Apparatus and method for crushing material to be crushed

Abstract

An apparatus and method for grinding an object to be ground by at least one grinding mechanism, the method including operating the grinding mechanism in a first direction to grind the object to be ground, and operating the grinding mechanism in a second direction different from the first direction, the operating the grinding mechanism in the second direction being performed after grinding of the object to be ground is completed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for grinding an object to be ground by at least one grinding mechanism, the method comprising operating the grinding mechanism in a first direction and operating the grinding mechanism in a second direction different from the first direction to grind the object to be ground.

[0002] Grinding mechanisms are known which have an adjusting device for adjusting or varying the grinding grade, e.g. the fineness of the coffee powder. In particular, the adjusting device allows the cutting or grinding tools of the grinding mechanism to be adjusted relative to one another. For example, the grinding gap between the grinding cone and the grinding ring or the grinding gap height can be adjusted. This adjustment can be performed manually or automatically.

[0003] When adjusting the grinding grade to a finer grinding grade, i.e. for example when reducing the grinding gap, there is the problem that after the first grinding of the material to be ground, residues of this material and / or of the ground material remain between the grinding tools, especially in the grinding gap, which makes it difficult or prevents the adjustment to the finer grinding grade and can even cause damage to the grinding mechanism during the adjustment.

[0004] One possibility to avoid this problem is to adjust the grinding grade during the grinding of the material, for example immediately after the start of the grinding process. However, the grinding mechanism to be adjusted may have a high grinding or processing power. In other words, a significant amount of material may already be ground immediately after the start of the grinding process. This approach therefore has the disadvantage that adjustments during the grinding process must be made very quickly after the start of the grinding process, for example within a few seconds.

[0005] The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a method that facilitates the adjustment of a grinding mechanism, in particular to provide a method that allows the user of the grinding mechanism to adjust the grinding mechanism within a longer period of time.

[0006] The solution to this problem resides in the method of the initially mentioned aspect, in particular in that the grinding mechanism is operated in the second direction after the grinding of the material to be ground is completed in response to a user input and / or automatically in response to the number of times the grinding mechanism is operated in the first direction.

[0007] The operation of the grinding mechanism in a first direction may be, for example, a first (rotational) movement of the first grinding element, e.g. a grinding cone, relative to a second grinding element, e.g. a grinding ring, for grinding the material to be ground in the grinding mechanism. The second direction may be, for example, a (rotational) movement opposite to the first direction. The first and / or second direction may also be an axial movement of the first grinding element relative to the second grinding element. The operation of the grinding mechanism in a second direction may be, for example, an enlargement of the grinding gap. By operating the grinding mechanism in the second direction, the material to be ground, the ground material to be ground, or the material-powder mixture to be ground located in the grinding gap may be conveyed out of the grinding gap. In other words, by operating the grinding mechanism in the second direction, the grinding mechanism is relaxed.

[0008] By relaxing the grinding mechanism after the end of a grinding step or after a number of grinding steps, i.e. after the end of the grinding of the material to be ground, the grinding grade can be adjusted, in particular reduced, and the residues of the material to be ground can be removed in advance from the grinding gap, i.e. from the cut area between the first and second grinding elements. On the one hand, this makes it possible or facilitates the adjustment of the grinding grade. On the other hand, it allows the user of the grinding mechanism to adjust the grinding mechanism at any time after the end of a grinding step or after a certain number of grinding steps, but before the next grinding step. This significantly extends the period during which the grinding mechanism can be adjusted.

[0009] In one configuration, it is specified that actuating the grinding mechanism in the second direction is preferably automatic in response to multiple, particularly respective, actuations of the grinding mechanism in the first direction.

[0010] The number of actuations may be predefined or definable. In particular, the number of actuations may be adjustable, for example based on the (average, estimated or actual) amount of ground material collected in the grinding gap during the grinding process and / or ground material. This allows the grinding mechanism to be relaxed frequently enough to adjust the grinding mechanism between each grinding process or between multiple grinding processes. For example, it may be specified that the grinding mechanism is relaxed after each grinding process. It may also be specified that the grinding mechanism is actuated in the second direction in response to multiple actuations of the grinding mechanism in the first direction. In this way, protection of the grinding mechanism and / or the grinding mechanism drive can be achieved.

