A foodstuff dispensing system is provided in which a foodstuff dispensing hopper comprises a gate rotatably mounted adjacent a bottom opening for selectively opening and closing the bottom opening. The hopper further comprises coupling means for detachably and rotationally coupling the hopper to the apparatus, and an interlock mechanism for interoperating with the gate to enable rotation of the bottom opening relative to the gate into an open position when the coupling means is being rotationally coupled to the apparatus and to enable rotation of the bottom opening relative to the gate into a closed position when the coupling means is being counter-rotationally decoupled from the apparatus.

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.

An electric grinder is provided that includes a shell. The shell accommodates a grinding mechanism, a reducing mechanism and a power mechanism. The electric grinder also comprises a grinding chamber, where said grinding mechanism is at one end of said grinding chamber, said power mechanism and said reducing mechanism are at the other end of said grinding chamber. The grinding chamber is provided with a filling hole, and a chamber cover is provided opposite to said filling hole. The filling hole of said grinding chamber can be opened or closed by turning said chamber cover. The electric grinder is designed so that the filling hole of the grinding chamber can be easily opened or closed by turning the chamber cover. After the chamber cover rotates and closes the filling hole, the grinding chamber is sealed and no material will flow out easily, and the chamber cover will not fall off.

An electric grinder is provided that includes a shell. The shell accommodates a grinding mechanism, a reducing mechanism and a power mechanism. The electric grinder also comprises a grinding chamber, where said grinding mechanism is at one end of said grinding chamber, said power mechanism and said reducing mechanism are at the other end of said grinding chamber. The grinding chamber is provided with a filling hole, and a chamber cover is provided opposite to said filling hole. The filling hole of said grinding chamber can be opened or closed by turning said chamber cover. The electric grinder is designed so that the filling hole of the grinding chamber can be easily opened or closed by turning the chamber cover. After the chamber cover rotates and closes the filling hole, the grinding chamber is sealed and no material will flow out easily, and the chamber cover will not fall off.

A grinding kit includes a grinding unit having a body defining an inner cavity, the body having a receiving end a depositing end. The grinding unit includes a plurality of grinding surfaces disposed within the inner cavity of the body and a drive shaft coupled to the one or more grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a first handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a second handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of driving surfaces, the second axis of rotation being different from the first axis of rotation.

A grinding kit includes a grinding unit having a body defining an inner cavity, the body having a receiving end a depositing end. The grinding unit includes a plurality of grinding surfaces disposed within the inner cavity of the body and a drive shaft coupled to the one or more grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a first handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of grinding surfaces. The grinding kit includes a second handle configured to removably couple to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation while coupled to the drive shaft to drive movement of the plurality of driving surfaces, the second axis of rotation being different from the first axis of rotation.

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.

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.

The invention relates to coffee packing and dosing devices and machines and more particularly to a portafilter dosing tools used to control the amount, distribution and/or packing of ground coffee within the filter basket of a portafilter prior to extraction. In one aspect the invention provides a device for vibrating the filter basket to vibrate coffee grounds therein to promote levelling and devoiding prior to tamping. In other aspects the invention provides machines and methods for filling a coffee filter basket with tamped ground coffee to a target level. In still other aspect the invention provides a tool for manually administering a uniform tamping force to coffee during tamping.