Coffee roaster

Abstract

A coffee bean roaster (1) is disclosed. The coffee bean roaster (1) comprises a roasting unit (11), a sensor arrangement and a control unit (13). The baking unit (11) has a drum (111), which has a transparent and removable front wall (1112). The baking unit (11) further has a hot air supply (114) and a rear wall heater (116) to heat the rear wall (11111) of the drum (111). The sensor arrangement comprises a baked bean temperature sensor (12a). The control unit (13) is configured to receive a control input signal as a function of time, where the control input signal comprises a baked bean temperature signal and a baked bean color signal, and further configured to automatically generate a control output signal as a function of time in dependence on the control input signal, the operation of the drum heater (116) and the drum rotor drive (113) is thereby controlled to bake coffee beans inside the drum (111) according to a predetermined selected bake curve, where the selected bake curve comprises a desired bake bean temperature, a target bake bean temperature, and a target bake bean color as a function of time, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to determine whether a baking end condition is satisfied, wherein the baking end condition comprises that coffee beans inside the drum (111) have a target baking bean temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of coffee roasters and roasting of coffee beans. Background Art

[0002] Roasting coffee beans is known to be a highly complex process that depends on numerous parameters and influencing factors and generally requires considerable skill and experience. For roasting coffee beans, coffee roasters in the form of large industrial plants are known and predominantly used. Furthermore, smaller coffee roasters are available for roasting smaller quantities of coffee beans, for example, up to 1 kg or several kilograms, and are used, for example, in shops and in some private households. However, these smaller coffee roasters, in particular, still tend to require a significant amount of skill from the user (which is often nonexistent) and further require considerable attention from the user or operator to provide satisfactory results.

[0003] In addition, coffee roasters typically produce hot and smelly exhaust gases, which require use in a well-ventilated environment and / or require costly and expensive exhaust gas treatment. In addition, cooling of the coffee beans after roasting is often unsatisfactory, resulting in suboptimal roasting results.

[0004] The general aim is to improve the prior art regarding coffee roasting, in particular by means of small coffee roasters suitable for use in, for example, shops, cafeterias etc., while producing high quality roasted coffee beans.

[0005] Advantageously, some or more of the aforementioned problems and disadvantages are at least partially overcome. Additional specific advantages present in various embodiments are discussed in their respective contexts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the overall object is achieved by a coffee roaster for performing a coffee bean roasting process. The term "coffee bean roasting process" may include, in addition to the roasting process itself, further processes or methods, in particular post-processing of the coffee beans for cooling, in particular by a cooling unit, and / or exhaust gas treatment and removal of grounds, in particular by an exhaust gas treatment unit, as well as filling with green coffee beans and removing roasted coffee beans. The term "roasting process itself" directly refers to the roasting of the coffee beans inside the drum, as explained further below.

[0007] Note that in this document, the cooling unit and the exhaust gas treatment unit are described in the context of a specific embodiment and overall design of a coffee roaster, as described further below. However, they can also be used in the context of coffee roasters of different designs. A separate lawsuit specifically addressing the corresponding subject matter is expressly reserved.

[0008] In a further aspect, the general object is achieved by a coffee roasting system comprising one or more coffee roasters designed to be operatively coupled to a remote computer system.

[0009] In a further aspect, the general object is achieved by a method of roasting coffee beans and / or brewing coffee, wherein the method comprises using a coffee roaster and / or coffee roasting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] A coffee roaster according to the present disclosure may include a roasting unit. The roasting unit may include a drum, wherein the drum includes a drum body having a heat-conductive rear wall, and the drum body further includes a drum inlet and a drum outlet. The drum further includes a removable front wall. An inner drum space is defined by the rear wall, the front wall, and a circumferential wall. The roasting unit may further include a drum rotor, wherein the drum rotor is rotatably disposed within the drum, and a drum rotor drive operatively coupled to the drum rotor to rotate the drum rotor. In some embodiments, the front wall is transparent.

[0011] Depending on the embodiment, the drive is fixedly attached to the drum and / or is part of the drum. Alternatively, the drive is separate from the drum. The drive may comprise an electric motor.

[0012] It should be noted that the design described herein, and in particular the removable and optionally transparent front wall, imposes a number of constraints and limitations on the overall design of the coffee roaster that are not present in typical prior art devices. Specifically, the transparent (typically made of glass, as explained further below) and / or removable front wall has the consequence that the front wall is unavailable for attaching heaters, sensors, and openings / holes for filling and removing coffee beans, feeding and extracting hot air, etc., as discussed in greater detail further below. Instead, all such features typically need to be located on the drum body, and in particular, on the drum's rear wall.

[0013] The baking unit may further include a hot air supply device, wherein the hot air supply device includes an air heater and a positive pressure device to feed hot air into the drum. The baking unit may further include an exhaust gas extractor to extract exhaust gas from the drum. The exhaust gas extractor may include a negative pressure device.

[0014] The baking unit may further include a drum heater, wherein the drum heater is thermally coupled to the rear wall to heat the rear wall.

[0015] The coffee roaster further includes a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement may include a roasted bean temperature sensor, wherein the roasted bean temperature sensor is configured to measure the roasted bean temperature of coffee beans positioned inside the drum and provide a roasted bean temperature signal. The roasted bean temperature sensor may be implemented, for example, as a PT100 temperature sensor or an infrared temperature sensor.

[0016] The coffee roaster further includes a control unit for controlling the coffee roaster's execution of a coffee bean roasting process. The control unit is configured to receive a control input signal as a function of time, wherein the control input signal may include a roasted bean temperature signal. The control unit is further configured to automatically generate a control output signal as a function of time based on the control input signal. The control output signal includes at least one of a drum heater control signal, a drum rotor drive control signal, and an air heater control signal and / or a positive pressure device control signal, thereby controlling the operation of at least one of the drum heater, the drum rotor drive, the air heater, and / or the positive pressure device to roast the coffee beans within the drum according to a predetermined selected roasting profile. The selected roasting profile may include a desired roasted bean temperature and a target roasted bean temperature as a function of time.

[0017] The operation of the drum heater can be controlled via the drum heater control signal. The operation of the drum rotor drive can be controlled via the drum rotor drive control system. The operation of the air heater can be controlled via the air heater control signal. The operation of the positive pressure device, particularly the intake fan as discussed further below, can be controlled via the positive pressure device control signal.

[0018] The control unit is further configured to determine whether a roasting end condition is satisfied, wherein the roasting end condition may include that the coffee beans inside the drum have a target roasted bean temperature.

[0019] The roasting of the coffee beans is achieved by a combination of direct heat and hot air transferred to the coffee beans via the rear wall, which is particularly advantageous. During roasting, the drum rotor drive is usually activated and the drum rotor rotates so that the coffee beans inside the drum are continuously mixed and roasted in a uniform manner.

[0020] Controlling the operation of the drum heater may specifically include controlling the heating power of the drum heater. Advantageously, the heating power of the drum heater may be controlled in a substantially continuous manner. However, in other embodiments, the heating power may be controlled in a plurality of discrete steps and / or may be turned on and off solely via a drum heater control signal.

[0021] Controlling the drum rotor drive may specifically include controlling the speed of the drum rotor drive, and thus the speed of the drum rotor. Advantageously, the speed of the drum rotor drive may be controlled in a substantially continuous manner. However, in other embodiments, the speed of the drum rotor drive may be controlled in a plurality of discrete steps and / or may be turned on and off solely via the drum heater control signal. Typically, the drum rotor drive may also be turned off via the drum rotor drive control signal.

[0022] Controlling the operation of the air heater may in particular comprise controlling the heating power of the air heater, for example by switching the heating power on / off and / or regulating the heating power continuously or in a plurality of discrete steps.

[0023] As discussed further below, controlling the operation of the positive pressure supply device and the optional negative pressure device is typically associated with controlling the pressure difference between the inlet side and the outlet side and / or the airflow through the positive pressure device and the negative pressure device, respectively. In embodiments where the positive pressure device includes an intake fan, controlling the operation of the positive pressure supply device may particularly include controlling the rotational speed of the intake fan. Similarly, in embodiments where the negative pressure device includes an extractor fan, controlling the operation of the negative pressure device may particularly include controlling the rotational speed of the extractor fan. The operation of the positive pressure supply device or the negative pressure device may advantageously be controlled in a substantially continuous manner, for example by controlling the rotational speed of the intake fan or the extractor fan, respectively, in a continuous manner. In further embodiments, the positive pressure supply device and / or the negative pressure supply device may be turned on and off solely via corresponding control signals, without continuous regulation, regulation of the rotational speed, or may be controlled in multiple discrete steps.

[0024] The coffee roaster according to the present disclosure has many advantageous properties, making it particularly suitable for use directly in stores, cafeterias, and the like, and for roasting on demand for end users or consumers. While the coffee roaster according to the present disclosure can be designed to process and roast varying amounts of coffee beans, it is typically designed for roasting approximately 0.5 kg to 1.5 kg of coffee beans, and the internal drum space can be correspondingly designed to accommodate approximately 0.5 kg to 1.5 kg of coffee beans. Compared to roasting equipment typically used in commercial coffee roasters (which are designed to efficiently roast large quantities of coffee beans in a uniform and generally time-efficient manner), the coffee roaster according to the present disclosure can advantageously be used to roast significantly smaller quantities of coffee beans in a flexible manner. The type of coffee beans, as well as the roasting process and its parameters, can advantageously be easily varied from batch to batch. Furthermore, the coffee roaster according to the present disclosure is suitable for use directly in stores and cafeterias because the exhaust gases are cooled, filtered, and / or passed through a catalyst, making this a non-issue from a health and safety perspective. Furthermore, the coffee roaster is designed to keep operating noise levels within acceptable limits.

[0025] Because the coffee bean roasting process is performed automatically under the control of the control unit, little, if any, experience and coffee roasting skills are required to achieve the desired result defined by the predetermined selected roasting profile. Furthermore, essentially no human observation or intervention is required during roasting, which is particularly advantageous for use, for example, in shops or cafeterias. Further advantageous features and embodiments are described below in the context of the type of application described in the general description and the accompanying figures.

[0026] It has been found that measuring the temperature of the coffee beans (possibly together with other properties and characteristics explained further below) is particularly suitable for controlling the roasting process and automatically determining when a desired state has been reached and when the roasting process is complete.

[0027] In a control environment, the desired roasted bean temperature as a function of time (provided as part of a selected roasting profile) can be considered as a time-dependent setpoint, respectively, as a reference variable. The control output signal or its components can be considered as a corrective or actuating variable. The target roasted bean temperature and, optionally, one or more additional target values (in particular, a target roasted bean color, as discussed further below), define the end of the roasting conditions as a stopping criterion for terminating the roasting process.

[0028] In addition to the rear wall, the drum body includes a circumferential wall connecting the rear wall to the front wall. This circumferential wall can be formed integrally with the rear wall or separately. Advantageously, the circumferential wall is also thermally conductive and can be made of the same material or designed in the same manner as the rear wall, however, this is not mandatory.

[0029] The drum has a longitudinal drum axis, which is a central axis or axis of symmetry and extends through the center of the rear wall and the front wall. In the operating configuration of the coffee roaster, the longitudinal drum axis is horizontal, transverse or perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The drum rotor has a rotor axis that is coincident or aligned with the longitudinal drum axis as a common axis.

[0030] Furthermore, the drum advantageously has a drum diameter which is significantly greater than the drum length, or the extension along the drum axis, or the distance between the parallel rear wall and the front wall. Thus, the drum advantageously is disc-shaped.

[0031] All parts of the coffee roaster that come into contact with the coffee beans before, during and after the roasting process are made of food-grade materials. This is especially true for the drum and drum rotor, which must further be designed to withstand the temperatures typically exceeding 400°C that occur during roasting.

[0032] In an embodiment, the rear wall is implemented as a sandwich structure, which includes an inductively heatable outer layer in thermal contact with the drum heater, an aluminum core layer and a food-grade inner layer (coffee bean contact side, opposite to the outer layer). This design is particularly advantageous in designs in which the drum heater is designed as an induction heater in thermal contact with the outer layer. The core layer distributes heat substantially evenly and has low losses. Instead of aluminum, other suitable high thermal conductivity materials (such as copper) can be used for the core layer. The food-grade inner layer can be made of chrome steel or stainless steel, for example, and can be relatively thin, or implemented as a coating. The circumferential wall of the drum rotor and the drum body is also made of food-grade material or at least coated with food-grade material. In particular, the circumferential wall can have the same design as the rear wall and, for example, also be implemented as a sandwich structure as described above. The typical thickness of each layer can be, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm. The term "outer layer" refers to the outside of the rear wall, pointing away from the inner drum space, while the inner layer defines the delimiting surface of the inner drum space.

