Apparatus for roasting coffee beans and collecting coffee chaff

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus 1 for conveniently roasting coffee. The apparatus facilitates an improved means for collecting roasted coffee bean chaff and simplifies removal of the roasted coffee beans from the apparatus. The apparatus roasts coffee beans and collects the roasted coffee bean chaff. The apparatus includes a chamber 10 capable of receiving coffee beans for roasting, the chamber having an opening 12 for accessing the chamber to remove the coffee beans from the chamber, and a chaff collector 50 for collecting the roasted coffee bean chaff. The chaff collector is configured to be movable about a specific axis of movement between a closed position in which the chaff collector covers the opening of the chamber to roast the coffee beans, and an open position in which the chaff collector does not cover the opening of the chamber and the chamber is accessible through the opening to remove the coffee beans from the chamber.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans and collecting the roasted coffee bean chaff. [Background technology]

[0002] Roasting coffee beans transforms green coffee beans into roasted coffee beans. Green coffee beans are typically raw and / or dried coffee beans, and roasted coffee beans contribute in particular to the flavor of a coffee beverage prepared from the (ground) roasted coffee beans. Coffee bean roasting can be on a large scale, but also on a small scale. In small scale coffee bean roasting, a customer-facing business (store, coffee shop, etc.) or a customer, e.g. a coffee beverage consumer, roasts the coffee beans. Consumer coffee bean roasting is very interesting because consumers can roast coffee beans at home, e.g. as a hobby, to experiment with different flavor profiles and ensure that the roasted coffee beans are particularly fresh.

[0003] When coffee beans are roasted, the initial unroasted, typically green bean outer skin, i.e. (coffee) chaff, is peeled off. As the chaff is not normally used to prepare a coffee beverage from the coffee beans, it needs to be separated from the roasted coffee beans. That is, the chaff remains as "waste" and needs to be removed from the roasted coffee beans and then collected, for example in a dedicated jug or chaff collector, and needs to be completely removed.

[0004] Removing the chaff is not very convenient for the consumer because the consumer is busy handling the chaff and cannot immediately focus on the final product, i.e. the roasted coffee beans. Furthermore, removing the chaff and accessing the roasted coffee beans, e.g. for handling the coffee beans for subsequent grinding and / or coffee beverage preparation, entails the risk of the consumer being burned by touching machine parts that may have been heated during the roasting process.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks, in particular offering the consumer a more efficient and convenient roasting of coffee beans.

[0006] These objects, as well as others that will become apparent on reading the following description, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for roasting coffee beans and collecting a chaff of the roasted coffee beans, the apparatus comprising a chamber capable of receiving coffee beans for roasting, the chamber comprising an opening for accessing the chamber for at least removing the coffee beans from the chamber, and a chaff collector for collecting the chaff of the coffee beans roasted by the chamber, the chaff collector being configured to be movable about a particular axis of movement between a closed position in which the chaff collector covers the opening of the chamber for roasting the coffee beans, and an open position in which the chaff collector does not cover the opening of the chamber and the chamber is accessible through the opening for removing the coffee beans from the chamber.

[0008] Thus, the device facilitates a user of the device to move the chaff collector to the open position or remove it with a simple movement in order to access the roasted coffee beans. In other words, by moving the chaff collector to the open position, for example immediately after the roasting process is finished, the user can first focus on the roasted coffee beans instead of the chaff. The handling of the chaff is thus postponed to a later time, i.e. after the handling of the roasted coffee beans, and thus the device provides the user with a more efficient and more convenient way to roast coffee beans. Thus, the device improves the user experience. Furthermore, the device provides a safer roasting of coffee beans, since the chaff collector, which may be heated by the heat of the roasting process, is moved to a position, i.e. the open position, where the risk of the user touching the (heated) chaff collector is significantly reduced. That is, when the chaff collector is moved to the open position, the chaff collector is moved away from the user or away from the user side of the device.

[0009] The axis of movement may be a rotational movement axis along which the chaff collector moves between the closed and open positions by a rotational movement about the axis of movement. The axis of rotational movement may be provided or defined, for example, by a hinge or a joint, whereby the chaff collector can be moved very easily between the closed and open positions. In general, the axis of movement may additionally or instead be a linear movement axis along which the chaff collector moves between the closed and open positions by a linear movement. Such a linear movement axis may be provided, for example, by a slider joint or a slider element.

[0010] In the case where the opening is configured for access to the chamber along the vertical direction, the movement axis may extend in the vertical direction. In other words, the access direction for accessing the chamber and the movement axis may be substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the chaff collector can be very easily moved between the closed position and the open position, providing very good access to the chamber through the opening.

