초록 ▼

A satellite coffee brewing system (10) includes a central brewing unit (11) cooperative with a plurality of like satellite receptacle units (12) for the storage and dispensing of hot coffee while positioned with the central brewing unit or at remote stations in a restaurant. The central brewing unit

A satellite coffee brewing system (10) includes a central brewing unit (11) cooperative with a plurality of like satellite receptacle units (12) for the storage and dispensing of hot coffee while positioned with the central brewing unit or at remote stations in a restaurant. The central brewing unit (11) comprises a siphon-type hot water system that directs the hot brewing water to an adjustable brew chamber (14) which is capable of discharging coffee in at least two different orientations whereby to alternately fill satellite units (12) arranged at any of said filling orientation. The central brewing unit includes a by-pass valve (44) capable of directing a portion of the hot water to by-pass the coffee grounds held inside a filter (50) in the brew chamber (14) by a basket (49) and spacers (47) so that the by-pass water flows around the filter (50) and into the satellite receptacle whereby the coffee grounds are prevented from being overextracted. A safety relay (60) is provided whereby the central brewing unit (11) includes a high capacity, quick recovery heating element (19) interiorly of the hot water tank to achieve the rapid successive brewing of large batches of coffee. A safety switch assembly (37) is provided whereby a brewing cycle cannot be initiated unless the brew chamber (14) is properly aligned to discharge into a correspondingly aligned empty satellite unit (12). A timer (62) and signal light (63) are electrically actuated by a brewing switch (43) wherein the age of a brewed batch of coffee may be monitored.

대표청구항 ▼

A satellite coffee brewing system comprising: a central brewing unit including a housing, a water tank means interiorly of said housing and associating with a heating means, said tank means being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet valve means for the admission of water thereto, a siphon

A satellite coffee brewing system comprising: a central brewing unit including a housing, a water tank means interiorly of said housing and associating with a heating means, said tank means being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet valve means for the admission of water thereto, a siphon tube means for discharging hot water displaced from the tank means upon the admission of inlet water at said inlet valve means, a spray head assembly associating with said siphon tubes means and adapted to receive siphoned water therefrom and for discharging said water to a brew chamber, means for removably mounting a brew chamber to the exterior of said housing to be in fluid communication with said spray head assembly, an adjustable brew chamber for holding coffee grounds and being removably mounted at said mounting means, said brew chamber including a discharge orifice at the a bottom thereof and the brew chamber being capable of adjustment whereby to position said discharge orifice into at least two discharge positions, safety switch means controlling the initiation of a brewing cycle and being arranged to be closable by the brew chamber upon the positioning of the brew chamber at one of said discharge positions; a plurality of satellite coffee receptacle units having an insulated coffee-holding reservoir therein and adjustable cover means thereover, said satellite units including spigot means for the dispensing of coffee therefrom, said satellite units further being interchangeable and capable of being arranged with said central brewing unit for receipt of brewed coffee from any of said discharge positions of said brew chamber, wherein at least two said satellite units are capable of being simultaneously arranged with said central brewing unit for sequential receipt of brewed coffee and having a combined width no greater than the width of said central brewing unit housing, said satellite units further being free standing and portable wherein the satellite units are adapted to dispense coffee while arranged at the central brewing unit and transportable to remote locations for dispensing coffee remote from the central brewing unit.