초록 ▼

A coffee bean roasting machine of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber in a recirculating process stream driven by a recirculation fan is operated to air cool the roasted coffee beans in the roasting chamber, to a temperature beneath which the beans

A coffee bean roasting machine of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber in a recirculating process stream driven by a recirculation fan is operated to air cool the roasted coffee beans in the roasting chamber, to a temperature beneath which the beans give off smoke, while at the same time incinerating smoke removed from the roasting chamber. A purge gate in ducting between the cyclone separator and the roasting chamber is opened to allow the flow of ambient air into and through the roasting chamber while blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, so that ambient air is directed through the roasting chamber. The smoke and any airborne particulate material from the roasting chamber are carried into the heating chamber and through the incineration tube, where they are incinerated. Preferably the system and process are operated automatically by a computer and programming.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for operating a roaster for coffee beans or other beans or grains, of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber, with the outlet of the cyclone separator being connected by ducting to the coffee bean roasting chamber for heating coffee beans t

1. A method for operating a roaster for coffee beans or other beans or grains, of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber, with the outlet of the cyclone separator being connected by ducting to the coffee bean roasting chamber for heating coffee beans therein and the roasting chamber having an outlet connected to an inlet of the cyclone separator, the cyclone separator heating tube having an incineration tube positioned above a heat source so that the process stream swirls around the outside of the incineration tube, and with a circulation fan or blower positioned in the process stream to move the process stream in a recirculating loop through the cyclone separator heating chamber and through the roasting chamber, comprising the steps of: recirculating the process stream with the heat source activated, for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature of the process stream to roast coffee beans in the roasting chamber,when the coffee beans have been roasted, leaving the coffee beans remaining in the roasting chamber for a time to allow cooling,opening an ambient air vent between the cyclone separator and the roasting chamber while at the same time substantially blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, thus causing ambient air to flow into and through the roasting chamber cooling the coffee beans and into the cyclone separator, then into the incineration tube, where the air carrying smoke from the roasting chamber and airborne particulate material is incinerated before being exhausted,whereby, following a roasting of coffee beans, the roasting chamber is purged of smoke and airborne particulate matter, the coffee beans are cooled below a temperature at which they give off smoke, and all smoke, pollutants and airborne particulate matter are incinerated, such that the roasting process produces almost no smoke outside the machine. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, while the ambient air vent is open and flow is substantially blocked out of the cyclone separator, the heat source is at a high setting and the circulating fan or blower is at a higher speed than during coffee bean roasting, so that the purged smoke and airborne particulate material is fully incinerated in the incineration tube. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of opening an ambient air vent and substantially blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, comprise automatically changing the position of a purge gate in said ducting, from a closed position sealing against ambient air and allowing process stream flow to the bean roasting chamber, to an open position substantially blocking flow out of the cyclone separator and opening the ducting downstream of the purge gate to flow of ambient air to the bean roasting chamber. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the time and temperature of roasting the coffee beans, the opening of the ambient air vent and substantially blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, are controlled automatically by a computer and programming. 5. The method of claim 1, further including, after a period of time in which the coffee beans in the roasting chamber are cooled, automatically releasing the coffee beans from the chamber into an exterior cooling tray, lowering the speed of the circulation fan or blower, closing the ambient air vent and allowing flow out of the cyclone separator, and reducing the setting of the heat source.