BACKGROUND

[001] The present invention relates to devices for measuring and dispensing precise amounts of small dry goods, and more specifically to a vibratory dosing system for measuring and dispensing a precise amount of coffee beans.

[002] When brewing coffee, the beans are generally measured by weight as it is a more reliable practice than using volume-based measurements such as cups or tablespoons. Coffee beans have different masses as a result of the roasting process and resultant moisture content. To brew great coffee, it is imperative to know how much to use. If too much coffee is used when brewing, the final brew can be under-extracted and the brewed coffee may have a sour or salty taste. If not enough coffee is used, the brewed coffee will be weak or watery.

[003] Prior art devices exist to allow for the weighing of coffee beans in the home for the average user. However, such devices use rotating wheel and auger designs to dispense beans for weighing. While relatively simple to implement, the spacing and size of gear teeth in such devices dictates the minimum number/volume of beans that can be dispensed at a time. This space must be carefully calibrated to a single bean volume, which is not feasible due to varied bean sizes, and thus more than one bean will occasionally or always be dispensed. Such designs are also prone to jamming.

SUMMARY

[004] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an automatic precision bean dosing device. The device has a housing with a reservoir for receiving a supply of beans therein; a dosing chute for transferring one or more beans from the reservoir to an exit chute of the housing, wherein the dosing chute is a vibrational dosing chute coupled with a vibratory driver for vibrating the dosing chute; and a scale for weighing the one or more beans transferred through the exit chute.

[005] The dosing chute has a first dosing chute and a second dosing chute and one or more elastic attachments providing an asymmetric suspension for the dosing chute to reduce vibratory coupling between the first and second dosing chutes.

[006] The elastic attachments comprise rubber pads, metal leaf springs, metal coil springs, a rubberized polymer, other elastic material pad, or a combination thereof. [007] The first dosing chute is configured for dosing a first selected quantity of beans and the second dosing chute is configured for precision dosing of a second selected quantity of beans and, wherein the first quantity of beans is greater than the second quantity of beans.

[008] The vibratory driver is positioned at one end of the dosing chute to generate asymmetric displacement along the chute.

[009] Beans are transferred from the hopper into a first end of the dosing chute and the first end of the dosing chute is fixed to a chassis by a flexible mount to restrict movement of the dosing chute at the first end.

[0010] A second end of the dosing chute includes a vibratory driver oriented to provide vertical motion at the second end of the dosing chute and the one or more beans travel from the hopper to the first end of the dosing chute, along a length thereof and to the second end of the dosing chute and to the exit chute positioned at the second end of the dosing chute.

[0011] The vibratory driver is a rotating eccentric mass vibration motor to provide vertical motion to at least a portion of the length of the dosing chute originating at the second end of the dosing chute.

[0012] The second dosing chute has a curvature and a width narrower than the first chute such that the one or more beans travel a length of the first dosing chute in a single file manner.

[0013] The first dosing chute comprises a ramp at a first end for receiving beans from the hopper and each of the first and second dosing chutes is oriented perpendicular to the direction of gravity at an exit end of the dosing chute proximate the exit chute.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vibratory dosing system. The vibratory dosing system has a dosing chute having a first dosing mechanism and a second dosing mechanism, one dosing mechanism is provided with a ramp at a first end and the other dosing mechanism has a flat bottom, wherein second ends of each dosing mechanism are proximate an exit chute. A vibratory driver is coupled proximate the second end of one or both dosing mechanisms and is configured to vertically move the second end of one or both dosing mechanisms to vibrate one or both dosing mechanisms; and one or more elastic attachments provides an asymmetric suspension for the dosing chute to reduce vibratory coupling between the first and second dosing mechanisms. [0015] The system further includes a scale positioned below the exit chute of the dosing chute.

[0016] The system further includes a reservoir for selectively delivering a quantity of beans to the dosing chute by gravity.

[0017] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an automatic precision bean dosing device, the device comprising a housing comprising a reservoir for receiving a supply of beans therein; a vibrational dosing chute for transferring one or more beans from the reservoir to an exit wherein the vibrational dosing chute is positioned with a first end below the reservoir; and a vibratory driver coupled to a second end of the vibrational dosing chute spaced apart from the first end of the vibrational dosing chute.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the vibrational dosing chute comprises two separate chutes positioned in parallel and wherein the vibratory drive is coupled to second ends of each of the two separate chutes.

[0019] The two separate chutes comprise a first chute and a second chute wherein the first chute is larger than the second chute.

[0020] The first dosing chute comprises a ramp section and a flat section with the vibratory driver positioned proximate the flat section of the chutes.

[0021] Each of the two separate chutes are fixed to the housing at the first end with one or more mounting pads such that the mounting pads and vibratory drive are offset from one another along lengths of the chutes.