[0011] By regular relaxation of the grinding mechanism or actuation of the grinding mechanism in a second direction in response to a user input and / or in response to a number of (e.g., each) actuations of the grinding mechanism in the first direction, foreign particles, particularly residues of the material to be ground, can be regularly removed or released from the grinding gaps between the grinding elements of the grinding mechanism, thereby preventing the occurrence of built-up edges.

[0012] Furthermore, a uniform load on the grinding mechanism, in particular on the (plastic) housing of the grinding mechanism, can be achieved, which prevents or reduces deformations of the grinding mechanism or the grinding mechanism housing, as well as prevents or reduces displacements of the grinding elements or grinding rings relative to one another.

[0013] As a result, consistent grinding results can be obtained, particularly over the service life of the grinding mechanism.

[0014] In one configuration, actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction is specified to occur in response to a user input and / or in response to a grinding disturbance detected during grinding, where the user input is for purposes of, for example, cleaning and / or adjusting the grinding mechanism.

[0015] For example, each actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction can be preceded by a user input and / or a detected grinding disturbance. In another configuration, the grinding mechanism can be actuated in the second direction additionally in response to a user input and / or a detected disturbance, i.e. additionally to an actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction that is automatically performed after completion of the grinding of the object to be ground or after one or more acts of the grinding mechanism in the second direction. In other words, the actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction can be performed multiple times between two grinding steps.

[0016] The operation of the grinding mechanism can be performed in response to a user input and / or in response to a grinding disturbance detected during grinding, for example only in response to a user input aimed at adjusting the grinding mechanism or even in response to such, whereby the grinding mechanism is always, and in particular only, relaxed before a grinding mechanism adjustment is made and / or before the material to be ground and / or the ground material prevents grinding, whereby the grinding mechanism is further protected.

[0017] Furthermore, actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction in response to a user input can facilitate cleaning of the grinding mechanism. Actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction can transport the material to be ground and / or the ground material out of the grinding gap, for example towards an input point for the material to be ground. In this way, it can be facilitated to remove the material to be ground and / or the ground material that is surplus or in the grinding gap from the grinding mechanism, for example by means of a suction device.

[0018] The actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction may be related to the type of user input. For example, actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction in response to a user input for adjusting the grinding mechanism may occur in a first time period. Actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction in response to a user input for cleaning the grinding mechanism may occur in a second time period, the second time period being longer than the first time period. For example, the first time period is 2 seconds or less and / or the second time period is greater than 2 seconds and less than 10 seconds. Also, actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction in response to a grinding disturbance detected during grinding may occur in the first time period or the second time period.

[0019] In one configuration, it is specified that the actuation of the grinding mechanism comprises a movement, in particular a translational and / or rotational movement, of the first grinding element relative to the second grinding element. The first grinding element may be a grinding cone and the second grinding element may be a grinding ring or vice versa. The movement of the first grinding element relative to the second grinding element serves for grinding of the material to be ground or for loosening of the material to be ground depending on the direction of movement. The first direction may be a rotational direction of one of the first grinding elements relative to the second grinding element. The second direction may be a rotational direction opposite to this rotational direction, i.e. a backward movement of the grinding mechanism. The first direction may also be a translational movement of the first grinding element towards the second grinding element. The second direction may be a translational direction of the first grinding element opposite to this translational direction, i.e. a translational direction away from the second grinding element.

[0020] In one configuration, it is specified that operating the grinding mechanism in the second direction comprises adjusting the grinding mechanism to adjust a second grinding grade, which is preferably coarser than the already adjusted first grinding grade. The second direction may be the translation direction described above. In other words, the translation direction may be along the rotation axis of both or either of the grinding elements, for example, the movement of both or either of the grinding elements in the translation direction results in a change, for example an increase, of the spacing between the grinding elements, in particular the grinding gap.

[0021] In one configuration, it is specified that the first grinding element is a grinding rotor, in particular a grinding cone, and the second grinding element is a grinding stator, in particular a grinding ring.

[0022] In one configuration, it is specified that the method further comprises adjusting the grinding mechanism, particularly subsequent to operating the grinding mechanism in the second direction, to adjust a third grinding grade, preferably finer than the first grinding grade and / or the second grinding grade.

