Patent ID: 8679561
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A23F,A23N,A47J

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a roaster for coffee beans or other beans or grains, of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber, with the outlet of the cyclone separator being connected by ducting to the coffee bean roasting chamber for heating coffee beans therein and the roasting chamber having an outlet connected to an inlet of the cyclone separator, the cyclone separator heating tube having an incineration tube positioned above a heat source so that the process stream swirls around the outside of the incineration tube, and with a circulation fan or blower positioned in the process stream to move the process stream in a recirculating loop through the cyclone separator heating chamber and through the roasting chamber, comprising the steps of: recirculating the process stream with the heat source activated, for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature of the process stream to roast coffee beans in the roasting chamber, when the coffee beans have been roasted, leaving the coffee beans remaining in the roasting chamber for a time to allow cooling, opening an ambient air vent between the cyclone separator and the roasting chamber while at the same time substantially blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, thus causing ambient air to flow into and through the roasting chamber cooling the coffee beans and into the cyclone separator, then into the incineration tube, where the air carrying smoke from the roasting chamber and airborne particulate material is incinerated before being exhausted, whereby, following a roasting of coffee beans, the roasting chamber is purged of smoke and airborne particulate matter, the coffee beans are cooled below a temperature at which they give off smoke, and all smoke, pollutants and airborne particulate matter are incinerated, such that the roasting process produces almost no smoke outside the machine.