WO2023159263A1

WO2023159263A1 - An automatically adjusting grinder device and process for use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023159263A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/050109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam Carr
Original assignee: Highpresso Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-23
Filing date: 2023-02-20
Publication date: 2023-08-31

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for automatically adjusting a setting of a grinder, the device comprising a motor operable by means of wireless or wired connection to an electronic interface, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app or web- based modification model comprising on one or more variables measured during an extraction of a product through a ground particle mass produced by the grinder; a drive shaft connectedly engageable with the motor at a distal end and connectedly engageable with a screw at a proximal end, wherein the screw is releasably engageable with the grinder to adjust the setting of the grinder; wherein the setting of the grinder is automatically adjusted according to a calculated output from the modification model.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention: An Automatically Adjusting Grinder Device and Process for Use thereof.

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to grinders and in particularly to devices and processes to adjust grinder settings, primarily adapted to be used with coffee products.

Background

[0002] Beverages such as coffee are produced by extraction of liquid coffee through ground coffee beans, typically using hot water. In relation to espresso coffee, flavour is controlled primarily through modification of the grind setting of the coffee beans to coffee grounds. This change in grind setting adjusts the surface area of the grind and the bulk density of the coffee puck pre-extraction. Typically, the process for finding the optimum extraction involves grinding a dose of coffee into a portafilter using a grinder, tamping the “puck” of coffee grounds, and inserting the portafilter into the coffee machine group head. Extraction of the coffee liqueur is engaged through interaction with the coffee machine. The time and dose of water is to extract the coffee is typically controlled to a target recipe involving parameters of the extracted coffee.

[0003] The manual dial-in process to manage quality control of the coffee extract is laborious, and prone to significant over- or under-extraction. This results in poor coffee flavour. Moreover, in commercial application, across the course of any given day, creep in the grind performance can be significant. This is particularly true during a busy morning shift, where grinder variations can result in more than 50% recipe variation within 3 hours. For commercial applications, this can be detrimental to service quality, particularly as this change often occurs during the busiest service times. Re-correcting the grinder setting during periods of high coffee output is nearly impossible, or at least, rarely practiced. This can result in poor reception of coffee quality from the cafe, resulting in the loss of return customers.

[0004] For home coffee users, achieving a cafe-like flavour can be extremely difficult. Most users are not aware recipes exist, far less how to change the extraction to achieve a coffee taste similar to their favourite cafe. While day-to-day variation may not be as much of an issue for these users, the opportunity remains to enable home users to get the ideal coffee experience without having to touch the most complicated part of the coffee making process. For both home and commercial users, the ‘dial-in’ coffee extraction process of-ten results in significant wastage of fresh coffee. For trained professionals, often between 75grams (4 espresso equivalents) and 150 grams (8 espresso equivalents) of coffee are used before service resumes per coffee per day. As most cafes use between two and four blends, which all require daily calibration, this can result in significant and expensive waste. Typically, between 1 and 3kg of coffee can be sent to landfill as waste each day. Similarly for home users, often up to a whole bag of coffee can be used to optimise the extraction for flavour before a coffee is used, which is a waste of coffee, time and money.

[0005] Published US patent application 2021219782 discloses a coffee grinder configured to allow a user to easily determine and adjust the grind produced. The coffee grinder includes a sensor operably connected to an adjustment shaft which allows for precise detection and manipulation of the position of the grinding elements. The invention of 2021219782 is used to predict grind setting based on grind targets such as grind size, coffee temperature, grind speed and, most importantly, the burr gap distance. In other words, this invention uses grinder settings only to predict grinder setting targets. The distance between the grinder blades and the changes herein are used to modify the grind setting for espresso, ristretto, latte etc. This is highlighted at paragraph [107] of US2021219782: “A technique for determining the grind settings for the previously discussed systems will now be described. As noted before, a number of variables are considered when determining the grind setting. For example, some of these factors impacting the grind setting include coffee type (i.e., a specific product from a roaster), shot type (expressed as a particular target ratio and time), dry coffee dose, coffee age (in days, calculated from a user-input roast date), portafilter basket diameter, and temperature as well as a user-specified offset, if so desired. Based on these factors, a grind setting, which for example can be expressed in microns of burr gap, can be provided for the particular coffee. In one form, these calculations be performed remotely by the server 408 and/or locally by the coffee grinder control system 400 (FIG. 4) ”. In other words, only specific coffee grinder input settings are considered in US2021219782.

[0006] Published US patent application US20070257142 discloses a process for grinding coffee beans to ensure that only the amount of coffee beans necessary to brew a desired amount of coffee are ground, and that the remaining beans are not ground, but rather saved for future use. That is, a method of predetermining a mass of coffee required to be ground for extraction is disclosed, primarily referring to a control system to limit the amount of coffee dosed. This invention is aimed at a standard dose target rather than focusing on any changes in the grind setting.

