JP3683877B2 - Coffee bean roasting machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coffee bean roasting machine having a rotary kiln-type roasting drum that roasts coffee beans in a flavorful manner, and in particular, a coffee bean that can automatically control the roasting temperature and exhaust temperature related to flavor. Related to roasting machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional coffee bean roasting machine, for example, stores a predetermined amount of green coffee beans charged in a hopper in a rotating roasting drum and allows the outside air to flow into the roasting drum while the outside air flowing into the roasting drum Roasting is performed while adjusting the heating power of the gas burner installed at the bottom of the roasting drum. The opening adjustment of the exhaust damper provided in is performed.
[0003]
To adjust the opening of the exhaust damper, dehydrated and dried green coffee beans in a roasting drum, and then adjusted the roasting temperature in the roasting drum for each first and second goby to fry In order not to break the unevenness and balance of taste, it is carried out at a predetermined timing so that the flavor is sufficiently produced.
[0004]
That is, the opening adjustment and timing of the exhaust damper determine the quality of coffee.
[0005]
In addition, although it investigated in the electronic library of the JPO homepage, the prior art literature information about the above-mentioned roasting machine was not found.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional coffee bean roasting method using a coffee bean roasting machine, the warming-up operation includes adjustment of the opening degree of the exhaust damper for adjusting the steam temperature and roasting temperature of the green coffee beans. Almost all of the various operations from operation to roasting operation were carried out by an expert called roaster who relied solely on his own experience and intuition. In addition, there are problems such as variations in the quality of roasted coffee beans.
[0007]
Also, temperature management is important for good roasting, but the roaster is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the exhaust damper each time the outside air temperature is low or the outside air temperature changes during roasting. Although it is necessary to stabilize the temperature in the drum, this operation is complicated, and in this respect, the roasting operation is difficult for beginners of the roasting operation.
[0008]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and in particular, automatically control the roasting temperature of roasted coffee beans by using optimum data, or stabilize the temperature in the roasting drum. Thus, it is intended to provide a coffee bean roasting machine that can easily perform roasting of coffee beans with excellent flavor, even for beginners of roasting work, while reducing the work burden on the operator.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the coffee bean roaster according to the invention of claim 1 allows fresh coffee beans to be introduced while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum. In the coffee bean roasting machine that roasts coffee beans by rotating the roast drum and heating the roast drum with a heating source, the roasting temperature of the coffee beans in the roasting drum is detected A roasting temperature sensor and an exhaust temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the roasting drum are provided, and the respective sensor outputs of the roasting temperature sensor and the exhaust temperature sensor are set to optimum values set in advance in the computer. The exhaust damper is controlled so that
[0010]
As a result, roasted coffee beans with excellent flavor and taste can be efficiently produced under the optimum conditions obtained based on the roasting temperature and the exhaust temperature without much trouble. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker. In addition, since the roasting operation can be performed efficiently, labor costs can be reduced.
[0011]
The coffee bean roasting machine according to the invention of claim 2 is a machine for roasting a roast drum filled with green coffee beans while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum. In a coffee bean roasting machine that roasts coffee beans by rotating and heating the roasting drum with a heating source, warm air is introduced before the outside air flowing into the roasting drum flows into the roasting drum. It is made to be done.
[0012]
As a result, the outside air introduced from outside the machine is once warmed up, and this warmed outside air is introduced into the roasting drum, so that the roasting temperature in the roasting drum is It can be roasted into coffee beans that are stable and not affected by changes in quality. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker.
[0013]
The coffee bean roasting machine according to the invention of claim 3 has an inner cover in which a roasting drum is heated by a heating source together with the roasting drum, and an outer side disposed at a fixed interval with respect to the inner cover. The outside air that is covered by the cover and introduced between the inner cover and the outer cover is warmed by passing into the roasting drum through the space between the roasting drum and the inner cover. Features.
[0014]
As a result, the outside air introduced from outside the machine is once passed between the outer cover and the inner cover to warm up, and this warmed outside air is introduced into the roasting drum. The roasting temperature is stable without being affected by changes in the outside air temperature due to seasonal changes and the like, and roasted into coffee beans with stable quality. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker.
