The invention relates to a method for dispensing ground coffee for preparing a coffee beverage. The method comprises the steps of: providing a machine (110), which comprises one or more receptacles (13, 14) for storing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices (60, 70) for dispensing coffee beans, which are stored in the one or more receptacles (13, 14), and a grinder (30) for receiving coffee beans, which are dispensed by the one or more dosing devices (60, 70), the grinder (30) being configured to move into different grinding positions for different grinding degrees, respectively; setting up the grinder (30) so that the grinder (30) is in a specific grinding position; dispensing, with the one or more dosing devices (60, 70), a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder (30) subsequent to the step of setting up the grinder (30); and grinding, with the grinder (30), said specific amount of coffee beans and, thus, dispensing the so ground coffee beans until the grinder (30) is free from coffee beans.

The invention relates to a method for dispensing ground coffee for preparing a coffee beverage. The method comprises the steps of: providing a machine (110), which comprises one or more receptacles (13, 14) for storing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices (60, 70) for dispensing coffee beans, which are stored in the one or more receptacles (13, 14), and a grinder (30) for receiving coffee beans, which are dispensed by the one or more dosing devices (60, 70), the grinder (30) being configured to move into different grinding positions for different grinding degrees, respectively; setting up the grinder (30) so that the grinder (30) is in a specific grinding position; dispensing, with the one or more dosing devices (60, 70), a specific amount of coffee beans to the grinder (30) subsequent to the step of setting up the grinder (30); and grinding, with the grinder (30), said specific amount of coffee beans and, thus, dispensing the so ground coffee beans until the grinder (30) is free from coffee beans.

A coffee machine including a grinder configured to grind coffee beans, and a coffee machine made to return a grinder falling into an abnormal state to a normal state. The grinder configured to grind the coffee beans by a predetermined rotation operation in the normal state, and an operation portion are provided, when the grinder is in the abnormal state (bean clogging state) in which the predetermined rotation operation cannot be performed, if the operation portion is operated, the reverse rotation operation is executed in a direction opposite to that of the predetermined rotation operation, and in the normal state, the reverse rotation operation is not executed even if the operation portion is operated.

A coffee machine including a grinder configured to grind coffee beans, and a coffee machine made to return a grinder falling into an abnormal state to a normal state. The grinder configured to grind the coffee beans by a predetermined rotation operation in the normal state, and an operation portion are provided, when the grinder is in the abnormal state (bean clogging state) in which the predetermined rotation operation cannot be performed, if the operation portion is operated, the reverse rotation operation is executed in a direction opposite to that of the predetermined rotation operation, and in the normal state, the reverse rotation operation is not executed even if the operation portion is operated.

A weight sensor comprises a sensing system including a target piece and a sensing element, configured to provide changes of a magnetic field, being generated by motion of the target piece. The sensing element senses these changes and provides a signal representative of the position of the target piece. An integrated circuit with processing means can process signals from the sensing element. The flexible piece receives a force stimulus, so that upon exerting a force on the flexible piece by a product due to the weight of said product, the displacement of the target piece with respect to sensing elements can be sensed.

A system (100) for dispensing a beverage, preferably espresso coffee, is described, comprising: —at least one machine (1) for dispensing the beverage, comprising at least one dispensing unit (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), preferably a plurality of dispensing units, each comprising at least one control element for controlling the dispense of the beverage (10a, 10a′, 10b, 10b′, 10c, 10c′) according to a predefined dispensing program; —at least one grinding device (20, 120), preferably a plurality of grinding devices, each comprising at least one container (21, 121) for an ingredient to be ground for preparing the beverage, at least one adjustable millstone (22, 122) for grinding said ingredient and forming a ground ingredient, at least one delivering unit (23, 123) for delivering a dose of ground ingredient in at least one filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c), at least one selection element (25a, 25b, 25c, 125a, 125b, 125c) for selecting a predetermined dose of ground ingredient to be delivered in the filter-holder, —at least one filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c), preferably a plurality of filter-holders, each filter-holder being provided with at least one identification element (55a, 55b, 55c), wherein said identification element (55a, 55b, 55c) is indicative of the predetermined dose of ground ingredient; wherein said at least one selection element (25a, 25b, 25c, 125a, 125b, 125c) of the at least one grinding device (20, 120) is associated with a respective filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c) and is configured to be operated, in use, by a user depending on the identification element (55a, 55b, 55c) of the filter-holder inside which delivering the ground ingredient.

A system (100) for dispensing a beverage, preferably espresso coffee, is described, comprising: —at least one machine (1) for dispensing the beverage, comprising at least one dispensing unit (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), preferably a plurality of dispensing units, each comprising at least one control element for controlling the dispense of the beverage (10a, 10a′, 10b, 10b′, 10c, 10c′) according to a predefined dispensing program; —at least one grinding device (20, 120), preferably a plurality of grinding devices, each comprising at least one container (21, 121) for an ingredient to be ground for preparing the beverage, at least one adjustable millstone (22, 122) for grinding said ingredient and forming a ground ingredient, at least one delivering unit (23, 123) for delivering a dose of ground ingredient in at least one filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c), at least one selection element (25a, 25b, 25c, 125a, 125b, 125c) for selecting a predetermined dose of ground ingredient to be delivered in the filter-holder, —at least one filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c), preferably a plurality of filter-holders, each filter-holder being provided with at least one identification element (55a, 55b, 55c), wherein said identification element (55a, 55b, 55c) is indicative of the predetermined dose of ground ingredient; wherein said at least one selection element (25a, 25b, 25c, 125a, 125b, 125c) of the at least one grinding device (20, 120) is associated with a respective filter-holder (50a, 50b, 50c) and is configured to be operated, in use, by a user depending on the identification element (55a, 55b, 55c) of the filter-holder inside which delivering the ground ingredient.

A grinder for grinding coffee beans having a first grinding tool and a second grinding tool forming a grinding nip, and the second grinding tool being rotatable relative to the first grinding tool. The grinder has at least one force generation device for applying a selectable force F to a first grinding tool or a second grinding tool, which force can be transmitted to the coffee beans. A coffee machine having such a grinder and a method for preparing coffee using said type of coffee machine and said type of grinder.

A grinder for grinding coffee beans having a first grinding tool and a second grinding tool forming a grinding nip, and the second grinding tool being rotatable relative to the first grinding tool. The grinder has at least one force generation device for applying a selectable force F to a first grinding tool or a second grinding tool, which force can be transmitted to the coffee beans. A coffee machine having such a grinder and a method for preparing coffee using said type of coffee machine and said type of grinder.

Coffee grinder for grinding coffee beans, comprising a container or supply element for coffee beans and a grinding device for grinding the coffee beans. The grinding device comprises a first and a second grinding element between which the coffee beans are ground, the distance between the two grinding elements in the grinding process determining the degree of grinding of the ground coffee, and at least one grinding element being driven by a motor. An adjusting element is provided, with which the distance between the two grinding elements can be adjusted by rotating an adjusting element, and a magnetic rotational position sensor, which directly or indirectly determines the absolute rotational position of this adjusting element as a measure of the distance and provides it for the further control of the coffee grinder.