[0007] US Patent 9,066,621 discloses an espresso machine or a fully automatic coffee machine having a grinder and an infusion device comprising an infuser and an infusion chamber, which is characterized by a volume-determining portion designed to determine the ground volume of a defined quantity of coffee powder ground by means of the grinder, a mass-determining portion designed to determine the ground mass of this quantity of coffee powder, and a calculation portion with which, on the basis of a predefined correlation, which is stored preferably in the calculation portion itself, between the grain size distribution and/or the degree of grinding of ground coffee, on the one hand, and the mass and the volume or a variable derived from these two variables, in particular the density, of ground coffee, on the other hand, there can be calculated from the determined ground volume and from the determined ground mass, the grain size distribution and/or the degree of grinding of this quantity of coffee powder. Essentially, this patent discloses a method of controlling the input of coffee powder quality by changing the distance between the cutting surface (or burrs) on the grinder. Again, this patent, similar to US 20210219782, relates only to dry powder quality and uses a correlation to adjust burr gap distance on the grinder.

[0008] US Patent US10,743,705 discloses an infused beverage making apparatus that has an affixed or remotely disposed control interface and a processor. The processor receives inputs from the user control interface and measurements from a plurality of sensors and controls various infused beverage qualities according thereto. This patent method of controlling brew parameters based on sensor inputs. This invention pertains to changing water injection parameters to optimise an extraction, rather than modifying grind size.

[0009] Published US patent application US20080190297 discloses a coffee machine comprising (1) a coffee grinding device (9), a brewing device (5), a brewing water source (7) and a flowmeter (8), which for the user offers a simple setting of the extract content of a coffee beverage. Display device (16) is provided for displaying the flow rate acquired on the flowmeter (8). This patent application discloses a method of linking measured coffee flow settings on a flowmeter and linking the data back to modifying a grinder. However, this patent relates to the parameter flow rate only, and not target recipes (i.e., ultimate extraction variables, as used in a cafe/home setting). The grinder is modified manually, with no capacity for automatic adjustment. The invention does not account for roaster specific recommendations on flavour, but rather uses a universal target of a set flow rate.

[0010] Published German Patent Application DE3107549 discloses a beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee. This patent application discloses a method of controlling grind size based on infusion time. This invention links grind size and infusion time only to electro-mechanically/automatically modify the grind size for optimal in-fusion.

[0011] Granted European patent EP3424379 relates to an automatic coffee grinder that incorporates a system capable of dispensing a programmed weight of ground coffee. The invention is limited to adjusting the dry dose mass of coffee into a receptacle. [0012] Published US Patent application 20110283889 relates to a Breville™ grinder with dose control. This invention relates to changing between single and double doses for espresso ex-traction, and does not relate to control of grind size or dose based on grind changes.

[0013] Published European patent application EP2544571 describing Breville™ dose control for grinders. This enables users to toggle grind size and dose control electronically though an onboard GUI. While the dose and grind size can be controlled electronically by the user, the system relies on direct user input and is not automated. There is no predictive control relating to product extraction variables, only ground coffee dose variables.

[0014] PCT publication W02009010190 discloses a method for controlling a coffee machine grinder comprising one step of measuring the actual value of a physical quantity relating to the percolation process and one step of modifying the ground coffee grain size at least for the next percolation so that a possible detected deviation between the actual value and a reference value for the physical quantity is compensated. In this prior art, the grinder control uses the water pump flow rate to modify the grinder setting (the percolation rate). However, measuring the flow rate at the pump will not take into account how much water is extracted through or retained in the coffee grounds, nor the differing extraction amounts required for different coffee bean roasts. That is, the taste of an optimal finished coffee product is influenced by more factors than the water pump flow rate only, such as the degree of coffee bean roast, coffee origin, basket size, and dose mass of coffee, for example.

[0015] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. SUMMARY

Technical Problem

[0016] A major concern for a barista or home coffee maker may be the quality of the final extracted coffee product. An example recipe for a final extracted coffee product can be defined as:

A. Measure set dose of ground coffee into the portafilter, generally between 7 and 24 grams per dose for an espresso coffee;

B. Extract final coffee product through the dose mass of coffee grounds in a set amount of time, typically between 20 to 50 seconds for an espresso coffee;

C. Extract a final target coffee mass into the cup, typically between 20 to 60 grams for an espresso coffee);

[0017] If, in a target time, a higher mass of coffee is extracted, the grinder can be manually adjusted for a finer cut, i.e. with a smaller gap between burrs. If, in a target time, a lower mass of coffee is extracted, the grinder can be manually adjusted for a coarser cut i.e. with a larger gap between burrs. However, manual adjustment of a grinder is laborious, time consuming and only adjusts grinder cut size to correct the extracted coffee for closer conformation to the recipe targets. This process also repeatedly stops the coffee making process which is extremely inconvenient and can be very difficult in a busy cafe setting.

