Patents Assigned to Bellwether Coffee Co.
  • Publication number: 20260114466
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter VOGES, Fong LIU, John LAIRD, Scott WHITMAN, Zachary Russell HEINEMAN, Dylan Hilmer BIRD, Nicholas Scott REIMNITZ
  • Patent number: 12550927
    Abstract: A substance processing system includes a pressurizer configured to pressurize air and a processing chamber configured to process a substance. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled between the pressurizer and the processing chamber. A nozzle is coupled to the processing chamber such that output from the nozzle comprises a substantially even pressure distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter Voges, Fong Liu, John Laird, Scott Whitman, Zachary Russell Heineman, Dylan Hilmer Bird, Nicholas Scott Reimnitz, Pietro Valsecchi
  • Patent number: 12543768
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting subsystem and an air handling subsystem. The roasting subsystem is configured to receive and to thermally roast a batch of beans. The air handling subsystem is coupled to the roasting subsystem and includes a blower, a cyclone separator, and a heater. The blower is configured to impart air motion. The air passes through the air handling subsystem. The cyclone separator is configured to remove particulates from the air handling subsystem. The heater is configured to heat the air passing through the air handling subsystem. The heater includes heater windings that are incorporated into the cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Stewart Schmehl, Peter Schmehl
  • Patent number: 12520866
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting drum, an air handling system, a bean cooler, and an air exit subsystem. The air exit subsystem is configured to receive and treat a first fluid stream from the air handling system and a second fluid stream from the bean cooler. The air exit subsystem includes a heat sink and a filter. The heat sink defines two parallel fluid paths including a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The air exit subsystem includes a metal body configured to receive heat from the first fluid path and the second fluid path. The first fluid path is fluidically coupled to receive the first fluid stream from the air handling system. The second fluid path is fluidically coupled to receive the second fluid stream from the bean cooler. The filter is fluidically coupled to the first and second air flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Peter Schmehl, Stewart Schmehl
  • Patent number: 12349694
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter Voges, Fong Liu, John Laird, Scott Whitman, Zachary Russell Heineman, Dylan Hilmer Bird, Nicholas Scott Reimnitz
  • Publication number: 20240298690
    Abstract: A substance processing system includes a pressurizer configured to pressurize air and a processing chamber configured to process a substance. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled between the pressurizer and the processing chamber. A nozzle is coupled to the processing chamber such that output from the nozzle comprises a substantially even pressure distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter VOGES, Fong LIU, John LAIRD, Scott WHITMAN, Zachary Russell HEINEMAN, Dylan Hilmer BIRD, Nicholas Scott REIMNITZ, Pietro VALSECCHI
  • Patent number: 12016364
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting subsystem, a cooling subsystem, an air exit subsystem that is fluidically coupled to the cooling subsystem, and a controller. The cooling subsystem includes an outer housing containing a holding chamber, a cooling platform defining a lower bound of the holding chamber, a vibration actuator coupled to the cooling platform, and a platform actuator coupled to the cooling platform. The controller is configured to operate the air exit subsystem to maintain a flow of air up through the holding chamber, operate the roasting subsystem to transfer a batch of beans from the roasting subsystem to the holding chamber, operate the vibration actuator to vibrate the cooling platform, operate the air exit subsystem and operate the vibration actuator accelerates cooling of the batch of beans, and operate the platform actuator to transport the batch of beans out of the cooling subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Stewart Schmehl, John Sandhu, Ronald Kappesser, Peter Schmehl
  • Patent number: 11918023
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh, Ricardo Lopez, Jeremiah Peevyhouse, Peter Schmehl, Neil Sandhu, Jeff Wyatt, Mose O'Griffin, Andrew Damele, Michael Shawver
  • Patent number: 11839230
    Abstract: A substance processing system includes a pressurizer configured to pressurize air and a processing chamber configured to process a substance. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled between the pressurizer and the processing chamber. A nozzle is coupled to the processing chamber such that output from the nozzle comprises a substantially even pressure distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter Voges, Fong Liu, John Laird, Scott Whitman, Zachary Russell Heineman, Dylan Hilmer Bird, Nicholas Scott Reimnitz, Pietro Valsecchi
  • Publication number: 20230165267
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter VOGES, Fong LIU, John Laird, Scott Whitman, Zachary Russell Heineman, Dylan Hilmer Bird, Nicholas Scott Reimnitz
  • Patent number: 11641870
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Lopez, John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh
  • Patent number: 11510432
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh, Ricardo Lopez, Jeremiah Peevyhouse, Peter Schmehl, Neil Sandhu, Jeff Wyatt, Mose O'Griffin, Andrew Damele, Michael Shawver
  • Patent number: 11439156
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Jens Peter Voges, Fong Liu, John Laird, Scott Whitman, Zachary Russell Heineman, Dylan Hilmer Bird, Nicholas Scott Reimnitz
  • Publication number: 20210386108
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo LOPEZ, John SANDHU, Arno HOLSCHUH
  • Publication number: 20210227871
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: John SANDHU, Arno HOLSCHUH, Ricardo LOPEZ, Jeremiah PEEVYHOUSE, Peter SCHMEHL, Neil SANDHU, Jeff WYATT, Mose O'GRIFFIN, Andrew DAMELE, Michael SHAWVER
  • Patent number: 11013253
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Lopez, John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh
  • Patent number: 10973253
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh, Ricardo Lopez, Jeremiah Peevyhouse, Peter Schmehl, Neil Sandhu, Jeff Wyatt, Mose O'Griffin, Andrew Damele, Michael Shawver
  • Publication number: 20200288765
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo LOPEZ, John SANDHU, Arno HOLSCHUH
  • Patent number: 10602764
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Lopez, John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh
  • Patent number: D970957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Adam Reineck, Kimberly Noon, Ricardo Lopez, John Sandhu, John Bennett Stoelting