[0015]
Further, the coffee bean roasting machine according to the invention of claim 4 is provided with a roasting drum into which green coffee beans are charged while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum. In a coffee bean roasting machine that roasts coffee beans by rotating and heating the roasting drum with a heating source, warm air is introduced before the outside air flowing into the roasting drum flows into the roasting drum. In addition, the sensor output of the roasting temperature sensor for detecting the roasting temperature of green beans in the roasting drum and the exhaust temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the roasting drum by the computer is set to an optimum value set in advance. The exhaust damper was controlled so that
[0016]
As a result, roasted coffee beans with excellent flavor and taste can be efficiently produced under the optimum conditions obtained based on the roasting temperature and the exhaust temperature without much trouble. Therefore, it is easy for roasting beginners to roast coffee beans with excellent flavors while reducing the work burden on workers, and the roasting work can be performed efficiently, reducing labor costs. In addition, the outside air introduced from outside the machine is once warmed up, and the outside air that has been warmed is introduced into the roasting drum. It can be roasted into coffee beans that are stable and not affected by changes in quality.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire coffee bean roasting machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 conceptually shows the operation of the main part. It is a perspective view.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped base, on which a blower mounting portion 2, a drum storage portion 3 and a cooling box 4 are arranged in parallel.
[0019]
Among these, as shown in FIG. 2, the drum storage unit 3 has a roasting drum 5 driven by a motor installed on the blower mounting unit 2 side in the outer cover 6.
[0020]
The roasting drum 5 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) around the horizontal shaft 7.
[0021]
Further, an exhaust duct 8 to be described later is installed above the roasting drum 5, and a plurality of gas burners 9 serving as heating sources are juxtaposed below the roasting drum 5.
[0022]
In addition, the inner periphery of the outer cover near the gas burner 9 is subjected to heat treatment such as gypsum board.
[0023]
Further, an inverted U-shaped inner cover 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the outer cover 6 at a predetermined interval, and the roast drum 5 is disposed in the inner cover 10. A gas burner 9 is disposed below the roasting drum 5 so as to face upward.
[0024]
The lower end of the inner cover 10 is positioned at a predetermined height so as to be spaced from the bottom of the drum storage unit 3, that is, the upper surface of the base 1.
[0025]
Therefore, the outside air taken into the outer cover 6 through the outside air introduction port 11 formed in the side plate of the outer cover 6 (also used as a side plate of the case 12 described later) is sewn in the gap at the lower part of the inner cover 10 to the outer cover 6. And the inner cover 10 are further fed into one open end of the roasting drum 5.
[0026]
Since the inner cover 10 is heated by the flame of the gas burner 9, the outside air is warmed while passing between the outer cover 6 and the inner cover 10 before being sent into the roasting drum 5. (Warmed)
[0027]
Further, the other opening end of the roasting drum 5 and the opening end of the exhaust duct 8 communicate with each other through a chute 21 described later.
[0028]
The other end of the exhaust duct 5 is connected to an exhaust duct 13 disposed above the inside of the case 12 of the blower mounting portion 2, and the blower 14 driven by a motor 14 </ b> A is connected to the end of the exhaust duct 13. .
[0029]
An exhaust damper 15 is provided in the middle of the exhaust duct 13, and a damper handle 16 capable of manually operating the exhaust damper 15 is provided outside the case 12.
[0030]
The exhaust damper 15 is connected to a motor (not shown) that is driven under automatic control described later.
[0031]
Further, a gas pressure adjustment handle 17 and a gas pressure gauge 18 for adjusting the pressure of the gas supplied to the gas burner 9 are attached to the front side of the case 12.
[0032]
Note that the air blown from the blower 14 is discharged from the back side of the case 12 to the outside air via an exhaust cyclone (not shown).
[0033]
On the other hand, notches 19 and 20 that open to the respective ends of the duct 8 and the roasting drum 5 are provided in the upper part of the right side surface of the outer cover 6.
[0034]
Further, a box-like chute 21 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided so as to cover these notches 19, 20, and a hopper 22 for continuously feeding green coffee beans is provided above the chute 21. ing.
[0035]
A coffee bean charging damper 24 operated by a loading lever 23 is in contact with the lower end opening of the hopper 22 so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0036]
The raw coffee bean charging damper 24 functions to close the lower end opening of the hopper 22 by the weight of the charging lever 23.
[0037]
Reference numeral 25 denotes an opening / closing handle for opening / closing the opening / closing lid 26 on the right side surface of the outer cover 6 from the outside.