[0022] The one or more mounting pads are elastic mounting pads.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the vibratory driver is an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) vibration motor mounted at second ends of the parallel first and second chutes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vibratory bean dosing appliance according to one or more embodiments described herein.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vibratory bean dosing appliance.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a top view of the vibratory bean dosing appliance.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of a base portion of the vibratory bean dosing appliance.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a housing for a vibratory dosing system with delivery chute of the appliance.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the housing. [0030] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the housing.

[0031] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of first and second vibratory dosing chutes with mounting and vibration source locations and isolated from a housing therefor for ease of illustration.

[0032] FIG. 8B is simplified stick diagram depicting, in side view, vibratory motion the vibratory dosing chutes where the amount of deflection is exaggerated for purposes of illustration.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the housing and a second vibrating chute therein of the vibratory dosing system of the appliance and illustrating in further detail a mounting mechanism for the vibrating chute(s) in the housing.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the housing and a second vibrating chute therein of the vibratory dosing system of the appliance and illustrating in further detail a location for a vibratory source mounting for vibrating the vibrating chute(s) in the housing.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view vibratory dosing system comprising two vibrating dosing chutes.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a top view thereof.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an electrical circuit for the system.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of software logic for the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Described herein is a bean hopper and vibratory dosing system. The appliance is configured to automatically and precisely measure and deliver a quantity of whole coffee beans into a container. In one or more embodiments the bean hopper and vibratory dosing system is provided in the form of an accessible in-home appliance capable of precisely weighing and dispensing, or dosing, beans in the range of approximately 10 to 40 grams, which is which is typical for home uses (e.g., espresso, pour over, etc.), with a precision of +/- 0.2 grams or less, for example with a precision of +/- 0.1 to 0.2 grams or approximately within +/- 1 bean. While the system described herein includes reference to coffee beans, the dosing system may be used in connection with any dry good having an overall size, shape and/or weight similar to, less than or about as large as a coffee bean. Use of the vibratory dosing system described herein is not limited to coffee beans.

[0040] In one or more embodiments described herein, the dosing system is incorporated into an appliance or device for measuring and dispensing a preselected amount of dry goods, for example, coffee beans from a hopper into a container. The dosing system utilizes one or more vibrating chutes to move beans from a hopper located above dosing chutes to a container located below the chutes. The container is positioned on a scale for confirmation of weight dispensed.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, a vibratory dosing system is comprised of a dosing chute that supports a plurality of dosing mechanisms therein. Each dosing mechanism comprises a length and an outlet opening at one end. At least one dosing mechanism comprises a ramped portion at one end opposite the outlet opening end. The ramped portion may generally be positioned below a hopper for receiving a supply of dry goods for dispensing. The second opposing end of each dosing mechanism is positioned proximate a dry good delivery or exit chute. A dedicated vibratory driver is coupled proximate the second opposing end of each dosing mechanism allowing the dosing mechanisms to be controlled independently. However, it is also contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that each dosing mechanism is operably coupled to the same vibratory driver.

[0042] The dosing mechanisms are then configured for vertical movement effected at the second opposing end of the dosing mechanism, concurrently or independently from one another. The first end of each dosing mechanism is substantially static and/or substantially fixed in position such that vertical movement is concentrated at the second opposing end of each dosing mechanism. An elastic attachment mechanism may be provided and operably coupled to first ends of adjacent and parallel dosing chutes to reduce and/or eliminate vibration of the cutes at the first end. Thus, the dosing system comprises and is configured with an asymmetric suspension. This may reduce the vibratory coupling between the first and second dosing mechanisms which may each driven by a vibratory driver that may be operably connected to each dosing chute and/or between adjacent chutes. The dosing system described herein may be provided on its own and/or may be provided in operable connection with or otherwise coupled to a hopper and configured to receive goods therefrom and/or a scale for measuring and thus controlling the dispensing of a precise pre-selected weight of dry goods from the dosing system.

[0043] An appliance 10 comprising a bean hopper 12, scale 14, and vibratory dosing system 16 is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1-12. For example, the appliance 10 comprises a housing 100 which may comprise a top portion 112 and a base portion 114. The top portion 112 supports the bean hopper 12, whereas a chassis 28 is provided below the top portion 112 for receiving beans from the hopper 12 and above the base portion 114 to deliver measured quantities from the hopper 12 to the scale 14. The chassis 28 supports the vibratory dosing system 16 and a bean dispensing guide 24 which directs beans to the base section 114 which comprises a scale 14 and control interface 18 screen for operation of the appliance 10 including selecting a weight of beans to be dosed and dispensed. The scale 14 may be configured to support a receiving container 26 such as a cup for receipt of dosed beans.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the dosing mechanism 16 is illustrated in connection with a base 114 of the appliance 10. The hopper 12 may be positioned to sit directly above the dosing mechanism 16. The exit chute bean guide 24 serves to redirect the beans from wide lateral distribution upon exiting the chutes 16A, 16B to a smaller aperture suitable for a small container 26. Further, the housing 100 may be constructed of various materials including stainless steel, hard plastics and combinations thereof. Each of the top portion 112, chassis 28 and base 114 together form the housing 100 and these components may be operably connected to house the internal components including the dosing system 16 and electronics therefor. These components may be assembled and secured via fasteners, friction fitting of the components such as the interlocking and/or coupling together of complimentary surfaces, adhesives, or combinations thereof.