[0033] The front wall is advantageously made of inert, food-grade glass. The front wall is typically removably attached to the drum body in a manner that allows for easy removal by an operator, optionally without the need for tools, thereby allowing for easy removal for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Optionally, the interior surface of the front wall can be coated with heat-reflective and transparent coatings generally known in the art, thereby reducing undesirable heat radiation and limiting the temperature of the outer surface of the front wall that is typically accessible to users. In the operating state in which the front wall is attached to the drum compartment, the connection between the drum compartment and the front wall is advantageously airtight and / or odor-tight.

[0034] In embodiments where the front wall is opaque, it may be made from substantially the same material as the rear wall and / or circumferential wall, for example food grade stainless steel.

[0035] In other designs, the drum heater is not designed as an induction heater, but rather as a resistive heater, a Peltier element heater, or an infrared heater, for example. In such a design, the aforementioned sandwich structure with an outer layer, a core layer, and an inner layer may not be necessary or can be modified. In particular, in embodiments where the drum heater is a resistive heater, the rear wall can be implemented as a sandwich structure comprising two layers. One layer is an outer layer of aluminum or other highly thermally conductive material, into which the heating element is embedded. The other layer is an inner layer of the food-grade material explained above.

[0036] The drum inlet is arranged above the longitudinal drum axis. Typically, the drum inlet is arranged at the rear wall, close to the connection with the circumferential wall. However, alternatively, the drum inlet can also be arranged in the upper area of the circumferential wall. The drum inlet is or includes an opening through which green coffee beans can be placed into the drum for subsequent roasting. Advantageously, the inlet opening is connected to or can be connected to a hopper, into which the coffee beans to be roasted can usually be filled manually. Such a hopper can optionally be part of a coffee roaster. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the drum inlet is connected to the hopper via a drum inlet baffle, which can be arranged between the hopper and the drum inlet or can be arranged at the drum inlet. The hopper is advantageously arranged above the drum inlet so that the coffee beans can be transferred from the hopper to the drum by gravity.

[0037] The drum outlet is arranged below the longitudinal drum axis. Typically, the drum outlet is arranged at the rear wall, near the connection with the circumferential wall. However, alternatively, the drum outlet can also be arranged in the lower area of the circumferential wall. The drum outlet is or includes an opening through which the roasted coffee beans can be removed from the drum. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, as explained further below, a drum outlet baffle is arranged at the drum outlet. In an embodiment discussed in further detail below, the drum outlet is further configured to receive cooling air from a cooling container when cooling the roasted coffee beans. In such a design, the drum outlet is advantageously designed for airtight or leak-proof coupling with the cooling container (particularly the cooling container inlet). Therefore, while the coffee beans are cooling, the drum can be quickly cooled, returning the drum to a temperature at which it can be safely disposed of and / or can receive additional unroasted beans for a subsequent roasting process.

[0038] In order to feed hot air into the drum, the drum body (advantageously the rear wall) includes a hot air supply device opening as an interface between the hot air supply device and the inner drum space to establish fluid communication or fluid connection between the hot air supply device and the inner drum space. In some specific embodiments, the hot air supply device opening is the same as or integrated with the drum outlet.

[0039] The heating element of the hot air supply device is usually implemented as a resistive heating element, but in principle it can also be implemented differently, in particular as an induction heating element or a gas heating element, a Peltier element, etc. Via the positive pressure device, the hot air is actively blown into the drum or pressed into the drum. In a typical embodiment, the positive pressure device is implemented as an intake fan or a blower. However, in an alternative embodiment, the positive pressure device is implemented as or includes, for example, a pressurized air tank, a compressor, etc. In some embodiments, there may be a flow control element, such as one or more valves, a throttle valve, etc. The positive pressure device can usually be coupled to the inner drum space via an appropriate pipe for connecting to the hot air supply device opening.

[0040] In order to extract the exhaust gases from the inner drum space, the drum body (advantageously the rear wall) comprises an exhaust gas extraction opening as an interface between the inner drum space and the exhaust gas extractor to establish fluid communication between the exhaust gas extractor and the inner drum space. Like the inlet opening, the exhaust gas extraction opening is advantageously arranged in the upper region of the drum body, above the longitudinal drum axis. Advantageously, a coffee bean holding element, in particular a coffee bean holding element in the form of a porous plate or a grid, is arranged at the exhaust gas extraction opening. The opening of the coffee bean holding element is sized so that the exhaust gases can pass through it without substantial resistance and that the grounds separated from the coffee beans during roasting can also pass through, but the coffee beans are retained inside the drum.

[0041] The exhaust gas extractor comprises a negative pressure device to actively extract the exhaust gas by suction. In a typical embodiment, the negative pressure device is implemented as an extractor fan or an extractor blower. However, in an alternative embodiment, the negative pressure device is implemented as a vacuum pump, such as a water jet pump. The negative pressure device can in principle be directly coupled to the inner drum space using, for example, appropriate pipes for connection to the exhaust gas extraction opening. However, in other and particularly advantageous embodiments, the negative pressure device is fluidically coupled to the inner drum space via an exhaust gas treatment unit as an intermediate element, as further explained in more detail below. In addition, the exhaust gas extractor can include a chimney, which in particular can be fluidically arranged downstream of the negative pressure device (e.g. the extractor fan). Note that the negative pressure device can also be considered to be part of the exhaust gas treatment unit, as further discussed below in the context of specific embodiments.

[0042] In embodiments discussed further below, the exhaust extractor is further configured and operable to extract or remove cooling air used to cool roasted coffee beans in the cooling unit.

[0043] In an embodiment, the sensor arrangement further comprises one or more additional sensors as explained below:

[0044] The sensor arrangement may include a roasted bean color sensor, wherein the roasted bean color sensor is configured to measure the roasted bean color of coffee beans located within the drum and provide a roasted bean color signal, wherein the control input signal includes the roasted bean color signal. The roasted bean color sensor is typically an optical sensor known in the art, or may be implemented, for example, by a camera in combination with corresponding image processing logic and / or image processing firmware / software code. In particular, the roasted bean color sensor may be arranged in or at the circumferential wall or rear wall. The roasted bean color sensor itself is advantageously not arranged within the drum, but is configured to sense the roasted bean color of the coffee beans via a window or aperture in the circumferential wall or rear wall. In embodiments including a roasted bean color sensor, the end-of-roasting condition may include the coffee beans within the drum having a target roasted bean color.

[0045] The sensor arrangement may comprise a rear wall temperature sensor, wherein the rear wall temperature sensor is configured to measure a rear wall temperature of the rear wall and to provide a rear wall temperature signal, wherein the control input signal comprises the rear wall temperature signal.

[0046] The sensor arrangement may include a drum air temperature sensor, wherein the drum air temperature sensor is configured to measure the drum air temperature inside the drum and provide a drum air temperature signal, wherein the control input signal includes the drum air temperature signal.

[0047] The sensor arrangement may comprise an inlet air temperature sensor, wherein the inlet air temperature sensor is configured to measure an inlet air temperature of hot air fed into the drum and to provide an inlet air temperature signal, wherein the control input signal comprises the inlet air temperature signal.

[0048] The sensor arrangement may comprise an air humidity sensor, wherein the air humidity sensor is configured to measure the extracted air humidity of air extracted from the drum and to provide an air humidity signal, wherein the control input signal comprises the air humidity signal.

[0049] The sensor arrangement may comprise an air flow sensor, wherein the air flow sensor is configured to measure an extraction air flow rate of air extracted from the drum and to provide an air flow signal, wherein the control input signal comprises the air flow signal.

[0050] The sensor arrangement may include a crack detection sensor, wherein the crack detection sensor is configured to detect the presence of first and / or second cracks in the coffee beans during roasting and provide a crack detection signal, wherein the control input signal includes the crack detection signal. The crack detection sensor is configured and arranged to detect the presence of the first and / or second cracks based on mechanical waves generated by the cracks. The detected mechanical waves may be acoustic waves, and the crack detection sensor may be a loudspeaker. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical waves may be structure-generated and detected at the drum body, in particular at the rear wall and / or the circumferential wall. In such an embodiment, the crack detection sensor may be an acceleration sensor or a vibration sensor, for example based on piezoresistance or capacitance.

[0051] The sensors described herein have been found to provide particularly useful information for monitoring and / or supervising a baking process in the context of an automated setting, and some or all of them may be used accordingly. Additional sensors that may be present in some embodiments are further discussed below in their respective contexts.

[0052] In an embodiment, the sensor includes one or more pressure sensors, for example, an air outlet pressure sensor and / or an air inlet pressure sensor. A given pressure sensor can measure absolute pressure, relative pressure and / or differential pressure. The one or more pressure sensors are arranged to measure the air pressure in one or more locations in the coffee roaster, in particular the air pressure of air flowing into and / or out of the drum. For example, the sensor includes a pressure sensor arranged upstream of the drum, the pressure sensor being configured to measure the relative pressure of the inlet air relative to the ambient pressure. Additionally, the sensor may include a pressure sensor arranged downstream of the drum, the pressure sensor being configured to measure the relative pressure of the outlet air relative to the ambient pressure. Each of the one or more pressure sensors is configured to provide a control signal indicative of the measured pressure. Using the control signal indicative of the pressure sensor, a temperature difference can be determined, and a temperature difference can be determined between two or more locations, the temperature difference being indicative of, for example, the flow rate of air between the two locations.

[0053] In an embodiment, the control output signal comprises a negative pressure device control signal, thereby controlling the operation of the negative pressure device of the exhaust gas extractor. During roasting, the positive pressure device and the negative pressure device can be advantageously controlled in a coordinated manner so that the air flow of hot air fed to or entering the drum corresponds to the air flow of exhaust gases extracted from or leaving the drum. In this way, a continuous flow is achieved and any repulsion is prevented. In an embodiment comprising a cooling unit (wherein the cooling air is transferred or fed into the drum after cooling the roasted coffee beans and is extracted by the exhaust gas extractor), the exhaust gas extractor (e.g., an extractor fan) can be controlled to operate at a power that is generally high and possibly maximum. In this way, it is ensured that the air is safely extracted from the drum via the air extractor and that no repulsion occurs.

[0054] In one embodiment, the coffee roaster includes a drum inlet damper, wherein the drum inlet damper is configured to alternately open and close the drum inlet. In such an embodiment, a selected roast profile may include a selected pre-roast condition, and the control unit may be configured to generate a pre-roast control output signal as part of the control output signal, determine whether the selected pre-roast condition is satisfied based on the control input signal, and control the drum inlet damper to open the drum inlet when the selected pre-roast condition is satisfied. The control unit is further configured to control the drum inlet damper to close the drum inlet when coffee beans are being transferred or filled into the drum, and to maintain the drum inlet damper closed during roasting. Accordingly, the drum inlet damper is controlled to only temporarily open the drum inlet for filling or transferring coffee beans into the drum, but otherwise maintain its closed state.

[0055] A drum inlet damper is arranged at the drum inlet or between the hopper and the drum inlet, so that, in a configuration in which the coffee bean inlet damper is open, coffee beans can be loaded into the drum or inner drum space, respectively. In a configuration in which the inlet damper is closed, the passage from the hopper into the drum is blocked. The inlet damper is advantageously designed to seal the passage from the inner drum space to the hopper in an airtight manner. This prevents exhaust gases from escaping the inner drum space via the inlet opening during roasting, and allows them to exit the inner drum space only via the exhaust gas extraction opening. The inlet damper further includes an inlet damper actuator, such as an electromagnet or motor that is operatively cooled in conjunction with a control unit.

[0056] Pre-baking condition usually comprises drum air temperature and drum body temperature, particularly rear wall temperature, and it will depend on the desired baking and occur when baking starts.In another embodiment, it only comprises the drum body temperature that will occur when baking starts.

[0057] Embodiments with a controlled inlet damper offer advantages in terms of both convenience and quality during the roasting process. The user can fill the hopper with green coffee beans at virtually any time, for example, after turning on the coffee roaster. If pre-roasting conditions are met, the drum or inlet damper automatically opens, and the coffee beans in the hopper are transferred to the drum. The time until pre-roasting conditions are met is also referred to as pre-heating.

[0058] During preheating, the drum rotor drive and the drum rotor are typically controlled to operate separately to ensure a uniform temperature distribution within the drum. Furthermore, the control unit is advantageously configured to control the drum rotor drive during transfer of coffee beans from the hopper into the drum, or while the drum inlet opening is open to rotate at a generally reduced speed, thereby ensuring that the drum rotor transports coffee from the drum inlet opening into the inner drum space and that the drum inlet opening is unobstructed. When the drum inlet opening is closed again by the drum inlet damper, roasting begins, and the drum rotor drive is controlled according to the selected roasting profile. Preheating may include a holding phase after pre-roasting conditions are met, during which relevant parameters (particularly the rear wall temperature or the drum air temperature) are maintained constant before the inlet damper is opened and roasting begins.

