Abstract:
A friction active ground coffee dispenser comprising a ground coffee reservoir, a dispensing base and a dispenser. The dispenser may be a rotary dispenser or a slide dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a reservoir that may be scaled to dispense ground coffee into a single serve pod, filter, or other grounds holding devices such as an espresso portafilter.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/387,668, filed on Jan. 2, 2016, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the dispensing of ground coffee. More particularly, the present invention relates to a friction activated dispenser for ground coffee. 
         [0003]    Coffee makers of the prior art utilize a set amount of ground coffee to brew a particular cup or pot. Single serve coffee makers of the prior art utilize pod systems with a set amount of ground coffee within the pod to brew the single cup. Due to environmental and economic concerns, reusable pods were created such that a user could add their own custom ground coffee and not have to settle for the prepacked disposable units. Issues with the reusable pods include getting the perfect amount of grounds into the pod for use with a compatible machine. In the prior art, the user would have to scoop out pre-ground coffee and place it into a filter or reusable pod and try to get the appropriate amount of coffee in the pod without going over and without spilling everywhere. The user would also have issues getting all of the coffee grounds out of a particular container with the scoop based on the shape of the scoop and the shape of the container. 
         [0004]    The prior art attempts to remedy the problems created in storing coffee beans and ground coffee to be later dispensed to create the perfect cup of coffee. In the prior art, coffee dispensers stored beans in a reservoir that is mounted on top of a grinder. Gravity would pull the beans down the reservoir into the grinder and when the grinder was activated the device would dispense grounds into a coffee maker, a filter, or an additional reservoir to be used later in time. These devices are efficient for dispensing grounds from beans because the physical characteristics of the beans allow the beans to be funneled through the reservoir into the grinder unburdened. 
         [0005]    Ground coffee dispensers in the prior art that use a reservoir to store and dispense pre-ground coffee face added complications due to the granulated nature of the coffee grounds. The granulated nature of the coffee grounds causes the coffee grounds to clump together and prevents the smooth flow of grounds outside of the reservoir. Prior art inventions have attempted to remedy this issue by adding stirs or tampers to break up the clumps to promote flow of the ground coffee. 
         [0006]    The present invention addresses the issue of flow of granulated grounds out of a reservoir by friction activating the ground coffee. The invention also provides for a coffee ground dispenser with the ability to dispense a pre-measured amount of coffee grounds into a reusable pod, coffee filter, espresso portafilter or similar receptacle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the above, a friction activated coffee ground dispenser configured to dispense pre-measured amounts of ground coffee into a reusable pod, coffee filter, espresso portafilter or similar receptacle is disclosed. The advantage of the present invention is that it allows ground coffee to be dispensed with convenience and little mess. Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows all of the grounds to flow out of the reservoir and be used to brew a cup of coffee; ground coffee does not get stuck in hard to reach can seams or in containers too shallow to scoop. 
         [0008]    In one example embodiment of the present invention, the friction activated ground coffee dispenser comprises a conically-tapered ground coffee reservoir coupled to a dispensing base. The dispensing base further comprises a dispenser having a dispenser reservoir to receive and dispense ground coffee. In one aspect of the invention the dispenser is a rotary dispenser configured to have a first rotated state in which an opening on the dispenser reservoir faces an opening at the bottom of the ground coffee reservoir, in a second rotated state, the dispenser reservoir is rotated 180 degrees to dispense the ground coffee into a receptacle. In some embodiments, a handle is used to rotate the rotary dispenser, while in other embodiments an automated or powered rotary mechanism is used to rotate the rotary dispenser. The frictional forces on the ground coffee generated by the rotation of the rotary dispenser during a transition from the first rotated state to the second rotated state activates the coffee grounds and causes the coffee grounds to flow down the tapered reservoir into the dispenser reservoir. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, the dispenser is a sliding or translating dispenser configured to have a first translated state and a second translated state. In the first translated state, a top opening of the slide dispenser reservoir faces the bottom opening of the ground coffee reservoir and a second opening at the bottom of the slide dispenser is bound by the dispensing base. In the second slide state, the slide dispenser is translated away from the base exposing the second opening to a dispensing opening on the dispensing base and allowing the coffee grounds to be dispensed into a receptacle. In some embodiments, a handle is used to manually move the slide dispenser between states, while in other embodiments an automated or powered sliding mechanism is used to slide or translate the slide dispenser. The frictional forces on the ground coffee generated by the translation motion of the translation dispenser during a transition from the first translated state to the second translated state activates the coffee grounds and causes the coffee grounds to flow down the tapered reservoir into the dispenser reservoir. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the dispensing reservoir is configured to be scalable or adjustable such that the ground coffee dosing size dispensed can be adapted for a particular filter or reusable pod. The dispensing reservoir size may be scaled by adding or removing different sized dispensing reservoir inserts into the dispenser or adjusting the wall size of the dispensing reservoir. