Coffee bean packaging cartridge and coffee beverage system including same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018317696-A1
Application number	US-201815970227-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 3, 2018
Priority date	Feb 17, 2009
Publication date	Nov 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans can be connected to a coffee beverage system. The cartridge includes a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and an opening at one end thereof. A permanent, preferably non-removable closure member is fitted to the one end of the container and substantially covers the opening. An exit passage in the closure member, defines a coffee bean outlet, for transferring coffee beans from the interior volume. The closure member further has relatively movable closing means for selectively closing the exit passage to reduce exposure of the coffee bean contents to surrounding air. The cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee beverage system. There is also provided a coffee beverage system that includes the coffee bean packaging cartridge as defined above and at least a dosing device and a grinding mechanism. The dosing device may includes a metering chamber for receiving a portion of coffee beans corresponding to an amount necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage.

First claim

1 .- 49 . (canceled)

50 . A coffee beverage system comprising:
at least one coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans and a coffee brewing apparatus; the cartridge including:
a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the container holding at least one serving of coffee beans;
conveyor means adapted to be rotatably driven exteriorly of the cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge; and
coupling means adapted for drivingly coupling the conveyor means to rotating motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the cartridge is openable to reveal the exit opening, wherein the coffee been packaging cartridge is removably connected to the coffee brewing apparatus;
wherein the coffee brewing apparatus comprises the motive means for drivingly engaging the coupling means of the coffee bean packaging cartridge in its connected state for driving the conveyor means for transporting coffee beans from the cartridge via its exit opening into the coffee brewing apparatus, and wherein the coffee brewing apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the motive means;
wherein the cartridge further including a permanent, non-removable closure member fitted to at least one end of the outer wall and at least substantially including the exit opening, wherein the closure member has relatively movable closing means for selectively opening and closing the exit opening, whereby in the closed condition it is prevented that the coffee beans escape from the cartridge;
wherein the cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the closure member defines a bottom and a circumferential outer wall;
wherein the conveyor means is adapted to be driven by the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus, via a central opening in the bottom of the closure member; and
wherein the relatively movable closing means and the conveyor means are adapted to be commonly driven by the motive means via the central opening in the bottom of the closure member.

51 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes bean agitating means.

52 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes rotatably movable conveyor means.

53 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes a rotating surface element.

54 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 53 , wherein the rotating surface element is a conveyor disc.

55 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein transporting of the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge is effected only partly by rotation of the conveyor means.

56 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , further including an exit passage in the closure member, defining the exit opening, for transferring coffee beans from the interior volume.

57 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the relatively movable closing means are adapted to be driven exteriorly of the closure member.

58 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are fixed relative to each other.

59 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 58 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are integrally formed as one single element.

60 . The coffee beverage system according to any preceding claim 50 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are adapted to be commonly driven exteriorly of the closure member.

61 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the exit opening is associated with a removable sealing element sealing the interior volume prior to activation of the cartridge wherein said sealing element prevents gasses to escape from the cartridge.

62 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 54 , wherein the conveyor disc has a driving hub.

63 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 20 , wherein the container includes a neck portion having a radially extending annular ridge, neck portion includes a cylindrical inner sleeve and a cylindrical outer sleeve defining an annular groove there between.

64 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the conveyor means is a rotatable conveyor disc and the relatively movable closing means, for selectively closing the exit opening, includes a closing flap connected to the conveyor disc, and wherein the closing flap extends axially from the conveyor disc.

65 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the exit passage extends between a perimeter aperture and the exit opening forming a coffee bean outlet.

66 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 14 , wherein the sealing membrane is a pre-weakened foil provided with a mechanically weakened area to control its disruption.

67 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , wherein the connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee brewing apparatus include bayonet elements for removably connecting to the coffee brewing apparatus, so as to form a coffee beverage system.

68 . The coffee beverage system to claim 50 , wherein the coupling means comprises a rotating element such as a drive shaft, which drives the conveyor means upon being rotated wherein the rotating element is arranged to be rotated by the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus

69 . The coffee beverage system according to claim 50 , further including a second sensor for recognising a presence of the cartridge.

Assignees

• Douwe Egberts Bv

Inventors

• Van Os Ivo
• De Graaff Gerbrand Kristiaan
• Kneppers Job Leonardus
• Versluijs Richard Patrick
• Moorman Christiaan Johannes Maria

Classifications

• A47J42/50

  Supplying devices, e.g. funnels; Supply containers · CPC title

• A47J31/42 Primary

  Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee {(coffee mills A47J42/00; coffee roasters in general A23N12/08)} · CPC title

• B65D83/04

  for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills · CPC title

• A47J31/40

  Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea · CPC title

• B65D83/0409

  the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation (B65D83/0445 takes precedence) · CPC title