[0059] In an embodiment, the coffee roaster includes a drum outlet damper, wherein the drum outlet damper is arranged to alternately open or close the drum outlet. In such an embodiment, the control unit can be configured to control the drum outlet damper to open the drum outlet when the roasting end condition is met.

[0060] This type of embodiment has the particular advantage that the coffee beans automatically leave the drum when the end-of-roasting conditions are met, and in particular when the coffee beans have the target roasted bean temperature, and are not further roasted in an uncontrolled and undesirable manner due to the hot rear wall and the hot air inside the drum.

[0061] The drum outlet baffle may comprise a flap similar to the drum inlet baffle explained above, but may also be, for example, a removable perforated plate or slider. The drum outlet baffle further comprises an outlet baffle actuator, such as an electromagnet or motor cooled in operation with a control unit.

[0062] In the configuration where the drum outlet is open, roasted coffee beans can be removed from the inner drum and advantageously fall out of the drum by gravity. During this process, the drum rotor drive is advantageously controlled to be active and rotate the drum rotor, which pushes the coffee beans out of the inner drum space.

[0063] In an embodiment, a coffee roaster comprises a cooling unit. However, it is noted that a cooling unit according to the present disclosure may also be implemented and used in the context of other types of coffee roasters.

[0064] The cooling unit comprises a cooling container having a cooling container inlet. The cooling container inlet can be coupled to the drum outlet via a drum outlet baffle.

[0065] The cooling unit may further include a cooling medium supply. The cooling medium supply may include a cooling air supply, wherein the cooling air supply is fluidly coupled to the internal cooling container space to feed cooling air into the cooling container. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling medium supply may include a cooling water supply.

[0066] The cooling water supply device may comprise a nozzle arrangement, wherein the nozzle arrangement is configured for spraying cooling water onto the coffee beans inside the cooling container.

[0067] The coffee beans can be cooled down in a well-defined and controlled manner via the cooling unit. In particular, it is often desirable to cool the coffee beans quickly without getting them wet. This can be achieved in embodiments that include both a cooling air supply and a cooling water supply. However, in some designs, either one may be sufficient.

[0068] In an embodiment, the cooling unit may further include a cooling rotor drive operatively coupled to the cooling rotor to rotate the drum rotor. Additionally, in an embodiment, the cooling vessel may include a cooling vessel outlet. In alternative embodiments, there may be no dedicated cooling vessel outlet and / or the cooling rotor and cooling rotor drive may not be present.

[0069] The cooling unit can be coupled to the drum outlet opening, in particular, via a drum outlet baffle, such that the drum outlet baffle alternately connects the cooling unit to the drum space when the drum outlet opening is open, or disconnects the cooling unit from the drum space when the drum outlet opening is closed, and the drum outlet baffle can accordingly also be considered or used as a cooling container inlet baffle. Therefore, only when the drum outlet baffle is open can the roasted coffee beans be removed from the drum and transferred to the cooling container.

[0070] The cooling air supply device may specifically include a cooling fan or a cooling blower coupled to the interior of the cooling container to actively blow or force air into the interior of the cooling container. Instead of a cooling fan, the cooling air supply device may, for example, include an air pump or a compressor to force air into the interior of the cooling container. In typical embodiments, the cooling air temperature is typically the ambient air temperature. However, the cooling air supply device may alternatively include a dedicated cooling device for cooling the cooling air.

[0071] The coffee beans are not actually wetted by the cooling water supply. Therefore, the nozzle arrangement advantageously includes a plurality of nozzles that generate a mist atmosphere inside the cooling container. The nozzle arrangement is advantageously positioned on top of or above the cooling container. The cooling water supply may include a cooling water pump to provide cooling water to the nozzle arrangement, and / or may be operated under the line pressure of a conventional water supply. In addition, the cooling water supply may include a cooling water tank arranged above the cooling container so that water is forced into the nozzles from the cooling water tank by gravity. The cooling water supply may include a nozzle control valve that is operatively coupled to the control unit via a nozzle control valve control signal and controlled by the control unit. As mentioned above, the nozzle control valve control signal may be part of the control output signal. Such a nozzle control valve may be a shut-off valve or a continuous control valve for continuously controlling the water supply to the nozzle arrangement. In order to prevent the coffee beans from actually getting wet, the cooling water supply device is advantageously controlled to be activated only for coffee bean temperatures above a wetting temperature threshold, in particular 100° C., and to be shut down, in particular by completely closing the nozzle control valve, when the coffee bean temperature drops below the wetting temperature threshold indicated by the cooling bean temperature sensor.

[0072] In certain embodiments including a cooling unit, the cooling unit may further include a cooling container outlet damper, wherein the cooling container outlet damper is configured to alternately open and close the cooling container outlet. The control unit of such an embodiment may be configured to control the cooling container outlet damper to close the cooling container outlet during cooling and to open the cooling container outlet when cooling is complete.

[0073] The cooling container outlet damper can include a cover plate and a cooling container outlet damper actuator, such as an electromagnet or motor, which is cooled in conjunction with a control unit. When the outlet damper is open, coffee beans can fall into the outlet container. The control unit is advantageously designed to control the cooling container outlet damper so as to open the cooling container outlet only for removing coffee beans from the cooling container and to close the cooling container outlet in other circumstances, particularly during cooling.

[0074] During cooling of the coffee beans, the coffee beans may be continuously moved by the cooling rotor to ensure uniform exposure of the coffee beans to the cooling medium and / or cooling media, in particular cooling air and / or cooling water as mentioned above.

[0075] The operation of the cooling rotor drive and the cooling water supply and / or cooling air supply can be controlled by a control unit, which can be configured to generate cooling rotor drive control signals and cooling air supply control signals and / or cooling water supply control signals. During the cooling period, the cooling air supply and / or cooling water supply can be controlled to operate continuously and in a constant manner. However, advantageously, the cooling air supply and / or cooling water supply are controlled in a variable manner via a time-varying control signal as a function of time, thereby varying the cooling provided by the air and / or cooling water over time during the cooling period. The control parameters used to generate the cooling rotor drive control signals and the cooling air supply and / or cooling water supply as a function of time can be stored as fixed parameters by the control unit. However, advantageously, the control parameters used to generate one or more cooling rotor drive control signals and the cooling air supply and / or cooling water supply can be part of a selected roasting profile and thus vary depending on a selected target roasting profile. The cooling rotor drive control signals and the cooling air supply and / or cooling water supply control signals can be part of the control output signals generated by the control unit.

[0076] Additionally, the control unit may be configured to switch the cooling rotor drive on and off in a binary manner. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the cooling air supply means and / or the cooling water supply means in a varying manner as a function of time during the cooling period, thereby varying the cooling performed by the air and / or cooling water over time during the cooling period.

[0077] As explained previously, when the optional cooling vessel outlet damper is opened for removing coffee beans from the cooling vessel and transferring them to the outlet container, the cooling rotor drive is advantageously started and the cooling rotor rotates, thereby ensuring that all coffee beans are moved to the cooling vessel outlet.

[0078] In other embodiments of the cooling unit with cooling rotor and cooling rotor drive, the cooling rotor is not arranged in the cooling vessel inside. Instead, the cooling rotor can be formed integrally with the cooling vessel. In such an embodiment, the cooling vessel is rotatable and is driven to be coupled to rotate the cooling vessel with cooling. In such an embodiment, the cooling vessel can comprise a stirring element, such as a thin slice or a rib, which is arranged in the inner space inside of the cooling vessel and stirs the coffee beans when the cooling vessel rotates.

[0079] In an embodiment, cooling is considered complete when a cooling end condition is satisfied. Satisfaction of the cooling end condition can be detected based on one or more cooling sensor signals, wherein the one or more cooling sensor signals are generated by one or more corresponding cooling sensors of the cooling unit. In particular, the cooling unit can include a cooling bean temperature sensor, wherein the cooling bean temperature sensor is configured to measure the cooling bean temperature of the coffee beans within the cooling container and provide a corresponding cooling bean temperature signal, wherein the cooling end criterion includes the cooling bean temperature reaching or falling below a predetermined target cooling bean temperature. Furthermore, the cooling unit can additionally or alternatively include a cooling bean color sensor, wherein the cooling bean color sensor is configured to measure the cooling bean color of the coffee beans within the cooling container and provide a corresponding cooling bean color signal, wherein the cooling end criterion includes the cooling bean color assuming a predetermined target cooling bean color. In some embodiments, the cooling end condition, in particular the target cooling bean temperature and / or the target cooling bean color, can be fixed. However, advantageously, they are part of a selected roasting profile. The one or more cooling sensor signals, in particular the cooling bean temperature signal and / or the cooling bean color signal, can be part of the control input signal, and the one or more cooling sensors, in particular the cooling bean temperature sensor and / or the cooling bean color sensor, can be part of the sensor arrangement. In another embodiment, the cooling of the coffee beans is time-controlled, and the cooling end criterion is that a predetermined cooling time span has elapsed after the cooling starts. When the cooling is completed, the control unit can provide a corresponding indication and / or control the cooling container outlet baffle to release the coffee beans.

[0080] In a specific embodiment including a cooling unit, the cooling container is fluidically coupled to the inner drum space of the drum, particularly in a fluid-tight manner, thereby enabling cooling air to be transferred from the cooling container into the drum and extracted from the drum via an exhaust air extractor. This design is particularly advantageous if only cooling air, and no cooling water, is envisioned as the cooling medium. In such a design, the exhaust air extractor serves the additional purpose of extracting the cooling air in a controlled manner during the cooling period.

[0081] The fluid coupling between the cooling container and the drum space can particularly be via the drum outlet. In such a design, the drum outlet serves to remove roasted coffee beans from the drum and transfer them to the cooling container, and subsequently to remove cooling air from the cooling container and transfer or feed it to the drum. Note that during this phase, no coffee beans are present in the drum. In such an embodiment, the outlet baffle is typically controlled to open during the cooling period. However, in another variant, a separate fluid coupling is foreseen between the drum and the cooling container for removing cooling air from the cooling container and transferring or feeding it to the drum.

[0082] In one embodiment, the cooling container can be a removable tray, configured to be removed upon completion of bean cooling, with the beans still in the tray. The cooling container can be housed within a drawer. In such a design, a dedicated cooling container outlet flap can be omitted. The tray can be open on its top and / or have a removable or openable lid. Such a lid can include an opening for coupling with the drum outlet. Alternatively, the tray can be open on its top. As previously mentioned, fluid-tight coupling can be achieved through a seal, which can be part of the cooling container, such as the tray and / or the coffee roaster housing. The tray has air holes perforated in the sides and / or bottom, each sized to prevent beans from passing through. The tray is configured so that the perforated sides and / or bottom, respectively, do not fully contact any adjacent surfaces, thereby allowing air to enter the tray unimpeded through at least some of the air holes. In one embodiment, the cooling container is a bean tray, as discussed further below. The drawer can include a scale configured to measure the weight of the tray, allowing the weight of the beans in the tray to be determined. Additionally, the drawer may include an insert configured to receive cooling air from the cooling air supply and direct the cooling air into the tray. Specifically, the insert is configured to direct the cooling air so that it flows through the perforations into the tray, thereby cooling the beans. In a preferred embodiment, the cooling container (specifically, the insert) includes a seal configured to achieve a fluid-tight coupling with the cooling air supply.

[0083] In an embodiment, a coffee roaster includes an exhaust gas treatment unit. However, it is noted that an exhaust gas treatment unit according to the present disclosure can also be implemented and used in the context of other types of coffee roasters. In a specific embodiment, the exhaust gas treatment unit can include a water tank that is designed to be filled with water up to a fill level, wherein the water tank has a water tank air inlet and a water tank air outlet. The water tank air inlet is fluidically coupled to the exhaust gas extraction opening and, in turn, to the inner drum space. The water tank air inlet is arranged below the fill level of the water tank. The water tank air outlet is arranged above the fill level. The exhaust gas treatment unit can further include a fresh water supply for supplying fresh water into the water tank and a waste water discharge for discharging waste water from the water tank.

[0084] The extractor fan as explained above is advantageously arranged fluidically downstream of the water tank and fluidically coupled to the water tank air outlet.The water tank is thus fluidically arranged between the drum and the extractor fan.

[0085] In operation, the extractor fan generates an underpressure or suction pressure in the air volume above the fill level and simultaneously stirs the water. Via coupling with the inner drum space, due to the arrangement of the water tank air inlet, the exhaust gases are sucked into the water tank and enter the water tank below the fill level, and the water dissolves and accordingly removes the smoke and its components from the exhaust gases and cools the exhaust gases at the same time. The cooled exhaust gases rise to the water surface (as defined by the fill level) in the form of bubbles and are sucked away by the extractor fan. Inside the water tank, and usually below the fill level, a bubble intensifier can be arranged. The bubble intensifier can be realized by a perforated plate, which extends substantially over the entire side surface area of the water tank. The bubble intensifier divides larger air or air bubbles into smaller bubbles, thereby improving the smoke removal and cooling efficiency.