[0023] For example, the method includes grinding the material to be ground at a first intermediate grinding grade. After the grinding step is completed, the grinding grade can be changed to a second coarse grinding grade, which is coarser than the intermediate grinding grade, thereby relaxing the grinding mechanism or removing the material remaining in the grinding gap. A third fine grinding grade, which is finer than the intermediate grinding grade, can then be adjusted, thereby producing a ground material ground at a fine grinding grade. The operation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction after the grinding of the material to be ground is completed, especially immediately after the grinding is completed, allows the user of the grinding mechanism to adjust the third grinding grade at any time before the next grinding step.

[0024] In one configuration, it is specified that adjusting the grinding mechanism includes widening and / or narrowing the grinding gap, in particular the grinding gap between the first grinding element and the second grinding element.

[0025] In one configuration, it is specified that adjusting the grinding mechanism includes translating and / or axially moving the one grinding element or the first grinding element relative to the one grinding element or the second grinding element.

[0026] In one configuration, the method is specified to further include operating the grinding mechanism in a first direction to grind the material to be ground in one grinding grade, in particular the first grinding grade and / or the third grinding grade.

[0027] In one configuration, the material to be ground includes coffee beans and / or coffee powder, and / or the grinding mechanism is identified as being a grinding mechanism for a coffee maker.

[0028] In one configuration, it is specified that the grinding mechanism is configured to transport the material to be ground from the inlet side to the outlet side when operating in a first direction, and / or the grinding mechanism is configured to return the material to the inlet side when operating in a second direction.

[0029] The inlet side may be configured to receive the material to be ground or to transport the material to the grinding mechanism. For example, the inlet side is adjacent to a container or has a container into which the user can charge the material to be ground, i.e., which can receive the material to be ground. The outlet side may be configured to receive the ground material and / or to transport it for further use, in particular, for example, in a coffee machine. The grinding gap may be a boundary or transition between the inlet side and the outlet side.

[0030] As a result, on the one hand, when the grinding mechanism is operated in the first direction, the material to be ground is conveyed in the direction of the grinding gap for grinding the material, which increases the efficiency of the grinding process. On the other hand, when the grinding mechanism is operated in the second direction, the material to be ground or the ground material is conveyed out of the grinding gap. This serves to cushion the grinding mechanism and ultimately to protect it and / or to facilitate cleaning of the grinding mechanism.

[0031] In a further, possibly independent, configuration, a coffee maker is specified which comprises a grinding mechanism and means for carrying out the method described above.

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several preferred embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1]1 is a flowchart of a first method for grinding an object to be ground. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart of a second method for grinding an object to be ground. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view showing the first grinding element of the grinding mechanism. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view showing the second grinding element of the grinding mechanism. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view showing the first crushing mechanism. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first crushing mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second crushing mechanism.

[0034] 1 shows a flow chart of a first method 100 for grinding material by at least one grinding mechanism. The method 100 comprises a first step 110 for operating the grinding mechanism in a first direction. Upon operating the grinding mechanism in the first direction, the material to be ground is ground. For example, within the grinding mechanism, a first grinding element is operated in the first direction relative to a second grinding element. The first direction may be, for example, a rotational or translational direction of the first grinding element relative to the second grinding element that allows grinding of the material to be ground.

[0035] Method 100 may include in step 120 a check as to whether the grinding of the object to be ground, i.e. the preceding grinding step, is completed. Step 120 may further include a check as to whether a number N of grinding steps, in particular a plurality of grinding steps, are completed, where N is greater than or equal to 1 or equal to 2. In other words, step 120 may include a check as to whether the grinding mechanism has been operated N times in a first direction to grind the object to be ground, in particular whether it has been operated N times for a predefined period of time.

[0036] If fewer than N grinding steps have been completed or if the grinding mechanism has been operated in the first direction to grind the material to be ground fewer than N times, the method returns to step 110.

[0037] If it is determined in step 120 that the grinding process or the number N of grinding processes has ended, then in step 140, an operation of the grinding mechanism in a second direction different from the first direction is performed. The operation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction relaxes the grinding mechanism. The operation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction is performed immediately following step 110 or step 120, i.e. immediately after the end of one or more N grinding processes. The determination of the end of N grinding processes in step 120 can be performed implicitly in step 110. For example, it can be considered that the grinding process or processes have ended if the grinding mechanism or processes in the first direction have been performed, in particular each time, for a (pre)defined period of time.

