Grinder cleaner

Abstract

A method for producing a grinder cleaner is disclosed, comprising blending an organic material, a binder, and a lubricant to form a precursor material and processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness. The body is then heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to produce the grinder cleaner.

Description

GRINDER CLEANERPRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024904312 titled “GRINDER CLEANER” and filed on 24 December 2024, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the cleaning of coffee grinding machines. In a particular form, the present disclosure relates to the cleaning of a coffee bean grinder forming a component of a superautomatic coffee dispensing apparatus.BACKGROUND

[0003] A “super-automatic” coffee dispensing apparatus operates to take coffee beans, water and optionally other additives such as milk or the like and processes these inputs to form a coffee based beverage. A super-automatic coffee machine may be distinguished from other types of automated coffee dispensing apparatus such as those based on a pod or insert containing a pre-processed coffee elixir or cordial which is pierced with hot water and then forced through the pod to form the coffee beverage.

[0004] It follows that an important component of a super-automatic coffee machine is the internal grinder. The grinder can be of a conical burr or flat type and functions to mechanically grind coffee beans, typically fed from a hopper forming part of the coffee machine, to form ground coffee. The ground coffee is then transferred to the “brew group / chamber” component of the coffee machine. In the brew group, the coffee grounds are compressed to form an ejectable “puck” and hot water at a suitable temperature and pressure is forced through the puck to form the hot coffee which is then dispensed through an outlet such as a spout. Following this process, the puck is automatically removed from the brew group and deposited in a waste receptacle forming part of the coffee machine for later disposal.

[0005] A by-product of grinding the coffee beans is that a residual amount of coffee oil can remain on the grinding surfaces of the coffee grinder. This residual material if it is not cleaned from the grinding surfaces can go off or become rancid which will then affect the taste of any subsequent coffee that is being ground. Additionally, if different types of coffee are being ground (eg, different flavoured coffees) then one type of coffee may leave a residue that affects the taste of another type of coffee when it is subsequently ground using the internal grinder.

[0006] For a standalone grinder, one way to clean the grinding surfaces is to disassemble the grinding machine to allow direct brushing and washing of these surfaces. In the case of a super-automatic coffee machine, the internal grinder cannot be accessed except by a trained service person requiring disassembly of the coffee machine. Grinder cleaning materials have been developed which may be ground by the grinder and which in the process clean the grinding surfaces and these have been successfully employed for standalone grinders. Examples include pellets of a suitable organic material that when ground will absorb any residues from the grinding surfaces. However, for the case of an internal grinder these grinder cleaning materials are unsuitable given that following being ground by the internal grinder the cleaning material is subjected to the same continuous process that ground coffee would normally encounter, ie, the formation of a puck and the forcing of hot water through the puck before removal and disposal.Unfortunately, as a result of the addition of hot water these grinder cleaning materials will then form a viscous sludge or paste that blocks the coffee machine typically requiring a service technician to clear the blockage.SUMMARY

[0007] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a grinder cleaner, comprising:blending an organic material, a binder, and a lubricant to form a precursor material; processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness; and heating the body at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

[0008] In another form, at least one of the organic material, the binder or the lubricant is in granular form prior to moulding.

[0009] In another form, the organic material, the binder and the lubricant are all substantially in granular form prior to moulding.

[0010] In another form, the blending further comprises blending a flow agent to form the precursor material.

[0011] In another form, the body is sized and configured to be ground by a grinder.

[0012] In another form, processing the precursor material comprises pressing the precursor material in a mould to form the body of predetermined hardness.

[0013] In another form, processing the precursor material comprises extruding the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness.

[0014] In another form, processing the precursor material comprises granulating the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness.

[0015] In another form, heating the body at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time produces a predetermined reduction in hardness to a final predetermined hardness.

[0016] In another form, the predetermined reduction in hardness is in a range of 20 N - 40 N.

[0017] In another form, the organic material is 50%-60% w / w of the body.

[0018] In another form, the binder is 30%-50% w / w of the body.

[0019] In another form, the lubricant is 0.01%-3% w / w of the body.

[0020] In another form, the predetermined hardness is in a range of 25 N - 100 N.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a grinder cleaner formed from the method of the first aspect.

[0022] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a grinder cleaner in a form of a body comprising:an organic material,a binder, anda lubricant, wherein the body has a predetermined final hardness.

