Patent ID: 6053093
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A23N

Abstract:
A device for roasting coffee beans in a highly controlled environment comprising a housing, including a main body and a top, said housing containing and supportinga coffee bean roasting basket for retaining the coffee beans during roasting,a chaff collector located beneath said roasting basket for collecting chaff produced during the process of roasting the coffee beans, said chaff collector being removable from said housing,a heater located proximate said roasting basket for the transfer of heat energy to said coffee beans during the roasting process, the operation of said heater being controlled by a microprocessor,conical heat shields to direct air flow, deflect heat and facilitate chaff collection,a fan for drawing air from outside of said housing through vents in said housing and for discharging said air through an exhaust filter located in a side wall of said housing,a stirring dasher for stirring said beans within said roasting basket during the coffee bean roasting process,a thermosensor immersed in the coffee beans contained within the roasting basket for detecting coffee bean temperature during the roasting process, anda microprocessor for receiving temperature readings from said thermosensor and elapsed time values during which the roasting process has been carried out for controlling parameters of the roasting process.