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WO2002028244A1 - Apparatus and method for dosing and grinding coffee beans - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for dosing and grinding coffee beans Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002028244A1
WO2002028244A1 PCT/DK2001/000636 DK0100636W WO0228244A1 WO 2002028244 A1 WO2002028244 A1 WO 2002028244A1 DK 0100636 W DK0100636 W DK 0100636W WO 0228244 A1 WO0228244 A1 WO 0228244A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grinder
reservoir
beans
container
dosing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/DK2001/000636
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kenneth Hou Jensen
Johan Ottosen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KENNETH HOU JENSEN APS
Original Assignee
KENNETH HOU JENSEN APS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KENNETH HOU JENSEN APS filed Critical KENNETH HOU JENSEN APS
Priority to AU2001295432A priority Critical patent/AU2001295432A1/en
Publication of WO2002028244A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002028244A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
    • A47J42/38—Parts or details
    • A47J42/44—Automatic starting or stopping devices; Warning devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
    • A47J42/38—Parts or details
    • A47J42/40—Parts or details relating to discharge, receiving container or the like; Bag clamps, e.g. with means for actuating electric switches
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
    • A47J42/38—Parts or details
    • A47J42/48—Attachment of mills to tables, walls, or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
    • A47J42/38—Parts or details
    • A47J42/50—Supplying devices, e.g. funnels; Supply containers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/18—Apparatus in which ground coffee or tea-leaves are immersed in the hot liquid in the beverage container

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for grinding and dosing coffee beans into a container, especially a plunger.
  • the correct dosing of coffee beans is very important for obtaining a well- tasting cup of coffee. Often the dosing of coffee beans is done by eye, which is not precise enough to obtain a well-tasting coffee.
  • the apparatus allows substantially no contact with the air until the coffee is ground and dosed in the container.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for grinding coffee beans and comprising:
  • a grinder having a first opening for receiving the coffee beans and a second opening for draining the ground beans into a container, - a reservoir for containing the coffee beans and having an outlet connected to said first opening of the grinder,
  • a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground coffee beans from the grinder and into said container
  • the grinder is positioned so that the axis of rotation of the grinder is substantially vertical, but it can be positioned so that the axis is substantially horizontal.
  • the reservoir may be mounted on the top of the grinder on said first opening, so that the coffee beans can flow directly into the grinder.
  • the coffee beans are ground directly from the grinder and into a container in which the coffee is brewed, so that the beans are as freshly ground as possible.
  • the dosing device comprises an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time, so that the amount of coffee being dosed into the container depends on the grinding time.
  • the timer is connected to an on/off switch, so that one press on the switch may give one or two or three or more doses depending, preferably, on the size of the container.
  • Two or more switches may be arranged, and wherein each switch relates to a predetermined grinding time, e.g., one switch for a small container or small quantity and one switch for a large container or large quantity.
  • the dosing device may comprise a feed screw mounted in connection with the second opening of the grinder, the screw being adapted to dose a precise amount of beans into the container.
  • the dosing device may be manually driven and comprise a plate positioned between the second opening of the grinder and the container, said plate being extensible so as to open for the ground beans.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a channel extending from said second opening and through which the ground beans can be drained into the container, so that the beans do not get in contact with the surrounding atmosphere until they are in the container.
  • the channel may be a connecting piece extending vertically or horizontally from the grinder.
  • the apparatus may preferably further comprising a funnel to which ground beans are introduced from the channel, and in this situation the funnel is adapted to dose the ground beans into a container in a well defined jet so that spillage is avoided, such as minimised, when the beans are dosed into the container.
  • the well defined jet is preferably defined by the exit of the funnel in such a manner that when the ground beans leave the exit of the funnel the size of the jet is smaller than or equal to the exit of the funnel.
  • the funnel is shaped as a tapered chute having its smallest cross sectional area at the exit of the chute, and the jet is then, preferably, defined by the crosswise extension of the chute at exit, said extension being considered relatively to the flow direction of the beans leaving the funnel through the funnel.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a counting device for counting the number of dosages being dosed into the container.
