COFFEE DISPENSING APPARATUS

Abstract

A coffee cartridge containing unground coffee beans, said cartridge having walls defining a chamber in which the beans are confined, the cartridge being adapted to serve as a grinding and extraction chamber for the coffee beans.

Claims

1. A coffee cartridge containing unground coffee beans, said cartridge having walls defining a chamber in which the beans are confined, the cartridge being adapted to serve as a grinding and extraction chamber for the coffee beans.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the unground coffee beans are selected from: (a) whole and/or cracked coffee beans; (b) unroasted coffee beans, for example selected from: (i) green coffee beans; (ii) dried coffee beans; (iii) pre-heated coffee beans; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing; (c) roasted coffee beans; (d) part-roasted coffee beans; and (e) mixtures of the foregoing.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the unground coffee beans are unroasted coffee beans, for example selected from: (i) green coffee beans; (ii) dried coffee beans; (iii) pre-heated coffee beans; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing.

4. The cartridge of claim 3 wherein the cartridge is adapted to serve as a roasting, grinding and extraction chamber for the coffee beans and is heat resistant to at least 200 C., at least 210 C., at least 220 C., at least 230 C., at least 240 C., at least 250 C., over 250 C., up to 300 C. or up to between 250 C. and 350 C.

5. The cartridge of claim 4 wherein part or all of the cartridge is formed of materials selected from: paper, cardboard, coated paper or cardboard, and metal-, polytetrafluoroethylene-(PTFE-) or nitrocellulose-coated paper or cardboard.

6. The cartridge of claim 5 wherein the metal is aluminium.

7. The cartridge of claim 3 wherein the cartridge is heat resistant to less than 190 C. and is not adapted to serve as a roasting chamber for the coffee beans.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the unground coffee beans are roasted coffee beans and the cartridge is heat resistant to less than 190 C., not being adapted to serve as a roasting chamber for the coffee beans.

9. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge comprises side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall defining the chamber.

10. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: (a) the walls are substantially rigid; and/or (b) the cartridge further comprises a brewing spike.

11. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims which is cylindrical, substantially cylindrical or frustoconical, having top and bottom walls defining the ends of the cylinder or bases of the frustum, respectively.

12. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims wherein a chamber-proximal surface of at least one wall comprises milling means for grinding the coffee beans confined in the chamber.

13. The cartridge of claim 12 wherein the milling means comprises one or more ribs, recesses, channels, teeth, ridges, spikes, blades or protrusions.

14. The cartridge of claim 12 or claim 13 as dependent on claim 11, wherein the chamber-proximal surfaces of the top and/or bottom walls comprise said milling means.

15. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one component of the cartridge is: (a) biodegradeable; (b) non-biodegradeable; (c) compostable; (d) non-compostable; (e) recyclable and/or (f) non-recyclable.

16. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one wall of the cartridge chamber comprises a filter for retaining coffee grounds, for example the bottom wall as defined in claim 11.

17. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge is a disposable, single-serve cartridge.

18. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more additives selected from flavouring agents, preservatives, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, foam stabilizers, colouring agents and mixtures thereof are confined in the chamber together with the coffee beans.

19. The cartridge of claim 18 wherein said one or more additives are selected from cocoa, caramel, vanilla, tea, chicory, fruit/berry extracts (e.g. raspberry, cherry, apricot, banana or citrus, such as lemon), herbs (for example mint), spices (for example, chilli and cinnamon, nutmeg), liqueurs (for example brandy and Amaretto), spirits (e.g. rum and brandy), salt, sugar, scorched sugar, honey, nuts (e.g. almond, hazelnut, walnut, peanut, pecan, macadamia and pistachio), coconut and mixtures of the foregoing.

20. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims wherein part or all of at least one wall is reversibly openable such that a plunger may be introduced into the cartridge chamber to apply a crushing force to the beans confined in the chamber.

21. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the at least one reversibly openable wall or part thereof comprises a releasably crimped, welded or folded closure.

22. The cartridge of claim 20 or 21 wherein the at least one reversibly openable wall or part thereof comprises a slit, said slit being biased to a closed conformation by the resilience of the cartridge material and adapted to gape into an open configuration by a distorting pressure applied to the cartridge.

23. The cartridge of any one of claims 20-22 wherein the reversibly openable wall is opposed to a slidable wall, for example wherein said slidable wall is in the form of a plug slidably fitted within the chamber.

24. The cartridge of claim 22 or 23 which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical and wherein the slidable wall is adapted to reciprocate and/or rotate within the cartridge chamber so that a crushing and/or rotational grinding force may be exerted on the beans confined in the chamber.

25. The cartridge of any one of claims 20-24 wherein the slidable wall is adapted to slide towards the openable wall such that the beans can be displaced from the chamber when said openable wall is open.

26. The cartridge of claim 25 wherein the beans can be replaced by a process comprising the step of sliding said slidable wall away from the openable wall.