[0011] When the opening is configured for access to the chamber along a vertical direction, the movement axis may extend horizontally. In other words, the access direction for accessing the chamber and the movement axis may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Thus, the chaff collector can be very easily moved between the closed position and the open position, providing very good access to the chamber through the opening.

[0012] The chaff collector can be configured to be movable with respect to only one specific axis of movement, thus providing a very simple design of the device, which at the same time allows the chaff collector to be moved very easily between the closed and open positions, i.e. with only one movement.

[0013] The device may comprise a receiver (e.g. in the form of a basket and / or sieve), the receiver comprising a chamber. The receiver may be removably attached to the device. Thus, handling of the roasted coffee beans is even more convenient, since the user of the device does not have to handle or touch the coffee beans directly. Instead, the user can handle the coffee beans indirectly, i.e. by means of the receiver and thus without touching the coffee beans, and thus can easily and safely empty the receiver and provide the roasted coffee beans for further processing, for example to a grinder and / or a beverage preparation machine.

[0014] The receptacle may be provided with a handle for manual handling of the receptacle, preferably for removing the receptacle from the device. The handle preferably comprises a material with low thermal conductivity, such as plastic. In particular, the material of the handle may have a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the parts of the chamber (e.g. the bottom and / or the side walls) that receive the coffee beans for roasting. Thus, the risk of the user being burned and thus injured when handling the roasted coffee beans immediately after roasting is even further reduced.

[0015] The receptacle may be configured such that the chaff collector can be moved or pushed to the open position by removing (or handling) the receptacle from the device. Thus, a user of the device does not need to directly contact or touch the chaff collector in order to move it to the open position. Instead, the user contacts the chaff collector indirectly via the receptacle in order to move it to the open position. This reduces the risk of injury to a user of the device by touching the (heated) chaff collector. Thus, in particular, the safety of the device is improved.

[0016] The apparatus may comprise a locking mechanism adapted to selectively lock or unlock the chaff collector relative to the chamber, such that when the chaff collector is locked relative to the chamber, the chaff collector is prevented from moving from a closed position to an open position, and thus the locking mechanism effectively ensures that, for example, roasting of coffee beans in the chamber is not interrupted due to the opening being uncovered.

[0017] The locking mechanism may be adapted to cooperate with the handle of the receptacle to lock the chaff collector relative to the chamber, so that there is no need to provide additional parts that cooperate with the locking mechanism to lock the chaff collector relative to the chamber, thus providing a very simple and compact design of the device.

[0018] The chaff collector is configured to automatically move to an intermediate position when the locking mechanism is operated to unlock the chaff collector from the chamber, in which the opening is less covered by the chaff collector than in the closed position, so that the intermediate position allows (hot) air and / or steam to escape from the chamber in a controlled manner, in particular such that in the (fully) open position a user of the device is not affected by a sudden escape of (hot) air and / or steam.

[0019] The device may comprise a housing for accommodating at least the chamber, the chaff collector being attached to the housing so as to be configured to be movable with respect to a movement axis, i.e. the movement axis may be defined by the housing, for example by joint or link elements configured on and / or formed with the housing. For example, the housing may be designed such that it at least partially isolates the chamber. In this way, the heat of the chamber is effectively prevented from being conducted to the outer surface of the housing, so that there is no or at least a reduced risk of a user of the device touching a hot part of the device.

[0020] The housing may include a base and a top, and the chamber is configured such that the opening is located at the top of the housing. Thus, the housing provides that the opening is located in a position that allows a user to very conveniently access the chamber through the opening. For example, the base of the housing may be adapted to be placed on a surface such as a tabletop.

[0021] The chaff collector may be configured to be removable, such as removably attached to the housing, such that a user can easily remove the chaff collector from the device for handling the chaff collector, for example to discard the chaff in a trash can or any other container for subsequent chaff disposal.

[0022] The apparatus may further comprise a device for generating an air flow inside the chamber, for example for roasting and / or cooling the coffee beans received in the chamber. For example, the apparatus may also comprise a heater for heating (fresh) air, which is then flowed by the device into the chamber for roasting. Preferably, the device is configured such that the air flow pushes the chaff of the coffee beans towards the chaff collector, such that the chaff is collected by the chaff collector. The chaff is thus very simply collected by the chaff collector, which accordingly can be designed in a very simply and in a particularly compact form.

