NL2034898B1

NL2034898B1 - Improved centrifugal coffee brewer

Info

Publication number: NL2034898B1
Application number: NL2034898A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Alfred Johan De Warrimont Serge; Alexander Evans Nicholas; Matthias Steitner Lucas
Original assignee: Spinn Holding B V
Priority date: 2023-05-23
Filing date: 2023-05-23
Publication date: 2024-12-04
Also published as: WO2024240898A1

Abstract

In an aspect, the invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device, the centrifugal coffee brewing device comprising: 5 - a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis for centrifuging coffee, the spinning assembly comprising a brewing chamber, - a coffee bean grinder comprising a first burr and a second burr, wherein the first and second burr are rotatable relative to one another about a grinder axis, wherein the main axis and the grinder axis are coaxial. 10

Description

P35912NLOO/WHA/JHT

Title: Improved centrifugal coffee brewer

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewer. Centrifugal coffee brewers are known.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

State-of-the-art coffee brewing machines for an average household kitchen either require expensive single serve capsules or are relatively large to fit on the countertop. Bean- to-cup coffee machines generally produce fine cups of coffee without plastic residual waste of the single serve capsules. However, these bean-to-cup machines are relatively expensive and large for most purposes. A coffee brewing device that uses centrifugal force to extract liquid coffee from a coffee residue might be able overcome these challenges. A number of centrifugal coffee brewing devices have been developed, but there is still a demand for a more user-friendly, silent and cost efficient solution.

An example of such a centrifugal coffee brewer is disclosed in WO2019/031964A1 (herein: D1). The coffee brewer of D1 comprises a brewing chamber 26, a main drive 27, a coffee bean grinder 120 and a hot fluid supply 58. The coffee bean grinder produces coffee ground from coffee beans. The coffee ground is moved to the brewing chamber by a supply tube 92 with a transport screw 95. Coffee ground is mixed with hot water in the brewing chamber. The brewing chamber is rotatable about a main axis by the main drive. The spinning brewing chamber creates a centrifugal force to filter liquid coffee from a coffee residue which can be supplied to the user of the device. In the present invention it was recognized that this device has a number of drawbacks.

One drawback is that the device is relatively tall for a coffee brewing machine. This is mainly caused by the position of some components with respect to the brewing chamber. For example, the coffee bean grinder occupies a certain space above the brewing chamber and requires two separate drives. More or less the same is true for the hot water supply, which also occupies a certain space next to the brewing chamber. Overall, the device is relatively large and in particular relatively tall for an average household kitchen. Another problem of the device is that the coffee brewer of D1 produces a relatively high level of noise during the production of coffee ground from coffee beans and the brewing process.

It was further recognized in the present invention that it is difficult to clean the filter using a flexible resin scraper 110 that engages the filter when it is moving upwards. Coffee residue may remain in and behind the filter. This might contaminate the next, possibly different, cup of coffee, which could disadvantageously affect the quality of the product.

Buildup of coffee residue behind the filter causes unbalance in the filter frame, causing undesired vibrations and noise. In addition, the filter can get clogged, resulting in extra manual cleaning steps. Another drawback of the device disclosed in D1 is that the coffee collecting chamber requires an additional heater 470 to ensure that the brewed coffee leaves the device with the right temperature.

Another example of a centrifugal coffee brewer is disclosed in WO2017/204472A1 (herein: D2). The centrifugal coffee brewer comprises a hot water inlet 41, a ground coffee inlet 42, a mixing chamber 50, and a coffee collecting chamber 80. The mixing chamber is rotatable about a central axis by a direct drive assembly. The direct drive assembly comprises a stator 20 with coils 22 and a rotor with permanent magnets 25. The rotor is positioned closer to the central axis than the stator. Hot water and ground coffee enter the mixing chamber through a inlet part 51, are distributed over the mixing chamber by a dispersing member 55 and subsequently moved outward by the centrifugal force of the rotating mixing chamber. Coffee is extracted from the ground coffee by a filter 60 before it is guided to the outlet by the coffee collecting chamber. Coffee residue in the mixing chamber is removed by rotation of the mixing chamber in a lower position.

The coffee brewer of D2 is also relatively tall when assembled as a complete centrifugal coffee brewer, i.e. with the required additional components such as a grinder, water heater, residue tray, water tank, etc..

US10405689B2 (herein: D3) discloses a coffee brewer designed to receive a single serve coffee capsule 60 and to pass a liquid through the coffee capsule using centrifugal forces. Hot water is supplied from above to the capsule that contains the coffee power. The single serve capsule has a conical shape that is wider at the upper part of the capsule. The capsule spins due to a driving unit with an electrical motor. This forces the coffee liquid upwardly along the conical walls of the capsule into a collecting part 24. Cold water from a liquid reservoir 7 is heated in a helicoidal heater 120 that is part of a collecting unit 18. Heat is supplied by a resistive heater 100.

A drawback of the device disclosed in D3 is that it lacks heating efficiency. The helicoidal duct and resistive heater are positioned almost completely below the single serve capsule, while hot water is supplied to the single serve capsule through the upper part of the device. An extensive flow path increases the losses of thermal energy. Further, the flow of water through the helicoidal duct starts in the upper winding 120a and moves downwardly to the lowest winding. The thermal energy transfer from the helicoidal duct to the collecting part is therefore reduced, because the temperature of the upper winding is colder due to the flow of cold water.

Another drawback of the device disclosed in D3 is the position of the driving unit. The electrical motor is positioned below the collecting unit and brewing unit 2. This adds the requirement of an additional, relatively thin and long shaft to the brewing chamber. The device of D3 also has a brewing chamber with a relatively small diameter. Noise produced by the brewing process is relatively large due to the relatively small diameter of the brewing chamber and a thin and long shaft. Brewing chambers with smaller diameter require a higher

RPM to make espresso. More rotations result in more vibrations, and more vibrations produce relatively more noise. Increasing the diameter of the brewing chamber of D3 is challenging because of the use of plastic pods as the brewing chamber in D3. The pods will then also need to be enlarged and increasing the size of the pods will increase the environmental footprint of each cup of coffee. In addition, increasing the thickness of the thin and long shaft requires a bigger drive and a bigger drive increases the overall costs of the device.

It was further recognized in the present invention that the size of the brewer bearings of D3 are relatively small with respect to the RPM requirements of the device. Relatively small bearings reduce the stability of the brewing chamber and produce more noise.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which suffers less from at least one of the drawbacks mentioned above.

It is an further object of the present invention to provide a centrifugal coffee brewer which is sufficiently small and silent for an average household kitchen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The centrifugal coffee brewing device as disclosed herein provides several independent improvements over the prior art.

Drive assembly

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device comprising: - a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis for centrifuging coffee, the spinning assembly comprising a brewing chamber, - a coffee bean grinder comprising a first burr and a second burr, wherein the first and second burr are rotatable relative to one another about a grinder axis, wherein the main axis and the grinder axis are coaxial.

The grinder axis being coaxial with the main axis has an advantage that it provides a central position for the coffee bean grinder in the centrifugal coffee brewing device. The coffee bean grinder is a noise producing element and a central position may reduce the noise sensed by a user.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a drive assembly configured for rotating the spinning assembly about the main axis, wherein the drive assembly comprises a stator and a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, wherein the rotor axis is coaxial with the main axis and the grinder axis.

In some embodiments, the second burr may be connected to the spinning assembly and may be driven by the drive assembly via the spinning assembly.

By having the grinder axis coaxial with the main axis and rotor axis, the spinning assembly and coffee bean grinder can be rotated simultaneously by a single drive assembly.

This makes a separate coffee bean grinder drive redundant and simplifies the design of the centrifugal coffee brewing device.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may comprise: - a chamber element comprising a bottom wall and a roof portion, - a cylinder element, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form the brewing chamber, and wherein the second burr is connected to the chamber element and rotates with the chamber element.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may further comprise an axle which extends downward from the second burr and is connected to the roof portion of the chamber element, and is driven by the roof portion of the chamber element.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may further comprise at least one screw which extends downwards from the second burr to connect the second burr to the roof portion of the chamber element, and to drive the second burr by the roof portion of the chamber element.

In some embodiments, multiple coils may be positioned in a circular arrangement on the stator, and wherein at least one magnet may be positioned in a circular arrangement on the rotor.

In some embodiments, the rotor may be connected to the spinning assembly, and in particular to a roof portion of the chamber element.

