Method for delivering ground coffee

Abstract

The method relates to a method for delivering ground coffee for preparing a coffee beverage, and comprises the steps of providing a machine 110 comprising one or more containers 13, 14 for containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices 60, 70 for dispensing the coffee beans contained in the one or more containers, and a grinder 30 for receiving the coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices, the grinder being configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding, setting the grinder to be in a specific grinding position, delivering a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder by the one or more dosing devices after setting the grinder, and grinding the specific amount of coffee beans by the grinder, thereby delivering such ground coffee beans until the grinder is empty of coffee beans.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for delivering ground coffee, in particular for preparing a coffee drink. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems for delivering ground coffee are typically used in fully automatic beverage preparation machines. Fully automatic machines provide a fully automated process that starts with the incorporation of roasted coffee beans and ends with the delivery of a coffee beverage into a cup. Typically, the coffee beans are contained in a container, i.e., a canister, and are in direct contact with a grinder provided for grinding the roasted coffee beans. The grinder is therefore submerged in the coffee beans. The delivery of ground (ground) coffee can therefore be volumetrically measured either by time or by the number of revolutions of the grinder.

[0003] However, this process poses two major challenges. First, storing coffee beans in a container causes them to age and therefore deteriorate. That is, coffee beans, as a natural product, oxidize. Consumers can easily detect the taste of oxidized coffee beans. For example, internal sensory testing has shown that this oxidized taste can be detected when 80 micrograms of oxygen (O2) are absorbed per gram of coffee. This corresponds to a volume ratio of 3% oxygen / coffee or 15% air / coffee. According to the Coffee Freshness Handbook, first edition, published by the Specialty Coffee Association, even very low levels of oxygen (less than 2%) in packaged coffee have been found to transfer to the coffee and promote oxidation reactions. Furthermore, research has shown that certain aroma compounds in coffee begin to dissipate almost immediately after grinding, with the greatest percentage of chemical freshness loss occurring during the first month of storage, which can vary depending on the coffee blend, roast level, and extraction technique. Carbon dioxide also affects extraction. Since the freshness of the coffee increases the resistance to water flow and affects the contact between the brew water and the coffee, the espresso brewing parameters need to be adjusted to take into account how fresh the coffee is.

[0004] Second, it is impossible, or at least difficult, to adjust the grinder settings for a specific coffee beverage. This adjustment specifically requires adjusting the grinder to grind the coffee beans so that the ground coffee beans delivered have the grinding degree (i.e., particle size distribution, coarseness, or particle size) required for the desired coffee beverage. However, because the grinder is full of coffee beans, they block the grinder's movement to adjust it to grind at a specific grinding degree. For this reason, fully automatic machines use grinders with only one grinding setting, i.e., one grinding degree, for different beverages such as ristretto, espresso, and lungo. However, this leads to a compromise in the quality of the delivered beverage, since different coffee beverages require, among other things, different grinding degrees. For example, espresso requires a smaller particle size and therefore a smaller grinding degree than lungo to provide a good-tasting coffee beverage. That is, in pressure-extraction coffee machines (including fully automatic machines), the flow rate depends on the coffee grinding (i.e., particle size distribution). That is, finer particles are required for espresso and ristretto, which require a slower flow to extract an amount of substance from the coffee bed appropriate for the size of the drink, whereas lungo coffee requires coarser particles that provide a faster flow to extract an amount of substance from the coffee bed appropriate for a "longer" size drink without resulting in over-extraction.

[0005] In general, the extraction yield is a parameter that must be adjusted to prepare a good-tasting coffee beverage. It is the percentage by mass of coffee grounds dissolved in the brewed coffee. According to the Specialty Coffee Association-Europe (SCAE), to obtain a balanced, and therefore good-tasting, coffee beverage from an organoleptic point of view, it is desirable to achieve an extraction yield of 18-22% of the coffee bed, ideally 20%. To this end, and to maintain a 20% yield, baristas adapt the particle size, i.e., particle size distribution, to the specific coffee beverage. A value below the recommended yield is considered under-extracted, while a value above the recommended yield is considered over-extracted.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for delivering ground coffee to a beverage preparation machine and a method for delivering ground coffee to a beverage preparation machine that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, i.e., in particular, to provide a system and method that provides an improved automatic process for grinding coffee beans for different types of coffee beverages without compromising the quality of the different types of coffee beverages.

[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] 1. A system for delivering ground coffee, in particular for preparing coffee drinks, comprising one or more containers for containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices for delivering the coffee beans contained in the one or more containers, and a grinder for receiving the coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices in order to grind the coffee beans and thereafter deliver such ground coffee beans, the grinder being configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding.

[0009] The one or more dosing devices are arranged between the one or more containers and the grinder such that the one or more dosing devices may function (i.e. are able to function) as one or more holding elements for holding the coffee beans inside the one or more containers, thereby functioning as holding elements for delivering the coffee beans contained in the one or more containers. In other words, the one or more dosing devices are switchable between a holding mode and a delivery mode, where in the holding mode the one or more dosing devices function as one or more holding elements (i.e. the coffee beans contained in the one or more containers rest on and / or are supported by the one or more dosing devices without being delivered), and in the delivery mode the one or more dosing devices are configured to deliver the coffee beans contained in the one or more containers.

[0010] The system further comprises a control unit for controlling the one or more dosing devices and the grinder, the control unit being configured to control one or more of the one or more dosing devices to deliver a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder, and to control the grinder to grind the specific amount of coffee beans, thereby delivering such ground coffee beans until the grinder is empty of coffee beans so that the grinder can thereafter move to one of different grinding positions.

[0011] Thus, once a specific amount or quantity of coffee beans is ground, it is thereby delivered by the grinder, and the grinder is always empty of coffee beans. Thus, in a state where the grinder is empty of coffee beans, the grinder can be moved to a specific grinding position with a specific grind size to deliver ground coffee of a particle size specifically provided for a specific or desired type of coffee beverage. Thus, the system, and in particular the grinder, does not provide only one particle size of ground coffee, but rather a plurality of different particle sizes (in particular servings of ground coffee particles each having a different volume moment mean (De Brouckere mean diameter, D[4,3])) for a plurality of different coffee beverages. Thus, the system does not compromise between different types of coffee beverages.

[0012] Thus, the system may facilitate that not only the type of coffee beans (origin, roast level, etc.), a specific amount of ground coffee, a specific volume of water with a specific temperature, a specific pressure (drip, pressure, etc.), and extraction time, but also a specific grinding degree, i.e., a specific particle size of the ground coffee, can be automatically set by the system. Thus, the system can also deliver ground coffee of a particle size adapted to the coffee drink to be prepared from the requested ground coffee based on the user's request. Therefore, there is no risk, or the risk is at least significantly reduced, that the coffee drink prepared from the delivered ground coffee is under-extracted or over-extracted, thereby improving the quality of the coffee drink.

[0013] The grinding machine may comprise two grinding elements, spaced apart and movable relative to each other to grind the received coffee beans between them. In other words, the two grinding elements may define a gap into which the coffee beans can enter and into which they can be subsequently received for grinding. Thus, highly efficient grinding of the coffee beans is achieved. The two grinding elements, i.e., the gap, may also define an inlet for the coffee beans to enter the space between the two grinding elements and an outlet through which the ground coffee can be delivered by the grinding machine. In the relative movement of the two grinding elements, for example, rotational movement about a rotational movement axis, only one or both of the grinding elements may move.

