Abstract:
A coffee blending and dispensing apparatus whereby coffee purchasers can automatically customize a desired blend of two or more different types of coffee beans that weighs and packages the blended coffee in containers either as ground coffee blend or as a whole coffee bean blend. The blending and dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of coffee bins, each containing a predetermined type of coffee bean supported over a scale. Each coffee bin includes a controlled discharge for directing selected predetermined amount of coffee beans contained therein to the scale for weighing. Upon weighing, the selected blend of coffee beans are conveyed to a bagging station, where blended coffee beans may be finally packaged either in a ground form or a whole bean form. A computer and an associated printer are operatively connected to the coffee blending and dispensing apparatus whereby a customer can readily input the type and amount of the different selected coffees to formulate a desired blend and whereby the computer is programmed to sequence the operation of the apparatus to automatically effect the custom blending of the coffee to a customer&#39;s personal or individual taste or desire.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a coffee blending and dispensing apparatus and more specifically to a computer controlled coffee blending and dispensing apparatus whereby the individual customer may personally customize a coffee blend to his or her individual desire. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For a long time, coffee has been a beverage enjoyed by many people worldwide, and the popularity of which is steadily increasing. Coffee is grown in many different countries. Because of the various climatic conditions under which such coffees are grown, each such coffee region produces coffee beans that have its own characteristic taste, smell and/or flavor. Such coffees, over time, have been combined and blended by the major coffee manufacturers and/or distributors in an effort to achieve a coffee flavor or taste acceptable to the mass market. In view of the increasing popularity of coffee, many gourmet type coffee houses have come into existence. The increasing popularity of such gourmet coffee houses has created a demand whereby coffee drinkers have developed a desire to customize their own individual special blends at the point of purchase. 
     Therefore, efforts have been made to develop coffee bean dispensing machines to meet this individual customizing demand. Such known efforts are disclosed in several of my prior patents, viz. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,603,458; 5,632,449; and 5,690,283. This invention constitutes a further improvement and/or advance in customized coffee blending machines of the kind disclosed in the foregoing noted U.S. patents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a coffee blender apparatus arranged and constructed to facilitate the loading of the coffee bins and the dispensing and weighing of the respective different types of coffee selected by a particular user to formulate the desired blend. 
     Another object is to provide a coffee blender apparatus with a timer and/or sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a container or bag at the loading or bagging station. 
     Another object is to provide a novel coffee blender apparatus that is relatively simple and positive in operation. 
     The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a coffee blender apparatus that includes a base or stand for supporting thereon a plurality of coffee bins, each bin containing a supply of a different type of coffee bean. In the illustrated embodiment, the respective coffee bins are circumferentially disposed on the base or stand. Mounted above the coffee bins is a distribution housing on which a source of negative pressure, e.g. a vacuum pump or motor, is supported. Below the coffee bins there is provided a scale to weigh the coffee beans that are selectively discharged from the respective coffee bins to form the desired mix or blend of the coffee beans. Each of the respective coffee bins is provided with a controlled outlet and a connected chute or discharge conduit for directing the coffee beans being discharged to the scale to be weighed. 
     A suction or distributor tube or conduit extends from the vacuum source to near the bottom of the scale. Connected to the distribution housing and distributor conduit are a plurality of branch conduits and an appropriate valving means for selectively connecting the suction distributor conduit to each of the respective branch conduits and associated coffee bins. A branch conduit also interconnects the distribution conduit to a receiving chamber to which the blended or mixed coffee beans are directed prior to bagging. 
     Operatively connected to the receiving chamber is an associated grinder and a coffee bean chute for directing either ground coffee or the whole coffee bean to a bagging station where the blended coffee is bagged. The arrangement is such that the customer may selectively grind the coffee beans or not grind the coffee beans according to his or her desire. 
     To load the coffee beans into their respective coffee bins, a loading hopper and associated chute is provided whereby the various types of coffee beans to be loaded in the respective bins are first directed to the scale and subsequently to the appropriate coffee bins by negative or suction pressure via the distribution conduit and connected branch conduits. Alternatively, the top of the respective bins may be provided with a hinged cover to effect the loading of the respective bins from the top. 
     The bagging station is provided with a suitable sensor and/or timer for sensing the presence or absence of a bag or container. The arrangement is such that the blended coffee in the receiving chamber will not be discharged unless a bag is sensed or present at the loading station. 
     In accordance with this invention, a central processing unit (CPU) is operatively connected to the coffee blender. The CPU is suitably programmed for controlling and sequencing the operation of the coffee blending apparatus whereby an individual customer may customize his or her own personal coffee blend. A printer is electrically connected to the CPU to effect the printing of a label containing relevant information, e.g. the type of coffees blended, weight, price, customer&#39;s name and/or any other relevant marketing information which is required and/or programmed into the CPU. 
