阅读说明：本技术 烘焙设备 (Baking device ) 是由 S·切卡罗利 S·加卡德 F·迪比耶夫 P·古列维奇-比考克 S·布里甘特 于 2020-01-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于烘焙咖啡豆的设备(10),该设备包括：-壳体(4),-烘焙室(1),该烘焙室具有底部开口(11),-空气驱动器(2),该空气驱动器被构造成驱动空气以通过室的底部开口进入烘焙室内,-定位在该焙室的述底部开口下方的电加热器(3),该电加热器被构造成加热被驱动至烘焙室内的空气,-空气驱动器和电加热器定位在壳体(4)内部,并且该壳体包括热空气出口孔(41),该热空气出口孔被设计成使得热空气能够从壳体通至烘焙室的底部开口(11)内,并且电加热器(3)定位在热空气出口孔(41)的正下方,-该烘焙室(1)可移除地安装到壳体(4),当该烘焙室被安装到该壳体时,烘焙室的底部开口(11)与壳体的热空气出口孔(41)配合,其中该设备包括活动闭合装置(5),该活动闭合装置被构造成：-在从壳体移除烘焙室时覆盖热空气出口孔(41),以及-在烘焙室被安装到壳体时露出热空气出口孔(41)。(The invention relates to a device (10) for roasting coffee beans, comprising: -a housing (4), -a roasting chamber (1) having a bottom opening (11), -an air drive (2) configured to drive air into the roasting chamber through the bottom opening of the chamber, -an electric heater (3) positioned below said bottom opening of the roasting chamber, the electric heater being configured to heat air driven into the roasting chamber, -the air drive and the electric heater being positioned inside the housing (4), and the housing comprising a hot air outlet aperture (41) designed such that hot air can pass from the housing into the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber, and the electric heater (3) being positioned directly below the hot air outlet aperture (41), -the roasting chamber (1) being removably mounted to the housing (4), when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing, a bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber cooperates with a hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, wherein the apparatus comprises a movable closing device (5) configured to: -covering the hot air outlet opening (41) when removing the roasting chamber from the housing, and-uncovering the hot air outlet opening (41) when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing.)

1. A device (10) for roasting coffee beans, comprising:

-a housing (4),

a roasting chamber (1) having a bottom opening (11),

-an air driver (2) configured to drive air into the roasting chamber through the bottom opening of the chamber,

-an electric heater (3) positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber, the electric heater being configured to heat air driven into the roasting chamber,

-the air driver and the electric heater are positioned inside the housing (4), and the housing comprises a hot air outlet aperture (41) designed such that hot air can pass from the housing into the bottom opening (11) of the chamber, and the electric heater (3) is positioned directly below the hot air outlet aperture (41),

-the roasting chamber (1) is removably mounted to the housing (4), the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber cooperating with the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing,

wherein the apparatus comprises a movable closure device (5) configured to:

-covering the hot air outlet hole (41) when removing the roasting chamber from the housing, an

-exposing the hot air outlet opening (41) when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the movable closing means (5) is mechanically actuated in a passive manner by a removal movement removing the roasting chamber from the housing and a mounting movement mounting the roasting chamber to the housing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said closing means comprise a sliding plate (51,51a,51b) slidable over and away from said hot air outlet hole (41), and designed to interact with a portion of the bottom of said roasting chamber.

4. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the slide plate is made of a single piece of material and is capable of rotation or translation.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the sledge is made of several articulations (51a,51 b).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closing device (5) comprises a biasing element (55) configured to cause said closing device (5) to cover said hot air outlet hole (41) when said roasting chamber (1) is removed from said housing (4).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing means (5) are made of a deformable material.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 7, wherein the closing means (5) is motorized and automatically moved to cover the air outlet hole (41).

9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a chamber position sensor (6) configured to detect whether the chamber is mounted to the housing.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans with heated air and is particularly suitable for use in homes or in shops and cafes.

Background

Roasting of coffee beans in small scale in the home or in shops and cafes is usually carried out with small-sized equipment, wherein the coffee beans are stirred in hot air. One type of apparatus uses a rotating perforated drum in which coffee beans are introduced and tumbled while being supplied with heat.

Another type of plant uses fluidized bed technology implementing a hot air fluidized bed chamber. Within such chambers, heated air is forced through a screen or perforated plate beneath the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the coffee beans. As the coffee beans tumble and circulate within this fluidized bed, heat is transferred to the coffee beans.

This technology is derived from the industrial baker described in US 3964175, adapted for small domestic appliances, such as US4484064, US4494314, US4631838, US5269072, US 5564331.

