Brewer Having a Programmable Temperature Component

• US 20080000358A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Goeckner, Victor, Schroetlin, Jamie
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/281
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/057 with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls

Abstract

A beverage making apparatus having structures and methods to facilitate programming of the apparatus with parameters suitable for a pre-determined brewing substances. The beverage making apparatus has a water delivery system for delivering water to a brewing substance holder containing a brewing substance. A temperature adjusting system is provided for adjusting the temperature of water in the water delivery system. A controller is provided for controllably operating the apparatus, the controller further being programmable with characteristics suitable for predetermined brewing substances.

Claims

1. A beverage making apparatus comprising:

a water delivery system to heat and deliver water to a brewing substance holder,

a temperature adjusting system for adjusting the temperature in the water delivery system; and

a controller for controllably operating the apparatus, the controller further being programmable with characteristics suitable for predetermined brewing substances.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water delivery system further comprises an inlet line comprising a controllable valve for delivering water to a reservoir for receiving water, the reservoir and the controllable valve being connected to and in communication with the controller to control the delivery of water to the reservoir.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a level sensor for detecting at least one of a level or range of levels of water in the reservoir, the level sensor being in level sensing communication with the reservoir.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a dispense line for delivering water from the reservoir to a spray head, the dispense line further comprising a controllable valve coupled to and in communication with the controller, wherein water from the spray head flows into the holder containing brewing substance.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature adjusting system comprises at least one temperature sensor and a heater;

the temperature sensor and the heater coupled to and in communication with the controller for controlling the temperature of water in the water delivery system.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller increases heat delivered by the heater to further increase temperature of water in the reservoir when the temperature of the water is below the programmed range suitable for predetermined brewing substances.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller refrains from energizing the heater when water in the water delivery system requires the temperature to be decreased based on parameters provided to the controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller introduces unheated water to the water delivery system when water in the water delivery system requires the temperature to be decreased based on parameters provided to the controller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a dilution line for delivering dilution water to a server for receiving dilution water and mixing brewed beverages with dilution water, the server suitably positioned to receive water from the dilution line and the holder, the dilution line further comprising a controllable valve coupled to and in communication with the controller for controllably delivering dilution water through the dilution line.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dilution line may deliver one or more items to the server, items being selected from the group consisting of water, flavorings, sweeteners, sweeteners based components, milk, milk based products and combinations thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a device reader coupled to and in communication with the controller and associated with the apparatus for detecting and reading an information device on the holder.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control panel coupled to and in communication with the controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing for containing the apparatus.

14. A beverage making apparatus comprising:

a water delivery system for delivering water to a brewing substance holder, the water delivery systems comprising an inlet line, a reservoir, a dispense line and a level sensor;

a temperature adjusting system for adjusting the temperature of water in the reservoir, the temperature adjusting system comprising at least one temperature sensor and a heater;

a controller for controllably operating the apparatus, the controller further being programmable with characteristics suitable for predetermined brewing substances; and

a control panel coupled to and in communication with the controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inlet line is coupled to a controllable valve, the controllable valve being couple to and in communication with the controller.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the dispense line delivers water from the reservoir to a spray head, the dispense line further comprising a controllable valve coupled to and in communication with the controller, wherein water from the spray head flows into the funnel containing brewing substance.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heater and the temperature sensor are coupled to and in communication with the controller for controllably adjusting the temperature of the water in the water delivery system.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a dilution line for delivering dilution water to a server for receiving dilution water and mixing brewed beverages with dilution water, the server suitably positioned to receive water from the dilution line and the holder, the dilution line further comprising a controllable valve coupled to and in communication with the controller for controllably delivering dilution water through the dilution line.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a device reader provided on the apparatus for detecting and reading an information device on the holder.