The direct connection between the drive assembly and the spinning assembly advantageously allows heating of the brewing chamber without a separate heating element of procedure. Thermal energy produced by induction heating in the drive assembly may be transferred to the brewing chamber through the roof portion of the chamber element. Pre- heating of the brewing chamber using steam before brewing coffee is therefore not required.

This may reduce the production time of a cup of coffee and the device uses less water. Using induction heating of the drive assembly also has the advantage that waste water from pre- heating does not fill the drip tray. As a result, the drip tray need to be emptied less frequently.

In some embodiments, the coffee bean grinder may be positioned directly above the spinning assembly. This is particularly useful because it allows a direct and coaxial connection between the spinning assembly and the coffee bean grinder. This direct connection makes an additional transmission system redundant and therefore simplifies the rotational control of the spinning assembly and coffee bean grinder.

In some embodiments, the coffee bean grinder may be positioned on the same horizontal level of the spinning assembly or directly below the spinning assembly. These configurations also allow a direct and coaxial connection between the spinning assembly and the coffee bean grinder.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the coffee bean grinder may be positioned at a same vertical level as the drive assembly.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the coffee bean grinder may be positioned below the drive assembly.

An advantage of the relative positions of the spinning assembly, drive assembly and the coffee bean grinder is that it reduces the overall size of the centrifugal coffee brewing device. The coffee bean grinder may fit within the circular arrangement of the drive assembly.

Together they may have a similar width as the spinning assembly, which can be therefore positioned directly below the coffee bean grinder and drive assembly. A separate drive assembly or coffee bean grinder eccentrically from the main axis would increase the overall design of the device.

Another advantage of the relative positions of the spinning assembly, drive assembly and the coffee bean grinder is that the device requires less components and is therefore less complex and less expensive to produce. Less components also reduce the assembling time and the device require less maintenance and/or repair.

In some embodiments, the stator may be positioned within the rotor and the rotor extends around the stator, wherein in particular the coils are positioned within the at least one magnet.

In some embodiments, the rotor may be positioned within the stator and the stator extends around the stator, wherein in particular the at least one magnet is positioned within the coils.

In some embodiments, the stator may be positioned above the rotor and the rotor may be positioned below the stator, wherein in particular the coils are positioned above the at least one magnet.

In some embodiments, the rotor may be positioned above the stator and the stator may be positioned below the rotor, wherein in particular the at least one magnet is positioned above the coils.

In some embodiments, the second burr may be positioned within the first burr.

In some embodiments, the drive assembly may perform a further function of increasing the temperature of the coffee bean grinder to reduce or prevent condensation in the coffee bean grinder, wherein in particular the temperature of the coffee bean grinder may be increased using radiative and/or conductive heat transfer from the drive assembly.

Condensation in the coffee bean grinder might affect the quality of a cup of coffee, because a part of the coffee ground may stick in the coffee bean grinder and is therefore not used in the brewing process. It also makes it more challenging to keep the coffee bean grinder clean after each cup of coffee. On the other side, it is desirable to limit the increment in temperature of the coffee bean grinder to prevent losing to much aroma from the coffee beans in the coffee bean grinder. Increasing the temperature of the grinder is especially important after the coffee beans are processed into coffee ground.

In some embodiments, the coffee bean grinder may include an additional temperature management device, such as a ventilator to reduce the temperature of the first and second burr.

In some embodiments, the drive assembly may drive both the spinning assembly and the coffee bean grinder, and wherein the centrifugal coffee brewing device may not comprise a separate grinder drive for rotating the first and second burr relative to one another.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may comprise at least one brewer bearing which provides radial and axial support to the spinning assembly, the rotor of the drive assembly and the second burr, and wherein the stator extends around the brewer bearing.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may comprise at least one brewer bearing which provides radial and axial support to the spinning assembly, the rotor of the drive assembly and the second burr, and wherein the diameter of the bearings is smaller than the diameter of the coffee bean grinder.

In some embodiments, the chamber element and the cylinder element may be movable relative to each other in the axial direction, wherein in particular the chamber element may be fixed in the axial direction and the cylinder element may be movable in the axial direction.

In some embodiments, the first burr and the second burr are movable relative to each other in the axial direction, wherein in particular the second burr is fixed in the axial direction and the first burr is movable in the axial direction.

This is particularly useful to reduce wear and tear of coffee bean grinder. Moving the first burr in a vertical direction away from the second burr prevents friction at higher rotational speeds of the second burr . The second burr rotates together with the brewing chamber, and the brewing chamber requires higher rotational speeds for the brewing process than the second burr requires for grinding the coffee beans. A varying distance between those elements also allows grinding to different sized coffee ground particles for different coffee recipes. And finally, it also supports the cleaning function of the coffee bean grinder.

The invention further relates to a method of brewing coffee, the method comprising: - providing coffee beans to the coffee bean grinder of the centrifugal coffee brewing device according to any of the preceding claims, - spinning the spinning assembly with the drive assembly, thereby rotating the first and second burr relative to one another in order to grind the coffee beans, - supplying hot water in the brewing chamber, - spinning the spinning assembly with the drive assembly in order to brew coffee.

The method provides the same advantages as the device.

Heater-gutter device

In another independent aspect, the centrifugal coffee brewing device comprises: - a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly comprising a brewing chamber for brewing coffee, - a pump, - a heater-gutter device comprising a heater and a gutter, the heater-gutter device comprising: o an annular device, the annular device defining a gutter wall which defines a gutter via which the brewed coffee which is expelled from the spinning assembly travels to a spout, co a helicoidal duct located in the annular device and extending about the main axis, wherein the helicoidal duct comprises multiple windings located at different vertical levels, the helicoidal duct comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to a lower winding and the outlet is connected to an upper winding, o the heater comprising at least one electric heating element located within the annular device, and extending about the main axis, wherein the at least one heating element is configured for: 1) heating the gutter wall for reducing temperature losses of the brewed coffee, and 2) heating water which travels through the helicoidal duct prior to the water being introduced in the brewing chamber,

wherein the pump is configured to circulate water through the internal helicoidal duct from the inlet to the outlet in an upwardly spiraling direction.

An advantage of the proposed heater-gutter device is that a single heating element may be sufficient to increase the temperature of both the gutter wall and the helicoidal duct. A separate heating device to fulfill any of both functions is therefore redundant. This allows a reduction in overall size of the centrifugal coffee brewing device.

Another advantage of the proposed heater-gutter device is that hot water flowing through the upper winding contributes to increasing the temperature of the impact wall of the expelled coffee residue after each serving. A heated impact wall reduces condensation and prevents buildup of coffee residue on the impact wall.

In some embodiments, the impact wall of the coffee ground is heated by the heater to prevent condensation and coffee ground build up on the surface of the impact wall.

In some embodiments, the heater may comprise at least two heating elements, namely a first heating element and a second heating element which are independently controllable, wherein the first heating element comprises a first heating winding and the second heating element comprises a second heating winding, wherein each heating element comprises a separate power supply.

In some embodiments, the first heating element may be connected to a first power supply having a range of 200 — 600 Watt and the second heating element may be connected to a second power supply of 700-2000 Watt.

In some embodiments, the first heating element may be located above the second heating element.

In some embodiments, the annular device may comprise at least two annular bodies, an upper annular body and a lower annular body, wherein the upper annular body may be positioned above the lower annular body.

In some embodiments, the upper annular body may define the gutter wall.

In some embodiments, the helicoidal duct may be located in the lower annular body.

In some embodiments, at least one heating element may be positioned directly below the gutter. This heating elements ensures that the complete gutter wall is heated and able to increase the temperature of the brewing coffee which is expelled from the brewing chamber.

Heating of the brewed coffee starts directly when the expelled brewed coffee hits the gutter wall

In some embodiments, the gutter wall may be made of a plastic material which is indirectly heated by the heating elements of the heater. Indirect heating may ensure that the temperature of the gutter wall does not exceed 80 degrees Celsius to prevent affecting the crema of a cup of coffee.

In some embodiments, an upper, downstream winding of the helicoidal duct may be positioned lower than the uppermost heating element and further away from the gutter than the uppermost heating element.

In some embodiments, the lower, upstream winding of the helicoidal duct may be positioned lower than the lowermost heating element.

In some embodiments, the helicoidal duct may comprise at least three windings, and more in particular four windings.