27. The cartridge of any one of claims 23-26 wherein the slidable plug comprises a peripheral sealing portion adapted to contact the inner surface of the side walls of the cartridge thereby forming a seal.

28. The cartridge of claim 27 wherein the plug is friction-fitted within the side walls of the chamber.

29. The cartridge of any one of claims 23-28 wherein the slidable plug comprise an annular co-axial rim which increases the surface area of the plug in contact with the inner side walls of the chamber.

30. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims which is cylindrical, substantially cylindrical or frustoconical, having top and bottom walls defining the ends of the cylinder or bases of the frustum, respectively, and wherein the bottom wall is adapted to engage with a brewing spike.

31. The cartridge of claim 30 wherein the top wall is adapted to engage with a plunger.

32. The cartridge of claim 31 wherein the plunger incorporates a grinding head.

33. The cartridge of claim 32 wherein the grinding head comprises one or more water injectors for delivering hot water into the cartridge chamber.

34. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-19 wherein part or all of at least one wall is removable such that a plunger may be introduced into the cartridge chamber to apply a crushing force to the beans confined in the chamber.

35. The cartridge of claim 34 wherein the at least one removable wall or part thereof comprises a cap or plug.

36. The cartridge of claim 35 wherein the at least one removable wall or part thereof comprises a cap releasably connected to the other walls of the chamber by a frangible tear-strip.

37. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims wherein part or all of at least one wall is movable such that a crushing force may be transmitted to the beans confined in the chamber.

38. The cartridge of claim 37 wherein said at least one movable wall or part thereof is rotatable relative to the chamber such that a rotational grinding force may be exerted on the beans confined in the chamber.

39. The cartridge of any one of claims 34-38 wherein said at least one (re)moveable wall or part thereof comprises milling means as defined in claim 12 or 13.

40. The cartridge of any one of claims 37-39 wherein said at least one movable wall or part thereof is in the form of a cap comprising an outer retainer means for securing the cap to the top of the cartridge and an inner piston element, which piston element is detachably connected to the retainer means and comprises a peripheral sealing portion adapted to contact the inner surface of the side walls of the cartridge thereby forming a seal, the piston element and cartridge chamber being adapted to function as a piston and cylinder assembly when the piston element is detached from the retainer means.

41. The cartridge of claim 39 wherein the chamber-proximal surface of the piston element comprises milling means as defined in claims 12 or 13 and/or the piston element is detachably connected to the retainer means by a frangible tear-strip.

42. The cartridge of any one of claims 34-41 comprising side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall defining the chamber, wherein the top and/or bottom wall is in the form of a plug slidably fitted within the chamber.

43. The cartridge of claim 42, wherein top and bottom walls take the form of a first and second plug, respectively, both plugs being slidably fitted within the chamber.

44. The cartridge of claim 42 or 43 wherein the plug(s) is (are) adapted to reciprocate and/or rotate within the cartridge chamber so that a crushing and/or rotational grinding force may be exerted on the beans confined in the chamber.

45. The cartridge of any one of claims 42-44 wherein the first and/or second plugs are adapted to slide such that the beans can be displaced from the chamber.

46. The cartridge of any one of claims 42-45 wherein the slidable plug(s) comprise an annular co-axial rim which increases the surface area of the plug in contact with the inner side walls of the chamber.

47. A coffee cartridge containing unground coffee beans, said cartridge having walls defining a chamber in which the beans are confined, wherein: (a) part or all of at least one wall is reversibly openable such that a plunger may be introduced into the cartridge chamber to apply a crushing force to the beans confined in the chamber, and (b) the reversibly openable wall is opposed to a slidable wall, wherein the reversibly openable wall or part thereof comprises a folded closure comprising a flap.

48. The cartridge of claim 47 wherein said flap is adapted to fold at a hinge portion.

49. The cartridge of claim 48 wherein said hinge portion comprises a fold in a cartridge wall.

50. The cartridge of claim 49 wherein said hinge portion comprises a weakened fold-line joining the flap to the cartridge wall.

51. The cartridge of claim 50 wherein the fold-line is weakened by perforations or scorings.

52. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-51 wherein said flap is adapted to open and close the reversibly openable wall by movement about the hinge portion.

53. The cartridge of any one of claims 48-52 wherein the flap is connected to a cartridge wall by said hinge portion.

54. The cartridge of claim 53 wherein the flap is also releasably connected to said cartridge wall by: (a) a perforated tear-line; and/or (b) a rupturable welded connection; and/or (c) a rupturable crimped connection.

55. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-54 wherein the folded closure is in the form of a single flap.

56. The cartridge of claim 55 wherein said flap is configured as a single-leaf door.

57. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-54 wherein the folded closure is in the form of two opposed flaps.

58. The cartridge of claim 57 wherein said opposed flaps are configured as a two-leaf door.

59. The cartridge of claim 57 or 58 wherein the opposed flaps are mutually overlapping when folded into a closed configuration.

60. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-54 wherein the folded closure comprises: (a) at least three flaps; or (b) at least four flaps; or (c) at least five flaps; or (d) at least six flaps; or (e) at least seven flaps; or (f) at least eight flaps; or (g) at least nine flaps; or (h) at least ten flaps; or (i) at least eleven flaps; or (j) at least twelve flaps; or (k) more than twelve flaps.

61. The cartridge of claim 60 wherein two or more of the flaps are mutually overlapping when folded into a closed configuration.

62. The cartridge of claim 59 or 61 wherein at least one of the mutually overlapping flaps comprises a slit to permit mutual overlap.

63. The cartridge of claim 60 wherein the flaps are sequentially overlapping when folded into a closed configuration.

64. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-63 wherein said flaps are of uniform shape and/or are substantially rectangular or wedge-shaped.

65. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-64 wherein said slidable wall is in the form of a plug slidably fitted within the chamber.

66. The cartridge of claim 65 wherein the slidable plug comprises a peripheral sealing portion adapted to contact the inner surface of the side walls of the cartridge thereby forming a seal.

67. The cartridge of claim 65 wherein the plug is friction-fitted within the side walls of the chamber.

68. The cartridge of any one of claims 65-67 wherein the slidable plug comprise an annular co-axial rim which increases the surface area of the plug in contact with the inner side walls of the chamber.

69. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-68 which comprises a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical portion wherein the slidable wall is adapted to reciprocate and/or rotate within the cartridge chamber so that a crushing and/or rotational grinding force may be exerted on the beans confined in the chamber.

70. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-69 wherein the slidable wall is adapted to slide towards the openable wall such that the beans can be displaced from the chamber when said openable wall is open.

71. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims which is cylindrical, substantially cylindrical or frustoconical, having top and bottom walls defining the ends of the cylinder or bases of the frustum, respectively, and wherein the bottom wall is said slidable wall and adapted to engage with a brewing spike.

72. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-71 wherein the unground coffee beans are selected from: (a) whole and/or cracked coffee beans; (b) unroasted coffee beans, for example selected from: (i) green coffee beans; (ii) dried coffee beans; (iii) pre-heated coffee beans; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing; (c) roasted coffee beans; (d) part-roasted coffee beans; and (e) mixtures of the foregoing.

73. The cartridge of claim 72, wherein the unground coffee beans are unroasted coffee beans or part-roasted coffee beans, for example selected from: (i) green coffee beans; (ii) dried coffee beans; (iii) pre-heated coffee beans; and (iv) mixtures of two or more of the foregoing.

74. The cartridge of any one claims 47-73 wherein part or all of the cartridge is formed of materials selected from: paper, cardboard, coated paper or cardboard, and metal-, polytetrafluoroethylene-(PTFE-) or nitrocellulose-coated paper or cardboard.

75. The cartridge of claim 74 wherein the metal is aluminium.

76. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-75, which is a disposable, single-serve cartridge.

77. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-76 wherein one or more additives selected from flavouring agents, preservatives, foaming agents, anti-foaming agents, foam stabilizers, colouring agents and mixtures thereof are confined in the chamber of the cartridge together with the coffee beans.

78. The cartridge of claim 77 wherein said one or more additives are selected from cocoa, caramel, vanilla, tea, chicory, fruit/berry extracts (e.g. raspberry, cherry, apricot, banana or citrus, such as lemon), herbs (for example mint), spices (for example, chilli and cinnamon, nutmeg), liqueurs (for example brandy and Amaretto), spirits (e.g. rum and brandy), salt, sugar, scorched sugar, honey, nuts (e.g. almond, hazelnut, walnut, peanut, pecan, macadamia and pistachio), coconut and mixtures of the foregoing.

79. The cartridge of any one of claims 47-78, wherein at least one component of the cartridge is: (a) biodegradeable; (b) non-biodegradeable; (c) compostable; (d) non-compostable; (e) recyclable and/or (f) non-recyclable.

80. Apparatus for grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee for use with the cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising: (a) a cartridge holder adapted to receive and secure the cartridge; (b) a brewing spike for perforating a wall of the cartridge thereby permitting the flow of water through said wall; (c) a source of pressurized hot water; (d) feed means for introducing the pressurized hot water into the chamber whereat coffee is thereby extracted to yield a coffee brew; (e) discharge means for delivering coffee brewed in the chamber to the dispenser; (f) a brew spout for delivering brewed coffee to a drinking vessel for consumption; and (g) a controller for controlling the operations of one or more of the perforating means, source of pressurized hot water, feed means and/or discharge means.

81. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein the cartridge holder is water-tight and adapted to serve as a pressure jacket to contain the pressurized hot water during injection into the chamber of the cartridge and through the coffee grounds.

82. The apparatus of claim 80 or 81 wherein the brewing spike comprises channels for delivering water through the perforations in the wall and/or for conducting brewed coffee out of the chamber via the perforations.

83. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-82 wherein the brewing spike perforating means comprises one or more hollow spike(s), needle injector(s) or cannula(e).

84. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-83 wherein the brewing spike is integrated with said brew spout.

85. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-84 further comprising a plunger adapted to exert force on a wall of the chamber or directly on the beans contained therein.

86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein said plunger is integrated with a brewing spike, for example a brewing spike as defined in any one of claims 49-51.

87. The apparatus of claim 85 or 86 wherein said plunger comprises a grinding head.

88. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said grinding head comprises milling means.

89. The apparatus of claim 88 wherein said milling means: (a) is as defined in claim 12 or 13; and/or (b) comprises the perforating means of the brewing spike, for example as defined in claim 83.

90. The apparatus of any one of claims 85-89 wherein the plunger comprises said feed means for introducing the pressurized hot water into the chamber.

91. The apparatus of any one of claims 85-90 wherein the plunger is adapted to releasably couple with a grinding head comprised in the cartridge.

92. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-91 for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee further comprising means for roasting the coffee beans.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein the means for roasting the coffee beans comprises heating means selected from means for microwave heating, radiant heating, conductive heating, convection heating or any combination thereof.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 or 93 wherein the means for roasting the coffee beans is adapted for in situ roasting of the beans in the cartridge chamber.

94. The apparatus of claim 92 or 93 wherein the means for roasting the coffee beans is adapted for remote roasting of the beans outside of the cartridge holder.

95. The apparatus of claim 94 wherein the means for roasting the coffee beans comprises a roasting oven which is remote from the cartridge holder.

96. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the means for roasting the coffee beans comprises a roasting chamber for fluidized bed roasting of the coffee beans.

97. The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the roasting chamber comprises: (a) an air-permeable member configured to support coffee beans thereupon; an air inlet disposed so as to introduce a stream of hot air into said chamber, through said permeable member, so as to pass through and fluidize said volume of beans; and an air outlet disposed so as to direct said stream of air out of the chamber after it has passed through the volume of beans; (b) a blower for delivering said stream of hot air; (c) one or more air ducts operatively connecting said blower with the air inlet of the chamber so as to direct the stream of hot air from the blower to the inlet; (d) a heater for heating the stream of hot air; (e) a heater controller for controlling the heater whereby the stream of air can be heated to a preselected temperature profile; and (f) a temperature sensor.

98. The apparatus of claim 97 further comprising means for quenching the beans after roasting is completed.

99. The apparatus of any one of claims 92-98 further comprising vent means for releasing gases formed during roasting to the atmosphere.

100. The apparatus of any one of claims 92-99 further comprising purge means for degassing the roasted coffee beans after roasting.

101. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-100 for use with the cartridge of any one of claims 20-33, further comprising means for reversibly opening part or all of at least one wall of said cartridge.

102. The apparatus of claim 101 wherein said means for reversibly opening part or all of at least one wall of said cartridge comprises a plunger adapted to slide a slidable wall of the cartridge towards the openable wall thereof thereby exerting a force of the openable wall such that it opens, so allowing the beans to be displaced from the chamber.

103. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein said plunger: (a) comprises a brewing spike as defined in any one of claims 82-84; and/or (b) is integrated with said brew spout; and/or (c) comprises milling means, e.g. as defined in claim 89.

104. The apparatus of any one of claims 101-103 wherein the feed means for introducing the pressurized hot water into the chamber is comprised in a plunger adapted to apply a crushing force to the beans confined in the chamber via an opened part or all of said at least one wall of the cartridge.

105. The apparatus of claim 104 wherein the feed plunger comprises a grinding head.

106. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein the grinding head comprises milling means.

107. The apparatus of claim 106 wherein said milling means are as defined in claim 12 or 13.

108. The apparatus of claim 80 comprising: (a) a cartridge holder adapted to receive and secure the cartridge; (b) a ram for driving one of the walls, or a portion thereof, of the cartridge towards an opposite wall thereof; (c) opposed perforating means for perforating opposite walls of the cartridge to permit a flow of water through the chamber; (d) a source of pressurized hot water; (e) feed means for introducing the pressurized hot water into the chamber whereat coffee is thereby extracted to yield a coffee brew; (f) discharge means for delivering coffee brewed in the chamber to the dispenser; (g) a brew spout for delivering brewed coffee to a drinking vessel for consumption; and (h) a controller for controlling the operations of one or more of the ram, perforating means, source of pressurized hot water, feed means and/or discharge means.

109. The apparatus of claim 108 wherein the ram is an air ram.

110. The apparatus of claim 108 or 109 comprising two opposed rams for driving opposite walls of the cartridge into closer proximity.

111. The apparatus of any one of claims 108-110 wherein at least one of the opposed perforating means is disposed on the ram(s).

112. The apparatus of claim 111 wherein the opposed perforating means are disposed on each of two opposed rams.

113. The apparatus of any one of claims 108-112 wherein the perforating means comprises a brewing spike as defined in any one of claims 82-84.

