Coffee bean packaging cartridge and coffee beverage system including same

Abstract

A coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans can be connected to a coffee beverage system. The cartridge includes a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and an opening at one end thereof. A permanent, preferably non-removable closure member is fitted to the one end of the container and substantially covers the opening. An exit passage in the closure member, defines a coffee bean outlet, for transferring coffee beans from the interior volume. The closure member further has relatively movable closing means for selectively closing the exit passage to reduce exposure of the coffee bean contents to surrounding air. The cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee beverage system. There is also provided a coffee beverage system that includes the coffee bean packaging cartridge as defined above and at least a dosing device and a grinding mechanism. The dosing device may includes a metering chamber for receiving a portion of coffee beans corresponding to an amount necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage.

1 . A coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans, the cartridge including:
 a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the container holding at least one serving of coffee beans;   conveyor means adapted to be rotatably driven exteriorly of the cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge; and   coupling means adapted for drivingly coupling the conveyor means to rotating motive means of a coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the cartridge is openable to reveal the exit opening.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes bean agitating means. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes vibrating means. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes movable conveyor means. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes rotatably movable conveyor means. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatably driven conveyor means includes a rotating surface element. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the rotating surface element is a conveyor disc. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein a surface of the conveyor disc confronting the at least one serving of coffee beans is convex, by being higher in its center and lower towards its periphery. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor disc is adapted to be driven at a relatively fast rotational speed for conveying the beans by centrifugal force. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor disc is adapted to be driven at a relatively moderate rotational speed for conveying the beans along guiding means. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge according to  claim 10 , wherein the guiding means include radial ridge formations on a surface of the conveyor disc confronting the at least one serving of coffee beans. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge according to  claim 10 , wherein the guiding means include a stationary guide arm overlying a portion of the surface of the conveyor disc confronting the at least one serving of coffee beans and adapted to guide coffee beans from the disc toward the exit opening. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein transporting of the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge is effected only partly by rotation of the conveyor means. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , further including a permanent, preferably non-removable closure member fitted to at least one end of the outer wall and at least substantially including the exit opening. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge according to  claim 14 , further including an exit passage in the closure member, defining the exit opening, for transferring coffee beans from the interior volume. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge according to  claim 14 , wherein the closure member has relatively movable closing means for selectively opening and closing the exit opening wherein in the closed condition it is preventen that the coffee beans escape from the cartridge and preferably it is counteracted that content of the coffee bean in the form of gasses escape to surrounding air, wherein the cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee brewing apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the relatively movable closing means are adapted to be driven exteriorly of the closure member. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are fixed relative to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The cartridge according to  claim 18 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are integrally formed as one single element. 
     
     
         20 . The cartridge according to any preceding  claim 16 , wherein the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means are adapted to be commonly driven exteriorly of the closure member. 
     
     
         21 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein the exit opening is associated with a removable sealing element sealing the interior volume prior to activation of the cartridge wherein preferably said sealing element prevents gasses to escape from the cartridge. 
     
     
         22 . The cartridge according to  claim 21 , further including means for disrupting and displacing the sealing element. 
     
     
         23 . The cartridge according to  claim 21 , wherein the sealing element is a sealing membrane. 
     
     
         24 . The cartridge according to  claim 22 , wherein the means for disrupting and displacing is a pull tab. 
     
     
         25 . The cartridge according to  claim 22 , wherein the means for disrupting and displacing includes a cylindrical wall that pushes the sealing membrane into an annular groove. 
     
     
         26 . The cartridge according to  claim 25 , wherein the means for disrupting and displacing further includes a piercing pin projecting centrally of the conveyor disc. 
     
     
         27 . The cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor disc has a driving hub. 
     
     
         28 . The cartridge according to  claim 27 , further including means for disrupting and displacing the sealing element; wherein the means for disrupting and displacing includes a cylindrical wall that pushes the sealing membrane into an annular groove; wherein the driving hub carries piercing pin, adapted to interact with the sealing membrane, for disruption thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The cartridge according to  claim 23 , wherein the container includes a neck portion. 
     
     
         30 . The cartridge according to  claim 29 , wherein the neck portion includes a radially extending annular ridge. 
     
     
         31 . The cartridge according to  claim 30 , wherein the neck portion includes a cylindrical inner sleeve and a cylindrical outer sleeve defining an annular groove there between. 
     
