US20150118367A1 - Coffee bean packaging cartridge and coffee beverage system including the same - Google Patents

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention will now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of a part of the coffee brewing system according toFIG. 1 in perspective when using a coffee bean packaging cartridge of a first type with anti-refill mechanism;
• FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of a part of the coffee brewing system according toFIG. 1 in perspective when using a coffee bean cartridge of a second type without anti-refill mechanism;
• FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of the grinder used in the coffee brewing system according toFIG. 1 in perspective;
• FIG. 3D shows a cross sectional view of the grinder used in the coffee brewing system according toFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4A shows a perspective detail view of the upper part of the coffee brewing apparatus ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4B shows a perspective detail view of the upper part of the coffee brewing apparatus ofFIG. 2 with a closing plate in open position;
• 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;
• FIG. 5C shows a perspective bottom view of the impellor used in the coffee bean packaging cartridge of the first type;
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 5G shows a cross sectional top view with the drive means in their initial position;
• FIG. 5H shows a cross sectional front view with the drive means in their initial position;
• FIG. 5I shows a cross sectional top view with the drive means in their final position;
• FIG. 5J shows a cross sectional front view with the drive means in their final position;
• FIG. 6A is an exploded isometric view of a coffee bean packaging cartridge of the first type according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIGS. 6B and 6C show two different perspective views of the coffee bean packaging cartridge shown inFIG. 6A;
• 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;
• FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of a coffee bean packaging cartridge of the second type according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 9A is a detailed exploded isometric view of the bottom part of the coffee bean packaging cartridge ofFIG. 6A;
• FIG. 9B is a detailed exploded view of the bottom part ofFIG. 9A as seen in an opposite direction;
• FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a closing plate of the bottom part shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B;
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional detail of the assembled bottom part; and
• FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective detail of the bottom part ofFIG. 9B with a delatching protrusion of the coffee brewing apparatus;
• 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;
• FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional detail of the elements ofFIGS. 12A-12C mounted together;
• FIG. 13A-13D serve to explain the functionality of the elements shown inFIGS. 12A-12C.
• 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
• InFIG. 1 asystem1 for preparing coffee beverages is shown. Thesystem1 includes acoffee bean cartridge3 and acoffee brewing apparatus4. 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. Thecoffee bean cartridge3 is removably connected to thecoffee brewing apparatus4.FIG. 2 shows the coffee brewing apparatus without thecoffee bean cartridge3 mounted thereon. Both, the coffeebean packaging cartridge3 of the first and second type comprise acontainer7 having an interior volume for containing coffee beans and an exit opening. These coffee beans are roasted and include generally roasted half beans. Preferably, thecoffee beans cartridge3 is closed airtight and/or under vacuum before it is placed on thecoffee brewing apparatus4. Also thecoffee bean cartridge3 can be in the form of a disposable packaging, so that it can be thrown away after it has been emptied.
• Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, thecoffee beverage system1 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 means6 for enabling transportation of the coffee beans from the interior volume of the container7 (only partially visible inFIGS. 3 and 3B) towards the exit opening29 of thecartridge3. The coffee apparatus is provided with anentrance opening9 for receiving coffee beans which are transported by means of the transportation means towards theexit opening29. Theexit opening29 extends above the coffee bean entrance opening9 of thecoffee brewing apparatus4.
• A lower part of thecontainer7 comprises afunnel8 which forms part of the transportation means6. The beans of the coffeebean packaging cartridge3 are guided by means of thefunnel8 towards the exit opening29 of the cartridge. In case of the first cartridge with anti-refill mechanism the transportation means comprise a disk element (impellor) of afirst type10, also referred to in this description as first impellor, having severalflexible vanes13. In case of the cartridge without anti-refill mechanism the transportation means comprise a disk element (impellor) of asecond type11, also referred to in this description as second impellor, which again comprises severalflexible vanes13. 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 asecond axes19 extending in a vertical direction, the coffee beans are transported towards theexit opening29.