[0014] The crusher may be configured to vary the distance over which the crushing element, and thus the crusher, is moved between different crushing positions, so that the crusher can be very easily moved between different crushing positions, i.e., to a desired one of the different crushing positions.

[0015] Each of the one or more containers may be connected to a corresponding one of the one or more dosing devices, so that preferably each of the one or more containers and the corresponding dosing device can be removed as a unit, and the system can therefore be very easy to make and / or very easy to maintain, in particular without sending coffee beans contained in the container out of the container during removal of the unit.

[0016] The system may further comprise a measuring unit configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the one or more dosing devices and to send a signal to the control unit indicative of the measured amount of coffee beans dispensed, which helps to provide a feedback loop for highly accurate dosing of the coffee beans.

[0017] Preferably, the measuring unit is part of and / or is located within one or more dosing devices. In other words, one or more dosing devices may also be adapted to perform the function of the measuring unit, i.e., one or more dosing devices may also be adapted to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed. Thus, a very compact arrangement is provided for both dispensing coffee beans and measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed. Furthermore, one or more dosing devices and the measuring unit can be moved together, i.e., as a unit. This improves assembly and maintenance of the one or more dosing devices and the measuring unit. Alternatively, the measuring unit may be provided separately from one or more dosing devices.

[0018] The measuring unit may be configured to measure the volume and / or weight and / or number of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices, so that the amount of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices may be calculated based on the volume and / or weight and / or number of coffee beans.

[0019] The system may comprise only one grinder, thus providing a very simple and compact design of the machine, especially if only one grinder is provided for multiple dosing devices and / or multiple containers. Alternatively, the system may comprise multiple grinders, each configured to receive coffee beans delivered by one or more of the dosing devices.

[0020] The system may further comprise one or more drive units, such as one or more motors, for moving the grinder, in particular the grinding elements, between different grinding positions and / or for operating the grinder to grind the coffee beans, preferably detachably connected to the grinder. For example, the system may comprise one drive unit for moving the grinder between different grinding positions and another drive unit for operating the grinder to grind the coffee beans. If the system comprises multiple grinders, the detachable connection facilitates detaching or removing one of the grinders from its respective drive unit while the other grinders continue the coffee bean grinding process. Thus, the system can be maintained and operated to deliver ground coffee simultaneously.

[0021] The grinder may be of the conical bar type or flat bar type.

[0022] The grinder may be adapted to grind the coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed (e.g. rotational speed). For example, based on control inputs, in particular based on the type of coffee beverage, the grinder may adjust the grinding speed. Additionally or alternatively, the grinder may be adapted to grind coffee beans of different types of coffee beverages at the same (constant) speed.

[0023] The system may further comprise a further retaining element configured to push the coffee beans received by the grinder towards the grinder, in particular into the gap defined by the two grinding elements, for grinding the coffee beans. This further retaining element therefore prevents the coffee beans from flying out of the grinder. Furthermore, the further retaining element facilitates the grinder to grind a certain amount of coffee beans quickly.

[0024] The control unit may be configured to receive a presence signal indicative of the presence and absence of coffee beans received by the grinder, and to control the grinder such that the grinder operates to grind, in particular by moving the two grinding elements relative to one another, at least until the control unit receives a presence signal indicative of the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder. In other words, a state of the grinder in which there are no coffee beans in the grinder can be identified based on the presence signal. The presence signal may be obtained by the control unit itself (e.g. by evaluating parameters for operating the grinder) or may be provided by means other than the control unit, for example transmitted by a presence sensor.

[0025] Preferably, the presence signal is based on a detected force and / or torque for operating the grinding machine to grind, in particular by moving the grinding elements relative to one another, and the control unit receives a presence signal indicating absence when the detected force and / or torque is below a defined threshold. In other words, the force and / or torque are detected to determine the end of the grinding process performed by the grinding machine. Thus, a very low-cost solution for providing a presence signal is provided, in particular without the need for additional sensors.

[0026] The control unit may be configured to receive a specific control input, and based on the specific control input, the control unit is configured to control the grinder to move to one of different grinding positions and / or based on the specific control input, the control unit is configured to control one or more of the dosing devices to deliver a specific amount of coffee beans, so that the system can provide ground coffee that is particularly well adapted to each requirement of the control input.

[0027] The control input may be a recipe, in particular a recipe for a coffee drink to be prepared.The system may further comprise a user interface operatively connected to the control unit for inputting the control input.

[0028] Each of the one or more containers may be an airtight container, preferably made at least in part from an oxygen barrier material, so that coffee beans contained within the container are prevented from deteriorating due to oxidation.

[0029] Each of the one or more dosing devices may be configured to function as a pump or a reverse pump to deliver the coffee beans, thus facilitating highly accurate dosing of the coffee beans, which can optionally return the coffee beans to their respective containers.

[0030] The system may further comprise a weighing unit configured to measure the weight of the ground coffee ground and delivered by the grinder and configured to send a signal indicative of the measured weight of the received ground coffee to the control unit, the control unit preferably being configured to control the grinder such that the grinder operates to grind, in particular by moving the two grinding elements relative to each other, until the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit at least corresponds to the amount of coffee beans measured by the measuring unit. In other words, the weighing unit may help to identify a state of the grinder where there are no coffee beans (i.e. no retained or remaining) in the grinder.

[0031] The system may further comprise a brewing unit for receiving the ground coffee beans delivered by the grinder and for brewing a coffee beverage with the ground coffee beans so received.

[0032] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying ground coffee for preparing a coffee beverage. The discussion regarding the system equally applies to the method. The method includes the steps of: providing a machine (e.g., according to the system described above) including one or more containers for containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans; one or more dosing devices for discharging the beans contained in the one or more containers; and a grinder for receiving the coffee beans discharged by the one or more dosing devices, the grinder being configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding; setting the grinder to a specific grinding position; discharging a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder by the one or more dosing devices after the grinder setting step (i.e., the grinder setting step is performed before the discharging step); and grinding the specific amount of coffee beans by the grinder, thereby discharging such ground beans until the grinder is empty.

[0033] The method may further comprise, after the grinding step, moving the grinder, preferably by a drive unit such as a motor, to one of different grinding positions.

[0034] The grinder may comprise two grinding elements spaced apart and movable relative to one another to grind the received coffee beans between the two grinding elements.

[0035] The method may further comprise the step of varying the distance to move the grinding element, and therefore the grinder, between different grinding positions.

[0036] The machine may have only one grinder.

[0037] The method may further include removing the grinder, such as by disconnecting it from the drive unit.

[0038] The grinder may be of the conical bar type or flat bar type.

[0039] The grinder may grind the coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed.

[0040] The method includes the steps of detecting the presence of coffee beans received by a grinder and detecting the presence of at least the coffee beans. of detection While , for example operating the grinder to grind until the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder is detected.

[0041] The method may further include sensing the force and / or torque applied to operate the grinder to grind, and stopping grinding when the sensed force and / or torque is below a defined threshold.

[0042] The method may further include inputting a particular control input and moving the grinder to one of different grinding positions based on the particular control input, and / or delivering a particular amount of coffee beans by one or more of the dosing devices based on the particular control input.

[0043] The control input may be a recipe, in particular a recipe for a coffee drink to be prepared.The machine may further comprise a user interface for inputting the control input.

