Beverage maker

Abstract

A coffee beverage maker comprising: a user-interface, a brewing module, and a coffee bean store. The coffee bean store comprises a sensor configured to sense a nutritional characteristic of coffee beans, and output a nutritional signal based on that nutritional characteristic. The beverage maker further comprises a data- processor that receives the nutritional signal and the desired coffee product, and controls a brewing module and / or a grinder to achieve predetermined nutritional value of the desired coffee product.

Description

[0001] “BEVERAGE MAKER”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a coffee beverage maker apparatus.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Typically, coffee beverage makers such as, for example, fully automatic beverage makers having integral coffee bean grinders, boilers, and brewing modules, control the operational parameters of their components according to preset or user-selected values. For example, the user may select, via a suitable user interface, a desired brewing temperature, duration, pressure, brewing-waterquantity, coffee-grounds-quantity and so-forth. Alternatively, the user may select a pre-set brewing option in which all of these factors are set according to stored values corresponding to that pre-set brewing option.

[0006] However, this approach can be problematic as it may not account for differences in the characteristics of the coffee beans from which the coffee beverage is made, instead applying the same operational parameters regardless of the beans used. This can result in unpredictable nutritional content of the coffee beverage produced. For example, Robusta coffee beans can have a caffeine content up to twice that of Arabica beans.

[0007] A proposed solution to this is the applicant’s “Bean Adapt Technology” system. However, this relies on user-input of the coffee bean type. It is desirable to provide a more automated system for adapting to different types of beans.

[0008] Another proposed solution involves providing packages of coffee beans with a scannable bar-code that can be scanned by a barcode-reader provided on the beverage maker. However, this still requires user intervention to scan the beans. Additionally, when the package is poured into a receptacle from which a grinder is fed, the beans to which the bar-code relates may be positioned uppermost within the container, above beans from other packages. These will therefore potentially not be representative of the beans from which the next coffee beverage will be prepared.

[0009] WO2023 / 126321A1 discloses a method and a system for determining brewing parameters in a coffee-brewing apparatus, in which a sensing arrangement is used to obtain a characteristic of a marker applied or added to a coffee product, and to determine appropriate brewing parameters for preparing a coffee beverage based on that characteristic.

[0010] US2024 / 0188750A1 relates to determining the roast level of coffee grounds during a grinding operation based on one or more weight measurements taken while the coffee beans are being ground. This information is used to set or adjust brewing parameters for the subsequent coffee-brewing process and to control the quantity of coffee grounds produced during grinding.

[0011] The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the above-described problems of the prior art.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In an aspect of the invention, a coffee beverage maker is disclosed comprising a user-interface configured to receive a user-input of a desired coffee product having a predetermined nutritional value for making by the coffee beverage maker, a brewing module configured to brew coffee, and a coffee bean store or tank.

[0014] The coffee bean store comprises a nutritional sensor configured to directly sense a nutritional characteristic of a plurality of coffee beans comprising a representative sample of those stored within a predetermined volume therein, and output a nutritional signal based on that nutritional characteristic.

[0015] The coffee beverage maker further comprises a coffee grinder configured to grind coffee beans to produce ground coffee for delivery to the ground coffee to the brewing module, and a data-processor configured to receive the nutritional signal and the desired coffee product, and to control the brewing module and / or grinder to achieve the predetermined nutritional value of the desired coffee product and / or a closest achievable result thereto.

[0016] In this way the coffee beverage maker can adapt to different bean-types accurately and in a way that meets user expectations.

[0017] Optionally, the nutritional signal is indicative of at least one of:

[0018] - a caffeine content of the plurality of coffee beans,

[0019] - a freshness of the coffee beans,

[0020] - a coffee bean type,

[0021] - a moisture-content of the coffee beans.

[0022] Preferably, the data-processor is configured, responsive to the nutritional signal, to vary one of: - a pre-infusion time of the brewing module,

[0023] - a brewing time of the brewing module,

[0024] - a water-quantity of the brewing module,

[0025] - a temperature of the brewing module,

[0026] - a coarseness / fineness of the grinder,

[0027] - a grinding- quantity of the grinder,

[0028] - a grinding operation duration of the grinder.

[0029] The user interface may optionally be one of:

[0030] - a touch-screen user-interface,

[0031] - an app operating on a mobile device in communication with the coffee beverage maker,

[0032] - a presence-sensor configured to sense the presence of a specific user or userdevice associated with a specific user.