[0023] The device may be a household appliance device. It may thus have a design for use in a domestic kitchen and may for example be arranged next to and / or integrated into a coffee grinder and / or a beverage preparation machine. For example, the device is a domestic solution, in particular allowing fresh and / or individualized roasting of coffee beans. Thus, with this device a domestic (coffee) roasting solution may be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 8A]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with both the chaff collector and the optional receptacle removed from the apparatus; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in a closed position; [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a different schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position; [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position and the optional receptacle removed from the apparatus; [Figure 18] 4A-4C are corresponding schematic side views of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the chaff collector in an open position and the optional receptacle removed from the apparatus; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with both the chaff collector and the optional receptacle removed from the apparatus; [Figure 20]4A-4C are corresponding schematic side views of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with both the chaff collector and the optional receiver removed from the apparatus; [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with both the chaff collector and the optional receptacle removed from the apparatus; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In the drawings, two preferred embodiments of the device 1 are exemplarily shown. The device 1 is adapted to roast coffee beans. More specifically, the device 1 is adapted to transform green coffee beans, for example in the form of green coffee beans and / or dried coffee beans, into roasted coffee beans. More specifically, the roasting of the coffee beans changes the chemical and physical properties of the green coffee beans and produces a characteristic flavor of the roasted coffee beans and thus of the coffee beverage prepared from the roasted coffee beans. That is, the roasting of the coffee beans results in the specific taste of the roasted coffee beans, for example by the Maillard reaction and other chemical reactions. The process of roasting the coffee beans therefore precedes other processes necessary for preparing a coffee beverage, such as coffee grinding and / or coffee brewing, for example coffee extraction.

[0026] Furthermore, the device 1 is adapted to collect the chaff of the roasted coffee beans. That is, green coffee beans typically have a (green and / or dried) skin, especially when first harvested from the coffee plant. The chaff can also be referred to as the shell of the coffee beans. During the roasting of the coffee beans, this skin peels off from the coffee beans and thus remains as chaff. That is, the high temperature, in particular during roasting, allows the chaff to be easily removed from the coffee beans without the need for additional work. It is desirable that this chaff of the roasted coffee beans does not remain with the roasted coffee beans, for example because consumers do not want chaff inside the grinder and / or beverage preparation machine and thus inside the coffee beverage, so that the chaff is collected by the device 1 so that it does not remain with the final product, which is the roasted coffee beans.

[0027] The exemplarily illustrated device 1 is adapted for small-scale coffee roasting (i.e. on-site coffee roasting) and is therefore not specifically a large-scale (industrial) roasting device or machine. The device 1 is therefore particularly suitable for use in business-to-customer (e.g. coffee shops) and / or on the customer side, who is typically a consumer of coffee beverages. The device 1 is therefore preferably a household appliance device. In this way, the device 1 can be used in the home or in the kitchen, in particular on a tabletop, for example next to or (functionally) integrated into a coffee grinder and / or beverage preparation machine. The device 1 therefore preferably has a size and weight that allows it to be carried by one person, in particular without the need for a dedicated transport mechanism.

[0028] The device 1 comprises a chamber 10 in which coffee beans can be received for roasting. For example, the chamber 10 is delimited by a bottom 11 and a side wall 12 extending from the bottom 11. Thus, when the chamber 10 receives coffee beans, the coffee beans are preferably supported on the bottom 11 and at least partially in contact with the side wall 12. The chamber 10 has a design that allows in particular heat and / or heated air to come into contact with the coffee (green) beans in order to roast them. For example, the bottom 11 and / or the side wall 12 are made of a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity, for example a material comprising or consisting of a metal. The bottom 11 and / or the side wall 12 may comprise one or more holes, which facilitates the flow of heat and / or air (for heating and / or cooling) into the chamber 10 and to treat the coffee beans accordingly.

[0029] The chamber 10 comprises an opening 13 for accessing the chamber 10. In this way, coffee beans can at least be removed from the chamber 10 via the opening 13. The opening 13 also preferably facilitates that coffee beans can be inserted into the chamber 10, i.e. the chamber 10 can be filled with coffee beans via the opening 13. The opening 13 preferably defines an access direction for at least removing coffee beans from the chamber 10, and preferably also for inserting coffee beans into the chamber 10. This access direction may extend vertically, as shown. Thus, a user of the device 1 may access the chamber 10 from above the device 1. The opening 13 is not limited to a particular form. The opening 13 is preferably defined by the side wall 12, for example by a distal end of the side wall 12. Thus, the opening 13 may be configured opposite the bottom 11. For example, the opening 13 may extend in a plane. The opening 13 may have a shape corresponding to the base 11 and / or may have a round (circular, oval, etc.) shape, but may also have a different shape, for example a polygonal, rectangular or square shape.