• The system further comprises ametering chamber15. The metering chamber is divided in afirst chamber portion23 which is part of the cartridge and asecond chamber portion25 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 opening29 of the cartridge and the second chamber portion comprises the entrance opening of the coffee apparatus. The first chamber portion is provided with anupstanding side wall32 comprising aninlet opening21 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 themetering chamber15 of thecoffee beverage system1 upon driving of the transportation means. This driving is performed by means of afirst motor17 of the coffee apparatus, driving adrive shaft18 of the coffee apparatus extending along avertical axis19. Due to the driving, theimpellor10/11 comprising thevanes13 rotates around the secondvertical axis19. In this way, the coffee beans are driven in a horizontal direction to the inlet opening21 of themetering chamber15. The cartridge comprises a small trickle throughedge22 to avoid the uncontrolled entering of coffee beans in themetering chamber15 when theimpellor10/11 is not rotating. Themetering chamber15 comprises thefirst chamber portion23 in thecartridge3 and thesecond chamber portion25 in thebrewing apparatus4. The bottom26 of the metering chamber at least comprises abottom portion27 which is part of agrinder28 for grinding coffee beans. The coffee beans leave thefirst chamber portion23 and thereby thecartridge3 via the exit opening29 of thecartridge3 and enter thesecond chamber portion25 and thereby the coffee brewing apparatus via theentrance opening9. The size of the metering chamber is limited by atop wall31, the bottom26 and anupstanding side wall32. Theupstanding side wall32 comprises theupstanding side wall34 of the first chamber portion and anupstanding side wall33 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.
• Thebottom part27 of the metering chamber has a conical shape such that the bottom portion extends downwardly in a direction extending perpendicular to and away from avertical axis35. Thegrinder28 in this embodiment is positioned centrically with respect to thesecond chamber portion25. Referring now toFIGS. 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/wheel102, which may be ceramic or steel. The upper grinding disk/wheel is rotationally fixed in its position. Furthermore, thesecond chamber103 of the metering chamber is shown (referred to byreference25 inFIGS. 3A and 3B), which works as dosing funnel. The grinder furthermore comprises amanual adjustment lock104 to adjust the grind fineness setting by the consumer. Theupper grinding disk102 is moved up or down in respect to the lower grinding disk/wheel109 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 anexit location105 for grinded coffee out of thecircular transport channel110 into the grindedcoffee chute106. The grinded coffee chute is a funnel pointing downwards into thebrewing device46 of the coffee brewing apparatus, which is open on the top and placed exactly below this chute when grinding. A rotating drive cone107 (referred to as bottom part withconical shape27 of the metering chamber inFIGS. 3A and 3B) is fixed on themain drive shaft108. This cone ensures the movement and guidance of the beans out of the metering chamber into the grinding section consisting of theupper grinding disk102 and thelower grinding disk109, which may be ceramic or steel. Theupper grinding disk102 and thelower grinding disk109 have a suitable milled shape for grinding the coffee beans, as is well known in the art. The main drive shaft drives thelower grinding disk109 and therotating drive cone107. There is formed acircular transport channel110, which transports the grinded coffee exiting out of the slit between upper and lower grinding disk to theexit location105. 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/gear111 and acone protrusion112 to force the beans between the grinder disks.
• Thelower grinding disk109 extends around rotatingdrive cone107 and theupper grinding disk102 extends above thelower grinder disk109. The grinder is rotationally driven bymotor101 resulting in the rotation of thedrive cone107 and thelower grinding disk109. Due to the shape of thecone protrusion112 upon driving thedrive cone107 and the lower grinding disk coffee beans are moved in an outwardly extending radial direction between thelower grinding disk109 and theupper grinding disk102. Because a vertical distance between thelower grinding disk109 and theupper grinding disk102 decreases in the outwardly extending radial direction the beans are crunched and cut into grinded coffee.