[0033] The predetermined nutritional value preferably is one of:

[0034] - a nutritional value retrieved from an external server via an internet connection responsive to a user selection of a desired coffee product,

[0035] - a pre-stored nutritional value of the desired coffee product stored in a memory of the coffee beverage maker.

[0036] Using pre-stored values can reduce latency issues, whilst using external values can increase flexibility.

[0037] The data-processor can optionally be further configured to display, via the user interface:

[0038] - total or average per-day nutritional (e.g., caffeine) consumption over a predetermined period,

[0039] - recommended coffee products displayed responsive to the nutritional signal.

[0040] This can provide more convenience to the user.

[0041] Preferably, the predetermined volume corresponds at least partially to a predetermined volume of coffee beans for grinding by the coffee grinder in a next coffee bean grinding operation. In this way, it can be better ensured that the output of the nutritional sensor corresponds to the beans that will be used in the next beverage-making operation.

[0042] Optionally, the nutritional sensor is located in a bottom portion of the coffee bean store. This can help ensure that the nutritional sensor will sense beans even when the bean store is close to being empty.

[0043] Preferably, the nutritional sensor is separated from an interior of the coffee bean store by a window transparent to a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range within which the nutritional sensor is configured to be sensitive, preferably wherein the window comprises quartz or polymethyl methacrylate (PMM A), more preferably wherein the window is oriented at a least 45 degrees from horizontal, and preferably is substantially vertically-oriented. Such a window can help protect the sensor whilst permitting sensing.

[0044] The nutritional sensor can optionally be associated with an illuminator configured to illuminate the plurality of coffee beans, preferably either within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range and / or at a wavelength configured to cause the plurality of coffee beans to emit within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, preferably wherein the illuminator is arranged to substantially surround the nutritional sensor, for substantially shadowless illumination of the plurality of coffee beans, more preferably wherein the illuminator comprises one of a plurality of point light-sources and a strip-light. This can increase the signal sensed by the sensor.

[0045] Preferably, the nutritional sensor further comprises a lens configured to focus light within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, preferably wherein the lens and the window are integrally formed. The lens can help increase the signal detected by the sensor.

[0046] In an optional variant, the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range includes the range 800nm to 1900nm, and preferably is entirely within it. NIR light can be particularly useful for detecting nutritional characteristics of the coffee beans.

[0047] The number of the plurality of coffee beans is preferably at least ten beans, and more preferably at least 20 beans, and even more preferably is between approximately 20 to 40 beans. This can provide an accurate sampling of the characteristics of the beans and help prevent excessive bias due to the characteristics of an individual bean.

[0048] Optionally the number of the plurality of the coffee beans is determined by a surface-area of the window with which the plurality of coffee beans is in direct contact with, preferably wherein the surface-area is in the range of approximately 9cm2to 36cm2.

[0049] Optionally:

[0050] - the brewing module, coffee grinder, coffee bean store, and data processor are substantially enclosed within a single housing, or,

[0051] - the brewing module, data processor, and coffee grinder are substantially enclosed within a single casing, to which the coffee bean store is configured to be removably-attachable, or,

[0052] - the brewing module and data processor are substantially enclosed in a first housing, and the coffee bean store is located in a second housing in electronic communication with the first housing.

[0053] Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

[0054] Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

[0055] It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently.

[0056] In this specification the word 'or' can be interpreted in the exclusive or inclusive sense unless stated otherwise.

[0057] Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any reference to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

[0058] Whilst the invention has been described in the field of domestic food processing and preparation machines, it can also be implemented in any field of use where efficient, effective and convenient preparation and / or processing of material is desired, either on an industrial scale and / or in small amounts. The field of use includes the preparation and / or processing of: chemicals; paints; building materials; clothing materials; agricultural and / or veterinary feeds and / or treatments, including fertilisers, grain and other agricultural and / or veterinary products; oils; fuels; dyes; cosmetics; plastics; tars; finishes; waxes; varnishes; beverages; solders; alloys; effluent; and / or other substances, and any reference to “food” herein may be replaced by such working mediums.

[0059] The invention described here may be used in any kitchen appliance and / or as a stand-alone device. This includes any domestic food-processing and / or preparation machine, including both top-driven machines (e.g. stand-mixers) and bottom- driven machines (e.g. blenders). It may be implemented in heated and / or cooled machines. It may be used in a machine that is built-in to a work-top or work surface, or in a stand-alone device. The invention can also be provided as a standalone device.