[0023] In another form, the grinder cleaner further comprises a flow agent.

[0024] In another form, the organic material is 50%-60% w / w of the body.

[0025] In another form, binder is 30%-50% w / w of the body.

[0026] In another form, the lubricant is 0.01%-3% w / w of the body.

[0027] In another form, the predetermined final hardness is 10 N - 60 N.

[0028] In another form, the grinder cleaner is semi-hydrophobic.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for cleaning a grinding component of a super-automatic coffee machine, comprising:substituting coffee beans with the grinder cleaner of the second aspect or third aspect; andoperating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage and clean the grinding component.

[0030] In another form, operating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage comprises:grinding the grinder cleaner to clean a grinding surface of the super-automatic coffee machine; forming a puck of ground grinder cleaner in a brewing component of the super-automatic coffee machine;dispensing hot water through the puck of ground grinder cleaner; andejecting the puck of ground grinder cleaner.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for producing a grinder cleaner in accordance with some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of two different methods for moulding the precursor material to form a body in accordance with some embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a plot showing the oil binding capacity of two example grinder cleaners formed in accordance with some embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for cleaning a grinding component of a super-automatic coffee machine in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for operating a super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage and clean the grinding component in accordance with some embodiments.

[0037] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a flowchart of a method 100 for forming a grinder cleaner 135 according to some embodiments. By way of overview, method 100 comprises blending an organic material, a binder, and a lubricant to form a precursor material 115. The precursor material 115 isthen processed to form a body 125 having a predetermined hardness and the body 125 is then heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form the grinder cleaner 135.

[0039] As would be appreciated, example grinder cleaners formulated and used in accordance with the present disclosure may be used to clean grinders operating on edible materials such as coffee and the like. In these examples, the component materials will be selected to meet food safety standards relevant to the cleaning of grinders for edible materials (eg, as specified by the Codex Alimentarius) which will govern the trace levels of any potential contaminants in any component material such as heavy metals.

[0040] At block 110, method 100 comprises blending an organic material, a binder, and a lubricant to form a precursor material 115.

[0041] In one example, the organic material is a defatted or de-oiled organic material.

[0042] In one example, the organic material is a gluten free organic material.

[0043] In one example, the organic material is in granular form. In various examples, the grain size of the granular form may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: less than 45 pm, 45 pm - 250 pm, 250 pm - 425 pm, 425 pm - 850 pm, 850 pm - 1400 pm, 1400 pm - 1700 pm, or greater than 1700 pm. As would be appreciated, a material in granular form may adopt a distribution of different sizes.

[0044] In one example, the gluten free organic material comprises defatted rice bran granules. In one example, the defatted rice bran granules are in meal or powder form that is insoluble in water

[0045] In one example, the gluten free organic material comprises com or maize granules. In one example, the com or maize granules are in meal or powder form. In one example, the com or maize granular is defatted or de-oiled.

[0046] In various examples, the organic material may be selected from teff seeds, sunflower seeds, buckwheat, psyllium husks, rice hulls, oats, lupin flakes or tapioca starch.

[0047] In one example, the organic material comprises a combination of different individual organic materials such as those described above.

[0048] In various examples, the organic material may be in paste or gel form (eg, rice bran gel or paste).

[0049] In one example, the organic material is 50% - 60% w / w of the formed precursor material 115. In various examples, the w / w percentage of the organic material as a proportion of the formed precursormaterial 115 may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 50%-52%, 52%-540 / 0, 54%-56%, 56%-58%, or 58%-60%.

[0050] The next component for forming the precursor material 115 of step 110 is a binder. In one example, the binder is a cellulose based binder material. In various examples, the cellulose based binder material may be selected from amorphous cellulose (eg, Arbocel™), microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylcellulose, fully or partially oxidised cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and combinations thereof.

[0051] In another example, the binder is a starch based binder material. In various examples, the starch based binder material may be selected from starch, oxidised starch or a starch derivative (eg, pregelatinized starch).

[0052] In another example, the binder is a protein based binder material. In various examples, the protein based binder material may be selected from gelatin, pea protein, whey protein, collagen, casein, soy protein, rice protein, com protein or similar proteins and combinations thereof.