114. The apparatus of any one of claims 108-113 wherein the supply means for introducing the pressurized hot water into the cartridge comprises said injector and/or a pump.

115. The apparatus of any one of claims 101-114 wherein the plunger(s) and/or ram(s) is (are) mounted on a driving rod, tube or spindle.

116. The apparatus of any one of claims 108-115 wherein the ram(s) comprise(s) a plurality of spikes, teeth or blades adapted to pierce the wall driven by the ram(s), thereby releasably coupling therewith.

117. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-116 wherein the brewing spike comprises one or more spikes, teeth or blades adapted to protrude through the pierced wall of the cartridge and thereby contact the beans in the cartridge chamber, whereat they can grind, crush and/or cut the beans confined within the chamber.

118. The apparatus of any one of claims 101-114 wherein the plunger(s) and/or ram(s) is (are) further adapted to: (a) reciprocate, optionally together with the coupled wall or portion thereof, within the cartridge chamber in a piston and cylinder fashion; and/or (b) rotate, optionally bi-directionally, together with the coupled wall or portion thereof, within the cartridge chamber.

119. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-118 further comprising a motor for: (a) reciprocating the plunger(s) and/or ram(s); and/or (b) rotating the plunger(s) and/or ram(s), optionally bidirectionally.

120. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-119 further comprising means for generating a substantially constant linear force on the plunger(s) and/or ram(s).

121. The apparatus of claim 120 wherein the means for generating a substantially constant force on the plunger(s) and/or ram(s) comprises a weight, a coiled spring, a lever spring, gas spring, hydraulic strut, solenoid, servo-motor or stepper-motor.

122. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-121 wherein the discharge means and/or brew spout comprises a filter for removing coffee grounds and/or particulates from the brew.

123. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-122 further comprising a waste compartment for collecting used cartridges.

124. The apparatus of claim 123 further comprising means for automatically ejecting said used cartridges into said waste compartment.

125. The apparatus of any one of claims 80-124 further comprising means for generating a vacuum in the cartridge chamber and/or cartridge holder.

126. The apparatus of claim 108 for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee for use with the cartridge of any one of claims 42-46, wherein the ram(s) is (are) adapted to slide the first and/or second wall plugs such that the beans are displaced from the cartridge chamber, the apparatus further comprising: (a) a roasting oven which is substantially thermally isolated from the cartridge components; (b) means for conveying displaced beans to the roasting oven; and (c) means for returning roasted beans to the cartridge chamber from the roasting oven.

127. The apparatus of claim 126 wherein the means for conveying the displaced beans to the roasting oven and for returning roasted beans to the cartridge chamber from the roasting oven comprises the first and/or second wall plugs.

128. The apparatus of claim 127 wherein the means for conveying the displaced beans to the roasting oven and for returning roasted beans to the cartridge chamber from the roasting oven further comprises a linear or rotary shuttle hopper in which the beans displaced by sliding of the wall plug(s) are contained and from which the roasted beans are displaced and returned to the cartridge chamber by reciprocal sliding action of the wall plug(s).

129. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the shuttle hopper is moveable to between: (a) a first position in which its contents can be displaced by sliding of the first and/or second wall plugs; and (b) a second position in which it is substantially thermally isolated from the cartridge components.

130. The apparatus of claim 129 wherein the shuttle hopper comprises heating means.

131. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein said heating means is as defined in claim 61.

132. The apparatus of claim 130 or 131 wherein the roasting oven is the shuttle hopper.

133. A system for grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee comprising the cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1-79 secured in the cartridge holder of the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 80-132.

134. A process for producing and dispensing brewed coffee comprising the step of grinding, extracting and optionally roasting unground coffee beans contained in a coffee cartridge.

135. The process of claim 134 comprising the step of placing the cartridge of any one of claims 1-46 into the cartridge holder of the apparatus of any one of claims 47-101.

136. The process of claim 134 or 135 further comprising the following automated steps: (a) grinding the beans confined within the cartridge to form coffee grounds; (b) perforating at least one wall of the cartridge; (c) introducing hot water under pressure into the cartridge via the perforations formed in step (b); (d) passing the hot water of step (c) through the coffee grounds, thereby extracting coffee to yield a coffee brew; (e) discharging the brew via the perforations in the cartridge formed in step (b) to the dispenser; and (f) delivering the brew to a drinking vessel via the dispenser for consumption.

137. The process of claim 136 wherein the water pressure is between 1 bar and 20 bar.

138. The process of any one of claims 136-137 wherein the water temperature at least 85 C., optionally between 90 C. and 98 C., for example between 91 and 94 C.

139. The process of any one of claims 136-138 further comprising the step of roasting the beans prior to and/or after the grinding step (a).

140. The process of claim 139 wherein the beans are roasted within the cartridge.

141. The process of claim 139 wherein the beans are roasted outside the cartridge.

142. The process of claim 141 wherein the roasting is carried out in a roasting oven or roasting chamber that is substantially thermally isolated from the cartridge components.

