Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2o868 1 3
AUTOMATIC BREWER
Cross-Reference to Related Appllcatlons
Thls appllcation corresponds to a continuation-ln-
part of patent appllcatlon Serial No. 07/946,960, filed
September 17, 1992, lssued July 27, 1993, as U.S. Patent No.
5,230,278, whlch ls a continuatlon-ln-part of patent
appllcatlon Serlal No. 07/818,850, flled January 10, 1992,
lssued October 26, 1993 as U.S. Patent No. 5,255,593, whlch ls
a contlnuatlon-ln-part of patent appllcatlon Serlal No.
07/683,235, flled Aprll 10, 1991, lssued August 4, 1992 as
U.S. Patent No. 5,134,925.
Backqround and Summary of the Invention
Thls lnventlon relates generally to an lmproved
beverage brewlng devlce whlch automates many of the steps
lnvolved ln a beverage brewlng operatlon.
Automatlc brewlng devlces are known ln the art but
have not overcome many of the problems assoclated wlth such
devlces. For example, U.S. Patent No.
63632-1359
2086813
4,633,771 to Anderl shows an automatic brewing device
which incorporates a movable piston to regulate the
brewing cycle. The piston as shown in Anderl is axially
moved by a rod which i5 driven by a motor. The rod
advances or retreats based on its engagement with a
rotating cam disk. A problem arises with the device of
Anderl in that the notches in the cam disc are prone to
cause improper brewing if they become coated or clogged
with foreign matter. Foreign matter is likely to
accumulate on the disc because of the environment in
which it operates which includes fines and powder from
the beverage brewing substance as well as high humidity
from the brewing process.
Another problem with the device as shown in
Anderl is that it is difficult to keep the brewing
chamber clean and to exhaust spent brewing substance.
Anderl shows only a single spray head which proves
inefficient and is not thorough in flushing spent
brewing substance from the brew chamber.
Another automatic brewing device is shown in
U.S. Patent No. 4,694,737 to Wittlinger. The device as
shown in Wittlinger is similar in its operation to the
device in Anderl but does not provide improvements
resolving the problems of Anderl. Ratherj the device in
Wittlinger shows improvements to the filtering assembly
as used in the brew chamber.
Another problem with known automatic brewing
devices is that they are capable of brewing only small
quantities of beverage. The devices shown in the
references cited herein indicate brewing small
quantities of beverage such as a single serving or
single carafe. The typical arrangement of the structure
of the brewing apparatus provides space below a
dispensing spout which is sufficient to accommodate a
predetermined carafe size. Such a space may also
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accommodate a single serving, since a single serving
container will have dimensions smaller than a multiple
serving carafe. However, large capacity remote
reservoirs with one or two gallon capacities are unable
to receive brewed beverage due to the dimensions of such
reservoirs which are proportioned to accommodate large
volumes .
It would desirable to provide an automatic
beverage brewing device which would be capable of
selectively dispensing a large range of quantities of
brewed beverage to an appropriately sized container.
For example, it is desirable to be able to brew a
single cup, as well as a carafe, as well as a large
capacity (1-2 gallon) volume of brewed beverage using
the same automatic brewing device. It is not
desirable, however, to provide a beverage brewing
device which has a single spout which will accommodate
the largest size since such accommodation may result
in a beverage brewing device which does not neatly and
precisely dispense brewed beverage to smaller capacity
containers.
Another problem that arises with automatic
beverage brewers is that although they are generally
automatic they nevertheless require periodic cleaning.
Periodic cleanings include removing a filter assembly
disposed in a lower portion of the brewing chamber. The
filter assembly is used to support a brewing substance
for infusion during a brewing cycle and to separate a
brewed beverage created during the brewing cycle. A
problem is encountered in cleaning prior art filter
assemblies when the piston assembly includes a spool
having an enlarged head. A lower portion of thè spool
movably extends through the drain with the enlarged head
movably extending through an inlet in a top portion of
the brewed chamber. A port used for delivering flush
water is positioned underneath the head between the head
- 20~681~
and a reduced diameter portion of the spool. The lower
portion of the spool is surrounded by a filter assembly
which has an aperture through which the lower portion of
the spool projects. Since the lower portion of the
spool has a smaller diameter than the enlarged head, the
filter assembly cannot be installed or removed by
positioning it over the enlarged head. As such, removal
of the filter assembly in these devices typically
requires removal of the piston assembly.
Another problem with prior automatic brewing
devices is that once the brewing substance becomes
saturate during the brewing process it sinks to the
bottom of the brewing chamber. As the brewed beverage
lS is drained off of the brewing substance the moist
brewing substance may become caked on and plug the
openings in the filter material. At the end of the
brewing cycle the brewing chamber is flushed, typically
with a spray of water, in order to remove the spent
brewing substance. However, because the brewing
substance may be caked on the filter material in the
drained brewing chamber the rinse water spray does not
completely flush the spent brewing substance out of the
brewing chamber. Instead, a portion of the spent
substance remains in the brewing chamber on the filter
material. The remaining substance inhibits flow of
brewed beverage through the filter material and thereby
reduces the efficiency of the brewer. Further,
depending on the time between brewing cycles, the
brewing substance remaining on the filter material may
become rancid and degrade the flavor of the next serving
of beverage to be brewed.
Additionally, another problem with current
automatic brewing devices is that the mechanism for
dispensing a brewing substance into the brew chamber is
inaccurate. One way to controllably dispense a brewing
substance into the brew chamber by means of an auger in
. 20~6813
a hopper. The auger is positioned in the bottom of a
hopper in an operative association with an opening in
the hopper through which the brewing substance is moved.
However, such auger arrangements are often inaccurate
and tend to dispense too much brewing substance.
Ob~ects and Sum,mary of the Invention
A general object of the present invention
is to provide an automatic beverage brewing device which
accommodates a wide range of brewing capacities.
A more specific object of the present
invention is to provide an automatic beverage brewing
device which provides means for selectively dispensing
brewed beverages to a large volume container
independent of the means of dispensing brewed beverage
to smaller volume containers.
Another general object of the present
invention is to provide an improved automatic beverage
brewing device which thoroughly and efficiently removes
spent beverage brewing substances from a brew chamber at
the completion of a brewing cycle.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an automatic beverage brewing device which
permits removal of a filter assembly without having to
remove or disassemble the piston assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an automatic beverage brewing device which has
an enlarged drain opening.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a brewing substance dispenser in combinat,ion
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with the present invention which dispenses a precise
quantity of brewing substance.
Another ob;ect of the present invention i5 to
provide an automatic beverage brewing apparatus which
rinses a beverage brewing substance from a receiving
funnel to assure complete use of the fresh beverage
brewing substance and thorough cleaning of the
components of the beverage brewing apparatus.
A further object of the present invention is
to provide a preliminary floating of the beverage
brewing substance prior to brewing.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a beverage brewing apparatus for automatically
brewing beverages which generally evenly distributes
brew water over a beverage brewing substance to more
thoroughly and efficiently extract a brewed beverage
therefrom.
