Coffee bean packaging cartridge and coffee beverage system including same

A coffee beverage system comprising:

• at least one coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans and a coffee brewing apparatus;
• the cartridge including:
• a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the container holding at least one serving of coffee beans;
• conveyor means adapted to be rotatably driven exteriorly of the cartridge for transporting the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the cartridge;
• and
• coupling means adapted for drivingly coupling the conveyor means to rotating motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the cartridge is openable to reveal the exit opening, wherein the coffee been packaging cartridge is removably connected to the coffee brewing apparatus;
• wherein the coffee brewing apparatus comprises the motive means for drivingly engaging the coupling means of the coffee bean packaging cartridge in its connected state for driving the conveyor means for transporting coffee beans from the cartridge via its exit opening into the coffee brewing apparatus, and wherein the coffee brewing apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the motive means;
• wherein the cartridge further including a permanent, non-removable closure member fitted to at least one end of the outer wall and at least substantially including the exit opening, wherein the closure member has relatively movable closing means for selectively opening and closing the exit opening, whereby in the closed condition it is prevented that the coffee beans escape from the cartridge;
• wherein the cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee brewing apparatus, wherein the closure member defines a bottom and a circumferential outer wall;
• wherein the conveyor means is adapted to be driven by the motive means of the coffee brewing apparatus, via a central opening in the bottom of the closure member;
• and
• wherein the relatively movable closing means and the conveyor means are adapted to be commonly driven by the motive means via the central opening in the bottom of the closure member.