U.S. patent application number 14/297456 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for coffee bean packaging cartridge and coffee beverage system including the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Koninklijke Philips N.V.. Invention is credited to Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Charles Kevin Dillon, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman, Ivo Van Os.
Application Number | 20150118367 14/297456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44351758 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150118367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Os; Ivo Van ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
COFFEE BEAN PACKAGING CARTRIDGE AND COFFEE BEVERAGE SYSTEM
INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A coffee beverage system is described including a first coffee
bean packaging cartridge, a second coffee bean cartridge and a
coffee brewing apparatus. After a first predetermined number of
servings of coffee, transportation component of the first cartridge
for transporting coffee beans of the first cartridge to a metering
chamber of the system are disabled. The transportation component of
the second coffee bean cartridge are not disabled or only disabled
after a second predetermined number of servings of coffee which is
larger than the first predetermined number of servings of
coffee.
Inventors: |
Os; Ivo Van; (Utrecht,
NL) ; de Graaff; Gerbrand Kristiaan; (Hillegom,
NL) ; Moorman; Christiaan Johannes Maria;
(Moergestel, NL) ; Dillon; Charles Kevin;
(Bottisham, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
Koninklijke Philips N.V. |
Utrecht
Eindhoven |
|
NL
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
44351758 |
Appl. No.: |
14/297456 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13587582 |
Aug 16, 2012 |
8776671 |
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14297456 |
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PCT/NL2011/050110 |
Feb 17, 2011 |
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13587582 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 ;
426/433; 99/286; 99/289R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
B65B 1/12 20130101; A47J 31/42 20130101; A47J 31/3614 20130101;
A47J 31/404 20130101; A47J 42/50 20130101; A23F 5/262 20130101;
A23F 5/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 ;
426/433; 99/286; 99/289.R |
International
Class: |
A47J 31/42 20060101
A47J031/42; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40; A23F 5/26 20060101
A23F005/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 17, 2010 |
NL |
PCT/NL2010/050077 |
Feb 22, 2010 |
NL |
NL2004274 |
Aug 17, 2010 |
NL |
NL2005238 |
Aug 26, 2010 |
NL |
NL2005278 |
Aug 26, 2010 |
NL |
NL2005280 |
Claims
1.-61. (canceled)
62. A first coffee bean packaging cartridge comprising: a container
comprising an interior volume and at least one exit opening
defining a coffee bean outlet, wherein the interior volume is
configured to hold coffee beans for supplying multiple servings of
coffee beans; a transportation device adapted for enabling
transportation of the coffee beans from the interior volume towards
the at least one exit opening; wherein the transportation device
comprises a part which is movable relative to a main body of the
first cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the at
least on exit opening upon driving of said transportation device;
wherein the transportation device is releasably connectable with a
vertically extending drive shaft; wherein upon rotation of the
drive shaft the transportation device is driven and thereby
transports the coffee beans towards the at least one exit opening
of the first cartridge; wherein after a first predetermined number
of revolutions of the drive shaft, the transportation device is
automatically disabled from transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening; and preferably wherein the container is
configured to not be refillable with additional coffee beans.
63. (canceled)
64. The first cartridge according to claim 62, wherein after a
first predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft in a
direction other than, or other than used for driving the
transportation device, the transportation device is automatically
disabled for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening.
65. The first cartridge according to claim 62, wherein after a
first predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft for
driving the transportation device, the first cartridge is
automatically disabled for transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening.
66. (canceled)
67. The first cartridge according to claim 62, wherein the
automatic disabling of the transportation device for transporting
the coffee beans towards the exit opening is by a disengagement of
a mechanical connection, so that the rotation of the drive shaft
does not result in driving the transmission device or a part of the
transmission device.
68. The first cartridge according to claim 62, wherein the movable
part of the transportation device of the first cartridge includes a
disk element, which rotates upon rotation of the drive shaft.
69. The first cartridge according to claim 68, wherein the disk
element is an impellor including a bottom and a plurality of
vanes.
70. The first cartridge according to claim 68, wherein the disk
element includes a recess wherein the disk element rotates upon
rotation of the drive shaft due to an engagement of a drive device
with the recess.
71. The first cartridge according to claim 70, wherein after a
first predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft in a
direction other than, or other than used for driving the
transportation device, the transportation device is automatically
disabled for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening, wherein the disk element is caused to stay in its position
upon rotation of the drive shaft in the direction other than, or
other than used for driving the transportations device, preferably
by a ratchet connection between the disk element and an upper
surface of a coffee brewing apparatus.
72. (canceled)
73. (canceled)
74. (canceled)
75. The first cartridge according to claim 70, wherein the drive
device comprises the drive shaft and a drive bush, mountable on the
drive shaft, and a nut mountable on the drive bush.
76. (canceled)
77. (canceled)
78. The first cartridge according to claim 70, wherein the
engagement of the drive device and the recess is by one or more
protrusions engaging with one or more corresponding slots.
79. The first cartridge according to claim 75, wherein the disk
element includes a recess wherein the disk element rotates upon
rotation of the drive shaft due to an engagement of drive device
with the recess, wherein the drive device comprises the drive shaft
and a drive bush, mountable on the drive shaft, wherein an element
of the drive device that, in use, is displaced in the recess is the
nut and a screw thread covering a part of the surface of the drive
bush causes displacement of the nut, wherein revolutions of the
drive shaft result in a movement of the nut over the part of the
surface of the drive bush covered with screw thread and wherein
after the first predetermined number of revolutions of the drive
shaft the nut leaves the part of the surface of the drive bush
covered with the screw thread and disengages from a wall of the
recess.
80. The first cartridge according to claim 79, wherein at least one
of one or more slots and one or more protrusions vertically extend
over the surface of the wall of the recess corresponding to the
surface of the drive bush covered with screw thread, wherein when
the nut leaves the part of the surface of the drive bush covered
with the screw thread, the one or more protrusions disengage from
the corresponding slot or slots.
81. The first cartridge according to claim 79, further comprising
one or more vertically extending interruptions of the screw thread
and an edge at the interior of the nut shaped for enabling the
motion of the nut along the screw thread in one direction and
inhibiting the motion of the nut along the screw thread in an
opposite direction.
82. (canceled)
83. (canceled)
84. The first cartridge according to claim 78, wherein the
engagement of the drive device and the recess is by one or more
snap fingers with one or more corresponding slots, wherein the snap
fingers and the corresponding slots work to cause the disk element
to stay in its position upon rotation of the drive shaft in the
direction other than, or other than used for driving the
transportations device.
85. (canceled)
86. The first cartridge according to claim 62, wherein the
transportation device comprises a downwardly extending bottom wall
of the container for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening under the influence of gravity.
87. (canceled)
88. A method for preparing a beverage with a coffee beverage
system, the method comprising the following steps: rotating a
vertically extending drive shaft with the motor means thereby to
drive and move a transportation device of a first cartridge for
transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the first
cartridge; grinding coffee beans which have entered a coffee
apparatus via the entrance opening thereof; brewing coffee on the
basis of grinded coffee; and after a first predetermined number of
revolutions of the drive shaft automatically disabling the
transportation device of the first cartridge for transporting the
coffee beans towards the exit opening.
89. (canceled)
90. The method according to claim 88, wherein the system is further
provided with a metering chamber for receiving coffee beans which
are transported with the aid of the transportation device into the
metering chamber, and wherein the transportation device are driven
for filling the metering chamber in that the drive shaft is rotated
in a direction other than, or other than used for driving the
transportations device of the first cartridge, after the filling of
the metering chamber.