Still another object of the present invention
is to provide a floating phase of a cleaning cycle to
remove the brewing substance from the filter material.
Yet another object of the present invention is
to provide a beverage brewing apparatus for
automatically brewing beverages which thoroughly removes
spent beverage brewing substance from a brew chamber by
employing a spray head mounted in a spool member
extending through the brew chamber thereby thoroughly
removing spent brewing substance from all parts of the
brew chamber.
Still a further object of the present
invention is to provide a beverage brewing apparatus for
automatically brewing beverages which include a
rotatable piston and a spray head mounted thereon for
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rotatably spraying and removing beverage brewing
substances from the brew chamber.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing,
the present invention comprises an automatic brewing
apparatus for automatically brewing beverages such as
coffee. The apparatus includes a brewing chamber
assembly with a throat in a top portion, a drain in a
bottom portion, and a filter positioned therebetween. A
movable piston assembly is provided to controllably open
and close the throat and drain during brewing and
flushing cycles. A separate discharge line directs
brewed beverage from the brew chamber to a receiving
container. A valve is provided along the discharge line
to control the filling of the brewing chamber, to
controllably dispense a brewed beverage from the brewing
chamber, and to prevent flush water from flowing through
a dispensing branch of the discharge line.
At the initiation of the brewing cycle the
piston is moved downwardly to open the throat to permit
the introduction of brewing substance into the chamber.
A pressurized water line rinses the throat through which
the brewing substance is introduced into the brewing
chamber. Additionally, water is introduced through a
water distribution manifold to expedite the initial
partial filling of the brewing chamber. Water initially
introduced into the chamber is used to float the brewing
substance permitting saturation and steeping of the
brewing substance. The piston is moved upwardly so that
the drain and the throat during the steeping step.
After sufficient steeping time the discharge valve on
the discharge line, which is normally deenergized, is
energized to open a path through the dispensing branch
to direct the flow of brewed beverage into a collection
container. The discharge valve is also energized to
close the path to the drain sump. After dispensing the
- 2086813
brewed beverage, the discharge valve is positioned to
close both the dispensing and the drain paths.
After the brewing cycle is complete a flushing
cycle begins to flush the spent brewing substance out of
the brewing chamber. The valve on the discharge line
blocks the discharge line to retain water in the brewing
chamber for floating the spent brewing substance in
order to float it off of the filter material. Upon
floating the brewing substance, the piston is moved
upwardly to drain the float water and the spent brewing
substance carried thereon. Next, the piston is moved
downwardly to close the drain and water is introduced
through a spray opening in the piston. The piston is
rapidly rotated to spray down the sides of the chamber
and to create a swirling motion in the water which has
accumulated in the chamber. At a predetermined time the
piston is moved to open the drain and flush the swirling
water from the chamber while the piston continues to
rotate.
The piston assembly includes a spool which has
a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between
the head and the base. The spool is disposed in the
brew chamber assembly with the head controllably movable
through the throat and the base controllably movable
through the drain. The spool controllably opens and
plugs the throat and the drain. The filter assembly has
an aperture formed therethrough through which the base
of the spool projects. The head and the base of the
spool have an external dimension which is less than or
substantially equal to an inside dimension of the
aperture formed through the filter assembly with the
head having an external dimension which is smaller than
or substantially equal to an external dimension of the
base. The size and the dimension of the head and base
allow the filter assembly to be installed or removed
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over the spool without removing the spool from the brew
chamber assembly.
The brewing apparatus is programmable to
control: the level of prefill water, steeping time,
brewing temperature, volume of brew water used, and
amount of beverage brewed. The brewing chamber may be
pressurized during the brewing process.
The apparatus also includes a brewing
substance dispencer which is controlled to dispense a
precise predetermined quantity of brewing substance.
The invention also provides a structure and
method to produce large quantities of a desired brewed
beverage. Multiple substance dispensers are provided to
selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a
desired brewed beverage. Heated water is conserved by
the present invention by providing a control valve on
the inlet line at the lower portion of the heated water
reservoir.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
The organization and manner of the structure
and operation of the invention, together with further
objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by
reference to the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals identify like elements in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a
beverage brewing apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial fragmentary cross
sectional side elevational view of a brew chamber
assembly of the beverage brewing apparatus;
. 2086813
FIG. 3 is a partial fragmentary cross
sectional side elevational view of the brew chamber
assembly as illustrated in FIG. 2 after a piston
assembly pro~ecting therethrough iB downwardly axially
displaced from an inlet throat and illustrating a
beverage brewing substance being disposed therein
through a funnel member and preliminary fill water being
introduced to rinse the funnel and initially float the
brewing substance in the brewing chamber;
FIG 4. i5 a partial fragmentary cross
sectional side elevational view of the brew chamber
assembly after the piston assembly is upwardly axially
displaced to seal the inlet throat and illustrating brew
water flowing into the brew chamber for infusing the
brewing substance disposed therein;
FIG 5. is a partial fragmentary cross
sectional side elevational view of the brew chamber
assembly after the piston assembly is upwardly axially
displaced and further illustrating rotary movement of
the piston assembly spraying the inside of the brew
chamber to exhaust spent brewing substance;
FIG. 6 is a general hydraulic schematic
diagram of the the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial fragmentary side
cross-sectional view of a spool employed in the present
invention extending through an aperture formed through a
filter assembly, a drain formed through a bottom portion
of the brew chamber assembly, and a throat formed
through a top portion of the brew chamber assembly;
FIG. 8 is a first alternate embodiment of the
spool of the piston assembly;
--10--
208~81~
FIG. 9 is a second alternate embodiment of the
spool of the piston assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of
an beverage brewing device which i5 connected by means
for providing a beverage path to a remote beverage
container;
;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the device as shown
in FIG. 10 in which the beverage brewing device is
connected to the remote beverage container; and
FIG. 12 is a left side view of the beverage
brewing device as shown in FIG. 10 in which a hose of
the beverage path means is connected to a first end and
a second end of the beverage brewing device.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
While the invention may be susceptible to
embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the
drawings, and will be described in detail, a specific
embodiment with the understanding that the present
disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the
principles of the invention, and is not intended to
limit the invention to that as illustrated and described
herein.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like
parts are designated by the same reference numerals
throughout the figures, an automatic beverage brewing
apparatus or brewer 20 is diagrammatically illustrated
in FIG. 1. The brewer 20 includes a hopper assembly 22,
a brew chamber assembly 24, a piston assembly 26 (as
better shown in FIGS. 2-5), a drive means or apparatus
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28, a water distribution system 30 and a control system
32.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hopper assembly 22
includes a hopper container 34 and a motor 36 driven
auger 38 retained therein. A brewing substance such as
coffee is disposed inside the hopper container 34 and
stored therein for controlled delivery to the brew
chamber assembly 24. While the word "coffee" may be
used herein with regard to the beverage brewing
substance, it should be clear that brewing substances
other than coffee may be used in the present invention.