In the baking apparatus, different types of heaters, such as a gas range or an electric heater, may be used. For small sized toasters, an electric heater, such as a heating resistor, is generally preferred.

Most torrefaction machines implementing fluidized bed technology have the same configuration of key elements as the torrefaction chamber, heater and air drive. It is very common and obvious that these elements are placed one on top of the other along a vertical axis, with the air drive positioned at the lowest position, the electric resistance positioned above it, and the roasting chamber positioned above the electric resistance.

Preferably, in these roasters, the hot air fluidized bed chamber is removable from the apparatus for introduction and removal of coffee beans and for cleaning operations. Safety issues may arise when removing the chamber from the apparatus and depending on the design of the apparatus, if a non-laboratory user accidentally spills water within the apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a roasting device with a higher level of safety.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for roasting coffee beans is provided, the apparatus comprising:

-a housing;

a roasting chamber having a bottom opening,

an air drive configured to drive air into the roasting chamber through a bottom opening of the chamber,

an electric heater positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber, the electric heater being configured to heat air driven into the roasting chamber,

the air drive and the electric heater are positioned inside the housing, and the housing comprises a hot air outlet aperture designed to enable hot air to pass from the housing into the bottom opening of the chamber,

the roasting chamber is removably mounted to the housing, a bottom opening of the roasting chamber cooperating with the hot air outlet aperture of the housing when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing,

wherein the apparatus comprises a movable closure device configured to:

covering the hot air outlet holes when removing the roasting chamber from the housing, and

-exposing the hot air outlet aperture when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing.

The torrefaction apparatus comprises a torrefaction chamber having a bottom opening and usually a top opening. The roasting chamber is designed to be able to generate a fluidized bed of hot air when the hot air is introduced through the bottom opening.

Generally, the bottom opening includes a mesh to hold the coffee beans within the chamber but to enable hot air to pass therethrough.

The top opening enables the discharge of fumes and particles generated during the baking operation. This also makes it possible to introduce the coffee beans to be roasted and to remove the roasted coffee beans at the end of the roasting operation. To perform these last operations, the roasting chamber is removable from the casing of the apparatus.

The apparatus includes an air drive configured to drive air into the roasting chamber through a bottom opening of the chamber. Typically, the air driver is a blower or fan designed to blow air up into the roasting chamber.

The apparatus includes an electric heater positioned below the bottom opening of the chamber and configured to heat the air before the air is introduced into the roasting chamber.

The electric heater is preferably a resistance wire. The resistance wire may be mounted on a non-conductive support made of, for example, a ceramic material. The support may be designed to form a channel for air in order to increase and facilitate heat exchange.

The air driver and the electric heater are positioned inside the housing. The housing comprises a hot air outlet aperture designed to enable hot air generated within the housing to pass to the bottom opening of the chamber.

As described above, the roasting chamber is removably mounted to the housing. When the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing, the bottom opening of the roasting chamber cooperates with the hot air outlet aperture of the housing.

Generally, the heater is positioned directly below the hot air outlet aperture of the housing in order to limit heat loss during movement of the hot air from the heater to the roasting chamber. This position of the heater also provides good temperature regulation during the roasting process in the roasting chamber: virtually any change in the temperature of the heater will immediately affect the temperature within the roasting chamber.

Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a movable closure device configured to:

covering the hot air outlet holes when removing the roasting chamber from the housing, and

-exposing the hot air outlet aperture when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing.

Thus, when the chamber is removed from the housing of the roasting apparatus, the hot air outlet aperture is covered and the heater positioned directly below the hot air outlet aperture is protected by the closing means. In case the user accidentally throws water into the area of the housing designed to receive the chamber (for example during a cleaning operation in which the housing of the chamber has been removed from the device), then the closing means covering the aperture prevent the water from contacting the electric heater positioned directly below the hot air outlet aperture. Without such protection, water may wet the resistance and once the voltage is switched on again, an electrical fault, an electrical hazard to the operator or a fire risk may occur.

Preferably, the movement of the roasting chamber and the movement of the closing means occur simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the movement of the closing means is mechanically actuated in a passive manner by a removal movement removing the roasting chamber from the housing and by a mounting movement mounting the roasting chamber to the housing.

It is therefore the movement of the roasting chamber (removal of the housing or connection to the housing) that causes the closing means to move, thereby covering or uncovering the aperture, respectively.