91. The method according to claim 90, wherein the transportation
device is driven for filling the metering chamber with coffee beans
and that in a subsequent step which follows after the completion of
the step of filling the metering chamber with coffee beans, the
grinding device is activated for emptying the metering chamber and
for grinding coffee beans which were collected in the metering
chamber during the filling step.
92. The method according to claim 91, wherein for at least one of
during the filling step the transportation device is driven longer
than is required for filling the metering chamber with coffee beans
and during the grinding step the grinding device is activated
longer than is required for emptying or at least substantially
completely emptying the metering chamber and for grinding all the
coffee beans which were collected in the metering chamber during
the filling step.
93. (canceled)
94. A coffee beverage system, comprising: a first coffee bean
packaging cartridge structured for holding and supplying multiple
servings of coffee beans, the first coffee bean packaging cartridge
including: a container comprising an interior volume and an exit
opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the interior volume holding
the coffee beans; and a transportation device for transporting the
coffee beans from the interior volume towards the exit opening of
the first cartridge; a coffee brewing apparatus including: an
entrance opening for receiving the coffee beans which are
transported by the transportation device; a grinder for grinding
the coffee beans which have entered the coffee brewing apparatus
via the entrance opening; a vertically extending drive shaft for
driving the transportation device of the first cartridge, wherein
the drive shaft is releasably connected with the transportation
device; and a brewing device for brewing coffee based on the
grinded coffee beans; wherein the first coffee bean packaging
cartridge is removably connected to a coffee brewing apparatus; and
wherein after a first predetermined number of revolutions of the
drive shaft, the transportation device of the first cartridge is
automatically disabled from transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/587,582 filed on Aug. 16, 2012, which is a
continuation of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/NL2011/050110 filed on Feb. 17, 2011 which claims priority to
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/NL2010/050077 filed
on Feb. 17, 2010 and Netherlands Application Nos. NL2004274 filed
on Feb. 22, 2010, NL2005238 filed on Aug. 17, 2010, NL2005278 filed
on Aug. 26, 2010, and NL2005280 filed on Aug. 26, 2010--the full
disclosures of all applications listed above are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates to a coffee beverage system including
a coffee bean packaging cartridge. In particular the invention
relates to a system for preparing coffee wherein the coffee bean
packaging cartridge is arranged for holding and supplying multiple
servings of coffee beans and wherein the system comprises a grinder
for grinding the beans and a brewing device for brewing coffee on
the basis of grinded coffee obtained by means of the grinder.
[0003] It is known to pack roasted coffee beans in containers that
can be connected to coffee brewing apparatus that include a
grinding mechanism. For such systems to be efficient the containers
have often been designed to hold between 1 kg and 3 kg of coffee
beans.
[0004] The patent application EP 0 804 894 A2 discloses such a
coffee dispensing and brewing apparatus that comprises components
for dispensing a predetermined amount of coffee to a brew basket,
the components including a hopper (container) for holding a supply
of coffee beans and an auger device communicating with the hopper
for portioning coffee beans in a predetermined amount to a coffee
grinder. The apparatus further includes a brew basket holding
assembly for releasably holding the brew basket in a region
adjacent a passageway to the grinder and a hot water making and
delivery system for distributing a predetermined volume of hot
water from a hot water holding tank to the region during a brewing
cycle. The grinder motor has a right angle power transmission that
couples the motor to the grinder with the motor being located below
the grinder and adjacent a vertical side of the holding tank.
[0005] For such existing coffee beverage systems, the coffee
supplier wishes that it should be highly likely, that the cartridge
cooperating with the coffee brewing apparatus marketed by the
supplier and on which her name is printed, carries the coffee beans
of the supplier. Furthermore, it would be advantageous for the
supplier to be able to supply coffee beans under another label for
refilling the cartridge cooperating with the coffee brewing
apparatus.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a system for preparing coffee beverages of the above
referred to kind, which enables both these options. In a more
general sense it is thereby an object of the invention to overcome
or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide
alternative structures which may be less cumbersome in assembly and
operation and which moreover can be made relatively
inexpensively.
[0007] Unless stated otherwise, in the description and claims
coffee beans are understood to be burnt/roasted coffee beans.
Coffee beans in the description and claims may be understood to
cover also fragmented coffee beans, that is, coffee bean fragments,
which coffee bean fragments are still to be grinded for extracting
desired coffee beverage. The coffee beans are for instance broken,
before they are packaged. In an embodiment, at least a part of the
coffee beans in the coffee bean package is divided into about
thirty or less, in particular about fifteen or less, more
particularly about ten fragments or less. One coffee bean fragment
then comprises for instance one-thirtieth part, in particular
one-fifteenth part, more particularly one-tenth part or more of a
coffee bean. For instance, the coffee bean fragments comprise a
half or a quarter of a coffee bean. An advantage of the use of
coffee bean fragments compared with whole coffee beans can be that
coffee bean fragments can be supplied to the grinder relatively
simply and/or that the package can be closed off relatively simply.
This is because the coffee bean fragments are relatively small and
hence can slide relatively easily through openings in the package
and the apparatus and/or will block the coffee bean outlet and/or
closing means less easily. As the coffee beans may beforehand have
been divided into fragments, though not grinded, in the meantime
comparatively more bean surface can come into contact with any
ambient air than would be case with whole coffee beans. On the
other hand, less bean surface will come into contact with air than
would be the case with grinded coffee, so that coffee bean
fragments can be preserved better than grinded coffee beans. Only
just before preparation of the coffee beverage are the coffee bean
fragments grinded for obtaining coffee beverage. In this
description, therefore, coffee bean may also be understood to
include a fragmented coffee bean, that is, which is still to be
grinded for preparing the desired coffee beverage.
[0008] According to the invention, a system and methods are
provided according to the independent claims. Favorable embodiments
are defined by the dependent claims. According to one aspect of the
invention there is provided a coffee beverage system, including a
first coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing
apparatus wherein the first coffee bean packaging cartridge can be
removable connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The first
coffee bean packaging cartridge, which preferably is non refillable
with coffee beans, is arranged for holding and supplying multiple
servings of coffee beans. It includes a container comprising an
interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee
bean outlet, the interior volume holding coffee beans and
transportation means adapted for enabling transportation of the
coffee beans from the interior volume towards the exit opening of
the first cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises an entrance
opening for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the
aid of the transportation means towards the exit opening of the
first cartridge, a grinder for grinding coffee beans which have
entered the coffee apparatus via the entrance opening and a brewing
device for brewing coffee on the basis of grinded coffee obtained
by means of the grinder. The transportation means of the first
cartridge comprise a part which is movable relative to a main body
of the first cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening of the first cartridge upon driving of said
transportation means. The coffee brewing apparatus is provided with
a motor and a vertically extending drive shaft wherein said drive
shaft is releasable connected with the transportation means of the
first cartridge for driving and thereby moving the transportation
means of the first cartridge upon rotation of the drive shaft by
means of the motor means for transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening of the first cartridge. The first cartridge is
arranged such that, if the drive shaft is connected with the
transportation means, after a first predetermined number of
revolutions of the drive shaft the transportation means of the
first cartridge is automatically disabled for transporting the
coffee beans towards the exit opening. The system is further
provided with a second coffee bean cartridge which can also be
removable connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The second
coffee bean cartridge, which preferably is refillable with coffee
beans, is arranged for being filled with and holding and supplying
multiple servings of coffee beans. The second coffee beans
cartridge includes a container comprising an interior volume and at
least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the interior
volume being arranged for holding coffee beans and transportation
means adapted for enabling transportation of the coffee beans from
the interior volume towards the exit opening of the second
cartridge. The second cartridge is adapted to the coffee apparatus
so that, if the second cartridge is connected to the coffee
apparatus, coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the
transportation means of the second cartridge towards the exit
opening of the second cartridge can be received by the coffee
apparatus via the entrance opening for preparing coffee. The second
cartridge is arranged such that the transportation means of the
second cartridge will not be disabled upon a predetermined number
of revolutions of the drive shaft or will only be disabled after a
second predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft
wherein the second predetermined number of revolutions is greater
than the first predetermined number of revolutions.
