Systems, apparatuses, and methods of substance processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The coffee roasting industry faces inefficiencies due to the complexity and cost of existing roasting equipment, limiting access to on-site roasting and resulting in reduced coffee freshness and increased inventory losses, as well as significant inefficiencies in the supply chain, leading to limited profitability for coffee retailers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for on-site coffee roasting using a processing apparatus with a receptacle, processing chamber, and controller that reads processing information from a tag on a container to generate and execute roasting instructions, allowing for automated roasting without expertise, enabling decentralized roasting and improved freshness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If centralized roasting equipment is used, then roasting quality can be controlled by skilled operators, but equipment cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroasting quality controlVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by capturing the roasting profile (temperature, time, airflow parameters) created by skilled roast masters and storing it as digital data. This digital copy can then be replicated across multiple automated roasting machines, allowing unskilled operators to achieve consistent high-quality results by simply executing the stored profile without needing to understand or manually control the complex roasting variables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If manual operation by skilled roast masters is required, then roasting quality can be maintained, but operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroasting qualityVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by enabling automated roasting machines to execute pre-programmed profiles independently without requiring skilled human operators during the roasting process. The machine automatically controls temperature, airflow, and timing based on the stored digital profile, making the operation simple enough for unskilled personnel to perform while maintaining consistent quality output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If on-site roasting is implemented, then coffee freshness is improved, but equipment space and cost requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee freshnessVSAvoidequipment space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the roasting function into a standalone automated unit that can operate independently. This modular approach allows coffee shops to implement on-site roasting without requiring large centralized facilities, as each location can have its own compact automated roaster that produces fresh coffee locally, eliminating the need for extensive storage space and reducing inventory losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If automated processing is implemented, then operational simplicity increases, but processing precision may decrease without skilled oversight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidprocessing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor temperature, airflow, and other critical parameters during the automated roasting process. This real-time data is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the roasting parameters to stay within the optimal profile range, ensuring consistent quality output even though the operation is fully automated and performed by unskilled personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11439156B2Systems, apparatuses, and methods of substance processing
Publication Date: 2022.09.13 ROASTERY CORP
  • US11439156B2 patent drawing
  • US11439156B2 patent drawing
  • US11439156B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus includes a receptacle configured to receive a container containing a substance for processing. The container includes a readable tag having processing information associated with the substance. The apparatus also includes a processing chamber operably coupled to the receptacle and configured to receive the substance and process the substance. The apparatus further includes a controller operably coupled to the processing chamber and configured to generate one or more processing instructions based on the processing information in the readable tag and further based on additional processing information received from a remote device. The processing is also configured to process the substance based on the one or more processing instructions.