[0044] The method may further comprise the step of forcing the coffee beans received by the grinder, for example by means of a retaining element, towards the grinder, in particular into the gap defined by the two grinding elements, in order to grind the coffee beans.

[0045] Each of the one or more containers may be connected to a corresponding one of the one or more input devices, and the method preferably further includes the step of removing at least one of the one or more containers and the corresponding input device as a unit.

[0046] Each of the one or more vessels may be an airtight container, preferably made at least in part from an oxygen barrier material.

[0047] Each of the one or more dosing devices may be configured to function as a pump or a reverse pump to deliver the coffee beans.

[0048] The method may further comprise measuring by a measuring unit an amount of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices and transmitting by the measuring unit a signal indicative of the measured amount of coffee beans delivered. The measuring unit may measure the volume and / or weight and / or number of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices.

[0049] The method may further comprise the steps of measuring by the weighing unit a weight of the ground coffee ground and delivered by the grinder, and transmitting by the weighing unit a signal indicative of the measured weight of the received ground coffee. Optionally, the method further comprises operating the grinder to grind, in particular by moving the two grinding elements relative to each other, until the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit at least corresponds to the amount of coffee beans measured by the measuring unit.

[0050] The method may further comprise the step of receiving the ground coffee beans delivered by the grinder by the brewing unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary coffee control brewing chart. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for delivering ground coffee; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a chart showing exemplary extraction yields of different coffee beverages that can be prepared with a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a coffee control brewing chart. The y-axis indicates strength, meaning how much coffee solids are dissolved in the water of the coffee beverage. Strength is expressed as total dissolved solids (TDS) and can be measured with a refractometer. The strength level can depend on preference. For example, drip coffee ideally has a strength level, or TDS, in the range of 1.2% to 1.45%. The x-axis indicates extraction yield, meaning the mass percentage of coffee grounds dissolved in the brewed coffee. Ideally, the extraction yield is in the range of 18% to 22%. Extraction yield depends, among other factors, on the type of coffee (origin, roast level, etc.), the amount of coffee grounds per beverage, the volume of the beverage, the temperature of the brewing water, the extraction technique (pressure, drip, etc.), the extraction time, and the grind size of the coffee grounds.

[0053] In FIG. 1, the ideal TDS range and the ideal extraction yield range overlap to form a box in the center of the chart. This center box may represent the optimal drip coffee. Depending on preference, coffee can be obtained that is within the ideal extraction yield range (18%-22%) but has a higher or lower strength level (TDS) than the ideal extraction yield. For example, a coffee within the ideal extraction yield range and within a range of approximately 5%-8% is a lungo, a coffee within the ideal extraction yield range and within a range of 8%-12% is an espresso, and a coffee within the ideal extraction yield range and within a range of 12%-18% is a ristretto.

[0054] FIG. 1 also shows lines of constant brew ratios expressed in grams per liter. That is, if the weight of ground coffee and the amount of water used to prepare each coffee beverage are known, a corresponding line can be found in the chart. Therefore, the TDS and extraction yield lie somewhere on the corresponding line, e.g., within or outside the ideal extraction yield. For example, for a given brew ratio, a coffee beverage extraction yield below the ideal extraction yield is achieved. To obtain a coffee beverage with the same brew ratio but within the ideal extraction yield, parameters affecting the extraction yield can be adjusted. Thus, the same brew ratio, i.e., the same weight of ground coffee and amount of water as the previous (lower) coffee beverage can be used, but the ground coffee has a smaller particle size. Thus, the TDS and extraction yield move along each brew ratio line toward the ideal extraction yield. Additionally or alternatively, other parameters, such as the type of coffee (origin, roast level, etc.), brew water temperature, extraction technique (pressure, drip, etc.), and / or extraction time, as described above, may be used to adjust the extraction yield.

[0055] 2 shows a system or (fully automatic) machine 100 for preparing a coffee beverage. The system 100 is particularly adapted to deliver ground coffee to a beverage preparation machine for preparing a coffee beverage. The system 100 comprises containers 11, 12 containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans. The system 100 further comprises grinders 10, 12, with grinder 10 configured to receive and grind the coffee beans contained in container 11 and grinder 12 configured to receive and grind the coffee beans contained in container 12. The system 100 further comprises guide elements 15, 16 for guiding the ground coffee ground by each grinder 10, 12 for further processing in the beverage preparation machine. The ground coffee can be weighed by a weighing unit 50 before being sent to the beverage preparation machine, so that the desired amount of ground coffee beans is extracted for preparing the coffee beverage.

[0056] In the system 100 according to FIG. 2 , each of the grinders 10, 12 is connected to a respective container 11, 12 so that each grinder 10, 12 is filled with coffee beans. That is, the coffee beans contained in the containers 11, 12 are always in direct contact with each grinder 10, 12. Due to this direct contact between the grinders 10, 12 and the coffee beans, it is impossible, or at least very difficult, to adjust each grinder 10, 12 to adjust the grinding degree. Therefore, the ground coffee delivered by each grinder 10, 12 always has the same grinding degree. Therefore, the system 100 cannot deliver ground coffee with different particle sizes. Because particle size affects the extraction yield and, therefore, the quality of the coffee drink made from each ground coffee, the system 100 cannot be used to prepare multiple coffee drinks, each of which is within the ideal extraction yield to have good quality.

[0057] Therefore, in system 100, each of grinders 10, 12 is required to be configured to provide a respective grinding degree that provides a compromise between the different grinding degrees for different coffee beverages. For example, grinder 10 may be adapted to deliver ground coffee only at a first grinding degree, such as an espresso grinding degree, while grinder 12 is adapted to deliver ground coffee only at a second grinding degree, such as a ristretto grinding degree. Thus, when system 100 delivers ground coffee for the preparation of a different coffee beverage, such as a lungo, the delivered ground coffee, i.e., ground coffee having the first or second grinding degree, may have a grinding degree that is too coarse (too large) or too small than the required grinding degree, resulting in under- or over-extraction and thus a reduced quality of the desired coffee beverage. Furthermore, multiple grinders 10, 12 require a lot of space, are expensive to manufacture, and result in a complex and expensive system, in addition to delivering a lower-quality coffee beverage.

[0058] These drawbacks of system 100 are overcome by system 110 according to the present invention. A preferred embodiment of system 110 is exemplarily shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. System 110 is adapted to deliver ground coffee (e.g., into a beverage preparation machine) for preparing, for example, a coffee beverage. System 110 may be a machine or part of a machine, e.g., a (fully automatic) beverage preparation machine. System 110 or the beverage preparation machine may be adapted to provide a fully automatic process starting from receiving roasted coffee beans and ending with delivering the coffee beverage to a cup. Thus, all process steps for preparing a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans are automated by system 110 or the beverage preparation machine, except for a user's request for delivering a specific beverage. System 110 may in particular be formed as a unit, so that all components of system 110 can be replaced as a single unit. System 110 may in particular comprise a housing for accommodating each component of system 110 to form the unit of system 110. The system 110 may be adapted for placement in a home and / or on a tabletop.

[0059] System 110 includes multiple, i.e., at least two, containers 13, 14 for containing one or more different types of roasted coffee beans. That is, container 13 may contain a first type of roasted coffee beans, and container 14 may contain a second type of roasted coffee beans. Each type of roasted coffee beans may be roasted according to a particular coffee beverage and / or may be of a particular origin. However, system 110 is not limited to multiple containers 13, 14, and may include only one container. Therefore, the following description regarding multiple containers 13, 14 applies equally to embodiments in which system 110 includes only one container.