[0086] In some embodiments, the coffee roaster includes a grounds separator. Grounds separators are generally used to separate grounds from exhaust gases. In certain embodiments including an exhaust gas treatment unit having a water tank and a bubble intensifier as discussed above, the holes in the porous plate serving as the bubble intensifier are sized sufficiently small to prevent grounds from passing through. In such embodiments, grounds enter the water tank along with the exhaust gases and remain in the water tank below the bubble intensifier until removed manually or by flushing the water tank. In such embodiments, the bubble intensifier also serves as a grounds separator.

[0087] In another embodiment, a scum separator can be positioned between the drum and the water tank, specifically between the exhaust gas outlet and the water tank air inlet. Such a scum separator can include a mechanical scum retaining filter, such as a mesh or porous plate, that allows exhaust gas to pass through but prevents scum from passing through. The scum can be removed from the water tank along with the wastewater during flushing, and / or can be removed manually.

[0088] In one embodiment, the bypass line is arranged so that cooling air exiting the drum during the cooling period bypasses the slag separator. For example, a first end of the bypass line is connected upstream of the slag separator, for example, between the exhaust gas outlet and the slag separator. The first end of the bypass line is connected to a first coupling point, which may include one or more valves configured to direct cooling air through the bypass line during the cooling period. The second end of the bypass line is connected downstream of the slag separator, for example, between the slag separator and the catalyst, as described in more detail below. In particular, the second end of the bypass line is connected to a second coupling point between the slag separator and the filter, as described in more detail below.

[0089] In an embodiment, a water temperature sensor may be disposed in the water tank below the fill level for monitoring the water temperature. The water temperature sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit. The water temperature sensor provides a water temperature sensor signal, which may be part of the input control signal. The control unit may be configured to determine when the water tank should be flushed and the water replaced based on the water temperature control signal. The control unit may be specifically configured to substantially continuously compare the water temperature to a water temperature threshold, such as 70 degrees Celsius. When the water temperature reaches or exceeds the water temperature threshold, it indicates that the water tank should be flushed and the water inside the tank should be replaced.

[0090] To flush the water tank and replace the water, as mentioned above, a fresh water inlet supply and a waste water drain may be provided and coupled to the interior volume of the water tank via a fresh water supply valve and a waste water drain valve. The waste water supply valve and the waste water drain valve may be controlled by a control unit, thereby allowing the water tank to be flushed and the water to be replaced automatically as required.

[0091] In order to ensure that the water tank is filled to the desired fill level initially and after flushing, a fill level sensor operatively coupled to the control unit can be provided. The fill level sensor can in particular be a float gauge. Alternatively, the fill level sensor can be implemented differently, for example by one or more resistance-based sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, etc. The control unit can be configured to control the fresh water supply valve and / or the waste water discharge valve based on the signal provided by the fill level sensor. In particular, the control unit can be configured to control the fresh water inlet valve to open after the water tank is completely emptied until the fill level sensor indicates that the desired fill level has been reached. In another embodiment, the fill level sensor is a water flow sensor, which is arranged in or at the fresh water supply, and the control unit is configured to determine the fill level based on the amount of water fed into the water tank.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, cleaning of the water tank and replacement of the water can be performed manually, for example, with a user indication provided if the water temperature reaches or exceeds a water temperature threshold. While manual replacement of the water is typically performed between roasting batches of coffee beans or when the coffee roaster is not in operation, as previously explained, automatic flushing and water replacement under the control of the control unit can also be performed during an ongoing roasting process.

[0093] Exhaust air is drawn from the water tank via the water tank air outlet. In embodiments in which a condenser and an exhaust air filter are present, the exhaust air filter is advantageously positioned fluidically downstream of the condenser, so that the air is first dried after leaving the water tank and then filtered. Undesirable odors and / or odors are removed from the exhaust air via the filter. This allows the coffee roaster to be operated indoors without the risk of undesirable odors or odors, and without the need for additional exhaust air treatment equipment.

[0094] In some embodiments of the exhaust gas treatment unit, the exhaust gas treatment unit includes a condenser, wherein the condenser is fluidically coupled to the water tank air outlet, such that air extracted from the water tank passes through the condenser. As the exhaust gas leaves the water tank, it is typically saturated with moisture, which is removed by the condenser, thereby drying the exhaust gas. The condenser accordingly acts as a dehumidifier. Furthermore, the condenser is advantageously fluidically arranged between the water tank air outlet and the extractor fan, such that the exhaust gas passes through the condenser before the extractor fan.

[0095] In an embodiment of the exhaust gas treatment unit, the exhaust gas treatment unit includes an exhaust gas filter. The exhaust gas filter is fluidically coupled to the water tank air outlet such that air drawn from the water tank passes through the exhaust gas filter. The exhaust gas filter removes undesirable odorous substances from the exhaust gas. Furthermore, the exhaust gas filter is advantageously fluidically arranged between the water tank air outlet and the extractor fan such that the exhaust gas passes through the exhaust gas filter before the extractor fan.

[0096] In embodiments where both a condenser and an exhaust filter are present, the condenser and the exhaust filter may be arranged fluidically in series between the water tank air outlet and the extractor fan. The arrangement may be such that, after leaving the water tank, the exhaust gas first passes through the condenser, followed by the exhaust filter.

[0097] In an embodiment including a dregs separator, the dregs separator may include a cyclonic separator for separating dregs and a dregs collector, for example, in the form of a drawer. The control unit may control the cyclonic separator via corresponding cyclone control signals. The cyclonic separator may also be a passive cyclonic separator, where the shape of the device causes air entering the cyclone to circulate and maintain a spiral air vortex (i.e., a cyclone). Airborne particles exit the cyclonic separator through an opening at the bottom of the cyclonic separator, while air escapes from the cyclonic separator through an opening at the top. Such a passive cyclonic separator does not require any active elements to start or maintain the cyclone.

[0098] In an embodiment, a coffee roaster includes a grounds separator temperature sensor configured to directly or indirectly measure the air temperature inside the grounds separator. The grounds separator temperature sensor may be disposed at the grounds separator, for example, attached to the grounds separator housing, with the housing temperature indicating the air temperature inside the grounds separator. The grounds separator temperature sensor may be disposed within the grounds separator, thereby directly measuring the air temperature inside the grounds separator. The grounds separator temperature sensor may be disposed fluidically downstream of the grounds separator, thereby measuring the temperature of air exiting the grounds separator. The grounds separator temperature sensor provides a control signal to a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine whether a fire is present in the coffee roaster based on the temperature measured by the grounds separator temperature sensor. In particular, a temperature measured by the grounds separator temperature sensor exceeding a fire temperature threshold is considered indicative of a fire. Additionally, if the temperature measured by the grounds separator temperature sensor rises faster than a predetermined temperature rise rate, this is considered indicative of a fire. A fire will usually burn the slag in the slag drawer.

[0099] In an embodiment, the coffee roaster includes a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher is arranged so that it can extinguish a fire in the grounds separator, preferably including the grounds drawer. The fire extinguisher can be attached or connected to the grounds separator and / or the grounds drawer. When the control unit detects a fire, the fire extinguisher is activated. The fire extinguisher can extinguish the fire using water, CO2, foam, or other fire extinguishing means. Additionally, the control unit can be configured to generate an alarm to warn users of the coffee roaster of the fire, for example by generating an alarm signal that is transmitted to an acoustic transducer to alert the user. Furthermore, the alarm signal can be connected to a lighting element of the coffee roaster to visually indicate the fire condition. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to shut down all heating elements and reduce airflow through the coffee roaster to a minimum level determined to prevent damage to the heating elements.

[0100] In an embodiment comprising an exhaust gas treatment unit, the exhaust gas treatment unit comprises a catalyst which is configured to remove odorous substances from the exhaust gases extracted from the drum. In addition to the aforementioned water-based exhaust gas treatment, in particular in series with said water-based exhaust gas treatment, the catalyst and advantageous auxiliary components can be provided, as discussed further below. However, in general, an exhaust gas treatment unit comprising a catalyst can be foreseen as an alternative. This has the particular advantage that odorous or smelly substances can be removed from the exhaust gases without the need for the typically complex and cumbersome cooling water treatment. In particular, the catalyst can be configured to remove carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases.

[0101] In a specific embodiment comprising an exhaust gas treatment unit with a catalyst, the exhaust gas treatment unit comprises an exhaust gas heater and an exhaust gas cooler, the exhaust gas heater being fluidically arranged upstream with respect to the catalyst and the exhaust gas cooler being fluidly arranged downstream with respect to the catalyst. The exhaust gas heater, the catalyst and the exhaust gas cooler are typically fluidically arranged in series. The exhaust gas heater is activated and used during the baking process, in particular during the final stages of the baking process, to heat the exhaust gas that has left the drum to an optimal temperature for catalytic cleaning or removal of odorous substances via the catalyst. The exhaust gas heater can heat the exhaust gas to a temperature between 200° and 400°, preferably between 250° and 300°C. In the early stages of the baking process, the exhaust gas heater can typically be deactivated or turned off.

[0102] The exhaust gas heater can be controlled by the control unit via an exhaust gas heater control signal. The exhaust gas heater control signal can be part of the control output signal. Controlling the exhaust gas heater can particularly include controlling the heating power of the exhaust gas heater, for example by turning the heating power on / off and / or regulating it continuously or in a plurality of discrete steps. Additionally, an exhaust gas temperature sensor can be arranged at or downstream of the exhaust gas heater to measure the temperature of the heated exhaust gas. An exhaust gas cooler is provided to cool the significantly heated exhaust gas leaving the catalyst. For example, the exhaust gas cooler can include a gas cooler in which the exhaust gas passes through a duct that becomes heated and then dissipates the heat to the environment via convection and radiation. Additionally, one or more fans can be arranged in the coffee roaster and configured to blow and / or draw air over the exhaust gas cooler, in particular the duct of the gas cooler, to increase the heat dissipation rate and thereby reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas leaving the coffee roaster.

[0103] In addition to or instead of the above-described arrangements, the exhaust gas treatment unit may comprise further odorous and / or noxious substance removal devices. In particular, a mechanical particle filter through which the exhaust gases pass can be foreseen. In addition to or instead of the mechanical filter, the particle filter may comprise an electrostatic particle filter. The electrostatic particle filter may be configured to retain particles by means of electrostatic attraction or repulsion. In addition, the particle filter may be or may comprise an activated carbon filter. In an example, the electrostatic particle filter comprises a glass fiber filter. In an embodiment, the exhaust gas treatment unit is configured such that the removal device, in particular the mechanical particle filter, is accessible and removable and therefore easily replaceable.

[0104] The slag separator and the exhaust gas treatment unit are usually arranged fluidically between the drum outlet and the exhaust gas extractor. Advantageously, the slag separator is arranged fluidically upstream of the exhaust gas treatment unit so that the exhaust gas is free of or substantially free of slag when entering the exhaust gas treatment unit.

[0105] In an embodiment, the coffee roaster includes a green coffee bean scale for measuring the weight of the green coffee beans before they are filled into the drum. Additionally, in an embodiment, the coffee roaster may include a roasted bean scale for measuring the weight of the roasted coffee beans after roasting. In an embodiment, the coffee roaster includes a bean scale that serves as both a green bean scale and a roasted bean scale. The bean scale may be integrated into a drawer or container. As previously explained, the drawer or container may be used to fill the drum or hopper with green coffee beans. The drawer or container and the box, as well as the bean scale, may be configured to measure the weight of the green coffee beans before they are filled into the drum or hopper. After roasting, the drawer or container may be placed at or below the cooling container outlet, allowing the roasted and optionally dried coffee beans to fall or be released into the drawer or container, and the roasted bean weight of the roasted, cooled, and optionally dried coffee beans may be measured.

[0106] Advantageously, the green bean scale and roasted bean scale, or a combined green bean scale and roasted bean scale, are operatively coupled to the control unit for transmitting the measured green bean weight or roasted bean weight to the control unit. In some embodiments, the control unit can be configured to store and / or process the green bean weight and roasted bean weight. Optionally, the control unit can be configured to transmit the green bean weight and / or roasted bean weight to a remote computer system, as explained further below. If applicable, the control unit and / or remote computer system can be further configured to determine whether the roasting and drying of the coffee beans was successful based on the difference and / or ratio between the green bean weight and the roasted bean weight. In the affirmative, the roasted bean weight is at least 10% lower than the green bean weight.

