). When the chamber is installed in the housing, the bottom of the chamber is connected to the air outlet hole 41.

[0086] Generally, at least the top of the chamber presents a cylindrical shape, and preferably the top opening includes a flange that extends radially from the top edge.

[0087] The top opening 12 of the chamber is connected to a smoke and particle collector 6 that is configured to collect smoke and particles from the top opening 12 of the baking chamber.

[0088] The chamber is removably locked in the device by a chamber locking assembly 5. The assembly 5 includes:

[0089] - a bottom device 51 for connecting the bottom opening 11 of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole 41 of the housing, and

[0090] - a top fastening device 52 for connecting the top opening 12 of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector 6.

[0091] The chamber 1 can be removed from the housing 4, as shown in Figure 3. The chamber 1 can be placed beside the baking device 10 for introducing or removing coffee beans or for cleaning and maintenance.

[0092] Figure 3 shows the bottom device 51 of the chamber locking assembly, and Figure 4 provides an enlarged view of the bottom view. In this embodiment, the bottom device 51 is a jaw that can open to receive the bottom 11 of the chamber and clamp it once the bottom is correctly positioned above the air outlet 41. Each part 511a, 511b of the jaw can move away from the edge of the air outlet 41 and is spring-loaded to move away from the edge of the air outlet, especially when the bottom 11 of the baking chamber slides horizontally in the middle of the jaws, as shown by the arrow A in Figure 4. The front edge 5111 of each jaw is preferably designed to be able to open the jaw when the bottom of the chamber pushes these edges along direction A, as shown by the white arrow in Figure 4.

[0093] Each jaw is spring-loaded such that once the bottom of the chamber has moved away and passed the edge of the jaw and is positioned above the air outlet 41, the jaw moves backward and tightly holds the bottom of the chamber.

[0094] The force exerted by the spring enables the operator to easily remove the chamber from the jaws when the baking operation is completed.

[0095] Thus, the bottom device 51 alone holds the chamber. The operator can place the chamber inside the device and keep the chamber here for a moment before completing the fastening operation at the top.

[0096] In addition, the bottom device 51 is configured to keep the chamber stationary in the vertical position within the baking device. Therefore, when fastening the top of the chamber as described below in the second step, there is no risk that the bottom of the chamber is held or tilted and moved, and the connection between the bottom of the chamber and the air outlet of the housing is not tight.

[0097] During the second step, the top of the chamber is fastened, the whole chamber moves slightly vertically downward, and an airtight connection is established between the air outlet 41 and the bottom opening of the chamber.

[0098] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are side views of the baking device according to two different situations, where the chamber 1 is held within the baking device 10. Figure 6A and Figure 6B are the corresponding vertical cross-sections of the chamber and the chamber locking assembly.

[0099] In Figure 5B and Figure 6B the top 12 of the chamber is locked by the top fastening device 52 of the chamber locking assembly. The operator cannot remove the chamber 1 from the device, and the chamber is ready for the baking operation.

[0100] In Figure 5A and Figure 6AIn [description], the top 12 of the chamber is not locked by the top fastening device 52 of the chamber locking assembly. The operator can remove the chamber from the device by simply pulling out the chamber 1 with the handle.

[0101] Figure 5B and Figure 6B A smoke and particle collector 6 is shown, which is connected to the top opening 12 of the chamber through a connecting pipe 521 extending from the top 1b of the chamber to the collector 6. The collector drives the smoke and chaff to capture the chaff (preferably a cyclone separator) and preferably reach a smoke filter (not shown).

[0102] The connecting pipe 521 is movable between Figure 6A and Figure 6B the two positions shown, and is particularly translatable up and down.

[0103] In Figure 6A [description], the connecting pipe 521 is positioned in its first upper position: it is positioned at a sufficient distance from the bottom device 51 of the chamber locking assembly so that the operator can introduce the chamber into the baking device by sliding the flange 14 at the top 1b of the chamber within the guide rail 5211 at the lower part of the connecting pipe 521 and at the same time sliding the bottom 1a of the chamber within the jaws 51. This movement is a simple substantially horizontal translation. No rotation that risks misalignment of the chamber occurs.

[0104] In Figure 6B [description], after moving downward according to a direct vertical translation without any rotation, the connecting pipe 521 is positioned in its second intermediate position, and the connecting pipe 521 presses on the top 1b of the chamber (arrow B1), thereby also automatically pushing the chamber 1 downward (arrow B2). As a result, the bottom 1a of the chamber presses against the edge of the housing surrounding the air outlet 41 again, and a tight connection between the bottom 1a of the chamber and the air outlet 41 is obtained. A gasket or seal is usually present between these two components to improve the sealing performance.