     
         32 . The cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the cylindrical outer sleeve includes an outer male screw thread. 
     
     
         33 . The cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the sealing membrane is adapted to be folded into the annular groove. 
     
     
         34 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is rigid. 
     
     
         35 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the container has a bottle-like shape. 
     
     
         36 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is tubular. 
     
     
         37 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the container includes means within its interior volume for occupying space in the interior volume that has been vacated by the coffee beans. 
     
     
         38 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is adapted to reduce its interior volume for eliminating space in the interior volume that has been vacated by the coffee beans. 
     
     
         39 . The cartridge according to  claim 37 , wherein the means for occupying vacated space includes a gas. 
     
     
         40 . The cartridge according to  claim 37 , wherein the means for occupying vacated space includes an inflatable bag. 
     
     
         41 . The cartridge according to  claim 14 , wherein the closure member defines a bottom and a circumferential outer wall. 
     
     
         42 . The cartridge according to  claim 41 , wherein the relatively movable closing means is adapted to be driven by a driving means of an apparatus for preparing the coffee beverage via a central opening in the bottom. 
     
     
         43 . The cartridge according to  claim 41 , wherein the conveyor means is adapted to be driven by a driving means of an apparatus for preparing the coffee beverage via a central opening in the bottom. 
     
     
         44 . The cartridge according to  claim 43 , wherein the relatively movable closing means and the conveyor means are adapted to be commonly driven via the central opening in the bottom. 
     
     
         45 . The cartridge according to  claim 20 , wherein the conveyor means is a rotatable conveyor disc and the relatively movable closing means, for selectively closing the exit opening, includes a closing flap connected to the conveyor disc, and wherein the closing flap extends axially from the conveyor disc. 
     
     
         46 . The cartridge according to  claim 15 , wherein the exit passage extends between a perimeter aperture and the exit opening forming a coffee bean outlet. 
     
     
         47 . The cartridge according to  claim 23 , wherein the sealing membrane is a pre-weakened foil provided with a mechanically weakened area to control its disruption. 
     
     
         48 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee brewing apparatus include bayonet elements for removably connecting to the coffee brewing apparatus, so as to form a coffee beverage system. 
     
     
         49 . The cartridge to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling means comprises a rotating element such as a drive shaft, which drives the conveyor means upon being rotated wherein the rotating element is arranged to be rotated by the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus 
     
     
         50 . A coffee beverage system, comprising:
 a coffee bean packaging cartridge comprising:
 a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the container holding at least one serving of coffee beans; 
 conveyor means adapted to be rotatably driven exteriorly of the cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge; and 
 coupling means adapted for drivingly coupling the conveyor means to rotating motive means of a coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the cartridge is openable to reveal the exit opening; 
   a coffee brewing apparatus wherein the coffee been packaging cartridge is removably connected to the coffee brewing apparatus wherein the coffee brewing apparatus comprises a motive means for drivingly engaging the coupling means of the coffee bean packaging cartridge in its connected state for driving the conveyor means for transporting coffee beans from the cartridge via its exit opening into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein the coffee brewing apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the motive means.   
     
     
         51 . The system according to  claim 50 , further comprising a dosing device for dosing an amount of coffee beans which, in use, is transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus. 
     
     
         52 . The system according to  claim 51 , wherein the dosing device comprises at least one of the conveyor means and the relatively movable closing means. 
     
     
         53 . The system according to  claim 50 , wherein the control means comprises timing means wherein the control unit is arranged such that, in use, the control unit operates the motive means a predetermined length in time for transporting a predetermined amount of coffee beans from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with a dosed amount of coffee beans for preparing a drink. 
     
     
         54 . The system according to  claim 50 , wherein the system is provided with a first sensor for measuring the amount of coffee beans that are transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus. 
     
     
         55 . The system according to  claim 53  wherein the first sensor is connected to the control unit wherein the control unit is arranged is arranged to control the motive means to stop upon detection by means of the first sensor of a predetermined amount of coffee beans being transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with a dosed amount of coffee beans for preparing a drink and/or wherein the control unit is arranged to control the relatively movable closing means of  claim 15  to close the exit opening upon detection by means of the first sensor of a predetermined amount of coffee beans being transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with a dosed amount of coffee beans for preparing a drink. 
     
