A coffer grinding and dosing device (12) comprises: a collection chamber (16) for containing coffee beans, underneath which a grinding zone (14) comprising a grinder (18) operated by an electric motor (20) is provided. The device is characterized in that the collection chamber (16) is positioned underneath the electric motor (20).

A coffer grinding and dosing device (12) comprises: a collection chamber (16) for containing coffee beans, underneath which a grinding zone (14) comprising a grinder (18) operated by an electric motor (20) is provided. The device is characterized in that the collection chamber (16) is positioned underneath the electric motor (20).

A weighing assembly for weighing an amount of ground coffee with high precision is provided. The weighing assembly includes a container dedicated to ground coffee weighing and weighing means operatively connected to the container. A coffee grinder and a coffee machine, namely a fully automatic coffee machine, are also provided and include the weighing assembly. A method for the operation thereof is also provided.

A weighing assembly for weighing an amount of ground coffee with high precision is provided. The weighing assembly includes a container dedicated to ground coffee weighing and weighing means operatively connected to the container. A coffee grinder and a coffee machine, namely a fully automatic coffee machine, are also provided and include the weighing assembly. A method for the operation thereof is also provided.

A method of monitoring at least one characteristic of a type of coffee from a plurality of reference characteristics associated with each type of coffee, each reference characteristic being associated with a respective reference signal, said method comprising the steps of: sensing, by one or more sensors, the concentration of one or more volatile organic compounds in a mixture of volatile organic compounds released from the coffee in a sampling time interval; generating a coffee-representative sampling signal for each sampling time interval, as a function of the volatile organic compounds; comparing each sampling signal so generated to detect a change over time in one or more volatile organic compounds released from the coffee at successive sampling time intervals; generating a signal representative of the change over time in one or more volatile organic compounds released from the coffee when the change is sensed; comparing the change-representative signal so generated with the reference signals associated with each reference characteristic; generating a characteristic-recognition signal as a function of the comparison between the signal representative of the change over time and the reference signals.

A method of monitoring at least one characteristic of a type of coffee from a plurality of reference characteristics associated with each type of coffee, each reference characteristic being associated with a respective reference signal, said method comprising the steps of: sensing, by one or more sensors, the concentration of one or more volatile organic compounds in a mixture of volatile organic compounds released from the coffee in a sampling time interval; generating a coffee-representative sampling signal for each sampling time interval, as a function of the volatile organic compounds; comparing each sampling signal so generated to detect a change over time in one or more volatile organic compounds released from the coffee at successive sampling time intervals; generating a signal representative of the change over time in one or more volatile organic compounds released from the coffee when the change is sensed; comparing the change-representative signal so generated with the reference signals associated with each reference characteristic; generating a characteristic-recognition signal as a function of the comparison between the signal representative of the change over time and the reference signals.

An apparatus for preparing coffee grounds for a coffee brewing process includes a control system that receives a coffee order. The coffee order includes information indicative of a composition of coffee beans ordered, and a quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition. A metering device receives the coffee beans from a hopper assembly, and is controlled by the control system to: measure the quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition, and output the quantity of the coffee beans measured from an outlet aperture. An inlet aperture of a grinder receives the measured quantity of the coffee beans output through the outlet aperture of the metering device and grinds the coffee beans to produce ground coffee. A nozzle is arranged to introduce moisture to the ground coffee output by the grinder, producing ground and moistened coffee that is dispensed for brewing coffee in fulfillment of the coffee order.

An apparatus for preparing coffee grounds for a coffee brewing process includes a control system that receives a coffee order. The coffee order includes information indicative of a composition of coffee beans ordered, and a quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition. A metering device receives the coffee beans from a hopper assembly, and is controlled by the control system to: measure the quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition, and output the quantity of the coffee beans measured from an outlet aperture. An inlet aperture of a grinder receives the measured quantity of the coffee beans output through the outlet aperture of the metering device and grinds the coffee beans to produce ground coffee. A nozzle is arranged to introduce moisture to the ground coffee output by the grinder, producing ground and moistened coffee that is dispensed for brewing coffee in fulfillment of the coffee order.

An automatic machine to deliver a beverage containing caffeine includes a water container, a possible pump, a filtering element to contain, during use, a powdered mixture, a main pipe that connects the container to the filtering element, and a heating element, associated with the container and/or with the main pipe, able to be selectively activated to heat the stream of water delivered from the container toward the filtering element in order to infuse the powdered mixture.

An automatic machine to deliver a beverage containing caffeine includes a water container, a possible pump, a filtering element to contain, during use, a powdered mixture, a main pipe that connects the container to the filtering element, and a heating element, associated with the container and/or with the main pipe, able to be selectively activated to heat the stream of water delivered from the container toward the filtering element in order to infuse the powdered mixture.