  • the counting device is electronically connected to the dosing device and counts every time a dosage is delivered or the switch is pressed.
  • the counting device may be mechanically connected to the switch.
  • the dosing and/or counting device may be connected to a cash register, so that the coffee cannot be dispensed from the grinder before the order is punched in at the cash register. Further, the waiter always knows how much coffee each customer has ordered.
  • a closing device may be provided in said outlet of the reservoir, so that the outlet is open when the reservoir is mounted to the first opening of the grinder and so that the outlet is closed when the reservoir is removed from the grinder.
  • the closing device may comprise an extensible plate that opens and closes for the flow of beans into the grinder like the extensible plate described above.
  • the reservoir may comprise an opening through which the beans may be filled into the reservoir and a removable lid covering said opening.
  • the removable lid may comprise a rubber gasket attached to a round-going edge of the lid, so as to provide an airtight closing between the lid and the opening.
  • the reservoir comprises a seal covering said outlet, so that the coffee beans may be delivered in a sealed reservoir from the coffee supplier.
  • the seal is broken, e.g., by means of a sharp point in the first opening.
  • the reservoir is hermetically closed when the restaurant or cafe receives it and not opened until the beans are to be used. The beans are then as fresh as possible and the empty reservoir may be returned to the supplier.
  • a deposit system for the reservoirs may be provided.
  • the reservoir is made of a transparent material, such as glass or polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate, so that the customer can see that the beans are being freshly ground.
  • the apparatus may comprise a locking device that comprises:
  • a flange abutting at least a significant part of: - the outer surface of the lid, when the lid is covering said opening, and - a round-going outer surface of the reservoir,
  • the apparatus is built up of individual modules, each of which being removable from the housing.
  • the grinder, dosing device, counting device, a power supply and the reservoir may be removed individually from the apparatus.
  • the grinder and/or the dosing device and/or counting device are electronically driven, but alternatively they may be manually driven.
  • Any power consuming element including the grinder, the dosing and the counting device may have a power consumption of between 12V-380V, such as 24V-220V, such as 110V.
  • the apparatus is mounted to a substantially vertical surface, and wherein the housing comprises:
  • a grinder bracket mounted to the inner frame and adapted to secure the grinder to the inner frame, and - an outer casing covering said inner frame and bracket.
  • the apparatus comprises such a substantial vertical extending surface and a substantial horizontal extending surface for supporting a container into which ground beans are to be dosed.
  • the grinder preferably extends in a substantial horizontal direction.
  • the grinder is preferably secured to the vertical extending surface in a silenced manner, typically by applying rubber bearings or the like.
  • mounting means comprising: - an anchor plate adapted to be screwed onto the vertical surface and comprising slits,
  • the apparatus may hang in a bar, e.g., above the ditch containing the cool drinks.
  • the casing may be made of stainless steel or plastic or any other material and in any colour.
  • the casing may be gild and comprise the name of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus is preferably adapted to grind coffee beans directly into a container comprising a plunger, but the container may be a cup, glass, pot or any other container.
  • the invention relates to a method for making coffee in a plunger by means of an apparatus comprising:
  • the method provides a coffee made of beans that are as freshly ground as possible.
  • the grinder is activated by an on/off switch that is connected to an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time within predetermined time intervals, and wherein the step of dosing coffee beans comprises activating the grinder for said predetermined time interval by pressing said switch.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a reservoir, a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing.
  • the locking device comprises
  • the method further comprising, prior to the step of grinding the beans, the steps of:
  • the flange abuts the entire outer surface of the lid, and the tube-like member extends vertically from the flange downward along the outer surface of the reservoir and into the key lock.
  • Figs. 1 a-d show an apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows an apparatus according to the invention
  • FIG. 3a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention
  • Figs. 4a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention
  • Figs. 5a-d show an apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 6 shows an anchor plate for an apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 7 shows a locking device for an apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 8a-e show a funnel for the apparatus according to the present invention
  • Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according with the present invention.
  • Figs. 1a-d show an apparatus according to the invention.
  • the apparatus comprises a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3) and a locking device (4a, 4b). Between the reservoir and the grinder is positioned an extensible plate (5) for opening/closing for the flow of beans into the grinder.