[0038]
The cooling box 4 has a net-like or punching metal-like vent floor 27 at the bottom, and a stirring blade 28 that is rotated by a motor (not shown) installed in the base 1 at the upper center of the vent floor 27. A rotating shaft 29 is supported.
[0039]
An air intake duct 30 communicating with the lower part of the vent floor 27 is disposed in the base 1, and a blower 31 driven by a motor 31A for discharging cooling air is connected to the end of the air intake duct 30. Has been.
[0040]
The cooling air sent from the blower 31 is configured to be discharged from the back side of the base 1 to the outside air via a cooling cyclone (not shown).
[0041]
In the coffee roasting machine configured as described above, the green coffee beans that have been input into the hopper 22 are opened through the chute 21 and the cutout 20 on the side of the external force bar 6 by opening the coffee beans input damper 24 by operating the input lever 23. Put into the roasting drum 5.
[0042]
On the other hand, prior to this work, the gas burner 9 is ignited, and the heating power is adjusted to a predetermined value by the gas pressure adjusting handle 17.
[0043]
By the combustion of the gas in the gas burner 9, the inner cover 10 is directly heated together with the roasting drum 5, and the outside air introduced between the outer cover 6 and the inner cover 10 from the outside air introduction port 11 is preheated here.
[0044]
Further, the preheated outside air enters between the inner cover 10 and the roasting drum 5 from below the inner cover 10, and further flows from one end of the roasting drum 5 to the other end as exhaust gas, to the exhaust duct 8. It is guided.
[0045]
As a result, the temperature in the roasting drum 5 is stabilized at the set value, and roasting that is not affected by the surrounding outside air temperature and humidity is possible throughout the year.
[0046]
In addition to the heating by such warm air, the roasting drum 5 itself is also heated to a high temperature by receiving a flame from the gas burner 9 and heats and roasts the coffee beans stored inside.
[0047]
On the other hand, the coffee beans heated and roasted in the above-described conditions are dropped and placed on the ventilation floor 27 in the cooling box 4 by opening the opening / closing lid 26 by operating the opening / closing handle 25. Is done.
[0048]
The coffee beans immediately after roasting in the cooling box 4 are hot, and therefore the air in the cooling box 4 is sucked out through the ventilation floor 27 through the intake duct 30 by the operation of the blower 31 by the motor 31A.
[0049]
As a result, the coffee beans on the vent floor 27 are cooled by the external airflow, and the risk of ignition can be avoided in advance.
[0050]
On the other hand, the green coffee beans in the roasting drum 5 are controlled to have the roasting temperature in the roasting drum 5 as described below in the process of roasting by heating as described above.
[0051]
This temperature control is basically executed by a circuit system as shown in FIG. 3 according to a procedure as shown in FIG.
[0052]
3, 41 is an exhaust temperature sensor for detecting the exhaust temperature in the exhaust duct 8, 42 is a roasting temperature sensor for detecting the roasting temperature in the roasting drum 5, and 43 is the sensor 41, 42. Based on the output, refer to the reference data obtained in advance by experiments and experience and stored in the database DB, specifically the temperature data for optimum roasting obtained experimentally and empirically, and the optimal damper for roasting It is a computer (microprocessor) that calculates and outputs opening degree data.
[0053]
The opening / closing amount of the exhaust damper 15 is controlled according to the calculation output of the computer 43, that is, the roasting temperature is controlled.
[0054]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the roasting operation mainly focusing on the warm-up operation and the exhaust control before the roasting operation by the manually operated roaster.
[0055]
In starting roasting, the operator first manually ignites the gas of the gas burner 9 (step S1), and then operates the damper handle 16 to adjust the damper opening in the range of 40% to 60%. Then, for example, the opening is set to 50% (warm opening) (step S2).
[0056]
Next, the roasting drum 5 is heated by the gas burner 9 until the exhaust temperature reaches 200 ° C. and the exhaust temperature reaches 275 ° C., and warming-up (preheating) is performed (step S3).
[0057]
Here, when the temperature of the roasting drum 5 reaches 260 ° C. and the exhaust temperature reaches 285 ° C., a strong warning sound is generated by a buzzer (step S4), and the gas pressure adjusting handle 17 is operated to operate the gas valve. Is fully closed (step S5).
[0058]
The buzzer is stopped by touching the “abnormal” display on the touch panel.