[0107] To control the operation of the coffee roaster and provide information to the user (such as status information, warnings, and / or alarms), the control unit may include and / or be designed to be operatively coupled to a user interface unit. The user interface unit may be integral to the coffee roaster or provided in whole or in part as a separate user interface device. In certain embodiments, the user interface device is a general-purpose computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop or desktop computer. In certain embodiments, the control unit may be implemented in whole or in part by such a general-purpose computing device.

[0108] In an embodiment, the user interface device and the control unit can be configured to communicate via a wireless communication interface, such as a Bluetooth and / or Wifi interface and / or an interface for communicating via a mobile communication network, such as according to the 5G standard. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface device and the control unit can be configured to communicate via a wired interface, such as one or more USB buses (such as mini-USB, micro-USB, USB, USB-C) or a wired LAN interface. In addition, in some embodiments, the control unit and the user interface device can be configured to communicate via the Internet. For this purpose, the user interface device and the control unit can be configured for wired and / or wireless Internet access. The user interface device can further be configured to communicate with a remote computer system via the Internet.

[0109] Controlling the execution of the roasting process according to the selected roasting profile is typically a closed-loop control, wherein a control output signal is generated or modified substantially in real time based on a control input signal as a feedback signal and the selected roasting profile. In a typical embodiment, the closed-loop control is a multiple-input multiple-output control, wherein the signals provided by the sensors of the sensor arrangement are combined to form the control input signal.

[0110] A roasting profile, and in particular a selected roasting profile, may include the desired roasted bean temperature as a function of time, for example in the form of one or more interpolation functions, such as spline curves, or their parameters, and / or as a lookup table of time-temperature pairs. Alternatively, a roasting profile may only include temperatures that should be approached one after the other.

[0111] The generation of the output control signal or its components by the control unit can be based on a classical controller design, such as a RID controller, and / or on a fuzzy control algorithm and / or a neural network, for example.

[0112] During the roasting process, the control parameters are not necessarily constant over time in each case, but may vary or be modified in a predetermined manner, for example as a function of time, and / or may be changed according to one or more rules forming part of a roasting profile, in particular a selected roasting profile, which depends on the occurrence of characteristic events as explained below.

[0113] The control input signals may include one or more sensor signals that directly and / or indirectly indicate temperature conditions within the drum, in particular, roasted bean temperature signals, rear wall temperature signals, inlet air temperature signals, and airflow signals. Furthermore, the control input signals may include one or more sensor signals that indicate the stage of the roasting process and / or specific characteristic events during the roasting process, in particular, roasted bean color signals and / or crack detection signals, as mentioned above. Such characteristic events may also be derived from temperature-indicating sensor signals, such as the roasted bean temperature signals, as mentioned above. As an example, the bean temperature determined by a roasted bean temperature sensor, which may assume a predetermined characteristic value based on a selected roasting profile, may be used as a characteristic event. Upon the occurrence of a characteristic event, the control unit may be configured to modify or alter the generation of the control output signal, or one or more of its components. As an example, the roasted bean temperature, rear wall temperature, drum air temperature, the setpoint of the heating power of the air heater, and / or the setpoints of the positive and / or negative pressure devices (such as the speed of the intake and / or exhaust fans) may be modified upon the occurrence of a characteristic event.

[0114] However, not all sensor signals are used directly to control the roasting process. Certain sensor signals can be used to supervise and monitor the roasting process without affecting the control output signal. For example, the air humidity signal generated by the optional air humidity sensor can be evaluated by the control unit to monitor the progress of the coffee bean roasting process in general, and the progress of the roasting process itself in particular. Furthermore, air humidity is an indicator of the flavor that can be expected from the roasted coffee beans. Furthermore, an exhaust gas temperature sensor can optionally be arranged to measure the exhaust gas temperature, for example at or in a chimney. The control unit may evaluate the exhaust gas temperature signal, typically for safety purposes.

[0115] The control output signal may include one or more control signals, via which the temperature conditions inside the drum, in particular the rear wall temperature, the drum air temperature and / or the bean temperature, can be influenced by controlling the operation of one or more of the air heater, the drum heater, the positive pressure device and the negative pressure device. Generally, an increase in the heating power of the drum heater and / or the air heater leads to an increase in the temperature inside the drum, and vice versa. Similarly, an increased operation of the positive pressure device (in particular an increased rotational speed of the intake fan) will lead to an increase in the temperature inside the drum, and vice versa. An increased operation of the negative pressure device (in particular an increased operation of the extractor fan) will lead to a decrease in the temperature inside the drum, and vice versa. As mentioned above, the air flow of the hot air fed into or entering the drum should generally correspond to the air flow of the exhaust air extracted from or leaving the drum during roasting.

[0116] In a typical embodiment, the rear wall temperature can be controlled in a range from ambient temperature up to approximately 300 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the hot air can be controlled in a range from ambient temperature up to approximately 550 degrees Celsius, and the rotational speed of the drum rotor can be controlled, if started, in a range of, for example, from 50 RPM (revolutions per minute) to 90 RPM, and the extractor fan and the intake fan can be controlled for an air flow rate in a range of, for example, 10 liters per minute up to 350 liters per minute.

[0117] As explained above, the control of the execution of the cooling process via the cooling unit can be a closed-loop control, wherein at least one of the corresponding control signals, in particular the cooling rotor drive control signal, the cooling air supply device control signal, and / or the cooling water supply device control signal, is generated or modified substantially in real time based on control input signals, in particular signals provided as feedback signals by one or more cooling sensors, and the selected roasting profile. In an alternative embodiment, the control signals, as mentioned above, are generated at least partially according to open-loop control during the cooling period. In particular, while the cooling water supply device, as explained above, is advantageously stopped at the moistening temperature threshold, the cooling air supply device (in particular the intake fan) can be time-controlled or continue to operate until it is manually shut down and / or the next batch of coffee beans is to be roasted.

[0118] In some embodiments, the control unit can be configured to further modify or alter the generation of the control output signal based on the control input signal upon the occurrence of one or more limit events. Such limit events can, for example, be the roasted bean temperature, the hot air temperature inside the drum, or the exhaust gas temperature reaching or exceeding corresponding limit temperatures. In such cases, the control unit can, for example, be configured to reduce the heating power of the drum heater, the amount of hot air provided by the positive pressure device, and / or the heating power of the hot air supply device. The limit values (particularly the limit temperatures) can be fixed and / or can be part of the roasting profile.

[0119] The control algorithm and / or control parameters that generate the control output signal in dependence on the control input signal can be permanently stored by the control unit. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to receive the control algorithm and / or control parameters for one or more baking processes from a remote computer system, store the control algorithm and / or control parameters, and generate the control output signal based on the stored control algorithm and / or control parameters. In such an embodiment, the control algorithm and / or control parameters can be modified via the remote computer system when necessary.

[0120] According to advantageous embodiments, a coffee roaster, and in particular a coffee roaster according to the present disclosure, can have a modular design and include a coffee roaster frame or base, which can, for example, include a control unit and potential supplementary devices, such as a power supply. The roasting unit, cooling unit, and exhaust gas treatment unit can be designed as generally independent units, for example, as plug-in units that are mounted on or inserted into the frame or base, wherein the base or frame and the individual modules advantageously include corresponding electrical and fluid couplings, with the modules being coupled via the base or frame. However, some or all couplings (particularly fluid couplings) can also be directly between modules. Alternatively, some or all modules can be split into submodules that are designed to be individually mounted on or inserted into the frame or base. In particular, the drum with a drum heater and hot air supply can be provided as a separate submodule. Similarly, an inlet module, which can include a hopper and a drum inlet baffle as mentioned above, and a dregs separator module can be provided and mounted on or inserted into the frame or base. In some embodiments, the aforementioned control unit and / or additional supplementary devices are not included in the coffee roaster frame or base, but are also designed as independent modules. In addition, as further explained below in the context of exemplary embodiments, the combination of bean scale, bean tray, and drawer can be provided as a separate and structurally distinct unit.

[0121] Such a modular design significantly simplifies the maintenance and cleaning of the coffee roaster, especially by users or non-technical personnel. In addition, it simplifies the repair and exchange of defective modules.

[0122] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to be operatively coupled to a remote computer system and to receive the selected roasting profile from the remote computer system. The remote computer system may be a centralized and / or cloud-based remote computing system. Advantageously, the remote computing system and the coffee roaster or its control unit are configured to communicate via the internet, as explained above. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, the user interface device and the remote computer device, as mentioned above, may be configured to communicate via the internet. In such an embodiment, the user interface device typically communicates with the coffee roaster via the remote computer system as an intermediary. However, alternatively or additionally, the user interface device and the coffee roaster may be configured for direct wired and / or wireless communication. This is particularly advantageous for providing, for example, a command to start the roasting process to the coffee roaster, as well as displaying information such as alarms and warnings, as well as information about the roasting process, such as sensor signals, to the user.

[0123] A coffee roasting system according to the present disclosure includes a coffee roaster, wherein the control unit is configured to be operatively coupled to a remote computer, as previously explained. The coffee roasting system may also include a plurality of such coffee roasting machines. The coffee roasting system further includes a remote computer system, wherein the remote computer system is configured to store a plurality of available roast profiles, receive user input for selecting a selected roast profile from the plurality of available roast profiles, and transmit the selected roast profile to the control unit. In such an embodiment, as previously explained, the user typically selects the roast profile on a user interface device, wherein the selection is transmitted to the remote computer device.

[0124] In some embodiments, in which the control unit is configured for operative coupling with a remote computer system, the control unit is configured to acquire sensor data during the coffee bean roasting process and transmit the acquired sensor data and / or data derived from the acquired sensor data to the remote computer system.

[0125] As explained above, the acquired data may specifically include one or more of a roasted bean temperature signal, a roasted bean temperature signal, a cooled bean temperature signal, a cooled bean color signal, a rear wall temperature signal, a drum air temperature signal, an inlet air temperature signal, an air humidity signal, an air flow signal, a crack detection signal, and / or a water temperature sensor signal. Furthermore, the acquired sensor data may include green bean weight, roasted bean weight, and / or a ratio or difference between them.

[0126] Additionally, the control unit may be configured to transmit the control output signal and / or data derived from the control output signal to a remote computer system.

[0127] The data derived from the acquired sensor data may be, for example, average values, extreme values, smoothed or filtered values, and characteristic durations or time points, such as the time from the start of the coffee bean roasting process to the time when the crack detection sensor detects the first crack, the roasted bean temperature at the end of the roasting process (before cooling), the cooled bean temperature at the end of the cooling process, the roasted bean color at the end of the roasting process (before cooling), the cooled bean color at the end of the cooling process, and the like.

[0128] The remote computer system may be configured to store and / or further evaluate and / or process data received from one or more coffee roasters, in particular for quality control purposes.

[0129] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the remote computer system is configured to evaluate the acquired sensor data and / or data derived from the acquired sensors to determine whether the coffee bean roasting process has been successful, and to transmit corresponding feedback information to the coffee roaster, in particular its control unit and / or user interface device.

[0130] Furthermore, the control unit and user interface or user interface device may be configured to display specific characteristic events or milestones, particularly characteristic events of the coffee bean roasting process, on a display of the user interface or user interface device. Such characteristic events may include one or more of the following: satisfying one or more pre-roasting conditions or completion of preheating, the start of the roasting process, the appearance of the first crack, the end of roasting, the start and end of cooling, or satisfying a cooling end condition. Furthermore, the control unit and user interface or user interface device may be configured to display sensor data in real time on the display of the user interface or user interface device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0131] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a coffee roaster according to the present disclosure is shown in schematic side view;

[0132] Figure 2 Shown as Figure 1 Arrangement of sensors in a coffee roaster shown in FIG;

[0133] Figure 3 Shown as Figure 1 The control arrangement of the coffee roaster shown in FIG;

[0134] Figure 4 An embodiment of a coffee roasting system according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0135] Figure 5 The diagram shows the coffee bean roasting process;

[0136] Figure 6 shows, in schematic side view, a further exemplary embodiment of a coffee roaster according to the present disclosure;

[0137] Figure 7 An additional exemplary coffee bean roasting process is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0138] In the following, we first refer to Figure 1 , which shows an exemplary embodiment of a coffee roaster 1 according to the present disclosure in a schematic side view. The coffee roaster 1 includes a roasting unit 11, a cooling unit 14, and an exhaust gas treatment unit 15. In addition, the coffee roaster 1 includes a structurally independent or removable bean tray 17, which has a drawer 18 and an integrated bean scale 16.

