Coffee dispensing device and method
AssigneeRoasting Plant, Inc.
InventorMichael R. Caswell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coffee dispensing device is provided with a transport device that couples various components for the processing of unroasted coffee beans together. For example a roaster may be coupled to a grinding and brewing device 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 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.
Claims11
A method of transporting coffee beans and dispensing coffee, comprising:
- receiving unroasted coffee beans into a loading bin;
- transporting the unroasted coffee beans to a roaster by the use of a transport device employing a propulsion mechanism generating a pressure differential within at least one tube of the transport device;
- transporting roasted coffee beans to a grinder/brewer by use of the transport device;
- grinding the roaster coffee beans;
- and
- brewing the coffee.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.