[0009] With the coffee beverage system according to the present
invention, the first coffee bean packaging cartridge, which may be
disposable, may comprise the coffee beans of the supplier. The
first coffee bean packaging cartridge may be designed to be
non-refillable or be refillable only a limited number of times. By
automatically disabling the transportation means of the first
cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening thereof, the first coffee bean packaging cartridge is made
useless after a predetermined number of coffee servings, which
preferably corresponds to the amount of coffee beans present in the
interior volume of the first coffee bean packaging cartridge or is
slightly superior. After the predetermined number of coffee
servings, the first coffee bean packaging cartridge should be
replaced with another coffee bean packaging cartridge. In this way,
there is a strong guarantee that the first coffee bean packaging
cartridge comprises the coffee beans of the supplier. A further
possible advantage may be that the supplier can give a guarantee
that there are no or very few stones in the coffee bean packaging
cartridge. Often stones with a size between a millimeter and a
centimeter are present in bags filled with coffee beans. If coffee
beans of such bags are used, the stones therein may cause damages
to the grinder, resulting in tear thereof, the risk of a broken
grinder and a deterioration of the coffee quality. This may be
avoided by means of an X-ray destoner in the production line. So,
the supplier providing such "destoned" coffee beans is enabled to
give a guarantee that there are no or very few stones in the
cartridge in case that the cartridge is non-refillable.
[0010] The second coffee bean cartridge may comprise the coffee
beans of the supplier marketed under another label. It may be
designed to be refillable, either a considerable number of times or
an unlimited number of times.
[0011] When the first cartridge is mounted to the coffee brewing
apparatus of the system, the system may be arranged for rotating
the vertically extending drive shaft with the motor means thereby
driving and moving the transportation means of the first cartridge
upon for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of
the first cartridge, grinding coffee beans which have entered the
coffee apparatus via the entrance opening thereof and brewing
coffee on the basis of grinded coffee. The first cartridge may be
arranged such that, if the drive shaft is connected with the
transportation means, after a first predetermined number of
revolutions of the drive shaft in a direction other than, or other
than used for driving the transportations means of the first
cartridge the transportation means of the first cartridge is
automatically disabled for transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening. The drive shaft may be rotated in the in a
direction other than, or other than used for driving the
transportations means of the first cartridge each time after
transporting the coffee beans for a serving of coffee towards the
exit opening of the first cartridge.
[0012] Alternatively, the first cartridge may be arranged such
that, if the drive shaft is connected with the transportation means
after a first predetermined number of revolutions of the drive
shaft for driving the transportations means of the first cartridge
the transportation means of the first cartridge is automatically
disabled for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening.
[0013] The system may be arranged for executing the automatic
disabling of the transportation means of the first cartridge for
transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening by means of
bringing it into a motor stall condition or by means of
disengagement of a mechanical connection, so that the rotation of
the drive shaft does not result in driving the transmission means
or a part of the transmission means.
[0014] The movable part of the transportation means of the first
cartridge may include a disk element, for example an impellor
including a bottom and a plurality of vanes, which rotates upon
rotation of the drive shaft. The disk element may include a recess
wherein the disk element rotates upon rotation of the drive shaft
due to an engagement of drive means with the recess.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the drive means comprise the
drive shaft and a drive bush, mountable on the drive shaft as well
as a nut mountable on the drive bush. The engagement of the drive
means and the recess may be by means of an engagement of the nut
and a wall of the recess by means of one or more protrusions
engaging with one or more corresponding slots. Revolutions of the
drive shaft in a direction for driving the transportation means
cause the rotation the drive bush and the nut mounted thereto and
the corresponding rotation of the disk element, resulting in the
transportation of the coffee beans towards the exit opening.
Revolutions of the drive shaft in a direction other than, or other
than used for driving the transportation means of the first
cartridge cause the rotation of the nut with respect the drive
bush. Since, the nut is connected to the drive bush by means of
screw thread, such revolutions result in nut moving upwards or
downwards over the drive bush. After the first predetermined
revolutions in the direction other than, or other than used for
driving the transportation means the nut has moved so far that it
disengages from the wall of the recess and driving the
transportation means by means of the drive shaft becomes
impossible.
[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the drive means
comprise a drive bush mountable on the drive shaft. The engagement
between the drive means and the disk element is by means an
engagement of the drive bush and the wall of the recess by one or
more snap fingers engaging with one or more corresponding slots.
Furthermore, the drive bush is engaged with the wall by means of
screw thread. In case of revolutions of the drive shaft and thereby
the drive bush in the direction of driving the transportation
means, the snap finger-slot engagement between the drive bush and
the wall of the recess of the disk element results in the rotation
of the disk element and the transportation of the coffee beans
towards the exit opening of the first cartridge. Rotation of the
drive shaft in the direction other than, or other than used for
driving the transportation means results in the drive bush going
upwards with respect to the disk element so that after the first
predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft the drive
bush disengages from the drive shaft and driving the transportation
means by means of the drive shaft becomes impossible.
[0017] The transportation means of the second cartridge may
comprise a downwardly extending bottom wall such as a funnel of the
container for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit
opening of the second cartridge under the influence of gravity.
[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the transportation means of
the second cartridge comprises a part which is movable relative to
a main body of the second cartridge for transporting the coffee
beans towards the exit opening of the second cartridge upon driving
of said transportation means. The transportation means may be
releasable connectable with the vertically extending drive shaft of
the coffee brewing apparatus. Upon rotation of the drive shaft by
means of the motor the transportation means of the cartridge are
driven and thereby moved for transporting the coffee beans towards
the exit opening of the second cartridge.
[0019] The movable part of the transportation means of the second
cartridge may include a disk element, which rotates upon rotation
of the drive shaft. The disk element may be an impellor including a
bottom and a plurality of vanes. It may include a recess wherein
the disk element rotates upon rotation of the drive shaft due to an
engagement of drive means with a wall of the recess.
[0020] The second cartridge may be arranged such that, if the drive
shaft is connected with the transportation means, the
transportation means will not be disabled upon a predetermined
number of revolutions of the drive shaft in a direction other than,
or other than used for driving the transportations means of the
second cartridge or will only be disabled after a second
predetermined number of revolutions of the drive shaft wherein the
second predetermined number of revolutions is greater than the
first predetermined number of revolutions.
[0021] The system may be further provided with a metering chamber
for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of
the transportation means into the metering chamber. The metering
chamber may be arranged for receiving a portion of coffee beans
corresponding to a dosed amount of coffee beans which is preferably
necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage.
[0022] The metering chamber may be divided in a first chamber
portion which is part of the first or second cartridge and a second
chamber portion which is part of the coffee brewing apparatus. The
second chamber portion may comprise a bottom portion which forms a
part of the grinder, said bottom portion being arranged in the
coffee brewing apparatus for rotating around a first axis extending
in a vertical direction. The system may be arranged such that upon
activation of the grinder the bottom portion is rotating around the
vertical axis for transporting the coffee beans from the metering
chamber into the grinder and for grinding the coffee beans.