[0030] The device 1 may comprise a receptacle 14 with a chamber 10. As shown in Figs. 17-21, the receptacle 14 may be removably attached to the device 1, for example, by foam and / or friction fit. For example, the receptacle 14 may be removably attached to the device 1 such that the receptacle 14 has a defined position relative to the device 1 at the attached position. In other words, the removably designed attachment of the receptacle 14 preferably results in that the attachment of the receptacle 14 to the device 1 automatically brings the receptacle 14 into a position where the coffee beans received by the chamber 10 can be appropriately processed, i.e. roasted, by the device 1. The receptacle 14 may comprise a flange 15 for positioning the receptacle 14 relative to the device 1. For example, the flange 15 may be positioned and supported on a dedicated part of the device 1 to appropriately position the receptacle 14 relative to the device 1. The flange 15 may extend from the side wall 12 and / or the opening 13.

[0031] The receiver 14 may comprise a handle 16 for manual handling of the receiver 14, for example for removing the receiver 14 from the device 1 and / or for attaching the receiver to the device 1. The handle 16 preferably has a design such that the handle 16 can be grasped by a human hand. For example, the handle 16 extends away from the receiver 14. The handle 16 may thus extend (at least partially) inclined or parallel to the opening 13, for example to a plane in which the opening 13 extends. In other words, the handle 16 may extend (at least partially) inclined or perpendicular to the access direction defined by the opening 13. Preferably, the handle 16 extends from the flange 15.

[0032] For safe handling of the receptacle 14 by means of the handle 16, the handle 16 preferably comprises or consists of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as plastic. The material of the handle may therefore have a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the other parts of the receptacle 14, such as the bottom 11 and / or the side wall 12 and / or the flange 15, which are preferably made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal.

[0033] The device 1 may further include a housing 20 for housing at least the chamber 10. For example, the housing 20 may have a base 21 and a top 22, and the chamber 10 may be configured such that the opening 13 is located at the top 22 of the housing 20. Thus, the opening 13 is preferably flush with the top 22. The housing 20 may also comprise a sidewall 23 extending from the bottom 21 to the top 22 and preferably circumferentially surrounding the chamber 10. If the receptacle 14 is present, the housing 20 may be designed to receive the receptacle 14 such that the receptacle 14 is in a defined position when the receptacle 14 is attached to the housing 20 and thus to the device 1. For example, the housing 20 may comprise a receiving portion or receiving section 24 on which the receptacle 14, e.g. its flange 15 and / or handle 16, is supported for attaching the receptacle 14 to the device 1. The receiving portion 24 may thus be designed at least in part to correspond (or be complementary) to the flange 15 and / or handle 16 and / or the receiving portion 24 may be designed to cooperate with the receptacle 14 and / or the flange 15 and / or handle 16 to attach and position the receptacle 14 to the device 1. The housing 20 is not limited to a particular shape. The housing 20 may have an asymmetric or symmetric shape, for example, the housing 20 has a substantially cylindrical or (frusto)conical shape.

[0034] The apparatus 1 may further comprise a device (not shown, e.g. a fan) for generating an air flow inside the chamber 10. This air flow may be used to roast the coffee beans received by the chamber 10. For example, the apparatus 1 or the device may further comprise a heater for heating (fresh) air, which device transfers this heated air into the chamber 10. Thus, the (hot) air flow comes into contact with the coffee beans to roast them. The air flow may also be such that the coffee beans inside the chamber 10 are stirred or moved, in particular to improve the roasting of the coffee beans. Additionally or alternatively, the air flow generated by the device may be used to cool the (already roasted) coffee beans received in the chamber 10. For example, to cool the coffee beans, the air flow may not be heated (by a heater) but may only transfer (fresh) air, such as ambient air. Thus, to provide an air flow for cooling, the device may simply remain activated, but the heater is simply put in an inactivated state, i.e. turned off.

[0035] The apparatus 1 may also comprise a control unit for controlling the roasting of the coffee beans as appropriate, such as by following a preprogrammed program including, for example, a predefined roast and / or temperature profile. The control unit may be operatively connected to the devices and / or heaters to cause them to roast and / or cool the coffee beans received in the chamber 10 as appropriate.