[0053] In another example, the binder is a polymer based binder material. In various examples, the polymer based binder material may be selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone, PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone -vinyl acetate (eg, PVP-VA64, Kollidon™ VA 64) or poly(glucono-5-lactone), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) [PVA OK] and combinations thereof.

[0054] In another example, the binder is a sugar based binder material. In various examples, the sugar based binder material may be selected from monosaccharides (eg, glucose, fructose or galactose), disaccharides (eg, sucrose, maltose or lactose) or oligosaccharides (eg, raffinose) and combinations thereof.

[0055] In another example, the binder is polyol based binder material. In various examples, the polyol based binder material may be selected from sorbitol and / or xylitol erythritol or mannitol.

[0056] In another example, the binder is lactone based binder material (eg, gluconodeltalactone).

[0057] In another example, the binder is a salt based binder material. In various examples, the salt based binder material may be selected from sodium gluconate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium methylglycinediacetate or sodium citrate.

[0058] In various other examples, the binder may be selected from agar, guar gum, gum arabic, or alginate.

[0059] In one example, the binder is in granular form. In various examples, the grain size of the granular form may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: less than 45 pm,45 pm - 250 pm, 250 pm - 425 pm, 425 pm - 850 pm, 850 pm - 1400 pm, 1400 pm - 1700 pm, or greater than 1700 pm. As would be appreciated, a binder in granular form may adopt a distribution of different sizes.

[0060] In one example, the binder comprises a combination of different individual binder materials such as those described above.

[0061] In various example, the binder material may be in paste or gel form (eg, cellulose paste or gel).

[0062] In one example, the binder is 30%-50% w / w of the formed precursor material 115. In various examples, the w / w percentage of the binder as a proportion of the formed precursor material 115 may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 30%-32%, 32%-34%, 34%-36%, 36%-38%, 38%-40%, 40%-42%, 42%-44%, 44%-46%, 46%-48%, or 48%-60%.

[0063] The next component for forming the precursor material 115 of step 110 is a lubricant. In one example, the lubricant is a glyceride based lubricant material. In various examples, the glyceride based lubricant material may be selected from a mono-glyceride, bi-glyceride, tri -glyceride, or glyceryl behenate (eg, Compritol™ 888 ATO).

[0064] In various examples, the lubricant may be selected from magnesium stearate, stearic acid, sodium stearyl fumerate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), mineral oil, castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, isopropyl myristate, microcrystalline wax, silicon dioxide or talc.

[0065] In one example, the lubricant is in granular form. In various examples, the grain size of the granular form may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: less than 45 pm, 45 pm - 250 pm, 250 pm - 425 pm, 425 pm - 850 pm, 850 pm - 1400 pm, 1400 pm - 1700 pm, or greater than 1700 pm. As would be appreciated, a lubricant in granular form may adopt a distribution of different sizes.

[0066] In one example, the lubricant comprises a combination of different individual lubricant materials such as those described above.

[0067] In one example, the lubricant has a high melting point. In one example, the lubricant has a melting point above 50 °C. In various examples, the lubricant melting point may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: below 55 °C, 55 °C - 60 °C, 60 °C - 65 °C, 65 °C - 70 °C, or greater than 70 °C.

[0068] In various example, the binder material may be in liquid, paste or gel form (eg, glyceryl behenate liquid, paste or gel).

[0069] In one example, the lubricant is 0.01%-3 % w / w of the body 125. In various examples, the w / w percentage of the lubricant as a proportion of the formed precursor material 115 may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 0.01%-0.25%, 0.25%-0.5%, 0.5%-0.75%, 0.75%-1.0%, I.0%-I.25%, 1.25%-!.50%, 1.50%-1.75%, 1.75%-2.0%, 2.0%-2.25%, 2.25%-2.50%, 2.50%-2.75%, or 2.75%-3.0%.

[0070] In another example, the body 125 further comprises a flow agent or glidant.

[0071] In one example, the flow agent is a hydrophilic material.

[0072] In one example, the flow agent is amorphous silica / silicon dioxide based hydrophilic material (eg, Aerosil™ 200 F).

[0073] In various examples, the flow agent may be selected from talc, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, glyceryl monostearate, sodium benzoate, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium, silicate or com starch.