  • the locking device comprises a tube-like member (4a) extending from the flange (4b) vertically downward and into a key lock (18) (shown in Fig. 4a) in the casing.
  • Fig. 2 shows a coffee grinder comprising a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3), a locking device (4a, 4b) and an extensible plate (5).
  • Figs. 3a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention.
  • the apparatus comprises a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3), a locking device (4a, 4b), a grinder bracket (6) and an inner frame (7).
  • the outer casing (2) and the inner frame (7) comprise holes (8) through which the tube-like member (4a) can pass.
  • the inner frame further comprises a key lock (18) (see Fig. 4a).
  • the outer casing (2) comprises an upper flange (3a) that supports the reservoir.
  • the grinder (3) is electrically driven by a motor (9) via a gear box (3b).
  • Figs. 4a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention.
  • the apparatus comprises an inner frame (7) with projections (12) that engage the slits (13) of the anchor plate (14).
  • the inner frame comprises a hole (15) wherein a counting device may be positioned for counting the number of dosages being dosed into a container.
  • a further hole (16) is provided in the inner frame and wherein a on/off switch for activating the grinder may be positioned.
  • the grinder bracket (6) is mounted to the inner frame and maintains the grinder (3) to the inner frame (7) by means of grinder locks (10).
  • a key lock (18) is provided in the bottom of the inner frame (7) on a plate (11), said key lock comprising a pawl (19) that engages the slit (see Fig. 7) of the tube-like member (4a) when turning the key in the key lock.
  • the plate (11) comprises a hole (17) with a projection (27) for supporting the lower end of the tube-like member (4a).
  • the grinder comprises a channel (20) through which the ground beans are dosed from the grinder and into the container.
  • Rubber washers (21) provide a shock-absorbing connection between the inner frame (7), the grinder bracket (6) and the outer casing (2).
  • Figs. 5a-d show an apparatus comprising a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3) driven by a motor (9) via the gear box (3b), a locking device (4a, 4b) with a key lock (18) having a pawl (19), a grinder bracket (6) with grinder locks (10), an inner frame (7) with projections (12) and an anchor plate (14).
  • Fig. 6 shows an anchor plate (14) comprising slits (13) for the projections (12) on the inner frame (see Fig. 5a).
  • the anchor plate further comprises holes (22) for mounting the plate to a wall and holes (23) for mounting the outer casing (see Fig. 5a) to the plate.
  • a punching (24) is provided in the front and bottom surface for, e.g., the cables for the electricity.
  • Fig. 7 shows a locking device comprising a flange (4b) and a tube-like member (4a).
  • the tube-like member comprises a slit (25) through which the pawl (19) of the key lock (see Fig. 4a) can pass.
  • the tube-like member further comprises a slit (26) adapted to engage the projection (27) of the hole (17) in the plate (11) (see Fig. 4a).
  • the tube-like member cannot rotate in relation to the inner frame.
  • Between the inner frame and the grinder bracket and the outer casing sound-absorbing material may be positioned, so as to make the apparatus as noiseless as possible.
  • Fig. 8a-e show different views of a funnel (30) preferably comprised in the apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the funnel (30) is adapted to co-operate with the channel (20) in such a manner that ground beans are dosed from the grinder and into the container in a jet so well defined that spillage is avoided or minimised when the beans are dosed into the container.
  • the funnel (30) is defined by two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b) and wall part (32c) connecting the two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b). As the two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b) are inclined relative to each other they define together with the wall part (32c) a tapered chute.
  • a cut out (31) is provided which fits together with the channel (20) in such a manner that the channel extends from behind of the wall part (32c) and up to or just through the cut out (31) when the funnel (30) is arranged in the apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the funnel further comprises a support structure (33) which fits into the front end of the apparatus according to the invention. In particular, the support structure is adapted fit in the region of the apparatus where the hole (15) is provided.
  • Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according to the present invention having a substantial vertical extending surface (35) to which the anchor plate (14) is attached and having a substantial horizontal extending surface (36) supporting a container into which ground beans are to be dosed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for grinding and dosing coffee beans into a container, especially a plunger. In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for grinding coffee beans, which apparatus comprises: a grinder having a first opening for receiving the coffee beans and a second opening for draining the ground beans into a container, a reservoir for containing the coffee beans and having an outlet connected to said first opening of the grinder, a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground coffee beans from the grinder and into said container, a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR DOSING AND GRINDING COFFEE BEANS
Technical field of the invention
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for grinding and dosing coffee beans into a container, especially a plunger.
Background of the invention
Different apparatuses and methods for grinding coffee beans and making coffee are known from prior art, such as from US 5,463,932, GB 2 138 320, FR 1 455 806, FR 1 248 095, DK 43444 and DK 97 00304.
What predominantly give the taste on coffee are the volatile oils in the small pockets within the beans. When the coffee is ground, the oils begin to evaporate and become gradually stale in contact with the air. In order to clearly taste the different taste characteristics of the different type of coffee beans the time from grinding to brewing is to be reduced to a minimum. When coffee is served at restaurants, the coffee is made on coffee beans that are ground hours or days or weeks before the coffee is brewed, which gives the coffee a weaker or even stale taste than if the beans were ground just before the coffee was brewed.
Furthermore, the correct dosing of coffee beans is very important for obtaining a well- tasting cup of coffee. Often the dosing of coffee beans is done by eye, which is not precise enough to obtain a well-tasting coffee.
Restaurants often serve coffee made on very expensive coffee beans, which is tempting for the personnel or customer to steel the beans.
Description of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for grinding and dosing coffee beans into a container in which the coffee is brewed, so that the beans are as freshly ground as possible. In particular, the apparatus allows substantially no contact with the air until the coffee is ground and dosed in the container. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, wherein the coffee beans are dosed in precise amounts into the container in which the coffee is brewed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, wherein the coffee beans is securely locked to the apparatus, such that the beans cannot be stolen therefrom.
According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for grinding coffee beans and comprising:
- a grinder having a first opening for receiving the coffee beans and a second opening for draining the ground beans into a container, - a reservoir for containing the coffee beans and having an outlet connected to said first opening of the grinder,
- a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground coffee beans from the grinder and into said container,
- a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and - a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing.
Preferably, the grinder is positioned so that the axis of rotation of the grinder is substantially vertical, but it can be positioned so that the axis is substantially horizontal.
The reservoir may be mounted on the top of the grinder on said first opening, so that the coffee beans can flow directly into the grinder. Preferably, the coffee beans are ground directly from the grinder and into a container in which the coffee is brewed, so that the beans are as freshly ground as possible.
Preferably, the dosing device comprises an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time, so that the amount of coffee being dosed into the container depends on the grinding time. The timer is connected to an on/off switch, so that one press on the switch may give one or two or three or more doses depending, preferably, on the size of the container. Two or more switches may be arranged, and wherein each switch relates to a predetermined grinding time, e.g., one switch for a small container or small quantity and one switch for a large container or large quantity.
Alternatively, the dosing device may comprise a feed screw mounted in connection with the second opening of the grinder, the screw being adapted to dose a precise amount of beans into the container.
Alternatively, the dosing device may be manually driven and comprise a plate positioned between the second opening of the grinder and the container, said plate being extensible so as to open for the ground beans.
The apparatus may further comprise a channel extending from said second opening and through which the ground beans can be drained into the container, so that the beans do not get in contact with the surrounding atmosphere until they are in the container. The channel may be a connecting piece extending vertically or horizontally from the grinder.
In preferred embodiments, the apparatus may preferably further comprising a funnel to which ground beans are introduced from the channel, and in this situation the funnel is adapted to dose the ground beans into a container in a well defined jet so that spillage is avoided, such as minimised, when the beans are dosed into the container. The well defined jet is preferably defined by the exit of the funnel in such a manner that when the ground beans leave the exit of the funnel the size of the jet is smaller than or equal to the exit of the funnel. In a particular preferred embodiment the funnel is shaped as a tapered chute having its smallest cross sectional area at the exit of the chute, and the jet is then, preferably, defined by the crosswise extension of the chute at exit, said extension being considered relatively to the flow direction of the beans leaving the funnel through the funnel.
