Roasting and processing apparatus for coffee beans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coffee brewing technologies require skilled baristas and single-serve packaging, which is costly and ecologically impactful, while fully automatic machines compromise on quality and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a wireless connection between a roasting device and a coffee processing device to communicate parameters for optimal brewing, employing AI to adjust processing parameters based on the type of beans, eliminating the need for single-serve packaging and barista expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If single-serve packaging systems are used, then beverage quality and preparation ease are improved, but cost and ecological impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses the brewing chamber instead of discarding it with each capsule. The chamber is cleaned and prepared for the next beverage, eliminating the need for single-use packaging while maintaining ease of operation through automated cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex single-serve capsules with simple, reusable brewing chambers. The 'disposable' element is eliminated entirely in favor of a durable system that can be easily cleaned and reused, reducing both cost and ecological impact.
2Ease of operation
If fully automatic coffee machines are used, then convenience is improved, but preparation quality and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts brewing parameters based on the selected coffee type and desired beverage. The brewing chamber and associated components can be reconfigured for different preparation methods, maintaining flexibility while preserving ease of operation through automated parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key brewing parameters (temperature, pressure, time, water flow) based on the selected coffee beans and beverage type. This allows the machine to adapt to different preparation requirements while remaining fully automatic and convenient to use.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual barista preparation is used, then beverage quality is improved, but skill requirement and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of brewing parameters based on the selected coffee type. The machine automatically configures temperature, pressure, and timing without requiring barista expertise, thereby maintaining high beverage quality while eliminating the need for skilled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors and pre-programmed coffee characteristics to automatically adjust brewing parameters. This closed-loop control ensures consistent high-quality results without requiring manual skill, as the machine self-corrects based on real-time conditions and predefined optimal parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a roasting and processing apparatus for coffee beans comprising a roasting device (50) and an associated coffee processing device (60, 70); the roasting device (50) being configured for receiving coffee beans of a certain type that will be roasted, the roasting device comprising reading means (53) to identify the characteristics of the coffee beans dispensed to it, the roasting device (50) further comprising a control unit configuring the roasting profile of the beans according to the characteristics retrieved from the reading means (53) and/or from the characteristics of the beans in a database (51) in this control unit and/or according to the user input; the roasted coffee beans being transferred into a coffee processing device (60, 70) for beverage preparation, the roasting device (50) comprising a data transfer function to communicate product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of a certain type to the coffee processing device (60, 70); the coffee processing device (60, 70) receiving roasted coffee beans of one or more types from the roasting device (50); the coffee processing device comprising a data reader (62,72) to obtain the information of the product parameters of the roasted coffee beans; the coffee processing device (60, 70) further comprising a control unit configured to adapt the processing parameters used for the beverage preparation as a function of the product parameters of the roasted coffee beans. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for roasting and processing coffee beans using a roasting and processing apparatus as the one described. Also, the invention relates to the use of a roasting and processing apparatus as the one described for delivering a coffee beverage of a certain type and/or a certain quantity of grinded coffee.