Patents by Inventor Robert Grassia
Robert Grassia has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240115069Abstract: A device to grind and tamp including a receptacle for receiving coffee grinds from a grinder that is drivable by a first electric motor, an auger for tamping coffee grinds in the receptacle, and a processor adapted to receive a feedback signal indicating whether the coffee grinds in the receptacle have reached a level threshold value. The auger is drivable by a second electric motor. The processor is further adapted to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor according to a tamp and grind sequence. The tamp and grind sequence includes, for a first time period, operating the first electric motor and the second electric motor and subsequently receiving the level feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Robert Grassia, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Publication number: 20240016334Abstract: A jug for use with a frothing apparatus. The jug comprising: a vessel body for holding a liquid to be heated; a handle attached to the vessel body, the handle for holding the jug; a user interface for receiving an operation-related user input; a communication means adapted to communicate data associated with the jug to the frothing apparatus; and a controller for controlling the user interface and the communication means. In an embodiment, The frothing apparatus comprises: a steam heater, a steam nozzle, and a steam path providing fluid communication from the steam heater to the steam nozzle for delivering heating steam to the jug; communication means adapted to receive operating data from a cooperating communication means associated with the jug, the data comprising an operation-related user input; and a controller for controlling operation of the steam heater and the steam path based on the operation-related user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Robert Grassia, Nicholas McColl, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Patent number: 11844457Abstract: A tamping augur may be controlled in various ways to obtain a consistent fill height and uniformity in the distribution of coffee grinds in a portafilter.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Patent number: 11751717Abstract: A jug for use with a frothing apparatus. The jug comprising: a vessel body for holding a liquid to be heated; a handle attached to the vessel body, the handle for holding the jug; a user interface for receiving an operation-related user input; a communication means adapted to communicate data associated with the jug to the frothing apparatus; and a controller for controlling the user interface and the communication means. In an embodiment, The frothing apparatus comprises: a steam heater, a steam nozzle, and a steam path providing fluid communication from the steam heater to the steam nozzle for delivering heating steam to the jug; communication means adapted to receive operating data from a cooperating communication means associated with the jug, the data comprising an operation-related user input; and a controller for controlling operation of the steam heater and the steam path based on the operation-related user input.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Inventors: Robert Grassia, Nicholas McColl, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Patent number: 11740135Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee
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Publication number: 20230221186Abstract: A method of operating a milk frothing device that includes at least one processor operatively associated with one or more actuators. The method is performed by the at least one processor and includes calculating a number of the actuators activated by way of contact with an underside of a vessel, determining a presence or an orientation of the vessel based on the calculated number of the activated actuators, and controlling an operation mode of the milk frothing device based on the determined presence or orientation of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee
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Publication number: 20230157479Abstract: A steam wand assembly that comprises a steam wand pivotable about a pivot axis and a dampening assembly configured to resist pivotable motion of the steam wand about the pivot axis. The steam wand assembly further includes a bias assembly configured to bias the steam wand in a first direction along the pivot axis such that the dampening assembly is configured to moderate a steam wand velocity in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee, Nicholas McColl, Con Psarologos
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Patent number: 11576523Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee, Nicholas McColl, Con Psarologos
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Publication number: 20230000280Abstract: A coffee compacting assembly (22) that receives ground coffee to compact the coffee in a filter cup (25) having a floor (39), the coffee compacting assembly (22) including: an auger (33) having an axis (30) about which the auger (33) is rotated to compact the ground coffee in the filter cup (25), with the auger (33) extending angularly and longitudinally relative to said axis (30); a motor (51) coupled to the auger (33) to rotate the auger (33) about said axis (30); and an auger positioning device (40) engaged with the auger (33) to provide for movement of the auger (33) between a start position and a raised position above the start position, with the start position being predetermined so that the auger (33) is located at a predetermined location within the filter cup (25).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Robert GRASSIA, Philip MCKNIGHT