The proposed configuration of the heater-gutter device with the helicoidal duct and two heating elements improves the thermal performance of the system. The relative positions of both heating elements with the helicoidal duct and the gutter ensure that the flow of cold water through the first winding is unable to reduce the temperature of the gutter. Two controllable heating elements make it possible to optimize the brewing and serving temperatures separately from each other for different coffee recipes. The heater-gutter device further improves the thermal efficiency. A part of the excessive thermal energy for heating cold water in the helicoidal duct does not go to waste, but may be used to heat the gutter wall.

In some embodiments, the gutter slopes down to the spout. This guides the flow brewed coffee through the gutter to the spout to be supplied to the user.

This aspect further relates to a method of brewing coffee, the method comprising: - providing ground coffee in the centrifugal coffee brewing device according to any of claims 15 - 23,

- circulating cold water through the helicoidal duct of the heater-gutter device with the pump and heating the water with the heater, - supplying the hot water in the brewing chamber, - spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee, wherein the heater heats the relatively cold water in the helicoidal duct, the gutter, and the brewed coffee in the gutter, and wherein the cold water circulates through the helicoidal duct in an upwardly spiraling direction, providing hot water at the outlet of the helicoidal duct.

Hot water supply assembly

In one another aspect, the centrifugal coffee brewing device, comprises: - a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly comprising a brewing chamber, wherein the spinning assembly comprises a bottom wall having a central aperture, - a hot water supply assembly for supplying hot water into the brewing chamber, the hot water supply assembly comprising: o a spraying element configured to spray the hot water into the brewing chamber, wherein the spraying element comprises at least one nozzle, o a supply channel which is configured to supply hot water to the spraying element, the supply channel comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends below the brewing chamber, and wherein the second section extends in an upward direction from the first section and extends through the central aperture in the bottom wall of the spinning assembly.

The options for the path of the supply channel from the outlet of the helicoidal duct to the spraying element are limited due to the spinning design of the brewing chamber and the position of a coffee bean grinder on top of the brewing chamber. The path through the central aperture of the brewing chamber has the advantage that it can have a fixed position and that is a minimal distance from the outlet of the helicoidal duct to the spraying element. A shorter distance between the outlet and the spraying element reduces the thermal losses of hot water.

Another advantage of the path through the central aperture is that a roof portion of the brewing chamber can be closed to prevent that a water overfill of the brewing chamber can cause damage to components which are positioned above the brewing chamber.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may comprise an upstanding wall portion which extends upward from the bottom wall and which defines the central aperture, wherein the hot water supply assembly may be configured to supply the hot water into the brewing chamber over the upstanding wall portion.

The upstanding wall portion prevents that water supplied to the brewing chamber leaves the brewing chamber through the central aperture when the centrifugal force of a spinning brewing chamber does not force the water outwards. It ensures that the only way out is through the cylinder element.

In some embodiments, the brewing chamber may have an annular shape.

In some embodiments, the nozzle may be configured to spray hot water over a horizontal distance, and wherein the spraying element in particular may comprise multiple nozzles, wherein the multiple nozzles may be positioned next to each other, and in particular at a horizontal distance from one another.

In some embodiments, the spraying element may comprise at least one nozzle, in particular multiple nozzles, wherein the multiple nozzles may be configured to spray hot water at different angles, allowing an evenly distributed supply of hot water onto a coffee bed in the brewing chamber.

An evenly distributed supply of hot water onto a coffee bed is important for the brewing process. The device needs to rely on the fact that amount of coffee ground and hot water supplied to the brewing chamber are balanced for the respective coffee recipe. An unevenly distributed supply of hot water might result in an incomplete extraction of coffee from the coffee ground, resulting in a potentially different taste for every cup.

In some embodiments, the spraying element may be positioned eccentrically from the main axis.

The eccentric position of the spraying element places it directly above the upstanding wall portion of the brewing chamber. This reduces the spraying distance of hot water and ensures that none of the hot water supply leaks into the central aperture.

In this aspect, the invention further relates to a method of brewing coffee, the method comprising:

- providing ground coffee in the centrifugal coffee brewing device (10) according to any of claims 36 - 41, - providing hot water to the spraying element with the supply channel and spraying hot water into the brewing chamber, - spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee.

The method provides the same advantages as the device.

In an embodiment of the method, hot water may be supplied into the brewing chamber over an upstanding wall portion.

Simplified filter concept

In another independent aspect, the centrifugal coffee brewing device comprising a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly comprising: - a chamber element comprising a bottom wall and a roof portion, - a cylinder element comprising a cylindrical wall, wherein the roof portion comprises a peripheral edge, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form a brewing chamber, wherein the cylinder element and the chamber element are movable relative to ane another between: o a first, lower position of the cylinder element relative to the chamber element in which the cylinder element forms a circumference of the brewing chamber and in which the spinning assembly has a brewing configuration, and o a second, upper position of the cylinder element relative to the chamber element in which the circumference of the brewing chamber is open, and in which second position coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element, wherein the peripheral edge and the cylindrical wall define at least one aperture between them when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position, wherein a filtration gap is formed by the at least one aperture between the peripheral edge and the cylindrical wall, and wherein the filtration gap allows brewed coffee to flow upwards through the filtration gap during the spinning of the spinning assembly while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber.

It was found that this construction is robust and reliable, cost efficient and reduces the chance of clogging, due to the self-cleaning effect by the vertical movement after every serving.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may comprise a conical section which may increase in diameter in an upward direction, wherein the conical shape may force the brewed coffee to travel upwards along the inner surface of the cylinder element outside the brewing chamber during spinning of the spinning assembly.

In some embodiments, the size of the filtration gap and the rotational speed of the spinning assembly may determine the pressure in the brewing chamber, and wherein different brewing chamber pressures allow brewing of different coffee recipes.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may not comprise holes which extend through the cylindrical wall from the inside to the outside.

Holes in the cylinder element are difficult to completely clean after each serving. Small parts of residue that stay behind in and/or around the holes may result in mixing of flavors from different coffee recipes. The holes also can get clogged and thereby reduce the filter area. In addition, it may require additional cleaning steps to clean the surface behind the holes to prevent residue build up on these surfaces. The build up of coffee residue on the surface behind the holes may result in an unbalanced brewer and may add undesirable vibrations during spinning of the spinning assembly.

In some embodiments, the spinning assembly may comprise an annular wiper seal which is connected to the roof portion, wherein the annular wiper seal may be configured to wipe coffee residue from the cylinder element when the cylinder element is moved from the first, lower position to the second, upper position.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical wall may extend above the roof portion when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position.

In some embodiments, the at least one aperture may be an annular aperture.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may comprise a vertical section.

In some embodiments, the vertical section of the cylinder element may comprise: - afirst, lower vertical section, - a second, upper vertical section,

wherein the second, upper vertical section may be located inwardly from the lower, vertical section of the cylinder element, wherein the inwardly extending upper, vertical section and the peripheral edge may define the annular aperture.

In some embodiments, the distance between the cylinder wall and the peripheral edge of the roof portion may be 0 - 0,5 mm, in particular 0 — 0,25 mm.

In some embodiments, the centrifugal coffee brewing device may comprise a filter seal which extends outwardly from a peripheral edge of the roof portion, wherein the filter seal and the upper, vertical section of the cylinder element may define the filtration gap.

In some embodiments, the filter seal may touch the upper, vertical section of the cylinder element, wherein the surface roughness of the filter seal and/or the surface roughness of the cylinder element may result in multiple filtration gaps to allow brewed coffee to flow upwards through the filtration gap during the spinning of the spinning assembly while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber.

In some embodiments, the filter seal may be not fixed to the peripheral edge and may be configured to move between an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state the at least one filtration gap is open and in the closed state the at least one filtration gap is closed.

In some embodiments, the filter seal may be forced outwardly by the centrifugal force during spinning of the spinning assembly. An increment in RPM will increase the centrifugal force on the filter seal and will move the filter seal outwardly. The filtration gaps which are formed by the surface roughness of the cylinder element and/or filter seal decrease when the filter seal moves outwardly, because the filter seal is forced to be closer to the cylinder element. Smaller filtration gaps further increase the pressure in the brewing chamber. This allows brewing of coffee recipes that require higher pressures during the brewing process.

In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the spinning assembly may determine the degree of sealing of the filter seal, wherein an increment of the rotational speed may decrease the amount of filtration gaps, and wherein a decrement of the rotational speed increases the amount of filtration gaps.