[0018] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device or process for automatically adjusting grinder settings based on a variety of input and output targets.

[0019] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device or process for automatically adjusting grinder settings using the quality settings of the final extracted product. [0020] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device or process for accurately and regularly automatically adjusting grinder settings in a busy, fast-paced environment.

[0021] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device or process for automatically adjusting grinder settings based on deviations from final extracted product recipe targets.

[0022] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device or process for automatically adjusting grinder settings based on target output metrics rather than time-averaged metrics.

[0023] It is an aim and objective of the present invention to provide a device for automatically adjusting grinder settings that is connectable and operable with a range of grinder machines.

[0024] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Technical Solution

[0025] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a device for automatically adjusting a setting of a grinder, the device comprising: a motor operable by means of wireless or wired connection to an electronic interface, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app, or web-based modification model comprising on one or more variables measured during an extraction of a product through a ground particle mass produced by the grinder; a drive shaft connectedly engageable with the motor at a distal end and connectedly engageable with a screw at a proximal end, wherein the screw is releasably engageable with the grinder to adjust the setting of the grinder; wherein the setting of the grinder is automatically adjusted according to a calculated output from the modification model. [0026] Preferably, the variables comprise one or more of extraction dose of ground particle mass, extraction time and extractant mass. The setting is preferably a grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

[0027] The modification model may be a regression calculated between the variables and the grind size of particles ground by the grinder such that the device may be used to automatically adjust the grind size of particles ground by the grinder. Preferably, the modification model can be used to generate a recipe for the product extracted through the ground particle mass, the recipe comprising a defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass.

[0028] Preferably, the grinder is a burr grinder and the distance between burrs in the burr grinder can be adjusted by the device to adjust the grind size of ground particles if a deviation from the amounts defined by the recipe for the product occurs, wherein the deviation from the recipe is defined as an error in the defined extractant mass based on a set defined extraction time or an error in the defined extraction time based on a set extractant mass, as calculated by the regression relationship between the variables.

[0029] The motor is preferably a servo motor that can be operated by the computer, app or web-based modification model to adjust a rotation of the screw thereby increasing or decreasing a distance between the burrs, the distance being calculated based on the error in the defined extractant mass or in the defined extraction time.

[0030] Preferably, the rotation of the screw connectedly moves a cog in the device, wherein the screw is releasably connected to a set of machined teeth on the cog, wherein the cog is releasably connected to an upper blade of the grinder. The cog preferably mates with a grinder casing using a threaded connection to raise or lower an upper blade of the grinder, wherein lowering the blade reduces the grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

[0031] The adjustment of the grind size of ground particles can be calculated according to the following general equations: X = (AEM-TEM) / TEM, wherein AEM is the actual mass of the extractant in grams and TEM is the target mass of the extractant in grams;

Y=A*X+B; wherein A and B are constants specific to a coffee grinder;

NGS=Y / CGS; wherein NGS is a new setting on the coffee grinder and CGS is a current setting on a coffee grinder.

[0032] The modification model may be calibrated for use with any grinder.

[0033] The electronic interface may be remotely connected by the motor via a WiFi™ or Bluetooth™ connection for remote control of the grinder, or wherein the electronic interface has a wired connection to the motor to control the grinder operation.

[0034] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a process for automatically adjusting a grind setting in a grinder; the process comprising: entering one or more variables into an electronic user interface, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app or web-based modification model comprising one or more variables used as parameters in a recipe of an extraction process through a ground particle mass produced by the grinder, the variables comprising at least one of a defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass; the particle mass is ground by the grinder for a specified time; a product is extracted through the ground particle mass; one or more of the variables are measured to determine a value of the variable/s in the process, wherein the one or more variables are measured manually through the electronic user interface or measured automatically through electronic communication with a weighing device; a deviation from a value of the one or more variables defined by the recipe is calculated by the modification model and a corrected grind setting is calculated using the modification model in order to modify the one or more variables to conform to a value set for the one or more variables in the recipe; the setting in the grinder is automatically adjusted using the device of the first aspect to the corrected grind setting; the current and corrected grind setting are logged and stored for review by an operator of the grinder.

[0035] Preferably, the variables measured in the process comprise the mass of product out, in grams, for a specified time of extraction, in seconds, or the time required, in seconds, in order to extract a specified mass of product, in grams.

[0036] The grinder setting that is adjusted is preferably a particle grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

[0037] Preferably, the adjustment of the grind size of ground particles can be calculated according to the following general equations:

X = (AEM-TEM) / TEM, wherein AEM is the actual mass of the extractant in grams and TEM is the target mass of the extractant in grams;

Y=A*X+B (A, B = constants specific to a coffee grinder);

[0038] Preferably, the ground particle mass produced by a timed operation of the grinder is modified according to the following equations: Change Dose Rate ratio(E) = C*S, wherein C is a constant specific to a specific coffee grinder, S is a current grind setting, and E is a new grind setting;

Dose Time Change(Z) = E*GT; wherein GT is a time taken in seconds to grind particles used to produce a current product;

New Grind Time (NGT)= Z + GT; wherein NGT is a corrected time in seconds that it will take to produce a subsequent product.

