Roasting equipment for roasting coffee beans

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for more conveniently sensing temperature during coffee roasting. The apparatus (1) is provided for roasting coffee beans and includes a chamber (10) in which the coffee beans can be received for roasting, and a device (80) for roasting the coffee beans received in the chamber (10). The chamber (10) is defined by at least a bottom (11) and a sidewall (12) extending from the bottom (11), the sidewall (12) having an outer surface (121) facing away from the chamber (10), and a temperature sensor (90) is provided on the outer surface (121) of the sidewall (12) for sensing the temperature inside the chamber (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans. [Background technology]

[0002] Roasting coffee beans transforms unroasted coffee beans into roasted coffee beans. Unroasted coffee beans are typically green and / or dried coffee beans, while roasted coffee beans contribute in particular to the flavor of the 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 business for business (store, coffee shop, etc.) or a business for consumer use, or a customer, e.g. a consumer of coffee beverages, roasts the coffee beans.

[0003] Consumer roasting of coffee beans is of great interest because consumers can roast coffee beans at home, for example as a hobby, to experiment with different flavor profiles and to ensure that the roast of the coffee beans is particularly fresh.

[0004] To roast coffee beans, the temperature needs to be measured (sensed) by a temperature sensor. According to one solution, the temperature sensor is in direct contact with the coffee beans in order to measure a temperature close to the actual temperature of the coffee beans. The temperature sensor is therefore provided inside the roasting chamber, such as above the coffee beans (coffee bed). However, in this solution the temperature sensor is exposed to the influence of smoke and dirt (especially by-products of the roasting process, such as coffee chaff). This can lead to drifts in the measured temperature if the temperature sensor is not cleaned. Furthermore, this solution requires encapsulation of the temperature sensor to withstand wear and tampering by the user, reducing its reactivity.

[0005] According to another solution, a temperature sensor is placed upstream of the roasting chamber, for example between the heating element and the roasting chamber. In this way, improved responsiveness and better control of the temperature is achieved. However, the temperature measured before the chamber is higher than the actual temperature of the coffee beans as a result of downstream heat transfer to the coffee beans, i.e. to the coffee bed. For this reason, the temperature sensor does not tell about the actual temperature of the coffee beans. In other words, the coffee bed acts as a low-pass filter for the heat. Furthermore, the position of the sensor has a strong influence on the measured temperature, which complicates reproducibility.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks, i.e. in particular to measure more reliably and more easily (e.g. at lower cost) the temperature of coffee beans roasted by said apparatus.

[0007] 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

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for roasting coffee beans. The apparatus comprises a chamber in which coffee beans can be received for roasting, and a device for roasting the coffee beans received in the chamber. The chamber is defined at least by a bottom and a sidewall extending from the bottom, the sidewall having an outer surface oriented in a direction away from the (interior) of the chamber. A temperature sensor is provided (i.e. located) on the outer surface of the sidewall for sensing (i.e. measuring) the temperature inside the chamber.

[0009] The temperature sensor therefore measures the temperature inside the chamber and thus the temperature of the coffee beans received in the chamber indirectly, i.e. through the side wall. In other words, the side wall, as part of the body of the chamber, acts as a kind of low-pass filter and allows the actual temperature of the coffee beans to be monitored. Since the coffee beans, when received in the chamber, are usually in direct contact with the (inner surface of) the side wall, due to the arrangement of the temperature sensor on the side wall, the temperature sensor is located close to the coffee beans, i.e. very close. The temperature sensor can therefore measure the actual temperature of the coffee beans received in the chamber with even greater reliability. Also, since the temperature sensor is provided on the outer surface of the side wall (i.e. on and / or in contact with it), the temperature sensor is not located in direct contact with the coffee beans and other by-products generated during roasting of the coffee beans (coffee chaff, dirt, etc.), and the temperature sensor is not or is not exposed to much wear. The temperature sensor therefore does not require complex protection (encapsulation, housing, etc.) to prevent deviations in the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor due to the accumulation of dirt on the sensor. Thus, for example, the temperature sensor can be a low cost temperature sensor.

[0010] The chamber may have a height up to which the coffee beans can be received in the chamber, and the temperature sensor is located at or below this height. In other words, the temperature sensor may be located such that when the coffee beans are received in the chamber, there is a side wall between the coffee beans and the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is therefore provided opposite or (slightly) higher than the coffee beans (coffee bed). The temperature sensor is therefore in a position to reliably measure the temperature inside the chamber, and thus the temperature of the coffee beans received in the chamber.

[0011] The outer surface of the side wall may comprise a recess, the temperature sensor being at least partially, preferably completely, located within the recess. The recess facilitates bringing the temperature sensor closer to the interior of the chamber and thus to the coffee beans, thereby increasing in particular the reliability of measuring the temperature within the chamber. Furthermore, the recess also securely accommodates the temperature sensor, thereby also providing improved protection for the temperature sensor.