     
         56 . The system according to  claim 51 , wherein the dosing device includes a metering chamber for receiving a portion of coffee beans corresponding to an dosed amount of coffee beans which is preferably necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage wherein the system is arranged for transporting the coffee beans from the cartridge into the metering chamber. 
     
     
         57 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the dosing device further comprises emptying means for emptying the metering chamber. 
     
     
         58 . The system according to  claim 57 , wherein the emptying means include a removable arranged bottom of the metering chamber. 
     
     
         59 . The system according to  claim 57 , wherein the emptying means include tipping means for tipping the metering chamber. 
     
     
         60 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the emptying means are adapted to be controlled by the control unit. 
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the system is provided with a first sensor for measuring the amount of coffee beans that are transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein the dosing device comprises the first sensor means for detecting the amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber. 
     
     
         62 . The system according to  claim 61 , wherein the system is arranged to generate by means of the first sensor means a signal representative of the amount of coffee beans which is present in the metering chamber. 
     
     
         63 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first sensor means is arranged to generate a signal corresponding with the amount of coffee beans present in the metering chamber. 
     
     
         64 . The system according to  claim 61 , wherein the first sensor means generates any one of a signal and a signal interruption when a predetermined amount of coffee beans are detected that corresponds to a certain level in the metering chamber wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with the dosed amount of coffee beans. 
     
     
         65 . The system according to  claim 61 , wherein the first sensor means is connected to the control unit, and wherein the control unit, in response to a signal from the first sensor means, controls the motive means and/or the relatively movable closing means of  claim 15 , and/or the emptying means of  claim 55 . 
     
     
         66 . The system according to  claim 65 , wherein the control unit is arranged to control the motive means to stop upon detection of a predetermined amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber by the first sensor means wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with the dosed amount of coffee beans, and/or wherein the control unit is arranged to control the relatively movable closing means to close the exit opening upon detection of a predetermined amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber by the first sensor means wherein preferably the predetermined amount of coffee beans corresponds with the dosed amount of coffee beans. 
     
     
         67 . The system according to  claim 66 , wherein the control unit is arranged to effect a short reverse rotation of the motive means, prior to deactivating the drive, to ensure that no bean is interfering with the exit opening. 
     
     
         68 . The system according to  claim 50 , wherein the coffee brewing apparatus further comprising a grinder mechanism for grinding coffee beans which are transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus wherein preferably the grinder mechanism is controlled by the control unit. 
     
     
         69 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the control unit is arranged to start operation of the grinding mechanism only upon verifying occurrence of at least one of the relatively movable closing means of  claim 16  having closed the exit passage or the conveyor means having interrupted. 
     
     
         70 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the system comprises detection means for detecting a rotational speed and/or a phase of the rotating element of  claim 49  as well as of the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus and wherein the control units is arranged to only start the grinder mechanism if the detected rotational speed of the rotating element is the same as the detected rotational speed of the motive means and/or if the detected phase of the rotating element is the same as the detected phase of the motive means. 
     
     
         71 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the coffee brewing apparatus further comprises a brewing means for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee, starting from a supply of partly ground beans, broken beans, or whole beans, and water wherein preferably the brewing means is controlled by the control unit. 
     
     
         72 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the control unit is arranged to start operation of the brewing means only upon verifying occurrence of at least one of the relatively movable closing means of  claim 15  having closed the exit opening or the conveyor means having interrupted. 
     
     
         73 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the system comprises detection means for detecting at least one of a rotational speed and a phase of the rotating element of  claim 49  as well as of the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus and wherein the control unit is arranged to only start the brewing means if the detected rotational speed of the rotating element is the same as the detected rotational speed of the motive means and/or if the detected phase of the rotating element is the same as the detected phase of the motive means. 
     
     
         74 . The system according to  claim 71  wherein the system comprises detection means for detecting at least one of a rotational speed and a phase of the rotating element of  claim 49  as well as of the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus and wherein the control units is arranged to only start the grinder mechanism and the brewing means if the detected rotational speed of the rotating element is the same as the detected rotational speed of the motive means and/or if the detected phase of the rotating element is the same as the detected phase of the motive means. 
     
     
         75 . The system according to any one of  claim 68 , wherein the grinding mechanism is adapted to receive a metered amount of coffee beans from the dosing device. 
     
     
         76 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the grinding mechanism, under control of the control unit, is adapted to be emptied automatically. 
     
     
         77 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the system is adapted to empty the grinding mechanism. 
     