Further, although a hopper assembly 22 is shown, a
grinding apparatus (not shown) may be added to dellver
a predetermined quantity of freshly ground coffee or
other beverage brewing substance to the brew chamber
assembly 24.
The brew chamber assembly 24 includes a
housing member 40 which is retained between a chamber
top assembly 42 and a chamber bottom assembly 44. The
housing member 40 is a generally cylindrical member
formed of a suitable material to withstand the
temperature, moisture and other conditions present
during the brewing process. As shown herein, the
housing member 40 is formed of a suitable transparent
material such as glass to permit inspection of the brew
chamber assembly 24 without disassembly thereof. As can
be seen in FIG. 1, the piston assembly 26 projects
upwardly through a drain hole 41, the chamber bottom
assembly 44, the housing member 40, and through an inlet
throat 43 in the chamber top assembly 42. A brew
chamber 45 is defined by the inside surface of the
housing member 40 when the top and bottom chamber
assemblies 42, 44 are attached thereto.
A funnel portion 46 is mounted on the
uppermost portion of the chamber top assembly 42 having
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top and bottom openings 47a,47b coaxial with said inlet
throat 43 and is reinforced by support members 48
extending from thè sides thereof. A spray manifold
assembly 50 is positioned between the funnel portion 46
and the housing member 40.
The chamber bottom assembly 44 includes a
filter assembly 52 and a drain body 54. With further
reference to FIGS. 2-7, the filter assembly 52 helps to
separate out a brewed beverage 53 created during the
brewing process from water infused brewing substance
53a. A discharge line 55 extends from the filter
assembly 52 to a pair of discharge valves 55a,55e which
are controllable to direct flow through a dispensing
line 55b, through a waste line 55c, to prevent flow
through either line 55b,55c, or to direct flow through a
large quantity discharge line 226. The dispensing line
55b delivers a brewed beverage 53 collected from the
brew chamber to a container 57. The waste line 55c
delivers waste water to the waste sump 63. Spent
grounds are transported though an exhaust tube 59 and
deposited in the waste sump 63 therebelow.
The other controllable valve 55e is positioned
along the discharge line 55 as discussed hereinabove.
The controllable valve 55e is connected to the control
system or means for selectively controlling 32 via line
222. The controllable valve 55e controllably directs
flow from the discharge line 55 into the large quantity
discharge line 226. When the controllable valves
55a,55e are controlled to dispense flow from the
discharge line 55 into the dispensing line 55b, the
controllable valve 55e is closed and the controllable
valve 55a is opened. When the flow through the
discharge line 55 is controlled by the controllable
valves 55a,55e to flow through the large quantity line
226, the flow exits the brewing apparatus for delivery
to a remote beverage container 236 (See, FIGS. 10-12).
-13-
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Various aspects of the structure and function of the
remote brewing capabilities will be discussed in greater
detail further hereinbelow.
The discharge valve 55a includes a separate
solenoid valve for the dispensing line 55b and the waste
line 55c. The solenoids in the valve 55a are normally
deenergized with the path to the waste line 55c open to
allow drainage to the waste sump 63 and the path to the
dispensing line 55b closed. The valve 55a is
selectively energized to open the dispensing line 55b
and close the waste line 55c, or to close both lines
55b,55c.
The controllable valve 55e includes a solenoid
valve similar to the discharge valve 55a to controllably
direct flow through the large quantity discharge line
226. The solenoid of the controllable valve 55e is
normally deenergized such that the valve is closed. In
this condition, the path to the large quantity discharge
line 226 closed. The controllable valve 55e is
selectively energized to open the large quantity
discharge line 226. Valve 55e controls line 226 and
valve 55a controls the path to line 55b. Solenoid valve
55e and 55a are controlled for preventing both paths
226,55b, respectively, from being open at the same time.
More details regarding the remote beverage dispensing
features of the present invention will be presented
hereinbelow.
As indicated above, the piston assembly 26
projects upwardly through the bottom of the brew chamber
assembly 24 along a central axis 56 extending
therethrough. Included in the piston assembly 26 is a
spool portion 58 generally positioned inside of the
housing member 40, and a shank portion 60 attached to
and extending downwardly from the spool portion 58.
The drive apparatus 28 includes a lead screw
62 which attaches to the shank portion 60 of the piston
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assembly 26 to operatively connect the drive apparatus
28 with the piston assembly 26. A motor 64 associated
with the drive apparatus 28 moves the gears 65 to rotate
and axially displace the lead screw 62 and the attached
piston assembly. The motor 64 is preferably a DC motor
which may be reversed to reverse the direction of
rotation and travel of the piston assembly 26.
While various forms of the gears 65 may be
employed to drive the lead screw 62, the driving means
65 as illustrated includes a driving gear 66 engaged
with an operating gear 68, both of these gears 66, 68
being cooperatively mating spur gears, and an acme nut
70 attached to a fixed mounting member 72. Fixing the
acme nut 70 to the mounting member 72 retains the acme
nut 70 in a fixed position relative to the driving gear
66 to produce movement in the lead screw 62. Threads 74
of the lead screw 62 cooperatively engage threads formed
on the inside of the acme nut 70. The operating gear 68
is nonrotatably fixed to the lead screw 62 so that when
the driving gear 66 is rotated the operating gear 68 is
rotated thereby rotating the lead screw 62. As the lead
screw 62 is rotated, it threadedly moves through the
acme nut 70 resulting in axial displacement of the
piston assembly 26 through the brew chamber assembly 24.
Further, since the operating gear 68 is fixed to the
lead screw 62 the piston assembly 26 also rotates as it
is axially displaced through the brew chamber assembly
24.
A heated water reservoir 76 and a cold water
inlet line 78 supply water to the water distribution
system 30. The heated water reservoir 76 has a sealed
top 76a to withstand the incoming water pressure from
the inlet line 78. Water flowing from the heated water
reservoir 76 and the cold water inlet line 78 are
controlled by a respective brew water solenoid valve 80,
a rinse water solenoid valve 82a, and a flush water
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2~86813
valve 82b. Water flowing into the reservoir 76 through
the reservoir fill line 88 is quickly heated as it
passes over a heating element 93 which is located
near the point where the reservoir fill line enters the
reservoir 76.
A pressure regulator 90c regulates the line
pressure on the inlet line 78 such that water flowing to
a reservoir fill line 88 and a flush water line 90 is at
a predetermined pressure. A flow control valve 82d on
the brew water line 86 is positioned between the
reservoir 76 and the brew water valve 80 to control the
rate of water flow through the brew water line 86.
