Machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee and related method

• US 7,673,555 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Inventors: Koller, Izaak, Baum, Mike, Shay, Brian, Nosler, Zander, Hulett, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US11/525,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20070068393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 992/89.R, 992/79, 992/97, 992/99, 992/87, 992/83, 426/433
• US Class Current: 99/279
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/007 for brewing on a large scale, e.g. for restaurants, or for use with more than one brewing container
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/20 having immersible, e.g. rotatable, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/40 Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• 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

Abstract

An embodiment of a machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston assembly disposed in the chamber. The chamber is operable to receive a liquid such as water and a flavor base such as ground coffee, and to allow the beverage to brew from a mixture of the liquid and the base. The piston assembly is operable to filter a solid such as spent coffee grounds from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction, and to force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction. By modifying or automating some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, such a machine may control one or more of the brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup. Furthermore, such a machine may brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.

Claims

1. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew; and

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction, and

dispense the filtered beverage from the machine by moving in a second direction.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller operable to control the movement of the piston assembly.

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein the chamber and the piston assembly are cylindrical.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein:

the chamber has an end and a beverage-dispensing conduit disposed in the end;

the piston assembly moves away from the chamber end while moving in the first direction; and

the piston assembly moves toward the chamber end while moving in the second direction.

5. The machine of claim 1 wherein:

the chamber has a bottom and a beverage-dispensing conduit disposed in the bottom;

the piston assembly moves away from the chamber bottom while moving in the first direction; and

the piston assembly moves toward the chamber bottom while moving in the second direction.

6. The machine of claim 1 wherein:

the flavor base comprises coffee grounds;

the liquid comprises water; and

the solid comprises spent coffee grounds.

7. The machine of claim 1 wherein the piston assembly comprises a filter assembly that is operable to:

filter the flavor base from the brewed beverage by passing the brewed beverage from a first portion of the chamber on a first side of the piston assembly to a second portion of the chamber on a second side of piston assembly and by preventing passage of the solid from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion as the piston assembly moves in the first direction, and

dispense the filtered beverage by preventing passage of the filtered beverage from the second chamber portion to the first chamber portion as the piston assembly moves in the second direction.

8. The machine of claim 1 wherein the piston assembly comprises:

a filter assembly; and

a valve that is operable to

allow the brewed beverage to pass through the filter assembly as the piston assembly moves in the first direction; and

prevent the filtered beverage from passing through the filter assembly as the piston assembly moves in the second direction.

9. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir operable to hold the liquid, to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature, and to provide the heated liquid to the chamber.

10. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a reservoir operable to hold the liquid and to heat the liquid to a first predetermined temperature; and

a temperature-control unit operable to receive the heated liquid from the reservoir, to change the temperature of the liquid from the first predetermined temperature to a second predetermined temperature, and to provide the liquid having the second predetermined temperature to the chamber.

11. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a reservoir operable to hold the liquid and to heat the liquid to a first predetermined temperature; and

a temperature-control unit operable to receive the heated liquid from the reservoir, to cool the liquid to a second predetermined temperature, and to provide the cooled liquid to the chamber.

12. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a holder operable to hold a beverage cup; and

wherein the piston assembly is operable to dispense the beverage into the cup.

13. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a holder operable to hold a beverage cup;

a sensor operable to indicate whether the beverage cup is in the holder; and

wherein the piston assembly is operable to force the beverage out of the chamber and into the beverage cup if the sensor indicates that the cup is in the holder.

14. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has a wall; and

a heating assembly coupled to the wall and operable to maintain the wall at a predetermined temperature.

15. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has an opening;

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening; and

wherein the piston assembly has a surface and is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston-assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

16. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has an opening;

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening;

wherein the piston assembly has a surface; and

wherein after dispensing the beverage the piston assembly is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston-assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

17. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has an opening;

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening;

wherein the piston assembly has a surface; and

wherein after filtering the beverage but before dispensing the beverage the piston assembly is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston-assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

18. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has an opening; and

a nozzle disposed outside of the chamber adjacent to the opening and operable to provide the liquid to the chamber.

19. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the chamber has a wall; and

an opening in the chamber wall operable to provide the liquid to the chamber.

20. The machine of claim 1, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

21. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a brew chamber; and

a piston assembly slideably disposed within the chamber and including

a filter assembly having a plurality of filter layers, and

a filter base plate including one or more openings for respectively receiving one or more one-way valves, wherein the filter assembly is coupled to the filter base plate.

22. The machine of claim 21, wherein the one or more valves comprises one or more check valves.

23. The machine of claim 21, wherein each of the one or more valves is flexible.

24. A method, comprising:

producing a beverage in a chamber from a flavor base and a liquid;

filtering a solid from the beverage by moving a piston in a first direction within the chamber; and

dispensing the filtered beverage by moving the piston in a second direction within the chamber.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein producing the beverage comprises brewing coffee in the chamber from ground coffee and water.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the solid comprises residual flavor base.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein producing the beverage comprises:

introducing the flavor base into the chamber;

introducing the liquid into the chamber; and

stirring the liquid containing the flavor base.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising wiping a solid residue from the piston into a waste-disposal unit after dispensing the beverage.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising wiping a solid residue from the piston into a waste-disposal unit after filtering but before dispensing the beverage.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving a beverage-producing parameter; and

producing the beverage according to the parameter.

31. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

electronically receiving a beverage-producing parameter; and

producing the beverage according to the parameter.

32. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having an end and a beverage-dispensing conduit disposed at least in part in the end; and

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction,

wherein the piston assembly moves away from the chamber end while moving in the first direction, and

wherein the piston assembly moves toward the chamber end while moving in the second direction.

33. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having a bottom and a beverage-dispensing conduit disposed at least in part in the bottom; and

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction,

wherein the piston assembly moves away from the chamber bottom while moving in the first direction, and

wherein the piston assembly moves toward the chamber bottom while moving in the second direction.

34. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a reservoir operable to hold the liquid, to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature, and to provide the heated liquid to the chamber.

35. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction;

a reservoir operable to hold the liquid and to heat the liquid to a first predetermined temperature; and

a temperature-control unit operable to receive the heated liquid from the reservoir, to change the temperature of the liquid from the first predetermined temperature to a second predetermined temperature, and to provide the liquid having the second predetermined temperature to the chamber.

36. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage Out of the chamber by moving in a second direction;

a reservoir operable to hold the liquid and to heat the liquid to a first predetermined temperature; and

a temperature-control unit operable to receive the heated liquid from the reservoir, to cool the liquid to a second predetermined temperature, and to provide the cooled liquid to the chamber.

37. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a holder operable to hold a beverage cup,

wherein the piston assembly is operable to dispense the beverage into the cup.

38. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction;

a holder operable to hold a beverage cup;

a sensor operable to indicate whether the beverage cup is in the holder,

wherein the piston assembly is operable to force the beverage out of the chamber and into the beverage cup if the sensor indicates that the cup is in the holder.

39. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having a wall;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a heating assembly coupled to the wall and operable to maintain the wall at a predetermined temperature.

40. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having an opening;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening,

wherein the piston assembly has a surface and is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

41. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having an opening;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening,

wherein the piston assembly has a surface, and

wherein after forcing the beverage out of the chamber the piston assembly is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

42. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having an opening;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a substantially flat surface contiguous with the opening,

wherein the piston assembly has a surface, and

wherein after filtering the beverage but before forcing the beverage out of the chamber the piston assembly is operable to move into a wipe position where the piston assembly surface is substantially coplanar with the contiguous surface.

43. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having an opening;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

a nozzle disposed outside of the chamber adjacent to the opening and operable to provide the liquid to the chamber.

44. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew, the chamber having a wall;

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction; and

an opening in the chamber wall operable to provide the liquid to the chamber.

45. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a chamber operable to receive a liquid and a flavor base and to allow the beverage to brew; and

a piston assembly disposed within the chamber and operable to;

filter a solid from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction; and

force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction,

wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

46. A machine for brewing a beverage, the machine comprising:

a brew chamber; and

a piston assembly slideably disposed within the chamber and including

a filter assembly, and

a one-way valve, wherein the valve is flexible.