[0038] Additionally or alternatively, the operation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction can be performed in response to a user input detected or received in step 130, in particular only in response to such a user input. The user input is, for example, intended for adjusting the grinding mechanism. For example, the grinding mechanism is operated in the second direction only if a user input is received or whenever a user input is received. The user input can be received, for example, after the end of one grinding step or N grinding steps. Alternatively or supplementarily, the user input can be performed at any time, i.e. independently of the end of one or more grinding steps or the end of the operation of the grinding mechanism in the first direction. In another example, the grinding mechanism is operated in the second direction only if a user input is received for the purpose of adjusting the grinding mechanism, in particular for the purpose of refining the grinding grade, for example for the purpose of reducing the grinding gap. If no user input is received, the method returns to step 110.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction can be performed in response to the detection of a fault in the grinding mechanism, in particular only in response to the detection of such a fault. For example, step 130 can include a check whether the preceding grinding step was completed as specified and / or whether an irregularity occurred during one of the preceding grinding steps, in particular whether a fault in the grinding step or in the grinding element occurred, for example whether an increased force input was identified during the grinding step or whether an increased resistance was identified during the grinding step. If no such fault is identified, the method returns to step 110. The method 100 can include none, one or both of the method steps 120, 130.

[0040] Similarly, actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction may be preceded by a determination whether actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction has not (yet) occurred between actuation of the grinding mechanism in the first direction or the last actuation and the user input / obstacle in response to a user input / obstacle. In other words, the method 100 includes actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction in response to a user input / obstacle if actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction has not (yet) occurred after completion of a previous grinding of the object to be ground.

[0041] The method 100 can be performed for grinding material with multiple grinding mechanisms either separately for each of the multiple grinding mechanisms or together, particularly simultaneously, for all of the multiple grinding mechanisms.

[0042] 2 shows a flow chart of a second method 200 for grinding material by means of at least one grinding mechanism. Method 200 starts with method step 210, in which the grinding mechanism is operated in a second direction. Method step 210 may correspond to method step 120 of method 100 shown in FIG. 1. The second direction in method 200 may be the second direction shown in method 100. In other words, method steps 220 and 230 may follow method 100.

[0043] Following the actuation of the grinding mechanism in the second direction, in particular aimed at loosening the grinding mechanism, an adjustment of the grinding mechanism is performed in step 220. Step 220 can in particular include an adjustment of the grinding mechanism to a finer grinding grade. For example, step 220 can include a reduction in the distance between two grinding elements of the grinding mechanism, in particular a reduction in the grinding gap between the two grinding elements or a reduction in the grinding gap height.

[0044] Following the adjustment of the grinding mechanism in step 220, the grinding mechanism is operated in a first direction for grinding the material to be ground in step 230. The first direction in step 230 may correspond to the first direction in step 110 of method 100. In other words, in step 230, the grinding mechanism is operated in the first direction for grinding the material to be ground with an adjusted, e.g., finer grind grade, particularly a finer grind grade compared to the grinding of the material to be ground in step 110 of method 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] In FIG. 3A a first grinding element 10 of the grinding mechanism is shown in a three-dimensional view. The first grinding element 10 is a circular grinding cone 10 or grinding cone base. The grinding cone 10 is provided with first and second guide means 11 and 12 arranged periodically around its circular circumference. The first and second guide means 11 and 12 are arranged for conveying the material to be ground and / or the ground material to be ground towards a circular cutting edge 13 of the grinding cone 10 or for moving the material to be ground and / or the ground material to be ground away from the cutting edge 13. The second guide means 12 is arranged between the first guide means 11 and the cutting edge 13 in the axial and radial directions. The second guide means 12 are arranged around the grinding mechanism 10 with a higher periodicity than the first guide means 11. The grinding cone 10 is provided with a centrally located opening 14, i.e. with the central axis of the grinding cone, which opening 14 extends through the grinding cone 10 along the central axis. The opening 14 is a receptacle for a rotating shaft or a rotating shaft element and / or an adjustment device.

