GB2467917A

GB2467917A - Domestic food grinder

Info

Publication number: GB2467917A
Application number: GB0902743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Schmidt; Michael Weber; Marc Burkhalter
Original assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Current assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Priority date: 2009-02-18
Filing date: 2009-02-18
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-18
Also published as: GB0902743D0; GB2467917B

Abstract

A food grinding machine features grinding means 16, a food storage container 25 with an outlet 27 securable to the machine, a dosing device 18b permitting controlled quantities of food product to be fed to the grinding means 16, and a gas dispensing device 19, 22 operable to dispense a gas into the storage container 25. In this manner, the container 25 can be back filled with a protective inert gas, such as nitrogen, so that food product remaining in the container 25, such as coffee beans, can be protected from going stale between uses. Ground food product falls into a tray 34 for use.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN GRINDING MACHINE

The invention relates to improvements in grinding machines and in particular to grinding machines for food products which generate a protective atmosphere in a storage container attached to the grinding machine.

There are many domestic machines and devices on the market for grinding food products, especially whole roasted coffee beans, which enable users to enjoy "freshly ground" coffee. The beans for use in such devices are commonly packed in foil packets and a portion removed to transfer to a grinding machine as and when required. However, once the packet is opened and the contents are exposed to the air, the quality of the beans starts deteriorating due to oxidisation of the fatty acids in the beans and evaporation of volatile oils from the beans. This causes the coffee to have a stale flavour. Water in the air can also degrade the aromatic flavour of the coffee.

One solution recommended by coffee aficionados is to buy freshly roasted coffee beans every week and to store this in a number of smaller containers which are kept sealed until required. However, this is not a very practical solution for many people.

Some attempts have been made to provide storage devices with means for preserving and dispensing food products.

WO-A-93/19629 describes a method of preserving food using a noble gas by injecting it into the storage container.

tJS-B-2,110,518 describes a container which is suitable for storing non-liquid goods, such as roast coffee, which can be dispensed without being exposed to atmospheric conditions. The device has a scoop-like outlet at its base for dispensing the goods from the container which is normally sealed with a spring loaded manually operable flap.

A valve is provided at the top of the container for supplying an inert gas under pressure after air has been evacuated from the container. The action of closing of the flap after dispensing the coffee triggers the evacuation of air from the container and refilling with the inert gas.

US-B-6,883,686 describes a storage and dispensing system which stores a dispensable product under atmospherically modified conditions. The system is suitable for use with roasted whole-bean coffee and includes a handle which operates a gateway to enable the dispensing of the product. When the gateway is in the closed position a pressure switch notes the lack of vacuum or inert gas and triggers a vacuum pump to recreate a vacuum within the enclosure or to pump inert gas therein.

Whilst these systems help preserve food products such as coffee beans, separate operations are required to dispense the beans from their storage areas and to transfer them to the grinding machine.

US-B-5,241,898 illustrates one way of trying to reduce this problem by incorporating a very large hopper holding a large supply of coffee beans. A measured portion of coffee beans is fed to the grinding machine which subsequently dispenses the ground coffee to a brew basket for brewing.

This avoids the need for repeatedly opening and sealing the container in which the beans are stored and transferring the contents to the grinding machine. However, this type of set up is intended for commercial establishments and is not practical for most domestic consumers of coffee.

Furthermore, whilst the hopper may be able to protect the beans from some exposure to the atmosphere, it is not sealed to prevent air from entering, so some deterioration of the beans will necessarily occur.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a grinding machine for food products, such as coffee beans, to which a storage container can be attached so that the product is dispensed straight into the grinding machine which has means for generating a protective gaseous atmosphere within the storage container.

According to the invention there is provided a grinding machine for grinding at least one food product comprising means for grinding the food product; a dosing device operable to enable a controlled quantity of the food product to pass into the grinding means; means for securing an outlet of a food product storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine adjacent to the dosing device; a gas dispensing cartridge operable to dispense a protective gas into the storage container.

The invention therefore advantageously keeps the product under a protective gas atmosphere which prevents oxidation and degradation thereof. Reflushing the container with the gas each time the grinding machine is used continuously keeps the product fresh until the container is empty.

The ability to directly attach a container pre-filled with the food product to the grinding machine means that no filling or refilling operation is required and there is no need to handle the product.

The invention also has the further advantage in that the food product, and any labelling on the container, are permanently on display which provides additional advertisement for the product manufacturer. Means for viewing the contents of the container means that it easy for the consumer to see when a new purchase needs to be made.

