RU2845961C1 - Apparatus for roasting coffee beans (embodiments) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: inventions group relates to coffee industry. Disclosed is an embodiment of a coffee bean roasting apparatus, comprising a vessel for holding coffee beans, a heating device for heating the coffee beans, a control system configured to control the heating device and configured to apply a roasting formula (R), providing preset temperature values for use in separate successive moments in time t₁, t₂ and so forth, wherein for a given number of m coffee beans of the type Cy loaded inside the vessel, the control system is configured to determine the number of m coffee beans and their type Cy loaded inside the vessel, and based on the obtained type Cy and the obtained quantity m, the control system is configured to determine the recipe Rym for roasting a quantity of m coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus by accessing: to a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted for roasting a certain number of grains, wherein said number is included in a list of predetermined number (M, M ± Δx) from any pre-existing roasting recipe adapted to roasting another number of grains in said particular type of roasting apparatus, wherein said other number is included in a list of predetermined number (M, M ± Δx), and to a list of said predetermined quantities (M, M ± Δx), and to at least one preset initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe RyMoriginal is configured to roast one predetermined number of Moriginal beans Cy in said particular type of roasting apparatus, wherein said predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal provides predetermined temperatures applied at discrete successive points in time t₁, t₂ and so forth, respectively, and to said predetermined number of Moriginal grains, and based on a comparison of m, the available initial predetermined number of Moriginal grains and available predetermined number of list (M, M ± Δx), determination of the roasting recipe Rym for use on said number of m coffee beans. Other embodiments of apparatus for roasting coffee beans and a system of roasting devices comprising a set of said apparatus are also described.

EFFECT: group of inventions provides identical process of roasting regardless of number of roasted grains and regardless of used apparatus for roasting of same type.

17 cl, 9 dwg, 3 tbl

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to roasting coffee beans and, in particular, to roasting different quantities of coffee beans. The invention is particularly suitable for use at home or in shops and cafes.

Prerequisites for the creation of an invention

Over the past decades, many roasting machines have been developed for use at home or in small shops and cafes. Most roasting machines operate on the principle of fluidized bed technology, which features a chamber with a fluidized bed and hot air. Inside this chamber, heated air is passed through a sieve or perforated plate located under the coffee beans with enough force to lift the beans. Heat is transferred to the beans as they are mixed and circulated in this fluidized bed.

This technology is based on the industrial roasting machine described in US3964175 and adapted to small household devices such as US4484064, US4494314, US4631838, US4968916, US5269072, US5564331, etc. Currently, most of the specified roasting machines implement automatic roasting processes, with roasting profiles stored in the control unit of the device.

These preset roasting profiles are typically defined by a coffee expert for a specific type of coffee bean. They are designed to ensure that each type of coffee bean is roasted optimally, and reproducing the roasting profile ensures that the roasted beans will have a consistent consistency.

While the roasting chamber of a home appliance is typically designed to accommodate a small amount of coffee beans added periodically during each roasting operation, the roasting chambers of small shop and coffee roasting appliances are typically larger, allowing the operator to roast beans for a large or small number of customers, depending on the need. For example, a roasting chamber may be sized to roast between 50g and 300g of coffee beans.

The roasting parameters, essentially time and temperature, cannot be the same for different quantities of roasted beans. Otherwise, if the quantity of beans differs significantly from the standard typical quantity, this may negatively affect the quality of roasting: the beans may burn, or the required degree of roasting will not be achieved, or the roasting of the beans may be uneven or will not provide an optimal organoleptic profile. Uniform roasting cannot be achieved, despite the fact that the beans being roasted and the roasting apparatus are the same.

US 2004/074400 describes a roasting apparatus in which the roasting parameters can be adjusted depending on the mass and type of beans. In particular, a standard roasting curve can be adjusted taking into account the mass of the coffee beans loaded into the roasting machine. However, it is not explained what this standard roasting curve is and how it is adapted to different types of beans.

US 2014/0314923 describes a roasting apparatus that stores roasting profiles, wherein the controller is adapted to calculate an optimal roasting profile based on information (such as the mass and type of beans) about the coffee to be roasted. However, no description of this calculation is given.

WO 2020/127668 describes a roasting apparatus in which the roasting parameters can be adapted to an individual number of beans loaded into the apparatus. The control system is configured to access a series of several predetermined roasting recipes (R _i , R _i+1 , etc.) adapted to roast different successive predetermined quantities (M _i , M _i+1 , etc.) of beans of the same type, and to said predetermined quantities Mi, Mi+1, etc. This apparatus ensures optimal roasting, regardless of the number of beans to be roasted. However, it is necessary to have access to a series of predetermined roasting recipes, which means predetermining several roasting recipes, which requires a certain amount of work to predetermine these recipes.

WO 2020/127673 describes a roasting apparatus in which the roasting parameters can be adapted for an individual quantity m of beans loaded into the apparatus. The control system is configured to access at least one predetermined roasting recipe providing a temperature T _@ti , T _@t2 , etc., applied at discrete successive times t ₁ , t ₂ , etc. for a predetermined quantity M of beans and to calculate a new roasting recipe for a given quantity m by applying special formulas to the temperatures T _@ti of the predetermined roasting recipe and taking into account the given quantity m and the given quantity M.

This method of determining a roasting recipe for an individual number of beans from one predetermined roasting recipe can be improved, in particular by ensuring consistency in roasting beans of the same type, regardless of the number of beans being roasted.

Statement of the essence of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to improve the process of automatic roasting of coffee beans.

It would be an advantage to have a roasting machine that allows for optimal and consistent roasting regardless of the number of beans to be roasted.

An advantage would be to provide a roasting machine with the ability to automatically apply a roasting profile corresponding to the number of beans loaded into the machine.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by means of a method for roasting coffee beans according to claim 1, an apparatus according to claim 16, a system of apparatuses for roasting according to claim 19, and computer programs according to claims 20 and 21.

In a first aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for determining a recipe Rym for roasting a quantity m of type Cy of coffee beans in a specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said recipe Rym provides specified values (Tym@ti; ti) of temperatures Tym _@ t ₁ , Tym _@ t ₂ , etc., applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively,

the method includes the following stages:

- gaining access:

to a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in said specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and

to the list of preset quantities (M, M±Δx), and

to at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe RyMoriginal is configured to roast one predetermined quantity Moriginal of beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal provides predetermined values (TyMoriginal@ti; ti) of temperatures TyMoriginal _@ t ₁ , TyMoriginal _@ t ₂ , etc., applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, and

to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and

- based on:

comparison of m and the available original preset quantity Moriginal and comparison of m and the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx) and

comparison of Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx),

defining the roasting recipes Rym for use on a specified quantity m of coffee beans as follows:

- if m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the available initial preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal,

- if m differs from the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and

if the available original preset quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and

if m is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roast recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roast recipe RyMoriginal,

if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available preset original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

if Moriginal differs from any of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), then the determination in the specified list of the quantity Mclosest, which represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, is calculated by the corresponding roasting recipe RyMclosest from the available preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal, and:

if m is equal to the specified amount of Mclosest that represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the calculated roasting recipe RyMclosest,

if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the resulting roasting recipe RyMclosest,

if M differs from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM,RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the obtained roasting recipe RyMclosest.

This method relates to the determination of a recipe for roasting a given quantity m of coffee beans of a specific type Cy with a specific type of roasting apparatus based on:

- the presence of one pre-set initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, adapted for roasting one pre-set quantity of Moriginal beans of type Cy in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus,

And

- a pre-set calculation rule that ensures the relationship between the roasting recipe adapted to roasting a given number of beans and the pre-set quantities included in the list (M, M±Δx)

And

- comparisons between the new specified quantity M, the previously specified quantity Moriginal and the previously specified quantities (M, M±Δx).

Accordingly, based on the presence of only one preset roasting recipe adapted to one number of beans, the roasting recipe for any given number of beans can be automatically calculated as indicated below.

A predetermined roasting recipe RyMoriginal provides given values (TyMoriginal@ti; ti) of temperatures TyMoriginal _@ t ₁ , TyMoriginal _@ t ₂ , etc., applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively.

Typically, this pre-set original R yMoriginal roast recipe is determined by a coffee specialist by roasting Cy beans in a master roaster. This master roaster is used to determine the original recipes for all Cy coffees.

This method then allows defining a new roasting recipe for any new amount of beans roasted in the roaster, which is the main roaster. This new recipe guarantees the same final roasted beans (color, aroma, density, etc.) as when roasting a predetermined amount of Moriginal beans according to the predetermined original roasting recipe RyMoriginal. Consequently, a uniform roast is achieved for different amounts of the same type of beans being roasted.

The available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal is adapted for a specific type C _y of coffee beans and a predetermined quantity Moriginal of said beans and for a specific type of roasting apparatus. Accordingly, for one type of beans, at least one original roasting recipe is available, adapted for roasting said predetermined quantity Moriginal. As a rule, this original roasting recipe has been established by a coffee roasting specialist and provides precise parameters measured during the roasting operation for the optimal roasting of quantity M of coffee beans of type Cy.

Preferably, the method requires access to a predetermined quantity of Moriginal, also associated with the RyMoriginal roasting recipe. In one embodiment, this predetermined quantity may be the same for all available RyMoriginal roasting recipes, and this predetermined quantity may be set as a default.

In another embodiment, this predetermined quantity may be different according to the coffee beans Cy and their roasting recipe RyMoriginal. In this latter case, the method requires access to said predetermined quantity Moriginal associated with the corresponding roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

In some embodiments of the method, for a particular Cy type of coffee beans, it is possible to access several original RyzMoriginal roasting recipes, wherein these original roasting recipes differ in other characteristics than the Cy type or the amount of Moriginal, in particular, these original recipes differ in the final roasting level (low, medium, dark) applied to the beans and/or the further use of the roasted beans, as described below.

As stated above, this RyMoriginal roasting recipe is adapted to roast a predetermined quantity of Moriginal of a single type of bean and is determined experimentally: it reflects the organoleptic taste that a roasting expert aims to achieve when preparing beans for customers who will drink coffee obtained from roasted beans of this type. The roasting recipe is also linked to a single type of roasting apparatus itself, since roasting profiles may vary depending on the type of bean agitation (fluidized bed or rotary drum), the internal structure such as the shape of the chamber, the position of key components (e.g. temperature sensor) and/or the type of control system used to operate the heating device.

In addition, the method requires access to:

- a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and

- to the list of specified preset quantities (M, M±Δx).

This rule is applicable regardless of the specific type of beans to be roasted. This rule ensures a correspondence between one pre-existing roasting recipe adapted to one list quantity, such as RM adapted to quantity M, and all roasting recipes RM±Δx adapted to other list quantities either higher (M+Δx) or lower (M-Δx) and differing by the amount Δx (Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, etc.). Therefore, based on the rule knowledge and one pre-existing roasting recipe for one list quantity, all roasting recipes adapted to other quantities can be calculated automatically.

Since it has been noted that when using a device of a certain type, the rule is the same for different types of beans, when a new type of beans is required to be roasted using this particular device, it is no longer necessary to define roasting recipes for different quantities of said beans. The definition of one pre-existing roasting recipe for one quantity of the list is sufficient to define roasting recipes for other quantities.

In a particular regime, a rule may be specific to one particular bean family, in particular a botanical type such as Robusta or Arabica beans.

This rule is usually determined experimentally. The rule is associated with a specific type of roasting machine.

Preferably, the predetermined quantities of the list M and M±Δx defined in the rule may correspond to quantities in a range from a larger to a smaller quantity that can be fried in the container of the frying apparatus for which the rule is defined.

Preferably, at least two quantities are predetermined, one greater than M and the other less than M; typically, these at least two upper and lower predetermined quantities represent the same quantity difference (Δ1) with M.

Preferably, the predetermined quantity M may correspond to a quantity that is optimal for frying in the vessel volume of the apparatus. Then, the predetermined quantity M+Δ1, M+Δ2, etc. and M-Δ1, M-Δ2, etc. may correspond to quantities in the range between higher and lower quantities that can be fried in the vessel of the frying apparatus, as mentioned above.

Alternatively, but less preferably, the predetermined quantity M may correspond to the minimum quantity of beans that can be roasted in the volume of the vessel of the apparatus, and at least one predetermined quantity M+Δ1 may correspond to the maximum quantity that can be roasted in the vessel of the roasting apparatus.

The method for determining the roasting recipe Rm applied to a given quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy depends on:

- comparison of M and the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and

- comparison of Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx), and

- comparison of M and available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx).

