Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 218122~3
._
AUTO~TIC. `BREWER
This application is a division of application Serial
No. 2,086,813 filed January 6, 1993 and is related to a U. S.
continuation-in-part of patent application Serial No.
07/946,960 filed September 17, 1992, issued July 27, 1993 as
U. S. Patent No. 5,230,278 which is a continuation-in-part of
patent application Serial No. 07/818,850 filed January 10,
1992, issued October 26, 1993 as U. S. Patent No. 5,255,593
which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Serial
No. 07/683,285 filed April 10, 1991, issued August 4, 1992 as
U. S. Patent No. 5,134,925.
Background and Sum~ary of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an improved
beverage brewing device which automates many of the steps
involved in brewing a beverage.
Automatic brewing devices are known in the art but
have not overcome many of the problems associated with such
devices. For example, U. S. Patent No. 4,633,771 to Anderl
shows an automatic brewing device which incor~orates a movable
piston to regulate the brewing cycle. The piston as shown in
Anderl is axially moved by a rod which is driven by a motor.
The rod advances or retreats based on its engagement with a
rotating cam disc. 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
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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. Rather, the device in Wittlinger shows improvements
to the filtering assembly as used in the brew chamber.
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 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
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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 flavour 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
substanc~ into the brew chamber is inaccurate. One way to
controllably dispense a brewing substance into the brew
chamber is by means of an auger in a hopper. The auger is
positioned in the bottom of a hopper in an operative associa-
tion 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.
Objects and Summàry of-the Invention
A 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 ccmpletion of a brewing
cycle.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a brewing substance dispenser in combination with the
present invention which dispenses a precise quantity of
brewing substance.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an automatic beverage brewing apparatus which rinses
63632-1359D
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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 throughly removes spent beverage brewing
substance from a brew chamber by employing a spray head
mounted in a spool member extending through the brew chamber
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 rctatably spraying and removing
beverage brewing substances from the brew chamber.
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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 is provided to
controllably open and close the throat and drain during ~ewing
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 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 intrcduced
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 positioned to close 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
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branch to direct the flow of brewed be~erage into a collection
container. The discharge valve is also energized to close
the path to the drain sump. After dispensing the 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
positioned to drain the float water and the spent brewing
substance carried thereon. Next, the piston is positioned 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 pre-
determined time the piston is moved to open the drain and flush
the swirling water from the chamber while the piston continues
to rotate.
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
dispenser which is controlled to dispense a precise prede-
termined quantity of brewing substance.
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.Br.ief..Des.cr.i.pti.on of..the.Dr.awi~gs
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:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a beverage
brewing apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partial fragmentary cross sectional
side elevational view of a brew chamber assembly of the
beverage brewing apparatus;
Figure 3 is a partial fragmentary cross sectional
side elevational view of the brew chamber assembly as
illustrated in Figure 2 after a piston assembly projecting
therethrough is 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;
Figure 4 is a partial fragmentary cross sectional
side elevational view of the brew chamber assembly after the
pistcn 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;
Figure 5 is a partial fragmentary cross sectional
side elevational view of the brew chamber assembly after the
63632-1359D
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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; and
Figure 6 is a general hydraulic schematic diagram
of the present invention.
Detailed Description of th~.Pref.er~.ed E~bodi~ent
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 under-
standing that the present disclosure is to be ccnsidered 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 Figure 1. The brewer 20
includes a hopper assembly 22, a brew chamber assembly 24, a
piston assembly 26 (as better shown in Figures 2-5), a drive
means or apparatus 28, a water distribution system 30 and a
control system 32.
As shown in Figure 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
63632-1359D
21 81 228
"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 deliver 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 Gf 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
Figure 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 top and bottom
openings 47a, 47b coaxial with said inlet throat 43 and is
reinforced by support members 48 extending from the sides
thereof. A spray manifold assembly 50 is positioned between
the funnel portion 46 and the housing member 40.
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63632-1359D
2181228
`
The chamber bottom assembly 44 includes a filter
assembly 52 and a drain body 54. With further reference to
Figures 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 discharge valve 55a
which is controllable to direct flow through a dispensing
line 55b, through a waste line 55c, or to prevent flow through
either line 55b, 55c. 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 through an
exhaust tube 59 and deposited in the waste sump 63 therebelow.
The discharge valve 55a actually 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
clGsed. 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.
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.
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63632-1359D
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The drive apparatus 28 includes a lead screw 62
which attaches to the shank portion 60 of the piston assembly
26 to operatively connect the drive apparatus 28 with the
piston assembl:y 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 prefera~ly 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.
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63632-1359D
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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 incGming 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 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 switch 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. Pressure relief valve 82c relieves pressure from
the chamber via the cold water line 88. A flow control valve
82d on the brew water line 86 is positioned between the brew
chamber 24 and the brew water valve 80 to control the rate of
water flow to the brew chamber.
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
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63632-1359D
2181228
which thereby introduces water into the br:ew 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 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
63632-1359D
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.
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 quantity
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.