[0059]
On the other hand, if the normal sound buzzer has been activated for 3 seconds in step S3, the operator manually turns off the gas valve once to extinguish the fire (step S6). Is operated (step S7).
[0060]
At this time, the operator manually ignites the gas in the gas burner 9 again (step S8), and raises the temperature of the roasting drum 5 to 170 ° C.
[0061]
At this time, the buzzer operates for about 3 seconds, and an ignition display indicating that green coffee beans can be charged is displayed on the display (step S9).
[0062]
Here, green coffee beans can be input for the first time, and the operator enters automatic roasting by issuing a green bean input command according to the guidance on the touch panel.
[0063]
At this time, the input lever 23 is operated to open the green coffee bean dumping damper 24, and the green bean that has been previously charged in the hopper 22 is introduced into the roasting drum through the chute 21.
[0064]
In this state, the coffee beans as described above are roasted using the flame of the gas burner 9 as a heat source (step S10).
[0065]
In addition, when the raw bean charging instruction is not yet performed by touching the touch panel, that is, when automatic control is not started (step S11), the processing after step S3 is repeatedly performed to warm up the roasting drum 5. This is repeated once or more as necessary (step S11).
[0066]
On the other hand, when the green coffee beans are charged in step S10, automatic roasting control according to the present invention is executed under the control of the computer 43.
[0067]
That is, when the green coffee beans are charged, the computer 43 sets the opening of the exhaust damper 15 to 20% according to the type of green coffee beans based on the outputs of the exhaust temperature sensor 41 and the roasting temperature sensor 42. After adjusting in the range of ˜40%, for example, the opening is set to 30% (steaming opening) (step S12).
[0068]
Subsequently, when, for example, 4 minutes of the time selected between 3 minutes and 6 minutes have elapsed, the exhaust damper 15 is fully opened in steps of 30 seconds, and dust and thin skin adhering to the green coffee beans are skipped (step S13). Further, for example, when 5 minutes have elapsed, the opening degree of the exhaust damper 15 is set to 30% (step S14). Here, after 1 minute has elapsed, the steaming opening degree is automatically restored.
[0069]
Thus, when the roasting temperature of the green coffee beans reaches the set temperature of 170 ° C., the opening degree of the exhaust damper 15 is adjusted in the range of 50% to 70% according to the type of green coffee beans, (Step S15).
[0070]
At this time, the set temperature of 170 ° C. corresponds to the first goby state, the pilot lamp (yellow) on the operation panel lights up, and the buzzer operates for about 3 seconds.
[0071]
Thereafter, when the roasting temperature gradually rises and reaches 190 ° C., the opening degree of the exhaust valve 15 is adjusted in the range of 80% to 100% and then set to 90% opening degree (step S16).
[0072]
The set temperature 190 ° C. at this time corresponds to the second state of gooe, the pilot lamp (red) on the operation panel is turned on, and the fact that roasting has ended is displayed on the touch panel.
[0073]
Therefore, the operator touches the end display on the touch panel to instruct the end of automatic roasting (step S17).
[0074]
As a result, the roasting operation is completed, and the operator opens the opening / closing lid 26 and takes out the roasted coffee beans into the cooling box 4 and cools the roasted coffee beans by the intake air from the blower 31 (step S18). Is terminated (step S19).
[0075]
Thus, by automating roasting with the same procedure as that performed by a skilled worker using the computer 43, high-quality roasted coffee beans can be produced in large quantities and efficiently.
[0076]
For this purpose, the management of the roasting temperature and the exhaust temperature as described above is the most important, and it is important to cause the computer 43 to execute this management according to the data based on the experience and experiment of the expert. It was completed paying attention to this point.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the roasting drum that rotates with fresh coffee beans charged while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum. In a coffee bean roasting machine that is heated by a heating source and roasts green coffee beans, a roasting temperature sensor that detects the roasting temperature and an exhaust temperature sensor that detects the exhaust temperature discharged from the roasting drum And the computer automatically controls the opening degree of the exhaust damper so that the sensor outputs of the roasting temperature sensor and the exhaust temperature sensor have preset optimum values. It is possible to efficiently produce roasted coffee beans with excellent flavor and taste under the optimum conditions obtained based on the above, without bothering human hands. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker. In addition, since the roasting operation can be performed efficiently, labor costs can be reduced.