[0012] The recess may be configured to form a protrusion on the inner surface of the side wall, the inner surface being oriented to face the chamber interior. Thus, forming a recess on the outside of the side wall results in a protrusion being formed at the same time on the inner surface of the side wall, such as by manufacturing the recess in a dedicated forming process. The protrusion on the inner surface of the side wall may be used as an obstacle or deflector (i.e. baffle) element for the coffee beans moving along the inner surface of the side wall inside the chamber, thereby adding a stirring or turbulent effect to the coffee beans by the obstacle or deflector provided by means of the protrusion. Thus, the protrusion may be arranged in direct contact with the coffee beans received in the chamber, thereby disturbing the (rotational) movement of the stirring coffee beans and increasing the turbulence. Furthermore, the protrusion also increases the inner surface of the side wall, i.e. the surface inside the chamber, and thus allows to increase the responsiveness of the temperature sensor.

[0013] The recesses may be formed in the side wall by embossing. Thus, by embossing the side wall, recesses and preferably also protrusions at the same time can be provided very efficiently.

[0014] The temperature sensor may be configured to transmit a first signal related to the sensed (i.e. measured) temperature in order to display the sensed temperature, for example to display the sensed temperature on a user interface or display unit. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be configured to transmit the first signal for displaying the sensed temperature on a (remote) user device (e.g. on an app running on a smartphone) wirelessly connected to the device or the temperature sensor. The wireless connection may be provided by short-range communication such as Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, etc. Thus, the user of the device can receive reliable feedback on the temperature inside the chamber, i.e. the temperature of the coffee beans, without the need for the transmission of a signal of another temperature sensor, in particular a temperature sensor used for the control of the roasting of the device.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be configured to transmit a first signal related to the sensed temperature in order to determine the presence of the chamber based on the sensed temperature and / or electrical resistance. In other words, the temperature sensor may be used simultaneously as a presence sensor. Thus, an additional sensor for sensing the presence of the chamber may be omitted, thereby simplifying and miniaturizing the device. The presence may be sensed by sensing the (temperature) resistance due to the sidewall and thus the chamber.

[0016] The apparatus may comprise a control unit configured to control the device for roasting coffee beans. In an optional configuration of the control unit, the control unit may control the device for roasting coffee beans based on the transmitted first signal of the temperature sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be configured to control the device for roasting coffee beans based on a second signal related to the roasting temperature sensed by a further temperature sensor of the apparatus. The further temperature sensor may be arranged in the air flow generated for roasting by the device, such as before the chamber and / or between the device and the chamber. Thus, the further temperature sensor may have an enhanced responsiveness to the actual temperature of the coffee beans compared to the (first) temperature sensor, thereby facilitating a more precise control of the roasting process in the chamber. For example, the control unit may be configured to control the device for roasting coffee beans based only on the second signal of the further temperature sensor. Thus, the (first) temperature sensor does not need to be designed for precise control of roasting coffee beans in the chamber of the device, thereby making the (first) temperature sensor less complex (e.g. lower cost).

[0017] The control unit may be configured to determine the presence of the chamber based on the received first signal, and the control unit may be configured to prevent the device from roasting coffee beans when the first signal is not received or when the first signal exceeds or falls below a defined threshold or range. Not receiving the first signal may be, for example, when the chamber, and thus the temperature sensor, is not functionally (electrically) connected to the control unit because the chamber and thus the temperature sensor are removed from the device. The defined threshold or range may be or include the ambient temperature (such as about 20°C).

[0018] The device, preferably the control unit, can be configured to apply a correction factor to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The correction factor thus takes into account effects that may lead to a deviation of the sensed temperature from the actual temperature inside the chamber, the coffee beans fed therein, respectively. These effects may include, for example, the thermal inertia of the sidewalls. The correction factor may depend on the geometric and / or material properties of the sidewalls. Since the geometry and / or material of the sidewalls may have a particular effect on the thermal inertia of the sidewalls, taking into account these characteristics of the sidewalls results in a particularly good correction factor for calculating the actual (i.e. corrected) temperature.

[0019] The device may comprise a user interface and / or a display unit, preferably configured to display the sensed temperature based on the transmitted or received first signal and / or second signal. Additionally or alternatively, the device may comprise a communication interface for wireless communication with a user device, such as a smartphone. The communication interface may be adapted to communicate with the user device using short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, etc.

[0020] The device may comprise a receptacle, the receptacle comprising a chamber. The receptacle is preferably removably attached to the device. The receptacle thus facilitates easy removal of the chamber from the device, for example for removing the roasted coffee beans from the chamber (such as by gravity) and / or for cleaning the chamber.

[0021] The receiver may comprise a handle, which is arranged such that at least in a plan view (i.e. a top view) of the receiver, the handle covers the temperature sensor. The handle therefore in particular protects the temperature sensor from above. In addition to the function of manipulating the receiver by means of the handle, the handle therefore also provides protection for the temperature sensor. The protection of the temperature sensor is therefore increased in a very simple manner, without the need for additional protective elements.

[0022] The temperature sensor is preferably arranged fixedly relative to the chamber (e.g. fixedly attached to the outer surface) so that when the chamber is moved, for example when the receptacle is removed, the temperature sensor moves with the chamber. This has the advantage that the temperature sensor is always in good thermal contact with the chamber and there is no risk of the temperature sensor being mispositioned relative to the chamber. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be arranged to remain stationary, i.e. fixedly attached to the device (and therefore not fixedly placed relative to the chamber or the outer surface), when the chamber is moved, for example when the receptacle is removed. In other words, when the chamber is attached to the device, the temperature sensor can be in contact with the outer surface of the side wall, in particular the recess. This has the advantage that there is no risk of damaging the temperature sensor when the chamber or the receptacle is removed.

[0023] The device may be configured to generate an air flow to agitate the coffee beans received by the chamber. Agitation of the coffee beans is particularly advantageous for good roasting of the coffee beans. As mentioned above, the protrusions on the inner surface of the side wall can easily increase this agitation by acting as an obstacle or deflection element located in the air flow generated by the device. The device may be configured to generate an air flow such that the introduction of the air flow into the chamber results in a fluidized bed. The fluidized bed then contains the coffee beans, thereby agitating them. The apparatus may therefore be a fluidized bed coffee roaster. In other words, the device can be adapted for fluidized bed technology.

[0024] The device may be configured to generate a heated airflow to roast the coffee beans received within the chamber. Preferably, the device comprises a heating unit for heating the airflow. For example, fresh air is drawn in and subsequently heated by the heating unit and finally flows into the interior of the chamber as the heated airflow for roasting the coffee beans received inside the chamber.

[0025] The apparatus may be a household appliance (i.e. a household appliance device). The apparatus 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 apparatus is a domestic solution, in particular allowing fresh and / or personal roasting of coffee beans. Thus, with the apparatus a domestic (coffee) roasting solution may be provided.

[0026] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a further schematic exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the connector for the temperature sensor is particularly visible. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a detailed schematic exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a chamber of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3, with an optionally provided receiver containing the chamber. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a further schematic perspective view of the chamber shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the device 1 is exemplarily shown in Figures 1 and 2. The device 1 is adapted to roast coffee beans. More specifically, the device 1 is adapted to transform unroasted 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 unroasted coffee beans in order to generate a characteristic flavor of the roasted coffee beans and thus of the coffee beverage prepared from the coffee beans thus roasted. 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.

[0029] Furthermore, the device 1 may be adapted to collect the chaff of the coffee beans thus roasted. That is, green coffee beans typically have a (green and / or dry) skin, especially when first harvested from the coffee plant. The chaff may also be referred to as the shell of the coffee bean. 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 such chaff of the coffee beans thus roasted does not remain on the roasted coffee beans, since consumers do not want, for example, chaff inside the grinder and / or beverage preparation machine and thus inside the coffee beverage. Therefore, the chaff may be collected by the device 1 so that it does not remain with the final product, which is the roasted coffee beans.

[0030] The device 1 exemplarily illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted for small-scale coffee roasting (i.e. on-site coffee roasting) and is therefore not particularly a large-scale (industrial) roasting device or machine. The device 1 is therefore particularly suitable for use on the business-to-business (e.g. coffee shop) side and / or on the business-to-consumer side, typically consumers 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 a beverage preparation machine. The device 1 therefore has a size and weight that allows it to be carried, preferably by one person, in particular without the need for a dedicated transport mechanism.

[0031] The device 1 comprises a chamber 10 in which coffee beans are received for roasting. The chamber 10 is preferably configured to be removable. The chamber 10 may be designed as a tank or a container. For example, the chamber 10 is defined by a bottom 11 and a side wall 12 extending from the bottom 11. Thus, when the coffee beans are received in the chamber 10, they 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 (unroasted) beans in order to roast the coffee beans. 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 be provided with one or more holes (i.e. vents), which facilitate the flow of heat and / or air (for heating and / or cooling) into the chamber 10 and to treat the coffee beans accordingly. The sidewall 12 preferably includes vents for ventilation inside the chamber 10. The vents may be evenly distributed along the sidewall 12. As shown, each vent may have a rectangular shape. However, each vent is not limited to a particular shape and may be any shape. The vents may be provided in a lower portion of the sidewall 12, such as adjacent the bottom 11.

[0032] The chamber 10 may comprise 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 the introduction of coffee beans into the chamber 10. That is to say, the chamber 10 can be filled with coffee beans via the opening 13. The opening 13 preferably also defines an access direction for at least removing coffee beans from the chamber 10 and preferably for introducing 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 the distal end of the side wall 12. Thus, the opening 13 may be located 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.