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Publication number: 20220104651Abstract: There is disclosed herein a coffee machine (10) including: a body (12); a steam wand (14), to froth milk, attached to the body (12); and a cleaning mechanism (20), the cleaning mechanism (20) including: a stem (22) having a first end portion (24) attached to the body (12), and a second end portion (26) extending longitudinally away from the first end portion (24); and a supply of water under pressure to deliver water to the second end portion (26), wherein water under pressure is delivered to the second end portion (26) to produce at least one water jet directed at the steam wand (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Andrew Robert MORGAN, Norman OLIVERIA, Gerard WHITE, Robert GRASSIA
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Publication number: 20210345818Abstract: A tamping augur may be controlled in various ways to obtain a consistent fill height and uniformity in the distribution of coffee grinds in a portafilter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Publication number: 20210338005Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee, Nicholas McColl, Con Psarologos
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Publication number: 20210267411Abstract: A coffee puck removal device (10) to remove a coffee puck (24) from a portafilter (20) is disclosed herein. The coffee puck removal device (10) has an open compartment (22) containing the coffee puck (24), the coffee puck (24) having an exposed major outer face (26) and a major inner face (28) when the coffee puck (24) is located in the open compartment (22). The device (10) includes: a body (12) having a rim (14) surrounding an aperture (16), with the rim (14) being configured to engage the portafilter (20), with the open compartment (22) facing the body (12) to inhibit air passing between the portafilter (20) and the rim (14); and a vacuum source (30) to remove air from the aperture (16) so that air pressure applied to the major inner face (28) is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face (26) so that the coffee puck (24) is removed from the portafilter (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Duncan Bruce HELLMERS, Stephen John MCCLEAN, Pierce BARNARD, Caroline VALENTINA, Andrew Robert MORGAN, Andrew Domenic GREGORACE, Robert GRASSIA
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Patent number: 10881240Abstract: A portafilter apparatus for an espresso machine, the apparatus comprising: a metal head that is attachable to a group head of the espresso machine, the head defines a coffee grounds compartment for containing a quantity of ground coffee; and a perforated movable floor within the head; the floor forms a filter and defines the base of the coffee grounds compartment, the floor is vertically movable with respect to the head to adjust a volume of the coffee grounds compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventor: Robert Grassia
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Publication number: 20200141811Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee
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Publication number: 20200138234Abstract: A jug for use with a frothing apparatus. The jug comprising: a vessel body for holding a liquid to be heated; a handle attached to the vessel body, the handle for holding the jug; a user interface for receiving an operation-related user input; a communication means adapted to communicate data associated with the jug to the frothing apparatus; and a controller for controlling the user interface and the communication means. In an embodiment, The frothing apparatus comprises: a steam heater, a steam nozzle, and a steam path providing fluid communication from the steam heater to the steam nozzle for delivering heating steam to the jug; communication means adapted to receive operating data from a cooperating communication means associated with the jug, the data comprising an operation-related user input; and a controller for controlling operation of the steam heater and the steam path based on the operation-related user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Nicholas McColl, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Publication number: 20190365144Abstract: A coffee making device has a body with a drip tray and a removable water tank that supplies water to a heat system of the device. The water tank is internal to the device and removable by a user. The body has a fluid refill opening that leads to the tank. The tank includes an overflow channel or conduit that dispenses into the drip tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Greg Upston, Daniel Robert Corkin, Adam Preston, Robert Grassia
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Patent number: 10383474Abstract: A coffee making device has a body with a drip tray and a removable water tank that supplies water to a heat system of the device. The water tank is internal to the device and removable by a user. The body has a fluid refill opening that leads to the tank. The tank includes an overflow channel or conduit that dispenses into the drip tray.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Greg Upston, Daniel Robert Corkin, Adam Preston, Robert Grassia
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Publication number: 20190216254Abstract: A tamping augur may be controlled in various ways to obtain a consistent fill height and uniformity in the distribution of coffee grinds in a portafilter. Improvements to a conical burr grinder are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: BREVILLE PTY LIMITEDInventors: Robert Grassia, Daniel Robert Corkin
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Publication number: 20190090684Abstract: A coffee making device has a body with a drip tray and a removable water tank that supplies water to a heat system of the device. The water tank is internal to the device and removable by a user. The body has a fluid refill opening that leads to the tank. The tank includes an overflow channel or conduit that dispenses into the drip tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2016Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Greg Upston, Daniel Robert Corkin, Adam Preston, Robert Grassia