Patents Assigned to Starbucks Corporation
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Publication number: 20140302212Abstract: A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicants: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee Company, Cornelius, Inc.Inventor: David K. Njaastad
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Publication number: 20140271988Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through filtration techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATION D/B/A STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANYInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz, Dien Van Vu, Joseph Kuo
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Publication number: 20140272077Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through filtration techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Starbucks Corporation D/B/A Starbucks Coffee CompanyInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz, Dien Van Vu, Joseph Kuo
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Patent number: 8794127Abstract: An embodiment of a machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston assembly disposed in the chamber. The chamber is operable to receive a liquid such as water and a flavor base such as ground coffee, and to allow the beverage to brew from a mixture of the liquid and the base. The piston assembly is operable to filter a solid such as spent coffee grounds from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction, and to force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction. By modifying or automating some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, such a machine may control one or more of the brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup. Furthermore, such a machine may brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Mike Baum, Izaak Koller, Brian Shay
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Patent number: 8757421Abstract: Disclosed are packages for serving and storing powdered beverages and associated methods. A package for storing a powdered instant beverage comprises a first container, a utensil, and a lid. The lid is configured to engage with the first container so that the lid and the container enclose an interior volume. The lid comprises a lid body, a lid insert configured to be secured to the lid body, and a utensil-holding structure on the lid insert. The lid insert comprises a utensil recess configured to receive at least a portion of the utensil, and a handling recess configured to facilitate the removal and securing of the utensil to the lid. The utensil-holding structure is configured to removably secure the utensil to the lid insert.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Darlene Yang, Mary Jo Werlein
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Publication number: 20140113045Abstract: A device for carbonating beverages includes a gas supply compartment in pneumatic communication with a gas supply conduit and a container coupled to the gas supply compartment. The container has an opening. A gasket is coupled to the opening of the container and the gas supply compartment. The gasket has an opening through which gas flows from the gas supply compartment to the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicants: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee Company, IMI Comelius, Inc.Inventors: David K. Njaastad, Diane D. Terry, Paul N. Camera
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Publication number: 20140106042Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATIONInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
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Patent number: 8621982Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages with a level of precision that can yield a uniform taste from cup to cup, and at a rapid rate. In one embodiment, a liquid is heated in a reservoir to a predetermined temperature. Prior to brewing a beverage with the liquid, the liquid may be passed through a temperature control unit to cool the liquid to a desired brewing temperature. By utilizing such a temperature control unit, the brewing temperature can be varied on a per-beverage basis. Moreover, utilization of a temperature control unit can enable the liquid to be brought to a desired brewing temperature relatively rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
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Patent number: 8541042Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
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Publication number: 20130245819Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a dynamic graphical display for use in a product dispensing system, wherein the content of the display is dynamically generated based, at least in part, by the dispensing of a product. The product dispensing system can be a beverage dispensing system. When an operator activates a product dispenser to dispense a product, product imagery and/or related information may be dynamically generated and presented on a graphical display. A product dispensing and display system can include multiple product dispensers (for example, beverage taps) and an associated display for displaying dynamic digital content (such as visual and/or audible content) based on information received from the product dispensers and/or other input sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATION DBA STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANYInventor: Starbucks Corporation dba Starbuck Coffee Company
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Patent number: 8535748Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
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Patent number: 8524306Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
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Publication number: 20130177672Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through high pressure extraction techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATION D/B/A STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANYInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz, Dien Van Vu, Joseph Kuo
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Publication number: 20130156904Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages with a level of precision that can yield a uniform taste from cup to cup, and at a rapid rate. In one embodiment, a liquid is heated in a reservoir to a predetermined temperature. Prior to brewing a beverage with the liquid, the liquid may be passed through a temperature control unit to cool the liquid to a desired brewing temperature. By utilizing such a temperature control unit, the brewing temperature can be varied on a per-beverage basis. Moreover, utilization of a temperature control unit can enable the liquid to be brought to a desired brewing temperature relatively rapidly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2013Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATIONInventor: STARBUCKS CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20130133520Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee CompanyInventor: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee Co
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Publication number: 20130132214Abstract: A cooking management system is described that identifies a customer and orders a product for the customer based at least on current temporal data. The cooking management system identifies customers associated with previous product requests that occurred during a predetermined range of time based at least on a comparison of current temporal data with temporal data associated with the previous product requests. The cooking management system causes presentation of identifiers of the identified customers on a display. Responsive to determining that the identifier for a particular customer has been selected, the cooking management system automatically causes a cooking device to prepare a product for the particular customer based at least on customer data associated with the particular customer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee CompanyInventor: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee Co
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Patent number: 8414953Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
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Publication number: 20130082130Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for containing a material, such as coffee beans, that may be used with a grinding apparatus. The apparatus may have a directing component to guide a controlled dose of material toward the grinding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container with a base portion that engages a grinding apparatus. The container, when engaged with the grinding apparatus, can direct coffee beans toward the grinding apparatus and has a door that releases a controlled dose of beans. A grinding apparatus is also disclosed that may have a movable tongue to cause excess grounds caught on interior components of the grinding apparatus to exit the grinding apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods reduce labor associated with grinding the material and allow a user, such as a barista, to more efficiently prepare brewed beverages, such as single-cup portions of coffee.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATIONInventors: Randy Hulett, Izaak Koller, Brian Shay
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Patent number: 8371211Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
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Publication number: 20120233071Abstract: To facilitate the sale of merchandise using a stored value card (SVC), a method and system are provided to automatically reload an SVC in accordance with automatic reload preferences associated with the SVC account. The preferences include the pre-authorized reload amount, payment method, and the circumstances under which to automatically reload the SVC with the pre-authorized reload amount. The preferences are previously specified by a party associated with the SVC when setting up the automatic reload option. The party is notified when the automatic reload occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Starbucks Corporation d/b/a Starbucks Coffee CompanyInventors: Nathaniel W. Winkelman, III, Susan E. Flannery, Daniel C. White, Margaret A. Nyland, Evan D. Klopp, Thomas R. FitzMacken