[0039] Preferably, the process is repeated to determine if the corrected grinder setting conforms the values of the defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass to values set in the recipe, and wherein about 1 to 5 seconds of ground particles are dosed through the grinder prior to changing the grind size setting to prevent damage to a grinder motor and one or more cutting surfaces on the grinder, and to clear a grind chamber of any incorrectly ground particulates.

[0040] A set of Bluetooth™ or Wifi™ or wired scales can be paired with the grinder to measure the extraction time and extractant weight.

[0041] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a coffee machine adapted to use the device of the first aspect or be used in the process of the second aspect to automatically adjust a coffee particle grind size according to a coffee shot recipe.

[0042] In the context of the present invention, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0043] In the present invention, a process of self-correcting a grinder is based on extraction variables, namely extraction time, extractant mass/volume out and dose mass of ground particles through which the extraction is to occur. The process of the present invention is designed to use real-time extraction data and then computes the correct grind setting required to fulfil the recipe specified by a user. The process may or may not require the use of a set of scales to facilitate ‘hands free’ input of data.

[0044] The regression model of the present invention to fit a set of parameters related to the final extractant product, instead of input parameters which are used in existing prior art documents. The process of the present invention relies on target extraction variables in in a novel regression analysis to automatically modify the setting of a grinder. The device of the present invention utilises a remote-control process connected to a movement control system (preferably, a servo motor) using a regression model that is calibrated specifically to the grinder to which the device is attached. The grinder can be used in conjunction with any extraction apparatus, such as an espresso machine, and has been found to achieve the desired extraction range (i.e. target mass in a specific time) within 2 iterations.

[0045] The device and the process of the present invention can be adapted for use with any grinder, and are particularly suited for grinding comestible products, such as coffee beans for example. The grinding device may also be adapted for use in other applications, particularly when extraction through the ground particles is necessary to produce the final product.

[0046] The invention is to be interpreted with reference to the at least one of the technical problems described or affiliated with the background art. The present aims to solve or ameliorate at least one of the technical problems and this may result in one or more advantageous effects as defined by this specification and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] Fig. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 attached to a coffee grinder in use.

[0049] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 attached to an existing coffee grinder shell on the left-hand side, and a top view of a WiFi™ chip, motor control and timer bypass connected to the motor of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 on the right-hand side.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a cutaway view of a typical grinder module on the left-hand side, and cutaway views showing the motor (top) and the motor control unit, Bluetooth™ connector and timer bypass (bottom) of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1, on the righthand side.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a front view of a graphical user interface (GUI) in the process of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a process hardware block diagram of the process of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0053] Fig. 7 is a process control diagram for a user operating the process of a preferred embodiment of the invention. [0054] Fig. 8 is a front view of a portafilter in the portafilter receptacle of a coffee making machine that can be used with a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a scatterplot comparing the results of mass out versus grinder setting used to validate the modification model used by a preferred embodiment of the device or process of the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a coffee cup placed on top of a set of Bluetooth™ -enabled automatic scales that can be used with a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0057] Fig. 11 is a front view of a graphical user interface (GUI) used in conjunction with Bluetooth™-enabled automatic scales in the process of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0058] Fig. 12 is a front view of a graphical user interface (GUI) used in conjunction with Bluetooth™-enabled automatic scales wherein the data can be manually entered or obtained from the scales.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and non-limiting examples.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 1, there is a device 1 for automatically adjusting a setting of a coffee grinder 2, wherein the device comprises a servo motor 3 operable by means of wireless or wired connection 4 to an electronic interface 5, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app, app or web-based modification model 6 comprising on one or more variables measured during an extraction of a product through a ground particle mass 7 produced by the grinder 2. The device 1 also comprises a drive shaft 8 connectedly engageable with the motor 3 at a distal end 9 and connectedly engageable with a screw 10 at a proximal end 11, wherein the screw 10 is releasably engageable with the grinder 2 to adjust the setting of the grinder 2.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 2, the coffee grinder 2 is a burr grinder 12 for espresso coffee. The distance between burrs 13 in the burr grinder 12 can be adjusted by the device 1 to adjust the grind size 14 of ground particles 7. A burr grinder 12 is made up of two burrs 13 in between which the coffee is ground. The coffee beans 14a are crushed between a moving grinder wheel and a non-moving surface. In the present invention, if a deviation from the amounts defined by the recipe for the final extracted coffee product occurs, the distance between the burrs 13 is automatically adjusted to adjust the grind size 14 of the ground coffee particles 7. As shown in the representation of an electronic interface screen in Fig. 5, the deviation from the recipe is defined as an error in the defined extractant mass 15 based on a defined extraction time 16 or an error in the defined extraction time 16 based on a set extractant mass 15, as calculated by the regression relationship between the variables.