In some embodiments, the annular wiper seal may be positioned above the filter seal.

In some embodiments, an upper seal may extend outwardly from a peripheral edge of the roof portion.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical wall may have multiple depressions on an inner side thereof.

In some embodiments, in the first, lower position the depressions may be positioned at a level of the upper seal and the upper seal may engage the inner surface of the cylindrical wall in wall areas outside the depressions but remains at a distance from the cylindrical wall at the depressions, wherein filtration gaps may be formed between the upper seal and the cylindrical wall at the depressions.

In some embodiments, the depressions may be elongate.

In some embodiments, the depressions may extend vertically.

In some embodiments, the depressions may be parallel.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may comprise: - afirst, lower conical section which may increase in diameter in an upward direction, - a second, upper conical section which may increase in diameter in an upward direction, wherein the second, upper conical section may have a greater slant angle than the first, lower conical section.

In some embodiments, the geometry, in particular a width and/or a depth, of each depression may vary in a vertical and/or horizontal direction.

In some embodiments, each depression may comprise a lower narrow section and an upper wider section which may be wider than the lower narrow section.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may be movable to at least a first and a second coffee brewing position, wherein the first coffee brewing position may be above the second coffee brewing position, wherein the filtration gaps between the cylinder element and the upper seal may be wider or narrower in the first coffee brewing position than in the second coffee brewing position, allowing different filter areas for different coffee recipes.

In some embodiments, the depth of each depression may vary in the vertical and horizontal directions and more in particular may vary between 0,1 - 0,5 mm, in particular 0,15 — 0,35 mm.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may be movable to a third, intermediate position between the first, lower position and second, upper position, wherein the annular wiper seal may engage a lower edge of the second, upper conical section in the third, intermediate position to block an outgoing flow of coffee from the brewing chamber and to build up pressure in the brewing chamber.

In some embodiments, the cylinder element may be movable between the first, lower position and the third, intermediate position, wherein the upper seal may be able to engage the cylindrical wall at different vertical heights, and wherein the varying geometry of each depression in the vertical direction may result in varying filtration areas of the filtration gaps at said different vertical heights.

In some embodiments, the depressions may be positioned at an equal distance from each other and may form an array.

In some embodiments, the annular wiper seal may be positioned above the upper seal.

In some embodiments, the annular wiper seal may have a smaller thickness than the upper seal, allowing the annular wiper seal to be less rigid than the upper seal and to follow the geometry of each depression during an upward movement of the cylinder element relative to the chamber element in order to wipe coffee residue from an inner surface of each depression.

In some embodiments, the filter seal and upper seal may be configured to maintain concentricity between the chamber element and the cylinder element.

In this aspect, the invention further relates to a method of brewing coffee, the method comprising: — supplying ground coffee and hot water into the brewing chamber of the centrifugal coffee brewing device according to any of claims 44 — 61 when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position,

— spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee, wherein brewed coffee flows upwards through the at least one filtration gap during the spinning of the spinning assembly, while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber, — moving the cylinder element from the first, lower position to the second, upper position, — spinning the chamber element in order to eject coffee residue, — moving the cylinder element from the second, upper position to the first, lower position.

The method provides the same advantages as the device.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the centrifugal coffee brewing device according to the invention.

Fig. 2a shows a sectional view of the spinning assembly in the brewing configuration.

Fig. 2b shows a sectional view of the spinning assembly in an ejecting configuration.

Fig. 3a shows an isometric sectional view of the spinning assembly in the brewing configuration.

Fig. 3b shows an isometric sectional view of the spinning assembly in an ejecting configuration.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional top view of the coffee bean grinder and drive assembly.

Fig. 5a shows an sectional view of the heater-gutter device.

Fig. 5b shows an isometric sectional view of the heater-gutter device.

Fig. 6a shows an isometric bottom view of the heater-gutter device.

Fig. 6b shows an isometric top view of the heater-gutter device.

Fig. 7 shows an isometric sectional view of the spinning assembly and spraying element.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the hot water supply assembly.

Fig. 9 shows an isometric sectional view of the hot water supply assembly.

Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of the spinning assembly.

Fig. 11a shows a sectional view of the chamber element and cylinder element.

Fig. 11b shows a close-up of the cylinder element and roof portion.

Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the spinning assembly.

Fig. 13a shows a sectional view of the chamber element and cylinder element.

Fig. 13b shows a close-up view of the cylinder element and roof portion.

Fig. 13c shows a close-up view of the cylinder element and filter seal.

Fig. 14a shows a sectional view of the cylinder element.

Fig. 14b shows a sectional view of the chamber element and cylinder element.

Fig. 15 shows a close-up view of the chamber element and cylinder element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

1. Drive assembly and coffee bean grinder

Turning to figures 1 — 3, a centrifugal coffee brewing device 10 (also simply referred to as the device 10) is shown. The device comprises a housing 14 which covers the various parts. A drip tray 13 for supporting a coffee cup is provided at the front side. A coffee outlet 19 is provided above the tray.

The device 10 comprises a spinning assembly 20 which is rotatable about a main axes 22. The main axis 18 may be vertical but it is conceivable that the main axis is slightly inclined. The spinning assembly 20 comprises a chamber element 24 and a cylinder element 100. The chamber element 24 and the cylinder element 100 form a brewing chamber 30. The chamber element further comprises a bottom wall 25 and a roof portion 26.

The device 10 comprises a coffee bean grinder 40 for grinding coffee beans into coffee ground. The coffee bean grinder comprises a first burr 42 and a second burr 44 which is positioned within the first burr 42. The first burr 42 and second burr 44 are rotatable relative to one another about a grinder axis 48. The grinder axis 46 is coaxial with the main axis 22. In the shown embodiment, the first burr 42 is an outer burr and the second burr 44 is an inner burr. However, it is also possible to use a grinder having flat burrs, wherein the first burr is positioned on top of the second burr.

The device 10 further comprises a drive assembly 50 for rotating the spinning assembly 20 about the main axis 22 for centrifuging the coffee. The drive assembly comprises a stator 52 and a rotor 53. The rotor 53 is connected to the spinning assembly 20, in particular to a roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24, and is configured to rotate about a rotor axis 54. The rotor axis 54 is coaxial with the main axis 22 and the grinder axis 46. The centrifugal coffee brewing device 10 does not comprise a separate grinder drive for rotating the first and second burr relative to one another.

The drive assembly 50 is also configured for rotating the second burr 44 about the grinder axis 48. The second burr 44 is connected to the chamber element 24 of the spinning assembly 20. An axle 28 which extends downward from the second burr 44 is connected to the roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24. Therefore, the second burr 44 is driven by the drive assembly 50 via the roof portion 26 of the spinning assembly 20 and rotates together with the chamber element.

The coffee bean grinder 40 is positioned directly above the spinning assembly 20 and at least a part of the coffee bean grinder 40 is positioned at a same vertical level 59 as the drive assembly 50.

The drive assembly 50 performs a further function of increasing the temperature of the coffee bean grinder 40 to reduce or prevent condensation in the coffee bean grinder 40. In particular the temperature of the second burr 44 and/or first burr 42 is increased using radiative and/or conductive heat transfer from the drive assembly 50. The second burr 44 of the coffee bean grinder 40 is thermally connected to the roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24. Heat is therefore transferred from the drive assembly 50, through the roof portion 26, to the second burr 44 to heat the coffee bean grinder 40.

Turning to figure 4, a sectional top view of the coffee bean grinder 40 and the drive assembly 50 are shown. The stator 52 is positioned within the rotor 53 and the rotor 53 extends around the stator 52. In figure 4, multiple coils 55 are positioned in a circular arrangement 56 on the rotor 53 and multiple magnets 57 are positioned in a circular arrangement 58 on the stator 52. The coils 55 are positioned within the magnets 57. In another embodiment, multiple coils may be positioned in a circular arrangement on the stator and multiple magnets may be positioned in a circular arrangement on the rotor.

Returning to figures 2 and 3, the spinning assembly 20 comprises at least one brewer bearing 29. The at least one brewer bearing 29 provides radial and axial support to the spinning assembly 20, to the rotor 53 of the drive assembly 50 and to the second burr 44. The stator 52 extends around the at least one brewer bearing 29.

The chamber element 24 and the cylinder element 100 are movable relative to each other in the axial direction. More in particular, the chamber element 24 is fixed in the axial direction and the cylinder element 100 is movable in the axial direction.