The apparatus may further comprise a counting device for counting the number of dosages being dosed into the container. Preferably, the counting device is electronically connected to the dosing device and counts every time a dosage is delivered or the switch is pressed. Alternatively, the counting device may be mechanically connected to the switch. The dosing and/or counting device may be connected to a cash register, so that the coffee cannot be dispensed from the grinder before the order is punched in at the cash register. Further, the waiter always knows how much coffee each customer has ordered.
A closing device may be provided in said outlet of the reservoir, so that the outlet is open when the reservoir is mounted to the first opening of the grinder and so that the outlet is closed when the reservoir is removed from the grinder. Thus, it is possible to remove a not emptied reservoir from the grinder and put it in, e.g., a cupboard having the optimal conditions for coffee beans. If the coffee beans are expensive, it is an advantage that the reservoir can be removed, so as to avoid theft. The closing device may comprise an extensible plate that opens and closes for the flow of beans into the grinder like the extensible plate described above.
The reservoir may comprise an opening through which the beans may be filled into the reservoir and a removable lid covering said opening. The removable lid may comprise a rubber gasket attached to a round-going edge of the lid, so as to provide an airtight closing between the lid and the opening.
Preferably, the reservoir comprises a seal covering said outlet, so that the coffee beans may be delivered in a sealed reservoir from the coffee supplier. When the reservoir is positioned on said first opening of the grinder, the seal is broken, e.g., by means of a sharp point in the first opening. Thus, the reservoir is hermetically closed when the restaurant or cafe receives it and not opened until the beans are to be used. The beans are then as fresh as possible and the empty reservoir may be returned to the supplier. A deposit system for the reservoirs may be provided.
The reservoir is made of a transparent material, such as glass or polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate, so that the customer can see that the beans are being freshly ground.
Instead of removing the reservoir from the grinder for avoiding theft, the apparatus may comprise a locking device that comprises:
- a flange abutting at least a significant part of: - the outer surface of the lid, when the lid is covering said opening, and - a round-going outer surface of the reservoir,
- a key lock positioned in said housing,
- a tube-like member fixed mounted to said flange and extending along said outer surface of said reservoir and into said key lock.
Thus, it is not possible to remove neither the lid nor the reservoir from the grinder unless the person has got/uses the correct key.
For making it easier to service, the apparatus is built up of individual modules, each of which being removable from the housing. Thus, the grinder, dosing device, counting device, a power supply and the reservoir may be removed individually from the apparatus.
Preferably, the grinder and/or the dosing device and/or counting device are electronically driven, but alternatively they may be manually driven.
Any power consuming element including the grinder, the dosing and the counting device may have a power consumption of between 12V-380V, such as 24V-220V, such as 110V.
Preferably, the apparatus is mounted to a substantially vertical surface, and wherein the housing comprises:
- an inner frame adapted to secure the apparatus to said vertical surface,
- a grinder bracket mounted to the inner frame and adapted to secure the grinder to the inner frame, and - an outer casing covering said inner frame and bracket.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises such a substantial vertical extending surface and a substantial horizontal extending surface for supporting a container into which ground beans are to be dosed. In such an other situations the grinder preferably extends in a substantial horizontal direction. Furthermore, the grinder is preferably secured to the vertical extending surface in a silenced manner, typically by applying rubber bearings or the like.
For mounting the apparatus to said surface it may comprise mounting means comprising: - an anchor plate adapted to be screwed onto the vertical surface and comprising slits,
- hook-like projections punched in said inner frame and being adapted to engage said slits,
and wherein the inner frame is removable mounted to the plate by means of said projections.
Thus, the apparatus may hang in a bar, e.g., above the ditch containing the cool drinks.
For providing a smooth and elegant design of the apparatus the casing may be made of stainless steel or plastic or any other material and in any colour. The casing may be gild and comprise the name of the apparatus.