[0062] A servo motor is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for precise control of angular or linear position, velocity, and acceleration¹. It consists of a suitable motor

coupled to a sensor for position feedback². Servomotors can be used in applications such as robotics, and automated manufacturing, and typically requires a dedicated module controller³. In the present invention, the servo motor 3 can be operated by the computer, app or web-based modification model 6 to adjust a rotation of the screw 10 thereby increasing or decreasing a distance between the burrs 13, the distance being calculated based on the error in the defined extractant mass 15 or in the defined extraction time 16.

[0063] The rotation of the screw 10 connectedly moves a cog 17 in the device 1, wherein the screw 10 is releasably connected to a set of machined teeth 18 on the cog 17, wherein the cog 17 is releasably connected to an upper blade 19 of the grinder 2. The cog 17 mates with a grinder casing 20 using a threaded connection 21 to raise or lower an upper blade 19 of the grinder 2, wherein lowering the blade 19 reduces the grind size 14 of particles ground by the grinder. The grind size setting 22 of the grinder 2 is automatically adjusted according to a calculated output from the modification model 6.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the servo motor 3 can be connected to a microcontroller 23 by a wireless (e.g. Bluetooth™) connection 24 or a wired connection 4. In this instance, the microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to collect the data for and process the modification model 6 to calculate and automatically adjust the grinder size setting 22. The grinder size setting 22 is determined by the distance between the two burrs 13. A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip⁴. They are essentially simple miniature personal computers (PCs) designed to control small features of a larger component, without a complex front-end operating system (OS)⁵. The use of the microcontroller in this invention controls the automatic adjustment of the grind size setting 22, and hence the automatic adjustment of the distance between the grinder burrs 13 according to the modification model 6.

² https://www.engineeringchoice.com/servo-motor/.

³ Ibid.

⁴ https://intemetoflhingsageida.techtarget.com/definition/miciocontroller

⁵ https://intemetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/inicrocontroner [0065] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device and the process of the present invention are used to produce ground coffee to extract espresso coffee shots. The flavour of espresso coffee can be controlled primarily through modification of the grind setting and, hence, the size of the ground coffee particles through which the final espresso shot is extracted.

[0066] The representation of an electronic interface screen in Fig. 5 and the process hardware block diagram of Fig. 6 describes the automated process by which a espresso coffee grinder, having a device of the present invention attached, can automatically adjust to more closely conform to the recipe targets of the extracted espresso product.

[0067] SELF-ADJUSTMENT PROCESS

[0068] The coffee grinder device operates according to the following process:

[0069] 1) A user interfaces with a computer, app, mobile app or web-based electronic interface 100 and selects either pre- filled coffee recipe (based on brand and blend) OR manually fills out the recipe based on roaster / cafe recommendations. The recipe will be a target DOSE of coffee grounds 101 in grams that extracts in a certain TIME 102 in seconds with a certain MASS OUT 103 of coffee extract in grams. A scanned image of the barcode/QR code/bag image may also be used to pre-fill recipe parameters on the web page/app 100 and pre-fill

[0070] 2) The user places the portafilter 104 in the portafilter receptacle 105, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0071] 3) The grinder doses a dose amount of coffee grounds 106 in grams to a certain time specification in seconds into the portafilter 104.

[0072] 4) The user tamps (packs down firmly) the coffee grounds 106 into the portafilter 104 as one would for any coffee machine. [0073] 5) The portafilter 104 is placed in the espresso machine 107.

[0074] 6) A set of Bluetooth™ or Wifi™ or wired set of scales 108 (that are paired with the grinder) are placed under the portafilter 104. Alternatively, if no scales are used, a measuring cup with graduated mL / oz scale can be used, with a separate timer being implemented. In this case, the user measures the espresso volume directly and cuts off the machine while timing the extraction. If this step is completed, step 8 is not required.

[0075] 7) A cup is placed on the scales.

[0076] 8) The scales are tared (either automatically or manually).

[0077] 9) The espresso machine 107 is then engaged to extract the coffee product.

[0078] 10) The user stops the flow of espresso on their machine 107 either at a specified time of extraction 109 OR once a certain amount of coffee has been extracted 110, as shown in Fig. 7. This can be achieved using a shot timer and weight, or using a selfstarting timed set of scales, commonly available at barista supply stores.

[0079] 11) As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the resulting extraction deviation 111 from the recipe target 112 is then fed into the modification model. This is done through the interactive app/web-based graphical user interface 100, manually, or automatically through communication with the set of scales. A new grind setting 113 is computed.

[0080] 12) As shown in Fig. 6, the new setting 113 is then used to modify the grinder automatically 114 via a servo or other electro-mechanical device to the new setting. The old and new setting are logged and stored for review by the user and/ or operator of the app/web interface.

