Motorized chute trap for a beverage brewing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024180354-A1
Application number	US-202217796415-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 6, 2022
Priority date	May 6, 2022
Publication date	Jun 6, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A feeder system for a beverage dispenser includes a top plate for a basket, the top plate defining a chute aperture, a mounting plate positioned over the top plate, the mounting plate defining a mounting aperture, the mounting aperture being aligned with the chute aperture along the axial direction, a feeder module including a chute, the chute defining an outlet aligned with the mounting aperture along the axial direction, and a partition plate slidably coupled to the mounting plate, the partition plate movable between a first position and a second position. The partition plate includes a rack gear and an extension tab selectively disposed across the chute aperture to close the chute

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A feeder system for a beverage dispenser, the feeder system defining an axial direction and a radial direction, the feeder system comprising:
a top plate for a basket, the top plate defining a chute aperture; a mounting plate positioned over the top plate, the mounting plate defining a mounting aperture, the mounting aperture being aligned with the chute aperture along the axial direction; a feeder module comprising a chute, the chute defining an outlet aligned with the mounting aperture along the axial direction; and a partition plate slidably coupled to the mounting plate, the partition plate movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the partition plate comprises a rack gear and an extension tab selectively disposed across the chute aperture to close the chute.

2 . The feeder system of claim 1 , wherein the chute comprises a partition aperture formed along the radial direction, the partition aperture selectively receiving the extension tab therein.

3 . The feeder system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a motor attached to the mounting plate; and a driving gear operably connected with the motor, wherein the driving gear is meshed with the rack gear of the partition plate.

4 . The feeder system of claim 3 , wherein the partition plate further comprises a pin protruding along the axial direction from the rack gear.

5 . The feeder system of claim 4 , further comprising a switch assembly, the switch assembly comprising:
a first switch attached to the mounting plate at a first position; and a second switch attached to the mounting plate at a second position different from the first position, wherein the pin is positioned between the first and second switches along the radial direction.

6 . The feeder system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second switches are optical infrared sensors configured to detect a position of the pin.

7 . The feeder system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second switches are contact switches configured to detect a position of the pin.

8 . The feeder system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a controller operably connected with the motor, the first switch, and the second switch, wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor in response to one or more discrete inputs from the switch assembly.

9 . A beverage brewing system defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the beverage brewing system comprising:
a housing; a component tower extending from the housing; a brewing basket module removably accommodated within the component tower; a hopper positioned within the component tower; a controller provided within the housing; and a feeder system provided within the component tower, the feeder system comprising:
a top plate for a basket, the top plate defining a chute aperture;
a mounting plate positioned over the top plate, the mounting plate defining a mounting aperture, the mounting aperture being aligned with the chute aperture along the vertical direction;
a feeder module comprising a chute, the chute defining an outlet aligned with the mounting aperture along the vertical direction; and
a partition plate slidably coupled to the mounting plate, the partition plate movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the partition plate comprises a rack gear and an extension tab selectively disposed across the chute aperture to close the chute.

10 . The beverage brewing system of claim 9 , wherein the chute comprises a partition aperture formed along the lateral direction, the partition aperture selectively receiving the extension tab therein.

11 . The beverage brewing system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a motor bracket attached to the mounting plate; a motor attached to the motor bracket; and a driving gear operably connected with the motor, wherein the driving gear is meshed with the rack gear of the partition plate.

12 . The beverage brewing system of claim 11 , wherein the partition plate further comprises a pin protruding along the vertical direction from the rack gear.

13 . The beverage brewing system of claim 12 , further comprising a switch assembly, the switch assembly comprising:
a first switch attached to the motor bracket at a first position; and a second switch attached to the motor bracket at a second position different from the first position, wherein the pin is positioned between the first and second switches along the lateral direction.

14 . The beverage brewing system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second switches are optical sensors configured to detect a position of the pin.

15 . The beverage brewing system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second switches are contact switches configured to detect a position of the pin.

16 . The beverage brewing system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor in response to one or more discrete inputs from the switch assembly.

17 . The beverage brewing system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a control panel provided on the housing; a water tank selectively attached to the housing via a water tank mounting base; and a grinding mechanism provided within the component tower and operably coupled with the controller, the grinding mechanism being positioned between the hopper and the feeder module.

18 . The beverage brewing system of claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to perform a series of operations, the series of operations comprising:
receiving an input via the control panel to initiate a brewing operation; activating the motor to slide the partition plate from the first position to the second position; receiving a first stop signal from the first switch; and stopping the motor in response to receiving the first stop signal.

19 . The beverage brewing system of claim 18 , wherein the series of operations further comprises:
activating the grinding mechanism to perform a grinding operation in response to stopping the motor; determining that the grinding operation has completed; and activating the motor the slide the partition plate from the second position to the first position.

20 . The beverage brewing system of claim 19 , wherein the series of operations further comprises:
receiving a second stop signal from the second switch; and stopping the motor in response to receiving the second stop signal.

Assignees

• Haier Us Appliance Solutions Inc

Inventors

• Zhou Eddy
• Liu Zhihua

Classifications

• A47J31/4403 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title

• A47J31/42 Primary

  Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee {(coffee mills A47J42/00; coffee roasters in general A23N12/08)} · CPC title

• A47J31/52

  Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus {; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus} · CPC title

• A47J31/02

  Coffee-making machines with removable extraction cups, to be placed on top of drinking-vessels {i.e. coffee-makers with removable brewing vessels, to be placed on top of beverage containers, into which hot water is poured}, e.g. cafe filter (filters A47J31/06) · CPC title