[0033] The device 1 may comprise a receptacle 14 with a chamber 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the receptacle 14 may be removably attached to the device 1, for example via a form and / or a 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 receptacle 14 is preferably automatically attached to the device 1 by its removably designed attachment, which causes the receptacle 14 to be in 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.

[0034] 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 gripped 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 the plane in which the opening 13 spans. 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. For safe handling of the receiver 14 by the handle 16, the handle 16 preferably comprises or consists of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as plastic. Thus, the material of the handle may have a lower thermal conductivity than the material of 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 a high thermal conductivity, such as a metal.

[0035] 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 13is preferably flush with the top 22. The housing 20 may also comprise a side wall 23, which extends from the bottom 21 to the top 22 and preferably circumferentially surrounds the chamber 10. If present, the housing 20 may be designed to receive the receiver 14, such that the receiver 14 is in a defined position when the receiver 14 is attached to the housing 20 and thus to the device 1. For example, the housing 20, in particular at its top 22, may comprise a receiving part or receiving section 24, on which the receiver 14, e.g. its flange 15 and / or handle 16, is supported for attaching the receiver 14 to the device 1. The receiving part 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 part 24 may be designed to cooperate with the receiver 14 and / or the flange 15 and / or the handle 16 to attach and position the receiver 14 accordingly in the device 1. The receiving portion 24 may be formed as a recess in the housing 20. 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.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 further comprises a device 80 (for example comprising a fan) for generating an air flow inside the chamber 10. This air flow can be used to roast the coffee beans received in the chamber 10. For example, the apparatus 1 or the device 80 may further comprise a heater (heating unit) for heating (fresh) air, the device transporting 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 transport (fresh) air, such as ambient air. Thus, to provide an air flow for cooling, the device may simply remain activated and the heater is simply placed in a deactivated state, i.e. turned off.

[0037] The apparatus 1 may also comprise a control unit for controlling the roasting of the coffee beans accordingly, 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 such that the devices and / or heaters accordingly roast and / or cool the coffee beans received by the chamber 10.

[0038] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the device 1 may comprise 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 include a control element for (and off) switching the device 1 on (and off) (e.g. an on / off control element) and / or a control element for adjusting the roast level of the coffee beans roasted in the chamber 10. The user interface 30 may only have one control element for starting and stopping and switching the device 1 on (and off). 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 , ie on the user side of the device 1 .

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The apparatus 1 may further comprise 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. To particularly well collect the chaff by the chaff collector 50, the chaff collector 50 and the (air flow generating) device may be suitably arranged with respect to each other. For example, the device may be configured such that the air flow generated by the device drives the chaff of the coffee beans towards the chaff collector 50 so that the chaff is collected by the chaff collector 50 (in the closed position of the chaff collector 50, as shown below).

[0042] 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 be located at the top 22 of the housing 20.

[0043] The chaff collector 50 may be configured to be movable with respect to a particular axis of movement and moved between a closed position and an open position, i.e. to the closed position or to the open position. The particular axis of movement is preferably a fixed axis of movement with respect to the device 1. By "fixed axis of movement" it is to be understood that the position and the orientation of the axis of movement is fixed with respect to the device 1, in particular with respect to the housing 20 and / or the further housing part 40.

[0044] In the closed position, the chaff collector 50 is 13 Thus, in this position, 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 It is not possible to access the chamber 10 via

[0045] 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 correspondingly formed in the housing 20, preferably having a rounded shape with a diameter that corresponds 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.

[0046] 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 13Thus, 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 not covered at all, i.e., when viewed from above (i.e., in the vertical or access direction) of the device 1, the opening 13 and the chaff collector 50 preferably do not overlap.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the axis of movement may be 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 may 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 may be defined by a joint or hinge 60. For example, the joint 60 may comprise a first joint element (e.g. on the side of the chaff collector 50) and a second joint element (e.g. on the 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.

[0048] 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 the closed position and the open position by linear movement along this 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 other joint element.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 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).

[0050] 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. When a receiving element 52, described below, for receiving the chaff collector 50 is present, the locking mechanism 70 is adapted to selectively lock or unlock the receiving element 52 relative to the chamber 10. Thus, the description of the locking mechanism 70 with respect to the chaff collector 50 applies equally to the locking mechanism 70 for locking or unlocking the receiving element 52 relative to the chamber 10.

[0051] 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. To lock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, the locking mechanism 70 may be adapted to cooperate with fixed parts of the device 1, such as the housing 20 and / or the receptacle 14 and / or the opening 13. This allows the chaff collector 50 to be reliably locked relative to the chamber 10. For example, the locking mechanism 70 comprises a locking part provided on a side of the chaff collector 50 or on the chaff collector 50, which is adapted to cooperate with a correspondingly formed part of the above-mentioned fixed parts, for example by engaging with each other, to be locked or to remain locked relative to the chamber 10. The locking mechanism 70 may comprise an operating element 72 (for example 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 the chaff collector 50 side or on the chamber 10 side. The operating element 72 may be located on the joint 60 , on the receiver 14 , or on the housing 20 .