[0036] Preferably, the device 1 comprises a user interface 30, preferably functionally connected to the control unit. The user interface 30 facilitates that a user of the device 1 can control the device 1 accordingly, in particular for roasting coffee beans and / or for finishing the roasting of coffee beans. The user interface 30 may comprise one or more (e.g. only three) control elements 31 for controlling the device 1, for example in the form of one or more buttons or other touch-sensitive elements (such as a touch screen). For example, the one or more control elements 31 comprise an element for starting the roasting process and an element for stopping or finishing the roasting process. The control elements 31 may also comprise a control element for switching on (and off) the device 1 (e.g. an on / off control element). The stopping of the roasting process may also be performed automatically by the control unit, for example after a predefined (roasting) time has elapsed. The user interface 30 is preferably arranged on the front side of the device 1, i.e. on the user side of the device 1.

[0037] The device, the control unit and / or the user interface 30 may be arranged in or on the housing 20 and / or the further housing part 40. The further housing part 40 may be arranged such that the housing 20, for example its bottom 21, is arranged on a top 41 of the further housing part 40. Preferably, the further housing part 40 forms a bottom or support of the device 1. Thus, the further housing part 40 may be designed such that the device 1 can be placed on a surface such as a tabletop. Thus, the further housing part 40 preferably comprises a bottom 42 opposite the top 41, the bottom 42 being adapted to be placed on a surface such as a tabletop. The device, the control unit and / or the user interface 30 may also be arranged in the housing 20, for example such that the further housing part 40 is not necessary. Thus, the housing 20, for example its bottom 21, may also form a bottom of the device 1.

[0038] The apparatus 1 may further comprise a power inlet, for example in the form of a power plug, via which energy can be supplied to parts of the apparatus 1 that require energy, such as electrical energy (voltage and / or current), in particular the device, the control unit and / or the user interface 30. The power plug may be provided at the rear side of the apparatus 1 and / or on the housing 20 or on the further housing part 40.

[0039] According to the invention, the apparatus 1 further comprises a chaff collector 50 for collecting the chaff of the roasted coffee beans by the chamber 10. The chaff collector 50 may comprise a compartment 51 for collecting the chaff and preventing it from returning to the chamber 10. For example, the chaff collector 50 may comprise an inlet that allows only one-way flow of the chaff so that it is collected by the chaff collector 50. The inlet thereby allows the flow of the chaff 50 into the compartment 51 while preventing the flow of the chaff out of the compartment 51, in particular towards the chamber 10. For a particularly good collection of the chaff by the chaff collector 50, the chaff collector 50 and the (air flow generating) device may be arranged relative to one another accordingly. For example, the device may be configured such that (in the closed position of the chaff collector 50, shown below) an air flow generated by the device pushes the chaff of the coffee beans towards the chaff collector 50 so that the chaff is collected by the chaff collector 50.

[0040] The chaff collector 50 may be designed to selectively open the chaff collector 50, or the compartment 51, if present, to discard or otherwise use the collected chaff. The chaff collector 50 may be configured to be removable, e.g. to allow the chaff collector 50 to be removed from the device 1 for easy disposal of the chaff. For example, the chaff collector 50 is removably attached to the housing 20 (e.g., at the rear side of the housing 20), e.g., by a suitably designed joint. The chaff collector 50 may form the top of the device 1 and / or is located at the top 22 of the housing 20.

[0041] The chaff collector 50 is configured to be movable about a particular axis of movement to move between a closed position and an open position, i.e. to the closed or open position. The particular axis of movement is preferably a fixed axis of movement relative to the device 1. By "fixed axis of movement" it is to be understood that the position and orientation of the axis of movement is fixed relative to the device 1, in particular relative to the housing 20 and / or the further housing part 40.

[0042] As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 9 to 12, in the closed position, the chaff collector 50 is disposed at the opening of the chamber 10. 13 In this position, therefore, roasting of coffee beans can take place within the chamber 10. That is, in the closed position, the chaff collector 50 covers the opening 13 Since it covers the opening 13 For example, in the closed position, only a reduced amount of air and / or heat (compared to the open position), or substantially no air and / or heat, can be passed through the openings. 13 Therefore, the chaff cannot escape from the chamber 10 through the chaff collector 50 and / or the opening 13 For example, the receptacle 14 may include a seal that, in a closed position, allows a reduced amount of air and / or heat, or substantially no air and / or heat, to pass through the opening. 13 In the closed position, therefore, the user of the device 1 preferably does not need to open the opening. 13 1. It is not affected by the (hot) air and / or heat escaping from the chamber 10 via