The grinding machine of the present invention is intended for use with any food products which require grinding in small doses and storage between grinding operations in a manner to prevent deterioration in quality due to exposure to the atmosphere. It is particularly suitable for coffee beans, spices, nuts and the like.

The grinding machine preferably comprises a housing in which the grinding chamber, dosing device and gas dispensing cartridge are located and the housing is preferably formed from a gas impermeable material.

The means for securing the outlet of the storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine preferably comprises interlock means for engagement with complementary interlock means on a storage container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the means for securing an outlet of a food product storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine include a gas lock and the gas lock is preferably operable to function as the dosing device.

Preferably control means are provided for controlling the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge and preferably also the operation of the gas lock.

The control means is preferably programmed to control the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge in a predetermined sequence.

A storage container for storing the food product preferably comprises an outlet provided with complementary means for securing it in sealing engagement with the grinding machine.

The storage container is preferably made from a gas impermeable material and the base of the said storage container preferably incorporates a one way outlet valve.

Preferably the storage container comprises a plurality of compartments for storing different food products and a selection means for selecting at least one of the compartments to release food product from into the grinding machine.

The invention further comprises a beverage preparation machine comprising the grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and means for passing ground food product from the grinding machine into a brewing chamber, passing liquid into the brewing chamber to prepare a beverage and means for dispensing the beverage.

The invention also comprises a method of grinding at least one food product comprising storing at least one food product in a storage container attached to a grinding machine, dispensing a controlled quantity of the food product into a grinding device, flushing the storage container with a protective gas which displaces atmospheric oxygen which enters the storage container when it is opened and each time the food product is dispensed into the grinding device.

The flushing process may be activated manually and it may be activated when the storage container is attached to the grinding machine.

Preferably the storage container is flushed automatically after each grinding operation or alternatively it is flushed automatically during the grinding operation.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a grinding machine of the present invention with a storage container attached; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a storage container suitable for use with the grinding machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of a grinding machine of Fig. 2 showing a section of the joint between the storage container and the grinding machine; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional front elevation of the grinding machine and storage container of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of the grinding machine 10 of the present invention is illustrated which comprises an outer housing 11 preferably made of plastic or metal. A control panel 12 is mounted on, or set into, the outer housing 11 which activates the control means which control the operation of the various elements of the grinding machine 10. The control panel 12 has control switches or buttons for activating the various operable elements of the grinding machine 10 individually or in a predetermined sequence. The control panel 12 may also include a display for operational information relating to the status and/or operation of the grinding machine 10.

The shape of the housing 11 may be cylindrical, as illustrated, or any other suitable shape. However, it preferably has a flat base or stand which supports the grinding machine 10.

The grinding machine 10 of the present invention is designed to have a storage container 25 containing the product to be ground attached thereto and to support it in sealing engagement. The container 25 preferably has the appearance of a standard domestic jar similar to the type commonly used to sell coffee and the like, with a narrowed neck section 26.

At the top of the housing 11 is an aperture 14 into which the neck 26 of the storage container 25 can conveniently be inserted and locked in position. The aperture 14 is preferably located in a narrowed section of the housing 11 forming a cylindrical neck 13. At least a section of the inner surface of the aperture 14 is provided with interlock means, preferably an internal screw thread 28 (see Fig. 3) which can engage with a complementary external screw thread 27 on the neck 26 of the storage container 25 Located inside the housing aperture 14 on an internally projecting shoulder or flange 33 at the end of the thread 28 is a sealing washer 32, behind which is located a gas lock 18a. The gas lock 18a and sealing washer 32 seal the contents of the container 25 once it has been attached to the grinding machine 10.

Alternative means to the screw threads 27,28 may also be used to secure the container 25 to the grinding machine 10, although the screw thread is particularly convenient as this allows the container 25 to be provided with a removable screw cap 29 or which seals the container 25 prior to attachment to the grinding machine 10.

Located within the housing 11 is a grinding chamber 15 (see Fig. 4) within which is located a grinding mechanism 16, which may be a blade or burr or other suitable mechanism. The grinding chamber 15 has an inlet aperture 17, preferably also formed in a narrowed neck section, which is located in or adjacent the housing aperture 14.

A dosing device 18b is also located in the housing 11 adjacent the gas lock iSa such that it normally closes off the housing aperture 14, and preferably also the grinding chamber aperture 17. The dosing device 18b is connected to the control means and it's operation controlled thereby.