[0060] Each vessel 13, 14 may be an airtight container such that the roasted coffee beans contained therein are maintained in an airtight environment. To provide an airtight container, each vessel 13, 14 may be provided with a respective lid 21. The lid 21 is thus configured to prevent substantial air or oxygen transfer through an opening in each vessel 13, 14 closed by the lid 21 into the volume 22 of each vessel 13, 14 (where the coffee beans are contained). The lid 21 may also be provided with a pressure valve 26 so that air can exit the vessels 13, 14, and in particular, each volume 22, through the pressure valve 26. The vessels 13, 14 are thus airtight by the valves 26, so that the beans are contained in an airtight atmosphere and oxidation is prevented. Under normal conditions, the valves 26 are closed, and the internal pressure within the volume 22 is maintained.

[0061] Each container 13, 14 may have a variable volume, including a volume receptacle 22 in which coffee beans are accommodated. This volume receptacle 22 is therefore configured to change its volume to accommodate the amount of coffee beans accommodated inside each container 13, 14. There are various possibilities for the configuration of such variable volume containers and volume receptacles 22. For example, the lid 21 may be a piston element that functions as a passive element that moves by gravity as the coffee beans leave each container 13, 14. As these beans are dispensed, the lid 21 passively moves downward to remove the headspace, which is occupied by air, left by the dispensed beans, thereby adapting its volume to the volume occupied by the beans remaining inside each container 13, 14. The lid 21 moves downward due to its own weight, thereby compensating for the volume loss left by the coffee beans (the volume loss due to the dispense of these beans from each container 13, 14). The lid 21 may comprise a joint arranged between the lid 21 and the inner wall of the respective volume 22 of each container 30, 40 in order to minimize and, as far as possible, avoid gas exchange (typically air) between the coffee bean volume and the external atmosphere when the lid 21 moves downwards, thus preventing oxidation of the coffee beans.

[0062] If the lid 21 is designed as a piston element, the valve 26 may be a threshold deaeration valve corresponding to the weight of the piston element. The valve 26 may therefore operate both when the respective containers 13, 14 are filled with beans and when the coffee beans are deaerated. The lid 21 in the form of a piston element is therefore configured to descend when the valve 26 opens, thereby expelling any air remaining inside the respective containers 13, 14. Thus, the coffee beans contained in each container 13, 14 are dispensed while the airtightness of each container 30, 40, i.e., the volume 22, is maintained.

[0063] Under normal conditions, the valve 26 is closed, maintaining the internal pressure inside the volume 22. When the roasted coffee beans start to degas and the internal pressure inside the volume 22 becomes higher than the weight of the lid 21, the valve 26 opens, releasing the internal pressure and preventing the lid 21 in the form of a piston element from moving upwards if the internal pressure becomes higher than the weight of the piston element. This threshold pressure setting ensures that there is no or minimal headspace inside the volume 22, which isolates the coffee beans as much as possible from the outside atmosphere (oxygen), thus preventing the piston element 21 (which acts as a lid) from moving upwards if the amount of beans inside the volume 22 decreases.

[0064] Preferably, each volume 22 of each container 13, 14 is formed with a constant cross section along the vertical axis (Z). Each container 13, 14 may be made at least in part of an oxygen barrier material. Preferably, each container 13, 14 is made of a moisture- and air-impermeable material. The lid 21 may have the same (transverse) cross section as the volume 22. The lid 21 hermetically closes the top of each container 13, 14, i.e., volume 22. The lid 21 may be provided with a (top) handle so that the lid 21 can be removed from each container 13, 14 to add coffee beans to each container 13, 14, i.e., volume 22. In another example (not shown), each container 13, 14 may be configured as a sachet or pouch made of a flexible material. Thus, upon contraction of the sachet or pouch, each container 13, 14 adapts its volume to the remaining volume occupied by the remaining coffee beans. The flexible sachet or pouch is made to be airtight so that as coffee beans are dispensed from the flexible sachet or pouch, air is sucked out from within that volume and the flexible material adapts to the remaining occupied volume.

[0065] The system 110 further comprises a plurality of dosing devices 60, 70, each configured to dispense (i.e. transport) coffee beans contained in the containers 13, 14. However, the invention is not limited to a particular number of dosing devices. For example, the system 110 may also comprise only one dosing device configured to dispense coffee beans contained in only one container or in multiple containers. If the system comprises only one dosing device, the descriptions regarding the dosing device 60, 70 apply equally to only one dosing device. The one or more dosing devices 60, 70 will in particular always dispense only the required amount or quantity of coffee beans. Thus, it is particularly prevented that more or fewer beans than required are removed from the one or more containers 13, 14.

[0066] The system 110 is not limited to a particular configuration of the dosing devices 60, 70, so long as the dosing devices 60, 70 are capable of delivering coffee beans contained in the containers 13, 14. Each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be configured to deliver coffee beans contained in a corresponding one of the containers 13, 14. Thus, the dosing device 60 may be configured to deliver coffee beans contained in the container 13, and the dosing device 70 may be configured to deliver coffee beans contained in the container 14. One or more dosing devices 60, 70 are configured such that the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 can function as one or more holding elements for holding coffee beans inside the one or more containers 13, 14. Thus, the coffee beans contained in the containers 13, 14 are at least partially located on or at least partially supported on the one or more dosing devices 60, 70. Therefore, when the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 are not delivering coffee beans, the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 will prevent the coffee beans contained in the containers 13, 14 from being removed (by gravity) from the containers 13, 14. Preferably, and as shown in Figure 3, each of the dosing devices 60, 70 is arranged at the bottom of a corresponding one of the containers 13, 14 and / or at the outlet of each container 13, 14. The coffee beans contained in each of the containers 13, 14 can therefore move by gravity towards the respective dosing device 60, 70.

[0067] Each of the dosing devices 60, 70 is configured to selectively shut off or stop the delivery of coffee beans, so that only a specific or desired (i.e., requested) amount of coffee beans is delivered by the dosing device 60, 70 to the grinder 30 at any time. Each of the dosing devices 60, 70 is configured to gently dosing or delivering the roasted coffee beans from the respective container 13, 14 so as to prevent any damage to the coffee beans. As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be configured to function as a pump or a counter-pump to deliver the coffee beans. In particular, each of the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 may comprise two counter-rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 configured to rotate toward an inner center between the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72. The cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 therefore function as a pump to expel the coffee beans from the containers 13, 14. Each dosing device 60, 70 may be adapted to return the coffee beans to the respective container 13, 14. This can be done by rotating the two counter-rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 in the direction opposite to the rotational movement for removing the coffee beans from each container 13, 14. By being able to return the coffee beans into each container 13, 14, a very accurate dosing of the coffee beans can be achieved, so that, for example, too many coffee beans are not removed from each container 13, 14. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent coffee beans from remaining between the cylinders, which would lead to deterioration (oxidation) of the remaining coffee beans. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the cylinders from being deformed or worn down by coffee beans remaining between the cylinders for a long period of time.