[0052] 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 13In the intermediate position, the opening is not covered by the chaff collector 50 as much as in the closed position. 13 The area covered by the chaff collector 50 in the intermediate position is preferably greater than the area covered 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 axial grooves form a gap, for example a gap having only a few millimeters.

[0053] 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.

[0054] To lock the chaff collector 50 relative to the chamber 10, a user may simply manually move the chaff collector 50 to the closed position. When the chaff collector 50 reaches the closed position, then the locking mechanism 70 automatically or manually 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 bring the locking mechanism 70 into the locked position when the chaff collector 50 is in the closed position.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the axis of movement may extend vertically, and the opening 13The chaff collector 50 is configured to be able to access the chamber 10 also along this vertical direction, i.e. the axis of movement of the chaff collector 50 is substantially parallel to the access direction of the chamber 10. The chaff collector 50 can therefore be moved in a plane, the plane being parallel to the opening. 13 (For example, opening 13 The opening 50 may be substantially parallel to the opening 52 (the plane in which the opening 52 extends) and / or to the surface on which the device 1 is placed, thereby allowing the chaff collector 50 to be moved between the open and closed positions. The device 1 may thus have (substantially) the same height in both the open and closed positions, in particular a height differing by a few millimeters. In the intermediate position, the device 1 may have approximately the same height, differing for example by a few millimeters from the open and / or closed positions. This height may be determined by the opening 52 when the device 1 is configured to be operated, i.e. in particular to be operated for roasting coffee beans, e.g. 13 The chamber 10 is accessed vertically. In The height is measured vertically when the device 1 is placed on the surface.

[0056] As seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the device 1 or the chaff collector 50 may comprise a receiving element 52. The receiving element 52 is adapted to receive the chaff collector 50, preferably 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 provided relative 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 to or complement a section of the chaff collector 50 or a 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. The receiving element 52 may be configured to be movable, resulting in the chaff collector 50 being configured to be movable relative to a movement axis for moving between a closed position and an open position. For example, the receiving element 52 includes a joint 60 or at least a portion of a joint 60 that is one such joint element.

[0057] In other embodiments, the axis of movement may extend in a different direction, such as horizontally. Thus, the axis of movement may be substantially perpendicular to the access direction of the chamber 10. This allows the chaff collector 50 and the opening 14 to move in a substantially parallel manner as the chaff collector 50 moves between the closed and open positions. 13 (For example, opening 13 The angle between the chaff collector 50 and the surface on which the device is placed (the plane on which the chaff collector 50 extends) varies. More specifically, this angle may be substantially 0° in the closed position, and this angle is substantially 90° when the chaff collector 50 is in the open position. Thus, the device 1 may have a higher height in the open position than in the closed position.

[0058] The receiver 14 may be configured such that by removing the receiver 14 from the device 1, for example from the housing 20, the chaff collector 50 is moved or pushed to reach the open position. Thus, the user does not need to directly touch the chaff collector 50 in order to move it to the open position. For example, by moving the receiver 14 along a 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 a vertical direction, both removes the receiver 14 from the device 1 and moves the chaff collector 50 to the open position. Thus, the 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 low 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 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] Figures 4 and 5 show the chamber 10 in more detail. As shown in these figures, the sidewall surface 12 comprises an outer surface 121 oriented in a direction away from the chamber 10, i.e. away from the interior of the chamber 10 where the coffee beans are received. The outer surface 121 is therefore the side of the sidewall 12 that cannot come into direct contact with the coffee beans received in the chamber 10. Accordingly, the sidewall 12 also comprises an inner surface 122, which is oriented to face the interior of the chamber 10. The inner surface 122 is therefore the side of the sidewall 12 that can come into direct contact with the coffee beans received in the chamber 10. In other words, the sidewall 12 comprises a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface being the outer surface 121 and the rear surface being the inner surface 122.

[0061] According to the invention, the device 1 comprises a temperature sensor 90. The temperature sensor 90 is provided (or arranged) on (or on) the outer surface 121 of the side wall 12. The temperature sensor 90 is therefore arranged, in particular, outside the chamber 10, rather than inside the chamber 10. The temperature sensor 90 is configured to sense (i.e. measure) the temperature inside the chamber 10. Thus, when the coffee beans are received in the chamber 10 for roasting, the temperature sensor 90 can measure (i.e. sense) the temperature of the coffee beans. In this way, the temperature sensor 90 does not need to be in direct contact with the coffee beans to measure their temperature. The temperature of the coffee beans is therefore sensed indirectly, i.e. through the side wall 12. Since the side wall 12 usually has a relatively thin wall thickness, the influence of the side wall 12 on the measurement of the temperature by the temperature sensor 90 is not significant, or at least is controlled. The side wall 12 therefore provides protection for the temperature sensor 90, preventing smoke or dirt, especially resulting from coffee roasting by-products (coffee chaff, fines, etc.), from accumulating on the temperature sensor 90. Thus, drifts in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 90 are very easily avoided, especially without the need to encapsulate or house the temperature sensor 90 in a complex manner.