[0043] In the closed position, the chaff collector 50 is preferably flush with the housing 20. The chaff collector 50 may therefore form together with the housing 20 a geometric shape that is formed continuously from the housing 20 to the chaff collector 50, ignoring any possible (sealed) gap between the collector 50 and the housing 20. For example, the chaff collector 50 and the housing 20 together form a substantially symmetrical shape in the closed position, for example a substantially cylindrical or (frusto)conical shape. The chaff collector 50 is therefore preferably formed accordingly in the housing 20, for example having a rounded shape with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cross section of the housing 20 with the top 22. The chaff collector 50 may have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0044] As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and 13 to 16, in the open position, the chaff collector 50 is disposed at the opening of the chamber 10. 13 Thus, the chamber 10 has an opening for removing coffee beans from the chamber 10 and preferably for introducing coffee beans into the chamber 10. 13 Thus, in the open position, the chamber 10 is accessible (to the human hand) through the opening 13 Thus, in the open position, the chaff collector 50 is moved away from the user side of the device 1, in particular towards the rear side of the device 1 opposite the user side of the device 1. The user side is typically the side of the device 1 that comprises the user interface 30 and / or that is directed towards a user who operates the device 1. The chaff collector 50 is thus in a position where a user of the device 1 can easily access and focus on the chamber 10 that receives the (roasted) coffee beans. In the open position, there is also no risk of a user being burned due to a heated chaff collector 50. In the open position, the opening 13 is preferably completely uncovered, i.e., when viewed from the top of the device 1 (i.e., in the vertical or access direction), the opening 13 and the chaff collector 50 preferably do not overlap.

[0045] In the two illustrated preferred embodiments, the axis of movement is a rotational axis of movement, whereby the chaff collector 50 moves between the closed and open positions by a rotational movement about the axis of movement. The chaff collector 50 can be attached to the housing 20 and / or the further housing part 40 in such a way that it is movable relative to the axis of movement. The axis of movement can be defined by a joint or hinge 60. For example, the joint 60 comprises a first joint element (e.g. on a side of the chaff collector 50) and a second joint element (e.g. on a side of the housing 20 or the housing part 40), which are connected to each other in such a way that the joint elements are movable relative to each other with respect to the axis of movement, thereby providing a particular axis of movement.

[0046] However, the present invention is not limited to a rotational movement axis as the movement axis. For example, the movement axis may additionally or alternatively be a linear movement axis, whereby the chaff collector 50 can be moved between a closed position and an open position by linear movement along the movement axis. Thus, the joint 60 can, for example, connect a first joint element to a second joint element to provide a sliding movement, such that one of the joint elements can slide relative to or within the corresponding other joint element.

[0047] In the two illustrated preferred embodiments, the chaff collector 50 is configured to be movable only with respect to one specific axis of movement. The joint 60 therefore preferably provides only one degree of freedom. A single movement with respect to the axis of movement therefore allows the chaff collector 50 to be in an open or closed position, thus particularly improving the ease of use of the device 1. However, the invention is not limited to configuring the chaff collector 50 to be movable only with respect to one specific axis of movement. The chaff collector 50 may be configured to be movable with respect to one or more specific axes of movement, for example, to move the chaff collector 50 first with respect to a first axis of movement and then with respect to a second axis of movement to move the chaff collector 50 to an open or closed position. These axes of movement may define the same form of movement (e.g. rotational or linear) or may define different forms of movement (e.g. one for a rotational movement and another for a linear movement).

[0048] The device 1 may comprise a locking mechanism 70, which is adapted to selectively lock or unlock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, preferably relative to the housing 20 and / or the receptacle 14. In this way, when the chaff collector 50 is locked relative to the chamber 10, the chaff collector 50 is prevented from moving from a closed position to an open position. To lock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, the locking mechanism 70 may be adapted to cooperate with the handle 16, as best seen in Figs. 9 to 16 for the second preferred embodiment. For example, the locking mechanism 70 comprises a locking portion 71 provided on a side of or on the chaff collector 50, which is adapted to cooperate with a correspondingly shaped portion of the handle 16, for example by engaging with each other, to be locked or maintained locked relative to the chamber 10. In other examples, the locking mechanism 70 may also be adapted to cooperate with other fixed parts of the device 1 , such as the housing 20 and / or the receptacle 14 , to lock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10 .

[0049] The locking mechanism 70 may include an operating element 72 (e.g., a button or a touch-sensitive element) adapted to unlock the locking mechanism 70, i.e., to unlock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10. The operating element 72 may be provided on a side of the chaff collector 50 (see, e.g., the first embodiment) or on a side of the chamber 10 (see, e.g., the second embodiment). As exemplarily shown for the second preferred embodiment in Figs. 9-21, the operating element 72 may be configured on the handle 16. In other examples, the operating element 72 may be configured on the receptacle 14 or the housing 20.