[0023] The division of the metering chamber over the cartridge and
the brewing apparatus enables to provide a compact coffee beverage
system. The use of a bottom portion of the metering chamber, which
is part of the grinder and which rotates for emptying the metering
chamber also results in a decreased height of the system compared
to the alternative option of providing a separate bottom plate of
the metering chamber and a separate grinder.
[0024] The coffee bean packaging cartridge may comprise closing
means for closing the coffee bean outlet when the coffee bean
packaging cartridge is not connected to the coffee brewing
apparatus. In this way it is avoided that coffee beans fall out of
the coffee bean packaging cartridge when it is not connected to the
coffee brewing apparatus.
[0025] The closing means may be configured for opening the coffee
bean outlet when the coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected
to the coffee brewing apparatus.
[0026] The closing means may comprise a closure member at the
bottom side of the container comprising the coffee bean outlet and
a rotatable closing disk having an opening. In order to connect the
first and/or second cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus the
opening of the rotatable closing disk may be brought in a position
aligned with the coffee bean outlet.
[0027] The closure member may comprise a pair of fletching arms and
the closure disk may comprise a detent, which in the closed
position is caught behind the fletching arms.
[0028] The exit opening may be associated with a removable sealing
element sealing the interior volume prior to activation of the
first and/or cartridge wherein preferably said sealing element
prevents gasses to escape from the cartridge. The beverage system
may comprise means for disrupting and displacing the sealing
element, preferably when the cartridge is connected to the brewing
apparatus for the first time. The sealing element may be a sealing
membrane.
[0029] The coffee brewing apparatus may comprise connection means
for the removable connection to the first or second cartridge. The
connection means may comprise a recess at an upper side of the
coffee brewing apparatus, the recess being surrounded by a side
wall and being configured for receiving a corresponding part
protruding from a lower side of the coffee bean packaging
cartridge. The side wall may protrude from the upper side of the
coffee brewing apparatus and be covered by a housing.
[0030] The coffee brewing apparatus may comprise control means for
rotating the vertically extending drive shaft with the motor means
thereby driving and moving the transportation means for
transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the first
and/or second cartridge, grinding coffee beans which have entered
the coffee apparatus via the entrance opening thereof and brewing
coffee based on the grinded coffee and heated water heated by a
heating device of the coffee brewing apparatus.
[0031] The control means may be furthermore configured for rotating
the drive shaft with the motor means in a direction other than, or
other than used for driving the transportations means of the first
and/or second cartridge, after the filling of the metering
chamber.
[0032] The control means may be configured such that, in use, the
transportation means is driven for filling the metering chamber
with coffee beans and that after completion thereof the grinding
device is activated for emptying the metering chamber and for
grinding coffee beans which were collected in the metering chamber
during the first step. The transportation means may be driven
longer than is required for filling the metering chamber with
coffee beans and/or the grinding device may be activated longer
than is required for emptying or at least substantially completely
emptying the metering chamber and for grinding all the coffee beans
which were collected in the metering chamber during the filling
step.
[0033] Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become
clear from the appended description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention will now be described in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
coffee brewing system according to the present invention with a
coffee bean cartridge mounted to the coffee brewing apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
coffee brewing system according to the present invention without a
coffee bean cartridge mounted to the coffee brewing apparatus;
[0037] FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of a part of the coffee
brewing system according to FIG. 1 in perspective when using a
coffee bean packaging cartridge of a first type with anti-refill
mechanism;
[0038] FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of a part of the coffee
brewing system according to FIG. 1 in perspective when using a
coffee bean cartridge of a second type without anti-refill
mechanism;
[0039] FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of the grinder used in
the coffee brewing system according to FIG. 1 in perspective;
[0040] FIG. 3D shows a cross sectional view of the grinder used in
the coffee brewing system according to FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 4A shows a perspective detail view of the upper part of
the coffee brewing apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0042] FIG. 4B shows a perspective detail view of the upper part of
the coffee brewing apparatus of FIG. 2 with a closing plate in open
position;
[0043] FIG. 5A and 5B are two isometric exploded views of an
impellor used in the coffee bean packaging cartridge of the first
type together with driving means and a drive shaft coupling
end;
[0044] FIG. 5C shows a perspective bottom view of the impellor used
in the coffee bean packaging cartridge of the first type;
[0045] FIG. 5D shows a perspective view of the drive means used for
driving the impellor used in the coffee bean packaging cartridge of
the first type;
[0046] FIGS. 5E and 5F show a perspective detail view of the lower
part of the drive means at the time of reaching a final
position;
[0047] FIG. 5G shows a cross sectional top view with the drive
means in their initial position;
[0048] FIG. 5H shows a cross sectional front view with the drive
means in their initial position;
[0049] FIG. 5I shows a cross sectional top view with the drive
means in their final position;
[0050] FIG. 5J shows a cross sectional front view with the drive
means in their final position;
[0051] FIG. 6A is an exploded isometric view of a coffee bean
packaging cartridge of the first type according to an embodiment of
the invention;
[0052] FIGS. 6B and 6C show two different perspective views of the
coffee bean packaging cartridge shown in FIG. 6A;
[0053] FIG. 7A and 7B are two isometric exploded views of an
impellor used in the coffee bean cartridge of the second type
together with a drive shaft coupling end;
[0054] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of a coffee bean
packaging cartridge of the second type according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 9A is a detailed exploded isometric view of the bottom
part of the coffee bean packaging cartridge of FIG. 6A;
[0056] FIG. 9B is a detailed exploded view of the bottom part of
FIG. 9A as seen in an opposite direction;
[0057] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a closing plate of the
bottom part shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B;
[0058] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional detail of the assembled bottom
part; and
[0059] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective detail of the bottom part of
FIG. 9B with a delatching protrusion of the coffee brewing
apparatus;
[0060] FIGS. 12A-12C show the drive means and impellor of a coffee
bean packaging cartridge of the first type according to a further
embodiment of the invention;
[0061] FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional detail of the elements of
FIGS. 12A-12C mounted together;
[0062] FIG. 13A-13D serve to explain the functionality of the
elements shown in FIGS. 12A-12C.
[0063] FIGS. 14A-14B show the drive means and impellor of a coffee
bean cartridge of the second type according to a further embodiment
of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0064] In FIG. 1 a system 1 for preparing coffee beverages is
shown. The system 1 includes a coffee bean cartridge 3 and a coffee
brewing apparatus 4. The coffee bean cartridge may be of a first
type, i.e. a coffee bean packaging cartridge that is not refillable
or may only be refillable a very limited number of times or of a
second type, i.e. a coffee bean cartridge that is either refillable
a number of times higher than the number of times that the coffee
bean cartridge of the first type may be refilled or it is
refillable an unlimited number of times. The coffee bean cartridge
3 is removably connected to the coffee brewing apparatus 4. FIG. 2
shows the coffee brewing apparatus without the coffee bean
cartridge 3 mounted thereon. Both, the coffee bean packaging
cartridge 3 of the first and second type comprise a container 7
having an interior volume for containing coffee beans and an exit
opening. These coffee beans are roasted and include generally
roasted half beans. Preferably, the coffee beans cartridge 3 is
closed airtight and/or under vacuum before it is placed on the
coffee brewing apparatus 4. Also the coffee bean cartridge 3 can be
in the form of a disposable packaging, so that it can be thrown
away after it has been emptied.