The brew water valve 80 controls the water
flowing from the heated water reservoir 26 which is
caused to flow by water being introduced into the
reservoir 26 displacing the heated water therein, which
displaced water flows through a brew line 86. The brew
water line 86 provides brew water to the spray manifold
assembly 50 which then evenly distributes the brew water
over the beverage brewing substance 53a. The flush
water line 90 supplies water to the piston assembly 26
which thereby introduces water into the brew chamber 45
to flush spent beverage brewing substance from the brew
chamber 45. The rinse water line 84 emits a controlled
amount of pressurized heated water to the funnel portion
46 to rinse any beverage brewing substance 53a from the
inside of the funnel 46 and into the brew chamber 24.
The automatic beverage brewer 20 is controlled
by the control system 32. The control system 32
includes a central controller 96 which coordinates
control signals between it and the components of the
-brewer 20 over numerous control lines. The control
lines are shown diagrammatically as single lines but may
include multiwire lines depending on the requirements of
the particular component. The apparatus, as disclosed
-16-
., . 2as63l3
herein, may be adjusted to brew a range of quantities of
brewed beverage and may be adjusted to deliver a larger
or smaller quantity of beverage to a carafe or other
container, not shown, from which the beverage can be
subsequently dispensed. Additionally, the controller 96
is programmable to control: the level of prefill water
dispensed into the brewing chamber: the period of time
during which infused brewing substance is steeped;
brewing water temperature; the volume of brew water used
for a predetermined quantity of brewing substance and
the volume of brewed substance dispensed through
dispensing line.
The hopper assembly 22 includes the hopper
motor 36 which is controlled by the controller 96 over
the line 106, a hopper container 34, and the auger 38
which extends through the hopper container 34 and is
driven by the motor 36. The hopper motor 36 is
controlled by a triac and a microprocessor (not shown)
of known construction. The microprocessor turns the
triac on and off to control the hopper motor 36. The
microprocessor applies 120 VAC to the motor 36 when the
motor 36 is to operate to drive the auger 38 to deliver
a ~uantity of brewing substance to the brew chamber 24.
In order to stop the motor 36 the microprocessor
determines when the waveform across the motor 36 is of
one polarity. When the polarity is sensed, the
microprocessor turns on the triac only when the AC
waveform is of the same polarity. For example the
microprocessor senses when the voltage across the motor
windings is always + to - and then turns on the triac.
Thus, the motor 36 is driven with a direct current and
produces a braking action on the motor 36. As the
braking action is over very small periods of time, the
microprocessor may be set to deliver precise quantities
of brewing substances 53a from the hopper container 34
to the brewing chamber 24.
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The present invention al80 includes means 230
for selectively combining two or more substances for
brewing, flavoring and mixing a brewed beverage. The
combining means 230 includes a plurality of
controllable substance dispensers or hopper assemblies
22 which are positioned to communicate with the brew
chamber 24 by dispensing a desired substance into the
funnel 47 leading into the brewing chamber 24. Each of
the plurality of substance dispenser 22 includes the
hopper motor 36, controller 96 over control lines. The
substance dispensers 22 further include the hopper
container 34 in conjunction with the auger 38 extending
through the hopper container 34 and driven by the motor
36 in accordance with the details provided hereinabove.
The selectively controlling means 32 controls the
plurality of controllable dispensers 22 for dispensing
a predetermined quantity of a selected type of
substance from at least two of the controllable
dispensers 22 for producing a predetermined selected
beverage.
An example for selectively combining two or
more substances while brewing may include dispensing an
appropriate beverage brewing substance in combination
with a sweetening or flavoring additive. The user
selects a desired resultant beverage at the control
means 32 which then activates the controllable substance
dispensers 22 to dispense an appropriate quantity of
substance from the respective hopper containers 34 to
achieve the desired resulted beverage.
To provide a more specific illustration of
the selectively combining means to 10, the present
invention may be used to produce a sweetened cafe mocha.
Cafe mocha includes coffee, a cocoa substance, and a
sweetening substance. In this case, at least three
controllable substance dispensers 22 are required for
this application. In use, the user selects the desired
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beverage, in this case sweetened cafe mocha, at the
control means 32. The control means then activates each
of the three controllable dispensers 22 to dispense the
appropriate quantity of substance therefrom. A first
substance dispenser 22 is activated to dispense a
desired quantity of coffee meal into the brew chamber
24. A second substance dispenser 22 is activated to
dispense an appropriate quantity of cocoa into the brew
chamber 24. Finally, a third substance dispenser 22 is
activated to dispense an appropriate quantity of
sweetening additive such as sugar or an artificial
sugar. Another example would be if a user desires
sweetened mocha with a touch of another spice such as
cinnamon. The procedure described hereinabove would be
carried out but an additional substance dispenser 22
would be provided which would contain cinnamon and an
appropriate quantity of cinnamon would be dispensed into
the brewing chamber 24 upon selection of the desired
beverage.
It is clear that a series of substance
dispensers 22 can be arranged to deliver appropriate
quantities of desired substances to the brew chamber
for brewing, flavoring and mixing a desired brewed
beverage.
FIG. 1 provides a diagrammatic representation
of the hydraulic and electrical organization of the
present invention. FIG. 6 provides a schematic diagram
of the water flow circuit, including the electrical
control lines 108,102,111 interconnected between the
controller 96 and the control valves 80,82a,82b,
respectively.
Since the inlet line 78 is constantly open and
imposing inflowing water pressure on the reservoir 76,
the reservoir is constantly topped-off even when not in
use. Such topping off maintains the reservoir 76 in a
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filled condition and ready to brew upon demand at any
time.
An additional feature of the present invention
is the ability to conserve heated water in the reservoir
76. While the inlet line 78 is constantly open and
imposing inflowing water pressure on the reservoir 76,
the reservoir also develops a certain degree of pressure
caused by heating and subsequent expansion of water
retained in the reservoir 76. As the cool water enters
the bottom of the reservoir, the heating element 93
heats the water which causes heated watar to rise toward
the top of the reservoir 76 and cooler water to remain
towards the bottom of the reservoir 76. The control
valves 80,82,82a,82b prevent expansion of water in the
reservoir into any of the lines which they control. A
pressure relief valve 82c is provided on the cold water
line 88 such that expanding water from the reservoir 76
which is at a pressure in excess of a predetermined
reservoir pressure is released through the relief valve
82c and is drained into the collection sump 63 through
drain line 232. By relieving excessive pressure through
the bottom of the reservoir 76, the heated water towards
the top of the reservoir 76 is conserved thereby
conserving the energy and the time required to heat the
reservoir water.
The rinse water solenoid valve 82a is
controlled over line 102 to control flow through the
rinse water line 84 for providing controlled pressurized
water flow to the funnel portion 46 to rinse any brewing
substance 53a off of the funnel 46. After a quantity of
brewing substance 53a is dispensed by the hopper
assembly 22, the controller 96 signals the rinse water
valve 82a and brew water valve 80 over lines 102,108,
respectively, to open and allow water to flow through
the rinse water line 84 and the brew water line 86. The
water dispensed from the rinse line 84 by the valve 82a
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rinses the funnel 46 and then collects in the brew
chamber 45 making up part of the water which is used to
float the brewing substance before the brewing water is
dispensed. The water from the brew water line 86
provides additional water to float the brewing
substance. ~oth sources of water 84,86 are utilized so
as to expedite the step of dispensing float water into
the brewing chamber 45. After a predetermined period of
time the controller 96 signals the rinse water and brew
water valves 82a,80 to close thereby terminating the
flow of water into the brew chamber 45.