[0046] In FIG. 3B, the second grinding element 20 of the grinding mechanism is shown in a three-dimensional view. The second grinding element 20 is a circular grinding ring 20. Similar to the grinding cone 10 described above, the grinding ring 20 comprises first and second guide means 21 and 22 arranged periodically around its circular circumference. The first and second guide means 21 and 22 are configured to convey the material to be ground and / or the ground material to be ground towards a circular cutting edge 23 of the grinding ring 20 or to move the material to be ground and / or the ground material to be ground away from the cutting edge 23. The second guide means 22 is arranged between the first guide means 21 and the cutting edge 23 in the axial and radial directions. The second guide means 22 is arranged around the grinding ring 20 with a higher period than the first guide means 21.

[0047] In Fig. 4A, a first grinding mechanism 30 with a first grinding element 10 and a second grinding element 20 is shown in a three-dimensional view. The grinding mechanism 30 comprises an axle element 31, which is arranged in the opening 14 of the grinding cone 10. The grinding cone 10 is rotatably supported on or connected to the axle element 31. The grinding cone 10 is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the grinding ring 20 and / or relative to the axle element 31. The axle element 31 may be connected to the grinding cone 10 and may likewise be movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the grinding ring 20. The axle element 31 may be a rotating axle and / or an adjusting device.

[0048] The grinding mechanism 30 includes a third guide means 32 for conveying the material to be ground toward the grinding gap 33. The third guide means 32 are periodically arranged around the circular circumference of the shaft element 31 with the central axis of the shaft element 31 as the center. The third guide means 32 are arranged on the shaft element 31 at a lower period than the first and second guide means provided on the grinding cone 10 or the grinding ring 20.

[0049] In Fig. 4B, the first grinding mechanism 30 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The same or similar features are given the same reference numerals. As can be seen in Fig. 4B, the grinding mechanism 30 comprises an inlet side 34 and an outlet side 35. The inlet side 34 is configured for receiving the material to be ground, which can be conveyed towards the grinding gap 33 and in the direction of the outlet side 35 by means of the first, second and / or third guide means. After the grinding of the material to be ground by the cutting blades 13, 23 in the grinding gap 33, the ground material reaches the outlet side 35 of the grinding mechanism 30.

[0050] The grinding mechanism 30, in particular the grinding cone 10 and the grinding ring 20, are configured non-rotationally symmetrically or non-rotationally invariantly. The direction of rotation of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20 or the direction of rotation of the grinding ring 20 relative to the grinding cone 10 is therefore already visible at the grinding cone 10 and / or at the grinding ring 20. The grinding mechanism 30 is configured to convey the material to be ground from the inlet side 34 towards the outlet side 35 or from the inlet side 34 towards the grinding gap 33 in a first direction of rotation of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20 by means of the first, second and / or third guide means. In the illustrated example, the first direction of rotation is a right-handed or clockwise rotation of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20. The grinding chamber 36 is surrounded or defined by the grinding cone 10 and the grinding ring 20.

[0051] The grinding mechanism 30 is further configured for conveying the material to be ground inside the grinding chamber 36 in a direction from the outlet side 35 to the inlet side 34 or from the grinding gap 33 to the inlet side 34 in a second direction of rotation of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20. In the illustrated example, the second direction of rotation is a leftward or counterclockwise rotation of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20.

[0052] The shaft element 31 may furthermore be provided with an adjustment device, via which the grinding cone 10 and / or the grinding ring 20, in particular the relative spacing between the grinding cone 10 and the grinding ring 20, can be adjusted or adjusted. For example, the grinding cone 10 can be moved relative to the grinding ring 20 along the central axis 37 of the grinding mechanism 30, in particular along the central axis 37 of the grinding mechanism 30 by the movement of the shaft element 31. By the axial adjustment of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20 along the central axis 37, the height or size of the grinding gap 33 can be changed or adjusted. In other words, the relative spacing between the cutting edge 13 of the grinding cone 10 and the cutting edge 23 of the grinding ring 20 can be adjusted or adjusted by the axial position of the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20 along the central axis 37.

[0053] 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the second grinding mechanism 40. The second grinding mechanism 40 comprises, like the first grinding mechanism 30, a grinding cone 10, a grinding ring 20 and a shaft element 31. Equal or similar features are given equal reference numbers.