[0062] To efficiently sense the temperature inside the chamber 10 using the temperature sensor 90, the chamber 10 may include a thermal grease (such as a heat paste) to increase heat transfer from the interior of the chamber 10 to the temperature sensor 90. For example, the thermal grease is preferably applied only around the periphery of the temperature sensor 90 and / or only between the temperature sensor 90 and the exterior surface 121 of the sidewall 12. In other examples, the chamber 10 does not include thermal grease.

[0063] The temperature sensor 90 is not limited to a particular configuration or location, so long as the temperature sensor 90 is located on the outer surface 121 of the side wall 12. Preferably, the temperature sensor 90 is located adjacent to and / or opposite the coffee beans received in the chamber 10 (the "coffee bed"). For example, the chamber 10 can have a height up to which the chamber 10 can receive coffee beans therein. This height may be lower than the opening 13 and / or the flange 15. Thus, there may be a space between that height on one side and the opening 13 and / or the flange 15 on the other side that is not dedicated to receiving coffee beans. Having this height, the temperature sensor 90 can be located at or below this height to accurately sense the temperature of the coffee beans. Also, the temperature sensor 90 may be located slightly above that height.

[0064] With respect to the handle 16 of the receptacle 14, the temperature sensor 90 may be positioned such that the handle 16 at least partially covers the temperature sensor 90 when viewed along a particular viewing direction. For example, in a plan view (i.e., top view) of the receptacle 14, i.e., when viewed along a vertical direction (e.g., along the access direction of the opening 13), the handle 16 may cover the temperature sensor 90. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 16 may also cover the temperature sensor 90 when viewed in one or more further viewing directions. For example, when viewed in a side view of the receptacle 14 (such as when viewed horizontally), the handle 16 may at least partially, preferably completely, cover the temperature sensor 90. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the handle 16 and the temperature sensor 90 may be positioned in the same (vertical) plane.

[0065] The outer surface 121 of the side wall 12 may comprise a recess (dedicated recessed section) 123, in which the temperature sensor 90 is at least partially, preferably completely, arranged. The recess 123 thus receives and / or houses the temperature sensor 90. The recess 123 thus serves as a protection for the temperature sensor 90. Furthermore, the recess 123 facilitates that the temperature sensor 90 may be closer to the interior of the chamber 10 and thus closer to the coffee beans received in the chamber 10. The recess 123 is preferably formed correspondingly or complementary to the temperature sensor 90. The recess 123 may extend along the longitudinal direction and / or the vertical direction. The recess 123 may be formed such that when the temperature sensor 90 is arranged in the recess 123, at least a part of the temperature sensor 90 does not protrude from the recess 123. Thus, the temperature sensor 90 can be arranged very effectively. The temperature sensor 90 may thus be arranged such that the temperature sensor 90 does not protrude from the outer surface 121. Therefore, the temperature sensor 90 is prevented from interfering with other parts of the device 1, such as the chamber 10 and parts for receiving the receptacle 14, respectively, particularly during installation and removal of the receptacle 14 from the device 1.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the recess 123 may be configured to form a protrusion 124 on the inner surface 122 of the side wall 12. By forming the recess 123 in the side wall 12, for example by a dedicated forming process, the side wall 12 can protrude into the chamber 10, thereby forming the protrusion 124. The process of forming the recess 123, and thus the protrusion 124, may be an embossing process. Thus, the recess 123 may be formed by embossing in the side wall 12. However, the recess 123 may be formed as an embossing in the side wall 12, without necessarily requiring the protrusion 124. The protrusion 124 may be arranged to be in direct contact with the coffee beans received in the chamber 10. The protrusion 124 may therefore be used as a deflection and / or obstruction element for the coffee beans moving, i.e. being stirred, inside the chamber 10 by the air flow generated by the device 80. Thus, the deflecting and / or obstructing function of the protrusions 124 provides an agitating effect to the coffee beans such that the coffee beans are more agitated due to the deflection / obstruction compared to a design without the protrusions 124. This enhanced agitation of the coffee beans in the chamber 10 improves the roasting of the coffee beans inside the chamber 10. More specifically, the coffee beans travel along the inner surface 122, hit the protrusions 124, and are then deflected away from the inner surface 122.