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the coffee grounds reservoir further comprises multiple chambers configured to dispense from at least one chamber at a time. In this embodiment, multiple types of ground coffee may be dispensed from respective chambers. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the dispenser base further comprises a means to fix or secure the ground coffee dispenser to a counter or table. The means may include but is not limited to suction cups. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention includes a method of dispensing ground coffee including the steps of loading coffee grounds into a conically tapered reservoir coupled to a dispensing base comprising a dispenser. The method further includes activating the coffee grounds into a dispenser reservoir by actuating the dispenser. The method additionally includes the steps of moving the dispenser from a first receiving state to a second dispensing state. Finally the method includes the step of dispensing the ground coffee into a receptacle. 
         [0014]    The methods, systems, and apparatuses are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the methods, apparatuses, and systems. The advantages of the methods, apparatuses, and systems will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the methods, apparatuses, and systems, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the accompanying figures, like elements are identified by like reference numerals among the several preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  represents a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  represents an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  represents a front view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  represents a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  with the dispenser in a receiving state. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  represents a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  with the dispenser in a dispensing state. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  represents a top view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  represents a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  with the dispenser in a receiving state. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  represents a detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  with the dispenser in a dispensing state. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  represents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  represents an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  represents a front view of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  represents a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A  with the dispenser in a receiving state. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5C  represents a cross-section view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A  with the dispenser in a dispensing state. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6A  represents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6B  represents an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    While the invention has been described in connection with various embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as, within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A and 4A  are perspective views of two friction activated ground coffee dispenser system embodiments  10 ,  110 . The embodiments exemplified by  FIGS. 1A and 4A  comprise a ground coffee reservoir  12 ,  112 , a dispensing base  14 ,  114 , a dispenser  16 ,  116 , a dispenser handle  18 ,  118 , and a ground coffee receptacle  20 ,  120 .  FIGS. 1B and 4B  represent exploded views of  FIGS. 1A and 4A  and embodiments  10  and  110  respectively detailing the component parts of example embodiments. 
         [0034]    As constructed in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the ground coffee reservoir  12  comprises a hollow cylinder  22  covered with a lid  24  on a top end and a conically tapered base  26  leading to an opening on a bottom end. In the present embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the conical tapering is at about a 60 degree angle to provide for the smoothest granular flow of the ground coffee from the ground coffee reservoir  12  into the dispensing base  14 . In other embodiments, the shape of the reservoir  12  may include, but not be limited to, any hollow prismatic shape with a tapered base  26  tapering to an opening. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the ground coffee reservoir  220  of the friction activated ground coffee dispenser  200  may be a coffee can that is further coupled to the tapered base  226  such that the base acts to funnel the ground coffee from the can into the dispensing base  214 . In this embodiment when the can  220  is empty, the can  220  is removed from the tapered base  226  and either refilled or replaced with a new can. In this embodiment the coupling between the can  220  and the tapered base  226  may be configured to form an airtight seal to retain the freshness of the ground coffee. 
         [0036]    In other embodiments, the ground coffee reservoir  12  may be divided up into at least two chambers. In this configuration, the ground coffee reservoir  12  is configured to be able to dispense different varieties of ground coffee or different grind size coffee depending on the brewing application. Further in this configuration, each chamber may have a tapered base portion and access to the open end of the base as well as an insert that acts to close off the opening of that particular chamber. In other configurations, instead of an insert that acts to close off the opening, a receiving opening  28  in the dispensing base  14  may be configured to be the size of only one chamber opening, and as the ground coffee reservoir  12  rotates about an axis of the receiving opening  28  an open chamber is exposed to the receiving opening  28 . 