[0060] “Food processing” as described herein should be taken to encompass chopping, whisking, stirring, kneading, mincing, grinding, shaping, shredding, grating, cooking, freezing, making ice-cream, juicing (centrifugally or with a scroll), or other food-processing activities involving the physical and / or chemical transformation of food and / or beverage material by mechanical, chemical, and / or thermal means. “Food processing attachment” encompasses any attachable component configured, for example on rotation and / or energising, to carry out any of the previously described food processing tasks.

[0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] One or more aspects will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which:

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a side-on, highly schematic, cut-away drawing of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0064] Fig. 2 shows a side-on, highly schematic, cut-away drawing of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a side-on, highly schematic, cut-away drawing of a coffee grinder apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a side-on, highly schematic, cut-away drawing of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the invention; and,

[0066] Fig. 5 shows a side-on, highly schematic, cut-away drawing of a composite beverage maker according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

[0068] Fig. 1 shows a beverage maker 100. In this case the beverage-maker is a beverage maker having a touch-screen user interface 101 and an integral coffee bean tank 110. A window 111 is formed in a sloped side-wall of the bean tank 110, through which a coffee-bean recognition system 120 located adjacent (e.g., 1-3 cm distant from) the window 111 can sense nutritional characteristics of the coffee beans within a specific volume of the bean tank 110.

[0069] The coffee-bean recognition system can be a near-infrared nutritional sensor 120. For example, it may be a near-infrared (NIR) sensor sensitive either partly or wholly to light within the wavelength range 800-1900nm. The window 111 should be made of a material transparent to the wavelength range in which the sensor 120 is sensitive - for example it can be made of quartz or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which are transparent to NIR light. To provide illumination, a lighting system (e.g., one or more LEDs, or a strip-light) is provided, preferably around the sensor 120 to eliminate shadows and provide full illumination. The lighting system should emit light with sufficient intensity for the nutritional sensor 120 to detect illumination. Alternatively or additionally to the direct illumination, the lighting system may cause the beans to emit radiation in a spectrum to which the nutritional sensor 120 is sensitive (e.g., heating them to cause IR-spectrum emission). To enhance detection, a lens may be provided to focus reflected light on to the nutritional sensor 120. The lens may be integral with the window 111 or provided separately between the window 1 11 and the nutritional sensor 120. Information which can be derived from near infra-red analysis of coffee beans can include coffee bean freshness (for example, time elapsed since roasting and / or exposure of packed roasted coffee to air), coffee bean moisture content, coffee bean caffeine content, and coffee bean type (e.g., Arabica or Robusta).

[0070] The location of the window 111 on a sloped bottom surface of the bean tank 110 advantageously protects against dust obscuring the window 111, as the flow of beans over it serves to remove dust and grease from the window 111. The layer of beans above it also serves to protect the window 111. This effect can be enhanced with greater angling of the window 111, with angles of 45 degrees or greater from horizontal being particularly advantageous. The window 111 should be sized so as to allow the sampling of nutritional data across multiple beans. Since the beans will be in direct contact with the window, the number of beans sensed is directly proportional to its surface area facing the sensor 120. For good results, at least 10 beans should be sampled, and more preferably at least 20, and more preferably still a number of beans in the range 20-40. For example, the window may have a surface area of 9 cm2to 36 cm2across the face of the window 111 facing towards the nutritional sensor 120.

[0071] Output from the nutritional sensor 120 is then transmitted via a suitable electronic link to a data-processor, such as a PCB (i.e., printed circuit board) 130 where the sensed data is analysed. For example, a detected value of the reflected light detected by the nutritional sensor 120 may be compared to a stored value in a look-up table stored in a memory of the PCB 130. Alternatively, it may be fed to a suitable algorithm to output a suitable operational value of the beverage maker 100. In another alternative, the PCB 130 may transmit the information to an external server via a suitable internet link for further analysis, and then carry out further steps based on an analysis result received back from the external server. Depending on the processing result of the PCB 130 and user-input via the user-interface 101, the PCB 130 can then control the operation of other components of the beverage maker 100 to achieve (or come as close as possible to) a particular nutritional outcome selected by the user in a user-interface 101 of the beverage maker 100.

[0072] The nutritional value may be stored by a memory of the PCB 130 corresponding to a particular coffee option available for the user to select in the user-interface. Alternatively, it can be downloaded on-the-fly responsive to a user-selection from an external server.