[0067] The temperature sensor 90 may be used for different functions in which the signal transmitted from the temperature sensor 90 is used. For example, the control unit, the user interface 30, the display unit, and / or the device 80 may be functionally connected to the temperature sensor 90. More specifically, the temperature sensor 90 may be configured to transmit a first signal related to the sensed temperature. The first signal may be used to display the sensed temperature, such as on the user interface 30 and / or the display unit. The display unit may include the user interface 30. Additionally or alternatively, the first signal transmitted by the temperature sensor 90 may also be used to determine the presence of the chamber 10, the receptacle 14, respectively, based on the sensed temperature. For example, the absence of the chamber 10 may be detected as soon as the aforementioned functional connection of the temperature sensor 90 with a particular component of the apparatus 1 is no longer present.

[0068] In particular, the temperature sensor 90 may be used in conjunction with the control unit for roasting coffee beans and / or determining the presence of the chamber 10, etc. To roast the coffee beans, the temperature sensor 90 may transmit a first signal to the control unit, which controls the device 80 based on this first signal. For example, if the first signal is below a certain target value (target temperature), the control unit may control the device 80 to send additional heated air into the chamber 10 accordingly to reach the target value. To determine the presence of the chamber 10, the control unit may be configured to determine the presence of the chamber 10 based on the received first signal. Thus, the control unit avoids the device 80 from roasting coffee beans when it does not receive the first signal. Thus, in this case, the control unit does not operate the device 80 for roasting. The first signal may not be received because the temperature sensor 90 is not functionally connected, i.e. disconnected, to the control unit or to a dedicated connector functionally connected to the control unit. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be configured to prevent the device 80 from roasting coffee beans when it receives a first signal that is above or below a defined threshold or range. The threshold or range may be or include an ambient temperature (such as about 20° C.).

[0069] The control unit may control the device 80 to roast the coffee beans based on a second signal related to the roasting temperature in addition to or as an alternative to the control based on the first signal. Thus, the apparatus 1 may comprise a further (second) temperature sensor for sensing the roasting temperature and subsequently transmitting a second signal related to the roasting temperature. The further temperature sensor may be arranged such that its responsiveness to the actual temperature of the coffee beans is enhanced compared to the responsiveness of the (first) temperature sensor. For example, the further temperature sensor may be arranged in direct contact with the airflow generated by the device 80 and / or the coffee beans received in the chamber. With respect to the flow of the airflow generated by the apparatus 80 and thus flowing from the device 80 into the chamber 10, the further temperature sensor may be arranged upstream of the chamber 10, such as between the device 80 and the chamber 10.

[0070] In a particularly preferred embodiment, only the further temperature sensor is used to control the device 80 for roasting the coffee beans. Thus, no temperature sensor 90 may be provided for the control of the device 80. The temperature sensor 90 may therefore only be provided for displaying the sensed temperature and / or for determining the presence of the chamber 10. The temperature sensor 90 therefore ensures to provide a sensed temperature inside the chamber 10, i.e. of the coffee beans received therein. Thus, even if the temperature sensor 90 may have a reduced responsiveness compared to the further temperature sensor, the temperature sensor 90 nevertheless informs the user of the apparatus 1 about the actual temperature inside the chamber 10. This may be advantageous in particular for maintenance purposes and for more reliable information about the actual temperature of the coffee beans.

[0071] Since the temperature sensor 90 indirectly measures the temperature inside the chamber 10, in particular the temperature of the coffee beans contained therein, via the side wall 12, the measured temperature may not exactly correspond to the actual temperature to be measured or may deliver the actual temperature with a delay. This may be due to the structure of the side wall 12, which has thermal inertia, delaying the transmission of the actual temperature by the temperature sensor 90. For this reason, the device 1, preferably the control unit, may apply a correction factor to the (first signal related to) temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 90. For example, the correction factor is applied to the sensed temperature such that the corrected temperature is above or below the sensed temperature. Thus, even if the side wall 12 may distort the sensed temperature to a certain extent, this extent may be eliminated or at least reduced by the correction factor. The correction factor may depend on the properties of the side wall 12 that contribute to the thermal inertia of the side wall 12. For example, the correction factor depends on the geometric shape and / or the material properties of the side wall 12.

[0072] The temperature sensor 90 is not limited to a specific temperature sensor. In particular, due to the specific arrangement of the temperature sensor, which prevents the temperature sensor from being exposed to wear and / or dirt due to contact with coffee beans or smoke, no complex design (encapsulation, housing, etc.) is required for the temperature sensor 90. For example, an inexpensive temperature sensor can be used as the temperature sensor 90. Since the temperature sensor 90 is preferably not used for control purposes but for example only for feedback for the user, the temperature sensor 90 may have a reduced dynamic performance compared to further temperature sensors. Since the temperature range at the outer surface 121 of the side wall 12 is smaller than the temperature range in the air flow generated by the device 80, the temperature sensor 90 does not have to operate in a particularly wide temperature range. For example, the temperature sensor 90 may be an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) sensor.