[0081] The adjustment of the grind size of ground particles can be calculated by regression according to the following general equations: [0082] X = (AEM-TEM) / TEM, wherein AEM is the actual mass of the extractant in grams and TEM is the target mass of the extractant in grams;

[0083] Y=A*X+B (A, B = constants specific to a coffee grinder);

[0084] NGS=Y / CGS; wherein NGS is a new setting on the coffee grinder and CGS is a current setting.

[0085] 13) Grinder dose (i.e. timed operation of the grinder) is then also modified according to a separate model. The ground particle mass produced by a timed operation of the grinder is modified according to the following equations:

[0086] Change Dose Rate ratio(E) = C*S, wherein C is a constant specific to a specific coffee grinder, S is a current grind setting, and E is a new grind setting;

[0087] Dose Time Chang e(Z) = E*GT; wherein GT is a time taken in seconds to grind particles used to produce a current product;

[0088] New Grind Time (NGT)= Z + GT; wherein NGT is a corrected time in seconds that it will take to produce a subsequent product.

[0089] The old and new setting 115 and 116 are logged and stored for analysis by end user and/or operator of the app/web interface.

[0090] 14) As the grinder changes, either up or down, about 1 second of grinds are dosed to prevent damage to the servo and the blades. This also acts to clear the grind chamber 117 of any (now incorrectly ground) particulates, facilitating more accurate grind sizing.

15) The process is then repeated to step 2) ->10) if the coffee is outside of the appropriate extraction targets. One interaction is typically enough to get within 8% of the specified range. However, a brew within 5% of the target recipe is likely by the second shot. It has been measured that this 5% variation is not significant enough to provide distinguishable flavour quality differences from the target recipe (either over or under target), so the process is complete. However, the grinder will continue to optimise to get as close to the target as possible every time a coffee is extracted.

[0091] 16) In the commercial setting, as the grinder self-corrects every dose (within a tolerance), creep in recipe will be corrected before any major recipe deviation occurs, resulting in consistent espresso recipes across the course of coffee service every day.

[0092] B) EXAMPLES

[0093] The model and the process has been verified for 4 commercial and 2 home grinders. The commercial grinders are listed below:

[0094] I. ANFIM/Malkonig grinders

[0095] II. Mazzer

[0096] III. Victoria Arduino

[0097] IV. Rancilio

[0098] A prototype unit has been installed in a domestic machine via a unique motherboard and control system that uses a web interface with the modification model installed to drive a servo motor, which corrects the grind size based on recipe targets, As shown in Figure 9, over 300 extractions of data have been used to validate that the model provides the intended outcomes, and can be used reliably. Specifically, Fig. 9 displays the scatter of results of “mass out” settings of a grinder operated with a device of the present invention versus grinder size setting as generated by the modification model of the present invention. These results were generated by experiments on extraction variable target values used with the modification model. It is clear from Fig. 9 that the results were reproducible and could be adjusted within two dumps of coffee post-extraction [0099] As shown in Fig. 6, a hardware setup for ‘hands free’ operation of the process has been developed for automatic adjustment of the grinder settings via an electronic interface with connection to a microcontroller with the modification model embedded. As this process aims at reducing operational complexity, removing the requirement for user manual intervention is the target (while still maintaining a degree of manual intervention if necessary). To accomplish a hands-free interaction, a method of removing user interaction with the grinder necessitates the use of a set of timer-based scales.

[00100] As shown in Fig. 10, automatic modifications of the grinder can be made using a set of electronic scales to input the data. In a preferred embodiment, a set of Bluetooth™-enabled scales 201 can be placed under the extraction group-head 202. The Bluetooth™-enabled scales 201 comprises embedded software/hardware that automatically detects when extract from an espresso extraction commences and terminates. This is achieved automatically by reading and calculating the rate of mass change on the scales 201 over time. The scale code sends data relating to the total mass extracted and the time taken to extract the total mass to software in a computing device (via Bluetooth™) for computation in an algorithm

[00101] In preferred embodiments, a cup 203 can then be set on a top surface 204 of the scales 201. The scales 201 are then ‘tared’ (mass is set to zero through a tare button 205). The extraction button/lever is actuated on the espresso machine (not shown) and extract 206 flows from the group-head 202. As the extract 206 drops from the group-head 202 to the scales 201, the scales 201 detect the change in mass at a certain tolerance. Mass of the extract 206 is then recorded over time. As the extraction is completed and flow of the extract 206 is shut off, the scales 201 detect a change in mass of the extract 206 over time. Above a certain criterion, the scales continue to record the mass of the extract 206. At the start of extraction, the range over which the scales detect a change in mass is about 0.1 grams per second (g/s) to 1 gram per second (g/s). At the termination of extraction, the threshold value is from 0.05 grams per second to 0.6 grams per second. Once below the recording threshold, (about 0.2 grams per second) a reading of the change in extract mass over time is sent to the computer algorithm. Once the extraction is completed, the data is recorded as a final mass in grams and final time in seconds. The recorded data is then imported into the computer algorithm. The computer algorithm calculates the change in coffee grind size and coffee dose according to the equations previously disclosed. The grinder program then automatically changes the grinder setting based on the outputs of the computation algorithm.