The apparatus is preferably adapted to grind coffee beans directly into a container comprising a plunger, but the container may be a cup, glass, pot or any other container.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for making coffee in a plunger by means of an apparatus comprising:
- a grinder for grinding the coffee beans,
- a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground beans from the grinder and directly into the plunger,
the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the plunger below said grinder,
- grinding the coffee beans and dosing the ground coffee beans directly into said plunger by activating said grinder,
- filling hot water into said plunger.
Thus, the method provides a coffee made of beans that are as freshly ground as possible.
Preferably, the grinder is activated by an on/off switch that is connected to an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time within predetermined time intervals, and wherein the step of dosing coffee beans comprises activating the grinder for said predetermined time interval by pressing said switch.
For avoiding theft of expensive coffee beans the apparatus may further comprise a reservoir, a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing. Preferably, the locking device comprises
- a flange abutting at least a significant part of:
- the outer surface of the lid, when the lid is covering said opening, and
- a round-going outer surface of the reservoir,
- a key lock positioned in said housing,
- a tube-like member fixed mounted to said flange and extending along said outer surface of said reservoir and into said key lock,
the method further comprising, prior to the step of grinding the beans, the steps of:
- locking up the key lock, - removing the tube-like member with the flange from the housing and reservoir,
- filling up the reservoir with coffee beans or replacing an empty reservoir with a full one,
- mounting the tube-like member with the flange to the housing and reservoir, and
- letting the beans flow from the reservoir and into the grinder.
Preferably, the flange abuts the entire outer surface of the lid, and the tube-like member extends vertically from the flange downward along the outer surface of the reservoir and into the key lock.
It should be understood that, though the present invention relates to a number of independent aspects, any combination of these aspects is possible within the scope of the present invention. Brief description of the figures
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in details below with reference to the figures, wherein
Figs. 1 a-d show an apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows an apparatus according to the invention,
Figs. 3a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention, Figs. 4a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention, Figs. 5a-d show an apparatus according to the invention,
Fig. 6 shows an anchor plate for an apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows a locking device for an apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 8a-e show a funnel for the apparatus according to the present invention, and Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according with the present invention.
Detailed description of the figures
Figs. 1a-d show an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3) and a locking device (4a, 4b). Between the reservoir and the grinder is positioned an extensible plate (5) for opening/closing for the flow of beans into the grinder. The locking device comprises a tube-like member (4a) extending from the flange (4b) vertically downward and into a key lock (18) (shown in Fig. 4a) in the casing.
Fig. 2 shows a coffee grinder comprising a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3), a locking device (4a, 4b) and an extensible plate (5).
Figs. 3a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3), a locking device (4a, 4b), a grinder bracket (6) and an inner frame (7). The outer casing (2) and the inner frame (7) comprise holes (8) through which the tube-like member (4a) can pass. The inner frame further comprises a key lock (18) (see Fig. 4a). The outer casing (2) comprises an upper flange (3a) that supports the reservoir. The grinder (3) is electrically driven by a motor (9) via a gear box (3b). Figs. 4a-d show assembly drawings of an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises an inner frame (7) with projections (12) that engage the slits (13) of the anchor plate (14). The inner frame comprises a hole (15) wherein a counting device may be positioned for counting the number of dosages being dosed into a container. A further hole (16) is provided in the inner frame and wherein a on/off switch for activating the grinder may be positioned.
The grinder bracket (6) is mounted to the inner frame and maintains the grinder (3) to the inner frame (7) by means of grinder locks (10). A key lock (18) is provided in the bottom of the inner frame (7) on a plate (11), said key lock comprising a pawl (19) that engages the slit (see Fig. 7) of the tube-like member (4a) when turning the key in the key lock. The plate (11) comprises a hole (17) with a projection (27) for supporting the lower end of the tube-like member (4a).
The grinder comprises a channel (20) through which the ground beans are dosed from the grinder and into the container.
Rubber washers (21) provide a shock-absorbing connection between the inner frame (7), the grinder bracket (6) and the outer casing (2).
Figs. 5a-d show an apparatus comprising a reservoir (1), an outer casing (2), a grinder (3) driven by a motor (9) via the gear box (3b), a locking device (4a, 4b) with a key lock (18) having a pawl (19), a grinder bracket (6) with grinder locks (10), an inner frame (7) with projections (12) and an anchor plate (14).