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the coffee beverage system
1 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3A shows a cartridge of a
first type with an anti-refill mechanism, to be described in more
detail herein after, also referred to in this description as the
first cartridge or the first coffee bean packaging cartridge. FIG.
3B shows a cartridge of a second type without anti-refill
mechanism. also referred to in this description as the second
cartridge or the second coffee bean cartridge Most features of the
first and second cartridges are the same, except for the impellor
and the driving means thereof, as will be discussed herein after.
In both cases the cartridge comprises transportation means 6 for
enabling transportation of the coffee beans from the interior
volume of the container 7 (only partially visible in FIGS. 3 and
3B) towards the exit opening 29 of the cartridge 3. The coffee
apparatus is provided with an entrance opening 9 for receiving
coffee beans which are transported by means of the transportation
means towards the exit opening 29. The exit opening 29 extends
above the coffee bean entrance opening 9 of the coffee brewing
apparatus 4.
[0066] A lower part of the container 7 comprises a funnel 8 which
forms part of the transportation means 6. The beans of the coffee
bean packaging cartridge 3 are guided by means of the funnel 8
towards the exit opening 29 of the cartridge. In case of the first
cartridge with anti-refill mechanism the transportation means
comprise a disk element (impellor) of a first type 10, also
referred to in this description as first impellor, having several
flexible vanes 13. In case of the cartridge without anti-refill
mechanism the transportation means comprise a disk element
(impellor) of a second type 11, also referred to in this
description as second impellor, which again comprises several
flexible vanes 13. The reason for using different impellors lies in
the need to use different drive means for driving the impellor in
case of anti-refill and without anti-refill mechanism, as will be
discussed herein after. Upon driving the movable part (impellor) of
the transportation means, in this example by rotating the impellor
around a second axes 19 extending in a vertical direction, the
coffee beans are transported towards the exit opening 29.
[0067] The system further comprises a metering chamber 15. The
metering chamber is divided in a first chamber portion 23 which is
part of the cartridge and a second chamber portion 25 which is part
of the coffee brewing apparatus. The first chamber portion is
located above the second chamber portion. The first chamber portion
comprises the exit opening 29 of the cartridge and the second
chamber portion comprises the entrance opening of the coffee
apparatus. The first chamber portion is provided with an upstanding
side wall 32 comprising an inlet opening 21 for letting pass coffee
beans into the metering chamber which coffee beans are transported
by means of the transportations means towards the exit opening of
the cartridge. The transportation means are thus configured for
transporting the coffee beans towards and into the metering chamber
15 of the coffee beverage system 1 upon driving of the
transportation means. This driving is performed by means of a first
motor 17 of the coffee apparatus, driving a drive shaft 18 of the
coffee apparatus extending along a vertical axis 19. Due to the
driving, the impellor 10/11 comprising the vanes 13 rotates around
the second vertical axis 19. In this way, the coffee beans are
driven in a horizontal direction to the inlet opening 21 of the
metering chamber 15. The cartridge comprises a small trickle
through edge 22 to avoid the uncontrolled entering of coffee beans
in the metering chamber 15 when the impellor 10/11 is not rotating.
The metering chamber 15 comprises the first chamber portion 23 in
the cartridge 3 and the second chamber portion 25 in the brewing
apparatus 4. The bottom 26 of the metering chamber at least
comprises a bottom portion 27 which is part of a grinder 28 for
grinding coffee beans. The coffee beans leave the first chamber
portion 23 and thereby the cartridge 3 via the exit opening 29 of
the cartridge 3 and enter the second chamber portion 25 and thereby
the coffee brewing apparatus via the entrance opening 9. The size
of the metering chamber is limited by a top wall 31, the bottom 26
and an upstanding side wall 32. The upstanding side wall 32
comprises the upstanding side wall 34 of the first chamber portion
and an upstanding side wall 33 of the second chamber portion. The
second chamber portion comprises about 100-X% of the volume of the
metering chamber and the first chamber portion comprises about X%
of the volume of the metering chamber wherein X is in the range of
2-50, preferably in the range of 4-30, more preferably in the range
of 6-15.
[0068] The bottom part 27 of the metering chamber has a conical
shape such that the bottom portion extends downwardly in a
direction extending perpendicular to and away from a vertical axis
35. The grinder 28 in this embodiment is positioned centrically
with respect to the second chamber portion 25. Referring now to
FIGS. 3C and 3D, the grinder will be described in more detail. The
grinder comprises a second motor (grinder drive motor) 101 and an
upper grinding disk/wheel 102, which may be ceramic or steel. The
upper grinding disk/wheel is rotationally fixed in its position.
Furthermore, the second chamber 103 of the metering chamber is
shown (referred to by reference 25 in FIGS. 3A and 3B), which works
as dosing funnel. The grinder furthermore comprises a manual
adjustment lock 104 to adjust the grind fineness setting by the
consumer. The upper grinding disk 102 is moved up or down in
respect to the lower grinding disk/wheel 109 when this key is
turned. When the adjustment lock is operated, the upper grinding
disk moves up and down and the lower grinding disk stays in place.
In this way the size of the grind at the exit of the grinding
disks, i.e. where they almost touch the outside of the grinder, is
determined. The grinder furthermore comprises an exit location 105
for grinded coffee out of the circular transport channel 110 into
the grinded coffee chute 106. The grinded coffee chute is a funnel
pointing downwards into the brewing device 46 of the coffee brewing
apparatus, which is open on the top and placed exactly below this
chute when grinding. A rotating drive cone 107 (referred to as
bottom part with conical shape 27 of the metering chamber in FIGS.
3A and 3B) is fixed on the main drive shaft 108. This cone ensures
the movement and guidance of the beans out of the metering chamber
into the grinding section consisting of the upper grinding disk 102
and the lower grinding disk 109, which may be ceramic or steel. The
upper grinding disk 102 and the lower grinding disk 109 have a
suitable milled shape for grinding the coffee beans, as is well
known in the art. The main drive shaft drives the lower grinding
disk 109 and the rotating drive cone 107. There is formed a
circular transport channel 110, which transports the grinded coffee
exiting out of the slit between upper and lower grinding disk to
the exit location 105. The shape of the channel results in a "no
contamination" grinder, wherein virtually no coffee beans/grinded
coffee remains after finishing the grinding. Furthermore, the
grinder comprises a motor transmission/gear 111 and a cone
protrusion 112 to force the beans between the grinder disks.
[0069] The lower grinding disk 109 extends around rotating drive
cone 107 and the upper grinding disk 102 extends above the lower
grinder disk 109. The grinder is rotationally driven by motor 101
resulting in the rotation of the drive cone 107 and the lower
grinding disk 109. Due to the shape of the cone protrusion 112 upon
driving the drive cone 107 and the lower grinding disk coffee beans
are moved in an outwardly extending radial direction between the
lower grinding disk 109 and the upper grinding disk 102. Because a
vertical distance between the lower grinding disk 109 and the upper
grinding disk 102 decreases in the outwardly extending radial
direction the beans are crunched and cut into grinded coffee.
[0070] As explained, grinder 28 supplies grinded coffee to a coffee
brewing device 46 (schematically shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the
coffee apparatus. The coffee brewing device is arranged to receive
a supply of water to extract a coffee beverage from the grinded
coffee. The coffee beverage is discharged from a coffee beverage
exit 37 from the coffee brewing apparatus into a cup or like
household receptacle. A water supply can be arranged to supply
water to the coffee brewing device under pressure for espresso type
coffee beverages or may provide a drip feed to the extraction
system formed by coffee brewing device.