Figures 2a and 3a show the cylinder element 100 in a first, lower position 110, positioned on the same vertical level as the chamber element 24 forming the brewing chamber 30. Figures 2b and 3b show the cylinder element 100 in a second, upper position 112, positioned at a higher vertical level than the chamber element 24. Coffee residue may be ejected from the brewing chamber 30 when the cylinder element 100 is in the second, upper position 112. It is ejected by the centrifugal force of the spinning chamber element 24 and drops into a residue tray 140.

The first burr 42 and the second burr 44 are also movable relative to each other in the axial direction. More in particular, the second burr 44 is fixed in the axial direction and the first burr 42 is movable in the axial direction by a grinder drive 48. The first burr 42 may be moved in the axial direction to adjust the distance between the first burr 42 and the second burr 44.

Figures 2a and 3a show the first burr 42 close to the second burr 44 and figures 2b and 3b show the first burr 42 further away from the second burr 44.

A varying distance between those elements allows grinding to different sized coffee ground particles for different coffee recipes. Additionally, it also supports the cleaning function of the coffee bean grinder 40. It also reduces the wear and tear of the coffee bean grinder 40.

Friction between both elements is prevented when the rotational speed of the second burr 44 and the brewing chamber 30 increases.

The present invention further relates to a method of brewing coffee, the method comprising: — providing coffee beans to the coffee bean grinder of the centrifugal coffee brewing device 10, — spinning the spinning assembly with the drive assembly in order to grind the coffee beans, — supplying hot water in the brewing chamber, — spinning the spinning assembly with the drive assembly in order to brew coffee. 2. Heater-gutter device

Returning to figures 2 and 3, the centrifugal coffee brewing device 10 may comprise a heater-gutter device 70 configured for supplying hot water to the brewing chamber 30 and for increasing the temperature of the brewed coffee. The heater-gutter device 70 comprises a heater 79 and a gutter 73. The heater-gutter device 70 further comprises an annular device 71, a helicoidal duct 62 and at least one electric heating element 76.

The annular device 71 defines a gutter wall 72 which defines a gutter 73. The gutter 73 is configured to receive brewed coffee which is expelled from the spinning assembly 20.

Brewed coffee travels through the gutter 73 to a spout 74, because the gutter 73 slopes down to the spout 74.

The helicoidal duct 62 may be located in the annular device 71 and extends in about the main axis 22. The helicoidal duct may comprises multiple windings located at different vertical levels and an inlet 64 and outlet 65. The inlet 64 is connected to a lower, upstream winding 67 and the outlet is connected to a upper, downstream winding 63.

The electric heating element 76 is also located within the annular device 71 and extends about the main axis 22. The at least one electric heating element 75 is configured for heating the gutter wall 72 and for heating water in the helicoidal duct 62. Water is pumped through the helicoidal duct 62 by a pump 80 prior to being introduced in the brewing chamber 30. The pump 60 is configured to circulate water through the internal helicoidal duct 62 from the inlet 64 to the outlet 65 in an upwardly spiraling direction 66. The heated gutter all 72 reduces the temperature losses of the brewed coffee after being expelled from the spinning assembly 20.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electric heating element 75 comprises at least two heating elements, namely a first heating element 77a and a second heating element 77b.

The heating elements are independently controllable and each comprise a separate power supply 76a, 76b. The first heating element 77a is connected to a first power supply 76a with a range of 200 — 600 Watt. The second heating element 77b is connected to a second power supply 76b with a range of 700 — 1500 Watt.

Turning to figures 6a and 6b, the inlet 64 and outlet 65 may be positioned below the heater-gutter device 70 and next to the second power supply 76b. The first power supply 76a is positioned above the heater-gutter device 70.

Returning to figures 2 and 3, the upper, downstream winding 63 of the helicoidal duct 62 is positioned lower than the upper most heating element and further away from the gutter than the uppermost heating element. In addition, at least one heating element is positioned directly below the gutter. The above mentioned layout of the annular device is configured to prevent that the temperature of the gutter is reduced by the circulating water in the helicoidal duct. This ensures that the temperature of the gutter is sufficient to increase the temperature of the brewed coffee to a desired serving temperature.

The first heating element 77a comprises a first heating winding 75a and the second heating element 77b comprises a second heating winding 75b. The first heating element 77a is located above the second heating element 77b.

The helicoidal duct 62 comprises at least three windings, and more in particular four windings. The lower, upstream winding 67 of the helicoidal duct 82 is positioned lower than the lowermost heating element, more in particular lower than the second hearing element 77b.

Turning to figures 5a and 5b, in another embodiment of the invention, the annular device 71 may comprise at least two annular body's, an upper annular body 132 and a lower annular body 133. The upper annular body 132 is positioned above the lower annular body 133. The upper annular body 132 defines the gutter wall 72 and the helicoidal duct 62 is located in the lower annular body 133. An O-ring 135 is positioned between the upper annular body 132 and the lower annular body 133 to prevent leakage between the annular body's.

The electric heating element 75 in this embodiment may comprise at least two heating elements, namely a first heating element 77a and a second heating element 77b. The heating elements are independently controllable and each comprise a separate power supply 76a, 76b. The first heating element 77a is connected to a first power supply 76a with a range of 200 — 600 Watt. The second heating element 77b is connected to a second power supply 76b with a range of 700 — 1500 Watt. An embodiment wherein both annular body’s 132, 133 are heated with a single heating element 75 may also be sufficient to increase the temperature of cold water and heat the gutter wall.

An annular device 71 with two annular body’s increases the freedom to regulate the temperature of the hot water supplied to the brewing chamber 30 and the temperature of the gutter wall 72 separately. At the same time, the design of the annular device 71 still prevents that the gutter 73 is cooled by cold water in the lower, upstream winding 67.

In operation, the method of brewing coffee comprises:

— providing ground coffee in the centrifugal coffee brewing device (10) according to any of claims 15 - 23, — circulating cold water through the helicoidal duct of the heater-gutter device with the pump, - supplying hot water in the brewing chamber, — spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee, wherein the heater heats the relatively cold water in the helicoidal duct, the gutter, and the brewed coffee in the gutter, and wherein the cold water circulates through the helicoidal duct in an upwardly spiraling direction, providing hot water at the outlet of the helicoidal duct. 3. Hot water supply assembly

Turning to figures 7 — 9, the device may comprise a hot water supply assembly 90 for supplying hot water into the brewing chamber 30. The hot water supply assembly 90 comprises: o a spraying element 92 configured to spray the hot water into the brewing chamber, wherein the spraying element comprises at least one nozzle 94, o a supply channel 96 which is configured to supply hot water to the spraying element, wherein a first section 98 of the supply channel extends below the brewing chamber, and wherein a second section 99 of the supply channel extends upward from the first section and extends through a central aperture 37 in a bottom wall 38 of the brewing chamber.

Spinning assembly 20 comprises an upstanding wall portion 39 which extends upward from the bottom wall 25. The upstanding wall portion 39 defines the central aperture 37 in the bottom wall 38 and prevent that coffee ground, coffee residue, water or brewed coffee leaves the brewing chamber through the central aperture 37. The hot water supply assembly 90 is configured to supply the hot water into the brewing chamber 30 over the upstanding wall portion 39 using the nozzle 94 which is configured to spray hot water over a horizontal distance 95.

The spraying element 92 may comprise multiple nozzles 94 which are positioned next to each other, and in particular at a horizontal distance from one another. The multiple nozzles 94 are configured to spray hot water at different angles 97a, 97b, 97c, allowing an evenly distributed supply of hot water onto a coffee bed 31 in the brewing chamber.

The brewing chamber 30 may be coaxial with the main axis 22 and may have an annular shape. The spraying element 92 may be positioned eccentrically from the main axis

22 to reduce the spraying distance to the brewing chamber 30. The spraying element 92 close to the upstanding wall portion 39 also provides more freedom to select suitable spraying angles, because it simplifies spraying over the upstanding wall portion 39.

In operation, the method of brewing coffee comprises: — providing ground coffee in the centrifugal coffee brewing device (10) according to any of claims 38 - 41, — providing hot water to the spraying element with the supply channel, — spraying hot water into the brewing chamber, - spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee.