According to this embodiment, the closing means may comprise a sliding plate which is slidable over and away from the hot air outlet aperture, and which plate is designed to interact with a portion of the bottom of the roasting chamber. Due to this interaction between the plate and the roasting chamber, the plate immediately reacts to the cooperation with the bottom part of the roasting chamber.

In one mode of this embodiment, the sled is made of a single piece of material and is capable of rotation or translation.

Thus, the plate may rotate or translate away from the hot air outlet aperture.

In the case of translation, the plate may be guided to slide within the slot or may be guided through the side rails. The movement of the chamber into or out of the apparatus is sufficient to push or pull or release a slide, such as a drawer.

In case of rotation, the plate may be connected to a vertical rotation shaft. The movement of the chamber into or out of the device is sufficient to rotate or release the rotating plate. Preferably, the plate may comprise a design that interacts with a portion of the bottom of the chamber, such that the movement of the chamber is easily translated by a user in the rotation of the plate, and facilitates the installation of the chamber by the user. Thus, the movement of the closing means is triggered by the movement of the roasting chamber.

In another mode of the above embodiment, the slide plate may be made of several hinged pieces.

Thus, the closing means does not cover many positions when the closing means retracts or pushes open the aperture of the hot air outlet. The device can be more compact. The movement may also be more reliable.

The closure means may comprise two panels hinged by a knee joint.

Alternatively, the closing means may comprise several plates, such as fans, which slide one over the other.

Preferably, the closing means may comprise a biasing element configured to urge the closing means to cover the hot air outlet aperture upon removal of the roasting chamber from the housing. Thus, the overlay can occur more quickly.

In one particular embodiment, the closure device may be made of a deformable material that bends when pushed by the chamber. Such deformable materials may be flexible high temperature resistant silicones. The material may be shaped to close the hot air outlet aperture when at rest and to be compressed when pushed away from the aperture by the chamber when the roasting chamber is positioned inside the housing.

According to one embodiment, the closure device may be motorized and automatically moved to cover the air outlet aperture. In this embodiment, preferably, the apparatus may comprise a chamber position sensor configured to detect whether the chamber is mounted to the housing or is close to the housing.

The sensor may be a presence switch that is held by a housing of the device and is configured to be contacted by the chamber when the chamber is positioned inside the device.

The sensor may be an optical sensor held by a housing of the apparatus and configured to detect movement of the chamber to or from the housing.

The sensor may be a near field detection system such as a system of an RFID tag held by the chamber and an RFID detector held by the housing of the device.

Generally, the closure device is made of a high temperature resistant material, preferably resistant to 300 ℃. Metals are preferred.

The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Furthermore, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the claims, the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a roasting apparatus according to the invention, wherein a roasting chamber is mounted to the apparatus,

fig. 2 shows a side view of the roasting apparatus of fig. 1, wherein the roasting chamber is removed from the roasting apparatus and set aside,

figures 3 and 4 are enlarged views of the closure device of figures 1 and 2 respectively,

figures 5A and 5B are schematic views of the roasting chamber and the closure means moved in translation,

fig. 1 is a side view of a baking apparatus 10 according to the invention. The device comprises a housing 4 in which an air driver 2 and an air heater 3 are positioned. The air driver 2 is a fan which draws air from an air inlet 42 of the housing and drives the air up to the heater 3 and then to an air outlet aperture 41 in the room, as shown in dotted lines.

The heater 3 is an electric heater, typically a resistive wire configured to heat the air flow to a temperature comprised between 100 ℃ and 300 ℃. The heater is supplied with high electric power of, for example, about 110V or 230V. Any water in contact with the resistor can cause short circuits and equipment failure. The heater 3 is positioned generally about 1cm to 5cm directly below the air outlet aperture 41 to better control heating and avoid heat loss. By "directly below" is meant that the hot air outlet aperture faces the electric heater. Thus, the resistor is located directly below the hole 41; a grid may be present to prevent a user from touching the resistor or to avoid an object falling on the heater.

The roasting apparatus comprises a roasting chamber 1 designed to contain coffee beans and to form a fluidized bed of air by a flow of hot air introduced through its open bottom 11. The bottom opening 11 comprises a grid to hold coffee beans (not shown). When the chamber is mounted to the housing, the bottom of the chamber is tightly connected to the air outlet holes 41 to avoid leakage of the hot air flow.

The top opening 12 of the chamber is connected to a fume and particulate exhaust (not shown).