[0071] Before operating the coffee beverage system, the user has to
connect the coffee bean cartridge 3 to the coffee brewing apparatus
4.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 4A, the connection means for
connecting the coffee bean cartridge 3 to the coffee brewing
apparatus comprise a recess 50 at an upper side 52 of the coffee
brewing apparatus 4. The recess 50 is surrounded by a side wall 54
protruding from the upper side of the coffee brewing apparatus 4.
The user should place the corresponding part of the first/second
cartridge, at a lower side of the coffee bean cartridge into the
recess. The bayonet elements to be described later of the
cartridges should be placed in the corresponding openings 58 in the
side wall 54 of the recess 50. The user should then rotate the
cartridge over 50 degrees until reaching the blocking elements 56
for impeding a further rotation of the coffee bean packaging
cartridge. At this position the exit opening 29 of the first
chamber portion 23 is aligned with the coffee inlet 9 of the second
chamber portion 25. When the cartridge 3 is removed from the coffee
brewing apparatus, the second chamber portion 25 in the appliance
is closed by means of an appliance closing plate 51 (FIG. 4B) The
appliance closing plate is being driven by a protrusion 1686 (FIG.
6C) on the neck of the cartridge which slots into a keyhole 53 on
the appliance closing plate as the cartridge is being placed into
the openings 58 in the side wall 54 of the recess 50. As the user
rotates the cartridge over a 50 degrees angle during placement the
closing disk in the consumable and the closing plate in the
appliance are opened, simultaneously.
[0073] An example of a first impellor 10 and its corresponding
drive means 1520 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 5A-5J. To prevent
the impellor 10 to get jammed by coffee beans that become locked
between the perimeter aperture and radially extending vanes 13,
such vanes 13 are preferably made from a resilient material. It is
also possible to make the entire impellor 10 from a yieldable
resilient material. As illustrated in FIG. 5A the vanes 13 do not
extend to the perimeter edge of the impellor 10, which may prevent
beans from becoming jammed between the vanes 13 and the perimeter
aperture. As indicated hereinabove the vanes may also be of a
flexible material and to provide more flexibility to the vanes the
vanes are conveniently also unattached to the impellor base 1577
(bottom), by leaving a gap 1579.
[0074] The first impellor 10 has a hollow hub portion 1511. The
drive means 1520 are inserted in the recess in the interior of the
hollow hub portion 1511. The drive means 1520 includes a drive bush
1530 and a nut 1540, which are both part of the first cartridge.
The drive means 1520 furthermore includes the drive shaft 18 (see
FIG. 3A, 3B).
[0075] Nut 1540 is mounted on drive bush 1530. The two pieces are
connected by means of the screw thread 1532 covering most of the
surface of the drive bush 1530 and the corresponding screw thread
1544 at the interior of nut 1540. Nut 1540, when the system is in
operation, climbs down along the screw thread, as will be discussed
in detail herein after. Nut 1540 comprises two protrusions 1542,
each of the protrusions engaging with one of the four slots 1517
(see FIG. 5C), which vertically extend along most of an interior
wall 1513 of the hollow hub portion 1511. At the bottom of the
impellor base there are edges 1515 being part of a ratchet
connection together with scores 1630 (see FIG. 9A).
[0076] Drive shaft end 1573 of the coffee preparing appliance has a
number of keys 1575 (preferably 4, 6 or 8, referred to with
reference number 59 in FIG. 4) for engagement with openings 1716
formed by corresponding protrusions 12 at the bottom side of the
drive bush 1530. To facilitate engagement of the first impellor 10
and the drive shaft end upon placing of the cartridge on the
appliance the number of keys may differ between the drive shaft end
1573 and the drive bush 1530.
[0077] A part 1534 at the lower end of the drive bush 1530 is not
covered with the screw thread 1532. This part 1534 is opposite to
the part of wall 1513 at which the vertically extending slots 1517
are not present.
[0078] There are two vertically extending interruptions 1536 (only
one of them is visible in FIGS. 5A, 5B) in the screw thread at
opposite sides of the drive bush 1530. The interruption in the
screw thread at a first side (the right side in FIGS. 5A,5B) is
abrupt and at a second side (the left side in FIGS. 5A,5B) is
gradual (i.e. a ramp), i.e. the thickness of the screw thread
gradually increases from nothing to the normal thickness, as can be
appreciated in FIGS. 5D-5G. At opposite sides of the interior of
nut 1540, there is a corresponding edge 1546 (see FIGS. 5B and 5G),
which is asymmetrically shaped, such that, when the edge 1546 is
inserted in one of the slots 1536, the highest thickness of the
edge corresponds to the side of the interruptions where the
thickness of the screw thread is nil and the lowest thickness
correspond to the other side of the corresponding interruption
1536. So, the shape of the edge 1546 and the interruptions 1536 is
such that they enable the movement of the nut along the screw
thread in downward direction and impede the movement of the nut in
the opposite upward direction, as is well known in the art.
[0079] Referring to now to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C an embodiment of the
coffee bean packaging cartridge 3 of the first type, i.e. with
anti-refill impellor 10, is shown in an exploded arrangement,
perspective views and cross sectional view. This packaging
cartridge includes the container 7 defining an interior volume for
coffee beans. The container 7 is preferably made from a transparent
material so that its contents can be seen. Optionally, the
container 7 may be partially covered by an outer sleeve (not shown)
which may be printed with a description of the kind of coffee beans
inside and may also be apertured to reveal a translucent portion of
the container 7. The container 7 is also provided at a lower end
thereof with bayonet formation 1683, 1685 for coupling with the
openings 56 in the side wall 54 of the recess 50 of the coffee
brewing apparatus 3. Inserted into an open bottom end of container
7 is a closure member 1633. The closure member 1633 has the ribbed
funnel 8 for guiding coffee beans towards the impellor 10 and a
base flange 1636. A rotatable closure disk 1635 is rotatably
connectable with respect to the base flange 1636 of the closure
member 1633. The closure member 1633 and the rotatable closure disk
1635 together form an interface between the cartridge and a coffee
brewing apparatus. The assemble cartridge can be sealed against
deterioration from the ambient air by a sealing membrane 1681 that
attaches to the perimeter edge of the container 7. The sealing
membrane and barrier foil 1681 may again be equipped with a
conventional one-way pressure relief valve for venting excess
pressure from gases emanated from freshly roasted beans to the
exterior of the packaging cartridge. Preferably such a venting
valve should open at a pressure of between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar to
prevent deformation of the container by inflation. To facilitate
removal of the sealing membrane 1681 before placing the cartridge
on a brewing apparatus, a pulling tab 1682 may be provided.
[0080] FIGS. 6B and 6C show two different perspective views of the
coffee bean packaging cartridge shown in FIG. 6A.
[0081] One suitable form of the second impellor 11 without
anti-refill mechanism is shown in detail in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The
features of the second impellor 11, which are similar to those of
the first impellor 10, are indicated with the same reference
numbers. The impellor 11 has a hollow hub portion 1571 engageable
by the drive shaft end 1573 of the coffee preparing appliance,
which for this purpose has a number of keys 1575 (preferably 4, 6
or 8) for engagement with corresponding protrusions, or keys in the
interior of hollow hub 1571.
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 8 an exploded view of the second
cartridge is shown. It can be appreciated that, with exception of
the used impellors and the drive means thereof, the second
cartridge is the same as the first cartridge. Therefore, the
perspective view of the second cartridge is the same as the
perspective view of the first cartridge, as shown in FIGS. 6B and
6C. In FIG. 8, the outer sleeve 1632 is shown, which may cover the
container 7. The outer sleeve may be printed with a description of
the kind of coffee beans inside and may also be apertured to reveal
a translucent portion of the container 7.