[0074] In one example, the flow agent is 0.01 - 3 % w / w of the body 125. In various examples, the w / w percentage of the flow agent as a proportion of the formed precursor material 115 may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 0.01%-0.25%, 0.25%-0.5%, 0.5%-0.75%, 0.75%-1.0%, 1.0%-1.25%, 1.25%-1.50%, 1.50%-1.75%, 1.75%-2.0%, 2.0%-2.25%, 2.25%-2.50%, 2.50%-2.75%, or 2.75%-3.0%.

[0075] In other examples, other excipients that may suitably be incorporated into the formed body 125 include, but are not limited to: water-soluble carbohydrate, diluents / fdlers, disintegrating agents, colourants, and combinations thereof.

[0076] In various examples, the grain size and granule characteristics of the formed precursor material may be modified by using a process such as wet granulation where a binder may be added to a powder mixture to form granules which are subsequently dried and milled to the desired grain or particle size.

[0077] At block 120, method 100 comprises processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness.

[0078] In one example, the body is sized and configured to be ground by a grinder.

[0079] In various examples, the weight of the body may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to, 0.1 gm - 0.2 gm, 0.2 gm - 0.5 gm, 0.3 gm - 0.4 gm, or greater than 0.4 gm.

[0080] In one example, the hardness of the body may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to, 15 N - 120 N, 25 N - 100 N, 45 N - 80 N, or 50 N - 60 N.

[0081] In various examples, the hardness of the body may be determined by a tablet hardness tester such as a Dr Schleunger Pharmatron™ Model 6D tablet hardness tester where the body is crushed between two metal plates and the force is recorded at the breaking point of the body.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a flowchart 200 showing three different processing methods 210, 220, 230 for processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness according to some embodiments. In various examples, these processing methods may form part of processing step 120 of method 100.

[0083] Method 210 comprises pressing the precursor material in a mould to form the body of predetermined hardness.

[0084] In one example, pressing the precursor material in a mould to form the body of predetermined hardness comprises using a tablet pressing arrangement where a precursor material (typically in powdered form) is compressed into solid tablets. The process typically starts with blending active ingredients and excipients to create a uniform powder, which may be granulated to improve flow. The powder is then fed into the die cavity or mould of a tablet press machine, where opposed punches or presses apply a compression force to form a solid tablet. Following compression, the tablet is ejected from the tablet pressing arrangement.

[0085] Method 220 comprises extruding the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness.

[0086] In one example, extruding the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness comprises using an extrusion arrangement where a precursor material (typically in powder or pellet form) is pushed through a die to create an extrusion product of a fixed cross-sectional profile. Typically, the process starts by feeding the material into an extrusion barrel where it is heated and softened. A screwthen forces the softened material through the die, shaping it into a continuous profile, such as a tube, sheet, or rod. After exiting or being extruded from the die the extruded material is cooled and cut to the desired length.

[0087] In one example, the body is a tablet. In one example, the tablet is a cylindrical tablet.

[0088] In various examples, the diameter of the cylindrical tablet may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to, 4 mm - 20 mm, 7.5 mm - 15 mm, or 10 mm - 12 mm.

[0089] In one example, the thickness of the cylindrical tablet may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to, 1 mm - 7.5 mm, 2 mm - 6 mm, or 3 mm - 5 mm.

[0090] In another example, the tablet is an oblong tablet. In various examples, an oblong tablet may have dimensions selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: length between 5 mm -15 mm, width between 3 mm - 10 mm and thickness between 4 mm - 8 mm thick.

[0091] In one example, the body is a pellet such as would be produced from an extrusion process where the pellet may have dimensions selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to a diameter between 3 mm - 6 mm and a length up to 10 mm.

[0092] In another example, the body is sized and configured similar to a coffee bean.

[0093] In another example, processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness comprises method 230 comprising granulating the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness by processes such as wet granulation which involves mixing the precursor ingredients in powder form with a granulating fluid, increasing the size of the granules, drying the granules and then milling the granules to form the body having a predetermined hardness.

[0094] At block 130, method 100 comprises heating the body at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

[0095] In one example, the predetermined temperature may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to, 140 °C - 250 °C or 170 °C - 190 °C.

