Roasting system having self-aligning agitator and door bearing assembly

US11510432B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bellwether Coffee Co. · US

Inventors

• John Sandhu · Boulder, US
• Arno Holschuh · Berkeley, US
• Ricardo Lopez · Bolinas, US
• Jeremiah Peevyhouse · Berkeley, US
• Peter Joseph Schmehl · Berkeley, US
• Neil Sandhu · Boulder, US
• Jeff Wyatt · Berkeley, US
• Mose O'Griffin · San Francisco, US
• Andrew Damele · San Francisco, US
• Michael Shawver · Mill Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2021
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23V2002/00
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A bean roasting system includes a roasting drum, an agitator, and a door. The roasting drum has an inside surface extending from a back end to a front end. The agitator has blades mounted to an axial shaft. The axial shaft has an anterior end portion. The door is mounted rotationally relative to the roasting drum and includes a glass plate and a bearing assembly. The glass plate provides visual access to contents inside the roasting drum when the door is closed. The bearing assembly includes an outer housing and an inner bearing. The outer housing is mounted to the glass plate. The inner bearing defines a receiving hole that receives and supports the anterior end portion of the axial shaft when the door closed.