If m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then this is the simplest way to determine the roast recipe Rym, since in this case Rym corresponds to the available initial roast recipe RyMoriginal.

If m differs from the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the method for determining the roasting recipe Rym depends on the comparison of Moriginal and the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), i.e. depends on whether the preset initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal is adapted to roasting the quantity of beans contained in the list of preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the rule.

If one first case is an available initial preset quantity Moriginal equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and

- m is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roast recipe Rym can be calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roast recipe RyMoriginal, or

- if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM,RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

If it is the second case, the available original preset quantity Moriginal is different from any of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx). Then the method for determining the frying recipe includes:

- identification in the specified list of the quantity of Mclosest representing the smallest difference from Moriginal, and calculation of the corresponding roasting recipe RyMclosest from the available roasting recipe RyMoriginal. That is:

if m is equal to the specified amount of Mclosest that represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the specified calculated roasting recipe RyMclosest,

if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the resulting roasting recipe RyMclosest,

if M differs from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM,RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the obtained roasting recipe RyMclosest.

This rule and method allow the operator to adjust the amount of beans roasted, while ensuring that the same final roasted beans are obtained, regardless of the amount roasted. The roast is constant, regardless of the amount roasted.

This rule avoids storing multiple roast recipes for different Cy bean types and for different quantities of specified different beans. Only one RyMoriginal roast recipe for one bean type and one quantity of specified beans should be available. Then, based on the rule, the roast recipe for any quantity of specified beans can be calculated or inferred or approximated.

In general, this rule is a mathematical function, such as a polynomial rule (e.g., a linear or quadratic function), a logarithmic or exponential function, applied to the temperatures T@ti of the set values of a pre-existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans contained in a list of pre-set quantities (M, M±Δx).

The mathematical function ensures the correspondence between all roasting recipes adapted to roast the amount of beans contained in the list of predefined quantities (M, M±Δx). Accordingly, if one pre-existing roasting recipe adapted to one of the specified quantities is available, all other roasting recipes adapted to other quantities can be calculated.

In a preferred embodiment, the calculation rule from one predetermined initial frying recipe RyM (TyM@ti_;ti) at least one frying recipe RyM±Δx (TyM±Δx @ti; t i), adapted to roast a predetermined quantity M±Δx of beans, is a linear function, and this rule is defined by at least one pair of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), wherein said coefficients relate to the difference in quantity ±Δx between M and M±Δx, and the rule is applicable to temperatures TyM_@ti, provided by a predetermined initial roasting recipe RM, as follows:

TyM±Δx@ti = a(M;M±Δx)TyM@ti + b(M;M±Δx)

In a specific embodiment of the method, said polynomial rule is determined by at least two pairs of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), wherein each of said pairs is applied over a certain time range Δti of a predetermined frying recipe RyM.

In particular, one time range Δti1 may correspond to the first phase of drying of the beans, and another time range Δti2 may correspond to the next two phases of the roasting operation, i.e. the phases during which the Maillard reactions occur, followed by the development phase (also called finishing).

For the first phase of grain drying, the first pair of predetermined coefficients can be defined independently of the number of grains, while for the following phases it is preferable to use other pairs of predetermined coefficients that are specific to the quantities of grains to adapt the energy applied to the number of grains in these critical phases.

In one mode, during different specific time ranges Δti, at least one of the coefficients of the pair (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)) can be determined as a function of time that changes with time in the time range Δti when reproducing the roasting recipes.

Alternatively, over a certain time range Δti, at least one of the coefficients of the pair (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)) may be a constant. The constant may differ in different time ranges Δti.

In one embodiment, for one specific type of roasting apparatus, different rules for different families of beans can be defined. Accordingly, each family has a specific rule for calculating from one predetermined initial roasting recipe RM at least one roasting recipe RM±Δx adapted for roasting a predetermined amount M±Δx of beans. Based on the obtained type Cy, the control system is configured to access directly the rule configured for the type Cy of beans, or, alternatively, for the family to which this type Cy belongs, and then to the rule corresponding to said family.

Coffee beans can be grouped into families that respond similarly to roasting. Around the world, the same families of beans are roasted according to similar roasting profiles. Within a family, different types of beans have different roasting profiles, but the same rule can be applied to all types of beans in a given family due to their similarities.

In one embodiment, a family may be associated with a botanical variety of beans (e.g., Arabica and Robusta may form two different families with different specific rules).

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the available initial predetermined quantity Moriginal corresponds to one of the available predetermined quantities of the list (M, M±Δx) of the rule.

In fact, it is generally preferable to provide access to pre-defined initial roasting recipes that have been created for these pre-defined rule quantities, in order to avoid too many long calculations or approximations during the determination of the roasting recipe for a given quantity m.

According to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment of the method, if m differs from M and from any of the available quantities m±Δx, then the roasting recipe Rm for application to the said quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel can be calculated from one or two available roasting recipes RyM and/or calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx, wherein each of the said one or two recipes is adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity of beans, respectively, and the said predetermined quantity or quantities of beans representing the smallest difference(s) in quantity with the obtained quantity m.

In one first mode of this preferred embodiment, a roasting recipe Rym for use on said obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded inside the vessel can be calculated by selecting from a list of available roasting recipes RyM and/or calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx, wherein the roasting recipe is adapted to roast one predetermined quantity of beans, with the smallest difference in quantity with the obtained quantity m.

In this first mode, the roasting recipe Rym is this selected available roasting recipe RyM or the calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx.

In one second mode of this preferred embodiment, the roasting recipe Rym for use on the said obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel can be calculated by:

- identification in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m, where Mm-1 is below Mm+1,

- for the specified two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, obtaining the corresponding frying recipe RMm-1 and RMm+1, respectively, wherein the specified recipes are determined as follows:

if one of the identified quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 is equal to the predetermined quantity M, then the determination is made by accessing the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM adapted for roasting the said predetermined quantity M of beans,

if one or two specified quantities Mm-1 and/or Mm+1 differ from the preset quantity M, then the calculation of the corresponding roasting recipe RMm-1 and/or RMm+1 is performed by applying the rule to the available roasting recipe RyM,

- from the obtained frying recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1, the said recipes provide temperatures TMm-1@t1, TMm-1@t2, etc. and TMm+1@t1, TMm+1@t2, etc., respectively, applied at discrete successive moments of time t₁, t₂etc., determining temperatures Tm@t1, Tm@t2 etc., which must be applied to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time t₁, t₂etc. as follows:

Tm@ti = TMm-1@ti + [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

with K ≤ 1.

In this second mode, the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available roasting recipe RyM and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM±Δx is calculated by applying a rule to the available roasting recipe RyM.

This second mode provides a more precise definition of the roasting recipe applied to a given quantity m of coffee beans compared to the first mode, since a specific roasting profile is defined for each specific quantity.

K can be predefined and available during the method. By default, K is 1.

In a third mode of this preferred embodiment of the method, the roasting recipe Rym for use on the specified obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel is calculated by:

- identification in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m,

- for the specified two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, obtaining the corresponding frying recipe RMm-1 and RMm+1, respectively, wherein the specified recipes are determined as follows:

if one of the identified quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 is equal to the predetermined quantity M, then the determination is made by accessing the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM adapted for roasting the said predetermined quantity M of beans,

if one or two specified quantities Mm-1 and/or Mm+1 differ from the preset quantity M, then the calculation of the corresponding roasting recipe RMm-1 and/or RMm+1 is performed by applying the rule to the available roasting recipe RyM,

- from the obtained frying recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1, the said recipes provide temperatures TMm-1@t1, TMm-1@t2, etc. and TMm+1@t1, TMm+1@t2, etc., respectively, applied at discrete successive moments of time t₁, t₂etc., determining temperatures Tm@t₁, Tm@t2 etc., which must be applied to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time t1, t2, etc. as follows:

if m is closer to Mm-1, then:

Tm@ti =TMm-1@ti + [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

if m is closer to Mm+1, then:

Tm@ti = TMm+1@ti - [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti). K. (Mm+1 - m)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

with K ≤ 1.

This third mode provides a more precise definition of the roasting recipe applied to a given quantity m of coffee beans than the second mode.

K can be predefined and available during the method. By default, K is 1.

In the second and third modes of this particular embodiment, the method may include the steps of:

- based on the Cy type of coffee beans, the step of accessing the Ky coefficient specific to the said Cy type of coffee beans, and

- the stage of calculating the frying recipe Rym using Ky as the K coefficient.

As an alternative to this embodiment, if the rule is a linear function and pairs of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)) are available, then the method for determining the recipe Rym can be obtained by:

- identification in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m, where Mm-1 is below Mm+1,

- for the said two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, by obtaining at least one corresponding pair of predetermined coefficients (a(M;Mm-1);b(M;Mm-1)) and (a(M;Mm+1);b(M;Mm+1)), wherein if one of the said two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 is equal to M, then the corresponding pair of predetermined coefficients is (1;1),

- from the specified obtained pairs of pre-set coefficients (a(M;Mm-1);b(M;Mm-1)) and (a(M;Mm+1);b(M;Mm+1)), determining at least one pair of coefficients a(M;m) as follows:

a(M;m) = a(M;Mm-1) + [(a (M;Mm+1) - a(M;Mm-1)) . K. (m - Mm-1)(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

with K ≤ 1,

- from the specified at least one determined coefficient a(M;m) and from the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM (TyM _@ ti _; ti), calculating the roasting recipe Rym providing the temperature Tm@t1, Tm@t2 _, etc., which should be applied to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc., as follows:

Tym@ti = a(M;m) TyM@ti + b(M;m).

The coefficient K is the same as above.

In one particular embodiment, the method may provide for determining an additional roasting recipe Rflow-ym for roasting a quantity m of type Cy of coffee beans in a particular roasting apparatus comprising an air supply working member, wherein said method allows determining an additional roasting recipe Rflow-ym for roasting a quantity m of type Cy of coffee beans in the roasting apparatus, wherein said additional roasting recipe provides specified values (Fym@ti; ti) of air flow F@t1, F@t2, etc. for application at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc.,

the method includes the following stages:

- gaining access:

to a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in said specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and

to the list of preset quantities (M, M±Δx), and

at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal is adapted to roasting one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus and

to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and

- based on:

comparison of m and the available original preset quantity Moriginal and comparison of m and the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx) and

comparison of Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx)

definition of the roasting recipe Rflow-ym for use on a specified quantity m of coffee beans as follows:

- if m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the frying recipe Rflow ym corresponds to the available initial frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal,

- if m differs from the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and

if the available original preset quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and

if m is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the frying recipe Rflow ym is calculated by applying the rule to the available preset frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal,

if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym is calculated from the available original frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal and/or at least one of the frying recipes Rflow-yM, Rflow yM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal.

if Moriginal differs from any of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), then the quantity Mclosest representing the smallest difference from Moriginal is determined in the specified list, and the corresponding roasting recipe Rflow-yMclosest is calculated from the available roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, and:

if m is equal to the specified amount of Mclosest that represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym corresponds to the calculated frying recipe Rflow-yMclosest,

if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym is calculated by applying the rule to the resulting frying recipe Rflow-yMclosest,

if m is different from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rflow-ym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes Rflow-yM, Rflow yM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the calculated roasting recipe Rflow-yMclosest.

Preferably a rule for calculation from one predefined frying recipe Rflow-yM (FyM_@ti;t_i), adapted for roasting a predetermined quantity M of grains of at least one roasting recipe Rflow-yM±Δx (FyM±Δx @ti; ti), adapted for roasting a predetermined amount M±Δx of grains, is a polymial function,

wherein the said rule is defined by a pair of predetermined coefficients (c(M;M±Δx); d(M;M±Δx)) and is applied to the air flow provided by the predetermined frying recipe Rfnlow-M as follows:

FyM±Δx @ti = c(M;M±Δx) FyM@t_i+ d(M;M±Δx)

If, in addition, the calculation rule from one pre-existing roasting recipe RM (TM_@ti;t_i), adapted for roasting a predetermined quantity M of beans of at least one roasting recipe RM±Δx (TM±Δx @ti; ti), adapted to roast a predetermined amount M±Δx of beans, is a linear function,

wherein said rule is defined by at least one pair of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), said coefficients relating to the difference in quantity ±Δx and said rule is applied to temperatures TyM _@ ti provided by a predetermined initial roasting recipe RM as follows:

TyM±Δx @ti = a(M;M±Δx) TyM@ti + b(M;M±Δx).

then the method may include accessing the relation R and a pair of predetermined coefficients (c(M;M±Δx); d(M;M±Δx)) can be defined as follows:

- c(M;M±Δx) = R a(M;M±Δx), and

- d(M;M±Δx) = R b(M;M±Δx)

Preferably, the R ratio can be set in advance according to the type of coffee beans.