[0050] The chaff collector 50 may be configured to automatically move to the intermediate position when the locking mechanism 70 is operated to unlock the chaff collector 50 from the chamber 10. In the intermediate position, the opening 13 In the intermediate position, the opening is covered by the chaff collector 50 less than when it is in the closed position. 13 The portion of the opening covered by the chaff collector 50 is preferably larger than in the open position. 13 and the chaff collector 50 may overlap partially. Preferably, in the intermediate position, the chaff collector 50, e.g., the side edges and the opening of the chaff collector 50, 13 , e.g. opening 13 The (circumferential) side edges of the openings form a gap, for example a gap of only a few millimeters. Thus, in the intermediate position, the (hot) air and / or gas or steam is forced through the openings 13 5, the (hot) air and / or gas / vapors can be controllably released from the chamber 10 via the openings 50 and 51. This prevents the (hot) air and / or gas / vapors from suddenly escaping from the chamber 10, as would occur if the chaff collector 50 were moved to the open position immediately after roasting. Thus, the (hot) air and / or vapors can be controlled to escape from the chamber 10 via the chaff collector 50 and the openings 50 and 51. 13 Air can escape from the chamber 10 through a gap formed between the chamber 10 and the

[0051] To automatically move the chaff collector 50 from the closed position to the intermediate position, the device 1, e.g. the chaff collector 50, the housing 20 and / or the joint 60, may include an elastic element such as a (weak) spring. That is, the chaff collector 50 may be spring-loaded. The elastic element may be provided such that in the closed position the elastic element is biased to move the chaff collector 50 to the intermediate position. By unlocking the locking mechanism 70, the elastic element moves the chaff collector 50 to the intermediate position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic element. Once the intermediate position has been reached, the user of the device 1 can then, e.g. manually, move the chaff collector 50 further to the open position.

[0052] To lock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, the user simply manually moves the chaff collector 50 to the closed position. Once the chaff collector 50 reaches the closed position, the locking mechanism 70 then automatically locks the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, for example by a biasing element (such as a spring). The biasing element is biased to move the locking mechanism 70 into the locked position when the chaff collector 50 is in the closed position.

[0053] In the first preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the axis of movement extends vertically and an opening is provided so that the chamber 10 can also be accessed along this vertical direction. 13 That is, the movement axis of the chaff collector 50 is substantially parallel to the access direction of the chamber 10. Therefore, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 8, in order to move the chaff collector 50 between the open position and the closed position, the chaff collector 50 is moved in a direction parallel to the opening 13 A plane substantially parallel to the opening 13 1 to 4 extend) and / or on the surface on which the device 1 is constructed. As can be seen by comparing Figures 1 to 4 with Figures 5 to 8, the device 1 therefore has the same height in both the open and closed positions. This height depends on the position of the opening 1 when the device 1 is to be operated, i.e. in particular for roasting coffee beans, e.g. 13is configured for access to the chamber 10 along a vertical direction. Thus, the height may be measured from the surface on which the device 1 is constructed.

[0054] As can be seen in Fig. 8A, the chaff collector 50 may comprise a receiving element 52. The receiving element 52 is preferably adapted to receive the chaff collector 50 such that the chaff collector 50 is in a defined position and / or orientation relative to the receiving element 52. Thus, the chaff collector 50 may be configured to be removably mounted to the receiving element 52. For example, the receiving element 52 comprises a section 53 formed to receive the chaff collector 50 such that the chaff collector 50 is in a defined position and / or orientation. The section 53 may be formed to correspond or complement a section or part of the chaff collector 50, for example, to complement a handle of the chaff collector 50. The section 53 may be formed as a recess in the receiving element 52.

[0055] The receiving element 52 may be configured to be movable such that the chaff collector 50 is configured to be movable relative to an axis of movement to move between a closed position and an open position. For example, the receiving element 52 includes the joint 60, or at least a portion of the joint 60, one of such joint elements.

[0056] 8A , the housing 20 may be adapted to receive the receiver 14 such that the receiver 14 is in a defined position and / or orientation relative to the housing 20. For example, the housing 20, and in particular the top 22 thereof, includes a section 25 that is configured to receive the receiver 14 such that the receiver 14 is in a defined position and / or orientation. The section 25 may be configured to correspond to or be complementary to a section or portion of the receiver 14, for example, to a handle 16 of the receiver 14. The section 25 may be configured as a recess in the housing 20.

