# US 9,750,366 B2 · Container for a beverage-preparation device having a flexible conveying element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,366 B2 - Document ID: US9750366B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/768,292 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2015-12-17 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-18 - Assignees: Bravilor Holding B.V. - Applicants: Bravilor Holding B.V. - Inventors: Yann Mabrouki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750366B2 ## CPC - A47J 31/404: {Powder dosing devices} - A47J 31/4403: {Constructional details} - B65G 37/00: Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes (series of co-operating belt conveyor units B65G15/22; series of co-operating chain conveyor units B65G17/26; sequence control of combined conveyors B65G43/10) - B65G 45/14: Moving scrapers - B65G 65/46: using screw conveyors - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A container for a beverage-preparation device includes a storage chamber for pulverulent material, a discharge opening in a chamber wall, a conveying element which extends in a direction of transport, adjoins the opening, is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and is situated in the chamber, and a dispensing duct which adjoins the opening, is situated at least partly outside the chamber, has a predetermined diameter and a longitudinal direction which runs at an angle with respect to the transport direction, the conveying element extending at least substantially as far as the dispensing duct. A flexible elongate scraping member is rotatably connected to the conveying element by its first end and extends in the longitudinal direction from the conveying element into the dispensing duct. The scraping member, which may be configured to be helical, prevents pulverulent material from sticking against the inner wall, while ensuring good conveying and metering action. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A container for a beverage-preparation device comprising: a storage chamber for pulverulent material; a discharge opening in a wall of the chamber; a conveying element which extends in a direction of transport, adjoins the opening, is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and is situated in the chamber; a dispensing duct which adjoins the opening and has a bend relative to the longitudinal axis, is situated at least partly outside the chamber, has a predetermined diameter, and, in a direction downstream of the bend, has a longitudinal direction which runs at an angle with respect to the direction of transport, the conveying element extending at least substantially as far as the dispensing duct; and a flexible elongate scraping element that is rotatably connected to the conveying element by a first end of the scraping element and extends in the longitudinal direction from the conveying element against or near a wall of the dispensing duct into the dispensing duct, a portion of the scraping element being disposed in the bend. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The container according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing duct is pivotable relative to the chamber about an axis running in the direction of transport. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The container according to claim 2, wherein the scraping element is configured to be helical and comprises parts which are movable in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The container according to claim 2, wherein the scraping element comprises a wire-like scraping body which bears against an inner wall of the dispensing duct. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The container according to claim 2, wherein the conveying element comprises a substantially stiff Archimedean screw. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The container according to claim 2, wherein the scraping element is configured to be hollow. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The container according to claim 1, wherein the scraping element is configured to be helical and comprises parts which are movable in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The container according to claim 7, wherein the conveying element comprises a substantially stiff Archimedean screw. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The container according to claim 1, wherein the scraping element comprises a wire-like scraping body which bears against an inner wall of the dispensing duct. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The container according to claim 9, wherein the conveying element comprises a substantially stiff Archimedean screw. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The container according to claim 1, wherein the conveying element comprises a substantially stiff Archimedean screw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The container according to claim 11, wherein the conveying element and the scraping element have substantially equal diameters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The container according to claim 11, further comprising a circular agitating part which is fitted in the chamber to be rotatable about a shaft at right angles to the direction of transport, and which engages with the conveying element by a peripheral toothing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The container according to claim 1, wherein the scraping element is configured to be hollow. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The container according to claim 14, wherein the scraping element surrounds a duct having a diameter which is between 0.5 and 0.9 times the internal diameter of the dispensing duct. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A beverage-preparation device provided with the container according to claim 1.