Dispenser-maker interface and method of use

• US 6,479,086 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Knepler, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, George C.
• Application Number:
  US09/550,470
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 426/231, 426/433, 426/435, 426/590, 992/80, 992/82, 992/83, 992/85, 992/89.R, 993/23
• US Class Current: 426/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0621 with means for varying the infusion outflow velocity, e.g. for brewing smaller quantities
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/42 Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee coffee mills A47J42/00; coffee roasters in general A23N12/08
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 42/38 Parts or details

Abstract

An interface for a beverage dispenser, a maker and a funnel and its method of use is provided. The dispenser has a structure therein for storing and transmitting information and a user interface coupled thereto. The funnel includes a body and a memory device therein. The maker includes structure for reading the memory device of the funnel. When the funnel is mounted on the dispenser, the structure in the dispenser and the memory device of the funnel are in communication with each other so that information input into the dispenser by a user is transmitted to the funnel. The appropriate beverage is dispensed into the funnel. Thereafter, when the funnel is mounted on the maker, the structure in the maker and the memory device of the funnel are in communication with each other and the structure in the maker reads the information stored in the memory device of the funnel so that the desired beverage can be produced.

Claims

1. A method of producing a beverage comprising the steps of:

providing a funnel having a memory device therein, said memory device having information regarding a recipe for producing a beverage therein;

providing a beverage maker having means for reading said memory device of said providing said beverage maker with a component for controllably delivering water to said funnel;

providing a brewing substance in said funnel for producing a beverage;

mounting said funnel on said beverage maker, said means reading said memory device such that information regarding the recipe for producing a beverage is transmitted to said beverage maker; and

combining the brewing substance with water in said funnel based on the information regarding the recipe to produce a beverage.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said means and said memory device are in wireless communication with each other.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said means comprises a contact which extends outwardly from said beverage maker and is coupleable with said memory device when said funnel is mounted on said beverage maker.

4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein an electrical connection is solely formed between said contact, said memory device, a ground strip coupled between said memory device and a body of said funnel, and said beverage maker.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said means comprises integrated circuit means and further including an insert in said beverage maker through which information is transmitted from said memory device in said funnel to said integrated circuit means.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said memory device is an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory chip.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said memory device is an RFID.

8. A beverage maker and a funnel combination comprising:

said funnel comprising a body and a memory device therein said memory device having information regarding a recipe for producing a beverage therein; and

said beverage maker comprising a housing and means for reading said memory device of said funnel, said means and said memory deice capable of being in communication with each other such that information regarding the recipe for producing a beverage is transmitted to said beverage maker.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said means and said memory device are in wireless communication with each other.

10. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said means comprises a contact which extends outwardly from said housing and is coupleable with said memory device when said funnel is mounted on said beverage maker.

11. The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein when said funnel is mounted on said beverage maker, an electrical connection is solely formed between said contact, said memory device, a ground strip coupled between said memory device and a body of said funnel and said beverage maker.

12. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said means comprises integrated circuit means and further including an insert on said housing through which information is transmitted from said memory device in said funnel to said integrated circuit means.

13. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said memory device is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory chip.

14. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said memory device is an RFID.