Since the controller may be programmed for a
steep time, there may be a period of time between
dispensing the float water and dispensing additional
brew water. At the appropriate time, for example after
the preset steep time, the controller 96 signals the
brew water valve 80 over line 108 to open and allow
water to flow through the brew line 86. Water flows
through the inlet line 78 simultaneous therewith to
introduce non-heated water into the bottom of the
reservoir 76 thereby displacing the heated water in the
reservoir 76 upwardly an out through the brew line 86.
With the brew water valve 80 opened, water flows through
the brew line 86 an into the brewing chamber 45 for
infusion with the brewing substance. At the end of the
brew water dispensing cycle the controller 96 signals
the brew water valve 80 to close thereby ceasing the
flow of brew water into the brewing chamber 45.
As further shown in FIG. 6, a pressure switch
90a is provided on the inlet line 78 and is connected
with the controller 96 via line lOOa. The pressure
switch 9Oa may be calibrated to a predetermined pressure
setting so that a prespecified minimum pressure level
must be developed in the inlet line 78 for the apparatus
20 to operate. This pressure switch 90a prevents back
pressure and improper brewing.
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A flow meter 90b is used to measure the amount
of water the apparatus is using during each brewing
cycle and is in communication with the controller 96 via
line lOOc. A primary pressure regulator 90c maintains
the inlet line 78 at a consistent predetermined pressure
level, for example 20 p.s.i. dynamic. The primary
pressure regulator 90c establishes and assures a
consistent working water pressure for the entire
hydraulic circuit.
The heated water reservoir 76 also includes
the thermostatically controlled heating element 93 which
is controlled over control line 105 by a thermostatic
device of known construction.
In summary, when operation of the brewer 20 is
activated by switch means 104 the controller 96
activates the discharge valve 55a to close the waste
line 55c. The controller 96 activates the motor 36
through control line 106 to measure out a predetermined
amount of beverage brewing substance 53a from the hopper
assembly 22 into the funnel portion 46. A plurality of
substance dispensers 22 can be provided to dispense a
variety of substances into the brewing chamber 24 to
achieve a predetermined desired mix to a resulted brewed
beverage.
After a predetermined amount of beverage
brewing substance 53a has been dispensed into the funnel
portion 4~, the controller 96 activates the rinse water
valve 82a, the brew water valve 80 for a predetermined
period of time over control lines 102,108, respectively,
to introduce rinse water through the rinse water line 84
into the funnel portion 46 and to quickly prefill the
brewing chamber. At the end of dispensing prefill or
float water, the controller 96 may allow the brewing
substance to steep for a predetermined period of time.
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-
At the end of the steep time, the controller 96 opens
the brew water valve 80 to dispense brew water into the
brew chamber which results from water flowing through
the inlet llne and into the heated water reservoir 76 to
S displace heated water thereby introducing brew water
into the brew chamber 45 through the brew line 86.
The present invention also provides the
ability to brew large quantities of brewed beverage
thereby eliminating the need to brew multiple smaller
quantities of a desired beverage. With reference to
Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the automatic beverage brewing
apparatus 20 can be connected by means 234 for providing
a beverage path to dispense a desired brewed beverage to
a remote beverage container 236. The remote beverage
container 236 provides a receptacle for large quantities
of brewed beverage produced in the brewing chamber 24.
It should be noted that the brewing chamber
24 as shown in the present invention may be capable of
producing upwards of a gallon or more of brewed
beverage. Additionally, since the present invention is
highly automated, multiple brewing cycles can be
employed to produce quantities of brewed beverage
greater than a quantity which would be produced by a
single brewing cycle using a maximum amount of brewing
substance in the brewing chamber 24.
The ability to brew beverage and dispense the
beverage to a remote container 236 provides the ability
to increase the utilization of the beverage brewer
beyond the capacity of ~ust the vessels or containers 57
which are positionable in the brewing apparatus 20
itself. This ability is especially important to large
vo~ume users which may need to transport brewed beverage
to a variety of locations yet are not capable of
providing an individual beverage brewing apparatus at
each location.
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The means 234 for providing a beverage path
includes a dispensing hose or line 238 having a first
end 240 which is removably attached to the automatic
beverage brewing apparatus 20 and receives a brewed
beverage through the large quantity discharge line 226.
A second end 242 ls removably couplable with the remote
beverage container 236. The second end 242 includes a
quickly releasable coupling of a known design to provide
coupling and decoupling without the use of tools and
which also provides a stop valve or non-drip valve when
the couple is disconnected.
As shown in FIG. 12, the dispensing line 238
can be connected to a drain conduit 244 (See FIG. 1)
which is connected to the primary drain line 59. This
feature allows the dispensing line 238 to be connected
to the drain conduit 244 so that fluid or material
passing through the dispensing line 238 drains into the
drain conduit 244 and therefore the primary drain line
59. The dispensing line as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and
12, has a hose having a length dimension such that
gravity induced positive drainage is provided between
the first end 240 and the second end 242 when the second
end 242 is attached to the drain conduit 244. The
quickly releasable coupling on the second end 242 of the
dispensing line 238 also provides the advantage of
quickly coupling and decoupling when attaching to the
free end of the drain conduit 244.
The remote beverage container capability of
the present invention may be used in a manual capacity
such that a user disconnects the hose 238 from the
drain conduit 244 and connects it to a remote beverage
container 236. After selecting a desired brewed
substance and a desired quantity on a control panel 245
which is coupled to the controller 96, a desired
quantity of the brewed beverage is dispensed into the
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beverage container 236. The controller 96 includes a
microprocessor which i5 pre-programmed and programmable
to operate the apparatus 20 through one or more brewing
cycles of a selected brewing substance to achieve a
desired brewed beverage. The user selects a beverage
type and a quantity and the programming in the
microprocessor carries out the functions and operates
the apparatus 20 to produce the desired quantity of the
selected beverage.
The remote brewing capabilities can also be
used in a more highly automated capacity such that the
present invention also provides for a means for
controllably indexing 246 a series of remote beverage
containers 236. The means for indexing 246 is coupled
to the controller 96 by control line 248. The means for
indexing 246 is a moving device of known design which is
capable of moving objects in either a rotary or linear
path as well as a horizontal or vertical direction. The
driving mechanism of the means for indexing 246 is
coupled to the controller 96. The programming in the
microprocessor in the controller 96 provides commands to
operate the means for indexing 246. The commands from
the controller 96 incrementally index a remote beverage
container 236 into position for receiving a brewed
beverage from the apparatus 20 upon receiving an
appropriate command during a brewing cycle.