[0073] Coffee is made by the beverage maker 100 by the PCB 130 controlling, via suitable electronic linkage (wires, wireless communication etc.) firstly grinding of the coffee beans of the bean tank 110 in a grinder 140, then feeding the ground coffee to a brewing module 150. Hot water is supplied under the control of the PCB 130 to the brewing module 150 by a pump 160 from a water tank 161 via a heater 170. Operational variables of all of these components can be varied by the PCB 130.

[0074] Coffee brewing variables that can be varied according to the processing result of the PCB 130 of the data from the nutritional sensor 120 can include the amount of coffee beans ground by the grinder 140 and the duration and coarseness of the grinder 140. The grinder 140 may be, for example, a burr grinder with a variable distance between the grinding burrs which can be varied to control coarseness.

[0075] The amount of water from the water tank 161 pumped by the pump 160 can be varied by, for example, varying an amount of time, or a speed, at which the pump 160 pumps. Pressure generated by the pump 160 may similarly be varied. The temperature of the heater 170 can also be varied to vary a temperature and pressure of the hot water output from it. The brewing unit 150 can vary whether, and for how long and with what quantity of water, it has a “pre-brewing” cycle in which the coffee grounds within it are exposed to a smaller quantity of water than that ultimately to be used for brewing. The brewing duration of the brewing unit 150 may also be varied. A brewing pressure within the brewing unit 150 may also be varied by controlling the quantity and temperature of water / steam admitted to it. The resulting coffee brew can then be dispensed to a user’s cup 200 through dispenser 180.

[0076] For example, the user may define a desired caffeine content of the coffee they wish to be brewed through a suitable dialogue in the user interface 101. Alternatively, the beverage maker 100 may identify a specific user by, for example, sensing their presence (for example by sensing a mobile electronic device associated with the user), and access stored nutritional targets (that is, stored either on the mobile device or in a memory of the PCB 130) associated with that user, for example a maximum caffeine content desired in each beverage. User presence and identity may also be identified from voice-analysis using a suitable microphone, or face-recognition using a suitable camera linked to the PCB 130. In a further alternative, a nutritional target can be accessed from an external server where the user has stored their desired nutritional targets based on their input or on user presence data. Based on the nutritional target, and on the sensed nutritional characteristics of the coffee beans abutting the window 111, the PCB 130 can control the elements of the beverage maker in order to achieve the nutritional target. Where the nutritional target cannot be achieved in full (for example, a target that is either above or below what is achievable), the PCB 130 will control the beverage maker 100 to achieve a closest possible result.

[0077] An example of a closest-possible-result process would be a desired caffeine content that is below the minimum / above the maximum that can be extracted from coffee grounds whilst still achieving a coffee beverage having a total dissolved solids (TDS) within an acceptable range. An example of an acceptable range for TDS for coffee beverages is 1.4- 1.8% Brix, though the user may define another range that can be stored in the PCB 130. Since both TDS and caffeine content are proportional to extraction time / temperature, but can vary significantly based on the beans used, it is possible, depending on the beans, that a desired caffeine content and a desired TDS cannot both be achieved. For example, where the user has specified a desired caffeine content beneath that which can be achieved with the beans sensed by the nutritional sensor 120 whilst still achieving a coffee beverage with a TDS in the range 1.4- 1.8% Brix, the PCB 130 will control the beverage maker to prepare a coffee beverage having the minimum acceptable TDS (e.g., 1.4% Brix). In such a circumstance, the PCB 130 may control the user interface 101 to prompt the user as to whether they still wish to go ahead with making the beverage. Other coffee characteristics as well as TDS and caffeine content can include extraction-level (i.e., the yield of solubles extracted from the beans, typically expressed as a percentage), coffee volume, coffee grounds-to-water weight ratio, coffee temperature. The user may provide a ranked preference as to which coffee characteristics should be prioritised where they cannot all be achieved, that is then stored in a memory of the PCB 130.

[0078] Based on the analysis of the data from the nutritional sensor 120, the PCB 130 can control the user interface 101 to display certain data to the user. For example, the PCB 130 may control the user interface to display coffee-beverage options suited to the nutritional characteristics of the coffee beans. For example, where the beans are determined to be Arabica beans, the user interface 101 may recommend espresso or cappuccino coffee beverages to the user. In another example, where the beans are determined to be Robusta, the user-interface 101 may recommend an Americano coffee beverage. The user interface 101 may also be controlled by the PCB 130 to display consumption data, including, for example, daily caffeine consumption in total for all users or just corresponding to that user.