[0057] The second embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 21 differs from the first embodiment in that the axis of movement extends in a different direction, namely horizontally. 13 is also preferably configured to access the chamber 10 along a vertical direction. Thus, the axis of movement may be substantially perpendicular to the access direction of the chamber 10. As can be seen in Figures 9 to 16, the chaff collector 50 and the opening 13 (For example, opening 13 The angle between the chaff collector 50 and the surface on which the device is constructed (the plane in which the chaff collector 50 extends) changes when the chaff collector 50 moves between the closed and open positions. More specifically, this angle may be substantially 0° in the closed position (see, for example, FIG. 12), and this angle is substantially 90° when the chaff collector 50 is in the open position (see, for example, FIG. 16). Thus, the device 1 may have a higher height in the open position than in the closed position.

[0058] Specifically, as exemplarily shown in Figs. 13-18, the receiver 14 may be configured such that the chaff collector 50 can be moved or pushed to the open position by removing the receiver 14 from the device 1, for example from the housing 20. Thus, a user does not need to directly touch the chaff collector 50 to move it to the open position. More specifically, by moving the receiver 14 along the vertical direction, the receiver 14 (mechanically) contacts the chaff collector 50, thereby moving the chaff collector 50 to the open position. For example, the flange 15 and / or a part of the handle 16, for example the part connecting the handle 16 to the chamber 10 and / or the flange 15, (mechanically) contacts the (underside of) the chaff collector 15 when the receiver 14 is moved to be removed from the device 1, for example from the housing 20. Thus, a single (handling) movement of the receiver 14, for example along the vertical direction, both removes the receiver 14 from the device 1 and moves the chaff collector 50 to the open position. Thus, operation of the machine is greatly simplified.

[0059] Additionally or alternatively, the chaff collector 50 can be moved to the open and closed positions by acting directly on the chaff collector 50. For example, the chaff collector 50 may include a handle for moving the chaff collector 50 between the closed and open positions. This handle, like the optional handle 16, may also be made of a material that includes a material having a lower thermal conductivity and / or a material having a lower thermal conductivity than other parts of the chaff collector 50. For example, the material may be or may include plastic. Thus, there is no risk of a user burning their hand when touching the (possibly heated) handle of the chaff collector 50.

[0060] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment is only a preferred embodiment, however, other designs of the device 1 may also be used.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for roasting coffee beans and collecting the roasted coffee bean chaff, comprising: a chamber (10) capable of receiving coffee beans for roasting, the chamber (10) comprising an opening (13) for accessing said chamber (10) for at least removing the coffee beans from said chamber (10); a chaff collector (50) for collecting chaff from the coffee beans roasted by the chamber (10); the chaff collector (50) is configured to be movable with respect to a specific movement axis so as to be moved between a closed position in which the chaff collector (50) covers the opening (13) of the chamber (10) to roast the coffee beans, and an open position in which the chaff collector (50) does not cover the opening (13) of the chamber (10) and the chamber (10) is accessible through the opening (13) to remove the coffee beans from the chamber (10); The apparatus (1), wherein the axis of movement extends vertically, the opening (13) is configured for access to the chamber (10) along the vertical direction, and the axis of movement is a rotational axis of movement such that the chaff collector (50) is moved between the closed position and the open position by rotational movement about the axis of movement.

2. 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chaff collector (50) is configured to be movable only with respect to one particular axis of movement.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a receiver (14), said receiver (14) comprising said chamber (10).

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle (14) comprises a handle (16) for manual handling of the receptacle (14).

5. 5. The device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the receiver (14) is configured such that the chaff collector (50) can be moved or pushed to the open position by removing the receiver (14) from the device (1).

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a locking mechanism (70) adapted to selectively lock or unlock the chaff collector (50) relative to the chamber (10), such that when the chaff collector (50) is locked relative to the chamber (10), the chaff collector (50) is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.

7. 7. The apparatus (1) of claim 6, wherein the chaff collector (50) is configured to automatically move to an intermediate position when the locking mechanism (70) is operated to unlock the chaff collector (50) from the chamber (10), and in the intermediate position, the opening (13) is covered less by the chaff collector (50) than in the closed position.

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) comprises a housing (20) for containing at least the chamber (10).

9. 9. The apparatus (1) of claim 8, wherein the housing (20) comprises a base (21) and a top (22), and the chamber (10) is configured such that the opening (13) is located at the top (22) of the housing (20).

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the chaff collector (50) is configured to be removable, i.e. removably attached to the housing (20).

11. An apparatus (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a device for generating an air flow inside the chamber (10).

12. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) is a consumer electronics device.

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