Preferably, in the above method, the quantities are mass quantities.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for determining a recipe Rblend for roasting a given mixture of coffee beans C _A , C _B , etc. with corresponding quantities mA, mB, etc. of said coffee beans in a specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said recipe Rblend provides given values (Tblend@ti; ti) of temperature Tblend@t1, Tblend@t2, etc., which should be applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, wherein the method includes the steps of:

- for each type of coffee beans Cy part of the mixture, determining the roasting recipe Rym to be applied to the specified quantity my of coffee beans in accordance with the method described above,

- access to the temperature adaptation coefficients Xy of the specified different types of coffee beans Cy in accordance with the given mixture,

- from the specified predetermined roasting recipes Rym and from the specified available temperature adaptation coefficients Xy, and on the basis of the quantities my of beans of type Cy, the determination of the temperature Tblend@t1, Tblend@t2, etc., applied to the individual mixture of beans at each of the discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, is carried out in accordance with the following formula (I):

(I),

where y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee bean mixture.

The definition of roasting recipes adapted to roasting a certain proportion of coffee beans in a blend and a certain amount of said beans in a blend provides a proper starting point for calculating the roasting recipe for a blend.

In addition, formula (I) uses these selected roasting recipes with a quantitative coefficient fy that can take into account the presence of a majority of one type of grain Cy in the mixture.

In addition, formula (I) uses these selected roasting recipes with a temperature adaptation coefficient Xy, which makes it possible to give greater or lesser importance to the roasting profile of one of the types of beans in the roasting profile of the mixture. In this case, this coefficient takes into account, among other aspects, the ability of the corresponding beans Cy to absorb heat, which can vary depending on the size of this bean, its density, internal structure and/or its chemical composition. For example, two types of beans can differ in size, as a result of which the smaller one will require less thermal energy. This coefficient can take into account a specific desired property of these beans after roasting in the mixture, wherein this desired property can relate to the color of the roasted beans, their acrylamide content and/or their organoleptic properties in the finished roasted mixture.

In fact, because the blend includes different types of beans that involve different reactions in addition to realizing the overall roast profile, the final roasted blend may contain roasted beans that present different colors and/or different levels of certain components, such as acrylamide or furan, formed during roasting, and/or different optimal organoleptic profiles. To control the production of roasted blends that present all or some of these properties, a temperature adaptation coefficient is used to maintain the characteristics of specific coffee beans, in particular the organoleptic properties, closer to the corresponding roast profile to produce the desired beans.

The key criteria for determining the temperature adaptation coefficient may vary among different beans, as some beans may be more or less sensitive to deviations from their optimal roast profile.

Generally, when creating a blend, it is expected that the resulting roasted blend will display properties that correspond in general to the average of the properties of each type of bean roasted separately, in particular, the best properties of each of these types of bean. The temperature adaptation coefficient ensures that the properties of the beans that are more sensitive to temperature will be found in the roasted blend.

The value of the temperature adaptation coefficient Xy is typically between 0.5 and 2. Coefficients with a low value are adapted to beans that are less sensitive to temperature changes, while coefficients with a high value are adapted to more reactive beans that acquire new properties when roasted at temperatures that are too different from their optimal roasting profile.

These coefficients are usually determined experimentally.

The formula allows for automatic calculation of the roasting recipe for the mixture. An inexperienced operator is able to roast a mixture of different types of coffee without the risk that the resulting roasted mixture will have a bad taste profile, in particular, will be burnt or under-roasted. The risk of losing beans is prevented.

According to a third aspect, an alternative method is proposed for determining a recipe Rblend for roasting a given mixture of coffee beans of different types Cy with corresponding quantities my of said coffee beans in a specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said recipe Rblend provides given values (Tblend@ti ti) of temperature Tblend@t1, Tblend@t2, etc., which should be applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, wherein the method includes the steps of:

- gaining access:

for each type of coffee beans Cy contained in the mixture, to at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, respectively, wherein each recipe RyMoriginal (TyMoriginal _@ti; t _i ) is adapted for roasting one initial predetermined quantity Moriginal of beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus,

to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and

to a rule for calculating from one predetermined initial recipe RyMoriginal (TyMoriginal@ti _; t _i ) at least one roasting recipe RMoriginal±Δx adapted to roast a predetermined quantity Moriginal±Δx of beans in said roasting apparatus, wherein said rule is a linear function, and said rule is defined by at least one pair of predetermined coefficients (a(Moriginal;Moriginal±Δx); b(Moriginal; Moriginal ±Δx)), wherein said coefficients relate to the difference in quantity ±Δx; and said rule is applied to temperatures TMoriginal _@ ti that are provided by one predetermined initial roasting recipe RMoriginal as follows:

TMoriginal±Δx @ti = a(Moriginal;Moriginal±Δx) TMoriginal@ti + b(Moriginal;Moriginal±Δx).

And

to said at least one predetermined quantity Moriginal±Δx and

to the temperature adaptation coefficients Xy of the specified different types of coffee beans Cy, respectively,

And

- for each type of coffee beans Cy of the mixture, the definition in the list of preset quantities Moriginal and Moriginal±Δx of the quantity Mclosest, represents the smallest difference with my and is calculated by the corresponding pair of coefficients (ay:by) as follows:

ay = a(Moriginal;Mclosest);

by = b(Moriginal;Mclosest),

- the calculation of the corresponding pair of mixture coefficients is performed as follows:

where y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee mixture,

- the determination of temperatures Tblend@t1, Tblend@t2 _{, etc.,} applied to an individual mixture of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc. is carried out in accordance with the following formula (II):

(II),

where y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee bean mixture.

In this method, for all types of coffee beans Cy of the mixture, the corresponding predetermined original roasting recipe RyMoriginal is designed with the possibility of roasting the initial predetermined amount of Moriginal beans in the specified specific type of roasting apparatus,

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for roasting coffee beans, comprising:

- a vessel for placing coffee beans,

- a heating device for heating coffee beans contained in a vessel,

- a control system designed to control the heating device and designed to apply a frying recipe (R) that provides specified values (T@ti; ti) of temperatures T@t1, T@t2, etc. for application at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively,

and for a given number m of coffee beans of type Cy loaded into the vessel,

- the control system is designed with the possibility of determining at least:

quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, and

type Cy coffee beans loaded into the vessel,

And

- based on the obtained type Cy and the obtained quantity m, the control system is configured to determine the recipe Rym for roasting the quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus in accordance with the method described above.

The roaster contains a vessel for holding the coffee beans during the roasting process. In the vessel, the coffee beans are heated and preferably mixed to distribute the heat evenly among the beans.

Mixing can be accomplished by means of a hot air liquid layer or mechanically by means of mixing blades or by means of rotation of a rotating drum.

Preferably, the vessel is a chamber containing a fluidized bed of hot air. Within such a vessel, heated air is forced through a sieve or perforated plate located under the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the beans. Heat is transferred to the beans as they are mixed and circulated in this fluidized bed.

In an alternative embodiment, the vessel may be a drum chamber in which the coffee beans are stirred in a heated environment. The drum chamber may consist of a drum rotating around a horizontal axis, or the drum chamber may contain stirring blades for stirring the coffee beans in a heated environment.

The roasting apparatus comprises a device for heating coffee beans contained in a vessel.

Preferably, the heating device is designed to create a hot air flow, wherein said hot air flow is directed at the coffee beans contained in the vessel for heating them. As a rule, the heating device comprises at least an air supply working element or a fan and a heater for heating the air flow produced by the air supply working element.

The device preferably comprises an electric heater as a heat source. This electric heater is usually an electrical resistance. The advantage of an electric heater is that the air pollutants produced during roasting are pollutants produced solely by the heating of the coffee beans themselves, and not by the combustion of gases, as occurs when the heating source is a gas burner with natural gas, propane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or even wood.

The apparatus comprises a control system configured to control the heater and configured to apply a roasting recipe. This roasting recipe (R) provides temperatures T@t1, T@t2, etc., applied at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, during the roasting process. Such a roasting recipe, as a rule, represents a roasting profile.

Typically, such control is implemented based on measurements from at least one temperature sensor located in the vessel in a feedback control loop.

The control is used in a heating device, usually for the heater and/or the working element of the air supply.

In a specific embodiment, the control system is configured to control the air supply working element and is configured to apply a frying recipe (Rflow) that provides specified values (F@ti; ti) of the fan speed F@t1, F@t2, etc. for application at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc., respectively.

When a given quantity m of coffee beans is fed into the vessel, the control system of the apparatus is designed with the ability to determine a roasting recipe adapted for a given specific quantity m of coffee beans.

The control system ensures roasting of any quantity of beans, in particular quantities for which the roasting recipe has not previously been defined or is not available to the control system.

In the present apparatus, in the case of such a new quantity, the control system of the apparatus is designed with the possibility of determining a roasting profile adapted to the given quantity.

The device control system is configured to receive at least:

- the quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, and

- type Cy coffee beans loaded into the vessel.

In case of loading different types of grains in different quantities to create a custom mix, information about each quantity for each type of grain is obtained.

You can get the number m of coffee beans loaded into the chamber:

- from the user. In this case, the device may contain a user interface that allows the user to set the amount of beans that she/he loads into the chamber. This amount can also be entered through the interface of a mobile device capable of exchanging data with the control system of the device.

or

- via a measuring device connected to the control system of the device. In this case, the value of the quantity m of grains can be automatically transmitted to the control system of the device.

The apparatus may contain the said measuring device, designed with the possibility of measuring the quantity m of beans loaded into the chamber, wherein at the stage of feeding the controller a signal about the quantity m of coffee beans, the said quantity of coffee beans may be automatically measured using the measuring device and transmitted to the control system of the apparatus.

In one embodiment, the chamber of the apparatus may be transparent and the chamber wall may have level indicators readable by the operator.

Therefore, when the operator loads the beans into the transparent chamber, he/she can determine the amount of beans in the vessel by observing the level indicator. This information can then be entered as input into the machine's control system, for example via the user interface.

The measuring device may be:

- scales for measuring the weight of coffee beans, or

- a device containing at least one cavity of a predetermined volume, or

- a level sensor that measures the volume of coffee beans inside the chamber.

Such quantity is preferably a mass and the measuring device is a scale.

When the measuring device is a device containing at least one cavity of a predetermined volume, this device allows the user to select a cavity of a predetermined volume and completely fill it with beans, which allows the corresponding volume of beans to be measured. The control system of the roaster ensures this exact volume of beans.

When the measuring device is a level sensor, this sensor measures the volume of coffee beans inside the chamber. The process control is designed to determine the volume of beans according to the indicated measured level.

If the volume of grains is measured, then based on the identification of the Cy type of grains, their density and, accordingly, their exact mass can be determined.

In a specific embodiment, the apparatus may comprise an identification device capable of reading identification means from a grain package, wherein said grain package is capable of feeding all of its contents into the chamber of the apparatus, and said identification means directly or indirectly provide the quantity m of grains inside the package in addition to the type of grains Cy.

Typically, bean Cy type refers to at least one bean characteristic that directly influences the way the bean is roasted.

Coffee bean type can refer to specific characteristics such as:

- the origin of the beans and/or the botanical varieties (Arabica, Robusta, etc.) and/or specific pre-existing coffee blends; an existing blend or mixture may be defined by the choice of different specific types of beans and/or the ratio of these different specific types of beans.

- the level of pre-roasting of the beans. The coffee beans to be roasted may be green beans or pre-roasted beans, which are beans obtained by heating green coffee beans and stopping said heating process before the first cracking is complete. These pre-roasted beans may have different degrees of pre-roasting, which directly affects the subsequent final roasting carried out in the roasting apparatus.

- grain moisture,

- grain size.

The bean type may explicitly indicate the basic properties of the bean, such as origin, botanical variety, specific blend, degree of pre-roasting, etc., and/or, in a simpler sense, may be reference-based, such as an identification number, SKU (stock keeping unit) number, or trademark.