[0068] Each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be designed in an airtight manner so that air cannot pass through each dosing device 60, 70 into each of the containers 13, 14, particularly while coffee beans are not being dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. The airtightness of each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be provided by a compressible material. For example, each of the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 may be at least partially made of a compressible and / or soft material, such as silicone, foam, or other compressible material. The compressible material thus provides an airtight outlet, thereby preventing air from passing through each dosing device 60, 70 into each of the containers 13, 14. The compressible material of the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 preferably has a hardness lower than that of the coffee beans to be dispensed, thereby preventing the dispensed coffee beans from being damaged by the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72.

[0069] In another example, each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may comprise a corresponding pair of meshing gears for conveying coffee beans out of and into the respective containers 13, 14. The pairs of meshing gears may be designed similarly to the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72, so that the above description regarding the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 applies equally to the pairs of meshing gears. In another example, each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may, for example, comprise only one gear designed similarly to the cylinders described above, and each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may comprise additional means cooperating with this single gear to make each dosing device 60, 70 airtight.

[0070] Each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be configured to deliver coffee beans at a variable speed. For example, each delivery process of each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be divided into a start phase and a final phase. Thus, each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may be configured to deliver coffee beans at a first speed (quickly) in the start phase and at a second speed (slowly) lower than the first speed in the final phase. Thus, the dosing devices 60, 70 can deliver precise amounts / portions of coffee beans due to the highly precise dosing. For example, in the start phase, the cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72 can rotate quickly, and in the final phase, the rotational speed of the cylinders is reduced to deliver the precise amount of coffee beans. These descriptions also apply when each of the dosing devices 60, 70 includes one or more gears.

[0071] In the system 110, each of the containers 13, 14 is connected to a corresponding one of the input devices 60, 70. Thus, the container 13 is connected to the input device 60, and the container 14 is connected to the input device 70. The connection between each of the input devices 60, 70 and the respective containers 13, 14 may be effected by connecting or fastening elements. Preferably, each of the one or more containers 13, 14 and each of the input devices 60, 70 are connected to each other so that they can be removed as a unit (i.e., from the system 110, i.e., from other components of the system 110). Thus, the system 110 can be efficiently manufactured and maintained. For example, each of the containers 13, 14 and each of the input devices 60, 70 may be at least partially integrally formed with each other.

[0072] As shown in Figure 3, the system 110 further comprises a grinder 30 that receives the coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the system 110 comprises only one grinder that is configured to receive coffee beans delivered by the multiple dosing devices 60, 70 and thus the multiple containers 13, 14. In other examples, the system 110 may also comprise multiple grinders 30. Thus, each grinder 30 may be provided for a corresponding one of the containers 13, 14 or for multiple containers 13, 14.

[0073] The grinder 30 is configured to receive the coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70, and each of the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 is arranged between each container 13, 14 and the grinder 30. For example, the grinder 30 is arranged below the dosing devices 60, 70 so that the coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70 move into the grinder 30 by gravity. In other words, each of the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 is arranged before an inlet of the grinder 30. The system 110 may comprise one or more guide elements 17, 18 (conduits, tubes, rails, etc.) configured to guide the coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70 so that the coffee beans can be received by the grinder 30. Thus, the guide element 17 may be configured so that the coffee beans delivered by the dosing device 60 enter the guide element 17 and are then guided by the guide element 17 so that the coffee beans delivered by the guide element 17 fall (directly) into the grinder 30. Similarly, the guiding element 18 may be configured such that the coffee beans delivered by the dosing device 70 enter the guiding element 18 and are then guided by the guiding element 18 so that the coffee beans delivered by the guiding element 18 fall (directly) into the grinder 30. Each of the guiding elements 17, 18 may be arranged between the grinder 30 and a corresponding one of the dosing devices 60, 70.

[0074] The grinder 30 is arranged or configured to grind coffee beans received by the grinder. The grinder 30 is further configured to subsequently deliver such ground coffee. The delivery of the ground coffee beans by the grinder 30 may be by gravity alone. Thus, the grinder 30 is adapted to deliver ground coffee only when ground coffee of a desired particle size has been obtained. That is, the grinder 30 may be adapted such that the grinder 30 cannot deliver ground coffee above the desired particle size.

[0075] For example, the grinding machine 30 may comprise two grinding elements 31, 32 (i.e., a first grinding element 31 and a second grinding element 32, e.g., a rotor and a stator, respectively), which are spaced apart and movable relative to one another for grinding received coffee beans between them. One of the grinding elements 31, 32, such as grinding element 32, may be fixed (i.e., the stator), while the corresponding other of the grinding elements 31, 32, such as grinding element 31, moves relative to one of the grinding elements 31, 32 (i.e., the grinding element 31 is the rotor). This relative movement may be rotational and / or related to a particular axis of (rotational) movement. The grinding elements 31, 32 may form or define a gap with an inlet and an outlet. Coffee beans (not yet ground) may enter the gap through the inlet to be positioned between the grinding elements 31, 32 for grinding. Ground coffee ground by the relatively moving grinding elements 31, 32 can exit the gap through an outlet to be delivered by the grinder 30. The outlet may therefore have a size corresponding to a desired particle size of the ground coffee to be delivered by the grinder 30. Thus, ground coffee having a particle size exceeding the size of the outlet can be prevented from being delivered by the grinder 30. The gap defined by the grinding elements 31, 31 may be tapered from the entrance of the gap towards the outlet.

[0076] The grinder 30 is configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding. Thus, the grinder 30 delivers ground coffee beans having a respective particle size at each of the different grinding positions. Thus, the grinder 30 is adapted to provide ground coffee of different particle sizes for different types or recipes of coffee beverages, such as espresso, ristretto, and rógo. In other words, variations in grinding degree (ground size) for each coffee beverage are realized by the grinder 30. Preferably, each of the different grinding positions corresponds to a respective grinding degree, so that the grinder 30 can grind the ground coffee to the following grinding degrees (particle sizes) in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, for example: 100 μm (e.g., Turkish coffee), 200 μm (e.g., Italian cafetiere), 300 μm (e.g., (machine) espresso, preferably 230 to 300 μm), 400 μm (e.g., (machine) domestic espresso (lungo), etc. The coffee can be delivered at two or more grinding or particle sizes (volume moment mean diameter D[4,3] of the ground coffee particles delivered by grinder 30) of 100 μm (preferably in the range of 320-360 μm), 500 μm (e.g., drip coffee "filter coffee"), 600 μm (e.g., siphon), 700 μm (e.g., metal filter), 800 μm (e.g., French press coffee), and 900 μm (e.g., percolator).

[0077] To move the grinder 30 between different grinding positions, the grinder 30 may be configured to change the aforementioned distance between the grinding elements 31 and 32. That is, a gap may be defined by the surfaces of the grinding elements 31 and 32, and by moving the surface of the grinding element 31 away from or toward the surface of the grinding element 32, the distance between the grinding elements may be changed to move the grinder 30 between different grinding positions. To change this distance and thus adjust the gap formed by the grinding elements 31, 32, one or more of the grinding elements 31, 32 may be configured to move along a particular axis of movement. For example, the movement along this particular axis of movement may be translational movement, and / or the particular axis of movement may be the same as or different from the (rotational) axis of movement for moving the two grinding elements 31, 32 relative to each other to grind coffee beans therebetween. The variation in the distance between the grinding elements 31, 32 simultaneously results in the size of the outlet of the gap defined by the grinding elements 31, 32 being adjusted / changed, in particular to have a size corresponding to the desired particle size or grinding degree at each grinding position.