[0105] Figures 7A and 7B are side views of the translatable connecting pipe 521 in the first upper position and the second intermediate position respectively as described in Figure 5A , 6A and Figure 5B , 6B [description]. Figure 7C Is a side view of the translatable connecting pipe 521 in the third lower position. In this position, the connecting pipe 521 is completely separated from the fixed holding device 522. It can be held by the operator, who can thoroughly clean it outside the baking device, for example, on a workbench. At the same time, the fixed holding device 522 of the fixed chamber support becomes completely accessible. This is convenient for the operator and operates more effectively than prior art devices.

[0106] The position of the translatable connection pipe 521 is controlled by a manipulating device 523 (here a lever), and the movement of the manipulating device produces a rocking movement of a member 5223 that holds the translatable connection pipe 521, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C (and corresponding to FIGS. 7A to 7C respectively). The rocking movement path of this holding member 5223 extends between two ends. At one end, a frame 5224 of the holding device fixedly holds the translatable connection pipe 521 (and corresponds to the first upper position of the translatable connection pipe 521), and at the other end, the frame 5224 of the holding device releases the translatable connection pipe 521 (and corresponds to the third position of the translatable connection pipe 521). Between the two ends, the frame 5224 of the holding device holds the translatable connection pipe 521 in an intermediate position.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C and the corresponding Figures 9A to 9C shown, the holding member 5223 is provided with a slot 5221 which is designed to engage with a holding pin 5212 of the translatable connection pipe. The slot is designed to hold the pins and allow them to slide according to the rocking movement of the holding member 5223.

[0108] A spring 5222 is provided to compensate for any small variations in the height of the removable chamber below the translatable connection pipe. In fact, due to small differences during chamber manufacturing, differences of up to 2 mm or 3 mm can be measured between the heights of the two chambers. This variation is compensated for by the spring so that the bottom edge of the translatable connection pipe can reach the upper edge of the chamber regardless of the exact height of the chamber.

[0109] During the movement of the top device of the chamber locking assembly, the spring also provides soft feedback to the operator.

[0110] List of reference numerals in the drawings :

[0111] Baking equipment 10

[0112] Baking chamber 1

[0113] Bottom 1a

[0114] Top 1b

[0115] Bottom opening 11

[0116] Top opening 12

[0117] Handle 13

[0118] Flange 14

[0119] Air driver 2

[0120] Heater 3

[0121] Housing 4

[0122] Air outlet hole 41

[0123] Vertical housing member 43

[0124] Chamber locking assembly 5

[0125] Bottom device 51

[0126] Jaws 511a, 511b

[0127] Edge 5111

[0128] Top device 52

[0129] Translatable connecting pipe 521

[0130] Guide rail 5211

[0131] Retaining pin 5212

[0132] Fixed retaining device 522 Slot 5221 Spring 5222 Retaining member 5223 Frame 5224 Control device 523 Smoke and particle collector 6

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans, the apparatus comprising: - a housing (4), - a roasting chamber (1) having a bottom opening (11) and a top opening (12), - an air driver (2) configured to drive air through the bottom opening of the chamber into the roasting chamber, - a heater (3) positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber, the heater being configured to heat the air driven into the roasting chamber, - the air driver and the heater are positioned within the housing (4), and the housing includes a hot air outlet hole (41) designed such that hot air can enter the bottom opening (11) of the chamber from the housing, - a smoke and particle collector (6) configured to collect smoke and particles from the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber, - the roasting chamber (1) is removably mounted to the housing (4), and when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing, the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber mates with the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, and the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber mates with the smoke and particle collector (6), - a chamber locking assembly (5) for removably locking the roasting chamber to the housing, wherein the chamber locking assembly (5) includes: · a bottom device (51) for connecting the bottom opening (11) of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, the bottom device being configured to receive the bottom (1a) of the chamber and hold the chamber, · a top fastening device (52) for connecting the top opening (12) of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector (6), the top fastening device includes: * a translatable connecting pipe (521) configured to connect the top opening (12) of the chamber to the smoke and particle collector (6), the connecting pipe being capable of translating without rotating, * a fixed holding device (522) configured to hold the translatable connecting pipe (521) in at least three positions: . a first upper position where the translatable connecting pipe (521) is held by the fixed holding device (522) and disconnected from the top (1b) of the chamber, . a second intermediate position where the translatable connecting pipe (521) is connected to the top (1b) of the chamber, . a third lower position where the translatable connecting pipe (521) is separated from the fixed holding device (522).

2. The apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans according to the previous claim, wherein the bottom device (51) is configured to hold the chamber (1) stationary in a vertical position.

3. The apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans according to the preceding claim, wherein the bottom device (51) is a jaw or a clamp.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the top (1b) of the roasting chamber includes a flange (14), and - the bottom end of the translatable connecting pipe includes a guide rail (5211) designed to cooperate with the flange (14).

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