Coffee dispensing device and method
A coffee dispensing device is provided with a transport device ( 300 ) that couples various components for the processing of unroasted coffee beans together. For example a roaster ( 200 ) may be coupled to a grinding and brewing device ( 400 ) to enable the transfer of roasted coffee beans between the roaster and grinder/brewer. Also, the transport device may transfer the roasted coffee beans from a roaster to an output port ( 800 ) so that roasted coffee beans may be obtained. An automated coffee transaction device (ACTD) is also provided to automate aspects of the purchasing of coffee. A service delay projection calculator is also provided to estimate the expected wait time of a customer entering a queue.
1. A coffee dispensing device, comprising:
a roaster to roast a plurality of coffee beans;
a grinder coupled to said roaster for grinding said plurality of coffee beans to produce ground coffee;
a brewer coupled to said grinder for brewing coffee from said ground coffee;
a transport device for coupling said roaster and said grinder for transporting said plurality of coffee beans by the use of a propulsion mechanism, wherein said transport device transports said plurality of coffee beans by the use of a propulsion mechanism using a pressure differential within at least one tube.
2. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein said tube is transparent and is configured to transport said plurality of coffee beans over a customer.
3. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein said pressure differential includes a positive pressure differential.
4. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein said pressure differential includes a negative pressure differential.
5. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein said transport device transports said plurality of coffee beans by the use of a propulsion mechanism using at least one of the group of a belt, a bucket and a cup.
6. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein said grinder is located together with said brewer.
7. The coffee dispensing device of claim 6 , further comprising an interface panel located with said grinder and said brewer.
8. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel, located apart from said roaster, to control said transport device.
9. The coffee dispensing device of claim 1 , further comprising an output port coupled to said transport device for obtaining a plurality of roasted coffee bean.