Automated milk inclusive coffee apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for automatically preparing and pouring steamed milk inclusive espresso beverages comprising:
- beverage receiving and dispensing means;
bean grinding means of the character to receive and grind a predetermined quantity of coffee beans;
liquor brewing means coupled to said bean grinding means and to a supply of heated water for receiving the ground coffee beans and the heated water and for delivering to said beverage receiving and dispensing means a charge of liquor in response to electrical control signals;
air entrained steamed milk production means for mixing milk from a refrigerated supply with air to form a foamed, steamed milk mixture and for delivering a charge of said mixture to said beverage receiving and dispensing means, said air entrained steamed milk production means includingmilk supply container means adapted for receiving a supply of liquid milk;
refrigeration means for maintaining said milk container means at a regulated refrigerated temperature;
steamed milk air venturi assembly means including a venturi injector throat;
electrically controlled milk valve means for selectively opening a valve to communicate said milk supply container means with said venturi injector throat;
electrically controlled steam valve means adapted to connect a supply of steam to an upstream end of said venturi injector throat, such that the operation of said electrically controlled milk valve means causes steam to be forced through said steamed milk air venturi assembly means and to draw milk from said milk supply by venturi injection into said venturi injector throat for mixing steam and milk;
air entrainment means for injecting air into said steam and milk mixture in said venturi assembly means, said air entrainment means comprising an air port communicating with said venturi injector throat so that air is drawn into said venturi injector throat along with said milk by the venturi action of said steam for mixing therewith; and
controller means for selectively operating said electrically controlled milk valve means and said electrically controlled steam valve means to cause timed steam flow in said venturi assembly and independently timed milk injection for said mixing thereof.
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Abstract
A automated, milk inclusive espresso coffee machine which includes a fully automatic coffee grinding and brewing apparatus and a steam generator for driving a venturi mixing device which draws ambient air and milk from a refrigerated source for making milk inclusive espresso beverages, all milk contacting surfaces being either refrigerated or steam cleaned with each beverage made and served. A novel microprocessor controls all operations including brewing, steam generating, water heating, refrigerating, operations parameters, measuring and monitoring, many "house-keeping" functions and others.
243 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically preparing and pouring steamed milk inclusive espresso beverages comprising:
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beverage receiving and dispensing means; bean grinding means of the character to receive and grind a predetermined quantity of coffee beans; liquor brewing means coupled to said bean grinding means and to a supply of heated water for receiving the ground coffee beans and the heated water and for delivering to said beverage receiving and dispensing means a charge of liquor in response to electrical control signals; air entrained steamed milk production means for mixing milk from a refrigerated supply with air to form a foamed, steamed milk mixture and for delivering a charge of said mixture to said beverage receiving and dispensing means, said air entrained steamed milk production means including milk supply container means adapted for receiving a supply of liquid milk; refrigeration means for maintaining said milk container means at a regulated refrigerated temperature; steamed milk air venturi assembly means including a venturi injector throat; electrically controlled milk valve means for selectively opening a valve to communicate said milk supply container means with said venturi injector throat; electrically controlled steam valve means adapted to connect a supply of steam to an upstream end of said venturi injector throat, such that the operation of said electrically controlled milk valve means causes steam to be forced through said steamed milk air venturi assembly means and to draw milk from said milk supply by venturi injection into said venturi injector throat for mixing steam and milk; air entrainment means for injecting air into said steam and milk mixture in said venturi assembly means, said air entrainment means comprising an air port communicating with said venturi injector throat so that air is drawn into said venturi injector throat along with said milk by the venturi action of said steam for mixing therewith; and controller means for selectively operating said electrically controlled milk valve means and said electrically controlled steam valve means to cause timed steam flow in said venturi assembly and independently timed milk injection for said mixing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for automatically preparing and pouring steamed milk inclusive beverages comprising:
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air entrained steamed milk production means for mixing milk from a refrigerated supply with air to form a foamed, steamed milk mixture and for delivering a charge thereof, said milk production means including milk supply container means of the character to receive a supply of liquid milk; refrigeration means for maintaining said milk container means at a regulated refrigerated temperature; steamed milk air venturi assembly means including a venturi injector throat;
electrically controlled milk valve means for selectively opening a valve to communicate said milk supply container means with said venturi injector throat;electrically controlled steam valve means adapted to connect a supply of steam to an upstream end of said venturi injector throat such that the operation of said electrically controlled steam valve means and said electrically controlled milk valve means causes steam to be forced through said steamed milk air venturi assembly means and to draw milk from said milk supply by venturi injection into said venturi injector throat for mixing steam and milk; air entrainment means for injecting air into said steam and milk mixture in said venturi assembly means including an air port communicating with said venturi injector throat so that air is drawn into said throat along with said milk and mixed therewith; user operated key board selection means for enabling a user to select a steamed milk inclusive beverage; and controller means coupled to said air entrained steamed milk production means and said user keyboard selction means for controlling said milk production means automatically in response to said user keyboard selection means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification