Patents by Inventor KENNETH D LATHROP

KENNETH D LATHROP 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).

  • Publication number: 20160016181
    Abstract: A bean roaster with controllable fluid loft and electrostatic collector is provided. An example system reduces large industrial features into a smaller roaster, without sacrificing roast flavor. A user can select custom airflow parameters to establish a bean loft mode and fluid loft pattern for a particular roast. Airflow parameters, including air volume and pressure may be user-selected along a continuum. Selected airflow interacts with a cyclonic diffuser to create airflow streams in the roast hopper, which in turn interact with the geometry of the roast hopper itself and the beans, including their size, mass, number, and streamline properties, to create a fluid loft pattern, such as helical pattern or spray pattern. An electrostatic collector applies static charge to chaff and smoke particulates enabling these to be secured within a small machine footprint. The condensed features provide a bean roaster that can use ordinary electrical hookup and common residential venting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: KENNETH D LATHROP, SHAWN GANTS