The present invention also provides means for
controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 the
second end 242 of the dispen6ing line 238 to the remote
beverage container 236. The means for connecting and
disconnecting 250 is a controllable placing mechanism
such as a simplified robotic arm of a known design. The
means for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250
also receives commands from the controller 96 such that
the programming in the microprocessor of the controller
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96 activates and controls the means for controllably
connecting and disconnecting 250.
When the controller 96 commands the indexing
means 246 to position a remote container 236 in
position for receiving a brewed beverage, the
controller 96 also commands the means for controllably
connecting and disconnecting 250 to connect the second
end 242 to the remote container 236. The means for
controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 is fitted
with an attachment to which the second end 242 is
attached. In this way, the means for controllably
connecting and disconnecting 250 merely needs to lift up
or push down on the end 242 to properly position it with
respect to a remote beverage container 236 positioned
therebelow. FIG. 11 provides a plan view of the
elevational view as shown in FIG. 10.
In use, the user selects a type of beverage to
be brewed and a desired quantity of the beverage. The
user selects the quantity and type of beverage by means
of the control panel 245 which is connected to the
controller 96. The controller 96 includes the
microprocessor and programming to control the means for
indexing 246 and the means for controllably connecting
and disconnecting 250 the second end 242 of the
dispensing line 238.
When the brewing cycle is started, the
controller 96 indexes a remote container 236 in position
below the coupling 242 whereupon the means for
controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 attaches
the coupling 242 to the remote container 236 after a
predetermined quantity of beverage is dispensed into the
remote container 236, the means for controllably
connecting and disconnecting 250 may be signaled to
disconnect the coupling 242 from the container 236. At
this point, the controller 96 may control the indexing
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means 246 to index another remote container 236 into
position below the coupling 242. The cycle of indexing
and connecting and disconnecting as well as dispensing a
brewed beverage is repeated for as many cycles as is
required to achieve the preselected quantity of the
predetermined type of brewed beverage as selected by the
user on the control panel 245.
The drive apparatus 28 is also controlled by
the central controller 96 by means of a power control
line 110 and an optical sensor 112 (as shown in Fig. 1)
associated with the central controller 96 by control
line 114. Movement of the components of the drive
apparatus 28 are regulated by signals generated by the
optical sensor 112. The sensor 112 employs a light
transmitter device 112a and a receiver device 112b and a
disk 112c. The disk 112c is attached to the end of the
lead screw 62 between the transmitter 112a and the
receiver 112b. A number of holes (not shown) having
predetermined spacing therebetween are formed through
the disk 112c to permit the light (as represented by
dotted line 112d) from the transmitter 112a to pass
therethrough. When light 112d passes through the holes
the receiver 112b senses the light 112d, essentially in
the form of "on" and "off" signals indicating the number
of holes that have passed the beam path, and sends a
signal over line 114 to the controller 96. The
controller 96 uses the signals from the receiver 112b to
control the drive apparatus 28.
The piston assembly 26 includes the spool 58
and a shank portion 60 extending therefrom. As
discussed hereinabove, the piston assembly 26 also
includes means for controllably moving the spool 28. As
shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-9, the spool 58 includes a head
122 which terminates in a domed surface 124, a base 125,
and a necked portion 127. FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show three
different embodiments of the spool 58,58a,58b of the
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~0868i3
present invention. Regardless of the embodiment, the
spool 58 is disposed in the brew chamber with the head
122 controllably movable in the inlet 43 and the base
controllably movable in the outlet 41. As shown in FIG.
5, an outside surface 123 of the head 122 projecting
through the inlet 43 seals against a gasket 130 retained
in the inlet 43. Similarly, a gasket 134 positioned
inside the outlet 41 seals the base when positioned in
the outlet 41. The outlet 41 communicates with the
drain body 54.
With reference to FIG. 7, the head 122 also
includes an undercut portion 131 formed between the head
122 and the necked portion 127. The necked portion
extends from the base 125 upwardly and slightly inwardly
towards the undercut portion 131. The embodiment of the
necked portion 127 as shown in FIG. 7 has a
frusto-conical shape. The combination of the undercut
portion 131 and the necked portion 127 provides a
concealed location for a port 178 formed in an outer
surface of the undercut portion 131. The port 178
connects to a bore 176 of the water distribution
system.
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, portions of
the embodiment shown therein which are substantially
similar or are identical to the embodiment as shown in
FIG. 7 will use the same reference numeral with the
addition of a suffix added thereto. For example, such
numbers used in FIG. 8 will include a "a" suffix while
the reference numerals employed in FIG. 9 will use a "b"
suffix.
As shown in FIG. 8 a first alternate
embodiment of a spool 58a as employed in the present
invention is shown therein. The head 122a includes an
undercut portion 131a, a base portion 125a and a necked
portion 127a. A first segment 133a of the necked
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portion 127a includes an exterior surface which is
substantially parallel to the central axis 56. A second
portion 135a of the necked portion 127a extends radially
outwardly from the first portion 133a to the base 125a
defining a frusto-conical surface.
With reference to FIG. 9, the necked portion
127b extending between the head 122b and the base 125b
has an exterior surface 137b which defines a
continuously curving concave surface. The curvature of
the necked portion 127b as shown in FIG. 9 begins at an
uppermost portion 139b of the base 125b and curves
upwardly towards the undercut portlon 13lb.
Once again, regardless of the embodiment of
the spool 58,58a,58b as presented in the drawings (See
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9), the head 122 and the base 125 are
sized and dimensioned to perform controllable opening
and sealing functions during the brewing process. With
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exterior surface 141 of
the base 125 has a dimension 143 which maintains the
outlet in a sealed condition over a predetermined range
of travel of the spool 58 within the brew chamber.
Similarly, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer
surface 123 of the head 122 has a dimension 145 which
maintains the inlet 43 in a sealed condition over a
predetermined desired range of movement of the spool
58.
The filter assembly 164 is positioned in the
lower portion 44 of the brew chamber assembly. An
aperture 147 is formed through the filter assembly 164
and is sized and dimensioned to allow the base 125 to
pass therethrough during the brewing process.
Additionally, when the top assembly 42 is removed from
the brew chamber assembly 24, the filter assembly 164
can be removed therefrom by sliding the filter assembly
164 upwardly over the outside surface 141 of the base
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125 past the necked portion 127 and upwardly over the
outside surface 123 of the head 122. As can be seen
from the spool 58, 58a, 58b, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, the
head 122 and the base 125 of the spool 58 have external
dimensions 151, 153, respectively, which are less than
or substantially equal to an inside dimension 155 of the
aperture 147. Further, it should be noted that the
exterior dimension 151 of the head 122 is less than or
substantially equal to the exterior dimension 155 of the
base 125. As such, the filter assembly 164 can be
easily installed or removed by simply moving it over the
spool 58.