[0079] The locating of the window 111 to allow the nutritional sensor 120 to sense the nutritional characteristics of the beans before they are ground by the grinder 140 in turn allows the operational characteristics of the grinder 140 to be varied responsive to the data sensed by the nutritional sensor 120 before grinding is carried out. This can be enhanced by placing the window 111 immediately adjacent the connection between the bean tank 110 and the grinder 140 such that the window 111 at least overlaps with that portion of the volume of the bean tank 110 from which beans will be used to prepare the next coffee beverage to be made by the beverage maker 100. Whilst this volume itself will vary to an extent due to variation in the amount of coffee beans to be ground, it will have a minimum volume corresponding to the minimum amount of coffee beans that can be used to make a coffee beverage having a minimum size. For example, with coffee beans having a bulk density of ~0.3g / cm3, and ~6 to ~12 grams of ground coffee being a minimum amount of coffee that could be used in making a coffee beverage, an exemplary volume could be in the range 20cm3to 40cm3. Even more preferably, the window 111 overlaps completely with this volume, so that the coffee beans sensed will be entirely representative of the next coffee beverage to be made by the beverage maker 100.

[0080] The brewing module 150, coffee grinder 140, coffee bean tank 110, and data processor 130 may be substantially enclosed within a single housing 190.

[0081] Fig. 2 illustrates a beverage maker 100a that is identical to the beverage maker 100, with corresponding reference-numbers and component-names (i.e., PCB 130a, grinder 140a, pump 160a, water tank 161a, heater 170a, brewing unit 150a, and dispenser 180a) indicating corresponding functions, except as herein described. For the beverage maker 100a, rather than the bean tank 110a being integral to the beverage maker 100a, it is removably attachable thereto, in particular it is removably attachable to a casing 190a of the beverage maker 100a. Therefore, the nutritional sensor 120a can also be provided so as to be removably attachable to the beverage machine 100a via the bean tank 110a, and located so as to sense nutritional characteristics of the coffee beans through a window I l la provided on the bean tank 110a. Where the nutritional sensor 120a is provided separable from the beverage maker 100a, suitable power and data-transmission connections should be provided (e.g., wired with a suitable plug-and- socket arrangement, RFID). Alternatively, the nutritional sensor 120a may be provided on a location of the beverage maker 100a corresponding to the location of the window 11 la when the bean tank 1 10a is attached to the beverage maker 100a. For example, it can be provided in a tank-seat from the bean tank 110a provided on the beverage maker 100a. In this way separability of the bean tank 110a is achieved whilst maintaining sensing of the nutritional characteristics of the beans prior to brewing.

[0082] The bean tank 110a is preferably made of a dishwasher-safe material such as stainless steel, glass, or a dishwasher-safe plastic. Examples of such plastics would include Nylon. Where the sensor 120a is provided on the bean tank 110a, the sensor 120a can be provided in a sealed, water-proof housing to enable it to dishwasherwashing of the tank 110a.

[0083] Fig. 3 illustrates a bean tank 110b similar to the bean tanks 110 and 110a except as will now be described. In the bean tank 110b the window 111b is oriented vertically. The nutritional sensor 120b is positioned to sense the coffee beans in the volume 112b of the bean tank 110b through the window 111b and transmit data to the PCB 130b. The vertical orientation of the window 111b can help minimise the adherence of dust / grease that might impair the sensing result of the sensor 120b, and can maximise the cleaning effect of the flow of beans over the window. However, the bean tank 110b is still generally funnel / conically-shaped to enjoy the advantages of this shape, which include maximising storage space whilst encouraging even top-down bean-flow towards the grinder 140b.

[0084] As can also be seen in Fig. 3, a lens 121b is provided between the window 111b and the nutritional sensor 120b, which helps focus reflected light from the coffee beans on to the detector of the nutritional sensor 120b. Light sources 122b are provided at least above and below the lens 121b to eliminate shadows, with their light not travelling through the lens 121b before illuminating the beans.