• As explained,grinder28 supplies grinded coffee to a coffee brewing device46 (schematically shown inFIGS. 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 acoffee beverage exit37 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.
• Before operating the coffee beverage system, the user has to connect thecoffee bean cartridge3 to thecoffee brewing apparatus4.
• Referring now toFIG. 4A, the connection means for connecting thecoffee bean cartridge3 to the coffee brewing apparatus comprise arecess50 at anupper side52 of thecoffee brewing apparatus4. Therecess50 is surrounded by aside wall54 protruding from the upper side of thecoffee brewing apparatus4. 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 correspondingopenings58 in theside wall54 of therecess50. The user should then rotate the cartridge over 50 degrees until reaching the blockingelements56 for impeding a further rotation of the coffee bean packaging cartridge. At this position the exit opening29 of thefirst chamber portion23 is aligned with thecoffee inlet9 of thesecond chamber portion25. When thecartridge3 is removed from the coffee brewing apparatus, thesecond chamber portion25 in the appliance is closed by means of an appliance closing plate51 (FIG. 4B) The appliance closing plate is being driven by a protrusion1686 (FIG. 6C) on the neck of the cartridge which slots into akeyhole53 on the appliance closing plate as the cartridge is being placed into theopenings58 in theside wall54 of therecess50. 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.
• An example of afirst impellor10 and its corresponding drive means1520 is shown in more detail inFIGS. 5A-5J. To prevent theimpellor10 to get jammed by coffee beans that become locked between the perimeter aperture and radially extendingvanes13,such vanes13 are preferably made from a resilient material. It is also possible to make theentire impellor10 from a yieldable resilient material. As illustrated inFIG. 5A thevanes13 do not extend to the perimeter edge of theimpellor10, which may prevent beans from becoming jammed between thevanes13 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 base1577 (bottom), by leaving agap1579.
• Thefirst impellor10 has ahollow hub portion1511. The drive means1520 are inserted in the recess in the interior of thehollow hub portion1511. The drive means1520 includes adrive bush1530 and anut1540, which are both part of the first cartridge. The drive means1520 furthermore includes the drive shaft18 (seeFIG. 3A,3B).
• Nut1540 is mounted ondrive bush1530. The two pieces are connected by means of thescrew thread1532 covering most of the surface of thedrive bush1530 and thecorresponding screw thread1544 at the interior ofnut1540.Nut1540, when the system is in operation, climbs down along the screw thread, as will be discussed in detail herein after.Nut1540 comprises twoprotrusions1542, each of the protrusions engaging with one of the four slots1517 (seeFIG. 5C), which vertically extend along most of aninterior wall1513 of thehollow hub portion1511. At the bottom of the impellor base there areedges1515 being part of a ratchet connection together with scores1630 (seeFIG. 9A).
• Driveshaft end1573 of the coffee preparing appliance has a number of keys1575 (preferably 4, 6 or 8, referred to withreference number59 inFIG. 4) for engagement withopenings1716 formed by correspondingprotrusions12 at the bottom side of thedrive bush1530. To facilitate engagement of thefirst impellor10 and the drive shaft end upon placing of the cartridge on the appliance the number of keys may differ between thedrive shaft end1573 and thedrive bush1530.
• Apart1534 at the lower end of thedrive bush1530 is not covered with thescrew thread1532. Thispart1534 is opposite to the part ofwall1513 at which the vertically extendingslots1517 are not present.
• There are two vertically extending interruptions1536 (only one of them is visible inFIGS. 5A,5B) in the screw thread at opposite sides of thedrive bush1530. 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 inFIGS. 5D-5G. At opposite sides of the interior ofnut1540, there is a corresponding edge1546 (seeFIGS. 5B and 5G), which is asymmetrically shaped, such that, when theedge1546 is inserted in one of theslots1536, 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 thecorresponding interruption1536. So, the shape of theedge1546 and theinterruptions1536 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.