As shown in the cross section of FIG. 2, the
spray manifold assembly 50 includes a circular manifold
plate 136 in which is formed a distribution channel 138
and a channel covering ring 140 which sealably covers
the distribution channel 138 with an inside and an
outside 0-ring 142, 144, respectively. A gap 146 is
formed between the channel cover ring 140 and the bottom
of the distribution channel 138. The brew line 86
extends through the channel cover ring 140 and
communicates with the gap 146 to distribute water
throughout the distribution channel 138. Water is
distributed over the beverage brewing substance through
a series of manifold apertures 148 formed through the
distribution channel 138. As will be seen in FIG. 4,
water flowing through the manifold apertures 148 is
distributed generally evenly over the surface of the
beverage brewing substance retained in the brew chamber
assembly 24 to maximize the infusion of such substance.
Rod members 150 extend between the manifold
plate 136 and a basket member 152 of the filter assembly
52. The rod members 150 have a head 154 at one end and
threadedly engage a wingnut 156 at the other end. This
arrangement sealably clamps the housing member 40
between the manifold plate 136 and the basket member
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152. A seal is effected by sealing members 158
positioned between edges of the housing member 40 and
corresponding surfaces of the manifold plate and the
basket member 152.
A structural sieve 160 is cooperatively
retained in the basket member 152 of the filter assembly
52 for supporting an overlying cover filter material
164. Perforations 162 are formed through the structural
sieve 160 to permit fluids to pass therethrough. Pores
166 extending through the filter material 164 permit
fluid to pass therethrough and subsequently through the
perforations 162 formed through the structural sieve
160. It should be noted that the perforations 162 and
the pores 166 shown in FIGS. 2-5 have been exaggerated
for illustrative purposes. Fluid which passes through
the filter material 164 and the structural sieve 160
collects in a collection space 168 formed between the
structural sieve 160 and the basket member 152. Fluid
collected therein flows through the dispensing line 55b
and into an appropriate collection container 57.
A "Y"-intersection is formed in the drain body
between the exhaust tube Ss and the piston housing 61.
The downwardly oriented direction of the exhaust tube 59
promotes the flow of spent brewing substance out of the
brew chamber 45 during the flushing phase of the brew
cycle. The shank portion 60 of the piston assembly
passes through a sealed chamber 170 in the piston
housing 61. The sealed chamber 170 is sealed at a top
end and a bottom end.
The sealed chamber 170 forms a displacable
coupling with the flush water line 90 to permit water to
flow from the flush water line 90 through a flush water
bore 172 formed generally coaxial with the central axis
56 extending through the piston assembly 26. Flush
water flowing from the flush water line 90 flows into
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~ the sealed chamber 170 and through an inlet aperture
174. Water flows through the flush water bore 172
upwardly towards the enlarged head 122 and is forced
through a downwardly directed port 176 formed on an
underside of the enlarged head 122 and out through a
nozzle 178 attached to the end of the port 176. A top
gasket and a bottom gasket 180, 182, respectively form a
seal between the sealed chamber 170 and the shank
portion 60 and prevent leaking while the piston assembly
26 is rotated and axially displaced by the drive
apparatus 28. A bottom portion of the piston housing 61
is sealed by a cap member 184 threadedly retained
thereon.
FIG. 2 provides further detail as to the
configuration and operation of the drive apparatus 28.
As shown, the lead screw 62 has a male portion 186 which
couples with a recess 188 formed in the operating gear
68. A pin 190 projecting through a collar 191 retains
the lead screw 62 in engagement with the operating gear
68. Similarly, the shank portion 60 has a male portion
186a which couples with a recess 188a in an opposite
side of the operating gear 68. A pin l90a projecting
through a collar l91a retains the shank portion 60 in
engagement with the operating gear 68. The lead screw
62 threadedly engages the acme nut 70 which is securely
retained on the mounting member 72.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the function of
the present invention during the brewing operation is
discussed. As shown in FIG. 3, upon activation of the
brewer 20 at the control panel 245, the controller 96
signals the motor 64 of the drive apparatus 28 over line
110 to downwardly displace (as indicated by arrow 201)
the spool portion 58 to displace the enlarged head
portion 122 from the throat 43 to open the throat for
receiving a quantity of beverage brewing substance (as
indicated by particles 53a) to be disposed into the
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funnel portion 46 and pass into the brew chamber 45. A
variety of substances may be dispensed by the substance
dispensers 22 to produce a desired beverage having a
mixture of substances as discussed hereinabove. The
controller operates the necessary substance dispensers
22 to dispense the substances necessary to achieve the
desired beverage selected by the user at the control
panel 245.
The controller 96 next signals the discharge
valve 55a over line 55d to close the waste line 55c and
the rinse water valve 82a over line 102. Dispensing
line 55b is normally closed and therefore does not need
to be closed at this point of the brewing operation.
The controller also signals the brew water valve 80 over
line 108 to dispense a predetermined quantity of heated
water. Use of both the rinse line 84 and the brew water
line 86 expedites the step of dispensing prefill or
floating water into the chamber.
The rinse water line 84 will dispense water at
a higher pressure than the brew water line 84 since the
brew water line 84 pressure is limited by the flow
control valve 82d. The higher pressure rinse water acts
to flush the particles s3a out of the funnel portion 46
and down through the throat 43 into the brew chamber 45.
Further, the rinse water washes particles off of the
enlarged head portion 122 and the domed surface 124
thereby providing a better seal between the gas~et 130
and the enlarged head portion 122 when the spool 58 is
upwardly displaced. The rinse water, brew water, and
the beverage brewing substance 53a collect in the filter
assembly 52 with the substance 53a floating on the
heated water.
As shown in FIG. 4, the spool 58 is moved
upwardly (as indicated by arrow 206) to seal the throat
43 formed through the chamber top assembly 42. Note
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also, that the drain hole 41 formed through the chamber
bottom assembly 44 is sealed by the spool portion 58 at
this point in the brew cycle. Sealing the brew chamber
at the top and bottom prevents the escape of steam
during the steeping step.
Control of the steeping time allows for
controlled variable extraction of oils and sediments
from the brewing substance providing predetermined
brewed beverage results. For example, a smaller
quantity of brewing substance which is allowed to steep
for a longer period of time may produce the same
quantity and intensity of brewed beverage as would a
greater quantity of brewing substance which is not
allowed to steep.
After a predetermined period of time, or
pause, the steeping step is concluded and the brewing
process continues. Water is introduced through the
inlet line 78 and dispenses water into the heated water
reservoir 76 to displace the heated water retained
therein once the brew water valve 80 is opened. Water
displaced from the heated water reservoir 76 flows
through the brew water line 86 and flows through the gap
146 formed between the distribution channel 138 and the
channel cover ring 144. Brew water flows through the
gap 146 and is dispersed over the beverage brewing
substance 53a upon flowing through the plurality of
annularly arranged manifold apertures 148 formed through
the distribution channel 138. The circle of manifold
apertures 148 generally evenly distribute the brew water
thereby assuring that all of the beverage brewing
substance is thoroughly infused with brewing water to
maximize the efficiency of the brewing operation. The
discharge valve 55a is selectively controlled to open a
path through the dispensing line 55b for a predetermined
period of time as set at the controller 96.