[0085] The volume-size of the volume 112b can be a minimum coffee-bean-use volume such as that discussed above, calculated to correspond to the minimum amount of coffee beans that will be used in a single beverage-making operation. This construction also can avoid the need to have a separate dosing compartment in which the nutritional content of the beans can be determined. The fact that the volume 112b is defined between lateral (i.e., side) walls of the bean tank 110b prevents beans from entering the volume 112b except from above. Because beans are added to the top of the tank 110b and then dispensed in to the grinder 140b from bottom of the tank 11 Ob, adding beans tends to form a layer of a particular type of bean within the tank, this can help ensure that the beans sensed are representative of the beans from which the next beverage will be made.

[0086] Fig. 4 illustrates a beverage maker 100c identical to the beverage maker 100a except as will now be described. In this arrangement, coffee beans are dosed into a dosing chamber 112c using a dosing mechanism (e.g., a rotating carousel with compartments into which beans are filled from the bean tank 110c and then emptied in to the chamber 112c). Nutritional values of the beans are then sensed by the nutritional sensor 120c through the window 111c, prior to grinding of the beans. A volume of the dosing chamber 112c may be less than or equal to the volume needed to contain a minimum coffee bean dose, for example it could be 20 to 40cm3as discussed above. In this way, it is better ensured that the beans being sensed are those from which the next beverage will be made.

[0087] Fig. 5 illustrates a beverage maker lOOd similar to the beverage maker 100 except that the bean tank can also receive pre-ground coffee which can be bypassed around any grinder present in the machine (or may lack a grinder), and that it does not comprise an integral nutritional sensor. Instead, a separate sensor-housing 300 is provided. This housing includes a nutritional sensor 310 that senses the coffee beans in the dosing chamber 320 through a window 311. The sensor housing 300 may optionally include a grinder 330 that is fed with coffee beans from the dosing chamber 320, which dispenses ground coffee into a suitable receptacle (not shown) which may be used to put the ground coffee in to the tank 11 Od for use in brewing coffee in the brewing unit 120d. Alternatively, where the beverage maker 1 OOd has a grinder, the beans can be sensed and then placed unground in to the tank 1 1 Od.

[0088] The housing 300 is in bidirectional electronic communication (e.g., via WiFi modules, or a wired connection) via suitable electronic communication means 340 with the PCB 130d of the beverage maker lOOd. The PCB 130d can then process the information from the nutritional sensor 310 and determine the operation characteristics of the brewing unit 120d (and, optionally, also those of the grinder 330). In this way sensing of the nutritional characteristics of the beans can be provided to a beverage maker 1 OOd lacking an integral nutritional sensor.

[0089] The PCB 130d and the brewing unit 120d may be substantially enclosed in a housing 190d.

[0090] The bean tanks 1 10, 110a, 110b, 110c, and the dosing chambers 112c and 320, are all preferably made of food-safe material to enable user safety. Examples of such material include stainless steel, glass, and plastics such as Nylon.

[0091] As used herein, the term "removable attachment" (and similar terms such as “removably attachable”), as used in relation to an attachment between a first object and a second object, preferably connotes that the first object is attached to the second object and can be detached (and preferably re-attached, detached again, and so on, repetitively), and / or that the first object may be removed from the second object without damaging the first object or the second object; more preferably the term connotes that the first object may be re-attached to the second object without damaging the first object or the second object, and / or that the first object may be removed from (and optionally also re- attached to) the second object by hand and / or without the use of tools (e.g. screwdrivers, spanners, etc.). Mechanisms such as a snap-fit, a bayonet attachment, and a hand-rotatable locking nut may be used in this regard.

[0092] “Food safe” in this context means any substance that does not shed substances harmful to human health in clinically significant quantities if ingested. For example, it should be BPA-free.

[0093] “Dishwasher safe” means that it should be physically and chemically stable during prolonged exposure to the conditions prevailing within a dishwasher machine. For example, it should be able to withstand exposure to a mixture of water and a typical dishwasher substance (e.g., washing with Fairy TM or FinishTM dishwasher tablets and water, at temperatures of 82 degrees centigrade for as long as 8 hours without visibly degrading (e.g., cracking)).