[0083] The interface forming bottom parts of the first/second
cartridge are separately shown in more detail in FIGS. 9A, 9B and
9C. The ribbing on funnel 8 as further seen in the exploded view of
FIG. 9A is useful in preventing sticking of coffee beans to the
surface of the funnel 8.
[0084] By appropriate spacing between the successive ribs on funnel
8 it is possible to minimize the contact surface between the beans
and the funnel surface. As the skilled person will recognize, such
ribbing is merely one of various ways to reduce the contact surface
and protruding bulges may be equally effective. Also the
inclination given to the funnel may be subject to variation, but an
angle in excess of 30 degrees, up to 90 degrees has been found
effective.
[0085] The rotatable closing disk 1635 has an aperture 1612, which
upon appropriate rotation can register with exit opening 29 of the
closure member 1633 (see FIG. 9B). The closing disk 1635 on its
upper surface has protruding there from a first detent 1701 and a
second detent 1703 (see FIG. 9C). The first abutment is bordered by
semi-circular slots 1705 and 1707, respectively. Additionally,
protruding from the upper surface of the rotatable closing disk
1635 is a first abutment 1709 and a second abutment 1711 for
limiting rotational movement in respect of the exit opening 29.
Further provided on a bottom face of the base flange 1636 of the
closure member 1633 is a first pair of latching arms 1713 and a
second pair of latching arms (not shown). The first pair of
flexible latching arms 1713 is positioned to cooperate with the
first detent 1701 in the closed position of the rotatable closure
disk 1635. The second detent 1703 and the second pair of flexible
latching arms also cooperate together in the closed position of the
closure disk 1635 and are optional.
[0086] In reference to FIG. 10 it is shown how the first detent
1701 has been caught behind the converging flexible arms 1713A and
1713B of the first part of flexible arms. The position of the
detent 1701, as shown in FIG. 10, has resulted from rotation of the
closure disk 1635 in respect of the closure member 1633 in the
direction of arrow 1717. Rotation in the opposite direction of
arrow 1719 is effectively prevented by the flexible arms 1713A and
1713B engaging the first detent 1701. Accordingly when the
cartridge is in the closed position as determined in the partial
cross-section of FIG. 10 it may be removed from the apparatus
without any risk of spilling beans. Also this latching arrangement
ensures that the cartridge is not accidentally opened by rotation
of the closure disk 1635.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 11 an unlocking element 1721, which is part
of a coffee brewing appliance, can engage through the semi-circular
slot 1705 in the direction of arrow 1723 when the cartridge is
placed on the appliance. The unlocking element 1721 has a V-shaped
upper contour that forces apart the flexible arms 1713A and 1713B
of the first pair of flexible arms 1713. This will then allow
rotation of the closure disk 1635 in the direction of arrow 1719 by
allowing the first detent 1701 to pass between the spread apart
flexible arms 1713A and 1713B. This rotating movement is obtained
by manually rotating the cartridge with respect to the appliance to
engage the bayonet means 1683, 1685 on the container 7 with the
counter bayonet formations 56 on the brewing apparatus.
[0088] The operation of the second detent 1703 in respect of the
second pair of flexible latching arms is identical and when
optionally provided will give additional protection against
accidental opening, when not engaged on a coffee brewing
apparatus.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 4 again, the recess 52 comprises rotatable
protruding edges 59 (referred to with reference number 1575 in
FIGS. 5A,5B, 7A and 7B)at its center, which are positioned at the
end of the driving shaft 18, which is driven by the first motor 17.
On these edges the corresponding openings 1716 at the bottom side
of the drive bush 1530 of the first impellor 10 should be placed,
in case of using the cartridge of the first type with anti-refill
mechanism. In case of using the cartridge of the second type
without anti-refill mechanism, the opening 1716 on the bottom side
of the second impellor 11 at the bottom side of the second
cartridge 3 should be placed on these edges 59. The openings 1716
receive the edges 59 when the cartridge is connected with the
coffee brewing apparatus.
[0090] The upstanding side wall 54 of the recess 52 may be
surrounded by a housing 55, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.
[0091] The coffee brewing apparatus comprises a control device unit
40 schematically shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, preferably a
microprocessor for controlling the dosing, grinding and brewing
process as well as the anti-refill mechanism in case of using a
cartridge of the first type. The controller may activate these
processes after that it has detected that the cartridge 3 has
correctly been connected to the coffee brewing apparatus 4.
[0092] For filling of the dosing volume the conveying impellor
10/11 is rotated with a rotational speed in the range of 100 to 500
rpm, and preferably between 250 and 300 rpm. To fill the metering
chamber some fifteen revolutions of the impellor 10/11 (i.e. the
bottom 1577 and the vanes 13) will normally suffice. However, to
ensure filling under even adverse conditions, it may be convenient
to allow for some extra revolution such as thirty or twenty-five in
total. For filling of the dosing volume the conveying impellor
10/11 is rotated with a rotational speed in the range of 100 to 500
rpm, and preferably between 250 and 300 rpm. Once the filling of
the dosing volume has been accomplished, the appliance will switch
from driving the impellor 10/11 to driving its grinder. With the
impellor 10/11 immobilised the metering chamber will gradually
empty into the grinder. Because the impellor 10/11 is inactive, no
beans will escape from container 7, also because of the presence of
the trickle through edge 22.
[0093] According to an embodiment, the controller controls these
processes as follows. In a first step the metering chamber is
completely filled with coffee beans. Thereto, the controller
controls the first motor 17 to drive the shaft in clockwise
direction according to a top view. Accordingly, the first/second
impellor starts rotating in the clockwise direction. In case of the
first impellor 10, the drive shaft 18 rotates the drive bush 1530
and the nut thereon 1540. The protrusions 1542 (see FIG. 5A) of the
nut 1540, which are engaged with the corresponding slots in the
wall of the recess of the hollow hub portion 1511 cause the hollow
hub portion 1511 and thereby also the bottom 1577 and the vanes 13
connected thereto to rotate. The ratchet connection between the
bottom 1577 of the impellor 10 and the closure plate 1633 of the
first cartridge allows the rotation of the impellor in the
clockwise direction. The edge 1546, which is positioned in one of
the corresponding slots 1536 in the screw thread 1534 of the drive
bush 1530, impedes the rotation of the nut 1540 with respect to the
drive bush 1530. In this example in the first step, the impellor 10
is driven longer than is required for completely filling or at
least substantially completely filling the metering chamber (in
this application at least substantially means for example for more
than 90%). This is possible, because of the use of the flexible
vanes 13. The metering chamber is arranged for receiving a portion
of coffee beans corresponding to a dosed amount of coffee beans
which is preferably necessary for preparing a single serving of
coffee beverage, such as a single cup coffee comprising 80-160 ml
of coffee. A filled metering chamber comprises in this example one
dose of coffee beans. One dose of coffee beans comprises 5-11,
preferably 6-8 grams of coffee beans.
