A method for determining a characteristic of a mass of particulate plant material having the step of determining the density of a mass of particulate plant material, wherein the mass of particulate plant material is prepared from a plant seed, from a coffee bean and/or by grinding a plant material. The invention also relates a system or apparatus for measuring the density of a mass of particulate plant material, wherein the system or apparatus has an experimental vessel having a void configured to retain a mass of particulate plant material therein, volume determination is configured to determine the volume occupied by a mass of particulate plant material that has been disposed within the void of the experimental vessel.

A coffee machine with a leak preventing device includes a main body, a chamber for containing liquid and coffee particles, a grinding assembly for grinding coffee particles, and a driving mechanism for driving the grinding assembly. The chamber is provided in the main body and the grinding assembly is provided in the chamber. The driving mechanism is provided with a driving shaft. A driving shaft hole is provided in a bottom of the chamber. The driving shaft is detachably connected to the grinding assembly through the driving shaft hole. The leak preventing device is provided at a position corresponding to the driving shaft hole and the leak preventing device is arranged to close the driving shaft hole when the driving shaft is detached from the driving shaft hole. In addition, a working method for the coffee machine with the leak preventing device is also provided.

A coffee machine with a leak preventing device includes a main body, a chamber for containing liquid and coffee particles, a grinding assembly for grinding coffee particles, and a driving mechanism for driving the grinding assembly. The chamber is provided in the main body and the grinding assembly is provided in the chamber. The driving mechanism is provided with a driving shaft. A driving shaft hole is provided in a bottom of the chamber. The driving shaft is detachably connected to the grinding assembly through the driving shaft hole. The leak preventing device is provided at a position corresponding to the driving shaft hole and the leak preventing device is arranged to close the driving shaft hole when the driving shaft is detached from the driving shaft hole. In addition, a working method for the coffee machine with the leak preventing device is also provided.

The present invention discloses a method for producing an edible substance based upon coffee and wine. In particular, the present invention discloses a method that includes providing, inside of a recipient (1), a quantity of coffee substance (2; 21, 22) to a quantity of wine substance (3; 31, 32) under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, preferentially superior to the atmospheric pressure, along at least most part of a stage period, so as to provide a more effective integration of organoleptic properties characteristic of wine into said coffee substance (2; 21, 22).

The present invention discloses a method for producing an edible substance based upon coffee and wine. In particular, the present invention discloses a method that includes providing, inside of a recipient (1), a quantity of coffee substance (2; 21, 22) to a quantity of wine substance (3; 31, 32) under a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure, preferentially superior to the atmospheric pressure, along at least most part of a stage period, so as to provide a more effective integration of organoleptic properties characteristic of wine into said coffee substance (2; 21, 22).

A device for grinding coffee beans (12) includes a grinding member (14) configured to grind coffee beans (12) and produce a ground coffee powder (15). A transit chamber (16) receives the ground coffee powder (15). A discharge member (18) is configured to discharge the ground coffee powder (15) arriving from the transit chamber (16) toward the outside of the device. An air-powered powder removal member (20) removes the ground coffee powder (15) from the grinding member (14) and from the transit chamber (16).

A device for grinding coffee beans (12) includes a grinding member (14) configured to grind coffee beans (12) and produce a ground coffee powder (15). A transit chamber (16) receives the ground coffee powder (15). A discharge member (18) is configured to discharge the ground coffee powder (15) arriving from the transit chamber (16) toward the outside of the device. An air-powered powder removal member (20) removes the ground coffee powder (15) from the grinding member (14) and from the transit chamber (16).

Provided is a process, including: engaging, with a first subset of end effectors of a robot, a first open-top vessel; engaging, while the first subset of end effectors are engaged with the first open-top vessel, with a second subset of end effectors of the robot, a second open-top vessel; concurrently transporting the first open-top vessel and the second open-top vessel with two or more actuators; disengaging the first open-top vessel at a first workstation of the robot, the first workstation being configured to dispense a first alimentary product into the first open-top vessel; and disengaging the second open-top vessel at a second workstation of the robot, the second workstation being configured to dispense a second alimentary product into the second open-top vessel.

Provided is a process, including: engaging, with a first subset of end effectors of a robot, a first open-top vessel; engaging, while the first subset of end effectors are engaged with the first open-top vessel, with a second subset of end effectors of the robot, a second open-top vessel; concurrently transporting the first open-top vessel and the second open-top vessel with two or more actuators; disengaging the first open-top vessel at a first workstation of the robot, the first workstation being configured to dispense a first alimentary product into the first open-top vessel; and disengaging the second open-top vessel at a second workstation of the robot, the second workstation being configured to dispense a second alimentary product into the second open-top vessel.

Described is a system for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee comprising a coffee cartridge containing: (i) unground and (ii) unroasted or part-roasted coffee beans, said cartridge having walls defining a cartridge chamber in which the beans are confined, wherein part or all of at least one wall of the cartridge is openable, and the openable wall of the cartridge is opposed to a slidable wall thereof, said slidable wall comprising: inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being in contact with the beans; a peripheral sealing portion on the inner surface; and a central portion bounded by the peripheral sealing portion and comprising a screen for retaining the beans within the cartridge chamber while permitting a flow of coffee brew therethrough.