[0094] It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

[0095] Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

[0096] Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A coffee beverage maker comprising: a user-interface (101) configured to receive a user-input of a desired coffee product having a predetermined nutritional value for making by the coffee beverage maker, a brewing module (150) configured to brew coffee, a coffee bean store, the coffee bean store comprising a nutritional sensor (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 320) configured to directly sense a nutritional characteristic of a plurality of coffee beans comprising a representative sample of those stored within a predetermined volume therein, and output a nutritional signal based on that nutritional characteristic, a coffee grinder (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 330) configured to grind coffee beans to produce ground coffee for delivery to the ground coffee to the brewing module, a data-processor (130, 130a, 130b, 130d) configured to receive the nutritional signal and the desired coffee product, and to control the brewing module (150, 150a, 120d) and / or grinder (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 330) to achieve the predetermined nutritional value of the desired coffee product and / or a closest achievable result thereto.

2. The coffee beverage maker of claim 1, wherein the nutritional signal is indicative of at least one of:- a caffeine content of the plurality of coffee beans,- a freshness of the coffee beans,- a coffee bean type,- a moisture-content of the coffee beans.

3. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein the data-processor is configured, responsive to the nutritional signal, to vary one of:- a pre- infusion time of the brewing module (150, 150a, 120d),- a brewing time of the brewing module (150, 150a, 120d),- a water-quantity of the brewing module (150, 150a, 120d),- a temperature of the brewing module (150, 150a, 120d),- a coarseness / fineness of the grinder (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 330),- a grinding-quantity of the grinder (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 330),- a grinding operation duration of the grinder (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 330).

4. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim wherein the user interface (101) is one of:- a touch-screen user-interface,- an app operating on a mobile device in communication with the coffee beverage maker,- a presence-sensor configured to sense the presence of a specific user or userdevice associated with a specific user.

5. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined nutritional value is one of:- a nutritional value retrieved from an external server via an internet connection responsive to a user selection of a desired coffee product,- a pre-stored nutritional value of the desired coffee product stored in a memory of the coffee beverage maker.

6. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim wherein the data-processor is further configured to display, via the user interface (101):- total or average per-day nutritional (e.g., caffeine) consumption over a predetermined period,- recommended coffee products displayed responsive to the nutritional signal.

7. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined volume corresponds at least partially to a predetermined volume of coffee beans for grinding by the coffee grinder in a next coffee bean grinding operation.

8. The coffee beverage maker of claim 7, wherein the nutritional sensor is located in a bottom portion of the coffee bean store, preferably immediately adjacent to the coffee grinder in a connecting passageway or coffee-bean-conveyor configured to deliver coffee beans from the coffee bean store to the grinder.

9. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein the nutritional sensor (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 320) is separated from an interior of the coffee bean store by a window (111, I l la, 111b, 111c, 311) transparent to a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range within which the nutritional sensor (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 311) is configured to be sensitive, preferably wherein the window (111, I l la, 111b, 111c, 311) comprises quartz or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), more preferably wherein the window (111, I l la, 111b, 111c, 311) is oriented at a least 45 degrees from horizontal, and preferably is substantiallyvertically-oriented.

10. The coffee beverage maker of claim 9, wherein the nutritional sensor (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 320) is associated with an illuminator configured to illuminate the plurality of coffee beans, preferably either within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range and / or at a wavelength configured to cause the plurality of coffee beans to emit within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, preferably wherein the illuminator is arranged to substantially surround the nutritional sensor, for substantially shadowless illumination of the plurality of coffee beans, more preferably wherein the illuminator comprises one of a plurality of point light-sources and a strip-light.1 1. The coffee beverage maker of any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the nutritional sensor (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 320) further comprises a lens configured to focus light within the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, preferably wherein the lens and the window (111 , I l la, 111b, 111c, 31 1) are integrally formed.

12. The coffee beverage maker of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range includes the range 800nm to 1900nm, and preferably is entirely within it.

13. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein a number of the plurality of coffee beans is at least ten beans, and more preferably at least 20 beans, and even more preferably is between approximately 20 to 40 beans.

14. The coffee beverage maker of claim 13 as dependent from any one of claims 9-12, wherein the number of the plurality of the coffee beans is determined by a surface-area of the window with which the plurality of coffee beans is in direct contact with, preferably wherein the surface-area is in the range of approximately 9cm2to 36cm2.

15. The coffee beverage maker of any preceding claim, wherein:- the brewing module, coffee grinder, coffee bean store, and data processor are substantially enclosed within a single housing (190), or,- the brewing module, data processor, and coffee grinder are substantially enclosed within a single casing (190a), to which the coffee bean store is configuredto be removably-attachable, or,- the brewing module and data processor are substantially enclosed in a first housing (190d), and the coffee bean store is located in a second housing (300) in electronic communication with the first housing.

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