In the method hot water is supplied into the brewing chamber over an upstanding wall portion. 4. Simplified filter concept

Turning to figures 10-15, the spinning assembly 20 of the centrifugal coffee brewing device 10 comprises a chamber element 24 and a cylinder element 100, 200. The spinning assembly 20 is rotatable about a main axis 22. The cylinder element 100, 200 comprises a cylindrical wall 102, 202. The chamber element 24 comprises a bottom wall 25 and a roof portion 26. The chamber element 24 and the cylinder element 100, 200 form a brewing chamber 30 and are movable relative to one another. At least the cylinder element 100, 200 is movable in a vertical direction 101 along the main axis 22. The chamber element 24 may be stationary in the vertical direction and may be configured to only rotate about the main axis 22.

Returning to figures 2a and 3a, the cylinder element 100, 200 in a first, lower position 110 relative to the chamber element 24 is shown. In the first, lower position 110, the cylinder element 100, 200 forms a circumference of the brewing chamber 30 and the spinning assembly 20 is in a brewing configuration. The lower seal 105 engages the cylindrical wall 102, 202 in a bottom position 109 to prevent that coffee leaves the brewing chamber 30 between the bottom wall 25 and the cylindrical wall 102, 202.

Returning to figures 2b and 3b, the cylinder element 100, 200 in a second, upper position 112 relative to the chamber element 24 is shown. The brewing chamber 30 is open in the second, upper position 112. The coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element 24 when the brewing chamber 30 is open. Ejected coffee residue may be collected in a residue tray 140 below the spinning assembly 20.

Returning to figures 10-15, the roof portion 26 comprises a peripheral edge 27, 217, 227. The peripheral edge 27, 217, 227 and the cylindrical wall 102, 202 define at least one aperture 113, 210 between them when the cylinder element 100, 200 is in the first, lower position. At least one filtration gap 124, 212, 214 is formed by the at least one aperture 113, 210 between the peripheral edge 27, 217, 227 and the cylindrical wall 102, 202. The at least one filtration gap 124, 212, 214 allows brewed coffee to flow upwards through the filtration gap 124, 212, 214 during the spinning of the spinning assembly 20 while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber 30.

The cylindrical wall 102, 202 extends above the roof portion 26 when the cylinder element 100, 200 is in the first, lower position 110. Further, the cylinder element 100, 200 also comprises a conical section 106, 204 which increases in diameter 107 in an upward direction. The conical shape forces the brewed coffee to travel upwards along the inner surface of the cylinder element 100, 200 outside the brewing chamber 30 during spinning of the spinning assembly 20. Upwardly traveling brewed coffee is guided to the gutter 73 to be served as a cup of coffee.

The size of the at least one filtration gap 124, 212, 214 and the rotational speed of the spinning assembly 20 determine the pressure in the brewing chamber 30. Different brewing chamber pressures allow brewing of different coffee recipes. The centrifugal coffee brewing machine 10 is therefore capable of brewing different coffee recipes without any manual adjustments of the user.

The cylinder element 100, 200 does not comprise holes which extend through the cylindrical wall 102, 202 from the inside to the outside. It was found that a cylinder element with holes might be more challenging to clean after each serving. Holes may get clogged, reducing the filtering capacity, and differently flavored coffee could be mixed. This could negatively affect the quality of a cup of coffee.

The spinning assembly 20 also comprises an annular wiper seal 114 which is connected to the roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24. It is configured to wipe the coffee residue from the cylinder element 100, 200 when the cylinder element 100, 200 is moved from the first, lower position 110 to the second, upper position 112.

First embodiment

Returning to figures 10, 11a and 11b, in the first embodiment of the simplified filter, the cylinder element 200 comprises a vertical section 206. The vertical section 206 of the cylinder element 200 comprises a first, lower vertical section 207 and a second, upper vertical section 208. The second, upper vertical 208 section is located inwardly from the lower, vertical section 207 of the cylinder element 200. An annular wiper seal 114 may be positioned above the upper, vertical section 208.

The inwardly extending upper, vertical section 208 and the peripheral edge 217 define an annular aperture 210. The distance between the cylinder wall 202 and the peripheral edge 217 of the roof portion is 0 - 0,5 mm, in particular 0 — 0,25 mm. A filtration gap 212 is formed by the annular aperture 210. The relatively small width of the filtration gap 212 allows brewed coffee to flow upwards while keeping coffee residue in the brewing chamber 30.

Second embodiment

Returning to figures 12 and 13a-13c, in the second embodiment of the simplified filter, the cylinder element 200 also comprises a vertical section 206. The vertical section 206 of the cylinder element 200 comprises a first, lower vertical section 207 and a second, upper vertical section 208. The second, upper vertical 208 section is located inwardly from the lower, vertical section 207 of the cylinder element 200.

The inwardly extending upper, vertical section 208 and the peripheral edge 217 define an annular aperture 210. The roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24 comprises a filter seal 220 which extends outwardly from a peripheral edge 227 of the roof portion 26, wherein the filter seal 220 and the upper, vertical section 208 of the cylinder element 200 define the at least one filtration gap 214.

The filter seal 220 touches the upper, vertical section 208 of the cylinder element 200.

The surface roughness of the filter seal 220 and/or the surface roughness of the cylinder element 200 results in multiple filtration gaps 214 to allow brewed coffee to flow upwards 215 through the filtration gaps 214 during the spinning of the spinning assembly 20 while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber 30.

Figure 13c shows a schematical view of the surface roughness of the filter seal 220 and the surface roughness of the cylinder element 200. Brewed coffee is allowed to travel upwards in a flow 215 because both elements do not perfectly align. However, the filtration gaps 214 formed by the surface roughness is too small to allow coffee residue to flow upwards.

The filter seal 220 is flexible and is configured to flex between an open state and a closed state. In the open state the at least one filtration gap 214 is open and in the closed state the at least one filtration gap 214 is closed. The filter seal 220 is bendable by the pressure of brewed coffee and coffee residue. An increment in pressure forces the filter seal 220 to bent upwards. Resulting in smaller filtration gaps 214, caused by the shape of the filter seal 220. Smaller filtration gaps 214 will further increase the pressure in the brewing chamber 30. An annular wiper seal 114 may be positioned above the filter seal 220.

Third embodiment

Returning to figures 14a, 14b and 15, in the third embodiment of the simplified filter, the spinning assembly 20 further comprises an upper seal 104 which extends outwardly from a peripheral edge 27 of the roof portion 26 of the chamber element 24. The upper seal 104 is configured to maintain concentricity between the chamber element 24 and the cylinder element 100.

The cylindrical wall 102 comprises multiple depressions 120 on an inner side of the cylindrical wall 102. The depressions 120 are positioned at a level of the upper seal 104 when the cylindrical wall 102 is in a first, lower position 112.

The upper seal 104 engages the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 102 in wall areas 122 outside the depressions 120 but remains at a distance from the cylindrical wall 102 at the depressions 120. As a result, filtration gaps 124 are formed between the upper seal 104 and the cylindrical wall 102 at the depressions 120. The filtration gaps 124 allow brewed coffee to flow upwards through the filtration gaps 124 during the spinning of the spinning assembly 20 while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber 30.

The cylinder element 100 comprises a conical section 106 which increases in diameter 107 in an upward direction. The conical shape of the cylinder element 100 forces the brewed coffee to travel upwards along the inner surface of the cylinder element 100 during spinning of the spinning assembly 20. The conical section 106 comprises a first, lower conical section 106a and a second, upper conical section 106b. Both sections increase in diameter in an upward direction, but the second, upper conical section 106b has a greater slant angle 108 than the first, lower conical section 106a.

The depressions 120 may be elongate, may extend vertically and may be parallel. The geometry, in particular a width 126 and/or a depth 127, of each depression 120 varies in a vertical 128 and horizontal 129 direction. The depth 127 of each depressions varies between 0,1 - 0,5 mm, in particular varies between 0,15 — 0,35 mm. Each depression 120 further comprises a lower narrow section 121a and a upper wider section 121b. The upper wider section 121b is wider than the lower narrow section 121a. Additionally, the depressions 120 are positioned at an equal distance from each other and form an array.

The cylinder element 100 is further movable to at least a first and a second coffee brewing position. The first coffee brewing position may be above the second coffee brewing position. The filtration gaps 124 between the cylinder element 100 and the upper seal 104 are wider or narrower in the first coffee brewing position than in the second coffee brewing position, allowing different filter areas for different coffee recipes.

