Container management system for coffee grinding apparatus

Abstract

A container management system for a coffee grinding apparatus, the container management system comprising a container carrying element (42, 42 ') containing a container (30) and movable along an engagement (21) of the system between an insertion position and a working position. The container (30) comprises a plate-like cap (33, 33 ') provided with a pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b') configured to engage with respective radially opposing portions of an edge of an opening (34) of the container (30), which cap can be applied to and removed from the container (30) according to a sliding direction parallel to the opening and defined by the pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b '). A cap-receiving seat (23d) is formed on an upper surface (23c) of the engagement piece (23), in which the cap (33, 33 ') received within the cap-receiving seat (23d) has an upper surface (33c, 33c') which is substantially coplanar with the upper surface (23c) of the engagement piece (21), and the pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b ') are oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the container-carrying elements (42, 42') in the insertion position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a container management system for coffee grinding equipment, the container management system comprising: A connector that can be attached to a coffee grinder, wherein the connector supports an inverted container for coffee beans and defines a through-hole to form a channel for the coffee beans to fall out of the container; and A blocking and closing unit that can slide between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the flow of coffee beans through the channel. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that coffee-containing beverages can be prepared using coffee grounds obtained by grinding coffee beans. These beverages are typically obtained through extraction, i.e., permeation using pressurized boiling water. Specifically, known machines for making coffee-containing beverages are equipped with a water container from which water itself is pumped at high pressure to a heating element. Hot water and / or steam are obtained from the heating element and used within an extraction unit, permeating the coffee grounds to produce the coffee-containing beverage.

[0003] To maximize the aroma of the beverage, it is preferable to grind the coffee beans immediately before preparation. In this regard, there are so-called "bean-to-cup" machines that can both grind coffee beans and use the ground coffee to make beverages. In such machines, the ability to quickly and easily change between different varieties of coffee beans is desirable.

[0004] WO 2019 / 228879 A1 describes a container management system of the aforementioned type, wherein the system is integrated within a coffee bean container. When the container is installed on a coffee grinder, a drive shaft located within the grinder is connected to a closing unit located within the container. Another container, possibly containing different varieties of coffee beans, is attached to the storage area of ​​the grinder and remains available for possible replacement. This solution introduces a degree of complexity at the container level, which is commercially undesirable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to implement a solution that can at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0006] According to the present invention, this and other objectives are achieved by a system of the initially defined type, the system further comprising: a container carrying element that accommodates a container, movable along a coupling between an insertion position and a working position, wherein in the insertion position the container can be inserted into and removed from the container carrying element, and in the working position the opening of the container is aligned with the hole; The container includes a plate-shaped technical cap provided with a pair of gripping elements configured to engage corresponding radially opposing portions of the edge of the container's opening. The technical cap can be applied to and removed from the container according to a sliding direction parallel to the opening and defined by the pair of gripping elements. A cap receiving portion is formed on the upper surface of the connector, wherein the technical cap received in the cap receiving portion has: The upper surface, which is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the joint, and The paired gripping elements are oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the container carrier element at the insertion position, such that a container leaving the insertion position can detach from the technical cap, while a container entering the insertion position can re-engage with the technical cap.

[0007] This solution allows containers to be manufactured in a simple form without additional mechanical parts, enabling their sale in common commercial settings such as supermarkets. The technical caps that facilitate interaction between the container and its connectors can be supplied with the container or with the container management system. Containers can be sold on shelves equipped with common caps such as screw caps, and when used with a container management system, the aforementioned technical caps can be used.

[0008] Another advantage is that the container can be inserted or removed without losing its contents, making it easy to store. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 It is a 3D diagram of a container management system with multiple container types; Figure 2a yes Figure 1 A breakdown diagram of the container management system; Figure 2b and Figure 2c It is a three-dimensional cross-section view of the container management system connected to the grinding equipment, in which the container management system is shown in two different operating positions; Figure 3a It is a 3D view showing the details of the container management system; Figure 3b It is a 3D view showing the details of the container management system connected to the grinding equipment; Figure 4 This is a top view of the container management system; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the container management system; Figure 6This is a 3D diagram of the containers in a container management system; Figure 7 and Figure 8 These are floor plans of the container management system at the open and closed positions, respectively. Figures 9-11b It is a 3D view showing the container management system in different operating positions; Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a container management system according to another embodiment; Figure 13 It can be used Figure 12 A 3D view of containers in a container management system; Figures 14-17 It shows Figure 12 A 3D diagram showing the container management system in different operational positions. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2a The container management system as a whole is indicated by reference numeral 20 in the attached figure. In the example shown, this is a multi-container system, but it could also be a single-container system.

