Abstract: A coffee roaster that includes a combustion chamber and a connected roasting oven in which the heating gases for roasting the coffee beans are recirculated to the combustion chamber wherein the coffee bean chaff is separated from the recirculating heating gases prior to venting to atmosphere, and an associated cooling chamber wherein the roasted coffee beans are cooled in a two-stage-heating cycle wherein the cooling air is recirculated to the combustion chamber to be reheated to roasting temperatures and vented to atmosphere during the second stage of cooling. The coffee beans being de-stoned as the cooled coffee beans are conveyed from the cooling chamber to the discharge hopper.

Abstract: A coffee roaster that includes a combustion chamber and a connected roasting oven in which the heating gases for roasting the coffee beans are recirculated to the combustion chamber wherein the coffee bean chaff is separated from the recirculating heating gases prior to venting to atmosphere, and an associated cooling chamber wherein the roasted coffee beans are cooled in a two-stage heating cycle wherein the cooling air is recirculated to the combustion chamber to be reheated to roasting temperatures and vented to atmosphere during the second stage of cooling. The coffee beans being de-stoned as the cooled coffee beans are conveyed from the cooling chamber to the discharge hopper.

Abstract: A coffee blending and dispensing apparatus whereby coffee purchasers can automatically customize a desired blend of two or more different types of coffee beans that weighs and packages the blended coffee in containers either as ground coffee blend or as a whole coffee bean blend. The blending and dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of coffee bins, each containing a predetermined type of coffee bean supported over a scale. Each coffee bin includes a controlled discharge for directing selected predetermined amount of coffee beans contained therein to the scale for weighing. Upon weighing, the selected blend of coffee beans are conveyed to a bagging station, where blended coffee beans may be finally packaged either in a ground form or a whole bean form.

Abstract: A coffee blending apparatus for automatically custom blending two or more different types of coffee beans with or without added flavoring to an individual's personalized blend and/or flavor. The apparatus includes a plurality of supply hoppers, each containing a particular type of coffee bean, each hopper having a controlled discharge opening from which the coffee beans are selectively discharged in predetermined amounts onto a weighing apparatus or scale for weighing. The selected coffee beans forming the desired blend are then mixed to form a homogeneous blend of coffee beans and from where the blended beans are directed to either a grinding station or bagging station as an unflavored blend, or to a flavoring station wherein the homogeneously blended coffee beans are mixed with a desired flavoring ingredient. In one form of the invention, a scale having a discharge opening is interposed between the supply hoppers and the mixer where the coffee beans are blended.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a custom coffee blending apparatus whereby a customer can personally blend a plurality of different coffee beans to design an individualized blend. This is attained by an apparatus having a plurality of hoppers, each containing a supply of coffee beans that are grown in various coffee producing regions. The discharge opening of the respective hoppers is connected into communication with conduits having disposed therein a feeder for directing the coffee to a collecting station wherein the respective coffee beans received from the respective hoppers are collected and thereafter selectively bagged, either in the whole bean state or in the ground state, weight checked, and/or having a label printed to identify the make up or amount of the various coffees comprising the final coffee blend. The operation of the apparatus is controlled by a central process unit (CPU) that is operated by the individual customer.

Abstract: A blending or mixing apparatus and method and more particularly to a coffee blending apparatus for automatically blending two or more types of coffee beans that weighs and packages the blended coffee into containers either as a ground blend or as a coffee bean blend to be ground at a later time by the purchaser. The apparatus includes two or more hoppers, each containing a particular type of coffee bean disposed above a weighing apparatus or scale whereby each hopper is automatically controlled by a valve for releasing a predetermined amount of coffee onto the scale or weighing apparatus. When a predetermined amount of coffee beans making up the desired blend are weighed, the blend of coffee beans are directed to either a grinder or a bagging station for packaging. If directed to the grinder, the ground coffee blend is subsequently directed to a bagging station.