[0045] In further detail and as illustrated in the figures, whole beans are provided to the hopper 12 and may be fed by gravity into one or more vibratory chutes 16A, 16B of the vibratory dosing system 16. In the embodiment illustrated the vibratory dosing system 16 comprises two parallel vibrating chutes 16A and 16B. As shown in further detail in FIG. 8, chute 16B has a “ramp” at an input end 41. As discussed in further detail below, both chutes are perpendicular to the direction of gravity at an exit end 43. When the system is in an “off’ state, the beans do not flow down the chutes 16A and 16B and/or out of the hopper 12 due to static friction.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the appliance or device 10 comprises hopper openings 20 A and 20B and a bean splitter 22 that statically directs beans in the hopper 12 into one of the two chutes 16A and 16B. A bean exit guide chute 24, which funnels the beans from a dosing mechanism to a specific location above where the receiving container 26, may be positioned as illustrated in the figures.

[0047] A user primarily interacts with the system 16 by filling the device 10 with beans from the top or otherwise loading the beans into the hopper 12. Key information may be provided on the appliance interface screen 18 and the user may then select appliance functions using one or more interface buttons 15 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] A dosing mechanism 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-10 and more specifically in

FIGS. 11-12. For example, two vibratory chutes 16A and 16B are depicted in respective locations relative to a chassis 28 of the appliance 10. The chutes 16A and 16B are also illustrated in a mounting position, but without the chassis 28 for ease of illustration. Beans enter one or both of the chutes 16A and 16B from above, in the portion of the chutes 16A and 16B positioned below the hopper 12. Due to both the shape of the chute 16A, 16B and the weight of the beans above the chutes 16A, 16B in the hopper 12, as the chutes 16A and 16B vibrate, the beans flow down the chute 16A, 16B and drop out through the bean exit chute 24. Precise dispensing of beans can be facilitated by the curvature 19 and narrow width of the smaller chute 16 A, which is distinct from the larger chute 16B, which comprises a ramp 17 along a portion thereof. The chutes 16 A, 16B may be configured to dispense different amounts of beans. For example, one chute is configured to dispense a larger amount of beans and a second chute is configured to dispense a smaller amount of beans. In operation, the first chute 16B is activated to dispense a large amount of beans less than the pre-selected weight of beans requested. The second chute 16A is then activated to dispense the remaining beans required to reach the pre-selected weight of beans. The chutes 16 A, 16B are described in further detail below.

[0049] A vibratory or vibrational driver, one non limiting example being an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) vibration motor may be affixed to each chute 16 A, 16B at mounting mechanism 30. The vibrational driver positioned at mounting 30 provides the vibratory motion essential to the chute 16A, 16B functions. The chutes 16A, 16B comprise a small chute 16A and a large chute 16B. The large chute may provide high volume bean delivery. However, in some embodiments, the high volume delivery may be provided with a smaller degree of precision in total weight delivered vs total weight selected. The small chute may provide high precision delivery of beans in smaller volumes. As such, the small chute 16A has a curved profile 19 to encourage beans to travel down the chute in a “single file” line, which allows single bean dropping precision. The large chute 16B may also have a small flow restricting lip 32. The flow restricting lip 32 reduces and/or eliminates unwanted bean droppage from the large chute 16B when the small chute 16A is activated, and thus also unavoidably transmitting a small amount of vibration into the larger chute 16B.