[0011] The container management system 20 includes a coupling 21 configured to connect to the grinding equipment 10 (in Figure 2b and Figure 2c (Partially shown in the middle), this grinding device is part of a so-called "bean-to-cup" machine that can both grind coffee beans and use the ground coffee to make beverages. According to one embodiment, the connection between the coupling 21 and the grinding device 10 is achieved through a support structure (not shown) of the "bean-to-cup" machine, on which the container management system 20 and the grinding device 10 are mounted. According to another embodiment, the connection between the coupling 21 and the grinding device 10 is direct, and therefore, the container management system 20 is directly mounted on the grinding device 10.

[0012] The grinding apparatus 10 includes an apparatus body 11, which internally houses components configured for its operation, such as, for example, a grinding member 12, an electric motor, a drive that dynamically connects the grinding member to the electric motor, and a circuit board (not shown) for controlling the electric motor.

[0013] Specifically, a grinding chamber 13 is formed inside the device body 11. The grinding chamber 13 opens to the outside of the device body 11 at its top through a feed opening 14. Coffee beans to be ground can be fed into the grinding chamber 13 by gravity through the feed opening 14.

[0014] A grinding member 12 is arranged within a grinding chamber 13, and is configured to grind coffee beans and produce coffee powder. The grinding member is at least partially rotatable about the axis indicated by z in the figure, but its specific configuration is not essential for the purposes of this invention. In the example shown, the grinding member 12 includes a movable grinding member 12a rotatable about the rotation axis z and a fixed grinding member 12b integral with the device body 11. Figure 2b and Figure 2c The grinding shaft 12c can also be seen, which is rotatably integrated with the movable grinding member 12a and is arranged coaxially with the feed opening 14. The grinding shaft 12c includes an axial extension 12c'.

[0015] The coupling 21 of the container management system 20 is configured to support at least one coffee bean container 30 and define a through hole 22, which is configured to align with the feed opening 14 of the grinding device 10, thereby forming a channel for coffee beans to fall from the container 30 into the grinding chamber 13 of the grinding device 10.

[0016] In the example shown, the connector 21 includes a motherboard-like component 23 and a guide element 24 mounted on the motherboard-like component 23. On the lower surface 23a of the motherboard-like component 23 (see...) Figure 4 A connecting forming portion 23b is formed around the through hole 22, through which the connecting forming portion allows the coupling member 21 to be connected to the feed opening of the grinding equipment. A guide element 24 arranged on the upper surface 23c of the main plate member 23 has an edge 24a extending in a circumferential arc, along which a guide forming portion 24b is formed, the purpose of which will be described below. A pair of cap receiving portions 23d and blade seats 23e are also formed on the upper surface 23c of the main plate member 23, the purpose of which will be described below.

[0017] The container management system 20 also includes a blocking / closing unit 25, which can switch between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the flow of coffee beans through the channel defined by the through-hole 22. In the example shown, the closing unit is the blocking / closing unit 25, which can slide between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the flow of coffee beans through the channel defined by the through-hole 22. In the example shown, the blocking / closing unit includes a plurality of blocking blades, specifically including two blocking blades, denoted as 26 and 27, arranged within the blade seat portion 23e. The open position of the blocking blades 26 and 27 is, for example, in... Figure 1 , Figure 2c Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown in the diagram, the closed positions of the shielding blades 26 and 27 are... Figure 2b and Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0018] The shielding blades 26 and 27 are hinged to the connecting member 21 about the same rotating pin 23f, more precisely to the main plate member 23, which defines the vertical rotation axis z1 of the shielding blades 26 and 27 (in Figure 7 and Figure 8 (As shown in the diagram). The shielding blades 26 and 27 have respective attachment edges 26a and 27a, which abut against each other in the closed position of the shielding blades. The attachment edges 26a and 27a engage in the closed position of the shielding blades 26 and 27 to define the retaining hole 28. For this purpose, corresponding notches are formed on the attachment edges 26a and 27a, which define complementary portions of the retaining hole 28. Preferably, the retaining hole 28 has a flared edge to guide the bean in the falling direction.