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coffee blender embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the coffee blender of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a modified coffee blender embodying the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a coffee blending apparatus  10  which includes a suitable stand or base  11  on which there are supported a plurality of coffee bins  12 . As best seen in FIG. 1, the coffee bins  12  are circumferentially supported on the base  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, six (6) such coffee bins are shown. However, it will be understood that the number of coffee bins may vary and that the specific number of coffee bins making up the coffee blender is not critical to this invention. It will be understood that each such coffee bins  12  is loaded with a different type of coffee bean, i.e. a whole coffee bean grown in any of the well known coffee regions, e.g. Colombia, Jamaica, Hawaii, Ceylon, Brazil, India, etc. The various types of different coffee beans for purposes of illustration are identified as coffee types A, B, C, D, E and F. 
     Suitably supported in the base or stand  11  and below the respective coffee bins  12  is a scale  13  that includes a scale pan  14  for receiving and weighing the coffee beans making up the desired blend as will be hereinafter described. Connected to the respective coffee bins  12  is a discharge chute  15  for directing the respective selected coffee beans A-F being discharged from their respective coffee bins  12  and onto the scale pan  14  to form the desired coffee blend as will be described. A suitable control valve  16 , e.g. a slide valve, rotary valve or flap valve, movable between an open and closed position, controls the opening and closing of the inlet end  15 A of the respective discharge chutes  15 ; the dotted line showing the control valves  16  in the open position. The arrangement is such that when a respective valve  16  is shifted to an open position, the selected coffee in the associated bin  12  is allowed to be discharged by gravity from the associated bin  12  into its respective chute  12  for discharge onto the scale pan  14 . As will be herein described, the duration of the valve  16  in its open position controls the amount of coffee beans that is discharged onto the scale pan  14 . 
     Supported above the coffee bins  12  is a negative pressure source or vacuum pump  17  for imparting a negative or suction pressure to a distribution conduit  18  connected thereto. The distal end  18 A of the distribution conduit  18  is located adjacent to and spaced from the bottom of the scale pan  14 . As will be herein described, the distribution conduit  18  provides a means for loading the respective bins  12  with a supply of a specific coffee type to be dispensed therefrom, as well as a means for conveying the blended coffee beans deposited onto the scale pan  14  for conveyance to a receiving chamber  19  in preparation for being bagged either in a ground form or a whole bean form. 
     Connected to the distribution conduit  18  is a distributor or control valve  20  operative to selectively connect the distribution conduit  18  to any one of the several branch conduits  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26 , which are respectively connected in communication with one of the respective coffee bins  12 . The distributor or control valve  20  also functions to connect the distributor conduit  18  to a blended coffee branch conduit  27  for directing the blended coffee beans deposited in the scale pan  14  to the receiving chamber  19 . 
     To replenish or refill the respective coffee bins  12  with the specific type of coffee, e.g. A, B, C, D, E or F, a refill hopper  28  having a discharge opening  28 A is in communication with the scale pan  14 . When the coffee A disposed in bin  12  has been depleted, bin  12  may be replenished or refilled by pouring a supply of type A coffee beans into the refill hopper  28 , whereby gravity causes the coffee beans A to empty onto the scale pan  14 . With the distributor or control valve  20  set to connect the distribution conduit  18  in open communication with branch conduit  21 , while closing off conduits  22  to  27  and actuating the negative pressure pump  17 , the coffee beans A loaded onto the scale pan  14  are sucked up by the distribution conduit  18  by the negative pressure imparted thereto and conveyed to bin  12  through connecting branch conduit  21  to replenish it with coffee beans, type A. The other coffee bins  12  may also be similarly replenished with its respective coffee bean type B-F by resetting the distributor or control valve  20  to connect the distribution conduit  18  to the appropriate branch conduits  22 - 26  connected to the coffee bin  12  to be refilled. 
     Alternatively, where conditions permit, the top of the respective bins  12  may be provided with a hinge cover  29 , free to open and close, by which the respective bins  12  may be replenished with its specific coffee bean type. However, the filling hopper means  28  described for replenishing the respective bins  12  with different type coffee beans is particularly advantageous where the height of the blending apparatus  10  renders it too high and/or impractical for loading the coffee beans through the top of the bin. 
     Operatively connected to the coffee blender  10  is a central processing unit (CPU) comprising a monitor  29 , an associated keyboard  30 , and a printer  31 . It will be understood that the CPU is programmed to control and sequence the operation of the respective component parts whereby a customer, depending upon the information input to the CPU unit, can effect automatic blending of the various types of coffee beans as may be desired by the customer. 
     The coffee blender  10  is also provided with means whereby a customer may optionally package or bag the desired coffee blend either in ground form or whole bean form. This is attained by directing the blended coffee in the whole bean form from the scale  13  to a receiving chamber  19 , which has its outlet end  19 A adapted to be selectively disposed in communication with either a coffee grinder apparatus  32  or to a whole bean chute  33 . The coffee grinder discharge outlet  32 A and bean chute outlet  33 A terminate at a bagging or loading station  34 . A suitable selector valve  35  is located at the discharge end of the receiving chamber  19  for directing the blend of whole coffee beans to either the grinder to be ground or to the whole bean chute, depending upon the desire of a particular customer. The selector valve  35  may comprise a three way valve whereby in one position both the passageways to the grinder  32  and bean chute  33  are closed or in another position where one or the other passageways to either the grinder  32  or bean chute  33  is opened and closed respectively. 