[00102] As shown in Fig. 11, modifications are made to the input/output graphical user interface (GUI) based on the change in grinder setting. Fig. 11 shows the transition of recipe targets based on a dropdown menu of coffee roasters on a database. Users progress from the default screen with a blank recipe box (a). When the dropdown is selected (or a barcode of the recipes/QR code) is read, the coffee is selected (b). The recipe is then loaded based on the roaster recommended recipe (available online) into the Highpresso database (c). This new grinder setting is then used as the new target for the algorithm.

[00103] The graphical user interface (GUI) shown in Fig. 11 includes recipes from a database of roasters, not limited to those shown in Fig. 11. Recipe targets are selfpopulated by the identified blend as shown in box (b) in Fig. 11. Once selected, the GUI presents with an updated shot input screen the data can be automatically updated from the Bluetooth™ enabled scales, as indicated in Figure 11.

[00104] As shown in Fig. 12, once the change in extract mass over time has been read from the Bluetooth™-enabled scales 201, the calculate button 207 can be selected, which can either be automatic or user-executed. The new grinder setting is then calculated and automatically used to adjust the distance between the two burrs in the grinder to thereby adjust the grind size of the coffee particles as calculated by the selected receipe.

[00105] The present invention provides a unique method of treating extraction variables such as mass of extractant out and extraction time to predict the correct grind setting in any grinder, using any espresso machine. The unique process integrates recipes from coffee roasters and producers that optimises the flavour of extraction by modifying grind size. Further, the process uses extraction variables and recipes to directly control a grind set-ting without user intervention. The device and process is machine independent (i.e. can be used in any coffee or espresso machine). The device and modification model, once calibrated, is grinder independent (i.e. this method and process can be used with any grinder. Any grinder can be optimised through this process from any manufacturer. The bolt-on device of the present invention is better suited to certain models of grinders, but can be modified to suit any commercial or domestic machine currently on the market. Multiple models of grinders from the following manufacturers have been tested to date:

[00106] I. ANFIM/Malkonig grinders

[00107] II. Mazzer

[00108] III. Victoria Arduino

[00109] IV. Rancilio

[00110] Using the device and process of the present invention, it has been found that that between one and three espresso equivalents are needed to get the ideal flavour, which at worst case is only 65 grams of coffee. Once calibrated to the device, the grinder will self-correct to remove the daily set-up waste - saving hundreds of kilos of coffee ground waste in commercial coffee making setting across a given year. The invention described herein addresses the problem of coffee ground wastage by removing user interaction from grinder correction. Once properly implemented, as described herein, precise recipes can be achieved on any coffee or espresso machine, without the user needing to touch the grinder (though manual intervention is still possible based on the design if required).

[00111] The device and process of the present invention correlates coffee recipe targets and measured extraction variables to modify grind setting, which has not existed previously. The device, modification model and process are grinder and machine agnostic. That is, the same process and system can be used on any grinder on any machine (mechanics etc. need to be modified to suit) [00112] Advantageously, the device and process of the present invention can be used on a number of different models such that the gravimetric automated grinder adjustments obtained can be used as a means of calibrating grinders centrally. That is, the adjustments can be directly incorporated into a manufacturing operation for new grinders of the same model. Further, the calibration setting can be remotely pushed to in-field grinders.

[00113] For example, a grinder can be manufactured with electronic adjustment mechanism, that is also connected to a specific settings “app” via WiFi™. A ‘master’ unit is used at the R&D facility / manufacturing location to calibrate recipes and coffees, with the parameters then sent to the grinders ‘in the field’. That is, purchased by customer/roaster/etc. In this way, the automatic adjustment parameters can be updated over time as new information is received, either centrally or from customers. Further, grinders can be manufactured without scales, for example, but recipes are pushed through to “in-field” grinders electronically that do not have the scales inbuilt. The grinder parameters would alter grind time and grind size targets remotely.

[00114] The present invention is advantageous over existing grinder setting adjustment processes differs in that it is linked to coffee/espresso extraction variables directly, rather than on grinder input settings. The present invention does away with the requirements to measure anything on the grinder directly (besides current grind setting), as the extraction optimisation process is self-correcting. In other words, variations in realtime extraction are used to take into account grinder input variables such as grind time, burr speed, espresso machine pressure, temperature, restrictor controls, flowmeter controls, etc. The present invention is based on only three key extraction variables, namely, coffee grounds dose mass, extraction time and extractant mass out. The nature of the automatic adjustment of the present process and device doesn’t require knowledge of the distance between the burrs in the grinder, either current or corrected.