[0019] like Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 3b As shown, due to the axial extension 12c', the grinding shaft 12c extends axially (at least) to the plane defined by the blocking blades 26, 27. In the closed position of these blades, the retaining holes 28 defined by the respective attachment edges of the blocking blades 26, 27 receive the upper end of the grinding shaft 12c. For clarity, in Figure 3b One of the obstructing blades has been removed.

[0020] The shielding blades 26 and 27 have corresponding peripheral edges 26b and 27b, which extend along a circumferential arc and are slidably connected to the edge 23g of the blade seat 23e. The male-female connection between the peripheral edges 26b and 27b of the shielding blades 26 and 27 and the edge 23g of the blade seat 23e holds the shielding blades 26 and 27 in the vertical direction.

[0021] The first blade 26 of the pair of blocking blades 26, 27 includes a first portion 26c defined above by a first top surface 26d and at least one second portion 26e defined above by a second top surface 26f lower than the first top surface 26d. The second blade 27 of the pair of blocking blades 26, 27 is slidable above the second top surface 26f of the first blade 26 and has a top surface 27g flush with the first top surface 26d of the first blade 26. Furthermore, the top surface 27g of the second blade 27 and the first top surface 26d of the first blade 26 are arranged to be flush with the upper surface 23c of the main plate member 23.

[0022] The container management system 20 also includes an actuator 29' operable to move the shielding closure system relative to the channel defined by the through-hole 22. In the example shown, the actuator 29' is an electrically controlled linear actuator that moves the shielding blades 26, 27 via a drive mechanism 29.

[0023] For this purpose, the movable element 29a' of the actuator 29' is fastened to the fork-shaped element 29a of the transmission device 29, which is slidably connected to the lower surface 23a of the main plate 23. Each arm of the fork-shaped element 29a is connected to a corresponding rocker arm 29b, which is pivotally connected to the lower surface 23a of the main plate 23. Specifically, each rocker arm 29b includes a proximal end with a pin 29c slidably connected to a groove 29d formed on the distal end of the corresponding arm of the fork-shaped element 29a. Each rocker arm 29b also includes a distal end with a groove 29e slidably connected to a pin 29f integral with the corresponding blocking blades 26, 27. The pins 29f of the blocking blades 26, 27 are guided along the grooves 23h formed through the main plate 23. The actuator and transmission device that allow movement of the blocking blades may differ from those described above. The blocking closing unit may also differ from those described above.

[0024] The coffee bean container 30 mainly comprises a body 31 and a neck 32 extending from one end of the container 30. An opening 34 is formed at the neck 32 of the container 30, allowing coffee beans to be loaded into the container 30 when the container is in an upright position, and allowing the coffee beans to be unloaded from the container by gravity when the container is in an inverted position as shown in the figure—where the opening of the container is arranged at the lower end of the container 30. According to an embodiment not shown, the opening for loading and the opening for unloading may be separate, for example, arranged at opposite ends of the container. An example is shown of a container with a circular cross-section. This shape is not required for the invention and other shapes may also be used. The opening 34 of the container 30 is closed by a technical cap 33 fastened to the neck 32 of the container 30. The cap 33 has a plate-like shape and is configured to be slidably inserted into an associated cap receiving portion 23d. For this purpose, the lateral edge 33a of the cap 33 is slidably coupled to a corresponding edge 23d' of the cap receiving portion 23d. The male-female connection between the lateral edge 33a of the cap 33 and the edge 23d' of the cap receiving seat 23d holds the cap 33 in a vertical direction. The cap 33 is secured to the neck 32 (or more generally, to the edge of the opening 34) by a pair of gripping elements 33b, such as elastic tabs, which protrude vertically from the cap 33 and extend in a transverse direction relative to the extension direction of the lateral edge 33a of the cap 33. The elastic tabs 33b engage with ribs 32a formed on the neck 32 of the container 30, which have at least a portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the extension direction of the lateral edge 33a of the cap 33.