     In accordance with this invention, a sensor  36  is located at the loading station to sense the presence of a bag or container  37  for receiving either the blended coffee in either a ground form or a whole bean form. Unless the sensor senses the presence of a bag or container  37  to receive the coffee blend at the loading station  34 , the blended coffee beans received in chamber  19  will not be directed to either the grinder  32  or the whole bean chute  33 , i.e. the valve  35  is rendered inoperative so as to prevent the blended coffee beans in receiving chamber  19  from being discharged therefrom until such time that the sensor senses the presence of a container  37  at the loading station. 
     The coffee blender  10  may also be provided with a timer  38  which is operatively connected to selector valve  35  to insure that the selective valve  35  remains in its operative or open position for a sufficient interval of time to ensure that the entire blend of coffee beans has passed to either the grinder  32  or the whole bean chute  33 . 
     In operation, the coffee blending apparatus, with the respective coffee bins  12  fully loaded with its specific coffee bean type, is ready for operation. A customer desirous of purchasing his or her customized blend of coffee is required to input into the CPU unit such information as to the type and amount of coffee beans necessary to formulate the particular customer blend, e.g., 4 oz. of coffee bean A, 4 oz. of coffee been B, 4 oz. of coffee been C, and 4 oz. of coffee bean D. It will be understood that the type and amount of the different coffees selected can very according to the desire of any particular purchaser. Certain other information such as the customer&#39;s name end any other relevant information may be inputted into the CPU. As the price of the respective coffees may very according to type, the price for the amount of coffee selected may be automatically computed by the CPU program. When all of the necessary information has been inputted into the CPU and a start button is actuated, the CPU, as programmed, will commence the automatic sequencing operation of the coffee blending apparatus  10 . The program will first sequence the actuation of the selected control valve  16  of the respective coffee bins whereby the amount of coffee beans in said bin  12  desired to make up a particular blend, is directed to the scale pen  14 . It will be understood that the control valve  16  of each of the respective coffee bins containing the different types of coffee beans, when selected to make the desired blend, may be programmed to be either sequentially or simultaneously operated. Control valve  16  may comprise a sliding valve, damper type valve or a rotary valve. Simultaneous actuation of the control valve  16  of the selected coffee beans will result in reducing the amount of time for the dispensing of the respective types of coffee beans. 
     Upon forming the desired coffee blend and weighing the same on scale  13 , the vacuum pump is then energized so that the mixed coffee beans resting in the scale pan  14  are sucked up distribution conduit  18  and conveyed through the distributor valve  20  to branch conduit  27  for conveying the coffee beans to the receiving chamber  19 . Depending on the customer&#39;s selection or input into the CPU unit, the blended coffee beans discharged in the receiving chamber  19  are directed to either a grinder  32  where the coffee beans are ground, or to the whole bean chute  33  located at the loading station  34  where the selected coffee form is bagged. 
     In accordance with this invention, a sensor  36  is positioned in the loading station  34  to sense the presence or absence of a bag or container  37 . Unless the sensor senses the presence of a bag  37 , the selector valve  35  is maintained in a position whereby the discharge  19 A to the grinder  32  and the bean chute  33  is closed. In such an event, the coffee beans are prevented from being discharged from the receiving chamber  19 . As long as the sensor  36  senses a bag  37  at the loading station, the selector valve  35  is shifted to direct the coffee beans in chamber  19  to either the grinder  32  or whole bean chute  33  in accordance with the customer&#39;s input or desire. 
     The apparatus  10  may also be provided with a timer  38  operatively connected to selector valve  35  to insure that the selector valve  35  is maintained in an open position for a sufficient time interval so as to insure that the passage of all of the blended coffee beans in chamber  19  are conveyed either to the grinder  32  or the bean chute  33 . In this manner, the customer is assured that the proper weight of the blended coffee purchased is deposited in the bag or container  37 . Upon completion of the bagging of the blended coffee, the printer  31  will print out a label having all of the reliant information, e.g. the type and amount of the different coffees making up the blend, the total price and weight of the blended mix, and such other information as the establishment desires be printed on the label. The customer may then adhere the label to the bag or container  30  so as to comply with labeling requirements. 
     The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is identical to the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that in FIG. 3, the discharge chutes  15 A are provided with an auger  15 B to convey the selected coffee beans from its respective bin  12  to the scale pan  14 A. As shown in FIG. 3, each discharge chute  15 A is provided with an auger which is activated or sequenced by the CPU program in a manner as hereinbefore described. The auger  15 B is in the form of a rotating screw which functions to convey the coffee beans from the associated bins to the scale pan. In all other respects, the structure, function and operation of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is identical to that hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to particular described embodiments, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.