The Cy bean type can be identified in various ways:

- from the user. In this case, the user interface of the device may display a list of types of beans and offer the user to select the types of beans loaded by him/her into the chamber. In an alternative embodiment, this list may be displayed via the interface of a mobile device capable of exchanging data with the control system of the device,

or

- by means of a code, such as a code printed on the bean packaging. In this case, the apparatus may comprise a code reader, and the control system may be designed to recommend the operator to scan the code of the beans (for example, printed on the bean packaging) that he/she feeds into the chamber.

Based on the obtained type Cy of coffee beans and the obtained quantity m, the control system of the apparatus is configured to determine a recipe Rym for roasting a quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus in accordance with the method described above. In particular, the control system is configured to obtain access to at least:

- a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and

- to the list of specified preset quantities (M, M±Δx), and

- at least one predetermined initial RyMoriginal roasting recipe, wherein said RyMoriginal roasting recipe is configured to roast one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of the Cy type in said specific type of roasting apparatus and

- to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains.

This rule, this list of specified preset quantities (M, M±Δx), this initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal and the preset quantity Moriginal can be stored in a database or memory accessible to the control system of the machine. In addition to the stage of determining the type Cy of beans, the control system can be designed to access them.

In an alternative embodiment, the original roasting recipe RyMoriginal, the predetermined quantity Moriginal and, ultimately, the rule may be encoded in the code identifying the beans Cy. By one step of reading the code of the beans, the control system may be configured to obtain the identification and access the roasting recipe and quantity and, ultimately, the rule.

The initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, accessible via the control system, is configured to be used for a specific type C _y of coffee beans and a predetermined quantity Moriginal of said beans and for the present roasting apparatus. Accordingly, for one type of beans, at least one roasting recipe adapted for roasting said predetermined quantity Moriginal is accessible to the control system.

Preferably, the predetermined amount of Moriginal in this initial recipe can be set such that it corresponds to a value between the minimum and maximum amount that can be roasted inside the roasting chamber of the apparatus.

Preferably, the control system is configured to access a predetermined amount of Moriginal, also associated with the RyMoriginal roasting recipe. In one embodiment, this predetermined amount may be the same for all available RyMoriginal roasting recipes, regardless of the beans, and this predetermined amount of Moriginal can be saved by the device control system.

In another embodiment, the predetermined amount of Moriginal may be different according to the coffee beans Cy and their roasting recipe RMn. In this latter case, the control system is also designed to access said preset quantity Moriginal, also associated with the corresponding roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to receive and roast a given quantity m of coffee beans, wherein said given quantity is equal to either the available initial given quantity M, or only one of the available given quantities M±Δx.

In the embodiment indicated, the device is designed to receive coffee beans only in a quantity selected from M and various quantities M±Δx. These specific quantities may be the result of the operation of a specific dosing device connected to the apparatus, such as a dosing device that delivers one specific quantity Δx at each dosing operation and is capable of delivering a vessel with a larger number of said specific quantities. Or these specific quantities may depend on the type of packages containing the beans to be roasted, wherein the delivery of a vessel with beans from a plurality of identical packages provides a quantity corresponding to multiple values of the dimensions of a single specific quantity in the package.

This embodiment makes it possible to determine recipes corresponding to these specific M±Δx without having to access existing roasting recipes RyM±Δx: having access to a single recipe RyMoriginal and to the rule is sufficient to determine roasting recipes of a given type of coffee present in other quantities M±Δx.

If the heating device of the roasting apparatus comprises an air supply working element, the control system can be designed with the possibility of controlling said air supply working element and can be designed with the possibility of using a roasting recipe (Rflow) that provides specified values (F@ti; ti) of the air flow F@t1, F@t2, … for use at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , …, respectively,

And

based on the obtained type Cy and quantity m, wherein the control system is configured to determine an additional roasting recipe Rflow-ym for roasting the specified quantity m of the specified type Cy of coffee beans in the roasting apparatus, wherein the specified additional roasting recipe provides specified values (Fym@ti; ti) of the air flow Fym _@t1 , Fym _@t2 for use at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc., in accordance with the method described above.

In one embodiment, the control system may be configured to:

- obtaining additional uses of coffee beans to be roasted in a list of pre-defined uses (espresso, filter, French press, etc.) and/or the desired roasting level of coffee beans in a list of pre-defined levels (light, medium, dark),

- based on the obtained specific additional application and/or the obtained required roasting level, the control system can be configured to access one predetermined initial RyMoriginal roasting recipe, wherein said recipe is configured to roast one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of the Cy type, adapted to the said additional application and/or required roasting level.

Additional use of roasted beans refers to the method of coffee extraction applied to coffee beans after they have been roasted in a roasting machine. This additional use, at the user's discretion, may be, for example, the preparation of espresso, the preparation of coffee by drip method, using a French press, the preparation of coffee by the cold method. It is also possible to take into account the desire to use coffee obtained by one of the above methods for the preparation of whitened coffee by mixing with milk, whitener, etc.

The advantage is that a specific quantity m of coffee beans can be roasted to adapt the organoleptic properties of the resulting roasted coffee beans to such subsequent preparation.

In this embodiment, in which additional use and/or the required roasting level of the beans are obtained, the control system of the device receives access for the same types of beans Cy to different roasting recipes RyMoriginal. One roasting recipe differs from another by the further use of the same type of beans and/or roasting level.

In another aspect, a system for roasting coffee beans is provided, comprising:

- a roasting apparatus as described above,

And

- a device for measuring the amount of coffee beans loaded into a vessel,

and wherein the control system of the roasting apparatus is designed with the possibility of determining the quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel and measured by the measuring device.

According to a fifth aspect, a system of frying devices is provided, comprising one main frying apparatus and a set of frying devices such as described above, wherein said main apparatus and the frying devices of said set are of the same type,

moreover:

- the initial frying recipe of one predetermined initial frying recipe RyMoriginal is predetermined using the main frying apparatus, and

- a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), is determined using the main roasting apparatus.

The same type of devices refers to devices containing similar components for roasting coffee beans, in particular:

- the same vessel for placing coffee beans,

- the same heating device for heating the coffee beans contained in the vessel,

- the same control system, designed with the possibility of controlling the heating device and designed with the possibility of using a frying recipe (R) that provides specified values (T@ti; ti) of temperatures T@t1, T@t2, etc. for use at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc., respectively.

In accordance with the third aspect, a computer program is proposed, which, when executed by a computer, processor or control unit, initiates the execution of a method, for example described above, by the computer, processor or control unit.

Preferably, the instructions of the computer program are executed by the processing unit of the frying device.

In one embodiment, the computer program instructions may be executed by a processing unit of a device external to the coffee bean roasting device, such as a mobile device, or even on a server.

According to a seventh aspect, a machine-readable data carrier is proposed, containing instructions, when executed by a computer, a processor or a control unit, the execution of a method, for example described above, is initiated by the computer, the processor or the control unit.

The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various elements described herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Additional objects and advantageous elements of the invention will be apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings.

Brief description of graphic materials

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a general frying apparatus that allows the method of the present invention to be implemented,

- Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the control system of the general apparatus in accordance with Fig. 1,

- Fig. 3-5 shows the calculation of a new recipe for a new quantity from a pre-set initial recipe,

- Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

- Fig. 7a-7d schematically show various embodiments of the system in accordance with the present invention,

- Fig. 8 and 9 schematically illustrate methods of using systems in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of implementation examples

Roasting machine

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a part of the roasting apparatus 1. Functionally, the roasting apparatus 1 is designed to roast coffee beans held inside a vessel 11 by means of a flow of hot air supplied inside this vessel. At the first level, the apparatus comprises: a housing 15, a roasting unit 10 and a control system 180. The following is a sequential description of the listed components.

Roasting machine body

The body 15 serves to accommodate and secure the above components and comprises a base 151 and a frame 152. The base 151 is intended to rest against the support surface, preferably with the help of legs 154, which provide a gap between the base and the support surface. The frame 152 serves to mount components on it.

Roasting unit of roasting machine

The roasting unit 10 is configured to receive and roast coffee beans.

The roasting unit 10 typically comprises, at the second level of the roasting apparatus 1: a vessel 11 and a heating device 12, the description of which is given in the order in which they appear.

The vessel 11 is designed to receive and hold coffee beans loaded by the operator. The removable lid 17 allows for loading and removing beans. The bottom of the vessel is designed to allow air to pass through, in particular, it can be a perforated plate 14 on which the beans can be located and through which air can pass upwards.

The chaff collector 16 communicates via flow with the vessel 1 for receiving the chaff, which is gradually separated from the grains and, due to its low density, is blown into the chaff collector.

The vessel 11 comprises a handle 112 which allows the user to remove the vessel from the housing 15 and take out the roasted beans.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vessel 1 is at least partially transparent and comprises a line 111b of the upper level and a line 111a of the lower level formed on the vessel. After loading the grains into the vessel 1, the user can check the amount of the loaded grains according to these levels 111a, 111b. In particular, the operator can check whether the product is below the lower level, between the lower and upper levels, or above the upper level.

In an alternative embodiment of the roasting machine shown in Fig. 7b-7d, the roasting unit may comprise a device for automatically determining the amount of beans loaded into the vessel 1, such as scales or a level sensor (capacitive or optical) inside the vessel.

In another embodiment of the roasting machine (not shown), the roasting unit may comprise a set of different vessels, each such vessel being configured to hold a specific number of coffee beans. The roasting unit may comprise a vessel recognition device.

The heating device 12 comprises a working element 121 for supplying air and a heater 122.

The working element 121 of the air supply is designed with the possibility of forming an air flow in the direction of the lower part of the vessel. The formed flow is designed with the possibility of heating the grains, as well as mixing and lifting the grains. As a result, uniform heating of the grains is achieved. In particular, the working element of the air supply can be a fan driven by the engine 13. Inside the base 151 of the housing, air supply openings 153 can be provided, intended for supplying air into the housing, wherein the working element of the air supply supplies this air in the direction of the vessel 11, as shown by the dotted lines in the form of arrows.

The heater 122 is designed to heat the air flow generated by the working element 121 of the air supply. In the specific illustrated embodiment, the heater is an electrical resistance located between the fan and the perforated plate 14, as a result of which the air flow is heated before entering the vessel 11 in order to heat and raise the grains.

The heater 122 and/or the working element 121 for supplying air are designed with the possibility of applying a roasting profile to the grains, wherein this roasting profile is defined as a curve of the dependence of temperature on time.

Although the invention has been described for a fluidized bed hot air roasting machine, the invention is not specifically limited to this type of roasting apparatus. Drum roasting machines and other types of roasting machines may also be used.

The roasting apparatus 10 typically includes a user interface 20 that allows information to be displayed and entered.

The roasting apparatus may comprise a code reader for reading a code corresponding to the type of coffee beans, for example, indicated on the packaging for coffee beans. Preferably, the code reader is arranged in the apparatus in such a way that the operator can easily bring the code to it. The code reader is preferably arranged on the front side of the apparatus, for example, next to the user interface 20 of the apparatus. Accordingly, the information provided in the code can be instantly displayed on the display of the user interface 20 located nearby.

Roasting machine control system

Further in this document, the control system 180 will be discussed with reference to Fig. 1 and 2: the control system 180 is configured to control the components of the roasting unit for roasting coffee beans. At the second level of the roasting apparatus, the control system 180 typically comprises: a user interface 20, a processing unit 18, sensors 23, a power source 21, a memory 19, optionally a communication interface 24 for remote connection, optionally a code reader 3, optionally a measuring device 4, optionally a database 25.

The user interface 20 comprises hardware allowing the user to interact with the processing unit 1 by means of a user interface signal. More specifically, the user interface receives commands from the user, the user interface signal transmits said commands to the processing unit 18 as input data. Such commands may, for example, be an instruction for implementing the frying method, and/or setting an operating parameter of the frying apparatus 1, and/or turning on or off the power of the frying apparatus 1. The processing unit 18 may also transmit a feedback signal to the user interface 20 within the frying process, for example to indicate the start of the frying process or to report the selection of a parameter associated with the process, or to indicate a change in a parameter during the implementation of the method or to give a warning signal.

In a particular embodiment, the user interface may be used:

- for manual entry of the quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel.

- to ensure identification Cy of the coffee beans loaded inside the vessel by manual input, such as selection of the identification type of a list of pre-selected coffee beans, or by inputting digital reference data on the coffee, such as reading data from the packaging for the coffee beans.

- to provide additional applications of uz beans loaded into the vessel and to be roasted inside the vessel, by means of manual input, such as selecting an application option from a list of preset applications (uα, uβ, etc.).