Fig. 6 shows an anchor plate (14) comprising slits (13) for the projections (12) on the inner frame (see Fig. 5a). The anchor plate further comprises holes (22) for mounting the plate to a wall and holes (23) for mounting the outer casing (see Fig. 5a) to the plate. A punching (24) is provided in the front and bottom surface for, e.g., the cables for the electricity.
Fig. 7 shows a locking device comprising a flange (4b) and a tube-like member (4a). The tube-like member comprises a slit (25) through which the pawl (19) of the key lock (see Fig. 4a) can pass. The tube-like member further comprises a slit (26) adapted to engage the projection (27) of the hole (17) in the plate (11) (see Fig. 4a). Thus, the tube-like member cannot rotate in relation to the inner frame.
Between the inner frame and the grinder bracket and the outer casing sound-absorbing material may be positioned, so as to make the apparatus as noiseless as possible.
Fig. 8a-e show different views of a funnel (30) preferably comprised in the apparatus according to the present invention. The funnel (30) is adapted to co-operate with the channel (20) in such a manner that ground beans are dosed from the grinder and into the container in a jet so well defined that spillage is avoided or minimised when the beans are dosed into the container.
With reference to fig. 8a-e, the funnel (30) is defined by two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b) and wall part (32c) connecting the two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b). As the two opposite wall parts (32a; 32b) are inclined relative to each other they define together with the wall part (32c) a tapered chute. In the wall part (32c) a cut out (31) is provided which fits together with the channel (20) in such a manner that the channel extends from behind of the wall part (32c) and up to or just through the cut out (31) when the funnel (30) is arranged in the apparatus according to the present invention. The funnel further comprises a support structure (33) which fits into the front end of the apparatus according to the invention. In particular, the support structure is adapted fit in the region of the apparatus where the hole (15) is provided.
Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according to the present invention having a substantial vertical extending surface (35) to which the anchor plate (14) is attached and having a substantial horizontal extending surface (36) supporting a container into which ground beans are to be dosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for grinding coffee beans and comprising:
- a grinder having a first opening for receiving the coffee beans and a second opening for draining the ground beans into a container,
- a reservoir for containing the coffee beans and having an outlet connected to said first opening of the grinder,
- a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground coffee beans from the grinder and into said container,
- a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and
- a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the coffee beans are ground directly from the grinder and into a container in which the coffee is brewed.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dosing device comprises an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time, so that the amount of coffee being dosed into the container depends on the grinding time.
4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising a channel extending from said second opening and through which the ground beans can be dosed into the container.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a funnel to which ground beans are introduced from the channel, said funnel is adapted to dose the ground beans into the container in a well defined jet so that spillage is avoided, such as minimised, when the beans are dosed into the container.
6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 -5, further comprising a counting device for counting the number of dosages being dosed into the container.
7. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a closing device is provided in said outlet of the reservoir, so that the outlet is open when the reservoir is mounted to the first opening of the grinder and so that the outlet is closed when the reservoir is removed from the grinder.
8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir comprises an opening through which the beans may be filled into the reservoir and a removable lid covering said opening.
9. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir comprises a seal covering said outlet, so that the coffee beans may be delivered in a sealed reservoir from the coffee supplier, said seal is broken when the reservoir is positioned on said first opening of the grinder.
10. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device comprises:
- a flange abutting at least a significant part of:
- the outer surface of the lid, when the lid is covering said opening, and
- a round-going outer surface of the reservoir,
- a key lock positioned in said housing,
- a tube-like member fixed mounted to said flange and extending along said outer surface of said reservoir and into said key lock.
11. An apparatus according to any of claims 6-10, wherein the grinder, the dosing device and the counting device is built up as individual modules, each of which being individual removable from the housing.
12. An apparatus according to any of claims 6-11 , wherein the grinder and/or the dosing device and/or counting device are electronically driven.
13. An apparatus according to any of claims 6-11 , wherein the grinder and/or the dosing device and/or counting device are manually driven.