143. The process of claim 141 or 142 wherein the beans are displaced from the cartridge, conveyed to the roasting oven or chamber, roasted and then returned to the cartridge chamber for grinding within the cartridge.

144. The process of claim 143 wherein the beans are displaced from the cartridge, conveyed to the roasting oven or chamber, roasted and then returned to the cartridge chamber for grinding within the cartridge by a stream of air and/or gravity.

145. The process of claim 143 wherein the beans are conveyed to the roasting oven or chamber in a shuttle hopper which is moved between: (a) a first position in which its contents can be displaced by sliding of the first and/or second wall plugs; and (b) a second position in which it is substantially thermally isolated from the cartridge components.

Description

EXEMPLIFICATION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0149] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0150] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment of a coffee cartridge according to the invention.

[0151] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee using the coffee cartridge shown in FIG. 1 in a coffee making apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0152] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a second embodiment of a coffee cartridge according to the invention.

[0153] FIG. 4A illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee using the coffee cartridge shown in FIG. 3 in a coffee making apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0154] FIG. 4B illustrates schematically an alternative process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee using the coffee cartridge shown in FIG. 3 in a coffee making apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0155] FIG. 5A is a cutaway perspective view of a third embodiment of a coffee cartridge according to the invention.

[0156] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

[0157] FIG. 6A is a cutaway perspective view of a system comprising a coffee cartridge according to the third embodiment in association with apparatus according to the invention.

[0158] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the brew spike/spout of the system shown in FIG. 6A.

[0159] FIG. 6C is a schematic view of the brew spike/spout when engaged with the cartridge in the system shown in FIG. 6B.

[0160] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a process for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee using the coffee cartridge/system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in a coffee making apparatus adapted for use therewith.

[0161] FIG. 8 shows plan and section views of a coffee cartridge for use in the system of the invention in closed configuration.

[0162] FIG. 9 shows top and bottom perspective views of the coffee cartridge shown in FIG. 8.

[0163] FIG. 10 shows plan, sectional and top and bottom perspective views of another embodiment of a coffee cartridge of the invention.

[0164] FIG. 11 shows plan, sectional and top and bottom perspective views of yet another embodiment of a coffee cartridge of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

In Situ Roasting

[0165] Referring to FIG. 1, the coffee cartridge (1) comprises cylindrical side walls (2), a fixed bottom wall (not shown) and a top wall in the form of a cap (4) comprising an outer retainer means (6) for securing the cap to the top of the cartridge by a snap-on engagement with a flange on the side walls (8) adapted to engage the outer retainer means (6) of the cap.

[0166] The cap (4) has an inner piston element (10) detachably connected to the retainer means by a frangible tear strip (12). The piston element (10) features a peripheral sealing portion (14) adapted to contact the inner surface of the side walls (2) of the cartridge thereby forming a seal, so that the piston element (10) and cartridge chamber may function as a piston and cylinder assembly when the piston element is detached from the retainer means (6) by breakage of the frangible tear strip (12).

[0167] Unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (20) are shown in ghost.

[0168] It will therefore be appreciated that the cartridge walls define a roasting, grinding and brewing chamber (18) in which the coffee beans are confined.

[0169] Referring now to FIG. 2, and using the numbering for the components of the cartridge adopted in the description of FIG. 1 (above), the coffee cartridge (1) is inserted into the cartridge holder (not shown) of the coffee making apparatus. An upper ram (22) having a number of brewing spikes (24) is then lowered onto the inner piston element (10), piercing it with the brewing spikes (24) and coupling therewith (aided by vacuum pressure generated by pump (not shown)).

[0170] The frangible tear strip (not shown) is then broken by rotation of the upper ram (22) together with the coupled piston element (10). The upper ram (22) is then lifted so that the coupled piston element (10) is removed from the cap (4), so opening the chamber and creating a peripheral vent (23).

[0171] The vent (23) is sufficiently large as to allow the introduction of a flow of hot air (broken arrow) at a volumetric flow rate sufficient to fluidize the beans in the chamber, thereby effecting rapid, in situ fluidized bed roasting of the beans within the cartridge chamber.

[0172] During this process, the capsule walls are cooled by a cooling element (not shown), while steam and aroma (shown by the arrows) escape via the vent (23).

[0173] A lower ram (25) having a number of cannulae (26), is then lifted against the fixed bottom wall (9), which is pierced by the cannulae (26) such that they protrude slightly through the bottom wall and come into contact with the coffee beans in the chamber. At the same time, the upper ram (22) together with the coupled piston element (10) is lowered and so re-inserted into the chamber to close the chamber. The roasted beans are then rapidly degassed via the brewing spikes by the application of a vacuum thereto.

[0174] The upper ram (22) is then driven towards the bottom wall, during which process the piston element (10) and brewing spikes (24) are brought into contact with the roasted beans confined therein, thereby crushing the roasted beans. The upper ram is then rotated, exerting a rotational grinding force on the crushed beans via the protruding brewing spikes (24) and lower protruding cannulae (26).