[0078] The crusher 30 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is of the conical bar type. The crushing element 31 is therefore substantially conical in shape. The space, or gap, between the crushing elements 31, 32 is therefore defined by the conical surface of the crushing element 31 and the surface of the crushing element 32, which is preferably also conical in shape. Alternatively, the crusher 30 may be of the flat bar type.

[0079] The system 110 may comprise one or more drive units, such as one or more motors, for moving the grinder 30, in particular the grinding elements 31, 32, between different grinding positions and / or for operating the grinder 30 to grind the coffee beans, in particular for moving the grinding elements 31, 32 relative to one another. The one or more drive units may be detachably connected to the grinder 30, in particular so that the grinder 30 can be removed without removing the one or more drive units. The detachable connection between the one or more drive units and the grinder 30 may be a quick mechanical connection that allows for quick and easy separation and thus removal of the grinder 30. The grinder 30 may be adapted to grind the coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed.

[0080] The system 110 may optionally comprise a retaining element (not shown) configured to push the coffee beans received by the grinder 30 towards the grinder 30, in particular into the gap defined by the two grinding elements 31, 32. Thus, the coffee beans pushed by the retaining element towards the grinder 30, preferably into the gap, can be ground by the grinder 30. The retaining element therefore prevents the coffee beans from flying out of the grinder 30, and therefore the coffee beans can be efficiently ground by the grinder 30. The retaining element may be configured such that the coffee beans are pushed towards the grinder 30 by the gravity of the retaining element. Thus, the retaining element 30 may be positioned above the coffee beans received by the grinder 30. The retaining element may be dome-shaped.

[0081] The system 110 may further include a brewing unit (not shown) configured to receive the ground coffee beans delivered by the grinder 30. The brewing unit is therefore adapted to brew a coffee beverage with the received ground coffee beans. The brewing unit therefore particularly comprises an extraction unit. That is, the brewing unit may comprise a container into which the ground coffee delivered by the grinder 30 is received and which may contain hot water, particularly at a predetermined temperature and / or pressure and / or flow rate, for contacting the received ground coffee beans to extract coffee and prepare a coffee beverage. The brewing unit may be configured to deliver a coffee beverage made from the ground coffee received by the brewing unit. The brewing unit may deliver the coffee beverage to a cup. That is, the brewing unit is also configured to dispense a coffee beverage containing soluble flavors or particles dissolved in water from the ground coffee during coffee extraction. The brewing unit may be arranged so that the ground coffee delivered by the grinder 30 is delivered to the brewing unit directly or indirectly by gravity. For example, the brewing unit is located below the grinder 30, i.e. at the outlet of the grinder 30. When the system 110 comprises a brewing unit, the system 110 may be a beverage preparation machine.

[0082] As shown in Figure 4, the system 110 further comprises a control unit 91 for controlling at least the dosing devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30. The control unit 91 is therefore operatively connected to at least the dosing devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30 for controlling them accordingly. The control unit 91 is in particular an electronic control unit comprising a data storage medium, a processor and a communication interface. The control unit 91 is configured to control the dosing devices 60, 70 so that they deliver a specific amount (e.g. weight) of coffee beans to the grinder 30. The control unit 91 is therefore configured to send a signal to the dosing devices 60, 70 indicative of the required amount of coffee beans that the dosing devices 60, 70 deliver to the grinder 30. The control unit 91 is preferably configured to control the speed of dosing by the dosing devices 60, 70. For example, the control unit 91 may control only one of the dosing devices 60, 70 so that only a particular amount of coffee beans from each container 13, 14 is delivered to the grinder 30. The control unit 91 may also be configured to control the dosing devices 60, 70 so that a particular mix (i.e. blend) of coffee beans from the containers 13, 14 is delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70 to the grinder 30, such that a particular amount of coffee beans corresponds to this particular mix of coffee beans. The particular mix of coffee beans may be the ratio of coffee beans from one of the containers 13, 14 to coffee beans from the corresponding other of the containers 13, 14.

[0083] In order to precisely control the dosing devices 60, 70 to deliver a specific amount of coffee beans, the system 110 may comprise a measuring unit 80 configured to measure the amount of coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70. The measuring unit 80 may be arranged between one or more of the dosing devices 60, 70 and the grinder 30 and / or at the outlet of one or more of the dosing devices 60, 70 and / or at the inlet of the grinder 30. The system 110 may comprise only one measuring unit 80 for multiple dosing devices. Alternatively, the system 110 may also comprise multiple measuring units 80, each measuring unit 80 arranged for a corresponding one of the dosing devices 60, 70. The measuring unit 80 is further configured to send a signal to the control unit 91 indicative of the amount of coffee beans delivered, as measured by the measuring unit 80. Thus, when the measured amount of coffee beans delivered corresponds to a particular (desired) amount of coffee beans, the control unit 91 can control the dosing device 60, 70 to stop the delivery of coffee beans by the dosing device 60, 70.

[0084] The measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70 by measuring the weight of the coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. Thus, the measuring unit 80 may be a weighing unit. There may also be other ways to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. For example, the measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the volume of the coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. Thus, the measuring unit 80 may send a signal indicative of the measured volume of the dispensed coffee beans to the control unit 91, and the control unit 91 may multiply this volume of the dispensed coffee beans by a certain value (i.e., a constant expressed, for example, in grams per volume) to calculate the amount (e.g., weight) of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the number of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. For example, the measuring unit 80 may measure the number of coffee beans by measuring the number of rotations of the rotating cylinders 61, 62, 71, 72. Thus, the measuring unit 80 can send a signal indicative of the measured number of coffee beans dispensed to the control unit 91, which multiplies this number of coffee beans dispensed by a certain value (i.e. a constant expressed, for example, in grams per coffee bean) to calculate the amount (e.g. weight) of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70.

[0085] Generally, the measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed in a contactless or contact manner. The measuring unit 80 may be configured to measure the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70 by mechanical and / or drive means, in particular by a container for receiving the coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70. The container may also be designed to dispense the coffee beans once the measuring unit 80 has completed measuring the amount of coffee beans. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring unit 80 may comprise electronic and / or optical means for measuring the amount of coffee beans dispensed by the dosing device 60, 70.

[0086] Preferably, the measuring unit 80 is part of and / or arranged within one or more of the dosing devices 60, 70. In other words, each of the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 may be provided integrally with a respective measuring unit 80, i.e., as a unit. Thus, each of the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 may have multiple functions, i.e., at least two functions, namely, at least the function of dispensing coffee beans and the function of measuring the amount (e.g., weight) of the dispensed coffee beans. In such a configuration, the dosing devices 60, 70 and the measuring unit 80 can also be arranged without requiring much space. For example, each of the dosing devices 60, 70 may comprise a housing in which functional components, for example for dispensing coffee beans by the respective dosing device, are arranged, and each measuring unit 80 is arranged within this housing.

[0087] The control unit 91 is further configured to control the grinder 30 so that it grinds a specific amount of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. Such ground coffee beans are then discharged by the grinder 30. That is to say, the control unit 91 is configured to control the force and / or torque with which the grinder 30 is operated to grind the coffee beans. For example, the control unit 91 is operatively connected to one of the drive units so as to control this drive unit to transmit force and / or torque to operate the grinder 30, in particular the grinding elements 21, 32, for grinding, in particular so that the grinder 30 grinds at a specific (rotational) speed and / or with a specific (rotational) speed profile.