[0139] The roasting unit 11 includes a drum 111 having a drum body 1111 and a front wall 1112, which, in combination, create the generally cylindrical or disc-shaped overall shape of the drum 111. Advantageously, the drum 111 has a fill volume or inner drum space suitable for roasting approximately 1 kg of coffee beans. The drum has a horizontal drum axis A, which coincides with the rotor axis of a rotor drum 112 rotatably arranged inside the drum 111. The drum is designed as explained in the general description, with the front wall 1112 being transparent and removable. The rear wall 11111 of the drum body 1111 is designed as a sandwich structure to facilitate its thermal properties as explained above and is thermally coupled to an exemplary resistive drum heater 116 arranged on the exterior of the drum 111. The drum heater 116 is arranged to ensure substantially uniform heating of the rear wall 11111. In the upper region of the rear wall 11111, a drum inlet 11112 is arranged. Similarly, a drum outlet 11113 is arranged in the lower region of the rear wall 11111. The drum rotor 112 is connected to a drum rotor drive 113, which is realized as an electric motor and is arranged outside the drum.

[0140] A hot air supply device 114 is provided to supply hot air into the drum 111. It is usually arranged outside the drum and is fluidly connected to the drum outlet 11113 via a duct (not shown) to supply hot air into the drum. In the embodiment shown, the hot air supply device 114 includes a resistive air heater 1141 and a positive pressure supply device 1142 in the form of an intake fan. In the embodiment shown, the hot air supply device 114 is fluidly coupled to the drum outlet 1113 via a duct, wherein the drum outlet 1113 also serves as a hot air inlet. However, this is not required, and alternatively, a separate hot air supply device opening can be foreseen in the drum body 1111, in particular in the rear wall 11111.

[0141] Via corresponding pipes, the drum inlet 1112 is connected to a hopper 1113, into which the green beans to be roasted are loaded. A drum inlet damper is positioned at the connection between the drum 111 or its interior and the hopper 1111. Only when the drum inlet damper 1114 is open can the green beans in the hopper 1113 be transferred by gravity into the interior of the drum 111. The drum inlet damper is typically opened only to load the drum 111 with green coffee beans and is closed at all other times. To fill the drum with green coffee beans, in this embodiment, the user first loads the beans into a bean tray 17, where the weight of the green beans is automatically measured by a bean scale 16. The user then uses a drawer 18 and bean scale 16 to move or lift the bean tray 17 to the hopper 1113 and load the beans from the bean tray 17 into the hopper 1113.

[0142] In this embodiment, the bean tray 17, the drawer 18 and the bean scale 16 form an integral unit that is structurally separate from the further components and units of the coffee roaster 1 and is removable by a user.

[0143] In addition, an exhaust gas extractor 115 is provided to remove exhaust gases from the interior of the drum. The exhaust gas extractor 115 comprises a negative pressure device 1151, which is fluidically coupled to an exhaust gas extraction opening 11114 in the upper area of the rear wall 11111 via a corresponding duct and, in this embodiment, is an exhaust gas treatment unit 15, as explained further below. In this design, the negative pressure device 115 comprises an extractor fan 1151 to generate the suction pressure. In addition, the exhaust gas extractor 1152 comprises a chimney 1152 fluidically coupled to the extractor fan 1151. In the exhaust gas extraction opening 11114, a bean holder 11115 in the form of a porous plate or a grid is arranged to prevent the coffee beans from leaving the inner space of the drum 111, while allowing air and dregs to pass through.

[0144] The exhaust gas treatment unit 15 is fluidly arranged between the exhaust gas outlet 1114 of the drum 111 and a negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151 with a chimney 1152. Due to the exhaust gas treatment unit, the exhaust gas that ultimately leaves the chimney 1152 is cool and substantially free of undesirable odorous substances, thereby allowing the coffee roaster 1 to be used in a normally closed room.

[0145] In the shown design, a chaff separator unit 19 is fluidly arranged between the drum 111 and the exhaust gas treatment unit 15. According to the general description above, the chaff separator unit 19 may in particular comprise a cyclone separator and / or a mechanical chaff retaining filter.

[0146] The main element of the exhaust gas treatment unit 15 is a water tank 151. In operation, the water tank 151 is filled with water to a fill level F, where the fill level F is below the exhaust gas extraction opening 11114 of the drum 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the water tank 151 is fluidically coupled to a fresh water supply device 152 via a fresh water supply valve 1521 for supplying fresh water to the water tank 151 when the fresh water supply valve 1521 is open. In addition, in this embodiment, the water tank 151 is fluidically coupled to a waste water discharge device 151 via a waste water discharge valve 1531 for removing waste water from the water tank 151 when the waste water discharge valve 1531 is open.

[0147] Typically, the filling volume of the water tank 151 can be in a typical range of 0.5 to 2 liters, for example one liter, and is advantageously sized to allow for the treatment of exhaust gases from, for example, one to three baking operations. Note that, in principle, the explicit fresh water supply 152 and waste water discharge 153, as well as the corresponding fresh water supply valve 1521 and waste water discharge valve 1531, can be omitted. In such an embodiment, the water tank 151 can be manually filled and emptied by the user.

[0148] Below the filling level F, a water tank air inlet 1511 is arranged, which is fluid-cooled via a duct with exhaust air extraction openings 1114 and the corresponding inner drum space.

[0149] Above the filling level F, the tank air outlet 1512 couples the interior of the tank 151 via a duct, via a condenser 155 and an exhaust air filter 154, to a negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151, so that the air leaving the tank 151 first passes through the condenser 155 and then through the exhaust air filter 154, which is typically an activated carbon filter, before leaving the chimney 1152. Apart from the tank air inlet 1511 and the tank air outlet 1512, the tank 151 is normally closed during operation.

[0150] Inside the water tank 115 and generally below the filling level F, an air bubble intensifier r156 in the form of a perforated plate is arranged, which extends substantially over the entire side area of the water tank 151. In embodiments without a dedicated dregs separator unit, the air bubble intensifier 156 can simultaneously serve as a dregs separator, as explained above in the general description.

[0151] During the baking process, the vacuum device or extractor fan 1151 is usually active, thereby generating a negative pressure or underpressure in the air volume inside the water tank 115 above the fill level F, causing the water inside the water tank 151 to be agitated and generating air bubbles. The exhaust air entering the water tank 151 along with the dregs comes into contact with the water and is thereby cooled, freed from the dregs, and at least partially freed from odorous substances and other associated materials, particularly smoke. The exhaust air rises to the water surface at the fill level F and, after passing through the condenser 155 and the exhaust air filter 154, is extracted by the vacuum device or extractor fan 1151, as previously explained.

[0152] In order to cool the roasted coffee beans at the end of the roasting process, a cooling unit 14 is provided in this embodiment. The cooling unit 14 includes a cooling container 141 having a cooling container inlet 1411 and a cooling container opening 1412. The cooling container inlet 1411 is advantageously arranged below the bean outlet opening 1113 of the drum 111, thereby allowing the roasted coffee beans to be transferred from the interior of the drum into the cooling container 141 by gravity. Between the drum outlet 1113 and the cooling container inlet 1411, or at their connection, there is a drum outlet damper 1115 that only allows the coffee beans to be transferred into the cooling container 141 when it is in the open state. The drum outlet damper 1115 is closed during the roasting of the coffee beans in the drum 111 and is opened only at the end of the roasting.

[0153] The cooling unit 14 optionally includes a rotatably arranged cooling rotor 142, which is arranged inside the cooling container 141 and is operatively coupled to a cooling rotor drive 143 in the form of an electric motor. In the embodiment shown, cooling of the coffee beans is achieved by means of cold air and optionally a mist of water droplets, thereby allowing effective cooling in a short time without wetting the coffee beans or otherwise adversely affecting them.

[0154] To provide cool air, a cooling air supply 144 is provided in the form of a cooling fan 144 which aspires or draws cool air from the environment, which is fed into the cooling container 141 and moves between and along the coffee beans. Advantageously, the cool air enters the cooling container 141 at its bottom side.

[0155] To provide cooling water, an optional cooling water supply 145 is provided, comprising a nozzle arrangement and a nozzle control valve. The nozzle arrangement generates water droplets or a mist within the cooling vessel 141. The coffee beans are continuously moved and exposed to cool air and, optionally, water droplets via a cooling rotor that rotates during the cooling process. At the end of the cooling process, the cooling vessel outlet damper 146 opens, allowing the cooled coffee beans to be transferred by gravity to the bean tray 17 positioned below the cooling vessel outlet 1412. The cooling vessel outlet damper is closed during the cooling process and is only opened at the end of the cooling process. During the transfer of the coffee beans from the cooling vessel 114 to the bean tray 17, the cooling rotor 141 advantageously rotates to ensure that the coffee beans are actually transferred to the cooling vessel outlet 1412 and exit the cooling vessel 141.

[0156] In the following, additional reference is made to Figure 2 , Figure 2An exemplary embodiment of the arrangement of various sensors of a sensor arrangement of a coffee roaster 1 is illustrated. The sensors are used to control and monitor the coffee bean roasting process, in particular the roasting and cooling of the coffee beans, and the operation of the exhaust gas treatment unit 15.

[0157] Arranged within the drum 11 are a roasted bean temperature sensor 12a, a roasted bean color sensor 12b, a rear wall temperature sensor 12c, a drum air temperature sensor 12d, and a crack detection sensor 12e, each of which can be implemented, for example, as a loudspeaker. Similar to the drum heater 116, all of these sensors are arranged within the drum body 1111 and are advantageously arranged within and / or within the rear wall 11111 to allow for easy removal of the front wall 1112. As previously explained, in this embodiment, an inlet air temperature sensor 12f is arranged at the drum outlet 11113 (which also serves as the hot air supply opening into the drum 111). A water temperature sensor 12j is arranged within the water tank 115, below the fill level F,15.

[0158] Additionally, in this embodiment, an optional exhaust gas temperature sensor 12k is disposed downstream of the negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151, which measures the air temperature of the exhaust gas before it exits the chimney 1152. Between the drum outlet 1113 and the water tank air inlet 1511, an optional air outlet pressure sensor 12h, an air inlet pressure sensor 12h2, and an optional air humidity sensor 12g are disposed to measure the exhaust gas pressure and exhaust gas humidity, respectively.

[0159] In order to monitor the cooling of the coffee beans and detect whether the cooling end condition is met, in this embodiment a cooling bean temperature sensor 12i is arranged inside the cooling container 141. As mentioned above, a cooling bean color sensor may additionally or alternatively be present.

[0160] In the following, additional reference is made to Figure 3, which shows a schematic functional view of the control arrangement of a coffee roaster 1. The coffee roaster 1 includes a control unit 13, which is typically based on one or more microcomputers and / or microcontrollers running corresponding software code, but may also include additional electronics and circuitry. The control unit 13 may further include sensor interfaces and / or evaluation circuitry for some or all of the various sensors explained above and further below. However, such sensor interfaces and / or evaluation circuitry may also be part of and integrated with some or all of the sensors. Similarly, the control unit 13 may include drive and / or control circuitry for various motors and other actuators, as well as rear wall and air heaters, and other actuators for valves and shutters. However, such drive and / or circuitry may also be part of and integrated with some or all of these units or components. Generally, the control unit 13 is configured to evaluate sensor signals and control and monitor the operation of the coffee roaster 1 as a whole, in particular the roasting unit 11, the cooling unit 14, and the exhaust gas treatment unit 15.

[0161] The control unit 13 includes a memory (not separately referenced) storing the necessary program code, which, when executed, instructs the microcomputer and / or microcontroller of the control unit 13 to control the operation of the coffee roaster 1. Furthermore, the control unit 13 includes a memory for storing a selected roasting profile and, optionally, a plurality of available roasting profiles. Furthermore, the control unit 13 advantageously further includes a memory for at least temporarily storing sensor data acquired by the sensors and, optionally, the bean scale 16, during or in the context of one or more coffee bean roasting processes, as explained above in the general description.

[0162] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 13 receives input signals or sensor signals from a roasted bean temperature sensor 12a, a roasted bean color sensor 12b, a rear wall temperature sensor 12c, a drum air temperature sensor 12d, a crack detection sensor or microphone 12e, an inlet air temperature sensor 12f, an air humidity sensor 12g, an air outlet pressure sensor 12h, an air inlet pressure sensor 12h2, a cooling bean temperature sensor 12i, a water temperature sensor 12j, an exhaust temperature sensor 12k, and a fill level sensor or float gauge 12l, as well as a bean scale 16. The sensors are operatively coupled to the control unit 13 in a hardwired and / or wireless manner. While most sensors are typically hardwired, the bean scale 16, in particular, can advantageously be coupled to the control unit 16 wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth or WLAN. The sensor signals, particularly those associated with roasting and cooling the coffee beans, are combined to form the control input signals as previously explained.

[0163] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 13 generates control signals for the air heater 1141, the positive pressure device or intake fan 1142, the negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151, the drum heater 116, the drum rotor drive 113, the cooling rotor drive 143, the cooling air supply device or cooling fan 1144, and the cooling water supply device 145 or its nozzle valve. Furthermore, the control unit generates control signals for the drum inlet damper 1114, the drum outlet damper 1115, the cooling container outlet damper 146, as well as the fresh water supply valve 1521 and the waste water discharge valve 1531. The various control signals can be analog and / or binary. The control signals, particularly those associated with roasting and cooling the coffee beans, are combined to form the control output signals as previously explained.