- to ensure the required roasting level of the beans loaded into the vessel and to be roasted inside the vessel, by means of manual input, such as selecting a level from a list of preset levels (light, medium, dark).

The user interface hardware may comprise any suitable device(s), for example, the hardware comprises one or more of the following: a button, such as a joystick button, a knob or a push button, a joystick, LEDs, graphic or character LCD displays, a graphic screen with a touch sensor, and/or buttons along the edge of the screen. The user interface 20 may be implemented as a single unit or a plurality of separate units.

Part of the user interface may also be located in a mobile application if the device is provided with a 24 communication interface, as described below. In this case, input and output data can be transmitted to the mobile device via the 24 communication interface.

The sensors 23 are configured to transmit an input signal to the processing unit 18 for monitoring the frying process and/or the state of the frying apparatus. The input signal may be an analog or digital signal. The sensors 23 typically comprise at least one temperature sensor 231 and optionally one or more of the following sensors: a level sensor associated with the vessel 1, an air flow sensor, a position sensor associated with the vessel and/or the chaff collector.

If the apparatus or system comprises a measuring device 24, this device is designed to provide an input signal 22, in particular a signal of the amount of coffee beans loaded into the vessel 11. Such an input signal 22 may be the mass of the beans measured by weighing, or the volume or level of the beans measured by a level sensor associated with the vessel 11.

The code reader 3 can be provided and configured to read the code from the packaging for coffee beans, and it can also automatically provide an input signal that represents the identification of the coffee beans loaded into the measuring device 4 or into the vessel 11, and optionally the quantity provided by the packaging if the entire quantity is loaded inside the vessel of the roasting apparatus.

The processing unit 18 typically comprises a memory, input-output components of the system mounted on an integrated circuit, typically in the form of a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processing unit 18 may comprise other suitable integrated circuits, such as: ASIC, a programmable logic device, such as PAL, FPGA, FPGA, PSoC, a system on a chip (SoC), an analog integrated circuit, such as a controller. For such devices, if necessary, the above-mentioned program code may be considered programmable logic or additionally comprise programmable logic. The processing unit 18 may also comprise one or more of the integrated circuits listed above. As an example of the latter, several integrated circuits may be cited that interact with each other within the framework of a modular circuit, for example: a slave integrated circuit for controlling the user interface 20 is in interaction with the main integrated circuit for controlling the frying unit 10.

The power source 21 is configured to provide electric power to the said controlled components and the processing unit 18. The power source 21 may comprise various means, such as a battery or a unit, for obtaining and regulating the main network power supply. The power source 21 may be operatively connected to a part of the user interface 20 for switching on or off the power supply of the frying apparatus.

The processing unit 18 typically comprises a memory unit 19 for storing instructions in the form of a program code and optionally data. For this purpose, the memory unit typically comprises: a non-volatile memory device, such as an EPROM, EEPROM or flash memory, for storing the program code and operating parameters in the form of instructions; a volatile memory device (RAM) for temporary storage of data. The memory unit may comprise separate and/or integrated (for example, on a semiconductor crystal) memory. For programmable logic devices, instructions may be stored in the form of programmable logic.

The commands stored in memory block 19 represent, in a simplified form, a program for roasting coffee beans.

The control system 180 is configured to apply this coffee bean roasting program by controlling the heating device 12, i.e. in the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 1, by means of the air supply actuator 121 and/or the heater 122, typically using the signal from the temperature sensor 231.

When executing the coffee bean roasting program, the said components may be controlled using selective information encrypted in the code and/or other information that may be stored as data in the memory unit 19, or received from a remote source via the communication interface and/or as input data entered via the user interface 20 and/or the signal from the sensors 23.

In particular, the control system is designed with the possibility of using a frying recipe R that provides temperatures T _@t1 , T _@t2 , ... T _@tfinal , applied at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , ..., t _final , respectively.

For this purpose, the processing unit 18 is designed with the ability to:

- receiving input data from temperature sensor 231,

- processing of the initial data in accordance with the R frying recipe,

- providing output data representing the recipe R. More specifically, the output data comprises control of at least the heater 122 and the working element 121 for supplying air.

The temperature measured by the temperature sensor 231 is used to regulate the power of the heater 122 and/or the power of the motor 13 of the working element 121 of the air supply in the feedback loop for the purpose of applying the recipe R for roasting the beans.

Depending on the type of control used in the roasting machine, the heater 122 can be switched on with one preset power, i.e. its temperature is constant, and in this case the power of the motor 13 of the working element 121 of the air supply can be regulated on the basis of the temperature monitored by the sensor 231, thus changing the contact time of the air flow passing through the heater.

In an alternative embodiment, the power of the motor 13 of the working element 121 of the air supply can be adjustable, i.e. the air flow rate is constant, and in this case the power of the heater 122 can be adjusted taking into account the temperature monitored by the sensor 231, heating less or more air as it passes through the heating device.

In a final alternative embodiment, both heater 122 and motor 13 may be adjustable based on the temperature monitored by sensor 231.

In addition, the control system can be designed with the possibility of controlling the motor (13) of the working element for supplying air for applying the Rflow frying recipe, providing a set of points (F@ti; ti) of the air flow F _@t1 , F _@t2 , … for application at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , …, respectively.

Depending on the type of roasting apparatus and the air supply working member it contains, the air flow can be controlled by means of the fan speed when the air supply working member contains a fan with adjustable speed. In an alternative embodiment, the fan speed can be constant and the air flow can be regulated by means of a diaphragm or any means for controlling the air volume in the duct.

The processing unit may comprise a communication interface 24 for exchanging data between the roasting apparatus 1 and another device and/or system, such as a server system, a mobile device and/or a separate measuring device 2. The communication interface 24 may be used to transmit and/or receive information related to the method of roasting coffee beans, such as information on the roasting method, the type of beans, the amount of beans, further use of the beans, the required degree of roasting. The communication interface 24 may comprise a first and a second communication interface for exchanging data with several devices simultaneously or for exchanging data via different media.

The communication interface 24 can be configured to use wired or wireless communication means or a combination thereof, for example a wired connection such as RS-232, USB, I2C, Ethernet in accordance with IEEE 802.3, a wireless connection such as a wireless local area network (for example, IEEE 802.11), or near field communication (NFC) or a cellular communication system such as GPRS or GSM. The communication interface 24 interacts with the processing unit 18 by means of a communication interface signal. As a rule, the communication interface comprises a separate processing unit (examples of which are given above) for controlling the communication hardware (for example, an antenna) intended for interaction with the main data processing unit 18. However, less complex configurations can be used, for example a simple wired connection for serial data exchange directly with the processing unit 18.

Processing unit 18 provides access to:

- a predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of type Ny in a specific type of roasting apparatus corresponding to device 1, and

- this pre-set amount of Moriginal grains,

- to a rule for calculating from one roasting recipe RM adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity M of beans at least one roasting recipe RM±Δx adapted for roasting at least one corresponding predetermined quantity M±Δx of beans in a specific type of roasting apparatus corresponding to device 1, and vice versa

- to the specified at least one predetermined quantity M and M±Δx.

These recipes, rule and preset quantities can be stored in the memory 19 of the processing unit 18. In an alternative embodiment, these data can be stored on a remote server, and the data processing unit 18 can be designed with the ability to access this remote server via the communication interface 24 directly or indirectly via a mobile device, allowing a connection to be established between the remote server and the processing unit.

These recipes and quantities may form part of a database 25 stored in the memory unit 19 or remotely, as indicated above.

In one alternative embodiment, the control system may be provided with predetermined initial frying recipes RyM and corresponding predetermined quantities M. During the code reading procedure, this data, encrypted within the code, is decoded by the control system.

The code may contain either information that is directly used or may represent a trigger that may only contain identification means that allow the control system to establish a communication line with some parameters stored in a storage device (roasting machine, Internet cloud, tablet, smartphone application, etc.).

A predetermined roasting recipe RyMoriginal, adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of type Cy in a specific type of roasting apparatus corresponding to device 1, provides a temperature profile to be applied to the specified quantity of Moriginal beans Cy. These temperature profiles are generally determined experimentally, calculating the optimal profile for the predetermined quantity of beans.

Coffee bean type Cy can refer to specific characteristics such as:

- the origin of the beans (Arabica, Robusta, etc.) or a specific blend of beans of different origins. This blend can be defined as a blend of beans of different specific origins, as well as by the ratio of these beans of different specific origins.

- the level of pre-roasting of the beans. The coffee beans to be roasted may be green beans or pre-roasted beans, which are beans obtained by heating green coffee beans and stopping said heating process before the first cracking is complete. These pre-roasted beans may have different degrees of pre-roasting, which directly affects the subsequent roasting.

- grain moisture,

- grain size.

The preset RyMoriginal roast recipe can be adapted to a specific roast level, such as light, medium or dark. Accordingly, for one Cy bean type, three different preset roast recipes can be available: RyMoriginal-light, РyMoriginal-medium, РyMoriginal-dark.

In a specific embodiment, the predetermined initial roasting recipes can be adapted for a specific additional use of the quantity M of roasted beans Cy. Depending on the desired use of the finished roasted beans, i.e. the method of extracting the coffee beverage from the roasted beans, the organoleptic profile of the roasted coffee beans can be adapted to such a subsequent preparation.

Such additional applications may be:

- preparation of espresso coffee with hot water supplied under pressure,

- making coffee using a French press,

- making coffee using a drip filter,

- preparation of coffee using the cold brewing method,

- the preparation of coffee independently of the extraction process with the ultimate goal of producing a cup of whitened coffee, i.e. mixing the extracted coffee with a white component such as milk, whitener, etc.

These temperature profiles are typically determined experimentally by calculating the optimum profile for a predetermined amount of Moriginal grains of a particular Cy type and for each specific additional application.

The rule allows one to calculate from one first frying recipe RM, adapted for a predetermined quantity M, another frying recipe Rm±x,M±Δx, adapted for frying another predetermined quantity M±Δx.

For illustration purposes, Table 1 below shows how the rule allows such calculations to be performed. Starting from one first roasting recipe RM-Δ1, RM or RM+Δ1, which are, for example, recipes for roasting quantities M-Δ1, M or M+Δ1 (e.g. 50, 150 and 250 g), respectively, of the same type of grain Cy, the table presents the rules for calculating roasting recipes for other quantities of grain.

For example, starting from the first RM roasting recipe, the table suggests the rule “rule(RM;RM+Δ1)” for calculating the RM+Δ1 recipe.

The rule is designed to be calculated in one direction from one first quantity to the second quantity. Another rule is used to calculate the recipe for the first quantity, starting with the recipe for the second quantity.

The number of beans in the roasting recipe,
subject to calculation M-Δ1 M M+Δ1 Number of beans in the first roasting recipe M-Δ1 rule(RM-Δ1;RM) rule(RM-Δ1;RM+Δ1) M rule(RM;RM-Δ1) rule(RM;RM+Δ1) M+Δ1 rule(RM+Δ1;RM-Δ1) rule(RM+Δ1;RM)

Table 1

The rule is determined experimentally on one type of roasting machine, usually a master machine on which the initial roasting recipes have been determined in advance.

By roasting different quantities M-Δ1, M and M+Δ1 of beans of the same type to obtain identical roasted beans, the coffee specialist determines the initial roasting recipes for each quantity of said beans. Then, each of the roasting recipes adapted for one quantity is compared with each of the other roasting recipes adapted for other quantities, and the relationship between each pair of roasting recipes is established by means of, for example, well-known methods of mathematical regression, finally establishing a rule.

Different types of rules can be applied depending on the relationship between recipes for different weights. The complexity of the relationship can depend on: the type of roaster, for example, a specific design, a specific chamber shape, a specific control rule or heater control algorithm (for example, more complex if there are two levels of control on the air supply actuator and the heater), providing, for example, more sensitive control.

The rule may also depend on the coffee family (as noted below), the roast level of the beans (light, medium, dark), and the further use of the roasted coffee beans (espresso, filter, etc.).

The relationship is usually determined through regression analysis and implemented using regression analysis software using well-known analysis models such as linear regression, multiple regression, nonlinear regression, polynomial regression, ...

Typically, the type of rule (polynomial (e.g. linear or quadratic), logarithmic or exponential function) is the same for all pairs of initial frying recipes, but the rule itself (coefficients, operation values) differs from one pair to another.

After the rules had been defined for each pair of recipes with different preset values of the weight of grains Cy of the same type, it was noted that the rules remained the same when the operation was repeated on the same type of apparatus with other types of grains Cy.