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- Once the beverage brewing substance 53a is
infused, a brewed beverage (as indicated by arrows 53)
flows through the pores 166 formed through the cover
fllter material 164 and through the perforations 162
formed through the structural sieve 160. The brewed
beverage 53 collects in the collection space 168 and
flows into the discharge tube 55 and through the
discharge valve 55a, the dispensing line 55b and into
the container 57.
Of course, the large quantity brewing feature
may be utilized to brew larger quantities of a brewed
beverage. As discussed hereinabove, the user may
select a larger quantity of a desired beverage and the
controller 96 will operate the indexing means 246 and
the means for connecting and disconnecting 50 the
coupling 242 to provide an automated production of large
quantities of a brewed beverage. Of course, the user
can select only a single remote container 236 of a
brewed beverage and as such may manually couple or
disconnect the coupling 242 to the remote container 236.
Whether the coupling 242 is attached manually or
automatically, the controllable valve 55e will operate
to direct the flow through the discharge line 55 into
the large quantity line 226 to dispense the large
quantity of brewed beverage into the remote beverage
container 236.
After the brewing process is completed, the
next step is to flush the brew chamber 45 with water to
remove the spent beverage brewing substance 53a
therefrom and scrub the brew chamber. As a first step,
at the completion of the brewing cycle the controller 96
signals the valve 55a to close both the dispensing line
55b and the waste line thereby preventing flush water
from the flush cycle from draining through the discharge
tube 55.
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At the end of the flush cycle, a quantity of
coldwater is introduced through the spool 58 via the
line 90 to break the vacuum created inside of the
chamber by the unheated water used during the flush
cycle. The additional cold water breaks the vacuum by
slightly increasing the internal pressure. By
increasing the internal pressure, the seals between the
piston at the throat are easily uncoupled and therefore
makes breaching the vacuum easier.
Next, the spool 58 i8 raised (as shown in Fig.
5) to open the drain 41 an allow a substantial portion
of the slurry of the spent brewing sub6tance and
remaining brewing water to flow out through the exhaust
tube 59. Shortly before the opening of the drain 41,
the controller 96 signals the brew water valve 80 to
close and terminate the flow of brewing water
therethrough.
Next, the flush water valve 82b which
initiates the flow of water through the flush water line
90 and out through the bore 178 formed in the spool 58.
The spool 58 is rotated while the flush water is flowing
therethrough to quickly rinse the chamber while the
spool 58 is in the raised position. Water from this
flush step is allowed to drain. The flush water is
terminated by closing the flush water valve 82b and the
spool 58 is lowered to seal the drain 41 and open the
throat 43.
A floating flush step is initiated by
introducing water into the chamber by means of the brew
water, rinse water, and flush water lines, 84,86,90,
respectively. Because both paths S5b,55c through the
valve 55a and the drain hole 41 are sealed, the incoming
water accumulates in the chamber 45. As a result of the
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accumulation of water in the chamber 45, the spent
brewing substance is floated off of the filter material
thereby preventing clogging of the pores in the filter
material.
When the flush water valve 82b is opened water
flows through the flush water line 90 into the sealed
chamber 170 and up through the flush water bore 172.
Water flows from the bore 178 and onto the inside
surface 214 of the housing member 40 for rinsing and
removing beverage brewing substance 53a and other matter
therefrom. Additionally, the spray of water from the
bore 178 is directed towards the inside surface 214
which results in driving the floating brewing substance
53a towards the center of the brewing chamber 45 where
it flows down the drain hole 41 without clinging to any
of the surfaces of the brewing chamber 45. The bore 178
as used in the present invention provides at least a 90
spray angle so that the water flushes the top edge of
the inside surface 214 of the housing member 40.
Further, because the spool portion 58 rotates (as
indicated by arrow 216) about the central axis 56, a
single bore 178 may be employed to spray the entire brew
chamber 45 during the flushing operation. It should be
noted, however, that multiple bores 178 or nozzles may
be used to further enhance the flushing operation.
As the spool 58 rotates and emits a spray of
flush water, it moves upwardly to a position just before
it unseals from the drain 4~. In this position the
spool 58 begins to rotate at high speed while it
continues to emit flush water. Flow from the rinse and
brew water lines 84,86 are terminated. The rapid
rotation of the of the spool 58 and the spray of flush
water being emitted therefrom induce the accumulated
water to swirl within the chamber and agitate any
material free from the filter material as well as scrub
clean the interior surfaces of the chamber. This
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dramatic swirling and agitation action continues for a
period of approximately 2 or 3 seconds before the spool
58 is finally raised to the point at which it unseals
from the drain 41. Once unsealed from the drain 41, the
spool 58 continues to rotate for a brief period of
time.
The spool 58 is moved upwardly (as indicated
by arrow 210) as shown in FIG. 5 for moving the enlarged
head portion 122 upwardly through the throat 43 thereby
disengaging a lower portion 212 of the spool 58 from the
drain hole 41. Once the drain hole 41 is opened, the
accumulated water swirling in the chamber under the
influence of the rotating spool 58, including the spent
brewing substance 53a which was floated or agitated off
of the filter material, flows out of the brewing chamber
45 through the drain hole 41.
The beverage brewing substance 53a is flushed
through the exhaust tube 59 and into the waste sump 63.
160. Waste water (as indicated by arrows 218 in FIG. 5)
which flows through the filter assembly 52 flows into
the discharge tube 55. Because it would be highly
undesirable to have waste water flowing into the freshly
brewed beverage or into the collection container area,
the discharge valve 55a is selectively controlled to
maintain the path through the dispensing line 55b closed
and to open the path through the waste line 55c.
After the spool 58 is moving upward, spool 58
continues to spray flush water for at least another
rotation to provide a final rinse of chamber. At the
completion of the flushing cycle, the lower portion 212
of the spool portion 58 is sealably seated in thè drain
hole 41.
The spool 58 is axially displaced as well as
rotated during the flushing cycle because of the thread
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~ arrangement on the lead screw 62. The lead screw 62 and
the acme nut 70 are essentially self cleaning and
therefore this arrangement iB not susceptible to build
up of foreign matter as does the prior art.
When cleaning or repairing the filter assembly
164, the top assembly 42 is removed from the brew
chamber 24. With the top assembly 42 removed, the
filter assembly 164 may be lifted upwardly off of the
bottom assembly 44 and along the spool 58. Since the
aperture 147 of the filter assembly 164 has an internal
dimension 155 which is greater than or substantially
equal to the corresponding exterior dimensions 155, 151
of the base 125 and the head 122, the filter assembly
164 may be removed from the apparatus without removing
or disengaging the spool 58.
While a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that
those skilled in the art may devise various
modifications of the present invention without departing
from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The
invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing
disclosure, but only by the following appended claims.
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