[0088] The control unit 91 is configured to control the grinder 30 such that the grinder 30 grinds a specific amount of coffee beans, thereby delivering such ground beans to the grinder 30 until there are no more coffee beans in the grinder 30. For example, the control unit 91 may receive a signal indicating a specific amount of coffee beans delivered to the grinder 30 by the dosing device 60, 70, and control the grinder 30 to grind the specific amount of coffee beans until a specific time has elapsed that is associated with and / or based on the specific amount of coffee beans in the control unit 91 (e.g., in a look-up table). Thus, the specific time has a duration at least sufficient to grind each specific amount of coffee beans.

[0089] Preferably, the state of the grinder 30, i.e., the absence of coffee beans in the grinder 30, is determined by the control unit 91 based on presence signals indicating the presence (i.e., coffee beans are being accepted by the grinder 30) and absence (i.e., coffee beans are not being accepted by the grinder 30) of coffee beans accepted by the grinder 30. The control unit 91 is therefore configured to receive these presence signals and, based on these presence signals, control the grinder 30 to operate to grind. The control unit 91 then controls the grinder 30 such that the grinder 30 operates to grind (e.g., the two grinding elements 31, 32 move relative to each other) at least until the control unit 91 receives a presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans accepted by the grinder 30. In other words, the control unit 91 controls the grinder 30 to operate to grind at least as long as the control unit 91 receives a presence signal indicating the presence of coffee beans accepted by the grinder 30. The control unit 91 may be configured to control the grinder 30 to stop the grinding operation of the grinder 30 immediately after receiving a first presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. However, the control unit 91 may also control the grinder 30 to maintain the grinding operation of the grinder 30 for a certain time after receiving a first presence signal indicating the absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30.

[0090] The presence signal may be based on a detected force and / or torque for operating the grinder 30 to grind. For example, the grinder 30, e.g., its drive unit for operating the grinder 30 to grind coffee beans, may send signals to the control unit 91 indicative of the actual force and / or torque (e.g., detected by a force and / or torque measuring device operatively connected to the control unit 91) used to operate the grinder 30 to grind the coffee beans. These signals may be derived from the current for applying the force and / or torque, in particular for operating the drive unit. Since this force and / or torque depends on the frictional force between the grinder 30 and the coffee beans to be ground, i.e., the grinding force, this force and / or torque varies depending on the presence of coffee beans accepted by the grinder 30 for grinding. Therefore, the control unit 91 may include a defined threshold, and if the detected force and / or torque are below this defined threshold, the control unit 91 receives a presence signal indicating absence. In other words, when the control unit 91 determines that the sensed force and / or torque is below a defined threshold, the controller 91 determines that there are no coffee beans in the grinder 30. Additionally or alternatively, the presence signal may be transmitted by a presence sensor configured to detect the presence and absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30. For example, the presence sensor may comprise mechanical and / or electronic and / or optical means to detect the presence and absence of coffee beans received by the grinder 30.

[0091] When there are no coffee beans in the grinder 30, the grinder 30 can then be set, i.e., in particular, moved, to one of different grinding positions. In this state of the grinder 30, there are no coffee beans present that could hinder the movement of the grinder 30 to move it to one of the different grinding positions. In particular, when there are no coffee beans in the grinder 30, the entire specific amount of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices 60, 70 has been ground and delivered by the grinder 30. Therefore, in particular, there are no coffee beans between the two grinding elements 31, 32. The grinder 30 can therefore be easily, i.e., without any hindrance, moved to another grinding position for grinding coffee beans in order to deliver ground coffee of a different grinding degree, i.e., a different particle size. When the grinder 30 moves to another grinding position, i.e. when the grinder 30 completes its movement from the previous grinding position to the other grinding position, the control unit 91 controls one or more of the dosing devices 60, 70 to deliver a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder 30, preferably immediately after the grinder 30 arrives at the other grinding position, this amount being specific to each particle size (e.g. a specific type and amount (e.g. one or more cups) of coffee drink requires a specific particle size and a corresponding amount of coffee beans and therefore ground coffee).

[0092] When the system 110 is shut down or the mill 30 is removed from the system, for example, for cleaning, the settings of the mill 30 may be changed unnecessarily. For this reason, the mill 30 may have a zero value initialization that is set whenever the settings of the mill 30 or the system 110 are changed, and / or when the system 110 is started (powered on), and / or periodically. In particular, the control unit 91 may be configured to calibrate the mill 30 whenever the system 110 is powered on. The mill 30 may have a zero position, and all milling positions are set based on this zero position. For example, the mill 30 is in the zero position when the milling elements 31 and 32 contact each other. Thus, each milling position corresponds to a specific distance between the milling elements 31 and 32. The zero position may be detected, for example, by the control unit 91, by measuring the force and / or torque applied to the mill 30 to operate the mill. Thus, when the grinder 30 is not grinding coffee beans and the force and / or torque exceeds a defined threshold, the control unit 91 detects that the zero position of the grinder 30 has been reached. Since the current for operating the grinder 30 to grind depends on the respective force and / or torque of the grinder 30 to grind, the control unit 91 may also detect that the zero position has been reached when said current exceeds a defined threshold. The control unit 91 may then set the respective grinding positions of the grinder 30 based on this zero position, such as by moving the grinding elements 31, 32 a certain distance apart.

[0093] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the system 110 may further include a weighing unit 50 (e.g., a balance or scale). The weighing unit 50 is configured to measure the weight of the ground coffee ground and delivered by the grinder 30. Thus, the weighing unit 50 may be configured to allow the ground coffee delivered by the grinder to move into the weighing unit 50 (e.g., by gravity). If a brewing unit is present, the weighing unit 50 may be configured to deliver the ground coffee beans to the brewing unit (e.g., by gravity) after measuring the weight of the ground coffee with the weighing unit 50. In other words, the weighing unit 50 may be disposed between the grinder 30 and the brewing unit. The weighing unit 50 may include mechanical means (e.g., a container) and / or electronic and / or optical means for measuring the weight of the ground coffee ground and delivered by the grinder 30. The weighing unit 50 is further configured to send a signal to the control unit 91 indicative of the measured weight of ground coffee received by the weighing unit 50 .

[0094] The weighing unit 50 may be arranged to detect a state of the grinder 30 in which there are no coffee beans in the grinder 30. More specifically, the control unit 91 may be configured to compare the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit 50 with the weight of the coffee beans measured by the measuring unit 80. If the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit 50 substantially matches the weight of the coffee beans measured by the measuring unit 80 (within a tolerance of, for example, 1-5%), the control unit 91 detects that the grinder 30 is in a state in which there are no coffee beans in the grinder 30. This is because substantially all of the specified amount of coffee beans delivered by the dosing devices 60, 70 have been ground and delivered by the grinder 30. In other words, the control unit 91 is configured to control the grinder 30 so that it operates to grind (e.g. the two grinding elements 31, 32 move relative to each other) until the weight of the ground coffee measured by the weighing unit at least matches the amount of coffee beans measured by the measuring unit 80.