In one embodiment of the invention the gas lock 18a and dosing device 18b are combined in a single device, such as a rotary valve, which has the dual function of sealing the container 25 and enabling the correct amount of food product to be dispensed into the grinding chamber 17.

Mounted within the housing 11 is a gas canister or cartridge 19 which contains a suitable protective gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The gas cartridge 19 has an electronically controlled valve 21 (operated by the control means) with an outlet 20. Tubing 22 extends from the valve outlet 20 to an inlet 23 in the gas lock iSa to enable gas to be dispensed into the container 25. The gas lock iSa preferably also incorporates a valve, such as a magnetic or servo driven valve, which is simultaneously controlled by the valve 21 on the gas cartridge 19. The cartridge 19 may be an aerosol spray, or another suitable device for storing and releasing gas. The cartridge 19 is preferably removably mounted within the housing 11, to enable it to be refilled or replaced when empty.

The container 25 is made from a gas impermeable material, preferably glass or plastic. It may also be of an opaque material to prevent light penetration if the contents are affected by exposure to light or it may be transparent or translucent to enable the contents to be visible.

Alternatively it may be opaque with a small clear viewing strip 24 to enable the user to see how full the container 25 is. The base 30 of the container 25 is provided with a one-way valve outlet 31.

In use, the screw cap 29 (or other cover) is removed from the container 25, the grinding machine 10 inverted (see Figure 3) and screwed onto (or otherwise attached to) the container 25 until the seal 32 makes a sealing contact with the container neck 13.

When the grinding machine 10 is re-inverted and placed on its base in an upright position, the product in the -10 -container 25 falls down through the container neck 13 towards the aperture 14 until it is stopped by the closed dosing device 18.

When a new container 25 is first attached to the grinding machine 10, it needs to be flushed to re-establish the protective atmosphere created in the packing plant, which is destroyed by the opening of the container 25. This may be done manually, by means of a suitable control button on the control panel 12 which activates the gas cartridge valve 21 and gas lock 18a (but not the dosing device 18b or grinding device 19) to release gas into the container 25.

Alternatively a switch may be located in the grinding machine neck 13, which is activated as the jar is attached, to automatically activate the gas cartridge 19 to flush the container 25 through with the gas to re-establish the protective atmosphere.

When a dose of the ground food product is desired, the appropriate control button on the control panel 12 is pushed which deactivates the gas lock 18a and activates the dosing device 18b to allow a controlled dose of the product to pass into the grinding chamber 15 and through the simultaneously operated grinding device 16. In one embodiment of the invention, when the grinding operation ceases, the valve 21 on the gas cartridge 19 is automatically activated by the controller to inject gas into the container 25. This flushing re-creates the protective atmosphere within the container 25 which has been compromised by the grinding operation. The controller preferably determines the appropriate quantity of gas to release to compensate for the change in head space following the dispensing of the product by the dosing device 18.

-11 -The grinding operation may be set to last as long as the relevant control button is pressed, or it may be a fixed length operation each time the button is pressed. The controller may also be programmed to operate the valve 21 and gas lock 18a so that the gas flushing occurs during the grinding operation, rather than after the grinding has finished.

The one-way valve outlet 31 is a safety feature which prevents a build-up of pressure within the container 25 by allowing air and excessive gas to escape. Each time the grinding machine is used the protective atmosphere, which has been compromised as the product passes into the grinding machine 10, is recreated.

The housing 11 is provided with access means, such as a small drawer 34, to enable the ground food product to be removed from the chamber 15. A seal may also be provided between the grinding device 16 and the access means.

In another embodiment of the invention the container 25 is divided into two or more separate compartments, each accessible via a section of the neck 13. This enables different products to be stored, such as different types of coffee beans. A selection mechanism can be used to select which compartment to release the product from. This may be by rotating the container to align the relevant section of the neck 13 with an aperture in the dosing mechanism 18 or by a rotating aperture in the dosing mechanism 18 to align with the relevant section of the neck 13.

-12 -The selection mechanism may also be designed to enable different products to be dispensed simultaneously, for example to enable different types of coffee beans to be blended.

The grinding machine described above may be attached to means for preparing a beverage, such as coffee, to form a beverage preparation machine which takes the unground product through to the dispensed beverage. Such a machine would have means for transferring the ground food product from the grinding chamber 15 to a brewing chamber of the beverage preparation means. The beverage preparation means further comprises means for feeding a liquid, such as hot water in the case of coffee, to the brewing chamber and means for dispensing the prepared beverage.