14. An apparatus according to any of claims 6-12, wherein the power consumption for the grinder, the dosing and the counting device is 12V-380V, such as 24V-220V, such as 110V.
5 15. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising mounting means for mounting the apparatus to a substantially vertical extending surface.
16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises said substantial vertical extending surface and further comprises a substantial horizontal extending
10 surface (36) for supporting a container into which ground beans are to be dosed, preferably so that the grinder extends in substantial horizontal direction.
17. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises:
15
- an inner frame adapted to secure the apparatus to said vertical surface,
- a grinder bracket mounted to the inner frame and adapted to secure the grinder to the inner frame, and
- an outer casing covering said inner frame and bracket. 20
18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the mounting means comprise:
- an anchor plate adapted to be screwed onto the vertical surface and comprising slits,
- hook-like projections punched in said inner frame and being adapted to engage said 25 slits,
and wherein the inner frame is removable mounted to the plate by means of said projections.
30 19. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a plunger.
20. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an extensible plate positioned between the outlet of the reservoir and the first opening of the 35 grinder, so as to open/close for the flow of beans into the grinder.
21. A method for making coffee in a plunger by means of an apparatus comprising:
- a grinder for grinding the coffee beans,
5 - a dosing device for dosing predetermined amounts of ground beans from the grinder and directly into the plunger,
the method comprising the steps of:
10 - positioning the plunger below said grinder,
- grinding the coffee beans and dosing the ground coffee beans directly into said plunger by activating said grinder, and
- filling hot water into said plunger.
15 22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein the grinder is activated by an on/off switch that is connected to an adjustable timer for controlling the grinding time within predetermined time intervals,
the step of dosing coffee beans comprising: 20
- activating the grinder for said predetermined time interval by pressing said switch.
23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the apparatus further comprises:
5 - a reservoir for containing the coffee beans
- a housing surrounding at least the grinder and the dosing device, and
- a locking device for locking said reservoir to said housing and comprising:
- a flange abutting at least a significant part of: 0
- the outer surface of the lid, when the lid is covering said opening, and
- a round-going outer surface of the reservoir,
- a key lock positioned in said housing, - a tube-like member fixed mounted to said flange and extending along said outer surface of said reservoir and into said key lock,
the method further comprising, prior to the step of grinding the beans, the steps of:
- locking up the key lock,
- removing the tube-like member with the flange from the housing and reservoir,
- filling up the reservoir with coffee beans or replacing an empty reservoir with a full one, - mounting the tube-like member with the flange to the housing and reservoir, and
- letting the beans flow from the reservoir and into the grinder.
PCT/DK2001/000636 2000-10-02 2001-10-02 Apparatus and method for dosing and grinding coffee beans Ceased WO2002028244A1 (en)

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DKPA200001457 2000-10-02
DKPA200001457 2000-10-02

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Cited By (6)

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WO2008006672A1 (en) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Grinding gear insulated against structure -borne noise for a foodstuff mill
WO2008006673A1 (en) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Noise-absorbing lid for food mills
ITPD20110368A1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2013-05-23 Casonetto S N C Di Ceraolo A & C COFFEE GRINDING SYSTEM, INTENDED IN PARTICULAR FOR LOCAL USE WHICH BARS AND COFFEE SHOPS
GB2520241A (en) * 2013-10-15 2015-05-20 San Remo S R L Revolution coffee grinder
WO2019228879A1 (en) * 2018-05-31 2019-12-05 Creatrix Ag Coffee mill
EP3721756A1 (en) * 2017-12-22 2020-10-14 Creatrix AG Device for dosing coffee beans

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WO2008006672A1 (en) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Grinding gear insulated against structure -borne noise for a foodstuff mill
WO2008006673A1 (en) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Noise-absorbing lid for food mills
ITPD20110368A1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2013-05-23 Casonetto S N C Di Ceraolo A & C COFFEE GRINDING SYSTEM, INTENDED IN PARTICULAR FOR LOCAL USE WHICH BARS AND COFFEE SHOPS
GB2520241A (en) * 2013-10-15 2015-05-20 San Remo S R L Revolution coffee grinder
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