The chamber 1 is removable from the housing 4 as indicated by the arrows in fig. 2. The chamber may be placed beside the roasting device for introducing or removing coffee beans or for cleaning and maintenance. When removing the chamber, the operator can access the vertical housing part 43 behind the chamber and can clean it, for example with a sponge and water. During this cleaning operation, there is a risk that water or even drops may fall in the direction of the air outlet hole 41 and thus fall on the heater.

The device comprises a movable closing means 5 cooperating with the roasting chamber 1 and capable of closing the air outlet hole 41 when the chamber is removed from the device.

In fig. 1, and in the enlarged view of fig. 3, where the chamber is mounted to the housing of the apparatus, the closing means 5 is pushed by the bottom part of the roasting chamber and is held beside the air outlet hole 41 and is held against the vertical wall 43 of the housing; thereby, a connection of the bottom opening 11 of the chamber with the air outlet hole 41 is achieved.

In fig. 2 and in the enlarged view of fig. 4, the chamber has been removed from the housing of the device by translation to the left as indicated by arrow a 1. Thus, the closing means 5 is no longer pushed back and can fall over the air outlet hole 41 to cover the air outlet hole, as indicated by arrow a 2. In this position, any water or other liquid falling in the direction of the air outlet hole 41 is directed to the horizontal wall of the housing surrounding the air outlet hole and does not reach the hole. Thus, the lower electric heater 3 is protected from any future short-circuits.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-4, the closure device includes two hinge plates 51a,51 b. The two plates are joined to each other by a knee joint 52. The plate 51b is able to rotate about a fixed axis 53 extending horizontally and perpendicularly to the sliding direction of the plates 51a,51 b.

In fig. 1 and 3, the bottom part of the chamber holds these plates 51a,51b in a bent position along the vertical direction of the housing. In fig. 2 and 4, the removal of the chamber releases the closing means 5: due to its weight and its angle, the plate 51a drops from its vertical position and pulls the other plate 51b, which is attached to the first plate by the knee joint 52. Thus, the two plates cover the air outlet holes.

Preferably, the interaction between the different pieces of the closing means and the interaction of the plate with the housing are configured as frictionless as possible, in order to be able to easily handle the chamber for the user and to achieve an effective and fast extension or bending movement of the plate.

The illustrated embodiment shows the presence of a position sensor 6 for detecting the position of the chamber within or removed from the apparatus. The information about the presence of the chamber may be used to disconnect the device from the power supply or to provide specific information on the user interface.

If the closure device is motorized, the sensor facilitates automatic movement of the closure device when the sensor detects the absence of a chamber.

Fig. 5A and 5B are lateral side views of the roasting chamber 1 and the closing means 5, showing their relative positions and movements when the chamber is moved into and out of the housing 4 of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, the closure device 5 comprises:

a plate 51 having a surface sufficient to cover the air outlet holes 41 when the chamber 1 is removed from the housing, an

An interaction element 54 rising from the plate 51 and configured to interact with the bottom portion 11 of the chamber when the chamber is housed or moved to be housed within the device,

preferably a guide frame (not shown) which guides the translation of the plate 51 in response to the movement of the chamber 1 against the interaction element 54,

preferably a biasing element 55 which forces the plate to slide translationally over the hole 41 when the chamber does not apply any force to the interaction element 54.

Thus, when the chamber 1 has been removed from the housing 4, the closure 5 is pushed by the biasing element 55 over the aperture 41 and protects the heater 3 (fig. 5A). When the chamber is introduced back inside the housing as indicated by arrow B1 in fig. 5A, the bottom of the chamber cooperates with the interaction element 54, for example by assuming a shape that matches the shape of the chamber, and translation of the chamber along arrow B1 causes the same translation of the interaction element 54 as indicated by arrow B2; thus, the plate 51 is pressed against the biasing element 55. Once the chamber is correctly positioned inside the housing (fig. 5B), the plate 51 has been completely removed from the hole 41 and the biasing element 55 is compressed and ready to push the plate 51 back when the chamber is removed from the apparatus.

Alternatively, the translational movement of the closure device may be a rotation, the plate 51 rotating horizontally about the aperture 41.

While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown above, it should be understood that the invention as claimed is not in any way limited to these shown embodiments.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if explicitly mentioned in the specification.

As used in this specification, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and the like, are not to be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, these words are intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

List of references in the drawings：

Baking apparatus 10

Baking chamber 1

Bottom opening 11

Top opening 12

Air driver 2

Heater 3

Housing 4

Air outlet hole 41

Air inlet 42

Vertical housing part 43

Closing device 5

Plates 51,51a,51b

Elbow joint 52

Axis 53

Interaction element 54

Biasing element 55

Position sensor 6