Systems, methods, and devices for extraction material distribution

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12534236-B2
Application number	US-202418658174-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2024
Priority date	May 12, 2023
Publication date	Jan 27, 2026
Grant date	Jan 27, 2026

Abstract

The disclosure generally relates to a system for distributing extraction material to a plurality of extraction chambers. The system may include a hopper configured to hold a beverage ingredient, and a grinder configured to grind the beverage ingredient to generate the extraction material. In some embodiments, the system can include a plurality of grinders coupled to the plurality of extraction chambers. In some embodiments, the system can include a plurality of distribution paths configured to distribute the extraction material to the plurality of extraction chambers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for distributing extraction material to a plurality of extraction chambers, the system comprising:
a hopper configured to hold a beverage ingredient; a grinder configured to grind the beverage ingredient to generate extraction material; a distribution system configured to transfer the extraction material from the grinder to a plurality extraction chambers, the distribution system comprises:
a distributor configured to transfer extraction material from the grinder to a plurality of distribution paths;
a plurality of chamber distribution paths configured to direct extraction material to the plurality of extraction chambers; and
a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells positioned between one of the plurality of distribution paths and one of the plurality of chamber distribution paths, each cell configured to receive the extraction material from one of the plurality of distribution paths,
wherein the distribution system is configured to transfer a predetermined amount of the extraction material to each empty extraction chamber of the plurality of extraction chambers, wherein each cell is configured selectively transfer the predetermined amount of extraction material to one or more of the chamber distribution paths, and wherein a total amount of extraction material provided to the plurality of extraction chambers is an amount of extraction material for one beverage component.

2 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a piezoelectric actuator configured to vibrate the distribution system to prevent or inhibit the extraction material from getting stuck in the distribution system.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein, in use, the distributor is configured to provide a same amount of extraction material to each distribution path of the plurality of distribution paths.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the hopper is a first hopper and the distribution system comprises:
a second hopper configured to receive extraction material from the grinder; and a plurality of distributors positioned at a bottom end of the second hopper each distributor of the plurality of distributors comprising a recess configured to receive extraction material from the second hopper, wherein, in use, the plurality of distributors are configured to rotate in a first direction to transfer extraction material to a first set of chamber distribution paths of the plurality of chamber distribution paths and a second direction to transfer extraction material to a second set of chamber distribution paths of the plurality of chamber distribution paths.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the distribution system further comprises:
a first gate positioned between the plurality of distribution paths and the plurality of cells, the first gate configured to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the first gate is in the open position, extraction material in the plurality of distribution paths enters the plurality of cells and when the first gate is in the closed position the first gate prevents extraction material from entering the plurality of cells.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first gate is configured to rotate to move between the open position and the closed position.

7 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of second gates positioned between the plurality of cells and the plurality of chamber distribution paths,
wherein the plurality of second gates are configured to independently move between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plurality of second gates are in the open position, extraction material in the plurality of cells is transferred to the plurality of chamber distribution paths, and when the plurality of second gates are in the closed position, the plurality of second gates prevent extraction material in the plurality of cells from transferring to plurality of chamber distribution paths.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein a second gate of the plurality of second gates is moved to an open position when a corresponding extraction chamber is empty.

9 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of second gates, each second gate comprising one or more cells of the plurality of cells, wherein the plurality of second gates are configured to rotate to move the one or more cells from a first position to a second position.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more cells are positioned below the plurality of distribution paths when the one or more cells are in the first position and the one or more cells are positioned above the plurality of chamber distribution paths when the one or more cells are in the second position.

11 . A system for distributing extraction material to a plurality of extraction chambers, the system comprising:
a hopper configured to hold a beverage ingredient; a plurality of grinders configured to grind the beverage ingredient to generate extraction material; a piezoelectric actuator configured to vibrate the system to prevent or inhibit the extraction material from getting stuck in the hopper and/or the plurality of grinders; and a plurality of extraction chambers, wherein the hopper is configured to transfer the beverage ingredient to the plurality of grinders, and wherein each of the plurality of grinders are connected to a different extraction chamber of the plurality of extraction chambers, and wherein a predetermined amount of the extraction material is transferred from each of the plurality of grinders to the different extraction chambers of the plurality of extraction chambers.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of grinders are configured to grind the predetermined amount of the extraction material.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein, in use, a predetermined amount of the beverage ingredient is transferred from the hopper to each of the plurality of grinders.

14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein, in use, a total amount of extraction material provided to the plurality of extraction chambers is an amount of extraction material for one beverage component.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein, in use, the extraction material is transferred from one or more grinders of the plurality of grinders to the different extraction chamber when the different extraction chamber is empty.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein, in use, a predetermined amount of beverage ingredient is transferred from the hopper to the one or more grinders.

Assignees

• Starbucks Corp

Inventors

• Murphy Kieran A
• Chapman Jefferey Jean
• Lane Michael
• Piech Dariusz P
• Brockman John L

Classifications

• B65B63/00

  Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged · CPC title

• B65B1/22

  by vibration · CPC title

• B65B1/06 Primary

  by gravity flow · CPC title

• A47J31/404

  Powder dosing devices · CPC title

• A47J31/401

  whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl · CPC title