Coffee Roaster Distributing Device for Chaff and Bean Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing small-scale coffee bean roasting apparatuses are cumbersome for successive roasting operations and lack efficient automatic collection of chaffs and roasted beans, making it difficult to prepare coffee for multiple customers simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A roasting apparatus with a roasting chamber, air driver, heater, chaff collector, and beans collector, featuring a distributing device that allows independent operation of the chaff and beans collectors through separate channels, enabling automatic separation and storage of roasted beans in different containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single channel is used for both chaff evacuation and roasted beans evacuation, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but the operation becomes cumbersome requiring manual separation and reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel structureVSAvoidsuccessive roasting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single channel is divided into two separate channels: a first channel for chaff evacuation and a second channel for roasted beans evacuation. This segmentation allows independent operation of each channel, enabling successive roasting operations without manual reassembly while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the same channel is used for both chaff and beans evacuation, then the device structure is simpler, but automatic collection of chaffs and roasted beans becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel configurationVSAvoidautomatic collection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is segmented into a first channel connected to a chaff collector and a second channel connected to a beans collector. This allows automatic collection of chaffs and roasted beans in separate containers, eliminating manual intervention while keeping the overall device structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A distributing device acts as an intermediary between the roasting chamber and the two collectors. It automatically directs chaffs through the first channel to the chaff collector and roasted beans through the second channel to the beans collector, enabling automatic separation and collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If chaffs and roasted beans are collected in the same cyclone device, then the separation function is achieved, but manual separation operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollecting deviceVSAvoidcollection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single cyclone device for both chaffs and roasted beans, the system uses two separate collection channels leading to separate collectors. This segmentation eliminates the need for manual separation operations while maintaining the separation function, allowing continuous successive roasting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single collector is used for both chaffs and roasted beans, then the device structure is simpler, but successive roasting operations for multiple customers become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollector structureVSAvoidsuccessive roasting throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single collector is segmented into two separate collectors: a chaff collector and a beans collector. This allows simultaneous or successive roasting operations for multiple customers without requiring emptying and reassembly, significantly improving productivity while keeping each collector simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distributing device provides multi-functionality by automatically directing different materials (chaffs and roasted beans) to different collectors based on the roasting stage, enabling the system to handle multiple customer orders efficiently without increasing collector complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates more automated and practical roasting operations, allowing for the roasting of different types of coffee beans and their separate storage, reducing manual effort and enabling efficient preparation of coffee for multiple customers.

Implementation Method 1

The chamber is preferably designed to enable the production of a fluidized bed of hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidisation: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

The apparatus comprises a heater, preferably electrical, configured to heat the flow of air before it is introduced inside the roasting chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The chaffs and the beans are collected in a cyclone device enabling the separation of the heavy roasted coffee beans from the light chaffs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4185133B1Coffee beans roasting apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP4185133B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4185133B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4185133B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention concerns an apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans comprising : - a roasting chamber (1), - an air driver (8) configured to drive air inside the roasting chamber through the bottom opening of said chamber, - a heater (9) configured to heat air driven inside the roasting chamber, - a chaff collector (3) connected to the roasting chamber through a first channel (31), - at least one beans collector (4) for fully roasted beans connected to the roasting chamber through at least one second channel (41), wherein said apparatus comprises a distributing device (5) configured to open either the first channel to the chaff collector (3) only or to the at least one second channel to the at least one beans collector only.