AUTONOMOUS FOOD AND BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION MACHINE

• US 20100100241A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Tomatis, Nicola, Scorrano, Lucio, Jarisch, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 8,509,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 Manipulators not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The invention proposes an autonomous mobile robotic device in the form of an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. An autonomous mobile robotic device, having an active motion mechanism and comprising an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles.

15. The device according to claim 14, comprising a controller for the production machine, the controller being connected to a wireless interface designed for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals to operate the production machine.

16. The device according to claim 14, comprising a controller for the production machine, the controller being connected to a manually operated user interface for setting operation of the production machine.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the user interface can be disconnected from the robot in order to enter parameters offboard.

18. The device according to claim 14, comprising an autonomous navigation system designed for navigating the robot based on output signals.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the output signals are obtained from visual sensors of the robot.

20. The device according to claim 14, wherein the production machine is self-containing.

21. The device according to claim 14, comprising an independent electrical power supply.

22. The device according to claim 14, wherein the production machine produces the beverage or liquid comestible based on preportioned ingredients.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the device has a container for a stock of preportioned ingredients portions.

24. The device according to claim 14, comprising a automatic cup and tray handling system.

25. The device according to claim 24, comprising a cup storage lift, a cup prehensor and a tray storage lift, able to stock several trays, whereas a cup can be transferred from the cup storage lift to the upper tray, in order to move the cup under the coffee outlet for coffee preparation.

26. A web based user interface for a device according to claim 14, comprising the possibilities of selecting a coffee blend, selecting a serving place, and selecting a serving time or date, using graphical presentation.

27. An onboard interface for a device according to claim 14, allowing the ordering of a coffee directly on the robot, using graphical presentation.