[0175] This processes described above yields freshly roasted coffee grounds (30) confined within the chamber (18) of the cartridge.

[0176] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes (24) in the upper ram (22) (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the coffee grounds (30), extracting the coffee brew as it flows towards the cannulae (26) in the lower ram. The brewed coffee then flows out of the cannulae into a coffee cup (31) via a brew spout (not shown).

[0177] The upper ram (22) and lower ram (25) are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed coffee grounds (32) is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

EXAMPLE 2

Remote Oven Roasting

[0178] Referring now to FIG. 3, the coffee cartridge (100) takes the form of a cylinder with cylindrical side walls (102) and top and bottom walls defining a chamber (104) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (106). The top and bottom walls are each in the form of upper and lower plugs slidably fitted within the chamber (108 and 110, respectively).

Shuttle Hopper Transfer

[0179] Referring now to FIG. 4A, and for clarity omitting all reference numerals (since the components will be recognized from the description given above for FIG. 2), the coffee cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder of the coffee making apparatus. The cartridge is then opened by removal of the upper plug with an upper ram having a number of brewing spikes which pierce the upper plug (thereby coupling upper ram and upper plug).

[0180] A lower ram having a number of cannulae is driven against the lower plug, which is pierced by the cannulae such that they protrude slightly through the lower plug and come into contact with the coffee beans in the chamber. The lower ram slides the lower plug past the upper end of the side walls of the chamber so displacing the beans into a shuttle hopper.

[0181] The shuttle hopper containing the beans is then moved away from the top and lower plugs and the walls of the hopper are then heated to roast the beans, while steam and aroma escape via a vent (not shown).

[0182] After cooling, the hopper is returned to its original location such that the roasted beans are again located between the upper plug and lower plugs. The upper ram is then driven towards the lower plug, during which process the roasted beans are crushed and brought into contact with the protruding brewing spikes and lower protruding cannulae. At the same time the upper and lower plugs, with the roasted beans between them, are pushed through the hopper, past the upper end of the side walls of the cartridge and back into the chamber, so that the roasted beans are returned to the cartridge chamber.

[0183] The upper ram then drives, in turn, the top plug (108) against the roasted beans (106), and the roasted beans against the lower plug (110), thereby crushing the roasted beans, while rotation thereof exerts a rotational grinding force on the crushed beans via the protruding brewing spikes and lower protruding cannulae.

[0184] This process yields fresh roasted coffee grounds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0185] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes in the upper ram (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the coffee grounds, extracting the coffee brew as it flows towards the cannulae in the lower ram. The brewed coffee then flows out of the cannulae into a coffee cup via a brew spout (not shown).

[0186] The upper ram and lower ram are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed coffee grounds is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

Gravity Transfer by Inversion

[0187] As an alternative to the process described above in relation to FIG. 4A, the beans may also be transferred from the cartridge chamber to a remote roasting oven by a gravity driven process shown schematically in FIG. 4B. Again, for clarity all reference numerals have been omitted (since the elements will be recognized from the description given above for FIG. 2).

[0188] Here, the coffee cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder (not shown) of the coffee making apparatus. The cartridge holder has an upper oven portion. An upper ram having a number of brewing spikes removes the upper plug and the cartridge holder and oven are then inverted, causing the beans to fall by gravity out of the cartridge chamber and into the oven portion, where they are roasted.

[0189] After roasting, the cartridge holder and oven are returned to their original position, causing the roasted beans to fall back into the cartridge chamber.

[0190] The upper ram, coupled to the upper plug, is then driven towards the lower plug, thereby crushing the roasted beans, while rotation thereof exerts a rotational grinding force on the crushed beans via the protruding brewing spikes of the upper ram and the protruding cannulae of the lower ram.

[0191] This process yields fresh roasted coffee grounds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0192] Hot water (93 C.) is then pumped (at a pressure of 5 bar) into the extraction chamber via the brewing spikes in the upper ram (shown by the arrow). The water is forced around the coffee grounds, extracting the coffee brew as it flows towards the cannulae in the lower ram. The brewed coffee then flows out of the cannulae into a coffee cup via a brew spout (not shown).

[0193] The upper ram and lower ram are then detached from the cartridge and the spent cartridge containing wet, compressed coffee grounds is then ejected from the cartridge holder into a waste compartment (not shown).

EXAMPLE 3

Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting

[0194] Referring now to FIG. 5A, the coffee cartridge (200) takes the form of a cylinder with cylindrical side walls (202), a bottom wall (204) slidable against the side walls (202) and a 3-pointed crimped and welded top wall (206) defining a chamber (208) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (not shown). The cartridge is formed of cardboard having an aluminium coating on the inner walls.

[0195] The 3-pointed crimped top wall (206) is shown more clearly in FIG. 5B.