Therefore, the rules defined in Table 1 are applied to calculate new roasting recipes for one quantity M-Δ1, M or M+Δ1 of any type of beans roasted in a roasting apparatus of the same type as the apparatus on which the rule was determined and in which the first roasting recipe for one of the quantities M-Δ1, M or M+Δ1 was previously determined.

In one embodiment, the control unit of the roasting apparatus can access different rules defined for different large families of beans, in particular different plant varieties of beans, such as Arabica or Robusta. Depending on the type Cy of beans obtained, and if this type corresponds to the Arabica or Robusta variety, the corresponding rule can be accessed.

In one particular embodiment, the rule type is a linear function, and the specific rules for calculating from one first roasting recipe RM adapted for a predetermined number M of at least one roasting recipe RM±Δx adapted for roasting a corresponding predetermined number M±Δx of beans are specific linear functions, each of which is characterized by corresponding pairs of coefficients, as shown in table 2 below.

The number of beans in the roasting recipe,
subject to calculation M-Δ1 M M+Δ1 The number of beans in a pre-created roasting recipe M-Δ1 a(M-Δ1;M)
b(M-Δ1;M) a(M-Δ1;M+Δ1)
b(M-Δ1;M+Δ1) M a(M;M-Δ1)
b(M;M-Δ1) a(M;M+Δ1) b(M;M+Δ1) M+Δ1 a(M+Δ1;M-Δ1)
b(M+Δ1;M-Δ1) a(M+Δ1;M) b(M+Δ1;M)

Table 2

By means of such a rule, the roasting recipe RM+Δ1 applied to the quantity M+Δ1 of coffee beans is calculated from the first roasting recipe RM applied to a predetermined quantity M of one type of coffee beans by means of a pair of coefficients a(M;M+Δ1) and b(M;M+Δ1) and applying these coefficients to the temperatures TM _@ ti of the roasting recipe RM as follows:

TM+Δ1@ti = a(M;M+Δ1) TM@ti + b(M;M+Δ1)

For example, the table above was created using one particular master roaster to establish relationships between recipes for three different coffee bean weights: 50, 150 and 250g. The calculation factors for the 250g coffee bean recipe from the first set of 150g recipes for the same coffee beans are:

a(150; 250) = 0.95

b(150; 250) = 3

Fig. 3 shows the first roasting recipe R150 for 150 g of coffee beans, previously determined by a coffee specialist on a roasting machine, and the calculated roasting recipe R250, obtained from R150 as follows:

T250@ti = 0.95 T250@ti + 3

When the rule is linear, there is usually a correspondence between pairs of coefficients as follows:

And

It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the method, for all the different types of Cy coffee beans, it is preferable to have access to the corresponding predetermined RyMoriginal roasting recipes adapted for roasting:

- the same number Moriginal of grains, where the specified number Moriginal is equal to one of the quantities in the list of pre-set quantities (M, M±Δx) of the rule.

- or different quantities M original of grains, wherein the specified quantities M original are equal to at least one of the quantities from the list of predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the rule.

In fact, since the rule provides a way to calculate the recipe in two directions

- from the R yM recipe to the RyM+Δx or RyM-Δx recipe, or

- from the RyM+Δx or RyM-Δx recipe to the RyM recipe,

using different quantities, Moriginal, selected from a list of preset quantities (M, M±Δx), is equivalent.

In one preferred embodiment, different pairs of coefficients may be defined for different ranges of frying times. In this embodiment, the polynomial rule is defined by at least two compounds of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), wherein each of said pairs is applied for a certain range of time Δti of the frying recipe RyM.

Table 3 below shows this particular embodiment, in which different coefficients are provided depending on whether the frying recipe temperature RyM±Δx is calculated for a predetermined time t above or below td.

In the above example, the coefficients a t<100(150;250) = 0.95 and b t<100(150;250) = 3 can be set for the frying recipe time range from 0 to 100 seconds. Then, above 100 seconds, the values of these coefficients become:

a t>100 (150; 250) = 0.90 and b t>100 (150; 250) = 5.

Fig. 4 shows the original R250 roasting recipe obtained using this new rule.

As already mentioned, the rule can be extrapolated to other types of beans roasted in the same type of roaster. It is therefore sufficient to define a rule between the recipes of one specific type of beans. This rule can then be applied directly to other types of beans. It becomes sufficient to pre-define only one initial roasting recipe for one specific amount of beans of a new type, so that all roasting recipes for other amounts of said new type of beans can be calculated by extrapolation.

This means that there is no need to pre-define and store multiple original recipes for each type of bean in each roaster. Just a rule and one original roasting recipe for each type of bean are sufficient.

When a given quantity m of coffee beans is introduced into the vessel 11 for roasting, the processing unit 18 of the apparatus of the present invention is designed with the possibility of implementing several stages.

Firstly, the processing unit 18 of the apparatus of the present invention is configured to determine the quantity m coffee beans of the specified type loaded into the vessel and type Cy of the specified coffee beans.

Optionally, the processing unit can be adjusted to obtain the required degree of roasting (light, medium, dark) and/or future use of uz coffee beans.

As mentioned earlier, the user interface 20 of the roasting apparatus may provide this information on the identification parameters, quantity, roast level and application, and the user interface display is configured to guide the user through the process of entering information for each type of coffee.

In an alternative embodiment, information for identifying the type of coffee may be obtained using a code reader 3, whereby the user has the opportunity or is prompted to scan the code of different types of beans in front of the code reader.

In an alternative embodiment, the amount of grains may be measured and automatically transmitted to the control system 180, for example, using a measuring device 4 connected to the apparatus directly or indirectly via a communication interface, as shown in Fig. 7 or 8.

Then, at an additional stage, the control system of the roasting apparatus is configured to obtain access to information related to the roasting of said coffee beans.

- based on the obtained type Cy of coffee beans loaded into the container, wherein the control system is configured to obtain one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, adapted for roasting one initial predetermined quantity Moriginal of said beans Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus, and

- to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and

- a rule for calculating a roasting recipe RM or another roasting recipe Rm±x,M±Δx adapted to roast a quantity of beans contained in a list of predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) from any pre-created roasting recipe RM or Rm±x,M±Δx adapted to roast another quantity of beans in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said other quantity is contained in the list of predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx), and

- to the list of specified preset quantities (M, M±Δx).

At an additional stage, the control system is configured to determine a roasting recipe Rym applied to the specified specific predetermined quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel.

For this purpose, the roasting control system is designed with the ability to compare:

- m and the available initial preset quantity Moriginal.

and if necessary:

- Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx), and

- m and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx).

to determine the recipe for roasting Rym.

First, if m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym is defined as the available initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal,

Then, if m is not equal to the available original preset quantity Moriginal, Moriginal is compared with the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx). Two situations may arise.

In one first case, the available original preset quantity Moriginal may be equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx). Then,

if the quantity m loaded into the device is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal, as described above in relation to Table 1.

if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

In one second case, the available initial preset quantity Moriginal is not equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), wherein the control system is configured to identify in said list the quantity Mclosest that represents the smallest difference with Moriginal and is calculated by the corresponding roasting recipe RyMclosest from the available roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

Then, if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, the control system is configured to calculate a roasting recipe for the specified quantity by applying the rule to the resulting roasting recipe RyMclosest. The resulting calculated recipe determines Rym.

And if M differs from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the control system is configured to calculate the roasting recipe Rym from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the obtained roasting recipe RyMclosest.

In the first case, where the available initial predetermined quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available predetermined quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), various methods for determining such a roasting recipe Rym from the predetermined roasting recipe RyM and/or calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx can be implemented as described below.

In one simple first mode, the processing unit is configured to select one frying recipe from a list of preset frying recipes RyM and calculated frying recipes RyM±Δx.

The choice consists in identifying a roasting recipe adapted to roast a given quantity of beans, in the list M and quantities M±Δx, which represents the smallest difference in quantity with the obtained quantity m.

To illustrate, based on the above example of Table 2 with three preset weight values of 50, 150 and 250 g, which allows calculating R50 and R250 from a preset initial roasting recipe R150, if the specified quantity m is 60 g, then the roasting recipe used is the calculated roasting recipe R50 adapted to a mass of 50 g of beans, which is closest to the specified mass of 60 g.

In one second mode, the processing unit 18 is configured to calculate a specific roasting recipe Rym for application to the specified specific quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, from a preset roasting recipe RyM and/or a calculated roasting recipe RyM±Δx.

In the first stage of determining the roasting recipe Rym, the processing unit identifies in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 representing the smallest differences with m, where m Mm-1 is below Mm+ (the value Mm-1 < m < Mm+1). To illustrate, based on the above example of Table 2 with three preset weight values of 50, 150 and 250 g, which allows calculating R50 and R250 from the preset initial roasting recipe R150, if the preset quantity m is 175 g, then the processing unit identifies two consecutive masses of 150 and 250 g with Mm-1 = 150 g and Mm+1 = 250 g.

At an additional stage, the processing unit obtains for the specified two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 the corresponding frying recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1, respectively.

If one of the quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 is equal to the preset quantity M, then the corresponding frying recipe RyM is directly available to the processing unit.

If one or two quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 are different from M, then one or two of the specified quantities are equal to one or two of the available preset quantities M±Δx, and then the corresponding roasting recipes RMm-1 and/or RMm+1 can be calculated by rule from the available roasting recipe RyM,

Based on the above example 2, the frying recipe for Mm-1 = 150 g corresponds to the predetermined original frying recipe R150, and the frying recipe R250 for Mm+1 = 250 g can be calculated using the rule of Table 2 from the predetermined original frying recipe R150 as stated above and illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

At a further stage, at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , ... t ₆ , the temperature T _m applied to a certain quantity m of grains at each of the specified individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ ,.... t ₆ , is calculated from the obtained roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1 as follows:

Tm@ti = TMm-1@ti + [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

with K ≤ 1.

In Figure 5, at time 200 seconds, the applied temperature T175@200 is:

T175@200 = T150@200 + [(T250@200 – T150@200) . K. (175 – 150)/250 – 150)]

The calculation is repeated for each moment of time t _i to determine the complete roasting recipe R for the quantity m (175 g) of beans.

In the formula above, the K coefficient is usually determined experimentally and may differ depending on the technical characteristics of the roasting machine (power, vessel size, heater type, etc.), the type of beans and/or the subsequent use of the roasted beans.

In one embodiment, the K factor may be set only in accordance with the technical characteristics of the roasting machine.

In another embodiment, the K coefficient may be set according to the type of grain. In this case, the K coefficient may be set:

- as a rule, with a high level of identification of beans, in particular by botanical variety, for example, for Arabica or Robusta varieties, a KA coefficient is provided for when roasting Arabica beans and a KR coefficient is provided for when roasting Robusta beans,

- or, more precisely, for each type of grain Cy by reference to a coefficient Ky adapted to the specific type of grain Cy, with more precise criteria than the two general criteria of origin.

In these cases, the control system is designed to detect the type of beans (Arabica, Robusta or Cy) loaded into the vessel and then access the KA, KR or Ky coefficient corresponding to the given type of beans.

The K factor is preferably set according to the technical characteristics of the roasting machine and the type of beans.

In a particular embodiment, the K coefficient can be set according to the additional use of the beans. In this embodiment, the K coefficient is preferably also set according to the technical characteristics of the roasting machine, and even more preferably according to the type of beans.

If there is no information on the roaster, bean type or additional application, the default K factor is 1.

In a third mode, the processing unit 18 is configured to calculate a specific roasting recipe Rym for application to said specific quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel from a predetermined roasting recipe RyM and/or a calculated roasting recipe RyM±Δx similar to the second mode, except that at the stage of determining the roasting recipe Rym, the temperature T _m for application to the obtained quantity m of beans at each of said discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc. is calculated from the obtained roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1 as follows:

if m is closer to Mm-1, then:

Tm@ti =TMm-1@ti + [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)]

if m is closer to Mm+1, then:

Tm@ti = TMm+1@ti - [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti). K. (Mm+1 - m)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)].

As a result, this means that if the quantity m is 175 g, then m is closer to 150 g, and the temperature to be applied at t = 200 seconds is:

T175@200 = T150@200 + [(T250@200 – T150@200) . K. (175 – 150)/100].

But if the quantity m is 225 g, then m is closer to 250 g, and the temperature to be applied at t = 200 seconds is:

T225@200 =T250@200 – [(T250@200 – T150@200) . K. (250 – 225)/100].