[0164] In the following, reference is made to Figure 4 , shows a coffee roasting system according to the present disclosure. The coffee roasting system includes a plurality of coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d according to the present disclosure and a remote computer system 2. For illustrative purposes, four coffee roasters are shown, but other numbers (including only one) of coffee roasters may also be present. The coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d may be, for example, the coffee roasters 1 or 1' discussed above and further below.

[0165] The coffee roasters 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , 1 d are operatively coupled to a remote computer system 2 , which is exemplarily shown as a centralized computer system, but may also be a distributed, in particular cloud-based, computer system.

[0166] The coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and a remote computer system 2 are operatively coupled, exemplarily via an Internet-based connection.

[0167] Additionally, there are multiple user interface devices 3a, 3b, which are illustratively separate and distinct from coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d and are implemented, for example, as tablet computers. In the illustrated configuration, user interface device 1a is operatively coupled to two coffee roasters 1a, 1b, while the other two coffee roasters 1c, 1d are each operatively coupled to user interface device 3b or 3c in a one-to-one relationship. In this configuration, coffee roasters 1a, 1b can be located close to each other, for example in one store, while coffee roasters 1c, 1d are located at different locations in another store.

[0168] In the illustrated configuration, the user interface device communicates directly with the coffee roaster, for example, via Bluetooth, and may communicate with the remote computer device 2 via the coffee roaster. However, in an alternative configuration, the user interface devices 3a, 3b, 3c are connected to the internet and communicate with the coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and / or the remote computer device 2 via the internet. In another configuration, the user interface devices 3a, 3b, 3c and the coffee roasters 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d communicate only with the remote computer device 2. As a central example, the user interface device and the coffee roaster communicate via the remote computer device.

[0169] In particular, if the user interface devices 3a, 3b, 3c are universal devices, they can store corresponding program codes, in particular suitable software applications or apps. However, alternatively or additionally, the control unit 13 of each coffee roaster 1 and / or the remote computer system 2 also includes an implemented web server configured to generate and serve web pages that are transmitted to and processed by the user interface devices.

[0170] In the following, additional reference is made to Figure 5 , Figure 5 Examples of roasting coffee beans and examples of selected roast profiles and / or target roast profiles are shown.

[0171] exist Figure 5 In the graph of FIG. 1 , the vertical axis (ordinate) shows the temperature inside the drum (as measured by the drum air temperature sensor 12 a , the rear wall temperature sensor 12 c and / or the roasted bean temperature sensor 12 d ) as a function of time.

[0172] At the start of the coffee bean roasting process, the control unit 13 generates a pre-roasting control output signal, thereby heating the drum, and in particular the inner drum space, until the selected pre-roasting conditions are met. During pre-heating, the hot air supply 114 (in particular, the positive pressure device or intake fan 1142 and air heater 1141, and the drum heater 116) and the exhaust air extractor 115 (in particular, the negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151) operate. Additionally, the drum rotor drive 113 can optionally be activated to ensure uniform distribution of the hot air within the inner drum space. During pre-heating, the dampers, in particular the drum inlet damper 1114 and the drum outlet damper 11115, are controlled by the control unit 13 to close. During pre-heating, the user can fill the bean tray 17 with coffee beans, which are weighed by the bean scale 16 and transmitted to the control unit 13 as the green bean weight. Subsequently, the user fills the hopper 1113 with green coffee beans from the bean tray 17, where they remain as long as the drum inlet damper 1114 remains closed.

[0173] The pre-roasting condition is characterized by a preheating temperature. When the control unit 13 determines that the pre-roasting condition is met, the drum inlet damper 1114 is controlled to temporarily open, thereby allowing the green beans to transfer or fall into the drum 111, and then the drum inlet damper is controlled to close again. During the transfer of the green coffee beans into the drum 111, the drum rotor drive 113 is advantageously controlled to rotate the drum rotor 112 at an appropriate speed to ensure that the green coffee beans are transported out of the drum inlet 1112.

[0174] As coffee beans are loaded into the drum 111, the temperature of the inner drum space decreases until it reaches the turning point temperature, which is part of the selected roasting profile. However, while the actual temperature decreases, the control output signal is controlled to maintain the preheating temperature. After the turning point, the temperature is increased again until the crack detection sensor or microphone 112e detects the first crack. In the subsequent development phase, the controlled temperature is slowly increased until the target roasted bean temperature and target roasted bean color according to the selected roasting profile are reached, as indicated by the roasted bean temperature sensor signal and the roasted bean color signal. The achieved target roasted bean temperature and target roasted bean color indicate the end-of-roasting condition.

[0175] During baking, the temperature is controlled by appropriately controlling the air heater 114, in particular the hot air supply 1141 and the positive pressure or intake fan 1142, the drum rotor drive 113, the drum heater 116 and the negative pressure or extractor fan 1151, via control output signals as generated by the control unit 13. Although in principle all of these units or elements can be controlled in a time-varying manner, some can also be controlled in a substantially stable manner and / or in an on / off manner.

[0176] When the roasting end condition is met, the control unit 13 controls the drum outlet damper 1115 to open, thereby transferring the coffee beans from the drum 111 to the cooling container 141 of the cooling unit 14. During this transfer, the drum rotor drive 113 and the cooling rotor drive 143 are advantageously controlled to operate the drum rotor 112 and the cooling rotor 141 at appropriate speeds to ensure that substantially all of the coffee beans are transferred to the cooling container 141. When the roasting end condition is met, the hot air supply device 114 having the air heater 1141 and the positive pressure device or intake fan 1142, and the negative pressure device / extractor fan 1151 can be deactivated.

[0177] During the cooling period, the cooling rotor drive 143 is activated to rotate the cooling rotor 142, and the cooling air supply or cooling fan 144 and the nozzle valve of the cooling water supply 145 are controlled by the control unit 13 to cool the beans until the target cooled bean temperature as part of the selected roasting profile is reached, thereby indicating an end-of-cooling condition. During the cooling period, the temperature of the beans is measured by the cooled bean temperature sensor 12i.

[0178] When the cooling end condition is met, the control unit 13 controls the cooling container outlet baffle to open, thereby transferring the cooled coffee beans to the bean tray 17 placed below the cooling container outlet 146.

[0179] Optionally, a tray sensor 12m, for example in the form of an optical, capacitive or inductive sensor or switch, is arranged at the cooling unit outlet 1412 and operatively coupled to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 can be configured to open the cooling container outlet shutter 146 only if the tray 17 is actually present and correctly positioned. Similarly, a drawer sensor 12n can be present to ensure that the drawer 18 is inserted when the cooling container outlet shutter 146 is opened.

[0180] The weight of the roasted coffee beans is weighed by the bean scale 16, and the weight is transmitted as the weight of the roasted beans to the control unit 13. Finally, the user can pull the drawer 18 and remove the roasted and cooled coffee beans.

[0181] In the following, we first refer to Figure 6 , similar to Figure 1 , Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of a coffee roaster 1 ' according to the present disclosure is shown in a schematic side view. Because the coffee roaster 1 ' is similar to the coffee roaster 1 in its basic design and operation and in many aspects regarding the device design, the following description focuses on the differences. Note that for the sake of clarity, the various sensors, actuators and / or other components are not all shown in this embodiment. In principle, there can be Figure 2 The coffee roaster 1 ' has different designs, in particular with regard to the cooling and further processing of the roasted coffee beans, and the exhaust gas treatment.

[0182] In such Figure 6 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG, a user-removable cooling container 141 ′ is foreseen, which also serves as a bean tray for removing roasted coffee beans from the coffee roaster 1 ′. The cooling container 141 ′ is configured to rest on the bean scale 16. The cooling container 141 ′ has a perforated bottom that allows air to pass through, however, the perforations are designed so that beans cannot pass through.

[0183] To cool the roasted coffee beans, Figure 1 、 Figure 2 Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG, a cooling air supply arrangement or cooling fan 144 is foreseen. However, for the coffee roaster 1′, only air is used for cooling. During the cooling period, the cooling air supplied by cooling fan 144 passes through, thereby cooling the coffee beans, and exits the cooling vessel into the drum via drum outlet 11113. The cooling air is removed or extracted from the drum 111 by a negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151. In this embodiment, the exhaust air extractor serves a dual purpose, extracting both exhaust gases from the roasting process and cooling air.

[0184] In an embodiment, the cyclone separator, catalyst and / or exhaust gas heater are operated during the cool down period so that the exhaust gas is treated.

[0185] Completion of cooling or satisfaction of cooling end conditions can be determined in the same manner as in the previously discussed embodiments and / or according to the general description. In certain designs, there is no dedicated cooling vessel outlet damper under the control of the control unit. Therefore, the control unit can optionally provide a user indication, particularly a visual and / or audible indication, when the cooling end conditions are met.

[0186] The grounds separator 19' of the coffee roaster 1' includes a cyclone 191' for separating grounds from the exhaust gas flow. The cyclone 191' can be controlled by a control unit and activated during the roasting process. After leaving the drum outlet 11114, the exhaust gas is fed into the cyclone 191', where the grounds are typically separated and moved to a grounds drawer 192' for further processing. From the cyclone 191', the exhaust gas is fed into a particle filter, which is exemplarily implemented as an electrostatic particle filter 159'. Before entering the electrostatic particle filter 158', the exhaust gas passes through a grounds retention filter 193', which can be implemented as a mechanical filter, such as a porous plate, and prevents any residual grounds that may have passed through the cyclone 191 from entering further downstream components.

[0187] A fire extinguisher 194' is also attached to the dregs separator 191'. This extinguisher 194' is configured to extinguish a fire in the dregs separator 191' and / or the dregs drawer 192'. The fire extinguisher 194' is connected to the control unit 13, which controls its activation based on the control unit 13 detecting conditions indicative of a fire. Conditions indicative of a fire can be determined using a fire detector. For example, a fire can be detected based on the temperature measured by an additional fire temperature sensor, smoke detector, or any other type of fire detector located in the fire extinguisher 194' itself, in the dregs separator 191', in the dregs drawer 192', or downstream of the dregs separator 191'.

[0188] The exhaust gas treatment unit 15' of the coffee roaster 1' includes a catalyst 157b' for removing odorous, noxious, toxic, and / or polluting substances, such as carbon monoxide. To ensure an appropriate exhaust gas temperature for effective operation of the catalyst 157b', an exhaust gas heater 157a' is arranged upstream of the catalyst 157b'. Downstream of the catalyst 157b', an exhaust gas cooler 157c' is arranged to cool the substantially hot exhaust gas leaving the catalyst 157b'. The catalyst may include a catalytic converter known from vehicle exhaust systems.

[0189] In operation, exhaust gas heater 157a' is advantageously not operated continuously, but only during a period, particularly in the later stages of the roasting process, when most odors are present, as explained further below. Otherwise, odorous particles or substances are retained by electrostatic particle filter 158'. The operation of exhaust gas heater 157a' is controlled by the coffee roaster's control unit. Typical heating temperatures can range from 200°C to 400°C, particularly 250°C to 300°C, depending on the type and specific characteristics of catalyst 157b'.

[0190] As explained previously, from the exhaust gas cooler 157c ′, which is a downstream element of the exhaust gas treatment unit 15 ′, the exhaust gas passes through the condenser / dehumidifier 155 and the exhaust gas extractor 115 and leaves the coffee roaster 1 ′ via the chimney 1152 .

[0191] As explained previously, in the design shown, the cooling air follows the same route as the exhaust air during baking.

[0192] In the following, additional reference is made to Figure 7 , roughly similar to Figure 5 , Figure 7 Further examples of roasting coffee beans and examples of selected roasting profiles and / or target roasting profiles are shown. The examples shown use a method based on Figure 6 The coffee roaster 1 ' shown in FIG. Figure 5The process of roasting the beans is similar, so the following description focuses on specific aspects of this embodiment.

[0193] exist Figure 7 In FIG, the thick line schematically shows the roasted bean temperature or roasted bean temperature signal determined by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a, which generally corresponds to or indicates the desired roasted bean temperature according to the selected roasting profile. The dotted line is the temperature of the rear wall 11111 of the drum 111. In addition, Figure 7 The supply air flow is shown as a dashed line.

