US 12,029,344 B2
System and method for automated brew cycles
Juan Carlos Lopez Pendas, Puebla (MX); Uriel Guerrero Pastrana, Puebla (MX); Javier Alejandro Esparza Solis, Puebla (MX); Xavier González de la Cruz, Puebla (MX); Josué Vergara Flores, Puebla (MX); and Maria del Carmen Ramirez Franco, Puebla (MX)
Assigned to Meticulous Home, Inc., Claymont, DE (US)
Filed by Meticulous Home, Inc., Claymont, DE (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/129,592.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/326,604, filed on Apr. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/420,241, filed on Oct. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0371736 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A47J 31/52 (2006.01); A47J 31/06 (2006.01); A47J 31/44 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 31/5253 (2018.08) [A47J 31/0663 (2013.01); A47J 31/446 (2013.01); A47J 31/521 (2018.08); A47J 31/5251 (2018.08)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a base defining a scale receptacle;
a scale configured to transiently locate in the scale receptacle and to output a weight signal; and
a rocker arm;
a column supporting the rocker arm above the base;
a brew assembly:
supported on the column between the base and the rocker arm; and
comprising:
a water reservoir configured to store a first volume of water;
a brew chamber extending below and contiguous with the water reservoir;
a set of mating features arranged below the brew chamber opposite the water reservoir; and
a portafilter configured to transiently couple to the set of mating features;
a piston:
configured to run in the brew chamber;
coupled to the rocker arm;
defining a fill port extending between the water reservoir and the brew chamber; and
comprising a valve coupled to the fill port and operable in:
a closed position during downward advancement of the piston within the brew chamber; and
an open position during upward retraction of the piston within the brew chamber;
an actuator:
arranged in the column; and
coupled to the rocker arm;
a heating element:
arranged in the brew assembly; and
configured to heat the first volume of water occupying the brew assembly;
a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal representing a temperature of the first volume of water occupying the brew assembly; and
a controller configured to:
activate the heating element;
in response to the temperature of the first volume of water reaching a target temperature, trigger the actuator to retract the piston to transfer water from the water reservoir through the fill port and into the brew chamber; and
trigger the actuator to advance the piston to displace liquid from the brew chamber and through the portafilter toward the base;
access the weight signal from the scale seated in the scale receptacle while the actuator advances the piston to displace liquid from the brew chamber;
calculate a dispense volume of liquid from the portafilter based on the weight signal; and
trigger the actuator to cease advancement of the piston in response to the dispense volume reaching a target brew volume.