[0196] Referring now to FIG. 6A, the cartridge (200) is shown in conjunction with a coffee making apparatus (300) for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee for use with the cartridge (200), the cartridge (200) shown located in a cartridge holder (310) which is water-tight and adapted to serve as a pressure jacket to contain the pressurized hot water during injection into the chamber of the cartridge and through the coffee grounds. The bottom wall of the cartridge (not shown) is engaged with a brewing spike integrated with a brew spout (320).

[0197] The integrated brew spike/spout (320) is shown more clearly in FIG. 6B. The brew spike/spout (320) comprises a number of spikes (330) and a number of channels (340) for conducting brewed coffee out of the chamber via the perforations introduced by the spikes (330) into the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge. The brewing spike is integrated with a brew spout (340) for dispensing the brewed coffee.

[0198] Above the cartridge holder (310) is a roasting chamber (350) into which air heated by heating element (360) is circulated by fan (370) driven by motor (380) via ducts (390).

[0199] Grinding plunger (400) is adapted to descend and rotate, to grind the roasted beans. It comprises feed means (not shown) for introducing pressurized hot water into the chamber of the cartridge (200) and is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hot water (not shown).

[0200] The engagement of the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge with the brew spike/spout (320) and the cartridge holder (310) is shown more clearly in FIG. 6C. This shows the spikes (330) perforating the bottom wall (204) of the cartridge such that they can contact the coffee beans (400) in the chamber. The expanded area shows sealing means (410) between brew spike/spout (320) and cartridge holder (310).

[0201] Referring now to FIG. 7, the cartridge (200) is loaded into a cartridge tray (401) by the user, and the tray then moved into position beneath cartridge holder (310) and roasting chamber (350). The brewing spike/spout (320) then rises to slide the bottom wall (204) towards the roasting chamber, driving the beans (not shown) against the welded top (206), thereby breaking the welds, opening the top (206) and moving the beans (351) into the roasting chamber (350).

[0202] Hot air at about 300 C. is then circulated through the roasting chamber by fan (370), fluidizing the beans and rapidly roasting them.

[0203] After roasting, the beans (351) are driven back into the chamber by grinding plunger (391), which compresses the roasted beans against the brewing spike/spout (320), pushing the beans together with the brewing spike/spout (320) back into contact with the tray (401). The grinding plunger is then rotated to grind the roasted beans.

[0204] This process yields fresh roasted coffee grounds confined within the chamber of the cartridge.

[0205] Hot water is then fed through the grinding plunger (391) from a high pressure pump (not shown), forcing the hot water through the ground beans and extracting a coffee brew which is delivered to the user via the brew spike/spout (320). The machine then automatically cleans the grinding plunger while a reclosing plunger (not shown) reforms (but does not re-weld) the crimp of the top wall (206), so that the spent grounds and cartridge can be ejected into a waste compartment (not shown) without user intervention.

EXAMPLE 4

Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting With a Cartridge Having a Folded Closure

[0206] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the coffee cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (not shown). Part-roasted beans may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0207] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is formed by a number of sequentially overlapping hinged flaps (20).

[0208] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0209] It should be noted that the hinged flaps need not be refolded into a sequentially overlapping configuration after extraction: all that is required is that the spent coffee grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

EXAMPLE 5

Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting With a Cartridge Having a Single Flap Closure

[0210] Referring now to FIG. 10, the coffee cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (not shown). Part-roasted beans may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0211] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is formed by a hinged flap (20), releasably connected to said cartridge wall by a perforated tear-line (22).

[0212] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0213] It should be noted that the hinged flaps need not be precisely refolded after extraction: all that is required is that the spent coffee grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

EXAMPLE 6

Remote Fluidized Bed Roasting With a Cartridge Having a Two-Leaf Door Closure

[0214] Referring now to FIG. 11, the coffee cartridge (10) is substantially cylindrical with substantially cylindrical side walls (12), a bottom wall (14) slidable against the side walls (12) and a reversibly openable top wall (16). The walls define a chamber (18) containing unground (whole) and unroasted (green) coffee beans (not shown). Part-roasted beans may also be used. The cartridge is formed of cardboard.

[0215] The reversibly openable top wall (16) is a folded closure is in the form of two opposed hinged flaps (20 and 21) configured as a two-leaf door, each door releasably connected to said cartridge wall by perforated tear-lines (22 and 23).

[0216] This cartridge may be used in a remote fluidized bed roasting system in an analogous fashion to that described for the crimped and welded cartridge as described in Example 3.

[0217] It should again be noted that the hinged flaps need not be precisely refolded after extraction: all that is required is that the spent coffee grounds be substantially retained by the refolded flaps within the cartridge chamber prior to ejection into the waste compartment.

[0218] The foregoing description details presently preferred embodiments of the present invention which are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents, modifications and variations to the specific embodiments of the invention described specifically herein. Such equivalents, modifications and variations are intended to be (or are) encompassed in the scope of the following claims.