Claims

-13 -CLAIMS1. A grinding machine for grinding at least one food product comprising means for grinding the food product; a dosing device operable to enable a controlled quantity of the food product to pass into the grinding means; means for securing an outlet of a food product storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine adjacent the dosing device; a gas dispensing cartridge operable to dispense a protective gas into the storage container.
2. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the grinding machine comprises a housing in which the grinding chamber, dosing device and gas dispensing cartridge are located.
3. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the housing is formed from a gas impermeable material.
4. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the means for securing the outlet of the storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine comprises interlock means for engagement with complementary interlock means on a storage container.
5. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the means for securing an outlet of a food product storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine include a gas lock.
6. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 6 in which the gas lock is operable to function as the dosing device.

-14 -
7. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising control means for controlling the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge.
8. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 7 as dependant on claims 5 or claim 6 in which the control means controls the operation of the gas lock.
9. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the control means is programmed to control the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge in a predetermined sequence.
10. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a storage container for storing the food product.
11. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 10 in which said storage container comprises an outlet provided with complementary means for securing it in sealing engagement with the grinding machine.
12. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 in which said storage container is made from a gas impermeable material.
13. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 in which a base of the said storage container incorporates a one way outlet valve.
14. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the storage container comprises a plurality -15 -of compartments for storing different food products and a selection means for selecting at least one of the compartments to release food product from into the grinding machine.
15. A beverage preparation machine comprising the grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and means for passing ground food product from the grinding machine into a brewing chamber, passing liquid into the io brewing chamber to prepare a beverage and means for dispensing the beverage.
16. A method of grinding at least one food product comprising storing at least one food product in a storage container attached to a grinding machine, dispensing a controlled quantity of the food product into a grinding device, flushing the storage container with a protective gas which displaces atmospheric oxygen which enters the storage container when it is opened and each time the food product is dispensed into the grinding device.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which the flushing process is activated manually.
18. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which the flushing process is activated when the storage container is attached to the grinding machine.
19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 in which the storage container is flushed automatically after each grinding operation. -16
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 in which the storage container is flushed automatically during the grinding operation.
21. A grinding machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
22. A beverage dispensing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
23. A grinding process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMS1. A grinding machine for grinding at least one food product, said grinding machine comprising grinding means for grinding the food product; a dosing device operable to enable a controlled quantity of the food product to pass into the grinding means; securing means for securing an outlet of a food product storage container in sealing engagement with the grinding machine adjacent the dosing device; and a gas dispensing cartridge operable to dispense a protective gas into the storage container.2. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the grinding machine comprises a housing in which a grinding chamber, the dosing device and the gas dispensing cartridge are located.3. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the housing is formed from a gas impermeable material.4. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the securing means comprises interlock means for engagement with complementary interlock means on a storage container.I.....* 5. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the *** * preceding claims in which the securing means include a gas **** lock. * * * ** * **�*** 30 6. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 6 in which the gas lock is operable to function as the dosing device.7. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising control means for controlling the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge.8. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 7 as dependant on claims 5 or claim 6 in which the control means controls the operation of the gas lock.9. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the control means is programmed to control the operation of the dosing device, the grinding means and the gas dispensing cartridge in a predetermined sequence.10. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a storage container for storing the food product.11. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 10 in which said storage container comprises an outlet provided with complementary securing means for securing it in sealing engagement with the grinding machine. * .. * .12. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 in which said storage container is made from a gas *.S*.* * impermeable material. **:::: 13. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 in which a base of the said storage container S.....* 30 incorporates a one way outlet valve.14. A grinding machine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the storage container comprises a plurality of compartments for storing different food products and a selection means for selecting at least one of the compartments to release food product from into the grinding machine.15. A beverage preparation machine comprising the grinding machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and passing means for passing ground food product from the grinding machine into a brewing chamber, passing means for passing liquid into the brewing chamber to prepare a beverage and dispensing means for dispensing the beverage.16. A method of grinding at least one food product comprising storing at least one food product in a storage container attached to a grinding machine, dispensing a controlled quantity of the food product into a grinding device, flushing the storage container with a protective gas which displaces atmospheric oxygen which enters the storage container when it is opened and each time the food product is dispensed into the grinding device.17. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which the flushing ".* process is activated manually. * *18. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which the flushing * process is activated when the storage container is attached *.* to the grinding machine. **.* * * ** 19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 in * 30 which the storage container is flushed automatically after each grinding operation.20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 in which the storage container is flushed automatically during the grinding operation.21. A grinding machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.22. A beverage dispensing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.23. A grinding process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.