[0095] The control unit 91 may be configured to receive specific control inputs, such as a recipe, in particular a recipe for a specific type of coffee beverage to be prepared, and / or dosing parameters or amounts (e.g., weight) of ground coffee, and / or brewing parameters, and / or grinding specifications (particle size, coarseness, etc.). The system 110 may further comprise a user interface 90 (HMI), e.g., a touchscreen and / or touch-sensitive elements such as buttons, operatively connected to the control unit 91, for inputting the control inputs. Additionally or alternatively, the control inputs may be transmitted or obtained from the containers 13, 14, e.g., such that the control inputs are based on the coffee beans contained therein. Each of the one or more containers 13, 14 may be equipped with identification means for (electronically) storing the control inputs. Based on the specific control inputs, the control unit 91 may control at least the grinder 30 and / or one or more of the dosing devices 60, 70 in a specific manner. For example, the control unit 91 may be configured to control the grinder 30 to move to one of different grinding positions based on the specific control inputs. For example, a user of system 100 may request an espresso via user interface 90. Accordingly, control unit 91 then controls grinder 30 to move to a grinding position that provides the grinding required to prepare the espresso. Additionally or alternatively, control unit 91 may be configured to control one or more of dosing devices 60, 70 to deliver a specific amount of coffee beans based on the control input. For example, the control input may be related to an espresso, and control unit 91 may therefore control dosing devices 60, 70 to deliver a specific amount (e.g., weight) and / or type (e.g., roast level and / or origin) and / or blend (e.g., a specific ratio of coffee beans in container 13 to coffee beans in container 14) of coffee beans to grinder 30.

[0096] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 91 may be operatively connected to a database 92. The database 92 may contain control parameters for different types (i.e. recipes) of coffee drinks. Based on a control input, the control unit 91 may receive control parameters for a particular type of coffee drink from the database 92. Based on these control parameters, the control unit 91 then controls the components of the system 110 accordingly, in particular the grinder 30 and / or the dosing devices 60, 70. The database 92 may be provided within the system or machine 110 and / or remotely, for example on a server and / or on the internet.

[0097] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary chart of extraction yields (see y-axis) obtainable with the system 110 for different coffee beverages (see x-axis). As is apparent from this figure, the system 110, i.e., the grinder 30, is adapted to move between different grinding positions and, therefore, to provide at least different grind sizes (or particle sizes) G1 and G2 of ground coffee, allowing the system 110 to provide ideal extraction yields (20% in FIG. 5 ) for different types of beverages. For example, a system that could only provide grind size G2 would provide an under-extracted coffee beverage (i.e., extraction yield less than 20%) if a user of the system requested a 20 mL beverage, such as an espresso. However, the system 110 according to the present invention facilitates adapting the grind size, i.e., moving the grinder 30 to each grinding position, based on the type of coffee beverage requested. Thus, if a user of the system 110 requests a 20 mL beverage, the grinder 30 of the system 110 does not maintain only one grinding position providing grind size G2, but moves from a grinding position for grind size G2 to a grinding position for grind size G1 before the required amount of coffee beans is delivered to the grinder 30. The coffee beverage delivered in this way therefore has an ideal extraction yield (here 20%).

[0098] Similarly, if the grinder 30 is in a grinding position to provide ground coffee of grind size G1 and a user of the system 110 requests a 100 mL coffee beverage, such as a lungo, the grinder 30 will not remain in the grinding position providing grind size G1 but will move to a grinding position delivering grind size G2. The coffee beverage thus delivered will also therefore have an ideal extraction yield (here 20%) rather than over-extraction which would occur if the system only provided grind size G1.

[0099] According to a second object, the present invention relates to a method for delivering ground coffee, in particular for preparing a coffee drink from ground coffee, the method comprising the following steps:

[0100] providing a machine 110 (e.g. the system 110 described above as a machine), the machine 110 comprising one or more containers 13, 14 (such as the containers 13, 14 described above) for containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices 60, 70 (such as the dosing devices 60, 70 described above) for delivering the beans contained in the one or more containers 13, 14, and a grinder 30 (such as the grinder 30 described above) for receiving the coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices 60, 70, the grinder 30 being configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding, setting the grinder 30 so that the grinder 30 is in a particular grinding position; After the step of setting up the grinder 30, delivering a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder 30 by one or more dosing devices 60, 70; Grinding a specific amount of coffee beans by means of grinder 30, thereby delivering such ground beans to grinder 30 until it is empty of coffee beans.

[0101] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment is merely a preferred embodiment; however, other designs of system 110 may be used.

Claims

1. 1. A method for delivering ground coffee to prepare a coffee beverage, comprising: providing a machine (110) comprising one or more containers (13, 14) for containing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices (60, 70) for discharging the coffee beans contained in said one or more containers (13, 14), and a grinder (30) for receiving the coffee beans discharged by said one or more dosing devices (60, 70), the grinder (30) being configured to move to different grinding positions for different degrees of grinding, each of said one or more dosing devices (60, 70) being configured to function as a pump or a counter-pump for discharging the coffee beans, each dosing device comprising two counter-rotating cylinders (61, 62; 71, 72) configured to rotate towards an inner center between each other, each dosing device being designed in an airtight manner so that air cannot enter each of said containers through the corresponding dosing device during phases when coffee beans are not being discharged by said dosing device; setting the crusher (30) so that the crusher (30) is in a specific crushing position; after said step of setting said grinder (30), delivering a specific amount of coffee beans to said grinder (30) by said one or more dosing devices (60, 70); grinding said specific amount of coffee beans by said grinder (30), thereby delivering said ground coffee beans to said grinder (30) until there are no more coffee beans in it; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of moving the grinder (30) to one of the different grinding locations after the grinding step.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grinder (30) comprises two grinding elements (31, 32) spaced apart and movable relative to each other to grind the received coffee beans between the two grinding elements (31, 32).

4. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of varying said distance in order to move said grinding elements (31, 32), and thus said grinder (30), between said different grinding positions.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the machine (110) comprises only one crusher (30).

6. A method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step of removing the crusher (30).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the crusher (30) is of the conical bar type or the flat bar type.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grinder (30) grinds the coffee beans at a constant and / or variable speed.

9. detecting the presence of coffee beans received by the grinder (30); operating the grinder (30) to grind at least while detecting the presence of the coffee beans; The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

10. sensing the force and / or torque applied to operate said grinder (30) for grinding; stopping the grinding when the sensed force and / or torque is below a defined threshold; The method of claim 9 further comprising:

11. inputting specific control inputs; moving the crusher (30) to one of the different crushing positions based on the particular control input; and / or delivering a specified amount of coffee beans by said one or more of said dosing devices (60, 70) based on said specified control input; The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control input is a recipe.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the machine (110) further comprises a user interface (90) for inputting the control inputs.

14. 14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of forcing coffee beans received by the grinder (30) towards said grinder (30) for grinding said coffee beans.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more containers (13, 14) is connected to a corresponding one of the one or more dosing devices (60, 70).

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each of the one or more vessels (13, 14) is an airtight container.

17. 17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising measuring by a measuring unit (80) an amount of coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices (60, 70) and transmitting by the measuring unit (80) a signal indicative of the measured amount of coffee beans delivered.

18. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the measuring unit (80) measures the volume and / or weight and / or number of the coffee beans delivered by the one or more dosing devices (60, 70).

19. measuring the weight of the ground coffee ground and delivered by the grinder (30) by a weighing unit (50); transmitting by said weighing unit (50) a signal indicative of said measured weight of said ground coffee received; Further comprising: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of receiving the ground coffee beans delivered by the grinder (30) by a brewing unit.

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