[0073] The temperature sensor 90 may be arranged fixedly relative to the chamber 10. The temperature sensor 90 may therefore move together with the chamber 10 when the chamber is moved, for example when it is moved for removal from the device 1. As can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B, the device 1 may comprise an (electrical) connector (e.g. in the form of contact elements 91, 92 such as one or more pins 91 and / or one or more sockets 92) that is disconnected from the temperature sensor 90 when the chamber 10, and thus the temperature sensor 90, is removed from the device 1. When the chamber is attached to the device 1 (i.e. for roasting), the temperature sensor 90 can automatically connect to the connector. For example, the device 1 may be designed such that when the chamber 10, and in particular the receptacle 14, is attached to the device 1, the temperature sensor 90 is automatically brought to a specific position and / or orientation such that the temperature sensor 90 can be connected to the connector. In particular, cooperation of the handle 16 with the receiving part or section 24 can bring about this specific position and / or orientation. When the temperature sensor 90 is connected to the connector, the connector thus provides a functional connection between the temperature sensor 90 and the respective part of the device 1, such as the control unit. The (electrical) connection between the temperature sensor 90 and the connector may be a male-female connection. For example, one of the temperature sensor 90 and the connector comprises one or more female contact elements 92 (e.g. arranged on the side of the chamber 10, in particular arranged on the receptacle 14 and / or on the handle 16, preferably arranged on the side of the handle 16 downwards, i.e. towards the device 80), and the corresponding other of the temperature sensor 90 and the connector comprises one or more male contact elements 91 (arranged on the corresponding side of the device 1 or machine body, e.g. fixed relative to the housing 20 and / or arranged adjacent to or in the section 24), which are adapted to cooperate with the female contact elements 92 to provide a connection between the temperature sensor 90 and the connector.

[0074] In another embodiment, the temperature sensor 90 may also remain stationary when the chamber 10 is moved, for example when it is moved to be removed from the device 1. Thus, when the chamber 10 is mounted on the device 1 (i.e. for roasting), the outer surface 121 may be automatically positioned and / or oriented such that the temperature sensor is located on the outer surface 131 of the side wall 12, such as in the recess 123. Thus, the temperature sensor 90 may remain fixed at all times, for example with respect to the housing 20. For example, the device 1 may be designed such that when the chamber 10, in particular the receptacle 14, is mounted on the device 1, the outer surface 121, in particular the recess 123, is automatically brought to a specific position and / or orientation, and the temperature sensor 90 may be located on the outer surface 121, such as in the recess 123. In particular, cooperation of the handle 16 and the receiving part or section 24 may bring about this specific position and / or orientation.

[0075] 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, comprising: A roasting apparatus comprising: a chamber (10) in which coffee beans can be received for roasting; and a device (80) for roasting the coffee beans received in said chamber (10), The chamber (10) is defined at least by a bottom (11) and a sidewall (12) extending from the bottom (11), the sidewall (12) having an outer surface (121) facing away from the chamber (10); a temperature sensor (90) is provided on the outer surface (121) of the side wall (12) for sensing the temperature inside the chamber (10); the chamber (10) has a height up to which the chamber (10) can receive the coffee beans therein, the temperature sensor (90) being located at or below the height, The apparatus (1), wherein the outer surface (121) of the side wall (12) comprises a recess (123), and the temperature sensor (90) is at least partially disposed within the recess (123).

2. 2. The apparatus (1) of claim 1, wherein the recess (123) is configured to form a protrusion (124) on an inner surface (122) of the side wall (12), the inner surface (122) being oriented to face the interior of the chamber (10).

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (124) is arranged to be in direct contact with the coffee beans received in the chamber (10).

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (123) is formed in the side wall (12) by embossing.

5. The apparatus (1) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor (90) is configured to transmit a first signal related to the sensed temperature to indicate the sensed temperature, and / or the temperature sensor (90) is configured to transmit a first signal related to the sensed temperature to determine the presence of the chamber (10) based on the sensed temperature and / or electrical resistance.

6. An apparatus (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit configured to control the device (80) for roasting the coffee beans.

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) is configured to apply a correction factor to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor (90).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises a user interface (30) or a display unit and / or the apparatus (1) further comprises a communication interface for wireless communication with a user device.

9. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a receiver (14), said receiver (14) comprising said chamber (10).

10. 10. The device (1) of claim 9, wherein the receiver (14) comprises a handle (16), the handle (16) being arranged so as to cover the temperature sensor (90) at least in a plan view of the receiver (14).

11. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the temperature sensor (90) is arranged fixedly relative to the chamber (10) such that the temperature sensor (90) moves with the chamber (10) when the chamber (10) is moved, or the temperature sensor (90) is arranged to remain stationary when the chamber (10) is moved.

12. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (80) is configured to generate an air flow for stirring the coffee beans received in the chamber (10) and / or the device (80) is configured to generate a heated air flow for roasting the coffee beans received in the chamber (10).

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

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