[0054] The grinding mechanism 40 further comprises a drive unit 41 which is arranged for moving the grinding ring 20 relative to the grinding cone 10 or the grinding cone 10 relative to the grinding ring 20 in one or a first direction or one or a second direction. To this end, the drive unit 41 is provided with engagement means 42 which are arranged for driving the rotation of the grinding ring 20 relative to the grinding cone 10 and relative to the shaft element 31, for example by means of corresponding engagement means (not shown) provided on the grinding ring 20. To ensure the relative rotation of the grinding ring 20 relative to the grinding cone 10, the grinding cone 10 is provided with locking means 43, in the illustrated example a recess 43, for receiving a locking pin (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 First grinding element 11 First guide means of the first grinding element 12 second guide means of the first grinding element 13 cutting edge of first grinding element 14 Opening provided in first grinding element 20 Secondary grinding element 21 first guide means of the second grinding element 22 second guide means for the second grinding element 23 Cutting edge of second grinding element 30 First crushing mechanism 31 shaft element of first grinding mechanism 32 Guide means for shaft elements 33 Grinding gap of first grinding mechanism 34 Inlet side of first grinding mechanism 35 Outlet side of the first grinding mechanism 36 Grinding chamber of first grinding mechanism 37 Central axis of first crushing mechanism 40 Second Crushing Mechanism 41 Drive unit of second grinding mechanism 42 Engagement means of drive unit 43 Locking means for second crushing mechanism 100 First method for crushing material to be crushed 110 First method step of the first method 120 Second method step of the first method 130 Third method step of the first method 140 Fourth method step of the first method 200 Second method for crushing material to be crushed 210 First method step of the second method 220 Second method step of the second method 230 Third method step of the second method

Claims

1. A method for grinding an object to be ground by at least one grinding mechanism (30), comprising the steps of: Operate (110) the grinding mechanism (30) in a first direction to grind the material to be ground; operating (140) the grinding mechanism (30) in a second direction different from the first direction; A method comprising: The actuation of the grinding mechanism (30) in the second direction is performed in response to a user input (130) after the grinding of the material to be ground is completed, and / or is performed automatically in response to the number of times the grinding mechanism (30) is actuated in the first direction (110). A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: actuating (140) the grinding mechanism (30) in the second direction, preferably automatically, in response to respectively actuating (110) the grinding mechanism (30) in the first direction.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein actuating (140) the grinding mechanism (30) in the second direction occurs in response to a grinding disturbance (130) detected during grinding.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the user input (130) is for cleaning and / or adjusting the grinding mechanism (30).

5. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating (110, 140) of the grinding mechanism (30) comprises moving, in particular translating and / or rotating, the first grinding element (10) relative to the second grinding element (20).

6. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein operating (110) the grinding mechanism (30) in the first direction comprises rotating the first grinding element (10) relative to the second grinding element (20) in the first direction, and operating (140) the grinding mechanism (30) in the second direction comprises rotating the first grinding element (10) relative to the second grinding element (20) in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

7. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that operating (140) the grinding mechanism (30) in the second direction comprises adjusting the grinding mechanism (30) to adjust a second grinding grade, preferably coarser than the already adjusted first grinding grade.

8. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first grinding element (10) is a grinding rotor, in particular a grinding cone, and the second grinding element (20) is a grinding stator, in particular a grinding ring.

9. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising adjusting (220) the grinding mechanism, in particular subsequent to operating (140) the grinding mechanism in the second direction, to adjust a third grinding grade, preferably finer than the first grinding grade and / or the second grinding grade.

10. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that adjusting (220) the grinding mechanism comprises widening and / or narrowing a grinding gap (33), in particular the grinding gap between the first grinding element (10) and the second grinding element (20).

11. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that adjusting (220) the grinding mechanism comprises translating and / or axially moving one grinding element or the first grinding element (10) relative to one grinding element or the second grinding element (20).

12. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising operating (230) the grinding mechanism (30) in the first direction to grind the material to be ground in one grinding grade, in particular the first grinding grade and / or the third grinding grade.

13. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material to be ground comprises coffee beans and / or coffee powder and / or the grinding mechanism (30) is a grinding mechanism for a coffee maker.

14. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the grinding mechanism (30) is configured to transport the material to be ground from an inlet side (34) to an outlet side (35) when operating in the first direction, and / or the grinding mechanism (30) is configured to return the material to the inlet side (34) when operating in the second direction.

15. Coffee maker comprising at least one grinding mechanism (30) and a device for data processing, said coffee maker comprising means for implementing the method according to claim 1 or 2.

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