[0078]
According to the invention of claim 2, while the outside air flows into the roasting drum, while the outside air flowing into the roasting drum is exhausted, the roasting drum loaded with green coffee beans is rotated and the roasting drum is rotated. In the coffee bean roasting machine that roasts green coffee beans by heating the roasting drum with a heating source, the outside air flowing into the roasting drum is warmed before flowing into the roasting drum Therefore, once the outside air introduced from outside the machine has been warmed up once and this warmed outside air has been introduced into the roasting drum, the roasting temperature in the roasting drum can It can be roasted into coffee beans that are stable and not affected by changes. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker.
[0079]
According to the invention of claim 3, the roasting drum is covered with the inner cover heated by the heating source together with the roasting drum, and the outer cover arranged at a fixed interval with respect to the inner cover. The outside air introduced between the inner cover and the outer cover is warmed by passing through the roasting drum and the inner cover and passing through the roasting drum. The outside air once passed between the outer cover and the inner cover is warmed up, and this warmed outside air is introduced into the roasting drum, so that the roasting temperature in the roasting drum changes seasonally, etc. It can be roasted into coffee beans that are stable and not affected by changes in the outside air temperature. Therefore, it is possible to easily roast coffee beans with excellent flavor even for beginners of roasting work while reducing the work burden on the worker.
[0080]
Further, the coffee bean roasting machine according to the invention of claim 4 is provided with a roasting drum into which green coffee beans are charged while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum. In a coffee bean roasting machine that roasts coffee beans by rotating and heating the roasting drum with a heating source, warm air is introduced before the outside air flowing into the roasting drum flows into the roasting drum. In addition, the sensor output of the roasting temperature sensor for detecting the roasting temperature of green beans in the roasting drum and the exhaust temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the roasting drum by the computer is set to an optimum value set in advance. The exhaust damper is controlled so that the flavor and taste of roasted coffee beans are optimally obtained based on the roasting temperature and exhaust temperature. It can be efficiently produced without bothering.
[0081]
Therefore, it is easy for roasting beginners to roast coffee beans with excellent flavors while reducing the work burden on workers, and the roasting work can be performed efficiently, reducing labor costs. In addition, the outside air introduced from outside the machine is once warmed up, and this warmed outside air is introduced into the roasting drum. It can be roasted into coffee beans that are stable and not affected by changes in quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view conceptually showing a coffee bean roasting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing an operation of a main part of the coffee bean roaster in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a temperature control system of the exhaust damper in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each procedure of warm-up operation and roasting of the roaster according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Roasting drum 6 Outer cover 9 Gas burner 10 as heating source Inner cover 15 Exhaust damper 41 Exhaust temperature sensor 42 Roasting temperature sensor 43 Computer

Claims (4)

While rotating the roasting drum filled with green coffee beans while heating the roasting drum with a heating source while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum, In a coffee bean roasting machine that roasts coffee beans, a roasting temperature sensor that detects the roasting temperature of the green beans in the roasting drum and an exhaust temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the exhaust discharged from the roasting drum And a computer that controls the exhaust damper so that the sensor outputs of the roasting temperature sensor and the exhaust temperature sensor have preset optimum values. While rotating the roasting drum filled with green coffee beans while heating the roasting drum with a heating source while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum, A coffee bean roasting machine for roasting coffee beans, wherein the outside air flowing into the roasting drum is warmed before flowing into the roasting drum. A roasting drum is covered with an inner cover heated by a heating source together with the roasting drum, and an outer cover arranged at a fixed interval with respect to the inner cover, and between the inner cover and the outer cover. The coffee bean roasting machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the introduced outside air is warmed by passing through the roasting drum and the inner cover into the roasting drum. While rotating the roasting drum filled with green coffee beans while heating the roasting drum with a heating source while exhausting the outside air flowing into the roasting drum while allowing the outside air to flow into the roasting drum, In a coffee bean roasting machine that roasts green coffee beans, the outside air flowing into the roasting drum is warmed before flowing into the roasting drum, and the computer sets the roasting temperature of the green beans in the roasting drum. A coffee bean characterized by controlling an exhaust damper so that each sensor output of a roasting temperature sensor to detect and an exhaust temperature sensor to detect the temperature of exhaust discharged from a roasting drum becomes a preset optimum value Roasting machine.

Images