Typically, the quantity used in the method is the weight of the beans.

If a measuring device is used to determine volume rather than mass, the mass can be calculated from the average density of the coffee beans or, more preferably, identification of the bean type provides access to the exact density of the beans specified, allowing the mass of the beans loaded into the vessel to be calculated.

At the output data processing stage, the processing unit 18 controls the heating device 12, typically by means of a closed control loop via an input signal from the temperature sensor 231 in the form of feedback, to apply a roasting profile for the coffee beans corresponding to the determined roasting recipe Rym.

Fig. 6 shows various steps of the method according to the invention, which can be implemented by the control system of the roasting apparatus for determining the roasting recipe Rym to be used for a given quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy, which are loaded into the apparatus.

First, at step 100, the control system is configured to obtain a quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel and a type Cy of these coffee beans.

At an additional stage 200, the control system is configured to gain access to:

- a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain number of beans, wherein said number is included in the list of a predetermined number (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast another number of beans in said specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said other number is included in the list of a predetermined number (M, M±Δx) and in the list of said predetermined numbers (M, M±Δx). As mentioned above, this rule may depend on the type of beans Cy obtained in step 100, for example, depending on the family of beans of the type Cy. Optionally, this rule may depend on the desired roasting level and further use of the beans; in this case, the desired level and further use can be obtained in step 100 to obtain a corresponding rule for these criteria in step 200.

- to one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe RyMoriginal is adapted to roasting one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of the Cy type in said specific type of roasting apparatus and to said initial predetermined quantity of Moriginal.

In an additional step 300, the control system is configured to compare M and the available initial predetermined quantity Moriginal.

If they are equal, then the roasting recipe is the obtained predetermined original roasting recipe RyMoriginal. It should be noted that at this stage of comparing two quantities and checking whether they are the same, the accuracy of the roasting apparatus is taken into account. In fact, for each roasting apparatus, one roasting recipe adapted for roasting one specific quantity M is essentially adapted for roasting slightly different quantities, for example, adapted roasting quantities that are weight values that differ by plus or minus 1 g, from the specific adapted quantity M. In this example, the term "equal" is considered to mean "equal to ± 1 g". Accordingly, in the present application, the term "equal to a certain quantity" can mean "equal to more or less a certain quantity" depending on the accuracy of the roasting apparatus.

In an alternative embodiment, at step 400, the control system is configured to compare the available original predetermined quantity Moriginal and the available predetermined quantities of the list (M, M±Δx).

If this is true, this means that the rule can be directly applied to RyMoriginal to calculate roasting recipes for other predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) other than Moriginal. Then, in step 500, the quantity M is compared with the predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list: if m is equal to one of the said predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx), then in step 600, the roasting recipe Rym can be calculated directly by applying the rule to RyMoriginal.

Alternatively, if M is not equal to any of the specified predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx), then at step 700 the roasting recipe Rym may be calculated from the original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx may be calculated by applying a rule to the available roasting recipe RyMoriginal.

As shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, the above-described steps 100-700 correspond to a preferred method in which the control system is configured to access one initial frying recipe RyMoriginal configured to fry one initial predetermined quantity Moriginal equal to one of the other predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list.

In a more complex method, it is possible that the initial predetermined quantity Moriginal is not equal to one of the other predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list. In this case, step 800 corresponds to step 400, in which the control system is configured to identify in the list of available predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) the quantity Mclosest that represents the smallest difference with Moriginal.

Then, at step 900, the corresponding RyMclosest roasting recipe can be derived from the RyMoriginal roasting recipe. The calculation can consist of the following:

- using RyMoriginal as a RyMclosest roasting recipe or

- applying a method for determining a roasting recipe from an available roasting recipe, such as that described in WO 2020/127673. When applying this method to the current process, the roasting recipe RyMclosest, which provides a temperature TMclosest for application to a number Mclosest of beans at each successive time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., is calculated as follows:

if Mclosest > Moriginal, then:

TMclosest@ti = TMoriginal@ti + [TMoriginal@ti . C. (Mclosest - Moriginal)/Moriginal]

if Mclosest < Moriginal, then:

TMclosest@ti = TMoriginal@ti + [TMoriginal@ti . C. (Moriginal - Mclosest)/Moriginal]

where C ≤ 1 and by default C is 1.

This step 900 provides an approximate frying recipe for one of the predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the rule list.

Then, in step 1000, the quantity m is compared with that quantity Mclosest which represents the smallest difference from Moriginal. If M is equal to Mclosest, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the specified roasting recipe RyMclosest,

Otherwise, at step 1100, the quantity M is compared with other predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list: if M is equal to one of the said other predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx), then at step 1200, the roasting recipe Rym can be directly calculated by applying the rule to RyMclosest.

Alternatively, if M is not equal to any of the specified predetermined quantities (M, M±Δx), then at step 1300 the roasting recipe Rym may be calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx may be calculated by applying the rule to the obtained roasting recipe RyMclosest.

System

Fig. 7A shows a system 10 of a roasting apparatus 1 and a measuring device 4, which is preferably a scale. The roasting apparatus comprises a vessel 11, which is designed to hold beans during the roasting process. The measuring device 2 is designed to measure the quantity of coffee beans and to transmit input data 22 of the measured quantity via a communication interface to a control system 180 of the roasting apparatus.

Fig. 7B shows an alternative system 10 of a roasting apparatus 1 and a measuring device 4, which is preferably a scale. The measuring device 2 is part of the roasting apparatus and, together with the roasting apparatus, is built into the same frame as the roasting apparatus. The measuring device 2 is designed to measure the quantity of coffee beans and to transmit input data 22 of the measured quantity to the control system 180 of the roasting apparatus.

Fig. 7B shows an alternative system 10 of the roasting apparatus 1 and the measuring device 4. The measuring device 4 is part of the roasting apparatus. In one embodiment, the measuring device may be a scale, wherein in the roasting position the vessel 11 may be suspended from the scale. In this embodiment, the vessel is weighed before it is completely locked in the roasting apparatus for applying the roasting process.

In another embodiment, the measuring device may be a level sensor and provide for measuring the level of the beans in their own roasting position. The measuring device 2 is designed with the possibility of transmitting input data 22 of the measured quantity to the control system 180 of the roasting apparatus.

Fig. 7G shows an alternative system 10 of the roasting apparatus 1 and the measuring device 4. The measuring device 4 is a scale that is part of the roasting apparatus. In the exact roasting position, the vessel 11 rests on the scale. The scale 4 is designed to weigh the coffee beans and transmit the measured mass as input data 22 to the control system 180 of the roasting apparatus. The vessel is then locked inside the roasting apparatus, after which roasting can begin.

Fig. 8 shows a system 100 in which the roasting apparatus 10 and the measuring device 4 are structurally separate. In this system, coffee beans 5 are loaded and measured in an intermediate container 6 before being loaded into the vessel 11 of the roasting apparatus 1.

This system is particularly useful if the vessel is not removed from the roasting machine, such as in the case of drum roasting machines.

The measuring device 6 is connected to the roasting apparatus via a cable (USB, serial data transmission) and ensures the transmission of the measured quantity of beans 22 to the control system of the roasting apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the connection can be established via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 6, in which the vessel 11 is designed to be removed from the roasting apparatus and can be placed on the measuring device 4 in the filling and measuring position before being moved back into the roasting apparatus in the roasting position. The measuring device 4 preferably comprises a receiving area designed to hold the vessel 11 of the roasting apparatus so that the vessel is securely fixed during the filling and measuring process. For example, the measuring device may have a contact surface that coincides with the bottom of the vessel. Preferably, the measuring device is designed to automatically weigh the beans without taking into account the vessel's own weight.

The advantage of the roasting apparatus according to the present invention for the operator is greater flexibility with respect to the quantity of beans to be roasted while ensuring a consistent roasting quality.

The roasting apparatus of the present invention provides the advantage of providing consistent, reproducible roasting of the same coffee beans in different apparatuses of the same type.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in any way to these illustrated embodiments.

Changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Moreover, if equivalents of specific features exist, such equivalents are included as if they were specifically mentioned in the present description.

In this description, the words "comprises", "comprising" and similar words are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, without limitation".

List of abbreviations:

Cy type of coffee beans

Rym is a roasting recipe (temperature) adapted to roast a given quantity m of beans of type Cy, determined by the given values (Tym@ti; ti)

RyMoriginal preset initial roasting recipe (temperature) adapted to roast one preset quantity of Moriginal Cy beans

Moriginal initial preset quantity

M, M±Δx preset quantities

RyM±Δx calculated roasting recipe (temperature), adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity M±Δx of Cy type beans

Mclosest is the number of list M and M±Δx is the smallest difference with Moriginal

RyMclosest resulting frying recipe adapted for frying quantities of Mclosest

Mm-1 is the number of list M and M±Δx that is less than m and has the smallest difference with m

Mm+1 is the number of list M and M±Δx that is greater than m and has the smallest difference with m

RMm-1 frying recipe (temperature) adapted for frying quantity Mm-1

RMm+1 frying recipe (temperature) adapted for frying quantity Mm+1

RMm+1 frying recipe (temperature) adapted for frying quantity Mm+1

Rflow-ym is a roasting recipe (fan speed) adapted for roasting a given quantity m of Cy-type beans and determined by given values (Sym@ti; ti)

Rflow-yM preset initial roasting recipe (fan speed) adapted to roast one preset quantity M of Cy type beans

Rflow-yM±Δx calculated roasting recipe (fan speed), adapted for roasting one preset quantity M±Δx of Cy type beans

List of symbols on graphic materials:

roasting machine 1

roasting block 10

vessel 11

levels 111a, 111b

pen 112

heating device 12

Air supply working element 121

heater 122

engine 13

perforated plate 14

Building 15

base 151

skeleton 152

air supply hole 153

legs 154

chaff collection 16

cover 17

processing unit 18

control system 180

memory 19

user interface 20

power supply 21

input data measured quantity 22

sensor 23

temperature sensor 231

communication interface 24

database 25

measuring device 2

input data measured quantity 22

code reader 3

measuring device 4

coffee beans 5

intermediate container 6

system 100

Claims (138)