• Referring to now toFIGS. 6A,6B and6C an embodiment of the coffeebean packaging cartridge3 of the first type, i.e. withanti-refill impellor10, is shown in an exploded arrangement, perspective views and cross sectional view. This packaging cartridge includes thecontainer7 defining an interior volume for coffee beans. Thecontainer7 is preferably made from a transparent material so that its contents can be seen. Optionally, thecontainer7 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 thecontainer7. Thecontainer7 is also provided at a lower end thereof withbayonet formation1683,1685 for coupling with theopenings56 in theside wall54 of therecess50 of thecoffee brewing apparatus3. Inserted into an open bottom end ofcontainer7 is aclosure member1633. Theclosure member1633 has the ribbedfunnel8 for guiding coffee beans towards theimpellor10 and abase flange1636. Arotatable closure disk1635 is rotatably connectable with respect to thebase flange1636 of theclosure member1633. Theclosure member1633 and therotatable closure disk1635 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 sealingmembrane1681 that attaches to the perimeter edge of thecontainer7. The sealing membrane andbarrier foil1681 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 sealingmembrane1681 before placing the cartridge on a brewing apparatus, a pullingtab1682 may be provided.
• FIGS. 6B and 6C show two different perspective views of the coffee bean packaging cartridge shown inFIG. 6A.
• One suitable form of thesecond impellor11 without anti-refill mechanism is shown in detail inFIGS. 7A and 7B. The features of thesecond impellor11, which are similar to those of thefirst impellor10, are indicated with the same reference numbers. Theimpellor11 has ahollow hub portion1571 engageable by thedrive shaft end1573 of the coffee preparing appliance, which for this purpose has a number of keys1575 (preferably 4, 6 or 8) for engagement with corresponding protrusions, or keys in the interior ofhollow hub1571.
• Referring toFIGS. 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 inFIGS. 6B and 6C. InFIG. 8, theouter sleeve1632 is shown, which may cover thecontainer7. 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 thecontainer7.
• The interface forming bottom parts of the first/second cartridge are separately shown in more detail inFIGS. 9A,9B and9C. The ribbing onfunnel8 as further seen in the exploded view ofFIG. 9A is useful in preventing sticking of coffee beans to the surface of thefunnel8.
• By appropriate spacing between the successive ribs onfunnel8 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.
• Therotatable closing disk1635 has anaperture1612, which upon appropriate rotation can register with exit opening29 of the closure member1633 (seeFIG. 9B). Theclosing disk1635 on its upper surface has protruding there from afirst detent1701 and a second detent1703 (seeFIG. 9C). The first abutment is bordered bysemi-circular slots1705 and1707, respectively. Additionally, protruding from the upper surface of therotatable closing disk1635 is afirst abutment1709 and asecond abutment1711 for limiting rotational movement in respect of theexit opening29. Further provided on a bottom face of thebase flange1636 of theclosure member1633 is a first pair of latchingarms1713 and a second pair of latching arms (not shown). The first pair of flexible latchingarms1713 is positioned to cooperate with thefirst detent1701 in the closed position of therotatable closure disk1635. Thesecond detent1703 and the second pair of flexible latching arms also cooperate together in the closed position of theclosure disk1635 and are optional.
• In reference toFIG. 10 it is shown how thefirst detent1701 has been caught behind the convergingflexible arms1713A and1713B of the first part of flexible arms. The position of thedetent1701, as shown inFIG. 10, has resulted from rotation of theclosure disk1635 in respect of theclosure member1633 in the direction ofarrow1717. Rotation in the opposite direction ofarrow1719 is effectively prevented by theflexible arms1713A and1713B engaging thefirst detent1701. Accordingly when the cartridge is in the closed position as determined in the partial cross-section ofFIG. 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 theclosure disk1635.