[00115] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broad principles and the spirit of the invention described herein.

[00116] The present invention and the described preferred embodiments specifically include at least one feature that is industrial applicable.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for automatically adjusting a setting of a grinder, the device comprising: a motor operable by means of wireless or wired connection to an electronic interface, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app or web-based modification model comprising on one or more variables measured during an extraction of a product through a ground particle mass produced by the grinder; a drive shaft connectedly engageable with the motor at a distal end and connectedly engageable with a screw at a proximal end, wherein the screw is releasably engageable with the grinder to adjust the setting of the grinder; wherein the setting of the grinder is automatically adjusted according to a calculated output from the modification model.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the variables comprise one or more of extraction dose of ground particle mass, extraction time and extractant mass.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the setting is a grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

4. The device of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the modification model is a regression calculated between the extraction variables and the grind size of particles ground by the grinder such that the device may be used to automatically adjust the grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the modification model can be used to generate a recipe for the product extracted through the ground particle mass, the recipe comprising a defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the grinder is a burr grinder and the distance between burrs in the burr grinder can be adjusted by the device to adjust the grind size of ground particles if a deviation from the amounts defined by the recipe for the product occurs, wherein the deviation from the recipe is defined as an error in the defined extractant mass based on a set defined extraction time or an error in the defined extraction time based on a set extractant mass, as calculated by the regression relationship between the variables.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the motor is a servo motor that can be operated by the computer, app or web-based modification model to adjust a rotation of the screw thereby increasing or decreasing a distance between the burrs, the distance being calculated based on the error in the defined extractant mass or in the defined extraction time.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the rotation of the screw connectedly moves a cog in the device, wherein the screw is releasably connected to a set of machined teeth on the cog, wherein the cog is releasably connected to an upper blade of the grinder.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the cog mates with a grinder casing using a threaded connection to raise or lower an upper blade of the grinder, wherein lowering the blade reduces the grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

10. The device of any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the adjustment of the grind size of ground particles can be calculated according to the following general equations:

Y=A*X+B; wherein A and B are constants specific to a coffee grinder;

11. The device of any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the modification model may be calibrated for use with any grinder.

12. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the electronic interface is remotely connected by the motor via a WiFi™ or Bluetooth™ connection for remote control of the grinder, or wherein the electronic interface has a wired connection to the motor to control the grinder operation.

13. A process for automatically adjusting a grind setting in a grinder; the process comprising: entering one or more variables into an electronic user interface, wherein the electronic interface comprises a computer, app or web-based modification model comprising one or more variables used as parameters in a recipe of an extraction process through a ground particle mass produced by the grinder, the variables comprising at least one of a defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass; the particle mass is ground by the grinder for a specified time; a product is extracted through the ground particle mass; one or more of the variables are measured to determine a value of the variable/s in the process, wherein the one or more variables are measured manually through the electronic user interface or measured automatically through electronic communication with a weighing device; a deviation from a value of the one or more variables defined by the recipe is calculated by the modification model and a corrected grind setting is calculated using the modification model in order to modify the one or more variables to conform to a value set for the one or more variables in the recipe; the setting in the grinder is automatically adjusted using the device of claim 1 to the corrected grind setting; the current and corrected grind setting are logged and stored for review by an operator of the grinder.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein the variables measured in the process comprise the mass of product out, in grams, for a specified time of extraction, in seconds, or the time required, in seconds, in order to extract a specified mass of product, in grams.

15. The process of any one of claims 13 to 14 wherein the grinder setting that is adj usted is a particle grind size of particles ground by the grinder.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein the adjustment of the grind size of ground particles can be calculated according to the following general equations:

Y=A*X+B (A, B = constants specific to a coffee grinder);

17. The process of claim 16 wherein the ground particle mass produced by a timed operation of the grinder is modified according to the following equations:

Change Dose Rate ratio(E) = C*S, wherein C is a constant specific to a specific coffee grinder, S is a current grind setting, and E is a new grind setting; Dose Time Change(Z) = E*GT; wherein GT is a time taken in seconds to grind particles used to produce a current product;

18. A process of any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the process is repeated to determine if the corrected grinder setting conforms the values of the defined amount of ground particle mass, a defined extraction time, and a defined extractant mass to values set in the recipe, and wherein about 1 to 5 seconds of ground particles are dosed through the grinder prior to changing the grind size setting to prevent damage to a grinder motor and one or more cutting surfaces on the grinder, and to clear a grind chamber of any incorrectly ground particulates.

19. A process of any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein a set of Bluetooth™ or Wifi™ or wired scales can be paired with the grinder to measure the extraction time and extractant weight.

20. A coffee machine adapted to use the device of any one of claims 1 to 11 or be used in the process of any one of claims 13 to 19 to automatically adjust a coffee particle grind size according to a coffee shot recipe.