[0025] The container management system 20 may also include a container exchange assembly 40. The container exchange assembly 40 includes a support element 41 mounted on a main board member 23, which defines a rotating pin 41a for at least one—preferably two—container carrier elements 42. Each container carrier element 42 includes a support arm 42a having a radially inner end hinged to the rotating pin 41a, and thus rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation z2 defined by the rotating pin 41a.

[0026] By rotating about the vertical axis of rotation z2, the support arm 42a can slide on the upper surface 23c of the main plate member 23. The radially outer end of the support arm 42a has a receiving portion 42b, in which a radially outwardly opening chamber 42c is formed, the outline of which matches the outline of the outer surface of the body 31 of the container 30. At the bottom of the chamber 42c, the receiving portion 42b has a support protrusion 42d, which is configured to provide support to the shoulder of the container 30. Pairs of resilient teeth 42e, arranged on opposite sides of the chamber 42c, are formed on the support protrusion 42d for engaging the neck 32 of the container 30. Correspondingly, pairs of protruding forming portions 42g are formed on the inner surface of the chamber 42c, which are configured to engage the body 31 of the container 30. A pair of end extensions 42f are also formed on the support protrusion 42d and arranged on the opposite ends of the support protrusion 42 for slidably connecting to the guide forming portion 24b of the guide element 24.

[0027] With the above arrangement, each container carrying element 42 can perform tasks such as... Figure 1 and Figures 7-10 The insertion position and working position shown are ( Figure 11a and Figure 11b The container 30 is arranged in a circular trajectory between the insertion and working positions, wherein, in the working position, the container 30 is aligned with the through-hole 22 of the coupling 21. An end stop at the insertion position is defined by a support element 41. Another end stop at the working position is defined by the surface of a support arm 42a of the container carrier element 42 held in the insertion position, with the corresponding surface of the support arm 42a of the container carrier element 42, which has been conveyed to the working position, abutting against the aforementioned surface. The container carrier element 42 can be manually moved between the insertion and working positions. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the movement of the container element 42 can be driven by a dedicated actuator.

[0028] Each container carrier element 42 may be equipped with an associated sensor (not shown), such as a microswitch, configured to detect the presence of the associated container 30. Furthermore, each container carrier element 42 may be equipped with a container type identification system, such as through a mechanical linkage, optical sensor, or radio frequency identification device.

[0029] The container management system 20 also includes a sensor 45 configured to provide a detection signal to indicate that a portion of one of the container carrying elements 42 has reached a working position.

[0030] The accompanying drawings also show a control lever 51 and associated gears 52 and 53, through which the distance between the grinders of the grinding apparatus can be adjusted. These components are not the subject of this invention and will therefore not be described further.

[0031] according to Figure 1 and Figure 9 In the direction indicated by the middle arrow A, the container 30, equipped with a cap 33, is inserted into one of the container support elements 42. The cap 33 then slides along the corresponding cap receiving portion 23d formed within the engagement member 21 until the body 31 of the container 30 engages with the protruding portion 42g, and the neck 32 of the container 30 engages with the resilient tooth 42e. Figure 10 The direction of arrow A intersects the local movement direction of container 30 at the insertion position. Specifically, the direction of arrow A can be orthogonal or oblique relative to the aforementioned local movement direction.

[0032] At this point, the container support element 42 can rotate until it reaches the working position. Figure 11a and Figure 11b At the start of the movement, the container 30 disengages from the cap 33, which remains within the associated cap receiving portion 23d, due to the fact that the connecting piece 33b of the cap 33 is arranged parallel to the local direction of movement of the container 30 (note that in...). Figures 9-11b In this version, the cap 33 differs slightly from that in the previous figures: in fact, the connecting pieces 33b are connected to each other, thus defining the receiving area of ​​the chamber shape. The container 30 can then slide with its lower opening 34 in general contact with a substantially continuous sliding surface, initially defined by the upper surface of the cap 33, then by the upper surface 23c of the main plate 23, and finally by the top surfaces 27g and 26d of the blocking blades 26 and 27 in the closed position. Therefore, coffee beans will not escape from the container 30 along the entire path.