• As shown inFIG. 11 an unlockingelement1721, which is part of a coffee brewing appliance, can engage through thesemi-circular slot1705 in the direction ofarrow1723 when the cartridge is placed on the appliance. The unlockingelement1721 has a V-shaped upper contour that forces apart theflexible arms1713A and1713B of the first pair offlexible arms1713. This will then allow rotation of theclosure disk1635 in the direction ofarrow1719 by allowing thefirst detent1701 to pass between the spread apartflexible arms1713A and1713B. This rotating movement is obtained by manually rotating the cartridge with respect to the appliance to engage the bayonet means1683,1685 on thecontainer7 with thecounter bayonet formations56 on the brewing apparatus.
• The operation of thesecond detent1703 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.
• Referring toFIG. 4 again, therecess52 comprises rotatable protruding edges59 (referred to withreference number1575 in FIGS.5A,5B,7A and7B)at its center, which are positioned at the end of the drivingshaft18, which is driven by thefirst motor17. On these edges the correspondingopenings1716 at the bottom side of thedrive bush1530 of thefirst impellor10 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, theopening1716 on the bottom side of thesecond impellor11 at the bottom side of thesecond cartridge3 should be placed on theseedges59. Theopenings1716 receive theedges59 when the cartridge is connected with the coffee brewing apparatus.
• Theupstanding side wall54 of therecess52 may be surrounded by ahousing55, as shown inFIGS. 1-2.
• The coffee brewing apparatus comprises acontrol device unit40 schematically shown inFIGS. 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 thecartridge3 has correctly been connected to thecoffee brewing apparatus4.
• For filling of the dosing volume the conveyingimpellor10/11 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 theimpellor10/11 (i.e. the bottom1577 and the vanes13) 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 conveyingimpellor10/11 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 theimpellor10/11 to driving its grinder. With theimpellor10/11 immobilised the metering chamber will gradually empty into the grinder. Because theimpellor10/11 is inactive, no beans will escape fromcontainer7, also because of the presence of the trickle throughedge22.
• 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 thefirst motor17 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 thefirst impellor10, thedrive shaft18 rotates thedrive bush1530 and the nut thereon1540. The protrusions1542 (seeFIG. 5A) of thenut1540, which are engaged with the corresponding slots in the wall of the recess of thehollow hub portion1511 cause thehollow hub portion1511 and thereby also the bottom1577 and thevanes13 connected thereto to rotate. The ratchet connection between the bottom1577 of theimpellor10 and theclosure plate1633 of the first cartridge allows the rotation of the impellor in the clockwise direction. Theedge1546, which is positioned in one of the correspondingslots1536 in thescrew thread1534 of thedrive bush1530, impedes the rotation of thenut1540 with respect to thedrive bush1530. In this example in the first step, theimpellor10 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 theflexible vanes13. 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.
• Then, in a second step thecontrol device40 controls themotor17 to rotate thedrive shaft18 180° or a little more in the opposite counter clockwise direction. Theratchet connection1515,1630 (see FIGS.5B/9A) will cause theimpellor10 to stay in its position. The rotation force of thedrive shaft18 will cause thedrive bush1530 to rotate, too. Since thenut1540 is connected by means of aprotrusion1542 andcorresponding slot1517 to theimpellor10, which is stationary, the rotation of thedrive bush1530 will cause thenut1540 to move down with respect to thedrive bush1530 along thescrew thread1532 until itsedge1546 snaps into one of thecorresponding interruptions1536, again. This is because the resistance of moving thenut1540 along thescrew thread1532 is smaller than the resistance of moving theimpellor10 in counter clockwise direction with respect to the closure plate due to theratchet connection1515,1630. In case of the counter clock wise rotation is larger than 180°, theedge1546 may be positioned under a little tension some where along the “ramp” ofinterruption1536. Wit a small clockwise rotation, theedge1546 may be brought in a tensionless position in theinterruption1536.
• Then, in a third step, the controller activates the grinder by activating thesecond motor101. 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%).
• 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.