     
         78 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first sensor means is arranged to detect coffee beans in a selected portion of the metering chamber wherein the system is arranged to select a portion of the metering chamber wherein coffee beans will be detected by the first sensor means to select an corresponding amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber that will be detected by the first sensor means. 
     
     
         79 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein first sensor means comprises a weighting unit for measuring the amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber. 
     
     
         80 . The system according to  claim 79 , wherein the weighing unit is arranged to communicate to the control unit to control of the motive means. 
     
     
         81 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first sensor means comprises a bean counting unit for counting the number of beans which are transported towards the metering chamber. 
     
     
         82 . The system according to  claim 81 , wherein the bean counting unit is arranged to communicate to the control unit to control of the motive means. 
     
     
         83 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first sensor means comprises a volume detection unit for measuring the volume of coffee beans which are present in the metering chamber. 
     
     
         84 . The system according to  claim 83 , wherein the volume level detection unit is arranged to communicate to the control unit to control the motive means. 
     
     
         85 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the coffee brewing apparatus comprises a coffee bean entrance for supplying the coffee beans from the coffee bean packaging cartridge to the grinding mechanism, and wherein the system comprises connecting means for removably connecting the coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee beverage system. 
     
     
         86 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the coffee brewing apparatus is arranged for brewing the coffee beverages by supplying water for extraction to ground coffee from the grinding mechanism, and wherein the system is further provided with a coffee beverage outlet for delivering the coffee beverages. 
     
     
         87 . The system according to  claim 50 , further including a second sensor for recognising a presence of the cartridge. 
     
     
         88 . The system according to  claim 87  wherein the coffee brewing apparatus comprises second sensor and wherein the second sensor is arranged for detecting the cartridge being connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. 
     
     
         89 . The system according to  claim 87 , wherein the cartridge is provided with a cartridge identifier and wherein the control unit is arranged to register a number of times the cartridge has been used. 
     
     
         90 . The system according to  claim 89 , wherein the second sensor is arranged to register the cartridge identifier and a number of times this cartridge has supplied a serving of coffee beans. 
     
     
         91 . The system according to  claim 89  wherein the cartridge is provided with a barcode which comprises the identifier wherein the second sensor is arranged to read the barcode and/or wherein the cartridge is provided with an electronic label such as a RFID label comprising the identifier wherein the second sensor is arranged to read the electronic label. 
     
     
         92 . The system according to  claim 54 , wherein the control unit is arranged to close the coffee bean entrance of the apparatus upon detection by means of the first sensor of a predetermined amount of coffee beans having been transported from the cartridge into the coffee brewing apparatus. 
     
     
         93 . The system according to  claim 92 , wherein the motive means is provided for driving the movable conveyor means associated with the exit passage of the cartridge exteriorly of its closure member. 
     
     
         94 . The system according to  claim 50 , wherein the motive means for drivingly engaging the coupling means has a resiliently yieldable counter coupling means to provide for automatic alignment and driving engagement of the coupling means and preferably counter coupling means upon the motive means having started to rotate. 
     
     
         95 . The system according to  claim 50 , further provided with indexing means adapted to move the movable closing means of the cartridge according to  claim 15  to enable selective closure of the exit passage of the cartridge. 
     
     
         96 . The system according to  claim 68 , wherein the grinder mechanism is adapted to receive a metered amount of coffee beans from the dosing device and wherein the consumed power of the grinder mechanism is surveyed by the control unit to determine whether the metered amount is sufficient for a beverage serving and/or whether it represents the last metering from the coffee bean packaging cartridge. 
     
     
         97 . The system according to  claim 96 , wherein the control unit is adapted to decide between the options of interrupting preparation of a last incomplete dosing from the cartridge, or adapting the supply of water to compensate for any shortages in the last incomplete dosing. 
     
     
         98 . The system according to  claim 50 , wherein the dosed amount of coffee for one serving is determined by a complete fill of a fixed or adjustable volume of a dosing chamber. 
     
     
         99 . The system according to  claim 98 , wherein about 20% of the dosing volume is accommodated in a cavity of the coffee bean packaging cartridge and about 80% of the dosing volume is accommodated in a dosing chamber within the coffee brewing appliance. 
     
     
         100 . The cartridge according to  claim 14 , wherein the closure member has a ribbed funnel for guiding the coffee beans towards the conveyor means.