[0033] When the container carrying element 42 reaches the working position, the sensor 45 detects the state and provides a signal to authorize the control unit of the system to activate the actuator 29', thereby conveying the blocking blades 26, 27 to the open position and performing quantitative feeding of coffee beans.

[0034] Figures 12 to 17Another embodiment of the container exchange assembly is shown, generally indicated by reference numeral 40'. The container exchange assembly 40' includes at least one—preferably two—container carrying elements 42' slidably mounted on a connector 21. In a manner similar to the previous embodiment, the connector 21 includes a main board 23 in which through-holes 22 are formed, and guide elements 24 mounted on the main board 23. The container carrying element 42' is slidable along a linear guide 24c formed in the guide element 24.

[0035] Each container-carrying element 42' has a receiving portion 42b' with a cup-shaped portion in which an upwardly opening cavity 42c' is formed, and wherein the contour of the cavity matches the contour of the outer surface of the body 31 of the container 30. At the bottom of the cavity 42c', the receiving portion 42b' has a support protrusion 42d' configured to provide support to the shoulder of the container 30.

[0036] like Figure 13 As shown, the coffee bean container 30 is substantially the same as that shown in the previous embodiment, but the technical cap, indicated by 33', has a slightly different shape. The cap 33' has a plate-like shape and is configured to insert into a corresponding cap receiving portion 23d formed in the upper surface of the main plate member 23 of the connector 21. This insertion is performed in an insertion direction A', which is orthogonal to the upper surface of the main plate member 23. For this purpose, the planar shape of the cap 33' matches the planar shape of the cap receiving portion 23d. These shapes are non-circular, allowing the cap 33' to be positioned in only one orientation. A through opening 42e' is formed in the support protrusion 42d' of the container carrying element 42' to allow the cap 33' to enter the cap receiving portion 23d. The cap 33' is secured to the neck 32 (or more generally, to the edge of the opening 34) by a pair of gripping elements 33b', such as elastic tabs, which protrude vertically from the cap 33' and extend in a direction parallel to the mounting direction M on the container 30. The elastic tabs 33b engage with ribs 32a formed on the neck 32 of the container 30.

[0037] With the above arrangement, each container-carrying element 42' can perform the following: Figure 12 , Figure 15 and Figure 17 The insertion position and working position shown are ( Figure 16A linear trajectory between the insertion and working positions is provided, wherein, in the working position, the container 30 is arranged to align with the through-hole 22 of the coupling 21. An end stop at the insertion position is defined by the end of the linear guide 24c. Another end stop at the working position is defined by the surface of the container carrier element 42' held in the insertion position, with the corresponding surface of the container carrier element 42', which has been conveyed to the working position, abutting against the aforementioned surface. The container carrier element 42' can be manually moved between the insertion and working positions. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the movement of the container carrier element 42 can be driven by a dedicated actuator.

[0038] Each container carrier element 42' may be equipped with an associated sensor (not shown), such as a microswitch, configured to detect the presence of the associated container 30. Furthermore, each container carrier element 42' may be equipped with a system for identifying the container type, such as using mechanical linkages, optical sensors, or radio frequency identification (RFID) devices.

[0039] according to Figure 14 In the direction indicated by the middle arrow A, the container 30 with the cap 33' is inserted into one of the container carrier elements 42'.

[0040] At this point, the container carrying element 42' can move linearly until it reaches the working position. Figure 16 At the start of this movement, the container 30 disengages from the cap 33', which remains within the associated cap receiving portion 23d. This is due to the connecting piece 33b' of the cap 33' being arranged parallel to the local direction of movement of the container 30, and to the stop step 24d inserted between the cap receiving portion 23d and the guide 24c, which stops the cap 33' and prevents it from following the container 30. The container 30 can then slide with its lower opening 34 in substantially continuous contact with a sliding surface initially defined by the upper surface 33c' of the cap 33', then by the upper surface 23c of the main plate 23, and finally by one or more top surfaces 27g and 26d of the blocking closing unit in the closed position. Thus, coffee beans do not escape from the container 30 along the entire path.