• When the cartridge of the first type is used for the first time thenut1540 is in its initial position shown inFIGS. 5G-5H, at the top end of thedrive bush1530. As the 180° counter clockwise rotation is executed after each complete filling of the metering chamber, as the coffee beans of the first cartridge are used, thenut1540 climbs down “half a revolution” along thescrew thread1532 of thedrive bush1530. After a first predetermined number of counter clockwise revolutions, the nut leaves thescrew thread1532 and falls to a position next to thepart1534 at the lower end of thedrive bush1530, which is not covered with thescrew thread1532, as shown in5D-5F. As a result, theprotrusions1542 of thenut1540 disengage from the corresponding slots of thewall1513 of the recess, because the vertical extension of these slots corresponds to the vertical extension of thescrew thread1532, i.e. the slots do not extend to the part of thewall1513 opposite to thepart1534 not covered with screw thread. This is shown inFIGS. 51-51 Because of this disengagement, rotation of thedrive shaft18/drive bush1530 does not result in a corresponding rotation of the impellor. Consequently, thefirst cartridge10 cannot be used any more with the coffee brewing apparatus and should be replaced by a new one.
• 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.
• 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 thedrive shaft18 makes a 180° counter clockwise rotation. However, this small counter clockwise rotation does not adversely affect the ability of thesecond impellor11 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. Theratchet connection1515,1630 (seeFIGS. 7B and 9A) between thesecond impellor11 and theclosure plate1633 does not impede this counter clockwise rotation.
• With reference toFIGS. 12A-12D and13A-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 shaft1220 (seeFIG. 12C), which is inserted in the hollow interior of a drive bush1530 (seeFIG. 12B). The drive bush has twosnap fingers1210 near its bottom. Thedrive bush1530 at its turn is inserted in the interior of ahollow hub portion1200 of an impellor. The interior wall of this hollow hub portion comprises acoil thread1205 and two edges1208 (seeFIG. 12A, only one shown). InFIG. 12D the three elements are shown together in their initial position.
• FIG. 13A shows a bottom view of the drive shaft, drive bush and impellor for the case that the drive shaft rotates clockwise. Thesnap fingers1210 of the drive bush lock with theedge1208 of the interior wall of the hollow hub portion, so that the impellor rotates.
• 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°. Due to the ratchet connection between the impellor and theclosure member1633, described herein above, the impellor stays in its position. Thesnap fingers1210 bend and lock in their subsequent position. Thedrive bush1530 moves up half a revolution or pitch due to itsscrew thread1532, which engages with thecoil thread1205 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 inFIG. 13C. After the first predetermined number of revolutions, the drive bush reaches its final position, as shown inFIG. 13D. In this position, thedrive shaft1220 does not reach thedrive bush1530 and the impellor will not rotate upon rotation of thedrive shaft1220.
• Now with reference toFIGS. 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 theimpellor10 used for the cartridge with anti-refill described herein above with reference toFIGS. 5A-5J. However, the drive means differ in the following aspects. Thedrive bush1530 is not covered with screw thread at all and thenut1540 does not have screw thread at its interior side. As a result, thenut1540 may move freely with respect to thedrive bush1530 in a vertical direction but due to the gravity it will be positioned as shown inFIGS. 14A-14B on the top of aflange1570, which is part of thedrive bush1530. In this position, and also in all other possible positions of thenut1540, the nut is engaged with thehollow hub portion1511 by means of itsprotrusions1542. Consequently, the rotation of thedrive shaft18 in clockwise direction results in theimpellor10 being rotated. When the drive shaft is rotated half a turn in the counter clock wise direction,nut1540 rotates with respect to thedrive bush1530. However, this rotation is functionless, because theedge1546 simply moves from one to theother slot1536 of the drive bush remaining in a position for driving the impellor in case of subsequent clockwise rotation.
• 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 thefunnel8, after the first predetermined revolutions of the drive shaft.
• 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.

Claims (34)

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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 68, wherein the disk element is an impellor including a bottom and a plurality of vanes.

70. The first cartridge according toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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 toclaim 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.

Images