         [0037]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , ground coffee reservoir  12  is coupled to the dispensing base  14 . The ground coffee reservoir  12  may be coupled to the dispensing base  14  by non-limiting examples including complimentary threading feature on the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 , a compression fit between the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 , adhesive, glue, or epoxy between the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 , heat staking between the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 , a magnetic engagement between the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 , or a snap fit between the ground coffee reservoir  12  and the dispensing base  14 . 
         [0038]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the dispensing base  14  comprises a receiving opening  28 , a dispensing opening  30 , a dispenser cavity  32 , and a receptacle base  34 . The dispenser cavity  32  is configured to house the dispenser  16 . The dispenser  16  is coupled to the dispensing base such that it is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser cavity  32  but constrained from translating along the longitudinal axis of the dispenser cavity  32 . Additional aspects of the dispensing base  14  may include a securing device such as suction cups  36  coupled to the bottom of the dispensing base  14  configured to secure the coffee grounds dispenser  10  to a flat surface and help prevent toppling of the device  10 . In some embodiments, the dispensing base  14  may be multiple pieces joined together  14 A and  14 B configured to couple around the dispenser  16 , while in other embodiments the dispensing base  14  may be a single formed, molded, or machined piece wherein the dispenser is configured to be confined by features such as snaps or fasteners. 
         [0039]    As shown in cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the dispenser  16  comprises dispenser reservoir  34  configured to align to a top opening with the receiving opening  28  in one rotational state, and the dispensing opening  30  in a second rotational state. The dispenser  16  may be rotated by the use of the dispenser handle  18  or similar mechanical rotational means. The rotation of the dispenser  16  causes frictional forces to act upon the ground coffee and force movement as well as breakup any clumped together grains. This friction activation creates a smooth flow of ground coffee out of the ground coffee reservoir  12  and into the dispensing reservoir  34 . 
         [0040]    The dispenser reservoir  34  may vary in size depending on the dispensing application to accommodate multiple ground coffee dosing sizes. By way of non-limiting example, the dispenser reservoir  34  may be the size to accommodate a reusable coffee pod for a single serve machine, it may be the size to fill a multiple cup filter, or even for a shot of espresso to fill a portafilter. In some embodiments, the size of dispenser reservoir  34  is adjustable by adding or removing inserts. In other embodiments, the size of dispenser reservoir  34  is adjustable by having a movable interior walls that are configured to lock into various positions within the dispenser reservoir  34  to set its size. Embodiments with adjustable reservoirs may also have coinciding adjustable dispensing bases  14  that allow for similar adjustment of the dispensing opening  30  to accommodate the change in size of the dispenser reservoir  34 . 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the dispenser  16  may be multiple pieces joined together  16 A,  16 B, while in other embodiments the dispenser  16  may be a single formed, molded, or machined piece wherein the dispenser  16  is configured to be confined by features including, but not limited to, snaps or fasteners within the dispensing base  14 . 