The cylinder element 100 is also movable to a third, intermediate position 116 between the first, lower position 110 and second, upper position 112. An annular wiper seal 114 is positioned above the upper seal 104. The annular wiper seal 114 engages a lower edge 117 of the second, upper conical section 106b in the third, intermediate position 116.

The wiper seal 114 blocks outgoing flow 118 of coffee from the brewing chamber 30 to build up pressure in the brewing chamber 30.

The cylinder element 100 is movable between the first, lower position 110 and the third, intermediate position 116. The upper seal 104 is able to engage the cylindrical wall 102 at different vertical heights. The varying geometry of each depression 120 in the vertical direction results in varying filtration areas of the filtration gaps 124 at different vertical heights.

The plurality of different positions of the cylinder element 100 with respect to the chamber element 24 makes the device 10 suitable for brewing many different coffee recipes without making any adjustments to the device.

The annular wiper seal 114 has a smaller thickness 115 than the upper seal 104, allowing the annular wiper 114 seal to be less rigid than the upper seal 104. This enables the wiper seal 114 to follow the geometry of each depression 120 during an upward movement of the cylinder element 100 relative to the chamber element 24 in order to wipe the coffee residue from an inner surface 125 of each depression.

In operation, the method of brewing coffee comprises: — supplying ground coffee and hot water into the brewing chamber of the centrifugal coffee brewing device (10) when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position, — spinning the spinning assembly in order to brew coffee, wherein brewed coffee flows upwards through the filtration gaps during the spinning of the spinning assembly, while keeping the coffee residue in the brewing chamber,

— moving the cylinder element from the first, lower position to the second, upper position, — spinning the chamber element in order to eject coffee residue, — moving the cylinder element from the second, upper position to the first, lower position.

The present machine may be configured to produce tea in addition to coffee.

The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention. It will be recognized that a specific embodiment as claimed may not achieve all of the stated objects.

If certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, a combination of these measures may still be used to advantage.

White lines between text paragraphs in the text above indicate that the technical features presented in the paragraph may be considered independent from technical features discussed in a preceding paragraph or in a subsequent paragraph.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. A centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) comprising: - a rotatable assembly (20) rotatable about a main axis (22) for centrifuging coffee, the rotatable assembly comprising a brewing chamber (30), - a coffee bean grinder (40) having a first burr (42) and a second burr (44), the first and second burrs being rotatable relative to each other about a grinding axis (46), the main axis and the grinding axis being coaxial.

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a drive unit (50) configured to rotate the rotatable assembly about the main axis, the drive unit comprising a stator (52) and a rotor (54), the rotor configured to rotate about a rotor shaft (56), the rotor shaft being coaxial with the main axis and the grinding axis.

3. The apparatus of the preceding claim, wherein the second burr is connected to the rotatable assembly and is driven by the drive unit via the rotatable assembly.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable assembly comprises: - a chamber element (24) comprising a bottom wall (25) and a roof portion (26), - a cylinder element (100), the chamber element and the cylinder element forming the brewing chamber and the second burr being connected to the chamber element and rotating with the chamber element.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a plurality of coils (55) are arranged in a circular arrangement (56) on the stator and wherein at least one magnet (57) is arranged in a circular arrangement (58) on the rotor.

6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the rotor is connected to the rotatable assembly, and in particular to the roof portion of the chamber element.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coffee bean grinder is positioned directly above the rotatable assembly.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, wherein at least a part of the coffee bean grinder is placed on the same vertical level (59) as the drive unit.

9. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the stator is placed within the rotor and the rotor extends around the stator, in particular the coils being placed within the at least one magnet.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second burr is located within the first burr.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, comprising a shaft (28) extending downwardly from the second burr and connected to the roof portion of the chamber element and driven by the roof portion of the chamber element.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit has a further function to increase the temperature of the coffee bean grinder to reduce or prevent condensation in the coffee bean grinder, in particular increasing the temperature of the coffee bean grinder by means of radiant and/or conductive heat transfer from the drive unit.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit drives both the rotatable assembly and the coffee bean grinder, and wherein the apparatus does not have a separate grinding drive for rotating the first and second burrs relative to each other.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable assembly comprises at least one brew chamber bearing (29) providing radial and axial support to the rotatable assembly, the drive unit rotor and the second burr, and wherein the stator extends around the brew chamber bearing.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element are movable relative to each other in the axial direction, in particular the chamber element being fixed in the axial direction and the cylinder element being movable in the axial direction.

16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first burr and the second burr are movable relative to each other in the axial direction, in particular the second burr being fixed in the axial direction and the first burr being movable in the axial direction.

17. A method of brewing coffee, the method comprising: - supplying coffee beans to the coffee bean grinder of the centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, - rotating the rotary assembly with the drive unit, thereby rotating the first and second burrs relative to each other to grind the coffee beans, - supplying hot water into the brewing chamber, - rotating the rotary assembly with the drive unit to brew coffee.

18. Centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) comprising: - a rotary assembly (20) rotatable about a main axis (22), the rotary assembly comprising a brewing chamber (30) for brewing coffee, - a pump (60), - a heating trough device (70) comprising a heater (79) and a trough (73), the heating trough device comprising: o an annular device (71), the annular device defining a trough wall (72) defining the trough along which the brewed coffee exiting the rotary assembly passes to an outlet (74), o a spiral channel (62) located in the annular device and extending around the main axis, the spiral channel comprising a plurality of turns located at different vertical levels, the spiral channel comprising an inlet (64) and an outlet (65), the inlet being connected to a lower turn (87) and the outlet being connected is with a top coil (63), o the heating element comprising at least one electric heating element (75) located within the annular device and extending about the main axis, the at least one electric heating element being configured to: 1) heat the chute wall to reduce temperature losses of the brewed coffee, and 2) heat the water flowing through the spiral channel prior to introducing the water into the brewing chamber, the pump being configured to circulate water through the internal spiral channel from the inlet (64) to the outlet (65) in an upward spiral direction (86).

19. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the heating element comprises at least two electric heating elements (75), namely a first heating element (77a) and a second heating element (77b), which are independently controllable, the first heating element comprising a first heating winding (75a) and the second heating element comprising a second heating winding (75b), in particular each heating element having a separate power supply (76).

20. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the first heating element is connected to a first power supply (76a) with a range of 200 - 600 Watts and the second heating element is connected to a second power supply (78b) of 700 - 2000 Watts.

21. Device according to either of the preceding two claims, wherein the first heating element is located above the second heating element.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the annular device comprises at least two annular bodies, an upper annular body (132) and a lower annular body (133), the upper annular body being disposed above the lower annular body.

23. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper annular body defines the gutter wall.

24. A device according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the spiral channel is located in the lower annular body.

25. Device according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein at least one heating element is placed directly under the gutter.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 25, wherein the upper, downstream turn of the spiral channel is positioned lower than the upper heating element and further away from the trough than the upper heating element.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 26, wherein the lower, upstream winding of the spiral tube is positioned lower than the lower heating element.

28. Device according to claims 18 to 27, wherein the spiral channel has at least three turns, and more particularly four turns.

29. A method of brewing coffee, comprising: - supplying ground coffee to the centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 28, - circulating relatively cold water through the spiral channel of the heating trough apparatus with the pump and heating the water with the heating element, - supplying the hot water to the brewing chamber, - centrifugally rotating the rotatable assembly to brew coffee, the heating element heating the relatively cold water in the spiral channel, the trough and the brewed coffee in the trough, and the cold water circulating in an upward spiral direction through the spiral channel and arriving as hot water at the exit of the spiral channel.

30. Centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) comprising: - a rotatable assembly (20) rotatable about a principal axis (22), the rotatable assembly comprising a brewing chamber (30), the rotatable assembly comprising a bottom wall (38) having a central opening (37), - a hot water supply assembly (90) for supplying hot water to the brewing chamber, the hot water supply assembly comprising: o a spray element (92) configured to spray the hot water into the brewing chamber, the spray element comprising at least one sprinkler (94), o a supply channel (96) configured to supply hot water to the spray element, the supply channel comprising a first portion (98) and a second portion (99), the first portion extending below the brewing chamber and the second portion extending upwardly from the first portion and passing through the central opening in the bottom wall (38) of the centrifuge construction.

31. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotatable assembly comprises an upstanding wall portion (39} extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining the central opening, the hot water supply assembly being configured to supply the hot water over the upstanding wall portion to the brewing chamber.