[0050] FIG. 8 A shows the dosing chutes 16A, 16B in isolation and FIG. 8B illustrates a simplified stick diagram of the motion of the vibratory chutes 16 A, 16B where the deflection is exaggerated for illustration and the displacement angle 44 is sufficient to impart vibration to the chute 16A, 16B to move beans along the direction of mass transfer according to arrow 42. For example, the left side of the diagram is the proximal or feeding end 41 of the chute 16A, 16B, just below the hopper 12 opening. This proximal end 41 of the chute 16 A, 16B is fixed to the chassis 28 via one or more elastic attachments at attachment mechanism 29 which may comprise elastic and/or flexible mounts including for example, flexible hardware. These elastic attachment mechanism 29 allow for the transmission of vibration and may comprise spring like properties, for example, in addition to rubber pads, metal leaf springs, metal coil springs, or any rubberized polymer (elastic) may be used for the elastic attachments. By nature of the moment arm generated by the length of the chute 16A, 16B, the vibrational driver 31 is only able to impart significant vertical motion 40 to the chute 16A, 16B at the opposite end 43 of the chute 16A, 16B, with little to no motion in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the absolute displacement of the chute 16A, 16B is greater the closer the bean is along the length of the chute 16A, 16B to the vibratory motor for example, at the second end 43 of the chute 16A, 16B or exit end of the chute. In practice, this reduces the amount of vibration transmitted to the chassis 28 of the device, which allows the two chutes 16A, 16B to function independently.

[0051] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the small chute 16A alone and in relation to the chassis 28 of the system 16. A mounting location 30 of the vibrational driver 31, which in the embodiment illustrated is an ERM motor. Vibrational motion of the small chute 16A is illustrated by arrow 40, while this motion is the same for the large chute 16B. Elastic attachments such as rubber mounting hardware connect the chute 16A, 16B to the chassis at mounting 29, however for illustration purposes the pad may be omitted from view. FIG. 10 provides a closer view of an embodiment of a vibrational driver mount 30, which may be a circle with a small slot on one side. This allows the driver, such as an ERM motor to be press-fit into place. The slot allows the wires an exit route.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the particular arrangement of the vibratory driver and the flexible and/or absorbing mounting pads at opposite ends 41, 43 of the chute 16A, 16B illustrates a novel aspect of the appliance 10. The appliance 10 described herein is distinct from a vibratory conveyor used in unrelated applications in the prior art.

[0053] A key aspect of a traditional vibratory conveyor design is symmetric suspension of the vibrating surface with a centered driving mechanism such that the vibrating surface has a uniform displacement direction and amplitude. In contrast, the appliance described herein has a chute design that does not follow this uniform motion that characterizes vibratory conveyors. The driving mechanism described herein is not designed to, nor configured to create uniform vibrating surface motion, but rather is configured for increased motion at the distal end of the chute. Unlike true vibratory conveyors, the appliance described herein does not have the same suspension mechanism requirements as a vibratory conveyor and does not require a robust mounting base to absorb the induced vibration as such prior art vibratory conveyors require. In the appliance described herein, such prior art vibratory conveyors would actually induce vibrations caused by a traditional vibratory conveyor design that would result in coupling between the two chutes, and result in unwanted dosing behavior.

[0054] An electrical system 200 of the appliance 10 may comprise one or more general circuits for powering the appliance. A block diagram of one embodiment which incorporates six circuits is shown in FIG. 13. A microcontroller is provided for dosing control logic and for controlling the remaining electric systems; as well as a scale; a vibration system; display unit; interface buttons; and power source. For example, the scale circuit, which may be a 300g load cell scale with an amplifier, allows the scale to provide the weight measurements used to dose the beans accurately. The vibration system comprises the vibratory driver(s), such as one ERM vibration motor per chute, each driven by a transistor or in an alternative embodiment by a linear resonant actuator (LRA) with a dedicated LRA driver circuit. An interface screen may be an OLED display screen. Interface buttons may include momentary switches read via a shift register to reduce the number of digital inputs required on the microcontroller. The power supply for the appliance may comprise a 5v linear voltage regulator to supply the electrical system with 5v from a 12v DC input. Depending on the ERM or LRA voltage requirements, or any other component in the electrical system, a variety of voltage regulators, including buck-boost circuits, may be used to supply the required voltages.

[0055] Software logic may be provided for controlling measuring and dispensing from the appliance. In one embodiment, the logic structure 300 follows the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14. There may be two modes of operation: manual and automatic. For example, in manual mode, a user presses a button to signal the device to dose a desired weight. In automatic mode, the scale detects the presence of a container as the signal to dose the target weight. In both modes, the dosing algorithm used to achieve the target weight may be the same after dosing is initiated. It is also contemplated that the appliance learns from previous doses to adjust various parameters to increase the speed and accuracy of future doses.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the user interface screen may be mounted on a hopper face or may be mounted on the base near the scale to provide an improved viewing angle of the interface. [0057] In one or more embodiments, the chute surface within the bean travel path of one or both chutes may be flat and substantially smooth. In one or more embodiments, the chute surface may have a texture or surface topography. For example, such surface texture may comprise ridges, wavelets, or triangular surface textures to control bean flow through the chute. Additionally, or alternatively, surface coatings such as a layer of rubber, silicone or other materials which provide a coefficient of friction, compliance, and/or texture as compared with a plastic chute form may be incorporated. One or both chutes may have a ramped surface along part or all of the length of the chute.

[0058] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.