[0096] In one example, the predetermined time of heating may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to,l minute to 10 minutes, 10 minutes to 60 minutes or 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

[0097] In one example, the body is heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to produce a body or grinder cleaner having a predetermined final hardness less than the predetermined hardness of the body of the prior to heating.

[0098] In various examples, the reduction of hardness following heating may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 20 N - 40 N, 5 N - 10 N, 10 N - 15 N, 15 N - 20 N, 20 N - 25 N, 25 N - 30 N, 30 N - 35 N, 40 N - 45 N, 45 N - 50 N, 50 N - 55 N, or greater than 55 N (depending on the initial hardness prior to heating.

[0099] In various examples, the predetermined final hardness may be selected from the following ranges including, but not limited to: 10 N - 60 N, 20 N - 50 N, or 25 N - 45 N (depending on the initial hardness prior to heating).

[0100] Heating of the body may be provided by any suitable means to achieve the required final hardness. In various examples, heating methodologies including, but not limited to: infrared heating, conduction heating, convection heating, and microwave heating may be adopted, in either a continuous or batch manufacturing process.

[0101] Following are two example grinder cleaner compositions produced in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0102] EXAMPLE 1

[0103] In accordance with Example 1, rice bran, silicon dioxide, Compritol 888 ATO, powdered cellulose and sodium gluconate are blended in order and in the above proportions for a period of 10 minutes or until uniformly dispersed. The powder is then pressed on a rotary press to produce a body in the form of a round tablet having a diameter of 10.5 mm, thickness of 3.7 mm and an average mass 0.36 gm. In this example, the tablet prior to heating has a hardness of 55 N. The tablets are then heated orroasted at a roasting or heat density of approximately 10 kg / m2for a period of 30 min and a temperature 180 °C. After roasting the average hardness of the grinder cleaner is 30 N.

[0104] EXAMPLE 2

[0105] In accordance with Example 2, rice bran, amorphous silicon dioxide, Compritol 888 ATO and powdered cellulose are blended in order and in the above proportions for a period of 10 minutes or until uniform. The powder is then pressed on a rotary press to produce a body in the form of a round tablet having a diameter of 10.5 mm, thickness of 3.7 mm and an average mass 0.36 gm. In this example, the tablet prior to heating has a hardness of 55 N. The tablets are then heated or roasted at a roasting or heating density of 10 kg / m2) for a period of 30 min and a temperature 180 °C. After roasting the average hardness of the grinder cleaner is 30 N.

[0106] The Applicant has found that a grinder cleaner formed in accordance with the present disclosure is especially suitable for cleaning the internal grinder of a super-automatic coffee machine.

[0107] Not wishing to be bound by theory, but it is believed that the heating step (see block 130 of FIG. 1) facilitates a Maillard reaction between the organic material and reducing sugars in the binder (including by way of impurities) to form the final body.

[0108] It is theorised that the amine side chains of the amino acids within the proteins of the organic material react with carbonyl functional groups on the reducing sugars of the binder to form a Schiff base which is an unstable intermediate that forms when the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom of a primary amine undertakes nucleophilic attack on the carbon of the carbonyl group. This causes the redistribution of electrons such that water is released, and an imine is formed. The Schiff base then undergoes Amadori rearrangement in the process forming ketosamines. Furthermore, in accordance with this understanding, the formation of the final product linkage between protein and carbohydrate will reduce the propensity of the organic proteins to gel under higher temperatures such as that found in an automatic coffee machine. Furthermore, it is thought that the Maillard rection product aids in the permeability of hot water through the compressed puck in the brew chamber.

[0109] The body may then be ground by the internal grinder to form a ground cleaning material in the process cleaning residue from the grinding surfaces of the internal grinder. The ground material will have the propensity to adsorb / absorb oils on the surface of the grinder.

[0110] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a plot 300 showing the oil binding capacity of two example grinder cleaners (ie, Examples 1 and 2 above) formed according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Plot 300 shows the oil binding capacity (in m ) to sunflower oil of 5 grams of the Example 1 and 2 grinder cleaners referred to above in comparison to two prior art grinder cleaner products (ie, Prior Art A and B). The left hand column for each grinder cleaner indicates the sum of absorption and adsorption amount for the respective grinder cleaner having been ground to a fine grind while the right hand column indicates the absorption of the grinder cleaner having been ground to a coarse grind.