[0094] Then, in a second step the control device 40 controls the
motor 17 to rotate the drive shaft 18 180.degree. or a little more
in the opposite counter clockwise direction. The ratchet connection
1515, 1630 (see FIGS. 5B/9A) will cause the impellor 10 to stay in
its position. The rotation force of the drive shaft 18 will cause
the drive bush 1530 to rotate, too. Since the nut 1540 is connected
by means of a protrusion 1542 and corresponding slot 1517 to the
impellor 10, which is stationary, the rotation of the drive bush
1530 will cause the nut 1540 to move down with respect to the drive
bush 1530 along the screw thread 1532 until its edge 1546 snaps
into one of the corresponding interruptions 1536, again. This is
because the resistance of moving the nut 1540 along the screw
thread 1532 is smaller than the resistance of moving the impellor
10 in counter clockwise direction with respect to the closure plate
due to the ratchet connection 1515, 1630. In case of the counter
clock wise rotation is larger than 180.degree., the edge 1546 may
be positioned under a little tension some where along the "ramp" of
interruption 1536. Wit a small clockwise rotation, the edge 1546
may be brought in a tensionless position in the interruption
1536.
[0095] Then, in a third step, the controller activates the grinder
by activating the second motor 101. The grinder is activated longer
than is required for emptying the metering chamber and for grinding
all the coffee beans which were collected in the metering chamber
during the first step. In this example in the third step the
grinder is activated longer than required for completely emptying
or at least substantially completely emptying the metering chamber
(in this application at least substantially completely emptying
means for example for more than 90%).
[0096] Finally, in a fourth step which follows after that the
second step is completed the controller controls the brewing device
to brew coffee based on the grinded coffee and on heated water.
[0097] When the cartridge of the first type is used for the first
time the nut 1540 is in its initial position shown in FIGS. 5G-5H,
at the top end of the drive bush 1530. As the 180.degree. counter
clockwise rotation is executed after each complete filling of the
metering chamber, as the coffee beans of the first cartridge are
used, the nut 1540 climbs down "half a revolution" along the screw
thread 1532 of the drive bush 1530. After a first predetermined
number of counter clockwise revolutions, the nut leaves the screw
thread 1532 and falls to a position next to the part 1534 at the
lower end of the drive bush 1530, which is not covered with the
screw thread 1532, as shown in 5D-5F. As a result, the protrusions
1542 of the nut 1540 disengage from the corresponding slots of the
wall 1513 of the recess, because the vertical extension of these
slots corresponds to the vertical extension of the screw thread
1532, i.e. the slots do not extend to the part of the wall 1513
opposite to the part 1534 not covered with screw thread. This is
shown in FIGS. 51-51 Because of this disengagement, rotation of the
drive shaft 18/drive bush 1530 does not result in a corresponding
rotation of the impellor. Consequently, the first cartridge 10
cannot be used any more with the coffee brewing apparatus and
should be replaced by a new one.
[0098] Preferably, the size of the cartridge and the length of the
screw thread are chosen such that the first predetermined number of
revolutions of the drive shaft resulting in disabling the driving
of the impellor is larger than the number of revolutions
corresponding to the number of servings of coffee possible with the
full cartridge.
[0099] When a cartridge of the second type is used, the controller
works exactly in the same way, i.e. after filling the metering
chamber completely, it controls the motor so that the drive shaft
18 makes a 180.degree. counter clockwise rotation. However, this
small counter clockwise rotation does not adversely affect the
ability of the second impellor 11 of transporting the coffee beans
to the exit opening of the second cartridge. The second impellor
simply makes a corresponding rotation in the counterclockwise
direction but without any coffee beans in the cartridge this
rotation has no relevant effect. The ratchet connection 1515,1630
(see FIGS. 7B and 9A) between the second impellor 11 and the
closure plate 1633 does not impede this counter clockwise
rotation.
[0100] With reference to FIGS. 12A-12D and 13A-13D, the impellor
and drive means will be described of a cartridge of the first type
according to a further embodiment. According to this further
embodiment the coffee brewing apparatus should have a longer drive
shaft 1220 (see FIG. 12C), which is inserted in the hollow interior
of a drive bush 1530 (see FIG. 12B). The drive bush has two snap
fingers 1210 near its bottom. The drive bush 1530 at its turn is
inserted in the interior of a hollow hub portion 1200 of an
impellor. The interior wall of this hollow hub portion comprises a
coil thread 1205 and two edges 1208 (see FIG. 12A, only one shown).
In FIG. 12D the three elements are shown together in their initial
position.
[0101] FIG. 13A shows a bottom view of the drive shaft, drive bush
and impellor for the case that the drive shaft rotates clockwise.
The snap fingers 1210 of the drive bush lock with the edge 1208 of
the interior wall of the hollow hub portion, so that the impellor
rotates.
[0102] FIG. 13B shows of the drive shaft, drive bush and impellor
for the case that the drive shaft rotates counter clockwise for a
little over 180.degree.. Due to the ratchet connection between the
impellor and the closure member 1633, described herein above, the
impellor stays in its position. The snap fingers 1210 bend and lock
in their subsequent position. The drive bush 1530 moves up half a
revolution or pitch due to its screw thread 1532, which engages
with the coil thread 1205 of the hub part of the impellor. By
repeating this process after each coffee dosing the drive bush
works its way up in the hub part, as shown in FIG. 13C. After the
first predetermined number of revolutions, the drive bush reaches
its final position, as shown in FIG. 13D. In this position, the
drive shaft 1220 does not reach the drive bush 1530 and the
impellor will not rotate upon rotation of the drive shaft 1220.
[0103] Now with reference to FIGS. 14A-14B, a further embodiment
will be described of drive mans for an impellor used in a cartridge
of the second type, i.e. without anti-refill mechanism. The
impellor used in this case is the impellor 10 used for the
cartridge with anti-refill described herein above with reference to
FIGS. 5A-5J. However, the drive means differ in the following
aspects. The drive bush 1530 is not covered with screw thread at
all and the nut 1540 does not have screw thread at its interior
side. As a result, the nut 1540 may move freely with respect to the
drive bush 1530 in a vertical direction but due to the gravity it
will be positioned as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B on the top of a flange
1570, which is part of the drive bush 1530. In this position, and
also in all other possible positions of the nut 1540, the nut is
engaged with the hollow hub portion 1511 by means of its
protrusions 1542. Consequently, the rotation of the drive shaft 18
in clockwise direction results in the impellor 10 being rotated.
When the drive shaft is rotated half a turn in the counter clock
wise direction, nut 1540 rotates with respect to the drive bush
1530. However, this rotation is functionless, because the edge 1546
simply moves from one to the other slot 1536 of the drive bush
remaining in a position for driving the impellor in case of
subsequent clockwise rotation.
[0104] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of
the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing
description. The invention is not limited to any embodiment herein
described and, within the purview of the skilled person;
modifications are possible which should be considered within the
scope of the appended claims. For example, the transportation means
of the second cartridge for transporting the coffee beans from the
container to the metering chamber may be implemented as passive
means not driven by a motor, for example by means of a downwardly
extending bottom wall for transporting the coffee beans towards the
exit opening and into the metering chamber under the influence of
gravity only. A special means may in that case be required to close
the inlet opening of the metering chamber once it is filled with
coffee beans. Furthermore, instead of disabling the driving of the
impellor by disengagement of a mechanical connection the system may
be brought into a motor stall condition. One option thereto is the
engagement of an edge of the rotatable drive means in a
corresponding slot of the funnel 8, after the first predetermined
revolutions of the drive shaft.
[0105] Similarly all kinematic inversions are considered inherently
disclosed and to be within the scope of the present invention. The
term "comprising" when used in this description or the appended
claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense
but rather in an inclusive sense. Expressions such as: "means for .
. . " should be read as: "component configured for . . . " or
"member constructed to . . . " and should be construed to include
equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use of expressions
like: "critical", "preferred", "especially preferred" etc. is not
intended to limit the invention. Features which are not
specifically or explicitly described or claimed may be additionally
included in the structure according to the present invention
without deviating from its scope.
* * * * *