[0041] When the container carrying element 42 reaches the working position, this state can be detected by a sensor, which provides a signal to authorize the control unit of the system to activate the actuator 29', thereby conveying the shielding closing unit to the open position and performing the quantitative feeding of coffee beans.

[0042] According to an embodiment not shown, the number of containers can be greater than two, and their paths between the respective insertion positions and working positions can be defined by a group of circumferential arcs or linear segments (e.g., in a cross-shaped system, the ends of the cross arms will define the respective insertion positions for the respective containers, while the intersection of the cross arms will define the working positions).

Claims

1. A container management system for coffee grinding equipment, the container management system comprising: A connector (21) is available for connection to a coffee grinding device (10), wherein the connector (21) is configured to support an inverted container (30) for coffee beans and the connector defines a through hole (22) to form a channel for coffee beans to fall from the container (30). The closing unit (25) is movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the flow of coffee beans through the channel; Container carrier elements (42, 42') are configured to receive the container (30) and are movable along the coupling (21) between an insertion position and a working position, in which the container (30) is insertable into and removed from the container carrier element, and in the working position, the opening of the container (30) is aligned with the hole; The container (30) includes a plate-shaped technical cap (33, 33') provided with a pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b') configured to engage with corresponding radially opposing portions of the edge of the opening (34) of the container (30). The technical cap can be applied to and removed from the container (30) according to a sliding direction parallel to the opening and defined by the pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b'). A cap receiving portion (23d) is formed on the upper surface (23c) of the connector (23), wherein the technical cap (33, 33') received within the cap receiving portion (23d) has: The upper surfaces (33c, 33c') of the technical cap are substantially coplanar with the upper surface (23c) of the connector (21), and The paired gripping elements (33b, 33b') are oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the container carrying elements (42, 42') at the insertion position, such that the container (30) leaving the insertion position can disengage from the technical cap (33, 33'), while the container (30) entering the insertion position can re-engage with the technical cap (33, 33').

2. The container management system according to claim 1, wherein, The shape of the cap receiving seat (23d) in the plan view matches the shape of the technical cap (33') in the plan view, and wherein the container (30) can be inserted into the container carrying element (42') according to an insertion direction orthogonal to the upper surface (23c) of the connector (21).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cap receiving seat (23d) has a side edge (23d') which is slidably connected to the side edge (33a) of the technical cap (33), and wherein the container (30) is insertable into the container carrying element (42) according to an insertion direction that is parallel to the upper surface (23c) of the connector (21) and intersects the movement direction of the container carrying element (42) at the insertion position.

4. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The container carrying elements (42, 42') are capable of sliding along the linear guide (24c) formed on the joint (21).

5. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The container carrying element (42) includes a receiving portion (42b) configured to receive the container (30) and a support arm (42a) extending from the receiving portion (42b) and having an end hinged to the joint (21), the support arm being rotatable about an axis (z2) orthogonal to the upper surface (23), thereby allowing the container carrying element (42) to move along a circular arc.

6. The system according to claim 4 or 5 in connection with claim 3, wherein, A chamber (42c) is formed in the accommodating portion (42b) that opens radially or laterally outward, and the outline of the chamber matches the outline of the outer surface of the container (30).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, At the bottom of the chamber (42c), the receiving portion (42b) has a support protrusion (42d) configured to provide support to the shoulder of the container (30).

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, A pair of resilient teeth (42e) are formed on the support protrusion (42d) and arranged on opposite sides of the chamber (42c) for engaging with the neck (32) of the container (30).

9. The system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, A pair of protruding moldings (42g) configured to snap into the body (31) of the container (30) are formed on the inner surface of the chamber (42c).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The closing unit is a shielding closing unit (25) that can slide between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the flow of coffee beans through the channel.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The closing unit (25) includes a top surface (27g, 26d) which is arranged to be flush with the upper surface (23c) of the connector (23).

12. A coffee bean container, said coffee bean container being connectable to a container management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The container (30) includes a plate-shaped technical cap (33, 33') provided with a pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b') configured to engage with corresponding radially opposing portions of the edge of the opening (34) of the container (30), the technical cap being applicable to and removed from the container (30) according to a sliding direction parallel to the opening and defined by the pair of gripping elements (33b, 33b').

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