1. An apparatus for roasting coffee beans, comprising: - a vessel for placing coffee beans, - a heating device for heating coffee beans contained in a vessel, - a control system designed to control the heating device and designed to apply a frying recipe (R) that provides specified temperature values for application at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, and for a given number m of coffee beans of type Cy loaded into the vessel, - the control system is designed with the possibility of determining at least: quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, and type Cy coffee beans loaded into the vessel, And - based on the obtained type Cy and the obtained quantity m, the control system is configured to determine the recipe Rym for roasting quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus by: - gaining access: to a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in said specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and to the list of specified preset quantities (M, M±Δx), and to at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe RyMoriginal is configured to roast one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus, wherein said predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal provides predetermined values of temperatures applied at discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, and to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and - based on: comparison of m and the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and comparison of Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx), and comparison of M and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx), defining the roasting recipes Rym for use on a specified quantity m of coffee beans as follows: - if m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the available initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, - if m differs from the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and if the available original preset quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and if m is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roast recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roast recipe RyMoriginal, if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available preset original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM, RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal, if Moriginal differs from any of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), then the determination in the specified list of the quantity Mclosest, represents the smallest difference from Moriginal and is calculated by the corresponding roasting recipe RyMclosest from the available preset roasting recipe RyMoriginal, and: if m is equal to the specified amount of Mclosest that represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, then the roasting recipe Rym corresponds to the specified calculated roasting recipe RyMclosest, if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated by applying the rule to the resulting roasting recipe RyMclosest, if M differs from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe RyMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes RyM,RyM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the obtained roasting recipe RyMclosest. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rule is a mathematical function, such as a polynomial, logarithmic or exponential function, applied to the temperatures of the set values of a pre-existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans contained in a list of pre-set quantities (M, M±Δx). 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the calculation rule from one pre-existing roasting recipe RM adapted to roast a pre-set quantity M of beans of at least one roasting recipe RM±Δx adapted to roast a pre-set quantity M±Δx of beans is a linear function, wherein said rule is defined by at least one pair of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), said coefficients relating to the difference in quantity ±Δx and said rule is applied to the temperatures provided by the predetermined initial frying recipe RM as follows: TyM±Δx @ti = a(M;M±Δx) TyM@ti + b(M;M±Δx), where TyM_@ti represents the temperatures achieved by a preset initial roasting recipe RM. 4. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said polynomial rule is defined by at least two pairs of predetermined coefficients (a(M;M±Δx); b(M;M±Δx)), wherein each of said pairs is applied during a certain time range Δti of a predetermined frying recipe RyM. 5. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the available initial predetermined quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available predetermined quantities of the list (M, M±Δx) of the rule. 6. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein if m differs from the available initial predetermined quantity m and from any of the available predetermined quantities M±Δx, then the roasting recipe Rym for application to said quantity m of coffee beans loaded inside the vessel is calculated from one or two available roasting recipes RyM and/or calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx, wherein each of said one or two recipes is adapted to roast one predetermined quantity of beans, respectively, and said predetermined quantity or quantities of beans representing the smallest difference(s) in quantity with the obtained quantity m. 7. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, in which the roasting recipe Rym for use on the specified quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel is calculated by selecting from the list of available roasting recipes RyM and/or calculated roasting recipes RyM±Δx, wherein the roasting recipe is adapted for roasting one predetermined quantity of beans, with the smallest difference in quantity with the obtained quantity m. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, in which the roasting recipe Rym for use on the specified obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel is calculated by: - identification in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m, where Mm-1 is below Mm+1, - for the specified two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, by obtaining the corresponding frying recipe RMm-1 and RMm+1 respectively, wherein the specified recipes are determined as follows: if one of the identified quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 is equal to the initial predetermined quantity M, then the determination is made by accessing the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM adapted for roasting the said predetermined quantity M of beans, if one or two specified quantities Mm-1 and/or Mm+1 differ from the initial preset quantity M, then the calculation of the corresponding roasting recipe RMm-1 and/or Mm+1 is performed by applying the rule to the available initial roasting recipe RyM, - from the obtained roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1, the said recipes provide for temperatures for application at separate successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , determining the temperatures for application to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the said discrete successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc. as follows: Tm@ti = TMm-1@ti+ [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)] with K ≤ 1, where TMm-1@ti, TMm+1@ti represent the temperatures provided by the roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1. 9. The apparatus according to claim 6, in which the roasting recipe Rym for use on the specified obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel is calculated by: - identification in the list of available preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m, - for the specified two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, obtaining the corresponding frying recipe RMm-1 and RMm+1, respectively, wherein the specified recipes are determined as follows: if one of the identified quantities Mm-1 or Mm+1 is equal to the predetermined quantity M, then the determination is made by accessing the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM adapted for roasting the said predetermined quantity M of beans, if one or two specified quantities Mm-1 and/or Mm+1 differ from the initial preset quantity M, then the calculation of the corresponding roasting recipe RMm-1 and/or RMm+1 is performed by applying the rule to the initial available roasting recipe RyM, - from the obtained roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1, the said recipes provide temperatures, respectively, applied at discrete successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , etc., determining the temperatures that must be applied to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the said discrete successive moments of time t1, t2, etc. as follows: if m is closer to Mm-1, then: Tm@ti =TMm-1@ti + [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti) . K. (m - Mm-1)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)] if m is closer to Mm+1, then: Tm@ti = TMm+1@ti - [(TMm+1@ti – TMm-1@ti). K. (Mm+1 - m)/(Mm+1 - Mm-1)] with K ≤ 1, where TMm-1@ti, TMm+1@ti represent the temperatures provided by the roasting recipes RMm-1 and RMm+1. 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rule is a linear function of claim 3 or 4, wherein the roasting recipe Rym for use on the specified obtained quantity m of coffee beans loaded inside the vessel is calculated by: - identification in the list of available initial preset quantities M and M±Δx, wherein two consecutive preset quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 represent the smallest differences with m, where Mm-1 is below Mm+1, - for the said two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1, by obtaining at least one corresponding pair of predetermined coefficients (a(M;Mm-1);b(M;Mm-1)) and (a(M;Mm+1);b(M;Mm+1)), wherein if one of the said two identified quantities Mm-1 and Mm+1 is equal to M, then the corresponding pair of predetermined coefficients is (1;1), - from the specified obtained pairs of pre-set coefficients (a(M;Mm-1);b(M;Mm-1)) and (a(M;Mm+1);b(M;Mm+1)), determining at least one pair of coefficients a(M;m) as follows: a(M;m) = a(M;Mm-1) + [(a (M;Mm+1) - a(M;Mm-1)) . K. (m - Mm-1)(Mm+1 - Mm-1)] with K ≤ 1, - from the specified at least one determined coefficient a(M;m) and from the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyM, calculating the roasting recipe Rym providing the temperature that should be applied to the obtained quantity m of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., as follows: Tym@ti = a(M;m) TyM@ti + b(M;m), where TyM_@ti represents the temperatures achieved by a preset initial roasting recipe RM. 11. An apparatus for roasting coffee beans according to the preceding claim, wherein said apparatus is configured to receive and roast a predetermined quantity M of coffee beans, wherein said predetermined quantity M is equal to the available initial predetermined quantity M or one of the available predetermined quantities M±Δx. 12. An apparatus for roasting coffee beans according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device comprises an air supply working element and a control system configured to control said air supply working element and configured to apply a roasting recipe (Rflow) that provides specified air flow values for application at individual successive moments of time _t1 , _t2 , …, respectively, And based on the obtained type Cy and quantity m, wherein the control system is configured to determine an additional roasting recipe Rflow-ym for roasting the specified quantity m of the specified type Cy of coffee beans in the roasting apparatus, wherein the specified additional roasting recipe provides specified air flow values for use at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., by: - gaining access: to a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in said specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), and to the list of preset quantities (M, M±Δx), and at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, wherein said roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal is adapted to roasting one predetermined quantity of Moriginal beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus and to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and - based on: comparing m and the available original preset quantity Moriginal and comparing m and the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and comparison of Moriginal and available preset list quantities (M, M±Δx) definition of the roasting recipe Rflow-ym for use on a specified quantity m of coffee beans as follows: - if m is equal to the available initial preset quantity Moriginal, then the frying recipe Rflow ym corresponds to the available initial frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, - if m differs from the available initial preset quantity Moriginal and if the available original preset quantity Moriginal is equal to one of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), and if m is equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the frying recipe Rflow ym is calculated by applying the rule to the available preset frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, if m differs from the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym is calculated from the available original frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal and/or at least one of the frying recipes Rflow-yM, Rflow yM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the available frying recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, if Moriginal differs from any of the available preset quantities of the list (M, M±Δx), then the quantity Mclosest representing the smallest difference from Moriginal is determined in the specified list, and the corresponding roasting recipe Rflow-yMclosest is calculated from the available roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal, and: if m is equal to the specified amount of Mclosest that represents the smallest difference from Moriginal, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym corresponds to the calculated frying recipe Rflow-yMclosest, if m is different from Mclosest but equal to one of the other available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) in the list, then the frying recipe Rflow-ym is calculated by applying the rule to the resulting frying recipe Rflow-yMclosest, if m is different from any of the available preset quantities (M, M±Δx) of the list, then the roasting recipe Rflow-ym is calculated from the available original roasting recipe Rflow-yMoriginal and/or at least one of the roasting recipes Rflow-yM, Rflow yM±Δx can be calculated by applying the rule to the calculated roasting recipe Rflow-yMclosest. 13. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, in which the calculation rule from one predetermined roasting recipe Rflow-yM, adapted to roast a predetermined number M of beans, of at least one roasting recipe Rflow-yM±Δx, adapted to roast a predetermined number M±Δx of beans is a polymial function, wherein the said rule is defined by a pair of predetermined coefficients (c(M;M±Δx); d(M;M±Δx)) and is applied to the air flow provided by the predetermined frying recipe Rfnlow-M as follows: FyM±Δx @ti = c(M;M±Δx) FyM_@ti+ d(M;M±Δx), where FyM@ti represents the specified air flow values provided by the specified additional roasting recipe. 14. The apparatus according to the preceding paragraph or paragraph 3, further comprising obtaining access to the ratio R and a pair of predetermined coefficients (c(M;M±Δx); d(M;M±Δx)) is defined as follows: - c(M;M±Δx) = R a(M;M±Δx) - d(M;M±Δx) = R b(M;M±Δx) 15. An apparatus for roasting coffee beans, comprising: - a vessel for placing coffee beans, - a heating device for heating coffee beans contained in a vessel, - a control system designed to control the heating device and designed to apply a frying recipe (R) that provides specified temperature values for application at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, and for a given number m of coffee beans of type Cy loaded into the vessel, - the control system is designed with the possibility of determining at least: quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, and type Cy coffee beans loaded into the vessel, And - based on the obtained type Cy and the obtained quantity m, the control system is configured to determine the recipe Rym for roasting quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus by: - for each type of coffee beans Cy part of the mixture, determining the roasting recipe Rym that should be applied to the specified quantity my of coffee beans, - access to the temperature adaptation coefficients Xy of the specified different types of coffee beans Cy in accordance with the specified mixture, - from the specified given roasting recipes Rym and from the specified available temperature adaptation coefficients Xy, and on the basis of the quantities my of grains of type C _y , the determination of the temperature applied to the individual mixture of grains at each of the discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, is carried out in accordance with the following formula (I): (I), where Tmy@ti represents the temperatures applied to the obtained quantity of beans my, y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee bean mixture. 16. An apparatus for roasting coffee beans, comprising: - a vessel for placing coffee beans, - a heating device for heating coffee beans contained in a vessel, - a control system designed to control the heating device and designed to apply a frying recipe (R) that provides specified temperature values for application at individual successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc., respectively, and for a given number m of coffee beans of type Cy loaded into the vessel, - the control system is designed with the possibility of determining at least: quantity m of coffee beans loaded into the vessel, and type Cy coffee beans loaded into the vessel, And - based on the obtained type Cy and the obtained quantity m, the control system is configured to determine the recipe Rym for roasting quantity m of coffee beans of type Cy in the roasting apparatus by: - gaining access: for each type of coffee beans Cy contained in the mixture, to at least one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, respectively, wherein each recipe RyMoriginal is adapted for roasting one initial predetermined quantity Moriginal of beans of type Cy in said specific type of roasting apparatus, to the specified preset quantity of Moriginal grains, and to a rule for calculating from one predetermined initial recipe RyMoriginal to at least one roasting recipe RMoriginal±Δx adapted to roast a predetermined quantity Moriginal±Δx of beans in said roasting apparatus, wherein said rule is a linear function, and said rule is defined by at least one pair of predetermined coefficients (a(Moriginal; Moriginal±Δx); b(Moriginal; Moriginal ±Δx)), wherein said coefficients relate to the difference in quantity ±Δx; and said rule is applied to temperatures that are provided by one predetermined initial roasting recipe RMoriginal as follows: TMoriginal±Δx @ti = a(Moriginal;Moriginal±Δx) TMoriginal@ti + b(Moriginal;Moriginal±Δx), where Moriginal_@ti represents the temperatures that are achieved by one preset original roasting recipe RMoriginal, And to said at least one predetermined quantity Moriginal±Δx and to the temperature adaptation coefficients Xy of the specified different types of coffee beans Cy, respectively, And - for each type of coffee beans Cy of the mixture, the definition in the list of preset quantities Moriginal and Moriginal±Δx of the quantity Mclosest, represents the smallest difference with my and is calculated by the corresponding pair of coefficients (ay:by) as follows: ay = a(Moriginal;Mclosest); by = b(Moriginal;Mclosest), - the calculation of the corresponding pair of mixture coefficients is performed as follows: where y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee mixture, - the determination of the temperatures applied to an individual mixture of grains at each of the specified discrete successive moments of time t ₁ , t ₂ , etc. is carried out in accordance with the following formula (II): (II), where TyMoriginal@ti represents the set temperature values provided by the predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal, y corresponds to all types of coffee beans present in the mixture, and fy represents the mass fraction of coffee beans of type Cy in the coffee bean mixture. 17. A system of frying devices comprising one main frying apparatus and a set of frying devices according to any one of paragraphs 1-16, wherein said main apparatus and the frying devices of said set are of the same type, wherein: - the initial roasting recipe of one predetermined initial roasting recipe RyMoriginal is predetermined using the main roasting apparatus, and - a rule for calculating a roasting recipe adapted to roast a certain quantity of beans, said quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), from any previously existing roasting recipe adapted to roast a different quantity of beans in a specified specific type of roasting apparatus, said different quantity being included in a list of a predetermined quantity (M, M±Δx), is determined using the main roasting apparatus.