Figure 1 provides a diagrammatic representation of
the hydraulic and electrical organization of the present
invention. Figure 8 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 i$ constantly open and
imposing inflowing water pressure on the reservoir 76, the
reservoir is constantly topped-off even when not in use.
63632-1359D
218122~
Such topping off maintains the reservoir 76 in a filled
condition and ready to brew upon demand at any time.
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 tc 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 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
kefore the brewing water is dispensed. The water from the
brew water line 86 provides additional water to float the
brewing substance. Both 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
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63632-1359D
2181228
to open and allow water to flow through the brew line 84.
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 and out through the brew line 86. With the brew
water valve 80 opened, water flows through the brew line 86
and 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 Figure 8, a pressure switch 90a
is provided on the inlet line 78 and is connected with the
controller 96 via line lOOa. The pressure switch 90a 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. Unless the
signal transmitted from the pressure switch 90a over line lOOa
is within the predetermined criteria for operation, the
controller 96 will prevent the inlet valve 78a from operating.
This pressure switch 90a prevents back pressure and improper
brewing.
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 switch 90c maintains the inlet line 78 at a
consistent predetermined pressure level, for example 20 p.s.i.
dynamic. The primary pressure switch 90c establishes and
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63632-1359D
2181228
assures a consistent working water pressure for the entire
hydraulic circuit.
An additional safety mechanism is provided by a
pressure switch 90e. The pressure switch 90 c also monitors
the pressure in the reservoir 76 and will signal to the
controller 96 over line lOOb to shut off the heating element
93 if the pressure exceeds a predetermined level.
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 and to
~ctivate 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. After a
predetermined amount of beverage brewing substance 53a has
been dispensed into the funnel portion 46, 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 brewlng 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. At the end of the
steep time, the controller 96 opens the brew water valve 80
63632-1359D
2181228
to dispense brew water into the brew chamber which results
from water flowing through the inlet line and into the heated
water reservoir 76 to displace heated water thereby introducing
brew water into the brew chamber 45 through the brew line 86.
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 Figure 1) associated
with the central controller 96 by control line 114. Movement
of the components of the drive apparatu-s 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 prede-
termined 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 c~ntroller 96. The
controller 96 uses the signals from the receiver 112b to
control the drive apparatus 28.
The piston assembly 26 includes the spool portion 58
and the shank portion 60. As shown, the spool portion 58 has
an enlarged diameter head 122 which terminates in a domed
surface 124. A mouth 126 of the funnel 46 tapers down into
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2181228
` .
the throat 43 which is releasably sealed by an axially extend-
ing cylindrical side surface 123 of the enlarged diameter head
122 of the spool 58 projecting therethrough against a gasket
130 retained therein. At the bottom end of the brew chamber
assembly a drain hole 41 is formed through the filter assembly
52 and communicates with the drain body 54. The drain hole 41
has a diameter less than the diameter of the throat 43 and is
releasably sealed by the reduced diameter portion of the
spool 58 when the spool 58 of the piston assembly 26 projects
therethrough against a gasket 134 retained between the filter
assembly 52 and the drain body 54.
As shown in the cross section of Figure 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 O-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 Figure 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.
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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 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 Figures 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 59 and the piston housing 61. The
downwardly oriented direction of the exhaust tube 59 promotes
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2181228
,
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 displaceable 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 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.
Figure 2 provides further detail as to the configura-
tion 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
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63632-1359D
2181228
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 Figures 3-5, the operation of the
present invention during the brewing process is discussed.
As shown in Figure 3, upon activation of the brewer 20 at
switch 104, 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 funnel
portion 46 and pass into the brew chamber 45.
The controller 96 next signals the discharge valve
55a over line 55d to close both the dispensing line 55b and
the waste line 55c and the rinse water valve 82a over line
102. 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
63632-1359D
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.
water line 84 pressure is limited by the flow control valve
82d. The higher pressure rinse water acts to flush the
particles 53a 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 gasket 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 Figure 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 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 and
actually pressurizes the chamber ~o a degree as steam evolves
from the steeping brew in the sealed chamber.
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.
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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 140. 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 manifcld apertures 148 generally evenly distribute
the brew water thereby assuring that all of the beverage brew-
ing 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.
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 filter 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.
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2181228
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. Next, the spool 58 is raised
(as shown in Figure 5) to open the drain 41 and allow a
substantial portion of the slurry of the spent brewing
substance 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 55b, 55c through the valve 55a and the drain hole 41
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2181228
are sealed, the incoming water accumulates in the chamber 45.
As a result of the 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 waterline 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
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2181228
from the drain 41. 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 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 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.
I The spool 58 is moved upwardly (as indicated by
arrow 210) as shown in Figure 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 swirl-
ing 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. Waste
water (as indicated by arrows 218 in Figure 5) which flows
through the filter assembly 52 flows into the discharge tube
55. Because it would be highly undesirable to have waste
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2181228
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 the drain hole 41.
The spool 58 is axially displaced as well as rotated
during the flushing cycle because of the thread arrangement
on the lead screw 62. The lead screw 62 and the acme nut 70
are essentially self cleaning and therefore this arrangement
is not susceptible to build up of foreign matter as does the
prior art.
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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