[0111] As can be seen by inspection, the grinder cleaners formed in accordance with the present disclosure following having been ground significantly outperform the oil binding capacity of the prior art grinder cleaners indicating the effectiveness of these grinder cleaners to remove oil from the grinding surfaces.

[0112] Not wishing to be bound by theory, but it is believed that the lubricant component in combination with the Maillard reaction product of the now ground cleaning material assist in the forming of the puck and further is sufficiently hydrophobic to aid hot water to be forced through the puck similar in operation to a puck formed from ground coffee and importantly prevent dissolving or degradation of the puck formed of cleaning material. As a result, this allows the cleaning material puck to be ejected from the brew group following cleaning of the internal grinder as opposed to the puck partially or fully dissolving and clogging the grinder and requiring subsequently disassembly of the grinder

[0113] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart of a method 400 for cleaning a grinding component of a super-automatic coffee machine according to some embodiments.

[0114] At block 410, coffee beans that would ordinarily be processed by the super-automatic coffee machine are substituted with a grinder cleaner in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0115] At block 420, method 400 comprises operating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage and clean the grinding component.

[0116] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a flowchart of a method 500 for operating a super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage and clean the grinding component in accordance with some embodiments. In one example, operating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense abeverage comprises at block 510 grinding the grinder cleaner to clean the grinding surface of the superautomatic coffee machine and at block 520 the super super-automatic coffee machine forming a puck of ground grinder cleaner (and absorbed oil and residue) in a brewing component of the super-automatic coffee machine. Block 530 then comprises the super-automatic coffee machine dispensing or forcing hot water through the puck of ground grinder cleaner as if it was dispensing a normal coffee and then ejecting the puck of ground grinder cleaner at block 540. Coffee beans may then be used again following cleaning of the grinding component.

[0117] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0118] It will be understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” and any of their derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising, includes, including) as used in this specification, and the claims that follow, is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which the term refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

[0119] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and / or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0120] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not restricted in its use to the particular application or applications described. Neither is the present disclosure restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and / or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for producing a grinder cleaner, comprising:blending an organic material, a binder, and a lubricant to form a precursor material; processing the precursor material to form a body having a predetermined hardness; and heating the body at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the organic material, the binder or the lubricant is in granular form prior to moulding.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the organic material, the binder and the lubricant are all substantially in granular form prior to moulding.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blending further comprises blending a flow agent to form the precursor material.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body is sized and configured to be ground by a grinder.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein processing the precursor material comprises pressing the precursor material in a mould to form the body of predetermined hardness.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein processing the precursor material comprises extruding the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein processing the precursor material comprises granulating the precursor material to form the body of predetermined hardness.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein heating the body at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time produces a predetermined reduction in hardness to a final predetermined hardness.

10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined reduction in hardness is in a range of 20 N - 40 N.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the organic material is 50%-60% w / w of the body.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the binder is 30%-50% w / w of the body.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lubricant is 0.01%-3% w / w of the body.

14. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined hardness is in a range of25 N - WO N.

15. A grinder cleaner formed from the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A grinder cleaner in a form of a body comprising:an organic material,a binder, anda lubricant, wherein the body has a predetermined final hardness.

17. The grinder cleaner of claim 16, further comprising a flow agent.

18. The grinder cleaner of claim 16 or 17, wherein the organic material is 50%-60% w / w of the body.

19. The grinder cleaner of claim 16 or 17, wherein the binder is 30%-50% w / w of the body.

20. The grinder cleaner of claim 16 or 17, wherein the lubricant is 0.01%-3% w / w of the body.

21. The grinder cleaner of claim 16 or 17, wherein the predetermined final hardness is 10 N - 60 N.

22. The grinder cleaner of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the grinder cleaner is semihydrophobic.

23. A method for cleaning a grinding component of a super-automatic coffee machine, comprising:substituting coffee beans with the grinder cleaner of claim 15 or any one of claims 16 to 22; and operating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage and clean the grinding component.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein operating the super-automatic coffee machine to dispense a beverage comprises:grinding the grinder cleaner to clean a grinding surface of the super-automatic coffee machine; forming a puck of ground grinder cleaner in a brewing component of the super-automatic coffee machine;dispensing hot water through the puck of ground grinder cleaner; andejecting the puck of ground grinder cleaner.

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