         [0042]    A method of operating the coffee grounds dispenser  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-3C  includes the steps of removing the lid  24  of the ground coffee reservoir  12 , filling the ground coffee reservoir  12  with ground coffee, friction activating the ground coffee by rotating the dispenser  16  within the dispensing base  14  such that an opening of the dispenser reservoir  34  faces the receiving opening  28  of the dispensing base  14 , filling the dispenser reservoir  34  with ground coffee, rotating the dispenser  16  such that an opening of the dispenser reservoir  34  faces the dispensing opening  30  of the dispensing base  14 , dispensing the ground coffee into a receptacle  20 . Additional steps in some embodiments may include adjusting the size of the dispensing reservoir  34  by adjusting the internal wall placement of the dispensing reservoir  34  or adding or removing an insert to the dispensing reservoir  34 . In some embodiments, the step of adding ground coffee may include coupling or replacing a coffee can to a tapered reservoir base  26 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  detail an additional embodiment of the friction activated ground coffee dispenser  110 . The ground coffee reservoir  112  comprises a hollow cylinder  122  covered with a lid  124  on a top end and a conically tapered base  126  leading to an opening on a bottom end. In the present embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 5B and 5C , the conical tapering is about  60  degrees to provide for the smoothest granular flow of the coffee grounds from the ground coffee reservoir  112  into the dispensing base  114 . In other embodiments, the shape of the reservoir  112  may include, but not be limited to, any hollow prismatic shape with base  126  tapering to an opening. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , the ground coffee reservoir  112  is coupled to the dispensing base  114 . The ground coffee reservoir  112  may take the form of any of additional embodiments described above. The ground coffee reservoir  112  may be coupled to the dispensing base  114  by non-limiting examples including complimentary threading features on the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 , a compression fit between the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 , adhesive, glue, or epoxy between the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 , heat staking between the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 , a magnetic engagement between the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 , or a snap fit between the ground coffee reservoir  112  and the dispensing base  114 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the dispensing base  114  comprises a receiving opening  128 , a dispensing opening  130 , a dispenser cavity  132 , and a receptacle base  134 . The dispenser cavity  132  is configured to house the dispenser  116 . The dispenser  116  is coupled to the dispensing base such that it may slide or translate along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser cavity  132  but is constrained from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the dispenser cavity  132 . Additional aspects of the dispensing base  114  may include a securing device such a suction cups  136  coupled to the bottom of the dispensing base  114  configured to secure the coffee grounds dispenser  110  to a flat surface and help prevent toppling of the device  110 . In some embodiments, the dispensing base  114  may be multiple pieces joined together  114 A and  114 B configured to couple together and around the dispenser  116 , while in other embodiments, the dispensing base  114  may be a single formed, molded, or machined piece wherein the dispenser is configured to be confined by features such the non-limiting examples of snaps, fasteners, or detents. 
         [0046]    As shown in cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 5B and 5C , the dispenser  116  comprises dispenser reservoir  134  having a top opening configured to align to the receiving opening  128  in one translated state, and a bottom opening configured to align to the dispensing opening  130  in a second translated state. The dispenser  116  may be translated by the use of the dispenser handle  118  or similar mechanical mechanism configured to move the dispenser  116  along the longitudinal axis. The sliding movement or translation of the dispenser  116  causes frictional forces to act upon the ground coffee in the coffee grounds reservoir  112  and force movement of the ground coffee as well as breakup any clumped together grains. This friction activation creates a smooth flow of ground coffee out of the ground coffee reservoir  112  and into the dispensing reservoir  134 . 
         [0047]    As indicated in similar embodiments, the dispenser reservoir  134  may vary in size depending on the dispensing application. By way of non-limiting example, the dispenser reservoir  134  may be the size to accommodate a reusable coffee pod for a single serve machine, it may be the size to fill a multiple cup filter, or even for a shot of espresso to fill a portafilter. In some embodiments the size of dispenser reservoir  134  is adjustable by adding and removing inserts. In other embodiments, the size of dispenser reservoir  134  is adjustable by having a movable interior walls that are configured to lock into various positions within the dispenser reservoir  134  to set its size. Embodiments with adjustable reservoirs may also have coinciding adjustable dispensing bases  114  that allow for similar adjustment of the dispensing opening  130  to accommodate the change in size of the dispenser reservoir  134 . 
         [0048]    A method of operating the coffee grounds dispenser  110  as shown in  FIGS. 4A-5C  includes the steps of removing the lid  124  of the ground coffee reservoir  12 , filling the ground coffee reservoir  112  with ground coffee, friction activating the ground coffee by translating the dispenser  116  within the a dispensing base  114  such that the top opening of the dispenser reservoir  114  of the dispenser  116  faces the receiving opening  128  of the dispensing base  114 , filling the dispenser reservoir  134  with ground coffee, translating the dispenser  116  such that the bottom opening of the dispenser reservoir  134  faces the dispensing opening  130  of the dispensing base  114 , dispensing the ground coffee into a receptacle  120 . Additional steps in some embodiments may include adjusting the size of the dispensing reservoir  134  by adjusting the internal wall placement of the dispensing reservoir  134  or adding or removing an insert to the dispensing reservoir  134 . In some embodiments, the step of adding ground coffee may include coupling or replacing a coffee can to a tapered reservoir base  126 . 
         [0049]    While the invention has been described in connection with various embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as, within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.