32. Apparatus according to either of the preceding two claims, wherein the brewing chamber has an annular shape.

33. Apparatus according to either of the preceding two claims, wherein the sprayer is configured to spray hot water over a horizontal distance (95), and wherein the spray element in particular comprises a plurality of sprayers (94), the plurality of sprayers being positioned next to each other, and in particular at a horizontal distance from each other.

34. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the spray element comprises at least one nozzle, in particular a plurality of nozzles, the plurality of nozzles being configured to spray hot water at different angles (97), so that an evenly distributed supply of hot water onto a coffee bed (31) in the brewing chamber is possible.

35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the spray element is positioned eccentrically of the main axis.

36. A method of brewing coffee comprising: - supplying ground coffee to the centrifugal coffee brewing device (10) according to any one of claims 30 to 35, - supplying hot water through the supply channel to the spray element and spraying the hot water into the brewing chamber, - rotating the rotatable assembly to brew coffee.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the hot water is supplied into the brewing chamber over the upright wall section.

38. Centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) comprising a rotatable assembly (20) rotatable about a principal axis (22), the rotatable assembly comprising: - a chamber element (24) comprising a bottom wall (25) and a roof portion (26), - a cylinder element (100; 200) having a cylindrical wall {102; 202), the roof portion having a peripheral edge (27), the chamber element and the cylinder element forming a brewing chamber (30), the cylinder element and the chamber element being movable relative to each other between:

o a first, lower position (110) of the cylinder element relative to the chamber element wherein the cylinder element defines a periphery of the brewing chamber, and wherein the rotatable assembly has a brewing configuration, and co a second, upper position (112) of the cylinder element relative to the chamber element wherein the periphery of the brewing chamber is open, and wherein in the second position coffee grounds can be ejected by rotating the rotatable assembly, wherein the peripheral edge and the cylinder wall define at least one opening (113; 210) therebetween when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position, wherein a filtration opening (124; 212) is formed by the at least one opening between the peripheral edge and the cylindrical wall, and wherein the filtration opening ensures that the brewed coffee flows upward through the filtration opening during rotation of the rotatable assembly, while the coffee grounds remain in the brewing chamber.

39. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the cylinder element comprises a conical portion (106; 204) increasing in diameter (107) in an upward direction, the conical shape forcing the brewed coffee to move upward along the inner surface of the cylinder element outside the brewing chamber as the rotatable assembly rotates.

40. Apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the size of the filtration opening and the rotation speed of the rotatable assembly determine the pressure in the brewing chamber, and wherein different brewing chamber pressures allow the brewing of different coffee recipes.

41. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 40, wherein the cylinder element has no holes extending from the inside to the outside through the cylinder wall.

42. The apparatus of any of claims 38 to 41, wherein the rotatable assembly includes an annular wiper seal (114) connected to the roof portion, the annular wiper seal configured to wipe coffee grounds from the cylinder member as the cylinder member is moved from the first, lower position to the second, upper position.

43. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 42, wherein the cylindrical wall extends above the roof portion when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position.

44. The apparatus of any one of claims 38 to 43, wherein the at least one opening is an annular opening (210).

45. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 44, wherein the cylinder element comprises a vertical portion (206).

46. The apparatus of claim 44 or 45, wherein the vertical portion of the cylinder element comprises: - a first, lower vertical portion (207), - a second, upper vertical portion (208), the second, upper vertical portion being disposed inwardly relative to the first, lower vertical portion of the cylinder element, the inwardly disposed upper vertical portion and the peripheral edge defining the annular opening.

47. Device according to any one of claims 38 to 46, wherein the distance between the cylinder wall and the peripheral edge of the roof section is 0 - 0.5 mm, in particular 0 - 0.25 mm.

48. The apparatus of any one of claims 38 to 47, comprising a filter seal (220) extending outwardly from a peripheral edge (227) of the roof portion, the filter seal and the upper, vertical portion of the cylinder element defining the at least one filtration opening (214).

49. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the filter seal contacts the upper, vertical portion of the cylinder element, the surface roughness of the filter seal and/or the surface roughness of the cylinder element resulting in a plurality of filtration openings (214), so that the brewed coffee flows upwards (215) through the filtration openings during rotation of the rotating assembly, while the coffee grounds remain in the brewing chamber.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 or 49, wherein the filter seal is not attached to the peripheral edge and is configured to move between an open and a closed state, wherein in the open state the at least one filtration opening is open and in the closed state the at least one filtration opening is closed.

51. Apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 50, wherein the filter seal is pressed outward by centrifugal force during rotation of the rotatable assembly.

52. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotational speed of the rotatable assembly determines the degree of sealing of the filter seal, whereby an increase in the rotational speed reduces the amount of filtration openings and a decrease in the rotational speed increases the amount of filtration openings.

53. Apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 52, wherein the annular wiper seal is positioned above the filter seal.

54. The apparatus of any one of claims 38 to 43, wherein a top seal (104) extends outwardly from a peripheral edge (27) of the roof portion.

55. Device according to any of claims 38 to 43 and 54, wherein the cylindrical wall has a plurality of recesses (120) on the inside.

56. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein in the first, lower position the recesses are positioned at the level of the top seal and the top seal contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical wall in the wall portions (122) outside the recesses but remains spaced from the cylindrical wall in the recesses, whereby filtration openings (124) are formed between the top seal and the cylindrical wall in the recesses.

57. Device according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the recesses are elongated.

58. Device according to any of claims 55 to 57, wherein the recesses extend vertically.

59. Device according to any of claims 55 to 58, wherein the recesses are parallel.

60. Device according to any of claims 38 to 43 and 54 to 59, wherein the cylinder element comprises: - a first, lower conical portion (106a) increasing in diameter in an upward direction, - a second, upper conical portion (106b) increasing in diameter in an upward direction,

whereby the second, upper conical section has a greater slope angle (108) than the first, lower conical section.

61. Device according to any of claims 55 to 60, wherein the geometry, in particular a width (126) and/or a depth (127), of each recess varies in vertical (128) and/or horizontal (129) direction.

62. The device of any one of claims 55 to 61, wherein each recess comprises a lower narrow portion (121a) and an upper wider portion (121b) that is wider than the lower narrow portion.

63. Apparatus according to any of claims 56 to 62, wherein the cylinder element is movable to at least a first and a second brewing position, the first brewing position being above the second brewing position, the filtration openings between the cylinder element and the upper seal being wider or narrower in the first brewing position than in the second brewing position, so that different filter surfaces are possible for different coffee recipes.

64. Device according to any of claims 55 to 63, wherein the depth of each recess varies in vertical and horizontal direction and more particularly varies between 0.1 - 0.5 mm, in particular 0.15 - 0.35 mm.

65. Apparatus according to any of claims 60 to 64, wherein the cylinder member is movable to a third, middle position (116) between the first, lower position and the second, upper position, the annular wiper seal contacting a lower edge (117) of the second, upper conical portion in the third, middle position to block an outgoing coffee flow (118) from the brewing chamber and build up pressure in the brewing chamber.

66. Apparatus according to any of claims 56 to 64, wherein the cylinder element is movable between the first, lower position and the third, middle position, wherein the upper seal can contact the cylindrical wall at different vertical heights and wherein the varying geometry of each recess in the vertical direction results in varying filter areas of the filtration openings at said different vertical heights.

67. Device according to any of claims 55 to 68, wherein the recesses are equally spaced and form a row.

68. Apparatus according to any of claims 54 to 67, wherein the annular wiper seal is positioned above the top seal.

69. The apparatus of any one of claims 55 to 68, wherein the annular wiper seal has a lesser thickness (115) than the top seal, whereby the annular wiper seal is less rigid than the top seal and follows the geometry of each recess during upward movement of the cylinder member relative to the chamber member to wipe coffee grounds from an inner surface (125) of each recess.

70. The apparatus of any of claims 54 to 69, wherein the filter seal and the top seal are configured to maintain concentricity between the chamber element and the cylinder element.

71. A method for brewing coffee, comprising: - supplying ground coffee and hot water to the brewing chamber of the centrifugal coffee brewing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 44 to 61 when the cylinder element is in the first, lower position, - rotating the rotatable assembly to brew coffee, the brewed coffee flowing upwards through the at least one filtration opening as the rotatable assembly rotates, while the coffee grounds remain in the brewing chamber, - moving the cylinder element from the first, lower position to the second, upper position, - rotating the chamber element to eject coffee grounds, - moving the cylinder element from the second, upper position to the first, lower position.