[0194] In the preparation phase O, the weight of the coffee beans is determined by the bean scale 16, as explained above. Here, the cooling container 141' serves as a bean tray. Phase I is a preheating phase, in which the rear wall 11111 and the air inside the drum 111 are heated to the desired target value according to the selected roasting profile. In the example shown, the rear wall temperature remains essentially constant, however, this may not be the case for another selected roasting profile. The preheating phase I is here two-part and comprises the preheating phase itself 1-1, in which, in particular, the drum air temperature is heated to the desired value according to the selected roasting profile. When this temperature is reached, indicated by a dot as event E1, the drum air temperature is controlled to remain approximately constant or stable in the preheating holding phase I-1. At the end of the preheating holding phase, the control unit controls the drum inlet damper 1114 to temporarily open, thereby transferring the coffee beans filled by the user into the hopper 1113 after the weight has been determined into the drum 111. In the example shown, the course of the roasted bean temperature during roasting is similar to that discussed above. Figure 5 In this example, the drum rotor drive 113 is controlled to rotate the drum rotor 112 at a constant rotational speed, however this is not mandatory. Alternatively, the selected roasting profile may comprise a time-varying profile.

[0195] In this example, both the positive pressure device or inlet fan 1142 and the air heater 1141, which have the primary influence on drum air temperature, are controlled as follows: the inlet fan 1142 is controlled in multiple stages to a predetermined airflow and / or pressure after the inlet fan 1142 or at the inlet of the drum 111. The air heater 1141 is controlled to achieve the desired roasted bean temperature as a function of time. The different stages can be separate, or the switching between stages can be time-controlled, occurring at a roasted bean temperature that assumes a specific roasted bean temperature according to a selected roasting profile, and / or a roasted bean color that assumes a specific roasted bean color according to a selected roasting profile.

[0196] As an example, at the end of phase 1-b, the intake fan 1142 is set to 60% of the maximum airflow rate, and the supply air temperature is set to 450°C. As the relatively cold beans enter the drum 111, the temperature detected by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a (as indicated by the solid line) drops. This causes the temperature indicated by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a to drop rapidly until the temperature indicated by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a matches the temperature of the beans (which has risen due to the warm supply air and the hot drum 111). During phase II, the control unit 13 is configured to detect the lowest temperature indicated by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a. Once the minimum value is detected, the intake fan 1142 is adjusted to 65% of the maximum airflow rate, and the supply air temperature is set to 460°C. From this point onward, the temperature measured by the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a corresponds well to the actual temperature of the beans. Once the roasted bean temperature sensor 12a indicates that the beans have reached 193°C, point E2 is reached. The intake fan 1142 is then set to 40% of the maximum airflow rate, and the temperature of the supply air is set to 430° C. The specific temperatures indicated in the depicted example depend on the baking profile.

[0197] The negative pressure device or extractor fan 1151 is controlled as previously explained to ensure a stable airflow without backflow. The airflow and / or pressure at the air inlet and / or exhaust extraction opening 11114 can be further monitored for predefined thresholds. If exceeded, this can indicate a fault or defect, such as a clogged filter.

[0198] In the example shown, the roasting process itself is two-part, with a first roasting phase II-1 followed by a second roasting phase II-2. In contrast to the first roasting phase II-1, the exhaust gas heater 157a' is activated to heat the exhaust gas to a temperature of, for example, 300°C, allowing the catalyst 157b' to eliminate odorous, harmful, toxic, and / or polluting substances, as previously explained in the catalytic process. The start of the second roasting phase II-2 can be initiated, for example, based on the roasted bean temperature, exemplarily at 150°C.

[0199] The end of the baking condition (indicated as characteristic event E-3) is similar to Figure 5 , is determined by the coffee bean temperature and, optionally, the coffee bean color, assuming corresponding target values defined by the selected roasting profile. Furthermore, the roasting time can define the end of the roasting conditions, particularly the time spent roasting at and / or above a specific temperature. However, considering the different design and operation of cooling unit 15' compared to cooling unit 15 and the manual removal of the roasted coffee beans from cooling container 141', the subsequent steps of cooling III and determining the roasted coffee bean weight IV are performed as previously explained.

[0200] Reference numerals

[0201] 1, 1'1a, 1b, 1c, 1d coffee roaster

[0202] 11 baking units

[0203] 111 roller

[0204] 1111 drum body

[0205] 11111 rear wall (drum body)

[0206] 11112 drum entrance

[0207] 11113 drum export

[0208] 11114 exhaust extraction opening

[0209] 11115 Bean holder / porous plate

[0210] 1112 anterior wall

[0211] 1113 Hopper

[0212] 1114 drum inlet baffle

[0213] 1115 drum outlet baffle

[0214] 112 drum rotor

[0215] 113 drum rotor drive

[0216] 114 hot air supply device

[0217] 1141 air heater

[0218] 1142 Positive pressure device / intake fan

[0219] 115 exhaust gas extractor

[0220] 1151 Negative pressure device / extractor fan

[0221] 1152 Chimney

[0222] 116 drum heater

[0223] 12A roasted bean temperature sensor

[0224] 12b roasted bean color sensor

[0225] 12c rear wall temperature sensor

[0226] 12d drum air temperature sensor

[0227] 12e Crack Detection Sensor / Amplifier

[0228] 12f intake air temperature sensor

[0229] 12g air humidity sensor

[0230] 12h air outlet pressure sensor

[0231] 12h2 air inlet pressure sensor

[0232] 12i cooling bean temperature sensor

[0233] 12j water temperature sensor

[0234] 12k exhaust gas temperature sensor

[0235] 121 Fill level sensor / float gauge

[0236] 12m pallet sensor

[0237] 12n drawer sensor

[0238] 13 Control Unit

[0239] 14' cooling unit

[0240] 141, 141' cooling vessel

[0241] 1411 Cooling container entrance

[0242] 1412 cooling container outlet

[0243] 142 cooling rotor

[0244] 143 cooling rotor drive

[0245] 144 Cooling air supply device / cooling fan

[0246] 145 Cooling water supply device / nozzle layout

[0247] 146 Cooling container outlet baffle

[0248] 15, 15' exhaust gas treatment unit

[0249] 151 water tank

[0250] 1511 water tank air inlet

[0251] 1512 water tank air outlet

[0252] 152 Clean water supply device

[0253] 1521 Clean Water Supply Valve

[0254] 153 Wastewater discharge device

[0255] 1531 wastewater discharge valve

[0256] 154 exhaust filter

[0257] 155 condenser

[0258] 156 Bubble Enhancer / Slag Separator

[0259] 157a' exhaust gas heater

[0260] 157b' catalyst

[0261] 157c' exhaust gas cooler

[0262] 158' (electrostatic) particulate filter

[0263] 16 bean scale

[0264] 17 Bean Tray

[0265] 18 drawers

[0266] 19 slag separator

[0267] 191' cyclone separator

[0268] 192' Trash Drawer

[0269] 193' slag retention filter

[0270] 194' fire extinguisher

[0271] 2 Remote Computer Systems

[0272] 3a, 3b user interface device

[0273] F Fill level (water tank)

[0274] A roller axis

Claims

1. A coffee roaster (1) for performing a coffee bean roasting process, wherein the coffee roaster (1) comprises a) a baking unit (11), wherein the baking unit (11) comprises: - a drum (111), wherein the drum (111) comprises a drum body (1111) having a heat-conducting rear wall (11111) and having a drum inlet (11112) and a drum outlet (11113), and the drum (111) further comprises a removable front wall (1112), and - a roller heater (116), wherein the roller heater (116) is thermally coupled to the rear wall (11111), b) a control unit (13) for controlling the execution of the coffee bean roasting process by the coffee roaster (1), wherein the control unit (13) is configured to be operatively coupled to a remote computer system (2) and is configured to receive a selected roasting profile from the remote computer system (2), the roasting profile being selected by a user from a plurality of available roasting profiles; wherein the control unit (13) is configured to receive control input signals as a function of time, wherein the control input signals include one or more sensor signals directly and / or indirectly indicating temperature conditions inside the drum (111), wherein the control unit (13) is further configured to automatically generate a control output signal as a function of time in dependence on the control input signal, wherein the control output signal comprises a drum heater control signal, thereby controlling the operation of the drum heater (116) to roast the coffee beans in the drum (111) according to a predetermined selected roasting profile, the roasting profile comprising a desired roasted bean temperature as a function of time.

2. The coffee roaster (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor signal of the control input signal comprises one or more of the following: a roasted bean temperature signal, a rear wall temperature signal, an inlet air temperature signal and an air flow signal.

3. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control input signal may comprise one or more sensor signals indicating specific characteristic events during the roasting process, the sensor signals particularly comprising a roasted bean color signal and / or a crack detection signal, and wherein the control unit is configured to modify or change the generation of the control output signal upon the occurrence of the characteristic event.

4. Coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The baking unit (11) further comprises: a drum rotor (112), wherein the drum rotor is rotatably arranged inside the drum (111), and A drum rotor drive (113) is operatively coupled to the drum rotor (112) to rotate the drum rotor (112).

5. Coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The user selects a roasting curve on the user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c), and the selection is transmitted to the remote computer device (2), so that the remote computer device (2) can transmit the selected roasting curve to the control device (21).

6. The coffee roaster (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to acquire sensor data, in particular roasted bean temperature signals, during the coffee bean roasting process and to transmit the acquired sensor data and / or data derived from the acquired sensor data to a remote computer system (2).

7. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (13) is further configured to transmit the control output signal and / or data derived from the control output signal to the remote computer system (2).

8. The coffee roaster (1) according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to transmit the control output signal and / or data derived from the control output signal to the remote computer system (2) for evaluation, so that the remote computer system (2) can determine whether the coffee bean roasting process has been successful, and receive corresponding feedback information from the remote computer system (2).

9. The coffee roaster (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coffee roaster (1) is operatively coupled to a user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c), and the user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c) is configured to display certain characteristic events or milestones, in particular characteristic events of the coffee bean roasting process, on a display of the user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c).

10. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a roasted bean temperature sensor (12a), wherein the roasted bean temperature sensor (12a) is configured to measure the roasted bean temperature of coffee beans located inside the drum (111) and provide a roasted bean temperature signal; The control input signal received by the control unit (13) includes a roasted bean temperature signal.

11. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drum inlet damper (1114), wherein the drum inlet damper (1114) is arranged to alternately open or close the drum inlet (11112), wherein the selected roasting profile comprises selected pre-roasting conditions, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to: Generates a pre-baked control output signal as part of the control output signal, It is determined whether the selected pre-bake condition is satisfied based on the control input signal, and the drum entrance damper (1114) is controlled to open the drum entrance (11112) when the selected pre-bake condition is satisfied.

12. The coffee roaster (1) of claim 11, wherein the coffee roaster (1) is operatively coupled to a user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c), the user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c) being configured to display a characteristic event, the characteristic event comprising satisfying the selected pre-roasting condition.

13. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drum outlet baffle (1115), wherein the drum outlet baffle (1115) is arranged to alternately open or close the drum outlet (11113); wherein the control unit (13) is configured to determine whether a roasting end condition is met, in particular the coffee beans in the drum have a target roasted bean temperature; The control unit (13) is configured to control the drum outlet baffle (1115) to open the drum outlet (11113) when the baking end condition is met.

14. The coffee roaster (1) of claim 13, wherein the coffee roaster (1) is operatively coupled to a user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c), the user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c) being configured to display a characteristic event, the characteristic event comprising satisfying a roasting end condition.

15. The coffee roaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coffee roaster (1) further comprises an exhaust gas treatment unit (15, 15'), wherein the exhaust gas treatment unit (15, 15') comprises a catalyst (157b') configured to catalyze one or more components of the exhaust gas extracted from the drum.

16. The coffee roaster (1) according to claim 15, wherein the exhaust gas treatment unit (15, 15') comprises an exhaust gas heater (157a') arranged fluidically upstream with respect to the catalyst (157b'), and an exhaust gas cooler (157c') arranged fluidically downstream with respect to the catalyst (157b').

17. Coffee roaster (1) according to one of claims 15 or 16, further comprising a grounds separator (156, 19), in particular comprising a cyclone separator.

18. The coffee roaster (1) according to one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the roasting unit (11) further comprises a hot air supply device (141), wherein the hot air supply device comprises an air heater (1141) and a positive pressure device (1142), the positive pressure device in particular comprising an intake fan for feeding hot air into the drum (111), and The control unit (13) is configured to control the positive pressure device (1142), in particular the rotation speed of the air intake fan, to change the air flow of the hot air depending on the progress of the baking process.

19. A coffee roasting system, wherein the coffee roasting system comprises: a) A coffee roaster (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, b) a remote computer system (2), wherein the remote computer system (2) is configured to store a plurality of available roasting profiles, receive a user input for selecting a selected roasting profile from the plurality of available roasting profiles, and transmit the selected roasting profile to the control unit (13).

20. The coffee roasting system according to claim 19, further comprising a user interface device (3a, 3b, 3c) separate from the coffee roaster (1) and configured to communicate with the control unit (13) via a wireless communication interface or via the Internet.

21. Method of roasting coffee beans and / or brewing coffee, wherein the method comprises using a coffee roaster (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and / or a coffee roasting system according to claim 19.

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